Beximco Pharmaceuticals has resumed trading of its Global Depository Receipts (GDRs) on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) from June 26, following the withdrawal of a trading suspension. The Dhaka Stock Exchange Brokers’ Association (DBA) confirmed the development on June 27. The company had faced a suspension since January 2 due to delays in publishing audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and subsequent reports. According to the source, the suspension stemmed from a dispute over the company’s board composition after the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) was restructured under the interim government formed following political changes in 2024. The reconstituted BSEC appointed nine independent directors to Beximco Pharma’s board, a move the company challenged in court. This deadlock delayed financial approvals, triggering the LSE suspension. After investor appeals and coordination among BSEC, DBA, and company management, Beximco Pharma held a special board meeting on June 23 to approve pending financial statements. The LSE then lifted the suspension, a move the DBA said would strengthen Bangladesh’s international market reputation and investor confidence.

The United States has announced plans to bid for hosting the 2038 FIFA World Cup as a single nation, following its role as the main host of the 2026 tournament shared with Mexico and Canada. Andrew Gi­liano, executive director of the White House World Cup Taskforce, indicated in an interview with the BBC that the U.S. aims to bring the world’s biggest football event back to its soil within the next decade. The 2026 edition features 104 matches, 78 of which are being held in the U.S., despite debates over ticket prices and visa issues. FIFA is considering expanding the number of participating teams from 48 to 64 by 2030, and Gi­liano argued that no country is better equipped than the U.S. to handle such a large-scale event. The 2030 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, while Saudi Arabia has been confirmed as the sole host for 2034. The U.S. bid for 2038 is expected to begin after those tournaments. FIFA’s commercial interest in the U.S. market remains strong, supported by existing infrastructure and positive fan response, which have encouraged early preparations for another major hosting opportunity.

A record-breaking amount of Tk 15 crore 90 lakh 80 thousand 146 was collected from the donation boxes of the historic Pagla Mosque in Kishoreganj. The counting, which began at 7 a.m. on Saturday, concluded around 8:30 p.m. The confirmation came from Additional District Magistrate and donation box committee convener Md. Ershadul Ahmed. Alongside the cash, a large quantity of foreign currency and gold ornaments was also found. The donation boxes were opened in the presence of Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner and Pagla Mosque Management Committee President Sohana Nasrin, Additional Superintendent of Police Nazmus Sakib Khan, and other officials. Around 300 students from two madrassas and 130 Rupali Bank staff participated in the counting process, supported by mosque committee members, law enforcement, and army personnel. Donations are collected every four to six months from people of all backgrounds across the country. According to the district administration, the funds are used for mosque and Islamic complex expenses, with the remainder deposited in banks. Interest from the deposits supports local mosques, madrassas, orphanages, and assistance for the poor and sick.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced that a new dormitory at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) will be named after Abrar Fahad, a student killed by fellow students. The hall will be established as part of BUET’s campus expansion in Purbachal, Dhaka. He made the announcement on Saturday while addressing the orientation program for BUET’s 2025–26 academic year at the university’s central auditorium. The event was presided over by BUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Ekramul Haque, with Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin and BUET Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Abdul Hasib Chowdhury attending as special guests. The minister highlighted increased government allocations for education and pledged to raise the education budget from 2 percent to 5 percent of GDP. He emphasized the need for integrity in spending and adequate housing for students. Milan also stated that the government would pay BUET’s outstanding land installment for the Purbachal campus from its own funds and encouraged the creation of an alumni contribution fund similar to those at leading global universities.

Venezuela has been devastated by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 that struck on Wednesday, leaving more than 51,000 people missing and at least 920 confirmed dead. The number of injured has reached 3,360, and authorities estimate that around 172 people may still be trapped alive under the rubble. Despite ongoing rescue operations, hopes of finding survivors are diminishing. Hospitals, morgues, and shelters in Caracas and nearby areas are overwhelmed as families search for loved ones. The worst-hit region, La Guaira, has seen growing anger over the slow pace of rescue and relief work, with residents and volunteers using limited tools to clear debris. Reports of looting have emerged in Katia La Mar, while the UN estimates direct financial losses at about 6.7 billion US dollars. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has spoken with US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the crisis. International aid is increasing, with the United States pledging 150 million dollars in emergency assistance and sending ships, helicopters, and aircraft. The USGS warned that the death toll could exceed 10,000, potentially making this one of Latin America’s deadliest earthquakes in a century.

A bill to amend the Cyber Security Act was introduced in the Bangladesh Parliament on Saturday. The bill was presented by Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam. It proposes to repeal the section of the law that defines gambling in cyberspace as a crime and prescribes penalties. After being introduced under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker Kaysar Kamal, the bill was sent to the parliamentary committee on the Ministry of Law, which was asked to submit a report within three working days. According to the statement of objectives, the Cyber Security Act 2026 was enacted to ensure a safe and secure cyberspace. Section 20 of the Act currently includes provisions on gambling and related offenses. However, since the Ministry of Home Affairs has already introduced the Gambling Prevention Act 2026 to address such crimes, the new amendment seeks to remove the gambling-related section from the Cyber Security Act. The proposed amendment aims to avoid overlapping legal provisions and streamline the legislative framework for cyber and gambling offenses in Bangladesh.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) successfully concluded the final round of the Idea Contest 2026 in Savar on Saturday, aiming to promote renewable energy expansion and achieve 100 percent renewable energy production by 2050. Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology’s team “Roddur” won the championship, followed by the University of Dhaka’s “SwasthyaShakti” as first runner-up and Bangladesh Agricultural University’s “SolarCluster” as second runner-up. The contest, organized under TIB’s project “Promoting Good Governance and Integrity in the Energy Sector in Bangladesh,” sought innovative proposals from youth to support the country’s renewable energy transition. Over 300 ideas were submitted by university teams nationwide, with 30 advancing to the first round and 10 to the final. TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman presented the awards, emphasizing youth leadership in achieving energy self-reliance. The winning project “Roddur AI” uses artificial intelligence to assess solar installation feasibility across the country. The runner-up teams proposed hybrid renewable energy solutions for rural health centers and solar mini-grids for coastal shrimp farming clusters. Cash prizes and crests were awarded to the top three teams.

A mobile court in Fulbari upazila of Dinajpur fined three diagnostic centers a total of 30,000 taka for irregularities. The operation took place on Saturday afternoon, led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Ahmed Hasan. The fined institutions were Al-Shifa Advanced Medicare and Lab, Maa Diagnostic and Diabetic Corner, and New City Diagnostic Center. According to the report, the mobile court was conducted following complaints received from various sources. During the inspection, inconsistencies were found in the documentation of the institutions, and defects were detected in their pathology testing equipment. As a result, fines were imposed on the three centers. The operation was carried out in the presence of Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Moshior Rahman and Upazila Family Planning Officer Hasanul Haque Banna. The fines were collected immediately after the inspection, and the authorities indicated that such drives would continue to ensure compliance with health regulations in the area.

Education authorities in several countries are alarmed by the growing use of AI-powered smart glasses in exam cheating. Recent incidents in South Korea and Taiwan revealed students using such devices to access answers during high-stakes tests. The issue has drawn particular attention in East Asia, where exam results often determine academic and career opportunities. Experts note that while cheating with smart glasses is not new, the latest AI-enabled wearable devices are smaller, more advanced, and harder to detect. Governments are tightening exam security, with China inspecting all glasses during its national university entrance exams and the UK’s exam regulator warning about rising risks from AI-enabled eyewear and earpieces. South Korea and Taiwan are reviewing new policies to curb misuse. Researchers warn that these cases may represent only a fraction of a wider problem. As AI-integrated glasses become thinner and more autonomous, they pose threats not only to exam integrity but also to personal privacy. Academics argue that education systems must shift toward assessing critical thinking and problem-solving rather than rote memorization.

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.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis chief Allama Muhammad Mamunul Haque warned that if the referendum verdict is not implemented, BNP leader Tarique Rahman could face the same fate as former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He made the remarks on Saturday at a divisional rally in Mymensingh organized by the 11-party alliance demanding implementation of the referendum verdict and relief from public suffering. Mamunul accused some BNP leaders and interim government figures of betraying the people by undermining the July Charter and the national reform consensus. He said about 70 percent of voters supported the July Revolution in the referendum held on the day of the 13th national election, and that peaceful implementation of this mandate must be ensured. Mamunul also warned that ignoring the people’s reform aspirations or manipulating votes through the “farmer card” and “family card” systems would lead BNP to the same downfall as Sheikh Hasina. He emphasized that their movement aims to protect people’s rights and democratic dignity, not personal power. Other alliance leaders, including Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar and NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, echoed similar criticism of BNP and the interim government, alleging election engineering and policy failures.

Bangladesh is not making any immediate decision regarding the proposed China-Myanmar-Bangladesh economic corridor, Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman said on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the Prime Minister’s recent visits to Malaysia and China, he stated that the matter remains under observation and evaluation. The minister explained that the government has not taken a final position on the corridor project and is carefully reviewing its potential benefits and drawbacks. He added that China has given positive assurances on Bangladesh’s inclusion in BRICS, cooperation on the Teesta mega project, and support in addressing the Rohingya crisis. Feasibility studies for the Teesta project are expected to begin soon, and China will assist in Bangladesh’s efforts to join BRICS. During the Prime Minister’s Malaysia visit, discussions focused on regularizing undocumented Bangladeshi workers, recruiting new labor, and Malaysia’s assurance to support Bangladesh’s bid for ASEAN membership.

RAB-10 conducted an operation at the Rajbari Road intersection in Faridpur, seizing 880 bottles of cough syrup valued at approximately Tk 2.6 million. The raid took place late Friday night under the leadership of Company Commander Major Farhan. During the operation, a private car used to transport the drugs was also confiscated. The arrested individual was identified as Md. Rana Gazi, aged 32, from Sakhpur village under Debhata police station in Satkhira district. According to RAB, he is a professional drug dealer with existing narcotics cases against him. He allegedly collected drugs from border areas and distributed them in Faridpur and other parts of the country. Authorities stated that legal action would follow as part of ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking in the region.

Police in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj have filed a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act against 130 individuals, including named leaders and activists of the Awami League’s affiliated organizations Chhatra League and Jubo League. The case, lodged by Sub-Inspector Mohammad Shah Alam on Saturday morning, names 40 people and lists 80 to 90 others as unidentified. Twelve individuals detained during preparations for a flash procession have been shown arrested and sent to court. According to the case statement, around 2:45 p.m. on June 26, a group allegedly gathered secretly at the Mouchak U-turn area on the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway to organize a flash procession. The report claims they chanted anti-government slogans, created public panic, and conspired to destabilize the state. Police recovered five provocative posters from the scene, though most suspects fled upon sensing police presence. Siddhirganj Police Inspector Mohammad Emdadul Haque stated that operations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining fugitives.

Israel’s upcoming general election, scheduled for October, is being described as the most critical test of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long political career. The vote comes amid regional conflict, policy controversies, and corruption allegations that could determine his political future. Analysts suggest that this election could potentially bring an end to his decades-long dominance in Israeli politics. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, is facing mounting challenges as the country’s political landscape grows increasingly complex. Reports indicate that on February 28 he persuaded U.S. President Donald Trump to join military action against Iran, prompting retaliatory attacks by Tehran on Israel, several Gulf states, and ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Simultaneously, Israel remains engaged in conflict with Hezbollah along its northern border, while balancing U.S. pressure to halt operations in Lebanon with domestic demands for a tougher stance against Iran and its allies. Public dissatisfaction has also intensified over Netanyahu’s refusal to establish an independent inquiry into government failures before and after the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack in southern Israel, further straining his leadership ahead of the election.