U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that all goods entering the United States from Canada will face a 100% tariff if Canada completes a trade agreement with China. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday, Trump said Canada must not act as a “drop-off port” for Chinese products entering the U.S., warning of severe consequences if it does.

Relations between Washington and Ottawa have become increasingly strained since Trump’s return to the White House in 2024, with disputes emerging over trade and other issues. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently described a “fracture” in the U.S.-led global system. During a visit to Beijing last week, Carney announced a “new strategic partnership” with China and an initial trade understanding aimed at reducing tariffs. Trump responded by calling the move dangerous and labeling Carney “governor,” echoing earlier remarks about Canada as a potential U.S. state.

Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc countered that the China deal only addresses tariff issues and is not a free trade pact. Analysts cited in the report warned that continued tensions could create major uncertainty for both economies.

The government pay commission of Bangladesh has proposed a new pay scale that would more than double the salaries of primary school teachers. According to the recommendation, teachers in the 13th grade would see their basic pay rise from 11,000 taka to 24,000 taka. The proposed scale sets the minimum salary for government employees at 20,000 taka and the maximum at 160,000 taka, with higher increases suggested for employees in grades 11 to 20. The commission also advised raising allowances, including tiffin benefits.

Commission chief Zakir Ahmed Khan told the media that implementing the proposal would require 1.06 trillion taka. The 23-member commission, formed on July 27 of the previous year, completed its work ahead of schedule, spending only 18 percent of its allocated budget. The report is due on February 14, and a special committee will be formed to oversee implementation.

Economic adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said the next step is to execute the recommendations, with an implementation committee to be established to manage the process.

Nine Indian officials working at the Rampal Thermal Power Plant in Bagerhat, operated by Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Limited (BIFPCL), left Bangladesh without official permission. The incident occurred on Saturday, January 24, 2026, when the officials were found missing during breakfast. Later, it was confirmed that they had crossed into India through the Bhomra land port. The plant authorities immediately informed the Power Development Board and relevant ministries, expressing deep concern over the unauthorized departure.

According to plant sources, the officials left citing security concerns, though the area is under four layers of security involving the army, police, and Ansar. The project director, Ramanath Pujari, confirmed their departure and the stated reason. However, officials noted that none of the individuals had previously reported any security issues or complaints. The sudden and unexplained exit has been described as mysterious by plant authorities.

The plant’s Deputy General Manager (Public Relations), Anwarul Azim, said the matter is being investigated seriously to determine the reasons behind their departure.

The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), under the Ministry of Industries, has issued a recruitment notice to fill 50 vacancies across 10 categories under its revenue sector. The online application process began on January 15, 2026, and will remain open until February 15, 2026, at 5 p.m. Eligible Bangladeshi citizens aged between 18 and 32 years as of January 1, 2026, can apply online.

The available positions include computer operator, UDC-cum-cashier, office assistant-cum-computer typist, data entry operator, lab assistant, cataloger, driver, office assistant (MLSS), and security guard. Educational requirements vary by position, ranging from completion of class eight to a bachelor’s (honors) degree. Applicants for computer-related roles must meet specific typing speed criteria, while lab assistants must have passed HSC in science. Application fees must be paid via SMS from a Teletalk prepaid mobile within 72 hours of submitting the online form.

BSTI’s recruitment aims to fill its vacant posts through direct appointment, offering salary grades between 13 and 20 as per the national pay scale.

Venezuelan lawmakers have given preliminary approval to a proposal allowing private investment in the country’s oil sector, paving the way for major U.S. energy companies to return. The bill, approved in its first reading less than three weeks after former president Nicolás Maduro’s removal, would permit private firms to independently explore and extract oil. If passed in a second reading, it would significantly loosen decades of state control tightened under late socialist leader Hugo Chávez.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, formerly Maduro’s deputy, played a key role in advancing the bill and has moved to normalize relations with the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump praised Rodríguez’s leadership, noting that the U.S. is already receiving part of Venezuela’s oil. On the same day, Washington appointed Laura F. Dogu as its new chargé d’affaires in Caracas, marking a step toward restoring full diplomatic ties.

Analysts say the oil sector reform and renewed diplomatic engagement could strengthen relations between Venezuela and the United States after years of tension following the 2019 diplomatic break.

Global oil prices rose sharply on January 23, 2026, following reports that a large US naval fleet was moving toward Iran and after recent remarks by President Donald Trump. The West Texas Intermediate crude price climbed to nearly 60 dollars per barrel, while Brent crude futures increased by about 0.9 percent to 64.61 dollars. The developments triggered investor concerns over potential military escalation in the Middle East and possible disruptions to oil supply.

In a statement, President Trump confirmed that a powerful US fleet had departed for Iran but expressed hope that it would not need to be used. He also warned Tehran against targeting protesters or resuming its nuclear program. Unnamed US officials said the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided missile destroyers could reach the region within days, with additional air defense systems under consideration to protect US bases.

Analysts attributed the price increase to geopolitical tensions and a weaker dollar. Although the International Energy Agency had forecast an oil supply surplus for 2026, Trump’s tougher stance has cast uncertainty over that outlook.

The European Union has suspended the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) benefits for most Indian exports, including apparel, textiles, plastics, and other major sectors. The decision took effect on January 1, 2026, following a regulation issued by the European Commission on September 25. The suspension will apply from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2028, and also affects selected products from Indonesia and Kenya.

According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), about 87 percent of Indian exports to the EU will now face full tariffs, with only 13 percent—mainly agricultural and leather goods—retaining GSP benefits. Previously, Indian goods enjoyed lower tariffs than the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) rate, but now full MFN duties will apply. For example, apparel tariffs will rise from 9.6 percent to 12 percent. The suspension covers key sectors such as minerals, chemicals, rubber, steel, machinery, and transport equipment.

GTRI’s Ajay Srivastava noted that despite ongoing India-EU free trade talks, exporters will face short-term challenges, compounded by the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Export organizations warned that India’s competitiveness may decline compared to Bangladesh and Vietnam, whose exports still enjoy lower or zero tariffs in Europe.

The Ninth National Pay Commission submitted its report to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on January 21, three weeks ahead of schedule. Led by Zakir Ahmed Khan, the commission proposed a 20-grade pay structure for government employees, recommending that the minimum salary rise from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000 and the maximum from Tk 78,000 to Tk 160,000. Implementing the proposal would require an additional Tk 1.06 trillion, with salaries potentially increasing by 100 to 147 percent and similar adjustments for pensions and allowances.

During a meeting chaired by Dr. Yunus in Tejgaon, members of the interim government’s advisory council discussed the report extensively. Some advisers expressed concern that such a large increase might be inequitable given the current economic conditions and high inflation. They cautioned against placing excessive pressure on the national treasury while many citizens face limited incomes.

Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed confirmed that no committee has yet been formed to oversee implementation. The absence of this committee has raised uncertainty about whether the new pay structure will be enacted during the current government’s tenure.

Saudi Arabia has announced that it possesses mineral resources worth about $2.5 trillion, including rare earth elements such as dysprosium, terbium, neodymium, and praseodymium. The declaration came during the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, where officials emphasized the country’s plan to expand its mining sector to reduce dependence on oil and strengthen geopolitical influence. The state-owned mining company Ma’aden also revealed plans to invest $110 billion in metals and mining over the next decade.

According to S&P Global, Saudi Arabia’s mineral exploration budget rose by 595 percent between 2021 and 2025, with faster licensing for domestic and international firms. Experts, however, cautioned that extraction and processing take years, with processing plants requiring three to five years to build, and sometimes more than 20 years. SAFE Minerals Center’s executive director Abigail Hunter noted that China remains far ahead of the United States in this sector due to decades of strategic investment and state-backed projects.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 identifies mining as a key pillar for economic diversification, and experts believe the country’s growing infrastructure could make it a regional hub for mineral processing.

Bangladesh Bank has initiated liquidation proceedings for nine non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) due to severe irregularities and high default rates. Hearings have begun to assess the justification for liquidation. According to central bank sources, if the institutions are closed, the government will refund individual depositors, while institutional and interbank dues will be settled through asset sales. The nine NBFIs include FAS Finance, Bangladesh Industrial Finance Company, Premier Leasing, Fareast Finance, GSP Finance, Prime Finance, Aviva Finance, Peoples Leasing, and International Leasing.

These institutions have default rates between 75 and 98 percent, accounting for 52 percent of total NBFI defaults by the end of 2024. Allegations of large-scale financial misconduct, including embezzlement by former executives, have contributed to their collapse. The total deposits across the nine institutions amount to Tk 15,370 crore, of which Tk 3,493 crore are individual deposits to be repaid by the government.

Governor Ahsan H. Mansur stated that individual depositors will receive their principal amounts before Ramadan in February 2026, without interest. The government has verbally approved around Tk 5,000 crore for repayments, and asset valuation will determine any potential returns for shareholders.

An article by Jony Siddiq, published on January 23, 2026, in Amar Desh, warns against hoarding and creating artificial shortages, describing such acts as severe sins in Islam. The piece highlights that Bangladesh is currently facing an acute gas crisis and abnormal price hikes, leaving ordinary citizens struggling. It accuses dishonest business syndicates of deliberately inflating prices of cylinder and industrial gas by fabricating scarcity, worsening public hardship and industrial production.

The article cites multiple hadiths condemning hoarding, emphasizing that those who stockpile essential goods to manipulate markets are cursed and will face divine punishment. It references Islamic scholars such as Imam Nawawi and Abu Lais, who classify hoarding as prohibited when it causes artificial scarcity or public suffering. The author urges the business community to conduct trade honestly, supply goods at fair prices, and seek divine satisfaction rather than short-term profit.

The piece concludes with a moral appeal for ethical business practices, warning that ill-gotten gains may harm both worldly and spiritual well-being.

Saudi Arabia has sold a record $20 billion worth of bonds since the start of this year, marking the highest in the kingdom’s history and surpassing China in global debt issuance. According to Bloomberg data, the Saudi government directly raised $11.5 billion, while state-controlled firms such as Saudi Electricity, Saudi Telecom, Saudi National Bank, and Riyad Bank borrowed an additional $8.8 billion. These companies, though government-owned, are listed on the Tadawul stock exchange.

Analysts view the surge in borrowing as a reflection of the country’s Vision 2030 plan, which aims to diversify the oil-dependent economy. The trend indicates that debt pressure is now extending beyond the government to state-owned enterprises. Saudi Arabia became the largest international debt issuer among emerging markets in 2024, a pattern expected to continue through 2026.

Financial Times reported that Saudi banks are increasingly turning to foreign loans. Despite lower oil prices, the kingdom remains relatively stable due to low production costs and substantial foreign currency reserves.

Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC held a meeting of its Board of Directors on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the Islami Bank Tower in Dhaka. The meeting was chaired by the bank’s Chairman, Professor Dr. M. Zubaidur Rahman.

According to the report, the session was attended by Executive Committee Chairman Mohammad Khurshid Wahab, Audit Committee Chairman Md. Abdus Salam, FCA, FCS, Risk Management Committee Chairman Professor Dr. M. Masud Rahman, Independent Director Md. Abdul Jalil, Managing Director Md. Omar Faruk Khan, and Company Secretary Md. Habibur Rahman. The article did not specify the agenda or outcomes of the meeting.

The report focused on the participation of key board members, highlighting the bank’s continued governance activities through regular board sessions held at its headquarters.

The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) has announced that all spinning mills across the country will be closed indefinitely from February 1, 2026, if the Ministry of Commerce’s recommendations are not implemented promptly. The announcement was made by BTMA President Shawkat Aziz Russell during an emergency press conference at the association’s Karwan Bazar office in Dhaka. The organization claimed that the textile industry is facing a severe crisis due to the government’s inaction and lack of effective measures.

Russell stated that the sector, which contributes 13 percent to the national GDP, has reached a state of emergency. He warned that if the recommendations are ignored, mill owners will be unable to repay bank loans, potentially triggering a financial crisis and labor unrest. BTMA reported that most mills are operating at only 60 percent capacity, with around 50 large factories already closed.

The Ministry of Commerce has recommended withdrawing bond facilities on yarn imports of 10 to 30 counts to protect local producers. BTMA has demanded a 10 percent incentive on yarn, the imposition of safeguard duties, and urgent policy support to save the textile, RMG, and accessories sectors.

Bangladesh and Japan have signed the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, under which Bangladeshi ready-made garments will receive duty-free access to the Japanese market. The announcement was made by Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam at a press conference held on Thursday, January 22, at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. He described the agreement as a landmark step for Bangladesh’s trade relations.

According to the press secretary, the agreement will allow 7,379 Bangladeshi products to enter Japan duty-free, while Japan will gain immediate tariff-free access for 1,039 of its products in Bangladesh. He emphasized that this is the first time Bangladesh, as a least developed country, has signed such an agreement with the world’s fourth-largest economy. The deal is expected to open new opportunities for Bangladesh’s trade with other countries as well.

The press secretary highlighted that the biggest benefit for Bangladesh will be the duty-free entry of its largest export sector, the ready-made garment industry, into the Japanese market.