Protests over Nepal constitution result in one death. On Monday, an Indian man was killed near the border town of Birgunj as Nepali police opened fire on anti-constitution protestors who were trying to block a key trading point. Nepal, which has faced an acute fuel crisis since the promulgation of the new constitution, has accused India of imposing an unofficial blockade to express its dissatisfaction with the new document, but Indian authorities firmly deny the charge.

Maldives accused of curtailing constitutional rights.  On Wednesday, Maldives president Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency, seemingly to thwart a rally by opposition forces calling for the release of jailed opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed. The emergency declaration, which suspends eight provisions of the constitution having to do with civil liberties, has faced criticism from the United States and Britain, who have called upon the government to terminate it and release Nasheed and other political prisoners.