Siddique Islam - Bangladesh Business News

Sachin Tendulkar makes singing debut with Sonu Nigam

Siddique Islam — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 13:00:06 +0000

It did not take much time for people on social media to spot his latest venture and #Cricketwaalibeat started trending on Twitter. Photo taken from The Indian Express.

Mumbai, India (BBN) - Sachin Tendulkar announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in November 2013, and yet has continued to remain in a lot of our hearts as the ‘god of cricket’.
Although we fervently wish to see the master blaster back on the field, he is back, albeit in a different avatar, reports The Indian Express.
In his latest innings, the former cricketer’s debuts in singing with Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam in a song titled ‘Cricket waali beat’.
It did not take much time for people on social media to spot his latest venture and #Cricketwaalibeat started trending on Twitter.
The song had its world TV premiere on the grand finale of singing TV reality show “Indian Idol 9” on April 2.
“He is a very good singer.
We did not use pitch corrector on his voice as he was singing in the right sur (tone) and (despite being) the shy person that he is, he got extremely comfortable the moment I kind of increased the masti (fun) quotient while we were shooting the video.
It was wonderful and I am very happy that people are loving the song,” Nigam said.
“Sachin Tendulkar is a phenomenon not just for India, but for the world, especially for the world of cricket.
When he is given the title of god, it’s not just by chance.
His whole demeanour, whole career, entire reputation and the spotless career that he has had, is the reason why he is called the God of cricket,” he further added.
The Arjuna Award winner had earlier released his autobiography named “Playing It My Way”, and recently he launched his digital app 100MB.
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Monday’s evening business round up of Bangladesh

Siddique Islam — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 12:00:20 +0000

Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) – The BBN (Bangladesh Business News) has prepared Monday’s evening business round up compiling reports, published by different newspapers and news portals in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s stocks rebound amid increase turnover
Bangladesh’s stocks returned to higher on Monday, snapping a three-day losing streak, as optimistic investors took position on some large-cap stocks.

BDT depreciating mood continues at Monday closing
The depreciating mood of Bangladesh Taka (BDT) against the US dollar continued during the evening transactions on Monday in the inter-bank foreign exchange (forex) market.

Asian markets higher, Trump’s N Korea comments weigh
Asian shares were higher on Monday, with Chinese markets closed for holiday, on the first trading day of the new quarter, as traders eye news ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the US.

Top 5 things to know in the global financial market on Monday
Here are the top five things you need to know in financial markets on Monday, April 3

Nifty ends at record closing high of 9,238 on robust FII inflows
The NSE index ended at a record closing high on Monday, while the rupee strengthened to its highest in nearly 1-1/2 years as the sentiment was lifted by a surge in foreign investments last month betting on government reforms and an improving economy.
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Bangladesh govt launches safety campaign for RMG workers

Siddique Islam — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 11:29:19 +0000

Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - In a bid to create awareness on the basic Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), the Bangladesh government has launched a safety radio-based campaign titled 'Safe Work-places, Go ahead Bangladesh for RMG workers.
The campaign will broadcast a series of 19 episodes on Dhaka FM 90.4 on Thursday and Friday, reports the Fibre 2 Fashion.
Each episode will highlight OSH related problem.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Department of Inspections for Factories and Establishments in collaboration with the International Labour Organization funded by Canada, Netherlands and UK will implement the campaign.
"Efforts to improve workplace safety remain the highest priority for Bangladesh government.
The campaign will reach out to RMG workers to help them better understand many safety areas," said senior labour and employment secretary Mikail Shipar.
A large number of RMG workers will benefit from the campaign, said ILO country director for Bangladesh Srinivas Reddy.
He added that it is vital that the safety culture will go beyond the RMG sector.
The campaign will also include a series of safety-related radio commercials which will focus on various issues such as what to do in case of fire, maternity protection and the role of safety committees which comprise representatives of the management and workers.
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This mom makes cards for her daughter every day!

Siddique Islam — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 10:48:26 +0000

New York, US (BBN) - A teenage boy paid tribute to his creative mom in a very sweet way.

On Thursday, a 15-year-old Reddit user named Eli shared a photo of the creative cards his mom, Kirsten, makes for his 8-year-old sister, Lucia, reports The Huffington Post.

In the caption, he wrote, “My mom goes out of her way every day to make one of these cards for my 8-year-old sister.

I feel like she isn’t appreciated as much as she should be, but I wanted to share to you guys some of my favorites!”

Eli told The Huffington Post his mom has been making the cards for about a year.

“She got her inspiration after my 8-year-old sister started having health issues concerning her ability to use the bathroom and her overall feeling ill,” he said.

“She doesn’t use any photos from websites but gets the inspiration from drawing the character from memory.”

The teen said his sister loves the cards and often shows them off to her friends at school.

The uplifting drawings and messages also help her get through difficult days.

Eli’s Reddit post received a lot of positive attention and rose up to the front page.

Many Redditers shared their childhood memories of their own mothers.

Kirsten was touched by all the affirmative feedback.

“I hope people see that our parents do care for us,” Eli told HuffPost. “And maybe those cards you got back then seemed annoying ― that was our parents trying to reach out and show their affection.”

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Bangladesh’s stocks rebound amid increase turnover

Siddique Islam — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 10:05:44 +0000

Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - Bangladesh’s stocks returned to higher on Monday, snapping a three-day losing streak, as optimistic investors took position on some large-cap stocks.
Analysts said the market rebounded as investors showed their buying appetite on sector specific large-cap shares amid optimism.
Following the previous three days’ correction, the market opened higher and the key index of the major bourse rose 34 within first 30 minutes of trading, but in the mid-session eroded half of the initial gains.
However final hour’s strong buying closed the market nearly 48 points higher.
The key index of the country’s prime bourse advanced 47.96 points while the Selective Category Index of port city bourse jumped 106 points at the closing.
DHAKA STOCK EXCHANGE:
DSEX, the benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), finished at 5,739.33 points, advancing 47.96 points or 0.84 per cent over the previous session.
The two other indices also finished higher.
The DS30 index, comprising blue chips, saw sharp gain of 32.07 points or 1.54 per cent to close at 2,115.98 points.
The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) also advanced 18.34 points or 1.41 per cent to stand at 1,320.02 points.
Turnover, the important indicator of the market, rose to BDT 9.38 billion, which was 27 per cent higher than the previous day’s BDT 7.41 billion.
The gainers took a strong lead over the losers as out of 329 issues traded, 161 closed higher, 129 closed lower and 39 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor.
LankaBangla Finance dominated the DSE turnover chart for the second day in a row with some 7.07 million shares worth BDT 449 million changing hands, followed by City Bank BDT 396 million, Beximco Pharmaceuticals BDT 355 million, IDLC Finance BDT 327 million and Square Pharmaceuticals BDT 335 million.
Navana CNG was the day’s the best performer, posting a 7.77 percent gain, while Fareast Finance was the worst loser, slumping by 8.87 per cent.
CHITTAGONG STOCK EXCHANGE:
The port city bourse, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also returned to higher with its Selective Categories Index - CSCX -jumping 106 points to settle at 10,795 points.
Gainers beat losers as 124 issues closed higher, 85 closed lower and 35 remained unchanged on the CSE.
The port city bourse traded 17.88 million shares and mutual fund units’ worth BDT 653 million in turnover.
BBN/MS/SK

Asian markets higher, Trump’s N Korea comments weigh

Siddique Islam — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 09:32:08 +0000

Beijing, China (BBN) - Asian shares were higher on Monday, with Chinese markets closed for holiday, on the first trading day of the new quarter, as traders eye news ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the US.
US President Donald Trump told the Financial Times Sunday that the US will take unilateral action to eliminate nuclear threats from North Korea, unless China, one of the hermit state's closest ally, intensifies pressure on Pyongyang, reports CNBC.
China's Xi is set to meet with Trump on Thursday and Friday at the latter's Florida Mar-a-Lago golf resort.
Japan's Nikkei 225 added 0.39 per cent or 74 points at 18,983.23.
The Bank of Japan's Tankan quarterly survey showed that large Japanese manufacturers' sentiment was up +12, lower compared to a Reuters poll forecast for +14.
Japan's service sector saw sentiment improve, up +20.
"For the manufacturing sector, exports are growing especially to the US, China and Asia, but I guess people are a bit concerned about what's happening in the US," said Sayuri Shirai, professor at Keio University.
Toshiba shares plunged 5.47 per cent on Monday after Reuters reported that the Japanese conglomerate might miss a third deadline to report its quarterly business results.
Across the Korean strait, the Kospi added 0.34 per cent or 7.3 points to close at 2,167.51.
South Korea's first digital bank, K Bank, launched on Monday and will allow customers to open a bank account or apply for a loan on customer's smart-phones.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index climbed 0.5 percent by mid-afternoon.
Huishan Dairy shares were suspended on Monday, after its chairman and controlling shareholder sold his shares during the company's plunge last Friday which wiped off more than $4 billion off the market capitalization.
In Australia, the benchmark ASX 200 struggled for most of the session but finished up 0.13 per cent or 7.8 points at 5,872.7.
Earlier, data showed that February retail sales fell 0.1 per cent from January, while approvals to build new homes in February jumped 8.3 per cent, beating expectations of a 1 per cent drop.
Australian coal haulage group Aurizon Holdings said that damage from Cyclone Debbie in Queensland could mean some rail lines used by miners, including BHP Billiton, could be closed for repairs for more than a month.
Shares of Aurizon Holdings were down 1.14 percent, and BHP Billiton slipped 0.17 per cent.
Over in stateside markets, the Dow Jones industrial average fell 0.31 per cent to close at 20,663.22, the S&P 500 finished down 0.23 per cent to 2,362.72 and the Nasdaq composite was down 0.04 per cent to finish at 5,911.74.
The dollar index was trading steady at 100.49 against a basket of currencies.
Against the greenback, the yen was at 111.49, down from levels as high as 112.19 seen last Friday, and the Australian dollar slipped to $0.76 from $0.7633 earlier before the data.
In energy news, Iraq assured the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that it will fully comply with an agreement to cut supply, OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo said on Sunday in Baghdad.
But oil prices slipped on Monday on concerns of increasing shale output in the US which could weigh on the global oversupply.
Global benchmark Brent crude was down 0.24 per cent at $53.40 a barrel during Asian trade, and US crude slipped 0.16 per cent to $50.52.
Mainland Chinese and Taiwanese markets were shut for public holidays
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The key to happiness? Taking a short nap in the afternoon

Siddique Islam — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 08:45:53 +0000

Scotland, UK (BBN) - The secret of happiness could be as simple as having a quick snooze in the daytime, research suggests.
A study found that taking naps of less than 30 minutes improves our sense of well-being, as well as boosting performance, reports the Daily Mail.
The researchers have suggested a new word to describe the contented feeling after a brief doze: ‘nappiness’.
Professor Richard Wiseman, of the University of Hertfordshire, said: ‘Previous research has shown that naps of under 30 minutes make you more focused, productive and creative, and these new findings suggest ... that you can also become happier by just taking a short nap.’
However the study found that those who took longer naps were less happy than those who did not nap at all.
More than 1,000 people took part in the study, conducted for the Edinburgh International Science Festival.
Among the participants, 66 per cent of ‘short nappers’ who slept for less than half an hour reported feeling happy, compared with 56 per cent of ‘long nappers’ and 60 per cent of those who never napped.
Short nappers had an average happiness score of 3.67 on a five-point scale, no-nappers 3.52 and long-nappers 3.44.
The research also showed that 43 per cent of participants aged 18 to 30 were taking long naps during the day, compared with just 30 per cent of those over 50.
Only 11 per cent said they were allowed to take naps at work.
Prof Wiseman said: ‘A large body of research shows that short naps boost performance. Many highly successful companies, such as Ben & Jerry’s and Google, have installed dedicated nap spaces, and employees need to wake up to the upside of napping at work.’
Napping for just 20 to 30 minutes is said to improve creativity, focus and performance.
One study carried out by the American space agency Nasa on sleepy military pilots found that taking a 26-minute nap while the co-pilot was in control boosted alertness by 54 per cent.
On the other hand, frequent hour-long naps are associated with an 82 per cent increase in the risk of heart disease.
Former prime ministers Sir Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher both claimed to have slept just four hours a night, but took regular daytime naps.
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Bangladesh high-performance squad to tour Pakistan

Siddique Islam — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 07:44:15 +0000

Islamabad, Pakistan (BBN) - Shaharyar Khan, the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, stated that the Bangladesh Cricket Board will send a high-performance side to Pakistan later this year.
However, he noted that the dates for the proposed series haven't been decided yet, reports the Cricbuzz.
Shaharyar, who was in Colombo to partake in an informal meeting with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh's cricket chiefs, also observed that the island nation has been discussed as a likely venue for what was earlier supposed to be Pakistan's upcoming home series against Bangladesh.
"Bangladesh is agreeable to send its high-performance team to Pakistan, which is a big step," Shaharyar said on Sunday (April 2).
"They will play in Pakistan against our high-performance team.
As regards to the national team, they are not yet ready to come to Pakistan but we could play either in Bangladesh or in a third country, which is acceptable to both sides, or we could even do it in Sri Lanka.
"I think this time around the ICC wants [the high-performance teams] to play in July, but we will finalise the actual dates later.
Neutral venue [for the senior teams' series] is a possibility.
These days, Dubai is our neutral venue but it's very expensive.
So we might play in Sri Lanka, if they are free at that time," he said.
Last week, Bangladesh had refused to tour Pakistan for a two-match Twenty20 International series due to security reasons.
The PCB had reportedly invited Bangladesh to play the T20I series following the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to take place in June this year.
The last time Bangladesh toured Pakistan was in 2008 to play a five-match One-Day International series.
Shaharyar also indicated that Pakistan's tour of Bangladesh in July and August will go ahead as planned.
However, he said that they needed to work out a financial model which will benefit both countries.
Pakistan have already toured the Asian country twice since 2011.
"Yes, in July-August," Shahraryar said of the aforementioned tour, before adding, "We also have to agree on a financial model because this is the third time that Pakistan is playing Bangladesh in Bangladesh, which becomes a bit lop-sided.
I am assured that once we are able to have the two high-performance teams coming, the next time around the Bangladesh cricket team will come to Pakistan."
BBN/MS/SK

Google Doodle celebrates Bangladesh's architect FR Khan's birthday

Siddique Islam — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 07:05:33 +0000

California, US (BBN) - Google Doodle is celebrating the 88th birthday of structural engineer Fazlur Rahman Khan.

The engineer, who was named Construction's Man of the Year by Engineering News-Record in 1972, is credited with revolutionising the way skyscrapers were designed and constructed, reports the International Business Times.

Originally from Bangladesh, Khan moved to the US to study at graduate school and stayed in the country to work in the Chicago design office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. According to his daughter, Yasmin Sabina Khan, he recognised that traditional design and construction methods for tall buildings were uneconomical.

Khan developed new ways to frame tall buildings, which improved structural efficiency and economy.

In his 1965 design for Chicago's 100-storey John Hancock Center, Khan began using the "trussed tubed" structural system.

This system, which can be executed in both steel and concrete, uses diagonal bracing on all sides of a building's perimeter.

In 1971, while designing the world's tallest building of the time, Khan used the "bundled tube" system.

The Sears Tower, which has been renamed the Willis Tower, remained the world tallest building for 25 years.

"A humanitarian in his personal as well as professional life, he was inspired by the belief that his work had a positive impact and he encouraged other engineers not to lose track of the purpose of their profession," his daughter said.

In a statement after being named Construction's Man of the Year, Khan said: "The technical man must not be lost in his own technology.

He must be able to appreciate life, and life is art, drama, music and, most importantly, people."

Khan died in 1982 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at the age of 52.

The Google Doodle celebrating Khan's life and accomplishments was created by Lydia Nichols.

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Monday’s midday business round up of Bangladesh

Siddique Islam — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 06:51:40 +0000

Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) – The BBN (Bangladesh Business News) has prepared the business round up compiling reports, published by different newspapers and news portals Monday midday in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Taka depreciates two paisa against US$
The exchange rate of Bangladesh Taka (BDT) depreciated by maximum two paisa against the US currency in early hour transactions on Monday in inter-bank foreign exchange (forex) market.

Bangladesh’s stocks stay positive at midday
Bangladesh’s stocks stayed positive at midday on Monday as the optimistic investors remained on buying spree on sector specific large-cap stocks.

Crude oil falls slightly in Asia in think trade with China markets shut
Crude oil gave up slight early gains on Monday in Asia with China shut for a public holiday and investors shrugging off news at the weekend on upbeat output cuts by Russia and a pledge by Iraq to step-up compliance.

Gold holds slightly weaker in Asia after mixed regional data
Gold prices held slightly weaker on Monday in Asia after mixed regional data sets and political risk events this week in focus.

Sensex jumps 167 points

The NSE index rose as much as 0.51 per cent to a record high of 9,220.65, surpassing its previous peak in March, while the rupee hit its highest in nearly 1-1/2 years on strong foreign buying in domestic markets

Indian rupee firms up by 8 paisa to 64.77
Continuing its uptrend, the Indian rupee firmed up by another 8 paisa to 64.77 against the US dollar in early trade on increased selling of the American currency by exporters and banks.

Asian markets higher, Trump’s NKorea comments weigh
Asian shares were mostly higher on Monday, the first trading day of the new quarter, as investors digested economic data out of Japan and Australia.
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