04 April, 2016

SECOND EDITION

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

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Chaitra 21, 1422, Jamadius Sani 25, 1437

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 3, No 349

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www.dhakatribune.com | 32 pages | Price: Tk10

Pirates of the Caribbean

Swashbuckling Windies smash their way to T20 World Cup n AFP, Kolkata Carlos Brathwaite hit four consecutive sixes in the last over as the West Indies stunned England to lift the World Twenty20 title in Kolkata on Sunday.

The Windies went into the last over needing 19 to win and with expert death bowler Ben Stokes handed the ball, it looked like England would see out the win.

But Brathwaite held his nerve to fire the Windies to an unlikely four-wicket win with two balls to spare, leaving Stokes devastated on the field.

“To see Carlos play like that at his debut World Cup was just tremendous,” an emotional West Indies skipper Darren Sammy said afterwards.

England captain Eoin Morgan refused to blame Stokes.

“It’s not his fault, we’re all in this together, we enjoy our wins, and the pain will be shared tonight,” he said.

Marlon Samuels anchored the West Indies’ run chase of 156 with an unbeaten 85, including nine boundaries and two sixes, after England had posted 155-9 in their 20 overs.

After being reduced to 11 for three, Samuels single-handedly

kept the Caribbean team in the hunt with his 66-ball blitz.

Brathwaite finished on 34 not out off just 10 balls as the 2012 champions completed a hat-trick of titles after the women’s clinched their maiden trophy earlier on Sunday.

The Under-19 team had already lifted the youth World Cup in February.

West Indies’ Carlos Brathwaite, right, and Marlon Samuels celebrate after winning the final match of ICC World T20 last night, as England’s Ben Stokes covers his eyes REUTERS

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

Missing Drik Gallery official found dead

Repeated interrogation may cause mental breakdown of Tonu’s family

Rahman Rabbi in n Arifur Dhaka and Tanveer Hossain

Jamil Khan in n Mohammad Dhaka and Mohiuddin Molla

from Narayanganj The body of a Drik Gallery official, who had been missing since Saturday afternoon, has been found in a ditch in Siddhirganj upazila of Narayanganj.

Although the body of 49-yearold Irfanul Islam was recovered on Saturday evening, his identity remained unknown until his family

came to the morgue yesterday and positively ID’d him.

Irfanul was the account and administration officer of Dhanmondi’s Drik Picture Library Limited, commonly known as Drik Gallery.

Siddhirganj police station Officer-in-Charge Sharafatullah told the Dhaka Tribune that primary findings suggest that Irfan had been abducted by muggers who later killed him and dumped his  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

from Comilla Facing repeated interrogation by law enforcers will not only destroy the mental balance of Tonu’s family members but also make them further traumatised, say psychologists and psychiatrists.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune they emphasised on the need for special training for law enforc-

ers to deal with people, especially family members of victims, in criminal cases like the rape and murder of Sohagi Jahan Tonu.

Since the death of Tonu, a second year student of Comilla Victoria College and theatre activist, on March 20, her family members have been interrogated separately by the Rapid Action Battalion, police’s Detective Branch (DB), Criminal Investigation Department (CID)  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

Tonu’s father: “They [law enforcers] asked: Why did we not marry her off ?

Did Tonu have any affair? How would she spend the money she earned from tuitions?”

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RAB rescues trafficked victim from S Africa, 2 arrested n Kamrul Hasan After hectic efforts, the Rapid Action Battalion has successfully brought a victim of trafficking back to Bangladesh.

They also found the Bangladeshi part of the gang was operating under a Pakistani gang active in South Africa.

The victim, Muhith Mollah, 23, from Faridpur Sadar, was returned home after remaining under captivity for some 20 days.

RAB also arrested Belayet Hossain and Sajib, both from Madaripur and currently residing in the city's Khilgaon area, for their alleged involvement with trafficking.

They made an agreement of Tk7

lakh to send Muhith abroad.

The two were engaged in the crimes for a long time and have trafficked a number of people.

They generally lured them away saying they need not pay any money beforehand and would pay from the salary of the new job abroad.

But after reaching there, they handed him over to a Pakistani gang.

RAB said the arrested would be handed over to the police.

RAB 3 Commanding Officer Lt Col Khandakar Golam Sarwar in a press briefing yesterday said the gang’s leader, named Kiron remains absconded. RAB suspects that Kiron might be in hiding somewhere near the capital and that drives would be underway to arrest him. l

HSC examinees of Viqarunnisa Noon College are busy writing their exam at the exam centre in Siddheshwari Girls’ College in Dhaka. The HSC exams started around the country yesterday RAJIB DHAR

BNP leadership divided on UP poll boycott n Tribune Report Senior BNP leaders sat with party chief Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan office last night to discuss whether

the party should stay in the UP poll or boycott it. A senior leader, seeking anonymity, said some senior leaders opined to boycott the polls, while some others decided against it.

As they could not reach any consensus, they will sit with the alliance partners today and will talk to district-level leaders before taking the final decision. l

spell with a double strike to hurt Windies’ hopes of reviving their chase as the asking-rate kept growing, but new man Brathwaite had other ideas. Brathwaite managed an unbeaten 54-run stand with man-ofthe-match Samuels to stun England.

Earlier West Indies’ bowlers justified captain Darren Sammy’s decision to field first as Samuel Badree and Andre Russell put England on the backfoot at only 23 for three in 4.4 overs.

Opening the attack for the Windies, leg-spinner Badree got Jason Roy clean out for a second ball

duck and also accounted for struggling English skipper Eoin Morgan (5) in his third over.

Root (54), who struck his third half-century of the tournament, and Buttler (36) then came up with a fine re-building act to manage a 61-run fourth wicket partnership.

England’s batting soon crumbled after Brathwaite got dangerman Root trudging back as a scoop shot turned out to be the in-form batsman’s undoing.

Braithwaite and Bravo shared three wickets apiece to hit England hard. l

the current investigation officer, gave a similar reasoning for questioning Tonu’s family members, saying they had got some clues and information regarding the incident and were analysing those to solve the case.

About the repeated interrogation, Abdul Kahar Akand, the CID special superintendent coordinating the investigation, said: “We are asking them questions for information. If we need to know something more, we will interrogate them again. It is part of our investigation.”

Psychologists, however, think that the law enforcers need special training to interrogate the victim’s family members properly.

Prof Dr Mehtab Khanam of educational and counselling psychology department at Dhaka University said interrogation is part of a case’s investigation. “But the officers need to be trained up for this. The police should have a trained group of interrogators.

“If the questioning is conducted in a non-professional manner, the family members will definitely be traumatised,” she told the Dhaka Tribune.

Dr Ashok Kumar Saha, chairman of psychology department at Jagannath University, told the Dhaka Tribune: “The family members can be interrogated but the officers need to do this like a smooth counselling.

“The culprits behind the murder have not been arrested yet but the investigators are interrogating the family members repeatedly. It is a bad sign. Such behaviour will scare them and affect their mental balance.”

Salma Ali, executive director of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association, thinks that questioning the family members about the girl’s character was unacceptable. “The family has been victimised on a regular basis.

“They [officers] can question anyone for the sake of a case. But they cannot raise questions over the character of the victim. It should stop.

The mindset of the law enforcers must change. Even a sex worker cannot be blamed for being raped.

“Now rape victims have to prove that they have been raped. But it should be the opposite – in which an alleged rapist should prove his innocence,” Salma Ali said. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Drik Gallery

Pirates of the Caribbean

body in Narayanganj.

“We recovered the body from a water-filled ditch in Jalkuri area on Saturday evening and sent it to a Narayanganj morgue for autopsy.

There was no document or mobile phone on his body to confirm the identity,” said Siddhirganj SI Abid Hossain.

According to the inquest report, Irfan was found wearing a yellow panjabi and white pyjama and had injury marks on the neck and cheek.

“According to the [initial findings of] post-mortem, the killers struck Irfanul on the head and other body parts before strangling him to death,” said Narayanganj General Hospital Medical Officer Asaduzzaman, who performed the autopsy on Irfanul.

Irfanul’s elder brother Imdadul Islam and Drik’s General Manager SM Rezaur Rahman received the body after the autopsy was done yesterday afternoon.

Rezaur said: “Irfanul had gone to the Dhanmondi branch of Dutch Bangla Bank to withdraw some Tk3.08 lakh of Drik’s money around 11:30am Saturday.

“Irfanul’s driver Nasir was waiting on the other side of the road. The driver spoke to Irfanul over mobile phone around 11:48am for the last time. Later the driver went to the bank looking for him when he did not return for a long time.”

Unable to locate Irfanul, the driver informed Drik authorities about the matter. Rezaur later filed a general diary with Kalabagan police station on Saturday evening.

Irfanul’s brother Imdadul said: “Irfan had been working for Drik for 18 to 20 years. As far as we know, he had no enemies.”

Irfanul hailed from Chittagong’s Shatkania, but lived in the capital’s Hajaribagh with his wife and a son. l

“Everybody in the West Indies is a champion,” beamed Sammy.

The Windies also became the first team to lift the World T20 twice.

England’s batting hero Joe Root had hit Windies hard with a double strike when he shared the new ball with David Willey to get the West Indies’ openers trudging back to the dug out.

Root struck on his first ball as Johnson Charles skied a catch to mid-wicket but the really big wicket came on the third delivery when Chris Gayle departed.

Gayle tried an ambitious slog after hitting a first-ball boundary but could only find the fielder at longon to trigger wild celebrations in the English camp.

Willey then got semi-final star Lendl Simmons out leg before wicket for nought to leave the Windies tottering at 11 for three.

Samuels, who was given an early life after wicketkeeper Jos Buttler grassed a caught behind, stitched a 75-run partnership with Dwayne Bravo (25) to help the Windies rebuild.

Willey turned up for his second

Repeated interrogation Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) and some other investigation agencies.

The persons questioned include Tonu’s father Yaar Hossain, mother Anowara Begum, brothers Nazmul and Anowar Hossain and cousin Laizu Jahan. Yaar Hossain, an office assistant of the Cantonment Board who lives inside the cantonment with his family, filed the murder case.

It is learnt that all the investigation agencies had picked up the family members from their house and took them to their offices for interrogation, and the officials asked them almost the same questions.

Latest, the CID officials questioned the family members for nearly seven hours on Saturday.

The rape-murder incident has created much hype across the country while Bangladeshis living abroad have also been demonstrating for immediate arrest of the culprits and their exemplary punishment.

The National Human Rights Commission has expressed doubt over the investigation process while the chief justice has observed that the murder case could not be tried under

the existing laws of the country.

During a visit to the CID’s Comilla office on Saturday, it was found that Tonu’s mother was not able to walk alone. Her two sons who were helping her said that she had not been feeling well due to high blood pressure.

About the interrogation, Yaar Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune: “I was asked the same type of questions repeatedly. I am the plaintiff of the case but it seems that I am the accused.

“They [law enforcers] asked: Why did we not marry her off ? Did Tonu have any affair? How would she spend the money she earned from tuitions?”

Tonu’s family members were first questioned by Sub-Inspector Saiful Islam of Kotwali police. He submitted the findings to the DB police.

The second investigation officer of the case, DB police OC AKM Manzul Alam, said that they had interrogated Tonu’s family members to verify some information. The DB got the charge of the investigation on March 25.

Finally, the sensational case was shifted to the CID on March 29.

CID Inspector Gazi Md Ibrahim,

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BNP demands cancellation of UP polls result n Tribune Report

The past few days of rain have worsened the condition of the already dilapidated road under Mayor Hanif flyover in Jatrabari, Dhaka, causing even more sufferings for the commuters. The photo was taken yesterday MEHEDI HASAN

The BNP yesterday demanded cancellation of the Union Parishad election results as a large-scale “violence and irregularities” marked the two rounds of polls across the country.

“People rejected all the elections held under this subservient Election Commission. I am on behalf of the BNP demanding cancellation of the election immediately and resignation of the Election Commission,” Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, senior joint secretary general of the party, told journalists at a press briefing at party’s Nayapaltan headquarters.

Rizvi also said whether the party will participate in the next phase election would be decided in the party’s senior leaders meeting scheduled to be held last night.

The BNP leader said since the announcement of election schedule, many BNP candidates could not file their candidacies as the ruling party men barred them from doing so. l

SC judges must sign judgements within 6 months n Ashif Islam Shaon Supreme Court judges will have to sign their judgements no later than six months from the date of delivery, the Appellate Division has ruled.

Setting out a 40-point code of conduct for judges, the apex court recently delivered the full text of the judgement on an appeal that upheld the 2004 dismissal of High Court additional judge Syed Shahidur Rahman for gross misconduct.

“A Judge should dispose of promptly the business of the court including avoiding inordinate delay in delivering judgements/orders. In no case a judgement shall be signed not later than six months of the date of delivery of judgement in exceptional cases,” the judgement read.

The verdict was delivered on September 16, 2015. The full text was signed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, Justice Nazmun Ara Sultana, Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Hasan Foez Siddique.

The code of conduct says a judge should avoid public comment on the merit of a pending or impending court case.

It also said that a judge must not enter into public debate or express their views in public on political matters or on matters that are pending or are likely to arise for judicial determination before them.

Judges are expected to let their

judgements speak for themselves and must not give interviews to the media, it said.

It said that a judge must at all times be conscious that they are under the public gaze and there should be no act or omission which is unbecoming of their office and the public esteem in which that office is held.

They should not engage in any political activities in the country and abroad.

A judge should not engage directly or indirectly in trade or business. They will disclose their assets and liabilities if the Chief Justice asks for it.

It said that a judge should not allow family, social or other relationships to influence judicial conduct or judgement. A judge should not lend the prestige of the judicial office to advance the private interests of others; nor convey or permit others to convey the impression that they are in a special position to influence the judge.

The judge shall disqualify themselves in a proceeding in which the Judge’s impartiality might reasonably be questioned.

A judge will disqualify themselves from a matter in which they served as lawyer, or a lawyer with whom they previously practiced served as a lawyer in that matter, or they or their colleagues had been a material witness.

A judge will not hear any matter if they know that they or their spouse or dependents have a fi-

HIGHLIGHTS Under the verdict, Supreme Court judges must: v sign all judgements within

six months of delivering them

v avoid public comment on

the merit of a pending or impending case

v not enter into public

debate on political matters or on matters pending or likely to arise for judicial determination before them

v not give interviews to the

media

v not engage in political ac-

tivities at home or abroad

v not engage directly or indi-

rectly in trade or business

v conduct themselves in a

way consistent with the dignity of the judicial office

nancial or any other interest in the matter that could be affected by the outcome.

“Justice must not merely be done but it must also be seen to be done,” the verdict said.

The behaviour and conduct of a judge must reaffirm the people’s faith in the impartiality of the judiciary, it said. Any act of a Judge,

whether in official or personal capacity, which erodes the credibility of this perception has to be avoided.

It said that a judge should not permit any member of their immediate family who are members of the Bar to appear before them or be associated in any way with a case they will deal with.

No family member of a judge who is also a member of the Bar will be permitted to use the judge’s residence or other facilities for professional work.

The behavior and conduct of a Judge must reaffirm the people’s faith in the integrity of the judiciary. They must avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all activities.

As a subject of constant public scrutiny, a judge must accept personal restrictions that might be viewed as burdensome by the ordinary citizen and should do so freely and willingly, the verdict said.

In particular, a judge must conduct themselves in a way consistent with the dignity of the judicial office.

A judge must also avoid situations which might give rise to the appearance of favouritism or partiality in their personal relations with members of the legal profession who practice regularly in the judge’s court.

A judge shall not allow the use of the judge’s residence by a member of the legal profession to receive clients or other members of the legal profession.

A judge shall not allow the judge’s family, social or other relationships improperly to influence the Judge’s judicial conduct and judgement.

A judge and members of the judge’s family must not ask for or accept any gift, bequest, loan or favour in relation to anything to be done by the judge in connection with the performance of judicial duties.

A judge shall not knowingly permit court staff or others subject to the Judge’s influence, direction or authority, to ask for, or accept, any gift, bequest, loan or favour in relation to anything done or to be done or omitted to be done in connection with their duties or functions.

Syed Shahidur Rahman, appointed to the High Court as additional judge in April 2003, was removed by then president Iajuddin Ahmed as recommended by the Supreme Judicial Council for receiving Tk50,000 in bribe to grant bail to an accused.

He later filed a writ petition with the High Court, challenging his removal. The court in February 2005 declared the removal of Shahidur illegal.

Responding to another petition, the Appellate Division stayed the High Court verdict two months later and allowed a public interest litigation challenging the verdict.

A four-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice SK Sinha scrapped the verdict. l

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Home Ministry: End Boishakh programmes by 5pm n Shohel Mamun The government has directed all to end all programmes on Pohela Boishakh by 5pm in the capital as well as elsewhere in the country.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal announced the directive at a press conference in the Secretariat yesterday afternoon.

He further said outsiders would have to leave DU campus by 6pm on the day.

Besides, use of vuvuzelas, wearing masks and carrying matches and lighters have also been banned at Mongol Shobhajatra, the celebratory procession brought out by fine arts students of Dhaka University on Pohela Boishakh.

The venues of Boishakhi programmes will be monitored by CCTV cameras, Kamal added.

A group of men sexually harassed and assaulted a number of women at Suhrawardy Udyan gate near DU’s TSC area during Pohela Boishakh celebrations on April 14 last year.

The incident sparked a wave of protest throughout the country with people from all quarters condemning the incident and demanding immediate arrest of the culprits.

Police filed a case with Shahbagh police station over the incident on April 17 last year.

However, at first police denied having any evidence of sexual assaults having taken place, terming the incident a mere scuffle.

But on May 17, Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque told reporters that police had identified the faces of eight men and announced a Tk1 lakh bounty for providing information to capture the sexual offenders.

The first major breakthrough in the case came nearly a year later.

On January 27 this year, the Detective Branch of police arrested one of the eight culprits, named Md Kamal, during a drive in the capital’s Chawkbazar area. l

Government plans to build four subways n Shohel Mamun The government has planned to build four subways (underground railways) across the capital city to ease commuting.

The Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA), a wing of the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry, has presented a proposal in this regard at a seminar at Setu Bhabhan in the capital yesterday.

According to the proposal, a 32 kilometre long subway will connect Sayedabad with Tongi, via Airport, Banani, Mohakhali, Moghbazar, Paltan and Motijheel, at a cost of $5.25 billion.

The second subway will connect Aminbazar with Sayedabad, totalling a distance of 16 kilometres. The

proposed route goes through Gabtoli to Shyamoli, Asadgate, Newmarket, Tsc and Motijheel, costing $2.87 billion.

The third and fouth routes are still in a very primary stage, which will connect Gabtoli with Sadarghat, and Rampura with Sadarghat respectively.

Infrastructure expert Jamilur Reza Chawdhury presided over the seminar as engineer Hossain Shahin presented the proposal with a multimedia presentation.

Chawdhury said: “The elevated road or railway is not a perfect solution to ease the traffic situation in Dhaka. So we needed to think about alternative ways like underground railways.” l

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

Tea estate owners oppose Habiganj SEZ n Asif Showkat Kallol

The Bangladesh Tea Association (BTA) has opposed the idea of setting up a Specialised Economic Zone (SEZ) on tea estate land in Chandpur, Habiganj saying it sends bad signals to foreign investors.

The association also warned that around 15,000 workers from four tea gardens would be losing their livelihoods because of the land acquisition and offered an alternative location for the SEZ.

the lease contract. It will also harm the expansion and production of tea,” the letter said.

It also said that the SEZ would be disruptive for the traditional societies that inhabit the land.

“The workers engaged in the tea industry belong to 85 different ethnic groups,” it said. The workers have been living and using the land to supplement their income within the estates since the colonial era.

“An SEZ will bring outside workers into the area which will affect the lives

Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) to create a SEZ, part of the government’s plan to open 100 SEZs around the country.

The tea garden workers, who have lived and farmed on this land for over 150 years, have been protesting the move since January.

Kabir, the owner of the Sathgao Tea Estate, argued in his letter that the acquisition would spell disaster for the tea industry.

“This will break the contiguity of the tea gardens which violates

“Chandpur tea garden is a 100% foreign owned firm. It will be a wrong signal to current and potential investors if the government takes over a tea estate that was set up by a foreign investor,” BTA Chairman Ardashir Kabir wrote in a recent letter to Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed.

The government in December marked 511.83 acres of land in Chandpur in Chunarughat Upazila, Habiganj, originally leased to Duncan Brothers, for acquisition. The land will be used by Bangladesh

of these communities and destroy the social order and work culture of the tea estates. An established, disciplined industry created over 150 years will break down,” the letter said.

BTA suggested that the government could move the SEZ to Musaikandi in Chunarughat Upazila, where there is 1,200 acres of unused government land.

“That land is near the main highway and gas and electricity connections are available there,” the letter said. l

Coal policy draft ready to be finalised n Aminur Rahman Rasel The government is set to finalise the draft of the long-awaited National Coal Policy that would reportedly exclude the provision of exporting coal, sources said.

The policy, however, is likely to keep the provision that allows joint venture exploration and development between local and foreign companies through bilateral agreement.

Sources said that on March 21 this year, a letter signed by Md Mokammel Haque, a deputy secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division (EMRD) asked the division’s Hydrocarbon Unit to finalise the draft.

In that letter, the EMRD asked for consultations with Petrobangla, Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB) and other organisations concerned to figure out whether the draft policy needed any addition or amendment.

GSB Director General Md Nehal Uddin told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that his organisation has already submitted its opinion on the issue.

The Hydrocarbon Unit and Petrobangla would also soon submit their own observations about the policy, an EMRD official said.

The policy will only be finalised once all stakeholders are consulted, an official with the Hydrocarbon Unit told the Dhaka Tribune.

The draft policy, a copy of which has been obtained by the Dhaka Tribune, reads that the main purpose of the policy would be to ensure a steady supply of coal to tackle the base load along with other energy resources for long-term periods.

The draft policy, which consists of 27 sections, also talks about de-

TEMPERATURE FOREC AST FOR TODAY

veloping the main coal mines in the north of the country and finding new exploration options there to make that region a hub for energy and power.

One of the main aims of the policy would be to establish energy security through maintaining a balance between coal demand and coal extraction.

The policy would consider the increased usage of coal in ensuring energy security and producing electricity, and put restriction on exporting coal unless it becomes necessary to protect public interest.

As per the Mines Act 1923, a chief mine inspector will be appointed and the office will be established.

To develop a discovered coal mine, organisations will be selected through competitive tender process, according to the draft policy, which also reads that foreign companies will be selected through bilateral agreement to work in joint venture.

The Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Centre published the first coal policy in December 2005.

During the 2001-06 tenure of BNP-led government, the committee made four editions of that policy but could not implement any.

Later the caretaker government published the sixth and seventh editions in March and June 2007 respectively.

In January 2008, another committee headed by former Buet VC Abdul Matin Patwary published the eighth edition; but in the face of massive protests, the draft was shelved.

Immediately after the Awami League-led government came into power in 2009, fresh initiatives were taken to prepare a new coal policy. l Dhaka

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Students of Dhaka University stage a sit-in protest blocking the road in front of National Press Club in the capital yesterday, demanding justice for fellow DU student Sujan Mridha who was killed in post-UP poll violence in Madaripur RAJIB DHAR

‘Effective steps needed against cyber threats’ n Tribune Report IT experts in the banking sector yesterday said effective measures were needed to be taken to ensure protection against cyber attacks and threats in the digital era.

Speaking at a seminar, they also urged the authorities concerned to ensure overall security of the country to protect public property.

Professional services network PricewaterhouseCoopers organised the seminar at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital. State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak was the chief guest.

Nazrul Haider, president of ISACA’s Bangladesh chapter, said every space has a boundary except 27

Rajshahi

DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 6:16PM

the digital space.

“Cyber security is much more than just financial issues. Any government institution may come under cyber attack any time and this can cause the country heavy damage. In the future, hackers can attack our important establishments such as power plants and airports.

“Digital risk management depends on good governance. The highest management of the institution will be responsible for any cyber crime. Awareness is the only way to remove cyber threat,” said Nazrul.

Mahbubur Rahman, associate professor at Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management, said: “Not only the banking system, there

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YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

TOMORROW SUN RISES 5:46AM

33.2ºC Jessore

19.8ºC Rajarhat

Source: Accuweather/UNB

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are many sensitive departments such as the National ID wing, Department of Immigration and Passports, and ministries that may come under cyber attack any time.”

“Without any protection system, we launched the online banking system where the whole IT system was outsourced by private vendors. Sometimes we failed to judge the quality of the vendors,” he said.

Omar Farooq, head of IT at Eastern Bank Limited, said cyber security is an international issue.

“There has to be a roadmap to protect our public properties against cyber attacks. We have to adopt the latest technologies that other countries are using.” l Sylhet

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Fajr: 4:28am | Zohr: 12:01pm Asr: 3:29pm | Magrib: 6:19pm Esha: 7:46pm Source: IslamicFinder.org

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

Deposition starts in Dandy Dyeing case n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A money loan court in Dhaka yesterday started recording the deposition of the first witness in Dandy Dyeing’s Tk46 crore loan default case filed against BNP chief Khaleda Zia and 15 others.

Acting judge Fatema Ferdous of the Dhaka’s First Artha Rin Adalat recorded the deposition of Sonali Bank senior executive officer Md Nazrul Islam and set April 17 for the rest of his statement and cross-examination. The accused were indicted in the case on February 2.

Khaleda’s counsel barrister AKM Fakhrul Islam filed time petitions before the court seeking adjournment of the witness testimony while Sonali bank’s counsel Jahangir Alam opposed the time petitions.

The other defendants in the case are Khaleda’s son Tarique Rahman; her late son Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife Sharmila Rahman Sithi and daughters Zafia Rahman and Zahia Rahman; Tarique’s friend Giasud-

din Al Mamun; Mamun’s wife Shahina Begum; late Sayeed Iskander’s wife Nasrin Iskander, his sons Shams Iskander and Shafin Iskander and daughter Sumaiya Iskander; Gazi Galib Abdus Sattar; Shamsun Nahar; and Masud Hassan.

On March 16 last year, the court granted a Sonali Bank petition to include Khaleda, Sharmila, Zafia and Zahia as defendants in the case as Koko, a former director of Dandy Dyeing Ltd, died on January 24.

On March 23, the court summoned Khaleda and Koko’s wife and daughters to submit their statements before it in writing. They submitted their written statements in line with the order.

The case says Dandy Dyeing borrowed Tk12.16 crore from the principal office of Sonali Bank Ltd in Dhaka on October 16, 2001. As the company failed to pay it off, the principal loan plus interest accumulated totally amounting to Tk45.59 crore over the 11 years. l

Nizami’s hearing not this week

Drilling of new Titas gas well begins

Condemned war criminal Motiur Rahman Nizami’s petition seeking review of his death penalty has been lined up for hearing at the Appellate Division next week following a time petition by the defence.

A three-member bench of the Appellate Division led by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha set the new date yesterday morning.

Defence lawyer SM Shahjahan said they had sought sixweek time for the hearing due to some personal difficulties of Nizami’s principal lawyer Khandaker Mahbub Hossain.

But the apex court said it would hold the hearing next week, Shahjahan said.

However, the court did not fix any specific day for the hearing.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Nizami filed the petition on March 29 seeking acquittal from all the proven charges.

The death penalty of Nizami was upheld by the apex court on January 6 on charges of masterminding the killing of intellectuals and for his involvement in two incidents of mass murders of over 500 people in Pabna in 1971. l

The drilling of a new gas well in Titas gas field, on the outskirts of Brahmanbaria town, was inaugurated on Saturday.

A small prayer ceremony was organised on the occasion, which was attended by the project director and officials, the officials of Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Ltd (BGFCL), and Sinopec International Petroleum Service Corporation, a Chinese company in charge of the drilling, read a press statement issued by the BGFCL. Project officials hope that the drilling of Gas Well 26 would be finished within three months. The well’s drilling depth has been fixed at 3,600 metres, the statement said.

After the drilling is finished, the well is expected to supply around 20-25mmcfd – million cubic feet per day – of natural gas to the national grid.

Earlier, the BGFCL conducted a 3D seismic survey and identified four new gas wells – Nos 23, 24, 25 and 26 – of which the drilling of Well 25 is already complete, and the drilling of Well 23 and Well 24 will start soon. l

n Ashif Islam Shaon

n Tribune Report

7

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

Bir Sreshtho Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir Library and Museum on the verge of closure Rahman Swapan, n Anisur Barisal Bir Shrestho Shaheed Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir Memorial Museum and Library constructed in 2008 in Barisal is at the verge of closure due to manifold reasons.

Local sources said the museum and library had been constructed at Rahimganj village under Agorpur union of Babuganj upazila at the cost of Tk62.90 lakhs on 0.30-acre land on August 1, 2007. Construction was completed on May 15, 2008.

Barisal district council supervised the construction works of a one storied building on 3500 square feet area for museum attached with a library.

It was the part of a construction project of seven memorial museums and libraries at birth places of seven Birshreshthos.

Brigadier General M A Malek (Rtd), advisor of the then military backed care taker government inaugurated it on May 20, 2008 naming the area as Jahangir Nagor after Birshrestho Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir.

Brigadier General Gias Uddin Chowdhury (Rtd)Birbikram, sub-sector commander of sector-7 of the liberation war, was chief guest of the programme.

In that programme, Safia Khatun, mother of Birshrestho Mohiuddin Jahangir, requested the government to establish a hospital or health complex in the area to facilitate health services to the deprived people of the area.

Safia Khatun died on July 12, 2008, but the demand yet to be fulfilled, said Sabbir Hossain, a student and nephew of Jahangir.

3 snatchers arrested in Ctg Correspondent, n Our Chittagong

Police arrested three snatchers from city’s Oxygen area early Sunday.

The arrested were Azam Khan, 23, Nazim, 21 and Morshed Alam, 21 all haiing from Hathazari upazila of the district.

On secret information, a team of police arrested the snatchers from Oxygen area in the city around 2-45am while they were fleeing after snatching a mobile phone, a camera and cash money from an officer of Uniliver Bangladesh.

Sources said the snatchers took away valuables from Uniliver officer Jahirul Islam who was going to Kalurghat area in a rickshaw after getting down from a bus. l

Bir Sreshtho Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir Library and Museum at Rahimganj under Babuganj in Barisal lies uncared. The picture was taken recently Manjurur Rahman Bachchu, brother of Birshreshtha Mohiuddin and management committee president of museum and library, expressing anxiety said Sugandha River erosion rapidly advancing towards the museum and already reached within 200 yards of the museum building and library.

The establishments might be eroded away in the monsoon if no emergency step is taken immediately.

Besides the college established four-year ago after the name of

the Birshreshto yet to get MPO, although 16 teachers and staffs have been serving here.

Siddikur Rahman, nephew of Jahangir, caretaker cum librarian of the museum, said except some 4000 books and some copies of personal letters, nothing else is related with memories of Birshreshtho preserved in this museum which could attract the visitors.

However all of them said communication hazards and lack of proper knowledge about the life

and achievements of Birshreshtho yet to make the place attractive.

Brirshrestho Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir was born on March 8, 1949 at Rahimganj, about 30 kilometers away from Barisal city under present Babuganj upazila.

Mowlavi Abdul Kader and Safia Khatun were his parent.

He joined in engineering core of Pakistan army in 1967 and joined the liberation war of Bangladesh on July 03, 1971 as a commander of freedom fighters of sector 7 at

Jubo League man arrested for raping teenage bride in Bogra Nazmul Huda Nasim, n Md Bogra

An activist of the Awami Jubo League in Bogra’s Nandigram upazila was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a newly wed teenage girl on Saturday night.

Police produced the accused – Liton Chandra Mohanta, 26 – before a Bogra court yesterday morning, which sent him to prison, police sources told the Dhaka Tribune.

Police and locals said the victim, a seventh-grader at a local school in Nandigram’s Gundail Purbapara village, was married off to her neighbour, a rickshaw van puller, around three months ago. Liton, who is a Jubo League activist in

Nandigram municipality’s Ward 2, used to harass her every day on her way to school.

On Saturday night, the victim stepped out of her house around 8:30pm to go to the bathroom when Liton, who had been hiding near the house, grabbed her, gagged her with a scarf and raped her right in front of her house.

The victim’s muffled screams alerted her ill husband, who came out and tried to grab Liton. The noise alerted the couple’s neighbours and together they detained Liton.

But Liton’s family later went to the victim’s house and beat up the victim’s family to rescue him.

The victim’s husband said Liton’s family, an influential one

in the village, took the couple to a house in Old Bazar area and tried to resolve the issue. When they refused their offer, Liton’s family threatened to force them out of the village and kill them.

Notified of the incident, Sub-Inspector Monirul Islam of Nandigram police station went to the spot around 10:30pm, rescued the couple and arrested Liton.

Nandigram OC Hasan Shamim told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that the victim filed a case against Liton on Saturday night, and he was sent to court yesterday morning, which sent him to prison.

The victim would be sent to hospital for her medical examination, the OC further said. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Chapainawabganj area of Rajshahi.

On December 14 early morning, just two days before the final victory, he crossing Mahanada River in Rehairchar area of Nawabganj, engaged in fight with Pakistan occupation army and received bullet injury. He became a martyred.

His body was recovered and buried on historical Sona Masjid premises of Chapainababganj on December 15, 1971 and later honored ‘Birshrestho; title, the highest honor for the great freedom fighters. l

Food poisoning kills one in Rajshahi

n Our Correspondent, Rajshahi A housewife has reportedly died of food poisoning in Dhuroil village in Mohanpur upazila of the district yesterday.

Swapna Akter, 32, died at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) in the morning. Besides, her four family members became victim of the poisoning and they were undergoing treatment in the hospital.

Swapna’s son-in-law Delwar Hossain said all of them became sick on Saturday afternoon after having lunch and they were whisked off to the hospital where Swapna died around 7am in next morning. l

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

Farmers face loss Youth killed for protesting stalking for lack of soybean n processing facility Our Correspondent, Bogra

Islam Swapan, n Saiful Lakshmipur Soybean farmers in Lakshmipur are deprived of fair prices because of lack of a processing system even though the district is where the majority of the plant is cultivated.

Local farmers said they would have got fair prices if a soybean processing facility was set up in the district.

They also said the government should set up a processing facility so that they are encouraged to continue soybean farming.

“The price of one kilogramme of soybean is Tk4044 but we only get Tk20-25 when we harvest. This is only because there is no processing facility,” said Abdul Hanan, a farmer at Charkadira village in Kamalnagar upazila.

Farmers said they were expecting a bumper harvest in this season because of favourable weather conditions.

Farmer Abdul Alim from Charmana said he spent Tk30,000 to cultivate soybean this year. “The harvest will be better than the previous year if favourable weather condi-

tions persist. But the profit would have been higher if there was a processing facility in the district.”

Soybean grown in Lakshmipur is exported to different parts of the country, including Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet, after meeting the local demand.

Farmer Siraj Miah said he runs his family by selling soybean. “This year’s cultivation cost me Tk35,000. I am expecting a good harvest and am now removing weeds.”

Department of Agricultural Extension sources said around 1 lakh tonnes of soybean is produced in 53,000 hectares of land in the district, and the market price of the produce is about Tk400 crore.

It costs Tk12,000-15,000 to produce soybean in an acre of land and the selling price is Tk30,000-35,000.

Md Golam Mostafa, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension’s Lakshmipur office, said a local soybean processing facility would not only help farmers get fair prices but would create employment opportunities also. l

Fake RAB 50 shops member held evicted Correspondent, n Our Manikganj A fake member of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) was arrested from Uthuli under Manikganj district yesterday.

The arrested was Mohammad Hossain, 35, son of Shahadath Hossain of Banari village under Tangibari upazila of Munshiganj district.

Police sources said the arrested person introduced himself as Md Tanvir Ahmed, a Lieutenant Colonel of Rab and had been cheating people for long.

On the basis of allegation of a woman, Manikganj police with the help of Shibalaya upazila police arrested the accused from his rented house.

The police recovered different things from his possession including 16 mobile sets, 22 SIM cards of different companies, one Police marked torch light and a bag with army dress. l

n BSS A mobile court of Rangpur City Corporation evicted more 50 illegal roadside shops from footpaths in the city and seized various goods in the day-long drives yesterday.

Executive Magistrate of the City Corporation S M Golam Kibria led the mobile court, also participated by the concerned officials and employees of the City Corporation and police forces.

During the drives, the mobile court evicted the illegally erected shops and establishments and seized seven signboards, several stands and rod-made materials from Rangpur Government Girls’ High School to Shapla Chattar areas in the city.

During the drives, the Executive Magistrate informed that the eviction drive will continue to evict or demolish all illegal structures and establishments from the illegally occupied footpaths in the city. l

A youth has been hacked to death for reportedly protesting harassment of females on the Horibashar temple premises in Gandogram village under Shajahanpur upazila here on Saturday night.

In the next morning, protesting the murder locals brought out a pro-

cession carrying the body of Sonatan Chandro Promanik, 28. Later, they filed a complaint to local deputy commissioner and superintendent of police seeking exemplary punishment for the murderers.

Shajahanpur Officer-in-Charge (OC) Alamgir Hossain said they detained two people, namely Rajib and Rafiul in that

night for their suspected involvement in the killing. A case was registered in this connection, the OC continued.

Witnesses said a group of four to five people had beat up one Ratan Biswas as he protested their stalking to female visitors at a religions festival, Kirtan, at Horibashar temple around 11:30pm Saturday. l

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

Education in Australia:

Top 10 preferred universities

A

ustralia has always been one of the top picks to attain a postgraduate degree. It is easy to see the reasoning behind this fact – Australia has the best internationally accredited institutions after USA and UK, while being less expensive and comparatively easier to get admittance. Being from a developing country, it is easy to see why cost is one of the prime determinants of education for students.

Fortunately, the Australian government welcomes international students to study without any hassle. Jobs and work permits are not hard to come by, and the government itself offers up to USD250 million per year in grants, scholarships and financial aid for international students based on merit and other criteria.

This significantly reduces the strain on making ends meet while studying.

With such a great opportunity, questions naturally arise as to which are the best study options for post-graduation in Australia.

For students who are planning to head to the land down-under, here are GradConnect’s top 10 picks for post-graduate studies in Australia.

The list is in no particular order, and is being continued from the previous week.

University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide was founded in 1874, and it is the third oldest university in Australia. Associated with five Nobel laureates and 104 Rhodes Scholars, the university is ranked among the top 100 in multiple lists of best universities in the world.

The University of Adelaide is situated in the North Terrace in the city of Adelaide. For those who are interested in a peaceful location away from the hustle and bustle of cosmopolitans, Adelaide is a great location.

Focusing mostly on biotechnology and marine engineering, this university is a top choice for students interested in such subjects. Equipped with one of the most intensive research centres in Australia, it deserves a nod from anyone studying these subjects. Another noteworthy program which they offer is masters in Project Management, which a lot of universities don’t.

thing that is most important to know is that, University of Sydney has a lot of scholarships and grants to offer. It also houses one of the biggest libraries, has art galleries and museums within its campus.

And being in Sydney, the job market is also full of opportunities.

Cost per year is in the order of AUD36,000 per year, and it has an extensive selection of courses particularly in Psychology and Environmental sciences.

University of Western Australia

Established in 1911, the University of Western Australia (UWA) is another member of the group of eight. The oldest university in Western Australia, UWA is also known as a “sandstone university” – the epitome of good education.

It is ranked among the top 100 universities in multiple lists. UWA has produced 99 Rhodes Scholars and one Nobel Laureate in its time, and also has an Australian Prime minister among its alumni. Its Crawley campus sits on the Swan River, around five kilometres west of Perth Central.

Perth is another important city

Costs may run up to AUD32,000 per year, but with proper funding it may well be worth studying there.

University of Queensland

The University of Queensland was founded in 1909, as a public university in the suburbs of St Lucia, southwest of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia. It is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in Australia. It is a part of the group of eight, and the international research-intensive universities network, Universitas 21. UQ is also called a “sandstone university,” because of its high ranking in all four key international university ranking lists.

The key advantage it has compared to other universities is its wide array of post-graduate computer science degrees. For graduates of computer science, this university is surely the place to be. Its location may seem like a drawback, since it is located away from big cities, but its highly

flexible coursework schedules make up for it. Costs are similar to most universities, which is between AUD28,000-30,000 per year.

University of Sydney

If having lots of awards or degrees is termed as “over-achievement,” then the University of Sydney certainly fits the bill. Established in 1850, it is Australia’s first ever university, one of the most prestigious places to study, 27th in the world in terms of reputation, and among top 0.3% of QS World University Rankings.

Till date, seven Nobel and Crafoord laureates have been a member of its alumni or faculty, and it is ranked among the top 10 most beautiful universities in the world. It is also a part of the group of eight of Australia’s best universities, among many other consortium and networks. It is situated in the inner suburbs of Campertown and Darlington, Sydney.

For international students, the

DT

Education

This is the second part of a double feature

of the group of eight institutions, but it is among the 400-500 bracket in world university ranking lists. It was established in 1988, although it has existed in other forms since 1870. It is part of the Australian Technology Network of universities.

What sets this university apart from the others is the amount of scholarships and funding that is available for students. Along with the lower cost of studies, which is somewhere in the range of AUD19,000-30,000 per year, this university is a great choice for students of Bangladesh. Its prime location in the business district also means that there are plenty of jobs available. For post-graduate studies, UTS offers various business courses among which Masters in Accounting Information Systems is highly noteworthy.

The University of Newcastle, Australia

The University of Newcastle (UoN) was established back in the year 1965. Its main campus is in Callaghan, a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales. UoN was key in pioneering the problem-based

Australia has the best internationally accredited institutions after USA and UK, while being less expensive and comparatively easier to get admittance

in Australia, which means plenty of opportunities in the job market.

The university has a big collection of health and business courses for post graduate studies, although the cost runs up to AUD33,000 per year.

University of Technology Sydney

University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is situated in the central business district of Sydney.

Although the university is not one

learning system for its Bachelors of medicine program which was later adapted for use by the Australian Medical Council and implemented throughout the country. The university offers courses in almost all sectors of study, although the most popular course would be their Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program. l This article has been reprinted in special arrangement with www. grad-insights.com

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Feature

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

No mountain high enough In conversation with the fearless and ambitious Tania Wahab, a pioneering female entrepreneur in the Bangladesh leather industry

n Armin Zaman Khan Tania Wahab, the managing partner of Karigar and an outstanding female entrepreneur of Bangladesh has been repeatedly proving all the stereotypes against women wrong for the past 11 years and running. In business, all it takes is courage and this woman has it all to pursue her dream.

While most women would choose a convenient career path, she chose to do something which is not only unconventional but also challenging. She completed her bachelors in leather technology and started her dream venture in leather products manufacturing.

With an initial investment of Tk10,000, she now has turnovers of crores. That itself is a laudable feat. Tania Wahab’s competence in

business and expertise in leather technology has earned its name beyond borders but we got to learn more of this wonderful personality through a small chat.

What motivates you to do what you have been doing for so long?

As a child, I was very restless. The creative field always captivated my attention. You may say creativity was my weakness, which eventually turned into a strength.

What I do now is not the first thing I started doing. I have tried out a few other fields but what I have chosen as my career is something which I have been passionate about for decades. Now, when I look back and see that I have overcome so many hurdles throughout the journey, it motivates me more.

When I started, I had nothing.

Neither money nor support from family, and hence I value both very much in my life.

Who do you look up to in life? Who is your biggest inspiration?

Everyone has different stories of life, fame and success. People live under some circumstances which they never talk about so it is not easy to know a person or a personality so easily. My situations and circumstances were different according to me and I look up to achieving my desired goal. I have faced a lot of difficulty, especially because I was a woman in this field, and had to grow up without a role model who I could look up to. So in a way, I had to be my own role model. Other than this, there isn’t any personified inspiration in my life.

I feel cheerful and beautiful when I can be myself and not have to pretend to be someone else or something I am not

How difficult or easy has it been being a woman?

Since I chose an unconventional career path most women would not dare to step into, it has been quite difficult I would say. I was the first woman who showed interest and started working at the Hazaribagh Tannery so there was lots of discouragement from my elders in my family and the surroundings in general. For the first few years, I had to face lots of obstacles and discouragement to be honest. I stumbled and learned from my hardship and mistakes and carried on with dedication.

It was not at all easy to come this far with no monetary and family support. When I started, I knew I would have to walk alone and I had already sacrificed a lot by then so all the hindrances helped to make me stronger.

them to do so. If a woman feels from inside that she needs to act up then nothing can calm her down till she gets through it. Also, a woman has to make a lot of complex decisions keeping a lot of factors in mind. So naturally, they are more resilient and tougher than men.

What does beauty mean to you?

What makes you feel beautiful?

Beauty is simplicity. I feel cheerful and beautiful when I can be myself and not have to pretend to be someone else or something I am not.

Any tips for women with big dreams?

For aspiring talented women I would suggest to believe in themselves and keep their integrity. Never sell out to anybody or anything no matter how strong the storms are. Always keep personal and professional life in different columns and march with your agenda and goals set strongly in their own respective places.l

According to you, what is the primary strength of a woman?

Women can take immense amounts of pressure and responsibilities if life demands

How did you dream growing up would be like when you were a kid? Has it been any different?

I was a very rebellious kid. I never listened to my elders and literally loved breaking rules. I did what I wanted to and whatever drove me from the inside. I never wanted to financially depend on anybody and always wanted to make my own money. I was a bit obdurate and straightforward so you can imagine what a hard time I have given to my parents and teachers.

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Editorial 11

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

INSIDE

The freedom to defile Did we ever really achieve freedom? I ask because I am surrounded by people who believe that it is the girl’s fault if she gets raped. In our country, a girl is judged on her attire and the timing of her work. If she is not covering herself head to toe with no room left for breathing, it is considered to be expected that she will be raped PAGE 12

The way dynasties end I can assert with confidence that not a single Congress leader would have compromised the Congress commitment to nationalism in the manner that Rahul Gandhi did PAGE 13

Come fly with me The reason why most men want to see eye-catching women as cabin crew is because, over the years, a variety of salacious tales have been in circulation surrounding stewardesses, creating a heady myth PAGE 14

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.

BIGSTOCK

AUW shows true leadership with scholarships for garment workers

T

he Asian University for Women is to be applauded for its new scholarship scheme aimed at women working in Bangladesh’s garment factories.

It is highly encouraging to see leading Bangladeshi garment manufacturers supporting the first 22 women garment workers who have become Pathways Scholars at the Asian University for Women in Chittagong.

The employers of the garment workers have agreed with AUW to continue to pay their wages while the women study so that they can keep supporting their families, and their university fees are being paid for by charitable donations.

By enabling women who might otherwise have been stuck on a production line to pursue higher education, the AUW and factory owners involved are setting an invaluable example.

For the AUW, which opened in 2008 as an international university attracting students from 15 countries to Chittagong, the scheme advances its mission to create a new generation of female leaders, by using charitable funds from donors such as the Gates and Ikea foundations to recruit and support the most talented people, irrespective of background.

The garment factories themselves will directly benefit from the world-class education gained by the future women graduates they support.

Most important of all, the scheme shows genuine vision and leadership.

Improving skills and education levels is the most important challenge Bangladesh needs to meet to maximise the potential of our people.

As the economy grows, low-wage and low-skill labour will become increasingly unsustainable. It is very important then to raise aspirations and increase expectations by investing in skills development.

The AUW garment scholarships scheme shows the way forward and sets a tremendous example for all employers.

It is vital that we seek to become a country where everyone has access to a world class education.

A great way to improve workforce skills and help raise aspirations for all

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DT

Opinion

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

The freedom to defile What good is freedom when it is denied to half of our country’s population? the freedom they earned is only applicable to beasts. The beasts have the freedom to rape someone, kill them, and then get away with it.

Our society has the freedom to point fingers at the girl and let the rapist walk away. And the law and the system have the freedom to act blind and deaf when faced with such horrid truths.

In this whole scenario, where do I, or any other Bangladeshi girl, stand? Did I ever have freedom?

And will I ever get freedom?

Should I celebrate the freedom

Did we ever really achieve freedom?

I ask because I am surrounded by people who believe that it is the girl’s fault if she gets raped.

In our country, a girl is judged on her attire and the timing of her work.

If she is not covering herself head to toe with no room left for breathing, it is considered to be expected that she will be raped

Our society’s attitude towards women needs to change

n Tanjila Mazumder Drishti

D

ear Bangladesh, Hope this letter finds you well.

I am writing to you with a lot of hope and expectation.

I am a Bangladeshi girl who takes immense pride in her nation.

Coming from a family of freedom fighters, I have grown up hearing stories of our glorious history.

I have been taught to believe in my country even when there is darkness all around. I have learned

to be proud of the freedom I enjoy today. I have been taught to value the price our freedom fighters had to pay to bring this freedom to us.

However, standing here all the way in 2016, I am not sure if I will be able to hold on to my pride and belief anymore.

Did we ever really achieve freedom? I ask because I am surrounded by people who believe that it is the girl’s fault if she gets raped.

In our country, a girl is judged based on her attire and the timing

DHAKA TRIBUNE

of her work. If she is not covering herself head to toe with no room left for breathing, it is considered to be expected that she will be raped. If she was covering herself “properly” but still ended up getting raped, then it is her “character” that is to be pointed at.

I am not sure who is to blame in this matter anymore.

Should I blame the men who look at women like they exist only to serve their sexual desires?

Should I blame our society, one that normalises the actions of such

beasts?

Should I blame the parents of these beasts for giving birth to them and then protecting them from the consequences of their actions?

Should I blame the girls for daring to dream in a country like Bangladesh? Should I blame the girls for ever being born? Should I blame the girls for not behaving like the sex slaves those beasts want them to?

Or should I blame our freedom fighters? Because it seems like

that the rest of the nation celebrates?

Dear Bangladesh, I am losing grip over my own beliefs. Please give me a reason to once again believe in you and believe in the freedom that our freedom fighters granted us all those years ago.

Regards, A Bangladeshi girl who always believed in you. l Tanjila Mazumder Drishti is Regional Coordinator, Urban Development Program at BRAC.

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Opinion

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

The way dynasties end Congress won’t get many votes by standing with those who want the dismemberment of India

Congress is headed towards extinction -- not with a bang but a whimper

n MJ Akbar

S

uccess measures capability -- a crisis tests an individual’s or an institution’s maturity and resilience. Congress was hit by an explosion in the 2014 general elections which ripped apart its crumbling ideological facade and exposed the termites that had eroded its structural foundations.

It was a moment that demanded the emergence of a sagacious leader who could prescribe an elixir of renewal and the way forward through a tense and aspirational period in India’s history.

Instead, Congress continued to invest in its fatal flaw: Dynasty at the expense of merit, sycophancy at the cost of introspection.

With Rahul Gandhi in charge, the explosion was followed by a series of implosions triggered by political incomprehension and temperamental management that exacerbated inner dispute into rift and fissure into split.

The shambles in Uttarakhand is hardly unique. It is part of a pattern. Assam and Arunachal were earlier examples, although the Tarun Gogoi government survived the split. Regional leaders, who stayed with the party through the havoc of 2014, have realised the party is trapped in a tailspin. One common complaint is

that Rahul Gandhi had little time for them; and if they did get a few minutes, he was not listening.

Last weekend, New York Times columnist David Brooks

REUTERS

“model crisis,” when the paradigm collapses: “Attempts to patch up the model fail. Everybody is in anguish, but nobody knows what to do.”

let alone try and search for a prescription. Dynasties permit some leeway when successful and therefore secure, but shut minds when under threat.

I can assert with confidence that not a single Congress leader would have compromised the Congress commitment to nationalism in the manner that Rahul Gandhi did by showing warm approval of an upstart student activist who was stupid enough to endorse the outrageous suggestion that Indian soldiers in uniform were rapists and that the Indian Army was worse than Maoists. Rahul Gandhi has become middle-aged without understanding what the Indian Army means to the people of India

wrote an illuminating analysis of Republican floundering in America. Brooks applied Thomas Kuhn’s theory of scientific revolutions, a Marxist-sounding phrase for the dissection of democracy.

Intellectual progress, goes the proposition, is not steady. It moves from the success model, when everything seems to be working, to the “model drift,” when contradictions and anomalies surface. This leads inevitably to a

Brooks suggests that the inexplicable behaviour of the Republican Party is due to the fact that it has been “psychologically defeated,” leading to policy dislocation and disorder, even if this is a “negation of its own history.”

During the five years between 2009 and 2014, Congress slid from success, endorsed by re-election, to model crisis. There is plenty of anguish but, because of a local variation, no one will admit it,

We have recently witnessed a classic case of Congress negating its own history. I have studied the life of Jawaharlal Nehru and been an editor from the time Mrs Indira Gandhi was prime minister to the Dr Manmohan Singh decade.

I can assert with confidence that not a single Congress leader would have compromised the Congress commitment to nationalism in the manner that Rahul Gandhi did by showing warm approval of an upstart

student activist who was stupid enough to endorse the outrageous suggestion that Indian soldiers in uniform were rapists and that the Indian Army was worse than Maoists. Rahul Gandhi has become middle-aged without understanding what the Indian Army means to the people of India, and indeed to his own ancestors and predecessors.

Even as a tactical ploy this is counter-productive. Congress is not going to get many votes by standing alongside those who want the dismemberment of their nation.

In the past, Congress has dealt with its crises through a split. The most famous, and most productive, was the split engineered by Mrs Gandhi. It is important to note, however, that Congress was not immobilised by dynasty in 1969 -- this ailment only began in the mid-1970s.

Today, senior and thoughtful minds within Congress will never admit in public what they express in private. To do so would be suicidal to their individual prospects.

That is the way dynasties end, as TS Eliot might have noted: Not with a bang but a whimper. l MJ Akbar is an Indian journalist. He is the founder of The Sunday Guardian.

This article was previously published in The Sunday Guardian.

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DT

Opinion

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

Come fly with me Scantily clad stewardesses are probably the only way airlines can make a buck these days tales have been in circulation surrounding stewardesses, creating a heady myth.

These tales, mostly apocryphal, whet our appetites and trigger deviant fantasies.

Reality is certainly very different! What one gets in the actual world, if one is infinitely lucky, are a few smiles, maybe some flirtatious looks (you have to be Shakib Al Hasan or Mashrafe for this) and, possibly, one drink more than the other guy.

In the current market, with the aviation industry floundering and airline companies having to face intense competition to make ends meet, chances are high that the crew may not be in the mood for any frivolities at all.

Maybe flying business class will offer some frisson.

Mr Bond, is there anything else you want? Or, as fantasy-fueled tales go around a certain defunct airline, in which, stewardesses were supposed to have said: “Tea, coffee, or me?”

Whether we find the move by the Vietnamese airline to be belittling or not, the bottom line is: The company is getting passengers and the owner is happy.

In a world where moral boundaries are constantly realigned to fit the evolving (read: Aggressive) consumer culture, it seems that the market belongs to

Does the cash flow in when the clothes fly out?

n Towheed Feroze

O

K, I don’t know if I am going to draw flak for this one but, before someone lets out a stream of invective against me, let me tell you, this airline in Vietnam is reportedly owned by a female entrepreneur who is supposed to be on her way to becoming a billionaire.

Must say, cash floods in when clothes fly out.

The news is certainly sensational: VietJet Air CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao’s idea of dressing stewardesses in provocative clothes is paying off, read a recent news which went viral.

Don’t blame me, go and talk to Ms Thao -- by the way, she is said to have remarked that, as long as clients are happy, the image of a “bikini airline” is something which won’t bother her.

Are the clients happy? Well, is the chief Rabbi a Jew? We are informed that the airline has already grabbed 30% of the market after coming up with this blood-boiling change.

That’s what I call marketing strategy straight from the garden of paradise!

Must say, after looking at the photos of the stewardesses who seem to be more luscious than Playboy models, I am tempted to actually try out this airline.

Is there anyone out there who has flown in it? Well, I mean, if I understand our double standards, then it’s possible that the many businessmen who travel frequently in the East Asia route will keep their mouths shut even if they have, because perhaps their wives won’t prefer visualising their husbands taking a cold drink from a hot girl wearing a garter belt.

I am also certain that the common excuse “oh darling, you know the reason why I love going to Vietnam and take VietJet is because, during our student days of rebellious ideals, we lionised the glorious opposition of the people of Vietnam against the imperialist US forces,” will now be met with suspicion.

I mean, you can certainly say: These ladies represent the new strategic infusion of an open market with communism.

The reason why most men want to see eye-catching women as cabin crew is because, over the years, a variety of salacious tales have been in circulation surrounding stewardesses, creating a heady myth

Strategic indeed!

In the end, whether we admit it openly or not, using young, attractive women in skimpy clothes to promote something never fails.

And look who is behind it: Another woman! She certainly has the acumen to understand and utilise what the ancient philosopher Chanakya termed as the most powerful force in the world -- the physical beauty of a woman.

What do women using the airline as passengers think? Well, from the few photos I saw of the interior, didn’t see many (not a single one) women.

Bet there will be a lot of outrage against this, calling this stunt as

a demeaning act which promotes blatant voyeurism.

Hey, let’s be honest: Bikinis are not needed, but how many would want to fly in an airline where the stewardess is covered head to toe in a loose dress?

No offence, but being served by someone whose physical attributes are above average is at the core of the airline trade.

I think a few months ago, Air India grounded flight attendants because they were not slim. The underlying message here was clear: If you want to fly, then become prim and proper.

The reason why most men want to see eye-catching women as their cabin crew is because, over the years, a variety of salacious

those who break new grounds.

Shocking at first, stupendous in the end.

By the way, I wonder what the bikini-clad attendants wear when they come out of customs after a flight. Let me take a guess: Maybe the privilege is only kept for those who take that airplane and are inside the aircraft.

Come on, if they walk out like that through customs …

One thing is for certain, there is an upside to this attire: You have no contraband to hide and no place to conceal weapons.

I mean, no weapons to be used for terrorism purposes! l Towheed Feroze is a journalist currently working in the development sector.

DT

Business 15

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

INSIDE Investors to sift for clues in Fed tug-of-war After enduring several weeks of conflicting comments by Federal Reserve officials that whip-lashed the US stock market, befuddled investors could get a dose of clarity next week on where the Fed stands on its path toward rate hikes. PAGE 17

Truce in ‘currency war’, but will it last?

A truce appears to have emerged in the undeclared global “currency war”, but analysts question whether central banks have really given up manipulating exchange rates to prop up their economies. PAGE 18

Capital market snapshot: Sunday DSE Broad Index

4,379.2

0.5% ▲

Index

1,058.7

0.6% ▲

30 Index

1,650.9

0.1% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

3,739.8

-9.4% ▼

Turnover in Mn Vol

117.6

-6.9% ▼

All Share Index 13,475.0

0.5% ▲

30 Index

12,067.3

0.3% ▲

8,183.1

0.5% ▲

CSE

Selected Index Turnover in Mn Tk Turnover in Mn Vol

294.3 -16.3% ▼ 9.9

-3.6% ▼

Bangladesh to start LoC projects with procurement of vehicles from India A $2bn line of credit with India was signed on March 9 n Kayes Sohel Development projects using second $2 billion Indian line of credit (LoC) will first begin with procurement of trucks and buses from India.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges recently wrote to the Planning Commission for considering two projects worth $102 million under the new LoC. Under the two projects, Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) will buy 500 trucks and 600 buses in line with the LoC deal under which 75% goods and services will have to be procured from the Indian market.

The rest 25% can be sourced from Bangladesh market or any other third country.

After nearly one-year negotiation, Dhaka and New Delhi signed an agreement on 2nd LoC on March 9.

The above two projects are of the 13 development projects planned to be implemented using LoC. Sources at the Planning Commission said the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry already sent two projects under the new LoC. The BRTC would procure buses and trucks from the Indian market within next three years up to June 2019, they added.

According to the project proposals, 350 trucks with a capacity of 15 tonnes, 150 trucks with a 10-tonne capacity, 300 dou-

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina talks with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during the latter’s visit to Dhaka in 2015.

India and Bangladesh signed a $2bn line of credit on March 9, 2016 DHAKA TRIBUNE ble-decker buses, 200 single-decker AC buses and 100 single-decker non-AC buses will be procured.

The proposed 13 projects, including the procurement one, are setting up of double railway tracks in Khulna-Darshana line, converting the Parbatipur-Kaunia metre gauge line to a dual-gauge track, upgrading the Syedpur railway

workshop, installation of Barapukuria-Bogra-Kaliakair 400-kilovolt power-transmission line, procurement of modern equipment to upgrade the Roads and Highways Department, setting up of four medical colleges and hospitals, national burn and plastic surgery institute and construction of 49 polytechnic and teacher-train-

ing institutes.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh used $862 million out of first LoC for the 15 projects including railway, road, transport and laboratory development.

Of the total 15 projects under the first LoC, seven have so far been completed and the rest eight are underway, according to officials. l

DT

16

Business

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

Govt to make uniform recruitment guideline for state-owned banks n Asif Showkat Kallol The government has decided to make a uniform recruitment guideline at the state-owned commercial and specialised banks.

A meeting with Finance Minister AMA Muhith in the chair yesterday made the decision, an official present at the meeting told the Dhaka Tribune.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir, Bank Division Secretary Yunusur Rahman and managing directors and chairmen of the state-owned banks attended the meeting.

Under the uniform guideline, the Bankers Recruitment Committee (BRC) will hold a unified test for all state banks’ recruitment on the demand placed by the banks authorities.

“We want to ease recruitment process and reduce cost in officials recruitment of the state-owned banks,” the official quoted finance

Umbrella guideline expected to establish transparency in state banks recruitment DHAKA TRIBUNE

minister as saying.

According to the official, Muhith hoped that corruption and nepotism would come down if staff were recruited following an umbrella policy by all state banks.

The BRC is now headed by a Bangladesh Bank deputy governor while chairmen and managing directors of the state banks are the members.

Earlier, the BRC headed by

Bangladesh Bank governor was abolished in 2009 after conversion of the state banks into companies.

Before the committee was reinstated in 2014, the banks would recruit officers according to the rules laid down by their own boards.

Former Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman in 2014 had also recommended an independent selection committee to establish transparency in the recruitment process.

There are six state-owned commercials banks and two specialised banks in Bangladesh.

The latest data shows that 262,000 have applied for the posts of senior officer at Sonali Bank, the largest state-owned commercial bank, against only 701 vacant posts and 275,000 have applied for officer posts against only 820 vacancies in the bank. A number of 234,000 have also applied for being cash officers against a small number of vacancies at the same bank. l

Muhith: Govt plans mandatory ECR use in shops from FY17 n Tribune Report

‘Legal loopholes let multinational companies evade taxes’

The government considers making the use of electronic cash register machine in shops and other business units mandatory from next fiscal year under the new value added tax law, said Finance Minister AMA Muhith.

“We plan to make use of ECR machine compulsory in shops and other businesses from next fiscal year under the new VAT law,” he said while talking with the newly elected officials of the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) of Bangladesh yesterday.

He also said the revenue collection would be boosted by implementing the new VAT law and expanding the VAT area to different businesses.

Muhith ruled out the possibility of forming a Banking Commission this fiscal year “because of various circumstances.”

He said the decision to introduce such commission would be made after having recommendations from the probe committee working into the $101m cyberheist from Bangladesh Bank reserves.

Senior Finance Secretary Mahbub Ahmed, National Board of Revenue Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman and Economic Relations Division Senior Secretary Mohammad Mezbah Uddin were also present. l

Corporate companies, particularly the multinational ones, are strategically avoiding corporate tax just by taking advantage of the existing complex rules and loopholes in the old-aged laws, said speakers at the launch of a report yesterday.

The report titled “Getting to Good: Towards Responsible Corporate Tax Behavior” prepared by Action Aid International, Christian Aid and Oxfam, was unveiled at a city hotel.

At present, there are around 200 foreign companies operating in Bangladesh in different sectors.

Quoting a projection of the International Monetary Fund, the speakers stated that tax avoidance by multinational companies still remain as a bigger issue of concern for the developing countries as they rely on corporate income taxes for some 16% of their total revenues, compared to just over 8% in the developed world, resulting in a huge corporate income tax loss.

“Such unwanted challenges are here in tax collection mainly due to three issues- tax avoidance, inter-group trade of companies and due to tax treaties. Currently, the tax-GDP ratio is 11% in Bangladesh although it is supposed to be 16%17%,” they viewed.

According to the report, con-

n Tribune Report

voluted rules and legal loopholes allow companies to manage their tax arrangements in such a way as to minimise their tax liabilities depriving developing country governments of vital revenue.

ActionAid Bangladesh Country Director Farah Kabir stressed the need for reviewing the existing laws and policies and also for ensuring transparency and fairness among the tax collecting authorities to address the issues.

“Tax avoidance is a much bigger concern for developing countries which happens because of exploitation of legal loopholes and misuse of treaties,” said ActionAid UK Senior Advocacy Advisor Ewan Livingston.

Danish Embassy’s Development Counselor Peter Bogh Jensen said: “Bangladesh has one of the lowest tax-GDP ratios in the world because of tax evasion tendency and weak laws and rules here.”

ActionAid Bangladesh Executive Board Chairperson M Hafizuddin Khan called upon the government to make a balance between the offer given to MNCs and the tax justice situation for ensuring less injustice in the society.

Former National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Muhammad Abdul Majid said: “The law implementing agencies should not be allowed to formulate the laws for

the sake of minimising the existing loopholes.”

State Minister for Finance MA Mannan stated that there were huge volumes of laws in the country, many of which are useless.

Terming the company owners very smart people, the state minister said: “Sometimes they take various benefits from us under our benefit schemes, but we do not argue them just for attracting investment.”

“When G4 nations are offering multinational companies different benefits, how a poor country like Bangladesh can survive? We have to compete and survive in this world,” said Mannan further adding that if the government did not offer such benefits, the investors would go to other countries as they offer more benefits including the second home scheme.

The ActionAid report offers a series of constructive propositions across eight tax issue areas and seeks to ensure that developing countries can collect a fair rate of tax from corporate operating within their borders.

The issues are-tax planning practices, public transparency and reporting, non-public disclosure, relationship with tax authorities, tax function management and governance, impact evaluation of tax policy and practice, tax lobbying or advocacy and tax incentives. l

Stocks end flat with volatility n Tribune Report

Stocks ended almost flat amid extreme volatility yesterday, extending their gaining streak for the fourth straight session.

The market moved between red and green zones initially, but late modest buying mainly supported by the institutional buying offset early losses.

The benchmark index DSEX rose 21 points or 0.5% to close at 4,379. With this rally, the key index rose more than 50 points.

The Shariah index DSES inched over 6 points up or 0.7% to 1,058.

The blue chip comprising index DS30 moved up about 2 points to 1,650.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index CSCX ended at 8,183, rising 42 points.

Telecommunications sector was the market mover, surging about 3%, led by the heavyweight Grameenphone, the lone listed company in the sector.

Food and allied came second gaining more than 2%, followed by power 1.5%, pharmaceuticals 0.7% and banks 0.1%.

Most other sectors like non-banking financial institutions and engineering closed flat in red.

But the bottom line is that trading activities were sluggish as the DSE turnover stood at Tk370 crore, down 9.4% over the previous session’s value.

Shares of 314 companies were traded on the day. Of these, 158 companies closed positive, 100 negative while 56 remained unchanged.

Lanka Bangla Finance Limited was the most traded share with a turnover worth Tk17.5 crore.

It was followed by KDS Accessories, Orion Infusion, Power Grid, United Power Generation and Distribution Company Limited and Golden Harvest Agro Industries Limited. l

‘Govt to ensure occupation safety of workers’

n BSS

State Minister for Labor and Employment Md Mujibul Haq yesterday said the government has undertaken an initiative to ensure occupational safety.

It will make all workers particularly those related to the readymade-garment sector safe, he said.

A workshop was organized by the Labour and Manpower ministry to the effect, at a local hotel, here today.

Based on the recommendations of the workshop the OSH (Occupational Safety Hazard) profile would be finalized. l

DT

17

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

Investors to sift for clues in Fed tug-of-war n Reuters, New York After enduring several weeks of conflicting comments by Federal Reserve officials that whip-lashed the US stock market, befuddled investors could get a dose of clarity next week on where the Fed stands on its path toward rate hikes.

Minutes of the Fed’s March meeting will be released on Wednesday, giving investors a chance to comb through the summary for tips on when rate increases will hit.

If traders believe that less vocal policymakers will support Fed Chair Janet Yellen’s expressed goslow approach to raising interest rates, they may bid up stocks further.

Most Wall Street Fed watchers expect an interest rate hike in June.

Yellen has indicated she would not want to raise rates unless data, such as increasing inflation, proved such a move timely.

“If it comes out more dovish, you’ve got to suspect that the equity markets would really like it,” said Jeff Weniger, senior strategist at BMO Private Bank. Should the minutes show real caution by other Fed policymakers, energy, gold, emerging markets and materials could

Traders work at the trading floor of the Philippine Stocks Exchange benefit the most, Weniger said.

Equity markets could suffer if the Fed shows a more aggressive stance. Shares of banks and other financial companies, which have

been damaged by low interest rates, could be the lone sector to win.

Investors may trade on even the subtlest of information next week

REUTERS

as there is a paucity of big market-moving events. This week, Fed talk and the employment report helped markets rise; later in April, the start of the first-quarter corpo-

rate earnings reporting season likely will drive share prices.

The seven-week US stock market rally could still have room to run and beat a record high set by the S&P 500 last May, in part because the Fed has walked back from an expectation of four interest rate hikes this year to two.

The S&P 500 would need to rise less than 3% to take out its record closing high.

Stock reacted positively to Chair Janet Yellen’s cautious tone at the end of the Fed’s mid-March meeting, with the benchmark S&P 500 moving into positive territory for the year.

A series of comments by other Fed members, however, sent the index back into the red just days later. Stocks resumed an upward trajectory when Yellen reiterated her intentions to “proceed cautiously” this week.

Eric Wiegand, senior portfolio manager at US Bank’s Private Client Reserve in New York, is one of the many who will be reading those minutes closely.

“Getting any color will continue to be very important and so will getting a sense of what type of dissent was present among voting members,” he said. l

Port Talbot closure would tear hole in UK manufacturing supply chain n Reuters, London The closure of Tata Steel’s operations in Britain would leave a hole in manufacturers’ supply chains, dealing a blow to thousands of smaller firms across the country and creating a logistical headache for the car industry.

India’s Tata Steel, Britain’s biggest producer, put all of its operations up for sale, including the country’s largest steelworks at Port Talbot which is losing $1.4mn a day due to depressed steel prices and high costs.

As the government searches for a new buyer, some of Tata’s customers are already looking for new sources of steel which is used in everything from car roofs to Heinz baked bean cans, cladding on Ikea buildings and some of the country’s coins.

While bigger names have the luxury of a global supply chain to fall back on, smaller companies which account for around 95% of British manufacturing firms - face a tougher task if Port Talbot in south Wales closes.

Tata sells around half of its products into the domestic market, the firm said in 2014.

“It would be entirely undesirable from my point of view,” said Tony Mullins, executive chairman of QRL Radiators Group, a Tata Steel cus-

tomer that makes heating radiators near the Welsh town of Newport, employing around 150 staff.

Looking abroad for steel would leave firms like QRL that use British steel exposed to swings in the currency exchange rate and higher transportation costs. It might also need to hold more stock if it is buying from the other side of the world, having an impact on working capital.

“We have to be competitive, we have to produce quality products, and historically with Tata that has been possible for us,” Mullins said.

Driving force

Britain, the birthplace of the modern steel industry, has been struggling to compete since its post-war heyday and has shed thousands of jobs in recent years.

Since 2001 imported supplies have met more than half of its domestic demand, according to the International Steel Statistics Bureau (ISSB), as local producers struggled with high energy costs, green taxes and fierce competition.

Germany is the biggest foreign supplier of steel to British manufacturers and construction firms, followed by China, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands, the ISSB said.

The government maintains that the main problem is the collapse in the price of steel. China has flood-

ed European markets with relatively cheap steel as a result of its own falling demand.

Britain imported 826,000 tonnes of Chinese steel in 2015, up from 361,000 two years earlier, according to industry data.

According to the ISSB, China has produced more steel in the last three years than Britain has since the industrial revolution.

Those British steelmakers that remain have been kept going by local manufacturers, a resurgent car industry and foreign demand.

“Hot-rolled coil is produced (at Port Talbot) and that predominately goes into the automotive sector ... that’s the bodywork,” Dominic King, head of policy and representation at industry group UK Steel, told Reuters.

Five carmakers built almost 99 percent of Britain’s 1.6 million cars last year and all source steel from Port Talbot, with some already looking for alternatives should the site shut.

The country’s biggest carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), which made just under a third of national output last year, gets around 30 percent of its steel from the site while Nissan, which operates Britain’s biggest single car plant in northern England, buys 45 percent from there.

Showing the cost constraints within the industry, John Leech,

who heads up the automotive team at KPMG and works with some of the country’s biggest carmakers, said JLR could not afford to give preferential treatment to a more expensive product even though it is owned by Tata Motors - part of the same family of companies as Tata Steel.

“To compete against BMW and Mercedes, Jaguar Land Rover needs to makes sure its cars are cost-competitive and that means using materials that are sourced cheaply and competitively.”

JLR said: “Like all other independent businesses, we make our own purchasing decisions based on the right commercial reasons.”

The firm said it continued to use Tata Steel and did not see any short term impact on its business.

A spokesman at General Motors-owned Vauxhall, which uses Tata’s high-strength lightweight steel in its Astra hatchback model said it was “considering the scenario of UK steel plant closures on supply sources”.

“There are a number of sources of steel in Europe that are used by our plants in Spain, Germany and Poland,” the spokesman said, when asked whether the firm was looking elsewhere.

Leech said timing could be key, with Tata Steel saying it wants to exit Britain as soon as possible.

“It will mean a lot of fast foot-

work behind the scenes but... the ability to get the same steel from other European or Chinese plants in (a one to three-month) time frame is a possibility,” he said.

Buy british

For many of the workers leaving the Port Talbot plant at the end of their shift this week the news has come as a shock, given the investment made under Tata’s ownership.

“Tata certainly have influenced training more than the old regime...” said Dave Bowyer, 59, a steelworker for 40 years and Unite union representative, whose ancestors were steelworkers.

“The workforce itself has become far more technical. Our craftsman and production guys, even the guys on the shop floor - a number of them have got degrees.”

UK Steel’s King said there were many advantages to the British product which continue to attract buyers.

“One is customer service, that you have that close link with the manufacturer... you know in the UK that they are going to be meeting the energy targets, the environmental targets that are out there (and) that engineering skill,” he said.

The industry is also known for its highly-skilled flexible workforce with no strike action in 30 years. l

DT

18

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

Truce in ‘currency war’, but will it last? n AFP, London A truce appears to have emerged in the undeclared global “currency war”, but analysts question whether central banks have really given up manipulating exchange rates to prop up their economies.

“The currency war is in reality a war between central banks who are battling to support their own interests and taken into account what their rival central banks are doing,” said Sylvain Loganadin, an analyst at online foreign exchange broker FXCM. Meanwhile analysts at HSBC bank said they believe “a truce has broken out in the global currency war”.

“Exhausted by the battle, it seems the ECB has given up the fight to continually engineer higher inflation through a weaker exchange rate. The Bank of Japan has also come to realise the limits of currency war following the failure of a shift to negative rates to foster (yen) weakness.”

The European Central Bank seems to have thrown in the sponge at its March 10 monetary policy meeting.

With global financial markets roiled by volatility in the first two months of the year, the ECB seemed to give up targeting a lower level for the euro, instead announcing new measures to ease access to credit in order to support recovery of the eurozone economy.

“Central banks innovate and adjust narrative,” noted economists at Barclays bank.

The ECB turned its “emphasis to

With global financial markets roiled by volatility in the first two months of the year, the ECB seemed to give up targeting a lower level for the euro AFP credit easing and stimulating domestic demand away” from an implicit strategy to weaken the euro while in a speech this past week US Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen “also surprised markets, albeit in a different way.”

Instead of emphasising the strength of the recovery of the US economy, Yellen highlighted global economic and financial risks, with the dollar falling in value as fewer hikes in interest rates are now likely this year.

Secret deal in Shanghai?

Barclays economists went as far as saying that the ECB and Fed moves, following the turbulent start of the year, “could suggest a potential ‘implicit accord’ between core policymakers” was made at the Group of 20 meeting in Shanghai at the end of February.

For HSBC, the narrow range of the movement of the euro against the dollar means that some market participants now see greater coordination of central bank policy.

But if there is such an accord, “why should it be secret”, asked Capital Economics economist Julian Jessop.

“If policymakers genuinely thought that exchange rates had moved dangerously out of line with (economic) fundamentals and that the strength of the dollar was becoming a major problem, why not say so?”

He noted policymakers have talked publicly of other risks to the global economy, and that a ver-

bal intervention might have been enough to bring the dollar down.

Moreover, coordination is complicated by signs that the interests of central banks are not aligned as the BoJ, ECB and Fed each would like to see their currency weaken against its counterparts.

“The aim of devaluing the currency is to boost exports to make up for flagging growth and boost inflation by increasing the price of imports,” said market analyst Jasper Lawler at CMC Markets.

And given that influencing the exchange rate is an easy means for central banks to achieve their policy objectives, it will be difficult for policymakers to abstain from using it.

Loganadin noted that result wouldn’t be desirable.

“If currencies weren’t controlled any longer by central banks, we’d have market movements similar to those with Bitcoin with periods of intense speculation followed by burst bubbles, which would have a dramatic effect on the real economy with alternating periods of hyperinflation and deflation,” said Loganadin.

But the prospect for any truce is at the mercy of China, which still controls its currency.

China’s central bank “has a tendency to go it alone and adopt surprise measures” that have effects on the United States and Europe, noted Loganadin.

That unpredictability from the world’s second largest economy is a source of concern for currency traders. l

Saudi will only freeze oil Fed’s Mester doesn’t want to wait output if Iran, others do too long on rate hike n AFP, Riyadh Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia will only freeze output if other key producers, including Iran, take a similar measure, its deputy crown prince told Bloomberg News in an interview published Friday.

“If all countries agree to freeze production, we’re ready,” Mohammed bin Salman said. “If there is anyone that decides to raise their production, then we will not reject any opportunity that knocks on our door.”

His remarks come ahead of a meeting of major oil producers led by Russia and Saudi Arabia set to take place in Doha on April 17 to discuss measures to stabilise prices, including a proposal not to pump out oil above a certain level.

Iran indicated it was “ready to participate” in the meeting and demanded an exemption from the freeze in order to boost its exports,

according to Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak.

Oil prices are being hit in part owing to the return of Iranian crude to markets after crippling economic sanctions on Tehran were lifted following last year’s nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.

King Salman’s powerful son who heads Saudi Arabia’s main economic coordinating council, told Bloomberg that “without a doubt”, Iran has to freeze its output.

“If all countries including Iran, Russia, Venezuela, OPEC countries and all main producers decide to freeze production, we will be among them,” he said.

Riyadh severed diplomatic ties with Tehran this year after demonstrators stormed the kingdom’s missions in Iran following Saudi Arabia’s execution of a Shiite cleric.

Both regional heavyweights back rival groups in several conflicts rocking the Middle East. l

n Reuters, New York The Federal Reserve should still raise interest rates gradually this year given the economy’s resilience, a top Fed official said on Friday, explaining she did not want to wait too long despite having supported last month’s decision to stand pat.

In balanced comments that suggested she was poised to back a rate hike soon, Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester said she did not dissent against the central bank’s March policy decision due to “limited” economic data on the first quarter.

And while the Fed is not yet “behind the curve,” she said, there is a risk in waiting too long to follow up on December’s 0.25% rate hike.

“Waiting until every piece of data lines up in the correct way means waiting too long and risks having to move rates up more ag-

gressively in the future, with negative impacts on our economy,” Mester, who has a vote on Fed policy this year under a rotation, told the New York Association for Business Economics.

“The economy has shown

considerable resiliency, and ... the outlook and risks around the outlook will likely support gradual reductions in the degree of accommodation this year,” said Mester, seen as hawkish but pragmatic on policy. l

CORPORATE NEWS

BRAC Bank Limited has recently opened its 175th branch in Banani, Dhaka.

The bank’s acting managing director and CEO, Mohammad Mamdudur Rashid inaugurated the branch, said a press release

19

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

| motor show |

| celebrity visit |

Ford SUVs at the Dhaka Motor Show

Matt Preston visits The Dining Room @ Calcutta Club

USA origin Ford cars are one of the main attractions at the 11th Dhaka Motor Show this year. As a special attraction at this year’s Motor Show, Ford’s highest-selling crossover, Ecosport, is available at a starting price of only Tk29 Lac.

| meals |

Seafood at its best If seafood is your thing, then Oregano Restaurant is the place for you to be. Located on Dhanmondi Satmasjid road, the restaurant and its menu is specially designed to feature the best in continental seafood cuisine.

Their unique menu includes seafood platters that feature shrimp, calamari and mussels in all their crisp, batter-fried glory. But if you prefer a slightly healthier version, the restaurant specialties also includes house special dishes such as their grilled prawn marinated in lemon and herbs with a side of fluffy rice, fries and lemon butter sauce. If you prefer something other than crustacean, try their grilled John Dory with seasonal vegetables, juicy lemon butter sauce and mashed potatoes.

Drop by Oregano Restaurant for an assortment of pastas and platters featuring seafood at its best. l

Ford Bangladesh is also offering discounts of up to Tk3 lac on their limited stock of Ford Fiesta 2015.

The offer ends today, which is also the last day of the motor show.

AG Automobiles under Anwar Group is in partnership

DT

Biz-info

with the Ford Motor Company as distributors in Bangladesh and is responsible for bringing in different models of Ford vehicles. l

On his recent trip to Bangladesh, courtesy of Rivoli, renowned Australian food critic Matt Preston, went on a culinary expedition all across Dhaka. And one of the stops he made was at The Dining Room @ Calcutta Club on Banani road 11, which is known

for featuring authentic Bangladeshi cuisine.

The greatly loved Masterchef Australia judge expressed delight over some of the restaurant’s signature dishes which include aam diya bhindi, satkora mangsho and bhapa shondesh. l

| guest packages |

Hotel Sweet Dream launches all-in-one service Hotel Sweet Dream is a three star standard luxury business hotel situated at a prime location in the capital near the diplomatic area in Banani.

The hotel has recently launched a special all-in-one service for guests, which include services for their remodelled standard business rooms, international standard restaurant, exclusive coffee shop, state of the art business centre, fully equipped fitness centre, VIP lounge, conference hall, commercial and travel consulting services and many more, all with free WiFi facilities.

Visit Hotel Sweet Dream on 60 Kemal Ataturk Avenue, to avail their newly launched services. l

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Downtime

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Musical note (5) 4 Drinking vessel (3) 6 Therefore (4) 8 Take place (5) 9 Spoken (4) 11 Remainder (4) 12 Happening (5) 15 Stanza (5) 18 Fine sediment (4) 20 Drug-yielding plant (4) 21 Restrict (5) 22 Timber-dressing tool (4) 23 Assist (3) 24 Whole sum (5)

DOWN 1 American elk (5) 2 Mother-of-pearl (5) 3 Worth (5) 4 Innermost part (4) 5 Raw hide (4) 7 Spiny shrub (5) 10 Serpents (4) 13 Disguise (4) 14 Famous (5) 15 Manservant (5) 16 Send money (50 17 Praise highly (5) 18 Long detailed story (4) 19 Burden (4)

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 1 represents P so fill P every time the figure 1 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 J K 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

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

INSIDE FACTBOX

Which countries have nuclear weapons and how many?

Sports reflect deeper divide in ethnic Afghanistan Half of Kabul ground to a halt in celebration when the Afghan cricket team returned home this week after beating the West Indies at the World T20 tournament.

PAGE 23

Modi’s Saudi visit a push to ‘de-hyphenate’ India from Pakistan Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia on Sunday is part of a diplomatic effort to put pressure on arch rival Pakistan by forging ties with some of Islamabad’s closest allies, Indian ruling party and government officials said.

PAGE 23

The Nuclear Security Summit that just ended Friday in Washington, DC wrangled over several thorny nuclear proliferation and terrorism issues, and involved over 50 countries. But the two countries on everyone’s mind were North Korea, China and Russia. North Korea, because of its recent nuclear and missile programme. China, because they have started on the world’s largest nuclear build-up in 50 years. And Russia, because they decided not to attend at all.

But many other countries, including the US, have known stockpiles of nuclear weapons.

Nine countries together possess more than 15,000 nuclear weapons; the US and Russia possess 93% of them. The US and Russia maintain roughly 2,000 of their nuclear weapons on highalert status – ready to be launched within minutes of a warning.

The failure of the nuclear powers to disarm has heightened the risk that other countries will acquire nuclear weapons. The only guarantee against the spread and use of nuclear weapons is to eliminate them without delay. Although the leaders of some nuclear-armed nations have expressed their vision for a nuclear-weapon-free world, they have failed to develop any detailed plans to eliminate their arsenals and are modernising them.

While the exact number in each country’s arsenal is often a closely guarded secret, some information is publicly available. Here’s a breakdown of nuclear arsenals by country, based on data from leading experts in nuclear estimates.

Russia

Two-decade-long Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict Deadly clashes have erupted recently between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, with each side blaming the other for the escalation in violence. Here are answers to five central questions about the conflict.

PAGE 24

Total nuclear weapons: 7,300 Operational: 1,790 Retired/awaiting dismantlement: 4,490 Total nuclear tests: 715.

First test: August 1949 Most recent test: October 1990

United States

A Titan II ICBM loaded into the silo of the Titan Missile Museum in Arizona’s Sahuarita. This kind of missile had been used to fire nuclear warhead BIGSTOCK First test: October 1964 Most recent test: July 1996

United Kingdom

Total nuclear weapons: 215 Operational: 120 Retired/awaiting dismantlement: 95 Total nuclear tests: 45 First test: October 1952 Most recent test: November 1991

France

Total nuclear weapons: About 300 Operational: 280 Retired/awaiting dismantlement: 10 Total nuclear tests: 210 First test: February 1960 Most recent test: January 1996

India

Total nuclear weapons: 6,970 Operational: 1,750 Retired/awaiting dismantlement: 4,670 Total nuclear tests: 1,030 First test: July 1945 Most recent test: September 1992

Total nuclear weapons: 110 to 120 Operational: 0. All are in stockpile.

Retired/awaiting dismantlement: 110 to 120 Total nuclear tests: 3 First test: May 1974 Most recent test: May 1998

China

Israel

Total nuclear weapons: 260 Operational: 0. All are in stockpile.

Retired/awaiting dismantlement: 260 Total nuclear tests: 45

Total nuclear weapons: 80 Operational: 0. All are in stockpile.

Retired/awaiting dismantlement: 80 Total nuclear tests: 0.

Global nuclear warhead arsenals, 2016 7,300 total warheads

Russia

6,970

US France

300

China

260

UK

215

Pakistan

130

India

120

Israel

80

There haven’t been any confirmed tests.

North Korea Total nuclear weapons: Unknown.

Total nuclear tests: 4 First test: October 2006 Most recent test: January 2016

Pakistan

Total nuclear weapons: 110 to 130 Operational: 0

Federation of American Scientists

Retired/awaiting dismantlement: all 110 to 130 Total nuclear tests: 2 First test: May 28, 1998 Most recent test: May 30, 1998 l Sources: NUCLEAR THREAT INITIATIVE; FEDERATION OF AMERICAN SCIENTISTS; ARMS CONTROL ASSOCIATION, INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO ABOLISH NUCLEAR WEAPONS, BBC

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

Syrian opposition not optimistic about Geneva talks n Reuters, Beirut The Syrian opposition is not optimistic about upcoming peace talks in Geneva because there is no international will for a political transition, opposition member Riad Hijab told Al Araby Al Jadid television on Saturday.

The Syrian opposition has consistently said that it wants a halt in attacks on civilians and for the Geneva talks to result in a transitional governing body for Syria that does not include President Bashar al-Assad.

“There is no international

will, especially from the US side, and I do not expect anything to come of the negotiations,” said Hijab, the coordinator for the Saudi-backed Higher Negotiation Committee (HNC), the main opposition bloc.

The HNC will attend the next round of talks, scheduled to start around April 9.

Russia and the United States disagree on Assad’s future but have jointly pressed the Syrian government and the opposition to attend the indirect peace talks in Geneva, which are being mediated by a UN envoy. l

23

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

INSIGHT

SOUTH ASIA

Sports reflect deeper divide in ethnic Afghanistan n Tribune Desk Half of Kabul ground to a halt in celebration when the Afghan cricket team returned home this week after beating the West Indies at the World T20 tournament.

Men on the streets danced the traditional attan, President Ashraf Ghani called the team to congratulate the players and a string of dignitaries met them at the airport Tuesday.

But the same hero’s welcome was not extended to the nation’s football team a day later. They arrived home after a beating Singapore in a vital World Cup qualifier to only a handful of fans at the airport.

These different welcome parties are symptoms of a dangerous ethnic divide that still scars wartorn Afghanistan.

Pashtuns have for centuries been the dominant ethnic group in Afghanistan. Tensions between them and other groups, such as the Tajiks and the Hazaras, burst into the open during the country’s civil war in the 1990s.

After the Pashtun Taliban was toppled in 2001, there have been efforts to heal the divisions. But this schism still exists on the country’s sports fields, where ethnic loyalties play out with bats and balls instead of guns.

Pashtuns dominate cricket, the country’s other groups tend to be more involved in soccer.

Afghan refugees who fled to Pakistan during the Soviet invasion in the 1980s were predominantly Pashtuns. It was there they learned cricket.

“Most Pashtun politicians support the cricket team for their own

The Afghan Taliban have created an app for Android smartphones in an attempt to connect with a wider digital audience. The app, called Alemarah, gave access to Taliban videos and statements in Pashtu, but was removed from Google’s Play Store shortly after the USbased SITE Intel Group reported its launch on Friday.

-THE GUARDIAN

Assembly polls begin Monday in W Bengal, Assam The first phase of crucial assembly polls in West Bengal and Assam will be held on Monday with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee facing a tough fight from Left-Congress combine and Tarun Gogoi of Congress. 18 constituencies in West Bengal and 65 in Assam will go for polls on Monday.

TOI

CHINA

Authorities warn of possible big floods Afghan fans welcome the national cricket team, after their Twenty20 world cup tournament, in Kabul on Tuesday REUTERS political advantage because their constituents are Pashtun,” said Hamid Elmi, a politics and sports analyst based in Kabul said.

In terms of its ethnic mix, football is “in much better shape than cricket,” he added. “The team is much more diverse and includes players from all ethnic groups.”

This situation means that many Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzebeks, and other non-Pashtun groups do not feel that cricket is their sport.

“Although it makes me happy when I see the cricket team win a match, I still do not see it as a national team,” said Zahir Sadat, a Tajik member of Afghanistan’s parliament. “It is not a national team.

It is not made up of all the ethnic groups and until that changes it

will remain an ethnic team.”

But this is not because minorities are being excluded or segregated, young Pashtun players say. They believe the divide is a reflection of how cricket was introduced to Afghanistan and that someday it will become a true national sport.

Ardent cricket fan Farid Mohammadi, a Pashtun from Wardak, said the segregation can be explained by looking at where the different ethnic groups fled after the Soviet invasion in 1979.

“Pashtuns went to Pakistan and most non-Pashtuns went to Iran and central Asia,” where football is the dominant sport, Mohammadi said. “After the fall of the Taliban, both sports found

their place among different segments of society.”

The political influence over sport goes beyond who greets the teams at the airport. It extends into the institutions that govern them.

“There is definitely double standards on the part of the government in how it treats football and cricket,” said Sayed Ali Kazemi, spokesman for the Afghan Football Federation.

Whereas the Afghanistan Cricket Board is a government-sponsored federation, the football federation does not receive financial support. l

[This is an excerpt of a NBC News article which can be found at http:// nbcnews.to/1RSAWWr]

Modi’s Saudi visit a push to de-hyphenate India from Pakistan Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia on Sunday is part of a diplomatic effort to put pressure on arch rival Pakistan by forging ties with some of Islamabad’s closest allies, Indian ruling party and government officials said.

Modi is expected to sign trade agreements, including contracts to secure investment for infrastructure projects, and offer security and military cooperation, such as training and joint exercises, the officials said.

Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan have fought three wars since independence in 1947, two

Afghan Taliban create smartphone app

INDIA

ANALYSIS

n Reuters, New Delhi

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World

of them over Kashmir. New Delhi has long accused Islamabad of sponsoring a separatist movement and militancy. Pakistan denies the charge.

New Delhi has been frustrated that often its ties with countries have been coloured by concerns about its relationship with Pakistan. One foreign ministry official said the Saudis tended to bring up Pakistan during discussions with India.

Government officials described Modi’s diplomatic push as an effort to “de-hyphenate” India from Pakistan, especially as New Delhi tries to play a bigger geopolitical role in Asia to counter China’s influence.

Stronger relationships with Pakistan’s allies can help India get a more sympathetic hearing on global and regional forums and put pressure on Islamabad to rein in militants.

Right timing

Until now, India’s relationship with Saudi Arabia has been driven primarily by trade and the Indian diaspora in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is India’s top energy supplier and home to more than 3.5m Indian expatriates.

Modi will look to broaden those ties, with one foreign ministry official saying healthcare, education, religious tourism and

labour reforms would also be key talking points.

Still, there are limits to what New Delhi can hope to achieve.

The relationship between Pakistan and the Saudis is based in their shared Sunni Muslim heritage and Riyadh has long been a source of financial aid for Islamabad.

But relations between Riyadh and Islamabad recently enter a rough patch.

Pakistan declined to provide ships, aircraft and troops to the Saudi-led fight to halt Iranian-allied Houthi rebels in Yemen last year.

It has also sought to avoid taking sides in the escalating dispute between Saudi Arabia and Iran. l

China’s flood control authorities are warning of possible big floods this summer as weather and hydrologic factors closely resemble those of 1998, when floods killed at least 3,000 people nationwide.

Because of the strong El Nino phenomenon - an oscillating band of warm surface water in the ocean - there is a strong possibility that floods will hit the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, according to Liu Ning, vice-minister of water resources. -CHINA DAILY

ASIA PACIFIC

Japanese warships in Philippines Two Japanese destroyers and a submarine docked at a Philippine port on Sunday near disputed South China Sea waters, where Beijing’s increasingly assertive behaviour has sparked global concern. The port call came on the eve of war games between the US and Filipino soldiers in the Philippines, which is seen as a showcase of a long-standing military alliance that the Philippines is counting on to deter China.

-REUTERS

MIDDLE EAST

Syrian army seizes another key Dae’sh bastion Syrian army on Sunday seized the key Dae’sh bastion of al-Qaryatain, dealing the jihadists a new blow in the country’s centre a week after expelling them from Palmyra. The army with backing from supporting forces brings back complete security and stability to the town of al-Qaryatain, state television said.

But the Britain-based Observatory group said the army was still fighting the Dae’sh in the town.

-AFP

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

USA

Trump sanguine about conflict with Japan, South Korea Donald Trump on Saturday told a crowd of thousands he was sanguine about potential hostilities between North Korea and its neighbours. Speaking at a rally in Wisconsin ahead of the state’s primary on Tuesday, Trump said that if conflict between Japan and nuclear-armed North Korea were to break out, “it would be a terrible thing but if they do, they do”.

-THE GUARDIAN

THE AMERICAS

Lula hopes to enter Brazil government by Thursday Brazil’s ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Saturday that he hopes the Supreme Court will approve his appointment into the government by Thursday. Current President Dilma Rousseff named Lula her chief of staff in a bid to stiffen her desperate campaign to avoid impeachment in Congress.

However, the appointment was temporarily blocked in the Supreme Court.

-AFP

UK

Poll shows young voters key in Brexit referendum The decision over whether the UK remains inside the EU could depend on whether young people shake off their apathy and vote in sufficient numbers on 23 June. In a blow to David Cameron and the pro-EU camp, the online survey by Opinium puts the Leave side on 43%, four points ahead of Remain, on 39%. Some 18% of voters said they were undecided, while 1% refused to say. -THE GUARDIAN

EUROPE

Dutch to hold referendum on EU-Ukraine deal Dutch voters will decide on Wednesday whether to support a European treaty deepening ties with Ukraine in a referendum that will test sentiment towards Brussels ahead of Britain’s June Brexit vote and could also bring a boost for Russia. The broad political, trade and defence treaty is already provisionally in place but has to be ratified by all 28 European Union member states.

-REUTERS

AFRICA

S Africa parliament to consider president impeachment The South African parliament will next week discuss an opposition motion to impeach President Jacob Zuma after country’s highest court ruled that he flouted the constitution, an official said Sunday. The speaker of parliament Baleka Mbete told journalists that the move by the Democratic Alliance would be considered on April 5.

-AFP

EXPLAINER

Two-decade-long AzerbaijaniArmenian conflict Deadly clashes have erupted recently between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, with each side blaming the other for the escalation in violence.

Here are answers to five central questions about the conflict.

ignite a military conflict between the countries and destabilize the South Caucasus region. This could also disrupt oil and gas exports from the region, since Azerbaijan is a significant oil and gas exporter to Europe and Central Asia that produces more than 850,000 barrels of oil per day. US economic interests may then be harmed and a spike in the global oil market could arise.

Why are they fighting?

The conflict has its origins in the early 20th century, although the present conflict began in 1988.

The region sough to secede from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic, before proclaiming independence after the USSR collapsed in 1991. Azerbaijan and Armenia have been at loggerheads for decades over the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region inhabited almost entirely by ethnic Armenians but which is located within Azerbaijan’s internationally recognised borders. Nagorno-Karabakh has maintained de facto autonomy since the 1994 cease-fire, while Azerbaijan maintains its claim to the region.

Why is the violence flaring up now?

Circumstances surrounding the recent surge in violence over Nagorno-Karabakh remain in dispute. At least 30 soldiers and a boy were reported killed as heavy fighting erupted between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the separatist region of Na-

What is the recent developments Armenian volunteers make preparations before making their way to NagornoKarabakh region, which is controlled by separatist Armenians, where clashes with Azeri forces are taking place, in Yerevan, Armenia on Sunday REUTERS gorno-Karabakh. The fighting was one of the worst outbreaks since the end of a full-scale war over the region in 1994. Each side blamed the other for Saturday’s escalation. In a statement, Azerbaijan’s defence ministry said that 12 of its soldiers “became shahids” – Muslim martyrs – and that one of its helicopters had been shot down.

The statement also claimed that more than 100 Armenian soldiers had been killed or wounded and that six tanks and 15 artillery positions had been destroyed.

self-declared government lacks international recognition. Armenia, meanwhile, says that Nagorno-Karabakh has “no future as a part of Azerbaijan” and believes that the conflict must be resolved with the “recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh people’s right to self-determination.” That recognition would likely lead to independence or reunification with Armenia. The breakaway republic estimates that of its population of around 145,000, some 95% are ethnic Armenians.

What are each side’s claims?

Concerns

Azerbaijan considers Nagorno-Karabakh an illegally occupied territory, noting that its

Without successful mediation efforts, cease-fire violations and renewed tensions threaten to re-

Azerbaijan said on Sunday it would stop fighting Armenian-backed troops over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region after two days of renewed clashes killed dozens and drew international calls for an immediate ceasefire. Russia, which maintains a garrison of troops, jets and attack helicopters in northern Armenia, has been a key mediator in the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh and moved on Saturday to suppress the renewed violence.

Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the warring sides to immediately observe the ceasefire while Russia’s foreign and defence ministers talked over phone with their Armenian and Azeri counterparts.

The UN has also called on the parties involved to put an immediate end to the fighting and to respect the ceasefire agreement. l

Source: RFERL.ORG, REUTERS

INSIGHT

Tough task for Trump, Clinton as primaries fire up again n AFP, Washington, DC US presidential primaries will spark back to life Tuesday after an eventful 10-day break with clear front-runners Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton both facing the real possibility of losing in Wisconsin.

Defeat in the north-central state isn’t likely to immediately change the course of the overall nominating contest, but it could serve as an indicator of the race’s current status ahead of the New York primary on April 19, where polls show both in the lead.

It’s been a bumpy period for Trump. Although his campaign has seemed bulletproof up until now, his latest controversies -- including abortion, opponent Ted Cruz’s wife and a journalist

who said she was roughed up by Trump’s campaign manager -have alienated women voters further, polls indicate.

With polls for the Wisconsin Republican primary showing the ultraconservative Cruz holding a 10-point lead, Trump has launched a series of events in the heartland state to rally support.

Moderate John Kasich, the Ohio governor, is polling third and last.

The winner of Tuesday’s Republican primary will take most of the 42 delegates on offer. If Cruz wins, he will certainly claim it as a turning point in the race.

Currently, Trump has 739, Cruz 460 and Kasich 145. To win the Republican nomination outright, a candidate needs 1,237.

Angry Clinton

For Clinton, a loss in Wisconsin would be more symbolic than

anything else, as the state distributes delegates proportionally according to the primary results.

But she comes into the contest having lost five of the last six states to Bernie Sanders, and polls show him finishing on top in Wisconsin.

The Vermont senator has already notched victories in two neighbouring states, Minnesota and Michigan, and his popularity is undeniable in Wisconsin cities like Madison, which have a high concentration of university students.

Sanders, who has energised young Democrats, is trying to dispel the notion that Clinton is a better candidate for defeating Trump in the election.

With the momentum in Sanders’ camp, tensions are starting to rise between him and Clinton.

The former US top diplomat showed a rare flash of anger on Thursday when a Greenpeace ac-

tivist asked her if she would reject campaign contributions linked to the oil and gas industries.

Clinton, who was shaking hands along a rope line, responded sharply: “I am so sick -- I am so sick of the Sanders campaign lying about me, I’m sick of it.”

While Clinton acknowledged receiving donations from people who work for such companies, the oil and gas companies themselves are not permitted to contribute to candidates.

Despite his recent successes Sanders is still trailing in the race for delegates.

Clinton has 1,259 compared to his 1,020, according to a CNN tally.

The former first lady benefits from the critical support of nearly 500 “superdelegates,” To win the Democratic nomination, a candidate needs 2,383 delegates. l

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Sport 25

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

INSIDE

WI stun Aussies, claim women’s T20 crown Powerful half-centuries from Hayley Matthews and skipper Stafanie Taylor fired the West Indies to their maiden women’s World Twenty20 crown in a thrilling last-over win against Australia in yesterday’s final in Kolkata. PAGE 26

Italy great Cesare Maldini dies Former AC Milan defender and Italy coach Cesare Maldini has died, his long-time club said yesterday. He was 84. Maldini won four Serie A titles during his time with Milan and was skipper of the side in 1963, when the Rossoneri became the first Italian team to win the European Cup. PAGE 27

Zidane emerges winner in Clasico A night that began with a colourful homage to a legendary Barcelona player turned coach, ended with Real Madrid’s own version of a one-time playing great in Zinedine Zidane celebrating his big victory in management. PAGE 28

Azarenka clinches third Miami title Victoria Azarenka kept up a banner year when she beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3 6-2 to win the Miami Open in Florida. Azarenka punished her Russian opponent’s weak serve to wrap up the final in 80 minutes in relentless humidity under a searing sun. PAGE 29

Emotional Sammy disappointed by lack of WICB support West Indies captain Sammy’s speech at the presentation ceremony I want to thank the almighty, because without him nothing is possible. We have a pastor in the team in Andre Fletcher, he keeps on praying. We are a praying team. I’m really happy for this win and it’s something we are going to cherish for a long time.

I’ve said we have 15 match-winners. Nobody gave us a chance but every game somebody stepped up and took responsibility. To see Carlos [Brathwaite] play like that in his debut World Cup, it’s just tremendous. It shows the depth we have in the Caribbean in T20 cricket and hopefully with the right structure and development our cricket will continue to improve in one-day and Test cricket.

We started this journey … we all know we had … people were wondering whether we would play this tournament. We had a lot of issues, we felt disrespected by our board, Mark Nicholas described our team as a team with no brains. All these things before the tournament just brought this team together. I really want to thank these 15 men, the ability to just put all those adversities aside and to come out and play this type of cricket in front of such passionate fans, it’s just tremendous.

I personally also want to thank the coaching staff, coach Phil, he’s

ROLL OF HONOUR Year 2016 2014 2012 2010 2009 2007

Winner Runner-up West Indies England Sri Lanka India West Indies Sri Lanka England Australia Pakistan Sri Lanka India Pakistan

SCORECARD ENGLAND (20 OVERS) Roy b Badree Hales c Badree b Russell Root c Benn b Brathwaite Morgan c Gayle b Badree Buttler c Bravo b Brathwaite Stokes c Simmons b Bravo Moeen c Ramdin b Bravo Jordan not out Willey c Charles b Brathwaite Plunkett c Badree b Bravo Rashid not out Extras(lb 4, w 1)

R B 0 2 1 3 54 36 5 12 36 22 13 8 0 2 12 13 21 14 4 4 4 4 5

Total (9 wickets; 20 overs)

155

Fall of wickets 1-0, 2-8, 3-23, 4-84, 5-110, 6-110, 7-111, 8-136, 9-142

been through a lot, and to come here and the way he’s coached the team, he’s just brilliant. All the other coaching staff, who have done their part. We had a new manager in this tournament in Rawl Lewis, he had never managed any team before. He came here, we were at a camp in Dubai, but we had no uniforms, no printed … he left Dubai, went to Kolkata, that’s where he started. The trouble he went to, to get us in this uniform … I got to give credit to the entire team here, it was us in our own little circle, this win we dedicate it to all our fans in the Caribbean.

Lastly I really want to thank the heads of CARICOM, throughout this tournament they have

been supporting the team, we’ve got emails, we’ve got phone calls, Prime Minister [Keith] Mitchell [from Grenada]. He sent a very inspiring email for the team this morning … and I’m yet to hear from our own cricket board. That is very disappointing.

For today, I’m going to celebrate with these 15 men and coaching staff. I don’t know when I’m going to be playing with these guys again because we don’t get selected for one-day cricket. We don’t know when we’re going to be playing T20. So this win, I want to thank you my team, I want to thank you coaching staff … everybody know West Indies are champion! l Cricinfo

Bowling Badree 4-1-16-2, Russell 4-0-21-1, Benn 3-0-40-0, Bravo 4-0-37-3, Brathwaite 4-0-23-3, Sammy 1-0-14-0 WEST INDIES Charles c Stokes b Root Gayle c Stokes b Root Samuels not out Simmons lbw b Willey Bravo c Root b Rashid Russell c Stokes b Willey Sammy c Hales b Willey Brathwaite not out Extras (lb 3, w 6)

R B 1 7 4 2 85 66 0 1 25 27 1 3 2 2 34 10 9

Total (6 wickets; 19.4 overs)

161

Fall of wickets 1-1, 2-5, 3-11, 4-86, 5-104, 6-107 Bowling Willey 4-0-20-3, Root 1-0-9-2, Jordan 4-036-0, Plunkett 4-0-29-0, Rashid 4-0-23-1, Stokes 2.4-0-41-0 West Indies won by 4 wickets MoM: Marlon Samuels (WI)

Foxes extend lead as United close on CL spot n AFP, London Premier League leaders Leicester City went seven points clear at the top of the table after skipper Wes Morgan scored in a 1-0 win at home to Southampton on Sunday as Manchester United beat Everton by the same scoreline to maintain their bid for a top-four finish.

Morgan’s 38th-minute header at the King Power Stadium, his first goal in nearly a year, was good enough to secure Leicester’s fifth 1-0 victory and extend the East Midlands club’s advantage over second-placed Tottenham Hotspur, held to a 1-1 draw by Liverpool on Saturday.

Now Leicester need just 12

points from their final six games to claim the first top-flight title in the club’s 132-year history.

Jamaica centre-back Morgan

scored the only goal of the game when he got on the end of a Christian Fuchs cross.

In Sunday’s other top-flight

match, United striker Anthony Martial’s goal was good enough to give his side all three points on a day when Old Trafford’s south

RESULTS Leicester

1-0

Southampton

1-0

Everton

Morgan 38

Man United Martial 54

Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster saves from Leicester City's English striker Jamie Vardy during their EPL match at King Power Stadium yesterday REUTERS

stand was renamed in honour of club great Bobby Charlton.

The win moved United up into fifth place, just a point behind local rivals Manchester City, who currently occupy the fourth and final Champions League spot on offer to English clubs. l

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

ROLL OF HONOUR Year 2016 2014 2012 2010 2009

Winner West Indies Australia Australia Australia England

Runner-up Australia England England New Zealand New Zealand

West Indies cricketers dance with the women players after the Windies women clinched the 2016 World Twenty20 title at Eden Gardens in Kolkata yesterday

AP

Windies stun Aussies to claim maiden women’s T20 crown n AFP, Kolkata Powerful half-centuries from Hayley Matthews and skipper Stafanie Taylor fired the West Indies to their maiden women’s World Twenty20 crown in a thrilling last-over win against Australia in yesterday’s final in Kolkata.

Chasing a competitive 149 for a

win against the three-time champions, West Indies rode a blistering 120-run opening stand between Matthews (66) and Taylor (59) to triumph with three balls to spare.

The Windies won by eight wickets at the Eden Gardens stadium as they picked up their first win against Australia at their ninth attempt.

“Words can’t explain what I’m feeling right now. Means so much for us and especially the people of the Caribbean,” said Windies wicketkeeper Merissa Aguilleira.

Player of the match Matthews and Taylor, who looked determined from the word go, acquired 16 runs off the sixth over, including a humongous six from Matthews.

A destructive Matthews clobbered three sixes and six boundaries during her 45-ball blitz that made the Aussie bowling attack appear pedestrian.

Taylor played a more sedate but commanding innings to lead the Windies to an historic title after three previous failed semi-final attempts.l

BRIEF SCORE AUSTRALIA WOMEN 148/5 in 20 overs (Villani 52, Lanning 52, Perry 28, Dottin 2-33) WEST INDIES WOMEN 149/2 in 19.3 overs (Matthews 66, Taylor 59) West Indies won by eight wickets

BRITISH DOCTOR ALLEGES HE DOPED 150 SPORTSMEN n Reuters, London UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) said it was “deeply concerned and shocked” by a Sunday Times report in which a British doctor alleged he had prescribed banned performance-enhancing drugs to 150 sportsmen including several Premier League footballers.

The paper said Dr Mark Bonar claimed his “clients” included an England cricketer, British Tour de France cyclists, a British boxing champion, tennis players and martial arts competitors as well as footballers.

In the past six years he had treated more than 150 sportsmen from the UK and abroad with banned substances such as erythropoietin (EPO), steroids and hu-

man growth hormone, and the performance improvements were “phenomenal”, the report added.

The Sunday Times said that during a series of meetings with undercover reporters, Bonar had spoken about sportsmen he had treated. The newspaper also sent a sportsman to Bonar’s clinic, who recorded his appointments with a hidden camera.

Neither the newspaper nor Reuters was able to substantiate the claims made by the doctor.

UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead said the body had been aware of allegations against Bonar after a sportsperson approached them two years ago but had not been able to act upon them because he was not affiliated to any particular sport.

“Under current legislation, UKAD has the power only to investigate athletes and entourage (including medics) who are themselves governed by a sport,” she said.

UKAD had considered informing the General Medical Council, which overseas medical practitioners in Britain, but decided the evidence they had was insufficient for such a referral, Sapstead added.

UKAD chairman David Kenworthy said an independent review would be conducted into the issues raised by the report.

“They will be asked to look at the way the information supplied by the sportsperson was handled and whether proper procedures were followed,” he said.

“They will also be asked to make any recommendations to improve the way in which intelligence is dealt with in the future so that UKAD can be as effective as possible in keeping sport clean.”

The news is likely to cast a further shadow on the sporting world ahead of the Rio Olympics.

Russia was suspended from international track and field last year following a report exposing widespread cheating and corruption among its athletes.

The country faces a ban from the Olympics unless Russia can prove to the World Anti-Doping Agency and the IAAF governing body that it has met a series of conditions regarding its anti-doping operations. l

Dr Bonar claims he has treated Arsenal, Chelsea, Leicester and Birmingham players. Despite Dr Bonar’s claims, The Sunday Times has no independent evidence he treated the players. There is no evidence the clubs were aware of his relationship with any players His network of secret “clients” included an England cricketer, British cyclists, a British boxing champion, tennis players and martial arts competitors as well as footballers In the past six years he has treated more than 150 sports people from the UK and abroad variously with banned substances such as erythropoietin (EPO), steroids and human growth hormone, and the improvements were “phenomenal”

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Italy great Cesare Maldini dies n Reuters, Milan Former AC Milan defender and Italy coach Cesare Maldini has died, his long-time club said yesterday.

He was 84.

Maldini won four Serie A titles during his time with Milan and was skipper of the side in 1963, when the Rossoneri became the first Italian team to win the European Cup. In all, he put in 412 appearances for AC Milan and moved into coaching when his playing career ended, managing the north Italian club from 1972-74.

He was assistant coach to Enzo Bearzot for Italy’s 1982 World Cup triumph in Spain and then led the Azzurri to the quarter-finals in France 16 years later, where they were beaten by the hosts on penalties.

He took charge of Paraguay for the 2002 World Cup but they did not progress beyond the Round of 16 and Maldini subsequently returned to work as a scout for AC Milan.

“His bond to Milan was unbreakable and what’s more, there would be a second generation with his son Paolo following in his footsteps and enjoying unrivalled success at the club,” AC Milan said in a statement.l

BFF changes fixture for third time n Tribune Report Bangladesh Football Federation yesterday had to change the fixture of the season-opening KFC Independence Cup for the third time, thanks to Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club’s finalminute decision to take part in the tournament. Premier league champions Sheikh Jamal were scheduled to meet Mohammedan Sporting Club in the third day of the tournament yesterday but following a request made by the officials of the former, the BFF decided to defer the tie.

The top-flight holders explained that some of their players were too sick to play the match. The game will now take place today at 4pm at Bangabandhu National Stadium.l

DAY’S WATCH FOOTBALL SONY ESPN 12:40AM Italian Serie A Bologna v Hellas Verona

SONY ESPN 12:30AM Spanish La Liga Levante v Sporting Gijon

An action of the KFC Independence Cup match between Abahani Limited (R) and Feni Soccer Club at BNS yesterday

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Feni hold Abahani to surprising draw n Tribune Report Four-time professional football league champions Abahani Limited were held to a shocking 1-1 draw in their KFC Independence Cup Group B opener as Feni Soccer Club grabbed a late equaliser at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Senegalese striker Camara Sarba put the Sky Blues ahead at the stroke of the first half before former Abahani forward Chowmrin

Rakhane came off the bench to bring parity from the penalty spot in the dying stages of the game.

Abahani captain Ariful Islam almost gifted the opponents a goal in the seventh minute of the game when his blunder allowed Ridon to take possession at the edge of the box. Abahani goalkeeper Sultan Ahmed Shakil though came to his side’s rescue by producing a decent save to deny Ridon in a one-on-one situation.

Sarba proved to be a handful for the Feni defence throughout the entire game as he headed over the crosspiece from a lovely Lee Andrew Tuck cross. The Senegalese marksman got two more opportunities in the 36th and 38th minutes before finally breaking the deadlock in the added time of the first half.

Englishman Tuck set up youngster Nabib Newaj Jibon, who then provided a low pass for Sarba. Sarba made no mistake rifling home

Afridi steps down as T20 captain n AFP, Islamabad Shahid Afridi yesterday announced he would step down as Pakistan’s captain in the game’s shortest format following his team’s early exit from the World T20 in which he was branded “absolutely clueless” by his manager.

The 36-year-old, nicknamed “Boom Boom” for his fierce hitting, had suffered a drop in form over the past two years and was unable to steer Pakistan through the group stages of the competition in India.

“Today I wish to inform my fans in Pakistan & all over the world that I am relinquishing the captaincy of the T20 Pakistani team of my own volition,” he said in a statement.

Afridi was appointed T20 cap-

tain for the second time in 2014, with his contract set to expire following the World T20 in India in 2016.

He led the team to the semi-finals of the same tournament in a previous stint as captain in 2010, but was removed a year later. In 43 matches as captain, he led his team to 19 wins, 23 losses and a tie.

“For me it was a great honour to lead my country,” he said. “I intend to continue to play the game for my country and league etc., and request my fans for kindly keep praying and supporting me for my best future performances for Pakistan (as a player).”

The 2009 champions had been widely criticised by fans for a lacklustre performance at the World

T20 with just one victory, against unfancied Bangladesh, and big losses to India, New Zealand and Australia.

Afridi’s tactical nous and offfield leadership had come under fire in two separate post-mortem reports prepared by team manager Intikhab Alam and head coach Waqar Younis.

“Much to our chagrin (Afridi) was a captain in his farewell event after a career spanning nearly 20 years, yet absolutely clueless in terms of on-field tactics and offfield leadership,” wrote Alam in his assessment, which was widely leaked to the press.

“We lost to New Zealand, Asia Cup and the World T20 due to poor captaincy,” said Younis. l

from three yards.

Sarba came agonisingly close to doubling the lead in the 75th minute but his effort from a Tuck cross went away for a corner.

Feni earned a spotkick against the run of play in the 85th minute when Shakil brought down Abahani’s former Ghanaian striker Twum Frank. Substitute forward Rakhane completed the formalities, thus handing the two sides a share of the spoils. l

Obituary n Tribune Report Atahar Ali Khan, a retired government officer and father of The Daily Star’s senior reporter Atique Anam Rony, breathed his last at the capital’s Square Hospital last Saturday night. He was 82. He left behind his wife, four sons, grandchildren, relatives and a host of well-wishers.

His first namaz-e-janaza was held at Noor Masjid in Malibagh Chowdhurypara yesterday morning. His body was laid to eternal rest at his ancestral home in Kalijira, Barisal following the second namaz-ejanaza in the afternoon. l

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POINTS TABLE

THINGS WE LEARNED BARCA ARE BEATABLE It has been 40 games and six months since Barca tasted defeat, but their defensive liabilities when faced with pace on the counter-attack were exposed as Madrid could have scored five times in the final half hour after weathering a first-half storm from the European champions.

ZIDANE PROVES CREDENTIALS On a night when Barca paid homage to the man with the rare ability to replicate his world class playing ability as a coach in Johan Cruyff, Zinedine Zidane showed the first signs of having the tactical nous to do likewise.

RAMOS A LIABILITY Zidane may need to make another big decision soon as Real captain Sergio Ramos’s miserable season continued as he was sent-off for his second consecutive league game and the 21st time in his career.

P

Barcelona

31 24 4

W D

L GD Pts 3

61 76 36 70

Atletico

31 22 4

5

Real Madrid

31

21

6

4 60 69

Villarreal

30 15

9

6

Celta Vigo

31

7 10 -8 49

14

12 54

RESULTS

RONALDO SILENCES DOUBTERS Cristiano Ronaldo extended his lead as La Liga’s top scorer with his 43rd goal of the season and in the process silenced suggestions that he hasn’t contributed enough in the biggest games so far this season.

TIREDNESS COULD COST BARCA It was no coincidence that a rare off night for Barca’s star front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar came days after all three returned from South America on World Cup qualifying duties for their respective countries.

Teams

Atletico Madrid

5-1

Torres 36, Griezmann 41, 81, Juanfran 64, Partey 90+1

Las Palmas

Real Betis Ruben Castro 78

2-1

Valencia

Viera 50-P, Mustafi 63-og

Barcelona

Rodrigo 3

1-2

Pique 56

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo scores the winning goal against FC Barcelona during their La Liga match at the Camp Nou, Barcelona on Saturday REUTERS

Celta Vigo

Real Madrid Benzema 62, Ronaldo 85

1-1

Deportivo

Nolito 30

Borges 21

Zidane emerges winner in Cruyff-tinged Clasico n AFP, Barcelona A night that began with a colourful homage to a legendary Barcelona player turned coach in Johan Cruyff, ended with Real Madrid’s own version of a one-time playing great in Zinedine Zidane celebrating his first big victory in management.

Zidane’s men swept aside a tiring Barca in the closing stages of Saturday’s 2-1 El Clasico win at the Camp Nou to bring a remarkable 39-game unbeaten run by the Eu-

ropean champions stretching back six months to an end.

Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo got the goals, whilst Gareth Bale had another wrongly ruled out on a night when Madrid’s ‘BBC’ front three outgunned Barca’s star triumvirate of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar. Ronaldo’s winner five minutes from time silenced critics of the three-time World Player of the Year that despite his 42 goals this season, he hadn’t produced enough in the big games.l

ALL-TIME CLASICO SCORERS

21 MESSI

18

16

STEFANO RONALDO

15 RAUL

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Azarenka thrashes Kuznetsova for third Miami Open title n Reuters Victoria Azarenka kept up a banner year when she beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3 6-2 to win the Miami Open in Florida on Saturday.

Azarenka punished her Russian opponent’s weak serve to wrap up the final in 80 minutes in relentless humidity under a searing sun in the early afternoon encounter on the Key Biscayne hardcourt.

The 13th seed finished off Kuznetsova with a powerful backhand groundstroke for the 20th title of her career, and her third of

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus poses for a photograph at the Crandon Park beach with the Butch Buchholz trophy after winning the Miami Open on Saturday AFP

the year, after winning previously in Indian Wells and Brisbane. It is the third Miami title for the 26-year-old from Belarus and the first time she has won the same tournament more than twice. She is also the first woman to win the Indian Wells and Miami tournaments back-to-back since Kim Clijsters in 2005.

“This just gives me even more inspiration and motivation to keep working harder,” Azarenka said. “I’m very happy that all the work that I’ve been putting in is paying off. It’s such a great opportunity to play the whole month so consistent.” l

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Showtime

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

Romeo and Juliet in a different light

n Showtime Desk Marking legendary British playwright William Shakespeare’s

400th death anniversary, the British Council, in collaboration with Dhaka Theatre and Graeae Theatre Company (UK), organised

a 75-minute play titled “A Different Romeo and Juliet.”

The production was truly unique in a way that, it was per-

Cara Delevingne speaks her mind

formed in its entirety by 14 highly talented artists with disabilities.

It was led by Jenny Sealey, artistic director of Graeae Theatre Company in collaboration with Dhaka Theatre’s Nasiruddin Yousuff, renowned Bangladeshi director. The play was premièred at the National Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on March 28.

“Shakespeare Lives is the British Council’s global cultural programme in 2016. It is about sparking cultural exchange through the shared language of Shakespeare. One of our major initiatives in Bangladesh is ‘A Different Romeo and Juliet,’ an inspirational theatre production with a group of talented artists who are differently abled. We hope this play will contribute in changing people’s perceptions of life, and the right to love and be loved,” said Matt Pusey, deputy director, British Council Dhaka.

The British Council initiated this project in 2013 with an aim to empower people with disabilities by facilitating social inclusion through theatre workshops that helped them explore their identity

WHAT TO WATCH

n Showtime Desk Last Thursday, Cara Delevingne took to social media to defend her return to modelling and update fans about her long-standing struggle with depression. In a series of tweets, she explains how she was struggling with depression while working in the fashion industry.

“Can we just set the record straight,” the 23-year-old supermodel wrote on Twitter. “I never said I was quitting modelling. I do not blame the fashion industry for anything.”

“I suffered from depression and was a model during a particularly rough patch of self hatred,” she continued.

“I am lucky for the work that I get to do but I used to work to try and escape and ended up completely exhausting myself. I am focusing on filming and trying to learn how to not pick apart my every flaw. I am really good at that.”

Delevingne, who this week marked her return with a striking black and white campaign for Yves Saint Laurent, explained why acting is now her first priority after seven years as one of the fashion industry’s most popular faces.

“I was like, fight and fight for months.

Just constantly on edge,” the British beauty told The Times about her life as a catwalk queen. “It is a mental thing as well because if you hate yourself, your body and the way you look, it just gets worse and worse.”

“Modelling made me feel a bit hollow after a while,” she added. “It didn’t make me grow at all as a human being. And I kind of forgot how young I was. I felt so old.” l

and infused an enriched sense of self-worth. This has now led to a new Shakespeare production of Romeo and Juliet in 2016.

The performing artists were drawn from Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP-Bangladesh), Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC), Bangladesh Reform Initiatives for Development, Governance and Empowerment (BRIDGE) and Gram Theatre.

The play was performed in front of the general public comprising of a targeted audience of policy makers, organisations and other stakeholders working with people with disabilities, special needs schools and average theatre lovers during March 28 and 29.

The British Council intends to establish a legacy of this ambitious project. They plan to do a five city national tour following the Dhaka performance, a nationwide TV viewing, documentary about the journey to be screened for an international audience at festivals and so on. It is thought of to be a project that has the potential to reach more than 50 million people nationally and internationally. l

Fast Five Star Movies 6:51pm Dominic Toretto and his crew of street racers plan a massive heist to buy their freedom while in the sights of a powerful Brazilian drug lord and a dangerous federal agent.

Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson Ocean’s Eleven WB 11:24pm Danny Ocean and his eleven accomplices plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously.

Cast: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts Kung Fu Panda Zee Studio 9:30pm In the Valley of Peace, Po the Panda finds himself chosen as the Dragon Warrior despite the fact that he is obese and a complete novice at martial arts.

Cast: Jack Black, Ian McShane, Angelina Jolie

Mr Bean’s Holiday HBO 4:50pm Mr Bean wins a trip to Cannes where he unwittingly separates a young boy from his father and must help the two come back together. On the way he discovers France, bicycling, and true love, among other things.

Cast: Rowan Atkinson, Willem Dafoe, Steve Pemberton Noah HBO 8:30pm A man is chosen by his world’s creator to undertake a momentous mission before an apocalyptic flood cleanses the world.

Cast: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins

Jingle all the way

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

Chirkutt’s collaboration with Latin Grammy winner n Hasan Mansoor Chatak

n Baizid Haque Joarder He is a talented musician, producer, composer who has a knack for producing the catchiest jingles for commercials you would come across on the telly. Arafat Mohsin wears many hats and has nothing in his heart but love for music.

Read on to find out what the virtuoso had to share with Showtime.

What have you been up to recently?

Well it has been hectic lately! I’ve been working on quite a few things at the same time. Creating the signature tune of an upcoming product, background score of Redoan Rony’s Ice cream, are just two among the many.

Any new catchy advert jingles to look out for?

(Chuckles) There are a few that are yet to be aired like that of Robi and Banglalink. Apart from that there are a few that are being constantly aired like that of Ispahani, Airtel, Unilever, Grameen Phone, and so on. I don’t know really care if the jingle is catchy or not, I simply want my work to make news for its quality and nothing else.

Which one of your recent works are you particularly proud of?

I don’t think I have reached the point where I can be proud of my work yet. I feel like, there’s a long way for me to go. In terms of hits, “Shoto Danar Projapoti” from one of the fictions of the

series, Closeup Kachey Ashar Golpo has hit over 800,000 views on YouTube in a span of a month.

Also, “Batasher Gaan” was listed among the top five songs of 2015

by Radio Foorti.

Which aspect of your work do you want to focus on?

I think I would like to score music for more films since that is one thing that really intrigues me. Understanding the mood, complementing the story and film-making, I find this most fascinating as a music producer.

Also, like most musicians, I want my music to be immortalised through films. Well, at least that’s the plan!

Coming up with so many catchy tunes and working on this many genres is tough to say the least.

How does Arafat Mohsin get his creative juices flowing? What’s his secret?

You don’t give away trade secrets, do you? But in all honesty, I am a fan of Rumi and one of his quotes, “When I am silent, I fall into the place where everything is music,” really sums up how I feel before I start on a new project. I keep silent and just wait for the “eureka” moment when a tune starts playing out just fine.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

The exact same place I am right now, with a sound conscience accompanied by a reputation of producing quality music and a few massive hits under my name! l

Bangladeshi fusion band Chirkutt confirms a new musical collaboration with Latin Grammy winning producerartist Johan Alcover. The band, which is currently in tour in USA, made the announcement via a Facebook post on Sunday afternoon.

The band informs that they will jointly record a song in a studio called We Loud, Alcover’s Bornx, New York Studio, on April 6 and 7. The song is a musical collaboration between Chirkutt’s Bangla fusion and Latin genre “Bachata.”

The members of Chirkutt recently met Johan, winner of the Latin Billboard and BMI awards, at his studio in New York. The band’s post about Johan Alcover reads: “He is such a down-toearth and humble person that we have already become his fans (smile emoticon).

The post further reads: “We had a long meeting yesterday,

had shared our music, thought and ideas. Hopefully it will be a great journey and we really hope that something interesting will come up through our combined effort.”

Chirkutt thanked the US record label Yonder, which is to produce the single, which could lead the band in to the global music scene.

Last month, the band performed in SXSW Music in Austin, Texas, as the first Bangladeshi band to have ever performed there. Apart from the performance at SXSW, the band held a few other gigs in Dallas, Austin, Florida, New York and Atlanta as a part of their month-long tour of USA. l

Sherlock Holmes actor Douglas Wilmer dies n Showtime Desk Douglas Wilmer, the actor who portrayed the classic role of Sherlock Holmes in the mid 60s, has died at the age of 96.

Wilmer died in a hospital in Ipswich, England on Thursday, March 31. He was suffering from pneumonia, confirmed Roger Johnson, spokesman for the Sherlock Holmes Society Of London.

Wilmer first appeared as the crafty detective in 1964 with Nigel Stock as Watson alongside him. After he left the show, he was replaced by Peter Cushing as the famous detective.

In 2012, at the end of his acting career, he made a special appearance in an episode of the BBC series as an irate old man at The Diogenes Club sharing screen-time with the modern Sherlock, Benedict Cumberbatch.

Apart from his role as the beloved fictional detective, Wilmer was best known as a

supporting actor.

In 1973, he played Professor Van Dusen in The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes, and in 1975 he returned to play the role of the detective – this time in a supporting role – in The Adventure Of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother.

Writer, producer and actor Mark Gatiss, who plays Sherlock’s older brother Mycroft, shared a photograph of himself with Wilmer.

He tweeted: “An honour to have known dear Douglas Wilmer. A Sherlock for all seasons.

The work was something, the man was all. RIP” Wilmer appeared in a number of films and TV shows. Sir Roger Moore praised the parts he played in the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy and TV show The Saint, calling him “a fine actor” and “joyous” to work with.

His best film role was perhaps that of Nayland Smith in the Christopher Lee Fu Manchu series.

He also had parts in Jason And The Argonauts, the Pink Panther films, and The Golden Voyage Of Sinbad.

He trained at Rada before serving in the Royal Artillery in Africa during World War Two, and made his London stage debut in 1945. In the 1960s, he secured roles in big screen epics such as El Cid and Cleopatra.

Source: BBC, nzherald l

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

SPORTS REFLECT DEEPER DIVIDE IN AFGHANISTAN PAGE 23

ITALY GREAT CESARE MALDINI DIES PAGE 27

ROMEO AND JULIET IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT PAGE 30

Government, tanners both at fault n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi The much-debated relocation of tannery units from Dhaka’s Hazaribagh area to the newly-built Savar Leather Park lacks commitment from both the sides – the government and the tanners.

During a visit to the estate yesterday, it was found that the authorities have not completed the ground work while not a single tannery unit is ready to go into production. But the government has already stopped supply of rawhide to Hazaribagh by deploying police at the entry points.

As per the agreement, the government was supposed to establish a Central Effluent Treatment plant (CETP) at the industrial park to ensure that the liquid waste to be discharged by the tanners is treated before flowing into the nearby river.

But during the visit, it was seen that only two units out of 20 of the CETP have been completed but they are not ready to operate now.

Construction of another unit is completed but the machinery has not been not installed yet.

Above all, the CETP construction work has remained suspended since March 16 due to fund shortage.

Construction of the sewerage line that will carry waste water into the CETP has also been sluggish.

Md Hazrat Ali, chairman of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (Bscic), claimed that the sewerage line and two units of the CETP were ready to operate. From a press conference yesterday, he said

●

●

●

●

●

Only two of 20 reservoirs of CETP ready Sewage line still under construction Gas connection undecided Water, electricity connection provided No factory ready for production

that the tanners would get be allowed one more week to bring rawhide to Hazaribagh. The owners would not get more time after April 10.

The authorities have given water and electricity connections but are yet to ensure gas connection at the leather estate.

On the other hand, none of the tanners have completed construction of their factories. Only few factories have set up machinery but they are not in a position to go into production.

Under the circumstances, the government has deployed police at the city’s entry points to prevent rawhide-laden trucks from entering Hazaribagh as the deadline for shifting the tannery units to Savar

The leather industrial park at Harindhara in Hemayetpur, Savar, where all tanneries in Hazaribagh were supposed to relocate

by December 31 last year, is still under construction. The photo was taken yesterday MEHEDI HASAN ended on March 31.

Meanwhile, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu has claimed that the two units of the CETP were able to treat the waste of 40-60 factories.

While inaugurating the SME Fair in the city yesterday, the minister again warned the tanners of strict action if they did not relocate the units immediately. “The government will not allow any dillydally over the shifting process.”

About non-availability gas connection, Amu claimed that they were ready to give gas connection.

“But no one has applied for gas connection,” he added.

The government decided to transfer the tanneries from Hazaribagh amid pressure from local and

international rights groups and environmental activists, and buyers because of their hazardous effects on public health and environment, especially the Buriganga River.

It has allocated plots to 155 tannery owners at the industrial park established on a 200-acre land.

During the visit yesterday, it was also found that only two factories – Apex Tanneries and Reliance Tannery – had their machinery installed while three to four others have brought their machinery to their factories. Construction of the most of the establishments is under way.

“We can start processing the rawhides now, but the CETP is not ready yet,” Shafiqul Islam, an official of Apex Tannery, told the

Tonu killing: Home Ministry to be sieged April 7 n DU Correspondent The Progressive Students’ Alliance and the Anti-Imperialist Students Union yesterday announced to lay siege to the Home Ministry on April 7 to protest the killing of Comilla Victoria Government College student Sohagi Jahan Tonu.

They also demanded that the killers be arrested and subjected to exemplary punishment.

“We will march towards the Home Ministry from the Aparajeyo Bangla sculpture on Dhaka University campus at noon on April 7,” Convener of the Progressive Students’ Alliance Ashraful Alam Sohel told a press conference at Madhur Canteen.

The announcement to besiege

the Home Ministry came as students of Dhaka University and other educational institutions across the country observed a daylong strike in protest at Tonu’s death.

“Except a few, most classes were suspended at the university but examinations scheduled for today were held,” said Dhaka University acting proctor Amzad Ali. Protest rallies and demonstrations were held on Dhaka University campus in support of the strike.

Protesters expressed anger over the lack of progress in the arrest of Tonu’s killers, and called for a speedy trial of the case.

At a demonstration at Raju Memorial organised by Chhatra Union in the evening, activists of Bangladesh Student Union demanded

that the Tonu’s killers be arrested and punished without any delay.

Liton Nandi, Bangladesh Student Union’s Dhaka University unit president, said general students observed the strike spontaneously.

“We will announce tougher programmes if justice for Tonu is not ensured,” he added.

Chittagong University students boycotted classes in support of the strike.

A procession was brought out by activists of the Progressive Students’ Alliance and the Anti-Imperialist Students Union from the Art and Humanities Faculty building around 1:30pm. It ended near the university railway station.

Chhatra Union announced to observe a strike today at all schools

and colleges across the country demanding justice for Tonu.

But the Higher Secondary Certificate and equivalent tests would be out of the purview of the strike.

Writ seeks judicial committee for Tonu probe

A writ petition was filed with the High Court yesterday seeking the court’s directives upon the government to constitute a judicial committee for investigating Tonu’s killing. Supreme Court lawyer Eunus Ali Akand filed the petition.

In the petition, Akand prayed to the court to order police for arresting Tonu’s killers within 24 hours.

He prayed to the court to order the government for giving Tk30 lakh to Tonu’s family in damages. l

Dhaka Tribune.

Earlier, Shaheen Ahmed, chairman of Bangladesh Tanners’ Association, said that the relocation would be completed by June this year. The government in January issued legal notices to 113 factories at Hazaribagh for delaying in shifting their factories.

Meanwhile, construction of the CETP has remained suspended as the main contractor did not release any money for the sub-contract firm Zakir Enterprise after March 16.

“The construction is stopped due to shortage of funds,” said Faisal, a worker of firm. “If the construction work resumes in full-swing, it will take at least six more months to complete the CETP,” he added. l

‘Inheritors to get bank deposit’ n Tribune Report The High Court has delivered a verdict that gives inheritors – not the nominees – the ownership of the money left by a deceased person in a bank.

The bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Khizir Ahmed Choudhury delivered the verdict yesterday after hearing an appeal filed against a lower court verdict.

Following the verdict, even if account nominees can withdraw the money left by a deceased person, the inheritors would be the money’s owner, said Advocate Naznin Nahar, who represented the plaintiff.

The case was filed as plaintiff could not withdraw his deceased father’s bank savings for not being the nominee. l

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