A robot traffic police unit has started operating on the busy streets of Wuhu city in China’s Anhui province. Beginning last Saturday, the smart robot joined human traffic officers to help manage road control and maintain order at key intersections, according to CCTV. The robot, dressed in a police uniform with a traffic police logo and identification number, was seen directing vehicles from a small mobile platform that allows it to move to designated positions and rotate to oversee traffic in all directions. The robot has been trained in four main areas: raising public awareness about traffic laws, coordinating vehicle movement at intersections, detecting and warning irregular behavior, and automatically collecting evidence of traffic violations. It is connected to the city’s traffic light and management systems, enabling it to assist human officers with repetitive tasks during peak hours. Authorities expect the robot’s integration to improve traffic efficiency and reduce workload for human officers in high-traffic zones.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of 297 houses and 30 apartments owned abroad by former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, along with the freezing of his one million dollar investment in the United States. The order was issued on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez. The Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) public relations officer Tanjir Ahmed confirmed the details, specifying that the properties are located in the United States, Thailand, Malaysia, Dubai, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, and the Philippines. The order followed a petition filed by ACC Deputy Director Mashiur Rahman seeking to seize the properties and freeze the funds. On the same day, the court also accepted a separate Criminal Investigation Department (CID) petition to freeze 46,463,455 shares held by Saifuzzaman and six others. The former minister, an Awami League leader and businessman, has been living in the United Kingdom since the fall of the Awami League government. Multiple cases have been filed by the ACC and CID against Saifuzzaman on allegations of money laundering and corruption, and the court has imposed a travel ban on him.

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi stated that all communication channels between the armed forces of India and Bangladesh remain open to prevent any misunderstandings. He made the remarks on Tuesday in New Delhi during the army’s annual press conference while responding to a question about the evolving relationship between Bangladesh and Pakistan and whether it poses a threat to India. General Dwivedi explained that it is important for India to understand what kind of government is currently in power in Bangladesh, especially if it is an interim one, and to assess whether its actions are short-term or long-term. He emphasized that all three branches of the Indian military are maintaining full communication with their Bangladeshi counterparts, including regular contact between the army chiefs and other service heads. A delegation has also visited Bangladesh for field-level discussions. The Indian Army Chief assured that none of the current military activities by either side are directed against India and that capability development is a continuous process being pursued by all nations. He added that India is closely monitoring the situation.

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.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the Iranian government is in its final days and weeks, asserting that a regime sustained only by violence has lost its legitimacy. He said the Iranian people have risen against their government. His remarks come as unrest continues across Iran. In response to growing violence in Iran, several European countries have summoned Iranian ambassadors. Spain’s foreign minister said the summoning was to strongly condemn the repression of protests, while Finland’s foreign minister accused Tehran of shutting down the internet to conceal killings and crackdowns. The protests began more than two weeks ago, on December 28, after the Iranian rial sharply depreciated against the US dollar, prompting Tehran’s shopkeepers to take to the streets. The demonstrations have since spread widely across the country, with reports indicating significant casualties, including around 2,000 deaths involving security personnel and civilians.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), stated that the mass uprising would fail if the ‘No’ vote passes in the upcoming referendum. He made the remarks on Tuesday while inaugurating a campaign caravan aimed at promoting the referendum. Islam urged citizens to vote ‘Yes’, saying that even if they do not support his party, they should still vote in favor of the referendum. He criticized a particular group for campaigning for the ‘No’ vote, arguing that supporting ‘Yes’ was the responsibility of all political parties. According to him, a victory for the ‘No’ side would bring an authoritarian force to power. He described the referendum as a vote that could shape Bangladesh’s next 50 years and called on voters to act consciously. Islam also mentioned that question leaks in recruitment exams had occurred under the current government and warned that a failed ‘Yes’ vote would return the country to its previous system. NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan announced that nationwide campaigning for the referendum had begun and would continue until the election. The party recently restructured its election management committee ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election.

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 Nationalist Party (BNP) has withdrawn the expulsion orders of five leaders who were previously removed for alleged breaches of party discipline. The announcement was made on Tuesday through a statement issued by the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General, Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. According to the statement, the decision was taken following applications from the expelled members, and their primary memberships have been reinstated effective January 13. The five reinstated leaders are Md. Abu Taher Siddiqui from Bagharpara upazila in Jashore, Syed Md. Sohel Chairman (SM Ataul Mostafa Sohel) from Madhabpur upazila in Habiganj, Khorshed Alam from Chattogram city BNP, Syed Sajjad Morshed from Nasirnagar upazila in Brahmanbaria, and Mosha. Parul Nahar from Hakimpur upazila in Dinajpur. They had earlier been expelled for activities deemed contrary to the party’s policies and ideals. The statement also noted that BNP has previously reinstated other leaders and activists who were expelled at different times, indicating a continuation of internal reconciliation efforts within the party.

An Iranian government official said on Tuesday that around 2,000 people, including security personnel, have been killed in the country’s ongoing protests and violent unrest. This marks the first time authorities have acknowledged such a high death toll during the two-week-long turmoil, which has been met with a harsh crackdown. The official told Reuters that both protesters and security forces were killed by individuals he described as “terrorists,” but he did not disclose their identities or further details. The unrest stems from Iran’s worsening economic conditions, which authorities view as the country’s most serious internal challenge in at least three years. The crisis has unfolded amid heightened international pressure following attacks by Israel and the United States last year. Iran’s religious leadership, in power since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has taken a dual stance—recognizing peaceful protests over economic issues as legitimate while enforcing strict security measures. A human rights organization previously reported hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests. Internet blackouts and communication restrictions have severely disrupted information flow, while verified videos show intense clashes, gunfire, and property destruction across several cities.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh approved 53 candidacies on the fourth day of appeal hearings related to the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The hearings took place on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the EC auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, with the Chief Election Commissioner, four other commissioners, and the EC secretary present. A total of 70 appeals were heard during the day, of which 53 were approved and 17 were rejected. Among the rejected appeals, two sought to cancel the candidacy of valid candidates but were dismissed. In the first session of the day, 36 appeals were resolved, with 29 approved and 12 rejected. In the second session, 24 appeals were approved and 5 rejected. The process is part of the EC’s review of returning officers’ earlier decisions regarding candidate eligibility for the national election. The hearings are continuing as part of the EC’s effort to finalize the list of eligible candidates ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

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.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) and the Directorate of Madrasa Education in Bangladesh have instructed all public and private schools, colleges, and madrasas to conduct extensive awareness campaigns about the upcoming national referendum, scheduled to take place on the same day as the thirteenth parliamentary election next month. According to the state news agency BSS, all education offices under both directorates have been directed to comply with these instructions. Separate circulars from the two directorates specify that all educational institutions must display banners and festoons featuring the referendum logo in prominent locations and use the logo on all official communications and correspondence. The madrasa directive also calls for disseminating the message through parent meetings, students, notice boards, and social media. The move follows guidance from the Cabinet Division. The referendum aims to seek public opinion on the fundamental reform proposals outlined in the July National Charter 2025, marking a significant step in the country’s ongoing state reform process.

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.

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.

The Election Commission (EC) has declared the nomination paper of Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate Colonel (Retd.) Mohammad Abdul Haque valid for the Dhaka-2 constituency. The decision came on Tuesday, the fourth day of appeal hearings held at the EC building. Abdul Haque’s nomination had earlier been rejected on January 3 by the Dhaka district administration and returning officer Rezaul Karim during the scrutiny process. According to the report, Abdul Haque is the president of the Retired Armed Forces Officers Welfare Association (RAOWA). The Dhaka-2 constituency has 419,215 registered voters. Three candidates submitted nomination papers for this seat: BNP’s Amanullah Aman, Jamaat’s Abdul Haque, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Maulana Zahirul Islam. The EC previously validated the nominations of Amanullah Aman and one other candidate. With the EC’s latest decision, Abdul Haque will now be able to contest the upcoming election in Dhaka-2 alongside the other approved candidates.