The Greater Chattogram Goods and Public Transport Owners’ Federation has announced a 24-hour suspension of goods and public transport services on all routes across Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, and the three hill districts on July 20. Announcing the strike at a press conference at Chattogram Press Club, the federation’s Member Secretary Md. Humayun Kabir Sohel outlined four key demands: amending anti-worker and anti-owner clauses in the Road Transport Act, suspending the economic life notification, stopping the transfer of vehicle fitness inspections to private entities, and withdrawing the increased advance income tax. The federation claims that the transport sector is suffering heavy losses due to government inaction.

A drone strike targeted a U.S.-owned oil facility in the Sarsang oil field in Iraq’s Duhok province, located in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. The attack caused a fire, though no casualties were reported. Operations at the site have been suspended until security can be assured.

The incident is part of a recent surge in drone and rocket attacks in the Kurdistan region, often linked to Iran-backed groups. A similar attack occurred earlier at the Erbil airport, where U.S. forces are stationed. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the latest strike.

Asif Mahmud, Local Government Adviser to the Interim Government, has strongly criticized the move to reintroduce the banned ‘Boat’ electoral symbol of the Awami League in the Election Commission’s schedule. In a statement on his verified Facebook page, Mahmud questioned why the decision was forwarded to the Ministry of Law for approval. He accused authorities of ignoring the ongoing public uprising and attempting to rehabilitate the defeated party. After the fall of the Awami League last year, the party’s political activities were banned and its registration was suspended.

Following the deadly June crash of an Air India Boeing 787 in Ahmedabad, India’s aviation regulator has directed all airlines to inspect the fuel switch locking systems on Boeing 737 and 787 aircraft. While Boeing and the FAA assure the system is safe, India and other countries are conducting precautionary checks. Air India has already inspected most of its affected fleet, with no issues found so far. Investigators noted previous FAA guidance on the switches and discrepancies in cockpit communication before the crash.

The Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Plant in Rangamati’s Kaptai Lake has increased electricity production to 218 megawatts due to rising water levels. All five units are operational, with units one to three generating 138 megawatts and units four and five producing 80 megawatts combined. Continuous rainfall has boosted water levels in the lake, enhancing power output. The plant’s maximum capacity is 242 megawatts. As of July 14, water levels were nearly 12 feet above normal, reaching 98.67 meters above mean sea level.

Nearly 200 Bangladeshi expatriates were forcibly sent back from Oman due to alleged political vendetta, losing jobs and businesses. At a press conference, returnees accused embassy officials of plotting their arrests and denied legal support. They demand the interim government intervene by July 29 to cancel forced repatriations, restore livelihoods, and prosecute responsible officials, including political figures linked to the Awami League in Oman. Compensation and justice for victims are central to their four-point demand.

The admission circular for the 2024–25 academic year at Dhaka’s seven government colleges will be published by July 20, with online applications starting soon after. Admission tests are expected in late August or early September. For the first time, the process will be conducted under the newly proposed Dhaka Central University. Students who passed HSC in 2023 will be eligible as second-time candidates, though this option may be discontinued next year. Traditional exam methods will be used, with BUET possibly providing technical support.

Anamika Debnath, a student of Feni Girls’ Cadet College, has emerged as the top performer in the recently published SSC results under the Cumilla Education Board, scoring an impressive 1,264 out of 1,300 marks.

Although the Cumilla Board did not officially rank students by position, examinees have been calculating and sharing their scores on social media, through which Anamika's achievement gained attention. She excelled in the science stream, earning top marks in subjects such as Bangla, English, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.

Anamika’s mother shared that her daughter has been academically driven from a young age, and credited the teachers and structured environment of Feni Girls’ Cadet College for her outstanding results.

Seasonal rains and floods in Pakistan have claimed at least 105 lives and injured more than 211 people between June 26 and July 13. Punjab province has been hardest hit, with collapsed buildings, lightning strikes, and flooding causing the majority of casualties. Over 10 kilometers of roads and nine bridges are damaged, while 145 homes were completely destroyed. Authorities are providing emergency medical care and urging the public to stay cautious during the ongoing rainy season.

Starting July 27, Russia and North Korea will begin direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang once a month. The flight duration is expected to be around eight hours. The decision follows a bilateral agreement to reintroduce regular air service. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is currently in Tianjin, China, attending the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

Authorities in Libya have rescued more than 100 migrants held hostage by human traffickers in the city of Ajdabiya. According to a statement from the Libyan Attorney General's office, the traffickers—who included nationals from Libya, Sudan, and Egypt—were holding the group, including five women, for ransom and subjecting them to physical abuse.

While the identities and nationalities of the rescued migrants have not yet been disclosed, officials confirmed that five traffickers have been arrested. Libya remains a major transit point for migrants attempting to reach Europe, despite the serious risks involved. As of December 2024, the United Nations reported that more than 825,000 migrants were residing in Libya.

In a phone interview with the BBC, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed disappointment in Russian President Vladimir Putin but said he has not severed ties. He warned that if no ceasefire agreement is reached within 50 days, the U.S. would impose heavy tariffs on Russia. Trump affirmed his commitment to NATO’s collective defense and said he doesn’t want his near-death experience to change his life’s direction. Despite the tensions, he still hopes for a “fruitful dialogue” with Putin.

Eight National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials have been suspended for openly defying and tearing up their transfer orders. Separate notifications were issued on Tuesday. The suspended officials, including Joint and Deputy Commissioners, were stationed in tax zones across Dhaka, Khulna, Rangpur, Cumilla, and others. NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan confirmed that departmental investigations will follow under civil service laws, and the officials will receive subsistence allowances during the suspension. The protest occurred on June 24 at the NBR headquarters, where the orders were described as “oppressive.”

The interim government has doubled the licensing fees for all types of firearms, including pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns. Under the new policy, a license for a personal pistol or revolver will cost BDT 60,000 (up from 30,000), with renewal fees increased to BDT 20,000. Shotgun and rifle license fees have been raised from BDT 20,000 to 40,000, with renewals now BDT 10,000. Additionally, applicants must now show a minimum income tax return of BDT 500,000, up from BDT 300,000. Over 5,000 licenses issued during the previous Awami League tenure have also been revoked, with many weapons reportedly destroyed during acts of arson and looting.

Bangladesh's NID Wing has extended its voter registration and national ID services to five additional countries: the United States, Oman, South Africa, Jordan, and the Maldives. Director General Humayun Kabir confirmed that operations in these countries will start this July, bringing the total to 10 countries. So far, 48,080 expatriates have applied, 29,646 have completed biometric registration, and 17,367 have become voters. The government plans to expand the service to 40 countries.