Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan will hold a press conference on Thursday at 3 p.m. in the conference room of the Ministry of Education at the Secretariat to announce the final schedule for the upcoming SSC, HSC, and equivalent examinations. The ministry’s public relations officer, Abdullah Shibli Sadiq, confirmed the event to the media.

Earlier, the minister had indicated a preliminary plan to hold the 2027 SSC and HSC examinations by December of this year, which sparked widespread reactions among stakeholders. In response, the ministry convened a meeting on Wednesday with experts and stakeholders to reach a final decision. Participants in the meeting reportedly opposed holding the public examinations in December and instead suggested conducting the SSC exams in January and the HSC exams in June.

The final decision on the examination schedule is expected to be officially announced during Thursday’s press conference, following the recommendations discussed in the meeting.

Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC has successfully regained customer confidence and operational stability despite a recent financial sector crisis in Bangladesh. The bank avoided liquidity support from Bangladesh Bank, maintained uninterrupted customer services, and saw no cheque dishonor incidents. Deposits rose to Tk 54,593 crore by December 2025, up from Tk 51,609 crore a year earlier, while the number of deposit accounts increased by more than 229,000. In the first four months of 2026, the bank earned Tk 85 crore in operating profit and added 180,000 new accounts.

Following Bangladesh Bank’s governance reforms in 2025, which included replacing the board and disciplining over 600 staff for irregularities, Al-Arafah Islami Bank underwent major restructuring. System upgrades enhanced digital and core banking operations, while agent banking and rural development programs expanded financial inclusion. The bank now operates 226 branches, 89 sub-branches, and 738 agent outlets across 306 upazilas.

The bank’s management credits transparency, accountability, and technology-driven modernization for restoring trust. Its progress in digital and rural banking is viewed as a model for sustainable recovery in Bangladesh’s financial sector.

Member of Parliament Kamruzzaman Kamrul of Sunamganj-1 conducted a surprise inspection of several government primary schools in Madhyanagar upazila on Thursday morning. Between 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., he visited five schools and found no teachers present at three of them—Abidnagar, Dugnoi, and Kayetkanda Government Primary Schools. He also inspected Madhyanagar and Mashimpur Government Primary Schools to observe teaching activities, student attendance, and the overall environment.

Madhyanagar Upazila Primary Education Officer Delwar Hossain stated that the teachers absent during the MP’s visit have been issued show-cause notices, and departmental action will follow after reviewing their written explanations. Following the inspection, MP Kamrul emphasized the need for teachers in the haor region to be more responsible and ensure timely attendance to maintain quality education. He also instructed the education officer to ensure regular teacher presence in all schools.

The inspection highlights ongoing concerns about teacher attendance in rural primary schools and the government’s efforts to strengthen accountability in the education sector.

Seven militants allegedly backed by India were killed in a security operation in Barkhan district of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The operation took place on Wednesday morning in the Noshum area, where security forces launched a search mission against members of the group Fitna al-Hindustan. During the exchange of fire, five Pakistani soldiers were also killed.

The ISPR reported that the militants were linked to India and that weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered from the site. The clash occurred after security forces identified the location of the militant group and engaged them in heavy gunfire.

The report, citing Geo News, did not provide further details about the duration of the operation or the identities of those killed.

At least 14 out of 15 private diagnostic centers in Jhikargacha upazila of Jashore are operating without valid documentation, according to findings presented at a recent upazila law and order committee meeting. The report revealed that patients have suffered from incorrect and improper treatments at these unlicensed facilities, with allegations that around six mothers died during childbirth over the past year. Local Member of Parliament Dr. Mosleh Uddin Farid and other committee members expressed dissatisfaction over the situation.

The expired or unrenewed centers include Janani Pathology and Diagnostic Center, SS Diagnostic Center and Clinic, Fatema Clinic and Diagnostic Center, Jhikargacha Private Clinic and Diagnostic Center, SK Clinic and Diagnostic Center, Majeda Diagnostic Center, and several others. Upazila Sanitary Inspector Abdul Matin said the centers have been instructed to renew their licenses promptly. Upazila Health Officer Dr. Abdul Rashid stated that his office cannot take legal action but has requested the upazila administration to intervene.

Jashore Civil Surgeon Dr. Masud Rana confirmed that all centers were notified to renew their licenses within one month, warning that legal measures will follow if they fail to comply.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump visited the historic Temple of Heaven in Beijing as part of an ongoing high-level summit. The visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site, which is over 600 years old, was viewed as a symbolic gesture reflecting the significance of China-U.S. relations. Built in 1420 during the late Ming dynasty, the temple was once a sacred site where emperors prayed for good harvests and imperial prosperity.

The two-day summit agenda included bilateral talks, a formal banquet, and this cultural tour, which stood out as one of the highlights. During Trump’s earlier visit to China in 2017, he toured the Forbidden City. This time, the Temple of Heaven visit underscored the leaders’ emphasis on deepening ties and symbolic exchange between their nations.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that such cultural engagements between the two global powers signal mutual respect and a desire for stability amid a turbulent international political climate.

During a meeting in Beijing, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed trade issues, but a proposed $14 billion arms deal for Taiwan complicated the talks. The deal, pending for some time, now depends on the outcome of their discussions. It includes counter-drone equipment, an integrated battle command system, and medium-range ammunition.

A significant number of U.S. lawmakers, including Senator Andy Kim, have urged President Trump to move forward with the sale, arguing that the weapons are vital for Taiwan’s self-defense and should not be used as a bargaining tool in trade or diplomatic negotiations with China. The inclusion of the arms deal in the Trump–Xi agenda has raised new concerns about potential policy shifts.

Analysts warn that revisiting the long-standing U.S. policy—established during Ronald Reagan’s presidency—of not consulting Beijing on Taiwan arms sales could mark a major departure in foreign policy. The outcome of Trump’s Beijing visit may influence both U.S.–China relations and the broader regional geopolitical balance.

Bangladesh Bank’s board has decided to liquidate or close five non-bank financial institutions—FAS Finance, International Leasing, Peoples Leasing, Fareast Finance, and Aviva Finance—starting from July 2026. Each will have a central bank-appointed administrator. The decision, made last Tuesday, has not been formally communicated to the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) or the stock exchanges, even though four of the firms are publicly listed.

BSEC spokesperson Md. Abul Kalam confirmed that the regulator had received no official or informal notice from the central bank. The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) also stated it had not been informed and that trading in the four listed firms continued on Wednesday. DSE officials said they would decide on trading suspension after receiving formal instructions. Analysts criticized the lack of coordination, noting that investor protection should have been prioritized.

According to Bangladesh Bank sources, the institutions’ default loan ratios range from 93% to nearly 100%, leaving them unable to repay depositors. The government has pledged about Tk 5,000 crore in the upcoming budget to refund individual depositors, enabling the liquidation process to proceed under the Bank Resolution Ordinance 2026.

The Government of India has imposed a ban on sugar exports effective until September 30, 2026. The decision, announced by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, applies to all categories of sugar including raw, white, and refined. The export policy has been changed from 'restricted' to 'prohibited', marking a significant policy shift. Authorities indicated that the ban could be extended if necessary.

According to the government, the measure aims to ensure adequate domestic supply of sugar. The decision follows earlier policies that allowed limited exports in anticipation of surplus production. Experts cited in the report suggest that the move is intended to control inflation risks arising from uncertainty linked to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

The export restriction represents a major adjustment in India’s trade policy for sugar and may influence both domestic pricing and international sugar markets if extended beyond the current deadline.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused Iran of developing a vast arsenal of missiles and drones intended to protect a potential future nuclear weapons program. In an interview with Fox News, Rubio argued that Tehran was building military capabilities capable of overwhelming any country's defense systems. He claimed this buildup was designed to deter attacks on Iran and secure conditions for advancing nuclear ambitions, though Iran has consistently denied pursuing nuclear weapons.

According to Rubio, Iran’s accumulation of drones and missiles would make any strike against it too risky, as the consequences could destabilize the entire region. He suggested that once Iran felt secure from external threats, it would proceed toward nuclear weapon development. The remarks were reported by Al Jazeera.

Rubio also mentioned that former US President Donald Trump reacted to the situation by calling it “impossible,” though no further details were provided about his statement or policy implications.

Sifar Café, located in the Bamzu area of Anantnag about 40 kilometers from Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, has become a major tourist attraction following the shooting of the Tamil blockbuster film 'Leo'. Once a quiet local hangout, the café was featured in the movie as 'Café Wild Beans', where actor Vijay portrayed a café owner leading a double life as a gangster.

Since the film’s release in 2023, the café has drawn large numbers of visitors from Tamil Nadu, particularly after Vijay took office as the state’s chief minister. Fans recreate scenes from the movie, make social media reels, and dance to Vijay’s popular songs during their visits.

The café’s signature item, ‘chocolate coffee’, has become a favorite among tourists, as it was served by Vijay in the film. Staff members said Tamil Nadu location scouts first selected the site in 2022, and filming continued there for 25 days with stars including Trisha Krishnan, Sanjay Dutt, and Sandy Master.

The United States and China have maintained high tariff levels despite a one-year pause in their trade war announced after a summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea last October. The meeting temporarily eased tensions between Washington and Beijing, but most trade barriers built over the past decade remain in place.

According to the Peterson Institute for International Economics, the average US tariff on Chinese imports now stands at 47.5 percent, up from 3.1 percent before Trump’s first term. Meanwhile, China’s average tariff on US goods has risen to 31.9 percent from 8.4 percent in 2018. These figures highlight the persistent volatility in bilateral trade relations.

Analysts say the recent pause has provided short-term relief for both sides, but long-term trade barriers remain a major concern. The high tariffs continue to affect both economies, and global observers remain uncertain about the future direction of US-China economic relations.

Trinamool Congress leader and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appeared at the Kolkata High Court on Thursday morning, dressed in a lawyer’s outfit. She arrived around 10 a.m. local time to face questioning in a case related to alleged attacks on Trinamool party offices following the recent state assembly elections.

The Trinamool Congress suffered defeat in the just-concluded assembly election, where Mamata Banerjee lost her Bhabanipur seat to current Chief Minister and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. At present, she holds no legislative position and serves only as the party leader. Against this backdrop, Banerjee personally attended court proceedings concerning the post-election violence allegations.

The case centers on a series of reported assaults on Trinamool offices after the election results, and Banerjee’s court appearance marks a significant development in the ongoing legal process.

Pakistan’s celebrated all-rounder Shahid Afridi has been conferred with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, one of the country’s highest civilian honors. The award was presented by President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad on May 14, 2026, recognizing Afridi’s long international career and significant contributions to Pakistan cricket. Afridi became the fifth cricketer from the country to receive this distinction.

The ceremony also honored Pakistan’s first Test captain, Abdul Hafeez Kardar, posthumously with the same award for his foundational role in shaping the nation’s cricket. Afridi, aged 46, played 524 international matches across all formats, scoring 8,064 runs and taking 395 wickets in ODIs, along with 1,416 runs and 98 wickets in T20Is. He was instrumental in Pakistan’s 2009 T20 World Cup victory and left his mark in various franchise leagues worldwide.

In a message shared on social media, Afridi expressed that the recognition was not only a personal achievement but also a source of pride for the entire Pakistani nation.

At least 56 people have died across India’s Uttar Pradesh state following a severe storm, lightning, and unseasonal heavy rain that struck overnight on Wednesday. The worst-hit districts include Prayagraj, Bhadohi, Fatehpur, and Pratapgarh, where trees were uprooted, electric poles collapsed, and hundreds of homes were damaged. The state government held an emergency meeting led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who directed officials to deliver relief and compensation within 24 hours.

According to official data, Prayagraj recorded 17 deaths, Bhadohi 16, Fatehpur 9, Badaun 5, and Pratapgarh 4, with additional casualties reported in Chandauli, Kushinagar, Sonbhadra, Kanpur Dehat, and Deoria. Rescue and relief operations are ongoing in affected areas, where power outages and blocked roads have disrupted normal life. Agricultural losses are feared, particularly in wheat and vegetable fields inundated by rainwater.

Meteorologists described the storm as unusually intense for this season in northern India, suggesting that climate change may be contributing to more extreme weather events. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and avoid taking shelter under trees or in open spaces during storms.