A 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck about 18 kilometers from Hualien in eastern Taiwan on Thursday, according to the island’s Central Weather Administration. The quake occurred at a depth of approximately 31.6 kilometers. Initial reports from Reuters indicated no immediate casualties or significant property damage. Buildings in Taipei and nearby areas briefly swayed as the tremor was felt across the region.

Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, though no emergency alerts have been issued. Taiwan, located at the junction of two tectonic plates, experiences frequent seismic activity. The island has a history of powerful earthquakes, including a 2016 quake in southern Taiwan that killed more than 100 people and a devastating 7.3-magnitude quake in 1999 that claimed over 2,000 lives.

Experts note that while Thursday’s quake was moderate, it serves as a reminder of Taiwan’s ongoing vulnerability to seismic hazards and the importance of continued preparedness and infrastructure resilience.

Bangladesh received $2 billion in remittances during the first 17 days of December 2025, marking a 14% increase compared to the same period last year, according to Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan. The central bank’s data shows that expatriate income continues to rise steadily, reflecting stronger inflows through formal banking channels.

In November 2025, remittances totaled $2.889 billion, up 31.37% from $2.199 billion in November 2024, making it the highest monthly inflow in six months. From July to December 17 of the current fiscal year, Bangladesh received $15.04 billion in remittances, compared with $12.89 billion during the same period last year—a 16.7% year-on-year growth.

Economists attribute the surge to improved exchange rate management and incentives for remittance senders. The continued rise in remittance inflows is expected to support Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves and help stabilize the local currency amid global economic uncertainty.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized illegal Indian sarees valued at approximately Tk 6.28 million during separate anti-smuggling operations along the Comilla border on Thursday, December 18. The raids were conducted by special patrol teams under the Comilla Battalion (10 BGB) in the Tikkar Char, Kabiraj Bazar, and Chauddagram areas, where the sarees were found abandoned within eight kilometers inside Bangladesh territory.

According to BGB sources, the operations were part of ongoing efforts to curb cross-border smuggling of goods and narcotics. Comilla Battalion Commander Colonel Mir Ali Ejaz confirmed the seizure and stated that the confiscated items would be handed over to customs authorities following legal procedures. He emphasized that the BGB would continue such drives to prevent illegal trade across the frontier.

The incident underscores persistent challenges in controlling cross-border smuggling activities along the Bangladesh-India boundary, where textile and consumer goods are frequently trafficked. Authorities are expected to strengthen surveillance and coordination with customs to enhance border security.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested 392 individuals in the capital within 24 hours under 'Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2'. Among those detained were 15 active members of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations, while 377 were wanted in various cases or named in charge sheets. The DMP said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to maintain law and order in the city.

In addition to the arrests, police set up 11 special checkpoints at key entry and exit points of Dhaka on December 17 to inspect suspicious vehicles and ensure public safety. During these checks, 769 vehicles were searched, and five more people were detained. The DMP emphasized that such operations will continue to preserve stability in the capital.

Authorities have not disclosed further details on the charges against the detainees, but the large-scale operation signals intensified security measures amid heightened political and public safety concerns in Dhaka.

Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-6) has arrested Md. Ijazul Hossain, a listed top criminal and active member of the 'Grenade Babu' gang, for his alleged direct involvement in the daylight double murder at the Khulna District and Sessions Judge Court premises. He was detained on December 17 from the Aichgati area across the Rupsha River. According to RAB, Ijazul confessed to participating in the killing of Fazle Rabbi Rajon and Hasib Howlader on November 30.

RAB officials stated that seven attackers took part in the assault, which stemmed from a long-standing feud between the 'Grenade Babu' and 'Palash' gangs over territorial control, drug trade profits, and extortion money. CCTV and mobile footage captured Ijazul at the scene, leading to his arrest. The victims’ families did not initially file a case, prompting police to register two cases under murder and arms laws on December 3.

Authorities continue to investigate the broader network behind the attack as law enforcement intensifies operations against organized crime groups in Khulna.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has approved a chargesheet against former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, his wife, and two children for allegedly amassing illegal wealth worth over Tk 220 million and conducting suspicious transactions totaling Tk 870 million. The charges were confirmed by ACC Director General Md. Akhter Hossain on Thursday.

According to the chargesheet, Kamal, while serving as a public official, abused his authority to acquire assets inconsistent with his known sources of income. Investigators also found evidence of money laundering through nine bank accounts, allegedly used to conceal or transfer illicit funds. The charges were filed under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2004, the Prevention of Corruption Act 1947, and the Money Laundering Prevention Act 2012.

Kamal was previously sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal in November for crimes against humanity during the July uprising. The new corruption case adds to his legal troubles, signaling intensified scrutiny of former high-ranking officials accused of financial and wartime offenses.

Global gold prices surged again this week, nearing record highs as investors turned to the precious metal amid a weakening U.S. dollar and falling Treasury yields. In Dubai, 24-carat gold rose to 524.50 dirhams per gram on Thursday, just below the year’s peak of 525.25 dirhams recorded in October. Prices for other purities also climbed, with 22-carat gold at 485.75 dirhams and 18-carat at 399.25 dirhams.

Analysts attribute the rise to concerns over the U.S. Federal Reserve’s independence and fears of political interference, which have heightened uncertainty in financial markets. Hani Abuagla, senior market analyst at XTB MENA, noted that geopolitical tensions across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia are further driving demand for gold as a safe-haven asset.

Experts describe 2025 as a pivotal year for gold, with inflation trends, economic slowdowns, and potential restrictive policies likely to sustain upward pressure on prices. Investors are expected to closely monitor central bank actions and global risk developments in the coming months.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has recovered 150,000 yaba tablets valued at approximately Tk 45 million during a special operation in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. The seizure took place early Thursday morning when a patrol team from BGB’s 64th Battalion spotted a suspect crossing from Myanmar. Upon being challenged, the individual abandoned a black plastic bag and fled across the Naf River back into Myanmar.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Jasim Uddin, commander of the Ukhiya Battalion, the confiscated drugs were found inside airtight blue packets within the bag. Intelligence surveillance has been intensified to identify and arrest the fleeing trafficker. The recovered yaba consignment is being handed over to Ukhiya Police Station for further legal procedures.

BGB officials reaffirmed their commitment to combating cross-border drug trafficking and smuggling, emphasizing that such operations will continue. The seizure underscores the persistent challenge of narcotics entering Bangladesh through the Myanmar border, a hotspot for yaba trafficking in recent years.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has introduced a new sub-module called 'Truck Movement' under the ASYCUDA World System to digitally monitor the movement of goods-laden trucks entering from India. The system electronically records each truck’s entry, duration of stay, and return of empty vehicles, replacing the previous manual process that was time-consuming and prone to errors. A pilot program began on December 15 at the Benapole Customs House in Jashore.

According to the NBR, the automated system will ensure real-time tracking and reporting of cross-border truck movements, improving efficiency in data management and minimizing revenue leakage. Officials believe the initiative will strengthen transparency and accountability in customs operations while enhancing border security. The NBR emphasized that accurate data will also help improve customs supervision and tax collection.

The revenue authority plans to expand the 'Truck Movement' module to all land ports across the country soon. Experts expect the system to modernize import operations, streamline border trade, and support Bangladesh’s broader digital governance goals.

A Dhaka court on Thursday granted a three-day remand for Sibion Diu and Sanjoy Chisim, who were arrested for allegedly helping Faisal Karim Masud flee to India following the attempted murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the political-cultural platform Inquilab Moncho. The order was issued by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam after police sought seven days of remand for interrogation.

According to investigators, the two suspects were detained from Mymensingh’s Haluaghat and Dubaura areas. The prosecution argued that their interrogation was necessary to trace Masud’s escape route and identify other accomplices. No defense lawyer was present during the hearing. The case was filed on December 14 by Inquilab Moncho’s member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber.

Hadi was shot on December 12 in Dhaka’s Paltan area by unidentified assailants on a motorcycle and remains in critical condition in a Singapore hospital. Several other suspects, including Masud’s family members and associates, have already been placed on remand as the investigation expands.

The SME Foundation of Bangladesh announced that 138 individuals, including 72 men and 66 women, have successfully become entrepreneurs through its Business Incubation Center. The participants received training, mentorship, and business advisory support, along with opportunities to showcase their products at national and international trade fairs in the UK, China, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. A certificate distribution ceremony was held on December 18, 2025, in Dhaka, with senior officials from the SME Foundation and Startup Bangladesh in attendance.

Chairperson Md. Musfiqur Rahman emphasized that the incubation center provides essential business knowledge, workspace, networking, and technical assistance to new entrepreneurs. The initiative aligns with the government’s National Industrial Policy 2022 and the SDG 2030 agenda. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, SMEs contribute about 30% to the national economy and employ over 30 million people.

The program is expected to further strengthen Bangladesh’s SME ecosystem, enhance women’s participation, and support sustainable economic development through innovation and capacity building.

Police recovered the hanging body of Jannatara Rumi, a leader of the Nationalist Citizens’ Party (NCP), from a private women’s hostel in Jigatola, Dhaka. Authorities have registered an unnatural death case, though questions remain over whether it was suicide or foul play. Family members cited her long struggle with depression, while party colleagues pointed to sustained online harassment as a possible contributing factor.

According to NCP senior joint convener Ariful Islam Adib, Rumi had faced months of cyberbullying and threats of violence from activists linked to the now-banned Awami League. Her personal and family information had reportedly been circulated online, leaving her distressed and withdrawn in recent weeks. Police confirmed that the family’s case mentioned her mental health issues and ongoing treatment.

The incident has sparked debate over the growing problem of political cyber harassment in Bangladesh. Rights groups have urged a transparent investigation and stronger digital safety measures for women in politics. Police said they are awaiting autopsy results before determining the cause of death.

A decomposed human skeleton, believed to be that of 22-year-old Ismail Hossain, was discovered in a forested area of Eidgaon, Cox’s Bazar, two months after his disappearance. The remains were found along with clothing and sandals matching those he wore when last seen, near the border of Islampur and Islamabad unions.

Family members, who had been searching for Ismail since he went missing, identified the items and informed local police. His aunt, Jyotsna, said Ismail had been mentally unstable and vanished from home two months earlier. About a month after his disappearance, an unidentified caller demanded a ransom of 100,000 taka from Ismail’s father, threatening to kill him if unpaid.

Police have dispatched a team to the site and are awaiting forensic confirmation of the identity. Authorities are investigating whether the case involves abduction and murder or other causes. The discovery has raised concerns among locals about safety and law enforcement in the area.

Three people were killed and one critically injured in a motorcycle collision late Wednesday night in Golapganj, Sylhet. The accident occurred around midnight on the Sylhet-Bianibazar-Jakiganj road near Termaile. Police confirmed that one person died at the scene, while two others succumbed to injuries at Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital. Among the four riders involved, only one remains under treatment.

The deceased were identified as Abdul Ahad (42) from Goaspur village, Sabbir Ahmed (21) from Ranaping Chhatrish village, and Ariful Haque Joy (35) from Fazilpur village. The injured, Zakir Ahmed (20) from Juri upazila of Moulvibazar, is receiving treatment at the hospital. Golapganj Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Ariful Islam said locals rescued the victims before police arrived and sent them to the hospital.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, which adds to a rising trend of fatal motorcycle accidents in the Sylhet region. Road safety advocates have urged stricter enforcement of traffic laws and helmet use to prevent further tragedies.

China has introduced a value-added tax (VAT) on condoms and other contraceptives for the first time in three decades, as part of a broader effort to modernize its tax system and address the country’s persistently low birth rate. The new VAT law, passed in 2024, ends a long-standing exemption dating back to 1993. At the same time, Beijing has launched a national childcare subsidy program worth 90 billion yuan ($12.7 billion) and expanded maternity coverage under the national health insurance scheme.

The policy shift comes as China’s birth rate stood at just 6.77 per 1,000 people in 2024, despite incentives such as cash bonuses, IVF discounts, and extended paid leave for new couples. Social media users have mocked the condom tax, calling it a desperate attempt to boost fertility. Experts argue the measure is largely symbolic and unlikely to influence reproductive decisions, though it signals the government’s preference for pro-natalist behavior.

Sociologists warn that restricting access to contraception could disproportionately affect women, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, while raising concerns about intrusive local monitoring of women’s reproductive cycles.