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.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to maintain existing export incentives and cash assistance for 43 sectors during the final six months of the 2025–26 fiscal year, from January to June 2026. The Bangladesh Bank issued a circular on Monday confirming that the rates for shipped goods will remain between 0.30 percent and 10 percent, depending on the product category. The decision aims to continue supporting export-oriented industries under current conditions.

Officials noted that Bangladesh is expected to graduate from the least developed country (LDC) category in November 2026, after which direct cash support for exports will no longer be allowed. Although the government had planned to reduce incentive rates further, it chose to keep them unchanged due to increased U.S. tariffs, export disruptions through Indian land ports, and industrial instability following political changes in August 2024. These factors have placed pressure on export-oriented sectors.

The circular details unchanged support rates across sectors including textiles, leather, jute, pharmaceuticals, frozen seafood, agriculture, light engineering, software, and handicrafts. The continuation is intended to stabilize export performance ahead of the LDC transition.

Bangladesh Bank has purchased an additional 81 million US dollars from ten commercial banks through an auction. The transaction took place on Monday, January 12, 2026, according to Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan. The exchange rate for the purchase was set at 122.30 taka per dollar, with the cutoff price matching that rate.

With this latest purchase, the central bank’s total dollar acquisition in January has reached 698 million US dollars. The report also notes that during the ongoing 2025–26 fiscal year, Bangladesh Bank has conducted several rounds of dollar purchases through auctions. So far, the total amount bought stands at 3.83 billion US dollars.

The continued dollar purchases indicate the central bank’s ongoing efforts to manage foreign exchange reserves and stabilize the domestic currency market, as reflected by the consistent auction-based acquisitions throughout the fiscal year.

Star Cineplex is set to launch three new multiplex cinemas across Bangladesh during the upcoming Eid season. Two of these, located in Narayanganj’s Jalkuri area and Bogura’s Police Plaza, are being developed by Star Cineplex. The Narayanganj branch at Simanto Tower is planned for inauguration on Eid-ul-Fitr, featuring three halls, while the Bogura branch with two halls is also expected to open later this year. The company’s senior marketing manager, Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, confirmed the plans and noted that the projects had been delayed but are nearing completion.

In addition, the Padma Cineplex in Jazira, Shariatpur, near the Padma Bridge South Police Station, is almost complete. Its owner, film producer Mohammad Iqbal, said about 90 percent of the construction work has been finished, with an opening targeted for Eid-ul-Azha. Star Cineplex previously announced plans to expand to 100 screens nationwide and aims to extend operations beyond major cities to district and sub-district levels.

These developments come amid widespread closures of traditional cinema halls, offering renewed optimism for Bangladesh’s film exhibition industry.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) has announced a major revision of its main index, DSEX, following an annual trading review. Nine new companies will be added to the index, six of which are identified as weak in fundamentals. At the same time, sixteen companies will be removed, including five well-known Islamic banks whose shares have been declared void and trading suspended. The changes will take effect on January 18, according to DSE authorities.

The six weak fundamental companies joining the DSEX are BD Welding, Desco, Dulamia Cotton, Safko Spinning, Standard Ceramic, and Jhil-Bangla Sugar. The other three additions are Ha-Well Textile, Northern Islami Insurance, and Sharp Industries. The five Islamic banks being removed—First Security Islami Bank, Exim Bank, Social Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, and Union Bank—have merged to form a new entity named Sammilit Islami Bank. Other companies dropped include Apollo Ispat, United Capital, Meghna Condensed Milk, and several others.

The DSE also adjusted its DS-30 index, adding Meghna Petroleum, BSRM Steels, and Fine Foods, while removing Heidelberg Cement, GPH Ispat, and Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag.

Meta has deactivated more than 540,000 Facebook, Instagram, and Threads accounts in Australia following the country’s new social media ban for users under 16. The U.S. technology company stated that between December 4 and 11, it removed 330,639 Instagram accounts, 173,497 Facebook accounts, and 39,916 Threads accounts believed to be operated by minors. The action came after Australia implemented the world’s first full prohibition on social media use by children under 16, effective December 10.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Australian government’s decision bars minors from creating, using, or maintaining profiles on major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat. In a blog post, Meta said it seeks constructive dialogue with the government to explore safer, privacy-preserving, and age-appropriate online experiences instead of a total ban. The company emphasized that a unified industry standard for age verification is still lacking.

Meta reaffirmed its commitment to comply with Australian law but expressed concern over the absence of clear and consistent age determination standards across the industry.

The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved a revised Annual Development Programme (ADP) of Tk 2 trillion for the 2025–26 fiscal year. Including projects under autonomous bodies and corporations, the total expenditure stands at Tk 2.289 trillion. The decision was made at an NEC meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. The revised plan allocates Tk 1.28 trillion from domestic sources and Tk 720 billion from foreign sources.

According to the press briefing, the revised ADP reflects a reduction of Tk 300 billion compared to the original plan, with Tk 160 billion less from domestic sources and Tk 140 billion less from foreign assistance. The programme includes 1,330 projects, comprising 1,108 investment projects, 35 feasibility studies, 121 technical assistance projects, and 66 self-financed projects by agencies. Priority sectors include transport, power and energy, housing, education, and local government, which together receive Tk 1.211 trillion or 60.54% of total allocations.

Planning officials stated that the revised ADP aims to expand economic activities, generate employment, develop human resources, improve social services, and support sustainable growth.

The Indian government has imposed a two-month ban on virtual private network (VPN) use in Indian-administered Kashmir, citing national security concerns. The order, issued on December 29, described VPNs as a threat to national security and alleged that they were being misused to incite unrest. Following the ban, police have intensified searches, stopping pedestrians and vehicles to check mobile phones, and have taken action against more than 100 individuals accused of violating the order.

The decision has caused significant anxiety among professionals and residents who rely on VPNs for secure communication and data protection. Basit Bande, an IT professional from Pulwama working in Pune, told Al Jazeera that the government’s order was issued without adequate consideration for professionals whose work depends on VPN access. He fears losing his job or being forced to relocate permanently to Pune as many corporate systems, including email, require VPN connections.

According to cybersecurity firm Surfshark, about 20 percent of India’s 800 million internet users use VPNs, making the country one of the largest VPN markets globally. The ban has sparked renewed debate about digital rights and online security in India.

The Government of Bangladesh is set to launch a national registration and digital ID card program for freelancers to formalize the country’s growing freelancing sector. The Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology announced that the digital platform for the initiative has been completed and will be officially inaugurated on Tuesday. Registered freelancers will be able to use their ID cards to access banking services, loans, credit cards, financial incentives, and both government and private training opportunities.

According to the ministry’s statement, the platform, freelancers.gov.bd, has successfully passed vulnerability assessment and penetration testing, ensuring its security and technical readiness. The initiative aims to strengthen connections between freelancers, banks, government institutions, and the private sector, which the ministry expects will elevate Bangladesh’s digital economy to new heights.

The ministry described the program as a strategic national initiative designed to promote self-employment among youth, increase foreign currency earnings, and expand technology-based employment opportunities across the country.

Bangladesh Bank has eased loan facilities for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) importers, allowing them to import gas on credit for up to 270 days. The central bank issued a circular on Monday, stating that LPG, usually imported in bulk and later bottled for retail, will now be treated as an industrial raw material for trade credit purposes. This classification enables importers to access the same deferred payment terms available for other industrial raw materials under existing foreign exchange regulations.

According to the circular, banks have been instructed to assist importers in obtaining buyer’s credit from foreign banks and financial institutions. Additionally, offshore banking units have been authorized to provide bill discounting facilities to support the sector. The move aims to address the time-intensive nature of LPG storage, bottling, and distribution processes.

The decision comes amid a supply shortage that has pushed the price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder up to 2,500 taka, significantly above the government-fixed rate, causing hardship for consumers and businesses.

A joint operation by the army and the local administration was carried out in Ward 6 of Bajalia Union under Satkania upazila in South Chattogram to prevent illegal hill cutting. According to the upazila administration, the raid took place around 1 a.m. on Sunday, January 11, led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Shamsuzzaman, following a tip-off. Clear evidence of hill cutting was found at the site, but no suspects were apprehended. The perpetrators fled, leaving behind an excavator, which was later disabled with army assistance to prevent future misuse.

The upazila administration stated that operations against environmentally destructive activities such as hill and farmland soil cutting will continue. It also warned that strict legal action will be taken against those responsible for environmental damage and threats to public safety. Local residents reported that illegal hill cutting and soil sales had been ongoing in the Bajalia area for a long time, and the recent operation has brought relief to the community.

Japan has launched a deep-sea expedition to extract rare minerals in an effort to reduce its dependence on China. On Monday, the scientific drilling vessel Chikyu departed from Shimizu Port in Shizuoka at 9 a.m. local time, heading toward the remote Pacific island of Minami Torishima. The area is believed to contain vast reserves of rare minerals. The mission, led by JAMSTEC, involves experimental drilling at a depth of 6,000 meters, marking a world first, and will continue until February 14.

The initiative comes as China, the world’s largest supplier of rare minerals, exerts pressure on Japan amid heightened political tensions following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit to Taiwan in November. Cabinet Office program director Shoichi Ishii stated that Japan aims to diversify supply sources and build domestic production capacity to avoid overreliance on any single country. Researcher Takahiro Kamisuna noted that regular extraction near Minami Torishima could secure a stable domestic supply chain for Japan’s industries.

Reports indicate that China has recently delayed imports of Japanese goods and slowed rare mineral exports, further motivating Japan’s push for resource independence.

A mobile court led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Tania Akter Lubna fined two excavator operators a total of one lakh taka for illegally cutting and selling soil from farmland and government land in Bhitikandi Union of Titas upazila, Cumilla. The operation took place on Sunday in the Dorikandi area, where excavators were found removing soil from the banks of the Gomti River near local brickfields.

According to local residents, a powerful group has long been involved in illegal soil extraction due to weak administrative monitoring. The activity has reportedly damaged the fertility of agricultural land, weakened riverbanks, and increased the risk of embankment collapse. Heavy vehicle movement has also deteriorated local roads and caused severe dust pollution, disrupting normal farming and daily life.

Following the mobile court’s action, the excavators were removed from the site. The administrative move came after local journalists drew attention to the ongoing illegal activities, prompting authorities to intervene.

Cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes reported that personal data of about 17.5 million Instagram users has been leaked and shared on the dark web. The leaked dataset includes usernames, full names, email addresses, phone numbers, partial physical addresses, and other contact details. The breach has raised serious concerns about user privacy and platform security.

According to Malwarebytes, although no passwords were exposed, the leaked information could still be exploited for identity theft or financial fraud. A hacker using the alias 'Solonik' reportedly released the data for free on a dark web forum last week. Following the leak, users from various regions have complained about receiving numerous password reset emails, which analysts believe may be linked to unauthorized login attempts using the exposed email addresses.

Meta, Instagram’s parent company, denied any direct hacking or intrusion into its systems. The company attributed the surge in password reset emails to a technical issue and assured that user accounts remain secure.

Trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has fallen by 40 percent due to ongoing tensions and border clashes, according to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The closure of key border crossings has disrupted the movement of goods, severely affecting bilateral trade. Official Afghan data show that total trade between the two countries declined from 2.461 billion dollars in 2024 to 1.766 billion dollars in 2025, a decrease of 695 million dollars.

During the same period, Afghanistan’s exports to Pakistan dropped from 817 million dollars to 505 million dollars, while imports fell from 1.644 billion dollars to 1.261 billion dollars. Economic analysts have emphasized that Afghanistan should not rely on a single trade partner or transit route. They suggest developing alternative corridors through Iran, Central Asia, and air routes to reduce dependence on Pakistan and achieve long-term economic stability.

Major trade crossings such as Torkham and Spin Boldak have remained completely closed for about three months, halting cargo transport and causing financial losses for traders on both sides.