Bridge Adviser Mohammad Faozul Kabir has announced that steps will be taken soon to find a permanent solution to riverbank erosion. During a visit on Wednesday, he stated that illegal sand extraction from rivers is a major cause of erosion and vowed to put a stop to it. “It’s unacceptable for anyone to lose their home to river erosion,” he said. Accompanying him, Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed emphasized the need for a sustainable solution, noting that river management is a complex task but efforts will be made to implement solutions quickly.

Nine regions across the country may experience thunderstorms accompanied by gusty or squally winds of up to 60 kilometers per hour by 1 AM tonight. According to the forecast, temporary rain or thunderstorms with winds blowing at 45-60 km/h from the south/southeast may occur over Faridpur, Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, and Sylhet. River ports in these regions have been advised to display cautionary signal number 1. The weather forecast until 9 AM Thursday suggests light to moderate rain or thunderstorms with temporary gusty winds in parts of Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, and at isolated places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, and Barishal divisions.

A total of 3,778 Bangladeshi pilgrims are returning home from Saudi Arabia on Wednesday across 10 separate flights. According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, four of these flights have already landed in Dhaka. On Tuesday, 4,904 pilgrims returned on 12 flights, marking the first day of the return phase. The return flights will continue until July 10. This year, 86,958 Bangladeshis performed Hajj, traveling on 224 flights.

The historic Rabindra Kachari Bari in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj, associated with Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, has been closed to visitors indefinitely following an attack by a group of youths. Around 11 AM on Tuesday, attackers stormed the premises, vandalized office rooms and the auditorium, and assaulted staff members. The incident reportedly stemmed from an altercation over parking fees between an employee and a local expatriate named Shahnewaz. Authorities have enforced the indefinite closure to prevent further unrest.

An 11-year-old girl’s marriage was stopped by Durgapur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Navid Rezwanul Kabir in Netrakona. Acting on a tip-off, the UNO rushed to the child’s home on Wednesday afternoon and halted the wedding, imposing a fine on the family. "Based on secret information, I stopped two separate child marriages in two different villages that day," said the UNO. Legal bonds were taken from the families, ensuring they wouldn’t arrange marriages before the girls reach the legal age. "If they attempt again, strict legal action, including imprisonment, will be taken," he warned.

Argentina’s Supreme Court has upheld a six-year prison sentence and a lifetime ban from holding public office for former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner over corruption charges. The court found that during her tenure as First Lady and President, Fernández funneled lucrative public works contracts to companies owned by her close associate, convicted businessman Lázaro Báez, causing significant financial loss to the state. Following the ruling, the country’s Security Ministry has been ordered to prepare a detention center for the 72-year-old former leader.

Piles of sacrificial animal hides have been left rotting beside the Dhaka-Bhisanandi regional highway in Araihazar, Narayanganj, causing unbearable stench and serious health concerns. Locals blame yearly negligence, as the hides are dumped without processing, attracting flies and spreading disease. Commuters are forced to cover their faces, and nearby residents suffer respiratory issues. Despite repeated incidents, authorities have taken no prompt action. However, officials now claim steps will be taken to resolve the problem and remove the decaying hides promptly.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has sharply criticized the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for appointing Pakistan as Vice-Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee. “India and Pakistan gained independence at the same time, but today India is known as the mother of democracy, while Pakistan is infamous as the cradle of terrorism,” he said. Singh stressed that the global community must apply strategic, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Pakistan to root out terrorism from its soil. He also reiterated that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) will eventually become part of India despite Pakistan’s continuous attempts to derail development in the region.

India has surpassed China to become the most populous country, with a population of 1.4639 billion as of April. According to a UN report, India's fertility rate has fallen below the replacement level at 1.9 children per woman, compared to the needed 2.1 to maintain population size. This decline suggests that India's population may eventually decrease. Currently, 24% of the population is aged 0-14, 17% aged 10-19, and 26% aged 10-24, highlighting a young demographic.

Twelve Bangladeshi youths have been missing for over seven months after leaving the country through illegal routes to reach Italy. Families lost contact with them after their departure, unsure if they are alive or dead. The youths were last traced in a Libyan detention center before reportedly boarding a boat for Italy. One youth, Sajib Sardar, died from torture in Libya, and his body was returned. Families accuse local brokers of fraud and exploitation, demanding action against human trafficking and urgent government intervention.

Millions of people around the world are unable to have children as they wish, largely due to rising costs of raising children and a shortage of suitable partners, according to a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The survey, conducted across 14 countries with over 14,000 participants, revealed that one in five respondents have fewer children than they had hoped for or have abandoned the idea of parenthood altogether. Financial burdens and changing social dynamics are cited as key factors behind this global trend.

During the Eid holidays, the Padma riverside embankment from Kawrakandi to the Padma Bridge in Shibchar, Madaripur, has become a major attraction. Visitors from Dhaka and across the country are flocking to enjoy the scenic views, boat rides, and peaceful environment. The sunset over the river, the sound of waves, and fresh fish markets enhance the experience. Local police are actively ensuring safety. With increasing popularity, the area is quickly emerging as a top Eid tourism destination for families and nature lovers.

To combat drug abuse among youth, the Ministry of Youth and Sports will build a mini stadium in Haimchar, Chandpur. Secretary Md. Mahbub Ul Alam announced this initiative at a sports equipment distribution event, highlighting sports as essential for both physical and mental development. He emphasized proper use of existing stadiums across Bangladesh, noting that 175 mini stadiums have been completed so far. The event also saw sports gear distributed to 30 local schools, with officials and students in attendance.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into smartphones is about to undergo a major transformation with the launch of Google’s new app, AI Edge Gallery. One of the biggest limitations of current AI-powered features on phones is the dependency on internet connectivity. However, with AI Edge Gallery, users can harness powerful AI features entirely offline. Experts believe this will revolutionize smartphone AI usage, significantly enhancing privacy and performance speed. As tech giants increasingly embed AI directly into mobile devices, this development marks a pivotal shift in the way users will interact with AI on the go.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast temporary gusty winds accompanied by light to moderate rain or thunderstorms in parts of Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, and isolated spots in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, and Barisal divisions by 6 PM on Wednesday. Some areas of Chattogram and Sylhet divisions may experience moderately heavy rainfall. The department also predicted that temperatures will start to drop from Friday, with a further increase in rainfall expected over the next five days.