Bangladesh and Thailand have signed a bilateral memorandum of understanding to facilitate the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers in Thailand. The agreement was signed on Friday, December 26, at the office of Thailand’s Labour Minister Trinuch Thienthong. During the signing ceremony, Minister Thienthong expressed optimism that the recruitment process could begin soon under the new arrangement, noting Thailand’s need to address its existing labor shortages through foreign worker recruitment.

Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Thailand, Faiyaz Murshid Kazi, assured that workers would be sent through a safe, orderly, and regular process. He also invited Thai authorities to visit Bangladesh to gain firsthand understanding of the country’s labor migration systems and procedures. Minister Thienthong instructed her senior colleagues to advance discussions on implementing the memorandum and emphasized the importance of swift action to meet labor market demands.

Ambassador Kazi briefed the Thai minister on ongoing discussions with Thai business communities and reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to following best practices similar to other major labor markets in the Asia-Pacific region.

Chuadanga district is experiencing an intensifying cold wave, with temperatures falling below 10 degrees Celsius. On Friday morning, the Chuadanga First-Class Weather Observatory recorded 9.7°C at 6 a.m. and 9.6°C at 9 a.m., with humidity at 95 percent. The temperature dropped nearly 2 degrees in just one day compared to Thursday’s 11.4°C. The cold, driven by northern winds, has severely affected daily life across the border district.

Local residents reported worsening hardship as the cold persists. Pedestrians and rickshaw pullers said people are avoiding going out in the mornings, leaving day laborers without work and transport workers without passengers. Children and the elderly are most at risk from the cold, while many rural residents are resorting to lighting fires due to a lack of warm clothing.

Weather observers forecast further temperature decline, and local residents have urged authorities to provide urgent assistance and distribute winter clothing to those in need.

Ferry operations on the Daulatdia–Paturia route, a key waterway connecting Rajbari’s Daulatdia and Manikganj’s Paturia, resumed on Friday morning after being suspended for nine and a half hours due to dense fog. According to the report, services were restored around 9:30 a.m. on December 26, 2025, once visibility improved on the Padma River.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) temporarily halted all ferry and vessel movement from midnight on Saturday when thick fog severely reduced visibility across the river basin. BIWTC’s Daulatdia office assistant general manager (commerce) Mohammad Salauddin stated that operations were restarted after the fog cleared and navigation conditions became normal.

The prolonged suspension caused significant traffic congestion at both ferry terminals, leaving trucks, buses, and private cars stranded. With the resumption of ferry movement, the backlog began to ease, bringing relief to drivers, assistants, and passengers waiting at the terminals.

Bangladesh’s financial regulatory bodies have agreed to implement three major initiatives aimed at improving coordination and efficiency across the sector. The decisions were made at a meeting titled “Strengthening the Financial Reporting Council and Ensuring Structural and Coordinated Cooperation,” held at the FRC office in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar under the chairmanship of Dr. Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser. Representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh Bank, FRC, BSEC, IDRA, RJSC, MRA, and NBR attended the meeting.

The three initiatives include single-point enlistment of auditors and audit firms under the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), creation of a common report submission portal for all regulators, and establishment of a real-time common data-sharing platform. The FRC will lead the implementation of these projects, with deadlines set between January 15 and January 31, 2026. The FRC chairman stated that these measures will enhance transparency, reduce information concealment, and strengthen financial discipline.

According to the meeting’s proceedings, the initiatives are expected to reduce procedural delays, improve inter-agency data exchange, and curb manipulation in loan management and stock valuation.

Bangladesh is experiencing a sharp drop in temperature, with cold winds and dense fog gripping much of the country, including the capital Dhaka. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the current cold spell is expected to persist for at least five more days, with nighttime temperatures falling by 1–2°C and daytime temperatures also slightly lower. The lowest temperature recorded on Thursday was 10.2°C in Rajshahi, while Dhaka saw 14°C.

Meteorologists said that while no formal cold wave has yet developed, the chill is being felt more intensely due to fog and reduced sunlight. Experts attribute the conditions to a subcontinental high-pressure system that is amplifying the cold. The BMD forecasts that temperatures may drop further around the start of the new year.

The cold has worsened hardship for low-income and homeless residents, many seen huddling on city streets. Meanwhile, sales of winter clothing have surged in local markets as people prepare for a potentially harsher cold phase ahead.

Bangladesh Bank announced that depositors of five troubled Islamic banks undergoing merger will be able to withdraw up to Tk 200,000 from next Monday. The funds will be disbursed through the Deposit Insurance Fund, and withdrawals can be made directly from the respective branches. The five banks—First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, EXIM Bank, and Union Bank—are being consolidated into the newly approved Combined Islami Bank PLC.

According to central bank officials, the withdrawal process faced initial complications but is now ready to proceed. Customers with deposits exceeding Tk 200,000 will be allowed phased withdrawals every three months, while senior citizens and cancer patients will face relaxed restrictions. The new bank’s paid-up capital is set at Tk 350 billion, with Tk 200 billion from the government and Tk 150 billion from the insurance fund.

The merger aims to restore depositor confidence and stabilize the banking sector after years of loan defaults. Bangladesh Bank has also ordered the cancellation of existing shares of the five banks due to negative asset values under the Bank Resolution Ordinance.

A sharp drop in temperature has brought intense cold to Tetulia, Panchagarh, where the local weather office recorded 10.5°C on Thursday. Dense fog and chilly northern winds have disrupted normal life, forcing residents to stay indoors except for urgent needs. Visibility on highways has been severely reduced, prompting vehicles to move with headlights on throughout the day.

According to Jitendranath, acting officer of the Tetulia Meteorological Observatory, a mild cold wave had passed earlier this month, but temperatures have been steadily falling again since December 20. He warned that another cold wave may be approaching, likely intensifying the current cold conditions.

Authorities and residents are bracing for harsher weather in the coming days, with concerns about health risks and disruptions to agriculture and transportation. Relief measures, including distribution of warm clothing, are expected to be stepped up if the cold persists.

More than 13,000 low-income farmers in Langadu upazila of Rangamati are facing severe difficulties as the water level in Kaptai Lake has not receded, leaving vast tracts of farmland submerged. Farmers who usually begin Boro rice cultivation in the Bengali month of Poush are unable to plant this season, raising fears of a potential food shortage in the coming year.

According to the local agriculture office, about 6,500 hectares out of 8,000 hectares of cultivable land remain underwater. Farmers allege that the government has kept the Kaptai Dam closed, preventing water release. Local officials have urged the district administration to consider releasing water to save the crops. However, a Power Development Board (PDB) manager stated that a proposal was made to maintain the current water level until the upcoming national election.

If the water does not recede within the next two weeks, farmers warn that they will miss the planting window entirely, threatening both livelihoods and local food security.

Bangladesh has finalized the draft of its first major Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan, marking a milestone in bilateral economic relations. Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Choudhury Ashiq described the achievement as historic, emphasizing that it reflects Bangladesh’s commitment to policy continuity, investment protection, and credible dispute resolution mechanisms.

The agreement is expected to open new opportunities beyond traditional manufacturing and energy sectors, extending to automobiles, digital services, logistics, and healthcare. Ashiq noted that Japanese investment will bring advanced technology, skills, and standards, reshaping Bangladesh’s economic landscape. The move aligns with Bangladesh’s preparations for graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, positioning the nation for broader global integration.

Officials indicated that this is only the beginning, as Bangladesh seeks similar agreements with key markets such as the United States, the European Union, and South Korea. The EPA is seen as a strategic foundation for sustaining growth and competitiveness in the post-LDC era.

Bangladesh and Japan have finalized the draft of their long-anticipated Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), paving the way for extensive trade liberalization between the two nations. Under the agreement, Japan will grant duty-free access to 7,379 Bangladeshi products, including ready-made garments, while Bangladesh will offer similar benefits to 1,039 Japanese items. The formal signing is expected in January 2026, following months of negotiations led by trade officials from both countries.

The EPA also covers the services sector, with Bangladesh opening 97 service categories and Japan 120, aimed at boosting investment and technology exchange. The agreement follows eight rounds of discussions held alternately in Dhaka and Tokyo since early 2024. Officials say the deal will deepen bilateral trade ties and diversify Bangladesh’s export base beyond apparel.

Analysts view the EPA as a strategic step for Bangladesh ahead of its graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, ensuring continued market access in Asia’s third-largest economy. The agreement is expected to strengthen supply chains, attract Japanese investment, and enhance Bangladesh’s competitiveness in high-value exports.

Russia’s state space agency Roscosmos has announced plans to construct a nuclear power plant on the Moon by 2036. The facility is expected to supply electricity to Russia’s lunar exploration program and a planned joint Russia-China research base. The project will be developed in partnership with the Lavochkin Association, with participation from the state nuclear corporation Rosatom and the Kurchatov Institute, Russia’s leading nuclear research center.

The initiative marks Moscow’s renewed ambition to regain prominence in space exploration after setbacks such as the crash of its Luna-25 lander in 2023. Roscosmos described the proposed power plant as a critical step toward establishing a sustainable lunar presence. Although the agency did not explicitly confirm the plant’s nuclear nature, the involvement of major nuclear institutions strongly indicates that direction.

Analysts view the project as part of Russia’s broader strategy to compete with the United States and China in lunar development. If successful, it could enable long-term human and robotic operations on the Moon, though technical and financial challenges remain significant.

Pakistan has finalized the sale of a 75% stake in its national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), to Arif Habib Investment for $482 million. The auction, broadcast live on state television, saw participation from three domestic bidders. Arif Habib Investment emerged as the top bidder with an offer of 135 billion Pakistani rupees, narrowly surpassing a consortium led by Lucky Cement, which offered 134 billion rupees. Private airline Air Blue placed a distant third bid of 26.5 billion rupees.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the transaction as one of the largest in Pakistan’s history, emphasizing transparency throughout the process. The deal also grants Arif Habib Investment the option to acquire the remaining 25% of PIA shares in the coming months. The privatization move follows a failed attempt last year, as the government seeks to reduce losses and modernize the struggling airline.

Analysts say the sale could mark a turning point for Pakistan’s aviation sector, though challenges remain in restructuring operations and restoring PIA’s global reputation.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has alleged large-scale corruption worth Tk 2,926 crore in six government and private solar power projects implemented under the Awami League government. The findings, released at a press conference in Dhaka, indicate irregularities in land acquisition and inflated project cost estimates, particularly within the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).

According to TIB, while BPDB’s standard cost for generating one megawatt of solar power is around Tk 8 crore, the six projects studied were estimated at an average of Tk 13.08 crore per megawatt—over 1.5 times higher. The report also found that five of the projects involved Tk 249 crore in irregularities related to land purchase and acquisition.

TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said the findings highlight systemic weaknesses in project oversight and accountability. The organization urged the government to conduct independent audits and ensure transparency in future renewable energy initiatives to restore public trust and safeguard public funds.

Chevron has emerged as the only foreign oil company still operating in Venezuela, following renewed U.S. sanctions targeting the country's oil tankers. Despite Washington’s full embargo and the cancellation of most operating licenses earlier in 2025, the U.S. energy giant continues production under a special exemption. Chevron operates four oil fields and one offshore gas field in partnership with state-owned PDVSA, employing about 3,000 people.

Venezuela, home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves—around 303 billion barrels—has seen its daily output fall to 800,000–900,000 barrels, down from over 3 million a decade ago. Chevron contributes roughly 10% of current production, exporting 150,000–200,000 barrels daily to the U.S. Analysts note that the heavy, sulfur-rich crude is difficult to refine but strategically important for U.S. Gulf refineries.

Experts suggest Chevron’s continued presence reflects Washington’s geopolitical strategy to prevent China or Russia from filling the vacuum in Venezuela’s energy sector. The company insists its operations comply with U.S. law and contribute to regional stability and energy security.

Kuwait has signed a $4.1 billion agreement with China to construct the Mubarak Al-Kabir port on Bubiyan Island, a key component of the Gulf state’s plan to diversify its economy and expand its role in global trade. The deal, valued at 1.28 billion Kuwaiti dinars, covers engineering, procurement, and construction services, according to Kuwait’s State Audit Bureau.

The signing ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who emphasized that the project would strengthen Kuwait’s regional and international trade connectivity. China’s acting chargé d’affaires, Liu Xiang, said the agreement reflects Kuwait’s growing involvement in Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. The two nations had previously signed seven memoranda of understanding in 2023, covering housing, water treatment, and renewable energy projects.

Analysts view the port as a strategic investment that could enhance Kuwait’s logistics capacity and attract foreign trade flows. Construction is expected to begin soon, with the project seen as a cornerstone of Kuwait’s long-term economic diversification strategy.