Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that Moscow will continue its trade relations with Iran despite the recent U.S. decision to impose an additional 25 percent tariff on countries trading with Tehran. Speaking at a press conference in Moscow, Lavrov said Russia must carry on its work and implement existing agreements with Iran and other economic partners.

The Kremlin criticized the U.S. move, describing it as an attempt to isolate Iran. Lavrov argued that when a powerful country like the United States resorts to such measures, it signals a weakening position in the competitive global market. The statement came after China also rejected the U.S. tariff decision and confirmed its intention to maintain economic ties with Iran.

The Russian stance underscores continued resistance among key global players to U.S. economic pressure on Iran, suggesting that Washington’s tariff policy may face limited international compliance.

Depositors of five troubled Islamic banks in Bangladesh will not receive any profit on their deposits for the years 2024 and 2025. The directive was issued after approval from Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur, instructing the banks to suspend profit calculations during this period. The affected banks are Social Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, EXIM Bank, Union Bank, and Global Islami Bank, all of which are being merged into a newly formed Combined Islami Bank.

According to the central bank’s resolution scheme, all deposit accounts will be recalculated without profit for the specified two years, applying a defined haircut to determine final balances. The new bank will have an authorized capital of Tk 40,000 crore and a paid-up capital of Tk 35,000 crore, with the government already injecting Tk 20,000 crore as Class A shares. Portions of institutional deposits will be converted into Class B and C shares totaling Tk 15,000 crore.

The scheme also sets withdrawal limits and allows up to 20 percent of term deposits to be used for loans or investments, aiming to stabilize the merged entity’s financial structure.

The Association of Development Agencies in Bangladesh (EDAB) and the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) jointly proposed ten recommendations to minimize loss of life and property during earthquakes. The proposals were presented on Wednesday at a seminar titled “Measures to Protect Life and Property in Earthquakes,” held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity under the chairmanship of EDAB Chairman Anwar Hossain. CAPS President Professor Dr. Ahmed Kamruzzaman Majumdar presented the concept paper, with participation from academics, disaster management experts, and civil defense professionals.

The recommendations include strict enforcement of the National Building Code, ensuring all new buildings follow earthquake-resistant designs, banning unauthorized construction, and auditing old or weak structures for retrofitting or removal. They also call for strengthening essential services such as hospitals, schools, and utilities, promoting family-level preparedness plans, maintaining emergency kits, and conducting regular earthquake drills in schools and communities. The seminar participants noted that current government disaster management efforts and preparedness remain unsatisfactory and urged stronger enforcement and coordination among departments.

Speakers emphasized that government accountability and improved coordination are essential to reduce risks and ensure effective earthquake preparedness across Bangladesh.

Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PDVSA has filed an appeal in a US court against an order to sell its American subsidiary, Citgo. Company representatives said on Tuesday that they have requested the cancellation of the court-directed sale, which was initiated to repay outstanding debts. Multiple creditors have long sought to recover more than 20 billion dollars owed by Venezuela, with Citgo being a key target for repayment claims.

According to AFP, a court in Delaware approved the sale of Citgo in late November last year as part of efforts to resolve the prolonged legal dispute. Citgo’s board has also petitioned to halt the sale, arguing that the US foreclosure process involves a serious conflict of interest that could harm the company’s economic value. The board estimates Citgo’s current worth at around 10 billion dollars.

The appeal marks the latest development in a complex legal battle over Venezuela’s unpaid debts and the future of one of its most valuable foreign assets.

Severe cold has disrupted daily life in Chuadanga, where the temperature dropped to 10.7 degrees Celsius on Wednesday morning, according to the local weather observatory. The biting cold has particularly affected the homeless and low-income workers, forcing many to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. Rickshaw pullers and day laborers reported that passenger numbers and work opportunities have sharply declined due to the freezing conditions.

Local residents described the situation as extremely difficult, with cold winds worsening the chill. Many laborers still venture out in search of work but often return home empty-handed. The weather office reported 93 percent humidity at 6 a.m. and 91 percent at 9 a.m., indicating persistent damp and cold air.

The ongoing cold wave continues to strain vulnerable groups in the district, with no immediate sign of relief mentioned in the report.

Bangladesh’s 56 public universities, including Dhaka University and Bogura Science and Technology University, have not prepared any formal financial statements detailing their assets, income, or liabilities. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has identified this absence as a major governance risk and requested the University Grants Commission (UGC) to ensure that universities prepare full financial reports. Following this, the UGC has issued letters to all vice-chancellors instructing them to prepare financial statements following an FRC-recommended module.

Experts from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) and university officials have expressed concern that without balance sheets, universities’ assets and liabilities remain untraceable, creating opportunities for irregularities. The FRC’s review found that while private universities prepare audited financial statements, public universities only maintain internal income and expenditure records. The council has also noted inconsistencies in financial audit provisions across university laws.

The FRC is now working to establish external audits and standardized reporting for public universities to strengthen financial discipline and accountability. The UGC expects universities to comply with the new directives to improve transparency and governance in higher education finance.

A gas supply disruption occurred in Dhaka’s Uttara area after a valve on an industrial customer’s service line near the Uttara-Tongi Bridge burst, causing a high-pressure gas leak. Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC announced on Tuesday night that gas supply through the main pipeline in Uttara was immediately shut down following the incident.

According to the company’s statement, the 12-inch diameter main distribution pipeline in Uttara was placed under shutdown, suspending gas supply across Uttara, Uttarkhan, Dakshinkhan, and adjacent areas. Replacement work on the damaged valve is underway, and Titas Gas expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience caused to customers.

This marks the third gas pipeline accident in Dhaka within two weeks. Earlier, on January 4, a pipeline under the Turag River developed a leak, disrupting supply in Mirpur and Mohammadpur. Another valve burst near Ganabhaban on January 10 also caused temporary supply suspension before restoration later that night.

A gas leak near the Uttara-Tongi Bridge in Dhaka led to the immediate shutdown of gas supply across Uttara, Uttar Khan, Dakshin Khan, and nearby areas. The incident occurred when a valve on an industrial customer’s service line burst under high pressure, according to a statement issued Tuesday night by Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC. The company said replacement work on the damaged valve is underway and apologized for the temporary inconvenience to customers.

This marks the third gas pipeline accident in Dhaka within two weeks. On January 4, a pipeline under the Turag River was punctured, disrupting supply to Mirpur and Mohammadpur. Another valve burst on January 10 near Ganabhaban, causing temporary supply suspension before restoration later that night. The repeated incidents have affected gas distribution in several parts of the capital.

Titas Gas stated that the 12-inch main distribution pipeline in Uttara was shut down for safety, and repair work continues to restore normal supply soon.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has issued a public warning against misinformation circulating on social media regarding the server location and IP address of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system. In a special notice posted Tuesday on its verified Facebook page, the commission clarified that the NEIR system was launched on January 1 under a government decision to curb illegal handset imports, prevent mobile theft, combat crimes using unauthorized devices, and ensure government revenue.

According to the BTRC, all NEIR data are securely hosted within Bangladesh using the commission’s own hardware and in full compliance with the national data protection law. The IP address used by the system was allocated by APNIC to a Bangladeshi organization, ensuring that no data or traffic leaves the country. All operational requests are processed domestically, and detailed IP route reviews have confirmed the system’s internal security.

The BTRC urged mobile users to disregard false claims and avoid spreading unverified information about the NEIR system.

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.

Bangladesh has introduced the 'Moon Alert' or Missing Urgent Notification System, the country's first national emergency alert mechanism for rescuing missing children. The initiative, launched jointly by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Amber Alert for Bangladesh, includes a toll-free helpline number 13219. The system was inaugurated at the CID headquarters in Malibagh by Additional IGP and CID chief Md. Shibgat Ullah, aiming to strengthen law enforcement operations and ensure public participation in child rescue efforts.

The Moon Alert system was developed under the leadership of the CID’s Missing Children Cell with technical support from the Zero Missing Children platform. It draws on international experience from the Amber Alert model, which began in the United States in 1996 and is now active in over 30 countries. Verified alerts will be disseminated through official web portals, mobile apps, media outlets, social media, digital billboards, and SMS broadcasting to mobilize public assistance while prioritizing child safety and privacy.

Authorities expressed confidence that the Moon Alert will establish a state-led, technology-driven framework for child protection and justice in Bangladesh.

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.

Bangladesh has introduced the 'Moon Alert' system for the first time to ensure rapid recovery of missing and abducted children. The initiative, launched by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), was inaugurated on Tuesday morning at the CID headquarters in Malibagh, Dhaka, by Additional IGP and CID chief Md. Shibgat Ullah. A toll-free helpline, 13219, has been integrated with the system to facilitate immediate reporting and coordination.

According to CID, once a child goes missing, information will be disseminated quickly through police stations, social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, banking ATM booths, metro rail networks, and other key public platforms across the country. The alert will also appear on large screens at bus, train, and launch terminals. Border alerts will be issued to prevent child trafficking, with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) being notified. Law enforcement agencies will prioritize the first three hours after disappearance as the most critical period for recovery.

CID stated that the system will be centrally monitored and coordinated with multiple government stakeholders. It is expected to play an effective role in combating child-related crimes and enhancing public participation in child protection efforts.