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Bangladesh Signs Landmark Deal to Buy 5M Tons of LNG Annually from the US
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25 Jan 2025, 09:30
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The Government of Bangladesh has entered into a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply agreement with Louisiana-based Arjent LNG in the United States. Under this agreement, Bangladesh will purchase 5 million tons (50 lakh tons) of LNG annually, according to a report by London-based international news agency Reuters.
On Friday, January 24, the company announced the deal in a statement. Arjent LNG is currently constructing infrastructure in Louisiana with an annual production capacity of 25 million tons of LNG (MTPA). The agreement has been signed as a non-binding contract. If Arjent LNG’s project in Port Fourchon, Louisiana, is completed, its cargoes could be sold to Bangladesh’s state-owned energy company, Petrobangla, as stated in the agreement.
Reuters further reported that this is the first major LNG supply deal from the United States since Donald Trump assumed office as President. Industry experts view this as a reflection of confidence in the new administration’s energy-friendly policies. Following Trump’s inauguration, the U.S. Department of Energy lifted a moratorium on licenses that permit the export of super-cooled gas to countries without free trade agreements with the U.S.
Regarding the deal, Ashiq Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), told Reuters that the agreement would ensure a reliable energy supply for Bangladesh's growing industrial base and strengthen strategic partnerships with the United States.
Background:
On Monday, January 20, Donald Trump was sworn in as President, and this deal marks the first major LNG supply agreement under his administration. Parties involved in the deal stated that it reflects the industry’s trust in the new administration’s energy-friendly approach. The U.S. has already become the world's largest LNG exporter and aims to double this capacity by 2028.
Since taking office, Trump has issued several executive orders, including lifting a moratorium by the U.S. Department of Energy that restricted the export of super-cooled gas to non-free trade agreement countries. These steps are primarily aimed at boosting U.S. LNG exports.
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SSC Syllabus and Mark Distribution for 2026 Published
The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has published the revised syllabus and mark distribution for the SSC and equivalent examinations of 2026, reintroducing the division of streams for grades 9 and 10.
On Saturday (December 28), the NCTB announced the syllabus and mark distribution through a notice on its website. The syllabus includes a total of 32 subjects based on Science, Business Studies, and Humanities streams.
According to the announcement, for subjects without practical exams, questions will be distributed into 70 marks for written (essay-type) and 30 marks for multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Within the written section, 50 marks will be allocated for creative questions and 20 marks for short-answer questions.
For subjects with practical exams, the theoretical portion will carry 75 marks, and the practical portion will carry 25 marks. Within the theoretical section, 40 marks will be allocated for creative questions, 10 marks for short-answer questions, and 25 marks for MCQs.
Each creative question will carry 10 marks, each short-answer question will carry 2 marks, and each MCQ will carry 1 mark.
The division of streams for grades 9 and 10 had been abolished under the "New Curriculum" introduced by the Awami League government. However, following a change in government after mass movements, the interim government has reinstated the stream division.
Trainee Doctors Block Shahbagh Intersection
Trainee doctors have occupied Shahbagh in Dhaka, demanding an increase in their monthly stipends.
On Sunday (December 29), at around 11:30 am, postgraduate private trainee doctors blocked the Shahbagh intersection, demanding that their stipends be increased to 50,000 BDT.
Shahbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Khalid Monsur told the media that the trainee doctors came onto the road around 11:30 am. The blockade halted traffic movement, causing commuters to suffer.
Earlier on December 21, the trainee doctors had set a deadline for increasing their monthly stipends. They warned that if their demands were not met, postgraduate private trainee doctors across the country would go on strike.
In response, the government increased their stipend by 5,000 BDT (from 25,000 to 30,000 BDT). However, the trainee doctors rejected this decision and announced they would continue their movement.
Application For 47th BCS Begins Today
The online application process for the 47th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination has officially begun. Applications opened at 10 am on Sunday, December 29, and will remain open until the evening of January 30.
A total of 3,688 officers will be recruited through this BCS. Among them, 3,487 positions are for cadre posts, while 201 are for non-cadre roles. Additionally, several new posts have been introduced.
For the first time, the age limit for applicants has been set at 32 years.
The viva voce (oral examination) marks have been reduced from 200 to 100.
Furthermore, the application fee has been lowered to Tk 200, down from the previous Tk 700. Candidates from minority groups, persons with disabilities, and third-gender applicants will pay a reduced fee of Tk 50, according to the Public Service Commission (PSC).
The PSC had initially announced that online applications for the 47th BCS would begin on December 10. However, the start date was postponed due to unavoidable circumstances. Although the government had earlier declared a reduction in application fees, the official notification was issued later, on December 11.
Government Directive on Tablighi Jamaat Sparks Saad Faction's Response
The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a new notification regarding the overnight activities (Shabguzari) and the maintenance of peace and order at the Kakrail Mosque, a central hub for the Tablighi Jamaat in Bangladesh. In response, media coordinator for the Saad followers of Tablighi Jamaat, Md. Sayem, expressed hope for a fair resolution from the government on matters concerning Kakrail Mosque.
The notification, signed by Deputy Secretary Dr. Mohammad Abdul Salam, was issued on Sunday (December 29).
It stated that followers of Maulana Mohammad Jubayer and Maulana Saad should continue their respective Tablighi Jamaat activities in the mosques they have been using at the district and sub-district levels to maintain peace and order.
Md. Sayem, representing the Saad followers, alleged, "The Jubayer group is occupying various markaz (centers) and mosques across the country, obstructing our activities, committing severe injustices, and perpetrating mob justice and massacres nationwide. We hope the notification will address these issues promptly. We are optimistic that the administration will step in to resolve these complexities and play a sincere role. We urge them to avoid destabilizing the country and retreat from fratricidal religious conflict. Such actions are incompatible with Tablighi principles and diminish Islam's stature."
He further appealed to the government to ensure the basic and religious freedoms of all citizens impartially. "We are willing to sit down with both parties and responsible government officials to reach a resolution, as we have always sought to end this religious conflict," he said.
Additionally, he demanded the withdrawal of false cases filed against senior Tablighi elders and the unconditional release of Tablighi leaders, Shaikhul Hadith Maulana Zia Bin Qasem and Mufti Muaz Bin Noor, who have been unjustly detained.
Fireworks at 31st Night May Lead to Jail or Fines
To prevent harmful noise pollution and air pollution affecting public health and biodiversity on New Year's Eve, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change will conduct mobile courts to stop activities such as fireworks, firecrackers, and sky lanterns.
This information was provided in a press release signed by Deputy Chief Information Officer Dipankar Bar on Monday (December 30).
According to the release, under the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2006, these activities are punishable offenses. For a first-time offense, the punishment can include one month of imprisonment, a fine of 5,000 BDT, or both. Repeated offenses can result in six months of imprisonment, a fine of 10,000 BDT, or both.
The release further mentioned that fireworks and firecrackers contribute to noise and air pollution. Excessive noise pollution increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and mental stress. Additionally, sky lanterns can lead to fire hazards and harm biodiversity.
Highlighting the ministry's initiative, it was stated that letters have been sent to Dhaka's clubs and various organizations, urging them to refrain from fireworks, firecrackers, and sky lanterns during the New Year celebrations. Everyone is requested to abstain from these harmful activities in the interest of public welfare.
Hindu Candidates Not Barred from Govt Jobs: Press Wing
Recently, a claim was made by a social media account named "Times Algebra" on X (formerly Twitter) that the Government of Bangladesh has barred Hindu candidates from government jobs. However, the Chief Advisor's (CA) Press Wing Facts has stated that this claim is completely false and fabricated.
On Thursday (January 2), this clarification was made through a post on the verified Facebook page of the Press Wing Facts.
The statement emphasized that the Government of Bangladesh does not discriminate against any citizen based on religion. It also noted that the quoted statement attributed to the Home Affairs Advisor in the post is baseless.
The post by "Times Algebra" alleged that the Government of Bangladesh has issued a new order prohibiting Hindus from joining government jobs. It further claimed that more than 1,500 applications from Hindu candidates were rejected for positions ranging from constables to high-ranking police officers.
Plan to Integrate Metro Rail Payments with 'Alap Pay'
The state-owned Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) is planning to integrate metro rail and other utility payments into its digital wallet, "Alap Pay." The initiative aims to offer customers a seamless, single-window platform for various utility payment services, according to a report by BSS.
BTCL’s Managing Director, Md. Anwar Hossain, stated that the company envisions a future where payments for services like metro rail, flyovers, and bridges can be made through the Alap wallet.
Additionally, BTCL plans to expand Alap Pay’s capabilities to include the payment of electricity and water bills.
Officials involved in the initiative mentioned that BTCL is in discussions with Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) to determine how these services can be integrated.
Alap Pay was initially developed to allow customers to pay their landline bills more conveniently. In March 2021, BTCL launched "Alap," an over-the-top (OTT) calling application, which offers unique customer numbers to make calls to any mobile or landline number.
