A human chain was organized in the Purba Bhuterdia area of Kedarpur Union under Babuganj upazila of Barishal, demanding permanent and sustainable measures to prevent river erosion. The event took place on Saturday in front of Purba Bhuterdia Secondary School near Mollarchar Bazar, initiated by local residents. The program was presided over by the school’s head teacher, Md. Mozzafar Hossain, and organized by Maulana Md. Helal Uddin. Several local leaders and community members addressed the gathering, highlighting the urgent need for government intervention.

Speakers said that the intense erosion of the Sugandha River has been destroying vast areas of farmland, homesteads, and public and private establishments every year, forcing many families into hardship. They warned that the erosion threatens not only lives and property but also the very existence of the area.

Participants urged authorities to take immediate and effective action, including installing CC blocks or geo-bags in the affected areas, to ensure long-term protection against river erosion.

Allegations have surfaced that around 50 dredgers are being used to extract sand from the Padma River in Naria upazila of Shariatpur, threatening nearby farmland and riverbanks. Locals claim that the operation, allegedly led by Naria BNP general secretary Farid Ahmed Royal, is removing sand directly from the riverbed, endangering about 5,000 acres of agricultural land in Bosarchar and Charatra mouzas. Royal, however, insists he is legally extracting sand purchased through a government auction and denies cutting sand from the riverbed.

Officials from the Water Development Board said a major river protection project was implemented in 2019 after severe erosion between 2013 and 2018 displaced 25,000 families. The auctioned sand was originally stockpiled during river dredging under that project. Local authorities confirm the auction covered only stored sand, not riverbed extraction, and have pledged to investigate the current activities.

Residents fear that unregulated dredging could undermine the costly river protection works and trigger renewed erosion. The district BNP president and local MP stated that any illegal sand extraction, regardless of political affiliation, would face legal action.

A severe heatwave scorched Europe on Saturday, stretching from Scandinavia to the Alps and causing at least 12 deaths. Temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in several regions, breaking long-standing records in Germany, Denmark, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. Authorities issued extreme heat warnings across Germany and neighboring countries as the heat moved eastward. France, Italy, and the United Kingdom also recorded unprecedented highs earlier in the week.

Scientists said such an intense heatwave would have been nearly impossible without human-induced climate change, which has made extreme nighttime temperatures far more likely. Governments across Europe took emergency measures: France restricted alcohol sales and postponed outdoor events, while Italy declared red alerts in 18 cities. Nuclear power plants in Hungary and Switzerland reduced or halted operations due to overheated river water. Rail operators in Germany and other countries reduced services and allowed free cancellations to prevent infrastructure damage.

Meteorologists forecast that the extreme heat will ease later in the week, with thunderstorms expected by Sunday. The phenomenon, known as an “omega block,” has trapped hot air over Europe, pushing seasonal averages far above normal and straining public health and essential services.

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, causing widespread devastation and leaving at least 1,430 people dead and 3,238 injured. According to the latest update from the country’s National Assembly president, around 68,900 people remain missing. The quakes, the strongest in more than a century, reduced numerous buildings to rubble across several regions.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimated that about 6.76 million people may have been affected nationwide, including roughly 2 million in the capital, Caracas. Preliminary satellite analysis indicated that 31.5 percent of buildings in the coastal city of Catia La Mar were damaged. IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasized that the first hours and days after such a disaster are critical for shaping the response.

IOM has expanded its relief operations, distributing pre-positioned emergency supplies in Caracas and working with the Venezuelan government and partners to provide shelter, essential goods, and protection. The agency warned that internal displacement is likely to rise sharply as thousands seek safety after losing their homes.

A severe heatwave in France has caused 109 deaths within 24 hours in Paris, according to local media reports on Saturday. Emergency medical services recorded the deaths on Friday while responding to calls from homes and public places. Typically, only about seven deaths are reported during the same period in previous years. The figure excludes hospital deaths linked to extreme heat. During the same 24-hour period, emergency services received around 3,400 calls, including 30 cardiac emergencies and one case of hyperthermia with a body temperature of 43.7 degrees Celsius.

Authorities also reported that a man drowned while swimming unsupervised in the Saint-Martin Canal in Paris. France’s sports minister said that since the start of the heatwave, 55 people have drowned nationwide, 65 percent of them in unauthorized swimming areas. Emergency call volumes in Paris and nearby regions rose by 80 percent over the past week, while hospital admissions increased by 36 percent compared to normal days.

Although temperatures have begun to drop slightly, health services remain under pressure. Meteo-France maintained red alerts in 35 regions and orange alerts for thunderstorms in 34 others, with possible easing by Sunday evening.

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, raising the death toll to 1,430, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez. He announced the figures in a televised address on Saturday, citing that 3,238 people were injured and 3,142 displaced as a result of the twin quakes. The report was carried by Anadolu Agency.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) stated that the quakes occurred just 39 seconds apart last Wednesday, measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5. The 7.5-magnitude quake originated 23 kilometers southeast of Yumare in Yaracuy state, while the 7.2-magnitude quake struck 23.9 kilometers northeast of San Felipe, also in Yaracuy.

Authorities are continuing to assess the scale of the disaster as rescue and relief operations proceed in the affected regions.

A strong earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale struck Afghanistan on Saturday evening, shaking parts of northern India and Pakistan as well. According to India’s National Center for Seismology, the quake occurred at 7:04 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located about 215 kilometers below the surface. No immediate reports of casualties or major damage were received from Afghanistan, though the tremors caused panic in several northern Indian regions, prompting residents to move outdoors for safety.

Experts noted that Afghanistan lies in a high-risk seismic zone, particularly in the Hindu Kush region, which is known for frequent earthquakes. The Red Cross has identified the country’s position at the junction of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates as a key reason for recurring seismic activity. Additionally, major fault lines running through provinces such as Herat make the region prone to moderate to strong earthquakes.

Authorities are monitoring the situation, though no official damage assessments or emergency declarations had been reported at the time of publication.

A 65-year-old man named Zainal Abedin was killed in a wild elephant attack in Bakshiganj upazila of Jamalpur district. The incident occurred in the Somnathpara area of the Garo hills under Dhanua Kamalpur Union. According to local sources, Zainal left home on Friday morning to collect firewood but did not return by evening. After a night of searching, his body was found the next morning in a forested area of Somnathpara.

Local authorities reported that the elephants had crossed the border from India before the attack. Acting Union Chairman Golap Jamal confirmed that the death resulted from the elephant attack, while Bakshiganj Police Officer-in-Charge Mokbul Hossain said police were sent to the scene and legal steps would follow after speaking with the victim’s family.

The incident highlights ongoing risks faced by residents living near the forested border areas where wild elephants frequently move across from India.

Bangladesh is experiencing a disrupted monsoon season due to the combined effects of climate change and active El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean. According to the World Meteorological Organization and regional forums, rainfall this season is expected to be below normal while temperatures rise. June recorded 47 percent less rainfall than average, marking the driest June in a decade. Meteorologists report that although the southwest monsoon arrived on time, it has not become fully active across the country.

Experts warn that reduced rainfall and heatwaves are already affecting agriculture, particularly Aman rice cultivation, and could impact the national economy and public health. The South Asian Climate Forum forecasts declining groundwater levels and water shortages, threatening irrigation, power generation, and daily water supply. Health professionals caution about increased risks of heatstroke and waterborne diseases.

Climate scientists urge immediate adaptation measures, including drought-resistant crops, water conservation, and heat safety practices. Environmentalists call for coordinated national planning, while experts highlight declining climate-related health funding despite growing risks. They recommend integrating health adaptation priorities into the national budget and expanding access to domestic climate funds.

Switzerland’s glaciers are facing a severe crisis due to the ongoing European heatwave, with rapid ice loss expected this year, according to Matthias Huss, head of the Swiss glacier monitoring network GLAMOS. He told AFP that the snow and ice accumulated over the winter could melt completely by next Monday, marking the second earliest “Glacier Loss Day” on record. The melt is projected to continue through October, shrinking the glaciers of the Swiss Alps. The last time this date came earlier was in 2022, on June 26.

Experts cited the combination of the current heatwave, unusually warm weather in May, and below-average snowfall last winter as key factors worsening the situation. Huss reported that during a recent visit to the Rhône Glacier, about one meter of ice melted within ten days. He warned that prolonged high temperatures, not just a single heatwave, pose the greatest threat to glaciers.

Data show that between 2000 and 2024, Switzerland’s glacier volume has decreased by 38 percent. If global warming continues at the current rate, only remnants of ice may remain by 2100.

A new earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale struck northern Venezuela on Friday, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The quake’s epicenter was located about 61 kilometers northwest of Maracay. Local reports indicated that tremors were felt in both Maracay and Caracas, though detailed information about damage or casualties from this latest event was not yet available.

The country is still reeling from two powerful earthquakes that hit on Wednesday evening, which have already claimed at least 920 lives, with fears that the death toll could rise further. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that total casualties from Wednesday’s quakes could exceed 10,000, with around 3,360 people reported injured.

Authorities and rescue teams continue to assess the situation as Venezuela faces ongoing aftershocks and widespread devastation across its northern coastal regions.

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing widespread devastation in Caracas and surrounding areas. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed on Friday that the death toll had risen to 589, with 2,980 people injured. Rescue teams and local residents have recovered bodies and rescued several survivors from the rubble, while hundreds of buildings have collapsed.

An opposition-run website collecting information on missing persons reported that relatives had listed more than 50,000 people as missing by Friday morning. Rescue operations continue using heavy machinery, but efforts are hampered by severe infrastructure damage, communication breakdowns, and the scale of destruction.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey’s damage assessment models, the number of fatalities could exceed several thousand, with a strong possibility of surpassing 10,000 if conditions worsen.

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Japan on Friday, shaking parts of the eastern region. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the quake occurred at 12:46 p.m. local time with its epicenter in Chiba Prefecture at a depth of about 50 kilometers. Kyodo News reported that the maximum intensity reached level 4 on Japan’s seven-point seismic scale.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the same magnitude, locating the epicenter about four kilometers south-southeast of Yokoshiba at a depth of 56 kilometers. No casualties or significant damage have been reported so far. The tremor followed another earthquake recorded the previous day, which the USGS measured at magnitude 6.9 near Kuji, about 35 kilometers northeast at a depth of 51.7 kilometers.

Authorities have not issued any warnings or reported disruptions, and monitoring continues for possible aftershocks in the affected areas.

Several recently renovated roads in Ruma upazila of Bandarban have collapsed shortly after completion, raising serious concerns among residents about the quality of government-funded infrastructure projects. Despite large investments aimed at improving connectivity in the hilly region, asphalt has peeled off and cracks have appeared in multiple areas soon after repair work was finished. Locals expressed frustration over the rapid deterioration and questioned the effectiveness of the development spending.

Residents and local representatives alleged that substandard materials, irregularities by contractors, and poor supervision were responsible for the early damage. The projects, implemented under the Local Government Engineering Department’s (LGED) “Rural Road Infrastructure Development in Hill Areas” initiative, include the Ruma–Rowangchhari internal link road to Paindu Headman Para, with a budget of about Tk 27.5 million for 1.3 kilometers. LGED officials acknowledged contractor noncompliance and reported the issue to the district office.

The LGED executive engineer stated that partial damage to new roads is not unusual and that repairs could be made later using future allocations or the contractor’s security deposit.

Italy is facing a severe heatwave that has claimed five lives and prompted authorities to issue red alerts in 18 cities on Friday. The victims include two farmers from Lodi and Piacenza, a homeless man in Naples, and another person who died near Pavia in Lombardy. The decision to declare the red alert was made during a technical committee meeting chaired by Health Minister Orazio Schillaci.

The alert covers major cities such as Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, Turin, Bologna, Bari, and Genoa. Officials warned that the extreme weather poses health risks not only to vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, and chronically ill individuals but also to healthy people. The heatwave has disrupted cultural and public services, forcing Florence’s Uffizi Gallery to suspend ticket sales until at least June 28 due to air-conditioning failure.

Tourist sites such as Juliet’s House in Verona have partially closed, and court hearings in Palermo have been postponed. Local media reported a 20 percent rise in emergency admissions across Lombardy. Meteorologists expect temperatures to peak over the weekend.