All Asia: South & Central
First LookSlum dwellers in the Philippines build homes through community programsThrough state-backed programs partnered with charities and private firms, many Philippine families are leaving behind their fear of eviction in the Manila slums to build their own homes, finding a greater sense of peace and community.
Hindu prayer service? There’s an app for that.The combination of religion and hand-held technology isn't new, but its horizons may be widest in India. A new crop of start-ups has caught the attention of temples and techies alike.
First LookAfter fleeing violence in Myanmar, Rohingya refugees struggle in IndiaThousands of Rohingya Muslims who have settled in India face significant hurdles to secure jobs, homes, and documentation in a country that is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention nor does it have laws to protect their rights.
First LookMyanmar's farmers shift from growing poppies to raising silkwormsFarmers in the hills of eastern Myanmar have grown poppies for generations, much of which ends up as heroin. A Chinese company is working with locals to help them raise silkworms to export to China in hopes that opium loses its foothold in the nation.
First LookIndian journalists face consequences if critical of Modi's administrationSome journalists say they increasingly face threats with physical harm and abuse on social media when they run stories critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India ranked 138th out of 180 countries surveyed in the latest World Press Freedom Index.
First LookAs water scarcity worsens, 'Day Zero' becomes commonplace in IndiaA fast-growing population, rising demand for water, and poor management of resources has led to water scarcity in India where more than 1 in 10 people lack access to clean water near their home, according to a WaterAid report.
Cover StoryThe girls who took over a town in rural IndiaDevelopment experts around the world are increasingly focused on girls as a linchpin of economic and social progress. In Thennamadevi, though, teen girls have taken action on their own, improving their village with a speed that would make any official envious.
First LookSouth India's 'Tollywood' film industry addresses sex traffickingTollywood, an influential film industry, has produced six short anti-trafficking films designed to deter young men from buying sex in an effort to counter the number of trafficked girls and women lured by acting opportunities.
First LookMalala returns home with promise to continue fighting for girls' educationSix years after she was shot by the Taliban for attending school, Malala returns home to Pakistan. She continues to work for girls' education and asks that Pakistan be united on such issues as providing better health care and education.
First LookPakistan's first transgender newscaster breaks barriersMarvia Malik is the first trans TV anchor in a conservative Muslim country where members of her community are often ostracized and targeted in violent attacks. She aims to use her profession to change the perceptions of Pakistani society toward transgender people.
Global decline in democracy? The lesson from India may be 'Not so fast.'Many of the world’s established democracies are showing strains, and India is no exception. But the world's largest democracy also offers a portrait of a remarkably diverse, complex society resisting some antidemocratic pressures.
First LookIndia offers assistance in boosting use of solar power around the worldIndia, the top contributor to growth in energy demand, is now in partnership with France to take its growing knowledge on solar power and use it to help other tropical countries around the world implement programs of their own.
For Indians rethinking college abroad, home has new degree of possibilityA new US administration, red tape, and the high costs have discouraged some applicants from abroad. But in India, many university students say they see a growing sense of opportunity right here, for their college years and beyond.
First LookIndia's plan for an eco-friendly city asks farmers to give up their landThe new city of Amaravati, designed to be eco-friendly and sustainable, is seen as a new direction for Indian cities that are typically polluted and congested. However, there's been a push back from local farmers unwilling to relinquish fertile land to construction cranes.
First LookMyanmar bulldozes remnants of Rohingya villagesSatellite images of Myanmar's Rakhine state show dozens of Rohingya villages have been leveled by authorities. Human rights advocates say the government is demolishing what amounts to scores of crime scenes before any credible investigation takes place.
First LookRohingya refugees could find new home on Floating IslandIn what its prime minister said would be a 'temporary arrangement,' Bangladesh is turning an uninhabited island into a home for 100,000 Rohingya Muslims. But aid workers said they remain seriously concerned the island can't sustain livelihoods for thousands of people.
First LookTo avoid global watchlist, Pakistan takes control of Islamist charitiesPakistan's government assumed control of a vast web of charity organizations previously run by Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation charities, two groups viewed as terrorist fronts by the United States.
Amid Kashmir's unrest, girls' sports are more than a gameYoung Kashmiri sportswomen are pushing boundaries in everything from rugby to karate. It's a source of both empowerment and escape in a region where opposition to Indian rule often flares into violence.
Fighting sexism, India's police ask: When is 'women only' good for women?A vicious gang rape in 2012 spurred a groundswell for reform to combat rampant harassment and gender-based violence. Some police have turned to all-female patrols and stations – but the approach has plenty of critics. Part 6 of Reaching for Equity: a global series on gender and power.
First LookChinese solar company takes root in India to avoid import taxesGlobal complaints of Chinese trade policies have risen recently, and several countries are considering import taxes against the nation. In response, one of the China's largest solar suppliers announced plans on Tuesday to invest in manufacturing facilities in India.
