Malaysia’s Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has reported that 1.3 million foreign workers have registered under its savings scheme since it became effective on October 1 this year. The registrations were facilitated through 60,000 employers, marking what officials describe as a positive start toward ensuring social protection for migrant laborers.

Despite the progress, the EPF noted that some employers still fail to make mandatory contributions, hindering full compliance. To strengthen enforcement and worker protection, the EPF signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) with the Immigration Department during a ceremony in Putrajaya. The agreement enables secure data sharing between the two agencies, including information on temporary employment visas and other valid work permits.

EPF CEO Sazaliza Zainuddin said the partnership will enhance identity verification, speed up registration, and ensure transparency in contribution enforcement. Full implementation of mandatory contributions is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2025, supported by an integrated data system to streamline verification and compliance processes.

Bangladesh’s interim government has decided to withdraw the 15 percent value-added tax (VAT) on Dhaka Metro Rail tickets, a move expected to cost the state around Tk 40 crore in annual revenue. The decision was approved at a council meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus on December 11, according to his press secretary Shafiqul Alam.

Officials said the exemption aims to ease commuting costs for Dhaka residents, as the metro rail has become a vital part of the city’s daily transport network, serving roughly 250,000 passengers each day. The VAT had been imposed on July 1, 2024, by the previous administration. The same meeting also approved tax reductions on dates ahead of Ramadan and endorsed several legal amendments, including the Commercial Court Ordinance and the Registration Amendment 2025.

Analysts note that while the VAT removal may reduce short-term revenue, it could encourage greater public transport use and ease urban congestion. Further fiscal adjustments may be needed to offset the revenue shortfall.

Australia has expressed interest in prioritizing Bangladesh as its second production destination for the cotton and wool industry. The announcement came during the sixth round of Senior Officials’ Talks (SOT) between Bangladesh and Australia, held in Dhaka. The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Secretary (Bilateral–East and West) of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

The dialogue covered a wide range of bilateral issues including trade, investment, renewable energy, maritime cooperation, and technology exchange. Australia reaffirmed its support for Bangladesh’s interim government and reform initiatives, emphasizing the importance of a free and fair upcoming national election. Both sides also discussed cooperation in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and anti–money laundering efforts.

The talks concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding on employment for dependents of diplomatic and consular staff. The next round of SOT is scheduled to take place in Canberra next year, signaling continued momentum in the growing partnership.

Saudi Arabia is experiencing widespread storms and heavy rainfall across most regions, prompting warnings of potential flash floods if weather conditions do not improve soon. The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) reported that strong winds and rain have hit Makkah, Madinah, Qassim, Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and the Northern Border Region. Moderate rainfall and fog have also been observed in Hail, Tabuk, Al Jouf, and the southwestern areas.

According to the NCM, the current weather pattern is driven by a deep low-pressure system over the Red Sea, causing winds between 18 and 40 kilometers per hour, with gusts possibly reaching 50 kilometers per hour. The stormy conditions have also extended to the Persian Gulf, where winds are sweeping toward Saudi Arabia’s southern regions.

Such intense weather events are relatively rare in the desert climate of Saudi Arabia, though similar storms have occurred several times in recent years. Authorities are urging residents to remain cautious and avoid flood-prone areas as the situation develops.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) employees have announced a strike starting December 12 at 7 a.m., suspending all metro rail passenger services in Dhaka. The workers say the decision follows the authorities’ failure to finalize and publish the company’s employment regulations, despite repeated assurances. The strike is expected to disrupt daily commuting for thousands of passengers in the capital.

Officials and employees stated that since DMTCL’s establishment in 2013, no formal employment policy has been approved for its more than 900 staff. Workers recruited after the metro’s commercial launch in December 2022 claim they have been denied essential benefits such as leave, provident fund, gratuity, shift allowance, overtime, and group insurance. They noted that an advisory committee had directed completion of the job rules within 60 working days from September 2024, but the deadline passed without progress.

The strike underscores growing frustration among employees after multiple unfulfilled promises by management. Unless resolved quickly, the standoff could affect Dhaka’s public transport reliability and erode confidence in the city’s flagship infrastructure project.

U.S. President Donald Trump has introduced a new ‘Gold Card’ visa program aimed at wealthy foreign investors willing to contribute at least $1 million. Announced via his Truth Social account and later confirmed to reporters, the initiative promises expedited U.S. residency and a direct path to citizenship for qualified applicants. The program is being managed through the website TrumpCard.gov, where applicants must first pay a $15,000 processing fee before submitting their forms.

According to U.S. officials, applicants approved under the scheme will be required to make a $1 million “contribution,” described as a gift on the official site. Holders of the Gold Card visa will enjoy rights similar to those of Green Card holders, including permanent residence and work authorization. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Reuters that roughly 10,000 people have already pre-registered for the visa, with expectations of significant revenue generation.

Analysts say the program could attract global investors but may also spark debate over the ethics of selling citizenship. Further details on implementation and oversight are expected in the coming weeks.

A mild cold wave has swept across Tetulia in northern Bangladesh as temperatures dropped to 9.2°C early Thursday, marking the season’s lowest reading so far. The region, located in Panchagarh district, has been experiencing persistent cold for several days due to chilly Himalayan winds. Despite sunny mornings, the air remains cold and damp, with humidity recorded at 99 percent.

Local residents, particularly low-income workers, are struggling to cope with the sudden cold. Many have reported difficulties working outdoors or in rivers, while hospitals are seeing a rise in cold-related illnesses, especially among children and the elderly. In response, the district administration has distributed 8,640 blankets across 43 unions using funds from the Disaster Management Department and requested an additional 65,000 blankets from the ministry.

Officials warn that temperatures may fall further in the coming days, urging residents to take precautions as the cold wave intensifies across northern Bangladesh.

Residents of Sylhet experienced two consecutive earthquakes just five minutes apart in the early hours of Wednesday, December 10. According to India’s National Center for Seismology, the first quake occurred at 2:20:31 a.m. with a magnitude of 3.5 and a depth of 20 kilometers, followed by a second tremor at 2:25:14 a.m. measuring 3.3 in magnitude and 30 kilometers deep. No immediate reports of damage or casualties were recorded.

The same night, a 4.3-magnitude earthquake struck the Bay of Bengal at 3:38 a.m., while another tremor of magnitude 3.7 was reported in Myanmar around 2:54 a.m. Earlier in December, several mild to moderate quakes were recorded across Bangladesh, including in Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, and Chattogram.

Experts note that the recent sequence of tremors highlights the region’s seismic vulnerability, particularly along the Indo-Burma fault line. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and ensure structural safety measures as minor quakes continue to occur across the region.

The Government of Bangladesh has extended the deadline for registering unregistered mobile phones until March 15, following discussions with the Mobile Business Community of Bangladesh (MBCB). The National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), initially set to launch on December 16, will still go into effect as planned, but users now have additional time to register devices purchased or used without prior registration.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, the decision came after three days of continuous dialogue with mobile traders. The ministry clarified that there are no restrictions on importing mobile phones, and relevant authorities will be notified about permissible models and import conditions. Ongoing discussions with the National Board of Revenue and the Ministry of Commerce aim to revise import duties.

Officials urged mobile traders to maintain order and avoid any actions that could disrupt public safety. The government’s mediation seeks to balance regulatory enforcement with business concerns, ensuring a smoother transition to the NEIR system and curbing illegal handset use.

Authorities in Dhaka’s Keraniganj have disconnected electricity and gas lines to a seven-story building that tilted following a recent earthquake. The Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) took the action on Wednesday after the owner failed to vacate the structure despite repeated warnings. The building, located near the Jinjira Ferry Ghat in Lachmonganj, remains occupied even after being declared unsafe.

RAJUK Executive Magistrate Belayet Hossain said the building, owned by local resident Sattar Mia, was constructed without design approval. A technical team from the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) classified it as “risky” and recommended immediate evacuation. Officials from RAJUK, the local police, and Dhaka Palli Bidyut Samity participated in the operation to cut utility connections. The owner claimed he had requested more time before evacuation.

Authorities stated that further action will depend on a detailed report from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns over unauthorized high-rise construction in the capital’s outskirts.

Mobile phone traders in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar staged a major protest on Wednesday, blocking traffic at the busy SARC Fountain intersection. Their single-point demand was the resignation of Fayez Ahmad Tayyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser in charge of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology. The demonstration began around 5:40 p.m., with traders setting fire to tires and wooden planks, chanting slogans, and reportedly vandalizing a vehicle.

Police confirmed that traffic in and around the area came to a complete halt, causing severe congestion and hardship for commuters. The traders also called for reforms to the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), the abolition of alleged syndicate control in the mobile market, and permission for open mobile imports. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) recently announced that NEIR will be implemented from December 16, requiring registration of all mobile devices.

Traders argue that the current NEIR framework and import restrictions threaten their livelihoods. Authorities have increased police presence, but tensions remain high as negotiations are yet to begin.

Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet has sharply criticized Hollywood’s growing dependence on plastic surgery, expressing concern that young performers are chasing unrealistic beauty ideals for social media approval. In a recent interview, the 'Titanic' star said she finds it alarming that many actors and ordinary women are resorting to cosmetic procedures, often without understanding the health risks involved.

Winslet argued that self-worth should not depend solely on appearance, noting that she admires women who embrace aging naturally. She recalled facing harsh body-shaming after 'Titanic’s' success, including cruel remarks from television hosts and industry figures. The actress said such experiences shaped her determination to speak out against beauty-related bullying and the toxic standards imposed on women in entertainment.

Her comments have reignited debate about body image, ageism, and the influence of social media on self-perception. Industry observers say Winslet’s stance could encourage more open discussions about authenticity and mental health in Hollywood.

A severe cold wave has struck Kurigram district in northern Bangladesh, with temperatures plunging to 11.4°C on Wednesday morning, according to the Rajarhat Meteorological Observatory. The cold has intensified over the past ten days, with daytime temperatures hovering between 12°C and 13°C, and biting winds worsening conditions, especially in riverine and char areas.

Women, children, and the elderly are among the worst affected, with school attendance dropping due to the harsh weather. Hospitals across the district are reporting a surge in patients suffering from cold-related illnesses such as respiratory infections and fevers. Despite sunlight during the day, the lack of warmth has kept conditions uncomfortable for residents.

Authorities are monitoring the situation as forecasts suggest the cold spell may persist. Local administrations and relief agencies are being urged to distribute warm clothing and blankets to vulnerable communities to mitigate health and livelihood risks.

Bangladesh recorded a strong inflow of remittances in the first eight days of December, reaching USD 1.008 billion, according to Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan. The daily average stood at USD 126 million, marking a significant rise from USD 831 million during the same period last year. On December 8 alone, expatriates sent USD 131 million, reflecting continued momentum in foreign income inflows.

Between July and December 8 of the current fiscal year, total remittances reached USD 14.046 billion, up 18.4% year-on-year. November saw the highest monthly inflow of the fiscal year at USD 2.889 billion, followed by strong figures in October and September. The previous fiscal year (2024–25) closed with a record USD 30.32 billion in remittances, the highest in Bangladesh’s history.

Economists attribute the growth to improved banking channels, policy incentives, and seasonal demand ahead of year-end festivities. Sustained remittance growth is expected to support foreign reserves and stabilize the exchange rate amid global economic uncertainty.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has stated that informal workers make up the overwhelming majority of Bangladesh’s labor force but remain largely unrecognized and unprotected. Speaking at the ‘Women Workers in Informal and Marginal Sectors Conference 2025’ in Dhaka, she emphasized that the country’s economic assessments often overlook the contributions of informal workers, leaving them excluded from policy and social protections.

Akhter noted that around 85 percent of Bangladesh’s workforce operates in the informal sector, including tea laborers, fishers, and domestic workers, whose efforts sustain the national economy. However, economists and policymakers tend to focus on the formal sector, she said, neglecting the invisible labor that underpins economic growth. Other speakers, including former Labor Reform Commission head Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed and Oxfam in Bangladesh Country Director Ashish Damle, echoed calls for structural recognition and gender-sensitive labor reforms.

Participants urged the government to integrate informal workers into national labor frameworks, highlighting the need for leadership development and collective advocacy to ensure fair rights and representation.