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.

‘Kiyori Pekra Uwo,’ Bangladesh’s first-ever film in the Mro language, will be screened at the prestigious University of Cambridge under the title ‘Dear Mother.’ The screening, organized by the Indigenous Studies Group Cambridge, is scheduled for today at 2:30 PM local time. Since its 2023 release, the film has been showcased at top universities in Bangladesh, sparking discussions on Indigenous representation, community-based filmmaking, and artistic resistance against capitalist constraints. Director SK Shubho Sadik revealed that the International Center for Social Science in Amsterdam has preserved the film due to its anthropological and artistic significance.

At the Arab Summit in Cairo, member nations adopted an alternative proposal for Gaza’s reconstruction, countering a plan previously put forward by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Israel’s Foreign Ministry criticized the summit, stating that it failed to condemn Israeli casualties and rejected the Arab-backed reconstruction initiative. The plan, endorsed by Arab representatives on Tuesday, includes a $53 billion budget for Gaza’s redevelopment, spearheaded by Egypt. Israel, meanwhile, reaffirmed its support for the U.S. proposal.

A devastating suicide bombing at the Bannu military cantonment in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has left at least 11 people dead and 30 others injured. Among the deceased are three women and two children, according to local media reports. The attack occurred on Tuesday after Iftar, when two explosive-laden vehicles were driven into the military facility’s perimeter wall. Following the blasts, an exchange of gunfire ensued, resulting in the deaths of six attackers. The injured have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

On Tuesday, the United States re-designated Yemen’s Houthi rebels as a "foreign terrorist organization." This follows former President Donald Trump’s earlier decision in January to classify the group as terrorists. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the Houthis pose a significant threat to American civilians, regional partners, and maritime trade. He warned that the U.S. will not tolerate any nation engaging with groups like the Houthis under the guise of legitimate international business.

To address the liquidity crisis in commercial banks, Bangladesh Bank has relaxed the cash reserve ratio (CRR). Previously, banks were required to maintain a daily reserve of 3.5% of their total deposits with the central bank, but this has now been reduced to 3%. This change will release approximately BDT 90 billion into the market, helping banks meet increased customer demand. However, banks must still maintain a 4% CRR on a bi-weekly basis.

In an interview with Sky News on Wednesday, Dr. Yunus asserted that there is sufficient evidence to hold Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accountable in court. He claimed that not only Hasina but also her family and close associates would face trial. Addressing human rights violations, he mentioned that when people witness "mirror chambers" firsthand and hear from victims, they will realize the extent of the atrocities. He further stated that Hasina's prosecution depends on Indian and international law and expressed confidence that she would be brought to justice regardless of whether she returns to Bangladesh.

On Tuesday, two Iranian nationals and a Bangladeshi were assaulted in Vatara. The reason behind the attack remains unknown. Officer-in-Charge Mazharul Islam of Vatara Police Station stated that the injured Iranians were given medical treatment and brought to the station. Their phones and cash were stolen during the incident. Due to language barriers, police have struggled to communicate with them, as they only speak Arabic.

The Superintendent of Police announced that Singair Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Zahidul Islam Jahangir has been removed from his post and reassigned to police headquarters due to allegations of bribery and a syndicate operating within the station. Reports revealed that the station was collecting bribes worth millions monthly, prompting higher authorities to take action after three warnings. J.O.M. Toufiq Azam, OC of Daulatpur Police Station, has been appointed as the new officer-in-charge of Singair Police Station.

Following the U.S. suspension of all military aid to Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X expressing regret over a verbal altercation with former U.S. President Donald Trump during a White House meeting. He reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to ending the war with Russia as swiftly as possible under Trump’s "strong leadership." Although Zelensky did not directly mention the suspension of military aid, he emphasized that Ukraine is open to security and mineral agreements under any conditions.

Police in Nawabganj arrested 10 members of a robbery gang in the middle of the night while they were preparing for a heist. Authorities recovered weapons and stolen goods from the suspects. According to police sources, a special checkpoint was set up at Kaykobad Square under the leadership of Superintendent of Police Ashraful Alam around 12:30 AM on Monday night. When several individuals attempted to flee from a truck, local residents and police officers managed to detain six of them. Based on their information, three more were arrested later.

Despite earlier assurances of ending the Ukraine war, President Donald Trump imposed multiple sanctions on Russia upon taking office. Now, following recent developments at the White House, Trump is working to ease these restrictions to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with Moscow. A draft proposal is in place, and discussions are set to begin with Russian authorities. One key objective is to stabilize relations and potentially lower global fuel prices by relaxing sanctions on Russia’s energy sector, one of the world's largest oil producers.

Following a four-day visit to Bangladesh, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi emphasized the need for sustained support for over one million Rohingya refugees. He praised Bangladesh and its people for their exceptional generosity in hosting the displaced population. Grandi highlighted that the primary solution to the crisis lies in ensuring a dignified, voluntary, safe, and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. During his visit to the camps, he urged the international community to provide long-term financial assistance.