16 Feb, 2016

SECOND EDITION

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016

FBI done with Avijit forensics tests, results coming soon n Tribune Report

The results of forensics tests conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on samples from the scene of Avijit Roy’s murder are ready, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said yesterday.

DMP Additional Commissioner Monirul Islam said United States federal investigators were in the process of sending the results to Bangladesh.

Asked about the findings, Monirul, who is also the Detective Branch chief, said he had not yet seen the report but had been informed that the 11 samples sent for testing had produced several DNA profiles.

“Once the results arrive, we will be able to match suspects’ DNA with the forensics evidence,” he said.

Monirul said the crime scene evidence will be compared to the DNA of eight suspects currently in custody in connections with various blogger assault and murder cases.

The eight suspects have been identified as Shafiur Rahman Farabi, British citizen Touhidur  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

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Falgun 4, 1422, Jamadiul Awal 6, 1437

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 3, No 301

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

Book fair stall shut down by police

INSIDE Foreigners suspected in ATM skimming Foreigners illegally staying in the country are suspected to be involved in the ATM booth skimming, investigators have said.  PAGE 5

EPZ workers can form association

The government has finally approved a draft of “The Bangladesh EPZ Labour Law, 2016” enshrining the workers’ right of association in the country’s Export Processing Zones.  PAGE 15

MEHEDI HASAN

Alam Durjoy and n Nure Arifur Rahman Rabbi Police yesterday shut down yet another stall at the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela for selling a book with content that could hurt “religious sentiments” and detained three people in this connection.

In a raid, conducted around 4pm, led by Shahbagh police station officer-in-charge (OC) Abu Bakar Siddique, the stall of Badwip Prakashan, located at the Suhrawardy Udyan part of the fair, was shut down.

They also seized copies of several books including Islam Bitorko

(the Islam debate), which is a collection of essays compiled by Shamsuzzoha Manik, also owner of the publishing house.

The detainees are: Shamsuzzoha, Shamsul Alam, the stall’s manager, and Fakir Taslim Uddin Kajol, owner of the book’s printing press.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

Technology aims to speedily repatriate trafficked children Charities in South Asia are piloting new software which aims to speed up the repatriation of rescued victims of human trafficking who have been smuggled from countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh and forced into slavery in India.  PAGE 32

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14-party rails against Khaleda, Pakistan n Abu Hayat Mahmud Protesters belonging to the Awami League-led 14-party alliance chanted: “Pakistani Khaleda, Pakistan-e chole ja,” in Russel Square on Dhanmondi’s road 32 yesterday.

The slogan meaning “Pakistani Khaleda, go back to Pakistan,” is aimed at BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia whose questioning of the number of Bangalees killed during the Liberation War was widely criticised.

After forming a human chain at around 3:30pm leaders and activists spilled over into the streets at the intersection. Although this gathering was scheduled 4pm to 5pm.

The rallies had been organised by the alliance to protest Pakistan’s “repeated attempts to interfere in Bangladesh’s internal politics” and against Khaleda’s remarks doubting the number of war martyrs. l

13 more defamation cases filed against Mahfuz Anam

‘President’s speech reflects development efforts’

n UNB

n Tribune Report

Thirteen more cases were filed against The Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam in many districts yesterday for carrying “confusing” and “defamatory” reports in his daily about Awami League President Sheikh Hasina during the 2007-08 military-backed caretaker regime.

In Chapainawabganj, Ezabul Haq Buli, treasurer of Sadar upazila unit of Awami League, filed a case with the court of Judicial Magistrate.

In Sylhet, Syed Abul Kashem, former organising secretary of London unit of Awami League, filed a Tk100 crore defamation lawsuit with the court of Senior Judicial Magistrate Mohammad Shahidul Amin.

In Laxmipur, Kamalnagar upazila AL General Secretary Advocate

Nurul Amin Raju filed a Tk100 crore case against Mahfuz Anam with the court of Senior Judicial Magistrate Mohammad Manir Hossain.

In Natore, Alek Uddin Sheikh, joint secretary of Sadar upazila unit of AL, filed a defamation case against the editor with the court of Senior Judicial Magistrate Shamsul Al Amin.

In Pabna, senior vice-president of district unit Awami League Rezaul Rahim Lal filed the case with the Cognisance Court 1 of Chief Judicial Magistrate Rezaul Karim.

In Rangpur, Motahar Hossain, organising secretary of district unit Awami League and secretary of Fertiliser Association, filed the defamation case of Tk100 crore with the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Shafiul Alam.

Taking cognisance of the com-

plaint, the court summoned Mahfuz Anam to appear before it on March 1.

In Sylhet, a Tk150 crore case was filed against Mahfuz Anam with the court of Jaintapur Judicial Court Qudrat E Khuda. Afsar Aziz, a leader of Bangladesh Swechchhashebak League, filed the case with the court.

In Dinajpur, Advocate Samsur Rahman Parvez, a member of District Ainjibi Parishad, filed a case against Mahfuz Anam with the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate AFM Ahsanul Haq. Taking cognisance of the complaint, the court summoned him to appear before it within June 14.

Besides, five other cases were filed against the English daily editor in Tangail, Khagrachhari, Comilla, Panchagarh and Nilphamari. l

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FBI done with Avijit forensics tests, results coming soon Rahman, Sadeq Ali, Aminul Mallick, Julhas Biswash, Abul Bashar, Jafran Hasan and Mannan Rahi.

All except Farabi are reportedly members of Ansarullah Bangla Team.

Investigators have collected other clues about the identity of two of Avijit’s killers, Monirul said. “The DNA results will help confirm the identity of those who actually took part in the killing.”

Avijit Roy and his wife Rafida Ahmed Bonya were brutally attacked by machete-wielding extremists on the Dhaka University campus as they were leaving Ekushey Book Fair on February 26 last year.

Avijit later succumbed to his injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Monirul, also the DMP spokesperson, said investigators had been waiting for the FBI’s forensics report to arrive.

He denied that local investigators had run out of leads in the murder that took place in full view of the public in a crowded public place. “Some cases take time to solve. This will be solved even if it takes a decade.”

Avijit’s family has expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of the investigation.

The slain blogger’s father, Professor Ajay Roy, said: “It has been nearly a year now but the case has not been solved. I am not satisfied with the investigation.” l

Book fair stall shut down by police The Shahbagh OC said last night that they had detained Shamsul when he went to the police station after the stall was shut down. Later, they went to Shamsuzzoha’s Mirpur residence along with Shamsul, and detained the publisher from there.

Meanwhile, another two-member team of police detained the printer from his office in Katabon.

Section 13.13 of the book fair “Rules and Regulations” booklet says that before closing a stall, authorities will give a deadline to the publisher for removing books with objectionable content. If the publisher fails to comply, then the authorities will close the stall.

However, the Dhaka Tribune has not found any evidence that could suggest that Badwip was given any such deadline or cautioned before the drive.

Until last evening, publisher Shamsuzzoha also could not be reached for a comment on if they were given any deadline.

The OC said they conducted the raid after they had found out on social media that people are complaining about the contents of Islam Bitorko.

Nobody from the organisers were accompanying the police team nor were any of them seen around during the raid or could be found for a comment.

When approached, Mrinal, an attendant of the stall, told the Dhaka Tribune: “I do not know anything. I have been working here since February 2.”

However, while talking to media in the evening, Shahbagh OC Siddique did not say anything about what they had seen on social media.

Instead, he claimed that they

had consulted the fair authorities and that the raid was conducted after several visitors had complained about the contents of some books that Badwip has published.

“There was a chapter titled “Muslim Manosher Jouna Bikriti [sex perversion of the Muslim mind]. The contents were objectionable. Many complained to us and we found the allegations true,” the OC said.

From the stall, police seized several other books including “Muhammad, Jihad O Islamer Shahingsho Prochar” (Muhammad, Jihad and violent preaching of Islam), “Islam O Adhunik Sabhyata” (Islam and modern civilisation), “Jihad,” “Astikota-Nastikotar Dondo” (theism vs atheism), “Islame Narir Obostha” (position of women in Islam), and “Nari O Dharma” (Women and religion).

The same section of the guideline booklet prohibits the display or selling of books, products and magazines with obscene or distasteful contents or which mock at national leaders or hurt religious sentiments or pose threat to security of the public or the book fair.

When contacted right after the stall was shut down, Jalal Ahmed, member secretary of the fair organising committee, said: “I have been informed about the matter. But I have yet to receive any written complaint against the publishing house.”

A few hours later, he said: “Police informed us first that there are books that can hurt religious sentiments. They said they came to know about this through Facebook. But, before we could visit the stall, they seized the books and shut it down.”

Asked whether police have the authority to shut down stalls, he said: “Police told us that it could jeopardise the security of the fair.

Taking care of security at the fair is part of the police’s responsibility.”

Last year, fair authorities closed the stall of Rodela Prokashani for selling and displaying a book titled “Nabi Muhammader 23 Years” (23 years of Prophet Muhammad) on grounds it could hurt religious sentiment. However, no-one was detained at that time.

“Last year, after the Rodela stall was shut down, many visitors gathered in front of the stall and started asking for that book which created chaos on the fair ground,” Jalal said.

So, in order to avoid any untoward situation at the venue, police took the action. “Now we have decided to shut down the stall in line with the fair guidelines,” he added.

Badwip’s office is located in Concord Emporium – a high-rise building that has recently become a new hub of publishing houses – in the city’s Katabon area.

Delowar Hasan, owner of Badwip’s neighbour Abishkar Prokashan, said police had visited Badwip’s office several times yesterday, but did nothing.

Prof Zia Uddin, president of the owners association of the building, said they had decided not to allow Badwip’s office there anymore.

Shabda Koli Printers, the press in the Katabon Dhaka University Market where the book was printed, was found closed yesterday evening. However, neighbours said there had been no police visits.

This year the fair authorities have shut down two other stalls for selling pirated books. l

Ruling party lawmaker Kazi Nabil Ahmed yesterday hailed the president’s speech in the parliament saying it truly highlighted the government’s development activities under PM Sheikh Hasina’s leadership.

The lawmaker from Jessore made the remark while taking part in a general discussion on President Abdul Hamid’s speech.

The president delivered the speech on January 20 – the first day of the ongoing session.

Kazi Nabil hoped that the domestic airport in his area would be turned into an international airport and the country’s oldest town, Jessore, would be promoted to the status of a city corporation.

He also said that the people of Jessore have been eagerly waiting for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to inaugurate the campus of the Jessore Medical College. l

Child rescued 46 days after abduction n Tribune Report An abducted child was rescued by the police on Sunday from Gazipur, 46 days after the abduction.

Police arrested Abdul Jabbar Thando alias Babul and his wife Nazma Akhter in separate drives from Gaibandha and Gazipur.

The child Mobarak, 6, was abducted while he was playing from Sector 9 of Uttara in the capital on December 29 last year.

Briefing reporters at DMP Media Centre yesterday, Md Monirul Islam, additional commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said: “A cybercrime prevention team conducted a drive in Saghata of Gaibandha district on Sunday and arrested Abdul Jabbar.”

He said: “Based on Abdul Jabbar’s statement the team raided Mauna village of Sreepur in Gazipur and rescued the abducted boy and arrested Jabbar’s wife Nazma Akhter.” l

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Charge framed against SQ Chy’s wife, 5 others in verdict leak case

Retired HC judge quits as war criminal’s counsel

n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

n Ashif Islam Shaon

A Dhaka court yesterday framed charges against executed war criminal Salauddin Quader Chowdhury’s wife Farhat Quader Chowdhury, their son Hummam Quader Chowdhury and five others in the case filed over the alleged leak of the draft verdict in SQ Chowdhury’s war crimes case.

Judge KM Shamsul Alam of Cyber Tribunal (Dhaka) Bangladesh framed the charges against the seven accused under the Information Communication and Technology Act 2006.

The five other accused are SQ Chowdhury’s counsel Barrister AKM Fakhrul Islam, manager Mahbubul Ahsan, Fakhrul’s assistant

Advocate Mehedi Hasan, and International Crimes Tribunal employees Nayan Ali and Faruk Hossain.

Farhat, Hummam, Fakhrul and Mahbub are currently on bail, while Nayan and Faruk in prison.

Mehedi is absconding.

The tribunal also set March 28 as the date of testimony for the prosecution witnesses in the case.

Except for Mehedi, all six accused pleaded not guilty and demanded justice after the charges were read out to them during the charge framing hearing yesterday.

Mahbubul was granted bail yesterday after his counsel Md Khairul Islam Liton filed a bail petition with the court on the grounds of health issues, claiming Mahbubul had been suffering from tuberculosis.

The charge sheet had been submitted on August 28, 2014 by Detective Branch Inspector Md Shahjahan, also the investigation officer of the case.

According to the charge sheet, parts of the draft verdict were stolen and later uploaded on several websites abroad to make the war crimes trial controversial.

It also said SQ Chowdhury’s family made a huge investment to leak the draft verdict.

SQ Chowdhury’s wife and son were charged with hatching a conspiracy and instigating the leak, while lawyer Fakhrul was charged with facilitating it. Mehedi, Mahbubul, Faruk and Nayan were directly involved in the crime.

According to the case docu-

ments, on October, 1, 2013, right after the death sentence was awarded, Salauddin’s wife and family members claimed that the verdict had been “leaked” and showed a copy of what they claimed was the verdict.

They also alleged that the draft verdict had been retrieved from a computer at the Law Ministry and claimed that it had been written in the ministry.

On October 4, 2013, detectives filed a case with Shahbagh police station against Nayan, Faruk, Fakhrul and Mehedi under the ICT Act. If found guilty, each of the accused may face the maximum punishment of 14 years in prison, or be charged up to Tk1 crore in fine, or both. l

Members of Gonojagoron Moncho light candles in Shahbagh, Dhaka yesterday during a demonstration demanding punishment for the killers of slain blogger Rajib Haider and other bloggers and writers MEHEDI HASAN

ACC investigates Nur Hossain’s assets Correspondent, n Our Narayanganj

An Anti-Corruption Commission team has started looking into assets owned by seven-murder prime accused Nur Hossain, who has allegedly amassed illegal wealth.

The team, led by Deputy Director Md Julfikar Ali and Assistant Di-

rector Shafiullah, visited Narayanganj’s Siddhirganj yesterday. “Our investigation is ongoing. We will brief the media after further scrutiny,” they told reporters.

They visited houses and properties owned by Nur and his family.

His wife Ruma Akter did not speak with the investigators.

Nur, a bus driver’s assis-

tant-turned-politician, became Shiddhirganj union council chairman in 1992 but joined the AL four years later. He was accused in cases filed over the abduction and murder of seven men in Narayanganj in 2014.

A year later, the ACC started investigating his assets. An initial inquiry found that he had withheld information about wealth worth

around Tk8 crore. India handed over Nur to Bangladesh on Nov 12 last year. On December 13, he submitted a wealth statement to the ACC secretary claiming his assets to the tune of Tk1.78 crore.

ACC sources said they would scrutinise the statements by Nur and his wife and recommend legal actions if anomalies are found. l

Recently retired judge of the High Court, Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury, yesterday withdrew himself as a defence lawyer for war criminal Mir Quasem Ali. He made the move days after Attorney General Mahbubey Alam pointed him out at court and said he was enjoying state facilities after retirement on December 12 last year.

The retired judge however told reporters that he was stepping down because the attorney general questioned his appearance, but added that practising law for the convicted war criminal was not against the constitution and ethics.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam appreciated the decision.

Yesterday, on the third day of hearing on the appeal filed by Jamaat leader Mir Quasem, Justice Nozrul appeared before the chief justice-led five-member appeals bench and told the court: “Sorry, my lord. There are two other senior lawyers [for Mir Quasem]. I want to withdraw myself [from this case].”

The court then heard arguments from defence lawyer SM Shahjahan on the charges 4, 6, 7, and started on charge number 9 before adjourning proceedings until today.

Emerging from the courtroom, Justice Nozrul told reporters that the withdrawal decision was made due to adverse reactions. “As a retired judge and a lawyer, I have the right to practice. It is neither unconstitutional nor unethical.”

He claimed he attended hearings as a counsel in several other cases, in two of which the attorney general was his opposing counsel.

“It was uncalled for on his [attorney general] part to question the legal and ethical grounds in the appeal hearing... while ignoring in other cases,” he said.

Justice Nozrul represented Mir Quasem on February 10, when the attorney general drew the attention of the court on this regard.

Terming the act “highly unethical,” he urged the court to consider whether Justice Nozrul could represent a person as a lawyer while enjoying the benefits.

Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha said a retired judge can practice at Appellate Division but expressed hopes that all current and retired judges would abide by rules.

Yesterday, Mahbubey Alam said he still stood by his previous comment. “He [Justice Nozrul] took part in the hearing that day despite my objection. He knows better why he has decided to quit today…

There was no pressure from the government,” he added. l

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Bidders get more time for LNG terminals n Aminur Rahman Rasel State-owned Petrobangla has extended the deadline for prospective bidders to submit expressions of interest (EoI) to implement two new land-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals at Moheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar and at Payra sea port in Patuakhali.

The plan for two new LNG terminals comes despite the fact that the government is yet to set up the country’s first ever floating storage and re-gasification unit (FSRU) – better known as an LNG terminal –

in the five years since the plan was originally hatched.

“Several companies have sought an extension to submit their bid documents. We have taken these requests into consideration,” Chairman Istiaque Ahmad of the Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation, widely known as Petrobangla, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

All the other terms and conditions of the EoI notice will remain unchanged, he added.

The February 15 deadline has been extended to February 29.

After receiving the EOIs,

Petrobangla will short-list promising firms and ask them to submit request for proposal (RFP) documents and other relevant papers.

Petrobangla, which is under the Energy and Mineral Resources Division (EMRD) – will implement the projects.

After assuming office in 2009, the Awami League government has decided to import LNG to feed the national grid by 500mmcfd from 2013.

The country’s current gas production is about 2,745mmcf per day against a demand of 3,300mmcfd. l

Members of Bangladesh Garo Students’ Union hold a human chain in Shahbagh, Dhaka yesterday demanding immediate punishment of the killers of Saju Mrong MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Govt to run survey on country’s street children n Mohammad Al Masum Molla The government has decided to run a survey to find the number of street children in the country for their rehabilitation.

Speaking at parliament yesterday, State Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs Meher Afroze Chumki said following a directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs and the Ministry of Social Welfare decided last month

to take up a working strategy in this regard.

The ministries will jointly implement the project to rehabilitate street children after completing the survey to find the number of street children within six months.

Replying to a query, the state minister also said a project proposal has already been sent to the ministry for the rehabilitation of street children and slum children in Dhaka city. Once the project is approved, street children will be rehabilitated and provided education, she said. l

‘Road accident decreases in Bangladesh’ n Tribune Report Communications Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday told parliament that road accident were decreasing in Bangladesh gradually due to various measures of the government.

Replying to a query, the minister said road accidents were decreasing as the government had taken steps to implement the existing laws.

Commuters have to be more aware and their attitudes too should have to be changed to bring road accidents down to a tolerable limit, he said.

In replying to another query Communications Minister Obaidul Quader said his ministry has made a double century in terms of taking up projects over the last seven years.

The minister said the government had taken up 200 projects since 2009-2016 and of them, 33 projects are awaiting completion.

Obaidul said from 2009-2010 to 2015-16, a total of 200 new projects have been taken up under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) and during this time 146 projects were completed.

The total amount was allocated for those projects is Tk23 thousand 70cr 25 lakh. l

BCIC signs deal with SABIC to import urea n Tribune Report

Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) has signed a deal with Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) to import urea from Saudi Arabia.

A three-member delegation headed by Secretary at the Ministry of Industries Md Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan visited SABIC in this regard last week, according to a press release issued by the BCIC. The government-to-government agreement was signed on February

8 in the presence of the industries secretary, Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Golam Moshio and economic counsellor Dr Mohammad Hasan. Mohammad Iqbal on behalf of the BCIC and Al Rabbiyan Abu Naser on behalf of SABIC signed the deal.

According to the agreement, BCIC will import 200,000 tonnes of granular urea and 105,000 tonnes of prilled urea from SABIC. Because of this deal, there will be sufficient supply of urea in the local market to meet the countrywide demand of urea in the year 2016-17, the press release said. l

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Banglalink trade union issues ultimatum n Tribune Report

The little flower seller takes a break from work and starts going through her prized gift, an alphabet book, which she received from one of her customers earlier. The photo was taken at Amar Ekushey Boi Mela 2016 yesterday MEHEDI HASAN

Foreigners suspected in ATM skimming Jamil Khan and n Mohammad Arifur Rahman Rabbi Foreigners illegally staying in the country are suspected to be involved in the ATM booth skimming, investigators have said.

The link was found after video footage from the CCTV cameras inside the ATM booths showed the presence of a person who looked like a foreigner setting up skimming devices. The analysis of the devices used for skimming the information of debit and credit cards also suggested the possibility of foreigner involvement.

Criminals around the world use such a device for stealing money from ATM booths, and now it

Dhaka, Bangkok to hold joint exercises

n

Tribune Report

Dhaka and Bangkok are planning to forge an annual consultation forum at the staff level between the two armies and periodic joint exercises of special and counter terrorism forces.

The issue was discussed when Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Saida Muna Tasneem had a meeting with Thai Commander-in-Chief General Teerachai Nakwanich on Monday, said a press release. l

rubbery small card reader that is set up where a card is inserted.

The device extracts all user information soon after a card passes through it. Later, it is paired with another machine – which has a maximum price of Tk2.50 lakh – to produce a clone card, the IT expert said.

Such crimes can be prevented if banks set up anti-skimming devices in ATM booths and install sensors in the machine, he added.

Such prevention efforts would cost only Tk16,000 to Tk20,000.

Zoha said that once in place, ATM machines would stop accepting cards whenever someone attempted to set up a skimming device on it. l

the case from regular police to the DB, said Monirul, who is an additional commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

The investigation was suffering some delays as the banks or the clients who fell victim to card cloning were not lodging any formal complaints, the DMP official said.

Although ATM booths of City Bank and Eastern Bank were reportedly targeted by the criminals, so far only United Commercial Bank has filed a case with Banani police station.

Describing a skimming device, Tanvir Hassan Zoha, the focal person of the ICT Ministry’s Cyber Security Programme, said it is a

was happening in our country, detectives said.

Police have already conducted several drives and arrested a number of foreigners who were not only staying illegally in the country but were also involved in different crimes, said Detective Branch chief Monirul Islam.

Asked what actions were being taken against illegal foreigners, the DMP spokesperson said the police were not the authorised force to act on this issue. But efforts were under way to deal with the problem as it was often difficult to deport illegal foreigners without any proper document.

Based on its importance, a process has begun to transfer

The Banglalink Employees’ Union has given the management until 5pm today to meet their demands, saying otherwise they will launch a tougher movement tomorrow.

“The Banglalink management assured us of meeting our demands by today [Monday], but we have not seen any development. This is very unfortunate,” Union President Ujjal Paul said yesterday.

“As we did not get any response from the management, we are compelled to announce the ultimatum after a discussion with our fellow colleagues,” he said.

The management must reinstate Shariful Islam who was sacked on February 11 by the stipulated time, he added.

The row between the management and the employees began on Thursday when the mobile phone authorities sacked engineer Shariful Islam for his involvement in organising the trade union.

In the evening, the employees confined Chief Technical Office Perihane Elhamy to the headquarters.

On Sunday morning, the employees began a protest programme in front of the Banglalink head office in the capital’s Gulshan.

Ujjal Paul alleged that one of their colleagues had to take treatment in hospital after the human resources department assaulted him physically.

On Sunday evening, Banglalink management shut down its headquarters and all regional offices in the face of the demonstration.

The same day, the Banglalink announced a Voluntary Retirement Scheme. On January 29, a total 719 employees formed the Banglalink Employees’ Union with Ujjal Paul as its president and Bakhtiar Hossain the general secretary. l

Trans-border BBIN vehicular movement delayed n Shohel Mamun Trans-border motor vehicle movement among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) has been pushed back by several months as Bhutan’s Parliament is yet to ratify the four-nation agreement.

The deal, signed on June 15 last year to facilitate movement of cargo and passenger vehicles, was expected to come into effect from January 2016. “It is unlikely to come into effect before June,” an

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tan’s Parliament, on the other hand, is yet to ratify the agreement.”

Bhutan informed the RTHD that its summer session is scheduled for April-May. Replying to a query, the secretary said: “Once Bhutan’s Parliament nods the deal, we will need one more month to complete all procedures including signing the bilateral agreement.”

According to initial plans, the stakeholders were scheduled to finalise and sign draft protocols separately by October last year. But

official of the Road Transport and Highways Division (RTHD) said.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader had earlier said the BBIN countries finalised routes and that the deadline would not be missed. Asked about the delay, the minister declined comment yesterday and suggested speaking with RTHD Secretary MAN Siddique.

Siddique explained: “Bangladesh and India have completed the formalities but Nepal took three extra months to complete theirs. Bhu33

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Bhutan and Nepal are yet to finalise theirs, a RTHD source said.

“Nepal has already solved its problem and ready to sign the deal with other countries. If Bhutan’s parliament ratifies it in their next session, then the date and place for signing the bilateral deal will be fixed. But it is clear that it will not be before June,” the source said.

Siddique said: “We are not saying that trans-border vehicular movement will start in June because everything now depends on Bhutan.” l Sylhet

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Fajr: 5:13am | Zohr: 12:13am Asr: 4:17pm | Magrib: 5:56pm Esha: 7:24pm Source: IslamicFinder.org

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Ban on visiting Golden Temple imposed Correspondent, n Our Bandarban

Authorities of Golden Temple yesterday slapped a ban on visiting the temple which is considered as the main attraction for tourists and a sacred place for the Buddhist people.

The decision will come into effect Saturday while worshipers will be allowed to enter the temple.

Authorities of the temple have taken the decision as tourists who come to the temple often make spoil the environment of the sacred place scattering different types of objects over the temple.

Shib Nath, a member of temple maintenance committee, told the Dhaka Tribune that tourists who used to visit the temple often touch sculpture of Buddhist and enter into the temple premises with shoes.

It is mentionable that a group of tourists tried to enter the temple with shoes on Sunday creating an unwanted situation. After that the temple authorities took the decision.

The temple belongs to the Theravada Buddhism order, which is practiced by the Marma indigenous people. The temple was built in 2000. l

A view of Golden Temple which is located 10 kilometres away from Bandarban district town

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Dolphin numbers dwindling in Karnaphuli n Anwar Hussain, Chittagong Rokon Uddin, a boatman who has been plying boat in the Karnaphuli River for the last 30 years cannot exactly remember when he last saw dolphins jumping out of the water.

“There was time when dolphins jumping out of the water was a very common scene in the Karnaphuli.

We used to see dolphins playing in the river. These days, however, dolphins are hardly seen,” said the boatman.

The environmentalists and researchers said dolphins which are locally known as ‘Shushok’ have become a rare sight in the rivers of Chittagong due to both natural and

man-made reasons.

Karnaphuli Paper Mill (KPM), the country’s largest and stateowned paper manufacturer, has not set up an ETP yet since its inception in 1953.

The mill is massively polluting the river dumping thousands of tonnes of untreated toxic effluent into it every day.

On the other hand, Chittagong Wasa, even after 53 years since its inception, could not introduce a Sewerage Treatment Plant yet.

Prof Benazir Ahmed who teaches Zoology at Chittagong University informed that the population of the gangetic dolphins in the rivers of Chittagong was dwindling fast.

“The total population of ganget-

Youth found near BSF camp n Our Correspondent, Satkhira

The body of a Bangladeshi youth was found on the opposite side of the border with India near Boikari of Satkhira early yesterday.

The body of Momin Mollah, 28, a Resident of Boikari village of Satkhira’s Sadar upazila was seen lying in front of an Indian Border Security Force camp in India’s Joynagar.

Border Guard Bangladesh 38 Battalion Captain Lt Col Arman Hossain said they received the news about the youth in the morning. Primary information suggests that the youth died of electrocution, he added. l

ic dolphins in the Karnaphuli, the Sangu and the Halda will not exceed 125. The gangetic dolphins are now under threat due to habitat loss,” said Prof Benazir who has been conducting research on the gangetic dolphins over 20 years.

“The gangetic dolphins have become endangered due to two reasons- natural and human-induced.

Siltation and indiscriminate fishing are some of the reasons which contributed to the dwindling number of the gangetic dolphins,” added Prof Benazir who also works with International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) which has also classified the gangetic dolphins as critically endangered species.

Prabhati Deb, Chittagong district fisheries officer, said: “The first condition of the dolphin distribution is clear and pollution-free water. However, the untreated solid and liquid waste discharged from industrial units and households are posing a serious threat to the aquatic ecological balance.”

Two types of dolphins are found in Bangladesh- Irrawaddy dolphin and gangetic dolphin.

“Dolphins are a species which are called bio-indicators. So presence of great number of dolphins in a particular area is an indicator to pollution free water,” said Prof Saidur Rahman Chowdhury, Institute of Marine Sciences and Fisheries of Chittagong University.

“It is a matter of great regret that the dolphins have become endangered due to anthropogenic or man-made hazards. The oil seeping from the vessels and engine-run boats is also posing threat to the dolphins. Moreover, the overfishing practice is creating food crisis for the aquatic mammals. Use of gill net by the fishermen should be stopped since dolphins get entangled in the net,” added Prof Saidur.

“It is time to woke up and protect the aquatic mammals for protecting the aquatic biodiversity,” stressed Muhammad Edris Ali who teaches Chemistry in Government Hazi Muhammad Mohsin College and Chittagong chapter vice-president of Poribesh Bachao Andolon. l

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15 days given for arrest of MP Latif n Tribune Report President of Chittagong city Awami League and former city mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury yesterday issued an ultimatum to arrest MA Latif MP within 15 days for distorting the image of Bangabandhu.

Mohiuddin Chowdhury issued the ultimatum from a rally. Nagorik Moncho, a newly floated organisation, called the grand rally at the city’s Laldihi Maidan demanding

trial of ruling AL lawmaker MA Latif for allegedly distorting the portrait of Bangabandhu.

While addressing the rally as the chief guest, Mohiuddin said: “Another rally will be held again at Laldighi Maidan which will take final decision. MA Latif will not be able to continue as a lawmaker. He (Latif) has to be tried, he has to be sent behind the bars,” said the former city mayor.

“We worked for him before parliamentary elections as my leader

Sheikh Hasina nominated him. But now it is abundantly clear that he (Latif) is a leader of Pakistani conspirators,” added the AL leader.

“MA Latif is black sheep. He is no longer an MP after doctoring the portrait of Bangabandhu,” said Mohiuddin.

Declaring MA Latif MP as a persona non grata, Mohiuddin Chowdhury said, “The soil of Laldighi Maidan is sacred and he will not be allowed to enter the sacred soil.”

It may be mentioned that a total of four cases were lodged against MA Latif MP. AKM Belayet Hossain filed a sedition case under section 124 of Penal Code against MA Latif MP. Former Jubo League leader Saifuddin Ahmed Robi lodged two cases-one defamation and the other under section 57 of ICT Act against the lawmaker. Abdur Rahim Jillur, former leader of Bangladesh Chhatra League filed a defamation case on February 4 against MA Latif MP for same reason. l

Comilla University students go berserk n Our Correspondent, Comilla

A 20-kilometre long tailback was created yesterday on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway following a road blockade by the students of Comilla University protesting the attack on their bus on Sunday.

Sub-Inspector Mahmudur Rahman of Kotbari police outpost, said the students blocked the highway in Nandanpur Bishwaroad area around 11am which halted the vehicular movement for one and a half hour crating 20-kilometre tailback.

The students also staged a demonstration on the campus and abstained from attending their classes and examinations protesting the incident.

Later, Additional Superintendent of Police Ali Ashraf Bhuiyan went to the spot and assured the students of taking action in this connection within 24 hours.

Following the assurance, the students withdrew their blockade.

Earlier on Sunday evening, a group of miscreants attacked a university bus in Jhautola area of the town leaving 25 students injured. l

4 abducted students rescued Correspondent, n Our Khagrachari Four college students, who were abducted Thursday night, were rescued from Mollapara area under Sadar upazila yesterday morning.

Md Mazid Ali, superintendent of police, said a group of misrepresents led by one Belal Hossain in the area abducted Nurul Huda, Arman Hossain, Mahmudul Hasan and Joyanto Dey. They kept the four students locked in a house and realised Tk45,000 through bKash agent.

On a tip-off, police raided the house and rescued the four.

The police also arrested Shariful Islam, Shakil Islam, Atik Ullah, Nazmul Islam and Belal Hossain from the house. l

Awareness on special trial stressed

n Our Correspondent, Barisal

Students of Comilla University yesterday blockade the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway protesting a recent attack on their university bus by some miscreants DHAKA TRIBUNE

NEWS IN BRIEF Suspected robber lynched in N’ganj A suspected robber was beaten to death by a mob in Bagdi area of Araihazar upazila, Narayanganj afternoon. The identity of the deceased could not be ascertained yet. Officer-in-Charge of Araihazar police station Shakhawat Hossain said: “A group of robbers where trying to stop vehicles and rob the passenger in Bagdi area on the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway around 1am Monday.” He said: “The locals gathered and caught one of the robbers and beat him to death while the others fled the scene.”

Book fair to begin in Ctg tomorrow Chittagong City Corporation is going to host a book fair from tomorrow. The 13-day long book fair marking the International Mother Language Day will be held on Central Shaheed Minar and Muslim Institute premises in the port city. The CCC Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin made the announcement while addressing a press conference at Nagar Bhaban yesterday.

Vice-chancellors from Chittagong University, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Science University, chairman of Chittagong Development Authority and other eminent personalities will be present on the inaugural ceremony.

CCC to confer Ekushey Padak on seven persons

Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) is going to confer Ekushey Padak on seven eminent personalities for their enormous contribution to the respective fields. The CCC organised the press conference at the corporation on the occasion of hosting a book fair. The seven personalities who are going to be conferred Ekushey Padak are Rowshan Akhter Hanif in education, Mahmudul Islam in sports, AJM Omar in journalism, Fazal Karim in social service, Arun Chandra Banik in culture, education enthusiast Mohammad Zakaria and Liberation War researcher and writer Siru Bangali.

Fisherman dies in trawler capsize A fisherman died and three others were injured yesterday in a trawler capsize in the Meghna River under Tazumuddin upazila in Bhola. The deceased was Abul Kalam, 45. Masum Police said MV Farhan, a Hatia bound launch hit the trawler leaving Kalam dead and three others injured. Of the injured, one was identified. His name was Kiron, said the police officer. On February 3, MV Sohagi, a passenger launch sank after another launch hit it nearby Bheduria terminal.

– Our Correspondent

Speakers at a seminar in the district stressed on speedy trial by using Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) method for making legal aid services easier.

Participated by legal aid service providers, the seminar was held at the conference room and session judge court on Sunday evening.

District and Session Judge Anwarul Haque presided over the function.

They also stressed on ADR method and providing sufficient judges in courts with better coordination between the benches and bar to make speedier trial and get justice.l

MISSING OF TK50 LAKH FROM PUBALI BANK

Five put on one-day remand n Tribune Report A Chittagong court yesterday placed five persons on a one-day remand in connection with the missing of Tk50 lakh from Situkunda branch of Pubali Bank Limited.

The money reportedly went missing on February 11 while the money being transported to Chittagong city from Sitakunda branch of Pubali Bank by a microbus.

On February 12, police arrested five people identified as cashier of Sitakunda branch Rajibur Rahman, security personnel Ashiqur Rahman, Tanjur Rahman, Majharul Islam and micro-bus driver Bijoy Kumar Das for their alleged in-

volvement with the missing.

The five persons were produced before the court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate ASM Shahidullah Kaisar.

“The police sought a five-day remand while the court granted oneday remand,” said AHM Moshiur Rahman, court inspector.

Earlier, the court granted a oneday remand on the driver and a two-day remand on the rest four persons.

Toufiqur Rahman, assistant general manger of Chittagong CDA Corporate branch of Pubali Bank, lodged a complaint with Sitakunda police station after the money went missing on February 11. l

n Mahmood Hossain

Do you Ubuntu?

It’s the brand’s first ever tablet, which happens to be a desktop too

The new BQ Aquaris M10 is the first ever Ubuntu powered tablet. This has gone under the radar of many, especially in a time where tablets aren’t getting the same attention they were receiving three quarters ago.

Ubuntu is also quite foreign to the mass market. For those who don’t know, it’s a completely different operating system, sitting alongside the Windows and Mac systems of the world. A lot of techies, or computer wizards, are fond of playing around with Ubuntu because of its opensource availability to numerous developers who love customising their personal PCs. The Spanish company BQ got together with Ubuntu to create this unique 10-inch tablet for a somewhat niche-market. What sets this tablet apart from others is that the tablet can actually turn into a laptop or desktop computer by simply plugging the tablet to the monitor, via HDMI port or Bluetooth. Once plugged in, the tablet interface switches to a desktop interface that provides function for both your keyboard and mouse.

While the tablet is more

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than capable to act as a desktop operating system, it uses the extra space by expanding the apps. The same space, in the tablet interface, can also be used as a split-screen feature called Side Stage. Even though you can place two apps side by side, you might wonder if buying into a new eco-system would be an issue. This is actually a huge plus side because developers don’t have to create different versions of the same app to be applied on different platforms. The same app on Ubuntu can be used on a smartphone, tablet and PC, getting rid of the head ache developers face with other operating systems like Android or iOS. The M10 isn’t too bad in the looks department either. The focus, however, isn’t on the design itself. It’s the materials used to create this new gadget. This tablet has a 10.1-inch HD display that is protected by Asahi Dragontrail glass that rivals the toughness in Gorilla Glass displays. The device is 8.2mm thick and weighs 470 grams. As you can imagine, it’s very lightweight and easy to hold.

And before checking out the rest of the specs, it should be noted this is a Wi-Fi tablet with no cellular connection. l

Specs from the BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Edition: • MediaTek quad-core MT8163A 1.5GHz processor • 7,280mAh Li-Po battery • 2GB RAM • 16GB internal storage • MicroSD slot; up to 64GB • 8-megapixel camera with autofocus and dual flash • 1080p video • Micro HDMI port

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016

Easy promotion You may have some hot deals (special offers set by you), bestselling products (the products that people are purchasing most), event based discounts (discount that you are providing for an event), or simply some discounted products that you want to promote. If you have an E-commerce website, you can easily present your products on the basis of different promotional categories.

Marketing without much effort An E-commerce website can be linked with Facebook and other social networks that can further help promote your products online. There are some automated features. For example, when you update or add information of a new product, it will be automatically submitted on your other social media sites linked to your website.

Therefore, such automation is reducing the hassle of doing social media marketing.

Keeping customers connected Once a customer is registered on your website he or she gets connected with you online. You can send newsletters, discount offers, etc, to all or selected groups of customers with a single click from your website’s controlling panel anytime.

8 ways

to ace e-Commerce

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n Features Desk e are living in an era of computers, where all our personal and professional activities are highly dependent on the Internet. Internet based software and websites have given us the provision to spread and share our information worldwide just with a click, and have facilitated storing, centralising, processing and generating data for our business, educational, personal and many other purposes.

From needy to rich, young to old, student to professional, everyone is now connected with the Internet through different

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Because of the increasing number of entrepreneurs online, training on E-commerce is also highly required before launching an online store these days. Otherwise, the business may not survive long enough.

online based social media, websites and applications/ software. Thus the Internet has become the biggest media through which one can reach a larger audience. Such growth of the Internet and Internet based services have created a great opportunity for doing businesses online, which is widely known as E-commerce.

E-commerce businesses have some wonderful scopes that a physical business can’t create.

take place through a website, running such online businesses need less investment than establishing a business physically.

Low running cost To do business online, an entrepreneur doesn’t need to setup an office, or have huge human resources or even a large shop space. As in the case of online shopping, all transactions

Uninterrupted availability to customer Your E-commerce website serves as a shopping mall, and your customer can view your products and order anytime. Therefore, unlike physical stores, clients

don’t have to worry about when your shop is closed.

Attracting customers There are different features like “Discount on Purchases,” “Reward Point per Purchase,” etc, that you can setup to attract more customers to your online store.

You can launch event-based promotions and offerings for your customers from your online shop.

Business analysis and decision making facility An E-commerce website provides the ability to track and generate chart, graphs and reports of sales and customer flow on your website. This helps make decisions regarding your business easier.

Easy and secure payment option Online based stores are really convenient in both paying and receiving payments. Currently in Bangladesh, there are many payment gateways that are really strong and secure in receiving customer payments for E-commerce websites (SSLCommerz.com). Such payment gateways are connected with banks and other mobile banking services legally and have many features to prevent fraudulent activities, therefore both clients and entrepreneurs can safely do businesses.

Because of the increasing number of entrepreneurs online, training on E-commerce is also highly required before launching an online store these days. Otherwise, the business may not survive long enough.

Many training institutions are now working in Bangladesh (example: www.piit.us) to provide special training on E-commerce entrepreneurship and E-commerce website development/ management. l

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INSIDE

Love in the time of sedition In love, the truth isn’t much appreciated.

Much like in love for our country, and politics. Someone actually tells the truth, and all hell breaks loose

PAGE 12

Don’t forget the chars For the impoverished char-dwellers, life is a constant uphill battle with adversities. Flooding and erosion continually disrupt the people’s attempt at making a livelihood, while poor infrastructure sees that they remain beyond the benefits of mainland regions PAGE 13

Friendship in marriage can only develop if both parties make the effort. No one party can have a shortcut to this end PAGE 14

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.

Improve services for migrant workers

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Marriage and the friendship within

Be heard

MIGRANT88

angladesh and Malaysia are due to finalise an agreement for 1.5 million Bangladeshis to seek work in Malaysia over the next three years. At the same time, Malaysia has begun a process to register existing foreign workers, including many Bangladeshis, whose labour permits have lapsed.

As over half of Malaysia’s estimated 6 million foreign workers are undocumented, this has focused attention on the working conditions reported by overseas workers whose registration has lapsed, as their limbo status makes them more vulnerable to mistreatment.

There are calls to freeze labour imports until the registration process is completed to help improve conditions for existing residents. However, Malaysia’s demand for labour means the two issues of registering workers whose labour permits have lapsed and importing new workers, are proceeding simultaneously.

It is very important for both governments to ensure proper regard is paid to improving the conditions experienced by existing workers, as well as facilitating legal channels for new workers.

Inter-governmental co-operation and new agreements with labour importing nations such as Malaysia are vital to eliminate the abuse and exploitation suffered by Bangladeshi citizens seeking work overseas.

However, as a labour exporting nation whose economy benefits hugely from remittances, Bangladesh’s government also needs to give more priority to ensuring consulates and diplomatic services provide better services for our migrant workers.

It is unacceptable that Bangladeshi migrant workers are often subjected to mistreatment and neglect by our own officials.

Whether it is overcoming poor service at consulates compared to other labour exporting nations to ending protracted delays in the issuing of machine readable passports, we still need to do better as a nation to value and uphold the rights of our expatriate workers.

Their contribution to the economy deserves much greater recognition and support.

More still needs to be done to value and uphold the rights of expatriate workers

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Love in the time of sedition Have we forgotten how to love?

n SN Rasul

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ave we forgotten how to love?

As some of us watched the love of our lives walk by us for the first time -- not always superficial, perhaps the way the smile, slightly crooked, nudged inside her face, or the way her voice carried across the mountains, echoing within our souls -- we felt some sort of something in our bones.

We rung out our hearts for the perfect words, so that they would litter haphazardly, incompetently, across a torn-off paper, unable to capture the ubiquitousness of what we felt in its entirety.

Instead, these love letters, and the letters and words which encompassed them, would stand guard against our true feelings, mixing up what we want to say with what we actually say.

Some of us held back, unable to decide what to do, not wishing to hurt ourselves. Some of us were persistent, grabbing for a hand that was as of yet unsure of grabbing back.

Until.

Until the clouds broke through, the Earth gave in, the ephemeral quality of what we felt was understood, cradled, and thrown back at us in a perfect encapsulation of two people becoming one.

Or until it rained till we were drenched in our own tears.

That’s how we used to see it anyway. In melodrama and cliché, but we felt what we felt, and there was no stopping two forces that were about to collide and become singular, or for them to ricochet off into different trajectories.

This was before social media and “the game,” before we had to play to win and the fear of missing out didn’t rule our lives.

Before swipes and likes and onenight stands, before holding back became moving forward, before bases and home runs, before … before when?

Or so some say. Or maybe how we conduct our business has changed, but the rules are the same.

The way we love seems to have evolved, as Valentine’s Day heralds in an unprecedented number of couples holding hands in public, and so much more in private.

We love our country pretty much the same way: Say how great it is, tell each other it’s developing, getting richer, the economy is booming. But underneath, it’s become all a game, as corruption

We talk of love while our system rots from the inside and problems rot us out from the inside, with each individual trying to get the most out of the relationship, be it more power, more money, or just plain more in general.

In whispers and under covers, we speak of the real problems.

We curse the current government and its leaders while in public and print, we dedicate pages to their achievements and praise.

We defame our exes in front of a TV screen while, behind the scenes, we miss how good they were perhaps, or how kind. Or how they, at least, weren’t all that bad.

So, when a prominent and veteran journalist confesses in public in a talk-show of the mistakes he has made, brings out in the forefront what we were all thinking but were not allowed to say, he is hung out to dry and fed to the dogs.

He is branded as being antidemocracy, as a traitor to the nation. Charges are filed against him for sedition. He is asked to quit his post and deemed a traitor to the nation and his profession.

Really: How dare someone speak the truth?

In love, the truth isn’t much appreciated. Much like in love for our country, and politics. Someone actually tells the truth, and all hell

breaks loose.

Shouldn’t we be, in all earnest, going back to the time when what we were was up in front of the world, ready to be accepted in all our imperfections? Since when did we become so accepting of pretense and imagery that we forgot that the truth, no matter how or where it came from, was always a prettier sight, and always more interesting?

Some will remember how we used to love this country, and how we felt could never be quenched by the timid conversations over dining tables, nibbling on some chicken bone at some dawaat at a friend’s house. We were fearless, our voices intrepid, our actions unapologetic.

Fiery passion made it impossible to do otherwise. But that is perhaps the problem. As the world grows older, so do we, and we learn much more than we can bear.

And telling someone how we actually feel, without being safe and sound inside the cocoons of our self-made bubbles, is a terrifying prospect.

Will they break our hearts? Will they deny that we exist? Will they make us feel small? And: Will they kill us, murder us, rape us? Will they kidnap our children? Will

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In love, the truth isn’t much appreciated.

Much like in love for our country, and politics. Someone actually tells the truth, and all hell breaks loose

they ever leave us alone?

One does not mean to be nostalgic for a time in which one didn’t exist, but one wonders how that kind of a revolution came to be.

We loved our country much like we loved our lovers: With intensity, reverence, and an endless thirst. We mixed our flaws together, but we loved nonetheless, because what we loved was ours and we, theirs.

But times have since then changed. Vague words and insinuations rule the mind, and the heart lies forgotten somewhere, weeping needlessly alone. Truly, have we forgotten how to love? l SN Rasul is a journalist and academic.

Follow him @snrasul.

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Don’t forget the chars The char areas have tremendous untapped potential

Char-dwellers are no strangers to hard work

n Asif Imran Khan

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angladesh is riding on an unprecedented tide of optimism when it comes to national development.

With the recently cemented status of low-middle-income country and an all-time low poverty rate of 24.7%, becoming a middleincome country by 2021 does not seem too far away. While we set our sights on the much desired development goal, it is important not to ignore the pitfalls that lie on the way. Those pitfalls can come in the form of the existing extreme poverty pockets in the country.

The chars -- riverine islands in Bangladesh -- are one such remaining extreme poverty pocket. These isolated landmasses, scattered across 100 upazilas in 32 districts, are home to six million people, hundreds of thousands of them being among the poorest in the country.

For the impoverished chardwellers, life is a constant uphill battle. Flooding and erosion continually disrupt the people’s

attempt at making a livelihood, while poor infrastructure sees that they remain beyond the benefits of mainland regions.

The lack of safe drinking water, sanitation, basic social service provisions, electricity, and good governance acerbate the prevalent discrimination in access to resources and gender inequality.

At the same time, the char lands are a reservoir of untapped potential. The minerals carried by the water make the char lands very fertile, while there is a big unutilised labour force that is no stranger to hard work.

Bangladesh has made commendable progress in curbing poverty, but extreme poverty is a different beast. The seventh Five Year Plan, the policy blueprint for reaching the vision of 2021, has set its core theme as “Accelerating Growth, Empowering Every Citizen.”

It is optimistic to assume that higher GDP growth and focus on growth drivers will subsequently lift extreme poor from the nadir, yet it is more realistic to take

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

their total seclusion from the mainstream economy into account when planning.

Even attempts at better income distribution and lowering income inequality, as prioritised by the seventh Five Year Plan, might not be sufficient to break the poorest out of the chronic extreme poverty trap.

Extreme poverty, such as that of the char-dwellers, is a consequence of social, economic, political, and geographical seclusion, and overcoming it requires special policies, institutions, and programs.

Eradicating the extreme poverty of chars also requires adequate budget allocation.

The government had allocated Tk50 crore for the internal infrastructure development of char, yet no specific line ministry was tasked with spending the amount for the endeavour. The entire amount now remains unspent.

Many non-government actors have done exemplary work for the development of chars in their

own scope. Yet, these programs work within a limited geographical area, and the sustainability of the impacts of these interventions is often challenged by the projects’ duration. The impoverished chardwellers are susceptible to various shocks, including threats to natural disasters, poor health, and impacting their livelihood.

What is needed for sustainable development is a co-ordinated effort by all actors, including the government, donors, NGOs, and char people.

The necessity for such a concerted approach also resounded heavily in the first National Char Convention held on June 6 last year at the Krishibid Institute Bangladesh.

The unprecedented convention brought together present members of the parliament, policy-makers, civil society leaders, dignitaries, development specialists, and practitioners from more than 70 organisations. Among the 1,200 participants, half were char-dwellers.

Inaugurating the convention, the Honourable Speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, MP, expressed her and the government’s commitment to work for the development of chars.

In order to translate the policymakers’ commitment into action, a 14-Point first National Char Convention Declaration has been

sustainable development for the chars any time soon without a central government-owned agency to oversee and co-ordinate all the government and non-government development initiatives being undertaken in the chars. We don’t have to look too far for an example.

The haor, another climate change-affected poverty-prone region, has the Department of Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Development (DBHWD) under the Ministry of Water Resources.

The directorate emerged from the Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Development Board, established in 2000, due to the goodwill of the government.

The responsibilities of DBHWD include co-ordinating the development activities of ministries and local government organisations, and implementing the necessary master-plans and development projects in light of the local needs, among others.

There is no reason why impoverished char-dwellers would not benefit from a comprehensive development plan and a similar government co-ordinating authority, even if it is integrated into the existing DBHWD. When it comes to overcoming extreme poverty, going the last mile can be the hardest. Yet, with collective co-ordinated effort across all sectors, it is not impossible. The impoverished

For the impoverished char-dwellers, life is a constant uphill battle with adversities.

Flooding and erosion continually disrupt the people’s attempt at making a livelihood, while poor infrastructure sees that they remain beyond the benefits of mainland regions

prepared as the char people’s demand charter.

Based on various grassroots level consultation, findings of presented research papers, and demands raised by the char people in the convention, the declaration captures the burning necessities for the char development. If the state wants to hear the articulated voice of the deprived chardwellers, it does not need to look any further.

Finally, it is hard to imagine

char-dwellers are doing their part in not only fighting with adverse conditions to earn a livelihood, but also contributing to the national development with their productivity every day. It is our turn to ensure that we are all in the same boat when we reach our much-desired destination in national development. l Asif Imran Khan is Advocacy Officer, Concern Worldwide, and Member, National Char Alliance.

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Marriage and the friendship within Friendship is an essential ingredient to making a marriage work

Marriage is more than just wedding rings or fiery passion

n SM Shahrukh It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages -- Friedrich Nietzsche

O

nly the other day, I read somewhere that a successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. People get away with saying and writing such absolute nonsense that it makes my skin crawl.

We have grown up with the impression that marriage is an institution; it’s a sacred bond between man and woman; women have their heavenly abodes under the feet of their husbands (in this case, apparently mothers are swept aside in favour of the husbands).

The “institution of marriage” sounds a lot like a place for nutcases. Are we so nuts that we enter into an institution? Who wants to live in an institution anyway?

This “institution” has many to sing its paeans: Our families, the teachers of religious edicts, the peddlers of thin social awareness

booklets sold on rickshaw vans with a bell-shaped horn extolling the duties of man and woman in a marriage (mostly women), and of course, the cheap sentimental trash that sully our silver screens.

“Married” is the legal status a man and a woman share after they have decided to consummate their love for each other following the love affair they have been through with much pleasure and joy.

Marriages are sometimes “arranged,” in which case the pleasure and the joy may or may not come after the wedding.

Love is probably an intense feeling one gets in the presence of another without whom the world looks bleak. Love grows in stages, usually reaching a crescendo when the lovers have almost reached the point of tying the knot.

It may develop with the intensity of a severe hurricane at the first meeting of the would-be lovers, but that’s rare.

The progression of marriage takes a steady course of immense intimacy followed by a friendship for life and punctuated by the coming of children. There are ups and downs -- emotional, financial,

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familial, physical, and a few that cannot be categorised. The rearing of children can cause friction, but are usually overcome with the friendship that develops between lovers.

The friendship in marriage can only develop if both parties make the effort. No one party can have a shortcut to this end.

If the man develops a superior intellect and the woman does not keep up, there is bound to be trouble; the reverse is also true.

The faltering party will end up paying a heavy price with the other looking for fulfillment from another person. And the marriage becomes a sham.

Income disparity between the players may also cause a discord; meddling families play a big role too. The physical aspect is of utmost importance since human beings are animals first and evolved social creatures later.

Religious dictates do not play a major part; dissimilar religious inclinations are easily overcome.

If the friendship fails to sprout, a marriage begins to stall, and all goodwill between the lovers grinds to a halt. This friendship helps

Friendship in marriage can only develop if both parties make the effort. No one party can have a shortcut to this end

them at times of crisis caused by extraneous factors, as well as within the relationship; helps one to grow accommodating to the idiosyncrasies of the other; helps a smooth transition from the unsustainable Eros to a beautiful relationship of a matured love.

Intensity be damned -- how many couples can stand each other after 10 or more years of marriage?

Not a hell of a lot.

The squabbles continue, and they listen to the “booklet” about “how to keep a marriage going” and fall into a deeper pit.

Falling in love with the same

person, over and over again, on a monthly or a yearly basis is well near too much of an expectation. A fool’s expectation is bound to end in tragedy.

If a friendship does not develop and the partners in life want dissolution of the “institution,” so be it.

No moral police in the guise of a well-wisher should try to stop the dissolution. People should live for themselves, and not for the progeny, or to adhere to the arcane demands of the society. l SM Shahrukh is a freelance contributor.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016

INSIDE

EPZ workers can form association

Now new banks in default loan trap New generation banks have become the victims of default loans in only three years of their starting operation. Five of them, out of nine, registered overdue loans worth Tk44.35 crore at the end of year 2015 – for the first time since starting of their business in 2013. PAGE 16

Obama, Southeast Asia leaders eye China and trade at California summit President Barack Obama will press leaders from Southeast Asia to boost trade and back common goals for the South China Sea during a summit starting yesterday that the White House hopes will solidify US influence in the region. PAGE 17

Global stocks rally as China avoids meltdown European stock markets rallied sharply yesterday building on Asian gains after Shanghai avoided a sharp selloff on its return from holidays and banks were buoyed by HSBC’s decision to stay in London. PAGE 18

Capital market snapshot: Monday DSE Broad Index

4,585.0

0.1% ▲

Index

1,124.6

0.2% ▲

30 Index

1,761.5

0.1% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

4,457.5

4.2% ▲

Turnover in Mn Vol

101.3

9.7% ▲

All Share Index 14,137.9

-0.1% ▼

CSE 30 Index Selected Index

12,785.3

0.1% ▲

8,588.1

-0.1% ▼

Turnover in Mn Tk

275.5

4.4% ▲

Turnover in Mn Vol

9.0

17.8% ▲

n Shohel Mamun The government has finally approved a draft of “The Bangladesh EPZ Labour Law, 2016” enshrining the workers’ right of association in the country’s Export Processing Zones (EPZs).

The approval came at a regular cabinet meeting held at Bangladesh Secretariat with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair yesterday.

After the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam told the journalists that the new law also allows the workers to form a permanent wage board for themselves.

He added that the law would be framed in the light of the existing Labour Law 2006.

The law let the workers to form Workers’ Welfare Association that will handle issues of collective bargaining, the cabinet secretary said.

Under the proposed law, the family members of a worker would get compensation of Tk2 lakh if he or she dies while on duty.

Moreover, an amount of Tk2.25 lakh has been fixed to give a worker if he or she faces “permanent” or “complete” disability in accidents.

Mohammad Shafiul Alam said the Worker’s Welfare Association would work as like as trade union.

“The association will have free-

Workers seen busy inside an Export Processing Zone factory in Bangladesh. While the country’s EPZ law bans trade unionism, the proposed EPZ Labour Law is expected to ensure workers’ right of association DHAKA TRIBUNE dom to organise programmes to press home their demand.”

Under the Bangladesh EPZ Act 2010, no trade union is allowed in the EPZs. But Bangladesh has signed the ILO Convention with the promise that trade unionism will not be barred in any factory including that in EPZ. “By the proposed law, it seems that the government has tried to

pacify both parties – one (international rights groups) calling for trade union and the other (investors) opposing it,” a cabinet member told the Dhaka Tribune.

He explained that as Bangladesh EPZ law bans trade unions in the EPZ area, the draft EPZ labour law has not directly named what is going to be allowed as trade union, instead it has been titled as

the Worker’s Welfare Association.

“Under the proposed law, the EPZ workers can exercise their rights of association through the WWA while you cannot directly call it trade union.”

Cabinet secretary said the WWA would ensure the workers’ freedom of association and the difference between trade union and WWA is only in name. l

BB: Install antiStocks continue to end flat in volatility skimming device making up more than 23% over the previous sesn Tribune Report sion, led by BSRM that became the highest gainer at ATM booths of the day with a rally of over 9% and was also the Stocks continued to end flat in volatile trade yestermost-traded shares. day as late selling pressure cut early gains.

Tribune Report n Lanka Bangla Securities said after moving sharpThe market opened higher with the benchmark Bangladesh Bank has mandated that all banks install anti-skimming device in their newly established ATM booths as part of reigning in card forgery.

Banks have to set up anti-skimming and pin-shield devices at newly established ATM booths within a month, said a circular Bangladesh Bank issued yesterday.

The move came in the wake of recent money withdrawal from some ATM booths through card forgery. The card was forged through skimming and pin capture device.

The banks have been asked to monitor the video footage of CC camera set at ATM booths and take necessary steps if any suspicious matter is found. Banks will check those cards used for transaction between February 7 and 9 to safeguard their customers.

They will also inform the customers of canceling their ATM cards and issue new cards accordingly. l

index DSEX crossing 4,600-mark level in the early trade, riding on heavyweights. But as days wore out, the initial upbeat mood failed to sustain due to selling pressure on majority scrips.

At the end of the day, the DSEX inched 0.8 points higher to close at 4,585, after rising marginally down in previous session.

The Shariah index DSES was also marginally up 2 points to 1,124. The blue chip comprising index DS30 witnessed a fractional rise of 0.9 points to 1,761.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index CSCX shed 11 points to 8,588.

Textile, non-banking financial institutions and power sectors continued to close marginally lower. Heavyweight telecommunications moved up slightly, after suffering losses in previous session.

Food and allied, engineering, banks, insurance, ceramics and pharmaceuticals ended positive.

Trading activities improved due to strong selling pressure as the DSE turnover stood at over Tk445 crore, up 4.2% over the previous session.

Engineering sector continued to top turnover leader for the third consecutive session,

ly lower in middle of the day in continuation of the previous trading session, stocks regained some ground late in the day but still closed mostly negative.

The benchmark index crept up into positive territory to close the market flat amid consolidation, it said.

After BSRM, other turnover leaders included Beximco Pharmaceuticals, Square Pharmaceuticals, United Power Generation and Distribution Company Limited, BSRM Steels and Singer Bangladesh. l

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Now new banks in default loan trap n Jebun Nesa Alo New generation banks have become the victims of default loans in only three years of their starting operation.

Five of them, out of nine, registered overdue loans worth Tk44.35 crore at the end of year 2015 – for the first time since starting of their business in 2013.

The ill-fated banks are Midland, NRB, NRB Commercial, NRB Global and Farmers Bank as revealed by Bangladesh Bank’s latest data.

The growth rate of total default loans of the banking sector reduced to 8.79% in October-December quarter of last year from 9.89% in previous quarter due to huge rescheduling of loans the central bank facilitated last year, said a senior executive of Bangladesh Bank.

The total default loans in the banking system stood at Tk51,371 crore in December last against the total outstanding loans of Tk5,84,615 crore.

Though the default loan amount of the new banks is insignificant as compared to the overall loans, the

default practice of the newcomers raised a concern, said the executive.

He said: “Some banks got involved in loan irregularities that caused default loans before getting maturity in business.”

The default loan of Midland Bank was Tk14 crore as of December of which over Tk9 crore was classified as bad loans. The total loan outstanding of the bank was Tk1,373 crore.

NRB Bank recorded default loans of over Tk2 crore, including Tk11 lakh of bad debt. The outstanding loans of the bank stood at Tk1,099 crore.

The amount of default loan of NRB Commercial Bank was around Tk6 crore against the total loan outstanding of Tk2,298 crore.

NRB Global Bank reported default loans of over Tk13 crore, including bad debt of Tk36 lakh. The total loan outstanding of the bank was Tk2,073 crore.

Farmers Bank registered default loans of over Tk9 crore, including bad debt of around Tk6 crore.

A Bangladesh Bank investi-

DEFAULT LOANS OF NEW GENERATION BANKS (TK IN CRORE) Banks Midland NRB NRB Commercial NRB Global Farmers Meghna Modhumoti South Bangla Union

Default loans 13.97 2.21 5.87 13.24 9.06 -

Outstanding loans 1,373 1,099 2,298 2,073 2,540 1,429 984 2,294 4,543 Source : BB

gation found loan anomalies of Tk400 crore in the bank and appointed an observer for close monitoring on its activities.

The new bank owned by a politically influential person sparked criticism by filing a case against the central bank after it fined Tk10 lakh for showing classified loans as assets to show inflated profits.

The total outstanding loan of the bank stood at Tk2,540 crore as of December last year.

Meanwhile, the banking sector experienced significant fall in total default loans by Tk3,337 crore

in the last quarter of 2015 from the previous quarter.

The default loan rate of stateowned commercial banks came down to 21.46% in December from 21.82% in September last year while private commercial banks dropped to 4.85% from 6.09% during the same period.

The amount of total default loans of six state-run banks stood at Tk23,744 crore at the end of December, lower from Tk22,727 crore in September last year.

Private commercial banks accounted for default loans of Tk20,760 crore in December, down from Tk24,578 crore in September.

The scam hit BASIC Bank saw rise in default loan rate at 50% in the last quarter of 2015 from 44.25% in previous quarter.

The bank alone accounted for default loans of Tk6, 392 crore as of December, which was Tk4,146 crore in September last year.

The provision shortfall of stateowned banks doubled to Tk4,567 crore in December from Tk2,950 crore in September last year, according to the central bank data. l

Construction tech expo begins Thursday n Tribune Report A three-day international construction technology and power sourcing expo 2016 will begin in the city on Thursday.

Local and international companies related to building construction technology and power sourcing from more than five countries under a single roof will take part in the fair to be held at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICC,B).

Kites International Trade and Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd. is organising the expo. The show will remain open from 11am to 7pm every day with no entry free.

“The expo will be a meeting point of domestic and international business community to explore the growing business potentials in building and construction and, power and energy sectors in Bangladesh,” said Kites International Trade Exhibitions Director M Akter Jharna at a press conference held at a city hotel yesterdy. l

Simon: Economic growth and a healthier climate go hand in hand Simon Maxwell is a development economist, who has worked internationally since 1970. He is one of the UK’s leading thinkers on international development. He has had a career spanning more than 40 years, as field worker, researcher and policy adviser.

Maxwell recently visited Bangladesh to attend an event where the Dhaka Tribune caught him for an interview on economic development and climate change. The two issues are expected to significantly impact the global economy in the coming decades.

The interview was taken by Kayes Sohel.

Dhaka Tribune: Now you are talking about climate compatible development. Is it possible to achieve?

Simon: The world has signed for a new Sustainable Development Goals which combine poverty reduction and environmental objectives, so the commitment is there.

Achieving the goals will need determined leadership in every country, careful policy design and a relentless focus on implementation.

The prize is great: a greener world with cleaner air, healthier rivers and thriving forests; liveable cities, with efficient infrastructure and quality housing; and simultaneously, more jobs, higher incomes, better health, less exposure to extreme weather, and a universal access to rights and justice. Many countries have made a huge pro-

gress; all have more to do. For the poorer countries, international financial assistance will be needed.

be welcomed. At the same time, the governments need to apply a test of social value and should frame incentives and regulations accordingly.

How can you balance between economic growth and climate change for the globe and particularly for Bangladesh?

In many respects, economic growth and a healthier climate go hand in hand. For example, rapid urban transit systems save time, reduce the health costs of pollution and also help protect the climate.

Similarly, there are many good jobs to be found in new industries like solar power. A key lesson, though, is that an active government needs to shape overall strategy, help new industries emerge and provide support to those suffering dislocation as a result of change. Bangladesh is growing fast and has been a global leader on the need to embed climate action in national development policies.

In COP21, $100 billion grant has been kept for adaptation. But there is more fund for mitigation than adaptation. How do you look at it?

There needs to be a balance between mitigation and adaptation, and the Green Climate Fund has committed to a 50:50 split. Remember that a good part of the money required to deal with climate change will come from the private sector. This means public funds must be used strategically to help leverage private sector money. Also, the public purse will

Bangladesh is the most vulnerable to the climate change. So, it should get more fund than others. What do you think about it?

Simon Maxwell be needed in sectors which the private sector may neglect: some adaptation investments fall into this category. Finally, we should not be fixated on climate finance only: global financial flows, and aid, are much larger than climate funding, and can also contribute.

In SDGs, there is a goal of climate change, and in COP21, climate change was the centre of discussion. Is there any similarity in tackling climate change between these two?

Tackling climate change features in the SDGs, and of course both the SDGs and the climate talks are

under the auspices of the UN. In principle, therefore, there should be no contradiction. At the country level, there will be difficult decisions to make about priorities. It is important that decisions should be transparent.

What should be the role of private sector in combating climate change?

The private sector was highly visible in Paris, with new initiatives on issues like renewable energy and energy efficiency. Most investment needed to tackle climate change will come from the private sector.

Innovation and investment are to

In general, public funds should definitely be disbursed in relation to need, and that applies also to climate funds. Poorer countries should receive more than richer ones, and, in relation to climate funds, those with greater needs should receive more than those with lesser needs. Public funding, however, must be used well, which means that countries requiring to strengthen regulatory frameworks develop a strong project pipeline and guarantee high fiduciary standards. Tax payers in the richer countries are very much focused on issues like value-for-money in aid spending.

What should be the modalities of Global Climate Change Fund (GCF) ?

GCF has been invested heavily in governance. It has also some innovative options, for example in its work with the private sector.

Probably, the immediate priority is to demonstrate that it can identify high quality projects, fund them and see them through to successful completion. That will provide a great platform for future replenishment. l

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016

Japan economy shrinks during Q4 in body blow for ‘Abenomics’ n AFP, Tokyo Japan’s economy contracted in the last quarter of 2015, official data showed yesterday, dealing another blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s faltering bid to boost growth.

The figures will fan talk of fresh Bank of Japan measures, after policymakers shocked markets last month with an unprecedented negative interest rate policy - widely seen as a desperate move to kickstart the world’s number three economy.

Weak demand for big-ticket items like cars and home appliances

held back the vast economy which shrank 0.4% in October-December or an annualised 1.4% drop.

That was Japan’s second quarterly contraction in 2015, although GDP edge up a tepid 0.4% for the whole year, underscoring Tokyo’s challenge in slaying deflation and cementing a sustained recovery.

Tokyo brushed off the weak numbers, saying that “the fundamentals (of the economy) remain good”, but analysts countered that Abe’s growth plan was stumbling.

The premier’s bid to revive Japan’s once-soaring economy,

US President Barack Obama addresses the Illinois General Assembly during a visit to Springfield, Illinois REUTERS

Obama, Southeast Asia leaders eye China and trade at California summit n Reuters

President Barack Obama will press leaders from Southeast Asia to boost trade and back common goals for the South China Sea during a summit starting yesterday that the White House hopes will solidify US influence in the region.

Obama will also discuss curbing North Korea and plans to fight the Islamic State group during the twoday meeting with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at Sunnylands, a California resort.

The visit, at the same location where Obama once hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping, is designed to demonstrate Washington’s commitment both as a counterweight to Beijing and as an eager trading partner with ASEAN nations.

It also helps cement a legacy issue for Obama, who has championed a US pivot to Asia during his presidency and is determined to present the United States as a Pacific power.

“We want to make very clear that the United States is going to be at the table and a part of setting the agenda in the Asia- Pacific in the decades to come,” White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes told reporters last week.

The first day of the summit is scheduled to focus on economic issues and trade, including discussion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, which includes four of the ASEAN members: Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia.

Others are interested in joining, and the White House wants to make sure the pact goes into effect.

On Tuesday, the leaders will discuss maritime issues including the South China Sea, where China and several Southeast Asian states have conflicting and overlapping claims.

Rhodes said Obama would deliver a tough message to China that disputes over the area must be resolved peacefully. l

dubbed Abenomics, has also been shaken by a bloodbath on equity markets since the start of the year and a resurgent yen that threatened to dent companies’ profits.

“The latest data show that it is difficult to say that the Abe government has achieved of its goal of a ‘virtuous cycle’ of rising incomes, wages, and investment,” said Tobias Harris, political risk analyst at US-based consultancy Teneo.

“Japan has remained too dependent on export-led growth, which has suffered in light of China’s slowdown and the effects it

has had on the global economy.”

Japan’s factory output has suffered as worries persist about global growth, with revised data Monday showing industrial production contracted 1.7% in December, worse than a preliminary 1.4% drop.

However Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 stock index soared more than seven percent Monday, boosted by bargain-buying and a weaker yen following last week’s 11% drop.

‘Not carved in stone’

The yen, which surged four percent last week against the dollar, turned

lower Monday on talk about the BoJ unveiling fresh monetary easing measures as well as speculation about Tokyo intervening in currency markets to stem the unit’s rise.

The wild volatility on world markets and sharp swings in the yen since the start of 2016 prompted Abe on Friday to hold an emergency meeting with Japan’s central bank chief Haruhiko Kuroda.

The BoJ shocked investors by announcing the negative rate policy last month, a plan that aims to prod banks into lending by charging them for storing excess reserves with it. l

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016

Global stocks rally as China avoids meltdown n AFP, London European stock markets rallied sharply yesterday building on Asian gains after Shanghai avoided a sharp selloff on its return from holidays and banks were buoyed by HSBC’s decision to stay in London.

Frankfurt and Paris jumped about 3% and London won almost two percent, while Athens surged six percent and Milan soared 3.6% in value.

The mood also brightened as Japanese investors shrugged off an economic contraction to propel Tokyo stocks more than seven percent yesterday, leading an Asia recovery after last week’s horror show.

Shanghai fell 0.6% - but losses were modest considering traders were playing catch-up with last week’s bloodbath across world stock markets.

“No severe sell-off in Chinese markets, after a week’s holiday, has allowed London-listed financial stocks to break out of the doghouse and lead the FTSE higher, buoyed

by HSBC’s decision to stay in the City,” CMC Markets analyst Jasper Hewson told AFP. Markets had jumped higher on Friday, ending a brutal week on a positive note following solid US and German economic data and an increase in oil prices.

Asia-focused banking titan HSBC

al economy and China’s slowdown - still unresolved.

Tokyo soared 7.2% by the close after losses of more than 11% last week that were fuelled by a surging yen as dealers fled into safe-haven investments.

‘Bad news is good news’

A man riding on a bicycle looks at an electronic board showing the stock market indices of various countries outside a brokerage in Tokyo REUTERS saw its share price rise 1% to 445 pence in London yesterday, as investors welcomed news it would keep its headquarters in the British capital.

The lender’s Hong Kong-listed stock meanwhile rallied more than four percent. The news also lifted other banking stocks in London, with Lloyds Banking Group up 2.3% and

Royal Bank of Scotland adding 2.7%.

“HSBC’s decision to keep its headquarters in London is a fillip for the City and the Treasury,” said Russ Mould investment director at trading firm AJ Bell.

“The government will be relieved that HSBC’s board decided unanimously to stay in the UK.”

Asian markets enjoyed a broadly healthy start to the week, but another poor trade report reinforced fears over China’s outlook.

Experts warned the gains were unlikely to be sustained for a long period, with the concerns that have wiped trillions off markets already this year - including the weak glob-

CORPORATE NEWS

News that the Japanese economy shrank in the final quarter of last year -- while dealing another blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s attempts to kickstart growth -- fanned calls for the nation’s central bank to further ease monetary policy.

Mike van Dulken, analyst at Accendo Markets, said sentiment was buoyed on Monday by “hopes that the recent banks-led global market rout was overdone and more stimulus was primed after poor Chinese trade data and Japanese GDP and industrial production”.

“Bad news is good news, again,” he added.

Chinese investors digested data showing exports tumbled 11.2% year-on-year in dollar terms and imports plunged 18.8%.

That fuelled hopes the People’s Bank of China will step in to provide relief, having slashed interest rates six times in the 12 months to November and also lowering the amount of cash lenders must keep in reserve.

Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong stocks surged 3.3%, Sydney gained 1.6% and Singapore piled on 2.7%. l

Russia: Better Iran-Saudi Arabia ties would help oil prices n Reuters, Moscow

Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited has recently organised a campaign where a plastic surgery team operated on poor cleft-lipped children at free of cost in Dhaka Trauma Center and Specialised Hospital, Shyamoli. The bank’s managing director, KS Tabrez visited the operation camp, said a press release

Mutual Trust Bank Limited has recently signed an agreement with Regent Airways in order to provide its credit cardholders with FlexiPay installment facility at Regent Airways. The bank’s head of cards, Mohammad Anwar Hossain and AKM Saiful Islam, manager (sales and marketing) of Regent Airways signed the agreement

Training institute of Standard Bank Limited has recently organised a 5-daylong course on capacity building for credit operation. The bank’s managing director and CEO, Md Nazmus Salehin inaugurated the course, said a press release

Prime Bank Notre Dame 27th National Debate Competition was recently held, said a press release. Professor of Dhaka University, Dr Gias Shamim was present at the prize giving ceremony as chief guest while deputy managing director of Prime Bank, Md Golam Rabbani was present as special guest

Russia wants to see improved relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia at a time when joint action is needed to influence global oil prices, the RIA news agency yesterday quoted Zamir Kabulov, a senior official at Russia’s Foreign Ministry, as saying.

Russia, one of the world’s top oil producers, has repeatedly refused to cooperate with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in recent years despite the falling price of oil, the lifeblood of its economy.

Any hope of sealing a global output deal has so far foundered on Iran’s position. Tehran is boosting production to try to regain market share after sanctions were lifted, paving the way for it to re-enter the market after a long absence.

The prospect of cooperation between Iran and leading producer Saudi Arabia is further complicated by the fact that the two countries are geopolitical foes who support different sides in conflicts in both Syria and Yemen. l

19

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Biz Info

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016

EMK Day celebrated at DU

Kazi & Kazi Tea celebrated this year’s Valentine’s Day with the winning couple of their “Love at First Flight” competition. Lucky winner Shahinaz Hossain surprised her husband, Emad Nour with an exclusive helicopter ride followed by an exotic lunch date in Amari hosted by Kazi & Kazi Tea. Emad and Shahinaz were very excited about the campaign and thanked the Kazi & Kazi brand team for hosting this wonderful program.

Discount on diamond jewellery at Apan Celebrating this year’s Valentine’s Day and the International Mother Language day, leading jewellery shop, Apan Jewelers is offering customers 31% discount on diamond jewellery.

Customers are to choose from a wide array of diamond necklaces, rings, earrings, nose pins, lockets and much more. The offer will continue till February 21. l

Promoting Bangladeshi-made products abroad Satkhira Bazaar was established in 2014 with the intentions of selling Bangladeshi-made products in the United States, Australia and Europe. The endeavour was an extension of

the philanthropic work of its parent organisation, Emerson Manufacturing Company, Inc. With support from Zakir Hossain, founder of Qadria Aluminium Fabricators, Satkhira

On February 14, 1972, former senator, Edward M Kennedy replanted a banyan tree in the Dhaka University campus; that tree was cut down by the Pakistani army during the War of Independence, the year before. After the EMK Center was established in 2012, that day is celebrated by the center as “EMK Day,” which commemorates the “Citizen to citizen, friend to friend, people to people” connection between the two countries, as stated by the senator in a speech that day.

To commemorate the occasion, EMK Center organised a concert under the very same banyan tree. Since it was the first day of the month of Spring (Falgun in Bengali) and Valentine’s Day as well, the concert was titled “Friend to Friend, Celebrating Spring and Friendship.” Organised jointly by the dance department of the university, the DU administration. The event

was inaugrated by Rezwana Chowdhury Bonna, popular singer and chairman of the dance department, and the woman who helped the EMK Center while setting up the program. Among the dignitaries present were Dr Nasreen Ahmad, pro vice chancellor, as she spoke of her memories of the tree, Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman, dean of the department of Arts and Humanities, spoke about Senator Kennedy, Akku Chowdhury, trustee of the Liberation War Museum, and M K Aaref, director of the centre, briefed the audience about the functions of the centre and its mission and an invitation to visit.

The audience enjoyed songs with themes of spring by the members of Shurer Dhara, a student group, followed by dances by the students of the Dance department. The second half of the concert featured popular folk band Joler Gaan. l

Bangladeshi artists mesmerise audiences in Singapore

Bazaar has been successful in sourcing various products from rural Bangladesh. Their primary focus is to empower women living in rural areas around the country. l The Singapore Bangladesh Society (SBS) organised “Asian Group Annual Cultural Night Singapore” on February 13 to celebrate Pohela Falgun at Singapore Polytechnic Convention Center.

The event was organised in the spirit to raise cultural awareness and encourage participation and engagement in cultural activities within the Bangali community.

The night began with a brilliant

performance from magician, Aliraj.

The audiences later enjoyed performances by LRB, Shafi Mondal, Sajal, Badhon, Naila Nayeem and Saila Ahmed and her Bhongima dance troupe.

The annual cultural night was sponsored by Radhuni, with Regent Airways as their airline partner and was supported by Prothom Alo. l

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Puppets (5) 6 Anger (3) 7 Old stringed instruments (5) 10 Reduce intensity (5) 12 Woodwind instrument (4) 13 Restaurant car (5) 15 Extremities (4) 16 Distress signal (3) 18 Spoil (3) 20 Poem of heroism (4) 22 Girl's name (5) 23 Reputation (4) 25 Of the kidneys (5) 27 Send money (5) 28 Newt (3) 29 Ejects (5)

DOWN 1 Crown (6) 2 Sphere (3) 3 Guide (6) 4 Slim (7) 5 Beak (3) 8 Hill (3) 9 Alone (4) 11 Metal (3) 14 Grass used for cordage etc (7) 16 Parts of plays (6) 17 Separates metal from ore (6) 19 Partly open (4) 21 Gelato (3) 22 Precious stone (3) 24 Cry as a cat (3) 26 At a ship's stern (3)

Downtime CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 16 represents R so fill R every time the figure 16 appears.

You have two letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters go in the missing squares.

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

As you get the letters, fill in the other squares with the same number in the main grid, and the control grid. Check off the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them.

A B C DE FG H I J K L MN O P Q RST UVWXYZ

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU How to solve: Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 – 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no number repeating.

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

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World 21

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016

INSIDE

Indian students protest in thousands as government cracks down on dissent n Reuters, New Delhi Potential Scalia replacement Srinivasan worked on controversial business cases One possible contender to replace Justice Antonin Scalia on the US Supreme Court is an Indian-American appeals court judge, Sri Srinivasan, who has pro-business credentials and a stellar resume.

PAGE 22

MSF among three hospitals under missile strikes in Syria, 23 dead At least 23 civilians were killed when missiles hit three hospitals and a school in rebel-held Syrian towns on Monday, residents said, as Russian-backed Syrian troops intensified their push toward the rebel stronghold of Aleppo.

PAGE 23

Supreme Court fight gives Democrats fuel to regain US Senate control A Supreme Court nomination battle that was ignited on Saturday with the death of Justice Antonin Scalia has given Democrats an explosive new issue that could bolster their chances of regaining majority control of the US Senate.

PAGE 24

India’s biggest nationwide student protests in a quarter of a century spread across campuses on Monday after the arrest of a student accused of sedition, in the latest battle with Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party-led government over freedom of expression.

Outrage over the arrest of the left-wing student leader, who had organised a rally to mark the anniversary of the execution of a Kashmiri separatist, has led to demonstrations in at least 18 universities.

In the largest protest, thousands of students and academics at New Delhi’s prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) boycotted classes and erected barricades for a fourth day in an escalating conflict with the authorities.

“The government does not want students to have a say,” said Rahila Parween, vice-president of the Delhi unit of the All India Students’ Federation, a left-wing student union. “It wants to dictate what students think, understand and say.”

BJP members accused the student leader, Kanhaiya Kumar, of “anti-India” sentiment. One BJP lawmaker said the university, which has a tradition of left-wing politics, should be shut down.

“I can assure you that every

action we take is to protect our country. Any anti-India activity will not be tolerated,” BJP President Amit Shah, one of Modi’s closest allies, said at party headquarters.

Protests spread when Kumar was arrested last week for sedition, after giving a speech questioning the hanging in 2013 of Mohammad Afzal Guru over his role in the 2001 attack on parliament.

Activists have long questioned Guru’s conviction, and India’s Supreme Court has described the evidence against him as circumstantial.

Scuffles erupted outside a New Delhi’s courthouse between lawyers and students where Kumar, 28, was to appear before a judge on Monday.

Anti-India sentiment

A leader of the student group that is aligned with the BJP said freedom of expression should not be misused to justify acts that could harm the country.

“You cannot be an Indian if you celebrate the death anniversary of a terrorist,” said Saurabh Sharma, joint secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (All India Student Council).

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has, meanwhile, faced ridicule for citing a fake tweet to say that the JNU demonstration had been backed by Hafiz Saeed, a Pakistani

JNU students agitating for the release of the Students Union President Kanhaiya Kumar at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi on Monday PTI militant accused by India of being behind the 2008 attack on Mumbai in which 166 people died.

Delhi police circulated the fake tweet at the weekend in a warning to students “not to get carried away by such seditious and anti-national rhetoric”. A spokesman did not answer calls to his

mobile phone on Monday seeking comment.

At least 18 university campuses witnessed protests on Monday.

Students in the eastern city of Kolkata burnt an effigy of Modi and left-wing groups in the neighbouring state of Odisha planned state-wide demonstrations. l

Q&A

What went wrong at JNU? What’s happening in JNU? In the last few days the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) university has seen its student president, Kanhaiya Kumar, put behind the bars, police raining blows on students, the federal home minister threatening tough action against supposed anti-national elements, and plenty of clashes between students bodies. Kumar has been arrested on charges of criminal conspiracy and sedition.

Timeline of events at JNU It all started when students at JNU, most of who were members of the Democratic Students’ Union – a left-oriented body, held an event to commemorate the hanging of Afzal Guru, who had attacked the parliament back in 2001. It was basically a protest meeting. Over there, some protesting students, along with a

few outsiders, chanted supposedly anti-Indian slogans and also termed Afazal Guru a martyr. The BJP-leaning Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) protested against the said event and this led to a clash between both units. Incidentally the university administration had also withdrawn its permission for the event based on the complaints of ABVP. When the police was informed of the same they came and arrested a few unknown people on charges of sedition. A disciplinary inquiry into the incident was initiated. The students groups, supported by left parties, have already accused the administration of acting on the orders of ABVP, and the ABVP has burnt effigies of the administrators because of not taking sufficient action against ones they have termed anti-national elements.

What’s the government’s stance?

Rajnath Singh, the federal home minister, has stated in clear terms that the administration will not tolerate any anti-national element in the university premises. He has further said that strict action will be taken against such elements. He has further stated that this incident had the backing of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and it is important that the country understands that. Smriti Irani, the federal human resource development minister, has also reacted strongly to the incident saying that the country shall not tolerate any insult against itself. Rajan Bhagat, the spokesperson of Delhi Police, has said that an FIR has been lodged at the Vasant Kunj North police station under Section 120B of IPC for criminal conspiracy and Section 124 A for sedition.

What are the students saying?

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) has already clarified that it does not have anything with the slogans and has also termed them undemocratic. However, it has laid into ABVP for bringing into disrepute the hitherto democratic traditions of the university. ABVP students have meanwhile demanded action against students whom they perceive as anti-national elements within the university. The students at JNU have meanwhile asked that police should not be brought inside the campus. They have also been protesting against the arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar who has received the support of left leaders who have met Rajnath and asked for him to be released from prison. l

Sources: MAPSOFINDIA.COM, THE HINDU, TIMES OF INDIA

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PORTRAYAL

Potential Scalia replacement Srinivasan worked on controversial business cases n Reuters, Washington, DC One possible contender to replace Justice Antonin Scalia on the US Supreme Court is an Indian-American appeals court judge, Sri Srinivasan, who has pro-business credentials and a stellar resume. If he was nominated his background may make it more politically challenging for Republicans as they plan to block anyone put forward by President Barack Obama.

Srinivasan, 48, has served on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit since he was confirmed on a 97-0 bipartisan vote in the US Senate in May 2013. Republican senators who supported him then would likely be asked to justify why they couldn’t back him for the Supreme Court.

Srinivasan was born in Chandigarh, India and grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, where his father was a professor at the University of Kansas. If appointed, he would be the first Indian-American to serve on the Supreme Court.

Many names are likely under consideration and the White House has not tipped its hand, but recent Supreme Court appointments have tended to be appeals court judges and the appeals court in Washington on which Srinivasan serves has often been a springboard to the apex court. Scalia himself served on the court, as did other Supreme Court members Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Republicans have called for Scalia’s seat to remain open so that the next president, who would take office in January 2017, can nominate a replacement. Other judges Obama could consider appointing include Paul Watford, an African-American man who serves on the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, and Jacqueline Nguyen, a Vietnamese-American woman who serves on the same court as Watford.

Little is known about Srinivasan’s views on divisive social issues like abortion and affirmative action.

But as a senior Justice Department

lawyer in 2013, he was part of the legal team that successfully urged the highest court to strike down the Defence of Marriage Act, a law that restricted the definition of marriage to heterosexual couples for the purposes of federal benefits. The ruling helped pave the way for the court’s ruling in June 2015 that legalised gay marriage nationwide.

Represented Exxon, Rio Tinto

In private practice, prior to his appointment to the appeals court, Srinivasan successfully represented former Enron Corp CEO Jeff Skilling in a Supreme Court case. The Supreme Court narrowed the reach of the so-called honest services fraud law, invalidating one theory used by prosecutors for Skilling’s conspiracy conviction and ordering further appeals court review.

Despite the apex court ruling, Skilling’s conviction was later upheld by an appeals court.

Srinivasan also represented Exxon Mobil Corp in a lawsuit alleging human rights abuses in Indonesia,

FACTBOX

7 reasons why justices Scalia, Ginsburg were buddies beyond the bench Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg would appear to be polar opposites on the bench. Off it, they were very good friends. Here are 10 reasons why:

Textualism The legal practice of interpreting statutes literally is one of Scalia’s hallmarks, but Ginsburg generally adheres to it as well. “She’s a really good textualist,” Scalia said during a joint appearance in 2014.

DC Circuit They came together on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the most common steppingstone to the Supreme Court. Ginsburg served there from 1980-93, Scalia from 198286. Serving on three-judge panels, they had more opportunity for open debate than they have now.

Academia Scalia graduated from Harvard Law School and taught at the University of Virginia. Ginsburg attended Harvard for two years but graduated a year later from Columbia. She went on to teach at Rutgers and Columbia.

Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg appearing together in 1994 as extras in the Washington Opera’s opening night production of Richard Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos. In July 2015, the duo were subjects of the comic opera Scalia-Ginsburg.

Birthdays Scalia was born March 11, Ginsburg March 15, making it easy for them to celebrate together.

Opera

Big Apple

They share a love for the opera, even

Ginsburg is a Brooklyn native, and

US SUPREME COURT WEBSITE

while Scalia was born in New Jersey, he grew up in neighboring Queens.

Mutual Respect

Sri Srinivasan

REUTERS

and mining giant Rio Tinto in a similar case about its activities in Papua New Guinea. Both cases concerned in part whether a law called the Alien Tort Statute allows such cases to be heard in US courts. The Exxon case is still ongoing. The Rio Tinto

lawsuit was dismissed.

His work during two stints with the O’Melveny and Myers law firm prompted expressions of concern from liberal groups and unions that normally back Democratic judicial nominations when he was nominated to the appeals court in 2012.

He has had a lengthy career in public service, serving in the Justice Department during both the Obama and George W Bush administrations. Under Bush he had a junior role, while under Obama he was a political appointee serving as the top deputy to the solicitor general.

He played basketball in high school and then attended Stanford for undergraduate, business and law degrees. Srinivasan’s bipartisan credentials are lengthy. He was a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, now retired, a 1981 appointee of Republican President Ronald Reagan. At Srinivasan’s confirmation hearing, he was backed by conservative Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who is now running for president. l

Leopard that injured five escapes from Bengaluru zoo park which spread over 202 hecn AFP, Bengaluru tares.

A male leopard which injured five people in southern India earlier this month has escaped from a zoo, sparking a frantic search for the big cat, wildlife officials said Monday.

The 45kg feline squeezed out of the narrow bars of an iron cage at the Bannerghatta zoo in Bengaluru city late Sunday, the chief wildlife warden of the state Ravi Ralph confirmed.

“About 50 officials divided into six teams have been scouring for the leopard in and around the zoo and trying to trace where it has escaped by following its pug (paw) marks,” Ralph said.

He added an inquiry was underway to find out how the leopard managed to escape from captivity.

The zoo does not have CCTV cameras and officials were worried the leopard might have sneaked into an adjacent national

“Even in the cage, the feline was restless and appeared agitated. We are hoping to trap it again soon within the park limits, as it would not have gone too far,” Ralph said.

Earlier this month, the leopard hit the headlines after photos in Bengaluru showed the animal prowling around a closed school and trying to maul forestry officials, a wildlife activist and others who came too close.

It was caught and caged after being trapped in a room with one tranquiliser shot through a wiremeshed ventilator in an operation that lasted nearly four hours.

Leopards number between 12,000 to 14,000 in India, according to a national survey released last year. They are increasingly venturing into populated areas as their habitats become depleted. l

The first time Ginsburg met “Nino” (Scalia’s pet name at the legal circuit), he was giving a speech to the American Bar Association. She disagreed with the thesis but “thought he said it in an absolutely captivating way.” Scalia said of Ginsburg later: “What’s not to like – except her views on the law.” l

Source: USA TODAY

The February 7 file photo shows an Indian man was attacked by a Leopard at a school poolside in Bengaluru city AFP

23

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016

MSF among three hospitals under missile strikes in Syria, 23 dead n Reuters, Amman/Beirut At least 23 civilians were killed when missiles hit three hospitals and a school in rebel-held Syrian towns on Monday, residents said, as Russian-backed Syrian troops intensified their push toward the rebel stronghold of Aleppo.

Fourteen people were killed in the town of Azaz near the Turkish border when missiles slammed into a school sheltering families fleeing the offensive and the children’s hospital, two residents and a medic said.

Bombs also hit another refugee shelter south of the town and a convoy of trucks, another resident said.

“We have been moving scores of screaming children from the hospital,” said medic Juma Rahal. At least two children were killed and scores of people injured, he said.

Activists posted video online purporting to show the damaged hospital. Three crying babies lay in incubators in a ward littered with broken medical equipment.

Reuters could not independently verify the video.

In a separate incident, missiles hit another hospital in the town of

People gather near a destroyed building said to be a Medecins Sans Frontieres supported hospital in Idlib, Syria on Monday REUTERS Marat Numan in Idlib province, in north western Syria, said the French president of the Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) charity, which was supporting the hospital.

“There were at least seven deaths among the personnel and the patients, and at least eight MSF personnel have disappeared, and we don’t know if they are alive,” Mego Terzian said.

“The author of the strike is clearly ... either the government or Russia,” he said, adding that it was not the first time MSF facilities in Syria had been attacked.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which tracks violence across the country, said one male nurse was killed and five female nurses, a doctor and one male nurse are believed to be under the rubble in the MSF hospital.

Also in Marat Numan, another strike hit the National Hospital on the north edge of town, killing two nurses, the Observatory said.

Residents in both towns blamed Russian strikes, saying the planes deployed were more numerous and the munitions more powerful than the Syrian military typically used.

Rescue workers and rights groups say Russian bombing has killed scores of civilians at market places, hospitals, schools and residential areas in Syria. Western countries also say Russia has been attacking mostly Western-backed insurgent groups.

But Moscow has said it is targeting “terrorist groups” and dismissed any suggestion it has killed civilians since beginning its air campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad’s forces in September.

Russian bombing raids on rebel fighters are helping the Syrian army to advance toward Aleppo, the country’s largest city and commercial centre before the conflict. If the army takes the city, it will by the Syrian government’s biggest victory of the war. l

INSIGHT

In Syrian war, a bigger role for Russian strategists Turkey

Qamishli

Hasaka Aleppo Ar-Raqqa

Idlib

Latakia

Deir ez-Zour

Hama Tartous Homs Palmyra

b

a

n

o

n

I r a q

e

While Russian fighter jets pound rebel positions on the battlefield in Syria, Russian military strategists are playing a far more subtle role in support of President Bashar al-Assad.

Several sources - on both sides of the battle lines - have confirmed in interviews conducted over the past two months that Russian advisers have been involved in drawing up plans to secure Damascus, Assad’s seat of power.

Those interviewed, including non-Syrian military officials fighting alongside Assad’s forces, said Russia’s plans to buttress Damascus involve weakening rebel forces in the south of the country between the capital and Jordan. The aim is to reduce the rebels’ chances of launching a major offensive.

The Russian Defence Ministry did not respond to written questions for this article. Russia has said it has no ground troops in Syria beyond those protecting its bases. Russia does concede it has trainers and advisers on the ground, but only in an educational and advisory capacity.

Russia’s influence in military

RUSSIAN AIRSTRIKES IN SYRIA: JANUARY 29- FEBRUARY 7, 2016

L

n Reuters, Beirut

Regime Control Hezbollah Presence Jabhat al-Nusra Control

Damascus

Rebel Control ISIS Control ISIS, JN, Rebel Control

Dera’a

J o r d a n

planning is already evident, rebel fighters and the non-Syrian military officials say.

They say Russian experts played a major role in a Syrian army offensive at the turn of the year in the western coastal province of Latakia, home to the Alawite population of which Assad is part.

That offensive helped pave the way for the Syrian army to push

YPG Control Bassel al-Assad International Airport

towards the Turkish border, cutting the insurgents’ supply lines from Turkey.

Degrees of involvement

The extent of Russian involvement on the battlefield is disputed, however.

Two military officials, neither of them Syrian but both fighting alongside the Syrian army, said

DT

World

Russian officers and military experts had helped in the planning and directed the offensive in Latakia.

According to their account, the Russians were in charge of artillery fire and provided artillery cover, not just air strikes. “The coast battle was theirs,” said one of the sources.

A Syrian military source in Damascus last week, said on condition of anonymity that the Russians were partners, but he denied they had a leadership role.

“The Russian role in participation, in planning and executing military operations is being reinforced all the time. It is participation, not management,” said the source.

“The Russians take part in the ground and air planning, but at the end, the Syrian officers are the ones who know the land, the fronts, the geography better.”

Moscow says that its main goal in Syria is to target hardline jihadist groups which pose a global threat, including to Russia.

Dae’sh commander Abu Omar al-Shishani is a Chechen. He is believed to be leading thousands of fighters most of them from Chechnya and Central Asia. l

SOUTH ASIA

Suu Kyi gets extra security after death threat Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi has been given extra security following a death threat on Facebook alluding to her presidential ambitions, officials said Friday. In a post last week, a man called Ye Lwin Myint threatened to shoot anyone who tries to change a controversial clause in the constitution which bars pro-democracy champion Suu Kyi from the top office.

-AFP

INDIA

Journalist, not Tagore, gave Mahatma title Students across India are taught that Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore gave Gandhiji the title of ‘Mahatma’.

But the Gujarat government insists that it was actually an anonymous journalist from Jetpur town of Saurashtra who gave the title. A recruiting agency conducting the exam for the posts of talati in the revenue department for Rajkot and other districts, has cited noted Gandhian Narayan Desai’s work to claim that Gandhiji was first referred to as Mahatma. -TOI

CHINA

China’s military sets up anti-corruption hotline China has set up a hotline for people to report accusations of graft and discipline problems in its military, the Defense Ministry said on Monday, in the latest effort to combat widespread corruption in the ranks. President Xi Jinping has led a sweeping anti-corruption campaign targeting a swath of high-ranking officials in industry, government, and the military.

-REUTERS

ASIA PACIFIC

Malaysian police open probe against Mahathir Former Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad is under investigation for defaming the attorney-general in blog posts criticising his failure to bring corruption charges against Prime Minister Najib Razak, police said on Monday. The feud between Malaysia’s past and current leaders has gripped the Southeast Asian nation for almost a year.

-AFP

MIDDLE EAST

Olmert becomes first Israeli PM to go to prison Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert released a video statement insisting on his innocence on Monday, before arriving at prison in a motorcade to begin a 19-month sentence for corruption. Olmert is the first former head of government in Israel to go to prison. During his premiership from 2006 to 2009, he was internationally credited with working towards a peace accord with the Palestinians, until graft scandals forced him to step down.

-REUTERS

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USA

US admiral warns against Chinese fighter flights Any move by China to fly jet fighters from runways on its new man-made islands in the disputed South China Sea would be destablising and would not deter US flights over the area, a senior US naval officer said on Monday.

Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin also urged Beijing to be more open over its intentions in the South China Sea, saying it would relieve some of the angst we are now seeing.

-REUTERS

THE AMERICAS

US approves first factory in Cuba since revolution The Obama administration has approved the first US factory in Cuba in more than half a century, allowing a two-man company from Alabama to build a plant assembling as many as 1,000 small tractors a year for sale to private farmers in Cuba. Cuban officials already have publicly and enthusiastically endorsed the project.

-AP

UK

Britons expect Cameron to get poor EU deal A clear majority of Britons do not expect Prime Minister David Cameron to get a good deal in his renegotiation of Britain’s EU membership terms, according to a poll on Saturday, adding to the pressure on him ahead of next week’s meeting of leaders. Cameron is hoping to clinch a deal with his European Union peers at a summit on February 18-19.

-REUTERS

EUROPE

Bosnia applies for EU membership Bosnia handed in its application for EU membership Monday, hoping to catch up with its neighbors on the EU path but confronting the reality that many in the country have grown tired of waiting for jobs and prosperity and are already voting with their feet. President Dragan Covic submitted the application to the Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister, Bert Koenders, in Brussels. The Netherlands currently holds the EU presidency.

-AP

AFRICA

Islamists kill Somalia’s former defence minister Islamist militant group al Shabaab killed Somalia’s former defence minister with a car bomb in capital Mogadishu on Monday, officials said. Al Shabaab, which is aligned to al-Qaeda, told that it planted the car bomb that killed Muhayadin Mohamed, who was also an adviser to the speaker of Somalia’s parliament.

-REUTERS

ANALYSIS

Supreme Court fight gives Democrats fuel to regain US Senate control n Reuters, Washington, DC A Supreme Court nomination battle that was ignited on Saturday with the death of Justice Antonin Scalia has given Democrats an explosive new issue that could bolster their chances of regaining majority control of the US Senate.

The impact could be felt most acutely in “swing” states, where Republicans are trying to hold onto Senate seats, political strategists and analysts said. The high stakes are also expected to prompt greater voter turnout that could favor Democrats.

With no clear idea of who President Barack Obama will nominate as Scalia’s replacement, it was way too early to know exactly how this fight will play out in already rollicking presidential and congressional elections.

A top analyst noted Republicans are facing tough races for Senate seats in swing states such as Ohio, Florida, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania and could find themselves in even tighter spots because of the divisive fight over Scalia’s replacement.

These Republican candidates, who either already serve in the Senate or are vying for open seats,

have to especially thread the needle in their politically divided states on social issues, like abortion rights, that so dominate Supreme Court confirmation fights.

Democrats already enjoyed an advantage in the November Senate elections, having to defend only 10 seats while 24 Republican seats are up for grabs in the 100-member chamber.

Democrats need a net gain of five seats to win back the majority they lost in the 2014 elections.

CONTROL OF 114TH SENATE (2014-2016)

Total Seats: 100 Democrats: 44 Republicans: 54 Independent: 2

Republican refusal

Just hours after Scalia’s death, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell proclaimed that whoever moves into the White House on January 20, 2017 - and not Obama - should pick the replacement for the late conservative jurist.

The Senate must confirm presidential nominees to the life-time appointments at the nine-justice high court, whose recent decisions have had a deep impact on the country, from the legalisation of same-sex marriage to election campaign finance.

McConnell’s announcement sparked new fund-raising pleas in the presidential and congressional campaigns, which already were

Sources: National Journal Research, CNN, AP, NBC

awash in campaign contributions.

While some may be pressured to join Democrats in calling for a confirmation vote depending on who Obama nominates, analysts see a potential upside for those Republicans.

With anti-establishment candidates like Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders far exceeding expectations in their quest for the presidency, Republican Senate candidates in swing states could feel emboldened to break from party ranks.

The 2016 campaigns already were generating an avalanche of voter interest with control of the

White House and Congress hanging in the balance.

Higher turnout often helps Democratic presidential candidates, which in turn could help Democratic Senate candidates.

However, analysts also noted that with the Supreme Court vacancy ascending in importance, it could rally establishment Republicans who currently oppose the anti-establishment Trump to support him if he becomes the party’s nominee.

And that, in turn, could boost Republican turnout in tight Senate races. l

Most British firms seriously weighing risks of Brexit n Reuters, London Most major British firms are seriously considering the risk of Britain leaving the European Union and many are making contingency plans, according to the head of the Confederation of British Industry.

Speaking to reporters at a briefing, CBI Director-General Carolyn Fairbairn said the prospect of a British referendum around the middle of the year on whether to leave the EU was a growing concern for business.

Prime Minister David Cameron hopes to reach a deal to reform the European Union at a summit of EU leaders this weekend, which he can put to voters in a referendum that many analysts expect to be held in late June.

Recent opinion polls have shown a narrow but growing lead for campaigners who want to leave the EU. “You are now seeing a number of companies recently that have had contingency plans (and) are debating important questions of what it means for their suppliers and their exports and so on,” Fairbairn said.

The importance of EU trade to the UK The UK imports more manufactured goods than it exports. Most imports come from other EU states Annual growth Trade in £ billions rate since 2008

£218.7

£178.9

Non-EU impor

billion

176.6

billion +2.54

ts

192.3

EU imports

141.1

+1.07

171.5

Non-EU exports

+5.04

115.8

133.4

EU exports 2008

2010

2012

-0.7

2014

2015

Source: HMRC Overseas Trade Statistics

“I would say it is most, now, that have given the issue serious thought,” she added, based on having met almost 100 businesses since she took the CBI’s helm in November.

A survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit for the Bertelsmann Foundation found that four out of five business leaders in Britain and Germany oppose Britain leaving the EU. The survey of 782 business leaders at German and British companies showed that they

feared a British exit would hurt revenues and investment in their sectors and corporations. The poll was conducted in November and December last year.

No firms have spoken publicly in any detail about how they would react if Britain decided to leave the 28-member bloc and had to renegotiate a raft of global trade deals.

But behind closed doors, some companies, including major international banks based in London’s financial district, have spent tens of millions of dollars considering

their options, according to firms advising them.

Fairbairn’s comments show contingency planning is now common, and she said it was not concentrated in any one sector.

The Bank of England has confirmed that it has looked at what might happen if Britain voted to leave the EU, although finance minister George Osborne has said the government is wholly focused on ensuring reform of the bloc.

The CBI said most of its members wanted to stay in a reformed EU, and it has generally pointed to the benefits of staying in, drawing criticism from ‘leave’ campaigners.

Last week the CBI said firms’ investment intentions had not been affected by the prospect of the vote. But at the briefing Fairbairn said this could change, given Scotland’s experience of a referendum on independence in 2014.

“We are not surprised not to see an impact now,” she said.

“One of the things we saw from the Scottish referendum is that those decisions around investment tended to be quite late, at the point at which a date was actually announced.” l

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INSIDE

The girl who won everyone’s hearts If anything that had touched the whole country the most from Bangladesh’s participation in the SA Games and let them know what is happening on the other side of the border was down to Mabia Akter Simanta for her tearful moment while the national anthem was being played. PAGE 26

ICC CEO felicitates Bangladesh fans, BCB International Cricket Council chief executive officer Dave Richardson congratulated the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the people of Bangladesh for successfully hosting yet another ICC event as the Under-19 World Cup came to an end last Sunday. PAGE 27

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi prepares to pass the ball to Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez (R) during their La Liga match against Celta de Vigo at Camp Nou on Sunday AFP

Messi passes on penalty, serves up Suarez hat-trick n

Messi penalty pass was meant for Neymar Barcelona star Neymar claimed he was meant to be the recipient of Lionel Messi’s sensational pass from a penalty that was converted

by Luis Suarez as the European champions routed Celta Vigo 6-1 on Sunday. PAGE 28

Kiwis blame batting, not umpire for defeat New Zealand blamed their own poor batting and not a costly umpiring blunder for their heavy defeat in the first Test against Australia yesterday. But rival captains Brendon McCullum and Steve Smith agreed the method of ruling on no-balls needs to be examined. PAGE 29

Reuters, Barcelona

Lionel Messi passed up the chance to net his 300th La Liga goal and instead put a hat-trick on a plate for team mate Luis Suarez with an outrageous penalty routine that evoked memories of Barcelona great Johan Cruyff on Sunday.

With Barcelona leading Celta Vigo 3-1 at a buzzing Nou Camp, Messi stepped forward in the 81st minute to take the spot kick but stunned the crowd by tapping the ball to the side for Suarez, who raced into the box and fired past bewildered goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez.

Messi and Suarez wheeled away in glee and were quickly mobbed by their team mates, who looked as surprised as anyone.

The goal took Suarez onto 23 in the league this season, two ahead of Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

Barcelona finished the match 6-1 winners.

Coach Luis Enrique rejected suggestions the penalty was intended to embarrass the opposition and said he had seen his attacking trio of Messi, Suarez and Neymar produce moments of magic in training.

“There will be those who like it and those who don’t,” he told reporters. “As well as winning titles, here we try to entertain people and win in a spectacular and sporting manner.

“You can take a penalty like

LA LIGA STANDINGS Team

M

W

D

L

GD

PTS

Barcelona

23 18

3

2

44

57

Atlético

24 17

3

4

24

54

Real Madrid 24 16

5

3

47

53

Villarreal

24 14

6

4

12

48

Sevilla

24 11

7

6

10

40

RESULTS Real Sociedad

3-0

Granada

Oyarzabal 20, 60, Jonathas 45

Sevilla

2-0

Las Palmas

Banega 69, Gameiro 75

Eibar

2-0

Levante

Baston 38, Adrian 58

Getafe

0-1 Atletico Madrid Torres 1

Barcelona

6-1

Celta Vigo

Messi 28, Suarez 59, 75, 81, Guidetti 39-pen Rakitic 84, Neymar 90

that, it’s legal and there’s a Cruyff penalty we all know.”

Dutch great Cruyff pulled off a similar trick while playing for Ajax against Helmond Sport in 1982, squaring the ball for team mate Jesper Olsen, who then passed it back to him to score.

Cruyff played for Barcelona from 1973 to 1978.

Frenchmen Robert Pires and Thierry Henry tried a similar trick for Arsenal against Manchester City in 2005 but got into a muddle and failed to score.

Luis Enrique said it was not something he would try.

“I wouldn’t dare take it like that because I’d fall over when I put my foot on the ball,” he said.

The coach added there was nothing arrogant about Messi’s penalty and said there was a tendency in Spain to look down on moments of skill.

“In this country, a kick (at an opponent) is more readily accepted than anything fancy,” he added.

“We don’t care about that.

“What we have to do is enjoy our football, respect our opponents, try to show we’re better through football." l

Why Messi-Suarez penalty was spot on l

What Leo Messi and Luis Suárez did was legitimate. It isn’t against any rules in the book.

l

The tricks uncommonness doesn't make it offensive. Rather, it means

that Messi showed imagination. l

It is in football's best interests to embrace creativity wherever possible. That’s how it has become

the most popular spectacle of our age. If only the conventional were allowed, football would be more boring and less compelling. l

The incident represents a triumph of the unexpected, Transforming

a run-of-the-mill Sunday into an unforgettable one. In the future, people will be saying, “I was there”. l

It is ludicrous to celebrate the spectacular feats that go on in the

NBA,courtesy of the likes of Stephen Curry and Michael Jordan, and fakes in the NFL, and not to do so in football. l

Football is fundamentally a game and guile is a pivotal part of

every game. l

It is a trick requiring skill and precision, which should be ap-

plauded. Robert Pirès and Thierry Henry made a pig’s ear of it for Arsenal against Manchester City. l

Football has always been fascinated by the unthinkable, from René

Higuita’s scorpion kick at Wembley to Guti’s incorrect back-heel.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016

Four Tigers who shone in the U19 WC Bangladesh Under-19 team exhibited impressive cricket on their way to a third-place finish in the just-concluded U-19 World Cup. This is the first time the junior Tigers qualified for the last four and there were a few key performers who enhanced their reputation with their displays in the flagship event. Here Mazhar Uddin takes a look at four young Tigers who showcased their talent in the biggest stage with great maturity: Mehedi Hasan Miraz

242 runs at 60.50, 12 wickets at 17.66

The Bangladesh captain, who was adjudged player of the tournament for his outstanding all-round performances, is undoubtedly the best player in his side.

The 18-year old from Khulna scored 242 runs in six matches at a creditable average of 60.50, including four half-centuries. Mehedi also picked up 12 wickets at an economy rate of just under four runs per over. His leadership skills was under the spotlight and he passed the test with flying colours.

Nazmul Hossain Shanto 259 runs at 64.75

The young left-hander from Rajshahi impressed everyone with his ability to score big knocks and play some delightful strokes. Shanto is the leading Bangladesh run-scorer of the tournament with 259 runs in six games at a solid average of 64.75, including a magnificent century against Scotland which came on the back of a fine 73 against previous edition champions South Africa.

Mohammad Saifuddin

13 wickets at 14.92, 77 runs at 15.4

A genuine all-rounder who can execute brilliant yorkers, Mohammad Saifuddin has the ability to play big shots in the lower-order positions. The well-built Chittagong cricketer has been a vital component of the Bangladesh team in the World Cup, bagging 13 scalps in six matches and scoring 77 crucial runs.

There is a dearth of genuine seamer-allrounders in Bangladesh cricket so Saifuddin might just be the answer to the fans’ prayers.

Saleh Ahmed Shawon Gazi 12 wickets at 13.75

With 12 wickets in six matches at a miserly economy rate of 2.94, Shawon was the go-to-man whenever Bangladesh needed to break a partnership.

Yet another example of a typical Bangladeshi left-arm spinner, Shawon has provided important breakthroughs in the tournament. The 18-year old Barisal cricketer is definitely a player to watch for the future and has the talent to lead the Tigers’ spin bowling attack in the coming days.

The girl who won everyone’s hearts n Shishir Hoque If anything that had touched the whole country the most from Bangladesh’s participation in the 12th South Asian Games and let them know what is happening on the other side of the border was largely down to Mabia Akter Simanta, not only for her amazing achievement of winning the Games’ first gold medal for Bangladesh but also, notably, for her tearful moment while the national anthem was being played in the presentation ceremony.

Known as South Asia’s Olympics, the SA Games will conclude today. Out of 226 events from 22 sport disciplines, Bangladesh managed to win only four gold medals in 12 days and Mabia’s gold was the first of its kind after women’s weightlifting had been introduced in this edition.

The girl, who lifted a total of 149kg to clinch gold, arrived home last Thursday and returned to her regular struggling life. She was not felicitated upon her return and it

Former Bangladesh captain Shafiqul Haque Heera (CR) poses for a photo during the launching of his biography on wicket-keeping, ‘Keeping Gloves’, in Mirpur yesterday COURTESY

Mabia Akter Simanta has been nearly a week. No representative from the government or the weightlifting federation contacted her and sent a simple “congratulation” or “welcome” note. It is the only thing that made her a “little sad”.

Mabia’s orientation in weightlifting came through the hands of her uncle Shahadat, a boxing coach with Bangladesh Ansar, six years ago. Before that she never heard of

the sport of weightlifting. “During that time there were not many girls involved in boxing so I opted for weightlifting. I started enjoying the game and the federation was also very helpful,” said the 18-year old yesterday.

Two years later, in her first international event away from home, Mabia won bronze in the Asian Championship in Nepal and the following year she clinched silver

medal in the 2013 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship in Malaysia. In 2014, she became second and third in the Afro-Asian Cup in Uzbekistan and Prince Cup in Thailand respectively.

With each passing day, Mabia’s performance graph shot upwards and her biggest achievement came last year when she clinched gold in the 63kg weight category in the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship in Pune.

“Everyone had a lot of expectations on me but I really did not go for gold because of my hand injury. I was in a lot of pain and could not give my hundred percent. But I was determined to give my best and when that moment came, I was unable to hold back my tears,” an emotional Mabia said before adding, “It was the third day of the tournament but nobody from Bangladesh won a single gold. After my name was announced and the national anthem was being played I cried but they were tears of joy.” l

MEDAL TALLY, DAY 10 COUNTRY

TOTAL

INDIA

181 87

SRI LANKA

25 60 96

181

PAKISTAN

10

100

35

30 55

298

AFGHANISTAN 7

8

18

33

BANGLADESH

4

14

52

70

NEPAL

2

23

29

54

MALDIVES

0

2

1

3

BHUTAN

0

1

15

16

Bangladesh men claim football bronze n Tribune Report Bangladesh men’s football team attained bronze in the 12th South Asian Games as they beat Maldives 5-4 in the penalty shootout in the third-place deciding match at the Indira Gandhi Athletic stadium in Guwahati, India yesterday. The score was all-square at 2-2 following stipulated time.

Nabib Newaj Jibon put Bangladesh ahead in the ninth minute from the spot before Ali Fasir equalised the margin in the 38th minute from a free kick. Fasir scored again to give his side the lead in the 65th minute but Bangladesh restored parity just four minutes later thanks to Sohel Rana.

Both Bangladesh and Maldives converted their first four chances in the tie-breaker. Fasir though fluffed his effort sending the ball over the crosspiece but Rayhan Hasan made no mistake sealing victory as he sent his crashing effort into the back of the net. Bangladesh had claimed gold in the previous edition.

Bangladesh women’s kabaddi team, meanwhile, clinched silver after losing to India in the final on the same day while the men’s side won bronze.

In the meantime, Bangladesh women’s shooting team comprising Ferdous Ara, Asha Armin and Dewan Turing bagged silver in the 10m pistol event. They scored a total of 1103 points while the Indian team notched gold with 1133 points. l

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016

ICC CEO felicitates Bangladesh fans, cricket board n Minhaz Uddin Khan

International Cricket Council chief executive officer Dave Richardson congratulated the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the people of Bangladesh for successfully hosting yet another ICC event as the Under-19 World Cup came to an end last Sunday.

The 19-day tournament featuring 16 teams concluded with the West Indies lifting their maiden title, defeating India in the grand finale at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Prior to the tournament, security was said to be a big concern. After receiving feedback from its government, Cricket Australia decided to withdraw its participation citing concerns over security, putting the

fate of the tournament in jeopardy.

But endless support by the Bangladesh government and direct intervention by the Prime Minister of the country saw a highly entertaining tournament end on a high note.

“I think we’re very pleased with the fact that we made the decision to carry on with the tournament, despite Australia’s decision to withdraw their team. I think the outcome shows that we made the correct decision,” said Richardson in a press meet yesterday.

“We’re certainly looking forward to the World T20 in India coming up. There is no doubt that there will be security challenges there as well. And we learnt a lot from this tournament. We’ve set a standard at what we need to deliv-

QUICK BYTES NZ lose Taylor, Santner for second Test Ross Taylor and Mitchell Santner were yesterday ruled out of the New Zealand side for the second Test against Australia as they look to atone for their first Test thumping. Neither has recovered sufficiently from the injuries that sidelined them from the first Test, coach Mike Hesson said. Australia won the first Test in Wellington by an innings and 52 runs and victory in the second Test starting in Christchurch on Saturday would see them replace India as the top-ranked team in the world.

AFP

Mirza, Hingis reach 40-love Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis recorded their 40th successive win on Sunday when they captured the St Petersburg women’s doubles title and then set their sights on breaking a record which has stood for over 25 years. The India and Swiss pair, nicknamed "SanTina", defeated Vera Dushevina and Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 6-1 in the final. They are now close to setting the longest winning streak since 1990, when Jana Novotna and Helena Sukova won 44 in a row. “We’re obviously very happy to win another title but now that we’re coming closer and closer to the next target of 44, we can’t help but think about,” admitted Mirza.

AFP

India underline credentials as favourites Twenty20 series wins over Australia and Sri Lanka have given topranked India plenty of cause for optimism as they launch their bid for a second world crown in the sport’s shortest format on home soil next month. Champions in the inaugural edition of the World Twenty20 in 2007, India blanked hosts Australia 3-0 at the start of the year before returning home to rally for a 2-1 win over Sri Lanka. The three-match series started with a surprise defeat on a seamer-friendly surface in Pune but India were spared the usual outpouring of discontent that follows any cricketing loss with convincing wins in the remaining two matches.

REUTERS

Chelsea on song ahead of trip to Paris Two months have passed since the draw for the Champions League last 16 was made and much has changed in that time as PSG prepare to meet Chelsea in one of the headline ties today. When the sides were paired together for the third successive season in December’s draw at UEFA’s Swiss headquarters, PSG appeared the undisputed favourites. That was as much down to Chelsea’s travails as PSG’s almost flawless form, but just three days later Jose Mourinho was sacked and the Premier League side have since begun a steady recovery under Guus Hiddink. They remain in the bottom half of the Premier League but they have gone 12 games unbeaten, including a 5-1 thumping of Newcastle on Saturday as Diego Costa scored his eighth goal in that time.

AFP

er, with respect to all events, not just cricket events that we’ve to deal with. We’ll take it seriously, if we need to, and make sure that any threat that is received or any threat that is identified, we’ll put in place anything needed to negate it,” the ICC CEO added.

The Mankad incident effected

by West Indies paceman Keemo Paul saw the side defeat Zimbabwe in the group stage and qualify for the quarter-finals. The mode of dismissal was one of the most talkedabout event in the tournament.

The Caribbean youngsters received bucket-loads of criticism as well as a lot of support. The age old argument was triggered – which is greater, end result or the spirit of the game? Many say Mankad goes against the spirit of the game but

Richardson explained, “Ideally, you should have laws of cricket; you get black or white answers.

Unfortunately, we know how complicated the laws of cricket are. So there are certain modes of dismissal that over the years, people have always regarded as a little ethically short and Mankading is one of those. I think the current law has a good balance. It stops batsmen taking advantage, so the bottom line is - you need to stay in your crease.

On the other hand, there is a spirit of cricket element that comes into play. And my personal view is that where the batsmen isn’t specifically trying to steal runs, the option is with the fielding side to at least warn the batsmen ‘be careful now’.

As I said, this is often down to spirit of cricket, and how the individual

players see the match. We would like to encourage spirit of cricket at all times,” said the former South Africa wicket-keeper.

Among the 16 teams, the performance of Namibia and Nepal garnered the most attention. Both the sides were considered minnows before the tournament got underway. However, both the teams displayed brilliant cricket en route to progressing to the last eight and Richardson duly expressed his elation with their performances.

“We’ve approximately more than a million participants playing cricket outside of the Full Members. Now the trick is to ensure those one million improve in their standards. What we need to do is try and ensure the countries raise their standards." l

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016

Fiorentina snatch last-gasp winner n Reuters Khouma Babacar bundled home a stoppage time goal to give Fiorentina a last-gasp 2-1 win over out-ofsorts Inter Milan in a Serie A game which featured three red cards on Sunday.

Inter, who led Serie A at Christmas but have won only one of their last seven league games, went ahead through Marcelo Brozovic before Borja Valero and Babacar turned the game around.

Earlier, Keisuke Honda gave AC Milan a 2-1 win over Genoa at a half-empty, soggy San Siro and Giovanni Bosi got off to a losing start as Palermo’s fifth coach of the season when the Sicilians were beaten 3-1 at home to Torino.

Honda’s 30-metre strike was the Japanese midfielder’s first Serie A goal for 18 months.

Fiorentina’s win took them up to third place with 49 points. l

Team

M

W

D

L

GD

PTS

Juventus

25 18

3

4

31

57

Napoli

25 17

5

3

33

56

Fiorentina

25 15

4

6

20

49

Roma

25 13

8

4

20

47

Inter Milan

25 13

6

6

9

45

RESULTS 2-1

Bacca 5, Honda 64

Udinese

Genoa Cerci 90+3

0-1

Bologna Destro 79

Palermo Gilardino 2

1-3

Torino

Immobile 19-pen, 69, Gonzalez 31-og

Sampdoria

0-0

Atalanta

Fiorentina

2-1

Inter Milan

Valero 60, Babacar 90+1

RIK COPPENS (BELGIUM V ICELAND 1957) The prolific Belgian striker Coppens may have been the inventor of the ‘two-touch’ penalty. In a World Cup qualifier in 1957 that Belgium won 8-3, Coppens passed a spot-kick to team-mate Andre Piters, who gave it back to Coppens, and he slotted past the bemused Iceland goalkeeper.

Coppens died in 2015 aged 84.

MIKE TREBILCOCK (PLYMOUTH V CITY 1964)

Brozovic 26

Messi penalty pass was meant for Neymar Barcelona star Neymar claimed he was meant to be the recipient of Lionel Messi’s sensational pass from a penalty that was converted by Luis Suarez as the European champions routed Celta Vigo 6-1 on Sunday.

Messi and Suarez combined to score one of the classiest penalties in football history as Messi squared his spot-kick for the onrushing Suarez to complete his hat-trick ahead of Neymar.

“It was designed for me, we had practised it, but Luis was closer,” Neymar told Barca TV. “It doesn’t matter, he scored so it worked well.”

Barca were already leading 3-1 when Messi - who has missed 17 of 83 penalties in his career - was

chopped down inside the area after an outrageous piece of skill on the by-line.

Messi with a brilliant free-kick, Ivan Rakitic and Neymar got the other goals as Barca moved three points clear at the top of La Liga.

“The forwards are very generous. We love each other a lot and that friendship is the most important thing, no matter who scores the goals,” added Neymar.

The penalty brought back memories of another Barca legend Johan Cruyff when he and Jesper Olsen played a one-two for the Dutchman to score when playing for Ajax against Helmond Sport in 1982.

“We all remember Cruyff ’s goal,” said Barca boss Luis Enrique.

“I wouldn’t dare to do it because I would tread on the ball. Some will like it, some won’t." l

Trebilcock is best known for scoring twice for Everton in their 1966 FA Cup final win against Sheffield Wednesday, but two years before that he scored another memorable goal for Plymouth in a second-tier game against Manchester City. “I was playing for Plymouth Argyle at the time and Malcolm Allison was the manager. It was one of his mad ideas,” Trebilcock told the Liverpool Echo in 2005. “Our captain, John Newman, was the man to run forward and touch the ball, while I was assigned to follow up and knock it into the net. We’d practised it a few times during training and, coincidentally, it was a match against Manchester City when we got the chance to try it out for real. We won the game 3-2, but I think it was 0-0 at the time when we did it.”

CRUYFF AND OLSEN (AJAX V HELMOND SPORT 1982) In a Dutch league match in December 1982, Ajax were leading 1-0 when Cruyff, by then a 35-year-old veteran, won a penalty. Cruyff passed the spotkick to his left where Danish winger

Spurs now the real deal n Reuters Kei Nishikori of Japan poses with his guitar trophy after defeating Taylor Fritz in the singles championship at the Memphis Open tennis tournament on Sunday in Memphis. Nishikori won 6-4, 6-4 AP

Olsen came racing in and returned the ball for Cruyff to tap in. The perplexed Helmond Sport goalkeeper was left standing with his hands on his hips as the Ajax players celebrated. They won the game 5-0.

HENRY AND PIRES (ARSENAL V CITY 2005)

n AFP, Barcelona

SERIE A

AC Milan

5 MORE ‘TWO-TOUCH’ PENALTIES

Tottenham Hotspur have suffered so many false dawns that even their most ardent fans had long given up hope of their team ever winning the league title but Sunday’s 2-1 victory at Manchester City has changed all that.

Spurs’ triumph at the Etihad Stadium, where they had lost on their last five visits, moved them within two points of Premier League leaders Leicester City and kept them in second place above Arsenal on goal difference with 12 matches to play.

All eyes have been on Leicester’s remarkable rise to the top of the table, after being bottom and facing relegation a year ago, and Tottenham’s steady progress this season has been overshadowed by The Foxes’ remarkable transformation.

But Spurs’ young team, responding to coach Mauricio Pochettino’s high-pressing philosophy - “part crack Army unit, part dance troop” as The Times called them on Saturday - occupy their highest position at this stage of a season since 1985.

A 53rd minute Harry Kane penalty and an 83rd minute strike by Christian Eriksen on his 24th birthday gave Spurs a fifth successive league win and moved them four points clear of City.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, now a pundit for Sky Sports, said Tottenham could complete the most remarkable Premier League story of all if Leicester fail to win the title. Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry also praised his old enemies. Spurs last won the title in 1961 under the old version of the league. l

The French duo were two of the stars of a wonderful Arsenal team but they also made a laughing stock of themselves when their attempted ‘two-touch’ penalty in a game against Manchester City at Highbury went badly wrong. Pires tried to roll the

ball to his left with the intention that Henry, steaming into the box, would score. However, Pires barely made contact with the ball and two City defenders came in to clear.

MOUIHBI AND BOUNEDJAH (ETOILE V MARSEILLE 2015) Messi and Suarez’s ‘two-touch’ penalty was not even the first this season.

In a pre-season friendly in Tunisia last July, Youssef Mouihbi of Etoile du Sahel stepped up to take a penalty but, as Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda dived, Mouihbi passed the ball to his left to the arriving Bounedjah, who scored his side’s consolation in a 5-1 defeat.

PREMIER LEAGUE Team

M

W

D

L

GD

Leicester

26 15

8

3

19

PTS

53

Tottenham

26 14

9

3

27

51

Arsenal

26 15

6

5

18

51

Man City

26 14

5

7

20

47

Man United 26 11

8

7

9

41

Saints

26 11

7

8

10

40

West Ham

26 10

10 6

9

40

Liverpool

26 10

8

8

2

38

Watford

26 10

6

10 1

36

Stoke City

26 10

6

10 -5

36

Everton

26 8

11

7

11

35

Chelsea

26 8

9

9

2

Palace

26 9

5

12 -5

33 32

West Brom

26 8

8

10 -8

32

B'mouth

26 7

7

12 -14

28

Swansea

26 6

9

11

27

Norwich

26 6

6

14 -20 24

Newcastle

14 -22 24

-10

26 6

6

Sunderland 26 6

5

15 -18

Aston Villa

7

16 -26 16

26 3

23

29

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016

Kiwis blame batting, not umpire for defeat n

AFP, Wellington

New Zealand blamed their own poor batting and not a costly umpiring blunder for their heavy defeat in the first Test against Australia yesterday.

But rival captains Brendon McCullum and Steve Smith agreed the method of ruling on no-balls needs to be examined.

Australia wrapped up the Test by an innings and 52 runs on the fourth day on the back of Adam Voges’ 239 after he was wrongly given not out when bowled for seven. Bowler Doug Bracewell was adjudged to have sent down a no-ball, although TV replays showed it was a legitimate delivery.

“Maybe that’s something that needs to be looked at just to make sure that you get the right decision all the time,” said McCullum. Smith said it was important to get correct calls as much as possible.

“Everyone makes mistakes, whether you’re a player or umpire and hopefully they can find a way to resolve that so those sort of mistakes don’t happen too much in the future,” Smith said.

But McCullum said New Zealand were effectively out of the game well before Voges’ reprieve, after being sent in to bat and being quickly reduced

to 51-5 as the Australia quicks exploited the green-topped wicket.

“It’s one thing to win the toss in seamer-friendly conditions but it’s another thing to execute as well as what they did. I thought they were outstanding,” McCullum said.

“From lunchtime on the first day we were trying to play catch-up and were never able to do it. In the end we were completely outplayed.”

New Zealand were all out for 183 in their first innings and 327 in the second, while Australia made 562 in their only bat with Voges and Usman Khawaja (140) dominating.

While disappointed with Richard Illingworth’s umpiring blunder late on the first day, McCullum had only praise for Voges’ 504-minute innings.

“Adam, as well the strength of character to overcome that non-dismissal that night then to go on to post a sizable total shows not only how good a player he is but how strong a player he is as well,”he said.

“Richard Illingworth will be pretty disappointed about it I’m guessing. It’s bit of a shame but I’ve said all along you’ve got to take the rough with the smooth in this game and credit to Voges for making it count that bit of fortune he did receive. l

DAY’S WATCH FOOTBALL TEN SPORTS 1:45AM Uefa Champions League Benfica v Zenit

TEN ACTION 11:00PM UEFA Europa League Fenerbahce v Lokomotiv Moskva 1:45AM Uefa Champions League PSG v Chelsea

CRICKET GAZI TV Pakistan Super League 10:00PM Lahore Qalandars v Quetta Gladiators

STAR SPORTS 2 10:00AM Ranji Trophy 2015/16 SF Day 4: Saurashtra v Assam

TENNIS STAR SPORTS 1 1:00AM ATP World Tour 500 2016 Rio Open Day 2

Australia paceman Josh Hazlewood traps New Zealand's Doug Bracewell in front during day four of their first Test in Wellington yesterday INTERNET

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Showtime

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016

Glamour gowns of the BAFTA 2016 red carpet

SOCIAL MEDIA CORNER

n Showtime Desk

n Showtime Desk The BAFTA Awards were held last evening in London, as Leonardo DiCaprio and Brie Larson won big! The other big buzz that had everyone’s eyes on, apart from the awards and winners, were the gorgeous gowns on the red carpet.

Dakota Johnson, Julianne Moore, Kate Winslet and so many other women were simply dressed to kill. l

Arefeen as brand ambassador for Blackstar Amplification

Guitarist, Sazzad Arefeen has been selected as the brand ambassador for Blackstar Amplification, known worldwide for guitar amplification design and production. Playing guitar since 1995, Sazzad Arefeen is the first Bangladeshi to play the role model for Blackstar Amplification. Sazzad will

be seen in the promotions for all kinds of instruments

by Bangladesh Blackstar Amplification. Moreover, gear for Sazzad Arefeen’s new album Angry Machine has been supplied

by Blackstar Amplication. Sazzad Arefeen, formerly of Radio ABC, is the lead-guitarist for his band De-illumination. l

Pohela Falgun celebrated in Singapore Asian Group Annual Cultural Night Singapore was organised by the Singapore Bangladesh Society (SBS) on February 13 at Singapore Polytechnic Convention Center. The event was sponsored by Radhuni, airline partner Regent Airways and was supported by Prothom Alo. Pohela Falgun celebration for the night began with an eyecatching performance by Saila Ahmed and her Bhongima dance troupe. Later, audiences enjoyed and experienced the traditions, cultural expressions and artistry through stunning performances by magician Aliraj, popular band LRB, folk singer Shafi Mondal, singer Sajal, actress Badhon and model Naila Nayeem.

Civil Aviation & Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon was present at the cultural event as chief guest, while Secretary Khorshed Alam Chowdhury and Bangladesh High Commissioner in Singapore Mahbub Uz Zaman were present as special guests.

SBS president Mohammad Sahiduzzaman presided over the

event.

Rashed Khan Menon said, “NRB Bangladeshi is supporting us in advancing towards development. We now have a billion dollar reserve, which has only been possible for you, the NRB people. So I am very proud to be here."l

Valentine’s party and get together There was a get together hosted by Lux Channel I superstar Afsan Ara Bindu and her husband Asif Salahuddin. In 2014, they got married and Bindu said farewell to the media.

However, suddenly, on the occasion of Valentine’s Day, the couple arranged a reception party turned Valentine’s party where other celebrities were invited. Anisur Rahman Milon, movie star Ferdous, Nadia and Nayeem, Tania Hossain, Samia Afreen, Elita Karim and Ashfaq Nipun, Moushumi Nag and Shoeb, Bonna Mirza and others were spotted at the event.

The whole program was organised by another Lux Channel I superstar Tahsin.

Selfie with Anjan Dutt Anjan Dutt flew to Dhaka and performed at a concert on Valentine’s Day. Tania hosted the concert, as they both posed for a selfie after the show. “It’s the best Valentine’s Day ever. I am a music lover and I got to be in the same frame with a legendary musician today again,” Tania posted on her profile.

Aleef Chowdhury’s Valentine Actor and model, Aleef Chowdhury spent his Valentine’s Day with a very special person in his life. She is none other than his wife, Dr Tanwee Chowdhury. They went for a dinner and shared many special moments.l

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016

The story behind the shoot in Sierra Leone n Promiti Prova Chowdhury Grameenphone’s latest TVC on International Mother Language Day has created a buzz among audience of different age brackets and professions. The TVC that clearly sweeps the audience with an emotional stir, projects a bunch of foreigners singing our signature song of the 1952 Language Movement Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February, first in English, and then in Bangla.

The actual story becomes somewhat clear when text appears on screen, which, if translated in English would read: “Sierra Leone has honoured the Bangla language particularly, we believe and hope that every mother tongue existing across the globe would evolve with its respective grace.”

The idea of the campaign was born some two or three years ago when one employee of Grey Advertising Bangladesh Ltd stumbled across a piece of information over the internet that the government of Sierra Leone declared Bangla as one of the several official languages in the country, informed Ayesha Farzana, group account director of Grey.

On December 12, 2002, the President of Sierra Leone Alhaj Ahmed Tejan Kabbah announced this while inaugurating a 54km long road reconstructed by the engineers of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in the West African

country. Bangla was then made an official language of Sierra Leone in order to honour the Bangladeshi peacekeeping force from the United Nations stationed there.

“We wanted to share this fascinating piece of information in connection to Bangla language with a larger audience,” said Ayesha.

Now, how was this done in a country that was once called the “country of Ebola outbreak?”

Onu Jaigirdar, honourary consul general of the Republic of Sierra Leone to Bangladesh and Prince Idriss Kamara, chairman of Bangladesh Sierra Leone Friendship Society, are the two individuals who played great roles to make the plan a success, according to Ayesha.

During a five-day stay in Sierra Leone, the employees of Half Stop Down, the house that has produced the campaign, gathered

the experience of a lifetime.

“People in Sierra Leone are really proud of Bangladesh because of the performance of the Bangladeshi peacekeeping force. They were really helpful and friendly,” states Subrina Irine, assistant director at Half Stop Down.

A team of 10 stayed in Sierra Leone for five days and finished the shoot with a total of 55 citizens of Sierra Leone within two-and-a-

The Revenant wins big at BAFTAs

Jesse Charnow’s drums clinic

n Showtime Desk Fox’s The Revenant took charge of the leading categories to take five wins including Best Film and Best Actor for Leonardo DiCaprio at the BAFTA Film Awards.

Director Alejandro G Iñárritu, who missed out here last year with Birdman, won the best director honour this time. The Mexican director described the win as “overwhelming.”

He said DiCaprio’s “talent and commitment” to the “risky project” had “kept the film breathing.” Emmanuel Lubezki, the cinematographer, won for a third consecutive year, and the flick also nabbed the Sound award.

While receiving the award, DiCaprio, who portrays furtrapper Hugh Glass, said he was “humbled and honoured” and praised the influence of British actors on his acting career. Brie Larson, who plays a kidnapped mother in Room, won the best leading actress award.

half days.

“All of day one was all spent in searching for locations and artists.

In the beginning, we were a bit scared as people were sharing stories of death by Ebola virus attacks. But as we introduced ourselves as Bangladeshis, they felt at ease and came closer,” Subrina told Showtime.

“Majority of people in Sierra Leone speak in “broken English,” which is considered the mother tongue. Instead of, “let’s go,” they would say, “lego,” continued Subrina.

“We visited the Bangladesh Friendship School there. Through Prince Idriss, we got hold of five singers who then gathered more people for the shoot. On our first night, we introduced them to the song. We recorded each word for them separately so that they could learn it better. The next morning they brought more people for the shoot, Amitabh Reza, the director also arrived the same day,” Subrina said.

People from different walks of life including students, football players and musicians took part in the TVC. According to Subrina and Ayesha, people of Sierra Leone could empathise with the Bangladeshi team when they were narrated the brief history of the 1952 Language Movement and 1971 War of Liberation, as their own country had been in a civil war from 1991 to 2002. l

n Showtime Desk

Interestingly, both supporting acting honours went to British winners. Steve Jobs star Kate Winslet was named best supporting actress. Grabbing her statuette, Winslet praised her fellow nominees saying it had been “an extraordinary year for women.” She also gave thanks to

the real Joanna Hoffman, Jobs’ loyal assistant, who she said was “so wonderful telling her stories to me.”

Mark Rylance won best supporting actor for his role as a British-born Soviet agent in Bridge of Spies.

The first award of the night, for

outstanding British film, went to period drama Brooklyn, in which Saoirse Ronan plays a young Irish woman who emigrates to New York.

The ceremony at London’s Royal Opera House on Sunday, February 14 was hosted by Stephen Fry. l

Jesse Charnow, a California based percussionist and drummer, is now visiting Dhaka. He is set to take part in a musical clinic that brings opportunity for aspiring drummers and musicians to further their education. The event will take place today at the roof of Jatra Biroti at 7pm.

Charnow will draw upon his vast experience to give some fundamental ideas, as well as empirical application of these techniques.

Drawing from a wide variety of musical information from Indian classical to jazz to Latin music and R&B. Charnow will demonstrate some of these techniques and provide information on how to apply them to instruments. l

DT

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Back Page

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016

DON’T FORGET THE CHARS PAGE 13

THE GIRL WHO WON EVERYONE’S HEARTS

PAGE 26

THE STORY BEHIND THE SHOOT IN SIERRA LEONE

PAGE 31

Technology aims to speedily repatriate South Asia’s trafficked children Charities in South Asia are piloting new software which aims to speed up the repatriation of rescued victims of human trafficking who have been smuggled from countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh and forced into slavery in India.

South Asia, with India at its centre, is the fastest-growing and second-largest region for human trafficking in the world, after East Asia, according to the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Charities focusing on the rehabilitation of victims say repatriation is often one of their biggest challenges and can, in some cases, take years.

There is a lack of effective in-

ternational coordination between states to verify victims’ identities and trace their places of origin - often remote, impoverished, interior regions with poor telecommunications and infrastructure, they add.

Developed by aid agency Plan India and Bangladeshi social enterprise Dnet, the Missing Child Alert (MCA) is a database programme - with the victim’s data, including their name, photo and place of origin - which can be shared between South Asian nations.

“We’ve had cases that have taken up to three years for the person to be repatriated back to their home countries and they are stuck in shelter homes for all that time,” Mohammed Asif, Plan India’s director of programme implementa-

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Most are sold into forced marriage or bonded labour working in middle class homes as domestic servants, in small shops and hotels or confined to brothels

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Reuters n Thomson Foundation, Siliguri

tion, said on Saturday.

“After testing this technology, we have found repatriation can be done much faster as the sharing of information and tracing of a per-

son’s home will be immediate and agencies can quickly try to reunite them with their families.”

There are no accurate figures on the number of people being trafficked within South Asia, but activists say thousands of mostly women and children are trafficked to India annually from its neighbours Nepal and Bangladesh.

Most are sold into forced marriage or bonded labour working in middle class homes as domestic servants, in small shops and hotels or confined to brothels where they are repeatedly raped.

The MCA, which is being piloted by ten charities in India, Bangladesh and Nepal, would allow the details of a rescued victim to be entered into the system and agencies in the coun-

try of origin immediately alerted.

The one-year pilot began in January and will be assessed at the end of 2016, Asif said on the sidelines of an anti-human trafficking conference in Siliguri.

“If we are successful in demonstrating this is a much more efficient system which will achieve safer and faster repatriation, we may be able to get the three governments to adopt this, and eventually the whole region,” he said.

“If adopted, this alert system will create pressure on the traffickers if they know that this information is already being shared across borders and make it much more difficult for people who perpetrate these crimes against women and children.” l

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