Amnesty International has called for an investigation into Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon as possible war crimes. In a statement released on Thursday, the human rights organization said that during fighting with Hezbollah, Israel carried out air raids that wiped out entire families. Amnesty reviewed three Israeli attacks on civilian homes between March 6 and 13, which killed 24 people, including 12 children.

The organization stated that these incidents should be investigated as war crimes, emphasizing that the strikes destroyed entire families. Amnesty also reported that when it asked the Israeli military about the purpose or targets of the three attacks, no specific information was provided.

The statement, citing Al Jazeera as a source, underscores growing concern over civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

All schools and colleges in Chattogram city remained closed for the third consecutive day on July 9, 2026, due to continuous heavy rainfall, waterlogging, and flooding. The Chattogram City Corporation confirmed that its educational institutions would stay shut until July 9, while the district education officer said the closure was for student safety. The Bangladesh Technical Education Board also postponed diploma examinations scheduled for Thursday at three centers in Chattogram.

According to the board’s notice, the postponed exams include the final tests for Diploma in Textile Engineering and Diploma in Agriculture programs at the Agriculture Training Institute, Chattogram, the Women’s Polytechnic Institute, Chattogram, and the Textile Institute, Chattogram. Exams in other districts under the board are continuing as planned. The new schedule for the postponed exams will be announced later.

Earlier, the Chattogram Education Board suspended all HSC and equivalent exams in flood-affected districts, while other boards continued their tests. Chattogram University also halted all classes, and several private schools postponed midterm and pre-test exams until conditions improve.

Two farmers were killed in separate lightning strikes on Thursday morning in Raninagar and Manda upazilas of Naogaon district. The victims were identified as Sakhawat Hossain, 55, son of Mohammad Khaybar Ali of Malshan village in Raninagar, and Ismail Sardar, 50, son of Tahir Sardar of Elenga Mridhapara area in Manda.

According to Raninagar Police Station officer-in-charge Mohammad Zakaria, rain had started on Wednesday night, and Sakhawat Hossain was working in his field near his home when he was struck by lightning. In Manda, Union Parishad Chairman Abdul Matin Mondal said Ismail Sardar was also working in his field when the sky suddenly became cloudy and heavy rain began, followed by a thunderbolt that killed him instantly.

Authorities said necessary measures have been taken following the incidents.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has projected Bangladesh’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth at 4.5 percent for the 2026–27 fiscal year, according to its updated Asian Development Outlook released on Thursday. The forecast suggests a modest improvement from the estimated 3.7 percent growth in the previous fiscal year but remains significantly below historical levels. The ADB noted that high inflation, weaknesses in the banking sector, energy supply constraints, and global economic uncertainty continue to weigh on the country’s recovery.

The report attributes last year’s slower growth to high inflation, weak exports, stagnant private investment, rising energy costs, and adverse global conditions. It expects some positive effects this year from easing inflationary pressure, regulatory reforms, improved governance, and sustained remittance inflows. However, the ADB warned that recovery will remain slow due to structural challenges, including energy shortages, high production costs, and limited competitiveness.

The inflation forecast for 2026–27 has been raised from 8.5 to 8.8 percent, reflecting recent adjustments in fuel, gas, and electricity prices. The ADB also cautioned that escalating Middle East conflicts or rising global oil prices could further strain Bangladesh’s external balance and fiscal management.

Leaders of the National Citizens Party (NCP) are set to inaugurate the party’s southern regional July march from Feni on Thursday at 5 p.m. The event, titled “July Awakening to Build the Nation,” will begin at the Sonagazi Upazila square. Central leaders including NCP convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam MP, southern coordinator Hasnat Abdullah MP, central spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, joint convener Abdullah Al Amin MP, organizational secretary Suja Uddin Sajib, and student affairs secretary Ali Ahsan Junaid are expected to attend.

According to NCP’s Feni district member secretary Shah Waliullah Manik, the initiative aims to honor the historic July uprising and convey its democratic spirit to new generations. The party has announced a month-long program titled “July Awakening to Build the Nation,” featuring discussions, cultural events, marches, public outreach, tributes to martyrs, and competitions involving professionals and citizens.

Throughout July, the NCP plans to highlight key moments of the July uprising and mobilize public awareness on issues such as implementing referendums, increasing employment, resolving power shortages, controlling commodity prices, and strengthening border security.

State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam stated that he is not a friend of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, describing himself instead as an ordinary worker of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Speaking at a dialogue with the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) in Dhaka on Thursday, he explained that his interactions with the Prime Minister stemmed from his responsibilities in the Bogura district BNP and his role as an elected representative.

Addressing recent media reports that described him as a friend of the Prime Minister, Alam said his connection with Tarique Rahman is limited to political and regional familiarity. He emphasized that their relationship is not personal, noting their age difference and distinct backgrounds. Alam added that such portrayals could be misunderstood by the public and his family.

He urged journalists to refrain from presenting him as a friend of the Prime Minister and requested awareness to prevent further misrepresentation of his relationship with Tarique Rahman.

At least 38 people have died in China following continuous heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides caused by Typhoon Maysak, according to official reports on July 9, 2026. The southern Guangxi region recorded six deaths and the evacuation of about 130,000 residents. State media said more than 40 rivers in Guangxi overflowed, damaging around 13,000 acres of farmland. Footage from CCTV showed a concrete dam breaking as rescue teams worked to evacuate stranded residents using rubber boats.

The central government has dispatched relief supplies, food, raincoats, and boats to affected areas. Flood control authorities in Guangxi have maintained the second-highest emergency alert, while Water Resources Minister Li Guoying warned that river levels at Wuzhou could rise more than six meters above danger levels. In Hubei province, thunderstorms and strong winds killed 11 people and injured 331, while in Gansu province, landslides killed 21 after 33 people were buried in Renchang village.

President Xi Jinping has instructed rescue forces to intensify emergency relief and recovery operations. The government has allocated 30 million yuan for reconstruction in Gansu.

State Minister for Local Government Mir Shah Alam announced that a joint drone manufacturing factory will be established in Bogura in collaboration with Turkey. He stated that approval has already been granted for an airbase in Bogura, which will host new fighter aircraft joining the Bangladesh Air Force fleet. The minister made these remarks on Thursday at a BSRC dialogue organized by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum in Dhaka.

Mir Shah Alam highlighted his commitment to the development of his constituency, noting that several educational institutions he founded had not been included under the MPO scheme due to political reasons, but efforts are now underway to include them. He also said that Bogura had seen little development before the BNP government and that the current administration is working to ensure balanced progress across all districts, as directed by the Prime Minister.

The minister further mentioned that local government elections are scheduled for this year, with budget allocations already made and the Election Commission beginning initial preparations. He acknowledged that implementing a large budget and ensuring free and fair elections would be major challenges for the government.

A Dhaka court has sentenced former Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) junior license inspector and consultant HM Rashed Sarkar to five years of rigorous imprisonment for taking bribes. The verdict was delivered on Thursday afternoon by Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of the Dhaka Fifth Special Judge Court.

Following the announcement, the prosecution expressed satisfaction, stating that the ruling set an example for similar cases. In contrast, the defense expressed dissatisfaction and announced plans to appeal the verdict in a higher court.

The case highlights ongoing judicial actions against corruption within government and regulatory agencies, with both sides preparing for the next legal steps.

On Thursday, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami posted four verses from Surah Al-Muminun on its official Facebook page. The verses, numbered 2 to 5, describe the qualities of true believers, including humility in prayer, avoidance of idle talk, giving of zakat, and maintaining chastity. The post elaborated on the practical aspects of these teachings, linking them to modern contexts such as social media behavior, economic responsibility, and moral discipline.

The article explains that Jamaat-e-Islami’s use of Quranic verses in its communication is consistent with its ideological stance of promoting Islamic values in society and governance. Political analysts view such posts as part of the party’s effort to project itself as a morally upright and disciplined force, distinct from its rivals.

By sharing religious messages instead of direct political statements, the party aims to connect with the religious sentiments of the public, potentially fostering a favorable perception among devout citizens.

Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, senior joint secretary general of the BNP and political adviser to the Prime Minister, urged party members to remain alert against conspiracies by defeated forces. Speaking to the media at the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan on Thursday, he said the current government came to power through sacrifice and struggle and now acts as a guardian of sovereignty and democracy. Rizvi instructed party activists to work closely with Hindu communities during the Rath Yatra festival to prevent any provocation or attempts to tarnish national unity.

He emphasized that all communities in Bangladesh—Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, and ethnic groups—are united and aware of past attempts to create division. Rizvi praised the Prime Minister’s efforts to alleviate poverty through initiatives such as family, farmer, and health cards, and to revitalize waterways for agriculture and fisheries. He also highlighted the school feeding program covering 150 upazilas and 3 million primary students, calling for accountability where students fell ill after receiving meals.

Rizvi urged field-level officials to provide accurate progress reports and ensure proper implementation of government programs to sustain national development.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel will not withdraw its troops from Lebanon, rejecting earlier remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had expressed belief that Israel would pull back. In a statement, Katz asserted that Israel did not seek anyone’s permission to enter Lebanon and does not need permission to remain there.

Katz emphasized that protecting residents of Galilee and Israeli citizens from threats is both a right and a duty. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials have reiterated that Israeli forces will stay in Lebanon until Hezbollah is completely disarmed. Katz added that Israel will continue operating in Lebanon’s security zone as long as necessary to eliminate threats to northern communities.

The comments, reported by Al Jazeera, underscore Israel’s firm stance on maintaining its military presence in Lebanon amid ongoing tensions with Hezbollah.

Iran’s military announced that it carried out drone strikes on US military installations located in Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. According to the statement, the attacks targeted a Patriot missile system in Kuwait, a satellite-based early warning antenna in Qatar, and a US fuel storage facility in Bahrain. The Iranian military said the strikes were conducted in retaliation for recent US attacks on Iranian territory.

The statement added that the operation was part of a continuing series of Iranian assaults on US bases across the Middle East. Earlier, several Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, had reported incidents or issued security alerts following the attacks.

In response, the US military confirmed that it launched strikes on 90 targets inside Iran, claiming the action was a countermeasure to Iranian assaults on commercial ships and civilian sailors in the Strait of Hormuz.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres met with Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Nakvi, where he praised Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to promote peace. The meeting took place as part of discussions on regional and international issues, according to the report.

During the meeting, both sides discussed Pakistan’s mediation efforts in facilitating a potential agreement between the United States and Iran. The talks also highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding role in supporting regional and global peace initiatives.

Guterres recognized Pakistan’s continued contributions and mediation efforts in addressing regional challenges, reaffirming the UN’s appreciation for the country’s role in peacebuilding.

Jamaat-e-Islami has announced plans to appeal the High Court decision permitting Sarwar Alamgir, elected from Fatikchhari in Chattogram, to take oath as a Member of Parliament. The announcement came after the court ruled on Thursday that the BNP candidate could be sworn in as an MP. Jamaat’s lawyer, Shishir Monir, confirmed the party’s intention to challenge the ruling.

According to Monir, the party argued that under the Representation of the People Order, a person who is a loan defaulter on the date of nomination submission cannot contest an election. He claimed that this condition applied to BNP’s Sarwar Alamgir, making his candidacy invalid. The High Court bench comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md Asif Hasan had earlier delivered the verdict allowing Alamgir to take oath.

The appeal, once filed, will determine whether the High Court’s decision stands or is overturned, potentially affecting the final status of the Chattogram-2 parliamentary seat.