A fierce wildfire has scorched over 593 acres near Marseille, France’s second-largest city, injuring two firefighters. Around 1,000 firefighters and several helicopters have been deployed to control the blaze. Though the fire is now partly contained due to cooler temperatures and higher humidity, over 150 people were evacuated and 120 homes remain at risk. Meanwhile, in Spain’s Toledo province, wildfires have burned 3,200 hectares. Experts warn that climate change and rising summer heatwaves are increasing wildfire threats across Europe.

Interim government adviser on environment Syeda Rizwana Hasan has called for a long-term values-driven movement to protect the environment. Speaking on World Environment Day, she emphasized that one generation cannot achieve sustainable environmental change alone. She urged for multi-generational engagement, starting with children through eco-friendly educational tours and the use of reusable cloth bags. Rizwana also called for greater awareness to combat noise pollution. The event featured an art exhibition on environmental themes, with students of all ages participating and winners receiving awards.

Government-issued prize bonds are facing increasing transaction deficits, as proceeds from new bond sales are insufficient to repay older liabilities. Investor confidence has waned due to lack of profitability, complex prize collection procedures, and a lottery-based system. As of January 2025, the deficit stands at Tk 20.9 crore, with similar trends continuing throughout the year. While sales spike before each quarterly draw, they quickly taper off, disrupting the original goal of encouraging savings. Currently, only Tk 100-denomination bonds are available, with limited promotional efforts and reduced public interest. The government is now forced to draw funds from other sectors to cover obligations—an alarming sign for the broader economy.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has stated that no autopsies were conducted on the victims of the recent Gopalganj incident because the families took the bodies before post-mortem examinations could be carried out.

However, he added that if required, authorities may exhume the bodies for forensic examination.

Speaking to the media after inspecting the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday, he also mentioned that an inquiry committee will investigate whether any administrative negligence contributed to the incident.

Regarding the airport terminal, he said he currently has no specific information about its official launch.

Renowned Telugu film actor and comedian Fish Venkat passed away on July 18 in Hyderabad due to complications related to kidney and liver failure. He was 53 years old.

With a career spanning over two decades, Venkat began his journey in the Telugu film industry with the 2001 hit Khushi. Over the years, he acted in more than 150 films and earned a loyal fanbase for his comedic timing and character roles. His final appearance was in the film Coffee with a Killer.

Despite the critical nature of his illness, Venkat's family reportedly struggled to raise the ₹50 lakh needed for his treatment. According to the family, they were misled by a fraudster who claimed to be an assistant of superstar Prabhas and promised financial support. The claim turned out to be false, and due to delays in receiving a kidney transplant, his condition deteriorated beyond recovery.

Fish Venkat's death has sparked conversations in the Telugu film industry about the need for better support systems for veteran artists facing health and financial crises.

Japan's exports have dropped for a second straight month, primarily due to a sharp decline in shipments to the United States amid tariff threats from former President Donald Trump. In June, exports to the U.S. fell 11%, with car exports plunging 26.7%. Overall exports declined by 0.5%, resulting in a trade deficit of 2.2 trillion yen in the first half of the year. Although tariff implementation was delayed until August 1 for further talks, no deal has been reached, raising fears of another economic slowdown.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has labeled Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza as "unacceptable" and has called for an immediate ceasefire along with humanitarian aid for Palestinians.

Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, Merz said he is in discussions with European leaders and has conveyed his concerns directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He also mentioned ongoing talks with the British Prime Minister and the French President regarding the situation.

Merz’s remarks come amid reports that over 58,000 people have been killed in Gaza, marking a significant shift in Germany's stance on the conflict.

Pakistan has extended its airspace restrictions for Indian aircraft and flights related to India by another month.

According to a notice issued by the Pakistan Airport Authority, the ban will remain in effect until 5:19 AM on August 24. The restrictions were initially imposed after a deadly militant attack in Kashmir on April 22 that killed 25 Indian nationals. In response, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, prompting Pakistan to restrict Indian air traffic. India later reciprocated by banning Pakistani flights.

The diplomatic and aviation standoff between the two nations remains unresolved.

U.S. special envoy Tom Barrack announced that Israel and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire, which has been welcomed as a major diplomatic achievement by countries including Turkey and Jordan. Calls have been made for peace among the Druze, Bedouin, and Sunni communities in Syria. Earlier, an Israeli airstrike in Damascus killed three people. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated that troops have begun withdrawing from Sweida and confirmed a separate ceasefire deal with the Druze. He accused Israel of deliberately fostering division within Syria.

A devastating gas leak explosion in Sutrapur, Dhaka, has claimed the lives of five members of the same family. The victims were identified as father Ripon, mother Chandni, and their three children—Ayesha (1), Rokon (14), and Tamim (22). All were admitted to the hospital with severe burns but died within a week. Chandni passed away en route to her village for treatment. Ripon, a rickshaw van puller, struggled financially. The incident has left the local community in mourning.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a pointed remark against the Modi government of India, suggesting that ousted leaders from Bangladesh’s Awami League are currently residing in Kolkata with the support of the Indian government. She emphasized that when neighboring countries face crises, India offers refuge, but in Bengal, anyone speaking up is quickly labeled a ‘Bangladeshi’ and calls for their eviction arise.

Mamata reminded that under the 1971 Indira-Mujib Agreement, those who sought shelter in India became Indian citizens, and many residents of West Bengal were born in India even before the 1947 Partition or the 1971 Liberation War. Highlighting the importance of the Bengali language, she called for unity against divisive rhetoric and discrimination.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has firmly rejected any foreign interference in national governance, addressing former U.S. President Donald Trump. In response to new U.S. tariffs, which he called “unacceptable blackmail,” Lula condemned American threats and misinformation, saying they harm bilateral trade. Asserting Brazil’s sovereignty, he also highlighted efforts to shield the nation from foreign digital platform influence. While the government consults with industry leaders to address tariff impacts, Lula said he is open to discussions with Trump—if the right conditions are met.

France, the UK, and Germany have warned that they will trigger the UN’s ‘snapback’ mechanism to reinstate prior sanctions on Iran unless significant progress is made on nuclear talks by the end of summer. The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) had relaxed sanctions in exchange for nuclear oversight. The UN-authorized agreement is set to expire on October 18. Following a joint Israeli-US strike on an Iranian nuclear facility last month, the E3 bloc and EU diplomats held their first virtual meeting with Iran's foreign minister. The timeline for a sixth round of Iran-US negotiations remains unclear.

SpaceX’s satellite-based internet service, Starlink, has officially launched operations in Bangladesh. The announcement was made by Lauren Dreyer, VP of Business Operations at Starlink, during a press conference at the InterContinental Hotel. She described Starlink as a “reliable and critical lifeline,” especially for maintaining communication during natural disasters. Starlink is now active in over 150 countries, and this marks its formal launch in Bangladesh following a soft launch. The announcement coincides with the one-year anniversary of the country’s digital shutdown. While internet access remains limited in remote areas, Starlink is expected to serve as a "digital equalizer." However, concerns over affordability persist.

Indonesia is grappling with a severe youth unemployment crisis, with over 16% of its 44 million young people aged 15–24 out of work—double the rate in Thailand and Vietnam. Many graduates, like law student Andreas Hutapea, are unable to secure stable jobs despite repeated attempts. A recent survey shows Indonesian youth are significantly less optimistic about their economic future than peers in neighboring countries. The data highlights growing anxiety and uncertainty among the nation’s youth over employment and long-term stability.