Following a meeting of the advisory council, Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed acknowledged that the high prices of essential goods are causing hardship for some people. However, he stated that prices have not increased compared to the previous year and assured that the government is working to bring them down further. Addressing concerns about rising unemployment, he mentioned that many businesses were forced to shut down under the previous government due to their own actions. The government aims to provide employment opportunities for affected workers but cannot accommodate everyone. He emphasized that reducing unemployment would lead to economic improvement, and financial incentives are being provided across various sectors.

According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) spokesperson Muhammad Talebur Rahman, a total of 181 individuals were arrested in a 24-hour crackdown from Monday night to Tuesday night across 50 police station areas in Dhaka. A total of 667 police patrol teams, including 340 at night and 327 during the day, were deployed to ensure public safety. Additionally, 71 police checkpoints were set up. Several weapons, five mobile phones, and 8,080 BDT in cash were recovered. Authorities also seized 4.934 kg of cannabis, 3,236 yaba pills, and five bottles of foreign liquor.

Two individuals were beaten by an angry mob in Pirganj, Rangpur, on Tuesday afternoon while allegedly attempting to search a house posing as Detective Branch (DB) police. The mob also set fire to their motorcycle. Another suspect managed to escape. Upon learning about the incident, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, the local police chief, and army personnel arrived at the scene to rescue the two individuals. The detainees have been identified as Mazharul Islam Hira Pradhan (40) and Shakil Mia (32). A case has been filed at the local police station on Tuesday night.

Gazipur Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Alamgir Hossain stated that 22 more individuals were arrested today under “Operation Devil Hunt,” bringing the total to 641 arrests over the past 26 days. Among them, Gazipur Metropolitan Police arrested 474 people, while the district police apprehended 167. All the detainees are members and activists of the ruling Awami League. The operation began on February 8, following an attack on students at the residence of former minister Mozammel Haque on February 7, as per the directive of the Home Affairs Adviser.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has issued a warning against fraudsters impersonating ACC officials and conducting fake anti-corruption raids. ACC Director General Md. Akhtar Hossain stated that these individuals are extorting money from businesses and households under false pretenses. He urged the public to verify the identity of officials and report any suspicious activities immediately.

Pakistan's Additional Foreign Secretary Imran Ahmed Siddiqui held high-level meetings in Dhaka on Wednesday to review bilateral relations and enhance cooperation. Discussions focused on foreign policy, trade, cultural exchanges, visa facilitation, and people-to-people connections. The upcoming visit of Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to Bangladesh was also a key topic.

Fourteen Beximco subsidiaries have shut down due to corruption and mismanagement, and the government cannot be held responsible for this, said the Economic Adviser. He argued that using public funds to sustain failing businesses is not viable, as those resources should be allocated to health, education, and social security sectors. However, he noted that the government is assisting in settling outstanding dues for affected workers.

Tension prevails in Satkania after two Jamaat activists, Nezam Uddin and Abu Saleh, were brutally hacked to death after being summoned to a so-called arbitration meeting. According to the local Jamaat-e-Islami unit, former UP chairman Nazrul Islam Manik ordered the attack, which was carried out by his brother Momtaz and others. As of Wednesday night, no case had been filed, but the victims’ families are preparing to take legal action.

On Wednesday night, authorities seized and burned illegal fishing nets worth 3 million Taka in Barguna’s Patharghata. The operation, conducted by the Coast Guard and Fisheries Department, led to the confiscation of 42 behundi nets, 18 charghera duari nets, and 3 mosquito nets. However, no arrests were made as the illegal fishermen managed to flee.

Students of Jahangirnagar University staged a human chain protest on Wednesday, condemning the delay in justice for victims of the July uprising and accusing the administration of rehabilitating perpetrators from the Chhatra League. Protester Nahid Hasan Imon warned the chairman of the Public Administration Department against sheltering the accused, stating that if such actions continue, he will be forcibly removed from his position.

NCP Senior Joint Convenor Samantha Sharmin emphasized the need for local elections before national polls, calling it a practical field test. She warned that rushing into a national election without first testing proposed electoral reforms through local elections would be unacceptable. She also stressed the importance of judiciary reforms, governance restructuring, and a Constituent Assembly election before the national polls.

BNP leader Abdus Samad, who was shot during the August 5 uprising in Cumilla’s Debidwar, succumbed to his injuries after a seven-month battle. NCP chief organizer Hasnat Abdullah attended the funeral and carried Samad’s body to the grave. He stated that Samad and others laid down their lives for the country's future, and it is now the collective responsibility of all to carry forward their vision.

On Wednesday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk presented a report in Geneva detailing human rights violations during the July uprising in Bangladesh. He accused the Hasina government of violently suppressing student protests, leading to severe human rights abuses. The report aims to provide critical insights into the ongoing situation and contribute to shaping a new future for the country.

On Wednesday at 11 AM, former US ambassadors William B. Milam and John Danilovich visited the International Crimes Tribunal. They met with Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam, with special advisor Toby Cadman also in attendance. William B. Milam served as the US ambassador to Bangladesh from 1990 to 1993, while John Danilovich was the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Dhaka in 2007 and 2008.

NCP Convener Nahid Islam stated that under the Second Republic, national security would be strengthened, and collapsed political, social, economic, and cultural institutions would be rebuilt while preserving democratic values. He stressed that a new democratic constitution must be formulated to eliminate any possibility of constitutional authoritarianism. One of their primary goals is to draft a new constitution through an elected Constituent Assembly, following the example of France’s Second Republic, which abolished the monarchy and established democratic rights.