Image copyright Kashif Masood Image caption Traffic jams have become a way of life in Bangalore The hottest topic of conversation in Bangalore these days is traffic, writes the BBC’s Geeta Pandey who spent 10 days in the southern Indian city recently. A few days ago, popular British author Jeffrey …

This year, an authoritarian, anti-establishment firebrand, famed for his controversial statements and uncompromising stance on law and order, won a presidential election with the help of a divisive, innovative social media campaign. No, not Donald Trump, but President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines. During his campaign Duterte, nicknamed “The Punisher”, …

An officer from Pakistan has returned to the Royal Military College at Sandhurst to help train its cadets fight militants. Major Ukbah Malik – a graduate of the college – has become the first instructor from Pakistan in Sandhurst’s 300-year history. BBC Asian Network’s Shabnam Mahmood reports.

China is looking to introduce a ban on smoking indoors in public from 2017. An estimated 2.3tn cigarettes are consumed there every year. The government faces a big challenge as tobacco is deeply ingrained in Chinese society. BBC News went to meet a group of friends who are unapologetic smokers.

Image copyright AFP Image caption Chris Kelly said women having families was leading to a ‘high fall-out rate’ The chancellor of a New Zealand university appears to have apologised for saying a woman vet was “equivalent to two-fifths” of a man because she would take time out to have a …

Image copyright AP Image caption The new king was educated in the UK Malaysia has installed its 15th king, Sultan Muhammad V, in an elaborate ceremony in the capital Kuala Lumpur. He took his title, Yang di-Pertuan Agong or He Who Is Made Lord, in a ceremony packed with dignitaries …

Media playback is not supported on this device Lionel Messi: Barcelona star meets Afghan boy who became viral star An Afghan boy who became an online hit after wearing a homemade shirt bearing Lionel Messi’s famous number 10 has met his hero. A photograph of six-year-old Murtaza Ahmadi wearing the …

Image copyright Human Rights Watch Image caption Analysis of the images proves soldiers were in the area, HRW says New satellite images establish a link between the Burmese army and the burning of Rohingya Muslim villages, human rights campaigners say. Human Rights Watch (HRW) says it has analysed images of …

Image copyright EPA Image caption The trial is being shown on national television There were emotional scenes in court on the first day of the blasphemy trial of Jakarta’s governor, a Christian of Chinese descent. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as Ahok, cried as he denied allegations he insulted Islam. Mr …

Image copyright Luke Brett Moore Image caption Luke Brett Moore at the beach with best friend Shanyn Glover Luke Brett Moore, a young Australian, had just lost his job when he discovered his bank was mistakenly allowing him unlimited credit. It was too good an opportunity to miss. As he …