22 April, 2016

SECOND EDITION

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016 | Boishakh 9, 1423, Rajab 13, 1437 | Regd No DA 6238, Vol 4, No 1 | www.dhakatribune.com | 32 pages plus 24-page Weekend supplement | Price: Tk10

BB officials guilty of gross negligence Probe body suggests massive reform at Bangladesh Bank n Asif Shawkat Kollol In an interim report, the probe body on the Bangladesh Bank reserve heist has found gross negligence and lack of knowledge at the central bank that led to the theft of $101 million.

The committee has recommended that the government undertake massive reform at the central bank, suggesting massive restructuring in terms of administrative, institutional, and technological upgrades.

Former Bangladesh Bank governor Mohammed Farashuddin, who led the probe body, handed over the report to Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Wednesday evening.

Both the minister and the committee have refused to comment on the findings.

However, sources said the probe team held senior officials of the Forex Reserve and Treasury Management Department to be responsible for gross negligence in their duties, leading to the heist.

It suggested action against the central bank officials as they did nothing when abnormalities emerged in parts of the bank’s network linked to the SWIFT system.

RAJIB DHAR

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Philippines court starts process to return BB heist fund

Govt to get lawyer to recover heist money

n Tribune Desk

n Asif Shawkat Kollol

INSIDE

Bangladesh Bank may have to wait longer before it gets the amount turned over by casino junket operator Kim Wong to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) for safekeeping, although the court has already asked authorities to preserve the money, reports Inquirer.net.

It will take several more procedures before the money is turned over to Bangladeshi authorities, as executive Judge Reynaldo A. Al-

hambra of the Manila Regional Trial Court set on May 2 at 8:30am. a summary hearing on the asset preservation.

Holding a hearing meant this is an important case, as it has diplomatic repercussions.

The AMLC filed on April 18 a petition for civil forfeiture (with an urgent prayer for the issuance of a provisional asset preservation order and/or asset preservation order through the Office of the Solicitor General) against Kam Sin Wong, East Hawaii Leisure Co., Centu-

TIB lauds revolutionary changes in RMG sector Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has termed the safety improvements in the RMG sector in terms of fire, electrical and structural safety as “revolutionary”.  PAGE 5

STATUS OF INITIATIVES TAKEN TO IMPROVE SAFETY STANDARDS AND WORKERS RIGHTS 45 40 35

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rytext Trading, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) and Philippine National Bank (PNB).

In an order issued also on April 18, Alhambra said the AMLC alleged that the “subject money instruments and proceeds in the name of Kam Sin Wong or Kim Wong, Eastern Hawaii Leisure Co. Ltd. and Centurytex Trading with the respondent banks are related to an unlawful activity of “hacking or cracking” under the E-Commerce Act, a predicate offence under  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

Uniform tax rate on tobacco products likely The government may introduce a uniform tax rate on tobacco products from the next FY making the current basis – the higher the price, the larger the amount of tax paid – obsolete.  PAGE 15

The inter-departmental task force to recover Bangladesh Bank's $81 million stolen money has decided to appoint an international attorney to expedite the process of getting the funds back from the Philippines.

The decision to appoint an attorney was taken at the first meeting of the task force yesterday at the Finance Division auditorium, presided over by Bank and Financial Institutions Division (BFID) Secretary Md Eunusur Rahman.

Ancient Buddhist monasteries discovered in Naogaon A nearly 1,500 years old Buddhist site has been unearthed in Naogaon, home to a number of other historical sites.  PAGE 32

After the meeting the BFID secretary told reporters that the central bank and the attorney general's office would give their views on the matter at the next meeting. He also said an attorney will be appointed according to the recommendations of the heist investigation committee, which is led by former central bank governor Md Farashuddin.

Sources present at the meeting said three IT experts and professors of BUET had been appointed to find the loopholes in Bangladesh  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

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Police to seek fresh remand for Shafik n Arifur Rahman Rabbi A fresh seven-day remand would be sought against Shafik Rehman over his alleged involvement in a plot to abduct and kill Sajeeb Wazed Joy, said DMP Deputy Commissioner Mashrukur Rahman Khaled.

‘The investigating officer might also interrogate prime minister’s son Joy if needed’ The veteran journalist was arrested and put on a five-day remand on April 16. As the remand period expired yesterday, police will seek the fresh remand against Shafik to get more information on the case.

The DMP official also said efforts were on to send the investigation officer to the US, where he would

be able to visit the place where the alleged plot had been formed.

If allowed, the investigating official would also try to interview JaSaS vice-president’s son Rizve Ahmed Caesar, who is now serving a jail sentence in the USA in a bribery case.

An official close to the investigation told the Dhaka Tribune that the investigating officer might also interrogate prime minister’s son Joy if needed.

Other sources close to the ongoing probe told the Dhaka Tribune that Shafik met with JaSaS Vice-President Mohammad Ullah Mamun at his own Dhaka house in 2012 to allegedly discuss how money could be transferred to an FBI agent for confidential information on Joy. Around the same time, Mamun also allegedly met with Daily Amar Desh Editor Mahmudur Rahman in Dhaka, the sources added. l

176,000 unauthorised tablets seized n Kamrul Hasan A mobile court yesterday seized a large cache of unauthorised medicine imported from abroad, after conducting a drive at a healthcare centre in Dhaka’s Hatirpool area.

RAB 2 Deputy Director Major Mohammad Ataur Rahman led the drive under Executive Magistrate Mohammad Helal Uddin.

The court also slapped a Tk10 lakh fine to centre’s owner Sukumar Biswas and manager Shuli Biswas.

“The team seized 176,000 pieces of unauthorised medicine worth Tk65 lakh from Jupiter Health Care,” Magistrate Helal said.

Sukumar confessed that his establishment did not have a licence from health directorate and that he re-packed medicines after importing them with incorrect declarations.

The mobile court found Jupiter was supplying different medicines – without DGHS approval. l

Regular bench to hear Khaleda’s plea n Ashif Islam Shaon

A regular bench of the High Court will hear BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s pleas challenging a lower court order that had rejected her two applications in Zia Charitable Trust graft case.

The High Court vacation bench of Justice Md Miftah Uddin Choudhury and Justice Khizir Ahmed Choudhury took the decision yesterday. The regular bench will sit on May 2 as the Supreme Court is now on vacation.

Khurshid Alam Khan, counsel for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), said that now the petitions would be sent to the department concerned to assign a regular bench.

Earlier, Dhaka’s Third Special Judge’s Court which is holding the trial of the case had set April 25 for next hearing in the case. The court ended deposition of prosecution witnesses on March 31.

On Sunday, Khaleda’s counsels submitted two applications before the trial court in her presence but those were rejected. Then they moved the High Court on Monday against the rejection order seeking a revision.

Of the two petitions, one was filed for re-cross examination of the investigation officer of the Zia Charitable Trust graft case and the other for scrutinising the case diary of the IO. The BNP chief also prayed to stay the trial proceedings against her in the case.

Khaleda said that the statement of IO Harun-or-Rashid was unacceptable, since the ACC withdrew him for incompetence in 2005, and the High Court and the Supreme Court upheld the ACC decision.

On March 9, Khaleda challenged the legality of the appointment of the IO with the High Court but it was turned down by the court. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

BB officials guilty of gross negligence The report said the probe had found that the bank’s staff were unaware for several months that the security software on the Real-Time Gross Settlement Systems (RTGS), which is linked with SWIFT system, had been missing. As a result, hackers injected their malware into the bank’s network and collected information from the RTGS without any barrier.

Before that, the security software had also failed three times this year but the issue was ignored, the report revealed.

Sources said the probe team had observed in the report that Bangladesh Bank’s Forex Reserve and Treasury Management Department officials did not realise the implications of the anomalies that had

been noticed during the heist.

As a result, hackers stole $101 million from the forex reserve with relative ease, the report said. It suggested keeping the central bank’s SWIFT safety system up-to-date.

As part of the probe body’s recommendation three professors and network experts from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) have already been appointed to find loopholes in Bangladesh Bank’s network.

Sources said the report had emphasised introduction of training for the bank’s staff on IT and money transfers. It suggested that local and foreign experts should be brought in to conduct the training.

Officials of Finance Ministry’s

Bank and Financial Institutions Division said the probe committee chairman and members had warned the authorities concerned that the disclosure of names of the Bangladesh Bank staff who were under investigation might damage the country’s image and suggested that the investigation and disclosure to the media be kept low profile.

The probe team warned that Bangladesh may fall once again into the Financial Action Task Force’s blacklist because of the incident.

The FATF, the intergovernmental body on money laundering and terrorist financing, put Bangladesh in the grey category in 2008 after it found major deficiencies in the country’s anti-money laundering

Govt to get and counter-financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) efforts. Bangladesh came out of the grey list in February 2014.

Meanwhile, the head of the Forensic Training Institute of Bangladesh CID, Mohammad Shah Alam, told Reuters that Bangladesh’s central bank was vulnerable to hackers because it did not have a firewall and used second-hand, $10 switches to network computers connected to the SWIFT global payment network.

The lack of sophisticated switches, which can cost several hundred dollars or more, also means it is difficult for investigators to figure out what the hackers did and where they might have been based, he added. l

Philippines court starts process to return BB heist fund the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

Imminent certainty

As there was “imminent certainty” that the money would be removed, transferred, concealed, disposed of and placed beyond the reach of the law, as well as in light of the earlier AMLC freeze order, the court said it warranted the issuance of a provisional asset preservation order.

The provisional order was hence issued, forbidding any transaction, withdrawal, transfer, removal, conversion, concealment or other disposition of the following monetary instruments and proceeds effective a 20-day period: The frozen accounts worth P4,461,945.53 in PNB under Kim Wong’s account name.

P5,741,276.84 in PNB under the

account of Eastern Hawaii Leisure.

P19,983.63 in RCBC under Centurytex Trading.

The order also covered the first two tranches of money now in the custody of the AMLC. On March 31, Kim Wong’s lawyers returned an initial $4.63 million, and on April 4, P38.28 million.

On Monday, his company, Eastern Hawaii Leisure, turned over another P200 million to the AMLC. Wong is expected to turn over another P250 million.

He received a portion of the $81 million that entered the Philippines through RCBC and was transferred to the accounts of junket operators.

But he named two others—Gao Shuhua and Ding Zhize—as the ones who had knowledge of the entry of $81 million into the country.

Solaire Resort and Casino Manila, which got part of the $81 million, also froze the account of the “Ding Group” worth P107 million, and confiscated another P1.347 million from the rooms of the group’s players.

Solaire is waiting for a court order to dispose of the money.

Recto’s wish

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto wished the Manila could return $81 million to Dhaka before a new administration takes over. President Aquino is stepping down on June 30.

“That should be our national deadline. Before President Aquino returns to private life, we must see to it that all the recoverable money from that heist has been returned to its rightful owner,” Recto said in

a statement.

Before Manila could turn over the recovered funds, the AMLC would have to file a civil forfeiture case and secure a court order.

Dhaka will also have to formally intervene in the case and claim ownership of the money so that the court could order the return of the funds. Otherwise, the funds would be declared property of Philippines.

Finance officials are not expecting a long-winded court case given that Wong voluntarily turned over the money and nobody is expected to object to its return to Bangladesh.

Recto said it would be okay if all of the recovered funds could not be returned to Bangladesh by June 30, so long as a substantial amount would have been given back to the South Asian country by then. l

Bank’s network and the SWIFT system. The IT experts will also look into where the stolen money had been transferred to.

The BFID formed an inter-departmental task force on April 14 to expedite the recovery of $81 million that was stolen from the central bank’s account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

The key task of the committee is to communicate with the international agencies in this regard. It will also work on speeding up the recovery of the stolen funds as experts have cautioned that the entire process might take three to ten years.

BFID Secretary Md Eunusur Rahman is the convener of the committee and the general manager of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit, a central bank division, is the member secretary.

Other six members come from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Attorney General’s Office, Foreign Ministry, Home Ministry, Bangladesh Bank and the director general of the FIU. The task force is reviewing the laws of Bangladesh and other countries to explore the legal avenues to get the heist money back.

It will communicate with the authorities of countries where the money was laundered and try to formulate mutual legal agreements.

On February 5, hackers stole $101 million from Bangladesh Bank’s accounts in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and transferred $81m to Philippines’ Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, from where the money was moved to local casinos. A further $20m was recovered from Sri Lanka. l

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Munshiganj to see 635MW coal power plant n Aminur Rahman Rasel A consortium of local industrial giant the Orion Group and two foreign companies have signed a power purchase agreement with Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) to set up a 635MW coal-fired power plant in Gazaria, Munshiganj.

PDB Secretary M Zahirul Haque and Orion Group’s Managing Director Salman Obaidul Karim signed the contract on behalf of their respective sides at Bidyut Bhaban in Dhaka yesterday.

This project is a part of a plan to install two coal-fired power plants in Dhaka and Chittagong regions,

approved by the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase on September 29, 2013.

The two foreign companies are China-based Fujian Zhongde Energy Co Ltd and UAE-based Firstgen Energy FZE, venturing with Orion Group’s member company Orion Power Meghnaghat Ltd, a power generation company based in Sonargaon, Narayanganj.

According to the agreement, the state-owned PDB will purchase electricity from the plant for the next 25 years at a levellised tariff of Tk5.86 per unit – kilowatt per hour – once the plant goes into operation, which is estimated to begin in 45 months.

The project has already made significant progress, said Mohammad Obaidul Karim, chairman of the Orion Group.

“We made a commitment to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to finish the construction of the power plant within 45 months. The construction work will start in full swing now that the contract has been signed,” he said at the signing ceremony.

“We have signed a contract with the General Electric of the US to acquire the primary equipment for the project, including boiler, turbine and generator.”

Meanwhile, an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract has been signed

with China’s Guangdong Electric Power Design Institute, he added.

The project has also received the approval of the terms of reference for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) from the Department of Environment.

“The notion that coal-based power plant harms the environment is not right,” said Obaidul.

“Around 50-70% electricity in various developed countries are produced using coal.”

PDB Chairman Shamsul Hasan Miah said this power plant would be built using ultra-supercritical technology, which is why carbon emission from this plant would be significantly less than usual.

Monowar Islam, secretary at the Power Division, said around 45% electricity in the country is being produced by the private sector. “We are considering the private sector as the ‘engine of growth’,” he said.

However, power produced by private companies cannot be termed private, he said. “Entrepreneurs from the private sector are working with the public sector as partners.”

Orion Group has another deal with the government to set up three other coal-based power plants to add 1,088MW electricity to the national grid, signed on June 27, 2012. Implementation of that deal is in progress. l

UK on Bangladesh: Rights situation did not improve last year n Tribune Desk The United Kingdom has said that human rights situation in Bangladesh did not improve last year and that the tension between the Awami League and BNP still remains unresolved.

“There was no improvement in the overall human rights situation in Bangladesh in 2015. Tensions between the two main political parties – the ruling Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) – remain unresolved,” the 2015 Foreign and Commonwealth Office Report on Human Rights and Democracy says about Bangladesh.

The report released yesterday says that the confrontational actions during the first quarter of last year, including the arrest of senior BNP leaders, an indefinite BNP-led transport blockade, and repeated hartals or general strikes impacted on people’s security and livelihoods.

“The relatively peaceful and participatory Municipal Elections on December 30, held on party lines for the first time, were a positive development,” the report

points out.

A rise in the number of extremist attacks against secularist writers and religious minorities last year increased pressure on free speech, while the draft Foreign Donations Act risks becoming a missed opportunity to improve the regulatory regime for NGOs. Through its Human Rights and Democracy Programme, the UK provided safety training to bloggers in Bangladesh, and supported a review of the Information and Communication Technology Act 2006 to bring it into line with international standards.

An overloaded justice system and delays in processing through the courts contributed to a culture of violence where people take the law into their own hands, the report observes.

“NGOs reported that excessive use of force, extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances were conducted with impunity, while the death penalty remained a legal punishment for a wide range of offences,” the report mentions.

In 2015, at least five people were

executed, including three war criminals convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal. NGOs continued to express concern over the process and independence of the tribunal.

The Department for International Development (DFID) last year contributed £3.7 million towards justice sector reform and £1.2 million for a police reform programme in Bangladesh, the report says.

Praising women empowerment in Bangladesh, the report says that women make a considerable contribution to the Bangladesh economy; many are employed in the public service and the ready-made garments sector.

“However, women still do not enjoy the same social status as men, and gender-based violence remains a substantial problem.

Child marriage also remains a significant concern,” the report says.

It also lauded Bangladesh’s growing economy, saying that they encourage the Bangladesh authorities to ensure that this is matched by a positive human rights trajectory this year and beyond. l

The suspected robbers, who were arrested by police during a drive on Wednesday night in Jatrabari, Dhaka, arrive at the DMP Media Centre before a press briefing yesterday RAJIB DHAR

18 robbers arrested n Arifur Rahman Rabbi Police arrested 18 suspected criminals while they were preparing to commit robbery in Golapbagh area of Jatrabari in Dhaka on Wednesday night.

Most of the arrestees were involved in unlawful activities after coming to Dhaka from various parts of the country, said DMP Deputy Commissioner (Wari zone) Syed Nurul Islam in a press briefing around 11:30am yesterday.

“Most of the arrested are teenagers from Chakariya in Cox’s Bazar.

They rented two flats in Golapbagh for scheming, after which they sold the stolen goods. Police recovered 40 mobile phones, six laptops, one tab and some local weapons from their possession,” said the DC. A man named Harun is the alleged leader of this gang and is now on the run. “We are trying to catch Harun to discover more about this case and the others involved,” added the DC. l

From left, Dhaka Tribune Editor Zafar Sobhan receives a bouquet from an official of Islami Bank Bangladesh yesterday on the occasion of the newspaper's third anniversary. Dhaka Tribune News Editor Harun ur Rashid also accepted bouquets from Samsung Bangladesh and Banglalink officials on Wednesday DHAKA TRIBUNE

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TIB lauds revolutionary changes in RMG sector n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has termed the safety improvements in the RMG sector in terms of fire, electrical and structural safety as “revolutionary”.

“Revolutionary progress has been made in the safety systems in the country’s RMG industry. There has been remarkable improvement in the safety infrastructure. These progresses deserve praise from home and abroad,” TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman told reporters at a press conference yesterday.

TIB launched a report tilted “Good Governance in the Ready-made Garments Sector: Achievements, Challenges and Way forward” at its office in Dhaka yesterday.

The study looked into the progress made in the last year by garment industry stakeholders and the government to ensure good governance in RMG Sector, in particular the plans that were adopted since since the Rana Plaza disaster in 2013. It also identified implementation challenges and provided several recommendations.

“The safety standards of the RMG sector has reached a level we can be proud of and it needs to be retained,” Iftekharuzzaman said.

To make it more effective, factors like strong monitoring and accountable implementation were the key, the anti-graft watchdog’s chief said.

According to the study findings,

STATUS OF INITIATIVES TAKEN TO IMPROVE SAFETY STANDARDS AND WORKERS RIGHTS 45 40

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since the collapse of Rana Plaza, 41% initiatives taken to improve the safety standards in the RMG sector had been implemented fully, 36% had made satisfactory progress, 10% were in slow motion and 13% of the plans were stagnant.

The apparel industry had made significant progress in workers’ rights in terms of trade union registration, Iftekharuzzaman said.

“But changes in mindset will make a remarkable difference,” he said.

“Workers should have the right

Slow progress

No progress

is still limited in committee, said Iftekharuzzaman urging to set the amount in line with the international standard.

The TIB report urged the government to provide donor funded loans for remediation and relocation at a lower interest rate. About 15% factories are housed in shared building, it said.

The report said buyers and brands had failed to keep their end of the deal to raise the prices of products, even though production costs had gone up due to electrical, fire and

to enjoy unionism in the factory without any influence or threat.”

The report said 125 trade unions were registered in 2015.

It observed that progress was significant in factories that were BGMEA or BKMEA members. But about 700 factories that were not members of either of the trade bodies needed technical and financial support from the government to be able to meet compliance standards, it said.

Determining the amount of compensation was crucial but it

Brac Uni’s programme for teens ends n Tribune Desk

IPU president meets Romanian president n Tribune Desk Inter Parliamentary Union President Saber Hossain Chowdhury yesterday met with Romanian President Klaus Werner Iohannis at Cotroceni Palace, Bucharest.

In the meeting, the Romanian head of state and the IPU presi-

dent committed to deeper engagement and cooperation between the Parliament of Romania and Inter Parliamentary Union. They also underscored the increasing importance of parliamentary diplomacy in responding to global challenges as well as the role of parliaments in implementing Agenda 2030. l

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Brac University’s Institute of Educational Development (BIED) has celebrated the completion of a four year programme on promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights and psychosocial wellbeing of adolescents.

The event was organised at the Spectra Convention Centre in Dhaka yesterday morning.

The project, called Schooling, SRHR, Gender and Counselling of Adolescents in Post-Primary Education (SSCOPE), was implemented by the institute and funded by the Dutch embassy.

SSCOPE began in 2012 as a low28

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cost secondary education school model. It operated in 33 schools in nine different urban areas with significant success.

Later with funding from the Dutch embassy, it introduced programmes addressing sexual and reproductive health, rights and gender and psychosocial counselling.

Professor Emeritus Dr Manzoor Ahmed from Brac University, a guest at the event, called the work pioneering and examplary for those who want to provide holistic well-being to young people.

At the event, project staff, counsellors, students and parents shared their experiences. l

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structural safety improvements.

According to the study, prices of cotton trousers for men and boys exported to the US market had declined by 40.89% in the last 14 years.

Although there was visible and satisfactory progress in technical compliance and factory safety, the progress in social compliance, especially with regard to job related benefits and rights of workers had not been satisfactory, the report said.

It also observed that the amendments made by the government to labour laws and rules would not be enough to give collective bargaining power to workers. Rather in some areas, legal processes had been made cumbersome, it said.

In its recommendations, TIB suggested a separate lead ministry that will be a central authority strengthening oversight, bringing coordination and ensuring good governance in the RMG sector.

The report stressed on establishment of the Labour Welfare Fund and its speedy implementation, justice for the survivors of the Rana Plaza and Tazreen Fashion tragedies through a speedy trial tribunal, immediate development of workers’ database, formulation of a policy for sub-contracting and capacity building at the labour department, among other points.

“The Rana Plaza disaster showed us that people could die as a result of corruption. But after the incident the industry has made a great amount of progress in good governance and fighting corruption,” said Iftehkar. l

BEPRC launched at IUB n Tribune Desk Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council (BEPRC) was launched yesterday at a round table held at the Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) in Dhaka’s Bashundhara residential area.

Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Bir Bikram, adviser to the prime minister for enegry, power and mineral resources, attended the event as chief guest while Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, additional secretary at the Power Division and chairman of the BEPRC, delivered the key-note speech.

Moderated by IUB Vice-Chancellor Prof M Omar Rahman, the event was attended by a good number of academicians and experts in the power sector. l Sylhet

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Fajr: 4:12am | Jumma: 11:57pm Asr: 3:24pm | Magrib: 6:23pm Esha: 7:43pm Source: IslamicFinder.org

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Charge framing against Destiny MD, 50 others May 11 n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

A Dhaka court will decide on May 11 if charges will be framed against 51 Destiny Group senior officials, including managing director Rafiqul Amin, in two money laundering cases involving nearly Tk4,200 crore.

Dhaka Senior Special Judge Md Kamrul Hossain Molla fixed the date as the charge framing order in the cases was not prepared on the day.

Earlier on April 12, the court fixed yesterday to pass the order against the accused after holding a charge framing hearing in the cases.

Rafiqul Amin, director Mohammad Hossain, officials Md Didarul Alam, Md Ziaul Haque Molla, and Saidul Islam Khan are now in jail, while only Destiny 2000 president Lt Gen (retd) Harun-or-Rashid is on bail.

The other accused including Rafiqul’s wife Farah Diba are on the run.

On May 4, 2014, the ACC submitted two charge sheets against the 51 people in the cases. According to the charge sheets, the accused misappropriated about Tk4,200 crore through its tree plantation project and cooperative firm and laundered this money abroad. l

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Thousands stranded as vessel workers strike Mamun with Anisur n Shohel Rahman Swapan from

tant General Manager Syed Abul Kalam Azad said BIWTC vessels were running on schedule amid heavy rush due to strike by workers of private vessels.

BWTWF President Alam said: “No one from the government has contacted us yet, which means they are not taking our demands seriously. So, we have decided to continue the strike.”

BIWTA’s Deputy Director Mustafizur Rahman said the strike was the result of a disagreement between workers and vessel owners over pay.

“Both sides are holding meetings to hammer out a solution. We hope the strike will be called off soon,” he said.

Barisal and Md Ibrahim from Chandpur Water transport workers around Bangladesh went on a strike yesterday to press for demands including revision of pay, leaving thousands of commuters stranded at river ports throughout the country.

Bangladesh Water Transport Workers’ Federation (BWTWF) called the strike demanding, among others, revision of allowances and benefits, compensations for deaths or injuries in accidents, eight-hour worker shifts and overtime pay, and curbing piracy.

BWTWF President Shah Alam said: “We are enforcing an indefinite strike to press home our 15-point charter of demands, including pay hike.”

Alam said they want the minimum salary of vessel workers to be raised to Tk8,250 from Tk4,100.

“We will continue our demonstration until the government agrees to meet out demands.”

Shipments of cargoes were delayed and people’s plans went haywire as no vessels left the ports. In Bangladesh, which is criss-crossed with rivers, the riverine is a popular and cheap mode of transportation.

No passenger vessels left Dhaka’s Sadarghat terminal as hundreds of passengers were waiting for launches. The problem was severe where rivers are the main access route.

Hefazat leader Mufti Harun put on 2-day remand Mizanur Rahaman, n FM Chittagong

A Chittagong court yesterday put the radical Islamic group Hefazat-e-Islam’s central publicity secretary Mufti Harun Izhar on two-day remand.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police Kazi Muttaki Ibn Minan (prosecution) told the Dhaka Tribune that the court of 5th Metropolitan Magistrate Abdul Kader had granted two-day remand of Mufti Harun Izhar after police produced him before the court with 10-day remand prayer in a case filed over Explosive Act with Kotwali police station in 2012.

Mufti Harun Izhar, son of Hefazat-e-Islam’s Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Mufti Izharul Islam, was rearrested from jail gate in Chittagong central jail on April 19 after he walked out on bail. l

Goods loading, unloading halted at Ctg jetties No vessel was anchored at Sadarghat jetty as vessel workers went on an indefinite strike across the country yesterday to press home their 15-point charter of demands RAJIB DHAR “I have a job interview in Dhaka tomorrow. When I came here, there were no launches and I did not know that the water transport workers were on strike,” said Jahed Hasan in Chandpur.

Engine boats and trawlers ferried passengers across the rivers in various places but were charging unusually high. In the southern region, speedboats and trawlers are grabbing the windfall.

Abdul Rob, a private service holder at Barisal river port, said he

needed to travel to Bhola urgently. “Thanks to the strike, I have to spend a fortune and hire a speed boat,” he said.

Many, who failed to travel by river, opted for bus. “Most long distance buses are also crowded today,” said one Hosneara, stranded at Barisal port with her family.

Sikder Abul Hasem, Barisal unit president of Noujan Sramik Federation, said no vessel left the port yesterday and vowed to continue the strike until their demands are met.

Saidur Rahaman Rintu, vice president of Bangladesh Launch Owners Association, said the strike forced them to suspend operations.

The continuation of the strike will also likely affect prices of goods in the southern region where fuel and other necessities are shipped via river, said Rintu, also president of Barisal Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Assis-

ONE YEAR INTO ASHULIA ROBBERY

Victims, their families living hellish lives n Md Nadim Hossain, Savar The memory of the robbery that occurred at a branch of Bangladesh Commerce Bank Ltd at Kathgora, Ashulia a year back still haunts the victims and their families as well.

On April 21 last year, at least eight people, including the bank manager and a robber, were killed and 23 others injured during a robbery attempt at the bank.

Rabiul Islam Sumon whose father was shot dead on the day told the Dhaka Tribune that after his death, the family had been living in hardship. Sumon’s father was a vegetable vendor at the kitchen market.

“The bank had then assured us they would provide us with a job in the bank but have yet to fulfill their promise. I contacted them several times, but they never responded.”

Another victim, a vegetable vendor seeking anonymity, said: “I was shot when I went to the bank and resisted the robbers. I had to

remain under treatment, but now I cannot sit properly and run my business.

“I cannot forget that day. I still have nightmares of that day. Not only that, now when I see unknown people, I become nervous.”

Nur Mohammad, general secretary of Kathgora Bazar Samity, told the Dhaka Tribune that after the incident, security measures had been beefed up, but now it has been relaxed which makes kitchen market traders anxious. He also demanded the bank set up a check post near the kitchen market.

Officer-in-Charge of Ashulia police station Mohsinul Kadir told the Dhaka Tribune that Kathgora area was still under their vigilance.

He said law enforcers were doing their job properly and people in the area should not be worried.

On January 6, a Dhaka court took cognisance of the charge sheet against 11 alleged militants in a case filed over the killing of eight people during the bank robbery.

The judge of the district and session’s judge court ASM Kuddus Zaman accepted the charge sheet in the murder case in the presence of the 10 accused.

The court also issued a warrant for the arrest of the accused fugitive Palash alias Sohel Rana, and fixed January 18 for starting the charge-framing hearing.

Earlier, on December 6, 2015, officer-in-charge of Ashulia police station Dipak Kumar Saha, also investigation officer of the case, submitted two charge sheets, one for the killing and robbery, and the other for possession of explosives, against the 11 militants.

The charge-sheeted accused are Burhan Uddin, Al-Amin, Babul Sarder, Mintu Pradhan, Jasimuddin, Abdul Baten, Mozammel Haque, Ukil Hasan, Mahfujul Haque, Shahjahan Jamadar and Palash alias Sohel Rana.

They are alleged members of banned Islamist outfits Ansarullah Bangla Team and Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh. l

The loading and unloading of goods was halted yesterday at 16 jetties at Karnaphuli River outside the Chittagong Port, reports our Chittagong correspondent.

Sources in outer anchorage said the workers have refrained from their duties at the 16 jetties, including Sadarghat, Banglabazar, Anu Majhir Ghat and Majhir Ghat.

The Noujan Sramik leaders alleged that due to the unplanned decision taken by the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, the workers are agitated while the indiscriminate extortion, robbery and abduction by criminals on the water route heat up the demonstration. l

Four to die for killing schoolboy n Tribune Desk

A Gazipur court convicted four people, including two siblings, and condemned them to death for killing a schoolboy at Pubail in the city on August 2004, reports UNB. The condemned convicts are Iqbal Hossain Bhuiyan, 32, and his brother Md Shakil Bhuiyan, 30, sons of Abdul Hamid Bhuiyan; Zaman Sarker, 32,son of Afzal Hossain Sarker, residents of Haribari Tech area of Pubail; and Abu Sayem, 34, son of Mujibur Rahman, haling from Latabor village of Kurigram. The court also fined them TK 10,000 each.

According to the prosecution, convict Zaman had put forward a proposal to marry Rokhsana, daughter of Hasan Khandker, resident of the area. But, Rokhsana’s family turned down the proposal.

Outraged by the refusal, Zaman abducted Rokhsana’s brother Mamum, 15, a class eight student of local Bhadun High School, on August 10, 2004. l

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8

News

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

32 buildings vulnerable to earthquake in Sylhet Serajul Islam, n Mohammed Sylhet The authority of Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) started to demolish earthquake risky buildings in the city.

The SCC identified a total of 31 buildings as highly risky in the city taking into consideration on the date of their establishment.

Earlier, notices were issued to the owners of 32 risky buildings in the city asking them to pull down the buildings within the stipulated time, which varies according to the size of the structures.

The authorities also have warned that the corporation will itself demolish the structures if the owners do not comply with the order.

An expert team of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology have conducted a survey recently and marking the 32 buildings as very vulnerable mentioning that there are more than 100 risky multi-storey buildings in the city.

Sources said the authorities prepared the list of 32 buildings at the initial stage of its effort to tear down the vulnerable structures and issued notices to the owners concerned on Sunday.

The sources said that all the buildings, which are vulnerable for their dilapidated state, faulty construction or lack of smooth exit facility, would be marked gradually to ensure the safety for the city residents.

The SCC chief executive officer, Enamul Habib, confirmed the news of issuing notices to the risky building owners.

Owner of a three-storey building

A building located at Tantipara in Sylhet being demolished yesterday as the structure has been identified as risky during a survey conducted by a team from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology recently DHAKA TRIBUNE at Tantipara was asked to demolish it within Wednesday.

A drive was launched yesterday to tear down the building, as its

owner did not demolish it, Enamul Habib said.

He also informed that the traders of the city corporation-owned

Man to die for killing friend in Chittagong n FM Mizanur Rahaman A court in Chittagong yesterday sentenced a youth to death on charges of stabbing and killing his friend in the city’s Bakalia area. The convicted is Jahed Mahmud, 26, son of Selim Mahmud, a resident of Chittagong city’s Bagmaniram area.

The court of Metropolitan Session Judge Md Shahenur handed down the verdict around 12:15pm in presence of the accused, said Public Prosecutor Md Fakruddin.

Fakruddin told the Dhaka Tribune: “He was found guilty by the court beyond doubt for killing his friend Kafil Uddin, while the court also fined him Tk10,000.

According to the prosecution, Kafil Uddin, a second-year student of the Computer Science

Department at the International Islamic University of Chittagong, had been stabbed to death by Mahmud near a hill of Jamiatul Falah Mosque in the city on December 18 in 2011. After the murder, the convicted had looted his friend’s laptops, mobile and valuables, and went into hiding.

DB police later arrested Mahmud, while the looted laptops and other valuables were also recovered from his possession. The accused then made a confessional statement under section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code in the murder case. DB police submitted the charge sheet to the court accusing Mahmud on May 3 in 2012.

Fakruddin said: “The court passed the order hearing the deposition of 11 witnesses, after which the convicted was sent to jail.” l

DG – 416/16 (4.5 x 4)

City Super Market at Bandar Bazar were asked to vacate the commercial structure within the next seven days.

The Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP), a flagship collaborative initiative of the Bangladesh Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, identified that the Sylhet city and its adjacent areas as highly vulnerable to earthquakes.

CDMP also reported that, around 24 thousand buildings of the city and its adjacent areas may collapse due to an earthquake measuring 6 or more than 6 on the Richter Scale at any time, resulting in massive damages and deaths.

Sources concerned quoting the SCC authority said the city corporation had earlier identified more than 50 private and public installations as highly risky in different parts of the city during the army-backed caretaker government in 2008. The then authority also had decided to demolish the buildings, but in vain.

At least four public installations were identified as highly risky and vulnerable. Those were Collectorate Building-3, Women Affairs Officer’s Office at Naya Sarak, Customs and VAT Office and Land Surveyor’s Office of the city.

Zabed Hossen Mohammad Tarek, senior manager of Sylhet Fire Service Station, said their team was ready to take steps in emergency situation.

The sources said a strong earthquake with a magnitude 6.9 shook Myanmar on Wednesday night.

People in several parts of Bangladesh including Sylhet felt tremors.

Former Chief of Civil and Environmental Engineering department of SUST Prof Dr Jahir Bin Alam said that a good number of buildings were constructed in the area without proper design work and permission from the authorities concerned.

“An earthquake, measuring big on the Richter Scale may hit the belt once in a century releasing the energy gained from the Dauki Fault, resulting in massive damages and casualty in the area”, he added.

He, however, suggested said that the most vulnerable buildings in the areas should be demolished immediately and retrofitting work might be applied if the buildings are not most vulnerable.

Prof Jamilur Reza Choudhury former Adviser to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh recently said in a seminar Sylhet was in earthquake zone.

The city faced a mass destruction in 1989 Myanmar earthquake, he said. He suggested to build up ‘Asam Bangla Type Home’ to save from earthquake devastation. l

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Writing

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

day not only helps your memory, but also helps you organise your thoughts. This is a particularly useful practice to adopt if you’re writing reports or critical and argumentative essays. These days, with options for blogging, vlogging, tweeting and what have you, the nature of journalling has changed and is much easier, but if you’re serious about your material (and health), the oldfashioned method of putting pen to paper has no substitute.

University of Texas at Austin psychologist and researcher James Pennebaker contends that regular journalling strengthens immune cells, called T-lymphocytes. Other research indicates that journalling decreases the symptoms of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.

Pennebaker believes that writing about stressful events helps you come to terms with them, thus reducing the impact of these stressors on your physical health.

The Golden Rules Essential homework for any writer

nSabrina Fatma Ahmad Who among us hasn’t at some point flirted with the idea of being a writer? A scribbled poem here, a “high thought” musing there and the delicious thrill of seeing your name in print while others read the words you’ve penned down.

And with social media ensuring that no matter what you type out and post, you’re bound to get a few likes or reactions, it’s easy to get carried away with the fantasy of being the next JK Rowling or Dan Brown.

If you’re actually serious about making a career out of words, however, it takes a lot more elbow grease than that to make it work. No matter what kind of writing you’re into, there’s some homework you have to put in before getting down to it.

Observe Where do stories come from?

Where do you turn when you have a giant essay to turn in and inspiration has run dry? The answer is to take a break, and look around you. Take a walk.

Flip through a magazine. Talk to a stranger. Ask the questions “who”, “what”, “when”,

“where” and “why”. Particularly the “why”. You’ll find a story unfolding where you least expect it. Photographer GMB Akash has a whole Facebook page just swimming with amazing stories of this type. Jewish American literary theorist, novelist, film-maker, and feminist activist Susan Sontag famously advises, “Do stuff. Be clenched, curious. Not waiting for inspiration’s shove or society’s kiss on your forehead. Pay attention.

It’s all about paying attention.

Attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. Stay eager.”

Read Yes. Unfortunately, there’s no short-cut here. It doesn’t matter if you’re writing speeches or a novel. In order to be engaging, original and relevant, you have to read, extensively and voraciously.

Even if you’re writing non-fiction, read fiction. Learn the techniques employed by fiction authors to create immersive worlds and employ the same narrative tools to open up the scope of your work.

If you’re dabbling in fiction, read non-fiction. George RR Martin’s insanely popular A Song of Ice and Fire owes much of its success to

Many people vastly overestimate their experience and ability in these areas. Many people think they are skilled writers or editors, when in fact they are not

his obsessive reading of medieval history. Read things not related to the kind of genre you’re working with. It will only enrich your own work.

Record Journalling is a great way to store inspiration for later. Something as simple as jotting down a list of things that happened during your

Feedback If you’re writing to be read, getting feedback can help you hone your work until it’s ready for an audience. But the wrong kind of feedback can actually do more harm than good. Consider this, if you needed medical advice, would you rather go to a doctor, or a lawyer? Just so, if you’re just shopping your work around with just anybody, you’re not doing yourself a favour. There are really only two kinds of people who can give you constructive feedback on your work: experienced writers/ editors, and someone from your target audience. And when we say “experienced” writers, we mean someone who’s had some work published or some kind of qualification in the field. Writer/ publisher Tucker Max cautions: “Many people vastly overestimate their experience and ability in these areas. Many people think they are skilled writers or editors, when in fact they are not.”

Finding a sample from the target audience is tricky if you’re trying to write for a more general audience. You need to at least keep in mind the cultural context of the audience. Certain kinds of writing material may be just fine for one kind of culture, offensive for another. Hence, testing it out on someone who hails from the same situation as the kind of people you’re trying to reach might be prudent. Again, tread carefully when taking feedback. In the wise words of uber-popular fantasy author Neil Gaiman: “When people tell you something’s wrong or doesn’t work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong.”

And now, once the homework is done, all that’s left to do is write. l

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10

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

Feature

Trends on Instagram

I

n Quazi Aquib Ahmed

nstagram is one of the most highly engaged applications with more than 400 million followers and is ever growing since then. Many people have found Instagram as an active marketing place for their business, while photographers found a great way to display their portfolios which are accessible from anywhere. Apart from all these cool features of Instagram, what is most trending these days are the make-up tutorial videos, which are beyond anyone’s imagination. Here is a list of those crazy trends that sprout from Instagram.

Glitter beard What now? You’ve read that correctly. We’re taking about putting glitter on beards. No, this is no fairy-tale; it is real. This trend was actually started by two Irish friends, who believed that people needed more colour in their lives.

Couldn’t they just have gone for colourful clothing instead? Glitter on the beard could be a great way of living eventually, but it’s clear that the time is not quite right for people to roam around with beards covered in glitter. There was a time when people used to dye their beards, and even that didn’t last long. This is apparently one of the most trending pages and if you haven’t checked them out, go take a gander now.

Plumping lips with shot glass This one is pretty dangerous and it requires a lot of supervision.

Another trend to plump your lips using a shot glass. This is a costfree technique and can be done at home, but caution! This needs some steady hands. The technique is performed to have bee-stung lips. As it is not possible to have a bee physically sting your lips, a woman found out that a shot glass could be used instead. This process takes weeks to finally show results. If you’re possessed into trying this trend, please read about it first. Believe it or not, it’s not as simple as you think it to be.

Face-lifting with tape As painful as it sounds, it may not be as much. This is one of the most popular and trending tutorials on Instagram, and apparently, putting tape on your face is actually practised in face-lifting. Have you ever thought of using scotch tape for face-lifting purposes? Of course not! If you are getting any ideas and want to try the face-lifting now, don’t use scotch tape. It is believed they have a different kind of tape specially made for such a purpose.

Leg and Chest Contouring You probably have seen all kinds of make-up tutorials based on contouring your face. Now, leg and chest contouring is officially a thing. Well, the contouring on face is pretty general and it’s fine to want to enhance your physical features, but chest and leg contouring is not what people had in mind. It was hilarious to look at first, thinking about the amount of work they have to go through to do all that hard work. However, this is like taking it to a whole new level. It is understandable when you try to do this with your face but legs and chest? Girls, seriously, what are you thinking?

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Editorial 11

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

INSIDE

Does bad news really sell more?

Once you get a leg up in muting negativity around you by carefully selecting who you choose to filter into your lives, this reduces stress, cynicism, hopelessness, anxiety, and fear tremendously PAGE 12

Holocaust denial, Holocaust history As the Holocaust became not just an important historical event but a critical issue in the geo-politics of the later decades of 20th century, all kinds of experts engaged in large numbers to propagate their own versions of the event PAGE 13

BIGSTOCK

No Planet B

The global fight against climate change Bangladesh has risen to this challenge.

From the establishment of the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan of 2009 and Climate Change Trust Fund to the continued dedication of over 6% of the annual budget to climate change adaptation 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.

A

round 130 countries have agreed to sign the Paris Agreement on climate change before it is deposited today at the United Nations to mark Earth Day. The agreement sets out an action plan to secure new funding to put the world on track to keep global warming below the agreed limit of 2 degrees Celsius.

It is a sign of support for climate vulnerable countries such as Bangladesh where even a one metre sea level rise could displace millions of people and inundate half of our rice farming land.

While globally and historically, greenhouse emissions from Bangladesh are negligible, and are not a barrier to efforts to industrialise our economy, it is important we try to do so sustainably to prevent the negative consequences of climate change becoming even worse.

Investing in reducing negative impacts on the environment is also important to limit other ecological problems, such as air pollution, dirty rivers, and shrinking habitats for wildlife.

News that Norway’s $864 billion sovereign wealth fund, the world’s biggest, has excluded a further 52 coal-related companies from its portfolio which adds weight to the growing movement among large global investors to divest funds away from carbon assets that are likely to become unusable as climate change grows.

It provides even more reason for the government to future proof our own development by increasing efforts to encourage renewable energy production. As successful initiatives by IDCOL have shown, such moves can deliver important social and economic dividends by creating jobs and improving living standards, in addition to reducing emissions.

As a nation on the frontline, Bangladesh should keep lobbying for more international backing to fund the global clean energy revolution the world needs to reduce per capita greenhouse emissions. If COP fails to make progress, every nation’s ability to adapt and improve resilience to climate change will be severely compromised.

Investing in reducing negative impacts on the environment is also important to limit other ecological problems, such as air pollution, dirty rivers, and shrinking habitats for wildlife

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Opinion

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

Does bad news really sell more?

Cutting out the negativity isn’t easy, but it’s achievable

Why do we crave bad news?

n Matthew Islam

I

have always found this rather a curious question in our modern discourse.

When you take a glance at your favourite positive news purveyors on social media that supply you with good news, you’d get the impression from the interactions on the posts, the virility of that content, that good, positive media does have a sizeable demand to it but that demand is grossly under-supplied.

So it always feels like positive media is being unfairly disadvantaged against the alternative by some inherent design of media corporations.

This, however, stands in direct contradiction with real data that suggests we as humans are apparently in the perpetual hunt for bad news and the huge demand for the negative ensures the supply that we have.

According to Psychology Today, in several media studies, it’s been noted that negative media coverage outweighs good ones by almost 17 to one. This also explains how we are fast to share bad news but won’t be as vociferous of glad tidings.

Adding to that, as sceptical as I am of surveys, let’s for the purposes of this proposition allow for one.

The Pew Research Centre in the US averaged surveys for over two decades to see viewing preferences of those watching news on TV, barring some downturn in our propensity to

BIGSTOCK

tune into bad news of certain genres, it was discovered, overall, the preference towards seeking news on wars, conflict, scandals, and negative news remained unchanged and at high levels.

scale to a negative bias.

Our system has evolved in a way where it is easier for it to process the negative stimuli it gets than good ones, even though bizarrely, the good feelings have

Having a positive outlook on life is good for health, and better yet, having one is said to be greatly infectious to other people in them altering their own behaviour patterns in a positive manner.

Once you get a leg up in muting negativity around you by carefully selecting who you choose to filter into your lives, this reduces stress, cynicism, hopelessness, anxiety, and fear tremendously. It also takes practice and time. Be forceful about wanting to be happy and be aware about your life. Understand that it is impossible to shut everything bad out but when you actively seek to, then you can also numb the effect of the negative bits that do make it through despite your best efforts

Media corporations, essentially being businesses at their core, simply ensure for ratings and other such commercial considerations that there is a steady flow of news about negative aspects related to our world and lives.

Why do we seek bad news then?

Some have posited that this demand for staying informed of the bad over good has a lot to do with how our brains are naturally wired.

The amygdala, the detector of danger in our brains, has evolved to sift out from all the sensory stimulations it receives the ones which are dangerous so as to guarantee a better rate of survival.

This affects our overall cognitive attitude and tips the

a far greater beneficial effect over our health than the natural state of things. So, to that extent, it is clear why bad news is a natural craving of ours.

What very few studies have attempted to explore is what happens if we actively work against the natural order of things.

Why should our evolutionary propensity handicap our overall potential to control and improve our happiness and health?

While the full effects of combating negativity, especially in connection with the news we read or are exposed to, are not fully known; we do know how beneficial it is to attempt to reprogram our brain in supporting a positive attitude.

Having a happy outlook or working to create an environment that actively seeks to decrease negativity is difficult when you are surrounded by bad news everywhere.

But it is achievable. It requires work. It requires that one take some time out and work on individually cutting out negative noise.

In practice, it could be something as small as what my wife likes to do, in that she doesn’t read newspapers regularly or watch the news often, or a bigger step such as sitting and unsubscribing to every page on Facebook that she feels is a downer to her going about her day.

She has insisted on me doing

the same in my life, and it’s made a remarkable difference.

Once you get a leg up in muting negativity around you by carefully selecting who you choose to filter into your lives, this reduces stress, cynicism, hopelessness, anxiety, and fear tremendously. It also takes practice and time.

Be forceful about wanting to be happy and be aware about your life. Understand that it is impossible to shut everything bad out but when you actively seek to, then you can also numb the effect of the negative bits that do make it through despite your best efforts.

Baby steps work great and are even recommended but going cold turkey isn’t a bad thing in this particular instance.

Remember, you are not alone in this battle.

There are an exponential number of resources dedicated to positive thinking or positive brain reprogramming that we all can access online or via books that we can benefit from.

So, next time you find yourself asking why is it that all news in the world is bad, take a long look at the mirror and ask whether you would like to change that. If you decide to make that change, a whole new world is waiting to be discovered by you.

The first step is recognising that you have a problem. l Matthew Islam is a writer, entrepreneur, barrister-at-law, and a Dhaka Tribune columnist. He can be contacted on twitter via @matthewislam or www. facebook.com/thematthewislam.

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DT

Long Form

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

Holocaust denial, Holocaust history The atrocities committed by Nazi Germany are well-documented. Then why do many still claim the Holocaust never happened? This is the first part of a two-part long form genocide an unworthy example for the combative new state.

Governments in the US and Britain were also reluctant to unsettle the new West Germany, which was the linchpin of NATO and EU alliances. The 1960s brought a huge shift in both government policies and public perception of the Holocaust.

West Germany was a particular hotbed of the worldwide student protests taking place during the last years of the 60s, and a key demand of the German youth was that the government and the elder generation confront and take ownership of the dark history of the Third Reich.

Is 1.5 million the right number?

n Shafiqur Rahman

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any historians and intellectuals regard the Holocaust, the Nazi Germany-led genocide of European Jews, as the darkest chapter of the 20th century; a century that had more dark chapters than any other period of recorded history.

Some historians have attributed the uniqueness of malevolency to the Holocaust, even though Stalin and Mao were arguably responsible for far more deaths than Hitler. The Nazis planned to eradicate Jews from the body of Europe with the finality and thoroughness that, arguably, has no parallel in history.

While many historians also have disputed the uniqueness of the Holocaust in the pantheon of genocides, there is no doubt of WWII’s place as the pivotal event of the 20th century, with Israel-Palestine becoming an intractable but most consequential global issue of the subsequent decades.

Certain factors ensured that the Holocaust continued to attract the most attention and the most controversies among other genocides.

Contention about the Holocaust and other events of WWII began right after completion of the Nuremberg Trials in 1946, which is where evidence and records of the Holocaust were first presented before the world. Although the Nuremberg Trials were the first international efforts to prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity, their procedural flaws and perception among people of effectuating “victor’s justice” facilitated controversial assessments of the war and genocide not only by conspiracy theorists with political agendas,

but many respected historians and other academics.

One famous example is acclaimed historian AJP Taylor’s 1961 book The Origins of Second World War in which he claimed that Germany did not start WWII by deliberate, aggressive design, and Hitler was not an atypically anti-Semitic leader; both claims were subsequently rejected by most historians. On the other side of the debate were a group of historians, many of them Jewish, who were determined to meticulously document and analyse the appalling inhumanity of the Holocaust, lest the world forget the lessons.

One of the most famous members of this group was Austrian-born American historian Raul Hilberg, whose 1961 book, The Destruction of European Jews, became the seminal study of the Holocaust. Hilberg established in his work that the “Nazi Final Solution” was not accidental or functional, it was very much intentional, although the final eradicative intention only emerged through evolution in stages.

From the very beginning, study of the Holocaust has been intricately related with international politics. Germany, which is so widely lauded nowadays for confronting its dark past, was quite reluctant in the immediate decades after WWII to open up the records and publicise the extent of evil in perpetrating the Holocaust.

Israel, a new state claiming territorial legitimacy from longstanding history, was also not vigourous in publicising the Holocaust in the early decades; many Israelis regarded the passivity of European Jews in the face of a gradually escalating Nazi

of extermination, and claimed that only 100,000 Jews died in the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp, mostly because of disease from unsanitary conditions.

Meanwhile, several historians sought to elevate the Holocaust to such a unique event that any comparison with other genocides was deemed not only unacceptable, but offensive.

Critics accused this approach as a chauvinistic and selfaggrandising expression of Jewish ethnocentrism.

Holocaust revisionists, on the other hand, seek to re-examine and re-interpret the accepted history of the event by updating

museum, enshrining the four million figure. Not only was this number the standard textbook figure in communist countries, this was also widely used in many historical accounts.

But several historians expressed scepticism about the four million number soon after the end of the war. Raul Hilberg’s 1961 book estimated the number in Aucshwitz to be at most one million. Several other historians estimated even lower numbers.

During the 1980s, historians used archival information about Nazi transportation records and simulation of logistics to estimate the figure to be between 1.1 to 1.5

As the Holocaust became not just an important historical event but a critical living, breathing issue in the geo-politics of the later decades of 20th century, all kinds of experts and amateurs engaged in large numbers to propagate their own versions of the event -- deniers, revisionists, chauvinists

Flushed with victories in the Six Day War in 1966 and in control of vastly expanded territories, Israel found that the Holocaust can become a uniquely valuable nationalist rallying point and legitimising issue in facing the world community. Meanwhile, a series of popular books, movies, televisions shows, particularly coming out of America, firmly brought back the Holocaust in the public imagination as a crucial event of modernity.

As the Holocaust became not just an important historical event but a critical, living, breathing issue in the geo-politics of the later decades of 20th century, all kinds of experts and amateurs engaged in large numbers to propagate their own versions of the event -deniers, revisionists, chauvinists, etc.

Holocaust deniers generally advance the idea that the Nazi genocide of Jews in Europe, as expressed in accepted history, did not happen. It is either outright rejection of the whole deliberate genocide, or complete negation of very important parts of the event.

For example, famous denialist David Irving dismissed existence and use of gas chambers in concentration camps, denied there was any official Nazi policy

new or previously omitted, more reliable information and theories.

They want their thesis to be part of the mainstream, accepted history. Although many people want to conflate revisionism with denialism, others carefully advocate distinction.

A statement from the history department of Duke University is often cited to distinguish between revisionism and denial: “Historical revision of major events ... is not concerned with the actuality of these events; rather, it concerns their historical interpretation -- their causes and consequences generally. There is no debate among historians about the actuality of the Holocaust ... there can be no doubt that the Nazi state systematically put to death millions of Jews, gypsies, political radicals, and other people.”

We can see revision of accepted history at work even at the updating of the death toll in the Holocaust. After the Red Army liberated Auschwitz in January 1945, the Soviet government declared that four million people were killed in that Nazi death camp, 2.5 million of which were Jewish.

The Polish government installed a stone plaque in front of the ex-camp and now converted

million.

In the early 1990s, the Polish government installed a new stone plaque with the figure 1.1 million after removing the old one that stood before Auschwitz for more than 40 years.

Famous Holocaust historian Yehuda Bauer, who was director of the Division of Holocaust Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem at that time, was the one academic who was insistent about officially revising the old figure. He said: “A historian’s first duty is to tell the truth, and in this case the truth is horrible enough.

Exaggerating the number of dead at Auschwitz would only be grist for the mills of the deniers of the Holocaust.”

Faced with the rising tide of Holocaust denialism and the increasing importance of Holocaust as a geopolitical issue, many countries in Europe started to enact laws against denialism four decades after the end of war.

In the next part, I will discuss how those laws have affected Holocaust denialism and study of Holocaust history in the public discourse. l The final part of this long form will be published tomorrow.

Shafiqur Rahman is a political scientist.

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DT

Opinion

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

No turning back in the global fight against climate change We must build a clean energy future for our children and grandchildren

n Marcia Bernicat

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s people around the globe observe Earth Day today, world leaders are making history at the UN in New York. Over 100 countries will sign the Paris Agreement on climate change, representing their commitment to join it formally.

This marks a turning point in the story of our planet, and may set a record for the largest number of signers to an international agreement in a single day.

Moreover, last month, President Obama announced with President Xi Jinping that our two countries will sign the Paris Agreement today and formally join this year.

We are confident other countries will do so too, with the intention of bringing this historic and ambitious agreement into force as quickly as possible.

A greener future is already in sight.

Leaders of countries and cities are adapting and innovating away from fossil fuels and business owners are investing in a clean energy economy.

Bangladesh has risen to this challenge. From the establishment of the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan of 2009 and Climate Change Trust Fund to the continued dedication of over 6% of the annual budget to climate change adaptation, Bangladesh has been on the leading edge of environmental policy

Carbon emissions aren’t the only threat facing Planet Earth The United States is moving forward in its commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions 26%28% from 2005 levels by 2025.

We are doing this through the strongest fuel economy standards in our history, through our twentyfold increase in solar generation since 2009, and through proposed rules on everything from energy conservation standards for appliances to reduction in emissions of methane-rich gas from municipal solid waste landfills.

My home state, New Jersey, has undertaken ambitious programs tackling climate change and promoting renewable energy.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has introduced the Sustainable Jersey program to aid cities and towns in going green, saving money, and taking the steps necessary to ensure long-term quality of life.

Sustainable Jersey provides guidance and financial incentives in support of the program.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ Clean Energy Program encourages homeowners, businesses, and municipalities to incorporate clean energy into their

lives.

The Clean Energy Program has received the 2016 Sustained Excellence Award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency for 15 years of success in promoting clean energy use.

While we are taking significant climate action domestically, the US is also focused on international co-operation to address this global challenge.

Our $500 million contribution last month to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) -- the first tranche of the $3bn US pledge to the GCF -- will help developing countries reduce carbon emissions and prepare for climate impacts, while also advancing our commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals; another major landmark agreement the world came together around last year.

One of the most successful environmental agreements of all time is the Montreal Protocol, which is phasing out ozone depleting substances globally.

It set the ozone layer on a path to recovery and prevented tens of millions of cases of skin cancer among other health, environmental, and economic

BIGSTOCK

benefits.

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) -- which replace many of the ozone-depleting substances -- do not harm the ozone layer, but they are greenhouse gases that in some cases can be thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide.

The US is working with partners to adopt an HFC phase-down amendment to the Montreal Protocol this year that could avoid half a degree Celsius of warming by the end of the century.

We also need international co-operation to change how we transport ourselves and goods.

The aviation sector represents 2% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation is aiming to achieve carbon-neutral growth for international aviation by 2020.

The United States is committed to reaching an agreement on a global market-based measure that will help move the airline sector toward this ambitious goal.

Bangladesh, located at the confluence of the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, and the Meghna rivers, is uniquely vulnerable to climate change.

The 600 kilometre coastal zone faces considerable challenges: Flooding, erosion, rising sea levels, and cyclonic storm surges.

Bangladesh has risen to this challenge.

From the establishment of the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan of 2009 and Climate Change Trust Fund to the continued dedication of over 6% of the annual budget to climate change adaptation, Bangladesh has been on the leading edge of environmental policy.

For all of these reasons, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was awarded the UN’s Champion of the Earth award for Policy Leadership last September.

This Earth Day -- with the signing of the Paris Agreement -- is truly a cause for hope.

It is also a reminder of our shared commitment to combat climate change.

We must all seize upon the momentum from Paris to build a clean energy future for ourselves and our children and grandchildren.l Marcia Bernicat is US Ambassador to Bangladesh.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

INSIDE PwC plans to groom 500 local professionals PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) that recently extended its footprint in Bangladesh plans to recruit and develop about 500 professionals locally in the next five years. PAGE 16

Asian banks’ bad debt pile highest since global financial crisis Bad debts at Asian banks have climbed to their highest since the global financial crisis and the trend will likely worsen as regional economies battle against China’s slowdown and volatile oil and commodities prices, a Reuters data analysis shows. PAGE 17

Uniform tax rate on tobacco products likely

BEZA signs power deal at Mirershorai economic zone The current basis of tax plan becomes void from next FY n Syed Samiul Basher Anik The government may introduce a uniform tax rate on tobacco products irrespective of price range from the next fiscal year making the current basis – the higher the price, the larger the amount of tax paid – obsolete, officials said.

The plan comes as the present system is said to have failed in reducing tobacco consumption and generating revenue from increased taxation as majority in the country are consumers of low-end cigarettes.

As less tax is imposed on lowend cigarettes than on premium brands, experts believe that there has been no significant reduction in the number of smokers after the increase of tax.

A uniform tax rate is, therefore, now under the plan since it is likely to serve the both ends – discouraging the tobacco consumption and generating new revenues.

The National Board of Revenue has started examining the options to bring about a change after a directive from Finance Minister AMA

Muhith. Muhith also asked NBR to seek recommendation from the Policy Research Institute on the matter.

Officials said criticisms of the present system by the anti-tobacco campaigners and experts had played a significant role in making the government think of a more effective option.

Anti-tobacco campaigners have long been urging the government to change the price-based tax system alleging that the system was not making any difference.

PRI Executive Director Ahsan H Mansur said a uniform tax structure could only improve the situation as the current structure was in fact increasing the consumption of low-end cigarettes that are more harmful for health than the premium brands.

“The tax on low-end cigarettes has not increased that much compared to other cigarettes, encouraging people choose low-end cigarettes over premium ones. This has further increased the health hazards while bringing not much additional revenue,” he said.

Ahsan H Mansur said the tax on

high-end cigarettes was now more than 5 times higher than low-end cigarettes. He said the gap could be reduced “easily if the uniform tax rate is adopted which can not only help increase revenue, but also reduce health risks.

At present, a 48% supplementary duty is imposed on low-end cigarettes retailing at Tk18 per packet of 10, 60% on cigarettes retailing at Tk21-42 per packet of 10, 61% on cigarettes retailing at Tk44-69 per packet of 10 and 63% on cigarettes retailing at Tk70 and above per packer of 10.

According to anti-tobacco campaigning organisation Progga, as many as 57,000 people die and 382,000 become disabled a year in Bangladesh because of tobacco consumption.

The World Bank data says a sum of Tk11,000 crore is spent every year in Bangladesh on treating people suffering from tobacco-related diseases. Bangladesh has ratified Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, a global public health treaty from World Health Organization, in 2004. l

n Tribune Business Desk

Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) to ensure smooth electricity supply in the Mirershorai Economic Zone.

BEZA Secretary Mohammed Ayub and PGCB Managing Director Masum-Al-Beruni signed the MoU on their respective behalves at a programme held at BEZA office in the capital. BEZA Executive Chairman Paban Chowdhury presided over the MoU signing ceremony.

As per the signed MoU, BEZA will allocate and transfer 50 acres of land belonging to the economic zones to PGCB to establish a 400/230/132/33 KV grid sub-station to make sure that the zone gets necessary electricity, said a BEZA statement released yesterday.

The government is setting up the economic zone in Mirershorai of Chittagong on 7000 acres of land to attract foreign and domestic investors. l

United Air compels 200 employees to take unpaid leave IEA expects biggest drop in non-OPEC oil output in 25 years Crude prices steadied yesterday, as the International Energy Agency (IEA) said 2016 would see the biggest fall in non-OPEC production in a generation, helping to rebalance a market dogged by oversupply. PAGE 18

Capital market snapshot: Thursday DSE Broad Index

4,340.3

Index

1,057.9

0.1% ▲

30 Index

1,666.2

-0.1% ▼

Turnover in Mn Tk

4,169.1

-3.9% ▼

Turnover in Mn Vol

100.6

-5.7% ▼

All Share Index 13,382.0

-0.2% ▼

30 Index

12,257.2

-0.4% ▼

8,130.5

-0.2% ▼

-0.4% ▼

CSE

Selected Index Turnover in Mn Tk Turnover in Mn Vol

236.7 -16.8% ▼ 7.8

-5.0% ▼

n Ishtiaq Husain Private carrier United Airways (BD) Limited has recently forced at least 200 employees to take unpaid leave.

Apart from that, the airliner could not pay the monthly salary of several hundred employees during the last six month because of its fund crunch.

The company’s revenue earning has now been totally stopped as it failed to operate any aircraft on any route due to the technical glitches.

Moreover, it has not yet paid its dues of aeronautical and non-aeronautical charges worth over Tk125 crore.

“As the employees could not get their due salary for the last six months, many of them have already left the organisation,” according to an official source.

Dhaka Tribune couldn’t reach Managing Director of United Air Tasbirul Ahmed Chowdhury, despite repeated attempts were made over his mobile number.

Besides, none of the top officials of the airlines also declined to talk about the employees’

forced leave without pay issue.

Meanwhile, all the pilots and engineers of the airlines have already quit the airliner to grab a better job. Most of them have joined other private local carriers while few others joined foreign carriers.

In mid-January, all the aircraft were grounded. The airliner resumed flights on February 24.

Later, it grounded again as the company didn’t maintain proper maintenance.

According to the Dhaka Tribune investigation, all the aircraft of the airline are now grounded due to technical glitches.

Since its inception in 2007, it had to suspend operations for three days in September 2014 due to financial crisis.

A still serving official of the United Airways said: “The owner of the building, which housed the airliner head office, has already served a legal notice to the management few days back to pay all the dues including monthly rent.

Otherwise, the airliner will have to leave the building.”

So far, there has been no initiative from the management of the

airlines to resume its flights due to the surfaced business conflict among the board of directors, the highest policy making body, said another official.

As a public limited company, there is no big investment from the board of director’s end. Around 90% investment came from public money. That is why, they don’t have any interest to resume its flight operation by investing more money.

The airliner had earlier bought some old aircrafts at a cost of Tk400

crore, raised through offering rights shares to its shareholders.

Its last international flight was operated by an MD 83 aircraft to Kuala Lumpur in mid-January which finally returned to Dhaka after one of its engines was shutdown at mid-air. The aircraft has remained grounded since then due to proper maintenance.

The private carrier having 11 aircrafts in its fleet used to operate flights to eight domestic and seven international destinations. l

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PwC plans to groom 500 local professionals n Kayes Sohel PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) that recently extended its footprint in Bangladesh plans to recruit and develop about 500 professionals locally in the next five years.

The global audit-cum-consultancy major, PwC, has already tied up with local professional bodies like the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh to groom industry professionals from across educational backgrounds like engineering, management and chartered accountancy.

Deepak Kapoor, chairman at PwC Bangladesh, announced the PwC’s plan at a press briefing at its new office, which was formally inaugurated by Finance Minister

Stocks finish weekend with red

nTribune Business Desk Stocks finished the week with red amid volatility yesterday with falling trading activities.

The benchmark index DSEX declined by 19 points or 0.5% to 4,340, after a gain of nearly 2 points in previous session.

The Shariah index DSES witnessed a fractional rise of 0.7 points to 1,057. The blue chip comprising index DS30 fell by just over 1 point to 1,666.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index CSCX ended at 8,126, dropping 23 points.

The major concern for the market participants was the dearth of volume numbers as once again, there was nothing much to talk about as far as trading is concerned, brokers say.

The market continued to suffer dismal trading as the DSE turnover stood at Tk434 crore, down around 4% over the previous session’s value.

In its first trading day, Bangladesh National Insurance Company Limited made a happy debut, jumping 83% to over Tk18 a share on its offer value of Tk10.

Lanka Bangla Securities said the market tried to firm up a bit in the middle of the session as soon as stocks continued to declare earnings.

“However, a mixed batch of declaration, especially from banking sector, muted the excitement in the market.”

The market bellwether, banks, lost more than 1%, dragged down by the Standard Bank that tumbled over 16% due to its price adjustment after dividend deceleration.

Telecommunications rallied 3.4%, extending its gaining streak for the second straight session, led

by Grameenphone that remained favourite since its corporate deceleration. l

Abul Maal Abdul Muhith early yesterday.

“We felt that this was the right time for a full-fledged PwC office in Dhaka, offering all PwC services across various industry verticals,” he said.

“We see immense potential in several areas, particularly in Tax Advisory, Forensics, Cybersecurity, Government, Digital and Infrastructure sector. We look forward to playing a larger role in improving the quality of life of the people of Bangladesh, being able to open new opportunities for local business as well as talented workforce.”

Avijit Mukerji, director at the company, said: “The focus for us right now is to quickly build scale

and offer solutions to clients based on our understanding of both the Bangladesh market and the global trends so that our clients here can get ahead of the curve. This becomes especially important as we expect our large global clients to invest and expand in new markets like Bangladesh.”

Mamun Rashid, managing partner at PwC Bangladesh, said PwC is looking to build a long-term relationship with its clients, people, and communities in Bangladesh through its newly set-up office at Dhaka.

“Our plan is to build a high performing team of PwC professionals by recruiting talented individuals in Bangladesh. I am confident that the team we groom and develop

Canton Fair gets Walton huge response n Tribune Business Desk Walton – a local manufacturer of electronics products – has received a huge response from foreign visitors and businessmen at Canton Fair 2016.

Canton Fair – also known as China Import and Export Fair – is the largest biannual China trade fair held on April 15 in Guangzhou, China.

Along with the Chinese visitors, a good number of entrepreneurs from Asia, Middle East, Africa, America, Europe and Australia showed their keen interest to import the ‘Made in Bangladesh’ labelled Walton products into their countries for some distinctive features like worldclass quality, eye-catching designs and colours and reasonable rates, said a statement of the company.

Walton’s inverter technology-based refrigerators were the prime attraction for the fair visitors, said Walton. Due to price competitiveness and attractive designs, the visitors and consumers chose our products, it added.

Some companies have initially agreed to import products from Walton and they will soon negotiate to finalise the deal, it adds.

Syed Mohammad Habibur Rahman, former director of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), said: “I am surprised with the presence of Bangladeshi brand,

Walton, at Canton Fair.

Walton has turned into a giant company.”

Abul Hossain, another former director of DCCI, who also visited the Walton Pavilion at the fair venue, hoped that Walton would be able to grab a significant portion of the world’s electronics market very rapidly.

“We want to see the presence of Bangladeshi brands all over the world.”

Already, some foreign entrepreneurs, including Richard Doglarse of the USA, Dhongana of Singapore-based Vet Ghat Ltd, Patrico of RTK Engineering of Mauritius, Min Kim of Miro Company of Korea, Harry Sakharani of Suriname, Nicolas Arias of AZD Company of Colombia, and Hamad Bo Alio of Saudi Arabia, have shown their keen interest to import Walton brand refrigerators.

In addition, Laka Flender of Slovenia, Rahamanviob of Kazakhstan, Elian De La Vega of Bolivia, Raul Sovena of Cameron and Ayaxs of Turkey also visited the Walton Pavilion at the Canton Fair and gathered information on Walton brand products from the company’s representatives.

Along with the foreign visitors, many Bangladeshis are also thronging the Walton pavilion and expressing their excitement over the participation of Walton in the world’s largest mega expo of electronics products. l

will support an environment that encourages more companies to grow and expand.”

Till now people across the PwC network travelled to Bangladesh to work on various assignments, he said, adding that the setting up of this office is in line with the rising importance of Bangladesh in a global business scenario and PwC’s commitment to the country, its potential and its talent.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Alison Blake, and Deputy Chief of Mission of US Embassy in Dhaka, David Meale attended the office inauguration event.

In October last year, PwC said the company set up a subsidiary office in Bangladesh to strengthen its footprint in South Asia. l

IFIL declares 13% cash dividend n Tribune Business Desk The board of directors of Islamic Finance and Investment Limited (IFIL) has declared 13% cash dividend for its shareholders for the year ended on December 31, 2015.

The decision came yesterday at the IFIL board meeting presided over by its Chairman Mostanser Billa, said a press release.

According to the year-end financial statements, the net profit of the company is Tk19.85 crore and Earnings per Share (EPS) is Tk1.64 while the Net Asset value (NAV) per Share is Tk13.35. The board also decided to hold Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company on June 5, 2016 at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Kakrail, Dhaka. l

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Asian banks’ bad debt pile highest since global financial crisis n Reuters, Hong Kong Bad debts at Asian banks have climbed to their highest since the global financial crisis and the trend will likely worsen as regional economies battle against China’s slowdown and volatile oil and commodities prices, a Reuters data analysis shows.

The bad loans pile at 74 major listed Asian banks, excluding Indian and Japanese banks, reached $171bn at the end of 2015, the survey of banks showed, the highest since at least 2008. Non-performing loans (NPLs) jumped 28% from a year earlier, nearly twice the growth in 2013.

Indian and Japanese banks were not included as their fiscal year ends in March.

With economic growth in the region slowing, analysts expect the asset quality of Asian lenders will continue to deteriorate as banks start publishing quarterly earnings, forcing them to make writedowns that will hurt profit and depress valuations.

Asian central banks have cut interest rates to ensure abundant liquidity, but uncertain economic growth and weak export demand will likely lead to more loan defaults in the near term, analysts and bankers said.

“We expect asset quality to weaken and bad loans to increase

A general view of the financial Central district in Hong Kong ... the key factor we see is Asia entering into more challenging phase of the credit cycle,” said Gene Fang, Moody’s associate managing director for financial institutions group.

“In the recent past, we saw relatively strong growth and low interest rates, which encouraged loan

growth and higher leverage. But growth has now weakened, most significantly in China, which is impacting the rest of the region.”

The average ratio of bad loans to gross credit for 29 Asian banks for which this data is available stood at 1.9% last year - the highest since

REUTERS

2009, the survey showed. In 2008, the ratio stood at 2.5%.

In China, where the economy grew 6.9% in 2015 - the weakest pace in a quarter of a century - bad loans surged to a decade-high at the end of December, with Moody’s expecting continued asset quality pressure

Intel gambit aims for position in post-PC world n AFP, Washington The massive shakeup announced

by Intel reflects the rapid changes in the tech sector and aims to position the Silicon Valley titan for a post-PC world.

The chip-making giant said it was cutting up to 11% of its global workforce, or some 12,000 positions, to adapt to a slumping market for personal computers and rapid growth in emerging technologies.

Intel said the move aims to “accelerate evolution from a PC company to one that powers the cloud and billions of smart, connected computing devices.”

The move represents a new direction for one of the pillars of Silicon Valley, which for years dominated the PC sector as a key partner with Microsoft.

But both firms are now scrambling to adapt to a new reality “where refrigerators and cars and your whole house and highways

and traffic lights are talking to the Internet,” said Roger Kay, analyst at Endpoint Technologies Associates.

Intel “got fat, dumb and happy like everyone else in the PC industry,” Kay said, before recognizing the shift to mobile and the “Internet of Things.”

Yet Kay said Intel’s move is a gamble because “their processors have to go into things that may not be invented.”

“Your strength is your weakness and your weakness is your strength - when you’re making money on PCs, it’s hard to go into a new area you don’t know,” Kay added.

Patrick Moorhead, analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy noted that Intel’s moves “are very reflective of what’s happening overall in the technology space - the PC-Internet model gave way to the smartphone-app model which is shifting to the IoT-cloud model.”

“Intel recognizes they need to move more quickly,” Moorhead said.

“Other companies like Microsoft

have been moving in this same direction the past few years.”

The PC train wreck

Intel’s cuts were announced after surveys showed the deep slump for the personal computer market.

Surveys last week said PC sales fell for a sixth consecutive quarter, to levels not seen since 2007.

Gartner’s survey showed a 9.6% in global PC sales in the first quarter, while another report by IDC showed an 11.5% decline.

“This is a very aggressive course correction for Intel,” said Bob O’Donnell of Technalysis Research.

“There was some hope they would see a turnaround in PCs and now there is a recognition it’s not going to happen.”

Analysts say Intel is still delivering healthy profits, with strength in areas such as data centers, and that the latest change is aimed at keeping a leadership role in the sector.

In the past quarter, Intel reported a modest three percent rise in

first-quarter profit to $2bn, with revenues growing seven percent to $13.7bn.

“Intel is adjusting to what they expect the future to be,” said O’Donnell.

“Regardless of the PC market, people are going to need chips for a long time and Intel is extremely good at doing that. But they need to focus on different kinds of chips.”

Joseph Moore, a Morgan Stanley analyst, offered a cautious outlook.

He said that 75% of Intel’s revenues still come from PCs and enterprise servers and “is in mild secular decline.”

Just nine percent is from the cloud, but is “lumpy” and “somewhat unpredictable.”

Kay said that inside the company, “it probably feels like a crisis,” but that these steps are needed to keep Intel competitive with rivals.

“They are taking prudent steps to ensure the business is viable long-term, but right now it looks pretty ugly,” Kay said. l

over the next 12-18 months.

Top Chinese lenders including Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China and Bank of Communications, will report March quarter results next week.

Last year, the total bad debt pile for all listed and unlisted Chinese banks stood at $297bn.

Japanese banks’ average ratio of bad loans to gross credit stood at 2.5% at the end of last year, a slight improvement from 2.7% at the end of 2014, Thomson Reuters data showed.

In India, where the central bank is forcing a debt clean-up, total distressed debt surged nearly a third between September and December to $120bn. The March quarter will probably show a further increase, analysts said.

Thailand’s fourth-largest bank Kasikornbank (KBANK.BK), which published quarterly results on Wednesday, expects the ratio of non-performing loans to total loans to rise to 3.5–3.6% this year from 2.7% last year, Admit Laixuthai, a senior vice president at the bank, told Reuters.

“NPLs for the whole banking system are likely to rise further this year as the overall economy remains weak … I can’t tell when NPLs will peak. It depends on the economic situation.” l

Iran determined to regain oil market share, can handle low price

n Reuters Iran is determined to recover its share of the world oil market following the lifting of sanctions, and can withstand low prices since it has sold oil for as little as $6 a barrel in the past, a source close to Iranian oil policy said.

The source was speaking after Russia, one of the participants at last weekend’s meeting of oil producing nations which failed to deliver an agreement to freeze output, indicated it could raise supply.

“We paid for our barrels with our centrifuges,” the source said, referring to Iran’s acceptance of curbs on its nuclear program in order for Western sanctions on Tehran to be lifted.

“We are going to get our share back. For us, oil is only 12% of our GDP. We used to sell oil in the war (between Iran and Iraq in the 1980s) at $6 a barrel.” l

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IEA expects biggest drop in non-OPEC oil output in 25 years n Reuters, London Crude prices steadied yesterday, as the International Energy Agency (IEA) said 2016 would see the biggest fall in non-OPEC production in a generation, helping to rebalance a market dogged by oversupply.

IEA chief Fatih Birol said low oil prices had cut investment by about 40% in the past two years, with sharp falls in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Russia.

Benchmark Brent crude futures eased 7 cents to $45.73 a barrel by 0852 GMT. US crude futures were 4 cents lower at $44.14.

Both crudes have gained around 70% in value from their lows reached between January and February.

The drop in supply from some producers could be offset by increased production in countries including Russia and Iran, however.

Russia’s energy minister said the country might push oil production to historic highs. Iran has reiterated its intention to reach output of 4 million barrels per day, after a global deal to freeze output collapsed and Saudi Arabia threatened to flood markets with more crude.

Nigeria will hold talks with Sau-

International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol speaks during the Rome 2015 MED, Mediterranean dialogues forum in Rome, Italy REUTERS di Arabia, Iran and other producers

by May, hoping to reach a deal on an output freeze at the next OPEC

meeting in June, the West African country’s oil minister told Reuters.

“The focus of the market is pri-

marily on price-supportive news and that’s just an indication of how sentiment is,” Saxo Bank senior

manager Ole Hansen said.

Hansen said fund flows into commodities had been strong this week, driven by a weaker dollar.

Earlier this week, the dollar hit 10-month lows against some commodity-related currencies. The Thomson Reuters Core Commodity Index rose to its highest since early December. [MKTS/GLOB] “This whole recovery has been driven by supply being capped and supply is price-sensitive and again we’re back to levels where we could see some of these producers breathe again,” Hansen said.

French bank BNP Paribas said any hope of market rebalancing from the current surplus relied on a predicted decline in US oil production.

“The US accounts for the bulk of non-OPEC’s 2016 oil supply contraction of 700,000 barrels per day forecast. If the decline in the US oil supply proves insufficient to tighten balances, then ... the oil price will remain low,” it said.

In refined products, China saw exports of diesel and gasoline soar, spilling surplus fuel into a market that is already well supplied, and threatening to further cut Asian benchmark refining margins. l

China’s zombie steel mills fire up furnaces, worsen global glut n Reuters, Shanghai The rest of the world’s steel producers may be pressuring Beijing to slash output and help reduce a global glut that is causing losses and costing jobs, but the opposite is happening in the steel towns of China.

While the Chinese government points to reductions in steel making capacity it has engineered, a rapid rise in local prices this year has seen mills ramp up output. Even “zombie” mills, which stopped production but were not closed down, have been resurrected.

Despite global overproduction, Chinese steel prices have risen by 77% this year from last year’s trough on some very specific local factors, including tighter supplies following plant shutdowns last year, restocking by consumers and a pick-up in seasonal demand following the Chinese New Year break.

Some mills also boosted output ahead of mandated cuts around a major horticultural show later this month in the Tangshan area. Local mills must at least halve their emissions on certain days during the exposition, due to run from April 29 to October.

China, which accounts for half

the world’s steel output and whose excess capacity is four times US production levels, has said it has done more than enough to tackle overcapacity, and blames the glut on weak demand.

But a survey by Chinese consultancy Custeel showed 68 blast furnaces with an estimated 50 million tonnes of capacity have resumed production. The capacity utilization rate among small Chinese mills has increased to 58% from 51% in January. At large mills, it has risen to 87% from 84%, according to a separate survey by consultancy Mysteel.

The rise in prices has thrown a lifeline to ‘zombie’ mills, like Shanxi Wenshui Haiwei Steel, which produces 3 million tonnes a year but which halted nearly all production in August. It now plans to resume production soon, a company official said, declining to be named as he’s not authorised to speak publicly.

Another similar-sized company, Jiangsu Shente Steel, stopped production in December but then resumed in March as prices surged, a company official said.

More than 40 million tonnes of capacity out of the 50-60 million tonnes that were shut last year are

now back on, said Macquarie analyst Ian Roper. “Capacity cuts are off the cards given the price and margin rebound,” he said.

‘The government wants to bolster the economy and boost demand for industrial sectors, but it is also resolute to push forward the supply-side reform, putting it in a dilemma’ Profit margins have risen to 500600 yuan a tonne ($77-$93) on average, the highest in at least two years, said Hu Yanping, senior analyst at Custeel.com.

“The government wants to bolster the economy and boost demand for industrial sectors, but it is also resolute to push forward the supply-side reform, putting it in a dilemma,” said Hu. To show the world it is serious in slicing its bloated steel sector, Chi-

na has said it cut 90 million tonnes of capacity and plans to cut another 100-150 million tonnes through 2020.

Yet China’s crude steel output hit a record high of 70.65 million tonnes in March.

Anger at exports

A surge in steel output should be driven by an increase in contracted purchases, otherwise mills are just betting on an improvement in demand that may not happen, Liu Zhenjiang, vice secretary general of the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA), told an industry conference in Beijing this month.

“Cutting steel capacity is important, but controlling steel output is more important,” he said.

CISA, which groups China’s biggest steel firms including Baoshan Iron and Steel, has consistently urged its members to show “self-discipline” and not increase output at the first sign of rising prices, a plea that’s usually gone unheeded.

On Tuesday, the United States, European Union and others called for urgent action to address global steel overcapacity, a day after China and other major steel producing nations failed to agree on measures

to tackle an industry crisis.

Britain in particular has been hit hard as its largest producer Tata Steel has announced plans to pull out of the country, threatening 15,000 jobs. Last week, more than 40,000 German steel workers took to the streets to protest against dumping from China.

Anger towards China grew louder since last year as its steel exports surged to a record 112 million tonnes, but the domestic steel price rally could help limit shipments this year as producers sell more at home.

Some private mills have defaulted on export contracts signed a month before shipping because of the rapid rise in domestic prices, according to a trader with knowledge of the situation.

Others have delayed deliveries for export orders and cut their export targets, the trader said.

The world could benefit if China’s steel production reverts to 2011 levels when the surplus, or the gap between output and consumption, was just 34 million tonnes, said BMI Research commodities strategist Mitchell Hugers.

“It’s not the capacity cuts that matter, it’s the amount of exports that matter,” he said. l

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Biz Info

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

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Aarong Mother’s Day shop and win campaign

Set menu at Lime & Thyme

Aarong will be launching a special Mother’s Day “Shop and Win” campaign starting Friday, April 22, 2016. Aarong.com shoppers who write the best message to their

mothers will have the opportunity to win a three days two nights trip for two people at Mermaid Beach Resort in Cox’s Bazaar. The winner will enjoy a stay at the resort’s

exclusive beach bungalows with round trip flights from Novoair.

He or she will be able to make reservations and book air tickets anytime until August 8, 2016.

Shoppers can make any purchase on aarong.com to be eligible for this offer before 8 May, 2016 – Mother’s Day. During checkout shoppers will have the option to write a special message for their mother. Aarong will judge the best message based on creativity and sentimental value.

The winner will be announced online at aarong.com and facebook.com/brac.aarong after the end of the campaign.

Select from a range of products at aarong.com such as sarees, jewellery, home décor, and other accessories and have it shipped to any location in Bangladesh. Get gift ideas by clicking the Mother’s Day Gifts tab on aarong.com. l

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23rd convocation of Panpacific University, Philippines

Lime & Thyme at Banani has introduced two new set menu’s (for two and for four people), both of which have been priced exclusively. The Simple Thai set menu for two consists of Thai soup, four pieces of wonton, egg fried rice, beef chilli, chicken red

curry, garlic prawn and Pepsi/7up.

This set menu costs Tk849 (all inclusive).

The Simple Set for four consists of the same menu but is meant for four people. It’s priced at Tk1,590 (all inclusive).l

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Bengali New Year celebrated at Southeast University

Belleza Beauty Parlor & Spa is a new generation, customer friendly and modern beauty salon. Dedicated to providing

high quality salon services, they currently have a special Boishakh offer in place. They are providing 30% discount on all parlour services as part of the special offer. For any skincare and beauty related appointment please contact +880191139935 or log onto their Facebook page at Facebook/bellezaforwoman. They are currently located at Level 2, House 51, Khan Tower, Sonargaon Jonopoth, Sector 7, Uttara, Dhaka (opposite Artisan). l

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Huawei’s ‘Fly to Thai’ Offer Already a Raging Success Md Sabur Khan, chairman, board of trustees of Daffodil International University (DIU) joined the 23rd Convocation of Panpacific University, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, North Philippines as convocation speaker and delivered the convocation speech held on April 16, 2016, at the PUNP premises.

3,000 participants and over

1,000 graduates were present.

Md Sabur Khan was invited and visited PUNP as the guest of honour and the convocation speaker. Shahana Khan, member, board of trustees, DIU and principal, Daffodil International School accompanied him during the visit. In honour of Khan, a lot of billboards and hoardings were set at prime locations

in Philippines. During the convocation he was honored with a crest by Rhonda T Padilla, PhD, president, PUNP. Established in 1993, PUNP is a private university collaborated with DIU and DIU students and faculty members have manifold opportunities for pursuing higher education through exchange program.l

The Huawei ‘Fly to Thai’ offer has made a significant impact on smartphone lovers in Bangladesh.

Between April 1 and April 20, 20 lucky customers who purchased a Huawei smartphone have been selected for a travel to Thailand for free, 40 customers have each won a Huawei tab, and 200 customers have won a power bank each.

Started April 1, one lucky Huawei customer was selected every day for a free trip to Thailand. Moreover, two lucky

winners received a Huawei Tab each and 10 lucky winners received complimentary power banks each every day. Customers purchasing a Huawei smartphone till April 30 will be considered eligible to be a potential winner under this offer.

The offer will be available at the Huawei Experience Centers at Jamuna Future Park and Bashundhara City Shopping Mall as well as brand shops across 64 districts of Bangladesh. l

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Downtime

20

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Droops (4) 5 Kingdom (5) 9 Buccaneer (6) 10 Tiny (3) 11 Dash (4) 12 Drawing room (5) 14 Planet (5) 16 Little devils (4) 19 Narrow way (4) 21 Wax-stemmed match (5) 24 Precipitous (5) 27 Minute particle (4) 29 Animal’s foot (3) 30 Secure indemnity (6) 31 Beer tankard (5) 32 Eager (4)

DOWN 1 Hurried (4) 2 Afflict (3) 3 Small stones and pebbles (6) 4 Of sound mind (4) 5 Begins again (7) 6 Boring tool (3) 7 Zodiac sign (3) 8 Repairs (5) 13 Serpent (3) 15 Skittle (7) 17 Sculptured likeness (6) 18 Coarse files (5) 20 Hail! (3) 22 Job allotted (4) 23 So be it! (4) 25 Make lace (3) 26 Female sheep (3) 28 Metal-bearing rock (3)

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

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

INSIDE #PANAMAPAPERS LEAK

US launches criminal inquiry into tax avoidance claims Attacked Uttarkhand police horse buried with honours A horse was buried with “police honours” after dying from injuries suffered in an attack allegedly by an ruling BJP politician, with his death triggering renewed outrage.

PAGE 23

Violence mars 3rd phase of W Bengal assembly polls, 1 killed A polling agent of the main opposition CPI(M) in West Bengal was killed and four others sustained serious injuries as sporadic incidents violence on Thursday marred the third phase of state assembly elections which saw 67% turnout, according to different Indian news media.

PAGE 23

Boko Haram using birds as bomb carriers Boko Haram is strapping bombs to birds as it continues to develop more deadly weapons in its bloody insurgency in Africa.

PAGE 24

n Tribune International Desk The US Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into the widespread international tax avoidance schemes exposed by the Panama Papers leak, reports the Guardian.

Preet Bharara, the US attorney for Manhattan, said he had “opened a criminal investigation regarding matters to which the Panama Papers are relevant”.

Bharara has written to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), which coordinated the unprecedented leak of 11.5m files from offshore law firm Mossack Fonseca, to ask for further information to assist with his criminal investigation.

The inquiry comes after Barack Obama described the revelations from the leaks – which have caused political tumult across the world – “important stuff ” and global tax avoidance as a “huge problem”.

“There is no doubt that the problem of global tax avoidance generally is a huge problem,” Obama told reporters in an unscheduled appearance in the White House briefing room earlier this month. “The problem is that a lot of this stuff is legal, not illegal.

“A lot of these loopholes come at the expense of middle-class families, because that lost revenue has to be made up somewhere.”

The US president said the leak from Panama illustrated the scale of tax avoidance involving Fortune 500 companies and running into trillions of dollars worldwide.

“We shouldn’t make it legal to engage in transactions just to avoid taxes,” he added, praising instead “the basic principle of making sure everyone pays their fair share”.

The US attorney general’s office was unable to provide any further details about the criminal investigation because it is ongoing.

Bharara, who as US attorney general for the southern district of New York has led several crusades against criminal wrongdoing in the financial sector, is already investigating several of the more than 200 US citizens named in the papers.

Among them is Wall Street financier Benjamin Wey, who has been charged with securities fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy and

Police officers stand guard next to a company list showing the Mossack Fonseca law firm in Panama City last week money laundering for using family members to help him amass ownership of large blocks of stock in companies through so-called “reverse merger” transactions between Chinese companies and US shell companies. He made tens of millions of dollars of illegal profit by manipulating the companies’ stock prices, according to the indictment.

Benjamin Wey

REUTERS

The Panama Papers leak shows that Mossack Fonseca helped set up the offshore companies used in the stock manipulation.

“Ben Wey fashioned himself a master of industry, but as alleged, he was merely a master of manipulation,” Bharara said when he announced the indictment against Wey in September. Wey, the chief executive of New York Global Group, denies the charge.

The release of the Panama Papers has sparked public outrage

across the world, including the resignations of the prime minister of Iceland and Spain’s industry minister following revelations about their offshore tax arrangements.

David Cameron, the British prime minister, has also been forced to defend his family’s tax arrangements after disclosures about an offshore fund established by his late father. He also has taken the unprecedented step of publicly releasing details from his tax returns.

The offices of Mossack Fonseca in Panama were raided by police officers last week on the orders of the country’s attorney general in an attempt to “establish the use of the firm for illicit activities”.

Mossack Fonseca is the world’s fourth biggest offshore law firm. It specialises in incorporating companies in offshore jurisdictions such as the British Virgin Islands.

The leaders of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have warned that the industrial scale of international tax avoidance revealed by the Panama Papers represents a “great concern” for the global economy and is having a “tremendously negative effect on our mission to end poverty”.

Jim Yong Kim, the president of the World Bank, said last week that the revelations that many of the world’s richest and most pow-

REUTERS

erful people are avoiding paying millions in taxes by hiding money from the taxman in offshore havens is a “great, great concern” and “very, very damaging” to the bank’s “mission to end extreme poverty”.

“When taxes are evaded, when state assets are taken and put into these havens, all of these things can have a tremendous negative effect on our mission to end poverty and boost prosperity,” he said.

Christine Lagarde, managing director of the IMF, said the world’s financial regulators had long been “alarmed” about Panama’s lax approach to taxation and corruption but failed to take action.

In her strongest comments yet addressing the scandal exposed by the Panama Papers, Lagarde said: “In the case of Panama there had been alert and alarm raised, but there had not been the level of implementation that was expected.”

She said the leak showed that “the [international tax] rules appear to be skewed towards” the global rich. “Clearly what has resulted from the review of these Panama Papers indicates that however important [international tax rules to prevent] base erosion and profit shifting … it is unfinished business,” she said in an opening address to the meeting. l

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World

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

CHRONICLE

Following the bloody history of Koh-i-Noor

This 2002 file photo shows a replica of the Koh-i-Noor AFP

It’s a stone that, legend says, should only be worn by a woman or a god; to a man who dares wear it, it will only bring bad luck. But, it adds, one who owns the Koh-i-Noor will own the world, and so for centuries, kings have fought over its possession and for much of the past century, four countries have argued about who gets to keep it now.

It is currently housed in the Tower

of London in the UK. Lately, the much-desired diamond has been hitting the headlines over ownership disputes. It even came to the stage that Indian government’s policy was turned inside out within the space of 24 hours!

First, the Indian solicitor-general, during a court hearing, stated that his country would not be pursuing the return of the diamond from Britain. A day later, the Narendra Modi government in statement said it would do everything in its power to “amicably” encourage the British government to give back the gem.

Solicitor-General Ranjit Kumar’s argument to the Supreme Court was that the Koh-i-Noor, meaning ‘mountain of light’ in Persian, had not been “stolen nor forcibly taken away”. Rather, it had been given to Britain by the successors of Maharajah Ranjit Singh “as compensation for help in the Sikh wars,” which according to many noted historian including William Dalrymple, is not the accurate account of events.

Accounts of ownership are often disputed and contentious and it is worth looking at how far the diamond has travelled thus far--

1526

The first “verified” mention of the stone crops up in the Baburnama, the writings of Mughal ruler Babur. Babur acquired the rock after defeating Ibrahim Lodi, the last of the Delhi Sultans. Historian NB Sen, among others, has written that from Babur, the diamond passed to Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb, before coming into the possession of his grandson, Sultan Mahamad.

1739

Persian General Nadir Shah defeats Mahamad to conquer Delhi – and the diamond -- in 1739 and gives it its now-famous name.

He takes the stone back to Persia but is assassinated eight years later. The diamond now passes into the possession of one of his generals, Ahmad Shah Durrani, in whose family it stays for the next generation, writes Sen in his book.

1813

The diamond returns to India when Shah Shuja Durrani, a descendant of Ahmad Shah, escapes from his quarrelling brothers in Kabul, brings it to Punjab and gives it to Maharaja Ranjit Singh – the founder of the Sikh empire -- in return for being granted asylum.

1839-1843

Maharaja Ranjit Singh dies, leaving the diamond – and his kingdom – to his sons. However, after three of his older sons are killed in quick succession, in 1843, five-year-old Duleep Singh took the throne, becoming the last Indian sovereign to own the precious gem, writes Sen in his book.

1849

The British win the second Anglo-Sikh War and annexe the Sikh kingdom of Punjab under the Treaty of Lahore. 11-year-old Duleep Singh signs over the kingdom and the diamond over to them before stepping down from his throne. The gem than shipped to Britian for the then Queen of England Victoria.

1852

The diamond is taken to England and showcased to the public.

Bearing in mind the myth surrounding the stone, Queen Victoria later asks in her will that the Kohinoor only be worn by a female queen. l

Source: HINDUSTAN TIMES, BBC, USA TODAY

23

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

12 high-ranking Pakistan army officers dismissed over graft charges n Tribune International Desk In an unprecedented move, Pakistan’s army chief General Raheel Sharif has dismissed 12 senior army officers from service over alleged corruption on Thursday, reports dawn.com and thenews.co.pk.

A lieutenant general, a major general, five brigadiers, three colonels and one major are among those dismissed by the army chief, reports dawn.com quoting military sources.

It is very rare in Pakistani army’s history to make public strip-

Gen Raheel Sharif

REUTERS

ping of senior army officials from their ranks over any kind of charges. The usual practice is keeping a lid on the matters.

Dawn.com named some of the

discharged officers. They are-- Lt Gen Obaidullah, Inspector General Arms and Weapons at General Headquarters, Maj Gen Ejaz Shahid, Lt Col Haider, Commandant Chaman Scouts, Brigadier Rasheed, Brigadier Asad Shahzada, Brigadier Saifullah, Brigadier Amir, and Maj Najeeb.

The eight officers named above served with the Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan and have been charged for corruption during their service with the paramilitary force. The others dismissed were junior commission officers who worked with

those named above, said an intelligence official speaking to Dawn. com on condition of anonymity.

Following the investigation conducted by Adjutant Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat on the orders of the army chief, the charged officers were asked to return all earnings accumulated through corruption, the official said, adding that all perks and privileges had been withdrawn from the officers except their pensions, reports Thenews.com.pk.

There has been no official confirmation regarding the move. l

Violence mars 3rd phase of W Attacked Uttarkhand police Bengal assembly polls, 1 killed horse buried with honours n Tribune International Desk A polling agent of the main opposition CPI(M) in West Bengal was killed and four others sustained serious injuries as sporadic incidents violence on Thursday marred the third phase of state assembly elections which saw 67% turnout, according to different Indian news media.

The body of 35-year-old Tahidur Islam was found outside a polling booth at Shibapara area of Domkal assembly seat in Murshidabad district, reports Indian Express.

Four persons were injured in separate incidents in polling booths in Ketugram constituency of Bardhaman district.

One of the CPI(M) workers’ ear was slashed off by rivals while another party supporter’s left leg was fractured during a scuffle in front of a polling centre in Ketugram, reports Firstpost.in.

The other two CPI(M) partymen were injured by explosion of a home-made bomb in a nearby polling centre.

Bardhaman district returning officer Soumitra Mohan said four persons have been arrested in this connection.

Meanwhile, some confusions

arose over how Islam was killed.

Anisur Rahman, the CPI(M) candidate in Domkal claimed that Islam was killed by an explosion.

But Murshidabad police chief dismissed the allegation saying preliminary inquiry did not found any link with murder to the polls.

“Tahidur (Islam) was stabbed somewhere else and his body was dumped near the polling centre, C Sudhakar, Murshidabad superintendent of police, said while talking to reporters.

In a knee-jerk response, the CPI(M) in an official statement blamed the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) for the killing and violence and alleged that it has unleashed a “reign of terror” to intimidate voters.

In reply, TMC said the death was a fallout of infighting between the CPI(M) and it’s alliance in the polls, Congress.

Meanwhile in Kolkata, several complaints of voter intimidation was recorded outside polling centres in Beleghata. Seven people were detained in this connection, officials confirmed.

The highly-intense polling is being held under tight security with 100,000 security personnel deployed. l

Muslim women display their inked fingers after casting their votes during the third phase of West Bengal Assembly elections in Kolkata on Thursday REUTERS

DT

World SOUTH ASIA

7 police guarding polio team killed in Pakistan Motorcycle gunmen on Wednesday shot dead 7 policemen guarding a polio vaccination team in Pakistan’s southern port city Karachi, officials said, a brazen attack in the country’s economic hub.

Feroz Shah, a senior police official, said that 8 gunmen carried out the killings in two separate attacks in the city’s western Orangi Town neighbourhood.

-AFP

INDIA

Uttarakhand HC quashes President’s rule The Uttarakhand High Court, on Thursday, quashed the order of the Central government that had put the State under President’s Rule on March 27. Deciding that the Congress shall return to power, the Division Bench of the Court also ordered that a floor test must be held in the Uttarakhand Assembly on April 29 where former Chief Minister Harish Rawat’s claim of having majority support shall be put to test.

-THE HINDU

CHINA

Xi Jinping moves to take more military command

An Indian police officer salutes the body of police horse ‘Shaktiman’ during a burial ceremony in Dehradun on Thursday AFP

n AFP, Dehradun A horse was buried with “police honours” after dying from injuries suffered in an attack allegedly by an ruling BJP politician, with his death triggering renewed outrage.

The police horse, called Shaktiman, became the subject of a weeks-long row between rival political parties in India after his injured hind leg turned gangrenous and had to be amputated.

Ganesh Joshi, a member of the Uttarkhand local assembly, was briefly arrested last month on charges of cruelty to the horse which was wounded during a party protest.

Shaktiman was fitted with a prosthetic limb reportedly rushed in from the US and every detail of the animal’s road to recovery was covered by the Indian media.

But Uttarakhand police announced on Wednesday that Shaktiman had gone into shock and died after being given anaesthesia to treat another infection.

“The doctors had administered anaesthesia to him as they needed to treat an infection but he could not handle the anaes-

thesia,” senior superintendent Sadanand Datte said.

Datte told reporters that the animal was buried with “full police honours” in state capital Dehradun late Wednesday. Shaktiman was wrapped in a white cloth in a ceremony watched by politicians and police.

The news triggered fresh anger, with federal minister and animal rights campaigner Maneka Gandhi calling for those responsible to be thrown in jail for “killing a police officer”.

BJP state lawmaker Joshi again denied he had attacked the horse with a stick during the protest. “If I am found guilty, then cut my leg,” Joshi was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

The Uttarakhand government, run by the rival Congress party, had spared no expense in treating the horse, with the creature becoming a cause celebre.

Shaktiman had been treated to repeat visits from the state’s chief minister and an American veterinary surgeon had reportedly been flown in from Bhutan to provide treatment, in what some critics saw as a case of political point-scoring. l

Chinese President Xi Jinping has assumed a more direct role over the country’s powerful armed forces as head of its increasingly important Joint Operations Command Centre, displaying both his strong personal authority and China’s determination to defend its interests. The move comes at a time when Beijing is becoming increasingly bold in its territorial assertions.

-AP

ASIA PACIFIC

Indonesia hopes for EU trade deal, including UK The EU has agreed to start free trade talks with Indonesia, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Thursday. Juncker said EU made progress on Wednesday in discussions with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Indonesian President said he hoped Britain, which holds a referendum on EU membership on June 23, would remain part of the bloc.

-REUTERS

MIDDLE EAST

Arab League chief calls for special court to try Israel Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi called Thursday for a special criminal court to be set up for Israel, at a meeting to condemn an announcement that it will never return the Golan Heights. Delegates to the 22-member Arab bloc based in Cairo are expected to pass a resolution denouncing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pledge Sunday that the occupied Golan Heights would remain Israeli forever.

-AFP

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World

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

USA

130,000 people urge Obama to kill TTP deal More than 130,000 people have signed a petition to stop president Barack Obama from agreeing on the controversial Transatlantic Trade Investment Partnership (TTP) deal between the US and the EU which protesters say gives more power to corporations. They have demanded that Obama stop negotiating the deal with prime minister David Cameron during his visit to the UK this week.

-INDEPENDENT

THE AMERICAS

Blast at Mexico petrochemical plant kills at least 13 The death toll from a thunderous blast at a petrochemical plant in Mexico has risen to at least 13, an official said Thursday, in the latest accident plaguing the state-run oil giant Pemex. The toll could rise further as another 136 people were injured, 13 of them critically, in Wednesday’s explosion.

-AFP

UK

UK to take in up to 3,000 refugee children Britain announced plans Thursday to take in up to 3,000 of the most vulnerable children and their families from conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa by 2020. The scheme, drawn up in coordination with the UN refugee agency, is aimed at children deemed at risk of child labour, forced marriage and other forms of abuse or exploitation.

-AFP

EUROPE

EU proposes visa-free travel for Ukrainians The EU on Wednesday proposed offering visa-free travel in Europe to Ukrainians, delivering on a key pledge to the pro-Western government in Kiev. Visa-free travel is a cornerstone of the so-called Eastern Partnership that is designed to attract eastern European nations into the EU’s sphere of influence.

Ukraine’s parliament last month approved a key anti-corruption bill that paved the way for a visa-free travel decision in Brussels.

-AFP

AFRICA

Female suicide attackers kill 8 in Nigeria Two female suicide attackers have killed at least 8 people at a camp for people displaced by the jihadist Boko Haram insurgency in northeast Nigeria. The bombings happened on Wednesday in the town of Banki on the edge of Borno state, near the border with Cameroon.

Details of Wednesday’s attack were slow to emerge as Banki is remote and largely disconnected from mobile phone networks.

-REUTERS

INSIGHT

Sanders raises more cash but Clinton makes campaign dollars go further Washington, DC/ n Reuters, New York Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton has spent about $15 per vote so far in the race for the party’s nomination, less than her rival Bernie Sanders, who spent $22, according to campaign finance reports filed on Wednesday.

Clinton’s efficiency with money could offset concern among some of her backers that Sanders, the US Senator from Vermont, has outraised her in each of the last two months as he wages a fierce fight to get onto the presidential ballot.

The former first lady’s campaign has spent a total of $157.8m since launching last April and has yielded a total of 10.4m votes in state nominating contests. That includes $28.7m for 8.7m votes in March, the filings show.

Sanders, in turn, has spent $168.4m since launching his bid for the White House, while netting 7.7m votes.

Sanders’ campaign has often touted its ability to tap a large number of small donors to outraise Clinton. In March, Sanders pulled in nearly $46m from 900,000 people, with an average

donation of just over $26, it said.

That compared to $29.3m for Clinton in March, from 400,000 people.

Some 96% of Sanders’ donors have given less in total than the $2,700 maximum, according to his campaign, meaning he can go back to them for more funds.

Some of Clinton’s backers say they are nervous about her campaign’s fundraising strategy of relying heavily on donors who are able to write big checks, and who max out more quickly.

But the Clinton campaign’s spending efficiency has helped it preserve a war chest. At the end of March, Clinton had $29m left in the bank -- more than anyone else running for president. Sanders had just $17m.

Preserving the war chest is crucial for Clinton’s chance of winning the White House in the general election against a Republican, letting her campaign effectively in swing states, attack her opponent’s vulnerabilities and defend her own.

Should she face off against Republican front-runner Donald Trump, she will need a bank account sufficient to compete with

US Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, left, and Bernie Sanders shake hands before a debate AFP a candidate who has mastered the knack of earning free coverage.

Approaching the end of the primary campaign with a surplus is a far different scenario from the one in which Clinton found herself at the end of her failed 2008 bid for the nomination against Barack Obama, when she ended up $9.5m in debt.

An example of the campaign’s

frugality: it cut advertising spending by $5m to $12m in March, a month heavy with primaries and caucuses, by using more digital advertising instead of television ads.

Clinton spent only $1.6m on digital ads. The campaign also reduced real estate costs and limited increases in payroll as it staffed up. l

Boko Haram using birds as bomb carriers n Tribune International Desk

Boko Haram is strapping bombs to birds as it continues to develop more deadly weapons in its bloody insurgency in Africa.

The commander of a coalition battling the Dae’sh-affiliated militants revealed the discovery at a meeting with American diplomats and security officials, reports British online publication Independent.co.uk.

Maj Gen Lamidi Adeosun, a senior military official in the Nigerian army, showed gruesome photos of the victims of Boko Haram’s attacks and their latest weapons during the briefing at the Multinational Joint Task Force’s headquarters in Chad on Wednesday.

One picture showed a bird with an explosive strapped on its back, demonstrating “a lot of ingenuity,” he said.

Adeosun said his forces had received intelligence that Dae’sh members were being embedded with Boko Haram but that the Nigerian terrorist group had not satisfied requirements for greater operational co-ordination.

It is not the first report of birds

Birds perch on wires as the sun breaks through clouds bringing the first autumn rains to Cape Town, South Africa on March 30 REUTERS being used to carry explosive devices.

Photos emerged in July last year claiming to show bombs strapped to chickens by Dae’sh fighters in the Iraqi city of Fallujah.

There was speculation that they could be resorting to increasingly bizarre means of destruction while running out of ammunition but the account could not be verified.

Dae’sh is known to be unusually liberal with its use of explosives, which it manufactures

using cheap chemicals and equipment readily available on the civilian market.

A Syrian officer involved in the operation to re-take the group’s former stronghold of Palmyra last month described how jihadists had “booby-trapped everything”, including animals and trees.

Boko Haram’s leader Abubakar Shekau made a pledge of allegiance to Dae’sh in March last year and released a message urging its fellow sub-Saharan jihadists to do

the same, further increasing the group’s reach.

The move was a major coup for the so-called Dae’sh, which renamed its affiliate Wilāyat Gharb Ifrīqīyyah (West Africa Province).

After expanding its campaign of terror from Nigeria to Chad, Niger and Cameroon, Boko Haram was named the deadliest terror group in the world last year.

The Global Terrorism Index said it was responsible for 6,644 deaths in 2014 and that number is expected to have risen as its insurgency against Christians and local government continues.

As well as high profile terror attacks and massacres, the group has become notorious for large-scale kidnappings including the abduction of more than 270 schoolgirls from Chibok.

Brigadier General Donald Bolduc, commander of US special operations in Africa, described the surrounding Lake Chad Basin region as “ground zero” in the fight against extremism in Africa.

The US, Britain and other European nations are among those supporting military intervention against Boko Haram. l

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Sport 25

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

INSIDE

Mustafizur, heart of Hyderabad Bangladesh pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been at the centre of attention among his IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Sunrisers captain David Warner tweeted that he wants to learn Bengali in order to communicate with the left-arm paceman. PAGE 26

Milner: Klopp starting to work magic Manager Juergen Klopp’s preferred style of play has become second nature to Liverpool’s players who took time to get used to the German’s tactics, James Milner has said. After initially struggling, Liverpool have now lost only once in their last 15 games. PAGE 27

Abahani Limited fast bowler Taskin Ahmed (L) and Kalabagan Krira Chakra captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza yesterday put the finishing touch to their preparation on the eve of their Dhaka Premier League opener today. While Mashrafe will be looking to complete his 10-over quota more often than not, Taskin will treat the DPL as the perfect platform to fine-tune his bowling action ahead of his bowling review MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Suarez hits four in 8-0 Barca rout Barcelona bounced back from their worst run of La Liga defeats for 13 years in emphatic fashion as Luis Suarez scored four in an 8-0 thrashing of Deportivo la Coruna on Wednesday. PAGE 28

Roma hail Totti, the gladiator Fans cried into their smartphones and fellow players thought they were in a film as evergreen Roma veteran Francesco Totti came off the bench to secure a potentially crucial 3-2 win over Torino on Wednesday. Roma were trailing 2-1 with four minutes to play. PAGE 29

DPL value not lost on Mashrafe, Tamim n Minhaz Uddin Khan The Dhaka Premier League, which begins today, still acts as the perfect platform for domestic cricketers to perform and stake a claim for a place in the Tigers’ set-up, believes Bangladesh limited-over captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza and opening batsman Tamim Iqbal.

The tournament also works as a nursery for the young and aspiring cricketers, they said.

“Selection should only be based on two tournaments – the four-day [National Cricket] league and the Dhaka League. I believe most of the cricketers you see in the national side were produced in this tournament,” Mashrafe,

goal but should be fully focussed coming to this tournament,” he added.

Abahani Limited captain Tamim, whose side take on Mashrafe’s Kalabagan on Prime Bank v Gazi Group Cricketers the opening day at Fatullah’s in Mirpur, 9:00am Khan Shaheb Osman Ali StaPrime Doleshwar v CCS dium, said this 50-over comin BKSP 3, 9:00am petition is rivalled by no othAbahani Limited v Kalabagan KC er on the domestic front. He in Fatullah, 9:00am added that the onus lies on the national cricketers to educate and nurture the youngwho will skipper Kalabagan sters in the tournament.

Krira Chakra this year, told “Dhaka Premier League the media yesterday. is undoubtedly one of the “There are also young most important tournaments cricketers who are not regular in Bangladesh. I will say it is fixtures in the national side. I no less than English county notice many of them are getcricket, given the quality and ting impatient. My suggesintensity of the competition tion to them will be to keep between the clubs,” said on persevering. One does not Tamim.l necessarily need to set any

TODAY’S MATCHES

Nadir Shah back in business n Mazhar Uddin

Umpire Nadir Shah will return to the field through the Abahani Limited-Kalabagan Krira Chakra match of the Dhaka Premier League in Fatullah today.

The 52-year old was banned for 10 years by the Bangladesh Cricket Board for corruption charges back in March 2013. The board lifted the ban in February this year, after Nadir asked for mercy to the board three months following the suspension.

“I am very excited to be back but it is very important for me to perform well. I have already done two practice matches recently and I feel I am ready to go. The time when I was banned was quite hard for me as people would ask me questions. Now everything is very good and exciting,” said Nadir yesterday.

Nadir was also the member of International Cricket Council’s international panel of umpires when an Indian TV channel claimed to have exposed a few first-class umpires. In the sting operation the reporters introduced themselves from a sports management company and promised the umpires to give them assignments in various domestic Twenty20 leagues.l

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FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

Mustafizur, heart of Hyderabad n Tribune Report Bangladesh pace bowling sensation Mustafizur Rahman has been at the centre of attention among team mates of his Indian Premier League franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Sunrisers’ Australian captain David Warner tweeted yesterday that he wants to learn Bengali in order to communicate with the left-arm paceman.

Gujarat Lions’ Indian cricketer Ravindra Jadeja fails to connect a delivery to be clean bowled by Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Bangladesh paceman Mustafizur Rahman during their IPL clash in Rajkot yesterday.

Mustafizur conceded just 19 runs from his quota of four overs, besides picking up the wicket of Jadeja, as Gujarat posted 135/8 in 20 overs

The 20-year old has been outstanding with the leather in his debut IPL season, having scalped four wickets in three matches, including a brilliant economy rate. Such is his importance to the side that the Sunrisers management has appointed a dedicated translator for Mustafizur.

Last Wednesday, Sunrisers’ mentor and former Indian batting legend VVS Laxman was effusive in his praise of Mustafizur, terming him the “X-Factor” of the franchise.l

BCCI

WWE wrestling star Chyna found dead in apartment n Agencies Joanie Laurer, who overcame a troubled home life in Rochester, N.Y., to win an international following as the pro wrestler Chyna,

has died at age 45, according to her official website and World Wrestling Entertainment. Police found her body at her home in Redondo Beach, Calif., Wednesday, according to local media.

The news emerged after this message was posted to her Facebook page last night: “It is with deep sadness to inform you today that we lost a true icon, a real life superhero. Joanie Laurer aka Chyna, the 9th Wonder of the World has passed away. She will live forever in the memories of her millions of fans and all of us that loved her.”

With chiseled muscles and a nearly 6-foot frame, Laurer cut an imposing figure in the ring. With a natural flair for entertainment, she exploded onto the scene of professional wrestling during the sport’s ascendance in the late 1990s.

Armed with training by the wrestler Killer Kowalski, she won

Rookie of the Year honors in the PGWA (the Professional Girl Wrestling Association) in 1996. She then jumped to the bigger stage of the World Wrestling Federation (now the WWE), where she broke onto the scene as the bodyguard of male wrestler Triple H. Laurer then broke into the ring, competing with — and defeating — top male wrestlers. She became the only woman to qualify for prestigious tournaments such the Royal Rumble and King of the Ring, as well as the Intercontinental Championship.

She also appeared in films and on magazine covers — as well as TV shows from 3rd Rock from the Sun (2000) to The Surreal Life (2003) and VH1’s Celebrity Rehab with

Dr. Drew (2008). In some of those appearances, Laurer discussed the depression and other personal demons that had threatened to derail her career.

“She was truly a pioneer in our industry, and she will be missed,” WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon said this morning via a tweet.

According to local TV news station KTLA, police were called to Laurer’s apartment in Redondo Beach Wednesday afternoon, after a friend who had become worried about Laurer checked on her and found that she wasn’t breathing.

No cause of death has been given; KTLA says the Los Angeles County Coroner is investigating the case.l

Sorry Mohammedan crash out n Tribune Report Local giant Mohammedan crashed out of the season opening KFC Independence Cup after suffering a shocking 3-2 defeat at the hands of Brothers Union at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

The unexpected victory though was not enough for Brothers to progress to the semi-finals as they ended their Group A campaign with six points from five matches, same as Mohammedan.

Brothers came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in just the second minute of the tie when Nigerian forward Nkwocha Kingsley’s fierce shot was saved by Moham-

medan goalkeeper Mohammad Nehal, who dived to his right side.

Mohammedan also got the opportunity to take the lead but Ismael Bangoura’s effort was cleared

by Brothers captain Ibayed Hossain Komol. Only two minutes later, Brothers had another chance to move ahead but Kingsley’s shot was parried away by defender Poumi Landry, who was stationed at the goalline.

Mannaf Rabby though finally gave Brothers the lead six minutes after resumption when he headed home a cross from Ghanaian midfielder Awudu Ibrahim.

Just a minute had elapsed and it was Mannaf who struck again as

his effort took a deflection off Kingsley before hitting the far post and entering the net.

The traditional Black and Whites soon reduced the arrears through forward Towhidul Alam Sabuj, who capitalised on a late reaction from a Brothers defender and placed home.

Mohammedan then brought parity, courtesy forward Biplu Ahmed, in the 66th minute.

Fifteen minutes from time, Brothers bagged what turned out to be the match-winning goal.

Ibrahim had it all to do but the Ghanaian midfielder was coolness personified, beating Nehal from almost a zero angle.l

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter poses for the media before the presentation of the book 'Sepp Blatter - Mission & Passion Football' REUTERS

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FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

POINTS TABLE

QUICK BYTES AZM Nasir promises fair BFF election There will be no involvement from the government in the upcoming election of the Bangladesh Football Federation, informed AZM Nasir Uddin, chairman of the Divisional Sports Association, yesterday.

“I want to say it very clearly that the forthcoming BFF election on April 30 is going to be fair, and will be held in accordance with the constitution. There will be no influence from the government or the Prime Minister,” said Nasir.

Nasir, who is also the vice president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board and mayor of the port city of Chittagong, added that there will be no intervention from BCB president Nazmul Hasan as well in the election.

–TRIBUNE REPORT

‘India to host day-night Test against NZ’ India is set to host a day-night Test during New Zealand’s visit later this year. Anurag Thakur, the BCCI secretary, said yesterday that the BCCI would use the pink Kookaburra ball for the Test match.

“We have decided that we will play one day-night Test match with pink ball against New Zealand later this year,” Thakur said. “Before that, Duleep Trophy will act as a dress rehearsal for the day-night Test match.”

–CRICINFO

Dortmund to face Bayern in Cup final Borussia Dortmund eased past Hertha Berlin 3-0 on Wednesday to set up a mouth-watering German Cup final against treble-chasing Bayern Munich. A 20th-minute goal from Gonzalo Castro and two late goals from Marco Reus and Henrikh Mkhitaryan propelled Dortmund into their third successive Cup final, and they will be hoping it is third time lucky after they finished second best in 2014 and 2015. Their win also spoiled the hosts’ hopes of a home game in Berlin’s Olympic stadium on May 21.

–REUTERS

Young SA cricketer dies of suspected heart failure A young South African cricketer has collapsed and died of suspected heart failure while training with his academy side in the Eastern Cape town of Alice. Lukhanya Tsiki, 22, was taking part in fitness tests on Monday at Fort Hare Academy when he suddenly collapsed when his group took a break from their exercises.

–CRICINFO

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney shoots at goal against Crystal Palace during their Premier League match at Old Trafford on Wednesday REUTERS

Team

P W D L GD Pts

Leicester

34 21 10 3 26

73

Tottenham

34 19 11 4 39

68

Man City

34 18 7 9 28

61

Arsenal

33 17 9 7 22

60

Man Utd

34 17 8 9 12

59

West Ham

34 14 14 6 14

56

Liverpool

33 15 9 9 13

54

Southampton 34 14 9 11 10

51

Stoke

34 13 8 13 10

47

Chelsea

33 11 11 11 4

44

Everton

34 9 14 11

5

41

Watford

34 11 8 15 -7

41

Bournemouth 34 11 8 15 -16

41

West Brom

33 10 10 13 -9

40

Swansea

34 10 10 14 -11

40

Crystal Palace 35 10 9 16 -9

39

Norwich

34 8

7 19 -25

31

Sunderland

33 7

9 17 -18

30

Newcastle

34 7

8 19 -26 29

Aston Villa

34 3

7 24 -42

16

Man Utd, Liverpool fire European hopes n AFP, London Matteo Darmian inspired Manchester United to victory over Crystal Palace and Liverpool crushed derby rivals Everton 4-0 as both teams enhanced their chances of securing European football on Wednesday.

Italian right-back Darmian scored his first goal for United and created an own goal for Damien Delaney as fifth-place United beat Palace 2-0 to close to within a point of fourth-place Arsenal in the Premier League.

Divock Origi scored but was then stretchered off as Liverpool outclassed Everton to remain within two points of sixth-place West Ham United, for whom Mark Noble scored two penalties in a 3-1 defeat of Watford.

“I was very happy with the performance, but we should have scored

many more goals,” said Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal.

The teams finishing fifth and sixth stand to qualify for next season’s Europa League, with the top four spots yielding passage to the Champions League.

Van Gaal’s side continue to have designs on the elite competition after warming up for tomorrow’s FA Cup semi-final against Everton by

RESULTS Liverpool

4-0

Everton

Origi 43, Sakho 45+2, Sturridge 61, Coutinho 76

Man United

2-0

Crystal Palace

3-1

Watford

Delaney 4-og, Darmian 55

West Ham Carroll 11, Noble 45-P, 53-P

Prodl 64

overcoming fellow semi-finalists Palace at Old Trafford.

Darmian helped the hosts get off to an ideal start as his cross was turned in by Palace centre-back Delaney for a fourth-minute own goal.

With Wayne Rooney once again operating in central midfield, United created a string of opportunities and added a second in the 55th minute when Darmian slammed home from the edge of the box.

“It was a surprise for us, especially with his left foot!” said United centre-back Chris Smalling.

“What a way to get your first goal.”

United trail Arsenal by a point and third-place Manchester City by two, although the north London club have a game in hand at home to West Bromwich Albion yesterday.

Everton will go into their Wembley date with United on the back

Milner: Klopp formula starting to work magic for Liverpool n Reuters Manager Juergen Klopp’s preferred style of play has become second nature to Liverpool’s players who took time to get used to the German’s tactics, midfielder James Milner has said.

After initially struggling under Klopp, who replaced Brendan Rodgers in October, Liverpool have now lost only once in their last 15 games following Wednesday’s 4-0 Premier League win over Merseyside rivals Everton.

“The manager’s style is a bit more second nature than it was a few months ago, we know how he wants to play and everyone is on the same page. I think you can see that in the performances,” Milner told the club website (www.liverpoolfc.com). Liverpool are seventh in the league, six points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, who hold the final Champions League qualifying spot with five games left.

Klopp also led his side into the Europa League semi-finals against Spanish side Villarreal after over-

coming his former club Borussia Dortmund in dramatic fashion.

“We seem to be in the rhythm at the moment. You need a full squad and we have got a quality squad of players, a young squad as well but when the younger guys have come in they have done brilliantly as well,” Milner said.

“There’s a lot of competition for places and that’s what you need.”

Liverpool host former boss Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle United, who are second bottom of the table, tomorrow. l

of a Merseyside derby hiding at Anfield that means Roberto Martinez’s men have now gone seven league games without victory.

After a one-sided first half, Liverpool struck twice in four minutes shortly before half-time as James Milner crossed for first Origi and then centre-back Mamadou Sakho to head home.

It was Belgian striker Origi’s fifth goal in five appearances, but he was stretchered off five minutes into the second half with a suspected ankle sprain following an ugly foul

by Everton centre-back Ramiro Funes Mori, who was sent off.

Daniel Sturridge came on for Origi and found the net eight minutes later, tucking away Lucas Leiva’s pass, before Philippe Coutinho bent in a low shot from the edge of the box to complete the scoring in the 76th minute.l

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FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

Suarez hits four in 8-0 Barca rout, Real Madrid, Atletico win

TALKING POINTS Deportivo v Barcelona LETHAL LUIS SUAREZ The Uruguayan forward tormented the Deportivo defence throughout the 90 minutes as he found the net four times and set his team mates up thrice. It seemed as if there was no one who could stop the controversial striker. The ex-Liverpool forward took the mickey out of defenders with his pacey dribbles and linked up with his team mates, thanks to his exceptional vision. Apart from the talent and abilities that Suarez naturally possesses, the striker showed hunger for excellence and victory.

n AFP, Madrid

BARCELONA BACK TO THEIR OLD SELVES The Spanish leaders were back in business as they managed to find the back of the net eight times, with Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Lionel Messi, Neymar and even Marc Bartra getting on the scoresheet. All the sublime passing, piercing runs, accurate finishing and intelligent positioning clearly suggested that Luis Enrique’s men have found their old form again.

The second goal of the game probably showcased Barcelona at their best. Andres Iniesta found Messi at the edge of the Deportivo box, who unleashed Suarez with a gorgeous no-look flick. Suarez took care of the rest, slotting the ball past the Deportivo goalkeeper Manuel Fernandez Muniz with ease.

DEFENSIVE FORTRESS Even without their main centreback Gerard Pique, Barcelona’s defence looked impermeable on the eve. Full-backs Jordi Alba and Dani Alves made overlapping forward runs, expanding options in attack for the team. But at the same time, they showed great defensive awareness as they tracked back and made a set of crucial tackles and interceptions, keeping the pressure on the Branquiazuis.

WINLESS STREAK CONTINUES FOR DEPORTIVO Deportivo la Coruna are now without a win in their last four matches and have won only one of their last 17 matches. The Galicians have become known as draw specialists, with 17 ties from their last 34 fixtures so far.

Despite conceding two early goals, Deportivo did show some promise as they created a couple of chances of their own in the first half. But things just went downhill for Victor Sanchez’s after the second half began as they conceded six times and failed to find the back of the net themselves.l

Barcelona's Luis Alberto Suarez celebrates a goal against Deportivo Coruna at Riazor Stadium, Coruna on Wednesday REUTERS

Barcelona bounced back from their worst run of La Liga defeats for 13 years in emphatic fashion as Luis Suarez scored four in an 8-0 thrashing of Deportivo la Coruna on Wednesday.

Ivan Rakitic, Lionel Messi, Marc Bartra and Neymar were also on target as Barca reasserted their control on the Spanish title race.

However, only Barca’s superior head-to-head record continues to separate them from Atletico Madrid at the top of the table with four games remaining as Fernando Torres’s hot-streak continued with the winner in a 1-0 success at Athletic Bilbao.

Real Madrid remain just a point behind the leaders in third as goals from Karim Benzema, Lucas Vazquez and Luka Modric ensured a 3-0 win over Villarreal.

“We are human, we aren’t machines and we can all commit errors or have a bad game,” Suarez told Spanish TV station Movistar+.

“Today is a demonstration that the group is more united than ever and desperate to win the league. It is still in our hands.”

Barca had taken just one point

Zidane: Ronaldo needs more rest n Reuters, Barcelona

Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo needed to take time off and even miss games if he is to see out an arduous season after he limped off before the end of Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory over Villarreal on Wednesday, according to manager Zinedine Zidane.

The French coach said Ronaldo did not appear to have a serious injury despite walking off the pitch holding the back of his thigh before the final whistle went.

Zidane had already used his three substitutions and could not replace him with another player, leaving his team with 10 men for the remaining seconds of the game.

The Portuguese forward has played every minute of Real Madrid’s 34 league games this season and started all 10 games in the Champions League, only being substituted in the 89th minute of the Round of 16 first leg at AS Roma.

“Once in a while he needs to be substituted so he can rest,” Zidane said. “It’s necessary for him not

to finish one game or to miss one game occasionally.

“But he’s a player who always wants to play and give everything he has. It’s difficult for me at times.”

Spanish newspaper AS reported Ronaldo was suffering from cramp.

He was expected to have medical tests yesterday. Zidane said he was not worried that Ronaldo had a serious injury, as Madrid prepare for a La Liga game at Rayo Vallecano tomorrow and their Champions League semi-final first leg with Manchester City on Tuesday. l

from their last possible 12 in the league and been dumped out of the Champions League amidst a run of just one win in six games that threatened to derail their season.

However, they remain in control of their own fate and few would bet against them winning their last four games and claiming a 24th Liga title after a performance as good as any in the 39-game unbeaten run they

BARCA’S BIGGEST AWAY WINS 1959

Las Palmas 0-8 Barcelona

2010

Almeria 0-8 Barcelona

2015

Cordoba 0-8 Barcelona

2016

Deportivo 0-8 Barcelona

enjoyed prior to losing at home to Real Madrid earlier his month.

Suarez settled the visitors’ nerves after just 11 minutes when he outmuscled Sidnei to volley home the opener despite the hosts’ desperate appeals for a foul.

Ceslo Borges then missed two huge chances to bring Deportivo level as he was denied by Claudio Bravo and a last-ditch block by Bartra before Suarez gave Barca the cushion they desired.l

POINTS TABLE Team

P W D L GD Pts

Barcelona

34 25 4 5 67

79

Atletico

34 25 4 5 42

79

Real Madrid

34 24 6 4 71

78

Villarreal

34 17 9 8 11

60

Athletic Bilbao 34 16 6 12 10

54

RESULTS Deportivo

0-8

Barcelona Suarez 11, 24, 53, 64, Rakitic 47, Messi 73, Bartra 79, Neymar 81

0-1

Athletic Bilbao

Atletico Madrid Torres 38

2-1

Sporting Gijon Krychowiak 22-og, Lopez 90+1

Malaga

1-1

Ricca 90+1

Valencia

Sevilla Iborra 8

Rayo Vallecano Baena 62

4-0

Eibar

3-0

Villarreal

Alcacer 9, 27, 40, Cancelo 56

Real Madrid Barcelona's football team pose with a model of the project to reform the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona yesterday REUTERS

Benzema 41, Vazquez 69, Modric 75

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FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

Roma hail epic Totti n AFP, Milan

Fans cried into their smartphones and fellow players thought they were in a film as evergreen Roma veteran Francesco Totti came off the bench to secure a potentially crucial 3-2 win over Torino on Wednesday.

Roma were trailing 2-1 with four minutes to play after Josef Martinez had added to Andrea Belotti’s first-half penalty in the 80th minute for the visitors. But one-club man Totti stunned the stadium by turning the game on its head.

Just 23 seconds after replacing Malian midfielder Seydou Keita, Totti slid in at the back post to meet a down-

ward header from Miralem Pjanic’s free kick to guide the ball past Daniele Padelli.

When Roma won a controversial penalty for handball in the area three minutes later, there was only one person eyeing the ball.

Although Padelli got a touch, Totti’s drive found the net and a stadium so used to seeing a moody Totti brooding on the substitute’s bench erupted.

Totti now has 303 in total for Roma and 247 in Serie A match. The ageing captain was mobbed by the entire squad and jubilant fans were seen crying with emotion as they filmed the scenes on their mobile telephones.l

Juventus close in n Reuters, Milan

Juventus notched their 23rd win in their last 24 league games to stay nine points clear of Napoli, who had briefly reduced the deficit with a 6-0 demolition of Bologna on Tuesday.

Mario Mandzukic gave Juventus a halftime lead and the game was effectively over after Lazio had Gil Patric sent off for a second bookable offence three minutes after the break.

Paulo Dybala converted a penalty after Leonardo Bonucci went tumbling in the area, a decision which provoked angry Lazio protests, and the Argentine finished off a typi-

POINTS TABLE Team

P W D L GD

Juventus

34 26 4 4 48

Napoli

34 22 7 5 43

Roma

34 19 11 4 35

Inter Milan

34 18 7 9 13

Fiorentina

34 17 8 9 17

cally incisive break just after the hour to complete the win.

Juventus have 82 points from 34 games, with Napoli on 73 and Roma on 68.

Roberto Mancini’s Inter saw their Champions League hopes all but extinguished in a 1-0 defeat at Genoa where Sebastian De Maio scored the winner with 13 minutes left.

Bottom three Frosinone, Palermo and Verona all moved closer to Serie B after a dramatic evening at the basement end of the table.

Daniel Ciofani gave Frosinone a fifth minute lead at Chievo but they then had Arlind Ajeti and Raman Chibsah sent off as they crashed to a 5-1 defeat.

Palermo also got off to a flying start when FranPts co Vazquez converted a second-minute penal82 ty at home to Atalanta.

73 Verona were left seven 68 points adrift at the bottom and almost certain to 61 go down after they were 59 beaten 1-0 at Empoli.l

DAY’S WATCH FOOTBALL TEN 1 12:45AM Sky Bet Championship Preston North End v Burnley

TEN 2

12:15PM German Bundesliga Hamburger v Werder Bremen

CRICKET SONY SIX 8:30PM

12:20AM

Indian Premier League

French Ligue 1

Pune v Bangalore

Nice v Stade De Reims

TENNIS

TEN 3 3:35PM A-League: Semi-final

STAR SPORTS 2

TEN 3 6:00PM WTA: Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Quarter-finals 1, 2

SERIE A Sassuolo

0-0

Sampdoria

Chievo

5-1

Frosinone

Floro Flores 36, Pellissier 47-P, 80, Rigoni 58, Sardo 60

Empoli

Ciofani 5

1-0

Verona

1-0

Inter Milan

3-0

Lazio

Maccarone 51

Genoa De Maio 77

Juventus Mandzukic 39, Dybala 52-P, 64

Palermo

2-2

Vazquez 2-P, Struna 76

Roma

3-2

Manolas 65, Totti 86, 89-P

Roma forward Francesco Totti shoots to score during their Serie A match against Torino at the Olympic stadium in Rome on Wednesday AFP

Udinese

Atalanta Borriello 11-P, Paletta 55

Torino Belotti 35-P, Martinez 80

2-1

Zapata 2, Thereau 53

Fiorentina Zarate 24

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FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

Showtime

Exhibition to celebrate women’s empowerment n Showtime Desk Bengal Art Lounge opened its door for a four-day exhibition titled Wings of Hope, an exhibition celebrating women’s empowerment yesterday.

The exhibition will close on April 24, exactly three years after the tragic collapse of the Rana Plaza building, which caused the death of more than a thousand and injured more than two and half thousand people.

Commemorating the day, the Embassies of the Nordic countries Denmark, Norway and Sweden partnered with Shako - Women Artist Association of Bangladesh, Meena, Arjo Cholochitra Foundation and Fashion Revolution put together an art and sculptures exhibition.

This exhibition complements the International Women’s Day celebration by the Nordic embassies in Bangladesh.

The embassies in partnership with Meena, a Bangladeshi NGO working with Rana Plaza survivors, conducted an art workshop for the survivors.

There, the survivors created wax sculptures representing their aspirations and desires in life

with thoughtful guidance from Kirsten Fugl, an art educator from Denmark, and the artists of Shako.

The final versions of the wax sculptures were then cast in

metal by Dhamrai Metal Crafts.

The proceedings from the exhibition will help the Rana Plaza survivors to start their own sewing workshops enabling them

Cannes rejected a film only because the director supports Putin n Showtime Desk Emir Kusturica, a Serbian filmmaker, has claimed that his latest film was turned down by the Cannes Film Festival over his support for the Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Kusturica, twice a winner of the festival’s top Palme d’Or prize, said he blamed political bias for the failure of his new film, On the Milky Road, to make the 2016 official selection.

“Lately, politics has more and more often interfered with the way the Cannes Film Festival works,” the director, actor and musician told the Russian News Service, in comments made public by the Hollywood Reporter. “I have suspicions that someone gave an order that my film shouldn’t be accepted.”

On the Milky Road stars the director himself, as well as the Italian screen icon Monica Bellucci. Kusturica revealed he had submitted his movie a day late for this year’s festival, which takes place between 11 and 22 May. But the film-maker said he did not believe his own tardiness

had inspired the Cannes chiefs’ decision, because such factors had never been a problem before. “The film was submitted, but no one even watched it,” he said.

The director, who won the Palme d’Or in 1985 for When Father Was Away on Business and a decade later for Underground, has been a vocal supporter of Putin in recent years. He was banned from performing in Ukraine last year after declaring his backing for the Russian president’s policies in the former Soviet republic. Kusturica has shown no remorse: he opened a Paris show alongside his band No Smoking Orchestra with the Russian national anthem last week.

The Serbian film-maker has previously been regarded

as one of the Cannes Film Festival’s “usual suspects”. He was president of the Palme d’Or jury in 2005 and returned six years later to oversee the Un Certain Regard competition.

On the Milky Road centres on three key stages in the life of the same man: his experiences at war, a later romance with a woman who hopes to save him, and his final reclusive existence as a monk looking back on his turbulent past.

The film is now due to premiere at the Bridge of Arts festival in the southern Russian city of Rostov-onDon this August. l Source: theguardian.com

to generate their own income and gain economic independence.

Significantly, the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has kindly extended her support to this project. She

has taken an interest in the rehabilitation of the surviving women and her office has bought one of the sculptures created by the women, in a previous workshop. The Prime Minister also expressed her appreciation towards those who are supporting the cause.

The exhibition is also a tribute to acclaimed artist and film director Khalid Mahmood Mithu, who tragically passed away on March 27, 2016 in a road accident.

Mithu and his foundation made significant contribution to this project. He was a great advocate for women’s rights in Bangladesh and stood by the Rana Plaza survivors through his artwork and films.

In honour of Mithu’s memory, his experimental documentary film, Dead Hands Rising, which depicts the tragedy of the Rana Plaza collapse will be screened during the exhibition on April 24 at 6pm.

The film True Cost, a feature length documentary that explores the impact of fashion on people and the planet, will also be screened during the exhibition, on April 23 at 6pm. l

Jazz in Charukola

n Showtime Desk Not too long ago, three musicians merged to explore their common passion together, forming Mohai’s Trio – a trio dedicated to the genre known as jazz.

The band will be performing a set of originals and jazz standards at the Bokul Tola, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka on April 23rd.

The trio will be leading the evening with Mohaimin Karim’s bass lines, accompanied by Imran Ahmed’s crafty guitar and Arjo Shrestho’s hypnotic drums.

Mohaimin Karim picked up the bass because of its unique sound and possibilities, and grew up as a young musician playing with some of the finest

musicians in Dhaka.

He also plays bass in the only jazz fusion band in town – the Imran Ahmed Quintet. Karim started off with funk but is significantly influenced by jazz, fusion, blues, RnB, soul, hip-hop and progressive rock.

Imran Ahmed, a composer and guitar player, is heavily influenced by jazz and Indian classical music. Having opened for the legendary John McLaughlin and Shai Maestro at last year’s première of Jazz and Blues Festival, Ahmed has mainly been performing as part of the self-titled Imran Ahmed Quintet in Dhaka, as well as collaborating with other artists.

Arjo Shrestho has been playing the drums for a few years. He has been trying to understand the sound that his instrument produces to further enhance his understanding of music. Musicians such as Peter Erskine and Bill Evans have a significant influence in the way he approaches his kit. l

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FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

WHAT TO WATCH

Ice-cream dedicated to Diti and Sayem nRumpa Farzana Zaman The movie Ice-cream is directed

by TV director Redoan Rony, who caused quite a stir back in 2012 with his debut film Chorabali.

Over three years since then, he is back with his second cinematic venture titled Ice-Cream, which got the go ahead from the censor board without any complications.

The movie is all set to premier very soon. In the latest trailer of the film, which has come out recently, it is mentioned that the film team has dedicated

the movie to the late media personality Parveen Sultana Diti and young actor Sayem Sadat.

Actress Diti recently passed away, having succumbed to her long battle with cancer. Diti completed shooting of the film but was unable to make time for dubbing, which was later done by Mahmuda Apon.

The young artist Sayem also recently passed away only a week after his wedding. His sudden and untimely death came as a shock to the Bangladesh media. As a young artist, Sayem had quickly

Kourtney Kardashian called Justin Bieber the ‘best lover!’ nShowtime desk The eldest Kardashian sister is rumoured to have been flinging on-and-off with Justin Bieber since late last year, and it appears that there’s a reason she keeps going back for more. Kourtney spent nine years with her baby daddy Scott Disick, so she might not have a lot to compare him to.

“There’s definitely an age gap there, but they have a lot of chemistry,” a source told the tabloid. In fact, the source says, Kourt thinks ‘Justin is the best lover ever.’

While Kourtney and Justin seem to have a hot physical connection, sources say that the relationship remains casual, an arrangement

both parties are happy with.

However, Justin has spent time with Kourtney’s three children, which Scott can’t be thrilled over.

She’s joked that, “Justin is great with her kids, certainly more playful and fun with them than Scott ever was,” says the source.

It’s no secret that Scott has been pining for Kourtney, ever since she dumped him last year.

In a recent episode of I Am Cait, Caitlyn Jenner asked Scott if he wanted to reconcile with his ex. l Source: The Hollywood Life

become popular among the country’s young audience.

Both Diti and Sayem will be seen in Redoan Rony’s film. For the team behind the film, this is an extremely emotional situation, as they sorely miss the two well loved member, while also looking forward to their new venture.

That is what lead the team to dedicate their labour of love to Diti and Sayem.

The new trailer of the film features a message of dedication where the two stars are mentioned. Redoan Rony says,

“Losing them is a great loss to the Media industry. We want to remember them all the time and so we are dedicating this film to the evergreen media personalities Diti and Sayem.”

The movie is a romantic film about the young love where Rony wrote the entire story, script and dialogues. All three central roles of Uday, Raj and Tushi are played by fresh débutantes in the industry and the director hopes to deliver something completely new to the audience.

Various roles in the film have been played by leading artists including Omar Sunny, Diti and ATM Shamsuzzaman. The filming of Ice-cream partly took place in a few scenic localities at Saint Martin Island. The film is set to be released on April 29, 2016. l

The Incredibles Zee Studio, 9:30pm Bob and Helen used to be Mr Incredible and Elastigirl fifteen years ago. The crimefighting superheroes adapt to a civilian life when they retire from their activities.

Their children Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack were born with superpowers that they are not aware of. Bob is thrilled when he gets a communication that summons him to a remote island for a top secret assignment. When he gets there, he realises that solving the problem will need the efforts of a super family.

Voice: Craig T Nelson, Holly Hunter, Jason Lee, Samuel L Jackson, Dominique Louis

Prosun Azad dons tea stall girl

nShowtime desk Lux-Channel-i Superstar first runner-up, Prosun Azad is set to appear in the role of a tea stall girl, in a single episode TV drama airing today on Maasranga TV at 7:40pm.

The story follows Basanti, played by Azad, who is the only daughter of an unemployed, addicted father who doesn’t support the family. Basanti’s mother tries to bare the family’s expenses by arranging to rent a shop, in order to set up a tea stall there. Unfortunately, the teal stall doesn’t generate as much profit as her mother expects.

However, from the time when Basanti takes charge of the stall,

the business starts to boom. As a result, her mother encourages her to be present at the stall, often asking her to put some make-up when she does. Her mother observes that it is her daughter’s beauty that attracts the youth, thereby increasing profitability of the business.

However, Basanti has no interest in attracting customers using her beauty. Instead, she feels used by her mother but continues to help her family’s condition.

Written by Sahhidul Haque Swapan and directed by Shoeb Sadik, the single episode TV drama also casts Pran Roy, Munira Mithu and Fazlur Rahman Babu. l

Edge of Tomorrow HBO, 9:30pm When Earth falls under attack from invincible aliens, no military unit in the world is able to beat them. Major William Cage (Tom Cruise), an officer who has never seen combat, is assigned to a suicide mission. Killed within moments, Cage finds himself thrown into a time loop, in which he relives the same brutal fight and his death over and over again.

However, Cage’s fighting skills improve with each encore, bringing him and a comrade (Emily Blunt) ever closer to defeating the aliens.

Cast: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Brendan Gleeson, Jonas Armstrong, Tony Way, Kick Gurry l

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FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

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MARCIA BERNICAT’S OPINION DPL VALUE NOT LOST ON ICE-CREAM DEDICATED ON CLEAN ENERGY PAGE 14 MASHRAFE, TAMIM PAGE 25 TO DITI, SAYEM PAGE 31

Biggest limestone reserve found n Aminur Rahman Rasel The biggest limestone reserve in Bangladesh has been found in Naogaon’s Badalgachhi upazila, the Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB) has said.

“We conducted a bore-hole drilling in Tajpur village and found a 61-foot thick layer of limestone around 2,214 feet deep,” GSB Director General Md Nehal Uddin told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

It is estimated that the limestone reserve could cover over

50-sq-km surrounding the point, while 15 more bore-holes are needed to confirm the estimation, the DG added.

However, Bangladesh is still not technologically capable of extracting limestone from such a deep reserve as the high temperatures at this depth makes mining risky and expensive.

The drilling project in Tajpur is being implemented by state authorities at a cost of Tk80 lakh and the bore-hole would go down to 3,500 feet.

On February 20, the drilling started and is expected to end by June. The overall work will take at least three years to complete, Nehal said.

Claiming that the limestone found there was of good quality, the GSB DG said Tajpur reserve would be able to provide supply for the entire country’s cement production.

A geologist of GSB said the stone reserve was around 50 million years old and from the upper stage of Sylhet limestone formation.

Earlier, the GSB found limestone

reserves in Joypurhat’s Panchbibi and Jamalganj, and at Tekerhat in Sunamganj. High temperature made it impossible to extract limestone at Panchbibi, while the projects in Jamalganj and Tekerhat were found to be unprofitable.

Badrul Imam, professor of Geology at Dhaka University, said extracting limestone from the depth of 2,200 feet or 500 metre was a challenging prospect under the circumstances in Bangladesh.

The main challenge was the temperature; the deeper a mine

was, the higher its temperature, he said.

Bangladesh is yet to adapt to necessary technology for extracting limestone from such depths, said Prof Badrul.

If the limestone reserve was found at depths of 100-200 metre, then extracting it would have been financially viable, he said.

“My advice is to conduct exploration work at the shallow depth of north zone. If minerals are found there, then we can extract those easily,” the DU professor said. l

Archaeology researcher Mohammad Abu Al Hasan, who discovered the site, says it initially appears to share similarities with Paharpur Vihara DHAKA TRIBUNE

n Khandker Rauf, Naogaon A nearly 1,500 years old Buddhist site has been unearthed in Naogaon, home to a number of other historical sites.

Mohammad Abu Al Hasan, a PhD researcher at Jahangirnagar University, discovered four monasteries at Raninagar upazila’s Ujalpur, which he says, initially appear to share similarities with Paharpur Vihara.

Hasan, also an assistant director at Bangladesh Bank currency Museum, in his yearlong exten-

sive research pointed out possibilities of finding ancient historic sites at Raninagar’s Rajapur Dhibi, Dighirpar Dwip, Ghora Pata and Ujalpur.

He said he turned his attention to the area as many high mounds in the district’s low-lying Raninagar and Atrai were not examined.

Hasan started excavation with a six-member team from Sunday with the government’s permission. The district and local administration are also assisting him.

In July last year, examinations hinted at possible presence of ar-

tefacts. “I started excavation from April 17 this year at personal initiative with the Archaeology Department’s permission,” he said.

“The structure of the monasteries initially appear similar to that of the Paharpur Viharas.

Although I am not entirely sure, but at a glance it seems like a Buddhist educational institution.”

Artefacts found at the site seem to predate the Pal dynasty, he said adding that it was not possible to ascertain facts before finishing the excavation.

Locals welcomed the discov-

ery. They said the site was being used for Eid congregations before Hasan unearthed the monasteries. MP Md Israfil Alam expressed indignation at the inaction of the Archaeology Department which, he said, “only talked big.”

“We have many historic sites including Patisar, laced with Rabindranath Tagore’s memories, the Gandhi Ashram, and Paharpur. Although the Archaeology Department took over the sites, it is yet to take visible and effective steps to preserve them.

“The measures it has already taken are progressing at snail’s pace, that are not enough to attract people.”

Preserving the sites will boost the district’s tourism, he added.

Archaeology Department’s Bogra region Assistant Custodian Zayed Ali said the size of bricks and structure of the monasteries uncovered so far indicate that they are either from the Pal dynasty or before that period.

Asked if the government will take initiatives to excavate the discovered mounds, he said: “There has been no such decisions.”

Noted Historian Dr Pinaki Bhattacharya rushed to Naogaon to take a look at the newly-discovered monasteries. He sought the Archaeology Department’s assistance, saying the excavation was costly and would be difficult to continue with personal funding.

“Once revealed, the monasteries will enrich the country’s history,” he said. “There are many such monasteries scattered across Bangladesh. We need to conduct extensive research.” l

REUTERS

Ancient monasteries discovered in Naogaon

Superstar Prince dies at 57 n Reuters US music superstar Prince, whose hits included “Purple Rain” and “Kiss,” was found unresponsive yesterday at his Minnesota home and was later declared dead, his publicist said. He was 57.

“It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson has died,” said publicist Anna Meacham.

There were no immediate details on the cause of death, and the local medical examiner declined to comment.

Prince first found fame in the late 1970s, and over the next three decades became known as one of the most inventive and eccentric forces in American pop music.

Prince sold more than 100 million records during his career, won seven Grammy awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. He won an Oscar for best original song score for “Purple Rain,” the 1984 movie whose music was based on his album of the same name. Prince also starred in the movie.

Last week, the singer was briefly hospitalised with the flu. l

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