Nepal is investigating the cause of a severe sudden flood in the Bhotekoshi area after a 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck Tibet at 8:37 a.m. local time. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal told parliament on Wednesday that reports of flooding emerged three minutes later, at 8:40 a.m., though he said the apparent timing link requires further verification.

Preliminary analysis by Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority found satellite evidence of a glacier and rock collapse about 20 kilometres northeast of the Rasuwagadhi border point. Water carrying debris reportedly entered the Lhende River before flowing through Timure into the Trishuli River. Authorities in both Nepal and China have not confirmed the flood’s cause.

The flooding inundated several border villages, damaged important infrastructure and caused several deaths. Heavy rainfall in the Mansarovar and Ali areas on Tuesday is also being examined as a possible factor. Nepal has issued repeated warnings to residents along the Bhotekoshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers, urging them to move to safer locations amid fears of further flooding.

Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid said the government would support small local packaging and processing centres if needed to help livestock farmers receive fair prices for their products. He made the remarks on Wednesday at the closing ceremony of a two-day beneficiary training programme under an integrated livestock development project for riverine char areas covering seven districts, held at an upazila parishad auditorium.

The minister said farmers can suffer when they do not receive fair value for livestock products, and called for effective measures from production through packaging, processing and marketing. He also said artificial fertiliser shortages would not be tolerated despite adequate stocks, and that the government would ensure timely supplies of fertiliser and other agricultural inputs according to farmers’ needs.

He stressed the need to maintain accurate information on farmers’ production, land use and input requirements through farmer cards to improve planning and distribution. At the event, 25 beneficiaries received heifers and animal feed, while 100 farmers received 500 improved tree saplings. The minister later released 286 kilograms of carp fingerlings into a canal of the Phuldi River.

A five-member investigation committee formed by the Jessore district administration has concluded that fish deaths at AF Farm in Sonamukhi Beel, Sharsha, were not caused by load-shedding. The committee submitted its report on Wednesday, two days after the incident. It found that poor management and unscientific farming practices were among the factors behind the deaths at the 41.82-acre farm.

The report said the farm had stocked about 1,500 pabda fish and 16 carp per decimal, exceeding the recommended capacity of 800 pabda and five to six carp. Water tests found elevated pH, excessive phytoplankton that turned the water green, and ammonia levels far above tolerable limits. The committee identified excessive stocking, phytoplankton growth and inadequate aeration as interconnected risks.

Only five two-horsepower aerators were operating at the farm, although at least 30 were needed, and the authorities had not arranged backup power. The inquiry found a 44-minute outage from 1:42am to 2:26am on the night of the incident. It said similar fish deaths did not occur at 12 nearby large enclosures. The farm owner was not interviewed after reporting illness and later switching off his phone.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has agreed to a multibillion-dollar settlement over allegations brought by several US states that its platforms harmed children. Subject to court approval, the agreement would require Meta to introduce specific measures for teenage users, including daily usage limits and nighttime blocking.

Meta said it has agreed to pay $18 billion, although 30% of the amount depends on settlements involving TikTok and YouTube. The money would be distributed in annual instalments over 10 years and could fund states’ priorities, including initiatives to improve young people’s safety in online environments.

The states involved in the lawsuit would receive about 70% of the total fund, or roughly $12.7 billion, over 10 years. Meta said the remaining 30% would be released only if YouTube and TikTok introduce one-hour daily limits, night mode and age-verification systems, and each pays an equivalent share. Meta expects to record about $10 billion in legal costs in this year’s third quarter.

The United States Geological Survey said the devastating flash floods that followed tremors in Nepal on Wednesday morning were not caused by an earthquake, but by a glacier collapse and debris flow. The event was initially detected as a magnitude 4.4 earthquake at 8:37 a.m. Nepal time, near the Nepal-China border north of Kathmandu. USGS later said no earthquake occurred.

Preliminary Planet Labs satellite-image analysis indicated that an ice and rock landslide in the Lende River, about 20 kilometres northeast of the Rasuwa Gadhi border crossing, triggered the debris-laden flood. The Lende is a tributary of the Bhote Koshi River flowing from China into Nepal. More than 157 people have died, while USGS recorded the landslide's force as equivalent to a magnitude 5.2 earthquake.

Nepal Police recovered 157 bodies as rescue and relief operations continued in Rasuwa and other affected areas. At least 403 tourists, including 341 foreigners, were unaccounted for hours after the disaster. In Tibet's Gyirong area, Chinese state media reported three deaths and 265 missing people. Prime Minister Balendra Shah pledged to deploy all government resources for relief and rescue efforts.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu said Bangladesh has no shortage of fertilizer, describing concerns over supplies as driven more by rumours than an actual crisis. He made the remarks to journalists on Wednesday after visiting Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital and attending a review meeting.

The minister said the government provides substantial fertilizer subsidies for farmers and is taking steps to prevent distribution problems. Under the plan, one additional dealer will be appointed in every union, while the number of retail sellers will also be increased to make distribution more efficient.

Dulu said strict action would be taken against dishonest dealers attempting to stockpile fertilizer and create an artificial shortage. If needed, mobile courts would be conducted to recover hoarded fertilizer and take legal action against those involved. He said farmers need not be unnecessarily alarmed, as the government is taking necessary measures to ensure fertilizer supplies meet their needs.

The anti-Israel hacker group Cyber Support Front has claimed it penetrated the internal network of Novamil Systems Limited, an Israeli supplier of military equipment, and disrupted the company’s operations. In a statement, the group said it removed critical equipment from service and effectively disabled the company. No date for the alleged operation was provided in the source.

The group described Novamil as a specialist in component assembly, high-precision sensitive parts manufacturing and reverse engineering, with extensive cooperation with Israeli defence and aerospace companies. Novamil produces precision components for fighter aircraft and military systems, including electro-mechanical and opto-mechanical assemblies used in guidance and control systems, night vision, thermal cameras and targeting technology.

Cyber Support Front said it accessed the factory network using technology developed by several teams that joined it over the past six months. It claimed to have obtained about one terabyte of sensitive data and disabled all computer numerical control machines and other critical network systems, severely damaging production capacity. The group also said it had previously targeted infrastructure at more than 10 Israeli military-sector companies.

Global oil prices continued to decline through Thursday morning as markets anticipated possible talks between Iran and Qatar that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz to normal shipping. Brent crude fell 60 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $87.24 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude dropped 56 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $81.67 a barrel.

The potential Iran-Qatar discussions are seen as the main reason for the price decline. Conflict in the Middle East had disrupted vessel movements through the strategically important waterway, raising concerns over oil supplies. A return to normal shipping through the strait could reduce disruptions caused by the conflict.

The prospect of improved supply conditions has eased market concerns about oil shortages, extending a multi-day decline in both Brent and WTI prices. Reuters reported that market participants are now watching closely for the outcome of the expected talks between Iran and Qatar.

A sudden surge of water and mud from the Tibet border area has devastated Nepal’s Rasuwa district, leaving at least eight people dead and 384 tourists missing, according to authorities. Nepal Tourism Board data show that 291 foreign tourists, including 105 Indians, and 93 Nepali tourists cannot be located. The flooding struck Wednesday morning, sweeping away riverside settlements, markets, roads and bridges along the Bhotekoshi River.

Nearly a dozen villages, including areas around Syabrubesi and Timure, suffered extensive damage, according to Northgaya Rural Municipality Deputy Chair Chameli Gurung. The missing list also includes 41 police personnel and 14 customs office employees. At least 25 people have been rescued, but disrupted communications and a washed-away helipad have complicated access to remote areas.

Experts cited satellite data indicating heavy rainfall in Tibet and said water and mud may have descended after a dam or reservoir failure, though a glacial-lake outburst has not been confirmed. Power facilities, including the Chilime hydropower project, were damaged. Authorities have deployed the army and police, issued downstream alerts, and advised people to avoid the Prithvi Highway and the Muglin-Narayanghat road.

Fifty factories in Chattogram have closed over the past six months, leaving more than 7,000 workers without jobs, according to industrial police. Twenty-five factories shut permanently and 25 temporarily, amid a shortage of work orders and pressure on Bangladesh’s garment sector. The closures have particularly affected subcontracting firms, while many operating factories are running at low capacity.

Bangladesh’s garment exports to Europe fell 16.43 percent in the first six months of the year, according to Eurostat data cited in the report. Shipments to Europe totalled €8.6448 billion, down from €10.3444 billion a year earlier. Exports to the United States also declined 5.75 percent to $4.0078 billion from $4.2524 billion in the same period of 2025.

Factory owners cited raw-material shortages, global factors, worker misconduct and financial problems as reasons for closures, industrial police superintendent Mahmuda Begum Sonia said. Labour leaders alleged increased layoffs, forced resignations and unpaid legal dues. Analysts cited limited product diversification, dependence on cotton-based goods, weak capacity in man-made-fibre garments, energy shortages, port and customs complications, and longer lead times as barriers to exports.

Malaysia’s Human Resources Ministry has issued guidance requiring Malaysian employers to follow an eight-step process for recruiting foreign workers, including those from Bangladesh. The directive, issued on Sunday, is seen by the Bangladesh government as an indication that Malaysia may soon reopen its closed labour market. As of Tuesday, however, Bangladesh’s Expatriates’ Welfare Ministry and its High Commission in Kuala Lumpur had not received a formal announcement on when the market would reopen.

The process requires employers to seek approval and advertise vacancies, apply for worker quotas through the ministry’s one-stop centre, pay levies, obtain conditional approval and complete embassy formalities. Workers must then be recruited and sent through recruitment agencies, obtain a Visa With Reference, and enter Malaysia. Employers were advised to use the Foreign Workers Centralized Management System portal for information and approved agency lists.

Malaysia previously published lists of 25 Bangladeshi recruitment agencies and more than 40 medical centres, prompting objections from manpower exporters and political parties alleging a syndicate. Bangladesh has written to Malaysia seeking clarification. The existing 2021 memorandum of understanding remains valid until December, while recruitment from Bangladesh was halted in June 2024 amid allegations of irregularities and corruption.

Bangladesh is developing a standardized, evidence-based national framework to assess climate change-related loss and damage, including both economic and non-economic impacts. An interim workshop on the initiative was held Tuesday at the Department of Environment auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, under a project to formulate a National Framework for Loss and Damage of Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund is financing the project, while the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services is providing technical support.

The proposed framework will measure losses affecting livelihoods, health, education, culture and displacement alongside financial damage. Officials said Bangladesh previously had no standardized national method for assessing climate-related losses, leaving major non-economic impacts outside formal calculations. The government will own the framework, which is being designed using existing knowledge, data and institutional capacity.

Speakers stressed reliable data, institutional coordination, local participation and a strategy for climate finance. They said the framework could support evidence-based national planning and budget allocations, as well as post-disaster recovery. It is also expected to provide a reliable basis for Bangladesh to seek its fair share of international climate funding, including the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said the government has initiated a plan to send 10,000 workers to Malaysia without any official cost. He made the announcement as chief guest at a discussion meeting on safe migration and preventing illegal overseas travel at the Sunamganj deputy commissioner’s conference room on Tuesday.

The information was published on the BNP media cell’s Facebook page. The minister stressed that workers need necessary training and language skills before going abroad, saying it is essential not only to send workers overseas but also to make them skilled.

He said there are plans to establish five training centres across Sunamganj’s five electoral areas. Elected representatives and the administration will need to work together to ensure trainers and trainees at those centres. He also called on prospective migrant workers to receive training in English, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese and Korean, and to travel abroad through legal channels after acquiring the required skills.

The Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry said Bangladesh’s economic recovery process began in the April-June quarter of 2026, but warned that major pressures remain. In its report, “Bangladesh’s Economic Situation: April-June 2026,” MCCI said sustaining the recovery requires lower inflation, stronger private investment and credit flows, a healthier banking sector, and continued stability in the external sector.

MCCI identified inflation control, revival of export growth, increased private investment and lending, and addressing banking-sector weaknesses as the country’s principal challenges. Provisional GDP growth for fiscal year 2025-26 was 4.14%, up from 3.49% in the previous fiscal year, though the chamber said the rate remains below Bangladesh’s long-term potential. Overall inflation fell to 9.16% in June from 9.42% in May, while food inflation declined to 8.60%.

The report said remittances and foreign-exchange reserves provided notable relief, even as domestic strains persisted. Remittances reached $9.38 billion during April-June, and reserves rose to $37.58 billion at the end of June from $34.48 billion in May. June export earnings reached $4.19 billion, but total exports grew only 0.17% in the full fiscal year, reaching $48.38 billion.

Brazil’s data protection authority has fined TikTok parent ByteDance nearly $30 million for allegedly failing to adequately protect the personal data of children and teenagers. The decision is part of Brazil’s recent efforts to strengthen safeguards for minors on social media. Regulators said TikTok breached data protection law for both logged-in users and people browsing the platform as guests.

The authority said TikTok may have processed data from at least 8 million children and adolescents without sufficient safeguards or a valid legal basis. Its decision also cited structural weaknesses in the platform’s age-verification system. Regulators expressed particular concern about TikTok’s logged-out feed, which allows people to view videos and other content without creating an account or signing in.

ByteDance has been given 10 days to appeal the decision. Alongside the fine, TikTok was ordered to delete all unlawfully collected data and develop a more effective, coordinated framework to protect minors’ information. Brazilian authorities recently also ordered Discord to suspend live-streaming nationwide over concerns involving the online safety of children and teenagers.