To make the VAT system more digital and taxpayer-friendly, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has taken the initiative to store all VAT paper returns in the e-VAT System. The NBR said that taxpayers who have filed monthly VAT returns in hard copy form in the past can now enter them online themselves. Currently, the Central Processing Center (CPC) of the concerned VAT Commissionerate is used to include the paper returns filed by taxpayers in the e-VAT System. Besides, it takes more time to enter a large number of paper returns online. Once this process is completed, taxpayers will be able to file VAT returns online without any interruption in the future.

He was dropped twice in the space of three balls, by Root then Ben Duckett, before Ben Stokes trapped him lbw. But Head, who like Root has slammed two centuries this series, was in the zone. Australia lead the series 3-1 and have already retained the Ashes, with England desperate for another win after victory at the previous Test in Melbourne. - Root joins Ponting -England resumed at 211-3 but lost Harry Brook (84), Stokes (0) and Jamie Smith (46) before lunch. The 35-year-old had begun the series under pressure after failing to make a hundred in Australia over three previous Ashes tours.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Monday released the names and addresses of eight martyrs of the July uprising-2024 after confirming their identities through DNA profiling and forensic examination. Rafiqul Islam, son of late Abdul Jabbar Sikder of Satkachina village under Nazirpur thana in Pirojpur, died on July 19, 2024. According to the CID, DNA samples collected from nine families, resulting the successful identification of eight martyrs. Unidentified bodies of several male and female martyrs killed in different parts of Dhaka during the July 2024 uprising were initially buried at Rayerbazar Graveyard. Internationally renowned forensic expert Dr Morris Tidball-Binz provided training to CID forensic, DNA and medical teams through a two-day workshop.

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ADB commits $2.57b in sovereign financing for Bangladesh in 2025DHAKA, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has committed $2.57 billion in new sovereign financing to Bangladesh in 2025, more than doubling its 2024 commitment of $1.18 billion. This year's sovereign lending portfolio reflects a balanced mix across sectors and financing modalities, said an ADB press release. The ADB's sovereign commitments in 2025 demonstrated a strong focus on infrastructure and institutional reforms. As of 31 December 2025, ADB's cumulative sovereign and non-sovereign loan commitments to Bangladesh exceeded $42 billion, with an active sovereign portfolio comprising 48 projects amounting to $10.8 billion. Priorities will include developing economic corridors, strengthening multimodal logistics,advancing public sector reforms and capital market development, promoting private sector development, and accelerating digital transformation.

The Election Commission (EC) on Monday began the appeal proceedings over the acceptance and rejection of nomination papers for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election. In the Khulna region, 196 nomination papers were declared valid and 79 were rejected against 36 parliamentary seats. In the Barisal region, 131 nomination papers were declared valid while 31 were rejected against 21 seats. In the Faridpur region, 96 nomination papers were declared valid and 46 were rejected against 15 seats. Besides, in the Chittagong region, 138 nomination papers were declared valid while 56 were rejected against 23 seats.

A writ petition has been filed with the High Court challenging the legality of holding the parliamentary election and referendum on the same day. Supreme Court lawyer Yunus Ali Akand filed the writ on Monday. Speaking to reporters later, he said the petition could be heard this week by a High Court bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar. Akand argued that the constitution does not provide for an interim government, and therefore no election can be held under such an arrangement. “According to the constitution, elections can only be held under a caretaker government or an elected government,” he said.

DHAKA, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS) - The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has taken a special initiative to preserve all VAT returns of taxpayers in the e-VAT System. To facilitate the entry of all monthly VAT returns that were previously submitted in hard copy format into the online system, a new sub-module titled "Hard Copy Return Entry" has been added to the e-VAT System. Under the existing system, paper VAT returns submitted by taxpayers are entered into the e-VAT System through the Central Processing Centre (CPC) of the respective VAT Commissionerates. Due to delays in entering paper returns into the e-VAT System, taxpayers are often automatically charged interest and penalties. Once all past paper returns are entered into the e-VAT System, taxpayers will be able to submit all VAT returns online seamlessly.

File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 5, 2025 (BSS) - The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today released the names and addresses of eight martyrs of the July Uprising-2024 after confirming their identities through DNA profiling and forensic examination. Mahin Mia (25), son of Gazi Mamud and Josna Begum of Phulpur village, Phulpur Thana, Mymensingh. According to the CID, DNA samples collected from nine families, resulting the successful identification of eight martyrs. Internationally renowned forensic expert Dr. Morris Tidball-Binz provided training to CID forensic, DNA and medical teams through a two-day workshop. CID officials said the process of identifying the remaining martyrs will continue until all possible victims are accounted for and returned to their families with dignity.

DHAKA, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS) - A mild cold wave is sweeping over Rajshahi division and the districts of Dinajpur, Jashore, Chuadanga and Kushtia and it may continue, while the overall weather across the country is likely to remain dry, according to a weather outlook. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) this morning made the forecast for the next 24 hours, beginning from 9:00 am. It said that the weather is expected to remain dry with a temporarily partly cloudy sky over the country. Besides, moderate to thick fog may occur over different parts of the country from midnight to morning and, at places, the fog may persist until noon. Due to thick fog, air navigation, inland river transport and road communication may face temporary disruptions, the forecast said.

BEIJING, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin urged "open trade" in talks with China's leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday, during a five-day visit aimed at strengthening economic ties with the world's second-largest economy. Martin's China trip, the first by an Irish Taoiseach since 2012, comes against the backdrop of trade tensions between China and the European Union, of which Ireland will assume the rotating presidency in July. "We believe in open trade, in open relationships and in particular in terms of our trading relationship, we believe it's fundamental that we try and work towards open trade", Martin told Xi during talks in Beijing's Great Hall of the People. Xi hailed growing bilateral trade and investment between the two countries and called for the "long-term, stable development" of ties. Key Irish exports to China include medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, computer services and agricultural products.

TOKYO, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Tea leaves spilt from a truck caused a multi-vehicle collision in Japan that killed one person and injured three others, local media reported. Four people aged from their 50s to 70s were taken to hospital and one man aged 78 was later confirmed dead, the Mainichi said. The man who died had been driving a small commercial vehicle, which is believed to have skidded and mounted the median strip. After he got out of the vehicle, he was reportedly struck by a truck. The truck carrying the tea leaves had no roof, and police are investigating the accident, reports said.

CONAKRY, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Guinea's Supreme Court on Sunday validated an overwhelming presidential election victory for junta chief Mamady Doumbouya, crediting him with 86.72 percent of votes. This confirms provisional results announced on Tuesday, following the December 28 election that excluded opposition heavyweights from the ballot. Bangoura then declared Doumbouya "president of the Republic of Guinea for a seven-year mandate". Balde, who had challenged the election result in a filing with the Supreme Court, had since "voluntarily withdrawn" the complaint, Fode Bangoura said. - Civil rights crackdown -In September 2021, Doumbouya led a coup to topple Guinea's first freely elected president, Alpha Conde.

NEW DELHI, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A moderate 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck northern India's Assam state early Monday morning, according to the US Geological Survey. The shallow quake was centered three kilometres outside of the village of Dhing near India's border with Bhutan and hit around 4:17 am (2247 GMT on Sunday). The Himalayan region experiences big earthquakes each year, and has been the site of some of India's largest and deadliest tremors. A 1950 quake killed about 4,800 people in Assam and Tibet. The Great Assam Earthquake of 1897 is said to be one of the most powerful to have hit India, leaving hundreds dead in the remote hills.

TOKYO, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Asian stocks opened higher on Monday as investors weighed the impact of the US ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. In early trade the Nikkei in Tokyo was up 1.50 percent at 51,097 points while South Korea's Kospi was 2.09 percent higher at 4,399. Oil prices recovered from earlier lows while gold moved higher.