News Watch (15-01-2018)

Lactalis salmonella scam hits 83 countries

PARIS, Jan 14: A salmonella scandal at the French dairy group Lactalis has affected 83 countries, where 12 million boxes of powdered baby milk are being recalled, the company's CEO said Sunday in an interview with French media. "We must take account the scale of this operation: more than 12 million boxes are affected," he said. Distributors would no longer have to sort through the produce. "They know that everything has to be removed from the shelves," he said. — AFP

PM seeks more Canadian investment

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday sought more Canadian investment in various sectors of Bangladesh for the mutual benefits of the two countries. The Prime Minister made the request when newly appointed Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Benoit Prefontaine met her at her Jatiya Sangsad office. Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh needs more investment to achieve further economic progress through development of various sectors. — UNB

Dropout rate stands at 18.8pc in primary edn

Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman on Sunday told Parliament that the dropout rate in the country's primary education is 18.8 per cent. "According to the Annual Primary School Census 2017, the dropout rate in the primary education is 18.8 per cent," he said placing the data while replying to an unstarred question. The reasons behind the dropout are poverty, unawareness, child labour, remote communications and illiteracy, the minister said. Noting that different programmes are underway at the field level to prevent the dropout, Mostafizur Rahman mentioned the programmes in the House. — UNB