All Asia: South & Central
- Benazir Bhutto's son takes up the family trade in Pakistan
The son of Pakistan's slain former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, launched his political career Thursday, vowing to continue his mother's fight for democracy.
- Muslim scholars and clerics: suicide bombings are un-Islamic.
A conference of religious leaders is set to meet in January in Afghanistan specifically to publicize the fact that suicide bombing violence is not in the Quran.
- Delhi gang-rape case could be turning point for India's rape laws
India is considering a fast-track court process to expedite rape cases and step up punishment for sexual violence on the heels of the bus rape incident that spurred outrage across India.
- In India, a Hindu nationalist rebuilds image with Muslim votes
Hindu nationalist leader Narendra Modi secured his fourth term as chief minister of India's Gujarat State, despite his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots, in which some 1,000 Muslims were killed.
- Five women shot dead in Pakistan for fighting polio
Five female health workers vaccinating children against polio have been shot dead in Pakistan as Islamic militants raise suspicions about immunization efforts.
- Most Pakistani lawmakers dodge taxes as world gives aid, loans
Only 126 parliamentarians out of 446 filed income tax returns in the previous fiscal year in a country that relies on international loans and aid to meet its fiscal challenges.
- Taliban attack on Pakistani airport highlights changed tactics
Ten men from the Pakistani Taliban attacked the international airport in Peshawar last night. Six people were killed after a stand-off between the militants and Pakistani forces.
- In Afghanistan, a girl's killing stands out – for police response
Police have arrested suspects in the recent beheading of a girl, but a new report released today by the UN finds that violent acts against women remain under reported and often ignored.
- New UN plan to get girls in school boosted by Malala's father
The father of Malala Yousufzai, the girl shot in Pakistan for speaking on behalf of girls' education, attended the unveiling of a new plan to get girls around the world into schools.
- India tests ways to help farmers cope with climate change
Concerns about how climate change may be affecting India are bringing fresh urgency – and funding – to longstanding challenges in sustainable agriculture.
- Human rights report names names in Kashmir, invokes international law
The report analyzes 214 cases and for the first time names 500 specific perpetrators working for India of crimes including enforced disappearance, killings, rape, and torture.
- India's sports bureaucracy booted from the Olympics
The International Olympic Committee decided Tuesday to suspend the Indian Olympic Association, citing bad governance and meddling by the Indian government.