Police in Dhaka recovered the bodies of two siblings, aged 10 and 1, from an apartment in the Wireless area of Hatirjheel on Sunday morning. The children, Afrida and Ilham Chowdhury, were found dead after reportedly falling ill following a family meal. Their bodies were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for autopsy, with police confirming no visible injury marks.

Family members said the illness began after the family consumed leftover food from Afrida’s birthday celebration held on December 16. Afrida fell sick first and died early Saturday at a local hospital, while her younger brother Ilham died later that day during treatment at another facility. Police are investigating possible food contamination or poisoning as the cause of death.

Authorities await post-mortem results to determine the exact cause. The tragic deaths have raised renewed concerns over food safety and storage practices in urban households, with police urging families to exercise caution when consuming stored or reheated food.

Police in Noakhali’s Hatiya upazila have arrested a young man accused of issuing death threats to Abdul Hannan Masud, senior joint chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP). The suspect, Israt Raihan Omi, son of former Char Ishwar Union Parishad chairman Abdul Halim Azad, was detained late Saturday night from Nandaroad area. Authorities confirmed that Omi faces three prior cases filed with Hatiya Police Station.

According to police, Omi sent a highly provocative message through Facebook Messenger to an NCP activist, threatening violence against party leaders if his father was arrested. The message reportedly contained explicit threats against Hannan Masud and others. Officer-in-Charge Saiful Alam stated that legal proceedings are underway and warned that anyone attempting to incite unrest, online or offline, will be brought under the law.

The arrest underscores growing concerns over the misuse of social media for political intimidation. Law enforcement officials have pledged increased monitoring of digital communications to prevent similar incidents in the future.

At least nine people were killed and ten others injured in a mass shooting near Johannesburg, South Africa, early Saturday morning. Police said around a dozen unidentified gunmen arrived in two vehicles and opened fire inside a bar in Bekkersdal township shortly before 1 a.m. local time. The attackers continued shooting as they fled the scene, prompting an extensive police operation to track them down.

National and provincial crime units, along with detectives and intelligence officers, have been deployed to investigate. Authorities are interviewing witnesses, though the motive behind the attack remains unclear. The injured victims were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.

This incident follows a similar bar shooting earlier in December near Pretoria that left at least 12 people dead, highlighting growing concerns over violent crime and gun-related attacks in South Africa. Police have urged the public to assist with information as investigations continue.

A joint press conference is scheduled in Dhaka today to present the progress of the investigation into the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of the Inqilab Manch. Officials from the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and police are expected to detail findings, arrests, and evidence gathered so far. The case, initially filed as an attempted murder, has now been reclassified as a murder case following a court directive.

Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency and a key figure in the July uprising, was shot in the head on December 12 while campaigning. He died six days later in a Singapore hospital. Authorities have arrested 11 people, including relatives and associates of the main suspect Faisal Karim Masud, a banned student leader. RAB’s media director Wing Commander M Z M Intekhab Chowdhury said the briefing would present a comprehensive update on the investigation.

The killing has drawn wide public attention ahead of the upcoming national elections, with investigators under pressure to ensure transparency and swift justice.

After nearly ten months of restrictions, the Bangladeshi government has reopened Saint Martin Island for overnight stays this December, reigniting tourist interest. However, travelers report steep increases in travel expenses and logistical difficulties, particularly due to limited ship tickets and the lengthy six-hour journey from Cox’s Bazar. The minimum round-trip fare has risen to about BDT 3,500 per person—more than triple previous rates from Teknaf.

On-site observations reveal severe disorganization at the island’s jetty, where ongoing repair work leaves passengers without proper waiting areas and exposed to safety risks. Delays in ship schedules and narrow, unsafe access routes have heightened concerns among visitors, especially families and elderly travelers. Local business owners argue that environmental restrictions have hurt livelihoods, urging authorities to curb pollution instead of tourism.

Officials claim that safety and coordination measures are being strengthened and that infrastructure repairs will be completed soon. Yet, without improved transport efficiency and management, the island’s renewed tourism momentum may falter amid growing visitor frustration.

Elon Musk’s net worth has surged to a record $749 billion, making him the first individual in history to surpass the $700 billion mark, according to Forbes’ Billionaire Index. The sharp increase followed a Delaware Supreme Court ruling that reinstated Musk’s previously annulled stock-based compensation package at Tesla, valued at $139 billion. The 2018 pay plan, once deemed excessive by a lower court, was restored after the Supreme Court found the earlier decision unjust.

The ruling comes as Tesla’s shareholders recently approved a separate trillion-dollar compensation plan for Musk, the largest in corporate history. Investors have expressed confidence in Musk’s vision to transform Tesla from an electric vehicle manufacturer into a leader in artificial intelligence and robotics. Reports suggesting that SpaceX may soon go public also contributed to the rapid rise in Musk’s wealth.

Musk’s fortune now exceeds that of Google co-founder Larry Page by roughly $500 billion, underscoring his dominance in both the technology and space industries.

Nearly twelve years after the brutal killing of six people, including self-proclaimed spiritual leader Lutfor Rahman Faruk, in Dhaka’s Gopibagh area, the investigation remains unfinished. Despite 147 extensions, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has yet to submit its final report. The Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court has now set January 14, 2026, as the next deadline for the report.

The case, filed by Faruk’s son Abdullah Al Faruk on the night of the murders in December 2013, has passed through multiple law enforcement agencies before reaching the CID. Investigators cite the case’s complexity and the time elapsed as reasons for delay. Families of the victims express frustration, saying prolonged delays have denied them justice. Defense lawyers argue that their clients, all currently on bail, suffer financial and psychological strain from repeated court appearances.

The killings, allegedly linked to ideological disputes and extremist motives, remain one of Dhaka’s most protracted murder investigations. Legal experts warn that continued delays risk eroding public confidence in the justice system and prolonging the suffering of both victims’ families and the accused.

An investigation in South Keraniganj, Dhaka, has revealed widespread illegal brick kilns and unauthorized ferry operations along the Dhaleshwari River. The report identifies Akhtar Hossain, an organizing secretary of the local Swechchhasebak Dal, as allegedly running a business involving stolen soil and substandard bricks under political cover. Locals claim that farmland has been seized to operate the ferry, which transports trucks at night, reportedly collecting Tk 500 per trip.

Former Krishak League leader Haji Abu Taleb and BNP figures have traded accusations over control of the ferry and illegal land occupation. Law enforcement officials confirmed awareness of the issue, with the local police chief and Upazila Nirbahi Officer acknowledging that no official lease or permit exists for the ferry. The BIWTA also confirmed it had not authorized any pontoon or toll collection at the site.

Authorities have promised enforcement actions, but residents remain skeptical, citing years of unchecked illegal trade and political protection. The case underscores persistent governance and environmental challenges in peri-urban Dhaka.

Bangladesh Bank’s latest report shows a steep decline in consumer loans during the July–September 2025 quarter, with total outstanding loans falling by over Tk 22,000 crore compared to the previous quarter. At the end of September, consumer loans stood at Tk 1,50,340 crore, representing 8.63% of total bank credit, down from Tk 1,72,621 crore or 9.95% in June. This marks a sharp reversal from the April–June quarter, when consumer lending had increased by nearly Tk 25,000 crore.

Economists and banking officials attribute the contraction to persistently high inflation, rising borrowing costs, and continued economic uncertainty following political transitions. Interest rates on personal loans now range between 11% and 14%, while credit card rates have reached up to 25%. The largest declines were seen in loans for electronics, vehicles, and housing.

Analysts warn that reduced consumer borrowing could further dampen domestic demand, slowing retail and service sectors. The central bank is expected to monitor credit trends closely as inflationary pressures and liquidity constraints continue to challenge household spending.

Bangladesh’s vast maritime resources remain underutilized due to chronic deficiencies in marine science research and infrastructure. Despite the Bay of Bengal’s economic and ecological importance, the country lacks adequate research vessels, hydrographic survey tools, and modern sonar or satellite data systems. This technological and institutional gap has left policymakers without reliable data on fish stocks, ocean currents, or breeding cycles, resulting in unscientific and often counterproductive fishing policies.

Experts note that the shortage of trained marine scientists, limited research funding, and weak international collaboration have further stalled progress. Universities offering marine science programs struggle with outdated laboratories and minimal publication output. Without regular stock assessments or genetic studies, valuable species such as hilsa, lobster, and shrimp remain vulnerable to overexploitation. Climate change impacts—rising sea levels, salinity shifts, and warming waters—are compounding the crisis.

Analysts urge immediate investment in research vessels, GIS and satellite monitoring, and international partnerships with Japan, Norway, and FAO. Strengthening marine science is seen as essential for sustainable fisheries, biodiversity protection, and unlocking Bangladesh’s blue economy potential.

Bangladesh’s export earnings have slowed in the 2025–26 fiscal year, driven largely by a downturn in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector, which accounts for nearly half of total exports. According to the Export Promotion Bureau, exports to the European Union fell by 1.03% year-on-year between July and November, totaling $7.83 billion. While shipments to Spain, Poland, and the Netherlands rose slightly, exports to Germany, France, Denmark, and Italy declined, reflecting reduced consumer demand and intensifying competition.

Industry leaders attribute the slump to global inflation, higher living costs in Europe, and aggressive pricing by China and India. Domestically, rising gas prices—up nearly 150% since 2023—and higher lending rates have strained production. Exporters also cite reduced cash incentives, now at 2% from 5%, and weak marketing strategies as key challenges. The Exporters Association of Bangladesh warns that without policy support and energy cost relief, more factories may close, deepening the sector’s crisis.

The RMG industry, employing millions, faces mounting pressure to diversify products and markets. Analysts expect export recovery to hinge on energy stability, financial reforms, and renewed trade competitiveness in 2026.

A livestock quarantine station built at Bilonia land port in Feni’s Parshuram upazila has remained unused since its completion nearly a decade ago. The facility, constructed in 2016 under the Department of Livestock Services’ disease prevention project, was intended to inspect imported animals and animal products before entry into Bangladesh. Despite an investment of several crore taka and installation of 51 laboratory instruments, the station has never been operational.

Local traders and officials report that the station’s inactivity has led to the decay of expensive equipment, with only a single outsourced guard maintaining the premises. The Bilonia land port, opened in 2009 to facilitate trade with India, has seen minimal import activity, undermining the station’s purpose. Officials note that activating the facility could help regulate livestock imports, curb smuggling, and increase government revenue.

Experts warn that prolonged neglect of such infrastructure not only wastes public funds but also weakens border biosecurity. The Livestock Department has indicated that operationalization depends on renewed diplomatic and trade engagement with India.

Bangladesh’s government employees have postponed their previously planned protest program demanding implementation of the ninth pay scale. The decision was announced at a press conference held at the National Press Club under the banner of the Bangladesh Government Employees Demand Fulfillment Unity Council. The postponement was made to honor the late Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha, and in consideration of the current national situation.

Union leaders reiterated their seven-point demand, urging the government to publish a gazette with recommendations for a discrimination-free ninth pay scale by December 31. They warned that if no visible progress is made by January 1, they would launch tougher programs. The leaders also paid tribute to Hadi, recalling his lifelong activism against inequality and pledging to continue his struggle for fair treatment of government employees.

The next announcement on December 26 is expected to outline the future course of action, potentially shaping the trajectory of public sector wage reform in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast a drop in temperature and an increase in cold conditions across Dhaka and surrounding areas. In its six-hour forecast issued Sunday morning, the department reported that skies are likely to remain clear, with dry weather prevailing. Winds from the north-northwest may blow at speeds of 6 to 12 kilometers per hour, and light to moderate fog is expected in the early morning hours.

At 6 a.m., the recorded temperature in Dhaka was 17.8 degrees Celsius, indicating a gradual cooling trend. Officials noted that while no formal cold wave has been declared, the combination of clear skies and northwesterly winds is contributing to a perceptible chill. Residents have been advised to take precautions, especially during early mornings and nights.

Meteorologists expect the cooler conditions to persist for the next few days, with temperatures possibly dipping further if dry continental air continues to dominate. Rural areas in northern Bangladesh, such as Tetulia, are likely to experience even lower temperatures.

In Mymensingh’s Bhaluka upazila, 27-year-old garment worker Dipu Chandra Das was beaten and burned to death after being accused of religious defamation. Investigations and family accounts suggest the killing was premeditated, linked to his activism for workers’ rights at Pioneer Knitwears (BD) Ltd. His brother filed a murder case against 150 unidentified individuals, while joint operations by RAB-14 and district police have led to ten arrests.

Sources indicate Das had long advocated for fair wages, overtime pay, and better working conditions, creating friction with management. On December 18, he was allegedly pressured to resign and threatened with false blasphemy charges. CCTV footage later revealed that most attackers were outsiders, not local residents. Political leaders from BNP and Jamaat have called the incident a conspiracy to destabilize the country.

Local reports allege that the factory’s owner, known for ties to ruling Awami League figures, may have influenced events. Authorities face growing pressure for an impartial investigation amid concerns over labor rights, misuse of religious sentiment, and industrial accountability.