13 July, 2016

SECOND EDITION

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

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Ashar 29, 1423, Shawwal 7, 1437

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 4, No 77

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

Megathrust quake waiting beneath us Bangladesh could be sitting atop an active megathrust fault, the same kind of geologic feature that caused the magnitude 9.0 Japan earthquake in 2011, a new GPS study of the region has found.

According to the years-long analysis, which is the first to incorporate GPS data from Bangladeshi tracking stations, there is a major earthquake risk for the region as the northeastern corner of the Indian subcontinent is actively colliding with Asia.

The findings of the study, published on Monday in Nature Geoscience journal, mean that a 250km area may be spring-loaded with significant levels of tectonic strain

Area under significant earthquake risk Lower bound model Upper bound model

SOURCE: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

Bay of Bengal

1,001-5,000 people (per sq. km.)

Over 5,000 people

Funding crisis for earthquake preparedness training n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla The Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD), Bangladesh's leading rescue agency, has been suffering a crisis of funds in its volunteer training programmes on earthquake preparedness, which have already trained around 32,000 people to

Try to stay as calm as possible

Stay away from furniture, windows and lamps

Stay away from buildings, walls and power poles

If you are driving stop in a safe place, turn on the hazard lights and stay inside the vehicle

If you use a wheelchair, put the brakes on in a safe place and protect your head with your arms

If you are in a crowed place protect your head with your arms or take cover under seats and tables

deal with such disasters striking the country of 160 million.

In light of recent evidence that Bangladesh is a ticking hotbed for a mega-earthquake, Md Akram Hossain, deputy assistant director of FSCD, mentioned that the training programme on earthquake preparedness began initially with a fund balance of Tk160 crore from the government's Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP), but the programme has currently stopped providing funds.

While some donor organisations continue to provide funds, it is not sufficient to reach large groups of people and the training has been downsized to a smaller scale.

Professor ASM Maksud Kamal, chairman of the department of disaster science and management at Dhaka University said that the government has been conducting various programmes, but a more coordinated and comprehensive approach is required.

As an example, Kamal pointed out that even though volunteers were trained, the fire service does not have information regarding the location of these volunteers.

He advised, “Volunteers should come under a specific organogram. They should be trained regularly and leadership skills need to be built among them. While there is no disaster in the country now, followup training should continue, otherwise volunteers will be ineffective  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

INSIDE PM: Keep close watch on children

Sheikh Hasina urged everyone to remain vigilant about movements of their children to prevent them from getting derailed.  PAGE 5

Four Bangladeshis convicted in Singapore A Singapore court yesterday convicted four Bangladeshi workers for financing terrorism and sentenced them to jail terms varying between two and five years.  PAGE 32

that had been accumulating for more than 400 years.

If or when that energy is released, Dhaka could face catastrophic consequences as the sediments on which the city is built on might amplify the seismic waves. Calamity can be much worse because of the city's high population density and poorly constructed buildings.

Despite the impending threat, researchers say they do not know if and when the fault will give way.

The potential earthquake can hit Bangladesh tomorrow or even 100 years later, said Dr Syed Humayun Akhter, a geology teacher at Dhaka University who co-authored the study report.

The GPS study found that deep beneath the surface one plate was

diving under another in an area encompassing Bangladesh and parts of Myanmar and eastern India.

At the upper layers of the fault, the two plates were stuck together, building up strain that – if it ruptures – could produce a megathrust earthquake of an 8.2 to 9.0 magnitude.

Humayun said a huge amount of energy has been reserved in a 250km area between Chittagong and Sylhet that has never been released.

“Most of Bangladesh's heavy industries, RMG factories, power plants and gas fields are situated in this 250km wide area. Also, most key-point-installations are in this region,” the seismologist said.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

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Maharashtra probe finds nothing against Zakir Naik

European Parliament with BD in its fight against terrorism n UNB n Tribune Desk The European Parliament (EP) has said that it supports Bangladesh in its endeavour to fight against terrorism.

The Head of Division of the South Asia Unit of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Maria Castello-Fernandez conveyed EP’s position at its regular monthly meeting held on Monday.

The South Asia Delegation of the European Parliament deliberated on, among others, migration from South Asia and the security situation in Bangladesh, according to Bangladesh Foreign Ministry.

Referring to the European Parliament resolutions and statements issued in the past, she said the EU delegation in Dhaka has been requested to engage in dialogues.

Mentioning the July 1 incident as “shocking, unpleasant and unacceptable,” Bangladesh Head of Mission to European Union Ambassador Ismat Jahan said terrorism is now an international phenomenon and particularly referred to the statement of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina mentioning “terrorism does not involve any religion.”

“It is reassuring that the EU also joined Bangladesh to cooperate with,” she said conveying condolences on behalf of the people of Bangladesh as well as the government to the bereaved family members of the innocent victims.

Referring to the statement issued by Chair Jean Lambert to contain terrorism jointly, the Ambassador underscored that combating terrorism is important for the people of Bangladesh and its economy.

In reply to a question about the arrest of some thousand people in recent times, the Bangladesh Ambassador said the country is undergoing many terrorist attacks.

“Based on intelligence reports, suspected perpetrators are taken into custody. But that doesn’t mean any systematic crackdown which has a negative connotation.

After investigation, if someone is not found guilty, s/he is immediately released,” she added.

Maria remarked that migration is one of their core foreign policy issues. They are closely working with South Asian countries, especially Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh on this issue, she referred to the recently held first high-level dialogue with Bangladesh which was constructive.

Regarding the upcoming Global Forum for Migration and Development meeting to be held in Dhaka in December 2016, Maria assured of the EU’s readiness to extend all kinds of cooperation to Bangladesh. l

Maharashtra authorities for now have given a clean chit to Islamic televangelist Zakir Naik, conceding that there is simply no case to be made out against the preacher, reports The Hindu.

Sources in the special State Intelligence Department (SID) team handling the probe ordered by the Maharashtra state government said Naik will not be and cannot be arrested upon his return to India.

As part of the preliminary probe, the SID has studied hundreds of YouTube videos and speeches given by him in and outside India.

Senior officials said a dossier of evidence has also been received and collected from the other intelligence teams in various States, Recently, it was reported that of law enforcement agencies had busted an Islamic State cell, which was inspired by the speeches of Naik, operating in Hyderabad.

Closely monitoring “There is no case to be made out against the English-speaking

preacher, except maybe the possible charge of hurting religious sentiments, but even that cannot be established from his speeches. We are tracking his movements and only if he speaks something out of turn, we can ‘pin’ him down on a charge. For now, we are closely

monitoring him,” The Hindu quoted a senior police official, involved in the probe, as saying.

No evidence There is no other strong evidence to link Dr Naik to terror-related activities other than reported charges that he inspired the Dha-

ka and Hyderabad terrorists. His strong defence of religious codes, such as the ones imposed by the Taliban, references to Osama bin Laden, and IS, does not result in any direct or indirect charges against him, senior officials said.

Zakir Naik was to return to Mumbai from Mecca on Monday to address a press conference, but decided to head to Africa instead. His family however, boarded the flight back to India. Supporters of the influential Salafist Islam preacher have already claimed there is no offence to be made out against Naik. His lawyers claim there is no offence to be made out, not even that of a hate speech let alone of fanning terror-related sentiment.

“If he has talked about Osama Bin Laden in one of the speeches that in itself does not constitute a charge or offence against him.

If one bomber (in Bangladesh) says he was inspired by Mr Naik’s speeches, how can he be held accountable,” Naik’s lawyer Mubin Solkar of Solkar & Associates had told The Hindu. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Megathrust quake waiting beneath us Humayun also pointed out that there was no record of a major earthquake in that stretch of land over the past 450 years.

The last major earthquake in that region was recorded on April 2, 1762, when the built-up energy on the belt was discharged across 600700km from the southern Teknaf to Myanmar’s Arakan State.

Explaining how the scientists assessed the geological conditions, Humayun said the team had set up 26 Global Positioning System (GPS) stations to determine the speed and movement of the region’s tectonic plates. Data was collected between 2003 and 2014 while the geological characteristics and geological framework were later analysed.

The numbers showed that the region’s plates were moving 13 to 17 millimetres each year.

Bangladesh sits where three tectonic plates meet: the Indian Plate, the Eurasian Plate, and the Burmese Plate.

‘City on a bowl of Jell-O’

For more than 40 million years, the Indian subcontinent has been crashing slowly into Asia in a geological pileup that created and continues to feed the Himalayas.

As the mountains erode, sediment washes into the Ganges and Brahmaputra, and flows into the Bay of Bengal at a current rate of a

billion tonnes a year, according to the online version of the National Geographic Magazine.

But the region’s rich sedimentary deposits make it even more challenging for researchers to determine the threat facing Dhaka — a megacity with more than 14 million people in its metropolitan area — and its surroundings.

While the region’s sediments take up some of the strain along the newly proposed fault, they are not especially stable, particularly around the rapidly developed eastern outskirts of Dhaka. If a major earthquake strikes, the sediments could even amplify the seismic waves.

“Dhaka’s basically like building a city on a bowl of Jell-O,” says Steckler.

Meanwhile, building codes in the rapidly growing city have long gone ignored, and the public remains unsure of what to do during an earthquake.

“We are preparing … but not to the level mark,” says Humayun.

“The government and NGOs are trying to educate the people, but it is slow.”

Another threat on the north

From 2003 to 2014, researchers led by geologist Michael Steckler of Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory installed and monitored the 26 GPS tracking

stations across Bangladesh, to see how the country’s western half was moving relative to the Indian Peninsula.

When researchers combined their data with previous GPS studies done in northeast India and Myanmar, they determined that overall, Myanmar’s Shan Plateau was moving southwest at a rate of nearly 51 millimetres a year relative to the Indian Peninsula.

After subtracting out the known movements of the region’s faults, the researchers were left with an extra 13 to 17 millimetres of annual motion, consistent with the Indian tectonic plate actively slipping underneath the Eurasian plate.

The nature of movement across the region suggested that the Indian plate was stuck, locked to the underside of northwest Myanmar’s mountains.

Dr Mehedi Ahmed Ansary, a professor at Buet and also the secretary general of Bangladesh Earthquake Society, praised the report but pointed out there was confusion over the position of the fault line which should be on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.

Ansary also referred to another 2014 report on Global Earthquake Model, saying that a 2,500km-long Himalaya Frontal Thrust (HFT) fault system also posed the threat of a catastrophic earthquake in the region as well. l

Funding crisis during disaster time.”

“While Bangladesh has achieved tremendous expertise in dealing with cyclones and floods, the country is still lagging far behind to tackle earthquake-like disasters”, he warned.

The expert thus emphasised the importance of fire service requesting the concerned ministry to allocate funds to continue its volunteer training programmes. He also emphasised the need for international aid in building capacity for earthquake preparedness.

Referring to the Haiti incident, Kamal said that many international organisations and countries wanted to provide assistance but could not as Haiti did not have the infrastructure to receive those properly.

“Our airports and seaports should be prepared in channeling aid if any international organisation or country wants to help us in disaster relief efforts,” he recommended.

He also said: “Despite much paperwork, implementation has been insufficient. Existing and new measures must be implemented.”

Dr Syed Humayun Akhter, Department of Geology of Dhaka University, said that the government should take planned action immediately to reduce risk.

“It is a wake up call to the government. If such earthquake takes place, the consequences will be unimaginable.” l

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Four arrested operatives of Ansarullah Bangla Team are being taken to a Chittagong court by police yesterday. They were produced before the court seeking a 10-day remand

Tahmid’s family seeks Canada’s intervention n Tribune Desk The family of Tahmid Hasib Khan, a Bangladesh-born Canadian resident who has been missing since his detention by detective police after the July 1 Dhaka terror attack, has sought Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s intervention in finding him, reports The Canadian Press.

Talha Khan, brother of Tahmid and also a Canadian citizen, said the family was very much concerned about the whereabouts of Tahmid and that the worry had

Nahid to meet uni authorities

n Tribune Desk Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid yesterday announced a meeting with the authorities of public and private universities on July 17 to discuss preventive measures against the radicalisation of students at the Krishibid Institution in the capital.

He made the announcement during a meeting at the ministry with Prof Abdul Mannan, chairman of University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh.

Criticising the recent decision taken by North South University (NSU) to cancel enrollment for missing a single semester, the minister said that this does not address the root cause of the issue.

Last year, UGC found Hizb utTahrir’s propaganda material at NSU library. Several teachers and students were terminated and temporarily expelled for allegedly having militant ties, reports media. l

been taking a toll. Tahmid’s father has been hospitalised for chest pain while his mother suffering from emotional breakdown.

“We want to know why he is being kept in custody when he is not a suspect,” Talha said.

Police earlier had indicated Tahmid as a suspect but later declared him a hostage rescued. They said they had released him after debriefing.

Tahmid, a 22-year-old undergraduate at University of Toronto, had come to Dhaka to celebrate Eidul-Fitr with his family. He was at

Holey Artisan Bakery to meet two of his friends when terrorists stormed there and killed 20 hostages.

“He was in a wrong place at a wrong time,” said Talha, adding, “Nothing in his life points towards any sort of extremism. He was supposed to go to Nepal for to start an internship this week.”

Talha with the help of Marly Edwardh, a Toronto lawyer hired

by Tahmid’s family, also wrote to Global Affairs Minister of Canada Stéphane Dion and acting Bangladesh High Commissioner Nayem Uddin Ahmed on Tuesday, reports

CBC News. However, neither have responded. President of University of Toronto too wrote to Dion.

Dion’s spokesperson Austin Jean in an email told CBC News, “There are limits to what any country can do for individuals who are not citizens of that country.”

Talha said he was not sure what else they could do at this point.

“We have done everything we could. We have reached out the Bangladesh and Canada governments. Now it’s up to them to decide the next course of action. We just want them to act fast,” said Talha. l

When will Tahmid and Hasnat return home? n Tribune Desk

Although the law enforcers have claimed that two witnesses of Gulshan terror attack – Tahmid Hasib Khan and Hasnat R Karim – were released on the night of July 8, their families, however, said that they were yet to return at home.

Sources close to the investigation confirmed to the Dhaka Tribune that the duo were kept in custody as of yesterday.

The Daily Prothom Alo on Monday said that Tahmid and Hasnat had been questioned at the DB office as of Sunday evening.

The duo were rescued in Operation Thunderbolt and taken in as witnesses together with 25 other people on July 2.

Both Hasnat and Tahmid were mentioned, along with 32 others rescued from the restaurant, in the

case filed in connection with the attack, as survivors.

DMP: They have been released from custody after interrogation All of the survivors of the Holey Artisan Bakery attack, except University of Toronto student Tahmid and former North South University teacher Hasnat, were released the day after their rescue.

Police have been playing “hide and seek” over the issue as they strongly did not either denied or confirmed that the duo was in their custody.

“They have been released [from

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custody] after interrogation,” DMP Deputy Commissioner Masudur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday. He, however, could not ascertain the exact time of their “release.”

Acting deputy commissioner Saiful Islam of the CounterTerrorism and Transnational Crime Unit of the police, also said yesterday that they released the duo after interrogation.

DB (north) Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Nazmul Alam, however, answered very technically as he neither denied or accepted that the duo was in their custody.

The family members of Tahmid, a final year student of global health at the University of Toronto, Canada and a resident there, have been running a campaign on social media to get him back. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Four ABT men put on 5-day remand Mizanur Rahaman, n FM Chittagong A Chittagong court yesterday placed four operatives of banned Islamic outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) on a five-day remand in a case filed with Sitakunda police station under the anti-terrorism act.

The remanded are Musayeb Ibn Omayer, 25, Faisal Hossen alias Shipon, 25, Khorshedul Alam, 31, and Rasel Md Islam, 41, said police sources.

According to police, Musayeb Ibn Omayer is the Baitul Mal secretary of Ansarullah Bangla Team and also an official at a ready-made garment factory in EPZ area of Chittagong.

Chittagong Court Inspector AHM Mosiur Rahaman told the Dhaka Tribune: “The court of Additional Judicial Magistrate ASM Shahidullah Kaisar granted the five-day remand for each of the accused after police produced them before the court with a 10-day remand plea.”

On Monday evening, a police team arrested the four Ansarullah Bangla Team men from Barabkunda area of Sitakunda upazila along with sharp weapons, mobile phones and laptop.

After their arrest police said the four are followers of ABT chief Jasimuddin Rahmani Ansari and are plotting to carry out subversive activities.

On June 17, police had arrested two operatives – Julfikar and Rubel – of banned militant organisation Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) from Mosjidda area of Chittagong’s Sitakunda while a Hizb ut-Tahrir man was also arrested from Rangunia upazila on the same day. l

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BNP for united resistance against militancy n UNB Claiming that the country’s extremism has a link to international militancy, BNP senior leaders yesterday said this problem cannot be solved by law enforcers alone unless there is a united resistance from people.

Speaking at a condolence meeting, they also urged the government to take steps for waging a fresh united fight against demonic militant forces as the nation did in 1971 against Pakistani occupation forces.

As part of the party’s countrywide programme, BNP arranged the meeting at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the city mourning the killings of foreigners and Bangladeshis in a terror attack on a Gulshan cafe.

BNP Student Affairs Secretary Shaheeduddin Chowdhury Anee read out a condolence motion at the programme, seeking the eternal peace of those killed in Gulshan café by terrorists.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said: “Our leaders have long been urging the government not to take the militancy issue lightly. It’s not an internal problem as it has the relation with international militancy. But they’ve tried to implicate BNP and other opposition parties in it, ignoring our call.”

‘This problem can’t be solved with lone efforts by treating it as a law and order problem. It should be tackled politically by uniting the country’s all people,” the BNP leader observed.

He said the last BNP government had success in curbing militancy with united efforts of people and Islamic scholars. “But, the current government is busy protecting its power instead of taking any effective step to overcome the crisis.”

Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed said the Gulshan tragedy will remain as a serious stigma for the nation.

Mentioning that extremism has now turned into a serious problem for the country, he warned that this evil force may carry more dangerous attacks in the country if they are not tackled with an iron hand. l

Police check the trunk of a private car entering the High Court premises in Dhaka yesterday. This has become a daily scene at many places throughout Dhaka as law enforcing agencies have heightened security following the recent terror attacks MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

US wants to know Bangladesh's counter terrorism strategy n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal during her recent visit to Dhaka said Washington wants to know Bangladesh's counter terrorism strategy for the future.

She came to Dhaka on Sunday on behalf of President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry to express the support of the United States to the people and government of Bangladesh after the two terrorist attacks that took place on first week of July.

She had a series of meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Foreign Minister Ah Mahmood Ali, International Affairs Adviser to the PM Gowher Rizvi and other senior officials of the government.

A senior government official said in all the meetings, Nisha wanted to know the counter terrorism strategy Bangladesh is planning to employ in the future.

Washington wants to help Dhaka combat terrorism and violent extremism by engaging itself with the security system of Bangladesh,

he said.

Another government official said during her meeting with the home minister, Nisha handed over a proposal for US assistance in this regard.

The prime minister during her meeting with Nisha emphasized on information sharing, another official said.

There was an indication from the US that the terrorists are home grown but probably have established links with the international terrorist networks, the official said.

Strong coordination among the intelligence and law enforcing

agencies were discussed in different meetings with the US officials.

The principal investigation agency in the United States, Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI], is assisting the law enforcing agencies in Bangladesh and they will do more if the government agrees.

Over 20 people including nine Italian, seven Japanese, one Bangladeshi-American and one Indian were killed in an attack in Gulshan’s Holey Artisan Bakery on July 1.

Six days later, on July 7, four people including two policemen were killed at Sholakia during Eid prayers. l

Warrant against Cricketer Shahadat’s housemaid n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A Dhaka court yesterday issued an arrest warrant against 12-year old housemaid Mahfuza Aktar Happy and journalist Khandkar Mozammel Haque, the respective victim and complainant of the case filed against cricketer Shahadat Hossain and his wife for allegedly torturing the housemaid.

Judge Tanjina Ismail of the Dha-

ka Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-5 passed the order as the child and the journalist did not appear before the court for giving depositions in the case.

Special public prosecutor Ali Asgar Swapon of the tribunal told the Dhaka Tribune, “The court had fixed five dates requesting the appearance of the two witnesses. As they did not appear, the court issued the arrest warrant”.

However, the accused Shahadat and his wife Jesmin Jahan Nrittya, now on bail, have appeared before the court during the hearings.

On September 6, last year, journalist Khandkar Mozammel Haque found Happy, who used to work at Shahadat’s residence, lying injured on a road in Sangbadik Colony of Pallabi in the capital.

Mozammel rescued the child who told him that cricketer Shaha-

dat and his wife had been torturing her for a long time. Failing to endure their torture, she fled from their residence.

The journalist took her to the Mirpur Model police station and filed a case against the couple. Only on February 22, this year, did the appointed tribunal frame charges against the couple.

The court has fixed August 17 for the next hearing in the case. l

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Deal signed for construction of Rampal coal plant n Ishtiaq Husain An agreement was signed with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), India yesterday to build the 1,320MW coal-fired power plant at Rampal of Bagerhat, near the Sundarbans mangrove forest.

The $1.49 billion is likely to start producing electricity in 2019. It would be financed by Indian Exim Bank.

Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Pvt) Limited signed the contract agreement for main plant EPC (turnkey basis) package with BHEL at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka.

BHEL General Manager Prem Pal Yadav and BIFPCL Managing Director Ujjal Kanti Bhattacharya signed the agreement on behalf of their organisations.

BIFPCL selected BHEL through an international open bidding process. BHEL was found technically qualified and financially most effective.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and then Indian premier Manmohan Singh unveiled the foundation plaque of the project on October 5, 2013.

Advisor to the Prime Minister on Power and Energy Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury yesterday said: “We are setting the best example by building this project despite huge criticisms.”

State minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid and High Commissioner of India in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that it was the biggest friendship project between the two countries.

Terming the agreement “historic,” Power Secretary of India Pradeep Kumar Pujari claimed that it would not create any adverse impact on the environment as “two large and most experience entity of India are involved in this project.

It will be completed on time maintaining international standards.”

Demanding that the plant be shifted from the current location, local and international green activists have been opposing the construction of the project fearing that it would harm the Sundarbans, River Pashur and the nearby areas in the long-run.

The government, however, claims that they would take all necessary measures to prevent pollution. l

With Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid at her side, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina discusses counterterrorism measures at a video conference with government officials as well as common people around the country in her official residence Ganabhaban yesterday BSS

PM: Keep close watch on children n Tribune Desk Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday urged everyone – parents, teachers and government officials – to remain vigilant about the movements of their children to prevent them from getting derailed.

“People of this country are pious, but not bigots. I simply cannot understand why the children of these pious people who are receiving education from reputed institutions, good schools and colleges, and English medium ones are turning bigots,” she said.

The prime minister was delivering her speech during two separate videoconferencing events with people of 32 districts in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions from her official residence Ganabhaban, reported UNB. Hasina said authorities need to figure out how the culprits are misguiding meritorious students.

“We don’t want these students to lay down their valuable lives, getting derailed from the right path.”

She requested the parents to provide names and addresses of their derailed or missing children to the government so that appropriate steps could be taken.

The prime minister also asked public servants to find out the culprits who are trying to derail young people.

“We must resolve this situation – we will have to take our country

TEMPERATURE FORECAST FOR TODAY

THUNDERSHOWER WITH RAIN WEDNESDAY, JULY 13

to the path of development. We must accelerate our socioeconomic development, and I believe we can overcome this situation,” Hasina said.

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‘We won’t allow any sort of emergence of militancy in the country, we don’t want Bangladesh to be the land of militancy… we will have to take measures keeping this view in mind’ Reiterating her resolve not to allow the emergence of militancy in the country, the prime minister said the government does not want any recurrence of the incidents that happened recently.

“We won’t allow any sort of emergence of militancy in the country, we don’t want Bangladesh to be the land of militancy… we will have to take measures keeping this view in mind.”

She said some unwarranted incidents have been taken place in Bangladesh and it has to be dealt with strongly.

“Bangladesh has been marching ahead so fast under the current government! And this might have triggered jealousy in some quarters. Many don’t like to see such development of the country, they want to stop the development.

This pace of development, I think, has prompted a conspiracy against our country.”

She also urged the nation to stay 28

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alert against the design of the evil forces to malign Islam.

Referring to the two recent militant attacks in Gulshan and Sholakia, the prime minister said

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Islam does support barbaric acts like that. “It is their attempt to malign Islam, which always speaks for peace and fraternity,” she added.

“Those who are doing this are putting Islam in question. Islam is a religion of peace, and they are putting this religion into question.

They are undermining the religion, they are maligning the religion

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before the whole world.”

The prime minister said if such militant activities continue to happen, it will cause losses to the country, its economy and trade and businesses.

Laying emphasis on fighting militancy in a coordinated manner, the prime minister called for constituting committees to find out militants and the missing young persons, and foiling any organised threat by militants.

The prime minister also urged people to remain careful about the safety and security of the foreigners working in various development projects.

The prime minister mentioned that the government would take necessary steps to combat militancy, while law enforcement agencies will take their own steps.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan were present at the programme, among others. l

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Fajr: 4:45am | Zohr: 1:15pm Asr: 5:15pm | Magrib: 7:00pm Esha: 8:45pm Source: Islamic Foundation

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

Ruling party man gobbles up VGF-rice n Aminul Islam Rana, Sirajganj

A local leader of Awami League has allegedly misappropriated at least 60 tonnes of rice for poor people under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) project in the district.

According to local sources, Nurul Islam, president of Belkuchi upazila unit Awami League and acting chairman of Rajapur union council received the rice from the upazila’s rice godown on July 4.

But he has not yet stored the rice in the union council depot.

Locals alleged that he had sold

the rice in black markets with the help of some unscrupulous officers of the project depriving the poor people.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Syful Islam issued a showcase notice to Nurul after the poor people submitted a complaint letter against Nurul.

The victims alleged that no step was taken against Nurul mysteriously.

The project implementation officer Zakir Hossain was given charge for investigation the incident. But he did not submit any report.

On Monday, the UNO said a certificate case would be filed against the chairman if he would not store the rice within Tuesday.

Zakir said he had been investigating into the matter.

The chairman should be given the opportunity to defend himself before filing the case, he also said.

“There are some rules for filing a certificate case against anyone,” he added.

When contacted, Nurul denied the allegation and said he could not distribute the rice timely for some technical problems.” l

‘Bringing discipline in transport sector still a big challenge’ n Tanveer Hossain, Narayanganj Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday said the country was heading towards development with the implementation of various mega projects, including metro rail and Padma bridge, but it was still a challenge to bring discipline in the transport.

“If we cannot overcome this challenge, construction of metro rail as well as flyovers will not work at all,” the minister said this while talking to journalists during a visit on the Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane in Signboard area, in Narayanganj.

Terming plying of threewheelers a major reason for road

accident, the minister said: “Riding of three people on a motorcycle is very dangerous. Moreover, many people do not use helmet which is more dangerous. So police have to be more strict to stop such practice.”

About militancy the minister said: “Terrorism is a problem which is prevailing worldwide. Developed countries are also becoming victim of terrorism.”

The minister also opined that people should be united against terrorism.

Executive Engineer of Roads and Highway Department Md Oliul Hossain and Superintendent of Police Mohid Uddin accompanied the minister during the visit. l

ATTACK ON ROHINGYA CAMP

Three placed on remand n Abdul Aziz, Cox’s Bazar Three people were placed on a fourday remand in connection with an attack at Rohingya camp, Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar that left an Ansar member dead.

Judge of Senior Judicial Magistrate court Arun Pal passed the order after following a remand prayer filed by Investigation Officer of the case Md Kabir Hossain.

The people who were put on remand are Rafik Prokash Mamun

Mia, 30, Abdur Razzak, 25, and Md Harun, 30.

On May 13, Ansar member Ali Hossain, 55, was shot dead and 11 firearms were stolen during the attack inside a Rohingya refugee camp in Teknaf.

At least 35 unknown persons were sued in connection with the attack the following day.

On June 30, members of Rapid Action Battalion arrested five Rohingyas from a hill in Ukhiya upazila. l

Residents of Ranisankail upazila in Thakurgaon form a human chain yesterday in front of Ranisankail Degree College demanding nationalisation of the institute DHAKA TRIBUNE

No ambulance for Shariatpur Sadar Hospital for two years Hossain, n Monir Shariatpur People of Shariatpur are in trouble, as their only hospital has no ambulance for the last two years.

Asadujjaman of Chikandi village in Sadar upazila said his father suddenly got very sick last November and needed to be hospitalized immediately. But as the hospital has no ambulance, he had to take his father to the hospital by a local vehicle Nasiman.

“Later, when his condition deteriorated, doctors advised us to shift him to a better hospital in Dhaka. We had to hire an ambulance from Dhaka, which cost Tk9000, as there is no private ambulance service in Shariatpur,” said Asaduzzaman.

Locals said they have to hire microbuses in case of

emergency for carrying patients to hospitals in Dhaka, Barishal and Faridpur for better treatment. It is not only costly but also risky, as there is no arrangement of saline and oxygen supply in any microbus, they added.

general secretary of Shariatpur Press Club, Said, “We cannot even think that a hospital has no ambulance for the last two years. The authorities concerned should immediately provide an ambulance for the hospital.”

The authorities concerned should immediately provide an ambulance for the hospital Dr Shekh Mostafa Khokon, residential medical officer of the hospital, said letters have been sent to higher authorities several times to solve the problem urgently and the members of parliament of the district have been informed about the sufferings of the people, but still no ambulance has been provided for the hospital.

Abdus Samad Talukder,

The only ambulance of the hospital had been burnt to ashes by a mob in 2014 when a head-on collision took place between the ambulance and a motor bike, leaving the bike rider dead on the spot, according to the hospital sources.

Since then two drivers of the ambulance have been passing idle time, the sources added. l

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

Locals happy as two more robbers’ gangs likely to surrender n Aasaduzzaman, Satkhira With assurance that the government would provide all legal assistance to forest robbers if they wanted to return to normal life, two more gangs of the bandits in Sundarbans are going to surrender to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Friday.

The robber gangs ‘Majnu Bahini’ and ‘Iliaz Bahini’ were scheduled to surrender their firearms and vessels around 3pm at Mongla port, said Commanding Officer of RAB 8 Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Faridul Alam.

Home Minister Md Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Director General (DG) of RAB, Benazir Ahmed, would fly to Mongla by helicopter, to attend the event, he said.

With the incidents of surrender of infamous robbers’ gang local fishermen happy as they are the target of the bandit. They said they would be able to catch fish without fear if other bandits also decided to surrender to law enforcers.

Forest department sources said ‘Majnu Bahini’ had long been involved in extorting ransom after taking fishermen hostage in Satkhira range area of the Sundarbans

while ‘Iliaz Bahini’ used to attack trawlers in the Sundarbans West Zone and the Bay of Bengal.

On May 31, another gang ‘Master Bahini’ based in the Sundarbans, led by its gang leader, Mostafa Sheikh alias Kader Master, along with seven other robbers surrendered to the RAB. According to sources, there are at least 18 robber gangs operating in the Sundarbans, the biggest mangrove forest of the world, including “Majnu Bahini”, “Sagar Bahini”, “Raju Bahini” and “Jahangir Bahini”.

All the gangs possess modern

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arms and ammunition, and they collect money from fishermen, honey collectors, and wood cutters.

Each of these gangs has its own area of operations and nobody can enter the Sundarbans without a “token” given by them in lieu of a monthly payment.

At present, the RAB and Bangladesh Coast Guard provide security in and around the Sundarbans.

The surrender of the bandits made local fishermen happy.

They said they would be able to catch fish without fear if other bandits also decided to surrender like the ten. l

BNP: Govt has failed to curb militancy

n Anwar Hussain, Chittagong The government had failed miserably to check the rise of militancy, said Dr Shahadat Hossain, BNP’s Chittagong divisional organising secretary, yesterday.

He made the comment while addressing a rally, organised by the party to pay homage to the memory of Gulshan café attack victims, on BNP’s Nasiman Bhaban office premises in the port city.

A group of militants stormed in the Gulshan’s Holey Artisan Bakery on July 1 and killed 20 hostages, mostly foreign nationals, brutally.

Two policemen and six attackers were also killed in the incident. l

Five die in Tangail road accidents

Afzal Hossain, n Mohammed Tangail Five people, including a minor girl, were killed and 12 others injured in separate road accidents at Koratipara, Basail upazila, Tangail yesterday morning.

Humayun Kabir, officer-incharge of Gorai highway police outpost, said a man was killed and 13 others injured in a collision between a truck and a covered van on the Dhaka-Tangail Highway in Koratipara area around 7am. The covered van was heading towards Dhaka from Gaibandha.

Of the injured, there people died after they were taken to Tangail Medical College Hospital.

The deceased were Mukul, 40, driver of covered van, Ajit, 30, a resident of Ujan Bochagari village, under Sundarganj upzila, Gaibandha, Hridoy, 15, and Abdur Rahim, a resident of Pirgachha upzila in Rangpur.

Meanwhile, a minor girl was killed and her parents were injured as a covered van hit a motorcycle carrying them on the highway in Korotiapara Bazar bypass area around 9am.

The deceased was identified as Mirza Sadia, 6, daughter of Mirza Arfan, a resident of Bhojdatta village in Ghatail upazila.

Sergeant Shah Alam of Elenga highway police camp said the accident took place while they were going to Delduar from Ghatail.

Meanwhile, a garment worker was killed and 22 others were injured as a bus they were travelling by slewed sideways into a ditch from a bridge on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Trishal upazila on Monday night.

The deceased was identified as Habib. l

An overcrowded bus, carrying passengers on its rooftop, fall into a roadside ditch being hit by a truck at Bhangra in Katakhali of Rajshahi ,leaving 20-25 of its passengers injured yesterday. Locals rescued the passengers from the bus, ignoring heavy rains and rushed the severely injured passengers to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital.

They also let some of the injured take rest at their homes. In the photo, some of the passengers are waiting on the road despite heavy rains AZAHAR UDDIN

Koira embankment can collapse anytime 300,000 people at risk been developed here due to strong n Hedait Hossain, Khulna tides of the Kopotakhho and the Around 300,000 people of Koira upazila in Khulna district are at risk of being marooned by floodwater at any time, as Koira embankment has become vulnerable to collapse at several points.

Twenty one kilometre of 130 kilometre-long Koira embankment was at severe risk of collapsing, as several areas of it had become very narrow due to river erosion, said the officials at Water Development Board of Koira.

Besides, several breaches had

Shakbaria River recently, they added.

If the erosion by the Kopotakhha River could not be stopped, a large area would be flooded, said Mozammel Haque Gazi of Uttarbedkashi union of the upazila.

Half of the road from Gazipara to Kashirhat had already been eroded away, said Gobinda Biswas of the same union.

“If any alternative road is not built, people of the area will have to move to somewhere else this monsoon,” he added.

Built in the 1960s, the embankment was damaged severely by Cyclone Aila in 2009. Though three years later it was repaired, different parts of it collapsed several times in the past few years.

Local people hold WDB’s negligence responsible for this situation, whereas the WDB officials put blame on farming shrimps in the embankment areas while talking to our correspondent.

Faruk Ahmed, sub-divisional engineer of WDB, Shatkhira zone, said a letter had been sent to higher authorities and tenders had been

called in four points of the embankment.

“The repair work will resume soon,” he added.

AKM Tamij Uddin, the upazila chairman, said a proposal to repair the damaged parts of the embankment had been raised in the monthly meeting of the district’s development coordination committee.

If no step is taken immediately to repair the damaged parts of the embankment, the whole area can be inundated any time, according to the WDB officials. l

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SOUTH ASIA

Posters begging for military coup raise eyebrows in Pakistan

Posters begging Pakistan’s powerful army chief to launch a coup appeared in major cities including the capital Islamabad overnight, raising eyebrows in a country that has been ruled by the military for more than half its history. The posters also appeared in Lahore, Karachi and the garrison city of Rawalpindi as well as several army-run cantonment areas. -AFP

INDIA

Modi calls emergency meeting over Kashmir India’s prime minister called an emergency meeting Tuesday over escalating anti-India protests in Kashmir, where at least 29 people have died in clashes and hospitals are struggling with hundreds of injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, having just returned from a 4-nation tour in Africa, called a high-level government meeting to discuss how to calm the region and restore peace.

-AP

CHINA

China remains confident in EU future after Brexit Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday China hoped for a powerful EU and he had faith it would develop despite Britain’s vote to leave. “China firmly supports the process of EU integration and believes that the EU’s development will not stop, and furthermore is willing to see a stable, flourishing, and powerful EU,” Li said during a summit of Chinese and European leaders.

-REUTERS

ASIA PACIFIC

Taiwan rejects tribunal’s South China Sea ruling Taiwan said Tuesday it does not accept a tribunal’s ruling on the South China Sea, saying the decision on Itu Aba, Taipei’s sole holding in the disputed Spratly Islands, had seriously impaired its territorial rights. The statement issued from the president’s office said the ruling severely damaged our right to the island.

-REUTERS

MIDDLE EAST

Israel passes law targeting human rights organisations

Israel’s parliament passed a controversial law Monday that increases the regulation of many Israeli human rights organisations. In practice, the law will affect liberal groups almost exclusively because hawkish groups in Israel largely rely on donations from wealthy individuals, which are exempt.

-AP

CHRONICLE

China-Philippines loggerhead over South China Sea An arbitration panel in The Hague, Netherlands, rejected China’s extensive claims in the South China Sea in a landmark ruling Tuesday that also found it had aggravated the seething regional dispute and violated the Philippines’ maritime rights by building up artificial islands that destroyed coral reefs and by disrupting oil explorations.

While the decision is seen as a major legal declaration regarding one of the world’s most contested regions, China immediately rejected it as a farce and the true impact is uncertain given the tribunal has no power of enforcement.

A look at how the dispute has unfolded--

DISPUTED CLAIMS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA TAIWAN (claims Spratly Islands)

CHINA Scarborough Shoal VietnameseUnder Chinese claim control since 2012

Paracel islands

1947 China demarcates its South China Sea territorial claims with a U-shaped line made up of eleven dashes on a map, covering most of the area. The Communist Party, which took over in 1949, removed the Gulf of Tonkin portion in 1953, erasing two of the dashes to make it a nine-dash line.

VIETNAM

1994

Brunei claim Malaysian claim

The 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, under which the Philippines has taken China to arbitration, goes into effect after 60 countries ratify it. The agreement defines territorial waters, continental shelves and exclusive economic zones.

The Philippines joined the convention in 1984, and China in 1996. The US has never ratified it.

1997 Philippine naval ships prevent Chinese boats from approaching Scarborough Shoal, eliciting a protest from China. The uninhabited reef, known as Huangyan Island in China, is 230km off the Philippines and about 1,000km from China. In ensuing years, the Philippines detains Chinese fishermen numerous times for alleged illegal fishing in the area.

2009 China submits its nine-dash line map to the United Nations, stating it “has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and the adjacent waters.” The submission came in response to applications by Vietnam and Malaysia for recognition of extended continental shelves, which would give them resource rights. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia protest the Chinese claim.

200 km

SPRATLY ISLANDS Claims, major outposts and facilities By country

2012 China takes effective control of Scarborough Shoal after a tense standoff between Chinese coast guard ships and a Philippine naval vessel that had stopped a Chinese fishing boat to inspect it.

2013 The Philippines brings its dispute with China to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, angering Beijing. A five-member panel of international legal experts is appointed in June to hear the case.

PHILIPPINES

Spratly Islands

BRUNEI MALAYSIA Thitu Island Runway: 1,000 m

*Exclusive economic zone **Kalayaan islands, Palawan province

SOUTH CHINA SEA

Subi Reef Satellite photos show possible China runway construction Malaysia Itu Aba Sand Cay (Taiping) Philippines Gaven Reef 1,195 m Taiwan Fiery Cross Reef Mischief Reef 3,000 m Vietnam Satellite photos Johnson Hughes suggest preparations Cuarteron Reef South Reef for a runway Reef Spratly Island 550 m West London Reef

Swallow Reef 1,368 m

2011 The Philippines files a diplomatic protest after a chartered ship searching for oil and gas and in Reed Bank near the Spratly Islands complained of being harassed by two Chinese patrol boats, forcing it to change course.

Philippines EEZ* claim

Philippines Kalayaan** claim

1995 China takes control of disputed Mischief Reef, constructing octagonal huts on stilts that Chinese officials say will serve as shelters for fishermen. The Philippines lodges a protest through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Chinese claim

50 km Sources : CSIS/AMTI/D.Rosenberg/MiddleburyCollege/HarvardAsiaQuarterly/Phil gov’t/ChinaMaritimeSafetyAdministration

2014 The Philippine government summons China’s top envoy in Manila in February to protest what it said was the firing of a water cannon by a Chinese government vessel to drive away Filipino fishermen from Scarborough Shoal. China ignores the protest and calls its sovereignty there “indisputable.” China issues a position paper in December arguing that the panel does not have jurisdiction over the case, because it concerns issues of sovereignty and boundary definition, which are not covered by the UN convention, and that the Philippines and China had agreed to settle their dispute only through negotiation.

2015 The arbitration panel in The Hague rules in October that it has jurisdiction over at least seven of the 15 claims raised by the Philippines. A hearing on the merits of the claims is held in November. China does not participate. l

Source: AP

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

Nepal Maoists trigger fresh bid for new government n Reuters, Kathmandu Nepal was thrown into political crisis on Tuesday when the main Maoist party withdrew its support from the ruling coalition and called for the formation of a new government, threatening to topple Prime Minister KP Oli. The Maoists tried to unseat Oli in May but he clung on after reaching a power-sharing deal.

An official from the prime minister’s communist UML party said Oli would meet officials later on Tuesday to discuss his next move.

Oli came to power in October when the Maoists offered his party parliamentary backing to build a coalition in the impoverished Himalayan country.

The Maoists - who ended a decade-long insurgency in 2006 before joining mainstream politics - said Oli had broken promises he made in May. They also accuse him of failing to resolve festering anger in

Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal addresses a function organised by his party’s trade union, in Kathmandu, on Saturday HIMALAYAN TIMES the south of the country over the terms of a new constitution, and of failing to speed up rebuilding of homes and roads destroyed in an earthquake last year.

“We believe that our decision to withdraw support to this government will help form a new alliance on the basis of national consensus among major political parties,” Krishna Bahadur Maha-

ra, a top Maoist official, told reporters in Kathmandu.

Mahara said the opposition Nepali Congress party was ready to throw its support behind Maoist leader Prachanda to form a new government. Congress party officials were not immediately available for comment.

Commentator Lok Raj Baral said the Maoists’ move could force

a no-confidence vote and end Oli’s term in office.

“I suspect these two parties have already made a deal, but we will need to wait and see how Oli and the UML respond,” he said, referring to the Maoists and the Congress.

The Maoists’ withdrawal of support is the latest political twist for Nepal since it adopted its first post-monarchy constitution in September.

The passing of the constitution looked like a rare moment of political consensus for the country, which became a republic in 2008, but it soon sparked protests.

Minority Madhesis, who live mostly in Nepal’s lowlands near India, imposed a four-month border blockade to protest against a proposal to carve Nepal into seven federal states, which they say would divide their homeland and deprive them of a fair say.

More than 50 people were killed in clashes before protesters called off the blockade in February. l

INSIGHT

Trump’s denial of climate science at odds with world leaders n Tribune International Desk If elected president, Donald Trump would be the only head of state in the world to contend that climate change is a hoax, according to a study.

The Sierra Club compiled public statements from the leaders of the 195 nations recognised by the US State Department. The report will be released Tuesday, reports Associated Press.

In contrast to public statements by the presumptive Republican presidential nominee calling climate change a “con job” and a “myth,” the leader of every US ally urges action to reduce climate-warming carbon emissions, including Great Britain, Germany, France, Japan and Canada.

Trump has pledged to “renegotiate” US commitments under the Paris accord and has suggested that the science of climate change is part of a plot to weaken the American economy.

“The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make US man-

ufacturing non-competitive,” Trump tweeted in 2012.

He has also cited cold winter weather as evidence the world is not really warming.

“The entire country is FREEZING — we desperately need a heavy dose of global warming, and fast! Ice caps size reaches all time high,” Trump tweeted during a 2014 blizzard.

While Trump’s climate-change denial has become orthodoxy within the Republican Party, it is at odds with the overwhelming consensus of the world’s scientific community and rejects reams of data about how the Earth’s climate is changing.

According to Nasa, 97% of the climate scientists agree that the world is getting hotter and that man-made carbon emissions are to blame. Ten of the warmest years in history have occurred in the past 12. Studies show the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets have decreased in mass, while the world’s oceans have risen on average nearly 7 inches in the last century.

Despite his public stance, there is evidence that Trump the businessman may be hedging his bets.

Earlier this year, the Trump International Golf Links and Hotel in Ireland cited the threat of sea

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World USA

Sanders endorses Clinton’s White House bid Democrat Bernie Sanders endorsed former rival Hillary Clinton for president in a belated show of party unity on Tuesday, saying it was critical that Democrats come together to defeat Republican Donald Trump in the November 8 election. Sanders’ endorsement brought the most prominent holdout in the party’s liberal wing into Clinton’s camp. Donald Trump issued a statement saying Sanders became part of a rigged system by endorsing Clinton.

-REUTERS

THE AMERICAS

Colombia military, FARC patrol clash despite ceasefire Colombian military and Marxist FARC guerrillas clashed over the weekend, in an incident just weeks after the government and rebel leadership agreed to a bilateral ceasefire as the two sides near a peace accord.

In a statement, the FARC said the clash occurred because the military patrol broke protocols established in the ceasefire agreement.

-REUTERS

UK

British parliament to debate petition calling for 2nd EU referendum Britain’s parliament is to debate a petition signed by more than 4 million members of the public calling for a second referendum on EU membership, but will not take a decision on whether to re-run last month’s vote. The event will take place on September 5 in parliament’s 2nd debating chamber, Westminster Hall.

-REUTERS

EUROPE

20 dead in Italy head-on train crash Two Italian commuter trains collided head-on Tuesday in the southern region of Puglia, killing at least 20 people and injuring scores more.

There was no immediate indication of what had caused the two trains to be travelling towards each other on the same line and the Transport Ministry said it was dispatching two investigators to the region of Puglia to look into the disaster.

-REUTERS

AFRICA

Malian troops fire on protest, killing 3

level rise in a permit application to build a nearly two-mile-long stone wall between it and the Atlantic Ocean.

Trump campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks did not respond Monday to requests for comment.

John Coequyt, the Sierra Club’s

director for global climate policy, said Trump’s failure to acknowledge basic climate science would leave him isolated on the world stage as president, adding, “Trump’s climate science denial would make him a global laughingstock if it wasn’t so dangerous.” l

Malian soldiers opened fire on anti-government demonstrators in the northern city of Gao on Tuesday, killing three and wounding at least 31. The protesters were angry about the introduction of a new interim authority set to take charge of the region on Friday, which they said would give power to armed groups and would not benefit local people.

-REUTERS

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

May’s coup de grâce: Snooper’s charter

Communications data: Where, when and how a Briton communicating, and with whom The companies which provide communications “may be required” to retain this kind of information for up to 12 months and make it accessible to law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies “for a specific statutory purpose”. The implication is that this extends beyond telephone calls.

Internet connection records: Which online services a Briton is using The Bill introduces an obligation to internet access providers to retain details of which online services and apps Britons have accessed.

Intercepted data: What one is saying to other people The content of a Briton’s emails and private messages can be read in very limited circumstances. Nine intercepting authorities (including the security and intelligence agencies) can apply for a warrant if it’s believed to be in the interests of national security or for the prevention and detection of serious crime. The request has to be signed off by the British Home secretary or a Scottish minister, and then approved by a Judicial Commissioner – the so-called “double lock”.

Bulk data: large volumes of communication data, mainly international The definition of bulk data seems to have been left intentionally vague; security and intelligence agencies can apply for a warrant to intercept communications “to acquire intelligence relating to individuals outside the UK.” But the Bill also adds: “Interference with the privacy of persons in the UK will be permitted only to the extent that it is necessary for that purpose” – wording that will hardly reassure privacy campaigners. l

Source: THE INDEPENDENT

UK'S NEXT PRIME MINISTER

Theresa May

Born on October 1, 1956 (aged 59) JOB MP for Maidenhead since 1997.

Home Secretary since May 2010 EDUCATION Mainly state-educated at Wheatley Park Comprehensive School with a brief time at an independent school; St Hugh's College, Oxford ON HER PARTY'S FUTURE "(It is) nothing less than the patriotic duty of our party to unite and to govern in the best interests of the whole country. We need a bold, new positive vision for the future of our country - a country that works not for a privileged few but for every one of us." Says people want more than just a "Brexit PM" and has vowed to unify the Leave and Remain factions in the party.

KEY MOMENTS 1999 - 2010: Holds a variety of shadow cabinet posts 2002: Becomes the first female chairman of the Conservatives and says it is seen as the “nasty party” - while wearing a pair of now-famous leopard print kitten heels 2010 - 2012: Minister for Women & Equalities 2010: Appointed Home Secretary, and makes it her mission to reform the police service and control immigration 2012: Blocks British computer hacker Gary McKinnon’s extradition to the US saying it would contravene his human rights 2014: Becomes the longest-serving Home Secretary for 50 years OTHER EXPERIENCE Bank of England 1977-83 Association for Clearing Payment Services 1985-95

Snooper’s charter: Key points

Ü Makes explicit in law for the first time the powers of the security services and police to hack into and bug computers and phones.

Places new legal obligation on companies to assist in these operations to bypass encryption. Ü New “double-lock” on ministerial authorisation of intercept warrants with a panel of seven judicial commissioners given power of veto. But exemptions allowed in “urgent cases” of up to five days. Ü Existing system of three oversight commissioners replaced with single investigatory powers commissioner who will be a senior judge. Ü UK Prime minister to be consulted in all cases involving interception of MPs’ communications. Safeguards on requests for communications data in other “sensitive professions” such as journalists to be written into law. Ü New Home Office figures show there were 517,236 authorisations in 2014 of requests for communications data from the police and other public bodies as a result of 267,373 applications. There were 2,765 interception warrants authorised by ministers in 2014. Ü In the case of interception warrants involving confidential information relating to sensitive professions such as journalists, doctors and lawyers, the protections to be used for privileged information have to be spelled out when the minister approves the warrant. Ü Internet and phone companies will be required to maintain “permanent capabilities” to intercept and collect the personal data passing over their networks. They will also be under a wider power to assist the security services and the police in the interests of national security. Ü Enforcement of obligations on overseas web and phone companies, including the US internet giants, in the courts will be limited to interception and targeted communications data requests. Bulk communications data requests, including internet connection records, will not be enforceable. l

Infograph: Dhaka Tribune/ Mohammad Razon

Source: THE GUARDIAN

Theresa May’s political stance on issues Theresa May will become prime minister on Wednesday afternoon, but where does she stand on key issues? These are her beliefs, her successes and failures, and how her views have evolved--

Immigration May’s work on immigration during her long tenure at the Home Office is how most will know her politics. She did not herself propose the target of reducing net migration to tens of thousands, but she has repeatedly committed herself to trying to meet it. Net migration stood at 330,000 at the last count. One of her most controversial policies, aimed at drastically reducing immigration from outside the EU, was a new rule barring British citizens from bringing their

spouses or children into Britain unless they earned more than £18,600, regardless of how much their non-British spouse earned. Families are currently challenging the law in the supreme court, and pressure groups say it is causing young children to have long-term separation from their families.

Human rights In her only key intervention during the EU referendum, May hinted that Britain should withdraw from the European convention on human rights regardless of the referendum result. “The ECHR can bind the hands of parliament, adds nothing to our prosperity, makes us less secure by preventing the deportation of dangerous foreign nationals, and does

nothing to change the attitudes of governments like Russia’s when it comes to human rights,” she said. However, asked directly about her plans to withdraw from the ECHR at her leadership launch, May said she would no longer seek to leave the convention. May sees the deportation of Abu Qatada as one of her key achievements as home secretary, after she was repeatedly advised it would not be possible because of concerns about his treatment in Jordan. She is also prepared to block the deportation of British citizens, including that of the computer hacker Gary McKinnon. May is one of the key backers of the snooper’s charter, and was accused of trying to rush the bill through parliament earlier this year, before being forced to agree

on a number of privacy concessions.

Women and equality May has consistently described herself as a “one-nation Tory”. Her warning to Tory activists in 2002 that the Conservatives were seen as “the nasty party” was a modernising call to arms. She voted in favour of legalising same-sex marriage, saying: “If two people care for each other, if they love each other, then they should be able to get married.” Her views have clearly evolved over the years, as she previously voted against repealing section 28, a law that had banned schools from intentionally promoting homosexuality, and against reducing the age of consent for gay sex. May spoke about equality of opportunity during her leadership

speech, saying: “If you’re a woman, you still earn less than a man.” As home secretary, she pushed for more action on domestic violence, including a law against coercive control and a nationwide inquiry by the HMIC into the treatment of domestic violence victims by police. Campaigners point out, however, that May has been far less concerned about the treatment of migrant women, refusing to end the detention of pregnant women in Yarl’s Wood. As minister for women and equalities, May was criticised by the Labour party for scrapping a legal requirement on public bodies to try to reduce class inequalities. “That was as ridiculous as it was simplistic,” she said. l

Source: THE GUARDIAN

EU-US controversial data transfer pact enters into force n Reuters, Brussels A new commercial data pact between the European Union and the US entered into force on Tuesday, ending months of uncertainty over cross-border data flows, and companies such as Google, Facebook and Microsoft can sign up from August 1.

The EU-US Privacy Shield will give businesses moving personal data across the Atlantic - from human resources information to people's browsing histories to hotel bookings - an easy way to do so without falling foul of tough EU data transferral rules.

The previous such framework, Safe Harbour, was struck down by the EU's top court in October on the grounds that it allowed US agents too much access to Europeans' data.

Revelations three years ago from former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden of mass US surveillance practices caused political outrage in Europe and stoked mistrust of big US tech companies.

In the months that followed the EU ruling companies have had to rely on other more cumbersome mechanisms for legally transferring data to the United States.

The Privacy Shield will underpin over $250bn of transatlantic trade in digital services annually.

On Monday Microsoft said it had started the process of implementing the requirements of the Privacy Shield - which in-

cludes stricter rules on how companies may use data - and would sign up to it as soon as possible.

A person familiar with social network Facebook's thinking said the company had not yet decided whether to sign up.

"It's too early to say as we haven't seen the full text yet but like other companies we will be evaluating the text in the coming weeks," the person said.

The Privacy Shield seeks to strengthen the protection of Europeans whose data is moved to US servers by giving EU citizens greater means to seek redress in case of disputes, including through a new privacy ombudsman within the State Department who will deal with complaints from EU citizens about US spying.

However the framework also faces criticism from privacy advocates for not going far enough in protecting Europeans' data and is widely expected to be challenged in court.

Max Schrems, the Austrian law student who successfully challenged Safe Harbour, said the Privacy Shield was "little more than a little upgrade to Safe Harbour". However he added that he did not have plans to challenge it himself for the time being.

"We are confident the framework will withstand further scrutiny," Penny Pritzker, US Secretary of Commerce, told a news conference. l

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TOP STORIES Annual inflation falls to decade low Bangladesh has comfortably met its annual inflation target in the just concluded financial year, as hikes in food prices lost pace.

PAGE 13

Eurozone warns on economic hit of Brexit Eurozone finance ministers assessed yesterday the impact of the British decision to leave the EU, warning that the country risked becoming “Little Britain” in the aftermath. PAGE 14

Opec sees oil glut continuing to ease in 2016-17 Opec said yesterday it expected the global supply glut to ease further this year and next thanks to reductions in oil output from producers outside the cartel, particularly the United States. If accurate, this will be a vindication of its Saudi-led strategy since 2014 of squeezing non-OPEC suppliers by keeping production at high levels despite low prices.

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Capital market snapshot: Tuesday DSE Broad Index

4,544.7

0.9% ▲

Index

1,116.1

0.9% ▲

30 Index

1,772.1

0.9% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

3,941.1

44.5% ▲

Turnover in Mn Vol

128.0

23.6% ▲

All Share Index 13,916.0

0.6% ▲

30 Index

0.8% ▲

CSE

Selected Index

12,876.4 8,467.1

0.6% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

220.3

48.1% ▲

Turnover in Mn Vol

9.6

33.8% ▲

Exports cross $34bn in FY16 n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi Bangladesh earned over $34bn from exports in the fiscal year 201516 which just ended, registering around 10% growth from the previous year.

The figure also exceeded export target set for the year by $743m, according to provisional data prepared by the Export Promotion Bureau.

Exporters and analysts attributed the robust growth to political calmness during the year, improvement of workers’ safety standards in factories and policy support by government.

The data showed the country earned a total of $34.24bn in last fiscal year, a figure that is 9.72% higher than $31.20bn of the previous year. The target was set at $33.5bn for FY2015-16.

According to monthly data, the export sector fetched $3.58bn in June that marked the end of the financial year. The growth was around 17% from June 2015.

The earning in June 2016 is also 9.11% higher than the target of $3.28bn set for the month.

Officials said the government may target to earn $37bn from exports in the current fiscal year.

“Over the last one and a half years there has been political stability in the country while the garment sector struggled to improve

safety standards for workers after the Rana Plaza catastrophe,” Abdus Salam Murshedy, president of Exporters Association of Bangladesh, told the Dhaka Tribune.

He said all these had helped the export sector see healthy growth in earnings.

“Readymade garment sector, which constitutes more than 80% of the country’s total export, enjoyed a double-digit growth rate, helping the country remain on track,” EAB president said.

According to him, the government should ensure gas and electricity supplies to new investors and to those relocating factories from Dhaka to industrial zones as part of being compliant.

“Export growth will be 20% if energy supply can be ensured to the factories,” he said. Abdus Salam Murshedy, however, said although the apparel export is doing well, other sectors are failing to even meet the targets.

“The sectors that consistently fail to meet export targets need special attention to improve their performance.”

He stressed the need to increase the capacity of sea ports along with building a deep sea port.

Khondaker Golam Moazzem, additional research director of Centre for Policy Dialogue, said the government had set a moderate export target for the last fiscal year considering slow growth and glob-

al economic situation in previous fiscal year.

He also said reforms in factories’ safety standards acted as positive factors in better export performance as Bangladesh was able to restore buyers’ confidence.

But he pointed out that the country needs to achieve about 13% export growth to reach $50bn export target by 2021.

Golam Moazzem said new markets should be explored for exports to avoid post-Brexit impact on the UK market as there could be a period of uncertainty during the transition.

“Non-traditional markets can be taken into consideration to enlarge export volume,” he added. l

Industrial Police gathering data on foreigners to provide security n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi Industrial Police are collecting information about foreigners working in the country’s apparel industry to bring them under special security net, industry insiders said yesterday.

The move came following the recent spate of terror attacks across the country, particularly one on an upscale restaurant in Gulshan that killed 20 people, mostly foreigners.

Meanwhile, BGMEA will meet home minister to seek special security in those areas where buyers liaison offices are located to ensure security for their buyers’ representatives.

Industrial Police Director General (DG) Abdus Salam in a meeting with BGMEA leaders discussed the issues yesterday, a high official of the largest trade association in the country told the Dhaka Tribune.

The meeting discussed how they

could provide full-fledged protection for foreigners and ensure their secure and free movement.

“We are taking measures to ensure security so that foreigners can move and work without any fear as before and feel safe here,” Abdus Salam told the Dhaka Tribune.

The security steps also aim at keeping the RMG business out of adverse impact in the wake of security concern, he said.

Industrial Police are collecting information about foreigners working in the apparel industry to learn about their numbers and locations to ensure security, BGMEA Vice-President Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu told the Dhaka Tribune.

The final list of foreigners will be made by Sunday and police will sit with the trade body leaders to devise how to give protection to the foreign nationals, Hasan said.

“We are going to seek extra security for those areas, where buy-

ers liaison offices are located,” said BGMEA vice-president Ferdous Perves Bivon.

According to Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, there are about 20,000 foreigners including buyers’ representatives working in Bangladesh ready made garment sector.

Global brands and buyers became concerned about the security follow-

ing the recent terror attack at Holey Artisan Bakery restaurant in Dhaka’s Gulshan area, a diplomatic zone.

The attack killed 20 people including nine Italians, who were involved in garment trade in Bangladesh.

The global retailers and brands wanted to know from the manufactures about the new measures taken to ensure security during their visit to Bangladesh. l

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

Annual inflation falls to decade low n Kayes Sohel Bangladesh has comfortably met its annual inflation target in the just concluded financial year, as hikes in food prices lost pace.

Analysts attributed the decline of inflation rate to good domestic food production, falling global commodity prices and stable exchange rate.

The annual (July-June) average inflation stood at 5.92%, significantly down from 6.35% recorded in the same period a year earlier, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) data released yesterday.

The annual reading is the lowest since FY2003-04 when it was 5.83% and inflation rate also saw its fastest fall in recent years, official figures have shown.

This is well below the central bank’s annual forecast of 6.07% and the government target of 6.2% for the past fiscal year.

“The government has reached its fiscal inflation target easily,” said Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal while releasing the CPI (Consumer Price Index) at the

NEC conference room.

This has been possible because of good domestic food production, stable exchange rate and lower global oil prices, he said.

On achieving the fiscal target, he said this proved that the government managed its fiscal policy well.

Former finance adviser to a caretaker government ABM Mirza Azizul Islam said inflation in the world was in control due to falling oil prices and drop in imported product prices, which basically helped cool down domestic inflation.

Moreover, he said, prices of domestic food items remained low

due to good harvest, which also contributed to the fall of inflation.

Despite imposing import duty on rice, the staple food prices did not increase due to ample domestic supply, he added.

Inflation, however, inched up in June, after falling in previous month due to Ramadan and Eid spending.

The month-to-month inflation stood at 5.53% in June while it was 5.45% in May. Food inflation moved up to 4.23% in June from May’s 3.81% and non-food inflation increased to 7.5% from 7.92% during the period.

“Ramadan is a month when

food demand goes up, edging up inflation,” said the Minister.

In rural areas, inflation rate in June was 4.63%, which was 4.59% in May and in urban areas, it was up 7.23% from 7.06%.

In rural areas, food inflation spiked 3.44% from 3.08% and in urban areas, it climbed to 6.06% from 5.50% during the period.

In the case of non-food inflation, it declined to 6.79% from 7.32% in rural areas while it was down 8.48% from 8.76% in urban areas.

The month to month national wage index rate witnessed 6.1% growth in June from 6.07% in May. l

Ecnec okays five Govt spends 92.5% of total RADP in FY16 development n Tribune Business Desk projects of Tk700cr n Tribune Business Desk The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council yesterday approved five development projects worth over Tk700 crore.

The approval came at an Ecnec meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

The cost of the projects will be provided from the government exchequer.

Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said the Tk52.71 crore infrastructure development project for Ansar and VDP (Village Defence Party) was one of the five approved projects.

He said the project was taken as part of the initiatives to build kitchen room, dining hall and class room at the 39 battalions of 64 districts across the country.

In the first phase, the government will expand the infrastructure facilities in 29 battalions of 29 districts.

The other projects approved in the meeting include different vessels building for Bangladesh Coast Guard at Tk445.42 crore and establishment of Begum Amina Mansoor Textile Engineering Institute at Kazipur in Sirajganj district with Tk87.46 crore. l

The government could utilise 92.5% of the total budget allocated for improving the living condition of people in the just-concluded financial year.

According to the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) data released yesterday, the government has spent Tk86,882 crore out of the total Tk93,895 crore outlays in the revised annual development programme (ADP) in the FY’16 ended in last month.

The spending was 1.50% points higher than the previous FY’15 and 0.51% points lower than the FY’14.

Of the 92.5% expenditure, 30.5% or Tk58,076 crore was spent in the final month of the FY’16, as in the first 11 months, 62% was spent of the total revised ADP allocation.

At the beginning of every fiscal year, the pace of spending remains usually slow and begins to climb up in a hurry at the end, which econ-

omists say causes wastage and increases irregularities.

But the practice has never stopped over the years despite different measures.

“I said in the last month that the ADP implementation rate of FY’16 will cross the rate of the previous fiscal year. Finally, it has been proved today,” said Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal while releasing data in NEC conference room.

Asked about the faster spending in the last month (June) of the concluded fiscal year, he said: “I have the same question like you. But who will answer it?”

“I had already asked the implementing agencies to avoid such spending in the last month.”

The prime minister has also said this type of spending should not happen, said Kamal.

Meanwhile, the Planning Commission took different measures to improve poor ADP implementation culture. All the initiatives had virtually ended in smoke so far.

Development experts said the institutional capacity of the ministries and project executing agencies were so weak that resulted in poor execution rate of the development budget.

Besides, the agencies’ capacity in executing the projects with foreign assistance is virtually poor, said an expert.

Among the 10 largest revised ADP fund holding ministries and divisions, the Housing & Public Works Ministry was the best performer as it spent 121.49% of its total allocation while the Bridges Division had performed the worst that spent only 68.45% of its total outlay.

Among others, the Power Division spent 101.29%, followed by the Road Transport and Highways Division 100%, Education Ministry 98.68%, Primary and Mass Education Ministry 98%, Railway Ministry 91.16%, Health and Family Welfare Ministry 85.77% and Local Government Division 85.77% of their total outlays in the outgoing FY’16. l

Business hails steps against militancy n BSS Business leaders yesterday extended support to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ‘bold and firm’ initiatives to curb militancy and terrorism in the country.

They extended the support in

a joint statement signed by the incumbent and former leaders of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and other chambers across the country.

The business leaders strongly condemned the terrorists attack at

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Gulshan Holey Artisan Bakery and Eid congregation in Sholakia.

They thanked the Prime Minister and her government for resolving the dreadful incident of Holey Artisan Bakery quickly with wisdom and far-sightedness. They appreciated the role of law enforcers. l

DSEX hits 4-month high n Tribune Business Desk Stocks closed higher yesterday with the key index hitting over four months high and significantly increase in trading activities.

Though the market opened in a depressed mood, it gained steadily later in the day as investors injected fresh funds ahead of dividends and earnings declarations.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange benchmark index DSEX rose about 40 points or 1% to 4,544—its lowest since February 25 this year.

The blue-chip comprising index DS30 was up 15 points or nearly 1% to 1,772. The DSE Shariah Index DSES rose 9 points to 1,116.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index CSCX closed at 8,467, rising 52 points.

IDLC Investments said quick recovery of the market from the gloom of recent terror attack, coupled with dividends and earnings expectation on many scrips boosted investors’ confidence and optimism.

The DSE turnover, the important indicator of trading activities, was Tk394 crore, a sharp increase of about 45%.

One-fourth of the total trading activities was contributed by the pharmaceuticals sector.

Financial and consumer stocks led gains, while other stocks managed to hold on at their current level.

Renewed buying interest among the investors over the past few trading sessions continued to tempt market activities, according to the LankaBangla Securities.

All the large cap sectors showed positive performances with banks continued to show its muscle. l

Majedur joins DSE as new MD n Tribune Business Desk KAM Majedur Rahman, a longtime banker, joined Dhaka Stock Exchange as its managing director yesterday.

Before joining the DSE, he had worked as consultant of E-currency Meant Incorporation, an America-based firm.

Majedur Rahman started his career as management trainee officer at the ANZ Grindlays Bank Limited in 1981.

He worked at different managerial levels in the banking sector for 33 years. He also has experience in stock market operation, strategic planning business development and balance sheet management. l

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

Calm business, scare Brussels n George Hay

Pro-European Union supporters and pro-Brexit supporters hold up placards during a demonstration in London

AFP

Eurozone warns on economic hit of Brexit n AFP, Brussels Eurozone finance ministers assessed yesterday the impact of the British decision to leave the EU, warning that the country risked becoming “Little Britain” in the aftermath.

At their first talks on Brexit since the June 23 referendum, ministers from the 19 countries that use the euro urged swift action on an issue that they said was causing problems across the European economy.

In its bleakest scenario yet, the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, warned ministers that growth for the eurozone in 2017 could end up at just 1.2%, instead of the official forecast of 1.8%.

In a rosier scenario, the eurozone would grow by 1.5% next year.

“This is not a forecast, but a preliminary analysis,” said Economics Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici at a news briefing.

Moscovici welcomed news that Theresa May is set to be named Britain’s next prime minister but said it was “essential” that the EU continued demanding swift clarification on the UK’s relationship with the EU. “The British government should notify as soon as possible its intentions with the EU under article 50,” he said referring to the as yet triggered process for Britain to leave the EU. Austrian Finance Minister Hans

Joerg Schelling warned of the effect on Britain from its vote to end 40 years of membership of the European project.

“I think probably there will be a ‘Brexit-light’, so Scotland will not leave (the EU), probably Northern Ireland will stay in the union, and probably Great Britain becomes Little Britain,” he told reporters.

Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the Dutch finance minister who heads the Eurogroup of his 19 counterparts, made a similar call for haste after May looked set to replace Prime Minister David Cameron imminently.

“The sooner we can sort out - let me say it diplomatically - this problematic situation, the better,” Dijs-

selbloem told reporters.

“We look forward to working with whomever is coming out of this democratic process. And we will have to find solutions for the Brexit which has been causing a lot of problems, particularly for the UK but also for Europe.”

Cameron has left it to his successor to officially trigger Britain’s divorce from the EU and start talks on a future trade relationship, a process the rest of the bloc has urged London to do as quickly as possible.

Global markets have been volatile since the British referendum and the pound last week hit a 31-year low against the dollar, although it has since strengthened a little. l

Could Britain’s future outside the European Union be as a tax haven?

Chancellor George Osborne on July 3 said he wanted to cut the UK’s corporation tax rate to 15%. That raises fears the UK could effectively turn into a refuge for big corporations and impoverish countries who compete with it. Instead, it’s best to see the prospect of tax cuts as a continuation of politics by other means.

Reducing the rate of tax companies pay on their profit from its current 20% should tell any UK-domiciled business considering its future to think twice about leaving. That is important because the UK faces years of uncertainty as it negotiates its leaving package. The message is effectively this: up sticks now, and risk missing out on a UK tax rate almost 10 percentage points below what KPMG calculates as the 25% average for OECD states.

The other signal is to the 27 remaining states in the European Union. EU rules let countries set whatever tax rates they want, so long as they are applied without favour. Britain’s rate has been steadily reduced from 28% in 2010. But pledging to reduce it below 15% – in touching distance of Ireland’s 12.5% – opens the door to other, more aggressive policies. Freed from the EU rules, the UK could employ beggar-thy-neighbour tax policies via preferential regimes for certain sectors.

Osborne’s flexibility to go tax haven-tastic can be overstated. Corporation tax raised 43bn pounds in the year to April 2015, 6.5% of total tax receipts, and each percentage point cut lops 2bn pounds off the total, according to HM Treasury analysis. If lower rates don’t entice more companies to flood to the UK, lower business rates could hit poorer people at a politically sensitive time – either via higher taxes elsewhere, or because companies might not pass on their higher profits in the form of higher wages. l

S&P 500 scores record high as global equities surge n AFP, New York

The S&P 500 roared to an all-time high as global bourses added to sharp gains won before the weekend thanks to a strong US jobs report.

The increase in the S&P 500 of 0.3% lifted the broad-based US index to 2,137.16, its first record in 14 months.

The record came on a strong day for global stocks that opened with a rousing 4% gain by Nikkei in Tokyo on expectations for more economic stimulus in Japan after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s party swept par-

liamentary elections.

European markets also pushed higher, with London, Paris and Frankfurt all climbing more than one percent.

The gains marked a striking reversal from the immediate negative reaction in markets to Britain’s decision last month to vote to leave the European Union.

Analysts say expectations of continued stimulus from central banks has boosted the attractiveness of stocks. Last Friday’s strong US jobs report also added to confidence in the health of the world’s

biggest economy.

Abe said Monday he will order his economy minister to draft fresh stimulus measures, the size of which could reach 20tn yen ($196bn), Japanese media said.

“Investors are basically welcoming the victory of Abe’s ruling coalition,” Daisuke Uno, chief market strategist of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking, told AFP. “But the question is whether or not stock prices can keep up this pace.”

In Britain, markets were primed for a meeting Thursday of the Bank of England, which is fore-

cast to possibly cut its key interest rate and announce more stimulus Thursday after the Brexit vote. A rate cut would likely further weigh on the pound.

Key gainers in the US included aluminum producer Alcoa, ahead of its post-market earnings release, and banks JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup, which report later in the week Other stocks on the rise were airlines United Continental and American Airlines, up a respective 2.2% and 3.7%, and travel companies Priceline and Expedia, which rose 1.6% and 1.7%.

Travel and airline stocks were hammered in June after Britain’s surprise vote to leave the European Union, but have led the way back as investors have grown more confident.

Japanese entertainment company Nintendo rocketed up more than 20% on news that its Pokemon GO which connects a user’s real-world location to the game as they try to catch on-screen characters - debuted at the top of gaming charts.

Japanese exporters also won big gains as the yen retreated on stimulus expectations. Toyota surged 4.9, Nissan 5.2% and Honda 4%. l

Opec sees oil glut continuing to ease in 2016-17 n AFP, Vienna Opec said yesterday it expected the global supply glut to ease further this year and next thanks to reductions in oil output from producers outside the cartel, particularly the United States.

If accurate, this will be a vindication of its Saudi-led strategy since 2014 of squeezing non-OPEC suppliers by keeping production at high levels despite low prices.

In its July monthly report, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries predicted a drop in non-Opec output to 56 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2016 from 57 million bpd in 2015.

In 2017, a further drop to 55.9 million bpd is expected, OPEC said, due in part to further falls in production by US

shale oil producers, who need a higher oil price than the current $45-50 to survive.

The report gave no prediction for Opec production but said that in June its total output rose from May by 264,000 bpd to 33 million bpd, according to secondary sources. In 2015 its production was 32.1 million bpd.

Demand for crude produced

by Opec’s 14 members should average 33 million bpd in 2017, up 1.1 million bpd from 2016, OPEC predicted.

“Thus, market conditions will help remove overall excess oil stocks in 2017,” it said.

Overall global demand for oil is expected to grow by 1.2 million bpd in 2016 to 94.2 million bpd, before growing at a similar rate to average around 95.3 million bpd in 2017, Opec said. l

CORPORATE NEWS

Meghna Bank Limited has recently signed an agreement with Best Electronics Limited on providing the bank’s cardholders with discounts at Best Electronics, said a press release. The bank’s SEVP, Mohammad Imdadul Islam and MD of Best Electronics, Syed Asaduzzaman have signed the agreement

AB Bank has held its 34th annual general meeting yesterday in Dhaka.

The bank’s chairperson, M Wahidul Haque presided over the meeting, said a press release

Dutch-Bangla Bank has started its 49th foundation training course for its cash officials yesterday in Dhaka, said a press release. The bank’s managing director, KS Tabrez inaugurated the course as chief guest

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

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Listology

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

5 fantastic pets in Dhaka like dogs and cats, but they are adorable and unique creatures in their own special way. Also, there are actually many people who do keep turtles as pets and enjoy the company of these quiet, serene and timid creatures.

However, one of the biggest problems with adopting a turtle is ensuring you do not pick a breed that is endangered in the wild.

There is a lot of debate on this topic, but it is usually accepted that the smaller breeds with no markings on their underbellies are the most common ones out there, and are okay to keep as pets Again, please avoid the notorious Katabon and find other pet stores in the city that are willing to give you proper guidance and advice.

There is also a turtle conservation society in Bangladesh as well, and you can knock them to help make you this decision. There are also various fish stores in Dhaka such as Nature Aquatics and Fisherman’s Cave BD, where you can easily come across such aquatic creatures.

n Tasnuva Siddique People always find an outlet to shower their love and affection on something or someone; its just the way human emotions work.

Not many will disagree with this, but a pet is just the perfect subject for smothering with such kind of tenderness that is only found in humans. So for those who haven’t had the sheer joy of handling a cute little pet at home, here is a list of a few kinds of pets that you can opt to buy this summer.

1. DOGS

Dogs are fantastic animals. It is common knowledge that they are loyal creatures who can really learn to love their masters. Now who wouldn’t want that right? The strangely happiness-inducing sight of an enthusiastic canine wagging its tail or jumping mirthfully over its master is something that evokes the most warm feelings in anyone watching it.

So quite naturally, a dog is the most suitable pet out there that ticks all the boxes for any requirements that one can possibly have from a pet, be it loyalty or anything else. There are numerous pet stores out there in Dhaka, but unfortunately we have little to no information on how they are acquiring the dogs they sell. The most notorious of these is Katabon, and we have all heard the horror stories of how puppies of foreign breeds are torn from their mothers to

be sold there, and subjected to terrible conditions and abuse. So as much as you want that beautiful pug or golden retriever, please remember that owning a foreign breed is not everything. We have all seen the equally loveable and love-hungry street dogs in every corner of this city. If you are actually serious about getting a dog and giving it the love, care and attention it requires, please seriously think about adopting a dog of our streets. You can always have a chat with animal welfare organisation Obhoyoranno about the responsibilities associated with this. If you think this might not be practical, ask around to see if any dog needs adopting in your social circles (there usually is one), and above everything else, make sure you don't condone adopting a puppy or dog that has been stolen or abused.

2. CATS

If we’re talking about a once in a lifetime ‘must have’ pet out there, cats are a given. Cats are just a fur ball of cuteness that you can’t avoid smothering with delight and affection once they come near you. Also, they can’t possibly be anywhere near as dangerous as other animals, the only thing you’ll ever have to worry about if you have a cat as a pet is if they scratch you, that, I have to admit, kind of hurts. A lot. But that’s only when you piss them off big time. Except for this one small disadvantage, cats are the second

most ideal pets out there.

You can easily find numerous breeds of cats in Dhaka. There is also a particular Facebook page named “Cat Society”, they put up contact numbers of several people who are willing to put up their pet cats or just random homeless cats up for adoption. In the case of cats, it is even easier to adopt homeless cats out there, so please do consider doing this as well.

3. TURTLES

When it comes to keeping turtles as pets, the matter is up for some debate. You might not be able to cuddle them quite as warmly as you would be able to with pets

4. RABBITS

If you’re someone who strongly prefers calm and quiet but also has a thing for cute, furry and timid animals, rabbits are the most ideal pets for you. They have those insanely endearing front teeth and scamper around mirthfully all over the place - who wouldn’t fall for something as adorable as these innocent creatures? Also, the type of food that they normally tend to eat is quite cheap and easy to obtain, such as carrots, cabbages, cauliflower stocks, grasses etc. So these pets actually require very low maintenance. However, they

are very delicate creatures and require constant company from their own kind, so if you do plan on buying a rabbit as a pet, it is a good idea to buy them in pairs.

5. PIGEONS

I know that going with pigeons rather than birds as a whole is narrowing it down a lot, but this specific kind of bird is so different from all the other species of birds that they are worth mentioning in this list. Pigeons are majestic, loyal creatures that tend to live in groups. Its also very easy to tame them so that within a few days, they don’t even have to be caged any more, and will return to your house naturally from any place they might fly away to.

Needless to say, they have such a beautiful array of colourful and vibrant feathers adorning their small figures that the sight of these creatures soaring in the sky will leave you enchanted. The maintenance cost is also quite low, however, a medium sized tin den for these birds to stay in and return to, is required.

Once again, these particular species can be purchased from pet stores across the city. However, as always we must stress that a pigeon or any other pet are living creatures who deserve care and attention, so please make sure you get them from an owner or breeder who understands their requirements and helps you take those first steps into making a pet a part of your family. And most importantly, do not buy or encourage others to buy from stores that are known for animal abuse, which sadly is the case at many pet stores in our city. l

As always we must stress that a pigeon or any other pet are living creatures who deserve care and attention

Photos: Bigstock

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Pets

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

Pet Tales

n Fariha Afroz To all the pet owners, pets are considered blessings from God. They tend to bring out the most tender side of a person, and turn the most carefree person into a responsible pet owner. Studies have shown owning a pet reduces stress levels, and even helps with depression. Pet owners always have several anecdotes about their pets, they are ready to tell anyone who is willing to listen and has a few hours at hand.“I cannot even imagine what I would do without my dogs. They are the best part of my life,” says Sumaiya Shamim, when talking about her five dogs.

Most pet owners react the same way when asked about what they are most grateful for in life. Here are some sweet stories about pets shared by their owners or ‘parents’ as they like to be called.

Dogs stories

“I was a very angry kid and would often try to harm myself. No one could approach me because I was so aggressive. My dad bought me a dog one day, hoping that I would bond with it and get a little better.

It worked! Within a few weeks, I was playing with Gollu outside and had even made a few friends.

My dad was stoked! Gollu is what kept me going in my darkest hours. I love him!” says Shoumik who has had Gollu for eight years

now.

Tanisha jokes, “I cannot stop talking about my dogs. Even if I am on a date, it is probable that I will throw in a few stories about my pet, and by a few, I mean they will definitely dominate the whole conversation. Some guys say it is cute others find it weird but they will just have to deal with it because my pets are the most important part of my life.”

“I was coming home very sad one day after getting my results from school. I was properly depressed and nothing was helping, but as I entered my house and my dogs came running towards me wagging their tails, I instantly began feeling better. No matter what is going on in my life, my dogs help me go through the bad times and not give up. I love talking to them and I feel like they understand me better than most people,” Taifur says about Snowy and Hulk, his two dogs.

Cat stories

Mahabub has four cats, and says he sleeps best when they are all cuddling him. “It immediately brightens up my day when I wake up to find them fast asleep on top of or beside me. Cats have a reputation of being horrible pets, but mine are the very best. It is very tiring to keep cleaning up after them all day but they are worth it. Nothing calms me down

or even cheers me up the way my cats do after a long day. The best part of my day is definitely spending quality time with them.”

“My cats follow me everywhere. While some may find that annoying, it actually makes me very happy. Both my parents work and it is just me at home after school; my cats keep me from feeling lonely. I love it when they follow me around or cuddle me,” says Tahseen, a seventh grader who has two cats named, Kalia and Whitey.

“I take my cats everywhere with me. Most cats do not really like to be around too many people.

But mine are very comfortable around large groups of people and try to show off their skills. They are always seeking attention and are quite needy which is not very typical of cats, however mine are just that way. My friends love pampering them so much that I am told to make sure my cats attend all the parties along with me!” says Zubaida Bashir.

child. I don’t think I ever parted from it; I would take it everywhere.

And, that is how I lost it too. One day I went out to play with my friends and took Turty with me to the field, unfortunately I forgot to bring him back. I was devastated but my parents say they found it mighty funny because of the irony of the whole thing. I wouldn’t leave Turty alone in fear of losing him, but taking him everywhere with me is what made me lose him.

Guess that makes for a good story about how we shouldn’t hold on too tight eh?”

Achol Chowdhury has an aquarium full of fish. She says, “I tried to train them from the first day. It was hard because fish aren’t

really the kind of pet you can train.

But, after much trying I got my fish to follow me around in the aquarium every time I walk by it.

I know it doesn’t seem like much but it took me such a long time to get them to do it! The first time they did it, I was overjoyed!

“I have a lovebird. They are really small birds and the only kind my mother will allow me to keep. Every time I enter the room, Lovey starts singing. She does it only when I enter the room. Once, I went away to my grandparents’ house for a while, Lovey did not sing for the entire time period. I love how she does it only for me.

Makes me feel so special!” says Samita, an ardent bird lover.l

Other pet stories Tasnuva Siddiqui says, “I had a turtle once when I was a

PHOTOS: BIGSTOCK

DT

18

Interview

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

Royal favour Up close with Osama Noor n Saudia Afrin If you keep up to date with news or have been following your Facebook newsfeed, you’ve surely heard of Osama Bin Noor. He received an award from Queen Elizabeth II as one of the Queen’s Young Leaders Award winners of 2016. Osama is the co-founder of Youth Opportunities, an online platform which advertises scholarships, internship opportunities and conferences.

Over the last six years, he has put in more than 1,500 hours as a volunteer. He hosts Teen Tekka, a popular radio show dedicated to teenagers in Bangladesh and is also the Volunteer Resource Coordinator with Volunteer for Bangladesh (VBD). Noor is a catalyst for Bangladeshi youths who represent their country internationally.

What were you most excited about?

Each and every moment of the journey was full of excitement.

However, the most exciting moment was receiving the award from Queen Elizabeth II herself.

What were you thinking or feeling while receiving the award from the queen?

Any word isn’t enough to express that feeling.

What sort of changes will this award bring to your life?

Responsibility has surely increased manifold. Now I have to think over and again before taking any steps or starting any new initiatives. I’m actively working on how to have more impact on youth through our work.

The biggest surprise from your UK tour?

The Australian High Commission had chosen to place each awardee’s image, flag and a quote on screens on the walls of the High Commission. As we weren’t told about this, it came as a pleasant surprise when we first saw our photos and quotes. We were extremely surprised and equally happy. Another big moment for me was when I found out that I was one of the five chosen awardee’s featured in the special documentary screened during the award ceremony.

What do you love about the United Kingdom?

People’s commitment towards time, their disciplined lives, their humility as well as their helpful attitude.

The most dangerous thing you’ve ever done?

During our visit to Cambridge University, two of my fellow awardees and I crossed a fearsome

forest where entry was restricted.

Our detour was loaded with discussion on many things and a sense of adventure and fear of being caught in the forest.

The best feedback you’ve ever received for your work?

Robert Gibson, Former British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, gave me feedback I won’t ever forget. He said that despite being a Madrasa student, out of the reach of internet at home, I’ve proven myself. I’ve proven that if you have passion, nothing can stop you. He then added that now my role as a young leader is to help Madrasa students with skill development, and bridging the gaps with others in society.

What do you hope to be doing next for Bangladeshi youth?

I feel that in the case of Bangladeshi youth, three important requirements need to be addressed: mentorship, skill development and opportunity.

They should be provided with a proper guideline about their career. Then, they should be helped with the development of appropriate skills to allow them to find the right opportunities. I want to work with skills development in order to empower them through sharing opportunities.

Rapid fire What’s the best way to relax?

Considering a human being as just a human being. Someone may not excel at something but he is surely a genius in something else. You just need to break the fear.

If you could meet one historical figure who would it be?

Again, Nelson Mandela.

What is your favourite sport to watch?

Cricket.

The best thing about your family?

The lessons they have instilled in me: from being honest to helping others to sharing.

These lessons have had a massive influence on who I am today.

Is there anything in this world you wish you had?

I wish I had the power to change the conditions of human life in a positive way help fill in any lack in peoples’ lives with shelter, food or whatever they require.

The last movie you watched?

London Has Fallen. I love watching historical event based movies.

One quality of yours that people underestimate?

I trust people very easily, this is something people don’t expect from me.

The book that are you reading now?

The Idea Book.

If there’s one thing missing in your life, what is it?

The habit of reading books.

I’ve lost the patience to read books. I would read a lot before but recently I want to but somehow can’t. I miss this old trait.

Favourite animal?

Cats.

One thing you still have from your childhood?

The habit of playing sports and swimming.

How do you spend your weekends?

Holding meetings with fellows regarding upcoming plans.

If you could switch lives with a person for a day, who would you choose?

Nelson Mandela.

One question you wish people would stop asking you?

‘Why is your name Osama?’

How can I answer this?

If you had one superpower what would it be?

My work, my speech, my honesty and my positive thinking.

One bad habit of yours you wish you could change?

I am very disorganised especially my room. I wish I could change this habit.

The first thing you notice about a person?

How he talks, observes and what sort of opinions he has.

Your absolute biggest phobia?

Snakes What is the happiest colour for you?

White. l

19

DT

Mental Health

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

5 stages of dealing with loss and grief: Divorce

n Achol Chowdhury According to most psychologists and as seen in the faded flashback scenes of pasty rebellious teens in clichéd movies, a divorce in a family wreaks havoc that extends far beyond the parents. The storm that ensues disrupts existing family dynamics and usually, most of the aftershock of this is absorbed by the unintended receiver of the pain: the child.

Dealing with a divorce is a lot like dealing with a loss, which in a way it is. Instead of dealing with the loss of a friend or family, you’re dealing with the loss of your family as you know it.

loss: denial and isolation.

A forced smile suddenly feels like the sound of laughter, you haven’t seen a shared smile in so long, you know there’s still hope. You make yourself believe your dad really is staying with your chacha because of the game tonight. The endless calls from your grandmother and aunts and uncles don’t help, you’re tired of the never-ending questions and you know no one “understands.” You seek seclusion, away from the probing aunties and teachers and friends, none of whom really know what you’re going through.

Symptoms

Much like an illness it has its initial symptoms: You hear the arguments that hush down as you enter the room. You feel the tension at dinner when your father asks you to pass a bowl next to your mother. You see the furrows on your parents’ foreheads, a permanent houseguest now. Your parents start visiting a doctor who diagnoses the problem, then they go to that doctor again and again and again and maybe things will finally start getting better. On the surface it does, the illness goes into remission till you hear the news, its been finalized.

Suddenly the world comes crashing down as you are sucked into the first stage of dealing with

Dealing with a divorce is a lot like dealing with a loss, which in a way it is

At a point the delicate façade you’ve put up begins to crack and as you withdraw from the addictive powers of denial you progress into the second stage: anger.

Slowly emerging feelings of anger partnered up with your isolation clears your vision.

You’re not ready. This shouldn’t be happening to you. Fear and vulnerability from inside you boil and surface as rage and fury. This rage becomes a weapon directed at the ones responsible, at people trying to help, at inanimate objects and most dangerously, at yourself.

Anger blinds people; your inner rationale knows anger is what caused your pain yet you see yourself resenting people around you; the anger morphs you into someone you know you’re not, but feeling so helpless and beaten down you begin to seek help.

You begin bargaining with yourself to bring back a shred of hope, hope being the only thing that can pull you through. You promise you’ll be a better person, you promise you’ll listen to Ammu and never make her angry, you promise your baba that you’ll take your studies seriously. No more going out. No more video games, nothing. You think to yourself, “I can fix this, I can help them.” You

praise each parent to the other, you seek help from God, you plead a parent to reconsider, and promising him or her you’ll help placate the other’s mind. Your efforts may meet with anger, you reach a dead end.

Depression. You finally realise the magnitude of your loss. The older you are, the more difficult it is. This is the part when teachers, family and friends reach out to you. Sometimes it helps, usually it doesn’t. During depression you may find yourself succumbing to negative daily habits as the positive ones get harder to follow.

This the hardest on teenagers whose malleable minds easily fall prey to the claws of depression, it really does feel like isolation alleviates the situation but in truth it does nothing but push you deeper and deeper into the hole. It changes you as a person, your friends remind you of how cheerful you were and how witty you were, you feel their impatience and irritability with you. You push them away hoping they’ll stick by you but you’ll come to realise that now, at the peak of their lives, some will decide you’re not worth it. Some days may be easier than others; it’s important to understand this is a part of the grieving process and most

importantly, it doesn’t last forever.

This is not who you are.

Once you realise this, comes the final stage: acceptance.

Acceptance is the finish line and the past few stages were the track you were on.

Acceptance is finally making peace with things. Acceptance is understanding that yes, this was for the better. Acceptance is seeing the change in your parents’ lives and appreciating their happiness.

And most importantly, acceptance is admitting the unhappiness your parents would have faced, regardless of whether they faced it together or not, wasn’t worth it.

Dealing with a divorce is hard; it’s very hard actually. It’s hard being caught in the middle of it, it’s harder being a pawn in it.

Hate and resentment can cloud your vision but believe me, it’s not the end of the world. You deal with pain like you deal with an injury. Give it time, let your wounds heal, you may leave with battle scars, but come on, battle scars aren’t evidence of being wounded, they’re evidence of your survival. Don’t let a few court dates and papers define you. Don’t let it be the justifications for your actions. You’re a warrior, not a stereotype.l

DT

20 Editorial

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

TODAY

The boy who went back But for one brief shining moment there, Faraaz went back for Tarishi and Abinta, surely knowing the risk to his own young life, and all was glorious PAGE 21

BIGSTOCK

The roots of homegrown terror I wonder how their day started out, and what was on their minds as they took their last breaths PAGE 22

In grief and in terror The recent turn of events has shown, among other things, that there is no room left to turn up our noses and say “not in my home.� Because, yes, in our homes, in our very backyards, we are growing terrorism and it’s feeding of seemingly normal children 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.

Time for a 360-degree anti-terror strategy

W

e are gratified to note the wide-ranging anti-terror measures mooted by the PM in the wake of the horrific July 1 and July 7 attacks.

This shows that the government understands just how serious the crisis the country is facing is, and the necessity for urgent action to combat the crisis.

Many of the ideas that the PM and other members of the government have placed on the table, such as countrywide anti-militancy committees and better reporting and tracking of missing persons, are good ones, and we very much hope that they can be implemented without delay.

We welcome such thinking and these inititatives, but it is also important that we approach combating terror in a unified, comprehensive, and above all well-planned manner, and that we do not succumb to ad hocism or schemes that sound promising at first blush but that turn out to be impractical or counter-productive on closer examination.

Most importantly, there needs to be follow through. Implementation is everything.

The focus must, as has been outlined by the PM, be on education and engagement. We are fortunate that there is vanishingly little public support for terrorism and militancy among the general public, and we must work to ensure that this remains the case and that there can be no acceptance for the kind of unspeakable atrocities that the nation witnessed.

It goes without saying that we must have zero tolerance for terrorist activity, but at the same time we must also crack down strongly on those who preach or advocate for terror or give comfort and support to terrorists.

But we must make sure that the steps we take are measured, meaningful, and well thought-out.

For instance, keeping better track of missing students is a fine idea. However, to be practical, requiring reporting of students missing for only ten days is excessive. This is too onerous a reporting burden and will generate too much information for the authorities to be able to process usefully.

The government must also partner with the relevant educational institutions so as to make the collecting of information a smooth process. And finally, why should the focus just be on private institutions? While perpetrators with a private university background catch the headlines, there is sadly no shortage of public university or madrasa students who have also been involved in terrorist activity.

The above are offered simply by way of example.

The crux of the matter is that hastily-planned or ad hoc measures, while wellintentioned, will not solve our problems.

A comprehensive, cohesive, well thought-out strategy that is capable of being implemented efficiently and effectively is the order of the day.

We must make sure that the steps we take are measured, meaningful, and well thought-out

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

The boy who went back Faraaz’s story will live on for years to come

n Tanvir Haider Chaudhury

W

e need to tell the story of Faraaz Ayaz Hossain. We need for it to be told, and

retold.

Do you remember that breathless, sleepless night at the end of the dreadful day when Rana Plaza collapsed? Do you remember staying up, hoping against hope that the woman they believed was still alive underneath all those tonnes of rubble would make it out okay? And do you remember your heart contracting inside your chest when we found out she would not?

We have had far too many of those heartbreaks.

Faraaz’s is our own salvation story: A tale so noble that it does not seem to belong to this graceless age. An event that, over the passage of time, will surely take on the semblance of a parable, a folk tale.

If it does, though, it will be a quintessentially Bangladeshi fable, for it ends in tragedy.

Because Faraaz was the boy who went back. Knowing he was courting death, he was the young man who would not leave his two female friends with people who meant them harm, even though he was free to go.

Neither of his companions shared his nationality, and one was of a different religious persuasion, but all of that was immaterial to Faraaz. Because, you see, they were his friends.

But for one brief shining moment there, Faraaz went back for Tarishi and Abinta, surely knowing the risk to his own young life, and all was glorious

Faraaz’s story is a fable ending in tragedy Now, I know there are those who are saying all this is not true; that Faraaz was not a hero but a monster. To them I have this to say: I know you are lying, and I know why. And I pity the fact that you don’t have a soul.

Our land grieves the senseless massacre of too many people today by young men not much older than Faraaz and his companions Tarishi Jain and Abinta Kabir, people brutally cut down simply because the

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

murderers did not approve of the way they lived. Our besieged, disconsolate land has seen way too many of these episodes of late.

But for one brief shining moment there, Faraaz went back for Tarishi and Abinta, surely knowing the risk to his own young life, and all was glorious.

So we need to tell their story.

We need to repeat it till it feels like one of those stories that has been passed on for generations, until it becomes one of those stories.

DT

21

Opinion

Because, as implausible as it might seem to future generations, Faraaz went back for his companions. And died with them rather than letting them die alone.

And if there is one Faraaz Ayaz Hossain among us, surely there are many. l Tanvir Haider Chaudhury has spent most of his career as a banker and is now running a food and beverage company.

He is avowedly Bangali and unabashedly opinionated.

DT

22

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

The roots of homegrown terror Just looking at the surface is no longer an option

n Ansar Ahmed

T

oday, it has become even more important to understand the root causes of homegrown terrorism. It is harder to target, and far less predictable when compared to the traditional variety.

Our predictive capacity is enhanced when we have a fair sense of the variables involved in the picture. Throw in variables that are weakly connected, unrelated, or spuriously connected, and you are forever searching for the missing piece.

Many seek an explanation of the phenomenon in religious teachings (or its misinterpretations). Others point to schooling. They look at socio-economic factors and blame poverty.

To use an analogy, these may be symptomatic of and have some correlations with homegrown terrorism, but they are not the

distortions involved; however, we need to go beyond that for a permanent solution.

It is my scientific opinion that the confluence of four factors leads “the boy next door” to commit such a monstrous and heinous terrorist act: A failed life, victim of bullying, lack of guidance and mentorship, and access to underground groups and activities.

Each of these deserves lengthy research for understanding them deeper, and there are, indeed, lots conducted. Each of these, independently, is a critical social issue that demands an immediate resolution.

Bullying, for example, pokes at more than a clean shirt and harms a lot more than a person’s selfimage and self-esteem. As a matter of fact, it has led many who were victimised to commit suicide.

At the same time, the picture becomes even more complex when we study the profile of the perpetrator in a bullying situation.

I wonder how their day started out, and what was on their minds as they took their last breaths

disease. In so many ways, these explanations distract our attention from the real underlying factors, and therefore distract us from real solutions.

It does not do much more than provide us with the imagined face of an enemy, and does not give us any more empowerment than the ability to spew hate.

It certainly does not resolve much, and may actually make things worse. In Western media, there is deep analysis of all these symptoms, and so-called experts spend hours providing answers.

The average audience eats it all up because they have neither the knowledge, nor the tendency, to debate.

Since we are seeing a spike in the frequency of occurrences, it is important we look at some root causes that can be addressed, and a solution attempted. A large part of the international media dialogue on the topic is based on tracing factors directly connected to an incident after it has happened.

That is indeed a valid journalistic approach, provided there are no information

There are severe sociopsychological influences here as well; far beyond the mask presented in public, and deeper than the initial assumptions of a rowdy kid asserting his territory.

This is a problem that impacts both the perpetrator and the victim, where the social maladies that created the bully create new ones in the bullied. Bullying, in short, is a far deeper issue than what we can afford to ignore.

The four factors are independent of one another. In other words, simply because one’s life is predicted to fail does not mean that they will also be a victim of bullying. It can happen, but does not guarantee it.

However, these four factors, independent as they are, tend to be inter-correlated. That is, there is a greater propensity for a person without guidance or mentorship to fail, and based on their subsequent behaviour become a victim of bullying, and based on a prolonged period of neglect and abuse, be prone to seek to belong in a group where they feel accepted.

It would not hurt if the group has a seemingly admirable social cause.

When terrorism is at home, how do we detect it?

Bring the four factors together in one person, and we have a far greater problem on our hands.

We have, literally, a ticking time bomb. The fourth factor is not fully vital or critical, as the homegrown terrorist can pretend to have connections without truly having any.

All they really need are pieces of information that allow them the pretension. Of course, the internet allows anyone to gather such information undetected or even anonymously. And, of course, some others actually join.

The homegrown terrorist desires to end his own story as sensationally and as publicly as possible. This serves a dual purpose -- one is a gratified revenge on society, and second, it is a unique “accomplishment.”

A failed life, or one that is predicted to be so, can be attributed to individual decisions at certain time points, but cannot be limited to that only. The failed life also needs to be seen in the context of social conditions that contribute in some way.

A failed life can be due to bad choices made by the individual, or lack of mentorship by family and friends, or even be a condition imposed by the state (as in the case of the average Palestinian whose lives are not predicted to be successful).

Similarly, bullying is much more than an interaction between limited numbers of actors. Lack of guidance and mentorship is

linked to social environments that lack resources, stability, and a preoccupation with the self. As indicated before, each factor is a research topic on its own; what I bring in this journalistic piece is the idea that their confluence is highly volatile.

Rewind some examples of homegrown terrorism in the US and Europe -- from Columbine to numerous other school shootings; from Oklahoma to Nickel Mines; from Anders Behring Breivik to Dylann Roof; and more recently, Orlando. And, of course, we have seen some international incidents this first week of July in Istanbul, Dhaka, Baghdad, and Kishoreganj.

The markers of the perpetrators are quite similar.

In some ways, heightened security serves as a deterrent, and every second that passes by without incident is a success story. That is what our minds are wrapped around, and that is what we grapple with.

That is our immediate preoccupation, the idea of “feeling safe.” But, unfortunately, heightened security cannot guarantee prevention. This is especially true where soft targets are concerned. It is simply not possible, nor feasible, to have heightened security in every inch of public space at every moment.

A real solution comes in tackling the root causes of the conditions that create lone wolves and homegrown terrorists.

At the root of all brands and

REUTERS

varieties of terrorism is economic and social deprivation, and that is where we need to focus as individuals, as families, as community members, and as leaders. And so, as a society, we need to ensure economic mobility and development for all.

As parents, guardians, and friends, we need to make everyone feel a part of the family and the larger community.

As teachers, we need to be involved in the positive growth and influences in everyone’s lives. None of these are easy to accomplish, for there are several intervening barriers. Those barriers should never provide us with the excuse for not trying.

I can only imagine the adrenalin pumping in the body of the homegrown terrorist as he moves towards his target. I can only imagine the drama in his head as he finally approaches the scene.

But, I cannot imagine, or understand, why innocent lives have to be cut short even as they are going about their own businesses, completely unaware that they are about to die.

I wonder how their day started out, and what was on their minds as they took their last breaths. l

Ansar Ahmed is an Effectiveness Management Consultant, employed

by Booz Allen Hamilton and working with the US Department of Defense worldwide educational activity projects in Washington, DC.

DT

23

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

In grief and in terror To heal the city, heal the individual first

It’s okay if you feel like a puzzle piece that doesn’t fit

BIGSTOCK

n Syeda Shagufe Hossain

“W

e’re stuck.

We’re stuck between the East and the West. Between the past and the future. On the one hand, there are the secular modernists, so proud of the regime they constructed, you cannot breathe a critical word. They’ve got the army and half of the state on their side.

On the other hand, there are the conventional traditionalists, so infatuated with the Ottoman past, you cannot breathe a critical word.

They’ve got the general public and the remaining half of the state on their side,” Elif Shafak writes in The Bastard of Istanbul.

I visited Istanbul in 2013, and if ever there was a place where my fragmented identity saw a reflection of itself, it was there.

There are cities, and then there are soul cities. Istanbul, for me, a Dhakaite, is my soul city. In fact, in their being stuck-ness, the split identities, their teashops and glass teacups (ours slightly dirtier and contaminated than theirs), their people so warm and their arms so open, their art and poetry and wonderful awkwardness of the inbetween, the cities could be soul sisters.

When three days after the airport attack in Istanbul, while my bleeding heart was still healing, the ugly face of terror showed itself in my Dhaka, it was almost as though, to my greatest horror, my thoughts were being stolen and, somehow, someone

The recent turn of events has shown, among other things, that there is no room left to turn up our noses and say “not in my home.” Because, yes, in our homes, in our very backyards, we are growing terrorism and it’s feeding off seemingly normal children

had heard my fears and had taken it upon themselves to bring them to fruition.

A friend, Shehzad Arifeen, pointed out in a blog post, this reeks of something that would happen in a European capital, not in a Southern megalopolis. A restaurant with most frequenting customers being diplomats, this was purposefully done to generate shock, to cripple us with fear.

In just a matter of 24 hours, the country changed. There is no denying this. The history of Dhaka will once again be split into a before-and-after timeline.

Until the identities of the assailants were revealed, many of us thought they must be from socio-economically marginalised backgrounds, probably educated at a madrassa.

The revelation of their identities threw all those who are following into a paralysis, as if the shock from the night before wasn’t enough. The identities of the assailants break any stereotypical notions we may have had about which institutes breed terrorism.

I have been working with alia

madrasas over the last two years.

Whenever I mention this to people of some understanding of this system of education, they will immediately retort with: “But the problem is with the Qawmi sector.”

I tire of explaining sometimes, there is no problem within one particular medium of education.

I work with the sector because they have been deprived for a while now; from properly trained teachers, lack of resources, a synthesised curriculum, and suffered the implications of reforms initiated from a top-down approach with little consideration of how they will be accepted on the ground.

But most of all, they suffer from an identity crisis, much like mine, and Dhaka’s and Istanbul’s, the crisis of the in-between; the crisis of not belonging. This crisis is one that’s born out of being bombarded with information and confused ideologies in a fast globalising world where we have many people we know, but few friends.

A crisis born in a world that is increasingly Islamophobic, where

Donald Trump leads US election polls, Syria is bombed incessantly under the Obama regime, Britain votes itself out of the EU because “immigrants are problematic,” racism overrides reason, and social media overwhelms you with graphic images of places where Muslim lands are under siege.

And hence, the identity we are forced to resort to, to investigate and protect over and over again, is the one that is most under threat, our Muslim identity.

The recent turn of events has shown, among other things, that there is no room left to turn up our noses and say “not in my home.”

Because, yes, in our homes, in our very backyards, we are growing terrorism and it’s feeding off seemingly normal children.

With no emphasis on teaching them to respect diversity, to empathise, to be inclusive, we are fighting a losing battle on all fronts. Whether our children are studying at English-medium schools, Bangla-medium schools, or madrasas doesn’t matter.

Terrorism will find you and prey on your vulnerability and

isolation.

And while counter-terrorism acts and policies and strategies will act as good measures in case of further attacks, they will not cut terrorism off from the oxygen that lets it live, human resources.

This is a time where we also need to show our vigilance as citizens.

If we are to restore Dhaka to its fearless, resilient self, thriving with music, art, poetry, and activism, we must take this on as individuals.

The ultimate stage of psychological evolution in a human being’s life is finding one’s purpose. One is not able to reach this destination without sacrifices made along the way.

Take control of this route before someone else does.

If we are to help our youth reach this stage, we have to paint for them a world with promises and dreams and sacrifices, and we must offer comradeship along the way.

We must talk to our children and more importantly, we must listen to what they have to say.

We must teach them the truth of religion and humanity, and not some twisted version of selfloathing, masochistic doctrine passing off as religion.

Tell them stories of empathy and compassion. Watch the news with them, discuss world politics, discuss religion, encourage them to read good books, have proper conversations with them about films they are watching and websites they are on.

Encourage them to engage in helping communities, teach them to volunteer so that they learn the value of giving. Give them spaces that are brimming with creativity, art and culture. Show them beauty.

Most importantly tell them it’s alright to be the awkward in-between, much like our much beloved city. It’s alright to sometimes feel like you don’t belong, like you are a puzzle piece from the wrong puzzle, stuck, out of place.

And it’s alright to have many identities at the same time, be they conflicting. In fact, that is beautiful. This mismatched, uneven, misfit that is your being, is beautiful and you owe nobody an apology for being who you are.

You belong. l Syeda Shagufe Hossain is the Founder and Project Director of Leaping Boundaries and a future student at the Faculty of Integrated Studies in Education at McGill University.

DT

24 Sport

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

TOP STORIES

Where are the fast bowlers?

Cricket has changed significantly in the modern times, becoming more of a batsman’s game in the Twenty20 era. Pace bowling, by all measures, thus is fast becoming a dying art. But it was different in the 1990s. PAGE 25

Portugal unleashes celebrations After a night of rowdy celebrations Portugal’s European champions led by Cristiano Ronaldo returned home to a heroes’ welcome on Monday and a country overjoyed by their upset win over France. PAGE 26

Bangladesh’s newly-appointed Belgian head coach Tom Saintfiet (C) conducts training at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday

New Bangladesh coach Saintfiet focuses on team discipline n Tribune Report

Payet targeted by Ronaldo fans Dimitri Payet was enemy number one in Portugal when he clattered into Cristiano Ronaldo in a hefty challenge that saw the Portuguese talisman eventually stretchered off in tears from the Euro 2016 final. PAGE 27

Bangladesh’s newly-appointed head coach Tom Saintfiet wants to place utmost emphasis on team discipline and spirit as he conducted his first training session yesterday to start his temporary three-month charge. The Belgian tactician arrived in Dhaka yesterday morning.

The official signing between Saintfiet and the Bangladesh Football Federation has not been made yet but both the parties are hoping to complete the formalities in “three-four days’ time”.

Contract and Nigeria issue

Barca defend Messi social media campaign Barcelona have defended their campaign on social media in support of Lionel Messi. “We are involved in a controversy in which there is the feeling that FC Barcelona has committed a tax crime whereas that is not the case,” said club spokesman. PAGE 28

“He just arrived. He was on the plane when we sent him the contract papers. He forwarded it to his lawyer. Hopefully we can close this chapter (official signing) in threefour days,” said national team management committee chairman Kazi Nabil Ahmed yesterday.

Nabil added, “He is taking charge, starting from today, for three months.”

Last week, Nigeria drafted a three-man shortlist for the vacant manager/head coach’s position, and Saintfiet is one of their preferred choices but the 43-year old coach wants to concentrate on

Bangladesh only.

When queried to clarify the current situation with the Nigeria Football Association, the Belgian coach said, “I saw exactly what you saw. As a coach, I was without a job for the last two months. I sent my CV to different federations all over the world and Nigeria were one of them. On Friday, I saw I was in the shortlist but I don’t have proper information about it (regarding interview with NFA).

“The first focus is on two (AFC Asian Cup qualifying playoff ) matches against Bhutan in September and October. When the matches are finished, hopefully with the qualification, we will work together in future. First focus is on three months and to try to get good results.”

Philosophy and Bangladesh team

Saintfiet has vast experience in coaching, especially in African football. He managed six national teams before coming to Dhaka.

The Belgian believes Bangladesh have more potential than their performances suggest in recent years.

“I have seen videos in youtube.

And DVDs of this team. This team has potential. We need a team of players who want it. In football, we don’t win with best players. Rath-

er it is the best team who wins. So discipline, occupation, ambition will be very important, not only skill but personality, mentality.

Sometimes a player with less quality brings success compared to a player with better quality but low discipline,” he said.

“I’m disciplined. I give you an example. I am not muslim but I don’t know the taste of beer, wine or any kind of alcohol. I never smoked in my life,” he added.

Tom though expressed his optimism regarding Bangladesh’s immediate future. “If we win against Bhutan, we will have a 50 percent chance of qualifying for the Asian Cup in the UAE. It’s a great opportunity for the coach, the players and the federation,” he said.

Tom recently sent a 32-man preliminary squad for the upcoming home and away ties against Bhutan. Following the ongoing national camp, he will go on a short vacation for a week. After his return, he will watch some premier league matches and shuffle the preliminary squad further.

“I only picked 12 players and the rest were added by my assistant coach [Saiful Bari] Titu. In the coming weeks, there will be league matches. Based on that, new players may be added,” he concluded. l

BFF

Salman added to HP squad n Tribune Report

Bangladesh Cricket Board’s High Performance camp will get underway this Sunday after the national selectors announced a 25-member squad yesterday, naming middle-order batsman Salman Hossain.

Salman was recently in fine form for Barisal division in the National Cricket League and Cricket Coaching School in the Dhaka Premier League.

Chief national selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu informed that they had to include a batsman to adjust the squad after adding an extra paceman, Ebadat Hossain.

“We have included Salman to adjust the squad after we selected an extra pacer in Ebadat Hossain in the 25-member squad. So we decided to include a batsman. He played well in the NCL and we think he can be a good prospect for Bangladesh in longer-version cricket,” said Nannu to Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

The cricketers will report to new HP head coach Simon Helmot at the National Cricket Academy this Saturday.

Meanwhile, the selectors have decided to include Marshall Ayub and Shamsur Rahman in the batting unit programme. l

25

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Sport

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

Where are the fast bowlers?

No Bangladeshi fast bowler, unfortunately, has been near worldclass level in Tests.

Only Mashrafe bin Mortaza is still playing, since 2001, but he managed to play only 36 Test matches in which he has taken 78 wickets in a career marred by injuries

Taskin Ahmed is one of the emerging fast bowlers of Bangladesh even though he is yet to play a Test match

n Ali Shahriyar Bappa Cricket has changed significantly in the modern times, becoming more of a batsman’s game in the Twenty20 era. Pace bowling, by all measures, thus is fast becoming a dying art.

But it was different in the 1990s.

World cricket produced some fascinating fast bowlers like the West Indian pair Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, Pakistani trio Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar, South African triumvirate Shaun Pollock, Allan Donald and Makhaya Ntini and Australian duo Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee. These legends produced some magic during their heyday. It is hard to forget Ambrose’s destructive spell of 7/1 against Australia in 1993.

His mighty tally of 405 Test wickets came at an average of just 20.99 and has led the top bowling rankings for the most part of his career. Walsh was equally handy in his 132 Tests and 205 one-day internationals for the West Indies, taking 519 and 227

wickets respectively.

Akram and Younis dominated the scenario with their pace and swing for many years. Akram, leftarm quick with much swing, and Younis, blisteringly fast with a toe-crushing yorker, were really a treat to the eye. They took 555 and 581 wickets in the Tests and ODIs they played together.

South Africa’s Jacques Kallis will go down in history as a rock-solid batsman but his bowling was also seriously dependable and, when the mood took him, he was seriously fast. He ended up with 292 Test wickets, to set alongside the 13,289 runs and the little matter of 200 catches. The battle of pace between Akhtar and Lee had people glued to the TV screens.

But the flow of genuine fast bowlers has reduced in the last decade. These days, South Africa’s Dale Steyn and England’s James Anderson have been continuing the fast bowling legacy in Tests. But both Anderson and Stuart Broad play Tests mostly. They have not been considered in the ODIs or T20Is.

Apart from Steyn, no other fast bowler has the ability or fitness to perform like a world-class bowler consistently. Australia’s Mitchell Johnson played some crucial roles for Australia after the retirement of McGrath, Lee and Jason Gillespie.

West Indies’ golden days have long gone. They are struggling to produce quality fast bowlers since the early 2000s. New Zealand’s Shane Bond produce some magical spells during his short stint and had been described as the country’s best fast bowler since Sir Richard Hadlee but he only managed to appear in 18 Tests due to injuries. Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga can be described as a true fast bowler with his slinging action but he was ineffective in Tests compared to ODIs or T20Is. So why have fast bowlers of this generation not been of the same quality as before?

There are a lot of facilities available now in professional cricket compared to even 20 years ago.

Almost every team now has a specialist fast-bowling coach but still the pacers are struggling to make

their mark. The overall change in the game is a significant reason for the decline in fast bowling.

It is said people simply love to see runs on the board. Pitches are favouring the batsmen in maximum cases while boundary length has also been reduced gradually.

Cricketers are now also playing in more domestic T20 leagues around the world like the Indian Premier League, Caribbean Premier League, Bangladesh Premier League, Pakistan Super League, Big Bash League and the NatWest T20 Blast. So pacers are facing injuries very frequently these days. Someone like Steyn, who plays these T20 leagues regularly, has lost his form in the last two years in all formats of the game.

No Bangladeshi fast bowler, unfortunately, has been near worldclass level in Tests. Only Mashrafe bin Mortaza is still playing, since 2001, but he managed to play only 36 Test matches in which he has taken 78 wickets in a career marred by injuries. Pacers in Bangladesh have little glamour compared to

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

batsmen or all-rounders. Often they struggle to find a club in the Dhaka Premier League. The pitches here are obviously not pacer-friendly as well, thus limiting their involvement.

Things have been better for Bangladesh in ODIs, especially since 2014. Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman and Mashrafe were very impressive.

Taskin and Rubel bowls fast while Mashrafe uses his experience.

Mustafizur grabbed 26 wickets in just nine ODIs. He is now leading the pace attack but it is still too early to call him a world-class bowler as his Test credentials are yet to be proven.

The world now considers Mustafizur as the best T20 bowler and that has become a major problem for fast bowlers. There are not too many young fast bowlers being talked about in Tests or ODIs, and in the coming days when big changes are being talked about in all the three formats, where will fast bowling be in the major scheme of things? l

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Sport

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

EURO 2016: 5 BEST GOALS DIMITRI PAYET

(France 2 Romania 1) France were heading towards a dispiriting 1-1 draw against Romania in their opening match when the ball found its way to Payet on the right-hand side of the penalty area in the 89th minute. The West Ham United playmaker took a touch to get the ball out of his feet before unleashing a left-foot rocket that flew into the top-left corner.

Payet sprinted towards the touchline in disbelieving celebration and shed tears as he was substituted moments later. France’s tournament was up and running.

EDER

(Portugal 1 France 0) Portugal were accused of producing negative wins at Euro 2016 but substitute Eder killed French hopes with a stunning late strike in Sunday’s final. The Lille striker beat off a challenge from Laurent Koscielny and from 25 metres fired a shot that French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris got nowhere near.

Eder has struggled to pin down a first team spot at Swansea City in the English Premier League but has had more chances in France with Lille and now with Portugal.

CRISTIANO RONALDO

(Hungary 3 Portugal 3) Ridiculed for criticising Iceland after Portugal’s opening 1-1 draw and then guilty of squandering a penalty in the 0-0 draw with Austria, Ronaldo was under pressure ahead of Portugal’s final group game.

But the Real Madrid megastar belatedly arrived at the party in Lyon with a brace that secured Portugal’s place in the last 16. His first goal, in the 55th minute, was a treat. Joao Mario bent a cross into the box from the right and Ronaldo met it with a fiendishly difficult half-volleyed back-heel that sent the ball rolling into the bottom-left corner.

XHERDAN SHAQIRI

(Switzerland 1 Poland 1) The tournament’s most spectacular goal arrived in the first last 16 tie in Saint-Etienne.

With Switzerland a goal down in the 82nd minute, captain Stephan Lichtsteiner hoisted a cross towards the box from the left-hand flank. Partially cleared, the ball popped up on the edge of the box and Shaqiri met it with a jaw-dropping mid-air scissors kick that flew past goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski’s outstretched left hand.

The Stoke City schemer found the net again in the subsequent penalty shootout, but Switzerland were eliminated.

HAL ROBSON-KANU

(Wales 3 Belgium 1) Robson-Kanu, released by English secondtier club Reading a day earlier, provided the defining image of Wales’s astonishing run to the last four with a magnificent goal that put Chris Coleman’s side ahead in their quarter-final against Belgium. Ten minutes into the second half, Gareth Bale sent Aaron Ramsey scampering down the Wales right and the Arsenal man neatly took a touch before crossing for RobsonKanu. The Wales number nine took a touch and then bewildered Thomas Meunier, Marouane Fellaini and Jason Denayer with a slick Cruyff turn before steering a shot past Thibaut Courtois. l

Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo blows kisses to his fans as he celebrates their Euro 2016 victory at Belem Palace on Monday AFP

Portugal unleashes celebrations n AFP, Lisbon After a night of rowdy celebrations Portugal’s European champions led by Cristiano Ronaldo returned home to a heroes’ welcome on Monday and a country overjoyed by their upset win over France.

Tens of thousands of fans took over the streets of Lisbon waving red and green national flags to mark the historic victory set up by substitute Eder’s extra-time goal that stunned the hosts on Sunday night in the Euro 2016 final at the Stade de France.

Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo, who was stretchered off injured and crying early, hugged the trophy on the special flight that took the Portuguese team home.

Two fire trucks sprayed jets of water in green and red over the plane as it taxied to the airport terminal.

“We haven’t slept much, this is our first victory, we had to be here,” said one fan, 21-year-old student Antonio Ribeiro de Magalhaes.

With man-of-the-match defender Pepe carrying the prize down the steps the 23-man squad boarded an open-top bus marked “Champions” for a victory parade.

“We’ve entered into the history of Portugal, thank you for everything,” triple world footballer of the year Ronaldo shouted to fans.

“This triumph doesn’t solve our problems but at least it’s making us happy,” Lucia Antunes, a 41-yearold unemployed woman, told AFP,

alluding to Portugal’s struggle with an economic crisis and austerity.

“This is something that only happens once in a lifetime,” he added.

The team were received by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, with Ronaldo brandishing the trophy from the balcony of the presidential palace.

“You are the best in Europe!” the head of state told the victorious team, decorating them with Commander of Order of Merit medals.

“You have given an example by winning courtesy of your courage, determination and humility,” he added.

A disconsolate France also went to meet their country’s leader. In stark contrast, President Francois Hollande could only offer commiseration at a sombre official lunch.

An open-top bus planned for a Paris victory parade was sent back to the depot as French football chiefs started a what-went-wrong inquiry.

Neither country could barely believe the result.

Portugal’s dreams of lifting the Henri Delaunay Trophy looked to have taken a shattering blow when Ronaldo, their captain and talisman, fell to the ground in agony in the eighth minute following a clattering challenge from Dimitri Payet.

After twice going off for treatment and trying to come back, Ronaldo was definitively carried off, covering his face as the tears welled up.l

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Sport

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

Mourinho hopes to unite United fans

QUICK BYTES India change skipper ahead of Olympics India’s hockey coach Roelant Oltmans said yesterday that skipper Sardar Singh had been replaced as captain for the Olympics as he backed the sport’s one-time giants to continue their recent revival in Rio. After unveiling the 16-strong men and women’s squads which will travel to Brazil, Oltmans said that goalkeeper Sreejesh Ravindran would lead the men’s team under a new “rotational captaincy” programme.

n Reuters Unifying the Manchester United faithful is high on the priority list of new manager Jose Mourinho, who is determined to recapture the glory days at Old Trafford.

Former United boss Louis van Gaal failed to win over the fans during his tenure, despite an FA Cup triumph in May, as inconsistent performances led to the 20-times English title winners missing out on Champions League qualification.

“I understand that they expect a lot from me but I also expect a lot from them,” Mourinho told the club’s website (www.manutd. com).

“There is no chance we will be happy if we are not together and I think the passion (they have) for this club is really amazing. Always when you change a manager, I feel it is a sad moment but it is a new chapter now.”

Van Gaal’s possession-based style of football failed to yield results for United, who finished fifth in the table and scored 49 league goals - their lowest total since 1989-90.

“When I arrived, I wore the (United) shirt immediately and this is the kind of club and the kind of

–AFP

Mercedes accept Rosberg’s radio penalty Mercedes have decided not to appeal Nico Rosberg’s 10-second radio dialogue penalty at the British Grand Prix, the Formula One world champions announced on Monday. Rosberg finished second to teammate Lewis Hamilton at Silverstone, but the German was demoted to third after the team were deemed guilty of breaching the strict rules governing radio instructions to the driver.

–AFP

Spurs sign hotshot Dutch striker Janssen Prolific Dutch international striker Vincent Janssen signed for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur yesterday from AZ Alkmaar for a reported fee of £17 million ($22.3m, 20.1m euros), the buying club announced. The 22-year-old well known to English football fans having scored in a 2-1 friendly win over England in March this year signed a four-year contract.

–AFP

Suspended Rio lab fate hinges on verdict Rio de Janeiro’s suspended antidoping laboratory will learn whether it has been reinstated in the next seven days, the World Anti-Doping Agency told AFP on Monday.

Brazil’s doping control centre was suspended on June 24, meaning samples from the Olympic Games starting on August 5 will have to be sent to other WADA-accredited labs around the world.

–AFP

DAY’S WATCH CRICKET STAR SPORTS 1 10:58PM Natwest T20 Blast 2016 Derbyshire v Lancashire

SONY SIX 5:00AM (Thursday) Caribbean Premier League T20 Barbados v St Kitts

Holder-captained West Indies without Ramdin, Taylor n AFP, St. John’s The Jason Holder-captained West Indies squad for the upcoming four test series against India was released on Monday, with Denesh Ramdin a frustrated absentee.

Ramdin took to social media to express his displeasure at being overlooked for the series with the first Test starting in Antigua on July 21.

The West Indies wicket keeper was served with an unspecified punishment for venting his frustration in public, the West Indies Cricket board announced in a statement.

Ramdin was a member of the one-day-international squad which finished runners-up in the Tri-Nation series with winners Australia and South Africa.

Also missing was 32-year-old right-arm fast bowler Jerome Tay-

shirt that I am very proud to represent. I am going to do my best to be happy and to make the people happy,” added Mourinho.

The 53-year-old Portuguese has already begun restructuring his squad, having signed defender Eric Bailly, midfielder Henrikh Mkhitar-

When I arrived, I wore the (United) shirt immediately and this is the kind of club and the kind of shirt that I am very proud to represent yan and striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic so far in the close season.

Mourinho said during his unveiling earlier this month that he intended to sign another big-name player, with Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba heavily linked by British media with a return to the club.

The former Chelsea boss will mark his return to the Premier League when he takes United to Bournemouth for their first game of the season on Aug. 14. l

WEST INDIES SQUAD

lor, who has retired from this format of the game.

Taylor played 46 Tests for the West Indies, taking 130 wickets.

His best bowling figures are six for 47 against Australia at Sabina Park in 2015.

He has had four five-Test wicket hauls in his 13-year Test career. His top score was 106, batting at number eight against New Zealand in 2008.l

Jason Holder (capt), Kraigg Brathwaite, Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Rajendra Chandrika, Roston Chase, Shane Dorwich, Shannon Gabriel, Leon Johnson, Marlon Samuels

TEST FIXTURES

JULY 21–25 Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua JULY 30–AUGUST 3 Sabina Park, Jamaica AUGUST 9–13 Daren Sammy National Cricket Ground, St Lucia AUGUST 18–22 Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago

Payet targeted by Ronaldo fans n AFP, Tehran Dimitri Payet was enemy number one in Portugal when he clattered into Cristiano Ronaldo in a hefty challenge that saw the Portuguese talisman eventually stretchered off in tears from the Euro 2016 final.

But the French playmaker also in that instant made sworn enemies much farther away on Sunday - in Iran.

Real Madrid forward Ronaldo is a hero and icon to football-mad Iranian fans and they quickly made their feelings known

to Payet, flooding his Instagram account with accusations he had intentionally hobbled Ronaldo, even though the referee did not rule it a foul.

A stream of abusive posts on Instagram came Payet’s way in Persian, with insults that included branding him a “son of a dog”.

But not everyone agreed with the abuse, with at least one poster asking for forgiveness from “all Iranians”.

Portugal, Ronaldo and his Iranian fan club had the last laugh as the Portuguese went on to beat Payet and his France side.l

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Sport

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

Griezmann named best player of Euro n AFP, Paris UEFA on Monday named French forward and tournament top scorer Antoine Griezmann as the best player of Euro 2016, a day after the hosts’ 1-0 final defeat to Portugal.

“Antoine Griezmann was a

UEFA TEAM OF EURO 2016 Rui Patricio (POR) Joshua Kimmich (GER) Jerome Boateng (GER) Pepe (POR) Raphael Guerreiro (POR) Toni Kroos (GER) Joe Allen (WAL) Aaron Ramsey (WAL) Antoine Griezmann (FRA) Dimitri Payet (FRA) Cristiano Ronaldo (POR)

threat in every game he played. He works hard for his team and possesses technique, vision and quality finishing,” said UEFA chief technical officer Ioan Lupescu, who led the panel that picked the striker.

Alex Ferguson, the former Manchester United manager, was among UEFA’s 13-strong panel of technical observers.

Atletico Madrid man Griezmann, 25, for whom Sunday’s defeat was a second major final loss in a month after the loss to arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League, also won the Golden Boot award for his six goals.

He also had two assists in France’s run to the final, but had a rare off-night in front of goal on Sunday and was unable to haul the hosts to victory.

Griezmann and midfield schemer Dimitri Payet were included in the UEFA team of the tournament named Monday, as was Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo, who was stretchered off injured and in tears after a crunching tackle by Payet.

Portugal defensive lynchpin Pepe was also included, along with fellow Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio and Raphael Guerreiro.

There was no place for Gareth Bale, but Wales team-mates Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen, both midfielders, were named in the team of the tournament.l

NEWLY MARRIED

Serbian tennis player Ana Ivanovic holds hands with Germany footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger during their wedding, in Venice, Italy yesterday AP

TV money lures Henry away from beloved Gunners

Barca defend Messi social media campaign

n AFP, London

n AFP, Barcelona

France and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry ended his association with the English Premier League club yesterday preferring to focus on his burgeoning media career.

The 38-year-old former striker - part of the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 winning teams - could have coached the Gunners’ under-18 side but declined the offer when Arsene Wenger told him he would have to give up his lucrative Sky Sports TV contract for which he is reportedly paid £4 million ($5.2m, 4.7m euros) a year.

Henry, Arsenal’s all-time leading scorer with 174 goals in 254 appearances from 1999 to 2007, had been working with Arsenal youth players as part of his UEFA A Licence course.

Another former Arsenal legend, Tony Adams, 49, will take the role with the under-18s.

Adams’s former central-defen-

sive partner Steve Bould is Wenger’s assistant manager while another ex-player, Freddie Ljungberg, will work with the under-16s.

Henry must now find a team to coach to complete his Pro Licence.

Reviews of Henry’s performances as a pundit for Sky have been largely critical, but critics agreed

that he was far better on the BBC during Euro 2016.

Noted sports TV critic Giles Smith said in The Times newspaper yesterday: “One puzzle we’re nowhere nearer solving: how can the same Thierry Henry who is so open and engaging on the BBC be such a lump of wet wool on Sky Sports?” l

Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry worked as a pundit for the BBC throughout the Euro 2016 campaign

Barcelona have defended their campaign on social media in support of Lionel Messi after the Argentine superstar’s 21-month prison sentence for tax fraud.

“We are involved in a controversy in which there is the feeling that FC Barcelona has committed a tax crime whereas that is not the case,” said club spokesman Josep Vives on Monday.

The Spanish giants were only “defending someone who has been and is still being treated unjustly,” he added.

Last Friday Barcelona took to social media following Messi and his father’s conviction for avoiding paying taxes on 4.16 million euros of the player’s income earned from his image rights from 2007-09.

“Using the hashtag #WeAreAllLeoMessi while posting a photo or message with both hands open, the campaign is encouraging all

Barça fans to express their sympathy for the greatest footballer in the world by voicing their unconditional support on social networks,” a statement on the club’s website explained.

“By making it clear that #WeAreAllMessi, we want Leo to know that he is not alone. All members, supporters clubs, fans, athletes, media and everyone else are invited to participate.”

The statement was accompanied by a message of support on Twitter from club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.l

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Employer (4) 5 Indian monetary unit (5) 8 Tempt (5) 9 Incline (4) 10 Kimono sash (3) 12 Vendor (6) 13 Unexpected (6) 15 Frozen Arctic waste (6) 18 Having an end (6) 20 Greek letter (3) 21 Ark builder (4) 23 Show clearly (6) 24 Stories (5) 25 Allows (4)

DOWN 1 Girdles (5) 2 United (3) 3 Not flighty (5) 4 Transgression (3) 5 Income (7) 6 Body of water (4) 7 Eastern ruler (4) 11 Carry (4) 12 Becomes established (7) 14 Single entity (4) 16 Male honey-bee (5) 17 Burnt remains (5) 18 Noteworthy act (4) 19 Fastener (4) 21 Nothing (3) 22 Perform (3)

29

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Downtime

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 20 represents T so fill T every time the figure 20 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

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

RockNation SummerStorm postponed by a few weeks

n Showtime Desk RockNation VII: SummerStorm, a rock concert initiated by one of the country’s most popular live music platforms which was scheduled to be held on July 23, has been postponed by a few weeks due to security concerns.

The announcement of postponement came at a time when the nation was still mourning and recovering from

the shock, horrified by an attack carried out by some terrorists on July 1, at Gulshan.

The authority announced their decision on Facebook via a post which reads, “We have discussed internally, with law enforcement agents, and with several fans and artists to get their views on this.

From this, we could conclude two critical emotions: many are concerned about their security in general, and many seem to be

skeptic on how much they can enjoy with such a thought even if they came through.

“Upon discussions, we decided that safety is of utmost priority, and considering a public attendance, we are therefore postponing ‘RockNation 2016 SummerStorm’ by a few weeks from now,” the post reads further.

The organisers informed that they will come up with a new date when they are ready. For those who have already bought the tickets, they can use that to enter the RockNation show. The organisers also insured that only the date is being postponed at this point and they have worked on the rest of the elements so they should ideally be the same.

Tickets are still on sale at the outlets.

Earlier, the concert’s line-up was confirmed which includes the country’s leading rock and metal bands, namely Warfaze, Aurthohin, Vikings, Shironamhin, Cryptic Fate, Nemesis, Arbovirus, AvoidRafa, Indalo, Powersurge and Minerva. l

Hidden phone on carpet driving the Internet crazy n Showtime Desk Are your eyes sharp enough to solve this brain teaser driving people crazy on Facebook? An image of a floral carpet, uploaded

by Jeya May Cruz from Pasig,

the Philippines, has been shared nearly 16,000 times and reached 120,000 reactions!

Why? Because the photograph contains a camouflaged mobile phone that is devilishly hard to spot. The image is the latest in a string of viral puzzles confounding the internet.

If you are struggling, the phone has a floral pattern which does not quite match the carpet. Still confused?

The device is just beside the right side table leg at the top of the photo. l

An essential list of cancelled and renewed TV shows for 2016-17 (Part-1) n Showtime Desk This year has been a big year for TV. First, The Walking Dead left us all in the lurch with that insane season finale, Daredevil returned to Netflix with almighty success, and then Game of Thrones blew us completely out of the water with one of the best seasons yet. On top of all that, The CW renewed (almost) all of their shows, while CBS cancelled a bunch of theirs.

So what can we expect from the remaining half of 2016 and into the future? Well, quite a lot. Many excellent TV shows have been renewed, while many others saw the sharp end of the axe, so what stays and what goes? Here’s a handy list.

F Is for Family Fuller House Grace and Frankie House of Cards Longmire Love Master of None Orange Is the New Black Peaky Blinders The Ranch Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Netflix (canceled/over) Hemlock Grove Derek The Fall

leave her old home on CBS and join the family.

Also renewed: The Amazing Race 2 Broke Girls 48 Hours 60 Minutes The Big Bang Theory Blue Bloods Code Black Criminal Minds Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders Elementary Hawaii Five-0 Life in Pieces Madam Secretary Mom NCIS NCIS: Los Angeles NCIS: New Orleans The Odd Couple Scorpion Survivor Undercover Boss

Season 6 is in the works for this CBS drama, which was announced only hours after the release of the Season 5 premier date. Executive producers Jonathan Nolan and Greg Plageman thanked fans in this statement to IGN upon the shows cancellation: Also canceled/over: Rush Hour Limitless Angel from Hell CSI: Cyber Extant The Good Wife Mike & Molly

CBS (Renewed)

Netflix (renewed) Jessica Jones BoJack Horseman Chef’s Table

Supergirl: Nerds rejoice! Supergirl has not left us to fend for ourselves but is returning to Earth by way of the CW. After producing many successful seasons of both The Flash and Arrow, it makes perfect sense that Supergirl would

CBS (CANCELED/OVER)

Person of Interest: There’s sadly no

NBC (RENEWED) Blindspot Blacklist

The Carmichael Show Chicago Fire Chicago Med Chicago PD Dateline NBC Grimm Hollywood Game Night Law & Order: SVU Little Big Shots Running Wild with Bear Grylls Shades of Blue Superstore The Voice

NBC (CANCELED/OVER)

Heroes Reborn: The short lived Heroes Reborn was meant to pick up the mantel of the successful 2006 show Heroes, but sadly after just 13 episodes it just didn’t fly.

Also canceled/over: Mr. Robinson The Mysteries of Laura The Player Telenovela Truth Be Told Undateable You, Me and the Apocalypse Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris Coach Crowded Game of Silence Heartbeat l To be continued...

Public Interest

31

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

Tay-tay makes bank n Showtime Desk Taylor Swift has become the world’s highest paid celebrity after pulling in $170 million last year.

Subsequently, Adele has been put down to number nine

n Showtime Desk Bradley Cooper was in a tight spot on July 10 as he and his girlfriend Irina Shayk watched the Gentlemen’s Championship match between Andy Murray and Milos Rionic at Wimbledon.

Cooper happens to be a tennis fanatic, and the sheer look on his face read nothing but, “Really?

We’re going to do this here?”

Shayk seemed to be in the verge of tears at the very least, wiping at

her eyes and refusing to glance at Cooper, who simply put on blunt smile.

If this seemed awkward to them, it was even more so for the audience and fans who were watching the match from home.

The camera caught the dispute at the most inappropriate time.

Why the row occurred is still unknown, but sources state that Cooper’s ex, Suki Waterhouse, was also in the audience.

But things seemed pretty

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smooth a few days back, when the lovebirds enjoyed the quarter-finals with Shayk playfully biting on Cooper’s shoulders as he smiled.

The couple have been dating since April 2015. l

$75 million and Katy Perry at 63 with $41 million.

Swift’s 1989 World Tour earned more than $200 million last year.

One Direction was bumped down to number two after this with their $110 million pot. Harry Styles is currently busy with Christopher Nolan’s new film Dunkirk, while his buddies Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Liam Payne are rumoured to be brainstorming new track ideas.

Calvin Harris, Swift’s ex, pulled in $63 million, according to the list.

Just to put things into perspective, Kim Kardashian came in 42nd on the list with $51 million. 40 percent, give or take, of her bucks came from her mobile game Kim Kardashian: Hollywood, according to Forbes. l

on the Forbes list with $80.5 million, Madonna at 12 with $76.5 million, Rihanna at 13 with

WHAT TO WATCH Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Star Movies 9:30pm

Kung Fu Panda Zee Studio 4:30pm

In the Valley of Peace, Po the Panda finds himself chosen as the Dragon Warrior despite the fact that he is obese and a complete novice at martial arts.

Cast: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu

The Ugly Truth WB 4:00pm

A romantically challenged morning show producer is reluctantly embroiled in a series of outrageous tests by her chauvinistic correspondent to prove his theories on relationships and help her find love. His clever ploys, however, lead to an unexpected result.

Cast: Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler, Bonnie Somerville, Yvette Nicole Brown, John Sloman

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island HBO 3:30pm

Sean Anderson partners with his mom’s husband on a mission to find his grandfather, who is thought to be missing on a mythical island.

Cast: Josh Hutcherson, Dwayne Johnson, Michael Caine, Luis Guzmán, Vanessa Hudgens

A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier.

Cast: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, Kodi Smit-McPhee

Thor 2: The Dark World Zee Studio 11:20pm

When Dr. Jane Foster gets cursed with a powerful entity known as the Aether, Thor is heralded of the cosmic event known as the Convergence and the genocidal Dark Elves.

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgard, Idris Elba, Christopher Eccleston, Stellan Skarsgard

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

EXPORTS CROSS $34BN IN FY16 PAGE 12

SALMAN ADDED TO HP SQUAD PAGE 24

ROCKNATION SUMMERSTORM POSTPONED BY A FEW WEEKS PAGE 30

TERRORISM FINANCING

Four Bangladeshis convicted in Singapore n Tribune Desk

A Singapore court yesterday convicted four Bangladeshi workers for financing terrorism and sentenced them to jail terms varying between two and five years.

The four convicted Bangladeshi are Rahman Mizanur, 31; Miah Rubel, 26; Md Jabath Kysar Haje Norul Islam Sowdagar, 31; and Sohel Hawlader Ismail Hawlader, 29, the Straits Times reported.

Rahman was sentenced to 60 months in jail. Sohel was given 24 months while Miah and Jabath each got 30 months.

Earlier, they were charged with providing or collecting money to fund terrorist acts in Bangladesh.

Prosecutors said the men – who pleaded guilty on May 31 – had contributed part of their salary to buy food, arms and weapons like knives and pistols to launch attacks in Bangladesh. The amounts ranged

from 60 Singapore dollars ($42) to 1,360 Singapore dollars ($1,000).

They were part of a group detained in April under the country's Internal Security Act, which allows for detention without trial in cases where public safety is threatened.

The Ministry of Home Affairs in Singapore has said the group's suspected leader, Rahman Mizanur, possessed guides on making weapons and bombs, as well as radical material from the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda that he used to recruit the others.

Rahman, 31, pleaded guilty and was convicted of two charges of financing terrorism by inviting group members to contribute funds and handling the money to facilitate plans.

In sentencing Rahman to five years in jail, District Judge Kessler Soh emphasised that a deterrent sentence and "much stiffer punishment is warranted."

From left, Rahman Mizanur, Miah Rubel, Md Jabath Kysar Haje Norul Islam Sowdagar, and Sohel Hawlader Ismail Hawlader "He was the mastermind. He was the one who started this whole outfit," the judge said.

Rahman was shackled as he arrived in court and looked down when the sentence was passed, surrounded by heavy police guard.

He had earlier addressed the

court in English, putting forth a lengthy plea for mitigation. "I wanted to learn my religion. [My friends] showed me the wrong way, the wrong activities," Rahman said. "This is my very big mistake sir. I am very remorseful."

Media reports also said that two

other men named Zzaman Daulat, 34, and Mamun Leakot Ali, 29, have denied the charges and are claiming retrial. Their trial dates have not been set.

Those other Bangladeshi men who were detained in April have not been charged and will be dealt with separately, officials have said.

In January, Singapore said it had arrested and deported 26 Bangladeshi construction workers for forming a religious study group that spread the ideologies of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

Their goal was to set up an Islamic state in Bangladesh and bring it under the self-declared caliphate of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

However when contacted, the Bangladesh Embassy in Singapore said it was not officially notified about the trial by the Singapore government, but learned about it from media reports. l

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