Sarjis Alam, the chief organizer of the NCP’s northern region, has denied recent Indian media reports claiming he traveled to India for his father’s medical treatment. Speaking to Amar Desh on Thursday after the report appeared on an Indian news portal, Alam dismissed the claim as an 'Awami rumor' and said neither he nor any family member had ever visited India for any reason. He criticized the Indian media for publishing the story without verification, calling it a reflection of poor journalistic standards.

Alam emphasized that he and his party are not hostile toward any country, including India, but insisted that relations must be based on equality and respect between states and peoples, not through allegiance to ruling parties. He also condemned anti-Muslim rhetoric by political leaders in West Bengal following the BJP’s victory there, describing such statements as shameful and condemnable.

Alam further stated that normal relations with India are impossible while border killings continue, asserting that bilateral ties must rest on mutual respect and fairness.

The Ministry of Public Administration in Bangladesh has issued a notification declaring a seven-day public holiday for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. According to the circular released by the ministry’s Regulation-4 branch on Thursday, all government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, and private offices will remain closed from May 25 (Monday) to May 31 (Sunday). Offices will operate normally on May 23 and 24, the two working days preceding the holiday period.

The notification specifies that essential services such as electricity, water, gas, fire service, port operations, sanitation, telephone, and internet will remain outside the holiday scope to ensure continuity of public life. Postal services, medical facilities, hospitals, emergency medical staff, and vehicles carrying medicines and medical supplies will also continue operations. Government offices engaged in urgent tasks will remain open as required.

The circular further states that relevant authorities will issue separate instructions for specific sectors. Bangladesh Bank will decide on banking operations, the Supreme Court will guide judicial activities, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment will provide directions regarding holidays for private industrial establishments.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who led the Labour Party to a major victory in the 2024 general election, is now facing growing scrutiny over his leadership. Despite campaigning on promises of stable governance after years of political turmoil, recent local election setbacks have triggered internal debate within Labour about his popularity and the party’s direction.

Critics argue that Starmer’s approval is declining and that Labour may need new leadership before the next general election. However, some party members warn that frequent leadership changes, similar to those seen in the Conservative Party, could worsen political instability. According to Tony Travers, a political scientist at the London School of Economics, Britain’s governance challenges stem from deeper issues such as the 2008 financial crisis, slow economic growth, and the lingering effects of Brexit.

Between 2016 and 2024, five Conservative prime ministers left office amid political or economic crises. Analysts suggest that this pattern of rapid leadership turnover continues to shape the country’s political and economic landscape, posing a major test for Starmer’s government.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj has said the current government views the education sector not as an expense but as a national investment. He made the remarks on Thursday morning at a program organized by Campaign for Popular Education at the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation conference hall in Agargaon, Dhaka. The event, titled “Remedial Education: Work Experience and Future Vision,” focused on support programs for underperforming students.

Hajjaj stated that despite regular attendance, many primary students still fail to achieve grade-level learning skills. Citing the National Student Assessment, he noted that around 50 percent of students are lagging behind and suggested the actual figure might be higher. To address this, the government plans to introduce remedial education programs using learning circles, community engagement, and technology-based content.

Campaign for Popular Education Executive Director Rasheda K. Chowdhury, who presided over the event, said Hajjaj’s book “The Learning Nation” outlines a comprehensive framework for education reform in Bangladesh, emphasizing modernization from primary to higher education, teacher training, and assessment systems.

A group of Israeli far-right settlers has launched a movement called “Uritsafon” or “Awake, North Wind,” aiming to establish Jewish settlements in southern Lebanon. The initiative, co-founded in 2024 by biologist and researcher Sloutskin from the Karnei Shomron settlement in the occupied West Bank, envisions expanding Israel’s northern border up to the Litani River, about 30 kilometers inside Lebanon. Sloutskin said the movement has gained support since its founding and seeks to ensure Israel’s security by creating a permanent civilian presence beyond the current border.

The Israeli government has not publicly endorsed the idea of settlements in Lebanon, though it has approved major expansions in the occupied West Bank. The Uritsafon movement claims some lawmakers and ministers privately support their vision. Members have previously attempted to cross into Lebanon to plant trees and set up tents, actions condemned by the Israeli military as illegal and dangerous.

The movement remains confined to Israel’s ultra-nationalist circles, but its leaders believe it could gain mainstream traction ahead of upcoming elections.

The Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Boards have published the proposed schedule for the 2027 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations. According to the plan, the exams under the Dhaka, Rajshahi, Jessore, Comilla, Chittagong, Barishal, Sylhet, Dinajpur, and Mymensingh boards will begin on June 6, 2027. The first day will feature the Bangla First Paper exam, followed by Bangla Second Paper on June 8, English First Paper on June 10, English Second Paper on June 12, and Information and Communication Technology on June 14. Science subjects including Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are scheduled for June 17, June 23, and July 1 respectively. Theoretical exams will conclude on July 13, and practical exams must be completed by July 18.

Students are required to arrive at exam centers 30 minutes before the start time and use the designated answer sheets for theoretical tests. The boards have cautioned that the schedule may change as the 2027 institutional holiday calendar has not yet been finalized. The Engineering Drawing and Workshop Practice First Paper will be held at each student’s respective college.

The proposed schedule includes a total of 77 papers, with the entire examination process expected to take 21 days to complete.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “monster” and a “disgrace to humanity.” He made the remarks on Wednesday in a post on social media platform X, accusing Netanyahu of supporting and encouraging the rape of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.

Asif’s comments came in response to Netanyahu’s earlier interview with CBS News, where the Israeli leader alleged that Pakistan had engaged in anti-Israel propaganda to damage relations between the United States and Israel. Netanyahu also claimed that Islamabad had provided shelter to Iranian military aircraft. In his reaction, Asif strongly condemned Netanyahu’s alleged crimes and said humanity should be ashamed.

The exchange highlights escalating tensions between Pakistan and Israel, with both sides trading accusations over human rights and regional alliances.

Commerce Minister Khondaker Abdul Muktadir has said that the government has taken comprehensive preparations to ensure smooth collection, preservation, purchase, sale, and transportation of raw hides from sacrificial animals during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. Speaking at a directive meeting with divisional commissioners, city corporation administrators, and deputy commissioners at the Secretariat on Thursday, he emphasized that not a single hide should be wasted, as directed by the Prime Minister.

The minister described sacrificial hides as a valuable national resource that can strengthen the leather industry, export earnings, and the financial capacity of orphanages, madrasas, and Lillah boarding houses if properly preserved. To prevent annual wastage, the government has allocated over Tk 17 crore for free salt distribution and Tk 2.63 crore for training programs. Awareness campaigns will include posters, leaflets, and media broadcasts.

He instructed divisional commissioners to form monitoring teams and ensure active field supervision after training. City corporation administrators were also asked to coordinate waste management with hide preservation efforts to maximize efficiency.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the United Arab Emirates of being directly involved in a military operation against Iran. He made the allegation on Thursday during a BRICS meeting held in New Delhi, according to Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency. The report stated that Araghchi made the remark in response to a statement from the UAE representative at the meeting.

Araghchi explained that, in the interest of unity, he had initially refrained from naming the UAE in his remarks. However, he claimed that the UAE neither condemned the attacks against Iran nor distanced itself from the aggression, asserting that the country was directly complicit in the operation. The report noted that there was no immediate reaction from the UAE regarding the accusation.

The exchange highlights ongoing regional tensions and diplomatic friction between Iran and the UAE, though the source did not provide further details on the alleged operation or its consequences.

Bangladesh Bank has eased the single borrower loan limit, allowing banks to lend up to 25 percent of their capital as funded loans to a single client, up from the previous 15 percent. However, the combined funded and non-funded exposure cannot exceed 25 percent. The new directive, issued on Thursday, will remain effective until June 30, 2028. The central bank stated that the decision aims to accelerate business activities and facilitate international trade financing.

Under the revised rules, non-funded loans converted into funded loans will now be calculated at 25 percent instead of 50 percent, effective until June 30, 2027. This rate will gradually increase to 30 percent by December 2027, 40 percent by December 2028, and return to 50 percent from January 2030. The circular also revises large loan exposure limits based on non-performing loan ratios, allowing higher lending flexibility for banks with elevated default rates.

Officials explained that the adjustment was necessary as the sector’s non-performing loan ratio has risen to 30 percent, compared to 9 percent when the earlier circular was issued, restricting new lending under the old limits.

Analysts believe the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping could bring indirect benefits to South Korea. Kim Soyoung, an assistant professor at Japan’s Nagoya University of Commerce and Business, told Al Jazeera that if Xi can persuade Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, it would ease pressure on South Korea’s energy supply. The country currently faces challenges due to instability in the strait, through which most of its oil and gas imports from the Gulf region pass.

Seoul is also closely watching whether the United States alters its policy on Taiwan, as any shift could affect the broader security landscape in East Asia. Kim noted that the meeting may influence South Korea’s regional diplomatic strategy and its relations with China, which have improved somewhat under President Lee Jae-myung.

The final round of U.S.-China preparatory talks held in Seoul before the Trump-Xi meeting, attended by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, is seen as a sign of South Korea’s growing diplomatic role.

The Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board has released the tentative schedule for the 2027 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations. According to the announcement issued on 14 May 2026, the nationwide exams will begin on 7 January 2027, a Thursday, and will start each day at 10 a.m. The theoretical exams will commence with the Bangla First Paper and continue until 6 February 2027.

The schedule specifies that English Second Paper will be held on 13 January, Mathematics on 16 January, and Bangladesh and Global Studies on 18 January. Examinations for key subjects in science, humanities, and business studies streams will conclude by early February. Practical exams, including music, will begin after the theoretical tests and must be completed by 11 February 2027. These will also start at 10 a.m. at respective centers.

The board noted that the schedule may change if necessary, as the 2027 academic holiday calendar has not yet been finalized.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has condemned what he described as the warlike and expansionist policies of the United States and Israel. Speaking at a BRICS meeting in New Delhi, he highlighted recent attacks on Iran by the two countries and warned that regional instability harms all parties, including aggressors themselves.

Araghchi stated that Iran had suffered two brutal and unlawful aggressions by the United States and Israel within less than a year. He argued that these attacks were justified through false claims contradicting assessments by the International Atomic Energy Agency and even US intelligence agencies. The minister emphasized that Iran, like other independent nations in the Middle East, was a victim of illegal expansionism and militarism, which he said had no place in today’s world.

The remarks were reported by Al Jazeera and came amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, where Iran continues to face pressure from Western and regional powers over its policies and security posture.

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa announced her resignation following criticism of her government’s handling of a Ukrainian drone incident. During a press conference on Thursday, she explained that some Ukrainian drones had strayed into Latvian airspace during attacks on Russia, sparking internal disputes within the coalition government over the official response.

Earlier, Siliņa had dismissed Defense Minister Andris Spruds, who was accused of failing to activate Latvia’s anti-drone system promptly after the May 7 incursion. The dismissal prompted the left-leaning Progressives Party to withdraw its support from the coalition, causing the government to lose its parliamentary majority on Wednesday.

Under Latvia’s constitution, President Edgars Rinkēvičs is now responsible for appointing a new prime minister. He is scheduled to meet with all parliamentary parties on Friday. The country is also preparing for national elections in October.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has announced the dates for the 2027 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations. The SSC and equivalent exams will begin on January 7, 2027, and end on February 6, while the HSC and equivalent exams will run from June 6 to July 13. The announcement was made on Thursday, May 14, 2026, during a press conference at the Secretariat.

The minister explained that the exams were initially planned for December, but objections from stakeholders led to a revised schedule. After consultations, the ministry decided to postpone the exams to allow students more preparation time. Milan emphasized that the new timetable was designed to ensure adequate readiness for all examinees.

He also warned of strict monitoring to prevent question paper leaks and ensure smooth exam administration. Education boards have been instructed to take necessary measures to publish results within the scheduled timeframe.