South Asia

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Soldiers march during a military parade held to mark the 89th founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila on December 20, 2024. Photo: AFP

SCMP Highlights

Philippines’ US exemption, public sex outrage in Thailand: 7 Asia highlights

From Ramadan price gougers in Malaysia to outrage in Thailand over public sex, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

4 Mar 2025 - 12:48PM

Video | In Pakistan, high prices overshadow start of Ramadan

3 Mar 2025 - 3:15PMvideocam

Rocky road to recovery for bear saved from illegal fighting ring in Pakistan

3 Mar 2025 - 12:13PMvideocam

In a world of declining freedom, 1 South Asian nation stands out: report

Only one nation in South Asia was classified as ‘free’ in US democracy watchdog Freedom House’s latest report.

3 Mar 2025 - 10:02AM

A Bhutanese voter shows an indelible ink mark on her finger after casting her vote at a polling station in Thimphu during general elections in January 2024. Photo: AFP

8 dead in India avalanche as rescue operation ends

More than 50 workers were submerged under snow and debris after the avalanche hit a construction camp in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand.

3 Mar 2025 - 2:40AM

‘Business must go on’: why India is reaching out to the Taliban

Focus on humanitarian aid, regional connectivity could help India regain ‘strategic space’ lost after the Taliban took over in 2021, analysts note.

2 Mar 2025 - 5:00PMvideocam

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Avalanche in Indian mountain state leaves at least 25 people trapped

The avalanche struck a labour site where eight containers and one shed, with 57 workers inside, were buried under the snow.

28 Feb 2025 - 10:33PM

A rescue operation by Indian Army members during heavy snowfall, after an avalanche struck a camp near Mana village in India’s Uttarakhand state. Photo: Reuters

Can Modi’s call to cut down on cooking oil help address India’s obesity crisis?

The prime minister calls it a small change for better health, but experts say bigger action is needed to prevent a crisis.

1 Mar 2025 - 12:35PMvideocam

Suicide blast at Pakistan’s ‘University of Jihad’ kills 4

The school is known as the ‘University of Jihad’ for its fiery ideology and the number of Taliban fighters it has produced.

28 Feb 2025 - 7:10PMvideocam

Are India-Bangladesh ties reaching ‘point of no return’?

Growing instability in Bangladesh and its engagement with Pakistan while having limited outreach to Delhi have raised concerns, analysts say.

26 Feb 2025 - 7:00PMvideocam

India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Photo: Pool via Reuters

India, EU eye stronger trade ties amid looming US tariffs, global uncertainty

India and the EU are trying to expedite a free-trade agreement and boost collaboration in clean technology and strategic alignment in the face of potential US tariffs.

25 Feb 2025 - 11:16PM

Photo: Shutterstock

Tesla hints at India market debut amid evolving EV policy, cost concerns

Musk’s firm is reportedly scouting for jobs and land in India as local carmakers say they remain unfazed by potential competition.

24 Feb 2025 - 6:30PM

Bangladesh arrests thousands in crackdown dubbed ‘Operation Devil Hunt’

Police targeting criminals have arrested more than 8,600 people since February 8.

24 Feb 2025 - 3:14PM

India scrambles to secure its place in US-China AI race, post-DeepSeek

With the US and China racing ahead, India grapples with the challenge of innovation and investment in artificial intelligence.

23 Feb 2025 - 5:00PM

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi listens to during the closing session of a forum on artificial intelligence in Paris on February 11. Photo: AFP

8 workers trapped in ‘unfortunate’ India tunnel collapse

Rescue efforts are under way, with the ventilation system still functional, providing hope for the trapped workers.

23 Feb 2025 - 2:16PM

Collapsed portion of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel, in which at least eight workers are feared trapped. Photo: handout

Pakistan NGO chief who alleged vote rigging has home sealed

Sarwar Bari’s report alleged widespread rigging in national elections last year, when a coalition of parties friendly to the military took power.

23 Feb 2025 - 6:23AM

BJP and Congress clash over Trump’s comment on US$21 million Indian election aid

The comment comes as the US Department of Government Efficiency seeks to find evidence of wasteful spending by the Joe Biden administration.

21 Feb 2025 - 7:25PMvideocam

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Blackout exposes Sri Lanka’s precarious path to greater reliance on renewables

Experts warn of further grid instability as Sri Lanka pushes for 70 per cent renewable energy by 2030.

21 Feb 2025 - 8:02PMvideocam

A grocery vendor illuminates his shop with candlelight amid power cuts in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Photo: EPA-EFE

Fading fortunes of India’s Bollywood in streaming era spark political debate

An opposition politician, the wife of film legend Amitabh Bachchan, has accused New Delhi of not doing enough to support the film industry.

21 Feb 2025 - 3:21PM

Google to open its first physical stores in India, taking on Apple

The company currently has five retail stores, all in the US, which sell its products such as Pixel phones, watches and earbuds.

21 Feb 2025 - 9:58AM

Interns expose dark side of medical training in Nepal

An explosive social media post has ignited a movement to address the grim conditions faced by Nepal’s aspiring healthcare professionals.

20 Feb 2025 - 8:30PM

Dhulikhel Hospital’s out-patient department building in Nepal. Photo: YouTube/Unisys Global

6 elephants killed after Sri Lanka passenger train collides with herd

The train was travelling near a wildlife reserve at Habarana when it hit a family of elephants crossing the line.

20 Feb 2025 - 4:06PM

The animal deaths come days after the authorities expressed concern over the growing impact of conflict between humans and elephants in Sri Lanka. Photo: AFP

‘Critical juncture’: can Yunus overcome Hasina’s legacy and reform Bangladesh?

Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, must rebuild the nation after Sheikh Hasina’s regime was overthrown, while dealing with resistance from her supporters.

19 Feb 2025 - 6:23PMvideocam

Has India’s Adani gained reprieve from US corruption probe thanks to Trump?

The tycoon and a nephew of his are under investigation in the US for allegedly being involved in a US$265 million bribery scheme.

19 Feb 2025 - 4:35PM

India sees record surge in stomach bug outbreaks

The reasons behind India’s recent surge in stomach-related disorders remain a bit of a mystery, but it shows the lurking public health risks.

19 Feb 2025 - 10:06AM

India recorded more than 1,000 outbreaks of acute diarrheal disease across the country last year. Photo: Shutterstock

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