Costa Rica put a huge dent in Japan`s hopes of reaching the World Cup last 16 as they recovered from their hammering by Spain to claim a surprise 1-0 victory in Group E on Sunday. Keysher Fuller`s 81st-minute effort, Costa Rica`s first shot on target in a dreary game, stunned the drum-beating Japanese fans in the stadium and left the group wide open. Japan`s historic victory over Germany in their opener coupled with Costa Rica`s 7-0 drubbing by Spain cleared the way for Japan to reach the last 16 with a game to spare.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said they are not worried about the election-related remarks made by Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki, noting that evil-doers might take advantage of his simplicity. “He (Naoki) is a simple and good person. He is a good friend of Bangladesh. We are not worried about his remarks,” Momen said while responding to a question after attending an international workshop organized by Association of Surgeons for Sleep Apnea, Bangladesh in a Dhaka hotel. Regarding the postponement of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s planned visit to Japan, the Foreign Minister said the Bangladesh side postponed considering a number issues including “instability” within the Japanese government. Momen said three influential cabinet members of Japan have resigned recently and they have heard that there will be some proposals at the parliament (National Diet of Japan) regarding the sitting Prime Minister Fumio Kishida

Country`s both bourses, Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) yesterday also witnessed an upward trend like earlier as investors continued their buying spree on large-cap issues amid optimism. DSEX, the prime index of the DSE, went up by 17.17 points or 0.28 per cent to settle at 6,232.29. The DSE 30 Index, comprising blue chips, and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) also gained 12.73 points to finish at 2,202.39 and 9.89 points closing at 1,363.99. Turnover, a crucial indicator of the market, stood at Taka 3397.37 million on the country`s premier bourse which was Taka 3,238.03 million at the previous session of the week. Gainers took a modest lead over the losers, as out of 312 issues traded, 50 closed green, 43 in the red and 219 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor. AAMRANET was the day`s best performer, posting a gain of 9.97 per cent while ORIONINFU was the worst loser, losing 7.49 per cent.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday said the government will be compelled to take tough actions if BNP disrupts the lives of the people and tries to hold rally at Naya Paltan with the intention of creating chaos by blocking busiest road of the capital. "We know that the arsonists are hiding in Dhaka city and they are trying to come out marking the rally. The BNP leaders, who are vocal and giving statements, are the financers, patrons and order givers of the arson attacks. The government would take tough actions against them, if needed," he said. The minister said these to reporters while replying to a query at CIRD

Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday said the government will not obstruct the BNP`s rally to be held in Dhaka city on December 10. "But if BNP men try to play game with fire and sticks, we along with the country`s people will give them a befitting reply," he said while speaking virtually at the triennial conference of Pirojpur Zilla AL joining from his official residence here. Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said as per the instruction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the conference of Bangladesh Chattra League has been rescheduled on December 6 from December 8 so that the BNP can hold its rally properly on December 10.