All Asia: South & Central
First LookBig US spending bill includes gift for Tibetans, Dalai LamaTacked onto Congress鈥� end-of-year spending bill was legislation supporting Tibetans鈥� right to choose a successor to their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. The Chinese government denounced the measure, accusing the US of meddling in its internal affairs.
Why India鈥檚 protesting farmers aren鈥檛 going homeIndian farmers have protested for weeks, demanding that Narendra Modi鈥檚 government repeal a trio of agriculture laws they worry will hurt earnings.
As Biden waits in wings, Pakistan takes a preemptive swipe at IndiaA Pakistani diplomatic campaign that seeks to tarnish India鈥檚 image on the world stage is aimed at the incoming Biden administration.聽
First LookIn Nepal, Kung Fu nuns climb Himalayas to aid needyTraditionally, Buddhist nuns are expected to cook and clean. But a group known as the Kung Fu nuns has been delivering COVID-19 relief to isolated villages out of reach of traditional public health campaigns, on both sides of the India-Nepal border.
Love and the law: Hindu-Muslim couple challenges India鈥檚 marriage ruleInterfaith marriages in India have faced harassment, amid concerns over growing discrimination against Muslims. Some couples are pushing back.
First LookIn Pakistan, a 'Happy' solution to curb crop burning takes offA new effort by the Punjab government to tackle air pollution caused by rice stubble burning is taking off as machines 鈥� called Happy Seeders 鈥� are given to farmers at a subsidized cost. The technology could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 78%.聽
First Look鈥極ur land is our mother鈥�: Farmer protests fill New Delhi streetsIndia鈥檚 farmers have packed the capital for a week protesting new agriculture laws, which they say will drive down their prices and aid corporations.
First LookIndia prepares for Diwali festival, ignoring COVID concernsIndia鈥檚 Diwali festival of lights begins on Saturday and many people are already filling shopping areas in key cities like New Delhi and Mumbai. India聽has more than 8.7 million cases of the coronavirus, the second-highest in the world.
First LookEducation under fire: Islamic militants attack Kabul UniversityIslamic State militants attacked Kabul University, targeting the聽university鈥檚 eastern side, where law and journalism classes are taught, killing 22 and wounding others.聽Meanwhile, peace talks continue between the Taliban and the U.S.-backed government in Kabul.
First LookConcerns over freedom grow as Kashmir nonprofits and media raidedThe Indian National Investigation Agency raided 10 locations in Kashmir on Wednesday, saying they are investigating separatist activities. The move raises concerns over eroding press freedom in the disputed region.
First LookIn India, urban planners anticipate climate changeIndia鈥檚 cities are expanding as the country's population continues to grow and urbanize. With that comes the challenge of building infrastructure for the future, taking into account the threats posed by climate change.
First LookChina's economy bounces back as consumers resume spendingRetail spending has rebounded to above pre-virus levels after the ruling Communist Party declared the coronavirus under control in March and lifted restrictions on travel and businesses.
Opportunity strikes: More women behind Bollywood鈥檚 camerasIndian women filmmakers have often struggled to break into Bollywood. But streaming services, as elsewhere, have created new opportunity.聽
First LookFor third time since 2005, protests oust Kyrgyzstan's presidentFollowing disputed election results,聽Sooronbai Jeenbekov has resigned as president. Amid rising tensions and unrest, Mr. Jeenbekov said he didn鈥檛 want 鈥渢o go down in history as a president who shed blood and shot at his own citizens.鈥�
For Tibetan refugees, the India-China border rift is personalTibetan refugees in India hope that renewed global attention to the India-China border could bring greater recognition for their community.
First LookTackling gender inequality through soccer in IndiaIn Rajasthan, India, early marriage persists despite having been outlawed more than a decade ago. But a girls鈥� soccer initiative has helped child brides gain the confidence to fight for their rights and overcome community pressure to pursue their own goals.
The ExplainerHimalayan pullback: The tense history of India-China borderIndia and China have pledged to deescalate the tensest standoff along their contested border in decades. But deep mistrust and nationalism continue.
First LookAfghan peace talks: Face-to-face negotiations launchedTaliban and Afghan negotiators met for the first time Saturday to start historic meetings aimed at ending decades of war in Afghanistan.
First LookYouth protests spur change in Nepal's coronavirus responseThe movement marked a victory in getting the government to switch to more reliable tests, cover costs for COVID-19 patients, and provide more personal protective equipment for front-line workers.
First Look'The most important step': India, China to de-escalate borderIndia and China have agreed to disengage thousands of troops along their disputed border in the Ladakh region. The de-escalation is a change of trajectory since a deadly border clash in June and an exchange of fire last week.
