Under the new arrangement, importing taxpayers will automatically receivebill-of-entry-wise information on advance income tax paid during the relevantincome year while entering business income details in their e-returns. Theimport-stage income tax will be adjusted against the total payable tax,enabling automatic calculation of the net payable amount. The initiative is expected to significantly facilitate e-return filing forimporting businesspersons and ensure accurate and timely tax credit. It reiterated that its efforts would continue toenable individual taxpayers to pay income tax and submit returns easily fromhome. The NBR also urged all individual taxpayers to submit their income taxreturns online through the e-return system by January 31, 2026.

However, sincebeing promoted to the opening position, Hridoy has been in scintillatingform, scoring 272 runs in four innings, including a century, at a strike rateof over 140. Despite his success as an opener, Hridoy stressed that impact matters morethan position in the batting order. Despite flourishing in the opening role, Hridoy maintained a team-firstapproach when asked about his preferred batting position in the nationalside. "At the end of the day, it's a team game, not my game alone. But in a team game, I try to servethe team wherever needed and contribute as much as I can."

European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller visited the exhibition "Women in the July Uprising: Essential Then—Why Erased Now?" Photo: Video ScreenshotDHAKA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - The European Union (EU) today reaffirmed itssupport for women's participation in democratic life as a cornerstone ofresilience, prosperity and security, with its envoy stressing recognition andequal space for women in civic, political and media spheres. That women's participation is essential," EuropeanUnion ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller said. The envoy made the remarks at a guided tour of the exhibition 'Women in theJuly Uprising: Essential Then-Why Erased Now?' on the third day of the 11thedition of Chobi Mela - International Festival of Photography (CM XI), heldat the South Plaza of the Bangladesh National Parliament on Manik Mia Avenue.

Safdarpur Bazar of Kotchandpur upazila has emerged as the largest date jaggery market in the district. The Safdarpur market offers a wide variety of date jaggery, including jhola jaggery, granular jaggery, jiren raser jaggery and patali jaggery. Abul Kashem Babu, lessee of the Safdarpur Jaggery Market, expressed concern over the gradual decline of date palm trees. If the government supports the preservation and plantation of date palm trees, jaggery production will increase and contribute more to the national economy,” he said. “If plantation and proper care of date palm trees are increased, jaggery production will rise further,” he added.

Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today spoke as the chief guest at the referendum promotion and voter motivation view-exchange meeting in Nilphamari. Photo: PIDNILPHAMARI, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today urged voters to vote for “Yes” in the upcoming general elections and referendum. “If you are in favour of change, if you are in favour of reform, if you truly want accountable governance and political leadership, then you must vote for ‘Yes’,” she said. While speaking as the chief guest at the referendum promotion and voter motivation view-exchange meeting at District Shilpakala Academy auditorium here this afternoon, Rizwana highlighted the importance of the referendum. The adviser said the government has formed various reform commissions to determine the process through which change can be brought.

UAE distributed relief items and blankets among destitute families in Paikgachha upazila of southern Khulna. Photo: BSSKHULNA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) distributed relief items and blankets among poor and destitute families in Paikgachha upazila of southern Khulna, which has been hit hard by cold weather and dense fog. The relief distribution was led by Rashed Al Mail Al Jabi, Director for Foreign Assistance Affairs at the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Bangladesh, on Sunday morning at the Kapilmuni Srirampur Zia Primary Health Care Centre premises. Above 200 underprivileged families received food items and blankets on the occasion. They conveyed gratitude to Almighty Allah and thanks to the Government of the United Arab Emirates for the donation.

We are ready for JS elections: Syeda Rizwana HasanAdviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today spoke to journalists before joining a view exchange meeting at the Shilpakala Academy auditorium in Rangpur. Photo : BSSRANGPUR, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - Adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Environment, Forests and Climate Change and Water Resources Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said the imterim government is now fully ready for the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) elections. "The Election Commission has not been able to participate in the election process properly in the past regarding the national elections. At present, when the people, political parties, government, administration, law enforcement agencies and everyone are ready for the elections, we are also ready for the elections." Syeda Rizwana Hasan has come to Nilphamari and Rangpur districts on a two-day visit.

Founder of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Bir Uttam. -File photoDHAKA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - The 90th birth anniversary of the architect of multi-party democracy and founder of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Bir Uttam, will be celebrated tomorrow. Ziaur Rahman was the second of five sons of Chemist Mansur Rahman and Jahanara Khatun. On the eventful November 7, 1975 Ziaur Rahman came to the center of the state power. President Ziaur Rahman founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on September 1, 1978.

DHAKA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves have stood at US$ 32.62 billion. But, as per the International Monetary Fund (IMF) methodology under the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6), Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves stood at $28.03 billion, according to the latest data of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) released today.

The International Cricket Council (ICC), under the leadership of Jay Shah, has intervened to ensure players and officials of Pakistani origin receive Indian visas in time for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to be hosted across India and Sri Lanka from February to March. Several full-member and associate nations feature players of Pakistani origin. Visas for England and Netherlands players, as well as some officials, have already been cleared. Officials stressed that the aim is to ensure all applications, including remaining players and support personnel, are processed efficiently without unnecessary delays. Indian authorities generally scrutinize visa applications from Pakistani nationals or origin due to security considerations, especially given historical incidents such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Pakistan has assured Bangladesh of its full support and emphasised that unresolved concerns could impact not only Bangladesh’s participation but also the broader preparations for the tournament. Earlier this month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) publicly expressed its willingness to host Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches if alternative venues, particularly in Sri Lanka, are not made available. Meanwhile, the ICC has held meetings with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in Dhaka to discuss possible solutions, including a potential group swap. Cricket Ireland has already dismissed speculation of any group-stage changes, confirming that its matches will remain in Sri Lanka as originally scheduled. Under the current fixture list, Bangladesh are set to play group matches in Kolkata and Mumbai.

Defense officials say roughly 1,500 active-duty soldiers have been ordered to prepare for possible deployment to Minnesota if unrest escalates, placing the units on "prepare-to-deploy" orders as officials monitor demonstrations tied to a recent fatal shooting. The forces reportedly include two infantry battalions from the Army’s 11th Airborne Division, a unit based in Alaska with training in cold-weather operations. President Donald Trump has publicly threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act if state officials do not act to stop attacks on federal immigration personnel. Federal scrutiny of state and local officials, including an inquiry by the Department of Justice into obstruction allegations in Minnesota, has amplified partisan and community divisions. Officials have emphasized planning rather than orders to move, but the alert underscores the fraught intersection of national security, civil liberties, and public health.

New Zealand slipped to 5-2 and then 58-3 after being invited to bat first inIndore before Mitchell and Phillips put on 219 runs for the fourth wicket. Mitchell made 137 and Phillips hit 106 off 88 balls to take the attack to theopposition bowlers as New Zealand look for their first ODI series win inIndia. Mitchell reached his ninth ODI ton with a single of Ravindra Jadeja, lettingout a scream and celebrating with his partner. Phillips reached his hundred off Arshdeep Singh and pointed his bat to thesky as the crowd and the New Zealand dressing room stood to applaud. Rana stuck again to remove Will Young for 30 but Mitchell and Phillips thenrebuilt the innings and put New Zealand on course to a challenging total.

Singapore’s acting ambassador Mitchell Lee called on Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman in Dhaka today. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - Singapore's acting ambassador to Bangladesh (Charg‚ d'Affaires) Mitchell Lee paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman at the party office in Bashundhara this morning. The meeting was held around 9:00 am in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, according to a press release. Mitchell Lee appreciated the positive role of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in the country's economic development and democratic progress. Both sides also expressed optimism that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Singapore would be further strengthened in the future.

Campaign to be launched in educational institutions to promote 'Yes' votePhoto : Chief Adviser’s Press WingDHAKA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) – The government has decided to carry out campaigns at all universities, colleges, schools and madrasahs across the country to encourage students to cast ‘Yes’ vote in the forthcoming referendum slated to be held on February 12. Chief Adviser’s special assistants Professor Dr Ali Riaz and Monir Haidar, UGC Chairman Professor Dr SMA Faiz, Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Rehana Perven, Technical and Madrasah Education Division Secretary Muhammad Rafiqul, NU Vice-Chancellor Professor ASM Amanullah and UGC Member Professor Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan joined the meeting. As part of the campaign, leaflets and booklets titled ‘Yes for Change’ will be distributed among students. However, documentaries, video clips and songs produced on the referendum will be released through mobile platforms and university social media platforms. He said there is no alternative to the ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum to establish a humane and democratic state.