The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations for this year will begin on Tuesday and continue until May 20. Education boards and exam centers have completed all necessary preparations. A total of 1,857,344 students are set to take part across the country, including 1,418,398 under nine general education boards, 304,286 under the Madrasa Education Board, and 134,660 under the Technical Education Board. Compared to last year, the total number of SSC and equivalent examinees has decreased by 70,837, continuing a downward trend seen in previous years. However, the number of Dakhil examinees under the Madrasa Board has increased from 286,572 last year to 304,286 this year. The Madrasa Board will conduct exams across 742 centers from 9,125 institutions. Among the general boards, Dhaka has the highest number of candidates at 366,650, while Barishal has the lowest at 81,831. This year’s exams will be held at 3,885 centers nationwide, involving 30,666 institutions. Authorities have finalized all arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the examinations.

Israel’s military has issued a warning to residents of 21 villages in southern Lebanon, urging them not to return to their homes. The advisory specifically cautioned civilians against crossing a designated boundary or approaching areas near the Litani River, where Israeli forces are reportedly deployed. The statement was released by Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee, who emphasized that civilians should avoid the border villages for their safety. The affected villages include Beit Siyad Farm, Majdal Jun, Jabbqin, Yatar, Sarbin, Hula, Beit Yahoun, Shakra, Majdal Salm, Kabriqa, Farun, Jutar al-Gharbiyah, Yahmar al-Shakif, Arnoun, Deir Mimas, Marjayoun, Abbel al-Saki, al-Mari, Kafar Shuba, Ain Kana, and Ain Atta. The warning comes as a 10-day ceasefire, brokered by the United States, has been in effect between Lebanon and Israel since April 16. The announcement underscores ongoing security concerns along the Lebanon-Israel border despite the temporary truce, highlighting the fragile nature of the current calm in the region.

A Ukrainian drone attack on the southern Russian city of Tuapse killed one person and injured another, according to regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev. The incident occurred late Sunday, marking the second strike on the port city within a few days. Debris from the drones damaged windows of several buildings, including residential structures, a primary school, a kindergarten, a museum, and a church. Governor Kondratyev stated that the fatality occurred at the city’s seaport and expressed condolences to the victim’s family. The injured person received medical treatment following the attack. The governor also mentioned that a previous drone strike in the same region last Thursday had killed a teenage girl and a young woman. The repeated drone incidents highlight ongoing hostilities affecting Russia’s southern regions, with civilian areas increasingly sustaining damage from aerial attacks.

Lebanese-origin French artist Ali Cherri has filed a war crimes complaint in France against Israel, following the 2024 airstrike in Beirut that killed his parents. Cherri stated that his father Mahmoud Cherri and mother Nadra Hayek were civilians, and he urged France’s war crimes unit to investigate the attack and bring those responsible to justice. Israel has said its airstrikes in the Lebanese capital targeted facilities used by the armed group Hezbollah. However, international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, reviewed Cherri’s case and reported finding no evidence of military targets in or near the building where his parents lived. Cherri’s lawyer, Clémence Bectarte, told Al Jazeera that under French law, the Israeli strike could be considered a war crime. She added that Israel’s military and political authorities were justifying the attacks under the pretext of fighting Hezbollah, but international law requires strict adherence to rules governing military conduct.

A photo circulating on social media showing an Israeli soldier smashing a statue of Jesus Christ with a hammer in southern Lebanon has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. The image, which spread rapidly on platform X and was viewed millions of times, has drawn international attention and criticism from various quarters. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the authenticity of the photo and stated that an investigation into the incident is underway. The act has provoked strong reactions both locally and internationally, with many accusing the soldier of insulting religious sentiments and calling for accountability. The incident has intensified tensions in the region and raised concerns about respect for religious symbols amid ongoing hostilities. Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the investigation or possible disciplinary measures.

Lebanese armed group Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for an explosive attack on an Israeli military convoy in southern Lebanon on Sunday. According to the group, the incident occurred as eight Israeli armored vehicles were moving from Taybeh toward the Deir Sirian area. Hezbollah stated that its fighters had planted explosive devices along the route, which detonated twice between 3:40 p.m. and 4:40 p.m. local time, allegedly destroying four Merkava tanks. The report, citing Al Jazeera, noted that there was no immediate comment from Israeli authorities regarding the claimed attack. The event marks another episode of tension along the Lebanon-Israel border, where sporadic clashes have been reported in recent months. Further details about casualties or the broader military response were not available at the time of reporting.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has published its list of 36 candidates for the reserved women’s seats in the national parliament. The announcement was made on Monday afternoon by Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed, the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General and Adviser to the Prime Minister. The list includes prominent BNP leaders such as Selima Rahman, Shirin Sultana, Rasheda Begum Hira, Rehana Akter Ranu, and several others. According to the announcement, the full list comprises 36 names, representing women from different parts of the country and various levels of the party’s leadership. The publication of the list marks a key step in BNP’s internal nomination process for the reserved seats, which are allocated to ensure women’s representation in parliament. The release of the list signals BNP’s readiness to participate in the parliamentary process concerning the reserved women’s seats, though further procedural steps were not detailed in the announcement.

Significant mismanagement has been reported on the Paturia-Daulatdia ferry route, one of Bangladesh’s most vital river crossings. As of April 20, only two of the seven ferry terminals at the Daulatdia end remain operational, while the No. 7 terminal has been closed for over a week due to pontoon repairs. New pontoons purchased for the route are lying unused and rusting, while old pontoons are being patched up to keep services running. The slow pace of repair work has raised uncertainty about when the closed terminal will reopen. Local residents have expressed concern that the unused pontoons, worth millions of taka, are deteriorating due to neglect. Earlier, a bus accident at the No. 3 terminal on March 25 caused temporary closure and severe traffic congestion, but users say no visible improvements have followed. With only two terminals functioning, vehicles including trucks and buses are facing long waits, increasing both costs and travel time. Officials from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation said repair work began on April 12 and promised that the closed terminal would reopen soon. Observers warn that without faster project implementation and better management, the route’s operational crisis could worsen.

Iran has announced that it has no plans to participate in peace talks with the United States. According to reports published by Iranian state media on Sunday, the ongoing U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains the main obstacle to any dialogue. Tensions have escalated further following attacks and seizures of Iranian ships by U.S. military forces. Citing the state broadcaster IRIB, the report stated that there is currently no plan to take part in the next round of discussions. Earlier, news agencies Fars and Tasnim, quoting unnamed sources, said the overall situation cannot be described as positive and that lifting the U.S. blockade is a condition for any talks. The state-run IRNA also referred to Washington’s “unreasonable and unrealistic demands,” saying there is no clear prospect for productive negotiations under the current circumstances. The report comes as diplomatic efforts remain stalled, with both sides maintaining firm positions over sanctions and maritime security issues.

Iran has launched a drone attack targeting a United States military ship in the Sea of Oman, according to reports. The strike was described as a retaliatory move following the US seizure of an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel. The incident has raised concerns over escalating tensions and the fragility of an existing ceasefire, India Today reported. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency stated that US forces fired on and detained an Iranian commercial ship before Tehran’s forces responded with the drone attack. The report emphasized that the action was a direct response to the seizure of the Iranian vessel. Details about the scale of the attack, the number of drones used, or whether any US assets were damaged have not been disclosed in the report.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung received a red-carpet welcome in New Delhi as he began his state visit to India. On Monday, he held key talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi focusing on shipbuilding and artificial intelligence (AI) as major agenda items. The meeting also included discussions on trade, investment, semiconductors, and emerging technologies, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs. In a social media statement, President Lee said that amid global economic instability and supply chain disruptions following conflicts in the Middle East, South Korea and India are becoming vital strategic partners for each other. Ahead of the visit, South Korea’s National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lak noted that the two leaders would also discuss maintaining regional peace, including on the Korean Peninsula. The two countries are working to strengthen their 2010 economic partnership agreement. Bilateral trade has grown from 14.2 billion to 26.89 billion dollars in the 2024–25 fiscal year, marking nearly a 90 percent increase.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Sunday that Israeli troops deployed in Lebanon have been instructed to use their full strength if threatened, even during the ongoing ceasefire. Speaking at an event in the occupied West Bank, Katz said that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had authorized the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to respond by land and air to any threat against their soldiers. He added that troops were ordered to destroy potentially dangerous sites and roads that might contain traps. According to military sources, a ten-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon began on Friday, but an Israeli soldier was killed the same day in southern Lebanon after a bomb exploded inside a building. Katz reiterated that Israel’s goal is to eliminate Hezbollah bases near the border and remove threats to Israeli communities. He warned that if the Lebanese government fails to act, the IDF will continue operations to ensure security. The conflict escalated in early March when Iran-backed Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on Israel, prompting Israeli airstrikes and ground operations across southern Lebanon.

A United States delegation led by Vice President JD Vance has arrived in Pakistan as Islamabad prepares to host a high-level meeting. Iran has not yet confirmed its participation, though Pakistani officials expect Iranian representatives to join the discussions. In preparation for the talks, Islamabad has implemented unprecedented security measures, deploying 20,000 personnel and sealing off large parts of the city, including two major hotels. Over the past 24 hours, several US C-17 Globemaster aircraft have landed in Islamabad, with more expected to arrive. These flights are believed to have transported bulletproof vehicles and security teams for the American delegation. The scale of the security operation underscores the significance of the upcoming meeting. Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliamentary national security committee, stated that Iran intends to continue dialogue but not “at any cost.” The talks appear to be part of ongoing diplomatic efforts involving the United States, Pakistan, and potentially Iran.

A United States delegation led by Vice President JD Vance is set to arrive in Pakistan on Monday evening for a second round of discussions with Iran. President Donald Trump announced the visit, stating that the delegation would reach Islamabad to continue diplomatic efforts. The White House later confirmed Vance’s leadership of the team. According to a White House official cited by the BBC, the delegation includes Trump’s adviser Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, both of whom participated in the previous round of talks. However, Iran has not yet confirmed its participation. Iranian state media reported that officials would not attend while US sanctions remain in place. The first round of talks between Washington and Tehran failed to produce a peace agreement, with major differences persisting over Iran’s nuclear program and other key issues.

A Jerusalem court has postponed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled testimony in his ongoing corruption trial this week, according to local media reports. Netanyahu’s lawyer requested the cancellation of the testimony, citing “security and diplomatic” reasons. The trial, which began in 2019, involves three separate corruption charges and is currently at the stage of Netanyahu’s cross-examination. This is not the first delay in the proceedings. The report notes that Netanyahu’s court appearances have been postponed multiple times in the past, often due to military tensions and conflicts involving Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. Each postponement has contributed to extending the duration of the trial. The latest decision is expected to further delay the judicial process, adding to the already lengthy timeline of the case.