Bangladesh Bank announced that depositors of five troubled Islamic banks undergoing merger will be able to withdraw up to Tk 200,000 from next Monday. The funds will be disbursed through the Deposit Insurance Fund, and withdrawals can be made directly from the respective branches. The five banks—First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, EXIM Bank, and Union Bank—are being consolidated into the newly approved Combined Islami Bank PLC.

According to central bank officials, the withdrawal process faced initial complications but is now ready to proceed. Customers with deposits exceeding Tk 200,000 will be allowed phased withdrawals every three months, while senior citizens and cancer patients will face relaxed restrictions. The new bank’s paid-up capital is set at Tk 350 billion, with Tk 200 billion from the government and Tk 150 billion from the insurance fund.

The merger aims to restore depositor confidence and stabilize the banking sector after years of loan defaults. Bangladesh Bank has also ordered the cancellation of existing shares of the five banks due to negative asset values under the Bank Resolution Ordinance.

A sharp drop in temperature has brought intense cold to Tetulia, Panchagarh, where the local weather office recorded 10.5°C on Thursday. Dense fog and chilly northern winds have disrupted normal life, forcing residents to stay indoors except for urgent needs. Visibility on highways has been severely reduced, prompting vehicles to move with headlights on throughout the day.

According to Jitendranath, acting officer of the Tetulia Meteorological Observatory, a mild cold wave had passed earlier this month, but temperatures have been steadily falling again since December 20. He warned that another cold wave may be approaching, likely intensifying the current cold conditions.

Authorities and residents are bracing for harsher weather in the coming days, with concerns about health risks and disruptions to agriculture and transportation. Relief measures, including distribution of warm clothing, are expected to be stepped up if the cold persists.

A bomb explosion inside a mosque in Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria’s Borno State, killed at least seven worshippers during evening prayers on Wednesday, December 24. Witnesses and security sources confirmed the incident, though no group has claimed responsibility. Local anti-jihad militia leader Babakura Kolo described it as a deliberate attack, while some witnesses suggested it might have been a suicide bombing. Police confirmed the blast and said bomb disposal units were deployed to the site.

The explosion occurred in the Gamboru market area, a district that has previously faced attacks from insurgent groups. An NGO operating in Maiduguri advised its staff to avoid the area following the incident. Borno State has long been the epicenter of the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgencies, which have killed around 40,000 people and displaced nearly two million since 2009.

Although large-scale attacks in Maiduguri have declined in recent years, analysts warn that militant groups retain the capacity to launch deadly assaults, highlighting persistent instability in Nigeria’s northeast.

More than 13,000 low-income farmers in Langadu upazila of Rangamati are facing severe difficulties as the water level in Kaptai Lake has not receded, leaving vast tracts of farmland submerged. Farmers who usually begin Boro rice cultivation in the Bengali month of Poush are unable to plant this season, raising fears of a potential food shortage in the coming year.

According to the local agriculture office, about 6,500 hectares out of 8,000 hectares of cultivable land remain underwater. Farmers allege that the government has kept the Kaptai Dam closed, preventing water release. Local officials have urged the district administration to consider releasing water to save the crops. However, a Power Development Board (PDB) manager stated that a proposal was made to maintain the current water level until the upcoming national election.

If the water does not recede within the next two weeks, farmers warn that they will miss the planting window entirely, threatening both livelihoods and local food security.

Bangladesh has finalized the draft of its first major Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan, marking a milestone in bilateral economic relations. Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Choudhury Ashiq described the achievement as historic, emphasizing that it reflects Bangladesh’s commitment to policy continuity, investment protection, and credible dispute resolution mechanisms.

The agreement is expected to open new opportunities beyond traditional manufacturing and energy sectors, extending to automobiles, digital services, logistics, and healthcare. Ashiq noted that Japanese investment will bring advanced technology, skills, and standards, reshaping Bangladesh’s economic landscape. The move aligns with Bangladesh’s preparations for graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, positioning the nation for broader global integration.

Officials indicated that this is only the beginning, as Bangladesh seeks similar agreements with key markets such as the United States, the European Union, and South Korea. The EPA is seen as a strategic foundation for sustaining growth and competitiveness in the post-LDC era.

A young man named Siam was killed on Wednesday evening after a bomb thrown by unidentified assailants exploded beneath the Moghbazar flyover in central Dhaka. Witnesses reported that the device was hurled from the top of the flyover near the Muktijoddha Memorial, injuring Siam fatally at the scene. Police arrived shortly after the blast, cordoning off the area as panic spread among local residents.

Deputy Police Commissioner Masud Alam of Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Ramna Division said initial findings suggest the bomb was thrown from above, though the motive remains unclear. Siam, an employee of a private factory, was later identified by his relatives. Authorities are reviewing nearby CCTV footage to identify those responsible.

The incident has raised concerns about public safety in Dhaka’s busy commercial zones. Police have intensified patrols in the area and assured that further details will be disclosed once the investigation concludes.

Indian Customs officials in West Bengal’s North Dinajpur district recovered Bangladeshi currency worth 120,000 taka during a raid near Raiganj on Tuesday morning. Acting on a tip-off, officers intercepted two men on a motorcycle without a license plate in the Hemtabad police area. When ordered to stop, the suspects fled, throwing bundles of 2-taka notes onto the road before escaping.

Authorities later collected 60,000 brand-new, unused 2-taka notes from the scene. The seizure has prompted an investigation into how such a large quantity of new Bangladeshi currency entered Indian territory. Officials suspect the notes may have been smuggled across the border for illegal trade or currency exchange purposes.

Customs sources said the incident highlights ongoing cross-border monetary smuggling challenges between India and Bangladesh. Security agencies are now coordinating with Bangladeshi counterparts to trace the origin of the notes and identify the individuals involved.

Bangladesh and Japan have finalized the draft of their long-anticipated Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), paving the way for extensive trade liberalization between the two nations. Under the agreement, Japan will grant duty-free access to 7,379 Bangladeshi products, including ready-made garments, while Bangladesh will offer similar benefits to 1,039 Japanese items. The formal signing is expected in January 2026, following months of negotiations led by trade officials from both countries.

The EPA also covers the services sector, with Bangladesh opening 97 service categories and Japan 120, aimed at boosting investment and technology exchange. The agreement follows eight rounds of discussions held alternately in Dhaka and Tokyo since early 2024. Officials say the deal will deepen bilateral trade ties and diversify Bangladesh’s export base beyond apparel.

Analysts view the EPA as a strategic step for Bangladesh ahead of its graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, ensuring continued market access in Asia’s third-largest economy. The agreement is expected to strengthen supply chains, attract Japanese investment, and enhance Bangladesh’s competitiveness in high-value exports.

A bomb explosion outside a police station in Moscow early Wednesday killed three people, including two traffic police officers. According to Russia’s Investigative Committee, the blast occurred on Yeletskaya Street when officers approached a suspicious man who then detonated an explosive device. The incident follows a car bomb attack two days earlier in the same area that killed Russian Army General Fanil Sarvarov.

Authorities have not yet confirmed who was behind the latest explosion, though previous similar attacks in Russia have been linked to alleged Ukrainian intelligence involvement. The deceased officers were aged 24 and 25, and one reportedly leaves behind a wife and a nine-month-old child. The attack has prompted heightened security measures across Moscow.

The explosion underscores growing security concerns in the Russian capital amid ongoing regional tensions and recent high-profile attacks. Investigators are working to determine whether the two incidents are connected as Moscow tightens surveillance around police and military facilities.

A Dhaka court has granted a fresh four-day remand for Khadija Yasmin, daughter of jailed crime figure Subrata Bain, in connection with the murder of Jubo Dal leader Arif Sikder. The order was issued by Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque after police sought additional time for interrogation. During the hearing, Yasmin told the court that her father’s criminal record should not make her responsible for his actions.

Defense lawyers argued against the remand, saying no new information had been obtained during the previous five-day interrogation and that Yasmin, a working mother of two, should be granted bail. The prosecution, however, claimed that she might hold crucial information relevant to national security and the ongoing investigation, especially ahead of the national elections.

Yasmin was arrested on December 15 near Cumilla Jail and previously remanded for five days. The case stems from the April 2025 shooting of Jubo Dal leader Arif Sikder in Dhaka’s Hatirjheel area, which later turned into a murder case after his death in hospital.

Pakistan has finalized the sale of a 75% stake in its national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), to Arif Habib Investment for $482 million. The auction, broadcast live on state television, saw participation from three domestic bidders. Arif Habib Investment emerged as the top bidder with an offer of 135 billion Pakistani rupees, narrowly surpassing a consortium led by Lucky Cement, which offered 134 billion rupees. Private airline Air Blue placed a distant third bid of 26.5 billion rupees.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the transaction as one of the largest in Pakistan’s history, emphasizing transparency throughout the process. The deal also grants Arif Habib Investment the option to acquire the remaining 25% of PIA shares in the coming months. The privatization move follows a failed attempt last year, as the government seeks to reduce losses and modernize the struggling airline.

Analysts say the sale could mark a turning point for Pakistan’s aviation sector, though challenges remain in restructuring operations and restoring PIA’s global reputation.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-1 has scheduled January 20 for delivering its verdict in a war crimes case involving the killing of six people in Dhaka’s Chankharpul area during the July uprising. The case names former Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Habibur Rahman and seven others as accused of crimes against humanity.

The three-member tribunal, chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, fixed the date on Wednesday. The panel also includes Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmud and retired District and Sessions Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury. The case has drawn significant public attention due to the seniority of the accused and the historical context of the July uprising.

Legal observers note that the verdict could set an important precedent for accountability in post-conflict justice. Families of the victims have expressed hope for closure, while defense lawyers maintain that the charges are politically motivated. Security measures are expected to be heightened around the tribunal on the day of the verdict.

Bangladesh’s prosecution authority has formally filed charges against former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman and ten other senior officers in connection with the killing of Imam Hasan Taim during the July uprising in Jatrabari. The charges were submitted to the registrar of the International Crimes Tribunal on Wednesday, confirmed Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam.

The accused include former Joint Commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, former DC of Wari Zone Iqbal Hossain, ADC Shakil Mohammad Shamim, and several other officers, including the then Officer-in-Charge of Jatrabari Police Station, Abul Hasan. Taim, son of a police sub-inspector, was reportedly shot dead on July 20 last year while out with a friend during the unrest.

The case has drawn significant public attention as it involves senior law enforcement officials accused of excessive use of force. Legal analysts say the tribunal’s proceedings could set a precedent for accountability in police operations during political crises. The next hearing date is expected to be announced soon.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has alleged large-scale corruption worth Tk 2,926 crore in six government and private solar power projects implemented under the Awami League government. The findings, released at a press conference in Dhaka, indicate irregularities in land acquisition and inflated project cost estimates, particularly within the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).

According to TIB, while BPDB’s standard cost for generating one megawatt of solar power is around Tk 8 crore, the six projects studied were estimated at an average of Tk 13.08 crore per megawatt—over 1.5 times higher. The report also found that five of the projects involved Tk 249 crore in irregularities related to land purchase and acquisition.

TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said the findings highlight systemic weaknesses in project oversight and accountability. The organization urged the government to conduct independent audits and ensure transparency in future renewable energy initiatives to restore public trust and safeguard public funds.

Chevron has emerged as the only foreign oil company still operating in Venezuela, following renewed U.S. sanctions targeting the country's oil tankers. Despite Washington’s full embargo and the cancellation of most operating licenses earlier in 2025, the U.S. energy giant continues production under a special exemption. Chevron operates four oil fields and one offshore gas field in partnership with state-owned PDVSA, employing about 3,000 people.

Venezuela, home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves—around 303 billion barrels—has seen its daily output fall to 800,000–900,000 barrels, down from over 3 million a decade ago. Chevron contributes roughly 10% of current production, exporting 150,000–200,000 barrels daily to the U.S. Analysts note that the heavy, sulfur-rich crude is difficult to refine but strategically important for U.S. Gulf refineries.

Experts suggest Chevron’s continued presence reflects Washington’s geopolitical strategy to prevent China or Russia from filling the vacuum in Venezuela’s energy sector. The company insists its operations comply with U.S. law and contribute to regional stability and energy security.