A 3.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar late on Monday night, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS) as reported by ANI. The quake occurred at a depth of about 30 kilometers beneath the surface and was recorded at 2:21 a.m. local time. Earlier the same day, a smaller 3.5 magnitude tremor had been reported in the same region at a depth of 10 kilometers.

The NCS confirmed the seismic activity through a post on social media platform X, noting that no immediate reports of casualties or damage had been received. Some social media users claimed that the tremors were also felt in parts of Bangladesh, including Chattogram and Rangamati, though these reports remain unverified.

Seismologists noted that Myanmar lies in a seismically active zone where moderate quakes are relatively common. Authorities are monitoring the situation for any aftershocks or structural impacts, while regional disaster agencies have been placed on alert.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on rice imports from India and fertilizer from Canada, citing stalled trade negotiations with both countries. Speaking at a White House meeting on Monday, Trump said his administration could act soon if talks fail to progress. He also announced a $12 billion agricultural relief package aimed at supporting American farmers struggling with inflation and low commodity prices.

According to Indian media reports, Trump criticized agricultural imports from Asia, arguing that foreign products were harming U.S. producers. He accused India of dumping rice in the American market and suggested tariffs would quickly resolve the issue. A Louisiana rice producer described Indian rice imports as “devastating” for southern farmers, while Trump emphasized tariffs as his main tool to protect domestic agriculture.

The move comes amid growing U.S.–India agricultural trade, which includes rice, spices, and seafood exports from India and nut, cotton, and pulse imports from the U.S. Analysts warn that new tariffs could strain bilateral trade and complicate ongoing WTO disputes over subsidies and market access.

Bangladeshi actor Omar Sani has issued a strong response to singer Asif Akbar after the latter made personal remarks about him during a recent podcast. The dispute began last month when Asif faced criticism for his comments about national football and players, prompting reactions from several celebrities, including Sani. In the podcast, Asif described Sani as a 'simple man' and 'woman-dominated', while also making comments about his personal life, though he later softened his tone by saying 'I love him'.

In a Facebook video message posted Monday morning, Omar Sani condemned Asif’s remarks, stating he had never spoken ill of Asif’s personal life and only commented on professional matters. He warned Asif against involving family issues in public discussions and challenged him to address disagreements face-to-face. Sani further urged Asif to maintain dignity and respect, reminding him that fame should be accompanied by humility.

The exchange has drawn attention across social media, reflecting ongoing tensions between entertainment figures and the boundaries of personal commentary in public discourse.

Dhaka experienced a noticeable drop in temperature on Tuesday, with the mercury dipping to 17°C — the lowest recorded so far this season. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department’s (BMD) storm warning center, the capital and surrounding areas will see dry conditions with partly cloudy skies over the next six hours. Winds from the north and northwest are expected to flow at speeds between 6 and 12 kilometers per hour.

The BMD reported that humidity in Dhaka stood at 89% at 6 a.m., while the city’s maximum temperature on Monday reached 27.8°C. No rainfall was recorded in the past 24 hours. Sunset is expected at 5:12 p.m., and sunrise tomorrow at 6:30 a.m. Nationwide, weather conditions are expected to remain dry, with nighttime temperatures likely to fall further.

Meteorologists suggest that the gradual cooling trend signals the onset of the winter season across Bangladesh, with cooler nights and mild days expected in the coming weeks.

A strong 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan late Monday night, injuring at least 30 people and leaving more than 2,000 homes without electricity. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake’s epicenter was located about 80 kilometers off the coast of Aomori Prefecture at a depth of 50 kilometers beneath the seabed. The agency initially issued a tsunami warning, which was later lifted after no major waves were detected.

Authorities reported that around 70,000 residents from coastal areas of Aomori and nearby regions were temporarily evacuated as a precaution. Prime Minister Sanae Takachi urged citizens to remain alert over the coming days, warning of possible aftershocks and advising households to secure belongings to prevent further damage. Geological experts also cautioned that additional seismic activity could follow.

Emergency crews are working to restore power and assess structural damage. While transportation services have resumed in most areas, officials continue to monitor infrastructure stability and provide shelter for displaced residents.

At a seminar in Manikganj, the Director General of the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate, Faruk Ahmed, highlighted widespread irregularities in the market and the challenges faced by regulators with limited manpower. He remarked that nearly every product category shows problems, emphasizing that the agency’s goal is not punishment but correction and awareness.

Ahmed announced that the Directorate has proposed amendments to the Consumer Rights Protection Act of 2009, citing existing legal barriers that hinder effective enforcement. He urged both consumers and businesses to act responsibly—consumers by becoming more aware, and businesses by maintaining honesty and integrity. The seminar, organized by the district administration and the Directorate’s local office, was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Nazmun Ara Sultana and attended by officials, business leaders, and journalists.

The proposed legal reforms aim to strengthen consumer protection mechanisms and ensure a fairer marketplace. Officials indicated that awareness campaigns and stakeholder consultations will continue as part of the Directorate’s broader reform agenda.

Residents of several neighborhoods in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area blocked the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway on Monday, demanding restoration of household gas supply. The protest, which began around noon and lasted over three hours, brought traffic to a standstill across major routes including Mayor Hanif Flyover and Gulistan. Demonstrators carried placards calling for an end to alleged syndicate manipulation and urged authorities to resolve the gas crisis immediately.

The blockade caused heavy congestion stretching up to nine kilometers, severely disrupting city and long-distance travel. Ambulances faced delays, and one patient reportedly died en route to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Residents said they had been without gas for nearly three months, forcing families to cook with firewood or rely on restaurant food. Despite repeated complaints to Titas Gas, no improvement was seen. Police officials negotiated with gas authorities, who promised to restore supply, prompting protesters to withdraw.

The incident underscores Dhaka’s recurring utility supply challenges and highlights growing public frustration over service inefficiencies. Authorities have pledged to investigate the cause of the prolonged disruption.

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md Abdur Rahman has warned that the country is already caught in a debt trap, stressing that acknowledging this reality is essential for moving forward. Speaking at a seminar in Dhaka’s NEC conference hall, he highlighted the sharp decline in the tax-to-GDP ratio—from over 10 percent a few years ago to around 7 percent now—and called for identifying the structural weaknesses behind this fall.

The seminar, organized by the General Economics Division (GED) of the Planning Commission, also unveiled the ‘Bangladesh State of the Economy 2025’ and the ‘SDG Progress Report 2025’. Policy experts, including CPD’s Mustafizur Rahman and former World Bank economist Zahid Hossain, expressed concern that rising debt servicing costs are crowding out spending on vital sectors such as agriculture and education. Rahman noted that interest payments have now become one of the largest budgetary expenditures.

Analysts warned that unless revenue mobilization improves, Bangladesh may face increasing pressure to borrow to repay existing loans, risking long-term fiscal sustainability and development priorities.

U.S. President Donald Trump has voiced concerns over Netflix’s proposed $72 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, which would bring major franchises like *Harry Potter* and *Game of Thrones* under one streaming platform. Speaking in Washington, Trump warned that the combined market share of the two media giants could create competition issues and indicated that he might personally be involved in the approval process.

The deal, announced on December 5, is pending review by the Justice Department’s competition division. Former FTC Chair Bill Kovacic told the BBC that Trump’s remarks suggest the merger could face unusual presidential oversight, shifting what is typically a technical antitrust review into a politically sensitive process. The Writers Guild of America’s East and West branches have urged regulators to block the merger, citing risks to jobs, wages, and creative diversity.

If approved, the merger is expected to close in the second half of 2026 following Warner Bros.’ planned corporate restructuring, potentially reshaping the global entertainment landscape.

Bangladesh Weather Observation Team (BWOT) has forecast the season’s first mild cold wave, named ‘Parash,’ expected to affect parts of the country between December 14 and 20. The cold wave is likely to bring minimum temperatures down to 8–10°C in regions including Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Sylhet divisions.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the lowest temperature recorded so far this season was 10.5°C in Tetulia, Panchagarh. Other areas such as Srimangal, Comilla, Naogaon, and Rajshahi have also reported temperatures between 11°C and 13°C. Meteorologists note that a cold wave is officially recognized when temperatures drop to 10°C or below.

Forecasts suggest that one or two cold waves may occur this month, ranging from mild to moderate intensity. Authorities advise residents, particularly in northern districts, to prepare for cooler nights and potential health impacts associated with the seasonal temperature drop.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has launched a citywide campaign to remove all unauthorized banners, posters, and billboards from public and private spaces. The operation began Monday morning in the Science Lab area, with officials confirming that all unapproved materials will be cleared within a week. The initiative follows recent public notices warning that such displays violate city laws and electoral guidelines.

According to DSCC officials, the move is grounded in the City Corporation Act and the Wall Writing and Poster Control Act 2012, which allow for up to 15 days of imprisonment for unauthorized installations. The Election Commission’s directives have also been taken into account, especially ahead of upcoming political activities. Citizens and organizations have been urged to voluntarily remove unapproved materials to avoid legal action.

The campaign aims to improve Dhaka’s urban aesthetics and ensure compliance with municipal regulations. DSCC has indicated that similar drives will continue in other areas to maintain a cleaner and more organized city environment.

Netflix has agreed to acquire Warner Bros Discovery’s film, television, and streaming divisions in a landmark $72 billion deal, marking one of the largest mergers in entertainment history. The acquisition will transfer ownership of globally renowned franchises such as Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, DC Comics, and HBO Max to Netflix, significantly expanding its content portfolio and influence across the global media landscape.

Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos stated that the merger aligns with the company’s mission to entertain the world, combining Warner Bros’ century-old classics—from Casablanca to Friends—with Netflix’s modern hits like Squid Game and Stranger Things. Analysts, however, warn that the deal could face intense antitrust scrutiny in the United States and Europe, as it consolidates two major streaming players and may reduce market competition.

Despite regulatory hurdles, Netflix expects to save between $2 and $3 billion annually within three years. The company also confirmed that Warner Bros films will continue to receive theatrical releases, signaling a hybrid distribution approach amid industry transformation.

The Bangladesh government has reaffirmed its plan to activate the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system on December 16 to curb the use of unregistered, stolen, or illegally imported mobile phones. The initiative aims to enhance network security, reduce digital crimes, and increase state revenue. Ahead of the rollout, mobile retailers reported a surge in customer demand as buyers rushed to purchase devices before the new registration rules take effect.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) agreed to review aspects of the NEIR system following a day-long protest by mobile phone traders under the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB). Demonstrators demanded reforms to the system, the abolition of import syndicates, and lower taxes, arguing that the new policy could harm small traders and raise handset prices beyond consumers’ reach. Officials, however, maintain that 73% of digital fraud involves illegal smartphones, justifying the government’s firm stance.

A joint meeting involving the BTRC, National Board of Revenue, Commerce Ministry, and industry representatives is scheduled to address technical and regulatory concerns before the launch.

The number of bank accounts in Bangladesh holding deposits of at least one crore taka has continued to rise, surpassing 128,000 as of September 2025, according to Bangladesh Bank’s latest data. This marks an increase of 734 such accounts over the previous quarter, even as the total amount of deposits in these accounts fell by over 59,000 crore taka during the same period.

Banking analysts attribute this trend to widening income inequality. While rising prices have forced lower- and middle-income families to draw down savings, wealthier individuals and large businesses have continued to accumulate assets. Central bank officials clarified that not all crore-level accounts belong to individuals; many are held by corporations and government entities, and a single entity may maintain multiple accounts.

The data also show that the total number of bank accounts in the country reached 174.6 million by September, up by 5.6 million in three months. Economists warn that the growing concentration of wealth in fewer hands could deepen economic disparities if inflationary pressures persist.

Popular Kolkata-based singer Nachiketa Chakraborty was hospitalized on Saturday evening after developing heart-related complications, prompting the cancellation of his scheduled concert in Asansol on Sunday, December 7. According to hospital sources, the veteran musician is currently in stable condition under medical supervision.

This is not the first time the artist has faced health setbacks affecting his performances. In February 2023, Nachiketa had to cancel another show due to cervical spondylitis, a condition that worsens during winter and with continuous stage activity. Family members and close associates have confirmed that his health had been deteriorating over the past few days before the latest hospitalization.

Fans and fellow musicians have expressed concern and sent wishes for his speedy recovery. Organizers have not yet announced a rescheduled date for the canceled concert, while doctors continue to monitor his condition closely.