Bangladesh Bank has decided to withhold profits for 2024 and 2025 from depositors of five Islamic banks currently undergoing a merger process. The affected banks are First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Union Bank, EXIM Bank, and Social Islami Bank, which are being consolidated into a new entity named Sammilit Islami Bank. The central bank announced the decision last Wednesday, stating that depositors will not receive profits for the two years, and any previously withdrawn profits will be deducted from their accounts.

The decision has sparked widespread anger among depositors, leading to disruptions in normal banking operations at some branches and a human chain protest in Dhaka’s Gulshan area. Depositors argued that they should not bear the burden of bank mismanagement and demanded full repayment of their deposits and due profits. Bank officials requested the central bank to reconsider, but the governor reaffirmed that the decision, based on Shariah principles, would not be reversed.

According to Bangladesh Bank sources, withholding two years of profits will reduce liabilities by about Tk 10,000 crore, lowering total deposits from Tk 1.31 trillion to an estimated Tk 1.21 trillion across the five banks, which currently serve around 7.5 million depositors.

Engineers from Rosatom have confirmed that fuel loading for Unit-1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Pabna is expected to take place by the end of February 2026. The announcement follows a recent inspection visit by Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, adviser to the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Finance, who reviewed the project’s progress and met with officials and engineers at the site.

During the visit, Dr. Ahmed praised the dedication of the workforce and expressed optimism that the Rooppur plant, Bangladesh’s first nuclear power facility, will play a transformative role in the national energy sector. The project aims to meet the country’s growing electricity demand while strengthening energy security and advancing sustainable development goals.

According to project engineers, approximately 350 megawatts of electricity from Unit-1 could be supplied to the national grid by the end of March 2026, with full generation capacity expected to reach about 1,150 megawatts once operations stabilize.

On Sunday, the first trading day of the week, the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) recorded its highest index rise of the year. The DSEX, the main index, gained 76 points or 1.53 percent, closing at 5,035 points and crossing the 5,000 mark again. This was the highest level in two and a half months, last seen on November 3 when the index stood at 5,061 points. The DSE-30 and DSE Shariah indices also rose by about 1.5 percent each.

Trading volume increased significantly, with transactions totaling Tk 474 crore compared to Tk 379.8 crore on the previous trading day, marking an increase of about Tk 95 crore. Out of 389 traded issues, prices rose for 290, fell for 42, and remained unchanged for 57. Leasing companies under liquidation led the gains, with People’s Leasing, Premier Leasing, Prime Finance, Bangladesh Industrial Finance, and Fareast Finance each rising over 10 percent. International Leasing’s share price rose 9.75 percent.

The DSE also adjusted its indices, adding nine new companies and removing sixteen from the main index. Three companies were added and three removed from the DSE-30 index, with the changes confirmed as effective by the DSE’s public relations department.

The Ministry of Commerce has recommended withdrawing the bonded warehouse facility for importing 10 to 30 count yarn used in export-oriented garment manufacturing. A letter signed on January 12, 2026, from the ministry’s WTO Cell-2 instructed the National Board of Revenue to take necessary action. The move follows recommendations from the Bangladesh Tariff Commission and the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association to safeguard domestic spinning mills, promote employment, and strengthen local value addition ahead of Bangladesh’s graduation from least developed country (LDC) status.

According to the ministry, bonded imports under HS headings 52.05, 52.06, and 52.07 have surged in recent years, particularly from India, rising from 351,000 tons in 2022–23 to 697,000 tons in 2024–25. The ministry noted that duty-free or low-duty yarn imports are being sold at lower prices, undermining local mills that are operating at only 60% capacity. Around 50 spinning mills have already closed, and many others face losses.

The ministry believes ending the facility will restore balance in the spinning sector, boost domestic production, and help Bangladesh meet local value addition requirements in global trade after LDC graduation.

Professor Dr. M. Shahidul Islam emphasized that Bangladesh must adopt and implement a strategic plan for green technology and renewable energy to ensure long-term sustainable economic development. Currently, about 95 percent of the country’s energy system depends on high carbon-emitting fossil fuels, producing roughly 0.7 kilograms of carbon per kilowatt-hour of electricity. This dependency poses structural challenges to sustainability and directly contributes to climate change, threatening public health, ecosystems, and biodiversity.

The article highlights that energy security is a fundamental right linked to food security, water management, industrialization, and employment. Bangladesh holds about 3 billion tons of high-quality coal and has renewable energy potential of around 75,000 megawatts from solar, wind, hydro, and biomass sources. The proposed in-situ underground coal gasification (UCG) method could convert deep coal into syngas without mining, reducing environmental damage and carbon emissions.

Economic analysis shows UCG could achieve up to 85 percent thermal efficiency and cut emissions to below 0.1 kilograms per kilowatt-hour. The author calls for pilot projects, research, and skilled workforce development to overcome geological and technical challenges, ensuring a balanced, low-risk energy transition for Bangladesh.

Popular family game show 'Family Feud Bangladesh' is set to return to television with its second season starting January 19. The show will air every Monday at 9:30 p.m. on NTV, with reruns on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Viewers will also be able to watch it anytime for free on the Bongo app and website. The new season will again be hosted by Tahsan Khan and directed by Wahidul Islam Shuvro.

According to the producers, the second season aims to build on the success of the first, which recorded over one billion total views across platforms and awarded more than three million taka in prizes. The upcoming season promises more excitement, larger prizes, and a wider scope of participation. Tahsan Khan expressed enthusiasm about the show’s return, noting that survey questions were collected from all 64 districts of Bangladesh, making the content more engaging and representative.

The producers expect the expanded format and fresh survey-based questions to enhance the show’s appeal and strengthen its position as a leading source of family entertainment in Bangladesh.

The European Union and South America’s Mercosur bloc have signed a major trade agreement in Asunción, Paraguay, on Saturday. The deal, reported by Turkey-based Hurriyet Daily News, brings together the EU’s 27 member states and Mercosur members Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, forming one of the world’s largest free trade zones. The signing follows nearly 25 years of complex negotiations.

The agreement is viewed as a significant message against the tariff threats and trade uncertainty associated with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Trump recently threatened to impose tariffs of up to 25 percent on several European countries over the Greenland issue. During the signing ceremony, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said the parties chose fair trade over tariffs and long-term partnership over isolation. Paraguayan President Santiago Peña described the deal as a clear message in favor of international trade amid global tensions, while European Council head Antonio Costa said it rejects the use of trade as a geopolitical weapon.

Leaders expressed hope that the agreement will generate employment, prosperity, and new opportunities across both regions.

NASA has moved its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft to the launch pad at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, marking a major step toward sending humans to the Moon for the first time in over five decades. The transfer, lasting about 12 hours, positions the Artemis-2 mission for final testing before a possible launch on February 6. The mission will carry three American astronauts and one Canadian on a roughly 10-day journey around the Moon without landing.

The Artemis-2 mission, announced during former President Donald Trump’s first term, is viewed as a key milestone in the United States’ renewed lunar ambitions. Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen attended the rollout, expressing excitement about the upcoming flight. Engineers will now conduct a series of safety tests, including a full simulation, before liftoff. NASA previously completed the uncrewed Artemis-1 mission in November 2022.

The report notes that China is also advancing its lunar program, aiming to send astronauts to the Moon by 2030. Analysts suggest U.S. urgency stems partly from China’s progress, while uncertainty remains over the 2027 Artemis-3 mission due to delays in SpaceX’s Starship rocket development.

Digital rights activists have warned that Iran’s government is advancing plans to permanently disconnect the country from the global internet. According to a report by the censorship-monitoring group Filterwatch, only a small, government-approved group will be allowed limited access to international networks, while the general public will be restricted to a domestic “national internet” isolated from the global web. Filterwatch chief Amir Rashidi described the system as a state-controlled parallel network containing only government-approved search engines, messaging apps, and streaming services.

Activists allege that Chinese technology and Huawei equipment are being used to build this surveillance and censorship infrastructure, enabling authorities to monitor and block internet traffic. Since January 8, Iran has faced one of its longest internet blackouts, lasting over 200 hours, surpassing Egypt’s 2011 shutdown. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani suggested the restrictions could continue until March 20, coinciding with the Nowruz holiday.

Analysts cited by The Guardian said the move reflects a decade-and-a-half of planning since the 2009 protests, when Iran began developing its domestic internet system. A 2025 law now criminalizes possession of Starlink terminals, with penalties up to death, as authorities use Russian and Chinese jammers to block satellite signals.

Bangladeshi entrepreneurs have sharply increased their overseas investments despite sluggish domestic conditions. According to a Bangladesh Bank report, during the first quarter of the 2025–26 fiscal year (July–September), Bangladeshis legally invested a total of 15.8 million US dollars abroad, marking an 829 percent rise from the same period of the previous year, when the figure was only 1.7 million dollars. The report covers only officially approved investments, excluding any unrecorded or illicit capital transfers.

The analysis shows that foreign investment by Bangladeshis began rising from the October–December quarter of the previous fiscal year. Meanwhile, domestic private investment remains stagnant due to political instability and high bank interest rates. Private sector credit growth slowed to 6.58 percent in November 2025, down from double digits in July 2024. Sector insiders argue that entrepreneurs should focus on domestic investment to address rising unemployment and declining GDP growth.

As of September 2025, total Bangladeshi capital invested abroad stood at 362.1 million dollars, up from 348.3 million a year earlier. India, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong received the largest shares, with financial institutions attracting the most sectoral investment.

Bangladesh’s Mobile Number Portability (MNP) service, launched in 2017, has failed to achieve expected success even after eight years. The service allows users to retain their mobile numbers while switching operators, but experts and stakeholders say regulatory and operational barriers have hindered its growth. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) granted licenses to multiple firms, yet the service remains underutilized.

According to the report, key obstacles include BTRC and mobile operators’ inaction, high taxes imposed by the National Board of Revenue (NBR), and restrictions preventing operators from offering incentives. The current MNP fee of Tk 450 is considered too high compared to neighboring countries, where similar services cost Tk 90–100. Additionally, BTRC’s directive blocking masked SMS messages to MNP users has created further complications, particularly for financial and social platforms.

Experts suggest revising the 2018 MNP guidelines, reducing taxes, and allowing promotional incentives to make the service more accessible and attractive. They also emphasize public awareness campaigns to prevent waste of resources and improve adoption.

The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) has cancelled work orders for three bridge and culvert construction projects in Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet after the contractor failed to start work within the stipulated time. The same contractor, Messrs Fahad Construction of Amberkhana, Sylhet, had been awarded a single tender covering five structures across Osmaninagar and Bishwanath upazilas, but only began work on two culverts in Bishwanath. The DDM also decided to forfeit the contractor’s security deposit and take necessary legal action.

According to a letter signed by Project Director and Joint Secretary Md Parvezul Islam, the project period runs until 30 June 2026, and all construction must be completed within that time to qualify for payment. Despite repeated requests, including a final notice to begin work by 31 December 2025, no progress was made in Osmaninagar. The DDM deemed this a clear violation of contract terms and issued cancellation notices to relevant authorities.

Local officials confirmed that recommendations have been sent to the ministry to formalize the cancellation process, while the contractor’s local representative cited internal management issues for the delay.

Senior officials in the administration of US President Donald Trump have criticized Canada’s decision to permit imports of up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) under a new trade deal with Beijing. Speaking at a Ford factory event in Ohio, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Canada would regret the move, while Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed that the vehicles would not be allowed into the United States. The Canadian Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment.

The decision follows Canada’s earlier 2024 imposition of 100 percent tariffs on Chinese EVs, mirroring US duties. However, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new agreement reduces tariffs to 6.1 percent on most-favoured-nation terms. The deal also includes China lowering tariffs on Canadian canola seed to about 15 percent by March 1. US officials expressed concern that the policy could give China a stronger foothold in North America despite Washington’s tougher stance on Canadian vehicles and parts.

Greer noted that new US cybersecurity rules for internet-connected vehicles, effective January 2025, would make it difficult for Chinese cars to enter the American market. Lawmakers from both parties, including Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, voiced strong opposition to Chinese vehicles being sold in the US.

Canada and China have reached an initial trade agreement to reduce tariffs on electric vehicles and canola, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced during his visit to Beijing on Friday. The deal marks the first visit by a Canadian prime minister to China since 2017 and aims to rebuild ties after years of strained relations. Canada will allow up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles at a 6.1 percent tariff, compared with the 100 percent rate imposed by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2024. China, in turn, will lower tariffs on Canadian canola seed to about 15 percent by March 1, down from 84 percent, and remove anti-discrimination tariffs on other Canadian agricultural and seafood products.

Carney said the agreement would unlock nearly $3 billion in export orders for Canadian farmers and fishers and attract Chinese investment into Canada’s auto and clean energy sectors. Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized the move, warning it could flood the market with cheap Chinese EVs without guaranteed domestic benefits. Both nations also pledged to restart high-level economic dialogue and strengthen cooperation in agriculture, energy, and green technology.

Analysts noted the deal could reshape the context of Sino-US rivalry, though Ottawa is not expected to shift away from its strategic alignment with Washington.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department has reported an unusual rise in daytime temperatures across the country, with readings two to three degrees Celsius higher than normal for January. The department noted that while daytime temperatures are increasing, nighttime temperatures remain nearly unchanged. Only Tetulia in Panchagarh recorded a temperature below 10°C, marking the end of the recent cold wave. The current weather pattern, described as the most abnormal in 30 years, may continue until January 25–26, with a brief dip around January 22–23 before rising again.

Meteorologist Dr. Omar Faruk explained that a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal last week absorbed moisture from surrounding areas, leading to the sudden temperature increase in Bangladesh and neighboring countries. Another expert, Kazi Zebunnesa, said that the disappearance of dense fog and increased sunlight have contributed to the warming trend. The capital, Dhaka, has already experienced a noticeable decline in cold intensity.

According to the weather office, this pattern suggests that winter may end earlier than usual, possibly within January itself, as the country transitions toward warmer conditions.