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.

A new international study led by researchers at Leiden University in the Netherlands has found that increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide is diminishing the nutritional quality of major food crops. While higher CO₂ levels may boost crop yields, the research shows a decline in essential nutrients such as zinc, iron, and protein, alongside a rise in toxic elements like lead. The findings suggest that foods are becoming more calorie-dense but less nutritious.

The decade-long study examined 43 crops, including rice, wheat, potatoes, and tomatoes, analyzing 32 key nutrients. On average, nutrient levels were found to drop by 3.2%, with zinc in chickpeas projected to fall by as much as 37.5%. Lead researcher Sterre Ter Haar described the results as “alarming,” noting that the changes could have serious health implications.

Experts warn that this nutrient decline may worsen global malnutrition, even as food production increases. The study highlights the need for urgent climate action and agricultural adaptation to preserve food quality as atmospheric CO₂ levels have already reached 425.2 parts per million.

Blue Origin, the space company founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, is set to make history by sending the first wheelchair-using woman into space. Mikela Benthaus, a spacecraft and mechatronics engineer, will join five other crew members aboard the New Shepard rocket for the upcoming NS-37 suborbital mission. The flight will cross the Kármán line, 62 miles above Earth, marking the internationally recognized boundary of space.

Benthaus, who became paralyzed after a 2018 motorcycle accident, has since been an advocate for inclusive space exploration. Joining her on the mission will be engineer Hans Koenigsmann, entrepreneur Neil Milc, investor Joey Hyde, Adonis Porolis, and space enthusiast Jason Stansell. The crew will experience several minutes of microgravity before returning to Earth during the 10–12 minute flight.

This will be Blue Origin’s 16th human spaceflight and its latest step toward expanding accessibility in commercial space travel. The company has previously flown 86 people past the Kármán line, with 80 of them being first-time space travelers.

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 vast maritime resources remain underutilized due to chronic deficiencies in marine science research and infrastructure. Despite the Bay of Bengal’s economic and ecological importance, the country lacks adequate research vessels, hydrographic survey tools, and modern sonar or satellite data systems. This technological and institutional gap has left policymakers without reliable data on fish stocks, ocean currents, or breeding cycles, resulting in unscientific and often counterproductive fishing policies.

Experts note that the shortage of trained marine scientists, limited research funding, and weak international collaboration have further stalled progress. Universities offering marine science programs struggle with outdated laboratories and minimal publication output. Without regular stock assessments or genetic studies, valuable species such as hilsa, lobster, and shrimp remain vulnerable to overexploitation. Climate change impacts—rising sea levels, salinity shifts, and warming waters—are compounding the crisis.

Analysts urge immediate investment in research vessels, GIS and satellite monitoring, and international partnerships with Japan, Norway, and FAO. Strengthening marine science is seen as essential for sustainable fisheries, biodiversity protection, and unlocking Bangladesh’s blue economy potential.

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.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast a drop in temperature and an increase in cold conditions across Dhaka and surrounding areas. In its six-hour forecast issued Sunday morning, the department reported that skies are likely to remain clear, with dry weather prevailing. Winds from the north-northwest may blow at speeds of 6 to 12 kilometers per hour, and light to moderate fog is expected in the early morning hours.

At 6 a.m., the recorded temperature in Dhaka was 17.8 degrees Celsius, indicating a gradual cooling trend. Officials noted that while no formal cold wave has been declared, the combination of clear skies and northwesterly winds is contributing to a perceptible chill. Residents have been advised to take precautions, especially during early mornings and nights.

Meteorologists expect the cooler conditions to persist for the next few days, with temperatures possibly dipping further if dry continental air continues to dominate. Rural areas in northern Bangladesh, such as Tetulia, are likely to experience even lower temperatures.

A thick blanket of fog has spread across Bangladesh, causing delayed sunlight and an increased feeling of cold, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). The agency said the condition is expected to persist for the next two to three days, with fog stretching from Delhi to Cumilla. Although temperatures have not dropped significantly, the combination of limited sunlight and cold winds from the north has made conditions feel colder.

Meteorologist A.K.M. Nazmul Haque explained that the fog is part of a regional weather pattern influenced by a subcontinental high-pressure ridge extending over West Bengal and adjoining areas. The BMD forecast indicates that Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Khulna divisions may experience moderate to dense fog from midnight to morning, while other regions may see lighter fog. On Saturday, the lowest temperature was recorded at 13°C in Srimangal, and 19.2°C in Dhaka.

The department expects dry weather nationwide with partly cloudy skies until Sunday morning. Daytime temperatures may drop slightly in the northern divisions, though no cold wave has been declared yet.

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.

Seven wild Asian elephants were killed and one calf injured when a high-speed passenger train collided with a herd in northeastern India. The incident occurred near Sairang in Mizoram as the Capital Express, carrying 650 passengers from Guwahati to New Delhi, struck the animals. The impact caused the train’s engine and five coaches to derail, though no passengers were injured, according to Indian Railways spokesperson Kishore Sharma.

Officials said the driver applied emergency brakes after spotting nearly 100 elephants on the tracks but could not avoid the collision. The accident site, about 125 kilometers southeast of Guwahati, lies outside a designated elephant corridor. Veterinary teams conducted autopsies on the elephants, which will be buried the following day.

Assam, home to roughly 7,000 wild elephants, has seen several similar accidents in recent years. Conservationists have urged authorities to improve monitoring and install early-warning systems along railway routes intersecting elephant habitats to prevent future tragedies.

Bangladesh’s interim government has formally requested Meta to remove content that allegedly incites violence and disrupts the upcoming national election and referendum. The National Cyber Security Agency sent a letter to Meta last Friday, urging the company to enforce stricter monitoring of Bangladesh-related content until February 2026. The government expressed concern that social media platforms are being used to provoke real-world violence and attacks on media institutions.

According to the letter, several Facebook posts have supported the death of Osman Hadi and called for violence against journalists, leading to attacks on two newspaper offices. The government accused Meta of failing to deactivate accounts that spread such content despite repeated appeals from authorities and civil society. Officials warned that online incitement threatens citizens’ safety, minority rights, and the country’s democratic transition.

The letter called on Meta to apply community standards more rigorously, strengthen Bangla-language moderation, enhance sentiment analysis, and ensure immediate removal of content promoting intimidation or organized harm. Meta has not yet issued a public response.