On Wednesday, the Assistant Director of the District Consumer Rights Protection Department, Md. Asadul Islam, conducted an operation in Noakhali's Sonaimuri upazila to ensure fair pricing during the holy month of Ramadan. Five businesses were fined a total of 24,000 Taka for violating consumer rights laws. Asadul Islam stated that legal action was taken against these establishments while others were issued warnings. The operation was supported by members of the district's special task force and a team from the District Battalion Ansar.

There are reports of fish being looted from a haor water body in Kishoreganj’s Itna district by a group of poachers. The lessee of the water body, Ranjit Chandra Das, has claimed a loss of crores of taka due to the incident. According to reports, 600 to 700 people from areas in Moulvibazar, Netrakona, and other districts, armed with fishing poles and sticks, descended upon the water body known as Daillong Afania. When the locals tried to stop them, they were reportedly attacked and threatened with violence. The lessee shared that he had spent around 3.25 crore taka to create a fish sanctuary after acquiring the lease from the Fishermen’s Cooperative Society. Despite threats and intimidation, the poachers made away with all the fish. The administration has promised to take action if a formal complaint is filed.

During an inspection of six canal excavation projects under Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), environmentalist and adviser Rizwana Hasan emphasized the importance of restoring water flow in Dhaka’s canals to prevent waterlogging. She pointed out that even a little rain floods areas like Dhanmondi. “To address this, the canal excavation project is ongoing. Six canals are already being worked on, and by the end of the year, a total of 19 canals will be excavated,” she stated. Additionally, she announced plans to plant flowering plants, fruit trees, and bird-friendly vegetation along the canal banks.

A fire broke out at Tanzila Textile Limited in Ashulia’s Baripara area around 10 AM on Wednesday, leaving five workers injured. According to Pranab Chowdhury, Senior Station Officer at DEPZ Fire Station, the fire started due to a burn incident on a stander machine in the factory’s finishing floor. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control within 30 minutes using two fire units. Two of the injured workers are in critical condition and have been admitted to different hospitals. The extent of damage is yet to be determined.

According to a document released by AFP on Wednesday, China is working towards creating 12 million new jobs in the coming years. The country has taken this step due to the significant struggles faced by young people in securing employment. The government document reveals that China is aiming for “nearly five percent economic growth” in 2025. This target comes at a time when the country is grappling with several challenges, including new U.S. tariffs, a permanent crisis in the real estate sector, and persistently low consumer demand. Experts have described this target as ambitious.

In the hearing of their illegal wealth case, controversial contractor GK Shamim and his mother Ayesha Akhtar pleaded not guilty in court. According to court bench assistant Belal Hossain, the defendants presented their defense on the scheduled day. Shamim was brought to court from jail, while his mother, who is out on bail, was also present. The court set a hearing for the defense testimony on March 10. On October 21, 2019, the ACC filed a case against GK Shamim and Ayesha Akhtar for acquiring illegal assets worth 29.7 billion BDT.

A week after the death of 30-year-old Shihab Kabir Nahid in a violent clash between locals and Air Force personnel in Cox’s Bazar, his father has filed a case. The case was lodged at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Police Station on Monday night. While the FIR does not name any specific individuals, it holds Air Force personnel responsible for Nahid’s death. The complaint states that on February 24, around noon, a youth named Mohiuddin informed Nahid’s father that an Air Force member had shot and killed his son. The FIR further alleges that Nahid was fatally shot when he went to witness the clashes.

A Dhaka court has granted a two-day remand for former Justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik in connection with a murder case linked to the recent mass uprising. The court issued the order on Wednesday after the investigating officer requested a seven-day remand. The case involves the shooting of student Md. Abu Zar Sheikh on July 19 in the Pragati Sarani area under Gulshan Police Station. He later succumbed to his injuries at Evercare Hospital on July 27. The victim’s mother, Mosammat Chobi, filed a murder case on November 16, naming Justice Manik as an accused.

Chittagong District Commissioner, Farida Khanam, has expressed her frustration over the ongoing edible oil shortage and the lack of supply. Despite holding four meetings with traders, no significant outcome was achieved, prompting her to state, “Now I want to see whether the power of the state is greater than the power of the businessmen.” She warned of raids in warehouses if the oil supply remains insufficient and declared that this would be the last meeting. She added, “If businessmen from Tiki or City Group are jailed, will they retain any respect?” Farida also stated that, if necessary, she would lead a campaign with student coordinators to ensure oil availability for consumers, warning that the government would take action according to state procedures if traders do not comply.

To promote electricity conservation, Indian Minister Pradyumn Singh Tomar has declared that he will refrain from ironing his clothes for a year. His announcement has sparked widespread discussion and criticism across the state. Tomar, who has previously made controversial statements on energy saving and pollution control, claimed this act would save half a unit of electricity daily. Further emphasizing his commitment, he stated that even on his daughter’s wedding day, he would wear un-ironed clothes. The minister urged everyone to adopt energy-saving practices and take small initiatives to reduce consumption.

Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar (C.R. Abrar), the new education adviser of the interim government, expressed his vision of a future where students can see their prospects and lead the world from within Bangladesh. During his appointment on March 5, Abrar emphasized the need for an education system that fosters equality. Outgoing adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud raised concerns about the previous commissions and lack of training for private-sector teachers, highlighting the importance of a well-structured education system with trained educators.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Prime Adviser, has appointed two new special assistants to his office. Sheikh Moinuddin and Faiz Ahmed Taiyab have been appointed as special assistants to the Prime Adviser, with the official notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Wednesday. To assist the advisers, Sheikh Moinuddin will oversee responsibilities at the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, while Faiz Ahmed Taiyab will manage executive duties at the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology. During their tenure as special assistants, they will enjoy the rank, salary, allowances, and other benefits equivalent to that of junior ministers.

Education Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud has announced that all students across the country will receive new textbooks by March 10. Speaking at his farewell event on March 5, he highlighted the challenges faced in stabilizing the education sector. He emphasized keeping the curriculum unchanged for the next two to three years while modernizing it. Additionally, he announced upcoming increases in allowances for MPO-listed teachers and the establishment of a retirement and welfare fund, which will be gradually expanded in future budgets. Dr. Mahmud is set to step down soon.

Mohammad Noor (25), a Rohingya community leader, was brutally hacked to death by unidentified assailants in Cox’s Bazar on Tuesday night. The attack occurred as Noor was returning home after Taraweeh prayers in the 20th Rohingya camp. Originally from Maungdaw, Myanmar, Noor fled to Bangladesh in 2017 during the Rohingya crisis. Additional DIG Siraj Amin confirmed the incident, stating that the assailants ambushed Noor and attacked him with sharp weapons, killing him on the spot. Reports suggest that Noor had previously survived a similar attack last Ramadan, and authorities suspect personal enmity as the motive behind the murder.

Dhaka has been ranked as the world’s most polluted city, surpassing Beijing, which holds the second spot. According to data from the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 8:48 AM on Wednesday, Dhaka recorded an AQI score of 171, indicating unhealthy air quality. Beijing follows in second place, while Kampala, Uganda, ranks third. AQI scores between 0-50 are considered good, 51-100 moderate, 101-150 unhealthy for sensitive groups, and 151-200 outright unhealthy. Dhaka’s air quality falls into the unhealthy category, posing severe health risks to residents.