A bilateral meeting took place between the BNP delegation, led by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and representatives of the Communist Party of China (CPC) during the delegation’s visit to China. The meeting was held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Beijing with Liu Jianchao, Minister of the CPC’s International Department. Earlier the same day, the BNP delegation also met with Sun Weidong, Vice Minister of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Since October 2023, at least 377,000 people, mostly children, have gone missing in Gaza due to Israeli military actions, according to a Harvard Dataverse report by Prof. Yakov Garb. The report highlights how Israeli attacks and blockades have drastically reduced Gaza’s population. It also criticizes the U.S.-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation for ineffective aid distribution, with many civilians unable to access help due to dangerous, restricted zones. The actual death toll may far exceed the official count of 61,000.

A joint team comprising the army, police, and forest department reclaimed 13 acres of government forest land in Boga Pratima village of Sakhipur, Tangail. The land had been under illegal occupation by local individuals for years. Led by UNO Abdullah Al Roni and Forest Officer Md. Abu Saleh, the team also planted 11,000 saplings of forest and medicinal trees including sal, neem, and amloki. The operation, part of efforts to protect biodiversity and the environment, will continue in the future, according to officials.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani condemned Iran’s missile attack on the US-operated Al-Udeid Airbase in Qatar, calling it an “unacceptable” act. The attack, which occurred amid Qatar’s diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions, was described as a serious provocation and a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty. Qatar has sent a formal letter to the UN Secretary-General condemning the strike and summoned the Iranian ambassador, asserting its right to respond under international law.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed Al-Khulaifi held a phone call discussing the deep-rooted bilateral relationship and current regional issues. They emphasized the importance of cooperation to counter threats posed by Israeli and US aggression. Both officials highlighted the significance of mutual interests, good neighborliness, and joint efforts to maintain regional security and stability. Qatar expressed readiness to play a constructive role in reducing tensions and enhancing cooperation with Iran.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam was en route to Qatar when Iran launched a missile strike on the U.S. Al-Udeid Air Base there. In response, Qatar closed its airspace, forcing the Prime Minister’s aircraft into an emergency landing in Bahrain. The incident caused regional panic, prompting temporary airspace closures in Kuwait and Bahrain as well. No casualties were reported. Later, aviation authorities confirmed the restoration of normal operations. Salam has since safely arrived in Qatar after airspace reopened.

Asif Nazrul, Adviser on Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, highlighted the significant impact of youth activism on Bangladesh’s social and institutional reforms. Speaking at a workshop in Dhaka, he praised young people for their active role from grassroots protests to policy-making arenas. Nazrul also noted amendments to the Cyber Security Ordinance by the interim government to protect free expression, contrasting with past misuse. He urged recognition of the July-August mass uprising as a moral movement and emphasized alignment with Commonwealth values in ongoing reforms.

At the NATO summit in The Hague, U.S. President Donald Trump has taken center stage as tensions rise over the Iran-Israel conflict and a U.S. missile strike on Iran's nuclear site. Trump’s unexpected call for peace between Iran, Israel, and the U.S. surprised many. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte backed Trump’s actions, framing them as legitimate. The summit appears shaped to suit Trump’s agenda, as he pushes for higher defense spending and claims to have curbed a new nuclear threat in the region.

U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have called for the Iran-Israel ceasefire to be maintained. Trump stated that both nations equally wanted peace and hailed the destruction of nuclear facilities as an honor. Previously, he had accused both sides of violating the truce. Starmer emphasized the need for stability in the Middle East and urged Iran to abandon nuclear ambitions and return to negotiations. He also discussed the issue with NATO leaders and Qatar's Emir.

The United Nations has condemned a reported Israeli attack on Iran’s Evin Prison, calling it a serious breach of international law. Iran stated that the strike, which caused partial damage, occurred on Monday. UN spokesperson Thamin al-Khitani emphasized that Evin is not a military target, and striking such a facility violates international humanitarian law. The prison holds thousands of political prisoners, activists, and journalists. Iranian state media reported that one person was killed in the attack, citing the country’s judiciary.

The government has drafted amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC) to enhance human rights protections during arrest and interrogation, said Legal Advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul. Speaking at the closing of the Commonwealth Charter Youth Workshop, he also highlighted reforms in civil law, gender-based violence laws, and digitalization of marriage registration. He noted that Bangladesh’s Cybersecurity Law was revised after extensive consultations. These reforms reflect the government's commitment to rule of law, justice, and human dignity in line with Commonwealth values.

Health assistants across Bangladesh held a two-hour sit-in on Tuesday demanding six reforms, including recruitment rule amendments, bachelor’s degree qualification, and upgraded pay grades. Organized by the Bangladesh Health Assistant Association, the protest took place at upazila health complexes nationwide. Leaders voiced frustration over long-standing disparities and warned of intensified movements, including shutdowns, if demands remain unmet. They believe fulfilling the six-point charter will strengthen grassroots healthcare and ensure fair recognition for health assistants working in critical national immunization programs.

At a Dhaka workshop jointly hosted by the SME Foundation and IFC, SME entrepreneurs demanded the effective implementation of the Secure Transactions (Movable Assets) Act 2023. They emphasized that most small businesses lack immovable property, making it difficult to access bank loans. Although the law allows movable assets like machinery and produce as collateral, proper enforcement and banker training are still lacking. The SME sector contributes 32% to GDP and employs over 25 million people, highlighting the urgent need for accessible financing options.

Russia has condemned the recent US and Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear installation, reiterating its clear stance in support of Iran. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused critics of trying to damage Moscow-Tehran relations by fueling tensions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi praised Russia’s role as “extremely valuable” during talks with President Vladimir Putin and thanked Russia for standing on the “right side.” The two nations maintain a strategic cooperation agreement, with plans to further strengthen ties.

Umama Fatema, spokesperson of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, emphasized that reforming Dhaka University’s student union (DUCSU) must address both political and academic challenges to ensure wider student participation. At a discussion organized by “Tuesday’s Gossip,” various student leaders highlighted the need for integrating DUCSU elections into the academic calendar and addressing leadership gaps. Calls were made for fair election practices, better student facilities, and ensuring DUCSU as a platform to represent student rights effectively on campus.