US war in Iran has cost $25b so far, says Pentagon official

Myanmar mass prison sentence cut trims Suu Kyi’s sentence

Bangladesh-UK to increase strategic engagement beyond traditional cooperation

Bangladesh enters nuclear energy era

IMF projects Bangladesh to overtake India in per capita GDP in 2026

THE WORLD IN BRIEF

Modi’s BJP set for surprise gains in India state elections, exit polls show

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies were projected to win two of four state elections, exit polls showed on Wednesday, projecting a surprise gain that would strengthen the party`s dominance across the country.

White House quiet as China ramps up trade leverage before Trump-Xi summit

Beijing rolled out new trade rules this month that have alarmed US businesses and which analysts say could seriously undercut American efforts to reduce supply chain dependence on China.

South Korea to lead joint maritime drill with US for 1st time

South Korea will lead multinational naval forces for the first time in a US-led maritime exercise starting in June, the navy said on Thursday.

Trump rejects Iranian proposal to open Strait of Hormuz until nuclear concerns met

US President Donald Trump rejected a proposal from Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, opting instead to maintain a naval blockade to pressure Tehran on its nuclear program, Axios reported.

SOUTH ASIA

Bangladesh-UK to increase strategic engagement beyond traditional cooperation

Bangladesh

Bangladesh enters nuclear energy era

Bangladesh

China launches Pakistani satellite PRSC-EO3 into orbit

Pakistan

Bangladesh to buy 14 aircraft from Boeing

Bangladesh

Bangladesh-EU initial partnership cooperation agreement

Bangladesh

Pakistan ready for multi-day US-Iran talks, but Tehran unsure about joining

Pakistan

Bangladesh PM Tarique named among TIME’s 100 most influential people

Bangladesh

Nepal panel to probe property, assets of politicians and officials

Nepal

OPINION

Sheikh Hasina’s Interviews: A Well-Planned Media Strategy

Bangladesh’s Careful Diplomacy in the India-Pakistan Crisis

India’s transshipment cancellation: Steps towards ending Dhaka’s economic reliance?

The challenges and prospects of foreign investment in Bangladesh

Assessing Trump’s Tariff: Bangladesh Must Rethink Its Political Trade Dependence

WORLD

Myanmar mass prison sentence cut trims Suu Kyi’s sentence

Myanmar’s military-backed administration has announced a nationwide sentence reduction for prisoners, a move that will also shorten the jail term of detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, though the extent of the reduction remains unclear.