Two footbridges built by Rangpur City Corporation to reduce traffic congestion and ensure pedestrian safety remain largely unused. Despite costing nearly Tk 40 million, poor planning, lack of fencing, and illegal street vendors have made them ineffective. Locals cross roads dangerously due to absence of enforcement. Citizens and experts blame the location choice, weak traffic control, and lack of public awareness. Students use the bridges for selfies, not safety. Calls are growing for better planning and traffic coordination.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam is visiting his hometown Rangpur after nearly 14 years, following his recent release from prison after being acquitted of all charges by the High Court. During his two-day visit, he will attend thanksgiving and Eid reunion programs, meet party leaders, visit his parents’ graves, and connect with locals. Party sources say this marks his first public appearance outside Dhaka. He is also being considered as Jamaat's potential candidate for Rangpur-2 in the upcoming national election.

The UK's unemployment rate increased to 4.6 percent between February and April, marking the highest level since July 2021, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This rise represents a 0.2 percent increase compared to the previous quarter. Despite higher unemployment, employment also grew slightly by 0.1 percent, reaching 75.1 percent, with 34 million people currently employed. By the end of April, around 1.6 million people in the UK were unemployed.

LDP President and former minister Col (Retd.) Oli Ahmed has claimed that he was approached by the Awami League in 1995 with a proposal to overthrow then-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia through a parliamentary coup. According to Oli, the plan was to pass a bill in parliament supported by 183 members, including 143 from the Awami League and 40 from BNP defectors. “The plan was for me to take oath as the new Prime Minister,” he revealed, adding that negotiations on the proposal lasted for three days. “Initially, I considered it, but then realized it would be a betrayal of the trust Khaleda Zia had placed in me. As a freedom fighter, I could not tarnish the image of the Liberation War by engaging in treachery,” he said.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said that the entire nation is closely watching developments in London, anticipating a historic meeting that could breathe fresh air into Bangladesh’s political landscape. “We believe this will be a turning point,” he said. Rizvi reiterated BNP’s call for elections in December, emphasizing that logical timing for the vote is what the nation expects. He also accused neighboring countries of harboring hostility towards Bangladesh, especially after Sheikh Hasina’s downfall, and warned of increasing border tensions, including forced pushbacks. Rizvi further urged the government to remain alert regarding the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in India.

Residents of Chatolpara Union in Nasirnagar, Brahmanbaria are living in fear as the Meghna River erosion intensifies. Over a hundred families are already affected, with homes, markets, and farmland being swallowed by the river. Local leaders and officials, including the UNO, visited the area and assured action. Without immediate intervention, hundreds more may lose their homes. River erosion has plagued the region for the past 4–5 years, causing the loss of property worth crores of taka.

Hundreds gathered at East London’s Altab Ali Park to welcome Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who arrived to receive an award from the British royal family. The rally, organized by social and human rights groups, turned into a festive show of unity across communities. Attendees demanded political reform, justice for past regime crimes, and protection of expatriate rights. The banned UK Awami League held a counter protest, while the UK BNP plans a separate rally on Friday.

At the 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Bangladesh’s Labour and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M. Sakhawat Hossain emphasized the country’s commitment to enhancing labour rights protection, ensuring safe workplaces, and implementing labour laws with ILO’s technical support. Key initiatives include amending the Labour Act, recruiting 122 new labour inspectors, and ratifying important ILO conventions. The government also highlighted challenges like reduced development funds and called for international support. Bangladesh welcomed Palestine’s observer status at the ILO and urged protection for Palestinian civilians.

India’s average fertility rate has fallen to 1.9, below the replacement threshold of 2.1, indicating a future population decline. The UNFPA’s State of World Population 2025 report highlights that improved education, reproductive health, and women’s empowerment have reduced fertility rates worldwide, including India. Economic pressures, job insecurity, and family influence shape fertility decisions. India’s population is projected to peak around 1.7 billion in 40 years before declining. Despite greater rights, many women are still not fully empowered to determine their desired family size.

BNP leader Syed Emran Saleh Prince has emphasized that holding a free, fair, neutral, and credible election is the most crucial reform needed for the country. He said that elected representatives will play the key role in fulfilling the people's aspirations for democratic governance and a society free from inequality.

Prince also noted that the entire nation is now focused on the upcoming meeting in London between the interim government’s chief adviser and BNP’s top leadership. He suggested this meeting could be a turning point in resolving the ongoing political crisis.
He further warned that delaying the election for anyone’s advantage would not be accepted by the people and that any postponement would ultimately harm the country.

Los Angeles police have begun mass arrests after several days of protests against immigrant detentions. A curfew, effective from 8 PM to 6 AM, was imposed covering a downtown area of about one square mile. The curfew aims to control rising tensions and protect lives and property following increased illegal and dangerous activities. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized protesters as “professional agitators” and “animals.” Around 4,000 National Guard troops have been deployed to manage the unrest.

A growing conflict between Donald Trump and Elon Musk is threatening NASA’s future. As Musk’s SpaceX remains vital to NASA’s missions, Trump has warned of terminating government contracts. A proposed budget cut could slash scientific funding by half, risking 40 missions. Though Moon and Mars programs are prioritized, long-term exploration and global collaborations are in doubt. Experts fear a shift from scientific goals to political motives. Reduced support for private players like SpaceX and Blue Origin may further destabilize U.S. space research and international partnerships.

A nighttime curfew has been enforced in downtown Los Angeles following ongoing protests against immigration raids in California. Mayor Karen Bass announced the curfew from 8 PM to 6 AM, covering about one square mile of the downtown area. Police report increased unrest and dangerous behavior. Meanwhile, President Trump compared protesters to "professional agitators" during a military speech, sparking controversy. About 4,000 National Guard troops and Marines have been deployed to maintain order, with local officials seeking to limit military involvement in law enforcement.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has instructed senior party leaders to maintain a responsible approach regarding the next national election. Following Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s announcement of a possible election date in early April, BNP leaders held discussions, showing a shift from a previously hardline stance to a more flexible position. Khaleda Zia emphasized avoiding direct conflict with the government and resolving differences privately. Tarique Rahman is set to negotiate with Dr. Yunus on election timing, reforms, and justice issues.

A local BNP activist, Liton Hossain (30), was brutally hacked to death in Jessore’s Sharsha upazila on Tuesday night due to longstanding political enmity. According to locals, Liton was having tea at a market around 9 PM when two individuals, identified as Selim and Ramzan, launched a sudden attack with locally-made weapons. Severely injured, Liton was rushed to Sharsha Upazila Health Complex by his relatives, but doctors declared him dead on arrival. Liton’s father, Azgar Ali, claimed that his son had an ongoing political conflict with local Awami League leader A. Momin, along with Selim and Ramzan, which ultimately led to the murder.