Bangladesh’s export earnings have declined for four consecutive months since August of the 2025–26 fiscal year, reflecting persistent weakness in the country’s key apparel sector. According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), November’s export income fell by 5.54% year-on-year to $3.89 billion, down from $4.12 billion in the same month last year. Despite this, total exports for July–November reached $20.02 billion, slightly higher than $19.90 billion a year earlier, marking a marginal 0.62% growth. The readymade garment industry remained the top export earner, contributing $3.14 billion in November, though 5% lower than last year. Exporters attribute the decline to aggressive competition from China and India in the EU market and higher tariffs in the US, which have reduced demand by about 30%. Analysts warn that achieving the government’s $63 billion annual export target will be difficult amid sluggish global demand, high interest rates, and domestic economic challenges.

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has cancelled more than 550 flights nationwide for the fourth consecutive day, severely disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers. The cancellations affected major airports including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Goa. The disruption stems from newly implemented crew rostering and flight duty time limitation (FDTL) regulations, which have increased mandatory rest periods and reduced the number of permitted night landings. With a shortage of pilots and crew, IndiGo has struggled to maintain its schedule. The airline stated that it is taking all necessary measures to restore normal operations and expects the situation to stabilize within 48 hours. However, cancellations may continue for the next few days, and IndiGo plans to reduce flight operations from December 8. Passengers have faced severe inconvenience, with reports of thousands of unclaimed suitcases piling up at Delhi airport terminals.

A vessel carrying 60,950 metric tons of wheat from the United States has arrived at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port, marking the fourth shipment under a government-to-government (G2G) purchase agreement between Bangladesh and the US. According to the Ministry of Food, the wheat was imported under cash purchase contract G2G-01, part of a memorandum of understanding signed between the two governments. The total agreement covers the import of 440,000 metric tons of wheat. Earlier shipments arrived on October 25, November 3, and November 15, totaling 239,586 metric tons so far. The ministry confirmed that sample testing of the newly arrived wheat has already begun, and unloading will proceed once quality verification is complete. The import aims to strengthen Bangladesh’s food security and stabilize the domestic grain supply amid global market fluctuations.

Apple is expected to introduce a new budget-friendly model, the iPhone 17e, as part of its upcoming iPhone 17 series in early 2026, according to international media reports. The device will reportedly feature Apple’s next-generation A19 chip, promising improved gaming, image processing, and AI-driven performance. Analysts suggest that while CPU upgrades will be modest, GPU performance will see significant enhancement. The iPhone 17e is also expected to adopt the dynamic island design, replacing the older notch criticized in the iPhone 16e, giving it a more modern appearance and better notification handling. Camera improvements may include an 18-megapixel front camera with Center Stage support, automatically adjusting framing during video calls or selfies. Although Apple has not officially confirmed pricing or release dates, analysts predict a February 2026 launch, following the company’s usual schedule. In Bangladesh, the current iPhone 16e is priced around 75,000 taka.

A new study by the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) under India’s Ministry of Science and Technology has revealed that nano-plastics generated from single-use plastics such as PET bottles can severely disrupt key biological processes in the human body. Published in the journal *Nanoscale Advances*, the research led by Prashant Sharma and Sakshi Dagria shows that prolonged exposure to nano-plastics can impair beneficial gut bacteria, reduce their defense mechanisms, and increase antibiotic sensitivity. Laboratory tests demonstrated that these particles damage red blood cell membranes, cause oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammation, and even trigger apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death linked to cancer. The findings highlight that nano-plastics—tiny synthetic particles measuring between 1 and 1000 nanometers—pose emerging health risks by interfering with gut health, blood stability, and cellular metabolism. Researchers warn that long-term exposure to such particles could lead to significant physiological and genetic harm, underscoring the urgent need for stricter plastic waste management and further biomedical research.

Environmental, Forest and Climate Change, and Water Resources Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan has warned that many river-based infrastructure projects are inflicting irreversible environmental damage by ignoring rivers as living systems. Speaking virtually at a sub-regional workshop on ‘Water and Climate Resilience in the Hindu Kush Himalaya’ held in Kathmandu, she highlighted that despite having policies and institutions, implementation gaps remain a major obstacle in South Asia. Rizwana emphasized the need for fair water sharing, river rights, and disaster risk management among Himalayan countries. She noted that 90% of Bangladesh’s rivers originate upstream, making the nation highly vulnerable to transboundary impacts such as floods, droughts, and salinity. Citing Bangladesh’s accession to the UN Water Convention, she called for stronger cooperation in data sharing and early warning systems. Rizwana also praised Nepal’s river restoration efforts and stressed that rivers are living entities whose rights must be protected through accountability and regional trust-based hydropower collaboration.

More than 60,000 African penguins have died from starvation along South Africa’s coast, according to a new study published in the journal Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology. The research found that between 2004 and 2012, over 95% of penguins at key breeding sites on Dassen Island and Robben Island vanished due to lack of food during molting periods. The decline is attributed to climate change and overfishing, which have drastically reduced sardine populations—the penguins’ main food source. Scientists from the University of Exeter’s Centre for Ecology and Conservation warn that similar declines are occurring elsewhere. Over the past 30 years, the African penguin population has dropped by about 80%, and the species was declared critically endangered in 2024, with fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs remaining. Changes in ocean temperature and salinity have disrupted sardine spawning, while fishing pressure continues to rise, worsening the crisis for these seabirds.

Thousands of government employees gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on Friday, December 5, demanding the immediate implementation of the ninth pay scale. The rally, organized by the Government Employees Demand Implementation Unity Council, was attended by representatives from various departments, including the Bangladesh Postal Department. Abu Nasir Khan, president of the Bangladesh Administrative Officers Implementation Unity Council, said that although salaries were supposed to be adjusted every five years, no pay increase has occurred since 2015 despite soaring living costs. He criticized the interim government’s delay, noting that the finance adviser’s statement that the next government would implement the pay scale had angered employees. Speakers, including Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Nurul Haque Nur, expressed solidarity with the workers’ demands. The participants urged the interim government to announce and enforce a fair and discrimination-free ninth pay scale before the national election schedule is declared.

A persistent cold wave has gripped Kurigram district for the past five days, severely disrupting daily life. The temperature dropped to 13.3°C on Friday, according to the Rajarhat Agricultural Weather Observatory. The biting cold and chilly winds have confined many residents, especially those living on the riverine islands (chars), to their homes. Day laborers, elderly people, women, and children are among the worst affected, as outdoor work has become nearly impossible. Many low-income families are struggling financially due to halted work opportunities. Residents report a lack of warm clothing, while cold-related illnesses such as fever and cough are spreading. Areas along the Brahmaputra River, including Ulipur, Chilmari, Roumari, and Char Rajibpur, are experiencing the harshest conditions. Authorities note that humidity levels remain high at 98%, with temperatures fluctuating between 12°C and 13°C over recent days.

Despite strict government warnings, edible oil prices in Bangladesh have surged again, with producers allegedly increasing prices without official approval. Bottled soybean oil is now selling at Tk 198 per liter, up Tk 9 from the previous rate. The Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati Manufacturers Association had twice sought permission from the Commerce Ministry to raise prices but received no response. Ignoring the ministry, producers raised prices and distributed oil with new labels, causing shortages in retail markets. Retailers claim they are being forced to sell at higher prices while facing potential fines. The Commerce Ministry later held an emergency meeting and proposed a Tk 5 increase instead of Tk 9, with a final decision expected Sunday. Consumer rights groups and government officials have warned of legal action against unauthorized price hikes and hoarding, emphasizing the need to stabilize essential commodity prices ahead of Ramadan.

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has cancelled more than 550 flights in a single day, marking the worst air travel disruption in two decades. The airline attributed the cancellations to a combination of crew shortages, planning errors linked to new flight duty time limitation (FDTL) regulations, and technical issues. The new policy, effective since November 1, aims to reduce pilot fatigue and enhance safety but has increased the demand for pilots, especially for night operations. IndiGo’s on-time performance dropped sharply to 19.7 percent on Wednesday, down from 35 percent the previous day. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have held meetings with IndiGo executives to address the crisis. Major airports including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Goa were affected. IndiGo operates around 2,300 flights daily and is planning further cancellations over the next few days as it works to restore normal operations.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast multiple cold waves and possible hailstorms across the country between December and February. The long-range three-month outlook predicts three to eight mild to moderate cold spells, with two to three potentially becoming severe as temperatures drop to between 4°C and 6°C. Despite the cold, overall rainfall is expected to remain normal, and daytime and nighttime temperatures may stay slightly above average. Dense fog is likely to form over river basins and other areas from late night to morning, occasionally lasting until noon. The forecast also warns of one or two days of hailstorms and thunderstorms in late February. The lowest temperature has already dropped to 12°C, signaling the onset of winter across the country.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast multiple cold waves across the country during the upcoming winter months from December to February. According to the seasonal outlook, two to three severe cold waves are expected, with temperatures possibly dropping as low as 4°C in some regions. Additionally, three to eight mild to moderate cold waves are likely, with temperatures ranging between 6°C and 10°C. The forecast also warns of moderate to dense fog, particularly in river basins and surrounding areas during late night and early morning hours, which could intensify the feeling of cold. The department further predicts that in late February, some areas may experience one or two days of hailstorms accompanied by thunderstorms. Authorities have advised citizens to prepare for the cold and take necessary precautions to minimize health and agricultural impacts.

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck China's northwestern Xinjiang region on Thursday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). The quake occurred at 3:44 p.m. local time near Akqi County, close to the Kyrgyzstan-Xinjiang border, with its epicenter located about 10 kilometers underground. State media outlet Xinhua reported that as of 4:34 p.m. local time, there were no reports of casualties or building collapses. Local authorities confirmed that transportation, electricity, and telecommunications systems across Akqi County remained fully operational. The CENC recorded the epicenter at 41.13 degrees north latitude and 78.40 degrees east longitude. While the tremor was strong, initial assessments suggest minimal impact on infrastructure or residents in the affected area.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is preparing to operate three weekly flights between Dhaka and Karachi, according to Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Iqbal Hussain Khan. Speaking at the Foreign Services Academy in Islamabad, he confirmed that the national carrier will soon begin direct operations on the route. He also clarified that the flights will use Indian airspace, similar to how Indian aircraft use Bangladesh’s airspace. Due to India’s ongoing airspace restrictions on Pakistan, Pakistani airlines are unlikely to start flights to Dhaka soon. The High Commissioner emphasized that direct air connectivity could significantly enhance bilateral trade, which remains limited due to logistical barriers. He noted that in the past, direct trade links existed via rail, and improved connectivity could benefit farmers and expand profitable commerce. Khan further stressed that weak regional connectivity hinders South Asia’s progress and that regional cooperation is essential for sustainable development.