Bangladeshi taxpayers can legally reduce their payable taxes by investing in specific sectors recognized for tax rebate eligibility. According to the National Board of Revenue guidelines, five major investment areas qualify for such benefits: life insurance, provident fund, savings certificates, deposit pension schemes (DPS), and treasury bonds or shares. Life insurance premiums paid under the policyholder’s name are considered eligible investments, while provident fund contributions by both employer and employee also qualify. Savings certificates, issued by the government, offer both high returns and maximum tax rebate opportunities. DPS accounts allow regular monthly deposits that accumulate into a lump sum, which is treated as an investment for tax purposes. Additionally, investments in government treasury bonds and listed company shares are eligible for tax rebates, with treasury bonds capped at BDT 500,000 and no upper limit for share investments. These options provide both financial security and tax-saving opportunities for individuals.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) Managing Director Md. Faruk Ahmed confirmed that no physical displacement occurred in Dhaka’s metro rail infrastructure following the recent earthquake. Speaking at a press conference in Uttara on December 1, he said that passenger safety remains the top priority and that operations were temporarily halted for thorough inspections. Engineers physically examined all metro structures for four to five hours after the tremor, including bearing pads at Farmgate and Bijoy Sarani. Two test runs were conducted before resuming public service, causing a 27-minute delay. Ahmed also addressed misinformation circulating on social media, dismissing claims that metro structures had collapsed. He clarified that only minor cracks appeared on a wall, two tiles fell, and a few ceiling pads loosened, none of which indicated structural damage. The DMTCL reassured commuters that the metro system remains safe and fully operational.

Severe tropical cyclones, heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides have killed more than 900 people across Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka over the past week to ten days. Indonesia’s Sumatra Island was hardest hit by Cyclone Seniyar, with at least 435 deaths and more than 400 people missing. Sri Lanka, battered by Cyclone Ditwah, reported 334 deaths and extensive damage to over 25,000 homes, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency. In southern Thailand, 162 people died and 3.5 million were affected, though floodwaters have begun to recede. Malaysia reported two deaths and the evacuation of 34,000 people from coastal areas. Rescue operations continue across all four nations, with military helicopters delivering aid to isolated regions. Communication and transport networks remain severely disrupted in many affected areas, while reports of looting have emerged in some Indonesian towns due to delayed relief supplies.

The issue of allowing private companies direct listing on Bangladesh’s stock market has resurfaced amid discussions on the draft Initial Public Offering (IPO) Regulations 2025. Market stakeholders, including the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the DSE Brokers Association (DBA), argue that enabling direct listing for large private and multinational firms would increase quality share supply and restore investor confidence. DBA President Saiful Islam proposed a hybrid model allowing company directors to sell part of their shares directly through IPOs to attract more firms to the market. Currently, the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) bans direct listing for private companies, though government firms may do so. BSEC officials clarified that direct listing falls under listing regulations, not IPO rules. Critics recall past controversies, such as the 2009 Summit Group listings that led to market manipulation allegations. Despite concerns, experts stress that new quality listings are vital to overcome the ongoing liquidity and confidence crisis in the capital market, where no new company has been listed for over a year.

The ASEAN Technology Cooperation Summit, held in Kuala Lumpur’s Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre, set new participation records with over 2,000 onsite delegates, 50,000 online viewers, and representatives from 13 countries. The three-day event, inaugurated by Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof, underscored technology, human capital, and regional unity as key drivers of future transformation. Malaysia reaffirmed its commitment to boost research funding and attract global innovators. The summit launched several initiatives, including the Cooperation and Development Summit 2025 and multiple MoUs between regional innovation bodies. Discussions covered emerging technologies, AI governance, sustainable supply chains, and cross-border R&D. Industry leaders emphasized ASEAN’s growing interdependence with the APEC region and Malaysia’s strategic role in digital trade and green industry. The event reinforced Malaysia’s position as a hub for ASEAN innovation diplomacy and regional science collaboration, paving the way for long-term partnerships and policy frameworks.

Bangladesh’s Pay Commission has completed four rounds of consultations with secretaries from all ministries as part of its effort to finalize recommendations for the upcoming ninth pay scale. Over 70 secretaries participated in the meetings, offering practical and realistic suggestions rather than ambitious proposals. The commission also gathered input from more than 250 organizations and through online submissions. Officials stated that reviewing and incorporating these opinions is underway, with more than half of the work already completed. Commission Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan expressed optimism that the final report could be submitted within the scheduled timeframe, possibly by next month. The new pay scale is expected to emphasize adjustments to the minimum salary structure and grade reclassification. Stakeholders, including the Secretariat Officers and Employees Association, have expressed satisfaction with the commission’s progress and transparency in the decision-making process.

After a ten-month ban imposed by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, tourists are once again permitted to stay overnight on Bangladesh’s only coral island, Saint Martin’s. Starting Monday, four ships have been authorized to operate daily from Cox’s Bazar to the island, with the permission valid until January 31. Authorities have capped the number of tourists at 2,000 per day and mandated strict adherence to environmental guidelines to protect the island’s fragile biodiversity. Visitors must purchase tickets online through a government-approved portal containing a QR-coded travel pass. The administration has reiterated the importance of sustainable tourism, prohibiting activities such as beach lighting at night, loud music, barbecues, and the use of single-use plastics. The move follows a limited reopening in November that allowed day trips only, but no overnight stays. Officials emphasize that preserving Saint Martin’s ecological balance is a national priority, and compliance with the 12-point conservation directive is mandatory for all visitors.

At least 212 people have been confirmed dead and more than 218 remain missing after Cyclone Ditwah battered Sri Lanka, triggering heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides across the island. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that nearly one million people have been affected, with around 200,000 displaced and taking shelter in 1,275 relief centers. The central region suffered the most damage, while Colombo’s northern areas were inundated after the Kelani River overflowed. Rescue operations are ongoing, involving over 24,000 personnel from the police, army, and air force. The air force has evacuated more than 120 people by helicopter from the eastern Mavil Aru reservoir area, where a dam breach caused severe flooding. Authorities warn that floodwaters in Colombo may take another day to recede, although the weather department forecasts drier conditions ahead. Cyclone Ditwah has since moved toward India, leaving widespread destruction in its wake.

A powerful winter storm has swept across the US Midwest, bringing over a foot of snow and causing major disruptions from South Dakota to New York. More than 53 million people were under winter weather alerts as heavy snow, strong winds, and thunderstorms created hazardous conditions. Des Moines recorded 10.9 inches (28 cm) of snow by midnight Sunday, marking its heaviest two-day snowfall since January 2024. Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport saw 8.4 inches of snow on Saturday, setting a new November snowfall record for the city. Illinois State Police reported around 500 vehicle accidents in the Chicago area on Saturday alone. Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel as cleanup and recovery efforts continue amid freezing temperatures and ongoing weather warnings.

Bangladesh’s Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has warned that marine fish stocks in the Bay of Bengal are rapidly declining due to illegal, unregulated, and excessive fishing, as well as the use of harmful nets. Speaking at the debriefing of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF)-Nansen Survey 2025 in Dhaka, she said the recent R.V. Dr. Fridtjof Nansen survey results highlight an alarming depletion of fish resources. The survey found oxygen-depleted zones, high microplastic concentrations, and abnormal jellyfish proliferation, signaling severe ecological stress. Akhter urged stricter control over industrial trawler licensing and called for scientific planning to ensure sustainable deep-sea fishing. The survey, conducted from August 21 to September 21, 2025, identified 65 new fish species, including five unique to the Bay of Bengal. Officials from Norway, FAO, and Bangladesh emphasized continued international cooperation and the need for Bangladesh to acquire its own research vessel to strengthen marine resource management and biodiversity conservation.

The Bangladesh government has announced a Tk 2 per liter increase in the prices of all types of fuel, effective from December 1. The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources issued a notification on November 30, stating that the adjustment aligns with the revised automatic pricing formula, which sets fuel prices monthly based on global market fluctuations. Under the new rates, diesel will cost Tk 104 per liter, octane Tk 124, petrol Tk 120, and kerosene Tk 116. The ministry said the revision aims to ensure a stable and affordable fuel supply for consumers while maintaining consistency with international price trends. This marks the latest adjustment under the government’s automated pricing system, introduced to make domestic fuel pricing more responsive to global market changes and reduce subsidy pressures on the national budget.

Chattogram is set to host its first-ever international scientific conference, the 'SMCH Summit 2025', on December 4 at the Southan Medical College campus. The daylong event will bring together more than 500 researchers and physicians from across Bangladesh and abroad. Chattogram Medical University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Omar Faruk Yusuf will attend as chief guest at the opening session, while Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain will be the chief guest at the closing ceremony. The summit, themed 'Bridging Health, Science, and Humanity', will feature 63 scientific papers, including four by international researchers from Indonesia, South Korea, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Key topics include medical education, accreditation, technology, public health, geriatrics, microbiology, and various branches of clinical medicine. The event aims to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among medical professionals and researchers.

Workers from several factories under NASA Group staged a protest and human chain on Sunday in front of the main gate of the Cumilla Export Processing Zone (EPZ), demanding payment of overdue wages and reinstatement of their jobs. According to protesters, production at NASA Spinning Limited and NASA Spinners began to decline in April 2025, and the factories were fully shut down in September, leaving many workers unpaid for several months. Despite repeated assurances, the company has not provided a clear timeline for settling the dues. A recent company notice issued on November 29 further fueled workers’ anger as it lacked any commitment to payment. BEPZA General Manager Abdullah Al Mahbub urged patience, assuring efforts to resolve the issue, while NASA Group’s Executive Director Major Abdul Hafiz cited financial challenges but promised ongoing efforts to pay workers. The protest ended peacefully under tight security with no reported incidents.

Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB), representing smartphone and gadget traders, held a peaceful human chain in Dhaka demanding government dialogue before implementing the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR). The traders, who claim to control over 70% of the mobile market, argue that the NEIR policy was announced without prior consultation, creating instability and threatening the livelihoods of over two million people linked to around 25,000 businesses. They warned that enforcing NEIR under its current structure could lead to monopolistic control by a few companies, price hikes, and harm to consumers and the digital economy. MBCB proposed several reforms, including canceling mandatory manufacturer agreements, allowing automatic handset registration upon customs clearance, reducing the 57% import duty, and ensuring multi-ministerial oversight of NEIR. They cautioned that failure to engage in discussions before the December 16 launch would trigger a nationwide protest by mobile traders.

Bangladesh Bank has granted final approval for the merger of five struggling Islamic banks—First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank, and EXIM Bank—into a new entity named 'Combined Islamic Bank'. The decision, endorsed at the central bank’s board meeting on November 30, marks the official launch of the country’s largest state-owned Islamic bank. The Ministry of Finance had earlier provided preliminary approval on November 9, following which necessary legal and administrative procedures were completed. The new bank’s board will consist of seven members, chaired by Nazma Mobarek, Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division. Independent directors will include professional bankers, accountants, and lawyers. The central bank announced that depositors can withdraw up to 200,000 taka, with small depositors receiving top priority. Detailed policies on interest rates, salary structures, and repayment schemes will be announced soon. The merger aims to stabilize the Islamic banking sector and protect depositors’ interests.