OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has sparked excitement among AI enthusiasts by hinting at potential advancements in the GPT series. Responding to queries about GPT-5 on social media, Altman assured users that ongoing development will deliver significant improvements. He also revealed plans to merge the GPT and O-series technologies by 2025, signaling a major leap in AI integration. While specific timelines remain undecided, Altman’s optimism suggests exciting updates are on the horizon for OpenAI’s groundbreaking AI systems.

Dhaka consistently ranks as the world’s most polluted city, with air quality reaching dangerously unhealthy levels. Experts blame construction dust, waste burning, brick kilns, and outdated vehicles, urging immediate action. WHO reports link air pollution to severe health risks, including heart disease and respiratory issues. The High Court has ordered authorities to take urgent measures. IQAir data shows Dhaka’s AQI scores frequently exceed 300, highlighting the critical need for sustainable solutions and public awareness to combat this crisis.

Commerce Advisor SK Bashir Uddin revealed that 37 lakh of TCB’s 1 crore family cardholders are fake. Speaking at a symposium in Dhaka, he emphasized addressing inequality through policy reforms and criticized unethical bank profits during the economic downturn. Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya of CPD condemned the reckless VAT hike and the lack of direct tax collection strategies. Despite record Aman production, corruption in procurement persists, leaving farmers unpaid. Experts questioned the government’s economic legacy and reform strategies.

Elon Musk may need to pay $40–$50 billion to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations, similar to the $44 billion he spent on Twitter, analyst Dan Ives suggests. Reports indicate China might consider a sale to Musk to avert a U.S. ban over security concerns. TikTok’s parent, ByteDance, faces pressure to divest its U.S. assets. While TikTok dismisses the rumors, Musk’s strong ties with China and his social media ambitions position him as a potential buyer for this “golden asset.”

Students from Dhaka College’s residential halls attacked Government Laboratory High School, vandalizing its science fair. The clash began over an argument about smoking and escalated when Dhaka College students stormed the school with sticks and rods, damaging stalls despite pleas from Laboratory School students. Both institutions are investigating the incident, with Dhaka College promising disciplinary action against those involved. Police have urged school authorities to control their students to prevent further violence.

The interim government has invited public feedback on the July Uprising Declaration. Citizens can submit their opinions via letter to the Office of the Chief Advisor until January 23. The collected feedback will help create a revised and widely accepted declaration, which will be announced publicly. This initiative follows an all-party dialogue on January 16. The Chief Advisor’s Press Wing emphasized the importance of stakeholder participation in shaping a comprehensive declaration for national consensus.

In the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, 12 Indians have been killed while fighting for the Russian army, with 16 more Indians reported missing, confirmed by India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaswal. Efforts are underway to repatriate the deceased and the missing. The embassy is working with Russian authorities to bring back the body of Vineel Babu, who died in combat, and to repatriate another injured Indian, Zain Tike, after his treatment in Moscow.

The Supreme Court upheld a law banning TikTok unless it severs ties with Chinese parent ByteDance, citing national security risks from its data collection practices. The ban is set to start Sunday, potentially removing TikTok from U.S. app stores. Enforcement will fall to President-elect Donald Trump, who stated, “It ultimately goes up to me, so you’re going to see what I’m going to do.” While some lawmakers suggest extending the ban to allow TikTok more time to find a buyer, the app’s future remains uncertain as ByteDance has not committed to selling. TikTok has yet to comment on the ruling.

Sarjis Alam, General Secretary of the July Shaheed Smriti Foundation, declared that local groups will be formed in each district and upazila to tackle injustice and irregularities. Speaking at a winter clothing distribution event in Panchagarh, he emphasized the region’s 16 years of neglect, particularly in infrastructure development. Sarjis pledged to work tirelessly to secure the rights of Panchagarh’s residents and highlighted the importance of cooperation with wealthy individuals and factory owners to drive change.

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi questioned Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India after her passports were reportedly revoked. He accused the Awami League of laundering money under the guise of development and alleged that Tulip Siddiq, a UK MP, benefited from corruption tied to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project. Rizvi claimed Sheikh Hasina and Sajeeb Wazed Joy made a $500 million deal with Russia, with bribes allegedly funneled through a Malaysian bank, as reported in the media.

Mir Mughdho, a BUP student, was shot dead during a student protest on July 18 in Dhaka while distributing water. His family, citing video evidence, claims police fired the fatal shot. They submitted a complaint to the International Crimes Tribunal, seeking justice. The incident sparked outrage, contributing to the fall of the Awami League government. Despite collecting evidence themselves, the family refrained from naming individuals, urging the government to identify those responsible and ensure accountability.

A devastating fire broke out at a tannery warehouse in Hazaribagh market on Friday afternoon around 2:00 PM. Two units of the Fire Service are currently working to control the blaze, with four more units en route. Lima Khanam, Duty Officer of the Fire Service, confirmed the incident but stated that the cause of the fire remains unknown. Emergency efforts are underway to prevent further damage as the situation unfolds.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has declared a “March for Justice” to demand accountability for Chhatra League’s alleged terrorist activities during Sheikh Hasina’s regime and punishment for the perpetrators. The march will also call for action against accomplices of fascism during last year’s student uprisings. Scheduled for tomorrow at 2:00 PM, the march will start from the Engineers Institution and proceed to the Central Shaheed Minar. JCD leaders urged students to join the protest.

The government is prioritizing capacity enhancement in medical colleges by hiring additional teachers instead of increasing seats, according to interim Health Advisor Nurjahan Begum. Speaking during an MBBS admission test visit, she emphasized coordination among colleges if needed. Currently, there are 110 medical colleges in the country, with a total of 5,380 seats available. For the 2024-25 academic year, 135,261 students applied, resulting in 25 students competing for each seat this year.

A Pakistani court sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan to 14 years in prison and his wife Bushra Bibi to 7 years over a £19 million corruption case linked to the Al-Qadir Trust. They were also fined; failure to pay will result in additional jail time. The verdict, postponed thrice, follows accusations filed in February 2024. PTI lawyers argue the decision reflects injustice. National Accountability Bureau officials and legal representatives were present during the ruling.