08 July 2014

Ashar 24, 1421 Ramadan 9, 1435 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 2, No 98

TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

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11 | TO THE SOUND OF TRUMPETS

HAMAS VOWS REVENGE FOR 7 KILLED

Shakib slapped with ban

More cars, more tax n Syed Samiul Basher Anik Owners of motor cars, sport utility vehicles (SUVs) or microbuses have to pay an extra 50% advance income tax (AIT) on renewal of fitness certificates and registration fees if they possess more than one vehicle.

The National Board of Revenue has issued a notification, finalising the new AIT rates on renewal of fitness certificates and registration of the three motor vehicles with the introduction of three new slabs that took effect from July 1.

According to the notification, if anyone owns more than one vehicle mentioned above, he/she will have to pay 50% extra tax apart from the tax payable on the vehicle.

“No matter whether people buy the vehicles on single ownership or jointly with some other persons, they have to pay additional tax,” an NBR high official told the Dhaka Tribune.

Nazmul says the star cricketer’s damn-care attitude prompted BCB to impose the punishment n Minhaz Uddin Khan National all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been sanctioned a six-month suspension from competitive cricket and will not get permission to play in overseas events for the next 18 months due to misconduct.

This means the star cricketer who regularly plays in Indian Premier League and other international competitions will not be able to play in those tournaments until December 31 next year.

‘This will destroy the future of our cricket if we let this continue’ This is the highest punishment received by a national cricketer after Mohammed Ashraful who was banned recently from cricket for eight years for his involvement in match-fixing in the second edition of Bangladesh Premier League.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) handed down the punishment to Shakib, a left-handed all-rounder, because of his misbehaviour with newly-appointed national coach Chandika Hathurusingha and also for his scuffle with a spectator during the first ODI against India at Mirpur last month.

“We have a series of allegations and

reports against him [Shakib] which clearly shows that he has a severe attitude problem and the extent of which is such that we never received a player with such a disciplinary issue ever in the history of Bangladesh cricket,” BCB President Nazmul Hasan told the media after the board meeting yesterday.

Nazmul said the decision to suspend Shakib had been taken unanimously by the board members.

“Those who attended the meeting said they never saw anyone with such an extent of attitude problem. We also talked with players and coaches at different levels to know where the problem is,” the BCB boss said.

“The issues that we found out was not only regarding his NOC [to play in Caribbean Premier League] but of multiple incidents. His behaviour is as such that it affects our team directly – not only regarding the team combination but also the performance,” he said.

Shakib’s offences in the recent past include leaving Dhaka for the CPL Twenty20 tournament without acquiring a valid No-Objection Certificate.

The 27-year old also threatened to quit playing Tests and ODIs for the Tigers after he had been told by Hathurusingha to return early from the CPL T20 and join the national camp.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

A circumspect Shakib Al Hasan looks on moments before the BCB decision to ban him was announced yesterday

South America vs Europe: Round 1 RAIHAN MAHMOOD

from Belo Horizonte, Brazil At the moment the football world is divided into two sides: South America and Europe as two nations each from those two continents have booked their places in the final four of this engrossing edition of World Cup in Brazil. The first face-off of the continental supremacy will take place between the hosts Brazil and Germany, the European power-

house at the Stadium Mineirao in Belo Horizonte today.

Any duel between Brazil, five times world champion and Germany, three times world champion, needs no elaboration of its depth, level of prestige and the thirst for success it warrants. On top of that, if the duel is of as high magnitude as a World Cup semifinal, every single atom of prestige, rivalry, success and tension intensifies.

Brazil is larger than Neymar and football is not a one man show, that’s the message Brazilian people have conveyed to the Brazilian team and it is a

fact duly realized by none but Joachim Loew, the German coach. “No Neymar, but Brazil will be a harder opponent than the team when he was with them,” opined the coach while explaining his

2nd Round

Details on page-15

point of view. “Of course he is a player of exceptional talent, but his teammates after this tragedy will be more united and put their best for success.”  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

ACC to assist Canadian police in questioning Mahmudur, Morshed n Tribune Report The Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday said it would help the Royal Canadian Mount Police (RCMP) in investigating BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s alleged involvement in Niko graft case.

The decision was made as the RCMP recently sought support from Bangladesh in questioning the former premier’s then energy adviser Mahmudur Rahman and then foreign minister M

Morshed Khan.

ACC Commissioner M Shahabuddin Chuppu told the Dhaka Tribune the ACC had decided to assist the Canadian police as a facilitator in the interrogation process.

“The commission has taken the decision to help them in the legal process as our investigation officer suggested to comply with the request from the Canadian police,” he said yesterday.

On January 10, the Department of

Justice of Canada served a letter to the attorney general’s office of Bangladesh seeking support. The Canadian investigators want to interrogate the duo to

NIKO GRAFT CASE investigate the alleged involvement of Khaleda in the case. ACC received the letter on March 30.

A High Court bench on July 9, 2008 stayed the case proceeding against

Khaleda following her petition.

Before extending support to the Canadian authorities, the ACC investigators have suggested that the anti-graft body seek permission from the High Court.

The Canadian police started their investigation in June, 2005.

While travelling to Bangladesh, Canadian senator Mahmoud (Mac) Harb misused his position as a Canadian senator to lobby senior Bangladeshi government officials on behalf of Niko

resources, according to the summary letter sent by the Canadian authorities.

The senator travelled to Bangladesh at least four times to lobby local officials about the contract with Niko, a Calgary-based oil and gas company.

The company had reportedly influenced former state minister for energy AKM Mosharraf Hossain by bribing him with a luxury sports utility vehicle worth Tk1 crore.

9 | World

Seven days after a ready-made garments worker was abducted and raped in the capital’s Mirpur area, police have failed to arrest Farid, the main accused in the case.

4 | News

Violating a prime minister’s directive, a contractor of the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), in the name of beautification, has been illegally cutting down trees on the median of Mirpur road at Sobhanbagh area.

6 | Nation

A two-year-old baby girl has been unclaimed at the Chidlren’s Ward of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogra as her mother died in a road accident on Saturday.

Rival Afghan presidential candidates Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani yesterday held lastminute talks to try to resolve a standoff over the outcome of a troubled election, as officials once again delayed the announcement of preliminary results.

12 | Entertainment

Cabinet approves EPZ Labour Act n Mohosinul Karim The cabinet yesterday approved in principle the draft of Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (EPZ) Labour Act, keeping the provision of forming ‘EPZ Workers’ Welfare Association’ and protection of “EPZ Labour Court” for violation of the law.

After the cabinet meeting, Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told media that new draft of the act was prepared following the existing labour act after consulting with the investors, owners and stakeholders of the industries established in the EPZ areas.

“The terms and conditions of appointing workers, system of appointment, working environment, working hours, leaves, compensations for accidents, independence of forming organisations, joint business, provision of forming EPZ labour court and EPZ labour appeal court have also been included in the draft,” he said.

The government has to formulate the law according to the conditions set by the foreign investors who have  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

SEHRI & IFTAR TIME

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

INSIDE 4 | News

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Prova and Mosharraf Karim will be seen in a six episode drama “Layek Chan The Great” this Eid on RTV.

Day Ramadan 9/July 8 Ramadan 10/July 9

Sehri – 3:46am

Iftar 6:54pm 6:53pm

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Next hearing on Nur Hossain July 21 n Tribune Report

MARITIME DISPUTE WITH INDIA

Dhaka receives arbitration court’s verdict n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman Dhaka has received the verdict of the case related to maritime dispute between Bangladesh and India from the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Foreign Ministry DG Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury said the verdict had been handed over yesterday afternoon and was now being examined.

The court will issue a press release and a summary of the verdict today and Bangladesh will give its formal reaction after that as per the court’s instruction.

The court verdict is binding to all parties and there is no option for appeal.

The five-member court based in The Hague pronounced the verdict. It will act an instrument to settle the maritime delimitation dispute between the two countries and resolve how much area Bangladesh will get in about 25,000 square-kilometres disputed area in the Bay of Bengal.

Immediately after assuming power in 2009, the Awami League-led government had made a political decision to resolve the maritime dispute with India through an international court as Dhaka and New Delhi could not come to a solution in the past 40 years.

The arbitral proceedings at the court started in 2009.

According to the rules of procedures of the case, if any party needs any interpretation of the verdict, it can make a request to the court within 30 days of receiving the verdict and the interpretation would be made available within 45 days.

In the case, Bangladesh agent was former foreign minister Dipu Moni while Indian agent was Neeru Chadha,

joint secretary and the legal adviser of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

Rüdiger Wolfrum was the President of the five-member court.

In October 2013, the arbitral tribunal visited the site’s relevant areas.

In 2009, Bangladesh also initiated the arbitral process to settle maritime delimitation dispute with Myanmar in the same court. The case was, however, shifted to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (Itlos) upon request from Myanmar.

Following Itlos’ verdict in 2012, Bangladesh got over 110,000 sq-km area including the disputed 25,000 sq-km.

In 1974, Bangladesh government awarded six blocks in shallow sea to several international oil companies but India and Myanmar claimed that the blocks were inside the boundary of their maritime territories.

Bangladesh continued bilateral negotiation with India until 1980 and with Myanmar until 1986 but no results were achieved.

In 2005, the government took the initiative to award 28 blocks in the Bay of Bengal, but Myanmar claimed that 17 of the blocks fell inside its territory while India claimed 10 blocks.

The government floated tender in 2008 without any consultation and ConocoPhillips was awarded eight blocks. But the international oil company signed agreement for only one block in the face of strong protest from the neighbouring countries.

When the Awami League government came to power in 2009, it decided to resort to the Permanent Court of Arbitration to resolve the disputes. l

Nur Hossain, the prime accused in Narayanganj seven-murder case, did not file bail petition before an Indian court yesterday. The court set July 21 for hearing in the case filed for illegal entry.

He was produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Barasat of West Bengal along with associates Ohidur Zaman Shamim and Khan Sumon, public prosecutor of the court Pallab Chowdhury said.

Khan Sumon’s counsel, however, filed a bail petition and the court asked police to submit his passport-related information before it on the next hearing date.

Meanwhile, the court yesterday did not give any order on the request of Bangladesh government for Nur’s repatriation.

The trio were arrested on June 14.

The next day they were produced before a court and put on eight-day remand each. On June 23, the court added the application of Bangladesh government to the case dockets. l

Although hospital materials need to maintain the highest level of hygiene, Dhaka Medical College workers wash the hospital's bedsheets using unclean water yesterday MEHEDI HASAN

2 cops held over businessman’s death n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong The Detective Branch of Chittagong Metropolitan Police last night arrested two police officials in connection with the death of a businessman in police custody on June 19.

The arrestees are SI Amir Hossain and constable Moslem Uddin of Panchlaish police station. Abu Jafor Mohammad Omar Faruk, OC of the police station, said the two had been kept at the DB office following their arrest in the city around 8pm.

Md Rokunuzzaman, 45, a housing businessman, died after he had been picked up from his residence on Syed Shah Road in the city’s Bakalia area. A police team led by Amir detained him claiming that the victim had been ac-

Khaleda: United movement after Eid n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday warned that “united movement” would be launched after Eid to resist all sorts of repression.

“After Eid, united movement will be waged against all sorts of repression of the government. People are with us and the victory is ours,” she told an iftar party hosted by Jagpa, an ally of the BNP-led 20-party alliance, at a city hotel.

Khaleda said the country was in deep crisis as illegal and unelected government took office forcefully. “They are busy with looting, corruption, abduction, killing and repressing the opposition leaders and activists. They do not bother about people’s development and that’s why unemployment rate is increasing day by day,” she said.

She alleged that intelligence personnel of RAB and police had tried to abduct Dhaka Reporters Unity President Shahed Chowdhury. “But he was saved

in the face of people’s resistance.”

The former premier also said the government would not ensure fair trial of Narayanganj seven-murder case.

Khaleda said Awami League leaders and cabinet members' statements indicated that they wanted to stay in office forever through killings and abductions.

“But none can cling to power by doing so and this government cannot too.”

She asked the government to create democratic atmosphere in the country, saying that there was still time. l

Four abducted in Khagrachhari Correspondent, n Our Khagrachhari

Four construction workers were allegedly abducted from a bridge construction site at Bangmara in Matiranga upazila, Khagrachhari on Sunday night.

Quoting the locals, Mohammad Mainuddin Khan, officer-in-charge of Matiranga police station, said an armed group raided the site around 11pm, opened fire at the workers and

took bulldozer driver Faruq Ahmed, 25, helper Mohammad Hasan, 24, helper Raju Ahmed, 22, and Liyakat Ali, 40, hostage at gun point.

He alleged that United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF), a regional party, might be involved with the incident.

The abductors took the workers deep into the jungle, said the OC, adding that police and the army had joined forces to rescue them.

When contacted, Niron Chakma,

More cars, more tax  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

Though the board had finalised the new tax structure with a hike on vehicles having higher engine capacity, it has kept the tax rate on vehicles having the capacity from 1500cc to 2000cc unchanged.

The NBR also rationalised the duties imposed on the cars and SUVs by keeping the system of calculating the duties as per the same engine capacity, which was earlier calculated under separate

slabs of taxes, officials concerned said.

They said the NBR had decided to raise duties on luxury vehicles as it had calculated that the board could collect a handsome amount of revenue from the sector.

“If people can afford to buy luxury vehicles, they should pay more taxes as they are capable of spending a huge amount of money,” the NBR official added.

The highest slab of AIT was set at

South America vs Europe: Round 1  PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

Luiz Felipe Scolari, on the other hand, has been trying to gear his team up with a refreshed approach without the suspended Silva and injured Neymar.

However, Scolari has the history on his side as his previous Brazil side brought Brazil their last World Cup success in 2002 with a 2-0 victory over Germany in the final in Yokohama, which surprisingly, happens to be the lone duel between the two giants in World Cup history. Interestingly, Germany is ahead of Brazil in terms of consistency as today’s semifinal will be Germany’s fourth consecutive World Cup semifinal while it is Brazils first since 2002.

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men have been

tested thoroughly throughout the group stage and again in the knockout matches against stubborn South American opponents like Chile and Colombia, but they have stood tall and have been able to come out on top although not in a convincing fashion which we normally associate with a Brazil team.

However, the hosts firmly believe they are just 180 minutes away from their sixth world championship and an astonishing fact worth mentioning here is, Brazil have not lost any of their 41 matches in Brazil since 2002.

Joachim Low’s Germany will surely have something up their sleeves to counteract whatever Big Phil throws at them. This German team have con-

press secretary of UPDF’s Khagrachhari unit, denied the allegation of their involvement in the abduction.

Meanwhile, Engineer Abdul Majid, joint secretary of Parbatya Chattagram Bangali Chhatra Parishad (PBCP), condemned the abduction of the Bangali workers in a press release and demanded their immediate release.

They also threatened to start tougher movement if the workers were not released within 48 hours. l

DCs place proposals for conference n Mohosinul Karim The deputy commissioners have suggested the government to give them the authority to take action against union parishad chairmen or members if they are found guilty of being involved in illegal activities.

The suggestion appeared in a working paper that included many other proposals the DCs will discuss in the threeday annual conference starting today.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the conference at her office. Around 20 DCs will get scope to place their proposals and suggestions in presence of the premier. A total of 307 proposals will be discussed in the 20 sessions of the conference.

According to the working paper, the DCs also suggested starting an online general diary (GD) system for the police stations to accelerate services. l

cused in a rape case filed on June 5 with the same police station.

Later the family was informed that Rokunuzzaman’s body was kept in Chittagong Medical College Hospital, said his wife Shimu Akhter. She alleged that her husband had been beaten to death in the police vehicle.

Harunur Rashid, cousin of the deceased, claimed that the police members and source Jamal had kicked and beat Rokunuzzaman after entering the house.

Refuting the allegation, police claimed that Rokunuzzaman fell sick during the arrest as he had been a patient of diabetes and high blood pressure. An unnatural death case was lodged with Panchlaish police station. Jamal was arrested following the incident.

On June 25, Shimu lodged a murder case with a Chittagong court accusing SI Amir, Assistant Sub-Inspector Enayet Hossain of Bakalia police station and eight others.

Taking the case into cognisance, the court ordered the DB deputy commissioner of DB police to investigate the matter and submit a report within July 23. It also ordered the DB official to seize evidences, record statements of witnesses under section 161 and if necessary, conduct further post mortem examination.

“According to the autopsy report, Rokunuzzaman was beaten before his death. The arrests were made after getting the report,” Additional Commissioner (crime and operation) Banaz Kumar Majumder said. l

ACC to assist Canadian police

Shakib slapped with ban

 PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

The benefit was given to the state minister allegedly to manage the situation after protests had sparked following explosion in one of Niko’s gas fields at Tengratila on January 8, 2005.

The minister resigned from his position after the allegation of taking the SUV surfaced.

The Canadian authorities also provided Bangladesh with a compact disk that contains a 2009 interview of BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman’s business partner Giasuddin Al Mamun.

For their alleged involvement to award Niko the contract, the ACC on December 9, 2007 prosecuted both Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia. They were detained during the military-backed emergency regime.

Because of signing of the contract, the state allegedly lost Tk23,650.50 crore. The allegation have it that now Prime Minister Hasina was behind making a loss of Tk13,630.50 crore while Khaleda Tk10,000 crore.

The charge against Hasina was dropped in March 2010 following court order. l

Tk1.25 lakh for motor cars and jeeps above 3500cc (cylinder capacity).

The other slabs were Tk1 lakh for cars and jeeps having the engine capacity of 3000cc-3500cc and Tk75,000 for cars and jeeps having the capacity of 2500cc- 3000cc.

In the last fiscal year, the board was charging Tk50,000 as the highest slab of AIT on private cars over 2000cc, but people having cars and jeeps from 2000cc2500cc will now have to pay Tk50,000.

The lowest two slabs for 1500cc and 2000cc vehicles remain unchanged at Tk15,000 and Tk30,000 respectively.

As per the new rule, the AIT imposed on the microbus was set at Tk20,000, up Tk5,000 from the previous rate.

On behalf of the revenue authority, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) collects the AIT for registration and renewal of fitness certificates. l

ceded only one goal in their last three matches and that also in the dying moments of extra time against Algeria.

Combined with Neymar’s absence and such a solid display of German defense with three of the four being tall and magnificently complementing each other, Germany surely have a significant advantage backed up by the excellent Manuel Nuer in goal who has never been afraid to come out of his box to help out his defenders.

It will be a “physical” match as Loew says the hosts will not play in the the typical Brazilian way. Brazil now play a more robust and hard game, trying first to destroy the opponents and only from there trying to attack. Till date

they have committed 96 fouls and received 10 yellow cards in this edition.

Brazil’s defense, has more attacking flair than solidity. Germany’s excellent runners led by Muller, Ozil and Goetze will be trying to find and exploit the gaps, and cause trouble.

However, Germany can’t help but encounter another enemy – the vociferous Brazilian fans at the 58 thousand capacity stadium in Belo Horizonte.

Germany, as ever, will surely be hungry for their first title in 24 years while Brazil have been equally hungry for 12 years. Only perfect teamwork, availing the chances, a little touch of luck will see either of the team emerge as the victors. l

 PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

The board with immediate effect ordered Shakib, who was in London then, to come back to Dhaka.

Nazmul, while giving an example, clarified the severity of the problem which had initiated through the dressing-room incident.

“Our security guards, who brought that boy, had the report that Shakib had hit him. He [Shakib] even told the team manager that he had a fight with that person. But when we called him for the hearing, he said, ‘no, he did not hit him.’

“Then when he was asked as to why he left the dressing room he said he did not know the rules. The board believes that his damn-care attitude will not work here.”

The six-month suspension means Shakib will not be a part of Bangladesh’s tour of the West Indies next month that includes three ODIs, a T20 and two Tests and also the home series against Zimbabwe in October.

The player will also miss domestic

tournaments during this time. Shakib will only be allowed to return to action around a month before the 2015 ICC World Cup in Australia-New Zealand.

The BCB president said there were some other cricketers “who have started to act like Shakib.

“This will destroy the future of our cricket if we let this continue,” Nazmul said. “This is why we believe that he obviously deserves a strict punishment.”

Nazmul said he had met Shakib yesterday morning and felt that the player deserved forgiveness. However, the BCB boss later changed his mind.

“Bangladesh cricket is not for Shakib. Shakib, whatever he is today, is because of Bangladesh cricket. We had no option but to punish him,” said Nazmul.

On the other hand, the BCB also decided that the cricketers would have to inform the board before striking endorsement deals. Also, the contract of national ground curator Gamini de Silva has been extended by a year. l

Cabinet approves EPZ Labour Act  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

invested in the EPZs as the workers of the EPZs were not included in the existing labour law of the country.

As a result, the government has to prepare the draft to protect the rights of the EPZ workers.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the meeting asked the ministers and officials not to be worried over the Generalised System of Preferences issue as the US government is yet to renew the GSP facility for Bangladesh which was suspended June last year.

The premier told the cabinet that without extending the authorisation of the GSP programme, the US government cannot allow the GSP facility for Bangladesh.

Several initiatives, including amendment of labour law and enactment of Bangladesh EPZ labour law, had already been taken to get back the GSP facility, State Minister for Labour and Employment Mujibul Haque Chunnu quoted Hasina as saying.

The state minister told the Dhaka Tribune that the government had prepared the draft of the new act due to the pressure from the International Labour Organisation and the US government. Bangladesh had already agreed to implement all the conditions of labour rights. The initiative is one of the conditions.

According to the draft act, the EPZ workers will have the right to forming workers’ welfare association with the

written consent of 30% workers of an industry. They will apply to the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority for registration. The authority will give them permission for organisation and registration.

Each of the industries will have an association that would be elected from the workers of the industry. The leaders of the association’s committee will be elected by direct votes of the workers of the industry. It is mandatory to get minimum 50% of total casting votes for the elected committee. If a panel fails to get the votes, the authority will arrange further voting to ensure 50% votes for the elected committee, Chunnu said.

A labour court and a labour appeal court will be set up as per the law. The workers and owners will have the right to go to the courts for any kind of violation of the law.

The BEPZA will have the power to cut the hospitality services and impose ban on export or import for the industry in case of any violation of the law.

At the same time, the BEPZA general manager will have the power to take steps against any worker or workers welfare association for violation of the law.

Now there are about 12 export processing zones in the country including seven public EPZs. Around 300,000 workers are working in those EPZs. The cabinet secretary said the draft of the law was prepared comprising 16 sections and 204 articles. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

TIB: Do not make immediate past ministers watchdog chiefs Urges updating of the parliament’s Rules of Procedure to ensure transparency

n Kamran Reza Chowdhury Transparency International Bangladesh has suggested that the government should amend existing rules to bar immediate past ministers from heading parliamentary standing committees.

TIB said the Rules of Procedure of parliament should be updated to ensure transparency and accountability of the executive.

In its maiden report on the performance of the first session of the 10th Jatiya Sangsad, the Berlin-based NGO’s Bangladesh chapter said main opposition Jatiya Party had been suffering from an identity crisis.

While unveiling its report at the Brac Centre in the capital’s Mohakhali, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said the 10th legislature was not fully functional although the culture of opposition boycott had gone.

He said the crisis created by the absence of MPs had eased; but the speaker had not played an assertive role in stopping the use of “unparliamentary” words.

“Immediate past ministers should not be made the chairmen of the standing committees on the ministries they had headed. Because, they can influence the discussions on the unpleasant issues from their tenures,” Iftekhar told journalists.

the other.”

He said there could not be a stonegold pot. “Either it is stone or it is gold.”

TIB also pointed out in the report that unlike the previous parliament, no opposition MP had been made the chief of any standing committee.

In the first session, on an average, 64% of the MPs turned up in a sitting; the ratio was 68% in the 9th parliament.

The research also said only 18% of the members of the first parliament in 1973 were businessmen; in the current parliament, 59% MPs are also businessmen.

Recommendations TIB Trustee Board Chairperson Sultana Kamal addresses a press conference at the Brac Inn Centre yesterday NASHIRUL ISLAM Twelve ministers of the previous government were made chairmen of the 10-member watchdog bodies on the ministries they had headed in the immediate-past term.

Former state minister for liberation war affairs AB Tajul Islam is currently the head of the parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs.

An investigation has found Tajul’s links with the scandal related to poor

quality of gold in the crests given to foreigners to honour them for their 1971 roles.

However, on Sunday, a sub-committee of the Tajul-led parliamentary body, told the Dhaka Tribune that they had not found any involvement of the former minister.

On Jatiya Party, Iftekhar said: “They have been suffering from identity crisis because they are opposition on one hand and part of the government on

3

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

The Members of Parliament Code of Conduct Bill 2010, which Awami League MP Saber Hossain Chowdhury tabled in the last parliament, should be enacted. The parliamentary standing committee concerned also recommended its passage.

The government must place all international deals and protocols with foreign countries at the House.

The ruling party should take necessary measures to investigate the allegations of conflict of interest at the parliamentary standing committees.

There should be a provision for electing the deputy speaker from the opposition. l

‘Shamim attacked over business conflict, not politics’ n Ashif Islam Shaon The attack on AKM Enamul Hoque Shamim, former president of Chhatra League and now a central leader of Awami League, was over a feud involving his business but not politics, an investigation officer said yesterday.

He said detectives had already identified the shooters, planners, and arms as well as financiers in the incident that happened on June 19.

“Shooters were hired by a second party who was given the task by the financiers in exchange of a handsome amount. We will disclose the findings very soon. The whole ring is under surveillance,” the official, also a member of RAB, said seeking anonymity.

“Detectives have detained Md Harun, Rana and Monir Hossain, alias Russel from Benapole yesterday who were trying to cross the border into India. The three were in the group of the attackers of Shamim,” he said.

“During interrogation, the three said the attack was planned for June 13 but was delayed till June 19 as they were hired,” he said.

“A group hired them to kill Shamim over a trifle matter, who survived the attack but received bullet wounds. Detectives are conducting drives to arrest people who hired the three in order to have a clear idea about the motive for the attack,” he added.

Of the detainees, Monir is the exvice president of Tejgaon thana ward 39 unit of Chhatra League. He is also an

accused in trader Faruque killing case in Tejgaon. He was bailed out a few months ago.

“Monir, who came from Patuakhali, coordinated the attack. On the other hand, local goon Harun is from Jamalpur. A total of ten people took part in the attack,” said the official.

Although the miscreants took position on road 10/a in Dhanmondi at 7am on June 13, they failed to execute the plan.

On the morning of June 19, three youths including Rana and Harun took position a few yards away from Shamim’s house on a motorbike, with Rana in the driving seat. Two other groups on two motorbikes also took position near Ibn Sina Diagnostic Centre on road 9/a.

The group followed Shamim’s car as it came out of his residence. They took six seconds to fire three shots at the car when it reached in front of the diagnostic centre.

Following the shooting, they called the people who hired them and said it was done.

Detectives found two small firearms were used in the attack, which was rented for Tk10,000.

Shamim was on his way to his Stamford University office when he was attacked. He was sitting beside the driver and his uncle Nasir Ahmed was in the back of the car.

Two bullets broke through the glass of the vehicle and hit Shamim in his hand but he survived.

Shamim and his family members said they had no idea who shot him and why. l

Student raped at a coaching centre in Narayanganj, accused released

Sanzida’s petition for scrapping abduction case rejected

n Our Correspondent, Narayanganj

n Nazmus Sakib

A student was raped inside a coaching centre at Allama Iqbal Road area in Narayanganj on Saturday. Police arrested the coaching centre’s teacher and owner Md Shahin on charge of the rape, but later he was released.

SM Manjur Quader, officer-in-charge of Narayanganj Sadar Model police station, said Shahin was arrested in a case filed under Section 9(3) of Women

and Children Repression Prevention Act. But they let him go following a discussion with the high police officials, as well as to better investigate the case properly after receiving the victim’s medical test, he said.

In her statement, the victim said she went to Lens English Coaching Centre at 2pm on Saturday to take admission, where she met Shahin.

He took her inside a room to fill-

up an admission form. When she went inside, Shahin locked the gate and raped her along with two other unidentified men. They let her go around 3pm and threatened her not to tell anyone about the rape.

The victim went to Narayanganj Sadar Model police station on Sunday and filed a case against the culprits. Her medical test was done at Narayanganj General Hospital in late afternoon the same day. l

The High Court yesterday rejected a plea made by Sanzida who sought to scrap a case against her on accusations of abducting a girl whom she reportedly “married.”

Sanzida and Shrabanti Roy Puja, who was allegedly abducted, came to Dhaka from Pirojpur on July 14 last year. Puja’s father Krishnakanti Shil on July 20 registered a case with Pirojpur

sadar police station claiming that her daughter had been abducted.

The two were picked up by the law enforcers on July 24. Later, in April this year, a lower court framed charges against Sanzida in the case.

Sanzida, assisted by the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), filed a plea on July 6 under the Code of Criminal Procedure seeking the High Court order to annul the case against her.

Petitioner’s lawyer Jyotirmoy Barua yesterday told the court that Puja had not been abducted rather the two girls came to Dhaka upon consent, “thus the case is not tenable as per relevant law.”

In reply, the bench of Justice Md Shawkat Hossain and Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam said the trial court would decide on the matter of consent.

The High Court could not weigh in evidence, thus the petition was rejected, the bench ordered. l

Tribunal allows four witnesses for Azhar n Udisa Islam The International Crimes Tribunal 1 yesterday allowed four witnesses to defend Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam in the war crimes case against him.

The tribunal set the number from a list of 15 witnesses and asked defence lawyer Abdus Sobhan Tarafder to submit the final list by July 10. It also set July 13 to begin deposition of the witnesses.

The order came after the tribunal heard both the sides on a prosecution petition seeking cancellation of the list of 15 witnesses.

Earlier, 19 prosecution witnesses testified in the case where Azhar, the alleged al-Badr commander of Rangpur, is facing six charges of crimes against humanity.

While passing the order, tribunal Chairman Justice M Enayetur Rahim told Tarafder: “The way you submitted the list, without any particulars and detail of the witnesses, it should have been rejected. Yet, we are accepting the plea.”

Meanwhile, the same tribunal set August 20 for submitting the final report on investigation in the case against three war crimes suspects – Abdul Latif

Talukder, Khan Akram Hossain and fugitive Sirajul Haque alias Siraj Master.

Prosecutor Syed Sayedul Haque sought six more months to prepare the report. The prosecutor also pleaded to grill Khan Akram in safe home and the tribunal allowed the plea.

M Sarwar Hossain, defence counsel for Latif, sought bail for his client saying that the accused had been innocent. “He lives an ordinary life in his village and never tried to intervene in the investigation.”

After a hearing, the tribunal accepted his other plea to have privilege communication with Latif in jail. l

Lack of witnesses letting drug offenders free n Udisa Islam

A BSTI official (left) shows an executive magistrate a can of burnt edible oil that was being used for cooking at the Cafe Baghdad restaurant in Topkhana Road. Unhealthy food items were also seized during a drive at the site yesterday RAJIB DHAR

IO testifies in Qaisar case n Udisa Islam The investigation officer of the war crimes case against former Jatiya Party state minister Syed Mohammad Qaisar completed giving his deposition yesterday.

Monowara Begum began testifying at the International Crimes Tribunal 2 last week. Yesterday the defence began cross examining her.

Later the tribunal adjourned the proceedings until July 13 leaving the cross-examination incomplete.

It asked the defence to conclude the questioning session in two days.

The IO exhibited some documents and books as evidence against Qaisar.

She shortened the deposition because of her illness. l

Criminals try to abduct prosecution witness in SQ Chy’s war crimes case n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong A prosecution witness against war crimes convict Salauddin Quader Chowdhury escaped from being abducted at Mohammadpur in Chittagong city on Sunday night.

The victim was identified as Abbas Uddin, chairman of Purbo Gujra Union Parishad of Raozan upazila in Chittagong.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, Abbas said: “I gave deposition against Salauddin Quader Chowdhury in the war crimes case and, for that reason, crimi-

nals might have tried to abduct me.”

Panchlaish police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abu Jafor Mohammad Omar Faruk said six to seven criminals had tried to force Abbas into a microbus at around 8:30pm, when he was returning home.

Abbas began shouting for help.

When the criminals saw passers-by rushing forward, they ran away. Abbas added that his neighbours brought him to the police station.

He said Abbas had recognised four – Babul, Hannan, Farid and Syed - of the criminals who had tried to abduct him. l

With the prosecution failing to produce any witness before the court concerned, most drugs-related cases are reportedly being disposed of without the suspect being handed any punishment.

Many of the accused also remain out on bail as the courts are backlogged with drugs-related cases. Repeated deferrals of the cases also lead to the number of such cases to keep climbing, said legal specialists.

Home Ministry sources said efforts were on to introduce mobile courts for tackling the narcotics trade, while the ministry was also working on the draft of the Narcotics Control (amendment) Act 2013 to introduce sterner control over the growing hazard.

Sources said the Department of Narcotic Control (DNC) filed 10,111 cases against 10,990 people in 2013, while over 50,000 drugs-related cases remain pending with different courts. Each year, around 2,000 drugs-related cases were being disposed of on an average, the sources added.

Court officials said at least 50,000 drugs-related cases are filed each year.

Three years ago, a person alleged of carrying phensidyl was arrested; while a charge sheet against him was submitted to a Dhaka court within 21 days of his detention; however, since then, the prosecution was unable to produce any witness before the court.

After three years of the case being deferred continuously, the court finally disposed of it. During the entire time,

the suspect remained out of jail after securing bail from the court.

According to the Narcotics Control Act 1990, the probe report must be placed before the court within 21 working days. If not, the suspect will automatically be able to get bail.

In a similar case, Jahanara – a tea stall owner who was arrested for allegedly carrying marijuana – faced court proceedings for six years before the court finally dismissed the case against her. At every hearing during the entire trial, the prosecution told the court that it had found no witness against the accused.

In most such cases, courts reportedly end up regularly deferring proceedings as the prosecution teams are usually unable to find or produce any witness before the court.

Prokash Chandra Biswas, lawyer at the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate’s

Court, expressed hopes that the passage of the amended law would help reducing the backlog of drugs-related cases in the court system as mobile courts will be able to carry out on-the-spot trials for small-scale drugs-related crimes.

On the other hand, anti-narcotics campaigners alleged that corrupt law enforcers were colluding with drug dealers; and as a result, the prosecution was failing to seek out witnesses against suspects.

Riadul Kabir, a campaigner working with anti-drugs body Tarunnyo, said the drug abuse prevention programmes will not succeed unless the government took initiatives to reduce supply. Effective initiatives would automatically lower the number of drugs-related cases, Riadul said, while also admitting that there was also lack of coordination among the groups that were working to prevent drug abuse. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

MIRPUR RMG WORKER RAPE CASE

Victim’s family threatened, police yet to make any arrest n Tazlina Zamila Khan Seven days after a ready-made garments worker was abducted and raped in the capital’s Mirpur area, police have failed to arrest Farid, the main accused in the case.

The victim’s family claims that the accused has threatened them after the rape.

“Farid threatened me to withdraw the case over phone yesterday morning. He said otherwise the consequence wouldn’t be good,” the victim’s aunt, Parul Akhter, told the Dhaka Tribune.

She claimed that Farid was roaming the streets in broad day light, but the police had not arrested him.

“It seems as though the police are helping the accused,” she said.

Sub Inspector of Mirpur Police Station Moinul Islam, who is the case Investigation Officer, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We have not yet traced the accused. The victim couldn’t give us details about the criminals. We are trying our best to solve the case.”

“I have not heard about threats to the victim’s family. If it has occurred, the police should be notified,” he said when asked about the recent threats.

He could not give any information about the possible involvement of kidnapping gangs in abducting the victim.

The victim gave her deposition under section 164 in the Chief Metropol-

itan Magistrate Court on Sunday. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sabrina Ali was present there.

In her deposition she said, “While taking a rickshaw home, Farid blocked my path and pressed his hand over my mouth so that I could not shout. He forced me into a microbus, blindfolded and gagged me and tied my hands.

There were two other people inside the vehicle. Farid called one of them ‘Sumon’, but I don’t know him. The three of them raped me and then flung me behind a bridge. Later, I managed to get home.”

“Farid used to tease my niece every day for the last six or seven months.

Although he is married, Farid proposed

to my niece but she refused,” Parul told the Dhaka Tribune.

All the standard medical tests of the victim had been done, confirmed Dr Bilkis Begum, coordinator of the OneStop Crisis Centre.

The victim, who is an orphan and lives with her aunt, was kidnapped and raped on July 1 while on her way home to Paik Para after 10pm. She works at Creative Garment in the Darus Salam area of Mirpur.

“A case was filed against four people, including two named and two unnamed persons. The names of the accused are Farid and Sumon,” Sub-inspector of Mirpur Police Station Matiur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune. l

Cabinet approves Export Promotion Bureau and nuclear energy acts n Mohosinul Karim The cabinet yesterday finally approved the drafts of the Export Promotion Bureau Act and Bangladesh Nuclear Energy Control (Amendment) Act on condition of vetting from the Law Ministry.

The approval was given in the regular cabinet meeting held at the secretariat yesterday with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told the media that the cabinet okayed The Export Promotion Bureau Law, 2014, subject to the vetting of the Law Ministry, with minor additions to the existing ordinance.

The drafts aimed to legitimate the existing ordinance.

Holding of four EPB Board meetings

PM joins Armed Forces Iftar

Police challenge muggers fleeing with Tk59 lakh in the city

n Tribune Report

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended an Iftar party arranged by Bangladesh Armed Forces in her honour at Senakunja of Dhaka Cantonment yesterday.

The PM exchanged greetings with the hosts and guests at the programme, according to the leaflet handed out.

Before Iftar, a special prayer was also offered seeking divine blessings for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation as well as the development of the armed forces.

Earlier, PM’s Security Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, chiefs of the three services and the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division received Hasina on her arrival.

Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain, members of the cabinet division, advisers of PM, diplomats of different countries and high civil and military officials were present at the ceremony among others. l

Newspapers distributed in Khulna after seven days

n Our Correspondent, Khulna Hawkers in Khulna yesterday started distributing national newspapers in the district after seven days of going on a strike.

The hawkers called of the strike yesterday after a negotiation meeting was held with newspaper agents at the Khulna Press Club in the presence of lawmaker Mizanur Rahman on Saturday.

On June 29, newspaper agents of the district asked hawkers to buy papers with cash from July 1. The hawkers protested the decision and stopped distributing newspapers in the district from the next day. They also barred the agents from distributing newspapers.

Hearing both the groups at Saturday’s meeting, MP Mizanur Rahman said the dispute had to be resolved through mutual understanding, but distribution of newspapers could not be stopped.

He said: “Hawkers can take newspapers as payable from agents. They will pay the due price by the 16th of the next month and will buy newspapers with cash after three months.”

Later, representatives of newspaper agents, hawkers and bureau chiefs of different newspapers came to an understanding and the hawkers decided to call off the strike. l

n Tribune Report

A BRTA mobile court stops a motorbike rider after he tried to evade the lawmen’s initial call to stop at a checkpost in Tejgaon yesterday

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

At least two people, including a policeman, sustained bullet injuries after a gunfight between a gang of muggers and the law enforcers in the capital’s Eskaton area last night.

DMP Ramna Zone Assistant Commissioner Shilbi Noman said a police team, lead by sub-inspectors Iftekhar and Monir Hossain, were patrolling on the road near Janakantha Bhaban around 8:45pm. They heard some pedestrians screaming “muggers, muggers.”

When police approached the scene, they saw three youths fleeing on a motorcycle with a bag. Being chased, the muggers opened fire on the law enforcers.

“One of the bullets fired by the snatchers hit SI Iftekhar. A youth named Liton, who was on the motorcycle, was hit in his leg and fell from the bike with the bag,” he said.

Injured Liton was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Police found Tk59 lakh from the bag.

Until 11:30pm, no one claimed ownership of the money. A case would be filed in this connection. l

Khaleda questions HC rulings in graft cases

Police given 48 hours to arrest newsman’s would-be kidnappers

n Nazmus Sakib

n Tribune Report

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has challenged the High Court rulings that rejected petitions to stop trials against her and others in two corruption cases.

Lawyers for the former premier filed separate petitions with the Appellate Division yesterday. Mahbub Uddin Khokon filed petitions seeking permission of the apex court to file appeals against the High Court rulings.

Asaduzzaman lodged petitions seeking a stay on the High Court orders that rejected Khaleda’s pleas question-

ing the appointment of a lower court Judge Basudev Roy who indicted her in the cases.

The bench of Justice Borhanuddin and Justice KM Kamrul Kader on April 23 rejected the BNP chief’s pleas challenging indictment orders in Zia Charitable Trust and Zia Orphanage Trust corruption cases.

By a majority view, the High Court on June 19 rejected the pleas challenging the appointment of the judge.

Basudev on the same day deferred for the third time the recording of testimonies until tomorrow. l

At a gathering in front of the National Press Club, press leaders yesterday issued an ultimatum to the police to arrest those involved in the attempted kidnapping of Shahed Chowdhury.

The police have been given a 48 hour deadline to arrest the would-be kidnappers of Dhaka Reporters Unity president Shahed Chowdhury. Chowdhury is the city editor of the Bangla language daily, Shomokal.

The attempted kidnapping took place at Bijoy Sarani on Sunday. When

the kidnapping attempt failed, death threats were made against Chowdhury.

“Shahed Chowdhury could be abducted or killed. The police have failed to give journalists any protection. The police have 48 hours to arrest the criminals. If they are not arrested within 48 hours, tougher programmes will be announced,” Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) President Shawkat Mahmud said.

The last few years have seen the murder of 24 journalists, including the slaying of Sagor and Runi.

Shahed Chowdhury attended the

event along with leaders and members of the National Press Club, Dhaka Union of Journalists, Bangladesh Fed-

The last few years have seen the murder of 24 journalists, including the slaying of Sagor and Runi eral Union of Journalists, Dhaka Reporters Unity, Crime Reporters Association, Photo Journalists Association and Diplomatic Journalists Association. l

HC: Why Barisal by-poll should not be cancelled n Nazmus Sakib

The High Court yesterday ordered the Election Commission to explain in four weeks why the by-election proceedings of Barisal 5 constituency should not be cancelled.

The bench of Justice Zinat Ara and Justice SH Md Nurul Huda Jaigirdar came up with this order upon a writ petition filed by BNF candidate Saiful Islam Liton, who complained on June 8 that he had been threatened by Awa-

Factory worker electrocuted in Chittagong n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong A shoe factory worker was electrocuted at his workplace in Chittagong city yesterday morning.

Sources in Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) said the ill-fated Md Shamim, son of Md Mijan, came in contact with an electricity wire while working at the factory, Rubina Shoe, at Aturar depot area of the city at around 4:00am.

Critically injured, the 22-year old was rushed to the CMCH, where the attending medics declared him “brought dead” at around 5:00am, the sources added. l

in a year instead of one per month is the new provision.

The provision also suggests inclusion of two new members –- one from the Environment and Forest Ministry and another from the ICT Ministry –on the EPB Board.

The cabinet also gave the final nod to the draft of The Bangladesh Nuclear Energy Control (Amendment) Act 2014, relaxing qualifications for nominating chairman and members of the Nuclear Energy Control Authority.

An individual with 10 years working experience in nuclear sector would be considered eligible for the post of chairman.

To be a member of the Nuclear Energy Control Authority, one must be expert or qualified in electrical science. l

mi League candidate Jebunnesa Afroz over contesting in the by-poll.

The bench also wanted to know why the failure of the EC to disqualify Afroz as a candidate for her alleged threat should not be declared illegal.

Liton’s lawyer Rughul Kuddus Kazal said two benches of the High Court had earlier felt embarrassed to hear the writ petition made by his client.

Afroz, wife of deceased lawmaker Shawkat Hossain Hiron of the constituency, won the by-election on June 15. l

Call to bring street children into mainstream n UNB

A python swallows a fox after encircling in its grasp at Dhamraihaat in Naogaon yesterday. The rare sight attracted hundreds while also caused panic in nearby villages AZAHAR UDDIN

Speakers at a national seminar yesterday called for bringing street children into mainstream of the society through proper rehabilitation, and urged for checking the causes that force children into street and taking preventive measures so that children are not com-

pelled to lead an unwanted life.

Presenting the keynote paper at thr city’s DAM auditorium, Ahsania Mission Director Quazi Ali Reza said poverty, family feud and lack of social awareness were reasons which drove out children of their homes. He also suggested adopting a child-friendly policy to build up child-sensitive society. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

DNCC contractor chops down trees inside DSCC area Chief executive of the DSCC says he is not aware of the trees felling incident n Abu Hayat Mahmud Violating a prime minister’s directive, a contractor of the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), in the name of beautification, has been illegally cutting down trees on the median of Mirpur road at Sobhanbagh area.

Though the area falls under the jurisdiction of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), the DNCC contractor, namely Defence Ad, has been directing workers to chop down trees of different species on the road median.

During a visit to the area yesterday, this correspondent found two workers had uprooted three trees on the median and chopped down most of branches of a few other trees.

Asked why these trees were being felled, a worker named Yasin told the Dhaka Tribune that they have been instructed to take down the trees by a DNCC contractor Md Mujibur.

“The trees are being cut for the beautification work of DNCC. Md Mujibar is a contractor for the city corporation and he has directed us to chop down these trees. We will cutting down branches on the top level of all the trees from Russel Square to Ganabhaban,” he added.

The worker, however, failed to provide a contact number of their employer.

Locals said most of these trees were around 10 years old and expressed their discontent with the indiscriminate felling of trees on the road median.

Employees of the Dhaka North City Corporation in the name of beatification cut down a tree in the median of Mirpur road in Sobhanbagh area yesterday ABU HAYAT MAHMUD Humayun Kabir, a student of Daffodil University and resident of Indira Road said: “Dhaka city is full of concrete structures, and lacks trees. So the government should take measures to increase vegetation in the city. But it seems that the city corporation is doing the opposite by taking down trees on the road median in the name of beau-

tification.”

Earlier in March, the DNCC had demolished concrete structures on the road dividers from Jahangir Gate to Kakoli intersection of Banani as the prime minister wanted green beautification instead of those decorated with bricks, tiles and stones.

Concerned officials of the beauti-

5

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

fication project of DNCC said Mujibar is the owner of Defence Ad which has been given the responsibility to beautify the road median from Dhanmondi 27 (Old) to Ganabhaban.

DNCC chief waste management officer and concerned official of the beautification project Captain Bipon Kumar Saha told the Dhaka Tribune: “We have

strictly told contractors not to cut any tree in the median. I will collect information about the matter; if Mujibar [the contractor] chops down any tree at the said area then steps will be taken against him.”

Answering to a question, he said the development work is part of the beautification project of ICC T20 World Cup 2014.

“Defence Ad will carry out the beautification processes from Dhanmondi 27 to the PM’s residence, and Daffodil will do the same from Russel Square to Dhanmondi 27 using its own funds,” he added.

On the felling of trees near Sobhanbagh Mosque, Bipon claimed the area to be under DSCC and said: “I will contact Mujibar to stop it.”

When contacted, DSCC Chief Executive Officer Ansar Ali Khan told the Dhaka Tribune: “I have not been informed about this matter. I will direct concerned officials to look into the matter and steps will be taken as per the results.”

According to the DNCC beautification cell under the waste management department, the local government body had permitted a total of 48 different companies and persons for the beautification of the city’s 49 roads, traffic islands, parks and key points by their own funds in June last year.

Though the project was supposed to be completed before starting the ICC T20 World Cup, the project still continues in the monsoon. l

BCL men force students to pay iftar fund n RU Correspondent Students at Nawab Abdul Latif residence hall at Rajshahi University (RU) alleged that members of the ruling party's student wing were compelling residents to pay iftar fund.

Residents of the dormitory alleged that a group of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists led by Mizanur Rahman forcibly collected Tk50 from each residents on Sunday night, apparently to pay for an iftar party.

“When we refused to pay because we had a separate iftar party to attend outside of the hall on the same day, BCL activists threatened us,” several students speaking on the condition of anonymity told the Dhaka Tribune.

They alleged that BCL activists also threatened the students, saying: “Attending the Chhatra League iftar party is compulsory, otherwise you will be punished.”

“BCL activists noted down the room numbers and addresses of those of us who refused to pay,” several students said.

When contacted, BCL activist Mizanur Rahman denied the allegations and said no one had been compelled to attend the iftar party.

BCL RU unit general secretary SM Tawhid Al Hossain alias Tuhin said that he would look into the issue.

Hall Provost Professor Biswanath Shikder told the Dhaka Tribune that he was not aware of the matter and would make inquiries into the matter. l

RAB busts 18 fake cosmetic factories, two fined in capital

Narayanganj ward councillor arrested for cheque forgery n Ashif Islam Shaon If you simply throw away an empty bottle or body spray containn Our correspondent, Narayanganj shampoo er, or sell it to a scrap dealer without Narayanganj police arrested Alamgir Islam, councillor of Narayanganj City Corporation ward 17, in the early hours of Sunday in a case filed for forging bank cheque.

Police arrested him from city’s Masdair area. In the last one year, this is the fourth time ward councillor Alamgir was arrested, according to sources in Narayanganj police station.

Abul Bashar, sub-inspector of Narayanganj Sadar police station, led the arrest drive following a case filed

by Mofizul Islam of the same area.

Mofizul Islam’s son Selim Mahmud, said Alamgir owed Selim’s father Tk1.60 crore.

Alamgir had taken Tk1.60 crore from Mofizul, selling one bigha land near the Dhaka-Narayanganj link road. However, he did not hand over the land.

Alamgir handed Mofizul bank cheques to return the money thrice, but the cheques bounced back. After failing to retrieve the money despite several attempts, Mofizul filed the case, said Selim. There are 17 cases pending against Alamgir for not paying electricity bills, 14 for cheque forgery and one for other illegal acts with the Naraynganj and Fatullah police stations. l

WEATHER

TUESDAY, JULY 8 DHAKA TODAY TOMORROW SUN SETS 6:50PM SUN RISES 5:17AM FORECAST FOR TODAY Dhaka

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Chittagong

30

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Rajshahi

34

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Rangpur

32

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Khulna

33

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Barisal

33

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Sylhet

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Cox’s Bazar

30

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YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

24.0ºC Hatiya

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Zahr Asr Magrib Esha

3:50am 5:16am 12:04am 4:44pm 6:50pm 8:17pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

A RAB member examines a container of a shampoo during a drive at Malitola in Old Dhaka yesterday

Touts busy in ticket scalping in Chittagong ahead of Eid n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong

LIGHT RAIN

34.6ºC Sayedpur

crushing it, it will return to the store shelf a few days later, refilled.

Customers having no experience about “refilled” cosmetic products will buy those but they will be cheated because the containers are genuine but the material inside is fake. Shampoo sold in such bottles is produced by mixing colour and aromatic elements with cloth-washing chemicals usually used in garment factories.

Likewise, fake body spray is manufactured by mixing spirit, colour and aromatic components.

In a raid conducted at Malitola in Old Dhaka, RAB yesterday recovered 10 trucks full of such fake cosmetics.

They sealed 18 warehouses and factories where empty bottles and containers were being refilled. The refilled bottles were to be sent to thousands of cosmetic stores across the country where each of the items would be sold at a mere Tk10-15.

RAB mobile court fined two people Tk2 lakh each and also gave them

a two-year sentence for their involvement in such business.

“The drive began around 11:30am.

To traders, the place is known as the den of fake cosmetics factories,” said AHM Anwar Pasha, executive magistrate of RAB. “The empty containers were collected from different parts of the country and were brought to the factories here,” he said, adding: “Md Hawlader and Md Sanwar Hawlader were subjected to fine and jail term.”

Hawlader confessed that he started working as a scrap collector in 1992 and got into the wholesale business of empty cosmetics containers 12 years later. He then started the fake cosmetics business.

“He said he got several others as partners. Together, they produced fake cosmetics,” said the RAB executive magistrate.

Hawlader would supply empty cans to other factories and he also owns a factory himself. The empty bottles are mainly collected by street urchins and homeless garbage collectors.

The refilled cosmetics are mainly sold in towns and rural areas where customers do not have much idea about fake cosmetics, said Pasha. l

Train ticket scalpers are preparing to cash in on an artificial crisis of tickets ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr while Bangladesh Railway (BR) and Railway Nirapatta Bahini (RNB) officials are collaborating with the scalpers to secure a slice of the pie, according to an intelligence report.

Violating railway rules, Mohammad Arafat, ticket booking officer at Chittagong Railway Station, is selling tickets to scalpers in exchange for a large sum while Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Jasim Uddin of RNB (general branch) in Chittagong is not taking any action against scalpers but is taking money from them instead, the report said.

The report also found involvement of booking officers Kazi Matinul Islam alias Raihan and Noyon at Chittagong Railway Station in the offence.

Names of 48 scalpers were mentioned in the report along with 11 RNB officials and the three booking officials of the railway station.

The RNB men are Nayek Mohammad Hafiz and Nayek Shoyaib of RNB (arms), ASI Jasim Uddin, ASI Solaiman, Nayek Yusuf Ali, Nayek Jasim, Nayek Akhter, Habildar Rafiq, Habildar Shahin, Mahfuzur Rahman and Alamgir of RNB general branch.

Arafat told the Dhaka Tribune he receives the money if someone, out of their own will, gives him Tk5-10 after getting the ticket.

He said he was not aware of other officials involved in the act because he had joined recently.

Noyon, however, refuted the allegation against him while Raihan could not be reached for comment.

Ishaq, a fabric store owner at Chittagong Shopping Complex who had his name on the list, admitted to his involvement in the scalping without any hesitation. Terming it a “secondary business,” he said he works in collusion with RNB men.

“If someone gives me an additional Tk200 with the actual price of the tick-

BR staff, RNB officials collaborate with ticket scalpers et, I can manage him a ticket a day before he makes the journey,” said Ishaq.

Like Ishaq, Rana Enterprise owner Mahmud, Manashi store owner Siraz, ABC Garment official Yusuf, Nabil Fashions employee Ershad, Sobhan Hotel staff Anwar, Rafiq, Jahangir, Jasim and Delwar Hossain are involved in scalping beside their regular job for the extra cash.

“Scalpers collect tickets from booking officials from the counters at the railway station with the assistance of station and RNB men. These tickets then go to different shops where people like Ishaq work. These people sell the tickets to passengers at a higher price who fail to get it from counters,” ASI Jasim of RNB, who is involved in scalping, told the Dhaka Tribune.

Besides, some senior BR officials are

involved in ticket touting, said Ishaq.

General Manager Mojammel Hoque of BR (east) said the railway authorities always maintain a strict approach against scalping.

“Sometimes allegations are raised against BR officials and employees. If we receive a particular complaint, we will take action. None would be spared in such cases,” he said.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Babul Akhter of Detective Branch of Chittagong Metropolitan Police said there is an overwhelming demand for tickets during Eid and the scalpers use the situation to their advantage.

“We have kept an eye on them and will take necessary action,” he said.

Abul Kalam Azad, station manager of Chittagong Railway Station, said the practice of ticket touting was there in the past and it still exists but the rate of the offence has gone down because of strong vigilance by the authorities.

“We have already installed additional CCTV cameras at the station for heightened surveillance,” he said.

On June 3, Md Salauddin, 23, son of Chief Operating Superintendent Kazi Md Shoeb of BR (east), was held with 20 tickets while three other scalpers Al-Amin, Mohammad Amin and Mohammad Shakil were detained by RAB on May 22.

The arrestees mentioned the name of Assistant Commercial Officer Abul Kashem, Traffic Inspector (commercial) Maniruzzaman Mamun, Goods Assistant Mujahid and railway employee Narayan Babu, claiming their involvent in scalping. l

RAJIB DHAR

COLLEGE STUDENT ABDUCTED IN UTTARA

Police clueless, slow progress of investigation Jamil Khan and n Mohammad Tazlina Zamila Khan Police have yet to solve the mystery behind the abduction of a college student that took place in the capital’s Uttara area four days ago.

The investigators claim that they have not been able to make much progress because of mismatched information given by the victim and her mother.

However, sources claim that police are “mysteriously silent” after allegedly taking bribe from the accused listed as suspects by the victim’s family.

When asked about the investigation’s progress, SM Mohidul, sub-inspector of Uttara East police station and the case’s investigation officer, said: “If you are so interested, you investigate it. I have other work to do. Besides, I don’t have time to talk to stupid people.”

When Shahadat Hossain, officer-in-charge of the police station and Mohidul’s supervisor, was notified about Mohidul’s response, he said he was not liable to explain Mohidul’s behaviour.

When asked about the case, he said: “It is not possible to say anything as the investigation is still under way.”

The 19-year-old college student was abducted on Friday by unidentified miscreants from Sector 4 in Uttara.

They also shot and killed a security guard and injured one of the victim’s friends as they came to her rescue.

The victim was set free around an hour later in the same area.

Police arrested Rumman, owner of Asian Sky Shop in Uttara’s jashimuddin area, as a suspect in the case. During interrogation, Rumman confessed to having a relationship with the victim, which was broken off by her father earlier last year. He also said he was upset by a recent relationship of the victim.

However, he denied the allegation of being involved in her abduction.

“Rumman has given us some information that we are cross-checking, and they cannot be revealed for the sake of investigation,” said Masudur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media) of police, to the Dhaka Tribune.

Police are also suspecting Biplob, a teacher at Cambrian College, of being involved in the abduction because of his alleged interest in the victim.

Mahbub Hasan Lincon, associate professor in Cambrian College, said the teacher had been suspended as soon as his name came up during the investigation.

“We have temporarily suspended him from the college. Whether he will be allowed to resume his position or not depends on the probe report by police,” he said.

When contacted, Mohammad Nisarul Arif, deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Uttara Division, said: “We do not know if the abductors are a part of any gang. The case has become a little complicated, but we hope to solve it soon.” l

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Illicit sand lifting poses threat to Jhenaidah bus terminal

Eight sued for throwing acid on a family

n Our Correspondent, Jhenaidah

At least eight people were sued for hurling acid on three members of a family in Gopalpur village under Kushtia Sadar upazila.

Ayub Ali, father of a college girl Sonia Khatun, filed a case with Islami University police station yesterday morning.

Shariful Islam, officer-in-charge of Islamic University police station, told the Dhaka Tribune that they had started a drive to arrest the culprits.

Three people suffered severe burn injuries on Saturday as some miscreants hurled acid on them while they were asleep at their residence.

The victims of the gruesome attack are Saleha, 60, and her two children Sonia Khatun, 18, and Titumir. They were

Sources at the Jhenaidah RHD said the lease contract with Mominur was cancelled a few years ago, but he has continued running the illegal work.

When contacted, Mominur Rahman denied the allegation brought against him, saying that he was extracting sand for the sake of the locals.

Jhenaidah RHD Executive Engineer Rafiqul Islam said he visited the site on Wednesday and found the illegal activities happening there.

“We leased the pond to Mominur earlier for fish cultivation, although the contract was cancelled few years back,” the engineer continued.

Masud Ahmed Sanju, president of environment and bio-diversity pres-

Illegal and rampant sand extraction from a pond has pushed the district bus terminal as well as its nearby dwelling buildings to the verge of collapse, alleged environmental activists and locals.

The 14,400 square feet pond belonged to local Roads and Highways Department (RHD) and a man named Mominur Rahman had leased the pond about eight years ago and, for several years, had been running the illegal sand lifting work with a dredger and selling the sand.

The bus terminal, also known as Pabohati-Udoypur bus terminal, and

the Jhenaidah-Magura highway are both situated on the pond.

Consequently, the highway, the lone passage to south-western parts of the country via the district, has also fallen on the verge of collapse as well.

The authorities of RHD and the municipality are not paying any heed to the illegal extractions, locals alleged.

Sources at the RHD said the lease contract with Mominur had expired three years ago and he had not renewed the contract.

Local people said Mominur had been selling sand for Tk6 per CFT and had earlier declared that he would be using another sand dredger there.

Youth stabbed over admission trade n Our Correspondent, Barisal

Protest against public exams without interval

A youth was stabbed over admission trade in Battala area under the district yesterday.

According to sources, Sefan Haoladar Hasan, 28, son Anwar Haoladar under ward No15 of the city were severely stabbed while he was hanging out with his friends.

Hasan was rushed to Barisal Sher-eBangla Medical College Hospital where he was referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital as his condition deteriorated, said Dr. Moinuddin, attending physician at surgery unit of SBMCH. Hasan passed his HSC exam from Government Syed Hatem Ali College few years ago. He might have come under attack by rivals connected with admission trade, said Rezaul Islam Bappi , BCL leader in the college.

A case was filed in this connection.

Sub Inspector Golam Kabir of Barisal Kotwali police station said police officials had visited the spot. l

n Our Correspondent, Barisal Students formed a human chain in front of the Ashwini Kumar Hall in Barisal city yesterday, protesting the announcement that all public examinations will be held without any intervals.

They also demanded exemplary punishment for people involved in leraking question papers.

Hundreds of students under the banner of Sachetan Shikkharti Brinda (the conscious students) took part in the human chain addressed, among others, by Manisha Chakraborty, Arafat Islam, Mihiran Jabir, Ali Joheb, Idid Alam, Atik Mahmud , Shovan and Wahid.

The speakers said students were not responsible for question paper leakage, but they were the worst sufferers of the situation; for this reason, students always demand the punishment for the

culprits.

Condemning the new rule that all public examinations will be held without intervals, they said if the Education Ministry did not keep the option of an interval in between two examinations, students would not get expected results.

Although several probe committees have been formed over finding real culprits behind the question paper leakage, none liable for the leakage has been brought to book.

The Education Ministry has recently taken a decision to hold public examinations without any interval except on public holidays in a bid to check question paper leakage.

This decision will only affect the students and would be benefited by those who are liable for question paper leakage, they said, adding that it would also damage the healthy educational atmosphere on campuses. l

n Our Correspondent, Kushtia

ervation committee Jhenaidah unit, and Haider Ali, an activist of Unnayon Dhara, alleged that the illegal extraction was going on under the very nose of the local administration.

Jhenaidah Municipality Mayor Saidul Karim Mintu said the sand extraction could bring about a disaster at the nearby dwelling buildings as well as the terminal at any time.

He urged the authorities concerned to take necessary actions immediately and halt the misdeed.

Jhenaidah Deputy Commissioner Safiqul Islam said nobody has the right to lift sand from the pond and he has already notified the department concerned about this matter. l

admitted to Kushtia General Hospital in critical conditions.

Quoting family members, police said some unidentified culprits had thrown acid on the trio through a window around 10:30pm while they were asleep and then fled the scene immediately.

Hearing their cries of pain, their neighbours rushed to the spot and took them to the hospital.

Dr Amio Kumar, medical officer of Kushtia General Hospital, said they had referred Sonia, who is a student of a local college, to Dhaka for better treatment as her burns were comparatively worse than the others.

Police visited the spot and arrested Nayeb Ali for his alleged involvement with the incident. l

Students form a human chain in Barisal city yesterday, protesting government’s move to hold public examinations without any interval DHAKA TRIBUNE

Barisal healthcare service in a shambles

One killed over Five abducted land dispute fishermen rescued Over 66% posts of doctors lie vacant at different hospitals and clinics in the region in Barguna n Our Correspondent, Pirojpur of 168 posts in Pirojpur, 110 out do not stay at their workplaces past centres also giving limited medical ser- A man was beaten to death allegedly n Our Correspondent, Barisal n Our Correspondent, Barguna of 141 posts in Barguna, 57 out of afternoon and on weekends because vices through health assistants to peo- by his son- in-law yesterday in Sadar Coastguard members rescued five abducted fishermen yesterday after three days of their abduction at Laldiachar area in Pathorghata of the district.

According to sources, a gang of pirates abducted 26 fishermen including Yusuf, Selim, Faruk, Ayub Ali and Selim on 3 July in the area while they were fishing.

On information, Coastguard members conducted a drive at the den of the robbers in the area and rescued the fishermen.

Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the robbers managed to flee the scene. A pipe-gun and one fishing boat were recovered in the area.

Earlier, three robbers were arrested in this connection. l

Thousands of people living in rural areas of Barisal have been deprived of proper healthcare services as 708 out of 1,057 posts open for doctors in 95 public hospitals, heath centres and clinics have been lying vacant .

According to Barisal divisional health directorate office sources, over 66% posts for doctors are vacant and only 349 out 0f 1,057 doctors are working in six districts and 42 upazila health complexes in the region.

Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, however, is excluded from the statistic, said the sources.

The sources said 121 out of 221 post for doctors in Barisal, 162 out of 226 posts in Patuakhali, 139 out of 199 posts in Bhola, 119 out

102 posts in Jhalakathi hospitals, upazila health complexes and specialised health centres have been lying vacant.

People living in rural areas and unprivileged members of society, who do not have ability to use the health services provided by the only medical college hospital, are the worst sufferers of the situation.

Most of patients avoid upazila level health centres and rush to district or divisional level hospitals because of a shortage of doctors, said Anowar Zahid, district coordinator of health rights movement.

A good number of doctors, who are working at district and upazila level hospitals, health centres and clinics

of poor monitoring by the authorities concerned, he said.

Almost all the ambulances of government hospitals have remained out of order for a while, said Dr Habibur Rahman, district president of health right movement.

Dr Saidur Rahman, divisional health director, acknowledging the facts said Barisal division had 42 upazila health complexes, one 250-bed, four-100-bed district level general hospitals, thirty-five 31-bed, five 20-bed, three 10-bed health centres, four chest and tuberculosis hospital and centres, one school health clinic and hospitals in Barisal division.

Besides 70 sub-health centres and 267 union health and family planning

ple in public sector in the division with acute crisis of health workers, nurses, the divisional health director told the Dhaka Tribune.

In this circumstance, general public health services in Barisal division is insufficient as only one physician has to serve more than 37,000 people on average in Barisal division with a population of more than 13 million, the divisional health director acknowledged.

However, Barisal divisional health director said appointment of doctors stopped a long time ago and he hoped that posting of recently passed-out BCS doctors may ease the crisis.

He said the crisis of doctors would reduce to a great extent soon. l

Two kids burnt alive

3 die in Sunamganj trawler capsize

n Our Correspondent, Bandarban

Correspondent, n Our Sylhet

At least two kids from a family were burnt to death at Lama upazila in the district yesterday.

According to local sources, Sumi ,4, and Naima Akter,1, daughters of Elias Ali were burnt alive when fire broke out at their residence in Kumarichakkata area of the upazila.

The parents were out of the house when the incident took place.

When contacted, Shah Jahan Khan, officer-in-charge of Lama police station confirmed the incident.

Local UP chairman Oann Thong Marma visited the spot.

A gloomy atmosphere is prevailing the village after their death in the fire incident. l

Three people died as a sand-laden trawler capsized in the Surma River in Sunamganj Sadar upazila in the early hours of yesterday.

Police said the sand-laden trawler carrying six workers had started for Weskhali from

Dhopazan area of the upazila around 4am.

When the trawler reached Mollikpur area, it suddenly sank in the Surma River after being hit by a strong wave amid heavy rainfall around 4:30am.

Three workers managed to swim ashore, but three others – Sayemul, 25, son of Abdus

Baby girl unclaimed after mother’s death in road accident in Gaibandha Correspondent, n Our Gaibandha

A two-year-old baby girl has been unclaimed at the Chidlren’s Ward of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogra as her mother died in a road accident on Saturday.

The child, who had her leg broken, has been admitted in the hospital since she and mother was in an accident in Gobindaganj upazila in Gaibandha, says Gobindaganj Highway Police Station’s Officer-inCharge Masud Parved.

He says her mother was carrying the child when she was walking along Dhaka-Rangpur Highway, when a truck ran over them at Hawakhana area adjoining Ka-

A two-year-old baby girl remains unclaimed at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College and Hospital since her mother died in the accident in which she was injured at Gaibandha’s Gobindaganj upazila on Saturday

takhali Bridge of Kamardah Union Parishad.

The mother died on the spot while the child had a leg broken in the accident.

OC Masud says two days after the woman (30)’s body goes unclaimed, it was handed over to Anjuman Mufidul Islam, an welfare organisation that also buries unclaimed bodies.

The child, has been crying relentlessly, but there was nobody but nurses to tend to her sometimes.

She was calling out for her mother, little understanding that her mother had died, he says.

OC Masud adds that they tried high and low to find out the woman’s relatives, but their efforts had gone in vain. l

Salam of Shripur village, Jamir Ali, 26, son of Muluk Mia and Foyez Uddin, 30, son of Abdul Kaiyum – drowned. A rescue team rushed to the spot and recovered three bodies after a frantic search.

The incident took place because of excessive rains and turbulence in the river, police said. l

upazila over a land dispute.

According to sources, there had been a longstanding dispute between Bahar Ali Sheikh and his son- in-law Jabbar Mallik possessing over a piece of land.

On the day, both argued over the issue and at one stage Jabbar beat up his father-in-law leaving him critically injured.

He was admitted to local hospital and later sent to Khulna Medical College and Hospital as his condition deteriorated.

Local UP chairman Akbar Hossen said Bahar died in the hospital.

On information, police recovered the body and sent it to the hospital morgue. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Long Form

7

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

The steady pursuit of justice and freedom

Bangladesh despite all its corruption and calamities find the strength to face every day with courage and hope

L

n Kerry Kennedy

ast week, at the invitation of my friend Muhammad Yunus, I traveled to Bangladesh, a truly humbling and inspiring experience. I met so many incredible people struggling to improve their country and their lives. I wrote a letter to my daughters about my travels, which follows: Dear Cara, Mariah and Michaela, Visiting Bangladesh has been a lifelong dream of mine, but all that I had heard about a people who love freedom so much, that they have withstood great armies, famine and intractable poverty, could not prepare me for what I’ve seen in the last three days.

The Bangali patriots’ courage and endurance in the face of the Pakistani army 40 years ago is the stuff of legend in our family. I remember your Great Uncle Teddy telling us about his visit to the Calcutta (Kolkata) refugee camps, where tens of thousands lived not in tents but in sewer pipes.

The people in these camps had fled the mass killings - some would say genocide - that the United States had failed to stop, as the Nixon Administration’s official policy was to choose our relationship with Pakistan over those who shared our love of freedom.

Great Uncle Teddy promised to

return when the country gained independence, and a few months later, he and Uncle Joe were among the first international visitors to the newborn country of Bangladesh.

SAYED LATIF HOSSAIN

($240) and bought a cow, and then Tk30,000 ($480) and bought land.

Thanks to her hard work and Grameen Bank, she now has a house full of furniture, a field full of food,

I hope we can take inspiration from the people of Bangladesh and rededicate ourselves to democracy and freedom

Given what I’d heard from Uncle Teddy, I suppose I should not have been surprised by the inspiring people that my colleague Lydia Allen and I met in Bangladesh, people who endure extreme hardship for the freedom that they love and demand for their country.

In a small wooden room packed with women in bright saris, we met a proud shareholder of Grameen Bank - the transformative microlending institution founded by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus - who borrowed Tk5,000 (about $80) and bought a rickshaw, and then Tk20,000

water, a working toilet, and a television set. She saves Tk100 per month, and this year she will receive Tk100,000 ($750) from her savings.

We met a store owner and her husband, who borrowed from Grameen to buy solar panels, which have allowed them to expand their storefront and provide light to the brick house they share with three siblings and their in-laws.

We met a young woman on a Grameen scholarship who will be the first woman in her family to go to college. She is majoring in computer science and plans to start a business

Kerry Kennedy, President of the Robert F Kennedy Center (third from right), with Grameen Bank members

COURTESY

in the IT sector that will transform her neighbourhood.

We met 10 women who sit on the board of the Grameen Bank, borrowers all. They’re angry at the government and concerned for the future of the bank. The government recently ousted Dr Yunus from the board of his own bank on the pretense that he had overstayed the mandatory retirement age of 60.

Then, finding no other legal way to do so, the government cajoled the rubber-stamp parliament to change a banking law for the specific purpose of ousting the impoverished women from the Grameen board and replacing them with ruling party toadies, who, the women fear, will transform the multibillion-dollar bank that has helped so many escape poverty into just another slush fund for kleptocrats to draw upon.

We met a dozen women, many of them lawyers, all of them leaders of NGOs that address pressing issues like indigenous rights, due process of law, violence against women, dowry battles, rape, and environmental justice.

Many have been arrested, and many live under daily threat.

One said her husband had “disappeared” in apparent retaliation for her work. They are scared of the nation’s security forces, which are known for kidnappings, torture and extrajudicial executions. And yet they wake up in the morning, kiss their children and their husbands, and return to work, a daily show of quiet courage.

We met a woman who worked at the collapsed Rana Plaza sweatshop who said she never wants to work in the apparel industry again. I met another who said the same thing, but added, “But we are poor, and we must work.”

They were among a crowd lining the hallway and sitting at intake tables at the offices of the Rana Plaza Claims Administration, the nonprofit group charged with addressing reparations for the victims of the Rana Plaza collapse.

It is an impressive operation, manned by a team of dedicated professionals in labour, law and computer science, intent on making payouts to every single victim for physical and psychological injuries and to the scores of dependents who lost the family breadwinner in the tragedy.

They have $17mn to hand out, and calculate the need will be closer to $40mn, but the fund is voluntary and no law compels the brands to pay their fair share. While some have been generous, too many others have refused to participate, because no law compels

them to do so.

We met US Ambassador Dan Mozena, a man singularly committed to advancing US interests abroad by protecting basic rights and increasing the prosperity of the people of Bangladesh.

He invited me to visit the Edward M Kennedy Center and the Ted Cafe, a gathering place created by the embassy for NGOs to meet and speak in safety, and for young people to learn about our country.

Michaela, the book shelf of one entire room was jammed with SAT prep books, looking all too familiar. Thanks to Ambassador Mozena, you will have plenty of competition from young Bangladeshis as you apply for college, determined to gain an education at US

designs and experiences with creating businesses which seek not profits for shareholders but solutions to problems like housing or food access.

You were still in diapers when Dr Yunus came to our home nearly 15 years ago and I interviewed him for my book Speak Truth to Power. I have always been struck by the sense of peace and joy he conveys in the many lectures I have since seen him deliver.

But I never appreciated how incredible that was until I saw him in Bangladesh. He is under unremitting pressure from a government that seeks to destroy all he has given his life to build. And yet he endures, and invites us to somehow find peace amidst the chaos in our lives and find our joy through service.

We met a young woman on a Grameen scholarship who will be the first woman in her family to go to college

schools, and return to their homeland with new hope for the future.

We met Adil Rahman Khan, who has organised a team of 400-plus human rights monitors and defenders across the country to investigate and report on violations of voting rights; on crackdowns on free speech and assembly; and on torture, extrajudicial execution, disappearances, and more - holding the government accountable for its failures to protect the freedom that the Bangladeshi people won at such great cost over 40 years ago.

Adil seeks accountability in a country where 197 anti-corruption officers are presently under investigation for corruption themselves. For his actions, Adil lives under a constant threat of death.

Last year, after issuing a report documenting a massacre by government forces of 61 protestors, he was taken away and held without trial for 62 days in a filthy cell, ridden with bedbugs and rotten food.

How proud Uncle Teddy would be to know that this man, who personifies all the values that Teddy and Grandpa Bobby so admired, will receive the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Award later this year.

And, of course, we met with my dear friend Dr Yunus. He invited us to come to Dhaka for Social Business Day, where people from scores of countries across the globe gathered to share their

His steady bearing reminded me of these lines from Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If”: “If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, If you can watch the things you gave your life for, broken, And stoop and build ‘em up with wornout tools...

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch...

If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it...”

By this measure, Dr Yunus has achieved the world.

What an amazing place, what an amazing country. As we in America celebrate our own Independence Day this week, I hope we can take inspiration from the people of Bangladesh and rededicate ourselves to democracy and freedom, knowing that the price may be high, but the sacrifice is well worthwhile.

Love, Momma l Kerry Kennedy is the president, Robert F Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

An EU agenda: Keeping British in, Russians out, Germans down German dominance spot of bother for rest of European elite n Reuters, Rome

hood is a common European interest, but where and how to draw red lines will be a major challenge for the bloc.

The first secretary-general of Nato, Lord Ismay, once said the Western defence alliance was created “to keep the Americans in, the Russians out and the Germans down.” The task facing the European Union now might be described as to keep the British in, the Russians out and the Germans down.

Germans down?

British in

Prime Minister David Cameron’s demand to redraw Britain’s relationship with the EU and put the result to a referendum in 2017 means the next few years are bound to be dogged by haggling over Brussels’ powers and about opt-outs for London.

If Britain, Europe’s third largest economy, main financial centre and joint biggest military and diplomatic power, were to become the first country ever to leave the bloc, it would deal a severe blow to itself but also to the EU’s global standing. Last month’s confrontation over the nomination of Jean-Claude Juncker as European Commission president against adamant British opposition was a foretaste of the fraught negotiations ahead if Cameron is re-elected next year.

Under fierce pressure from Eurosceptics at home, the British leader risks overplaying his hand, misreading and alienating his main allies, as he did with German Chancellor Angela Merkel over Juncker, and demanding too high a price.

Some continental politicians, exasperated by 40 years of British efforts

A partial view of EU parliament to block a federal Europe and secure favourable terms by hardball negotiating tactics, are tempted to let the UK go in a belief that their life would be easier afterwards. Yet keeping Britain in, provided it undertakes not to obstruct closer economic and political integration of the euro single currency area, must surely be a priority for the EU.

Russians out

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s seizure and annexation of Crimea, cut-off of gas supplies to Ukraine and destabilisation of eastern Ukraine have put Moscow’s geopolitical challenge to Europe – and reducing the EU’s dependency on Russian gas – high on the policy agenda.

Brussels officials fear Moscow may do more to punish Ukraine and fellow ex-Soviet republics Georgia and Moldova

WIKI

economically for signing trade and cooperation pacts with the EU. Member states differ on how far to go in sanctioning Russia for its behaviour, whether to give Ukraine a long-term prospect of membership and what incentives to offer Moscow if it changes course.

The Germans are reluctant to jeopardise their energy and trade interests, the French to cancel the sale of helicopter carriers and the British to endanger London’s role as an offshore banking centre and playground for Russia’s rich.

While former Soviet bloc states such as Poland and Estonia favour a tougher line with Moscow, others such as Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria are wary of putting energy supplies and business ties at risk. Preventing Russia from destabilising the EU’s eastern neighbour-

Yes, but why the desire to keep the Germans down?

Germany is in many ways a beacon of economic success and stable democracy, anchored in the bosom of Europe and Nato. But its growing political ascendancy over the EU in the wake of the eurozone crisis has stirred unease in many European capitals, ensuring that a tug-of-war with Berlin over economic and fiscal policy is likely to escalate.

French weakness, British detachment, the enfeeblement of the European Commission and the muscle-flexing of the German constitutional court have all contributed to tilting the balance in the EU, thrusting Germany uncomfortably into the spotlight. So too have impending changes in voting rules among EU states that give more weight to population size, and the growing power of the European Parliament, where Germans make up the largest contingent.

Long under-represented, Germans have secured an unprecedented grip on the reins of the main EU institutions that is raising concern in London and Paris.

The dominance of German economic thinking, with an emphasis on austerity and a deep-seated culture of saving rather than spending or investing, needs to be tempered if Europe is to avoid a lost decade of stagnation and high unemployment. l

Inside Obama’s secret schedule n Agencies On May 29, US President Barack Obama had lunch at the White House with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The likely 2016 presidential contender has been to hundreds of West Wing meetings, first as first lady, then as senator, and finally as the top American diplomat. But this face–to–face was unusual. Unlike dozens of presidential meetings every week — and a similar Obama–Clinton meeting in July 2013 — it was not announced in advance.

Instead, reporters who cover Obama learned about the secret visit from a People magazine tweet, and ultimately managed to wring a terse sentence from an anonymous White House official grudgingly confirming that the world’s most powerful person had met with the woman who is arguably the front–runner to succeed him. The topic of their discussion was not revealed.

This is how the White House works. A week before the secret lunch, the schedule failed to mention that the US president was hosting a bipartisan delegation of senators for what one Republican attendee later described as a “bizarre” foreign policy meeting. A month before that, there was no advance word that Obama would welcome a group of Japanese-American World War II veterans in the Oval Office — on the eve of the anniversary of FDR signing the infamous order to put Japanese-Americans in concentration camps, no less.

All of those meetings fall well within the president’s duties. But not one appeared on the public presidential schedule posted online the night before and distributed to the press. Instead, all were on the only White House schedule that really matters: the

Hamas vows revenge after 7 members killed n AP, Jerusalem

An Israeli soldier salutes atop an armoured personnel carrier (APC) near the border with the southern Gaza Strip

Sisi: Egypt should have deported Al Jazeera journalists n Reuters, Cairo Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said he wished the imprisoned Al Jazeera journalists, convicted of aiding “a terrorist group”, had been deported and not put on trial, a newspaper reported yesterday.

Sisi’s comments sparked hope for the family of Australian reporter Peter Greste who, along with colleagues Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, was jailed last month for 10 years.

Sisi was quoted by Egypt’s Al-Masry Al-Youm private newspaper as saying the verdict “had very negative effects”.

“I wished they were deported right after they were arrested instead of getting put on trial,” Sisi added during a meeting with local journalists on Sunday.

Sisi’s initial reaction to the ruling was that he would not interfere in court verdicts. Monday’s comments could be a hint he might use his presidential power to pardon the journalists, who still have a chance to appeal against the verdict in a higher court.

Peter Greste’s brother, Andrew, said he was heartened by the comments.

“I’m sure images of Peter in the cage in the court are not images Egypt really wants distributed around the world,” Andrew Greste told reporters in Brisbane. “And the publicity they’re getting out of this I’m sure is not the publicity any country would want.”

Peter Greste, Al Jazeera English Cairo bureau chief Fahmy, a dual Canadian-Egyptian citizen, and Egyptian network producer Mohamed were detained in December. l

REUTERS

The Islamic militant group Hamas that rules Gaza vowed revenge on Israel for the death of seven of its members killed in an airstrike early yesterday morning in the deadliest exchange of fire since the latest round of attacks began weeks ago. Hamas’ said “the enemy will pay a tremendous price,” referring to Israel.

The group said its men were killed by an Israeli airstrike on a tunnel used by the militants. Two militants from a different group were also killed in a separate strike. The men were involved in rocket attacks on southern Israeli communities, the Israeli military said.

Israel said it carried out airstrikes on at least “14 terror sites” including “concealed rocket launchers” in Gaza overnight in retaliation to a recent spike in attacks from Gaza.

About a dozen rockets were fired at

Israel from Gaza overnight the military said. One injured a soldier.

Gaza militants fired 25 rockets at Israel on Sunday the military said. The military says Palestinian militants have fired more than 200 rockets at southern Israel in recent weeks, and it has responded with scores of airstrikes targets in Gaza.

Lt Col Peter Lerner, a military spokesman, said the rocket attacks are “unbearable and unacceptable.” “We will continue to act in order to debilitate and incapacitate the Hamas terror infrastructure striking its warehouses, rocket manufacturing capabilities and those that endanger the well–being of the Israelis in the south of the country.”

Gaza militants have been bombarding Israel with daily rocket fire for weeks, drawing Israeli airstrikes in retaliation. The nine militants killed overnight Monday made it the deadliest day of fighting so far. l

Iraq chaos fuels Kurds’ independence dream n Reuters, Kele Bi, Iraq

A grave, freshly dug and adorned with pebbles, is the modest tribute to one more sacrifice in the long history of struggle for an independent Kurdish state.

Hogir Fathi was looking forward to home leave in his village in autonomous Kurdistan when the 24-year-old, a fighter in the Iraqi region’s peshmerga forces, was killed by a bomb while on the frontline against Islamist militants who last month drove the Iraqi army from most of the north outside the Kurdish zone.

“I am proud my son was martyred,” said his father, Mehdi, himself a peshmerga, who fought the army of Saddam Hussein. “There is no sacrifice too great for an independent Kurdistan.”

A century after the Kurds lost out

in the carve-up of the Ottoman empire after World War One, denied a state of their own and left scattered across four others, that dream is suddenly closer as fighting among Iraq’s Arabs – minority Sunnis and the Shi’ites in power – fuels talk of the country being partitioned.

The Kurds of Iraq, who have governed themselves since US air power pinned back the Sunni dictator Saddam after the 1991 Gulf War, have already exploited the chaos to expand their territory by as much as 40%, including the oilfields and city of Kirkuk, which they claim as their national capital.

Their president last week called for a referendum on secession. And there is little doubt it would overwhelmingly back independence, as an unofficial plebiscite did in 2005. But economics and external pressures, from Baghdad

but also from rival allies in Turkey, Iran and Washington, may well hold Kurdish leaders back from risking a final break any time soon.

“All the Kurdish people support it, but the leadership must consider whether the time is appropriate or not,” said Kurdistan Vice President Kosrat Rasul Ali, a veteran peshmerga commander. “If the political climate is not ripe, perhaps we will have to wait years. Otherwise it will be a misadventure.”

As it has for a decade, the threat alone of secession may offer greater benefits to the Kurds in the three-way bargaining with Shi’ites and Sunnis that has defined post-Saddam politics.

Hostility from Turkey, which fought its own Kurdish revolt for decades, may no longer be the obstacle it once was to full independence for Iraqi Kurdistan.

Though wary of the impact that might have on its own Kurdish minority and officially committed the unity of Iraq, Ankara has worked with Iraq’s Kurds to buffer Turkey against the chaos to the south and become a buyer of their oil. Many Kurdish leaders are quietly confident Ankara would not block their sovereignty.

More problematic may be Iran, a sponsor of the Shi’ite parties which now hold power in Baghdad and which view Kurdish secession as a bid to grab an unfair share of Iraq’s wealth.

Tehran and Ankara have long supported competing factions within Iraqi Kurdistan, factions which fought a bitter civil war almost as soon as they were free of Saddam’s control in 1991. Divergent interests between Iran and Turkey make for tensions within Kurdish politics that affect attitudes to independence. l

Merkel: US spying allegations serious n Reuters, Beijing

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said yesterday allegations that a German man worked as a double agent for US intelligence were serious and, if true, were a clear contradiction of what cooperation between partners is supposed to be about.

The case risks further straining ties with Washington, which have been sorely tested by revelations last year of large-scale snooping on Germany by the US National Security Agency (NSA).

“If the reports are correct it would be a serious case,” Merkel told a news conference in Beijing, standing next to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

“If the allegations are true, it would be for me a clear contradiction as to what I consider to be trusting cooperation between agencies and partners.”

The White House and State Department have so far declined to comment on the arrest of a 31-year-old employee of Germany’s BND foreign intelligence agency. According to intelligence and political sources, the man admits passing documents to a US contact.

Those include information about a parliamentary committee looking into allegations by former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden that Washington carried out major surveillance in Germany, including monitoring Merkel’s phone.

Suspicions

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who was on a trip to Mongolia while Merkel was in China, said the spying case would have consequences if the circumstances are confirmed.

“We haven’t finished clearing this up yet. But if suspicions are confirmed that American secret services were involved, it will become a political issue and we can’t just get back to business as usual,” he told reporters in Ulan Bator.

Surveillance is a sensitive issue in a country where memories of the Nazi’s Gestapo secret police and communist East Germany’s Stasi ensure the right to privacy is treasured.

As Merkel visited China, where she oversaw the signing of agreements involving Airbus Group NV’s helicopter division selling 100 aircraft to Chinese companies, a German intelligence chief warned that some firms in China faced a growing threat from industrial espionage by Chinese government agencies with huge resources.

“Germany is against that – regardless of where it comes from,” Merkel said, in reference to industrial espionage.

“We have a duty as the state to protect our economy ... We are for the protection of intellectual property.”

China’s premier repeated his government’s denial that it was involved in such activities. l

president’s private schedule.

It’s a document so closely held that Obama aides, like their counterparts under George W Bush, are expected to dispose of it at day’s end in “burn bags” typically reserved for documents so sensitive they cannot be consigned to mere shredding. Where the public schedule blares “for immediate release,” every page of the private schedule warns: “This schedule contains sensitive information and is provided for your information only. It may not be distributed, forwarded, or printed without the express written permission of the Director of Scheduling.”

Yahoo News spoke to current and former aides to Obama, George W Bush, and Bill Clinton to try to find out how the White House puts together the most important document you’ve probably never thought twice about.

None wanted to be quoted by name as sharing details from the behind-the-scenes process. The private schedule embodies a president’s political and public-policy priorities, the full range of challenges or crises he faces at home and abroad. It blends the White House’s needs and wants as the president balances foreign threats against dinner with the kids and meetings with friends. The public schedule is what the White House wants people to know about the president’s day.

The private schedule is what he actually does with one of his most scarce resources.

“The most valuable asset in any White House is not money, it’s the president’s time,” explains Josh Bolten, who served as George W Bush’s chief of staff from 2006 to 2009.

Here’s how that time is blocked out: Every night, around Obama’s 6:30 p.m. target time for dinner with his family, senior aides get a fairly complete schedule for the next day. l

NEWS BITES

Netanyahu phones father of murdered Palestinian teen

n Reuters, Jerusalem

Israel’s prime minister phoned the father of a murdered Palestinian teenager yesterday to promise that the attackers would be prosecuted, the government said, as anger over the killing fuelled Arab street protests. The burnt body of 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khudair was discovered in a Jerusalem forest last week. Six Jews have been arrested in what police suspect was a revenge attack for the abduction and killing of three Jewish youths.

“I wish to express my shock and the shock of Israel’s citizens over the despicable murder of your son,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the father, Hussein Abu Khudair, according to the statement. “The murderers will be brought to trial and prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” the right-wing leader added, according to the statement, a day after Israel announced that six Jewish suspects were in custody. l

Girl killed, eight people hurt in Iraqi airstrike

n Reuters, Baghdad

A 12-year-old girl has been killed and eight other civilians wounded in an Iraqi airstrike on a Kurdish-held town in Iraq’s northern province of Salahuddin, a Kurdish security forces official said.

Jabbar Yawar, secretary general of the Kurdish peshmerga fighters, told Reuters the strike occurred on Sunday when military planes and helicopters targeted “a group of civilian residential buildings in the heart” of the town of Tuz Khurmato.

Iraqi government forces are battling Sunni Islamist insurgents led by an ultra-radical group called the Islamic State in the area. The insurgents’ rapid seizure of large swathes of northern and western Iraq over the past month has stirred international alarm over the possible disintegration of Iraq. l

Nasa to send 3D Google smartphones for robots

n Reuters, Mountain View, Calif Google smartphones with next-generation 3D sensing technology are about to blast into orbit, where they will become the brains and eyes of ball-shaped hovering robots on the International Space Station.

Nasa plans to use the handsets to beef up its Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites, which could eventually take over daily chores for astronauts or even handle risky duties outside of the vessel. The phones, part of Google’s Project Tango augmented reality initiative, will be aboard a cargo spacecraft scheduled to launch on July 11. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

9

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Afghan candidates in last minute talks to defuse election crisis Preliminary results delayed again

n Reuters, Kabul

man Rahimi, a spokesman for Abdullah, adding that the ball was now in Ghani’s court.

Azita Rafhat, a spokeswoman for Ghani’s camp, said they would announce their position on the talks later on Monday.

Rival Afghan presidential candidates Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani yesterday held last-minute talks to try to resolve a standoff over the outcome of a troubled election, as officials once again delayed the announcement of preliminary results.

The deadlock over the June 14 second round run-off has quashed hopes for a smooth transition of power in Afghanistan, a headache for the West as most US-led forces continue to withdraw from the country this year.

Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission had been due to announce results of the June 14 run-off vote at 2 p.m. (0930 GMT) but officials said it would be put off by a few hours.

It was unclear what caused the delay, which came as rival camps struggled to find a last-minute compromise to keep Afghanistan from sliding into a protracted period of uncertainty without a clear leader accepted by all sides.

Both rounds of the vote have been plagued by accusations of mass fraud, and the refusal by either candidate to accept the outcome could split the fragile country along ethnic lines.

Abdullah, a former anti-Taliban fighter, and Ashraf Ghani, an ex-World Bank official, have locked horns over the election, with both effectively declaring victory in the contest to succeed Hamid Karzai.

On Monday, both camps said they were holding renewed discussions to find ways to defuse the crisis, possibly about how many additional polling stations need to be audited in order to satisfy both candidates that the vote was free of fraud.

“Our meetings continued until midnight and there were some improvements but we haven’t reached final agreement,” said Mujibul Rah-

Risks

Abdullah, who has a Pashtun father and a Tajik mother, draws much of his support from the Tajik minority in northern Afghanistan. Ghani, a former World Bank economist, has strong support from Pashtun tribes in the country’s south and east.

Refusal by either Abdullah or Ghani to accept the outcome of the election could plunge the country into a dangerous crisis, with the possibility of a bloody standoff between the two ethnic groups or even secession of parts of the country.

Without a clear leader, Afghanistan could split into two or more fiefdoms along tribal fault lines, or even return to the bloody civil war of the 1990s.

But on Monday, both sides appeared keen to find a compromise. Official final results are due on July 22, so election officials still have time to conduct a broader fraud probe that would be suitable to both sides.

Ghani’s aides say he is in the lead in the run-off by at least one million votes.

Abdullah has accused Karzai, also a Pashtun, of playing a role in the alleged rigging in Ghani’s favour and says he would accept the vote only if he saw firm evidence that fraudulent votes had been thrown out and the final result was clean.

As their standoff intensified in past weeks, Afghanistan has become awash with talk about a broader rift along ethnic lines or even violence unless they agree to accept the outcome of the vote or come to a compromise arrangement. l

Indonesia presidential vote: July 9 Joko Widodo

Prabowo Subianto

Economy

aka “Jokowi” 53 years old Former furniture business owner turned town mayor and current governor of Jakarta

“Prabowo” 62 years old Former general and commander of the army’s special forces, with strong links to the Suharto dictatorship era

GDP current

$878 billion GDP per capita

$3,557

Inflation

7.3%

GDP growth % 5.5 2014 6.3 6.5 2007 2011 forecast

5.0 2004 Hugely popular as leader of the capital due to his humble background and hands-on approach, introduced policies seen as pro-poor but lack of experience in national politics seen as hindrance Living on less than $2 a day % of population

5.3 2013

4.6 2009

Population

Discharged from the military after admitting he ordered the abduction of democracy activists, also accused of human rights abuses during Indonesia’s occupation of East Timor

250 million 100

Male Life expectancy

Female

90 80

68

72

70

Labour participation rate % of male/female population 15 and up

60

43.3

50

Female:

40

51

30

Male:

84

20 10

15 10 In millions

5

Age 2010

5

10

15

Sources: IMF/WorldBank/UN/DESA/TransparencyInternational/IndonesiaTourism

Fishing boats are moored at Tomari port in Naha on Japan’s southern island of Okinawa as super typhoon Neoguri approaches the region, in this photo taken yesterday

Super typhoon takes aim at Japan n Reuters, Tokyo A super typhoon described as a “once in decades storm” was heading north for Japan yesterday, set to rake the southern Okinawa island chain with heavy rain and powerful winds before making landfall on Kyushu, Japan’s westernmost main island.

Typhoon Neoguri was already gusting at more than 250 km an hour (150 mph) and may pick up still more power as it moves north, growing into an “extremely intense” storm by Tuesday, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.

But it was not expected to be as

strong as Typhoon Haiyan, which killed thousands in the Philippines last year.

The storm was south of Okinawa but moving northwest at 20 kph (12 mph) with sustained winds of 180 kph (110 mph), the JMA said on its website, warning of high tides and lashing rain.

“This storm’s characteristic is its strength,” one JMA official said, calling on people in Okinawa to evacuate early and take precautions, including staying indoors. Television showed fishermen winching their boats out of the water.

There are no nuclear plants on Okinawa, but there are two on Kyushu and one on Shikoku island, which borders

Kyushu and could also be affected.

All are halted in line with current national policy. A spokeswoman at Kyushu Electric Power Co said there are no specific plans related to this typhoon but that the company has plans in place throughout this year to protect the plants from severe weather.

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, crippled by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011, is on the other side of the country, which is likely to see rain at the worst.

The commander at Kadena Air Base, one of the largest US military establishments on Okinawa, which hosts the

Indonesia’s tight, dirty presidential race may be decided in West Java n Reuters, Tasikmalaya The closest and dirtiest presidential race in Indonesia’s young democracy could be decided on Wednesday among the mosques and rice paddies of West Java, the nation’s most populous province. Former special forces chief Prabowo Subianto and Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo are running neck-and-neck in opinion polls, leaving markets in Southeast Asia’s largest economy under pressure and on tenterhooks awaiting the outcome.

Indonesia’s 190 million voters face a clear choice: the relatively untested, untainted Jokowi or a tough nationalist in Prabowo who has top military leadership experience but is dogged by decades-old allegations of army brutality, which he denies.

“The young democracy of Indonesia is about to face a tough maturity test on July 9,” said Wellian Wiranto, economist at OCBC Bank.

This will be the first time in the world’s third-largest democracy that a

directly elected president hands over the reins to another. Outgoing president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who has largely disappointed in his last four years, must step down in October after serving a two-term limit.

Voting starts in Indonesia’s distant eastern islands and finishes two time zones away in the densely populated west at 0600 GMT. Early counts by pollsters should give an idea of the outcome fairly soon afterwards.

A Prabowo win is expected to weaken markets due to concerns that he will introduce protectionist policies in the financial and farm sectors, and launch big debt-funded spending projects.

Main battleground

All eyes are on the main battleground province of West Java, an area the size of the Netherlands but with a population nearly three times larger.

Prabowo has seized a single-digit lead from Jokowi in the province of 46 million people, helped by a smear campaign that raised questions about

the Jakarta governor’s race and religion – potent topics in a nation that is 95% native Indonesian and has the world’s largest Muslim population.

“That had a very big impact,” said Fitri Hari, researcher at polling firm Lingkaran Survei Indonesia, referring to questions, aired in social media by Prabowo supporters, about Jokowi’s Islamic faith and his Javanese ethnicity – even though he was born a Muslim in the Javanese town of Solo. To counter the smear, Jokowi is set to go on a minor pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia early this week when there is a ban on public campaigning before the vote.

Jokowi’s lead in national opinion polls – as much as 30 percentage points three months ago – has shrunk as the smear campaign has developed, pollsters say. Prabowo, who has not made public comments about Jokowi’s race or religion, has appeared to lead a more organised campaign than his rival.

West Java, which represents around 20% of the national vote, is home to some of the country’s most conservative Muslim groups. l

Narendra Modi faces uphill task to put India’s railways on track

China lambasts Japan’s wartime aggression

n

n

Reuters, New Delhi

Departing Platform One at New Delhi station last week was India’s fastest train: the test run of the Delhi-Agra express – dubbed “semi-high speed” by local media – topped a record-breaking 160 kilometres per hour on its way to the Taj Mahal. But the velocity, though triple the 50 kilometres average clocked on trips across the country, is barely onethird of the top-speed of China’s fastest train, showing the extent to which India’s expansive but under-funded train network has failed to keep pace.

“The capacity of the track is almost saturated,” Anurag Sachan, divisional railway manager for Delhi, said in his office next to New Delhi’s giant station.

“We could go as high as 200 km but we would need to have a completely new track for higher speeds.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who started out selling tea outside a train station, has promised to modernise India’s

railways and build high-speed engines befitting Asia’s third-largest economy.

On Tuesday, his new government will unveil its maiden railways budget, with expectations high that he will offer bold plans to improve the service – a lifeline for 23 million Indians every day.

Among the goals is bringing much more private money into one of the country’s largest state-controlled industries. At present, there’s small private involvement in suburban services and locomotive manufacturing.

In a speech last week, Modi hinted at how much of a revamp he believed the railways needed, telling an audience in Kashmir that he wanted an upgrade of stations, many of which look much as they did under the British.

“Why do our railway stations need to be so old, why can’t they be better than our airports?” he said, after waving a green flag to inaugurate services on a stretch of track in the mountain state.

REUTERS

Partnerships needed

Modi’s government will announce plans for public-private partnerships in railway infrastructure, the Economic Times reported on Monday, citing government sources, and he is expected to update the country on plans for a highspeed rail between the financial capital Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

“If the railways are to fully benefit the climate, the economy, society, the government needs to bring in more money... including from private and foreign investment” said G. Raghuram, professor at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and co-author of a report about railway modernisation.

Raghuram said allowing private money into freight was a simple and relatively easy shift that would boost the economy. Railways’ share of freight has fallen from 90% of the country’s cargo in 1950 to one-third today, as congested tracks and slow speeds force shipments onto roads – in turn clogging them. l

Reuters, Beijing

China, which frequently praises Germany for its contrition over World War Two, pointedly emphasised Japanese wartime aggression yesterday during a visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Premier Li Keqiang’s comments come as China intensifies an anti-Japan propaganda campaign focused on wartime atrocities after Tokyo ended a ban on its military fighting abroad last week.

In remarks to mostly German and Chinese reporters, as well as Merkel, Li pointed out that Monday was the 77th anniversary of the Marco Polo Bridge incident, a skirmish in 1937 that sparked an all-out Sino-Japanese war. Li said the day was one “the Chinese people must always bear firmly in mind”.

“Facing an all-encompassing war started by Japanese militarists against China, the Chinese people rose up with all their strength to resist,” Li said.

“They resisted in the blood-soaked war for eight years before finally achieving victory. We must always remember history to correctly face up to the past,” he added.

China has often contrasted Germany with Japan, which it says has sought to rewrite history by whitewashing military aggression. Diplomatic sources have told Reuters Germany did not want to get dragged into the dispute between China and Japan, and dislikes China constantly bringing up Germany’s painful past.

Merkel made no mention of the war in public comments.

In comments to reporters, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Tokyo would watch China “closely” on issues of history. “The Japanese government believes that it is not beneficial for regional peace and cooperation that China tries to turn history and other issues into international issues,” he said. l

bulk of the US forces in Japan, warned that damaging winds were expected by early Tuesday.

“I can’t stress enough how dangerous this typhoon may be when it hits Okinawa,” wrote Brigadier General James Hecker on the base’s Facebook page on Sunday. “This is not just another typhoon.”

Though officials warned that parts of western Japan were likely to be hit by torrential rain, Tokyo was likely to be spared the brunt.

Around two to four typhoons a year make landfall in Japan but they are unusual in July. l

NEWS BITES

Impeachment move filed against Philippines’ Aquino

n Reuters

A former Philippine congressman yesterday filed an impeachment complaint against President Benigno Aquino for bribery and violating the constitution, but analysts said the popular leader could defeat the motion, thanks to his grip on the legislature. It is the first time that Aquino, whose popularity rating in the past four years has stayed above 40%, could face impeachment for distributing his discretionary funds to lawmakers, an act the Supreme Court has declared illegal.

“The complaint is based on three grounds, namely, bribery, betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the constitution,” Augusto Syjuco, who also questioned Aquino’s discretionary fund action before the top court, told Reuters. “It has been filed to the records office of the House of Representatives until the resumption of Congress.”

The complaint will wait until Congress reopens for its second regular session on July 28, when a sitting member of Congress will endorse it, he added. l

Thai junta says peace in restive south a national priority

n Reuters, Bangkok

Thailand’s military government said yesterday peace in the Muslim-dominated south was an “urgent national priority” for the Buddhist-majority country following a decade of unrest blamed on separatists. The message comes a week after the start of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan and days after the new government, led by General Prayuth Chan-ocha, said it would revive talks aimed at bringing peace to the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

“The south is an urgent national priority.

Prayuth wants firmer measures and more success in the south,” Udomdet Sitabutr, secretary-general of the ruling National Council for Peace and Order, told reporters ahead of a visit to the region. Prayuth said in his weekly speech to the nation on Friday the military government wanted to use political strategies over military tactics in the south. A low-level insurgency has claimed more than 6,000 lives since 2004 following the resurgence of a dormant Muslim separatist movement. l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

CODE-CRACKER

Let’s build this city

T

he prime minister recently expressed an interest in building a Hong Kong-like urban centre at Mawa point, near the still-under-construction Padma Bridge. This is a good idea, considering how much our capital city has become overburdened due to a lack of workable decentralisation efforts.

One of the key factors behind Dhaka’s current state of congestion is the massive influx of people migrating to it from all parts of the country.

This is largely a result of the misguided notion that the capital is the only urban centre worth migrating to, despite the existence of large and functional metropolises such as Chittagong.

Many suggestions have been made as to how the state of the capital can be improved, without much real progress being made. Building an entirely new city might sound like an expensive idea, but it may very well save us more money in the long run, as investing in the capital has not been yielding the desired results in making it more liveable. A new city gives the government scope for a concrete plan which will take every facet of such an enormous undertaking into account, from feasibility to implementation.

There is only so much that can be done at this stage to improve Dhaka as our main urban hub. It would make more sense for the government to divert those financial resources towards building a new city some distance away from Dhaka, and make it attractive enough for people to seek work and living opportunities in, giving the capital city and its existing citizens some much-needed room to breathe.

Building an entirely new city might sound like an expensive idea, but it may very well save us more money in the long run

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

NUB lecturer held for remarks on Bangabandhu July 4

Dr Ahsan Habib Thousands of major crimes happen, including murder, kidnapping, and stealing bank money. Every day, the police remain inactive on one excuse or other.

Now, suddenly, the same police is vigilant about quashing freedom of speech.

Zubair Ahmed Dr Ahsan Habib: What? You don’t put out your “freedom speech” in a classroom. Professionals with responsibilities should be held accountable.

Rafat Sadiq Zubair Ahmed: Academics should be able to express views contrary to popular opinion. End freedom of speech in education and you begin an irreversible slide towards an authoritarian state.

Dr Ahsan Habib Zubair Ahmed: You are partly right. In classrooms, the freedom may be limited, but by the demand of

How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 14 represents U so fill U every time the figure 14 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

the course and the duty to judge it belongs to the Dean of the college. But the freedom the professor exercised is perfect in his capacity as a law professor, and universal as a citizen of Bangladesh. In my capacity as economics professor I often criticise the president, congress, and the Federal Reserve Bank inside the classroom.

Sammy Dr Ahsan Habib: When we create a personality cult, the constitution and human rights don’t matter. This is what happens in North Korea and in the former Soviet Union too. In a one-party dictatorship run by one family, there is no concept of free speech, notwithstanding what the law or the constitution say.

GB Dr Ahsan Habib: Don’t speak out again or you are going to be arrested. :)

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.

Let’s get off this list

July 4

Easy rides for Dhaka

I

t is no accident that many of the cities which are considered the “most liveable” are the ones in which citizens ride bicycles rather than motor vehicles. Dhaka’s traffic congestion can be explained by the fact that only about 8% of the city’s surface is dedicated to roads. This is woefully inadequate, considering that other large cities dedicate about 25% of their surface area to roads.

The shortage of road space is not going to go away. Every year, about 40,000 new cars compete for space on Dhaka roads, making the congestion worse with each passing year.

The most obvious solution is for more people to use vehicles which occupy less space on the roads – namely bicycles. It is no mere coincidence that one of the world’s most liveable cities is Copenhagen – a city where more people choose to ride their bikes in spite of the fact that many of them can afford cars.

Every year, our government spends thousands of crores subsidising fuel. Why not raise the price of fuel and spend the increased revenue to subsidise bicycles? In wealthier countries, everyone can afford a bicycle.

That is sadly not the case in Bangladesh yet.

A subsidy on bicycles would make them much more affordable.

Furthermore, the government should take the initiative to create more bike paths, and new laws should be enacted to make our roads friendlier towards bicyclists. We should work towards a society where bike-riding is not only feasible and safe, but encouraged.

We should work towards a society where bike-riding is not only feasible and safe, but encouraged

SS People need to change first. We need to stop thinking as individuals (and be ridiculously hung up on it), and need to start thinking as a part of a nation (maybe at least for a couple hours every day?). That might do the trick.

The undead city Bakarkhani: From Mughal courts to old Dhaka

July 4

Mariam Ispahani I have been enjoying bakarkhani since I was a child. Never knew the story behind this baked treat until I read your article. I have Facebooked and Tweeted this interesting article to my friends and followers. Now, I must find and visit this bakery in Old Dhaka!

Volunteer workshop for 100 Smiles 2014 July 3

Aarshan This is a nice initiative!

CALVIN AND HOBBES

July 4 TJ The construction of new buildings, the garbage disposal problems, and the scarcity of water – all these problems of this city won’t go away, unless the number of people living in the city is decreased. However, that’s not going to happen.

So, the authorities should work harder to do something about these issues. And I agree with the author that we all should do whatever we can to make our city livable.

Raihan Hadi TJ: Thank you for your insight. I believe we can help decrease the population in the city if we put more thoughts and efforts into decentralising, and sort of allocate large portions of the population in the other divisions in order to further build the other cities. That way, balance can be achieved and more communities can be developed outside Dhaka, which is very much needed at this point of time. :)

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Fruit (6) 5 Joke (3) 7 Competitor (5) 8 Appropriate (6) 10 Arch (3) 12 Purplish brown (4) 13 Newt (3) 14 Plant’s support (4) 16 Ego (4) 17 Colour (3) 18 Painful spot (4) 20 Mineral spring (3) 23 Vibration (6) 24 Concluded (5) 25 Domestic animal (3) 26 Married (6)

DOWN 1 High mountains (4) 2 Drive (6) 3 Build (5) 4 Horse’s father (4) 5 Fuel (3) 6 Everyone (3) 9 Short wind blast (4) 11 Sweet potato (3) 14 Certain (4) 15 Swarmed (6) 16 Distress signal (3) 17 Multitude (5) 18 Meat dish (4) 19 Poke (4) 21 Vegetable (3) 22 Insect (3)

Tanzil Everyone has solutions! No wonder the city is in such a shape when it has never had its share of creative visionaries who would take it to what it could be. Everyone blabbering away and citing obvious solutions, independent of the holistic quality of life in the city. Sad … sad … sad.

Allocating budget funds July 4

PEANUTS

A Bangladeshi I came across a business story on this topic, and was surprised that the highest allocation was for defence. The allocation of Tk16,492 crore is far too much! All that money to be spent, without producing any returns , in either a fiscal or social sense. And there’s no benefit whatsoever for the poor of Bangladesh, as they face a constant shortage of healthcare, food, fuel, and many other necessities of life.

In contrast, despite our acute shortage of electrical power, for which almost the entire population suffers, that sector gets only Tk9,284 crore. In reality, considering the distress of all people, and that many services and revenue-earning sectors suffer from an acute and urgent shortage of electrical power, this allocation for defense is irrational and illogical.

Whom do we plan to fight with these “wasteful toys of destruction”? Given the strength and resources of the countries having common boundaries with us, our armed might is akin to “chicken feed” for them.

The days of might is right are gone, and any idea that attacking is the best method of defence is in today’s reality utterly outdated.

We should develop friendly relations with our powerful neighbours, rather than “throwing good money after bad” for unwanted expensive toys (so to say), which has no justification, in this day and age.

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

11

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Act now to save us n Sayma Sayed

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To the sound of trumpets

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n Ikhtisad Ahmed

t is easier to be narrow-minded than not, easier to sternly judge based on an inordinately scarce amount of information than to expand an anaemic pool of knowledge that creates the environment for improved understanding.

Coupled with the overriding principle of short-termism that the world thrives on, the acceptable thing to do becomes equating terrorism to religion rather than grappling with the complexities of the subject.

The truth is, ISIS, al-Qaeda, and their various other incarnations do not represent Islam or Muslims. They forcibly assert they do, and convince enough on both sides of the unfortunate aisle of reality – those who would blindly rally behind them or seek to use them to further their own causes, and those who would blithely use them to spread fear and prejudice – to become the de facto face of the religion and its people.

Worldwide political narratives and the benefits to both of the aforesaid contemptible sides fuel this fanatical conversion of the mind. Islam, the religion, neither needs justification, nor a defender. The theological discourse should also be cast aside for the purposes of the violence perpetrated in the name of religion, since faith is a personal choice and journey that, in the absence of agendas driving interpretation, cannot inherently demand violence of individual followers.

The crusades did not come about as

a result of each disciple independently attaining enlightenment in his own home. The focus, thus, needs to be the politics of Islam and its politicisation, which are doing irreparable damage to the idea and image of the faith, and, therefore, require immediate surgical removal.

projected from Islam to the world is an internal danger too – the religion is the fissures within.

Where there was one cult, there are suddenly two. The blessing is that they seem intent on fighting one another to the bitter end. The curse is that there is no end, nor any way of containing,

The truth is, ISIS, al-Qaeda, and their various other incarnations do not represent Islam or Muslims

The growths are no longer benign, and they are nigh on impossible to distinguish from the religion, forcing individuals to think that in exercising their choice to believe, they are also defenders. Pushed further right, defenders become soldiers, soldiers martyrs, martyrs inhabitants of heaven; so goes the over-simplified and flagrantly incorrect theory that the seemingly infinite herds suggest is easy to be duped into following.

These fanciful transitions become customary when the removal of moderation and reason by authoritarian tendencies force those suffering, yet refusing or being unable to join the autocrats, to the opposite extreme. The latest in a long line of manufactured threats of – and to, indistinguishably one and the same, for what is a danger

geographically or otherwise, the violence. Having been produced by the incompetent West who failed to direct, the world is feeling the effects of hasty Occidental thought and action.

They are adverse, terse, and long-lasting. The foolish and absent Commander-in-Chief Bush and his equally delusional and dishonest sidekick Blair may never apologise or acknowledge the truth, but ISIS did not exist before their ill-conceived 2003 invasion of Iraq.

That it was ill-fated caused saner heads to prevail a decade later. The non-intervention in Syria, however, allowed ISIS to flourish. The continued mismanagement of Iraq provides this dominant germ a perfect Petri dish.

It is strengthened by those who do not identify themselves as members

of ISIS, but have a common enemy in al-Maliki’s Shia-dominated intolerant government.

The historical Sunni-Shia tensions, like most of the political upheavals of Islam in its first millennium, were buried deep under imperialism by the time the 20th century came along.

They were unknown even to the average Muslim, and open hostilities were isolated incidents.

The collapse of the Ottoman Empire furthered the unity of denominations by ushering in pan-Arabism and nationalism. The gradual decay of Arab unity, variously prompted or encouraged by the West that neither had a comprehensive and respectful understanding of the region nor ever seemed inclined to gain one, recreated divisions. Saudi supremacy, the Iranian Revolution, the Taliban, the Gulf Wars, and widespread Islamophobia deepened them.

Those taking measured or educated approaches to religion are an ever-shrinking minority in a world that has married it to politics. Regardless of faith and denomination, the promise of heaven demands an irrevocable ideological loyalty that no amount of money nor any other reward can buy. Driven by idiocy, lunacy or both, politicians and their advisers continue to rely on this as they believe in the self-perpetuating myth of control. The present war is the last war, the next war the present one. l

Sayma Sayed works with Eminence Associates for Social Development.

BIGSTOCK

Non-intervention in Syria allowed ISIS to flourish

limate change is one of the burning issues which are now being discussed across the globe. A few decades ago, it was regarded only as a “concept” or “belief” that was expected to happen in the future. But at present, the changing patterns of temperature, rainfall, and rising sea level are generating urgent public discussions.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change forecasts an increase in the world’s average temperature within the range of 1·4°C to 5·8°C by 2100. As a result of climate change, there is a great possibility of the dry and arid areas becoming drier, and the wet areas have more chance to be flooded. By observing the recent years’ extreme weather events it can be said the number of hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the other disasters have been increasing over the world.

Human health is inexorably linked to the global climatic changes. Though climate change is a global issue and it does affect the health system of the entire world, poor and vulnerable populations of the least developing and developing countries are most susceptible. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that every year about 150, 000 deaths occur worldwide in the low-income countries owing primarily to the adverse effects of climate change, which are primarily crop failure, floods, malnutrition, diarrheal diseases, and malaria.

Bangladesh – due to its geography, large population, and high susceptibility to waterborne and vector-borne disease – is one of the most vulnerable countries. The harsh effects of climate change only exacerbate this vulnerability. Moreover, it has been predicted that the combination of higher temperature and potential increase in summer precipitation may increase the spread of many infectious diseases.

The other potential health threats due to climate change in Bangladesh are increase of heat stroke, dehydration, and aggravation of cardiovascular diseases in elderly people, increasing risk of waterborne diseases like cholera and diarrhea, risk of malnutrition, and more. In the realm of communicable diseases, higher temperature and impacts of climate change can decrease the general health and immunity of the population, making at-risk

populations and those living with HIV/ AIDS and other immunodeficiency disorders more prone to adverse disease-related effects. The reproductive health of women may also be affected due to increased salinity levels in the coastal areas.

Bangladesh has already taken some responsive measures for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. Bangladesh is the signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Moreover, the country has implemented other policies like The National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA), Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP), National Water Management Plan (NWMP), National Environmental Management Action Plan (NEMAP), National Plan for Disaster Management (NPDM), National Disaster Management Policy (NDMP), social safety net policies and Annual Development Plans (ADPs), Health Nutrition and Population Sector Program (HNPSP) etc.

In support of these polices, the following actions are needed to prepare and promote population resiliency against the health-related threats of climate change – developing a plan to identify the urgent and immediate needs for climate change adaption; developing a policy to reduce environment pollution; implementing supportive policies for farmers to start a long-term diversified farming system that supports effective local adaptation to ensure food security; developing an eco-friendly urban design plan; tree plantation and promoting afforestation; spending more money on rainwater storage; strengthening the technical support and guidance to manage the outbreaks of vector-borne diseases effectively; engage health sector experts in local-level planning; preparation and implementation of strong comprehensive disaster management plan; and taking initiative to ensure security after disaster to prevent sexual violence against women.

Bangladesh will experience weather-related and climate disaster-related impacts due to its location by the Bay of Bengal. But, measures must be taken to reduce the risk, and to promote adaptation and resiliency. So, we should act immediately to fight against the adverse impact of climate change from local to national level. l

Ikhtisad Ahmed is a writer and an erstwhile lawyer. He can be contacted on Twitter via @ Ikhtisad.

Allocation is only part of the job n M Abdul Latif Mondal

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n his budget speech on June 5, Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith proposed Tk15,510cr for social safety net programs (SSNPs) for fiscal 2014-15, which is Tk2,875cr more than last year’s. The FM listed the programs that the government implemented over the last five years, these included the stipend program, the special stipend program for physically challenged students, allowances for insolvent disabled persons, old age allowances, allowances for expecting and lactating mothers, allowances for widows and divorced women, the onehouse-one-farm project, the Ashrayan project, food for works program, test relief, gratuitous relief, food assistance for destitute mothers, and the char livelihood project. He further said the government also provided special allowances, employment generating training, and stipend to the socially and economically excluded Hijra, Dalit, Harija, and Bede communities with a view to mainstreaming them.

It is good to see that allocation for social protection has been increased for fiscal 2014-15 over that of last year.

But the beneficiaries will hardly be benefited from the increased allocation due to a number of reasons:

One, there will be an increase in the number of beneficiaries along with the increase in allocation. For instance, the government will enhance the existing number of disabled beneficiaries to 4,00,000, and that of disabled students to 50,000. So, an increase in allocation per head will be very insignificant. Two, past experience shows that purchasing power of the beneficiaries had decreased due to an increase in the prices of basic necessities of life. This neutralised the increase in allocation per head. The present trend of price hike says that this is going to be repeated in fiscal 2014-15. As a result, the increased allocation will not bring any improvements in the lives of its targeted beneficiaries.

SSNPs can be an effective tool in reducing the large-scale poverty in our country. The programs in the government and NGO sectors have so far failed to achieve the desired results due to a number of factors. These include a rapid increase of population among people living below the poverty line and a lack of coordination and effectiveness in the implementation of SSNPs. It is a fact that there has been a declining trend in the rate of poverty in the country, but that has not made a significant difference in the total

number of people living below the poverty line. According to the sixth five-year plan (SFYP) spanning 201115, the total number of people living below the poverty line in 1991-92 was about 56 million against a total population of 113 million. In 2010-11, the total population living below the poverty line stood at more than 47 million against a total population of 149.77 million. This means that although the poverty rate of 56.6% in 1991-92 came down to 31.5% in 2010-11, there was not a significant fall in the number of poor people. This happened due to a number of factors, which include a high birth rate among poor people, and the income inequality of the poor and the non-poor.

While there has been a drastic fall in the birth rate among people in the middle and higher echelons of society, the opposite has happened with the poor because of their lack of education, consciousness, and propensity for high standards of living. They have become victims of the vicious cycle of poverty.

From the Report of the Poverty Monitoring Survey-2004, it appears that while the monthly income of a poor household had decreased from Tk4,741 in 1999 to Tk4,488 in 2004, the monthly income of the non-poor

household increased from Tk10,462 to Tk11,295. The Report on Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES)-2010 shows that the concentration of income has slightly decreased.

Consequently, there has not been any significant reduction in the number of poor people.

selection of beneficiaries. There are complaints that the UP-led beneficiary selection process is overtly flawed, because the selectors often resort to nepotism, favouritism, and the allocation of cards on a partisan basis.

On the other hand, UP representatives say that it is quite difficult to adhere to

What is needed is effective implementation of SSNPs, which needs a strong political will

According to the SFYP, the key challenges of implementing SSNPs are coverage issues, targeting beneficiaries, leakages, and disparity in regional distribution. The FM’s budget speech on June 5 shows that only 24.57% of poor households are under the coverage of social protection benefits. This means, three-fourths of poor households remain outside the reach of SSNPs. The government has to depend on the union parishad (UP) for the

rules in beneficiary selection as various pressure groups, like local political leaders, influence the process.

Leakages have been a strong challenge in the successful implementation of SSNPs. According to the SFYP, leakages in the food for works program have been estimated to be 26%. Leakage in the female stipend programs is in the 10-12% range. About 20-40% of the budgetary allocations for the female secondary stipend program do not reach the beneficiaries. More

such instances may be cited. Studies have also shown that while coverage is relatively low, a significant number of households gain access to multiple programs.

Bribery is another factor. Various studies have shown that it is relatively greater in programs like vulnerable group development, vulnerable group feeding, and allowances for widows and distressed women.

HIES-2005 showed that there was regional disparity in the distribution of households receiving social protection benefits. Barisal and Rajshahi divisions, with the highest incidences of poverty, did not have the correspondingly higher number of social protection beneficiaries. In contrast, Sylhet Division, with the second lowest poverty incidence, had the highest number of social beneficiaries.

Thus, an increase in allocation is not enough. What is needed is effective implementation of SSNPs, which needs a strong political will. If properly implemented, SSNPs can be a very effective tool in bringing down the present rate of poverty and extreme poverty further, and to achieve the goal stipulated in the SFYP. l M Abdul Latif Mondal is a former government secretary.

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Pink Floyd to release new album this year

Pink Floyd pose for a portrait in 1968 in Los Angeles

n Entertainment Desk David Gilmour’s wife has revealed that Pink Floyd will release a new album this October.

“The Endless River” is the group’s first album since 1994’s “The Division Bell,” and was reportedly inspired by the same recording sessions.

Polly Samson, who married Gilmour in 1994, unveiled Pink Floyd’s secret plans on her Twitter account. In addition to announcing the album’s title and release date, she referred to the record as “Rick Wright’s swansong.” Wright, who co-founded Pink Floyd with Syd Barrett, Nick Mason and Roger Waters, died in 2008.

Vocalist Durga McBroom-Hudson, who has toured with Gilmour and Pink Floyd, subsequently shared some further details. “The recording did start during ‘The Division Bell’ sessions (and yes, it was the side project originally titled ‘The Big Spliff ’ that Nick Mason spoke

about),” she wrote on Facebook. “David and Nick have gone in and done a lot more since then.”

According to McBroom-Hudson, “The Endless River” “was originally supposed to be a completely instrumental recording”. But Gilmour gradually changed his mind, inviting McBroom-Hudson to record backup vocals last December and adding more singing since then.

Gilmour has “done a lead on at least one track,” she said, and Samson, who co-wrote seven of “The Division Bell’s” tracks, described herself on Twitter as one of “The Endless River’s” lyricists.

The presence of ex-Floyd bassist and singer Roger Waters (the architect of much of the band’s sound) has not been confirmed.

Tensions between Waters and Gilmour are fraught, to say the least – the pair have reunited sporadically for one-off performances, but it’s unlikely Gilmour will bring him into the studio for the new album. l

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Mosharraf Karim as match breaker n Entertainment Desk Prova and Mosharraf Karim will be seen in a six episode drama titled “Layek Chan The Great” this Eid on RTV. Written by Masum Reza, the drama is directed by Salahuddin Lavlu.

“Layek Chan the Great” tells the story of young Layek Chan, played by Mosharraf Karim, who is the only son of the family and pampered a lot by his mother. Layek is in love with Bably, played by Prova who is the daughter of the village physician. A doubtful Layek is unable to express his feelings for her and meanwhile Bably falls for the village’s mobile service provider Mobile Manik, played

by Pran Roy. One day, Layek has a dream that shows him how to win Bably’s heart and his mother helps him pursue her. On the other hand, expressing her feelings for Mobile Manik, Bably writes a letter and asks Layek to deliver it to Manik. But the evil in Layek prompts him to not deliver the letter that creates a rift between the love birds and thus Layek tries to take advantage of the situation. l

Mosharraf Karim and Pran Roy in Layek Chan The Great

Saimon and Bobby working in 2 films n Entertainment Desk

Actor Saimon Sadik, who is known for his charming smile and the charismatic Bobby are set to stun the audience with their tantalising chemistry on the silver screen. The duo is simultaneously working for two films, Shafiq Hasan’s “Shopno Chhoya,” and Iftekhar Chowdhury’s “Action Jasmine.”

The film “Action Jasmine” is expected to release this year and the shooting of “Shopno Chhoya” is underway.

About working with Bobby, Saimon said: “We are very compatible. Bobby is a talented actor and we are giving it our best shot.

“Simon has proved himself in all his films. Apart from being a good actor, he is a supportive co-artist and I enjoyed working with him,” said Bobby.

Two of Bobby’s films will be released this Eid, “I Don’t Care” with Bappy and “Hero: The Superstar” with Shakib Khan and Apu Biswas. l

FROM AKHRA TO FUSION: TRANSFORMATION OF BAUL MUSIC (PART-7)

Incorporation of new musical instruments in Baul music n Maqsoodul Haque

Historical records suggest that the ektara a single stringed lute was the only musical instruments used inside Akhara premises from the times of Lalon and that tradition continues in many cases even today. The simple yet highly sophisticated instrument when played in accompaniment is believed to convey “secret instructions”

by Lalon, decipherable only by adept Bauls, who will therefore never deviate from the same. Baul music in its earliest forms was not based on any complex raga of the Indian classical tradition, nor were any taal, beat or accompaniment instruments used.

Nonetheless while evolving as a musical genre during the times of Lalon, there is no denying that many tunes or “soor” of the times were used and they were based on existing Murshidi, Marfati or other popular Sufi genres, as much as Kirtans and Bhajans from the Vaishnavites. Baul tunes

have similarities with folk music from such far off places such as Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Persia, Turkey and Iraq, even with complex ones from Carnatic music traditions. As an independent genre it became recognised over time and after many musical elements, motifs and forms mixed and gave it the complete shape that we hear today. Baul music has traditionally fused with newer trends and ideas.

Rusticity coupled with simplicity of the music, was the pre-eminent beauty of Baul music, which remained strictly confined to Akhara centric Shadhus and Fakirs who had no aspirations to become professional singers. Over time this became a problematic aspect in the spread of Baul music, because all too often singing was off key, as basic tuning methodologies were not understood. Also within Akharas, no one much cared, as how one sang or how instruments sounded as long as the messages within the songs were decipherable. These idiosyncrasies in fact added up in creating the Baul music genre which was exceptional and unique.

Emphasised within the Akharas as far as approaches to musical instru-

ments are concerned, there has not been a marked shift to the earliest standard fare even to this day. Staying true to ancient traditions, Bauls sing live and without microphones or amplifications of any kind in open air concerts. It is therefore not unusual that many Bauls acquired distinctive vocal skills with high pitch rendition of songs that reaches out to hundreds of assembled listeners. The general acceptability and popularity of Baul music over the years saw the incorporation of several instruments to join in as accompaniment.

It was in fact about two decades after the transition of Lalon, that baya or small drum slung to the waist and played with the left hand was included into Baul music. A Baul with an ektara and baya has since remained the most enduring image in the media. Many even strapped a payel or ghungroo (small bells) to their ankles to improvise and create rhythm. Baul repertoire moved on the same principals applied by “one man bands” with minimalism in everything from what they wear to the instruments they play being part and parcel not only of their music, but also their belief system.

Initially it was the bamboo flute and the 4 stringed Dotara, then progressively rhythm instruments such as the mandira, khartaal and jhuri, wooden castanets, later drums such as dhol, khol, naal as much as pakwaz made their steady entry. The Vaishnavite and Sufi influences in Baul music meant that many instrument favoured by the Mughals and other aristocratic and feudal classes such as the serangi, shehnai, santoor, tabla, tanpura, chimta, khamak as well as harmonium and sitars made their inroads and sooner than not, became an integral part of Baul music.

The inclusion of various instruments into Baul music were never imposed, but the need and demands of times, because while the music practiced and pursued in the Akhara institution was the base parameters set by the stakeholders themselves, it was gradually moving out of the Akharas and gaining mainstream acceptability. Since Bauls never believed in any prescribed musical forms nor were they ever dogmatic or puritanical in matters of what instruments can or cannot be used, incorporation of newer instruments and trends thus became inevitable. l

A Baul with the traditional instruments ektara and baya has since remained the most enduring image in the media ERSHADUL HAQUE TINKU

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis groove to Bollywood tune n Entertainment Desk

Loko Natyadal, one of the leading theatre troupes in the country, staged its most acclaimed play Kanjus on Saturday at the Shilpakala Academy celebrating its 50th founding anniversary SADIA MARIUM

Life and functions of megacities on National Geographic n Entertainment Desk Watch out for the documentary “Megacities” today at 2:30pm on the National Geographic channel. This feature takes a revolutionary look at the places where most of us live: the modern Metropolis. “Megacities” focuses on the single aspect of a city’s infrastructure which best informs the life and functions of that place. Each city is examined as an organism: living, breathing, and growing. In order to survive, these infrastructures must each function independently, and yet blend into a harmony of man, machine, strategy and system, which defines it as a mega city.

The show examines the infrastructure of eight iconic locations around the world: Las Vegas, Mexico City, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Sao Paulo, Mumbai and New York. l

TODAY IN DHAKA Film

X-Men: Days of Future Past 3D , NonStop(2D) Walking with Dinosaurs, Transformers: Age of Extinction3D Time: 10am – 10pm Star Cineplex, Bashundhara City Noah 3D Tarkaata, Godzilla 3D Ami Shudhu Cheyechi Tomay Mr Peabody & Sherman 3D Jamuna Future Park, Blockbuster Cinemas

Actor Ashton Kutcher recently grooved to the Bollywood tune at an Indian Friend’s wedding wearing an aqua blue, embroidered kurta and a flowing white dhoti teamed up with turban, reports eonline.com.

He was accompanied by pregnant fiance Mila Kunis when he attended the wedding at the Borgo Egnazia Resort in Savelletri di Fasano, Italy, July 5.

Kutcher, 36, sported what appeared be an aqua blue, embroidered kurta and a flowing white dhoti, or

long loincloth while Kunis, 30, wore a mint gown with a drop waist, which hid her baby bump, and silver accents.

Details about the wedding were not released, although photos have been posted online and one of the pictures shows Kutcher treating the crowd to a traditional Bollywood-style dance.

Ashton also performed a dance routine at the wedding. His partner was a professional dancer, not Mila.

Kunis and Kutcher began dating in early spring of 2012 and went public with their engagement earlier this year. l

Jessica Simpson ties the knot n Entertainment Desk The couple tied the knot after a fouryear relationship.

Jessica Simpson is doing the newlywed thing again. This time, the lucky man is NFL player Eric Johnson. He and Simpson tied the knot on Saturday. The wedding took place at the San Isidro ranch in California with a big ceremony. 250 of the couple’s friends and family attended the wedding including Ashlee Simpson and her fiancé Evan Ross, Jessica Alba, Cash Warren, CaCee Cobb and Donald Faison.

“We are overwhelmed with complete happiness and love having made our eternal commitment,” said the newlyweds. l

Sp rt DHAKA TRIBUNE Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Germany’s national football team coach Joachim Loew (C) gestures as he talks to his players during a training session in the village of Santo Andre north of Porto Seguro on Saturday

REUTERS

Germany scour university data for tips to beat Brazil, coach says n That no European team has won any of the previous six World Cups in Latin America is not a daunting prospect for Germany as they head into Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final against hosts Brazil, according to assistant coach Hansi Flick.

Three-times World Cup winners Germany are confident that two years of meticulous university research combined with their own scouting and preparations for the conditions will give them an edge against five-times winners Brazil on their home turf.

“We’re very, very well-prepared and we’re looking forward to playing Brazil,” Flick told reporters when asked about how Germany planned to ended the dominance of Latin American teams when playing in their own region.

“We’ve been working on this project for the last two years and our

entire system has been built up for that.”

Germany are undefeated in Brazil but haven’t had to face a Latin American team yet: their four wins were against Portugal, the United States, Algeria and France with a draw against Ghana.

Major European rivals such as Spain, Italy and England have already been beaten or knocked out by South American teams.

Flick said to get ready for South American teams Germany have benefited from a giant data base put together by a team of about 50 students at Cologne’s sport university over the last two years.

That information, combined with scouting reports, has been used for detailed analyses of Brazil and their players.

“The sports students in Cologne have been studying in great detail our opponent and put every play they’ve run, every newspaper article

on them, and everything about them out there under the microscope and made all that data available to us,” Flick said at Germany’s base camp on the Atlantic coast in Northeastern Brazil.

“We’ve got this enormous data base to draw upon and, together with our scouts, we’re able to take a close look at our opponent and make our plans for the match. It’s a project we’ve been working on intensively for the last two years. We’ve been able to cull some very high quality information from all the data from the students. It’s very much helped us prepare.”

Germany have been turning to the student researchers at the Deutsche Sporthochschule Koeln increasingly over the last decade. Former Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann first began tapping the data accumulated by the students, most of whom are soccer enthusiasts and thrilled to be working on a project that could

Djokovic dedicates win to former coach n

Emotional Novak Djokovic wept tears of joy as he dedicated his epic Wimbledon triumph against Roger Federer to his former coach who died last year.

Djokovic held his nerve to win one of the all-time great Wimbledon finals with a 6-7 (7/9), 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 5-7, 6-4 victory over seven-time champion Federer in front of an enthralled Centre Court crowd on Sunday.

It was a cathartic victory for the Serbian world number two, who had lost five of his last six Grand Slam finals and his last three in a row.

“I dedicate this to my future wife and our future baby. I’m going to be a father soon. It’s a great joy of life,” Djokovic said.

“And last but not least to my first coach, who taught me all the basics of tennis, how to behave and everything I know about tennis, Jelena Gencic.

“Unfortunately she passed away last year and this is for her.”

Djokovic’s out-pouring of emotion was understandable after he went through a nerve-shredding afternoon that saw him blow a match point in the fourth set.

“After dropping the fourth set it wasn’t easy to regroup, I had to compose myself and find the energy to win,” Djokovic said.

“That is why Roger has 17 Grand Slams, because in the important moments he comes up with his best shots.

“I don’t know how I did it but I managed to win that fifth set. l

Of formations and tactics

possibly help, even in a small way, to win the World Cup. While the students are sworn to secrecy about their intelligence gathering, their Professor Juergen Buschmann headed the project has been quoted in German newspapers saying the students use an eclectic variety of sources to chronicle such things as how players react in pressure situations, what are their preferred routes, how do they react when fouled, what gets under skin and how do they sprint for the ball?

He said the one trend that he was at liberty to reveal was that top teams change their tactics frequently but provided no further details - not surprising but tantalising nevertheless.

The intelligence has come into special focus for the World Cup in Brazil in part because Germany has never won here on the continent with their three World Cup titles won in Switzerland (1954), West Germany (1974) and Italy (1990). l

Fahad maintains solo lead n Tribune Desk Mohammad Fahad Rahman, the youngest Fide Master of the country, continued his unbeaten record as well as his solo lead at the top of the Union Insurance 34th National Junior (Under-20) Chess Championship 2014 points table with a victory over Minhazul Alam in the seventh round yesterday.

It was Fahad’s seven successive victory in the meet and smoothened his chances of clinching the title. Fahad now has seven points after the end of the seventh round.

In the matches held at the Bangladesh Chess Federation hall-room yesterday, Siam beat Mahmud Sharif, Avik beat Abdullah Al Muhit, Protiva beat Afrin Jahan Munia and Swarnavo beat Khandoker Ashikul Islam. l

5 MEMORABLE WORLD CUP SEMI-FINALS

Stockholm, June 24 1958

BRAZIL 5 FRANCE 2

Pele, who was 17-years-old, had scored his first World Cup goal in Brazil’s 1-0 win over Wales in the quarter-finals but at a time when television was beginning to expand, his fame rapidly spread after his performance in the semi-final against France.

The stage was set for a classic after Vava put Brazil ahead in the second minute and Just Fontaine equalised seven minutes later. Didi put Brazil back in front six minutes before halftime, then Pele took over.

He scored a 23-minute hat-trick with goals in the 52nd, 64th and 75th minutes to secure Brazil’s place in the final before Roger Piantoni scored a late consolation to make the score 5-2.

Brazil won the World Cup against Sweden by the same scoreline with Pele scoring another two goals to take his 1958 World Cup tally to six.

Mexico City, June 17 1970

ITALY 4 W GERMANY 3 (AET)

One of the greatest World Cup matches of all time remembered mainly for the astonishing extra time period that settled it and put Italy into the final for the first time since 1938.

Roberto Boninsegna’s eighth minute goal looked like winning it for the Italians in front of a 102,000 crowd at the Azteca Stadium but as injury time drew to an end German sweeper Karl-Heinz Schnellinger equalised.

After four minutes of extra time West Germany struck again with Gerd Mueller putting them 2-1 ahead to start a frantic burst of five goals in 17 minutes. Tarcisio Burgnich made it 2-2 before Gigi Riva put the Italians back in front later with a shot on the turn.

That lead only last six minutes before Mueller scored to make it 3-3. The Italians went straight up the other end with Gianni Rivera striking in the 111th minute to make it 4-3.

Seville, July 8 1982

W GERMANY 3 FRANCE 3 (AET)

France though, appeared to be heading for their first World Cup final when they led 3-1 after eight minutes of extra time. Although Pierre Littbarski had given West Germany a 17th minute lead, that had been cancelled out by a Michel Platini penalty soon after and the French, the better side, almost won the game when Manuel Amoros hit the crossbar in stoppage time. Justice appeared to be done when Marius Tresor and Alain Giresse struck to put France 3-1 ahead after 98, but with injured captain Karl-Heinz Rummenigge coming off the bench to lead the fightback, the Germans pulled level with goals from Rummenigge and Klaus Fischer before they won in the World Cup’s first shootout. They then met Italy in the final, and, as they had been in the 1970 semi, were beaten again, 3-1 in Madrid.

Turin, July 4 1990

W GERMANY 1 ENGLAND 1 (AET)

West Germany won 4-3 on penalties England reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1966 but Germany triumphed in a highly emotional and dramatic clash.

Andreas Brehme put Germany ahead after an hour with a deflected free-kick before Gary Lineker equalised 10 minutes from time. Neither team scored again in extra time - though both hit the woodwork - so the outcome was decided by penalties with both sides scoring their first three. Stuart Pearce then missed for England, Olaf Thon scored for West Germany to make it 4-3 before Chris Waddle famously sent his penalty into orbit to give the Germans victory.

Another iconic moment followed as German captain Lothar Matthaeus consoled a distraught Waddle after the game.

13

It promises to be a fascinating contest in prospect as two shrewd and tactically genius coaches in the form of Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and Germany coach Joachim Loew brace their teams up for the first semifinal of the Fifa World Cup 2014 at Belo Horizonte today.

With his trump card Neymar ruled out of the World Cup due to the injury he suffered against Columbia in the quarterfinal and Thiago missing because of suspension, Scolari may not has had to work so hard in the tournament so far as he has worked hard now to overcome the uphill task of toppling Germany to book a place in Maracana’s final on next Sunday. He has to devise a magic formula to compensate for the vacuum created by those two key losses. Scolari used the 4-2-3-1 formation against Chile and with the possibility of Willian coming in, the 2002 world cup winning coach of Brazil may deploy the same formation. He might also ponder using a 3-5-2 formation with Fernandinho, Luiz Gustavo, Oscar and Hulk marshaling the midfield with Fred and Willian playing as forwards. Marcelo, Dante or Maicon, David Luiz and Dani Alves should constitute the core of defense while Fernandinho and Gustavo might drop deep occasionally to nullify German threats.

On the other hand, Loew had been essentially fielding a 4-3-3 formation since the start of the tournament with Philipp Lahm deployed as a holding

Paris, July 8 1998

FRANCE 2 CROATIA 1

On a night of almost unbelievable tension France, playing at home in their capital city, came from behind to reach the World Cup final for the first time. Croatia, competing as an independent nation for the first time and riding on an emotional wave of support from home, had impressed throughout the tournament and qualified for the last four in style beating Germany 3-0 in the quarter-finals.

France, as hosts had looked superb for most of the tournament too with wins over South Africa, Saudi Arabia, The match was marred by the sending off of French defender Laurent Blanc 14 minutes from time for elbowing Croatian Slaven Bilic although TV replays proved that Bilic feigned the injury.

That kept Blanc out of the final which France won with a 3-0 victory over Brazil.

midfielder and Thomas Mueller as a false-nine. The choices were strange in that Loew mostly favored a 4-2-31 formation throughout Germany’s World Cup qualification campaign. In the quarter-final against France, Loew reverted to his former formation as the Germany coach repositioned Lahm in his preferred right-back role. He restored his previously more utilized 4-23-1, and even fielded an out-and-out striker in Miroslav Klose to spearhead the attack.

Meanwhile, Fifa has confirmed that Brazilian team will wear their original uniform consisting of yellow shirts, blue shorts and white socks. This will be the third time the Scolari army will be playing in their traditional outfits.

The first time they were in their traditional outfit was against Croatia in the World Cup opener, a match they won 3-1 while the second was in the goalless draw against Mexico. In their three following matches against Cameroon, Chile and Colombia, Brazil wore white shorts.

V GERMANY

Brazil

Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte (BRA) 08 Jul 2014 - 17:00 Local time (2:00 AM BST) The Germans wore their trademark white uniform only once in the World Cup, in the 1-0 victory over the United States in the group stage. Germany thought of playing in their second green kit, but that idea was scrapped for being unpopular, according to Oliver Bierhoff, the technical coordinator of the German team. Germany will now wear red and black shirts, black shorts and black socks with a red accent and dash of white.

The ever so important individual to officiate this high voltage encounter will be Marco Rodriguez from Mexico, the referee who failed to see Luis Suarez bite Chilieni during the Uruguay-Italy match in the first round. Including Uruguay’s 1-0 win against Italy on June 24, the Mexican has refereed two World Cup matches so far. l

Walson brace propels Brothers n

Haitian forward Augustine Walson netted a brace as Brothers union returned to winning ways with a convincing 4-1 victory over Uttar Baridhara in the Nitol-Tata Bangladesh Premier Football League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Walson opened the scoring in the 22nd minute from the penalty spot before Faisal Mahmud doubled the Orange’s lead in the 41st minute. Walson scored his second of the day at the hour mark while Malek completed the route in the 81st minute. Dulal scored the consolation goal for Uttar Baridhara three minutes before stipulated time.

The Orange remained at fifth position despite salvaging all three points.

They now have 36 points from 23 matches while Uttar Baridhara are languishing at the bottom of the table with only 12 points having played the same number of outings. l

14

Sp rt DHAKA TRIBUNE Tuesday, July 8, 2014

After the goal rush, negativity mars quarter-finals n Reuters, Brasilia After the attack-minded tactics and goal glut of the group stages, the World Cup quarter-finals were predictably marked by caution and even aggression as hosts Brazil pushed soccer’s laws to the limit in dispatching Colombia.

Only five goals were scored across the four games, one a penalty and one a direct free kick, and the average per match at the finals has crept down to 2.6, still the highest since 2.7 in France 1998 but far short of the record of 5.4 in Switzerland in 1954.

The inevitable tension of the knockout phase prompted some coaches to fall back on negativity and Brazil’s ugly 2-1 win over the Colombians was a depressing comedown after some entertaining contests earlier in the tournament when a majority of teams played with ambition, style and verve.

Colombia, who had thrilled with wonderful displays in reaching the last eight, were drawn into a kicking match, with the Brazilians clearly under orders from coach Luiz Felipe Scolari to win by any means.

The dark side of the encounter in Fortaleza overshadowed David Luiz’s brilliant free kick that won the game for Brazil as Scolari appeared to have instructed his players to treat fouling as a tactical resource rather than an infringement of the laws of the game.

The quarter-final between European heavyweights Germany and France was a much tamer affair, with the Germans taking an early lead through Mats Hummels and content to sit back and protect it on a hot afternoon in Rio de Janeiro.

France had set the finals alight after putting five goals past Switzerland and thrashing Honduras 3-0 in the group phase but that was a distant memory as Les Bleus had little to offer in attack.

Saturday’s last-eight clash between

Argentina and Belgium followed a similar pattern, with the South Americans going ahead in the eighth minute through Gonzalo Higuain and showing little inclination to push for a second goal.

Alejandro Sabella’s side, desperate to make the last four for the first time since 1990, turned in a canny tactical display in Brasilia and survived a few late scares from an otherwise toothless Belgian team to set up a semi-final meeting with the Netherlands.

Runners-up to Spain in 2010, the Dutch got sweet revenge in Johannesburg when they thrashed the holders 5-1 in their opening group game but despite their obvious attacking strengths were unable to break through a determined Costa Rica defence in their quarter-final.

With Costa Rica, the surprise packages in the last eight, defending desperately for long periods, it said it all that the team’s fans celebrated the end of extra time and taking the Dutch to a penalty shootout as if they had won the game.

Bidding to become the first Central American team to reach the last four at a World Cup, they chose caution rather than playing the enterprising football that had garnered surprise wins against Italy and Uruguay and a draw with another former winner England that secured top spot in Group D. In the end, they were undone by a ruthlessly efficient set of Dutch penalties, Netherlands goalkeeper Tim Krul coming off the bench at the end of extra time to save two Costa Rican spot kicks.

The match was more evidence, if any were needed, that negative tactics can pay off.

If they fail the doubt will always remain that perhaps taking the match to your opponents, at least in the early stages, might be the better option.

However, with so much at stake, particularly for hosts Brazil, a similar approach is likely for the semi-finals. l

Colombia’s footballers dance at Simon Bolivar Park upon their arrival in Bogota after their participation in the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014, on Sunday

Thousands welcome Colombia home n AFP, Bogota

Tens of thousands of people mobbed the streets of Bogota to grab a glimpse of their heroes as Colombia’s World Cup squad arrived home Sunday after their historic run to the quarter-finals.

The Colombian capital threw a massive party for coach Jose Pekerman and his squad after the Argentinian team led Colombia’s players to the last eight for the first time, where they narrowly went down to host Brazil 2-1 in Fortaleza on Friday.

Not that anyone in Colombia was complaining. The Avianca airlines plane carrying the squad from Brazil was greeted at El Dorado airport by a huge arc of water fired by local fire crews and the players were led off the aircraft along a red carpet and to an open-top bus.

Security officers and airport workers scrambled to shake hands, kiss or grab autographs of their returning heroes.

“Thanks for always being there, thanks for the support, we love you,” Colombia’s star forward James Rodriguez, currently top scorer at the World

Cup with six goals, told the fanatical crowd.

Nadia Caracol, one of the Avianca flight attendants, gushed: “It was the most exciting flight of my life.”

Tens of thousands of people, many of them wearing the team’s yellow shirt, hit the streets of Bogota early to get a prime place to see the bus, which slowly made its way from the airport to Simon Bolivar park in the heart of Bogota, where an estimated 50,000 people thronged the area.

“We are very happy here waiting

Super-sub Krul unapologetic about gamesmanship n Reuters, Rio De Janeiro Netherlands goalkeeper Tim Krul was back defending himself on Sunday, less than 24 hours after making two stunning penalty saves against Costa Rica to book his team’s place in the World Cup semi-finals.

The towering Krul replaced firstchoice keeper Jasper Cillessen specifically for the shootout in Salvador after the teams finished extra time deadlocked at 0-0.

The 26-year-old vindicated his coach’s unorthodox substitution when he saved spot-kicks from Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umana to give the Dutch a 4-3 shootout victory and a place in the semi-finals against Argentina.

But he also came under heavy criticism on social media for his intimidating tactics against the Costa Rican penalty takers, staring them down and yelling at them before they took their shots.

Asked whether he had overstepped the line of good sportsmanship, a defiant Krul said he had nothing to apolo-

gise for.

“I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong,” he told a news conference at his team’s training ground in Rio on Sunday.

“I didn’t shout anything nasty at them. I just told them that I knew where they were going. I’m trying obviously to get in their heads and it worked yesterday.

“It’s a way of trying to psyche them out. Obviously they are under massive pressure, I’m under massive pressure as well so I used everything in my power to make it happen and luckily enough, happy enough it happened.”

Krul, who has saved just two of 20 penalties he faced with his club side Newcastle, said the mind games had begun even before he stood on the line to try and save the first spot-kick.

Costa Rica had made the quarter-finals for the first time by beating Greece on penalties but Krul said he knew they were rattled as soon as they saw him warming up.

“I definitely think it had an im-

AFP

pact, when I started my warm-up their whole bench was confused,” he said.

“If you see their manager’s face when I came on, he was looking over at our manager, his face was priceless.

It was definitely one of those fantastic moves.”

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal, a renowned master tactician, had been hatching the plan for some time.

But he kept it such a secret that he did not even tell Cillessen and only let Krul know about it on the bus to the stadium but told him to keep it under wraps.

“The manager and the goalie coach told me before the game that if we had a substitution left there was a possibility that they may use me in the penalty shootout,” Krul said.

“So obviously for me the whole game I was watching it with a different view because I knew the possibility was there.

“We have a plan before every game and I have my own style and I think it works. I’m over the moon that I saved two penalties.” l

for our great team, we are winners for having reached this point of the tournament,” said Eduardo, a fan accompanied by his two daughters.

Some fans combined football with a plea for peace - the Marxist FARC rebels have been waging the longest-running insurgency in Latin America - while others chanted: “Pekerman is Colombian!”

Another fan, Wilson Morales, proudly decked out in the yellow team shirt, told AFP: “Being Colombian, we have little joy, but this team is our pride.” l

Galatasaray name Prandelli as the new manager n Reuters

Sao Paulo joy at Kaka return n AFP, Sao Paulo Sao Paulo fans on Sunday turned out in their thousands to see the club present former Real Madrid and AC Milan midfielder Kaka for the start of a fivemonth loan at his former club before he heads to Major League Soccer.

Former Brazil international Kaka, overloooked for the World Cup, will head to Orlando after his loan. Some 20,000 fans turned out at Sao Paulo’s Morumbi stadium to welcome him back to where it all began in 2001 for the 32-year-old.

“It is emotional to return 11 years later to the club that former me and where I started playing aged eight,” said Kaka.

“To return to see family and friends is wonderful. Sao Paulo launched me into the world of football,” said Kaka, full name Ricardo Izecson Leite dos Santos.

“Many thanks to all of you for coming -- it is a very special day,” added the veteran, who received a commemorative shirt and launched into a rendition of the club song. He is set to make his second debut for the club at home to Chapecoense on July 19. l

Former Italian World Cup coach Cesare Prandelli will replace Roberto Mancini as the next Galatasaray manager, the Turkish club announced on Monday.

Prandelli, 56, will succeed fellow Italian Mancini, who left the club after less than a season in charge after leading the Istanbul side to a disappointing second-place finish in the Turkish topflight last season.

Former Manchester City boss Mancini had signed for three seasons but left after what appeared to be a difference of opinion about the team.

He guided them to the Champions League round of 16 at the expense of Juventus and victory in the Turkish Cup final.

Prandelli, who will be officially unveiled on Tuesday, resigned as Italy’s national team manager after the team failed to get past the group stage at the ongoing World Cup in Brazil.

He had been in charge of the Azzurri since 2010, having previously coached Fiorentina, Roma and Parma. l

Netherlands-Argentina, Bergkamp’s ‘perfect’ goal n AFP, Sao Paulo

Costa Rica’s forward and captain Bryan Ruiz (L) and Netherlands’ goalkeeper Tim Krul react during their penalty shoot-out of the quarter-final at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador in the 2014 FIFA World Cup on Saturday AFP

Dennis Bergkamp’s famous goal for Netherlands against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup encapsulated not only the extraordinary elegance of the player himself, but also the essence of Dutch football.

Ahead of the sides’ reunion in the World Cup semi-finals in Sao Paolo on Wednesday, the goal stands as a monument to the twin Dutch obsessions of technique and the rapid exploitation of space.

The score was 1-1 in the quarter-final match in a sun-soaked Marseille and both teams were down to 10 men when Dutch captain Frank de Boer launched a high 70-yard pass forward in the 90th minute.

After haring into the box down the inside-right channel, Bergkamp, then 29, leapt high into the air to meet the ball with his right foot, effortlessly

bringing it down.

“You’ve got to be as still as possible, as if you are standing still, but in the air, and controlling the ball,” Bergkamp explained to writer David Winner in a 2013 interview in football journal The Blizzard.

“I didn’t realise how high in the air I was. But you know you want that ball in that position. Not there, but here. So you have to jump up to meet the ball.”

As Argentine centre-back Roberto Ayala charged across to address the danger, Bergkamp cut inside him with his right foot and then, again with his right foot, bent a glorious shot past goalkeeper Carlos Roa and into the topleft corner.

Three touches, one unforgettable goal.

“You’re in that moment,” Bergkamp added. “That’s the feeling. After the first two touches, that moment! You

give absolutely everything. It’s like your life has led up to this moment.”

As the orange-clad fans behind the goal erupted in jubilation, Bergkamp put his face in his hands, as if scarcely able to believe what he had achieved, before falling flat on his back in the grass.

The moment was captured by Dutch radio commentator Jack van Gelder, who reacted to the goal by screaming Bergkamp’s name five times -- his voice quaking with emotion -- before uttering a low, guttural howl.

“You never play the perfect game,” Bergkamp said. “But the moment itself was, I think, perfect.”

The goal was to prove the high point for a richly talented generation that also included Edwin van der Sar, Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Marc Overmars and Patrick Kluivert. The Dutch won the match 2-1, but lost on penalties to Brazil in the semi-finals. l

Sp rt DHAKA TRIBUNE Tuesday, July 8, 2014

15

The key battles n AFP, Belo Horizonte The on the field battles that could decide Tuesday’s World Cup semi final between Brazil and Germany in Belo Horizonte:

David Luiz v Thomas Mueller

With Neymar injured and captain Thiago Silva suspended, Luiz is Brazil’s best player in the lineup against Germany.

Defensively Luiz has showed a discipline he rarely did in three years at Chelsea before sealing a £50 million ($85 million) transfer to Paris Saint-Germain last month.

And he is also Brazil’s top goalscorer after Neymar, having netted against Chile in the last 16 and won the quarter-final against Colombia with a stunning free-kick.

His toughest test yet awaits, though, in preventing Mueller from extending his stunning World Cup record of scoring nine times in 11 games.

Mueller will be keen to make amends for missing the semi-final in 2010 through suspension and has had previous success against Luiz. He outjumped the Brazilian to score for Bayern against Chelsea in the Champions League final of 2012, although Luiz emerged the victor on that occasion as Chelsea won on penalties.

Hulk v Benedikt Hoewedes

Without star man Neymar due to a broken vertebrae, Brazilian hopes will fall on the broad shoulders of Hulk to carry his side to the final of their World Cup. The Zenit St Petersburg striker is yet to score in the tournament and missed

KEY STATS Remarkably, for two perennial powerhouses who have won eight World Cups between them, this is only the second time Brazil and Germany have met in this competition. In their previous game, Brazil won the 2002 final 2-0 thanks to two goals from Ronaldo.

Germany and Brazil are the joint third highest tournament scorers, with 10 each. They follow Colombia and the Netherlands on 12 goals each. Germany have scored eight goals from open play and two from set-pieces. Brazil have scored seven from open play and three from set-pieces.

Brazil are aiming for a sixth title after earning that record fifth in 2002, while Germany are hopeful of a fourth following a 24-year gap since their last World Cup trophy.

Germany’s Thomas Mueller and Brazil’s Neymar are joint second in the tournament top scorers’ chart, on four goals each along with Argentina’s Lionel Messi. Neymar, though, is injured and will play no more in this tournament. Colombia’s James Rodriguez leads with six goals, but his team have been eliminated.

Germany’s Philipp Lahm is the best passer of the tournament, with 408 passes completed with a success rate of 86.6 percent.

Brazil won the World Cup in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002 Germany won the World Cup in 1954, 1974 and 1990 Previous meetings

The teams have played each other 21 times, with Brazil winning 12, Germany four, and five draws. In all those games, Brazil have scored 39 goals, Germany 24.

World Cup meetings:

Their one previous meeting was in Yokohama, Japan, in the World Cup final on June 30, 2002. Brazil won 2-0.

Confederations Cup meetings: Brazil have beaten Germany twice in the Confederations Cup, 3-2 in Nuremberg, Germany in 2005 and 4-0 in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 1999.

Old Bayern Munich teammates Gustavo and Kroos symbolise the contrast in styles between Brazil’s physical nature and Germany’s ability to keep the ball.

Gustavo missed the quarter-final against Colombia due to suspension, but is certain to return and will look to knock Kroos out of his rhythm in the same way Fernandinho and Paulinho ganged up on Colombia’s James Rodriguez in the quarter final.

With captain Philipp Lahm having returned to his traditional right back role in Germany’s the quarter-final victory against France, Kroos has become a midfield reference point around which the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mesut Ozil feed.

One area in which Gustavo may not be able to stop Kroos, though, is his excellent set-piece delivery which proved key in the last eight. Mats Hummels headed home the only goal of the game from his free-kick. l

AFP, Rio De Janeiro

n

AFP, Santo André

Germany star Bastian Schweinsteiger says referee Marco Rodriguez must pay close attention to tough-tackling Brazil in Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final to ensure fouls do not go unchecked.

The Mexican referee, who officiated the match that saw Uruguay striker Luis Suarez bite Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini, has been appointed to handle the semi-final in Belo Horizonte.

Brazil captain Thiago Silva is suspended for the semi-final having been booked twice at Brazil 2014 while star Neymar is injured.

The Selecao have appealed Silva’s ban, but robust challenges from the hosts’ marked Friday’s quarter-final win and Schweinsteiger does not want a repeat.

Colombia playmaker James Rodriguez, in particular, was dealt some rough treatment in Brazil’s 2-1 victory.

Only two Brazil players – Silva and goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who conceded a penalty – were booked by Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo despite the Selecao’s 31 fouls against Colombia.

“I am all for hard, clean challenges, but there were one or two tackles which were over the limit,” said Schweinsteiger after watching Brazil’s win.

Games played Goals scored Goals per game Shots on target Average attempts Fouls committed Yellow cards Red cards Distance ran Passes completed Pass completion rate

Brazil Germany 5 5 10 10 2 2 70% 70% 16.4 14.8 96 57 10 4 0 0 106.8km 115.3km 1,816 2,938 70% 80%

An impressive record of 75 wins in 110 internationals has earned Loew plenty of respect in Germany

“The Brazilians here aren’t the magicians of old, the team has changed and so has their playing style.

“Hard challenges are definitely are part of their game, it’s something we have to be careful of and the referee too.”

Germany head coach Joachim Loew echoed Schweinsteiger’s sentiments.

“We were flying home when the Colombia game was on, so I didn’t see much of the game, but there were a few hard fouls in what I did see,” said the 54-year-old.

“The Brazilians have technically good players, but they are also very robust and it’s something the referee must pay close attention to.” l

WORLD CUP IN BANGLADESH PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

Send us your photographs to WorldCupBD@dhakatribune.com

Little footballer Azmain Mazhar

Penalty shootout record:

Brazil have won three out of four World Cup penalty shootouts over the years.

They lost to France in a 1986 quarterfinal, but beat Italy in the 1994 final, beat Holland in the 1998 semi-final, and beat Chile in this tournament’s last 16.

Germany have an impeccable World Cup penalty shootout record, winning four out of four. They beat France in a 1982 semi-final, Mexico in a 1986 quarterfinal, England in a 1990 semi-final and Argentina in a 2006 quarter-final.

DAY’S WATCH MOST LIKED PHOTO OF JULY 7 RUBAIYA ALAM (RUMPA) Navy Headquarter, Banani

Another semi-final is another battle of nerves for Joachim Loew, who risks becoming Germany’s nearly man.

After eight years in charge of Die Mannschaft, Loew so far has one previous World Cup semi-final, the 2008 European Championship final and the Euro 2012 semi-final to show. No trophy.

TOURNAMENT STATS

Brazil have won nine friendlies, lost four, and drawn five with Germany. Their last meeting was a friendly in Stuttgart, Germany, on Aug. 10, 2011. Germany won that game 3-2.

Results so far at the 2014 World Cup:

2:00AM Brazil v Germany

Luis Gustavo v Toni Kroos

Germans urge referee to Joachim Loew’s big Brazil test n check tough-tackling Brazil

Friendlies:

BTV, Maasranga TV, Gazi TV

a penalty in his side’s shootout victory over Chile in the last 16.

However, he was a constant menace in his side’s 2-1 win over Colombia in the quarter-finals and was only denied by fine saves from David Ospina.

The steady Hoewedes has been deployed at left-back throughout the tournament despite normally playing in the centre of defence by his club Schalke.

Hoewedes should be able to physically compete where most defenders struggle against Hulk, but may not have the pace to prevent Brazil’s man mountain cutting onto his dangerous left foot to shoot.

For more info visit our FB event page ‘World Cup in Bangladesh’ Photography Contest

But the 54-year-old former assistant to Jurgen Klinnsman has brought on a team praised for its attacking play. And his tactics have been hailed by World Cup legends Pele and Diego Maradona.

Loew’s image is often seen in Germany where he fronts an advertising campaign for a leading cosmetics brand, but the head coach rarely appears in the media spotlight.

The German Football Association (DFB) likes the team boss. It has already told him his job is safe and Loew is expected to see out his contract which expires after Euro 2016.

“What can be more beautiful in a

Willian ready for Germany despite knock n AFP, Teresópolis Brazil midfielder Willian insisted on Sunday that he will be fit to play in the World Cup semi-final against Germany despite picking up a knock in training.

“I am feeling great. I was hurt on my left side in training yesterday (Saturday) and it bothers me a bit but it is nothing significant and it won’t stop me training today,” the 25-year-old Chelsea player said in a press conference at Brazil’s base in Teresopolis.

Willian is a leading contender to replace the injured Neymar in the Brazil team for the game in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday but was forced to withdraw early from training on Saturday after appearing to hurt himself in a challenge with Hernanes.

As well as Neymar, who faces six weeks on the sidelines with a fractured vertebrae and has returned home to begin his recovery, captain Thiago Silva is set to miss the match at the Mineirao Stadium due to suspension.

However, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) have called on FIFA to rescind the yellow card he picked up in last Friday’s 2-1 quarter-final win against Colombia on the grounds that it was “unjustly shown”.

Influential midfielder Luiz Gustavo will return to the side after serving a one-match ban against Colombia. l

football dreamland than to play a World Cup semi-final against the hosts?” Loew said of Tuesday’s game against Brazil.

But he also acknowledged before the tournament that “the clock is ticking”.

Loew himself only made four appearances for West Germany’s Under-21s and played as a midfielder for Eintracht Frankfurt, Karlsruhe and VfB Stuttgart.

He won the 1997 German Cup final as VfB Stuttgart coach and after working in Turkey and Austria, Loew became Germany’s assistant coach in 2004.

Loew was responsible for tactics with Klinsmann and the pair delighted the nation as Germany finished third at the 2006 World Cup on home soil.

An impressive record of 75 wins in 110 internationals has earned Loew plenty of respect in Germany. And he is not afraid of taking risks.

When striker Mario Gomez struggled at Euro 2008, Loew benched the forward and switched to a 4-2-3-1 system which resulted in a 3-1 quarter-final win over Portugal en route to the final.

At the 2010 World Cup, Loew took the youngest squad since 1934 to South Africa and Germany swept aside England and Argentina before losing their semi-final to eventual winners Spain.

Pele recently called Loew a “great tactician”, while Maradona said that Germany “roamed around with perfection” in their 4-0 group thrashing of Portugal. l

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE Tuesday, July 8, 2014 DHAKA TRIBUNE Monday, June 16, 2014

13 Germany gets tips to beat Brazil

14 Krul unapologetic on gamesmanship

Sport

15 Joachim Loew’s big Brazil test

A bolt from the blue for Shakib al Hasan n Mazhar Uddin It was rather a tense day for Shakib al Hasan as the main agenda at the board meeting which took place at the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) headquarters yesterday centred around recent controversies stirred by the star cricketer.

Just when BCB supremo Nazmul Hasan was about to brief the media, Shakib received a phone call at the dressing room and within a fraction of a second, the brightness drained from his face.

Following the announcement of the six-month ban, the news had gone viral and the media was looking for the controversial star for his instant reaction as the national side had just finished their gym session at the home of cricket.

It was learned that Shakib did not talk with any of his teammates at the dressing room and was busy packing his training bag.

The dejected 27-year old cricketer did not even come out of the dressing room like the other national players.

Shakib was sitting all alone as most of the waiting journalists left the premises after some time.

Finally Shakib exited the dressing room and headed towards his car where some of the journalists tried to talk with him but he waved away the requests saying he did not want to make any comment. However, he did not appear sad.

According to his close friends, Shakib did not expect such punishment against him and was heavily shocked as he was anticipating a potentially heavy fine after meeting with the board president earlier yesterday.

The premier Bangladesh all-rounder was suspended from all types of cricket for six months and he will not obtain any No-Objection Certificate till December 31, 2015. Shakib will be missing the next two international series against the Windies at their background and against Zimbabwe at home along with the Caribbean Premier League Twenty20 in the West Indies, the Big Bash T20 in Australia, the Indian Premier League and the Friends Life T20 in England.l

SIX MONTHS OF SHAKIB’S ANTICS December 26, 2013 Caught collar of a spectator at Sylhet Divisional Stadium during a Twenty20 cricket tournament.

February 29, 2014 Lewd gesture on national television during an international game, resulting in a three-match suspension.

June 16, 2014 Altercation with a spectator during the first ODI against India at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

July 4, 2014 BCB orders him to return to Dhaka for not taking No-Objection Certificate for the Caribbean Premier League Twenty20. It was also revealed that he had misbehaved with national head coach Chandika Hathurusingha and threatened to quit Tests and ODIs for Bangladesh.

Brazil’s coach Luiz Felipe Scolari (C) speaks with his team as they take part in a training session at the Granja Comary training complex in Teresopolis yesterday AFP

Di Stefano dies aged 88 n AFP, Madrid

Prescience in Oranje The demise of conventional wisdom 1.

Ever since the last quarter final, and what horribly boring affairs both the games that night were, we have been hearing ad nauseam about how Louis Van Gaal is the greatest footballing genius to have walked the Earth since Sir Alex Ferguson.

As you can guess, most of these encomiums have been composed by Manchester United fans. The Dutch themselves don’t seem to be all that impressed by their soon to be ex-coach. However, while it appalls me to agree with anything Red Devil rooters say, write, do, or eat, I find myself unable to differ regarding the tall oranje gaffer.

The three people who read my column know that I have grown a certain fondness for lists recently. Among other things, these lists obviate the need for cohesive and engaging paragraph construction, which is always my greatest challenge. And though too much of a good thing is often bad, I cannot resist making one final list. So here are my top-seven reasons why Louis Van Gaal is the most brilliant footballing mind since Zeus.

2.

3.

Wesley Sneijder. Lesser minds think that the Dutch number 10’s last minute strike against Mexico was a miraculous jailbreak. They could not be more wrong. Louis Van Gaal had conceived this tactical coup de tat back in 1985, while watching Rocky 3. Van Gaal realized from Rocky’s victory against Klubber Lange that if you suddenly punch back very late in the game, a superior opponent gets discombobulated and loses the plot.

So he deliberately told Wesley to hold off on scoring till all seemed lost. An earlier equalizer might have left time for a Mexico win.

Arjen Robben. Conventional wisdom is that if you dive a lot then referees are unlikely to be sympathetic to your case. Van Gaal, on the other hand, realized that Robben’s flailing fish out of water dives are so darn ugly that if he kept diving the referee would ultimately reward a penalty just to make him stop.

Mile Jedinak and Tim Cahill. Australia’s two goals against the Netherlands was pure Van Gaal magic. There is a saying in Bengali that he who goes

Brazilians in search of Amarildo Mahmood from Belo n Raihan Horizonte, Brazil The streets of Belo Horizonte were busy with their typical businesses at the start of the week but the “Rodoviaria Centro” or the central bus station is buzzing with passengers as the Brazilian football fans have started to arrive in the city to witness the eagerly awaited World Cup semifinal against Germany today. Hotels near the bus station are already filled up with the latest arrivals going to different locations.

The Brazilians are trying to draw inspiration from the 1962 and 2002 World Cups. In 1962 Pele was ruled out of the tournament while in 2002 Ronaldinho was suspended for the semifinals but on both occasions, Brazil ended their campaign as champions. The current situation more or less resembles with 1962. Pele was injured but a new face, Amarildo, took his place and played superbly helping Brazil to win the title.

The Brazilian fans are praying for more of the same in the semifinal against Germany. Willian will be hoping to emulate Amarildo as the midfielder has come on as a substitute in all of Brazil’s games so far with the exception of the quarterfinal against Colombia where he did not feature.

Still, there are concerns as the 1962 team contained Garrincha and Didi with Garrincha playing as the frontman. Does this team have players of that caliber?

Hotel Magnata manager Ricardo Pinheiro gives his opinion, “To be frank nobody is performing outstandingly apart from Neymar. He is not there now. I hope the occasion will produce the hero of the day.”

The Brazilian players have the opportunity to draw energy from Neymar’s sacrifice.

He has been tremendous for them in the last four years and they owe him a performance full of heart against Germany. l

4.

5.

first gets eaten by the tiger, and Louis is clearly aware of this piece of South Asian wisdom. He therefore convinced the Australians to take the lead.

Once Jedinak scored the second, an Australian defeat was a mere formality.

Cesare Prandelli. I was completely confused as to why Prandelli had chosen to abandon the approach that worked so well against England and adopt a more defensive strategy against Costa Rica. Now I know that it was Van Gaal the master motivator who had convinced his fellow European coach to make the suicidal switch. He knew then that it would lead to the Dutch facing Costa Rica, who are much weaker with penalties, in the quarter finals. Grand Masters can visualize many moves ahead.

Roy Hodgson. Contrary to popular belief it was not the Liverpool board but Louis Van Gaal who convinced Roy Hodgson to sign a three year contract with the Kop. The move resulted in Liverpool football being pushed back six years, which benefited Van Gaal’s future team, and more importantly Hodgson being sacked a year later.

Four years ago Louis Van Gaal had

6.

7.

figured out that if Hodgson became Liverpool manager, he would go on to coach England. In one fell swoop Louis took care of two potential opponents.

Gonzalo Higuain. Only fools believe that Higuain’s goal against Belgium had anything to do with Messi and Sabella.

Real pundits can clearly see that the whole point of the Argentine striker finally finding its feet was to give his team a false sense of security against the Netherlands.

The SUBSTITUTION. Common sense dictates one to use all three substitutes well before the end of extra-time if his or her team isn’t winning, but then again common sense is a mortal’s resort. Sometime in the early 70s, Van Gaal realized that trying to win against a much weaker opponent during regulation time is a fool’s errand. You have to take the game to penalties, and right before the 120th minute substitute your regular goalkeeper with who has a poor record of penalty saves. You have to then make the latter act like an absolute jackass with opposition players. THAT is a guarantee of knock out round success. Luis Van Gaal, a deity indeed. l

Real Madrid legend Alfredo di Stefano, one of the greatest footballers in history, died in a Spanish hospital on Monday aged 88, the club said.

The Argentine-born former striker and honorary president was “the best player of all time”, Real Madrid said.

Di Stefano had been taken to hospital after suffering a heart attack on Saturday. Rescuers had battled for 18 minutes to revive the 88-year-old after his heart stopped following a restaurant lunch with his family near Real’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

He had been taken in a serious condition to the Gregorio Maranon hospital which later said he was in a coma, had been sedated and was breathing with the help of a machine.

“Alfredo Di Stefano died today at 5:15 pm” (1515 GMT) at the Gregorio Maranon hospital in the Spanish capital, Real Madrid said in a statement on Monday.

“Real Madrid Football club’s president Florentino Perez and the club’s board of directors wish to express their deepest condolences and all their love and affection to his children, his family and friends,” it added.

“Real Madrid extends its condolences to its fans around the world and to those who are feeling the emotion of losing the best player of all time.”

On Saturday, newspaper El Pais said

Schweini confident of German win

German midfield enforcer Bastian Schweinsteiger, referred to by the Bayern Munich fans as “Fussballgott” or “Football God”, dearly wants to prove that God is not on Brazil’s side by winning the epic semifinal clash against the hosts today.

The well-mannered Schweinsteiger was talking to the press at the Estadio Mineirao where he expressed cautious optimism about his team’s triumph. It is mentionable that it was his first appearance before the press since the World Cup kicked off.

The 29-year old midfielder started the presser on a funny note by saying all the German players have been naturally tanned since arriving in Brazil about a month ago. “After 30 days it is great to be in Brazil. You may notice that everyone is a little more tanned. But we are in a contest and I am very happy that we are still in contention. We have noticed that the Brazilian people have the joy of living. We are very happy with the way they are treating us. I had the chance to have contact with the people here (Santa Cruz Cabrália), Porto Alegre and Rio de Janeiro. We have always been treated very well.

All the affection was so great that I wore some shirts of Brazilian clubs given to me such as Bahia, Flamengo and Gremio,” said Schweinsteiger.

Schweini had his own answer as to why he attracted the nickname of Football God. “It is difficult to give an answer about me. I can only say that, in Munich, the madness of people is very great to me. It is something I cannot explain why, but it happened. Earlier, I saw the fans idolising former player Carsten Jancker and then it happened to me. The fans who are in the southern curve of the stadium always cry a lot. I think that’s way they love football and that’s what I can say about the love I am flood-

ed with in Germany,” explained Schweinsteiger.

Unlike the previous editions of the World Cup where Schweinsteiger was virtually guaranteed a start in every game, he did not play against Portugal in the opening game and only entered the field as a substitute against Ghana in the second group game due to injury problems. “I always want to start every game but I’m experienced enough to understand that the player himself is not important here.

What matters is the collective game. There are individual players who make up the team. I’m in good shape, playing 90 minutes in a competitive way,” said Schweinsteiger.

Schweinsteiger said Germany are ready to beat the hosts and move to their first final in 12 years. “The team has grown up in terms of maturity. It is now more experienced than the 2010 team, players are more experienced. We have a bench of high quality. Anyone who enters can change the course of the game. There is no discontent or dissatisfaction. All players are fine. We are growing together. People here believe God will help them (Brazil) to win. But we believe our hard work will please Him as we win,” concluded the number-seven jersey holder confidently. l

Di Stefano had been eating with his family when he felt ill and sat down in his wheelchair. By the time an ambulance arrived he was in cardiorespiratory arrest.

Di Stefano, who had previously been hospitalised for similar episodes, underwent emergency quadruple heart by-pass surgery after a heart attack in 2005. He was one of Real Madrid’s most celebrated players, having represented the club for 11 seasons between 1953 and 1964, winning five European Cups.

Di Stefano was born in Buenos Aires and began his professional career with hometown club River Plate in 1945 before leaving for Colombian outfit Millonarios four years later after the Argentine league ground to a halt following a pay strike.

Di Stefano won the Colombian title in his first season before adding the 1951 and 1952 titles to his list of honours but it was his individual displays that attracted the attention of a host of big-name European suitors. l

FIFA reject Brazil Silva plea, Neymar probe n AFP, RIO DE JANEIRO FIFA issued a double snub to World Cup hosts Brazil on Monday, rejecting an appeal for captain Thiago Silva’s semi-final suspension to be overturned and dismissing calls for retrospective action against Colombia defender Juan Camilo Zuniga.

A statement from FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee said no action would be taken against Zuniga for his tackle which left Brazil striker Neymar with a tournament-ending back injury.

Zuniga could not be punished because the incident had been seen by the match officials at the time, a statement said.

A request by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to rescind Brazil captain Thiago Silva’s yellow card was dismissed because there was “no legal basis” to grant the request, FIFA said. 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

B3 Political risk is evident

everywhere except the markets

B4 Public investment need-

ed to boost stalling world growth

Tofail slates US congressmen n Tribune Report Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed yesterday slammed the US congressmen for sending a letter to the prime minister, seeking her assurance to facilitate proper investigation into the allegation of intimidation and violence on workers leader at Valuka, brought by the National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF).

Terming the letter is nothing but a politically-motivated one, Tofail said there has been no reflection with the real status of the country’s apparel sector in the letter by six congressmen, who had also lodged complaints against the commerce minister and the BGMEA chief for “intimidating” the RMG trade union leaders.

He was talking to the reporters after a meeting with the US ambassador to Bangladesh Dan Mozena at his secretariat office in the capital.

Strongly criticising the US congressmen, Tofail said, “It is also indecent for the congressmen and the government will send a letter to them by this week to clarify the real situation in RMG sector in Bangladesh.

The minister, however, expressed his optimism over the restoration of GSP facilities in the US market as the government has met most of the conditions set by the US administration.

“Bangladesh has made tremendous

Indian firms appointed to develop economic zones n Asif Showkat Kallol The government has appointed an Indian joint venture for expediting the development and construction of the five proposed economic zones, and to attract foreign as well as private sector investment.

Additional Secretary of the Cabinet Division Mustafizur Rahman told journalists on Sunday that the proposal from the PMO for appointing an advisory consultant was approved by the cabinet committee on public purchase. He added that the new investment proposals for the five zones will come through the foreign consultant in the future.

According to the PMO proposal, the selected firm will also carry out investment promotion activities to attract foreign and private investors to the economic zones under the World Bank project titled “Support to Capacity Building of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority,” said a senior official of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA).

The BEZA official added that the government agencies have failed to attract foreign and local investors, which is a vital matter for a country like Bangladesh.

Earlier last week, Abdus Sobhan Sikder, the principal secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), sent a proposal to cabinet committee on public purchase for the appointment of a transaction advisory service firm.

For a cost of Tk19.99 crore, the cabinet committee approved the joint venture led by Price Water House Coopers Private Limited India (PWC) while the two other firms are Mahindra Consulting Engineers Ltd, India and Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Company Bangladesh. The PWC obtained the highest number in terms of technical and financial evaluation.

The World Bank’s financial wing International Development Association has already endorsed the proposal sent by the PMO. The WB-supported project has already begun and it is expected to be completed by June 2016 at a cost of Tk76.20 crore.

As per the PMO proposal, the consultant firm will be assisting the authority to identify the industries that will be suitable for the economic zones, and prepare contractual schemes for public private partnership projects.

The appointed firm will also be responsible for selecting the private developers for the construction of the five zones; as well as developing one-stop service for the five economic zones for assisting in customer relationship management. l

progress in RMG sector and more regress is needed in critical areas such as many more factory needs to be inspected, labour inspectors to be hired, progress in publicly assessable data base, which exists currently,” said Dan Mozena.

He also stressed on stopping unfair labor practices, most especially crackdowns on labour activists, which are not acceptable and must stop immediately.

“Important progress has been made in the apparel sector, there would be another review for the GSP in December and I am very hope full that progress will continue at the current phase and there would be different picture in December, said Mozena replying to a question on restoration of GSP facilities for Bangladesh.

Mozena said the RMG sector would transform in terms of fire safety, factory structural soundness, respect for workers' rights for freedom of association transformation of the RMG. Six members of the US Congress have recently sought Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina's assurance to facilitate proper investigation into the allegation of intimidation and violence on workers leader at Valuka, brought by the National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF).

In a recent letter, sent to the US Senators, NGWF claimed that labour leaders are brutally assaulted by musclemen for their attempt to organise union. l

TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2014 www.dhakatribune.com/business

VERMICELLI MAKERS PASSING BUSY DAYS A HEAD OF EID

Production of vermicelli gets momentum ahead of Eid as a factory was drying up the product at Lalbagh in Dhaka yesterday

NBR to clarify further house rent payment through banks n Tribune Report National Board of Revenue (NBR) is likely to issue further clarification or a more specific guideline soon to make its position clear on the proposed monthly house rent payment over Tk25,000 through banking channel.

The regulatory board has already issued a rule, last week, asking the house owners to collect their house rents through banking channel in separate bank accounts, only to be used for the rent purposes, said NBR officials.

According to the rule, any person having ownership of any property used for commercial or residential purposes have to collect his or her monthly rent over Tk25,000 through a separate bank account in any scheduled bank.

As the NBR is facing some questions on the newly introduced system and, therefore, it is likely to issue a guideline

shortly, clearing its rules issued earlier.

“We are facing some queries like whether the tenants will have to pay their rents through cheques or they will pay the rent as cash and the landlords will later deposit the amount to specific bank account,” said a high official of NBR. “There are also queries as to what would be the measures if the tenants pay their rents in cash as usual while the landlords also do not deposit the amount to the bank account,” said a NBR high official.

He also said the NBR is likely to issue a guideline soon to clarify the measures and the system in brief.

However, as per the issued rule, the house owners have to maintain a separate register and record regarding the details of the house rents.

The landlords have been asked to record the names and addresses of the

Basic Bank gets four new directors n Tribute Report

The government has appointed four new directors to the scam-hit Basic Bank board for three years as they have obtained clearances from the Credit Information Bureau (CIB) of Bangladesh Bank.

Banking division of the finance ministry yesterday issued a circular, which was signed by deputy secretary of the division Md Motiur Rahman.

The newly appointed directors are fellow of chartered accountant Hasan Mahmud, former managing director of Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation Raihana Anisa Yusuf Ali, joint secretary of banking division Mamun Al Rashid and Professor of Accounting and Information System Department of Dhaka University Dr Muzib Ahmed.

As soon as additional secretary of the ministry of industries Begum Porag and former deputy managing director of the commerce bank Md Asaduzzaman get the CIB clearances, both of them will be appointed as directors of the bank.

Talking to the reporters, Bank and Finance Institutions Division secretary Dr M Aslam Alam said the four new directors were appointed as they got clearance from Bangladesh Bank.

“Banking division will signed a performance guarantee contract with the

all state owned banks as there had no responsibility and accountability in the banking sector before,’’ he added.

Under this performance guarantee contract, the Banking division will evaluate the performances of the chairman and board of directors within six months, he also said.

‘Banking division will signed a performance guarantee contract with the all state owned banks as there had no responsibility and accountability in the banking sector before’ Three days after accepted the resignation of Basic Bank chairman Sheikh Abdul Hye Bacchu, the Bank and Financial Institutions Division under finance ministry on Sunday dissolved board of directors of the bank and appointed Alauddin A Mojidas it chairman Bacchu, the main accused behind BASIC Bank’s current financial straits, handed his resignation letter to Finance Minister AMA Muhith Friday evening.

The move comes just two months before the expiry of his second term as chairman of the troubled bank. l

tenants, details of the deed and other information related to this issues with the aforesaid register, officials added.

From now on, the NBR will impose penalty on the house owners at the rate of 50% of taxes payable on incomes derived from the house property or Tk5,000, whichever is higher, for not transacting the house-rent through banks, according to the finance bill 2014.

The government has made mandatory payment system of the house rents through banking channel to ensure transparency in the house rent collection and to bring more people under tax net while prohibiting the practice of dodging tax on earnings from rental property.

“We have identified around 162,000 houses and house-owners who could not give us any details about their source of funds to build their respective houses,’’ said NBR officials. l

RAJIB DHAR

FAR Chemical share trading begins today n Tribune Report

Share trading of FAR Chemical Industries Limited, a textile chemical producer, will begin today at the stock exchanges.

It will be the 26th company in the pharmaceuticals and chemicals sector at the Dhaka Stock Exchange. The listing body approved the listing of the company on May 19.

Beginning of its share trading delayed, as Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission asked the company to publish its legal affairs issues, which were not included in its IPO prospectus, in the newspapers.

Its IPO subscription began on March 10 and for resident Bangladeshis closed on March 16 and for non-resident Bangladeshi on March 25, 2014.

It raised fund worth Tk12 crore from public using the fixed price method by

floating 12 lakh ordinary shares of Tk10 each. The market lot of the company is 500 shares. The company used the fund to buy capital machinery and increase the current capacity.

FAR Chemical IPO subscription hit around 73 times.

The company’s basic earnings per share (EPS) as of June 2013 stood at Tk5.01 with a net asset value per share of Tk15.55.

FAR Chemical Industries situated in Comilla EPZ is producing all types of textile chemicals needed for the Group’s 100% export oriented textile sector.

In first nine months (July 2013 to March 2014) of last fiscal year, the company made Tk26.73 crore profits against Tk23.2 crore a year earlier.

During the period, its basic EPS calculated based on weighted average pre-IPO paid-up number of shares was Tk3.38 from Tk2.93. l

IDB's infrastructure fund looks to build regional links n Reuters

A new infrastructure fund from the Islamic Development Bank aims to help Gulf-based companies expand in Asia and Africa, developing stronger economic ties among these regions.

Jeddah-based IDB is keen to grow trade among its 56 member countries and fill a void left by other multilateral and private-sector financial institutions that have been slow to support such regional strategies.

The fund could jump-start sluggish levels of trade across these markets, helping the IDB in its efforts to reach a target of 20% of intra-member trade by 2015 from about 17% now.

But more needs to be done to reach that target: Exports among IDB-member countries reached $343.7bn as of 2011, representing only 15.3% of total exports and a drop from the 17.3% recorded in 2009, the latest IDB data showed.

Three-quarters of those exports came from only 10 member countries, such as Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. Nigeria, Egypt and Bangladesh ranked far lower, despite the significant opportunities in those markets.

Part of the problem is limited support from financial institu-

tions in these regions, many lacking a regional presence of their own, a gap which the IDB fund could help fill.

IDB, which promotes economic development in Muslim countries and communities, has ramped up its development efforts after it more than tripled its authorised capital in 2012.

Building regional links would allow some Gulf-focused companies to reach a far broader customer base, said Mumtaz Khan, chief executive of Bahrain-based ASMA Capital Partners, which is managing the IDB fund.

"There are not that many institutions that have a footprint across these regions. Some companies are confined to a country or region. We are talking about taking them further afield," said

Khan.

Both Gulf and Asian-based companies could build substantial market share in these new markets, said Khan, adding that the fund was looking at opportunities in Nigeria, Egypt, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The fund has $750m in commitments from shareholders Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Brunei, with plans to reach $2bn in size by next year, surpassing the original $730m fund launched in 2001.

In contrast to its predecessor, the new fund also has a special sector allocation to health, said Kahn, adding that the fund could deploy capital into its first project in the next two to three months. l

B2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Stock

DSEX sinks to two-week low

DSE key features July 7, 2014

n Tribune Report

Number of Contract

bined loss of 110 points dragged DSEX below 4,400 psychological level after seven sessions, it said.

Apparently, expectations on pending monetary policy statement and year-end declarations due in June could not create any noticeable stir in the market, it said.

Recent correction from 4,800 points level has caused serious wound in investors’ purchasing power, disabling them further fresh fund injection. So, investors were waiting for perfect confirmation of upbeat reversal.

Lanka Bangla Securities said investors were in bearish mood with DSEX breaching the psychological level of 4,400 as traders ditched shares after straight four days of tumble on Motijheel Street.

It said it seems investors still prefer to remain on the sidelines and observe the market movement.

Zenith Investments said the bear seems to have full control over the market, as pessimists once again took the index sharply lower. The combined effects of profit taking and low enthusiasm of investors pushed the total turnover volume below two hundred crore, it said.

“The market may stay down during most of Ramadan period as most people would spend money for the upcoming Eid festival than indulging themselves into capital market investments.” l

Stocks extended losses for the fifth straight session yesterday with benchmark index sinking to twoweek low and turnover falling below Tk200 crore after six weeks.

The market initially swung between positive and negative but finally bear beat bulls due to the intense selling pressure at the close of the trade. The benchmark DSEX lost over 34 points or 0.8% to end at 4,376 – lowest since June 23.

However, the Shariah index DSES was almost 6 points or 0.6% to 992. The comprising blue chips DS30 closed at 1,603, shedding nearly 9 points or 0.6%.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, fell 58 points to 8,345.

The bottom line was that trading activities continued to decline with turnover falling below Tk200 crore due to the persistent and prolonged caution among investors.

The DSE turnover dropped to Tk191 crore, 11% down over the previous session and lowest since May 25.

All the sectors suffered except telecommunications that inched higher. Cement sector was the leading loser, extending its losing streak for the second consecutive session.

IDLC Investments said the negative tone in the market extended to 5th session. As a result, the com-

DSE GAINERS Company

Turnover (Million Taka)

1,915.06

Turnover (Volume)

53,462,960 58,431

Traded Issues

299

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

67

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

222

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

10

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,279.06

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

27.62

CSE key features July 7, 2014 Turnover (Million Taka)

194.82

Turnover (Volume)

Daily capital market highlights

6,382,405

Number of Contract

9,002

DSE Broad Index :

4376.77104

(-) 0.78%

▼

Traded Issues

205

DSE Shariah Index :

992.00074

(-) 0.58%

▼

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

48

DSE - 30 Index :

1603.52775

(-) 0.54%

▼

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

149

CSE All Share Index:

13463.94420

(-) 0.83%

▼

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

7 2,179.06 26.41

CSE - 30 Index :

11152.03860

(-) 0.47%

▼

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

CSE Selected Index :

8345.17020

(-) 0.70%

▼

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

DSE LOSERS

Jute SpinnersA BEXIMCO Ltd. -A BD Fixed Income MF-A AIBL 1st Is. M. F.-A Fine Foods A Progressive Life-A Shinepukur Cera-Z Legacy Footwear -A

-8.15 -5.36 -4.88 -4.76 -4.73 -4.62 -4.55 -4.31

Average (% change) -7.06 -5.14 -3.66 -4.84 -4.33 -4.75 -3.09 -3.54

Libra Infusions-A Beach Hatchery -A

-4.19 -4.17

-4.14 -3.67

Company

Closing (% change)

CSE LOSERS

Islami Ins.BD-A Rangpur Foundry -A Union Capital -A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Sandhani Life -A Sonargaon Tex -Z Imam Button -Z ICB AMCL 2nd NRB -A

-9.39 -7.05 -6.52 -6.23 -5.42 -5.21 -5.06 -4.85

Average (% change) -9.00 -7.05 -2.36 -5.48 -3.77 -5.31 -5.06 -5.13

AIBL 1st Is. M. F.-A Dutch Ban. Bnk- A

-4.69 -4.49

-3.59 -4.49

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 158.89 56.59 28.28 279.24 96.92 160.96 0.95 174.41 218.40 0.14 28.11 22.70 8.27 138.69 10.45 24.56 37.87 102.83 93.76 272.49 0.59

Turnover in million

Daily low

Latest EPS

Latest PE

58.18 32.49 7.90 6.09 16.36 113.54 12.86 24.79

57.50 31.80 7.80 6.00 16.10 113.50 12.60 24.40

59.00 33.90 8.00 6.20 17.00 115.00 13.30 25.40

56.70 30.30 7.60 6.00 15.50 112.00 11.90 24.30

0.032 165.592 0.083 0.524 2.881 1.204 2.248 1.723

-43.81 1.12 0.56 1.49 -1.01 2.30 0.64 0.20

-ve 29.0 14.1 4.1 -ve 49.4 20.1 124.0

400.71 25.71

400.50 25.30

400.90 26.60

400.00 25.20

0.561 8.370

4.20 2.04

95.4 12.6

Closing average

Closing

Daily high

Turnover in million

Daily low

Latest EPS

Midas Financing-Z Modern Dyeing -Z IFIL Islamic M.F.1-A Salvo Chemicals-B ACI ZERO Bond-A AFC AgroBiotech-A Central Insur -A Karnaphuli Insur -A 5th ICB M F-A Olympic Ind. -A

22.20 97.50 21.50 31.60 80.30 9.10 7.50 9.80

22.20 97.50 21.60 33.90 80.50 9.20 7.50 9.80

22.10 97.50 21.40 31.10 80.10 9.00 7.50 9.80

0.022 0.341 0.150 22.439 0.020 0.091 0.008 0.005

1.92 3.08 2.08 1.12 2.66 -0.92 -1.85 1.40

11.5 31.7 10.3 29.0 30.2 -ve -ve 7.0

6.17 85.00

6.10 85.00

6.20 85.00

6.00 85.00

0.071 0.043

1.49 6.72

4.1 12.6

The continued losing streak dwindled market confidence, keeping investors in meticulous positioning

% change 8.30 2.96 1.48 14.58 5.06 8.40 0.05 9.11 11.40 1.47 1.19 0.43 7.24 0.55 1.28 1.98 5.37 4.90 14.23 0.03

Million Taka 14.91 4.68 1.33 36.78 7.96 12.65 21.38 13.89 6.04 1.27 7.20 0.63 21.32 0.77 0.69 1.80 9.67 20.37 29.58 0.02

% change 7.00 2.20 0.62 17.27 3.74 5.94 0.00 10.04 6.52 2.84 0.60 3.38 0.29 10.01 0.36 0.33 0.85 4.54 9.57 13.89 0.01

Million Taka 173.79 61.27 29.61 316.02 104.88 173.61 0.95 195.79 232.28 6.18 29.39 29.90 8.89 160.01 11.22 25.26 39.67 112.49 114.14 302.07 0.61

Total

9.91 6.56 4.55 3.16 3.07 2.91 2.54 2.54 2.22 2.15

CSE GAINERS Company GQ Ball PenA Meghna Life Ins. -A AFC AgroBiotech-A BSC-A Fareast Finance-Z Fu-Wang Food A Salvo Chemicals-B Eastland Insur -A ICB Emp. PMF-A IFIL Islamic M.F.1-A

Closing (% change) 3.25 3.19 2.49 2.26 2.22 2.11 2.08 1.99 1.85 1.52

Average (% change) 9.25 3.04 2.56 3.85 (0.50) 1.77 0.75 2.82 2.22 1.34 Average (% change) 3.06 5.36 4.76 1.96 1.99 2.31 2.13 4.91 1.11 0.91

Closing average 23.27 75.56 6.82 19.71 936.51 49.35 24.24 20.07 184.00 222.58

Closing average 123.82 106.55 49.72 536.20 9.22 19.47 19.66 35.90 5.47 6.62

Closing 23.30 76.40 6.90 19.60 940.00 49.50 24.20 20.20 184.00 223.70

Closing 124.00 106.60 49.40 534.30 9.20 19.40 19.60 35.90 5.50 6.70

Daily high 23.30 77.00 6.90 20.00 940.00 50.00 24.30 20.50 184.00 224.30

Daily high 124.00 106.70 50.10 545.00 9.30 19.70 20.00 36.20 5.60 6.70

Daily low 19.80 72.00 6.70 17.10 912.00 47.00 21.30 17.90 184.00 219.50

Daily low 122.00 106.50 48.60 528.50 9.20 19.00 19.20 35.20 5.40 6.60

Turnover in million 0.145 0.034 4.560 21.326 0.059 18.330 0.308 2.429 0.018 46.075

Turnover in million 0.027 0.043 0.557 6.922 0.549 0.793 2.737 0.043 0.008 0.033

Latest EPS -6.91 1.61 1.07 1.16 0.00 2.32 3.64 1.40 18.67 7.21

Latest EPS 2.81 6.45 2.32 23.48 0.12 0.96 1.16 4.24 0.68 1.07

Latest PE -ve 46.9 6.4 17.0 21.3 6.7 14.3 9.9 30.9

Latest PE 44.1 16.5 21.4 22.8 76.8 20.3 16.9 8.5 8.0 6.2

News, analysis and recent disclosers TAKAFULINS: Credit Rating Agency of Bangladesh Limited (CRAB) has informed that the rating of Takaful Islami Insurance Ltd. as ''A3'' in the long term and ''ST-3'' in the short term on 2 July 2014 based on audited financial statements of the Company up to 31 December 2013 and other relevant quantitative as well as qualitative information up to the date of rating declaration.

Far Chemical Industries Limited: Trading of the shares of Far Chemical Industries Limited will commence at DSE from July 08, 2014 under 'N' category. DSE Trading Code for Far Chemical Industries Limited is "FARCHEM" and DSE Company Code is 18490. Trading of the shares of FAR Chemical Industries Ltd. will commence at CSE on 8th July 2014 instead of 7th July 2014 to facilitate trade commencement simultaneously both the exchanges for the interest of the investors.

ACI: The Company has informed that it will start delivery of dividend warrants for the year 2013 to the folio and non residence shareholders from the Company's Share Office at 9 Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000 from 07.07.2014 to 09.07.2014 between 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The Company has

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Appollo Ispat CL -N LafargeS Cement-Z BSC-A Grameenphone-A Square Pharma -A Generation Next Fashions-A

CSE

Closing (% change)

further informed that cash dividend for the year 2013 will be paid through BEFTN/ MICR encoded dividend payment within 10 July 2014.

ACIFORMULA: The Company has informed that cash dividend for the year 2013 will be paid through BEFTN/MICR encoded dividend payment within 10 July 2014.

SHAHJABANK: The Company has informed that the Board of Directors of the Company has decided to hold its 12th EGM for considering the following Extra Ordinary Resolution: "To consider the removal of Mr. Mohammed Solaiman as Director before the expiration of his period." Date of EGM: 11.08.2014, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: Ball Room, Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka.

Record Date for EGM: 16.07.2014.

IPO Subscription: 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 1317 July 2014, NRB upto 26 July 2014. @ taka 40, face value taka 10 and market lot 200.

Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag Industries Ltd. subscription date 24-28 August

2014, NRB upto 06 September 2014. @ taka 10, face value taka 10 and market lot 500. Western Marine Shipyard Limited subscription date 10-14 August 2014, NRB upto 23 August 2014. @ taka 35, face value taka 10 and market lot 100.

Right Share: MIDASFIN: Subscription period for rights issue will be from 01.09.2014 to 30.09.2014. Record date for entitlement of rights share: 03.08.2014.

Dividend/AGM

SANDHANINS: 25.50% stock, EGM and AGM: 06.09.2014, Record Date for EGM and AGM: 16.07.2014.

RECKITTBEN: Interim cash @ 275% , Record date for entitlement of interim dividend: 07.07.2014.

BDSERVICE: 15% stock, AGM: 25.08.2014, Record Date: 14.07.2014.

NATLIFEINS: 20% cash and 38% stock, AGM: 21.07.2014, Record Date: 03.07.2014.

MEGHNALIFE: 20% cash and 10% stock, AGM: 17.07.2014, Record Date: 30.06.2014.

DELTALIFE: 11% cash and 25% stock, AGM and EGM: 20.07.2014, Record date for AGM and EGM: 25.06.2014.

Latest PE

22.15 97.50 21.48 32.43 80.30 9.09 7.50 9.80

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY Sector

Daily high

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

% change 8.17 2.88 1.39 14.85 4.93 8.16 0.04 9.20 10.92 0.29 1.38 1.41 0.42 7.52 0.53 1.19 1.86 5.29 5.36 14.19 0.03

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

The Peninsula CTG.-N Olympic Ind. -A UNITED AIR-A

BD Submarine Cable-A BSRM Steels-A BD Building Systems -A Beximco Pharma -A Meghna Petroleum -A CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company BEXIMCO Ltd. -A

Appollo Ispat CL -N LafargeS Cement-Z UNITED AIR-A The Peninsula CTG.-N Generation Next-A BSC-A Grameenphone-A Square Pharma -A BSRM Steels-A BD Submarine Cable-A Familytex (BD) Ltd.-A Singer BD -A AramitCementA National Bank - A

Volume shares 5,096,786 4,485,200 1,451,000 170,585 221,127 216,814 2,712,168 1,389,400 207,000 3,111,154

209,928 403,385 514,575 672,812 95,466

Volume shares

691,824 634,800 218,500 908,287 250,000 423,053 12,910 19,000 16,530 51,210 22,600 153,000 18,825 73,000 259,111

Value in million 165.59 133.88 110.46 91.53 64.76 60.48 49.67 47.91 46.08 39.06

38.07 32.25 29.43 28.29 25.40

Value in million

22.44 18.95 16.71 11.36 8.59 7.76 6.92 5.56 4.61 4.11 4.11 3.65 3.39 3.15 2.89

% of total turnover 8.65 6.99 5.77 4.78 3.38 3.16 2.59 2.50 2.41 2.04

1.99 1.68 1.54 1.48 1.33

% of total turnover

11.70 9.88 8.71 5.92 4.48 4.04 3.61 2.90 2.40 2.14 2.14 1.90 1.77 1.64 1.51

Daily closing 31.80 29.40 75.30 532.75 293.30 278.60 17.90 34.10 223.70 12.30

180.50 79.00 56.10 41.80 266.30

Daily closing

31.60 29.50 75.30 12.30 34.10 18.00 534.30 292.50 279.10 79.00 181.30 23.70 176.70 42.70 11.10

Price change -5.36 -0.68 -3.09 2.06 0.48 -0.36 -3.24 -2.85 2.15 -3.91

Daily opening 33.60 29.60 77.70 522.00 291.90 279.60 18.50 35.10 219.00 12.80

Price change

Daily opening

-0.66 -2.11 -1.92 -0.71 0.19

-6.23 -0.34 -3.83 -3.91 -2.57 -2.70 2.26 0.38 -0.04 -2.11 -0.38 -1.66 -0.17 -1.84 -2.63

181.70 80.70 57.20 42.10 265.80

33.70 29.60 78.30 12.80 35.00 18.50 522.50 291.40 279.20 80.70 182.00 24.10 177.00 43.50 11.40

Daily high 33.90 30.60 78.30 543.75 295.00 282.20 19.00 35.10 224.30 13.00

Daily low 30.30 29.30 75.00 525.00 290.00 256.00 17.00 34.10 219.50 11.60

Daily average 32.49 29.85 76.12 536.54 292.86 278.96 18.31 34.48 222.58 12.55

Daily high

Daily low

Daily average

182.90 81.30 58.00 43.00 267.60

33.90 30.50 78.50 12.90 35.10 18.80 545.00 294.60 280.90 81.90 183.40 24.20 181.90 44.00 11.40

164.30 73.00 52.00 38.00 243.10

31.10 29.40 75.10 12.20 34.00 17.90 528.50 290.10 277.70 78.50 181.00 23.50 176.70 42.50 11.10

181.33 79.95 57.19 42.05 266.06

32.43 29.85 76.46 12.51 34.38 18.34 536.20 292.42 278.79 80.30 181.85 23.84 180.09 43.21 11.17

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

B3

Political risk is evident everywhere except the markets Investors who try to trade the market based on a geopolitical view will probably, on average, lose money because they overestimate the effect international relations has on asset values in the short term

n Reuters, London "Geopolitical risk" turns out to have surprisingly little impact on the valuation of oil and most financial assets.

Since the beginning of 2011, revolutions and counter-revolutions have rocked the Arab world, sanctions have slashed oil exports from Iran, and unrest has cut production in South Sudan and Nigeria, and none of these events has had any significant impact on oil prices.

The world's most important oil exporting region has descended into chaos, with armed conflict within just a few miles of some of the world's largest oil fields, yet the day to day change in benchmark prices has been the smallest at any time for more than 20 years.

None of the daily price changes so far in 2014 has reached 2 standard deviations let alone 3 or 4 (Chart 1). Volatility in futures prices is near to the lowest it has ever been (Chart 2).

Calm is not confined to oil. Most other commodity markets, like gold, and higher-risk asset classes like equi-

ties and emerging market bonds exhibit the same tranquility.

In other regions, civil war has broken out in Ukraine, China is locked in acrimonious maritime disputes with its neighbours, the Communist Party is in the midst of the biggest purge since the 1970s, Britain's relations with the European Union are becoming increasingly strained, and Argentina is flirting with default.

But none of these political risks is evident in the financial markets.

Entire forests have been felled as investment analysts and financial journalists attempt to explain the "death of volatility".

Top-down explanations focus on the role of the major central banks in supplying liquidity, pumping up the value of riskier assets, and effectively guaranteeing investors against bad outcomes.

Bottom-up analyses focus on all the other factors which have helped offset rising political risks at a micro level.

In the oil market, for example, production losses from Sudan, Libya, Ni-

geria, Syria and Iran have been almost exactly offset by increased output from shale formations in North America.

Rebels from the Islamic State in Syria and the Levant remain some miles from the main oil-producing areas in Kurdistan and southern Iraq.

Actual production losses so far remain small and Saudi Arabia has promised to hike production to meet any shortfall in supply.

It is possible to rationalise the absence of volatility in oil, commodities and other financial markets by combining some of these explanations.

But it remains unconvincing. Most of the explanations are based on longterm structural factors and should have been built into prices long ago.

Markets are supposed to respond to new information. Some sort of reaction to the news flow - much of which has been dominated by international politics, and most of which has been negative - should be evident in valuations.

In fact, geopolitical risk is arguably less important for the pricing of oil, other commodities and financial assets than

most analysts and journalists assume.

Like many other professional analysts, my degree had a large component of politics and international relations, and I find the subject fascinating.

It is therefore tempting to assume politics and international relations have a major impact on asset prices simply because they dominate the headlines, are familiar to writers, and are "big" events which should have big consequences (displaying all the behavioural biases familiar to economists

and psychologists).

But that overstates the role of geopolitical factors in financial markets. In fact many of the biggest international incidents of the modern era, including the attack on Pearl Harbour, the Cuban Missile Crisis and the fall of the Berlin Wall, had no discernible impact on markets.

Many big market movements, such as the stock market crashes in 1929 and 1987, and the flash crashes in 2011 and 2012, had no apparent political or economic trigger.

Iraq's invasion of Kuwait sent oil prices surging in 1990, but by less than the spike in 2004-2008, which had nothing to do with politics.

None of this is meant to imply that geopolitics and international relations have no impact on commodity and asset prices.

There have been clear instances to the contrary, such as the stock market crash which followed the attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York in September 2001.

But geopolitics is only one of many factors which influence financial markets and in most cases not the most im-

Dollar holds up ahead of Fed minutes release

Oil prices mixed in Asian trade

n AFP, Tokyo

n AFP, Singapore

The dollar held up in Asia yesterday after rallying on strong jobs data last week, as investors awaited minutes of the most recent meeting of Federal Reserve policymakers.

The greenback bought 102.11 yen in Tokyo afternoon, little changed from 102.08 yen on Friday.

The euro bought $1.3584 and 138.74 yen on Monday, against $1.3610 and 138.89 yen on Friday in Tokyo.

New York markets were closed Friday for the Independence Day holiday.

In other trading, the Indonesian rupiah surged against the dollar two days before the nation faced its most pivotal presidential election since the downfall of the dictator Suharto in 1998.

The dollar bought 11,726.30 rupiah Monday afternoon, down from 11,886.50 rupiah on Friday, after hitting a one-month low of 11,680.00 rupiah earlier Monday.

The US unit, however, won some support after an encouraging US jobs report on Thursday pointed to a stronger economy and a possible early interest rate rise.

The greenback inched up to 32.39 Thai baht from 32.38 baht, to 1,009.65 South Korean won from 1,008.75 won, to 59.88 Indian rupees from 59.70 rupees, and to Tw$29.89 from Tw$29.87 After the extended US weekend, attention has shifted to Wednesday's minutes release.

"The minutes are expected to pro-

vide more insight into why some Fed officials raised their interest rate projections, as well as an update on the Fed's latest thinking on its exit strategy" from stimulus measures, Capital Economics said in a note.

At the June 17-18 meeting, the Federal Reserve slashed its 2014 growth forecast for the US economy after a severe winter but kept policy on hold, showing faith in a modest rebound.

The dollar was mixed against other Asia-Pacific currencies.

It slipped to Sg$1.2464 from Sg$1.2467 on Friday, and to 43.47 Philippine pesos from 43.55 pesos.

The greenback inched up to 32.39 Thai baht from 32.38 baht, to 1,009.65 South Korean won from 1,008.75 won, to 59.88 Indian rupees from 59.70 rupees, and to Tw$29.89 from Tw$29.87.

The Australian dollar eased to 93.58 US cents from 93.63 cents, while the Chinese yuan was unchanged at 16.44 yen. l

Aminul Islam has recently assumed the responsibility of Bank Asia’s additional managing director, prior to which he was the deputy-managing director of the bank. Alongside, he is also holding the responsibility of the bank’s chief operations officer. Islam has been inextricably intertwined with Bank Asia since its pre-formative stage from April 1999. He started his career with development banking in 1975 and later on switched over to commercial banking. He is an MBA degree holder from IBA of Dhaka University

Bangladesh Commerce Bank Limited has recently relocated its Mirpur Branch to new premises on road 6 in Mirpur 1, Dhaka. The bank’s chair Md Yousuf Ali Howlader inaugurated the new premises as chief guest

Al-Arafah Islami Bank Limited has sponsored one lakh stickers for Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s (DMP) anti-formalin campaign to create awareness among the people. DMP Commissioner Benjir Ahmed inaugurated these stickers recently at the presence of the bank’s Alhajj Abdul Malek Mollah and its managing director Md Habibur Rahman

Oil prices were mixed in Asia yesterday as dealers balance easing concerns about the jihadist insurgency in Iraq with upbeat sentiment about US demand following strong jobs data, analysts said.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for August delivery eased 12 cents to $103.94 while Brent crude rose nine cents to $110.73 in afternoon trade.

Desmond Chua, market analyst at CMC Markets in Singapore, said oil prices "continue to track lower as Iraq's production remains unaffected by the recent unrest".

The rebel group has overrun swathes of Iraq and is close to Baghdad following a lightning offensive since June 9, displacing hundreds of thousands of people and initially alarming global oil markets.

After nearly four weeks of fighting with government forces, however, the

group has yet to directly threaten the key oil-producing region in the country's south.

Iraq is the second biggest producer in the 12-nation OPEC oil cartel, pumping 3.4 million barrels a day and possessing more than 11 percent of the world's proven reserves.

Chua said markets are "raring to go" following robust US jobs data last week showing the US economy added 288,000 jobs in June, well above expectations of 215,000. The unemployment rate also fell to 6.1 percent from 6.3 percent in May. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 17,000 for the first time on Thursday after the solid jobs data release. US markets were closed Friday for the Independence Day holiday.

Chua said investors would next be looking to minutes from the US Federal Reserve's June meeting to be released Wednesday for clues about the strength of the world's biggest economy. l

portant. Engineering, business, social and economic developments are usually more influential, if not always so obviously headline grabbing.

History suggests geopolitical factors sometimes but not always have an impact on perceptions about risk and asset values.

The more remote the risk the less impact it has on valuations, partly because remote risks are likely to be less important, and partly because their ultimate impact is much harder to assess, and investors prefer to focus on risks that are more easily quantifiable (those behavioural biases again).

If the foregoing analysis is true, it is not possible to trade oil or other financial assets based purely or mainly on a geopolitical view (which may explain why banks spend so little time and money on international political research).

Investors who try to trade the market based on a geopolitical view will probably, on average, lose money because they overestimate the effect international relations has on asset values in the short term. In fact the "smart money" is probably trading against them. l

Seven Khulna jute mills besieged n Tribune Business Desk Workers of seven state-owned jute mills laid a siege to the administrative offices of their respective factories in Khulna yesterday protesting the government move to transform Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) into a holding company.

The jute mills include Platinum Jute Mills, Crescent Jute Mills, Star Jute Mills, Jessore Jute Mills and Industry, People’s Jute Mills and Appeal Jute Mills, reports UNB. Witnesses said workers of the seven jute mills registered their protest simultaneously laying siege to the offices of their respective mills in the morning.

They also took position in front of the offices from 8:00 am and staged demonstration chanting slogans.

All activities at the mills remained stopped at that time. Earlier on Sunday, workers of the private jute mills blocked the Jessore-Khulna Highway at three different points for three hours on Sunday morning, demanding reopening of the closed jute mills and payment of their dues. l

Prime Bank has recently signed a five-year term loan agreement with FMO for availing a debt of US$25m. The bank’s managing director & CEO Md Ehsan Khasru and FMO’s senior investment officer, financial institution in Asia have signed the agreement

Najmul Huq Chaudhury has recently been unanimously elected as the independent director of Standard Bank Limited. He has received his academic degree from Kolkata University. Previously he has served Van Ommeren Tank Terminal BD Ltd & International Oil Mills Ltd as managing director. Chaudhury has also been a member of several executive committees, which includes both local and foreign commerce chambers Walton, a electronics brand has recently inaugurated Walton Mobile Smart Zone at a showroom named Mithila Mobile Shop in Sanirakhra, Jatrabari, Dhaka. The company’s executive director & film actor, Ilias Kanchan has launched the showroom

B4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Public investment needed to boost stalling world growth n AFP, Aix-en-Provence Governments must increase public investment to help drive the global recovery and help boost "less robust than expected" economic growth, IMF chief Christine Lagarde said Sunday.

The head of the Washington-based International Monetary Fund predicted global economic growth, which has been "subdued" in the first months of 2014, will strengthen in the second half and accelerate next year.

Growth in China, the world's second-largest economy and a key driver of international trade, is unlikely to slow sharply and is moving into a "more qualitative and more sustainable" phase, Lagarde said.

But she warned loose monetary policies pursued by central banks to help the world economy recover from the global financial crisis were "finding their limit" and governments now needed to act.

"Global activity is picking up, but the momentum could be less robust than expected because potential growth is weaker ... (and) investment remains lacklustre," Lagarde told a conference in the southern French town of Aix-enProvence.

"Evidently, from our point of view, we must therefore reinforce supply capacity in order to strengthen the recovery."

She called for politicians to take advantage of "very favourable" condi-

London buses stop accepting cash n AFP, London London buses will no longer accept cash payments for tickets with effect from Sunday, the British capital's transport authority said.

Transport for London (TfL), which runs public transport in the city, said in a statement that dwindling numbers of passengers were using money to pay for their journeys.

Travellers on London's signature red buses must now use Oyster transport swipe cards, prepaid or concessionary tickets, or contactless payment cards. TfL added that more than 99% of bus passengers are already using these payment methods.

Tourists will be largely unaffected because the vast majority tend to use a prepaid ticket such as a Visitor Oyster card to get around London, according to the transport authority.

"The way our customers pay for goods and services is evolving, so we need to ensure our ticketing evolves too," said Mike Weston, TfL's director of buses.

"Removing cash from our bus network not only offers customers a quicker and more efficient bus service but it enables us to make savings of ÂŁ24m ($42m, 30m euros) a year which will be re-invested to further improve London's transport network." l

tions in financial markets to "revive public investments (to) give a necessary boost to growth, particularly in advanced economies" while ensuring debt remains at sustainable levels.

The IMF will give its official global economic forecasts in two weeks.

Last month the global crisis lender slashed its 2014 forecast for the United States to 2%, down from 2.8%, after bad weather sparked an unexpected contraction in the first quarter.

Lagarde predicted growth would pick up in the next quarter as long as the Federal Reserve's tightening of its easy monetary policy is orderly and there is a precise medium term budget framework.

The Fed, like many central banks around the world, has kept interest rates at historic lows and pumped money into the US's financial system to help drive growth.

Last month the European Central Bank cut its key interest rates, including taking one into negative territory for the first time, in a bid to help the region's stalling economy emerge from the eurozone debt crisis.

In the 18 nations that share the single currency, which are only "slowly" emerging from recession, the "recovery is far from being enough to lower debt and unemployment," Lagarde said.

Emerging economies, meanwhile, "continue to ensure most of global growth but at a slower pace than before," Lagarde said. l

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde delivers opening remarks at the inaugural Michel Camdessus Central Banking Lecture in Washington July REUTERS

Berliners shrug off ethical worries to Etiquette gets reboot storm new Primark store for digital age n Reuters, Berlin Thousands of bargain hunters flocked to a new Primark store in the heart of Berlin on Thursday despite a protest by campaigners demanding the Irish chain improves conditions in the factories that produce its budget tops and jeans.

Primark, owned by Associated British Foods, is accelerating the pace of its expansion in Europe, where it already has 274 stores, and in April announced it would open its first US store in Boston towards the end of 2015.

Primark, which opened its first store in Dublin in 1969 under the name Penneys and launched in Germany in 2009, has grown rapidly during the economic downturn in Europe due to its rock-bottom prices and fast-changing fashions.

However, it has also drawn criticism for conditions in the factories of its suppliers, especially since more than 1,100 people died last year in the collapse of a plant in Bangladesh, where clothes were made for brands including Primark.

Primark's success is squeezing margins at Sweden's budget chain H&M, which is also trying to improve its reputation for ethical standards, particularly in its biggest market Germany, where shoppers are particularly sensitive to

environmental issues and labour rights.

However, those concerns were trumped on Thursday by the desire to snap up T-shirts for 3 euros ($4) and skinny jeans for 7 euros, as thousands of shoppers, including dozens of mothers with small children, lined up hours before the store opened.

"Primark is criticised but it is not just Primark. All the big stores are the same, including H&M, because we want to have things cheaper and cheaper," said 16-yearold shopper Anna Schmidt. "I am not prepared to pay 30 euros for a T-shirt".

The new store is Primark's 13th in Germany, and it has set its sights on eventually opening more than 100 in the country, which is already home to more than 400 H&M stores. Primark, which generates almost a third of AB Foods' group sales, attracted negative headlines again in recent days after labels were found sewn in garments sold in Britain purportedly from workers complaining about their working conditions.

Wolfgang Krogmann, chief executive of Primark Germany, dismissed the labels as a hoax and said the company tightly controls factory conditions, conducting 2,000 audits a year and adding it does not allow approved suppliers to subcontract.

"Ninety-eight percent of factories are shared with other brands that are making similar garments for our competitors. The difference with us is that we charge a particularly low price for the same product," he told journalists.

At the official store opening, Primark board member Breege O'Donoghue, wearing a cream jacket with gold buttons and slim fitting trousers she said only cost 42 euros, noted that Primark has been praised by the Ethical Trading Initiative, a London-based group campaigning for worker rights.

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, who cut a ribbon before shoppers stormed the store, said he was proud of Primark's success and convinced by its commitment to ethical standards. "The queues outside certainly show the strength of Primania across Germany and across Europe," he told cheering staff. The crowds outside the new store on the busy Alexanderplatz square were not deterred by dozens of protesters holding banners with slogans like "Crime-ark" and "Fast Fashion Kills".

"Fast fashion means there is extreme pressure to meet orders. They must produce fast, fast, fast which causes accidents," said Berndt Hinzmann from German development group Inkota Network, which helped organise the protest. l

Dubai plans to build a climatecontrolled 'city' n AFP, Dubai

A handout picture made available on July 6, 2014 by the press office of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al-Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, shows him (2nd right) looking at the mock-up of the 'Mall of the World' project during its presentation in Dubai AFP

Dubai is planning to build a temperature-controlled city featuring the world's largest mall and an indoor park, as well as hotels, health resorts and theatres, the developer said.

Already home to one of the globe's biggest indoor shopping complexes, Dubai Mall, the glitzy emirate known for its love of grandiose projects said it is now planning to build the "Mall of the World".

The all-pedestrian complex would occupy a total area of 48 million square feet (4.45 million square metres), said Dubai Holding, the developer owned

by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum.

The project "will comprise the largest indoor theme park in the world" under a glass dome that would be opened during winter, it said in a statement.

The seven-kilometre (4.35 mile)long promenades connecting the facilities would also be covered and airconditioned during summer, it added.

"Our ambitions are higher than having seasonal tourism. Tourism is key driver of our economy and we aim to make the UAE an attractive destination all year long," said Sheikh Mohammed.

"This is why we will start working on providing pleasant temperaturecontrolled environments during the summer months."

The statement issued late on Saturday did not say when construction would begin, nor did it reveal the cost of the project. l

n AFP, Washington The digital age has created a host of new etiquette dilemmas.

What should you do when your boss sends a Facebook friend request? Is it OK to take and share smartphone pictures at a friend's wedding? When should you take off Google Glass, rather than just turn it off ?

Etiquette mavens say the book on manners must be rewritten, literally, to take into account new technologies and social media.

"Technology is such an area of anxiety for people," says Steven Petrow, an author of etiquette books who last month began a digital manners column for USA Today.

In recent columns, Petrow addressed the question of mass emails that reveal the names of all recipients (not OK, he says), and how to deal with wedding guests who want to share smartphone pictures before the official photos are available (he urges the couple to make their wishes clear in the invitation).

'Some people lose their jobs because of an ill-advised tweet' "Fundamentally, I come back to my core values, which are about respect, kindness and civility," Petrow told AFP. Social media such as Facebook pose particular etiquette problems: if users post news about a death, birth or engagement before relatives are notified, that creates tensions among family members.

"On Facebook, even if you have privacy protection, someone else can grab your message and send it along," said Emily Yoffe, who pens the "Dear Prudence" column on Slate.

"Once you post it, you don't control that information anymore," said Yoffe, advising people to treat all social media posts as public.

Petrow sees other quandaries - for example, whether it is appropriate to "like" a Facebook post about sad news.

"I believe that liking means you acknowledge it," he said. "So you can like something sad but you should add a note to say what you mean."

Social media is also used to break off, or to announce a new relationship, which can be a surprise to the other person.

"It's always best to take your time, to discuss this with the other person," Petrow said.

As for the boss's friend request, Petrow advised managers to steer clear of this to avoid potential conflicts.

Employees should not ignore the request, but offer instead to connect on the

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professional network LinkedIn, he said.

Emily Post for digital era Digital technology has forced a reboot at the Emily Post Institute, which grew out of the work of the noted etiquette author.

Her great-great-grandson Daniel Post Senning released a book last year on digital etiquette after realizing the topic merited more than just a chapter in the updated Emily Post book.

"New technology is changing every major aspect of people's lives for which they would come to Emily Post looking for advice," Senning said.

A longstanding digital etiquette issue is when people should turn off or silence their smartphones.

"The biggest challenge is that these devices take our attention from the people we're with," Senning told AFP. While smartphones are enormously useful tools, "If you're with other people, your attention should be there," Senning said. "Most people know that intuitively."

Social networks are great places for sharing, but sometimes people go overboard. A 2012 survey by Intel found that in several countries, a majority said they were put off by "oversharing" of pictures and personal information.

Senning said the Post Institute often follows what is accepted by the public but that sometimes it takes the opposite view "if it's a question of our fundamental principles of consideration, respect and honesty."

Think before you tweet On Twitter, the ability to post messages quickly has led to some embarrassing moments or worse, experts say.

"Some people lose their jobs because of an ill-advised tweet," Yoffe said.

"In the heat of the moment, people think they are having a one-on-one conversation, but this is totally public."

Twitter gaffes can turn into public relations nightmares for companies using social media to boost their image.

Dutch airline KLM, of the Air FranceKLM Group, found this out when it tweeted "Adios Amigos" after the Netherlands' dramatic win over Mexico in football's World Cup. The airline apologized and deleted the tweet, but not before thousands of enraged Mexicans tweeted their displeasure.

"We encourage companies to be conversational and engaging. But they have to understand they are speaking on behalf of a brand," said Jeanette Gibson of Hootsuite, which provides a social media dashboard, and offers training on using different platforms.

Gibson said social media marketing can be useful in building brand identity, "but you don't want to come across as spamming your audience." l