Lauren Frayer, NPR

Lauren Frayer

NPR

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Past articles by Lauren:

NPR

Death and dishonesty: Stories of two workers who built the World Cup stadiums in Qatar

Vinod Kumar of India and Anish Adhikari of Nepal are among the many migrant workers who helped build the stadiums. Adhikari says he was misled about working conditions. Kumar died on the job. → Read More

NPR

An Israeli director sparks outrage in India over a film about Hindu persecution

Controversy has erupted at one of India's top film festivals over the screening of a movie with Hindu nationalist themes. Were the jury head's comments an artistic critique or political commentary? → Read More

NPR

'Sunny Makes Money': India installs a record volume of solar power in 2022

India, on track to become the world's most populous country, gets about 70% of its electricity from coal. But the government is aggressively investing in renewable energy — particularly solar. → Read More

NPR

Earth welcomes its 8 billionth baby. Is that good or bad news... or a bit of both?

Sometime today, the global population is forecast to hit 8 billion. The U.N. calls it a milestone for humanity, made possible by advances in public health and medicine. But there are also challenges. → Read More

NPR

How Bangladesh went from an economic miracle to needing IMF help

Millions emerged from poverty in recent decades. But now, rising fuel prices, weak exports and scant remittances are sabotaging growth, and Bangladesh asked the IMF for $4.5 billion in loans. → Read More

NPR

In Iran, women are protesting the hijab. In India, they're suing to wear it

India's Hindu conservatives are championing Iran's female Muslim protesters. But they oppose Muslim students in southern India who are fighting for the right to wear the hijab in schools. → Read More

NPR

Rishi Sunak's ascent to British prime minister stirs celebrations across India

People across India are celebrating Rishi Sunak, who has embraced his Indian and Hindu heritage, becoming the newest British prime minister. → Read More

NPR

India reacts to Queen Elizabeth II's death with grief, anger — but mainly indifference

Tributes were paid. But for many of the queen's former colonial subjects, her life and death are a reminder of a painful history of exploitation and racism. Others just didn't give it much thought. → Read More

NPR

As India turns 75, Muslim girls are suing to wear the hijab — and protect secularism

When her high school banned the hijab, Ayesha Shifa sued. Her case went to India's Supreme Court. A verdict, expected soon, could redefine what secularism means in the world's largest democracy. → Read More

NPR

Why a Chinese ship's arrival in Sri Lanka has caused alarm in India and the West

A Chinese survey ship docked this week at the Hambantota port, built with Chinese loans. Some worry the ship's arrival may signal the start of militarization of Chinese infrastructure in Sri Lanka. → Read More

NPR

75 years after India's violent Partition, survivors can cross the border — virtually

A virtual reality project helps survivors of India's Partition glimpse long-lost birthplaces they fled as children. Fraught relations between India and Pakistan mean they can't visit in person. → Read More

NPR

YouTube videos are helping reunite loved ones separated by the India-Pakistan border

Two Pakistani friends make videos in which those who lived through India's 1947 Partition describe loved ones they lost at the time. With viewers' help, siblings and others are reunited after decades. → Read More

NPR

Many Sri Lankans have switched to cycling due to the economic crisis

Fuel shortages have forced many Sri Lankans to ditch their cars and cycle instead. Colombo's mayor unveiled new bike paths. Doctors & environmentalists call it a silver lining, but will it last? → Read More

NPR

In Sri Lanka, inflation means food shortages, blackouts — and days-long lines for gas

Sri Lanka offers a cautionary tale for countries struggling with inflation. Anger over fuel lines spilled into the streets and toppled a government. Will nationalism surge, or unity prevail? → Read More

NPR

The prime minister of Sri Lanka resigns after weeks of protests

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has tendered his resignation amid an economic crisis and violent protests against he and his brother, the country's president. → Read More

NPR

Climate scientists say South Asia's heat wave (120F!) is a sign of what's to come

Some schools have closed early for summer. More than a billion people are in danger of heatstroke. Summer's early arrival in South Asia also threatens global grain supplies. → Read More

NPR

The U.S. and India — democracies and friends — agree to disagree on the Ukraine war

India has yet to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which the U.S. wants to change. Leaders from both countries met virtually on Monday to discuss the war and other topics. → Read More

NPR

Ukrainian women are volunteering to fight — and history shows they always have

Ukraine's military has been inundated with volunteers. That includes women, who are not required as men are to stay and fight the Russian invasion. → Read More

NPR

How some people are trying to make art, not war, in Ukraine right now

The lead singer in Ukraine's biggest rock band is one of Ukrainian celebrities who are using their fame and connections to speed relief supplies to those who need them most. → Read More

NPR

Ukraine scrambles to protect artifacts and monuments from Russian attack

On top of the humanitarian crisis, Ukrainians worry about Russian destruction of cultural heritage sites. In Lviv, they're wrapping statues in fireproof material to protect them from Russian bombs. → Read More