South Asia
Prominent Pakistani Journalist Arshad Sharif Killed in Kenya
Prominent Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif was murdered on the outskirts of Nairobi at the hands of the Kenyan police on Sunday, Oct. 23. Sharif had sought refuge in Kenya after he left Pakistan in August, fearing for his life.
2022 Remittances Projection: India Set to Hit $100 billion in 2022
During their Migration and Development Brief, the World Bank stated that India is expected to receive a record $100 billion in remittance in 2022, the first time a single country has reached this number. This is a significant increase compared to the $89.4 billion made from India’s remittance rate last year.
Nepal Recognizes First Multicultural Same-Sex Marriage with Backing of US Embassy
Nepal registered the nation’s first legal same-sex marriage between citizens of different countries on Oct. 6, 2024.
Indian Prime Minister Modi Strengthens Ties with US Leaders During Visit
Last weekend, US President Joe Biden met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders from Japan and Australia to discuss the future of one of his key foreign policy platforms: the Quad Partnership.
Pakistan and IMF Reach $7 Billion Dollar Bailout Deal, In Response to Economic Crisis
On Sept. 25, the IMF reached a deal with Pakistan, securing the nation the seven billion dollars needed to pay its debts and stay afloat. The news was uplifting to the country that has an external debt of $130 billion, with $90 billion due over the next three years. The International Monetary Fund, the financial wing of the United Nations, has continuously lent out money over recent years to Pakistan as the nation struggles to pay back interest on decades-old debt. Pakistan has requested a staggering twenty-three bailouts. This request comes as the nation teetered on being unable to pay back its interest obligations, in effect defaulting.
India Introduces Nuclear Naval Submarines as Tensions with China Persist
On August 29th, India unveiled a new missile submarine with possible nuclear capabilities in an effort to compete and assert power against China in light of their ongoing dispute.
Blasphemy Laws in Pakistan Heighten Political Unrest and Censorship in Pakistan
This past Thursday, September 19th, in Pakistan two individuals were killed over accusations of Blasphemy. The first, Dr. Kanbhar, was shot dead by police after a mob moved to attack him.
Increased Hostility Towards Women's Rights Activists In Afghanistan
Women’s rights in Afghanistan are in a state of deterioration, amplified by tensions from the Taliban who regained control of the state in August 2021. Throughout November, four prominent women’s rights activists were arbitrarily detained by the Taliban. Hundreds of women’s rights activists, fighting for the right to allow girls to receive an education, are now in the Taliban’s custody.
Prime Minister Modi calls for climate equity at COP28
The Indian delegation to the The United Nations Conference of Parties (COP) pledged to redouble efforts moving away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, among many other commitments, led by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The conference, the only multilateral decision-making body on climate change, is taking place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from November 30 to December 12, 2023.
Secret Bhutanese Crypto Mining Facilities Location Unveiled
In late November, Forbes Magazine used satellite imagery to uncover four previously undisclosed state-run Bitcoin mining facilities in Bhutan. The locations include Dochula Pass, a sacred region home to 108 shrines for fallen Bhutanese soldiers, the town of Trongsa, the Dagana district, and Education City – a failed megaproject designed to create an educational hub in the region.
Workers Rescued from a Tunnel Collapse in India After a 17 Day Wait
On Tuesday, rescuers freed 41 construction workers trapped under a collapsed tunnel in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, after spending 17 days under rubble. The laborers, all migrant workers from poorer states in India, quickly reunited with their families after their release.
Pakistan and China Hold Largest Ever Navy Drills
On Nov 11, the Pakistan Navy and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) launched the third edition of their “Sea Guardian” maritime drills. The exercise comes as a move to strengthen Sino-Pakistani ties and enhance strategic capabilities in jointly safeguarding the oceans.
Nepal Bans TikTok, Citing Disruption to Social Harmony
This past Monday, the Nepali government announced a ban on TikTok, the video-sharing app that has accrued over 1 billion users globally. Officials pointed to the prevalent hate content on the app as the main justification for the ban.
Earthquakes Again Strike Nepal, Sounding Fears of Future Destruction
On Friday, Nov. 3, a powerful earthquake struck Nepal, a small landlocked nation that lies along the south of the Himalayas. The earthquake is to have caused 150 casualties plus hundreds of injuries, with the possibility that these numbers may rise as aftershocks continue to rumble through the region.
State Elections in India Begin, Testing Support for the BJP
On Tuesday, the state legislature elections within the Indian states of Mizoram and Chhattisgarh began. Elections in the states of Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan are set to begin later this week.
The Geopolitical Implications of Sri Lanka Allowing Chinese Ship to Dock
On Oct.25, an advanced Chinese research vessel, Shin Yan 6, docked on the port of Colombo amidst India’s fears of China extending its influence over to the Indian subcontinent on an unprecedented scale.
Police Commandos Targeted During Manipur Unrest
On Oct. 31, suspected insurgents ambushed a group of police commandos sent to the Indian state of Manipur, resulting in a shootout. The situation ended when the Assam Rifles successfully rescued the police from the situation.
Pakistani Government Creating Stringent Requirements for Afghan Refugees
On Oct. 3, the Pakistani government announced that all unregistered Afghan refugees will be forced to leave the country by November 2023. Specifically, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti announced the crackdown order on “illegal immigrants.”
India Resumes Visa Services in Canada after Diplomatic Fallout
The Indian Embassy in Ottawa, Canada announced the resumption of visa services on Oct. 25 in Canada, after a diplomatic fallout between the two countries over the last couple of months.
Indian Police Raid Local News Outlet
On Oct. 3, at around 6:30 AM, Indian police staged several raids on the office and private homes of employees at NewsClick – an English-language independent news outlet focusing on “progressive movements.”