The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) formed a five-member committee led by Zia U Ahmed on September 2 to probe 16 years of stock market irregularities, including the Beximco Sukuk bond case. Despite a 60-day deadline, the committee has yet to submit its findings. Allegations have surfaced that one committee member has ties to the Sukuk bond investors, raising concerns about impartiality. Critics argue that this delay reflects deeper issues in ensuring transparency in the financial sector.

Former US President Donald Trump revealed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed readiness to initiate peace talks “as soon as possible.” Reading from a letter during his first speech in Congress after securing a second term, Trump praised Zelensky’s willingness to negotiate. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov welcomed Trump’s remarks as “positive” but noted that Ukraine still has a legal ban on negotiating with Russia. Zelensky’s chief aide, Andriy Yermak, urged Russia to cease daily attacks if it truly desires peace.

A court has ordered the seizure of former Sirajganj Water Development Board executive engineer Abdul Malek’s tax records following a request by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The ACC is investigating Malek for allegedly concealing wealth and providing false asset declarations. Officials stated that accessing his tax records is crucial to verifying his income, expenditures, and any undisclosed properties.

Bangladesh Coast Guard has conducted extensive operations over the past six months, seizing 31 firearms, including three foreign pistols, 57 rounds of ammunition, 10 blank shells, three sound grenades, 12 cocktails, and 43 hand bombs. Additionally, 70 robbers were arrested. Captain Mohammad Imam Hasan Azad, zonal commander of the Coast Guard’s South Zone, stated on Wednesday that these efforts aim to enhance coastal security and boost the blue economy. The operations also led to the confiscation of assets worth approximately 4.44 crore BDT as part of the mother hilsa conservation drive.

The White House has opposed an Arab-led proposal for Gaza’s reconstruction, discussed in Cairo. National Security spokesperson Brian Hughes stated that the proposal does not align with the on-ground realities in Gaza, which remains uninhabitable and littered with unexploded ordnance. “Trump is committed to rebuilding Gaza without Hamas’ influence,” Hughes added, emphasizing continued dialogue for peace and prosperity. The Arab summit had earlier pledged to rebuild Gaza without displacing Palestinians.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has directed authorities to align labor laws with international standards to improve the lives of millions of workers. He emphasized that the process must be completed positively and without excuses. He gave these directives during a meeting with the Ministry of Labor and Employment officials ahead of the International Labor Organization's 353rd session in Geneva, scheduled for March 10-20. The Bangladeshi delegation at the session will be led by M. Sakhawat Hossain, the ministry's adviser. The Chief Adviser also stressed the importance of worker insurance and healthcare services.

On Wednesday, the National Independent Investigation Commission on the BDR massacre released a public notice encouraging individuals to provide relevant information through its official website, bdr-commission.org. The notice called for witnesses to come forward, emphasizing the importance of testimony. The 2009 Pilkhana tragedy resulted in the deaths of 74 army personnel, with allegations of both domestic and international conspiracies surrounding the incident.

In his farewell speech, Wahiduddin Mahmud highlighted the long-standing discrimination between Ebtedayee madrasa teachers and government primary school teachers, despite following the same curriculum. Efforts are underway to eliminate this disparity, with over 6,000 teachers from 1,519 madrasas set to receive MPO benefits in the first phase. Ministry sources indicate that the new government has been working on this since November-December last year. The outgoing education adviser signed the necessary documents before leaving office, and once the Chief Adviser approves, teachers are expected to start receiving salaries by May.

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.