China’s government efforts to boost the national birthrate are facing growing resistance as many young couples choose to remain child-free. Despite financial incentives and social pressure, couples like 25-year-old content creator Grace and her husband are opting out of parenthood, citing financial strain, career priorities, and personal freedom. The trend reflects a broader shift in attitudes toward marriage and family life.

Nearly a decade after China replaced its one-child policy with a two-child rule in 2016, the country is experiencing a deepening demographic crisis. The population has declined for three consecutive years, and the United Nations projects it could fall from 1.4 billion to 630 million by the end of the century. In 2024, only 9.54 million babies were born—about half the number recorded in 2016. The “DINK” (dual income, no kids) lifestyle has gained massive popularity on social media, sparking both celebration and criticism.

Authorities have introduced pro-birth measures, including annual subsidies of about $500 per child under three and new taxes on contraceptives. Experts warn these steps have limited impact and caution that persistently low fertility could accelerate population aging and strain China’s long-term economic stability.

Unauthorized brick kilns are reportedly increasing in Nageshwari upazila of Kurigram district. According to the report, there are 18 brick kilns in the area, of which 13 are operating without approval. These unlicensed kilns are using topsoil from agricultural land to produce bricks and burning coal mixed with wood from various trees as fuel. The practice is said to be harming local biodiversity and public health.

Despite the growing number of illegal kilns, there appears to be no visible administrative action to stop them. The report notes that these operations continue openly, raising doubts among residents about the effectiveness of local authorities. The unregulated expansion of such kilns is contributing to environmental degradation and public concern.

The situation highlights a lack of enforcement of existing rules and the need for stronger oversight to protect farmland and community well-being in Nageshwari.

The Bangladesh government is awaiting an assessment report from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) experts before proceeding with the Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) 5G network expansion project. Officials said technical testing is nearing completion, with about 50 percent of the work already done. The project, launched in 2022, aims to build a strong backbone network to meet national bandwidth demand through 2030.

The initiative has faced repeated disruptions due to misinformation, administrative weaknesses, and allegations of irregularities and corruption. Disputes have arisen over tender processes, equipment clearance at ports, and letters from the chief adviser’s special assistant. The Anti-Corruption Commission’s inquiry into the readiness phase and complaints about limited time for financial proposal submissions have further complicated progress. Despite these issues, the project continues to move forward.

Once completed, the project will establish high-capacity optical fiber networks across Bangladesh, significantly enhancing digital infrastructure and enabling BTCL to supply about 30 percent of the country’s total internet bandwidth. The government expects the network to improve broadband access and strengthen competition with private operators.

A moderate earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale struck Assam in northern India early Monday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred near the surface, with its epicenter located about three kilometers outside Dhing village, close to the Bhutan border. Tremors were felt at 4:17 a.m. local time (10:47 p.m. GMT on Sunday).

The USGS reported that although strong shaking was experienced in the area, the region’s relatively low population density is expected to limit the extent of damage. No immediate reports of casualties or major destruction have been received so far.

The Himalayan region is known for frequent seismic activity, with several major earthquakes recorded in India’s history. Notably, the 1950 Assam–Tibet earthquake killed around 4,800 people, and the 1897 “Great Assam Earthquake” remains one of the most powerful in the country’s history, causing hundreds of deaths in remote mountain areas.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has issued the final gazette of the Public Offer of Securities Rules, 2025, allowing issuing companies to use up to 30 percent of funds raised through initial public offerings (IPOs) to repay bank loans. The decision, published on December 30, 2025, includes two conditions: the loan must be project or BMRE-related, and it cannot be a defaulted or rescheduled loan.

The previous draft of the regulation did not permit loan repayment from IPO proceeds, which had raised concerns among market participants about reduced corporate interest in stock market listings. Based on stakeholder feedback, BSEC reinstated the repayment option, similar to the one-third allowance under the 2015 rules. The new regulation also increases the quota for general investors and reintroduces the lottery system for IPO share allocation.

Additionally, the rules extend the IPO application submission period to 120 days and require stock exchange recommendations for IPO approvals. The number of qualified institutional investors for determining indicative prices in the book-building method has been reduced from 75 to 40.

Ferry and all other vessel operations on the Daulatdia–Paturia river route resumed on Monday morning after being suspended for nearly seven hours due to dense fog. Authorities restored normal navigation around 7:15 a.m. on January 5, 2026, once visibility improved. The suspension had begun at 12:30 a.m. the previous night when thick fog over the Padma River made navigation lights unclear and created safety risks.

According to the terminal authorities, the fog intensified after Sunday evening, severely reducing visibility and prompting the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) to halt all ferry and vessel movement for safety. During the suspension, long queues of passenger buses, trucks, and private cars formed at both Daulatdia and Paturia terminals, leaving travelers stranded in the cold night.

With ferry operations now restored, vehicles are gradually crossing the river, easing congestion and bringing relief to passengers and drivers who had faced significant hardship overnight.

A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck Sylhet and several northeastern districts of Bangladesh early Monday, January 5, 2026, at 4:47 a.m. The tremor was also felt across border regions of India, Myanmar, Bhutan, and China. According to the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) and other international monitoring agencies, the quake originated at a depth of 10 kilometers.

The epicenter was located about 4 kilometers west of Dhing town in India’s Assam state and 76 kilometers northeast of Guwahati. Due to Sylhet’s proximity to the epicenter, the shaking was strongly felt in the city and surrounding areas, including Zindabazar, Ambarkhana, Tilaghar, Shah Paran, South Surma, Jaintapur, and Companiganj. Local residents reported the tremor but no immediate damage or casualties were confirmed.

Authorities and monitoring agencies have not reported any significant structural impact, and no emergency alerts were issued following the event.

The Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) has introduced a new mobile application to make the use of Metro Rail’s Rapid Pass and MRT Pass cards more convenient. According to an announcement issued on Saturday, users can now recharge their cards directly through the Rapid Pass app. Initially, some features may face temporary issues as the app is newly launched, but DTCA’s technical team is working continuously to improve performance and ensure a smoother user experience.

Registered users of the rapidpass.com.bd website can log in to the app using their existing user ID and password. After logging in, they can recharge amounts ranging from 100 to 5,000 taka using bank cards, as well as mobile financial services such as bKash and Nagad. The app is available for download on Android devices by searching “Rapid Pass” in the app store or through the provided Google Play link.

DTCA stated that the initiative aims to enhance passenger convenience and streamline the metro card recharge process through digital means.

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Chairman Jalal Ahmed stated that consumers cannot be guaranteed to purchase liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at government-fixed prices. He made the remarks on Sunday during a press conference announcing new LPG prices. Ahmed said a meeting was being held at the Secretariat to discuss complaints of distributors charging higher prices, with members of the LPG Association in attendance. BERC will also hold discussions with the association on the issue.

The chairman explained that the commission sets prices based on importers’ total costs, but cannot ensure that consumers will always get LPG at that exact rate. The LPG Association claims it supplies gas at the fixed price. BERC has also spoken with the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection to conduct drives against overpricing, and action will be taken if any company is found guilty of charging extra.

Ahmed added that shipping shortages from the Middle East and difficulties in opening letters of credit (LCs) are affecting imports. He urged companies to increase imports from Singapore and said the government’s higher authorities would intervene if LC complications persist.

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) has launched a pilot program for its newly developed three-wheeled, low-speed, battery-powered eco-friendly electric rickshaw in Dhaka. The program was inaugurated on Sunday morning through separate events in Aftabnagar under Dhaka North City Corporation and Jigatola under Dhaka South City Corporation. The pilot allows controlled trial operations on designated roads in Aftabnagar, Dhanmondi, and Motijheel areas.

Government advisers and city administrators attended the inauguration, emphasizing scientific testing of design, braking systems, and battery safety. The initiative aims to regulate unapproved battery-fitted rickshaws and establish an orderly urban transport system. The new model features improved braking, speed control, and a 38-volt lithium battery capable of running 70–80 kilometers per charge. Geo-fencing technology will restrict movement outside designated zones, and only trained, licensed drivers will be allowed to operate the vehicles.

Officials said the pilot’s findings will guide future expansion across Dhaka and gradual conversion of existing pedal rickshaws into safer, modern electric versions.

Elon Musk’s satellite internet company Starlink has announced that people in Venezuela will be able to use its internet service free of charge until February 3. The company made the announcement through a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating that the initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted connectivity for Venezuelan citizens during the current situation.

According to the BBC, the decision follows a recent large-scale U.S. military operation in Venezuela, during which President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were detained and taken to New York. In response to these developments, Starlink said it would provide free access to its high-speed satellite internet service to support communication across the country.

The free service is intended to remain active until early February, allowing Venezuelans to stay connected without cost during a period of political and military upheaval.

A Royal Bengal Tiger was found trapped in a deer-hunting snare set by poachers in the Sundarbans near Shorki Canal in Mongla upazila of Bagerhat. The Forest Department began a rescue operation on Sunday morning with the help of specialists to free the tiger. Officials said the animal was discovered about half a kilometer inside the forest from the canal bank, and the area has been cordoned off to prevent public access.

Dipon Chandra Das, Assistant Conservator of Forests of the Chandpai Range under the Sundarbans East Forest Division, confirmed that a veterinary surgeon from Dhaka was brought in to assist in the rescue. The team may use a tranquilizer gun if necessary. If the tiger is found injured or unwell, it will be caged and sent to a rescue center in Khulna or Dhaka for treatment.

Local residents gathered near the site after hearing about the trapped tiger, but the Forest Department has restricted entry to ensure safety and smooth rescue operations.

The government has issued a gazette prohibiting the extraction of groundwater for irrigation in the Barind region, covering 4,911 mouzas across Rajshahi, Naogaon, Chapainawabganj, and Natore districts. The order allows groundwater use only for drinking purposes. Farmers in the area, who depend heavily on groundwater for crop cultivation, have expressed deep concern, warning that the sudden ban without alternative irrigation systems or subsidies could reduce crop production by about 2.7 million tons this season and leave 2.54 million hectares of land uncultivated.

Experts and local farmers argue that the decision disregards the agricultural realities of the drought-prone Barind area, where the government itself had promoted deep tube-well irrigation since the 1980s through the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority. They say the ban shifts responsibility for groundwater depletion onto farmers while ignoring the state’s institutional role in creating the system. Officials and researchers have urged phased implementation, farmer consultation, and interim support to prevent economic and social crises.

The Barind region’s future agricultural stability remains uncertain as stakeholders call for reconsideration of the gazette and development of sustainable water management alternatives.

Owners of lighter cargo vessels transporting goods through Bangladesh’s waterways have accused a syndicate linked to senior Awami League figures of monopolizing the sector and withholding large payments. Despite arrests of several members after August 5, 2024, others remain active. The owners claim they must pay the group to operate at Chittagong’s outer anchorage and across the country. They have issued a 10-point demand to the government, including enforcement of the 2024 transport policy, payment of overdue demurrage, and dissolution of the syndicate, warning of a nationwide vessel shutdown if ignored.

The dispute centers on control of the Bangladesh Water Transport Coordination Cell (BWTCC). Owners allege that Awami-linked businessman Haji Shafiq Ahmed unlawfully declared himself convener to misappropriate about Tk 500 crore owed to them. They also accuse agents of using vessels as floating warehouses to create artificial market shortages. Government officials acknowledge unresolved corruption and policy violations but deny aiding the syndicate.

The standoff has left many vessel owners in debt, with hundreds forced to scrap ships. The government faces pressure to enforce maritime policy and resolve payment disputes to restore order in the inland shipping sector.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) announced that it registered 131,000 previously unregistered businesses for Value Added Tax (VAT) during a special campaign conducted across Bangladesh in December. According to an NBR press release issued on Saturday, the campaign was carried out by 12 VAT commissionerates, which worked daily, including holidays, to identify and register new entities. Before the interim government took office, the number of VAT-registered businesses stood at 516,000, which has now risen to 775,000.

NBR’s public relations officer Md. Al Amin Sheikh said the campaign coincided with VAT Day on December 10 and VAT Week from December 10 to 15, followed by a special registration drive from December 10 to 31. He noted that VAT contributes the largest share of total revenue, accounting for 38 percent last year. To expand the VAT base, the government has amended the VAT law, lowering the annual turnover threshold for mandatory registration from 30 million to 5 million taka.

NBR has also introduced measures to simplify VAT registration and payment, including online submission of VAT returns and automated refunds directly to bank accounts.