Bangladesh’s banking sector is facing renewed pressure as government borrowing from banks has sharply increased midway through the 2025–26 fiscal year. According to the latest Bangladesh Bank data, the government borrowed a net Tk 45,239 crore between July and December 8, marking a 58.46% rise from the same period last year. Earlier in the fiscal year, the government had been repaying loans, but rising development spending, election-related costs, and higher subsidy and interest obligations have reversed that trend.

Sector analysts note that the initial months saw reduced borrowing due to strong revenue growth and foreign loan inflows. However, the recent acceleration in government borrowing has raised concerns about liquidity pressures in the banking system and potential crowding out of private credit. Commercial banks’ total government loan holdings rose to Tk 475,709 crore by December 8, while borrowing from the central bank reached Tk 120,435 crore.

Economists warn that continued reliance on domestic banks to finance budget deficits could limit credit availability to businesses and complicate inflation management. The government’s current borrowing pace, though below the annual target, may strain monetary stability if sustained.

A mild cold wave has persisted for more than a week in Tetulia, Panchagarh, marking the lowest temperatures in Bangladesh this winter. On Thursday, December 18, the Tetulia Weather Observatory recorded a minimum temperature of 9.5°C, with humidity at 72% and wind speeds between 8 and 10 km/h. Similar readings were observed in previous days, with temperatures hovering around 9°C each morning despite sunny conditions.

According to Jitendranath Roy, acting officer at the Tetulia Weather Observatory, the cold wave began on December 11 when the temperature dropped to 8.9°C, the season’s lowest so far. He noted that the mild cold spell is expected to continue for several more days. Local residents have reported increased morning chill and fog, while daytime temperatures have remained near 27°C.

Meteorologists suggest that such prolonged mild cold waves are typical for northern Bangladesh during December, though they can affect agriculture and daily life. Authorities have advised residents to take precautions against cold-related illnesses, especially among children and the elderly.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has detained 53 fishermen and seized around 5,500 kilograms of marine fish in two separate operations off the Cox’s Bazar coast. Officials also confiscated three artisanal trawling boats and 30 fishing nets, with the total value of the seized items estimated at over BDT 6.5 crore. The operations were conducted in the Khathkhali River estuary of Banshkhali and near Saint Martin’s Island.

According to Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, the first raid took place late Tuesday night based on intelligence reports, leading to the arrest of 16 fishermen and seizure of one illegal trawler. The second operation, conducted early Wednesday, resulted in the detention of 37 more fishermen and two additional trawlers. Authorities said legal proceedings against the detainees are underway.

Officials emphasized that such drives are part of ongoing efforts to protect marine resources and curb illegal fishing in Bangladesh’s coastal waters, with further operations planned in the coming months.

An arson attack struck the Grameen Bank branch office in Shorshodi Bazar, Feni Sadar upazila, early Thursday morning. According to local sources, unidentified miscreants set fire to the building’s stairwell area around 3:40 a.m., damaging three motorcycles and two benches before the blaze was brought under control. Bank officials and employees, who were sleeping on the upper floor, managed to contain the fire with the help of local residents and firefighters.

Branch manager Ashok Kumar Debnath confirmed that the fire was limited to the stairwell and did not spread to the main office. He stated that the bank would take further steps as directed by higher authorities. Feni Model Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Muhammad Fouzol Azim said a written complaint had been received and an investigation was underway to identify those responsible.

Authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the attack. The incident has raised security concerns for financial institutions operating in semi-urban areas of Bangladesh.

A newly constructed bridge in Shahjadapur Union of Brahmanbaria’s Sarail upazila has developed major cracks before its official inauguration, alarming residents who fear a potential collapse. The bridge, built at a cost of about 32.3 million taka under the 2023–24 fiscal year, was expected to transform local connectivity for nearly 20,000 people across several villages.

Locals accuse the contractor and engineering department of using substandard materials and neglecting proper supervision. Witnesses claim that less cement was used and concrete curing was skipped, leading to structural weakness. Contractor Lokman Enterprise denies wrongdoing, citing a temporary halt in work due to soil shortage. The upazila engineer, however, said the cracks are being examined but are unlikely to cause major structural failure.

Residents are demanding an impartial investigation and legal action against those responsible, fearing that decades of anticipation for improved transport infrastructure could end in disappointment. Authorities have yet to announce any formal inquiry or remedial plan.

Police in Dhaka recovered the hanging body of Jannat Ara Rumi, a 30-year-old leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), from the fifth floor of a women’s hostel on Jigatola Old Kitchen Market Road in Hazaribagh on Thursday morning. Rumi served as the joint coordinator of the Dhanmondi Thana coordination committee under NCP’s Dhaka South unit.

Authorities identified her as the daughter of Zakir Hossain and Nurjahan Begum from Nazipur in Patnitala, Naogaon district. Law enforcement officials have initiated an investigation to determine whether the death was a suicide or if foul play was involved. Hostel residents reportedly alerted police after discovering her body.

The incident has drawn attention within local political circles, as Rumi was an active organizer in Dhaka’s grassroots political network. Police stated that an autopsy will be conducted to confirm the cause of death, while NCP representatives expressed shock and called for a transparent inquiry.

The Shailkupa Mini Fish Hatchery in Jhenaidah, Bangladesh, has remained closed for ten years due to a persistent shortage of staff and malfunctioning equipment. Once a vital source of fish fry production since its establishment in 1982, the facility has fallen into disrepair, causing a significant shortage of fish fry in the region. Local fish farmers have urged the government to reopen the hatchery to restore supply and reduce costs.

According to the Upazila Fisheries Office, the hatchery could produce around 40 kilograms of fish spawn per season—enough for over four million fry—if operational. Farmers report that the closure has forced them to buy fry from distant districts, increasing expenses and reducing profitability. Shailkupa Fisheries Officer Imran Hossain confirmed that while the facility was renovated in 2024 through a government allocation, it remains inactive due to staffing and budget constraints.

Experts warn that without urgent action, the hatchery’s infrastructure may become permanently unusable, further undermining local aquaculture and rural livelihoods.

Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) has reported a sharp rise in arms smuggling along the Chapainawabganj-India border as the country prepares for its 13th national election. In a recent operation, BGB seized four U.S.-made pistols, nine magazines, and 24 rounds of ammunition from smugglers who fled during a chase near Monoharpur. Officials fear the weapons are being brought in to incite unrest and violence during the election period.

Chapainawabganj’s 129-kilometer border with India has long been a sensitive route for illegal trade. Following the shooting of a political figure in Dhaka, BGB launched special operations and set up additional checkpoints. Lieutenant Colonel Kazi Mustafizur Rahman confirmed that intelligence reports indicated attempts to smuggle arms to destabilize the political environment. The BGB has since strengthened surveillance and patrols to prevent further infiltration.

Authorities warn that the influx of foreign arms could threaten national security and disrupt the election process. Enhanced intelligence coordination and cross-border cooperation are expected to continue in the coming weeks.

A late-night arson attack targeted the Grameen Bank branch at Shorshodi Bazar in Feni Sadar upazila, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, December 17. Unknown assailants allegedly poured petrol outside the bank’s main gate and set it on fire, burning three motorcycles and several pieces of furniture. Bank staff, who were asleep on the second floor, were awakened by the night guard’s alarm and helped control the blaze before firefighters arrived to extinguish it completely.

Branch manager Ashok Kumar Debnath stated that the attackers climbed over the boundary wall and ignited the fire from outside the gate. Police from Feni Model Station visited the site and confirmed that a formal complaint had been filed by the bank authorities. Inspector (Investigation) Sajal Kanti Das said an inquiry is underway, and legal measures will follow based on the findings.

The incident has raised concerns over security at rural financial institutions, prompting calls for enhanced surveillance and nighttime protection in remote banking areas.

Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha, remains in extremely critical condition at Singapore General Hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head. His brother Omar bin Hadi was allowed a brief visit on Thursday morning. Doctors report that Hadi suffered a massive heart attack and a spreading infection, further worsening his condition overnight.

Dhaka Medical College neurosurgeon Dr. Abdul Ahad confirmed the deterioration, describing Hadi’s state as 'extremely critical.' The Chief Adviser’s Office issued a statement echoing that assessment and announced that a senior Foreign Ministry official has been dispatched to Singapore to coordinate with Hadi’s family, hospital authorities, and Singaporean officials. The government’s advisory council also held an unscheduled discussion on Hadi’s condition and the ongoing investigation into the attempted murder.

Authorities are reviewing security measures and progress in identifying those responsible for the attack. Further updates are expected following consultations between Dhaka and Singapore medical teams.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur has directed that all depositors of five recently merged banks must receive their funds by the end of December 2025. The instruction came during the first board meeting of the newly formed Sammilit Islami Bank, which combines the five institutions under a single resolution framework. Mansur emphasized completing all procedural and technical preparations to ensure timely repayment and avoid disruptions.

The meeting, chaired by Dr. Mohammad Ayub Mia, included senior government secretaries and Bangladesh Bank officials. The governor also ordered rapid integration of IT systems and the creation of a unified human resources policy to harmonize ranks, grades, and promotion structures across the merged banks. Customers will be allowed to withdraw funds using previously issued checks.

The Sammilit Islami Bank is scheduled for formal inauguration in January 2026, but depositors are expected to receive their money beforehand. The board pledged to prioritize depositor protection and maintain transparency under Bangladesh Bank’s supervision.

Saudi Arabia has announced the cancellation of work permit (Iqama) fees for expatriate workers employed in licensed industrial establishments. The decision, approved under the chairmanship of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, follows recommendations from the Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA). Officials said the move aims to strengthen the industrial sector and support sustainable economic diversification under Vision 2030.

Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Bandar Al-Khorayef stated that waiving the fees will reduce operational costs for factories, attract quality investments, and encourage expansion and higher production. He added that the policy will enhance Saudi industries’ global competitiveness and reduce the kingdom’s reliance on oil revenues. The initiative is also expected to accelerate the adoption of automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

The decision comes as Saudi Arabia remains a major source of remittances for countries such as Pakistan, which received $753 million in November 2025. Analysts view the policy as a strategic step toward a more diversified, technology-driven industrial economy.

Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police (DB) have revealed possible links between Faisal Karim Masud, the prime suspect in the shooting of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, and multiple professional shooters as well as underworld networks. Investigators recovered a motorcycle, helmet, and fake license plate used in the attack from a residential area in Agargaon, tracing the vehicle through eight ownership transfers before it was allegedly purchased using a fake identity.

Authorities said Faisal’s parents were detained in Keraniganj but denied knowledge of his whereabouts, though they admitted he had contact with former home minister and banned Awami League leader Nanak. The DB continues efforts to arrest Faisal and his associate Alamgir, while a court granted three-day remand for a suspect accused of aiding Faisal’s escape.

The attack, which occurred on December 11 following the announcement of Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election schedule, is being investigated as part of a broader plot to destabilize the country and intimidate candidates ahead of the polls.

The Trump administration has announced plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), one of the world’s foremost climate research institutions based in Boulder, Colorado. Established in 1960 with federal funding, NCAR has been a cornerstone of atmospheric and climate science for decades. According to the Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vogt, only activities deemed 'essential' will be transferred to other agencies or locations.

Vogt described NCAR as a major source of 'climate alarmism,' while U.S. media reported that the closure process will begin immediately, including the shutdown of its Mesa Laboratory. Prominent climate scientist Kevin Trenberth warned that closing the lab would cause severe damage to global scientific research, noting NCAR’s crucial role in advancing modern climate science.

The move aligns with President Donald Trump’s broader rollback of clean energy and climate policies enacted under his predecessor Joe Biden. Trump, who has repeatedly questioned climate change, recently called it 'the greatest hoax in Earth’s history' during a United Nations address.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that global coal demand, which reached a record high in 2025 at 8.85 billion tonnes, is projected to decline gradually by 2030. The shift is attributed to the rapid expansion of renewable energy, nuclear power, and natural gas-based electricity generation. Despite a 0.5% increase in 2025, the IEA forecasts a steady reduction in coal consumption toward the end of the decade.

IEA Energy Markets and Security Director Keisuke Sadamori noted that the world’s reliance on coal remains strong but is beginning to weaken as clean energy alternatives gain ground. India saw a rare drop in coal use due to increased hydropower output and reduced electricity demand, while U.S. coal consumption rose following a presidential order to support domestic mining. China, the largest coal consumer, maintained stable demand but is expected to see a moderate decline by 2030.

Analysts warn that faster electricity demand growth or slower renewable integration in China could delay the global coal decline, potentially complicating climate targets.