Dr. M. A. Halim Patwari has been elected president and Professor Dr. Mahmuda Akter general secretary of the new executive committee of the Dhaka University Accounting Alumni Association. The election took place on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at 5 p.m. in the auditorium of the Faculty of Business Studies at the University of Dhaka during the association’s general meeting and election for 2026.

A 27-member executive committee was chosen for the 2026–27 and 2027–28 terms. Alongside the president and general secretary, Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, and Md. Kayser Hamid were elected as vice presidents, while Saiful Islam was elected treasurer.

The election marks the beginning of a new leadership term for the alumni association, which represents graduates of the university’s accounting department.

Australia has strengthened its law prohibiting social media use by children under 16, doubling the maximum fine for violating platforms to 99 million Australian dollars. The revised legislation empowers the independent eSafety Commissioner to demand proof from social media companies on compliance measures and to conduct more effective investigations and enforcement actions. The government acknowledged that many minors continue to access restricted platforms despite the ban, which took effect on December 10 of the previous year.

Investigations have begun against major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube for alleged non-compliance. A report by the eSafety Commission found that seven out of ten under-16 users with pre-ban accounts still manage to access these platforms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Anika Wells criticized major technology companies for failing to take sufficient steps to enforce the law.

Australia’s initiative has influenced other countries, with the United Kingdom announcing plans for a similar ban by spring 2027. The UK proposal also considers nighttime restrictions for users under 18 and measures to limit infinite scrolling.

Five ancient stone idols, valued at approximately Tk 107 crore, have been formally handed over to the Department of Archaeology for preservation in Naogaon’s Dhamoirhat upazila. The handover took place on Monday, June 29, following a court directive, transferring the artifacts to the custody of the Paharpur Buddhist Monastery authorities.

The idols, recovered from different times in Dhamoirhat, will now be preserved in the museum of the Paharpur Buddhist Monastery, a site under the Department of Archaeology. The official handover was attended by Dhamoirhat Police Officer-in-Charge Md. Mintu Rahman, Paharpur Buddhist Monastery custodian Md. Fazlul Karim, and Dhamoirhat Police Inspector (SI) Md. Abul Kalam Azad, among others.

The transfer marks an official step to ensure proper conservation of the valuable archaeological artifacts under state supervision.

A former president of the Natore District Lawyers’ Association and former government pleader, Md. Asadul Islam, 66, was seriously injured after being attacked with an iron rod inside his chamber at the Natore Judge Court premises on Monday afternoon. Locals apprehended the assailant, identified as 33-year-old Kabil Hossain from Singra upazila, and handed him over to police. The injured lawyer was taken to Natore General Hospital for treatment.

According to police and the district lawyers’ association, the attack occurred while Asadul Islam was in his chamber. The assailant repeatedly struck him on the head, and when the lawyer tried to defend himself, both his arms were broken. The attacker reportedly admitted that he was angry because Asadul Islam had recently filed a civil case against him.

The general secretary of the Natore District Lawyers’ Association condemned the incident, calling for exemplary punishment of the attacker. The officer-in-charge of Natore Police Station confirmed the incident and said legal action would follow upon receiving a formal complaint.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Obaidul Islam announced a long-term plan to transform the institution into a research-driven, innovation-oriented, and internationally recognized university. Speaking at the annual Senate session held at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban on Monday, he said the goal is to position Dhaka University among the world’s top 200 academic institutions. The plan, titled “Dhaka University Academic Plan (2026–2046),” outlines strategies for inclusive innovation, ethical leadership, research excellence, educational modernization, entrepreneurship, internationalization, and administrative efficiency.

The Vice-Chancellor highlighted the university’s recent achievements, including advancing 600 places to the 401–600 band in the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking 2026 and maintaining its position among the world’s top 600 universities in the QS World University Ranking 2027. Dhaka University also ranked 132nd in the QS Asia University Ranking 2026 and had 35 faculty members listed among the world’s top 2% scientists in 2025. He emphasized ongoing initiatives such as establishing a modern medical bioscience campus, international-standard hospital, and advanced research facilities in Purbachal.

The administration is also expanding digital transformation, online services, and alumni engagement, with plans to create two separate funds totaling Tk 2,000 crore for research and student welfare.

The United States Supreme Court has declined to hear former President Donald Trump’s appeal in the civil case filed by writer and journalist E. Jean Carroll. The decision, announced on Monday, leaves intact a lower court ruling that ordered Trump to pay $5 million in damages for sexual abuse and defamation. The Supreme Court’s refusal means the compensation verdict remains enforceable.

Carroll first sued Trump for defamation in 2019 and later filed a separate civil suit for sexual assault in 2022 under a new New York law allowing victims to pursue older claims. A jury found Trump liable in the 2022 case and awarded Carroll $5 million. Another defamation case from 2019 resulted in an $83 million damages order, which could exceed $100 million with interest. Trump has consistently denied all allegations, arguing that the trial judge made procedural errors and that certain evidence should not have been admitted.

Following the Supreme Court’s latest decision, Carroll may soon receive the $5.5 million Trump had previously deposited under court supervision. Trump’s legal team still has the option to appeal the separate $83 million judgment.

A motorcycle rally was held in Dinajpur under the banner of the Tawhidi Janata, aiming to spread the message of Islamic victory, peace, and unity among Muslims under the Kalema flag. The event took place on Monday, June 29, 2026, starting from the field of Tafiyuddin Memorial School near the Eye Hospital at Fulbari Bus Stand area in Dinajpur town. The rally moved through various city roads before returning to its starting point.

Participants from different parts of Dinajpur joined the rally, representing people from various walks of life. The organizers stated that the purpose was to promote harmony and solidarity among Muslims through the symbolic use of the Kalema flag and to convey a message of peace across the region.

The event concluded peacefully, with attendees emphasizing unity and the peaceful spirit of Islam as central themes of the gathering.

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have risen above $37 billion for the first time in 45 months. As of Monday, the gross reserve stood at $37.05 billion, up from $36 billion last Wednesday. The last time reserves were above this level was in mid-September 2022, before declining steadily to $25.92 billion by August 2024, when the Awami League government fell.

According to the IMF’s BPM6 calculation method, reserves reached $32.48 billion, compared to $31.55 billion last Wednesday. The reserve crossed $31 billion after the Asian Development Bank disbursed a $1 billion loan on June 14. Bangladesh Bank began publishing reserves under the BPM6 system in June 2023, when the figure was $24.75 billion. The country’s highest reserve level was $48 billion in August 2021, before falling due to increased capital flight and a sharp depreciation of the taka from 84 to 120 per dollar.

Since August 2024, remittance inflows through banking channels have remained strong, totaling $35.34 billion by June 28 of the current fiscal year, up 17.62 percent from the same period last year, helping stabilize the foreign exchange market.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a safe, healthy, and tobacco-free environment for citizens. To achieve this, DNCC plans to implement the amended Tobacco Control Act 2026 effectively, enhance public awareness, and coordinate with relevant stakeholders. The announcement came during a capacity-building workshop titled “Role of DNCC in Ensuring a Smoke- and Tobacco-Free Environment,” held on June 29 at the DNCC conference room in collaboration with Dhaka Ahsania Mission.

At the workshop, DNCC’s Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Imrul Kayes Chowdhury presided over the session, while Shariful Islam, Coordinator of the Tobacco Control Project at Dhaka Ahsania Mission, presented the keynote paper. He highlighted the current tobacco use situation in Bangladesh, the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, and challenges in enforcing tobacco control laws. Speakers emphasized the importance of awareness, law enforcement, and joint efforts to build a healthy city.

Dhaka Ahsania Mission pledged technical support for training, awareness campaigns, and media materials, while DNCC will implement field-level activities to create a smoke-free urban environment.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that rainfall has eased the recent heatwave across most regions, bringing temporary relief to citizens. On Monday, Dhaka’s temperature dropped by about 4°C compared to the previous day, while heavy rainfall was recorded in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Barishal divisions. The highest rainfall was 147 millimeters in Syedpur, Nilphamari. Despite the cooling effect, experts warned that the comfortable weather may not last long.

Meteorologists attributed the ongoing weather fluctuations to global climate change and the influence of La Niña. They noted that high humidity after rainfall and incomplete activation of the monsoon are causing sticky, uncomfortable conditions. The monsoon pattern has changed, with intermittent rain and intense sunlight replacing continuous cool showers.

According to forecasts, a low-pressure system may form over the sea around July 4–5, potentially increasing rainfall. However, experts expect humid and hot conditions to persist throughout the monsoon season, with reduced rainfall likely to raise both temperature and humidity levels again.

Bangladesh Bank has reinstated a maximum 4 percent spread between deposit and lending interest rates, aiming to reduce borrowing costs and support productive sectors. The directive, issued through a circular on Monday, excludes credit card and consumer loans. Currently, the average spread in the banking sector stands at 5.72 percent, with some banks maintaining spreads as high as 7 to 9 percent.

According to the central bank, many banks have sharply increased lending rates compared to deposit rates, widening the spread and negatively affecting business and industrial financing. The move seeks to bring lending rates to a reasonable level and ease financial pressure on borrowers. A bank collecting deposits at 8 percent interest will now be allowed to lend at a maximum of 12 percent.

The 4 percent cap had been lifted in November 2023 under an IMF-backed market-based interest rate system but has now been reinstated following recommendations from the central bank’s monetary policy committee, which cited high non-performing loans and excessive spreads as key concerns.

Hundreds of aftershocks have been recorded across Venezuela following two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 that struck the country on Wednesday. The continuing tremors have made rescue and rehabilitation operations in affected areas increasingly hazardous, according to local reports.

The Foundation for Seismological Research in Venezuela has been regularly releasing data on new aftershocks, noting that most have magnitudes below 3 and are not felt by the general population. However, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded a 4.6 magnitude quake near the coast of Caracas on Thursday afternoon, which was widely felt but caused no new damage.

Experts explained that aftershocks are smaller tremors occurring after a main earthquake due to changes in stress along tectonic plates. The USGS added that shallow earthquakes are more likely to produce aftershocks, posing additional risks to ongoing rescue efforts.

Over fifty students from four educational institutions in Madaripur participated in a special educational tour of the national parliament, organized by Madaripur-2 Member of Parliament Jahandar Ali Mia. The visit coincided with the parliament’s budget session, allowing students to observe proceedings and explore key areas of the parliament building to gain practical knowledge about governance and parliamentary functions.

During the visit on Monday afternoon, the students met Prime Minister Tarek Rahman, who warmly interacted with them, inquired about their studies and future plans, and encouraged them to become educated and responsible citizens for the nation’s welfare. The meeting was also attended by the Prime Minister’s spouse, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and MP Jahandar Ali Mia. Students described the experience as one of the most memorable moments of their lives.

According to the organizers and participants, such educational tours help students expand their knowledge beyond textbooks and inspire civic awareness and responsibility. MP Jahandar Ali Mia expressed his intention to continue arranging similar programs in the future.

Jagannath University has approved a Tk 330 crore budget for the 2026–2027 fiscal year, showing a deficit of Tk 143.39 crore. The approval came during the university syndicate’s 112th special meeting held on June 29 under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Raiqul Uddin. The syndicate also approved the revised budget of Tk 230.32 crore for the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

According to the approved figures, the 2026–2027 budget includes Tk 159.10 crore from the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Tk 27.50 crore from the university’s own income. Allocations include Tk 8 crore for research, Tk 60 crore for student scholarships, Tk 30 crore for temporary dormitory construction, and Tk 129.80 crore for salaries and allowances. The UGC has withheld allocations for research and vehicle purchases, while several other sectors received about 50 percent less than requested.

The syndicate recommended that the government, through the UGC, provide additional funding to cover the Tk 143.39 crore deficit. The university’s ongoing development project for a second campus has an estimated cost of Tk 1,746.06 crore, with Tk 201.21 crore allocated for 2026–2027.

The White House announced that US President Donald Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will travel to Doha on Tuesday for a high-level meeting with Iranian officials. According to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, the talks aim to continue discussions on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iran, alongside planned technical-level meetings. The announcement was also shared earlier by Trump on social media.

However, Iran has denied any plan for such a meeting. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that there is no scheduled meeting with US officials in Qatar this week, though consultations with Qatar are ongoing. Initially focused on Iran’s nuclear program, the discussions have now shifted toward reducing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

The two countries remain at odds over control of the strategic waterway. Iran insists that the MoU grants it control over the Strait, while the United States maintains that it should remain open to international navigation and not be under the authority of any single nation.