BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has expressed firm support for Qatar following Israeli airstrikes in Doha. “We stand in strong solidarity with the people of Qatar and its Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani,” Rahman said in a statement. He urged international stakeholders to take urgent measures against Israel’s military aggression and ensure accountability for violating international laws and norms. Rahman also emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a united stance to protect humanity.

Hamas leaders narrowly survived a series of Israeli airstrikes in Doha on Tuesday. At least 12 air raids were carried out on a hotel complex where top Hamas officials were meeting to discuss potential conditions for a ceasefire in Gaza. Although the leaders—including Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin—remained unharmed, the hotel sustained heavy damage. Netanyahu later confirmed he personally coordinated the operation. Qatar, in response, has condemned Israel’s actions, describing the strikes as “terrorist acts” against a sovereign state.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has voiced discontent over Israel’s airstrikes targeting senior Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar. “I’m not happy with the situation. This is not a good situation,” Trump said, adding, “One thing is clear—we want our hostages back, but we’re not satisfied with how this has happened.” Advisors close to Trump have also expressed anger over Israel’s decision to carry out the strikes in Qatar. According to a U.S. official, Trump was not informed directly by Israel but rather through Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Charles Q. Brown. Trump then immediately instructed envoy Steve Witkoff to deliver a statement to Qatari authorities. However, another U.S. official revealed that by the time Witkoff attempted to reach Qatari leaders, it was already too late. Just a day earlier, Witkoff had met with a top aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, yet no mention of the imminent strike was made during their discussions.

In Bagerhat, an all-party coalition committee has launched a 48-hour strike, demanding the restoration of the district’s four parliamentary seats. From Wednesday morning, protesters set up blockades, burning tires at multiple points, effectively halting long-route bus services on 16 major routes, cutting off road connections to 21 districts. The committee argues that the EC’s decision to cut one seat ignores Bagerhat’s geographic, demographic, and economic importance, which includes the Mongla Port, EPZ-industrial zone, and two UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Locals in Faridpur’s Bhanga upazila blocked major highways again on Wednesday, protesting the exclusion of Algi and Hamirdi unions from the Faridpur-4 constituency. Demonstrators staged sit-ins at eight key points of the Dhaka-Khulna and Dhaka-Barishal highways, halting transport to 21 districts. They demanded that the Election Commission reverse its decision to merge the unions with Faridpur-2, warning of continued protests until their demand is met.

Newly elected VP Sadiq Kayem dedicated his victory to the students of Dhaka University, saying: “There is no winner or loser here—only the July generation and DU students have triumphed. I will safeguard this mandate with full responsibility, not as VP but as a brother.” Kayem promised to: Build DU into a complete academic institution Ensure a safe campus for women Unite students of all ideologies for progress He called on all candidates to act as advisors, stressing that the fight for democracy that began with the July Movement would continue from Dhaka University.

Political commentator Hasnat Abdullah expressed concern over the excessive influence of political parties in the DUCSU election. He wrote: “DUCSU has become less about student mandates and more about a game of national party extensions. This sets a negative precedent.” Hasnat warned that such practices could erode democracy and called on all parties to respect voters’ decisions. He emphasized building a culture where defeat is accepted as part of democratic growth and urged political actors to prioritize people’s aspirations over party interests.

Policy advisor Sharmin S. Murshid highlighted the urgent need to value women’s unpaid labor, stressing that women spend 7.3 times more hours on unpaid work than men, according to BBS data (2021). “Women are desperate for equality, yet their contributions remain invisible,” she said. Murshid called for: An inter-ministerial coordination framework to formally recognize unpaid work Gender-sensitive planning in fiscal, labor, and social protection policies Encouraging private sector involvement in dignified caregiving jobs and gender-friendly workplaces Alignment with international labor standards in care-related regulations

The Bangladesh Embassy in Qatar has urged citizens to avoid going outdoors unless absolutely necessary amid the tense regional situation. In an official statement, the embassy also requested expatriates to refrain from sharing or posting videos of Israeli attacks on social media, citing Qatari laws. For emergencies, Bangladeshis have been asked to contact the hotline +974 33662000 or email mission.doha@mofa.gov.bd .

The Election Commission has officially announced the DUCSU election results, confirming Sadiq Kayem as VP, S.M. Farhad as GS, and Mohiuddin Khan as AGS. The final tally reflected earlier hall-level results, cementing decisive victories for the Shibir-backed panel in key positions.

Independent candidate Umama Fatema rejected the election results, declaring: “Boycott! Boycott! I am rejecting this DUCSU election. It was a shamelessly rigged process. After August 5, the Dhaka University administration has delivered yet another disgrace to the nation under Shibir’s influence.” In a separate social media post, she compared the election to “a circus.” BNP-backed VP candidate Abidul Islam Abid and GS candidate Hamim also rejected the results, citing fraud, manipulation, and machine errors.

BNP-backed GS candidate Sheikh Tanvir Bari Hamim alleged widespread irregularities, vote rigging, and machine malfunctions during the counting process. In a statement, Hamim said: “If the students of Dhaka University believe this is their verdict, I accept it with respect. But the process was marred by fraud and technical flaws. I now await the students’ response.” Despite a festive atmosphere throughout Tuesday’s polling, complaints of irregularities were reported from several centers, particularly during the counting stage.

Bangladesh is experiencing widespread power outages due to the sudden shutdown of several major power plants caused by technical malfunctions, the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has announced. In an official statement, the BPDB explained that these unexpected mechanical failures have led to an increase in load-shedding across the country. The board expressed optimism that the situation will improve within the next two to three days. In the meantime, it urged citizens to cooperate and show patience during this temporary crisis.

BNP central leader Nargis Begum has alleged that under what she called the "fascist rule" of Sheikh Hasina, women in Bangladesh have not been spared from persecution and repression. Speaking at a discussion, she praised the resilience of Mahila Dal activists, saying they remained steadfast on the streets despite facing countless adversities. “Even when Felani’s body was hanging at the border fence, our women leaders risked their lives to raise their voices in protest,” she said. Nargis highlighted the vision of late President Ziaur Rahman, noting his belief that no nation could progress while half its population—its women—remained marginalized. “Ziaur Rahman integrated women into productive work through proper training, and today women are proving their capabilities in every professional field,” she added. She also credited Begum Khaleda Zia for further expanding these initiatives. At the same event, BNP leader Anindya Islam said that Ziaur Rahman had legislated against the curse of dowry and initiated women’s empowerment through the National Women’s Organization and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs. He added, “Khaleda Zia introduced laws to protect women from acid violence, ensured free education for girls up to grade twelve, and reserved 50 percent of primary teacher recruitment for women.”

In the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, Shibir-backed candidate Sadiq Kayem emerged as the frontrunner for the Vice President (VP) post, securing 14,042 votes. His closest rival, Abidul Islam Abid, received 5,658 votes, followed by independent candidate Umama Fatema with 2,549, Shamim Hossain with 1,815, and Abdul Kader from the Anti-Discrimination Students’ Council with 668. For the General Secretary (GS) post, S.M. Farhad secured a commanding lead with 10,794 votes, defeating Sheikh Tanvir Bari Hamim (5,283), Abu Bakr Mojumdar (845), and Meghmallar Basu (4,645). In the Assistant General Secretary (AGS) race, Mohiuddin Khan claimed victory with 9,501 votes, while BNP-backed candidate Tanvir Al Hadi Mayed managed 4,258 votes. Although individual hall results were declared earlier, the official announcement came later from the Election Commission, confirming Kayem, Farhad, and Mohiuddin as the winners.