Politics

The Russia-backed Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is currently under construction in Bangladesh. (Photo by Rizwan Hasan)
International relations

Bangladesh nuclear plant payments held up by Russia sanctions

Dhaka to send delegation for talks as Moscow urges SWIFT workaround

9 February 2023
Adarsha's stall at the 2022 Ekushey Book Fair: The publisher was not granted a stall this year, apparently due to a trio of books critical of the government. (Photo courtesy of Mahbub Rahman)
Politics

Bangladesh publisher's book fair ban sparks free-speech outcry

Exclusion from nation's top literary festival seen as part of troubling pattern

29 January 2023
A smartphone display shows the Bangla-language Bijoy keyboard -- the product at the center of a political controversy. (Photo by Mahmud Hossain Opu)
Politics

Bangladesh smartphone keyboard touches off political controversy

'No wrongdoing,' telecom minister says of order to use his company's software

25 January 2023
China and India are both planning to invest in the development and modernization of Bangladesh's Mongla port. (Port photo courtesy of Mongla Port Authority website)
International relations

Archrivals China, India move in to fund same Bangladesh port

Officials insist powers 'will not collide'; others warn of contest for influence

24 January 2023
A woman collects garbage from a dump in Dhaka: The IMF's deputy managing director says Bangladesh should not be providing subsidies that benefit the wealthy.
Interview

Bangladesh should redirect subsidy money to help poor: IMF deputy

Antoinette Monsio Sayeh visits Dhaka ahead of board decision on $4.5bn loan

18 January 2023
The U.S. and Russia have been locked in a war of words over diplomatic approaches in Bangladesh. (Photo by Yuki Kohara) 
International relations

Bangladesh human rights controversy sparks U.S.-Russia spat

Moscow trumpets noninterference; Washington asks, 'Does that apply to Ukraine?'

28 December 2022
An MRT-6 test run in Dhaka: The line promises to help at least some commuters avoid the city's clogged streets. (Photo by Mahmud Hossain Opu)
Transportation

Bangladesh to open Japan-backed metro line on Wednesday

Experts say launch is a positive step but won't solve congestion on its own

27 December 2022
Rohingya refugees on a navy vessel headed to the Bangladeshi island of Bhasan Char in 2020.
Myanmar Crisis

At least 180 Rohingya feared dead: U.N. refugee agency

'Unseaworthy' boat that left Bangladesh has likely sunk, UNHCR says

26 December 2022
Supporters of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party shout slogans during a massive rally in Dhaka on Dec. 10, in which they called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to step aside and install a caretaker government.
Politics

Bangladesh government digs in against protests as economy teeters

Experts warn of 2023 debt challenge and election considered unlikely to be fair

13 December 2022
Residents move belongings to safety as the Teesta River swells in Bangladesh in 2016. The country is eyeing ways to better manage the waterway -- possibly with China's help.
International relations

China open to role in Bangladesh river project under India's nose

Beijing's envoy expresses concern Dhaka might back out over 'outside pressure'

14 November 2022
Employees dine at a garment factory in Dhaka: Bangladesh has struck a preliminary deal with the IMF to help stave off an economic crisis.
Economy

Bangladesh confidence lifts with IMF loan but tough reforms await

Officials cheer while experts warn against counting chickens too early

10 November 2022
Bangladesh is eager to reduce its reliance on the dollar as its taka depreciates, in part by trading with China in yuan. (Source photos by Getty Images and Reuters)
Economy

Bangladesh aims for yuan trade as cushion against mighty dollar

Shrinking forex coffers spur scramble for alternative currency arrangements

27 September 2022
Rohingya refugees near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, in 2017: The South Asian country says it is clamping down on its border amid concerns that more people will try to flee Myanmar.
International relations

Bangladesh fears new Rohingya exodus from fighting in Myanmar

Dhaka stresses 'burden' of hosting refugees, says it cannot accept more

19 September 2022
With an election on the horizon, many have been hoping Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would push for a breakthrough on sharing Teesta River water with India. (Nikkei montage/Getty Images)
International relations

Bangladesh PM's India trip leaves farmers thirsty for water deal

Hopes for sharing Teesta River shaken as climate change raises urgency

8 September 2022
Bangladesh's finance minister has blamed money laundering through manipulation of trade invoices for exacerbating the country's trade deficit.
Economy

Bangladesh widens net for laundered billions as forex reserves fall

Government tries mix of sticks and carrots as experts warn of low success rate

6 September 2022
Bangladesh, where consumers are feeling the pain at the pump, is looking for cheaper fuel options. (Photo by Shahru Nayef)
International relations

Bangladesh eyes cheap Russian fuel oil to lower import bills

Dhaka wary of antagonizing West but desperate to ease inflation, forex pressure

27 August 2022
Rohingya refugees mark the second anniversary of their exodus at a camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, on Aug. 25, 2019. Another three years later, they still have nowhere else to go.
Politics

Rohingya refugees mark 5th 'Genocide Day' as repatriation hopes dim

Military control in Myanmar keeps millions in Bangladesh limbo

25 August 2022
Striking Bangladeshi tea workers stage a demonstration at a plantation in the northeastern Moulvibazar District. (Photo by Mintu Deshwara)
Inflation

Bangladesh tea strike spotlights poorest workers' inflation plight

Protests resume after offer of raise to $1.50 a day -- far below $3 demand

22 August 2022
Protesters carry traditional kerosene lanterns during a demonstration against fuel price increases in Dhaka. Kerosene now costs the equivalent of about $1.20 per liter, versus 84 cents before hikes on several types of fuel. (Photo by Mahmud Hossain Opu)
Politics

Bangladesh anger over fuel prices echoes Sri Lanka, Pakistan

Political pressure mounts as nation joins neighbors in seeking IMF aid

17 August 2022
Stream article image
Feeding Asia

Opinion: Reform the global food system to end famine

Three clear avenues for action that will limit the spread of the crisis

29 July 2022
A woman fans a baby by candlelight during a recent blackout in Bangladesh. (Photo by Mahmud Hossain Opu)
Economy

Blackouts bedevil Bangladesh as South Asia forex worries mount

Echoing Sri Lanka and Pakistan, woes blamed on Ukraine war and falling reserves

27 July 2022
Stream article image
Feeding Asia

Hunger in Asia on the rise

Inflation, COVID-19, climate, conflict drive food insecurity

6 July 2022
From a Maldives bond payment to India's central bank meeting and Pakistan's upcoming budget, South Asia's economic strain is in focus.
Asia Insight

Beyond Sri Lanka, economic cyclone bears down on South Asia

From Pakistan to Maldives, forex and debt risks grow as inflationary headwinds build

7 June 2022
Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo addresses Nikkei's Future of Asia conference on May 27. (Photo by Tomoki Mera)
The Future of Asia 2022

Indonesia's Jokowi urges quick rollout of China-backed trade bloc

At Nikkei forum, Hun Sen defends succession plan and denies China 'debt trap'

27 May 2022
Indonesian President Joko Widodo says that "Indonesia wants to make sure that the G-20 will serve as a catalyst for global economic recovery." (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)
The Future of Asia 2022

Indonesia's Jokowi aims to host successful G-20 despite Russia issue

President urges 'immediate' implementation of China-backed trade bloc

27 May 2022