Sri Lanka

In this photo released on June 26, then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, left, and chief minister of Punjab Province Shahbaz Sharif pray for victims of a tanker fire in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. The prime minister was forced from office on July 28. (Photo released by Pakistan Press Information Department)
Politics

Shahbaz Sharif could prove a dynamic Pakistani leader

Punjab chief minister has achieved enviable success in developing province

2 August 2017
A supporter of Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif passes out after the Supreme Court's decision to disqualify Sharif.
Opinion

Sharif ouster brings fresh uncertainty to Pakistan

As elections near, military returns to kingmaker role

31 July 2017
Police block the road leading to the Parliament building in Male, Maldives on July 24. The Maldivian opposition says the military has locked down parliament on the orders of the country's president in a bid to prevent lawmakers from taking part in a vote to impeach the parliamentary speaker.
Politics

Troops surround Maldives parliament to protect president

Latest crackdown on opposition MPs threatens vital tourist economy

30 July 2017
Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Punjab Province and brother of Pakistan's resigned prime minister Nawaz Sharif, gestures after appearing before a Joint Investigation Team in Islamabad, Pakistan June 17.
Politics

Ousted prime minister's brother set to take reins of power in Pakistan

Future court proceedings could still create potential political chaos

30 July 2017
Toshiba and Toshiba Plant Systems & Services will supply steam turbines.
Economy

Japan consortium to build power station, port in Bangladesh

$4.5bn cost to be covered by JICA's largest-ever yen loan

30 July 2017
Unilever sells pouches of shampoo in Yangon, part of a marketing strategy to offer small, low-cost portions. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Business

Unilever sees growth in bottom and top of Asian economic pyramid

Marketing playbook ranges from 7-cent shampoos to high-end hair oil

29 July 2017
Opponents of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif shout slogans as they exit the Supreme Court in Islamabad on July 28.
Politics

Panama Papers sink Sharif, casting pall on Pakistan's markets

Quick succession plan seen as crucial for calming investor nerves

28 July 2017
A trader observes the day's stock performance at the Pakistan Stock Exchange.
Economy

Pakistan's Sharif probe keeps investors wary ahead of verdict

Prolonged market slump expected amid political uncertainty

28 July 2017
Stream article image
Hashtag Travelers

Three Asian destinations where adventure is on the agenda

Explore Vietnamese caves, remote Laotian mountains and a rustic Sri Lankan getaway

24 July 2017
A machine operator stitches apparel at a factory in Sri Lanka owned by the Hirdaramani Group. (Courtesy of Hirdaramani Group)
Economy

EU boost not enough to revive Sri Lanka garment industry

Sector has fallen well behind rivals such as Bangladesh

24 July 2017
Customers at the Panthapath, Dhaka, outlet of Shwapno, a chain superstore owned by leading conglomerate ACI Group. (Photo by A.Z.M Anas)
Economy

Bangladesh tax reform stalls amid tough opposition

Unlike India, Dhaka fails to implement major changes, putting pressure on finances

21 July 2017
This year's joint naval exercise by India, the U.S. and Japan was the first to include aircraft carriers from all three nations.
Politics

Beijing's Belt and Road ambitions rekindle Sino-Indian row

Border tensions set off by Chinese road-building in disputed area

20 July 2017
Stream article image
Business

Kawasaki Heavy, Mitsubishi seen landing Dhaka train deals

Japanese companies would build cars for capital's first elevated rail line

13 July 2017
Stream article image
Politics

China's Bhutan land grab aims at bigger target

Beijing employs stealth aggression in territorial expansion

11 July 2017
Voters wait for over an hour in Biratnagar to cast their ballots in Nepal's first local election since 1997. (Photo by Yuji Kuronuma)
Politics

Nepal seeks unity from its first local elections in 20 years

Crucial ethnic group belatedly joins vote, apparently spurred by India

6 July 2017
Kamal Raj Mainali, right, an organic orthodox tea producer in Nepal, expects to gain more buyers from Europe. (Photo by Yuji Kuronuma)
Business

Nepali tea producer soaks up new interest from Europe

Company can capitalize as unrest halts production in rival Darjeeling

4 July 2017
A Terumo cardiovascular catheter.
Business

Fujifilm, Terumo train future customers in emerging markets

Japanese medical device suppliers seek more skilled hands for state-of-the-art equipment

30 June 2017
Voters wait for over an hour in Biratnagar to cast their ballots in Nepal's first local election since 1997. (Photo by Yuji Kuronuma)
Politics

Nepal seeks unity from first local election in 20 years

Critical ethnic group belatedly joins vote, apparently spurred by India

29 June 2017
New deputy mayor of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Hari Prabha Khadgi Shrestha celebrates after winning on Sunday, May 28, 2017.
Politics

Nepal harnesses politics of inclusion

Political and economic transformation on horizon after years of malaise

27 June 2017
Cinnamon peeler Pesthathanthri Sumathipala scraping the outer bark of a cinnamon branch. (Photo by Marwaan Macan-Markar)
Politics

Labor shortage hits Sri Lanka's cinnamon industry

Dearth of peelers leaves world's leading exporter with harvest shortfalls

21 June 2017
A U.S. Air Force missile maintenance team removes the upper section of an intercontinental ballistic missile with a nuclear warhead at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana.
Politics

UN launches second round of nuclear ban talks

Proponents hopeful for final text of treaty by early July

16 June 2017
A clean river flowing past the Paro Dzong monastery is an example of how Bhutan has taken conservation seriously. (Photo by Sujeev Shakya)
Politics

Swarming visitors are a boon and a bane for an Asian Shangri-La

Bhutan's astute tourism policies are tested as the world discovers paradise

15 June 2017
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank President Jin Liqun says membership could grow to 85 or 90 within the year.
Economy

AIIB future rests on shedding Beijing influence

Bank to hold 2nd annual meeting in South Korea

15 June 2017
The port of Gwadar in Pakistan is one of several infrastructure projects benefiting form investment as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative.
Economy

Belt and Road's potential real estate boost

Construction companies stand to win big by signing up now

15 June 2017
A clean river flowing past the Paro Dzong monastery is an example of how Bhutan has taken conservation seriously. (Photo by Sujeev Shakya)
Politics

Swarming visitors are a boon and a bane for an Asian Shangri-La

Bhutan's astute tourism policies are tested as the world discovers paradise

15 June 2017