At an awards ceremony in New Delhi, Indian social media star Raj Shamani expressed his admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting Modi's significant influence on social media platforms. Modi, known for his Hindu-nationalist message, effectively uses modern technology to gain political advantage.

Gurugram, a city near Delhi, exemplifies India's economic growth with its modern towers and business hubs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi intends to highlight this progress during the upcoming G20 summit in the capital. However, recent sectarian violence in Gurugram, particularly in the Muslim shanty community of Tigra beneath the city's skyscrapers, reveals the challenges of Hindu nationalism and its impact on India's Muslim population.

Hong Kong model Abby Choi was murdered and dismembered, with her legs found in a refrigerator and human tissue in pots of soup. The crime scene was a flat in Tai Po, converted into a makeshift butchery, where police also found a meat grinder, electric saw, and other tools. The suspect is her former father-in-law, who had a dispute with Choi over a luxury property.

Global interest in Muay Thai, Thailand's national sport, has surged, positioning it as a potential Olympic event. However, Cambodia, which has a similar and possibly older kickboxing tradition, has excluded Muay Thai from the Southeast Asian Games it will host in May. This decision has caused a diplomatic and cultural dispute, leading to Thailand's announcement that its fighters will boycott the games. A Cambodian businessman has also offered a cash prize for defeating top Thai fighters.

In Shandong province, China, a video showing government health workers assaulting a couple protesting against Covid measures in a community named Xingfu sparked outrage. The incident led to the swift arrest of seven Covid enforcement officers, highlighting the tension and suspicion among the Chinese public regarding the government's stringent 'zero Covid' policy.

Taiwan is actively promoting its identity and values through cultural events and soft power, contrasting with China's authoritarian approach. The island is embracing diversity and artistic expression, highlighted by events like the Golden Bell awards and Taipei Pride. Taiwan's digital and semiconductor industries are thriving, and the government maintains that the island is already a de facto sovereign state, a stance bolstered by public sentiment. Despite geopolitical tensions, Taiwanese citizens express a mix of confidence and pragmatism regarding potential threats from China.

The Yuan Wang 5, a Chinese military 'research' vessel with a 400-strong crew and equipped with dish antennae, lasers, and radar, monitors satellites and missiles. Last week, it was tracked in the Indian Ocean, changing direction multiple times. Despite security concerns from India and the US, the ship is heading to Sri Lanka as initially planned.

Pongsakorn Chankaew, a handsome Buddhist monk with a large social media following and a talent for fundraising, was on track to become Thailand's youngest abbot. However, his career took a dramatic turn due to reports of sexual encounters and embezzled hush money, leading to a national scandal. This has sparked calls for reform of Thailand's clerical system, especially as the controversy coincides with one of the religion's holiest days. The now disrobed monk is attempting to support himself by selling traditional snacks online and is hopeful for a record contract.

The Russian assault on Mariupol has resulted in 90% of the city's buildings being damaged or destroyed, according to Kyiv. Despite humanitarian corridors, most of the 400,000 residents remain trapped due to ongoing Russian shelling, making evacuation and rescue efforts extremely difficult. The situation is described as a humanitarian disaster, with particular difficulty in reaching civilians sheltering in a theatre hit by an airstrike.

Human rights lawyer Xie Yang was subjected to torture and psychological trauma in China's 'black jail' network after being taken by police in 2015. He was forced to confess to crimes under duress and later recanted his confessions in court, claiming he was 'brainwashed overseas'. His experiences highlight the issue of mass disappearances and human rights violations in China.

China continues to promote its zero-Covid strategy as the world grapples with the Omicron variant, imposing a lockdown in Xi'an after a surge in cases. This strict approach reflects the Communist Party's commitment to preventing any disruption to the upcoming Winter Olympics and Paralympics, a key propaganda event for President Xi Jinping.

China is facing its worst COVID-19 outbreak in over a year, leading to lockdowns and mass testing in cities with infections. The Delta variant's high transmissibility is challenging the country's zero-tolerance policy towards the virus. Some Chinese public health experts are now considering a shift towards a strategy of living with COVID-19, amidst growing skepticism about the efficacy of Chinese vaccines against new variants.

Manny Pacquiao, a national hero and senator in the Philippines, is preparing for a boxing match in Las Vegas that could influence his political aspirations. The match against Errol Spence Jr. is seen as a prelude to Pacquiao's potential challenge for the presidency against Rodrigo Duterte.

Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines, and his daughter Sara are believed to be planning to continue their political dynasty. Duterte, known for his harsh drug war and controversial statements, may seek to extend his influence to protect himself from legal repercussions for the extrajudicial killings that occurred during his anti-drug campaign.

Customs officers at Washington Dulles airport found cakes of cow dung in a passenger's bag from New Delhi, raising concerns about foot-and-mouth disease. This incident highlights the controversial promotion of cow dung and urine as a cure for Covid-19 by allies of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite the Indian Medical Association's condemnation of such practices as inauthentic.

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta, in her role within Jacinda Ardern's government, delivered a major policy address on the country's relations with Beijing, expressing a desire to maintain respectful dealings with China, its biggest trading partner. Her remarks highlighted New Zealand's reluctance to join the US, Britain, and Australia in efforts to repurpose the Five Eyes intelligence network for an anti-Beijing stance, signaling a potential rift within the alliance.

A Burmese surgeon working in an opposition-run clinic in Rangoon responded to calls for help from a hospital in Hlaing Tharyar, where security forces had fired on protesters, resulting in Burma's bloodiest day since the military coup on February 1. The surgeon described his journey to the hospital as passing through a war zone and upon arrival, he was met with horrifying scenes.

Concerns have been raised about China's significant influence over the World Health Organisation's investigation into the origins of the coronavirus. Critics argue that the investigation is compromised by being too late and by the concessions made to Beijing, which include China's ability to approve the team of foreign experts from a list submitted by UN member states.

In the Surma Valley of northern Bangladesh, tea pickers, historically marginalized and working under harsh conditions, have experienced a transformation in their quality of life due to access to clean water and sanitation. WaterAid and its local partner, the Institute of Development Affairs (Idea), overcame resistance from tea estate managers to introduce WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) programs. Funded by the HSBC Water Programme, the project has reached 14 gardens and 33,000 people since its pilot in 2010. The interventions have led to a decrease in waterborne illnesses and absenteeism, and have been embraced by estate managers who recognize the economic benefits of a healthy workforce. WaterAid and Idea are seeking to expand their work and advocate for prioritizing water and sanitation without relying on charity.

The article discusses the situation of bloggers in Bangladesh who are defying the threats and violence from Islamist extremists. It highlights the recent terror campaign aimed at silencing secular voices in the country, with several bloggers and free speech advocates having been attacked or killed. Despite the danger, the blogging community is determined to continue expressing their views and fighting for freedom of speech. The article may also touch on the response of the Bangladeshi government and international reactions to the threats against these bloggers.