The European Union is preparing to withdraw its landmark 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales, a move expected to be part of a broader reform package aimed at supporting Europe’s struggling automotive sector. The European Commission may instead propose a 90% reduction in carbon emissions from new vehicles, replacing the full ban initially adopted under the EU’s Green Deal.

The shift follows intense lobbying from car manufacturers and member states such as Germany and Italy, who argue that slow electric vehicle (EV) adoption and competition from China make the original target unrealistic. According to industry data, only about 16% of new cars sold in Europe during the first nine months of 2025 were battery-powered. Environmental groups warn that relaxing the ban could undermine climate goals and discourage EV investment.

The Commission is also considering new incentives for small and affordable EVs and measures to green corporate fleets. The final proposal is expected to test the EU’s balance between industrial competitiveness and environmental commitments.

At least 21 people have been killed and 32 injured after sudden flash floods struck Morocco’s Atlantic coastal province of Safi following an hour of intense rainfall. Authorities confirmed the casualties on Sunday, noting that most of the injured have since been discharged from hospitals. The downpour inundated more than 70 homes and shops in Safi’s old city, swept away vehicles, and damaged several roads, disrupting transport routes across the port area.

Local residents described the event as devastating, with one calling it “a black day.” The Moroccan weather service has forecast further heavy rainfall across the country through Tuesday, marking a dramatic shift after seven years of severe drought. Emergency teams continue rescue and recovery operations amid fears of additional flooding.

The incident highlights Morocco’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather events linked to climate variability. Authorities are expected to review urban drainage systems and disaster preparedness as rainfall patterns become increasingly unpredictable.

A mild cold wave has been sweeping across Panchagarh district in northern Bangladesh for three consecutive days, marking the season’s first significant temperature drop. On Saturday morning, the Tetulia Weather Office recorded a minimum temperature of 9.3°C, accompanied by occasional winds of 10–12 km/h. Despite sunshine during the day, the chill remains intense, particularly in the early morning and at night.

Local residents, especially low-income workers such as sand laborers and easy-bike drivers, are struggling to cope with the cold. Many report delays in starting work due to the biting morning chill. According to Jitendranath Roy, acting officer at the Tetulia weather station, temperatures fell to around 8°C the previous day, confirming a mild cold wave in the region. He added that while sunshine offers some relief, colder conditions are expected to persist through the rest of December.

Meteorologists warn that northern districts may face further temperature drops as winter deepens, potentially affecting daily livelihoods and agricultural activities.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency has issued a rare warning for a potential mega-earthquake, forecasting the possibility of a magnitude 8 or higher quake within the coming week. The alert follows a series of powerful tremors that recently struck northeastern Japan, including a 7.5-magnitude quake off the northern coast on Monday. Local authorities have strengthened emergency preparedness in coastal areas and urged residents to stay alert and follow safety instructions.

Experts warn that the ongoing seismic activity could significantly impact millions in northern Japan. The country, located along the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire,’ experiences frequent earthquakes, but this is the first time such a high-level alert has been issued. Disaster management agencies are advising people to maintain safe distances from coastal zones and prepare emergency supplies.

While no travel bans have been issued, several foreign governments have advised caution for travelers to Japan. The government remains on high alert, recalling the devastating 2011 quake and tsunami that killed over 18,000 people. Authorities emphasize that Japan’s early warning systems remain among the most advanced globally.

A mild cold wave has persisted for a second consecutive day in Panchagarh district, northern Bangladesh, with the lowest temperature recorded at 9.3°C in Tetulia on Friday morning, according to the local weather office. The previous day saw a minimum temperature of 8.9°C, marking one of the season’s coldest spells so far.

Officials from the Tetulia Meteorological Office reported that the cold wave has spread across surrounding areas, bringing biting cold and prompting residents to light fires for warmth. While daytime temperatures reached around 26.8°C, nighttime cold intensified due to chilly winds descending from the Himalayas. Light fog was observed early Friday, though dense fog remained absent.

Acting officer Jitendranath Roy stated that the mild cold wave is expected to continue for another one to two days. Authorities have advised residents, especially children and the elderly, to take precautions against the increasing cold as winter conditions deepen across northern Bangladesh.

A 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Aomori Prefecture in northeastern Japan on Friday morning, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to issue a tsunami warning. The quake occurred at a depth of about 20 kilometers at 11:44 a.m. local time, according to JMA reports.

This tremor followed only days after a stronger 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit the same region, raising concerns about ongoing seismic instability. Authorities have urged residents across a wide area—from Hokkaido in the north to Chiba east of Tokyo—to remain alert for possible aftershocks or additional quakes within the coming week.

Japan, located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” experiences frequent seismic activity. The country still bears memories of the devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, which killed or left missing over 22,000 people and triggered the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. The latest events have renewed public attention to Japan’s disaster preparedness and early warning systems.

Saudi Arabia is experiencing widespread storms and heavy rainfall across most regions, prompting warnings of potential flash floods if weather conditions do not improve soon. The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) reported that strong winds and rain have hit Makkah, Madinah, Qassim, Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and the Northern Border Region. Moderate rainfall and fog have also been observed in Hail, Tabuk, Al Jouf, and the southwestern areas.

According to the NCM, the current weather pattern is driven by a deep low-pressure system over the Red Sea, causing winds between 18 and 40 kilometers per hour, with gusts possibly reaching 50 kilometers per hour. The stormy conditions have also extended to the Persian Gulf, where winds are sweeping toward Saudi Arabia’s southern regions.

Such intense weather events are relatively rare in the desert climate of Saudi Arabia, though similar storms have occurred several times in recent years. Authorities are urging residents to remain cautious and avoid flood-prone areas as the situation develops.

A mild cold wave has swept across Tetulia in northern Bangladesh as temperatures dropped to 9.2°C early Thursday, marking the season’s lowest reading so far. The region, located in Panchagarh district, has been experiencing persistent cold for several days due to chilly Himalayan winds. Despite sunny mornings, the air remains cold and damp, with humidity recorded at 99 percent.

Local residents, particularly low-income workers, are struggling to cope with the sudden cold. Many have reported difficulties working outdoors or in rivers, while hospitals are seeing a rise in cold-related illnesses, especially among children and the elderly. In response, the district administration has distributed 8,640 blankets across 43 unions using funds from the Disaster Management Department and requested an additional 65,000 blankets from the ministry.

Officials warn that temperatures may fall further in the coming days, urging residents to take precautions as the cold wave intensifies across northern Bangladesh.

Residents of Sylhet experienced two consecutive earthquakes just five minutes apart in the early hours of Wednesday, December 10. According to India’s National Center for Seismology, the first quake occurred at 2:20:31 a.m. with a magnitude of 3.5 and a depth of 20 kilometers, followed by a second tremor at 2:25:14 a.m. measuring 3.3 in magnitude and 30 kilometers deep. No immediate reports of damage or casualties were recorded.

The same night, a 4.3-magnitude earthquake struck the Bay of Bengal at 3:38 a.m., while another tremor of magnitude 3.7 was reported in Myanmar around 2:54 a.m. Earlier in December, several mild to moderate quakes were recorded across Bangladesh, including in Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, and Chattogram.

Experts note that the recent sequence of tremors highlights the region’s seismic vulnerability, particularly along the Indo-Burma fault line. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and ensure structural safety measures as minor quakes continue to occur across the region.

Authorities in Dhaka’s Keraniganj have disconnected electricity and gas lines to a seven-story building that tilted following a recent earthquake. The Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) took the action on Wednesday after the owner failed to vacate the structure despite repeated warnings. The building, located near the Jinjira Ferry Ghat in Lachmonganj, remains occupied even after being declared unsafe.

RAJUK Executive Magistrate Belayet Hossain said the building, owned by local resident Sattar Mia, was constructed without design approval. A technical team from the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) classified it as “risky” and recommended immediate evacuation. Officials from RAJUK, the local police, and Dhaka Palli Bidyut Samity participated in the operation to cut utility connections. The owner claimed he had requested more time before evacuation.

Authorities stated that further action will depend on a detailed report from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns over unauthorized high-rise construction in the capital’s outskirts.

A severe cold wave has struck Kurigram district in northern Bangladesh, with temperatures plunging to 11.4°C on Wednesday morning, according to the Rajarhat Meteorological Observatory. The cold has intensified over the past ten days, with daytime temperatures hovering between 12°C and 13°C, and biting winds worsening conditions, especially in riverine and char areas.

Women, children, and the elderly are among the worst affected, with school attendance dropping due to the harsh weather. Hospitals across the district are reporting a surge in patients suffering from cold-related illnesses such as respiratory infections and fevers. Despite sunlight during the day, the lack of warmth has kept conditions uncomfortable for residents.

Authorities are monitoring the situation as forecasts suggest the cold spell may persist. Local administrations and relief agencies are being urged to distribute warm clothing and blankets to vulnerable communities to mitigate health and livelihood risks.

A fisherman in Kaptai, Rangamati, caught a massive 23-kilogram Catla fish in the Karnaphuli River on Monday evening. The fish was netted near the Koila Depot Ghat area of Chandraghona Union’s Ward No. 3 by local fisherman Ujjal Mallik while he was fishing with a traditional net. Later that night, he sold the fish to local residents at 1,000 taka per kilogram, earning a total of 23,000 taka.

Speaking by phone on Tuesday, Mallik said he had gone fishing in the afternoon and was surprised by the size of the catch. He mentioned that this was not his first large catch—he had previously caught another 23-kilogram fish in the same river. Local residents gathered to see the rare catch, which drew attention for its size and price.

Such large fish are increasingly uncommon in the Karnaphuli River, highlighting both the river’s biodiversity and the challenges faced by local fishermen due to declining fish populations.

Each winter, New Delhi is engulfed in a thick layer of toxic smog that severely impacts public health, sending thousands to hospitals with respiratory illnesses. Despite repeated government pledges to combat air pollution, the Indian capital continues to record some of the world’s highest pollution levels, prompting growing fears that the city may soon become unliveable.

Experts attribute the recurring smog to a combination of vehicle emissions, industrial output, and seasonal crop burning in neighboring states. Residents have expressed frustration over what they see as inadequate enforcement of pollution controls and insufficient investment in cleaner energy alternatives. Environmental activists argue that policy measures have been reactive rather than preventive, with temporary school closures and traffic restrictions offering little long-term relief.

As public pressure mounts, authorities are under increasing scrutiny to deliver tangible improvements. Analysts warn that without systemic reforms and regional cooperation, New Delhi’s air quality crisis could deepen, threatening both economic productivity and the health of over 20 million residents.

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan late Monday, injuring at least 23 people and prompting tsunami warnings across several prefectures. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) initially warned of waves up to three meters high for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate, but later downgraded the alerts to advisories after smaller waves of 20 to 70 centimeters were observed. The quake’s epicenter was located about 80 kilometers off Aomori at a depth of 50 kilometers.

Authorities reported power outages affecting around 800 homes, with nearly 480 residents seeking shelter at a local airbase. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents to evacuate to higher ground, while Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi deployed 18 helicopters for damage assessment. Train services were suspended, and about 200 passengers were stranded overnight at Hokkaido’s New Chitose Airport. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed no abnormalities at nearby nuclear plants, including Fukushima.

Japan, situated along the seismically active Ring of Fire, experiences roughly 20 percent of the world’s major earthquakes. The latest tremor revived memories of the catastrophic 2011 quake and tsunami that devastated the Tohoku region.

A 3.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar late on Monday night, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS) as reported by ANI. The quake occurred at a depth of about 30 kilometers beneath the surface and was recorded at 2:21 a.m. local time. Earlier the same day, a smaller 3.5 magnitude tremor had been reported in the same region at a depth of 10 kilometers.

The NCS confirmed the seismic activity through a post on social media platform X, noting that no immediate reports of casualties or damage had been received. Some social media users claimed that the tremors were also felt in parts of Bangladesh, including Chattogram and Rangamati, though these reports remain unverified.

Seismologists noted that Myanmar lies in a seismically active zone where moderate quakes are relatively common. Authorities are monitoring the situation for any aftershocks or structural impacts, while regional disaster agencies have been placed on alert.