Authorities have imposed Section 144 around Dhaka City College and all other examination centers to maintain order and prevent cheating during the ongoing Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations. The restriction, visible on banners at the Dhaka City College center on Thursday morning, prohibits gatherings of more than five people, rallies, or loudspeaker use within 200 yards of the centers from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily during the exams. Law enforcement agencies are maintaining strict surveillance to ensure a secure and fair environment for examinees.

The 2026 HSC and equivalent exams began nationwide on Thursday morning under all general education boards with a unified question paper. Written tests will continue until August 8, followed by practical exams by August 15. For the first time in the country’s history, the exams are being conducted under CCTV monitoring. A total of 1,270,583 students from 9,439 institutions are participating across 2,697 centers, 145 of which have been marked as vulnerable, including 40 in Dhaka.

Education officials stated that all preparations have been completed to prevent question leaks and ensure transparency. If any irregularities occur, the affected day’s exam will be postponed and rescheduled nationwide.

A new report by the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), released on Wednesday, states that combined military casualties from both sides in the Russia-Ukraine war have surpassed two million. According to the study, since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russian forces have suffered around 1.4 million total casualties, including between 400,000 and 450,000 soldiers killed. The total figure includes those killed, wounded, and missing.

The report further estimates that Ukrainian military casualties range between 525,000 and 625,000, with 125,000 to 150,000 soldiers killed. CSIS notes that the number of Russian soldiers killed in this conflict is more than four times the total number of US soldiers killed in all wars since World War II.

The study also highlights that during the first half of the current year, the casualty ratio between Russian and Ukrainian forces reached approximately 8 to 1, underscoring the heavy toll of the ongoing conflict.

US Vice President JD Vance stated that the United States will not resume military operations against Iran unless there is a clear objective or necessity. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Vance emphasized that President Trump would not redeploy American forces to Iran unless absolutely required. He warned that any attempt by Iran to rebuild its nuclear program or target commercial vessels would prompt Washington to reconsider its current strategy.

According to the report, the US administration is focusing on continuing discussions with Iran in good faith. In June, both countries reached a memorandum of understanding aimed at permanently ending the war that began in late February, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and lifting the US blockade on Iranian ports. Negotiations for a final agreement are still ongoing.

Earlier on Wednesday, President Trump said that Iran’s nuclear disarmament process was “progressing well,” indicating cautious optimism about the diplomatic track between the two nations.

Iran has condemned Israel’s reported threat to assassinate its Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, calling it an act of state terrorism. Amir-Saeed Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, submitted a formal protest letter to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the Security Council, and the General Assembly. He said the threat, allegedly made by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, reflects a systematic policy of state terrorism targeting Iranian officials.

In the letter, Iravani linked the threat to what he described as Israel’s ongoing illegal aggression against Iran, claiming it forms part of a broader pattern involving U.S. participation and support. He criticized the UN Security Council for failing to hold Israel accountable, arguing that this inaction has fostered impunity and emboldened Israel’s behavior.

Iravani warned that Tehran would respond to any hostile actions and said the situation poses a serious threat to international peace and security by normalizing state terrorism. The protest was reported by Al Jazeera, according to the source.

A police team in Raipura, Narsingdi, came under attack on Wednesday afternoon while returning to the station after arresting Selim Munshi, a 42-year-old suspect wanted in three cases including murder. The incident occurred at the Saydabad ferry ghat area of Srinagar Union, where a group of 40 to 50 people reportedly assaulted the officers with sticks and bricks, injuring Constable Abdul Alim. The attackers allegedly freed the detainee and fled the scene.

According to police and local sources, a 10-member team from Raipura Police Station had conducted the operation to capture the suspect. Following the attack, the injured constable received primary treatment at Raipura Upazila Health Complex and later returned to duty. Police identified the suspect as the son of Tabu Mia from Saydabad area.

Sub-Inspector Shahjahan stated that the assault was carried out by followers of the suspect, while Officer-in-Charge Mujibur Rahman offered a differing account, saying the suspect escaped amid a crowd that had gathered at the scene. Police said further operations would be launched to re-arrest the fugitive.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s first official visits to Malaysia and China have drawn sharp reactions from Indian media and former officials, who expressed concern over Bangladesh’s growing ties with Beijing. During his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, China reaffirmed its support for Bangladesh’s sovereignty and pledged to oppose any foreign interference. The visits included discussions on the Teesta Barrage project, the Mongla Economic Zone, and potential defense cooperation, signaling a shift in Dhaka’s regional strategy toward security-focused partnerships.

The article notes that India has historically viewed Bangladesh through a security lens, often invoking minority issues for political leverage. It argues that Bangladesh’s new approach emphasizes sovereignty and balanced diplomacy, rejecting external dominance. The commentary also highlights the need for national unity and stronger economic and defense collaboration with friendly nations like China and Pakistan to counter regional threats.

In parliament, both Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman called for ending political vengeance and focusing on rebuilding a modern, inclusive Bangladesh. Their cooperative tone was seen as a positive step toward a more mature democratic culture.

At least eight people were killed and 34 others injured in Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, according to local authorities. The strikes occurred overnight and early Thursday, hitting more than 30 locations across the city. The attacks came shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of an impending large-scale assault by Moscow.

Kyiv’s military administration chief, Timur Takachenko, confirmed the casualties, while Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that several residential buildings were damaged. One nine-story apartment building was heavily hit, trapping residents inside, and part of another multi-story building collapsed due to the explosions. Klitschko said the city was targeted by both ballistic missiles and drones.

The attacks mark another escalation in the ongoing conflict, with widespread damage to civilian infrastructure in Kyiv. Emergency services were deployed to rescue trapped residents and assess the extent of destruction.

Iran’s acting defense minister Majid Ibn al-Reza stated on July 2, 2026, that the country’s military capability is an inviolable limit and will not be subject to compromise. He emphasized that Iran’s defense, missile, and drone programs are essential to national security and will not be discussed in any negotiations with the United States. Al-Reza added that these programs will continue to advance in the future.

The statement followed Iran’s rejection of a US-led regional security dialogue held in Bahrain. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi criticized the initiative, asserting that the Strait of Hormuz is under Iran’s control and that regional security cannot be achieved under American military influence. He called for an end to foreign intervention, withdrawal of US troops, respect for national sovereignty, and recognition of new geopolitical realities.

The remarks underscore Iran’s firm stance on maintaining and expanding its defense capabilities while rejecting Western-led security frameworks in the Middle East.

Bangladesh Bank has directed 37 banks not to classify City Group as a loan defaulter until September 30, 2026, following requests from the company and the Association of Bankers Bangladesh (ABB). The decision aims to provide temporary relief to one of the country’s largest industrial conglomerates, which owes over Tk 24,000 crore to 47 domestic and foreign banks and financial institutions. City Group cited severe financial pressure caused by global and domestic crises, currency depreciation, and rising interest rates as reasons for seeking policy support.

In its appeal, City Group stated that it has never defaulted in its 50-year history but is now struggling due to increased production costs, foreign exchange losses, and delayed gas connections at its Hosendi Economic Zone factories. The group requested seven forms of policy assistance, including loan reclassification suspension, extended working capital, and relaxed single borrower limits. ABB supported the request, warning that disruption to City Group’s operations could affect national food supply.

Senior bankers and Bangladesh Bank officials noted that the relief is temporary and that sustainable recovery will depend on restoring production and restructuring loans. A committee of lending banks is currently working on a recovery plan.

Russia has started importing petrol from India by sea to ease a worsening fuel shortage triggered by ongoing Ukrainian attacks on its energy infrastructure. Two industry sources confirmed the move on Wednesday, noting that at least 60,000 metric tons of petrol have already been shipped in two tankers carrying 30,000 to 40,000 tons each. Fuel rationing, long queues, and record-high prices have been reported across Russia’s 11 time zones.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Russia is in talks with several countries to secure fuel imports at acceptable prices, though neither the Russian Energy Ministry nor India’s Oil Ministry commented. A third source indicated Russia plans to import about 400,000 tons of petrol monthly from multiple countries, including Belarus, which has already increased its rail shipments. President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries have caused regional shortages but insisted the situation is under control.

Russia’s parliament recently approved tax amendments to subsidize fuel imports in line with Indian supply costs. Meanwhile, data from LSEG and Kpler showed India’s crude oil imports from Russia hit record highs in June.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the country will use its frozen funds held in Qatar to purchase essential goods. The move follows an agreement between Iran and the United States aimed at halting hostilities, under which Washington has agreed to allow Tehran access to its previously seized or restricted assets. This step is described as part of the broader implementation of that understanding.

In an interview with Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Gharibabadi explained that discussions were held with Qatari officials, including the central bank, on how to spend an initial portion of six billion dollars. He stated that the funds will be used to buy goods according to Iran’s domestic needs, which will then be delivered to the country.

However, the exact mechanism and timeline for releasing and utilizing the funds remain unclear, as no details have been provided on when the process will take effect.

A domestic worker named Ayesha Akter, currently imprisoned in Kashimpur Women’s Jail, has confessed to killing her employer Laila Afroze and the employer’s daughter Nafisa Lawal Binte Aziz in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, on December 8, 2025. The murders occurred after Ayesha was accused of stealing two thousand taka from her employer’s bag. Following an altercation, she attacked both victims with a switch gear she had earlier picked up from a roadside area. Ayesha later fled the scene wearing the victim’s daughter’s school uniform and was arrested in Jhalakathi.

According to the case file, Ayesha was remanded for six days and later gave a confessional statement before the Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate. The victims’ husband, Azizul Islam, a teacher, filed the murder case after discovering his wife and daughter dead at their home. CCTV footage confirmed Ayesha’s entry and exit from the house on the day of the incident.

Ayesha, aged 20, expressed deep remorse for the killings, saying she acted out of desperation to feed her child and now faces a life of regret and isolation in prison.

Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez has declared seven days of national mourning after twin earthquakes killed 2,295 people across the country. The disaster, described as the strongest in a century, struck a week ago, leaving hopes of finding more survivors fading. According to National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, more than 11,000 people were injured and around 13,000 left homeless. The United Nations estimates that about 50,000 people remain missing.

The northern city of La Guaira, near Caracas, suffered the worst damage, with collapsed buildings marked with a red “D” to indicate no survivors. Despite rescue efforts, the country’s long-standing economic crisis and weakened infrastructure have hampered response operations. Anger has grown among residents over poor state management, while food and water shortages have triggered clashes in shelters and widespread looting. Four police officers were arrested for theft from debris sites.

The International Organization for Migration called the situation “extremely complex.” The World Food Programme appealed for $50 million to feed 500,000 people over three months, and the World Health Organization warned of potential outbreaks of measles and diphtheria due to low vaccination rates.

The 2026 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations began across Bangladesh on Thursday at 10 a.m. The written exams will continue until August 8, followed by practical tests concluding by August 15. For the first time in the country’s history, the exams are being held under CCTV surveillance. A total of 1,270,583 students from 9,439 institutions are participating at 2,697 centers, an increase of 22,766 candidates from the previous year.

Among the participants, 1,069,714 are from nine general education boards, while 200,869 are from madrasa and technical boards. The exams began with Bangla for general and technical boards and Quran Majid for the madrasa board. Authorities have marked 145 centers as vulnerable, including 40 in Dhaka, and issued 35 directives to ensure fair conduct.

Officials stated that all preparations have been completed to prevent question leaks and cheating. The education minister warned that if malpractice occurs, both students and institutional heads will face action. The government also announced plans to introduce a new curriculum at the primary and secondary levels from 2028, emphasizing culture and sports alongside academic learning.

Iran has rejected a regional security dialogue held in Bahrain under United States leadership. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi criticized the meeting, asserting that the Strait of Hormuz is under Iran’s control, not the US military. He stated that security in the Middle East cannot be achieved under the American military umbrella. Representatives from 12 countries reportedly discussed the strait under US leadership.

In a post on social media platform X, Gharibabadi wrote that the definition of Hormuz lies under Iran’s authority, not under CENTCOM. He added that the Bahrain military summit cannot establish legal order or security for the Persian Gulf. According to him, ensuring regional security requires ending foreign interference, withdrawing US troops, respecting national sovereignty, and accepting new geopolitical realities.

His remarks came as the United States announced that senior military officials from 12 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Lebanon, and Syria, met in Bahrain and reaffirmed their commitment to the free flow of commerce through the strait.