Prime Minister Tareq Rahman is set to inaugurate a nationwide tree plantation program across more than 29,000 secondary-level educational institutions in Bangladesh. The event will be launched simultaneously from the Bangladesh-China Friendship International Conference Center in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 2 p.m. on Monday, according to a press release from the Ministry of Education. The program was initially scheduled for 10 a.m. but was rescheduled to the afternoon for special reasons.

The initiative is part of the government’s electoral pledge to plant 2.5 billion trees over five years and to engage every child annually in tree planting under the “One Child, One Tree” campaign. The Ministry of Education plans to plant 50 million trees in schools, colleges, and madrasas within five years. Each institution will receive a climate awareness grant of 5,000 taka annually and will plant one fruit tree, one forest tree, and one medicinal tree this year.

The inauguration will be broadcast live on large screens in all participating institutions, where local ministers, lawmakers, community leaders, teachers, students, and parents will join the event in person.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that more than 1,300 excess deaths have occurred across Europe since June 21 due to an unprecedented summer heatwave. The extreme temperatures have broken records in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic, with Germany recording 41.7°C and Poland 40.5°C. France’s health ministry said nearly 1,000 additional deaths were recorded since Wednesday, mostly among people over 65. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average and described heat stress as a “silent killer.”

Authorities across Europe have taken emergency measures to mitigate the crisis. France banned outdoor alcohol sales and canceled the Paris Pride March to ease pressure on emergency services, while the Netherlands canceled the Defqon.1 music festival after a “code red” alert. In France, at least 74 people drowned in rivers and lakes amid the heatwave. Meteorological agencies attributed the extreme conditions to a “heat dome” effect, which traps hot, dry air and intensifies surface temperatures.

WHO urged European nations to implement heat-health action plans as climate change continues to drive more frequent and severe heatwaves across the continent.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Dhaka South unit distributed 856 trees on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at Dhaka’s Donia College premises in memory of 856 martyrs of the July uprising. The event, held as part of a tree plantation and distribution program, was attended by the organization’s central president Nurul Islam as chief guest. He urged citizens to take responsibility for environmental protection and emphasized reducing carbon emissions and increasing oxygen production through tree planting.

Nurul Islam highlighted that Bangladesh ranks among the world’s most polluted countries, with Dhaka suffering from severe air pollution leading to respiratory and other health problems. He called for collective efforts by the government, social organizations, and citizens to ensure effective environmental conservation and proper use of climate-related funds. The Dhaka South president, Hafez Delowar Hossain, said the martyrs’ sacrifices inspire the organization’s efforts to build a greener and humane Bangladesh.

At the end of the event, fruit, forest, and medicinal saplings were distributed among college students, marking the completion of the program dedicated to the 856 gazetted martyrs of the July uprising.

The Teesta River at Dalia point in Nilphamari has risen above the danger level, prompting flood concerns in nearby low-lying and char areas. According to measurements taken at 6 p.m. on Sunday, the water level stood at 52.22 meters, which is 7 centimeters above the danger mark of 52.15 meters. Officials from the Water Development Board (WDB) attributed the rapid rise to continuous rainfall and upstream runoff from the hills.

As the water crossed the danger level, homes in low-lying areas of Dimla and Jaldhaka upazilas began to experience water intrusion. Seedbeds of Aman paddy and jute and vegetable fields in char regions are at risk of submergence. Local residents have expressed concern over possible riverbank erosion and the safety of embankments.

The WDB’s flood forecasting center reported that the situation is under constant observation and warned that water levels could rise further if upstream inflows continue. Local authorities have been alerted and are prepared to respond. Officials expect the water to start receding after midnight, though heavy rainfall is forecast for the next three days, prompting continued caution among riverside residents.

A severe heatwave is sweeping across Europe, with forecasts on Sunday, June 28, 2026, indicating that about 191 million people are experiencing temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius. According to a report by AFP, the heat is most intense in Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. Data from the German Weather Service and Austria’s NGO ClimateDashboard show that excluding Turkey, around 381 million people across Europe are facing temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius.

The forecast suggests that nearly all of Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic will see temperatures surpassing 35 degrees Celsius, while about 42 million people in Germany, including those in Berlin, are affected. The heatwave also extends to Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia, Italy, Austria, and western Ukraine. In France, although a red alert is expected to be lifted by evening, around 11 million people continue to suffer from the heat.

Climate researchers warn that the actual number of affected people may be higher, as the weather model used does not fully capture urban heat island effects in densely populated cities.

A mild heatwave is currently sweeping across eight districts—Tangail, Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Nilphamari, Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia—and may persist, according to a Sunday bulletin from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. The agency reported that an extension of a low-pressure area stretches from Gangetic West Bengal to the northwest Bay of Bengal, while the monsoon remains moderately active over Bangladesh and weak to moderate elsewhere in the northern Bay.

The department also forecast that from Sunday to Thursday, many areas in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions, along with parts of Khulna division, may experience temporary gusty winds and light to moderate rain or thundershowers. Some places could see moderately heavy to heavy rainfall during this period.

The forecast suggests that such weather conditions are likely to persist across the seven divisions for the next five days, indicating a mix of heat and intermittent rainfall across much of the country.

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.