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Bangladesh

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Bangladesh. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Dhaka

Head of State

President Mohammed Shahabuddin

Head of Government

Chief Adviser of the Interim Government Muhammad Yunus

Disease

Bangladesh faces further measles risk due to lack of vaccinations, travel

Nearly 600 people have died from the disease, with over 60,000 suspected cases in the country since mid-March.

3 Jun 2026 - 12:07AM

SCMP Highlights

Japan’s Russia concern, firms pick Malaysia over Singapore: 7 Asia highlights

2 Jun 2026 - 1:08PM

Middle East

Outside In | How Trump’s war on Iran is jeopardising Asia’s remittance lifeline

29 May 2026 - 4:30PM

India

Policy pivot? India watchful as Bangladesh engages Pakistan

Analysts say the new government in Dhaka is trying a ‘balancing act’ in the region that could signal more businesslike ties with its neighbours.

28 May 2026 - 8:13PM

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government has moved to reset diplomatic ties with India after an extended period of strain. Photo: AFP

Donald Trump

Celebrity ‘Trump’ buffalo spared sacrifice, sent to Bangladesh zoo

The animal with a blond hairdo said to resemble the US president’s signature look was saved just hours before it was set to be slaughtered.

28 May 2026 - 12:46AMvideocam

CSD

Bangladesh probes hospital deaths of 6 newborns

Air conditioning in the ward where the babies were was not working in the early hours on Wednesday.

28 May 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Video | Rare ‘Donald Trump’ buffalo is an internet celebrity in Bangladesh

Experts from the livestock department said albino buffaloes are extremely rare, and appear white or pink due to a lack of melanin production.

25 May 2026 - 8:43PM

This photograph taken on May 17, 2026 shows a caretaker attending an albino buffalo nicknamed “Donald Trump” for sale ahead of Eid al-Adha at a livestock farm in Narayanganj. Crowds in Bangladesh are flocking to snap photographs with an unlikely social media star -- an albino buffalo with flowing blond hair nicknamed “Donald Trump” due to be sacrificed within days. (Photo by Salahuddin AHMED / AFP) / To go with ‘Bangladesh-US-Politics-Buffalo’, VISUAL STORY

01:33

India

India orders new deportation centres days after BJP election victory

The Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party has ordered detention centres for undocumented migrants in West Bengal state, sparking fear of arbitrary expulsions.

25 May 2026 - 7:37PM

SCMP Highlights

Chinese coal mine accident, Cathay Pacific flight turbulence: 5 weekend reads

From a coal mine accident that killed 82 people to turbulence on a Cathay Pacific flight, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

25 May 2026 - 1:08PM

China's military weapons

Why Bangladesh could raise Indian red flags by buying a China-Pakistan fighter jet

Dhaka could be boosting its air power with the reported acquisition of a JF-17 flight simulator.

24 May 2026 - 6:00AMvideocam

Bangladesh's acquisition of a simulator for the JF-17 Thunder signals “serious intent to field modern fighters”, an observer says. Photo: Handout

Donald Trump

Bangladesh’s rare ‘Donald Trump’ buffalo draws crowds over resemblance

Many have travelled a long way to pose for selfies and videos with the ‘calm by nature’ buffalo, which has gone viral on social media.

23 May 2026 - 4:40PM

An albino buffalo nicknamed "Donald Trump", for sale ahead of the Muslim festival Eid al-Adha, at a farm in Narayanganj, Bangladesh. Photo: AFP

Protests around the world

Bangladesh protestors clash with police over alleged child rape

Protesters tried to seize a man accused of raping a four-year-old girl who is now undergoing treatment in hospital.

22 May 2026 - 6:31PMvideocam

China's military weapons

China’s J-10CE jets defeat Eurofighters 9-0 in mock battles, CCTV confirms

While state broadcaster does not identify the drill, details appear to match a 2024 exercise in Qatar involving Pakistan.

21 May 2026 - 8:05PM

India

Bangladesh turns to China for Teesta river project, testing India ties

Bangladesh’s new prime minister has formally asked China to help with a long-delayed river project near the sensitive Siliguri Corridor.

16 May 2026 - 1:30PM

The Teesta River flows through Sevok in India’s West Bengal state, around 60km north of the Bangladesh border and some 20km east of Siliguri. Photo: AFP

Climate change

Opinion | How bad water management is turning up the heat on South Asia

Regional governments should stop blaming shortages on the failure of treaties, diverting attention from much-needed internal reforms.

14 May 2026 - 6:00AMvideocam

A man walks across the dry riverbed of the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad, India, on May 8. Photo: AFP

Reproductive health

Delivery pains hamper Bangladesh’s family planning efforts

Nearly a third of districts in one of the world’s most densely populated countries are experiencing a shortage of condoms and contraceptives.

13 May 2026 - 2:07PMvideocam

Climate change

‘Godzilla El Nino’: Southeast Asia warned of punishing climate whiplash

Experts warn the heat could increase the risk of localised flooding, put pressure on drainage systems and threaten agricultural production.

13 May 2026 - 4:10PM

Science

Why are China’s coastal fish farms disappearing while India’s are expanding?

China’s coastal aquaculture ponds span the largest area in the world but they are shrinking – and that is a good thing.

8 May 2026 - 5:00PM

Aquaculture workers check sea cucumber growth at a marine farm in China's eastern Shandong province. Photo: Xinhua

Science

Will Iran war threaten next harvest? Which countries are most at risk?

As the Hormuz blockade cuts off vital agricultural inputs, Food and Agriculture Organization official views China as key food security partner.

7 May 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

India

What the BJP’s historic West Bengal victory means for Modi’s India

Narendra Modi’s ruling coalition now controls roughly 70 per cent of India’s state legislatures, giving him a historic grip on power.

6 May 2026 - 7:00PM

Asean

Opinion | Asia must unite to avert an Iran war food crisis

The energy and fertiliser shocks come amid crucial planting windows for Asia’s farmers, exposing the region’s dire dependencies.

6 May 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

A farm worker sprays fertiliser on a paddy field at Sabak Bernam, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on April 1. Conflict in the Middle East has driven up prices of energy, fertiliser and food production. Photo: EPA

Travel Safety

Hero or reckless? Bangladeshi man saving baby on train tracks divides opinion

Some social media users question how the man could have dropped his son just as they were getting off the moving train.

4 May 2026 - 6:22PM

A Bangladeshi man jumped onto the train tracks to shield his baby with his body, sparking both praise and debate about his actions. Photo: Handout

Natural disasters

Child, newlywed among 14 killed by lightning in Bangladesh

Lightning kills ‌hundreds of people every year in ⁠Bangladesh, which ⁠declared lightning strikes a natural disaster in 2016.

27 Apr 2026 - 3:39PM

Crime

Roommate charged with murder of 2 Bangladeshi PhD students in US

Hisham Abugharbieh lived with Zamil Limon, whose remains have been found; Limon’s girlfriend, Nahida Bristy, is still missing.

26 Apr 2026 - 2:30AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war is tearing polyester fabric of fast fashion – and shoes could be next

Conflict-driven oil price spikes are straining Asia’s polyester supply chain, threatening higher costs for firms like Zara and H&M.

25 Apr 2026 - 3:18PMvideocam

A person carrying a bag walks by a Zara store in Plaza de Espana in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Reuters

India

Chinese drone discovery sharpens focus on Asia’s undersea security race

Experts say India is playing ‘steady catch-up’ in boosting undersea surveillance, while Southeast Asian nations’ capabilities differ widely.

24 Apr 2026 - 7:27PM

South and Southeast Asian nations are stepping up capabilities to boost undersea surveillance and defend deep-sea cables, analysts say. Photo: Shutterstock

Malaysia

Bangladeshi YouTuber’s death sparks mourning amid Malaysia’s DUI crisis

Muzahid Millad was killed in a crash involving an allegedly drunk Malaysian soldier, prompting calls for justice and stricter laws.

24 Apr 2026 - 1:10PM

India

A Delhi-Dhaka thaw? India opens door to Sheikh Hasina extradition talks

The former Bangladeshi leader and close Indian ally remains ‘a strategic asset for Delhi’, an analyst says.

24 Apr 2026 - 3:44PMvideocam

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Bangladesh

Bangladesh faces further measles risk due to lack of vaccinations, travel

Nearly 600 people have died from the disease, with over 60,000 suspected cases in the country since mid-March.

Japan’s Russia concern, firms pick Malaysia over Singapore: 7 Asia highlights

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Outside In | How Trump’s war on Iran is jeopardising Asia’s remittance lifeline

Policy pivot? India watchful as Bangladesh engages Pakistan

Analysts say the new government in Dhaka is trying a ‘balancing act’ in the region that could signal more businesslike ties with its neighbours.

Celebrity ‘Trump’ buffalo spared sacrifice, sent to Bangladesh zoo

The animal with a blond hairdo said to resemble the US president’s signature look was saved just hours before it was set to be slaughtered.

Bangladesh probes hospital deaths of 6 newborns

Air conditioning in the ward where the babies were was not working in the early hours on Wednesday.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Video | Rare ‘Donald Trump’ buffalo is an internet celebrity in Bangladesh

Experts from the livestock department said albino buffaloes are extremely rare, and appear white or pink due to a lack of melanin production.

India orders new deportation centres days after BJP election victory

The Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party has ordered detention centres for undocumented migrants in West Bengal state, sparking fear of arbitrary expulsions.

Chinese coal mine accident, Cathay Pacific flight turbulence: 5 weekend reads

From a coal mine accident that killed 82 people to turbulence on a Cathay Pacific flight, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Why Bangladesh could raise Indian red flags by buying a China-Pakistan fighter jet

Dhaka could be boosting its air power with the reported acquisition of a JF-17 flight simulator.

Bangladesh’s rare ‘Donald Trump’ buffalo draws crowds over resemblance

Many have travelled a long way to pose for selfies and videos with the ‘calm by nature’ buffalo, which has gone viral on social media.

Bangladesh protestors clash with police over alleged child rape

Protesters tried to seize a man accused of raping a four-year-old girl who is now undergoing treatment in hospital.

China’s J-10CE jets defeat Eurofighters 9-0 in mock battles, CCTV confirms

While state broadcaster does not identify the drill, details appear to match a 2024 exercise in Qatar involving Pakistan.

Bangladesh turns to China for Teesta river project, testing India ties

Bangladesh’s new prime minister has formally asked China to help with a long-delayed river project near the sensitive Siliguri Corridor.

Opinion | How bad water management is turning up the heat on South Asia

Regional governments should stop blaming shortages on the failure of treaties, diverting attention from much-needed internal reforms.

Delivery pains hamper Bangladesh’s family planning efforts

Nearly a third of districts in one of the world’s most densely populated countries are experiencing a shortage of condoms and contraceptives.

‘Godzilla El Nino’: Southeast Asia warned of punishing climate whiplash

Experts warn the heat could increase the risk of localised flooding, put pressure on drainage systems and threaten agricultural production.

Why are China’s coastal fish farms disappearing while India’s are expanding?

China’s coastal aquaculture ponds span the largest area in the world but they are shrinking – and that is a good thing.

Will Iran war threaten next harvest? Which countries are most at risk?

As the Hormuz blockade cuts off vital agricultural inputs, Food and Agriculture Organization official views China as key food security partner.

What the BJP’s historic West Bengal victory means for Modi’s India

Narendra Modi’s ruling coalition now controls roughly 70 per cent of India’s state legislatures, giving him a historic grip on power.

Opinion | Asia must unite to avert an Iran war food crisis

The energy and fertiliser shocks come amid crucial planting windows for Asia’s farmers, exposing the region’s dire dependencies.

Hero or reckless? Bangladeshi man saving baby on train tracks divides opinion

Some social media users question how the man could have dropped his son just as they were getting off the moving train.

Child, newlywed among 14 killed by lightning in Bangladesh

Lightning kills ‌hundreds of people every year in ⁠Bangladesh, which ⁠declared lightning strikes a natural disaster in 2016.

Roommate charged with murder of 2 Bangladeshi PhD students in US

Hisham Abugharbieh lived with Zamil Limon, whose remains have been found; Limon’s girlfriend, Nahida Bristy, is still missing.

Iran war is tearing polyester fabric of fast fashion – and shoes could be next

Conflict-driven oil price spikes are straining Asia’s polyester supply chain, threatening higher costs for firms like Zara and H&M.

Chinese drone discovery sharpens focus on Asia’s undersea security race

Experts say India is playing ‘steady catch-up’ in boosting undersea surveillance, while Southeast Asian nations’ capabilities differ widely.

Bangladeshi YouTuber’s death sparks mourning amid Malaysia’s DUI crisis

Muzahid Millad was killed in a crash involving an allegedly drunk Malaysian soldier, prompting calls for justice and stricter laws.

A Delhi-Dhaka thaw? India opens door to Sheikh Hasina extradition talks

The former Bangladeshi leader and close Indian ally remains ‘a strategic asset for Delhi’, an analyst says.

Outside In | How Trump’s war on Iran is jeopardising Asia’s remittance lifeline

Video | Rare ‘Donald Trump’ buffalo is an internet celebrity in Bangladesh