Myanmar’s new government plans to complete the long-stalled Myitsone dam project within eight years, according to a Reuters report citing official sources. The $3.6 billion hydropower project, located in Kachin State in northern Myanmar, is being revived with Chinese support following President Min Aung Hlaing’s recent visit to China. The dam, originally suspended in 2011 after widespread local protests, had been a source of tension between the two countries.

Government officials said the project could supply more than half of Myanmar’s required 10 gigawatts of electricity, addressing the country’s severe power shortages. Presidential spokesperson Khaing Khaing Soe stated that authorities are considering local concerns about flooding and displacement. Lawmakers from Kachin State confirmed that preparations for restarting construction are underway.

Revised cost estimates suggest the project could now reach $11.5 billion, more than triple the original budget. The renewed push comes amid heightened safety worries following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in central Myanmar in March that killed thousands. Forty-nine civil society groups have recently called for the project’s complete cancellation.

A major wildfire broke out on Wednesday in southern France, prompting the evacuation of numerous residents, according to emergency services. Hundreds of firefighters were deployed across the Aude and Hérault departments to contain the blaze, which spread rapidly due to drought and strong winds. By Wednesday night, around 800 hectares had been burned, and officials said the fire was not yet fully under control.

The incident follows last year’s large wildfire in the Corbières region and comes just days after a deadly heatwave across Europe. Weather forecasts warned of another heatwave, raising concerns about worsening conditions. Firefighters faced difficulties accessing mountainous terrain and used aircraft to drop water on the flames. Temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius, gusty winds, and dry vegetation contributed to the rapid spread.

Authorities reported that about 200 residents from the communes of Pujol-Minervois and Mailhac were either evacuated or instructed to stay indoors. Two smaller fires were also reported near Marseille, in Rognac and Lançon-Provence.

At least 59 people have died in floods across Ivory Coast since the beginning of this year, according to a government spokesperson on Wednesday. The announcement came after a cabinet meeting in the capital, Abidjan, where spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly described the situation as deeply concerning. He did not specify how many deaths occurred in the most recent flooding.

Earlier this week, continuous heavy rainfall caused severe flooding and landslides in both Ghana and Ivory Coast, killing at least 24 people and leaving many missing. In Ghana’s capital Accra and the nearby city of Tema, roads and buildings were submerged, cutting off transport links. In Ivory Coast, Minister of National Solidarity Myss Belmonde Dogo said most of the deaths occurred in Abidjan’s Attecoube and Yopougon districts. Coulibaly urged citizens to follow safety guidelines and avoid high-risk areas identified by the government.

The World Meteorological Organization noted that Africa remains one of the world’s most vulnerable regions to extreme weather events, which are increasing due to climate change, despite the continent’s minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.

Valuable trees from the social forest of Lohani Para Union in Badarganj, Rangpur, are reportedly being felled and smuggled nightly to sawmills in Badarganj and Mithapukur. Local sources allege that timber traders are purchasing the trees through dishonest forest officials, while seized wood worth millions of taka has been sold illegally.

Forest Beat Officer Mojibur Rahman has been accused of colluding with forest protection committee leaders to sell confiscated timber and of facilitating the disappearance of seized logs. Committee members claimed that despite their requests, officials ignored illegal tree cutting incidents. Senior forest officials redirected inquiries to other offices, while Mojibur Rahman cited manpower shortages as a reason for failing to prevent thefts.

Badarganj Upazila Executive Officer Anjuman Sultana stated that action would be taken if evidence of involvement in such activities is found.

Thousands of residents across ten villages in Phulpur upazila of Mymensingh are facing severe hardship due to the collapse of a bamboo bridge over the Kharia River in Payari Union. The bridge, built with local funds between Garpayari and Guptargaon villages, has long served as the only crossing point. With part of the structure now broken, small vehicles can no longer pass, worsening daily struggles for the community.

According to local sources, villagers had replaced an old ferry service with the bamboo bridge about 15 years ago, using bamboo poles and split trunks of chaul trees. The fragile structure frequently collapses, forcing residents to repair it several times a year at their own expense. Guptargaon, a major producer of vegetables and other crops, suffers most as farmers must travel an extra five kilometers to reach markets.

Upazila engineer Jahangir Alam stated that a proposal has been submitted to build a 95-meter permanent bridge over the Kharia River and improve the connecting road. He dismissed claims that previously allocated funds were diverted elsewhere.

At least 30 people have died in Ghana and Ivory Coast following several days of continuous heavy rainfall that triggered floods and landslides. Hundreds of people trapped by rising waters have been rescued, according to local emergency services. In Ghana, a spokesperson for the national fire department confirmed that at least 12 people had died after heavy rain began a day earlier, warning that the toll could rise further.

In the capital city of Accra, torrential rain on Monday submerged homes and roads, prompting overnight rescue operations. Fire service commander Rashid Kwame Nissau said more than 400 people had been rescued by Tuesday, while teams continued pumping water from flooded houses and assisting affected residents. In Ivory Coast, heavy rain since Saturday also caused fatalities, though the government has not yet released an official death toll. A source close to the fire service and the interior ministry reported around 20 deaths.

Authorities in both countries are continuing rescue and relief operations as rainfall persists, raising concerns about further flooding and damage.

Rainfall began in Dhaka and surrounding areas around noon on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, following a cloudy morning. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that the temperature in the capital dropped after the rain, with 27.2 degrees Celsius recorded at 6 a.m. and humidity at 93 percent. The city received 3 millimeters of rain in the previous 24 hours.

According to the department’s forecast, partial to heavy cloud cover and intermittent rain or thundershowers are expected across Dhaka and nearby regions. Winds from the south and southeast may blow at 10 to 15 kilometers per hour. Light to moderate rain with gusty winds and lightning is likely in several divisions, including Chattogram, Sylhet, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Khulna, and Barishal. Some areas could experience moderate to heavy rainfall.

The forecast indicates that rainfall may intensify across the country through Saturday, July 4, particularly in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Rajshahi, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions, while temperatures are expected to slightly decrease during the day and remain nearly unchanged at night.

A strong earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck parts of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula on Tuesday. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake occurred at 12:45 p.m. local time in the Gulf of California, with its epicenter located south and southwest of El Progreso. The tremor originated about six miles below the surface. No immediate reports of casualties or major damage were received. Light shaking was felt in the cities of Los Mochis and Culiacán in Sinaloa state.

The report noted that earthquake activity has recently increased worldwide. In Venezuela, two powerful quakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck within 39 seconds of each other, a phenomenon known as a “doublet.” The U.S. Geological Survey also recorded 93 earthquakes of magnitude 4.5 or higher globally between June 19 and June 26, suggesting heightened seismic activity.

During the same period, a moderate 5.6 magnitude earthquake was recorded near Redwood Valley in Northern California, with its epicenter in Mendocino County about five miles underground.

Across Europe, rising temperatures have intensified demand for air conditioning, yet most German households still lack such systems. Data show that while nearly 90 percent of U.S. homes have air conditioning, the European average is only 20 percent, and in Germany just 6 percent of homes have central cooling. The shift is driven by climate change, with June 2026 temperatures in Europe recorded as 2 to 4 degrees Celsius higher than late 20th-century averages, sharply increasing electricity demand for cooling.

Experts attribute Germany’s slow adoption to housing design optimized for heat retention, high installation costs, and strict architectural preservation rules in historic cities. Many residents live in rented apartments where installing air conditioners requires landlord approval. High electricity prices also discourage use, with 38 percent of Europeans reporting they cannot afford adequate cooling during heatwaves.

Environmental concerns are prompting interest in sustainable alternatives such as natural ventilation, heat-resistant materials, green roofs, district cooling, and AI-powered air conditioning systems that operate up to 40 percent more efficiently. Analysts note that as summers grow hotter, northern European countries are gradually adapting to this new climate reality.

Local residents of Merurchar Union in Bakshiganj upazila, Jamalpur, held a human chain on Tuesday afternoon along the Brahmaputra River at Bhati Kolkihara area. The demonstration called for urgent and effective measures to stop severe river erosion that has been destroying homes, farmland, and trees across nearly four kilometers of riverbank.

Speakers including Delwar Hossain, Aminul Islam, and Lepu Mia said continuous erosion has already engulfed parts of Fakirpara, Shantinagar, Baghadoba, and Bhati Kolkihara villages, leaving hundreds of families destitute. They warned that five villages risk disappearing from the map as new areas are being swallowed daily. Despite the growing threat, no permanent or effective steps have yet been taken to prevent further damage.

Participants demanded immediate construction of sustainable embankments and implementation of protective projects. They also urged government intervention, particularly from State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, MP, and announced plans for larger protests if no prompt action follows.

In Madaripur’s Kalkini upazila, large-scale illegal sand extraction from farmland is being used to fill a government canal, according to local reports on June 30, 2026. The activity is taking place in Uttar Shikarmangal village under Shikarmangal Union, allegedly led by local influential figures Jalil Sardar, Alamgir Khan, and Jahangir Khan, with dredging operations managed by a known sand trader named Biman Munshi. Sand is being pumped directly into the canal without any administrative approval, and a major section has already been filled, putting nearby agricultural land at risk of collapse.

Local farmers claim their protests have been ignored and that they are facing threats from those involved. Residents allege that the filled canal area is being prepared for housing construction, undermining the government’s canal excavation program and raising fears of long-term waterlogging during the monsoon. They have urged immediate administrative and legal action to stop the illegal activity and protect public property.

Kalkini Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saif Ul Arefin stated that legal measures will be taken against anyone found filling government canals with sand.

More than 58,000 buildings in Venezuela were damaged or destroyed after two powerful earthquakes struck the country, according to preliminary satellite data released by NASA. The quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, killed about 1,700 people and left thousands missing. The events mark the strongest earthquakes to hit the South American nation in over a century.

Researchers Cory Sherr and Jamon van den Hecke from Oregon State University analyzed radar data collected on June 25 from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-1 satellite. Their assessment estimated around 58,870 buildings were likely damaged or collapsed. They emphasized that the findings are an early, rapid assessment reflecting surface changes consistent with destruction and have not yet been verified on the ground.

NASA stated that its satellites are providing critical imagery and data to assist field teams in assessing damage and coordinating rescue operations.

Bogura City, recently upgraded to a city corporation, is facing severe waterlogging due to its outdated and poorly maintained drainage system. On Monday morning, continuous rain from 9:30 a.m. to noon submerged major roads, including Satmatha, Sherpur Road, and Station Road, causing traffic disruptions and widespread public suffering.

Residents allege that no significant development plan has been implemented in the area for 19 years, leaving narrow and clogged drains unable to handle rainwater. The city corporation acknowledged partial drain repairs and promised swift action in problem areas. However, locals argue that temporary cleaning is insufficient without a comprehensive drainage plan.

According to city sources, Bogura has 991 kilometers of roads but only 900 kilometers of drains, 400 of which are unpaved. The administrator, M.R. Islam Swadhin, said drainage improvement work is ongoing and expected to be completed by next year, though rain is currently hindering progress.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast temporary gusty or squally winds at speeds of 45 to 60 kilometers per hour over 15 districts by Wednesday noon. The warning, issued for inland river ports until 1 p.m., also includes the likelihood of rain or thunderstorms in the affected areas.

According to the forecast, the regions likely to experience these conditions include Rajshahi, Pabna, Jashore, Kushtia, Khulna, Faridpur, Madaripur, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram, Tangail, Mymensingh, and Sylhet. The department has instructed river ports in these areas to hoist cautionary signal number 1 from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m. and advised vessels operating on inland waterways to take necessary precautions.

The advisory follows a broader weather pattern of intermittent rain and thunderstorms across the country, with the department noting that humid and uncomfortable conditions may persist due to ongoing climatic influences.

A major portion of the approach road to the second Teesta Bridge in Rangpur’s Gangachara upazila has suffered severe collapse following several days of continuous rainfall. Weak drainage and lack of maintenance have caused large potholes and cracks in at least 15 spots near the bridge’s northern end in Mahipur area under Lakshmitari Union. The damaged road now poses serious risks for passengers, pedestrians, and vehicle drivers, especially at night when the holes are hard to see.

Local residents said the road, which connects Rangpur’s second Teesta Bridge to Kakina and extends to Burimari land port, is vital for trade, healthcare, and education in northern Bangladesh. They blamed heavy vehicle pressure, poor drainage, and prolonged neglect for the deterioration. Union Parishad Chairman Abdullah Al Hadi warned that without immediate repair, the region could face communication breakdowns.

Upazila engineer Shah Md. Obaidur Rahman confirmed that the damaged sections have been identified and repair preparations are underway. Locals, however, demanded sustainable reconstruction to prevent recurring damage during future monsoon seasons.