Over 1,500 flights were canceled in France on July 3 and 4 due to a strike by air traffic controllers, affecting more than 300,000 passengers. The strike, condemned by Airlines for Europe, occurred during the busy summer travel season, forcing thousands to cancel their plans. Major airports including Nice, Paris Orly, and Charles de Gaulle saw significant cancellations. The French Civil Aviation Authority reported 933 cancellations on Thursday alone, with 272 out of 1,000 controllers participating in the strike.

After a 12-day intense conflict with Israel, Iran has reopened its airspace, including Tehran’s major airports and others across the country. Flights, both domestic and international, will operate from 5 AM to 6 PM except in Isfahan and Tabriz, where flights will resume once infrastructure is ready. The airspace was closed following an Israeli airstrike on June 13, with Iran retaliating by missile attacks on Tel Aviv. A U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect on June 24, leading to the reopening.

A Barisal court has directed police to file a case under the Speedy Trial Act against Nurul Haque Nur, President of the Gono Adhikar Parishad, General Secretary Rashed Khan, and over 100 party activists in connection with an attack on the Jatiya Party office in Barisal. Nur has been named as the prime accused, with 25 individuals specifically mentioned and 70–80 others listed as unidentified. The Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge has been ordered to register the case accordingly. Gono Adhikar leaders in Barisal claim they were unaware of the incident but promised to respond through legal channels if necessary.

NCP Convenor Nahid Islam declared that the party is fighting for the July Declaration, fundamental reforms, and a new constitution. Speaking at the July March event in Thakurgaon, he called for the declaration to be unveiled within July–August, envisioning it as the foundation of a new Bangladesh. He warned of decisive action to stop border killings by Indian forces and condemned Dhaka-centric development, demanding attention to rural areas. Nahid said the people’s uprising began with farmers, whose rights NCP vows to defend. Central leaders and regional organizers were present at the event.

The United States has imposed new sanctions on a network smuggling Iranian oil disguised as Iraqi exports, allegedly operated by Iraqi-British citizen Salim Ahmed Said. His companies reportedly used forged documents to sell the oil to Western buyers, evading sanctions. Several vessels involved in the scheme were also sanctioned. Additionally, the U.S. targeted senior officials linked to Al-Qard Al-Hassan, a financial institution controlled by Lebanon's Hezbollah. The sanctions freeze U.S.-based assets and bar any transactions with the designated individuals and entities.

The Anti-Corruption Commission has filed a case against four BMET officials and five manpower agency representatives for trafficking women abroad using fake passports. The accused allegedly submitted applications using mismatched passport numbers and secured clearance without proper verification. Evidence shows that four underage women were illegally sent to the Middle East as domestic workers, violating government policy. Financial gain was also cited as a motive. The irregularities were uncovered during a raid at BMET's Dhaka office on May 29.

Dr. Reza Kibria has sharply criticized the ruling Awami League, claiming that it has “crippled Bangladesh’s democracy, economy, and social fabric” over the past 16 years. He accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of becoming completely disconnected from the people, suggesting that the dissolution of her party is now only a matter of time.

Speaking to reporters, Kibria said the Hasina government has been characterized by impunity, forced disappearances, intimidation, and exploitation. He argued that some expatriates still support the ruling party due to a lack of awareness about the ground reality. “Like her father, Sheikh Hasina has failed the people. But the citizens who remained silent also share responsibility for this failure,” he added.

Japan faces a severe labor shortage due to its aging population and declining birthrate, increasing demand for skilled foreign workers proficient in Japanese. While Nepal sends around 50,000 workers annually, Bangladesh has only managed 3,500 due to inadequate language skills, training, and bureaucratic challenges. Experts urge Bangladesh to improve Japanese language education and streamline visa processes to boost manpower exports. Effective government and private sector cooperation is vital to tap into Japan’s vast labor market and reduce unemployment at home.

The Advisory Council, chaired by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has approved a key amendment to the Government Service Ordinance, making it mandatory to conduct investigations before taking disciplinary action against public servants. A three-member inquiry committee must now be formed prior to any punishment. The move follows employee protests against a previous ordinance that allowed penalties without investigation. The amendment also includes provisions to involve a female officer in inquiries against women. A nuclear waste safety agreement was also approved.

In talks with the National Consensus Commission, 30 political parties agreed on amending the Constitution to limit the President's power of general amnesty and to decentralize the judiciary by establishing permanent High Court benches in all divisional cities. These measures aim to prevent abuse of presidential pardons and ensure greater access to justice. The proposed reforms will require amendments to Articles 49 and 100 of the Constitution and are part of a broader political initiative known as the upcoming “July Declaration.”

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur said the recent spike in rice prices remains a mystery. Speaking at a stakeholder meeting in Rajshahi, he noted that although rice prices are unusually high, there’s no clear explanation. He suspects most paddy is still held by farmers and has launched a rural-level survey to investigate. The Governor also warned businesses not to manipulate the market and emphasized the need to understand where the rice is being stockpiled to manage pricing more effectively.

Global crude oil prices fell as investors reacted to fears of renewed U.S. tariffs and increased oil supply from OPEC+ nations. Brent crude dropped by 58 cents to $68.53 a barrel, while WTI declined by 57 cents to $66.88. The 90-day pause on U.S. tariffs ends July 9, with no final trade deals yet with key partners like the EU and Japan. Rising U.S. crude inventories also fueled demand concerns, contributing to the price decline.

Tesla’s sales fell 13.5% in Q2 2024 compared to the same period last year, marking two consecutive quarters of decline. The company delivered 384,122 vehicles and produced slightly fewer cars than the previous year. Tesla’s stock price dropped nearly 26% this year, its worst among major tech stocks. Increased competition from affordable Chinese EVs and political backlash against CEO Elon Musk, including protests and strained ties with Donald Trump, are impacting the company’s sales and reputation.

Government debt worldwide is projected to hit $102 trillion in 2024, with developing countries holding nearly one-third of this amount. These countries spend a large share of their revenue on debt interest, limiting funds for essential services like health and education. UNCTAD warns of rising debt servicing costs, especially in Africa and Latin America, and calls for urgent reforms in the international financial system to support developing nations through increased liquidity and fairer access to resources during crises.

Unauthorized parking on busy roads and footpaths in Dhaka, especially in areas like Karwan Bazar and New Eskaton Road, is causing severe traffic jams and public inconvenience. Despite policies by the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority, enforcement remains weak. Vehicles, including government ones, are often parked illegally, blocking traffic and pedestrian movement. Experts blame poor governance and lack of strict law enforcement. City corporations conduct eviction drives, but encroachments frequently return, making sustainable solutions urgently needed to ease the city’s traffic woes.