Chaos erupted in the Serbian Parliament as opposition MPs hurled smoke grenades and tear gas at government lawmakers during a heated session. Amid the turmoil, one MP suffered a stroke. Serbia has been witnessing massive protests for four months, with students leading the movement, later joined by farmers and laborers. The unrest intensified following the collapse of a railway station roof last year, which killed 15 people. The tragedy led to widespread allegations of government corruption, forcing Prime Minister Milos Vukevic to resign. However, the protests continue, putting President Aleksandar Vucic’s decade-long rule under serious threat.

Mawlana Yunus Ahmed, Secretary General of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, dismissed the recent debate on smoking as irrelevant. He stressed that while personal freedom is important, social capital, culture, and traditions must also be respected. Ahmed pointed out that public smoking by women has no historical precedent in Bangladesh and remains legally prohibited. However, he also opposed moral policing in an unregulated manner. He urged for national unity and focus on rebuilding the country instead of engaging in divisive debates.

Nahid Islam, Convener of the National Congress Party (NCP), has proposed that national elections and Constituent Assembly elections be held simultaneously. He believes this would facilitate the formation of a new governance structure and help build a new Bangladesh. He further stated that the Constituent Assembly election could help transition to a truly democratic constitution. After paying homage at the National Martyrs’ Memorial, Nahid emphasized that a new Bangladesh cannot be built under the existing constitution and governance framework.

The BNP high command has issued show-cause notices to four leaders from BNP, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal for allegedly engaging in inappropriate and aggressive behavior toward Jamaat-e-Islami leaders at the Sujanagar Upazila TNO office in Pabna. Additionally, Shahidul Haque Shahid, General Secretary of Ward 38 BNP under Wari Thana, Dhaka South, has been served a show-cause notice following an altercation with students of Jagannath University in Dholaikhal on Monday night.

In response to Nagorik Party leader Sarjis Alam’s statement, ‘No elections before Sheikh Hasina’s trial,’ BNP leader Mirza Abbas asserted that the public will not accept any excuses for delaying national elections. He pointed out that elections will continue beyond this one and that forming a new party does not guarantee an easy path to power. Abbas stressed that BNP did not achieve its position overnight and that establishing a political party takes time. He also warned against foreign and domestic conspiracies that could harm the country by prolonging the election process.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that his party aims to establish the rule of Islam, not political power. He emphasized that Jamaat is dedicated to the victory of the Quran. Highlighting the importance of a zakat-based social system, he remarked that instead of providing mere essentials like clothes or food, zakat should be distributed in a way that empowers individuals to become self-reliant. He also underscored the significance of fasting in shaping a disciplined society.

The names of seven government primary schools in Lalmohan and Tajumuddin upazilas of Bhola have been changed. This is part of a nationwide renaming initiative affecting 29 schools, many of which were previously named after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s family members and prominent Awami League figures. Acting Upazila Education Officer Indrajit Debnath confirmed that a formal notification has been received, and headteachers have been instructed to update the school signboards accordingly.

Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Naib-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, has claimed that although the country regained its freedom on August 5, 2024, through a mass student movement, that hard-earned freedom is slipping away within just seven months. He stated that despite the sacrifices of thousands during the 1971 liberation war, Bangladesh never achieved true independence. He emphasized the urgent need for reforms in the country’s political and electoral systems, which have been plagued by corruption over the past 54 years.

A court has acquitted BNP leaders Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain and Zainul Abedin, along with 228 other party activists, in a case related to sabotage. The charges stemmed from an incident on February 8, 2018, when BNP activists allegedly vandalized vehicles and attacked a traffic police box while escorting Khaleda Zia to a special court hearing in Chawkbazar. The case alleged that approximately 1,500 BNP supporters engaged in violence, injuring several police officers. However, the court ruled in favor of acquittal due to a lack of substantial evidence.

The international peace award named after Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been canceled. This decision follows various controversies surrounding the award and criticism regarding its selection process. Further details regarding the cancellation have yet to be disclosed.

RAB has arrested Golam Mortuza (55), a member of the convening committee of Pallabi Thana Awami League, in connection with a student murder case. OC Md. Hafizur Rahman confirmed the arrest. Reports indicate that Mortuza was involved in land grabbing and extortion, operating a teenage gang for these activities. Allegations suggest that during past government-backed crackdowns, he was a key instigator and financier behind violent attacks on innocent students and civilians.

Joint General Secretary of the district Youth League, Nahid Hasan Saddam, has been arrested with locally made weapons in connection with the murder of pedestrian Mahmudul Hasan Munna during the Rangpur uprising. Saddam was seen participating in an armed attack on August 4 last year, with images of him holding weapons widely circulated on social media. He had gone into hiding after the August 5 incident, during which Munna was killed.

A court has ordered the freezing of 14 bank accounts belonging to the Suchona Foundation, an organization led by WHO official and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s daughter, Saima Wazed Puthul. The accounts reportedly hold Tk 48.35 crore. The petition alleges that Puthul, with her mother’s collusion, violated WHO regulations and misappropriated funds from government projects, laundering hundreds of crores abroad. The petition further claims that Puthul and her associates were attempting to transfer or misappropriate the foundation’s movable assets, necessitating the freezing of the accounts.

The BNP-Jamaat-aligned teaching group at Dhaka University, known as the White Group, presented 13 demands on Tuesday. Among their demands were justice for those who attacked students during the July uprising, expansion of housing facilities, ensuring campus safety, and improving the quality of education. The demands were submitted to Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan. The group also highlighted the significant contributions of Dhaka University to the nation’s history and scientific research.

Mohammad Nezam Uddin (45) and Mohammad Salek (35), who were lynched in Satkania, were claimed to be Jamaat supporters by the Kanchana Union Jamaat. Locals allege that after the fall of the government on August 5, the victims arrived in the area with four or five CNGs, prompting a public announcement via loudspeaker that robbers had arrived. Subsequently, they were attacked. Reports suggest that the victims fired shots, and police claim to have recovered weapons from them. Jamaat leader Zayed stated that the two were falsely accused as robbers and killed under the pretense of arbitration. He also alleged that attempts to rescue them were obstructed by felled trees on the road.