Bilateral trade has not increased since its peak of around $3 billion in 2023 due to several reasons. At the same time, the bilateral trade data can be somewhat misleading because Korean companies supply goods that are chiefly manufactured in third countries. Korean companies possess cutting-edge technologies, while Bangladeshi companies and entrepreneurs have strong potential to initiate new ventures. Korean firms are interested in exploring further investment opportunities. Korea and Korean companies are ready to accompany Bangladesh on this path.

It is, instead, a political moment shaped by time, circumstances, and the cumulative failures of governance for the past years. Tarique Rahman remained outside the country, but he could not be removed from the political process. Tarique Rahman’s return to Dhaka, therefore, bears significance beyond the party's need; it is needed for the national revival as a whole. In that evolving landscape, Tarique Rahman’s return is seen as an expression of a new political reality shaped by present crises. In the history of Bangladesh’s politics, this return will mark a watershed moment, in which the nature of “power” is inevitably shifting from the powerful to the people.

The elevated expressway in the airport area will remain toll-free for the general people for four hours on Thursday. Vehicles entering Dhaka city through the airport area elevated expressway will not have to pay any toll from 11am to 3pm, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus -File photoDHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today extended his heartfelt greetings and congratulations to the Christian community on the occasion of Christmas Day, the greatest religious festival of Christians. In a message on the eve of the day, he said Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, was born in Bethlehem on this day. He said Jesus came into the world with the message of peace, justice and the liberation of humanity. The chief adviser said the present interim government is working to build a discrimination-free, justice-based and prosperous Bangladesh for all, irrespective of religion, caste and community. He wished peace, prosperity and well-being to all, including the Christian community.

Photo: Izvestia in RussiaHAYMANA, Turkey, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Turkish authorities found the cockpit voice recorder and black box from a private jet that crashed Wednesday killing the head of Libya's armed forces and his four aides. The Falcon 50 aircraft requested an emergency landing because of electrical failure minutes after it took off from the Turkish capital Ankara, but contact was lost, Turkish officials said. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told reporters at the crash site that the plane's voice recorder and the flight data recorder (black box) had been recovered. Turkish officials said the Ankara prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the incident. He said data from the black box would reveal what happened, adding the analysis process may take several months.

TAIPEI, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - A shallow 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Taiwan on Wednesday evening, the US Geological Survey said, but there were no immediate reports of damage. The quake struck at 5:47 pm (0947 GMT) at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) in Taitung county, USGS said. The last major earthquake occurred in April 2024 when the island was hit by a deadly 7.4-magnitude tremor that officials said was the strongest in 25 years. At least 17 people were killed in that quake, which triggered landslides and severely damaged buildings around Hualien. It was the most serious in Taiwan since a 7.6-magnitude tremor struck in 1999 -- the deadliest natural disaster in the island's history.

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Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today chaired the weekly meeting of the Council of Advisers at his office in Dhaka. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today put strong emphasis on formulating budget in a self-reliance manner focusing quality education, rural development, youth-women empowerment, local production and health. The Chief Adviser laid the emphasis while reviewing the revised budget, which will come into effect from February 1, during the weekly meeting of the Council of Advisers. The Chief Adviser particularly emphasised on education, especially the quality of education, the press secretary said, noting that while past years focused on expanding educational establishments, the quality of education has declined rapidly, particularly during the previous authoritarian period. He said Prof Yunus underscored that improving education quality must now receive the highest priority.

WASHINGTON, United States, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - A US federal judge on Tuesday upheld President Donald Trump's $100,000 fee to process H-1B visa applications, acknowledging it could "inflict significant harm on American businesses and institutions of higher education." Trump argued that the H-1B visa system was being abused to replace American workers with people willing to work for less money. The United States awards 85,000 H-1B visas per year on a lottery system. Tech entrepreneurs -- including Trump's former ally Elon Musk -- have warned against targeting H-1B visas, saying that the United States does not have enough homegrown talent to fill important tech sector job vacancies. At least two additional lawsuits against the $100,000 H-1B visa application fee remain ongoing.

DHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), the country’s capital market regulator, has decided to conditionally extend the deadline for provision conservation and adjustment for six additional intermediary institutions. This decision aims to provide relief to firms struggling with deficits related to negative equity and unrealized losses. The decision was finalized during the 989th Commission meeting of the BSEC, held today at the BSEC conference room in the city, said a press release. The six institutions are: NBL Securities Limited, Unicap Securities Limited, LankaBangla Securities Limited, New Era Securities Limited, Kabir Securities Ltd and NBL Capital and Equity Management Ltd. This latest regulatory action highlighted a continuing trend of financial stress among capital market intermediaries.

DHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) – The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 today fixed January 20 for delivering its judgment in a crimes against humanity case filed over the killing of six people in the capital’s Chankharpul area on August 5, 2024. Earlier, on July 14, 2025, the tribunal framed charges against eight accused in connection with the killings. Barrister Sifat Mahmud appeared for constable Md Sujon, Advocate Shibli Sadekin for constable Imaj Hossain Emon and Advocate Abul Hasan for constable Nasirul Islam. State-appointed counsel Advocate Md Kutubuddin defended the four fugitive accused. Shahriar Khan Anas, Sheikh Mahdi Hasan Zunayed, Md Yakub, Md Rakib Hawlader, Md Ismamul Haque and Manik Miah were martyred in the Chankharpul area on August 5, 2024.

Among its many attractions, the country's sole 'Panchagarh Rocks Museum' stands out, drawing significant interest from both local and international visitors. Established in 1997 on the campus of Panchagarh Government Women's College, the museum offers a unique glimpse into the geological history and ancient artifacts of Bangladesh. "I had heard about the Rocks Museum for a long time. I'm impressed that such a significant collection of ancient stones exists in our country," she remarked. I was curious after seeing information about the Rocks Museum on YouTube, which is why I came.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - Security has been tightened across the country, particularly in the capital, ahead of Christmas Day, the largest religious festival of the Christian community, to ensure peaceful celebrations. “Christmas Day is the largest religious festival of the Christian community. Required security measures have already been taken to ensure peaceful and festive celebrations,” he said, adding that appropriate security arrangements have been put in place at every church. Law enforcement agencies have also enhanced regular patrols on key roads across Dhaka to make the security arrangements foolproof. DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali has sought the full cooperation of city residents to help ensure that the holy Christmas festival is celebrated smoothly and safely.

LONDON, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - British oil giant BP said Wednesday it has agreed to sell a majority stake in its Castrol lubricants business to US investment firm Stonepeak, as it seeks to cut debt. Castrol will be owned by a joint venture, with BP retaining a minority stake. "The sale marks an important milestone in the ongoing delivery of our reset strategy," said interim chief executive Carol Howle. BP extended its shakeup last week as it appointed energy industry veteran Meg O'Neill to become chief executive from April, replacing Murray Auchincloss. American national O'Neill joins BP from her position as chief executive of Australian group Woodside Energy.

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