Briefing 2023-01-07

New Year brings no cheer for investors

The benchmark equity index retreated marginally at the end of the first trading week of 2023 as there is no sign of economic pain ending anytime soon. Buying activity remained subdued as investors are worried over what the country's economic condition will be in the coming months though remittance and export earnings rose last month, said a leading merchant banker, requesting anonymity. Page 9

Half of glaciers may vanish by 2100-end

Half of the Earth's glaciers, notably smaller ones, are destined to disappear by the end of the century because of climate change, but limiting global warming could save others, according to a new study. The findings, published in the journal Science on Thursday, provide the most comprehensive look so far at the future of the world's 215,000 glaciers. Page 14

Sylhet Strikers take BPL T20 opener

Young fast bowler Rejaur Rahman Raja registered his T20 career-best 4-14 as Sylhet Strikers romped to an eight-wicket win against Chattogram Challengers in the first match of the ninth edition of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on Friday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Pakistan recruit Mohammad Amir complemented Raja with an envious figure of 4-1-7-2 as Chattogram found them in wanting in overcast condition. Page 15

World food prices hit record high in 2022

A surge in the cost of most food commodities last year, as the disruption caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine raised concerns of shortages, sent the UN food agency's average price index to the highest level on record. Page 16