Briefing 18-06-2021

Stocks close nearly flat
Stocks closed nearly flat on Thursday after remaining steady in the previous two days, as an extension of lockdown and the rising trend of coronavirus cases prompted investors to adopt a cautious stance. The market opened on a positive note and the key index climbed more than 40 points within the first hour of trading, but the remaining hours of the session saw all the initial gains erased. Page 9
Crude oil prices retreat
Crude oil prices dipped on Thursday as a stronger US dollar brought them off multi-year highs. Brent crude oil futures dropped 33 cents, or 0.4 per cent, to $74.06 per barrel by 0836 GMT in the day. They hit their highest since April 2019 in the previous session. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures inched down 28 cents, or 0.3 per cent, to $71.87 per barrel, after reaching their highest since October 2018 the previous day. Page 19
Myanmar junta burns village
Government troops have burned most of a village in Myanmar's heartland, a resident said Wednesday, confirming reports by independent media and on social networks. The action appeared to be an attempt to suppress resistance against the ruling military junta. Government-controlled media reported the fires were set by "terrorists" the armed troops were trying to arrest. The government and its opponents each refer to the other side as "terrorists." Page 17
Mizanur 1st centurion of Dhaka T20
Mizanur Rahman of Brothers Union hit 65-ball 100 on Thursday against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and became the first batsman to score a century in the ongoing Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier Division Twenty20 Cricket League at BKSP. Sheikh Jamal won the toss and sent the Brothers bat first, who riding on Mizanur's bat, scored 133 for two in 17 overs before the rain came and interrupted the game. Page 15