South & Central Asia

India's Lower House Passes Citizenship Bill Despite Protests

Bill would grant residency and citizenship rights to non-Muslims who allegedly fled persecution in neighboring nations

Outlandish Claims at Indian Scientific Gathering Spark Outcry

Organizers of Indian Scientific Congress promise more careful scrutiny at their annual meetings

Modi Plans Job Quotas for Less Well-Off Indians as Election Nears

The initiative is expected to mainly benefit the upper echelons of India's centuries-old Hindu caste system, which has traditionally been a core voter base for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party

Thousands Protest Citizenship Bill in India's Assam

Protesters burned copies of the legislation in angry marches in the state, where millions settled after fleeing neighboring Muslim-majority nations

Amnesty Slams India for Deporting Rohingya to Myanmar

India, which is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention, handed the family of five to Myanmar authorities on Thursday

Taliban Raid, Market Blast Kill More Than 30 in Afghanistan

The Taliban staged coordinated raids in two districts of northwestern Badghis province late Sunday, killing 21 Afghan soldiers and police personnel

Afghanistan: 30 Dead in Makeshift Gold Mine Collapse

Villagers in the northern province of Badakhshan were mining for gold in a river bed when the makeshift mine collapsed

Indian Women Who Defied Protesters to Enter Temple in Hiding

Women say they were not surprised by backlash from those angered by their entry but were motivated by their determination to ensure respect for court's judgment

Rain Clears India Smog, Air Quality Still ‘Very Poor’

The reading of one measure of hazardous particles was the lowest since Nov. 4 and still five times what’s considered healthy by US

Green Tech Provides Safe Drinking Water for Rohingya Refugees

Five solar-powered safe water systems are providing clean drinking water for more than 40,000 Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar on a daily basis

Taliban Says Peace Talks With US Are on Track