All Asia: South & Central
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.
First LookBangladesh to clear space for Rohingya refugees in its forestAs Bangladesh looks for room for the half million Rohingya refugees who have streamed across its border since August, the government has approved clearing 2,000 forest acres so aid workers can put up 150,000 tarpaulin shelters.
FocusBangladesh opens doors – and hearts – to fleeing RohingyaResidents of Bangladesh, one of the poorest nations in Asia, are scrambling to provide hundreds of thousands Rohingya refugees pouring over their border with some semblance of normalcy.
As waters recede, Bangladesh takes stock – and plans for more flood-prone futureThanks to geography, Bangladesh is one of the most flood-prone countries in the world, particularly vulnerable to climate change. But as the country's economy grows, so may its ability to cope, adapt, and plan ahead.
First LookRohingya refugee camps swell to dramatic proportionsThe UN and the US sent humanitarian aid to Rohingya refugees, but it's not nearly enough for the 420,000 Muslims fleeing violent attacks, the UN says.
First LookPakistan breaks down gender barriers, one bike at a timeA new bike-sharing program has started up on a sprawling university campus in Islamabad. The goal was to reduce commute time, but it also brought an unexpected result: greater freedom for female students.
Quotas bring wave of Nepalese women into office. What they need next.Quotas for female candidates, and low-caste Dalit women in particular, are catapulting underrepresented groups into Nepal's local governments. It's a strong start, advocates say, but more work is needed to help them deliver on the promise of change.
First LookAs the world watched Harvey and Irma, devastating floods washed over South AsiaThe heaviest floods to hit South Asia in a decade has brought attention to the need for better prevention and preparation for the region's annual monsoon season.
