The Bangladesh Jute Department will declare all of its offices 100% tobacco-free and install visible no-smoking signs, Director General and Additional Secretary Syed Md. Nurul Basir said on Tuesday. He made the announcement while chairing a discussion at the department’s meeting room on measures to ensure tobacco-free office environments under the Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) 2026. The event was organized by the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh.

The foundation said 35.3% of Bangladesh’s adult population uses tobacco and tobacco-related diseases cause about 200,000 deaths annually, citing Tobacco Atlas. It said around 40 million non-smokers face health risks from secondhand smoke. In 2024, health and environmental losses from tobacco use and production were about Tk87,000 crore, while government revenue was Tk41,000 crore.

Professor Dr. Sohel Reza Choudhury said smoke-free offices and public gathering places could protect non-smokers and encourage smokers to quit. Basir said tobacco has no positive aspect and harms users, families, colleagues and future generations. He called for active cooperation from officials and employees to implement tobacco-control law and ensure tobacco-free workplaces.

India has denied organising or endorsing former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s planned virtual address, scheduled for Wednesday in New Delhi. Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said Tuesday that the government had “no involvement whatsoever” and that the event was being arranged by a private media entity. Hasina is due to appear by videolink at an event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia, alongside her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and other speakers.

Bangladesh had asked New Delhi to clarify its position, warning that political activity by Hasina and other Awami League leaders could harm bilateral relations. M Humayun Kabir, adviser to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, met India’s high commissioner in Dhaka on Monday to protest the event and urged cooperation in preventing political activity from Indian territory.

Bangladesh on Tuesday barred local media from airing Hasina’s speech, citing laws restricting publication and broadcast of her statements and messages. The Awami League condemned the ban as an effort to intimidate journalists, while Hasina aide Abu Obaidha Arin said the event would proceed. Dhaka continues to seek Hasina’s extradition from India.

Bangladesh’s University Grants Commission (UGC) said it will give Chinese top priority in third-language education at universities. UGC চেয়ারম্যান Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed announced the initiative at a meeting at the UGC office on 4 August with a six-member delegation from the Chinese embassy in Dhaka and Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University. He said a programme to establish language centres at 30 universities will begin within three months.

The initiative aims to include a foreign or international language in curricula alongside Bangla and English. Ten universities currently have language centres, and 20 more will be added in phases, creating third-language learning opportunities at 30 institutions. Ahmed said language skills are essential as Bangladesh-China cooperation in education, trade, technology and development is expanding rapidly.

The meeting also discussed higher-education quality, graduate skills, employment-oriented education and a five-year higher-education transformation programme. Participants discussed expanding internships and scholarships in China for Bangladeshi students and increasing joint cooperation in technical and vocational education. The Chinese delegation said it would train Bangladeshi teachers to improve language proficiency under its Global Teachers Training Programme and plans teacher-training programmes for Bangladesh and other South Asian countries.

Jagannath University authorities announced tight security on campus for August 5 and 6 after clashes involving Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Roich Uddin confirmed the three decisions while briefing reporters after an emergency meeting on the night of August 4. Although the university will remain closed on August 5, overall security will be ensured through the police administration, with the same measures continuing the following day.

The administration said treatment for injured students would be provided without discrimination. A university delegation has already visited injured people at Dhaka National Medical Institute Hospital, and the vice-chancellor said speedy treatment would be prioritized regardless of students’ organizational affiliation. A four-member investigation committee has been formed to determine the cause of the incident and has been instructed to submit its report quickly.

The confrontation began during a July Mass Uprising Day-2026 discussion at the central auditorium, when representatives of several groups attempted to enter with placards. An argument escalated into chases and clashes across campus. Further clashes occurred after injured people were taken to National Medical College Hospital. Authorities said those identified as responsible through the investigation would face the highest disciplinary action.

A homemaker and a child died in separate snakebite incidents in Saltha upazila of Faridpur on Tuesday. The victims were Saraswati Mondal, 42, wife of Premananda Mondal from Pisnail village, and Sakiba Akhtar, 3, daughter of Saidul Mollah from Sonatandi village.

According to local sources, Saraswati stepped into a rat hole beside her home early in the morning and was bitten by a snake inside it. Family members took her quickly for treatment, and she was admitted to Faridpur Medical College Hospital. She died while undergoing treatment around noon.

Sakiba was playing in her home courtyard when she put her hand into a rat hole and was bitten by a snake. After poisoning symptoms appeared, her family took her to a local healer, who said there were no signs of snakebite. Her condition then deteriorated rapidly, and she was taken to Muksudpur Upazila Health Complex, where the duty doctor declared her dead. Ballabhdi Union Parishad Chairman Khandaker Saifur Rahman Shahin said snake activity had increased somewhat as monsoon water levels rose.

Barishal-6 MP and freedom fighter Abul Hossain Khan called for mosque imams and muezzins to be appointed on merit rather than party considerations at a meeting in Bakerganj, Barishal. The discussion with imams, muezzins and khadems from different mosques in the upazila was held Tuesday afternoon at the Bakerganj municipal auditorium, chaired by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Milton Chandra Pal.

Speaking as chief guest, Khan said religious education should be expanded alongside modern education. He said religious education has no alternative in establishing morality, human values and social discipline. He urged appointments to be based on qualifications, honesty and religious knowledge, and said religious institutions should remain free from political influence.

Khan said an imam’s role extends beyond leading prayers to promoting morality, humanity and correct Islamic teachings in society. He added that religious leaders can help foster peace, harmony and social awareness. Expanding religious education is essential to protect younger generations from moral decline, he said. The meeting was moderated by Upazila BNP leader Mizanur Rahman Chunnu and attended by several local BNP and Olama Dal figures.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman formally inaugurated the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum on Wednesday at around 9 a.m., according to a report published on August 5, 2026. After the opening, he toured the museum’s galleries and examined preserved artifacts, photographs, documents and memorabilia.

July fighters and family members of martyrs recalled stories of bravery and sacrifice from the July mass uprising during the event. The programme also featured a documentary on the sequence of events and history of victory in the uprising, along with a cultural performance.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury said the museum would be reserved for special guests and martyrs’ families on the inauguration day. It will open to the general public from Thursday, August 6. Tickets will be available online, priced at 50 taka for adults and 25 taka for children. The report said the initiative to establish the museum at Ganabhaban, using various memorabilia from July, was taken under the interim government led by Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus.

A commentary published by Amar Desh on August 5, 2026 recounts the August 5, 2024 uprising, Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and her departure from Bangladesh. It says student and public marches spread through Dhaka and other parts of the country that day. According to the report, celebrations began in Dhaka and nationwide after news of Hasina’s departure emerged around 2:30 p.m.

The report presents the quota-reform movement as the catalyst for a broader public uprising. It describes participation by university, college and school students, as well as workers, teachers, lawyers, artists and other professionals. It cites a United Nations figure of 1,400 deaths, more than 550 people losing eyesight, and about 30,000 people suffering physical injuries.

Citing statements made during tribunal hearings, the article says government and military-level meetings on August 4 and 5 discussed controlling the situation. Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman said at 4 p.m. that the prime minister had resigned and that an interim government would be formed. The report further says Hasina left for India with her sister Sheikh Rehana aboard an air force C-130 aircraft.

Chittagong Medical University held prayers, a milad gathering, special supplications and a discussion meeting to remember those who sacrificed their lives in the July uprising, marking July Uprising Day 2026. The event took place on Tuesday in the university seminar room, where participants prayed for the martyrs’ forgiveness, the swift recovery of those injured, and the country’s peace, development and prosperity.

The special prayers were led by Md Saiful Islam, an office assistant-cum-computer operator at the university. Assistant Registrar Md Alauddin presented a documentary on the July uprising. Teachers, officers and employees remembered the martyrs with deep respect and paid tribute to their sacrifices.

Speakers at the discussion said the martyrs’ sacrifices would remain a unique example in the struggle to establish democratic aspirations, justice and human values. They expressed hope that the sacrifices would inspire younger generations toward patriotism, responsibility and the ideal of justice. Earlier, on July 20, the university held another discussion and awarded “Revolutionary Honor” to Md Shafiul Alam, father of martyred Wasim, and injured July fighter Alif Uddin Rubel.

Kayes, treasurer of the Jagannath University Press Club and a reporter for Ajkaler Khobor, was injured while covering clashes between activists of Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir on the university campus. The incident occurred during chases and counter-chases that had continued from the morning on Tuesday, August 4. Fellow students and colleagues rescued him and arranged initial treatment.

Witnesses said Kayes was gathering news as part of his professional duty when he was caught amid the confrontation and attacks by the two sides. Kayes alleged that a Chhatra Dal member called him over and beat him during the Chhatra Dal-Chhatra Shibir fighting. He said his only fault was covering the news and alleged that he was severely beaten and struck on the head.

Members of the university Press Club strongly condemned the incident and expressed deep concern. They said attacks on journalists engaged in news gathering were unacceptable, demanded journalists' safety, and called for those involved to be quickly identified and dealt with. Kayes was admitted to hospital after the injury and later taken to Mitford, where a doctor directed that he be admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He remains seriously injured.

A concert titled “Barsha Biplober Gaan” has been arranged at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital on Wednesday afternoon to mark the Victory Day of the historic July mass uprising. Organizers said the event, arranged by the Monsoon Cultural Alliance, will begin at 3 p.m.

Performers listed for the concert include Parsa Mahjabeen, Sejan, Kureghor, Arbovirus, AvoidRafa, Asif Akbar, Shironamhin, Ark (Hasan) and Artcell. Hasnat Abdullah MP, chief organizer for the southern region of the National Citizen Party, is serving as convener of the event’s implementation committee.

Tahsin Riaz, joint member secretary of the NCP, is overseeing overall management. Acting Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal is expected to attend as chief guest, while Whip Nur-e-Alam and opposition chief whip Md Nahid Islam are listed as special guests.

The Jagannath University unit of the Socialist Students’ Front condemned clashes involving Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir at Jagannath University and other educational institutions. In a press release signed by office secretary Toukir Ahmed on Tuesday night, the group demanded an end to terror and violence on campuses, security for all students, and legal action against those involved in the clashes.

The release said clashes at Jagannath University on Tuesday followed confrontations between the two student groups at Dhaka University and Begum Rokeya University over the previous two days. It also alleged that activists, including Jagannath University unit president Ivan Tahsib, were attacked after the Socialist Students’ Front brought out a procession protesting assaults and campus occupation.

The organization described the conflict as a manifestation of long-standing undemocratic political practices and said ordinary students were its main victims. It blamed the clashes for a fearful environment at campuses, criticized what it called the administration’s indifferent role, and said campuses should not be closed on the pretext of the ongoing situation.

After repeated clashes between Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir, several hundred Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal activists entered the Allama Kashgari Hall at Government Madrasa-e-Alia in Bakshibazar, Dhaka, on Tuesday evening. The report said they vandalised several rooms and locked the gate after Shibir activists left the area around 6pm. An allegation was also made that principal Mohammad Obaidul Haque was assaulted.

Witnesses said both sides threw bricks, chased each other and were involved in seven to eight cocktail explosions from the afternoon. Shibir claimed about 25 of its activists were injured, including a worker named Fuad who received 12 stitches to his head. Chhatra Dal leader Saad Chowdhury claimed more than 30 Chhatra Dal activists were injured, with two Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal members in serious condition.

Chhatra Dal leader Md Ibrahim said the hall was locked for students' safety and would be reopened once conditions improved. Shibir leader Abdul Alim alleged that Chhatra Dal activists took students' PCs, laptops and other belongings, vandalised rooms and discarded clothes. Police initially failed to control the situation because of limited personnel, but later increased their presence.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and opposition chief whip, greeted Bangladeshis on 5 August 2026 for the second anniversary of the July Revolution. In a statement, he described 5 August as an unforgettable day in national history and a symbol of the people of the Bengal delta's long history of struggle, sacrifice, pride and victory.

Islam referred to historical struggles from resistance to colonial rule through the 1971 Liberation War. He said a just and accountable state system had not been fully established after independence. He alleged that shootings during the quota reform movement led to a broad resistance involving students and people from multiple professions, resulting in the fall of what he called a Bakshali force. He said 1,400 people were killed and 30,000 injured.

He said the changes sought by those killed had not materialized because of political leaders' lack of cooperation since 5 August, and that ordinary people had not regained relief after two years. Islam criticized alleged party politicization, opposition to reforms, excessive centralization of power and administrative inefficiency. He urged the government to implement reforms in line with the public mandate in a referendum, avoid politics of terrorism and occupation, and ensure swift justice for all mass killings, including those of 2024.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has condemned and protested alleged attacks by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal on students at Jagannath University, Dhaka College, Dhaka Alia Madrasa and Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur. In a statement sent to media on Tuesday, party Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar raised the allegations. The report said the Begum Rokeya University incident occurred on the night of August 3, while the other incidents were cited on Tuesday.

Porwar alleged that elected student union vice presidents, executive members, Islami Chhatra Shibir officials and general students were targeted. He said Chhatra Dal carried out an armed attack on Chhatra Shibir members and journalists at Jagannath University, and alleged that injured students were struck with bats and rods after going to National Medical College Hospital for treatment. He questioned the role of the university administration and law-enforcement agencies.

Jamaat called on relevant university authorities and law-enforcement agencies to identify those accused of the attacks and bring them to justice. It also demanded a proper investigation and academic disciplinary action by university administrations. A delegation led by Dhaka Metropolitan South Jamaat chief Md Nurul Islam Bulbul MP visited injured people at Islami Bank Hospital in Kakrail. Bulbul later called for arrests based on footage and exemplary punishment.