Malaysia has announced a target to attract 300,000 tourists from Bangladesh by 2026, according to Malaysian High Commissioner to Dhaka, Mohammad Suhaimi Osman. Speaking at a gala dinner during the Malaysia Tourism Fair in Dhaka, he emphasized Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening tourism, cultural exchange, and people-to-people connections between the two nations. The High Commissioner highlighted that bilateral relations have expanded over the decades across trade, investment, education, and tourism. He noted that recent high-level visits, including those by the Malaysian Prime Minister to Dhaka and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser to Kuala Lumpur, have reaffirmed both countries’ dedication to deeper cooperation. Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur International Airport, one of the world’s most connected hubs, further supports this goal by facilitating travel and commerce. Officials believe the “Visit Malaysia Year 2026” campaign and events like “Festival Malaysia” will showcase the nation’s multicultural heritage and strengthen mutual understanding. The initiative is expected to enhance Malaysia’s position as a key regional tourism and investment center in Southeast Asia.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has agreed to reform the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system following days of protests by mobile phone traders. After receiving assurances from BTRC Chairman Major General Md Emdad Ul Bari, the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB) announced the suspension of their blockade until December 9. According to BTRC sources, a joint meeting will be held to resolve NEIR-related issues, involving the Finance Adviser, NBR Chairman, Commerce Secretary, and representatives from mobile manufacturers and traders. MBCB leaders said the reforms should simplify import procedures and ensure all imported phones are listed without restriction. They also demanded reduced import duties and warned of renewed protests if tax issues remain unresolved. The NEIR system, set to take effect on December 16, aims to curb the use of unregistered or stolen phones. The temporary suspension of protests signals a possible compromise, though traders have indicated they will resume action if their concerns are not addressed in the upcoming meeting.

The Alliance for Health Reforms Bangladesh (AHRB) has urged the Chief Adviser to prioritize the implementation of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) policy as a matter of national interest. In an open letter signed by Professor Syed Abdul Hamid of Dhaka University and Professor Syed Md. Akram Hossain of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, the group called for immediate administrative action to reduce import dependency and bolster national health security. The letter highlights that although Bangladesh can produce most types of medicines, it remains heavily reliant on imported APIs, leaving the pharmaceutical supply chain vulnerable to global market disruptions. The AHRB recommended five urgent steps, including a production-linked incentive scheme, sustained R&D funding, stronger academia–industry collaboration, and formation of a permanent task force. Citing the success of the 1982 National Drug Policy, the group emphasized that strong political commitment and leadership are essential. Experts argue that developing a knowledge-based pharmaceutical sector could raise the tax-to-GDP ratio and expand exports. The AHRB warned that without top-level oversight, the API policy may remain unimplemented, hindering Bangladesh’s competitiveness and health resilience.

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s health condition has shown signs of improvement, according to her medical team at Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital. Results from a recent CT scan and other key tests were reported as satisfactory, prompting the medical board to reconsider earlier plans to transfer her to London for advanced treatment. The board has not yet made a final decision, but doctors said her vital parameters are improving and she is responding better than before. A member of the medical board stated that Khaleda Zia’s condition is now more stable, and they are optimistic about her recovery in Bangladesh. Her daughter-in-law, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, is coordinating her care alongside local and foreign specialists. BNP leaders confirmed that arrangements for an air ambulance from Qatar remain available if needed. Khaleda Zia, 79, has been hospitalized since November 23 with multiple chronic ailments, including liver, kidney, and heart complications. The board’s final decision on whether she will remain in Dhaka or be flown abroad is expected soon, depending on her continued improvement.

Azerbaijan has announced plans to open an embassy in Dhaka following Bangladesh’s upcoming national election, signaling a new phase in bilateral relations. The announcement came during a courtesy meeting between Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev’s daughters, Leyla and Arzu Aliyeva, and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka. During the meeting, both sides discussed strengthening cooperation in culture, environment, and people-to-people connectivity. Professor Yunus recalled his previous visits to Baku and his meeting with President Aliyev at the COP29 summit, emphasizing the potential for deeper trade, energy, and economic collaboration. Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, conveyed President Aliyev’s greetings and expressed interest in joint projects on wildlife conservation and environmental protection. Non-resident Ambassador Elchin Huseynli confirmed that the embassy initiative followed a request from Professor Yunus last November. The move is expected to elevate Bangladesh-Azerbaijan relations, opening avenues for humanitarian, social, and environmental partnerships.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has voiced deep concern over the rising contamination of food products in Bangladesh, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated national action to protect public health. Chairing a high-level meeting at the state guesthouse Jamuna, Yunus called on ministries, regulatory agencies, and universities to jointly address the crisis through immediate and long-term measures. He instructed all relevant departments to submit written proposals within a week outlining steps to combat food contamination. The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) presented alarming data showing widespread presence of heavy metals, pesticides, and antibiotics in food and water samples. UNICEF estimates that 35 million Bangladeshi children are affected by lead exposure, while WHO data indicates that one in ten children suffers from foodborne illness annually. Officials also highlighted unregulated antibiotic use in poultry farms and the presence of toxic residues in fish and dairy products. Experts warned that unchecked contamination threatens both child development and national health security. The government plans to launch a ten-year strategy to reduce lead exposure and strengthen food safety monitoring across sectors.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Education has released the new ‘Private Educational Institutions (Schools and Colleges) Manpower Structure and MPO Policy 2025’, introducing major structural and eligibility changes for teachers and staff. The circular, issued on December 7 by the Secondary and Higher Education Division, eliminates the ‘Senior Lecturer’ position in higher secondary schools and colleges and revises qualification requirements for several posts. Under the new framework, teachers with 13 years of teaching experience and two years in leadership roles may qualify for headmaster positions, while assistant headmasters with 15 years’ experience can be promoted to principal roles. The policy also stipulates that teachers absent without approval for over 60 days will lose eligibility for MPO benefits, and their positions will be declared vacant after that period. For colleges, the policy sets minimum student numbers to open new departments—35 for humanities and business studies, and 25 for science. Rural institutions will require slightly lower thresholds. Education officials say the reforms aim to improve accountability and ensure balanced staffing across institutions.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has pledged to deliver what he described as the nation’s most credible and historic election in the first half of February 2026. He made the remarks on Sunday evening during a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin and other Election Commission members at the state guesthouse Jamuna. During the meeting, the CEC briefed the Chief Adviser on preparations for the upcoming parliamentary election and a planned national referendum. The Election Commission reported that logistical and administrative arrangements were progressing smoothly and that it was fully prepared to hold both events on the same day. Commissioners expressed gratitude for the interim government’s cooperation and also thanked law enforcement and military personnel for their support. Professor Yunus commended the Commission’s readiness and reaffirmed that the interim government would continue full cooperation to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election. He emphasized that the Commission was in the “driver’s seat” and that the government’s goal was to achieve a model democratic exercise for the nation.

The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs of Bangladesh has finalized the selection of four distinguished women for the Begum Rokeya Padak 2025, recognizing their outstanding contributions in various fields. The honorees are Dr. Ruvana Rakib for women’s education (research), Kalpana Akter for women’s labor rights, Dr. Nabila Idris for human rights, and Ritu Porna Chakma for women’s empowerment in sports. According to ministry sources, the nominations were approved following recommendations from the National Awards Advisory Council meetings held on November 27 and December 7. The summary of the recommendations was later endorsed by the Chief Adviser, and the official gazette notification is now pending. The Begum Rokeya Padak, named after the pioneering feminist and social reformer Begum Rokeya, is one of the highest state honors for women in Bangladesh. The award highlights the government’s continued commitment to promoting gender equality and recognizing women’s leadership across diverse sectors, from academia and activism to sports and social reform.

Ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th national election, three parties—including the National Citizen Party (NCP)—have formed the Democratic Reform Alliance. Former Dhaka University student leader and anti-discrimination activist Abdul Kader reacted to the development on social media, expressing regret that the NCP has become politically marginalized within just one year of its formation. In a Facebook post on December 7, Kader wrote that the alliance’s formation drew little attention, suggesting it added no significant political value. He lamented that a youth-driven party with early promise had become isolated due to internal leadership choices, despite public and institutional goodwill. Kader also noted that the NCP now struggles to sustain itself, relying on minimal resources and effort to remain relevant. The new alliance named NCP convener Nahid Islam as its spokesperson, with Bangladesh State Reform Movement and Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) as partners. Political observers view the coalition as an attempt to consolidate smaller reformist groups ahead of the upcoming election.

A November 21 earthquake damaged 22 of the 97 government primary schools in Agailjhara upazila of Barishal, Bangladesh. Among them, four schools—Ashoksen, Gaila Nonapukurpar, Taltarmath, and Dakshin Bagdha—suffered major structural cracks in beams, floors, walls, and roofs. The local education office has compiled a list of affected schools and forwarded it to higher authorities for repair and safety assessment. Teachers and students are reportedly anxious about continuing classes in damaged buildings, fearing potential collapse during aftershocks. Parents have also expressed concern over sending their children to school under such conditions. Headteachers from several schools confirmed visible cracks and immediate reporting to the upazila education office. Upazila Primary Education Officer Md. Amjad Hossain stated that the list of affected schools has been submitted for urgent renovation approval. Local officials expect repair work to begin soon to ensure student safety and restore normal academic activities.

In Bangladesh’s Satkhira district, the Shyamnagar upazila has seen an unprecedented surge of over 300 individuals claiming to be journalists, many allegedly using fake press cards to gain influence and engage in extortion. Local sources report that eight separate press clubs now operate within the upazila, with more than 250 registered members and dozens of self-styled ‘independent reporters’ roaming freely. The misuse of press credentials has reportedly led to intimidation of officials, teachers, and business owners. Government officers, speaking anonymously, described a climate of fear and manipulation, where refusal to meet demands often results in negative coverage or online smear campaigns. Senior journalists in Shyamnagar, including Abu Sayed and Sheikh Afzalur Rahman, have urged authorities to shut down unverified online portals and enforce strict verification before issuing press cards. The situation underscores a growing crisis in local journalism ethics and regulation. Without intervention, professionals warn that genuine reporters may lose credibility, and public trust in the media could erode further.

A Dhaka court has ordered the imprisonment of Daily Nawroj editor Shamsul Haque Durrani after he surrendered in an extortion case. The order was issued on Sunday, December 7, by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Md. Mahbubur Rahman. Durrani’s lawyer, Dhaka Bar Association President Khorshed Mia Alam, had sought bail, but the court rejected the plea and sent him to jail. The case was filed on November 12 by contractor Rajibul Islam, who accused Durrani of demanding BDT 2 million to allow construction work at a government seed office site in Melandah, Jamalpur, to proceed without interference. The contractor alleged that Durrani threatened to obstruct the project if the payment was not made. Following the complaint, the court had earlier issued an arrest warrant against Durrani. The incident has drawn attention to alleged misuse of influence by media figures. Legal analysts note that the case underscores growing scrutiny of press accountability in Bangladesh’s judicial process.

Bangladesh Railway has closed 20 unauthorized and high-risk level crossings along the Dhaka–Sylhet rail route passing through four upazilas of Habiganj district. The move aims to reduce frequent accidents and fatalities caused by unprotected crossings lacking safety infrastructure or signalmen. Railway officials confirmed that the closures are part of a phased plan to eliminate all 46 unauthorized crossings in the district. According to the railway’s engineering division, the first phase targeted the most accident-prone points, with the remaining 26 crossings to be closed gradually. Many of these crossings were locally built without approval, posing serious safety hazards for both trains and pedestrians. However, local residents have expressed frustration, saying the closures were implemented without prior notice or alternative routes. Residents and local leaders are urging authorities to construct overpasses or underpasses before closing crossings to prevent public hardship. Officials maintain that the closures are necessary to ensure passenger safety and reduce the risk of future train collisions.

Bangladesh’s bottled soybean oil price has been raised by Tk 6 per liter following a meeting at the Ministry of Commerce. The new retail price is set at Tk 195 per liter, up from Tk 189, and will take effect from Monday, December 8. The Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati Manufacturers Association announced the revised rates through an official press release. The association had earlier sought government approval twice—in November—to increase prices by Tk 9 per liter, citing rising import and production costs. However, the ministry did not respond, prompting some refiners to raise prices unilaterally to Tk 198 per liter. This led to consumer backlash and government warnings. Commerce adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin confirmed that show-cause notices were issued to several companies for unauthorized price adjustments. The latest decision aims to stabilize the edible oil market and align official prices with global cost trends. Authorities are expected to monitor compliance closely to prevent further unauthorized hikes and ensure fair consumer pricing.