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.

Mamun Hossain Bhuiyan (32), younger brother of local Jubo Dal leader Badol, has died after being shot during an attempt to free a banned Chhatra League leader in Rupganj. According to police, Sabbir Hossain Khoka, the banned organizational secretary of Bhulta Union Chhatra League, had been hiding since the government’s fall on August 5. Recently, he reappeared in the area, allegedly engaging in criminal activities. On Tuesday, locals, including members of the Jubo Dal, captured him. In response, a man named Zaidul Islam Babu opened fire to rescue Khoka, fatally injuring Mamun, who owned an LPG gas cylinder business.

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.

Nurul Haque Nur, President of Gono Odhikar Parishad, reiterated the demand for national elections between December and January, calling it the ideal period for polls. “We don’t just want basic reforms; the elections must be preceded by necessary structural changes,” he asserted. Nur credited the 2018 quota reform protests for the rise of youth-led political activism, emphasizing that students must play a central role in building a better nation. He also urged government officials to serve the public impartially rather than acting as party loyalists.

GOP leader Rashed Khan has demanded corruption probes against all advisers. “If any adviser is found innocent, we will show them respect,” he said. “They themselves promised to disclose their assets monthly. Has anyone submitted their asset details yet?” Rashed questioned. He also raised allegations that individuals who once survived on tutoring are now owners of luxury houses and vehicles. Specifically, he demanded investigations into both Adviser Asif Mahmood and his personal secretary. “We wanted elections in December, but that demand has been ignored,” he added.

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.

Police have arrested a man named Babul (50) in connection with the murder of Jamaat leader Kawsar Ahmad Milky (60) in Lakshmipur. Confirming the arrest, Lakshmipur Sadar Police OC Abdul Manna said Babul is the eighth accused in the murder case. The FIR alleges that previous disputes led to the brutal attack on Thursday afternoon in Rajibpur area. Armed with homemade weapons, the accused attacked Kawsar’s brother, Aftab Hossain Arju, leaving him seriously injured.

Fugitive and authoritarian ruler Sheikh Hasina celebrated this year’s Eid-ul-Adha in Delhi, India, alongside her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who arrived from the United States. Currently residing in a safe house in Delhi, Hasina’s absence from Bangladesh has sparked resentment among senior Awami League leaders. Many expressed frustration that while party members are facing crises back home, their leader chose to celebrate Eid abroad with her son.

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.

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has pushed back 24 more Bangladeshis through the Chanduria border of Pirganj upazila and the Chapsara border of Bhaturia union in Haripur upazila, Thakurgaon. BSF confiscated their money and belongings before sending them across the border. Later, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained the returnees and initiated legal proceedings after verification. Among them was Afzal Hossain (32), son of Abed Ali from Haripur, Thakurgaon. Expressing his frustration, Afzal said, "We committed no crime. We crossed the border legally in search of work. Now, we are returning empty-handed. Although BGB is treating us humanely, the pain remains."

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.

Shimanto Bank PLC has announced multiple job openings for the position of Manager in its Special Asset Management (SPO-FAVP) Division. Applicants must have a postgraduate degree in any discipline and at least 8 years of experience in the banking sector. Candidates should possess strong knowledge of banking laws and asset recovery procedures. The position is full-time and based in Dhaka. Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply. The application deadline is June 16, 2025, and interested applicants must apply online.

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.

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.