10 June, 2016

SECOND EDITION

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016 | Jyoishtha 27, 1423, Ramadan 4, 1437 | Regd No DA 6238, Vol 4, No 48 | www.dhakatribune.com | 32 pages plus 24-page Weekend supplement | Price: Tk10

The forsaken communities of Thanchi CHT

If you hire an engine-boat and start a journey upstream in the Sangu River from Thanchi, you will come across only two or three schools in the local bazars.

But Andharmanik – which is two days’ boat journey from Thanchi – is the last frontier; beyond here, there is no government or NGO-run education or medical facilities.

Illiteracy and the lack of health awareness are invisible chains tethering the future of these communities. In the absence of opportunities, jhum cultivation becomes their only choice of living.

The Dhaka Tribune recently visited remote areas in Thanchi’s Remakree union to find that almost no children went to school and no one had access to medical services.

FOOD CRISIS

Alam Durjoy, back from n Nure Thanchi, Bandarban For generations, the highlanders in Bandarban’s Thanchi have known only one thing: how to fight hunger to stay alive.

The indigenous people in some of the most remote areas of Bangladesh live in a state of limbo; no one is willing to take responsibility for their well-being.

Toiling everyday in the jhum fields in the remote hills, most of them have resigned to the fact that neither they nor their children would get any basic education or healthcare services during their lifetime.

In a place where the nearest school or medical facility is almost a day’s journey away, there is hardly any option to avail such basic human rights.

Jhum cultivation for kids

A local in Bandarban’s Thanchi tells the Dhaka Tribune how villages in the remote hills are being denied basic human rights such as education and healthcare for ages NURE ALAM DURJOY

The kids in the remote indigenous communities either spent their time working in the jhum fields with their parents or by playing on the yards and the river.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

Rampal power plant yet to get environmental clearance

Law against derogatory remarks on ’71 war likely

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

The proposed coal-fired power plant in Rampal to be set up in close proximity to the Sundarbans is yet to get clearance from the Department of Environment.

Environment and Forest Minister Anwar Hossain Monju made the statement while addressing parliament yesterday afternoon.

He told parliament that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report on the plant was approved after adding a good number of preconditions.

Replying to a query, the minister said: “If mitigation measures are implemented properly as per proposals of the EIA report, the project will not cause any damage to the Sundarbans.”

Reiterating that the Sundarbans will not be affected if Rampal power plant is constructed Monju, said it will rather generate employment for local people.

“People’s purchasing capacity will increase and their dependency on the Sundarbans decrease.”

The minister said the coal-based power plant will be established

with super critical technology and 59 conditions were imposed in the EIA report to avoid any negative impact on the Sundarbans during the construction and operation of the plant.

Monju told parliament that online monitoring system will be in place to curb pollution.

He also said a well coordinated round-the-clock monitoring team comprising the Department of Environment, Power Development Board and other officials concerned will monitor the system.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

The government is mulling over a plan to enact a law against derogatory or misleading comments on the history of Bangladesh's Liberation War. Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq came up with the disclosure replying to a query in parliament yesterday.

The minister said after the killing of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman all governments except the Awami League distorted the

history of the 1971 Liberation War. The government has been implementing various projects to present the real history as well as the sacrifices of war heroes to the young generation.

The Law Commission has already drafted the Liberation War Denial Crimes Act 2016 with a provision for five years' imprisonment as the highest punishment for denial of historically established facts and settled issues of the Liberation War. Any act of undermining, misinterpreting, distorting, disrespecting  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

INSIDE ‘Driver saw Mitu murder’ Jane Alam, driver of the black microbus which was allegedly used by standby assailants during the SP wife murder, had witnessed the killing, a senior police officer has claimed.  PAGE 3

GRAB YOUR EURO 2016 FIXTURE DhakaTribune has brought out a fixture

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Ruling party men grab government land

Takeways from Modi’s speech to US Congress

A section of ruling party men grabbed the land of the Roads and Highways Department in Madhabpur Bazar area of the district.  PAGE 6

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered an ode to US-India relations to a joint session of Congress Wednesday.  PAGE 8

SEHRI & IFTAR

Ramadan 04 05 06

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Nasreen Zamir honorary consul of Luxembourg to BD n Tribune Desk Nasreen Z a m i r , founder and managing director of Nasreen Zamir And Associates, has been appointed the honorary consul of Luxembourg to Bangladesh by the government of the Grand Duché of Luxembourg.

She is a well-known interior designer, businesswoman and entrepreneur in the country who has been promoting “Made in Bangladesh” as a concept and reality in support of talented people in the field of interior design, online stores for home furnishing and accessories

manufactured in Bangladesh.

Her company promotes the “Heritage Art of Bengal” by providing a portion of her business profits in support of local artisans and homegrown craftsmen. She is also an avid social worker.

Nasreen’s husband Muhammad Zamir was a former ambassador and chief information commissioner.

Her father Muhammad Delwar Hossain was awarded the prestigious Ekushey Padak for his social work.

The new role of being the honorary consul of Luxembourg in Bangladesh is exciting, Nasreen said at her swear-in ceremony.

“I look forward to a bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and Luxembourg including trade and commerce, higher education and other possible areas of common interest.” l

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina say prayer with children during an iftar arranged in Ganabhaban yesterday for orphans, physically challenged children and Alem-Olamas BSS

BNP urged to cut ties with Jamaat n

Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

At least 20 members of European Parliaments representing different political parties have expressed concern over the human rights violation and brutal killings in Bangladesh.

In a debate on Situation on Bangladesh that took place in the

European Parliament Tuesday late night, they also condemned the ongoing attacks on teachers, bloggers, publishers, writers, members of minority communities and expressed concern at their killings.

Lawmaker Charles Tannock said that Bangladesh is a secular South Asian democracy and is champion-

ing in religious tolerance, freedom of expression, women’s rights, education and values.

Tannock in his speech at the debate urged the opposition party, BNP to end links with the Jamaat-e-Islami.

This is the second time the European parliament voiced concern

Rampal plant over the BNP-Jamaat link. After the 2014 national election, the European Parliament through a resolution urged BNP to cut ties with Jamaat.

Another lawmaker Jean Lambert suggested that a strong civil society is absolutely essential as well as effective policing and judicial system to combat violent extremism. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Law against and running propaganda campaigns against these historical facts would be deemed as offences under the proposed law.

Besides, making arguments or launching campaigns in support of criminal activities committed during the war or questioning the war crimes trial would be regarded as offences.

Currently, 22 countries have specific laws on such issues and also on genocides and crimes against humanity. Offenders have been brought to justice in those countries.

On March 22, Law Commission Chairman Justice ABM Khairul Haque said the commission had completed the draft of a law to prevent the distortion of the history of the Liberation War. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia claimed that there are controversies over the number of martyrs during the country’s Liberation War. The Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee and other pro-liberation organisations have been demanding for a long time enactment of the Liberation War denial act so that no one can question the settled issues of the country’s Liberation War. l

The forsaken communities of Thanchi In the remote community of Young Naung Para, locals said in the history of the village there had been only one boy who managed to study up to HSC exams, but had to leave his own house to finish his education at a college in Bandarban’s Ali Kadam upazila.

The village head, Young Naung Karbari, told the Dhaka Tribune that around 15 children of the village have studied up to class two; but to do attend classes, they had to walk to the next village of Katangia Para where an NGO named Karitas Light House had a small school.

In Loyakree Para, there is a school for 28 households. But only two children study there in class two. The school was informally set up in 2014 by the Turtle Research Centre, but villagers said the students had no books or paper.

However, not all remote communities have the chance to send their kids to school.

Mo Bayu, head of Malungia Para, said there was no school or healthcare facility for his village or the villages nearby. So, all children joined their parents in the jhum fields.

Kayingpre Mro of May Thowaing Para, and Kya Swe Pru Karbari of Mro Gong Para said their villages

shared similar fates.

Ranglang Murong said education can change the face of the area and shape a better future for the children, who now had no other choice but to work in the fields.

“No one from the union parishad comes to help us because we live in such a remote place. There is no one here who gets their basic rights,” said Silo Tripura of Surjyamoni Para.

Jungle medicine and family planning

In the hard-to-reach areas of the upazila, there are many people who have never even seen a doctor in their lifetimes.

Forty-two-year-old Kya Swe Pru Karbari of Mro Gong Para told the Dhaka Tribune that it was only three years ago when he first visited a doctor for a blood test.

Water-borne diseases are endemic in the region, while many children suffer from skin diseases.

Even in cases of severe sickness, they have to rely on herbs and jungle medicine for cure.

Apart from the obvious dilemmas of not having a doctor or medical facility nearby, the remote regions of Bandarban face another crisis – the lack of family planning

awareness.

“We have 11 households in our village, with each family having around six or more children,” Kya Swe said.

“A child died during birth last month in the village. The mother was lucky to survive. She has six children; of them, three have died from diseases,” he added.

Ren Chang Mro, a 27-year-old father of five from Loyakree Para, said the size of families was only getting bigger as people in the remote areas have no idea about birth control.

“As a result, many problems arise. For example, we have many mouths to feed, meaning more crops have to be cultivated in a bigger land,” he said.

Eighty-five-year-old Rui Moun has spent half of her life providing midwifery services to Young Noung Para.

Rui, who never had any formal training in midwifery, admits it has been a tough journey as she had seen many deaths during childbirth.

Through her struggles of a life in the remote hills, the octogenarian knows one thing – there is no end in sight for the sufferings for the indigenous communities. l

The government move to build the power plant has already caused an angry outcry from environmentalists across the country.

The National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports and some other environmental organisations have expressed their concerns over the proposed coal power plant in Rampal terming it a project against national interests.

They said the coal power plant would make the ecosystem of the mangroves forest more vulnerable whereas many people would lose their livelihood.

The government, however, claims that the projects would not harm the Sundarbans, a Unesco World Heritage Site, as they would use advanced technology to cut emission of hazardous gases including carbon dioxide, fine particles and fly ash, and properly dispose the solid and liquid wastes.

Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Ltd (BIFPCL), a joint venture of Bangladesh’s PDB and the NTPC of India, is developing the Maitree Super Thermal Power Project at Rampal which will use imported coal.

The plant would adopt super critical technology. India’s staterun Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd or BHEL has won the deal to build the plant.

On the other hand, local firm Orion Group is building a 566MW power plant in Rampal area.

According to the EIA, the project area is about 14km north-eastward of the Nalian Range of the Sundarbans and 4km away from the Ecologically Critical Area boundary.

The project area has 95% arable land within a 10km radius and it will also affect fishing, cattle and birds and animals of the forest. l

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‘Microbus driver witnessed Mitu murder’ Mizanur Rahaman, n FM Chittagong

Jane Alam, driver of the black microbus which was allegedly used by standby assailants during police officer Babul Akter’s wife murder, witnessed the killing that took place in Chittagong city’s GEC area on Sunday morning, a senior police officer has claimed.

Alam, 50, was arrested from outside the city on Wednesday night, hours after the police seized the microbus (Chatta Metro Cha116119). He hails from Jungle Salimpur area of Sitakunda.

The microbus was seen in CCTV footage leaving the crime scene following the three assailants on a

motorcycle. The bike was found in an abandoned condition from the city on Sunday night.

At the CMP Headquarters, Additional Commissioner Debdas Bhattachariya told reporters that Alam was the owner and driver of the microbus.

“We are confirmed that it is the same black microbus which was seen in CCTV footage collected from near the murder spot,” he said, adding that the law enforcers were trying to know about the persons staying inside the vehicle during the killing operation.

“After primary interrogation, Jane Alam confessed that he was in the spot during the killing mission … he witnessed the whole incident of murder. We are interrogating

the person to glean more information from him. If his involvement is found, he will be arrested in the case,” the officer said.

About Mitu’s coming out of the house 30 minutes earlier on that day, Debdas said that Mitu used to come out of her house at 7am or 7:05am along with her son to catch the school bus. Other residents of the building too came out at the same time. The bus usually wait at GEC intersection around 7:15am to pick students.

“We need to know why Mitu started for the bus stop half an hour ago on that day. The school authorities did not send any SMS on Mitu’s phone regarding early school on Sunday.”

However, Mitu’s mobile phone

has remained missing since the murder, he added.

Police’s Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Police Bureau of Investigation are jointly investigating the case.

Meanwhile, a court in Chittagong yesterday sent a former activist of Islami Chhatra Shibir to jail, a day after he was arrested in connection with the gruesome murder.

The court of Metropolitan Magistrate Abdul Kader sent Gunnu to jail after the investigation officer of the murder case produced him before the court with a 10-day remand prayer, CMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (prosecution) Nirmalendu Bikash Chakrabarty

told the Dhaka Tribune.

The court directly questioned the IO, Detective Branch Inspector Kazi Rakibuddin, regarding the case.

Later the court fixed Sunday for the hearing asking the IO to present all relevant documents of the case.

Gunnu, who was arrested on Wednesday from Hathazari, is an attendant of a local shrine. Police said that he is a charge-sheeted accused in an abduction and murder case filed with Satkania police.

“He had been arrested in Mitu murder case based on concrete information,” Debdas told reporters.

Gunnu’s family and locals refuted his connection with Shibir, and claimed that he had not left the shrine in the last seven days. l

Police starting drive against militants n Arifur Rahman Rabbi The police forces are beginning a week-long drive from today to apprehend terrorists and militants, Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Haque has said.

The decision was made at a meeting in the Police Headquarters yesterday. The IGP said the drive was a part of efforts to strengthen anti-terror and anti-militancy campaigns and to collect information on militants using community policing.

Terming the murder of SP Babul Akhter’s wife ruthlessly brutal and tragic, Shahidul ordered law enforcers to arrest perpetrators behind the killing as soon as possible.

As part of other decisions reached at yesterday’s meeting, the IGP also issued directives on updating the list of the country’s militants, increasing surveillance on different religious organisations, making community policing more effective, increasing surveillance on pilgrims and tenants, and providing security to foreigners.

He also instructed young police recruits to rise above self interests and engage fully in crime fighting.l

Teachers and students of Dhaka University’s criminology department bring out a condolence procession yesterday inside the campus demanding the arrest of SP Babul Akhter’s wife Mitu’s murderers RAJIB DHAR

Family claims Gunnu implicated falsely n Anwar Hussain, Chittagong

Family members and locals yesterday claimed that Abu Nosor Gunnu, arrested on Wednesday for his alleged involvement in the murder of police officer Babul Akter’s wife Mahbuba Khanam Mitu, was implicated deliberately.

From a press conference at Chittagong Press Club, they also refuted the police’s statement hat Gunnu had been involved with Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of

Jamaat-e-Islami.

Gunnu, 40, son of late Mofazzel Hossen, is a member of Hathazari Nazirhat Collegiate School managing committee and general secretary of Darbar-e-Musabia managing committee.

Darbar-e-Musabia is a shrine founded by late Ahmudul Haque Siddique in Farhadabad area of Hathazari in Chittagong. Ahmudul’s two daughters – Shamshunnur Monira Siddiqa and Hamidunnesa Siddiqa – have been struggling for

a long time to take control over the management of the shrine. Nosor used to work for Monira.

Reading out a written statement at the press conference, Monira’s daughter Khairun Nur Siddiqa termed Gunnu’s arrest a conspiracy. She alleged that a section of dishonest police had arrested an innocent man like Gunnu for making some quick bucks.

“The image of the police force is being tarnished for a section of dishonest police. We urge the prime

minister and the home minister to release Gunnu without any delay,” she said.

Refuting Gunnu’s involvement in Mitu murder, Khairun claimed that Gunnu had not left the shrine in the last seven days, and urged the law enforcers to analyse his mobile phone.

About his affiliation with Jamaat-Shibir, Khairun said: “Gunnu was never involved with any anti-liberation politics. His elder brother was a freedom fighter.”

Following his arrest from Hat-

hazari on Wednesday, police claimed that Gunnu, a former Shibir activist, had been facing an abduction and murder case filed with Sitakunda police.

They also said that Gunnu was arrested as his mobile phone had been tracked near the crime scene where Mitu had been stabbed and shot to death on Sunday.

Police produced Gunnu before a court seeking remand. But the court sent him to jail and set Sunday for the remand hearing. l

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Police: Aslam has named masterminds Hasan and n Kamrul Md Sanaul Islam Tipu Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) investigators yesterday claimed that the arrested BNP Joint Secretary General Aslam Chowdhury has disclosed the names of people who sent him to attend a meeting with Israeli politician Mendi N Safadi.

DMP Additional Commissioner Monirul Islam in a media briefing at DMP media centre yesterday said Aslam had given the Detective Branch detailed information on the

meeting between him and Safadi.

We learned from him who he met, who were involved with them, who ordered him to go there, who encouraged him and what was their next course of action,” the officer said.

“These people will be arrested if the information is proved to be true,” he added.

“He gave us sufficient evidence for the charges brought against him.”

Aslam Chowdhury was arrested on May 15 on charges of sedition

and put on a seven day interrogation with the DB. Later a Dhaka court on Wednesday approved another five days of questioning.

On May 26 Inspector General AKM Shahidul Haque claimed Aslam had confessed to meeting alleged Mossad agent and Likud Party leader Mendi N Safadi several times to conspire to topple the government. Safadi also heads the organisation International Diplomacy and Public Relations, known to have ties with Mossad.

Monirul, who is also the Coun-

ter-Terrorism and Transnational Crimes Unit chief, claimed that the recent killings were conducted to embarrass the government.

“What could be the reason behind killing a village tailor, a van-puller? The purpose is to embarrass the government. They are trying to show that the government cannot protect minorities,” he said.

Aslam had tried to establish in his meeting that minority were being subjected to torture in Bangladesh, Monirul said.

“Here is the link between the

two. Safadi is an Israeli citizen. And SITE Intelligence is owned by an Israeli,” he added.

The US-based terrorism monitoring group SITE Intelligence has regularly released statements from Islamic State and al-Qaeda following targeted killings in Bangladesh.

It is owned by Rita Kartz, an Israeli.

Police applies to exempt Aslam from section 54 On Tuesday, Detective Branch applied to a Dhaka Court to exempt Aslam from a case filed under penal code section 54. l

Two suspected muggers killed in Dhaka ‘gunfights’ n Kamrul Hasan Two suspected muggers were killed in separate alleged gunfights with Rapid Action Battalion early yesterday in Dhaka’s Turag and Rampura areas.

The dead were Nazrul Islam, 37, son of late Abdul Aziz from Panchagarh, and Kamal Paevez, 42, son of Kenai Kazi from Gournadi, Barisal. RAB Legal and Media Wing Assistant Director Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan confirmed the Dhaka Tribune of the deaths.

RAB 1 Deputy Director Lt Commander Kazi Mohammad Shoaib said that around 2am yesterday, three hijackers on a motorcycle opened fire at RAB officials when the elite force challenged them at a check post near Prottasha bridge in Turag area.

In retaliation, RAB officials fired back, leaving left one of the three, Nazrul Islam, injured. The other two hijackers managed to flee.

The RAB official said Nazrul was member of a Dhaka based dope gang and was also involved in women trafficking and robbery.

Sub-Inspector Khagendra Chandra Sarker of Turag police station said he recovered Nazrul’s body from Tongi 50 bed hospital and took it to Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 3pm yesterday.

Turag police OC Mahbub-e Khuda told the Dhaka Tribune that Nazrul had a case filed against him with Tongi police station.

In Rampura, Kamal Parvez was killed during an alleged gunfight between RAB 3 officials and a group of muggers in Rampura East Balurmath area around 12:30am yesterday.

According to RAB press release, Kamal was a member

of a group of muggers that hijacked a woman named Sheuli Parvez on Wednesday 4pm. When locals intercepted the four muggers on two motorcycles, they started to shoot at the locals and a youth named Rimon received bullet wounds.

However, Kamal fell off the motorcycle during the chase and the locals detained him, RAB said quoting Sheuli.

Later when RAB questioned Kamal, he revealed the names of his associates – Habib, Babu and Sultan. Following the information, a team of RAB 3 along with Kamal went to their hideout where the hijackers sensed the RAB’s presence and started shooting.

Kamal was shot during the gunfight and was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where duty doctors declared him dead, the RAB statement said.

SI Delowar Hossain said they recovered the body from the area and sent it to DMC morgue. However, it could not be ascertained if Kamal had any case against him with any police stations.

However, when Kamal’s family members went to DMCH to receive his body, Kamal’s wife Shwapna Begum claimed that her husband was a RMG scraps trader. She said on Wednesday evening, Sultan had called her and said Kamal was picked up by law enforcers. She then informed local police and RAB but they denied of any such arrest.

Yesterday morning, someone called her from Kamal’s phone and told her that her husband’s had received bullet wounds and was in DMCH. Shwapna Begum said she came to the hospital after the call and found that her husband was already dead. l

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BD lauded for nuclear power programmes n Aminur Rahman Rasel Bangladesh has made noticeable progress in implementing the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission, a team of experts concluded earlier this month.

Experts have found that a majority of the recommendations and suggestions have been acted on, but considerable work remains as Bangladesh moves forward in developing its infrastructure for a nuclear power programme, said a statement from IAEA on June 1.

Bangladesh and Russia signed a general contract on December 25 last year for the construction and commissioning of Rooppur Nucle-

lected the Rooppur site in the Pabna district, 160km north of Dhaka, for the construction of the first nuclear power plant. It undertook the site characterisation and environmental impact assessment and adopted a law for the establishment of the operating organisation, the Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited, and strengthened coordination among relevant government entities.

But formalised procedures between the future operator and the regulatory body are yet to be laid down, the mission said.

Last year, Bangladesh signed a general contract with Atomstroyexport from the Russian Federation for the construction of two VVER 1200 nuclear power reactors

ar Power Plant in Pabna at a cost of $12.65 billion.

Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, under the Science and Technology Ministry, will implement the Rooppur project.

The 2011 INIR mission had provided recommendations and suggestions to develop an action plan for the establishment of the country’s nuclear infrastructure.

The expert team, made up of IAEA and international experts, conducted a follow-up INIR mission from May 10-14 to assess the progress and assist in prioritising further infrastructure development activities.

The expert team has identified the following main achievements: Bangladesh has established its nuclear safety regulatory body. It se-

at the Rooppur site.

Milko Kovachev, Head of the IAEA’s Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section, who led the follow-up INIR mission, said: “Bangladesh has chosen a turn-key contractual option, financed by a sovereign loan from Russia.”

Although Bangladesh has initiated responses to all recommendations and suggestions from the 2011 mission, the implementation of some of these needs further attention, the team concluded.

These included further strengthening the national project plan to reflect the actual status of the programme and its future challenges, finalising a national and institutional human resource plan and a national communication strategy

for stakeholder involvement and public information.

Policies for the management of low and medium level radioactive waste should be formally approved, the team said.

Bangladesh government requested an INIR mission in 2009 after deciding to include nuclear power in its national energy mix, as part of efforts to address a rapidly increasing demand for energy, improve economic development and reduce dependence on natural gas.

The government subsequently.

These missions enable IAEA member state representatives to have in-depth discussions with international experts about experiences and best practices in infrastructure development. l

Ashraf: Killings aimed to create panic n BSS

Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam today said the recent killings have been carried out to create a sense of panic in public mind.

“The aim of the killers will not be fulfilled as Bangalee is a brave nation. They will not feel fear in some killing incidents,” he told the concluding ceremony of a foundation training course at Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre (BPATC) at Savar.

Ashraf said, “Our law enforcement agencies have remained alert to stop such killings. They (law enforcers) are intensifying their efforts to arrest those who are responsible for the heinous incidents.”

He said the government is sincerely working to complete unfinished works for translating the Vision-2021 into reality. l

Members of Khashia Chhatra Sangathan Bangladesh form a human chain yesterday in Shahbagh, Dhaka protesting the eviction of Khashia people from Sylhet’s Nihar Punji SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Detectives arrest nine members of question leak gang n Arifur Rahman Rabbi

The Detective Branch of police has arrested nine people, allegedly involved with the leakage of Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) question papers.

The suspects were arrested in different areas around Dhaka between Wednesday night and early

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Police also recovered fake questions of 2016 HSC chemistry, accounting, physics and biology exams and 10 mobile phone sets from the suspects’ possession.

Explaining how the gang operates to smuggle the exam questions to students, Monirul said a corrupt employee of Bangladesh Government (BG) Press – where all

yesterday morning, said Monirul Islam, additional commissioner at Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), during a press briefing yesterday.

The suspects are Saiful Islam Jewel, Rubel Bepari, Abdus Sattar, Mezbah Ahmed, Kawsar Hossain, Al Amin, Ekram Hossain, Hridoy Hossain and Jahangir, Monirul told reporters.

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the board exam question papers are printed – memorises the questions during the printing, writes them down and sends them to Jewel. Jewel then passes it on to Sattar, who passes it on to Ridoy and Ridoy sends it to Ahmed Niloy, who is currently in hiding.

Niloy spreads the word about the question papers on social meKhulna

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dia, and sells them to students, who pay him via mobile banking service Bkash.

Meanwhile, Jahangir, Rubel, Kawsar and Mezbah leak the questions via messaging services WhatsApp and Imo. During primary interrogation, Jewel told police that their leader’s name is Alamgir Hossain. l Sylhet

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Fajr: 3:49am | Jumma: 1:15pm Asr: 5:15pm | Magrib: 6:59pm Esha: 8:45pm Source: Islamic Foundation

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Ruling party men grab government land n Md Emroz Khandakar, Pabna A section of ruling party men grabbed the land of the Roads and Highways Department in Madhabpur Bazar area of the district.

According to sources, the ruling party men led by Korban Ali Bisaws, local Awami League leader and the chairman of Ataikulla union council built party office recently after evicting 20 makeshift shops in the area causing much sufferings to the poor people.

The chairman and his men evicted the shops without any show cause notice, locals alleged.

When visited the area, it was found the party men built the office of Awami League and its front organisations on the govt land.

Pictures of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and local MP Shamsul Haque Tuku were hung with the trees in the area.

According to locals, the arrangement was only to occupy the land for the interest of the chairman, his supporter the union AL secretary Arshad Ali Vandari, AL leader Moshiur Ranju, Abdul Kuddus and Azad Hossain.

The shopkeepers said the ruling party cadres stormed into the area suddenly and vandalised the establishments.

Shopkeeper Abdul Quddus said: “We have been doing business in Khasland for 30 years. The ruling party men evicted us illegally.”

“Now, where will we go and how

Ruling party men hang pictures of national leaders from a tree after grabbing land of Roads and Highways Department in Madhabpur Bazar, Pabna DHAKA TRIBUNE will we support our family,” he asked.

Drugstore owner Syful Islam said: “No body came to take toll or tried to grab land in last 30 years.”

“We are at a loss to see activities of

the chairman and his men,” he said.

“We have cast vote for Awami League, but the leaders of the party evicted us. So, where will we go,” he asked. Traders Sulaiman Mian,

Abdul Gafur, Selim Hossain and Sydul echoed Syfful and Kuddus.

When contacted, Arshad Ali said he had taken the position of the land to build up party office.

Korban Ali’s brother-in-law Azad denied the allegation of grabbing the land. Ranju said they had built the office in his own land.

Korban Ali could not be reached as his mobile phone was switched off.

His son Mirajul Islam said his father could not speak as he was ill.

“Some one might have grabbed land in the name of my father. He is not involved with it,” he added.

The department Executive Engineer Mofazzal Haider said he did not know who had grabbed the land. “After investigation, we will take steps,” he added. l

FOUR SCHOOLBOY MURDER CASE

5 accused denied bail Noor Uddin, n Md Habiganj A court yesterday canceled the bail of five people including the prime accused, in a case filed for their alleged involvement in the killing of four schoolboys at Bahubal upazila in the district.

According to sources, seven accused of the case appealed for their bail in the court led by Judge Shankar Haldar in the afternoon.

After hearing, the judge canceled the bail of Arzu, Bashir Mia Abdul Ali, his sons Rubel Mia and Jewel Mia. They were sent to jail.

The court granted the bail of two other accused Basir and Saleh. Public Prosecutor

advocate Abul Hashem Molla said the court fixed June 20 for next hearing.

On February 12 this year, the four children Monir Miah, 7, Zakaria Shuvo, 8, Mohammad Tajel Mia, 10, and Ismail Miah, 10, went missing from Sundrateki village in Bahubal.

Five days later, their bodies were found buried under sand at a place around a kilometre off the village.

Later, a murder case was filed with Bahubal police station.

Eight people were indicated in the case at Sundrateki village in the district.

Seven of the accused were arrested while Bachchu, an accused died in what the law enforcers described as a ‘shootout’. l

Three to die for killing schoolboy after abduction Raihanul Islam n Md Akand, Gazipur A Gazipur court yesterday sentenced three people to death penalty for killing a schoolboy after abduction 20 years back.

Sessions Judge of Gazipur M Fazle Elahi Bhuiyan handed down the verdict on Ataur Rahman, Alam Hossain and Yusuf, residents of Saldai village. The court also fined them Tk10,000 each. Among the convicts, Yusuf was tried in absentia.

According to the prosecution, the convicts abducted Gias Uddin, a resident of Saldai village and also a

student of Class VII, on September 5,1996 and demanded Tk50,000 as ransom.

Following the incident, victim’s father Abdul Baten Bepari filed a case with Kapasia police station.

Being failed to realise ransom money, the trio killed Gias and dumped his body into a water body.

Police recovered the skeleton of the boy from the water body after three months of his death.

Later, police arrested Ataur, Alam, Yusuf, Judge Miah and his wife Someja Khatun and submitted a charge sheet against them. l

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FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

Shyamal Kanti’s family still in panic Hossain, n Tanveer Narayanganj Shyamal Kanti Bhokto, headmaster of Piyar Sattar Latif High School, returned to his residence located in Mokorba area, Narayanganj from hospital yesterday, but his family is still in panic and they do not want to talk to anybody over the issue.

Local sources said as they had talked against an influential quarter of the locality, they were fearing that they might face dire consequences in future, although local administration as well as education minister have already assured them that therewas nothing to worry about their future.

When this correspondent went to Shyamal Kanti’s residence, he was prevented from entering the house. Gate man told him that Shyamal Kanti’s family had asked him not to allow anybody to enter the house.

Later, Sobita Hawladar, wife of Shyamal Kanti, told the Dhaka

Tribune over phone that they arrived at their residence in the afternoon.

She said her husband was still traumatised. He was taking rest.

Sobita who is a nurse by profession said: “We do not want to talk to anybody. He needs rest. We will talk to you [journalist] two days later.”

In reply to a question she said they were still in fear. She also expressed hope that everything would be fine after her husband got back his normal life.

On Wednesday, Shyamal Kanti Bhakta, who was beaten up by locals and made to do sit-ups holding his ears in presence of the local Jatiya Party lawmaker AKM Selim Osman, told the Dhaka Tribune that he would join the school after recovering illness.

The teacher then said the local people were provoked by false allegations and some teachers held a grudge against him for not meeting their unfair demands.

On May 13, the headmaster was humiliated in front of a law maker for allegedly making derogatory comments over Islam.

On May 17, the management committee of the school suspended him for hurting religious sentiment.

The incident triggered widespread protest across the country and condemnation demanding dismissal and arrest of local lawmaker Salim Osman.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid reinstated the humiliated headmaster and dismissed the governing body of the school.

On May 20, he was shifted to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital for better treatment. Since then, he was undergoing treatment at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital till yesterday.

Earlier, in an Education Ministry probe committee it was found that the school committee forced him to resign with unproven allegation that he had hurt the religious sentiment. l

Police get more time to investigate Shyamal Kanti incident n Ashif Islam Shaon The High Court yesterday asked the Narayanganj district police to submit detailed reports on the incident of public humiliation of schoolteacher Shyamal Kanti Bhakta by August 4.

The High Court bench of Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir came up with the order after the superintendent of police and officer-incharge of Bandar police station in Narayanganj sought more time.

On May 29, the court in a suo moto rule ordered Narayanganj’s

deputy commissioner and the two police officials to submit separate detailed reports specifying the steps taken against those involved in humiliating Shyamal, head master of Piyar Sattar Latif High School, by June 9.

The court had also expressed dissatisfaction as the DC, SP and OC failed to prepare the reports in line with the rule of court’s directive.

On May 18, the High Court asked why necessary legal actions against local lawmaker Salim Osman and others will not be initiated. l

Bangladeshi youth allegedly killed by BSF n Abdullah Al Dulal, Rajshahi

A Bangladeshi youth died early yesterday after being allegedly shot by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) in Paba upazila of Rajshahi.

The dead was identified as Rony Khalashi, 28, son of Abul Khalashi of the upazila’s Char Majhardiar village.

According to locals, Rony was shot by BSF when he crossed the border to India around 2am to

Rony was shot by BSF when he crossed border to India to bring phensedyl bring phensedyl. Later he escaped and came back to his village home where he died around 4am.

However, Commanding Officer of BGB 1 Battalion Shahjahan Siraj said they were investigating the incident as there might be a possibility that a certain group is trying to put the blame on BSF. He said after Rony was wounded, he walked about 3kms to his home, which is unusual for a person who sustained bullet wounds.

A letter has been sent to the BSF for a flag meeting in this regard, Shahjahan Siraj said.

Rajshahi Rajpara police station OC Mahbubur Rahman said they recovered Rony’s body from his home after they were informed and then sent it to Rajshahi Medical College for autopsy. l

The Shramik Oikya Parishad brings out a procession in the capital yesterday demanding payment of garment workers’ arrears before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Warrant issued for 2 doctors for negligence of duty n Anwar Hussain, Chittagong A Chittagong court yesterday issued arrest warrant for three persons, including two physicians, in connection with a case filed over death of a woman during delivery.

Metropolitan Magistrate Harunur Rashid issued the warrant of arrest for the three persons identified as Gynecologist Dr Kajal Rekha

Roy and Registrar of cardiology department of Chittagong Medical College Hospital Dr Debashish Talukder and Managing Director of Patient Care Hospital Abdul Jabbar.

Sayma, 23, wife of Morshedul Alam, an assistant district judge of Noakhali, was under the medical supervision of Gynecologist Dr Kajal Rekha Roy. The expected date of the delivery was June 20. How-

ever, the gynecologist asked to admit Sayma to Patient Care Hospital when she felt labour pain on June 2.

Sayma Shikder gave birth to a baby boy around 2am, but she did not regain her consciousness following the caesarian operation.

Later, she was shifted to Metropolitan Hospital of the city around 7am where the doctors pronounced her dead.

Dr Kajal Rekha Roy performed the operation on her while Dr Debashish anesthetized the patient.

Later, mother of Sayma filed a case against the three persons.

Sayma Shikder, daughter of Emdad Ullah and a fourth year student of Sociology at Chittagong Government Women College, was married off to Morshedul Alam on March 17, 2015. l

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FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

SOUTH ASIA

Nepal police arrest 162 over nationwide strike Police arrested 162 members of a Maoist splinter group across Nepal Thursday for vandalising vehicles and injuring two in a petrol bomb attack while trying to enforce a nationwide strike. The protesters called on factories, schools and public transport to shut down as they demanded the release of fellow cadres from the hardline faction, the Communist Party of Nepal Maoist.

-AFP

INDIA

17 people an hour die in road accidents in India India’s transport ministry admitted Thursday it has so far failed to improve road safety but said it was pushing for stricter laws, as new figures revealed 17 people die in traffic accidents every hour. The report found 146,133 people died in 501,423 road accidents in 2015, an increase of almost 5% from 2014, while half a million more were injured. -REUTERS

CHINA

China uses SWAT teams to crack down on college exam cheats

From sending SWAT teams into exam centres to arresting rule-breakers, China’s public security authorities have been cracking down hard on college entrance examination cheaters who could face jail if caught. This week’s university entrance exam determines which university students will attend and what major they’re able to select - and as a result, much of their future.

-REUTERS

ASIA PACIFIC

PNG court bars university protests A Papua New Guinea (PNG) court has granted an injunction barring university students from protesting on campus after dozens of people were wounded during clashes between student protesters and police in the capital, Port Moresby.

A groundswell of political unrest in recent weeks has surged in the country amid calls for Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to resign over corruption allegations.

-REUTERS

MIDDLE EAST

Baghdad bombings kill 25 Two suicide bombings that killed about 25 people in Baghdad on Thursday were claimed by IS, whose stronghold of Falluja near the capital is surrounded by Iraqi forces which are now advancing on the city. The ultra-hardline Sunni insurgents said one attack was carried out with a car laden with explosives and the second with an explosive vest. -REUTERS

INSIGHT

Five takeways from Modi’s speech to United States Congress n Tribune International Desk Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered an ode to US-India relations to a joint session of Congress Wednesday, capping something of a phoenix-like rise for both the man and his country’s relations with the US. Modi is the fifth Indian prime minister to address a joint session of US lawmakers (sixth if you include Nehru, who addressed the House and Senate separately in 1949), and from the packed audience it seemed as if they had momentarily put aside the intensely riveting politics around the two presumptive nominees of both major parties-- Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, to come and hear Modi in the Capitol Hill.

By now, the man from Gujarat is clearly a pastmaster at the teleprompter. It is also totally irrelevant that he speaks in a Gujarat/ Hindi accent. In fact, in this “land of the free and the home of the brave,” another American aphorism with which Modi brought the House down, the nondescript origins of Narendradas Damodardas Modi and his consequent rise and rise are treated with unusual interest. Especially when the opposition in India shows few signs of attempting to pick itself up and give Modi a good fight.

Here are the five takeaways from Modi’s speech--

1. The American treatment of prime minister Narendra Modi as a pariah because of his alleged role in the Gujarat riots of 2002 in which about a 1000 Muslims were killed, is a thing of the past.

The Americans have decided that debates about tolerance and democracy and free speech and the right to eat any kind of meat must belong to the stratosphere inside India. The US is not going to lecture India anymore, and they are certainly not going to lecture Modi. The Americans are pragmatists and they need India for a variety of reasons. This includes the hope that India will join the so-called “containment” of an increasingly powerful China by an increasingly nervous US. They also want India to join the US effort to put Afghanistan back on its feet. Moreover, frustrated by the Pakistani establishment’s decision to undercut America’s initiatives against the Taliban, the US is coming round to agree-

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Wednesday REUTERS ing with India’s description of Pakistan being the “epicentre of terrorism” around the world.

2. Prime Minister Modi is equally pragmatic. When the US reissued his visa to visit the US in 2014 as prime minister -- abandoning its own 2005 policy which cancelled his visa because of Modi’s alleged role in the Gujarat 2002 riots -- there were many Indians who suggested that the PM “not go” to the US because of the insults and humiliation the US had meted out to him. But Modi chose to ignore that advice and went ahead. He has since met Barack Obama seven times.

He calls him by his first name, Barack, like the other leaders of nations considered allies as well as non-Nato allies. Two years later, that pragmatic policy has paid off. In the midst of a global slowdown, US business may be finally turning to look at India.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos announced his decision to invest $3bn more into India soon after he met Modi along with 22 other CEOs, as well as separately.

3. Modi has made India a closer partner of America -- although even he stopped short of using the problematic word, “ally” -than any other prime minister since independence. “We will walk shoulder to shoulder together,” Modi told US President Barack Obama when he met him on June 8, and his speech at the Congress was littered with words like “connectivity,” “cooperation,” “shared practices,” and of course, “partnership.” So even

MODI’S SPEECH IN NUMBERS Length of speech

48 minutes

Number of standing ovations

9

Rounds of applause

64

Mention of the word “partnership/partner”

15

Mention of the word “freedom”

11

Mention of the word “terrorism/terrorist/terror”

10

Mention of the word “democracy”

7

Mention of the word “Yoga”

3

Mention of the word “equality”

2

Mention of the word “religion”

1

Mention of the word “Pakistan”

0

Mention of the word “cow”

0

though India is still not a US ally, unlike Nato allies such as the UK and Turkey, or non-Nato allies such as Australia and Japan, it looks like it is becoming America’s preferred partner in Asia.

4. The PM’s trip to the US was certainly about saying farewell to Barack Obama, but equally to tell the bipartisan US Congress that he is willing to deal with whoever becomes the next president of the US. No wonder he was aiming to please the Congress, especially sections who wonder about his democratic credentials. Modi’s invocation that the “Constitution is his only holy book,” is aimed at reassuring this section of the US political class.

5. Modi, simply, cannot refrain from taking a dig at his political opponents inside India, even when he is abroad. In his speech at the US Congress, he joked that he is the target of partisan politics, especially in the Upper House of Parliament, the Rajya Sabha, just like the “bipartisan spirit” that prevailed in the US Congress.

Modi wants the US to lean to China again, to get India a consensus at the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group. The Americans seem to be willing to do so – again. But Modi must understand that foreign policy is above politics. That’s how it used to be in the good, old days.

As prime minister, he has the responsibility of returning India to that position. l

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INSIGHT

USA

Clinton ally Elizabeth Warren weighs potential VP role, sees hurdles New York/ n Reuters, Washington, DC US Senator Elizabeth Warren has considered the idea of serving as Hillary Clinton’s running mate but sees obstacles to that choice as she prepares to endorse the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, several people familiar with Warren’s thinking told Reuters.

While her thinking could evolve, Warren has concerns about joining a Clinton ticket, including the question of whether running two women would give the Democrats the best shot at defeating Republican Donald Trump, one source said.

Advisers to Warren, a fiery critic of Wall Street and a popular figure among progressive Democrats, have been in close contact with Clinton’s campaign team and the conversations have increased in frequency in recent weeks, the sources said. Warren has signalled to people close to her that she is intrigued by the possibility of be-

income inequality, the sources said.

In the past, Warren has accused Clinton of abandoning her support for stronger bankruptcy legislation to try to appease Wall Street.

‘Get ready Donald’ Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren REUTERS

ing Clinton’s number 2 but has not discussed the role with Clinton, 68, or anyone else from her campaign, the people said.

Warren, 66, has been one of the Democrats’ most outspoken critics of Trump, 69, and her priority is helping to defeat the presumptive Republican nominee in the November 8 presidential election, the sources said.

Warren is also committed to advancing her own political agenda, which they described as “more progressive” than Clinton’s more centrist positions. Warren fears that as vice president, or in a cabinet position, her voice could be less heard than it is in the US Senate on her priority issues such as addressing

An endorsement of Clinton could come within a week or two, one of the sources said. Clinton has been appealing for Democratic Party unity. On Twitter over the weekend, Warren echoed that call and emphasised the importance of the party coming together to beat Trump.

“Get ready, Donald,” Warren tweeted. “We’re coming.”

Warren, who represents Massachusetts in the US Senate, has stayed neutral in the Democratic primary race, notably remaining the only woman senator not throwing her support behind the first woman presidential nominee of a major US political party.

Were she to join the Clinton ticket, she could help energise progressives and win over supporters of Clinton’s rival Bernie Sanders, a democratic socialist US senator from Vermont. Sanders’ calls for reining in Wall Street and

breaking up big banks dovetail with Warren’s views.

An ongoing feud with Trump gained steam on social media with a series of posts in which she labelled the celebrity businessman racist, sexist and xenophobic and said she was going to fight to make sure his “toxic stew of hatred and insecurity never reaches the White House.”

Warren joined Clinton late last month in criticising Trump for rooting for the 2008 financial crisis and delivered a 10-minute invective on the subject at an annual Washington gala two weeks ago.

“What kind of a man roots for people to get thrown out of their house? I’ll tell you exactly what kind of man does that,” Warren said. “It is a man who cares about no one but himself - a small insecure money-grubber who doesn’t care who gets hurt so long as he makes a profit off it.”

Trump has ridiculed Warren by calling her Pocahontas in a mocking reference to her having said in the past that she had Native American ancestry. Pocahontas was a famous Native American in early colonial Virginia. l

EU, Germany hit back at Erdogan in genocide row n AFP, Berlin German politicians hit back Thursday at Turkey’s president for accusing lawmakers of Turkish origin of having “tainted blood” in a row over whether the Ottoman Empire committed genocide in World War I. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reacted furiously after the 11 German MPs with Turkish roots last week backed a parliamentary resolution that recognised the mass killings of Armenians as a genocide.

The sensitive issue has infuriated Erdogan at a time when relations are already strained by disputes about media freedom, while the EU is banking on Turkey to stop the cross-border flow of migrants.

A group of Turkish lawyers has also filed a complaint with prosecutors asking for the 11 German lawmakers to be charged with “insulting Turkishness and the Turkish state,” the Hurriyet daily reported.

European Parliament President Martin Schulz wrote to Erdogan to voice his “great concern” about his “verbal attacks and allegations concerning freely elected members of the German Bundestag”.

‘Hateful threats’

The German parliament’s presi-

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threats and insults”, at least they were “not incarcerated” and not had their “immunity lifted for having simply expressed what we thought, unlike our colleagues in Turkey”.

Mass killings

Turkish protesters hold placards reading “The name of real genocide is Germany” over World War II picture of camps, during a protest against the approval of a resolution

by Germany’s parliament that declares the 1915 massacre of Armenians by Ottoman forces a “genocide” in front of the German Embassy in Ankara last Friday AFP dent, Norbert Lammert, said that statements by Turkish leaders had prepared the ground for a torrent of “hateful threats and insults” that were mailed to the MPs. Lammert also warned that “we will respond accordingly with all options available to us under the law”.

Erdogan late Wednesday spoke of people with “tainted blood” -explaining he meant those “who wrong their own people” -- and pointed at the “members of parliament in Germany that accuse their own country of genocide”.

His comments went a step further than remarks at the weekend in which he suggested the MPs should undergo blood tests to see “what kind of Turks they are”.

Germany’s foreign ministry on Tuesday asked in the Turkish charge d’affaires to say that recent statements about German MPs were met with “incomprehension” in Berlin.

One of the German lawmakers, the Green party’s Cem Ozdemir, told Turkey’s Armenian weekly Agos that while he and other parliamentarians were the targets of “death

The Armenian issue has thrown Turkey into conflict with a number of countries that have labelled the mass killings a genocide.

Armenians say some 1.5m of their people were killed in a genocidal campaign by Ottoman forces - ordered by the minister of war, Enver Pasha, and other top officials - to wipe them from Anatolia.

But Turkey insists similar numbers of Muslims and Armenians were killed during wartime conflict and has always fiercely resisted pressure to recognise that any genocide took place.

The dispute comes while the EU and Turkey are locked into a deal to contain the migrant crisis, which last year sent record numbers of people fleeing Syria and other war zones and trouble-spots into Europe.

Turkey has pledged to stop migrants from travelling to EU member Greece, and to take back illegal migrants from there, in return for financial aid and benefits. l

US endorses plan to cede internet oversight The US administration on Thursday endorsed a plan to cede its oversight of the gatekeeper of internet addresses to the broader online community. The plan aims to maintain internet governance under a multi-stakeholder model which avoids control of the online ecosystem by any single governmental body. -AFP

THE AMERICAS

Venezuela SC bans publishing lynchings videos Venezuela’s Supreme Court on Wednesday banned media from publishing videos of lynchings, saying they create anxiety and uncertainty. Gory videos of mob justice or photos of bloody corpses sometimes make the rounds on social media. President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist government says the footage is part of a larger plan to sully his administration.

-REUTERS

UK

Brexit camp threatens legal action over EU vote extension Brexit campaigners accused the government of trying to rig the EU referendum and threatened legal action on Thursday as former London mayor Boris Johnson squared up for the campaign’s first TV debate.

British MPs on Thursday approved emergency legislation to extend voter registration -- a move that has infuriated the “Leave” camp because many late requests have been from broadly pro-EU younger voters. -AFP

EUROPE

EU to rule on Russian access to Nord Stream gas pipeline Brussels is expected to rule next month on whether to allow Russia to pump more gas via its Nord Stream pipeline’s gas link to Germany, risking fresh discord between member states over energy dependence on Russia. The expansion would see more Russian gas bypass Ukraine - a move seen depriving Kiev of transit fees as the route for more than half of Russian gas supplies to Europe.

-REUTERS

AFRICA

West Africa marks end of deadly Ebola outbreak Liberia said Thursday it was free of Ebola, meaning there are now no known cases in west Africa of the tropical virus that has left more than 11,300 people dead in the region since late 2013. The west African nation has now passed the World Health Organisation threshold of 42 days - twice the incubation period for the virus - since the last known patient tested negative for the second time.

-AFP

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US may ask Canada for help with Nato force in east Europe n Reuters, Brussels/Warsaw The United States could turn to Canada to help it establish a new Nato force in eastern Europe as a deterrent against Russia because it is struggling to win support from its European allies, diplomats say.

Despite its show of force with a military exercise across eastern Europe this month that involved more than 20 Nato and partner countries, the alliance is moving slowly in its efforts to build a rotating force of 4,000 troops on its

eastern flank in Poland and the Baltics.

Only Britain and Germany have said they are willing to contribute.

The US will provide a third battalion, leaving Nato requiring one more country to provide a fourth.

“European allies have reasons why they can’t come forward.

They’re thinly stretched, at home, in Africa, in Afghanistan. They just don’t have the money,” said a senior Nato diplomat involved in the discussions.

The reluctance of some Europe-

Ex-British PMs in anti-Brexit campaign n Reuters, Belfast 13 DAYS TO GO

Former UK PMs John Major, left, and Tony Blair share a platform for the Remain campaign event in Belfast on Thursday REUTERS

Tony Blair and John Major warned on Thursday a vote to leave the European Union on June 23 would jeopardise the unity of the United Kingdom by undermining peace in Northern Ireland and bolstering the Scottish independence movement.

Speaking together in Northern Ireland, the two former British prime ministers, who both played important roles in the province’s peace process in the 1990s, warned that unity was effectively on the ballot paper.

“Throw away the membership of Europe and don’t be surprised if in the end, as a consequence, we accidentally throw away our union as well,” Major, Conservative prime minister from 1990 to 1997, told students at the Ulster

University in Londonderry.

“The most successful union in world history could be broken apart for good,” he said.

Major warned that if Scotland votes to stay and the rest of the United Kingdom votes to leave, the pressure for a new referendum on Scottish independence “could prove to be uncontrollable and politically irresistible.”

Scots rejected independence by 55%-45% in a vote in 2014 but since then the Scottish National Party has gained further strength, taking 56 of the 59 seats representing Scotland in the national parliament in London in last May’s national election.

“If the UK was outside the European Union I could well envisage a different result” he added.

Blair said the referendum could also undermine the 1998 Northern Ireland peace deal that ended three decades of tit-fortat killings between Catholic Irish nationalists who wanted the province to unite with Ireland and their Protestant rivals who wanted to keep it British. Over 3,600 died in the conflict.

“If we were to leave on June 23, it would put ... Northern Ireland’s future at risk, it would put our union at risk, it would be deeply damaging, a reckless course,” said Blair, who oversaw the peace deal as Labour prime minister from 1997 to 2007.

Blair said the European Union and free travel and trade on the island of Ireland had been an important factor in securing the peace deal in 1998 and that it would be “profoundly foolish to play any form of risk with those foundations of stability.”

Theresa Villiers, an opponent of EU membership who serves as Britain’s minister for Northern Ireland, said the comments by Blair and Major were irresponsible.

“Whatever the result of the referendum, Northern Ireland is not going back to the troubles of its past and to suggest otherwise would be highly irresponsible,” Villiers said. l

an governments to help the military build-up, the biggest since the end of the Cold War, reflects internal doubts over whether the alliance should be more focused on combating militant groups and uncontrolled flows of migrants, mainly from the Middle East and North Africa.

Unity is crucial for Nato as Moscow and Washington accuse one another of intimidation close to the Nato-Russia border. Nato and Russia feel threatened by each other’s large military drills and are

at odds over the crisis in Ukraine.

Former communist states in Nato want to bolster its eastern defences without stationing large forces permanently, worried since Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine that Moscow could invade Poland or the Baltic states in days.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed such an idea this week, saying he saw no threats in the region that would justify the area’s militarisation.

Nato defence ministers will

next week formally agree on the plan for four battalions to be involved in the new force, part of a deterrent made up of forces on rotation and warehoused equipment ready for a rapid response force in case of attack.

Britain is likely to deploy to Estonia, Germany to Lithuania and the United States to Latvia.

The United States will also supply an armoured brigade to rove around the eastern flank. Canada has 220 armed forces personnel in Poland. l

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FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

After deadly Tel Aviv attack, Israel suspends Palestinian permits n Reuters, Jerusalem The Israeli military on Thursday revoked permits for 83,000 Palestinians to visit Israel and said it would send hundreds more troops to the occupied West Bank after a Palestinian gun attack that killed four Israelis in Tel Aviv.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the assault by two gunmen on Wednesday in a trendy shopping and dining mar-

ket near Israel’s Defence Ministry, but Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups were quick to praise it.

The assailants came from near Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. They dressed in suits and ties and posed as customers at a restaurant, ordering a drink and a chocolate brownie before pulling out automatic weapons and opening fire, sending diners fleeing in panic.

Two women and two men were killed and six others were wounded. The attack followed a lull in recent weeks after what had been near-daily stabbings and shootings on Israeli streets. It was the deadliest single incident since an attack on a Jerusalem synagogue in November 2014 that killed five.

The Tel Aviv gunmen, cousins in their 20s who security experts said appeared to have entered Israel without permits, were quickly ap-

prehended. One of them was shot and wounded.

After consultations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the military said it was rescinding some 83,000 permits issued to Palestinians from the West Bank to visit relatives in Israel during the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

At an emergency meeting, Israel’s security cabinet discussed punitive measures against attackers,

including destroying their homes more quickly, and efforts to bolster the number of security guards in public places, an official said.

The army announced that two battalions would be deployed in the West Bank to reinforce troops stationed in the area, where the military maintains a network of checkpoints and often carries out raids to arrest suspected militants.

Israeli battalions are comprised of around 300 troops. l

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FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

TOP STORIES WB: Bangladesh sees jump in e-procurement Bangladesh is making a paradigm shift for its public procurement environment with an exponential growth of electronic government procurement, known as e-GP, the World Bank said in a statement yesterday.

PAGE 13

Merger ‘synergies’ can’t just be code for job cuts For companies, failure and expansion couldn’t be more different.

For employees, they can feel the same. That uncomfortable truth ought to play more of a role in future calculations over whether doing deals makes sense.

PAGE 15

Banks asked to take necessary steps against fake notes

n Tribune Business Desk Bangladesh Bank has asked all the schedule banks to take necessary steps for checking fake notes during the month of Ramadan.

As part of the fake note prevention measure, banks have been asked to display the video footage containing real note features at the vital road intersections or crowded places, said a Bangladesh Bank circular issued yesterday.

The video footage will have to display for an hour once a week in the evening time in every divisional city including Bogra district.

Moreover, all the branches will display the video at their own TV monitor during the banking hours, according to the circular. l

Capital market snapshot: Thursday DSE Broad Index

4,419.0

-0.0% ▼

Index

1,082.9

-0.2% ▼

30 Index

1,738.1

-0.2% ▼

Turnover in Mn Tk

3,404.9

5.3% ▲

Turnover in Mn Vol

86.2

2.6% ▲

All Share Index 13,597.9

0.0% ▲

30 Index

12,550.5

0.1% ▲

CSE

Selected Index

8,274.3

0.0% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

239.0

4.1% ▲

Turnover in Mn Vol

6.7

-4.7% ▼

Sugar price: Who calls the shot?

Traders asking for higher prices than retail prices shown on packets n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi Millers are manipulating sugar prices at the consumer level by tightening their grip on the supply chain, a number of retailers and wholesalers allegedly said yesterday.

They also said the refiners are not only cashing in on the artificial supply shortage but also contributing to price hike in the market which the consumers alone suffer the brunt of.

Sugar – a highly demanded essential commodity during Ramadan – is being sold at much higher price, even, higher than the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) in all the stores across the country.

The Dhaka Tribune in a market review found that the retailers were selling one kilogram of fresh sugar packet for Tk70, violating the MRP price tag that reads Tk58.

A pack of fresh sugar was bought from M/S Ela Store at Shukrabad in Dhaka yesterday.

Asked why the trader was charging higher price, he said he had to buy it for Tk68 from supplier, and so he is forced to sell it for Tk70 in order to make a marginal profit only.

The millers claim that they have sufficient stock of sugar to meet the demand during Ramadan. They say they are selling it for Tk48 at mill gates, but the reality is different.

The consumers are buying the unpacked sugar at between Tk60 and Tk65 while the packed one Tk65 and Tk70 due to supply chain manipulation, the Dhaka Tribune has found.

During a meeting with Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed yesterday, sugar refiners said they have enough stock of the commodity and they are selling it to the wholesalers at Tk48 per kilogramme at the mill gate which the retailers and wholesalers contradict.

“If the supply is enough, there is no chance of price manipulation,” Hazi Abul Hasem, president of Bangladesh Chini Baboshayee Samity told the Dhaka Tribune.

The wholesalers are fully dependent on the millers and they (millers) are tightening the supply chain to create shortage in the market to hike prices, Hasem claimed.

He said although the millers earlier promised to ensure smooth supply at a reasonable price, they did not keep their word.

The business tycoon urged the government to monitor the supply status properly in order to find out

Retailers charging higher prices than tagged on packets the truth.

“We sell per kilogramme of unpacked sugar for Tk48 at the mill gate while the packed one is sold at Tk55 a kg,” Biswajit Saha, general manager of City Group, told the Dhaka Tribune.

But the Dhaka Tribune observation of different kitchen markets in the capital ran counter to what Mr Saha claimed.

It was found that there is shortage of packed sugar in the market because of high prices.

Although the City Group official claimed that the retail price of Teer brand packed sugar is Tk55 per kg, the packet MRP reads Tk63.

The sugar packet with MRP Tk63 is being sold at Tk65 and MRP Tk58 at Tk70 in different kitchen markets of the city. The price of unpacked sugar, however, ranges between Tk60 and Tk65 in almost all markets.

Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed during a meeting with the traders said the price of per kilogramme sugar should not be over Tk60.

There is no reason behind price hike of sugar as there is an abundance of supply in the market, Tofail said, warning of stern action if anyone tries to make profit by artificially hiking price.

At the meeting, the City Group

Chairman Fazlur Rahman claimed that there is enough stock of sugar in the country and there is no supply chain constraint.

The highest demand for sugar is 5,000 tonnes daily while the millers are supplying 7,000 to 8000 tonnes per day, he said.

But the retailers say the supply is not sufficient in the market that shoots the price up.

Showing the payment receipt of supply orders, Bablu, a shopkeeper at Karwan Bazaar, told the Dhaka Tribune he placed an order for sugar from Deshbandhu Sugar Mill on May 15, but the order is yet to be delivered to the wholesalers.

“I am really frustrated about it.”

Although the millers claim that they have been supplying sugar at Tk48 per kg, the traders need to pay Tk58.78 per kg while the

DHAKA TRIBUNE

amount is Tk54.21 at normal time.

The wholesalers of Moulvi Bazar are demanding higher price and not paying receipts for the products, he said.

“I have bought a sack of sugar at Tk2,950 which means per kilogram sugar costs Tk59,” he said.

He also alleged that he cannot provide the sugar as per the demand.

During the meeting, the commerce minister asked the National Consumer Rights Protection Department to coordinate with the importers, retailers and sellers for sugar price margin.

“Prices of one or two items have soared slightly due to rise in their prices in the international market, but we hope that they would be normal within a week in the country,” Tofail added. l

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FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

WB: Bangladesh sees jump in e-procurement Over 55,000 tenders worth $5.8bn have so far been done in e-GP n Tribune Business Desk Bangladesh is making a paradigm shift for its public procurement environment with an exponential growth of electronic government procurement, known as e-GP, the World Bank said in a statement yesterday.

The e-GP covers four key government agencies – Roads and Highways Department, Local Government Engineering Department, Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board and Bangladesh Water Development Board.

These agencies together spend about half the country’s annual development budget and are also

monitoring procurement performance online.

In the last two years, the tender invitations through e-GP in these four agencies increased by seven times.

The agencies together invited over 55,000 tenders online up to May 2016, up from 8,000 in June 2014. The corresponding value increase is to US$5 billion from US$700 million in the same period.

In addition to making public contracting more accessible, secure, efficient and transparent, the electronic procurement is significantly reducing collusive bidding practices at the local levels. e-GP has made doing business

easier and reduced the transaction costs for both the procuring agencies and the bidding community.

In addition, the system is becoming self-sustainable. The World Bank supports the government in implementing e-GP through Public Procurement Reform Project II. The project facilitated developing professionalisation of procurement in the country. Sixty public officials have been certified as national trainers while 89 personnel received the ‘blue color’ international procurement accreditation following a rigorous screening and qualification process at the UK-based Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, and 84

officials received Master’s in procurement.

The project also facilitated three-week procurement training to about 2,400 officials from the four key agencies covering over 1,000 procuring entities, and over 1,900 officials from 20 additional agencies with over 500 procuring entities, ensuring that over 85% of procuring entities have at least one three-week trained staff. Moreover, over 5,000 participated in 17 types of short courses.

The project also piloted public procurement monitoring through citizen’s engagement to ensure better value of money, and transparency and accountability at the

Stocks inch down in choppy trading

Denmark to give Bangladesh over Tk393 crore

n Tribune Business Desk Stocks fell marginally amid choppy trading yesterday as late profit-booking sale cut early gains.

The market opened higher and traded within a band of 19 points throughout the trading session.

Eventually, it edged higher on profit booking mainly on power and telecommunications sector.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) benchmark index DSEX edged over 1 point to close at 4,419.

The blue-chip comprising index DS30 lost 2 points or 0.3% to 1,082.

The DSE Shariah Index DSES shed about 3 points to 1,738.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index CSCX closed at 8,274, rising 1.5 points.

Trading activities remained almost unchanged as the DSE turnover stood at Tk340 crore, up by 5.3% over previous session.

Modest profit-booking took place on power and telecommunications, which moved down 0.5% and 0.2% respectively. Banks closed flat. Food and allied sector was the highest gainer with a rally of 1%, followed by engineering

n Tribune Business Desk

The market opened higher and traded within a band of 19 points throughout the trading session yesterday 0.7% and non-banking financial institutions 0.3%.

Gainers took a lead over the losers as out of 319 issues traded, 116 advanced, 141 declined and 62 remained unchanged.

Meanwhile, ACME Laboratories, in its third trading day, gained 7.5% after falling 5.3% on previous day.

The debutant pharmaceutical company also continued to remain top turnover leader with shares

DHAKA TRIBUNE

worth Tk40 crore changed hands.

After ACME, other turnover leaders included BSRM Limited, Orion Infusion, BBS, Linde Bangladesh and Lafarge Surma Cement. l

$81m heist: all probe documents kept in BB vault n Asif Showkat Kallol Bangladesh Bank has put all the documents on $81m theft into its vault to conduct further investigation to find any involvement of the central bank officials with the cyber heist, said official sources.

“A large number of documents found in 11 computers that were seized, 70 messages sent through SWIFT, compromised devices and hardware are now in the vault as the three-member body recom-

grass-roots level.

The project also facilitated a government-contractors forum and public-private stakeholders committee with representatives from the ministries, the procurement entities, and the leading think tanks.

A joint team of the World Bank and the government recently reviewed the project progress and noted that the government’s high commitment is contributing to more transparency and competitiveness of the public procurement system.

The World Bank’s total support to the project is $68.10 million, which includes $10 million additional financing to project approved on June 6, 2016. l

mended further investigation,” said an official.

The government-formed probe body, headed by former Bangladesh Bank governor Mohammed Farashuddin, submitted its report to Finance Minister AMA Muhith on May 30.

Earlier, Mohammed Farashuddin said the government should carry out further investigation to find out whether the suspected Bangladesh Bank officials were really involved in the theft.

In a primary report, the USbased firm FireEye found that 32 compromised devices and hardware (computers) were identified in the Bangladesh Bank’s network that were vulnerable to attacks.

The report says “more could be found as the investigation continues.”

An Indian consultant team appointed by World Bank as part of its central bank strengthening project had examined 4,500 computers after the bank’s SWIFT security

system became corrupted on February 5.

On February 4, hackers stole $81m from the central bank’s account in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and wired it to Philippines’ Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation from where the money was moved to local casinos.

Investigation into one of the history’s largest cyber thefts appears to have hit a wall in the Philippines as the perpetrators are yet to be arrested. l

Denmark will provide over Tk393 crore to Bangladesh for implementing 12 development projects related to tackling climate change, sustainable development and strengthening public organisation.

An agreement to this effect was signed between Bangladesh government and Denmark at the NEC conference in the city yesterday.

The fund will be disbursed between 2016 and 2021.

Economic Relations Division (ERD) Senior Secretary Mohammad Mejbahuddin and Danish Ambassador in Dhaka Hanne Fugl Eskjær signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

Mejbahuddin said the projects will be implemented for the country’s capacity building to face natural disaster, raising agriculture productivity, employment generation and strengthening different public institutions. Besides Danish fund, Bangladesh government will also pump over Tk328.85 crore for implementing the projects.

Danish Ambassador said the country programme has already been made attaching importance to the development of Bangladesh and in line with the country’s Seventh Five Year Plan beginning from this year.

“The projects will help Bangladesh achieve middle income country by 2021.”

Last month, Danmark has made an agreement for the five-year programme for development partnership with Bangladesh. The programme, which will take effect by the end of 2016, is aligned to the Bangladeshi government’s Seventh Five Year Plan that aims to achieving middle-income status for the country by 2021. l

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Business

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

Japan may seek WTO help to resolve India steel tariff dispute n Reuters Japan said it may ask the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to help resolve a dispute related to India’s “safeguard” tariffs on the import of hot-rolled steel.

Prompted by massive steel exports from the China, the world’s

top producer, countries including the United States and Australia as well as the European Union have imposed duties on steel imports.

As the second-largest global steel producer, Japan’s own exports are potentially under pressure because of these protectionist stances.

India has extended its safeguard

Oil prices soften on profit taking after hitting 2016 highs n Reuters, London Oil prices edged lower yesterday as traders took profits after three sessions of gains, though prices remained close to their highest this year thanks to a fall in US crude inventories and supply disruptions.

International Brent crude oil futures traded 13 cents a barrel lower at $52.38 a barrel at 0845 GMT, after setting a 2016 high of $52.86 a barrel earlier in the session. US crude fell by 5 cents a barrel to $51.20 after also hitting a new 2016 high at $51.67.

“While we’re above $50 a barrel, momentum still remains fairly positive and what we’ve just seen today is a little bit of profit taking after three

consecutive days of gains,” CMC Markets chief market analyst Michael Hewson said.

Oil prices gained ground after data on Wednesday from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed US crude stocks last week fell 3.23 million barrels to 532.5 million, the third consecutive weekly fall.

“Lower than usual Canadian flows have helped fuel the draw in ... stock,” consultancy Energy Aspects said.

“We estimate Canadian output losses will total 29 million barrels across May and June, after adjusting for turnaround work that was underway before the wildfires broke out, and assuming a pre wildfire utilisation rate of 85% of (the 2015 average),” it said. l

CORPORATE NEWS

LankaBangla Finance Ltd (LBFL) and Nowhatta Green Bricks Limited have recently signed a memorandum of understanding on setting up a tunnel kiln automatic brick project at Nowhatta in Rajshahi, said a press release. Deputy managing director of LBFL, Khwaja Shahriar and managing director of Nowhatta Green Bricks Limited, Waheed Murad Jamil have signed the agreement

Southeast Bank Limited has recently signed an agreement with Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company Limited on collecting gas bills, said a press release. The bank’s managing director, Shahid Hossain and secretary of Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company Limited, MA Hannan Azad have exchanged the signed agreement

import taxes on some steel products until March 2018, in a bid to stop cheap overseas purchases from flooding its market and bolster the domestic steel sector.

Japan will make repeated requests to the Indian authorities to ensure the consistency of their measures with the WTO agree-

ments, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) said in its annual report on unfair trade on Wednesday.

The India safeguard tariffs were placed as one of the priority issues that the METI will be working on, said Osamu Nishiwaki, director of rules and dispute settlement at

METI, yesterday.

“We will step up our bilateral discussions with India over the safeguard measures,” he said.

Asked whether Japan may consider bringing the issue to the WTO soon, Nishiwaki said it will depend on the results of the bilateral talks. l

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Business

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

Merger synergies can’t just be code for job cuts n John Foley For companies, failure and expansion couldn’t be more different. For employees, they can feel the same.

That uncomfortable truth ought to play more of a role in future calculations over whether doing deals makes sense.

On the one hand, the collapse of British retailer BHS, with the potential loss of 11,000 jobs, has triggered a witch hunt. Meanwhile, energy giants Shell and BG Group have merged, and expect to generate $4.5bn of annual savings, or synergies, as a result. The cost is that 12,500 jobs worldwide get the chop.

Here, investors have pushed the stock up. That’s rational: fewer staff means more profit to go around.

The numbers tell the story.

Breakingviews analysed public fil-

ings for all the $30bn-plus megadeals completed between 2002 and 2012 that involved US or UK non-financial companies. Five years later, 14 of the 17 merged companies had fewer employees. On average, headcount fell 15%. But 15 had higher revenue per employee, while 11 had higher operating profit per worker.

In other words, mergers work – insofar as their goal is to make human and financial capital work harder, and generate higher returns. To an investor or economist, comparing Shell and BHS may thus seem ludicrous. Mergers are often economically beneficial. More profit per person should make the country richer.

But that connection is hard to see for those who are out of a job.

The political-financial debate even in pro-market Britain is dominated

A worker carries belongings out of the US investment bank Lehman Brothers offices REUTERS by anxiety over the labour market, from the investigations into work-

ing conditions at retailer Sports Direct to the uproar over plans to

close Tata Steel’s pensions-burdened steel plant in South Wales.

None of this invalidates the case for cost savings and mergers that create them. If countries have flexible markets, workers can be reabsorbed. If they don’t, profit-motivated layoffs can be a spur for reforms. But the increasing anxiety over protecting workers can’t be brushed off.

At the very least, it may increase the discount investors apply to merger synergies, on the basis that politics makes them hard to deliver. In some cases, deals that once would have looked appealing may not happen at all. l John Foley is Reuters Breakingviews’ editor for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The article was initially published at Reuters.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

Kids

| photo of the week | The hot day and stink of a rubbish heap at Hazaribagh is still not stopping children from being children. Rather then avoid the mess, the kids are playing with a balloon and even using the trash dump to fly a kite.

| drawing | PHOTO: MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

| diy |

Safety pin bead bracelet Make your own hand-made jewellery that looks great.

What you’ll need: • Safety pins, at least 30 large ones • A variety of small beads • Wide and thin elastic bands cut into two pieces Instructions: • Open a safety pin, and place the beads on the pointy end, one at a time, until it is full. Close the pin. Be careful when you do this.

Repeat this for all pins.

• Now string the elastic through a pin, one through the hole on the head of the pin and one at the end.

• String the elastic through all of them until filled.

• Tie the ends together into a tight knot.

There you have a beautiful bracelet!

food habits

Fruits vs pizza

Inside food n Features Desk When talking about food, you often hear people talk about nutrients. What are nutrients?

Why should you eat food with a lot of nutrients?

Nutrients are the things in food

that your body needs which allows you to stay healthy and happy.

Having healthy eating habits and not eating too much food can allow you to stay fit and to keep up with your friends in school. These nutrients are vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fiber.

Fruits contain vitamins and minerals which are needed for you to stay healthy and active.

We need vitamins and minerals to help us grow, to see, to make our bones and muscles stronger, skin and organs, as well as to help us fight infections. Not eating food with enough vitamins and minerals can make you very sick.

For example, you will have a bad eyesight, if you do not eat food with enough vitamin A. Pizzas and all the other fast foods which you love contain a lot of oil and grease, which are unhealthy and can make you chubby and unfit.

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Feature

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

tissues in your body. (Not the tissues you blow your nose in! We mean the stuff your body’s made up of). Your muscles, organs, and your immune system (fights germs that make you sick) are made up of protein. Fish, beef, eggs, nuts, seeds, and beans all contain the protein you need to stay fit and on top of your class.

Fibre

An apple a day keeps the doctors away! Apples contain a lot of fiber.

Fiber is very important for you

because it keeps your washroom activities in control and keeps you healthy so you can eat your favourite foods and enjoy every day. Other rich foods that contain a lot of fiber are bread, cereals, beans, and pears.

Although fruits and meat have the nutrients that you need, eating too much can also be bad. A balanced diet is always needed for you to be healthy and fit, so make sure you eat a little bit of everything the next time you sit to have lunch or dinner. l

Proteins

Proteins build and maintain the

mythical creatures

mythical creatures

Danger under the sea n Features Desk The pirates sailed slowly in the sea, far away from land. They were bad men, who stole money and jewels, and even hurt people.

All of a sudden, the ship began to shake, and huge tentacles started rising from all sides of the ship.

This scary creature was so big that the ship seemed very small.

In a few seconds, the ship was gone under the sea. It seems like the Kraken stroke again!

Sirens n

Rad Sharar

The sea was dark and foggy. The sailors were lost in the night, and did not know what was going to come next. Then, suddenly, a beautiful voice sang to them.

It was so warm and sweet, that the sailors lost their minds.

They moved their ship towards the voice, but they couldn’t see anything because of the mist.

They wanted to hear more, so they moved faster and closer.

Suddenly, they crashed into a huge rock! The ship started to

sink when the singing monsters came out, watching with an evil smile. The Sirens have won again.

Sirens are creatures with a woman’s body and a fish’s tail.

They love to trap lost ships and drown every sailor in them with their singing. The only way someone could be safe is by covering their ears. Although, do Sirens have a big weakness.

They die when someone listening to their singing runs away from them, but usually no one can get away from their voice. l

The Kraken is a giant mythical sea-monster, and looks like a huge octopus. It is a sailor’s worst nightmare, as it can easily take big ships under the sea. They do not have targets, so no one knows where they will attack next. They hide themselves inside small islands, and can even make whirlpools if they want to. The Kraken is one of the most dangerous myths of the sea, and we can clearly see why. l

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FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

Ramadan Special

Ramadan: In the blink of an eye witnessed mass female infanticide in pre-Islam Arabia. He and Khadija refused to be picnopletics.

What are the injustices in our communities now? Predatory lending, gender abuse, hoarding, greed, massive income inequality, rigged economy and rigged food system to support picnopleticism.

Body

Many people pilgrimage to Uluru, but what is seen there often depends on where you’ve come from. Uluru is sacred to the Anangu, the Aboriginal people of the area. The area around the formation is home to an abundance of springs, waterholes, rock caves, and ancient paintings - Robert Spanring

n Shireen Phasha How long is our “awareness” span?

We can be attentive towards a task for an hour, two hours perhaps, but how long can we actually employ our total nervous system to being aware?

Philosopher Paul Virilio in The Aesthetics of Disappearance, writes, “The lapse occurs frequently at breakfast and the cup dropped and overturned on the table is its well-known consequence. The absence lasts a few seconds; its beginning and its end are sudden. The senses function, but are nevertheless closed to external impressions.

The return being just as sudden as the departure, the arrested word and action are picked up again where they have been interrupted.

Conscious time comes together again automatically, forming a continuous time without apparent breaks. For these absences, which can be quite numerous hundreds every day most often pass completely unnoticed by others around.” Virilio calls these moments picnolepsy (from the Greek, picnos: freuqent). What happens to this ammassed wealth

of lost time? “For the picnoleptic, nothing really has happened, the missing time never existed.

At each crisis, without realising it, a little of his or her life simply escaped.

Who are the picnopletics?

We are the picnopletics. A morning drive to work, we lower the window to buy a newspaper, we see a child with pure diarrhea squeezing out her guts in the middle of the street. We think for a second, “terrible.” But then we forget. There is no awareness.

Maybe we remember again. But again without awareness. Why not? What keeps us from being aware from the soul - that little girl is me. Being aware from the mind - where are public toilets, where is affordable public housing, what made her migrate to the city to live on the street? Being aware with the body - organising self and others to address this serious human right, health and sanitary issue. Instead, a voice reminds us to think of something else - that trip, that task, that responsibility that suddenly seems too heavy.

The voice may further say, “These filthy people are ruining the

Check out: www.kellycolby.com for information about a thymus gland detox

Clean your body. Mohammad (PBUH) shared with Khadija that the Angel Gabriel cleaned his intestines (solar plexus, pancreas) and his heart (thymus). Take the initiative to do this for yourself.

Stop eating processed foods. For this month of Ramadan, do you think you can just have a green salad for Iftar with plenty of water? Do you think you can have just a salad for sehri with plenty of water? It is so, so difficult but how much longer can we afford to be picnopletics? If you can do this for just one week, you will see, be alarmed at just how little food we really need and how abundant our Earth is. What abundance Allah has bestowed upon us. Sadaq Allahul-alliyulAzeem pragmatically, in order to connect your glands, you need proper circulation between your sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Your intestinal plaque accumulated over the years can prevent this flow of circulation. The heavy, acidic foods, a list which I will share with you again and again this Ramadan, can prevent clean blood and oxygen for the brain. To cleanse your solar plexus (pancreas), which is critical for digestion and blood sugar regulation, once again, eliminate junk food and drink plenty of water, ginger tea and remember to relax through namaz, especially starting your day with Fajr namaz. To clean you heart, focus on detoxing your thymus gland through fresh green salads and avoiding heavy stimulants such as cigarettes, coffee and alcohol (this is important for total granular health).

Soul

country.”

We are picnopletics when we have not fully mastered our sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Instead, other forces control us. Just know this, if you are not in control of your atomic mind, someone else is. This Ramadan let us walk towards total awareness.

Mind

Find ways to relax your mind.

Mohammad (PBUH) meditated and encouraged namaz, alone and in community. Through meditation try to know yourself. What are your secret and not so secret beliefs, which ones empower you and which ones tear you and others down? Mohammad (PBUH)

I am sure you do this already, so continue to do this. Don’t eat iftar alone. There was a time when we would and could, without fear, invite strangers into our home to share iftar. Can we return to this time? In seeking to connect with ourselves (our glands, chakras), in wanting to reach Allah, our deepest memories of love, trust and forgiveness will be our grace and strength. l

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FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

| opening |

| meals |

Aarong outlets at Bashabo and Wari

Ramadan Offers

Aarong has opened its 16th outlet on June 8 at Bashabo and shifted its Wari outlet to a new location.

Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, KCMG,

founder and chairperson of BRAC, inaugurated the openings.

Tamara H Abed, senior director, BRAC Enterprises, Md Abdur Rouf,

chief operating officer, Aarong and other senior management officials of the organisation also attended the occasion.

The 8,800 square feet Bashabo outlet is located at the Agomon Cinema Hall building will be serving Aarong customers from Khilgaon, Goran, Madartek, Maya Kanon, Ahmedbagh and Maniknagar areas primarily.

Aarong’s existing Wari outlet has shifted to a larger 13,500 square feet location in the newly constructed A K Famous Tower on Rankin Street, primarily serving Aarong customers in the old Dhaka area.

Aarong is one of the country’s leading lifestyle brand, promoting the craft of 65,000 local artisans. l

| learning |

Bangladesh Ikebana Association holds workshop

Under the initiatives of Bangladesh Ikebana Association (BIA), a workshop of flower arrangement in Japanese style and Annual General Meeting

(AGM) of BIA were organised on Saturday, June 4th, at the Women`s Voluntary Association (WVA) auditorium in the capital`s Dhanmondi.

Presided over by the President of newly formed Executive Committee, Razia Zaher; head of Cultural and Public Affairs section of Japanese Embassy in Dhaka, Ariyoshi Rumi attended the event as chief guest; deputy head of Cultural and Public Affairs section of Japanese Embassy in Dhaka, Machiko Yamamura was also present as special guest.

Supervised by Dr AKM Moazzem Hussain, the event ran from 11am to 5pm. During the second part of the event, singer Monir Chowdhury performed at the cultural program. l

DT

Biz Info

This Ramadan for the first Pimiento brings unlimited pizza and drinks only for Tk599+.

They also have three rice platters for Iftar.

Pizza Offer: Tk599+ Package 1: Tk299+ 1. Chili Chicken 2. Chinese Vegetable 3. Vegetable Fried Rice 4. Dates 5. Soft Drink Package 2: Tk399+ 1. Chili Chicken 2. Beef Stir Fry 3. Chinese Vegetable 4. Vegetable Fried Rice

5. Dates 6. Jilapi 7. Fresh Juice Package 3: Tk499+ 1. Tandoori Chicken 2. Beef Stir Fry 4. Chinese Vegetable 5. Vegetable Fried Rice 6. Dates 7. Jilapi 8. Fruits 9. Fresh Juice 10. Water 15% VAT will be added. No service charge.

The have limited seats Book your seats now for iftar.

For reservation call: 0176262881 l

| food |

Must-have mutton haleem at The Dining Room

| dining |

Authentic Chinese at Combe Restaurant Combe Restaurant brings you totally authentic southern Chinese food which is low fat, low spice but completely delicious. For bookings, call 01787664538.

Address: House 11, Road 06, Sector 04, Uttara l During the holy month of Ramadan, The Dining Room takes pleasure in offering it’s special haleem with generous tender

pieces of mutton, mixture of daal, wheat and perfect blend of TDR spices, making it a must have item for everyone at Iftar. l

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20 Editorial

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

TODAY

Communities in danger If the government and society don’t do something about this, we will have to lose the indigenous peoples and their cultures forever PAGE 21

The courage and humanity of Muhammad Ali He stood up and fought for his beliefs when doing so meant being hated, he took unpopular social and political positions even when it meant losing his livelihood PAGE 22

Tech for all The time is now to strengthen our efforts in making technology work, not just for people living in luxury but for that person who doesn’t have access to basic information in the first place PAGE 23

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.

NURE ALAM DURJOY

Urgent action needed to end CHT food crisis

T

he deplorable situation of the Jhum people in Bandarban’s Thanchi upazila is a serious dereliction of duty on the government’s part.

A severe food crisis in the region has been forcing these Bangladeshi citizens to leave the country and try to move to Myanmar to seek food, shelter, and livelihood.

While poor harvests and harsh financial conditions have exacerbated the state of affairs, the consequences of governmental neglect are reminiscent of the 1974 famine of Bangladesh.

The government, on paper, has provided relief in the form of grains to the affected communities, but in reality, the relief is not reaching them, either in the amount that is officially expected or at all.

Instead, greed and corruption have taken over, with relief being sold in the market or being given to the affected people as loans by mahajans with unreasonably high rates of interest.

Local government officers are in denial of the situation and are not taking responsibility to address what is essentially criminal activity, unless ordered from above. However, such inaction and shrugging off of responsibility is unacceptable.

The number of people affected within the Jhum community is less than 10,000. In no way is the Jhum population so large that the government should be unable to do anything to help them.

Bangladesh cannot afford to see yet another artificially created famine which could easily have been avoided through proper action.

While relief is a temporary solution, it is hoped that the government will come forward to the aid of these neglected people of Bandarban, and avert a larger humanitarian crisis.

It is hoped that the government will come forward to the aid of these neglected people of Bandarban, and avert a larger humanitarian crisis

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21

Opinion

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

Communities in danger Indigenous communities contribute richly to the culture of our country

n John Tripura

T

here are about 54 indigenous communities in Bangladesh, covering about 2% of the total population, living in different pockets of the Chittagong Hill Tracts region and in the plain lands of the country.

Today, the indigenous peoples know that they must carefully control the influences that could destroy their cultural identity, their future, and the vital resources upon which all life depends.

Indigenous knowledge is essential to our development.

The indigenous peoples have accumulated vast amounts of ecological knowledge of modern civilisation in their long history with managing the environment -knowledge that could be beneficial for nature and for the sustainable use of natural resources.

They have contributed greatly to global knowledge, for instance, in medicine and veterinary sciences as a result of their intimate understanding of their environment.

The indigenous knowledge system or practice exists principally in the form of songs, dance, proverbs, folklore, community laws, common or collective property and inventions, practices, and rituals.

And this connection to their land is an important source of resilience in indigenous communities.

However, this knowledge has always been ignored and maligned by outsiders. Nowadays, a growing number of international development agencies recognise that local-level knowledge, but it might be too late.

Despite that, indigenous knowledge has entered the sustainable development and biodiversity conservation discourse today.

Article 8(j) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (in Rio, 1992) has contributed to this process by requiring signatories to “respect, preserve, and maintain knowledge, innovations, and practices of indigenous and local communities embodying traditional lifestyles relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.”

Over the years, indigenous people in Bangladesh have used their knowledge and practices to adjust to changing economic, ecological, and social dynamics in their locality.

Indigenous women bear the brunt of the abuse But today, indigenous practices, and the environment, are under threat.

Indigenous communities are more vulnerable due to the impacts of climate change.

Denial of their identity by the government is also another big factor.

However, when we talk about indigenous practices, we don’t refer only to the traditions of indigenous peoples of today’s life, but also their ancestral heritage.

The different indigenous groups and their colourful lifestyles have significantly enriched the entire cultural diversity of Bangladesh.

For centuries, Bangladesh has been the dwelling place of different indigenous groups.

Preserving the land and natural resources is a sacred responsibility for the indigenous peoples.

And the indigenous peoples have been carrying the responsibility of protecting natural resources, both animal and plant life, for millennia.

We know that the Santhal indigenous community is one of the biggest groups. They worship Marang Buru, or Bonga, as their supreme deity.

Their religious concepts are intricately entwined with nature and involve interaction with local ecological systems.

However, the Oraon, Munda, and some other indigenous

communities celebrate Karam Puja (worshiping on the Karam tree) which is one of the biggest festivals among them. But due to deforestation and illegal logging, the Karam tree is becoming extinct.

The Khasi indigenous peoples are slowly being evicted and losing their lands day by day. The main crops produced by the Khasi indigenous people are pan jum (betel leaf), areca nut, and orange.

But the tea state garden authority is taking away their lands illegally.

The indigenous communities of Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachari celebrate Boi-sa-bi.

The significance of the festival to the indigenous communities is same though each refer to it by different names.

The Jumma people in the CHT, who have been living in the region since time immemorial, celebrate this festival to wipe out all the sorrows of the previous year and to welcome the new year with hope.

During the continuous threeday celebration of the festival, the indigenous women and children wear colourful traditional dresses and visit each others’ houses.

During festival time, the cultural function and traditional games, including an exhibition of clothes and ornaments and paintings, are the main attractions of the celebration.

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

If the government and society don’t do something about this, we will have to lose the indigenous peoples and their cultures forever Beside this, the water festival in Bandarban, which is celebrated by the Marma community, is another unique expression of cultural diversity in CHT. But the question is, how long can they practice their cultural activities in this country?

As the forest cover gets eroded as a result of mass migration, destructive development projects, and widespread militarisation, the traditional rituals and practices of traditional medication have continued to decrease.

Women in indigenous communities have also played a vital role in nurturing their culture.

But it is shameful that, nowadays, indigenous women and girls are the first group targeted for violence.

They are oftentimes sexually violated in order to terrorise the community and unsettle them, thus creating opportunities to occupy their lands.

The indigenous peoples have staged protests, pressured the government, and fought to secure

their rights for a long time.

And I think there is no better way to show one’s belief in the value of these cultures than by recognising the fundamental right of indigenous peoples to govern themselves and their territories.

This is what the struggle for the human rights of indigenous peoples is all about in Bangladesh.

Beside these, the states should have research projects to study indigenous folk tales, songs, dance, proverbs, stories, and folklore and medicine practices and veterinary medicine.

Moreover, there should be a holistic approach to build peace and harmony and to protect and promote indigenous practices in the country.

If the government and society don’t do something about this collectively, and on a large scale, in today’s world of globalised and ruthless market capitalism, we will have to lose the indigenous peoples and their cultures forever. l John Tripura is an indigenous peoples’ human rights defender.

22

DT

Opinion

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

The courage and humanity of Muhammad Ali So much more than just a boxer

The world will surely miss the champ

n Ikhtiar Kazi

M

uhammad Ali was, by far, the most charismatic, outspoken, and controversial athlete the world has ever seen. It will be generations before another man or woman remotely challenges Ali on the pantheon of the greats.

History has seen distinguished athletes for sure, those who dominated in an era, in their domain -- Pele, Babe Ruth, Jordan.

But none transcended sports like Ali; he possessed the magnetism, the wit, the poetry, the audaciousness, and sheer showmanship -- he was a rockstar, with the physique of Adonis, and the agility of a ballerina.

He was an original.

But more than anything, Ali will be remembered as the greatest, not only for his ability in the boxing ring, but for his courage when he was outside of it.

He stood up and fought for his beliefs when doing so meant being hated, he took unpopular social and political positions even when it meant losing his livelihood, and he spoke out and gave voice to those who were marginalised and oppressed, when remaining silent

REUTERS

was less costly.

Until Ali, not too many athletes were willing to challenge the status quo. Ali molded the era he lived inasmuch as the era molded him. As the Vietnam War was raging on in the late 60s, Ali was drafted to the US Army.

He filed for a conscientious objector classification, based on his Muslim faith, but was denied.

Ali could have easily joined the Vietnam War and never seen the battlefield; as a celebrity he would have likely performed exhibition fights to keep the army entertained, and the country’s morale up.

But Ali disagreed with the Vietnam War on religious principle, and refused to fight with those who never harmed him.

In 1967, the opposition to the Vietnam War had not grown to the level it eventually would reach by early 1970s.

Ali refused to fight in an unjust war before it became popular to do so. By staying firm in his position and refusing to fight, Ali knew very well that he risked his fame and fortune.

Although Ali was fighting the American laws that institutionally discriminated against blacks, he had great faith that, eventually,

In 1967, when Ali was 25 years old, his boxing record was 25 wins and zero losses.

When he returned from his suspension, after three and a half years, his first fight was with Jerry Quarry in October 1970, when Ali was nearly 29 years old.

The prime years of Ali’s fighting career were behind him.

The man who was once lean and agile, was noticeably slower and heavier, he could still dance and dodge punches, but not in the same way.

It was the lead up to the 1971 “Fight of the Century” with Joe Frazier that highlighted Ali was not without his flaws. Although Ali took on racial and religious inequities, his lowest moment may have been his taunts of Joe Frazier -- calling him “Uncle Tom” and “Gorilla.”

The irony of Ali’s attacks on Frazier was that Frazier was the one who grew up in a family of sharecroppers, and did not have much money, while Ali came from a better financial background.

Ali, to his credit, later tried to reconcile with Frazier and seemed remorseful for the comments he made when he was younger.

Ali later remarked: “A man who views the world the same at 50 as

day, often he slurred sentences; Parkinson’s had taken its toll.

Nonetheless, he shook everyone’s hand and autographed paraphernalia people brought for several hours.

Throughout Ali’s life, he was involved with humanitarian efforts around the world; from delivering food and medical supplies to several nations, to committing his time to orphanages, to helping bring awareness and funding to Parkinson’s disease.

In 1998, he was named UN Messenger of Peace.

Ali even met with Saddam Hussein and helped secure the release of 15 hostages during the Gulf War. As Ali put it: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.”

Ali’s impact on society, sports, and the people around him was immeasurable. Who Ali was, is not captured better than the story of a little boy named Jimmy. Jimmy was dying of leukemia, and his last wish was to meet his hero Muhammad Ali. Ali, who at the time was training for the “Rumble in the Jungle” in Pennsylvania, took a two-hour car ride to meet the boy.

When Ali visited the hospital, he told the boy that he would

He stood up and fought for his beliefs when doing so meant being hated, he took unpopular social and political positions even when it meant losing his livelihood, and he spoke out and gave voice to those who were marginalised and oppressed

the tide of reason and justice would ultimately prevail.

He understood very well that it was not a binary option between going to war and going to jail, the third option was justice.

In the end, justice prevailed when the New York State Supreme Court in 1970 reinstated Ali’s boxing license, and the following year the US Supreme Court overturned Ali’s conviction.

By this time, the Vietnam War was becoming more unpopular, and the public who once did not support Ali began to support him.

Years later, Ali commented: “Some people thought I was a hero. Some people said that what I did was wrong. But everything I did was according to my conscience. I wasn’t trying to be a leader. I just wanted to be free.”

he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.” Ali had evolved, and had become a better man.

Nelson Mandela once said in an interview: “When I met Ali for the first time in 1990, I was extremely apprehensive. I wanted to say so many things to him. He was an inspiration to me, even in prison, because I thought of his courage and his commitment to his sport. I was overwhelmed by his gentleness and his expressive eyes.”

I too had the opportunity to spend an evening with Ali nearly 25 years ago. What I remember clearly was the joy he had entertaining little kids with magic tricks. He made it a point to mention it was against his faith to deceive.

He didn’t speak much that

defeat George Foreman, and the boy would defeat cancer. “No, Champ,” the boy said. “I’m going to God, and I’m going to tell God that I know you.” Ali was so impacted, that on his ride back to the training camp, for two-hours, he wasn’t able to say one word.

The greatest, Muhammad Ali, inspired many of us not only because of his eloquence but for his humanity and courage.

He will surely be missed. l Ikhtiar Kazi is a capital markets professional, human rights activist, and writer, residing in New York City. He was educated at the University of Chicago and the University of WisconsinMadison. His articles are posted on his blog https://strategyandexecution. wordpress.com. He can be reached on Twitter @strategyandexec.

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23

Opinion

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

Tech for all The barrier between the rich and the poor can be broken down with technology

What a difference technology makes

BIGSTOCK

The time is now to strengthen our efforts in making technology work, not just for people living in luxury but for that person who doesn’t have access to basic information in the first place

n Rakib Avi

T

echnology is everywhere these days. You fire up your smartphone and pretend to be busy to avoid otherwise awkward moments with strangers. Your seven-year-old daughter is more attached to her tablet than ever; gone are the days of Barbies. Clash of Clans is all the rage.

With more than 60 million people having access to internet and around 120 million mobile users, technology is literally in people’s palms.

The current government was properly ridiculed after it came to power in its previous term back in 2008 for coining the term Digital Bangladesh in their election manifesto. People knew the difference between a digital watch and analogue one, but how

on Earth can a country become digital?

To make matters worse, when the government was initially struggling to cope with the electricity shortage in town centres, most of our go-to dialogue during a power outage was: “This is how digital Bangladesh works!”

The line became so popular that it was the most definitive comment whenever someone was unhappy with the government’s work -- be it remotely connected to the actual vision of a digitised Bangladesh or not.

We have come a long way from that. We now have more than 4,000 union information centres across the country that are providing access to computers and internet and, more importantly, to government services which are readily becoming more and more digitised.

While the UNDP-backed Access to Information (A2I) project has shown wonders over the last eight years, the private sector and mostly young entrepreneurs have taken up the challenge with gusto.

Bangladesh has seen a large number of technology start-ups over the last decade, and although entrepreneurship is now the go-to ambition for young people, we are actually seeing a lot of changes in the overall technology eco-system.

Although the World Bank data projects a much lower number than the government-provided estimation of 60 million internet users, we are seeing a nascent internet and technology-based service industry slowly making its mark in the country’s economy.

As a result, people are getting access to services more easily and in the process having a better say in the way they communicate with

each other.

In the renewed zeal to leverage technology as a service delivery platform, basic needs like education and health have been digitised up to a certain point.

The government recently launched the entire primary school curriculum in an interactive multimedia digital version where students can not only learn from their teachers but can actually interact with the content if they have a touch-friendly device, which can be taken anywhere with them.

The fact that the government did this with technical support from BRAC and Save the Children -- two development organisations -- show that a partnership approach in making technology mainstream in delivering services is not only taking off, but is very much necessary to achieve scale and be effective at the same time.

One thing which has always been a constant reminder for the innovators is their innovations might have a very brief shelf life if they cannot get investors excited about their projects. How many times have we seen potentially great ideas not coming to fruition because the founder was not savvy

in selling her idea?

The world is ripe with examples of innovators nearly making it, but not quite taking the final step.

We need to bring those people out in the front so that they can take that step forward on their own.

BRAC has recently brought to Bangladesh the Manthan Award, the prestigious ICT innovation award which started in India, in the form of BRAC Manthan Digital Innovation Award.

The purpose of the award is simple: Recognising the best use of ICT tools in Bangladesh and creating a space for them in front of a local and international audience to showcase their projects.

The winners of the Bangladesh awards will compete in the Indian Manthan Awards with applicants arriving from more than 30 countries of the Asia Pacific region.

Technology is changing the way we work and interact with our environment. It has changed the way we talk to our dear ones, express our feelings over great distances, and the way we organise our lives.

You can see older people and school-going kids getting hooked on technology with the same fervour.

By virtue of its usefulness, the pace of technological development will only increase with time.

With that will arrive new ways to manage our information and newer ways to reach the people with governance solutions.

The time is now to strengthen our efforts in making technology work, not just for people living in luxury but for that person who doesn’t have access to basic information in the first place.

It is time to break the knowledge barrier and help that young kid who is considering taking off to Malaysia on a broken trawler with strangers. It is time to help that poor farmer who can easily receive weather updates on his mobile phone.

It is time to make people understand that technology can be power and not just for the people rolling up their wind-shields in air-conditioned cars, but for the countless thousands as well who we generally discount when we are talking about technology.

Technology can be a potent solution for development -- all it needs is a few champions to drive the point home. l Rakib Avi is working as Manager, Communications in BRAC.

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24 Sport

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

TOP STORIES

BRIEF SCORE VICTORIA SC 219/7 in 33 overs (Mazid 100, Mominul 73, Sharif 3/19) beat GAZI GC 191 in 30.1 overs (Bisht 86, Shamsur 42, Al Amin 5/27) by 28 runs

n Minhaz Uddin Khan

Sharapova to appeal two-year doping ban Russian superstar Maria Sharapova on Wednesday vowed to appeal a two-year doping ban which looks certain to end one of sport’s most celebrated and high-profile careers.Sharapova, 29, tested positive for meldonium. PAGE 25

Totti to play 25th season with Roma Iconic Roma captain Francesco Totti has signed a new one-year contract to play a 25th season with the Serie A side, the club announced on Tuesday. Totti, who turns 40 in September, began his Serie A career with Roma in 1993. PAGE 26

Ex-Reds defender Agger retires aged 31 Former Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has announced his retirement due to injuries at the age of just 31. “It’s sad, but it is the right decision to stop. I’m proud of my career,” the Danish centre-back wrote on Twitter PAGE 26

Victoria Sporting Club opening batsman Abdul Mazid plays straight during their Dhaka Premier League match against Gazi Group Cricketers at Fatullah’s Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Victoria finish 1st phase on top n Mazhar Uddin

Victoria Sporting Club finished on top of the Dhaka Premier League's first phase after beating Gazi Group Cricketers by 28 runs yesterday. Abdul Mazid struck his second consecutive hundred before Al-Amin picked up his maiden List-A five-wicket haul to ensure Gazi Group also didn't make it to the Super League phase.

Victoria are joined in the next phase by Mohammedan Sporting Club, Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club, Abahani Limited, Legends of Rupganj and Prime Bank Cricket Club, who pipped Kalabagan Krira Chakra on head-to-head count. Gazi Group, who started

Shamsur Rahman Abdul Mazid Imtiaz Hossain Al Amin Mahmudullah

France kick off their Euro 2016 campaign against Romania today with the host nation desperate for a ray of sunshine after being hit by strikes, floods in the buildup. Protests against a labour law and torrential rain created a bleak backdrop to the tournament. PAGE 28

the league so promisingly, finished on eighth spot.

Meanwhile, Brothers Union avoided the relegation play-offs after their match against Rupganj was abandoned due to a wet pitch at the BKSP-3 ground. As a result, Kalabagan Cricket Academy and Cricket Coaching School have been demoted to next season's Dhaka First Division Cricket League.

Back to the game in Fatullah where rain forced the game into a 33-over contest after it started three hours and fifteen minutes later.

Victoria posted a challenging 219/7 in 33 overs riding on Mazid's blistering 92-ball century.

He struck eight fours and two sixes while Mominul Haque

scored 73 off 66 balls. They added 122 runs for the second wicket that helped Victoria post the formidable total. Pacers Mohammad Sharif took three wickets while Delwar Hossain took two wickets.

In reply Gazi failed to provide a good start in their do-or-die chase. Shamsur Rahman made 42 while their Indian recruit Puneet Bisht top scored with 86 off 79 balls. But these were not enough as the rest of the batsmen failed miserably as Gazi Group were bowled out for 191 runs in 30.1 overs.

Off-spinner Al-Amin picked up five wickets in just four overs while Mahbub Alam also took three wickets. l

POINTS TABLE

TOP 5 RUN-SCORERS Player

Les Bleus hoping to shake off the blues

BCCI confirms Bangladesh Test without date

Team

M

R

HS

Ave

Gazi Group

11

558

136

55.8

Victoria

11

538

118

48.9

Prime Doleshwar

11

526

100*

Victoria

11

502

Sheikh Jamal

11

497

Chaturanga de Silva

Team

M

W

Victoria

M W L T NR Pts Super Six 11

7

3

0

15

Mohammedan 11

7

4 0 0

14

52.6

Doleshwar

11

7

4 0 0

14

102

55.8

Abahani

11

7

4 0 0

14

130

49.7

Rupganj

11 6

3

1

14

11 6

5 0 0

12

Prime Bank

TOP 5 WICKET-TAKERS Player

Teams

1

1

Safe Zone BB

Ave

Kalabagan KC 11 6

5 0 0

12

Victoria

11

23

6/35

20

Gazi Group

11

5

6 0 0

10

Mashrafe Mortaza

Kalabagan KC

11

22

6/42

20.2

Sheikh Jamal

11

5

6 0 0

10

Kamrul Islam Rabbi

Victoria

11

22

4/38

22.8

Brothers

11 4

6 0

9

Mahmudullah

Sheikh Jamal

10

21

5/66

19.04

Naeem Islam

Mohammedan

11

20

4/21

22.2

1

Relegated to 1st Division CCS

11

2

9 0 0

4

Kalabagan CA 11

2

9 0 0

4

Tamim Iqbal has said playing against a top team like India in their own den will be important for the Test team. Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) yesterday announced Bangladesh's first-ever Test in India to be held in Hyderabad in their 2016-17 schedule but didn't mention a date.

The tour was originally supposed to be held in August this year but now it seems Bangladesh's Test may be squeezed in between England and Australia's tour to India next year.

The BCCI have included tours of New Zealand and England as the first two tours of the home season before Australia will be hosted in February and March next year.

After England's tour to Bangladesh, the BPL will be held in November. Bangladesh then tour New Zealand from late December to mid-January after which the India Test will most likely be scheduled.

As a result, Bangladesh's next international assignment will be in October when England are touring the country, which has left Tamim frustrated due to the lack of cricket since the World T20.

“This Test is important for us.

Playing Test cricket against India in India will get us some different experience. But one thing which irks me is that we have been the No 2 side in 2015 but you see in the six months from April to September we have no international cricket,” opener Tamim told Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

“I hope the concerned will take this into account. To continue with the good run of form there is no alternative than playing as many international matches possible,” he added.

But the BCB would still be relieved to have confirmed the Test in India, who had resisted Bangladesh since they gained Test status in 2000. It was said often that the BCCI wasn't interested to host a team that didn't guarantee five days of cricket.

India have played eight Tests while on five tours to Bangladesh, apart from the 12 other times they have toured to play ODIs and T20s here in various tournaments.

Bangladesh have toured India to play international cricket on four occasions since 1990. l

25

DT

Sport

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

Mustafiz's weight loss a concern for Tigers n Minhaz Uddin Khan Mustafizur Rahman's weight loss has concerned the Bangladesh Cricket Board. Though homesickness was said to be a factor, Dhaka Tribune has learned that he used to take meals inside the hotel but got bored having the same food regularly.

Irregular food intake has been an old issue for Bangladesh cricketers but for the past few years the culture has changed slightly. The cricketers are more keen towards having proper meal and visit different places during a tour or home series. Mustafiz is known to be the kind of person who likes to stay in his room mostly.

It is understood that the team management has taken this issue seriously, but is hopeful that he can recover soon. He will be given a diet plan to follow and also some education on how to maintain his physique through proper diet.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh physio Bayjidul Islam said yesterday that Mustafiz has recovered from his shoulder and side strains but still needs time to recover from the hamstring and ankle injuries. As a result, Mustafiz's stint at Sussex is delayed further after the English county side

Bangladesh trainer Mario Villavarayan imparts instructions as Mustafizur Rahman listens intently in Mirpur yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE expected him to join by today.

Bayjid said Mustafiz will have to undergo rehabilitation to obtain full fitness but the time needed for recovery cannot be determined.

“He has some minor issues for which he will have to undergo rehab. At the moment we cannot tell the time of recovery that he will need as this depends from player

BANNED PLAYER MARIA SHARAPOVA Born: April 19, 1987 in Nyagan, Russia GRAND SLAM TITLES: Five: Wimbledon (2004); U.S. Open (2006); Australian Open (2008); French Open (2012, 2014)

MAKING HER NAME Born in Siberia, moves to Black Sea coastal resort of Sochi aged two. t Moves to Florida in 1996 to train at Nick Bollettieri’s Tennis Academy in Bradenton. Sharapova’s father Yuri, armed with just $700, moves to U.S. with her. Her mother Yelena has to stay in Russia due to visa restrictions. t Turns professional in 2001. t

TENNIS CAREER Wins first tour title in Tokyo in 2003. Finishes inside top 50 for first time. t Becomes first Russian woman to win Wimbledon in 2004 aged 17, beating holder Serena Williams 6-1 6-4 in the final. t In August 2005 becomes first Russian woman to reach the top of the world rankings. t Wins her second grand slam after defeating second seed Justine Henin 6-4 6-4 in the 2006 U.S. Open final. t

Beats Ana Ivanovic of Serbia 7-5 6-3 in 2008 to win her third grand slam title, and first Australian Open. t Regains number one ranking by beating Petra Kvitova in the French Open semi-finals in 2012 before defeating Sara Errani 6-3 6-2 in the final to complete her collection of grand slam trophies. t Wins a silver medal in her Olympic debut at the 2012 Games in London, losing the final against Serena Williams 6-0 6-1. t Wins fifth grand slam title at 2014 French Open. t

FAILED TEST Sharapova tells a news conference in Los Angeles in March that she tested positive at this year’s Australian Open for meldonium, which is used to treat diabetes and low magnesium and has been banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) since Jan. 1. t She is provisionally banned by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) pending the outcome of an anti-doping hearing in London in May t ITF announces a two-year ban for Sharapova backdated to Jan. 26.

Sharapova says she will appeal against the length of the ban. t

to player. We have decided to assist him every week and see how much he has recovered and make the next decision,” said Bayjid.

“The trainers are assisting him while I am looking after his treatment. We have already planned the exercise he needs to do and that will be maintained from now on,” he added. l

BCB's passing fancy? n Mazhar Uddin

The negatives outweigh the positives in Bangladesh Cricket Board's decision to split the selection committee into two levels. The existing three-member selection panel will have the head coach, team manager and the cricket operations committee chairman on top of them.

BCB president Nazmul Hasan finalised the decision earlier this week and said that only the approval of the board of directors remain. It is likely to be discussed at the next meeting this month.

Previous occasions of “lack of communication” between Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha and chief selector Faruk Ahmed has been cited as the main reason for making these changes in the process of picking the Bangladesh squad ahead of a series and tournament.

Although there are many examples of coaches being included in the selection process around the cricketing world, the role of a team manager and the cricket operation chairman is rare.

But the inclusion of the head coach in the selection panel could also make a negative impact among the players who would now want to be in his good book as the coach will have the ultimate power in Bangladesh cricket.

Yet at the same time Bangladesh team have been doing pretty well under Hathurusingha's coaching in

the past two years, so his inclusion may have a positive impact. The coach can now set his desired players for certain roles in which he has been looking to do for a long time.

But the inclusion of Khaled Mahmud and Akram Khan, both board directors, is being considered as the board's way of having their representation in the selection panel, which could affect its independence. It is also unprecedented to have the team manager and board directors to be included in the selection panel.

Already, Faruk said that he may resign if these changes are made to the selection committee. In the past he has had public disagreements with the team management over selection matters. In February 2014 Mushfiqur Rahim blasted Faruk for not consulting him in selecting the Asia Cup team. In January 2015, Hathurusingha said that he prefered having legspinner Jubair Hossain in the World Cup squad while the BCB also questioned the selectors over the inclusion of Al-Amin Hossain and Nasir Hossain. In June, Hathurusingha and Faruk had disagreement over the selection of Shuvagata Hom. Still, according to some former players including Aminul Islam Bulbul, the new selection committee will have a negative affect in future if it includes the manager and coach.

So is this a fancy decision on the part of the BCB, when things are going well for the Tigers? l

Sharapova to appeal ‘unfairly harsh’ two-year doping ban n AFP, London Russian superstar Maria Sharapova on Wednesday vowed to appeal a two-year doping ban which looks certain to end one of sport’s most celebrated and high-profile careers.

Sharapova, 29, tested positive for the controversial banned medication meldonium during January’s Australian Open.

A statement by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said “an Independent Tribunal” had “found that Maria Sharapova committed an anti-doping rule violation” and consequently had “disqualified the affected results and imposed a period of ineligibility of two years, commencing on 26 January, 2016”.

Sharapova blasted the ban as “unfairly harsh” in a statement on her Facebook page.

“While the tribunal concluded correctly that I did not intentionally violate the anti-doping rules, I cannot accept an unfairly harsh two-year suspension,” fumed Sharapova.

“The tribunal, whose members were selected by the ITF, agreed

5 FACTS ON MELDONIUM t t t t

t

Meldonium is also known as mildronate or mildronats.

It is used to treat heart problems and diabetes It was only added to the WADA banned list at the start of 2016.

The drug is manufactured in Latvia and exported to Russia. It is not approved for use in the United States Meldonium can increase an individual’s capacity for physical exertion and, according to WADA, it was outlawed in sport “because of evidence of its use by athletes with the intention of enhancing performance”.

that I did not do anything intentionally wrong, yet they seek to keep me from playing tennis for two years. I will immediately appeal the suspension portion of this ruling to CAS, the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”

Sharapova slammed the ITF for spending “tremendous amounts of time and resources trying to prove I intentionally violated the anti-doping rules” before adding that “the tribunal concluded I did not”.

The US-based Russian failed a drugs test on January 26 and was charged with an anti-doping violation on March 2. In a packed press conference in Los Angeles a few days later, she admitted to taking meldonium but said she hadn’t realised it was on the banned substance list.

One of her top sponsors Nike, which had suspended ties with the Russian in the immediate aftermath of her confession, stoked controversy Wednesday by revealing they were rekindling their relationship. Racquet sponsors HEAD said they had no hesitation in staying loyal to their client just as they had done after her failed test. l

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Sport

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

NBA FINALS

GAME 3, GS LEAD 2-1

CAVALIERS 120-90 WARRIORS 73-9, 34-7 Away

GS CLE

57-25, 33-8 Home 1 16 33

2 27 18

3 26 38

4 21 31

T 90 120

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

Starters R. Jefferson L. James T. Thompson K. Irving J.R. Smith

MIN 33 40 31 37 38

FG 3PT FT REB AST PTS 4-7 1-3 0-0 8 2 9 14-26 1-2 3-5 11 6 32 5-6 0-0 4-5 13 2 14 12-25 3-7 3-3 4 8 30 7-13 5-10 1-2 4 1 20

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

Starters D. Green H. Barnes S. Curry Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (R) shoots the ball against Golden State Warriors forward K. Thompson Draymond Green (C) in game three of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on Wednesday REUTERS A. Iguodala

MIN 36 33 31 31 28

FG 2-8 7-11 6-13 4-13 5-7

3PT FT REB AST PTS 0-4 2-4 7 7 6 2-5 2-3 8 3 18 3-9 4-4 1 3 19 1-7 1-3 2 1 10 1-2 0-0 2 0 11

Cavs crush Warriors to cut Finals deficit to 2-1 n Reuters, Cleveland

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers stormed back into the NBA Finals with a dominant 12090 victory over the defending champion Golden State Warriors on Wednesday that cut the series deficit to 2-1.

James, who called the game “do-or-die” for his team, scored a game-high 32 points and Kyrie Irving added 30 as the Cavaliers breathed new life into a series that had looked headed for a quick finish after a lopsided opening two games in Oakland.

“We talked about effort for the last two days, just being aggressive, playing hard, the physicality, and we brought that,” Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue told reporters. “When we play that way, we’re tough to beat.”

Cleveland, well aware that no team in NBA history has ever come back from an 3-0 series deficit to win in seven games, got off to a fast start and led the entire way to keep alive their hopes of avenging last year’s Finals defeat to the Warriors.

NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry had a night to forget with 19 points on 6-for-13 shooting

for the Warriors.

The Cavaliers were a much different team than the one that lost the first two games of the series by a combined 48 points and kept alive their hopes of delivering Cleveland its first professional sports championship in 52 years.

James and Irving set the tone early with a dominant first quarter, during which they helped Cleveland establish a 20-point lead at one stage.

The defending champion Warriors showed some signs of life in the second quarter as they chipped away at the Cavaliers lead, getting

to within eight points by halftime despite Curry being held to two points.

However, Cleveland quickly squashed any hopes the Warriors had at making a comeback with a blistering start to the third quarter, where they built a 22-point lead after a jump shot by James with about six minutes left in the quarter.

The Cavaliers, embarrassed by a 33-point loss in Game Two, cruised the rest of the way and led by as many as 31 with a minute to play to change the narrative of a series that many had started to think would be over in four games. l

Ronaldo inherits richest athlete throne from Tiger, Mayweather Totti to play 25th season with Roma n AFP, Rome Iconic Roma captain Francesco Totti has signed a new one-year contract to play a 25th season with the Serie A side, the club announced on Tuesday.

Totti, who turns 40 in September, began his Serie A career with Roma in 1993, playing 601 matches for the club – only surpassed in the Italian top flight by Maldini’s 647 with Milan and Zanetti’s 615 for Inter.

He has had a tense relationship with coach Spalletti in recent times and speculation had been rife he could be forced out. But his hopes of earning a final year’s deal were boosted late in the season when he came off the bench to score crucial goals for Roma as they finished third in Serie A. l

n AFP, New York Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona striker Lionel Messi topped the Forbes magazine list of the world’s highest-paid athletes on Wednesday in the wake of boxer Floyd Mayweather’s retirement and back surgery for golfer Tiger Woods.

The annual list of total revenues for top sports stars had been topped 12 times by Woods and in three of the last four by Mayweather, who retired unbeaten last year.

This year, 31-year-old Portugal forward Ronaldo topped the list at $88 million (77.2 million euros) with $56 million in salary and $32 million more from endorsement deals.

The three-time FIFA player of the year is a marketing juggernaut with a new Nike deal worth $13 million annually plus endorsement partners such as Tag Heuer and Herbalife plus his own lines of suits, cologne, shirts, shoes, underwear and hotels.

FORBES TOP-EARNING ATHLETES 2016 Name Cristiano Ronaldo (Por) Lionel Messi (Arg) LeBron James (USA) Roger Federer (Sui) Kevin Durant (USA) Novak Djokovic (Srb) Cam Newton (USA) Phil Mickelson (USA) Jordan Spieth (USA) Kobe Bryant (USA)

Sport Football Football Basketball Tennis Basketball Tennis American football Golf Golf Basketball

Messi, who sat out Argentina’s opening victory at the Copa America Centenario this week, was next at $81.4 million, with $28 million of that from sponsorships.

LeBron James, who leads the Cleveland Cavaliers against defending champion Golden State in the ongoing NBA Finals, was third on the list and tops among Americans with $77.2 million. He has endorsement deals of $54 million, including a lifetime pact with Nike

Salary + Endorsements ($m) 88.0 81.4 77.2 67.8 56.2 55.8 53.1 52.9 52.8 50.0

that could pay off to the tune of $1 billion, and $23.2 million in club salary.

Golden State’s Stephen Curry, the NBA Most Valuable Player and scoring champion, shared 69th on $23.6 million with world number one golfer Jason Day of Australia.

Roger Federer, the Swiss tennis star with a record 17 men’s Grand Slam singles titles, was fourth on $67.8 million. He set the pace in sponsor income at $60 million. l

Mourinho begins Man Utd rebuilding with signing of Bailly n Reuters Jose Mourinho’s rebuilding job at Manchester United began when Ivory Coast central defender Eric Bailly became his first signing on Wednesday, joining from Spanish side Villarreal.

The 22-year-old signed a fouryear contract with an option for two more years, a club statement said.

No fee was disclosed although media reports said United had agreed a deal of about 25 million pounds ($36.44 million) with the La Liga side.

“Eric is a young central defender with great natural talent. He has progressed well to date and has the potential to become one of the best around,” former Chelsea manager Mourinho, who replaced Dutchman Louis van Gaal last month, said.

“We look forward to working with him to help nurture that raw talent.” l

Ex-Liverpool defender Agger retires aged 31 n AFP, Copenhagen Former Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has announced his retirement due to injuries at the age of just 31.

“It’s sad, but it is the right decision to stop. I’m proud of my career,” the Danish international centre-back wrote on Twitter.

Agger joined Liverpool from Brondby in 2006 and made 232 appearances for the club, scoring 14 goals and winning the League Cup in 2012, but his spell at Anfield was frequently disrupted by injuries.

He returned to Brondby in 2014.

“It has been difficult in recent years. The last two-three years I think I’ve been at an acceptable level. But acceptable is not good enough for me,” he said at a press conference at the Rosenhoj club outside Copenhagen where he played as a youth.

“I don’t want my level to fall any further and so it was time to stop,” he added. l

27

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Sport

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

DAY’S WATCH FOOTBALL SONY SIX 1:00 AM Euro Cup 2016 France v Romania

SONY ESPN 5:00 AM (Saturday) Copa America Centenario 2016 Chile v Bolivia 7:30 AM Argentina v Panama

CRICKET STAR SPORTS 1 4:00PM Sri Lanka Tour of England 3rd Test, Day 2 12:15 AM Natwest T20 Blast 2016 Nottinghamshire v Derbyshire

Cook falls short of century as England stutter n Reuters, London

Alastair Cook fell short of a 29th test century as Sri Lanka hit back just before tea to leave England on 165 for five on the first day of the final test at Lord’s on Thursday.

Captain Cook and Jonny Bairstow seemed to be steering the hosts away from trouble after Sri Lanka had reduced them to 84-4 shortly after lunch, but Cook was undone by a beauty from seamer Nuwan Pradeep after reaching a serene 85.

Angling one in, Pradeep trapped Cook plumb lbw to swing the day back towards the visitors who are trying to avoid a 3-0 series whitewash after heavy losses in the first two tests.

Cook, who struck nine bounda-

BRIEF SCORES DAY ONE, AT TEA

England 165/5 in 58 overs (Bairstow 44*, Moeen 1*) v Sri Lanka England won the toss ries, had put on 50 with Bairstow who looked in good nick on 44 not out.

It was Pradeep’s second wicket of the day after he had bowled James Vince in the fourth over after lunch for 10.

England won the toss on a beautiful sunny morning and elected to bat on a pitch that looked ripe for scoring.

Cook, presented with a silver bat before the match after becoming the first English batsman to reach 10,000 test runs, made batting look

easy as England eased through the opening hour with barely a nervous moment.

Sri Lanka looked headed for a hard day when Cook and Alex Hales eased to the 50 mark in the 12th over.

By lunch the hosts were 74 for three though, after Sri Lanka’s endeavour was rewarded with the wickets of Hales, Nick Compton and Joe Root.

Sri Lanka’s slow left-armer Rangana Herath and medium pacer Angelo Mathews strangled the scoring rate to a trickle and Hales lost patience after failing to score for 22 deliveries, swinging wildly across the line and edging Herath to a grateful Mathews in the 19th over with the score on 56.

Compton walked in under pres-

sure to score runs after a torrid series so far but lasted only 11 balls before edging a full delivery from Suranga Lakmal to wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal having scored one.

Compton has managed only 32 runs in four innings despite England’s dominating the first two tests and his future in the team is now in serious doubt.

The morning got even better for Sri Lanka when Lakmal trapped Joe Root lbw for three -- the decision going to the third umpire after Root was originally given not out.

After Vince was out Cook steadied the ship in his own unflustered way although Bairstow was lucky when he was dropped by Shaminda Eranga at mid-wicket when he had made 11. l

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28

Sport

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

A group photo during the football match of friendship, with legendary footballer Pele and Maradona, sponsored by Hublot in Paris, France yesterday

AFP

Les Bleus open Euro 2016 hoping to shake off the blues n Reuters, Paris

France kick off their Euro 2016 campaign against Romania today with the host nation desperate for a ray of sunshine after being hit by strikes, floods and scandals in the build-up.

Protests against a labour law and

torrential rain that has caused the Seine river to rise to levels not seen in decades have created a bleak backdrop to the tournament where France will start as favourites.

A state of emergency is also still in force after last November’s Islamist attacks killed 130 people in Paris at several sites including the Stade de France, the venue for Friday’s opening game.

As if that were not enough, France’s preparations have been hampered by a string of injuries and a scandal involving striker Ka-

rim Benzema, who said last week that he was denied a chance to play in the tournament finals because of his Algerian origins.

Benzema was suspended indefinitely by the French federation (FFF) last December because of his involvement in an alleged blackmail scandal. The FFF upheld the ban in April, effectively ruling the striker out of the tournament.

His accusation of racism was widely denied, with promising forward Kingsley Coman calling it “nonsense”.

His comments did, however, deepen a row about alleged racism in a national team once hailed as a model for ethnic integration after they lifted the World Cup on home soil in 1998.

Current coach Didier Deschamps captained France to that success, but 18 years later he faces a very different challenge.

It seems a formality that France will survive a group, arguably the weakest in the competition, that also features Albania and Switzerland.

“I trust my players,” said Deschamps. “The first game is not decisive but it is important because it sets the tone for the whole tournament.”

Romania have struggled in front of goal, but their resolute defence could make them a difficult side to break down.

The hosts, by contrast, have plenty of attacking talent with Coman, Antoine Griezmann and inform Olivier Giroud, who struck twice in a 3-0 win over Scotland in their final warm-up game. l

Coutinho leads Brazil rout as COPA RESULTS Ecuador thwart Peru 7-1

Brazil

n AFP, Los Angeles

Brazil's Philippe Coutinho (L) shoots to score past Haiti's Romain Genevois during their Copa America group B match in Orlando on Wednesday AP

Philippe Coutinho completed a hat-trick as Brazil routed Haiti 7-1 at the Copa America Centenario on Wednesday while Ecuador produced a gutsy fightback to thwart Peru’s push for a quarter-final berth.

Coutinho conjured up the sort of form which made him one of Liverpool’s most potent attackers in the Premier League last season as the Brazilians outclassed Haiti in the first ever competitive meeting of the two nations.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder grabbed his first two goals inside the first half hour of a

one-sided Group B game at Orlando’s Citrus Bowl in Florida.

Coutinho then grabbed his third in the dying seconds of injury time, curling in a spectacular shot to complete a fine night’s work.

Brazil manager Dunga was left purring with pleasure at the performance of Coutinho, who scored 12 goals in all competitions for Liverpool this season.

“He is really taking advantage of the opportunities he has been given,. e have talked quite a lot to him about being the ‘Liverpool Coutinho’ - to take the initiative, be a leading part of the team, all within his own style,” said the coach.

Haiti

Coutinho 14, 29, 90+2, Marcelin 70 Augusto 35, 86 Gabriel 59, Lima 67

Ecuador 2-2 Peru Valencia 39, Bolanos 48

Cueva 5, Flores 13

GROUP B

P

W

D

L

Brazil

2

1

1

0

Peru

2

1

1

Ecuador

2

0

2

Haiti

2

0

0

2

GD Pts 7

4

0

3

4

0

2

2

1

0

Elsewhere, Ecuador frustrated Peru’s hopes of sealing their quarter-final berth, fighting back from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw in Glendale, Arizona. l

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Put away (4) 4 Document (5) 8 Buccaneer (6) 9 Snow vehicle (4) 11 Tribal symbol (5) 12 Afresh (4) 14 Day before (3) 15 Rich cake (6) 19 Book of accounts (6) 21 Greek letter (3) 22 Time long past (4) 24 Interior decoration (5) 27 Moist (4) 29 Talisman (6) 30 Sea nymph (5) 31 Observed (4)

DOWN 1 Distress call (3) 2 Laid bare (6) 3 Broad (4) 4 Light blow (3) 5 Coral isle (5) 6 Favourite (3) 7 Sucking fish (6) 10 Wash (4) 13 Tiny (3) 14 Escapes artfully (6) 16 Weep (3) 17 Charge with gas (6) 18 Article (4) 20 Garden ornament (5) 23 Lyric poems (4) 25 Vehicle (3) 26 Cricket score (3) 28 Play on words (3)

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29

Downtime

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 6 represents N so fill N every time the figure 6 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

DT

30

Showtime

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

Prince Day in Minnesota n Showtime Desk The governor of Minnesota has declared June 7 as ‘Prince Day’ in honour of the recently demised singer, who lived in Minnesota.

On this day, residents in Minnesota are requested to wear purple in Prince’s honour, as the singer lived in the state his whole life. Prince was born in Minneapolis in 1958, and his Paisley Park home and recording studio were in the town of Chanahassen.

The Prince Day declaration was made by Democrat governor Mark Dayton, who last month declared that May 23 was Beyoncé Day to mark a concert by the singer in Minnesota.

Dayton’s citation for Prince on behalf of Minnesota added: “Prince was the creator of ‘The Minneapolis sound’, a contribution not only to the catalogue of music genres, but to Minnesota’s worldwide prominence and its economic growth.”

Prince died on April 21 from an overdose of the prescription drug Fentanyl. l

Parineeti Chopra to romance Mahesh Babu

n Showtime Desk

Bollywood star Parineeti Chopra is all set to star in an on-screen romance with Mahesh Babu in her debut in Tollywood.

The rumours have been confirmed that the gorgeous actor will indeed play the leading lady in the upcoming bilingual film directed by the prominent director AR Murugadoss, who has delivered hits like Ghajini and Thuppakki.

After Mahesh Babu’s latest film Brahmotsavam turned out to be a damp squib at the box office, all heads have turned towards his upcoming project. This will be a bilingual project, simultaneously

shot in both Telugu and Tamil.

Mahesh himself will do the Tamil dubbing since the actor is pretty fluent in the language.

Interestingly, veteran cinematographer Santhosh Siva will also make his debut in Tollywood with this film. l Source: indiatoday

Ashiqur sets to return on TV with Princess

n Showtime Desk Gangster Returns, Kistimaat and Musafir director Ashiqur Rahman came into the limelight while making these films. The filmmaker’s latest work, a short musical film titled Saranshe Tumi, is already out on YouTube.

Rahman is now on the verge of launching a new project with Shakib Khan.

In the meantime, Ashiqur Rahman is all set to return to TV after a long hiatus. During the forthcoming Eid holidays, his directorial venture Princess, a TV action drama, will air on Asian TV. The director is creating something new for television after four long years. Although a few proposals for working on TV did come his way, his busy schedule

for the big screen barred him from considering those. However, this time the proposal came from Hasnain Khurshed, the CEO of Asian TV, who praised Ashiqur’s first work on TV and took the initiative to air it.

Talking about his latest work on TV, Ashiqur Rahman said: “Though the whole shooting took place in Australia, it’s entirely a Bangladeshi production. No popular faces but some diligent, talented actors have worked in it. The story is delicately told and hopefully, the beautiful locations in Australia will really entice the audience.”

Written by Insan Emon, the TV action drama cast inclucdes Taskeen Rahman, Syeda Tajzi, Anne Sabrin, Nehal Hossnain and Rahmat Ullah. l

Sudip Chakroborthy to work for Kolkata’s Aneek Theatre n Abida Nowshin Sudip Chakroborthy, a revered name in the field of theatre in our country, is on his way to make another mark abroad.

The assistant professor at the Theatre and Performance Studies Department of Dhaka University flew to Kolkata to work on Aneek Theatre’s upcoming play (Sha)Kuntala.

Aneek Theatre is producing the play, which is written and directed by Amal Chakrobarty, supported by the central government of India. Sudip has been invited to design the stage and lights for the production, according to Sudip’s recent Facebook post.

“I would call this a recognition of the effort and talent of the youth of the country. Undoubtedly, I feel good,” says the young theatre activist, who has a busy year ahead of him.

Recently, Sudip directed Shakespeare Shoptok, a combined production of excerpts of

seven plays by Shakespeare.

His upcoming production Gohonjatra, produced by Padatik Natya Sangsad and written by Rubayet Ahmed, will be staged in July.

In October, Sudip will direct Memorai with Bangladeshi diaspora responding to the invitation of National Theatre of Scotland, and in December he will direct Selim Al Deen’s Shwarnoboal, following the invitation of Kolkata based theatre group Rongokormi. l

Watchlist: June’s new releases n Nazia Lopa Independence Day 2

There has been a decent amount of movement on the announced sequel to Independence Day, from the sci-fi film landing a release date to director Roland Emmerich

confirming various casting moves.

Setting the sequel 20 years after the initial events of the 1996 blockbuster also helps explain why certain cast members like Will Smith have chosen not to return for further alien adventures. Original Independence Day stars Bill Pullman

and Jeff Goldblum are returning, and that they will be joined by Liam Hemsworth and Jessie Usher, who reportedly will be playing Hiller’s step-son in the film. Plot of the film is Set 20 years after the original, this sequel sees the nations of Earth use the alien technology to develop an

Now You See Me 2

Sleight of hand is the name of the game in Now You See Me 2 — not just for the renegade magician characters, but for the filmmakers.

With the glossy capers of the first movie to live up to, the plot rides a surging tide of ridiculousness and culminates in a pileup of unconvincing explanations. As practitioners of prestidigitation take on the wielders of malevolent corporate power, anyone tempted to give the story’s flashy twists

Conjuring 2

You probably need a double dose of courage to watch this one.

It is pretty obvious that a lot of viewers would chicken out after watching just the trailer! Ed and Lorraine Warren are back, and this time, they’re in England doing what they do best, hunting out evil spirits! Releasing today.

It’s the same old blather about things that go bump in the night.

Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are back as real-life paranormal investigators Ed Warren and his

advanced defense system for the planet. But nothing can prepare them for an unprecedented force of alien attackers out for revenge.

It’s up to a few brave men and women to save the world from extraterrestrials once more.

Releasing on June 24.

much thought should have some aspirin handy. By the time the story’s final revelation has been pulled out of the hat, the only thing that’s certain is the eventual materialisation of Now You See Me 3. Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Daniel Radcliffe, Lizzy Caplan, Jay Chou, Sanaa Lathan, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, David Warshofsky, Tsai Chin are in the movie directed by Jon M. Chu. And this movie is also releasing today.

Central Intelligence clairvoyant wife, Lorraine. This time they’re working the British equivalent of the Amityville horror case that made global headlines in 1970. Seven years later, single mom Peggy Hodgson (Frances O’Connor) and her four kids, especially 11-year-old Janet (a terrific Madison Wolfe), find their ramshackle North London home bedeviled by demons. (The one that looks like a cadaverous nun with hollowed-out eyes is a doozy.)

Johnson and Kevin Hart are here to save America. High school is a tough time for anyone, even Dwayne Johnson.

In the new trailer for Central Intelligence, we see The Rock as a young and vulnerable, En Vogue-loving teen, who, thanks to a can-do attitude and sixhour daily workout regimen, later grows up to be “Jason Bourne in jorts.”

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Showtime

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

WHAT TO WATCH Final Destination 5 WB 3:14pm Survivors of a suspensionbridge collapse learn there’s no way you can cheat death.

Cast: Nicholas D’Agosto, Emma Bell, Arlen Escarpeta, Miles Fisher, Ellen Wroe Lucy Star Movies 5:30pm A woman, accidentally caught in a dark deal, turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.

Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Choi Min-sik, Amr Waked, Julian Rhind-Tutt Troy HBO 6:32pm An adaptation of Homer’s great epic, the film follows the assault on Troy by the united Greek forces and chronicles the fates of the men involved.

Cast: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Brian Cox, Sean Bean Faster WB 7:48pm An ex-con gets on a series of apparently unrelated killings.

He gets tracked by a veteran cop with secrets of his own and an egocentric hit man.

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Billy Bob Thornton, Carla Gugino, Moon Bloodgood, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Maggie Grace Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Zee Studio 9:30pm Sam Witwicky leaves the Autobots behind for a normal life. But when his mind is filled with cryptic symbols, the Decepticons target him and he is dragged back into the Transformers’ war.

Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, John Turturro, Ramon Rodriguez, Josh Duhamel l

Kevin Hart co-stars as Johnson’s compassionate former high school classmate who grows up to be an accountant, and does not have a six-hour daily workout regimen.

Much like 10th grade science lab partners, the two must work together in order to get back encryption keys to a U.S. spy satellite program. Central Intelligence hits theaters on June 17. l

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Back Page

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

SUGAR PRICE: WHO CALLS THE SHOT? PAGE 12

VICTORIA FINISH 1ST PHASE ON TOP PAGE 24

PRINCE DAY IN MINNESOTA PAGE 30

JMB man killed in gunfight n Md Tazul Islam, Gaibandha

Selling of rotten food items at restaurants is not uncommon, but the trend sees a significant rise during the month of Ramadan.

In the picture, a magistrate and a RAB team inspect food items at a Bailey Road restaurant that they fined Tk2 lakh yesterday for selling rotten food as iftar items MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

A suspected member of banned Islamist militant outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) was killed in a gunfight with police at Maloncha village under Gobindaganj upazila in Gaibandha district yesterday.

The identity of the deceased could not be known.

Sub-Inspector Gofur of Gobindaganj police station said: “On information, members of Detective Branch (DB) of police raided a house at Malancha village where a gang of JMB men was holding a

secret meeting for planning subversive acts.”

Sensing the presence of police, the JMB men opened fire to them prompting the law enforcers to retaliate, triggering a gunfight.

At one stage, the JMB men managed to flee the scene.

Later, police recovered the body of an unidentified JMB man and recovered some local weapons and bombs from the spot Mozammel Haque, officer-incharge of the police station, said the body was sent to Gaibandha Hospital morgue. l

Booths at airports to realise taxes from foreign workers n Syed Samiul Basher Anik The National Board of Revenue (NBR) will soon open income tax booths for the departing foreign workers at three airports and a land customs station for realising the unpaid taxes from them.

“The booths will be set up at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka, Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong, Osmani International Airport in Sylhet and in Benapole Land Port where foreigners have to submit their income tax statements obtained from revenue authorities to get the departure clearance from Bangladeshi immigration, said NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman while talking to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Currently, most of the foreigners are allegedly evading their due taxes due to lack of immigration check posts in the country. No foreigner will be able to leave the country without paying their due taxes using these ports, once these tax booths are set up.

According to NBR plan, the board will initially set up separate check posts at three airports and a land port and also will establish similar check posts later on at other

immigration points in phases.

The revenue authorities made the decision at its Steering Committee meeting held yesterday at the NBR headquarters in the city with NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman in the chair.

The meeting also decided to incorporate provisions of income tax in Bangladesh VISA Policy, so the foreigners can get a clear idea

lated provisions in their activities.

Currently, there have been no income tax provisions in the policies and rules of those agencies like Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority, Immigration of Bangladesh Police, Special Branch of Police, Board of Investment, NGO Affairs Bureau etc.

“Those agencies have assured us that they will include income

Two taskforces- one for Dhaka and another one for Chittagong- are working for collecting information and coordinating among various agencies to prevent tax evasion by foreigners about the tax payment rules and procedures before their arrival to Bangladesh, said NBR Chairman.

“To make it happen, some amendments will be made in Bangladesh VISA Policy, The Foreigners Act, Registration of Foreigners Act, Income Tax Ordinance etc soon,” said Nojibur.

The government agencies that work with the registration, approval or licensing work permit to foreigners were also asked in the meeting to include income tax re-

tax related issues in their activities.

In addition, the apex trade body FBCCI will also help the revenue authorities in getting complete support from the private sector employers, who employ foreign workers, to realise income tax from them,” said NBR boss.

Regarding formation of a data bank, Nojibur said: “If all the agencies concerned share their information among themselves spontaneously, a complete data bank can be made on the working foreigners

in the country.”

Earlier, the NBR has sought recorded list of foreigners from Board of Investment, NGO Affairs Bureau, Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), Immigration of Bangladesh Police and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to implement the tax provisions.

It has also sent letters to different employer organisations asking them to provide specific information only about their foreign workforce.

The data bank will include all information of foreigners including their date of arrival and departure, their local address, issuance date of work permit and its expiry date and also details about their employers.

According to the finance bill 2015, if found guilty, the companies that employ unauthorised foreigners, will have to pay 50% additional tax from their total payable tax or Tk5 lakh as fine, whichever is higher, as penalty for giving jobs to foreign nationals without necessary documents and work permits.

The companies will also lose tax holiday or exemption benefits.

Currently, around 450,000 foreign nationals, mostly from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan,

South Korea and some European and African countries are working legally or illegally in Bangladesh.

Although all the foreigners are bound to pay 30% tax on their income, only some little over 10,000 pays their due taxes.

Besides, many of them are working here without any work authorisation and leave the country secretly without paying their due taxes.

Officials alleged that some unscrupulous employers also helped their foreign workers to evade their taxes as they work on temporary basis, renewing their work permits every three months.

According to the BoI data, nearly 12,000 foreigners receive work permit from the authority each year.

As per NBR plan, income tax wings will launch drive soon to find out foreigners who do not submit their tax returns despite having a Taxpayers Identification Number.

Currently, two regional taskforces- one for Dhaka and another one for Chittagong- are working for collecting information and coordinating among various agencies to prevent tax evasion by foreign nationals and monitor the employers for checking employment status of the foreign employees. l

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