Following her brief testimony, she broke down and pleaded with the court, "Please bring justice for my daughter." Meanwhile, lawyers for the accused say their clients have been "tortured" since the beginning of the trial.

In Pakistan, two-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is quickly moving to form a central government for a third time in this volatile country. Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League has amassed a commanding lead in unofficial returns from Saturday's election.

Partial, unofficial election results in Pakistan show former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's party as the clear victor. Defying militant threats millions of voters turned out and sent the incumbent Pakistan People's Party packing after five years of rule marked by corruption allegations and a failing economy. Host Rachel Martin gets more on the election from NPR's Julie McCarthy in Lahore.

Despite widespread violence, Pakistanis came out in droves Saturday to vote in historic parliamentary elections. At one polling station in Lahore, voters contrasted sharply in their support of the two main candidates.

Pakistanis go to the polls Saturday in parliamentary elections after one of the bloodiest campaigns in the nation's history. In the early hours, there were already reports of bombings. NPR's Julie McCarthy tells host Scott Simon that militants killed dozens during the pre-election campaign, forcing the cancellation of many political rallies around the country.

The former cricket star has been on the margins of Pakistani politics for close to 20 years. Despite a fall that put him in the hospital this week, his movement may win considerable support in Saturday's parliamentary election.

Women account for only 36 of the more than 4,000 candidates on the ballot in Saturday's parlimentary election. One of them, Naz Baloch, is following her father into politics, but acknowledges it's a rough-and-tumble game in a country where opportunities for women are limited.

Pakistan has seen its share of wild political events: military coups, uprisings against dictators and even the occasional flash of democracy. But it has never seen this: An elected government has finished a full term, and is about to be replaced by another elected government in elections this weekend. The threat of attacks, however, has shut down large public rallies.

In the run up to this month's elections in Pakistan for National Assembly seats, militants have killed candidates and targeted the offices of three secular parties. Dozens have died. The attacks have raised doubts about how free or fair the election will be.

"What has changed?" That is the question echoing through Delhi on Sunday. Public frustration over sexual crimes against women is erupting again, this time over a gruesome sexual assault of a child.

Forget about voting records and campaign platforms. In the run-up to Pakistan's May 11 elections, everything from the ability to quote from the Quran to facial hair, or the lack thereof, has been under scrutiny.

Pakistanis go to the polls next month in parliamentary elections that will likely usher in a new government. The outgoing government is deeply unpopular amid energy shortages and a crippled economy. The likely successor is the Pakistani Muslim League of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. But analysts say there could be a strong challenge from the party of former cricket star Imran Khan.

Pervez Musharraf angered Pakistan's legal community for actions he took against the judiciary when he ran the country. He received a rude greeting at his first court appearance.

Like some other big cities around the world, New Delhi has train cars reserved for women only. The female riders say it offers them a secure way to commute, but they argue that the larger problem is male attitudes.

The 23-year-old Indian woman who died after she was gang-raped in New Delhi last December is being honored by the U.S. State Department. Secretary of State John Kerry will posthumously confer the International Women of Courage award on Friday, which is also International Women's Day.

The Venezuelan leader had many critics, but he managed to stay in power for 14 years with his theatrical style and the loyal backing of the country's poor.