The government’s Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase has approved several major procurement proposals, including the purchase of 70,000 metric tons of fertilizer, 50,000 metric tons of non-basmati parboiled rice, and 10,000 metric tons of phosphoric acid. The approvals were given at the committee’s 52nd meeting of the year, held virtually on Tuesday and chaired by Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. The Food Ministry will buy the rice through international open tender at a cost of about Tk 220.05 crore for the 2025–26 fiscal year to strengthen national food reserves.

The Industry Ministry received approval for multiple proposals to ensure uninterrupted fertilizer supply for the agriculture sector. These include importing 10,000 metric tons of phosphoric acid for Triple Super Phosphate Complex Ltd, 30,000 metric tons of bagged granular urea from Bangladesh’s KAFCO, and 40,000 metric tons of bulk granular urea from Saudi Arabia’s SABIC Agri-Nutrients Company. The total estimated cost of these imports is several hundred crore taka.

In infrastructure, the committee recommended approval of a major project under the Ministry of Shipping to build an inland container and bulk terminal at Khanpur, Narayanganj, under BIWTA, costing about Tk 184.91 crore. Officials said these procurements will support food security, fertilizer supply, and inland transport development.

U.S. President Donald Trump, beginning his second term on January 20, tightened the country’s immigration policies, leading to widespread labor shortages within a year. Construction firms in Louisiana are struggling to find carpenters, hospitals in West Virginia face shortages of foreign doctors and nurses, and a neighborhood football league in Memphis cannot form enough teams as immigrant children have stopped arriving. The administration has raised visa fees, reduced legal entry routes, and deported over six hundred thousand people, while hundreds of thousands more face deportation after the withdrawal of temporary legal status granted under the previous administration.

Oxford Economics estimates that current policies have reduced net immigration to about 450,000 people annually, far below the 2–3 million per year under the Biden administration. Immigrants now make up 14.8 percent of the U.S. population, the lowest since 1890. Cities once vibrant with immigrant communities, such as Los Angeles and New York, have grown quieter, with fewer international students and diminished cultural activity.

Business owners fear the labor shortage will worsen, affecting industries like construction, nursing homes, and childcare, even as higher wages fail to attract enough workers.

A permanent structure is being built illegally on the Kumar River in Borodia area of Gatti Union, Saltha upazila, Faridpur. On Wednesday, December 31, a local resident named Zia Fakir was found constructing a concrete building by filling part of the river near the Swarupdia-Borodia Government Primary School. Around eight to ten workers were seen working at the site using bricks, sand, and cement. Locals fear the construction is obstructing the river’s natural flow and threatening the environment and public interest.

Residents said the Kumar River was once a vital water source that enriched farmland during monsoon seasons. However, years of illegal encroachment and landfilling have narrowed the river, causing waterlogging in the rainy season and drying it up in the dry months. Locals warned that continued encroachment could lead to severe ecological damage.

Saltha Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Saiful Islam stated he was unaware of the construction and has informed the assistant commissioner (land). Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md Mamun Sarkar confirmed that building within the river is illegal and said legal action will be taken after investigation.

Nepal has decided to cancel the 'deposit scheme' introduced to keep Mount Everest free from pollution. The government made the decision after 11 years of implementation, citing a lack of expected results. Under the scheme, climbers were required to deposit a certain amount of money before their ascent, refundable only if they brought down at least eight kilograms of waste. Despite most climbers reclaiming their deposits, the overall pollution level on Everest showed little improvement, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

Himala Gautam, Director of Nepal’s Tourism Department, said the project failed to play an effective role in environmental protection and instead created administrative complications. Climbers often collected waste from lower camps, leaving the higher camps neglected. Shering Sherpa, Chief Executive of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, noted that the most severe pollution persists in the upper camps, where tents, plastic cans, food packets, and used oxygen cylinders are still abandoned.

Experts pointed out that each climber generates about 12 kilograms of waste per expedition, while the rule required only eight kilograms to be brought down. They emphasized the need for more practical and effective policies to protect Everest’s environment.

Ferry operations on the Daulatdia–Paturia route, one of Bangladesh’s key river crossings, returned to normal after being suspended for nearly five hours due to dense fog. The suspension began around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday when heavy fog over the Padma River drastically reduced visibility, prompting authorities to halt all ferry and vessel movement for safety reasons.

According to port sources, navigation became difficult as the fog obscured directions on the river, leading to the decision to stop operations to protect passengers and vehicles. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on both sides of the river, causing severe inconvenience to travelers. Once the fog lifted and visibility improved around 9:30 a.m., ferry and vessel services resumed under the supervision of the Daulatdia and Paturia terminal authorities.

Officials from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) confirmed that such disruptions are common during winter when dense fog frequently affects ferry movement, impacting travel and goods transport to the country’s southern regions.

Bangladesh Bank has announced a special resolution scheme for depositors of five troubled Islamic banks being merged into a new entity named Combined Islamic Bank. According to the circular issued on Tuesday, depositors can initially withdraw up to two lakh taka, while those with higher balances may withdraw one lakh taka every three months for up to two years. Term deposits cannot be encashed before maturity, and specific timelines have been set for repayment after maturity.

The five banks being merged are First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank, and EXIM Bank. Bangladesh Bank stated that persistent irregularities, severe liquidity shortages, and high non-performing loans had crippled their operations. The merger and resolution scheme aim to safeguard depositors’ funds and restore financial stability. Institutional fixed deposits worth 15,000 crore taka will be converted into new bank shares, while depositors outside the financial sector may access loans or investments up to 20 percent of their deposit balance.

The central bank has set the new bank’s authorized capital at 40,000 crore taka and paid-up capital at 35,000 crore taka, with a seven-member board appointed to oversee operations.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur has said that remittance continues to play a major role in maintaining the country’s economic stability. Speaking at the NRB Global Convention held on Tuesday at the Sheraton Hotel in Dhaka, he stated that remittance surpassed 30 billion dollars in the last fiscal year and is expected to exceed 35 billion dollars this year. He noted that remittance has supported the economy even during times of crisis.

Mansur emphasized that Bangladeshis living abroad can significantly contribute to the nation’s economic growth and development. He urged stronger engagement with expatriates and encouraged them to invest their skills and resources in Bangladesh. Drawing on his own experience of living in the United States and Canada, he described himself as a “half-NRB” and highlighted the importance of utilizing the expertise of professionals working in diverse fields abroad.

He added that expatriates can invest through offshore banking units, the stock market, or government dollar bonds, which offer attractive returns. Mansur expressed hope that NRBs will continue to contribute regularly to their homeland’s progress.

Former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia passed away on Monday morning at 6 a.m. at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. The veteran politician, widely known as the 'uncompromising leader', took her last breath surrounded by family members and close associates.

Her death has cast a deep shadow over the country’s political landscape, marking the end of an era in Bangladesh’s democratic history. Khaleda Zia was a central figure in anti-military movements and the restoration of democracy, and she became a symbol of female leadership in national politics. As a three-time former prime minister, her political legacy remains deeply intertwined with the country’s democratic journey.

The nation mourns the loss of a leader who played a defining role in shaping Bangladesh’s modern political identity, leaving behind a void in both her party and the broader political sphere.

The 1320-megawatt coal-based power plant located at Gondamara in Banshkhali, Chattogram, will cease operations from January 1, 2026. A project official confirmed the development on December 29, citing that the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) owes more than Tk 3,000 crore to the plant operator, SS Power. Due to the unpaid dues, SS Power lacks sufficient funds to book coal imports from Indonesia, forcing the company to halt electricity generation.

According to the report, SS Power currently supplies 1,224 megawatts of electricity to the Chattogram region, where total demand stands at 1,600 megawatts. The shutdown is expected to cause a severe power crisis in the region and significant losses nationwide. The plant, operated by China’s SEPCO III, had been connected to the national grid in January 2023 and began supplying power in May of that year.

The project, initially developed under a 2016 agreement between BPDB and SS Power, was later taken over by SEPCO III from Bangladesh’s S. Alam Group, according to officials cited in the report.

China has announced a reduction in import tariffs on several categories of goods starting January 1, 2026. According to a statement from the State Council’s Customs Tariff Commission, the Ministry of Finance’s website detailed that the ‘2026 Tariff Adjustment Plan’ will take effect on the first day of the new year. The plan, guided by Xi Jinping’s socialist thought with Chinese characteristics, aims to optimize tariff classifications, implement preferential rates, and promote high-quality development.

The plan introduces temporary import tariff rates lower than the Most Favored Nation (MFN) rates for 935 products across three categories. These include key industrial components such as CNC hydraulic cushions and composite contact strips, resources like recycled black powder for lithium-ion batteries, and medical products such as artificial blood vessels and diagnostic kits for infectious diseases. However, products like micro motors, printing machines, and sulfuric acid will retain MFN rates in line with China’s WTO commitments.

China will continue reducing tariffs under 24 free trade agreements with 34 partners, adding items like intelligent bionic robots and sustainable aviation fuel to support scientific progress and circular economy goals.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) held a celebration in Uttara on Monday marking the restoration of the long-lost Konai River within the capital. The event, titled “Lost Konai River Restoration Celebration,” was attended by DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz as chief guest, along with environmental leaders from BAPA and the Water Development Board. DNCC reported that the river, once vanished from city maps, now flows again through a nine-kilometer navigable stretch following field studies, eviction drives, and cleaning operations.

Speakers at the event praised the initiative as a model for reviving Dhaka’s waterways. Local residents expressed gratitude, noting that areas once walkable are now navigable by boat. Environmental activists highlighted the importance of maintaining the restored river through community stewardship and tree planting instead of embankments. BAPA’s general secretary suggested that properly planned river restorations around Dhaka could create attractive tourism zones.

According to DNCC, dredging from Abdullahpur embankment to Bawnia canal recovered a 3.18-kilometer section, reconnecting the full nine-kilometer waterway known locally as Khidir Khal, which joins the Turag River.

Bangladesh is experiencing severe cold across the country despite the absence of an official cold wave, according to the Meteorological Department on December 29, 2025. Persistent dense fog has blocked sunlight for days, causing daytime temperatures to fall unusually low. Northern regions have faced this condition for a week, while the capital has endured it for four days. Meteorologists said the situation may continue for another three to four days, with a possible cold wave around January 3.

The lowest temperature on Monday was recorded at 10°C in Nikli, Kishoreganj, while Naogaon’s Badalgachhi saw 11.7°C. Dhaka recorded a minimum of 13.8°C and a maximum of 15.5°C. The department described the situation as severe and disaster-like, noting that the difference between maximum and minimum temperatures has narrowed, intensifying the cold feeling. Dense fog and chilly winds have disrupted daily life, transport, and business activities.

Hospitals are seeing rising numbers of patients with cold-related illnesses such as fever, cough, and respiratory problems. Street vendors in Dhaka reported increased sales of winter clothing, while day laborers continue to struggle in the biting cold.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that night temperatures across the country may drop slightly within the next 24 hours, increasing the feeling of cold. The forecast, issued on Monday morning, also warned that moderate to dense fog may form in various parts of the country from midnight to morning, with some areas experiencing it until noon.

According to the department, the weather is expected to remain dry with partly cloudy skies nationwide. The fog could disrupt air travel, inland water transport, and road communication. The lowest temperature in the country was recorded at 10 degrees Celsius in Nikli, Kishoreganj. The Met Office attributed the current conditions to the extension of a subcontinental high-pressure zone over West Bengal and adjoining areas, while a seasonal low lies over the South Bay of Bengal extending to the northeast.

The department noted that while daytime temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged, the cold sensation will persist in many regions due to foggy conditions.

South Korean automaker Hyundai has unveiled its new electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the Supernal S-A2, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in the United States. The aircraft is designed for short-distance passenger transport within cities, capable of vertical takeoff and landing like a helicopter and forward flight like an airplane. It can fly up to 1,500 feet high at a maximum speed of 120 miles per hour and cover 25 to 40 miles on a single charge. Being fully electric, it produces minimal noise and no fuel-based pollution, making it suitable for urban environments.

In the context of Dhaka, the idea of air taxis is both exciting and challenging. Experts note that managing air routes, ensuring safety, and building vertiports would require significant investment and planning. Initially, such services might cater to corporate passengers or emergency needs, but as technology becomes cheaper and infrastructure develops, air taxis could evolve into a broader public transport option.

The report suggests that while air taxis may not fully solve Dhaka’s traffic crisis, they could help reduce congestion and transform urban mobility in the long term.

The 30th Dhaka International Trade Fair will begin on January 1 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal. Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to inaugurate the event. The announcement was made by Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman during a press conference held at the exhibition center on Monday afternoon.

According to the Commerce Secretary, this year’s fair has introduced online allocation for various categories of stalls and pavilions. Visitors will be able to purchase tickets both on-site and online, with entry facilitated through QR code scanning. The press conference was attended by Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice Chairman Hasan Arif, Additional Secretary (Export) of the Ministry of Commerce Abdur Rahim Khan, and EPB Director General Baby Rani Karmakar.

The fair marks a continuation of Bangladesh’s annual trade promotion efforts, with the new digital ticketing and stall allocation systems aimed at improving accessibility and management for participants and visitors.