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.

In Natore’s Lalpur upazila, BNP activists forcefully freed detained Chhatra Dal leader Rubel Uddin from police custody. According to reports, Rubel was arrested in connection with a shooting incident at a BNP leader’s house in Bagatipara on December 16. At around 3:30 PM on Tuesday, police brought him to the station. Soon after, more than 50 members of Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal gathered, demanding his release. When police refused, chaos ensued, and the activists stormed the station, forcibly taking Rubel with them. The Superintendent of Police stated that a manhunt has been launched to apprehend all those involved.

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.

Former Awami League MP and Chairman of Bengal Group, Morshed Alam, has been arrested by the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Alam, who also chairs private TV station RTV, is reportedly facing multiple cases. He was elected MP from Noakhali-2 (covering parts of Senbagh and Sonaimuri upazilas) in the 10th parliamentary election in 2014 and was re-elected in both the 11th and 12th general elections.

At least five people were injured in Muladi, Barishal, when activists of the ruling party’s student wing, Chhatra League, allegedly threw hand bombs during a rally organized by the opposition’s Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal. The attack was reportedly led by Chhatra League’s upazila president Zubair Ahmed Jewel. During the ensuing chaos, several participants were hurt while trying to flee. Enraged activists of Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal later chased Jewel, who managed to escape. Following the incident, police detained Jewel’s brother-in-law, Jasim Patwari, from his residence. However, the local OC claimed that Jasim was arrested in connection with a separate case.

Sani Sarkar, a student of Political Science at Dhaka University, was attacked after requesting the removal of a banner belonging to the banned militant group Hizb ut-Tahrir. The incident occurred during a protest on Monday at the Raju Memorial Sculpture against Israeli attacks on Palestine. Sani has filed a complaint with the university proctor’s office. He is a student of the 2022–23 academic session. Abdul Kader, the convener of Democratic Students’ Council at DU, was also harassed during the incident. In response, students of the Political Science Department have announced a protest rally at the Raju Sculpture on Wednesday at 11 AM. The Democratic Students’ Council has issued a statement condemning the attack and demanding justice.

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.

Rumor Scanner debunked claims that Bangladesh’s drop from 40th to 47th in the global power rankings happened under the interim government’s 8-month tenure. The truth is, the 2024 rankings were published on September 10, based on data collected between March 22 and May 23 — during the Awami League’s term. In 2023, Bangladesh ranked 40th in power and 69th overall. The current 47th rank is factual, but it was attained during the Awami League administration.