A scrap dealer named Md. Sohag was brutally murdered in Dhaka after refusing to pay extortion money. The horrific incident took place on Wednesday evening at Rajoni Ghosh Lane near Mitford Hospital. According to police, Sohag had been under pressure for months to pay extortion fees but consistently refused. In retaliation, Moin, a local youth leader and candidate for the position of General Secretary of the Jubo Dal in the Chawkbazar area, along with his associates, attacked Sohag with stones, killing him on the spot. Shockingly, witnesses report that the attackers danced on Sohag’s body after the killing. Moin has a history of extortion from street vendors and chemical traders near the hospital, and is also accused of taking bribes in exchange for third-class hospital job placements. Police have arrested Moin and another suspect in connection with the crime.

Dr. Abul Barkat, former chairman of Janata Bank and an economist, was arrested by Dhaka’s Detective Branch last night from Dhanmondi. He faces charges filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission related to financial irregularities during his tenure from 2009 to 2014. Allegations claim political influence and management collusion led to the bank’s large-scale embezzlement, which contributed to its decline. The late Finance Minister once criticized Barkat for damaging the bank’s reputation. Barkat also served as the chairman of Dhaka University’s Economics Department.

Hasnat Abdullah, the Southern Regional Coordinator of the Nationalist Citizens' Party (NCP), has said that some are labeling the attack on 32 No. as the act of a "mob," and in the future, they will use the same term for the upcoming July uprising — all in an attempt to curry favor with Awami League voters.

Speaking at a meeting with families of martyrs and injured activists in Jessore, Abdullah emphasized that while the NCP is not against elections, it will not participate in any without ensuring justice, reform, and the demands tied to the July uprising are met.

During the event, family members of fallen activists expressed frustration over being denied official recognition and state honors. NCP leaders assured them of continued support, pledging to publish the "July Charter" and formally include these families under state recognition.

The BNP has rejected the proposal to include the July Declaration as a fundamental principle of Bangladesh’s constitution, suggesting instead that it be added to the Fourth Schedule to recognize the spirit of the July-August 2024 student uprising. In contrast, the NCP demands full constitutional recognition of the declaration in a new constitution draft. BNP argues that including July’s uprising in the main constitution raises questions about the placement of other historic uprisings, emphasizing the declaration’s political rather than constitutional value.

During the second day of discussions between Bangladesh and the United States on tariff-related matters, both sides reached a general consensus on several aspects concerning current and future trade dynamics, though some issues remain unresolved, according to Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser.

A post from the Chief Adviser’s official Facebook page stated that Bangladesh Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin engaged in a constructive dialogue with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The discussions focused on tariffs and other trade-related interests. Bangladesh reiterated its commitment to improving both exports and imports, and expressed hope for U.S. cooperation in ensuring fairness and a competitive trade environment. Further talks are scheduled in the coming days.

The Election Commission (EC) has sent 46 newly selected election symbols to the Law Ministry for legal vetting, aiming to expand its current list of 69 symbols to 115. This move comes as political party numbers increase, with 147 new parties applying for registration. The EC had initially shortlisted 150 symbols but finalized 115 for vetting. The Law Ministry can recommend changes to the list. Notably, the proposed amendment to the election rules excludes the “Shapla” (Water Lily) symbol.

Continuous rainfall and upstream surges have flooded over 100 villages in Feni after river embankments broke, while water from the Teesta and other northern rivers is rising rapidly. Crops across 21 districts have been submerged, affecting over 72,000 hectares of farmland. Military rescue and relief operations are underway in the worst-hit areas. Coastal districts like Bagerhat are also experiencing severe waterlogging. Authorities expect slight improvement as rainfall decreases, but vulnerable areas remain at risk of further flooding and damage.

A devastating fire broke out at a footwear factory located on the ground floor of a four-story building in the Karnaphuli Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Chattogram on Friday. The blaze started around 2:55 PM and quickly spread.

Eight units from the Fire Service responded to the scene and began efforts to control the fire. As of now, the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage remain unknown.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam emphasized the need for a new constitution and fundamental reforms to combat dominance, inequality, and fascism in Bangladesh. Speaking at a street rally in Magura, he said the current crises persist due to the absence of constitutional change even after the July mass uprising. He urged unity against extortion, terrorism, and land-grabbing, and called for justice for the martyrs of the uprising. The rally was part of the “July March” that took place across key areas in the town.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has expressed grave concerns over Bangladesh’s deteriorating economic situation, warning that fears of a possible famine in September-October are growing among the public. Speaking at an event in front of the party’s central office on Friday, Rizvi said,

“This is no longer just talk—people are genuinely afraid of famine in the coming months. With garment factories shutting down, widespread job losses, and the unaffordability of basic food items, the signs of famine are already visible.”

He blamed the economic crisis on the lack of a people's government, citing no accountability and a worsening job market. Rizvi reaffirmed that BNP is fighting for democratic values, human rights, and the rule of law, and emphasized the need to return power to the people.

After postponing the T20 and ODI series with Bangladesh to September 2026, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly pushing to relocate the upcoming Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting scheduled in Dhaka on July 24. Citing concerns over the political climate and instability in Bangladesh, BCCI sources claimed the conditions were not ideal for travel. The ACC meeting is expected to finalize the schedule and venue for this year’s Asia Cup.

All seven operational units at the Ghorashal Thermal Power Plant in Narsingdi have been forced to shut down due to a severe gas crisis, confirmed Chief Engineer Md. Enamul Haque.

The crisis, ongoing for the past two years, has worsened since Eid. Units 3, 4, 5, and 7 are currently offline. The government’s prioritization of fertilizer factories for gas supply has further strained operations. Unit 6 has remained permanently out of service since a fire in 2010, and Units 1 and 2 have long been shut due to mechanical issues.

In a brief rally held Thursday night at Chourasta in Bagharpara, Jessore, the National Citizens' Party (NCP) declared the end of their association with the ruling Awami League.

Addressing the gathering, central NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah said, “We’ve closed the Awami League chapter. They have carried out repression in Jessore and across the country.” The five-minute event ended with leaders departing for Jessore town, where a major rally is set for Friday near the central Eidgah.

Bangladeshi and U.S. officials successfully concluded the second day of a three-day bilateral dialogue on tariff and trade agreements in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.

Bangladesh’s Trade Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer at his office to discuss mutual trade interests. All key aspects of bilateral trade relations were reportedly covered. Further meetings are scheduled for Friday night, Bangladesh time.

After 42 days in captivity, two Bangladeshi nationals—Alamgir Hossain and Siraj Uddin—were rescued in Libya’s Tripoli by the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI). The kidnappers had demanded a ransom of Tk 2.2 million per person and subjected them to severe physical abuse.

Two individuals—Russel Haque from Rajshahi and Mintu Farazi from Bagerhat—were arrested during the investigation. With support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and BRAC Migration, the victims were placed under the protection of the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya. Alamgir was brought back to Bangladesh on July 9, and efforts are underway to repatriate Siraj.