12 June 2014

Joishthya 29, 1421 Shaaban 13, 1435 WORLD BANK GROWTH Regd. No. DA 6238 PROJECTION THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2014 Vol 2, No 73 6.7% 6.1%

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6 | HALF A MILLION FLEE UNREST IN MOSUL

7 | BUREAUCRACY A MAJOR BOTTLENECK

11 | NEW-LOOK ENGLAND SEEK COMFORT

Traffickers kill 6 illegal migrants in Bay of Bengal 2009

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Locals quiz RAB men for suspicious movement

2016

Source: World Bank GEP report

n Abid Azad

Rescued 140 Malaysia-bound men say their boat was stranded for 10 days Sarkar, with our n Kailash Cox’s Bazar Correspondent At least six people were killed and 140 others injured, of them 27 hit by bullets, when armed traffickers fired on a trawler carrying illegal Malaysia-bound passengers in the Bay of Bengal near the St Martin’s Island yesterday.

The passengers caught four traffickers, including Myanmar and Thailand nationals, while the rest managed to flee on boats, said Commander AKM Maruf Hassan, intelligence officer of the Bangladesh Coast Guard.

Members of the Coast Guard recovered five dead bodies while they suspect the body of another illegal migrants was washed away after he had received bullets and fallen into the sea.

Four of the five dead bodies were identified as Selim, 19, Saiful, 40, Rubel, 35, and Monir, 30.

A total of 318 Bangladeshis, two Thai nationals and one from Myanmar were in the Malaysia-bound trawler, coast guard sources said. Of the Bangladeshi passengers, most were inhabitants of Sonapur and Teknaf.

Quoting some rescued passengers, Maruf said the traffickers had begun firing on the passengers during a clash between the two groups around 12 noon.

“The clash erupted when the passengers asked the traffickers to return to the St Martin’s Island as the trawler had remained stranded in the Bay for some 10 days,” he told the Dhaka Tribune. Sources said the trawler’s engine had stopped working on its way to Malaysia, while the victims faced severe food shortage during the ordeal.

However, another source said the trawler had remained stranded having been intercepted by the Myanmar Border Guard Police near Cheetah Hill.

Maruf also said no government officials or forces of Myanmar was involved in the killing, adding that the traffickers were equipped with firearms.

When contacted, Coast Guard Teknaf Station Commander Kazi Harunur Rashid said: “Five bodies were recovered from the trawler and around 40 were rescued of whom 27 were hit by bullets. The others are also being rescued.”  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

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The trawler that carried Malaysia-bound passengers, six of whom were killed with many others injured by human trafficking brokers, return to St Martin’s Island yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Police threaten Ekram loyals Jamil n Mohammad Khan with our Feni Correspondent Police are allegedly threatening supporters of slain Fulgazi upazila chairman with dire consequence if they go on with the agitation programmes demanding punishment to those involved in the murder of Ekram.

The demonstrations that have been taken place over the last consecutive 20 days protesting the murder seemed to

have died down with the threat of law enforcers.

Police officials of the district are allegedly carrying out raids

District AL and local MP supporters join hands on the houses of Ekram supporters and threatening them to stop their ongoing programmes that include mass signature

campaign, hartal, formation of human chain and protest rally.

Along with police members of district Awami league and close associates of local ruling party lawmaker Nizam Uddin Hazari are also intimidating Ekram supporters to suppress the movement, said a supporter of Ekram.

As a part of the latest demonstration programmes, members of Nagarik Committee and Ekram Mancho announced to  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

It was around 3am yesterday. Some villagers of Dakkhin Saljana under Shibaloy police station in Manikganj heard loud noise from a road. Coming out of houses, they found some five unknown persons with torches trying to rescue their microbus trapped in the muddy road.

Later, the locals came together to the spot suspecting them to be robbers, and after enquiry, found them including the driver to be members of the Rapid Action Battalion. However, none of them had uniform.

Eyewitness Habibur Rahman, 30, said: “We did not see them before.

Their disposition was suspicious since they were trying to rescue the vehicle with the help of a seesaw, which was  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Thursday, June 12, 2014

PADMA BRIDGE

Army selected for river bank protection work n Asif Showkat Kallol The government has decided to give the Bangladesh Army the task of protecting a 1300-metre stretch of bank of the Padma River in Mawa-Kandirpara-Jashaldhia areas.

The Water Resources Ministry had already sent a proposal for the protection of the river bank to the cabinet division, a senior ministry official said, adding that the proposal will be placed before the cabinet committee on economic affairs for approval on Sunday.

The official said the proposal should be submitted to the economic affairs committee as the ministry had selected the Bangladesh Army for the river protection work of the Padma River. The river bank protection project involves Tk152.11 crore.

Continued erosion by the mighty river near Mawa old ferry terminal is now posing threat to the Padma Bridge site and also the Mawa-Kewrakandi new ferry terminal.

According to the ministry proposal, if the river erosion goes on, the design of the bridge would have to be partially altered.

This will mean changing the location of several pillars. All these will increase the bridge’s construction cost and in case, the erosion continues this year, the bridge authorities would have no other options but to bring some changes in the bridge’s design, according to the proposal.

The much-talked-about Padma Bridge will connect the southwestern region of the country with the capital. Construction of the 6.15km long bridge involving about $2.3 billion may start this year. The government will fund the mega project.

The project was to be originally funded by the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, Jica and the Islamic Development Bank. But the donors backtracked on funding the project on the grounds that corruption had taken place in selecting the project’s supervising consultant. l

Food minister: Dialogue not necessary

All-out campaign against Judge embarrassed to hear Ershad’s radar case n illegal migration

n Our Correspondent, Savar

n Rabiul Islam

It is not necessary to hold a dialogue with any political party and the mass people are living happy lives, said Food Minister Quamrul Islam yesterday, while inaugurating a two-day long digital fair at Savar in the outskirts of the capital as the chief guest.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman dreamt of a “digital Bangladesh” and the Awami League government, led by Bangabandhu’s daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been working relentlessly to fulfil that dream.

A total of 30 stalls have been taking part in the fair with the aim to inform peopole about different innovative digital ideas.

The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Savar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Kamrul Hasan Molla, while Upazila Chairman Alhajj Kofil Uddin and former female vice-chairman Rokeya Haque were present, among others. l

The government is going to launch a mass awareness programme against illegal migration across the country to put a check on it, particularly on the sea route.

“We will issue a circular on illegal immigration tomorrow [today] and it will be sent to all the union parishads to create awareness among the people about the risk of it, especially on the sea route,” said Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain at the Secretariat yesterday while exchanging views with a delegation of the newly-formed platform “Reporters for Bangladeshi Migrants.”

The minister made the remarks when the journalists drew his attention to the incident in which six people were reportedly killed and 124 others injured in a clash between some 300 illegal Malaysia goers and the human traffickers on-board a trawler near St.

Dhaka South City Corporation authorities evict illegal establishments at the entrance of Suhrawardy Udyan on the Dhaka University campus yesterday

Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

Martin’s, Cox’s Bazar yesterday.

Illegal migration to Malaysia has been sporadically prevalent on the sea route due to slow legal processes, Khandker Mosharraf said, adding that those who are involved in human trafficking get 10 years in jail as per the existing law.

Referring to a meeting between PM Sheikh Hasina and her Malaysian counterpart in Dhaka a couple of months back, the minister said a vested quarter of both countries has spent huge amounts of money so that the government to government system in migration is doomed to fail.

“But both countries are determined to follow the G to G system and the labour flow to the country (Malaysia) will increase soon,” the minister said, adding that a team was also scheduled to visit Malaysia on June 24 to take initiatives to increase the flow of labour. Under the system, a migrant has to spend Tk24,000 to go to Malaysia whereas previously, it was Tk3-4 lakh. l

A Dhaka special judge felt embarrassed yesterday to hear the arguments in the radar purchase corruption case against Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad and four others.

The day was set for the recording of closing arguments at the court of Dhaka’s Divisional Special Judge Md Abdur Rashid.

But when the trial proceedings started around 2:35pm, the judge felt embarrassed and declined to hear the argument, public prosecutor Md Shahin

Ahamed Khan told the Dhaka Tribune.

The judge said: “I feel embarrassed; I did not hear the arguments in the case [earlier]. The case will be sent back to the Dhaka’s District and Sessions Judge’s Court.”

Defence lawyer Sheikh Sirajul Islam said: “I do not know why the judge refused to hear the arguments.”

The closing arguments began on May 29 after the recording of the witness’ depositions.

Ershad, also the special envoy to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, did not

Two women enjoy yesterday’s sudden rainfall which brought some relief to city residents.

The photo was taken in the capital’s TSC intersection SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Formalin treated mango destroyed in Chittagong n CU Correspondent

A mobile court destroyed 186kg of formalin treated mangoes in a drive at the wholesale market in Chittagong city’s station road area yesterday.

Hasibul Hasan, executive magistrate of the district administration, led yesterday’s drive and destroyed the mangoes when they discovered the presence of alarming levels of formalin.

KM Hanif, assistant director (AD) of Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institution (BSTI), said the mobile court also fined the vendors responsible Tk20,000 under the Food Security Act. “The drives will be continued,” he added.

BSTI and Chittagong district administrations jointly conducted the drive with the assistance of law enforcement agencies. l

Robber killed in mass beating n Our Correspondent, Savar A robber died early yesterday due to a mass beating in Savar, Ashuliya.

Witnesses said locals caught a robber when a group of robbers tried to flee after an unsuccessful attempt to rob a businessman’s house in Sadarpur area. After nabbing him, the agitated locals gave him a mass beating, leaving him dead on the spot.

The businessman, Kanchan Ali, said a group of 10-12 robbers broke the main gate of his house early yesterday.

At this, his family members started

screaming and he informed some locals and neighbours about the incident.

When the locals gathered around the house, the robbers blasted two cocktail bombs and attempted to flee.

At one stage, the locals caught one of the gang members and beat him mercilessly, leaving him dead on the spot, Kanchan added.

Officer-in-Charge of Ashuliya police station Sheikh Badrul Alam said the body was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

The identity of the deceased could not be known, the OC added. l

Maruf said the Coast Guard members had arrived on the scene with additional boats and brought back the deceased and injured passengers, and also the detained traffickers, to the St Martin’s Island.

The trawler was carrying over 300 passengers, he said, adding: “According to locals, some of the stranded passengers sought help from their relatives over phone.”

Maruf said the dead bodies, injured passengers and the detained traffickers were handed over to local police.

Tofayel Ahmed, additional superintendent of police in Cox’s Bazar, said they had received five bodies and 40 injured men around 6pm and the injured were admitted to the 10-bed hospital on the island.

According to Coast Guard officials, they had reached the trawler around 3pm and brought it back to the island around 6pm. l

appear before the court. His counsel was present on his behalf.

Two other accused – former air force chiefs Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Sultan Mahmud and Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed – were present.

Assistant Superintendent of the then Anti-Corruption Bureau Md Ali Haider filed the case with Cantonment police station against five accused on April 4, 1992. The case says Ershad, in collusion with the four other accused, purchased radars for the air force and caused the state a loss of Tk64 crore. l

Freed Bangladeshi sailors to return today n Rabiul Islam Seven Bangladeshi sailors who were released by the Somali pirates last week are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka this morning.

They will arrive at 8:40am at Shahjalal International Airport in the capital, according to a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry.

The survivors were part of the crew of MV Albedo, a Malaysian flagged vessel that was hijacked by Somali pirates on November 26, 2010.

Following a lot of persuasion by the Bangladesh government, as well as relevant international organisations, the seven Bangladeshis were released alive on the evening of June 6 this year.

After being released, they were tak-

Traffickers kill six Police threaten Ekram loyals  PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

NASHIRUL ISLAM

 PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

hold a 48-hour general strike at Fulgazi but no one was found active on the hartal day.

Nizam supporters along with the law enforcers went to one of the conveners of Ekram Mancho and Jubo League leader of Fulgazi Golam Rabbani’s house last Tuesday and threatened him. After that, he disappeared.

Police also raided the house of Jakir Hossain, a leader of Bazar Banik Samity and general secretary of Fulgazi Sadar Union, last Tuesday and since then he has also gone into hiding.

The Dhaka Tribune correspondent tried several times to reach both Rabbani and Jakir but their mobile phones were found switched off.

However, Ahmed Nasir Uddin, officer-in-charge of Fulgazi police station, said police would never bar Ekram supporter from staging demonstrations, rather they would help them.

Meanwhile, Fulgazi Upazila Awa-

mi League President Jamal Uddin and acting secretary Nurul Islam in a joint statement on Tuesday late night said there was no existence of Ekram Mancho and Nagarik Committee in the upazila.

However, the agitation programmes and demonstration over the past 20 days were organised under the banners of Ekram Mancho and Nagarik Committee.

Rezaul Haque Jashim, elder brother of Ekram, said police along with supporters of district Awami League suppressed the movement.

He alleged that police were staging drama in the name of investigation, as there was no progress and the mastermind still not arrested.

When contacted, Abdur Rahman, president of Feni district Awami League, denied the allegation of threatening Ekram supporters. “I also want the killers be punished.”

After the death of Ekram on May 20, police so far arrested 25 people.

en to Nairobi where the Bangladesh High Commission arranged for their travel documents as well as accommodation, medical check-ups and air tickets to Bangladesh.

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the London-based Maritime Piracy and Humanitarian Response Programme actively worked with the government to recover the sailors. l

Of them, 13 have given confessional statements where the names of local ruling party lawmaker Nizam Hazari, and his associates Jahangir Adel and Jiaul Mister came up.

In the latest development, district police have taken local shooter Engineer Rasel on a five-day remand.

He was arrested by district DB police on Tuesday night around 9:30pm from Academy Road area.

Paritosh Gosh, superintendent of police of Feni, told the Dhaka Tribune that the investigation was under progress and the police were arresting the criminals.

No one involved in the murder would be spared, he said adding that there was no question of saving the criminals.

Asked about intimidating the people involved in demonstration he said there was no question of giving threat to anybody. This is nothing but a baseless claim, he said. l

Locals quiz RAB men for suspicious movement  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

brought from a nearby house without informing the dwellers. So, first we took them as robbers.

“One of them who claimed to be a Major-ranked official told us that they were from RAB’s intelligence wing and going to Faridpur. But all of them were in plain clothes.”

After the arrival of police within around one hour upon information provided by the locals, some more RAB persons came to the spot – situated near Nayakandi Bazar. The five and nine RAB members who came later were taken to the police station around 6am.

OC of Shibaloy police Rakibuzzaman said: “Firstly, they were five in number.

Later, nine more RAB members arrived at the scene. Of them, three were wearing RAB-inscribed jackets. We have 14 RAB members enlisted in our directory.”

However, the locals claim that four RAB men came to the spot on foot later, not nine.

According to the Shibaloy police,

the five RAB members are Maj HM Selimuzzaman, Lt Sarfaraz, driver Lance Corporal Waaz Uddin, Lance Corporal Alamgir and soldier Shafique.

The nine other members are Deputy Assistant Director Enamul, Sergeant A Alim, SI Hanif, ASI Yunus, Corporal Kabirul, Corporal Rafique, Soldier Ajibul, and soldiers Didar and Shahabur.

It was also found that neither the local people nor the police were aware of the reason behind the RAB members’ movement in that particular area and their destination.

The OC said: “The RAB informed us that they were patrolling in the area. We were not informed about any further details. Therefore, we do not know why they came and where they were going.”

The local people said it was the first time they had seen RAB members in the village. The elite force members claimed that they had been heading for Faridpur but used that road mistakenly.

There was another confusion regarding the number of firearms recov-

ered from the RAB men.

According to the police, they recovered three pistols, 21 round bullets and a black microbus having a number plate “Dhaka Metro Cha 53-4792.”

But the witnesses said except for the driver, there had been four pistols with the four RAB members.

Witness Habibur said while he was leaving the spot, the rear door of the NOAH microbus opened itself.

“When I went close to the door, I saw a switched-on laptop and discovered my photo on its screen. As I moved aside, the photo was not there.

“I saw three loaded bags, a large brown-coloured envelope and the laptop inside the microbus,” he said. There was no one else inside the vehicle.

He suggested that a video camera might be functioning either in the laptop or anywhere inside the microbus.

“It made us very much concerned about them. The police came to the spot swiftly and left the place in a hurry along with the RAB men,” said Harun, anoth-

er witness who is the son of local Union Parishad member Neel Chan Dhali.

“The Major-ranked person did not look like an officer at all considering his disposition. He and the four other members were wearing T-shirts, pants and leather sandal,” he added.

Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police Md Wahiduzzaman said: “The first five RAB members informed us that they were from the RAB headquarters while the rest from RAB 4.”

They were brought to the police station around 6am, he said. “We handed all of them over to RAB 4 Commander Md Foyzul Islam Mandal around 8:30 am,” the official added.

RAB’s Media Wing Director Wing Commander ATM Habibur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune: “Neither the RAB men were confined by the villagers nor detained by the Shibaloy police. The RAB men took shelter at the Shibaloy police station as their microbus faced faulty on the way to Faridpur to conduct an operation.” l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

3

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Court accepts charges against Destiny men n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A Dhaka court yesterday accepted charges against Destiny Group officials, including its Managing Director Rafiqul Amin, Destiny 2000 Ltd President Lt Gen (retd) M Harun-ur-Rashid and 49 others, in two money laundering cases involving around Tk 4,200 crore.

Judge of Dhaka Senior Special Judges Court Md Jahrul Haque issued arrest warrants against 46 fugitives out of the 51 accused. The court also directed officers-in-charge of different police stations concerned to submit reports by July 13.

Meanwhile, defence counsel Md Badiuzzaman submitted petitions before the court seeking bail for four of the accused, including Rafiqul Amin, but the court rejected it without holding a hearing on it.

Earlier on January 16, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) approved the charge sheets in the two cases against 51 officials of Destiny Group for swindling money.

On May 4, the anti-graft body submitted charge sheets in two cases against a total of 51 top Destiny Group officials on charges of embezzling and siphoning off Tk4,119 crore from the clients’ deposits. ACC Deputy Director Mozahar Ali Sarder and Assistant Director Tawfiqul Islam submitted the charge sheets before the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court.

3rd and 4th class employees to get deputation allowance n Mohosinul Karim The third and fourth class civil and military service employees serving on deputation in different offices will be awarded deputation allowances.

A Public Administration Ministry circular dated June 4 said the employees will get deputation allowances, which will be about 20% of their basic salaries.

The circular would not be applicable to RAB, SSF, and PGR members and the employees who received special deputation allowances, risk allowances or special guard allowances. The allowance has been made effective from February 10. l

According to the charge sheets, the accused misappropriated the money through Destiny’s tree plantation project and the cooperative firm, and laundered it abroad. The officials embezzled the money in the name of paying salaries, honorariums, commissions, incentives and promotional costs. They transferred the money to their bank accounts and to those of 20 companies under the group.

The names which appeared on the charge sheets include Rafiqul Amin, Harun ur Rashid, Mohammad Hossain, Gofranul Huq, Sayed-ur Rahman, Mejbah Uddin Swapan, Syed Sazzad Hossain, Irfan Ahmed Sunny, Farha Diba, Jamshed Ara Chowdhury, Sheikh Tayebur Rahman, Nepal Chandra Biswas, Zakir Hossain, Azad Rahman, Akbar Hossain Sumon, Shirin Akhter, Lt Col (retd) Didarul Alam, Rafiqul Islam Sarkar, Majibur Rahman, Sumon Ali Khan, Saidul Islam Khan Rubel, Abul Kalam Azad and 29 others.

On July 31, 2012, the ACC filed the cases under the Money Laundering Prevention Act 2004 and 2012 with Kalabagan police station against 22 officials of Destiny Group, accusing them of embezzling around Tk3,285 crore.

Harun-ur-Rashid was freed on bail but Rafiqul Amin, Mohammad Hossain, Didarul Alam and Ziaul Haque Mollah are now behind bars.

The remaining 46 are on the run. l

An agitated motorbike rider vandalises a microbus after it rammed into his bike while travelling on the wrong side of the capital’s Mayor Hanif Flyover yesterday

Witness: Qaisar led atrocities in Madhabpur n Udisa Islam A new witness against Syed Mohammad Qaisar yesterday said the accused had asked the Pakistani occupation forces to kill his maternal uncle’s younger brother during the 1971 Liberation War. Mohammad Omar Ali, 62, from Lohaid of Madhabpur in Habiganj, testified at the International Crimes Tribunal 2 as the 21st prosecution witness.

“On May 14 or 15 of 1971, I was eating with my uncle Akram Ali Chowdhury’s younger brother Noor Ali Chowdhury at his home, when one of my friends Abdul Khaleque came and told us that

Qaisar, his men and the Pakistani Army forces had entered our village,” Omar said.

After some time, the accused entered the backyard. The witness and his friend then hid in the house’s granary, Omar said.

“Then Qaisar hinted to the troops to kill Noor Ali, and they shot him dead.

The accused killed my uncle as he had not allowed Qaisar to hold a meeting in our yard during the 1970 elections,” he claimed.

The witness continued: “They also shot my uncle Akram Ali but he survived. That day, the forces killed at least seven people in our village.”

After the deposition, defence counsel SM Shahjahan cross examined him and the tribunal adjourned the hearing until today.

Earlier, Abdus Sobhan Tarafder, another defence counsel for Qaisar, grilled the 20th prosecution witness, Md Abdul Motaleb, who testified on Tuesday. The witness described the rape of indigenous woman Hiramoni Santal by two army men in the presence of the accused at a tea estate in 1971.

Former Jatiya Party state minister Qaisar is facing 16 charges of crimes against humanity he had allegedly committed in Habiganj. l

BLOGGER RAJIB MURDER

SC stays bail of accused, orders to surrender n Nazmus Sakib The Supreme Court yesterday ordered Sadman Yasir Mahmud, who was released on bail on June 4 in the blogger Rajib Haider murder case, to surrender before the lower court within two weeks.

Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, the chamber judge of the Appellate Division, passed the order, staying the HC order that had granted the accused a six-month bail on June 1.

The top court’s order came after a

petition was filed on behalf of the state

by Attorney General Mahbubey Alam and Deputy Attorney General Khurshedul Alam.

The Supreme Court lawyers Khandker Mahbub Hossain and BM Elias represented Sadman.

Rajib, an activist of the Shahbagh movement which sought capital punishment for all war criminals, was hacked to death in the capital’s Pallabi on February 15 last year.

The activist used to write on different blogs under the pen name “Thaba

Baba.”

In his last Facebook status, he demanded a ban on the institutions owned by the Jamaat-e-Islami. A day after his murder, Rajib’s father, Nazim Uddin, registered a murder case with Pallabi police station.

Two weeks after the filing of the case, the investigating officer arrested five North South University students who had reportedly confessed that they had killed Rajib on orders given by the chief of Ansarullah Bangla Team, a Bangladesh-based group of

people who allegedly sympathise with Al-Qaeda.

On February 18 this year, a Dhaka court took the charge sheet pressed against eight individuals including Sadman, a student of North South University, into cognisance.

The seven other accused are Mufti Jasim, Faisal Bin Nayeem alias Dwip, Maksudul Hasan alias Anik, Mohammad Ehsan Reza alias Rumman, Nayeem Sikder alias Irad, Nafiz Imtiaz and Redwanul Azad alias Rana. l

12 charged with human trafficking n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

Members of Gonotantrik Budget Andolon form a human chain in front of the National Press Club yesterday, demanding separate budgets for the districts NASHIRUL ISLAM

A case was filed yesterday against 12 people, including the OC of a police station, on the charge of human trafficking.

Miazi Selim Ahmed, director of Human Resources and Health Foundation, filed the case with the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal 5 in Dhaka.

Judge Tanjina Ismail of the tribunal recorded the plaintiff ’s statement, but she did not pass any order that day.

The accused are Babul Miah, OC of Sabujbagh police staiton, OC (investigation) Tajul Islam, Sub-Inspector Mintu, Emon, Brishti, Rohom Ali, Swapon, Akash, Nazma, Nasima, Surma, Banu alias Surma Banu, and Sumona Sardarni.

The complainant mentioned in his statement that the accused, in collusion with each other, were involved with trafficking women and children and lured the victims to the capital from different parts of the country. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

BLAST IN CTG MADRASA

Charge sheet against Mufti Izharul, 5 others submitted n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong The charge sheet of a murder case was submitted yesterday accusing five persons, including Hefazat-e-Islam Senior Nayeb-E-Ameer Mufti Izharul Islam Chowdhury.

Sub-InspectorMd Shah Alam of Khulshi police station, who is also the investigating officer of the case, submitted the eight-page charge sheet before the General Registry Office of Chittagong Metropolitan Court in the morning, naming 16 prosecution witnesses’ names.

The accused are Mufti Izharul, his son and Hefazat-e-Islam Training Secretary Harun and their accomplices and madrasa staff Junaied, Habibur Rahman and Mohammad Ishak, said Md Rezaul Masud, additional deputy commissioner (prosecution) of Chit-

tagong Metropolitan Police.

Excepting Mufti Izharul, all the other accused are behind bars.

The IO in the charge sheet said Mufti Izharul and his son Harun patronised explosives production and the other three accused assisted in the offence.

Earlier, on October 7, 2013, a deadly blast at a hostel room in Jamiatul Ulum Al Islamia Madrasa in Lalkhan Bazar of the port city killed three persons including two students of the madrasa.

Mufti Izharul is the founding director of the madrasa.

Later, police carried out a search at the madrasa and found some explosives and huge quantities of grenade-making materials.

Three cases – one for murder, one for possessing explosives and the other for possession of acid – were lodged with Khulshi police station. l

Witness: Subhan ordered my uncle’s killing n Udisa Islam The 12th prosecution witness in the war crimes case against Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Maulana Abdus Subhan yesterday described the brutality committed by the accused and his fellows during the 1971 Liberation War. Abdur Rahman Sarder, 66, a day labourer from Sahapur in Ishwardi of Pabna, also blamed Subhan for the killing of at least eight people, including his paternal uncle.

He said: “On May 2 of 1971, Maulana Abdus Subhan, along with the Pakistani troops, came into our village and set the houses on fire. Some 25 army men entered our house and Subhan, pointing at my uncle, told them ‘he is an Awami-tree [organiser], kill him.’

Following the order, the Pakistani Army shot him dead. Subhan’s cohorts looted our house and set it on fire.”

Another uncle Bakul told the witness that the troops and their local collaborators led by Subhan had killed Rajab Ali, Shamsur, Aktar Pramanik, Chand Ali Pramanik, Anar Pramanik, Rahim Pramanik and Hamid Uddin that day and burnt down at least 12 houses.

After his deposition, defence counsel SM Shahjahan Kabir cross examined the witness and the tribunal adjourned the trial until today, leaving it incomplete.

Acting chief of Pabna Jamaat and chairman of Peace Committee during the war, Subhan is facing nine charges of crimes against humanity. l

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Thursday, June 12, 2014

MPO allocation rises by 19.04% n Asif Showkat Kallol The government has increased the allocation for Monthly Pay Order by 19.04% in the proposed budget for the next fiscal year compared to the outgoing fiscal year without giving a single penny to any new educational institutions.

An official of the finance division said, “We have allocated huge amount of money in the outgoing and next fiscal years to teachers and employees of educational institutions for their salaries and allowances compared to the previous fiscal year.”

Finance Minister AMA Muhith in his budget speech did not utter any word about the allocation for new educational institutions under the MPO system despite huge pressure from lawmakers in last five years, but negotiation is continuing between two ministries over reintroducing MPO for new educational institutions, the official said.

In the next fiscal year budget, Tk7489.24 crore has been allocated for MPO, up by 19.04% than the initial budgetary allocation in the outgoing fiscal year, but it has been increased by 4.23% compared to the revised budget.

It is 25.63% of the total budget outlay on education in the next fiscal year. The MPO revised budget outlay is Tk7137.06 crore, but the initial amount was Tk6290.14 crore.

Muhith in his budget speech last week proposed Tk29,213 crore for education sector which is the highest allocation in the budget.

Education Secretary Dr Muhammad Sadique told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday, “We get surprised that the finance division has not allocated fund for new educational institutions. MPO budget outlay has increased by over 18% because of pay hike of MPO teachers and staff.”

He also said two ministries are still

talking about reintroduction of the MPO system for new educational institutions.

The education ministry officials said the government needed Tk1,600 crore more for under-MPO institutions.

However, the ministry in a survey found that 6,391 educational institutions under MPO had higher number of teachers than requirement. There are 27,647 educational institutions with a total of 370,579 teachers and 109,728 staff under MPO system.

The World Bank in its report last year said the government policy to award MPO facility to schools for improving the quality of education had largely failed. “There has been no strong impetus for improvement in the schools under the MPO system and underperforming schools are hardly penalised,” the report said.

The report titled Seeding Fertile Ground: Education That Works for

Bangladesh also said political support rather than adherence to quality criteria appears to be more important for the continuation of MPOs. Before budget announcement, the finance minister, who had obstinately refused to provide any budgetary allocation for MPO, softened his stance.

Muhith said he would grant fund only if the education ministry streamlines the schools, colleges and madrasas.

In the face of strong demand placed by the parliamentary standing committee on finance ministry, he said the government had a role in the expansion of educational institutions across the country.

In the last five years, he outright rejected the demand of lawmakers who allegedly make some quick bucks from teachers and employees of non-government educational institutions, promising them MPO facility. l

Minor boy hurt in crude bomb blast in capital n Mohammad Jamil Khan A 10-year-old schoolboy sustained serious injuries to his hands in an abandoned crude bomb blast in the capital’s north Mugda area yesterday when he started playing with the bomb, thinking it was a cricket ball.

When he hit the bomb, which was wrapped in red tape, with cricket bat, it went off with a big bang, leaving him injured The victim, Rabbi Hossain alias Robi, is a class-II student and the son of Abul Hossain, an employee of a decorator shop.

He was whisked off to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in a critical condition.

Riaz Morshed, residential surgeon of

DMCH emergency unit, told the Dhaka Tribune, “Robi’s hands were both badly damaged in the explosion. However, the condition of the right hand was comparatively severe, and the child will face difficulty in the future when trying to use it.”

Robi’s father Abul Hossain, who used to reside in house number 11/F in the area, said his child had gone to play cricket in front of his resident around 9:30am and at one stage, he found the abandoned cricket ball-like crude bomb.

When he hit the bomb, which was wrapped in red tape, with cricket bat, it went off with a big bang, leaving him injured. In this regard, Mugda police station OC Faruk Hossain said they visited the spot after being informed.

“Miscreants might have left the bomb behind when committing some offence,” the OC explained. l

Reformation of police law stressed n Adil Sakhawat The number of female police officials needs to be increased as they, like their male counterparts, are working at grassroots level to check crime, said Parliament Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury.

“Policewomen also work for the development of women,” she said while addressing the inauguration of the Second National Conference of Bangladesh Women Police Network (BWPN) at Police Staff College Bangladesh in the capital yesterday.

Commenting on the work environment of female police, Shirin said: “Women police officials work in some places where they have only male colleagues. If the number of female police officers is increased, they will feel comfortable when working with their male colleagues.”

She praised the police reform programme (PRP) as its second phase was running in collaboration with UNDP, DFID and EC. The speaker inaugurated the new

Fire at Secretariat n Mohosinul Karim A fire broke out yesterday afternoon at a Secretariat building in the capital.

The fire originated from a Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism electricity distribution box due to an electric short circuit around 4:40pm in the top floor of a 19-storey Secretariat building, However, no casualties were reported in the fire incident.

The officials and employees of the civil aviation and education ministries rushed there and got the fire under control within 10 minutes. Later, several fire service units visited the spot, the witnesses said. l

WEATHER

website of the BWPN during the programme.

Deputy Inspector General Mili Bishwas, who is also the President of BWPN, said the network now has seven regional committees capable of solving the problems of women police officials outside the capital.

National Project Director of PRP and Additional Inspector General Mokhlesur Rahman said: “The Police Act formulated during the British period in 1861 is still effective in Bangladesh but it needs to be reformed. I would request the speaker to take immediate steps to reform the age-old law.”

He said female police members outperformed their male colleagues in various different police stations and gained the trust of people.

“If the act is reformed, policewomen will get more opportunities to prove themselves,” he added.

At present, female police officials comprise 5.26% of the total police force, a number which was only 2% in 2008, said State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan. l

Different artists stage a sit-in at Chhobir Hat on the Dhaka University campus yesterday, protesting vandalism and looting of art pieces there

23 hurt in clash between BGB and villagers A journey from ‘I’ to ‘We’ n Our Correspondent, Khagrachhari At least 23 people were injured in a clash between law enforcers and indigenous villagers over the setting up of a new BGB battalion office at Babuchhara of Dighinala upazila in Khagrachhari on Tuesday afternoon.

A temporary BGB checkpost and the BGB soldiers’ kitchen were vandalised and two rifles were broken during the clash. Police fired bullets and teargas shells to bring the situation under control.

Among the injured are Mayarani Chakma, Saheli Chakma, Kamala Ratan Chakma, Anita Chakma, Ananda Chakma, Surati Chakma, and several others.

Witnesses said a group of indigenous

women and BGB personnel got into an altercation when the latter put a flag in the proposed helipad area for BGB 51 battalion. The situation intensified and led to an hour-long clash when the women claimed they owned the place and that it was beyond the BGB’s jurisdiction.

Major AKM Rabiul Hasan at BGB Khagrachhari sector headquarters said the BGB 51 battalion was reformed to ensure maximum security in the area.

“A meeting of the law enforcement agencies was held in the afternoon.

Around 300 indigenous women attacked, ransacked and vandalised the camp in the evening,” he said.

The indigenous women uprooted a BGB flag put up by the BGB of-

THUNDERSHOWER OR RAIN

THURSDAY, JUNE 12 DHAKA TODAY TOMORROW SUN SETS 6:47PM SUN RISES 5:10AM FORECAST FOR TODAY 38

Dhaka

30

Chittagong

35

28

Rajshahi

42

30

Rangpur

34

27

Khulna

40

28

Barisal

37

29

Sylhet

37

26

Cox’s Bazar

34

29

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

36.6ºC Satkhira

23.0ºC Rajshahi

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

3:44am 5:10am 11:59am 4:38pm 6:46pm 8:14pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

SADIA MARIUM

Family members take care of a woman, who was injured in the clash between BGB and Dighinala villagers yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

ficials in the batt allion area, said officer-in-charge of Dighinala police station, Shahadat Hossain Tito.

“When BGB members demanded an explanation, the women began making a racket and soon the local men joined them. At one stage, they vandalised the soldiers’ kitchen. A clash ensued which left 23 people, including villagers and BGB members, injured, and they were all sent to the hospital,” said Tito.

On-duty doctor at Dighinala Upazila Health Complex Dr Nishan Chakma said they had received 14 patients, including 13 women, until around 8:30pm.

Three of the injured were sent to Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital.

Several public representatives said a over-the-phone meeting was held at BGB battalion’s office where BGB officials, Babuchhara upazila Chairman Sugata Priyo Chakma, two vice-chairmen and some local influential people participated. During the meeting, both parties promised that they would wait till the final verdict on the ownership of the battalion area was delivered by the court.

Sources said the land was acquired in Babuchhara in 1991 to set up a BGB battalion but local indigenous people had filed a writ petition with a higher court when they got apprehensive that they would be evicted.

The first official founding anniversary of the BGB battalion was observed in Babuchhara on May 22 this year, following which the locals came into conflict with BGB over the land. l

n Tribune Report The Youth Leadership Summit 2014 started yesterday in the capital’s Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC).

Organised by Bangladesh Youth Leadership Centre (BYLC), the theme of the three-day event is “Strengthening the Spirit of Public Leadership: A Journey from I to We.” Nur Mohammad, secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ejaj Ahmad, the founder and president of BYLC, and Sarah Cooke, the country representative of DFID-UK, inaugurated the summit.

In his inaugural speech, Nur Mohammad said: “If you [youths] play a solo game, you will lose until you work in a team. That is the reason why leadership is very important. The endless potential of the youth will be utilised by the state.”

Sarah Cooke said: “Whether in politics, the civil service or civil society, public leadership is as important as leadership in the private sector. It is about integrity, vision, building coalitions, and the ability to seize opportunities to make changes for the better.”

The delegates participating at the summit will be trained to explore their leadership skills. Around 50 national and international speakers, including Barrister Sara Hossain, farmer rights activist Shykh Seraj, British High Commissioner Robert Gibson and Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Anneli Ken-

ny will speak at the event.

Sumaiya Tabassum, BYLC volunteer, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We received around 2,000 applications from 61 countries. Among them, we chose 450 local and 50 foreign delegates.”

“We sought compassion, courage and competence in each delegate. The government is working to create a youth policy. The delegates will make recommendations for the policy,” Nabeel Khan, facilitator of BYLC, told the Dhaka Tribune.

“Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury will address the closing ceremony on Friday where delegates will give her the recommendations for youth policy. There will be around eight panels, and each panel will discuss on various topics, such as gender and leadership, public leadership and others. There will be a career panel as well, where delegates will be sharing their plans about their career,” he added.

The curriculum of the summit follows that of the Harvard Institute for Leadership.

Taslima Rahman, a delegate and a BBA student at Dhaka University, told the Dhaka Tribune: “I want to learn about leadership and how to communicate with people. I also came here to make new friends.

“In the recommendation, I want to suggest a change in our education system. Our education system is not skillbased, but rather, it is more theoretical.

Now times have changed and practical knowledge is worth more.” l

Robbery at jewellery shop in city n Mohammad Jamil Khan

A group of armed assailants committed a vicious robbery at a jewellery shop in the capital’s Tantibazar area yesterday, where they shot the owner and staff in broad daylight.

The robbery took place around 2:30pm when the area was crowded.

Police said some 6-8 people entered the shop which was on the ground floor of seven storied Nawab Bhaban in the area. They wore black masks and started firing indiscriminately inside the shop. They then looted around 100 tolas of gold from the shop, holding Sumon Sutradhar, 38, the owner of

the shop, and Gonga, 22, a staff, at gun point, said Uttam Saha, the owner of a nearby shop.

When locals attempted to stop the robbers as they were leaving the spot, the robbers shot Suman and Gonga.

Suman is undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, and Gonga was taken to a private clinic for treatment.

Hearing the gunshots, the locals tried to come closer, but the criminals fired several more gunshots and blasted crude bombs, enabling them to get away.

When asked about the looted valuables, Papon, Sumon’s brother-in-law, told the Dhaka Tribune that it was not

possible to calculate the losses until Suman got well, since only Sumon knew the real figure. He, however, estimated that it might be around 100 tolas.

When contacted, Lalbagh division Additional Deputy Commissioner Abdus Salam said police had been investigating the incident and trying to nab the culprits and recover the gold.

No one was arrested in this connection till the filing of this report.

Meanwhile, shops owners and staff in the area staged a demonstration by closing their shops and demanded the immediate arrest of the attackers and that stern measures be taken against them. l

Gowher Rizvi, international affairs adviser to the prime minister, addresses the inauguration ceremony of the Youth Leadership Summit 2014 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

5

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Transport strikes cause much misery in 2 districts n Tribune Report Thousands of people living in Chuadanga and Mymensingh have suffered immensely as the transport owners and workers went on a transport strike for an indefinite period yesterday.

The transport workers in Chuadanga called the strike protesting the vandalism of two buses while drivers observed the strike protesting the ban on the operating of CNG-run auto rickshaw on highways.

In Chuadanga, transport workers put up a barricade of stagnant buses on Shahid Hasan Chattar road, causing all modes of transport to remain halted on all the streets of the district.

During the strike, no transport ran on the Chuadanga-Meherpur, Chuadanga-Jessore, Chuadanga-Jhenaidah, Chuadanga-Hatboalia and ChuadangaKarpasdanga routes.

No long distance buses, trucks, lorries or covered-vans were seen operating on the roads during the strike.

Local commuters suffered the most because of the strike.

Salim Hayat, a businessman, came

to the district from the capital and said he could not go to Dhaka because there was no transport availabile. “I am waiting for the end of the strike,” he said.

Hazera Bewa, a resident of Sadar upazila, said it was urgent for her to visit Jhenaidah for some family affairs, but she could not manage to get transport, even after waiting for hours. She said, “I would have to suffer again if I wanted to go back home.”

Rabiul Haque, a labourer leader, told the Dhaka Tribune that as bus owners demanded a ban on human hauliers on highways and roads, the human haulier workers had vandalised two buses in Nutun Bazar area of the district yesterday morning.

They also vandalised two buses at Daulatdia, he informed, adding that they had gone on strike protesting all the destructive activities of auto rickshaw drivers.

Abul Kalam Azad, General Secretary of Bus Owners’ Association demanded that the district administration immediately arrest the attackers and ensure their punishment.

He said they would continue the

Three killed in clashes n Our Correspondent, Kishoreganj

At least three people, including two children, were killed and 120 others injured in two separate clashes yesterday in Mithamoin and Karimganj upazilas of Kishoreganj district.

The deceased were Morjina Akter, 10, the daughter of Abdur Rahim and a Class IV student of a local primary school in Ghagra village, Robin Mia, 12, a Class V student and the son of Asad Mia, and Jakaria, 35, the son of Rusmat Ali of Bargharia village in Karimganj.

Mithamoin police station Officer-inCharge Nasiruddin Bhuiyan said: “The supporters of local AL leaders Hafiz Uddin Member and Abu Naser locked into a clash, using locally made weapons, around 12pm over the establishment of

supremacy in the area, leaving the children dead on the spot and about 100 others injured.”

He said: “Of the injured, Jusef, 12, Lokman Mia, 13, Shahinur Begum, 20, Toiob Ali, 30, Salam Mia, 32, Mirjahan, 14, Mukhlesur Rahman, 18, and Nabi Hossain, 25, were sent to Mymensingh Medical College and Hospital and Kishoreganj Adhunik Sadar Hospital in critical conditions and others were sent to different clinics in the upazila.”

In Karimganj upazila, the supporters of Ratan Mia and Hares Mia locked into a clash around 12:30pm at Bargharia over a trivial matter, leaving Jakaria dead on the spot and 20 others injured.

Of them five were sent to hospitals in critical conditions. Additional police were deployed in the areas. l

strike until their demands were met.

Their other demands include taking steps to stop police from taking illegal tolls on the roads and highways, putting an end to their harassment by BRTA authorities when issuing driving licenses and the withdrawal of ‘false’ cases filed against transport workers.

Mohammad Kamruzzan, additional assistant police commissioner, said they had a meeting with the transport workers, but they had yet to reach a consensus.

He said, “We are trying to resolve the crisis.”

In Mymensingh, transport workers observed a strike, protesting the ban on the operation of CNG-run auto rickshaw on highways.

They said they would continue their agitation programmes if the authorities did not withdraw their decision.

Abdur Nur, sergeant of Hatihata highway police out post, said as road accidents increased on highways because of the random operations of human hauliers, so the district administration had taken the decision to not allow unfit vehicles to operate on highways. l

Woman trampled to death in Sherpur n Our Correspondent, Sherpur A woman was trampled to death by a herd of wild elephants early yesterday at Chandapara village in Sribardi upazila of Sherpur.

Locals said a herd of about 35/40 wild elephants entered the village from Kornajhora hill around 2:30am and stampeded over several houses in the village.

Umesa Bewa, 42, the wife of late Saidur, was trampled to death by the elephants when they attacked her house.

Sribardi Upazila Nirbahi Officer Habiba Sharmin confirmed the incident.

At least 10 people have been killed, several hundred houses and trees were uprooted and standing crops were damaged since last year. l

Nirmul Committee man shot dead Correspondent, n Our Jhenaidah The district unit general secretary of Ghatak Dalla Nirmul Committee was shot dead in a Jhenaidah village on Tuesday night.

The deceased was Rintu Munshi, 40, the son of Habibur Rahman Kathi Munshi of Marundi village.

Jhenaidah police station Officer-in-Charge Shahabuddin Zaad said some miscreants had shot Rintu while he and his associate Abdul Majid were going to the village on a motorcycle. They were rushed to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital in critical states and on duty doctors declared Rintu dead. l

Four killed in road accident n Our Correspondent,

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The deceased were Masud Rana, 35, a CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver, Bonna Begun, 30, and her daughter Ratri Akhter, 8, from Jamalpur, and Azam, 28, the son of Ruhul Amin of Chittagong.

Basail police station Officer-in-Charge Delowar Ahmed said: “A CNG run auto-rickshaw collided headon with a truck coming from the opposite direction in Baoikhola area on the Dhaka-Tangail highway around 8am, killing the auto-rickshaw driver on the spot and injuring five others.”

In Kalihati upazila, a lorry collided head-on with a truck near a filling station in Rasulpur area on the Dhaka-Tangail-Bangabandhu highway around 5:30am, killing truck driver Azam on the spot and injuring four others. l

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A trees beaks into several pieces after storm hit Chapainawabganj yesterday morning. The photo was taken from Gomostapur village DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nor’wester kills 4 in two districts n Tribune Report

At least four people were killed and 10 others injured when a nor’wester hit Chapainawabganj and Faridpur districts yesterday.

Our Faridpur correspondent said two people, including a school student, were killed when a storm swept over three unions of Boalmari upazila.

Babul Sheikh, 40, a farmer from Beradi village in the upazila, was killed when he fell into a ditch during the storm.

Tia, 14, a Class IX student of Satur High School and the daughter of Mo-

hon Pramanik of Shonapur village, was also killed when a tree branch collapsed on her during the storm.

Witnesses said the violent storm lasted for 10 minutes and swept through at least 30-35 villages of the upazila around 11:45 am.

Over 500 houses were damaged and a number of trees were uprooted during the storm.

Saiduzzman, Boalmari Upazila Nirbahi Officer, visited the areas.

Our Chapainawabganj correspondent said two people, including a teenage girl, were killed and 10 others injured when a nor’wester hit Binodpur,

Durlavpur, Chakirti unions in Shibganj upazila and Choudala, Alinagar and Bangabari unions in Gomostapur upazila.

Witnesses said Niyoti Rani, 20, the daughter of Anil Kumar of Ranibari Chandpur village of Shibganj upazila, was killed when struck by lightning during the storm.

Palsar Ali, 13, the son of Mosharraf Hossain of Chamatola village under Binidpur union of Shibganj upazila, was also killed when a tree branch collapsed on him in the morning, while he was plucking mangoes during the storm. l

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Half a million flee unrest in Mosul n Agencies

As many as 500,000 people have been forced to flee the Iraqi city of Mosul after hundreds of Islamist militants took control of it, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said.

Troops were among those fleeing as the jihadists from the ISIS group took the city and much of Nineveh province.

The head of the Turkish mission in Mosul and 24 consulate officials have also been seized, local sources said.

PM Nouri Maliki has asked parliament to declare a state of emergency.

The US said the development showed ISIS was a “threat” to the entire region.

ISIS - the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which is also known as ISIL - is an offshoot of al-Qaeda. It now controls considerable territory in eastern Syria and western and central Iraq, in a campaign to set up a militant enclave straddling the border.

n Agencies

‘Chaotic situation’

Residents of Mosul - Iraq’s second city - said jihadist flags were flying from buildings and that the militants had announced over loudspeakers they had “come to liberate” the city.

“The situation is chaotic inside the city, and there is nobody to help us,” said government worker Umm Karam.

“We are afraid.”

Staff working for the IOM in Mosul say that all official buildings there have been taken over, including police and military bases, and the airport.

Donations dry up for crisis-ridden AAP

Members of the Kurdish security forces pose for a picture as they take part in an intensive security deployment on the outskirts of Kirkuk June 11. Baghdad will cooperate with Kurdish forces to try to drive militant out of Mosul, Iraq’s foreign minister said yesterday, a day after an al-Qaeda splinter group seized the country’s second biggest city REUTERS Many police stations were reported to have been set on fire and hundreds of detainees set free.

“The army forces threw away their weapons, changed their clothes, abandoned their vehicles and left the city,” Mahmud Nuri, a resident fleeing Mosul, told the AFP news agency.

There has been a large number of civilian casualties, the IOM says, and some mosques have been converted into clinics to treat the injured.

Late on Tuesday, ISIS militants were also reported to have taken the nearby town of Baiji, home to Iraq’s largest oil refinery, but they now appear to have

withdrawn in the face of army and police reinforcements.

Meanwhile, US state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the situation in Iraq was “extremely serious” and that the US supported “a strong, co-ordinated response to push back against this aggression.” l

In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections whenever the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was in news, for good or bad reasons, funds came pouring in.

From party chief Arvind Kejriwal’s detention in Gujarat, to his announcement to take on Narendra Modi from Varanasi in the Lok Sabha elections or people slapping him while campaigning in Delhi — AAP’s online donation graph went up.

But not anymore.

Call it donor’s fatigue or their loss of faith in the party, the donations for the 18-month party has dried up and not even news of crisis in the fledgling political outfit gets them to loosen their purse strings.

On June 8, the day the rift between Kejriwal and senior party leader Yogendra Yadav played out in the media, the AAP could mop up a paltry Rs. 8,293 from its donors. Again when Kejriwal opted for jail in the Nitin Gadkari defamation case on May 21, the money that came in party’s coffers was Rs. 7.42 lakh. The next day on May 22 it went down to Rs. 5.62 lakh and dipped to Rs. 58,000 on May 23, the day he once again refused to pay the bail amount.

The two occasions marked a departure from earlier trends when such news would have got the party’s cash register ringing.

Fearful of cyberspooks, China struggles to break its Microsoft habit n Agencies

Sean Connery

JK Rowling

Famous Scots divided over independence In the battle over Scottish independence, a rising number of famous Scots have gone public with their views on whether Scotland should leave the United Kingdom or not.

Following is a list of some of them For scottish independence

o Actor Sean Connery - “As a Scot and

as someone with a lifelong love for both Scotland and the arts, I believe the opportunity of independence is too good to miss.” o Author Irvine Welsh - “I’m totally for independence, totally. I think everyone is, even the unionists. It’s the process which is being argued about, not the principle.” o Film Director Ken Loach - “If I had the chance to be independent from the Tory-Liberal-New Labour bunch, I’d jump at it .. I think: go for it. Other colonised countries have asserted their independence.” o Actor Brian Cox - “This whole argument has nothing to do with the pound.

It’s not about any of these things they say are important; it’s about ... trying to get back to egalitarian principles, which is so present in the Scottish character.” o Actor Alan Cumming - “The evidence is clear - in the past 15 years we have become stronger economically, socially, culturally and globally. The world is waiting for us and I know Scotland is ready.”

Against scottish independence

o Writer JK Rowling - “The more I have read from a variety of independent and unbiased sources, the more I have come to the conclusion that while independence might give us opportunities, it also carries serious risks.” o Football manager Alex Ferguson - “If ever there was a time to be wary of Scotland pulling out of the UK, it is now. It would be a distraction from what really matters the economy, jobs, schools and hospitals.” o Actress Emma Thompson - “Why insist on building a new border between human beings in an ever-shrinking world where we are still struggling to live alongside each other?” o Comedian Billy Connolly - “I don’t believe in having more layers of government that ordinary people will have to pay for. I think it’s time for people to get together.” o Actor Ewan McGregor - “I’m a Scotsman and I love Scotland with all my heart.

But I also like the idea of Great Britain, and I don’t know that it wouldn’t be a terrible shame to break it all up.” l

As Beijing and Washington trade accusations of cyber-espionage, China is trying to curb some of America’s biggest information technology firms here. But it is a long way from breaking its dependence on giants such as Microsoft and IBM, local analysts say.

That means that though Beijing has been talking tough in recent weeks – lashing out at US companies that China says have helped the National Security Agency to spy on Chinese officials and citizens – its options are few.

“There have always been efforts [by China] to displace western technology,” points out Duncan Clark, chairman of BDA, a Beijing-based consultancy specializing in the tech sector. “But there have been no local alternatives.”

Since Edward Snowden’s revelations about the NSA’s massive data collection programs, Chinese officials have complained bitterly that Beijing has been a prime victim of US cyber-espionage. The US Department of Justice, meanwhile, last month unsealed indictments against five Chinese military officers, accusing them of hacking into US companies’ computers in order to steal trade secrets.

That prompted quick retaliation.

China said foreign technology companies would be vetted for possible national security breaches – a move that could hit US firms’ sales in the biggest PC market in the world.

A few days earlier China had announced that it would forbid the use of Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system on government computers; the state-run Xinhua news agency said the decision was designed “to ensure computer security” without further explanation.

Computers in some branches of the Chinese military and government departments run on an operating system developed by a Chinese firm, Zhongbiao At the end of last month, Bloomberg News cited four sources as saying that government agencies are pushing Chinese banks, which are largely stateowned, to replace their IBM servers with a locally made brand.

And as the website of the ruling Communist party’s youth wing decried what it called Cisco’s “disgraceful role” in China as a tool of the US government, the Chinese authorities released a report finding that “the nine major US software and hardware providers offer core technology support to US intelligence.”

Microsoft OS upgrades

Microsoft’s ubiquitous software is widely used – and pirated – in China.

It is not clear which operating system the Chinese government will choose to replace Windows XP, the outdated OS that most government computers currently run on but which Microsoft no longer supports.

Windows 7 appears the only option, since Chinese scientists have not managed to develop an operating system to match Microsoft’s products. But it raises the same dilemma: Should China’s government rely on a software platform that is US designed and controlled?

A news item broadcast on state-run television last week questioned Windows 8 security and warned that “whoever controls the operating system can control all the data on the computers using it.”

China has developed its own homegrown platform: computers in some branches of the Chinese military and a few government departments run on an operating system developed by a Chinese firm, Zhongbiao. But it is less stable than Windows and has made little headway in the consumer marketplace says Dai Xiangjun, a security expert at CCID, a Beijing IT consulting firm.

“It is hard to say” when a local firm might develop a computer operating system to rival Windows, adds Mr. Dai. “But it will take a long time.” l

On April 4, when Kejriwal was slapped in Dakshinpuri area in south Delhi, the party received Rs. 1.46 crore as compared to Rs. 47.94 lakh the previous day. Similarly when Kejriwal was detained by the Gujarat police on March 5 and clashes broke out in Delhi between AAP and BJP supporters, the donations went up to Rs. 24.49 lakh from Rs. 8.57 lakh a day before.

When election results were declared on May 16, the party received Rs. 22 lakh, and since then it has been a downhill trend On March 26, a day after Kejriwal announced his decision to take on Narendra Modi from Varanasi in the Lok Sabha elections, the party collected over a crore, up from Rs. 48 lakh on March 25.

However the funds have dried up for the party after it faced setbacks in the Lok Sabha elections. June has been particularly bad with donation figures in thousands (as compared to an average of Rs. 30 lakh a day in April) with an exception of June 10 when the party managed to notch up Rs. 1.38 lakh. l

Al Gore praises Edward Snowden n Agencies Edward Snowden has secured his highest endorsement yet in the US when former vice-president Al Gore described the leaking of top secret intelligence documents as “an important service,” the Guardian reported.

Asked if he regarded Snowden as a traitor or whistleblower, Gore veered away from the “traitor” label. He refused to go as far as labelling him a whistleblower but signalled he viewed him as being closer to that category than a traitor, saying: “What he revealed in the course of violating important laws included violations of the US constitution that were way more serious than the crimes he committed.”

Snowden, the former CIA and National Security Agency computer specialist, leaked US and British documents to the Guardian and Washington Post in June last year, starting a worldwide debate on surveillance and privacy.

His revelations have led to proposed changes in legislation in the US and a backlash against government surveillance by major telecoms and internet companies. But he remains a polarising figure in the US. An NBC poll a fortnight ago showed 24% backing him and 34% disagreeing with his actions, with 40% having no opinion.

Snowden’s hope of a return to the US is dependent on a change in a major shift in opinion that would allow him to escape a lengthy prison sentence. His supporters will seize on Gore’s comments to help make the case that he should be allowed to return to the US as a free man. l

TAXI DRIVERS, UNITE!

Ukraine gets six days to pay gas payments n Agencies Russia gave Ukraine an extra six days to make payments for natural gas as the countries resumed European Union-brokered talks in Brussels. The new deadline is 10am Moscow time, June 16, Alexey Miller, chief executive officer of Russian gas exporter OAO Gazprom, said yesterday in Brussels after meeting with EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger.

Ukraine won’t pay before Russia accepts a new “package” deal, including gas price changes, Ukrainian Energy Minister Yuri Prodan said after that, according to Interfax. Both commented before the three-way negotiations between Oettinger, Prodan and his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak started at about 10am local time.

The EU, dependent on Russian gas piped through Ukraine for about 15

percent of its supplies, is trying to broker a deal to maintain shipments amid a dispute over payments for the fuel. In Ukraine, government forces and rebels claiming allegiance to Russia continue to clash in the east of the country.

Oettinger is optimistic an agreement to end the gas price dispute can be arrived at in the next few days, he told reporters yesterday evening.

Meanwhile, Russia offered to lower Ukraine’s price by $100 per thousand cubic meters through an export-duty break, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said in Kiev yesterday before the talks. The country can’t accept that because Russia is able to change the decision any time, he said.

Ukraine insists the supply agreement in place since 2009 should be changed.

“We know Russian tricks and we stick to our proposal to change the contract,” Yatsenyuk said. l

People hold placards during a Europe-wide protest of licensed taxi drivers, denouncing taxi hailing apps that are feared to flush unregulated private drivers into the market, in front of the Olympic stadium in Berlin, June 11. Many of these drivers are immigrants, hailing from different corners of the world REUTERS

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Special

Thursday, June 12, 2014

7

‘Bureaucracy a major bottleneck for trade relations’ Born in Moscow, 1950, Alexander graduated in International Relations from the Moscow State University in 1973. He joined diplomatic service in the same year.

He has been the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Bangladesh from March 8, 2012.

Asked if he was aware about the birth of Bangladesh in 1971, he said, ‘I was a last year [university] student … I knew that a Liberation War going on for Bangladesh.’

About when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman visited Moscow in early 1972, Alexander said: ‘I was in Moscow at that time. I recall the crowd of Muscovites [inhabitants of Moscow].

It was not orchestrated. They were there to see the leader of a newly born state.’

Alexander is married, and has two daughters and a grandson

Russian Ambassador Alexander A Nikolaev sat for an exclusive interview with the Dhaka Tribune on June 2 at his office. Dhaka Tribune Special Affairs Editor Shahidul Islam Chowdhury conducted the interview

Are you satisfied with the present state of relationship between Bangladesh and Russia?

Alexander: Bangladesh and Russia share same views on many international programmes and issues discussed in the UN system. Both countries share a view of real necessity of a multipolar world system and a more equitable economic system.

Russia has been maintaining relationships with a score of countries.

Is there anything unique in Russia’s relations with Bangladesh?

Alexander: For us, Bangladesh is not just a long tested friend. We, practically, were at the cradle of Bangladesh’s statehood. We witnessed the birth of Bangladesh in 1971 and 1972.

An interesting fact is that the present foreign minister of Bangladesh, AH Mahmood Ali, in the start of his career, served in the then Pakistan mission at the UN [in New York]. During the Liberation War in 1971, he maintained the contacts with the chief of the Russian mission at the UN. As diplomatic and political efforts during the war, our ambassador vetoed three times in favour of Bangladesh at the UN Security Council.

You have said at a BIISS discussion that Bangladesh holds an important place in the list of foreign policy priorities of Russia. Will you elaborate the importance?

Alexander: Bangladesh is an important player of the South Asiaan sub-continent. And you know our principle general line is that we are in favour of development of all the international systems in directions of equality and equal rights for every

country, and respect of mutual interests of all the main stakeholders.

Bangladesh, a Muslim country with about 160 million people, plays an important role in international organisations, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. We, the Russian Federation, are only an observer in it.

So, we highly value the positive role Dhaka plays at the OIC. Than in SAARC, which is also a very prosfective regional organisation, Bangladesh plays important role to develop the economies of the member countries.

Have you been facing bottlenecks hindering the opportunities to improve relationship between the two countries?

Alexander: Our present relationship is fine. But it can be developed further.

There are a few bottlenecks. But the toughest, I suppose, is the bureaucracy in both countries. We are mutually responsible for this bottleneck.

Providing duty-free access of Bangladesh-origin goods to the Russian market is considered to be a major tool to increase the trade volume up to US $1bn rapidly. Will Russia provide Bangladesh the access? When?

Alexander: In 2013, the bilateral trade was not less than $800m. I hope, in the end of this calendar year, it will reach the level mentioned by the Russian president during his talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Kremlin in January, 2013.

It is impossible to do right now [to provide duty-free access in Russia only]. Because, Russia has formed a custom union with Belorussia and Kazakhstan [Eurasian Economic Union].

GENERAL INFORMATION ON RUSSIA Area: Population: Capital city: People:

17 million sq km (6,563,706 sq mi) 144 million Moscow (with 9 million inhabitants) 81% Russian, 4% Tatar, 3% Ukrainian and numerous ethnic minorities Language: Russian Religion: Russian Orthodox Cristianity, Catholicism, Islam, Animism, Buddhism Currency: Rouble (1 USD = approx. 26,3 roubles) Government: Federation President: Vladimir Putin

This union is responsible for import to the region. Bangladesh needs to raise to the union the issue of making its export duty free for the region.

I do not understand why the readymade garment sector here is wasting time just seeking to increase export to only Russia instead of the entire union.

I am happy to know that the Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed is, right now, in exploration of possibility to help comprehensive trade arrangement with the governments of Eurasian Economic Union and Russia.

Are Russian investors taking the advantages of the Export Processing Zones and Special Economic Zones here? To what extent are they interested?

Alexander: I must admit that our exporters are as lazy as their Bangladeshi colleagues, equally-equally. So, I don’t put all the responsibility on Bangladesh. Both sides are responsible for this. There is not a lot of information about the Export Processing Zones. Our investors are not well aware of the procedures of the EPZs.

Absence of direct banking relationship between the two countries has been hampering bilateral trade. When will these facilities be set up?

Alexander: Absolutely agree with the first sentence of the question. But for the second part of the question, I’m unable to answer right now. I’m quite happy with my meeting with Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman and Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, who are completely aware of this bottleneck. I hope that sooner or later this will be resolved with the representation of our banks

MAJOR ENGAGEMENTS WITH BANGLADESH l l l l l l l

Formal diplomatic relations with Bangladesh: from January 25, 1972 Contribution of Russia in Bangladesh: Installation of power plants, Bilateral Trade: almost US$800m in 2013, Major exports from Bangladesh: knitwear, woven garments, jute yarn and twine, raw jute, leather goods, frozen shrimps etc.

Major import from Russia: power plants, military hardware, fertilizers, metal-roll, raw materials for textile industry, Major official deals: Installing Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh, gas extraction and military-hardware purchase, Last top level visit: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Moscow in January, 2013

with Bangladeshi banks. Of course, it will be a great support for the trading companies.

How do you see the possibility of a financial settlement between the Taka and the Russian Rouble by encouraging a currency swap?

Alexander: In general, everything is possible. But I’m not sure if it will be possible right now.

Recently, Russia has withdrawn restrictions imposed temporarily on frozen food import from four Bangladeshi companies. To what extent will this decision help increase frozen food export?

Alexander: I’m not sure what the production capabilities of these Bangladesh seafood compainies are, and to what extent they can increase exports to Russia. But it is possible if, at least, they can reach the level of our sanitary authority’s requirements – they are tougher than the European Union.

An agreement between the two countries involves the construction of a nuclear power plant(NPP), nuclear fuel supply and disposal. Keeping in consideration the Chernobyl disaster, and lack of NPP expertise here, will you assure Bangladesh that the plant will not bring any disaster?

Alexander: The issue of safety is a matter of great concern, and justified concern for many including Bangladesh Atomic Energy Comission officials. I assure you that we are not any less concerned about safety of the NPP. It is an investment to resolve the power crisis of the country which is a critical and decisive key for economic and social development.

Of course, a single nuclear power plant, even if it is of a capacity of 2000MW, is not enough as the country suffers from a huge deficit of power.

The first NPP will, however, be a decisive component.

By the way, Russia had set up power plants in Ghorasal and Chittagong around the middle of the 1990s. These plants are still in operation, providing approximately 20% of all energy production.

I must admit great satisfaction at the present Bangladesh government’s effort to involve international partners for resolving energy crisis and diversifying the source of energy generation.

Your prime minister has recently said that Bangladesh will require a partner to construct the second NPP. Bangladesh government is in the process of making a deal with Japan for establishing a coal-based power plant.

The same promises were made by the Indian government. The Chinese are also in the process of providing a power plant.

I believe, if the country can go through political stability for 5 to 10 years, then the energy crisis will be definitely resolved.

One more year aspect is that two years ago a prominent Russian company, Gazprom, signed agreements for drilling for natural gas. Till now seven wells are completed. I’m happy to report that these seven wells produce about 400 mcf per year. It is not a bad piece of energy cake. The company is in the process of drilling the eighth well in Bhola.

Moreover, what I want to stress is, all these wells will be national properties of Bangladesh. We didn’t sign so called share-profit agreement like some western gas companies.

In another aspect, I offer apology to Japanese partners that my word may sound cynical, the Fukushima tragedy gave us a good chance for further improving of reliability of reactors of our design, which are, right now, more reliable than any other design.

By the way, I invite all readers of the Dhaka Tribune to visit the Atomic

of participants from our side. And the next year, 2015, will be the days and year of Bangladeshi culture in Russia.

I recall the time of the middle of the 1970s when our kids in Russia could read Bangla fairy tales translated in Russian. Here, for last two years, practically every day, I have heard from Bangladeshi friends and colleagues how happy they were reading Russian literature in Bangladesh. When such a level of cultural exchange will be arranged, I will consider my mission is easy.

‘I believe, if the country can go through political stability for 5 to 10 years, then the energy crisis will be definitely resolved’

Energy Information Centre installed at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theatre. It will be a matter to know what kind of a nuclear power plant is to be constructed at Ruppur by Russia.

One more aspect I would like to draw attention of the readers to, is that Russia provides around 50 governmental scholarships for Bangladeshi post-graduation students every year.

Having in mind the present requirement, this year, for the first time, we enrolled 10 Bangladeshi students who will study nuclear physics courses for nuclear power plants. So, in 5 to 10 years, Bangladesh will have a good unit of your own specialists for managing the NPPs.

What are the strategies that dictate Russian defence cooperation and military supply to Bangladesh?

Alexander: Supplying defence items is a matter of purposes, and we do not compete with each other [exporting countries]. In some items our conditions are more preferable. And in some items the others may make a better offer.

We provide combat aircrafts, anti-tank missiles, anti-aircraft missiles, and armoured personnel careers.

You have said in March that Russia is stepping up public diplomacy to make a ‘comeback’ in Bangladesh. What prompted Russia to come back?

Alexander: We have very comprehensive relations with Bangladesh, and are convinced that not only economic relations enrich both countries, but also cultural interaction, public education – the so called soft power – all that have significance for fast development and better understanding.

I’m really happy to inform the Dhaka Tribune readers that this year, 2014, is scheduled to have the days of Russian Culture in Bangladesh.

Right now, we are in the process of the visit of two ministers, with a Russian delegation, sometime in between October to December this year. It is not a one-day show, and particularly not one man show. There will be dozens

There was an idea of modernising the Russian Cultural Centre in Dhaka, and connecting its library with Moscow’s national library and national museum.

When this idea will be materialised?

Alexander: Yes, there is such an idea, and I think it is a great opportunity. Sitting here in Dhaka, any visitor will have free access to the collections of Russian museums, or can read books from our libraries. It is not a small collection. But realisation of this idea, I must admit, is delayed due to some technicalities. I do hope by the end of the year, or the start of the next one, we will be able to provide these facilities.

Now Russia has been supporting the policy of a multipolar world order instead of the unipolar or the bipolar system that has dictated international politics for several decades. Why has this happenned?

Alexander: I think it is neither me, nor my country, but certainly, some countries are keen to go back to the atmosphere of the cold war.

For instance, what we are witnessing in Ukraine, states the necessity of pursuing a policy for the formation of such a multipolar system where there are a few gravity centres – not two, not three, but a few. And all the players in the international arena can pursue their own interests, but not, of course, at the expense of their neighbours.

Look, there are very promising groups of countries, such as the BRICS Union that incorporates Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. In South East Asia there is the ASEAN, very influential, and promising.

We do not dismiss the role of the European Union. And indeed the United States, we are against one thing – the direct imposition of their will, their examples, and their views on anybody else.

What is the update about the possible cooperation for a Bangladeshi communications satellite?

Alexander: It will be a great opportunity for launching the satellite for Bangladesh. l

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Thursday, June 12, 2014

CODE-CRACKER

Truly the world’s game

O

ver a month of excitement kicks off today with the opening of the FIFA World Cup in Sao Paulo.

For fans in Bangladesh, it means many nights staying up through the early hours. It will be a truly global spectacle enjoyed by billions.

We trust rival fans will share the spirit of sport in each other’s company.

And we hope that local politicians will desist from killjoy complaints about people flying foreign teams’ flags.

As recent economic protests in Brazil have highlighted, the World Cup also holds up a mirror to the world’s problems. While FIFA has been involved for some years in initiatives to improve working conditions in supply chains, including in Bangladesh, which this year has supplied over $500m of merchandise, it is presently embroiled in controversies relating to bribery and the poor treatment of migrant workers in Qatar.

If the tournament increases interest in these issues, this will be a welcome bonus.

Bangladesh’s football team has a long way to go before it can expect to reach the World Cup finals. However, Asia’s population means that FIFA can be expected to increase the number of teams qualifying from Asia.

If we can build on the country’s historic enthusiasm for football, it will hopefully not be many tournaments before the country can look forward to taking part first hand. The Bangladesh Football Federation needs to keep nurturing talent, so that Bangladeshi youngsters watching this year’s games will be inspired to earn a chance to play on the world stage.

A global spectacle enjoyed by billions.

If it increases interest in other issues, this will be a bonus

China’s $1.2bn investment in RMG

W

e welcome the BGMEA’s success in signing an agreement with Oriental International Holding, a Chinese company, to develop a new garment industrial park in Munshiganj.

The planned agreement to build a 470-acre industrial park in Gazaria is budgeted to cost $1.2 billion and will be one of the largest ever investments in Bangladesh.

When completed, it will provide a huge boost to the RMG industry.

Oriental has agreed to develop land, roads, and power plants, and build structures for sale to BGMEA and BKMEA factory owners.

Its plans envisage setting up accessories factories to supply raw materials, thereby reducing costs and improving productivity.

Taken together with China’s agreement to construct a tunnel under the Karnaphuli River in Chittagong, the RMG deal sets the seal on a highly successful visit and is a further sign of healthy relations between our two nations.

Building new factories is vital to the RMG industry, which is responsible for over 80% of our export earnings. This project can help to both secure vital jobs for RMG workers and act as a beacon to attract new investment from companies seeking to relocate to Bangladesh.

With many garment factories requiring remediation and safety improvements, finding land on which modern, safe, and more productive factories can be developed is the most urgent priority for the economy.

The Munshiganj project has been facilitated by the government allocating land at Baushia. It should pro-actively seek more land which can be set aside in this manner to attract further investments.

The project is vital to secure RMG jobs and act as a beacon for new investment

Be heard Write to Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Sukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email letters.dt@dhakatribune.com Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

Muhith criticises BNP in budget speech June 5

Ronnie I’m glad I didn’t watch and hear him speak all this.

For the record, our finance minister should know better than publicly making a mockery of himself by castigating BNP for boycotting the January 5 “election.”

Surely, he knows that he doesn’t have the

Chicken or egg?

June 5

SM Many decades back in school, we used to ask: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Today, this age-old question has been answered by the AFP report, published in your business page on June 2. Financially, it seems the “egg” comes out first.

Just imagine, (and I quote): “A giant vat containing 50,000lbs of egg yolk, will be salted and shipped to Mexico (from USA) later this week for mayonnaise production!” So said the founder of this “egg factory.” Their family business started back in the 1940s in Thompsonville, near New York City, when it was only a chicken farm.

Eliot Gibber, the present successor, has stopped farming chickens, and now it is an industrial egg-cracking facility, set up on the earlier 165 acre chicken farm. Now, eggs in bulk are brought in, turning out various products, from egg whites, egg yolks and whole eggs!

Now, I am confused; it seems the egg won the race, while the chicken farm is a distant second, if at all!

Defence gets TK16,462 crore allocation June 5

Maurizio Mazzucotelli In 2004, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, following the violent riots against the whites, many Europeans with children reached the home of the Bangladeshi battalion for protection.

The battalion closed its doors and advised them to reach the French base ... on the other side of the city!! Unnecessary and cowardly troops, deployed only to receive the money of the mission.

Not the right cure June 5

Osman According to homeopathy, sea-water is a cure for terrorists, because the ocean’s got some Bin Laden dissolved in it.

Cheque payment must for house rent over Tk 25,000

June 5

Fahad Alam This means, like VAT, we the “mango” people will have to pay another indirect payment when the landlords decide to increase rents due to this.

How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 13 represents V so fill V every time the figure 13 appears.

You have one letter in the control grid to start you off. Enter it in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters go in the missing squares.

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

As you get the letters, fill in the other squares with the same number in the main grid, and the control grid. Check off the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

slightest moral, much less legal, authority to be passing the national budget. Gosh, the unsightly shamelessness of it all.

Concerned citizen No one listens to you, sir. Drum on for your own ears and entertainment.

Learning early on June 6

Zero-Agenda I think it would be an experiment worth conducting to see how home-schooling works against our traditional education.

TJ Zero-Agenda: Students in Bangladesh are already home-schooled. Here we call it private tuition. It’s not like they learn much in the schools anyway.

SUDOKU How to solve: Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 – 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no number repeating.

Zero-Agenda TJ: Not in an exclusive way. What I was suggesting would have no association with any public institutions at all.

Ingenious fire protection and alarm June 5 SA Mansoor A news report from Pirojpur, published on May 29, speaks of a remarkable device that can be used in firefighting. No doubt, he’s brilliant and deserves national honors and recognition. We must see to it that he gets it. Such future genius is indeed a boon to the nation.

The device has two functions: It can douse the initial fire, and if that does not stop it, the device sets up an alarm and also sends a mobile phone call to the nearest fire brigade. This is the really fascinating and ingenious part of the device, and some enterprising factory or industrial organisation should get together with this talented man to develop, patent, and market this potentially useful safety gadget.

Possibly it is made of a combination of optical sensors, and automatic circuit breakers that trigger the flame retardant chemical spray, and after some time; if it senses more heat, then sends the mobile phone message.

The problem with firefighting in our nation usually lies with the time taken by the fire brigade to respond to and reach the site of the fire. The problem at the fire station boils down to the time lag between getting the mobile call, or any signal, from the fire site, and then mobilising and reaching the place.

I’m sure it’s difficult for firefighters to keep their mental and physical state fit, so as to keep alert and remain totally ready to react swiftly at all times, while on stand-by. This waiting for a signal, with nothing to do during the stand-by time, is a tremendous mental and psychological load. One wonders if our fire department has access to any studies on, or information and best practices in, this important matter that may have been developed by fire brigades of other more developed and advanced countries.

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Pay attention (4) 6 By way of (3) 7 Electric insulator (4) 9 At hand (4) 10 Grinding tooth (5) 11 Interior decoration (5) 12 Girl’s name (3) 14 Nuisances (5) 17 Radiolocation (5) 20 Tree (3) 21 Apple of the eye (5) 23 Numeral (5) 25 Prized fur (4) 26 Egyptian goddess (4) 27 Pale (3) 28 Niggardly (4)

DOWN 1 Obstruct (6) 2 Dodged (6) 3 Dreadful (4) 4 Lubricant (3) 5 Distant (3) 7 Additional (4) 8 Members of plays (5) 10 Cleaning implement (3) 13 Weathercocks (5) 15 Salty (6) 16 Brandished (6) 18 Copies (4) 19 Cricket score (3) 22 Muslim leader (4) 23 Wrongdoing (3) 24 Vigour (3)

CALVIN AND HOBBES Children of War: The film is the thing?

June 7 Osmania Watching a rape scene, graphic or otherwise, is not meant to be comfortable. The writer has either expressed himself poorly, or may need urgent therapy.

PEANUTS

Mosabber Rahman Osmania: Exactly. Watching a rape scene is not meant to be comfortable. And watching a horror film is not meant to be comfortable either. I understand. But the film-going public should be informed about it. Interestingly, during “Conjuring,” they put up a sign in front of the theatre warning the audience about the scary content: “Not for the weak-hearted.” Moreover, they also warned us at the ticket counter, plus, they stamped a warning sign on the tickets.

This time we got an R-rated film released uncut for the first time in local theatres with brief nudity and graphic content. However, no warning or a “for mature audience” notice was given. In this article, I wanted to inform the readers, it’s not for everyone. I hope you reconsider your therapeutic prescription.

Ehtesham Baten Did the censorship board ever get a look at this movie?

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

Thursday, June 12, 2014

9

Revitalising Saarc n Avilash Roul

I

These walls take away the rights of Palestinians

Murad Qureshi is an elected member of the London Assembly.

n a remarkable display of faith in regional cooperation, the new prime minister in Delhi invited all the heads of governments and their representatives of Saarc and Mauritius to his swearing-in. Interestingly, except for a common dinner hosted by the president of India, the Saarc leaders never met as a group. Are we looking forward to a robust, frequent, effective, and efficient regional dialogue on a myriad of issues regarding South Asia, especially on the environment front? Too early to predict, but we shall be hopeful.

The responses from India’s neighbours are surprisingly warm, felicitating the occasion. The attendance points towards the previous government’s dilly-dallying of bilateral as well as regional foreign policies. While officially pronounced as a gesture to Saarc members, a series of bilateral talks occurred without emphasising on obvious Indo-Pak talks.

The first day, first show of the new government has given sufficient pointers for reading future prospects.

From hosting leaders and preparing the timing and sequences of bilateral meetings to press briefing, the Indian foreign office did it with a compact strategy for re-energising Saarc. It is too early to judge the Saarc leaders’ presence and the success of the regional bloc in coming days. However, it is clear that the new right-wing government is interested in developing the region as a whole, providing mutual dividends to India and others.

The potential of mutual dividends is huge but untapped. There are plenty of issues that should trigger regional cooperation, but they are left unattended. Can the countries pull their socks up and address these common but serious issues?

Water resource management, especially for transboundary rivers, must be addressed. “Harnessing” transboundary rivers is exploitative and a narrow view in itself, which is a wrong basis for formulating a resource management agenda. So far, all the bilateral water treaties are project-specific and bereft of addressing comprehensive river ecology. Prominent among others is the Inter Basin Water Transfer (IBWT), famously known as river-linking project, which is set to be revived under this government, despite one of its cabinet minister’s opposition to the project.

To begin with, India must put the river-linking project on the Saarc platform to get “consent” from its neighbouring countries where transboundary rivers are to be linked. The secretaries of the water ministries of Saarc governments must meet in regular intervals to move forward on discussing transboundary rivers.

Energy would be the next priority to attract definitive concerns. The South Asian rivers are attractive to investors, both public and private, for hydropower. The Indian government has promised Bhutan 2650 megawatts of power generation. International financial institutions like World Bank and ADB, and countries like the US, China, Russia, and Japan are standing by to support this financially.

Coal power projects have already been exported to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka by the previous government, and internal talks are ongoing for the transfer of thermal power to Pakistan.

The South Asian governments must

where memories of the 1980 Olympic boycott are still raw (especially in Putin’s neo-Soviet circles)?

That World Cup is far away enough to allow a pivotal question to be asked immediately, one that would apply to Qatar, too: In awarding the World Cup to a host nation, shouldn’t there always be a designated “fallback host,” a runner-up that has formal hosting rights in the event that the designated host finds itself unable — or is found unfit — to host the cup? If that had been the norm already, FIFA would not now find itself in uncharted waters, asking itself what to do in the event that Qatar capsizes. We would have had a readymade alternative, as we would have had for 2018 as well.

Those who lost out to Russia had all the conventional qualities of a World Cup host, and were all entirely worthy: England, Portugal and Spain (bidding jointly), and Belgium and the Netherlands (also bidding jointly).

They had transparent bids, credible histories as footballing nations, and had not annexed another country’s

territory since the end of the Second World War. Had any of these countries received a formal “stand-by” designation from FIFA, a lobbying campaign could have been initiated, challenging Russia’s moral and political fitness to host the World Cup without opening up the question of who the alternate host would be.

Given international rankings and comparative abilities, there are usually around 10 European Union teams in every World Cup. Add to that the US, Japan, and South Korea, and one has a dozen teams whose absence from the cup would be enough for sponsors to consider pulling out too. In that event, Russia’s hosting of the 2018 World Cup would almost certainly unravel. FIFA, not an organisation to walk away from money, would scarcely countenance a situation where the money walks away from it. It would have no choice but to revoke Russia’s hosting rights and award the cup to a country which other Western countries (and the Western companies that are sponsors of) find acceptable.

REUTERS

Still occupied

W

n Murad Qureshi hile we condemn the forced annexation of Crimea by Putin, we should not forget the crippling chronic annexation of Palestine by Israel illustrated by the settlements in the West Bank, and their menacing presence in the daily lives of Palestinians.

Several stark reminders of this reality were apparent to my colleagues and me during our recent visit to Palestine.

During a tour of Greater Jerusalem, we saw first-hand the impact on Palestinians of the illegal settlements and house demolitions. Taking just one example of basic utilities services; water consumption is some 200 litres plus for residents of the settlements but only 90 odd litres for Palestinians.

Most Palestinians would be lucky to get a rubbish collection, but they are regular in the settlements; even though the Palestinians are still paying the same. The house demolition program is at the sharp end of a targeted campaign to eliminate properties of families being dispossessed, often on dubious legal grounds, and sometimes very cruelly in the middle of the night.

Refugee camps surrounded by the separation wall in Jerusalem like the one in Shafut have 70,000 residents and receive limited emergency services from the occupying Israeli administration, and yet, construction of the wall of separation is relentless as highlighted during the recent Papal visit. The aim is clear, and that is to isolate Palestinian villages like Abu Dis from the rest of Jerusalem.

I was also struck by the ghost town

in the middle of the city of Hebron immediately surrounding the Abrahamic mosque which has become a military zone. Palestinians are banned from walking down the road in Hebron. If ever there was a potential flash point, this was it, because of the religious significance afforded by all sides to this site. It felt like a ticking time-bomb.

any Palestinian, any time without charge or trial based on “secret information” that neither the lawyer nor the prisoner can see.

Interestingly, it’s a practice which was introduced by the British, so we have a responsibility to try and end this. Our delegation also experienced some of this aggressive treatment

Construction of the wall of separation is relentless.

The aim is clear, and that is to isolate Palestinian villages from the rest of Jerusalem

In Hebron, we witnessed Palestinian children detained by Israel security for nothing more than throwing stones, with two youth shot dead on Nakba Day near Ramallah. We discovered children from the settlements were dealt with by Israeli civil law whilst Palestinian children have military law applied. There are currently over 200 Palestinian children being detained in prison by the Israeli government, often arrested from their beds.

There are also another 200 Palestinians in “administrative detention,” held without charge. When we met some of their relatives, we discovered many were on hunger strike, demanding an end to the use of administrative detention. This is a procedure that allows the Israeli occupation to arrest

when we joined the wall protest in Bil’in. The Israeli military responded in their usual way by dispersing tear gas aimed at the protesters.

But the first sign of Israeli policy is demonstrated by the reception which the Israeli border control at Tel Aviv airport affords their visitors. Quite apart from the fact that in order to get to the West Bank you need to pass through the occupiers points of access (even though Gaza has its own airport strips left behind by the British).

They then embark upon a torrent of aggressive questioning and intimidation. They seemed obsessed with my family lineage, asking me repeatedly for the names of my father and grandfather. Several hours of repeated questioning and interrogation, waiting

around, and an approach designed to make it clear to me in no uncertain terms that I was not welcome, made a very bad start for my trip.

After which, l can only imagine what Palestinians must go through on a daily basis each time they have to pass through check points like Qalandia where you see 18-year-old soldiers with sub-machine guns treating them pretty appallingly.

If there is hope, then we saw it in two guises. In Nablus we saw an amazing lively Palestinian city giving us a glimpse of what an unoccupied Palestine could be like. And also, the emergence of some very impressive Palestinian female politicians as their unity government is put in place is recognised by the world. Both Hannen Zoabi MP in the Knesset and the Mayor of Bethlehem, Dr Vera Babon caught my eye in particular. Strong women, with a clear and positive outlook bode well for both the future administration of Palestine and its political culture.

My trip was an eye-opener. It is one thing to see these images of segregation, mistreatment, and suffering on a television screen, but quite another to experience them. So, international kowtowing to the Israeli government needs to end now, as it only understands the language of power and punishment.

By boycotting the settlements and their produce, and by campaigning for sanctions against the Israeli state, we can make our own voices heard and make a stand against oppression and occupation. l

discuss the cost effectiveness of such hydropower or coal power projects in the interest of the environment and the South Asian population before sealing the projects.

The threat of climate change has shifted the so-called talks on national security. The Saarc countries have the opportunity to move out of such traditional thinking which is only fuelling military expenditure rather than focusing on human development.

South Asian countries have the momentum to help each other in addressing grave environmental threats

Interestingly, the first Saarc regional study was commissioned on greenhouse gases and natural disasters in the early 90s to send a common South Asian stand at the Earth Summit. The next common stand emerged only in 2009 at Copenhagen. The Colombo Declaration and Thimpu Declaration are examples of the right step in standing together on climate change. As Saarc got the status of an observer at the UN-sponsored climate negotiation, countries must maximise this space effectively.

While South Asian countries are facing similar threats and challenges, they shy away from pulling together as a unit. Bilateral skirmishes should not overshadow larger regional goals. Each South Asian country participated with their own bag of problems and opportunities in the numerous international environmental negotiations. For example, under endangered species treaties, most South Asian countries are signatory, but there is hardly any agreement between the countries. The countries have never shown an interest in striking a common approach prior to these international global platforms. That might be the reason India has been taking away most of the opportunities provided by such international forums like the number of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects under UNFCCC, financial support from Global Environment Facilities (GEF), and Clean Investment Fund (CIF).

Protecting Sundarbans and its tigers under the India-Bangladesh Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) since 2011 came late, but it is a way forward to accommodate other pressing environmental issues. South Asian countries have the momentum to help each other in addressing grave environmental threats such as climate refugee, cross border movement of displaced people, the increasing pace of natural disasters, illegal wildlife trade, protecting coastal areas, and so on. The increased frequency of regional environmental diplomacy can bring people together for respectful and mutually beneficial solutions.

South Asian countries should give environmental diplomacy a chance under Saarc in the coming days. l Avilash Roul is a Senior Fellow (Water, Energy and Environment), Society for the Study of Peace and Conflict (SSPC), India.

Don’t give 2018 to Putin n Tunku Varadarajan

I

n the next few weeks, as the 2014 soccer World Cup is in full flow in Brazil, we should have proof of whether Qatar won its bid to host the 2022 soccer World Cup by means of good old-fashioned bribery. If the answer is yes, there is every chance that the news will throw a malign shadow over the tournament in Brazil. Gaudy, dodgy FIFA, the governing body of world soccer whose operating methods are a permanent invitation to corruption, will have no dignified option but to strip host-nation status from Qatar and begin proceedings to confer it on another nation. This would be unprecedented, and enormously ugly, but the cup’s sponsors — Visa, Adidas, Sony, Coca-Cola, and others — are indicating that nothing else would satisfy them: A cup in Qatar would sully their brands.

And yet, even as we grapple with the question of whether suitcases full of cash did the hosting trick for the Emirate, we ignore the equally press-

ing question of another controversial World Cup-in-waiting: That of 2018, in Russia. Compared with Qatar’s alleged transgressions — the grubby purchase of votes and favours — Russia is in fullscale breach of international law, having invaded and annexed the territory of a neighbouring, sovereign state. If Russia is still in possession of Ukrainian territory in 2018, why should that country be entitled to host the World Cup? With Vladimir Putin certain to be in power that year, so long as he’s capable of drawing breath, it is almost certain that the expansionist nature of the Russian state will remain essentially unchanged.

The larger goal, of course, is not to strip Russia of the cup as an end in itself, but to find ways to hurt Moscow so much that it will relinquish the territory it has annexed from Ukraine.

As we have seen in the weeks that followed the gobbling up of Crimea, there is little will in the West to embark on the sort of economic sanctions that could hobble the Putin-state. In fact, the modern history of economic sanc-

tions suggest that such measures can, in the case of a stubborn and resourceful renegade, lead to a hardening of national resolve, as was the case with South Africa in the Apartheid years.

No country has the unfettered right to host the World Cup — and certainly not one that seizes by force the territory of others

The example of South Africa, however, also shows that sporting sanctions can bite — and bite painfully, especially in a state with sporting prowess and pedigree. So why not start right now, threaten to move the 2018 cup out of Russia,

With its vast distances, many ugly cities (beyond St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg), and a xenophobic population, Russia isn’t a natural fit for a tournament that celebrates a joyous spontaneity of skill and diversity.

Russia bid for the cup purely to bolster its international prestige, and, given its indefensible conduct on the international stage, it would only be fitting to find ways to deny Moscow the prestige it craves. No country has the unfettered right to host the World Cup — and certainly not one that seizes by force the territory of others. The aim of this exercise, one has to believe, is to maneuver Moscow into the circle of good global citizenship. And a serious debate on taking away the 2018 World Cup would help achieve that goal. So, let’s kick off … l Tunku Varadarajan is a writer-at-large for The Daily Beast. A former editor of Newsweek, he is the Virginia Hobbs Carpenter research fellow in Journalism at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. This piece was previously published in The Daily Beast.

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Apurbo as single parent in Megh Maa

n Limana Solaiman Apurbo will be seen in the role of a single parent in the telefilm “Megh Maa” which will air on Maasranga TV tonight at 8pm. The play addresses the responsibility and stress

attached to single parenthood, especially with a man on the pedestal. Written by Masum Reza and directed by S A Haque Olik, the telefim also features Bindu as the lead female.

Dhaka Tribune caught up with Apurbo to learn about his

take on single parenting and the actor said: “‘Megh Maa’ is one of my favourite fictional stories.

Roles like this do not come our way very often and the little girl who played my daughter did an amazing job in bringing out the father in me.”

In real life, Apurba is expecting his first child this very month and the excited to be father requested his fans and well wishers to pray for the safe birth of his child.

About his notions on parenting, Apurbo said: “As

a father I’ll try to provide my child with the very best that I can afford not only in monetary terms but also in terms of ethics, decency and virtue.”

In the telefilms “Megh Maa,” Auntu lost her mother at birth and is raised by her father alone.

Apurbo works in a multinational corporation and has limited time to spend with his daughter who has an active imagination. They move into a new apartment where Bindu is their neighbour.

She is a lecturer at a private university and seeing the little girl’s melancholic state, she starts spending time with Auntu whenever she is home from work. One day, Auntu calls Bindu “Megh Maa” much to the irritation of her father. He forbids Auntu to address Bindu by the name and scolds her when she refuses to do so. When Apurbo senses that the situation is getting out of hand, he moves to a new area with his daughter in tow.

In the mean time, Bindu starts missing Auntu terribly and realises that she has forged a stronger bond with the little girl than mere sympathy for her motherless state. She becomes desperate and starts to have hallucinations of Auntu calling her, standing outside her door and the figment of her imagination muster up many more images of the little girl.l

Thursday, June 12, 2014

The search for an icon

n Hasan Mansoor Chatak Fakhrul Arefin Khan’s “Aim in Life” is about to hit the cinemas. The celebrated documentary filmmaker, with three acclaimed works under his belt, is investing effort and talent to break ground with his first fiction enterprise, which portrays the spiritual journey of a young boy.

The film centres on Abir, a young orphan on his lifelong quest for someone to look up to, a role model to help him contribute positively to society. His first choice is his maternal uncle Rafiq, the family’s patriarch and sole breadwinner. During his adolescence, Abir’s loyalties shift to Belayet, a distant relative who happens to be a religious leader. Then he begins college, turns left-wing, and finds a new icon in a political leader named Hasan. Even this changes when he falls in love with a wealthy girl Shammi, who replaces everyone else in his heart. Is this the end of his search? The film attempts to answer the question.

Mostly young actors have been cast in the lead roles of the film.

Showvon and Nishat, young, talented, with an academic background in acting, play Abir and Shammi respectively. M Hamid, theatre activist and actor will appear in a guest role. Arko Suman directed the music.

The filmmaker’s debut work “Al Badar” on war crimes in Bangladesh, received the Best Documentary in National Film Awards 2011 while his other two documentary “The Speech” and “Haq-er Ghar” was appraised in home.

The film, made independently, is in post-production and scheduled to hit cinemas in November. l

Meet the last maneaters An anthology of artistic expressions n Shadma Malik

n Entertainment Desk Watch out for the fascinating documentary “The Last Maneaters,” about the last tigers in the world to hunt, kill, and eat humans, on National Geographic Channel today at 5:30pm.

They live in the Sundarbans, gnarled fingers of thick impenetrable mangrove forest swamps.

It is a place where the daily quest for a net full of fish, or even an armload of firewood gathered from the forest floor, can prove fatal. Here, up to 80 people every year are killed and eaten by tigers.

The villages are filled with orphan and widows

and people who have harrowing tales of survival.

An adult Bengal tiger can weigh as much as 500 pounds. When it decides to attack, the results are almost always lethal. Guns and armor are of little use in this area where a stealth attack from the rear can occur with no warning. It is the reality of life in the Sundarbans.

People here understand the risk. They understand that in the Sundarbans, humans are not the most dominant animal. That if a tiger decides to kill, it can and will. This is a place where tigers do not live in fear of people. Here tigers reign supreme. l

Sonic the Hedgehog movie in the works n Entertainment Desk Sony Pictures Entertainment has teamed up with Sega-owned film production company Marza Animation Planet to develop a “Sonic the Hedgehog” movie.

The film, based on the hit video game property, is set to be a mix of CG-animation and live action and will be written by Evan Susser and Van Robichaux.

The big screen adventure will look to “capture Sonic's irreverent tone and spirit” and will feature a whole host of iconic characters from the franchise, including Dr Eggman.

"There are limitless stories to tell with a character like ‘Sonic the Hedgehog,’ and a built-in international fan base," said Hannah Minghella, Columbia Pictures' president of production.

"Along with our wonderful creative partners at Marza, we're looking to capture everything that generations of fans know and love about Sonic while also growing his audience wider than ever before."

Sonic is a $1bn franchise with over 140 million games sold to date.

Marza Animation Planet CEO Masanao Maeda added: "Sonic has had dozens of adventures on the console and the small screen, and we're thrilled that he's now coming to the big screen.

"Sony Pictures has had great success with hybrid animated and live-action features, and we're confident that this collaboration will bring a fresh take to Sonic, while still capturing everything that the fans love about him." l

A group art exhibition titled “Chitrolekha” featuring the art of seven diverse artists is going on at the Dhaka Art Center. The exhibition is a treat for the spectators as it offers a variety of themes and mediums.

As always, Nazir Hossain’s friendly tiger acts as an envoy for a cause. This time the tiger is promoting green society. His scroll art “Shobuj Gaa” is about the beauty of the greenery of rural Bengal. The tiger explains how it has emerged out of the colour green. Legendary artist S M Sultan has also portrayed his master pieces on “Shobuj Bangla.” The scroll depicts rhythm and sensibility in preserving nature and to bring peace in society.

Rajib Roy’s series of paintings are a reminiscence of his childhood. He said: “We feel nostalgic in every moment of our life.

This happens mostly when we are faced with challenges and think back about the simpler days of our childhood.” One of his paintings show a girl stepping into adult shoes “It has an insightful message, every child would like to grow and explore the world someday.”

Sadequr Rahman’s painting “Heritage” aims to protect the rich cultural heritage, one of the biggest assets of the country which is at risk.

“Klanto Dupur” by Rumana Islam Rupa represents a lazy afternoon. The leaves are lifeless and there is no sign of people in the

TODAY IN DHAKA Exhibition

Of Man and Earth II Time: 12pm – 8pm Bengal Art Lounge, Gulshan Avenue Rd-131 Circle -1 Unconsciously Conscious Time: 9am to 9pm Alliance Francaise de Dhaka Road-3 Dhanmondi Nature and People Close to Nature Time: 3pm – 9pm Alliance Francaise de Dhaka Dhanmondi Group Art Exhibition Time:10:30am – 5:30pm Nalinikanta Bhattashali Hall Bangladesh National Museum Shahbag

Film

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (3D) Pompeii (3D) & (2D) 300 Rise of an Empire 3 Days Kill Tarkata Time: 10am – 10pm Star Cineplex Level 8 Bashundhara City 13/3 Ka, Panthopath

painting that has a melancholic quality.

Arup Majumder’s “Mayan Civilisation” is about the history of the lost civilisation of the Mayan’s which is shrouded in mystery.

Suvu Ghosh’s series of painting “Love” narrates romanticism and intimacy between

two people. Rezowan Pilow’s painting captures a moment in time and expressions of life.

Chitrolekha is a group which has been formed by seven artists from the Fine Arts department of the University of Dhaka. l

Feud alert! Miley Cyrus dump on Selena Gomez n Entertainment Desk Miley’s friendship with Selena Gomez reportedly "turned sour" in 2008 because of Nick Jonas.

The “Wrecking Ball” hitmaker sparked rumours of a feud when she performed her track FU while holding a crude cardboard cut-out of the brunette beauty with her middle finger up before throwing it defiantly into the crowd during her Bangerz World Tour in Milan, Italy on Sunday night, and friends close to the duo claim they have had issues since they both dated the former Jonas Brothers star.

A source close to Selena, 21, told E! News that she has always taken the "high road" with Miley, but has never really liked her.

The insider added: "This has been going on for a while."

Meanwhile, a friend close to Miley said: "Their issue dates back to their Disney days... Things turned sour after Miley broke up with Nick Jonas in late 2007. The following year, Nick began seeing Selena and that is when the beef blew up."

The controversial cardboard cutout, created by a fan, featured a photograph of Selena's head on a half-naked body.

While it appears there's no love lost between Miley, 21, and Selena, the blonde singer is good friends with her rival's on-again, off-again boyfriend Justin Bieber. l

Did you know?

Greece kept more clean sheets than any other side in European World Cup qualification campaign (8)

Sport

Thursday, June 12, 2014

DHAKA TRIBUNE

11

FINISHING TOUCH A flag maker puts his final touches on an Argentina flag at Shankhari Bazar in Old Dhaka yesterday. The demand for flags in Bangladesh is currently very high with the Fifa World Cup starting in Brazil from tonight – MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

New-look England seek home comfort n AFP, London England will look to put the memory of their 5-0 Ashes drubbing in Australia behind them and prove there is Test life beyond Kevin Pietersen when they face Sri Lanka in the first of a two-match series at Lord’s on Thursday.

And with England still smarting from the run out, backing up, of Jos Buttler during Sri Lanka’s 3-2 series-clinching one-day win at Edgbaston, the Test campaign has been “spiced up” in the words of home captain Alastair Cook.

Six players who featured in England’s last Test, a crushing 281-run defeat

by Australia aren’t in England’s 12 for Lord’s.

Star batsman Pietersen, whose international career was terminated by the England and Wales Cricket Board after the Ashes on account of his ‘distracted’ nature is the most high-profile absentee.

But he has been joined on the sidelines by opener Michael Carberry, wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, seamer Boyd Rankin, leg-spinner Scott Borthwick and Ben Stokes, although it was a lack of match fitness that lay behind the all-rounder’s omission.

England’s team could feature three debutants in Australia-born opener Sam Robson, who plays at Lord’s for Middlesex and all-rounder Chris Jordan and

Moeen Ali, both of whom have played one-day internationals.

Meanwhile, fast bowler Liam Plunkett, whose ability to bowl at 90mph is something England hope will unsettle the tourists’ batsmen even on what is set to be a typically good Lord’s pitch, is in line for a recall seven years after his first Test.

Thursday’s match will also mark England’s first Test since Peter Moores began his second spell as head coach.

For all England capitulated in Australia, in the last five years they have won 21 out of 33 home Tests, drawing eight and losing just four.

Sri Lanka have never won a Test series of more than one match in England.

It is a record veteran batsmen Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene would love to alter on what is set to be the duo’s last tour of Britain and their team may not have a better chance given the later than usual start to the series minimises the impact of ‘English’ conditions.

Sri Lanka will hope the likes of seamer Shamina Eranga and compact opener Kaushal Silva can shine in cricket’s most celebrated arena.

Thirteen Tests have now passed since England, who have recalled wicketkeeper/batsman Matt Prior despite his troublesome Achilles injury, managed the benchmark score of 400 in an innings. l

BANGLADESH A TOUR OF WEST INDIES

Russell shines with the ball, Sagicor take series 2-0 n Mazhar Uddin Following his brilliant hundred in the first one-dayer, Andre Russell once again stamped his authority on the opposition as Sagicor High Performance Centre defeated Bangladesh A by three wickets in the second match and claimed the three-match series 2-0 with a game left at the Windward Park in Barbados on Tuesday.

Captain Naeem Islam won the toss and elected to bat first but the decision went horribly wrong for the Bangladesh A side as man-of-the-match Russell removed both the openers Imrul Kayes (nine) and Soumya Sarkar (11) cheaply with the visitors losing wickets at regular intervals.

Top-order batters Marshal Ayub and skipper Naeem were the highest scorers for their side as they both scored an identical 45 but their inability to prolong their innings proved to be fatal as the second-string national side were bundled out for 179 in 46.5 overs.

Russell scalped six wickets giving away only 26 runs in 8.5 overs.

In reply, the hosts were in a spot of bother after fast bowler Robiul Islam picked up three early wickets for Bangladesh A and later medium-fast bowl-

er Muktar Ali took two wickets in quick succession as Sagicor were reeling at 103/7 in 22 overs.

However, wicket-keeper-batsman Chadwick Walton and Ashley Nurse ensured a nervy win for Sagicor as the pair added 77 runs for the eighth wicket to also clinch the series for their side.

Walton, who was the highest scorer for Sagicor, remained unbeaten on 45 with the help of three boundaries while Nurse was undefeated on 40 smashing half a dozen fours.

For Bangladesh A, Robiul took three wickets conceding 59 runs in his 10 overs while Muktar and Farhad Reza picked up two wickets each.

Bangladesh A will play their third and final one-dayer today in Barbados before taking on the same opposition in a two-match Twenty20 series to conclude their month-long tour. l

BRIEF SCORE Bangladesh A 179/10 Naeem Islam 45, Marshal Ayub 45 Andre Russell 6/28 Sagicor High Performance Centre 180/7 Chadwick Walton 45*, Ashley Nurse 40* Robiul Islam 3/59 Sagicor HPC won by three wickets

England’s captain Alastair Cook (L) holds the series trophy with Sri Lanka’s captain Angelo Mathews, ahead of their first Test today, at Lord’s in London yesterday

Fifa Congress stung by Blatter resign calls n AFP, Sao Paulo Football rulers hold their annual congress on Wednesday amid calls from top European football for president Sepp Blatter to end his reign as Fifa president and damaging corruption accusations against Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid.

Michael van Praag, head of the Dutch football association, said Blatter should quit when his term ends next year. A similar demand was made by David Gill, vice-chairman of England’s Football Association, Blatter, 78, officially opened Fifa’s annual congress at a gala in Sao Paulo on Tuesday night without mentioning the attacks or corruption controversy. He is expected to announce on Wednesday that he will seek a new four year term.

“Tonight we are in a festive mood because let’s say the discussions and all of what’s linked with Fifa and is so important nowadays, we will discuss it tomorrow,” Blatter told said.

Fifa investigator Michael Garcia is to discuss his inquiry into the Fifa vote on the 2022 World Cup awarded to Qatar and the 2018 tournament that will be held in Russia at the Congress.

The corruption allegations and criticism of Blatter have threatened to further taint the opening of the latest World Cup in Sao Paulo on Thursday. Brazil is already struggling with protests over the cost of the event.

Van Praag challenged Blatter when he

“Mr Blatter, this is nothing personal but if you look at Fifa’s reputation over the last seven or eight years, it is being linked to all kinds of corruption and all kinds of old boys’ networks things,” Van Praag said he had told Blatter.

“Fifa has an executive president and you are not making things easy for yourself and I do not think you are the man for the job any longer.”

Blatter replied that he would not resign straight away, according to the official.

The English FA’s Gill also said it was “disappointing” that Blatter had changed his stance and the Fifa leader should leave next year.

“I think we need a full, frank and open debate about what Fifa needs going forward.”

Uefa president Michel Platini has been touted as a possible rival to Blatter

n AFP, London

Tribune Desk

Farashganj MFS finished their Premier Bank Bangladesh Championship League campaign as the runners-up.

They handed Agrani Bank a 2-1 defeat in their ultimate league match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

However, it was Agrani Bank who went ahead in the match inside 10 minutes. Rabbi netted the opening goal of the match with just seven minutes on the clock before Farashganj crawled back in the game after the breather.

Mohammad Ripon and Gafur Khan scored one goal each in the 61st and 87th minute respectively.

The result had little effect on the standing as the Old Dhaka outfit had already confirmed their promotion to the Bangladesh Premier League.

They ended the second tier with 35 points, nine behind champions Rahmatganj. l

Fifa has an executive president and you are not making things easy for yourself and I do not think you are the man for the job any longer

when the Fifa vote is held in May next year. Platini has said he will only decide his candidacy in September.

Van Praag said that if Platini does not stand then Uefa should agree another candidate to stand against the Swiss official.

Blatter was given a standing ovation when he spoke before the African, Asian and North American-Caribbean confederations on Monday. “This time, before Uefa, he did not get it,” van Praag said.

Blatter has been Fifa’s president since 1998. But his rule has never seen a controversy like the accusations that Qatar paid for votes when Fifa chose the Gulf country to host the 2022 World Cup. Qatar has strongly denied involvement in wrongdoing. But allegations made in British newspaper The Sunday Times are expected to be raised at the Fifa congress.

Garcia, a former US federal prosecutor, has completed his report but it will not be handed to a Fifa adjudicatory chamber until mid-July. Blatter has said no decisions will be taken until September or October.

Fifa faces mounting pressure as five of its six major sponsors, who account for hundreds of millions of dollars of finance each year, have called for a thorough investigation of the allegations.

The embattled Fifa leader has hit back at critics however by saying that racism is behind the corruption accusations. l

Murray makes ideal start to Mauresmo era

Farashganj runners up in C’ship League n

appeared before a closed meeting of the European confederation, Uefa. Some federations are angry because Blatter said in 2011 when he secured his latest term that it would be his last.

Britain’s Andy Murray trains as his newly-appointed French coach Amelie Mauresmo (C) looks on during a practice session at day three of the Aegon Championships at the Queen’s Club in west London yesterday AFP

Andy Murray made the perfect start to his bold venture with new coach Amelie Mauresmo on Wednesday as the Wimbledon champion opened his Queen’s Club title defence with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Paul-Henri Mathieu.

Murray sent shockwaves through the tennis world when he announced on Sunday that Frenchwoman Mauresmo would replace Ivan Lendl, who quit in March, as his coach for at least the grasscourt season.

The 27-year-old’s decision to ignore several high-profile male coaches to hire Mauresmo, a former world number one and Wimbledon champion, has been the talk of the sport for the last three days.

Mauresmo, the current France Fed Cup captain, has tried her hand at coaching on several occasions since retiring in 2009.

She had a brief spell working with male player Michael Llodra in 2010, but in the testosterone fuelled world of men’s tennis few leading players have

female coaches and the decision is seen in some quarters as a major gamble.

In the circumstances, a routine second round victory at this Wimbledon warm-up was exactly the kind of first date the pair needed as Murray, bidding to win Queen’s for a record-equalling fourth time, proved far too strong for world number 92 Mathieu.

Since losing to Roger Federer in the 2012 Wimbledon final, Murray has been unstoppable on grass and his winning run, which brought him Olympic gold, a first Wimbledon crown and a third Queen’s title, has now extended to 19 matches.

Murray’s next opponent in the third round will be Czech 15th seed Radek Stepanek, who defeated Australian Bernard Tomic 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/5).

Asked what Mauresmo would make of his performance, Murray told the BBC, “I don’t know, I’ll go and speak to her and see what she thinks. I served pretty well.

It was a good start to the grass-court season. I have great memories here and always enjoy coming back.” l

REUTERS

Hazard ‘certain’ to stay at Chelsea n AFP, Brussels

Eden Hazard said he is “100% certain” to stay with Chelsea next season in an interview with Belgian newspaper La Derniere Heure published Tuesday.

“I am 100% certain to stay at Chelsea. Everyone knew that really,” the 23-year-old attacking midfielder, who was a target of French champions Paris St Germain, told the paper.

The wealthy French club are said to have offered 75 million euros for Hazard, who had been subject to some severe criticism from Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho in the latter part of the season.

Hazard is presently with the Belgian squad at the World Cup in Brazil.

“In football, you never know. Bam! Things happen,” he said. “But I am under contract with Chelsea and I want to stay.”

Hazard, whose father is his personal manager and had said last week his son’s future would not be discussed during the finals so he was fully focussed on the tournament, said he had received no offer from Paris and indicated that he wants to extend his deal with Chelsea.

“We are talking quietly (with owner Roman Abramovich). It is just the start.

He has told me he wants me to stay and that its ‘a question of trust for me’. That shows I have done a good job and he is counting on me.” l

New Zealand in command in Kingston n AFP, Kingston Experienced seamer Tim Southee and debutant off-spinner Mark Craig shared the bowling honours as New Zealand dismissed the West Indies for 262 to take a potentially match-winning 246run first innings lead late on the third day of the first Test at Sabina Park in Jamaica on Tuesday.

By the close, the Black Caps had extended that advantage to 260 in reaching seven for two in their second innings.

Opener Peter Fulton and first innings centurion Kane Williamson fell cheaply but the tourists go into the fourth day still very much in command.

On a dry, wearing pitch that is expected to deteriorate further over the remaining two scheduled days of the match, the tourists are already in an excellent position to take the lead in the three-match series with what would be only their second Test match win in the Caribbean. l

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE

DHAKA-CHITTAGONG EXPRESSWAY

Joint venture picked as consultant n Asif Showkat Kallol An Australia-New Zealand-Japan-Bangladesh joint venture is likely to get the consultancy job to provide technical assistance for detailed study and design for the Dhaka-Chittagong expressway.

The government has planned to build the expressway exclusively for local exporters and importers carrying goods at high toll to earn large amount of revenues.

According to a study conducted by the Asian Development Bank, about 90% of the country’s total imports and exports are transported through the Dhaka-Chittagong highway.

The appointment of a consultant had been delayed by four months as consulting firms were at loggerheads with the Roads and Highways Division over the design of the proposed expressway, said a senior official of the Communications Ministry. The RHD wanted to make an extra design of the main bridge, he added.

Due to intervention of the Asian Development Bank, the foreign joint venture firms had shown interest in taking the job under package I. The Communications Ministry sent its proposal to the cabinet committee on public purchase for approval which is likely to be placed on Sunday, the official said.

Roads Division Secretary MAN Siddique said the consultancy firms would start work soon as the ADB had finalised negotiations with them.

On March 13 last year, the cabinet committee on economic affairs gave its nod

for a six-lane Dhaka-Chittagong expressway under public-private partnership.

As per the ministry’s proposal, three consultancy firms would be appointed for the construction of the expressway and the RHD had selected Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation International Pty Ltd of Australia in the joint venture with Oriental Consultants of Japan in association with the Association Consulting Engineers Consultants Ltd of Bangladesh and Castalia Ltd of New Zealand.

The consultant firms will be appointed for Tk83.22 crore. The technical assistance project for detailed study and design of the Dhaka-Chittagong expressway was approved on April 4 last year at a cost of Tk97.87 crore and the work was supposed to start in March last year and complete in August 2016.

According to the main proposal, if the Dhaka-Chittagong expressway is built on an elevated level, its cost would be $6.1bn. If it is constructed at ground level, the cost would be $2.2bn.

The expressway would be built under build-own-operate-transfer system.

According to an ADB study conducted a couple of years ago, 60% of vehicles using the highway are goods carriers while 27% heavy vehicles carry passengers. The number of vehicles on the route would increase 1.5 times or double in the next five years.

The study also said it took around 8-10 hours and sometimes even more to go the 250km distance on the highway. It also suggested constructing a four-lane highway by 2016, a six-lane by 2027 and an eight-lane expressway by 2034. l

SOURCE: FACEBOOK

PM’s painting goes viral on Facebook n Tribune Report A painting by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has gone viral on Facebook.

The painting, portraying the natural beauty of Bangladesh’s riverside during monsoon, was created by Hasina in 1994.

Nasrul Hamid, the state minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, shared a photo of the paint-

ing on his Facebook page yesterday afternoon. The post went viral with some 456 likes and some 28 comments within hours. It has also been shared 96 times till filing the report.

“This image of nature has been painted by the premier herself in 1994,” Nasrul said in the photo caption.

In the painting, some small boats are seen stationed on a river bank while the sky seems to be cloudy. l

Back Page

Thursday, June 12, 2014

BLOWING IN THE WIND

People get scattered as a sudden storm blows away the marquee of a stage made for Communications Minister Obaidul Quader to open the construction of the third phase of metro rail depot in the capital’s Uttara area yesterday. Obaidul had to be rushed to safety FOCUS BANGLA

Educationists demand stern action against question leakage

2 new upazilas to start activities soon n Mohosinul Karim

n Mushfique Wadud

The official activities of two newly formed upazilas are going to commence shortly, say gazette notifications issued yesterday by the Cabinet Division.

The new upazilas are Osmaninagar under Sylhet district and Guimara under Khagrachhari district.

The Cabinet Division issued the gazette notifications yesterday, granting approval to the establishment of the upazilas, following a decision of the National Implementation Committee for Administrative Reforms (NICAR) led by the prime minister.

According to the notifications, Osmaninagar upazila will be formed comprising eight union parishads of Balaganj upazila – Umarpur, Sadipur, West Poilanpur, Goala Bazar, Tazpur, Dayameer, Burunga Bazar and Usmanpur.

Guimara upazila will comprise three union parishads: Guimara of Matiranga, Sindukchhari of Mahalchhari and Hafchhari of Ramgarh upazila.

An organogram for 238 employees, including 26 police personnel, was approved by the Cabinet Division. The ministries, divisions and departments were instructed to assign officials and employees for the upazila offices.

Earlier, NICAR approved the proposal for founding the two new upazilas in the two districts, which had already been in operation as police stations under other upazilas. l

Leading educationists in the country urged the Education Ministry to be stricter in order to prevent the recurring incidents of question paper leakage and suggested that laws should be formulated ensuring stern punishment for those responsible for the leakages.

The suggestions came at a meeting between the educationists and Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid at the Secretariat yesterday.

The educationists agreed that security for the question papers should be strengthened, and for that, it was necessary to increase the use of information technology in examination management.

“We suggested that the education minister and the ministry be conscious about question paper leakage and continue their efforts to prevent such incidents in the future,” said Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University Anisuzzaman after the meeting.

There have been several allegations of question paper leakage in the recently ended Higher Secondary Certificate examinations.

The Education Board of Dhaka postponed the HSC English second paper exam following a claim that the question had been leaked.

Professor Mohammad Zafar Iqbal

said he had expressed his anger over the question leakage at the meeting.

He said a law should be formulated to take punitive actions against those responsible for the leakage.

Meanwhile, according to sources at the meeting, some educationists urged the ministry not to approve any new private universities and private medical colleges.

In addition, the educationists said the ministry should be cautious about allowing foreign universities to open branches in Bangladesh, and make sure they do not merely do business in the name of offering an education.

The issue was raised by Professor Pran Gopal Datta, vice-chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, the sources said.

Others raised questions about the quality of education in some private universities and Honour’s courses offered in colleges under the National University.

They also urged the ministry to consider reforms in the grading and examination systems.

Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed raised questions about the grading of answer scripts, according to the meeting sources.

He said the number of GPA 5 scorers were increasing because of the liberal grading, though their academic skills

CHILD LABOUR ELIMINATION

Disparity between planning and execution results in slow progress n

Udisa Islam

The curse of child labour continues to plague the country as the disparity between the planning and the execution of initiatives by authorities concerned have failed to eliminate the sweatshops that employ underage workers.

Child rights activists claimed that the realities of society push children into working in hazardous jobs, as there is an absence of any committed effort to find a solution to the crisis.

Children who were forced to work in deplorable conditions also said they had no other choice unless they were offered rehabilitation.

The businesspeople who hire child labourers for their shops or factories also admit that there has been no significant change in the situation over the last decade.

Basu Mallik, a businessman from Mirpur who employs 10 boys at his shop, said even though he wants better futures for those children, they would starve if he refused them a chance to earn money. The people who set plans for the betterment of the children have never met any child labourers and did not know what these children want, he said.

There are also differences of opinion

among the child rights groups. Some of them emphasise the urgency to educate the child labourers, while others call for the eliminationof child labour altogether; but no effective rehabilitation measures have been taken thus far.

Raihan has been working in a tannery along with at least a hundred other children, since he was 11 years old.

Now a 19-year-old teen, Raihan said he had been working in poor conditions for the past eight years in order to support his family. Although Raihan was offered admission to non-formal schools on several occasions, he did not take the opportunity, saying that he would get no job with a “street education” in a country which was full of unemployed people.

The scenario, however, was different for 10-year-oldTutul, who previously worked in a battery recycling factory. When the opportunity arose, he joined anon-formal school where he studied for one and a half years until his teacher told him that the course had ended. Without properly finishing his education and unwilling to return to a life of toil, Tutul has now become a drug dealer.

Several other child labourersalso said they were willingly doing their jobs as

nobody could give them any alternative.

Meanwhile, rights activists said the lives of many child labourers have descended into uncertainty as plans to eliminate child labour do not include any effective rehabilitation strategies.

“If we employ children for limited hours in a safe environment, working may be valuable to them and their families,” noted rights activist Khushi Kabir told the Dhaka Tribune.The child labourers could be prevented from taking wrong paths in their lives if people listened to their experiences and ensured better work environments for them, she added.

On the other hand, Mujibur Rahman, secretary-in-charge of the Labour Ministry, denied that there were differences between plans and reality. Saying the government was against eliminating child labour without ensuring rehabilitation, Mujibur, however, admitted that their resources were limited.

Around 50,000 children engaged in hazardous jobs in labour-dense areas of the capitalwere supposed to receive non-formal education and skill-development trainingunder a project called “Jhukipurno Srom Niroson”(elimination of hazardous labour) which began in 2010. However, the targeted number

of participants could not be reached, while the participants could also not be supplied with the equipment needed to start their own businesses once the training was complete.

Under the project, children were trained to work in the sectors of beauty parlours, mobile and computer servicing, motor mechanic, rickshaw servicing and sewing machine operator.

Seeking anonymity, a girl who received training under the project, said it was not possible for them to start a new business if the trainer could not provide them with a sewing machine, as the garments did not offer jobs to underage girls.

With the crisis prevailing, the country will observe the World Day against Child Labour today, with the theme: “Extend Social Protection: Combat Child Labour!” Different organisations have chalked up elaborate programmes to mark the day.

According to the last child labour survey conducted in 2003, about 3.2 million children, aged between five and 17, were engaged in active labour.

Of them, at least l.3 million were involved in hazardous jobs, with boys comprising at least 91% of the child labourers. l

were not improving.

Artist Hashem Khan said a fear had developed among the primary school students due to the high number of examinations.

He suggested that there be no exams until Class IV. Historian Muntassir Mamoon echoed Hashem Khan’s suggestions, saying school goers were exposed to too many examinations.

He also opted against the Junior School Certificate examinations and said the curriculum should be reviewed frequently.

He raised questions about changing the pictures and madrasa syllabus following an objection from the madrasa teachers.

He also said religion should not be imposed on children.

At a press brief after the meeting, the education minister said the ministry would consider all the suggestions and determine its next course of action accordingly.

He also said those responsible for question leakage would not be spared and the ministry would do everything to prevent question leakages in the future.

Professor Rehman Sobhan, Professor Salahuddin Ahmed and Professor Zillur Rahman Siddiqui were also present at the meeting, among others. l

War crimes suspect Tarafder arrested n Udisa Islam

Police, with the help of the International Crimes Tribunal investigation agency, yesterday arrested Abdul Latif Tarafder, a suspect in a war crimes case, from Badhal union in Bagerhat’s Kachua upazila.

Sources in the probe agency said Tarafder was arrested after the tribunal issued a warrant for his arrest, while police sources said the suspect might be presented before the tribunal today.

Tarafder is one of the three accused in

The investigation agency did not release news about arrest warrant ahead of the drive, but two suspects managed to escape the case. The other two include prime suspect Sheikh Sirajul Islam alias Siraj Master and another whose name was not disclosed by the authorities.

Investigators are probing their alleged involvement in several crimes against humanity committed in Shakharikatthi of Bagerhat during the Liberation War. The agency reportedly maintained caution in not releasing news about the

arrest warrant ahead of the drive, in an attempt to arrest all three suspects.

However, the two other suspects managed to evade arrest.

Abdul Hannan Khan, chief of the investigation agency, told the Dhaka Tribune that the trio were part of a criminal enterprise and the agency was determined to arrest the fugitive suspects as well.

When contacted, Syed Sayedul Haque, the conducting prosecutor for this case, refused to disclose the details of the case as the two other suspects were still on the run.

The agency has reportedly neared the end of its probe into the alleged crimes by the three men, and found evidence of their involvement in forcefully converting around 200 people as well as other crimes that they committed against humanity in 1971. They also might be charged for genocide.

According to investigators, Siraj was a key associate of razakar founder AKM Yusuf during the Liberation War and involved in crimes against humanity including genocide, murder and torture in Shakharikatthi. Siraj was allegedly the executor of crimes planned by Yusuf, a Jamaat leader who died on February 9 while on trial for crimes against humanity.

In November 4, 1971, at least 40 unarmed civilians from the Hindu community in Bagerhat’s Shakharikatthi were killed. l

Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207.

Phone: 9132093-94, Advertising: 9132155, Circulation: 9132282, Fax: News-9132192, e-mail: news@dhakatribune.com, info@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com

Joishthya 29, 1421 Shaaban 13, 1435 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 2, No 73

THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION DT GUIDE TO THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

Dhaka Tribune June 12, 2014

MAIN NEWSPAPER INSIDE

S3 | RONALDO SHINES IN RETURN

S4 | BRAZIL, ARGENTINA IN THEIR OWN EYES

24-PAGE WORLD CUP SPECIAL

Troubled World Cup poised to kick-off A

Brazil homeless movement calls off protests

n AFP, Rio De Janeiro Brazil’s President Dilma Roussef vowed that her country is ready to host the most trouble-plagued World Cup in history from Thursday as she confronted public anger at the multi-billion-dollar price tag.

The four-week feast of football in the sport’s spiritual homeland gets under way in Sao Paulo, where Brazil face Croatia at 5:00pm (2000 GMT).

The start of the four-yearly extravaganza is the acid test for organisers and football’s governing body FIFA, who have been scrambling to get Brazil ready for the biggest single sport event.

The first of 64 matches which culminate with the July 13 final in Rio de Janeiro will be staged in the Corinthians Arena, a symbol of the chaotic build-up.

Rousseff acknowledged that organizing the cup was tough, but she insisted that the 12 stadiums are ready and told foreign fans Brazil would welcome them with “open arms” like Rio’s Christ the Redeemer statue.

“Brazil overcame the main obstacles and is ready on and off the pitch for the cup,” she said in a nationally televised address late Tuesday.

Rousseff said she understood the protesters but insisted they are wrong.

“For any country, organizing a cup is like playing a game, sweating and often suffering, with the possibility of extra-time and penalty kicks,” Rousseff said. “But the final result and celebration are worth the effort.”  PAGE S2 COLUMN 1

n Sao Paulo

A child runs in front of a mural painting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

How the name Pele came into being

from Sao Paulo, Brazil Believe it or not - Pele, arguably the greatest ever footballer to have played the game actually hates the name he is known by and has been famous for all these years. The King revealed the mystery regarding the genesis of his name in a launching programme of a video blog and the TV show ‘The Real Pele’ written by his daughter Kely at the Sao Paulo Stadium yesterday.

The only three time World Cup winner said he was not named Pele by his parents. “My father named me Edson resembling the name of the scientist Thomas Edison and I was very proud of that. But when I started playing football, may be the technique was different and somebody started calling me Pele. What can I do? Gradually Pele became a brand worldwide,” said Pele.

The football magician also added that the language and the appeal of the beautiful game have not changed. “I believe the game has not changed. It’s the good players who present it differently. When we played, we felt the same heat in the field. Nowadays only the rules have been changed, football has not changed,” said Pele.

“The rules protect the footballers more now than they did in our times.

It was really tough to face the challenges. Nowadays the rules protect the footballers and it is for the betterment of the game,” added Pele.

Pele admitted that the modern  PAGE S2 COLUMN 6

AFP

Brazil look to turn on the style n AFP, Sao Paulo Brazil are desperate to make a powerful statement of intent in Thursday’s World Cup opener against Croatia as they seek to relieve the suffocating pressure that has engulfed the team in the build-up to the tournament.

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has the luxury of being able to field the same team that destroyed world champions Spain 3-0 in the final of last year’s Confederations Cup, with Barcelona star Neymar the focal point of a powerful and settled line-up.

The five-time champions are expected to qualify from their group without too much trouble but Barcelona defender Dani Alves admitted there was anxiety ahead of the Sao Paulo opener, as they seek to ease the jitters.

“I have always said that if you don’t feel anxiety it is not worth being a professional athlete. The opening game is difficult, important,” said Alves.

“The three points count but so does the idea of sending out a message to our rivals. The most important game at the World Cup, for everyone, is the opening game.”

He added: “We will only know on

The Homeless Workers’ Movement, a mainstay of the anti-World Cup demonstrations that have shaken Brazil in recent months, has reached a deal with authorities not to protest during the tournament.

The group said that in exchange for a promise not to take to the streets it had extracted key concessions from authorities, including a pledge to build houses on land the movement illegally occupied last month near the Sao Paulo stadium that will host Thursday’s kick-off.

“The movement isn’t against the Cup. We won’t protest either against the Cup or during it,” spokeswoman Jussara Basso told AFP. Authorities have also agreed to give the movement’s members priority access to a federal housing program called “My House, My Life,” a government website confirmed. Thousands of movement families have set up a tent city in Sao Paulo just a few kilometers from Corinthians Arena, baptizing their squatter camp the “People’s Cup.” The movement had also been a key player in broader protests against the more than $11 billion being spent on the World Cup, saying it should have been used to address pressing needs in housing, education, health and transport. l

FACT BOX (Brazil v Croatia) Where: The Corinthians arena, Sao Paulo Capacity: 61,606 When: Thursday, June 12, 1700 local (2000 GMT/4 PM ET) Referee: Yuichi Nishimura (Japan)

Cup tournament win on home soil.

“There are no easy games and the game against Serbia was very compliProbable teams cated,” said the winger. “They are quite Brazil a well-balanced side. I think the game 12-Julio Cesar, 6-Marcelo, 3-Thiago Silva, against Croatia will be similar.”

4-David Luiz, 2-Dani Alves, 8-Paulinho, 17Croatia will be missing Bayern MuLuiz Gustavo, 11-Oscar, 10-Neymar, 9-Fred, nich striker Mario Mandzukic because 7-Hulk. of a red card he picked up in a match Croatia against Iceland in November.

1-Stipe Pletikosa; 11-Darijo Srna, 5-Vedran But they also boast Real Madrid’s Corluka, 6-Dejan Lovren, 2-Sime Vrsaljko; GROUP A GROUP B Luka Modric in their line-up, who said GROUP A GROUP B 18-Ivica Olic, 7-Ivan Rakitic, 10-Luka the key to the game would be the midModric, 20-Mateo Kovacic, 4-Ivan Perisic; field battle, admitting the task of taking 9-Nikica Jelavic. on Brazil in their own backyard was Key stats daunting.

Brazil have played in the opening game “Virtually every game is decided of a World Cup on three previous occaBrazil Cameroon Croatia Mexico Australia Chile Netherlands Spain Brazil Cameroon Croatia Mexico Netherlands Spain in the midfiAustralia eld. In mostChile situations the sions, beating Scotland (1998) and MexThe Corinthians arena, Sao Paulo winner is the team that has the better ico (1950) and drawing with Yugoslavia Thursday, JuneC12, 5:00PM local (2:00AM BST) GROUP GROUP D GROUP C GROUP D midfield,” said Modric.

And Modric, (1974).

Croatia have failed to register a win in Brazil’s last World Cup win in 2002, is fresh from winning the Champions their last four games at the World Cup likely to stick with his tried-and-tested League with Real Madrid, highlighted finals. Their last victory was a 2-1 win winning formula against 18th-ranked the danger of Neymar, hailed by many over Italy in June 2002.

Croatia after the same 11 edged past as the key man for Brazil.

Colombia Greece Ivory Coast Japan Costa Rica England Italy Uruguay Brazil have won their opening game at did not the best of seaSerbia 1-0 in a friendly week, cour- Japan “NeymarCosta Colombia Greece last Ivory Coast RicahaveEngland Italy Uruguay the last eight World Cup tournaments. son with Barcelona, but when he plays tesy of a goal from Fred.

GROUP E GROUP F Previous meetings is a completely different Brazilian GROUP E reserve striker Jo, speaking for Brazil, he GROUP F There have been two between the teams. after training on Tuesday, said the mood player,” said Modric. “But I believe that The first was a 1-1 draw in a 2005 friendly in the camp was calm but the nerves we will find a way to stop him.” in Split, the other a 1-0 win for Brazil in the The match will be played in the would be jangling as kick-off approached. group stage of the 2006 World Cup. Last And squad member Bernard said it 61,600-capacity Corinthians Arena, meeting: Ecuador France Honduras Switzerland Argentina BosniaIran Nigeria June 13, 2006, Berlin, Germany, by accidents in was crucial to start the tournament with which was delayed Herzegovina World Cup group stage - Brazil 1 Croatia 0 Ecuador France theirHonduras Switzerland BosniaIran Nigeria which threeArgentina workers were killed. a win as Brazil chase first World Herzegovinal Thursday if everything is OK. We are very confident and we want this moment to come. We want to enjoy the World Cup. We are going to try to give a good image.”

The only question mark for tournament favourites Brazil for the match at the new Corinthians Arena would appear to be over the out-of-sorts Oscar, with his impressive Chelsea team-mate Willian pushing for a starting berth.

But Scolari, who masterminded

V

GROUP G

GROUP H

GROUP G

GROUP H

Heartbreak and horse placenta Germany

Germany

Ghana

Ghana

Portugal

United States

Portugal

guitarist, I am old enough engrossedly Russia banker, United States South Koreaand horse whisperer in the Algeria to haveBelgium

n Iresh Zaker

Brazil legend Pele kisses his daughter Kelly Christina at the launching ceremony of a video blog and the TV show ‘The Real Pele’ in Sao Paulo yesterday RAIHAN MAHMOOD

Being a generally positive person, I will start what I hope will be a month long series of articles on the World Cup with the happy topic of heartbreak. Here are my credentials on the subject. I have been a diehard fan of the Liverpool football club for the last 30 years. Enough said.

Why heartbreak and not horse placenta?

Trust me I will write extensively on a horse’s uterus in the days to come, especially if said equine body part ends up deciding who wins the Golden Boot. But for now I will concentrate on what I feel is a social responsibility.

Algeria

Belgium

Russia

watched eight world cups. Out of these Brazil and Argentina have won three. So at least 62.5 percent of the time, about 150 million Bangladeshis have suffered heartbreak.

The figures are alarming, more so because we don’t take this stuff lightly. It’s not like, for the average fan, Argentina deservedly getting knocked out of the world cup is akin to a bad shingara in the morning, which legitimately causes sadness but on a minor level. They will literally die, and/or then kill people who support Brazil, and in most instances those people would have died anyway because Brazil would not have won either. It is a grim cul de sac of madness.

One which I would have abided much more easily had most of these people not looked at me blankly when I started an animated discussion on Arturo Vidal (gotta look out for him) during the intervening years.

Let’s face it. Some if not most of our fans do not give a horse’s placenta about football.

They still believe that Brazil play the Samba, and that Maradona is the greatest coach,

South Korea

world. Clearly what rules the day during the thirty days of the cup is not the reality or the science of football, but rather a set of obscure convictions drawn greatly from ghosts of emotions past. Not the kind of stuff that we should be risking lives and limbs for.

So here is a futile piece of advice from someone who has been stripped of pride and peace by unworthy gaffers like Roy Hodgson. Get yourself incredibly occupied elsewhere during the next month. Start a new romance, write a book, study the reproductive process in horses. Do anything to take your mind off of what’s going on in Brazil. Should your team look like they might take the trophy, start watching. Otherwise go back to what you were doing. It’s only a month, and this way, after the month is over you will either be unbelievably happy or go back to not caring about football. In the meantime you will have saved yourself and those around you, and preserved the bodies and brains that are so valuable to Bangladesh, except during the World Cup month. l

S2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World Cup

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Brazil police fear protest violence at WC opener n Reuters, Sao Paulo Brazilian police fear street demonstrations will erupt in violence prior to the World Cup’s opening game on Thursday in Sao Paulo, as intelligence indicates a few hundred protesters will try to block roads leading to the stadium.

Police have used phone wiretaps and social media to gather information on protesters’ movements and plans before the opener between Brazil and Croatia, which will attract 60,000 fans, leaders of world soccer body FIFA and about a dozen heads of state, including Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

Demonstrations have raged on and off since last June as Brazilians vent their anger against what they see as government overspending on the month-long tournament, among other issues.

At their peak, the protests drew more than 1 million people into the streets.

They have been significantly smaller in recent months but police are worried about what they describe as a hard core

of radicals, mostly young men, who have vandalized buildings and clashed with police at previous events.

Several protest groups have called on Facebook for their followers to gather in downtown Sao Paulo on Thursday at 10 a.m. (1300 GMT) and then head toward the Arena Corinthians, some 12 miles (20 km) east. The game is set to start at 5 p.m.

Surveillance indicates some protesters are planning to evade police barricades and cut off Radial Leste, a key thoroughfare that will be used by VIPs to get to the stadium, according to three officials informed of the intelligence.

Protesters or disgruntled subway workers who have taken strike action this month may also try to obstruct the train line that most fans will use to get to the game, the officials said.

Police have strict orders to keep roads and public transportation open.

“If the protesters try to keep fans from arriving, the situation could get ugly,” one official said on condition of anonymity. “Police will keep the roads open, I guarantee.” l

A woman walks past a mural depicting Brazil’s forward Neymar in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, a day ahead the opening game of the FIFA World Cup 2014

Bus strike hits World Cup host city Natal n AFP, Brasília

World Cup bonuses cause stir from Spain to Cameroon

Bus drivers in Natal, one of Brazil’s 12 World Cup host cities, have announced they will go on strike Thursday, the day the tournament opens.

Union leader Paulo Cesar Ferreira said the strike would affect both buses and mini-buses, the only form of public transport in the northeastern city, which is hosting four World Cup matches starting with Mexico versus Cameroon on June 13.

Workers decided to keep 30 percent of the fleet on the road to avoid paralyzing the city completely, Ferreira said.

But the strike leaves organizers scrambling to find alternative transport to get fans to the 42,000-capacity Dunas Arena.

Ferreira denied the union was using the World Cup as leverage.

“Our negotiations take place at the same time every year. The Cup was a coincidence,” he told AFP. l

From Cameroon’s players refusing to board their plane for Brazil to Spain’s massive offer, World Cup bonuses have already caused a stir before a ball has been kicked in anger.

As ever it was an African country, this time Cameroon, who kicked up the first fuss over bonuses.

In 2006 it was Togo while last time out in South Africa it was again Cameroon whose players threatened to go on strike.

This time Samuel Eto’o and his team-mates initially refused to board their plane for Brazil on Sunday unhappy at the amount offered them by the government.

An offer of 76,000 euros ($104,000) per man was rejected before the players eventually accepted that amount plus six percent of the revenue generated by their federation at the World Cup.

n AFP, Paris

Even if they are eliminated in the group stages they stand to earn a minimum of $21,000 extra each.

Quibbling over such sums is a far cry from the extravagant offer dangled out in front of Spain’s reigning world and European champions.

They stand to earn a staggering 720,000 euros each should they lift the trophy for the second time in succession, but less impressive performances would result in drastically reduced earnings.

Their bonuses, like those for Germany, only kick in at the quarter-final stage, where Spanish players would receive 60,000 euros compared to 50,000 euros for the Germans.

Thereafter, however, the Spanish bonuses start to accelerate away, with Germany’s players ‘only’ set to earn 300,000 euros a man if they win.

- Brazil payday Hosts Brazil are also in line for a bumper payday, with squad members reported to earn around 1 million reais

($448,000) if they go all the way.

Those may seem astronomical sums but they must be taken into consideration alongside the fact that FIFA will give $35 million to the winning federation, $25 million to the runners up with the two losing semi-finalists gaining $22m and $20m depending on whether they win or lose the third-placed play-off.

Spain’s massive bonuses should also be considered alongside the 600,000 euros they earnt for winning Euro 2012 -- the World Cup is a bigger, more prestigious competition that generates far more money.

While the likes of Germany and Spain set out what their players will earn depending on what stage of the competition they reach, for others, such as Cameroon, bonuses are tied to simply being a part of the squad that turns up.

Australia’s players have also been offered a simple fee for making the World Cup of Aus$200,000 ($187,000, 138,000 euros) each. l

Pele worried about great expectations for Neymar n

AFP, Rio De Janeiro

Brazil star Neymar is under too much pressure to deliver the hosts with a sixth World Cup trophy, football legend Pele told the BBC. The 22-year-old Barcelona striker -who has scored seven goals in Brazil’s nine successive friendly wins leading into the finals -- is too young to be loaded with such expectations said Pele ahead of the hosts opening game with Croatia in Sao Paulo on Thursday.

Pele’s comments came despite his impressive performances for Brazil at last year’s Confederations Cup -- the mini dress rehearsal for the World Cup -- which saw them overwhelm present World Cup holders Spain 3-0 in the final with Neymar scoring a spectacular goal.

“Neymar is young,” three-time World Cup winner Pele told the BBC. “It is a heavy pressure for him to get all the responsibility.”

Swiss guinea pig seeks mantle of Paul the Octopus n AFP, Geneva

Italy’s national player Mario Balotelli (L) watches as his coach Cesare Prandelli gestures during a training session ahead of the 2014 World Cup at the Portobello training center in Mangaratiba yesterday REUTERS

A Swiss guinea pig has joined a menagerie of soothsaying animals tasked with predicting World Cup scores after the 2010 success of deceased soccer oracle Paul the Octopus.

Madame Shiva is setting her sights lower than other animal pundits, however, by focusing only on her home team’s matches in Brazil.

The 20-month-old guinea pig has already tipped Switzerland to beat Ecuador in their opening Group E game on Sunday, said the international development charity Swissaid, which put Madame Shiva’s skills to the test.

She was placed on a mini soccer pitch with the colours of Switzerland and Ecuador at either end.

With a brief sniff of the pitch, Madame Shiva darted to the Swiss end, where in a sign of approval, she left a single dropping.

She was watched by former Switzerland manager, Frenchman Gilbert

Gress, who said she was spot on.

“Her prediction tallies with what’s going to happen on Sunday, when Switzerland beat Ecuador,” Gress said.

Madame Shiva’s next job will be to forecast the result of her team’s crunch clash with neighbours France on June 20, and their final group match against Honduras five days later.

Her job will continue if the “Nati” achieve their goal of at least a berth in the knock-out stages.

Swissaid said Madame Shiva’s new role was about more than football.

The charity works closely with smallholders in Latin America, notably Ecuador -- where guinea pigs are raised for meat and their droppings are used for organic compost -- and it aims to raise awareness of the animals’ importance.

Paul, the German octopus, won worldwide fame by correctly predicting the results of several games at the 2010 World Cup using its tentacles. It died shortly after the tournament.l

Troubled World Cup poised to kick-off  PAGE S1 COLUMN 1

Construction of the $424 million (313m euros) 61,600 Sao Paulo venue ground to a halt in November when a giant crane toppled over and killed two workers. A third labourer died in an accident in March. Eight workers have died while racing to complete World Cup-related projects.

The 12 World Cup stadiums were due to be ready by the end of December. Six missed the initial deadline.

Only this week, workers could be seen busily wiping seats, checking beams and installing wiring just days before the opener, which will be attended by 12 heads of state, UN

Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and assorted VIPs. Yet FIFA officials are bullishly backing Brazil, with President Sepp Blatter, under-fire over his handling of corruption allegations against Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid, strongly backing the hosts.

“We at FIFA, we are confident, it will be a celebration,” said Blatter. “After the tournament kicks off I think there will be a better mood.”

But the spectre of social unrest and transport chaos looms large.

A wage strike by Sao Paulo subway workers last week brought the city to a standstill, and led to riot police firing

teargas to break up protesters before the walkout was suspended on Monday.

Union leaders have threatened to resume the strike during the tournament if their demands are not met. On Tuesday, subway workers in Rio de Janeiro, which hosts seven games including the final, threatened similar action.

Authorities worry about a repeat of nationwide protests around the FIFA Confederations Cup last year.

The estimated $11 billion Brazil is spending on the World Cup tournament has angered many in a country with chronically under-funded health and public services and violent crime.

The rapid spread of last year’s

protests caught Brazilian authorities off-guard, and a massive security blanket will be draped across the World Cup in an effort to avoid a repeat of the clashes.

Around 150,000 police and soldiers and some 20,000 private security officers will be deployed across the 12 host venues to counter protesters whose slogan is “the Cup will not take place.”

In April, Rio’s famous Copacabana district witnessed violent clashes after residents of a nearby favela accused police of shooting dead a local man.

And resentment at the vast amounts lavished on the tournament -- Brazil

AFP

is believed to be the most expensive World Cup in history -- remains.

Brazil’s footballers were targeted by striking teachers as they set off for their training camp outside Rio last month.

“An educator is worth more than Neymar,” teachers chanted, referring to the team’s star striker.

Despite the off-field problems, the tournament itself promises to be a classic.

Brazil, chasing a record sixth World Cup, host the tournament for the first time since their loss to Uruguay in the climax of the 1950 finals, when their neighbours inflicted a defeat which became a national trauma. l

Pele, 73 and Brazil’s record goalscorer with 77 goals, said coach Luiz Felipe Scolari -- who coached Brazil to the last of their five World Cup trophies in 2002 -- had succeeded in turning the team into an outstanding defensive unit,

Neymar is young. It is a heavy pressure for him to get all the responsibility which has often been the weakness in the national side.

They have scored 30 goals and conceded just two in their nine consecutive victories since losing to fellow World Cup finalists Switzerland last August.

“For the first time in history, Brazil has a defence better than they attack,” said Pele.

“The midfield back is fantastic. Very organised. I hope we can adjust from the midfield forward.” l

Uruguay coach says not sure when Suarez will be fit n Reuters, Belo Horizonte Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez does not know when forward Luis Suarez, working hard on his fitness after knee cartilage surgery, will be ready to play again, he said on Tuesday.

“He’s responding very well and his spirits couldn’t be better. He’s working full out on his physical fitness,” Tabarez told a news conference after Uruguay’s first practice at their training base near Belo Horizonte.

“As we have no set deadlines, I don’t know if we’ll have him for the first match, for the second, for the third. If it were up to me, Suarez would play tomorrow.”

Uruguay kick off their World Cup Group D campaign against Costa Rica followed by matches against England and Italy. Suarez told his Twitter followers on the squad’s arrival in Brazil that his left knee is recovering well from his keyhole surgery on May 22 and he is in a good frame of mind.l

How the name Pele came into being  PAGE S1 COLUMN 2

day media is playing a big role to globalize the game. “Now the communication is far better and it is wonderful.

I can’t even imagine what the modern day media can do. Now most of the Brazilian players play outside the country but we can see them. We did not play outside the country during our times.

Football has been benefited by the support of the media,” said the King of Football from Brazil.

The Facebook page of the TV show is titled “The Real Pele”, in twitter @ therealpele and @akelychristina and in Instagram TheRealPeleteam. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World Cup

S3

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Rousseff defends Brazil’s spending n Reuters, Rio De Janeiro Less than 48 hours before the month-long soccer World Cup kicks off in Brazil, President Dilma Rousseff defended the cost of hosting the tournament, vowed to punish corruption and urged her compatriots to give visiting fans a warm welcome.

Following a year of protests over the roughly $11 billion Brazil is spending to host the World Cup, Rousseff said in a televised address on Tuesday that investments in stadiums, airport terminals and other infrastructure would provide long-term benefits for the country.

“We did this, above all, for Brazilians,” she said, repeating an argument she has put forth that the public works implemented for the tournament “won’t leave in suitcases along with the tourists.”

The tournament, which kicks off on Thursday when Brazil faces Croatia in São Paulo, is the most costly World Cup since the competition began 84 years ago.

While residents across the 12 host cities complain that many promised development projects are delayed, or

never materialized, Rousseff sought to underscore what has been accomplished. She rejected the “false dilemma” that World Cup spending somehow diminished investments in health, education and other public services.

Rousseff, who seeks a second term in October, noted that public spending on health and education were among the budget lines that have grown the most during her presidency.

In the three years since Brazil started building World Cup stadiums, she said, the country has spent 212 times as much on health and schools as it has on arenas.

Earlier on Tuesday, officials at FIFA, soccer’s governing body, sought to deflect criticism that the organization was making huge profits at the expense of Brazilian taxpayers.

Because of the cloud of corruption that often hangs over FIFA, and a long history of graft in Brazil itself, many Brazilians assume that the high costs of the tournament, and the delays and unfulfilled promises, are the result of wrongdoing.

Rousseff said the country is auditing all of the spending and promised to punish any corruption. “If any irregularities are proven,” she said, “those responsible will be punished.” l

The World Cup may be starting at Brazil but equally important battles are taking place in fields across Bangladesh. The picture was taken yesterday

Five new technologies at the World Cup n AFP, Rio De Janeiro The 2014 World Cup will represent the first time that goal-line technology has been used at football’s showpiece event, but technological advances will also shape the tournament in other ways.

Here, AFP Sports identifies five new technologies that will aid players, officials and fans during the competition, which starts on Thursday:

Vanishing foam

In a bid to prevent teams from illegally gaining ground at free-kicks, referees at the tournament will be armed with small canisters of vanishing foam. The biodegradable white substance will be sprayed on the pitch to mark where free-kicks should be taken from and the 10-yard distance that the opposition’s defensive wall must observe. Known as Aero Comex Futline, the substance

dissolves within a minute. “Players respect it,” says Australian referee Ben Williams. “It’s a great innovation and I’m looking forward to using it.”

The ‘Twitterwall’

The German Football Federation (DFB) has installed a specially designed ‘Twitterwall’ at the Germany team’s hotel near Porto Seguro in the eastern Brazilian state of Bahia. Using the hashtag #aneurerseite (#onyourside), supporters can send picture messages encouraging the team that will be displayed on the wall for the players to see. A similar idea was used at Frankfurt airport before the squad flew out to Brazil.

WhatsApp

Uruguay’s players have been keeping in touch with each other prior to the tournament by using the WhatsApp

instant messaging service on their smartphones. Striker Edinson Cavani revealed that he and his team-mates used the app to share their thoughts on the World Cup draw, which saw the South American champions paired with England, Italy and Costa Rica. “It was a bit like ‘Oh, Italy! Oh, England!’”

Cavani told Britain’s FourFourTwo magazine. “That messaging group is great for keeping us in contact because we’re playing all around the world and we can support each other. In that moment, it went crazy!”

Ultra High Definition television

The 2014 World Cup will be the first tournament to be partly captured in Ultra High Definition (UHD), which boasts a resolution approximately four times higher than conventional High Definition television and requires a satellite network capable of handling 100 mega-

bits of data per second. The tournament is seen as a trial run for the technology, which is not yet widely available.

iPads

England’s players have each been equipped with iPads containing personalised information about their groupstage opponents. The Football Association has designed a scouting app that allows Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and their team-mates to access personal data and video footage of the specific opponents they will come up against at the tournament. England have also been using heat chambers and wearing extra layers of clothing in training in a bid to replicate the humid conditions in the Amazonian city of Manaus, where they will play Italy on Saturday. “We’ve made progress,” said midfielder James Milner.

“We haven’t left any stone unturned, and our preparation has been very good.” l

WORLD CUP RECORDS Most World Cup wins 5 - Brazil (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002) Player to have appeared at most World Cup finals 5 - Antonio Carbajal (MEX) (1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966) and Lothar Matthaeus (GER) (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998) Most goals scored in a match 5 - Oleg Salenko for Russia in 1994 in their 6-1 win over Cameroon in the group pahse.

Number of teams that have won WC 8 - Brazil, Uruguay, Germany, Spain, England, Italy, France, Argentina.

Fastest goal scored 11 seconds by Hakan Sukur in 2002 for Turkey against South Korea in the third placed match which the Turks won 3-1.

Most goals scored at one WC finals 13 - Frenchman Just Fontaine in 1958.

Record World Cup finals scorer: 15 - Ronaldo or ‘The Phenomenon’ as

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

the Brazilian striker was nicknamed accruing the goals over three World Cups in 1998, 2002 and 2006 Youngest player to play at a finals: Norman Whiteside when he played for Northern Ireland at the 1982 finals when he was 17 years, one month and 10 days old.

Most appearances by a country at the finals: 19 - Brazil is the only country to have appeared at all the World Cup finals since the inaugural one in 1930 – the ones scheduled for 1942 and 1946 did not take place because of World War II and its immediate aftermath.

Oldest player to appear at a finals: Roger Milla in the 1994 finals in the United States when he was 42 years, one month and eight days old.

Worst disciplinary record Argentina whom in 70 games have received 103 yellow cards, one double yellow (straight red) and nine red cards.

Ramos looking for Brazil revenge n AFP, Curitiba

Peruvian shamans perform a ritual while holding a fake World Cup trophy and posters of various players outside the National Stadium in Lima on Tuesday. The shamans are blessing the 2014 World Cup host nation Brazil and key football players good luck REUTERS

Despite being the reigning champions, Spain have revenge on their mind, experienced defender Sergio Ramos said Tuesday from Curitiba, where he was named as a UNICEF ambassador.

Spain may have won the World Cup in South Africa four years ago but last year they were humbled 3-0 by hosts Brazil in the Confederations Cup final.

And now Ramos, 28, says he and his team-mates have the ideal opportunity to get their own back for that rare defeat.

“We’ve already been in Brazil for the Confederations Cup -- football always gives you a chance for revenge after you get this little thorn in your side.

“We’re the champions, there’s high expectation. It’s always possible but

winning a World Cup is very difficult.”

Quite apart from the opportunity to right the wrong from June 2013, Ramos, who also spoke of his pride at being named a UNICEF ambassador, said there was something special about playing in a World Cup in Brazil.

“It’s always a dream to play in a World Cup and to do so in Brazil, who have a very prestigious team that has always made a difference and always been favourites, you dream about wearing your country’s jersey and playing in a World Cup, and all the more if it’s in Brazil.”

But the Real Madrid star, capped 116 times since making his international debut in 2005, insisted his country are not getting carried away with themselves, particularly given they have

been paired in Group B alongside the team they beat in the final in 2010, the Netherlands.

“The most important thing is to make the most of the World Cup. First up there are three excellent teams in Holland, Chile and Australia before we can start thinking about the second round, quarter-finals, semi-finals or final.

“We have to take it one game at a time, which is what will guide us to success, that alongside humility and hard work.

“We’re prepared to face the best in the world, which is what gives you prestige.”

Being a cornerstone fixture both in the Spain and Real teams, Ramos has won everything there is to win in both club and international football.l

Japan’s Nishimura Ronaldo shines in return for Portugal to referee opener us, as we expected it would be, with goalkeeper David Forde. n Reuters, East Rutherford Hugo Almeida pounced on Forde’s one of the best players in the world Reuters, Natal n Cristiano Ronaldo provided Portugal rebound to register the second of his starting in the game,” said Ireland manJapanese referee Yuichi Nishimura, who showed Felipe Melo a red card as Brazil crashed out of the World Cup quarter-finals four years ago, will officiate Thursday’s opening match of the 2014 tournament between the hosts and Croatia.

FIFA announced the match officials for the first four matches on Tuesday, handing the honour of blowing the opening whistle in Sao Paolo to Nishimura, who will be assisted by compatriots Toru Sagara and Toshiyuki Nagi.

The 42-year-old dismissed Melo for stamping on Dutch winger Arjen Robben in the 73rd minute of the last eight contest in Port Elizabeth four years ago, effectively ending Brazil’s hopes of coming back from 2-1 down and their dreams of a sixth world title. l

with a major confidence boost ahead of the World Cup when he made a successful return from injury in a 5-1 romp against Ireland on Tuesday.

Playing his first match since the Champions League final, Ronaldo’s presence helped reignite Portugal’s stuttering attack at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Ronaldo was not among the scorers and was substituted after 64 minutes but showed glimpses of his best and came through the friendly unscathed after missing his country’s last two warm-up matches because of problems with his left knee and right thigh.

“I think he did well, considering he has not been playing,” said Portugal manager Paulo Bento, speaking through a translator.

“Players like Ronaldo are important for every team they play for ... and it’s the same for us.”

Ronaldo, the World Player of the Year, almost scored in the 18th minute with a dipping free kick that hit the post and again in the 37th minute with a header he directed straight at Irish

two first-half strikes as the Europeans rediscovered their scoring touch after managing just one goal in their two previous friendlies against Mexico and Greece.

Players like Ronaldo are important for every team they play for ... and it’s the same for us Almeida opened the scoring in the third minute when he climbed above the defence and headed a cross from Silvestre Varela into the back of the net.

Portugal scored again in the 20th minute when Fabio Coentrao fired in a low shot from the left that took a wicked deflection off Irish defender Richard Keogh straight over Forde’s head.

Trailing 3-0 at halftime, Ireland pulled one back early in the second half when Wesley Hoolahan took a quick free kick and James McClean turned inside and rifled a shot from his left foot into the corner.

“It was a very, very tough game for

ager Martin O’Neill.

“He (Ronaldo) of course is absolutely vital to Portugal’s hopes of doing well. While they’ve got a number of really brilliant players, he’s obviously one of the two top players in the world.”

Portugal dominated the rest of the match, banging in two late goals against an Irish side that failed to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil. Substitute Vierinha scored in the 77th minute when Forde initially saved his header but parried the ball straight back to him.

Then Coentrao finished off the rout when he clinically finished off an inch-perfect pass from Nani, who impressed after replacing Ronaldo for the last 25 minutes and had a late backheeled goal disallowed for offside.

Midfielder Raul Meireles, who has had a thigh problem, also played 64 minutes while central defender Pepe, who has been struggling with a leg muscle injury, came on for the last 25 minutes in another welcome boost for Portugal who are drawn in the same group as Germany, Ghana and the United States for the World Cup, which starts in Brazil on Thursday. l

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (R) tries a shot past Ireland’s David Meyler during their international friendly match in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Tuesday REUTERS

S4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World Cup

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Brazil midfield gives Scolari food for thought n AFP, Teresópolis Brazil have plenty of reasons to be optimistic as they head into the opening game of their bid to finally win the World Cup on home soil.

Technical co-cordinator Carlos Alberto Parreira has said that he is so confident Brazil can win the ‘hexacampeonato’, a sixth World Cup, because “we have the best defence in the world”, marshalled by Paris Saint-Germain duo Thiago Silva and David Luiz.

Their presence, along with fullbacks Dani Alves and Marcelo, masks any doubts surrounding the condition of goalkeeper Julio Cesar, while at the other end of the field Brazil have the potential superstar of the finals in Neymar.

“When things are going bad, we try to do everything to get the ball to Neymar,” said striker Fred, underlining the importance to the Selecao of the 22-year-old Barcelona forward.

But elsewhere coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has some thinking to do in midfield, where questions are being asked about the players who have formed his first-choice trio in that area ever since last year’s trium-

The greatest show on earth begins today

from Sao Paulo, Brazil Fifa World Cup 2014, the month-long festival of football in the spiritual homeland of the sport gets under way with the hosts and five time champions Brazil taking on Croatia in the Arena de Sao Paulo today.

The showcase event of the beautiful game will be the highest money-spinning edition in the World Cup history with the amount of prize money amounting to a whopping $358m. The winners get $35m while the runners-up will take away $25m, the third placed team $22m, the fourth placed team $20m, the quarter-finalists $14m, the round of 16 qualifiers $9m and the group stage teams $8m.

It is worth mentioning here in this regard that for the the prize money for the winners of 2002 edition of this mega football event hosted jointly by Japan and South Korea was just $14.2m which means there has been an increase of more than hundred percent in the winners’ prize money after just 12 years.

However, that’s not the end of the story. Fifa World Cup 2014 is poised for such an expensive event that all the 32 participating nations will receive $1.5m each for taking part and team preparation which means it will cost Fifa $48m. Fifa have not forgot to honor

the clubs whose players will take part in the World Cup and will splash out a further $70m as a recognition of their participation in the competition.

The opening ceremony will see Pitbull, Claudia Leitte, Jennifer Lopez and Olodum grace the ceremony with their thrilling performances. The manifestation of Brazil’s three biggest treasures – its nature, people and football will be showcased by a total of 600 dancers and performers with the focus being a “living” ball. This LED ball has more than 90,000 light clusters creating 7,000 nits of luminance which should enliven the performance. The opening ceremony, which is set to be attended by 12 heads of state along with the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, will also feature a demonstration by the Walk Again Project.

In addition to the 62,606 fans and dignitaries present in the stadium, the ceremony will also be telecast in 200 territories around the world with more than 160 principal rights holders broadcasting the spectacular event to all four corners of the globe.

The 61,606-capacity stadium is one of the 12 World Cup stadiums which were supposed to be ready by the end of last December. However, construction work missed the deadline of delivery six times and was still going through the final touches on Wednesday. The workers were busily checking beams, tightening different structures and installing wire just a day before the opener.

Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura will handle the opening game and an interesting fact worth a special attention here is that the 42 year old was also in-charge when Brazil lost to the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of Fifa World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

He is remembered for sending off Brazil’s Felipe Melo for stamping on Arjen Robben as the Brazilians surrendered an 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 which also cost Brazil’s coach Dunga his job. l

phant Confederations Cup run.

In the 3-0 victory against Spain in the final of that competition, Luiz Gustavo and Paulinho provided the protection to the defence while Oscar was charged with offering the creative spark.

Those three played together in last Friday’s 1-0 win against Serbia in Brazil’s final warm-up game and most indications from the national team’s training camp in Teresopolis, 100 kilometres north of Rio de Janeiro, this week have been that Scolari will again field the trio in Thursday’s Group A opener against Croatia.

However, Paulinho, of English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, was criticised for his performance against Serbia and Oscar has not rediscovered his best form since a poor second half to the club season with Chelsea.

“He was our best player for months, from August to December. He was absolutely fantastic. After that he’s been up and down,” said Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho recently, and there have been some calls for Oscar to be replaced in the starting line-up by his club colleague Willian.

Concern as to the form of those alongside him means there will be greater emphasis on Luiz Gustavo as Brazil try to deal with the considerable threat posed by a Croatian midfield containing world-class talents in Luka Modric of Real Madrid and Ivan Rakitic of Sevilla.

The 26-year-old of German club Wolfsburg started out as an attacker but has had to drop back to enjoy success at the highest level and will now fulfil a role carried out by the likes of Dunga and Gilberto Silva in great Brazil teams of the recent past. l Brazil were booed off in their final World Cup friendly against Serbia, despite winning 1-0.

Luiz Felipe Scolari already knows his favoured starting XI, which means the likes of Dante, Ramires and Willian should miss out on a place in the firstteam.

The host nation has never lost their opening World Cup game, with the 20 previous hosts winning 14 and drawing six of their openers.

Brazil’s one previous tournament as hosts saw them defeat fellow 2014 Group A members Mexico 4-0 in their opening game (1950).

Eight of the last 12 opening matches at World Cups have produced one goal or less.

Brazil are taking part in their 20th World Cup. They are the only team to have taken part in every single tournament.

A Selecao have won the most games (67) and scored the most goals (210) at the World Cup. Brazil have won eight of their last nine World Cup games in the group stages (1 draw). Their last defeat dates back to 23 June 1998 against Norway (1-2).

Croatia need to step up as a team: Modric n Reuters, Manaus Most Croatian players have improved individually since Euro 2012 but only the June 12-July 13 World Cup will show whether the team can match the sum of its parts, playmaker Luka Modric said.

The Croatians take on hosts Brazil in Sao Paulo in the tournament’s opener on Thursday and Modric assessed there was a thin line between success and failure in the 32-nation event.

“We could go far if we get past the group stage,” the midfielder told reporters in Croatia’s Praia do Forte base on Tuesday.

“I can see very clearly that many of us have improved massively as individuals since Euro 2012 but it is yet to be seen whether we have progressed as a team.

“It’s been a while since we played a match as big as this one, we know the Brazilians respect us and we are also aware how fired up they will be to make a winning start on home soil.

“They are a phenomenal team with Marcelo, Thiago Silva and Neymar the three outstanding players in my opinion.

“Hence we have to breathe as one on the pitch because none of us can put up a one-man show against a team of such fortitude. It will be a titanic tussle in midfield and we are doomed if we surrender possession and sit back.”

Croatia will be without star striker Mario Mandzukic for the meeting with Brazil as he is suspended.

Ivica Olic could lead the attack, with Eduardo and Nikica Jelavic starting on the bench in Mandzukic’s absence.

That may see Mateo Kovacic pushed to the left-wing and Ivan Rakitic operate behind Olic.

Danijel Pranjic is a doubt, so Sime Arsaljko may come in at left-back.

Croatia have only conceded 11 goals in 13 World Cup games (0.85/game).

It’s the best ratio among the 32 teams taking part in 2014.

Croatia’s last nine World Cup games have produced six red cards.

Brazil won their one previous competitive meeting with Croatia 1-0 in the 2006 World Cup; Kaka scored the winner in Berlin that day.

Costa happy with Brazilian reception n AFP, Curitiba

Brazil-born striker Diego Costa claims he has been granted a positive reception from his countrymen despite opting to represent Spain at the World Cup. Although he made two friendly appearances for his homeland in 2013, Costa chose last October to represent his adopted country Spain, where he has played most of his career.

That sparked fears that he would come under fire from his compatriots when returning to Brazil to play for Spain at the World Cup. But the 25-year-old Atletico Madrid forward, widely tipped to be on the brink of a move to Chelsea, claims his

reception could not have been better.

“Many people in Brazil understand what went on. Things are going well for me,” he said.

“They have treated me well, just the way I hoped. I have the support of a lot of people who know what happened.”

Costa was called up by Brazil coach Luis Felipe Scolari for a pair of friendlies against Italy and Russia in March 2013.

Despite that, the Royal Spanish Football Federation made an application to FIFA in September to call up Costa to Vicente Del Bosque’s team after the striker was granted Spanish citizenship.

A month later Costa announced

his decision to play for Spain, claiming Del Bosque showed greater desire than Scolari to win him over to his side, earning a rebuke from Scolari who accused him of “turning his back on the dream of millions.”

Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) judicial director Carlos Eugenio Lopes went much further, demanding that Costa be stripped of his Brazilian citizenship and claiming that CBF chairman Jose Maria Marin had deemed him “persona non grata”.

Costa did acknowledge that the warm greetings he has received might not continue once he lines up with Spain inside a stadium but he said he was “calm”. l

The Croatians, who stunned the world when they reached the 1998 tournament semis in their first World Cup as an independent nation, have since flattered to deceive.

They failed to progress beyond the group stage in any of their three following World Cup appearances and also fell short in Euro 2012, finishing behind eventual winners Spain and runners-up Italy in a tough preliminary pool.

Brazilian-born striker Eduardo da Silva said Croatia’s fate in the tournament could be heavily influenced by their performance against the host nation.

“Brazil are the tournament favourites so beating them will be a big ask but how well we hold our own could determine our achievement in the group stage of the competition.

“On the other hand, it will be very difficult for them to come back if we score first. My family will be here and I am not sure who they will support but the most important thing is that we play well to keep a good atmosphere in the dressing room.” l

Jennifer Lopez to perform at WC opener after all n AFP, Rio De Janeiro Pop superstar Jennifer Lopez will perform at the World Cup opening ceremony after all, FIFA said Tuesday, two days after it announced “production issues” would prevent her traveling to Brazil.

Lopez, who recorded the official World Cup song, “We Are One,” with rapper Pitbull and Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte, will perform it with them and Brazilian drumming collective Olodum as originally planned at Thursday’s kick-off, FIFA said. l

Brazil and Argentina in their own eyes Mahmood n Raihan from Sao Paulo Carlos Alberto and Ezequiel Fernandez Moores, the veteran sports journalists from Brazil and Argentina respectively, firmly believe that the Fifa World Cup 2014 trophy will remain in Latin America and their teams are ready to lift the title.

Carlos Alberto, the sports editor of popular Brazilian magazine Revista Veja has covered as many as nine Fifa World Cups and looked confident about Brazil’s success.

“Yes, there were a lot of problems but I firmly believed that everything will pause once the ball rolls in the field. Strikes, riots, protests are normal customs in a democratic society and Brazil is not an exception. I believe all the people will rally together for Brazil’s success after inauguration.

Carlos Alberto also rated Brazil as the top team. “Winning World Cup five times and

playing in the home ground definitely puts Brazil ahead of all. However, Argentina is a strong contender and of course Germany is there, but with my experience I can say it is difficult to predict,” said Alberto.

“I remember the 1990 World Cup. When I landed in Italy, the same tune echoed everywhere with the tune being a final between Brazil and Italy. Did it happen? No, Germany stunned us all. So who wins in the end is a question only time can answer,” added Alberto.

The veteran World Cup journalist, however, was assertive when asked about Pele.

“Winning three World Cups and scoring 1200 goals matters. Who can match him?

He is at the top. Maradona won once but was a top player. Messi and Neymar are yet to win the World Cup and haven’t reached that level yet which should warrant a comparison of them with those fabulous two.”

Alberto further added that this edition

Carlos Alberto is important for both Neymar and Messi as Neymar has to mould his career with this edition and this might as well be Messi’s last

Ezequiel Fernandez Moores chance to touch the glittering silverware.

Ezequiel Fernandez Moores, the famous sports journalist of Argentina also seemed

confident that this time the cup will remain in Latin America but didn’t forget to pay tribute to Brazil. “We have arrived in the country of football. It may be is going through a tough time due to the presidential election ahead and the condition is complex as football and politics both are playing a role among the mind of the people. I think it will calm down once the World Cup begins,” said Moores.

Moores was elated to see the World Cup returning to his continent after 36 years.

“The last two World Cups have been won by the European sides and this time the time has come for the Latin America. There are countries like Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay who can lift the title. I have every hope that the cup will remain here,” said Moores who has covered seven World Cups so far.

Moores thought Messi had conserved his energy for the greatest show. “Messi has won everything apart from the World

Cup. I think he was cautious for the last few months and that may have affected his performance. He is the best at this moment and preserved his energy for the greatest show,” said Moores.

He also drew a comparison between the current Argentine and Brazilian playing trends. “Brazil played attacking football in the past while Argentina was defensive.

It was opposite in the last edition and this time it remains the same old style. However, I have to admit this Argentine defense is not so efficient,” Moores opined.

The gentleman refused to compare Pele and Maradona. “Both played in different times. Pele is a three time World Cup winner while Maradona led Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986. The club career of Maradona is better as he played in Europe and enjoyed tremendous success. Pele does not have many success apart from for Santos. I don’t like to compare them,” said Moores. l

B3 China ramps up spending to spur economy

B4 World Bank sees ‘flat’

growth for developing countries

THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2014 www.dhakatribune.com/business

Mobile importers Wide gap between government and WB estimates demand proposed n tax be scrapped FY15 BANGLADESH GDP FORECAST

WORLD BANK GROWTH PROJECTION

Tribune Report

‘Proposed tax could reduce affordability of users and encourage smuggling’ or a specific duty of Tk100 can be imn Syed Samiul Basher Anik posed on a handset import,” Mustafa Mobile handset importers urged the government to withdraw the proposed value added tax and duties on the imported handsets.

They said the proposed tax could reduce the affordability of the lower income people and encourage smuggling as the country completely depends on import for the product.

“Proposed taxes will give a rise to smuggling. Lower income consumers will also be affected. So the taxes should be withdrawn and kept as it is now, or set in inconsistent with that of the ICT sector,” said Mustafa Rafiqul Islam, President of Bangladesh Mobile Phone Importers Association (BMPIA).

Mustafa was speaking at a post-budget press conference in the city yesterday, organised by BMPIA. He also said as the government aims to build a “digital Bangladesh,” such tax hike on mobile import will not be consistent with that goal.

“Currently, around 60-70% imported handsets are feature phones. As the minimum price is within Tk1,000 each, lower income people usually buy such phones. But tax hike will increase the price to Tk1,100-1,200,” claimed BMPIA president.

The import of mobile handsets has increased manifolds over the last one decade.

While it was 6.22 lakh in FY200405, the figure has risen to 2.01 crore in FY2013-14 since the government gradually rationalised duties, BMPIA said.

Illegal entry of handsets has also declined remarkably over the period.

The data showed 95% of the handsets were imported illegally in 2001-02, which have reduced to only 4% in the FY14.

The “rationalisation of duties” also reduced the minimum price of a handset to Tk850 from Tk2,500 in last six years, the association said.

“In such a situation, if taxes are hiked, there will be a negative impact on the market. So it should be kept as now, or set in line with the ICT sector,

suggested.

In the proposed budget, Finance Minister AMA Muhith raised Vat to 15% from the present 10%.

BPMIA said 15% Vat is accompanied by 10% customs duty and 5% source tax, making the total rate 30% which is only 7.2% in India.

About the Vat raising, Muhith said the local assemblers have to pay 15% while the importers pay 10%, which creates an uneven competition between them.

The importers should also pay 15% Vat like as the assemblers do, he argued.

But market insiders said there is no local assembler of mobile handsets in the country though some companies are working to start such ventures which will, however, take time.

“Assembling of mobile devices is a complex task. Besides, the country is yet to have an appropriate environment for launching handset assembling plants.

The efforts will take time,” said BMPIA General Secretary Rezwanul Hoque.

Some companies in Bangladesh customise handsets, or work in researching or designing products, but the products are made in China, added Rezwanul who is also director at Symphony.

He argued: “In Bangladesh, 80% of the people use handsets with prices below Tk2,000. Under the proposed tax structure, the importers will have to pay Tk21 as tax for Tk100 price. It will make the handsets beyond the affordability of most people.”

While contacted, cellular division head of local brand Walton SM Rezwan Alam said there will be no uneven competition in the present structure of duty as there is no assembler in the country.

Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh Secretary General TIM Nurul Kabir and Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Director Shafqat Haider, among others, also spoke on the occasion. l

The World Bank has lowered growth forecasts for Bangladesh due to slow exports and falling remittances.

The Washington-based lender predicts Bangladesh's gross domestic product (GDP) will stand at 5.9% for fiscal year 2014-15 beginning from next month.

It is much lower than the government projection of 7.3% and its earlier January’s projection of 6% for the outgoing fiscal year, according to the bank's latest Global Economic Prospects (GEP) June 2014 released yesterday.

The GEP report usually is published twice in a year examining growth trends for the global economy.

“Growth in Bangladesh averaged 6.3% during 2010-2013, but slowed to an estimated 5.4% during the fiscal year ending in June 2014, adversely affected by social unrest and disruptions prior to national elections in January, and by capacity constraints that have resulted in persistent inflationary pressures,” said the report.

In its Bangladesh Development Update in April, it estimated that the GDP growth will be 5.4% for the outgoing fiscal year. This is also much lower than the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics provisional estimate at 6.12%.

The report identified domestic downside risks include stressed banking sectors, slow pace of reforms, and security uncertainties.

“Weak economic growth in recent years has taken a toll on corporate and bank balance sheets. Stressed bank loans (including restructured loans) exceed 10% of loans in Bangladesh.”

Non-performing loans (NPLs) in Bangladesh are concentrated in stateowned banks, which account for about

 B3 COLUMN 4

6.7%

7 6

6.1%

6.2%

Govt estimates

7.3%

6.0%

6.2%

5.4%

5.2%

5.9%

5 4 3 2 1 0

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016 Source: World Bank GEP report

a third of banking sector assets. NPLs as a share of total loans were the lowest in Nepal at 3.1%.

It said domestic demand in Bangladesh has been supported partly by robust agricultural harvests and migrant remittances.

As demand from the Euro Area and US improved in the second half of 2013, exports in Bangladesh grew rapidly.

Bangladesh’s export growth, however, slowed in Q1 2014, partly due to the lagged effect of disruptions caused by political unrest.

Restrictions imposed by countries in the Gulf on the intake of Bangladesh

migrants have resulted in reduced remittances. Inflation in Bangladesh declined during the second and third quarters of 2013, but picked up since Q4 2013, partly due to disruptions caused by political unrest.

South Asia’s GDP grew 4.7% in 2013, about 2.6 percentage points below average growth in 2003-12, mainly reflecting weak manufacturing performance and slowing investment in India.

Growth is expected to pick up modestly in 2014, and then rise to about 6% in 2015 and 2016, with firming global demand and easing domestic constraints offsetting a tightening of inter-

national financial conditions.

In its latest report, the Bank has lowered its forecasts for developing countries, now eying growth at 4.8% this year, down from its January estimate of 5.3%.

"Growth rates in the developing world remain far too modest to create the kind of jobs we need to improve the lives of the poorest 40%," said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. The global economy, it said, is expected to pick up speed as the year progresses and is projected to expand by 2.8% this year, strengthening to 3.4 and 3.5% in 2015 and 2016, respectively. l

EU Trade Commissioner may visit Dhaka next month n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman European Union Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht has expressed his desire to visit Bangladesh next month to review Compact Sustainability – a joint initiative to improve labour conditions in the apparel industry of the country.

“He wants to come to Dhaka in July as the Compact was launched on July 8 last year,” Commercial Counsellor at Bangladesh mission in Brussels Tapan Kanti Ghosh told the Dhaka Tribune.

“We have requested the commerce

ministry to fix a date but are yet to get any confirmation from the ministry,” he said. Gucht, a Belgian politician looking after trade issue for the 28-member bloc, will lead an EU delegation and is expected to meet all the stakeholders in the country.

“There is a provision in the Compact that a review of the initiative would be held in 2014 and it would be better if he attends the review meeting as Bangladesh can explain its expectation from the EU,” Ghosh said.

Gucht launched the Compact for im-

proving conditions for workers in Bangladeshi garment factories in the backdrop of the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Savar in April last year, resulting in over 1,100 deaths.

The Compact Sustainability seeks to improve labour, health and safety conditions for workers as well as to encourage responsible behaviour by business in the ready-made garment industry in the country. The main features of the Compact is to reform labour laws, recruit 200 additional inspectors by 2013 and improve building and fire safety by

June this year.

The EU had on many occasions earlier reminded Bangladesh of implementing the mutually agreed roadmap to improve the security of readymade garment factories to avert a serious consequence in its export trade. The EU has extended its duty-free quota-free market access under Everything but Arms facility for next 10 years.

It is Bangladesh’s leading trading partner with total exports to the EU amounted to €9.2bn in 2012, which represents about 10% of the country’s GDP. l

5,000 women entrepreneurs to be ‘empowered’ under BWCCI project

Plastic producers still press for 20% cash incentive n Tribune Report The platform of the plastic manufacturers and exporters still demands 20% cash incentive as this sector is now facing stiff global competitation, especially in the US market following the suspension of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) facilities by the US adminstration since June 27, 2013.

Apart from withdrawal of the GSP facilities, the increased shipment cost has also put this sector in further crisis of global price competativeness, said Jasim Uddin, president of Bangladesh Plastic Good Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) yesterday while addressing a press conference at his city office.

The press conference was organised to express the platform’s reactions over the proposed budget for the next fiscal year. Expressing his sharp recation over the proposed budget, Jasim Uddin said: The government’s tendency to borrow money from the banks to meet the budget deficit will not only further increase bank’s interest rates but also hamper the overall private investment due to the fund shortage.

In the proposed budget, the government had shown a deficit of Tk61,364 crore and to meet the budget difict would be a big challenge for the government, said Jasim.

Terming the budget as investment and industry friendly, Jasim hailed the government for proposing an allocation of Tk10 crore for establishing Bangladesh Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology (BIPET) to create skilled manpower for further developing the country’s plastic sector.

8

n Tribune Business Desk

Association of Mobile Telecom Operators in Bangladesh (AMTOB) holds a post-budget press conference in the city yesterday

Telcos want to slap SIM tax on users n Tribune Report Mobile telecom operators said they would shift the proposed SIM replacement tax to the consumers end.

In the proposed budget for FY201415, an amount of Tk100 has been fixed as SIM replacement tax.

“If the mobile operators pay the tax, the amount will be Tk145 as they will have to pay an additional Tk45 as corporate tax,” said Chief Operating Officer at Robi Axiata Limited Mahtab Uddin Ahmed.

He was addressing a post-budget presser organised by the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) at a city hotel yesterday.

Due to such taxes, operators have to spend part of their investments on paying those taxes, said Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Airtel Bangladesh Limited Ashraful H Chowdhury.

“Every year 20,000 to 25,000 SIMs are being replaced. We, therefore, are thinking of shifting a portion of the tax to the clients end,” said AMTOB secretary general TIM Nurul Kabir.

He also requested the government again to withdraw the Tk300 SIM tax.

Nurul Kabir said: “If these demands are not met, mobile companies will face challenge to call charge rate at the current current level. We no longer want to subsidise SIM tax on behalf of customers.”

“We want withdrawal of SIM purchase and replacement taxes.”

Currently, listed mobile operators are paying 40% corporate tax while it is 45% for the non-listed companies. The general listed companies are now paying 27.5% corporate tax while non-listed companies are paying 37.5% corporate tax.

Demands also included withdrawal of 15% VAT on handset imports, reduction of VAT on Internet usage and exemption of VAT on Internet data modem.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Computer Samity yesterday welcomed the proposed budget, but demanded withdrawal of VAT on Internet.

It said withdrawal of 15% Vat on Internet use will help e-business and outsourcing flourish in the country. l

Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BWCCI) yesterday launched a “2020: Empower 5000” to help 5,000 women entrepreneurs graduate from micro to SME level as well as bring them into the mainstream of the private sector by 2020.

The initiative was launched Wednesday, at a function organised by the BWCCI at the CIRDAP auditorium in the city.

BWCCI President Selima Ahmad presented the keynote paper while the chamber’s immediate past president Sangita Ahmed delivered the welcome address, reports UNB. Executive Director of Ain-o-Salish Kendro advocate Sultana Kamal, former adviser to the caretaker government Geeti Ara Safia Chowdhury and Bangladesh Mohila Parishad president Ayesha Khanam spoke on the occasion.

The speakers emphasised on proper utilisation of the fund allocated in the national budget for the development of women.

In his budget speech in Parliament on June 5, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said: “In order to make our womenfolk self-reliant, we will expand microcredit programmes and continue to provide special incentives to women entrepreneurs. A special allocation of Tk100 crore will be provided in the budget for the next year for development of women.”

In her keynote presen-

tation, Selima Ahmad said that the targeted 5000 women entrepreneurs will grow their business and will be a part of the mainstream private sector of Bangladesh.

“These will enable to generate employment, resources in the national economy by paying tax and VAT, enhance gender equality and reduce poverty which will support Bangladesh to be a middle income country,” she added.

The thematic areas of the initiative are capacity development, product development, marketing, research and development, leadership development, export market promotion, facilitating access to finance, advocacy, ICT, E-commerce and digitalisation, environmental conservation, reduce gender disparities, sexual and reproductive health rights.

Speaking on the occasion, Adv Sultana Kamal, also a former adviser to the caretaker government, stressed that the women entrepreneurs should not remain stunted in the SME sector.

Rather, they would have to avail the opportunity of becoming big and large

entrepreneurs keeping their skills, efficiency and professionalism.

Bangladesh Mohila Parishad President Ayesha Khanam said that the government, the state and the society would have to come up to assist the bid of the women chamber to groom further women entrepreneurship in the country.

She observed that there should be specific monitoring and mechanism tool at the Finance Ministry, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and at the Planning Commission to monitor proper utilisation of fund for women development.

The BWCCI president also showed in her presentation that about Tk218 crore or some $28 million would be required for materialising the initiative.

Three women entrepreneurs – Jimmy Parvin, Shaila Sultana Mili and Tania Wahab – shared their experiences at the launching ceremony towards becoming successful entrepreneurs with the help of BWCCI. Representatives from the concerned ministries and development partners were present at the function. l

B2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Stock

Stocks edge higher on GP rally

DSE key features June 11, 2014

n Tribune Report

Number of Contract

of the total turnover.

Cement sector was the worst sufferer with a fall of over 4%, led by sector heavy-weight Lafarge Surma Cement that dropped almost 8%, as the company declared lower-than-expected dividend.

“Investors were materialising gains from certain scrips while waiting to hunt lucrative opportunities across preferred segments,” said DLC Investments in its daily market analysis.

It said in absence of any solid confirmation, they were a little bit hesitant and observing market-centric behavior.

Profit booking took place on banks and non-banking financial institutions that declined marginally.

However, textile, power, food and pharmaceuticals moved up slightly.

Lanka Bangla Securities said for the investors, there was couple of takeaway from the morning news.

Following the hint of the finance minister to take capital gain tax at the individual level in consideration, investors might be igniting their expectation on scraping the tax on capital gain at individual level, it said.

Lafarge Surma Cement remained on top of the liquidity chart posting a total of Tk40 crore worth of turnover, followed by Grameenphone, Square Pharmaceuticals, Mobil Jamuna, BSRM Steel, Generation Next and Eastern Housing Ltd. l

Stocks edged higher with moderate volatility yesterday, after marginal fall due to profit taking in the previous session.

The rally was led by heavyweight Grameenphone that rose more than 3% ahead of its interim dividend deceleration.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, rallied 51 points to 8,411 The benchmark index DSEX gained 9 points or 0.3% to settle at 4,411, hitting highest 4,434 in the mid-session and lowest 4,401 in the opening session.

The comprising blue chips DS30 rose 14 points or 0.4% to 1,016. The Shariah Index DSES closed at 1,639, rising 15 points or 1%.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, rallied 51 points to 8,411.

But trading activities declined with total turnover at DSE standing at Tk440 crore, down more than 3% over the previous session. Cement sector contributed more than 14%

DSE GAINERS Company

Turnover (Million Taka)

4,373.56

Turnover (Volume)

84,553,672 89,273

Traded Issues

295

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

159

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

129

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

7

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,294.08

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

27.81

CSE key features June 11, 2014 Turnover (Million Taka)

276.19

Turnover (Volume)

Daily capital market highlights

7,477,667

Number of Contract

11,282

DSE Broad Index :

4411.17187

(+) 0.21%

▲

Traded Issues

212

DSE Shariah Index :

1016.67144

(+) 0.37%

▲

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

113

DSE - 30 Index :

1639.41621

(+) 0.92%

▲

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

93

CSE All Share Index:

13594.22520

(+) 0.23%

▲

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

5

CSE - 30 Index :

11100.23090

(+) 0.96%

▲

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,196.77

8411.34160

(+) 0.61%

▲

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

26.63

CSE Selected Index : DSE LOSERS

LafargeS Cement-Z GPH Ispat Ltd-A FAS Fin. & Inv. Ltd-B Beacon Pharma Ltd.-Z National Tea -A BSRM Steels-A Nitol Insurance -A S. Alam CR Steel -A

-7.75 -5.62 -5.03 -4.79 -4.09 -4.01 -3.86 -3.84

Average (% change) -10.30 -3.11 -5.01 -3.15 -4.09 -2.31 -3.51 -1.71

Rahim Textile -A Kohinoor Chem -A

-3.46 -3.40

-2.41 -3.81

Company

Closing (% change)

CSE LOSERS

NLI 1st M F-A LafargeS Cement-Z GPH Ispat Ltd-A 2nd ICB M F -A Peoples Insur -A S. Alam CR Steel -A FAS Fin. & Inv. Ltd-B BSRM Steels-A

-9.18 -8.34 -5.31 -5.26 -4.55 -3.84 -3.41 -2.95

Average (% change) -9.18 -9.10 -3.24 -5.26 -4.59 -1.99 -2.67 -1.99

Central Insur -A Orion Infusions -A

-2.88 -2.66

-2.84 -1.42

Company

Closing (% change)

ANALYST

Closing average

Closing

Bank NBFI Investment Engineering Food & Allied Fuel & Power Jute Textile Pharma & Chemical Paper & Packaging Service Leather Ceramic Cement Information Technology General Insurance Life Insurance Telecom Travel & Leisure Miscellaneous Debenture

DSE Million Taka 199.23 83.34 33.74 589.64 248.39 608.19 3.19 515.20 578.42 0.47 125.97 31.26 10.59 525.46 27.53 33.36 69.69 491.37 88.25 109.75 0.54

Turnover in million

Daily low

Latest EPS

Latest PE

81.10 56.09 17.07 14.16 810.00 89.94 30.00 35.71

79.80 55.40 17.00 13.90 810.00 88.50 29.90 35.10

87.50 58.10 18.00 14.90 810.00 93.80 30.80 36.80

78.20 53.00 16.30 13.70 810.00 85.00 29.50 35.00

404.879 71.871 0.633 5.210 0.081 166.703 0.450 9.690

2.16 2.42 0.48 0.04 -71.72 4.72 3.24 1.90

37.5 23.2 35.6 354.0 -ve 19.1 9.3 18.8

342.24 398.46

337.40 400.20

358.50 401.00

335.10 379.00

1.985 0.879

11.16 9.37

30.7 42.5

Closing average

Closing

Daily high

Turnover in million

Daily low

Latest EPS

Progressive Life-A Meghna Con. Milk -B Daffodil Computers -Z G Next Fashions-A Bangladesh Welding -Z R. N. Spinning-Z Savar Refractories-Z Al-Haj Textile -A EBL NRB M.F.-A Ambee Pharma -A

8.90 79.10 55.30 270.00 23.10 35.10 17.00 88.80

9.00 85.90 57.00 270.00 23.30 35.70 17.40 92.50

8.90 78.50 55.00 270.00 23.00 35.00 17.00 88.00

0.289 25.837 2.136 0.027 0.077 0.637 0.138 12.008

1.36 2.16 2.42 33.24 2.28 1.90 0.48 4.72

6.5 37.4 23.1 8.1 10.1 18.6 35.7 19.0

27.00 47.87

27.00 47.60

27.00 48.70

27.00 47.50

0.135 0.517

3.64 4.81

7.4 10.0

Investors were materialising gains from certain scrips while waiting to hunt lucrative opportunities across preferred segments

% change 4.56 1.91 0.77 13.48 5.68 13.91 0.07 11.78 13.23 0.01 2.88 0.71 0.24 12.01 0.63 0.76 1.59 11.24 2.02 2.51 0.01

Million Taka 16.11 5.80 2.22 44.77 12.70 31.53 50.29 26.14 17.67 6.29 19.67 1.44 32.03 3.20 1.47 6.83 24.68 10.34 15.93 0.00

% change 4.90 1.76 0.67 13.60 3.86 9.58 0.00 15.28 7.94 5.37 1.91 5.98 0.44 9.73 0.97 0.45 2.08 7.50 3.14 4.84 0.00

Million Taka 215.34 89.14 35.95 634.40 261.09 639.72 3.19 565.49 604.56 18.14 132.26 50.93 12.04 557.48 30.73 34.83 76.52 516.06 98.59 125.68 0.54

Total

8.98 8.33 8.33 6.78 5.83 5.04 4.99 4.83 4.76 4.72

CSE GAINERS Company Bangladesh Welding -Z G Next Fashions-A R. N. Spinning-Z BEXIMCO Ltd. -A In Tech Online -A Envoy Textiles Ltd-N Sonargaon Tex -Z UNITED AIR-A GQ Ball PenA Beximco Syn.-Z

Closing (% change) 8.47 7.91 6.18 5.53 4.88 4.60 4.55 4.55 4.50 4.40

Average (% change) 9.08 8.52 5.93 5.22 7.00 5.76 10.91 4.16 4.76 2.94 Average (% change) 5.50 5.22 5.95 5.74 4.29 4.37 3.98 4.09 4.64 3.73

Closing average 126.40 7.90 11.61 18.76 12.84 27.17 60.00 182.79 6.60 327.93

Closing average 12.65 18.74 27.24 23.04 12.87 49.89 9.15 11.44 133.83 9.46

Closing 126.20 7.80 11.70 18.90 12.70 27.10 56.80 184.50 6.60 328.60

Closing 12.80 19.10 27.50 22.90 12.90 50.00 9.20 11.50 134.60 9.50

Daily high 127.00 7.90 11.80 19.20 13.20 27.90 57.00 186.70 6.60 335.00

Daily high 12.90 19.20 27.80 23.60 13.20 52.00 9.30 11.60 136.00 9.60

Daily low 123.00 7.70 10.90 16.00 11.00 23.50 56.50 160.00 6.60 290.00

Daily low 12.20 18.00 26.50 22.00 12.30 44.00 9.00 11.10 131.60 8.20

Turnover in million 0.316 0.229 1.091 137.615 1.871 10.340 0.009 45.344 0.007 2.773

Turnover in million 0.329 15.385 2.474 11.749 0.431 0.371 0.009 9.159 0.453 0.167

Latest EPS 2.30 -4.85 0.68 2.28 0.48 3.12 0.52 2.00 0.47 3.20

Latest EPS 0.48 2.28 3.12 0.59 -0.80 1.44 -0.92 0.77 2.81 0.76

Latest PE 55.0 -ve 17.1 8.2 26.8 8.7 115.4 91.4 14.0 102.5

Latest PE 26.4 8.2 8.7 39.1 -ve 34.6 -ve 14.9 47.6 12.4

News from trade server From TradeServers: CITYBANK: The Company has informed that it has credited the bonus shares for the year ended on December 31, 2013 to the respective shareholders' BO Accounts on June 10, 2014.

EASTLAND: The Company has informed that it has credited the bonus shares for the year ended on December 31, 2013 to the respective shareholders' BO Accounts on June 10, 2014. Cash Dividend and proceeds of Fractional Dividend will be disbursed in due time.

FIRSTSBANK: With reference to their earlier news (news disseminated by DSE on March 13, 2014) regarding issuance of Rights share, the Company has further informed that the Board of Directors has recommended to revise the Offer Price of the rights issue @ 1R:2 (1 rights share for every two shares) to Tk. 10.00 each at par instead of Tk. 12.00 subject to approval by the shareholders in the EGM as well as by the Regulatory Authorities. Date of EGM: 19.07.2014, Time: 12:00 Noon, Venue: Hotel Agrabad, Chittagong. Record date for EGM: 22.06.2014.

Another record date for entitlement of the

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company LafargeS Cement-Z Grameenphone-A Square Pharma -A MJL BD Ltd.-A BSRM Steels-A G Next Fashions-A Olympic Ind. -A

CSE

Closing (% change)

proposed rights shares to be notified later after obtaining approval from BSEC. PRIMEFIN: The Company has informed that the Board of Directors of the Company has elected Mr. Md. Aminul Haque as the Chairman of the Company with effect from June 01, 2014.

PIONEERINS: The Company has informed that it has credited the bonus shares for the year ended on December 31, 2013 to the respective shareholders' BO Accounts.

The Company has further informed that cash dividend will be distributed on or before June 17, 2014.

IPO Subscription: Far East Knitting & Dyeing Industries Limited subscription date 15-19 June 2014, NRB upto 28 June 2014. @ taka 27, face value taka 10 and market lot 200. Shurwid Industries Limited subscription date 08-12 June 2014, NRB upto 21 June 2014. @ taka 10, face value taka 10 and market lot 500. Saif Powertec Limited subscription date 06-10 July 2014, NRB upto 19 July 2014. @ taka 30, face value taka 10 and market lot 200. Ratanpur Steel Re-Rolling Mills Limited subscription date 13-17 July 2014, NRB upto 26 July 2014.

@ taka 40, face value taka 10 and market lot 200.

Dividend/AGM LAFSURCEML: 5% interim cash, Record date for entitlement of interim dividend: 30.06.2014.

ASIAINS: 15% cash and 5% stock, AGM: 16.07.2014, Record Date: 19.06.2014.

WATACHEM: 30% stock, AGM: 27.06.2014, Record Date: 11.06.2014.

AMBEEPHA: 15% cash and 20% stock, AGM: 16.06.2014, Record Date: 28.05.2014.

MBL1STMF: 3% cash, Record date: 02.06.2014.

AIBL1STIMF: 5.5% cash, Record date: 02.06.2014.

ORIONPHARM: 15% cash, AGM: 22.06.2014, Record Date: 21.05.2014.

PURABIGEN: 15% stock, AGM: 29.06.2014, Record date: 21.05.2014.

SALVOCHEM: 10% stock, AGM: 27.08.2014, Record date: 25.06.2014.

ISNLTD: No dividend, AGM: 17.06.2014, RD May 20, 2014.

GOLDENSON: 25% stock, EGM and AGM: 21.06.2014, Record Date: 15.05.2014.

Latest PE

8.90 80.74 55.81 270.00 23.09 35.40 17.13 89.84

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY Sector

Daily high

Thursday, June 12, 2014

% change 4.58 1.90 0.76 13.49 5.55 13.60 0.07 12.02 12.86 0.39 2.81 1.08 0.26 11.85 0.65 0.74 1.63 10.97 2.10 2.67 0.01

Prepared exclusively for Dhaka Tribune by Business Information Automation Service Line (BIASL), on the basis of information collected from daily stock quotations and audited reports of the listed companies. High level of caution has been taken to collect and present the above information and data. The publisher will not take any responsibility if any body uses this information and data for his/her investment decision. For any query please email to biasl@bol-online.com or call 01552153562 or go to www.biasl.net

Eastern Housing -A BD Submarine Cable-A Meghna Petroleum -A

HeidelbergCement -A GPH Ispat Ltd-A Golden Son -A Emerald Oil Ind. -N Padma Oil Co. -A CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company LafargeS Cement-Z

G Next Fashions-A Square Pharma -A Grameenphone-A BSRM Steels-A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A BD Submarine Cable-A Appollo Ispat CL -N UNITED AIR-A Delta Life Insu. -A Eastern Housing -A Meghna Petroleum -A Padma Oil Co. -A Aftab Auto.-A Familytex (BD) Ltd.-A

Volume shares 4,992,500 1,308,718 1,172,895 2,809,549 1,853,575 7,334,940 602,125 1,871,690 587,720 340,939

149,050 1,281,320 1,447,357 1,159,500 172,786

Volume shares

320,000 820,875 48,441 45,400 133,665 509,888 62,300 333,600 800,708 30,750 85,403 19,394 15,579 55,584 180,000

Value in million 404.88 383.83 334.60 249.80 166.70 137.62 137.29 120.69 107.55 92.83

74.51 71.87 65.82 56.06 54.75

Value in million

25.84 15.39 13.80 13.30 12.01 11.75 11.38 9.39 9.16 6.05 5.50 5.28 4.94 4.76 4.50

% of total turnover 9.26 8.78 7.65 5.71 3.81 3.15 3.14 2.76 2.46 2.12

1.70 1.64 1.51 1.28 1.25

% of total turnover

9.66 5.75 5.16 4.98 4.49 4.39 4.26 3.51 3.43 2.26 2.06 1.97 1.85 1.78 1.68

Daily closing 79.80 295.10 283.50 91.20 88.50 18.90 227.20 65.10 184.40 273.20

499.50 55.40 44.80 48.00 315.20

Daily closing

79.10 19.10 283.20 293.70 88.80 22.90 183.80 27.90 11.50 194.80 64.80 273.60 316.10 85.70 24.90

Price change -7.75 3.07 0.89 4.47 -4.01 6.78 2.34 0.31 2.90 2.51

Daily opening 86.50 286.30 281.00 87.30 92.20 17.70 222.00 64.90 179.20 266.50

Daily high 87.50 296.20 290.00 91.60 93.80 19.20 230.00 66.00 186.00 274.80

Price change

Daily opening

1.07 -5.62 -1.97 0.21 1.06

-8.34 7.91 0.96 2.98 -2.95 5.53 2.57 -2.11 4.55 -1.42 -0.46 2.82 1.25 -1.61 1.63

494.20 58.70 45.70 47.90 311.90

86.30 17.70 280.50 285.20 91.50 21.70 179.20 28.50 11.00 197.60 65.10 266.10 312.20 87.10 24.50

507.80 58.10 46.20 48.80 321.80

Daily low 78.20 280.00 257.00 78.60 85.00 16.00 220.00 59.00 161.70 244.00

494.10 53.00 41.20 47.90 300.00

Daily average 81.10 293.28 285.28 88.91 89.94 18.76 228.02 64.48 182.99 272.27

Daily high

Daily low

Daily average

85.90 19.20 287.00 296.00 92.50 23.60 184.80 29.00 11.60 200.00 65.70 279.00 320.00 87.50 25.40

78.50 18.00 280.00 288.00 88.00 22.00 180.00 27.70 11.10 194.00 63.50 266.00 312.00 85.00 24.70

499.91 56.09 45.48 48.35 316.88

80.74 18.74 284.81 293.03 89.84 23.04 182.69 28.15 11.44 196.88 64.36 272.18 317.19 85.57 25.02

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

B3

Thursday, June 12, 2014

China ramps up spending to spur economy n Reuters, Beijing China’s central bank said on Wednesday it will keep monetary policy steady in 2014, even as the finance ministry said fiscal spending had surged nearly 25% in May from a year earlier, highlighting government efforts to energize the slowing economy.

Total fiscal spending in May rose to 1.3tn yuan ($208.75bn), quickening sharply from a 9.6% rise in the first four months of the year.

The higher spending comes as the world’s second-biggest economy got off to a soft start to the year, growing at its slowest pace in 18 months in the first quarter.

The economy has since shown some signs of stabilizing, but the recovery appears patchy and analysts do not rule out further stimulus measures, especially if the cooling property market starts to rapidly deteriorate.

Fiscal revenues rose 7.2% in May from the same month last year, slowing from a 9.2% rise in April. The ministry attributed the slower revenue growth in May to the slowdown in the economy and falling property transactions.

China’s central bank has been describing its policy stance as “prudent” in recent years, even when it is clearly loosening or tightening the policy reins. At the moment, for instance, authorities are in a gentle easing mode to counter the cooldown in the world’s second-biggest economy.

The People’s Bank of China said the outlook for external demand was uncertain, capital flows were volatile, and financial risks were weighing on the economy.

The PBOC’s pursuit of stable monetary policy contrasts strongly with the finance ministry’s mini-stimulus, which saw total fiscal spending rise 24.6% to 1.3tn yuan ($208.75bn) in May as it brought forward spending sharply, from growth of 9.6% in the first four months of the year.

Stimulus measures taken so far by Beijing include speeding up the construction of railway projects and public housing, as well as orders to local

A clerk counts Chinese 100 yuan banknotes at a branch of China Construction Bank in Hai'an, Jiangsu province governments to fast-forward their fiscal spending to prime the economy for growth.

Central government spending rose 15.8% in May from a year earlier while local government expenditure soared 26.9%, the finance ministry said.

The PBOC said on Monday it will lower the reserve requirement ratio the level of reserves banks must hold for those banks that have sizeable loans to the farming sector and small and medium-sized firms. This is the sec-

ond reduction following a cut in April aimed at rural banks.

To re-orient China’s economy away from exports and investment and towards domestic consumption, China will also speed up interest rate liberalization this year and work on introducing deposit insurance.

Two separate programs that allow foreigners to invest in Chinese capital markets and Chinese investors to invest overseas will also be expanded.

The two schemes are known as

qualified foreign institutional investor, or QFII, and qualified domestic institutional investor, or QDII, respectively.

Chinese leaders have ruled out any large stimulus as the country is still nursing the hangover from the 4tn yuan ($640bn) stimulus implemented during the global crisis in 2008-09, which took local governments deep into debt.

Economic data for May released so far indicate the economy remains wobbly, with export growth picking up but imports unexpectedly falling.

REUTERS

Inflation picked up to a four-month high, easing concerns the country was slipping into a deflationary trend but remaining well below the government’s comfort zone, giving Beijing ample room to step up policy support if necessary.

The yuan currency has also appeared to stabilize after a sharp slide earlier in the year, though traders are not sure if the PBOC is comfortable enough with the export recovery to allow the currency to start appreciating again. l

Singer introduces Beko, Grunding products in Bangladesh n Tribune Report European home appliances brand “Beko” and electronics brand “Grundig” have introduced their business in Bangladesh market through their local distributor Singer Bangladesh.

Singer, an exclusive distributor of Beko and Grundig products for Bangladesh market, yesterday formally launched the products of the two Europen brands at a city hotel. Arcelik group of Turkey owns both Beko and Grundig with 14 different production facilities in five different countries.

“We have lunched the two European brands in Bangladesh to offer the consumers more options,” said Managing Director of Singer A M Hamim Rahmatullah while launching the products.

The ceremoney was addressed, among others, by Singer Asia President and CEO Gavin J Walker and Arcelik Asia Project Manager Gurhan Gunal.

Bangladesh, being one of the rapidly expanding market for white goods in Asia, holds a very crucial position in our growth strategy, said Gurhan Gunal.

With the launching of Beko and Grundig poroducts, we intend to achieve a considerable market share in the first 3 years and in the long term, our aim is to be one of the major brands in Bangladesh, he added.

Beko brand has the highest market share in Europe for the last five years.

Beko’s initial offering in Bagladesh will be a full-range of white goods (refrigerators, front-loading washing machine, dryer, dishwasher and ovens) while Grundig will offere LED TV and consumer electronics and small household appliances. l

Euro dips in Asia ahead of ECB comments Plastic producers still press n AFP, Tokyo The euro dipped in Asia yesterday as investors looked to comments from European Central Bank officials later in the day following the ECB’s aggressive stimulus moves to combat the threat of deflation in the eurozone.

In Tokyo afternoon trading, the European single currency slipped to $1.3537, compared with $1.3545 in US trade, while it also weakened to 138.45 yen against 138.64 yen.

The dollar slipped to 102.27 yen from 102.35 yen on Tuesday in New York.

“Given the extremely light data calendar today, we expect range-trading,” Credit Agricole said.

“The market will await the ECB officials to shed light on the details of the easing package in their speeches today.”

Last week, ECB policymakers launched unprecedented easing measures to bolster fragile eurozone growth, saying it would cut its deposit rate to negative territory. This means banks will be charged for leaving funds at the ECB in the hope they might lend to businesses and consumers instead.

The bank also slashed its lending rate to a record low of 0.15% from 0.25% and said hundreds of billions of euros would be made available in cheap loans to banks as long as they lent more to the private sector.

Bank chief Mario Draghi said after the

Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) has accorded BMCCI Excellence Awards 2013 to three distinguished business leaders for significant contribution in their respective fields. Norlin binti Othamn, High Commissioner of Malaysia in Dhaka gave away the awards to Salahuddin Kasem Khan, MD of AK Khan & Co Ltd for foreign direct investment, Abdul Matlub Ahmad, chair of Nitol-Niloy Group for export & import and Nasir A Choudhury, advisor of Green Delta Insurance Co Ltd for insurance at a function held at a hotel in Dhaka on June

Premier Bank MasterCard recently launched a MasterCard Reloadable Hajj and Travel Prepaid Card in Bangladesh to cater the requirements of Hajj Pilgrims, HAAB Agents and frequent travelers as an alternate of Travelers Cheque or foreign exchange in cash. Dr HBM Iqbal, chair, Premier Bank Ltd, reaffirmed the commitment of Premier Bank to serve the Hajj pilgrims while delivering his speech as chief guest

meeting that policymakers would also be open to possible asset purchases, or quantitative easing, similar to that undertaken in the United States and Japan.

“It is very likely that selling pressure on the euro will intensify further,” Junichi Ishikawa, market analyst at IG Securities, told Dow Jones Newswires.

The dollar faced selling pressure against the yen, despite higher US treasury yields and upbeat jobs data last week that suggested the world’s number one economy was back on track.

Investors will be looking to May US retail sales figures, due Thursday, as well as the Bank of Japan’s two-day policy-making meeting, which wraps up on Friday. l

for 20% cash incentive  B1 COLUMN 1

“We are going to start training programme at Bangladesh Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology (BIPET) by August, this year, to enhance the skills of the manpower, working in the plastic sector,” said Jasim.

Urging the government to withdraw value added tax (VAT) on the locally produced toys, Jasim said reducing supplementary tax on the imported toys would surely cast a negative impact on the local toy makers, especially the small ones.

Expressing his satisfaction for giving special thrust on power and energy

sector, the BPGMEA leader, however, said: We have to come out off the rental power plants and concentrate on the coal-based power plants.

The organisation demanded withdrawal of VAT on plastic recycling industry as it not only helps to reduce ecological impact but also generate jobs for the unskilled people.

He also demanded cash incentives for the plastic industry as like as RMG sector for exploring new markets for the plastic goods across the world. Currently, RMG sector enjoys 3% cash incentives for exploring new markets. l

ACAM gets new MD n Tribune Business Desk Alliance Capital Asset Management Limited (ACAML) has appointed Asadul Islam Ripon as the new managing director and chief executive officer (CEO).

“Islam will work to develop ACAML’s growing equities platform and to diversify financial products in Bangladesh as well as in international market,” said a statement yesterday.

Prior to his appointment, Islam served for City Brokerage Limited as founding MD and CEO. l

BRAC Bank Limited has recently signed an agreement with Dusai Resort and Spa to provide special discounts to its premium banking customers and platinum credit cardholders. The bank’s head of retail banking division Firoz Ahmed Khan and Regina Nasser, director of sales and marketing at Dusai Hotel and Resorts Limited, signed the agreement RFL, producer household products and Bangladesh Brand Forum have launched RFL Inspiring Women Award recently at a press conference that was attended by Uzma Chowdhury, director of corporate finance at PRAN-RFL, Shariful Islam, founder of Bangladesh Brand Forum and RFL’s brand ambassador actress Moushumi

Bank Asia and Western Union introduced a direct-to-bank money transfer service to help expatriates send remittance to any bank account connected to Bangladesh Electronic Fund Transfer Network. The service was launched at a function held at a hotel in Dhaka on Thursday where Western Union’s regional vice president for South Asia Kiran Shetty, deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank Nazneen Sultana and Bank Asia’s vice chair AM Nurul Islam were present

Rupali Bank Limited’s chair Dr Ahmed Al-Kabir was the chief guest on the training programme for probationary officers in the auditorium of the bank’s training academy recently

B4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Thursday, June 12, 2014

World Bank sees ‘flat’ growth for developing countries n AFP, Washington The World Bank lowered its 2014 growth forecasts for the global economy Tuesday, but said advanced economies’ rebound from a rough start would help offset stagnation in developing countries.

Most of the pick-up in growth this year will come from high-income countries, particularly the United States and the 18-nation eurozone, the World Bank said in its twice-yearly Global Economic Prospects report.

But a rough start to the year - bad weather in the United States, financial market turmoil and the Ukraine crisis - dragged down global growth for the year as a whole, the Bank said.

It marked down its 2014 forecast to a 2.8% pace from its January forecast of 3.2%. The global economy grew 2.4% growth in 2013. High-income countries would see stronger growth this year of 1.9% from 1.3% in the previous year, the World Bank said.

But developing countries can expect mixed challenges from the accelerating growth in the rich countries.

As high-income economies expand, their import demand should grow, boosting developing-country exports.

But developing countries will be hard-pressed to find the capacity to meet that demand, because most of them already are fully recovered from the 2008 financial crisis and growing close to potential, the Washington-based development lender said.

Developing countries were projected to grow 4.8% this year, substantially below the 5.3% estimate in January.

“The outlook for developing coun-

The World Bank building entrance is seen in Washington tries is for flat growth in 2014. This marks the third year in a row of subfive percent growth and reflects a more challenging post-crisis global economic environment,” it said.

The World Bank’s latest outlook marked a deterioration from the January report, when it had raised its

growth forecasts, saying both rich and developing countries appeared to be “finally turning the corner” after the global financial crisis.

Weakness in China

Much of the slowdown this year reflected weakness in China, the world’s sec-

AFP

ond-largest economy.

First-quarter growth in Chinese gross domestic product was only a 5.8% annualized rate, with a sharp deceleration in industrial output and Beijing taking steps to tighten credit.

The Washington-based lender forecast growth of 7.6% this year, lower

than China’s 7.7% growth rate in 2013.

Beijing’s own target for this year is 7.5%.

GDP growth accelerated slightly in the first quarter in India, Mexico and the Philippines. But the pace of growth slowed in Indonesia, Mongolia, Malaysia and Brazil and turned negative in South Africa and Peru.

Sharp annualized contractions of between eight and 12% occurred in Ukraine, Thailand and Morocco.

The weakness in developing countries reflected a slew of factors, including knock-on effects from the severe winter in the US; political tensions in Thailand, Ukraine and Turkey; labor unrest in South Africa; and monetary policy tightening following financial market turmoil a year ago, the Bank said.

Actual and structural fiscal deficits are much higher now than in 2007 in developing countries, and debt rose by more than 10 percentage points of GDP in half of them.

The World Bank warned that developing countries need to prepare now with structural reforms while financial conditions are easy, because they are likely to tighten over the longer term.

The president of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, said more robust growth was needed to create the type of jobs that can improve the lives of the world’s poorest 40%.

“Clearly, countries need to move faster and invest more in domestic structural reforms to get broad-based economic growth to levels needed to end extreme poverty in our generation,” Kim said in a statement.

Andrew Burns, lead author of the report, said bottlenecks in energy and infrastructure, labor markets and business climate in many of the large middle-income countries are holding back economic and productivity growth.”

“Subsidy reform is one potential avenue for generating the money to raise the quality of public investments in human capital and physical infrastructure,” he said. l

What if the caution of the ‘super rich’ ebbs?

Google buys satellite imaging firm for $500m

n Reuters, London

n AFP, San Francisco

Canny caution or bumbling oversight, the world’s richest people have retained huge stockpiles of zero-yielding cash throughout the recent surge in financial asset prices.

Their persistence may have, counter-intuitively, prolonged the buoyancy of those very assets in the process helping to inflate the outsize wealth of the super-rich further.

With the debate about rising inequality re-invigorated this year by French economist Thomas Piketty’s best-selling book on ballooning wealth gaps, the spending and savings behavior of the so-called “plutonomists” has rarely seen more scrutiny or had more influence on the economy and markets.

Political clamor for redress through greater taxation of asset incomes, rents, gifts and inheritances may well build. But few expect much change in the rising wealth of the richest 1 percent of households or the 0.1 percent deemed ‘high net-worth individuals.’

Yet as stock markets barreled to record highs - with the MSCI’s all-country index up almost 30 percent over the past 18 months - investment advisors estimate up to 40 percent of their money remains un-invested and is still parked in deposits.

As the latest equity market surge began early last year, a benchmark survey

by CapGemeni and RBC Wealth Management had average cash or deposit holdings among those global wealth

investors at almost 28 percent - more than the 26% held in equity or some 20% in real estate.

Defining the richest 12 million savers as those with more than $1m in investible assets - excluding their primary residences and collectibles - the survey’s high cash holdings may simply reflect a preference for banking large slices of wealth rather than risking it in volatile markets.

'I can’t tell you how many times I go to client events where people say after a 10% correction, then I’m going to allocate' And, to be sure, returns on the 70% of other investments would have paid handsomely enough anyway.

The richest have always tended to hold relatively high levels of cash. Liquid holdings are preferred for wealth protection, tax-avoiding mobility, inheritances or gifts.

Yet the survey’s cash levels are more than twice the levels registered in the equivalent survey from the height of the pre-crisis go-go years in 2006 and 2007.

And with near-zero interest rates meaning deposits are losing money adjusted for inflation and with broad market volatility at multi-year lows, the caution is remarkable. What’s more, other surveys and anecdotal evidence suggest cash holdings remain elevated or have actually risen over the past year.

A survey of more than 4,000 rich investors - those with more than $200,000 to invest - conducted at the turn of this year for asset managers Legg Mason showed 26.5% held in cash. An estimate by Wells Fargo puts cash holdings among the wealthiest clients as high as 40%.

Brian Jacobsen, portfolio strategist at Wells Fargo Asset Management, said equity markets rallied so quickly after the credit crash that by the time many of these individual investors felt comfortable enough going back in, both equities and bonds had reached levels they felt were unsustainable.

Retirement and other demographics added to that caution.

“I can’t tell you how many times I go to client events where people say after a 10% correction, then I’m going to allocate,” Jacobsen said. “But you might be waiting for Godot.

“Precisely because there are so many people waiting for that pullback, it may become a self-destructing expectation. You see a five percent move like we did have and people just jump in - and you don’t ever get to the 10% move down.” l

Google announced plans Tuesday to buy the satellite group Skybox Imaging for $500m, in a move to improve mapping and other services using geospatial data.

“We’ve agreed to acquire Skybox Imaging, and we look forward to welcoming them to Google,” a statement from the Internet giant said.

“Their satellites will help keep our maps accurate with up-to-date imagery. Over time, we also hope that Skybox’s team and technology will be able to help improve Internet access and disaster relief - areas Google has long been interested in.”

Skybox said in a blog post that the goal of the five-year-old firm was “to revolutionize access to information about the changes happening across the surface of the Earth.”

“We’ve built and launched the world’s smallest high-resolution imaging satellite, which collects beautiful and useful images and video every day ... The time is right to join a company who can challenge us to think even bigger and bolder, and who can support us in accelerating our ambitious vision.”

Silicon Valley-based Skybox currently has just one operational satellite but has plans to deploy 24 of them.

The company’s technology enables businesses and others to get highly detailed, up-to-date imagery that can be used for supply chain monitoring, maritime tracking, and environmental and

A sign is posted in front of the Skybox Imaging headquarters on June 10 in Mountain View, California. Google announced an agreement to purchase the high quality satellite image provider Skybox Imaging for $500m AFP humanitarian relief monitoring.

In December, Skybox released the first high-resolution, high-definition video of Earth taken by a commercial remote sensing satellite, with images of Tokyo, Bangkok, Baltimore, Las Vegas, and Aleppo, Syria.

The company founders wrote the first business plan as part of a Stanford University graduate entrepreneurship course.

The news comes two months after Google announced a deal to buy Titan Aerospace, a maker of solar-powered drones that could be used to boost Internet access to remote areas.

Google has also been working on its Project Loon, which uses large balloons for transmitting Internet signals to regions that are not now connected.

Google said the all-cash deal is subject to regulatory approval. l

Private wealth: Asia-Pacific to overtake Europe in 2014 n AFP, Washington The amount of private wealth in the booming Asia-Pacific region excluding Japan will overtake Europe this year and the United States 2018, according to a new study by Boston Consulting Group.

Private financial wealth around the world increased by 14.6% last year to

DILBERT

Gaming characters walk around E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo June 10, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. The annual video game conference and show runs June 10-12 AFP

$152tn helped by rebounding stock markets, with the Asia-Pacific region seeing a 30.5% jump, the BCG report said.

That translated into a the number of millionaire households around the world increasing by 2.6 million, to 16.3 million. Close to half were in the United States.

But there was strong growth in private wealth in China, where 2.4 mil-

lion households count as millionaires, while Japan’s number of richest continued to fall.

The BCG study, “Riding a Wave of Growth: Global Wealth 2014”, said the largest store of private financial wealth - cash, securities, and bank deposits but not including real estate or luxury goods - remains the United States, and Western Europe is second. l