According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the country’s GDP growth rate rose to 4.48% in the October–December quarter, up from 1.81% in the previous quarter (July–September). In compliance with IMF guidelines, Bangladesh now releases quarterly GDP figures. The report notes modest growth in agriculture and services sectors, while industrial growth also saw improvement, albeit at a slower pace.

At a ceremony held at the IMO Delegates Lounge in London, Advisor Sakhawat Hossain formally announced Bangladesh’s candidacy for Category ‘C’ membership of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council. The event was attended by IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez. The advisor highlighted Bangladesh’s commitment to environmental protection, climate action, digitization, and women’s participation in the maritime sector. A replica model of a Bangladeshi ship was also presented to the IMO Secretariat, marking the first installation of such a model at the IMO headquarters.

Tamanna Sharmin, wife of Sajjad Hossain alias “Chhoto Sajjad,” an accused in a double murder case, voiced her outrage during a Facebook Live after police publicly paraded her husband as part of an anti-terror drill. “Is my husband a sacrificial cow that he must be tied up and paraded through the streets with a microphone? Couldn’t OC Arif have just shot him if he wanted to?” she exclaimed. Sajjad, a suspect in over a dozen cases, was arrested last month at Bashundhara City. Prior to his arrest, he had threatened OC Arif in a Facebook Live. Tamanna had previously claimed she would spend lavishly to get him out of jail and is now accused of plotting to kill rival gangster Sarwar Hossain Babla for tipping off police.

Local activists staged a protest demanding an end to Israeli war crimes in Gaza and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Starting from Gabtola Mosque, protesters marched through local markets distributing awareness leaflets, stickers, and posters. They urged shopkeepers to stop selling Israeli products and prioritize domestic alternatives. Several store owners voluntarily removed Israeli goods and destroyed them in public. Holding placards that read, “Don’t let your money fund bombs in Gaza,” protesters declared their intent to continue the resistance until Palestine gains freedom.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md. Ejaz announced plans to deploy 5,000 volunteers during this monsoon season to raise public awareness about dengue prevention. Speaking at a public hearing, he stated, “These volunteers will visit every DNCC neighborhood to educate residents on how to prevent dengue.” He also mentioned increased monitoring of mosquito control teams and promised immediate action against negligence. Additionally, laboratory testing will be conducted to verify the effectiveness of the mosquito repellents currently in use. Discussions are ongoing to involve the Bangladesh Army in supervising mosquito control efforts, and local housing societies will also be engaged in the initiative.

India’s stock market suffered a significant crash on Monday, sparing almost no major corporation—including the likes of Tata, Adani, and Ambani.

Fearing losses, investors dumped shares en masse, leading to a steep decline across the board. The National Stock Exchange’s Nifty index fell by over 3.25%, while the Sensex dropped nearly 3% the same day.

Analysts link the crash to recent tariff-related announcements by U.S. President Donald Trump. The U.S. Federal Reserve has since issued a warning to the Trump administration, stating that imposing new tariffs could hinder the country’s economic growth.

Former MP of Sirajganj-3, Dr. Abdul Aziz, was attacked and handed over to police by a group of students and locals shortly after being released on bail Tuesday night. He had been in custody since February 4 on charges of attempted murder and possession of explosives. The High Court granted him bail, but upon release from the district jail, he was intercepted, beaten, and later taken into custody by police. Earlier, Aziz was arrested by RAB in Dhaka’s Kalabagan area and transferred to Tarash Police Station before being sent to jail through court proceedings. He had also been taken on remand multiple times.

According to the Press Wing of the Chief Adviser, 62 individuals have been arrested across the country—including in Sylhet, Chattogram, and Khulna—following attacks, vandalism, and looting at various commercial establishments such as Bata and KFC during recent solidarity protests over the Palestine issue. Four criminal cases have been filed in relation to the incidents. In Narayanganj’s Nitaiganj area, police detained four individuals for threatening to destroy beverages and attempting to raid a Coca-Cola distributor’s warehouse. Meanwhile, 31 people were arrested in Khulna for attacks on Bata and KFC outlets, and four more were apprehended in Cumilla for vandalizing a KFC restaurant.

Residents of Hatiya have staged protests and sit-ins against an alleged conspiracy to detach Bhasan Char from Hatiya Island and merge it with Sandwip. The demonstrators stated that Bhasan Char’s administrative status is a settled matter and accused certain quarters of trying to provoke regional unrest by shifting it under Sandwip’s jurisdiction. They specifically accused Sandwip resident and adviser Fazlul Kabir Khan of meddling in the issue and demanded his resignation for disturbing regional peace. Historically, Sandwip was separated from Noakhali in 1954, and newly formed chars in the sea have since been administered under Noakhali. Protesters allege that efforts are now underway to reverse this arrangement.

Railways Advisor Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan has advised against unnecessary and excessive spending in railway development projects. Highlighting the ongoing shortage of locomotives and coaches, he emphasized the need for prompt completion of the current project to procure 200 coaches. Addressing a representative of Shohoz.com, the ticketing partner of Bangladesh Railway, he warned that if the company fails to take effective measures against ticket scalping, their agreement with the railway authorities might be reconsidered. He also instructed Shohoz.com to operate with greater diligence and accountability.

In Magura, DNA test results confirmed that Hitu Sheikh was involved in the rape of an 8-year-old girl named Asiya. The incident caused public outrage, and despite a month passing since the crime, teachers, classmates, and locals are demanding swift justice. The school had just reopened after Ramadan break. DIG Police stated that other suspects are also being investigated and the charge sheet will be filed soon. The primary accused has already confessed under Section 164 in court.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus told Chinese investors that Bangladesh is experiencing its most favorable investment climate in history. He encouraged increased foreign investment and the relocation of Chinese and South Korean manufacturing units to Bangladesh. The BIDA Chairman will host monthly breakfast meetings with Korean and Chinese investors, some of which the Chief Adviser himself will attend. A hotline and call center for rapid problem resolution have also been proposed. “Our market is ready. You can also export to landlocked countries like Nepal and Bhutan,” Yunus added.

Nobel laureate and renowned American economist Paul Krugman has criticized the United States for imposing high tariffs on Bangladeshi apparel. He warned that such measures will ultimately harm consumers. Krugman explained that while efforts to bring production back to the U.S. under the guise of national security are ongoing, it is equally important to maintain production in friendly and neighboring countries to ensure a resilient supply chain. “In that context, imposing high tariffs on countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, Canada, and Mexico was not the right move,” he said. Krugman also noted that tariffs alone are ineffective in reducing trade deficits, as various factors diminish their impact.

Teachers, officials, and staff of the National University held a silent protest wearing black badges in solidarity with the people of Palestine, denouncing the ongoing genocide and grave human rights violations by Israel in Gaza. The demonstration was led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. ASM Amanullah. The protest aimed to express solidarity with the Palestinian cause and condemn the continued atrocities.

Adviser Farida Akhtar revealed that a proposal has been submitted to establish a Fisheries and Livestock Bank to protect fishermen from exploitative lending practices. “Once operational, the bank will free fishing communities from dependency on informal moneylenders,” she said. Addressing local fishermen, she emphasized their responsibility: “You are the custodians of hilsa. If you protect the young fish (jatka), the rivers will replenish.” She highlighted that 65.88% of the country’s hilsa comes from Barisal Division and reaffirmed the ongoing conservation program running until June 30. Districts showing success in jatka preservation will be officially recognized. Various demands were also submitted to the adviser during her visit.