A capacity-building workshop on preventing technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) was held in Kushtia, Bangladesh, organized by the Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC). The event, held on Monday, brought together 32 representatives from local civil society organizations and NGOs to discuss strategies for combating digital and gender-based violence.

Speakers included Kushtia Department of Social Services Assistant Director Md. Murad Hossain and BNNRC Chief Executive Officer A.H.M. Bazlur Rahman. They emphasized that both women and men can be victims of TFGBV and highlighted the importance of collective community action. Participants stressed that awareness among families, teachers, and students is essential to build safer digital and physical environments.

The workshop underscored the need for coordinated efforts involving government agencies, educational institutions, and community stakeholders. Organizers called for sustained awareness campaigns in schools and families to ensure long-term prevention and support mechanisms against gender-based violence in the digital era.

Renowned Bangladeshi singer Munayem Billah, known for his hit ‘Meherban,’ has released a new song titled ‘Koti Hadir Dak,’ inspired by the memory and revolutionary spirit of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi. The song was officially launched on December 22 on Billah’s YouTube channel, marking his return to music after a long hiatus. The release quickly drew attention for its emotional depth and patriotic resonance.

Billah described the song as more than just a musical piece, calling it a tribute to Hadi’s ideals and a symbol of national unity. The lyrics were penned by poet Zia Haque, with composition by Abu Ubaida and sound mastering by Sharif Mahmud. Haque noted that the song breaks from conventional styles, combining powerful lyrics and melody to create a complete artistic work.

Following the success of Haque’s previous song ‘Hadi Tui Fire Ay,’ which surpassed two million views within a week, producers expect ‘Koti Hadir Dak’ to achieve similar acclaim as a modern revolutionary anthem.

Bangladesh Bank has directed that the shares of five Shariah-based banks undergoing merger be valued at zero, citing negative net asset values. The affected institutions—First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Union Bank, and EXIM Bank—received official letters instructing them to nullify their paid-up capital under the Bank Resolution Ordinance 2025. The central bank stated that the decision followed an assessment showing each bank’s equity had turned negative.

Executive Director and spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan confirmed that the order does not require approval from the Dhaka or Chittagong stock exchanges or the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies. Governor Ahsan H. Mansur earlier explained that shareholders would not receive stakes in the newly formed Combined Islami Bank PLC, as each share’s net asset value had fallen between Tk 350 and Tk 420 below zero.

The move effectively wipes out shareholder equity, leaving investors facing heavy losses. Trading of the banks’ shares remains suspended, while the newly licensed Combined Islami Bank PLC begins operations as the country’s largest state-owned Shariah-compliant bank.

China has reportedly discovered an enormous undersea gold deposit off the coast of Laizhou in Shandong province, which local media describe as Asia’s largest underwater gold mine. The find, located near Yantai, is estimated to contain over 3,900 tons of gold, accounting for roughly 26 percent of China’s total reserves. While the central government has yet to confirm the discovery, reports from the South China Morning Post suggest the actual volume may exceed initial estimates.

The discovery follows a series of major gold finds across China, including deposits in Liaoning and Xinjiang provinces. The China Gold Association notes that China remains the world’s top gold ore producer, with 377 tons mined last year. However, it still trails South Africa, Australia, and Russia in total reserves. Geological teams have increasingly used artificial intelligence, high-powered radar, and satellite imaging to locate new mineral resources.

Analysts believe this discovery could strengthen China’s position in global gold markets and reduce import dependency. The government’s ongoing investment in exploration—totaling about 4.5 trillion yuan since 2021—signals a strategic push to secure critical resources amid global economic uncertainty.

Bangladesh’s Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain has called for dismantling entrenched systems surrounding the nation’s ports, alleging that a long-standing mafia network continues to dominate operations. Speaking at the 48th annual general meeting of the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) in Chattogram, he said the same group of officials and business figures have maintained control for decades, hindering reform and innovation.

Hossain highlighted that BSC has achieved its highest net profit in its 53-year history, a milestone that has emboldened the corporation to invest in new vessels. He emphasized that such financial strength should be used to modernize management and bring in new leadership. The meeting was also attended by Shipping Ministry Secretary Dr. Nurun Nahar Chowdhury.

The adviser’s remarks signal growing government intent to reform port governance and curb corruption. Analysts suggest that implementing structural changes could improve efficiency and transparency in Bangladesh’s maritime trade sector.

The Bangladesh Garment Buying House Association (BGBA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday night at Uttara Club in Dhaka. The event was attended by BGBA members and key guests including founding president Kaiyum Reza Chowdhury, Director General of the Department of Textiles Md. Shahidul Islam, NBR First Secretary Shahriar Hasan, and Adnan Masud, AMD of United Commercial Bank PLC. The meeting began with a moment of silence for the late Sharif Osman Hadi, followed by prayers led by BGBA Treasurer Fazlul Haque Saeed.

Presided over by BGBA President Mofazzal Hossain Pavel, the AGM reviewed the association’s 2024–25 financial audit and discussed progress on previous initiatives. Secretary General Md. Zakir Hossain presented the annual report, while members raised questions and offered recommendations for organizational improvement. Pavel noted that after a High Court ruling, multiple AGMs had been consolidated in 2024, and the 2025 session marked a return to the regular calendar cycle. He expressed optimism for continued unity and thanked all members, committees, and donors for their support.

Dhaka’s Metro Rail authority has launched an online recharge system for Rapid Pass and MRT Pass cards, allowing passengers to top up their travel cards without visiting station counters. The new service, accessible through the website rapidpass.com.bd, supports payments via major digital platforms including bKash, Nagad, Rocket, and credit cards. This move aims to reduce long queues at metro stations and enhance commuter convenience in the traffic-congested capital.

According to the announcement, users can register online, log in, and recharge between Tk 100 and Tk 5,000. bKash users can receive up to Tk 100 cashback on transactions. Each card can have only one pending recharge at a time, and refunds are subject to a 5% service charge. The refund process is currently suspended.

Officials expect the online system to streamline fare management and encourage digital payment adoption among commuters. The initiative aligns with Bangladesh’s broader push toward smart urban transport and cashless mobility solutions.

The digital content landscape is witnessing a growing debate between short-form and long-form video formats. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have popularized quick, algorithm-driven clips that cater to shrinking attention spans and fast-paced lifestyles. Meanwhile, long-form videos—ranging from podcasts to documentaries—continue to attract audiences seeking depth, storytelling, and emotional connection.

Analysts note that short videos excel in virality and brand visibility, while long videos build trust and loyalty. However, both formats face challenges: short clips risk superficiality, and long videos demand sustained viewer engagement. Increasingly, creators are blending the two—using short clips to attract viewers and long videos to retain them. This hybrid model is emerging as the most effective strategy.

Experts predict that the future of digital content will depend less on format dominance and more on creators’ adaptability. Success will hinge on understanding audience behavior and choosing the right format for the right moment.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that the country will experience mostly dry weather with partly cloudy skies over the next five days. The forecast, issued Monday morning for the next 120 hours, indicates that night and day temperatures may fluctuate slightly but will largely remain stable. Moderate to dense fog is expected in several regions, particularly from midnight to morning, affecting visibility and transportation.

According to the department, the extended outlook shows no significant weather changes during this period. The subcontinental high-pressure ridge currently lies over West Bengal and adjoining areas, while a seasonal low is positioned over the South Bay of Bengal. On Sunday, Chuadanga recorded the lowest temperature at 11.7°C, while Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar registered the highest at 30.8°C.

Officials advised caution for drivers and river transport operators during early morning hours due to fog. No cold wave is expected, but cooler nights may persist in northwestern districts.

Bangladesh’s stock market has gone 16 months without a single company listing or submitting an initial public offering (IPO) application, marking the longest such pause since the COVID-19 pandemic. The last company to list was Techno Drugs in July 2024. Despite directives from Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to accelerate listings of state-owned and multinational firms, no progress has been made, raising concerns among investors and market analysts.

Officials attribute the stagnation to the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission’s (BSEC) ongoing revision of IPO regulations. The new Public Offer of Equity Securities Rules, 2025, has completed public consultation and awaits final approval. BSEC spokesperson Abul Kalam said companies could still apply under the 2015 rules but lacked initiative due to governance issues and restrictive pricing models. Market leaders, including the DSE Brokers Association, criticized the regulator for failing to maintain supply and investor confidence.

Analysts warn that the prolonged freeze has set the market back by at least two years, with over a quarter of listed firms now in weak ‘Z’ category. The new IPO framework, expected by December, may determine whether investor trust can be restored in 2026.

Farmers in Kaukhali upazila of Pirojpur district have seen a remarkable turnaround in fortunes this season through early bottle gourd cultivation. With favorable weather and strong market demand, wholesalers from various regions are purchasing directly from fields, ensuring steady income for growers. Around 58 hectares of land have been brought under bottle gourd cultivation this year, alongside other vegetables such as pumpkin, beans, cucumber, and bitter gourd.

Local farmers report significant profits. Mamun Hossain from Purba Keundia village earned about 250,000 taka from early sales and expects to sell another 200,000 taka worth of produce, with production costs of only 30,000–35,000 taka. Another farmer, Sujit, reported sales of around 150,000 taka. Agricultural officers credit the success to Kaukhali’s fertile alluvial soil and continuous technical support.

Officials say government projects and training programs have encouraged farmers to adopt improved vegetable varieties. With rising prices and expanding cultivation, bottle gourd farming is emerging as a sustainable income source for rural households in southern Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s tea production has dropped by 10–12% in 2025 due to adverse weather, labor unrest, and rising production costs, raising fears of a collapse in export trade. The National Tea Company and other producers reported that prolonged droughts, heavy rains, and delayed leaf growth have disrupted yields across major tea estates, particularly in Moulvibazar, which hosts more than half of the country’s 171 gardens.

Industry stakeholders say the government’s minimum price of Tk 245 per kilogram has failed to offset higher costs for fertilizer, fuel, and pesticides. Auction sales have also declined, while illegal imports of low-quality tea from neighboring countries are undercutting domestic producers. Laborers report reduced earnings as lower yields mean fewer leaves to pluck.

Experts warn that without urgent government intervention and improved irrigation, the industry could face long-term decline. Calls are growing for stricter border controls, better quality assurance, and modernization to restore competitiveness in both domestic and export markets.

Thousands of low-income farmers in Langadu upazila of Rangamati are facing severe difficulties as water levels in Kaptai Lake have not receded on time. More than 13,000 farmers are unable to plant Boro rice because their fields remain submerged, raising fears of a food shortage in the coming year. Normally, by the Bengali month of Poush, farmers begin seasonal cultivation, but this year the lake’s water continues to flood agricultural land.

Local farmers claim the government has kept the Kaptai dam closed, preventing water release. Agricultural officials report that of Langadu’s 8,000 hectares of farmland, about 6,500 hectares remain underwater. The Upazila Agriculture Office has urged authorities to lower water levels within the month to save the season’s crops. Meanwhile, a Power Development Board manager stated that a proposal was made to maintain current water levels until the upcoming election.

If water is not released soon, thousands of families could face economic hardship and food insecurity, prompting calls for urgent government intervention.

On December 21, 2025, countries across the Northern Hemisphere, including Bangladesh, experienced the longest night and shortest day of the year, marking the winter solstice. The astronomical event occurs when the Northern Hemisphere tilts farthest from the Sun, resulting in reduced daylight hours and the official onset of winter.

Scientists explain that Earth’s axial tilt causes seasonal variations as the planet orbits the Sun. Around June 21, the Northern Hemisphere leans toward the Sun, creating the longest day, known as the summer solstice. Conversely, in December, the Southern Hemisphere tilts sunward, bringing summer to the south and winter to the north.

The winter solstice has cultural and scientific significance, symbolizing renewal and the gradual lengthening of days ahead. Meteorological departments in South Asia noted cooler temperatures and longer nights, though no severe cold wave was reported. The event also serves as a reminder of Earth’s dynamic relationship with the Sun and its impact on global climate patterns.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan inaugurated an 'Income Tax Return Supporting Booth' for members of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on December 21, 2025, at the DRU’s Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium. The initiative aims to assist journalists in submitting their income tax returns efficiently and confidently. DRU President Abu Saleh Akon presided over the event, while General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel conducted the session.

In his remarks, the NBR Chairman assured taxpayers that online return submissions are secure and that the board does not access personal banking data unless required by law. He praised DRU’s initiative, noting that online tax and VAT filing will soon become fully digital. Other speakers, including legal experts and DRU leaders, emphasized journalists’ civic duty to pay taxes and the importance of removing fear and confusion around the process.

The booth will provide members with professional tax advisory services. The NBR expects such initiatives to encourage broader tax compliance and digital adoption nationwide.