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Nepal’s new Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli looks on after taking the oath of office during a ceremony at the presidential office in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 15. Photo: EPA-EFE

Politics

Nepal’s PM heads to Beijing, signalling shift from New Delhi

K.P. Sharma Oli’s visit reflects Nepal’s intention to strengthen ties with China and rebalance traditionally India-centric relations.

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India seeks to boost ties with Afghanistan – is it a move to sideline Pakistan?

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Bangladesh’s Yunus could ‘bury the hatchet’ with Trump to advance ties

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Politics

Women candidates signal potential shift in Sri Lanka’s male-dominated politics

While analysts welcome the increase, they caution that more women in politics alone won’t challenge patriarchal norms and achieve true gender equality.

People wait in a queue to cast their ballots at a polling station during Sri Lanka’s presidential election in Galle on September 21. Photo: TNS
People wait in a queue to cast their ballots at a polling station during Sri Lanka’s presidential election in Galle on September 21. Photo: TNS

South Asia

India’s political parties woo women voters with cash handouts

A greater turnout of women voters in the past decade is pushing political parties to compete to attract them.

South Asia

China demands joint security of its citizens in Pakistan after Karachi attack

The plan to deploy Chinese security personnel faces resistance from Pakistani authorities.

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South Asia

In India, trial starts over rape and murder of Kolkata doctor

Charges were drawn up last week, while the man arrested said he was ‘completely innocent’ and was being framed.

People make posters during a protest condemning the rape and murder of a trainee medic at a government-run hospital in Kolkata. Photo: Reuters

South Asia

Bhutan aims to sell Southeast Asia on its 21-year ‘mindfulness city’ project

The tiny Himalayan kingdom is looking to raise US$100 million to get its planned special administrative region off the ground.

A Bhutanese man looks out over mountains in the South Asian nation. Photo: AFP
A Bhutanese man looks out over mountains in the South Asian nation. Photo: AFP

South Asia

‘It’s now a 2-player game’: India’s top airlines vie for each other’s customers

Market leader IndiGo is dipping its toe into business-class travel, as Air India completes its merger with Singapore Airlines-owned Vistara.

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South Asia

26 killed in Pakistan rail station suicide bombing, BLA claims responsibility

The attack occurred in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, as the BLA demands a halt on all Chinese-funded projects in Pakistan.

Lifestyle & Culture

‘Huge opportunity for us’: can Nepal cash in on China’s tourism campaign?

Nepal should introduce more incentives and use Chinese social media platforms to promote itself to bring in visitors, industry players say.

A view of the Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal. Photo: Bibek Bhandari

Diplomacy

How should Indo-Pacific leaders deal with Trump 2.0? Analysts say get personal

Shinzo Abe, Japanese prime minister during Trump’s first term, is cited as an example of how to work with the US president-elect.

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World leaders are considering how best to deal with US President-elect Donald Trump. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
World leaders are considering how best to deal with US President-elect Donald Trump. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

Health & Environment

As deadly smog threatens India, Pakistan, experts urge joint climate action

Burning of crop residues and bursting of firecrackers during Diwali have exacerbated the problem, with current measures ineffective, experts say.

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South Asia

India’s Hindus bathe in ‘toxic’ holy river defiled by pollution

Thousands of people entered the stinking waters to pray in a religious festival, with some drinking the water.

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South Asia

‘Moment of pride’: Indians toast Usha Vance after Harris loses US election

Indian heritage of the vice-president-elect’s wife sparks hopes for stronger India-US relationship.

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J.D. Vance gets a kiss from his wife Usha at a campaign rally in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 4. Photo: EPA-EFE

Politics

What Trump 2.0 means for India’s trade with US, China-West balancing act

India may be able to dodge import tariffs, while Modi’s friendship with Trump could also be key to shaping ties, analysts note.

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A kitemaker displays a kite decorated with an image of former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Amritsar, India, on Wednesday. Trump has won the US presidential election, according to US media. Photo: AFP
A kitemaker displays a kite decorated with an image of former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Amritsar, India, on Wednesday. Trump has won the US presidential election, according to US media. Photo: AFP

Health & Environment

‘A Diwali nightmare’: pollution crisis grips India after firework celebrations

Air quality experts say the surge in air pollution following the festival is leading to increased respiratory issues and hospital admissions.

South Asia

Indian Kashmir assembly demands restoration of partial autonomy

The resolution, opposed by PM Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, calls for dialogue with elected representatives to restore autonomy.

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South Asia

Trump or Harris: whoever wins, India expects a more isolationist US

The United States’ prior ‘dominance and generosity’ may be a thing of the past, says India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

Indian’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar gestures during a panel discussion with the foreign ministers of New Zealand and Australia in Canberra on Wednesday Photo: AFP

Politics

Priyanka Gandhi’s electoral debut: a new hope for India’s Congress?

While her victory in Wayanad seems assured, analysts say Priyanka and her brother must lead a broader party overhaul to beat Modi’s BJP.

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Priyanka Gandhi addresses Congress party supporters during an election rally in Chandigarh, India, in May. Photo: AFP
Priyanka Gandhi addresses Congress party supporters during an election rally in Chandigarh, India, in May. Photo: AFP

South Asia

2 Chinese nationals shot in Pakistan’s Karachi

The attack has prompted Beijing to demand enhanced security for its citizens amid ongoing militant attacks.

South Asia

Kamala Harris’ ancestral Indian village prays for her US presidential victory

Banners and billboards bearing her face adorn the village of Thulasendrapuram, while the local temple holds special prayers for her success.

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South Asia

India’s capital chokes on toxic smog, while Pakistan airs its grievances

New Delhi ranks as the world’s second most polluted city, after Lahore in neighbouring Pakistan, which blames India for the pollution.

A man walks amid heavy smog in New Delhi on Friday. Officials said on Tuesday that air quality in the Indian capital was likely to be ‘very poor’ or ‘severe’ all week. Photo: EPA-EFE
Open Questions series

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

This economist says China’s property oversupply is far from over. Here’s why

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Ex-World Bank economist on why ‘China will not be misled’, dodging Japan’s fate

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Arthur Kroeber: why China decoupling is unlikely, and talk of reform incomplete

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Illustration: Henry Wong

South China Sea flare-up risk ‘much higher’: Taiwan’s former unofficial US envoy

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23
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

videocam
29
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

videocam
13
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

This economist says China’s property oversupply is far from over. Here’s why

videocam
46
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Ex-World Bank economist on why ‘China will not be misled’, dodging Japan’s fate

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21
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Arthur Kroeber: why China decoupling is unlikely, and talk of reform incomplete

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38
Illustration: Henry Wong

South China Sea flare-up risk ‘much higher’: Taiwan’s former unofficial US envoy

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23
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
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