Denmark’s national postal service, PostNord, announced it will deliver its final batch of letters on December 30, 2025, marking the end of a 400-year-old tradition that began in 1624. The decision follows a dramatic decline in letter volumes, with mail usage dropping by over 90% in the past 25 years as digital communication and e-commerce reshaped postal demand.

As part of the transition, PostNord will lay off around 1,500 employees and remove 1,500 of its iconic red mailboxes. The company has already sold 1,000 mailboxes within hours of listing them, with additional units set for auction in January. Private courier DAO will expand its letter delivery services from January 1, offering online payment and home collection options.

Experts note that while physical letters are fading, their emotional and cultural value is rising. Younger Danes, particularly those aged 18–34, are reportedly sending more letters than older generations, viewing handwritten correspondence as a meaningful counterbalance to digital saturation.

Bangladeshi non-governmental organization CSS has announced a new recruitment circular for 2025, seeking to hire 200 loan officers. The circular, published on December 20, 2025, invites both male and female candidates with at least an HSC or bachelor’s degree to apply. Applications must be submitted online between January 9 and January 30, 2026, depending on the chosen deadline. The salary range for the positions is set between BDT 23,080 and BDT 25,000 per month.

According to the announcement, both fresh graduates and experienced applicants are eligible to apply, provided they meet the minimum age requirement of 18 years. The recruitment process will be conducted through a formal examination. CSS, known for its community development and microfinance programs, aims to expand its workforce to strengthen its financial inclusion initiatives.

The recruitment is expected to support CSS’s ongoing rural development projects and microcredit operations. Interested candidates are advised to complete their online applications within the specified dates to ensure eligibility for the selection process.

Bangladesh Bank has reduced the provisioning rate for loans in the agriculture and cottage, micro, small, and medium enterprise (CMSME) sectors to encourage banks to expand credit to these areas. According to a circular issued on Sunday, banks will now need to maintain only 0.5% provisioning against standard and special mention account (SMA) loans in these sectors until December 31, 2026. This marks a reduction from the previous 1% rate set in October 2025.

The central bank stated that the decision aims to stimulate short-term agricultural lending and support small-scale industries that are vital for rural employment and economic resilience. Financial analysts view the move as a liquidity-friendly measure that could ease credit flow to underserved sectors. However, some caution that lower provisioning may heighten risk exposure if loan recovery remains weak.

The revised policy is expected to help banks allocate more funds to productive sectors, potentially boosting rural output and SME growth in 2026. Bangladesh Bank will monitor compliance and loan performance under the new framework.

Bangladesh Bank reported that the country received $2.17 billion in remittances during the first 20 days of December 2025, equivalent to about Tk 26,499 crore at an exchange rate of Tk 122 per US dollar. The data highlights strong inflows through private and state-owned banks, reflecting continued reliance on expatriate earnings to support the national economy.

According to the central bank’s updated report, private banks handled the majority of remittances, totaling $1.58 billion, while state-owned banks received $371 million and specialized banks $215 million. Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited topped the list with $484.9 million, followed by Bangladesh Krishi Bank and Janata Bank. Eight banks, including five foreign ones, reported no remittance inflows during the period.

Economists note that the steady remittance flow remains a vital source of foreign exchange amid global economic uncertainty. Analysts expect total December inflows to surpass previous months if the current pace continues, helping to stabilize the country’s reserves and currency value.

Bangladesh Bank has purchased $2.93 billion from commercial banks in the first half of the current fiscal year, including $60 million from four banks last Sunday. The central bank confirmed the move as part of its strategy to prevent the dollar’s value from falling too sharply amid increased foreign currency supply.

Officials said the market has seen a turnaround since the fall of the previous government, with remittance inflows and export earnings both rising following tighter anti–money laundering measures. Between fiscal years 2021–22 and 2023–24, the central bank sold nearly $34 billion to stabilize the market, but this year it has shifted to buying dollars as supply now exceeds demand.

Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan stated that the intervention aims to maintain exchange rate balance and protect exporters and remittance earners from losses. As a result, the country’s foreign exchange reserves have risen to $32.57 billion, or $27.87 billion under IMF’s BPM–6 methodology. Analysts say sustained inflows could further strengthen reserves if the trend continues.

In Naldanga upazila of Natore, Bangladesh, farmers have begun planting onion and garlic with renewed optimism for the winter season. Favorable weather and last year’s good prices have encouraged many to expand cultivation, with local agricultural officials setting ambitious acreage targets and promoting improved seed varieties.

However, this optimism is clouded by an acute fertilizer shortage. Farmers allege that local dealers are distributing fertilizer selectively, forcing many to buy at inflated retail prices—up to Tk 1,000 higher per sack and often underweight. Small and medium farmers say these irregularities are undermining their ability to cultivate properly. Agricultural officers acknowledge the problem and stress the need for transparent distribution and stronger monitoring.

If the shortage persists, farmers fear reduced yields could disrupt future market supply, potentially driving up prices. They are urging the administration to ensure fair fertilizer access and curb dealer malpractice before the planting season’s critical window closes.

National Tubes Limited (NTL), Bangladesh’s only manufacturer of MS and GI pipes licensed by the American Petroleum Institute (API), held its 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday at its Tongi, Gazipur factory premises. The meeting was chaired by Md. Anwarul Alam, Additional Secretary and Chairman of Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation (BSEC) and NTL’s Board of Directors.

The event was attended by board members including A.K.M. Mizanur Rahman, Director (Finance) of Petrobangla; Nurunnahar, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Industries; Dr. Ridwanul Haque, Professor at IBA, University of Dhaka; Company Secretary Mohammad Abu Sayeem; and Managing Director Engineer Nirupam Singh. Shareholders, BSEC officials, and employees from all levels of the company were also present.

The AGM highlighted NTL’s continued role in Bangladesh’s industrial sector and its strategic importance as the country’s sole API-certified pipe producer. Stakeholders discussed operational performance, future growth opportunities, and the company’s contribution to national infrastructure development.

The Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (Palli Bidyut Samiti) has announced its 2025 recruitment circulars, published on December 2 and 18, 2025. The authority plans to hire a total of six individuals across four job categories, offering permanent government positions for both male and female candidates. Applications can be submitted directly, by post, or online until December 22, 2025, and January 8, 2026, depending on the specific circular.

According to the announcement, educational qualifications range from completion of grade eight to a bachelor’s degree, depending on the position. While some posts require prior experience, others are open to fresh candidates. Salaries range from BDT 16,600 to BDT 46,240, with experienced positions offering higher pay. Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old, with a two-year age relaxation for quota candidates.

The recruitment reflects ongoing efforts to expand employment opportunities in Bangladesh’s rural energy sector, which continues to play a crucial role in national electrification and rural development.

After nearly ten months of restrictions, the Bangladeshi government has reopened Saint Martin Island for overnight stays this December, reigniting tourist interest. However, travelers report steep increases in travel expenses and logistical difficulties, particularly due to limited ship tickets and the lengthy six-hour journey from Cox’s Bazar. The minimum round-trip fare has risen to about BDT 3,500 per person—more than triple previous rates from Teknaf.

On-site observations reveal severe disorganization at the island’s jetty, where ongoing repair work leaves passengers without proper waiting areas and exposed to safety risks. Delays in ship schedules and narrow, unsafe access routes have heightened concerns among visitors, especially families and elderly travelers. Local business owners argue that environmental restrictions have hurt livelihoods, urging authorities to curb pollution instead of tourism.

Officials claim that safety and coordination measures are being strengthened and that infrastructure repairs will be completed soon. Yet, without improved transport efficiency and management, the island’s renewed tourism momentum may falter amid growing visitor frustration.

Elon Musk’s net worth has surged to a record $749 billion, making him the first individual in history to surpass the $700 billion mark, according to Forbes’ Billionaire Index. The sharp increase followed a Delaware Supreme Court ruling that reinstated Musk’s previously annulled stock-based compensation package at Tesla, valued at $139 billion. The 2018 pay plan, once deemed excessive by a lower court, was restored after the Supreme Court found the earlier decision unjust.

The ruling comes as Tesla’s shareholders recently approved a separate trillion-dollar compensation plan for Musk, the largest in corporate history. Investors have expressed confidence in Musk’s vision to transform Tesla from an electric vehicle manufacturer into a leader in artificial intelligence and robotics. Reports suggesting that SpaceX may soon go public also contributed to the rapid rise in Musk’s wealth.

Musk’s fortune now exceeds that of Google co-founder Larry Page by roughly $500 billion, underscoring his dominance in both the technology and space industries.

Bangladesh Bank’s latest report shows a steep decline in consumer loans during the July–September 2025 quarter, with total outstanding loans falling by over Tk 22,000 crore compared to the previous quarter. At the end of September, consumer loans stood at Tk 1,50,340 crore, representing 8.63% of total bank credit, down from Tk 1,72,621 crore or 9.95% in June. This marks a sharp reversal from the April–June quarter, when consumer lending had increased by nearly Tk 25,000 crore.

Economists and banking officials attribute the contraction to persistently high inflation, rising borrowing costs, and continued economic uncertainty following political transitions. Interest rates on personal loans now range between 11% and 14%, while credit card rates have reached up to 25%. The largest declines were seen in loans for electronics, vehicles, and housing.

Analysts warn that reduced consumer borrowing could further dampen domestic demand, slowing retail and service sectors. The central bank is expected to monitor credit trends closely as inflationary pressures and liquidity constraints continue to challenge household spending.

Bangladesh’s export earnings have slowed in the 2025–26 fiscal year, driven largely by a downturn in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector, which accounts for nearly half of total exports. According to the Export Promotion Bureau, exports to the European Union fell by 1.03% year-on-year between July and November, totaling $7.83 billion. While shipments to Spain, Poland, and the Netherlands rose slightly, exports to Germany, France, Denmark, and Italy declined, reflecting reduced consumer demand and intensifying competition.

Industry leaders attribute the slump to global inflation, higher living costs in Europe, and aggressive pricing by China and India. Domestically, rising gas prices—up nearly 150% since 2023—and higher lending rates have strained production. Exporters also cite reduced cash incentives, now at 2% from 5%, and weak marketing strategies as key challenges. The Exporters Association of Bangladesh warns that without policy support and energy cost relief, more factories may close, deepening the sector’s crisis.

The RMG industry, employing millions, faces mounting pressure to diversify products and markets. Analysts expect export recovery to hinge on energy stability, financial reforms, and renewed trade competitiveness in 2026.

A livestock quarantine station built at Bilonia land port in Feni’s Parshuram upazila has remained unused since its completion nearly a decade ago. The facility, constructed in 2016 under the Department of Livestock Services’ disease prevention project, was intended to inspect imported animals and animal products before entry into Bangladesh. Despite an investment of several crore taka and installation of 51 laboratory instruments, the station has never been operational.

Local traders and officials report that the station’s inactivity has led to the decay of expensive equipment, with only a single outsourced guard maintaining the premises. The Bilonia land port, opened in 2009 to facilitate trade with India, has seen minimal import activity, undermining the station’s purpose. Officials note that activating the facility could help regulate livestock imports, curb smuggling, and increase government revenue.

Experts warn that prolonged neglect of such infrastructure not only wastes public funds but also weakens border biosecurity. The Livestock Department has indicated that operationalization depends on renewed diplomatic and trade engagement with India.

Bangladesh’s government employees have postponed their previously planned protest program demanding implementation of the ninth pay scale. The decision was announced at a press conference held at the National Press Club under the banner of the Bangladesh Government Employees Demand Fulfillment Unity Council. The postponement was made to honor the late Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha, and in consideration of the current national situation.

Union leaders reiterated their seven-point demand, urging the government to publish a gazette with recommendations for a discrimination-free ninth pay scale by December 31. They warned that if no visible progress is made by January 1, they would launch tougher programs. The leaders also paid tribute to Hadi, recalling his lifelong activism against inequality and pledging to continue his struggle for fair treatment of government employees.

The next announcement on December 26 is expected to outline the future course of action, potentially shaping the trajectory of public sector wage reform in Bangladesh.

After more than a decade of waiting, the Sonalia-Kortia railway station in Tangail has officially opened to the public. The inauguration took place on Saturday morning when Bangladesh Railway Director General Afzal Hossain cut the ribbon and waved the green flag to mark the first train’s departure. Senior railway officials, local leaders, and hundreds of residents attended the ceremony, celebrating the long-anticipated launch.

The station, located in Sonalia village of Basail upazila near the border of Tangail Sadar’s Kortia area, was constructed around 2010 but remained unused due to naming complications and administrative delays. Locals expressed relief, noting that the unused facility had been wasting government resources. They expect the new station to benefit several hundred thousand residents across three upazilas. Officials confirmed that initially one train will operate, with plans to include the Sirajganj Express and a new Tangail commuter service in the future.

The reopening is expected to boost local trade and connectivity in the Kortia commercial zone, while residents have also called for improvements to surrounding roads and transport infrastructure.