Trafficked to Libya on false promises, two Bangladeshis return from the brink of deathTwo Bangladeshi men have returned home after enduring nine months of inhumane torture at the hands of human traffickers in Libya. In total, 162 Bangladeshi nationals returned from Libya alongside the duo. Sagar and Tanzir, along with 80 other Bangladeshis, were locked in a dark room and subjected to relentless torture. After months of complex legal and logistical wranglings, the two men were finally able to return to Bangladesh on Wednesday. BRAC said their return home is a testament to "cross-border cooperation, humanitarian leadership, and collective efforts" by families and the state.

Russia attacks Ukraine with 700 drones after Trump vows to send more weaponsAn officer of the Russian Investigative Committee examines a crater on a beach following what local authorities called a Ukrainian drone attack, in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in Kursk, Russia, in this still image from a video released on Jul 9, 2025. Photo: ReutersRussia targeted Ukraine with a record 728 drones overnight, hours after US President Donald Trump pledged to send more defensive weapons to Kyiv and aimed unusually sharp criticism at Russian President Vladimir Putin. He's very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless," Trump said at a cabinet meeting. When asked by a reporter what action he would take against Putin, Trump said: "I wouldn't tell you. In Lutsk, buildings were damaged but no deaths or injuries reported in what amounted to the biggest air strike of the war on the city of 200,000 people, regional authorities said.

Recently, on the social media platform Facebook, a claim has been circulated stating that former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said in a recent interview: “Is there any leader as dynamic as Sheikh Hasina? See such posts circulated on Facebook here: Here (Archive), Here (Archive), Here (Archive), Here (Archive), Here (Archive), Here (Archive), Here (Archive), and Here (Archive)See a similar post on Instagram Here (Archive). In the video linked to the discussed claim, Mahathir Mohamad was actually praising Dr. Yunus. In this investigation, a keyword search did not reveal any information or evidence from media or reliable sources to support the claim that Mahathir Mohamad praised Sheikh Hasina. Therefore, the claim that Mahathir Mohamad lavishly praised Sheikh Hasina and referred to her as a ‘dynamic leader’ in a recent interview is misleading.

The leaked audio of a phone call suggests the deadly crackdown on student-led protests in Bangladesh last year was authorised by ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, the BBC reports. A spokesperson for the Awami League denied the tape showed any "unlawful intention" of a "disproportionate response", the BBC said. Hasina was at her official residence Ganabhaban in Dhaka for the duration of the call which took place on Jul 18, the British broadcaster said, citing a source with knowledge of the leaked audio. The leaked Jul 18 recording was voice matched by the Criminal Investigation Department of police with known audio of Hasina's voice. The British broadcaster also quoted an Awami League spokesperson as saying, "We cannot confirm whether the tape recording referenced by the BBC is authentic."

While the volume of rainfall may not have been as high as in other parts, persistent showers caused waterlogging in several areas in the capital, disrupting daily life. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Dhaka recorded 77mm of rainfall in the 24 hours until Wednesday morning, as per a bdnews24.com report. Typically, 1-10 mm in 24 hours is considered light rainfall, 11-22mm is moderate, 23-43mm is moderately heavy, 44-88mm is heavy, and anything above 88mm is classified as very heavy rainfall by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). Rain continued to pour throughout Tuesday night in Dhaka, tapering off slightly in the morning. Light showers continued until midday, causing difficulty for commuters and office-goers.

The body of another Chittagong University student, who went missing while swimming in the ocean with friends near a beach in Cox’s Bazar, has been recovered. The body was found and retrieved from Samiti Para around 9:00 am on Wednesday, over 24 hours after the incident occurred, according to Tanharul Islam, deputy assistant director of the Cox’s Bazar Fire Service and Civil Defence. Inspector Md Abdul Mukit of the Cox’s Bazar Tourist Police identified the body as that of Asif Ahmed, one of three students who had gone missing after going to bathe in the ocean at Himchari Point around dawn on Tuesday, reports bdnews24.com. Afterwards, the older brother of the missing Asif Ahmed came to the spot and identified the body.”Three students of the Chittagong University Department of Development Studies' batch of 2023-24 went missing during a visit to the beach on Tuesday. Now that Asif’s body has ben found, Aritra is the only one who remains missing.

A tail of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane that crashed is seen stuck on a building after the incident in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025. REUTERSA tail of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane that crashed is seen stuck on a building after the incident in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025. Aviation industry publication the Air Current first reported the focus on the fuel switches that help power the plane's two engines. It was not clear what specific actions involving the fuel switches are being looked at by investigators. US aviation safety expert John Cox said a pilot would not be able to accidentally move the fuel switches that feed the engines.

CHATTOGRAM, July 8: A Chittagong University student has been found dead while two others have gone missing at a beach in Cox's Bazar.The incident occurred at the beach next to the Himchari Museum on Tuesday morning.The deceased was identified as KM Sadman Rahman Sabab, a first-year student at the Department of Development Studies. "The body of one of them has surfaced, but the two others are still missing. We are at the beach and rescue operations are underway. "Md Riad Mia, a classmate of the deceased and a student in the Department of Arabic, said that five friends had come on a trip to Cox's Bazar on Monday after completing their first-year final examinations. They went to the beach around 5:30am.�"bdnews24.com

The High Court (HC) has published its full verdict declaring parts of the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution illegal, including the abolition of the caretaker government system and the restoration of the referendum provision, reports bdnews24.com. The 139-page verdict, signed by Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury, was released on Tuesday. This widely-discussed verdict was delivered on Dec 17 last year, following the final hearing on two writ petitions that challenged the Fifteenth Amendment. In its observation, the HC said the past three parliamentary polls have "eroded public trust" in free and fair elections.

In the first and second quarters of the 2024-25 fiscal year, GDP growth stood at 1.96 percent and 4.48 percent, respectively. By contrast, the first two quarters of the previous fiscal year recorded higher growth at 5.87 percent and 4.47 percent. As a result, GDP growth dropped sharply in the first quarter. At constant prices, GDP stood at Tk 8.92 trillion at the end of March, compared to Tk 8.51 trillion a year earlier. For the ongoing fiscal year, Financial Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed has set a GDP growth target of 5.5 percent.

Police have recovered the body of an 11-year-old boy from a pond in Shaheed Matiur Park in Dhaka’s Gulistan. On Tuesday afternoon, after receiving information through the national emergency service 999, Paltan police Sub-Inspector (SI) Abu Yusuf said the body was recovered from the pond with the help of the Fire Service. Yusuf said, “The child was rescued with the help of a Fire Service diving team and was brought to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 6:30pm, where doctors declared him dead. “The child went to bathe in the pond with two other children. “The body has been kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy.”The SI also said the child’s attire suggests he was a madrasa student, and efforts are currently under way to identify him.

On Tuesday, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said the move is part of Bangladesh’s strategy to expand government-level imports from the US in response to tariff pressures. Mahbubur also said Bangladesh would promote US cotton imports, which are already tariff-free, and prioritise American suppliers for government grain purchases. Much of our military equipment — especially vehicles and hardware — already comes from the US.”He clarified that “military hardware” refers primarily to armoured vehicles and support machinery, not weaponry. We’re fine with that.”The announcement follows a letter from Trump to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on Monday, confirming a 35 percent supplementary tariff on all Bangladeshi exports. Trump had earlier announced steep duties on over 100 countries in April, including a 37 percent hike for Bangladesh.

Kusal Mendis has struck a commanding 124 off 114 balls and added 124 runs with Charith Asalanka (58) to power Sri Lanka to 285 for 7, throwing a steep challenge at Bangladesh with a tough chase in the ODI series decider. Sri Lanka were well set at 222 for 3 after 40 overs, with both set batters at the crease, but Bangladesh’s bowlers kept things tight with a disciplined show. Miraz dismissed Kamindu Mendis (16) and Janith Liyanage (12), while Shamim removed the dangerous Kusal in the 46th over, landing a vital blow that likely denied Sri Lanka 20 extra runs. Earlier, Sri Lanka opted to bat first as Taskin returned for Bangladesh, replacing Hasan Mahmud, while Sri Lanka remained unchanged. Skipper Miraz is relishing the opportunity to win a first-ever series in Sri Lanka, while both sides look to capitalise on their set batters.

The candidates sitting the 46th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) written examinations starting from Jul 24 must enter the exam halls before 9:45am. The written exams for the compulsory subjects of this BCS will take place from Jul 24 to Aug 3, followed by the post-related written tests scheduled from Aug 10-21. EXAM GUIDELINES FOR CANDIDATESIn another notice published on Tuesday, the PSC issued a set of instructions for 46th BCS written test candidates. The written exams were initially scheduled to be held from Aug 28 to Sept 9 last year. Subsequently, on Mar 24, the commission announced that the written exams for the 46th BCS would begin on May 8.

After suspending steep tariffs for six months, US President Donald Trump has announced that the country will be imposing a 35 percent tariff on Bangladeshi goods. The announcement came on Monday as the US sent letters to 14 countries informing them of the new tariff rates. Trump kicked off a trade war earlier in the year when he announced hikes on tariff rates on a number of countries, including allies. Trump announced substantial tariffs on over 100 countries on Apr 2. Asked if his deadline was firm, Trump said: "I would say firm, but not 100% firm.