The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) suspended all passenger vessel operations across the country on Sunday evening, citing dense fog as the reason. The suspension began after sunset from Dhaka’s Sadarghat terminal, halting launches bound for Chandpur and the southern regions. A special navigation notice confirmed the shutdown and instructed vessels already en route to follow the Inland Water Transport Ordinance of 1976.

According to BIWTA officials stationed at Sadarghat, launches to Barishal and other southern destinations usually depart after evening, but they had not received prior warnings from the Meteorological Department about the heavy fog. The sudden suspension left many passengers stranded and facing difficulties at the terminal.

The BIWTA also extended the suspension directive to other regions, indicating that all passenger launches nationwide would remain halted until visibility improves.

Bangladesh recorded its lowest temperature of the season in Nikli upazila of Kishoreganj on Sunday morning. According to the first-class weather observatory in Nikli, the temperature was measured at 9.8 degrees Celsius at 9 a.m., marking the lowest in the country. The cold wave has significantly disrupted daily life in the haor region.

Local residents described the cold as unusually severe. Pedestrian Md. Imam Hossain, 65, said he had never experienced such intense cold before and that movement had become difficult. Freedom fighter Idris Ali, 72, noted that public life in Nikli had nearly come to a standstill, with the poor, children, and elderly suffering the most from the biting cold.

Senior observer Akhtaruzzaman Faruk reported that temperatures in Kishoreganj had been dropping for several days due to dense fog and cold winds. He added that the temperature might continue to fall in the coming days as the cold wave persists.

Large-scale illegal sand extraction has severely damaged hills and streams in Bahubal upazila of Habiganj. Over recent months, sand looters have cut through hills and channels, removing vast quantities of valuable silica sand. The report states that these groups are not ordinary traders but politically connected networks operating at night. Their activities have caused major damage to the road passing through the 10th section of Amtali Plantation in Vadeswar Union, turning parts of it into a canal and triggering hill collapses.

According to the upazila administration, no sand quarry has been officially leased in Bahubal during the current fiscal year. Yet, politically linked sand syndicates based in Mirpur continue to control the illegal extraction from Mushai Hill. The Amtali Plantation authorities have strengthened night patrols to stop the theft, while the administration has conducted multiple raids in Sundratiki stream, Mushai Hill, and deep forest areas.

Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md. Mahbubul Islam said that operations against sand smuggling and soil cutting are ongoing, with fines and jail terms being imposed. The administration plans to continue these enforcement drives.

A continuous cold wave for five days has severely disrupted daily life in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur. Freezing temperatures, dense fog, and the absence of sunlight have made normal activities nearly impossible. The harsh weather has hit low-income workers the hardest, including day laborers, rickshaw pullers, and van drivers, many of whom are unable to work due to the cold.

Thick fog from dawn until noon has reduced visibility, making road travel risky and delaying workers, students, and traders. The biting cold has forced many to stay home, while those who venture out struggle without adequate warm clothing. As a result, daily earnings have dropped, deepening financial worries for poor families.

With the cold intensifying, crowds have increased at local markets where people are seeking warm clothes. However, rising prices have prevented many from buying enough garments. Some residents are lighting fires along roadsides at night to stay warm, while health concerns are growing among children and the elderly.

The modernization and renovation work of the Sixth Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, also known as the Mukterpur Bridge, officially began in Munshiganj. The project, supported technically and financially by the Chinese government, aims to ensure structural safety and enhance the bridge’s long-term durability. The inauguration ceremony was held on the banks of the Dhaleshwari River, attended by Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen as chief guest and chaired by Bridge Division Secretary and Bangladesh Bridge Authority Executive Director Mohammad Abdur Rouf.

Senior officials from the Bridge Division, Bangladesh Bridge Authority, representatives from the Chinese Embassy, and engineers involved in the project were present. The Bridge Secretary stated that the renovation is being carried out under the guidance and supervision of the Adviser to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan. He emphasized that the project will improve connectivity between Dhaka, Munshiganj, and southern Bangladesh.

The secretary expressed gratitude to the Chinese government, noting that the initiative reflects the Belt and Road cooperation and symbolizes mutual trust between the two nations. He also called for the construction of a second Mukterpur Bridge to meet growing traffic demand in the region.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has extended the deadline for submitting online income tax returns by one month. According to an order signed by NBR Secretary Md. Ekramul Haque, the new deadline has been moved from December 31 to January 31. This marks the second extension of the filing period for the current fiscal year 2025–26.

Previously, the NBR had already extended the submission deadline once from the original legal deadline of November 30 to December 31. The extension applies to all taxpayers who are now required to file their returns online, following a directive issued in August making e-filing mandatory for all. So far, more than 2.6 million taxpayers have submitted their e-returns for the fiscal year.

The decision aims to provide additional time for taxpayers to complete their online submissions and ensure compliance with the mandatory e-filing system introduced earlier in the year.

A severe winter storm has blanketed the northeastern United States in snow, disrupting transportation and prompting emergency measures. As of Saturday evening local time, about 29 million people across Minneapolis, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Vermont were under winter weather alerts. According to the National Weather Service, Connecticut’s New Haven County saw more than 10 inches of snow between Friday and Saturday, while Fairfield County recorded over 9 inches. New York’s Phoenicia reported the highest snowfall at 13 inches.

Central Park in New York City recorded 4.3 inches of snow, the highest since January 2022. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in more than half of the state’s counties as snow and ice made roads hazardous for travel. Flight tracking website FlightAware reported over 8,700 flight delays and more than 1,400 cancellations across the United States by Saturday night.

Authorities warned that icy conditions could continue to disrupt travel and essential services as cleanup efforts proceed across affected regions.

The Pangaon Inland Container Terminal (ICT) in Keraniganj, Dhaka, is set to resume full operations in early January after years of losses and inactivity. The Chittagong Port Authority confirmed that Swiss company Medlog will take over management for 22 years, beginning in the first week of January. The terminal, built in 2013 on 64 acres at a cost of Tk 154 crore, can handle up to 200,000 containers annually. Officials expect the new arrangement to make the terminal profitable and strengthen Bangladesh’s trade and transport network.

Business leaders and port users have expressed both optimism and concern. They argue that profitability will depend on reducing customs delays, shipping costs, and vessel charges. Medlog Bangladesh Private Limited plans to invest about Tk 490 crore to modernize the terminal, add new cranes, and automate transport systems. The company will also introduce specialized vessels and barges for efficient cargo movement.

Experts believe the revived terminal could become a major logistics hub for Dhaka and surrounding industrial areas, easing pressure on road transport and boosting inland waterway trade efficiency.

A bumper early potato harvest has been reported along the banks of the Gomti River in Comilla, where farmers are expressing concern over low market prices despite strong yields. The report, published on December 28, 2025, describes lush green fields and high-quality produce, yet growers fear they will not recover rising production costs. Farmers cite increased prices of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides as major challenges and are calling for government support and market regulation.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, potatoes were cultivated on 8,310 hectares in Comilla this season, about 800 hectares less than last year. The highest cultivation occurred in Daudkandi, followed by Debidwar and Burichang upazilas. Farmers are currently selling potatoes at 18 taka per kilogram to wholesalers, who resell them in markets for 25–30 taka after transport costs. Officials note that although cultivation has declined slightly, existing stocks mean there is no shortage risk in the district.

Local agricultural officers said that while yields are good, it is too early to predict price trends until new potatoes reach broader markets.

The newly built third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka has no mobile network coverage due to a design flaw, delaying its inauguration. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) discovered the issue after construction was nearly complete and has begun urgent work to install network infrastructure inside the terminal. The correction process, including opening parts of the aesthetic ceiling to lay cables, is expected to take six to seven months.

According to CAAB sources, the original design did not include an in-building mobile network solution, forcing a redesign and additional costs estimated in the millions. An emergency board meeting decided to sign a five-year agreement with state-owned Teletalk to implement the network, as other operators only offered space rental without revenue sharing. The contract will be reviewed every two years, with rent increasing by 2.5 percent annually upon renewal.

CAAB officials acknowledged that the absence of mobile coverage is a major operational flaw in an otherwise world-class facility. They expect the new agreement with Teletalk to resolve the issue and enable the terminal’s opening once the network installation is complete.

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Taiwan late Saturday night, according to the island’s weather administration. The quake hit at 11:05 p.m. local time near Yilan County, with its epicenter located 73 kilometers beneath the seabed. Buildings in the capital Taipei shook, prompting residents to rush outdoors in fear. No major damage or casualties were immediately reported.

Taipei city authorities said there were no significant losses, though minor incidents such as gas and water pipe leaks and slight structural damage occurred in some buildings. Taiwan Power Company reported temporary power outages affecting tens of thousands of homes in Yilan. Chipmaker TSMC briefly evacuated some staff from its Hsinchu Science Park facilities before resuming normal operations.

The weather administration warned of possible aftershocks measuring between 5.5 and 6.0 within the next 24 hours. President Lai Ching-te stated that the situation was under control and urged citizens to remain alert for aftershocks.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has removed a total of 148 tons of waste from the 300 Feet area in the capital, where the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) held a reception on May 25 to mark the return of its acting chairman, Tarique Rahman. DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz ordered the cleanup on Thursday night, and a special cleaning drive began Friday morning with 350 sanitation workers participating. The collected waste was transported in 148 trips by 20 trucks and safely dumped at the Aminbazar landfill. By noon, the entire venue was cleared and reopened for public movement.

During the operation, some local BNP activists voluntarily joined DNCC workers from 10 a.m. to assist in the cleaning effort. Administrator Ejaz expressed gratitude to all participants, emphasizing that joint efforts by city authorities, citizens, and political activists after large gatherings can make the city cleaner and more livable.

The cleanup followed a massive public gathering celebrating Tarique Rahman’s return after 17 years, prompting DNCC’s immediate action to maintain environmental hygiene.

Ferry services on the important Daulatdia–Paturia route, connecting Rajbari’s Daulatdia and Manikganj’s Paturia, were suspended again from 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 27, due to dense fog. The suspension was announced by the terminal authorities after visibility on the river dropped sharply, making navigation unsafe. Earlier, ferry movement on the same route had been halted for about 15 hours from Friday evening until Saturday morning before resuming for around 12 hours.

According to the terminal authorities, the fog intensified after evening, obscuring the river’s marking lights and creating serious safety risks. As a result, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) temporarily stopped all ferry and vessel operations to prevent possible accidents. The suspension led to long queues of passenger buses, trucks, and private cars at both terminals, causing hardship for drivers and passengers in the cold night.

Officials said ferry operations will resume once the fog density decreases and conditions are reviewed for safe navigation.

China has appointed its first female captain for the domestically produced C919 passenger aircraft, according to the South China Morning Post. The historic appointment went to Yu Yue, a former Boeing 737 pilot with China Southern Airlines. Since joining the airline in 2015, Yu has maintained a zero-error record. Earlier this year, she joined the C919 program and completed extensive training at the Civil Aviation Flight University of China and COMAC’s Shanghai training center, which included simulator sessions for emergency scenarios.

The C919, developed by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), is a narrow-body jet designed for short- and medium-haul routes and is seen as China’s alternative to the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. The aircraft began commercial service on domestic routes in May 2023. Major state-owned carriers—China Southern, Air China, and China Eastern—are incorporating the C919 into their fleets and retraining pilots accordingly.

Yu highlighted the challenges faced by women pilots in balancing professional duties with family responsibilities. In 2024, China had 941 female pilots, less than two percent of the total, though participation has been gradually increasing.

The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has announced a record increase in gold prices across the country, raising rates by up to Tk 1,575 per bhori. The new prices, effective from Sunday, December 28, set the cost of 22-carat gold at Tk 227,856 per bhori, marking the highest level in Bangladesh’s history. The announcement was made through a BAJUS press release on Saturday, December 27.

According to the association, the adjustment reflects a rise in the price of pure gold in the local market, aligned with global market trends. The main reason cited for the increase is the surge in international gold prices, which have exceeded USD 4,500 per ounce. Alongside gold, silver prices have also been raised, with 22-carat silver now priced at Tk 6,065 per bhori.

The new pricing structure indicates a broader response to global market pressures, suggesting continued volatility in precious metal prices as Bangladesh aligns its domestic rates with international movements.