All Asia: South & Central
A dab of primary colors in India's 'Americanized' electionThe Congress Party held its first ever primaries to select candidates in 15 constituencies, while the opposition party is promoting its leader in a presidential-style campaign.
India's election: Five questions on the world's largest democracyToday is the first round of voting for India's next parliament, launching a five-week-long process that is the world's largest democratic exercise. A change at the top is predicted.聽
Young Afghans look forward with optimism Conversations with young Afghans following the country's presidential election.
FocusAs election looms, Afghanistan's history offers lessons 鈥撀燼nd hopeAs foreign troops draw down and a new president takes office, the sort of dealmaking among Afghans that could promote stability might actually grow easier. A聽triumphant Taliban march on Kabul 鈥� or even their old stronghold of Kandahar 鈥� is unlikely.
Are Afghan security forces ready to keep order as US draws down?As Afghanistan votes, recent high-profile attacks 鈥� including the killing of a Western journalist today 鈥� have intensified questions about Afghan capabilities in a year of political and military transition.
FocusAfghanistan's election: Who's next after Karzai?Here are four men who are leading candidates for president. Afghans will vote on April 5.
Progress WatchAfghan presidential ticket offers a twist: a female veepAfghanistan goes to the polls on Saturday. Hundreds of women are running for provincial council posts, and former minister is making history as the first-ever female vice presidential candidate.
Retail politics, Afghanistan-style: how two front-runners woo votersPresidential candidates Abdullah Abdullah and聽Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai energized thousands of their respective supporters at rallies in the Panjshir Valley and Kabul.
Taliban strike Afghan election HQ in relentless bid to disrupt key voteTaliban insurgents hit the election commission's compound in Kabul today, their fourth high-profile attack in 10 days. Afghans go to the polls April 5 to choose a new president.
Taliban attacks intensify in bid to upend Afghan presidential voteTheir third attack this week 鈥� today, on a Kabul guesthouse 鈥� further rattled election observers and foreigners, who have been a particular target ahead of the Apr. 5 vote.
Pakistan holds peace talks with Taliban: 5 things you need to knowThe Pakistani government opened its first direct talks with the Pakistan Taliban today. Here's a rundown of who the Pakistan Taliban really are, and why these talks matter.
Tackling Indian maternal deaths by smartphoneIndia leads the world in annual maternal deaths. Technology firms are pairing with the government's village health program to work with rural women.
Are 'battling begums' keeping Bangladesh back?Corruption charges threaten to worsen the animosity between the two women who have run the country for the past 20 years. Political instability is hurting economic growth.
India's upstart party preaches anticorruption. What else does it stand for?One of the founders of the Aam Aadmi Party resigned yesterday. The party's popularity has surged, but its candidates espouse an almost farcical range of policies.
Taliban tell Afghan voters to stay home ahead of presidential electionThe Taliban have tried to undermine every election since US-backed forces took power in 2001. The Interior Ministry claimed that 95 percent of polling stations will open on election day.聽
Protests in Kashmir after 67 students suspended for cheering the wrong teamKashmiri college students who cheered for Pakistan's cricket team face charges of mischief and 'attempt to cause communal disharmony.' But sedition charges against them were dropped.
In former Taliban fiefdom, Pakistan's first female council tackles abusesThe first judicial council for women was started in Pakistan's Swat Valley last year. Its founder has now been invited to join a traditional, male-only grand jirga.
Pakistan grapples with discontent over rape prosecutionsLess than four percent of Pakistan's rape cases result in a conviction, according to activists. Now some political parties are pushing to make it even harder to prosecute rapists.
Why a Pakistani reporter is suing the CIA for murderKareem Khan's son and brother died in a US drone strike. His lawsuit has made waves in Pakistan and overseas, and he was recently detained for nine days. 聽
Shaky Afghan-Taliban peace talks run into Pakistani obstructionRecent talks in Dubai may signal a push by Afghan President Karzai to strike a deal with Taliban leaders beyond Pakistan's purview as US troops prepare to leave.
