The United States Department of Defense has reported that the cost of the ongoing war with Iran has reached approximately $29 billion. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth presented the updated figure during two hearings of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday. The disclosure came as part of discussions on the Pentagon’s proposed $1.5 trillion budget.

According to the hearings, the war expenditure has increased by about $4 billion over the past two weeks, up from a previous estimate of $25 billion. The Pentagon’s comptroller clarified that the new $29 billion figure does not yet include the cost of repairing U.S. facilities damaged by Iranian attacks, suggesting that the final total could rise further.

The hearings placed particular emphasis on the growing financial burden of the conflict and its implications for U.S. military strategy and defense spending priorities.

Bangladesh Bank’s board has given preliminary approval to close or liquidate five non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) starting in July 2026. The decision was taken at a board meeting chaired by Governor Mostakur Rahman. The institutions affected are FAS Finance, Fareast Finance, Aviva Finance, Peoples Leasing, and International Leasing, all of which have default loan ratios between 93 and nearly 100 percent. The central bank cited their failure to recover defaulted loans and repay depositors as the reason for the move.

According to a central bank official, the closures will proceed under the Bank Resolution Act, with administrators and additional officers appointed to oversee the process. The government has pledged to allocate about Tk 5,000 crore in the upcoming budget to repay individual depositors. The law outlines how troubled institutions may be merged, restructured, or closed, and how their assets will be sold to repay creditors.

The decision follows earlier notices to 20 NBFIs with high default rates. After several reviews, the list was narrowed to five institutions now slated for closure.

Khelafat Majlis has strongly condemned Israel and India following the deaths of Bangladeshi nationals in two separate incidents. According to a statement issued on Tuesday, the party’s Amir Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and Secretary General Dr. Ahmad Abdul Kader denounced the killing of two Bangladeshis in a drone attack by the Israeli Defense Forces in Lebanon on May 11, and the shooting of two others by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) at Brahmanbaria on May 8.

The leaders described Israel as a destabilizing force responsible for widespread violence and oppression, accusing it of targeting even migrant Bangladeshi workers abroad. They demanded that the Bangladesh government take effective measures to ensure the safety of expatriate citizens. Regarding India, the statement alleged that the BSF’s actions were unjustified and aimed at intimidating Bangladesh. The party also criticized India for border killings, illegal push-ins, and smuggling activities that allegedly create instability along the frontier.

Khelafat Majlis urged India to immediately stop border killings, compensate the victims’ families, and build a genuinely friendly relationship with Bangladesh based on equality and mutual respect.

National Citizens Party (NCP) Office Secretary (Joint Member Secretary) Saleh Uddin Sifat is set to visit South Korea to participate as a speaker at the Gwangju Democracy Forum 2026. The event will take place in Gwangju city and is organized by the May 18 Foundation. According to NCP’s Central Election Committee Media Secretary Yasir Arafat, Sifat is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Wednesday to attend the international conference.

The forum will feature six young activists and leaders from Nepal, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Mexico, and Bangladesh. Sifat’s presentation topic is titled “From Youth Struggles to Uprising: A Generational Awakening,” focusing on how Bangladeshi youth have developed an independent political stance beyond traditional structures and mobilized for democratic transformation. He will also discuss issues of justice, institutional reform, human rights, and regional visions for South Asia.

During his South Korea visit, Sifat will also attend a meeting with members of the NCP Diaspora Alliance in Seoul, alongside NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud, who is already in Korea on a separate invitation.

The election for the 2026–27 term of the Supreme Court Bar Association began on Wednesday, May 13, and will continue through Thursday, May 14. Voting runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, with a one-hour break at noon. This year’s election introduces QR-coded ballots, voter verification, and digital vote counting. Despite the technological upgrades, enthusiasm among general lawyers appears lower than in previous years.

Three main lawyer panels are contesting the election: the BNP-backed Blue Panel, the Jamaat-backed Green Panel, and the NCP-backed Red-Green Panel. Notably, this is the first time in the association’s history that no Awami League-backed panel is participating. Fourteen executive committee positions are being contested, including president, vice presidents, secretary, treasurer, joint secretaries, and members.

Candidates from each panel expressed optimism about their chances, while some raised concerns about voter apathy and transparency. Independent candidates are also participating for several posts. The election committee, chaired by Justice Miftah Uddin Chowdhury, previously held a candidate introduction meeting, and the final list of valid candidates was announced on April 28.

The Planning Ministry of Bangladesh has finalized preparations to present 16 development projects worth about Tk 24,855 crore at the second meeting of the new government’s Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Wednesday. Among these, the long-anticipated Padma Barrage project will be tabled for approval under the chairmanship of Prime Minister and ECNEC Chair Tareq Rahman. The Water Resources Ministry proposed the first phase of the Padma Barrage project, estimated at Tk 50,443.64 crore, to be implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board by June 2033, with full funding from the government.

Officials said the project aims to mitigate dry-season water shortages caused by the Farakka Barrage. The first phase includes constructing a 2.1-kilometer barrage at Pangsha in Rajbari with 78 spillways, 18 sluice gates, two fish passes, and a navigation lock. It will store about 2,900 million cubic meters of water to revive five rivers and support irrigation, fisheries, and hydropower generation. The project is expected to benefit 19 districts across four divisions and create nearly 928,000 permanent jobs.

The Padma Barrage concept dates back over two decades, with multiple feasibility studies conducted since the 1960s, culminating in a detailed assessment completed in 2013.

Bangladesh secured a commanding 104-run victory over Pakistan in the Dhaka Test, taking a 1–0 lead in the two-match series. On the final day, Pakistan were set a target of 268 runs but were bowled out for 163, leaving 23 overs unused. Fast bowler Nahid Rana produced a decisive spell, taking 5 wickets for 40 runs in 9.5 overs, dismantling Pakistan’s middle and lower order. Earlier, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scored with 87 in Bangladesh’s second innings of 240 for 9 declared, adding to his first-innings century.

The match saw Bangladesh dominate across all departments—batting, bowling, fielding, and captaincy. Shanto’s leadership and calculated declaration reflected confidence in his bowlers, a belief rewarded by the combined efforts of Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed, Taijul Islam, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Pakistan’s batting faltered under pressure, with only Abdullah Fazal managing a half-century.

This win continues Bangladesh’s strong record against Pakistan in recent Tests, following a 2–0 series victory in Rawalpindi two years earlier. The second Test of the current series is scheduled for May 16–20 in Sylhet.

Argentina’s national football team has nearly completed its preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to Argentine outlet TyC Sports, 22 players are almost certain to make coach Lionel Scaloni’s final 26-man squad, barring injuries or unexpected events. The team had earlier announced a preliminary list of 55 players, and Scaloni now faces the challenge of selecting the remaining four.

Goalkeepers Emiliano Martínez and Gerónimo Rulli are considered confirmed, while Juan Musso and Walter Benítez compete for the third spot. In defense, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolás Otamendi, and Nicolás Tagliafico are nearly assured, with Marcos Senesi and Facundo Medina vying for the fifth center-back position. The midfield core includes Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul, Nicolás González, Exequiel Palacios, Nicolás Paz, and Thiago Almada.

In attack, Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, Giuliano Simeone, and José López are confirmed. Scaloni is still weighing options for the left-back and final midfield or attacking roles, with Marcos Acuña, Gabriel Rojas, Valentín Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Franco Mastantuono, Máximo Perrone, and Gianluca Prestianni under consideration.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the United Arab Emirates’ President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a telephone conversation to strengthen security and stability in the Middle East. The discussion took place as part of ongoing efforts to enhance coordination between the two Gulf nations.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the leaders reviewed recent regional developments and exchanged views on joint initiatives aimed at reinforcing peace and stability. The report also noted that the two sides discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The conversation underscores the continuing collaboration between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi in addressing regional challenges and maintaining strategic alignment on key security issues.

A 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck Iran’s capital, Tehran, on Tuesday night, according to the country’s Seismological Center cited by state media. The quake occurred at 8:16 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located 10 kilometers below the surface. The tremor was felt in areas near the border between Tehran and Mazandaran provinces.

Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported that no casualties or significant damage were recorded following the quake. The event caused brief tremors but did not lead to any major disruptions in the affected areas.

Authorities have not issued any further warnings, and normal activities reportedly continued in Tehran after the quake.

US Senator Chuck Schumer has called on Republican lawmakers to support efforts to pressure President Donald Trump to end the ongoing conflict with Iran. Amid rising fuel prices and economic strain, Schumer said that the continuation of the war is driving up living costs for ordinary Americans. In a post on social media platform X, he criticized Trump for refusing to stop the war, noting that Americans are paying more than $4.50 per gallon of gasoline.

Schumer argued that if Republicans truly care about reducing expenses and protecting US troops, they should support the Democrats’ War Powers Resolution aimed at ending the conflict with Iran. The Democratic Party has launched its seventh attempt to pass the resolution, which seeks to ensure that no president can conduct military operations for more than 60 days without congressional approval.

Previous Democratic efforts have failed due to their minority position in Congress and partisan divisions. However, with rising energy prices, military spending, and concerns over troop safety, the opposition is renewing political pressure on the administration.

Students and parents across Bangladesh are facing severe uncertainty following the education minister’s announcement that the 2027 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent exams will be held in December 2026. Despite only six months remaining, education boards have yet to receive any formal instructions from the government, raising doubts about whether the exams can be organized within such a short timeframe. Officials from the Dhaka and Madrasa education boards confirmed that no official directives have been issued, though mental preparation has begun.

The announcement, made by Education Minister Dr. Ehsanul Haque Milan in April, has sparked widespread concern among students, teachers, and parents. Frequent curriculum and schedule changes in recent years have already disrupted academic continuity, and the sudden advancement of exam dates has intensified pressure on students. Coaching centers are adding extra classes to complete syllabuses, leaving students physically and mentally exhausted.

Education experts and psychologists have urged the government to adopt a stable, long-term academic calendar and implement exam schedule changes gradually to reduce stress and prevent further disruption to students’ learning and mental health.

A violent attack took place on Tuesday night, May 12, 2026, at a shop in Haji Kachom Ali Fakir Super Market in Mulaid village of Sreepur, Gazipur. The incident occurred after a dispute over unpaid dues and refusal to sell goods on credit. Witnesses reported that several rounds of gunfire were heard, causing panic in the area. Five people, including the market owner’s son Kamal Fakir, his nephew Siam, the shop manager Shahin, and employees Shanto and Shyamal, were injured.

According to shop owner Faisal Ahmed, accused Rana Bhandari and his brother Mamun, residents of Kewa village, had an outstanding balance from previous purchases. On May 9, Rana bought goods worth 72,000 taka, paying 30,000 in cash and promising to clear the remaining 42,000 later. When asked to pay the balance on Tuesday, Rana allegedly assaulted an employee. Later that night, Rana and Mamun led a group of 25–30 people who attacked, vandalized, and looted the shop. Police said they were investigating the incident and would take legal action.

The attack has left the local community in fear as investigations continue.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and Rangpur-2 MP ATM Azharul Islam alleged that former party chief Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami was killed through an imperialist conspiracy. He made the claim on Tuesday afternoon at a discussion and prayer meeting titled “Life and Work” marking Nizami’s 10th martyrdom anniversary at the Santhia District Council auditorium in Pabna. Azharul Islam demanded the arrest of those involved in Nizami’s killing and warned that failure to do so would suggest government collusion.

He stated that killing leaders like Nizami or Mujahid could not end the Islamic movement and asserted that Islam would eventually prevail in the country. Referring to the recent national election, he alleged vote manipulation, claiming the people voted for Jamaat’s symbol but another party took power. He also criticized India, accusing it of border killings and withholding Teesta water, saying such a country could not be a true friend.

Other speakers, including Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and opposition whip Rafiqul Islam Khan, called Nizami’s execution unjust and the trial process illegal, demanding accountability for those involved.

A Russian cargo ship named Ursa Major sank about 60 miles off the Spanish coast on December 23, 2024, following multiple unexplained explosions. According to a CNN investigative report, the vessel was likely carrying two nuclear reactors intended for North Korean submarines. The incident has been described as potentially indicating direct Western military intervention to prevent Russia from transferring advanced nuclear technology to its ally North Korea.

Fourteen Russian crew members survived and were taken to the port city of Cartagena, where Spanish police questioned them. Opposition lawmakers said the ship’s captain initially refused to discuss the cargo but later admitted that items listed as “manhole covers” were actually parts of submarine nuclear reactors. The ship’s owner, Oboronlogistics, later called the event a “planned terrorist attack,” reporting three explosions and a 50-by-50-centimeter inward-bent hole in the hull.

CNN’s report added that the damage might have been caused by a Barracuda supercavitating torpedo, a weapon known to exist only in a few countries, including the United States, some NATO allies, Russia, and Iran.