https://www.voanews.com/z/5452 VOA provides complete coverage of South and Central Asia. https://www.voanews.com/Content/responsive/VOA/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.voanews.com/z/5452 en 2026 - VOA 60 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 23:30:14 -0400 Pangea CMS – VOA Since Holi is one of India's biggest festivals, millions of people make nostalgic journeys to their hometowns to celebrate with loved ones by lighting bonfires on festival eve https://www.voanews.com/a/millions-celebrate-hindu-holi-festival-approach-of-spring-/8011484.html https://www.voanews.com/a/millions-celebrate-hindu-holi-festival-approach-of-spring-/8011484.html Fri, 14 Mar 2025 21:41:19 -0400 South & Central Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (VOA News) Islamabad blames Afghanistan and India for attack; both countries deny the charge https://www.voanews.com/a/military-says-death-toll-in-pakistan-s-train-hijacking-rises-to-31/8011076.html https://www.voanews.com/a/military-says-death-toll-in-pakistan-s-train-hijacking-rises-to-31/8011076.html Fri, 14 Mar 2025 15:40:17 -0400 South & Central Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Sarah Zaman) More than 400 titles are banned after being deemed against 'Islamic principles and national interest' https://www.voanews.com/a/author-says-ban-on-her-book-reflects-taliban-s-repression-of-women/8011004.html https://www.voanews.com/a/author-says-ban-on-her-book-reflects-taliban-s-repression-of-women/8011004.html Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:59:58 -0400 Press FreedomSouth & Central Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Roshan Noorzai, Noshaba Ashna) Uzbekistan "has made significant progress in eliminating widespread state-imposed forced labor," according to the Uzbek Forum for Human Rights. The group is urging the Uzbek government to implement its promised reforms and create an enabling environment for freedom of association and civil society, which play a key role in monitoring and reporting violations and abuses. Click here for the full story in Uzbek. https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-uzbek-human-rights-group-urges-uzbekistan-to-uphold-reforms/8010114.html https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-uzbek-human-rights-group-urges-uzbekistan-to-uphold-reforms/8010114.html Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:54:31 -0400 South & Central Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Navbahor Imamova) Pakistani military had said Tuesday's attack was planned and orchestrated from Afghan soil https://www.voanews.com/a/afghanistan-denies-link-to-train-attack-in-pakistan/8009976.html https://www.voanews.com/a/afghanistan-denies-link-to-train-attack-in-pakistan/8009976.html Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:12:06 -0400 South & Central Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Sarah Zaman) Fears mount of serious aid cuts across the world following Washington's decision to shut down USAID operations https://www.voanews.com/a/un-chief-in-bangladesh-to-visit-rohingya-camps-as-he-pushes-for-aid-/8009479.html https://www.voanews.com/a/un-chief-in-bangladesh-to-visit-rohingya-camps-as-he-pushes-for-aid-/8009479.html Thu, 13 Mar 2025 11:20:44 -0400 South & Central Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Associated Press) Jaffar Express, a cross-country train with roughly 450 people on board, came under a bomb and gun attack on Tuesday while passing through a tunnel near Sibi, Balochistan, on its way north to Peshawar from Quetta https://www.voanews.com/a/eyewitnesses-give-harrowing-account-of-pakistan-train-attack/8009314.html https://www.voanews.com/a/eyewitnesses-give-harrowing-account-of-pakistan-train-attack/8009314.html Wed, 12 Mar 2025 22:40:11 -0400 South & Central Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Sarah Zaman) As the U.S. seeks to strengthen ties with resource-rich Central Asia, the European Union is also reaching out to the region. Having adopted a new strategy for Central Asia in 2019, the bloc appears to be making renewed efforts to implement it. EU Commissioner for External Relations Jozef Sikela has begun a tour of the region ahead of an EU-Central Asia summit in Uzbekistan in April. Click here for the full story in Uzbek. https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-uzbek-eu-boosts-its-central-asia-strategy/8008733.html https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-uzbek-eu-boosts-its-central-asia-strategy/8008733.html Wed, 12 Mar 2025 19:13:40 -0400 South & Central AsiaUSAEuropewebdesk@voanews.com (Malik Mansur) Modi’s visit comes amid efforts to step up engagement with an Indian Ocean country of strategic importance where Beijing’s presence is growing https://www.voanews.com/a/india-mauritius-upgrade-strategic-ties-with-eye-on-china/8008079.html https://www.voanews.com/a/india-mauritius-upgrade-strategic-ties-with-eye-on-china/8008079.html Wed, 12 Mar 2025 10:44:32 -0400 South & Central AsiaAfricaChina Newswebdesk@voanews.com (Anjana Pasricha) The Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack https://www.voanews.com/a/pakistani-military-rescues-155-passengers-after-balochistan-train-attack/8007760.html https://www.voanews.com/a/pakistani-military-rescues-155-passengers-after-balochistan-train-attack/8007760.html Wed, 12 Mar 2025 09:16:27 -0400 South & Central Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Sarah Zaman) The train was carrying roughly 450 passengers, when it came under attack while passing through a tunnel https://www.voanews.com/a/militants-attack-train-take-hostages-in-pakistan-s-balochistan/8006651.html https://www.voanews.com/a/militants-attack-train-take-hostages-in-pakistan-s-balochistan/8006651.html Tue, 11 Mar 2025 22:17:23 -0400 South & Central Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Sarah Zaman) Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia and Iceland made the grade, https://www.voanews.com/a/only-seven-countries-met-who-air-quality-standards-in-2024-data-shows/8006336.html https://www.voanews.com/a/only-seven-countries-met-who-air-quality-standards-in-2024-data-shows/8006336.html Tue, 11 Mar 2025 02:12:46 -0400 Climate ChangeEast AsiaAfricaSouth & Central Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Reuters) The Central Asia Program at George Washington University recently had a special exhibition for Central Asian women and art during the International Women's Day celebrations. Carpets and other items woven by Afghan women at home sell well in U.S. markets, businesspeople who spoke to VOA said. One vendor said online sales aren’t bad. Click here for the full story in Uzbek. https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-uzbek-empowering-central-asian-craft-makers-and-artists-/8005967.html https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-uzbek-empowering-central-asian-craft-makers-and-artists-/8005967.html Mon, 10 Mar 2025 19:51:54 -0400 South & Central Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Navbahor Imamova) LONDON — Britain is seeking to finalize a deal on handing sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after U.S. President Donald Trump said last month that he was “inclined” to support the deal. However, critics say the agreement could threaten the security of a joint U.S.-U.K. military base on the islands amid fears of China’s close ties with Mauritius. Many of the original inhabitants of the islands who were forcibly expelled to make way for the base on Diego Garcia in the 1960s and... https://www.voanews.com/a/8005869.html https://www.voanews.com/a/8005869.html Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:46:09 -0400 South & Central AsiaEuropewebdesk@voanews.com (Henry Ridgwell) The Chagos Islands are one of the last vestiges of the British Empire. They are currently home to a key U.S. military base. But under pressure from the United Nations, Britain looks set to hand sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius. https://www.voanews.com/a/british-plan-to-cede-chagos-islands-to-mauritius-raising-security-concerns/8005889.html https://www.voanews.com/a/british-plan-to-cede-chagos-islands-to-mauritius-raising-security-concerns/8005889.html Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:43:11 -0400 EuropeSouth & Central Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Henry Ridgwell) Hundreds also march in the seat of the exiled Tibetan government and home of the Dalai Lama https://www.voanews.com/a/tibetans-scuffle-with-police-outside-the-chinese-embassy-in-india-as-they-mark-uprising-anniversary-/8005442.html https://www.voanews.com/a/tibetans-scuffle-with-police-outside-the-chinese-embassy-in-india-as-they-mark-uprising-anniversary-/8005442.html Mon, 10 Mar 2025 12:56:34 -0400 East AsiaSouth & Central AsiaChina Newswebdesk@voanews.com (Associated Press) The effort is part of a global scientific trial to study how indoor heat impacts health and economic outcomes in developing countries https://www.voanews.com/a/indian-slums-get-cool-roofs-to-combat-extreme-heat/8004901.html https://www.voanews.com/a/indian-slums-get-cool-roofs-to-combat-extreme-heat/8004901.html Mon, 10 Mar 2025 03:58:46 -0400 South & Central AsiaClimate Changewebdesk@voanews.com (Reuters) India had banned exports of 100% broken rice in September 2022 and then imposed curbs on exports of all other rice grades in 2023 https://www.voanews.com/a/india-allows-exports-of-broken-rice-to-cut-stockpiles/8004881.html https://www.voanews.com/a/india-allows-exports-of-broken-rice-to-cut-stockpiles/8004881.html Mon, 10 Mar 2025 02:00:24 -0400 South & Central Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Reuters) Shows break down barriers that diplomacy often cannot https://www.voanews.com/a/in-tense-relations-with-india-pakistani-tv-dramas-build-bridges-/8003424.html https://www.voanews.com/a/in-tense-relations-with-india-pakistani-tv-dramas-build-bridges-/8003424.html Sun, 09 Mar 2025 14:25:20 -0400 South & Central AsiaArts & Culturewebdesk@voanews.com (Associated Press) Many Nepalis have grown frustrated with republic, saying it has failed to bring about political stability and blaming it for struggling economy and widespread corruption https://www.voanews.com/a/thousands-in-nepal-want-monarchy-back-as-public-frustration-with-politics-grows/8004339.html https://www.voanews.com/a/thousands-in-nepal-want-monarchy-back-as-public-frustration-with-politics-grows/8004339.html Sun, 09 Mar 2025 11:53:06 -0400 South & Central Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Associated Press)