17 March, 2016

SECOND EDITION

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

CID team pays visit to BB HQ Jamil Khan n Mohammad and Kamrul Hasan Members of the high-powered committee formed by the Criminal Investigation Department visited the Bangladesh Bank headquarters yesterday, a day after the central bank filed a case in connection with the $101 million heist.

A special CID team comprising IT experts spent at Bangladesh Bank from 11am to 5pm. During the time, they collected information to understand the bank’s work flow.

Additional Deputy Inspector General Shah Alam and CID’s Organised Crime Unit chief Special Superintendent Mirza Abdullahel Baqui led the team at the central bank office.

The 20-member committee was formed on Tuesday night with  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

WHAT ATIUR WROTE IN RESIGNATION LETTER

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Pakistan coast to win against hapless Tigers Uddin Khan n Minhaz from Kolkata A horrific bowling display denied Bangladesh a positive start to the Super 10 campaign of the ICC World Twenty20 at Eden Gardens yesterday. The Tigers progressed to this phase of the world event with great momentum, only to start with a 55run defeat against Pakistan.

The Tigers had bagged recent successes riding on a sharp bowling attack but yesterday it all unravelled. Pakistan posted 201 runs losing only five wickets, making the Bangladesh bowlers look helpless.

With the exception of occasional spinner Sabbir Rahman, all the other bowlers conceded at least 32 runs. Paceman Al Amin Hossain

leaked the most runs – 43 in three overs. Skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza also bowled three overs to give away 41 runs. Pacer Taskin Ahmed and spinner Arafat Sunny picked up two wickets each but gave away 32 and 34 runs respectively.

All-rounder Shakib al Hasan went wicket-less, conceding 39 runs in four overs.

What was hard to take for the Bangladesh supporters who showed up at Eden Gardens was the way the Tigers batsmen struggled. Bangladesh had come into

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Bangabandhu's 96th birth anniv today n Tribune Report

the tournament highly boosted having finishing as the runners-up side in the Asia Cup T20 earlier this month. They kept the winning run going in the qualifiers of the global showpiece event where they defeated the Netherlands and Oman.

The last time they met Pakistan in the format, in the Asia Cup in Dhaka recently, Bangladesh had won the game commandingly by five wickets. But yesterday, the picture was totally different.

Perhaps it was after the first six overs that the Bangladesh bowlers had lost their way. The Tigers had removed opener Sharjeel Khan for 18 with 26 runs on the board in 2.3 overs but what came later was too much heat for Bangladesh to handle. Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez batted for 11.2 overs

The nation will observe the 96th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children's Day today.

On this day in 1920, Bangabandhu was born in a respectable Muslim family at Tungipara village, which is now a upazila in Gopalganj district. He was the third child among four daughters and two sons of his parents - Sheikh Lutfur Rahman and Saira Khatun.

Different socio-political and cultural organisations, including the Awami League and its affiliate bodies, have chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day.

President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, House Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, opposition leader Rawshan Ershad and Awami League General

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THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

Fazle Kabir appointed for four years n Tribune Report Former finance secretary Fazle Kabir has been appointed for four years as the governor of Bangladesh Bank in wake of Atiur Rahman’s resignation on Tuesday, according to a Public Administration Division circular. Public Administration Division issued a circular yesterday to the effect.

At present Kabir is the chairman of Sonali Bank’s board of directors.

He retired from public service as a senior secretary of Finance Ministry. Finance Minister AMA Muhith announced his apointment at the Secretariat hours after Atiur’s resignation. Kabir is now in the US and will return today. l

BNP invites Awami League President Sheikh Hasina to its national council n Tribune Report The BNP yesterday invited Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to its sixth national council scheduled for March 19.

A delegation led by BNP leaders Abul Khayer Bhuyan, Abdul Latif Jony, Asadul Karm Saheen and Selimuzzaman Selim went to Awami League’s Dhanmondi office at 5pm to deliver the invitation letter.

Jony, BNP’s assistant office secretary, told the Dhaka Tribune that Awami League leader Abdul Awal Shamim and Masudul Hasan received the letter.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia

called party’s standing committee meeting tonight at her Gulshan office to take important decisions on party’s national council. Syrul Kabir Khan, an official of Khaleda’s press wing, told the Dhaka Tribune that the meeting will be held at 8:30pm.

“The chairperson convened it to take decision on some important issues on BNP’s council.”

Khaleda is scheduled to inaugurate the party’s council on March 19 at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the morning.

Party sources said the meeting could discuss responsibility of party’s Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman, increase of number of

posts of joint secretary generals, organising secretaries and formation of party’s advisory committee.

Meanwhile, the party yesterday said the resignation of Bangladesh Bank governor Atiur Rahman and removal of two of his deputies was part of an effort to shield the masterminds of a huge cyber heist that targeted the central bank’s money.

“The cyber theft stunned people across the globe. It is not difficult for the people to guess who were behind it. It is very clear to the nation that high-level people from the ruling party are involved in the scam,” BNP Joint Secretary Gener-

al Ruhul Kabir Rizvi claimed at a media briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan headquarters.

He said a case was filed 40 days after the incident. “It is very mysterious. So, is the government trying to hide the real culprits?”

Rizvi said it would not be possible to hide the masterminds by removing two deputy governors and resignation of governor Atiur.

“The country has turned into a heaven for the looters. It seems that they are looting public money before stepping down from the office, so that they can use it when the situation comes to escape from the scene,” he claimed. l

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Bangabandhu’s Yunusur Rahman Pakistan coast to win against hapless Tigers 96th birth anniv disturbing the timber. Tamim Iqbal Afridi had other ideas as the capto put up 95 runs for the second new banking and Sabbir Rahman had put up tain, batting at No 4, hammered his wicket. While Shahzad played the today some resistance, posting 43 runs way to 49 off just 19 deliveries with anchor role, Hafeez charged the secretary for the second wicket before the the help of four boundaries and as bowlers and by the time Sunny Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam islatter was removed by Afridi for many sixes.

His performance with dismissed him in the 17th over, the sued separate messages on the eve n Tribune Report 25. Afridi later accounted for the the bat on the day should keep the right-handed batsman had already of the day, paying rich tributes to Privatization Commission Member Md Yunusur Rahman has been appointed the secretary of Finance Ministry’s Bank and Financial Institutions Division.

Public Administration Ministry announced the appointment in an order yesterday. The position was vacated on Tuesday when Secretary M Aslam Alam was made officer on special duty.

The secretary’s removal came hours after Bangladesh Bank governor’s resignation over the cyber heist of $101 million worth of reserve funds from an account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. l

Goyeshwar gets bail on surrender n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A Dhaka court yesterday granted bail to BNP Standing Committee member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy after he surrendered in a case filed for making derogatory comments on the Liberation War martyrs.

Dhaka’s Metropolitan Magistrate Md Zakir Hossain Tipu passed the order after the BNP leader surrendered through his counsel Md Sanaullah Miah and sought bail.

Monidra Kumar Nath, joint general secretary of Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad, filed the case on January 21 with Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court under Section 500 of the Penal Code.

The BNP leader at a discussion on December 25 described the 1971 martyred intellectuals as “anti-liberation elements.” l

done the damage, scoring 64 off 42. His innings, which ended after a brilliant take by Soumya Sakar at mid-wicket, included seven boundaries and two sixes.

Shehzad, who had returned to the Pakistan side in this game, went back to the dressing room scoring 52 off 39. The two dismissals were thought to have brought an end to the Pakistani aggression but Shahid

critics shut for a while.

Later, despite Shakib’s unbeaten 50 off 40 balls, the target was too much for Bangladesh to chase down.

The wicket had hardly changed in the second innings but Bangladesh batsmen struggled to execute their plans. The struggle started after opener Soumya Sarkar departed without troubling the scorers; left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir

wicket of the in-form Tamim for 24 runs. The rest of the fight was put up by Shakib, who had stitched together two notable partnerships – 39 runs for the fifth wicket with Mushfiqur Rahim and 29 unbroken runs for the seventh wicket with Mashrafe. It was too little, too late as the Tigers eventually managed 146 for the loss of six wickets from their stipulated 20 overs. l

CID team pays visit to BB HQ members from CID’s Economic Crime Unit and Money Laundering Unit, the DMP and several staterun intelligence agencies.

They visited four departments on the second floor and the third floor of the Governor’s Building, analysed some documents from the Back Office of the Drilling Room and the sever room of the main building, and seized some other documents from the server room for scrutiny, a police source said.

The general manager and the deputy general manager of the bank accompanied the CID team during the visit.

“We talked to the departmental officials to understand their work procedure by organising a discussion,” Baqui said. It was not an interrogation, he said.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told the Dhaka Tribune that the government had instructed all law enforcement agencies to assist the CID in the investigation considering importance of the case.

The central committee has several sub-committees, the mem-

bers of which have been given specific tasks. “We will form more sub-committees or add more members, if needed,” Baqui said.

“All the committees will work under the authority of Deputy Inspector General Saiful Alam so that no confusion arises,” he added.

When contacted, DIG Saiful refused to make any comment on the investigation process.

According to the case statement, the digital heist took place in several countries and the criminals are believed to be outsiders.

About seeking support of Interpol, Baqui said that all necessary action and support would be taken as per the existing rules and procedures. “If necessary, the investigators will visit those countries from where the heist was reported,” he added.

On behalf of the central bank, its Joint Director (accounts and budgeting department) Jubair Bin Huda filed the case against unidentified people with Motijheel police on Tuesday, around 40 days after the funds were transferred from Bangladesh Bank’s account with the Feder-

al Reserve Bank of New York. Later the case was transferred to the CID. Meanwhile, a Dhaka court yesterday set April 19 for the investigating agencies to submit their report.

A high official of police, working with the investigation committee, told the Dhaka Tribune that the culprits had got much time to destroy the evidence since the central bank authorities delayed in filing the case.

Another source said that the investigators yesterday started taking statements of all the high officials of the central bank.

As a part of the investigation procedure, they would also interrogate Atiur Rahman, who resigned as governor on Tuesday, and the two removed deputy governors as they are not out of the suspect list.

Twelve other officials of the Back Office of the Drilling Room and the sever room were also kept under surveillance.

Baqui told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday: “Anyone can be interrogated, if it is necessary for the sake of investigation.” l

Bangabandhu.

The day is a public holiday. National dailies will publish special supplements while Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and other private TV channels and FM radio stations will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.

Special prayers will be offered at mosques and places of worship across the country on this occasion. Bangladesh missions abroad have also chalked out programmes to observe the day.

The Awami League’s programmes for the day include hoisting the national flag and party flag at 6:30am, and placing wreaths at Bangabandhu’s portrait at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the capital’s Dhanmondi at 7:30am.

Led by Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the party’s senior leaders will travel to Tungipara to lay wreaths at Bangabandhu’s grave.

The Awami League will organise a discussion at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka at 3pm tomorrow. The prime minister will address the discussion as the chief guest while the party’s top leaders will also deliver their speeches.

Besides, the National Children’s Day will be observed today even though it is observed on different days around the world to honour children.

Apart from national programmes marking the day, rallies and discussions will be organised in districts and upazilas. The Women and Children Affairs Ministry will arrange special meals for destitute children. l

n Tribune Report Most activities at Bangladesh Bank – with the exception of emergency tasks – seemed to have lost pace yesterday as the central bank did not have any boss in office.

Although Atiur stepped down as governor on Tuesday, the new chief Fazle Kabir will not be joining office before next Sunday. Bangladesh Bank General Manager AFM Asaduzzaman, who is on the charge of protocol, will receive him at the airport when Kabir returns home from New York at 5am today.

Deputy governors Abu Hena Md Razee Hassan and SK Sur Chowdhury took over the temporary responsibility of supervising the departments previously led by Abul Quasem and Nazneen Sultana – the two deputy governors whose contracts were terminated on Tuesday, said Asaduzzaman.

A committee was formed led by renowned economist Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad to vet possible candidates for deputy governor.

However, the bank has not yet received any official word on the major reshuffle.

“We did not receive any written order on the appointment of a new governor and the termination of two deputy governor [contracts],” said Subhankar Saha, executive director of Bangladesh Bank.

Commenting on the morale of the officials, Asaduzzaman said it seems that an earthquake has struck the central bank management and all officials were still frightened about the impact.

Saying the cyber-heist has forced the bank into disarray, he added such a disaster was unprecedented.

Asaduzzaman, who has been at the BB for 33 years, said he had worked with eight governors in his career but had never seen such a sad farewell of any governor as Atiur’s.

Meanwhile, Atiur’s personal books and crests were packed up for removal from the governor’s room before Fazle Kabir joins the office next Sunday. l

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

Atiur’s last hours as governor n Jebun Nesa Alo

Atiur Rahman’s final day as the governor of Bangladesh Bank was full of uncertainties, according to one of his close aides.

The hectic hours that led to his resignation as the central bank chief started to gain momentum after Atiur landed at Dhaka airport at 4pm on Monday following a threeday tour to New Delhi.

Immediately after arriving, he was briefed by his protocol officer, AFM Asaduzzaman, about the situation surrounding the $101m cyber heist. Atiur was also informed that that he had been asked to meet Finance Minister AMA Muhith as soon as possible.

But he first went to his own resi-

dence to freshen up before starting for Muhith’s house at 6pm.

When Atiur returned from his meeting with the minister, he seemed anxious, Asaduzzaman told the Dhaka Tribune. In the evening, the immediate-past governor also tried to get an appointment with the prime minister, he said.

Atiur spent the night alone at his home as his family members were all in Washington.

Asaduzzaman said he received a call from his boss at 7am on Tuesday, asking him to come to the governor’s residence right away. Hearing Atiur’s voice, it was the first time he could guess that something was wrong, the protocol officer said.

Atiur then directed Asaduzzaman to invite some selected journal-

ists to his residence around 10am.

The governor then briefed those journalist about his stance, explaining that he was ready to resign despite being confident that he would not have to.

Around 11am, the governor got an appointment from Prime Minister’s Office with hints that he would have to step down.

Even though Atiur – during his seven-year tenure as the BB chief – had always had an entry pass ready for him at the PMO gate, on Tuesday he had to sign the visitor’s log before receiving the pass.

Atiur also had to wait a while before he finally had the chance to meet Sheikh Hasina. When Atiur entered the premier’s office, he looked nervous and gloomy, As-

aduzzaman said. But Atiur had a smile on his face when he emerged around one and a half hour later.

“I could not control my emotion and was weeping when I saw the governor coming out from prime minister’s office as he had to resign,” Asaduzzaman said.

Governor embraced him with tears in his eyes and said: “As the prime minister shed tears for me, so resigning is a good decision for me.”

During their meeting, Hasina reportedly instructed Atiur to brief himself to the media and explain whatever he wanted to say.

Asaduzzaman was then asked to arrange a press conference in the afternoon, where Atiur formally announced his resignation. l

What Atiur wrote in his resignation letter Honourable Prime Minister, Accept my regards. Here I attach briefly what happened in the wake of the recent hacking at Bangladesh Bank. I informed the chief of Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) of the incident on the very next working day and gave the highest priority to recovering of the money, identifying the parties involved and identifying the weakness in the internal security systems. Later, I also requested the NSI and RAB to look into the matter. RAB is working with international forensic experts. I told them they could take anyone into custody if they suspect.

The incident happened at a time when the country saw hacking of ATMs. It was so complex and unknown that it seemed like an earthquake. I could not understand which direction the attack will come and when. The cyber attack seemed like a terrorist attack. Moreover, it took some time to get an idea about the matter under investigation. Informing the honourable finance minister of the incident was delayed by the chal-

PHOTO: SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

BB passes day without boss

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lenges of economic stability, image of the country and recovering the money. I informally apprised you of the matter on March 1 upon advice from the security experts after it became clear to me. Later, I inform the finance minister about it in writing. I talked to him over cell phone and international expert also

explained it to him. His opinions on this have appeared in reports of newspapers. Whatever I did I did in the interest of the country and as a strategy to recover the money. I did it driven by my conscience.

You will be happy to learn that a portion of the stolen money has been brought back and I believe

the rest can also be retrieved.

In spite of that, since questions about inefficiency of Bangladesh Bank have arisen and its image worldwide has been tarnished, I do not think I should be in the post of its governor. I have worked with you for a long time. I have received the highest cooperation from you during the seven years of my tenure as the governor. Bangladesh’s economy is now a role model in the world. It would not have been possible without your cooperation. It may be mentioned, I went abroad to attend an inter-government programme upon permission from the government.

Therefore, here I tender my resignation with the hope that your accomplishments be established on stronger base and hereby leave my space for someone more deserving. I have tried to do my duties in light of patriotism and conscience, absolute loyalty to Bangabandhu and you. Please forgive my mistakes, if any, in playing my role and in my behaviour.

I wish you and your government the best. l

Muhith: Bangladesh Bank needs to be reformed n Asif Shawkat Kollol

Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday said Bangladesh’s diseased central bank needs to be reformed, as the government reels from the effects of one of the most spectacular bank robberies in history.

“Bangladesh Bank is not in a healthy condition. It needs to be reformed. That is my assessment,” he said to journalists following a meeting of the cabinet purchase committee at the Secretariat.

The finance minister’s comments came against the backdrop

of one of the biggest bank heists in history, in which hackers siphoned off $101 million of Bangladesh Bank (BB) money held with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

“Unfortunately nobody knew about the BB cyber heist,” he said.

In reply to a query about making former banking secretary Aslam Alam an officer on special duty, he said the official was not involved in the case, but added that as secretary of the banking division he should have known about it.

Since Philippine media outlets broke the story, over a month af-

ter the theft had taken place, the government has been desperate to make head or tail of the situation.

Most recently, an inquiry committee headed by ex-central banker Mohammed Farashuddin has been formed to probe the theft. The probe committee chairman is expected to meet the finance minister in a day or two.

On Tuesday, the government sacked two deputy governors of the bank over the bank heist.

Atiur Rahman resigned as Bangladesh Bank governor the same day.

Fazle Kabir, a former finance

secretary serving as Sonali Bank chairman, has been made the new governor of Bangladesh Bank. He is scheduled to take the reins of the central bank on March 19 after returning from a trip to the United States.

“We have started the process of appointing new deputy governors.

This is a lengthy process because a search committee must be formed to select candidates for the posts,” Muhith said.

On February 4, hackers fraudulently instructed wire transfers of more than $101 million from Bang-

ladesh Bank’s account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and had the money sent to accounts in the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

Some $20 million bound for Sri Lanka has been recovered.

The lion’s share of the spoils, some $81 million wired to the Philippines, has mostly exited the banking system and is being tracked down. It is not clear how much of it will be recovered.

On February 29, the Philippines Daily Inquirer broke the story of a $100m digital robbery of Bangladesh Bank money. l

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THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

Minister: BBIN deal is likely to come into effect in July n Shohel Mamun

The BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal is likely to come into effect from July this year, said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader.

He said: “We are expecting that the epoch making initiative can be implemented by July as Bhutan is set to ratify the agreement in their upcoming parliament session in May.” The minister made the statement while talking to reporters after a meeting with Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla at secretariat on Wednesday morning.

Earlier in June last year, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal have signed the Motor vehicle Agreement, an epoch making initiative, for free movement of goods and passengers among the four countries.

The deal was expected to come into effect by January this year.

But, Bhutan is yet to ratify the framework agreement.

Obaidul said: “During today's [Wednesday] meeting, we have discussed several issues on connectivity between India and Bangladesh. Indian high commissioner has also come up with positive response over infrastructure investment under LOC-2 [Indian Line of Credit].

“Both the countries have agreed to build a bridge over the Feni River in order to increase connectivity among the countries through Sabroom and Ramgar borders.”

“Moreover, officials from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal will meet in Dhaka on March 29-30 to sort out issues dogging cross-country motor vehicle agreement,” He added.

Under the agreement, the contracting parties will allow trucks and trailers with containers, pas-

senger vehicles, hired or personal, to ply in the territory of other contracting parties.

In other words, under the deal, a tourist from Bangladesh can go to Bhutan or Nepal through India in his or her own car and a patient can travel from Khulna to Kolkata in a rented ambulance.

The agreement, which takes most of its text from the Saarc Motor Vehicle Agreement, will increase connectivity among the countries to boost trade and people-to-people contact.

The Saarc agreement could not be signed during the last regional summit held in Kathmandu in November, 2014, due to opposition from Pakistan.

India took the initiative to sign a parallel motor vehicle agreement comprising the four nations after failing to secure a deal in Kathmandu.

Bangladesh’s cabinet endorsed the BBIN MVA in 2015. All the other three countries have also given

similar endorsements, paving the way for the signing of the agreement on June 15, 2015.

The agreement

The contracting parties now have to negotiate bilaterally or tri-laterally to settle the standard of procedures and modalities of movement of vehicles.

The parameters of the negotiation will be the types of vehicles to be allowed to cross borders, permits and documents required for vehicles, transit fees and charges, road signs and signals, insurance, business facilitation, applicability of local laws, dispute settlement, passport and visa, rights to inspect and search, and so on.

The four forms of the agreement are related to one year permits for regular passenger transportation, regular cargo transportation and personal vehicles and one-month permits for non-regular vehicle transportation like ambulances. l

Qatar emir, PM to visit Dhaka this year n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani and Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani will visit Dhaka this year.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Qatar Ashud Ahmed told the Dhaka Tribune that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Qatar thrice and now it is their turn to visit.

“I met the Qatari prime minister and he expressed his keen desire to visit Dhaka,” he said.

He said the emir would visit after the prime minister and they are discussing possible dates.

Ashud said PetroBangla and Qatari company Rasgas are negotiating on developing a LNG terminal and importing LNG from Qatar.

Bangladesh wants to build the terminal to meet energy demand.

Qatar has expertise in this sector.

The countries signed a MoU to import LNG but it expired, he said.

Qatar is going to host World Cup Football in 2022 and it also has Vision 2030 to become a country of the developed world.

Ashud said Qatar needed manpower for its many ongoing projects.

He said about three lakh Bangladeshis, many of them unskilled, are working in Qatar.

Qatar wants to take half a million manpower from Bangladesh and Qatari team visited Dhaka in March to discuss the issue, he added. l

Power purchase from 6 private plants approved n Tribune Report A total of nine proposals worth Tk1,544.58 crore, including purchase of power from six private sector electricity plants were approved yesterday at the cabinet committee on public purchase.

Additional Secretary Mustafizur Rahman said joint venture consultant firm Mott Macdonald Limited was appointed as consultant for the ADB-funded water supply project worth Tk155.3 crore.

He said Shajalal Fertiliser factory had approved project contractor M/S Compliant, which will provide a 60-strong workforce and train local workers.

Mustafizur said six power plants will be set up across the country.

Chittagong-based Acorn Infrastructure Services Limited will construct a 100MW furnace oilbased plant in Julda and sell electricity at a per unit cost of Tk14.70.

Precision Energy Limited will set up 100MW furnace oil-fired plant at Patiya for the next 15 years. United Enterprise Limited will set up 300MW furnace oil-based plant at Anwara with per unit cost of Tk14.70.

Intraco CNG Limited and the Chinese firm Juli New Energy Company Limited will set up a 30MW solar power plant each at Gangachara in Rangpur for the next 10 years with per unit cost of Tk12.80.

Indian Shapoorji Pallonji Infrastructure Capital Company Limited will set up a 225MW combined cycle dual fuel power plant in Bhola for the next 22 years. The cost of power from this plant will be Tk3.18 per unit for gas produced power and Tk13.56 for diesel produced power. l

BNP standing committee meets today n Tribune Report A worker sitting under Moghbazar flyover in the capital to take rest dies on the scene after a rod falls on his head yesterday MEHEDI HASAN

REB subscribers top 14.5 million n Tribune Report

The Rural Electrification Board (REB) has provided electricity facilities for 14,510,216 families across the country as of February this year, said a press release.

This is a landmark achievement for the REB and Palli Bidyut Samity units.

The REB provided electricity

supply for 303,216 families across the country in February.

This was part of an initiative to arrange electricity facilities for 90% of the country’s population by 2018 under Vision 2021, the Awami League’s electoral pledge.

Also, the REB has set a target to provide electricity for 3 million new subscribers in fiscal year 2015-16. To meet the target, it is bringing thou-

sands of new households under electricity coverage every month in different parts of the country.

With a view to providing electricity for all citizens by 2021, another 6 million new families will be brought under coverage.

REB Chairman Major General Moin Uddin dynamic leadership is to be credited for this tremendous success. l

BNP chief Khaleda Zia called party's standing committee meeting today at her Gulshan office to take important decisions on party's March 19 national council.

Khaleda’s press wing official Syrul Kabir Khan said the meeting will take place at 8:30pm.

“The chairperson called the meeting to decide on some important issues of the council,” he said.

Khaleda is scheduled to inaugurate the council at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh.

Party sources said the meeting could discuss job responsibility of Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman, increase in the number of posts of joint secretary generals, organising secretaries and formation of party's advisory committee. l

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THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

Nizami to file review petition n Our Correspondent, Gazipur The death warrant issued for Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami was read out to him at Kashimpur Central Jail in Gazipur yesterday.

The jail authorities read out the warrant around 10am, soon after it reached the jail, Prahsanta Kumar Banik, superintendent of Kashimpur Jail (part 2), told the Dhaka Tribune.

He said: “After hearing the warrant, Nizami said that he will file a review petition after consulting the matter with his lawyers.”

Nizami has got 15 days from the publication of the full verdict to file the review petition. If it is rejected, he would get the chance to seek the presidential mercy. If the convict does not seek clemency or it is rejected, the government will execute the death sentence as per the tribunal order.

On Tuesday, the Dhaka Central Jail authorities received the death warrant around 10pm, soon after the International Crimes Tribunal issued it.

The apex court the same day released the 153-page judgement after its four judges concerned

NIZAMI’S CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

Charge Incident

SC order

Life term

Acquittal

1

Murder of freedom fighter Kashimuddin in Pabna

2

Rape and murder at Baousgari, Ruposhi and Demra villages, Pabna

Death

Death

3

Torture and killing at Physical Training Institute, Mohammadpur

Life term

Acquittal

4

Mass killing, rape, looting at Karamja village in Pabna

Death

Acquittal

6

Killing of 50 people in Santhia, Pabna

Death

Death

7

Torture and murder of Sohrab Ali in Brishalikha, Pabna

Life term

Life term

8

Ordering killing of several youths including Rumi, son of Jahanara Imam, in Dhaka

Life term

Life term

16

Planning and executing killing of intellectuals in Dhaka and elsewhere

Death

Death

January 6, the Appellate Division upheld the tribunal’s sentence for the al-Badr chief for masterminding the killing of intellectuals and his involvement in two incidents of mass killing of over 500 people in Pabna in 1971.

Dhaka district magistrate, Home Ministry and Law Ministry.

Nizami was given death sentence on October 29, 2014 on four charges and life imprisonment on four other charges. He challenged the verdict at the apex court. On

signed the verdict that upheld the Jamaat chief’s death penalty for war crimes.

Tribunal Registrar Shahidul Alam Jhinuk said that copies of the death warrant were sent to the Dhaka Central Jail authorities, the

Tribunal verdict

He is the third former minister after Jamaat leader Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid and BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury to get death penalty for his notorious role during the war. l

PM: One medical college hospital in each district

26 more Birangonas get FF status

n UNB

n Syed Samiul Basher Anik

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government has a plan to set up one medical college hospital in each district, aiming to provide better healthcare services to people.

The Prime Minister said this while speaking at the 43rd annual conference of Bangladesh Ophthalmological Society at Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh in the city.

Mentioning the challenge in establishing medical colleges in all districts, Sheikh Hasina said getting faculty members for the medical colleges will be a major problem.

“The scarcity of teachers is the main problem for the medical colleges as many physicians are not interested to go outside Dhaka city, but we’re trying our best to address the problem,” she told the function.

Hasina also mentioned that the

The scarcity of teachers is the main problem for the medical colleges as many physicians are not interested to go outside Dhaka city For ensuring better healthcare services at the doorsteps of people, the Prime Minister said the government has already increased the number of beds in hospitals across the country.

TEMPERATURE FOREC AST FOR TODAY

DRY WEATHER WITH PARTLY CLOUDY SKY THURSDAY, MARCH 17

“We have increased the bed numbers through a survey for ensuring comfortable healthcare services...we’ve also taken steps for ensuring round-the-clock healthcare services for people,” she added.

Hasina also reiterated here government’s plan for setting up a medical university in Sylhet.

The government already has taken steps to set up two medical universities in Chittagong and Rajshahi. Separate laws have been enacted in this regard.

Presided over by president of Bangladesh Ophthalmological Society Prof Sharfuddin Ahmed, the programme was addressed, among others, by Health Minister Mohammed Nasim, State Minister Zahid Maleque, former adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Syed Modasser Ali, and Health Department DG Deen Mohammad Nurul Huq. l

government has already established medical colleges in different districts and divisional headquarters, in addition to setting up five medical colleges in five divisions of the Bangladesh Army.

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The government have awarded another 26 war heroines, better known as Birangonas, to live with the status of Freedom Fighters and be entitled to all the associated facilities and benefits.

Among them, the highest 7 are from Sherpur district; two from Jessore, three each from Satkhira, Dhaka and Sylhet; and one each from Narail, Bagerhat, Kushtia, Barguna, Barishal, Comilla, Gopalganj and Gaibandha.

The liberation war affairs ministry on March 14 issued a gazette publishing their names.

The gazetted Birangonas will enjoy all government benefits that regular freedom fighters do with effect from July last year.

With the second list, the number of Birangonas recognised as freedom fighters reached 67.

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YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

TOMORROW SUN RISES 6:05AM

34.8ºC Jessore

17.6ºC Dimla

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PRAYER TIMES

In the first batch, the government recognised 41 Birangona with the status of freedom fighters, according to a gazette notification of September 16 last year.

These women, all of whom were raped during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971 either by Pakistani soldiers or their local collaborators, have been demanding this state recognition for decades.

According to the ministry, around 200,000 women and girls were abused during the Liberation War, but independent sources put the number at 400,000. Estimates of the War Crimes Fact Finding Committee shows that around 468,000 women and girls were abused in 1971.

A freedom fighter gets honorarium, ration and medical services.

They, their children and grandchildren enjoy reserved quotas in public recruitment and enrollment in educational institutions. l Sylhet

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Fajr: 4:50am | Zohr: 12:07am Asr: 3:32pm | Magrib: 6:09pm Esha: 7:24pm Source: IslamicFinder.org

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News

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

Cargo owners, expatriates seek PM’s intervention to end cargo congestion n Anwar Hussain, Chittagong The cargo owners and expatriates demanded exempting the demurrage from the goods of the expatriates in the Middle East stuck at Shah Amanat International Airport.

The cargo owners and expatriates came up with the demand at a press conference at Chittagong Press Club yesterday.

The UAE Cargo Owners’ Association and the UAE Expatriates’ Welfare Association jointly organised the press conference.

While reading out the written statement at the conference, Anowarul Ashraf Chowdhury, president of the UAE Cargo Owners’ Association, said; “Goods weighing 600 tonnes have been stuck at Shah Amanat International Airport in the last four months.

However, the expatriates have received 200 tonnes of goods in the last two months.”

“The authorities concerned slapped a demurrage amounting to Tk5 crore for not discharging 400 tonnes of goods. The expatriates are

not receiving the consignments as the demurrage is double the price of the goods,” added Chowdhury.

Demanding formulation of an expatriates-friendly baggage rule, Chowdhury said the expatriates were facing legal tangles over the baggage rules of the customs authorities.

“As many as 0.5 million expatriates in the Middle Eastern countries cannot come to Bangladesh on a regular basis. Therefore, they send some goods to their families through planes and ships. A large

quantity of goods stuck at the warehouse of Shah Amana International Airport have already sustained damage,” added Chowdhury.

The press conference was attended by the association leaders, including Syed Mosleh Uddin, Azam Talukdar, SM Mainul Hossain, Khorshedul Alam and Abu Taher.

Expatriates usually send household items such as cosmetics, milk powder and soaps through cargo flights to save money.

Cargoes can be kept free of cost at the warehouse for five days and then

the airport authorities charge rent.

As per Tourist Baggage (import) rules, a passenger on arrival needs to submit proper documents and fill in a form in case of bringing unaccompanied luggage containing household goods that are supposed to arrive separately through another passenger flight or a cargo flight.

However, expatriates have long been sending goods through cargo flights while C&F agents get delivery of the items on behalf of the senders, which is a breach of customs rules. l

VILLAGERS-TAWHID SUPPORTERS CLASH

Over 4,000 unidentified people sued n Our Correspondent, Noakhali A case was filed accusing 4,000 to 5,000 unknown people over the clash in Sonaimuri upazila, Noakhali that left three people killed and scores injured.

Abu Sayeed, sub-inspector of Sonaimuri police station, filed the case on Tuesday.

Kazi Haniful Islam, officerin-charge of Sonaimuri police station, confirming the matter said 114 Hizbut Tawhid supporters were sent to jail after filing of the case.

A dispute over the construction of a mosque at Korpora village led to the clash between villagers and local members of Hizb-ut Tawhid on Monday, resulting in the death of at least three people, two of whom were the members of the banned Islamist outfit.

The clash also saw at least 50 people injured and raged on for nearly three hours before riot police brought the situation under control.

Around 110 men and women were detained by police in this regard. l

Anti-tobacco groups form a human chain in front of the National Press Club in the capital yesterday to remind mandatory printing of graphical warnings on the packets of tobacco products from March 19 SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Man killed while resisting daughter’s abduction Correspondent, n Our Narayanganj A man has been hacked to death when he tried to resist a gang of criminals from kidnapping his 17-year-old daughter in Raghunathpur area under Fatullah upazila in Narayanganj.

The deceased is rickshaw puller

Monindro Odhikari, 45, who also used to work as a night guard at his neighbourhood.

The incident took place around 6am Wednesday, said locals.

Fatullah model police station OC Kamal Hossain said: “One of Monindro’s three daughters has reportedly got involved in a love affair with a boy named Tuhin from

Dhaka. But, Monindro fixed his daughter’s marriage with another person without her consent.

“Following the move, Tuhin and his friends went to the victim’s house around 6am to pick his daughter up. At one stage of scuffle between the gang and the family members, Tuhin hacked the father to death.” l

MURDER OF EXPATRIATE'S WIFE

Distant relative murders to take revenge n Tribune Report Police arrested two alleged killers of Dubai expatriate’s wife who was strangled at a flat on March 5 in Chittagong city’s Bayezid area, from Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar early yesterday.

Police also recovered the looted gold ornaments weighting about 40 grams from two jwellery shops in Raozan upazila.

The arrestees were Md Yasin, 27, son of late Nurul Islam and Md Mansur, 25, son of Md Musa.

The arrestees gave their confessional statements before the metropolitan magistrate Nowrin Akhtar Kakon.

Sub-Inspector (SI) Santosh Kumar Chakma

of Detective Branch (DB) police said: “A joint team comprising DB and Bayezid police station arrested the duo from the Hotel Naf International at Teknaf and recovered looted gold ornaments.

“Yasin is distant relative of Dubai expatriate Nurul Alam and the mastermind of the murder in which four persons took part,” said SI Santosh.

The duo told police that Yasin was the gatekeeper at the house of expatriate Nurul Alam’s elder brother Abdus Sukkur three years ago. Later, they had a dispute as Sukkur helped police to arrest Yasin when he was in Dubai.

The SI said coming back from Dubai Yasin had discussed the matter with his friends and plotted to take revenge on Sukkur.

Four people took part in the killing mission. l

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Pre-poll violence kills one in Barisal n Our Correspondent. Barisal One person was killed and 11 others were injured during a clash that took place over conducting campaign of the upcoming union parishad election at Bhashanchar union parishad, Mehendiganj upazila, Barisal yesterday.

Police have been deployed in the area to avoid any untoward incident. The body and severely injured people were sent to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.

Locals said Samir Hawladar Charu, 40, with his associates went

to Baroia village for propagation in favour of Awami League nominated UP chairman candidate Nazrul Islam Chunnu.

Then, supporters of rebel UP chairman candidate and central leader of Swechchhasebok League Mojibor Rahman Peyada led by Firoj Member attacked them with sharp weapons at about 7am. At least 12 people were injured critically. Of them, Samir Haoladar Charu died on the way to hospital.

Our Satkhira correspondent adds: supporters of an Awami League candidate vandalised the houses of five activists of a BNP

nominated chairman candidate. At least 10 people were injured during the vandalism.

BNP-backed candidate GM Sadekur Rahman alleged that supporters of Awami League-backed chairman candidate GM Soker Ali’s supporters had vandalised those houses. GM Soker Ali, however, denied the allegation.

In Lakshmipur, supporters of an Awami League leader blocked the Lakshmipur-Haidarganj road protesting the decision of not nominating Rashid Molla as chairman candidate in the upcoming union parishad election.

According to local sources, supporters of at least 10 BNP-nominated chairman candidates cannot conduct election campaign as supporters of the ruling party are intimidating them.

BNP-backed candidates made the allegation at a press conference held at Mothbaria BNP’s party office yesterday afternoon.

But General Secretary of Awami League district unit Azizul Haque Selim said the allegation was baseless.

“Supporters of BNP are conducting their election campign smoothly,” he said. l

12 Bangladeshis back from India thru’ Benapole n UNB

Twelve Bangladeshi people returned home through Benapole check post on Tuesday night after serving four years’ jail term in an Indian prison.

The returnees--10 teenagers, one woman and one child --hail from different areas of Jessore, Barisal, Gopalganj, Narayanganj, Mymensingh and Narail districts.

Nayeb Subedar Abdullahil Wafi of Benapole check post camp of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) 26 battalion said the arrestees had gone to India illegally in search of jobs four years back.

Later, Indian police arrested them from Kolkata rail station area.

A case was filed against them and an Indian court awarded them four years’ imprisonment each for crossing the border without valid documents.

The Indian government has returned them following repeated requests from the Home Ministry of Bangladesh.

Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) handed them over to BGB through Benapole check post at night. l

Robbers loot ornaments, cash in Habiganj n Tribune Report The Padma River has dried off due to drought in the northern Barendra region, making the river unnavigable by boats. The photo was taken from Rajshahi’s Shyampur yesterday AZAHAR UDDIN

Three siblings found dead Correspondent, n Our Brahmanbaria

Police recovered the bodies of three minor siblings from the Bemalia River in Nasirnagar upazila yesterday, a day after they had gone missing.

The deceased are Sultana, 7, Raja, 5, and Badsha, 4. They are the children of Sattar Mia of Rotonpur village. The three siblings went missing while taking bath in the river on Tuesday afternoon, said officer-in-charge of Nasirnagar police station Abdul Quader.

Local people spotted their floating bodies this morning and informed police about the matter.

The trio had been living at their paternal aunt’s house here as their father, Shawkat, a rickshaw puller, lives in Sylhet while their mother, Kulsuma Begum, in Lebanon, the OC said. l

Violence, fear grip Khulna ahead of union parishad polls n Our Correspondent, Khulna

The pre-polls merriment in Khulna has turned into a sense of foreboding as clashes between aspirants pick up ahead of the March 22 Union Parishad election.

Candidates from the BNP and other parties have been blaming the ruling Awami League aspirants of attacking them. Many of them doubt the election will be a fair and peaceful one.

Supporters of Dakop Union’s Awami League candidate Binoy Krishna Roy and renegade aspirant Sanjay Morol clashed recently leaving 10 of them injured. Binoy later filed a case with police. Another candidate Jalal Uddin’s three supporters were punished by a mobile court for trying to bribe voters.

Rival candidates at all unions

have been trading blames over polls code violation. However, there are common allegations against ruling party candidates – using party influence, taking out motorcycle rallies, threatening, among others.

Kailashganj Union’s Workers Party candidate Gauranga Prasad Roy alleged that his ruling party rival and incumbent chairman Mihir Mandal was threatening his supporters. “He has been telling the voters, ‘I will remain the chairman whether you vote for me or not’,” Gauranga claimed, adding that he would win by a landslide if the voting is fair.

Kapilamuni union’s BNP candidate and incumbent chairman Shahadat Hossain Dabloo claimed the Awami League aspirant had been threatening his supporters. “Re-

cent attacks on BNP candidates, activists, supporters and election offices have caused panic among the voters,” he claimed.

Shahadat said he feared his rival candidates could unleash violence in his union’s six polling stations.

“Voters at several polling centres are cowered anticipating violence on the election day.”

Paikgachha Upazila Returning Officer ASM Rasel said Shahadat had notified him about issues and fears of violence verbally. “He has not filed any written complaint.

But we visited the area promptly after he approached us. We will take necessary steps if we get a written complain,” Rasel added.

The election officer said they would take all measures to ensure peaceful polling in the Union Parishad polls. l

Robbers looted gold ornaments and cash from the residence of an expatriate at Purangaon village under Nabiganj upazila of Hobiganj early yesterday.

Police said a gang of dacoits entered the house of expatriate Abdul Basit after breaking the lock of the main gate. They looted cash and gold ornaments worth about Taka 10 lakh from the house and decamped with the booties safely.

They also chopped the house owner Basit who was later sent to Habiganj Sadar Hospital in a critical condition. l

JU freshers’ orientation held n BSS The authority of Jahangirnagar University (JU) welcomed the first year students of the university under academic session 2015-2016 at Jahir Raihan auditorium on the campus yesterday.

JU registrar Abu Bakar Siddique placed the students to the deans of six faculties and directors of two institutes . l

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A reason to smile n Feature Desk After surgery for his wide cleft lip deformity, Masudur Rahman was in utter shock. He whispered in disbelief: “I do not recognise myself.”

Masudur Rahman’s surgery is one among the 40 surgeries done by the Smile Bangladesh team in CSS Hospital in Tilok, Khulna.

This was the 16th charitable surgery mission of Smile Bangladesh, a New Jersey based nonprofit organisation which is committed to provide free cleft surgeries to disadvantaged children and adults living in remote areas of Bangladesh.

The team visits Bangladesh from USA twice a year, the latest being a five day surgery mission in Khulna from March 6-10. The team members comprised of surgeons, anesthetists, residents and nurses. So far, over 1100 people, mostly children have received surgeries that have changed their lives. During each visit the team works with a host organisation who provides operation theatres, collects cleft victims for surgery, conducts prescreening and also ensures post-surgery recuperation care.

It is estimated that there are up to 300,000 children and adults in Bangladesh with unrepaired cleft deformities. Approximately another 30,000 children are born with cleft deformities every year adding to the staggering number.

There aren’t enough Bangladeshi surgeons to tackle this massive number of cleft cases, particularly poor patients living in remote areas.

The greatest hurdle for cleft patients in Bangladesh is access to care. Largest number of patients with cleft deformities are from the rural areas. Many don’t even know that clefts can be repaired; those who do are often unable to

PHOTOS: COURTESY access or afford care.

Cleft lip and palate are congenital facial deformities that can be easily repaired.

Especifically, cleft lip deformities occur when the muscle and skin of the upper lip do not fuse together properly. Cleft palate deformities occur when the bones and muscle that make up the roof of the mouth do not fuse appropriately. Both deformities create a functional problem, affecting one’s ability to eat and develop proper speech.

Furthermore, cleft lip deformities have an associated social stigma,

The greatest hurdle for cleft patients in Bangladesh is access to care. Largest number of patients with cleft deformities are from the rural areas

due to its facial disfigurement.

In traditional cultures such as the one in Bangladesh, children with clefts are often ostracised by their community, resulting in social isolation. Mothers of these children are often blamed as there is a myth that the cleft lips occur if pregnant women cut vegetables and fish during an eclipse.

Babies born with cleft deformities typically require care through their early 20s – adjunctive procedures, such as speech therapy, orthodontics, orthognathic surgery, dental implants, and rhinoplasty are all performed on cleft patients as they develop.

Unfortunately, in Bangladesh, a comprehensive care system for cleft patients does not exist. It is a future goal of Smile Bangladesh to develop a multidisciplinary cleft centre within the country to perform these secondary procedures.

Smile Bangladesh’s board of directors include Dr Shahid R. Aziz, president; Dr Samuel T Rhee, vice-president; Dr Jose M Marchena, secretary; Sue Walsh, CRNA, treasurer; Dr Anita Puran, executive director and Christina Rozario, director of Operations. l

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6 in 10 grieving people ‘see or hear dead loved ones’ Researchers say the hallucinations are strikingly common, but many fear they are going mad and don’t mention them to friends

n Elizabeth Roberts

PHOTO: BIGSTOCK

Up to six in 10 grieving people have “seen” or “heard” their dead loved one, but many never mention it out of fear people will think they’re mentally ill.

Among widowed people, 30 to 60 percent have experienced things like seeing their dead spouse sitting in their old chair or hearing them call out their name, according to scientists.

The University of Milan researchers said there is a “very high prevalence” of these “postbereavement hallucinatory experiences” (PBHEs) in those with no history of mental disorders.

They came to their conclusions after looking at all previous peerreviewed research carried out on the issue in the English language.

“Overall, evidence suggests a strikingly high prevalence of PBHEs – ranging from 30 to 60 percent – among widowed subjects, giving consistence and

legitimacy to these phenomena,” they wrote in their report, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.

Since there is a relatively small amount of research on the topic, they said, “more research is needed to ascertain the physiological/pathological nature of PBHEs.” It’s thought the hallucinations could be similar to the flashbacks experienced by people suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.

The report follows research from the University of Southampton, which suggested there might be such thing as life after death.

That study, published in 2014, found evidence that awareness can continue for at least several minutes after clinical death, which was previously thought impossible. l Source: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ science/

What is your cat saying? n Sarah Knapton A five year project to find out what cats are saying to their owners has been launched by a Swedish University.

By 2021, phonetics experts at Lund University hope to have cracked the feline code and be able to interpret a whole range of “meowings,” “mewings,” and “purrings.”

In the wild cats stop meowing once they reach adulthood as they no longer have to gain the attention of their mothers for milk or comfort.

But since their domestication around 10,000 years ago, pet cats have learned to communicate with humans using vocal and visual signals when they want food or affection, and continue making sounds throughout their lives.

To work out what the various sounds mean, the team will be recording up to 50 cats in different locations to see how their mood affects their meowing when they are content, friendly, happy, hungry, annoyed or even angry – and try to identify any differences

in their phonetic patterns.

“It seems that cats can vary the intonation or melody consciously, perhaps to convey a certain message or increase the urgency of a message or to convey emotion,” said lead researcher Susanne Schötz, a reader in phonetics. “I have found with my cats they have a different sound in their melody when they are sad compared to when they are happy.”

The team at Lund is hoping to not only translate what cats are saying, but help owners communicate better with their pets. Researchers will be monitoring how humans speak to their pets to find out which are the most successful.

“For example, we want to know if cats prefer pet–directed speech or prefer to be spoken to like human adults,” added Dr Schotz.

Last year Dr Sharon CrowellDavis, a professor of veterinary behavior at the University of Georgia, claimed to have cracked the code of cat language.

She claimed that purring, far from indicating contentedness, was actually a plea from the

animal saying “don’t go anywhere please” and was often used when the cat was ill.

Likewise, when cats rub up against your legs they are giving you a feline hug, indicating you are

part of their group, and welcoming you home. It is the cat way of saying “you’re back, I missed you.”

Researchers in the new study are also working with a Linkoping University to see if cats in Lund

and Stockholm have different accents and dialects. l Source: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ science/

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THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

INSIDE Stocks finish week in red Stocks closed lower yesterday as previous session’s enthusiasm over the central bank’s governor’s resignation fizzled out. The market carried out previous session’s rally until the first session, but the gains were short-lived due to quick profit booking. PAGE 13

US banks make cool technology, realise it can be sold

Big Wall Street banks, after spending massive amounts of money and time to get their old, creaking systems in better shape, are now trying to sell technology they’ve developed in-house to other companies. PAGE 13

Summit Power subsidiaries under merger plan n Kayes Sohel

Summit Power Limited (SPL), a subsidiary of Summit Group, yesterday said it is mulling merger of its three subsidiaries with itself.

The country’s first private power generation firm proposed to acquire shares of its three power generation subsidiaries—Summit Purbanchol Power Company Limited (SPPCL), Summit Uttranchol Power Company Limited (SUPCL) and Summit Narayanganj Power Company Limited (SNPCL).

In a statement, the company said it has considered the proposal of merger of SPCCL, SUPCL and SNPCL, but it is subject to approval of the High Court and other reg-

The prposed merger is subject to approval of the High Court and other regulatory authorities, according to the company ulatory authorities.

Established in 1997, SPL, a listed company, operates 11 power plants at different locations across the country, having a total capacity of 317 mega watt (mw) electricity.

Under the SPPCL projects, two power plants—Jangalia Power and Rupganj Power— are producing 66mw under 15-year power purchase agreement with the government.

Under the SUPCL projects, two power plants – Ullapara Power and Maona Power Plant – are generating 44mw electricity under the same agreement.

Under the SNPCL, Madanganj Power Plant with capacity of 102mw electricity production was set up to provide electricity to Bangladesh Power Development Board under Build, Own and Operate basis using Heavy Fuel Oil. To acquire the subsidiaries, it proposed to exchange its 1.309

shares for one share of SPPCL, 1.668 shares for one share of SUPCL and 1.475 shares for one share of SNPCL. Share value will work out for non-listed subsidiaries, SUPCL and SNPCL, at their weighted average of net asset value as of 2015 and average market price for six months to December 31, 2015.

For listed subsidiary SPPCL, share value will be fixed on the basis of share value at its weighted average of net asset value as of 2015.

However, investors took the merger news negatively as share price of SPL fell steeply about 8% and SPPCL 8.4% on the Dhaka Stock Exchange on the same day. l

Samsung Climate set to invest in Hi-Tech Park, signs deal with TechnoSity n Tribune Report

Fractured electorate hampers efforts to mend ‘slow puncture’ economy The combination of a slow-growth world of shrinking policy options and the splintered political voting patterns it’s fostered is stifling the global economy at a critical juncture. PAGE 14

Capital market snapshot: Wednesday DSE Broad Index

4,446.3

-0.7% ▼

Index

1,080.4

-0.6% ▼

30 Index

1,693.3

-1.2% ▼

Turnover in Mn Tk

3,707.5 -14.8% ▼

Turnover in Mn Vol

111.7

-9.3% ▼

All Share Index 13,700.9

-0.8% ▼

30 Index

12,332.7

-1.3% ▼

8,323.1

-0.8% ▼

CSE

Selected Index Turnover in Mn Tk

267.8 -12.9% ▼

Turnover in Mn Vol

9.4 -13.4% ▼

Samsung Climate Control Co. Ltd., a South Korean diversified industrial equipment manufacturing company is set to invest in Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park, Gazipur.

Bangladesh TechnoSity Limited, the Developer and Operator of Block 3 of Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park, signed a Strategic Co-operation Agreement recently at Dhaka.

Moynul Haque Siddiqui, chairman of Bangladesh TechnoSity Limited, and Ko Ho-Kon, chairman of Samsung Climate Co. Ltd., signed the agreement on behalf of their companies.

Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and ICT Affairs Chairman Imran Ahmed, Secretary to the ICT Division Shyam Sundor Shikdar were, among others, present at the signing ceremony.

Through signing the agreement, Samsung Climate Control Co. Ltd. will expand its business in Bangladesh market and establish a number of manufacturing units in Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park, Gazipur. Bangladesh TechnoSity Limited is the strategic partner to collaborate on the opportunities in Bangladesh.

Established in 1954 and based in Changwon, South Korea, Sam-

TechnoSity and Samsung Climate sign a ‘strategic co-operation’ deal recently, attended by planning and ICT ministers sung Climate Control Co. Ltd. is listed on the Korea Stock Exchange.

The company engages in the original equipment manufacturing (OEM) of modular cooling systems, oil coolers, inter coolers, radiators, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) coolers, condensers and transmissions, which are used for automobiles and electricity and gas meters

used in residential buildings and commercial facilities.

The company distributes its products within the domestic South Korean market and exports to overseas markets such as America, Europe and South-East Asia.

Earlier, Bangladesh TechnoSity Limited signed a Concession Agreement with Bangladesh HiTech ParkAuthority (BHTPA) to

design, build, finance, own, operate & transfer Block 3 of Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park in Gazipur which will become the first full-fledged Hi-Tech Park of Bangladesh.

The company has started construction on October 2015 and is committed to delivering the first Multi-Tenant Building of Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park by first quarter, 2017. l

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Stocks finish week in red n Tribune Report

Stocks closed lower yesterday as previous session’s enthusiasm over the central bank’s governor’s resignation fizzled out.

The market carried out previous session’s rally until the first session, but the gains were short-lived due to quick profit booking.

The benchmark index DSEX was down almost 30 points or 0.7% to close at 4,446, after about 0.3% rise earlier.

The Shariah index DSES shed 7 points or 0.7% to 1,080. The blue chip comprising index DS30 moved down 20 points to 1,693.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index CSCX ended at 8,323, dropping 66 points.

The initial enthusiasm created over the governor’s resignation subdued, as investors opted for booking short-term profits, brokers say.

On Tuesday, Bangladesh Bank governor Atiur Rahman stepped down over $101 million cyber money heist from the central bank’s reserves. Trading activities also came down below Tk400 crore-mark as the DSE total turnover stood at

Tk370 crore, down 15% over the previous session’s value.

Fuel and power sector was the worst sufferer, tumbling almost 2%, driven by Summit Power that fell steeply about 8% after the news that the company planned to merge its three power producing firms – Summit Purbanchol Power Company, Summit Uttranchol Power Company and Summit Narayanganj Power.

Summit Power was also the most-traded share with a turnover worth about Tk18 crore.

All other major sectors like bank, cement, non-banking financial institution decreased while textile sector increased 0.7%.

Shares of 307 companies were traded on the day. Of these, 91 companies closed positive, 159 negative while 57 remained unchanged.

Lanka Bangla Securities said following the release of slew of earnings declaration and economic updates, company specific updates also clogged the traders’ interest on picky stocks.

It said major large cap stocks got the cramp from earning declaration which dragged down the benchmark index to one week low. l

Investors looking at the movement of stock indices at a trading floor of the DSE yesterday

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

NBR pre-budget talks to begin on March 27 n Tribune Report The National Board of Revenue (NBR) will start its pre-budget meetings with different stakeholders on March 27.

Representatives of 18 sectors will talk to the taxmen ahead of the FY2016-17 budget, according to the meeting schedule signed by chief budget coordinator Mohammad Akbar Hossain.

The pre-budget talks, which are usually attended by representatives of all the leading chambers, business organisations and associations, are a regular fixture every year and are intended to help create an inclusive budget.

NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman will chair the meetings which will continue until May 12.

Although the NBR earlier announced that Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and haor (wetlands) residents would be included at the talks for the first time ever this year, to ensure a truly participatory budget, their names were not found on the finalised list of participants.

This year, the revenue authorities are emphasising the use of digital tools, including video conferencing, as part of an effort to ensure the maximum participation of stakeholders.

This is going to be the first time that the taxman will hear opinions from divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners.

At the inaugural meeting on March 27, the NBR will hear from economists and professionals representing the Bangladesh Economic Association, Economic Research Group, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, Centre for Policy Dialogue, Policy Research Institute and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

On March 29, the taxman will hear from hoteliers, restaurateurs and other service sector operators.

The same meeting will also be attended by representatives from the paper, printing, publication, film and advertising firms and representatives of clinics and diagnostic centres.

On the following day, the NBR will sit with the construction sector – brick, sand, cement, steel, sanitary, ceramics and hardware manufacturers – and the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh. It will also meet pharmaceuticals, rubber and plastic sector representatives. The meeting will be attended by small, medium and large businesses and industries in these categories.

On March 31, the NBR will sit with chambers from Chittagong, Chittagong clearing and forwarding agents, the Chittagong divisional commissioner and deputy commissioners.

On April 13, NBR will meet the Economic Reporters Forum and representatives of the print and electronic media.

A meeting with leading local chambers is scheduled for April 17.

The NBR will sit with foreign chambers and the women’s chamber on April 18.

On April 19, the taxman will meet representatives of various export sectors including those sectors that enjoy bond facilities and those that do not.

The revenue authorities will meet chambers from Khulna and its divisional commissioner and deputy commissioners on April 20.

On April 21, it will meet the Barisal Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the divisional commissioner and deputy commissioners of the division.

The NBR will hear from representatives of large taxpayers, including the Bangladesh Cigarette Manufacturers Association, Bangladesh Ceramic Wares Manufacturers Association and Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh, on April 24.

On April 25, it will meet representatives from the agriculture and chemical sectors.

On the following day, a meeting is scheduled with representatives of the electrical, electronics and transport sectors, including representatives of the computer, ICT, telecommunications, automobile and transport sectors.

On May 5, the NBR will sit with Sylhet chambers and its divisional commissioner and deputy com-

missioners.

Discussions will be organised with financial institutions, banks, insurance companies and the two stock exchanges on May 8.

On May 9, the NBR will meet representatives of clearing and forwarding firms, shipping agents, freight forwarders, tax lawyers and indenting agents. It will also meet chartered accountants on the day.

The next day, the tax authorities will meet Rajshahi chambers and the divisional commissioner and deputy commissioners of Rajshahi.

The last meeting, on May 12, will be with the Rangpur Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and the divisional commissioner and deputy commissioners of Rangpur.

Once the meetings are conclud-

ed, the NBR will meet the finance minister at the NBR – Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Consultative Committee Meeting later in May. Business representatives will be able to make recommendations directly to the finance minister at that meeting.

The next budget will be placed in parliament in early June for the coming July-June fiscal year.

With the annual budget, the government brings amendments to existing laws and rules related to customs, VAT and income tax to maximise revenue earnings; provides protection to local industries; facilitates international trade and solves procedural complexities in revenue collection. l

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

Frankfurt, London seal $30bn trading tie-up to counter US threat n Reuters, Frankfurt/London Deutsche Boerse AG and London Stock Exchange Group Plc (LSE) agreed to combine in a $30bn deal to create a European trading powerhouse better able to compete with US rivals encroaching on their turf.

But the deal, which marks a third attempt to link the Frankfurt and London exchanges, may prompt a takeover war after New York Stock Exchange owner Intercontinental Exchange said it may bid for the British group.

Nearly 16 years after Deutsche Boerse first tried to take over LSE, the exchanges said last month they were discussing an all-share merger, which they confirmed on Wednesday would give Deutsche Boerse shareholders 54.4% and LSE investors 45.6% of a new company.

This offers a unique opportunity for Frankfurt which has always played second fiddle to London as a global financial centre, something recognised by the German government which said it would welcome the deal if it strengthened Frankfurt.

If it goes ahead, the combina-

tion would create the world’s biggest exchange by revenue, forecast at €4.7bn this year from stock, bond and derivatives trading, indices, market data, and clearing and settlement.

The exchanges sought to sell the deal to investors with the lure of annual cost savings of €450m.

They also promised users - the banks and fund managers who pay fees to trade and companies who pay to be listed - “substantial benefits”, but gave no figures.

And in a clear effort to win over Europe’s politicians to the benefits of a dominant pan-European exchange, Deutsche Boerse Chief Executive Carsten Kengeter said it would enable Europe to enhance its capital markets.

This chimes with European Union plans for a “Capital Markets Union” to compete better with the Us and Asia.

Kengeter said Germany’s Bundesbank and Frankfurt-based European Central Bank will “really appreciate” the boost to Frankfurt as a financial centre.

“With this transaction Deutsche

The time was right for a merger which will combine the LSE’s share-trading operation with the derivatives trading of Deutsche Boerse’s Eurex Boerse is halting its decline in market share that has been on the cards for a number of years,” Kengeter said.

Deutsche Boerse has been under constant pressure because Europe was the “natural space” for expansion for North American and Asian rivals, with the deal providing the critical mass needed for Germany and Europe overall to fight back, he added.

Despite these incentives, the deal faces questions over Britain’s EU referendum in June and whether regulators will approve a huge presence in derivatives clearing.

“The major test lies in the regu-

US banks make cool tech, realise it can be sold

Lloyd Blankfein, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, participates in a panel discussion REUTERS

n Reuters Big Wall Street banks, after spending massive amounts of money and time to get their old, creaking systems in better shape, are now trying to sell technology they’ve developed in-house to other companies.

US banks including Goldman Sachs Group Inc, Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase & Co are spinning out or selling a range of tools that pertain to data security, mobile applications and “systems integration,” the process of flattening layers of aging technology.

So far, the banks are not

making much money from these efforts, especially compared to what they have had to spend on technology in recent years. Between upgrades of hardware and software, creating new apps and bolstering cybersecurity defenses, tech is fast becoming one of the industry’s largest expenses.

US banks collectively spent $62.2bn on technology last year, according to research firm Celent. Selling technology externally recoups only a tiny fraction of that amount.

But moving tech from the expense line to the revenue line is an important shift for

big banks, which are desperately hunting for new areas of growth as regulations have hemmed in traditional profit engines like trading.

“Banks are looking for other ways to squeeze out profit,” said Jonathan Lehr, a managing director at venture capital firm Work-Bench which invests in business technology startups. “They get more eyes on their homegrown technology and it’s a good opportunity to build their brand with potential recruits.”

Goldman has arguably been the most aggressive developer and seller of its own technology to outside companies, something it has been doing on and off since the dotcom boom of the 1990s.

Its chief executive, Lloyd Blankfein, is fond of saying Goldman is more like a technology company than a bank.

Goldman is now hoping to capitalize on the popularity of “bring your own device” policies, wherein employees conduct business on their own mobile phones and tablets, rather than on company-issued devices. l

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Business

latory hurdle which, combined with added scrutiny in the context of Brexit, places the onus on the two companies to make a compelling case for the deal over the coming months,” said Peter Gray, a lawyer at Cavendish Corporate Finance.

Kengeter said the time was right for a merger which will combine the LSE’s share-trading operation with the derivatives trading of Deutsche Boerse’s Eurex, adding that he expects the deal to close by the end of 2016 or in early 2017.

No decision has been taken on the date of a shareholder meeting to vote on the merger and Kengeter shrugged off concerns over the impact of Britain, Europe’s biggest financial centre, voting to leave the EU. “We will be having a successful transaction irrespective of the Brexit outcome,” he said.

In further efforts to keep all parties happy, the exchanges confirmed LSE Chairman Donald Brydon would be chairman and Kengeter CEO and the board would have equal representation of LSE and Deutsche Boerse directors. l

OPEC, non-OPEC producers to meet on April 17 in Doha

n AFP, Doha

Global economic growth did not translate into more harmful greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector last year, the IEA said yesterday, a strong indication that growth and increased pollution no longer go hand in hand.

For the second year running, worldwide CO2 emissions stalled in 2015 while the global economy grew by 3.1%, after a 3.4% rise in 2014, the International Energy Agency said.

A surge in the contribution from renewable energy sources explains the decoupling of growth and CO2 emissions, with clean energy sources accounting for 90% of all new electricity generation in 2015.

Wind alone contributed half of all new electricity generation, the IEA said.

“We now have seen two straight years of greenhouse gas emissions decoupling from economic growth,” IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said in a statement.

“Coming just a few months after the landmark COP21 agreement in Paris, this is yet another boost to the global fight against climate change.” l

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Business

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

Fractured electorate hampers efforts to mend ‘slow puncture’ economy

Euro, Hong Kong dollar, US dollar, Japanese yen, pound and Chinese 100 yuan banknotes are seen in this picture illustration, in Beijing REUTERS

n Reuters, London The combination of a slow-growth world of shrinking policy options and the splintered political voting patterns it’s fostered is stifling the global economy at a critical juncture.

Preying on the minds of financial markets for the past year has been a fear that there’s no big economic policy bazooka to fire at another cyclical downturn or recession.

With major central banks maxed out at near zero interest rates and inflation rates still below target, spikes in investor alarm like the one seen in January are becoming more frequent as evidence of a China-led world slowdown mounts and oilled deflationary pressures persist.

Relentless pressure on global banking share prices - still half of what they were before the credit crisis - illustrates both the downsizing of that sector and persistent doubts about its future business model almost a decade after the sub-prime bust.

Implicitly accepting their central banks had little live ammunition left to cope with another recession, G20 finance chiefs last month tried to tilt toward fiscal spending and taxation as a preferred tool policy - at least for countries who could afford it.

But even if government intervention could be funded or economists convinced that ‘fiscal multipliers’ to spur the real economy were worth it, confidence in a political consensus to execute it is low given increasingly fragmented parliaments with rising numbers of parties and polarized views.

Describing a world economy with a ‘slow puncture’, HSBC’s economic adviser Stephen King this week painted a bleak picture of the coming years trapped in a ‘Japan-style deflation’ with monetary

or fiscal demand stimuli increasingly ineffective.

“Pumping up a deflated world economy ... will require both patience and a large dose of good luck,” he wrote, highlighting a need for underlying reforms of corporate and trade structures that, even if successful, may take years to bear fruit.

But the problem with fiscal stimuli or long-term structural reforms is they require a high degree of political buy-in across the spectrum - something ‘technocratic’ institutions such as the central banks rarely had to consider even as they adopted some of the more extraordinary policies of recent years.

And voters aren’t playing ball.

Disaffected by years of joblessness or sub-par wages, public service cuts or rising inequality, electorates have sought a variety of scapegoats from bankers to immigrants to globalization and multi-lateral institutions and the political establishment in general.

Politics splintered

Whether in German local elections this week, the wider euro zone in recent years, this year’s U.S. Presidential race or British referenda on Scotland’s secession and UK membership of the European Union, political fractionalization is rife.

And historians would say we should have seen this coming.

A study released late last year looked at elections and financial crises in 20 advanced countries going back to 1870. It showed support for far right parties rises most after these sorts of banking shocks - on average by about a third within five years - and this is as true of the postWorld War Two period as the more infamous example of the 1930s.

The other finding of the study - by German economists Manuel

Funke, Moritz Schularick and Christoph Trebesch - was that governing becomes more difficult after financial and banking crises in particular as ruling parties cede votes to oppositions and the number of parties within parliaments rises.

This second effect has become stronger over time, it said. And both outcomes are more marked than after regular recessions or other macroeconomic shocks that don’t involve banking crises.

“These developments likely hinder crisis resolution and contribute to political gridlock,” the authors wrote. “The resulting policy uncertainty may contribute to the much-debated slow economic recoveries from financial crises.”

The reasons for such an outsize political reaction to banking shocks are less measurable.

The writers say it could be because voters see financial crunches as ‘inexcusable’ problems resulting from domestic policy failures, moral hazard and cronyism whereas typical recessions are often seen as cyclical or due to international factors beyond the control of local politicians.

But a key reason for the backlash is that, unlike most other industries, banks are typically bailed out by government due to fears of a wider systemic failure and this leads to considerable popular resentment - particularly when the sheer cost of a bailout forces government cutbacks elsewhere.

The study showed the strongest electoral reaction to these crises was within the first five years and politics tended to return to more normal settings thereafter.

And so it speaks to the scale of 2007/2008 global banking collapse that political reverberations are still being felt, and in some cases intensifying, almost 10 years on.

While markets tend not to react violently to incremental political developments, there is a worry among many big investors that political surprises will sow ever more volatility as long as the world economy struggles to grow and that economic funk will in itself make those surprises more likely.

“We should expect the improbable to increase,” Mohamed El-Erian, chief economic adviser at Allianz, said on a trip to London this week. “The rise of anti-establishment parties is a product of low growth, rising inequality, a political system that’s failed to deliver and an over-reliance on central banks.”

But, he added: “Markets don’t price in extreme political outcomes until they’re faced with it.” l

Asian traders focus on Fed meeting n AFP, Hong Kong Asian investors traded cautiously yesterday ahead of the Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting, hoping the US central bank will provide some guidance on its plans for interest rates this year.

Crude also recovered after a sharp two-day sell-off, although there is growing nervousness over talks between key producers about a possible output freeze aimed at addressing a global supply glut.

With few catalysts to drive trade, investors played it safe before the end of the Fed meeting and a statement from its head, Janet Yellen.

While no new measures are ex-

pected from the meeting, Yellen’s comments will be pored over for clues to policymakers’ thinking after December’s first interest rate rise in almost a decade.

That rise was followed by two months of wild volatility across global markets that wiped trillions off valuations.

“We’re waiting for US monetary policy so it’s difficult for investors to rush in and buy,” Chihiro Ohta, general manager of investment information at SMBC Nikko Securities, told Bloomberg News.

“We need to see whether we’ll have one or two rate hikes this year, and whether the next one will come in June.” l

CORPORATE NEWS

City Bank and Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh have recently announced 4th Bangladesh Investment Summit, Asia. The summit will be organised by FianaceAsia in association with AsianInvestor and is scheduled to be held on 26 April 2016 in Hong Kong, said a press release. MD & CEO of City Bank, Sohail RK Hussain and Abrar A Anwar, CEO of Standard Chartered Bangladesh were present at the announcement ceremony

Air Touch Complex Ltd has recently signed an agreement with Bangladesh Finance and Investment Company Limited (BD Finance) on providing its customers with optimum facility for home loan from BD Finance. MD & CEO of BD Finance, Mafizuddin Sarker and chairperson of Air Touch Complex Ltd, Engineer Md Fayazur Rahman Bhuiyan signed the agreement, said a press release

Executive committee of Standard Bank Limited has recently held its 126th meeting, said a press release. The committee’s chairperson, Gulzar Ahmed presided over the meeting

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Editorial 15

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

INSIDE

‘Unless you get emancipation, you continue fighting’ Many leaders, many workers, many intellectuals, many government officials, were taken from custody and killed after being tortured for days. This inhuman torture I have never heard of in history.

Even the animal, even the tiger, will kill a man, but never like this PAGE 16-17

BIGSTOCK

Deficiencies in Obama’s pivot to Asia If the US doesn’t jump on this growth bandwagon, China will ride it to the ground, leaving nothing behind for Washington and its friends. And it’s not too late. The US can leverage China’s brutally indebted economy hanging off the precipice; its non-financial debt now stands at 250% of GDP. This egregious debt trickles down to the ‘wellperforming’ companies in pursuit of foreign acquisitions PAGE 18

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

The views expressed in Opinion articles are those of the authors alone. They do not purport to be the official view of Dhaka Tribune or its publisher.

Catch up with pace set by the Philippines

S

enate hearings in the Philippines on Tuesday revealed further details of how funds stolen from the Bangladesh Bank’s accounts at the US Federal Reserve found their way into the Philippines banking system.

The prompt and proactive actions by Philippines authorities and newspapers in investigating the case needs to be recognised.

While it is unfortunate that one of the six traders under investigation left Philipines before he could be stopped, the speed of official response there needs to be emulated by authorities in Bangladesh and elsewhere.

The Philipines Senate is now looking to plug a loophole in anti-money-laundering laws that made it easier for casinos to assist the illegal transfers. A presidential spokesman has urged the Philippines Anti-Money Laundering Council to initiate the introduction of necessary amendments.

By contrast, Bangladesh Bank’s delay in informing the government which led to the resignation of its governor reflects poorly on the state of accountability and governance in public institutions.

Both Bangladesh and Philippines only recently left the “grey list” of countries maintained by the multilateral Financial Action Task Force. Businesses in neither country can ill afford the increased cost and time of financial transactions with the rest of the world, which a return to the list would risk.

The government must put top priority on working closely with the Federal Reserve, Philippines authorities, Swift, and other international institutions and banks involved to restore full confidence in its security systems.

All questions about the competence and integrity of staff, and external consultants responsible for managing Bangladesh Bank’s security and IT systems, as well as the duty of care and co-operation provided by the Federal Reserve and international partners, need to be independently and throughly answered.

Bangladesh must catch up with the pace set in Philippines.

The speed of Philippines’ official response needs to be emulated by Bangladesh

16

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Interv

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

‘Unless you get emancipation, you cont

On January 18, 1972, Sir David Frost sat down with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. On the occasion of Bangaba

n Sir David Frost

H

ere in Chakrapadi, as you can probably see, life in the new-born State of Bangla Desh under their beloved leader Sheikh Mujibur is returning to normal -- or at least as normal as it possibly can be considering the events of the past few months.

It is estimated that 10,000 people died here in Chakrapadi alone; but now a new nation has been born, and today Sheikh Mujibur, the beloved leader of that new nation, talks on television for the first time. This is his story of the past few months of bloodshed out of which Bangla Desh has been born. Joi Bangla!

On the night that you were arrested, on the night when in fact West Pakistan was about to invade, at 8 o’clock you were at home on the night you were arrested and you got a warning, I believe, by phone that the army was on the way. Why did you decide to stay and be arrested?

You see, there is a most interesting story on this point. That evening, my house was surrounded by commandos and they wanted

to believe in. They think of you now as almost a God.

I don’t say that, but I say that they love me. I love them and I wanted to save their lives. But those brutes arrested me, destroyed my house, destroyed my village home where my old parents are living.

My father was 90 years of age, my mother was 80. They were living in my village house, my ancestral house in the interior of the village. They sent the army, drove my father and mother from the house and burned the house in front of them. So they had no shelter. This way they have burned everything.

I thought if they get me at least they will not kill my people. But I know my party is sufficiently strong enough. I have organised a party and the people who are behind it will fight it out. I told them, you must fight every inch.

I have told them it might be my last order until and unless you get emancipation, you continue fighting.

How did they actually arrest you?

It was 1:30 in the morning, wasn’t it? What happened?

They machine-gunned my house first.

What did she say?

Not a word. I only kissed her a farewell kiss.

I opened the door and came out and I told them to stop shooting.

I said: “Stop shooting, I’m here.

Why are you shooting, what for?”Then they started rushing from all sides, these military persons with bayonets, to charge me. One officer was here. He caught hold of me. “Don’t kill him,” he said.

Just one officer stopped them?

Yes. Then they took me, dragged me from here, and started giving me blows from the back on my legs and with the back of their guns started pushing me here and there.

The officer caught me, but still they were pushing and dragged me down. “Don’t drag me,” I said.

“Wait, allow me to bring my pipe and tobacco or get it from my wife; I require my pipe.”

Then I came up again and saw my wife standing with my two children. They brought the pipe for me and a small suitcase. I went away. I could see fire from all sides burning everywhere. They took me from here.

Many leaders, many workers, many intellectuals, many government officials, were taken from custody and killed after being tortured for days. This inhuman torture I have never heard of in history. Even the animal, even the tiger, will kill a man, but never like this

to kill me if I came out of the house, giving the names of my own people and saying that Mujib Rahman has been killed by the extremists of Bangla Desh.

Then they decided to take action by telling the world that we are negotiating with Mujibur Rahman but the extremists killed Mujibur Rahman and that Yahya Khan has no alternative but to take action against that. That was their first idea. I know they are brutes, uncivilised. They will kill my whole people. They will make a massacre. I thought it is better I die and at least save my people who love me so much.

You were right of course, because this is what in the past nine months made you such a symbol for people

Where were you when they arrived?

I was sitting in my bedroom. They started machine-gunning from that side. Some machine-guns were this side and from that side they started firing on the windows.

This was all destroyed?

All destroyed. I was with my family and a bullet entered my bedroom. My six-year old child was sleeping on the bed. My wife was here with two children.

Where did the Pakistani troops come in?

All sides, and they started shooting through the window.

Then I told my wife to sit here with my two children. I went out leaving my wife.

As you left your home at 32, Dhanmondi, did you think you would ever see it again?

I didn’t, I thought this was the last, but if I die as a leader with my head up, at least they will not be ashamed; but if I surrender to them, my nation, the people of my country cannot show their face to the world. It is better that I die keeping the prestige of my people.

Did the Pakistanis loot everything from your house? Why, why did they take everything?

I don’t know. They are not human beings, they are criminals, they are fanatics, inhuman, uncivilised creatures. Forget about this whole thing of mine. Think about them killing a two-year old child, a fiveyear old child, womenfolk. People

who had no hearths or homes. I have shown you how they burned the poor quarters. They were machine gunned from all sides and killed in the thousands.

What about your trial?

They made it a court-martial with five military officers and all civil officers.

What did they charge you with?

Treason, war against the Pakistan government, against the armed forces, wanting to make Bengal independent, and whatnot.

I believe that you discovered that in the next cell to you they were digging a grave.

Yes, just near my cell they dug a grave. I saw that.

And even when Yahya Khan was handing over to Mr Bhutto, I gather he again suggested that you should be hanged. Is that right?

Absolutely right. That is the most interesting story that Mr Bhutto told me. When Yahya Khan wanted to surrender power to Mr Bhutto, he said, “Mr Bhutto, I’ve created the greatest blunder by not killing Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”

If you came face to face with Yahya Khan today, what would you say?

He’s a criminal. I don’t like to see his photo even. He has killed my 3 million people of Bangla Desh through his soldiers.

Mr Bhutto has him under house arrest. What should Mr Bhutto do, do you think?

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THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

tinue fighting’

andhu’s birthday, we reproduce an abridged version of that historic interview At this moment in time as you look back, what would you say was your gladdest moment in the past year? What was the moment which provided the greatest happiness for you?

If I die as a leader with my head up, at least they will not be ashamed; but if I surrender to them, my nation, the people of my country, cannot show their face to the world. It is better that I die keeping the prestige of my people

only making a small change in my flag because in my flag there was a map of Bangla Desh. No country can give a map of its territory in their national flag.

Do you wish that on March 7, at the race course, you had declared the independent state of Bangla Desh then?

I knew what was to come and I declared in that meeting that this time the fight was for liberation, emancipation, and freedom.

If you had to say: “I, today, declare the independent state of Bangla Desh,” what would have happened?

You know what has happened in Bengal ? I will tell you. Three million people have been killed, including children, women, intellectuals, peasants, workers, students. At least 25% to 30% of houses are burned and looted in Bangla Desh.

And how do you know that the number was as high as three million?

Before my coming, my people had started collecting the information.

I have messages coming from all areas where I have a base. We have not finally concluded, it might be more, but definitely it will not be less than 3 million.

And it was Muslims killing Muslims?

They proclaim to be Muslims. How

the Muslims have killed Muslim girls. We tried to rescue thousands.

Many of them are still in our camps.

Their husbands are killed, fathers are killed.

In front of the father and mother they have raped daughters, in front of the son they’ve raped the mother. You can’t think of this. I cannot stop my tears. How these people can claim to be Mussalmans.

They are worse than animals.

Many leaders, many workers, many intellectuals, many government officials, were taken from custody and killed after being tortured for days and then killed. This inhuman torture I have never heard of in history. Even the animal, even the tiger, will kill a man but never like this.

What do you think now of Mr Bhutto? Do you think one day, as prime minister or as president of Pakistan, he will ever visit free Dacca? Will he ever come here for talks?

I don’t know. But let him recognise the reality now that Bangla Desh is an independent country, and then he should know that there is no use shouting that Bengal is his territory.

You have so much to do in the first week of a new country, you have also selected, for instance, a flag and a national anthem.

Yes. That was the flag used long before, but there is only a small change. This was our national song long before, but I wanted to give it official recognition and I have given the official recognition now. I’m

I didn’t want to do it that day particularly because I didn’t want to allow them then to tell the world that Mujibur Rahman has declared independence and we have no alternative but to hit back. I wanted them to hit us first and my people were ready to resist it.

They say, you know, you have the great power of leading Bangla Desh.

There is that old quote: “Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.” How will you stop power corrupting you?

You know that if a man like Yahya Khan comes to power by accident, he can be corrupt; but if a man comes through a process, struggling, suffering, fighting, whatever power you give him will not become corrupt.

The day that I heard that my people had been liberated, my people were independent and I have got Bangla Desh as an independent sovereign country. That was the happiest day of my life.

[Frost produces photographs] These pictures are pictures that we will never forget. They are pictures you know that moved the world. When you saw those pictures for the first time ...

I wish you hadn’t shown me for I become emotional [weeps].

You must be. What did you say when you first saw those pictures?

What could I say? I had no words to say. I became emotional. I started weeping. Tears come to my eyes even now. Innocent boys, innocent girls, innocent people were killed mercilessly by the Pakistan army.

They burned the houses, raped my people, raped my sisters and my mothers. That was the worst time of my life and I am a strong man.

Perhaps nobody has seen tears in my eyes but now tears are coming and I can’t stop them.

Prime Minister, could you offer a prayer in which the world could join?

I always pray that the world should come forward to help my people. I always expect that they should come forward for the sake of humanity and my unfortunate people of Bangla Desh.

No country in the world has suffered so much for their liberation as my people of Bangla Desh have suffered. I am very grateful to you, you are a friend of mine. I invited you to come and see for yourself. You have seen.

See some more, go, and move around. There is absolute law and order in my land. The question now does arise that if anybody asks you anything, do whatever you can do and give my good wishes as a prayer to the world.

I wish everybody good luck and I expect that everybody will come forward to help my hungry millions. Thank you my friend. God help you. Joi Bangla.

Joi Bangla. I’m sure the world will come forward and I’m sure that if it doesn’t, God will never forgive us. l Sir David Frost was a journalist and a television presenter.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

Long Form

Deficiencies in Obama’s pivot to Asia Soft power may be Obama’s only power in this plight. This is the concluding part of yesterday’s long form

Indonesia is at a critical juncture in its history, and Obama would do well to pay heed

If the US doesn’t jump on this growth bandwagon, China will ride it to the ground, leaving nothing behind for Washington and its friends. And it’s not too late. The US can leverage China’s brutally indebted economy hanging off the precipice; its non-financial debt now stands at 250% of GDP. This egregious debt trickles down to the ‘well-performing’ companies in pursuit of foreign acquisitions

n Refayat Mosaowir Haque

W

ith regards to trade, one of Obama’s greatest shortcomings was the exclusion of Indonesia and the Philippines from the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership).

Indonesia is the most populous country in ASEAN with 41% of the community’s share, while the Philippines comes in second possessing 16%.

Indonesia is ASEAN’s largest economy in terms of nominal GDP, and the only ASEAN member with a seat in the G20. Its second largest export market is China, with 12.4% of the share, while the US is merely fourth with 8.6%.

Indonesia runs a trade deficit of close to $7 billion with China, as its largest share of imports comes from there. The US is not even within the top five list of import-

ing countries. The archipelago remains a key supplier of LNG (liquefied natural gas) and coal to China’s energy-intensive coastal areas.

Indonesia holds a special place in the hearts of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) as one of China’s principal commodity suppliers, alongside Latin America and Africa, but likely has the CCP’s predilection due to geographic proximity. China invested heavily in the country’s commodities sectors; around $12bn from 2005 to 2014 in the gas, coal, and oil sectors, and $6.6bn during the same period in the steel industry.

Energy security is paramount for the CCP; investments in neighboring countries and relentless fortification of the People’s Liberation Army reflect its need to protect nearby energy sources and navigation channels to those sources. The Philippines

has also welcomed Chinese energy investments. Except, rather artfully, Beijing placed their bets on renewable resources there.

In 2012, China invested $4.9bn in the country’s agricultural sector for the production of ethanol and bio-ethanol, securing one million hectares for the cultivation of high-yielding strains of corn, rice, and sorghum required in ethanol production. Ethanol processing plants, cold-storage facilities, and shipyards are also being constructed for the eventual export of this renewable energy to China.

The Philippines is a vital trading partner of the US and its inclusion in the TPP could further secure its place in Washington’s periphery, leaving it less susceptible to Beijing’s influence.

China has a slightly larger share of the country’s imports, at 13.1% compared to the US’ 10.9% -- a gap small enough for the US to close.

REUTERS

Trumping China as the country’s main importee would come closer to fruition under the auspices of a Philippine membership in the TPP. However, it is overriding that we return to the question of Indonesia, as it is the largest economy in ASEAN with the potential to become the “I” in what could be “BRICSI” in a decades time.

It would have been prudent for the Obama administration to include Indonesia in the original TPP grouping. Membership in the TPP may have been able to preclude the inexorable rise of Chinese investment and trade deficit in the country.

Indonesia is at a critical juncture in its history, as it departs from its historically protectionist stance. Last month, President Widodo announced reforms to liberalise sectors with as much as full foreign ownership in some, 67% in health-care, and around 49% in one’s surrounding transportation.

Further allaying investors’ fears, last month, he took steps to strengthen the Corruption Eradication Commission by gainsaying proposed legislative amendments designed to limit the Commission’s freedom of investigation.

As Indonesia’s vibrant and lucrative industries open up, large Chinese SOEs and privatised firms with state backing will be more effective in consolidating

themselves in the archipelago than their American counterparts.

Over the past few years, we have witnessed numerous foreign buyouts by the Chinese. In fact, ChemChina is presently offering $44bn for Swiss agrochemical giant, Syngenta. They seem to have blank checks.

Given Indonesia’s potential, its inclusion in the TPP is indispensable. In fact, a recent IMF (International Monetary Fund) forecast posits Indonesia to sustain close to 5.6% average annual growth, starting this year, going up to 2020, standing third after India (7.6%) and China (6.2%).

Furthermore, Indonesia is a country of relatively little debt compared to the US itself and India. The ratio of public debt to GDP in the US is 100%, in India it’s 50%, and in Indonesia it’s only 27%. Coupled with a populist reform-minded leadership stabilising the country, and making it more business-friendly by opening up industries and enacting fiscally responsible measures like abolishing fuel subsidies, investors are assured of high returns by virtue of prolonged boost to productivity.

If the US doesn’t jump on this growth bandwagon, China will ride it to the ground, leaving nothing behind for Washington and its friends. And it’s not too late. The US can leverage China’s brutally indebted economy hanging off the precipice; its non-financial debt now stands at 250% of GDP. This egregious debt trickles down to the “well-performing” companies in pursuit of foreign acquisitions. American firms with capital to invest abroad tend to have better balance sheets, and therefore are more likely to upend Chinese competitors in the long run.

As China’s faltering economy engenders revelations of structural weaknesses inside its investing apparatus, the TPP will inadvertently grow stronger, paving the way for Obama’s “Pivot to Asia” policy to adopt a more assertive posture in the region.

However, this is only possible through pre-emptive economic patronage of developing nations in Southeast Asia like Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Laos.

Soft power may be Obama’s only power in this plight. l Refayat Mosaowir Haque writes from Singapore. He has previously been associated with Atlantic Council and BEI.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

| plaudits |

| business tech |

UIU’s vice chancellor selected as lecturer of IEEE

WE Smart Solutions for the next generation

United International University’s vice chancellor, Prof Dr M Rezwan Khan has been selected as the distinguished lecturer of IEEE for his outstanding research work on DC Power system for the year of 2017-2018. IEEE is the world’s largest professional Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

A total of 12 professors from

around the world have earned this honour, of them three are from USA, two from the UK, three from Canada, one from Denmark, one from Argentina, one from Korea and one professor from Bangladesh. Prof Dr M Rezwan Khan has achieved this prestigious honour of IEEE’s distinguished lecturer. l

With an understanding of the growing need of cloud storage technology, Aamra Company has recently introduced WE Smart Solutions, which is a combination of a smartphone, cloud storage service and free Wi-Fi. Muntasir Ahmed, head of Marketing of WE Smart Solutions, says: “We have taken care of the entire user experience by incorporating three major features: a quality smartphone with an additional storage of 100GB and the best WiFi browsing facility in selected locations all over Bangladesh. As part of our launching campaign, we are asking consumers what is next. Why not demand more from your phone?”

Both the free Wi-Fi and cloud storage features, coupled with cutting edge WE smart device, offer unique advantages exclusive for WE Smart

DT

Biz Info

Solutions users. For instance, Aamra company offers free Wi-Fi hotspots at 500 strategic locations across the country, and the number of locations is poised to increase to over 1,500 by the end of this year.

The WE users will be able to use the Wi-Fi solution for free in those locations, as can other smartphone users. However, WE users, using a pre-installed special app in their phone, will be able to use Wi-Fi at a better speed compared to other smartphones. The Wi-Fi service will be available in renowned public and private universities across Bangladesh, as well as in hospitals, public organisations, National Press Club, Chittagong Press Club, restaurants, coffee houses, and other hangout and waiting sites.

Another special feature

is the cloud service or “WE” Cloud. Cloud storage services offer significantly more storage facilities.

They provide a specific amount of data storage for free (money will be charged if more data is used). The data centres of Aamra Companies are situated right here in Bangladesh, which makes uploading much faster. We Smart Solutions provides cloud storage services ranging from 25GB to 100GB, depending on the device model.

Aamra Company has introduced five smartphones with five separate packages. The models are L1, V1, B1, R1, the flagship model being X1. Every model is fitted with a separate Smart Solution package. For example, the cheapest in the bunch, the L1, comes with a 25GB cloud storage at only Tk4,250.

The R1 is priced at Tk5,900 (25GB), B1 at Tk7,700 (30GB), V1 at Tk8,500 (50GB), and X1 at Tk18,600 (100GB). Every single package comes with a free one-year after-sales service and warranty.

The company will soon launch 12 customer care centres to serve the WE Smart Solutions users. l

| culture | | visit |

Celebrating spring

| location change |

MasterChef judge Matt Preston in Dhaka

Belleza Beauty Parlour and Spa Belleza Beauty Parlour and Spa, well known for its bridal packages as well as hair treatments, has recently moved to a new location which is on Level-2, House-51, Khan Tower, Sonargaon Janapath, Sector-7, Uttara, Dhaka.l

On March 15, the entire Dhaka University campus was painted with shades of yellow. Girls of all ages were crowned with flower tiaras and boys were spotted in yellow panjabis. “Dhaka University Boshonto Utshab” was organised by its cultural society. For the very first time it took place at the Mall Chattar premises at Dhaka University.

The event was chaired by

AAMS Arefin Siddique, who said, “These kinds of programs are essential to illustrate the involvement of young generation in culture.”

Aly Zaker, who also graced the program, urged to celebrate dimensional and diversified seasonal festivals as a way to promote unification among religions and eradicate sectarianism. l

Popular cooking reality show MasterChef Australia’s judge, world famous food critic and food journalist Matt Preston is coming to Bangladesh at the end of this month. He is coming to Bangladesh for the first time, to take part in the “Meet Matt” competition hosted by Bangladesh’s most prestigious cookie brand – Rivoli.

Matt Preston is the brand endorser of the international standard and delicious Rivoli

Cookies. Unimech Food Factory’s Rivoli branded cookies have made a significant impact in the market in a very short span of time. Rivoli’s “Meet Matt Preston” campaign is now running in all the leading super shops in the country and anyone can get the chance to meet Matt Preston and enjoy eating Rivoli cookies with the world famous food critic by participating in the campaign. l

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20

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Missive (6) 6 Sharp blow (3) 9 Once more (5) 10 Flower (4) 11 Hillock (5) 12 Liable (3) 13 Parts of a play (6) 15 Becomes firm (4) 18 Floor coverings (4) 21 Be uneasy (6) 24 Tool (3) 25 Nimble (5) 28 Go down (4) 29 Lowest point (5) 30 Attempt (3) 31 Useful things (6)

DOWN 1 Sources of light (5) 2 Self (3) 3 Mock (5) 4 Metal (3) 5 Extremities (4) 6 Soft sheepskin leather (4) 7 Way of viewing (6) 8 Favourites (4) 14 Tree (3) 16 Panacea (6) 17 Droop (3) 19 Dwell (5) 20 Prophets (5) 21 Quick (4) 22 Repudiate (4) 23 Make brown (4) 26 Fuel (3) 27 Ignited (3)

Downtime CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 14 represents Y so fill Y every time the figure 14 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 DE FG H I JK L MN 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

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World 21

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

INSIDE

Trump, Clinton solidly on course for party nominations n Tribune Desk

Seat at geopolitical table allowed Putin Syria pullout Vladimir Putin cited Russian military success in Syria as his reason for scaling back his forces there.

But his belief that the intervention delivered him a seat at the top table of world affairs is more likely to have tipped his hand.

PAGE 22

India’s billion-member biometric database raises privacy fears India’s parliament is set to pass legislation that gives federal agencies access to the world’s biggest biometric database in the interests of national security, raising fears the privacy of a billion people could be compromised.

PAGE 23

Obama nominates veteran moderate judge for SCOTUS President Barack Obama nominated veteran appellate court judge Merrick Garland to the US Supreme Court on Wednesday, setting up a potentially ferocious political showdown with Senate Republicans who have vowed to block any Obama nominee.

PAGE 24

Donald Trump offered himself Wednesday as the inevitable Republican presidential nominee, warning that if party leaders try to deny him the nomination at a contested convention when he is leading the delegate count, “You’d have riots.”

The brash billionaire, who won at least three more states Tuesday but doesn’t yet have the needed majority of delegates to secure the nomination, predicted he’d collect enough support to win the nomination outright before the Republican convention this summer.

“There’s going to be a tremendous problem” if the Republican establishment tries to outmaneuver him at the convention, Trump said.

Democrat Hillary Clinton, who moved closer to becoming the first woman in US history to win a major party nomination after winning at least four states Tuesday, took direct aim at Trump.

“Our commander-in-chief has to be able to defend our country, not embarrass it,” Clinton said in a speech that largely ignored rival Bernie Sanders. “We can’t lose what made America great in the first place.”

With anti-Trump Republicans frantically seeking scenarios to deny the billionaire businessman the party nomination, Trump suggested to morning TV shows that the party establishment already was starting to support him.

Without naming names, Trump said some of the same Republican senators who are publicly critical of him have called privately to say they want to “become involved” in his campaign.

Trump also said Clinton, the former secretary of state and first lady, would be “a major embarrassment for the country” and added that she “doesn’t have the strength or the stamina to be president.”

The Republican front-runner also said he’d skip a debate scheduled for Monday, saying, “I think we’ve had enough debates.”

Trump won Tuesday in Florida, North Carolina, and Illinois but fell in Ohio to that state’s governor, John Kasich. Clinton triumphed in the Florida, Illinois, Ohio and North Carolina primaries. Votes were also being counted in Missouri, though races in both parties there were too close to call.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio dropped out Tuesday after losing his home state to Trump.

Kasich on Wednesday told NBC that neither Trump nor Texas Senator Cruz, the other remaining Republican candidate, can win the general election.

But after Tuesday’s contests, it’s mathematically impossible for the Ohio governor to win a majority of delegates before the party’s national convention in July.

Even House Speaker Paul Ryan did not rule out the idea of being drafted by the party at the Republican convention.

“People say, ‘What about the contested convention?’” Ryan said in an interview with CNBC. “I say, well, there are a lot of people running for president. We’ll see.

Who knows?”

With more than half the delegates awarded through six weeks of primary voting, Trump is the only Republican candidate with a realistic path to the 1,237 delegates needed to clinch the nomination through the traditional route. Trump’s Florida victory brought his delegate total to 621.

Cruz has 396 and Kasich 138. Rubio left the race with 168.

Cruz is in better position than Kasich but faces a daunting math-

The US delegate count so far Situation after the latest results

DEMOCRATS

2,382 Needed to clinch nomination 4,763

Total delegates

1,599

Hillary Clinton 1,132 Bernie Sanders 818

Total with ‘super delegates’ Pledged delegates

844

REPUBLICANS 2,472

Total delegates

674

Donald Trump Ted Cruz

413

Marco Rubio

172

John Kasich

146

Pledged delegates

1,237 Needed to clinch nomination

Withdrawn from the race

Source: thegreenpapers, democraticconventionwatch

ematical challenge after losing four of five contests Tuesday. The fiery conservative needs to claim roughly 75% of the remaining delegates to earn the delegate majority, according to Associated Press delegate projections.

On the Democratic side, Clinton’s victories were blows to Sand-

ers and bolstered her argument that she’s the best Democrat to take on the eventual Republican nominee. Her win in Ohio was a particular relief for her campaign, which grew anxious after Sanders pulled off a surprising win last week in another Midwestern industrial state, Michigan. l

Leading contenders for the US presidential vote Donald Trump

Hillary Clinton

DEMOCRAT Former secretary of state, former first lady, and the first female partner of her Arkansas law firm Started her own formal political career as a Democratic senator in 2000, after working on health care reform plans as first lady

REPUBLICAN THE PERSON

Considered on the right of mainstream Republicanism POLITICS

Strong support from women Democrats and minorities Gradual reform of Wall Street Tighten gun laws Expand university scholarships Immigration reform to simplify citizenship for illegal migrants

Billionaire real estate tycoon and former reality TV star

Popular with grassroots conservatives, white working and middle classes A wall on the Mexican border

PROMISES

Deport millions of illegal immigrants To “stand up to China” “Make America great again”

Torchbearer of American Reputation for talking women, has talked of tough, “say-it-as-it-is” the need to address REPUTATION honesty, disdain for the “political class”, racism and economic controversial comments about women, Mexicans and Muslims disparities

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THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

ANALYSIS

Seat at geopolitical table allowed Putin Syria pullout n Reuters, Moscow Vladimir Putin cited Russian military success in Syria as his reason for scaling back his forces there. But his belief that the intervention delivered him a seat at the top table of world affairs is more likely to have tipped his hand.

Russia’s Syria operation, launched on September 30 last year, made military, diplomatic and domestic political sense for the Kremlin which was keen to shore up its closest Middle East ally and protect its only naval facility on the Mediterranean. It has largely achieved both aims.

But an analysis of comments made by the Russian president and other officials, and conversations with people familiar with his thinking, suggests his primary aim was to make Russia so indispensable to the Syrian peace process that it could regain a measure of the global clout the Soviet Union once enjoyed.

“Russia has returned to the global board of directors,” said Alexander Baunov, a senior associate at the Carnegie Moscow Center. “(It has returned) to the table where world and regional powers decide the fate of others’ conflicts and Russia is clearly not a local but a world player.”

Putin is famously inscrutable and unpredictable, and his decision to draw down in Syria was no exception. He confides in only a small coterie of people around him, and it came as a total surprise for many in the Kremlin and the defence ministry.

State propaganda outlets spoke on Tuesday of a “mission accomplished”, a phrase that deliberately mimicked the one plastered on a US warship in 2003 when President George W Bush declared the end of major combat operations in Iraq.

The real mission, some say, was to give Russia a say in world affairs.

In the space of six months it has gone from being a pariah state in the West because of its annexation of Crimea and support for pro-Kremlin rebels in eastern Ukraine to being the go-to partner over Syria. Once spurned by Western leaders, it is now a regular interlocutor for both Washington and EU leaders.

“Putin has already got all the political benefits,” said Nikolai Petrov, a political expert at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow. “It is better to withdraw before costs increase, before any accident can happen, and before the risks become too high.”

It is estimated the five-month operation has cost the Kremlin $700-$800m. The human cost has been higher. Although the official Russian military body count is just four, Dae’sh claimed it blew up a Russian passenger plane over Egypt in October, killing all 224 people onboard, in revenge for Syria.

New world order

Reasserting Russia’s global voice is crucial to Putin, who has been alternately president and prime minister for over 15 years, and is thought to have a close eye on his historical legacy while showing no signs of wanting to leave the Kremlin.

He has long pushed for a new multilateral world order where other powers counter-balance US influence.

In a speech to the UN in September, in a barely disguised dig at the US, he complained of the “arrogance, exceptionalism and impunity” of those he said had engineered the Arab spring.

Dmitry Medvedev, his prime minister and ally, outlined the world order the Kremlin craved as recently as last month, evoking the 1962 Cuban missile crisis as a model of how Moscow and Washington were able to solve dangerous crises.

He said he believed the world’s powers could come together in “a fair and equal union” to maintain global peace.

Russian officials say recent events show how Moscow has, once again, come to matter.

They point out that it was Russia, along with the US, which co-brokered the current cessation of hostilities in Syria, however fragile. Officials also rarely miss a chance to note that it is the Americans who have time and time again come to them for help over Syria.

John Kerry, the US Secretary of State, flew to Moscow in December to discuss Syria with Putin, and has recently spoken almost daily to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Kremlin and White House statements confirm. Even Putin’s critics have recognised the clout Syria has gifted the Russian leader.

“There’s one man on this planet who can end the civil war

Russia’s intervention in Syria 2015

Sept 30 First air strikes on Syria

Strikes since September 30, 2015

Oct 7 Russian warships in the Caspian

Sea fleet launch cruise missile attacks Oct 20 Russian President Vladimir Putin invites Syria’s Bashar al-Assad to Moscow Nov 24 Turkey shoots down a Russian warplane on the Syrian border Dec 9 A Russian submarine in the Mediterranean launches strikes 2016 Feb 1 Regime offensive against rebel forces around Aleppo supported by Russian warplanes Feb 24 A truce comes into force in

combat zones between regime forces and rebels Putin orders the withdrawal Mar 14 of Russian forces

Latakia

Hasakeh

Manbij Aleppo

Idlib

Raqa Deir Ezzor

Hama

Tartus

IRAQ

Homs

Palmyra

LEBANON

DAMASCUS Daraa JORDAN

Source: IHS Conflict Monitor

in Syria by making a phone call and that’s Mr Putin,” Philip Hammond, Britain’s foreign secretary, told BBC TV last month.

Not a complete success?

TURKEY

Izaz

Domestically, the intervention helped keep Putin’s ratings near record highs and served as a useful distraction at a time of economic pain. Amid brass bands and rousing speeches, state TV on Tuesday presented the decision to start drawing down forces as the culmination of a short, victorious war.

But though Putin’s partial Syria withdrawal may be seen as a diplomatic coup by some, his country’s return to the world stage has not been a complete success.

60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Strikes per day

Sept 30

2015

2016

March 3

US and EU sanctions imposed over the Ukraine crisis remain in place and compound a domestic financial crisis made worse by the collapse in oil prices.

And the decision to scale back Russian forces was, some analysts believe, conversely dictated more by weakness and a realisation that Russia could not make a deal with the West over Syria to lift sanctions on it.

For others, the news came as a complete and inexplicable surprise, say Putin’s motives are unfathomable.

“None of us knows what the intent of Mr Putin is when he carries out any action, which is why he is a very difficult partner in any situation like this,” Britain’s Hammond said on Tuesday. l

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THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

INSIGHT

SOUTH ASIA

India’s billion-member biometric database raises privacy fears n Reuters, New Delhi India’s parliament is set to pass legislation that gives federal agencies access to the world’s biggest biometric database in the interests of national security, raising fears the privacy of a billion people could be compromised.

The move comes as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cracks down on student protests and pushes a Hindu nationalist agenda in state elections, steps that some say erode India’s traditions of tolerance and free speech.

It could also usher in surveillance far more intrusive than the US telephone and internet spying revealed by former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden in 2013, some privacy advocates said.

The Aadhaar database scheme, started seven years ago, was set up to streamline payment of benefits and cut down on massive wastage and fraud, and already nearly a billion people have registered their finger prints and iris signatures.

Now the BJP, which inherited the scheme, wants to pass new provisions including those on national security, using a loophole to bypass the opposition in parliament.

“Can the government ... assure us that this Aadhaar card and the data that will be collected under it - biometric, biological, iris scan, finger print, everything put together - will not be misused as has been done by the NSA in the US?” questioned Tathagata Satpathy, a

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World

Factfile on Aadhaar Bill Ü The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016, better known as Aadhaar Bill, was introduced in Lok Sabha on March 3. Ü The Bill intends to provide for targeted delivery of subsidies and services to individuals residing in India by assigning them unique identity numbers. Ü The Parliament is debating on the certain portions of the Bill, which may need clarification or amendments-1. Allowing private agencies to use Aadhaar contradicts statement of objects and reasons of the Bill, 2. Issues with sharing informalawmaker from Odisha.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has defended the legislation in parliament, saying Aadhaar saved the government an estimated Rs150bn ($2.2bn) in the 2014-15 financial year alone.

A finance ministry spokesman added that the government had taken steps to ensure citizens’ privacy would be respected and the authority to access data was exercised only in rare cases.

According to another government official, the new law is in fact more limited in scope than the decades-old Indian Telegraph Act, which permits national security agencies and tax authorities to intercept telephone conversations of individuals in the interest of public safety.

tion collected under Aadhaar, 3. Disclosure of information to intelligence or law enforcement agencies, 4. Potential to profile individuals, 5. Unique Identification authority’s exclusive power to make complaints.

6. Discretionary powers of Unique Identification Authority of India, 7. Collection of personal information 8. Ambiguity in specifying biometric information, 9. Time period for maintaining authentication records Source: PRS LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH, HINDUSTAN TIMES

‘Police state’

Those assurances have not satisfied political opponents and people from religious minorities, including India’s sizeable Muslim community, who say the database could be used as a tool to silence them.

“We are midwifing a police state,” said Asaduddin Owaisi, an opposition MP. Raman Jit Singh Chima, global policy director at Access, an international digital rights organisation, said the proposed Indian law lacked the transparency and oversight safeguards found in Europe or the US, which last year reformed its bulk telephone surveillance programme.

He pointed to the US Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, which must approve many sur-

veillance requests made by intelligence agencies, and European data protection authorities as oversight mechanisms not present in the Indian proposal.

The Indian government brought the Aadhaar legislation to the upper house of parliament on Wednesday in a bid to secure passage before lawmakers go into recess.

To get around its lack of a majority there, the BJP is presenting it as a financial bill, which the upper chamber cannot reject. It can return it to the lower house, where the ruling party has a majority.

In its assessment of the measure, New Delhi-based PRS Legislative Research said law enforcement agencies could use someone’s Aadhaar number as a link across various datasets such as telephone and air travel records.

That would allow them to recognise patterns of behaviour and detect potential illegal activities.

But it could also lead to harassment of individuals who are identified incorrectly as potential security threats, PRS said.

Sunil Abraham, executive director of the Bengaluru-based Centre for Internet and Society, said Aaadhaar created a central repository of biometrics for almost every citizen of the world’s most populous democracy that could be compromised.

“It is very easy to capture iris data of any individual with the use of next generation cameras.

Imagine a situation where the police is secretly capturing the iris data of protesters and then identifying them through their biometric records,” he said. l

Bomb on bus kills 15 in Pakistan

Argentina sinks Chinese trawler fishing illegally

n Reuters, Peshawar

n Reuters, Buenos Aires

A bomb on a bus carrying government employees in the Pakistani city of Peshawar killed 15 people on Wednesday, officials said.

The attack took place on a main road after the bus picked up government workers from districts surrounding Peshawar and was taking them to work in the city.

Senior police official Mohammad Kashif said 15 people were killed and 35 wounded. A hospital official said the death toll was likely to rise.

Lashkar-e-Islam, a militant group allied with the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility, saying it was to avenge a military court’s sentencing of 13 militants to death on Tuesday. l

Argentina’s coast guard has sunk a Chinese trawler that was fishing illegally within its territorial waters, the Latin America’s coast guard said on Tuesday, marking a first test for relations between President Mauricio Macri and Beijing.

A coast guard vessel pursued the fishing vessel Lu Yan Yuan Yu 010 toward international waters in a high-seas chase on Monday, firing warning shots across the Chinese boat’s bow as it attempted to raise the crew by radio.

“On several occasions, the offending ship performed maneuvers designed to force a collision with the coast guard, putting at risk not only its own crew but

Turkmenistan’s president in Pakistan for talks on TAPI pipeline Turkmenistan’s president has arrived in Pakistan on a two-day visit that is likely to focus on a proposed gas pipeline from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan, Pakistan and on to India. The project, known as TAPI, is aimed at meeting the regional energy needs. The four countries’ leaders broke ground for the billion dollars project in December 2015.

-AP

INDIA

Indian government admits definition of sedition law is very wide The Narendra Modi-led government on Wednesday told Parliament that the sedition law was a broad-brush measure and needed a review, a month after the arrest of Jawaharlal Nehru University students’ union leader Kanhaiya Kumar on charges of treason, leading to a political outcry. -THE HINDU

CHINA

China opens South China Sea tsunami alert centre China has set up a tsunami alert centre in the South China Sea, the head of the country’s maritime regulator said on Wednesday, in Beijing’s latest effort to bolster its jurisdiction in the disputed waters.

The tsunami alert centre is under construction but has already begun initial operations, Wang Hong, the chief of the State Oceanic Administration told reporters. -AFP

ASIA PACIFIC

Japan ruling party considers international arbitration over E China Sea dispute Japan’s ruling party urged Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government on Wednesday to consider seeking international arbitration over Beijing’s drilling activities in the disputed East China Sea, mirroring similar action by the Philippines.

Wednesday’s resolution by the Liberal Democratic Party called on Abe’s government to consider taking the case to an international arbitration court.

-REUTERS

MIDDLE EAST

UN, US slam Israel’s latest seizure of land in West Bank An video grab of the Chinese flagged fishing vessel, the China Yan Lu Yuan Yu 010, off Argentina’s Atlantic coast REUTERS coast guard personnel, who were then ordered to shoot parts of the vessel,” the coast guard said in a statement.

The crew abandoned ship when the vessel began to go down. Four crewmen were rescued by the coast guard while

others were picked up by another Chinese vessel shadowing the pursuit.

China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement the Chinese government had lodged a protest over the incident and were demanding an explanation. l

The UN has urged Israel to halt and reverse its illegal land appropriation in the occupied West Bank, calling the latest seizure an impediment to the two-State solution. The US also criticized the move as undermining a long-term solution. COGAT, the Israeli military body that oversees Palestinian civilian affairs, confirmed Wednesday that about 580 acres near the West Bank city of Jericho were declared government land. -AP

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THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

USA

Rubio exits White House race after Florida loss Republican Marco Rubio, the US senator from Florida, dropped out of the race for the White House on Tuesday after suffering a bruising loss to frontrunner Donald Trump in his home state. Rubio’s exit comes as a heavy blow to the Republican establishment, which had hoped the fresh-faced senator might wrestle the nomination from Trump while also keeping Cruz on the sidelines.

-AFP

THE AMERICAS

Brazil’s Lula to be Rousseff chief of staff Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff will appoint her predecessor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as chief of staff, a government leader in Congress said on Wednesday, in a move that offers him some protection from a corruption probe as he helps to steer her through a political crisis. The leader of the government in the lower house of Congress, Jose Guimaraes of the ruling Workers’ Party, said on Twitter that Lula would become Rousseff ’s top aide.

-AFP

UK

No plans to send British troops to Libya The first independent review commissioned by the church into its handling of a sex abuse case highlights the deeply disturbing failure of those in senior positions to record or take action on the survivor’s disclosures over a period of almost four decades. The church acknowledged the report was embarrassing and uncomfortable.

-AFP

EUROPE

EU sees Turkey migrant deal as temporary European Council President Donald Tusk has stressed in a note to EU leaders that a planned deal with Turkey to stem the flow of migrants to Greek islands will be a temporary and extraordinary measure. It stresses the need for asylum seekers landing in Greece to be returned to Turkey only after their claims are reviewed under EU law and that Turkey will protect them. -REUTERS

AFRICA

Two suicide bombs kill 22 at mosque in Nigeria Two female suicide bombers killed 22 people on Wednesday at a mosque outside the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, the heart of a seven-year-old insurgency by Islamist Boko Haram militants, a military spokesman said. The attack, which also wounded 18 people, occurred during morning prayers in the village of Ummarari, 6km from the centre of the capital of Borno state. -REUTERS

INSIGHT

Taliban reject Pakistan pressure on peace process in back-channel meetings n Reuters, Islamabad/Peshawar Pakistani officials threatened to expel Afghanistan’s Taliban from bases in Pakistan if they did not join peace talks this month, but the militants rebuffed their traditional patron, two officials said, casting doubt on how much influence Islamabad retains over them.

After the secret meetings with Pakistani officials about two weeks ago, the Taliban’s Supreme Council met at an undisclosed location and voted to reject the talks scheduled for early March with the Afghan government, according to a council member.

Instead, the insurgents are now pouring back into Afghanistan for what they say will be a fierce spring offensive to be launched soon.

Pakistan’s influence over the insurgents is the lynchpin to the peace plan developed over last few months by Afghanistan, Pakistan, the US and China to bring an end to the 15-year-old war in Afghanistan.

A Pakistani official in Islamabad said the Taliban’s recent success on the battlefield inside Afghanistan had changed the equation.

“They no longer need their Pakistan bases in the same way, so if Pakistan threatens to expel them, it does not have the same effect,” said the official, a retired military officer close to the talks.

The insurgents have won new zones of influence - if not outright control - from Afghan security forces since the US and its allies pulled most combat troops from Afghanistan at the end of 2014, Afghan and Western officials acknowledge.

Nafees Zakaria, a spokesman for Pakistan’s Foreign Office, said he had no knowledge of meetings with the Taliban but added: “We usually don’t know who has met with whom” in the sensitive and high-level peace initiative.

In Kabul, however, members of the Afghan government were sceptical about Pakistan’s assertions.

“Pakistan’s honesty and sincerity with regard to the Afghan peace process has always been a question,” said an Afghan cabinet member, echoing the sentiment of several officials interviewed there.

Pakistan’s military has long been accused of fostering the Taliban as a way of pursuing regional rivalry with India.

Pakistani officials, however, deny the charge and insist the government and military recognise that Afghanistan’s war threatens their own security .

‘Their dream’

A member of the Taliban’s leadership council, or Shura, whose members are mostly based in Pa-

A file picture taken on November 3 last year shows Afghan Taliban fighters listening to Mullah Mohammad Rasool Akhund (unseen), the newly appointed leader of a breakaway faction of the Taliban at Farah province AFP kistan and Afghanistan but also travel between Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, said rebel representatives met in Islamabad with Pakistani officials a little more than two weeks ago.

“They have asked our representatives to bring more decision-making people to the next meeting ... to the meeting with US and Afghan officials. This is their dream, but they will not be able to see our senior commanders,” the Taliban council member said.

The Taliban source had knowledge of, but did not attend, the meeting with Pakistani officials in Islamabad. He was at the sub-

sequent Taliban council meeting to decide on whether to join the peace talks.

The pro-talks camp largely comprised supporters of nominal Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour, believed to be hiding in Pakistan after being shot in a leadership dispute last year and rumoured killed, and his chief rival, Mullah Mohammad Rasoul, who is believed to be in Afghanistan.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid declined to comment on any meetings with Pakistani representatives. He confirmed the Leadership Council meeting but would not give details. l

Trump warns of possible riots Obama nominates veteran moderate judge for SCOTUS if GOP denies nomination n AFP, Washington, DC Donald Trump w a r n e d We d n e s d a y that “riots” could break out if he is denied the Republican presidential nomination despite having won most of the party’s primary and caucus elections.

“We’re way ahead of everybody.

I don’t think you can say that we don’t get it automatically,” Trump told CNN the morning after his latest round of primary victories.

“I think you would have riots,” he said. “I’m representing many, many millions of people.”

Trump, who has never held elected office, has dominated the 2016 presidential campaign thus far with his bombastic style and his unexpectedly strong popularity with masses of American voters.

But while Trump is the front-

runner for the nomination, political observers believe he may fall short of the 1,237 delegates needed for an outright win. That could lead to a complicated process of horsetrading and backroom dealing at the party convention in Cleveland this summer which supporters fear could result in someone other than Trump being named the Republican standard bearer.

“Now, if you disenfranchise those people and say, ‘I’m sorry, you’re 100 votes short, even though the next one is 500 votes short, I think you would see problems like you’ve never seen before. I think bad things would happen. I really do,” he told CNN. Trump’s incendiary attacks on immigrants, threats of mass deportations and a proposal for a wall on the border with Mexico have ignited the campaign trail and drawn condemnation in some quarters, including President Barack Obama. l

n Reuters, Washington, DC President Barack Obama nominated veteran appellate court judge Merrick Garland to the US Supreme Court on Wednesday, setting up a potentially ferocious political showdown with Senate Republicans who have vowed to block any Obama nominee.

Considered a moderate, Garland, 63, is currently chief judge of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. He was picked to replace long-serving conservative Justice Antonin Scalia, who died on February 13.

Garland, a former prosecutor, who Obama also considered when he filled two previous Supreme Court vacancies.

In a foreshadowing of the pressure campaign the White House and its allies plan to wage in the coming weeks, the White House noted that seven current Republican US senators voted to confirm Garland to the

Judge Merrick Garland

REUTERS

DC Circuit court in 1997.

Garland, who has earned praise from lawmakers of both side of the aisle, was named to his current job by Democratic President Bill Clinton in 1997, winning Senate confirmation in a 76-23 vote. Prior to that, he worked in the Justice Department during the Clinton administration.

The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has served as a springboard to the Supreme Court for several justices including Scalia in recent decades. l

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THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

INSIDE

Talking Points: Missing Mustafiz Pacer Mustafizur Rahman was badly missed when the Bangladesh bowlers were being humbled by the Pakistan batsmen. The presence of Mustafiz might not have ensured a better display but his presence would have calmed down his fellow bowlers. PAGE 26

Bangladesh to face Redknapp’s Jordan Bangladesh football team are all set to gain the experience of playing against a side managed by former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp, who has agreed to take over as manager of Jordan for their last two matches of the 2018 Fifa World Cup second round qualifiers. PAGE 27

City ignore injuries to secure QFs Celebration was tinged with disappointment for Man City who eased into the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time on Tuesday but lost Vincent Kompany to injury in a 0-0 draw with Dynamo Kiev. PAGE 28

United in Liverpool crosshairs Five-time European Cup champions Liverpool will aim to finish off eternal rivals Manchester United when England’s two most successful and decorated sides clash in the Europa League last 16, second leg at the Theatre Of Dreams today. PAGE 29

Bangladesh opener Soumya Sarkar is bowled by Pakistan's Mohammad Amir during their ICC World Twenty20 2016 match in Kolkata yesterday

200 is always difficult to chase, says Mashrafe n Mazhar Uddin from Kolkata Bangladesh experienced a tough start to their 2016 World Twenty20 Super 10 campaign yesterday as Pakistan registered a comfortable 55-run win at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Taking first guard, Pakistan posted an impressive 201/5, riding on quickfire knocks from opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad, onedrop Mohammad Hafeez and captain Shahid Afridi.

Later, the Tigers managed only 146 with Shakib al Hasan top-scoring with an unbeaten 40-ball 50.

And Bangladesh limited-over captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza believes it would have been a totally different scenario had they conceded 30-40 runs less than the original tally.

“Obviously, it was a huge total. We were unable to catch up after the first six overs. They were successfully attacking us and we were not able to execute our plan,” Mashrafe told the media in the post-match press conference.

“They had to take risks after

Ahmed Shehzad and Hafeez started off and I think they were successful on the attack. I think the game started to drift away from our hands following the first six overs. We could have done much better. With that said, 200 is always difficult.

“Honestly, when we first saw the pitch, it looked a bit grassy and we thought it will help the bowlers. But our judgement was totally wrong. Pakistan made a good start and obviously, their confidence will be very high. In our case, we have to adjust in Bangalore very early,” he said.

Bangladesh badly missed the services of pace sensation Mustafizur Rahman, who is still recovering from a side-strain injury incurred during the Asia Cup T20 earlier this month. Mashrafe informed that Mustafiz came very close to being selected for yesterday’s clash against Pakistan.

“He was very close to playing [yesterday] but we couldn’t get him at the end as we don’t want to take any risks. But hopefully, he will be fit to play the next game,”

he added.

Former Pakistan skipper Hafeez, on the other hand, expressed his delight with the batting performance of his team mates. Pakistan have been disappointing with the willow in recent times but it all changed yesterday as they strolled to a handsome total.

Hafeez said, “All those batsmen who were not in confidence will be boosted now I believe. Shahid Afridi’s innings in the game was really important to maintain the momentum. Ahmed Shehzad and Sharjeel Khan had got us a good start and I later continued that with Ahmed, which had set a good base for us. [Yesterday] we had a good team performance.”

He continued, “The bowlers were up to mark. As a team we have got good momentum and hope this will help us in the rest of the tournament.

“This game was a start and we wanted to do well as a team. It is always important to play the first game well and continue with momentum in the rest of the tournament.” l

AP

SCORECARD PAKISTAN Sharjeel b Sunny Shehzad c Mahmudullah b Rahman Hafeez c Sarkar b Sunny Afridi c Mahmudullah b Ahmed Akmal c Al Hasan b Ahmed Malik not out Wasim not out Extras (lb1, nb1, w1)

R 18 52 64 49 0 15 0 3

Total (5 wickets, 20 overs)

201

B 10 39 42 19 2 9 0

Fall of wickets 1-26 (Khan), 2-121 (Shehzad), 3-163 (Hafeez), 4-175 (Akmal), 5-198 (Afridi) Bowling Ahmed 4-0-32-2, Hossain 3-0-43-0, Sunny 4-0-34-2, Al Hasan 4-0-39-0, Mortaza 3-0-41-0, Rahman 2-0-11-1.

BANGLADESH Tamim c Wasim b Afridi Soumya b Amir Sabbir b Afridi Shakib not out Mahmudullah c Khan b Wasim Mushfiq c Ahmed b Amir Mithun c Amir b Irfan Mashrafe not out Extras (lb4, w4)

R 24 0 25 50 4 18 2 15 8

Total (6 wickets, 20 overs)

146

B 20 2 19 40 5 21 4 9

Fall of wickets 1-1 (Sarkar), 2-44 (Rahman), 3-58 (Iqbal), 4-71 (Mahmudullah), 5-110 (Rahim), 6-117 (Mithun) Bowling Amir 4-0-27-2, Irfan 4-0-30-1, Riaz 4-0-310, Afridi 4-0-27-2, Malik 2-0-14-0, Wasim 2-0-13-1 Result: Pakistan won by 55 runs MoM: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)

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From cricketer to sports journalist n Mazhar Uddin from Kolkata

Fourteen years ago, I set foot at the historical Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata for the very first time in my life. I was a member of the Bangladesh Under-15 cricket team and we were up against the Cricket Association of Bengal U-15 side.

It was like a dream come true for each and every single member of the Bangladesh U-15 team. Back then, the side comprised the likes of Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Shakib al Hasan and Sohrawardi Shuvo and of course, myself.

It was a surreal feeling while walking through the corridor of Eden

Gardens. When we headed towards the dressing room, we noticed pictures of many great players hanging proudly on the walls.

And when we did make our way to the dressing room, we were barely able to conceal our excitement as we knew countless greats have previously graced their presence right at the very place where we were sitting.

Although I was not able to make it through to the senior side due to various reasons, the fact that my friends and fellow team mates are now playing in the national side is something I am extremely proud of.

With the passage of time, I have switched from a cricketer to a

The writer (L) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata alongside a team mate

sports journalist. Hence, I got one more opportunity to relive the Eden Gardens memory as I am here to cover the flagship event on behalf of my newspaper.

The Tigers last played at Eden Gardens in 1990 so it was virtually the first visit for every Bangladeshi journalist to the historical venue. This was also the first time I made my way to the press box.

Despite being in the press box, I could remember every nook and corner of the stadium. The huge stands surrounding the lush green field made me nostalgic and took me back to 2002 when I played for my country, be it for the U-15 side.

However, unlike last time, I did not have the access to enter the ground as the sports journalists were allocated to work at the press box, which is almost five storeys above the players’ dressing room.

I might not have been allowed to enter the ground but I did not mind. I was just lapping in the Eden Gardens experience. I was watching my friends Shakib, Tamim and Mushfiq in action and I could proudly say to my fellow sports journalists that I played alongside the aforementioned trio at the historical venue.

My role has changed with time. I have hung up my boots and willow and taken up a laptop. But the memories of visiting Eden Gardens remain fresh in my mind and this is something I will treasure and cherish for the rest of my life. l

Bangladesh’s Soumya Sarkar grabs a spellbinding catch to dismiss Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez during their 2016 World T20 Super 10 tie in Kolkata yesterday. (Inset) Probably one of the finest fielders world cricket has ever seen, former South Africa cricketer Jonty Rhodes shows his admiration for the brilliant catch on social media AP

TALKING POINTS, Bangladesh V Pakistan Bangladesh’s bowling horror The Tigers bowlers’ honeymoon in the 2016 World Twenty20 came to an end yesterday when they faced Pakistan at Eden Gardens. The Bangladesh bowling attack, led by the pacemen, had fetched appreciation in the recent past and also in the just concluded first round of the flagship event in Dharamsala. But in Kolkata, it was a different scenario altogether. There is no doubt that the track at Eden Gardens was a haven for the batters and Pakistan made the most use of it, posting 201/5 in 20 overs after electing bat first. However, that can hardly hide the “horrific” mistakes committed by the Bangladesh bowlers. It all started with Al Amin Hossain conceding 18 runs in just the second over of Pakistan’s innings. The onslaught continued right till the end of the innings as the Tigers bowlers looked worried and helpless. Pakistan were aided in their pursuit of a huge total as they received several juicy full tosses. They were duly hammered back to the stands, that too with aplomb.

Missing Mustafiz Pace sensation Mustafizur Rahman was badly missed when the Bangladesh bowlers were being humbled by the Pakistan batsmen. The presence of Mustafiz might not have guaranteed a better display with the leather but his presence in itself would have surely

WHAT HE SAID

calmed down his fellow bowlers. The left-arm paceman is still recuperating from a side-strain injury that he incurred during the Asia Cup T20 earlier this month. The Bangladesh think tank thought Mustafiz would be ready from the Super 10 round onwards but the expectation was not met as he had to sit out the Pakistan clash yesterday.

SHAHID AFRIDI Pakistan Captain

Tigers batsmen face the heat One cannot take away the credit from the Bangladesh batsmen who gave a good account of themselves in the first round of the ongoing edition. Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal led from the front brilliantly and held the Bangladesh innings together with some match-winning performances.

Coming into the Super 10, there were talks as to whether the Tigers batsmen can continue the momentum against the bigger sides. In the first big encounter though, against Pakistan yesterday, the Bangladesh batters were unable to fire.

The eye-catching shots were contained and at no point did it seem that the Tigers would chase down the huge target. The Pakistan bowlers were in the driving seat for the entirety of Bangladesh’s innings and showed that the wicket was not too bad to bowl on. In what eventually turned out to be a disappointing display, the Bangladesh batsmen played out as many as 54 dot balls.l –MINHAZ UDDIN KHAN FROM KOLKATA

Pakistan's Shahid Afridi bats against Bangladesh during their ICC World Twenty20 2016 cricket match in Kolkata, India yesterday AP

My performances play a key role, but I was hungry. I was keen to perform well for my country in this event. It is a big event and as a captain and senior player, I had to lead by example. I spoke to the coach (Waqar Younis) and he said okay. I think in the last two-three series’, the batsmen struggled to find runs.

First six overs was important and [Mohammad] Hafeez and [Ahmed] Shehzad did very well.

That was what we missed in the batting, the partnerships. Openers are very important, Shehzad and even Sharjeel [Khan] can be very attacking too. If he stays the first six overs, the team will have 5060. I expect them to perform well, as a captain. I don’t want to talk about the past, we should learn from our mistakes and India have been playing good cricket, even with the last loss. Captaincy is not an easy job, but when the team gives you 100 percent, I enjoy it.

People expect me to bat and bowl as well and I enjoy both. l

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QUICK BYTES Turbulent champs Sri Lanka face Afghan challenge Afghanistan will try to exploit the disarray in the ranks of holders Sri Lanka in the World Twenty20 in Kolkata today, with their destructive opener Mohammad Shahzad looking to extend his trail of carnage. A victory for the defending champions in their World T20 opener against the tournament’s rank outsiders would normally be a no-brainer. But the mood in the camps could not be more contrasting, with Sri Lanka in turmoil after changing their captain and coach in recent weeks and Afghanistan on a high after cruising through the preliminary round.

Gayle storm blows England away n Reuters, Mumbai

Chris Gayle smashed the first hundred of the sixth World Twenty20 to underline his reputation as cricket’s most destructive batsman and powered West Indies to a six-wicket win over England in their Super 10 match on Wednesday.

The tall left-handed opener, who often polarises opinions with his antics off the field, made mockery of a seemingly steep 183-run

target in the Group One match, carrying West Indies to victory with 11 balls to spare on a hot and humid evening at the Wankhede Stadium.

Gayle’s century was his second in the format and he remained unbeaten on 100 off 48 balls with his innings studded with 11 sixes and five fours.

Marlon Samuels (37) took the early lead of smashing the England bowling while Gayle took his time to settle down and the pair add-

ed 55 for the second wicket to lay down the foundation for a West Indies victory.

Earlier, a measured 48 from Joe Root helped England to 182-6 after West Indies won the toss and opted to bowl on a green-tinged wicket.

Root, who hit three fours and two sixes in his 36-ball knock, and Alex Hales (28) added 55 for the second wicket for England. Jos Buttler (30) and Morgan (27 not out) provided the late flourish. l

Kiwi gamble put India in a spin: pundits New Zealand media yesterday hailed as a “masterstroke” the bold selection behind the Black Caps’ stunning win over India in the World Twenty20 opener. “What a twist”, trumpeted Fairfax NZ’s stuff. co.nz website after New Zealand’s unheralded spinners tweaked the Black Caps to a 47-run victory over the hosts in Nagpur. “Selection masterstroke turns the cricket world on its head, as NZ spinners slay India,” it added, referring to coach Mike Hesson’s decision to opt for a three-pronged spin attack and omit seamers Trent Boult and Tim Southee. The gambit paid off spectacularly as the slow bowlers took nine wickets on a dustbowl, including four for 11 from man-ofthe match Mitchell Santner. “India, the world number one ranked T20 side and tournament favourites, were undone at their own game in their own conditions,” the site said.

–AFP

B

15 28 48 30 27 15 7 12

15 26 36 20 14 7 2

Total (6 wickets, 20 overs)

182

Fall of wickets 1-37 (Roy), 2-92 (Hales), 3-114 (Root), 4-152 (Buttler), 5-175 (Stokes), 6-182 (Ali) Bowling

WEST INDIES

Dhoni blames batsmen for stunning NZ loss

–AFP

R

J. Roy c Badree b Russell A. Hales b Benn J. Root c Taylor b Russell J. Buttler c Brathwaite b Bravo E. Morgan not out B. Stokes lbw b Bravo M. Ali run out Extras (lb1, b1, w10)

Taylor 3-0-30-0, Badree 4-0-34-0, Russell 4-0-36-2, Bravo 4-0-41-2, Benn 3-0-23-1, Brathwaite 2-0-16-0

–AFP

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni blamed his batsmen for their shock 47-run loss to New Zealand in the opening World Twenty20 group match in Nagpur on Tuesday.

India’s batsmen folded at the hands of New Zealand’s spinners, recording just 79 runs in 18.1 overs - their lowest ever T20 score on home soil - as they tried to chase down the Kiwis’ modest total of 126. India’s previous lowest total at home was 92 against South Africa in Cuttack last year. “I thought we restricted them to a good total (but) the batting let us down, the shot selection kept putting pressure on the batsmen coming in and there was no partnership in the middle,” said Dhoni.

ENGVWI ENGLAND

R

B

Charles c Ali b Willey Gayle not out Samuels c Willey b Rashid Ramdin† c Rashid b Ali Bravo c Hales b Topley Russell not out Extras (lb 4, w 10, nb 2)

0 100 37 12 2 16 16

2 48 27 14 4 16

Total (4 wickets; 18.1 overs)

183

Fall of wickets 1-2 (Charles, 0.2 ov), 2-57 (Samuels, 6.4 ov), 3-103 (Ramdin, 11.1 ov), 4-113 (Bravo, 12.2 ov) Bowling Willey 3-0-33-1, Topley 2.1-0-22-1, Jordan 4-0-24-0, Stokes 3-0-42-0, Rashid 2-020-1, Ali 4-0-38-1

West Indies opener Chris Gayle plays a shot against England during their World T20 match at Mumbai yesterday

REUTERS

Result : West Indies win by 6 wickets MoM: Chris Gayle (WI)

Discipline, positive football on the agenda Bengal Tigers fly off for Abu Dhabi Before that, the Bengal Tigers will n Tribune Report face the United Arab Emirates in Bangladesh pledged to place the utmost emphasis on team discipline and playing positive football before leaving Dhaka for Abu Dhabi yesterday, ahead of their two upcoming Fifa international matches.

The men in red and green will contest their final match of the 2018 Fifa World Cup second round qualifier against Jordan next Thursday.

an international friendly as part of their preparation.

Jordan outplayed Bangladesh 4-0 in the first leg in Dhaka in September last year and the former are also one of the favourites to qualify for the final round along with Asia champions Australia. The Jordanians, who have two games left in the qualifiers, have roped in former

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp on the eve of the Bangladesh clash.

“Jordan are a very strong side.

But we want to do our best and put up a positive performance. You also need the favour of luck to get something good against them,” said Bangladesh’s Spanish head coach Gonzalo Sanchez Moreno in a press conference yesterday.

Newly-appointed captain and

Bangladesh to face Redknapp’s Jordan n Tribune Report Bangladesh are all set to gain the experience of playing against a team managed by Harry Redknapp, who has agreed to take over as manager of Jordan for their last two matches of the 2018 Fifa World Cup second round qualifiers.

The 69-year old took up a mentoring role with English Championship side Derby yesterday and will combine that post with helping out the Jordanians, leaving Britain for the Middle East after the local derby against Nottingham Forest this Saturday.

Redknapp said he had agreed to help out at the behest of Jordanian FA chief Prince Ali Bin al Hussein, who lost the FIFA presidential election to Swiss Gianni Infantino last month.

“It’s going to be a tough couple of weeks, that’s for sure,” he told the Sun newspaper.

“I’m friends with Prince Ali and wanted him to take over from Sepp Blatter. He asked me if I’d manage the team for a couple of matches and I agreed.

“I’ll go to the Forest game and then go straight to London and fly to Jordan. It’s a busy time but I’ve

missed the buzz of being involved in football.”

Jordan, currently led by caretaker manager Abdullah Abu Zema, play Bangladesh in Amman next Thursday and the Socceroos in Sydney five days later.

The Jordanians trail Australia by two points in Group B with the top two from each group going through to the third round where four berths in Russia will be at stake.

Redknapp’s fellow former Queens Park Rangers manager Ray Wilkins last year led Jordan in the Asian Cup in Australia where they were eliminated in the group stage.l

veteran defender Rezaul Karim, on the other hand, said, “Discipline is a must when you are playing for the national team. As some players have received suspensions for breaking discipline recently, we will try to be more regimented.”

Bangladesh are scheduled to stay in Dubai till this Monday before flying for Amman, Jordan. The Bengal Tigers sit bottom of Group B with one point from seven matches.l

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Shootout glory for Atletico equals penalty pain for PSV n Reuters, Madrid Penalties again proved PSV Eindhoven’s undoing on Tuesday as they tumbled out of the Champions League after being beaten in a shootout by Atletico Madrid.

PSV have laboured with spot kicks all season and, although they were much more efficient than usual at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, they lost out 8-7 after the last-16 second leg finished goalless.

The Dutch championship winners had converted only four of 12 penalties in all competitions this season before Tuesday night’s match.

Among the culprits has been Luuk de Jong but coach Phillip Cocu sprung a surprise when he withdrew the club’s top scorer with three minutes to go and brought on Luciano Narsingh.

Substitute Narsingh then became the only penalty-taker to miss in the shootout as his effort struck the crossbar.

De Jong said he was forced off by cramp. “I couldn’t run any more,” the striker told reporters.

“I had cramp in both legs. I jumped for a ball and everything gave in. I was finished.”

Juanfran ripped off his shirt and screamed with delight after sending the home crowd into raptures by driving in the winning penalty.

“Today it was my turn,” said Juanfran. “It was my first penalty with Atleti and I’m very happy.”

Team mate Jose Maria Gimenez, who was also on target earlier in the shootout, praised the Madrid club’s supporters. l

UCL RESULTS Man City

0-0

Dynamo Kiev

0-0

PSV Eindhoven

Man City won 3-1 on aggregate

Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid won 8-7 on penalties

Manchester City's Jesus Navas (R) hits the post during their Uefa Champions League match against Dynamo Kiev at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday

REUTERS

City ignore injuries to secure QFs n Reuters, Manchester Celebration was tinged with disappointment for Manchester City who eased into the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time on Tuesday but lost Vincent Kompany to injury in a 0-0 draw with Dynamo Kiev.

Captain Kompany limped off after five minutes with a muscle problem and fellow defender Nicolas Otamendi followed soon after as the hosts chalked up a 3-1 aggregate triumph that was entirely due to their first-leg victory.

There was little in terms of goalmouth action throughout the return leg at the Etihad Stadium, with City keeping a largely lifeless Kiev in check and having the game’s best chance when Jesus Navas hit the post midway through the second half.

Manuel Pellegrini’s team, who were knocked out in the last 16 by Barcelona in each of the last two seasons and face local rivals Manchester United in a domestic derby on Sunday, only looked like conceding at the end when keeper Joe

Hart saved well from Vitaliy Buyalskiy and Olexandr Yakovenko.

“It is a very important achievement for the club,” Pellegrini told BT Sport. “This is a club that is growing and will continue to develop.”

City, whose Premier League title hopes were dented with a 0-0 draw at Norwich City on Saturday, suffered a further blow when

Kompany was forced off with a calf problem.

Their injury woes were compounded when Otamendi was also substituted with barely 20 minutes on the clock in what was a soporific start to the encounter.

Kompany had only returned from a calf problem in February, having been out since December,

Manchester City's Vincent Kompany looks dejected after sustaining an injury as Joe Hart (L) and Pablo Zabaleta (R) console him at Etihad Stadium REUTERS

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Prizes: (Second Round)

The lucky winners among all the participants who have answered correctly will be selected in an official lottery and will have their picture published in the newspaper. v Answers must be sent in only the coupon (photocopy will not be accepted). v Quiz coupon should be submitted in the Dhaka Tribune newspaper address. v No one affiliated with Dhaka Tribune and Walton will be able to participate. v Coupon submission deadline April 4, 2016. v A person can send as many coupons as he/she wants. v Walton-Dhaka Tribune T20 World Cup should be written on top of the envelope.

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01: Who scored the first T20I century for Bangladesh?

Ans: Tamim Mashrafe Taskin 02:Who won the first World T20 in 2007?

Ans: India Zimbabwe Afghanistan 03:In which year did Bangladesh host the World T20?

Ans: 2014 2004 2015

and Pellegrini said he had suffered a recurrence of what has become a persistent issue for the Belgium international.

With City under no pressure to attack having secured a comfortable first-leg advantage, and Kiev seemingly impotent up front, the first half was played like a testimonial.

It took 58 minutes for the home side to make any sort of incision into the Kiev defence as Yaya Toure exchanged quick passes with Sergio Aguero before the Argentine striker flashed his shot wide from a tight angle.

Navas then crashed an effort against the foot of the post three minutes later as the game showed signs of life while Toure fired straight at Kiev keeper Olexandr Shovkovskiy with 20 minutes to play.

Hart was forced into action in the final few moments with good blocks to deny Buyalskiy and Yakovenko on an otherwise easy night for the City keeper.

“We lost this game in Kiev,” said Dynamo coach Sergei Rebrov. “But I say thank you very much to the players.” l

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THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

Nadal takes revenge, Serena cruises n AFP, Indian Wells

Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against compatriot Fernando Verdasco during day nine of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Tuesday AFP

DAY’S WATCH CRICKET

STAR SPORTS 1 8:00PM ICC World T20 2016 Sri Lanka v Afghanistan

GOLF TEN SPORTS 4:00PM Hero Indian Open Day 1, Session 2

FOOTBALL TEN SPORTS UEFA Europa League 11:00PM Valencia v Athletic 2:00AM Sevilla v Basel

TEN CRICKET 12:00AM UEFA Europa League Leverkusen v Villarreal 2:00AM Anderlecht v Shakhtar Donetsk

TEN ACTION UEFA Europa League 12:00AM Man United v Liverpool 2:00AM Tottenham v Dortmund

Rafael Nadal avenged a fresh loss to a fellow Spaniard and Serena Williams set up a showdown with the reigning Indian Wells champion at the ATP and WTA hardcourt tournament on Tuesday.

Nadal saved five set points to finish off a two-set victory over Fernando Verdasco 6-0, 7-6 (11-9) in the third round on the main stadium court.

World number one Williams routed 70th ranked Kateryna Bondarenko 6-2, 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals at Indian Wells, one of the biggest events on the tennis calendar outside of the four Grand Slams.

Men’s top seed Novak Djokovic, who is aiming for his third straight and a record fifth overall Indian Wells crown, defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-5, 7-5 in the night match.

Nadal, the nine-time French Open champion who turns 30 in June, avenged his first-round loss to Verdasco at the Australian Open in January.

Nadal moved a step closer to a fourth trophy in the California desert, where he took the title in 2013, 2009 and 2007.

The swashbuckling Spaniard next faces German Alexander

Zverev who defeated Gilles Simon in straight sets 6-2, 6-2.

Nadal, who is seeded fourth, roared through the first set without dropping a game, but Verdasco came to life in the second, eventually forcing a tiebreak.

Nadal fought off five set points before clinching it when Verdasco hit a backhand long to end the one hour, 41 minute contest.

“It was a tough match, but I resisted,” said Nadal, who broke Verdasco five times. “I lost a few matches this year that I had a chance to win so I need to play more matches like this.”

Verdasco wasn’t going down without a fight. Serving in the tiebreaker - and down 6-7 on match point - he challenged an out call and won, reversing the judge’s call and allowing him to level at 7-7.

Nadal improved to 15-3 overall against Verdasco but they have had some memorable contests since their first encounter in 2005 in Doha.

They played a brilliant three tiebreaker match at Cincinnati in 2011, went five sets in the semis of the 2009 Australian Open, and earlier this year they played another five setter in Melbourne with Verdasco handing Nadal just his second ever first-round defeat in a Grand Slam. l

FIFA makes huge damages claim against ‘sordid’ football officials n AFP, Zurich FIFA yesterday demanded tens of millions of dollars in damages from the “sordid” officials facing charges in the United States over mass bribery scandals that have rocked world football.

In a wide-ranging admission on the scope of soccer corruption, just two weeks after Gianni Infantino replaced Sepp Blatter as its president, football’s governing body called on US authorities to investigate the assets of former FIFA vice-president Jeffrey Webb.

It said the Cayman Islands official was leading an “extravagant lifestyle” in a US home that may have been bought with bribes.

FIFA also made its most explicit accusation yet that South Africa paid a $10 million bribe to get votes to back its bid for the 2010 World Cup. World football is at the centre of multiple inquiries into bribery and misconduct and the award of World Cup tournaments.

Thirty-nine individuals face charges in the United States over more than $200 million in bribes.

FIFA’s former leader Blatter and his heir apparent Michel Platini have both been banned.l

United in Liverpool crosshairs, Spurs on the brink n AFP, Paris Five-time European champions Liverpool will aim to finish off eternal rivals Manchester United when England’s two most successful sides clash in the Europa League last 16, second leg at Old Trafford today.

Leading 2-0 from the first leg at Anfield, Liverpool are well placed to reach the quarter-finals of a competition that realistically represents the best chance for either club to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino scored as Jurgen Klopp’s side dominated the first European meeting between the two Premier League giants, and Sturridge says Liverpool’s mindset won’t change despite their healthy advantage.

“We’ll approach the second leg exactly the same as we did the first leg. That’s the only way we know,” Sturridge told the Liverpool Echo.

“The Liverpool way is to win games so we will go into the second leg and be positive.

“The confidence is there with-

in the camp and we are just looking forward to every game. We are mentally prepared for every job we have ahead of us.”

United face a tough task to turn things around as Liverpool have kept four straight clean sheets in Europe and are unbeaten in nine games in this season’s competition.

However, Juan Mata insists there is still hope for United as they bid to keep alive their quest to become just the fifth club to land all three major European trophies.

“We need to have a good start on Thursday, with intensity. It’s like a final for us. We need a comeback and I’m sure that the atmosphere

EUROPA FIXTURES Leverkusen Valencia Lazio Tottenham Braga Man United Anderlecht Sevilla

v v v v v v v v

Villarreal Athletic Bilbao Sparta Prague Dortmund Fenerbahce Liverpool Donetsk Basel

in Old Trafford will take us closer to that goal. I’m sure it’s possible,” said the Spaniard, who missed Sunday’s 1-1 draw against West Ham in the FA Cup through suspension.

Borussia Dortmund will seek to protect a 3-0 lead as they head to Tottenham Hotspur on the back of their biggest win against an English side.

Spurs paid the price for resting Harry Kane and leaving Mousa Dembele and Erik Lamela on the bench as they were outclassed

by Thomas Tuchel’s German title challengers.

However, Mauricio Pochettino’s men are undefeated in nine European home games, winning their last two at White Hart Lane by threegoal margins, although the Bundesliga giants represent a step up in class from previous opponents.

Gary Neville’s Valencia must overcome a 1-0 deficit at home to fellow Spanish outfit Athletic Bilbao. The former Manchester United and England defender was furious after his side crashed to a 1-0 defeat against local rivals and La Liga’s bottom side Levante over the weekend. l

Manchester United's Juan Mata controls a ball as Marouane Fellaini (L) looks on during training in Manchester yesterday REUTERS

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Showtime

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

Lost Bollywood beauties n Nazia Lopa The bitter truth of showbiz is that an actor can make his career last till he chooses to retire, but an actress has to leave for many reasons. Inspite of being part of hit films, heroines get lost in the past and people often forget them as they move away from the spotlight. This week Showtime sheds light on some old favourites that haven’t graced our TV screens for a while.

Kimi Katkar “Jumma Chumma De De” girl Kimi Katkar was a popular Bollywood actress during the mid 1980s to early1990s. She played some important roles but her career in Bollywood was short-lived. The actress is best remembered for her role as Jumma opposite Amitabh Bachchan. People loved her whether it was her role in Tarzan or Hum. Katkar quit the Hindi film industry after her marriage to photographer and adfilmmaker Shantanu Shorey.

Anu Agarwal Anu Agarwal entered Bollywood with her debut film Aashiqui.

For Anu, being in the showbiz industry was not an agenda at all as she never dreamt of being a star but Mahesh Bhatt convinced her to do Aashiqui. She changed

her mind when film offers began pouring in after the success of Aashqui. Things took a U-turn in her life when in 1999, she met with an accident that left her half-paralysed and down with temporary memory loss. She even forgot who she was and how big a star she was back home in Bollywood.

n Showtime Desk The third movie in the Divergent series, Allegiant, will be screened for the first time in Bashundhara Star Cineplex tomorrow.

After reuniting in the second Divergent movie Insurgent, Four (played by Theo James) and his mother Evelyn (played by Naomi Watts) drift off to their separate paths. Tris (played by Shailene Woodley) must escape with Four beyond the wall that encircles Chicago, to finally discover the shocking truth of what lies behind it. The trailer of Allegiant reveals that, while Tris is genetically “pure,” Four is “damaged,” which will create an issue for the lovers.

Director Robert Schwentke has recently left the fourth film of the series, Ascendant, despite directing both Insurgent and Allegiant. l

Purnima awarded by Amra Kuri Mandakini Light eyed beauty Mandakini who created stir with her debut film Ram Teri Ganga Maili where she put up a bold performance.

The actress later acted in a few more successful films, like Dance Dance with Mithun Chakraborty and Pyaar Karke Dekho with Govinda, but failed to recreate the success of her first film. However, her career went downhill after her alleged relationship with underworld don, Dawood Ibrahim.

Lucky Day to be performed today

by Günter n Nazia Lopa Nest and Elisa Lucky Day, a project by Alexine Chanel including a performance event featuring Sharmili Akther Lucky, will take place today at the Nouvelle Vague auditorium of Alliance Française de Dhaka at 5pm.

The project will be a part of the exhibition, on 21st century’s own settlement form – Manifesto of PostInformality by Habitat Forum Berlin, in cooperation with the Weissensee School of Art, curated

Meenakshi Talented actress Meenakshi was the youngest woman to be crowned Miss India at the age of 17. The actress proved her versatility with many blockbuster films such as Hero and Shahenshah and even in the woman centric film, Damini. She gave a powerful performance in her last film Ghatak released in 1997.

First show of Allegiant tomorrow

Bertuzzo, in Berlin in 2017.

“I am Lucky, but I am not lucky,” states Lucky. She said this shortly after meeting Alexine in the streets of Karail Basti, a self-organised settlement in Dhaka. Lucky then begins to spin her sad tale, which has been recorded and will be rewritten as a “Banglawood” pop song.

Lucky is a textile worker,

Ayesha Jhulka Ayesha Jhulka played some substantial roles with actors such as Salman Khan, Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar. The actress proved her acting mettle in films like Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander, Khiladi and Masoom. The actress was last seen in films Socha Na Tha and 2006 released Aishwarya Rai starrer, Umrao Jaan as Khurshid, a courtesan. Ayesha is married to construction tycoon Sameer Vashi. l Source: Times of India

one of the many thousands of essentially invisible women making clothes for foreign consumers. Lucky is the star of this show, in stark contrast to her daily life. It may seem that nobody outside Karai Basti knows about her work, existence, or presence, especially not the foreign consumers who buy the clothes she makes.

Yet on this “lucky day,” she will become a star and perform, signing an H&M t-shirt of the “Conscious” range, made in Bangladesh, bought in Berlin, and flown back to Dhaka for the event. l

n Showtime Desk National Film Award winner Purnima was awarded by Amra Kuri, a national child organisation, for her contribution to films.

AAMS Arefin Siddique, vice chancellor, Dhaka University, handed over the award to Purnima on March 15 at the National Song and Dance Centre, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Moutushi Partho received the award of “Most Promising Singer” at the same event.

“I have received the special recognition award for special contribution to films. Thank you, Amra Kuri,” Purnima posted on Facebook.

Purnima will feature in Redwan Rony’s upcoming drama series Candy Crush for Nagorik Television, the script of which is being written by Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury. Other members of cast include Tousif Mahmud, Schumonn Patwary, Safa Kabir, Nabila Noor and Salman Muqtadir. l

Irrfan Khan: ‘Co-producing Doob is my personal yearning’

n Showtime Desk Talented Indian actor, Irrfan Khan landed in Dhaka yesterday to play a role in Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s upcoming bilingual international film Doob (“No Bed of Roses” in English).

Upon arriving at Shahjalal International Airport, where director Mostofa Sarwar Farooki was present to greet him, the actor answered a bunch of queries from journalists.

The Lunchbox actor has reached the country a few days ahead of filming. Dismissing the comments that he is a “little early,” the actor said that he was really interested to know more about Bangladeshi culture and he considers this trip to be a part of the film’s pre-production activities.

Responding to the news of him rejecting a Steven Spielberg project, the Padma Shri award recipient revealed that he did

Singer Akriti ties the knot n Showtime Desk Singer Akriti Kakkar recently got married to director Chirag Arora. Chirag is from Delhi but he is now settled in Mumbai.

The wedding ceremony took place on March 5. Akriti’s younger sister Prakriti, shared a picture on her Instagram account. It was a big fat wedding, just as Akriti promised before her marriage.

The wedding was attended by music industry bigwigs such as Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani, Meiyang

Chang, and Amaal Malik.

Born and brought up in Delhi, Akriti hit the limelight with hit songs “Saturday Saturday” (Humpty Sharma ki Dulhaniya, 2014) and “Iski Uski” (2 States), both starring Bollywood star Alia Bhatt.

She also has a solo album to her credit titled Akriti. The album was released in 2010 and consisted of compositions

by Shankar Mahadevan and herself. l Source: Indian Times

not reject it, rather he was just not lucky enough to make time for the film. However, in an interview with NDTV recently, Irrfan said that the reason behind such a decision was that he was just not excited about the role even though the film will star Scarlett Johansson, whom he would have loved to share screen-time with.

Khan confessed that he has watched some Farooki’s works including The Ant Story, Third Person Singular Number and Television, and the actor admits he is really impressed by his work.

“Farooki has convinced me to work in his film and even intrigued me enough to co-produce the film,” Khan continued. Later, he stated that it was his “personal yearning” that moved him to co-produce the film.

The cast of Doob also includes Nusrat Imroz Tisha, star of Farooki’s Third Person Singular Number that was Bangladesh’s entry to the 2011 Oscars and of Television that was Bangladesh’s entry to the 2014 Oscars.

The director describes the film as a “family story of loss and regain.” The film will be produced by Kolkata’s Eskay Movies and Bangladesh’s Jazz Multimedia. Irrfan is on board as a co-producer of the film while Jaaz will distribute in Bangladesh. l

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Showtime

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

Living with poetry

n Showtime Desk Bibiana, the popular fashion house has introduced their new collection of fashion products and household items. With poetry being the theme, Bibiana has used a famous poem by playwright Anisul Hoque.

One of the owners and designer, Lipi Khandker informs, “we have worked with Tagore lines or Jashim Uddin’s poetry before, this time we chose Anisul Hoque’s ‘Tui ki amar dukhkho hobi’.”

The news came as a pleasant surprise for the writer on his birthday. A close friend of the writer, Farhana Alam made it possible and also helped the fashion house with the collection.

Scribbles of the poem have been

featured in black and red fonts on off-white coloured cotton and khadi fabrics. The line comprises of saris, bed sheets, pillow covers, curtains and so on. l

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THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

SUMMIT POWER SUBSIDIARIES UNDER MERGER PLAN PAGE 11 Teletalk to use Banglalink’s biometric devices n Tribune Report

Banglalink, the second largest telecom operator of Bangladesh, has announced that the stateowned mobile operator Teletalk will be able to use Banglalink’s biometric devices for biometric SIM registration and verification.

Banglalink signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the device sharing with Teletalk at the Posts and Telecommunication Ministry yesterday.

State Minister for Posts and Telecommunication Tarana Halim, Secretary Foyzur Rahman Chowdhury, Banglalink MD and CEO Erik Aas and Teletalk MD Gias Uddin Ahmed were present during the signing ceremony.

Tarana Halim said the government will continue the biometric SIM registration process.

“There is no merit to any case based on rumour and propaganda,” she said.

The minister said vested quarters involved with illegal VoIP, extortion and criminal activities were campaigning against biometric SIM registration.

Tarana Halim said: “I believe biometric verification of all subscribers is vital for the security of the country. With this partnership the verification process for Teletalk subscribers will also be happening fast.”

Secretary Foyzur Rahman said mobile operators must block SIM cards used for illegal VoIP within three hours of their detection or face legal action.

He said not only Teletalk SIM is using in illegal VoIP call, any operator’s SIM can be used in VoIP call.

Erik Aas said: “I am happy to be partnering with Teletalk to share our biometric verification devices as we believe in growing together as an industry. I do believe that through this partnership we can work on many other opportunities in the future.”

“Teletalk is delighted to partner with Banglalink in sharing their biometric verification devices and believe this is a very good step by Banglalink to take the initiative of working and helping a government owned telecom operator,” said Gias Uddin Ahmed. l

MASHRAFE: 200 ALWAYS HARD TO CHASE PAGE 25

AMRA KURI AWARDS PURNIMA PAGE 30

Minister’s son targets Kazi Farms in land grab bid n Tribune Report, Chittagong

The son of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Nurul Islam has been implicated in an attempt to grab land in Chittagong owned by Kazi Farms, one of the country’s biggest business organisations.

Instigated by Minister Nurul Islam’s son Mujibur Rahman, local Awami League activists have repeatedly attacked the staff of Dohazari Kazi Poultry Limited in Chittagong district’s Chandanaish upazila, the farm’s managing director said.

Mujibur Rahman is the managing director of competitor Sanwara Poultry and Hatchery Limited.

In the most recent incident, Mujibur’s men yesterday injured seven Dohazari Kazi Poultry staff members including General Manager Major (Retd) Sheikh Masumul Hasan.

“At about 9:30 am, several hundred people armed with sticks and other weapons launched an attack.

I was hit on the head but escaped major injury because I was wearing a helmet,” Masumul said.

He said the police had been informed before the attack began but reached the site afterwards.

Six other employees of the farm

Local Awami League activists attack workers of Dohazari Kazi Poultry Limited, owned by Kazi Farms, in Chittagong’s Chandanaish yesterday, as part of Expatriates’ Minister Nurul Islam’s son Mujibur Rahman’s bid to grab the land DHAKA TRIBUNE were also injured in the attack, which was photographed by Kazi Farms staff.

The attackers shown in the pictures are Abu Sowdagor, son of Ishaque Fakir of Dohazari village; Solaiman, son of member Abu Sayed of Raijoara village; member Nuru of Dohazari village; Kefayet, son of member Nasir of Raijoara village; Nurul Kabir, son of Altaf Hossain of Hatiakhola village; Kaiser, son of A Alam of Barudkhana; and one Mohiuddin.

Two of the ringleaders, former member Nasirudin of Raijoara village and AKM Badsha Miah, son

of Hachi Miah of Raijoara village, could not be photographed.

Gazi Mohammed Shakhawat Hossain, officer-in-charge of Chandanaish police station, said: “We asked both sides to settle the matter through arbitration.”

On May 21 and May 24 last year, the same group vandalised the farm, leaving five staff members injured, police and farm sources said.

Abdul Motaleb Khan, legal affairs executive of Kazi Farms, lodged a general dairy (GD) with Chandanaish Police Station over the May 24 incident.

According to the GD, Dohazari

Kazi Poultry Limited had purchased 113 acres of land from Sanwara Poultry and Hatchery Limited, Dohazari – owned by Awami League Minister Nurul Islam – two years ago.

The Dohazari Kazi Poultry general manger said: “The company that sold the land had about 320 acres in the area. But a huge portion of their land is mired in complex documentation.

“Our company bought only that land that had proper documents.

Local brokers and ruling party men instructed by Mujibur are trying to force us to buy the rest of the land which is burdened by irregularities.

“To this end they have been attacking us and trying to grab part of the land we have already bought, which is very unexpected.”

He said: “Sanwara Group has prevented us from carrying out construction work. They previously blocked the entrance to the farm, claiming the gate area was not purchased. They even put all our office buildings under lock and key on a day in May last year while I was on leave.”

The Dhaka Tribune could not reach Sanwara Poultry and Hatchery Managing Director Mujibur Rahman despite repeated attempts to contact him by mobile telephone. l

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