HONG KONG, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Hong Kong reclaimed its position as the world's top spot for initial public offerings in 2025 after it raised more than HK$285 billion (US$36.6 billion), a 225 percent increase on-year, accounting giant PwC said Monday. But data from the Hong Kong stock exchange showed it is now processing more than 300 applications. Accounting giants KPMG and Deloitte also marked 2025 as one of the hottest IPO years for Hong Kong. If Beijing continues subsidising Chinese companies to boost domestic demand, it could lead to more Hong Kong listings, PwC's Wong said. But global stock exchanges are also streamlining their listing rules, which would put Hong Kong in a competitive environment, he added.

Two killed in series of Russian attacks on UkraineKYIV, Ukraine, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Russia bombarded Ukraine early Monday, killing two people in the Kyiv region, authorities said on the eve of a diplomatic summit in France. Another pre-dawn attack on the neighbouring city of Fastiv killed one man in his 70s, according to Kyiv regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk. - Trump refutes strike on Putin home -Bombarded daily and losing ground, Ukraine has responded with its own drone attacks launched towards Russian territory, targeting in particular energy infrastructure that funds the war effort. Moscow accuses Kyiv of being insincere in its peace efforts, while Ukraine says Russia is trying to scupper the diplomatic momentum to end the conflict. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, describing it as a "special military operation" to prevent the expansion of NATO.

File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 05, 2026 (BSS) – The Bangladesh authorities have suspended broadcast of all cricket matches of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season scheduled to begin on March 26 next. The decision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to drop Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team for the IPL cricket tournament has left the people of Bangladesh saddened, shocked and aggrieved, said an official handout here today. In such situation, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting today issued a letter stating that all matches and events of the IPL will remain suspended in Bangladesh until further notice.

Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele marked their returns to the Paris Saint-Germain starting XI by securing a 2-1 win over Paris FC on Sunday as the French capital enjoyed its first top-flight derby since 1990. Victory for Luis Enrique's second-placed PSG, thanks to goals either side of half-time by Doue and Dembele, took them back to within one point of surprise league leaders Lens. But there were few chances of that streak being broken in the first top-division Paris derby since February 25, 1990, when Racing Paris 1 beat PSG 2-1 at the Parc des Princes home that they shared. With just their third victory of the season, Nantes have climbed out of the relegation zone at the expense of Auxerre, who lost 2-0 at Brest later in the day. Substitute Nadir was dismissed after collecting a pair of yellow cards in the space of two minutes early in the second half.

he United States’ military operation on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, beyond being shocking and deeply disturbing, sets a very dangerous precedent - that certain nations can essentially bypass international norms and regulations. It must be said that no nation, regardless of their strength or global standing, has the right to dismantle the sovereignty of another. The aggression seen against Venezuela is therefore nothing new but the continuation of a pattern - one that undermines the very principles of self‑determination enshrined in the UN Charter. It must be reaffirmed that sovereignty cannot be abducted, and that there must be some modicum of respect for international laws and regulations. To remain silent now is to condone a world where might makes right, regardless of whether these actions have any legal justification.

Inter Milan returned to the top of Serie A after a 3-1 win over Bologna at the San Siro on Sunday. Goals from Piotr Zielinski, Lauaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram lifted Inter one point clear of city rivals AC Milan, who had taken provisional control of the Italian summit with a 1-0 win at Cagliari on Friday. Defending champions Napoli sit third, two points shy of Inter, after a 2-0 win at Lazio earlier Sunday. Polish midfielder Zielinski put Inter ahead in the 39th minute with a left-footed shot from outside the box, the assist provided by Martinez. But La Viola, who celebrate their 100th anniversary next season, are still in troubled waters, three points adrift of safety from relegation.

Indictment hearing in a sedition case against Hasina, 285 others Jan 21Ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina. File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 05, 2026 (BSS) – A Dhaka court today set January 21 for holding a hearing on charge framing in a sedition case filed against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 285 others. The case has a total of 286 accused, including Sheikh Hasina, of whom 258 remain absconding. Upon receiving the Home Ministry’s approval, CID ASP Md Enamul Haque filed the sedition case against Sheikh Hasina and 72 others with the court on March 27, 2025. After the investigation, the CID officer submitted a charge sheet on August 14 against 286 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina.

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.