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A man walks past posters of Sri Lanka's newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Maithripala Sirisena (Reuters/D. Liyanawatte)

Sri Lanka's political crisis

In the shadows of China and India

Sri Lanka is without a government and two prominent politicians are claiming to be prime ministers. Experts say the struggle reflects the geopolitical rivalry between China and India in South Asia.  

Human Rights

Did justice take too long for Khmer Rouge?

A mass grave in Cambodia (AP)

The conviction of former Khmer Rouge leaders for genocide is a symbolic human rights victory. However, the legal process has been criticized as being marred by corruption and delays. Ate Hoekstra reports from Phnom Penh. 

Blasphemy law

European Muslims' support for Bibi falls short

Pakistan Asia Bibi 2010 (Reuters/A. Karim)

Islamic organizations in Germany and Britain have expressed support for the Pakistani woman who was recently freed from a blasphemy death sentence. However, experts say more Muslims should oppose the idea of blasphemy.  

Big Data

Can China take a lesson from Estonia?

Symbolfoto Big Data (Imago/IPON)

Both China and Estonia have built digital public data systems that play a big role in everyday life. The major difference is China is exerting control and Estonia is fostering trust.  

EU warns Cambodia

Fix human rights or face economic hardship

A textile factory in Cambodia (AP)

Both Cambodia and Myanmar heavily depend on the European Union's duty and quota free trade agreement. But the European bloc believes it is time that these countries address human rights abuses. Ate Hoekstra reports. 

The Philippines

'President Duterte is bullying the media'

Maria Ressa (Maria Ressa)

In an interview with DW, Filipino journalist Maria Ressa said that President Rodrigo Duterte's administration is targeting both her and Rappler news for criticizing the government and exposing the war on drugs. 

South Asia

Bangladesh

Opposition group to contest general elections

Bangladesh opposition leader Khaleda Zia (Bdnews24.com)

Bangladesh's general election has been delayed after a decision to include a new alliance of opposition parties led by former PM Khaleda Zia's BNP. The ruling Awami League (AL) could now face an uphill electoral battle. 

Conflict

Rohingya in Bangladesh resist repatriation

Bangladesh - Rohingya refugees (picture-alliance/AP Photo/D. Yasin)

More than 700,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh to escape violence. On Thursday, the first repatriations to Myanmar were due to start, but the refusal of many refugees to go back brought the operation to a halt. 

Hindu nationalism

Why is India 'Hinduizing' cities' Muslim names?

UP state chief minister, Yogi Adityanath (Reuters/P. Kumar)

Despite criticism from civil society, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has renamed a number of Indian cities. Experts say the drive could seriously dent India's secular image. Murali Krishnan reports from New Delhi. 

Afghanistan

Afghan diplomat seeks asylum in Germany

Anti-deportation protesters in Munich (Imago/ZUMA Press/S. Babbar)

The identity of the Afghan diplomat who had recently applied for asylum in Germany has been revealed to DW. His case comes at an awkward time for Germany's Interior Ministry. 

War in Afghanistan

Kabul misses a chance to talk with Taliban

Afghanistan - Taliban Kämpfer (Getty Images/AFP/N. Shirzada)

The Afghan government refused to join a Moscow-hosted peace conference attended by a Taliban delegation. Observers say the absence of officials from Kabul unnecessarily delays the peace process in a 17-year-long war.  

International Relations

Sri Lanka: A battleground for India-China rivalry

China - Narendra Modi und Xi Jinping (Reuters/Handout)

India and China are closely watching the political unrest engulfing Sri Lanka, a country they both regard as a critical player in their geo-strategic game for dominance in South Asia.  

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Asia Pacific

Australia Opera in Sydney erstrahlt in rot, der traditionellen chinesische Farbe für Glück (picture alliance/dpa/Pacific Press)

Oceania

China and Australia compete for influence

Through a series of major investment funds and development aid projects, Australia and China are trying to outbid each other to create networks of power and influence in poorer Pacific nations.  

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SOUTH CHINA SEA

China tells US to stop S. China Sea exercises

Jim Mattis, Wei Fenghe (picture-alliance/P. M. Monsivais)

The US does not want a "Cold War" policy towards China, US top diplomat Mike Pompeo said at a high-level summit with Chinese officials in Washington. The two sides traded blows over militarization in the South China Sea. 

Media

Kidnapped Japanese journalist criticized

Jumpei Yasuda japanischer Journalist (picture alliance/dpa/Kyodo)

Held captive for 40 months in Syria, journalist Jumpei Yasuda has been castigated by Japanese media after returning home. He says he will not apologize for doing his job. Julian Ryall reports from Tokyo.  

Animal Rights

China's tiger bones: tradition or travesty?

Tigerfelle Zoll Bangkok Thailand (picture-alliance/dpa)

Tiger bones and rhino horns may have a role in traditional Chinese medicine, but critics say that trendy health products with no medical value made from endangered animals are only a status symbol for the wealthy. 

Japan

Why is bullying so vicious in Japanese schools?

Japan Symbolbild Schulkinder (picture-alliance/NurPhoto/R. Atrero de Guzman)

In Japan, a student standing out from the rest of the class is a recipe for trauma, with the child more likely to become a victim of intense bullying by the classmates. Bullying cases have now hit a record high. 

South Korea

'The most famous black man in South Korea'

Südkorea - Sam Okyere (Renée van Heteren)

When Sam Okyere arrived in South Korea to study, he was met with racism. But he found a way to transform his negative experiences into positive ones, making a name for himself as a popular television personality.  

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China Eröffnung Hongkong-Zhuhai-Macau-Brücke (picture-alliance/dpa/MAXPPP)

China

China opens world's longest sea bridge

It took China about €15 billion and nine years to build the world's longest sea bridge, which connects two semi-autonomous cities of Hong Kong and Macau. But this architectural masterpiece is not without controversies.  

Conflict in Thailand

Muslim rebellion has army living in 'constant fear'

Thailand Songkhla/Pattani (DW/Julian Küng )

A conflict between the Thai military and Muslim rebels has been simmering for nearly two decades in the country's south. After a drop in violence, there is now a sense that the situation could take a turn for the worse.  

The Philippines

Activists locked in struggle for land rights

Symbolbild Bäuerin auf den Philippinen (AFP/Getty Images/R. Gacad)

The brutal murder of agricultural labor activists in the Philippines has exposed bitter social divisions between rich landowners and poor farmers fueled by the government's promotion of violence. Ana P. Santos reports.  

Afghanistan

Kabul running out of water?

Woman carries water canister in one hand and a child in the other

People have been praying for water since time immemorial. As supplies to the Afghan capital Kabul reach dangerously low levels, the city government hopes religious leaders can help. But not how you may think. 

Technology

Is Google selling out for access to China?

China Google Office in Beijing (picture-alliance/dpa)

As Google looks at developing a search engine censored by Beijing, China's online authoritarianism combined with its development as a global hub for artificial intelligence innovation presents an ethical dilemma.