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As Mayan 'end of the world' nears, Chinese especially interested in preparing

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Various people around the world are looking to Dec. 21, the last day on an ancient Mayan calendar, as the end of the world. And while that theory has long been discredited, some people, especially in China, are madly preparing for that day.
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Ancient Persian religion on the decline in Pakistan

The Parsis, who fled Iran in the face of the country's Muslim conversion centuries ago, settled across India and Pakistan. But in recent years, the prominent Karachi religious minority is declining, to the portion where the community may totally disappear....
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China's new leaders represent generational transition

China's new leaders are the first post-revolutionary generation — they represent a shift from those who fought alongside Mao Zedong to the children of those Communist warriors. But whether this new generation is ready to make large-scale political and economic changes remains to be seen....
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Preservationists worry economic growth may endanger Myanmar's historic buildings

Because of Myanmar's economic stagnation over the past decades, very little development has taken place -- which has allowed the country's historic colonial buildings to endure. But as the country loosens up, some preservationists are worried it may lead to destruction of relatively rundown, but still historic, buildings....
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Pakistanis outraged after Taliban try to assassinate outspoken girl, 14

A 14-year-old Pakistani girl has been rallying efforts to improve educational opportunities for women. On Tuesday, her outspokenness nearly cost her her life, after a Taliban gunman shot her and gravely wounded her. Pakistanis across the country have reacted with outrage....
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Guangdong Communist Party leader angling for Chinese Politburo spot

The Chinese government finally announced when its Party Congress would take place, the event where its leadership turns over and a new generation steps up. Among those competing for a top spot is Wang Yang, a top party leader in Guangdong province....
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New report finds U.S. drone warfare is traumatizing innocent civilians

A new report by two top tier American universities reveals an additional side effect to America's drone strikes in Pakistan. According to their research, Pakistani civilians are under such emotional stress they're being driven to receive medical care and taking an "exponentially higher" amount of psychiatric drugs....
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India trying home-grown solution to acute child hunger

A French creation is revolutionizing the feeding of the acutely hungry in Africa, but in India, which also has a problem with malnutrition, the food isn't welcome. So doctors there are creating their own therapeutic food -- and there's hope they'll eventually be able to export it too....
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Underlying cause of Afghan green-on-blue attacks may be more complex

U.S. officials are trying to come to terms with the rise in so-called green-on-blue, Afghan on NATO, attacks lately. Some experts suspect a rise in PTSD among Afghan soldiers may be a cause of the violence....
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Myanmar's Taung Byone festival brings some acceptance for LGBT community

In Myanmar, the only time the country's gay community can find acceptance is during the annual Taung Byone festival. At other times of year they're forced to the edges of society, but during Taung Byone they are the gatekeepers to the spirit world....
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