All Asia: South & Central
For Afghan women, rocky path to respect exacts a steep priceWestern donors have spent heavily to improve women's lives in Afghanistan and teach them to fight for their rights. But the efforts would be more successful, some say, if they better fit the Afghan cultural context. Part 4 of Reaching for Equity: a global series on gender and power.
First LookIndia moves to deny tobacco industry's right to tradeIn a legal argument relying on a Roman-era law doctrine, the Indian government aims to take away the tobacco industry's right to trade in an effort to limit opposition to new regulations.
First LookRefugees in limbo: Rohingya reluctant to go homeBangladesh and Myanmar have struck a deal to send Rohingya Muslims living in refugee camps in Bangladesh back to villages in Myanmar, but refugees are hesitant to return to a country that regards them as illegal migrants.
First LookRohingya refugees find their voice in demands to MyanmarCitizenship, return of land, and justice are just some of the things being petitioned by Rohingya refugee leaders in a Bangladesh refugee camp. Representing 40 villages, Rohingya elders are heading the effort to have their demands met by Myanmar ahead of the repatriation process.
First LookAs Indian cities develop, minorities forced into slumsGhettoized into cramped conditions, low-income Hindus and Muslims struggle with access to civic amenities, ostracized in their efforts to find a job and better living conditions. These minorities and their increasingly worsening conditions highlight the deepening divide between the rich and the poor in India.
First LookBangladesh agrees with Myanmar on Rohingya returnMyanmar will begin the repatriation process of refugees currently in Bangladesh next week, but refugees fear mistreatment and that the temporary camps in Myanmar could become permanent.
First LookMapping India's 'invisible' shoemakersA meeting of shoemakers in south India aims to improve conditions for homeworkers, most of whom do not have access to social security or fair wages.
US sanctions based on "unreliable accusations," say Myanmar officialsThe response comes less than a week after the Trump administration levied sanctions against Major General Maung Maung Soe, who was in charge of a crackdown on the Rohingya minority in the western state of Rakhine.
First LookMyanmar to free reporters detained for drone cameraMyanmar police said they will release two journalists, an interpreter, and a driver, after arresting the group for filming with a drone. Two Reuters journalists, who were jailed in December while covering the Rohingya refugee crisis, remain in custody.
First LookIndia to ban imports of petcoke as concerns about air pollution growThe Indian government will phase out imports of petroleum coke, or petcoke, though the use of petcoke within the country continues to be debated. An AP report found US oil refineries are exporting the product to India in huge amounts, unable to unload it at home.
First LookPakistan Islamists claim victory after law minister resignsThe fundamentalist party, Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah, demanded Zahid Hamid's resignation over an omitted reference to Islam's Prophet Muhammad in a parliamentary bill. The result shows the small party's influence over Pakistani government.
Rohingya women face greater magnitudes of sufferingAccording to the UN, nearly all of the hundreds of thousands of women fleeing Myanmar have survived or witnessed sexual assault. Aid agencies say their response has been hampered by cuts in US funding and a retreat from humanitarian leadership.
Mumbai museum challenges Indians' self imageAs narrow minded nationalist voices rise in India, a new exhibition illustrates the depth and wealth of foreign influences on the nation's culture.
First LookCambodia's main opposition party forced to disbandCambodia's Supreme Court orders the opposition party to be dissolved. The verdict facilitates authoritarian practice in the nascent democratic state.
First LookSchools in Delhi close for a week due to smog conditionsSchool is closed temporarily in India's Delhi as air pollution in urban areas reaches severe levels. Government officials will consider stricter emissions regulations if pollution levels don't improve soon.
First LookIndia tells US it wants to keep its diplomatic ties to North KoreaUS Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met with Indian officials in New Delhi, India on Oct. 25, 2017. The meetings aimed to deepen relations between the two democracies and discuss series of issues across Asia.
First LookNew Delhi opts for cleaner air, bans use of coal alternative petcokeWith a series of bans intended to improve air quality in New Delhi India's top court is cracking down on polluting fuels used by industrial factories.
First LookWhen violence closes schools, Afghan girls are the most vulnerableWhile more children haven been attending school in Afghanistan over the past several years, threats from Islamic militants undermines that progress. Human rights organizations say that when schools face challenges or closures, young girls are the first to feel the effects.
First LookRohingya facing violence and hunger continue to cross into BangladeshFood shortages are forcing thousands more Rohingya across the border into Bangladesh, a dangerous journey that some refugees do not survive.
First LookCommon lands in India once again in the hands of rural communitiesFor rural communities, common lands mean safe grazing zones and easy access to water and firewood. The Indian government has maintained control of these lands for years, but now rural communities are taking back their lands.
