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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

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

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.

3 hours ago

Malaysia

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

24 Apr 2026 - 1:10PM

India

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

24 Apr 2026 - 3:44PMvideocam

Food and agriculture

Asia braces for food shortages as ‘super El Nino’ and Iran war collide

A precarious planting season looms amid suppressed rainfall and soaring fertiliser costs threatening the region’s harvests.

22 Apr 2026 - 5:06PM

Women sit and eat rice noodles on the sidewalk in Hanoi, Vietnam, on April 14. Photo: AFP

Malaysia

‘Some make it, some die’: why more Rohingya risk sea escapes to Malaysia

Dwindling food aid and growing desperation force thousands of refugees in Bangladesh to undertake perilous sea crossings to Southeast Asia.

21 Apr 2026 - 11:58AMvideocam

European Union

Europe running low on jet fuel, stoking fears of flight cancellations

IEA executive director Birol said the Hormuz blockade-induced energy crisis will hit nations including Japan, China and India harder.

16 Apr 2026 - 7:44PMvideocam

Rohingya Muslims

Video | Hundreds missing after Rohingya boat sinks

Families fear for lives of hundreds missing after boat sinks in what the United Nations said was related to overcrowding and storms in the Andaman Sea.

16 Apr 2026 - 6:14PM

Hundreds missing after Rohingya boat sinks

02:05

US, Israel war on Iran

Asia’s energy supply at breaking point as US blockades Hormuz

Nearly 90 per cent of the region’s crude oil is now at risk as stalled peace talks and a naval stand-off raise the spectre of stagflation.

14 Apr 2026 - 6:09PM

US, Israel war on Iran

UN warns 8 million in Asia-Pacific risk poverty if Iran war drags on

A new UNDP report has forecast job losses, crippling inflation and food insecurity, with the poorest nations brutally exposed to the oil shock.

14 Apr 2026 - 5:26PM

The Philippines

Manila vs Hong Kong: the 2 sides of Asia’s housing affordability crisis

Asia is home to 60 per cent of the world’s slum dwellers and some of the planet’s most expensive real estate.

12 Apr 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

Children walk through a flooded area in Baseco, one of the biggest slums in Manila, the Philippines. Photo: AFP

World Health Organization (WHO)

Vaccine coverage gaps spur Bangladesh’s deadly measles outbreak

Health authorities launched an emergency vaccine campaign on Sunday, with UN agencies aiming to protect more than 1.2 million children.

11 Apr 2026 - 7:18PM

A child diagnosed with measles receives treatment in a paediatric ward at a hospital in Dhaka on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Nepal

Nepal’s school fee crackdown upends South Asian private education norms

Nepal wants private schools to charge less and be more transparent. It could backfire, industry insiders say.

14 Apr 2026 - 9:15AM

India

Russia tempts energy-starved South Asia with 40% discounts on US-sanctioned LNG

China- and Russia-based intermediaries are reportedly also providing paperwork to make it appear that the fuel comes from legitimate sources.

9 Apr 2026 - 1:37PMvideocam

Africa

Opinion | Beijing’s supply-chain hedging strategy can help African food security

While governments must avoid swapping one dependency for another, Beijing’s inroads could help enhance food security efforts.

8 Apr 2026 - 9:55PMvideocam

A worker turns excelsa coffee beans to dry near Nzara, South Sudan, on February 15, 2025. Photo: AP

Measles outbreak

Video | Measles outbreak spreads in Bangladesh

Nearly 100 children have died in recent weeks as the outbreak hits 30 regions.

8 Apr 2026 - 7:59PM

A child diagnosed with measles receives treatment inside a paediatric ward at the Bangladesh Shishu hospital in Dhaka on April 7, 2026. (Photo by MUNIR UZ ZAMAN / AFP)

Health & Fitness

Bangladesh targets 1 million children for vaccination as measles spreads

Health ministry figures show 17 confirmed deaths, 113 suspected ‌deaths and over 7,500 suspected infections nationwide.

6 Apr 2026 - 7:27PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Fuel, food and fury: how the Iran war could topple South Asian governments

Analysts warn the crisis is threatening to spill over into wider economic and political instability.

5 Apr 2026 - 1:30PM

Pakistan

Pakistan offers free public transport for 30 days following 40% petrol hike

The announcement of free travel for residents of Islamabad and Punjab came after people protested the steep rise in fuel prices.

4 Apr 2026 - 9:46AMvideocam

Passengers board a government bus in Islamabad on Friday. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

War on Iran is about to make clothes more expensive. Here’s why

Rising freight and energy costs, plus a near-blockade on synthetic fibres, are pushing prices higher.

30 Mar 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

World Health Organization (WHO)

Bangladesh recovers 24 bodies after bus plunges into river

The bus had around 50 passengers, many of whom managed to escape.

26 Mar 2026 - 5:56PM

Artificial intelligence

Opinion | Why Bangladesh could be last hurrah for Asia’s development model

The question is not if AI will eventually reach developing countries’ factories – it is whether anyone will build those factories at all.

26 Mar 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

A worker sorts underwear in the packing section of a garment factory in Ashulia, on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh, on April 19, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Diplomacy

Opinion | Look East? South Asia’s fate is far more intertwined with Middle East

Beyond oil, remittances and cultural ties, trade and defence pacts in recent years have added to strategic and security interconnectedness.

24 Mar 2026 - 9:04AMvideocam

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hug after signing a defence pact, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Climate change

Himalayan glacial loss threatens 2 billion as Asia’s ‘water tower’ shrinks

Conflicts, such as the Iran war, are diverting global attention away from the ecological crisis, scientists warn.

21 Mar 2026 - 3:00PM

India

India steps up regional energy diplomacy, supplies Bangladesh with diesel

Being a ‘first responder’ in the current energy crisis is in line with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.

20 Mar 2026 - 8:52PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Asia ramps up coal power generation to avoid soaring LNG costs amid Iran war

LNG prices have doubled to three-year highs as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has all but stopped and Qatar halts shipments.

17 Mar 2026 - 6:48PM

Exhaust gases billow from the chimneys of the Taean Thermal Power Station in South Korea. Photo: AFP

Malaysia

Deal or no deal? Malaysia-US trade pact in turmoil after minister ‘misspeaks’

First, a minister called the deal dead. Then his ministry backtracked. Now the opposition is demanding answers.

16 Mar 2026 - 9:53PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pictured in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last October. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

No longer safe: Iran war puts 9 million Indian workers in the line of fire

As missiles fly, drone strikes from Dubai to Doha are shattering the illusion of safety for millions of Indian expats living in the Gulf.

14 Mar 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

United States

US launches trade probe into China and EU in bid to revive Trump tariffs

The Section 301 investigations could lead to another set of import taxes to replace those struck down by the Supreme Court.

12 Mar 2026 - 7:46AM

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Bangladesh

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

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

Asia braces for food shortages as ‘super El Nino’ and Iran war collide

A precarious planting season looms amid suppressed rainfall and soaring fertiliser costs threatening the region’s harvests.

‘Some make it, some die’: why more Rohingya risk sea escapes to Malaysia

Dwindling food aid and growing desperation force thousands of refugees in Bangladesh to undertake perilous sea crossings to Southeast Asia.

Europe running low on jet fuel, stoking fears of flight cancellations

IEA executive director Birol said the Hormuz blockade-induced energy crisis will hit nations including Japan, China and India harder.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Hundreds missing after Rohingya boat sinks

Families fear for lives of hundreds missing after boat sinks in what the United Nations said was related to overcrowding and storms in the Andaman Sea.

Asia’s energy supply at breaking point as US blockades Hormuz

Nearly 90 per cent of the region’s crude oil is now at risk as stalled peace talks and a naval stand-off raise the spectre of stagflation.

UN warns 8 million in Asia-Pacific risk poverty if Iran war drags on

A new UNDP report has forecast job losses, crippling inflation and food insecurity, with the poorest nations brutally exposed to the oil shock.

Manila vs Hong Kong: the 2 sides of Asia’s housing affordability crisis

Asia is home to 60 per cent of the world’s slum dwellers and some of the planet’s most expensive real estate.

Vaccine coverage gaps spur Bangladesh’s deadly measles outbreak

Health authorities launched an emergency vaccine campaign on Sunday, with UN agencies aiming to protect more than 1.2 million children.

Nepal’s school fee crackdown upends South Asian private education norms

Nepal wants private schools to charge less and be more transparent. It could backfire, industry insiders say.

Russia tempts energy-starved South Asia with 40% discounts on US-sanctioned LNG

China- and Russia-based intermediaries are reportedly also providing paperwork to make it appear that the fuel comes from legitimate sources.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Beijing’s supply-chain hedging strategy can help African food security

While governments must avoid swapping one dependency for another, Beijing’s inroads could help enhance food security efforts.

Video | Measles outbreak spreads in Bangladesh

Nearly 100 children have died in recent weeks as the outbreak hits 30 regions.

Bangladesh targets 1 million children for vaccination as measles spreads

Health ministry figures show 17 confirmed deaths, 113 suspected ‌deaths and over 7,500 suspected infections nationwide.

Fuel, food and fury: how the Iran war could topple South Asian governments

Analysts warn the crisis is threatening to spill over into wider economic and political instability.

Pakistan offers free public transport for 30 days following 40% petrol hike

The announcement of free travel for residents of Islamabad and Punjab came after people protested the steep rise in fuel prices.

War on Iran is about to make clothes more expensive. Here’s why

Rising freight and energy costs, plus a near-blockade on synthetic fibres, are pushing prices higher.

Bangladesh recovers 24 bodies after bus plunges into river

The bus had around 50 passengers, many of whom managed to escape.

Opinion | Why Bangladesh could be last hurrah for Asia’s development model

The question is not if AI will eventually reach developing countries’ factories – it is whether anyone will build those factories at all.

Opinion | Look East? South Asia’s fate is far more intertwined with Middle East

Beyond oil, remittances and cultural ties, trade and defence pacts in recent years have added to strategic and security interconnectedness.

Himalayan glacial loss threatens 2 billion as Asia’s ‘water tower’ shrinks

Conflicts, such as the Iran war, are diverting global attention away from the ecological crisis, scientists warn.

India steps up regional energy diplomacy, supplies Bangladesh with diesel

Being a ‘first responder’ in the current energy crisis is in line with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.

Asia ramps up coal power generation to avoid soaring LNG costs amid Iran war

LNG prices have doubled to three-year highs as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has all but stopped and Qatar halts shipments.

Deal or no deal? Malaysia-US trade pact in turmoil after minister ‘misspeaks’

First, a minister called the deal dead. Then his ministry backtracked. Now the opposition is demanding answers.

No longer safe: Iran war puts 9 million Indian workers in the line of fire

As missiles fly, drone strikes from Dubai to Doha are shattering the illusion of safety for millions of Indian expats living in the Gulf.

US launches trade probe into China and EU in bid to revive Trump tariffs

The Section 301 investigations could lead to another set of import taxes to replace those struck down by the Supreme Court.

Video | Hundreds missing after Rohingya boat sinks

Opinion | Beijing’s supply-chain hedging strategy can help African food security