With the war, Pakistan appears to believe that its military might, which is far greater than Afghanistan’s, will force the Taliban to bend. But this calculation ignores a fundamental reality: the Taliban thrive in armed conflict. Hamayon Rastgar writes: https://ow.ly/LQ4C50YwH7V
"Even prior to the cyclone, Malaiyaha Tamils faced poverty, food insecurity and discrimination. Their precarity will only deepen in the aftermath of #CycloneDitwah,"
Raisa Wickrematunge writes:
www.himalmag.com/politics/sri-lanka-cyclo...
Rescue team evacuates people on an inflatable raft through floodwaters in front of a store with a large Mega Sale sign.
Over a million people have been impacted by flooding and landslides wrought by Cyclone Ditwah. Despite early warnings, the Sri Lankan government was unprepared to respond in a crisis.
@raisalw.bsky.social writes www.himalmag.com/politics/sri-lanka-cyclo...
Early results as of 4 pm on 14 November show the ruling National Democratic Alliance, which includes India's Bharatiya Janata Party, is headed for a landslide win at Bihar's assembly elections. But bigger questions loom around the result.
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Barrah Kunaan writes about Indus Echoes, telling the story of stagnation and decay in Sindh province, mirroring the lack of support for Sindhi films in Pakistan 👇🏼
PANEL DISCUSSION: Southasia’s youthquakes - on #GenZprotests in #Nepal, #Bangladesh and #lka. Co-hosted by @romangtm.bsky.social and peace activist Harsh Mander. Sign up to register: bit.ly/4nI9Vsr
The Maldives' media control bill, Nepal appoints new energy, finance ministers , India-Pakistan hostility around Asia Cup and more in this edition of Southasia Weekly, out now! bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
Nepal has seen mass uprisings in 1990 and 2006. Yet despite calls for political reform, the governments that followed failed to follow through on their promises.
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#KPSharmaOli's government has killed 19 protestors in a single day after security forces opened fire at youth protests against nepotism and corruption. This is the largest single-day death toll from any public protest in #Nepal's history, writes Pranaya Rana
A string of natural disasters leaves Afghanistan, Pakistan and northern India reeling.
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With looming Trump tariffs, India is being forced to recalibrate relations with China – and Beijing has gained more bargaining power.
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Bangladeshi climate migrants fleeing natural disasters and poverty are met with anti-immigrant rhetoric from BJP and the Hindu right. @soulrestless.bsky.social and Kanika Gupta write
Bihar's electoral roll revision is puzzling, as the Elections Commission had already accepted the rolls for 2024 polls. Reports suggest this could expand to other states like West Bengal. Read more in Southasia Weekly: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
The tea estates of South India and Sri Lanka are more than just agricultural or economic sites. They are key historical locations where trade, colonial expansion and labour exploitation converge @avtansa.bsky.social writes
At least 20 mass grave sites have been excavated across Sri Lanka, but forensic investigations have been marred by political interference. Families remain sceptical that there will be meaningful answers. Learn more in Southasia Weekly: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
Despite promising leads in the case, key suspects were eventually released on bail due to insufficient evidence, after which Sivaram's case has languished unresolved. Letchumanan Thevathiran writes:
Southasia braces for Israel-Iran war, Pakistan army chief's warm welcome in Washington, India illegally deports Muslims at gunpoint and more in Southasia Weekly: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
On 22 May 2008, Noyahr was abducted and brutally tortured by individuals who could not tolerate his fearless and incisive reporting. Shivanthi Fernando writes:
The obstacles that students in Dungarpur's tribal community in India face are central to "Are you going to school today?", Streaming June 2-9. Sign up: bit.ly/ScreenSoutha...
India's brutal crackdown disproportionately affects Adivasis caught between the state and the Maoists. Our top story in Southasia Weekly, out now: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
Ali Khan Mahmudabad, an Ashoka University professor, was arrested for a social media post which asked for the protection of victims of mob-lynching and bulldozer demolitions after the Pahalgam attacks.
From Southasia Weekly, our regional roundup: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
🏅🎉 Himal was chosen as a finalist for the 2025 Global Shining Light Awards by the Global Investigative Journalism Network (@gijn.org ) — the prize that honors watchdog journalism in developing or transitioning countries carried out under threat, or in perilous conditions.
On 12 May, Bangladesh's Election Commission barred the Awami League from contesting in upcoming national elections.
Read about the Awami League ban in the latest edition of Southasia Weekly, out now: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
Communal hatred and censorship amid India-Pakistan tensions, Bangladesh former prime minister Khaleda Zia's return to Dhaka and more in Southasia Weekly, out now: bit.ly/HimalNewslet...
When I pressed him further on the Tamil question, it became clear that Dhammananda’s views, for as much as they depart from those of many Sinhalese, do not always align with the Tamil perspective. Jeevan Ravindran writes:
🎉 It's Himal's 38th birthday this May 🎂 and we’re looking for 38 new supporters. For just USD 5 per month, you can be one of 38 special people who step up to help secure the future of independent journalism in Southasia. Click here: buff.ly/3NHN6O1
The newly rebuilt Langtang village, after Nepal’s 2015 earthquake. Residents of Langtang fought to return to their homeplace, and rebuilt it themselves when government aid was slow to arrive. Eileen McDougall writes: buff.ly/UvZPAgo.
On 24 April, at least 26 people were killed after gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam, in India-administered Kashmir.
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This week, the Maldives ratified a bill that barred Israeli passport holders from entering the country.
Our top story on Southasia Weekly, our regional roundup. Sign up here: bit.ly/HimalNewslet...
