All Asia: South & Central
- India police arrest two for gang rape of elderly Catholic nunPolice also are looking for other suspects who ransacked the Convent of Jesus and Mary School in India's West Bengal state on March 14, stole cash and raped the nun. Christian leaders say there have been a series of attacks on churches since last May.
FocusAs US draws down, can Ghani brake Afghanistan's economic slide?Afghan President Ashraf Ghani told Congress Wednesday that his country was trying to stand on its own feet. The US government has poured nearly $1 trillion in war and reconstruction in Afghanistan.
Mob attack on Afghan woman becomes rallying cry for justiceThe brutal killing of a religious teacher outside a Kabul mosque – for what turned out to be fabricated charges – has caused widespread outrage. President Ghani condemned the killing and ordered an investigation.
Under heavy Hindu sway, Mumbai bans beef. Are kabobs now contraband?Holy cows and Modi's BJP government have inspired the strictest laws India has ever seen on beef, making eating, selling, and possessing beef illegal. The move hits hardest against Muslim merchants.
Christian anger mounts in Pakistan. New 'soft targets' for Taliban?Suicide bombers hit Catholic and Protestant churches on Sunday, and four Shiite mosques have been attacked. Christians took to the streets Monday in an unusual display of anger.
India's ban on BBC film boomerangs, as critics assail rape injusticeGovernment officials deemed a documentary on rape too provocative to air. More than 90 percent of rape cases that go to trial in India end in acquittal, while thousands of other cases are never prosecuted.
In Myanmar, batons fly as student protesters meet harsh responseFor the past month, students have rallied against what they see as a restrictive new education law. Today, as they attempted to march toward Yangon, the government decided to crack down.
Delhi rape documentary: Would Indians believe rapist's views?The Indian government banned a film about a brutal 2012 rape and murder as potentially harmful to women.
Sherpas head back to Everest, leaving bitter protests behindAn avalanche that killed 16 Sherpas last year sparked protest over working conditions and pay, shutting down the rest of the 2014 season for international climbers.
Air in Delhi is world's worst, 13 other Indian cities aren't far behindIndia is ending years of denial about its air quality, while the US Embassy in New Delhi plans to give daily accurate measures of air quality for tourists and expatriates.
Over 120 dead following Afghan avalanche, official saysLarge parts of Afghanistan have been covered in snow as a major storm interrupted an otherwise mild and dry winter.
At least 70 dead in Bangladesh ferry accidentUp to 140 passengers were thought to be on the ferry when it capsized Sunday afternoon after being hit by a cargo vessel in the Padma River
Hindu homecoming? Case of India religious conversions looks bogus.A day after Obama talked religious freedom in Delhi, 150 Christians and Muslims supposedly became Hindu. Or did they?
Delhi election: Why an idealistic 'Common Man' beat PM Modi's partyThe ruling BJP and Congress, India's two political giants, were defeated Tuesday by an anti-corruption party led by a former tax inspector.
Afghan Taliban show resilience despite years of US 'capture-kill' policyUS forces in Afghanistan sought to defeat the Taliban by targeting their military and administrative chiefs. Yet today they remain a serious challenge to the new Afghan government.
Pakistan's venting over Kashmir provides stage for militantsKashmir Solidarity Day, celebrated annually in Pakistan, allows jihadist groups to air their anger over the disputed region. Just last month, the prime minister announced a 'zero tolerance' policy for militancy.
In Afghan capital, schoolgirls embrace freedoms denied to their mothersUnder Taliban rule, almost no Afghan girls went to school. Last year, some 3 million of 8 million students were female. With international forces now leaving the country, consolidating these gains may prove a challenge.
Paved roads a positive legacy of Afghan war. But who fixes potholes?Before 2002, Afghanistan had 50 miles of paved roads. Departing international forces are leaving more than 8,000 miles. Still, the World Bank estimates that a majority of roads aren't suitable for cars because of poor maintenance.
India surprise: After visit, will religious freedom be Obama's legacy?At a time when members of the current Hindu nationalist government are talking about 'converting' religious minorities to Hindu beliefs, Obama's words on free exercise and equality left a ringing sound.
After vote, Afghanistan still can't form working government. Why?Parliament today approved only eight of 25 cabinet nominees. After a year of delay, many nominees fell apart under scrutiny or could not satisfy hurdles like age, education, and anti-communism.
