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Bangladesh
American Activists and the Birth of Bangladesh
Looking back 40 years to a civil war in Pakistan and a group of American peace activists whose weapons blockade helped end the war and aided the independence of Bangladesh.
Podcast: The World Population at Seven Billion
On October 31st, world population reached seven billion. That’s according to the latest estimates by the United Nations Population Fund. We explore what that means for the planet and our future in it. We compare family planning programs in two South Asian countries. Also, breaking news about a Dutch science scandal.
New Dolphin Sanctuaries in Asian Mangrove Forest
For our Geo Quiz, we are looking for a thick swamp. No, not the Everglades but a large mangrove forest in South Asia, along the coast of eastern India and southern Bangladesh.
The Sleeping Bag Tax
Sleeping bags from Bangladesh were competing with a manufacturer in Alabama, and a senator from that state didn’t like it.
C-Sections on the Rise Despite Concerns from Health Experts
Caesarean sections are becoming more common even in poor countries.
Dangerous Highway
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The Geo Quiz is all about road safety this time or the lack thereof. The Bangladeshi city we’re looking for is home to an infamous highway: it’s considered one of the world’s most dangerous. Nearly 50 people have been killed on it so far this year and 500 injured. This hazardous highway links the northern city of Sylhet with the Bangladeshi capital. Download MP3Asia’s tornado alley
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Tornados figure in the Geo Quiz this time. We’re looking for the country outside of North America where severe twisters are most common. This nation suffered what’s thought to be the deadliest tornado in recorded history. It’s believed to have killed more than 1,300 people in 1989. Download MP3
Bengali New Year
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This week marks the beginning of the New Year according to a traditional solar calendar used in Bangladesh and several of India’s eastern states. So for our Geo Quiz, we’re looking for the name of the city that’s the capital of Bangladesh. Download MP3Remembering political activist turned goat farmer Mukit Hossain
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Mukit Hossain, an immigrant from Bangladesh and grass-roots activist in Virginia, encouraged his fellow Muslims to become more politically engaged. He was recognized by the state of Virginia for his work. He recently left his life as a business executive to raise goats, slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law. Hossain died on November 27 of a heart attack. He was 54. The World’s Jason Margolis has the story. Download MP3Muhammad Yunus and Lisa Simpson
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Bangladeshi anti-poverty banker Muhammad Yunus is to feature in an episode of The Simpsons in October. One of the Nobel peace laureate’s many admirers is actress Yeardley Smith, the voice of Lisa Simpson. We caught up with Smith who just returned from Bangladesh. Download MP3The rickshaw capital of the world
The Rickshaw Capital of the world figures in today’s Geo Quiz. The city we’re looking for lies on the banks of the Buriganga River. Its population of 13 million makes it the largest city in Bangladesh.
Business in the Developing World, Part II
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A year ago, inflation in Zimbabwe was a mind-blowing 231 million percent. (And that was before the government stopped bothering to update the figure!) A new government came to power in February and life has much improved. The Zimbabwe dollar, or Zim dollar, is gone. But that has spawned problems of its own.
Stories from Zimbabwe and other parts of Africa, Bangladesh, India and Peru on Part II of this two-part podcast about econonics and business in the developing world.
Night Witches, Hostage Crisis, Pakistan
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Who knew there were Soviet women combat pilots in WWII? The BBC’s Lucy Ash tells us how she came to know some of these women and produce a radio documentary about their lives and exploits. Also, we revisit the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979. Hard to believe it’s been 30 years since the 444-day ordeal began. And we try to understand the complicated motivations of Pakistan’s military leaders by looking back at how Pakistan was formed and what its early years were like. Lots to chew on this week, much of it riveting.
Raising Bangladesh
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Some of the countries most at risk from climate change are low-lying nations. And chief among them is the South Asian country of Bangladesh. Rising seas threaten to inundate this already disaster-prone land. But Bangladesh is experimenting with new ways to protect itself. One possible solution uses floods to prevent floods. Reporter Daniel Grossman has our story. Download MP3 (Photo: Dan Grossman) Bangladesh changes dress code
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This week, the prime minister of Bangladesh re-wrote the government’s dress code in hopes of easing the country’s energy shortage. She ordered male government employees to stop wearing jackets and ties. Just trousers and shirts are fine, and no need to tuck shirts in either.
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