South Asia

In India, it has long been difficult to change deep seated patriarchal attitudes. Now a campaign in North India is tackling the issue through an unusual route — persuading people to stop using swear words that are sexist and target women saying that language is an important reflection of attitudes. …

The United Nations Secretary-General is urging the international community to respond to a request from Haiti’s government and urgently consider sending an international specialized armed force to the Caribbean Island nation to address spiraling insecurity and a deepening humanitarian crisis. “Considering the extremely grave situation, international efforts to enhance support …

India has sharply criticized the United States and Germany for recent, but rare, back-to-back moves related to a long-running territorial dispute with neighbor and archrival Pakistan.   The controversy erupted when Donald Blome, Washington’s ambassador to Islamabad, made a three-day visit to the Pakistan-administered part of Kashmir, in the divided …

Global human rights groups that have long campaigned against the alleged human rights violations by the security agencies in Bangladesh, and they have criticized its government for offering “promotions” and “rewards” to officers who were slapped with sanctions by the U.S. government last year.  In December of 2021, the U.S. …

At least 12 people died and two were in critical condition after a bus caught fire in Nashik city in India’s western state of Maharashtra on Saturday, a police official told Reuters. More than 30 injured were being treated at the local Civil Hospital while an investigation into the cause …

At least 26 people have been confirmed dead after an avalanche struck climbers in the Indian Himalayas, officials said Friday, with bad weather hampering the fourth day of search and rescue efforts. A group of 41 climbing trainees and their teachers were caught in Tuesday’s massive snowslide near the summit …

Editor’s note: Here is a fast take on what the international community has been up to this past week, as seen from the United Nations perch. Security Council discusses DPRK missile launch Japan and South Korea urged the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday to send a “clear and unequivocal” message …

A recently concluded six-day visit to Washington by Pakistan’s powerful military head, Chief of Army Staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, is being seen in both countries as a sign that Islamabad is seeking to mend sometimes-strained relations with the West.  Public statements released by officials from both countries emphasized finding …

At least 19 people are confirmed dead after an avalanche struck climbers in the Indian Himalayas, authorities said Friday, with bad weather hampering the fourth day of search and rescue efforts. A group of climbing trainees and instructors were caught in Tuesday’s massive snowslide near the summit of Mount Draupadi …

The U.N. Human Rights Council called on Sri Lanka to get a grip on its economic crisis and prosecute corruption by public officials, in a resolution passed Thursday.  The United Nations’ top rights body voted 20-7 to keep up its focus on the South Asian island nation. Sri Lanka’s Foreign …