South Asia

Stressed villagers in battle to crush a India 'mining mafia'

These are all of stone-crushing operations on Dabla mountain, amid the Aravalli Hill range. (Panini Anand for The National)

Residents say stone-crushers and illegal mines are destroying land and accuse local officials of conspiring with quarry owners. Read Article Stressed villagers in battle to crush a India 'mining mafia'

Tibetans ask how many more will die in the flames

A monk walks past a poster in McLeod Ganj, India, last week, which shows images of self-immolating monks in eastern Tibet. Greg Bruno / The National

At least 22 protesters have set themselves alight in past year. Read Article Tibetans ask how many more will die in the flames

Seven killed in Quran burning protests in Afghanistan

Anger over the Quran burnings underscores anti-foreign sentiment in Afghanistan, fuelled by popular belief that foreign troops and aid workers disrespect Afghan culture and Islam. Read Article Seven killed in Quran burning protests in Afghanistan

Nepalese prepares to be measured by Guinness World Records as world's shortest man

Nepalese Chandra Bahadur Dangi, 72, arrives at the airport in Katmandu, Nepal. Guinness World Records officials will be in Nepal this weekend to measure Mr Dangi who hopes to be named the world's shortest man. Mr Dangi is hoping to snatch the title from Junrey Balawing of the Philippines. Niranjan Shrestha / AP Photo

Chandra Bahadur Dangi flies to Katmandu as Guinnes World Records confirm they will measure the 72 year old on Sunday. Read Article Nepalese prepares to be measured by Guinness World Records as world's shortest man

Angry Afghans protest over Quran burnings at US air base

More than 2,000 Afghans, some firing guns in the air, protest against the improper disposal and burning of Qurans and other Islamic religious materials at a US air base north of Kabul. Read Article Angry Afghans protest over Quran burnings at US air base

Repatriated or stranded in Bangladesh, Biharis still divided and without a home

Subcontinent’s political strife from the 1947 partition has left the Urdu-speaking Muslims out of place, first in India, then in Bangladesh and now in Pakistan. Read Article Repatriated or stranded in Bangladesh, Biharis still divided and without a home

Suicide car bomber kills one in southern Afghanistan

Three Italian soldiers also killed in car accident. Read Article Suicide car bomber kills one in southern Afghanistan

Eight Pakistan militias killed in checkpoint bomb

The blast in the border region with Afghanistan shows the challenges these militias and their Pakistani government supporters face as they try to purge the volatile border region. Read Article Eight Pakistan militias killed in checkpoint bomb

Painting the town blue: New Kolkata chief minister orders a facelift

Mamata Banerjee decrees that park railings, taxis, flyovers and old buildings in Kolkata, once the capital of British India, will be spruced up with a splash of her favourite colour. Read Article Painting the town blue: New Kolkata chief minister orders a facelift

Female vigilante tells Indian women to vote for her

Sampat Devi Pal is a sign of how things have changed in the badlands of Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state Read Article Female vigilante tells Indian women to vote for her

Italian marines face murder charges for shooting Indian fishermen

Marines shoot dead two fishermen they feared were pirates about to attack the tanker they were protecting. India says the guilty must be punished. Read Article Italian marines face murder charges for shooting Indian fishermen

Afghan drug trade comes under UN scrutiny

The United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon urges Afghanistan to make fighting drug trafficking a priority as opium harvests soar in the world's top producer and said the world must help in the effort. Read Article Afghan drug trade comes under UN scrutiny

Thai police confirm Israeli diplomats were target of Bangkok attacks

The Iranians arrested after accidentally setting off an explosives cache in Bangkok were planning to attack Israeli diplomats, according to Thailand's police chief. Read Article Thai police confirm Israeli diplomats were target of Bangkok attacks

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Stressed villagers in battle to crush a India 'mining mafia'

Manchester City cruise past Porto in Europa League

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero (R) celebrates his goal against Porto during their Europa League second leg soccer match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northern England, February 22, 2012. REUTERS/Darren Staples (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) *** Local Caption *** DST01_SOCCER-EUROPA_0222_11.JPG

Sergio Aguero reminds everyone there is more than one Argentine striker at the Etihad Stadium as City move into the last 16. Carlos Tevez will meet Roberto Mancini on Thursday. Video interview Read Article Manchester City cruise past Porto in Europa League

Dubai nonprofit celebrates two years of sustainable city-building

Adina Hempel presents the Cutting Through the City route during last year's Mena Lab. Pawan Singh / The National

Tasmena works to promote civic activism and dialogue between members of the community as an avenue to better urban design. Read Article Dubai nonprofit celebrates two years of sustainable city-building

The Middle East to boast a strong showing at the Oscars

When it comes to the Oscars, things have been somewhat rosier for the Arab-speaking world. Read Article The Middle East to boast a strong showing at the Oscars

A peek inside Dubai's own fight club

Melanie Swan trains with Nik Taumafai at KO Gym in Dubai's Marina area for her bout at White Collar Fight Night on March 23. Christopher Pike / The National

At the White Collar Fight Night, a growing number of women are competing with far more grace and technique than their flailing, testosterone-fuelled counterparts. Read Article A peek inside Dubai's own fight club