Bangladesh

Ahmed Naseem, forrmer foreign minister of the Maldives, speaks at an opposition press conference in Colombo in March. (Photo by Marwaan Macan-Markar)
Politics

Political chaos grips Maldives as Yameen fights for survival

Arrest of opposition figure and parliamentary vote highlight growing pressure on autocratic president

10 April 2017
Passengers ride on a cart as they arrive from India, at the Nepalese-Indian border.
Economy

In South Asia, the time has come for border economic zones

Frontier areas need help to overcome constraints on economic progress

10 April 2017
Mobile ad spending grew 49% in 2016.
Business

The internet poised to dethrone TV as ad king

Advertising dollars follow consumer eyes to smartphones

7 April 2017
Soldiers and police stand guard as a Chinese truck convoy enters a town in the western Pakistani province of Baluchistan, home to the port of Gwadar. (Courtesy CRS Public Relations)
Politics

Pakistan bets on a Chinese development project, but debt looms

International lenders and ratings agencies fret over growing financial burden

6 April 2017
The heyday of hedge funds is long gone.
Finance

Hedge funds suffer money exodus

Meager returns, high fees drive investors away

6 April 2017
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Economy

Pakistan equities buoyant ahead of index reclassification

Analysts say banking, construction stocks to benefit from inward investment

5 April 2017
A solitary cargo carrier docks at the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka. (Photo: Marwaan Macan-Markar)
Finance

Sri Lanka struggles to build foreign reserves

Dollar shortage poses 'crisis' moment as government plans sales of state assets

3 April 2017
Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Takehiko Nakao poses in front of the logo of ADB at its headquarters in Manila on January 8, 2016.
Economy

ADB scholarships help foster human resources

Some 3,500 people across Asia have benefited from bank program

3 April 2017
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Politics

The Asian-American community reacts

Fear and anxiety spur call to action

30 March 2017
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The Big Story

The Asian-American community reacts

Fear and anxiety spur call to action

30 March 2017
Pushpa Kamal Dahal, center, Nepal’s Maoist prime minister, greets Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank President Jin Liqun (second from right) and other delegates at an investment summit in Kathmandu on March 2 (Courtesy of Investment Board of Nepal)
Economy

Nepal Maoists roll out red carpet for foreign investors

Former revolutionary communists seek overseas funding for development

28 March 2017
A Chinese truck convoy last November opened the overland route through Pakistan to the Indian Ocean port of Gwadar. (Courtesy CRS Public Relations)
Politics

Pakistan wrestles with growing 'Chinese corridor' debt

Analysts say burden of economic agreement with Beijing may be unsustainable

27 March 2017
Bangladeshis take part in a neighborhood patrol in Chiba's Inage Ward on March 10.
Politics

Japan moves gingerly toward accepting immigrants

While local integration efforts flourish, national policies get low marks

26 March 2017
Activists take part in a rally to support ethnic Madhesis and condemning killing protesters in Rajbiraj, during a demonstartion in Kathmandu, Nepal, March 9.
Politics

Hindu nationalism could hinder modern development

After Modi's state poll victory, Nepal and other neighboring countries must deal with India's expanded influence

22 March 2017
Ravi Karunanayake, Sri Lanka's minister of finance, at an investment summit in Hong Kong on March 16. (Photo by Joyce Ho)
Economy

Sri Lanka finance minister pledges fiscal discipline

Strict adherence to IMF's demand to cap budget deficit at 3.5% by 2020

17 March 2017
Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed speaks at a press conference in Colombo on Feb. 9. (Photo by Marwaan Macan-Markar)
Economy

Maldives' sovereign bond offer tests economic prospects

Island group's first international debt instrument highlights economic and political concerns

16 March 2017
Iflix founder Patrick Grove says the internet-TV world is getting "highly confusing." (Courtesy of Iflix).
Business

The 'Asian Netflix' takes on the pirates

Iflix finds Asian niche and offers US and regional content

7 March 2017
YKK Chairman and CEO Tadahiro Yoshida announced the company's four-year business plan in Tokyo Thursday.
Business

Japan's YKK to take on Chinese rivals in low-end zipper segment

High-performance fastener producer eyes dramatic growth in Asia

3 March 2017
A man walks past a board of Sri Lankan currency presented by Central Bank in Colombo on Feb. 7.
Economy

Sri Lanka and its cheap labor pool

Factory worker pay slow to go up despite economy's steady growth

2 March 2017
Cabling work for Bangladesh's first subway system is underway in Dhaka. (Photo by A.Z.M. Anas)
Economy

Bangladesh to pour $2 billion of reserves into infrastructure fund

Critics question whether money will serve public needs or political whims

2 March 2017
Bharti Airtel is the No. 1 player in India, with a market share of 26.1%. (Photo by Keiichiro Asahara)
Business

India's Bharti Airtel snaps up Telenor's local unit

Norwegian telecom's farewell underscores tough conditions in crowded market

2 March 2017
A factory in Bangladesh making clothing for Uniqlo.
Business

Uniqlo operator publicizes nearly 150 suppliers

Japanese casual clothier yields to industry norm amid human-rights concerns

1 March 2017
The Lotus Tower, a Colombo landmark, rises above the cricket grounds of St. Joseph's College. (Photo by Marwaan Macan-Markar)
Politics

Sri Lanka's new information law puts corrupt officials in crosshairs

Civilians exercise 'right to information' following landmark legislation

27 February 2017
Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and coast guard ships have been making frequent port calls to Colombo since 2009. (Courtesy Sri Lanka Ministry of Defence)
International relations

Japan seeks balance with China in seas around Sri Lanka

Tokyo's bilateral ties with Colombo grow as Beijing flexes maritime muscles

27 February 2017
Airtel, India's largest wireless telecommunications provider, announced a deal Thursday to acquire all of Telnor's subscribers and assets in the country.
Asia300

India's Bharti Airtel to buy Telenor's local business

Norwegian telecom's farewell underscores battle of attrition

23 February 2017