World | Asia: South & Central
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First Look After Rohingya refuse to go, Bangladesh puts return plans on hold
On Nov. 15, Bangladesh had planned on beginning the repatriation of 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar, where they had previously faced violence. But the Rohingya people – fearing for their own safety – refused to return when the buses appeared.
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Lure of Europe loses shine for Afghans
Not long ago, there were almost as many Afghans as Syrians applying for asylum in Europe. But their numbers dropped by 75 percent last year. Why? Part 6 of On the Move: the faces, places, and politics of migration.
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First Look Aasia Bibi free in Pakistan as hard-line Islamists protest blasphemy
After spending 8 years on death row for allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammed, Christian Aasia Bibi has left prison and is planning to seek asylum in Europe. Her case has sparked nationwide demonstrations by the extremist Tehreek-e-Labbaik Party.
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India’s Modi stakes claim to future – and past – with world’s tallest statue
Twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty, the Statue of Unity depicts an important freedom fighter. Hindu nationalists are making a bid to control his legacy, analysts say.
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Photos of the Week 12/17 Photos of the Week
Female inmates dressed as guards pose for a photo during Nelson Hungria Prison's annual Christmas event for inmates and jail staff in Rio de Janeiro on Dec. 13. Inmates serving time for offenses from burglary to homicide spent weeks decking out their cell blocks with handmade Christmas decorations and planning Bible-related p...
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First Look India's ruling party caters to Hindu nationalists ahead of elections
Calls to ignore court orders, demolish mosques, and vote as a religious bloc suggest the political party of India's Prime Minister Modi is heading toward the extremes of Hindu nationalism.
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First Look Rohingya teen looks beyond refugee camp to college and a career
Rahima Akter, born in a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh, is one of only a few girls to complete a high school education. Now, she's preparing university applications and interviewing refugees who fled Myanmar last year, hoping to document their stories.
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First Look In Nepal, women learn how to build stronger homes after 2015 earthquake
In April 2015, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake ripped through Nepal, leaving more than 785,000 families homeless. Rebuilding efforts are frustratingly slow, and so Nepali women have started to build their own homes – but this time, stronger.
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First Look Can Asian leaders say no to Chinese-funded development as promised?
New leaders in Malaysia, Pakistan, and the Maldives all campaigned on promises to reevaluate Chinese-funded development projects that increase the national debt and bolster China's influence. Now that they've been elected, will they follow through?
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First Look Pope and China to jointly decide on appointing Catholic bishops
Since the Communist takeover in 1949, the Catholic Church has had limited control in China with a split between underground and state-sponsored churches. This new compromise could signal a new direction for the faithful and a step toward restoring diplomatic ties between the Vatican and Beijing.
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First Look In high-stakes election in the Maldives, a win for democracy
In what many feared would be a rigged election and a slide back toward autocratic rule, opposition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih declared victory over President Yameen Abdul Gayoom. Over the past few years, Mr. Yameen has grown increasingly powerful by jailing his opponents.
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First Look Instant divorce of Muslim women outlawed by India's Modi government
The practice of talaq in Indian Muslim communities allows men to instantly divorce their wives. India's Hindu-led government is pursuing its punishment of this edict in efforts to, some experts say, broaden their electoral chances ahead of elections in April.
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First Look A mountain water pipe brings peace to Pakistani village
With a limited water supply, villagers in northern Pakistan struggled to grow crops, bathe, and drink clean water. But a new mountain pipe drastically increased water supply, yielding greener fields and a higher quality of life.
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First Look Who will Aung San Suu Kyi stand with: the military or the Rohingya?
As the Myanmar military continues to face international pressure for its role in the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya minority last year, many are wondering what the country's democratically elected leader will do.
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First Look India's highest court delivers victory for LGBT rights
The country overturned an 1861 British colonial law that criminalized LGBT Indians. The court's decision is a first step toward the recognition of sexual orientation as a fundamental right in South Asia.
