Power generation at the 525-megawatt Barapukuria coal-based thermal power plant in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, has been completely shut down due to mechanical failures. The shutdown has caused load-shedding across Dinajpur and nearby areas. The plant’s first unit, with a capacity of 125 megawatts, stopped production on Sunday morning after its boiler tube burst. The chief engineer, Md. Abu Bakar Siddique, said repairs would begin once the boiler cools, but it is uncertain when production will resume.

The plant’s second unit, also 125 megawatts, has been inactive since November 2020, while the third unit, with 275 megawatts capacity, has been offline since November last year due to mechanical issues. The Barapukuria plant, operated by the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), relies on coal from the Barapukuria mine. The third unit, managed by Chinese contractor Harbin International, awaits spare parts from China for repair. The engineer expects it may return to production by March, though delays persist as the contractor cites increased equipment costs.

The prolonged outage underscores the aging condition of the plant’s infrastructure and its dependence on foreign parts for maintenance.

Bangladesh’s interim government is awaiting China’s approval to begin implementing the Teesta Master Plan, a major initiative aimed at boosting economic growth and water resource management in the country’s northern region. According to Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, all required documents have been sent to the Chinese government, and final discussions on financing have been completed. She made the remarks on Sunday afternoon during a voter awareness meeting in Nilphamari.

Hasan stated that a team of Chinese experts is currently reviewing the technical, financial, and implementation frameworks of the project. Once the evaluation is complete and China gives its final consent, work on what is described as the country’s largest development project will officially begin. She added that the plan’s implementation would bring positive changes to agriculture, irrigation, flood control, and environmental balance in the northern region, fulfilling a long-standing expectation of local residents.

The event was chaired by Nilphamari Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Nayiruzzaman and attended by officials from the Rangpur divisional administration. The nationwide campaign was organized with support from several ministries.

Bangladesh Bank has decided to withhold profits for 2024 and 2025 from depositors of five Islamic banks currently undergoing a merger process. The affected banks are First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Union Bank, EXIM Bank, and Social Islami Bank, which are being consolidated into a new entity named Sammilit Islami Bank. The central bank announced the decision last Wednesday, stating that depositors will not receive profits for the two years, and any previously withdrawn profits will be deducted from their accounts.

The decision has sparked widespread anger among depositors, leading to disruptions in normal banking operations at some branches and a human chain protest in Dhaka’s Gulshan area. Depositors argued that they should not bear the burden of bank mismanagement and demanded full repayment of their deposits and due profits. Bank officials requested the central bank to reconsider, but the governor reaffirmed that the decision, based on Shariah principles, would not be reversed.

According to Bangladesh Bank sources, withholding two years of profits will reduce liabilities by about Tk 10,000 crore, lowering total deposits from Tk 1.31 trillion to an estimated Tk 1.21 trillion across the five banks, which currently serve around 7.5 million depositors.

Engineers from Rosatom have confirmed that fuel loading for Unit-1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Pabna is expected to take place by the end of February 2026. The announcement follows a recent inspection visit by Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, adviser to the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Finance, who reviewed the project’s progress and met with officials and engineers at the site.

During the visit, Dr. Ahmed praised the dedication of the workforce and expressed optimism that the Rooppur plant, Bangladesh’s first nuclear power facility, will play a transformative role in the national energy sector. The project aims to meet the country’s growing electricity demand while strengthening energy security and advancing sustainable development goals.

According to project engineers, approximately 350 megawatts of electricity from Unit-1 could be supplied to the national grid by the end of March 2026, with full generation capacity expected to reach about 1,150 megawatts once operations stabilize.

On Sunday, the first trading day of the week, the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) recorded its highest index rise of the year. The DSEX, the main index, gained 76 points or 1.53 percent, closing at 5,035 points and crossing the 5,000 mark again. This was the highest level in two and a half months, last seen on November 3 when the index stood at 5,061 points. The DSE-30 and DSE Shariah indices also rose by about 1.5 percent each.

Trading volume increased significantly, with transactions totaling Tk 474 crore compared to Tk 379.8 crore on the previous trading day, marking an increase of about Tk 95 crore. Out of 389 traded issues, prices rose for 290, fell for 42, and remained unchanged for 57. Leasing companies under liquidation led the gains, with People’s Leasing, Premier Leasing, Prime Finance, Bangladesh Industrial Finance, and Fareast Finance each rising over 10 percent. International Leasing’s share price rose 9.75 percent.

The DSE also adjusted its indices, adding nine new companies and removing sixteen from the main index. Three companies were added and three removed from the DSE-30 index, with the changes confirmed as effective by the DSE’s public relations department.

The Ministry of Commerce has recommended withdrawing the bonded warehouse facility for importing 10 to 30 count yarn used in export-oriented garment manufacturing. A letter signed on January 12, 2026, from the ministry’s WTO Cell-2 instructed the National Board of Revenue to take necessary action. The move follows recommendations from the Bangladesh Tariff Commission and the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association to safeguard domestic spinning mills, promote employment, and strengthen local value addition ahead of Bangladesh’s graduation from least developed country (LDC) status.

According to the ministry, bonded imports under HS headings 52.05, 52.06, and 52.07 have surged in recent years, particularly from India, rising from 351,000 tons in 2022–23 to 697,000 tons in 2024–25. The ministry noted that duty-free or low-duty yarn imports are being sold at lower prices, undermining local mills that are operating at only 60% capacity. Around 50 spinning mills have already closed, and many others face losses.

The ministry believes ending the facility will restore balance in the spinning sector, boost domestic production, and help Bangladesh meet local value addition requirements in global trade after LDC graduation.

The European Union and South America’s Mercosur bloc have signed a major trade agreement in Asunción, Paraguay, on Saturday. The deal, reported by Turkey-based Hurriyet Daily News, brings together the EU’s 27 member states and Mercosur members Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, forming one of the world’s largest free trade zones. The signing follows nearly 25 years of complex negotiations.

The agreement is viewed as a significant message against the tariff threats and trade uncertainty associated with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Trump recently threatened to impose tariffs of up to 25 percent on several European countries over the Greenland issue. During the signing ceremony, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said the parties chose fair trade over tariffs and long-term partnership over isolation. Paraguayan President Santiago Peña described the deal as a clear message in favor of international trade amid global tensions, while European Council head Antonio Costa said it rejects the use of trade as a geopolitical weapon.

Leaders expressed hope that the agreement will generate employment, prosperity, and new opportunities across both regions.

Bangladeshi entrepreneurs have sharply increased their overseas investments despite sluggish domestic conditions. According to a Bangladesh Bank report, during the first quarter of the 2025–26 fiscal year (July–September), Bangladeshis legally invested a total of 15.8 million US dollars abroad, marking an 829 percent rise from the same period of the previous year, when the figure was only 1.7 million dollars. The report covers only officially approved investments, excluding any unrecorded or illicit capital transfers.

The analysis shows that foreign investment by Bangladeshis began rising from the October–December quarter of the previous fiscal year. Meanwhile, domestic private investment remains stagnant due to political instability and high bank interest rates. Private sector credit growth slowed to 6.58 percent in November 2025, down from double digits in July 2024. Sector insiders argue that entrepreneurs should focus on domestic investment to address rising unemployment and declining GDP growth.

As of September 2025, total Bangladeshi capital invested abroad stood at 362.1 million dollars, up from 348.3 million a year earlier. India, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong received the largest shares, with financial institutions attracting the most sectoral investment.

The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) has cancelled work orders for three bridge and culvert construction projects in Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet after the contractor failed to start work within the stipulated time. The same contractor, Messrs Fahad Construction of Amberkhana, Sylhet, had been awarded a single tender covering five structures across Osmaninagar and Bishwanath upazilas, but only began work on two culverts in Bishwanath. The DDM also decided to forfeit the contractor’s security deposit and take necessary legal action.

According to a letter signed by Project Director and Joint Secretary Md Parvezul Islam, the project period runs until 30 June 2026, and all construction must be completed within that time to qualify for payment. Despite repeated requests, including a final notice to begin work by 31 December 2025, no progress was made in Osmaninagar. The DDM deemed this a clear violation of contract terms and issued cancellation notices to relevant authorities.

Local officials confirmed that recommendations have been sent to the ministry to formalize the cancellation process, while the contractor’s local representative cited internal management issues for the delay.

Senior officials in the administration of US President Donald Trump have criticized Canada’s decision to permit imports of up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) under a new trade deal with Beijing. Speaking at a Ford factory event in Ohio, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Canada would regret the move, while Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed that the vehicles would not be allowed into the United States. The Canadian Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment.

The decision follows Canada’s earlier 2024 imposition of 100 percent tariffs on Chinese EVs, mirroring US duties. However, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new agreement reduces tariffs to 6.1 percent on most-favoured-nation terms. The deal also includes China lowering tariffs on Canadian canola seed to about 15 percent by March 1. US officials expressed concern that the policy could give China a stronger foothold in North America despite Washington’s tougher stance on Canadian vehicles and parts.

Greer noted that new US cybersecurity rules for internet-connected vehicles, effective January 2025, would make it difficult for Chinese cars to enter the American market. Lawmakers from both parties, including Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, voiced strong opposition to Chinese vehicles being sold in the US.

Canada and China have reached an initial trade agreement to reduce tariffs on electric vehicles and canola, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced during his visit to Beijing on Friday. The deal marks the first visit by a Canadian prime minister to China since 2017 and aims to rebuild ties after years of strained relations. Canada will allow up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles at a 6.1 percent tariff, compared with the 100 percent rate imposed by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2024. China, in turn, will lower tariffs on Canadian canola seed to about 15 percent by March 1, down from 84 percent, and remove anti-discrimination tariffs on other Canadian agricultural and seafood products.

Carney said the agreement would unlock nearly $3 billion in export orders for Canadian farmers and fishers and attract Chinese investment into Canada’s auto and clean energy sectors. Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized the move, warning it could flood the market with cheap Chinese EVs without guaranteed domestic benefits. Both nations also pledged to restart high-level economic dialogue and strengthen cooperation in agriculture, energy, and green technology.

Analysts noted the deal could reshape the context of Sino-US rivalry, though Ottawa is not expected to shift away from its strategic alignment with Washington.

Religious Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain stated that effective management of zakat could eliminate poverty in Bangladesh within ten years. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while addressing the Zakat Conference 2026 as the chief guest at the Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka. The event was organized by the private voluntary organization Mastul Foundation.

Dr. Hossain emphasized that if wealthy citizens pay zakat properly and it is distributed efficiently, the country can overcome poverty and reduce dependence on foreign aid. He described poverty as a curse for any nation and stressed that a strong economy ensures national stability. Highlighting the historical precedent, he noted that in early Islamic periods, zakat was collected and distributed by the state, leading to near elimination of poverty during Caliph Omar’s rule.

He added that the absence of Sharia-based institutional mechanisms in Bangladesh has hindered organized zakat collection and distribution. He urged everyone to follow Islamic principles in paying zakat and thanked Mastul Foundation for its humanitarian activities.

The Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) has accused the government of expanding the list of essential medicines and fixing their prices without consulting drug manufacturers. The allegation was raised on Saturday at a workshop titled “Bangladesh Pharma Industry: Present Challenges and Future Prospects,” jointly organized by BAPI and the Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum (BHRF) in Gazipur. BAPI leaders said the decision ignored production costs, international raw material prices, quality control, and market realities, posing long-term risks to medicine supply and industry stability.

BAPI Secretary General Dr. Md. Zakir Hossain criticized the policy process, saying no discussions were held with manufacturers or the association before the decision. He noted that the technical committee on pricing lacked members with real pharmaceutical experience. BAPI President Abdul Muktadir warned that about 60 percent of local drug companies are struggling, with nearly 40 percent already closed or near closure, threatening the country’s self-sufficiency in medicine. He urged government intervention to support small and medium firms and restore the industry’s health.

BAPI leaders also emphasized that Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical sector operates under strict regulatory oversight and called on journalists to highlight the challenges faced by struggling companies.

A report by Middle East Eye describes how Palestinians in the occupied West Bank are trading household goods for basic food items amid worsening economic conditions. A mother from Bethlehem wrote in a private Facebook group that she exchanged kitchen utensils for olive oil and za’atar so her children could take food to school. Since the Gaza war began and Israeli restrictions tightened, such exchanges have become common, reflecting widespread hardship.

Economist Dr. Haitham Weida said the West Bank is being pushed toward a hunger crisis, where families cannot secure enough nutritious food. The region’s economy has deteriorated sharply since October 2023, with poverty reaching 28 percent and unemployment at similar levels. Israel’s restrictions have halted most Palestinian labor access, tourism, and tax revenues, while international aid has fallen to about $710–770 million in 2025. Nearly 898 checkpoints now hinder trade and movement.

The worsening situation has forced many Palestinians to risk their lives crossing into Israel for work. Labor unions report at least 38 workers killed and over 1,500 injured between October 2023 and September 2025 while attempting to find employment.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain has alleged that Bangladesh experienced extensive money laundering and looting through accounting manipulation and corruption over the past 15 years. He made the remarks on Saturday, January 17, at the ‘SAFA International Conference’ held at a hotel in Dhaka.

Hossain stated that a lack of transparency and weaknesses in financial accounting have hindered both foreign investment and the proper use of domestic resources. He said the burden of financial mismanagement ultimately falls on ordinary citizens, emphasizing the urgent need to ensure professional ethics and competence. He also urged South Asian countries to work together to address global instability.

The adviser added that the next generation of professionals—including accountants, auditors, and economic analysts—will play a vital role in restoring the economy through integrity, accountability, and innovation, helping to strengthen Bangladesh’s position amid global challenges.