World wine output to fall to lowest in 60 years

PARIS, Nov 12 (Reuters): World wine production is expected to fall to its lowest level in 60 years in 2023 due to poor harvests in the Southern Hemisphere and in some major European producers, the International Organisation of Vine and...

Turkish Airlines talks to Airbus about ordering 355 new jets

ANKARA, Nov 12 (Reuters): Turkish Airlines (THY) on Saturday held talks with Airbus to discuss a potential order of 355 new aircraft, the state-run Anadolu news agency said.During the meeting, which took place in Istanbul, officials from Turkish Airlines discussed...

Exxon to start EV battery metal production by 2026 in Arkansas

Exxon Mobil is set to unveil its long-awaited lithium strategy on Monday with an announcement that it aims to start production of the electric vehicle (EV) battery metal in Arkansas by 2026, according to a source with direct knowledge of...

News in Brief--(2023-11-13)

40 construction workers trapped as tunnel collapses in IndiaDEHRADUN, Nov 12: At least 40 construction workers were trapped Sunday after the road tunnel they were building collapsed in northern India, with rescuers scrambling to reach them beneath piles of debris....

Legal experts see uphill battle in Trump's fraud case

NEW YORK, Nov 12 (BBC): This week marked the end of the most dramatic phase of Donald Trump's New York business fraud trial, which saw high-profile members of his family make the journey to Lower Manhattan one by one to...

Australia holds cyber crisis talks

SYDNEY, Nov 12 (AFP): Australian government agencies held crisis talks on Sunday in response to a cyber incident that has disrupted operations at key ports across the country.Port operator DP World halted internet connectivity at ports in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane...

Netanyahu rejects calls for truce

GAZA STRIP, Nov 12 (AP/Reuters/BBC): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed back Saturday against growing international calls for a cease-fire, saying Israel's battle to crush Gaza's ruling Hamas militants will continue with "full force."A cease-fire would be possible only if...

Launching effective rat-killing drive

Rats can be found everywhere in Bangladesh. From crop fields to sewers, garbage bins, food warehouses, factories, restaurants, offices, shops and homes, rat infestation is everywhere. Their reproduction rate is also very high. A pair of rats can produce more...

Beware of dangling electrical wires

We often come across dangling electric wires including internet, and cable TV wires in Dhaka city. These wires, which are potentially dangerous, can cause serious fire-related accidents. We have already experienced a number fire accident reports that are related to...

A book on rivers with 500 mistakes!

Environmental and river protection activists have brought to public notice as many as 500 mistakes in a book, Bangladesher Nad Nadir Sanga and Sangkha (Definition of rivers and their number in Bangladesh) published by the National River Conservation Commission (NRCC)....

Dealing with disgruntled workers

The workers of the country's highest export earning sector, the Readymade Garment (RMG) Industry, have for the last few weeks been holding protest demonstrations to raise their minimum wage. At the 4th meeting of the minimum wage board (formed in...

Deepening dollar crisis set to multiply consumers' woes

The country's foreign exchange (forex) market has gone berserk lately, as speculations about the short supply of greenback have gained strength. Kerb market operators, who are not guided by any rules and regulations, have been raising dollar-selling prices at will....

Abolishing veto power in “Parliament of the World”

The UN High Commissioner (UNHC) for UNHCR, a former Head of UNRWA, in a statement a few days ago in the UNSC interestingly pointed out several unsatisfactory dimensions pertaining to the refugee problem in several parts of the world because...

A major health disaster hidden from plain view

Would you be concerned, if you are told about an ancient disease that is so virulent in the present day that it actually makes the Covid-19 pandemic seem like a seasonal 'flu? What if you are told that this disease...

Khulna ready to welcome Prime Minister after 4.5 years

KHULNA, Nov 11 (BSS): Khulna is ready to welcome Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday for her first public rally in the district after over four-and-a-half years.Her last visit to Khulna was on March 3 in...

Dengue claims six more lives

The health authorities on Saturday reported six more deaths including four in Dhaka due to dengue fever, taking the total fatalities to 1,466 this year. Of the total deaths, 861 were from Dhaka, according to the Directorate General of Health...

Gas crunch hits transport operation in Ctg as CNG refuelling stations shut

CHATTOGRAM, Nov 11: Vehicular movement in the port city is facing a setback as the CNG refuelling stations here remain closed during the daytime due to the incessantly acute gas crisis in Chattogram. Due to the unavailability of gas, thousands...

EU team due in Dhaka today to review progress in labour sector

A delegation of the European Union (EU) is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka today (Sunday) to have discussions with relevant stakeholders on the country's labour sector, reports UNB.Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action...

Arab, Muslim leaders for end to Gaza war

RIYADH, Nov 11 (Reuters): Saudi Arabia and Muslim countries called on Saturday for an immediate end to military operations in Gaza, declaring at a joint Islamic-Arab summit in Riyadh that Israel bears responsibility for "crimes" against Palestinians.Crown Prince Mohammed bin...

Govt takes hard line against potato market manipulators

The government has decided to take stern actions against those involved in potato-market manipulation and instructed the district administrations across the country to take austere steps in this regard.The measures would be taken if the government agencies concerned find involvement...

The city experienced traffic jam

The city experienced traffic jam even on Saturday, a weekend day, as BNP and other opposition parties called a 48-hour blockade beginning this (Sunday) morning. The photo was taken in Zero Point area of the city. — FE photo by...

BD likely to get first NDB loans of $765m early next year

The New Development Bank (NDB) is likely to confirm Bangladesh two loans worth US$765 million early next year to improve gas and water supply networks of Bangladesh, officials said on Saturday. This is for the first time the country is...

Briefing 2023-11-12

Anniversary Supplement

Prayer Timings (2023-11-12)

Today's match (2023-11-12)

Fresh two-day BNP blockade begins today

Another spell of countrywide two-day blockade called by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will begin at 6:00 am today (Sunday) to realise their demands including immediate resignation of the government for holding national elections under a non-partisan caretaker government.Earlier Senior...

Chamber leaders slam blockades

Some leading chamber bodies have condemned the ongoing blockade programmes at a time when the country is facing an inflation pressure and a foreign currency liquidity crunch. Heads of the chambers said such political programmes were hurting the country's image...

Wages board for EPZ workers formed

Amid the ongoing tussle between the government and garment workers over minimum wage, a minimum wage board (MWB) has been formed for the employees of the Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and Economic Zones (EZs).Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA) Executive...

Heavy tax liability drives away taxpayers, increases defaulters

A regressive direct-tax measure discourages many who missed deadlines in previous years from submitting returns for fear of bloated tax liability as a punishment for noncompliance, be it intentional or unintentional.Many taxpayers, both corporate and individual, have said they would...