At a policy seminar in Dhaka, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter called for international and government-backed climate risk funds to provide additional financing for entrepreneurs, particularly women leading environmentally sustainable businesses. Speaking at the event titled ‘Voices for Change: Putting Climate Action, Women Entrepreneurs and SMEs in Bangladesh’s Public Policy,’ she emphasized that empowering women in business should focus on visibility and opportunity, not just numbers.

Akhter highlighted that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the largest source of employment creation in Bangladesh, with 50–60% potential for women’s participation. She noted that women have a proven record of loan repayment, urging financial institutions to expand credit access for them. Despite government initiatives through Bangladesh Bank and the SME Foundation, she said opportunities remain limited for women, who make up 51% of the population.

She also warned that climate change poses daily threats to Bangladesh’s fisheries and livestock sectors, urging policy alignment to reduce methane emissions and strengthen women’s roles in climate-resilient economic growth.

A new desalination plant project has been launched in the remote Kalabogi embankment area of Sutarkhali Union, Dakop, Khulna, to address the long-standing drinking water crisis faced by marginalized residents of the Sundarbans. The initiative, led by the Ex Notre Damians Welfare Foundation, began on December 6 with a community event collecting data from women representatives of low-income families who will receive around 3,000 liters of potable water daily from the plant.

The region’s rivers, ponds, and groundwater have become excessively saline and mineral-rich due to repeated floods and cyclones, rendering them undrinkable. Health experts note that women in coastal areas suffer severe reproductive and maternal health risks linked to high salinity, including hypertension, eclampsia, and maternal mortality.

Foundation representatives Dr. Shakil Arif Chowdhury and Dr. Dalilur Rahman announced that land acquisition and construction are underway, with water supply expected to begin by January next year, marking a significant step toward improving coastal health and resilience.

Bangladesh’s mobile phone traders have announced a blockade of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, starting Sunday morning. The protest follows earlier demonstrations demanding reforms to the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), the abolition of alleged syndicates, and the reopening of unrestricted mobile phone imports.

Traders argue that the NEIR system, set to take effect on December 16, will severely harm small businesses and raise handset prices due to increased taxes and limited supply. They claim that only a select group of importers will benefit from the new regulation. The BTRC and government officials, however, assert that NEIR is essential for national security and to prevent the use of unregistered or stolen phones.

The standoff highlights growing tension between regulators and small traders in Bangladesh’s telecom sector. If unresolved, the dispute could disrupt mobile phone distribution and raise consumer prices ahead of the NEIR rollout.

Bangladesh Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed has said that the establishment of dedicated commercial courts will mark a new era for the country’s economy and judicial system. Speaking at a seminar in Chattogram organized by the Supreme Court and UNDP, he noted that the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance 2025 has granted the judiciary full administrative and financial autonomy for the first time, enabling long-term judicial reforms.

The Chief Justice explained that the draft Commercial Courts Act—developed through consultations with BIDA, legal experts, and business stakeholders with EU technical support—has been approved in principle by the Cabinet. The law includes provisions for specialized courts, mandatory mediation, limited adjournments, transparent case statistics, and specialized training for judges and lawyers. These measures aim to ensure faster, more transparent commercial dispute resolution and enhance Bangladesh’s global competitiveness.

He emphasized that effective implementation will require infrastructure, human resource development, and digital capacity building. The Supreme Court is preparing practice directions to ensure smooth operation of the new courts, reflecting a national consensus for an independent and efficient judiciary.

A new assessment by Bangladeshi experts has raised grave concerns about Dhaka’s earthquake preparedness, warning that a 6.9-magnitude quake along the Madhupur fault could cause nearly 40% of the capital’s buildings—over 850,000 structures—to collapse. Fatalities could reach up to half a million, with hundreds of thousands more seriously injured. Despite these risks, implementation of earthquake-resilient land use planning and structural safety audits has been stalled for over a year.

The World Bank–funded Urban Resilience Project, worth around Tk 5.68 billion, remains inactive due to bureaucratic disputes and institutional inertia. Experts from BUET and RAJUK have urged immediate integration of seismic-resilient land use plans into Dhaka’s master plan and the activation of modern testing equipment already procured. RAJUK officials say a new trust is being formed to oversee building fitness audits and ensure compliance with seismic codes.

Analysts warn that further delays could make Dhaka’s dense urban landscape increasingly perilous. The government has pledged to approve necessary legislation soon, but experts stress that only sustained enforcement and public compliance can avert a catastrophic outcome.

Bangladesh’s industrial and public works adviser Adilur Rahman Khan announced that sugar imports have been temporarily suspended until the unsold stock from domestic mills is cleared. Speaking after inspecting the Natore Sugar Mill and Uttara Gonobhaban on December 6, he said Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has already begun selling locally produced sugar to stabilize the market.

Adilur emphasized that state-owned sugar mills, many dating back to the British era, cannot operate sustainably on subsidies alone. He called for both local and foreign investment to modernize production and expand capacity. Discussions with potential investors are ongoing, and he expressed optimism about positive developments soon. He also mentioned plans to diversify into related production activities to improve profitability.

The adviser further noted that Uttara Gonobhaban has been renovated after years of neglect and could host cabinet meetings under the current government, following historical precedent. Local officials, including the Natore deputy commissioner and police superintendent, attended the visit.

Sri Lanka’s government has announced a large-scale recovery plan to rebuild infrastructure and homes destroyed by Cyclone Dithwa, which left at least 607 people dead and 214 missing. The disaster, compounded by ongoing flood and landslide risks, has affected around two million people—nearly 10 percent of the country’s population. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared the situation a national disaster and pledged continued government efforts to assist affected communities.

According to the Finance Ministry, families who lost their homes will receive up to 10 million rupees (about USD 33,000) to purchase land and rebuild. Compensation of 1 million rupees will be provided to families of the deceased and those left permanently disabled. The Disaster Management Centre reported that over 71,000 houses were damaged and 5,000 completely destroyed, with 150,000 people still in shelters.

The cyclone struck as Sri Lanka was recovering from its 2022 economic crisis, intensifying fiscal pressures. Authorities have warned of further rainfall and landslide risks in coming days, urging displaced residents not to return home prematurely.

Two key government offices in Magura — the Assistant Land Commissioner’s office and the District Sub-Registrar’s office — were set on fire early Saturday morning, reportedly by unidentified miscreants. The attackers allegedly poured petrol through windows and door gaps before igniting the blaze around 4 a.m. The fire damaged crucial land records, cash stamps, computers, and other official documents before firefighters managed to bring it under control.

According to police sources, bottles and petrol residues were recovered from the scene. The night guard alerted emergency services by calling 999, prompting a rapid response from the fire service. Additional Superintendent of Police Mirajul Islam stated that no formal complaint had yet been filed by either office, but law enforcement had already begun an independent investigation to identify those responsible.

Authorities are assessing the extent of the damage and potential data loss. The incident has raised concerns about the security of sensitive land and registration records in the district, prompting calls for enhanced surveillance and fire safety measures in government facilities.

Northern Bangladesh is experiencing a sharp drop in temperature as Tetulia, in Panchagarh district, recorded 10.5°C at 9 a.m. on Saturday, marking the lowest temperature of the current winter season. The humidity level stood at 94%, intensifying the cold sensation from early morning. Earlier in the week, the temperature had remained steady around 12°C for three consecutive days.

According to Jitendranath Roy, acting officer of the Tetulia Meteorological Observatory, the sudden fall in temperature signals the possibility of a cold wave in the coming days. Dense fog has also reduced road visibility, forcing vehicles to move slowly with headlights on. On Friday, the maximum daytime temperature reached 27°C, showing a wide fluctuation between day and night temperatures.

Meteorologists warn that if the downward trend continues, northern districts could face an early cold wave this December, affecting daily life, agriculture, and transportation in the region.

Six members of a single family, including women and children, were severely burned in a gas line explosion at their home in Dhaka’s Agargaon area early Saturday morning. The incident occurred around 4:30 a.m., reportedly due to a gas leak that ignited inside the residence near the Islamic Foundation’s Paka Market. The injured were taken to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 7:45 a.m. for emergency treatment.

The victims were identified as Jalil Mia (50), Aneeza Begum (40), Asif Mia (19), Sakib Mia (16), Monira (17), and Eva (6). According to their relative Afran Mia, the explosion happened suddenly while the family was inside the house. DMCH police camp in-charge Inspector Faruk confirmed that all six victims were receiving treatment, though the extent of their burns was not immediately known.

Authorities have informed the local police station, and an investigation is expected to determine whether the blast resulted from a gas leak or faulty pipeline maintenance.

Bangladesh’s onion market has turned volatile despite sufficient domestic supply, with retail prices soaring to Tk 160 per kilogram in Dhaka. Officials say more than 100,000 tons of old onions remain in storage, while new harvests are entering markets. Yet, traders are allegedly withholding supply to create an artificial shortage and pressure the government to allow imports, though their real motive appears to be profit maximization.

Market insiders and consumer groups claim a powerful syndicate of wholesalers and commission agents has been manipulating prices since October. The Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission (BTTC) confirmed evidence of market manipulation, noting that current prices far exceed the reasonable level of Tk 90 per kilogram. The BTTC has recommended limited imports to stabilize prices, while the Department of Agricultural Extension insists there is no genuine supply shortage.

Consumer advocates warn that unchecked profiteering could hurt both farmers and buyers, urging stronger market monitoring. The government is reviewing BTTC’s report before deciding on import measures.

Bangladesh’s northern district of Panchagarh is experiencing a sharp drop in temperature, with Tetulia recording the country’s lowest temperature of 11°C early Saturday, according to the local weather office. The humidity level stood at 95 percent at 6 a.m., creating a biting cold that disrupted daily life and reduced outdoor movement. Dense fog has also limited road visibility, forcing vehicles to move slowly with headlights on.

Officials at the Tetulia Meteorological Observatory noted that temperatures had hovered around 12°C for several days before dipping further. The persistent chill, combined with high humidity, has made conditions particularly difficult for outdoor workers, especially sand laborers working in rivers. Residents reported that even after sunrise, sunlight provided little warmth.

Meteorologists warned that the early onset of such low temperatures in December could indicate an approaching cold wave across northern Bangladesh. Authorities have advised residents to take precautions as the cold is expected to intensify in the coming days.

Rivers in southern Bangladesh are rapidly losing navigability with the onset of winter, severely disrupting key inland water routes including Dhaka-Barishal and Dhaka-Patuakhali. Several channels have developed sandbars, forcing large passenger vessels to travel at extreme risk or suspend operations entirely. Launch masters report that water depth in many areas has dropped to barely 1.5 meters, far below the 3-meter requirement for safe navigation.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has acknowledged the crisis, confirming that dredging operations are underway in multiple affected points. However, launch operators and passengers continue to face frequent strandings and delays. Veteran passengers note that the number of active routes has fallen from 20 to just a few dozen due to siltation and low water levels. Environmental groups are urging a long-term dredging master plan to restore navigability and prevent further economic and safety impacts.

If the situation persists, experts warn that the region’s inland water transport industry could face collapse, isolating communities and raising transport costs across southern Bangladesh.

Syed Nizam Uddin, Deputy Registrar of Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), has been accused of serious irregularities in recruitment, promotion, and financial management. University staff allege that Nizam obtained his position through political influence and bribery, despite lacking required academic qualifications. He reportedly advanced from section officer to deputy registrar within four years, bypassing government promotion rules.

Multiple officials claim Nizam misused his authority in the finance department to embezzle large sums, purchase luxury properties, and demand payments for administrative approvals. Documents suggest he leveraged his role as an executive member of the Bangabandhu Officers’ Association and his political connections to maintain influence. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has stated it will review the allegations and coordinate with university authorities if evidence is found.

PSTU’s acting registrar and vice-chancellor confirmed that an internal investigation will be launched. If proven, disciplinary measures will follow, marking a potential test of accountability within Bangladesh’s public university administration.

A man named Babu, aged 40, was stabbed to death during a wedding preparation meeting at a residence in Hathazari, Chattogram, on Friday night. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. at the house of Musha Saudagar in the Farhadabad Union area. Two others, Babu’s brother Imrul Hossain Bachchu and cousin Imon, were injured while trying to intervene.

According to local sources, an argument broke out between Babu and another family member, Jasim, 48, during the social gathering known as a “pansolla.” The dispute escalated when Jasim reportedly fetched a knife from inside the house and attacked Babu, causing fatal injuries. Locals detained the suspect at a nearby hotel before police arrived to control the situation. Hathazari Model Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Manjur Kader Bhuiyan confirmed the incident and said further details would follow.

The attack has shocked the local community, highlighting how minor disputes can turn deadly in family events. Police are investigating the motive and have taken the suspect into custody for questioning.