The Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) has issued its 2026 recruitment circular, announced on January 4, 2026, and published on its official website on January 5, 2026. The authority will appoint a total of 67,208 qualified and experienced male and female candidates to one permanent job category for teacher positions. Online applications will open on January 10, 2026, and close at 11:59 p.m. on January 17, 2026.

Applicants must fill out the online form by providing educational certificates, national ID information, a color photograph, and a signature image. The maximum age limit for general candidates is 35 years as of June 4, 2025, and the application fee is set at 1,000 taka. The positions are categorized as permanent government jobs under the NTRCA.

The recruitment process aims to fill a large number of teaching positions across non-government educational institutions, with the online application period providing a short window for interested candidates to complete their submissions.

Leaders of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) have accused a business syndicate of turning public suffering into profit amid a prolonged gas supply crisis. Speaking at a protest rally on Thursday in front of the Titas Gas office in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka, CPB leaders demanded immediate resolution of gas shortages and an end to what they described as chaos in the gas cylinder market. CPB President Sajjad Zahir Chandan said gas supply disruptions across Dhaka and other regions have severely disrupted daily life, while the interim government has failed to address the issue.

Former CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince alleged that the syndicate deliberately restricts gas supply to profit from importing and selling gas at higher prices. He also called for increased domestic production of LPG cylinders. Following the rally, a CPB delegation submitted a memorandum to the Titas Gas Managing Director, outlining seven demands including uninterrupted 24-hour gas supply, cancellation of monthly bills during supply outages, and breaking the syndicate to reduce cylinder prices.

The protest was chaired by CPB Dhaka North President Hasan Hafizur Rahman Sohel and attended by several central and student leaders.

A severe shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has gripped Fatullah in Narayanganj, where consumers are unable to buy 12-kilogram cylinders even at double the government-fixed price of 1,306 taka. The crisis, ongoing for about 15 days, has forced many residents to search for firewood as an alternative fuel source. Retail shops have run out of stock, and those with limited supply are reportedly charging arbitrary prices.

Local residents and business owners expressed frustration over the situation, saying the artificial shortage and price hikes have worsened their daily lives and business operations. Some reported that LPG cylinders are available only on the black market, where prices range from 2,200 to 2,500 taka per cylinder, delivered by rickshaw. Retail sellers said they too face supply shortages and cannot meet customer demand.

Residents have urged the authorities to take immediate action to restore normal LPG supply and control illegal trading practices that have intensified the crisis.

Bangladesh Bank has instructed all banks to ensure that remittances sent by expatriate Bangladeshis are deposited into recipients’ accounts on the same day or the next working day. The directive, issued through a circular on Thursday, gives banks until March to fully implement the system. Authorized dealer banks must notify customers electronically as soon as remittance messages are received. Remittances received during banking hours must be credited the same day, while those received afterward must be credited the next working day.

According to the circular, the move aims to reduce delays and improve efficiency in cross-border payment processing. The central bank emphasized the use of secure electronic communication to inform customers promptly. The instruction is part of ongoing efforts to streamline remittance management and enhance the reliability of financial transactions for expatriate workers and their families.

The directive is expected to strengthen confidence in formal remittance channels and support faster fund availability for recipients across Bangladesh.

Gold prices in the international market declined on Thursday, with spot gold falling 0.4 percent to 4,435.62 dollars per ounce, according to a Reuters report. U.S. gold futures for February delivery also dropped by the same margin to 4,444.40 dollars per ounce. The current price marks a decrease of about 110 dollars from the record high of 4,549.71 dollars per ounce reached on December 29.

The report attributes the decline to a stronger U.S. dollar and increased profit-taking by investors, which have limited the upward momentum of gold prices. Alongside gold, silver prices also fell sharply, with spot silver dropping 2.6 percent to 76.08 dollars per ounce, down from its all-time high of 83.62 dollars per ounce recorded on December 29.

HSBC projected that silver prices in 2026 could range between 58 and 88 dollars per ounce, driven by investment demand and high gold prices, though the bank also warned of potential sharp declines later in the year.

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) traders in Bangladesh have withdrawn their strike following a meeting with Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Chairman Jalal Ahmed. The announcement came after discussions held at the BERC office on Thursday, leading to the immediate resumption of LPG sales across the country.

According to Gas Traders Cooperative Association President Selim Khan, the strike was linked to demands that consumer rights raids on LPG shops be halted. Traders also urged authorities to fix the retail price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder at 1,500 taka. The strike had been declared on Wednesday night in response to nationwide raids and fines, with traders threatening to suspend LPG supply from all company plants until their demands were met.

In the broader context, the government has initiated steps to revise VAT and tax structures on imported and locally produced LPG amid rising shortages and price instability. Efforts are also underway to ease bank loan and letter of credit procedures for LPG imports.

In early December, Turkey’s state-run company Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) signed five agreements with Pakistan to explore oil and gas in the country’s maritime zones of the Indian Ocean. The deals, valued at over 300 million US dollars, cover three offshore blocks in Pakistan’s international waters and two onshore coastal blocks. While the agreements drew limited global media attention, they mark a significant step for both nations in expanding energy and strategic cooperation.

The partnership reflects Turkey’s effort to diversify its energy exploration map and Pakistan’s attempt to revive its long-neglected deep-sea mineral exploration. TPAO plans to deploy seismic fleets in Pakistan’s waters and open a permanent office in Islamabad, forming a consortium with state-owned Pakistani energy firms. The move comes ahead of Pakistan’s 2025 offshore bidding round, one of its most important exploration initiatives in two decades.

Beyond energy, the cooperation extends to defense, mining, and drone manufacturing, signaling a broader strategic alignment. The collaboration positions both countries to strengthen economic and security ties while expanding Turkey’s geopolitical presence in the Indian Ocean.

The Bangladesh government has reduced value-added tax (VAT) on both imported and locally produced liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). A notification issued on Thursday announced that VAT on LPG imports has been lowered from 15 percent to 10 percent, while domestic production will now be subject to a 7.5 percent VAT rate.

At the same time, the LP Gas Business Cooperative Association has declared a nationwide halt to LPG cylinder sales starting today. The association announced in a notice on Wednesday that all LPG marketing, supply, and plant operations across Bangladesh would remain suspended until their demands are met. The group had earlier held a press conference at the National Press Club, calling for price adjustments by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission and an end to administrative fines and harassment of distributors.

The simultaneous tax reduction and supply suspension create uncertainty in the LPG market, as the government’s fiscal relief coincides with a business-led shutdown that could disrupt household and industrial gas availability.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuela will use its oil sales revenue exclusively to purchase goods produced in the United States. According to Washington sources cited by AFP, the arrangement follows the removal of Nicolás Maduro from power and is based on a new oil agreement. The profits from Venezuela’s oil exports will be directed toward buying American products.

Trump shared the information on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating that he had been informed about the new oil deal ensuring that Venezuela’s earnings would be spent solely on U.S.-made goods. He specified that the purchases would include agricultural products, machinery, medical equipment, and energy-sector machinery.

The report did not provide further details about the terms of the agreement or how it will be implemented, but it highlights a shift in Venezuela’s trade alignment following political changes in the country.

In southern Chattogram’s Banshkhali and nearby Anwara, Pekua, and Rajakhali, around 38,000 salt farmers have begun production across 69,000 acres of land. However, dense fog has disrupted salt crystallization, while many farmers express frustration over low market prices. Despite adopting modern polyethylene-based methods that can increase output by up to two and a half times, unfavorable weather and poor pricing have left producers struggling.

According to the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), all salt fields in the region are using the polyethylene technique this year, which could lead to production exceeding targets by about 200,000 tons. Farmers report that fog and humidity cause salt to dissolve overnight, while they must still pay land rent regardless of yield. Local officials note that Banshkhali’s salt is known for its brightness and taste, with retail prices ranging from Tk 1 to Tk 15 per kilogram and wholesale prices between Tk 200 and Tk 250 per maund.

Farmers allege that due to limited government support, mill owners and financiers buy salt cheaply and sell it at higher prices. Some producers have taken loans to cover the high costs of polyethylene-based production, while local leaders urge the government to ensure fair pricing and restrict salt imports.

The United States will indefinitely oversee Venezuela’s oil sales, according to US Energy Minister Chris Wright. Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Energy Event in Miami on Wednesday, Wright said that both Venezuela’s stored oil and future production will be sold on the international market under US management. The plan aims to regulate the country’s oil exports and ensure oversight of revenues.

AFP reported from Washington that former President Donald Trump had earlier announced Venezuela’s interim government would assign the marketing of 30 to 50 million barrels of crude oil to the United States. Trump said on social media that proceeds from the sale of this sanctioned but high-quality oil would be held under US supervision. The initiative is intended to restore international oil flow, secure supply for American refineries, and maintain funds in a US-controlled account for future mutual benefit.

US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth stated that the blockade on Venezuela’s sanctioned oil remains globally enforced. After US forces seized several tankers in the Caribbean and North Atlantic, he confirmed that the US stance against illegal Venezuelan oil trade is being strictly implemented worldwide.

The LP Gas Traders Cooperative Society Limited has announced a nationwide suspension of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder sales in Bangladesh starting Thursday, January 8, 2026. The organization issued a notice on Wednesday stating that all LPG marketing, supply, and gas extraction activities from company plants will remain halted until their demands are fulfilled.

According to the notice and a press conference held at the National Press Club on Wednesday, the traders demanded a new price adjustment for LPG cylinders by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) and an end to administrative harassment and fines against distributors. They warned that if their demands were not met within 24 hours, they would enforce an indefinite suspension of LPG supply and sales across the country.

The traders’ decision follows their earlier ultimatum, and the suspension is set to continue until authorities address their stated concerns regarding pricing and regulatory treatment.

Bangladesh Bank has set a maximum passport endorsement fee of 300 taka for licensed money changers handling foreign currency transactions for outbound Bangladeshi travelers. The directive, issued on Wednesday, states that the fee will remain the same regardless of the amount of foreign currency purchased. This measure applies to all licensed money changers operating under the central bank’s authority.

According to the circular, under the existing ‘Guideline for Foreign Exchange Transactions (GFET)–2018,’ each transaction must be recorded in the traveler’s passport and, for air travel, on the air ticket with the authorized person’s seal and signature. Money changers are also required to clearly display the endorsement fee at their business premises, issue written receipts for all collected fees, and maintain proper records of all such transactions.

The directive aims to standardize service charges and improve transparency in foreign exchange dealings for travelers, ensuring compliance with existing regulatory guidelines.

A major shipment of 57,855 tons of yellow corn from the United States arrived in Bangladesh after an eight-year gap. The unloading began on Wednesday at the Confidence Cement Jetty in Chattogram Port. The vessel, MV Beltokyo, departed from Vancouver Port in Washington State and entered Bangladeshi waters on December 31. The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka confirmed the arrival in a press release. The corn, produced in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota, was jointly imported by Nahar Agro Group, Paragon Group, and Nourish Poultry and Hatchery Limited.

According to importers, the shipment took about 46 days to reach Bangladesh, with an import cost of USD 246 per ton and an estimated landed cost of BDT 34 per kilogram—lower than recent Brazilian imports priced between USD 251 and 260 per ton. Nahar Agro’s chairman Rakibur Rahman noted that only 30 percent of national corn demand is met locally, with imports filling the rest. The U.S. Embassy described the shipment as a milestone in agricultural and food sector cooperation between the two nations.

Officials believe that regular U.S. supply could enhance competition in the feed industry and stabilize animal protein production in Bangladesh.

Mobile phone prices in Bangladesh have increased despite a recent reduction in import tariffs. According to the report, government-registered mobile traders raised prices following the launch of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR). Allegations suggest that a mafia syndicate influenced the price hikes. Since January 1, prices have risen by Tk 500 to Tk 5,000 per handset depending on the model.

Consumers claim that official brands took advantage of the closure of grey market handset shops amid the NEIR controversy. Brands such as Redmi, Vivo, Infinix, Realme, OnePlus, and Samsung Galaxy have raised prices across various models. For example, the Vivo Y21D (8/128) model increased from Tk 21,000 to Tk 23,000, while the Infinix Smart 10 (4/64) rose by Tk 1,000 to Tk 12,000.

Mobile traders argue that rising memory component costs contributed to the price increases. Zakaria Shahid, president of the Mobile Phone Industry Owners Association of Bangladesh (MIOB), described the tariff reduction as deceptive, suggesting that the benefits were not passed on to consumers.