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Maria Ressa (Maria Ressa)

The Philippines

'President Duterte is bullying the media'

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.  

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. 

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. 

International Organizations

ASEAN gathers in shadow of US-China trade war

Singapur Merlion Statue, Marina Bay (picture-alliance/robertharding/G. Hellier)

The ten-member ASEAN and its partners are meeting this week amid worries the US-China trade row will negatively impact the region. The summit is expected to see progress made on a China-backed regional trade pact.  

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. 

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.  

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

Journalist Safety

Kidnapped Japanese journalist criticized

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.  

South Asia

Bangladesh

Why the EU isn't sending election observers

Bangladesch Wahlen 2013 (picture-alliance/A.A./N. Kumar)

Although upcoming general elections in Bangladesh are seen as crucial for the survival of democracy there, EU Ambassador Rensje Teerink tells DW why the EU will not send an election observer team to the country.  

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.  

Sri Lanka

Shooting fuels showdown between top politicians

Sri Lanka Poster des neu benannten Premierminister Mahinda Rajapaksa und Präsident Maithripala Sirisena (Reuters/D. Liyanawatte)

A bodyguard for a sacked minister in Sri Lanka shot at least three people as tensions escalated between Sri Lanka's top politicians. The crisis started with President Maithripala Sirisena firing PM Ranil Wickramasinghe. 

Sri Lanka: Ex-President Rajapaksa makes a comeback amid China-India tug-of-war  

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Protesters demand Bangladeshi photographer's release

A demonstration demanding the release of jailed Bangladeshi photographer Shahidul Alam was held in Berlin on Tuesday. The award-winning journalist has spent 100 days in prison for speaking out against the government during a student protest.  

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Protesters demand Bangladeshi photographer's release

MiG Made in Germany (DW)

South Korea – the price of success

Crisis in Sri Lanka

Ongoing Afghanistan drought

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Cultural genocide in China?

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EcoIndia Sendung Mumbai (DW)

Mumbai - the expensive dream of a home

Asia Pacific

Screen in Shanghai showing sales on 'Singles' Day' (Getty Images/AFP)

China

Singles Day shopping spree smashes record

Chinese shoppers have spent more than $30 billion online during the annual shopping binge, breaking last year's record. The massive spending comes despite an ongoing trade war with the US.  

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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.  

China

China opens world's longest sea bridge

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

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.  

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

The Philippines

Activists locked in struggle for land rights

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. 

Economy

China's GDP growth slows to lowest rate in years

Chinese workers sort online purchases in a warehouse

The National Bureau of Statistics said that while growth has slowed, it still managed to remain relatively steady. Beijing has decided to focus on consumer spending to ride out a trade spat with the United States. 

Society

Sri Lanka to revoke bikini ban

Sri Lanka Mirissa Beach (picture alliance/dpa/robertharding)

Sri Lanka on Wednesday promised to revoke a bikini ban raising eyebrows at a popular seaside resort, as the authorities urged tourists to wear what they want at the beach.