Construction of the Khutakhali–Eidgarh road in Cox’s Bazar’s Chakaria upazila has been halted after the Forest Department objected to the project, citing that part of the route passes through a reserved forest. The 11‑kilometer road, funded by JICA under the South Chattogram Regional Development Project, began in February 2025 and was scheduled for completion by February 2027. About six kilometers have been completed, but work on a five‑kilometer stretch through Madhushia forest remains suspended, leaving around 200,000 residents of five nearby upazilas facing prolonged transport hardship.

The Forest Department claims the road cuts through the Madhushia garjan forest, an important corridor for endangered Asian elephants, and warns that construction could disrupt wildlife movement and increase human‑elephant conflict. LGED officials and local residents, however, argue that the disputed section includes old roads, open land, and farmland rather than dense forest. They insist the project will transform local connectivity, boost agricultural trade, and reduce security risks on alternative routes.

Locals have staged demonstrations demanding immediate resumption of construction and intervention from higher authorities, while the two government agencies remain at odds over environmental and development priorities.

Continuous rainfall for five days has severely disrupted life in Rangamati, cutting off three major road connections and flooding low-lying areas of Baghaichhari upazila. Around 20,000 people have become waterlogged, while two people died after being swept away in Kaptai Lake. Nearly 4,000 hectares of farmland are submerged, and 411 tourists remain stranded in Sajek. The district administration is making extensive efforts to manage the crisis.

Officials reported that mountain runoff from India has caused the Kachalong River’s water level to rise sharply, inundating vast areas. The rising water in Kaptai Lake has submerged croplands in Baghaichhari, Barkal, and Longadu upazilas. District authorities have opened 34 shelters housing about 4,500 people, supported by a 2 million taka grant from the Prime Minister’s relief fund. Local residents are also assisting in rescue and relief operations.

Road communication between Rangamati and Khagrachhari, as well as several internal routes, has been cut off due to landslides and flooding. Officials warned that damage to roads and farmlands may increase if rainfall continues.

Continuous rainfall over five days has submerged vast low-lying areas of Hatiya upazila in Noakhali, leaving around 50,000 people waterlogged. The combination of tidal water and heavy rain has caused severe waterlogging, disrupting daily life as homes, roads, markets, and schools remain underwater. Many families cannot cook because their stoves are submerged, while aman seedbeds and fish enclosures have been severely damaged.

Residents from Nijhumdwip, Sonadia, Budirchar, Harni, Chanandi, Sukhchar, Nalchira, and Jahajmara unions reported knee- to waist-deep water inside homes. Teachers and students are struggling to reach schools, and transportation on rural roads has nearly stopped. Locals blamed poor drainage, blocked sluice gates, and illegal fishing nets for worsening the situation. Social groups and residents urged immediate government action to clear waterways and restore drainage.

The local administration stated that 242 shelters are ready, medical teams have been formed, and relief is being distributed. The weather office warned that more heavy rain may continue due to a low-pressure system, raising fears of prolonged flooding in the coastal region.

Germany has reported 5,120 deaths linked to extreme heat, most of which occurred in June 2026, according to the Robert Koch Institute. The country experienced weekly average temperatures well above 20 degrees Celsius. The Copernicus Climate Change Service stated that June 2026 was the hottest month in Western Europe’s recorded history, with global temperatures reaching the second-highest level ever observed.

The European Union’s climate monitoring service attributed the abnormal heatwave to continuous warming across land and oceans, pushing the global average surface air temperature to 16.54 degrees Celsius. Western Europe’s average temperature of 20.74 degrees was three degrees higher than the 1991–2020 June average. The heatwave also caused power disruptions and school closures in several countries.

Authorities across France, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands reported over 4,700 additional deaths between June 20 and 28, while wildfires and drought intensified in Iberia and France. The World Meteorological Organization warned that greenhouse gas emissions from coal, oil, and gas combustion have raised global temperatures by about 1.4 degrees Celsius since the pre-industrial era, with further increases expected.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly suspended or delayed money transfers to the United Arab Emirates, according to a Financial Times report published on Tuesday. The move, in effect since May, has prevented funds from Saudi banks from reaching Emirati accounts, signaling growing friction between the two Gulf nations. The Saudi central bank denied imposing any formal restrictions when contacted by the newspaper.

The Financial Times report noted that disputes between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have become increasingly visible since early this year. Once close allies, the two countries have diverged over issues such as relations with Israel, policies in Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, and competition for regional economic influence. The UAE’s decision to leave OPEC earlier this year and its support for separatist groups in Yemen have further strained ties.

Analysts cited in the report said economic rivalry between the two major Arab economies is longstanding. The current financial disruption could deepen mistrust and complicate cooperation in trade, energy, and regional security.

Continuous heavy rainfall and mountain runoff caused the Matamuhuri River embankment to collapse in Pekua, Cox’s Bazar, flooding large parts of the upazila. The breach occurred late Thursday night into Friday morning in East Mehernama area of Sadar Union, submerging homes, roads, schools, mosques, and fish enclosures. More than one hundred thousand residents have been trapped in waterlogged conditions, facing acute shortages of clean water, food, and medicine.

Local residents said hundreds of volunteers tried to reinforce the embankment with sandbags, but the effort failed under heavy rain and tidal pressure. Several unions, including Ujantia, Rajakhali, Magnama, Toitong, Shilkhali, Barbakia, and Sadar, remain inundated. Locals blamed illegal fishing traps and blocked drainage channels for worsening the flooding, alleging that a powerful group controls sluice gates and water flow for seasonal farming.

Pekua Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rafiqul Islam said the administration is monitoring the situation and coordinating with authorities to prevent further damage. Relief and emergency support preparations are underway for affected families.

An article published on July 10, 2026, warns that the growing use of adulterated and unregulated pesticides in Bangladesh’s agriculture is endangering both farmers and consumers. The report highlights that excessive chemical fertilizers and pesticides are being used in crop production, with nearly 75 percent of food affected during cultivation. Farmers, often misled by unscrupulous pesticide sellers, are mixing multiple chemicals into so-called “cocktail” pesticides, causing severe damage to crops, soil, and human health.

The article notes that around 27 percent of farmers suffer from pesticide-related illnesses, including skin irritation, respiratory issues, and even cancer. It also describes how fake or substandard pesticides are sold by unlicensed vendors, leaving farmers financially ruined. Despite numerous laws such as the Pure Food Act and the Consumer Rights Act, enforcement remains weak, and no major offender has received maximum punishment.

The author urges farmers to seek guidance from agricultural extension officers instead of dealers and calls for strict enforcement of existing laws to curb adulteration and ensure safe food production.

Heavy rainfall and upstream water flow from India have caused the Teesta River to swell rapidly, inundating low-lying and char areas in Lalmonirhat district. According to the Water Development Board, the river’s level rose by about 80 centimeters in the past 24 hours, hovering near the danger mark. Although the water was six centimeters below the danger level at Dalia Barrage on Friday morning, it had flowed above the mark overnight.

All 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage remain open to maintain normal flow, but continued heavy to very heavy rainfall in northern Bangladesh and adjoining Indian regions may cause further rises. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre warned that the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers could cross danger levels at some points, leading to short-term flooding in Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, and Kurigram.

Residents along the Teesta banks reported sleepless nights as water surged from India without prior notice. Locals demanded that India issue advance warnings before releasing water from the Gajoldoba Barrage and urged quick implementation of the long-promised Teesta Master Plan to prevent recurring floods.

International oil prices dropped by nearly 2 percent on Thursday as renewed US-Iran hostilities delayed the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The disruption has kept global fuel supply tight, but concerns over rising inflation and slowing economic activity have weakened demand expectations. Brent crude fell by $1.72, or 2.2 percent, to $76.30 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude declined by $1.44, or 2 percent, to $72.08 per barrel.

Before the conflict, about 20 percent of global oil supply passed through the Strait of Hormuz. The latest escalation followed US strikes on Iran’s southern and eastern provinces, prompting retaliatory attacks by Iranian forces on US military infrastructure in Gulf countries. The three-week ceasefire agreement between the two sides is now under renewed strain.

Analysts from Macquarie Group and Goldman Sachs noted that while tensions remain high, both nations face economic and political constraints. Qatar, Turkey, and Oman urged restraint and a return to diplomacy, as tanker traffic through the strait has fallen below 70 percent of normal levels due to renewed attacks.

Scientists have, for the first time, directly observed the creation of new seafloor in the Indian Ocean, marking a rare opportunity to witness Earth’s crust regenerating itself. The event occurred in 2024 when a series of earthquakes caused more than three feet of new seabed to form. The findings were published in the journal Nature, led by marine geophysicist Jean-Yves Royer, whose team had recently installed monitoring instruments in the area as part of the OHA-GEODAMS observatory project.

The observatory, consisting of 15 monitoring stations, was designed to detect seismic and geological changes on the ocean floor. Just two months after installation, the instruments captured detailed data as a section of an undersea ridge collapsed by about 13 feet and its sides moved apart by over three feet. Using underwater microphones and pressure sensors, the researchers traced the process to high-pressure magma pockets deep within the Earth that forced molten rock upward, forming new crust.

The equipment will continue collecting data until 2027, and researchers hope the project will inspire similar studies in other rapidly expanding seafloor regions.

At least 12 people have died and six others were injured in a wildfire that broke out in Los Gallardos, located in Spain’s southeastern Almería province, according to the Andalusian regional government. The BBC reported on Friday that some victims were found inside burned vehicles. Witnesses said the fire may have started after a power line snapped, though authorities have not confirmed the exact cause.

The blaze spread rapidly amid a prolonged heatwave that has pushed temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius across southern Europe. Hundreds of firefighters are battling fires in Spain, France, and Portugal, while thousands of residents have been evacuated for safety. Andalusian regional president Juanma Moreno described the incident as a “tragic tragedy” and expressed condolences to the victims’ families on social media.

Spain’s military emergency unit has joined firefighting efforts in Los Gallardos. The country recorded its highest average June temperature since 1950, and experts warn that climate change is making Europe the fastest-warming continent, increasing the frequency and severity of wildfires.

Heavy monsoon rain has disrupted daily life across Bangladesh, with Dhaka and Chattogram among the worst affected areas. Since early morning, major roads and residential areas such as Kazipara and Shewrapara in the capital have been submerged. In the hilly regions of Chattogram, landslides have occurred, while the port city itself is experiencing widespread waterlogging. According to the Meteorological Department, the highest rainfall in the past 24 hours was 211 millimeters, while Dhaka recorded 28 millimeters.

The department reported that rainfall increased further after 6 a.m. on Friday, causing waterlogging in both main roads and narrow lanes. It attributed the ongoing heavy rain to the influence of the monsoon and forecast that the current spell may continue until Sunday, July 12. Due to rough weather and turbulent seas, maritime ports have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal number 3, and river ports to display signal number 1.

A weather forecast issued Friday morning warned that gusty winds of 45 to 60 kilometers per hour may sweep across 14 regions, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, and Sylhet.

After a 58-day government fishing ban ended, thousands of fishermen from Kuakata, Mahipur, and Alipur in Patuakhali returned to the Bay of Bengal hoping for a good catch. However, rough seas caused by a low-pressure system in the northwest Bay, combined with illegal trawling and repeated trawler sinkings, have left most boats returning empty or with minimal fish. Many fishermen are now facing severe financial distress, unable to recover fuel and labor costs.

Local fishermen accuse large trawlers equipped with GPS, radar, and fish finders of operating illegally near the coast using banned fine-mesh nets, destroying juvenile fish and damaging smaller boats’ nets. In response, fishermen have held protests and submitted a memorandum demanding the removal of the local senior fisheries officer for failing to stop illegal trawling. At least 13 fishermen remain missing after three trawler sinkings near Kuakata.

Authorities have advised caution due to ongoing rough weather, while local residents urge stronger enforcement against illegal trawling, emergency aid for affected fishermen, and coordinated rescue efforts for the missing.

The United States’ Strategic Petroleum Reserve has fallen to its lowest level since 1983, according to data from the Department of Energy. The decline comes as tensions between the US and Iran intensify, raising global concerns about oil supply stability and price volatility. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump acknowledged that oil prices rise whenever the US strikes Iran. That same day, Brent crude prices climbed 5.2 percent to reach 78.02 dollars per barrel, the highest since June 19.

The Energy Department reported that for the week ending July 3, the reserve dropped by 6.2 million barrels to 319.5 million barrels, far below its total capacity of 713.5 million barrels. The drawdown was part of Washington’s effort to stabilize global oil markets during the ongoing conflict with Iran and to prevent a severe crude shortage.

Analysts warn that maintaining adequate reserves is crucial for signaling market confidence. The current depletion could limit President Trump’s strategic options in managing the conflict and global oil policy.

The water level of the Teesta River has risen above the danger mark due to continuous rainfall and hill runoff in India, causing flooding in low-lying and char areas of Hatibandha upazila in Lalmonirhat. At 9 p.m. on Thursday, the water flow at the Dalia point of the Teesta Barrage was recorded at 52.18 meters, three centimeters above the danger level. Earlier in the evening, the level was one centimeter below the danger mark.

To manage the upstream pressure, all 44 sluice gates of the Teesta Barrage have been opened. Local sources reported that water has entered croplands in several unions, including Goddimari, Dowani, Saniyajan, Singimari, Sindurna, and Dauyabari, affecting peanut fields, paddy seedbeds, and sweet pumpkin cultivation. The water level began rising on Thursday morning and continued to increase through the night.

Officials from the Water Development Board have advised residents along the riverbanks to remain alert as the situation may worsen if rainfall continues.