The International Energy Agency (IEA) has projected that global coal consumption will reach an all-time high of approximately 8.85 billion tons in 2025, marking a 0.5% increase from the previous year. The agency’s annual report, released Wednesday, attributes the growth partly to U.S. policy decisions under the Trump administration aimed at revitalizing industrial sectors.

According to the IEA, China and India remain the primary drivers of global coal use due to rising electricity demand and industrial expansion. While China’s consumption has stabilized, India’s demand has recently declined due to increased hydropower generation from early and intense monsoon seasons. In contrast, U.S. coal demand has risen as higher natural gas prices and federal support have kept coal-fired plants operational.

The IEA warns that coal remains the largest source of human-induced carbon dioxide emissions, significantly contributing to global warming. However, it expects demand to gradually decline toward the end of the decade as renewable energy capacity expands worldwide.

The United Kingdom, long known for its cloudy and damp weather, experienced its sunniest year on record in 2025, according to the UK Met Office. By December 15, the country had recorded an average of 1,622 hours of sunshine, surpassing the previous record set in 2003. The agency attributed the unusual brightness to persistent high-pressure systems that reduced cloud cover and brought prolonged periods of clear skies, particularly during spring and summer.

The Met Office also confirmed that 2025 marked the warmest summer in UK history, with average temperatures reaching 16.10°C, exceeding the 2018 record of 15.76°C. While scientists have long warned that human-induced climate change is intensifying extreme weather events, the Met Office stated there is no clear evidence linking climate change to long-term increases in sunshine duration.

Officials noted that overall sunshine levels have been rising since the 1980s, though the exact cause remains uncertain. Possible explanations include natural variability and a reduction in atmospheric aerosols, which may have allowed more sunlight to reach the surface.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has identified brokers as the main obstacle to the country’s overseas manpower exports. Speaking at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium on the occasion of International Migrants Day and National Expatriates Day 2025, he urged authorities to protect migrant workers from exploitation and to free the sector from middlemen. According to Yunus, the entire labor export process is dominated by brokers who deceive workers and hinder progress.

Dr. Yunus emphasized that Bangladesh’s youthful population is a valuable resource in a world facing labor shortages. Citing his recent visit to Japan, he noted that Japan needs workers and that Bangladesh could supply up to 100,000 if language training is ensured. He expressed surprise that Japan recruited 7,000 workers from Nepal but only 2,000 from Bangladesh.

He added that many Japanese cities face severe labor shortages, with idle farmland and halted taxi services. Yunus urged reforms to ensure transparent recruitment, enabling Bangladesh to capitalize on its demographic advantage and expand its global labor footprint.

A mild cold wave has continued for seven consecutive days in Tetulia, Panchagarh, marking the lowest temperatures in Bangladesh for over a week. On Wednesday, December 17, the Tetulia Weather Observatory recorded a minimum temperature of 9.7°C with 71% humidity, following 9.5°C the previous day and 9°C on December 15. The daytime highs have remained around 27°C, indicating a sharp contrast between day and night temperatures.

According to Jitendranath Roy, acting officer of the Tetulia Weather Observatory, the mild cold wave began on December 11 and has persisted across various parts of the upazila. The consistent low temperatures have made Tetulia the coldest region in the country during this period. Local residents have reportedly experienced increased cold discomfort, especially during early mornings and late nights.

Meteorologists expect the cold conditions to continue for several more days, with the possibility of the cold wave spreading to adjacent northern districts. Authorities have advised residents to take precautions against cold-related illnesses, particularly among children and the elderly.

Bangladesh Bank’s latest report reveals that as of September 2025, nearly 91% of all defaulted loans in the banking sector have become unrecoverable, posing a severe threat to the country’s financial stability. The total volume of defaulted loans reached BDT 6.44 trillion, with BDT 5.85 trillion classified as bad or loss category. This marks a sharp rise from the previous year, when unrecoverable loans accounted for about 82% of total defaults.

Sector insiders attribute the surge to large business groups that borrowed heavily during the previous Awami League government and allegedly siphoned funds abroad. Following political changes, many borrowers fled the country, further reducing recovery prospects. State-owned banks hold the largest share of bad loans, with Janata Bank alone reporting BDT 695.86 billion in unrecoverable debt. Private banks, including Islami Bank Bangladesh and First Security Islami Bank, also face mounting pressure.

Experts warn that the growing volume of bad loans will erode banks’ lending capacity and profitability, as they must maintain full provisioning against such debts. Bangladesh Bank has identified 24 commercial banks failing to meet required provisions, signaling deep structural stress in the sector.

After nearly eight months of inactivity, the dry fish hubs of Asharchar and Nidrarchar in Barguna’s Taltali upazila have regained vitality as thousands of fishermen, traders, and workers return for the new season. Using natural, chemical-free drying methods, the communities are producing and supplying dried fish across Bangladesh, with some exports abroad. However, poor roads, inadequate sanitation, and lack of permanent facilities continue to hinder progress.

Local traders and union leaders warn that without government intervention, the once-thriving industry could decline further. They cite pollution from the nearby Payra thermal power plant as a major threat to marine life and fish yields. Despite these challenges, officials from the Department of Fisheries and local administration have promised to take steps to improve infrastructure and ensure sustainable livelihoods.

The dry fish sector, employing thousands and supporting coastal economies, remains a vital yet vulnerable part of Bangladesh’s fisheries industry. Stakeholders urge coordinated planning and investment to preserve this traditional trade and protect the environment.

Iraq’s iconic Tigris River, once the lifeline of Mesopotamian civilization, is now drying up due to severe pollution, upstream dam construction, and climate change. Stretching nearly 2,000 kilometers, the river’s flow has drastically declined, endangering the livelihoods of about 18 million people who rely on it for irrigation, drinking water, and power generation. Environmental groups warn that without urgent intervention, the river could face near extinction.

Experts attribute the crisis to multiple factors: untreated sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff have severely degraded water quality, while Turkey and Iran’s dams have reduced water flow into Iraq by over 30%. Local activists, such as Humat Dijlah’s founder Salman Khairallah, emphasize that the river’s decline is both an ecological and spiritual loss. In response, Baghdad and Ankara signed a recent “oil-for-water” deal to fund water management and pollution control projects.

If current trends persist, Iraq could face its worst drought in a century by 2035, with water demand far exceeding supply, posing grave risks to regional stability and heritage preservation.

Bangladesh Bank has directed all scheduled banks to maintain uninterrupted services for replacing torn, damaged, or soiled banknotes. The central bank issued a circular through its Department of Currency Management, warning that any negligence in complying with the directive will lead to action against the concerned banks. The move aims to ensure that citizens can easily exchange unfit notes without disruption across all bank branches.

According to the circular, if more than 90% of a note remains intact and its security features are identifiable, banks must provide full value even if the note is unfit for circulation. Notes torn into two pieces must be attached to thin white paper for identification before submission. Notes deemed claimable will be sent to the nearest Bangladesh Bank office for verification, with payment decisions made within eight weeks. Customers must bear postal or courier costs, while burnt notes must be submitted directly to the central bank’s claim desk.

The circular also requires branches to display visible notices about this service and to report monthly data on note exchanges to Bangladesh Bank to enhance transparency and accountability in cash transactions.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) has been unable to launch Bangladesh’s first commodity exchange as the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has not yet approved the proposed products and broker registrations, despite more than four months passing since applications were filed. CSE had applied for approval of gold, silver, and crude palm oil trading, along with registration for five brokers, but both remain pending.

BSEC officials say the commission is positive about the initiative but is still reviewing legal and operational aspects before granting final approval. CSE claims it has completed all technical preparations, including automated trading tests, and is conducting five days of mock trading from December 19 to 23. Officials express frustration over the delay, noting that nearly Tk 100 crore has already been invested in the project.

The delay reflects regulatory indecision and limited experience with commodity markets in Bangladesh. Analysts suggest that faster approval could help diversify the country’s capital market, while further delays risk eroding investor confidence and slowing financial innovation.

The Indian rupee fell to a record low of 90.74 against the U.S. dollar on Monday, surpassing its previous all-time low of 90.55 recorded on December 12. The decline came amid prolonged deadlock in U.S.-India trade talks and continued foreign investor withdrawals from India’s bond and equity markets. The rupee weakened by 0.3 percent as investor confidence waned following new U.S. tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian goods.

Foreign investors have sold over $18 billion worth of Indian equities so far in 2025, making India one of the hardest-hit emerging markets for portfolio outflows. More than $500 million in bonds were also offloaded in December. Analysts expect India’s trade deficit to narrow to $32 billion from October’s record $41 billion, though concerns over external financing remain.

Finrex Treasury Advisors’ Anil Bansali warned that the rupee may test support levels at 90.80, with risks extending toward 91–92. The Reserve Bank of India is reportedly allowing market forces to dictate pricing, intervening only to curb excessive volatility.

Aditya Dhar’s new film *DhuranDhar*, released on December 5 across Indian cinemas, has ignited intense political and social debate. The three-hour spy thriller revisits major terror incidents such as the 1999 Kandahar hijacking, the 2001 Parliament attack, and the 2008 Mumbai attacks. While audiences have praised its cinematic scale and storytelling, critics argue that the film carries hyper-nationalist overtones and religious bias, prompting bans in several Gulf countries.

Political reactions have been sharply divided. Congress MP Tariq Anwar accused the film of promoting Islamophobia, while BJP leaders defended it as a factual portrayal of terrorism. Actor Hrithik Roshan publicly expressed discomfort with the movie’s political stance. Analysts note that Dhar’s work, including his earlier *Uri: The Surgical Strike*, aligns with government narratives on national security and patriotism.

Experts suggest *DhuranDhar* reflects a broader trend of Bollywood films reinforcing state ideology since 2014. Its upcoming second part, due in March, is expected to reignite debates over religion, nationalism, and the politicization of Indian cinema.

The European Union is preparing to withdraw its landmark 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales, a move expected to be part of a broader reform package aimed at supporting Europe’s struggling automotive sector. The European Commission may instead propose a 90% reduction in carbon emissions from new vehicles, replacing the full ban initially adopted under the EU’s Green Deal.

The shift follows intense lobbying from car manufacturers and member states such as Germany and Italy, who argue that slow electric vehicle (EV) adoption and competition from China make the original target unrealistic. According to industry data, only about 16% of new cars sold in Europe during the first nine months of 2025 were battery-powered. Environmental groups warn that relaxing the ban could undermine climate goals and discourage EV investment.

The Commission is also considering new incentives for small and affordable EVs and measures to green corporate fleets. The final proposal is expected to test the EU’s balance between industrial competitiveness and environmental commitments.

Farmers in Shibganj, Chapainawabganj, are celebrating a bumper yield of off-season Katimon mangoes, which have already reached markets across Bangladesh. Favorable weather conditions contributed to strong production, while high demand from Dhaka traders has driven prices upward. Wholesale buyers are crowding the Kansat mango market, purchasing the premium fruit at record prices.

According to local traders, top-grade Katimon mangoes are selling for Tk 15,000–16,000 per maund, up from Tk 13,000–14,000 just a week earlier. Agricultural officials report that around 2,150 hectares in the upazila are now dedicated to Katimon cultivation, reflecting its growing popularity. Farmers say advance bookings from urban buyers have further boosted local prices.

While growers and wholesalers benefit from the strong market, retail consumers complain that the fruit has become unaffordable. The Department of Agricultural Extension expects production to expand next year with proper management, as more farmers shift toward cultivating this profitable off-season variety.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has postponed the launch of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system to January 1, shifting from the earlier date of December 16. The decision, announced in a BTRC press release on Monday, aims to give mobile phone traders additional time to register unsold or stocked imported handsets in the system.

According to BTRC sources, many retailers have yet to submit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) data for their devices, prompting the extension. The commission has requested all mobile phone traders to send the required information in a specified Microsoft Excel format to neir@btrc.gov.bd by December 31.

The NEIR system is designed to curb mobile phone theft and illegal handset use by tracking IMEI numbers nationwide. Once operational, it will help authorities block unauthorized or cloned devices from accessing mobile networks, enhancing consumer protection and national security.

Russia’s central bank has filed a lawsuit against Belgium-based financial clearing house Euroclear, seeking $230 billion in compensation for frozen sovereign assets. The case, accepted by a Moscow commercial court on December 12, follows the European Union’s plan to use part of the seized Russian reserves to fund loans for Ukraine’s military and civilian needs in 2026 and 2027. The Kremlin described the move as the beginning of a “legal nightmare” for Europe.

After Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, EU states froze roughly €210 billion of Russian central bank assets. EU leaders recently agreed to keep these assets frozen indefinitely, arguing that supporting Ukraine is essential to deter future Russian aggression. Moscow, however, calls the EU’s plan “theft” and warns it will erode global trust in the euro and European financial institutions. Legal experts suggest Russian courts may rule quickly in Moscow’s favor.

If successful, Russia could seek to seize Euroclear’s assets in friendly jurisdictions such as China, the UAE, and Kazakhstan. The dispute underscores deep divisions within Europe and raises concerns about the precedent of confiscating sovereign assets during wartime.