A Dhaka court has postponed the submission date of the investigation report in the Salman Shah murder case to February 22. The case involves 11 accused, including the late actor’s former wife Samira Haque and film villain Don. On January 13, Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana’s court set the new date after the investigating officer, Atiqul Islam Khandaker of Ramna Model Police Station, failed to submit the report as scheduled. During the hearing, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Faruk Ahmed, filed a petition seeking seizure of the accused’s immovable and movable assets, which the court ordered to be recorded.

The case stems from the 1996 death of film actor Salman Shah, whose body was found at his Eskaton residence in Dhaka. Initially treated as an unnatural death, the case was later converted into a murder case following a court directive. Over the years, multiple investigations by CID, judicial authorities, and PBI have alternately concluded suicide or reopened the case upon revision petitions.

The latest court order continues the long-running legal process, with the next hearing scheduled for February 22.

Global oil prices have risen by nearly four dollars per barrel in recent days due to renewed tensions involving Iran, according to a Reuters report published on Tuesday. Brent crude reached 64.15 dollars per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) stood at 59.78 dollars, marking their highest levels since December 8. The increase follows strong remarks by US President Donald Trump about Iran, reversing a previous price decline that occurred after the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The report noted that Iran is facing its largest anti-government protests in years, with allegations of deadly violence against demonstrators. As of Monday, the protests had entered their 16th day, with at least 648 protesters reported killed by the Norway-based group Iran Human Rights. In response, Trump warned of possible military action and threatened a 25 percent tariff on countries trading with Iran. Barclays estimated that geopolitical risks added a three to four dollar premium to oil prices.

Market concerns also grew over crude supply from Venezuela, as the new government in Caracas may transfer up to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States under Western sanctions.

The Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association has urged the government to address six major problems affecting the restaurant sector, including a severe gas crisis and rising inflation. The call came during a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Tuesday, where association leaders, including President Osman Gani and General Secretary Imran Hasan, highlighted the growing difficulties faced by restaurant owners across the country.

Speakers alleged that private syndicates have created an artificial shortage of LPG gas, forcing restaurants to buy cylinders at inflated prices, while Petrobangla and government advisers remain inactive. They also complained about extortion and threats from individuals posing as labor union representatives, which they said are worsening the situation. The association demanded immediate measures to stabilize fuel supply, control commodity prices, and stop unethical practices in the sector.

The association further called on political parties to include a dedicated plan for protecting the restaurant industry in their election manifestos, emphasizing that the sector employs around three million people and indirectly supports about twenty million more.

The Bangladesh government has reduced import duties on mobile phones to keep prices within consumers’ purchasing power. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) issued a notification on Tuesday announcing that the existing 25 percent duty on imported mobile phones has been lowered to 10 percent, while the total import tax burden has been reduced by 60 percent. The move is expected to significantly lower the prices of both imported and locally assembled phones in the market.

To ensure local assemblers are not disadvantaged, the government also reduced import duties on components used by domestic mobile phone assembly firms. A separate notification cut the duty on imported assembly materials from 10 percent to 5 percent, representing a 50 percent reduction. According to NBR estimates, the price of imported phones costing over 30,000 taka will drop by about 5,500 taka, while locally assembled phones in the same price range will decrease by around 1,500 taka.

The NBR stated that the duty cuts will help keep mobile phones affordable and make digital services more accessible to citizens across the country.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Cyber Unit has arrested eight members of an online fraud ring, including five Chinese nationals, during a weeklong operation in the city’s Bashundhara and Uttara areas. The arrests were announced on Tuesday at a press briefing at the DMP Media Center by DC (Cyber North) Hasan Mohammad Naser Rikabdar. Police seized over 51,000 SIM cards, several VOIP gateway devices, mobile phones, laptops, and other digital equipment used in cybercrime.

According to the DMP, the suspects used Telegram, WhatsApp, and other social media platforms to lure victims with fake job offers, investment schemes, and low-cost product advertisements. The money collected from victims was allegedly converted into cryptocurrency and transferred abroad through VOIP gateway machines. The arrested individuals include Chen Ling Feng, Zeng Kong, Zeng Changqiang, Wen Jian Qiu, Huang Zheng Jiang, Md Zakaria, Niaz Masum, and Kamrul Hasan alias Hasan Joy.

Police said the passports and visa status of the Chinese nationals are being verified, and digital devices seized from them contained Chinese software applications. Legal proceedings are underway against all detainees.

Brahmanbaria Municipality has launched a cleanup campaign to restore and beautify the city’s historic Town Canal, aiming to free it from pollution and illegal occupation. The initiative began on Tuesday morning with an inauguration by Deputy Commissioner Sharmin Akter Jahan, who inspected several points of the canal and instructed municipal authorities to expedite waste removal. Municipal Administrator Md. Shariful Islam, Executive Engineer Md. Kawsar Ahmed, and City Planner Jannatul Ferdous Ara were present during the event.

According to officials, the canal—once a vital waterway for drainage and trade—is now severely polluted and encroached upon due to negligence and public unawareness. The municipality plans to construct walkways, plant trees along both banks, and install lighting to make the canal aesthetically pleasing. Strict monitoring will be enforced to prevent indiscriminate waste dumping.

Deputy Commissioner Sharmin Akter Jahan said the city is overwhelmed with garbage and that previous restoration attempts had failed. A coordinated plan has now been adopted involving local residents, environmentalists, and community leaders to ensure sustainable restoration of the five-kilometer canal connecting the Titas River at both ends.

The Bangladesh Army has issued a statement regarding the death of BNP leader Md. Shamsuzzaman, known as Dabulur, during a joint forces operation in Chuadanga’s Jibannagar upazila. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) release on Tuesday, the operation took place on the night of January 12, based on specific intelligence to recover illegal weapons. Dabulur, aged 50, was detained from a pharmacy near the Jibannagar Upazila Health Complex on allegations of possessing illegal arms. Following his information, a 9mm pistol, a magazine, and four rounds of ammunition were recovered. Shortly after the operation, he fell ill and was declared dead at 12:25 a.m. by on-duty doctors at the health complex.

The ISPR described the incident as unexpected, tragic, and unacceptable. It confirmed that the camp commander and all participating army personnel have been withdrawn to the cantonment. A high-level investigation committee has been formed to determine the cause of death, and the army pledged to take appropriate action under military law if any personnel are found guilty.

Six police officers were killed and three others injured in two separate bomb explosions near the Afghan border in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday. Officials said a remote-controlled bomb targeted an armored police vehicle on the Gomal Bazaar road in Tank district, killing six officers on the spot. Another attack the same day in Lakki Marwat district injured three officers, one of them critically.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attacks and paid tribute to the slain officers. Following the incidents, the province’s Counter-Terrorism Department launched operations in Peshawar, Bannu, and Khyber districts, killing at least eight armed suspects and claiming to have foiled several sabotage plots. Naqvi stated that security forces would continue their operations to restore peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

No group has claimed responsibility for the bombings so far. However, tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border have escalated since October last year, with Pakistan accusing the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) of launching cross-border attacks from Afghan territory and alleging that India provides the group with financial and logistical support.

Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed stated that no decision has yet been made regarding the introduction of the ninth pay scale. He said the government will decide after receiving the Pay Commission’s report. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Tuesday after a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Government Procurement, he noted that the Pay Commission is currently working on the matter and that he will meet with them within a day or two.

Ahmed explained that the commission comprises 21 members who will evaluate all aspects before publishing their report. Once the report is released, details about implementation and announcement timing will become clear. During the same meeting, he announced plans to train 60,000 drivers—40,000 new and 20,000 previously trained—in heavy vehicle operation, with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) organizing the program.

He also said a bridge will be built in Barishal under a joint government and OPEC Fund initiative. The Roads and Highways Department will implement the project on the Barishal (Dinerarpul)-Lakshmi Pasha-Dumki road, improving connectivity to remote areas of Bhola.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has reduced customs duty on mobile phone imports from 25 percent to 10 percent through a new gazette notification. The decision, announced on Tuesday by the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, aims to keep mobile phone prices within consumers’ purchasing power. As a result, the total import duty on mobile phones has decreased by 6 percent.

To prevent local mobile phone assembling companies from facing unfair competition, the NBR also issued a separate notification reducing customs duty on imported components for assembly from 10 percent to 5 percent. According to the ministry’s statement, this represents a 50 percent reduction in the existing import duty on components.

The ministry said that due to these changes, the price of imported mobile phones priced above Tk 30,000 is expected to fall by about Tk 5,500, while locally assembled phones in the same price range may drop by about Tk 1,500. The government expects the overall price reduction to make mobile phones more affordable for the general public.

State-owned Sonali Bank achieved a record operating profit of Tk 8,017 crore in 2025, marking an increase of Tk 2,322 crore compared to 2024. The announcement was made by Managing Director Shawkat Ali Khan at a press conference held at the bank’s head office on Tuesday.

According to the managing director, the bank’s interest income rose significantly last year, contributing to the higher operating profit. After making necessary provisions, the net profit is expected to be around Tk 1,200 crore. He also reported that the bank’s total deposits stood at Tk 1,79,879 crore, while loans disbursed amounted to Tk 1,04,723 crore. In addition, Sonali Bank recovered Tk 1,203 crore in cash from defaulted loans during the year.

The figures highlight Sonali Bank’s strong performance in 2025, reflecting improved income generation and loan recovery within the state-owned banking sector.

A fire that broke out at the scrap yard of the Matarbari coal-based power plant project in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, was brought fully under control after nearly nine hours. The blaze started around 9 p.m. on Monday and was contained by 5:45 a.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. According to acting station officer Ram Prasad Sen of the Maheshkhali Fire Service and Civil Defense, two fire units worked to extinguish the flames.

Officials confirmed that the main plant of the 1,200-megawatt power facility was not affected. The fire occurred in an area where wood and other unused materials were piled up. Although the fire burned for several hours, there was no major damage, and the extent of losses has yet to be determined. Local residents first noticed the fire from a nearby bridge.

Maheshkhali Upazila Executive Officer Imran Mahmud Dalim stated that the fire originated inside the plant’s scrap yard, but the cause of the incident remains unknown.

Bangladesh Bank has increased the license renewal fee for money changer institutions operating in the country. According to a circular issued on Monday, the renewal fee has been raised from 5,000 taka to 10,000 taka. The new fee structure will take effect on January 15, 2026. All other existing instructions related to license renewal will remain unchanged. The central bank has also requested relevant parties to take necessary steps to inform all money changers and customers about the change.

Industry representatives have welcomed the decision, describing it as a positive recognition of their role in maintaining market stability. They said the increase in renewal fees indicates that the regulatory authority has a favorable assessment of their operations and has included them in its “good book.”

The adjustment reflects Bangladesh Bank’s satisfaction with the sector’s contribution to stabilizing the foreign exchange market, according to stakeholders quoted in the report.

Tax Commissioner Ikhtiar Uddin Mohammad Mamun has been appointed as the new head of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU). The Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance issued a notification on Monday confirming his appointment as the chief of the financial intelligence agency.

According to the notification, the appointment was made under Section 24(1)(gha) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012 (amended 2015) and Rule 22 of the Money Laundering Prevention Rules, 2019. Mamun, currently a commissioner at the National Board of Revenue, will serve as a full-time officer with the rank equivalent to a deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank. His contractual appointment will be effective for two years from the date he assumes office, subject to relinquishing his duties with other organizations.

The BFIU operates under Bangladesh Bank and is responsible for investigating and preventing money laundering and related financial crimes, as outlined in the relevant laws and regulations.

As of January 12, 2026, a total of 3.188 million taxpayers have submitted their income tax returns online for the 2025–26 fiscal year, according to a press release issued by the National Board of Revenue (NBR). More than 3,000 expatriate Bangladeshis have also filed e-returns voluntarily, despite not being required to do so. The NBR described this participation by expatriates as a positive development.

The NBR’s communication officer Al Amin Sheikh stated that 4.553 million taxpayers have completed registration in the e-return system, including around 5,000 expatriates. The deadline for individual taxpayers to submit returns has been extended twice, now set for January 31. From this fiscal year, online return submission has been made mandatory for individual taxpayers, except for senior citizens aged 65 or above, persons with disabilities, expatriates, legal representatives of deceased taxpayers, and foreign nationals working in Bangladesh.

The NBR urged all eligible taxpayers to complete their e-return submissions by January 31 through the online system.