25 july, 2014

Shraban 10, 1421 Ramadan 26, 1435 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 2, No 115

FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

20 pages plus 24-page weekend supplement | Price: Tk12

8 | FOUTRH UN FACILITY, USED AS SHELTER, BOMBED

7 | TERRORISM, NOT LEGITIMATE RESISTANCE

WEEKEND THE RELUCTANT RAMADANISTS

Algerian plane missing with 116 on board

12 | SAJAL SHARES EID SCHEDULE AND MORE

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

THE LITTLE ATLAS

Bangladesh fares better than India and Pakistan n Kamran Reza Chowdhury

Unnamed official confirms that it has crashed n Reuters, Algiers An Air Algerie flight crashed yesterday en route from Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso to Algiers with 110 passengers on board, an Algerian aviation official said.

There were few clear indications of what might have happened to the aircraft, or whether there were casualties, but Burkino Faso Transport Minister Jean Bertin Ouedrago said it had asked to change route because of a storm in the area.

“I can confirm that it has crashed,” the Algerian official told Reuters, declining to be identified or to give any details about what had happened to the aircraft on its way north.

Almost half of the passengers were

French citizens, an airline official said.

Two French fighter jets based in the region had been dispatched to try to locate the airliner along its probable route, a French army spokesman said.

Niger security sources said planes were flying over the border region with Mali in search of traces of the flight.

Algeria’s state news agency APS said authorities lost contact with flight AH 5017 an hour after it took off from Burkina Faso, but other officials gave differing accounts of the times of contact, adding to confusion about the plane’s fate.

Swiftair, the private Spanish company that owns the plane, confirmed it had lost contact with the MD-83 operated by Air Algerie, which it said was  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

Eid means happiness for all but for this little boy it means some extra income for his family, who depends heavily on his meagre earnings.

The boy carries passengers’ luggage at Sadarghat launch terminal in the city yesterday SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

In light of the UNDP’s projection for a strong performance next year, Bangladesh has become one of 18 countries that made “extraordinary progress” in terms of global human development index this year.

Bangladesh has risen in ranking to 142 (among 187 countries), graduating from last year’s position of 143, thanks to its better performance in the health, education and gender issues, according to Human Development Report 2014 launched globally yesterday.

Apart from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, none of the countries in the South Asian region have been able to change its previous ranking this year.

In terms of gender inequality and gender development index, Bangladesh had fared better than India and Pakistan. India’s overall ranking is 135 while Pakistan’s position is 146.

“Bangladesh has gone one step ahead this year with 142 position by graduating from the previous 143rd ranking. Apart from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, none of the South Asian countries has been able to improve its position this year,” KAM Morshed, assistant country director of United Nations  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

Advisers skip Dhaka city unit BNP’s first outdoor programme

Over 50 Israeli reservists refuse to serve

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

n Reuters

Although the idea behind the new Dhaka city unit convening committee of BNP was to launch a strong anti-government movement after Eid, its first official outdoor programme yesterday was marred by clashes and absence of senior members.

Four advisers to the newly formed Dhaka city unit BNP convening committee skipped their first official programme yesterday, only a day after

their chief Mirza Abbas said there was no grouping among them.

The new committee yesterday placed wreaths at the grave of party founder Ziaur Rahman. They were accompanied by BNP’s acting secretary general Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir.

However, a couple of female leaders of the party got involved in a scuffle, prompting the senior leaders, who were very much present at the spot, to scold them for their behaviour.

Of the four advisers, former Dha-

INSIDE 3 | News

Britain has changed its position towards Bangladesh from what it had after the January 5 election.

4 | News

A five-tier security system has been implemented at Mawa-Kewrakandi ferry terminal to ensure a safe and hassle-free journey.

6 | Nation

Chandonbaisha to Rahodaho of Shariakandi upazila in the district.

9 | World

Taiwan authorities launched an investigation yesterday into the crash of a TransAsia Airways turboprop plane in which 48 people were killed.

11 | Op-Ed

When Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini declared a death penalty on Salman Rushdie for The Satanic Verses, there were demonstrations condemning the Indian-born British author.

14 | Sport The Jamuna river erosion has taken a turn for the worse, staking the main flood control embankment built along

German politicians demanded Wednesday that Russia be stripped of the right to host the 2018 World Cup for fuelling the Ukraine conflict.

ka city unit chief Sadeque Hossain Khoka and his deputy Abdus Salam could not attend the first meeting of the new committee on Wednesday because they were in the USA and the UK respectively.

Another adviser and BNP’s Standing Committee Member Rafiqul Islam Miah skipped the meeting reportedly because he was unhappy as his supporters were ignored in the new Dhaka committee. According to sources,  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

More than 50 former Israeli soldiers have refused to serve in the nation’s reserve force, citing regret over their part in a military they said plays a central role in oppressing Palestinians, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday.

“We found that troops who operate in the occupied territories aren’t the only ones enforcing the mechanisms of control over Palestinian lives. In truth,

the entire military is implicated. For that reason, we now refuse to participate in our reserve duties, and we support all those who resist being called to service,” the soldiers wrote in a petition posted online and first reported by the newspaper.

While some Israelis have refused to serve in the Palestinian territories of the West Bank, the military’s structure is such that serving in any capacity forces one to play a role in the  PAGE 2 COLUMN 6

SEHRI & IFTAR TIME Day Ramadan 26/July 25 Ramadan 27/July 26

Sehri – 3.57am

Iftar 6.49pm 6.48pm

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, July 25, 2014

NARAYANGANJ SEVEN-MURDER

Nur Hossain’s accountant describes his involvement n Tribune Report Although Nur Hossain, the prime accused in Narayanganj seven-murder case, has been denying his involvement in the crime, his accountant Ali Mohammad said otherwise in a confessional statement yesterday.

Ali not only described the role of his boss in the gruesome seven murders but also implicated members of the Rapid Action Battalion role in the abduction and killing, said Shakhawat Hossain, the president of Narayanganj district lawyers’ association.

Senior Judicial Magistrate Chand-

ni Rupom recorded Ali’s confessional statement for four hours.

Quoting the accountant, an official of Narayanganj district police said Nur had planned to abduct and kill panel mayor Nazrul Islam several months before the incident. He had also made a deal with RAB to execute the plan.

After abducting the seven people on April 27, Nur contacted Ali Mohammad over phone for making arrangements to dump the bodies.

He asked Ali to clear a “Balu Mahal” (open air sand depot), an area that Nur has controlled for many years for trading sand and stone along the bank of

the Shitalakkhya River.

Around 9pm, Ali reached the spot and asked people, including sand workers, to leave the area.

When the RAB car carrying the seven slain people reached the place, the RAB men called Ali to guard the bodies until they could load those on a trawler.

Nur Hossain kept contacting Ali over phone during the whole process. Ali returned from the spot after the trawler had left.

Shakhawat Hossain said Ali’s statements came useful in the two cases as he was a direct witness of the incident.

Inspector of Narayanganj district

court Habibur Rahman said Ali was sent to court after his statement had been recorded.

Ali was arrested on July 19 in Akhaura of Brahmanbaria and was placed on a six-day remand.

He was not only Nur’s accountant but also an associate in most of Nur’s criminal activities, including drug dealings, extortion in the transport sector, murders and abductions, said the Naraynaganj district police official, seeking anonymity.

Nur Hossain stands accused of the gruesome abduction and killing of seven people, including Narayanganj

city panel mayor Nazrul Islam and senior lawyer Chandan Sarkar. The seven were abducted on April 27 in the city and six bodies were seen floating in the Shitalakkhya River on April 30. The seventh surfaced the next day.

Nur, councillor of ward 4 and a close aide to Narayanganj 4 Awami League lawmaker Shamim Osman, fled the country to India when law enforcers went looking for him in connection with the murders. An anti-terrorism squad of Kolkata police arrested Nur along with two of his associates there and placed on remand for intruding into the country. l

Journey home for Eid celebration begins n Mohammad Jamil Khan

With only a handful left before Eid, homebound people yesterday began to leave the capital in large numbers boarding different modes of transportation.

Although the Eid vacation starts on July 28, a large number of people took leave on the only opening day Sunday to embark on a hassle-free journey home.

The travellers preferred setting out for their village yesterday as it was the last working day of the week.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority kicked off their first Eid special service from yesterday.

According to sources of bus, train and launch services, all advance tickets for the Eid special journey were sold out.

The mad rush of homebound passengers would continue till next Monday.

At least 15 lakh city dwellers would leave the Dhaka, giving it in return a short respite from the daily hustle and bustle.

Visiting two major bus terminals, Sayedabad and Gabtoli, Kamalapur Railway Station and Sadarghat Launch Terminal, it was found that passengers from different directions of the capital were pouring into the stations to board the vehicles.

The lawmen have taken special security measures to ensure a hassle-free journey for the them.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Benazir Ahmed said additional police and plain-clothes detectives were on duty along with regular forces at key points of the city to maintain law and order.

The Dhaka Tribune correspondent met with one government employee Fazlul Haque who had been waiting at Kamalapur Railway Station to board a Rajshahi-bound train.

Fazlul said: “I am leaving the city a bit early just to avoid harassment.”

On the other hand scores of people were hankering after Eid special train

tickets at the station counters after tickets for regular trains ran out.

Around 64 regular trains roll out of the Kamalapur Railway Station daily.

In addition, three pairs of special intercity trains will commute between Dhaka and Dewanganj of Mymensingh, Parbatipur of Dinajpur and Khulna to cope with the rush of passengers.

“Besides, a total of 166 coaches will be added to the entire rail network to cope with the Eid rush,” said Tafazzal Hossain, director general of Bangladesh Railway.

He told the Dhaka Tribune a foolproof security measure had been adopted to ensure a comfortable journey for passengers and CCTVs installed at the key points of the station to check on the movement of people.

At the Sadarghat Launch Terminal, thousands of passengers gathered 3-4 hours earlier than the departure time of the water vehicles.

“I came early to get a seat on the deck as I haven’t found any cabin ticket,” said Hasan Javed, a student of Jagannath University.

The road heading towards Sadarghat Launch Terminal from Gulistan was clogged with traffic on the day as a large number of city dwellers were leaving for home.

According to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, the special launch service that started from yesterday would run till next five days after Eid. It will operate service on 39 routes across the southern part of the country.

The private bus authorities began operating their special service yesterday.

The countermen at Sayedabad and Gabtoli bus terminals said the advance tickets of all bus routes had been sold out.

Mohibul Haque, manger of Sohagh Paribahan of Kalyanpur counter, told the Dhaka Tribune although a large number of people had been leaving the capital, the rush of passenger would be felt from the evening of July 27 and July 28 as the Eid vacation started. l

Not everything can be measured with money. Hashi Akhter gives flowers to the members of a private university-based social service organisation that distributed clothes among under-privileged children in Dhaka University campus yesterday. Hashi's daughter also got a new dress RAJIB DHAR

‘OC loots camel meat allocated for Biharis’ n Tazlina Zamila Khan Around two-thirds of 600 cartons of camel meat, which arrived from Saudi Arabia, were looted at Kalshi Bihari camp in the capital yesterday.

Pallabi police station OC Syed Ziauzzaman, Kurmitola Relief Committee chief Jalaluddin Bhantu and his personal assistant Akhter were allegedly involved in the looting.

At 3am, 600 cartons, each containing eight kgs, reached the camp under the project of Utilization of Hajj Meat’ managed by Islami Development Bank.

The meat were meant for 1,000 families of Purbo Kurmitola camp, Purbo Kurmitola new camp, Murapara camp, Irani camp, School camp, Kalapani Medical camp and Gafur Bosti.

Bhantu’s right-hand man Napak Raju told the Dhaka Tribune: “The OC of Pallabi Thana looted around 40 cartons, when the trucks arrived at the camp.

Later, the chairman got hold of some.”

Meat distribution among Biharis began 9am yesterday. After an hour, Bhantu, who is in charge of a sector the Purbo Kurmitola camp, declared that there was no more meat.

Murad, a resident of the camp, said: “I did not get any meat this year. Same thing happened to me last year.”

The families who have a card provided by district relief officer will be given half a kg of camel meat while those who do not have any card will get one-fourth of a kg of meat. Around 500 families have relief cards in the camp.

Another Bihari Bholu said: “Bhantu earns money by selling camel meat every year.” Bhantu earns Tk 50,000Tk100,000 selling camel meat every year.

Both Bhantu and the OC denied the allegations. l

Algerian plane missing with 116

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 PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

Sources said he had decided to start working after a series of meetings at his home with other leaders.

After placing wreaths at Zia’s grave, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul told reporters that he had hoped that the Dhaka city committee would play a vital role in intensifying the anti-government movement.

“The BNP has been on a movement for the last five years and it will continue [the struggle] until final victory [by toppling the government] is achieved,” he said Abbas said the main target was to prepare the Dhaka city unit for a vigorous movement by reorganising it.

However, minutes before the two senior leaders of the party made the encouraging remarks, female leaders Nilufar Akter Moni and Nasim Akter Keya locked into a cat-fight because they both wanted to stand in the front row with the senior leaders to come into the media spotlight.

After some of the senior leaders scolded the two women and pacified

the situation, a tension arose among two top tier leaders.

In the front row, one of the convenors of the new committee Goyeshwar Chandra Roy was standing on one side of Mira Fakhrul and Mirza Abbas and Abdul Awal Mintoo, the two other convenors, on the other side.

When new Member Secretary Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel pushed Goyeshwar back and took his place beside Fakhrul, Roy got angry, scolded Sohel and was about to leave the place.

Fakhrul and Abbas then brought the situation under control and Sohel allowed Goyeshwar to come back to his place in the front row.

After placing wreaths, when Fakhrul was talking to journalists, some leaders and activists started a pushing and shouting because all of them wanted to appear in the television cameras.

That enraged Fakhrul, who left the place, walked towards the bank of the Crescent Lake and called the journalists over there. l

Bangladesh fares better than India and Pakistan  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

Development Programme, told reporters while unveiling the report at the conference room of the National Economic Council in the capital’s Agargoan.

“As indicated in 2013 report, Bangladesh is among the 18 countries globally who has shown extraordinary progress in terms of HDI [Human Development Index],” said the UNDP in its summary.

Sri Lanka is the best performer in the overall ranking with 73rd position followed by the Maldives with 103rd ranking among the South Asian region.

Bangladesh outshines India, Pakistan and Nepal in inequality-adjusted HDI. “Among the South Asian countries,

Bangladesh has also demonstrated a good track record of inclusive development. After adjusting for inequality, Bangladesh is doing better compared to India, Pakistan and Nepal indicating a good pro-people policy regimes."

Between 1980 and 2013, the South Asian region made the fastest progress in terms of human development.

“Again, of the South Asian countries, Afghanistan now has the fastest progress [2%] followed by Bangladesh [1.62%],” said Morshed.

He said Afghanistan was a war-ravaged country that saw huge pump of foreign funds unlike Bangladesh.

According to gender inequality index,

In reaction to a media report, State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan said the government had no plan to separate Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from police.

However, the government wants to reform the elite force, which is currently operated as a police unit, with a view to strengthening the organisation, the minister said while addressing reporters at his Secretariat office yesterday.

About a Home Ministry proposal to separate RAB from police, the minister said the police wing had prepared the draft.

“There was no instruction from me.

The wing thinks that the separation will improve RAB’s service, so they made the proposal. But we are not considering it,” he said.

When contacted, Nazimuddin Chowdhury, additional secretary of police wing, said: “The move to reform RAB has been taken so that the elite force delivers service more efficiently and honestly.”

RAB is formed with the members from the army, police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Ansar, as well as the Public Administration Ministry.

Following a number of controversial incidents and so-called shootouts, particularly the sensational Narayanganj seven murders, questions have been raised about the RAB activities that drew nationwide criticism.

Recently, US-based Human Rights Watch urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to disband RAB, which was turned down by the Home Ministry. l

VISA FOR UK

Advisers skip Dhaka city unit BNP’s first outdoor he even told his associates that he would resign from his adviser post.

Miah, a lawyer by profession, told the Dhaka Tribune: “How will I go there? I am still busy at the court.”

The other adviser ASM Hannan Shah, also a standing committee member, claimed that he did not know about the programme.

Asked why he did not attend the first meeting and the programme, he shot back at the reporter saying: “Do not you understand Bangla? I do not know anything. I am at home.”

On Wednesday, Mirza Abbas said there was no grouping in the party; rather all were united under Khaleda Zia’s leadership.

Abbas himself was reportedly unhappy because Khoka and Salam were made advisers to the new committee.

For four days in a row after the committee was announced on Friday night, he kept himself away from meeting his party men and journalists.

Asad: No separation of RAB from police, but reform n Rabiul Islam

Bangladesh’s performance is better.

“In fact, when gender inequality is considered, Bangladesh ranked 115, well ahead of India and Pakistan [both at 127 rank],” said the report.

Mohammad Mejbahuddin, a secretary of the Finance Ministry, who attended the launching, said micro-credit played an important role in reducing poverty.

Neal Walker, UNDP resident representative in Bangladesh, said Bangladesh had enormous potential to utilise its huge youth population.

“So, it's like a double-edged sword...

These people could be utilised through human development." l

carrying 110 passengers and six crew.

A diplomat in the Malian capital Bamako said that the north of the country - which lies on the plane’s likely flight path - was struck by a powerful sandstorm overnight.

Whatever the cause, another plane crash is likely to add to nerves in the industry after a Malaysia Airlines plane was downed over Ukraine last week, a TransAsia Airways crashed off Taiwan during a thunderstorm on Wednesday and airlines cancelled flights into Tel Aviv due to the conflict in Gaza.

An Air Algerie representative in Burkina Faso, Kara Terki, told a news conference that all the passengers on the plane were in transit, either for Europe, the Middle East or Canada.

He said the passenger list included 50 French, 24 Burkinabe, eight Lebanese, four Algerians, two from Luxembourg, one Belgian, one Swiss, one Nigerian, one Cameroonian, one Ukrainian and one Romanian. Lebanese officials said there were at least 10 Lebanese citizens on the flight.

A spokeswoman for SEPLA, Spain’s pilots union, said the six crew were from Spain. She could not give any further details.

Swiftair said on its website the aircraft took off from Burkina Faso at 0117 GMT and was supposed to land in Algiers at 0510 GMT but never reached its destination.

An Algerian aviation official said the last contact Algerian authorities had with the missing Air Algerie aircraft was at 0155 GMT when it was flying over Gao, Mali.

Aviation authorities in Burkina Faso say they handed the flight to the control tower in Niamey, Niger, at 0138 GMT. They said the last contact with the flight was just after 0330 GMT.

The Burkina Faso transport minister said the flight asked the control tower in Niamey to change route at 0138 GMT because of a storm in the Sahara.

However, a source in the control tower in Niamey, who declined to be identified, said it had not been contacted by the plane, which in theory should have flown over Mali.

Burkinabe authorities have set up a crisis unit in Ouagadougou airport to provide information to families.

Issa Saly Maiga, head of Mali’s National Civil Aviation Agency, said that a search was under way for the missing flight.

“We do not know if the plane is Malian territory,” he told Reuters. “Aviation authorities are mobilised in all the countries concerned - Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Algeria and even Spain.”

Aviation websites said the missing aircraft, one of four MD-83s owned by Swiftair, was 18 years old. The aircraft’s two engines are made by Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies.

US aircraft manufacturer McDonnell Douglas, now part of Boeing, stopped producing the MD-80 airliner family in 1999 but it remains in widespread use. According to British consultancy Flightglobal Ascend, there are 482 MD80 aircraft in operation, many of them in the United States.

“Boeing is aware of the report (of the missing aircraft). We are awaiting additional information,” a spokesman for the plane maker said.

Swiftair has a relatively clean safety record, with five accidents since 1977, two of which caused a total of eight deaths, according to the Washington-based Flight Safety Foundation.

Air Algerie’s last major accident was in 2003 when one of its planes crashed shortly after take-off from the southern city of Tamanrasset, killing 102 people. l

Applications to be scrutinised in New Delhi from October n Tribune Report All UK visa applications submitted in Bangladesh will be assessed by the Visa Section at the British High Commission in New Delhi from October 1.

Bangladeshi applicants, as usual, will submit their visa applications at Visa Application Centres in Dhaka and Sylhet and the cost of the service will stay the same, said a statement of the British High Commission in Dhaka yesterday.

There will be no need for applicants to travel to India and there would be no difference to the quality or speed of its service.

“We will continue to operate within our existing service standards of 15 working days for non-settlement cases and 60 working days for settlement cases,” the statement added.

Passports will remain in Bangladesh and decisions will continue to be made

by British Crown Servants, it said.

The decision is a part of a global strategy of the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration to reduce the number of locations around the world where decisions are made on visa applications.

“As part of this change the Visa Section at the British High Commission in Dhaka from 1 October 2014, will no longer be a decision making centre,” the release said. l

Over 50 Israeli  PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

conflict, said the soldiers, most of whom are women who would have been exempted from combat. “Many of us served in logistical and bureaucratic support roles; there, we found that the entire military helps implement the oppression of the Palestinians,” they said.

Their comments come as the conflict in Gaza continues to escalate, displacing thousands more Palestinians in the battered territory even as the United States presses both sides for an immediate ceasefire and longer-term peace plan.

In the petition, the soldiers pointed to the army’s structure and fundamental role in Israeli society as reasons for being unable to decouple any form of service from the fighting.

They said they opposed the Israeli Army and conscription law because of how women are limited to low-ranking secretarial positions and because of a screening system that discriminates against Jews whose families originate from Arab nations.

Most 18-year-olds must serve up to three years in the Israeli Defense Forces.

Some groups, such as ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students, had been exempted from service, but legislators this year moved to lift that exemption on such students starting in 2017. Arab-Israelis are exempt from compulsory service. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

3

Friday, July 25, 2014

British contradicts Bangladesh foreign minister’s claim n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman Contrary to Foreign Minister AM Mahmood Ali’s claimed that Britain has changed its position towards Bangladesh from what it had after the January 5 election, a press statement issued by the British Prime Minister’s Office said it did not.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met her British counterpart David Cameron in London ahead of the Girl Summit on Jully 22.

Asked about the issue at a press conference yesterday, Mahmood said: “Of course they have changed their position. It is crystal clear.

“He [Cameron] did not say anything about the election [during the bilateral talks]. He just said: ‘Election is over, it is past. Now we look to the future.’”

But, the British statement said: “The PM [David Cameroon] noted our disappointment over the January 2014 Bangladesh election with more than half of constituencies uncontested.”

Both the prime ministers agreed on the importance of an open society and political system in which democratic political participation and media freedoms were respected, the British statement said.

After the January 5 election, the British government expressed its disappointment over the polls claiming that people failed to exercise their voting rights. It also encouraged the political parties to engage in a fruitful dialogue for resolving the political crisis.

According to Mahmood, Cameron told Hasina that Britain would work with the government of Bangladesh for further strengthening bilateral relation for social and economic development of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has achieved miraculous achievement in social and economic development and Britain wants

to work with Bangladesh in this regard, he said.

“David Cameron said he wanted to know how Bangladesh has achieved such tremendous progress and for that he wanted to come to Bangladesh,” Mahmood added.

Cameron also expressed his desire to visit Sylhet. Mahmood said no discussion was held about the war crimes trial.

In a resolution taken in January, the European Union Parliament said it commended the trial process and welcomed the closure of the distress of the victims of 1971, the minister said.

Mahmood said he had a meeting in June with Baroness Warsi, the British minister for South Asia, when she raised the war crimes trial issue.

“When I told her about the EU parliament resolution, she said she was not aware of it. I had a copy of the resolution with me and gave it to her, and she did not say a single word about the trial after that,” Mahmood said.

The minister said the British government invited only one head of government and that was Sheikh Hasina because of her success in women empowerment and rights. Thirty ministers from 55 countries and heads of four UN agencies also attended the programme.

About deportation of BNP leader Tarique Rahman – son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia – from London, the minister said: “I think the issue was not discussed in the bilateral meeting.”

Speaking at the briefing, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Minister Meher Afroze Chumki said Bangladesh endorsed the banning of child, early and forced marriage of any kind.

However, although Bangladesh supported the banning of child and forced marriage during negotiations in the United Nations, it never endorsed early marriage as there was discrepancy about its definition. l

With the rest of her family already inside, a woman tries to climb into a running train after arriving late at the Kamalapur Rail Station yesterday. She, however, failed to get in the Noakhali-bound train after losing her footing and falling down on the platform, suffering minor injuries MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

‘Lipstick party’ remain vigilant before Eid n Tazlina Zamila Khan

Lipstick party is neither the name of a gang of muggers nor any extortion or dope gangs which is active in the city ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. It is a small unit of law enforcers fighting different crimes like mugging before the religious festival.

Detective Branch of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police launched the special unit named lipstick party just five days ago. At least five teams of both male and female police officers are now

working as members of the lipstick party.

Monirul Islam, joint commissioner of Detective Branch of police, said: “Lipstick party is working mostly in Dhanmondi and Gulshan areas. We usually take different steps before Eid to combat crimes. It is one of them. We are getting good results.”

Police officers disguise themselves while they are on duty. The female police officers wear makeup and heavy ornaments, travel by rickshaws in target areas during the night and male po-

lice officers follow them in other rickshaws. The male officers come to the rescue of the female officers if attacked by criminals. They are also allowed to shoot the muggers.

They start carrying out the duty in the evening and continue till 8:00pm.

In a bid to attract the snatchers, female officers wear attractive ornaments.

They will remain active till the day before Eid. Male members are seen wearing white clothes.

Masudur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media and public relations)

Top peacekeeper says no role for UN blue helmets in Gaza n Shahidul Islam Chowdhury

A top UN official visiting Dhaka has said UN peacekeepers do not have a role to play in Gaza where more than 730 people have been killed and over 4,500 injured in seventeen days of land, aerial and naval operations by Israeli forces, including yesterday’s shelling of a UN-run school in Beit Hanoun that reports say left 15 dead and 200 wounded.

“Clearly it is not a situation for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations” to intervene in Gaza, Harve Ladsous,

Under-Secretary General for the United Nations Departm ent of Peacekeeping Operations, said at meeting with journalists at the Sonargaon Hotel on Thursday.

Ladsous was replying to a question from the Dhaka Tribune about the potential role of UN peacekeepers in the Gaza conflict.

He said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had been active for several days in efforts to stop the conflict and to limit civilian casualties.

The situation in Gaza “is deplorable,” Ladsous said.

From an humanitarian point of view, the killing “must be stopped,” he added.

CNN reported on Thursday that 732 Palestinians had been killed in the fighting, including at least 166 children. More than 4,500 had been wounded.

About 35 Israelis including 29 soldiers had been killed in the latest Israeli offensive.

The under-secretary general said peacekeeping was a tool to support the political process to improve the human rights situation through a multi-facet-

ICT prosecutor out of radar since April n Udisa Islam Even though the prosecution office has no idea about prosecutor AKM Saiful Islam, the latter maintains personal contact with some colleagues while his family members have been using the official car since he went abroad in April.

The prosecution office on Wednesday wrote to the Law Ministry mentioning that they did not have any idea about the prosecutor’s position. They do not have any contact number of the prosecutor who is a US citizen and lives in Washington with his family.

The letter says Saiful was supposed to join office after his leave expired on April 17.

Saiful was appointed during the formation of the International Crimes

Tribunal. He flew to Bangladesh to join the team. Earlier he visited his family several times, but this time, he has been out of office for the last three months without notifying the prosecution office.

He was the conducting prosecutor in the war crimes case against Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azhar, who allegedly was the Rangpur district alBadr commander during the 1971 Liberation War. Tribunal sources said the prosecutor had not handed over his official car as per the rules. The related provision says the car is a property of the prosecution office and it can allocate the vehicle for someone else when someone goes for a long vacation.

The car (Dhaka metro Kha 13-2284) is now being used his family members

in Dhaka.

Acting chief prosecutor Syed Haider Ali said: “We do not know whether he appealed for extension of the leave.

Even though I am in charge of the office, I do not get any news or updates on his whereabouts. The car is now under his father’s custody.”

Source said the Law Ministry had sent a formal letter asking the prosecution about for Saiful’s present position. In response, the prosecution office mentioned that they were in dark about him.

Prosecutor Shahedur Rahman said: “If he is in any problem, he has to inform his office. He left his case [against ATM Azhar] in the middle of trial and now other prosecutors are conducting it. It is very clear that an employee has some code of conducts to follow.” l

ACHR urges UN to reconsider RAB men as peacekeepers n Abid Azad Labelling RAB as a “death squad,” the Asian Centre for Human Rights has suggested that the UN think again before allowing the members of the elite crime busting force in its peacekeeping missions.

The human rights watchdog released the report, titled “Bangladesh: Sending Death Squad to Keep the UN’s Peace” yesterday, at a time when Hervé Ladsous, the UN’s under secretary general for Peacekeeping Operations, is visiting Bangladesh.

In a press release issued yesterday, Suhas Chakma, director of the ACHR, said: “The crossfire is a blatant cover up for extrajudicial executions by Rapid

Action Battalion. Since its inception in 2004, numerous deaths were caused by these supposed crossfires with criminal gangs and terrorist groups.”

The ACHR urged the UN to strictly implement human rights screening policy to bar deployment of such violators with the UN peacekeeping missions.

The report said the Bangladeshi troops sent for UN peacekeeping missions include the Bangladesh Army personnel who are posted in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, as well as members of RAB, the elite force that has been declared ineligible to receive technical assistance from the US under the Leahy Law, because of its involvement with gross human rights violations.

The report claimed that Bangladesh

Army personnel murdered at least 70 suspects of the 2009 Bangladesh Rifles Mutiny at Pilkhana in their custody, while RAB were responsible for extrajudicial killing of 776 people in alleged crossfire between January 2004 and June 2013.

The ACHR also observed in the report that the UN postings of Bangladesh Army as systematically monopolised – 93% of the peacekeepers deployed from Bangladesh are from the army, while the remaining 7% are from Bangladesh Police, Navy and Air Force.

The report claimed that denial of opportunities to serve in the UN missions was one of the main reasons for the BDR revolt, in which a total of 74 people, including 57 army officers, were massacred. l

ed engagement for national reconciliation through political mediation.

Non-state actors, transnational actors including drug traffickers, extremists, and Jihadi groups, constituted serious threats to international instability, he said. The inability to instantly deploy troops were a major challenge in defusing conflict situations, he said.

Ladsous lauded Bangladeshi peacekeepers, including all-female police units in the Congo and Haiti, for the high standard of their work.

“They know the job,” he said, and

they performed their duties “with heart and courage.”

Without naming any specific cases, the under-secretary said the UN reviewed potential peacekeepers’ human rights records before deploying them on UN missions.

One hundred eighteen Bangladeshi peacekeepers have died while on duty in the 53 missions in 39 countries that the country’s forces have taken part in during the last three decades.

Nine thousand Bangladeshi peacekeepers are currently serving in 9 missions around the world. l

No power to DCs to cancel newspaper declarations n Rabiul Islam Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu yesterday said the government had no plan to curtail freedom of the press, but said antiquated acts and policies needed to be updated.

“We have initiated a move to update the Printing Presses and Publications (Declaration and Registration) Act 1973 as it was formulated 41 years ago,” the minister said at a press conference at the Press Information Department in the secretariat.

The minister refuted media speculations that the ministry might amend the act in secret. “There is no secrecy in the activities of my ministry, and any changes and updates to the law will be done with the consultation of stakeholders...

Extremists and terrorists carry out their plan secretly,” he said.

Inu said the Department of Films and Publications (DFP) sent a proposal to the ministry which included a provision that deputy commissioners (DCs) would have the power to cancel the declaration of newspapers for publishing anti-state material or material that hurt religious sentiments.

“We have not taken it into consideration because there are contradictions in the proposal, and we have sent it back,” Inu said adding, “I can make assurances that DCs will not be given the power to cancel the declaration of newspapers.”

At a media conference held at the secretariat on Tuesday, Social Welfare Minister Syed Mohsin Ali said an act was being formulated which would limit journalists’ freedom. Asked about the social welfare minister’s statement, Inu said that his statement was not the government’s position.

The information minister said the government initiated the move to up-

date the laws because the media had flourished in recent times. The existing law’s sections relating to fees and ownership needed to be updated, Inu said.

The information ministry formed an eight-member committee, headed by an additional secretary, on January 1 to review the laws related to printing and publishing. On February 24, at its first meeting, the committee decided to update The Printing Presses and Publications (Declaration) Act, 1973.

On March 18, the DFP sent a draft of the Printing Presses and Publications (Declaration and Registration) Act 2014 to the committee.

According to the draft, deputy commissioners would have the power to cancel a newspaper’s right to publish if it was deemed to carry anti-state or anti-religious news. The draft said such a decision could be implemented through the court or the ministry.

From 1974 to 1990 the provision that enabled DCs to cancel newspapers had been applied controversially.

The committee held a meeting on April 28 and decided not to formulate a new law, instead update the 1973 act. l

of the DMP, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Police formed different teams to fight crimes. The lipstick party has no special meaning. It was given from the department.”

“Already the team members have caught some muggers. Earlier, we had formed another team when laptop snatching was on the rise. We can’t reveal more information about the team due to security reasons.”

According to the DMP, muggers mostly attack female passengers and snatch their jewellery. l

6 indicted in photojournalist Aftab murder case n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

A Dhaka court yesterday framed charges against six accused in connection with veteran photojournalist Aftab Ahamed murder case.

Dhaka’s Third Additional Metropolitan Session’s Judge KM Imrul Kayes also fixed August 12 for recording deposition of prosecution witnesses.

The court framed the charges under section 396 of the Penal Code since the murder was committed during a robbery.

The six accused are driver Humayun Kabir, Habib Hawlader, Sobuj Khan, Belal Hossain, Raju Munshi and Md Rasel.

Of them, Md Rasel has been absconding since filing of the case while Sobuj was released on bail from the High Court. Four of the accused made confessional statements and admitted to committing the murder.

During yesterday’s hearing, prosecution read out the charges and asked the accused whether they were guilty or not. The six claimed themselves innocent.

Sub-Inspector Md Ashiq Iqbal of RAB 3 submitted the charge sheet in March with the Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court.

According to the case, prominent photojournalist Aftab Ahmed, who had been honoured with the “Ekushey Padak” in 2006, was killed at his Wapda Road residence in the capital’s Rampura on December 25 last year.

The body of the 80-year-old journalist was recovered from his house in the morning with his hands and legs tied with ropes.

His brother-in-law Monowar Ahamed Sagor filed the murder case with Rampura police station accusing unnamed persons. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, July 25, 2014

5-tier security at Mawa ferry terminal Operation of speedboats after sunset banned Jamil Khan back n Mohammad from Mawa A five-tier security system has been implemented at Mawa-Kewrakandi ferry terminal to ensure a safe and hassle-free journey for people travelling to their village homes to celebrate Eid-ulFitr with families and relatives.

As part of the system, additional police, RAB, community police and scouts will be on duty at the terminal apart from the regular police patrol.

The decision was taken at a special meeting of law enforcers held at Padma Bridge Rest House.

Deputy Commissioner of Munshiganj Saiful Islam Badal presided over the meeting while acting police super Jakir Hossain Mazumder, Additional District Magistrate AKM Sawkat Mazumder, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation’s AGM Ashiquzzaman (Mawa terminal) and members of the bus, launch and speedboat association were present among others.

According to the decision, movement of all sorts of heavy vehicles was banned after a point which is 10 kilometres distant from the ferry terminal

to keep the area free from traffic congestion. Trucks would only be allowed to cross the ferry if the bus traffic is not heavy at the terminal.

Special instructions have also been issued for speedboats which are taken by one-third of the total passengers.

This year, the fare of speedboat is also going up.

The decision was taken at the meeting and the fare would be fixed at Tk200, said Khalequzzaman, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Lauhaganj, while visiting the speedboat terminal yesterday.

Last year, a number of speedboat passengers were mugged.

Acting police super Jakir told the Dhaka Tribune that no speedboat would be allowed to operate after sunset to ensure passenger security and law enforcers would be on patrol in the river.

“If any speedboat owner is found to have violated the rule, he would face stern action. Besides, speedboat owners have been asked to ensure life jackets for passengers and the association representing them has been asked to buy 500 life jackets,” he added.

Despite the instruction, speedboats were yesterday seen running without

arranging life jackets. Many passengers were found to be taking speedboats to cross river.

Mohiuddin Ahmed, an official of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority at Mawa terminal, told the Dhaka Tribune different sorts of vehicles would use different terminals to cross the river.

“Small vehicles will take terminal 1 and 2 while heavy vehicles will use terminal 3,” he said.

“Law enforcers have been asked to take all necessary steps to avert traffic jam at the ferry terminal,” he added.

Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan also visited the ferry terminal yesterday to check security arrangements. He asked officials to take necessary action if any speedboat was found running without arranging life jackets for passengers.

The minister asked for not taking additional fare from passengers and also asked the mobile court to take stern action against anyone doing so.

Shajahan directed the terminal authorities to arrange all emergency ferry services to ensure a safe journey for holidaymakers. l

Speedboats line up along the Mawa-Kaurakandi River port yesterday. Although auhtorites concerned had banned the use of speedboats after daylight, many commuters still choose the vessles to save time to cross the river, SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Dhaka residents send prayers for Gaza

BASIC again seeks Tk1,372cr to meet capital shortfall

n Syeda Samira Sadeque

n Asif Showkat Kallol

Dhaka dwellers joined a candlelight vigil last night to remember, pray for, and express shock at the Israeli army’s relentless attack on Gaza residents, which has claimed more than 600 lives.

The vigil, titled “Send a prayer to Gaza,” was organised independently by a group of concerned citizens intending to bring together others who share similar sentiments, and to condemn the act of inhumanity and send their prayers for those in Gaza.

“Innocent lives must be spared at all costs, and the world can no longer remain silent,” said Saif Kamal, one of the organisers. “In solidarity with Gaza, today we stand lighting a candle and sending a prayer since we remain helpless yet hopeful that humanity will rise.”

The group further reiterated that what is happening in the Gaza Strip is a clear violation of international law, calling on the world leaders to condemn Hamas’ use of human shields as well as the deaths due to the Israeli ground assault in Gaza.

“What is going on in Gaza is nothing but an absolute war crime and this must end,” said Tasaffy Hossain, another organiser of the event.

“As long as the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remain unresolved, such levels of violence are inevitable.

At a time when the world is facing such atrocious acts of inhumanity, it is important for the world to stand up and protest against it until it ends,” Saif added.

“I am here because it is our small

The troubled state-owned BASIC Bank has again sought Tk1,372 crore to meet its capital shortfall from finance division as it is “severely impeding regular activities” of the bank.”

In a letter to Bank Division Secretary Dr Aslam, BASIC Bank’s managing director Kanok Kumar Purakayasta requested for the money yesterday.

After dissolution of BASIC Bank board, the first meeting of the newly appointed board on July 14 revealed that the bank is now facing difficulty in foreign trade, suffering poor CAMELS rating and credit rating, which have resulted in the clients’ confident sink to the lowest level.

MD’s letter said if the bank had followed Bangladesh Bank guidelines for

way of showing to the Palestinians that they have not been forgotten by the world no matter how much certain quarters try to silence their words,” said Anindya Dutta, one of the participants in the vigil.

Protesters stood with candles and placards calling for peace in Gaza. They also sang different songs, including “Manush manusher jonno,” keeping in line with the theme of the vigil. The protesters included children as well.

The vigil ended with a minute of silence in the memory of those who lost their lives and those struggling to live. l

Three JU female students expelled n JU Correspondent

59 families of Rana Plaza victims get aid

The authorities of Jahangirnagar University have expelled three female students of marketing second year for lifetime and cancelled their studentship on charges of harassing and physically torturing a fresher from the same department.

The decision was made at a Syndicate meeting held on Wednesday night.

Registrar Abu Bakr Siddique told the Dhaka Tribune: “Following recommendation of the university’s disciplinary committee, the Syndicate meted out the punishment to the trio for ragging and torturing a first year student.”

At a meeting on Tuesday night, the disciplinary board suggested that the authorities hand down exemplary punishment against the accused students.

The expelled students are Sami Rezwana, Sabrina Akter Nitu and Rafia Mahzuba. All of them are residential students of Sheikh Hasina Hall.

The trio had asked the victim on July 15 and 16 to meet them in their hall. Since she did not respond, they called her again on July 18 when the three along with some other batch mates tortured the victim in the dormitory, sources said.

Confirming the punishment order, Provost of the hall Prof Farid Ahmed said: “The decision was made following an investigation into the incident. But the versions of the accused could not be taken because of the Eid vacation.” l

n Mohosinul Karim Families of 59 Rana Plaza victims, who have been missing since the day of incident on April 24 last year, yesterday were given Tk18,000 each as financial support ahead of Eid. Red Crescent Society gave the money in association with Motorola Solution Foundation. Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya distributed the aid at a programme in the Red Crescent headquarters at Nayatola in the capital.

Maya claimed that the government had given financial support to all the Rana Plaza victims and their families.

“We are also trying to identify the unidentified victims of the incident.

The list of missing persons has also been prepared. They were also given financial support by the government and many non-government organisations.”

He said the government had spent around Tk4.5 crore to help the victims and their families, treatment of the survivors, conducting the rescue drive and procuring the disaster management machinery and equipment after the deadly collapse.

Of the amount, around Tk3.5 crore was spent to help the victims and their families, treatment of the survivors and carrying out the rescue drive. The government also arranged food for around 200 volunteers ever day during

risk-based capital adequacy, the capital shortfall would have crossed Tk2,000 crore.

BASIC Bank is suffering a huge capital deficit due to irregularities in distribution of loans over the last several years.

A finance ministry report forecast by the end of June the shortfall would hit Tk1,700 crore, up 13% from March 30.

The capital shortfall is feared to have increased the risk of weighted asset, defaulted loans and provision shortfall for the capital shortfall.

The trouble-riddled BASIC Bank’s capital shortfall stood at Tk1,037 crore at the end of March this year while it was Tk1,372 crore at the end of 2013. Of the Tk1,372 crore, the provision shortfall and reserve stood at Tk1,176 and the rest of amount is the reserve capital.

In 2013, BASIC Bank’s shortfall was only Tk3.34 crore.

According to the finance ministry report, the deposits at BASIC Bank declined by Tk997.56 crore in six months this year as depositors gave the stateowned bank the cold shoulder after Bangladesh Bank had detected huge irregularities at the bank.

The Bank Division on July 5 dissolved the BASIC Bank board over its role in financial irregularities that cost the state-run lender Tk4,500 crore in the last four years.s The seven-member board of BASIC (Bangladesh Small Industries and Commerce) Bank has been dismissed “on the basis of the investigation report of the central bank” on the scams in the bank, the Banking and Financial Institutions Division said in a circular. l

BMDC cancelled doctor’s registration n Moniruzzaman Uzzal Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) has temporary cancelled the registration of Dr Shafiul Azam of ZH Sikder Women’s Medical College and Hospital on charge of assaulting a special correspondent of Prothom Alo. His registration number was 21933.

BMDC Registrar Dr ZH Boshunia confirmed the decision yesterday, three days after the Executive Committee of BMDC took the decision on Monday.

Earlier BMDC and Health Ministry

the rescue operation.

Terming the collapse incident “menmade disaster,” the minister said: “It is an unforgivable offence to commit such crimes only to earn more. Legal action should be taken against the criminals.”

He said the government had well-managed the disaster with support and assistance of the people.

Senior Information Officer of the ministry Omar Faruque Dewan said a total of 3,554 persons had been rescued from the site during the rescue drive.

“Of them, 2,438 persons were rescued alive. Of the survivors, 18 persons died during treatment.”

So far, bodies of 842 persons have been handed over to their families.

“The ministry gave the families of the deceased Tk20,000 each while the injured Tk5,000.”

Rest of the unidentified bodies were buried at the Shyampur Graveyard.

“Of the unknowns, the government already identified around 200 victims through DNA tests.”

Around all the families had received certain amount of money as compensation from the government, owners and international buyers, Faruque added.

However, the families of victims and the survivors of Rana Plaza and Tazreen Fashions have been demonstrating for the last few weeks demanding their due compensation from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund before the Eid. l

had formed separate committees to investigate the incident. Both of the probe committees found Dr Shafiul guilty and proposed a cancellation of his BMDC registration temporarily.

With this decision he lost the right to practice in Bangladesh.

It was learnt that this is the second record of cancellation of registration of a doctor. Earlier in 1980’s, a doctor named Arun Jyoti Chakma’s registration was cancelled.

On May 13 this year Shishir Morol went to ZH Sikder Women’s Medical

College and Hospital to investigate an allegation against Dr Shafiul Azam.

There, Shafiul and his associates assaulted him. They also confined him in a room for two and half hours and beat him up severely.

Shafiul, assistant professor at Chittagong Medical College Hospital, was working full-time at ZH Sikder Women’s Medical College and Hospital without taking leave from CMCH. After that incident the authority of Sikder Medical College had suspended Shafiul. l

Prosecution stumbles in Qaisar case arguments n Udisa Islam The prosecution in the trial of Syed Mohammad Qaisar, charged with committing crimes against humanity, continued placing closing arguments against the former Jatiya Party state-minister for the second consecutive day yesterday.

Prosecutor Rana Das Gupta placed his submission at the International Crimes Tribunal 2 mainly on the profile of the accused, who had formed “Qaisar Bahini” during the 1971 Liberation War. He later argued on charge one.

The prosecution said they were not ready when the tribunal asked them about the papers on cross-examination part of each prosecution witness. Rana said they were facing some technical problems.

“We could not take prints of many documents since we did not have enough blank papers.”

The tribunal then said: “We do not want to hear all these rather want complete things.”

The tribunal was also confused about the page number of documents on the arguments which took much time of the session.

After hearing, the trial proceedings were adjourned until August 4.

Earlier, Rana quoting witnesses and different books described the formation and offences Qaisar and his accomplices had committed in Habiganj and Brahmanbaria.

The tribunal indicted Qaisar on February 2 on 16 counts of crimes against humanity that include mass killings, murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation, abduction and torture in confinement, rape and other inhuman acts. l

Graft case against central AL leader dropped n Nazmus Sakib

Top interns pose for a photograph at the concluding ceremony of Unilivers’s leadership programme in the cpital yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Unilever finds top 19 interns n Tribune Report

The latest instalment of Unilever Leadership Internship Program (ULIP), held from June 16 to July 3 in seven universities, selected 19 top participants for a year-long internship at the organisation starting in September.

The programme took place in Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Khulna University, East West University, Brac University, North South University and Independent University Bangladesh.

About the selection process, Taslima H Jaigirder, leadership development manager in Unilever Bangladesh, said while CGPA would always remain a strong criterion, the organisation always took a holistic view to assess on how the candidates had utilised their time as students to develop their skills

and abilities at university.

The ULIP started with a written exam, where more than 800 final-year students took part, with 250 students going through to Stage 2, an aptitude test. There, 52 students made it to Stage 3, Group Discussion, held at the Unilever Bangladesh head office, and from there 19 winners were selected for the internship.

“We are globally known as ‘Factory of Building Leaders.’ Hence we know that it is our responsibility to contribute towards the development of the students who will soon become professionals and lead many organisations in Bangladesh,” Taslima said.

ULIP 2014 ended with Kamran Bakr, managing director and chairman of Unilever Bangladesh, handing over the offer letters to the winners. l

The apex court yesterday dropped a corruption case against Awami League’s Religious Affairs Secretary Sheikh Md Abdullah allowing a plea of the Anti-Corruption Commission.

The ACC had filed a petition in 2011 seeking the Appellate Division’s permission to appeal against a High Court verdict that annulled the case. But the commission recently asked its counsel to withdraw the case.

The counsel, MA Aziz Khan, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Though the case has merit to proceed, I had to appeal to the Supreme Court to drop the case since the ACC through a letter has instructed me to do so.”

Responding to the ACC plea, a three-member top court bench headed

by Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain yesterday rejected the petition for leave to appeal as “not pressed.”

The commission registered the case in 2008 alleging that Abdullah had hid information of wealth worth Tk42 lakh.

The case was pending with the Fifth Dhaka Special Judge’s Court.

But the High Court on Aug 18, 2010 scrapped the case following a petition of the Awami League leader. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Teknaf’s top yaba dealer shot by police n Our Correspondent, Cox’s Bazar Ekram Hossain, a much-talked-about yaba dealer of Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar was shot during a “gunfight” with members of the Detective Branch of police yesterday.

The gun-fight took place around 4am in Darianagar area along the Marine Drive Road in the district.

Ekram, 32, son of late Haji Fazal Ahmed of the upazila, was enlisted among top seven of the 763 names of yaba traders in the list of the Home Ministry.

There were 12 cases pending against him, said Cox’s Bazar DB police Officer-in-Charge Manzur Alam.

He said being tipped off, a team of DB went to the Marine Drive Road and tried to stop a jeep carrying yaba dealers.

The yaba dealers started firing at law enforcers from the car, in retaliation police fired back. After an hour of gunfight, police nabbed three including Ekram while others managed to flee towards the mountains, said the OC. The DB members recovered 3000 pieces of yaba tablets, one LG, two rounds of bullets, two cartridge shells and seized the jeep, he said.

The two detained are Azmat Ullah, 26 and Faruq Ahmad, 30.

Ekram was admitted to the Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

A case has been filed in this connection, said the OC. During the months of March and April, six top yaba traders were killed in gunfights with law enforcers in Teknaf while eight were shot.

On Tuesday, one yaba trader was shot in a gunfight with Border Guard Bangladesh in the same upazila. l

News

5

Friday, July 25, 2014

Commuters express dissatisfaction over BIWTC's Eid service n Abu Hayat Mahmud Most homebound people in the capital are not satisfied with the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) as the government agency had been providing service using century-old vessels.

Passengers travelling to the southern districts, such as Barisal and Chandpur, said most ticket seekers failed to acquire cabin tickets for launches while many failed to obtain ordinary ticket of MV Bangali, a newly made vessel, despite trying for 15 days.

Selim Hawladar, a passenger for Jhalakathi, told the Dhaka Tribune at Sadarghat launch terminal: “I have tried many times to buy a ticket of MV Bangali since the beginning of the Ra-

madan, but I failed to obtain a ticket.”

“When I contact the BIWTC on second week of the Ramadan, they told me that they would sell tickets after the advance sales began. Just a day later, that is on July 20, they said all the ticket of the vessel has already been booked,” he said in a frustrated voice.

At the same time, he also alleged that the fare rate of both private and pubic launch services were the same, adding: “As the BRWTC had been cheating the passengers with century-old vessels, I had no other option but to acquire a ticket of a private transport provider.”

“Most BIWTC vessels, except MV Bangali, are almost a century old. I do not understand why the BIWTC authority does not introduce new vessels for the people,” he said added: “The BI-

WTC Eid special service only nominal, as the number of vessels are the same as always.”

Besides, a BRTC official told the Dhaka Tribune that most of the cabins tickets of the BIWTC Eid service were booked for the heavyweight political leaders and their relatives, BIWTC high-ups’ relatives, friends and other acquaintances.

Visiting the BIWTC head office in the capital, this Dhaka Tribune correspondent found that many officials of the state-owned agency had promised their acquaintances tickets for their desired dates over the phone.

Md Faruque Ahmed, director for commerce of BIWTC, denied the allegations and refused to answer over the matter.

“Every year, we are adding new

vessels and ferries to minimise the sufferings of homebound people, and this year we added a new vessel, MV Bangali, in this connection,” he said the Dhaka Tribune.

BIWTC has offered specially scheduled the service for 13 days, which started from yesterday and continuing until August 5, alongside the regularly scheduled services, to meet the rush of Eid travellers.

The BIWTC officials said five vessels, four paddle-wheel steamers, the PS Ostrich, PS Lepcha, PS Mahsud, PS Turn, and a screw-wheel motor vessel, the MV Bangali, had been providing support along the Chandpur, Barisal, Jhalakathi, Hularhut of Pirojpur and Morelganj route of Bagerhat during the special Eid service period. l

WEATHER

PARTLY CLOUDY FRIDAY, JULY 25 DHAKA TODAY TOMORROW SUN SETS 6:45PM SUN RISES 5:25AM FORECAST FOR TODAY Dhaka

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Rajshahi

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Rangpur

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Khulna

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Barisal

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A family heading for their Barisal home for Eid-ul-Fitr. The child seems happy to have the pet bird along. The photo was taken from the capital’s Sadarghat Launch Terminal yesterday RAJIB DHAR

Compliance with HC 246 die in workplace accidents in six months river demarcation n directive demanded Tribune Report

A total of 246 workers died and 260 workers injured in different workplace accidents from January 1 to June 30, 2014, says a survey report.

The Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Foundation (OSHE) has revealed the data in its half-yearly workplace accident survey report.

The survey was conducted based on monitoring 15 leading national daily newspapers of the and reports of its field offices in different parts of the country.

The survey was conducted on construction, garments, agriculture, ship breaking sector and day labourers.

The major causes found for these deaths and injuries are electrocution, factory fire, boiler or water pipe explosion, building, roof or wall collapse and falling from height or ship.

As per the findings, the highest number of workers’ casualties were in

the construction sector as 78 and 53 injured while the second highest number of workers’ casualties took place in the readymade garments (sweater, waving, knitting, spinning and composing). In the RMG sector, 12 workers died and 55 sustained injuries in the first half of the current year.

In the ship breaking industry, workplace accident killed 10 workers and injured 17.

In the informal sector, the highest number of workers’ casualties was seen in agriculture sector where 42 farmers died and 12 received injury.

Meanwhile, a total of 54 day laborers died and 35 were injured in the sector. On the other hand, 86 workers died from electrocution and 25 workers were injured.

Factory fire caused death of 68 workers. Thunderstorm killed 37 people and injured 18. Boiler or water pipe explosion and building or wall collapse cause death of 44 workers, said the survey report. l

n Abu Bakar Siddique Green activists yesterday urged the government to implement the High Court directive over setting up river boundary pillars on the banks of four rivers surrounding the capital.

The rivers are Buriganga, Turag, Balu and Shitalakkhya.

They also demanded the eviction of pillars set up improperly while addressing a press briefing at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium yesterday.

The government should implement the court directive for the sake of saving the rivers from encroachment by different quarters, said Dr Abdul Matin, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa).

During a recent visit, the Bapa team found that most of the pillars set up on both sides of Turag in 2011 as per the court order had been partially removed

n Tribune Report

24.0ºC Hatiya

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Jumma Asr Magrib Esha

3:59am 5:22am 12:05am 4:45pm 6:47pm 8:12pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

while some had vanished, he added.

Sharif Jamil, convener of River Keepers Bangladesh, said: “The district administration wrongly demarcated Turag river as they only considered the water flow during the off-season while setting up the pillars, encouraging occupiers to encroach the river area.”

According to the court directive, river area is considered where water reaches during the monsoon and riverbed indicates where water lies in winter.

An additional 50 metres has to be added to the river area which will be considered the total area of the river.

The Bapa general secretary blamed the government for not taking effective action to save the country’s rivers and wetlands from encroachment and pollution. l

Roads and Highways Department (RHD) engineers yesterday were assaulted on the Dhaka-Barisal Highway by disgruntled residents because of substandard materials were being used in repairing the highway.

Witnesses said residents of Mahilara in Gournadi upazila, led by the Mahilara Union Parishad Chairman Soikat Guha Piklu, were angered after discovering that RHD officials were using substandard brick chips and sand instead of stone chips and bitumen to repair the highway.

RHD sub-divisional engineer Nasiruddin Ahmed was physically assaulted and confined inside the Mahilara School by angry protesters who said they wanted the shoddy repair job halted.

The Gournadi upazila nirbahi officer, Masud Hasan Patwary, rushed to the scene with police after hearing the news. They brought the situation under control and rescued the RHD officials, Abul Kalam, Gournadi police station officer-incharge, said.

RHD officials Nasiruddin Ahmed, sub-divisional engineer, and Shishir Kumar Baral, sub assistant engineer, started repairs to the Barisal-Dhaka highway at Mahilara point around Thursday at noon.

Local UP chairman Picklu said people were protesting the shabby work on the highway that they say would easily be washed away during the rainy season.

The beleaguered engineer, Nasiruddin Ahmed, said higher authorities had decided not use stone chips and bitumen during the rainy season. l

Human chain calls for independent Palestine

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

35.2ºC Sylhet

A rickshaw puller was shot dead in a crossfire during a gunfight between two factions of local Awami League (AL) of Chittagong city’s Sher Shah area Wednesday night over establishing supremacy in the area and over collecting extortion money.

The deceased Miraz Uddin, 20, son of Aminul Haque, was pronounced dead by on-duty doctors after being rushed to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH), said Sub-Inspector Jahirul Islam, in-charge of CMCH police camp.

Besides, three persons of both the rival groups – Nur Hossain, Anwar and Mohammad Rahim – were shot during the clash and were admitted to the CMCH, he said.

Father of the deceased yesterday (Thursday) morning lodged a case with Bayezid police station in this connection accusing 25 people and police arrested three of them, said Assistant Commissioner (AC) Dipak Jyoti Khisha of Panchlaish circle of Chittagong Metropolitan Police.

He also said two local groups of Sher Shah area – Alauddin group and Anwar group – locked into clash around 9pm on Wednesday.

Later, they engaged in a gunfight, leaving four people with bullet wounds.

Later, Miraz died at the CMCH. Alauddin group, follower of local AL man Abdul Kuddus, and Anwar group, follower of local AL man Mehedi Hasan, were in conflict of extortion collection from the area, from people especially from the land owners who are in the middle of constructing their building, said police. l

RHD officials attacked over shoddy repairs n Our Correspondent, Barisal

Forest official killed in Ctg road accident n Tribune Report A forest official was killed and another injured in a road accident at Patiya upazila in Chittagong yesterday morning.

The deceased was identified as Abdur Razzak, 55, a forest official of Department of Forest (North) zone, a resident of Khankhanabad area of Patiya upazila, said police.

Nayek Abdul Bashar of Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) police outpost said a Chittagong city bound motorbike carrying Abdur Razzak, 55, a forest official of Department Of Forest (North) zone, a resident of Khankhanabad area of Patiya upazila, and Salauddin, 26, was hit by a speeding pickup van from behind in Veullapara bridge area of Patiya, leaving them critical injured.

They were taken to the CMCH where the on duty doctors declared Razzak dead, said Nayek Bashar.

Salauddin was undergoing treatment at the CMCH. l

Rickshaw puller shot dead in AL factional gunfight in Ctg, 3 injured n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong

Members of Shishu Tori Sangstha gathered in front of the National Press Club yesterday in protest against the deaths of Palestinian children in the recent Israeli attacks MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Protesting Israeli attacks on the Gaza strip, hundreds of people belonging to different organisations formed human chains in front of the National Press Club yesterday.

Bangladesh Nationalist Front (BNF) and Save the Environment Movement formed two separate human chains.

Peace could not be achieved until the Palestinian state was independent, said BNF President S M Abul Kalam Azad in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Describing the misery and sufferings of Gaza residents, he said BNF volunteers and doctors were ready to go to Gaza to help the victims.

The BNF leaders urged the Bangladeshi government to take proper steps and stop the military assult.

Criticising the West, the BNF leaders said the massacre could not be stopped even by the most powerful nations on earth and influential regional organisations.

In past two weeks of air raids and ground assault since July 8, more than 700 residents of Gaza have been killed and thousands displaced, with the death toll is mounting every day.

Nagorik Odhikar Songrokkhon Forum, Peace, Pollima Green, United Peace Foundation, Bangladesh Peace Movement, Modern Club and Eco Society, also participated in the human chain with posters and banners. l

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Friday, July 25, 2014

Jamuna River erosion takes a serious turn Five die as boat capsizes n Our Correspondent, Mymensingh

Main embankment at risk; thousands rendered homeless n

At least five people, including a minor girl, drowned and five others went missing as an overloaded boat sank in Borobilar Beel (water body) in Fulbaria upazila yesterday.

Witnesses said Sumitra Sangma, 12, Rina, 18, Sajeda, 25, Rowshan Ara, 24, and Sahera Khatun, 28, died as the boat capsized in the marsh.

Our Correspondent, Bogra

The Jamuna river erosion has taken a turn for the worse, staking the main flood control embankment built along Chandonbaisha to Rahodaho of Shariakandi upazila in the district.

The erosion has already devoured a vast tract of cropland and homesteads in Kamalpur, Bohail, Chandonbaisha and Kutubpur unions and rendered thousands of people homeless.

The 1,200 metre flood control embankment on the river is now at risk.

Locals vow to set up Buddha statue

We have dumped 6,000 geotextile Bags along with other materials in Rahodaho Bazar area to protect the flood control main embankment Md Nurul Islam Sarker, executive engineer, Bangladesh Water Development Board in Bogra, admitted the fact.

He said the department had taken steps in right earnest to protect the embankment.

“We have dumped 6,000 geotextile Bags along with other materials in Rahodaho Bazar area to protect the flood control main embankment, but the situation is taking turn for the worse,” said Nurul.

Shariakandi Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Zillur Rahman told this correspondent over the phone that at least 5,000 individuals of 1,000 families were rendered homeless in the last couple of weeks.

Quoting locals, police said the boat was carrying over 30 passengers and sank in the around 1:30pm.

Eleven of the passengers went missing following the accident while the rest managed to swim ashore. Later, locals recovered the bodies of the five.

Fulbaria police station Officer-inCharge Anwar Hossain Bhuiyan confirmed the Dhaka Tribune about the deaths. l

Correspondent, n Our Khagrachhari

People of Chandanbaisa village, Bogra stand on bank of the Jamuna River which has been eroded for the past few days. The photo was taken yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE “We have sent a demand letter to the higher authorities concerned for the allocation of Tk5 lakh and 500 bundles of corrugated iron sheets to help rehabilitate the victims of erosion,” he said.

Meanwhile, the local administration distributed 15 tonnes of rice among the affected people, added the UNO.

Kutubpur Union Parishad Chairman Gaziur Rahman said at least 450 families had to flee to other areas to escape the erosion.

A tea stall owner Md Rafiquil Islam said he was contemplating moving elsewhere from Rahodaho Bazar area within a few days because of the erosion.

According to schoolteacher Md Enimul Bari, Nazu Tarafder, Lutfar Rahman, Hosain Ali and other Ghugumari villagers, the river erosion has put their lives at stake.

They called for immediate steps to protect their villages from being devoured by the Jamuna river. l

Pirates abduct 5 fishermen from Meghna river n Our correspondent, Noakhali Pirates abducted five fishermen and two fishing boats from Meghna river under Hatiya upazila in Noakhali on Thursday morning.

The abducted fishermen are Alauddin Maji, Nurul Hoque, Sahabuddin Maji, Jobiul Hoque and Salauddi. They are inhabitants of Char Ishawar village of Char Ishwar union.

Owners of the boats, Md. Mijan and Shahadat, said the abducted fishermen went to the river to catch Hilsa fish at 11 pm on Wednesday night from Charking ghat.

At 5 am, when they were returning, pirates blocked their way and abducted them along with their boats and fish. Seven of the fishermen managed to escape as they jumped into the river and swam to the riverbank.

They then informed the boat owners about the incident.

Sayed Fazleh Rabbi, officer-in-charge of Hatiya police station said: “I sent my men to investigate the incident further. l

Several hundred indigenous people in Baghaichhari upazila yesterday put up a blockade on a local road protesting the obstruction by the local administration in setting a Buddha statue at Sajek there.

The protest also against “evicting” the tribal people from their ancestral land in the name of erecting battalion of Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) in Ujo Bazar area there.

On Tuesday, Baghaichhari UNO Suman Chowdhury along with police stopped the work of setting a Buddha statue in Ujo Bazar area and then a possible untoward incident encircled as indigenous people started protesting.

As sequel to the incident, the local administration imposed the section

144 in the area to maintain law and order situation.

However, a meeting was held yesterday between the local administration and the representatives of tribal people, where the former reiterated their previous stance, resulting in the latter leave the meeting and putting up a blockade on Ujo bazar intersection around 2:30pm along with about one thousand people.

During the blockade programme, Sajek land protection committee president Gianendu Chakma and Sajek women's society president Nirupa Chakma said: “We will continue our movement as long as the government does not stop opposing in setting the Buddha statue and the collusion of 'grabbing' the tribal people's land in the name of building a BGB camp.”l

Indigenous people demonstrate n Our Correspondent, Bandarban Indigenous people in Bandarban district yesterday brought out a procession in the town demanding the implementation of the Hill Tracts Treaty, to postpone to setting up medical college in the place

of Rangamati Science and Technology University and voiding Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Law-2014.

A meeting was also held organised by Parbattya Chattagram Janasanhati Samity.

Later, they submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Long Form

7

Friday, July 25, 2014

Terrorism, not legitimate resistance The apparent justification of mass murder, and terror breeding more terror

A Palestinian man looks at a neighboring house which witnesses said was damaged in an Israeli air strike that killed two children, in the northern Gaza Strip

n Mahmood Sadaat When we revolt it’s not for a particular culture. We revolt simply because, for many reasons, we can no longer breathe – Frantz Fanon

J

ust after the IDF killed the four Palestinian children on the beach near Gaza city, Israeli officials declared that they were temporarily suspending strikes in Gaza for a five hour “humanitarian window.” The IDF, too, took to social media to ameliorate the backlash an ostensible war crime (terminology wholly absent from the discourse) would have; listing a variety of methods employed by them to minimise civilian casualties as far as possible, from the age old dropping of leaflets to phone calls and text messages sent

time frame for such an opening other than to say “once the security situation becomes stable on the ground.”

When Egypt obviously has a shared interest with Israel in combating the Palestinian Islamist group, with close links to the Muslim Brotherhood, it is not hard to entertain the idea that Hamas was not kept in complete correspondence in the stages of developing the ceasefire plan. Several news sources also reported a schism between Hamas and it’s military wing, The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.

The military wing was hell bent on continuing the missile attacks, while the political wing was considering a ceasefire deal. The political wing has recently showed signs of joining the peace process by forming a National Unity Government with Fatah and other Palestinian parties.

The recent ground offensive proves that the Netanyahu government is unwilling to put diplomacy before the military option

to Gaza residents, to the new “roof knocking” procedure of sending non-lethal bombs to warn civilians to leave the vicinity of the attack radius.

Even with the sophistications the IDF bombed those children with, and continues to bomb innocent civilians who, according to UN estimates, account for 77% of the victims.

All this comes after the failure of the Egyptian brokered ceasefire on July 15. Approved by the Israeli cabinet, Hamas rejected the offer, in the process turning some heads in the international community.

Why did Hamas say no?

What is Perplexing is that Hamas said that Egypt had never consulted it on the issue. The relationship between the Sisi government in Egypt and Hamas was never going to be genial. Morsi had been one of Hamas’s greatest allies in the Middle East; and when the Muslim Brotherhood were in power, Hamas had unfettered access to the 650-800 tunnels linking the Gaza Strip to Egypt – an indispensable life source not only for Gaza’s economy, but also for the illicit arms trade.

After Morsi was deposed, the military government took no prisoners in dismantling the tunnel trade. The Rafah bordering-crossing with Egypt was also closed, shutting off the much needed Qatari funding for Hamas. Although the text of the ceasefire agreement mentions that “crossings shall be opened,” it does not give a definite

Terror Israel has attempted to portray a people occupied for over a century by one force or another as terrorists for resisting the occupation. There is no doubt in any rational mind of the suffering endured by the Jews under the hands of the Third Reich, nor any mis-comprehension of the scale at which it was endured.

Anti-Semitism still exists whether as a backlash against Israel in Muslim-majority countries, or in the form of the general economic anti-Semitism that props up every now and then during economic downturns propelled by the view that the Jews control the world – an idea of which I can find no root.

But there is no justification granted in that same rational mind for a massacred people to occupy and oppress another group. Israel has the right to defend itself against attacks, but when those attacks are provoked by the policies of the Israeli government itself à la criminal detainment, blockades, settlement expansions into Palestinian territory, kangaroo courts, an apartheid population registry law and the seizing of Palestinian property, one must wonder what Israel really wants.

In 1945, riots erupted in French Algeria in the market town of Sétif when French police fired on a local demonstration. The riotous mob went on to kill 103 French settlers: “Many of the corpses were appallingly mutilated: women with their

breasts slashed off, men with their severed sexual organs stuffed into their mouths.”

What was shocking, though, was the response of the French military after the riots. An estimated 1,300 to a stunning 45,000 of the local Muslim population were massacred by the French military. It is easy to see how these circumstances could have nurtured the young population into increasingly radical and militant methods at resisting French occupation.

And it did. By September 1956, it became the official diktat of the FLN to attack civilians. One of their leaders, Ramdane Abane, saying that “one corpse in a jacket is always worth more than twenty in uniform.”

These circumstances are repeated time and time again in instances of state terrorism. Whether after the Abu Ghraib torture scandal, or after the Bloody Sunday massacre in Derry, after which IRA membership skyrocketed.

In August 2003, six months into the US invasion of Iraq, the Pentagon screened “The Battle of Algiers,” Gillo Pontecorvo’s famous film on the conflict, with the tagline: “How to win a battle against terrorism and lose the war of ideas.”

The French did lose the war of ideas in Algeria; with its military might it attempted to decimate the native Arab population into submission, but could never bring the Algerians to their knees.

The FLN sustained it’s resistance against colonialism through the revolutionary tactics of urban guerrilla warfare, and with popular support, eventually gained independence. The US in Iraq, too, apparently did not heed the concerns of the Pentagon screening; crushing Saddam and the Baathists in 2003, it nevertheless failed in its 8 year stay to stabilise the country; which now is teetering on the brink of collapse.

Many forget that Hamas enjoys popular support, and that in 2006, it won the elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). Who in their right mind would blame Palestinians facing daily horrors for electing into power a militant Islamist organisation, whose means are not to be sympathised with, but who nonetheless the population felt could get the job done.

However, electing Hamas meant that Palestinians had voted the wrong way (at least according to the US and Israel) and needed to be punished.

This meant sanctions from the Middle East Quartet: the cutting off of international aid, restricting the movement of goods into Palestine and the withholding of tax revenue collected by Israel for the Palestinian Authority.

The sanctions destabilised the Hamas government, eventually culminating in Hamas’s takeover of the Gaza Strip, while Fatah held on to what was left of The West Bank.

All this was a brutal and overt subversion of democracy by two nations who claim to be the ideological defenders of it. Once again proving

REUTERS

that internal “democracy” does not in any way upend a foreign policy of mass murder.

The offensive and resistance These recent attacks which have killed by latest estimates 512 people will undoubtedly aide the extremist factions in Palestine. On Sunday, the 13th day of Israel’s Operation Protective Edge, the IDF assaulted the Shujaiyeh neighborhood in Gaza, killing at least 75 Palestinians. Also killed in the assault were 13 Israeli soldiers. A Norwegian doctor at the scene of the killings, Mads Gilbert, described the situation: “This is 100% man-made massacre, supported by the United States and Mr Obama.”

The al-Qassam brigades, Hamas’ armed wing, also claimed to have captured an IDF soldier. These allegations, although denied by Israel, if proven true, could give Hamas significant leverage at the negotiation table. Israel is known for not leaving a man behind.

In 2011, it released more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for an IDF soldier captured by militants in a 2006 cross-border raid.

This is not the first time Israel has bombarded Gaza, nor have the recent attacks inflicted the most damage. As the world heralded the new year of 2009, Israel launched Operation Cast Lead, managing to kill 1,417 Palestinians within the space of 3 weeks.

A humanitarian crisis ensued, Gaza’s infrastructure was pulverised and Hamas was considered to be in its death throes. But, what Israel did not perceive

The picture shows four children from a Palestinian family, in search for shelter, running through a beach near Gaza City. Seconds later, they were killed by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) shelling COURTESY of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples declaring that: “All peoples have the right to selfdetermination; by virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development.”

Furthermore, UNSC resolution 242 declares the “inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war and the need to work for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.”

One must resist the compulsion to identify all Palestinians as a monolith, and recognise that there is a deeper

The lack of distinction between legitimate forms of resistance and terrorism on the part of Israel has the effect of blending these two methods beyond recognition

was that the estimated 1.8 million Palestinians living in the densely populated Gaza Strip would re-spawn time and time again, more radicalised and militant than the last time.

The lack of distinction between legitimate forms of resistance and terrorism on the part of Israel has the effect of blending these two methods beyond recognition. A suicide bombing in a busy market place is no doubt a crime against humanity, but an attack at an occupying military check post is a legitimate form of resistance, protected under international law, against an occupying regime.

In 1960, The UN General Assembly passed the Declaration on the Granting

trend that runs within the population of resisting Israeli occupation. The systematic murder of civilians is prone to turn even the most apathetic Hamas-loathing Gazan to be compelled to take up arms.

One cannot muse about disproportionality when a nuclear-armed, US sponsored juggernaut starts bombing what is an al-fresco concentration camp; the Palestinians are denied even the basic necessities for sustaining themselves in their chains due to Israel’s blockade of the Strip.

“The both sides are wrong” discourse misses a very crucial fact. As the Jacobin correctly points out: “ … only one side has bombed a

hospital for the disabled and destroyed a place of worship. It was that same side who, on July 9, killed a pregnant woman and her one-year-old daughter and then, on July 11, killed two civilian municipal workers in a refugee camp, killed nine civilians watching a soccer game, and “fired four missiles targeting the fifth and sixth floors of a hospital.”

Burden of responsibility In every instance of conflict, the burden of responsibility falls upon the powerful, in this case Israel, to de-escalate the conflict. At this point in time, though, when we consider that Israel is pursuing its infamous Dahiya doctrine of intensifying attacks on the civilian population as a means of deterring further resistance, it would seem that Netanyahu is using Hamas’s rejection of the ceasefire agreement (a deal to which Hamas never agreed to) as a justification for its ground invasion and any further civilian casualties.

This is a gross distortion and averts attention from the true motives behind the invasion; motives which go beyond simple “Zionist” expansion, and into the economics of the looming energy challenges Israel is facing.

Israel’s recent rejection of the Palestinian Unity Government because it considered Hamas a terrorist organisation, and the recent ground offensive proves that the Netanyahu government is unwilling to put diplomacy before the military option.

Israel may as well continue to breach international law and commit war crimes in its quest to quell the “terrorists,” but as history shows: Terror will inevitably breed terror. And terror riding the crest of popular support is a force tyrants dream of. l Mahmood Sadaat is a blogger and a freelance contributor.

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Friday, July 25, 2014

Foutrh UN facility, used as shelter, bombed Gaza fighting rages amid cease-fire efforts, death toll in Gaza reach 729 n Agencies At least 15 people have been killed and more than 200 injured when a UN-run school used as a shelter in Gaza was shelled, the Gaza health ministry says.

Hundreds of Palestinians were in the school in Beit Hanoun, fleeing heavy fighting in the area.

It is the fourth time that a UN facility has been hit in Israel’s offensive against Hamas militants.

In the past 16 days of fighting, more than 725 Palestinians and 30 Israelis have been killed, officials say.

Israel launched its military offensive on July 8 with the declared objective of stopping Hamas firing rockets from Gaza.

Earlier on Thursday, UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos said that it was “vital” to have a ceasefire.

“We have over 118,000 people now who are sheltering in UN schools... people are running out of food. Water is also a serious concern,” she said.

She said the conflict meant 44% of Gaza was a no-go area for Palestinians, and residents were running out of food.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday he regretted each Palestinian civilian death, but said they were “the responsibility of Hamas”.

Israeli tanks and warplanes bombarded the Gaza Strip yesterday, as Hamas militants stuck to their demand for the lifting of an Israeli and Egyptian blockade amid US efforts to reach a cease-fire.

The 16-day conflict has claimed the lives of 729 Palestinians, most of them civilians, Palestinian health officials say. Israel has lost 32 soldiers, all since July 17, when it widened its air campaign into a full-scale ground operation aimed at halting rocket fire from Gaza

Palestinians ride in a truck as they flee their houses from Israeli shelling during Israeli ground offensive east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip REUTERS and destroying a sophisticated network of cross-border tunnels.

Two Israeli civilians and a Thai worker in Israel have also been killed.

Appearing with visiting British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made no reference to the cease-fire efforts in underscoring his determination to neutralize the rocket and tunnel threats.

More than 2,000 rockets have been fired at Israel from Gaza since July 8, and the Israeli military says it has uncovered more than 30 tunnels leading

‘CIA ran secret jail in a Polish forest’ n Reuters, Warsaw The CIA ran a secret jail on Polish soil, the European Court of Human Rights ruled yesterday, piling pressure on Poland, one of Washington’s closest allies, to break its long silence about the global programme for detaining al Qaeda suspects.

The court said it had been established that the CIA used a facility in a northern Polish forest, code named “Quartz,” as a hub in its network for interrogating suspected al Qaeda operatives rounded up after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

Poland has always denied that the CIA had a jail on its territory, even as leaks from former US intelligence officials, and a Senate investigation, brought more and more details of the programme into the open.

Thursday’s ruling was the first time that a European court had said that the CIA operated one of the secret jails – often referred to as ‘black sites’ – on the continent Thursday’s ruling was the first time that a court in Europe had said that the CIA operated one of the secret jails – often referred to as “black sites” -on the continent.

Amrit Singh, a lawyer with the Open Society Justice Initiative who acted for one of the men who brought the case, told Reuters both Poland and the United States would have to take note of what she called an historic ruling.

“It’s time for them to own up to the truth,” she said.

The court case was brought by lawyers for two men, Saudi-born Abu Zubaydah, and Saudi national Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, who are now both inmates at Guantanamo Bay, the US military’s prison on Cuba.

They alleged they were flown in secret to a remote Polish airfield, then transferred to the CIA-facility near the village of Stare Kiejkuty where they were subject to treatment they said amounted to torture.

Lawyers for Nashiri said one on occasion he was forced to stand naked and hooded in his cell while his interrogator operated a power drill, making the detainee believe he would be harmed. In another incident, the lawyers said, an interrogator cocked a pistol next to Nashiri’s head.

The court ruled that, despite the wall of secrecy around the US-led “extraordinary rendition” programme, there was enough circumstantial evidence to say beyond reasonable doubt that both men were held at a CIA-run facility in Poland.

It said Poland knew about their detention and should have known they were at risk of ill-treatment.

The court found Poland violated its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights to prevent torture, ensure the right to liberty, and properly investigate allegations a crime had been committed on its territory.

It ordered Poland to pay al-Nashiri 100,000 euros in damages and 130,000 euros to Zubaydah.

“The ruling of the tribunal in Strasbourg on CIA jails is embarrassing for Poland and is a burden both in terms of our country’s finances as well as its image,” said Joanna Trzaska-Wieczorek, a spokeswoman for the Polish president.

Interrogation

The ruling may also have implications for other European states alleged to have hosted CIA prisons: similar cases have been lodged with the court in Strasbourg against Romania and Lithuania.

The court ruling did not directly cover the United States, which is outside its jurisdiction.

The administration of former US President George W. Bush began the “extraordinary rendition” programme to deal with suspected al Qaeda operatives, many of them captured in the US-led invasion of Afghanistan.

Keeping the detainees on foreign soil meant they were not entitled to the protection afforded under US law. The Bush administration said that was important because it gave it more scope to interrogate the suspects and extract information which helped avert violent attacks by militants.

The US government says Abu Zubaydah ran a camp in Afghanistan that trained some of those who carried out the Sept. 11 attacks on US cities. It accuses al-Nashiri of directing an attack on the US warship Cole in the Yemeni port of Aden in 2000 that killed 17 sailors.

President Barack Obama signed an order ending the use of the CIA jails after taking office in 2009. Obama’s administration has however declined to launch an investigation and has not prosecuted any US officials for their role in the programme.

The US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is preparing to publish parts of a previously-classified report on the rendition programme which the committee chair has said uncovered shocking brutality against detainees. l

from Gaza to Israel, some of which have been used by Hamas to carry out attacks.

“We started this operation to return peace and quiet to Israel,” Netanyahu said in Jerusalem. “And we shall return it.”

Six members of the same family and an 18-month-old infant boy were killed when an Israeli airstrike hit the Jebaliya refugee camp in the early morning hours, according to Gaza police and health officials. Twenty others were injured in the strike, they said, and rescuers were digging through

the rubble of flattened homes, looking for survivors.

Heavy fighting was reported along the border of central Gaza, according to Gaza police spokesman Ayman Batniji. Israeli troops fired tank shells that reached parts of the Bureij and Maghazi refugee camps. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Clashes also erupted between Palestinian fighters and Israeli troops in the northern town of Beit Lahiya, and the sound of explosions was audible across the town, Batniji said. l

Arizona inmate takes nearly two hours to die in botched execution n Reuters, Phoenix An Arizona inmate took almost two hours to die by lethal injection on Wednesday and his lawyers said he “gasped and snorted” before succumbing in the latest botched execution to raise questions about the death penalty in the United States. The execution of convicted double murderer Joseph Wood began at 1:52pm at a state prison complex, and the 55-year-old was pronounced dead just shy of two hours later at 3:49pm, the Arizona attorney general’s office said.

During that time, his lawyers filed an unsuccessful emergency appeal to multiple federal courts that sought to have the execution halted and their client given life-saving medical treatment.

The appeal, which said the procedure violated his constitutional right to be executed without suffering cruel and unusual punishment, was denied by Justice Anthony Kennedy of the US Supreme Court.

“He gasped and struggled to breathe for about an hour and 40 minutes,” said

one of Wood’s attorneys, Dale Baich.

“Arizona appears to have joined several other states who have been responsible for an entirely preventable horror: a bungled execution. The public should hold its officials responsible.”

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer expressed concern over how long the procedure took and ordered the state’s Department of Corrections to conduct a full review, but said justice had been done and that the execution was lawful.

“One thing is certain, however, inmate Wood died in a lawful manner and by eyewitness and medical accounts he did not suffer,” the Republican governor said in a statement. “This is in stark comparison to the gruesome, vicious suffering that he inflicted on his two victims, and the lifetime of suffering he has caused their family.”

An Arizona Republic journalist who witnessed the execution said he counted the inmate gasping for breath about 660 times.

“I just know it was not efficient,” said the reporter, Michael Kiefer. “It took a long time.” l

Already empty Israeli border towns, adjust to new threats n AP, Nir Am, Israel With deadly fighting raging next door in the Gaza Strip, southern Israeli towns along the border have turned into mini army bases as most residents have fled.

Those left behind say they are long inured to near-daily salvos of rocket fire from Gaza but newly discovered tunnels that have been dug by Islamic militants nearby have them spooked.

“It’s changed our viewpoint entirely. The rockets we somehow got used to. This is something else. They are under our homes,” said Ofra Benudiz, a 52-year-old mother of four in Nir Am, a kibbutz near Sderot. “Our greatest fear is that they will infiltrate.”

Earlier this week 10 Gaza militants dressed in Israeli army uniforms popped out of the ground less than a mile (1.6 kilometers) away. They killed four Israeli soldiers before an airstrike killed them, preventing them from moving deeper into the country.

Most of Nir Am’s 350 residents had already been relocated to safer areas in central and northern Israel, as happened in two previous wars with Hamas militants in Gaza, kibbutz spokesman Ofer Liberman said. Those remaining were shocked as Israeli troops entered the agricultural community in full combat gear fearing that gunmen had sneaked inside.

Soldiers have taken over communal areas, ready to act in case of emergency.

The sunflower and avocado fields have become staging grounds for troops going in and out of Gaza, with jeeps and tanks kicking up sandstorms as the smoke from the Gaza bombings wafts close by.

The army often orders residents to stay in their homes, mortar shells and rockets have been raining down and sounds of outgoing Israeli artillery fire makes it almost impossible to sleep at night, residents say.

“This is no place for children now. They don’t need these traumas,” said Liberman,

53, who has four daughters of his own.

Israel launched a massive air campaign on July 8 in what it said was a bid to stop relentless Hamas rocket fire into Israel. That was expanded last week to a ground war aimed at destroying tunnels the military says Hamas has constructed from Gaza for attacks against Israelis.

Nearly 700 Palestinians and more than 30 Israelis, including two civilians, have been killed in the fighting.

Israeli soldiers have uncovered about 60 shafts leading into 28 underground tunnels, some as deep as 90 feet (30 meters), the military said.

Liberman said residents felt fortunate that the military was around in such large numbers to protect them when Monday’s infiltration took place.

After years of living under the threat of rocket fire, he and others in the border area were among the most vociferous advocates for a strong Israeli military move against Gaza militants. Despite the current discomfort, he said he hoped the military would finish the job.

“My realistic hope is that this will give us 10 years of quiet, because I know it won’t give us 40 and I’m tired of it only giving us two,” he said, as he fielded phone calls from volunteer organizations offering to host families and deliver goods. “Finally the state of Israel has put this at the top of its priorities.”

The local regional council covering about a dozen communities says more than 50% of its 8,000 residents are now elsewhere, with the numbers as high as 80% in those that straddle the border with Gaza. Those with families have mostly left and only the elderly and essential members like security officials and those caring for the dairy farms and livestock have stayed.

Palestinian militants have fired more than 2,000 rockets since the fighting began, some reaching deeper than ever into Israel. l

Attack on bus in Iraq kills 52 prisoners, nine police n Reuters, Baghdad A shooting and bombing attack on a bus near Baghdad killed 52 prisoners and nine policemen yesterday, Ministry of Justice and medical sources said, the latest in a string of assaults on prisoners in Iraq.

The motive for Thursday’s killings was not immediately clear but Iraqi security forces and government affiliated Shi’ite militias appear to have unlawfully executed at least 255 prisoners over the past month in apparent revenge for killings by Sunni militants, according to Human Rights Watch.

The bus was transporting prisoners from a military base in the town of Taji to Baghdad when it was hit by roadside bombs, the sources said. Gunmen then opened fire.

Much of Iraq’s bloodshed these days is linked to deep sectarian divisions that have grown worse since Sunni militants formerly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) seized large swathes of northern Iraq last month and declared an Islamic empire.

In June, 69 prisoners were killed while being transported from an outly-

ing town to a jail in Baghdad. The official account, given by the governor of Hilla, was that militants had attacked the convoy, killing 10 prisoners and one policeman.

But a police captain, a second police officer and a senior local official told Reuters no attack took place, and that police had executed the 69 men.

In northern Iraq, Kurdish peshmerga fighters, who have for weeks been battling Islamic State militants in Jalawla, 115 km (70 miles) northeast of Baghdad, took complete control of the town after overnight clashes.

Jalawla lies in disputed territory, and is one of several towns where Iraqi troops and Kurdish peshmerga regional guards have previously faced off against each other, asserting their competing claims over the area.

In June, Kurdish forces took control of the northern oil city of Kirkuk after government troops abandoned their posts in the face of the Sunni Islamist rebel march towards Baghdad.

Kurds have long dreamed of taking Kirkuk and its huge oil reserves.

They regard the city, just outside their autonomous region, as their historical capital. l

REMEMBERING MH17’S VICTIMS

Flowers laying at the entrance of the Korporaal van Oudheusdenkazerne, a military establishment where the first bodies of the downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 arrived on July 23 to be examined and identified in Hilversum. Dozens more bodies from the crash site of the plane arrived in the Netherlands yesterday AFP

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

9

Friday, July 25, 2014

Taiwan launches inquiry into plane crash CHINA TAIWAN Hong Kong

Penghu islands

Kaohsiung Airport SOUTH CHINA SEA 300 km

ATR 72-600

l 48 passengers killed 2-engine turboprop

l Weather condition 58 on board OK to fly – civil Penghu Islands 10 km aviation authorities Capacity: 74

l AirlineMagong suspects Airport weather was a factor TAIWAN

Taiwan air crash

l TwoTransAsia French nationals, Airways Flight others, GE222 among killed Source: Aviation Safety Network

n Reuters, Taipei Taiwan authorities launched an investigation yesterday into the crash of a TransAsia Airways turboprop plane in which 48 people were killed with the weather expected to be a factor in the inquiry.

The plane, a 70-seat ATR 72, crashed on Wednesday evening near the runway while trying to land on the small island of Penghu, west of Taiwan island, after a typhoon had passed earlier in the day.

The aircraft had 54 passengers and four crew on board. Two of the dead were French, the French foreign ministry said, and 10 people were injured and taken to hospital.

The leaders of rivals China and Taiwan both offered their condolences over the deaths.

Taiwan’s civil aviation authorities said the weather had been suitable for flying. “There were nine flights on the same route between 2pm and 7pm yesterday. Only the TransAsia flight crashed,” said Jean Shen, director of the Civil Aeronautics Administration.

“The weather reports showed it was totally OK for landing,” she said, adding that authorities were not ruling anything out. “We can not say for sure what went

wrong at this point. The flight safety committee has opened an investigation.”

Both black boxes had been found and officials would begin examining them later in the day, she said.

Alison Kao, a TransAsia spokeswoman, said the weather could have been a factor but the airline was not jumping to any conclusions before the investigation.

The aircraft took off from the southern Taiwan city of Kaohsiung, heading for Makong airport in the Penghu islands, but it crashed just short of the runway on its second attempt to land during a thunder storm. The islands are also known as the Pescadores..

No one on the ground was hurt.

Airline seats and life jackets were strewn around the crash site and the roof of a nearby building was destroyed. Victims’ families were heading there, officials said.

Poor record

Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou said in a statement all of the island’s people were grieving. “Today is a very sad day in the history of Taiwan aviation,” Ma said.

China’s president, Xi Jinping, who is on a Latin America tour, felt “deeply grieved” after learning of the casual-

Relatives of passengers on TransAsia Airways flight GE222 pray at an altar set up for the victims the day after the ATR 72-500 plane crashed near the airport at Magong on the Penghu island chain. Taiwanese officials defended flight clearance given to a plane which crashed while trying to land during stormy weather, killing 48 people AFP ties, the mainland’s State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said in a statement, according to media.

The mainland and Taiwan have been rivals for decades, with the mainland regarding Taiwan as a renegade province, though commercial relations have grown in recent years.

Typhoon Matmo hit Taiwan on

Wednesday, bringing heavy rain and strong wind. It later passed the island and headed to China and was downgraded to a tropical storm.

Taiwan has had a poor record for aviation safety over the last two decades, though it has improved recently after the government tightened safety measures.

TransAsia had been involved in eight “incidents” since 2002, including this latest one, according to data on the website of the Aviation Safety Council.

It had a fatal accident in 2002 when a cargo plane carrying two pilots crashed into the sea. TransAsia and bigger rivals, China Airlines and Eva Airways, have been facing pressure from higher

energy prices and increasingly popular budget airlines.

TransAsia Airways is a Taiwan-based airline with a fleet of about 23 Airbus and ATR aircraft, operating chiefly short-haul flights on domestic routes as well as to mainland China, Japan, Thailand and Cambodia, among its Asian destinations. l

25 students killed as train hits school bus in India Indonesia’s Prabowo n faces uncertain fate in opposition Tribune Desk

Twenty-five students died and several others suffered severe injuries when a school bus was hit by a passenger train at an unmanned railway level crossing in the Indian state of Telangana yesterday morning, The Times of India reported.

All the students belong to a local school named Kakatiya Techno School.

The mishap occurred at 9.10am when the school bus was crossing an unmanned level crossing at Masaipet village.

There were 40 students in the bus when the accident occurred. The impact of the collision was so severe that the train dragged the bus for about a kilometre.

Villagers blamed railway authorities for the mishap, but grieving parents found fault with the bus driver for overspeeding and negligence while crossing the railway track.

Eyewitnesses said the bus driver did not notice the incoming train, leading

Surgeons remove 232 teeth from Indian teenager n AFP, Mumbai Surgeons in Mumbai have removed 232 teeth from the mouth of an Indian teenager in what they believe may be a world-record operation, the hospital said yesterday. Ashik Gavai, 17, sought medical help for a swelling on the right side of his lower jaw and the case was referred to the city’s JJ Hospital, where they found he was suffering from a condition known as complex odontoma, head of dentistry Sunanda Dhivare-Palwankar said.

“We operated on Monday and it took us almost seven hours. We thought it may be a simple surgery but once we opened it there were multiple pearl-like teeth inside the jaw bone,” she said.

After removing those they also found a larger “marble-like” structure which they struggled to shift and eventually had to “chisel out” and remove in fragments, she added.

The youngster’s father, Suresh Gavai, said that the family had been worried that Ashik’s swelling was a cancerous growth. “I was worried that it may turn out to be cancer so I brought him to Mumbai,” he said.

Dhivare-Palwankar said the literature they had come across on the condition showed a maximum of 37 teeth being removed in such a procedure, whereas she and her team had counted more than 232 taken from Gavai’s mouth.

“I think it could be a world record,” she said. l

Indians stand on top of a bus that was crushed when a train crashed into it in Medak district in the southern Indian state of Telangana AP to the gory accident. “It happened in no time. Even before we realised what had happened, it was all over. Pieces of flesh and blood were strewn all around.

The bus was mangled beyond recogni-

tion. It was a very sad sight,” a teacher, who was present at the accident spot, told mediapersons.

A mother, who lost her child in the terrible tragedy, said the bus left her

house only 10 minutes earlier. “It was the last goodbye by my child,” she said amidst tears while recalling the “tata” (waving of hand as a gesture of goodbye) of her son.

Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, Andhra Pradesh’s chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and YSRCP leader YS Jaganmohan Reddy expressed shock over the incident. A probe has been ordered. Union railway minister Sadananda Gowda too expressed grief over the loss of lives.

South Central Railway CPRO, K Samba Siva Rao, said that 26 people including 25 students and the bus driver were reported dead in the accident and the death toll might increase as several more students suffered injuries.

“Immediately after the incident, we dispatched relief vehicles from Secunderabad and Hyderabad. All our senior officials have reached the place and our general manager is also going there to personally supervise the relief work,” the CPRO said. l

Pakistan officials say al Qaeda trainer, not Taliban militant, arrested n Reuters, Islamabad Pakistan security officials said yesterday they had arrested a top militant near the Afghan border but not a Pakistani Taliban leader who colleagues had identified last week as a man who once tried to blow up former president Pervez Musharraf.

Security officials said on July 15 the military had captured Adnan Rashid, who was accused of trying to kill Musharraf in a 2003 bomb attack and who later escaped from jail, in the South Waziristan region

near the Afghan border.

The officials hailed the arrest, which followed a shootout, as the first major catch since the army launched an offensive against al Qaeda-linked militants along the Afghan border last month.

The government and army did not officially confirm the arrest at the time.

Later, various other security officials said it was not Rashid who had been captured but an important al Qaeda bomb-maker and trainer.

“A high-value target has indeed been arrested but it is not Adnan Rashid,” one of the officials told Reuters.

“There was a mix-up.”

The official, who declined to be identified as he is not authorized to speak to the media, declined to identify the trainer or give details about him except to say he had extensive experience in training suicide bombers and making bombs.

Two other officials also said Rashid had not been arrested.

Rashid is believed to be in his mid30s and is a former Pakistani air force officer who tried to become a suicide bomber before he was jailed for the attempt to blow up Musharraf. l

Deadly attacks reported in Afghanistan n Tribun Desk A bombing in an Afghanistan market has killed at least six people while two foreign women have been killed in a separate attack, Al Jazeera reported yesterday.

A young girl was among the dead in Thursday’s bombing at a market in Takhar province, AP news agency reported.

At least 26 others were wounded in the blast, AP said.

Sonatullah Timor, spokesman for the Takhar provincial government, said the attack was aimed at a police car but

that the police escaped unharmed.

“All of the wounded were civilians, six were killed and 26 others were wounded,” he said.

The bomb as placed on a motorcycle, he added. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack, but Taliban fighters frequently target the country’s security forces.

Also on Thursday, two foreign women were shot by unknown assailants while travelling in a taxi in the western Afghan city of Herat, officials said.

Their nationalities have not yet been confirmed.

“This morning at around 11:30am

(0700 GMT) gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire at two foreigners riding in a taxi and killed them,” Sayed Fazullah Wahidy, governor of Herat province told AFP news agency.

Afghanistan is in the middle of an election dispute between poll rivals Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah which threatens to trigger instability and revive ethnic tensions.

According to recent UN figures, civilian casualties soared by 24% in the first half of 2014, while the International Crisis Group has said the “overall trend is one of escalating violence and insurgent attacks.” l

n Reuters, Jakarta After spending a decade, and a chunk of the family fortune, in trying to become Indonesia’s president, an outraged Prabowo Subianto watched as leadership of the world’s third-largest democracy slipped through his fingers this week.

The question now is whether the former special forces commander with a shadowy human rights reputation has any political muscle left to try to influence what direction Southeast Asia’s biggest economy now takes.

Prabowo, 62, is planning to go to the Constitutional Court over what he alleges was massive fraud during the July 9 presidential election that saw his rival, Jakarta governor Joko Widodo, win by a slim margin.

But the case looks more like face-saving and few see it having any chance of changing the official outcome of an election which saw a new breed of politician triumph over the members of the political or military elite who have traditionally dominated Indonesia’s leadership.

Prabowo, from one of the country’s most illustrious and wealthiest families, is staring at an uncertain future in opposition, with the prospect of his allies being tempted away by the man who beat him.

“For Prabowo, nothing looks good on paper at the moment,” said Achmad Sukarsono, an analyst from The Habibie Center think tank. “Prabowo is not a legislator. Once he doesn’t win the election, he doesn’t have a political job,” Sukarsono said.

His own party

Prabowo, who was discharged from Indonesia’s military in 1998 for the kidnap of pro-democracy activists, oversaw a highly organized and aggressive campaign that brought him from distant second to within a hair’s breadth of the presidency. He has never been charged in court for the offence or for any other allegation of human rights abuses. He does still have his own party Gerindra, or Great Indonesia Movement, which under his leadership has surged into becoming the third largest in parliament.

Members of his inner circle say they are intent being a potent counterbalance to Widodo.

Currently backed by a coalition of six parties, Prabowo effectively controls nearly two-thirds of the incoming par-

liament, which analysts say could pose a challenge to Widodo’s reform agenda.

“If I were to have a say, I’d be a very vigilant opposition party,” Prabowo’s tycoon brother and top aide Hashim Djojohadikusumo told Reuters.

But he also acknowledged their “permanent coalition” may not hold.

Prominent figures in allied parties, including the country’s second-biggest party, Golkar, have already hinted at defecting to Widodo’s side.

Prabowo is staring at an uncertain future in opposition, with the prospect of his allies being tempted away by the man who beat him Even if the coalition stays together, Prabowo may be forced to play second fiddle to the larger Golkar, said Dradjad Wibowo, the deputy head of the National Mandate Party, another coalition partner.

“I’m not sure Gerindra can lead the...opposition, because they don’t have the highest number of seats in parliament,” Dradjad said.

Wibowo also played down the potential for the opposition to play spoiler to Widodo’s reform program.

“Our coalition would have a much higher bargaining position than any coalition in the past,” Dradjad said. “But Indonesia is not America. We have no appetite to block what a legitimate government is doing.”

Family business

Prabowo has long been entwined with the elite. His grandfather established Indonesia’s central bank, his father was a government minister and one of Indonesia’s most respected economists, and his former father-in-law was long-ruling autocrat Suharto.

Among the incoming cohort of Gerindra parliamentarians are two children of Prabowo’s brother, Hashim.

“It’s not like my family is going to go away just because of this election,” Prabowo’s niece and incoming Gerindra lawmaker, Rahayu Saraswati Djojohadikusumo, told Reuters. “We will focus on parliament and we are committed to making sure that programs for the people get implemented.” l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Friday, July 25, 2014

CODE-CRACKER

Do not compromise judicial independence

T

he Law Commission’s proposal that the government reintroduce a previously scrapped article in the constitution that would give parliament the authority to impeach Supreme Court judges is a deeply concerning one given the political realities of this country. We think this is a rather unnecessary move that is likely to compromise judicial independence.

While Suranjit Sengupta’s proclamation that restoring Article 96 of the 1972 constitution is essential for the sovereignty of the parliament may have carried the best intentions, it is sure to raise questions about the government’s motives for supporting such a move. It is not surprising, then, that this proposal has created some controversy and has already been challenged in court.

Jeopardising the judiciary’s autonomy for the sovereignty of the parliament is a poor trade-off and could produce unpleasant consequences. If implemented, the provision may well serve as a tool to manipulate or put pressure on judicial proceedings.

Often, parliament members themselves are a party in these proceedings. Judges who are tasked with delivering a judgment in such cases should be free to do so without the fear of impeachment hanging over their heads. If the government is contemplating the power to impeach judges, perhaps it should also consider giving the public the authority to impeach members of parliament.

Furthermore, due to Article 70 of the constitution, giving parliament the power to impeach Supreme Court judges is tantamount to giving the prime minister that power. If the parliament is allowed to impeach judges, individual members of the parliament should also have the independence to vote against their party.

We urge the government to abandon the Law Commission’s proposal and to protect the foundation of an independent judicial system, where the rule of law is not inhibited by concerns of political repercussions.

Judges should be free to deliver a judgment without the fear of impeachment hanging over their heads

Reform bus services to get traffic moving

A

ccording to a recent study, 87% of buses and minibuses that run in the capital are unfit. Over the forthcoming Eid holiday period, many of these poorly maintained city buses will be rented for use on longer routes, even though they do not have permission to ply the highways.

This is yet another reflection of the scandalous state of mismanagement of transport services in the country.

In addition to neglecting passenger comfort and compromising public safety, ineffective regulation of bus services is a major factor adding to traffic congestion, which costs Dhaka over Tk200bn every year. Improving buses is the most cost-effective solution available to reduce gridlock.

Even in cities with mass transit rail systems, improving the quality and efficiency of bus services has been proven time and again to reduce congestion by speeding up journey times and tempting more commuters out of cars.

The government must bring in an effective framework that ensures better provision of bus services.

All operators, both public and private, need major reforms. While many of these require ensuring compliance with existing rules on maintenance and safety, a properly integrated approach is needed to deliver a public transport system that is fit for purpose.

This includes improving signage and bus stops and biting the bullet to bring in dedicated lanes for public transport. With space at a premium, we cannot afford to neglect bus services in favour of the small minority of car owners any longer. Making bus services safer, more attractive and efficient will benefit everyone by reducing demand for private car journeys and stimulating investment in better buses.

We cannot afford to neglect bus services in favour of the small minority of car owners

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

Boycott IT companies which invest in Israel July 19

Tanvir Haider Chaudhury Exactly. Hit ‘em where it hurts!

Morshed Alam Nice article!!

Zeeshan Hasan Also Apple. http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-1000896203.

Jon Byron All very well, but what about China’s human rights record for Lenovo, etc? More to the point, if many other BD companies aren’t paying licence fees, boycotting Microsoft et al won’t hurt the companies or the occupation anyway. Not that Bangladeshi consumers have the clout anyway.

Surely for Bangladeshi readers, a more meaningful action would be to look at Bangladeshi companies employing G4S – their logo is everywhere in Dhaka and they can be readily replaced – and there is plenty of information on how that company is complicit with actions which undermine human rights and prospects for peace.

Fahad Muzaffar Zeeshan Hasan: Good going! I just switched to Linux Mint myself, and it’s going smoothly so far.

Maybe you guys could run a small tutorial on how to switch in your tech section?

Nazmul Siddique Are you mad?!? Open source. Haha. Can you stop using plastic money? Visa/MasterCard etc.

How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 15 represents N so fill N every time the figure 15 appears.

You have two letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them 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

SUDOKU RAB helicopters fail to take off in combating crime July 20

Skills out of the classroom

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.

July 19 Shamsul Arefin Majumder Very informative and useful article for the students. Must read and follow.

Parveen S Huda Great article, Baten bhai. One of the reason why I started my project, called The Experience Academy.

Kamrul Hassan What a surprise indeed to see this! Not. Aman Chowdhury A bird needs to fly, and a helicopter should too.

Otherwise, it will become useless.

For AL it is all right July 19 Worried common man The Cox’s Bazar correspondent’s report, about the police arresting a motorcyclist for not having his vehicle registered, was published on July 19. It only confirms the saying: Might is right! So what if the motorcycle had no registration document?

How dare the police intercept him, a minor AL crony?

Despite the PM’s lecture a few days back about following rules and regulations, and despite this AL man committing a crime, the DC had to ignore his wrongs, and had to have him released from police custody.

These are the current, on-the-ground trends of “demoncracy” that has replaced democracy in our nation, under the rule of the AL. The common citizen is to not question why something happens. In fact, we might as well drop the word “why” from the national “dictionary.” The axiom is: Al never does anything wrong; while it does what it wants, and this must be right. We, the common fools, should clearly understand this fundamental fact, or else we must “face the music.” Just grin or cry, and bear it.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Shefat Ahemed Raj Whatever the author said is true. But he is always giving poor grade to his students. His highest grade is B. If students become very good, and give their full efforts, they also get a B. He also gives Ds to most of the students, even though they deserve B+. Most of the students are not willing to take his course. But you deserve compliment for your experience in the Academy.

Mir Tafrih Zaman Sir, I agree with you on these points, about having the necessary skills: Leadership, communication skills, working experience, and others as well.

I think if we follow his guidelines, build on our skills, and overcome our deficiencies, then getting jobs will not be that difficult.

Vehicles on demand July 17

A taxpayer A report was published on July 17, and included a comprehensive list of the public luxury vehicles, purchased against various so-called development projects that were being used illegally. This was an eye-opener for me. How can the government stop corruption, when it is practiced openly at the topmost tier of the government? The estimated amount spent for these illegal cars comes to around Tk7.3 crore, which for these “wheelers and dealers” is chicken-feed. However, lest they forget, it is corruption. So all their talk about honesty is little more than hogwash.

I am waiting for the official rejoinder to this open accusation. Or will it just be ignored as “couldn’t care less,” and go unanswered?

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Building cover (4) 6 Edge (3) 7 Starchy food (4) 9 Inflamed swelling (4) 10 Governed (5) 11 Icy (5) 12 Snow runner (3) 14 Headwear (5) 17 Holding and lifting implements (5) 20 Lyric poem (3) 21 Fissures (5) 23 Glossy fabric (5) 25 Article (4) 26 Single entity (4) 27 Beverage (3) 28 Walked (4)

DOWN 1 Strong and healthy (6) 2 Beginning (6) 3 Line of soldiers (4) 4 Lubricant (3) 5 Was ahead (3) 7 Ill-mannered (4) 8 Yielded (5) 10 Curved bone (3) 13 Mohammedan Scriptures (5) 15 Duty list (6) 16 Swarmed (6) 18 Firmness of character (4) 19 Wrongdoing (3) 22 Incline (4) 23 Prosecute (3) 24 Gratuity (3)

Low blood pressure normally a good thing July 21

SA Manik Good news for me. :) Sheikh Jinat Mahmid Probably the only “low” which is good!

Street children get Eid clothes July 19

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

PEANUTS

Roktakto Prantor It’s nice to see this.

Khaleda, Tarique to discuss political strategy in KSA July 19 Faysal Ahmed It would be bad for our country’s economy if people started hartals again. Why don’t the leaders sit together and find a solution through meaningful discussion?

SUDOKU

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

11

Friday, July 25, 2014

Women fighting climate change n Md Abdul Quayyum

A

Mighty Israel shows no sign of relenting

REUTERS

No peace, no love

W

n Khawaza Main Uddin hen Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini declared a death penalty on Salman Rushdie for The Satanic Verses, there were demonstrations condemning the Indian-born British author. One of our batchmates in Dhaka University was busy writing his own poem of love, as if his message would defuse tensions worldwide.

Rare are those people who would respond to an olive branch, when a heart is hurt by an insult or a mind is full of hatred, particularly when the offender is neither repentant nor serious.

Once, the message of love overwhelmed the British enlightened society during the pre-war period when Rabindranath Tagore presented the English version of Gitanjali (an offering of songs) to the world. This earned Tagore the Nobel Prize, but the intellectual passion for peace of soul could not stop World War I, a war which was followed by another global war in 20 years.

War – never expected of any civilised group – still has a cause and a price, of course, to be paid by the people. It also leaves good business for a few. And any systemic change offers both crisis and opportunities to a generation.

Today’s Israel is the combination of the two, as the Zionist state was born through war and after immense sufferings of the Jewish people, not only at the hands of the Nazis, but also

for their migration from one place to another for centuries, since Moses’ community, persecuted by the Pharaoh, made exodus from Egypt.

The ultimate “beneficiaries” of Hitler’s hatred were the people of Benjamin Netanyahu and his predecessors, who were blessed with support from the Second World War’s victorious powers in founding their state.

Sadistically, they are manufacturing further hatred tormenting others.

The hawkish Israeli prime minister is the latest party to the atrocities being committed by his country consistently since its birth in 1948.

Suffocated in an atmosphere of hatred, they were all haunted by a fear, lest the state of Israel disappears

The bombardment by Israeli forces on the Gaza Strip, and the killing of innocent Palestinian people including children prove what the rulers in Tel Aviv are supposed to do. The photos and footage of the Gaza carnage and the destruction of properties have touched the hearts of millions. I see reflections of my daughter and my son in the faces of children of Gaza. I ask myself how their parents are bearing such grief and panic.

Still, there is no remorse from the Israeli leadership, which could have said: “Enough is enough, let’s think otherwise.”

I can’t fully understand why Israel is committing so much cruelty, while Jewish people themselves were the victims of the Holocaust. They could have offered themselves as a model of peace and love to the world community.

Maybe the feeling of hatred has been injected into them so much that they are being driven by hatred leading to a policy of war-mongering over the decades. A genuine social contract is important for building a republic, as is a socially recognised and happy marriage for having good children.

The state of Israel was built on occupied territories, and thus it can be considered a cancer in the Middle East. Practically surrounded by Arab countries, Israel remains a pariah state, no matter how much prowess it shows on the battlefields.

This small country, backed by Western powers, has managed to defy the global public opinions that generally condemned its occupation of Arab lands and policy of aggression.

It is not possible to make any impact on the Middle East situation by writing from Bangladesh. But the comity of nations seems to have left the fates of the people of Gaza to the barbarism of Israel as the voice of protest has been meeker unlike the demonstrations in the past.

The death toll from the Israeli attack has exceeded 550 and this piece of information is being treated just as a

number. The Arab League termed the killing a war crime – that’s all. Also, no consolation can make the children of Gaza joyous during the coming festival of Eid-ul-Fitr.

The political actors in the neighbourhood are no longer adequately vocal to counter Tel Aviv’s policy. Iraq, Syria and Libya are in civil war. The names of Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are somehow involved with regional conflicts.

So, Israel is in a strong position since no threat to its aggression is likely in the near future. There is no sign of relenting oppression of the Palestinians even if there is a truce between the Hamas and the Israeli authorities.

An invincible Israel can afford to try to enforce peace for itself.

Why are the Israelis so nervous about their enemies including the “poor” Hamas, who have never been able to defeat them, or challenge their existence as a state?

I suppose the likes of Netanyahu, Ariel Sharon, Menachem Begin, Yitzhak Shamir, Golda Meir, and David Ben-Gurion, who led Israel into a self-created belligerent situation, could not reconcile with peace for a confident coexistence with their Arab neighbours.

Suffocated in an atmosphere of hatred, they were all haunted by a fear, lest the state of Israel disappears from the Middle East some day. A rogue state can maintain no better policy than constant offence. l Khawaza Main Uddin is Executive Editor at ICE Business Times.

Better late than never n Aaqib Md Shatil

T

he day when a Bangladeshi court sentenced Mufti Hannan – a warrior against the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan and ring leader of the Bangladesh chapter of Harkat-ul-Jihad – to death, his successors were also accepting the same fate in the bordering area of Pakistan. Pakistan, after a prolonged dilemma, has finally decided to finish off all the bases controlled by the militants in North Waziristan, which is infamous as a safe haven to the global militants, once and forever.

Massive bombardment by Pakistani jets and the military campaign led by the infantry and artillery regiments of the army, have made it difficult for the militants to reside in the troubled region even for a day. Many started to flee the area, while a handful of militants have already died from the airstrike.

The belated realisation by the Pakistan government came after Karachi Airport, the busiest airport of the country, came under an audacious attack by the members of Pakistan Taliban that took the lives of at least 36 people, including military officials.

It is believed that the Inter-Services Intelligence of Pakistan and the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States had jointly set up militant bases in the bordering area of Durand Line, the line that divides Pakistan and Afghanistan, during the early 1980s.

Pakistan’s ISI, in collaboration with the CIA, has provided military training and weapons to the Afghan warriors who were resisting the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

ISI also provided support to Mullah

Omar, the spiritual leader of the Taliban, to grab the power of Afghanistan in the 90s. While the insurgent groups of the country were busy with infightings, the throne of Afghanistan fell into the grasp of Mullah Omar with the help of ISI. Additionally, ISI assisted the process of gathering radical Muslims from around the world to fight against the Soviets in those camps. Though the Soviet invasion was foiled in 1989, the process of gathering radical Muslims in that region was carried out. The recent air assault that caused the death of some 80 militants, who were mainly ethnic Uzbeks who used to meet in North Waziristan, depicts the truth.

Pakistani Taliban, after the deadly Karachi Airport attack, claimed that the members of Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan played a formidable role in the attack.

Many insurgents of India and Bangladesh like Mufti Hannan received military training during the battle against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan that lasted for nine years. The chaotic region of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border has produced hundreds of thousands of militants since 1980.

Those militants carried out many deadly attacks in this subcontinent which took the lives of many, including Benazir Bhutto. The grenades used by the Huji in Bangladesh are believed to be a part of the consignment of grenades manufactured by Austrian company ARGES, that was supplied to the Pakistani Army. ARGES grenades were used in a series of 13 bomb attacks in Mumbai in March 1993, and similar grenades were used by terrorists dur-

ing the attack on the Indian Parliament in December, 2001.

However, after the deadly attack of 9/11, Pakistan publicly denied their affiliation with the Taliban of Afghanistan. But some evidence created a popular belief among world leaders, as well as military analysts, that there were certainly some links between the Afghan militants and the ISI, even after 9/11. After the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, all fingers were pointed to the affiliation of ISI and the militants. It is widely believed that the plot of killing Benazir was masterminded by the ISI.

Pakistan has finally concluded that there is no way out but to eliminate the entire militant network In 2011, Osama bin Laden was encountered in a mansion that was adjacent to the military academy of Pakistan, and only 137km away from the garrison city of Rawalpindi. This incident was a clear indication to the previous claim by international relations analysts about the connection between the ISI and the Taliban.

Many have opined that the ISI is divided into two factions – those who believe in abolishing the entire militant network of Pakistan, and

the others who believe in supporting them to create further turmoil in the subcontinent and dominate other countries, especially Afghanistan, which is ruled by Hamid Karzai. Many Pakistani military officials term Karzai a pro-Indian.

Several efforts to demolish the militant bases situated in the north-west of Pakistan had ended up being in vain due to the lack of assistance from the ISI from dissent among the organisation. Surprisingly, the ISI was trying to establish a tentative peace process between the Pakistani Taliban and the government.

The Karachi incident – the effort to siege the busiest airport of the country – as well as the attack on the military check post adjacent to it left at least 38 people dead. In the mean time, another affiliate of the Pakistani Taliban massacred nearly 30 members of Pakistan’s minority Shiite community in the Balochistan province. These incidents have eventually torn apart the nascent peace process between the parties.

The recent developments in Pakistan – continuous airstrikes, nonstop shelling by the army, the launching of a deadly ground offensive – indicate a major change in heart in the key backers of the militants in Pakistan. It seems, Pakistan has finally concluded that there is no way out but to eliminate the entire militant network that has been spreading its tentacles since 1980s. Though it is too late to realise, better late than never. l Aaqib Md Shatil is a blogger and member of Dhaka University Model United Nations Association.

World Bank report says 1.2 billion poor people in the world are living on less than $1 per day, and they are having their poverty compounded by climate change. Women make up the majority of the world’s poor and climate change is having a disproportionately large impact on their livelihoods and security.

When natural disasters strike, especially in developing countries, poor communities are the first to face the havoc of the disasters, and since women make up an estimated 70% of those living below the poverty line, they are most likely to bear the heaviest burdens.

In their “Gender and Climate Change” report, IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) claimed that women are more severely affected by climate change and natural disasters because of their social roles and because of discrimination and poverty.

Additionally, women are responsible for the majority of food production in many developing countries, despite typically having restricted access to markets, land, and credit. This lack of access means they face a double whammy: They are more dependent on the natural resources that are under threat from climate change, but they are limited in what they can do to cope.

A study conducted jointly by the London School of Economics, the University of Essex, and the Max-Planck Institute of Economics, analysing natural disasters between 1981 to 2002 of 141 countries, reveals evidence of socially-constructed gender specific vulnerability of women built into everyday socio-economic patterns that leads to the relatively higher female disaster mortality rates compared to those of men. For example, the 1991 cyclone in Bangladesh killed 138,000 people, many of whom were women and older than 40 years.

Bangladesh is a country hard hit by climate change and its negative impact is threatening the livelihoods of a large number of people. The increasing trend of disasters places Bangladesh at the top position among vulnerable countries. Flood plains – wedged between battering sea surge, cyclones, coastal erosion, and salinisation from the Bay of Bengal in the south and Himalayan glacier outburst floods from the north – covers around 80% of the country.

From vulnerability to resilience

Roughly half of Bangladesh’s population is made up of women (48.9% in 2004, according to the World Bank), 80% of whom live in rural areas (BBS 2001). Women bear multiple responsibilities at home and also outside. They also contribute to rural production activities that include raising seedlings, gathering seeds, post harvesting, cow fattening and milking, goat farming, backyard poultry rearing, pisciculture, agriculture, horticulture, food processing, cane and bamboo work, silk reeling, handloom weaving, garment making, fishnet making, coir production, and handicrafts.

In relation to climate change, women can be effective agents of change and contribute significantly to adaptation, mitigation, and disaster-reduction strategies. Their responsibilities in households and communities as guardians of natural resources have prepared them well for livelihood strategies adapted to changing environmental realities.

Given their roles in society, women have important knowledge, skills, and experiences for shaping the adaptation process and the search for better and safer communities.

Among the major roles and responsibilities performed by women, reproduction and production as well as taking care of children, elderly, the sick, injured, and others are greatly challenging roles. Despite the challenges, especially when resources are scarce and food is limited, women are still fulfilling their principal roles, and they have actively shown their concerns and potential talents in doing so.

These talents, capabilities, knowledge, skills, and experiences women possess in handling these two main functions can however, if properly encouraged and sensitised, be translated into actions for climate change adaptation to reduce its impacts and hence strengthen households’ livelihoods.

The Constitution of Bangladesh emphasises equal rights for all and

prohibits discrimination and inequity on the basis of sex. Especially with respect to women, Article 28 states: “Women shall have equal rights with men in all spheres of state and public life.”

Therefore, the government is fully committed to ensuring women becoming part of the solutions to climate change by creating space for them to contribute in all aspects of sustainable development in Bangladesh. The government has already ensured women’s leadership from national assembly level to grassroots level decision-making processes. However, despite the excellent initiatives the government has taken, there is a long way to go as far as implementation is concerned.

In 2013, realising the need for coordinated efforts on gender issues and to mainstream gender issues in development initiatives to increase resilience, the government has facilitated preparation of the Bangladesh Climate Change and Gender Action Plan.

While there has been a significant decrease in disaster-related deaths in Bangladesh, a few studies following the cyclone and flood disasters in 1991 revealed that among the women aged 20-44, the death rate was 71 per 1,000, compared to 15 per 1,000 for men (UNEP 2005).

Moreover, natural disasters like floods and cyclones damage the economic livelihoods of women like livestock, poultry, fisheries, trees, crops, seeds, and animal fodder.

Increased salinity after a cyclone and the difficulty in plowing wet soil after flooding decreases soil productivity.

Sand deposition as a result of flood and river erosion affects production of crops. As a result, there is a net loss in income, which in turn, leads to a loss in savings, thus making it even harder for households to cope with disasters.

Government and NGOs in Bangladesh are using different coping strategies and carrying out resilience programs, which integrate asset-creation activities with community training to build resilience among the rural ultra-poor, especially women, and help communities better cope with natural disasters and climate change impacts.

Since women make up 70% of those living below the poverty line, they are likely to bear the heaviest burdens

Oxfam, the worldwide development agency, has been implementing one such program in Bangladesh since 2010 in order to develop community leadership, especially among women, ensuring access to and control over resources, services, and opportunities in changing climate.

The project called “Resilience through Economic Empowerment Climate Adaptation Leadership and Learning (REECALL)” is working to build resilient communities through economic empowerment for women and men and to develop leadership in disaster-prone northern char, Haor, and southern coastal areas in Bangladesh.

Underprivileged women at Galna char, a flood-prone area of the Jamuna River in Phulchhari upazila under Gaibandha district, have gained self-reliance through working at a mini garment factory, thanks to the initiative of local organisation, SKS Foundation, with support from Oxfam.

People in the remote char island live very poor lives and climate change is making it even worse. In 2010, SKS Foundation arranged training on garments production for 20 poor women, and provided financial support to form a cooperative and set up a mini garment factory at Golana.

The factory started producing different clothes for women and children with the marketing facilities provided by Oxfam. The items have already gained popularity in char areas of Jamapur district and Phulchhari, Saghata, and Sadar upazilas of Gaibandha district.

Now women working at the mini garment factory are earning Tk150200 each a day, said Rasheda Begum, president of “Golna mini garment cooperative.” l Md Abdul Quayyum is Media and Communication Coordinator, Oxfam.

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Friday, July 25, 2014

Sajal shares Eid schedule and more n Rezaul Karim Talented actor Sajal, who has recently shared about his Eid releases with the Dhaka Tribune said that he will be seen in several teleplays this Eid. Sajal has portrayed an antagonist in “Ghunpoka,” which has been directed by Sakhawat Manik and will be aired on Maasranga TV at 11:30pm on the sixth day of Eid. “I have portrayed a man who pretends to love a woman, but in reality doesn’t love her,” said Sajal.

Sajal further informed that he has worked with a number of well-known directors this Eid like Taher Shipan, Sokal Ahmed, Rahamatullah Tuhin, Aranya Imon, Sakhawat Manik, Roman Rumee, Sokal Ahmed, S A Haque Alik, and others. According to him it is a director who can

bring out an extraordinary outcome from an average script and that he is also selective about directors.

The actor is excited about his upcoming film Tanmoy Tansen’s “Run Out,” which will be released on Eid-ul-Azha. “I have embodied the role of a common man who accidentally gets involved in a crime.” Here he will be seen as Moushumi Nag’s counterpart.

Sajal also shared his Eid plans and reveals that he never shops for Eid. “For shooting purposes I have to shop a lot all year round and find it unnecessary to shop for Eid,” said Sajal, who informed that he will be out of the country this Eid as he will be performing in a show organised by the Bangladeshi expatriates in Qatar.

“When I celebrate Eid in the country, I generally spend the day sleeping after coming from namaz (prayer) and visit my grandmother’s home in the evening,” said the actor.

Sajal, who always looks for variety said that he would love to portray a physically handicapped person to further experiment with his image in the industry.

“Few years back I did a role of a mute man; however, I want to do more roles like this as enacting such challenging characters are what an actor look for after he has done enough stereotypical roles,” he said. l

Mohajoner Nao to be staged in Kolkata n Entertainment Desk The highly acclaimed play of Subachan Natya Shangsad tiltled “Mohajoner Nao” will be staged at the “Root Music Festival: Sohoj Porbo” in Kolkata on August 4 at the Robindro Sodon Auditorium.

Written by Shakoor Majid and directed by Sudip Chakraborty, the 33rd production of Subachan narrates the story of Shah Abdul Karim and his journey to the realm of music through different sequences based on his biography.

Throughout the play, the actors, partly and fully, sing over 20 timeless songs from Abdul Karim’s repertoire of over 1500 songs. Karim’s philosophy is perhaps best reflected through his songs. Both the playwright and director have aptly taken this approach to establish the storyline. The play also focuses on the difficulties that Karim faced in society. The troupe premiered the play in 2010, following the death of the baul bard. So far, the show has been staged in different local and foreign theatre festivals. The performances of the actors, creative set designing and music are the special features of the play that always attracts the audience. l

Rani Mukerji teaches self-defence techniques n

Entertainment Desk

Rani Mukerji’s look in her forthcoming film “Mardaani” has been much talked about. The newly wed actress will be seen in an all-new avatar play-

ing the role of a tough and ferocious police officer. Not only have the audiences been appreciating the trailer of the film, but also some of the

well-known faces of the film industry including Aamir Khan and Karan Johar have praised “Mardaani,” as they await its release.

The 36-year-old actress has featured in a video in which she talks about an Israeli martial arts form Krav Maga that she learnt while filming “Mardaani.” Rani had to undergo vigorous training for the role of a fierce cop that she plays in the film. Considering the increase in the countless number of rapes happening in the country, Rani mentions that her only intention of featuring in this video is for girls is to learn self-defence techniques. The actress also stress on the fact that only physical strength of an individual is not important, the technique is.

The film has been produced by Rani’s husband, producer Aditya Chopra.

The two were on the front page of every newspaper as they secretly tied the knot in Italy in April 2013 and now there are rumours of Rani being pregnant as well. “Mardaani” is slated to release worldwide on August 22. l

Apurbo and Shimu in Trishnar Tanpurata n Entertainment Desk A single-episode drama titled “Trishnar Tanpurata” will be aired on NTV today at 2:35pm. Written by Prosun Rahman, the drama is directed by Sunny Chowdhury.

Popular faces of the small screen, Apurbo, Sumaiya Shimu, Shisir and Sharmin Fahmi are among the other actors who enacted the different roles.

The story of the drama follows Rupa and Rashed who meet at a party. The host, a young man, arranged for the get together to celebrate his new job. At one point, Rupa and Rashed got bored and took a walk together. They share a lot of personal details of their life to each other and end up lying about a number of things including the fact that they are dating other people when in reality, both of them are single. l

Soha and Kunal to tie the knot

Experience Africa on Animal Planet today n Entertainment Desk

n Entertainment Desk

“Wildest Africa” is a celebration of Africa’s most spectacular locations, showcasing the full African experience. The 4-part series journeys from the cradle of human civilisation to the most awe-inspiring natural wonders of the world by going on safari to see the continent’s Big Five - lion, elephant, leopard, black and white rhino and Cape buffalo. “Wildest Africa” discovers their secret locations, their cultural and wildlife issues, as well as how the natural wonders they live in are being threatened and what is being done to overcome these environmental pressures. Watch out for the show today at 8:30pm on Animal Planet. l

Actress Soha Ali Khan is over the moon after actor Kunal Kemmu, with whom she has been in a committed relationship for long, proposed to her.

Soha took to Twitter to share with her fans that Kunal proposed to her and she accepted. “It gives me great happiness to share with you all that Kunal proposed to me in Paris with the most perfect ring in the world and I said yes,” tweeted the actor on Wednesday.

It seems like the 35-year-old’s mom Sharmila Tagore’s wish of seeing her daughter as a married woman is soon going to materialise. Soha is known for her roles in “Rang De Basanti,” “Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns” and “Mumbai Meri Jaan.” l

Lana Del Rey: Sleeping with guys didn’t help me get record deals n Entertainment Desk Singer Lana Del Rey says that she knows what people think of her and that she really doesn’t care about what her critics say about her.

Commenting on her song “Fucked My Way To The Top,” Del Rey said that the song is partly about people’s perception of her morality as a person and, it is partly about what she’s actually done. Del Rey admitted in her interview with Complex magazine: “You know, I have slept with a lot of guys in the industry.” However, she also said: “None of them helped me get my record deals. Which is annoying.”

The 29-year old singer released her sophomore album “Ultraviolence” in June. The controversial song is included in the track list, along with her current lead single, “West Coast” and a cover of Nina Simone’s “The Other Woman.”

She said that her reason for adding “The Other Woman” to her new album is that she can relate to it, saying that she was the “change of routine” and not “the main thing” for a head of a label she was in a relationship with for seven years. In the interview, Del Rey also shared a few details about her recent break-up with rumored ex-boyfriend, Barrie-James O’Neill of Scottish band Kassidy. The said relationship ended badly.

When asked if there was anything she had destroyed recently, she answered, “Probably the relationship I’ve been in for the last three years. Definitely demolished that through tons of depression and insecurity. Now it’s just an untenable relationship, impossible because of my emotional instability.”

Despite going through turmoil and heartbreak in the recent months, Del Rey said that she has learned that love isn’t easy and struggles are really part of a relationship. l

Eid TVProgramme mme

n Entertainment Desk

Sabi in Humayun Ahmed’s comedy

Iconic writer Humayun Ahmed penned the viewer’s choice TV drama “The Everest Expedition of Chowdhury Khalekuzzaman” and a sequel of this drama will be aired on Eid-ul-Fitr on Channel i at 7:50pm.

Meher Afroz Shaon directed the drama while Shaila Sabi played the lead role which is portrayed with humour. MA Muhit the two-time Everest winner is also featured in the drama.

About the drama, Sabi said: “It is indeed my great pleasure to be a part of something created by my favourite story-teller Humayun Ahmed.

Meher Afroz Shaon has been a marvelous mentor who helped me every step of the way, during the job detailing of the character and how to play it in the most credible manner.” l

Sport DHAKA TRIBUNE Friday, July 25, 2014

13

Champions Sk Jamal end season on high note n Raihan Mahmood

National cricketer Marshal Ayub attempts a catch as (L-R) Mominul Haque, Shamsur Rahman, Nasir Hossain and Imrul Kayes look on during a practice session at Mirpur yesterday

Unpleasant start for Hathurusingha n Minhaz Uddin Khan The beginning of Bangladesh cricket team coach Chandika Hathurusingha’s stint with the newest Test playing nation has been anything but pleasant if any of his post-joining incidents are taken into consideration.

To begin with, the former Sri Lankan cricketer, though not in full charge, started his tenure with a three-match ODI series defeat at home against a second-string Indian side.

And before he could take some time to weather the storm things got worse as the 45-year old had to contend with

BPFL set to reduce foreign player quota n Raihan Mahmood The Professional League Committee of Bangladesh Football Federation has morally decided to reduce the number of foreign players in the next edition of Bangladesh Premier Football League.

In a meeting of the committee at the Bangladesh Football Federation yesterday, the representatives of the clubs agreed unanimously to impose a restriction on the number of overseas players from the next edition of Premier Football League.

The current rule allows each club to register seven foreign players and field four of them in the playing eleven, and it has been enforced in the last two seasons. Earlier the rule used to be five and three which meant five registered foreign players and three in the playing eleven, and this same rule will now be enforced from next season. The league committee will put its proposal to the BFF in due time to make it official.

The meeting also decided that players’ transfers would take place after the completion of the national U-23 football team’s Asian Games and Sheikh Russell’s AFC President Cup commitments which mean the transfers will actually be held in the first week of August.

The committee further decided to run the U-18 tournament of the Bangladesh Premier Football League from 25th August.

However, the fate of this season’s Super Cup still remained uncertain. “We are eager to host the Super Cup but we are not getting a slot. We are thinking of hosting the Super Cup as the warmup meet of the next season or may be later,” said Abdus Salam Murshedy, the senior vice president of BFF. l

the indiscipline of one of his star cricketers, Shakib al Hasan. The former Bangladesh captain was subsequently suspended from all sorts of cricket activities for six months besides being barred from overseas leagues till the end of next year.

Such a bold decision taken by the board was thought to have an adverse effect on the other players of the national squad. But just when it appeared that some tranquility is about to return in the dressing room the media flashes out acts of indiscipline of another cricketer – right-arm spinner Sohag Gazi.

According to a report published in a national English daily, Gazi tried to skip instructions during practice and was caught red-handed by Hathurusingha – not once but twice. The incidents prompted the Lankan coach to sound out a strong warning to Gazi.

Hathurusingha, however, denied any such incident took place and kept his professional image intact. The head coach, when queried about the issue, replied with a smile, “I don’t know of anything like that and I have not seen the report on the newspaper.”

The smile was translated by the reporters during the interview as some-

thing like this – ‘the Gazi incident happened but he (Hathurusingha) is not distracted’.

The national squad ended training yesterday ahead of the Eid vacation and will return to business on August 2. When asked if the absence of Shakib, currently the best player of the team, will have an affect on the national side’s performance, Hathurusingha said, “What can we do? That is the reality we have to face. So we are looking forward.”

Following the Eid vacation the national team will focus on planning and technique after having spent the last

MUMIT M

few weeks on skill development.

“The camp has been all about developing skill level which we did in the last few weeks,” said Hathurusingha.

“We were focusing on basic skills, especially for the batters to improve and understand. They worked in their own game, finding out what they do best, watching videos and identifying areas to improve,” he added.

“Bowlers are also working on individual skills - stock ball, variations and stuff like that. We haven’t gone into the analysing part, so when we come back after Eid, we will probably work on specific game planning.” l

Champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Ltd rode on a brace from Wedson Anselme to wrap up their Nitol-Tata Bangladesh Premier Football League campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over Sheikh Russel KC at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

The Haitian forward Wedson, who scored both the goals in the last five minutes of the game, finished top in the goal scorers list with 26 goals under his belt. However, Wedson was unable to break or equal the 22-year old goal scoring record set by Abdus Salam Murshedy who netted 27 goals in 1982.

However, the 12-point difference between Sheikh Jamal and second placed Abahani Ltd is a record of most point difference among the top two in the seven-season history of the Bangladesh Premier Football.

It was however, a dull and clumsy affair as Jamal repeatedly failed to convert the chances that fell their way while Russel’s counter attacking strategy hardly paid off.

The first goal came in the 87th minute when Wedson, after a one-two with skipper Mamunul Islam, unleashed a powerful grounder from 25 yards out as the strike deflected off Jewel Rana’s feet and the crosspiece before landing inside the post.

In the second minute of three-minute stoppage time Wedson ran down the right flank and triggered another powerful strike, this time a half-volley past Russel goalkeeper Biplob in the far post.

Sheikh Jamal, who had earlier secured the title with two games in hand, finished their league with 65 points while Sheikh Russel stood sixth with 36 points.

Meanwhile in the first match of the day, Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting Club Ltd also ended their league with a 3-0 victory over Feni Soccer Club at the same venue.

Forward Wahed opened the account in the 10th minute before winger Arup Baidya doubled the margin in the 81st minute. Midfielder Yusuf Sifat completed the rout in the 90th minute. The win, however, did not reflect on the position in the points table as Mohammedan remained in fourth place.

The Black and Whites gathered 45 points from 27 matches while Feni Soccer remained the second last (9th) team in the league with 18 points. l

Average start for Bangladesh athletes n Shishir Hoque Bangladesh swimmer Mahfuza Khatun Shila finished fifth among eight participants in heat 2 of the women’s 50m breaststroke event in the opening day of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games yesterday.

Shila, who joined BKSP in 2003, took 35.88s to conclude the event which was 2.05s more than Kenyan swimmer RW Kamau who finished first in the heat. Overall, Shila finished 26th out of 35 athletes in five heats.

Bangladesh cyclists Refat Islam and Tarikul Islam finished at the bottom of the men’s sprint qualifiers in the cycling discipline, 26th and 27th respectively. Refat covered 14.156m with an

average speed of 50.861 while Tarikul took 50.707 to cover 14.199m.

In the men’s table tennis event, Nigeria thrashed Bangladesh 3-0. Bangladesh doubles team, with a mixture of youth and experience, comprised of 16-year old Javed Ahmed and 35-year old Mahbub Billah, were beaten by Onaolapo and Aruna by 11-6, 11-6, 11-5 sets in the doubles. In the singles, Toriola beat Mahmub 11-8, 11-3, 11-7 while Manosh Chowdhury was beaten by Aruna 11-1, 11-3, 11-5.

Meanwhile in shooting, Abdullah Hel Baki and Rabbi Hasan Munna will fight to regain some lost glory when they take part in the men’s 10m air-rifle event today. Iqbal Islam and Noor Uddin Salim will play in the skeet hole. Armin Asha and Ardina Ferdous will play in the women’s 10m air-pistol today. l

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan distributes sweets to an underprivileged girl at the Kamalapur railway station yesterday. The event was organised by Pran and Dhaka FM and ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr, more than 8,000 pieces of clothes will be distributed among the underprivileged people in the capital city COURTESY

Bangladesh’s Iftekhar Refat competes in the men’s sprint qualifying round in the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland yesterday AFP

Chingoka stands down as head of Zimbabwe Cricket n AP, Harare

Afghanistan crush Zim to level series

Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Peter Chingoka has stepped down from his post after two decades at the helm.

The 60-year-old Chingoka tendered his resignation at the association’s extraordinary general board meeting on Thursday. He was the first black person to assume the role, having taken over from Dave Ellman-Brown in 1992, just before Zimbabwe attained test status.

During his reign, Zimbabwe cricket moved from relative stability to a series of difficulties, with player strikes over non-payment of dues. ZC managing director Wilfred Mukondiwa confirmed Chingoka’s resignation to The Associated Press on Thursday. l

Off-spinner Sharafuddin Ashraf took three wickets as Afghanistan skittled hosts Zimbabwe for 159 to win the fourth and final one-day international by 100 runs on Thursday and draw the series 2-2.

Ashraf returned figures of three for 29 and along with seamer Dawlat Zadran (two for 39) was the pick of the bowlers as Afghanistan recorded their biggest ever 50-over victory by runs.

Having been sent into bat, Afghanistan posted a par-score of 259 as they were bowled out in the final over, wicketkeeper Shafiqullah Shafiq top-scoring with 56.

Seamer Donald Tiripano was the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers as he recorded career-best figures of five for 63.

n Reuters, Bulawayo

Zimbabwe were in early trouble in their reply and never recovered from a position of 26 for six, despite a rally from debutant wicketkeeper Richmond Mutumbami, who struck 64 from 75 balls to play a lone hand for the hosts. l

BRIEF SCORE Afghanistan 259 in 49.1 overs (Shafiqullah Shafiq 56, S Shenwari 40, Nasir Jamal 39, Mohammad Nabi 37; Donald Tiripano 5-63) Zimbabwe 159 in 38 overs (Richmond Mutumbami 64, Timycen Maruma 29; Sharafuddin Ashraf 3-29) Afghanistan win by 100 runs Series drawn 2-2

14

Sport DHAKA TRIBUNE Friday, July 25, 2014

Man United crush Galaxy 7-0 in Van Gaal debut n AFP, Pasadena

Manchester United’s Danny Welbeck celebrates after scoring against the Los Angeles Galaxy during their friendly match at Rose Bowl on Wednesday

AP

Calls in Germany to strip Russia of 2018 WC n AFP, Berlin German politicians demanded Wednesday that Russia be stripped of the right to host the 2018 World Cup for fuelling the Ukraine conflict, although football officials quickly rejected the idea.

Amid outrage over the downing of a Malaysian jet in Ukraine with a suspected missile, lawmakers and commentators in Germany, as well as Britain and Sweden, suggested that another country host the global sporting event.

Peter Beuth, interior minister of Germany’s central Hesse state, said that if President Vladimir Putin does not get “actively involved in the investigation of the plane crash, then a 2018 World Cup is unimaginable in Russia”.

Beuth, who heads Germany’s

Pro-Palestinian fans ‘attack’ Israeli players n AFP, Bischofshofen A pre-season friendly between Maccabi Haifa and French side Lille had to be abandoned Wednesday when a group of pro-Palestinian supporters invaded the pitch and attacked some of the Israeli players.

Lille said on its Twitter feed that the referee called a halt to the game after a group of youths, waving Palestinian flags and placards, ran onto the pitch at the Austrian venue with just three minutes of the game left.

After a series of brief scuffles, the protestors were led away by security officers and the game called off with the French side 2-0 ahead at the time.

“Maccabi Haifa Football Club believes in co-existence, tolerance and is against violence,” a club statement given to the Jerusalem Post read.l

conference of state sports ministers, called on football’s world governing body FIFA to review the choice of host nation.

Senior conservative lawmaker Michael Fuchs said that Germany, along with France and Italy, could easily host the championship instead.

“We have enough stadiums that are World Cup ready,” he said, stressing that such a boycott would hurt Russia more than economic sanctions.

Another conservative parliamentarian, Stephan Mayer, said that if Putin “does not relent and keeps fuelling the crisis, it must no longer be a taboo idea to take away from Russia the World Cup”.

However, Theo Zwanziger, a FIFA executive committee member and for-

mer president of German football body DFB, rejected the idea.

“Calls for a FIFA intervention always come very quickly. Sports boycotts

If President Vladimir Putin does not get actively involved in the investigation of the plane crash, then a 2018 World Cup is unimaginable in Russia have rarely achieved anything, and that’s why I think nothing of such a proposal,” he told Handelsblatt Online.

“The World Cup has been awarded

to Russia, contracts have been signed and rights have been awarded.”

A German government spokesman also dismissed the issue, saying the Cup “is still four years away. I think we have more pressing problems.”

Meanwhile in the Netherlands - 193 of whose citizens died in the MH17 crash - the national football federation said that “during these black days” it was too early to discuss the issue or a possible boycott.

“We realise that a future World Cup in Russia will be very emotive for all football lovers and relatives of the dead in the Netherlands,” a federation statement read.

In Britain, conservative MP Tracey Crouch, a member of the culture, media and sport select committee, also

said “Russia ought to be stripped now ... Football could be used to put pressure on President Putin to change some of his practices.”

Football Association chairman Greg Dyke had told a parliament hearing Tuesday that “I don’t think that you can make a decision based on one week’s events without looking at the longer term”.

In Sweden, Per Kaageson of Stockholm’s Royal Institute of Technology, argued in the Svenska Dagbladet daily that “for Russia and for Putin personally, the loss of the World Cup would be a big defeat”.

“Not only Ukraine but also the Netherlands, Malaysia and Australia can be expected to have mixed feelings regarding a tournament in Russia.” l

Louis van Gaal’s reign as manager of Manchester United got off to a rousing start on Wednesday with a 7-0 friendly victory over Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy.

England striker Wayne Rooney scored twice in the first half, while 20-year-old Reece James and Ashley Young also contributed two goals apiece and Danny Welbeck scored to make van Gaal’s first match at the helm a resounding triumph.

“It’s fantastic how they played today,” said van Gaal, who was tapped two months ago to replace the sacked David Moyes at the English Premier League club, but took the reins only after guiding the Netherlands to a thirdplace finish at the World Cup. After Welbeck opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a 25-yard strike that crashed in off the post, Rooney doubled the score when he converted a penalty in the 42nd minute after Galaxy midfielder A.J. Delagarza handled a cross from Antonio Valencia.

Three minutes later, Los Angeles defender Tommy Meyer failed to intercept Welbeck’s cross, giving Rooney another chance to beat Jaime Penedo and he tapped home his second of the night.

With a 3-0 lead over a Galaxy team currently lying fourth in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference, van Gaal made nine changes to his side at halftime.

The only two starters to remain in the game were recent signing Ander Herrera and Darren Fletcher, who was given the captain’s armband as van Gaal ponders who will be take that role full-time after the departure of Nemanja Vidic for Inter Milan.

James made it 4-0 in the 62nd minute, seizing on a cross from Young and firing home. He added a second goal in the 84th, putting away the rebound of a shot by Young.

“When you see us train, you can expect something, but not 7-0,” van Gaal said. “That was, for me a surprise.

And they were also beautiful goals. We scored out of beautiful attacks.”

The 62-year-old Dutchman is tasked with restoring United to their position as the Premier League’s preeminent force after they endured a miserable campaign last season that saw them finish seventh and fail to qualify for the Champions League.

Van Gaal was particularly pleased at a result that will give his players confidence in the new system he is instituting, which he believes will let him make better use of his depth of striker talent.l

City, Spurs win as Liverpool lose n AFP, Boston A 90th-minute own goal Wednesday cost Liverpool a 1-0 loss to AS Roma but an early spill left striker Fabio Borini with a much more worrisome right shoulder injury.

The 23-year-old Italian striker, a former Roma standout before coming to Liverpool, fell on an early tackle and came up holding his shoulder.

Liverpool said during the match that Borini’s shoulder was not dislocated but further examination was needed in a tough setback during the opening minutes of the English Premier League side’s pre-season US tour.

The only goal of the match came in the dying seconds of regular time, when Roma’s Marco Borriello bent his right leg and redirected a corner kick off Danish Liverpool defender Daniel Agger and into the net.

In other North American pre-

season friendlies involving English clubs and Major League Soccer clubs Wednesday, Tottenham edged host Toronto 3-2, Aston Villa blanked Dallas 2-0, Manchester City beat Sporting

CLUB FRIENDLIES Roma Agger 90-og

Tottenham Lamela 16, 40, Townsend 85

Aston Villa

1 0

3 2

Liverpool Toronto Wiedeman 64, Hamilton 72

2 0

Dallas

Weimann 44, N’Zogbia 49

4 1

Kansas City

Zuculini 3, Boyata 45, Kolarov 72-p, Iheanacho 88

Sapong 30

4 2

N de Medellin

7 0

LA Galaxy

Man City

AS Monaco

Martial 5, Berbatov 16, Fabinho 38, Carrasco 90+1

Man United

Trellez 63, Perez 87

Welbeck 13th, Rooney 43-P, 45, James 62, 84, Young 88, 90

Pro-Palestinian supporters clash with the players of Israeli side Maccabi Haifa during a pre-season friendly game against French club Lille at Bischofshofen in Austria on Wednesday DAILYMAIL

Kansas City 4-1 and Manchester United thumped the Los Angeles Galaxy 7-0 at the Rose Bowl.

At Toronto, Tottenham took a 2-0 half-time edge on goals by Erik Lamela in the 16th and 40th minutes.

Andrew Wiedeman put Toronto on the board in the 65th minute and 18-year-old Jordan Hamilton netted the equalizer in the 72nd minute, only to see Andros Townsend put the winner in the upper right corner the for Spurs in the 85th minute.

At Dallas, Villa led 1-0 at half-time on Austrian Andreas Weimann’s goal in the 44th minute and French midfielder Charles N’Zogbia added an insurance goal on a free kick in the 49th minute.

At Kansas City, Man City’s Bruno Zuculini - a 21-year-old Argentine midfielder - opened the scoring with a right-footed blast off the inside edge of the right post in the third minute. l

Ronaldinho of Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro takes a selfie of himself and his team during the celebration of their victory in the Recopa Sudamericana championship against Argentina’s Lanus in Belo Horizonte, Brazil yesterday AP

After MH17, Dutch to delay 2018 World Cup decision

Tottenham sign Davies, Vorm n AFP, London

n AFP, The Hague

Tottenham made a double swoop on Premier League rivals Swansea on Wednesday when they signed left-back Ben Davies and Dutch international goalkeeper Michel Vorm.

Davies has signed a five-year contract and Vorm has agreed a four-year deal while Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson moves to the Welsh club where he spent time on loan in 2012.

Highly-rated Davies, 21, earned his first professional contract with Swansea in 2011 and has gone on to earn 10 caps for Wales.

He played 91 times for the Swans, including starting their League Cup Final win against Bradford City in 2013.

Vorm made 97 appearances for Swansea and was also part of the Netherlands’ World Cup squad this summer in Brazil.l

The Dutch football federation (KNVB) said on Wednesday that “during these black days” it was too early to discuss the country’s participation at the 2018 World Cup in Russia in the wake of the Malaysian Airlines flight crash.

The issue of Holland’s appearance at the finals in four years time is likely to prove contentious after 193 Dutch nationals were killed when MH17 was shot down over rebel-held eastern Ukraine last Thursday killing all 298 people on board.

Western governments say the evidence points to it having been shot down with a missile by pro-Russian separatists. As the Netherlands awaited Wednesday the much-delayed return of the first bodies from the strick-

en flight, declaring an exceptional day of mourning, the KNVB acknowledged the subject of Russia 2018 would prove “very emotive”.

“Different people have asked the KNVB questions about (taking part in) the 2018 World Cup in Russia,” a federation statement read.

“We realise that a future World Cup in Russia will be very emotive for all football lovers and relatives of the dead in the Netherlands. During these black days the KNVB is with the families, friends and football clubs of the victims. Silence over this immense loss is the current priority.

“The KNVB thinks that it is more appropriate for discussion about the future World Cup in Russia to be held at a later date, when the investigation of the disaster is completed.” l

Sport DHAKA TRIBUNE Friday, July 25, 2014

15

QUICK BYTES

Brazil striker Fred returns to Shakhtar Brazil striker Fred has returned to Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk, the club said on Thursday, adding that they also expect his compatriot Ismaily to follow him back shortly. The two Brazilians were among six South Americans who refused to return to Shakhtar after a Malaysian Airlines plane was shot down by ground-toair missiles in eastern Ukraine last week, killing all 298 people on board.

Fred and Ismaily, along with fellow Brazilians Douglas Costa, Alex Teixeira and Dentinho, and Argentine striker Facundo Ferreira, refused to travel from France to Ukraine following a friendly against Lyon on Saturday. “Shakhtar continues to prepare for the start of the Ukrainian league season,” the club said in a statement on their website (www. shakhtar.com). “Fred returned to the team camp. In the coming days, (we) expect Ismaily to join the Pitmen.”

–Reuters

I don’t need to change for Chelsea: Costa New Chelsea striker Diego Costa said on Wednesday that manager Jose Mourinho has told him the team will play to his strengths next season. “One of the main things he said was that he doesn’t want me to change,” the Brazil-born Spain striker told the club’s in-house television channel, Chelsea TV. “It was Jose’s and the club’s decision to buy me and the reason they signed me was because of the way I played at Atletico (Madrid). “I don’t feel I have to change much. I just have to improve fine details to become a better player. Hopefully I will have a similar season to the last one.” Costa, 25, scored 36 goals last season, inspiring Atletico to a first La Liga title in 18 years -- as well as a place in the Champions League final -- and taking his tally at the club to 64 goals in 134 appearances.

–AFP

Croatian FA to examine Man City racism claim The Croatian FA will examine claims of racism against Manchester City teenager Seko Fofana during a friendly Under-21 match against HNK Rijeka on Tuesday which was abandoned when City coach Patrick Vieira took his players off the pitch. Fofana, a 19-year-old French midfielder, alleged he had been racially abused by Rijeka players after he was sent off towards the end of the first half of the match in Novigrad, western Croatia. Vieira, the head of City’s Elite Development squad, came on the pitch, spoke to the referee and led his team off. The match was abandoned with Rijeka 1-0 ahead.

–Reuters

Singer John Barrowman performs with his troupe at Celtic Park during the opening ceremony of Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland on Wednesday

Commonwealth Games open in colourful, moving ceremony n AFP, Glasgow Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the 20th Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park on Wednesday after a moving and colourful ceremony in front of a 40,000 capacity crowd.

The Games will feature 17 sports across 11 days of competition with more than 4,500 athletes from 71 nations competing, making the event the biggest Scotland has ever hosted.

The Queen called on those present to “unite” in difficult times as a minute’s silence was held for the victims of the Malaysia Airlines MH17 flight disaster.

Eighty-two of the 298 people who

died last week when the plane came down over eastern Ukraine were from Commonwealth nations.

The Malaysian team also entered the stadium with their flag at half-mast and wore black armbands.

“To you, the Commonwealth athletes, I send my good wishes for success in your endeavours. Your accomplishments over the coming days will encourage us all to strengthen the bonds that unite us,” said the Queen.

“You remind us that young people, those under 25 years of age, make up half of our Commonwealth citizens; and it is to you that we entrust our values and our future.

“I offer my sincere thanks to the many organisations and volunteers who have worked diligently to bring these Games to fruition, and in-

deed to the spectators here in the stadium and to the millions watching on television.

“Together, you all play a part in strengthening our friendships in this modern and vibrant association of nations. “It now gives me the greatest pleasure to declare the 20th Commonwealth Games open.”

A colourful, nearly three-hour long ceremony began with an exuberant sequence depicting the history of Scotland was followed by live performances from world-renowned Scottish singers Rod Stewart and Susan Boyle.

The Queen then made her entrance, accompanied by Prince Philip, whilst the RAF Red Arrows performed a colourful flyover past the stadium.

Teams from all 71 nations were then

DAY’S WATCH Ten Cricket 10:30AM South Africa Tour of Sri Lanka 2nd Test Day 2 Sony Six 2:00AM Caribbean Premier League Barbados Tridents v Antigua Hawksbills Star Sports 2, HD1 11:30PM Natwest T20 Blast Yorkshire v Nottinghamshire Ten Sports Commonwealth Games 2014 2:00PM, 7:30PM, 9:00PM, 12:00AM, 4:00AM Badminton, Boxing, Shooting, Swimming, Squash

Lampard signs with New York of MLS n AFP, New York Chelsea’s all-time top scorer and England international midfielder Frank Lampard has signed to play for Major League Soccer 2015 expansion side New York City FC, the club announced Thursday.

Lampard spent his first six seasons at West Ham United with only a brief loan to Swansea in his debut season.

He joined Chelsea in 2001 and bagged 211 goals for the Blues as well as 29 in 106 caps for England.

During Lampard’s tenure, Chelsea won Premier League titles in 2005, 2006 and 2010, the FA Cup in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012 as well as the 2012 Champions League crown.

Lampard, 36, joins a team that signed Spanish star David Villa to a three-year deal last month and is guided by sporting director Claudio Reyna, a retired US star, and coached

by Jason Kreis. l

Singapore match-fixer jailed for 3 years in sex-bribe case

Mexican Aguirre named Japan coach Mexican Javier Aguirre was appointed Japan’s new football coach on Thursday after the team’s World Cup flop prompted the resignation of Alberto Zaccheroni. Japan Football Association (JFA) technical director Hiromi Hara told reporters: “We have agreed on terms and the executive board have approved his appointment.”

The 55-year-old Aguirre, who led Mexico to the last 16 of the World Cup in 2002 and 2010, is reportedly set to earn around $2.45 million a year - more than twice what his predecessor was on and the highest-ever salary paid by the Japan Football Association (JFA). The former Espanyol manager is expected to arrive in Japan in the coming days and get his first taste of life in the hot seat with home friendlies against Uruguay on September 5 and Venezuela on September 9, according to local media.

–AFP

paraded, starting with 2010 hosts India and ending with Scotland.

Six-time Olympic gold medallist Chris Hoy carried the Queen’s baton on the final leg of its 100,000 mile journey through all of the Commonwealth nations over the past nine months.

There was a brief moment of farce when the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation Prince Tunku Imran couldn’t remove the Queen’s message from the baton.

However, once the message was finally removed, the Queen hailed Glasgow’s suitability for a competition often known as the “friendly games.”

“Over the past 288 days the baton has visited all the nations and territories of the Commonwealth, crossing every continent in a journey of more than 100,000 miles.”l

AP

n AFP, Singapore

Unicef Goodwill ambassador Sachin Tendulkar is seen on a digital led screen during the opening ceremony of Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park in Glasgow, Scotland on Wednesday AP

England’s Farah out of Commonwealth Games n AFP, Glasgow The Commonwealth Games were dealt a huge blow Thursday when England’s double Olympic and world champion Mo Farah announced he was withdrawing due to fitness concerns.

Farah, alongside Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt, is one of the most recognisable faces of track and field, and his absence will be sorely missed.

“There’s no question that we’re disappointed,” admitted David Grevemberg, the chief executive of Glasgow 2014.

“Certainly there’ll be some disappointed people, but there’s plenty of great athletes that are coming and are here. We’re looking forward to welcoming people to some great competi-

tion over the next few days and when the athletics kicks off on Sunday.”

Farah, the 5,000 and 10,000 metres Olympic and world champion, was recently laid low by illness and has decided to pull out of the Commonwealths to work on his fitness ahead of next month’s European Championships in Zurich.

“I have taken the tough decision to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games,” Farah, 31, said in a statement released by Team England.

“I really wanted to add the Commonwealth titles to my Olympic and World Championships, but the event is coming a few weeks too soon for me as my body is telling me it’s not ready to race yet. Best wishes to my fellow athletes in Glasgow.”l

Crown will give clues on 2016 Olympic gold fight n AFP, Baltimore Rivals at the LPGA International Crown see this week’s global team matches as a sneak peek at the fight for gold in golf’s 2016 Olympic return in Rio de Janeiro.

“This is definitely the best preview we have ever had of the Olympics,” world number one Stacy Lewis said. “I know we got a long way to go before Rio, but this is certainly a really good preview to see what we’re going to have in Rio.” “It’s a bit surreal. To think that you could be a part of the opening ceremonies and the closing ceremonies, those kind of things that you see on TV, just to be a part of that and to stay with all the other athletes, it’s hard to really even imagine it, because obviously we never have been there,” she said.l

A Singaporean businessman was jailed for three years on Thursday for providing prostitutes to three Lebanese football referees in a match-fixing attempt that has put the spotlight on the citystate’s role in global sports corruption.

Nightclub owner Eric Ding Si Yang, 32, was refused bail while he appeals the ruling, and state prosecutors said they would file a motion before a higher court to demand a harsher punishment.

Ding was found guilty on July 1 of corruption for bribing referee Ali Sabbagh, 35 and assistant referees Ali Eid, 34, and Abdallah Taleb, 38, before a match last year in Singapore.

District Judge Toh Yung Cheong said as he handed down the jail sentence that Singapore’s reputation had been tarnished by match-fixing.

“Match-fixing offences bring not only the sport into disrepute, but also affect Singapore’s reputation and image as a country internationally recognised for having low levels of corruption,” Toh said in his written judgement.

This could affect the city-state’s “drive to be a prime venue for prestigious international sporting events,” he said.

Toh earlier ruled that the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that Ding offered the Lebanese match officials the sexual services of prostitutes to “induce the three of them to agree to getting involved in match-fixing”.

The three officials were arrested in April 2013 before they could officiate at an Asian Football Confederation Cup match between Singapore-based club Tampines Rovers and India’s East Bengal.

All three subsequently pleaded guilty to corruption charges. Sabbagh was jailed for six months while Ali Eid and Abdallah Taleb served three-month sentences.

The case is the latest in Singapore’s long history of match-fixing scandals.

In September last year, Singapore police detained 14 people believed to be members of a global match-fixing syndicate including the suspected mastermind Dan Tan. That investigation is still ongoing.

Prosecutors in the Ding case cited reports by the international media about a major global syndicate operating out of Singapore fixing football matches around the world.

They also referred to a report by European police agency Europol in February last year identifying Singapore as the base of a trans-national syndicate fixing matches with bribes of up to 100,000 euros ($135,000) per match.l

Singapore businessman Eric Ding Si Yang arrives at the state court yesterday AFP

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE Friday, July 25, 2014 DHAKA TRIBUNE Monday, June 16, 2014

13 Average start for BD athletes

14 Fans ‘attack’ Israeli players

Sport

15 Games open in colourful ceremony

Imrul, Rubel make comeback n Mazhar Uddin

Opener Imrul Kayes and paceman Rubel Hossain made comeback in Bangladesh’s ODI squad as BCB yesterday announced a 15-member squad for next month’s three-match ODI series against the West Indies. The key player missing from the squad is of course the suspended Shakib al Hasan while all-rounder Ziaur Rahman, who was part of the squad during the series against India last month, also failed to find a place in the final squad.

SQUAD Mushfiqur Rahim (Captain), Tamim Iqbal Khan, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Shamsur Rahman, Mominul Haque, Rubel Hossain, Nasir Hossain, Mahmud Ullah, Md Mithun, Abdur Razzak, Masrafe bin Mortaza, Sohag Gazi, Taskin Ahmed, Imrul Kayes, Al-Amin Hossain Imrul’s inclusion was hardly a surprise as it was a reward for his impressive run during the Bangladesh A team’s recent tour of the West Indies in which he scored the most runs for the visitors. The diminutive southpaw’s inclusion also serves as an evidence of the fact that selectors considered his hundred against Sri Lanka in the second Test in Chittagong this year. It is worth mentioning here in this regard that

he also scored a half century against Pakistan in an ODI this year.

On the other hand, it is very much a recall for paceman Rubel Hossain who was dropped from national team’s very last assignment against India last month. But selectors perhaps found it too difficult to exclude him again as he is the second highest wicket-taker from Bangladesh this year in all forms of cricket combined. The fact that pitches in West Indies traditionally offers assistance to quick bowlers might also have worked in Rubel’s favor.

“Imrul made a great comeback in the Test matches recently and he also played very well in the A team’s recent tour of West Indies while Rubel has been a consistent performer in fifty over games for us,” said Habibul Bashar, one of the members of the national selection panel.

Meanwhile, the current 15 member ODI squad for the West Indies tour consists of four opening batsmen as the selectors preferred to keep backups ready as the most experienced opener Tamim Iqbal has been going through a lean patch for quite some time now. The other three openers are Anamul Haque, Shamsur Rahman and Imrul Kayes.

However, Habibul Bashar also informed that team management may shuffle Imrul’s position in the batting order and put him in number three if they want to play an extra batsman in the playing eleven. l

Bangladesh’s flagbearer Iqbal Islam leads his delegation during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park in Glasgow on Wednesday

Stimpson wins first gold of Games n AFP, Glasgow England’s Jodie Stimpson won the opening gold of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Thursday on a day when the multisport event was hit by the withdrawal of athletics legend Mo Farah.

Stimpson, a silver medal winner in the World Triathlon Series in 2013, sprinted clear with 400 metres remaining of the final 10km run to win a thrilling race that started with a 1.5km swim in and a 40km cycle around Strathclyde Loch.

Canada’s Kirsten Sweetland claimed silver, with England’s Vicky Holland taking bronze in warm, sunny conditions.

“I was nervous about the swim but I had an awesome swim actually,” said Stimpson. “The race was brutal and the bike was definitely a challenge. It was important to be aware and sensible.

Action got underway also in the pool where top home hope for a gold medal, Michael Jamieson was upstaged

England’s Jodie Stimpson crosses the finish line to win the gold medal in the Women’s Triathlon during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland yesterday AFP by countryman Ross Murdoch in qualifying for the 200 metres breaststroke final.

Murdoch smashed the Commonwealth Games record by over two seconds in a time of 2mins 08.78secs with Jamieson and Calum Tait completing

an all-Scottish top three in qualifying.

“Watching the crowd go wild and I just wanted that for myself and we did it, so it is something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” said the 20-yearold Murdoch.

Scotland’s Hannah Miley also had

the home crowd in raptures in the first heat of the event by breaking her own Commonwealth record in the women’s 400m individual medley in a time of 4mins 38.27 secs.

Commonwealth Games record times were tumbling all morning at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre as Jamaica’s Ali Atkinson went fastest in the women’s 50m breaststroke in a Games record time of 30.49secs.

The immediacy of the action took some of the sting out of Farah’s withdrawal which rocked the Games just as they got underway.

In total, 21 golds will be won on Thursday.

As well as four in the pool, there were four up for grabs on the first day of track cycling at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome with Bradley Wiggins, returning to track cycling for the first time since 2008, helped inspire England to the final of the men’s 4000m Team Pursuit.

England will battle it out with fierce rivals Australia, who set the fastest time in qualifying, for the chance to claim gold. l

AFP

Salahuddin calls for government support n Raihan Mahmood Bangladesh Football Federation president Kazi Salahuddin thinks that without proper assistance from the government it would be impossible to lift the standard of the game and meet the demands of the time.

The BFF president was commenting on the conclusion of another football season and said he is looking forward towards another. “Since taking responsibility we have made it sure that the professional football league rolls and football remains in the field for about ten months in a year. We have tried our best and the footballers have benefited but in order to truly expand football all over the country and to raise our international profile we need more government support. Currently the contribution of the government towards football is almost zero against the requirements,” said Salahuddin.

Salahuddin went on to say in a depressing tone that in the instance of

the Bangladesh football team faring well the country is highlighted rather than football’s governing body. “A national football team carry the national flag and raise the image of the country.

The national team require the government’s support. The time has arrived for the government and all the other concerned sectors to make a comprehensive contribution,” said the BFF president.

The former legendary footballer also seemed to be frustrated with his job. “It’s not that the resources are not there. We need a good and well-knit plan which will combine the government’s assistance and our efforts. If the government does not step up I feel that I am stranded and feel that I have not performed to the mark. I have failed to make the government understand the realty of football’s development.

Sometimes I feel that I am trying to improve the situation but I am unable to and that would I leave. Let’s hope for the best,” he concluded. l

Mahela ton propels Sri Lanka n AFP, Colombo Queen photobombs Aussie athlete’s selfie

n AFP, London

Queen Elizabeth II is not known for her grasp of social media, but she tapped into a trend when she inadvertently photobombed an Australian athlete’s selfie at the Commonwealth Games on Thursday.

Hockey player Jayde Taylor was posing for a photograph with a teammate when the 88-year-old British monarch moved into view in the background and appeared to be smiling over her shoulder.

“Ahhh The Queen photo-bombed our selfie!! #royalty #sheevensmiled #amazing,” Taylor wrote when she posted the picture on Twitter later in the day.

Within hours the photo had swept the Internet, being retweeted at least 5,000 times. l

Mahela Jayawardene cracked his 34th century as Sri Lanka overcame early blows to reach 212-3 at tea on the first day of the series-deciding second Test against South Africa Thursday.

Jayawardene, 37, hit 13 fours and a six in his unbeaten 138-ball 101 to consolidate the Sri Lankan innings after they had lost three wickets in the morning session on a docile track at the SSC ground.

This was Jayawardene’s 11th century at the ground, the most by any batsman at a single venue.

The stylish right-hander, due to retire from Test cricket next month, also shared 99 runs with opener Kaushal Silva (44) and another 97 with skipper Angelo Mathews, who was batting on 48 at the break.

Mathews, who promoted himself up the batting order, continued his fine show with the bat, looking at ease during his two-hour stay at the wicket.

Earlier, fast bowler Dale Steyn, the star of South Africa’s big win in the first Test at Galle, sent back opener Upul

Tharanga and big-hitter Kumar Sangakkara for a duck in his sharp four-over opening spell.

Part-time spinner Jean-Paul Duminy accounted for the third wicket to fall in the morning, dismissing Silva for a well-made 44 after Sri Lanka had won the toss and opted to bat.

Tharanga started off confidently, driving Steyn to the cover boundary in

SCORECARD, DAY 1 Sri Lanka 1st innings U. Tharanga c de Kock b Steyn K. Silva c de Villiers b Duminy K. Sangakkara c Tahir b Steyn M. Jayawardene not out A. Mathews not out Extras: (b4, lb3, nb1) Total: (for 3 wkts; 54 overs)

11 44 0 101 48 8 212

Fall of wickets 1-16 (Tharanga), 2-16 (Sangakkara), 3-115 (Silva) Bowling Steyn 10-0-48-2, Philander 12-4-25-0 (1nb), Morkel 9-1-29-0, Tahir 14-2-59-0, Duminy 8-0-39-1, Elgar 1-0-5-0

the first over of the day and smashing Vernon Philander straight down the ground for another four.

But Tharanga’s flourish was shortlived as he gloved to wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock off the fifth ball of Steyn’s third over.

Steyn (2-48) struck again off the very next ball to dismiss Sangakkara, much to the disappointment of home fans.

The prolific left-hander tried to pull a short delivery, but succeeded only in top-edging it tamely to square leg where Imran Tahir took an easy catch.

Sri Lanka would have been in deeper trouble but Alviro Petersen dropped Silva on 10, failing to judge which way the ball was going while fielding in the slips, with Philander being the unlucky bowler.

Jayawardene, playing at his home ground, displayed sublime form, once hitting Steyn for two fours in an over, before racing to his century.

He hugged Mathews on reaching the three-figure mark and waved to the fans while fire-crackers were set off near the stands. l

Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene (L) raises his bat in celebration after scoring a century as South African cricketer AB de Villiers looks on at SSC in Colombo yesterday AFP

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B3 Asian economies to

struggle on weak export demand

B4 World Bank lauds India

PM, offers billions in aid

FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 www.dhakatribune.com/business

Tofail urges SAARC leaders to remove trade barriers n Tribune Report Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed has urged the SAARC leaders to remove trade barriers among the member countries to increase trade and commerce for combating poverty from this region.

Tofail Ahmed came up with the call while addressing the 8th meeting of the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) ministerial council held in the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu on July 24.

Addressing the meeting, the minister also underscored the need for concluding the ongoing negotiations in the service sector under the framework of SAFTA as soon as possible to integrate service sectors into the SAARC regional economy.

In his statement, Tofail said: “Although the SAARC has huge potential, especially in enhancing trade and reducing poverty, we are yet reach our targeted goals even after eight years of SAFTA formation.”

He also called upon all the member states to consider meaningful reduction of the sensitive lists, so the export barriers would be removed among the member countries.

Attending the inaugural ceremony, the commerce minister met the Bhu-

tanese Prime Minister while both the leaders stressed the need for concerted efforts from all the member countries to reach the goal of economic integration of the South Asian region within the shortest possible time.

Later, Tofail had a meeting with the commerce minister of Nepal and discussed various bilateral issues of mutual interest including cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, hydro-power and connectivity.

Bhutan hosted the eight meeting of the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) ministerial council in Thimphu on 24th July 2014 at the convention center.

SAFTA is an agreement reached on January 6, 2004 at the 12th SAARC summit in Islamabad, Pakistan to create a free trade area of 1.8 billion people in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Earlier, the seven foreign ministers of the region signed a framework agreement on SAFTA to reduce customs duties of all traded goods to zero by the year 2016.

The SAFTA agreement came into force on 1 January 2006 and is operational following the ratification of the agreement by the seven governments. l

As the Eid shopping is now close to end, two ladies are trying to buy a sari at shop in the city yesterday

Mobile internet sees growth amid volatility n

Muhammad Zahidul Islam

The mobile phone operators witnessed a sharp fall in internet users as the number was declined by 2.69% only in June, this year, while the growth of data users found very inconsistent during the last couple of months, according to the statistics of telecom regulatory authority.

After May, total number of mobile internet users stood at 3.74 crore, out of the total 3.89 crore internet users.

However, the statistics of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), which was published yesterday found that the number of mobile internet users also came down at 3.64 crore.

This figure is a major concern to us. We, on behalf of the mobile industry, need to find out the real problem we are facing Along with Wi-max and other services, the country’s total internet users now stands on 3.79 crore.

Though all the mobile operators found significant negative growth in a single month, the market leaders are very satisfied with the number of their internet users and the growths as well.

Addressing a press conference held on Tuesday Grameenphone Chief Executive Officer Vivek Sood unveiled

Call money rate sees marginal rise before Eid n Tribune Report

their half yearly performance report, which stated that after the month of June, their total internet users stands at 95 lakh with revenue growth on data side more than 57%.

With mobile internet Wi-max growth is also suffering from a negative trend. During the last three months, Wi-max operators are consistently losing their customers. After the month of March, the country’s total Wi-max usersstood at 3.11 lakh and after June it came down to 2.80 lakh.

Market sources informed, though Wi-max technology has been facing challenges before launching fastest data services 3G at the end of last year, Wi-max operators have been flying high from June, this year with 5.04 lakh subscribers while there are only two operators in the market.

According to BTRC statistic, the total internet user numbers of the country dropped five times in between October last year and June, this year.

After October, last year, the numbers of internet users were 3.67 crore.

It went down to 3.58 crore after November and at the end of December the total number of internet users stood at

3.57 crore. The internet users were also declined by two lakh more in January, this year.

Internet growth came back in February but in March the industry also lost 10 lakh subscribers. In Aprial and May internet market found new 30 lakh users but in June it again lost anothe 10 lakh users.

“This figure is a major concern to us.

We, on behalf of the mobile industry, need to find out the real problem we are facing,” TIM Nurul Kabir, secretary general of Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

The data published yesterday, however, showed that the increase of number of active SIM cards was only three lakhs in June, as proposed budget raised some taxes on the sector, industry insiders also claimed.

The number of active mobile SIM cards in the country stands at 11.65 crore in June from 11.62 crore in May. In June Robi and Citycell also lost some of their subscribers. After June, country’s total landpone connections stands at 10.7 lakh, according to the statistics. l

The interbank call money rate increased slightly to above 7% in last two weeks as demand for cash rose ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. The rate remained stable within a range between 6.25% and 6.50% during last two months.

The rate was highest 7% and lowest 6% in the call money market yesterday, according to Bangladesh Bank.

The interbank call money rate remained stable at a range between 7% and 7.5% before the Eid-ul-Fitr last year due to huge excess liquidity in the market since last one and half year.

The rate was 7% for bank-tobank transactions and 8% for nonbank financial institutions until yesterday as compared to a range between 6.25% and 6.50% in last couple of months.

Robust remittance inflow, slowdown in investment and sluggish imports have helped create excess liquidity, keeping the bank-to-bank lending rate stable instead of its seasonal upswing, said a senior official of Bangladesh Bank.

Bangladesh Bank, meanwhile, is injecting funds into the market almost every day through arranging special repo in response to demands from the commercial banks to keep market more liquid ahead of the festival, he said.

“We did not face liquidity crisis as of now and would not face it in the next couple of working days,” said a senior executive of a private bank.

“The demand for money this time is, however, much less than the previous occasions.”

According to latest figures, Sonali Bank and The Farmers Bank lent Bank Asia and Pubali Bank at the highest rate of 7% yesterday while Citi Bank N/A lent Southeast Bank at the lowest rate of 6%.

The central bank is providing the commercial and primary dealer banks with around Tk100 crore everyday through special repo.

A senior executive said Bangladesh Bank did not face pressure from banks for money ahead of this festival as the banks are not facing liquidity crisis.

Meanwhile, the Taka appreciated a little last week as a dollar was traded at Tk77.5 as compared to Tk77.6 at the beginning of this month thanks to increased inflow of remittance ahead of Eid. The country received $936.63m in remittance only in the first three weeks of this month.

The figure was $1.28bn in June, 21% higher than $1.05bn of the same month previous fiscal year.

Bangladesh Bank continued its effort to keep the exchange rate stable ahead of Eid through buying dollar so that expatriates do not become looser, said a senior executive of the central bank.

The inflow of remittance increased in the last several months of the outgoing fiscal year compared to the beginning as the country started returning to normalcy after a prolonged political unrest, he said. l

Atiur: BB to follow ‘guarded stance’ in capital management n Tribune Business Desk

Bangladesh Bank will continue its guarded stance in capital management especially allowing capital outflow to avoid risks of spillover impact of global economic uncertainties.

“Bangladesh would be well advised to maintain more guarded stance in widening their openness to footloose short term capital flows,” said Governor Dr Atiur Rahman.

He was speaking on the Unwinding of Unconventional Monetary Policies and its Impact on Emerging Market Economies (EMEs) at the SAARC Finance Governor Symposium in Colombo, Sri Lanka yesterday, reports BSS.

The governor’s comment came only few days ahead of the announcement of the monetary policy stance (MPS).

BB is announcing the MPS on Saturday for the first half of the current 2014-15 financial year (FY15).

Referring to the Indian experience, Dr Atiur said the neighboring country is more exposed to the impacts of quantitative easing of advanced economies because of her more open capital accounts.

Quantitative easing is a process, which is followed to increase money supply through financial institutions with capital in an effort to promote increased lending and liquidity.

Citing the example of following the

quantitative easing process by the developed economies like the United State, the governor said the developed countries maintained a low rate of interest through the process to increase liquidity flow for expediting real sector growth.

He said global liquidity surplus sustained by the quantitative easing offered ample access to low cost financing in convertible currencies not just in the advanced economies but also in Emerging Market Economies (EMEs) as positive external spillovers.

But, he said emerging economies like Bangladesh would need appropriate adaptive strategies in coping with the negative external spillovers from quantitative easing phase out in the

advanced economies, both individually and collectively at regional and global levels.

“At the global and regional levels, the first best option is clearly that of global cooperation underpinning global financial stability by tethering global liquidity expansion effectively to the growth pace of real global output; supervised by an appropriately mandated supranational forum, perhaps a reformed IMF,” said Dr Atiur.

At the individual country level, he said, the most important thing for emerging economies in coping with negative impacts of quantitative easing phase outs of advanced economies is to maintain effective grip on short

term hot money inflows and outflows.

Currently, Bangladesh economy is virtually fully open to non-resident for capital inflows and outflows in the equity and longer term debt markets, but barred from investing in local short term money markets to avoid risks of volatility and destabilization from surges of money inflows and outflows.

Investments abroad by residents also remain restricted though permissible only for facilitation of export marketing.

Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) inflows and outflows are freely allowed, but investment policies place greater emphasis on facilitating and attracting less footloose Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

IDCOL to fund solar project in Kurigram n Aminur Rahman Rasel Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) has recently signed financing agreement with GRAM-er Alo Limited (GEA), a non-government organisation, to set up a 158.3 kW solar mini-grid project at Narayanpur, an island union in Kurigram.

Under the deal, IDCOL will provide 30% of the project cost, which is estimated at Tk6.27 crore, as soft loan and 50% as grant under the company’s Renewable Energy Program.

The project will provide electricity to adjacent 609 households and 145 commercial entities in the isolated island with Tk30 cost for per unit of electricity.

As the distance of the island from the nearest grid is about 15-20 km, possibility of extending national grid to the island is at far distant, which prompted the signing of solar power project deal, officials said.

‘There is a potential of developing small and cottage industries along with some commercial activities once electricity is made available’ “Narayanpur Union of Nageshwari Upazila, Kurigram is an isolated island.

The nearest national grid is about 1520 km away. That’s why we have opted for solar plant,” Executive Director and CEO of IDCOL Mahmood Malik told the Dhaka Tribune. “The project will cost a total of Tk6.27 crore. IDCOL will provide 30% of the project cost as soft loan and 50% as grant under its Renewable Energy Program,” he said.

Mahmood Malik said the willingness among the people of the island to consume electricity and their “satisfactory income level to pay for electricity were also considering factors while choosing the site.”

According to people concerned, there is a potential in the area of developing small and cottage industries along with some commercial activities once electricity is made available.

This possible economic development with the start of power supply also encouraged the officials to strike solar project deal for the island.

Interest rate of the loan amount to be granted to GRAM (Global Resource Augmentation and Management Ltd) for mini grid project will be 6% per annum and the loan tenure will be 10 years with 2 years of grace period. IDCOL has a vision to finance 1550 solar irrigation pumps, 50 solar mini grids, 450 bio-electricity plants and 30 bio-mass gasification-based power plants by 2016. l

B2

Stock

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Stocks finish green before 9-day vacation n Tribune Report

Coupled with improved half-yearly earning disclosures, monetary policy statement, expectations and favorable prices at scrip-level acted as the core catalysts behind upturn helped close higher.

The benchmark DSEX rose more than 38 points or 0.9% to end at 4,427. The Shariah index gained 11 points or 1% to 1,004. The comprising blue chips DS30 closed at 1,626 with a rise of 24 points or 1.6%.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE)

Company

Turnover (Million Taka)

3,395.38 71,002,862

Number of Contract

Selective Categories Index, CSCX, rose 66 points to 8,387.

Turnover at DSE stood at Tk339crore mark, an increase of more than 6% over the previous session.

All the major sectors moved up with telecommunication registering a phenomenal gain of over 3%, driven by heavyweight Grameenphone – the lone listed company in the sector.

Pharmaceuticals, power, food and allied, banks and non-banking financial institutions also closed marginally higher.

IDLC Investments said closing session ahead of Eid-ul-Fitre stepped up with investors’ focus on large cap scrips.

“Coupled with improved half-yearly earning disclosures, monetary policy statement, expectations and favorable prices at scrip-level acted as the core catalysts behind upturn.”

Top ten scrips accounted for over 55% of total DSE trading activities.

Grameenphone became the top turnover leader removing Beximco that came second after remaining top position for the sixth consecutive session.

The two were followed by Shahjibazar Power Company, Padma Oil, FAR Chemical, Olympic Industries, Square Pharmaceuticals and Meghna Petroleum. l

Stocks finished positive yesterday before a nine-day vacation, beginning from today to celebrate Eid-ulFitr.

The market fluctuated in the morning but late buying binge mainly on telecommunication, pharmaceuticals and energy issues has

DSE GAINERS

DSE key features Jujy 24, 2014

Turnover (Volume)

Weekly capital market highlights

66,020

Traded Issues

299

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

117

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

177

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

5

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,325.89

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

28.19

CSE key features Jujy 24, 2014 Turnover (Million Taka)

377.27

Turnover (Volume)

17,166,836

Number of Contract

9,607

Traded Issues

206

4427.15510

(+) 0.88%

▲

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

88

DSE - 30 Index :

1626.51643

(+) 1.53%

▲

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

107

CSE All Share Index:

13596.86930

(+) 0.78%

▲

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

10

CSE - 30 Index :

11180.64780

(+) 1.02%

▲

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,217.36

8381.14840

(+) 0.72%

▲

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

26.88

DSE LOSERS Company Stylecraft -A Rupali Bank - A National Tea -A 2nd ICB M F -A Islami Ins.BD-A Imam Button -Z Beach Hatchery -A SonarBangla Insu. -A Bank Asia -A MBL 1st M. F.-A

Closing (% change) -7.23 -4.27 -3.43 -3.03 -2.63 -2.38 -2.37 -2.27 -2.17 -2.04

CSE LOSERS Company Progressive Life-A Mithun Knitting -A H.R. Textile -A Quasem Drycells -A Sun Life Insurance-N GPH Ispat Ltd-A Fareast Islami Life -A Beach Hatchery -A GreenDeltaInsu -A Intl. Leasing-B

Closing (% change) -25.07 -6.09 -5.86 -4.47 -4.02 -3.64 -3.59 -3.15 -3.08 -2.65

Average (% change) -6.24 -2.02 -3.53 -1.24 -3.48 -0.83 -3.00 -3.18 -7.65 -2.04 Average (% change) -25.07 -2.76 -5.97 -3.46 -5.76 -3.66 -2.83 -4.16 -3.51 -4.34

ANALYST

Closing average 936.00 65.64 801.60 293.33 22.16 8.33 24.90 17.07 17.01 4.81

Closing average 112.40 103.76 25.67 36.30 47.78 50.30 80.39 24.67 75.26 11.01

Weekly closing 936.00 65.00 801.60 288.00 22.20 8.20 24.70 17.20 18.00 4.80

Weekly 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 227.81 63.94 35.32 201.71 169.40 545.75 0.71 244.65 454.93 0.19 52.78 16.15 10.30 219.09 12.55 33.64 44.59 629.99 72.12 357.21 2.59

936.00 74.60 801.60 298.80 23.90 8.50 26.50 17.60 18.00 4.90

Weekly high

112.40 100.20 25.70 36.30 47.80 50.30 80.50 24.60 75.60 11.00

112.40 104.00 25.80 36.30 47.80 50.30 81.00 25.00 76.90 11.20

Weekly low

Turnover in million

936.00 65.00 801.60 288.00 20.60 8.20 23.00 17.00 17.00 4.70

Weekly low

0.094 0.200 0.080 0.132 0.877 0.050 11.818 0.862 12.020 2.569

Turnover in million

112.40 100.00 25.60 36.30 47.70 50.30 80.20 24.50 73.00 11.00

9.99 9.93 9.75 8.40 7.84 7.26 5.94 5.74 5.08 5.04

Latest EPS 26.16 2.76 -71.72 33.24 1.92 -1.85 1.70 1.52 1.76 -0.36

Latest EPS

0.056 1.660 0.039 0.018 0.096 0.025 0.297 0.382 0.542 0.418

2.30 2.69 1.75 1.79 0.00 2.42 4.60 1.70 3.00 -1.28

Latest PE 35.8 23.8 -ve 8.8 11.5 -ve 14.6 11.2 9.7 -ve

Latest PE 48.9 38.6 14.7 20.3 20.8 17.5 14.5 25.1 -ve

Company FAR Chemical-N National Life I -A SummitAlliancePort.-A ICB Sonali Bank 1 MF-A Bangladesh Lamps -A Delta Brac HFCL-A Miracle Industries -B Daffodil Computers -Z Rupali Bank - A Republic Insu.-A

Closing (% change) 9.38 7.92 6.83 6.10 5.60 4.50 4.32 4.10 4.00 3.20

Average (% change) 9.99 3.44 3.57 4.73 4.40 7.47 3.46 3.77 3.54 3.71 Average (% change) 2.99 11.62 4.62 5.85 5.65 9.21 4.77 3.36 4.00 3.20

Closing average 147.60 56.91 54.27 26.14 166.45 53.20 10.46 12.67 6.15 41.08

Closing average 54.10 234.40 26.06 8.68 115.00 57.88 16.91 12.61 65.00 29.00

Weekly closing 147.60 58.70 56.30 27.10 171.90 53.20 10.70 12.90 6.20 41.70

Weekly closing 56.00 234.40 26.60 8.70 115.00 58.00 16.90 12.70 65.00 29.00

Weekly high 147.60 58.70 56.40 27.30 171.90 53.20 10.70 13.00 6.20 41.80

Weekly high 56.30 236.00 27.30 8.90 115.00 58.00 17.00 12.90 65.00 29.00

Weekly low 147.60 53.60 50.70 24.00 150.00 53.20 10.30 11.00 6.00 39.50

Weekly low 51.00 230.00 25.00 8.50 115.00 50.00 16.90 12.30 65.00 29.00

Turnover in million 0.849 146.986 125.962 25.007 13.012 0.027 0.502 1.616 0.163 1.450

Turnover in million 16.365 0.059 3.068 0.078 0.006 0.059 0.127 0.329 0.020 0.015

Latest EPS -1.80 3.04 3.92 0.96 17.00 1.32 0.20 0.68 0.99 2.52

Latest EPS 3.92 12.46 0.96 1.60 0.92 5.05 0.19 0.68 2.76 2.45

Latest PE -ve 18.7 13.8 27.2 9.8 40.3 52.3 18.6 6.2 16.3

Latest PE 13.8 18.8 27.1 5.4 125.0 11.5 89.0 18.5 23.6 11.8

News, analysis and recent disclosers BGIC (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 79.29 million with EPS of Tk. 1.47 as against Tk. 74.53 million and Tk. 1.38 respectively*.

EBL (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 947.49 million with consolidated EPS of Tk. 1.55 as against Tk. 975.70 million and Tk. 1.60 respectively*.

RUPALIBANK (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 287.25 million with consolidated EPS of Tk. 1.38 as against Tk. 745.84 million and Tk. 3.57 respectively*.

LEGACYFOOT (H/Y): NPAT=Tk. 1.33 million with EPS of Tk. 0.14 as against Tk. 1.86 million and Tk. 0.19 (restated) respectively*.

MTB (H/Y): NPAT=Tk. 369.49 million with consolidated EPS of Tk. 1.20 as against Tk. 36.22 million and Tk. 0.12 respectively*.

GREENDELT (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 70.02 million with consolidated EPS of Tk. 0.95 as against Tk. 170.15 million and Tk. 2.32 respectively*.

RUPALIINS (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 78.20 million with EPS of Tk. 1.36 as against Tk. 70.90 million and Tk. 1.24 respectively*.

MEGHNACEM (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 102.47 million with EPS of Tk. 4.55 as against Tk. 100.51 million and Tk. 4.47 respectively*.

RAKCERAMIC: (H/Y): NPAT=Tk. 297.79 million with consolidated EPS of Tk. 0.88 as against Tk. 321.79 million and Tk. 0.96 respectively*.

PREMIERBAN: (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 340.61 million with consolidated EPS of Tk. 0.60 as against Tk. (2,039.97) million and Tk. (3.62) (restated) respectively*.

BANKASIA: (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 660.22 million with consolidated EPS of Tk. 0.87 as against Tk. 490.00 million and Tk. 0.64 respectively*.

RANFOUNDRY (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 16.00 million with EPS of Tk. 1.60 as against Tk. 15.24 million and Tk. 1.52 respectively*.

DUTCHBANGL (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 928.59 million with EPS of Tk. 4.64 as against Tk. 814.46 million and Tk. 4.07 respectively*.

IBNSINA (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 37.76 million with EPS of Tk. 1.77 as against Tk. 27.61 million and Tk. 1.29 respectively*.

FIRSTSBANK (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 303.87 million with consolidated EPS of Tk. 0.74 as against Tk. 246.19 million and Tk. 0.60 respectively*.

UNITEDINS (H/Y): NPAT=Tk. 56.63 million with EPS of Tk. 1.42 as against Tk. 51.31 million and Tk. 1.28 respectively*.

BDLAMPS (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 5.28 million with EPS of Tk. 0.56 as against Tk. 6.37 million and Tk. 0.68 respectively*.

BXPHARMA (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 724.27 million with EPS of Tk. 1.97 as against Tk. 658.50 million and Tk. 1.79 respectively*.

BXSYNTH (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 28.48 million with EPS of Tk. 0.33 as against Tk. 14.76 million and Tk. 0.17 respectively*.

ILFSL (H/Y): NPAT=Tk. (66.49) million with consolidated EPS of Tk. (0.39) as against Tk. (132.05) million and Tk. (0.77) respectively*.

JAMUNABANK (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 280.39 million with consolidated EPS of Tk. 0.54 as against Tk. 93.39 million and Tk. 0.18 respectively*.

NTC (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. (91.36) million with EPS of Tk. (13.84) as against Tk. 63.64 million and Tk. 9.64 respectively*.

NORTHRNINS (H/Y): NPAT = Tk. 65.01 million with EPS of Tk. 2.07 as against Tk. 64.37 million and Tk. 2.04 respectively*.

GENNEXT (H/Y): NPAT = Tk. 248.95 million with EPS of Tk. 1.03 as against Tk. 173.41 million and Tk. 0.72 respectively*.

IFIC (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 645.54 million with consolidated EPS of Tk. 1.47 as against Tk. 450.24 million and Tk. 1.03 respectively*.

STANDARINS (H/Y): NPAT= Tk. 39.73 million with EPS of Tk. 1.50 as against Tk. 34.24 million and Tk. 1.30 (restated) respectively*.

RUPALILIFE (H/Y): As per un-audited half yearly accounts as on 30.06.2014 (Jan'14 to June'14), the Company has reported an increase in life insurance fund of Tk. 118.69 million with total life insurance fund of Tk. 3,135.49 million as against Tk. 224.38 million and Tk. 2,979.92 million respectively for the same period of the previous year. Whereas increase in life insurance fund was Tk. 39.00 million for the period of 3 months (Apr'14 to June'14) ended on 30.06.2014 as against Tk. 87.77 million for the same period of the previous year.

MAKSONSPIN (Q3): NPAT= Tk. 34.25 million with EPS of Tk. 0.16 as against Tk. 46.15 million and Tk. 0.21 (restated) respectively*.

SUNLIFEINS (Q1): As per un-audited quarterly accounts for the 1st quarter ended on 31st March 2014 (Jan'14 to March'14), the Company has reported an increase in life revenue account of Tk. 32.86 million with total life insurance fund of Tk. 3,129.85 million as against Tk. 62.49 million and Tk. 2,848.89 million respectively for the same period of the previous year.

Closing session ahead of Eid-ul-Fitre stepped up with investors’ focus on large cap scrips

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY Sector

Weekly high

GeminiSeaFood-Z Shahjibazar Power-N FAR Chemical-N SummitAlliancePort.-A Popular Life Insu. -A Standard Ceramic -A ISN Ltd. -Z Daffodil Computers -Z AMCL 2nd MF-A Pragati Gen. I -A

Closing (% change)

CSE GAINERS

DSE Broad Index :

CSE Selected Index :

Friday, July 25, 2014

% change 6.71 1.88 1.04 5.94 4.99 16.07 0.02 7.21 13.40 1.55 0.48 0.30 6.45 0.37 0.99 1.31 18.55 2.12 10.52 0.08

Million Taka 127.35 6.72 1.78 21.65 19.98 36.86 40.49 35.41 32.86 4.84 33.79 0.94 15.96 1.59 1.73 1.78 33.33 15.18 43.60 0.00

CSE

% change 26.76 1.41 0.37 4.55 4.20 7.75 0.00 8.51 7.44 6.91 1.02 7.10 0.20 3.35 0.33 0.36 0.37 7.00 3.19 9.16 0.00

Million Taka 355.17 70.65 37.09 223.36 189.38 582.61 0.71 285.14 490.34 33.05 57.62 49.94 11.24 235.06 14.14 35.37 46.37 663.32 87.30 400.81 2.59

Total

% change 9.17 1.83 0.96 5.77 4.89 15.05 0.02 7.37 12.67 0.85 1.49 1.29 0.29 6.07 0.37 0.91 1.20 17.13 2.26 10.35 0.07

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

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Grameenphone-A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A LafargeS Cement-Z Shahjibazar Power-N Padma Oil Co. -A FAR Chemical-N Olympic Ind. -A Square Pharma -A Meghna Petroleum -A ACI Limited- A CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Shahjalal Islami -A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Grameenphone-A FAR Chemical-N G Next Fashions-A LafargeS Cement-Z Square Pharma -A Padma Oil Co. -A The Peninsula CTG.-N UNITED AIR-A

Volume shares 1,946,455 8,727,285 1,892,500 2,582,800 436,388 2,321,000 478,875 424,415 376,578 260,683

Volume shares 9,801,415 1,103,425 89,400 302,500 619,697 124,000 36,002 24,966 226,400 597,436

Value in million 595.58 310.66 160.70 146.99 144.07 125.96 116.03 107.44 103.29 68.96

Value in million 107.82 39.31 27.32 16.36 11.28 10.54 9.10 8.22 7.75 7.20

% of total turnover 17.54 9.15 4.73 4.33 4.24 3.71 3.42 3.16 3.04 2.03

% of total turnover 29.88 10.89 7.57 4.54 3.13 2.92 2.52 2.28 2.15 2.00

Weekly closing 307.90 36.20 85.50 58.70 333.00 56.30 242.00 255.70 276.00 266.10

Weekly closing 11.20 36.00 307.70 56.00 17.80 85.40 254.60 331.40 34.40 12.20

Price change 3.43 4.02 2.27 9.93 2.08 9.75 1.89 2.04 1.43 2.27

Weekly opening 297.70 34.80 83.60 53.40 326.20 51.30 237.50 250.60 272.10 260.20

Weekly high 309.30 37.00 85.90 58.70 333.00 56.40 244.30 270.00 280.00 268.80

Weekly low 297.70 31.40 83.00 53.60 310.00 50.70 237.40 240.00 248.50 237.50

Weekly average 305.98 35.60 84.91 56.91 330.15 54.27 242.30 253.14 274.28 264.52

Price change 0.90 3.15 3.01 9.38 -0.56 1.91 1.64 1.94 1.18 0.83

Weekly opening 11.10 34.90 298.70 51.20 17.90 83.80 250.50 325.10 34.00 12.10

Weekly high 11.20 36.30 309.00 56.30 18.70 85.90 255.80 332.80 34.60 12.20

Weekly low 11.00 34.60 299.90 51.00 17.60 83.90 250.70 323.30 33.80 11.50

Weekly average 11.00 35.62 305.62 54.10 18.21 85.03 252.87 329.15 34.22 12.05

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

B3

Friday, July 25, 2014

Asian economies to struggle on weak export demand n Reuters, Bangalore The outlook for emerging Asia has dimmed further this year on weak demand for exports, although growth in India is expected to accelerate into 2015 even as China is held back in part by a slowing property market, Reuters polls showed.

China and India have been stung by the West’s slow recovery from the Great Recession and, adding to the problem, both countries have struggled to implement reforms at home to boost productivity and consumer spending.

But signs of stabilisation have emerged in China, the world’s secondlargest economy, which grew by a slightly-faster-than-expected annual 7.5% in April-June, thanks to a raft of government stimulus measures.

Chinese manufacturing expanded at its fastest pace in 18 months in July, according to a preliminary HSBC survey of purchasing managers yesterday.

However, economists in the Reuters survey conducted from July 17-23 were wary about pushing growth forecasts much higher. They now expect the Chinese economy to grow 7.4% in 2014, a modest increase from the 7.3% predicted in April, according to 44 respondents.

They expect growth to slow to 7.2% next year. That underlines the limited effect that government stimulus measures have had so far and reflects worries that a property market slump could worsen and hurt the broader economy.

Chinese exports rose 7.2% in June from a year before, lower than expected. They were up only about 0.9% in the first half compared with a year

A labourer carries a sack of cement against a backdrop of the central Mumbai financial district earlier, compared with year-on-year growth of close to 10% in January to June 2013.

“The mini-stimulus measures have helped to support growth in the second quarter but we see some downside risks

stemming from a property market correction due to oversupply and uncertain external demand,” said Jian Chang, an economist at Barclays in Hong Kong.

Economists in the poll also cut 2014 growth forecasts for India, Indonesia, the

Philippines, South Korea and Thailand while Australia and Malaysia were predicted to expand at a slightly faster pace.

The forecast for Thailand was cut the most after months of political turmoil that led to a military coup in May,

REUTERS

as well as the continuing weakness of exports. Its economy is expected to grow by just 1.8% in 2014, down from the 2.6% forecast in April.

The Thai economy is then seen expanding 4% next year. Most other

Dollar steady in Asian trade Japan June exports slide in warning n AFP, Tokyo

The dollar held steady in Asia yesterday with currency markets little moved by weak Japanese trade data and upbeat manufacturing figures out of China.

In late afternoon Tokyo trade, the dollar fetched 101.47 yen, against 101.48 yen in New York late Wednesday.

The euro bought $1.3455 and 136.55 yen, against $1.3462 and 136.62 yen.

Regional stock markets rose as an index of Chinese manufacturing activity hit an 18-month high in July, boosting hopes for the world’s number two economy, while concerns over the Ukraine crisis eased.

“It’s hard to say that the risk aversion mood is growing,” said Mizuho Securities chief FX strategist Kengo Suzuki.

The yen tends to gain ground in times of uncertainty and turmoil, but markets moved little after fresh Japanese data showed the country’s trade deficit ballooned to a record in the first half of the year.

The figures were likely to ramp up pressure on the Bank of Japan for fresh easing measures, which tend to weaken the yen.

The British pound dipped to $1.7032 from $1.7040 in New York late Wednesday.

The decline came despite Bank of England governor Mark Carney telling a conference that the central bank needs to start raising interest rates in the coming months, even as he emphasised

there is no “preset course” for doing so.

“The UK economy has been growing rapidly,” Carney said. “As the economy normalises, (the) bank rate will need to start to rise in order to achieve the inflation target.”

But he added that bank policymakers have “no preset course and the timing of any increases in interest rates will be determined by the data”.

'It’s hard to say that the risk aversion mood is growing' Carney’s remarks came as minutes of a July monetary policy meeting showed that BoE members unanimously agreed to keep the key interest rate at an all-time low of 0.50%.

The dollar was mixed against other Asia-Pacific currencies.

It firmed to 11,542 Indonesian rupiah from 11,505 rupiah on Wednesday, to 43.32 Philippine pesos from 43.29 pesos, to 1,028.78 South Korean won from 1,024.20 won, and to 31.83 Thai baht from 31.75 baht.

It weakened to Sg$1.2384 from Sg$1.2392 and to 60.02 Indian rupees from 60.19 rupees.

The Australian dollar edged up to 94.42 US cents from 94.40 cents, while the Chinese yuan was higher at 16.39 yen against 16.34 yen. l

Banglalink, mobile telecom operator has recently expanded its 3G services in all 64 districts of the country commercially. On this regard the company officials celebrated at its headquarter in Dhaka

Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation Limited has recently donated Tk48 lakh to BRAC University for providing scholarships to its exceptionally talented students as a part of the corporate social responsibility programme. The company’s head of finance, Syed Aminul Islam handed over the cheque of Tk48 lakh to the university’s treasurer, Sukhendra Sarkar at a simple ceremony held in Dhaka

sign for economic outlook n Reuters, Tokyo Japan’s exports unexpectedly fell in June for a second straight month, weighed down by a drop in shipments to Asia and the United States, signalling that weak external demand may require bolder domestic policies to sustain the recovery.

Exports fell 2% in June from a year earlier, compared with a 1% increase expected by economists in a Reuters poll, data from the Ministry of Finance showed on Thursday.

That followed a 2.7% decline in the prior month, which was the first annual drop in 15 months.

Sluggish exports, a weak spot in the world’s third largest economy, have been a concern for policymakers who hoped that a recovery in external demand would help offset the pain from the April sales tax hike to 8% from 5%.

Analysts say weak exports alone may not trigger the Bank of Japan to act, but if domestic demand falters, it could raise expectations for additional monetary easing, which have subsided in the face of the BOJ’s confidence it will meet the inflation goal.

“This raises more concern about how the economy will do after the sales tax hike and makes the government less likely to proceed with the next

tax hike scheduled for next year,” said Yasuo Yamamoto, senior economist at Mizuho Research Institute.

“Weak exports alone will not prompt the Bank of Japan to ease policy, but if consumer spending also weakened, then expectations for a policy change would increase.”

Exports to the United States, a key market, fell 2.2% in June from a year ago as more Japanese companies produce goods in other countries, such as Mexico, for US consumers. Car shipments to the United States fell 6.8%, weighing on US-bound exports.

Exports to China, another important market for Japan, rose 1.5% year-onyear in June, but exports to Asia, which accounts for more than half of Japan’s total exports, fell 3.8% in June from a year earlier, hit by sluggish shipments of electronics parts.

Some respite for policymakers came in the form of July’s Markit/JMMA flash Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) which saw the new export orders index rising to 51.6 in July from a final 49.5 in June, a return to growth for the first time in four months.

(A level above 50 indicates expansion.)

Japan’s imports grew 8.4% in the year to June, matching the median estimate, due to hefty fuel imports, bringing the trade balance to a deficit

of 822.2bn yen ($8.10bn), the MOF data showed, marking two full years of trade shortfalls, the longest run on record.

On a half-year basis, Japan logged a record trade deficit of 7.5984tn yen in the first half of 2014, the data showed.

BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said last week exports would increase eventually as overseas markets, mainly in advanced economies, recover, while Finance Minister Taro Aso has also blamed weakness in emerging market economies for Japan’s lacklustre export performance.Policymakers and analysts also cite the ongoing shift of Japanese production abroad.

The BOJ’s aggressive monetary stimulus helped weaken the yen by roughly 20% in 2013, boosting exporters’ profits and share prices. However, the yen has moved sideways this year versus the dollar, limiting gains in export proceeds.

More worryingly, the weak yen has failed to shore up export volumes, which fell for a third straight year in 2013.Export volumes dropped 1.7% in June from a year ago, down for a second straight month, the MOF data showed.

The government raised the sales tax to 8% from 5% in April, but it could delay a second tax hike to 10% scheduled for October next year if the economic outlook weakens. l

economies are also expected to perform slightly better in 2015.

For India, economists pencilled in 5.3% growth for the current fiscal year, down from the 5.5% seen in April.

For now, they fail to share the enthusiasm of investors for the new government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

His landslide election win two months ago has helped send Mumbai’s Sensex index up more than 24% this year.

Most Asian countries have begun increasing exports to the United States as its economy has rebounded following a dismal start to 2014 but orders to the euro zone, China and regional trade partners have stagnated or slipped.

“Despite the pick-up in exports to the US, emerging market shipments excluding those from China have yet to rise broadly,” said David Hensley, an economist at JP Morgan.

High inflation in the region has limited the scope for any easing in monetary policy and almost all major central banks in the region are likely to hold interest rates steady until the end of next year, resisting pressure to stimulate demand.

Only the Bank of Korea is expected to cut its base rate, by 25 basis points to 2.25 percent sometime in the third quarter.

In contrast, both the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England are expected to raise interest rates by the middle of next year, although the absence of wage inflation there could delay any move.

The outlook for Asia was, however, better than for Latin American economies, where Brazil is seen managing just 1.1% growth this year. l

NRB Bank opens 12th branch, hopes 100 in 5 years n Tribune Business Desk NRB Global Bank has opened its 12th branch in the capital’s Dhanmondi area.

Chairman of the bank Nizam Chowdhury inaugurated the branch as chief guest. Vice-Chairman Hanif Chowdhury, directors Golam Mohammad and Rashed Uddin Mahmud and Managing Director Abdul Kuddus were also present at the inaugural function.

“Still about 45% people are out of the banking service. To make the country as a middle-income and developed country, promoting the banking service is crucial,” said Nizam Chowdhury.

“As the entrepreneurs of the bank are non-resident Bangladeshis (NRB), we are very much aware of flourishing the bank’s business nationally and internationally," he added.

"We hope to provide best service to our customers. So we are expecting to establish at least 100 branches around the country within five years.”

The speakers expected to provide excellent banking service with its upto-date technology. l

Airtel Bangladesh Ltd has recently signed an agreement with Concito PR to avail the PR agency’s services. The telecom company’s head of PR and internal communications, Shamit Mahbub Shahabuddin and Moeen Tariq, managing director of Concito PR, among others, were present at the signing ceremony held in Dhaka

Pubali Bank’s Dhaka Central Region has recently held a workshop on SME, ERM, ethical and green banking for its officers. The bank’s managing director and CEO Helal Ahmed Chowdhury was present at the workshop as chief guest

AM Channel, a concern of Abdul Monem Group of Companies has recently been awarded awards for paying highest VAT (business category) in the fiscal year 2012-2013 by the Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate of Comilla, Chittagong and Khulna

KFC Bangladesh, KFC, restaurant chain has introduced a new menu ‘Fiery Grilled’ yesterday at its Gulshan outlet. Akku Chowdhury the managing director and CEO of Transcom Foods Ltd along with renowned celebrities attended the launching programme

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World Bank lauds India PM, offers billions in aid n AFP, New Delhi The World Bank on Wednesday offered India up to $18bn in financial support over the next three years while lavishly praising new right-wing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “ambitious vision” for the country.

Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party was elected in May with the biggest electoral majority in three decades on pledges to revive India’s sluggish economy, ousting the scandaltainted, left-leaning Congress party.

Speaking at the end of a three-day visit to India, World Bank president Jim Yong Kim told reporters he was hugely impressed with Modi’s “comprehensive and extremely ambitious vision for the country”.

“I am more optimistic leaving (about India’s prospects) than when I arrived,” Kim said following talks with Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to discuss the new government’s development priorities.

Modi, 63, “has an extreme sense of urgency”, Kim said, as he outlined an offer to India of “financial support worth $15bn to $18bn over the next three years” to help lift hundreds of millions of Indians out of poverty.

India is already the Bank’s largest cumulative borrower.

“His (Modi’s) intention is to grow this economy quickly, grow the number of jobs quickly and demonstrate to the Indian people you can do things at scale with great speed,” Kim said.

As part of Modi’s anti-poverty drive, Kim strongly urged him not to block a landmark world trade deal that would make it easier for goods to cross borders and inject an estimated $1bn into the global economy.

India has been threatening not to ratify the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement reached last year in Bali un-

Friday, July 25, 2014

Google offers big prize for small power box n AFP, San Francisco Google is offering a million-dollar prize for a breakthrough that would make solar or wind generated electricity more enticing for everyday uses.

Google teamed with the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers to back a “Littlebox Challenge” promising to reward whoever comes up with the best design for a device no bigger than a laptop that can efficiently convert direct current to alternating current commonly used in homes and businesses.

Renewable energy sources such as solar panels and wind turbines create direct current that must be converted into alternating current, the system for which now involves complex power grids and sources such as fossil or nuclear fuels.

The challenge is to shrink power converters to about a tenth of their

present size, which was described as on par with large picnic coolers.

“There will be obstacles to overcome; like the conventional wisdom of engineering,” Eric Raymond of the Google Green Team said in an online post announcing the challenge.

“But whoever gets it done will help change the future of electricity.”

Small inverters could make it possible to accomplish handy feats such as creating low-cost power grids in remote places or using car batteries to keep lights on in homes during blackouts, according to Raymond.

“We think it’s time to shine a light on the humble inverter, and the potential that lies in making it much, much smaller,” Raymond said.

Details of the competition were available online Wednesday at littleboxchallenge.com. l

Android grabs more tablet market share n AFP, Washington World Bank president Jim Yong Kim addresses a press conference in India's capital New Delhi on July 23. Jim Yong Kim is on a three-day visit to India AFP less it gets assurances that it can help its poor citizens with food subsidies.

“Freer trade and more trade have been extremely important for poor nations,” Kim said as the July 31 deadline for acceptance of the treaty by all 160 WTO members loomed.

While Modi is pro-business, his government says the trade facilitation agreement or TFA is biased in favour of wealthier nations which assert that food subsidies lead to distortions in global trade.

Kim said Modi was especially keen for progress in education and in energy development with 300 million of ener-

gy-starved India’s 1.25-billion population still without electricity, according to the Bank.

“We are going to have to run as fast as we have ever run to keep up with him,” said Kim. Kim’s lavish praise came despite criticism by some economists of the government’s budget in early July that they said failed to take sufficient steps to reform the still highly regulated inward-looking economy.

Kim added he was open to India’s call for reforms to the Bank’s structure to better reflect the growing clout of emerging nations.

“No one can doubt the importance of middle-income BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries,” Kim said, adding the bank had already taken steps to mirror new power equations and more discussions would be held next year.

“The organisation has to reflect the new reality, we will continue to make changes,” he said.

Kim’s statements follows the fivenation BRICS bloc’s establishment this month of a new multilateral infrastructure development bank to rival the World Bank and challenge US-led dominance of the global economy. l

Global sales of tablet computers edged higher in the second quarter, in the slowest growth since 2009, research firm Strategy Analytics said Wednesday.

The research firm said global tablet shipments reached 52.9 million units, up just six percent from the same period a year ago.

Growth was led by devices using the Google Android operating system.

Android tablet sales rose 11% to 36.8 million in the March-June period, the survey found, and grabbed a 70% market share.

Apple sales fell from a year earlier to 13.3 million, according to Strategy Analytics’ figures which were above Apple’s own report this week showing 12.3 million.

The research firm said Apple’s market share slipped to 25% based on the latest decline.

Windows-powered tablets accounted for five percent of the market, with unit sales up some 28% at 2.7 million, the survey found.

“Android consolidation continued as it was the chosen OS (operating system) for seven out of 10 tablets shipped in the market,” says Strategy Analytics researcher Peter King.

“Android is continuing to make steady progress due to the wide range of vendors and wide range of screen sizes and price-points.”

Several analysts have said the tablet market has become saturated in many developed countries and that largescreen smartphones or “phablets” are often being used instead. l

Global economy starts Yum cuts ties to owner of China meat plant after scandal second half on solid footing n Reuters, Shanghai

n Reuters China’s factory activity expanded at its fastest in 18 months in July as new orders surged while the euro zone’s private sector also perked up, suggesting the global economy started the second half of 2014 on a solid footing.

While China is relying on increased government stimulus to steer its economy away from reliance on exports and towards consumer spending, Europe has taken the opposite approach, combining fiscal austerity with near-zero interest rates.

The latest HSBC/Markit Flash China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index suggested that government stimulus was working, rising to 52 in July from 50.7 in June, and beating the consensus forecast of 51 in a Reuters poll.

That was the highest reading since January 2013, and well above the 50-point level that separates growth from contraction for the second consecutive month.

A comparable survey of private sector activity in the euro zone also rose more than expected, to 54 from 52.8, even without signs of the resurgence in inflation from dangerously low levels that the European Central Bank is trying to engineer.

Taken together with data pointing to a solid expansion for the United States, and with most stock markets rallying or near record highs, the reports suggest the world economy is in a brighter spot.

“The strength of this morning’s data from China and the euro zone offers some encouragement that there is some momentum building for the global economy at the start of the third quarter,” said Mark Wall, European economist at Deutsche Bank.

“We still don’t have second quarter growth numbers for the US or euro zone.

And although the Bundesbank said earlier this week that German growth could stagnate in the second quarter, what’s at least encouraging from the PMI data is it seems any disappointment yet to be published might well be temporary.”

Markit’s manufacturing PMI for the

DILBERT

United States is due later on Thursday and is also expected to show improving activity, rising to 57.5 from 57.3 last month.

China outlook still shaky

The PMI data coincided with the latest Reuters poll on the outlook for Asia, which suggested China will struggle to maintain these rates of growth into next year, partly because of risks a property market downturn might threaten the economy.

Analysts polled by Reuters expect the world’s No 2 economy to expand by 7.4% this year, slightly below the last reported rate of 7.5%. That would be its weakest growth in nearly a quarter of a century.

Some analysts say that more stimulus may be needed to offset any downdraft from falling property prices and activity. There are also increasing risks in the financial system, such as deteriorating credit quality.

Mainland China stocks jumped after the PMI report while shares in the rest of Asia edged higher. The Australian dollar AUD=D4 hit a three-week high on prospects of stronger exports to China.

For the euro zone, where forecasters are even more gloomy about growth prospects, the latest PMI data were a bright spot and triggered a rally in the euro from an eight-month low.

Markit said the data suggest quarterly economic growth of 0.4% in the current quarter if a similar pace is maintained over the next two months.

Lagging economies like Spain performed even better, with the largest monthly increase in business activity recorded since August 2007 accompanied by a similar surge in new orders growth.

Separate official data showed Spain’s jobless rate tumbled to its lowest in two years, although nearly a quarter of the labour force is still out of work.

And while euro zone services business expanded at its fastest pace since May 2011 - the PMI rose to 54.4 - the index measuring output price changes fell to 48.3, suggesting downward pressure on inflation, despite high raw materials costs. l

Yum Brands Inc severed ties with OSI Group after Shanghai police detained five people from the supplier’s China meat-processing factory at the centre of a food-safety scare that has ensnared several major Western brands.

Shanghai police said on Wednesday the five individuals being held included the head of Shanghai Husi Food Co Ltd as well as its quality manager.

“Yum China has decided to immediately terminate all procurement from OSI China,” including Shanghai Husi, Yum said in a statement.

OSI China and its Shanghai Husi business are part of Aurora, Illinoisbased OSI Group LLC, which said in a statement that local Chinese authorities have inspected all of its other facilities in China and found no issues.

Based on that statement, McDonald’s Corp said it was maintaining its relationship with OSI Group.

The world’s biggest hamburger chain, which has just over 2,000 restaurants in China, said it would transfer its business in affected markets to Husi’s new plant in the eastern central province of Henan. And, until that process is completed, McDonald’s said it would continue to buy food from Husi’s fac-

tory in the northern province of Hebei.

OSI Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sheldon Lavin apologized to its China customers in a statement on Wednesday and reiterated that he has teams on the ground to address the problems.

“What happened at Husi Shanghai is completely unacceptable,” Lavin said. “We will bear the responsibility of these missteps, and will make sure that they never happen again.”

KFC and Pizza Hut parent Yum, McDonald’s and coffee chain Starbucks Corp are among the global brands that pulled products from their outlets after the news broke that Shanghai Husi supplied expired meat to clients in China as well as in Japan, in the latest in a series of food scandals in the country.

Earlier, the official Xinhua news agency cited the Shanghai food and drug watchdog as saying that foodsafety violations at Shanghai Husi were company-led rather than the acts of individuals.

In its statement, Yum said: “It is difficult to believe and completely unacceptable that the management of Shanghai Husi ... would oversee and organize illegal and dishonest operations.”

Yum, which has 6,400 restaurants in

China, also terminated its relationship with OSI in Australia and the United States. Yum said that OSI is not a major supplier and that ending the partnerships with OSI should not disrupt its business.

Different standards

A Chinese TV report on Sunday set off a storm of controversy after it showed staff at the Shanghai Husi facility using meat that had expired and had been lying on the floor.

Huang Denggang, 20, worked as a night cleaner at that Husi plant, a modern warehouse compound in a Shanghai suburb, for more than a year, but does not plan to return when it reopens because of lower-than-expected pay and a medical claim.

He told Reuters on Wednesday that he had seen workers pick up raw meat from the floor and put it back into processing containers.

“The leader didn’t say anything when you throw it back,” he said at a local job agency where he works during the day.

Huang, who showed Reuters his Husi payslip as verification of his employment there, also said he had seen some workers handling raw meat without wearing gloves.

“If you wear gloves,” he said, “maybe it slows you down if you want to pick up the chicken pieces because they’re slippery.” He added, however, that he did not work in that part of the factory.

Another Husi worker, who gave only the surname Zhang, said by telephone that he had worked on the production line, breaking up chicken into pieces, but had quit because of the low pay.

“When (raw meat) drops, they usually don’t see it, and even if they do, it was fine to pick it up and put it back,” he said. “There was an attitude of ‘it doesn’t really matter.’”

The former employees’ comments contrasted with what one worker at another of OSI’s food-processing plants in Langfang in the northern Chinese province of Hebei told Reuters. He said that rules there were very strict, all workers needed to wear special clothes, and unannounced spot checks were often held.

“The inspections are done by everyone: our own company, the government and also clients like McDonald’s,” said the worker, surnamed Wei, as he took a break at a nearby supermarket.

He said the Hebei factory, which according to its website processes meat, vegetables and flour products, was still open for business despite government inspections. l

ECB says website hacked, no sensitive data affected

n Reuters, Frankfurt

The European Central Bank said yesterday its website had been hacked and some email addresses and other contact information stolen but insisted no market-sensitive data were affected.

The theft came to light after the central bank received an anonymous email on Monday night demanding money in exchange for the stolen addresses.

The hackers broke into a database storing details of people who had registered for ECB conferences, visits and other events, the bank said.

That database, which held about 20,000 email addresses and a much smaller number postal addresses and phone numbers, was kept physically separate from internal systems, it added.

“No internal systems or market sensitive data were compromised,” the ECB said in a statement. The ECB is currently running a particularly sensitive review of the euro zone’s top lenders, collecting streams of data to gauge whether banks have valued loans and other assets correctly, before it starts supervising them. l

A person presents "Rainbow Loom" bracelets on July 23. in Lille, northern France. 'Rainbow Loom' bracelets, made with coloured small elastic bands woven, are the new fashion imported from the United States AFP