A fisherman in Kaptai, Rangamati, caught a massive 23-kilogram Catla fish in the Karnaphuli River on Monday evening. The fish was netted near the Koila Depot Ghat area of Chandraghona Union’s Ward No. 3 by local fisherman Ujjal Mallik while he was fishing with a traditional net. Later that night, he sold the fish to local residents at 1,000 taka per kilogram, earning a total of 23,000 taka.

Speaking by phone on Tuesday, Mallik said he had gone fishing in the afternoon and was surprised by the size of the catch. He mentioned that this was not his first large catch—he had previously caught another 23-kilogram fish in the same river. Local residents gathered to see the rare catch, which drew attention for its size and price.

Such large fish are increasingly uncommon in the Karnaphuli River, highlighting both the river’s biodiversity and the challenges faced by local fishermen due to declining fish populations.

Each winter, New Delhi is engulfed in a thick layer of toxic smog that severely impacts public health, sending thousands to hospitals with respiratory illnesses. Despite repeated government pledges to combat air pollution, the Indian capital continues to record some of the world’s highest pollution levels, prompting growing fears that the city may soon become unliveable.

Experts attribute the recurring smog to a combination of vehicle emissions, industrial output, and seasonal crop burning in neighboring states. Residents have expressed frustration over what they see as inadequate enforcement of pollution controls and insufficient investment in cleaner energy alternatives. Environmental activists argue that policy measures have been reactive rather than preventive, with temporary school closures and traffic restrictions offering little long-term relief.

As public pressure mounts, authorities are under increasing scrutiny to deliver tangible improvements. Analysts warn that without systemic reforms and regional cooperation, New Delhi’s air quality crisis could deepen, threatening both economic productivity and the health of over 20 million residents.

Bangladesh’s prison authorities are preparing to launch a video calling system that will allow inmates to communicate with their families using IP phones. Currently, prisoners can make a 10-minute voice call every seven days for 10 taka through a fingerprint-based system. The new initiative will expand this service to include video calls, enabling inmates to see their relatives for 10 minutes each week at a cost of 15 taka.

Officials from the Department of Prisons said the move aims to reduce the financial and emotional burden on families who often travel long distances to visit inmates, spending an average of 3,000 taka per visit. The system will be centrally controlled through software, ensuring security and monitoring. Assistant Inspector General (Development) Md. Jannat-ul Farhad stated that the success of the fingerprint-based calling system encouraged the adoption of IP-based video communication.

Authorities believe the video call service will modernize prison communication, reduce inmate isolation, and strengthen family ties. The installation of IP phones across all prisons is expected to begin soon.

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has canceled around 2,000 flights nationwide, disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers. The cancellations, caused by pilot shortages and failure to comply with new duty-time regulations, have led to chaos at airports and significant delays. With a 65% share of India’s domestic market, IndiGo’s operational breakdown has had a cascading effect across the country’s aviation network.

The crisis comes as rival Air India, holding 27% of the market, faces scrutiny over poor service and recent safety incidents. The government has temporarily eased pilot fatigue management rules to stabilize operations. Industry experts warn that IndiGo’s dominance—along with Air India’s presence—creates a near-duopoly, leaving the entire sector vulnerable to disruptions. Refund losses have already reached $68 million, and on-time performance has dropped to just 3.7%.

Analysts say the episode highlights structural weaknesses in India’s civil aviation system, where overreliance on a single carrier poses systemic risks. The government may face pressure to diversify competition and strengthen regulatory oversight.

The diamond polishing hub of Surat, India, is facing an unprecedented crisis as new US tariffs and global demand slumps cripple the industry. Once a symbol of upward mobility for rural migrants, the city’s diamond sector has seen massive layoffs, with nearly 400,000 workers affected by job losses, pay cuts, or reduced hours. Families like that of Alpesh Bhai, who once afforded private schooling for their children, are now struggling to cover basic needs after losing stable incomes.

The crisis deepened after the United States imposed 50 percent tariffs on Indian diamond exports, compounding earlier disruptions from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and weakened demand in China and the US. Government data show hundreds of children have dropped out or shifted from private to public schools, where education quality remains poor. The Gujarat government’s relief package, covering one year of school fees for unemployed diamond workers’ children, has reached only a fraction of applicants, leaving many excluded.

Union leaders warn of growing mental health distress, with more than 70 suicides among diamond workers reported in 2024. The industry’s recovery remains uncertain, as families continue to bear the social and educational costs of a collapsing export market.

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan late Monday, injuring at least 23 people and prompting tsunami warnings across several prefectures. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) initially warned of waves up to three meters high for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate, but later downgraded the alerts to advisories after smaller waves of 20 to 70 centimeters were observed. The quake’s epicenter was located about 80 kilometers off Aomori at a depth of 50 kilometers.

Authorities reported power outages affecting around 800 homes, with nearly 480 residents seeking shelter at a local airbase. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents to evacuate to higher ground, while Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi deployed 18 helicopters for damage assessment. Train services were suspended, and about 200 passengers were stranded overnight at Hokkaido’s New Chitose Airport. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed no abnormalities at nearby nuclear plants, including Fukushima.

Japan, situated along the seismically active Ring of Fire, experiences roughly 20 percent of the world’s major earthquakes. The latest tremor revived memories of the catastrophic 2011 quake and tsunami that devastated the Tohoku region.

Bangladesh Bank has released a new report estimating the total assets of the country’s financial sector at Tk 42.42 trillion as of June 2025. The figure includes banks, non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), insurance companies, and capital market entities. About 96% of these assets are held by the banking sector, while insurance and capital market institutions account for less than 3%. However, economists warn that the reported figure represents gross assets and may not reflect the true financial health of the sector.

Experts, including former Bangladesh Bank chief economist Dr. Mustafa K. Mujeri, have questioned the reliability of the data, citing massive loan defaults and corruption across financial institutions. Non-performing loans now exceed Tk 6.4 trillion, with over one-third of NBFI loans in default. Mujeri and others argue that only forensic audits can reveal the real asset value, but such efforts remain limited. The central bank says it plans to expand data coverage in future surveys to improve accuracy.

The findings highlight deep structural weaknesses in Bangladesh’s financial governance. Analysts urge the interim government and regulators to strengthen oversight, enforce transparency, and restore public confidence before further instability spreads across the sector.

A 3.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar late on Monday night, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS) as reported by ANI. The quake occurred at a depth of about 30 kilometers beneath the surface and was recorded at 2:21 a.m. local time. Earlier the same day, a smaller 3.5 magnitude tremor had been reported in the same region at a depth of 10 kilometers.

The NCS confirmed the seismic activity through a post on social media platform X, noting that no immediate reports of casualties or damage had been received. Some social media users claimed that the tremors were also felt in parts of Bangladesh, including Chattogram and Rangamati, though these reports remain unverified.

Seismologists noted that Myanmar lies in a seismically active zone where moderate quakes are relatively common. Authorities are monitoring the situation for any aftershocks or structural impacts, while regional disaster agencies have been placed on alert.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on rice imports from India and fertilizer from Canada, citing stalled trade negotiations with both countries. Speaking at a White House meeting on Monday, Trump said his administration could act soon if talks fail to progress. He also announced a $12 billion agricultural relief package aimed at supporting American farmers struggling with inflation and low commodity prices.

According to Indian media reports, Trump criticized agricultural imports from Asia, arguing that foreign products were harming U.S. producers. He accused India of dumping rice in the American market and suggested tariffs would quickly resolve the issue. A Louisiana rice producer described Indian rice imports as “devastating” for southern farmers, while Trump emphasized tariffs as his main tool to protect domestic agriculture.

The move comes amid growing U.S.–India agricultural trade, which includes rice, spices, and seafood exports from India and nut, cotton, and pulse imports from the U.S. Analysts warn that new tariffs could strain bilateral trade and complicate ongoing WTO disputes over subsidies and market access.

Bangladeshi actor Omar Sani has issued a strong response to singer Asif Akbar after the latter made personal remarks about him during a recent podcast. The dispute began last month when Asif faced criticism for his comments about national football and players, prompting reactions from several celebrities, including Sani. In the podcast, Asif described Sani as a 'simple man' and 'woman-dominated', while also making comments about his personal life, though he later softened his tone by saying 'I love him'.

In a Facebook video message posted Monday morning, Omar Sani condemned Asif’s remarks, stating he had never spoken ill of Asif’s personal life and only commented on professional matters. He warned Asif against involving family issues in public discussions and challenged him to address disagreements face-to-face. Sani further urged Asif to maintain dignity and respect, reminding him that fame should be accompanied by humility.

The exchange has drawn attention across social media, reflecting ongoing tensions between entertainment figures and the boundaries of personal commentary in public discourse.

Dhaka experienced a noticeable drop in temperature on Tuesday, with the mercury dipping to 17°C — the lowest recorded so far this season. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department’s (BMD) storm warning center, the capital and surrounding areas will see dry conditions with partly cloudy skies over the next six hours. Winds from the north and northwest are expected to flow at speeds between 6 and 12 kilometers per hour.

The BMD reported that humidity in Dhaka stood at 89% at 6 a.m., while the city’s maximum temperature on Monday reached 27.8°C. No rainfall was recorded in the past 24 hours. Sunset is expected at 5:12 p.m., and sunrise tomorrow at 6:30 a.m. Nationwide, weather conditions are expected to remain dry, with nighttime temperatures likely to fall further.

Meteorologists suggest that the gradual cooling trend signals the onset of the winter season across Bangladesh, with cooler nights and mild days expected in the coming weeks.

A strong 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan late Monday night, injuring at least 30 people and leaving more than 2,000 homes without electricity. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake’s epicenter was located about 80 kilometers off the coast of Aomori Prefecture at a depth of 50 kilometers beneath the seabed. The agency initially issued a tsunami warning, which was later lifted after no major waves were detected.

Authorities reported that around 70,000 residents from coastal areas of Aomori and nearby regions were temporarily evacuated as a precaution. Prime Minister Sanae Takachi urged citizens to remain alert over the coming days, warning of possible aftershocks and advising households to secure belongings to prevent further damage. Geological experts also cautioned that additional seismic activity could follow.

Emergency crews are working to restore power and assess structural damage. While transportation services have resumed in most areas, officials continue to monitor infrastructure stability and provide shelter for displaced residents.

At a seminar in Manikganj, the Director General of the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate, Faruk Ahmed, highlighted widespread irregularities in the market and the challenges faced by regulators with limited manpower. He remarked that nearly every product category shows problems, emphasizing that the agency’s goal is not punishment but correction and awareness.

Ahmed announced that the Directorate has proposed amendments to the Consumer Rights Protection Act of 2009, citing existing legal barriers that hinder effective enforcement. He urged both consumers and businesses to act responsibly—consumers by becoming more aware, and businesses by maintaining honesty and integrity. The seminar, organized by the district administration and the Directorate’s local office, was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Nazmun Ara Sultana and attended by officials, business leaders, and journalists.

The proposed legal reforms aim to strengthen consumer protection mechanisms and ensure a fairer marketplace. Officials indicated that awareness campaigns and stakeholder consultations will continue as part of the Directorate’s broader reform agenda.

Residents of several neighborhoods in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area blocked the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway on Monday, demanding restoration of household gas supply. The protest, which began around noon and lasted over three hours, brought traffic to a standstill across major routes including Mayor Hanif Flyover and Gulistan. Demonstrators carried placards calling for an end to alleged syndicate manipulation and urged authorities to resolve the gas crisis immediately.

The blockade caused heavy congestion stretching up to nine kilometers, severely disrupting city and long-distance travel. Ambulances faced delays, and one patient reportedly died en route to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Residents said they had been without gas for nearly three months, forcing families to cook with firewood or rely on restaurant food. Despite repeated complaints to Titas Gas, no improvement was seen. Police officials negotiated with gas authorities, who promised to restore supply, prompting protesters to withdraw.

The incident underscores Dhaka’s recurring utility supply challenges and highlights growing public frustration over service inefficiencies. Authorities have pledged to investigate the cause of the prolonged disruption.

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md Abdur Rahman has warned that the country is already caught in a debt trap, stressing that acknowledging this reality is essential for moving forward. Speaking at a seminar in Dhaka’s NEC conference hall, he highlighted the sharp decline in the tax-to-GDP ratio—from over 10 percent a few years ago to around 7 percent now—and called for identifying the structural weaknesses behind this fall.

The seminar, organized by the General Economics Division (GED) of the Planning Commission, also unveiled the ‘Bangladesh State of the Economy 2025’ and the ‘SDG Progress Report 2025’. Policy experts, including CPD’s Mustafizur Rahman and former World Bank economist Zahid Hossain, expressed concern that rising debt servicing costs are crowding out spending on vital sectors such as agriculture and education. Rahman noted that interest payments have now become one of the largest budgetary expenditures.

Analysts warned that unless revenue mobilization improves, Bangladesh may face increasing pressure to borrow to repay existing loans, risking long-term fiscal sustainability and development priorities.