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A Sentinel tribal man aims with his bow and arrow at an Indian Coast Guard helicopter as it flies over their island for survey in Indias Andaman and Nicobar archipelago in 2004. Photo: AP/Indian Coast Guard
India

US tourist arrested after visit to forbidden Indian tribal island

Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov tried to make contact with the isolated Sentinelese tribe and left offerings on the island.

India

India turns to AI to boost early detection of glaucoma

Japan

Japan faces demand for full footage over death of Sri Lankan woman from family

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India

India’s Lower House passes bill that would change Muslim land laws

Critics fear it will further undermine Muslim rights in India and could be used to confiscate historic mosques and other property.

Supporters of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an election campaign rally in Pushkar on April 6, 2024. Modi’s government says India is run on democratic principles of equality and no discrimination exists in the country. Photo: AFP
Supporters of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an election campaign rally in Pushkar on April 6, 2024. Modi’s government says India is run on democratic principles of equality and no discrimination exists in the country. Photo: AFP
India

Temasek takes a big bite of India’s food market with major Haldiram’s deal

The state investment fund has reportedly bought a 10 per cent stake in the leading Indian food company for US$1 billion.

Sri Lanka

India and Sri Lanka set to sign defence pact amid China’s rising regional clout

Both sides are also expected to sign agreements on the development of solar power plants and trade cooperation in several sectors.

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India

Air India’s ‘whitetail’ plane windfall from China dries up

Boeing’s surplus jets, originally built for Chinese carriers, fuelled growth – but with those exhausted, the airline faces delivery delays.

Air India aircraft parked in the background in New Delhi. Photo: AP
Air India aircraft parked in the background in New Delhi. Photo: AP
India

India’s early moves to shield from Trump’s global tariffs may pay off

The US may not target India as yet under its global reciprocal tariffs given New Delhi’s moves to slash import duties, analysts say.

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India

‘Deep optics’: what Yunus’ China trip means for Bangladesh-India ties

While Bangladesh’s flags flew high, commemorating a liberation forged with Indian blood, its interim leader was in China sealing deals.

India

India’s hotter-than-usual weather may strain power networks, put crops at risk

India is facing an unusually hot April, risking wheat crop damage and straining power grids, with record electricity demand and potential diesel shortages.

An Indian rickshaw puller drinks from a plastic bottle during a hot afternoon in Kolkata, India, on March 27. Photo: EPA-EFE
Indonesia

Eid celebrations in Indonesia and India face economic and political challenges

Eid ul-Fitr in Indonesia sees subdued celebrations due to soaring prices and economic strain, while Indian Muslims face political challenges amid festivities.

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A balloon vendor waits for customers at the site where Indonesian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Jakarta on March 31. Photo: AFP
A balloon vendor waits for customers at the site where Indonesian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Jakarta on March 31. Photo: AFP
Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s ‘remittance warriors’ deliver record US$3 billion boost

The surge in money being sent home by overseas workers is a vote of confidence in Muhammad Yunus’ transitional government, observers say.

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India

AIKEYME in action: India counters China with African naval outreach

India’s naval diplomacy focuses on building trust and offering a ‘non-coercive’ alternative to China’s investments, analysts say.

Pakistan

Pakistan’s Parsi community shrinks as young migrate

Many young and skilled Pakistanis want to leave a country wracked with political uncertainty, security challenges and a struggling economy.

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Garbage pickers sort waste strewn around the corner of the formerly clean and tidy Sohrab Katrak Parsi Colony, which was nearly deserted by its original inhabitants, in Karachi. Photo: AFP
Pakistan

Scent of scandal: Pakistani YouTuber’s perfume stirs religious controversy

Rajab Butt was charged with blasphemy after launching a perfume named ‘295’, referring to blasphemy legislation in Pakistan’s penal code.

Rajab Butt pictured in a jail cell last year after being arrested on an unrelated charge. Photo: X/FearlessWolfess
Rajab Butt pictured in a jail cell last year after being arrested on an unrelated charge. Photo: X/FearlessWolfess
India

India probes comedian over jokes about Modi ally, sparking free speech debate

The investigation into Kunal Kamra’s jokes about Eknath Shinde have sparked vandalism and raised concerns over free speech.

Pakistan

Pakistan charges human rights, Baloch activist with ‘terrorism’

Mahrang Baloch, one of Pakistan’s most prominent human rights advocates, has long campaigned for the Baloch ethnic group.

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India

India: quashing Volkswagen’s tax bill would be ‘catastrophic’

Indian officials said agreeing to quash the US$1.4 billion tax bill would encourage companies to withhold information and delay inquiries.

A person walks next to the logo of German car maker Volkswagen on a wall at the company’s plant in Wolfsburg, Germany, on March 7. Photo: EPA-EFE
A person walks next to the logo of German car maker Volkswagen on a wall at the company’s plant in Wolfsburg, Germany, on March 7. Photo: EPA-EFE
Pakistan

Leading human rights, Baloch advocate detained in Pakistan

Mahrang Baloch has long campaigned for the Baloch ethnic group, which alleges extrajudicial harassment, arrests and killings by Islamabad.

India

Trump’s brand booms in Asia despite worldwide loathing

Two months after his frenetic return to the White House, Donald Trump’s brand has had mixed success worldwide.

India

Amid India’s trade blitz, New Zealand joins the race for a deal

New Delhi is simultaneously pursuing agreements with the UK and the EU, driven by export-led growth ambitions and concerns over US policies.

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India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) shakes hands with his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon in New Delhi on Monday. Photo: AFP
Bangladesh

Trump’s US aid cuts to add to Rohingya refugees’ misery as food rations bite

UN World Food Program said that without additional funds, it would have to cut food rations to US$6 a month from US$12.50 in Cox’s Bazar.

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Rohingya refugees wait for relief supplies during Ramadan at the Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Rohingya refugees wait for relief supplies during Ramadan at the Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Philippines’ crackdown on Duterte disinformation may backfire, analysts warn

Investigation of vloggers accused of spreading falsehoods may further entrench his supporters’ beliefs and deepen the country’s political divide.

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The Philippines

Will India and South Korea join the Philippines’ ‘Squad’ to counter China?

Analysts say expanding the Squad would strengthen surveillance and response capabilities, making it harder for Beijing to operate unchallenged in contested waters.

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India

India had a US$23 billion plan to lure firms away from China. It flopped

The Production-Linked Initiative has failed to produce desired results, dealing a blow to New Delhi’s manufacturing ambitions.

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A worker welds parts at a wind power manufacturing factory in Qingzhou, China’s Shandong province. Photo: AFP
Open Questions series

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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40
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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40
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss

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29
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

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4
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

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32
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
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