A powerful earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale struck Bangladesh on Friday morning, shaking the capital Dhaka and several other regions. The tremor, which occurred at 10:39 a.m., had its epicenter in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, about 13 kilometers from Dhaka, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. The quake caused widespread panic as residents rushed out of buildings, reporting falling objects and trembling furniture. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the magnitude and location of the quake. Tremors were also felt across the border in India, including in Kolkata and nearby areas, Indian media reported. The earthquake lasted only a few seconds but was strong enough to alarm residents in both countries. As of now, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage, though authorities are monitoring the situation closely.

At least 41 people have died and nine remain missing following a week of severe flooding and landslides in Vietnam, triggered by heavy rainfall across the central region. Authorities report that more than 52,000 homes have been inundated, while thousands of hectares of crops, livestock, and poultry have been destroyed. The hardest-hit provinces are Dak Lak and Khanh Hoa, where 30 deaths have been confirmed. Over 1 million residents experienced power outages, though electricity has been restored to about 600,000 households. More than 140 landslides have blocked provincial roads, prompting the deployment of thousands of rescue workers and police. The National Weather Bureau noted that southern and central Vietnam have faced persistent rainfall since late October, severely affecting tourist and agricultural areas. According to official statistics, natural disasters have claimed or displaced at least 279 people nationwide this year, causing over $2 billion in economic losses.

A major fire erupted at the venue of the United Nations COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil, on Thursday, prompting the evacuation of thousands of delegates. The blaze started in the pavilion zone, where country exhibits and discussions were being held, though the exact cause remains unknown. Witnesses reported panic as smoke and heat spread rapidly through the crowded area, with security personnel guiding attendees to safety while firefighters battled the flames. The fire was brought under control around 2:20 p.m. local time, according to the COP presidency office. No injuries have been reported so far, but officials said they are closely monitoring the situation. The temporary venue, built on the site of an old airport in the Amazon region, hosts thousands of visitors daily. The two-week global climate conference, scheduled to conclude on Friday, November 21, may extend if last-minute negotiations are required.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast a drop of 1 to 2 degrees Celsius in nighttime temperatures across the country over the next few days. According to a 120-hour forecast signed by meteorologist Kazi Zebunnesa, a low-pressure area is likely to develop over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining regions around November 22, which may later intensify. The subcontinental high-pressure ridge currently extends over West Bengal and nearby areas, while the seasonal low lies over the southern Bay of Bengal. Weather across Bangladesh is expected to remain mostly dry with partly cloudy skies through November 24. Both daytime and nighttime temperatures may slightly decrease before stabilizing early next week. The BMD also indicated that no significant weather changes are expected over the next five days.

Japan is preparing to restart the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture, the world’s largest nuclear facility, after more than a decade of inactivity following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. According to local media reports cited by AFP, the plant may receive final approval from the regional governor this week. Governor Hideyo Hanazumi is expected to hold a press conference on Friday to announce the decision. Initially, only one of the plant’s seven reactors will be reactivated. Japan had shut down all its nuclear reactors after the Fukushima incident due to safety concerns, but rising energy import costs and the need for stable power supply have prompted the government to reconsider nuclear energy. The move marks a significant step in Japan’s gradual return to nuclear power despite lingering public anxiety over safety issues.

A new government-backed report titled 'Future Climate of Bangladesh' warns that climate change could drastically alter the country's weather patterns by the end of this century. The study, jointly conducted by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, projects that average daytime temperatures could rise by up to 4.5°C, potentially leading to the disappearance of winter by 2100. Frequent heatwaves are expected to hit before and after the monsoon, with Dhaka likely to experience at least two severe heatwaves annually. Rainfall during the monsoon season may increase by 118 millimeters, particularly in the northeast and coastal regions. The report also predicts that sea levels along Bangladesh’s coast could rise by up to 5.8 millimeters per year—significantly higher than the global average—putting 18% of coastal land and 23% of the Sundarbans at risk of submersion. Experts warn that these changes could have severe environmental and socio-economic consequences for millions of people.

A climate justice march was held in Satkhira, Bangladesh, urging the formation of a specialized institution to protect coastal regions from the growing impacts of climate change. Organized jointly by Green Coalition, BARCIK, and the Education, Culture and Diversity Protection Team, the march began at Shaheed Abdur Razzak Park and moved through several city streets before returning to the starting point. Speakers at the rally highlighted the increasing salinity in coastal areas, livelihood crises, the rising risks of cyclones and tidal surges, and the persistent shortage of freshwater. Participants emphasized that a dedicated coastal protection body is essential to ensure long-term resilience and sustainable development in the region, which faces severe environmental and socio-economic challenges due to climate change.

Despite continuous operations by local authorities, illegal stone extraction persists at Shah Arefin Hill in Sylhet’s Companiganj upazila. Following nationwide attention over earlier looting at Bholaganj’s tourist site, the administration launched task force drives to curb the practice. However, reports suggest that organized groups are still removing stones worth nearly half a crore taka each night, even digging near the shrine of Shah Arefin (R.). The local administration has installed iron barricades and plans to cut connecting roads with excavators to prevent vehicle access. Officials claim that Ansar and village police are monitoring the area, while the Bureau of Mineral Development has filed only one case since August last year. Environmentalists warn that unregulated stone extraction poses serious threats to local ecosystems and river biodiversity. Despite the district commissioner’s recent visit and strong warnings, a few operators continue using machines to extract stones, highlighting enforcement challenges and limited coordination among agencies.

Indonesia’s Mount Semeru, the tallest volcano on Java island, erupted on Wednesday, prompting authorities to raise its alert level to the highest. The eruption sent ash plumes soaring up to 5.6 kilometers into the sky and unleashed fast-moving pyroclastic flows reaching seven kilometers from the summit. The country’s volcanology agency has urged residents to stay at least 2.5 kilometers away from the crater due to ongoing risks. Located on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire', Mount Semeru stands at 3,676 meters and is among Indonesia’s most active volcanoes. The region, densely populated and prone to seismic activity, faces potential threats to nearby communities, transport routes, and aviation. Semeru, also known as Mahameru, has a long history of eruptions, including a deadly one in 2021 that killed 62 people and buried several villages in ash. Indonesia, with nearly 130 active volcanoes, continues to monitor Semeru closely for further activity.

A rubber plantation worker named Abdul Haque, aged 40, was killed by a wild elephant in Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred at the Paijhiri rubber plantation in Sonai Chhari union while he was collecting latex from trees. According to local authorities and law enforcement, the elephant suddenly attacked him, causing his death on the spot. Abdul Haque was a resident of Punarbasanpara in Baishari union and the son of the late Minaz Uddin. Police, led by Sub-Inspector Lokman from the Sonai Chhari police outpost, recovered the body from the scene. Bandarban Divisional Forest Officer Md. Abdur Rahman stated that a case and investigation would follow as per wildlife law, and the victim’s family would receive compensation. Naikhongchhari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Masrurul Haque confirmed the death and said an unnatural death case has been filed, with legal procedures underway.

An analysis released at the Cop30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, suggests that adhering to three major climate commitments—tripling renewable energy capacity, doubling global energy efficiency, and significantly reducing methane emissions—could prevent nearly 1°C of additional global warming this century. The Climate Action Tracker coalition estimates that achieving these goals could lower projected warming from 2.6°C to about 1.7°C, aligning more closely with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target. Among G20 nations alone, these measures could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 18 billion tonnes by 2035, cutting the rate of global heating by one-third in the next decade. However, experts warn that implementation remains uncertain, particularly regarding methane reductions, as many countries underreport emissions and face pressure from fossil fuel industries. The Cop30 summit is focusing on translating existing pledges into action and developing a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels, though resistance from major petrostates remains a challenge.

A massive fire has engulfed more than 170 buildings in a coastal city in southern Japan, according to the country’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency. The blaze began around 5:40 p.m. local time on Tuesday and continued burning through the night, leaving homes reduced to rubble. Authorities reported that one person remains missing, though no casualties have been confirmed so far. Approximately 175 residents from the city of Oita, located about 770 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, have taken shelter in emergency evacuation centers. Local media footage showed thick black smoke rising from the mountainous area as the fire spread to nearby forested slopes. Prime Minister Takaiichi stated on social media that a military firefighting helicopter was dispatched at the request of the Oita Prefecture governor. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and firefighting efforts are ongoing to bring the situation under control.

Heavy rainfall has triggered widespread flooding and landslides across central Vietnam, leaving at least six people dead and thousands stranded. In Khanh Hoa Province, a major landslide on National Highway 27C at Khanh Le Pass buried a sleeper bus carrying 32 passengers, killing six and blocking the key route between Nha Trang and Da Lat. Several other landslide points have emerged, halting traffic as rescue teams work to clear debris. In Quang Ngai Province, torrential rains measuring up to 235 mm caused a bridge collapse over the Nuoc Bao Stream, cutting off access between two hamlets in Son Ha Commune and isolating more than 1,200 residents. Authorities have erected barricades to prevent entry into dangerous zones, while locals constructed a temporary bamboo bridge for essential movement. In Tay Nha Trang Ward, floodwaters rose over a meter, submerging homes and forcing residents like Minh Tri to evacuate their belongings and pets. Officials continue to monitor conditions as water levels show no sign of receding.

A wild elephant was found dead after being electrocuted by an illegal electric trap in a paddy field near Rahmaniapara, West Khayrati, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, late Monday night. Forest officials recovered the carcass on Tuesday morning following reports from locals. According to Ukhiya Range Officer Md Abdul Mannan, the elephant, estimated to be 40–45 years old, bore burn marks consistent with electrocution. Locals said elephants increasingly enter villages due to food shortages in nearby hills, leading residents to install electric fences for protection. This practice has resulted in several elephant deaths. Forest officials confirmed that the carcass was buried after a post-mortem examination, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of death. According to the Forest Department, five wild elephants have died in the Ukhiya-Teknaf region since January 2024, highlighting the growing tension between human settlements and wildlife in the area.

In Peru’s Ucayali region, members of the Kakataibo Indigenous Guard are patrolling deep Amazon forests to protect their ancestral lands from illegal coca cultivation, which fuels cocaine production and threatens their environment and lives. Armed with traditional weapons and a few old firearms, they cross rivers and dense jungles to locate hidden coca fields. Similarly, in northern Peru, the Wampis Indigenous people have formed a volunteer patrol group called Charip in 2024 to stop illegal gold mining and deforestation. Despite limited government support, Charip has achieved early success by detaining corrupt police officers and destroying illegal dredging machines. However, the group now faces manpower shortages as members receive no pay and risk their lives to defend their territory. Peru, the world’s second-largest cocaine producer, has seen coca cultivation nearly double since 2013, driving deforestation, corruption, and violence that have claimed the lives of at least 20 Indigenous leaders.