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.

Three people have died after five vehicles, including a truck, fell into the Dhaleshwari River from a ferry in Fatullah, Narayanganj, on Saturday night. The accident occurred around 10 p.m. at the Baktabali ferry terminal when a truck reportedly lost control mid-river, striking several smaller vehicles before plunging into the water. The truck driver and his assistant managed to swim ashore, but others were missing.

According to witnesses, the ferry had departed from Narsinghpur and was halfway across the river when the truck suddenly accelerated. The impact sent a motorcycle, two battery-run rickshaws, and a van into the river. Naval police later recovered the bodies of three victims — identified as motorcyclist Rafik, van driver Swadhin, and expatriate Masud. Authorities have temporarily halted the search operation for the night.

Police officials stated that recovery efforts for the submerged vehicles will resume Sunday morning. The incident has raised renewed concerns over ferry safety and vehicle management practices on river crossings in Bangladesh.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has charged a Bangladeshi national for allegedly running an online marketplace selling digital templates of forged US passports and Social Security cards. The FBI confirmed the operation on social media platform X on December 21, noting that the accused had been distributing highly sensitive document replicas that could be used to create fake identities.

The operation was conducted in collaboration with the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Acting on a warrant from the US District Court in Montana, authorities seized several domains linked to the illegal activities. Visitors to the seized websites now see a notice displaying the logos of the FBI, US Department of Justice, and CTTC, stating that the domains were taken over under Title 18 of the US Code.

Officials have not yet disclosed the suspect’s identity or location, citing ongoing investigations. The case underscores growing cross-border cooperation on cybercrime and document fraud prevention between the United States and Bangladesh.

At least three people went missing after a truck lost control on a moving ferry and pushed an auto-rickshaw and two motorcycles into the Dhaleshwari River in Fatullah, Narayanganj, on Saturday night. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. near the Boktabali ferry terminal. The truck driver and his helper managed to swim ashore immediately after the accident.

Local authorities, including the Narayanganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer, police, and fire service units, rushed to the site. However, due to cold weather and darkness, a full-scale rescue operation could not be launched overnight. Witnesses reported that the truck suddenly started its engine mid-river, lost control, and struck the vehicles ahead, sending them into the water. Among the missing are a couple traveling in the auto-rickshaw and a recently returned expatriate.

Officials said a diving team from Dhaka was on its way to assist in the rescue. The administration has instructed all relevant agencies to take maximum measures as the search continues Sunday morning.

Bangladesh’s joint law enforcement forces have arrested 5,949 individuals over the past seven days under the nationwide ‘Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2’. The Home Ministry’s public relations officer, Faisal Hasan, confirmed the figures on Saturday night, noting that several firearms were also recovered during the raids. In the last 24 hours alone, 783 people were detained, while over 20,000 motorcycles and 17,000 vehicles were searched, leading to the seizure of 356 illegal motorcycles.

The intensified operation was launched following the shooting of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi on December 13. At a core committee meeting that day, Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the campaign aimed to recover looted and illegal weapons and suppress violent extremist groups. The first phase of the operation began in February 2025 after attacks in Gazipur prompted a coordinated law enforcement response.

Authorities say the current phase will continue until stability is restored, though human rights groups have urged transparency and due process in the ongoing arrests.

Bangladesh’s elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-7) has arrested Shahidul Islam, known locally as Buissha and described as a key lieutenant of notorious Chattogram gangster Boro Sajjad. The arrest took place on Saturday night near Finlay Square in the city’s 2 No. Gate area, where Buissha was intercepted while riding a motorcycle. RAB officials said he attempted to draw a pistol before being subdued.

According to RAB sources, Buissha had long been involved in extortion, intimidation, and armed operations across Chattogram. He allegedly managed field operations for Sajjad’s network, which has been linked to violent incidents targeting construction sites and business owners. Multiple criminal cases under the Arms Act and extortion laws are pending against him.

Authorities described the arrest as a major breakthrough amid rising public concern over recent shootings and open weapon displays in the city. Investigators are now questioning Buissha to trace the group’s arms supply chain and identify other members. RAB said he will be handed over to local police following legal procedures.

Police have converted the attempted murder case of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of the July Revolution’s Inquilab Manch, into a homicide investigation following his death from gunshot wounds sustained on December 12. The application for conversion was submitted to a Dhaka court on Saturday, which subsequently directed that the case be investigated as a murder. Detective Branch Inspector Faisal Ahmed of the Motijheel zonal team has been assigned to lead the probe.

The original case was filed on December 14 by Inquilab Manch’s member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, naming Faisal Karim Masud and several unidentified suspects. The case was later transferred from Paltan Police Station to the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch. Law enforcement agencies have so far arrested 14 individuals in connection with the incident.

Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive, but investigators are focusing on possible political links and internal disputes. The case’s progression to a murder investigation is expected to intensify scrutiny of political violence and law enforcement accountability in the capital.

A thick blanket of fog has spread across Bangladesh, causing delayed sunlight and an increased feeling of cold, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). The agency said the condition is expected to persist for the next two to three days, with fog stretching from Delhi to Cumilla. Although temperatures have not dropped significantly, the combination of limited sunlight and cold winds from the north has made conditions feel colder.

Meteorologist A.K.M. Nazmul Haque explained that the fog is part of a regional weather pattern influenced by a subcontinental high-pressure ridge extending over West Bengal and adjoining areas. The BMD forecast indicates that Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Khulna divisions may experience moderate to dense fog from midnight to morning, while other regions may see lighter fog. On Saturday, the lowest temperature was recorded at 13°C in Srimangal, and 19.2°C in Dhaka.

The department expects dry weather nationwide with partly cloudy skies until Sunday morning. Daytime temperatures may drop slightly in the northern divisions, though no cold wave has been declared yet.

Police in Sylhet’s Zakiganj upazila have arrested a 28-year-old man, Dulal Ahmed, for possession of a large quantity of yaba tablets. Acting on a tip-off, law enforcement officers conducted a raid on Saturday evening, December 20, in the West Madarkhal area of Khalachhara Union, where they detained Dulal from his residence.

During the search, police discovered two plastic jars containing 21,000 yaba pills concealed inside a rice drum in his home. Authorities have filed a case under the Narcotics Control Act at Zakiganj Police Station. The suspect is scheduled to be presented before the court on Sunday, December 21.

Police officials stated that the operation was part of an ongoing anti-narcotics drive in the Sylhet region, which has seen a rise in yaba trafficking cases in recent months. The arrest underscores law enforcement’s continued efforts to curb the spread of synthetic drugs across border areas.

Law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh have arrested ten individuals in connection with the fatal beating of 27-year-old Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu youth from Valuka in Mymensingh district. The arrests were confirmed in a statement released Saturday night by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, following coordinated operations by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and local police.

According to the statement, RAB detained seven suspects, while police apprehended three others from different locations. The suspects range in age from 19 to 46. Officials said the arrests followed a series of raids conducted after the killing sparked public outrage and demands for swift justice. No motive has yet been officially disclosed.

Authorities have stated that investigations are ongoing and that further arrests may follow. Human rights groups and community leaders have urged transparency in the inquiry and called for measures to prevent communal tensions in the area.

Detective Branch (DB) police have arrested Zahid Hossain Milon, widely known as ‘Tak Milon,’ a former councilor and influential Awami Youth League figure from Jessore. The arrest took place on Friday night in Dhaka’s Rampura area, and Milon was brought to Jessore the following day. Law enforcement officials describe him as one of the district’s top criminal suspects, with at least 14 cases filed against him under murder, explosives, and other criminal laws.

DB Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Ali confirmed the arrest, noting that Milon had long faced allegations of abuse of power during the Awami League government. Police records link him to the 2018 murder of a local Youth League activist and a 2019 bomb attack on MP Kazi Nabil Ahmed’s residence. He was also accused of running illegal gambling operations in Jessore.

Authorities say Milon had previously been detained in 2020 and 2024 but continued his activities after release. His latest arrest is expected to revive several pending investigations and may expose broader political-criminal networks in the region.