04 August, 2015

SECOND EDITION

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

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Shraban 20, 1422, Shawwal 18, 1436

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 3, No 110

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TRAFFICKING VICTIM’S BODY COMES TODAY PAGE 32

Erratic rainfall damages crop yields Farmers, especially in the southern region of the country, counting heavy losses n Abu Bakar Siddique The flood-like situation triggered by unusual rainfall in July in different parts of the country, including the south-eastern region, has caused an extensive damage to agricultural produce.

According to a draft calculation of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), about 144,000 hectares of agricultural land of Aman, Aush and vegetables have been submerged by the flood.

Of them, districts like Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Feni, Noakhali and Lakshmipur have seen extensive damage to their crop land, putting farmers in real trouble, said an additional director of the DAE. The soon-to-be finalised draft of the DAE says at least 43,760 hectares of Aman and 40,913 hectares of Aush land have gone under flood water in the southern zone.

On the other hand, farmers in the northern districts had to pay extra for the cultivation of Aman paddy as they had to turn to commercial irrigation due to insufficient rainfall.

Agricultural economist Mahabub Hossain said the Aush paddy is the most vulnerable in this situation as it is in its final stage and farmers usually harvest the paddy in August-September.

About Aman paddy, the former executive

BB asks banks to disburse farm loans in former exclaves n Tribune Report

The central bank has asked the commercial banks to disburse farm loans among the residents of the former Indian exclaves.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Bangladesh Bank (BB) said that it had decided to make farm loan available among the dwellers of the former exclaves just like what the farmers from other parts of the country get.

The central bank said the aim of this initiative is to ensure proper utilisation of the former exclave lands and expansion of agricultural activities.

BB has set a target of disbursing Tk16,400 crore among the farmers of the new land  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

PAGE 3 HC orders removal of unfit vehicles

director of Brac said many farmers would not be able to cultivate Aman paddy this season as most of the seedlings had already been destroyed in those areas.

If the government comes forward to pro-

vide available seedlings to farmers, the damage could be recovered to some extent, but the major devastation has already taken its toll, he observed.

This year monsoon has experienced a pret-

ty long period of unusual rainfall throughout the country.

According to Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the south-eastern part of the  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

R A I N F A L L I N J U LY 2 0 1 5 A C R O S S T H E C O U N T R Y The projected rainfall was 3,308mm while the country has already experienced 4,750mm DIVISION Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Khulna Sylhet Rangpur Barisal

NORMAL (mm) RECORDED (mm)

379 720 354 341 579 416 519

555 1322 360 746 640 266 861

●

●

●

About 1,44,000 hectares of agricultural land have gone under water Aush paddy is the most vulnerable as the crop is awaiting harvesting Many farmers will not be able to cultivate Aman paddy as most of the seedlings have already been destroyed

ASMAUL HOQUE MAMUN/DT INFOGRAPHIC

Draft law: Illegal presidents won’t get pension n Tribune Report The cabinet has approved the draft of a new law that proposes cancelling pensions and other benefits to the former presidents whose tenures have been declared illegal by the High Court.

The draft of the “Presidents Pension, Gratuity and Other Privileges Law 2015” got the nod at the regular weekly meeting of the council of ministers yesterday with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

After the meeting, Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told reporters that according to the draft, if any courts declare the assumption of office by any presi-

PAGE 4 Oil refinery expansion faces bureaucratic delays

dent as illegal and unconstitutional, then he or she will not be eligible for pension.

The draft was first placed before another such meeting in December last year after which the Cabinet Division was asked to update it with this provision.

This law is being made in accordance with a higher court directive that had asked the authorities to turn the necessary ordinances – decreed by the various martial law regimes – into full-blown laws.

The cabinet secretary said that the existing President’s Pension Ordinance of 1979 was amended in 1988, making it effective from then on. But the proposed law would be

PAGE 5 Rapist’s death penalty commuted to life sentence

The ‘one-day’ Test ends South Africa’s tour of Bangladesh n Minhaz Uddin Khan

Even a sunny day was not enough to erase the gloominess rain had left in South Africa’s tour of Bangladesh as the bilateral series ended without any action on the last day of the second Test yesterday. Bangladesh were 246/8 in 88.1 overs after the first day’s play before heavy downpour washed away the second, third and fourth day of the Dhaka Test leaving the outfield in no condition to hold play on the last day.

There is no confusion on how good the

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

PAGE 8 Hundreds dead, millions displaced in Asia monsoon misery

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

PAGE 32 Bangladesh seventh among abduction risk countries

DT

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

UN adopts 15-year sustainable development blueprint n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

The blueprint for sustainable development over the next 15 years was adopted by the United Nations on Sunday evening.

After a hectic three-day negotiation, the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) were adopted by the 193 member states of the United Nations in New York City.

“Now we have the text which will transform the world,” said Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque at the foreign ministry.

“My team at headquarters and at the United Nations worked very hard to protect Bangladesh’s interests,” he added. “Bangladesh is ready to implement the global blueprint to eradicate poverty by 2030.”

The new blueprint goals will be effective from January 1 next year, when the Millennium Development Goals will expire.

The SDGs have 17 goals and 169 targets with indicators to be determined by individual states.

The text will be approved at the SDG Sum-

mit to be held in New York in September where it is expected over 150 heads of state and government, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, will take part.

Hasina will be one of very few people to attend both the MDG Summit in 2000 and the SDG Summit in 2015.

Bangladesh has taken the lead in education, migration, water resources, sea level rise, climate change, shared water resources and disaster risk reduction issues, the foreign secretary said.

“The SDGs are unique in a sense because they were agreed under a transformative negotiation process … a strong United Nations will be needed to implement it,” he said.

“The current UN system is not enough ...

We proposed a stronger UN system to properly implement the goals,” he added.

“The new global sustainable development blueprint is far more comprehensive than the MDG was because it incorporates many issues overlooked in the previous development agenda,” he added. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Draft law: Illegal presidents won’t get pension

Erratic rainfall damages crop yields country that includes Chittagong, Rangmati and Cox’s Bazar districts have seen about 65% more rainfall in July, the month that is considered to be mid-monsoon.

However, the northern Rangpur division experienced 30% less rainfall during the same period, the Met office said.

The Met office data shows normal rainfall in Chittagong division in July is 720mm while it experienced 1,322mm this season.

In Rangpur division, usually 416mm rainfall is recorded in July but this time it was only 266mm.

The projected rainfall in the month of July in Bangladesh was 3,308mm while the country has already experienced 4,750mm, which is more than usual.

In Bangladesh, July-September is considered the monsoon.

The Met office in its one month climate outlook issued for August says the country might experience erratic rainfall across the country in the current month too.

It also forecasts more than one monsoonal depressions in the Bay of Bengal.

Arif Hossain, a meteorologist at Bangladesh Meteorological Department, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that the variation in rainfall is not unlikely, but this year it is a bit more unusual. He cited the cyclonic storm Komen as an example, saying that Bangladesh had not experienced such a storm at this time of the year in the past few decades.

The cyclonic storm Komen hit the Noakhali coast on July 30 after weakening as a land

depression.

Dr Saleemul Huq, director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development, said the cyclone during the monsoon could not be related to climate change directly although “such natural calamity could be the result of changing pattern of the global climate.”

According to the fifth assessment report of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Bangladesh

BB asks banks

The ‘one-day’ Test ends South Africa’s tour

in the ongoing 2015-16 fiscal year.

These former fragments of the Indian territory in Bangladesh are the home of around 50,000 people, most of whom depend on agriculture for a living.

For generations, they have been living as foreigners on a land they were born in, without the minimum of amenities that the citizens of a country are entitled to.

This also meant that they they had very little or no exposures to agro-loans from banks or financial institutions which are very important for any societies that depend on farming.

The statement also said that after the implementation of the Bangladesh-India land agreement, the exclaves have become inseparable parts of the country and hence all the banks have been directed to bring the farmers under credit facilities.

Now that they are officially Bangladeshis, they will be able to get identity documents such as national ID cards and passports, which are essential for getting loans. l

Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium drainage system is, but sometimes even the best rated systems also fail when the field has soaked up too much rain water. As a result, the match was called off around 10am yesterday due to the wet field as the two captains, much to their dislike, shared the two-match Test series trophy.

Rain had earlier spoiled the last two days of the first Test in Chittagong, forcing an interesting match end in a tame draw. With only four days allowed to play out of the 10 in two Tests, ninth placed Bangladesh gained six rating points against the top Test nation.

Earlier, Bangladesh’s middle-order batsman Mahmudullah also expressed dissatisfaction over the wash-outs as he said that they were looking to test their skills against the world number one Test side. Tigers Test skipper Mushfiqur Rahim echoed his teammate and said: “Even if we declared, they would have had to bat for a whole day [in case the match is played on the last day]. May be

A woman who lives in the former Indian exclave of Dasiar Chhara in Kurigram sows the Aman crop. The photo was taken on Friday SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN is at specific risk from the impact of climate change due to its exposure to sea-level rise and extreme events like salinity intrusion, drought, erratic rainfall, unusual cyclonic event and tidal surge, which will hamper the country’s food as well as livelihood security.

In addition, the landslide due to erratic rainfall last month in south-eastern Bangladesh including Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban killed more than a dozen people. l

there would have been no result, but we could have earned something positive.”

However, Proteas captain Hashim Amla has every reason to curse the weather as they lost five valuable rating points from the result. “You can understand if it’s a 1-1 draw, then you’ve played enough cricket to make an impression,” Amla said after the match was called off yesterday. “Perhaps this is something that can be relooked at from the ICC’s perspective. All you’d want is something that is fair and will apply to all teams. Us losing points seems a little strange considering we haven’t played a lot of cricket.”

The Twenty20 international trophy is the only silverware that fully belongs to the visitors from their month-long tour of Bangladesh as the home side had stunned the World Cup semi-finalists in the three-match one-day international series, beating them 2-1.

Bangladesh’s next assignment, a twomatch Test series, will also be at home against Australia in October. l

effective retrospectively going back as far as the country’s birth, he said.

The nominees or descendants of the presidents would be able to claim the pension, the secretary added.

Asked whether or not this draft law would be applicable for former military rulers Ziaur Rahman and HM Ershad – whose regimes have been declared illegal by the HC – and their descendants, Musharraf said: “They do not receive pension as former presidents.

They get allowance from the Defence Ministry as former army personnels.”

In reply to another query, the secretary said: “The family of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman never took pension because the existing law was made in 1979. If this draft becomes a law, Bangabandhu’s descendants will be entitled to his pension.”

In a verdict that cancelled the seventh amendment to the constitution, the High Court said in 2010 that just like Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad, Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem and Ziaur Rahman, the assumption of office by HM Ershad was illegal too.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court upheld that verdict in 2011, following which the constitution was amended.

Other proposals

The cabinet yesterday also okayed the draft “Bangladesh Coinage [amendment] Bill 2015” subject to the vetting of the Law Ministry.

Under the proposed amendment, the government will issue metal coins and paper notes of denominations up to Tk5.

The cabinet secretary said that currently, metal coins and paper notes of up to Tk2 are issued by the government and signed by the finance secretary, while notes and metal coins above Tk2 are issued by the Bangladesh Bank and signed by its governor.

When the Bangladesh Coinage Order 1972 came into being, the government accounted for 10.7% of the country’s overall currency circulation. But that has now come down to only 0.83%. This ratio is 1.36% in India, Musharraf said.

The central bank notes and coins would be phased out gradually and the ratio in favour of the government will finally reach 1.5%.

Once the proposed amendment comes into effect, the government’s loan from the central bank would come down to Tk790 crore, he said. l

DT

NEWS 3

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

HC orders removal of unfit vehicles n Ashif Islam Shaon The High Court yesterday ordered the government to stop allowing unfit motor vehicles to ply on the road across the country and also to seize around 19 lakh fake driving licences.

In a ruling, the High Court bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul-Haque and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman also asked the government to find out and take legal action against those in possession of fake licences.

The chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) was asked to submit a report to the court within 30 days.

Besides, the court asked the authorities concerned to explain in four weeks the actions taken so far against unfit transports.

The communication secretary, home secretary, inspector general of police and BRTA chairman were made respondents to the ruling and were asked to explain what they had done so far as they were already aware that a large number of vehicles were plying on the road without the drivers having valid driving licences and causing accidents.

The High Court came up with the orders and the ruling following an August 2 newspaper report titled “Road accident: 90 lakh fake drivers rule the highway”.

If the authorities properly implement the High Court order, this joke of a human haulier should not be plying the streets of the country as it was doing yesterday in Dhaka's Hazaribagh MEHEDI HASAN The report said as many as 191 people were killed in 154 road accidents in the country in a single week from July 15 to 21 as 19 lakh fake drivers are ruling the highways recklessly.

It said 60% of the accidents take place because of faults of drivers who even include adolescents. Some 1.98 lakh driving licences have allegedly been issued without examina-

Court to journos: Uphold ethics while covering Khaleda’s graft cases n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A special court in Dhaka yesterday termed the cases against BNP chief Khaleda Zia “unprecedented” and warned journalists to maintain journalistic ethics while covering the trials.

‘The verbatim of the cross-examinations [of complainant] of the last date [July 23] were published in different media. It seems that it was recorded... You [the journalists] will have to maintain ethics,” the Special Judge’s Court 3 judge, Md Abu Ahmed Jamadar, said at the start of hearing in two cases against Khaleda and eight others.

Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, counsel for Khaleda, however pointed out to the court that the verbatim proceedings of all politically sensitive cases including the Bangabandhu murder case had previously been published.

‘There was nothing wrong, since whatever

was said in the court was published exactly the same way in the dailies,” said Mahbub.

The judge, however, said the cases against Khaleda were “unprecedented.”

During yesterday’s proceedings, the court allowed the defence counsel to cross-examine ACC Deputy Director Harun-or-Rashid, the complainant in the Zia Charitable Trust fund graft case, for the third day in the presence of Khaleda and the others; Harun is also the complainant of the Zia Orphanage Trust case. Both cases are being tried by the same court in a makeshift courtroom on Central Jail Parade Ground.

During the cross-examination, the defence counsel asked what the post of the complainant was when he filed the case. Harun, the complainant, replied he was an assistant director of the corruption watchdog.

“So you were promoted to deputy director after the filling the case?” the defence counsel

asked. The complainant told the court that he was promoted along with 30 others in his department at the time.

Replying to another query, the complainant said the charitable trust paid a total of Tk65,207,000 to a landlord for his land and its property, while an additional Tk12,493,000 was also paid to the landowner.

Citing the upcoming Bar Council election scheduled for August 26, the defence counsels sought a long adjournment; the court, however, adjourned the proceedings until August 10.

Meanwhile, minutes before the hearing, Khaleda chatted with the public prosecutor, Musharraf Hossain Kajol. Lawyers who flanked Khaleda told the Dhaka Tribune that she greeted the prosecutor and asked him whether the witness had been tutored efficiently.

Kajol, however, refused to comment to the media regarding Khaleda Zia. l

Finally mother sees the bullet-hit baby n Kamrul Hasan Ten days into her birth mother of the bullet-hit baby Nazma Khatun could finally see her daughter.

Though for a brief 20 minutes perhaps it was the best moment in her life.

As soon as she had a glimpse of her injured baby Nazma burst into tears. She, however, was not allowed to take her baby into her lap.

At present Nazma is undergoing treatment in the Ward 212 while Suraiya, her daughter, had been transferred to the Ward 211 for better treatment three days ago.

On-duty doctors said the baby was improving bit by bit but her condition might deteriorate at any time. They, however, said the blood reports showed that Suraiya was improving gradually.

The 10-day-old baby, Suraiya, had little fever and jaundice amid risk of blood infection. Doctors said they were not yet sure of any infection in future.

Dr Kaniz Hasina, Paediatric Department’s associate professor who had been with the baby since she arrived at DMCH, said the baby was improving but it could not be ascertained that she would not be affected by blood infection.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Hasanul Haque

Inu, visited the baby and her mother around 3pm yesterday and assured of taking stern actions against those involved in the incident.

In the meantime, the two arrestees were granted a three-day remand each by Magura police yesterday afternoon.

The baby was injured when her eight-month pregnant mother was shot in the abdomen during an attack by a Jubo League faction on another faction on July 23 in Magura that left one killed and another person injured.

The bullet went through the unborn baby’s right shoulder and damaged her right eye.

tion and renewal of the licences are also being allowed in the same way.

According to the report, the government estimate reveals that eight people are being killed on an average in road accidents every day in the country while the World Bank and the World Health Organisation say the death toll is 30 and 48 respectively.

BRTA statistics prepared in June showed that 18.77 lakh drivers in the country do not have valid licences.

A driver has to be 20 years old to run a bus or a truck on highway. But adolescents aged 12 to 16 also run heavy vehicles on highway with lessons taken from senior drivers, popularly known as ostads, on how to take the wheel.

This is a key reason for the large number of road crashes in the country.

The High Court last year banned local human hauliers from operating on southwestern highways in 10 districts after such vehicles were involved in a large number of road fatalities.

The government took stern measures to implement the order but faced protests from transport owners and workers.

The government has lately banned CNGrun autorickshaws on highways in compliance with the High Court order but the move sparked strong protests among drivers. l

Muhith: New pay scale proposals before cabinet in August n Tribune Report The new pay scale proposals would be placed before the cabinet this month, the finance minister has assured, adding that the finalised recommendations would appease all public servants.

The government employees have been wrongly worrying about the exclusion of time scale and selection grade, as suitable alternatives regarding promotions and annual increment would replace those provisions, AMA Muhith said yesterday after meeting with representatives from the Bangladesh Sarkari Karmachari Samannay Parishad (BSKSP).

Agreeing with the minister’s remarks, the delegation from the BSKSP also said they would be satisfied as long as the new pay scale’s proposals regarding promotion would stand.

BSKSP Chairman Md Hanif Bhuiyan, who led the ten-member delegation, urged the minister to reduce monetary discrimination between pay grades, suggesting that the difference between the lowest grades should be Tk1,000 instead of the proposed Tk200-300.

He further demanded that the total number of grades stand at 16 – as was originally recommended by the pay commission – and that the minimum salary be set at Tk10,000 instead of the proposed Tk8,250.

Commenting on the BSKSP demands, Muhith said he had read the proposals and would see what can be done about them.

On another note, Muhith also blasted the media for wrongly reporting on when the pay scale proposals would be placed before the cabinet. “I did not talk about placing the proposal before the cabinet meeting today (Monday); it [the news] was created by media.” l

DT

4 NEWS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

ACC probes ex-BNP MP Nur Mohammad n Adil Sakhawat

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is probing allegations that former Rangpur 6 lawmaker and current Pirganj upazila Chairman Nur Mohammad Mondal illegally amassed wealth.

ACC Rangpur district Assistant Director Jahangir Alam is carrying out the inquiry, an ACC official confirmed.

The official, who asked not to be named, said complaints against the former lawmaker had been received in 2012, 2013 and 2015.

At the eighth parliamentary elections in 2001, Nur Mohammad was elected member of parliament for the Rangpur 6 constituency on a Jatiya Party ticket, defeating Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In 2008, as a BNP candidate, Nur Mohammad was, in turn, defeated by the prime minister. In 2014 he was elected chairman of Pirganj upazila.

Nur said: “The allegations have been put forward to politically subdue me.” l

Oil refinery expansion faces bureaucratic delays n Aminur Rahman Rasel

The construction of a proposed 3.5 million tonne per year refining unit that will quadruple the country’s crude oil refining capacity has dangled indefinitely for over a year, due to a lack of initiative by the Energy Division.

The government still has not appointed a project management consultant (PMC) for the second unit of the Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL) even though the minister in charge of the Energy Ministry, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, approved the installation of the second unit on June 12, 2014.

The approval was given under the Speedy Supply of Power and Energy (Special Provision) Act, but the project has nevertheless

been delayed.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, will implement the project.

“The preparation to appoint a PMC for the second unit of the ERL is in process. The second unit will be set up on 30 acres of land and will have a capacity three times greater than the existing refinery unit,” Secretary of Energy Division Md Abu Bakar Siddique told the Dhaka Tribune.

He said the second unit of the ERL, involving Tk9,000 crore of investor financing, will likely be set up by 2016.

The country’s lone refiner, Chittagong’s Eastern Refinery, currently refines 1.3 million tonnes of crude oil per year. It has an annual

capacity of 1.5 million tonnes.

The ERL was set up at Patenga near the Chittagong Port in 1968. It is a subsidiary of BPC, the sole importer and distributor of petroleum products and crude oil in the country.

A proposal by Technip, the French construction company that constructed the first unit of the ERL in 1967, to construct the second unit of the ERL, is now under active consideration by the government.

The BPC shortlisted 5 foreign consultants for work on the second unit and have sent them letters seeking Requests for Proposal (RFP).

Abu Bakar said once a consultant is appointed, a construction firm will be chosen to build the unit. l

One arrested for threatening Annisul n Kamrul Hasan

The Rapid Action Battalion yesterday arrested a man for allegedly making a death threat against Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Annisul Huq. The arrestee, SA Nahid Happy, 41, son of Hazi Nazrul Islam, is from the capital’s Gabtoli area. He was taken into custody in the FDC gate area in Karwan Bazar around 4pm together with 121 yaba pills and a motorbike.

RAB sources said the mayor had filed a general diary (GD) with Gulshan police station yesterday regarding a threat he received on July 14. According to the GD, Nahid had made death threats against the mayor, calling him on his personal number and identifying himself as Imam Mohaki.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Ferdousi Rahman, also RAB 2 assistant media and operations officer, said the arrestee, during questioning, said he was a drug addict who collected the telephone numbers of rich and famous people to threaten them to extort money to buy drugs.

The ASP said Nahid would be handed over to the police. l

Renewable energy R&D grants awarded n Aminur Rahman Rasel

The Infrastructure Development Company Limited (Idcol) yesterday signed an agreement with six entities to improve existing renewable energy technologies and explore other viable renewable energy options.

The government-owned financial institution selected six of 79 research and development proposals submitted.

The awardess are Brac University, United International University, Solar E Technology Australia Pty Ltd, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.

With support from the World Bank, 100% grant funds will be provided to the selected R&D proposals on renewable energy technologies. l

Medical students join a protest march from Shaheed Minar to the Secretariat yesterday demanding the restoration of the carry-on system in the first professional examination of the MBBS curriculum DHAKA TRIBUNE

Contempt hearing against Janakantha on Aug 9 n Ashif Islam Shaon The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has adjourned until August 9 hearing on a contempt ruling against the Daily Janakantha editor and its executive editor.

A four-member bench headed by Chief Justice SK Sinha passed the order yesterday rejecting a threemonth time plea from the defendants, Janakantha Editor and Publisher Atiqullah Khan Masud and Executive Editor Swadesh Roy, who appeared before the court yesterday.

The court asked the two journalists

to come up with an answer to the ruling on August 9.

On July 29, the apex court issued a contempt ruling against the newspaper for publishing an article questioning the role of the judges in war criminal Salauddin Quader Chowdhury’s trial.

The court yesterday also issued a show-cause notice to Soyeb Khan, an assistant attorney general, as he appeared on behalf of Janakantha. Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said he has told the court that an assistant attorney general cannot appear as an advocate on record in a contempt of court case. l

DT

NEWS 5

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

ONE YEAR OF PINAK 6 CAPSIZE

No luck for the families of missing victims n Jahirul Islam Khan, Madaripur One year ago, 21 unnamed dead bodies were buried at a local graveyard in Shibchar of Madaripur.

All of them died in one of the deadliest ever maritime mishaps on August 4 last year, when heavily loaded ferry Pinak 6 capsized in Padma River killing over a hundred passengers.

Rescuers retrieved 49 dead bodies at the time.

Official count shows that 61 people are still missing from that accident, although many more families have claimed to have lost members.

The authorities were supposed to find out the identities of the bodies buried at that graveyard through DNA tests. But that has never happened.

They collected DNA samples from some families but most of them have been left out.

It has been a year and the DNA test results have still not come.

The caretaker of that graveyard said that neither have anybody come there looking for

the dead bodies, nor have anyone come to collect DNA samples since they were buried here one year ago.

As a result, these families – mostly from the low-income group – have not been able to get the cash compensation that the administration had announced after the accident.

Only those families who could identify or show proof that their members were among those deceased, got the money.

Suraton Nesa, a widow from the Sannashichar village in Shibchar, lost four members of her family – son, daughter, son-in-law and grandson – in that accident.

But since none of their bodies have been found, she failed to avail compensation. She does not even know if any of them are lying in that graveyard.

“We were already poor. Moreover, I had to spend most of my savings searching for the dead bodies after the accident. My son was the only bread-earner. I have been living from hand to mouth since. I have not got any

compensation from the government because none of their dead bodies have been found,” Suraton said.

When contacted, Kamal Uddin Biswas, deputy commissioner of Madaripur district, said: “Except for one, each of the victim families were given Tk1.05 lakh as compensation.

Any other victim families can apply for compensation by producing appropriate proof that they have missing members.”

Siblings Heera and Swarna and their cousin Lucky – all killed in that capsize – belongs to the family that did not accept compensation.

Nurul Haque, father of the siblings, said: “My daughter Heera was still alive when she was rescued and brought to the Mawa terminal. But she died before we took her to the government hospital in Munshiganj. If we could give her primary treatment at the Mawa terminal, we could have saved her life.

“This [Mawa] is such an important ferry terminal. But there are no first aid facilities here,” he said.

After the accident last year, Jahangir Bhuiya, inspector of the Mawa terminal, filed a case against Pinak 6 owner Abu Bakkar Siddique and five workers of the ferry. On August 14, ten days after the capsize, Siddique got arrested but there have not been much progress in that case since.

The ferry itself was never found. The Bangladesh Internal Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) tried with state-of-the-art sonar equipment but in vain.

Locals said that there was strong current in the river when the accident took place and this might have taken the ferry a long way downstream where it might now be resting on the river under a thick cover of sand.

The last time he spoke on the incident, Water Transport Minister Shajahan Khan said their priority after the accident was to hand the dead bodies over to their families; that was why they gave up on the operation to retrieve the ferry. l

Rapist’s death penalty commuted to life sentence in review n Ashif Islam Shaon

Three teachers among nine held over question leak n Kamrul Hasan

The Appellate Division, in a review judgement, reduced a man’s death penalty to life imprisonment yesterday.

A four-member bench headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha gave the order after reviewing the appeal of Shukur Ali, who has been in jail for 14 years for violating and killing a seven-year-old. Shukur, from Shibrampur village of Manikganj, will now spend the rest of his life in jail.

His lawyer MK Rahman said this is the first a convict’s death penalty had been commuted in review. “But we plan to seek presidential mercy and hope to get the sentence annulled,” the lawyer said.

Shukur’s trial began in 1999. A court in Manikganj found him guilty and sentenced him to death on July 12, 2001.

Rights organisation Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) took the case to the High Court and challenged the death penalty but the court upheld the sentence in 2004.

The Appellate Division the following year also upheld the death sentence and scrapped a review plea in May. In 2000, the government amended a law that said the highest punishment for rape and murder of a child or woman could either be death or life imprisonment.

But Shukur was tried under the previous law that said any individual or more than one person causing the death of any child or woman after rape would be given death.

BLAST filed a review on this ground and Shukur got his sentence commuted yesterday.

A BLAST press release quoted National Human Rights Commission Chairman Mizanur Rahman as sayin that the Supreme Court judgement was very significant.

“Today, the highest court of the land has accepted that the death penalty is not applicable for children. This judgement has led to the protection of children rights in Bangladesh,” he said. l

Detectives on Sunday night arrested nine people from Dhaka and Jessore on charges of leaking question papers.

Among them, three were arrested in Dhaka for a HSC question paper leak and six in Jessore for a Polytechnical Diploma question leak.

Those arrested in Dhaka are Nazmul Huda, Hasan and Kamrul Islam; all teachers of Demra’s Golam Mostafa College.

In another drive, detectives arrested Suman Ahmed, Abdur Rahman, Abdur Rahman Liton, SM Tanvir Alam, Johni Rahman and Arafat Hossain in Jessore, all students of a private polytechnic college.

DMP DB Joint Commissioner Monirul Islam told reporters: “The three teachers, including a member of the management committee, were involved in leaking HSC question papers.”

He said the criminals were using Facebook and other social media to leak the questions.

DB police also recovered questions of the Technical Education Board’s Diploma Engineering Examination, scheduled to be held on August 12, during the drive in Jessore, he added.

On July 6, police had picked up six people in Dhaka for demanding money from students after promising on Facebook to give HSC question papers in advance.

Last year, the Education Ministry was forced to hold an examination twice due to a question paper leak. Allegedly, question papers were posted on social media the night before the primary, JSC, and SSC exams.

Members of the Detective Branch of police arrested six people, including Raihan Chowdhury alias Dan Brown, on July 16.

Police also arrested Rahul Miah, Raihan Miah, Arefin Rabbi, Ovi Abdullah and Abdul Majid.

Majid is a member of the managing committee of Golam Mostafa Model College in Demra and also an assistant director of the college’s board of directors. l

Trucks that carry sand and soil are parked in queues on the road in Keraniganj yesterday after a strike was called in the wake of a hike in toll paid on the first Buriganga bridge SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Maya seeks review on SC’s scrapping of acquittal n Ashif Islam Shaon Seeking review of a Supreme Court order that scrapped his acquittal in a corruption case, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya has filed a petition with the apex court.

In the petition filed yesterday, he said the earlier acquittal by the High Court had been correct and the judgement lawful. The Supreme Court will now fix a date to hear the matter, said Maya’s lawyer Advocate Sayed Ahmed Raja.

On Sunday, the Supreme Court permitted the minister to file a review petition against its order.

Earlier on June 14, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court cancelled the High Court acquittal of ruling party lawmaker Maya from a 13-year jail sentence in a corruption case.

In its decision, the Appellate Division said the High Court had not applied its judicial mind in acquitting Maya from the corruption charges. It also asked the High Court to hold further hearing and dispose of the appeal filed by Maya challenging the lower court judgement.

On June 13, 2007, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case against Maya with Sutrapur police station on charges of amassing illegal wealth worth Tk29 lakh and concealing information about it.

On February 14, 2008, a special court sentenced Maya to 13 years in jail in the case. Later on May 25, 2009, Maya filed an appeal with the High Court challenging the special court’s verdict.

After hearing the appeal, a High Court bench acquitted Maya from the corruption charges and cancelled his conviction. l

DT

6 NEWS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

Revenue earning from open water bodies slumps n Our Correspondent, Khulna

Revenue earning from the open waterbodies in the nine upazilas of Khulna district has been declining in the last couple of years due to cases, illegal leasing and corruption.

According to the Office of the Revenue Deputy Collector of Khulna (RDS), a total of Tk38.79 lakh was collected during the Bangla calendar year 1422, whereas the amount was Tk47.91 lakh in 1421. The open water bodies, which are commonly known as Jalmahal are usually leased out in the beginning of a Bangla year and the whole amount is taken as advance revenue.

Out of the 156 jalmahals in the district, 34 are facing cases while 64 have been leased out. The rest of the jalmahals are in the process of leasing out.

In 1999 a case was filed against a jalmahal of

Paikgachha and that case has been in the limbo for the last 16 years. During the period the government had lost revenue worth Tk75 lakh. Another case was lodged against the jalmahal of Koyra upazila. A total of Tk2.5 lakh was lost in the last 11 years of the case. Just like this huge chunks of revenue are being lost due to the pending cases.

Moreover, there are allegations of sub-leasing the jalmahals to third parties violating the Jalmahal Management Policy 2009. Those who take the sub-lease put up barricades, embankments and fishing nets to divide the jalmahal as they wish. This resulted in severe disruption of water flow creating waterlogging. The stagnant water affects the fisheries and agriculture of the region.

Solaiman Hossain, a fisherman from Paikgachha, said the powerful people take lease forcefully and divide up the jalmahal. “They

just use the farmers to take lease of the jalmahal and then they violate all regulations to make money,” he said.

Moktar Hossain, also from Paikgachha, said a group of unscrupulous government officials had been sheltering the powerful people due to political and financial gains.

Paikgachha Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Kabir Uddin, however, said they had been taking action against those who violate the law. “Our mobile courts keep an eye on the jalmahals and we cancel the lease if any irregularities is found.”

An estimation by RDS reveals that out of the 156 jalmahals in the district, 35 are in Koyra upazila, 21 in Dacop, 54 in Paikgachha, 12 in Batiaghata, 24 in Dumuria, 7 in Rupsha and two in Terokhada upazila.

Of these jalmahals, the Khulna administra-

tion had leased out 64 through auction. 58 of the jalmahal could not be leased due to land filling and other complications.

Mohammad Alimuzzaman, a resident of Dumuria, said sometimes the corrupt officials announce inundated shoals as waterbodies and try to lease them out. “However, this practice had affected the real fisherman and farmers who are the main claimant of the jalmahals,” he added.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner of Khulna Farid Hossain said: “The number of open waterbodies has been declining due to land filling. Also many people sub-lease them violating the law and those who face loss, file cases against us. Moreover, there is always the pressure of politically influential people.”

He however added that his administration had been taking all out measures to save the jalmahals and safeguard the environment. l

Man to die for killing father

n Our Correspondent, Netrakona

Students of different private universities form a human chain in Rajshahi city yesterday demanding VAT free tuition fee

Flood situation improves slightly n Tribune Report Flood situation across the country has improved slightly with decreased of water level in 52 rivers while a rise appeared in 26 rivers.

Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) registered the up and down yesterday as presently many parts of the country have been experiencing flood duo to incessant downpour caused by cyclone Komen.

Besides, the water level of seven rivers remained unchanged and the water flow of two rivers was above the danger level, says a bulletin issued by the FFWC. The Kobadak at Jhikarghacha and the Sangu at Dohazari are flowing above the danger level by 73cm and 0 cm respectively.

The Padma, Brahmaputra and Jamuna river were on the lessening trend which might continue till the next 96 hours.

Significant rainfall was recorded in different districts till 6am yesterday. Of them, a 12.5mm rain was recorded in Noakhali.

On the contrary, the flood condition wors-

ened in Feni Sadar and Dagonbhuiyan upazilas as the water flow of Chuta Feni river increased anew.

Because of the new move, the two-week flood caused acute suffering to about 30,000 marooned people although the local administration already set up 35 relief camps for the victims, where necessary food and medical assistance were ensured as well.

Sources said around 70 villages in six upazilas there remained inundated by flood water till yesterday.

Meanwhile, the flood state improved a little bit in most of the areas of Parshuram and Fulgazi upazilas.

When contacted, Dagonbhuiya upazila’s Rajapur UP Chairman Anwar Hossain said: “No omen of lessening flood water appears in my locality. On the contrary, sometimes the water level sees a rise.”

Feni Deputy Commissioner Humaiyun Kabir Khandaker said they continued the food distribution move among the flood-affected people. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

A man was sentenced to death for killing father in Netrokona A Netrakona court yesterday sentenced a man to death for killing his father over land related dispute in 2006.

The condemned convict is Abdul Hekim, 40, son of late Budu Miah of Kutubpur in Kendua upazila of the district.

According to the prosecution, an altercation ensued between Abdul Hekim and his father Budu Miah over a land related issue on October 8, 2006.

At one stage, Hekim stabbed Budu indiscriminately with a sharp weapon, leaving him dead on the spot. Informed, police arrested Hekim with the help of local people.

Riton, nephew of the deceased, filed a murder case against Hekim.

Police submitted charge sheet against him on November 30, 2006. After examining the records and six witnesses, Additional Distric and Sessions Judge Abdul Hamid handed down the verdict yesterday. l

DT

NEWS 7

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

BCL leader sued for snatching n Our Correspondent, Rajshahi

A case was filed yesterday against a leader of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), student wing of the ruling Awami League, Rajshahi University unit in connection with a snatching incident.

Sumon Reza, a master’s student of material science and engineering department, filed the case with Motihar police station against BCL RU unit Organising Secretary Kawsar Ahmed Koushik and three others in the afternoon, said Officer-in-Charge Humayun Kabir.

In the case statement, Sumon said: “While I was talking with one of my friends in front of Munnujan Hall around 8:30pm on Sunday, Koushik along with three of his accomplices came to us and snatched my mobile phone, money bag with Tk5,000 and identity card.

“When I tried to protest the incident, they beat me up and asked to leave the spot at once.”

When contacted, Koushik denied the allegation. RU Proctor Prof Tarikul Hasan said law enforcers would take steps against Koushik according to law.

BCL RU unit President Mizanur Rahman Rana declined to comment in this regard adding that Koushik was recommended for suspension earlier for his involvement in anti-organisational activities. l

WEATHER THUNDERSHOWER WITH RAIN

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4 DHAKA TODAY

TOMORROW

SUN SETS 6:41PM

SUN RISES 5:28AM

FORECAST FOR TODAY 33 31 33 32 32 33 31 30

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

26 26 26 26 26 26 25 26

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

35.4ºC

24.0ºC

Sylhet

Teknaf Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajr Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

4:04am 5:28am 12:05am 4:42pm 6:40pm 8:10pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

Auto-rickshaw workers continue demonstrations 10 people injured in police action in Narayanganj n Tribune Report CNG-run auto-rickshaw owners and drivers continued their demonstrations across the country for the third consecutive day yesterday, protesting a government decision that banned plying of such kinds of vehicles on highways.

A clash ensued between transport workers and police personnel in Narayanganj when workers blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway for two hours.

At least 10 people were injured when police charged baton on a group of CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers during their demonstrations.

Witnesses said the auto-rickshaw drivers took to different spots on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway, including Sanarpar, Signboard and Madanpur bus stand in Siddhirganj and Bandar upazilas.

The agitated workers also vandalised 20 vehicles on the highway, halting traffic movement on the busy highway for one hour in the morning.

Apart from this, transport workers staged demonstrations in different parts of the country, including Mymensingh, Comilla, Sylhet and Barisal.

Meanwhile, the Auto Rickshaw-Auto Tempo Sangram Parishad demanded a stop to police repression against workers of three-wheelers, who have been waging a movement protesting the government’s decision to ban their vehicles from highways, reports UNB. In a written statement, convener of Sangram Parishad Md Golam Faruk said the government has taken a one-sided decision without considering the interests of thousands of

Transport workers block the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway in Shimrai area, outskirts of the capital, yesterday protesting a ban on plying of CNG-run auto-rickshaw on highways DHAKA TRIBUNE auto-rickshaw-tempo owners and workers.

This decision is a strike against the livelihoods of thousands of owners and drivers of the profession, they said.

The statement also said the government continues its repression and harassment in different parts of the country by using the police and administration against protesters to foil the ongoing movement. Many drivers, owners and passengers got hurt in the police repression.

The Parishad urged the government to reconsider its decision through discussion with

WDB office besieged for steps to check erosion n Our Correspondent, Rajshahi Local people under the banner of the Rajshahi Rakkha Sangram Parishad laid siege to the office of Bangladesh Water Development Board yesterday demanding measures to check erosion of the Padma River.

The agitators said erosion of the river in different points including Charghat and Bagha upazilas took a serious turn. Moreover, many important establishments, including Rajshahi Cadet College and Sardah Police Academy, are under threat to be devoured by the river.

Several portion of the town protection embankment collapsed as water level of the Padma River has increased due to continuous rain for the last several days and on rush water from upper streams.

The speakers gave 30-day ultimatum to take steps to repair the embankment to protect the structures, otherwise they would enforce indefinite blockade on highways and railways.

They also demanded construction of a permanent river protection embankment alongside the Padma River.

With the RRSP President Liakat Ali in the

chair, Awami League Rajshai district unit General Secretary Asaduzzaman, RRSP General Secretary Jamat Khan, Language Veteran Mosharraf Hossain Akunji, Freedom Fighter Dr Abdul Matin, Journalist Mustafizur Rahman Khan, Advocate Entajul Haque Babu, Bangladesh Mohila Parishad Rajshahi district unit general secretary Kolpona Roy and Director of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sharif Uddin spoke on the occasion.

The speakers said over 100- year-old Sardah Police Line, Rajshahi Cadet College in Charghat and age-old Sericulture Nursery in Bagha are under threat of erosion as the river Padma was devouring surrounding areas.

The river has eroded many structures, cropland and trees in the last couples of years.

Already a three-kilometre long stretch from Bulanpur to Nabaganga has been devoured affecting more than 500 families.

RRSP General Secretary Jamat Khan said: “We repeatedly appealed to the local MPs and officials of WDB but no one came forward to check erosion. Only during the monsoon when river is at spate with turbulent current, some sand sacks are put.” l

all stakeholders.

Earlier on July 27, the government declared a ban on the movement of the light vehicles like three-wheelers and non-motorized vehicles on highways across the country with effect from August.

Following the ban, auto-rickshaw drivers and owners started their demonstrations in different parts of the country from August 1 protesting the ban.

The ban came in the wake of deaths of over 240 people in a series of road accidents before and after Eid-ul-Fitr across the country. l

Youth jailed for one year for harassing college girl n Our Correspondent, Natore

A mobile court sentenced a youth to one year imprisonment for harassing a college girl yesterday afternoon.

Naldanga Upazila Nirbahi Officer Salma Akter Jahan gave the verdict against Anisur Rahman, 27, son of Naser Ali of Thakur-Lakkhikol village of Naldanga upazila.

Nazibul Islam, officer-in-charge of Naldanga police station, said Anis had been disturbing Saima Akter, an HSC second year student of Maharaja JN High School and College, also daughter of Hazrat Ali of the same village, on her way to school for long.

Several village arbitrations were held at the village where the arbitrators had fined the youth, but could not stop him from the evil task.

Yesterday afternoon, when Saima was going to home from college, the youth waylaid her and hurdled abusive languages at her.

On receiving information, a team of Naldanga police detained him from his residence.

Afterward, a mobile court led by the upazila nirbahi gave the verdict against him. l

DT

8 WORLD

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

India’s parliament suspends 25 lawmakers n AFP, New Delhi

Flood-affected residents commute through floodwaters in Kalay in Myanmar’s Sagaing region yesterday. Relentless monsoon rains have triggered flash floods and landslides, destroying thousands of houses, farmland, bridges and roads – with fast-flowing waters hampering relief efforts AFP

Hundreds dead, millions displaced as monsoon rains heap misery on Asia n AFP, Yangon Monsoon rains have claimed hundreds of lives across Asia, authorities reported yesterday, as rescuers scrambled to reach remote areas of India, Pakistan and Myanmar after flash floods and landslides.

Authorities in India say more than 120 people have died across the country in recent days, while more than a million have been displaced by rains worsened by a cyclone that barrelled through the Bay of Bengal last week.

Yesterday rescuers resumed their search for villagers after downpours caused a landslide in India’s remote northeastern state of Manipur, where an official said four bodies have so far been recovered from a hamlet buried by a collapsed hill.

In neighbouring Myanmar heavy seasonal rains – augmented by Cyclone Komen – have killed 46 people so far and affected more than 200,000, with swathes of the country hit by rooftop-high floods.

The government has designated four “national disaster-affected regions” in central

and western Myanmar, where villagers have been forced to use canoes and makeshift rafts to escape the rising waters.

Thousands of others are already in camps for the displaced including in the Kalay district of Sagaing region, where residents told of unusually powerful floodwaters swamping homes in hours.

An AFP photographer in the area said floodwaters remained stubbornly high earlier yesterday, with many people making their way to safety in rafts cobbled together from old tyres, salvaged wood and large plastic bottles.

The United Nations said swollen rivers threaten more areas of the country, adding it could be days before the true extent of the disaster emerges.

“Logistics are extremely difficult. Assessment teams are having a hard time reaching affected areas,” said Pierre Peron, Myanmar spokesman for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Landslides in Chin state – south of Sagaing – have destroyed 700 homes in the state capital Hakha, which is completely cut off from

surrounding areas, the report added.

Rains have also battered the western state of Rakhine which already hosts about 140,000 displaced people, mainly Rohingya Muslims, who live in exposed coastal camps following deadly 2012 unrest between the minority group and Buddhists.

The annual monsoon is a lifeline for farmers across the region but heavy rains and powerful cyclones can also prove deadly.

India, which receives nearly 80 percent of its annual rainfall from June to September, sees tragedy strike every monsoon season.

This year West Bengal has been hit hard with 48 people killed, according to state management minister Javed Ahmad Khan.

Pakistan has seen 116 people die so far.

Ahmed Kamal, spokesman for Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Agency, said more than 850,000 people had been affected by this year’s floods.

In Vietnam toxic mudslides from flood-hit coal mines in the northern province of Quang Ninh, home to the UNESCO-listed Halong Bay tourist site, claimed the lives of two families and spewed coal into town centres. l

India’s parliament yesterday suspended 25 opposition lawmakers following days of uproar and disruptions that have so far thwarted the government’s hopes of passing major economic reforms in the current session.

The lawmakers, from the main opposition Congress party, have been banned from the lower house for five days amid mounting government fears that the current session will be a washout.

“You have come to the well of the house... and are persistently, wilfully obstructing the house,” parliamentary Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said to jeers and heckling from the opposition benches.

The opposition has been demanding the resignation of Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and a number of other scandal-hit ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s right-wing government wants to push through a series of reforms including a new national sales tax.

But Modi’s appeal for opposition support at the start of the session in July has been ignored.

Congress vowed yesterday to push on with the disruptions for the session’s remaining eight days, with party president Sonia Gandhi calling the suspensions a “black day for democracy.” l

Japan calls US spying allegations ‘deeply regrettable’ n AFP, Tokyo

Tokyo yesterday described claims that Washington spied on Japanese politicians and major firms as “deeply regrettable,” in its first official response to revelations from whistleblower group WikiLeaks.

“I will withhold comment. But if this is true, as an ally, it’s deeply regrettable,” the government’s top spokesman Yoshihide Suga told a regular press briefing.

Suga added that Tokyo was checking with the US on the Wikileaks report, issued Friday.

The latest WikiLeaks intercepts exposing US National Security Agency (NSA) activities follow other documents that revealed spying on allies including Germany and France, straining relations.

The leaks come as Abe seeks to expand the role of Japan’s military, a move applauded by Washington but deeply unpopular at home. l

Former British PM caught up in child sex abuse claim n AFP, London

A former prime minister was drawn into the complex web of historic child sex abuse allegations in Britain yesterday, when the police watchdog announced an investigation involving 1970s leader Edward Heath.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it would investigate a claim from a retired senior policeman that prosecution of a person accused of child sex

abuse in the 1990s was dropped when they threatened to expose Heath.

The former leader of the centre-right Conservatives was prime minister between 1970 and 1974, leading Britain into the European Economic Community in 1973 after a referendum. He died in 2005.

While the IPCC’s investigation is into alleged historic corruption rather than whether Heath committed a crime, it is the first time so a senior figure has been named in connec-

tion with such claims. The probe is separate to a major, judge-led inquiry into child sexual abuse in British institutions such as the BBC, the National Health Service, children’s homes and schools that was opened last month.

“It is alleged that a criminal prosecution was not pursued when a person threatened to expose that Sir Edward Heath may have been involved in offences concerning children,” an IPCC spokesman said.

The IPCC will also investigate whether

officers with Wiltshire Police in western England subsequently took any steps to investigate the claims about Heath’s actions.

“Sir Edward Heath has been named in relation to offences concerning children,” Wiltshire Police in a statement said: “He lived in Salisbury for many years and we would like to hear from anyone who has any relevant information that may assist us in our enquiries or anyone who believes they may have been a victim.” l

DT

WORLD 9

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

Arab coalition forces enter Aden n AFP, Aden Loyalist forces began a major offensive yesterday aimed at retaking Yemen’s largest airbase which is held by rebels, as troops from the Saudi-led coalition entered recaptured second city Aden.

The pro-government troops deployed heavy armour supplied by their backers in the assault on al-Anad base, some 60 kilometres north of Aden, military sources said.

“The battle to retake al-Anad base has begun,” a military source told AFP. Hundreds of troops and militia equipped with tanks and armoured vehicles supplied by the coalition deployed around the base before yesterday’s attack, their commander Fadhl Hassan said.

Another source said Saudi-led warplanes

were providing air cover for the loyalist forces, who launched the offensive from a mountainous region west of al-Anad.

The airbase, in the southern province of Lahj, housed US troops overseeing a drone war against al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula until shortly before Iran-backed Shiite Houthi rebels overran it in March.

The insurgent advance, which took them all the way into the port city of Aden, forced President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi and his internationally recognised government into exile in Saudi Arabia.

But Aden has now been recaptured and Hadi loyalists are in full control there.

Hundreds of Gulf Arab troops from the coalition entered Aden on Sunday, using tanks and other armour “to help secure” it, a military source told AFP.

The Saudi-owned al-Hayat newspaper said 1,500 troops, most of them from the United Arab Emirates, had reached Aden.

The UAE is a member of the coalition which has carried out more than four months of air strikes targeting the rebels and their allies.

Retaking al-Anad would help bolster security in Aden, whose liberation Hadi’s government announced in mid-July.

It would also open the way to loyalist forces to push further north against the Houthis, who have enjoyed strong support on the ground from fighters close to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

An officer taking part in the offensive told AFP the troops had reached the western entrance of al-Anad by mid-afternoon yesterday.

Fierce fighting was under way, added the officer who asked not to be identified. l

Moroccan dies trying to enter Spain in suitcase n AFP, Madrid

A 27-year-old Moroccan man suffocated to death while trying to illegally enter Spain hidden inside a suitcase in the trunk of a car, police said yesterday.

The man’s older brother appears to have tried to smuggle him into Spain by ferry.

The older man, aged 34, legally boarded the ferry linking Melilla, a tiny Spanish territory in north Africa, and Almeria in southern Spain with a car on Sunday, a police spokesman said.

During the crossing he noticed that his brother was not breathing and alerted the ferry’s staff. Crew members as well as emergency services workers in the port of Almeria tried in vain to resuscitate the man.

Police have charged the man’s brother with involuntary manslaughter. l

Malaysia anti-graft body calls mystery funds a ‘donation’ n Reuters, Kuala Lumpur

A general view shows the damage after a Syrian army fighter jet crashed into a busy marketplace in the rebel-held town of Ariha yesterday. At least 27 people were killed and dozens injured, according to residents and witnesses REUTERS

Pakistan ‘teen’ convict faces gallows despite protests n AFP, Karachi

Pakistan is preparing to hang a convicted killer today whose case has attracted international protests because family members say he was a juvenile at the time of the crime.

Shafqat Hussain was sentenced to death for killing a seven-year-old boy in Karachi in 2004 but has had several stays of execution, most recently in June.

Hussain’s lawyers and family claim he was only 15 at the time of the killing, though a government-ordered probe ruled he was an adult.

Hussain’s supporters also say he was tortured into confessing. United Nations rights experts have said his trial “fell short of international standards” and called on Islamabad to reinstate a moratorium on the death penalty. l

Israel president threatened over ‘Jewish terrorism’ comment n AFP, Jerusalem Israeli police have opened an investigation into threats on social media against President Reuven Rivlin following his condemnation of “Jewish terrorism” after a firebombing killed a Palestinian child, a presidential spokesman said yesterday.

Rivlin had written a Facebook post following Friday’s arson attack on a Palestinian family’s home in the West Bank village of Duma by suspected Jewish extremists.

The attack killed 18-month-old Ali Saad Dawabsha and left his parents and four-yearold brother critically wounded.

“More than shame, I feel pain,” Rivlin wrote in Arabic and Hebrew. “The pain over the murder of a little baby. The pain over my people choosing the path of terrorism and losing their humanity.

Rivlin’s post evoked a wave of more than 2,000 comments, some positive but others attacking him and recalling Israelis killed by Palestinians.

“Dirty traitor. Your end will be worse than (Ariel) Sharon’s,” said one comment quoted by the Maariv newspaper, referring to the late former Israeli premier who spent eight years in a coma.

Another said: “In Russia you would have been found by this point cut up inside a shoe box.”

Police said they had received material from the president’s security team and had ordered an investigation.

In 1995, then prime minister Yitzhak Rabin was gunned down at a peace rally in Tel Aviv by a Jewish extremist after a campaign of right-wing incitement against a peace deal with the Palestinians. l

Funds deposited into Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s bank accounts were from a donation, not from debt-laden state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), the anti-corruption commission said yesterday.

Acknowledging that 2.6 billion ringgit (£433.1 million) in funds were transferred into Najib’s private accounts, the commission said results of the investigations found that it was a “donor’s contribution.”

The Wall Street Journal reported in July that investigators looking into 1MDB found that nearly $700 million was deposited into Najib’s private bank accounts. Najib has denied taking any money for personal gain.

State-owned 1MDB has debts of over $11 billion (£7.05 billion) and Najib is the chairman of its advisory board. Najib sacked his deputy last week after he called on Najib publicly to explain the situation around 1MDB. l

India orders hundreds of porn sites blocked n AFP, New Delhi

India has ordered more than 800 porn sites blocked for “objectionable” content, a government official said yesterday, igniting a row about freedom of speech in the world’s biggest democracy.

The telecommunications department has directed Internet service providers (ISPs) to block 857 websites, in the right-wing government’s first major crackdown on online pornography.

According to the adult site Pornhub, India was its fourth largest source of traffic behind the United States, Britain and Canada in 2014.

India has been accused of heavy-handed online censorship in the past, including in 2012 when it ordered 300 webpages, images and links on sites including Facebook and Twitter blocked. l

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

DT

EDITORIAL 11

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

INSIDE

In the land of women This is far from a feminist problem. This is a humanist one. We, as a nation, are allowing half of our population to be treated as if they have a very specific role to play, one that allows them to be violently treated, physically and verbally

PAGE 12

How the GES 2015 helps young women This was the first time I had attended a GES and, by the end of it, I was mesmerised by how great things can happen when great minds from all over the world come together

PAGE 13

The rare and exclusive images of tigers roaming majestically inside the Sundarbans amaze and thrill us; it’s an image that represents Bangladesh to the outer world. Shall we not face an image crisis?

PAGE 14

Write to Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email letters.dt@ dhakatribune.com

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Roads need rules, not anarchy

T

Imperiling our identity

Be heard

BIGSTOCK

here is no excuse for auto-rickshaw owners and CNG drivers disrupting traffic by blocking roads across the country.

It is one thing to lodge protests against the recent ban on threewheel auto-rickshaws and non-motorised vehicles plying 3,570 km of the national highway network, quite another to flout the law and cause huge inconvenience to the public.

Similarly, Sunday’s suspension of services by CNG-run three-wheelers around the Postogola Bridge area of the capital in protest against the introduction of Tk15 and Tk10 tolls for motorcycles and rickshaws, shows an utter disregard for the right of authorities to enforce reasonable regulations on road-use.

We accept there are a number of difficulties associated with the ban. It is not, as some have claimed, a panacea that will automatically make inter-city highways safer.

Although eliminating lower speed vehicles from such roads is the right thing to do to smooth traffic flows and discourage dangerous overtaking, it remains the case that many bus, car, and truck drivers habitually drive in a reckless manner and are mainly responsible for the unconscionably high rate of accidents on Bangladesh’s roads.

It is also true that lack of alternative routes and suitable bus-services in rural areas leaves people with no choice but to use three-wheelers on major highways.

However, it is also the case that the ban only applies to a small proportion of the country’s total road network. Enforcing it while building new by-passes and bringing in better bus-services should overcome these difficulties and help everyone by making traffic safer and smoother.

Blocking public highways is not the right way to protest. By flouting the law, it only encourages others to do the same. The public-interest demands that all drivers of all types of vehicles obey and follow the law, not flout it to serve their own vested interests.

All road-users need to respect the right of authorities to enforce reasonable regulations on road-use

DT

12 OPINION

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

In the land of women

Women must be freed from fear of abuse

BIGSTOCK

This is far from a feminist problem. This is a humanist one.

We, as a nation, are allowing half of our population to be treated as if they have a very specific role to play, one that allows them to be violently treated, physically and verbally

n SN Rasul

I

n this land of men, all is not well.

On Thursday, August 30, a 17-year-old girl was gang-raped in Uttara. One of the men who raped her was her colleague, who had been accompanying her home.

He, along with two other men, took her to an under-construction site and took turns having their way with her and, when their undying thirst had finally been quenched, they “let her go.” Most merciful.

And who could forget the gang-rape of a female constable by four men, one of whom was her ex-husband. This beatific incident happened over the course of four days between June 10 and June 13. The victim eventually managed to finally escape and come to a one-stop crisis centre. If there is one thing we can take away from this incident, it is this: The Bangladeshi people are resilient.

And on another Thursday of this year,

April 2, a schoolgirl was being raped (gang or otherwise) by three men. Male chauvinism be damned, for there came to her rescue two knights in shining lungis (one presumes), saving her from the hungry clutches of the rapists. They, having heard the cries of the 16-year-old student of class IX, beat up the attempted rapists.

Justice was done. But a good story must have a good twist, for these knights shed their honour to steal the honour of the girl themselves, taking her to a house somewhere in Taltola, and then raping her.

Irony, thy name is Bangladesh.

But these are discrete incidents, and don’t speak of a greater, uglier socio-political identity that is plaguing the nation. Or some may say, and do say. But let us leave the intensely morose subject of gang-rape behind.

What about when Nasir put up a picture of himself with his sister, a picture that was as innocent as they come, portraying a much-loved cricketing star and his family, only to be treated to comments which, like a multitude of cockroaches tip-toeing across our collective skins, make us shiver in disgust and shame? The sophisticated comments included things like “maal ta pochhondo hoise” and “chakranir moton lagtase maiadare.”

The online sexual harassment of women is far from uncommon; any girl on Facebook will be privy to this information. Their inboxes are flooded with the stench of the lusty and lewd, the repulsively closeted virgin who wants to do nothing more than have you, and eat you up. A monster in human form. No judgment intended, of course.

Also: Who doesn’t have a relative or a friend who, while shopping in New Market or Gausia, or just travelling by bus, been groped and whistled at?

And conversations with friends and relatives are common regarding women.

With friends, in a group, you see a pretty girl, or one is even slightly on the curvaceous side, and one is treated to the eloquent, “uff,” and two cupped hands going up and down.

Or something along those lines.

And with relatives, perhaps a slightly conservative aunty or uncle, whose berating of the clothes that girls today wear is typical conversation at family gatherings. When you’re wearing these tight-tight jeans and these short-short skirts and showing off your hot-hot body, how can men resist? Followed by the oft-repeated sentence of ridiculuousness: They had it coming. After all, the natural state of man is rapist, right?

What can a nation do, if our collective nojor is kharap?

Let us not also forget that, in a test for “Islamic religion,” students of Holy Cross Girls’ High School were treated to this very poignant conundrum: “Sanjida’s manners, the way she dresses, and the way she speaks are in good taste, and everyone treats her well. On the other hand, her colleague Rumana is in the habit of wearing tight clothes. She puts on T-shirts and jeans … her behaviour lacks restraint … boys of her locality tease her.”

Sanjida goes on to advise her to wear decent clothes in the story.

One of the questions that follows: “Explain why Rumana should take care for the decency of the clothes she wears.” Forget climate change, this is what we need to be discussing in schools.

In a study conducted by One Degree Initiative over the span of four years, 2012 to 2015, 65% of sexual harassment victims were wearing salwar kameezes.

“Western” clothing averaged at about 15%.

Perhaps burkhas and hijabs would be the final wall that prevents the hot-blooded, uncontrollable urge of men from bursting out from zipped-up trousers, but even they were not left to their devices.

Saris, which show more skin -- navels, arms, shoulders, neck -- “scored” (pardon the pun) lower, roughly about 12%, in some years below 10%. Hijabs and burkhas, however, fluctuated between 15% to 20% in failing to protect the women that they hid underneath.

It seems the eye-slit is no less welcoming than the cleavage.

In Bangladesh, the problem is so ingrained into the mind-set that this is far from a feminist problem. This is a humanist one. We, as a nation, are allowing half of our population to be treated as if they have a very specific role to play, one that allows them to be violently treated, physically and verbally. And that, in turn, forces the other half to also don a specific role, one which hungers, hunts, destroys, and consumes.

In a land of people, of humans, of individuals and communities, of Bengalis and Bangladeshis, in a land of equality, of men and women, this cannot persist. l SN Rasul works for the Dhaka Tribune.

DT

OPINION 13

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

Obama’s speech at the GES 2015 will inspire entrepreneurs from all over the world

COURTESY

How the GES 2015 helps young women GES is organised every year to bring entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors from all over the world under one roof. This was the first time I had attended a GES and, by the end of it, I was mesmerised by how great things can happen when great minds from all over the world come together

n Afsana Zarin

W

hen I was a little girl, I was often asked: “If you are in the same room with the president of the United States, the most powerful man on earth, what would you do?”

I would replay the fantasy out in my head, each time coming up with a different answer.

But who knew, over the last weekend, this fantasy would come true, and I would be in the same room as the president of the United States and thousands of other amazing business leaders, politicians, investors, activists, and, most importantly, young entrepreneurs flying in from all around the world at the UN Africa headquarters in Nairobi.

This all happened at the 6th Global Entrepreneurship Summit this year which was held in Nairobi, Kenya on July 25-26.

It was a gathering of entrepreneurs (at all stages of business development), business leaders, mentors, and high-level government officials as a demonstration of continued commitment to fostering entrepreneurship around the world by the US.

I was nominated by the US Embassy in Dhaka to attend the summit and the US Department of State selected me as a delegate.

I am grateful to the embassy, the American Centre, and the EMK Centre for this opportunity to attend this amazing event.

GES is organised every year to bring entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors from all over the world under one roof. This was the first time I had attended a GES and, by the end of it, I was absolutely mesmerised by how great things can happen when great minds from all over the world come together.

This year’s GES focused, to a great extent, on youth and women. GES 2015 was preceded by the GES Youth + Women Event for some selected 150 entrepreneurs around the world, and I was honoured to be one of them. This event was full of workshops and networking platforms for young entrepreneurs like me.

We came in contact with Daymond John, an investor from the Dragons Den-style TV show, Shark Tank. I was lucky enough to attend his workshop on how to build a worldclass brand. We also met a range of different business leaders and entrepreneurs: Julie

Hanna, executive director of the board of Kiva; Jose Andres, chef and founder of ThinkFoodGroup; Candace Johnson, president of EBAN; Jonathan Ortmans, president of GEN, and many others.

Akon, renowned musician and entrepreneur, who started the Akon Lighting Africa initiative, was also there, inspiring us with his stories as an entrepreneur and leader in his field. At the end of the day, Spark the Fire, a competition giving entreprenurs the chance to win $30,000, was held, and I was lucky to be one of the 30 contestants chosen.

This was judged by Jean Case, the CEO of Case Foundation, Iqbal Paroo, USADF, Laura Kickham, Vulcan Inc, and Courtney O’Donnell, Airbnb. The closing remarks were given

by Maria Contreras-Sweet, the 24th US administrator of the US Small Business Administration and a member of President Obama’s cabinet. The day ended with a welcome dinner from Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The official GES ran from July 25 to 26. It took place on an even bigger scale. The Youth + Women day was attended by about 150 people whereas, on Saturday and Sunday, the UN office doors were open to over 1,000 entrepreneurs, investors, and government officials. President Barack Obama and President Uhuru Kenyatta opened the sixth annual GES and announced new commitments to promote entrepreneurship as a driver for economic growth, social inclusion, and secure communities.

President Obama, in his speech, called on leaders to embrace women and young entrepreneurs, and asked US investors to reward those efforts, as he announced more than $1bn in new private and US government commitments for start-ups.

President Kenyatta discussed the importance of young people, stating that “the

youthful sons and daughters of Africa are our incredible resource; they are reaching for a new future in which their innovation and curiosity will transform the world.”

Both presidents’ speeches provided new confidence for those in the audience and were definitely the highlights of my trip. President Obama was exactly what I expected he would be in person: Relaxed but professional, and convincing in every word he spoke.

These two days were again full of events and workshops. We met leaders from around the world and made connections with them, in addition to many inspiring young people and learnt about their home countries which really opened my eyes to their day-to-day struggles as young and/or women entrepreneurs.

We also had a participant from Bangladesh taking part at US Department of State’s 2015 GIST Tech-I Competition at GES 2015. Sabira Mehrin Saba received an honourable mention award for her start-up “Bhitti,” which utilises innovative technology to use sugarcane bagasse to manufacture green construction materials.

Coming back to Bangladesh, I plan to work more with the start-up eco-system in Bangladesh, launching a start-up acceleration program with Betterstories Ltd. This is a mentorship-driven acceleration program which will help the young and woman entrepreneurs of Bangladesh to become investment-ready.

I also plan to work on my newly co-founded organisation, SevenSages, to develop our local resources for the global market. I discovered new directions, perspectives, and energy, and I hope I can give something back to the young generation of Bangladesh from this experience. The journey has just begun. l Afsana Zarin is a Start-up Activist and Co-founder of SevenSages.

DT

14 OPINION

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

Imperiling our identity n Enayetullah Khan

E

very year, July 29 is celebrated worldwide as Global Tiger Day. In 2010, at the St Petersburg Tiger Summit, Tiger Range Countries declared their aim to double the wild tiger numbers by 2022 and declared July 29 as Global Tiger Day. Bangladesh, being one of the 13 Tiger Range Countries, observed the day on the 29th in Khulna and in all the ranges around the Sundarbans. On this day, we usually raise voices and mobilise resources worldwide for wild tiger conservation and, more importantly, to build awareness on the issues affecting their survival. This year, the nation was shocked to know that the number of tigers has gone down to 106 in the Sundarbans. A list of concerns and pertinent points follows: l Shall we forget the Bengal Regiment, who fought for our country’s independence, whose logo is the tiger? l Will our cricketers, called the Tigers, have a new name? l Will anyone ever bear the name “Shere-Bangla” in this country? l We will have to take our children and grand-children to the zoos to show them tigers and to tell them that they were once all over the Sundarbans. l The Sundarbans has already lost rhinos, the wild buffalo, and swamp deer. Now, if the Sundarbans’ natural guard, tigers, disappear, what will happen? The Sundarbans still comprises more than 40% of Bangladesh’s total forest cover. We call it our motherly Sundarbans because it gives us protection from natural calamities, and gives us resources like fish, crabs, honey, nipa palm, and what not. If this umbrella species says goodbye to us, will the Sundarbans remain like this?

Perhaps not. If we can save tigers, the whole eco-system and other life forms within it will automatically be saved. l Almost all the other animals in the country are in peril. Who should be held responsible for this?

During independence, we saw the sacrifice of millions. Today, we all benefit from that sacrifice without thinking that we do injustice to them. We do injustice to the father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who gave us orders/laws/acts to save wildlife back in 1973/1974 (the new wildlife act has been in place from 2012), when the country’s economy and infrastructure were taking shape. Now, when Bangladesh is building the Padma Bridge with its own resources, we are losing our bio-diversity every day.

The rare and exclusive images of tigers roaming majestically inside the Sundarbans amaze and thrill us; it’s an image that represents Bangladesh to the outer world. Shall we not face an image crisis?

Organised criminal groups are systematically poaching tigers and their prey, deer, to meet the demands of others. Inadequate co-ordination among law enforcement agencies at the local and national levels, as well as a lack of regional and international collaboration magnify this problem further. Have we addressed these issues over the years?

The tiger population is directly dependent

Can this iconic animal be saved?

The rare and exclusive images of tigers roaming majestically inside the Sundarbans amaze and thrill us; it’s an image that represents Bangladesh to the outer world. Shall we not face an image crisis?

on the deer population.

The more deer you have, the more tigers the forest can support. Poaching and consumption of deer is also a significant threat in Bangladesh. Research conducted

by WildTeam, a national NGO in the bio-diversity conservation area, shows that more than 10,000 deer are likely poached every year, eventually reducing the capacity of the Sundarbans to support tigers.

Research also shows that this is driven by domestic demand for consumption of deer meat as a luxury food or “Raj Mangsho.” Deer poachers consist of both organised poachers, often the same criminals who are involved in tiger poaching and opportunistic poaching, and the forest resource users. When deer meat becomes cheaper than beef around the Sundarbans, how will you feel?

This year’s tiger population result should give us an opportunity to increase the tiger population in the near future in the vast landscape of the Sundarbans. l We need to declare war against the poachers, and to achieve success in stabilising tiger population in the Sundarbans. We need strong support from the government, political

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

leaders, general public, and news media.

We have to have commitment to stabilise the tiger population to the carrying capacity by appropriate management interventions.

The country is shocked and surprised at the current population estimation. However, we want to give credit to the Forest Department for their transparency in letting the nation know about the present situation.

Our neighbouring countries also faced similar challenges, but they turned this into an opportunity. For example, India estimated its tiger population at 3,200 or more until 2005. A few years ago, they lost all their tigers from Sariska and Panna reserves. Then they changed their tiger conservation strategy.

By using the camera trap method, they came up with a population estimation of 1,411 in 2006, lower than their previous estimation. India was able to increase their tiger population to 1,706 in 2011 and then to 2,226 in 2014 through such collective efforts.

In January this year, India announced that their tiger population had increased by 30% in four years!

Nepal reported a 62% increase in tiger population in 2014. On top of that, they celebrated 365 days of zero poaching four times already. The Nepalese army, along with local people, protects their wildlife in their protected areas.

We need to establish inter-agency co-operation for tiger conservation. An independent and dedicated wildlife crime control unit comprising of various law enforcement agencies like the coast guard, BGB, police, army, RAB, navy, air force, local administration, and judiciary could help.

We need to build the capacity of the Forest Department and the local conservation partners.

We are working closely with the local community including the village tiger response team and forest tiger response team to seek their support in tiger conservation.

In Bangladesh, one of the most densely populated countries in the world, almost a

million people are dependent on the Sundarbans for their livelihood, creating immense pressure on the forest. We hope the Sundarbans will continue to stand strong for us through the continued efforts of the government, and the people who love this beautiful forest.

Taking Bagh forward: Under the leadership of the Forest Department, development partners like USAID, US Fish and Wildlife Service, ZSL, Panthera, IUCN-SOS (Save Our Species), Awley, etc and donors like Kihak Sung, along with international and national NGOs, WildTeam have been working to save tigers for many years.

To that end, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has also joined resources with the Government of Bangladesh to protect wild tigers in the country through the Bengal tiger conservation activity (Bagh Project). Until 2018, Bagh will work on making the relationship between the Sundarbans and its adjacent people stronger and safer -- empowering communities and institutions so that they can take ownership of protecting this magnificent forest home of tigers.

However alarming the situation may be, with orchestrated and timely actions, the Bengal tigers can still be saved from doom.

The Forest Department needs to be equipped with proper tools and training to be more vigilant in their patrolling activities in order to control poaching of tigers and its prey.

The proposed Independent and Dedicated Wildlife Crime Control Unit needs to be functional and effective to respond to wildlife crime.

The wildlife act has been updated recently, with increased penalties for tiger and deer poaching, consumption, and trade -- these welcome changes should be implemented rigorously. If these are in place, I still see some light at the end of the tunnel. l Enayetullah Khan is Chairman, WildTeam, and Editor-in-Chief and CEO, UNB and Dhaka Courier.

16

Western companies look hard at China as growth slows

17

Asian stocks near 2015 lows on China economy worry

19

DSEX hits 7-month high on bank rally

TechnoSity to develop block-3 of hi-tech park n Ishtiaq Husain Bangladesh TechnoSity Limited is set to develop block-3 of the proposed hi-tech park located at Kaliakoir in Gazipur district.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to allocate the 3rd block of the park to Bangladesh TechnoSity Limited for expediting its construction and development works.

A deal is scheduled to be signed between Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority and Bangladesh TechnoSity Limited on August 11 in this connection.

An official of Hi-Tech Park Authority stated that Bangladesh TechnoSity Limited along with IRIS Corporation Berhad – Technology Park, Malaysia would jointly develop the project.

Initially, Technosoft will invest US$25m for the construction works and if necessary, the investment might also be increasedby 10 to 12 times.

MoynulHoque, managing director of Fibre@home, parent company of TechnoSity, said, “We’ll bring the block in a shape for the investment within two years.”

“TechnoSity marketing team has already started discussion with the investors from 10 to 12 countries to attract them in Kaliakoir Hi-

Tech Park,” said Moynul Hoque.

“We are trying to expedite the development works of the Hi-Tech Park to attract foreign investment as soon as possible,” said HosneAra Begum, managing director of Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority.

Main objective of the Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park is to create a knowledge-based skilled manpower and employment generation, attracting FDI, venture capital funds, nurturing entrepreneurs and supporting techno based start-up companies.

TechnoSity will develop 40 acres of land under the block no 3 on a design, build, finance, own, operate (DBFOOT) basis.

On June 28, the government had signed an agreement with Summit Technopolis to develop block No. 2 and 5, which span over 65 acres and 29 acres of land respectively.

Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park, the first ever in the country is located at Kaliakoirupazilla in Gazipur. It is only 40km north off Dhaka city with 232 acres of area.

An additional 100 acres of government land is under process for further inclusion with the Park. The park will be considered as specialised zone to attract investor especially foreign investors where they could utilise vast potential of young educated and techni-

cally skilled work force.

TechnoSity will develop its block-3 between 6 years to 10 years. They will operate the block for 40 years, which can be extended later by another 20 years. After 60 years, TechnoSity will handover the block to the government.

TechnoSity’s target industries will be IT/ ITES, BPO and software, hardware manufacturing, multimedia and animation, electronic and robotics, bio-tech, robotics engineering, telecommunication, renewable energy, auto-mobile, education and training institutes, venture capitalists and incubators.

Hi-Tech Park Authority offers 10 years tax holiday, exemption of income tax for expatriate professionals, 10 years accelerated depreciation permissible, exemption from import duties, 100% exemption of taxes for all exports, 100% equity is allowed for FDI companies, custom bonded area and single window agency.

As many as 70,000 employments will be create by the Hi-Tech Park while over one more lakh people will be employed indirectly.

The Hi-Tech Park will be equipped with available gas, electricity connection, highspeed internet and a separate power plant with capacity of 150 megawatt. l

20

DT

Business

15

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

Sylhet land customs offices to be closed on Sundays

Sarwar first to face two-year imprisonment for stock manipulation n Tribune Report Special tribunal for the capital market in its first verdict yesterday handed down two years term in prison to Mahbub Sarwar for disseminating false information through social media facebook.

The special tribunal, led by justice Humayun Kabir, found him guilty after hearing arguments from both plaintiff, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission, and convict Sarwar.

According to the verdict, Mahbub Sarwar misled investors by posting confusing information on the facebook, which is a punishable offence and the BSEC probe report against him (Sarwar) is true. And police investigation against him has also been proved.

In its case filed in 2010, the BSEC alleged that Sarwar spread false information through facebook and different blogs from March 2007 to March 2010, destabilising the stock market and misleading many general investors.

This is the first verdict of the special tribunal for the capital market that began its judicial functions to quickly dispose of stock market related cases in mid-2015.

The court had began activities by hearing the case against Sarwar, which was filed

by Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission in 2010 with Gulshan police station. l

BGMEA voters unhappy over uncontested election n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi As the BGMEA election is almost set to be an uncontested race with submission of limited number of nominations, general members lament they will be deprived of voting rights.

In an alleged consensus, two panels – Sammilito Parishad and Forum – submitted 38 nomination papers against 35 posts of directors, leaving a very little chance for any contest in the election.

Yesterday was the last day of submission of nomination papers.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the industry’s apex trade body, is scheduled to participate in an election of new board leaders on September 8 for the 2015-16 term.

Some ex-presidents and current board members of the body also expressed their concerns that the same experience in the past was not good.

They said if office-bearers won a contested

race, they would feel more responsibility and accountability in works. But the uncontested poll could produce quite opposite result.

Sources said among 38 who submitted nomination papers, three might withdraw their candidacies so the remaining others become elected unopposed.

Earlier the two panels were able to bring all candidates under their umbrellas and prevent forming any more platform for the biennial election.

“If there was a contested election, there would be more accountability,” ex-BGMEA President Abdus Salam Murshedy told Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

He said they want to hand over a transparent BGMEA to next generation as the industry has completed three decades of operation.

Under the alleged consensus, Parishad will get five posts including that of president, first vice president, senior vice president, second vice president and one vice president.

Forum will be given three vice president posts.

After end of the 2015-16 term, Forum then will come into the leadership getting the posts of president and vice presidents for the next term.

“Such a bad practice will restrict the BGMEA leadership within the grip of few people only,” lamented a BGMEA member who preferred not be named.

BGMEA director Md Moshiul Azam Shajal also deplored the practice.

“I think the decision is not right. The person elected through contest will be more keen to work than that of the selected one.”

Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury, another ex-president, said Bangladesh has set $50bn export target from the RMG

sector and for this the sector needs unity.

“BGMEA needs a better leadership to face domestic and global challenges (of the garment industry) to achieve the target. President cannot do it alone.”

He said the body needs a dynamic leadership to reach export target and serve the expectation of countrymen. l

DT

16 BUSINESS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

Western companies look hard at China as growth slows n Reuters, London The Chinese slowdown is forcing many Western companies to take a hard look at their businesses there, leading many to reduce investments, costs and product lines and to tackle increasing bad debts.

Double digit growth rates during the first decade of the millennium lured scores of Western companies to invest heavily in China.

But in recent years growth has slowed sharply, hitting demand and raising doubts about the financial health of Chinese companies.

A recent equities market rout has dashed hopes China will, in the coming years, return to the robust growth it saw in the past.

“We had five fabulous years in China, of course, where we grew strong double-digit, and it has been gradually slowing down. Currently, in China we had negative order intake,” said Frans van Houten, chief executive of Dutch electronics group Philips NV, on a call with analysts on Monday.

“Going forward, we need to be much more modest on expectations with regard to China growth; that’s just being realistic,” he said.

The size of China’s economy means executives are not talking about withdrawing from the market but they say business cannot continue as normal.

“I’m optimistic long-term and medium-term that China will come back. Shortterm, we need to manage through the drought that we see,” said Ulrich Spiesshofer, CEO of Swiss-based industrial conglomerate ABB. ABB is carefully managing costs and working hard to convince customers its products offer value despite premium prices. Stuart Rowley, vice president at Ford Motor Company, said his company had responded to the softening market by cutting production.

Such actions have knock-on impacts on suppliers, which are also often Western.

French auto components group Valeo said slackening demand from Chinese car factories was forcing it to review its growth plans.

“We see the growth rate slowing down.

And in the summertime, some of our customers are extending their summer holidays ... Of course, we adapt hiring and CapEx (capital

Asian airlines hedge more fuel to lock in savings from oil price fall n Reuters, Singapore

Customers talk to a sales assistant as they shop for milk powder in front of shelves displaying imported baby products at a supermarket in Beijing REUTERS expenditure) to current market conditions,” said CEO Jacques Aschenbroich.

Change in tack

Will Hallyer, partner with Strategy Consultants OC&C, said the toughening conditions were prompting companies to shift their focus from boosting market share to ensuring their operations were profitable or at least reducing any losses.

“It had been more of a land grab mentality - buy a position, invest heavily in growth and have confidence that at some point you’ll be able to make money,” he said.

“As the market slows down, it accelerates the shift toward people thinking hard about making sure they have a business that makes money,” he added.

Strategies vary across companies and sectors. Some have focused on cost reductions - General Motors flagged “material cost performance” in China to investors. Acting CEO of Sweden’s Volvo AB Jan Gurander said this was easier to achieve in China than in Europe, where workers enjoy more protections and factory shutdowns can be politically sensitive.

Others, including BMW and eyewear manufacturing Luxottica, are trying to attract increasingly cautious Chinese consumers with price cuts.

Some companies are rethinking their product lines. French dairy group Danone told investors it was offloading its Chinese business, Dumex, which operates in a highly competitive, commoditized market, to a joint venture partner to allow it focus on marketing its international brands which offer the potential for higher margins.

Credit risk

The deteriorating Chinese environment is also forcing companies to think harder about credit risks.

Swedish lockmaker Assa Abloy Ab’s Chinese unit is heavily exposed to the hard-hit construction industry. Chief Financial Officer Carolina Happe said the time it took for Assa’s Chinese customers to pay had increased by a month in the past year, to 99 days. That compares to a group average of 55 days. The change could lead to increased bad debt provisions, she said. l

CORPORATE NEWS

Jamuna Bank has recently launched foreign remittance distribution services through SBAC Bank for Placid NK Corporation, a global exchange house under associate bank agreement. The bank’s DMD, AKM Saifuddin Ahamed, CFO of Placid NK Corporation, Mohammed H Rashid and SEVP of SBAC Bank, Harun Ar Rashid were present at the launching ceremony among others

Directors’ board of NCC Bank Ltd has recently re-elected its independent director, Md Amirul Islam FCS, FCA as the chairperson of the board’s audit committee. Islam is a qualified chartered accountant and chartered secretary

Asian airlines are preparing to hedge more jet fuel in a bid to lock in profits, betting that a recent slide in crude prices to five-month lows will taper off near $50 a barrel.

Hedging activity is picking up after a lull in the first six months when a 50% jump in Brent, from a six-year low of $45.19 in January, made such purchases unattractive.

An $11 drop in July to below $53 on global glut worries has revived hedging interest, traders said.

“Some airlines are popping in and hedging bits and pieces daily at a Brent price of $55 and down to $50,” said a trader with a bank that handles hedging for many Asian airlines.

“Most airlines think oil prices are cheap and have hit their (bottom),” he added, declining to be named due to rules on talking to media.

Indonesia’s PT Garuda Indonesia Tbk, which has hedged 45% of its 2015 jet fuel needs, is now looking to raise that to at least 50%, versus 10% in 2014.

‘Some airlines are popping in and hedging bits and pieces daily at a Brent price of $55 and down to $50’ Garuda’s hedging strategy, together with cost cuts, helped it swing to a first-half net profit this year. Air New Zealand too has raised its hedging ratio, to 57% for the fourth quarter from 10% a year ago.

South Korea’s Asiana Airlines, which had stopped hedging at the end of 2014 to escape oil market volatility, has increased its third-quarter jet fuel hedge ratio slightly versus the previous two quarters.

Jet fuel accounts for anywhere between 20 and 50% of an airline’s operating costs. Low oil prices have driven global airlines to forecast 2015 industry profits of $29.3bn, almost double from last year.

Some still wary

Certain airlines, however, are cautious about hedging after a bitter experience in 2008, when carriers scrambled to lock in fuel costs as crude surged above $100 for the first time only to see prices plummet to less than $40 before year-end.

With jet fuel prices down around 16% this month, some airlines see spot purchases as a better option.

For 2015, Thai Airways International Pcl has hedged about 80% and plans to buy the rest from the spot market, a senior official said.

The airline expects to save costs of about 16bn baht ($455.45m) this year due to its hedging strategy and lower oil prices, he added.

Japan’s ANA Holdings Inc and Japan Airlines have hedged 40% and plan to keep it at that.

The cost of hedging crude has dropped to the lowest in a decade, said Maybank analysts, as caution caps hedging volumes.

“It is ironic that whilst the cost of protection is cheap and fuel hedging strategy is best adopted now, many airlines are choosing not do so,” they added. l

DT

BUSINESS 17

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

Companies’ debt burdens weigh heavily as RBI holds rates steady n Reuters, Mumbai

Investors look at computer screens showing stock information at a brokerage house in Qingdao

REUTERS

Asian stocks near 2015 lows on China economy worry, dollar strong n Reuters, Hong Kong An index of Asian shares outside Japan fell close to this year’s lows thanks to a deepening selloff in commodities and concerns over slowing growth in China, while the dollar held its ground against a basket of currencies.

China’s factory activity shrank more than initially estimated in July, contracting by the most in two years as new orders fell, according to a private survey that dashed hopes that the economy may be steadying.

“We believe the stock market panic in early July chilled economic activity, which is what the manufacturing PMIs picked up,” ING economist Tim Condon said in a research note ahead of the Caixin PMI release.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell more than 1% before paring losses to be down 0.9%. The biggest losers were financials and cyclicals. The index’s low for this year was on July 8.

Stock markets across the region declined

with Japan’s Nikkei down 0.5% and South Korea’s Kospi falling 0.9%.

“We believe the macro environment remains challenging for emerging market assets amid headwinds of low commodity prices, concerns over China and a looming Fed tightening cycle,” Barclays strategists wrote in a daily note in clients.

Recent flows data confirm that trend. Net foreign selling from emerging Asia has reached nearly $10bn over the past two months with only India seeing some tiny inflows.

Although outflows have pummelled stock markets from Korea to Taiwan, valuations suggest more downside is likely.

While recent weakness in stocks has made emerging market valuations more attractive than those of developed market counterparts, they are twice as expensive as Asian financial crisis lows, according to research from Julius Baer.

On Wall Street on Friday, the Dow lost 0.3 percent and the S&P 500 shed 0.2%, due to a

drop in energy shares.

In currencies, the dollar on Monday held broadly steady at 123.97 yen. The euro was steady at $1.1097.

While recent dollar moves have been buffeted by US economic data, the broader trend was on the upside after the Federal Reserve last week left the door open for a possible interest rate increase in September.

The US dollar has rallied 7.75% so far this year against the world’s main trading currencies, after a 12.8% rise last year.

And “the dollar’s recent rally may just be getting started,” according to research from the BlackRock Investment Institute.

“Since the 1970s when the Bretton Woods fixed-currency regime ended and currencies began floating, a typical dollar rally has lasted roughly six to seven years,” according to Russ Koesterich, BlackRock global investment strategist, who noted dollar rallies tend to be self-reinforcing, leading to greater inflows into US assets in expectation of further dollar appreciation. l

Dollar ticks up after falling on US wage report n AFP, Tokyo The dollar rose against the euro and yen yesterday after falling in US trade owing to a weak report on workers’ pay that reignited questions about the timeline for an interest rate hike.

In Tokyo afternoon trade, the greenback fetched 124.05 yen, edging up from 123.91 yen in New York late Friday.

The euro bought $1.0976 and 136.15 yen against $1.0984 and 136.10 yen in US trade.

On Friday, the dollar fell against other major currencies as the US report showed wages and salaries rose just 0.2% in the second quarter, decelerating from 0.7% growth in the first.

The disappointing data came after confidence rose on a report from the US Commerce Department Thursday that said the world’s top economy expanded at an annual rate of 2.3% in the April-June period, the strongest growth since the third quarter of 2014.

And while the figure was a little below expectations, the department also revised up its estimate on the first quarter of the year which was hit by severe winter weather - to growth of 0.6%, from a 0.2% contraction.

Currency traders are keeping a close eye on US data as they try to gauge the timeline for a Federal Reserve rate hike - a plus for the dollar - which is widely expected in September

or December.

Sentiment on Monday in Asia was bruised, however, after a key gauge of Chinese manufacturing activity plunged to a two-year low in July, the latest data suggesting the world’s second largest economy faces challenges. The dollar was mixed against other Asia-Pacific currencies.

It rose to Sg$1.3747 from Sg$1.3727 on Friday, to 45.70 Philippine pesos from 45.65 pesos, to Tw$31.64 from Tw$31.55 and to 13,502 Indonesian rupiah from 13,487 rupiah.

The greenback weakened to 1,165.85 South Korean won from 1,168.24 won, to 35.03 Thai baht from 35.14 baht and to 63.95 Indian rupees from 64.03 rupees. l

When Hindustan Construction Ltd (HCC) was building a bridge in 2008 to transform the congested commute in Mumbai, its stock was at a record high as low interest rates had sparked a construction boom.

Today, like many small- and mid-sized Indian firms, Hindustan Construction is struggling, after a borrowing binge that saw its debt surge from $674m in fiscal year 2007/2008 to $1.6bn in 2014/15, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Companies are still struggling to recover from those years of exuberance, and say that Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan’s caution in cutting rates despite historically low inflation is making it harder for them to get back on track.

Having cut India’s main lending rate by three-quarters of a percentage point to 7.25% this year, the RBI is widely expected to keep it unchanged at its next policy review on Tuesday, though market watchers predict one more cut by the end of the year.

For many bosses, that is not enough.

“I’m disappointed with the RBI,” said Praveen Sood, chief financial officer of the HCC group.

“I just don’t know if they care enough about the industrial sector.”

The growing discontent comes as wholesale inflation has declined for eight consecutive months, while consumer inflation remains far from the double-digit levels less than two years ago and within the RBI’s target of 2 to 6%.

At the same time, the Indian economy is widely seen as weak, with much scepticism over official data in May which showed its growth overtook China’s.

Corporate profits are hurting. An analysis of 70 companies with a market capitalisation of at least $100m showed net income fell by 5% in April-June, the second consecutive quarterly decline, according to Thomson Reuters data.

HCC, for example, reported last week that its April-June net profits slumped by about 70% to 80.2m rupees.

The builder is looking to sell additional shares and has sold stakes in an commercial complex in Mumbai and in a highway, with proceeds going to service debt or interest costs.

“High interest rates at this point of time are basically killing the growth of the company,” said Sood.

“When inflation has gone down so much, there’s no reason why interest rates shouldn’t be coming down.”

Some economists now worry the RBI is excessively focused on prices, having this year shed its previous policy of managing multiple objectives towards one that targets consumer inflation while “keeping in mind the objective of growth”.

Soumya Kanti Ghosh, chief economic adviser of State Bank of India, argues that weak commodity prices are keeping inflation down, giving the RBI scope to do more to help companies. l

DT

18 BUSINESS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

News, analysis and recent disclosures SAPORTL (H/Y Audited): The Company has further informed that they have audited their half yearly financial statements for the period ended on 30th June, 2015. Consolidated EPS for Jan-June, 2015 was Tk. 0.46 as against Tk. 0.41 for Jan-June, 2014. Consolidated NOCFPS was Tk. 0.57 for Jan-June, 2015 as against Tk. 1.28 for Jan-June, 2014. Consolidated NAV per share was Tk. 28.00 as of June 30, 2015 and Tk. 40.00 as of December 31, 2014.

TUNGHAI (Q2 Un-audited): EPS for April-June, 2015 was Tk. 0.32 as against Tk. 0.47 for April-June, 2014, EPS for Jan-June, 2015 was Tk. 0.57 as against Tk. 0.72 for Jan-June, 2014. NOCFPS was Tk. (0.93) for Jan-June, 2015 as against Tk. 1.38 for Jan-June, 2014. NAV per share was Tk. 13.36 as of June 30, 2015 and Tk. 12.79 as of December 31, 2014.

GHCL (Q2 Un-audited): EPS for April-June, 2015 was Tk. 0.37 as against Tk. 0.61 for April-June, 2014, EPS for Jan-June, 2015 was Tk. 0.89 as against Tk. 1.22 for Jan-June, 2014. NOCFPS was Tk. 1.75 for Jan-June, 2015 as against Tk. 1.70 for Jan-June, 2014. NAV per share was Tk. 52.71 as of June 30, 2015 and Tk. 51.82 as of December 31, 2014.

Dividend/AGM 8THICB: 140% cash. 7THICB: 150% cash 6THICB: 120% cash.

5THICB: 250% cash. 4THICB: 300% cash. 3RDICB: 300% cash. 2NDICB: 450% cash.

1STICB: 1,000% cash. Record date: 12.08.2015.

BERGERPBL: 100% interim

cash dividend. Record date for entitlement of interim cash dividend: 20.08.2015.

PRAGATILIF: 17% cash and 5% stock dividend AGM: 29.09.2015,. Record Date: 20.08.2015.

SHASHADNIM: 10% interim cash dividend for 2015, Record date for entitlement of interim cash dividend: 20.08.2015.

NAVANACNG: 15% cash general shareholders (excluding Sponsors), AGM: 16.09.2015, Record Date: 18.08.2015.

SUNLIFEINS: 6% stock, AGM: 15.09.2015, Record Date: 18.08.2015.

APEXSPINN: 20% cash AGM: 30.09.2015, Record date: 18.08.2015.

LINDEBD: 200% interim cash dividend, Record date for entitlement of interim dividend: 03.08.2015.

GP: Interim cash dividend 80%, Record date for entitlement of interim dividend: 29.07.2015.

SQURPHARMA: 30% cash and 12.50% stock dividend, AGM: 16.09.2015, Record Date: 13.08.2015.

MEGHNALIFE: 13% cash and 20% stock, AGM: 27.08.2015, Record Date: 30.07.2015.

FAREASTLIF: 35% cash and 10% stock, AGM: 16.08.2015, Record Date: 23.07.2015.

STYLECRAFT: 60% cash, AGM: 27.08.2015, Record Date: 30.07.2015.

BIFC: No dividend, AGM: 03.09.2015, Record Date: 23.07.2015.

SANDHANINS: 22% stock, AGM: 01.09.2015, Record Date: 12.08.2015.

Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

Company Islami Bank BD - A Beach Hatchery -A Bangladesh Welding -B GeminiSeaFood-B Bangladesh Lamps -A Libra Infusions-A Tallu Spinning -Z Legacy Footwear -A Apex Footwear-A Appollo Ispat CL -N

Closing (% Change) 10.00 10.00 8.79 8.75 7.68 7.55 7.14 7.05 6.94 6.91

CSE GAINER Company Islami Bank BD - A Beach Hatchery -A Anwar Galvanizing-B Bangladesh Welding -B Bangladesh Lamps -A Miracle Industries -B Appollo Ispat CL -N Tallu Spinning -Z Uttara Bank - A 1st ICB M F -A

Closing (% Change) 9.92 9.55 7.54 7.53 7.17 7.05 6.91 6.70 6.63 6.25

DSE LOSER Company BD Fixed Income MF-A Jute SpinnersA Sonargaon Tex -Z PragatiLife Insu. -Z 7th ICB M F-A Phoenix Fin. 1st MF-A Hakkani P& Paper -B ICB AMCL 2nd NRB -A ICB Emp. PMF-A National Polymer -A

Closing (% Change) -5.13 -5.06 -4.55 -4.05 -3.87 -3.77 -3.70 -3.53 -3.39 -2.86

CSE LOSER Company Samata LeatheR -Z Central Insur -A Islami Ins.BD-A BD Finance-B S.B. 1st M. F.-A Eastern InsurA Sun Life Insurance-N MBL 1st M. F.-A Hakkani P& Paper -B IFIC 1st MF-A

Closing (% Change) -10.00 -8.47 -4.38 -4.31 -4.30 -4.26 -4.13 -4.00 -3.74 -3.70

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY

DSE key features August 3, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka)

DSE GAINER

Sector

8,117.14 207,388,511 167,299

Traded Issues

320

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

220

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

95

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

5

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,738.08

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

33.19

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 560.83 267.71 139.43 1719.64 376.83 1645.69 7.23 921.74 1052.56 53.34 160.19 65.43 93.05 301.53 54.23 35.68 48.88 146.97 134.30 331.02 0.88

% change 6.91 3.30 1.72 21.19 4.64 20.27 0.09 11.36 12.97 0.66 1.97 0.81 1.15 3.71 0.67 0.44 0.60 1.81 1.65 4.08 0.01

Million Taka 50.15 27.23 5.61 144.39 17.57 122.30 61.96 67.60 4.31 8.47 4.14 5.05 29.20 4.05 1.21 3.42 15.64 16.72 27.14 0.08

Average (% Change) 12.07 8.40 7.17 6.30 5.48 3.79 6.74 7.18 5.05 6.46

Average (% Change) 12.24 8.50 7.25 7.04 4.71 5.74 6.36 5.57 3.65 6.25

Average (% Change) -5.51 -0.83 -4.22 -4.27 -3.33 -4.31 -1.47 -3.51 -0.69 1.94

Average (% Change) -10.00 -8.47 -4.38 -5.97 -4.41 -3.93 -2.90 -3.01 -0.76 -3.17

CSE

ClosingAvg. 26.37 19.48 24.96 339.26 161.57 355.86 19.17 25.83 351.44 22.75

ClosingAvg. 26.60 19.40 44.06 24.95 159.29 16.57 22.76 18.75 20.45 1425.50

ClosingAvg. 7.38 48.78 8.40 100.73 96.67 5.11 53.13 8.25 5.72 107.00

ClosingAvg.

% change 8.14 4.42 0.91 23.43 2.85 19.85 0.00 10.05 10.97 0.70 1.37 0.67 0.82 4.74 0.66 0.20 0.56 2.54 2.71 4.40 0.01

27.00 17.30 15.30 11.19 8.89 22.50 30.43 4.84 53.29 5.20

Closing 26.40 19.80 26.00 346.70 164.00 364.60 19.50 25.80 356.10 23.20

Closing 26.60 19.50 44.20 25.70 162.90 16.70 23.20 19.10 20.90 1425.50

Closing 7.40 46.90 8.40 99.40 96.80 5.10 52.00 8.20 5.70 105.20

Closing

DHIGH 26.40 19.80 26.20 346.70 165.50 366.50 19.60 26.50 359.00 23.40

DHIGH

25.00 18.20 23.60 320.00 152.00 348.00 18.40 24.40 333.50 21.70

DLOW

26.60 19.50 44.30 26.00 165.00 16.90 23.40 19.20 20.90 1425.50

DHIGH

25.50 18.20 44.00 23.80 155.00 16.20 21.70 17.50 19.90 1425.50

DLOW

8.00 51.90 8.70 104.50 101.00 5.30 55.50 8.60 5.80 112.10

DHIGH

27.00 17.30 15.30 11.10 8.90 22.50 30.20 4.80 51.50 5.20

Million Taka 610.98 294.94 145.04 1864.02 394.41 1767.99 7.23 983.70 1120.16 57.64 168.66 69.57 98.10 330.73 58.28 36.89 52.30 162.62 151.02 358.16 0.96

DLOW

7.20 45.10 8.10 99.00 95.00 5.00 51.60 8.10 5.70 103.60

DLOW

27.00 17.30 15.30 11.70 9.00 22.50 31.00 4.90 55.00 5.20

Total

27.00 17.30 15.30 10.90 8.80 22.50 30.20 4.70 50.50 5.20

% change 7.00 3.38 1.66 21.34 4.52 20.24 0.08 11.26 12.83 0.66 1.93 0.80 1.12 3.79 0.67 0.42 0.60 1.86 1.73 4.10 0.01

Prepared exclusively for Dhaka Tribune by Business Information Automation Service Line (BIASL), on the basis of information collected from daily stock quotations and audited reports of the listed companies. High level of caution has been taken to collect and present the above information and data. The publisher will not take any responsibility if any body uses this information and data for his/her investment decision. For any query please email to biasl@bol-online.com or call 01552153562 or go to www.biasl.net

Turnover in Million

Latest EPS

105.736 27.970 130.141 11.765 25.352 0.711 6.065 21.899 18.619 290.977

Turnover in Million

4.22 1.29 -0.80 11.77 4.32 3.38 -0.21 0.20 -24.62 1.12

Latest EPS

17.134 3.246 0.159 9.547 0.599 1.156 27.808 1.066 1.099 0.001

Turnover in Million

6.2 15.1 -ve 28.8 37.4 105.3 -ve 129.2 -ve 20.3

Latest PE

4.22 1.29 0.68 -0.80 4.32 0.36 1.12 -0.21 2.68 39.55

Latest EPS

1.418 0.002 0.625 2.682 0.148 3.702 9.308 1.890 0.849 51.569

Turnover in Million

Latest PE

6.3 15.0 64.8 -ve 36.9 46.0 20.3 -ve 7.6 36.0

Latest PE

0.51 -31.68 -2.17 2.38 9.73 0.65 0.29 0.87 0.61 3.36

Latest EPS

0.014 0.010 0.003 1.869 0.063 0.016 0.506 0.048 1.539 0.006

14.5 -ve -ve 42.3 9.9 7.9 183.2 9.5 9.4 31.8

Latest PE

-0.05 2.32 1.32 0.06 1.54 2.76 0.00 5.08 0.29 0.73

-ve 7.5 11.6 186.5 5.8 8.2 1.0 183.8 7.1

CSE key features August 3, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

616.24 17,510,797 23,750

Traded Issues

257

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

162

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

90

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

5

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,631.67

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

31.90

DT

BUSINESS 19

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

DSEX hits 7-month high on bank rally n Tribune Report

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Appollo Ispat CL -N Square Pharma -A LafargeS Cement-A Beximco Pharma -A Jamuna Oil -A Khulna Power-A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Shasha Denims -N Titas Gas TDCLA United Power-N

Olympic Accessories -N MJL BD Ltd.-A BD Building Systems -A Navana CNG-A BSRM Steels-A

VolumeShares 12,792,110 1,036,230 1,919,329 3,026,279 888,383 2,294,073 5,020,712 3,493,654 2,145,278 941,089

Value in Million 290.98 280.16 240.93 217.33 188.91 175.34 171.91 163.87 162.33 150.12

% of TotalTurnover 3.58 3.45 2.97 2.68 2.33 2.16 2.12 2.02 2.00 1.85

VolumeShares

Value in Million

% of TotalTurnover

2,269,644 1,267,535 2,707,452 2,211,618 1,531,931

CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company United Power-N Olympic Accessories -N Appollo Ispat CL -N LafargeS Cement-A BSRM Ltd. -A Khulna Power-A Islami Bank BD - A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Square Pharma -A Beximco Pharma -A

BSRM Steels-A Familytex (BD) Ltd.-A Shasha Denims -N Shahjibazar Power-N UNITED AIR-A

187,045 440,820 1,221,891 198,129 210,700 231,087 644,213 500,425 56,217 183,200

132,969 849,465 243,855 55,669 916,309

145.12 141.16 140.42 137.49 137.21

29.87 28.28 27.81 24.85 22.29 17.74 17.13 17.13 15.21 13.19

11.95 11.93 11.52 10.33 9.93

1.79 1.74 1.73 1.69 1.69

4.85 4.59 4.51 4.03 3.62 2.88 2.78 2.78 2.47 2.14

1.94 1.94 1.87 1.68 1.61

ClosingP 23.20 270.60 125.00 71.80 214.70 76.00 34.10 46.70 76.50 158.10

63.40 111.40 52.60 62.90 90.80

ClosingP

Change % 6.91 0.37 -0.64 0.84 4.32 -0.39 0.00 -2.71 3.66 -1.37

-1.09 0.27 2.53 2.11 3.42

Change %

158.90 63.40 23.20 124.90 109.60 76.10 26.60 34.10 270.20 71.90

91.20 14.00 46.90 184.10 10.80

-1.18 -0.94 6.91 -0.56 3.79 -0.52 9.92 0.29 0.41 0.84

3.40 2.19 -3.30 -1.39 0.00

ClosingY 21.70 269.60 125.80 71.20 205.80 76.30 34.10 48.00 73.80 160.30

64.10 111.10 51.30 61.60 87.80

ClosingY

160.80 64.00 21.70 125.60 105.60 76.50 24.20 34.00 269.10 71.30

88.20 13.70 48.50 186.70 10.80

DHIGH 23.40 271.20 126.80 72.40 216.50 77.40 34.50 48.30 76.60 163.00

65.00 112.70 52.90 63.10 91.70

DHIGH

163.00 65.00 23.40 126.40 111.50 78.00 26.60 34.50 271.70 72.50

92.50 14.20 48.50 191.30 11.00

DLOW 21.70 269.50 124.60 71.00 206.40 75.70 34.00 46.50 73.80 157.00

63.00 110.60 51.00 60.70 87.10

DLOW

157.50 63.10 21.70 124.50 102.50 76.00 25.50 34.10 268.10 71.20

87.10 13.70 46.50 183.00 10.70

AvgPrice 22.75 270.37 125.53 71.81 212.64 76.43 34.24 46.91 75.67 159.52

63.94 111.37 51.87 62.17 89.56

AvgPrice

159.67 64.16 22.76 125.43 105.78 76.77 26.60 34.24 270.61 72.02

89.90 14.04 47.23 185.53 10.84

Daily capital market highlights DSE Broad Index : DSE - 30 Index : CSE All Share Index: CSE - 30 Index : CSE Selected Index :

12493.34510

(+) 1.26%

1901.50545

(+) 0.83%

14901.32430

(+) 1.06%

12493.34510

(+) 1.06%

9076.18450

(+) 1.09%

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲

After remaining flat in previous two sessions, stocks witnessed a sharp rise yesterday, with benchmark index hitting more than seven months high.

Mainly heavyweight banks and power issues that surged more than 3% and 1% each were the main market mover.

The benchmark of Dhaka Stock Exchange, DSEX, rose over 60 points or 1.3% to 4,862—its highest since December 22 last year.

The Shariah index, DSES, gained 10 points or 0.9% to 1,203. The blue chip comprising index, DS30, was up 15 points or 0.8% to 1,901.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index, CSCX, rallied 98 points to settle at 9,076.

As the day passed, trading activities started rising with uptick trades. DSE turnover stood at Tk810 crore, which is 0.6% higher over the previous session’s value and highest since June 1 this year.

More than 54% volume of trade came from engineering, energy and pharmaceutical sectors.

After remaining under pressure for long, bank flexed strong muscle soaring 3%, driven by the largest market capitalisation bank, Islami Bank, that hit upper limit circuit breaker on high

demand.

All other major sectors, including non-banking financial institutions, telecommunications, food and allied, pharmaceuticals and textiles closed in the positive terrain.

Share prices of majority issues closed higher as out of 319 issues, 188 advanced, 90 declined and 41 remained unchanged.

More than 54% volume of trade came from engineering, energy and pharmaceutical sectors IDLC Investments said the market trend revamped to gaining momentum with a strong leap after six sessions of sideways move. The session was upbeat from the very beginning as investors eyed for reversal.

Apollo Ispat Complex Limited that rose 7% topped the liquidity chart with turnover worth almost Tk30 crore. It was followed by Square Pharmaceuticals, Lafarge Surma Cement, Beximco Pharmaceuticals, Jamuna Oil and Khulna Power Company Limited. l

ANALYST

Market trend revamped to gaining momentum with a strong leap after six sessions of sideways move.

The session was upbeat from the very beginning as investors eyed for reversal

DT

20 BUSINESS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

Sylhet land customs offices to be closed on Sundays n

Workshop on new customs act begins from Aug 17 The National Board of Revenue is set to organise a four-day-long national workshop from August 17 to August 20 for familiarising customs and other border officials with the new customs act.

The workshop will train officials with new customs act and respective best practices with different provisions of the new act, including its processes and requirements, in relation to the existing act.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) will finance the workshop as part of its technical assistance to Bangladesh, Supporting Bangladesh’s Participation in the SASEC Trade Facilitation Programme, funded by the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction.

The workshop will focus on international best practices in customs operations as embodied by the new customs act and stipulated under the Revised Kyoto Convention and the Trade Facilitation Agreement of World Trade Organization.

The discussion topics will include integrity and anti-corruption strategies and application of risk management and authorised economic operator principles.

Around 35 key customs and border officials are expected to attend the workshop.

The government is set to implement new customs act replacing the existing one from July 2016 that will ensure paperless customs administration and will have components for risk-based customs management system to expedite clearance of goods. l

n Syed Samiul Basher Anik The government has decided to change weekly holiday for land customs stations under Sylhet division to Sunday.

This is to facilitate trade and customs-related works with neighboring India.

Friday is weekly public holiday in Bangladesh while on Saturday the customs stations operate in a limited scale. But the Indian customs houses remain closed on Sundays.

The National Board of Revenue made the change due to this difference in weekly holiday between two countries as it was creating problems in bilateral trade activities.

The issue of weekly holidays in the region was first raised in February this year at the 10th meeting of the Joint Group of Customs (JGC) between Bangladesh and India in New Delhi.

The NBR later raised the issue in the 4th Joint Group of Customs (JGOC) commissioner-level meeting between two countries held in Customs Excise and VAT Commissionerate, Sylhet last week of July.

The meeting decided that both the countries would keep weekly holiday on Sunday for first six months from September to February and for next six months, the weekly holiday will be on Friday.

In Sylhet, export and import activities between two countries are held through a number of stations including four major land customs stations.

Perishable goods sometimes get damaged due to delay created by holiday difference, resulting in heavy loss for the traders, said officials.

They said the uniform weekly holiday in the region would benefit the traders, which would reduce delays in loading and unloading of goods, and also the operational costs.

“Bangladeshi traders cannot export goods to India on Sundays, India’s weekly holiday.

Besides, the port activities are done in a limited scale on Saturdays,” Customs, Excise and VAT Commissioner in Sylhet AKM Nuruzzaman told Dhaka Tribune.

“The port activities were largely hampered

Imported coal being loaded on trucks at Tamabil land customs station, Sylhet in last 7-8 months due to the holiday difference,” he said hoping that the uniform holiday, effecting from September 1, would largely benefit exporters and importers of both countries.

Although the weekly holiday has been changed for customs offices, this will remain unchanged for banks.

But this would not, however, hamper trading, said the commissioner.

FILE PHOTO

He said: “The assessment of the products cannot be done in one day. The traders do the assessment and complete the procedures in two-three days back before the delivery date.”

However, if any major problem is found due to the difference between customs house holidays and bank holidays, the authority may request some of the bank authorities to keep the respective branches open on Friday or Saturday, said AKM Nuruzzaman. l

New code of conduct launched for Bangladesh shrimp industry n Tribune Report The government has launched its new code of conduct for Bangladesh shrimp industry while observing the National Fish Week 2015.

Launching the new code of conduct at Bangabandhu International Conference Center on Sunday, Fisheries and Livestock minister Mohammad Sayedul Hoque said: “The new code of conduct is made as per internationally recognised norms and standards to ensure the quality and safety of Bangladesh shrimp products,” said a Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation (BSFF) statement released yesterday.

Tribune Report

Under the updated code of conduct, a new segment on processing plants has been added. The other segments are-Bagda and Galda hatcheries, Bagda and Galda farms, shrimp collection centers or depots, ice plants, fishing boats and vessels and shrimp or fish carrier transport vans.

“The government extends its all out assistance to the shrimp industry, which is significantly contributing to the national economy in terms of its contribution to GDP, employment generation and country’s export earnings,” said the minister.

The code of conduct for Bangladesh shrimp industry was formulated by Depart-

ment of Fisheries and BSFF in 2011.

Again it was updated by them in conformity with the newly enacted US Food Safety Modernization Act and EU Traceability Act in consultation with an internationally reputed law firm SIDLEY AUSTIN, Global Aquaculture Alliance and JIFSAN (Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition), a joint initiative of USFDA and University of Maryland.

BSFF Chairman Syed Mahmudul Huq, Director General of Department of Fisheries Syed Arif Azad, EPB Vice Chairman Shubashish Bose, representatives from different segments of shrimp industry, EU and FAO were present at the event. l

Singapore firm may get 400MW power plant job n Tribune Report The cabinet committee on public purchase is likely to approve a proposal tomorrow for selecting a Singapore-based Sembcorp Utilities Pte Ltd to set up 400MW dual fuel Independent Power Project (IPP) in Sirajganj district.

The Singaporean firm will set up a gas and HSD (High Speed Diesel) fired power project under a joint venture with North-West Power Generation Company of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) will purchase power from the plant at a price of Tk3.19 per unit, if it was run by the natural gas while the rate will be Tk13.57, if it was run by HSD, in the the next 22 years.

According to the proposal, the company will have to provide 282MW electricity to the national grid within two years of agreement signing and 400MW within three years.

Per unit price of electricity from the proposed 400MW IPP is lower among the two other Independent Power Plants-Summit Megnaghat 355MW combined cycle IPP power plant, which has currently started simple cycle operation while Lanco 367MW at Sirgjaganj that was previously canceled, raeds the proposal.

The electricity demand is increasing by 1012% every year in Bangladesh. As per the Power System Master Plan 2010, the country will require 24,000 MW electricity from 2021. l

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Photo: Courtesy

T-JUNCTION

Let the gaming begin

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

INSIDE

22 health

Grey matter

23

game review

The newbies to come

24 gadget

The new X

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22 T-JUNCTION

Health

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

Grey matter health

3 factors that cause greying hair

n Sabrina Fatma Ahmad A sign of ageing, a reminder of one’s own impermanence, few things can cause a pang of anxiety the way the sudden appearance of a grey hair can. Since we’re more afraid of things we don’t understand, here are three factors that are causing those silvers to peek.

That heirloom you didn’t want Thanks a lot, mom and dad. This one’s actually not that much of a big surprise.

You are genetically predisposed towards going grey at a certain age. Keeping tabs on when your folks begin to head to the store to buy their dyes will clue you in on when to expect your salt and pepper. Typically, for us South Asians, it starts somewhere during our mid-30s, and according to the International Journal of Trichology, which focuses on hair and scalp, for us, it’s considered premature greying if you’re under 25.

The bleach factor Anyone who’s ever had highlights put in, or gotten a fair polish job will be familiar with the bleaching effects of hydrogen peroxide, but did you know that your

hair also naturally produces the chemical in small amounts? Usually, our bodies produce enzymes that break up the chemical and prevent it from blocking the melanin that gives our hair follicles their colour. But as we age, we lose our ability to produce these enzymes. Over time, the 2HO can build up and cause some hair to lose their colour and appear silver.

Not all beyond control There are also a number of environmental factors that cause greying. Exposure to sunlight, nutritional deficiencies and smoking can cause premature greying. This is easy enough to combat. Using a protective serum, eating right and possibly (after consultation with a nutritionist), taking your vitamins, and of course, quitting that nasty nicotine habit may keep the greys at bay. Funnily enough, according to WebMD, the one thing that hasn’t been conclusively linked to greying is stress. Now there’s a comeback for when next your mom tells you you’re giving her grey hairs.l

news

Seminar and workshop on ‘Teaching Business Ethics with Comic Books’ n Arzoo Ismail

ULAB School of Business (USB) took the initiative to conduct a seminar and workshop on business ethics which was unique in nature and to the best of knowledge first of its kind in Bangladesh. The event took place on July 27 in the ULAB auditorium.

A full-time faculty member of USB, Arzoo Ismail, came up with the concept to train students better on ethics for their future professional lives. Undergraduate students from USB, Media Studies and Journalism participated in the seminar and workshop.

Ismail believes that although ethics cannot be taught, we can nurture the senses of our students to be able to choose between right and wrong, help them gain self-esteem and motivate them to uphold good morals even when under pressure from various fronts. To motivate such desirable behavior, graphic novels were used. The comic industry/ the pop-culture industry is now swinging both young and adults in wide trajectories. Comic characters are now not just limited to books but have also breathed new life into a whole new genre of TV shows, movies, animations, computer games etc. Moreover, they have secured places on our T-shirts, mugs, caps, rucksacks, bed covers, pillow cases and what not. Such a generation which is drenched

by comic culture has the opportunity to associate their non-academic lives with their academic lives on the platform which ULAB was creating for them. On June 12, Centre for Language Studies, ULAB, had organised the very first national conference on “Embracing Graphicdemia: The Role of Graphic Novels and Comics in Academia.” Following the tune, USB implemented the concept and held a seminar and workshop on “Teaching Business Ethics with Comic Books” on July 27 in the auditorium of the ULAB. The seminar started with the welcome note from Professor William Derrenger, dean USB. After that, Professor Imran Rahman, vice chancellor, gave a short speech and shared his experience of having witnessed the practice of teaching with comics and graphic novels years back in the USA and welcomed ULAB’s initiative in catching up with it. Sajedul Haq, assistant professor and director, Center for Language Studies, gave his talk explaining the role and importance of comic studies/graphic novels in academia. He also added how the whole world was using the technique of teaching with pictures, something which comic books could easily do. The talk was followed by Tahseen Salman Choudhury, director of Paricharja (a local NGO providing low-cost outdoor medical services) and a comic researcher. Paricharja

is committed to a strong ethical stance aimed towards serving the people at affordable fees, and its specialist physicians charge much less compared to other specialist physicians in the field. Choudhury was the keynote speaker in the seminar and addressed business ethics and ethical dilemmas which had been captured by both local and international comic books. Many examples from the pages of international comics like DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dynamite Entertainment as well as the ones from the local publishers like Dhaka Comics and Mighty Punch Studios were used to identify the ethical dilemmas people faced in business situations. He ended the talk wishing the educated new-generation to make a change in the local business scenario and to practise ethical business practices. After the keynote presentation, Asifur Rahman, writer and artist from Dhaka Comics, talked about the comic industry of Bangladesh and Dhaka Comics. The seminar ended with the talk by Samir Asran Rahman, creative director of Mighty Punch Studios, where he shared his own experience in this industry and a short story on the journey of Mighty Punch Studios.

The workshop was conducted in the second part of the event. Students used the inspiration shared in the seminar and applied those concepts in this second part

of the event. Students of Professor William Derrenger, dean of USB; Wazir Ahmed, assistant professor; Fariha Saleh, director; Arzoo Ismail, lecturer; Naima Alam, lecturer of Media Studies and the Journalism department all participated in the workshop. Students were divided into 17 groups. Each group had around seven students and were instructed to identify ethical issues in business in the context of Bangladesh and create a comic story about it. With the guidance from the guest speakers, the students were successful in creating interesting comic stories where they talked about the use of cow-fattening tablets to boost the sale of cows, the use of formalin in fruits and selling unsafe products by hiding information from the consumers, the overall practice of bribing across different industries and many other similar examples. The comic stories were displayed and Professor Jahirul Haque, pro-vice chancellor of ULAB handed over certificates and awards to the best three teams for their comic stories about business ethics.

The writer is a Lecturer and Assistant Proctor at ULAB. l

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Gaming

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

game review

The newbies to come

n Chisty Rahim

Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 Due: November 6 The series continues with the third bang, Black Ops 3. No hard details were found as of yet but the game is sure to be a cracker.

The game will be available for Xbox One, PS4, PC, Xbox 360 and PS3

Guitar Hero Live Due: October 20 Rock brand brings another crazy game to connect the gamers and the musicians and bring them under one platform. The game not only reaches out to the gamers, but also to the musicians. Exaggerate much? Well, the game is deserving of all the applause it can get. Besides, the trailers seem to promise an attractive update of the game. It will be available for Xbox One, Wii U, PS3 and Xbox 360.

Super Mario Maker Due: September 11

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate Due: October 23 The historical open-world game will be bringing in one more addition to the series. UbiSoft made it shift location to London which is where all the action takes place. In this game you will get to build your underground gangs as you attempt to take down powerful villains and the enticement increases as you go through each course. The game maintains, like the ones released previously, third-person action game play but also introduces a lot more action that the gamers can explore and experience. The game will be available for PS4, Xbox One and PC.

Rise of the Tomb Raider Due: November 10 Even though Lara Croft’s experiences in the past lead her to therapy, and changed her as a person, the urge for adventure still hasn’t succumbed. The game, hopefully, will live up to the hype and bring a worthy addition to the series. It will be available for Xbox One and Xbox 360.

Mario Maker is a treat for all the fans out there. Not only can you experience various original side scrolling, you can also get an overall Mario adventure, which is awesome. The game will be available for Wii U.

Bangladesh System Administrators’ forum The Bangladesh System Administrators’ Forum (BDSAF) will start from July 31, which will focus on networking and knowledge sharing among the system administrators and also create awareness in the sector.

Muhammad Jobayer Almahmud Hossain, one of the initiators, stated, “We, BD System Admin, want to contribute with the progressing technology driven Bangladesh led by prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s ICT

affairs advisor, SajeebWazed Joy and ICT state minister, Zunaid Ahmed Palak.”

The initiators intend to inspire the young and apprentice engineers through thick and thin. A day-long programme is to be organised in late August on System Admin Engineering, as per the decision of the administrators. Engineers interested to be a part of the session will be able to join the organisation by logging into bdsysadmin.org and joining the Facebook group as well. l

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24 T-JUNCTION

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

Tech

The new X gadget

We take a look at the new Moto X

n Mahmood Hossain After watching the live stream of the Moto X presentation, we were left quite impressed.

This isn’t a full on review of the new flagship Android device, since it will only be available in the market this September.

However, before going into our personal opinions and impressions of the new models (yes plural), let’s lay down the facts.

Models and specs This might seem a bit strange, but there are three different models of the Moto X. There’s the Moto X Style that is specifically for the US and UK markets. The Moto X Play is a more affordable handset that offers similar features but take a small hit on the specifications. Finally, the Moto X Pure is for the rest of the world. It’s exactly like

the Style, but completely unlocked straight from the factory - no strings attached from major mobile service providers. This is the model you’ll see on our shores.

With that in mind, we’ll focus slightly more towards the Moto X Pure. And you will not be disappointed. Straight from the box, the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop OS is powered by a 1.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 with a 6-core CPU. It is backed up by the Adreno 418 GPU and 3GB RAM. Even though the phone comes in 16/32/64GB of storage, you’ll want to reach for the 64, trust us.

The reason for this is because of the very affordable price for a phone with flagship specs. The starting price for the Moto X is $399 USD. In addition to the impressive specs at such an affordable price tag, are the improvements in design and other major features. It comes with a 5.7” Quad (1440p) HD display and has a water repellent coating. There’s also two front-facing speakers for a better entertainment experience. Motorola has greatly improved on their cameras as well, which wasn’t a success with past models. The rear camera is now 21-megapixels that possesses rapid focus, zero shutter lag and colour-balancing flash that delivers vivid images. It also shoots 4K video at 30 frames per second.

Not that it’s necessary, but they are willing to meet market standards. The front facing 5-megapixel camera is also an upgrade, while both the front and rear shoot in f/2.0 aperture.

Why we like it At first glance, there isn’t much of a chance in design, which is a good thing. Not much was wrong with its predecessor. What matters more is on its 520pi display with

news

CILT orientation program held at UIU The orientation program of The Charter Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) was held yesterday at United International University (UIU) organised by Institute of Business and Economic Research (IBER).

Prof Dr M Rezwan Khan, vice chancellor, UIU, presided over the ceremonies while Karar Mahmudul Hassan, president, and Capt Mohiuddin Abdul Kadir, secretary, CILT, were present as the chief guest and

special guest respectively. The welcome speech was provided by Prof Dr Salma Karim, director, IBER. The speakers explained how this course helped in building skilled manpower in the logistics and transportation sector in Bangladesh with a focus on maintaining professional standards, while developing management skills and personal abilities to prospective employers. l

Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and it’s impressive battery. Let’s clear things up a bit more.

Yes, it’s a 3,000mAh battery but what will make many arch the brows is how fast that sucker charges up. You can go all day (and a little more) with this battery that uses Turbo Charging. What that means is you’re getting 10 hours of battery life from only a 15-minute charge! That’s not an exaggeration. As the presenters stated on stage, this is significantly higher than the Samsung Galaxy S6. You’re dealing with a larger battery and faster charging.

The comparisons don’t end there. While the results on the camera is something we can’t reveal at the moment, it does have NFC capabilities; something the OnePlus 2 left out. This may seem like minor annoyance, but in reality it’s significant disappointment.

We figured the OnePlus 2 could lead the charge in the Android market but there are a few more big names revealing their latest flagships in the coming months. Time will only tell.

Unfortunately, we don’t have the same freedoms as the States with their exclusive Moto Maker service - a costumisation service to build your Moto X the way you want it to look. The standard models will come in black lens/dark grey frame and accents/ black soft-feel inlay, and white lens/silver frame and accents/ bamboo inlay.

Although, we’re pretty sure there will plenty of back cases for the Moto X to choose from as soon as it is released.

Apart from the various designs, this new flagship is going to get some rave reviews.

If you’re an Android user, you might just be tempted by the new Moto X. We won’t blame you. It’s the perfect balance between beauty and beast. Keep your eyes on this page for more reveals in the weeks to come!

Charlie Austin, the Queens Park Rangers striker called up by England at the end of last season, is likely to leave the relegated club before the end of the transfer window, manager Chris Ramsey said yesterday

Sport 26

FARASHGANJ DIGS THEIR OWN GRAVE

27

BELL READY FOR AUSTRALIA BACKLASH

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EPL RETURN?

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

NADAL CLAIMS 67TH TITLE WITH HAMBURG WIN

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim shares a light moment with South African speedster Dale Steyn as Hasim Amla looks on during the presentation ceremony at SBNS yesterday

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Mushfiq looks back to the last four months n Mazhar Uddin Mushfiqur Rahim looked beyond the rain affected Test results and emphasised on the benchmark Bangladesh has set in the international circuit. The Tigers Test captain wants the team to continue the fearless cricket they staged in the last four months as the still have many areas to improve despite the achievements.

“We, the Bangladesh team have set a

benchmark where we won the last four ODI series and played good cricket in the last eight Test matches. However, there are still many areas to improve and we have to make sure that we should continue playing consistent cricket,” Mushfiq said after the fifth day of the second Test was called off due to damp outfield at the Sher-e-Bangla National stadium yesterday.

“As you know we have a tough Australia series coming ahead and its time for us to enjoy what we achieved in the last four months.

I think we have a much needed break before the series and we will come fresh for the Australia series,” said Mushfiq.

The 28-year old experienced wicketkeeper-batsman informed there is no room to relax. “We need to continue performing but there is no need to feel proud as scoring fifty or hundred or taking three or five wickets is a role of every cricketer in the side. And we may cherish those memories after the retirement and say I have done that against that team.”

Man of the Match in the second Test, Mushfiq informed that it has been a different experience for him.

“We heard before the start of our warm-up that the match is called off. I think on the fifth day the decision is with the match officials.

There were wet areas in the outfield which

would have taken three-four hours to dry when the sun came out. Maybe they felt this was the best time to call off the game given there wouldn’t be any chance of a result in the time remaining. I don’t think either of the teams were asked.

“We have never faced such a situation. If we had declared, they would have had to bat all day. There wouldn’t have been a result, but we could have earned something. (But) there are rules that have to be followed. Ninety per cent of the outfield was covered. It is hard to cover a ground of this size entirely. The drainage system here is as good as anywhere else in the world,” he added. l

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26 Sport

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

Losing points seems a little strange: Amla n Mazhar Uddin South Africa Test skipper Hashim Amla found it hard to understand how the International Cricket Council’s point system for a team works as he sees no logic in losing points from a Test series which was majorly ruined by the weather.

Only six out of 10 days, in two Tests, rolled on the field as both the Tests in Chittagong and Dhaka were forced to draws. However, the system does not take the conditions in calculation as a draw goes down as a draw, regardless of other factors effecting the result, which is a plus point to the weaker team in the competition.

The world No 1 ranked Test nation South Africa, who will tour India later this year, lost five vital rating points due to the drawn series. They now have 125 points, 14 more than second placed Australia.

“You can understand if it’s a 1-1 draw then you’ve played enough cricket to make an impression,” Amla said. “Perhaps this is something that can be re-looked at from the ICC’s perspective. All you’d want is something that is fair and will apply to all teams. Us losing points seems a little strange considering we haven’t played a lot of cricket.”

“It was frustrating in the sense that we came to Bangladesh with the intention of winning a series and playing some good cricket and we obviously haven’t managed to do that.

It is what it is, you can’t control the weather.

We go back with unfulfilled conditions, but its okay, because there’s nothing you can do about it. The drainage has been very good, although it’s not raining now the outfield is pretty damp probably has an element of risk in it for our players.

“And it is the most, one of the most bizarre Test series I have ever played. I don’t think I have played a Test series where out of 10 days of cricket, six days have been rained off. So it’s been unique in that sense. But its damp so there’s nothing much we can do,” said Amla.

The soft spoken Proteas leader praised Bangladesh’s efforts and said that they have improved in the last couple years in the oneday international circuit and it will naturally help them grow in Test cricket too.

“They have got Australia coming. So I think the more Test cricket they play the better it will be for them, no doubt about that.

Obviously Australia being a good team, it will be a good series,” he added. l

The manual scoreboard of the Bangladesh and South Africa second Test in Dhaka hasn’t moved after day one

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Farashganj digs their own grave The old-Dhaka club refused to continue after 14 minutes In the mean time, Jashimuddin also spot- premier league history where a club refused n Shishir Hoque ted Russel forward Kingsley Chigozie elbow- to play after taking the field. Farashganj, who The country’s top-flight football experienced a humiliating incident yesterday when bottom-placed Farashganj SC, citing a silly issue, refused to continue playing after 14 minutes into their Manyavar Bangladesh Premier League match against Sheikh Russel KC. The situation arose when Russel were awarded a penalty following Farashganj defender Farhazzuman Babu’s tackle on Mithun Chowdhury in the 13th minute. Jean Ikanga successfully converted the spot kick only to see the referee Jashimuddin ordering to re-take the penalty as his teammate Mithun Chowdhury ran in the D-box before the whistle.

ing his counterpart Mahafuz Babu. Jashimuddin cautioned the Nigerian with a yellow, but Farashganj wasn’t content with the decision as they demanded a straight red for offence.

Farashganj, who are at the bottom of the 11-team league and are unlikely to get to a safe position, officials instructed the players to step away from the game and stand in the sidelines until their demand was met. The referee waited for more than 20 minutes for Farashganj to resume with the game before blowing the final whistle and awarding the points to Russel.

Such an event is the first in Bangladesh’s

Sheikh Russel KC (blue) and Farashganj SC players hopelessly stand in the sidelines after the latter refused to continue their Manyavar Bangladesh Premier League match at BNS yesterday MI MANIK

are yet to register a win in the league this season, are likely to pay heavily for their decision of not playing while their relegation is now confirmed.

“We will submit our report to the league committee about what we have seen. League committee will take the decision according to the by-laws,” said match commissioner Sheikh Badruddin.

The deputy chairman of league committee Abdur Rahim was watching the game and said, “The referee left the pitch after 15 minutes according to by-laws. League committee will take necessary steps accordingly after receiving reports from the referee and match commissioner. The disciplinary committee will cut the points of Farashganj, fine them and give punishment.”

Meanwhile, the football committee chairman of Farashganj, Selim Khan spoke like an ametuer as he said, “I instructed my players not to play if the referee do not provide the red card to Kingsley. It was clearly a red card.”

He continued, “We waited for 15 minutes but the referee or none of BFF came to us to talk and request us to play. The referee was not fair to us.”

Russel head coach Maruful Haque termed the incident “unprofessional” saying, “It’s very frustrating, unfortunate and unprofessional. It may only happen in amateur football. It can’t be expected in professional football. BFF has to take it strictly to keep everyone away from such unprofessional activities. Otherwise country’s football will suffer.” l

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Sport 27

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

QUICK BYTES 16TH FINA WORLD C’SHIP

Jewel finishes 62nd in 100m backstroke Bangladesh swimmer Jewel Ahmed finished 62nd among 67 participants in the 100-metre backstroke event in the 16th Fina World Championship in Kazan, Russia yesterday. In heat 1, Jewel clocked just 1:04.28 seconds to become fifth among ten swimmers. His best timing was 1:02.97s that he set in the last edition of Bangladesh Games in 2013. Jewel will also take part in the 50-metre backstroke on Saturday while Mahfizur Rahman Sagor and Sonia Akter Tumpa, the two others swimmers of Bangladesh participating in the meet, will take the pool respectively on Wednesday and Friday.

TRIBUNE DESK

Blatter gives up IOC seat Under pressure FIFA leader Sepp Blatter on Monday gave up his International Olympic Committee seat because he will soon end his reign in charge of world football. Blatter, whose organisation is embroiled in a corruption scandal, was among a group of eight IOC members who should have sought re-election on Monday at a meeting in Kuala Lumpur. He has said he will stand down as FIFA president on February 26 when an election for a new leader will be held.

AFP

Di Maria on verge of PSG medical: British media Manchester United’s Argentine winger Angel Di Maria is set to have a medical ahead of a proposed transfer to French champions Paris St-Germain a year after arriving at Old Trafford for a British record transfer fee, local media reported on Sunday. Di Maria joined United from Real Madrid for a fee of 59.7 million pounds ($92.59 million) but, after an impressive start to his Reds career, struggled to display the form that made him one of the most feared attackers in Europe.

REUTERS

Rafael poised to join Lyon from Manchester United Olympique Lyonnais are on the verge of signing Brazil defender Rafael from Manchester United, the French club’s president said on Monday. “Rafael has arrived from Manchester United and we are waiting for an agreement from MU on the transfer,” Jean-Michel Aulas wrote on his Twitter feed. Rafael, 25, has been at United since 2008. Lyon finished runners-up to Paris St-Germain in Ligue 1 last season.

REUTERS

Wickham joins Palace from Sunderland England Under-21 international striker Connor Wickham has joined Crystal Palace from Sunderland, the London club announced on Monday. Palace’s official website (www.cpfc. co.uk) said his contract was for five years. Wickham, 22, had his best period at Sunderland at the end of the 2013-14 season, when a flurry of five goals in three games lifted them from the bottom of the Premier League to 17th place and eventual safety.

REUTERS

Fiorentina’s Argentinian defender Gonzalo (R) challenges Barcelona’s Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic during the International Champions Cup match at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence on Sunday. Fiorentina won the match 2-1 AFP

Bell ready for Australia backlash n AFP, Birmingham England batsman Ian Bell expects Australia to come back “hard if not harder” in the fourth Ashes Test at Trent Bridge after an embarrassing loss at Edgbaston.

Bell, returning to form, made two fifties on his Warwickshire home ground as England beat Australia by eight wickets inside three days to win the third Test and go 2-1 up in the series. It was fine recovery by Alastair Cook’s side after England suffered a 405-run thrashing in the second Test at Lord’s. That match saw Australia bounce back from a convincing 169-run loss in the first Test in Cardiff.

Such has been the see-saw nature of this campaign that 33-year-old Bell, a veteran of 113 Tests, refused to take anything for granted when the fourth match in the series starts at Nottingham’s Trent Bridge ground on Thursday.

“We fully expect Australia to come back hard, if not harder,” Bell told BBC Radio Five’s Sportsweek programme.

“We have to front up again like we did (at Edgbaston),” he added, with England yet to win two Tests in a row in 2015.

Bell’s position was called into question after two low scores at Lord’s left him with a meagre average of 20.84 in seven Tests this year.

But rather than drop him, England’s selec-

tors promoted Bell to number three in place of Gary Ballance, left out after an equally poor run of form.

Bell, who responded with innings of 53 and 63, said the speculation about his place had been liberating rather than burdensome.

“When things started to get to that point where people were saying this might be my last Test match, I actually got into a simpler, much better mindset,” he said.

Some of the gloss of England’s win was taken off by a side injury to James Anderson which ruled him out playing at Trent Bridge - a ground where the paceman has enjoyed phenomenal success in Test cricket. l

Bradman’s relatives’ unease with expanded museum n AFP, Sydney Relatives of Australian cricket legend Donald Bradman have revealed simmering tensions with a foundation that bears his name, disagreeing with the expansion of a museum celebrating his life.

The Bradman Museum, in the cricketer’s boyhood hometown of Bowral south of Sydney, became the Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame in 2010, a move his family believe he would not have wanted.

“He wanted (the Bradman Museum) to be a small local entity,” his son John Bradman told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in a programme to air later Monday.

“And of course it is now greatly expanded in ways that he would not have supported.”

The Bradman Foundation, which was established in 1987 with the support of the cricketer and owns a range of his trademarks, defended the decision, saying they wanted it to remain relevant.

“We had to ensure it could engage with new audiences and we were also in an era where the game of cricket was evolving at a rate that far exceeded anything in Sir Donald Bradman’s time,” the foundation’s executive director Rina Hore told the ABC. Bradman, widely considered the greatest cricketer of all time, retired in 1948 with a Test average of 99.94. He died in 2001 aged 92. l

John Isner poses with trophy after defeating Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus during the BB&T Atlanta Open Final in Atlanta on Sunday AFP

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5 things we learnt Cech pays early dividends After enduring years of costly calamities from his goalkeepers, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hopes his £10 million pre-season swoop for Petr Cech will finally bring some much-needed stability between the posts and the early signs look promising. His assured presence radiated confidence to an often nervous Arsenal back-four and when the 33-year-old was finally called into action in the 69th minute he leapt to his right to make his only significant save as he clawed away a goalbound Oscar free-kick. With Chelsea bombarding the penalty area with crosses in the closing stages, Cech never flinched and even when he couldn’t claim cleanly his defenders had been organised well enough by the Czech to ensure no damage was done.

Wenger ends Mourinho mastery Wenger’s failure to secure a single victory over Jose Mourinho in their previous 13 meetings was becoming yet another weapon for the Chelsea boss to use whenever he wanted to antagonise his old rival. Against that painful backdrop, denying Mourinho the chance to land another psychological blow made this an especially sweet success for Wenger, although he would surely swap it for a win when the teams next clash in the Premier League on September 19. But even more than the victory itself, Wenger will take heart from the way his fired-up players showed they have no reason to feel inferior to the champions, producing the kind of aggressive yet composed display that suggested they should make a serious challenge for a first English title since 2004.

Jury still out on Falcao Brought on at half-time for the ineffective Loic Remy, Chelsea’s new striker Radamel Falcao couldn’t dispel the memories of his lacklustre loan spell at Manchester United last season. That distinctly underwhelming year at Old Trafford wasn’t enough to dissuade Mourinho from taking the Colombian to Stamford Bridge on loan from Monaco as back-up for Diego Costa, who was absent at Wembley after suffering yet another recurrence of his nagging hamstring problem.

But, while it’s too early to make a definitive judgement, Mourinho might have been a little concerned to see Falcao, no longer the incisive finisher or smooth mover of old, labouring in vain to make any impression against the Gunners.

Arsenal players celebrate with the trophy after beating Chelsea in the FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium in north London on Sunday

Wenger hails Arsenal, Mourinho impressed n Reuters, London

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praised his team’s uncharacteristically rugged display after they beat champions Chelsea 1-0 in the Community Shield on Sunday.

Wenger denied, however, that he was giving up on his usual attacked-minded approach to football after frustrating many Arsenal fans for years by prioritising stylish play even though it did not produce much silverware. A rare win over Chelsea, in the English season’s traditional curtain-raiser, was sealed by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s fine goal after 24 minutes.

“In some parts during the game, we tried just to protect our lead,” Wenger told reporters.

“You could see that my team was really de-

termined not to give a goal away and sometimes the defensive part took over our offensive potential.”

It was a point not lost on Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho who is usually considered the master of being on the winning side even if it means not playing beautiful football.

Mourinho, Wenger’s most bitter rival, said he saw in Arsenal “a team that defends very well, a team that leaves their philosophy in the dressing-room..., that accumulates 10 players behind the ball.”

Wenger, who seemed to snub Mourinho as the Chelsea coach shook hands with Arsenal’s players after the game, bristled at the suggestion that he was abandoning his normal philosophy.

“We abandoned nothing,” he said. “In

Theo Walcott has never hidden his desire to assume the lone central striker’s role in Arsenal’s attack and, finally allowed to move in from his right wing berth by Wenger, the England international seized the opportunity to show he could start instead of the erratic Olivier Giroud and injury-prone Danny Welbeck. Although he didn’t net against Chelsea, he still set the tone for fired-up Arsenal’s spritely display when he immediately won a crunching tackle on Nemanja Matic straight from the kick-off.

Ox adds to Wenger’s weapons

- AFP

a game like that we wanted to win and we played like that and I am quite proud of that.”

It was the first time in 14 attempts that Wenger had got the upper hand over Mourinho and although he denied it meant anything to him, he said it could give his players a boost.

“As long as I get it ... every time in press conferences, it can have an impact on the team,” he said.

Wenger said the ankle injury that prevented midfielder Jack Wilshere from playing against Chelsea did not appear to be serious.

Mourinho was not sure whether Spain striker Diego Costa, who was also missing on Sunday, would recover from an injury in time for Chelsea’s opening Premier League game of the new season against Swansea City on Saturday. l

Rooney feels ‘weird’ after Everton return n AFP, London

Walcott makes his case

Derailed by injuries and inconsistent performances over the last two years, Oxlade-Chamberlain -- hailed as a future star when he joined from Southampton four years ago -- was in danger of becoming Arsenal’s forgotten man.

But the England midfielder, still only 21, gave a well-timed reminder of his talent when he cut past Cesar Azpilicueta before drilling a superb left-foot strike into the top corner of Thibaut Courtois’s goal in the 24th minute.

AFP

Manchester United’s former Everton forward Wayne Rooney comes on as a substitute for Everton’s English midfielder Tom Cleverley (L) during the Duncan Ferguson Testimonal pre-season friendly match between Everton and Villarreal at Goodison Park in Liverpool on Sunday AFP

Wayne Rooney admitted it felt “weird” putting on the blue shirt of his boyhood club Everton once again in a testimonial match for Goodison Park cult hero Duncan Ferguson on Sunday.

Rooney, who started out with the Toffees before being sold to Manchester United in 2004, came off the bench to a standing ovation for the final 15 minutes of the match against Villarreal which the Spanish side won 2-1 before a crowd of almost 35,000.

“Going back into the home dressing room again felt weird,” said England star Rooney.

“I was a little bit nervous as I didn’t know what to expect. I got a great reception and I was delighted with that.

Ferguson, now 43, himself came off the bench late on and was on the field when Tyias Browning netted Everton’s goal in reply to strikes by Gerard Moreno and Matias Nahuel for the visitors. l

DT

Sport 29

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

Nadal claims 67th career title with Hamburg Open victory n Reuters, Hamburg

Tennis player Sania Mirza walks the ramp during a fashion show at India International Jewellery Week in Mumbai yesterday AP

Spaniard Rafa Nadal turned the tables on Italian Fabio Fognini to win the Hamburg Open on Sunday and claim his 67th career title -winning 7-5 7-5 on the red clay.

Fognini had already beaten the 29-year-old Spaniard twice this year, in Rio de Janeiro and Barcelona, but was unable to record an astonishing hat-trick against the 14-times grand slam champion who has dropped to 10th in the ATP rankings.

Nadal’s hard-fought victory clinched his third title of the year after triumphs in Stuttgart and Buenos Aires.

World number 32 Fognini, who won the Hamburg title in 2013, broke Nadal’s opening service game in a 12-minute tussle, setting the tone for an intense baseline battle.

“I think it’s been a great final, a very tough one which was up and down so I hope the people enjoyed it,” Nadal said before wincing and laughing through cramps on the winners podium.

“Coming back to Hamburg after eight years was a big challenge for me but very exciting.

I’m very happy to be here with the title.”

Nadal, whose previous air of invincibility on clay has begun to evaporate, hit just six winners and 15 unforced errors in an evenly-contested opening set.

He hit back from dropping serve to break three times in the opening set and then appeared to have gained the upper hand early in the second when he broke en route to a 3-1 lead.

Fognini roared back with successive breaks to move 4-3 ahead and served for the set at 5-4 but Nadal saved a set point to claw it back to 5-5 and held for a 6-5 lead.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal poses with his trophy after winning against Italy’s Fabio Fognini of the ATP tennis tournament in Hamburg on Sunday. Nadal won the match 7-5, 7-5 AFP Fognini was unable to take the match into a tiebreak and succumbed to defeat when he blazed a forehand long before a clearly emotional Nadal fell to his knees and saluted the crowd after the final point.

Nadal, a 14-times grand slam champion, has endured a difficult year, surrendering his French Open title, suffering a shock defeat by journeyman Dustin Brown at Wimbledon and dropping to number 10 in the rankings.

He has struggled since being sidelined by injury and illness last year and has only two relatively modest titles to his name in 2015 -Stuttgart and Buenos Aires. l

Athletics roiled by mass doping allegations n Reuters, Kuala Lumpur

Endurance runners suspected of doping have been winning a third of Olympic and world championship medals, two news organisations said on Sunday, after a leak of thousands of blood test results from 2001-2012 threw global athletics into chaos.

Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper and Germany’s ARD/WDR broadcaster said they had obtained the secret data from the vaults of the global athletics governing body, the IAAF, supplied by a whistleblower disgusted by the extent of doping.

The news organisations showed the data to two experts, who concluded distance running was in the same state as cycling had been when Lance Armstrong won the seven Tour de France victories of which he has since been stripped.

“Never have I seen such an alarmingly abnormal set of blood values,” the Sunday Times quoted Australian doping expert Robin Parisotto, one of the two scientists, as saying.

“So many athletes appear to have doped with impunity, and it is damning that the IAAF appears to have sat idly by and let this happen,” said Parisotto, an inventor of the test used to detect the blood doping agent EPO. The latest allegations could cast a shadow over the biennial world athletics champion-

ships in Beijing beginning Aug. 22.

The IAAF did not immediately address the substance of the reports but said it was preparing a response. It noted the reports were based on confidential information obtained without permission.

The World Anti-Doping Agency, a separate body set up in 1999 to coordinate doping investigations across global sport, said it was “very disturbed”.

The allegations “will, once again, shake the foundations of clean athletes worldwide,” WADA President Craig Reedie said at a meeting of the International Olympic Committee in Kuala Lumpur.

The allegations concern techniques to improve the ability of blood to carry oxygen, which can give an advantage in endurance events like cycling or running over medium and long distances.

The Sunday Times and ARD said they were given access to the results of over 12,000 tests of more than 5,000 athletes taken between 2001 and 2012.

Parisotto and another scientist, Michael Ashendon, concluded that more than 800 athletes had recorded one or more “abnormal” results, defined as a result that had less than one chance in 100 of being natural.

Such athletes accounted for 146 medals at top events, including 55 golds, the Sunday

Times said. Russia accounted for by far the most, with 415 abnormal tests, followed distantly by Ukraine, Morocco, Spain, Kenya, Turkey and others.

Russia’s sports minister, Vitaly Mutko, said the scandal had “nothing to do with Russia”, but reflected a “battle for power” ahead of an upcoming election to lead the IAAF: “Russian athletes are being checked for doping the same way as athletes from other countries are.”

The reports also drew attention to Kenya, a power in distance running. The Sunday Times said Kenyans accounted for 18 of the medals won by athletes with suspicious results.

Athletics Kenya called ARD’s documentary “an attempt to smear our runners with unwarranted suspicion as they prepare to undertake their duty for their country” at the world championships.

While the news organisations did not name the athletes with suspicious tests, The Sunday Times listed some whose results were clean, including Britain’s 2012 Olympic double gold medallist Mo Farah, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and British heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill.

The IAAF said in a statement the allegations its database of private and confidential medical data had been “obtained without consent.” It reserved the right “to take any follow up action necessary to protect the rights of the IAAF and its athletes”. l

WTA tennis star Caroline Wozniacki throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California on Sunday AFP

DT

30 DOWNTIME

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Sacrificial table (5) 4 Domestic animal (3) 6 Singing voice (4) 8 Constellation (5) 9 Acting part (4) 11 So be it! (4) 12 Very poor (5) 15 Insignificant (5) 18 Decorative plant (4) 20 Part of the eye (4) 21 Light meal (5) 22 Yield (4) 23 Stain (3) 24 Of the kidneys (5)

DOWN 1 Fruit of the oak (5) 2 Hackneyed (5) 3 Mountainous (5) 4 Adverse fate (4) 5 Small secluded valley (4) 7 Vestige (5) 10 Fasting period (4) 13 At all times (4) 14 Thick (5) 15 Puzzling question (5) 16 Means of transport (5) 17 Country bumpkin (5) 18 Discover (4) 19 Starchy food (4)

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 2 represents H so fill H every time the figure 2 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.

A B C D E FG H I J K L M N O P Q RST UVWXYZ

CALVIN AND HOBBES

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

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

DT

SHOWTIME 31

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

Sabila Nur’s stride into TV drama serials

CELEBS ON SOCIAL

Gigi Hadid @GiGiHadid Sydney, I’m comin for ya (ft. @LeahNmccarthy) Justin Bieber @justinbieber #26days

n Showtime Desk

After her entry into the media, Sabila Nur has been leaving a lasting impression with her TVC features and single episode dramas, and recently made a bigger stride in her TV drama serials.

Spending quite some time in the industry, two of her recent drama serials are already set to be on air, including Imraul Rafat’s Calling Bell and Hasan Morshed’s Adarshalipi. The other two, Syed Shakil’s Ulto Srot and Mabrur Rashid Bannah’s House No. 44, just wrapped up the first phase of the shooting.

Sabila was all set to act in the long-run dramas for past several years but her studies appeared as an obstacle. l

Taylor Swift @taylorswift13 “My name in the video is Destructa X, which I think is perfect for me.” @ elliegoulding http:// www.mtv.com/ ontv/vma/2015/

WHAT TO WATCH Photo: Courtesy

Jatratronica II

Bringing poetry and industrial music together

n Syeda Samira Sadeque Last Saturday saw the return of Jatrotronica with performances by Creature Comforts, Polaroid, Fahad Zaman & Fahim Imam and Ahsan Sajid, who goes by the name Big Machete.

“Big Machete is my stage name for the less structured music I make that I can’t fit into any neat boxes,” says Ahsan, who recently published his very first anthology of poems “A Fireside Chat with Lucifer.”

Saturday’s event, part of the three-day life musical performances hosted by Jaatra every weekend, began with Ahsan reading out poems from his own book, against dimmed lights and industrial music in the background that Ahsan himself has composed.

“I create sonic textures and soundscapes from field recordings collected from around the city, particularly from the Sadarghat region, which is a personal favorite for the incredibly lush, yet jarring sound palette,” says Ahsan.

“I don’t often do Spoken Word with these sounds, but I decided, along with Don Donadoni and Fahad Zaman, that both the audience and the sound would benefit from doing something new.”

Indeed, this may be the dawn of a completely new kind of performance in Dhaka’s art scenario which, with Jaatra Biroti’s efforts to feature live performances since last year, has seen a refreshing new jolt.

“We have cliques around this city; poetry cliques, music cliques, and subcliques under these as well,” says Ahsan.

“This was a humble attempt at bringing the two together because I really believe that some great work can come out of mixing the two.”

You can follow Ahsan’s poetry and music on soundcloud.com/bigmachete. l

Jatra Biroti bulletin Thursday August 6 - “Bhaab” featuring Arif Baul.

Ticket price: Tk500 One of the brightest Baul singers in Bangladesh returns to the Biroti stage with his crew.

Friday August 7 - Open Mic Ticket price: Tk300 This night mic is owned by the audience.

Saturday August 8 - Electro/Acoustic Ticket price: Tk500 This is an event where the computer meets live instruments, featuring The Speakeasy crew, Fahad Zaman, Don Donadoni and more.

There are no age restrictions. Tea and phuckha are included in the ticket price.

Venue: 60 Kemal Ataturk Ave, 1213 Dhaka, Bangladesh. l

Ice Age: Continental Drift Star Movies 3:00pm Manny, Diego and Sid embark upon another adventure after their continent is set adrift. Using an iceberg as a ship, they encounter sea creatures and battle pirates as they explore a new world.

Cast: Aziz Ansari, Joy Behar, Christopher Campbell, Alain Chabat, Ester Dean Final Destination 3 HBO 1:08pm In this third installment of the Final Destination series, a student’s premonition of a deadly rollercoaster ride saves her life and a lucky few, but not from death itself which seeks out those who escaped their fate.

Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ryan Merriman, Kris Lemche, Alexz Johnson, Amanda Crew Pretty Woman ZStudio 5:00pm A man in a legal but hurtful business needs an escort for some social events and hires a beautiful prostitute he meets, only to fall in love with her.

Cast: Richard Gere, Julia Roberts, Hector Elizondo, Jason Alexander, Laura San Giacomo

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32 BACK PAGE

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

TECHNOSITY TO DEVELOP BLOCK 3 OF HI-TECH PARK

PAGE 15

MUSHFIQ LOOKS BACK TO LAST FOUR MONTHS PAGE 25

SABILA NUR’S STRIDE INTO TV PAGE 31

Trafficking victim’s body to arrive today n Adil Sakhawat Abdul Rashid, a poor carpenter from Narsingdi who struggled to make ends meet every day, started towards Malaysia on a boat four months ago in search of a better life.

Today, his dead body is scheduled to return home from Malaysia on a Bangladesh Biman flight, two months after he died in a detention centre. His brother Abul Kashem will receive his body at Dhaka airport.

Rashid, from Bhelanagar village in Narsingdi, was one of the thousands of migrants who had set out for Malaysia via sea on March 27. Dreaming of finding better life opportunities for himself and his family of five members, Rashid embarked on the deadly journey which ended with his death on June 5 in Belantik Immigration Detention Centre in Kedah, Malaysia.

Rashid and his fellow migrants floated on

the sea for nearly two months before making it to the Malaysian shore. They operated their boat themselves after the traffickers on their boat fled from the ship, and reached Langkawi beach on May 11, where Malaysian police arrested Rashid and 716 others and took them to the detention centre.

The reason behind Rashid’s death is still unknown, but Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur told the Dhaka Tribune that the post-mortem conducted by the Malaysian authorities would reveal how he died.

A letter issued by Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, signed by First Secretary (Labour) Musharrat Jebin, said: “According to the death certificate, the cause of death is pending laboratory analysis.”

However, Rashid’s family suspect that he died due to starving for a long time while floating on the sea as well as the torture in the hands of the traffickers on the ship.

Rashid last contacted his family in April, nearly a month after he started his journey to Malaysia, and asked his family to pay Tk2.5 lakh to the local brokers, his brother Kashem told the Dhaka Tribune.

“We paid the money to the local traffickers – Jomir and his wife Fatema – as my brother asked me to, because he was being tortured on the boat for the payment. He also said the traffickers were not giving him food regularly,” Kashem said over phone.

“After that call, we lost all contact with Rashid. Later, a group of migrants who had set out for Malaysia with my brother came back on June 17, and one of them told us that my brother had died in a detention centre.”

After learning about Rashid’s death, his wife Nasima Begum submitted an application to the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board on July 7, requesting the authorities to bring Rashid’s body back to Bangladesh.

In Malaysia, Karam Asia Berhad, a Malaysian organisation that deals with the plight of migrants, and Bhalobashi Bangladesh, a Bangladeshi platform in Malaysia, jointly worked to send Rashid’s body back home, paying 3,000 Malaysian ringgit to Kuala Lumpur funeral services to start the process.

“There were some problems, but we took care of it,” said Harun Al Rashid, regional coordinator of Karam Asia Berhad.

As the cause of Rashid’s death is still unknown, Harun requested the Bangladesh government to arrange another post-mortem examination after Rashid’s body reached Dhaka.

“It will be fruitful for Rashid’s family as they will be able to file a case against the local traffickers who lured Rashid into setting out for Malaysia through the deadly sea route,” he told the Dhaka Tribune over the phone. l

Bangladesh 7th among abduction risk countries

Experts call for increased use of digital resources in education

n Kamrul Hasan

n Shadma Malik

Bangladesh ranks seventh among the countries with high risk of abduction, according to a report by a UK-based consultancy, but Bangladesh Police have called it baseless and questioned its accuracy.

Police also claimed that the firm had not consulted them before preparing the report.

The list in question was published by Control Risks, an independent consultancy specialising in measuring political, integrity and security risks in any given area, territory or country.

According to report, India ranks second only to Mexico on the list of abduction hotspots around the world, ahead of Pakistan, Iraq and Nigeria.

After several news outlets in the country published stories on the report, police issued an official statement yesterday afternoon protesting the report’s conclusion and said Control Risks had not maintained the proper procedure required to conduct such a research.

They said if the study was based on the number of abduction cases that had been filed with police, then the organisation had been misled by the statistics, as around 84% of those cases were filed by families of couples who had run away to be together.

The statement also mentioned several other reports published earlier this year by organisations leading in risk assessment globally, such as Help Build Peace, Red 24 and Nation Master, which did not identify Bangladesh as a highly abduction-prone country.

For the past few years, abduction has become a major cause for concern in the country, especially the disappearance caused allegedly by law enforcers.

According to human rights watchdog Ain o

INFORMATION CORRECT AS OF 01 FEBRUARY 2015

Entered the top ten for the first time in 2014 after the high-profile kidnap and murder of seven men in Dhaka prompted an increase in reporting on the crime

Source: Control Risks

Salish Kendra, at least 88 people were abducted by law enforcement officials in Bangladesh last year. Of them, 12 were found alive, two found in jail while 23 of them were found dead.

A large number of people are still missing. l

Speakers at an awareness-building workshop stressed the need to increase digital resource usage at both public and private educational institutions.

This awareness and the use of digital resources among universities are expected to expand and accelerate rapidly.

The workshop, held yesterday at Lakeshore Hotel in the capital, was organised by University Grants Commission (UGC), academicians, vice chancellors, co-task team leader of World Bank Dhaka Dr Md Mokhlesur Rahman, and librarians of member universities of the UGC digital library.

UGC chairman Prof Abdul Mannan said: “Today’s event is dedicated to building awareness among learners (both teachers and students) in 41 universities on how to use all the available resources. The traditional way of publishing resources is age-old, having lasted for more than 1,000 years. But now we stand at the threshold of making a big leap from this thousand-year-old service to a new service called e-learning.

“We will spread our technology to the education sector. In 1971, when Bangladesh became independent, the literacy rate was around 30%. Today, you will hardly find one in this country giving a left thumb impression. Everybody knows at least how to sign their name,” he added.

“Enrollment in primary school is now nearly 100%. The dropout rate may still be high, but it is shrinking fast.

In 1972, only 30,000 students studied general to specialised areas in six universities,” the UGC chairman said.

“We have 83 private and 38 public uni-

versities, enrolling three million students, of whom 63% study at private universities, a staggering number we achieved in 40 years.

The spread is enormous, but the depth of education still has to be achieved. And there is no shortcut toward achieving this depth,” he added.

Regarding the traditional library, Manna said: “Books are very heavy and take up much space, making it an expensive source of resource.”

“Now, many universities, both public and private, have done an extraordinary job by digitising not only the catalogue system, but also the information system.

“UGC has built its own library, open to public and private institutions or research organisations. The library is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year,” he added.

World Bank has been generous in supporting quality higher education. UGC is now handling a $240 million soft loan; the remaining support is from Bangladeshi sources. The contract was signed by the ministry of education, World Bank and UGC for digital resources.

The UGC library aspires to provide high-quality e-content, ensure lower subscription rates, build inter-library collaboration, and add new resources to the platform.

89% of public universities 13% of private universities are engaged with it.

At the workshop, UGC member Prof Dr Md Akhtar Hossain gave a presentation on “Digital library referring repository of electronic contents in digital formats, retrievable remotely through internet, preservation and conservation of knowledge, provide access of learning materials to HEIs.” The programme was then followed by a technical session on digital resources. l

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