Briefing 2023-07-09

Downgrading to 'Z' pushes three
companies to top of loser list
Since losing their 'A' category status, three non-performing companies saw their steep price fall, becoming the top losers of the last week on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE). Additionally, three other companies that are still in the 'B' category faced the same fate as they are set to be downgraded to 'Z' category shortly. Page 9
Mushfiqur first BD player to play 250 ODIs
Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim has scripted yet another milestone as he has become the first Bangladesh player to appear in 250 ODI matches. The second ODI against visitors Afghanistan on Saturday marked his milestone. Mushfiqur made his ODI debut back in August 2006 and did not take long in cementing his place in the team. The right-handed batter has contributed with regular runs in the middle-order and his wicket-keeping abilities make him an even greater asset. Page 13
US to send Ukraine cluster bombs
US President Joe Biden has defended his "very difficult decision" to give Ukraine cluster bombs, which have a record of killing civilians. The president said it had taken him "a while to be convinced to do it", but he had acted because "the Ukrainians are running out of ammunition". Ukraine's leader hailed the "timely" move. But the UK's PM said the country "discourages" the use of cluster bombs, while Spain criticised the decision. Page 14
'Industry-academia linkage' needed for skill dev
Speakers at a discussion on Saturday stressed the need for an industry-academia linkage to reduce skill mismatch. They also recommended better collaboration, coordination and synchronisation between the industry and academia to secure the country's future economic development as well as to reduce the existing skill mismatch. Page 16