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.

Bangladeshi director Mejbaur Rahman Sumon’s film 'Roid' has been selected for official review by the United States’ National Public Radio (NPR), marking the first time a Bangladeshi movie has achieved this recognition. The film’s North American distributor, Bioscope Films, confirmed that NPR, which operates across 1,000 stations nationwide, chose 'Roid' for its review segment after evaluating its content and background. The movie has already been released in multiple theaters across the United States and Canada as Bioscope Films’ 55th distribution.

According to the report, international broadcast exposure is considered crucial for films seeking nominations at major global events such as the Oscars and BAFTAs. Bioscope Films annually attempts to position one of its distributed films for Oscar consideration, following all required steps. The company’s head, Raj Hamid, described the NPR selection as a major success for Bangladeshi cinema, while director Sumon expressed joy that his work would be discussed on a national American platform.

'Roid' stars Mostafizur Noor Imran and Nazifa Tushi in lead roles, with veteran actor Gazi Rakayet in a key supporting role. The film was produced by Bongo and Facecard.

State Minister Zunaid Abdur Rahim Saki told Parliament on Sunday that taxes on grocery and kitchen markets will be determined rationally under the proposed 2026–27 national budget. He said the expansion of the tax net will be done carefully, with flat rates based on taxpayers’ capacity. Saki emphasized that the government aims to reassure citizens while ensuring fair revenue collection.

He announced that revenue policy formulation and collection will be separated, with an independent policy body formed outside the bureaucracy. The minister expressed confidence that strict anti-evasion measures and automation will help achieve the revenue target of Tk 6.95 trillion. He noted that Bangladesh’s budget size is about 13 percent of GDP, smaller than neighboring countries, and described the new budget as expansionary yet realistic, balancing development priorities with economic realities.

Saki said the government inherited a fragile economy but designed the budget to rebuild and ensure long-term prosperity. He added that automation programs have already begun in the National Board of Revenue and five other institutions to curb tax evasion and improve efficiency.

A virtual policy dialogue titled “Budget Review for Sylhet’s Development: Prospects, Challenges and Way Forward” was held on Saturday, organized by the Sylhet Sustainable Development Research Firm (SSDRAF). The discussion focused on the national budget’s role in promoting sustainable development, infrastructure improvement, human resource growth, and economic progress in Sylhet. Key speakers included Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar, Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University, Dr. A. K. Enamul Haque, Director General of BIDS, and Dr. Shah Md. Atiqul Haque, Professor of Sociology at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST).

Organizers stated that the event aimed to generate evidence-based discussions and policy recommendations to ensure inclusive and sustainable development in Sylhet through effective resource allocation and long-term planning. Speakers emphasized prioritizing local realities, climate risks, regional disparities, and long-term strategies in development planning. They also highlighted the importance of education, innovation, agriculture, environmental conservation, tourism, and the commercial use of local resources.

During the question session, participants raised issues about innovation capacity, trade policy, and the potential of Sylhet’s natural products in international markets. The event was moderated by SUST professors Dr. Munshi Naser Ibn Afzal and Dr. Tasmina Chowdhury Tania.

Switzerland has expressed strong interest in working with Bangladesh to develop a skilled and internationally competitive workforce. The announcement came after a courtesy meeting between Bangladesh’s Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury and Swiss Ambassador Reto Renggli at the ministry on Sunday. The ambassador also assured continued cooperation in Bangladesh’s overall development and safe migration management.

During the meeting, Minister Chowdhury voiced concern over the ongoing instability in the Middle East, which has forced many Bangladeshi workers to return home. He emphasized the urgent need to ensure rehabilitation, employment, and social protection for these returnees. The minister highlighted that the Overseas Employment Platform has made migration management more modern and transparent, and he sought Swiss technical assistance to further enhance it through manpower demand management, medical center integration, job portal development, and a dedicated mobile app.

Chowdhury added that the government prioritizes safe workplaces, labor welfare, and skill development. He noted that Bangladeshi workers could contribute significantly to Swiss sectors such as healthcare, caregiving, IT, engineering, hospitality, and construction, and requested more scholarship opportunities for Bangladeshi students and researchers.

Pakistan is considering purchasing oil and gas from Iran at lower prices following the end of the Iran–United States conflict and the lifting of sanctions on Tehran. Energy Minister Ali Parvez Malik announced the plan on Sunday, noting that the government aims to take advantage of the new trade opportunities with Iran.

Speaking in Lahore, Malik recalled that during the peak of the Iran–US conflict in April, petroleum prices had reached 460 rupees per liter, but global prices have since declined significantly. On June 17, Washington and Tehran signed the ‘Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding’ in Switzerland, mediated by Pakistan, under which the United States committed to lifting restrictions on Iran’s crude oil and petroleum exports, including related banking, insurance, and transport services.

Malik added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has already passed on the benefits of lower energy costs to the public by reducing fuel prices.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku announced that one of the government’s key goals is to export livestock products after meeting domestic demand. He said this during a ceremony at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s Cargo Village on Sunday, marking Bangladesh’s first-ever export of hatching eggs to Nigeria. The minister emphasized that such exports will strengthen the national economy and accelerate overall development.

He noted that under the Prime Minister’s vision, every sector is being developed with an export-oriented approach, and the fisheries and livestock sector is gradually becoming a strong contributor to export diversification. The minister described the export as a milestone reflecting Bangladesh’s growing capacity and international recognition in livestock production.

According to the Department of Livestock Services, private company Kazi Farms Limited exported 10,440 Ross 308 Broiler parent hatching eggs worth 18,729 US dollars to Nigeria. Officials from the ministry, the department, and Kazi Farms attended the event, where it was stated that the department continues working to build an internationally competitive livestock sector.

Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr. Md. Ziauddin visited the Karnaphuli Paper Mills Limited (KPM) in Kaptai, Rangamati on Sunday, June 28, 2026. During the visit, he inspected the aging and deteriorated facilities of the mill and sought suggestions from the mill authorities on how the large industrial complex could be reactivated and restored to operation. The commissioner toured various production units and offered key recommendations for improvement.

At the KPM guest house, the mill’s Managing Director, Shahid Ullah, presented an overview of the mill’s past and current conditions through a projector presentation. The visit was attended by Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Md. Alomgir Hossain, Kaptai Upazila Nirbahi Officer Raihanul Islam, and several senior KPM officials and local representatives.

Earlier in the day, Dr. Ziauddin was welcomed with flowers by local department heads upon his arrival in Kaptai and later visited the Raikhali Headman Office.

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.

Residents of Madarganj upazila in Jamalpur are facing severe disruptions to daily life due to prolonged power outages amid intense heat. For several weeks, electricity has been unavailable for 16 to 18 hours a day, affecting both urban and rural areas. The shortage has disrupted normal routines, business operations, and students’ studies, with children, the elderly, and the sick suffering the most.

According to the Madarganj zonal office of Palli Bidyut, the upazila’s current electricity demand stands at 18 megawatts, but only 7 megawatts are being supplied—about 39 percent of total demand. The shortfall has forced authorities to impose long hours of load-shedding. Residents report frequent power cuts lasting two to three hours at a time, with electricity returning only briefly before going out again.

Local businesses are incurring financial losses, and students preparing for exams are struggling to study by candlelight. The deputy general manager of the Madarganj zonal office said the situation would improve once power supply from the national grid increases.

Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon told the National Parliament on June 28, 2026, that around 67,000 applications for retirement benefits from private educational institution teachers and employees remain unresolved. Each applicant is entitled to an average of 1.3 million taka in retirement benefits. To settle all pending applications, about 8,710 crore taka is required, but the retirement fund currently holds only 1,300 crore taka, leaving a shortfall of roughly 7,410 crore taka.

The minister also said that the Private Educational Institution Teachers and Employees Welfare Trust has about 45,000 pending applications from August 2023 to June 21, 2026, requiring a one-time allocation of 3,150 crore taka. He stated that the government is committed to ensuring timely disbursement of retirement and welfare benefits and has initiated measures to address the financial crisis.

To speed up processing, the government has taken steps including reactivating software systems, increasing manpower, expanding online operations, and enabling direct fund transfers to teachers’ and employees’ bank accounts through the iBAS++ system.

Government party lawmaker Mahbub Uddin Khokon, representing Noakhali-1, stated in the Bangladesh Parliament on Sunday that the country does not need so many banks. Speaking during the national budget discussion, he said that public money is being used to cover bank deficits and criticized the practice of politicians seeking to establish banks or leasing companies. He suggested reducing the number of banks and proposed canceling 500 and 1,000 taka notes to encourage people to deposit money and legalize undeclared funds through taxation.

Mahbub Uddin also highlighted money laundering as a persistent problem since independence, noting that despite publishing white papers, no laundered funds have returned to the country. He argued that Bangladesh’s financial system must change so that people feel their money is safe domestically. He cited examples of other countries where money flows despite limited legal restrictions and urged reforms to make domestic investment more secure.

He further described the proposed budget as a vision for one year’s development, emphasizing social protection, training, and employment initiatives, while identifying law and order deterioration and unemployment as key challenges to implementation.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman paid an unannounced visit to the Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO) in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Agargaon, Dhaka, on Sunday morning. Arriving at 9:15 a.m., he toured the offices of the defense ministry–affiliated institution, meeting with officials and employees for spontaneous discussions. The visit was not part of his scheduled program.

During the inspection, SPARRSO Chairman Md. Rashidul Islam briefed the Prime Minister on the organization’s activities and overall operations. Departmental officials also presented details of their innovations, research, and ongoing projects. The Prime Minister instructed relevant authorities to develop SPARRSO into a modern, self-reliant, and nationally significant space research institution capable of contributing effectively to national security and development.

Senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Defense, and SPARRSO were present during the visit, underscoring the government’s focus on strengthening the country’s space research and remote sensing capabilities.