A traditional Punjabi festival of the approaching spring, Basant, is the source of controversy in Pakistan, where Islamic clerics went to court in an unsuccessful bid to have the celebrations banned and revelry in Lahore left at least 17 dead…. Read moreIslamists protest Pakistan spring festival
Nepal’s King Gyanendra dismissed the country’s government Feb. 1, and declared a state of emergency, closing off his Himalayan kingdom from the outside world as telephone and Internet lines were cut, flights grounded and civil liberties suspended. This is the… Read moreNepal: King declares state of emergency
Following an agreement with Indian authorities, Burma has turned its guns on the Naga separatist rebels it had previously sheltered–bringing the war to its own soil. Fighting is said to be raging in the jungle along the border with India… Read moreBurma attacks Naga rebels
America’s own homegrown Mickey Maoists, the Revolutionary Communist Party, have found their latest cause celebre in the Maoist insurgency in Nepal (see their special report). Meanwhile, a new Amnesty International report takes both the guerillas and government forces to task… Read moreNepal insurgency: Amnesty International rips both sides
