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.

The Indian rupee fell to its lowest level in history on Wednesday, trading at 95.80 rupees against the US dollar after dropping by 12 paisa at the start of foreign exchange trading. The decline occurred amid global political instability and uncertainty in the oil market, marking the steepest fall ever recorded for the Indian currency.

According to the report, the rupee had already been weakening before the recent escalation of conflict in West Asia. Market experts believe that the emerging war situation between the United States and Iran has further accelerated the rupee’s depreciation. The fall reflects heightened market anxiety over geopolitical tensions and energy price volatility.

The continued instability in global markets and regional conflicts may keep the rupee under pressure in the near term, though the report does not specify any official response or policy measures from Indian authorities.

A recent column by Minar Rashid in *Amar Desh* highlights three major issues in Bangladesh’s political culture. The writer describes a recent incident at Dhaka University where the Prime Minister was surrounded by students during a visit, calling it a dangerous breach of security despite being an expression of affection. He argues that such emotional crowds can endanger national stability and that security advisers must strictly enforce safety protocols.

The column also critiques a new wave of enthusiasm for Rabindranath Tagore among BNP leaders, calling it excessive and inconsistent with the party’s traditionally balanced approach to culture and religion. The writer contrasts Tagore’s romantic but unsuccessful agricultural ideas with former president Ziaur Rahman’s pragmatic agricultural reforms, urging BNP leaders to follow their founder’s model instead of symbolic cultural gestures.

Finally, the piece discusses the current state of student politics, warning against calls for its total ban. It advocates for reform through strict codes of conduct, zero tolerance for violence, and regular student union elections to restore intellectual and democratic values in campus politics.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing has been characterized by the White House as primarily business-oriented. While Chinese President Xi Jinping focused on the broader relationship between the two nations, Trump emphasized his personal rapport with Xi. According to related sources, both countries are close to forming a joint trade board that could initially serve as a policy commitment and later evolve into a mechanism for monitoring trade and resolving disputes.

Potential agreements under discussion include China’s commitment to purchase U.S. agricultural products such as beef and soybeans, while China seeks access to buy Nvidia chips and Boeing aircraft. A key U.S. objective is to secure greater market access for American companies in China. To advance these goals, Trump brought influential business figures including Elon Musk of Tesla and Tim Cook of Apple as part of his delegation.

Analysts view the visit as a major platform for advancing economic interests, though issues like Taiwan and other geopolitical complexities also remain part of the agenda.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in New Delhi late Wednesday to attend the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting. The two-day session, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, is regarded as a key preparatory stage for the 18th BRICS Summit to be held in September, hosted by India.

According to diplomatic sources, Araghchi will hold a bilateral meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and engage with other participating ministers and representatives on issues of mutual interest. The visit underscores active diplomatic coordination among BRICS members amid rising regional tensions. The meeting is expected to address global economic instability, energy security, and the future of multilateral cooperation, with a focus on forming a unified stance among member states.

Diplomatic observers view this gathering as not only a routine consultation but also a platform for shaping future policy alignment within the BRICS framework.

The Karnataka government has officially withdrawn the 2022 school uniform directive that had restricted the wearing of religious attire in classrooms. Under the new order issued by the state’s education department, students in government, aided, and private institutions will be allowed to wear limited religious symbols such as hijabs, sacred threads, or rudraksha beads along with prescribed uniforms. The directive emphasizes that uniforms remain mandatory and that religious symbols must not disrupt discipline, safety, or student identification.

The earlier 2022 directive, introduced by the then Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, had effectively banned religious clothing in classrooms, sparking widespread protests, legal challenges, and national debate, particularly over Muslim students being barred from classes for wearing hijabs. Although the Karnataka High Court upheld the ban, the matter later reached the Supreme Court.

The current Congress-led government under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had previously indicated plans to review the policy. The formal withdrawal marks a reversal of the earlier stance. BJP legislator Bharath Shetty reacted by saying that if hijabs are permitted, Hindu students should also be allowed to wear saffron scarves.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a firm message to U.S. President Donald Trump during a high-level meeting in Beijing, identifying the Taiwan issue as the most critical factor in China–U.S. relations. According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, Xi stated that proper handling of the Taiwan question could ensure stable bilateral ties, but mismanagement might lead to major confrontation and jeopardize the entire relationship.

Xi emphasized that Taiwan’s independence and peace across the Taiwan Strait are fundamentally incompatible, comparing them to fire and water that cannot coexist. Analysts cited in the report described Beijing’s strong tone as highly significant amid rising geopolitical tensions between the two powers.

The report noted that China consistently warns the United States over its arms support and diplomatic stance toward Taiwan, which Beijing considers an inseparable part of its territory. Xi’s remarks signaled that China maintains a firm, non-flexible position on the Taiwan issue.

An elderly man named Mostafa was killed after being struck by an autorickshaw in Lalpur upazila of Natore on Wednesday evening. The accident occurred around 7 p.m. in the Palideha area on the Lalpur-Ishwardi regional highway, in front of Rajan’s CNG garage. Mostafa, son of the late Shoimuddin Pramanik from Armbaria village in Ishwardi upazila, was crossing the road when the autorickshaw heading toward Lalpur hit him.

Local sources said that Mostafa was returning home from his son Rajan’s CNG workshop when the collision took place. He was seriously injured and taken to Lalpur Upazila Health Complex, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.

Lalpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shafiqul Islam confirmed the incident, stating that the body has been kept at the hospital and will be handed over to the family after legal procedures are completed.