A 21-year-old housewife in Kurigram’s Fulbari upazila was allegedly gang-raped after being lured into an affair. Police have arrested five of the seven accused perpetrators. The arrested individuals—Moinul Haque, Hasanur Rahman (20), Yakub Ali, Sohel Rana (21), and Lal Mia (40)—have been sent to jail, while two others, Atiar Rahman (35) and Al Amin (20), remain on the run. According to the complaint, the victim went to meet Moinul Haque, with whom she was in an extramarital relationship, but was then assaulted by the rest of the accused. A local union council member confirmed that while the woman was going through a divorce, she had no previous record of misconduct.

At a press conference on Thursday, Adviser M. Sakhawat Hossain announced that the Bangladeshi government will cover BEXIMCO’s employee salaries and benefits through the state treasury, allocating ৳5.25 billion (Tk 525.46 crore). On Wednesday, 14 BEXIMCO subsidiaries were officially shut down. The financial support includes ৳3.25 billion from the Finance Division and an additional ৳2 billion as a loan from the Ministry of Labour’s central fund to BEXIMCO Group.

At a special ceremony on Wednesday at Rajshahi Cantonment, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman was officially inducted as the seventh ‘Colonel of the Regiment’ for the Bangladesh Infantry Regiment. As per tradition, he was conferred with the Colonel rank insignia. In his speech, the Army Chief highlighted the regiment’s rapid rise since its establishment on January 1, 2021, attributing its success to hard work, strategic planning, and patriotic dedication. He noted that the regiment earned the rare honor of a national flag in 2011 and expressed confidence that its members would continue their service with unwavering commitment.

Retired Brigadier General M. Sakhawat Hossain stated that the Army Chief is a highly esteemed figure leading an entire force and does not make uninformed statements. “The interpretation is up to you,” he said, adding that he knows the Army Chief as a straightforward man who speaks his mind. “I have a lot of respect for him,” Sakhawat emphasized. However, he declined to interpret the Chief’s remarks, saying, “Only he can explain what he meant.”

In a Telegram post, Kyiv reported that Russia launched 166 drone attacks across multiple regions of Ukraine overnight. Ukrainian forces claimed to have intercepted 90 of the drones. The attacks resulted in the deaths of six civilians and injured ten others. The strikes targeted areas in Chernihiv, Sumy, and Kyiv. Meanwhile, Ukrainian police reported that in the past 24 hours, 42 homes were destroyed in attacks on the Donetsk region. Negotiations between Russia and the United States regarding an end to the war are currently ongoing.

On Thursday at 11 AM, auto-rickshaw owners and drivers staged a protest at the Board Bazar area of the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway in Gazipur. They demanded an end to extortion and the establishment of designated parking areas for CNG-run auto-rickshaws. The demonstration caused a severe traffic jam but was later withdrawn following police assurances. Protesters stated that the lack of designated parking forces them to negotiate fares while driving, leading to risky passenger pickups. They also claimed that minor delays result in harassment from traffic police, including fines and vehicle impoundment. The protesters urged authorities to establish official parking zones for their livelihood.

The Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) Police Cadre has promoted 102 officers to the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police. The Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification on Wednesday confirming the promotions. The promoted officers have been instructed to report to the Senior Secretary of the Public Security Division through the appropriate channels. The order takes immediate effect in the public interest.

On Thursday morning, Election Commissioner Masud Abdur Rahman emphasized that the primary focus is on the national parliamentary elections, which the Chief Adviser and other responsible officials have stated will be held by December. He clarified that local elections are not currently under consideration and that no government directives have been issued regarding local election reforms. He also explained that conducting local elections in phases could take up to a year, making it impossible to hold the parliamentary elections within December or January. He further noted that for a December election, the election schedule must be announced by October or November.

During his first cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump claimed that illegal border crossings from Mexico and Canada had declined. However, he announced a 25% tariff on goods from both neighboring countries. The tariff is set to take effect on April 2. Earlier, Trump had issued a stern warning to Canada and Mexico to curb illegal border crossings and the flow of fentanyl, delaying tariff imposition for 30 days—a period set to expire on March 4. Now, he has officially set the date for the new tariffs.

The Chief Adviser’s Home Affairs Advisor, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, has dismissed a sub-inspector and a constable for negligence at Gulshan Police Station. During a pre-dawn inspection of four Dhaka police stations, he observed officers displaying laxity in their duties. He emphasized that such lapses create opportunities for crime and vowed to maintain strict oversight.

Desperate for a better life, Pakistani youth like Amir Ali are risking perilous journeys to Europe. After being denied a visa seven times, Ali resorted to illegal migration. Moroccan authorities recently rescued him along with 21 other Pakistanis from a stranded boat near the Atlantic coast. Tragically, out of 50 men who perished from starvation and dehydration, 43 were Pakistani. Ali’s father cited financial hardship as the reason for the journey. Experts argue that migrants seek not only financial security but also a higher standard of living, as similar work in Pakistan pays only $3 compared to $20–$25 in Europe.

At the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Pakistan has condemned India’s “illegal occupation” of Jammu and Kashmir and its continued suppression of Kashmiri self-determination. Pakistani Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar highlighted his country’s commitment to human rights, citing over 70 new laws passed in the past decade. He also called for an update on the UN’s Kashmir report and condemned ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza.

UN Middle East envoy Sigrid Kaag has warned that the window for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine is closing. Speaking at a conference, she emphasized that peace, security, and dignity in the region depend on this solution. Kaag expressed concern over Israel’s recent military expansion in the West Bank. Meanwhile, US envoy Dorothy Shea reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to fully implementing existing agreements, while also highlighting that Hamas continues to hold 63 hostages, including five Americans. Both US and Israeli representatives insisted that Hamas must be eradicated for lasting peace.

Gaza spokesperson Major Mahmoud Basel has reported that over 700 bodies have been recovered from different parts of the Gaza Strip. Many of the bodies bear severe trauma, making identification difficult. Due to a lack of forensic facilities, authorities are struggling to verify the victims’ identities. Basel also noted that more than 10,000 bodies remain trapped under rubble, with rescue operations hampered by inadequate equipment.

Gazipur Metropolitan Police have arrested 21 individuals in a joint security operation named “Devil Hunt.” The arrests were made between Wednesday morning and Thursday 7 AM across different areas, including Basan, Kashimpur, and Tongi. Authorities revealed that a total of 348 individuals have been detained in the ongoing operation.