22 Feb, 2016

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

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Falgun 10, 1422, Jamadiul Awal 12, 1437

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 3, No 307

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

Nation pays tribute to the martyrs of 1952 n Arif Ahmed President Abdul Hamid led the nation in mourning as he placed a floral wreath at Central Shaheed Minar as the clock struck one minute past zero hour on Sunday, followed

by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

After placing the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for a moment as a mark of respect for the martyrs of the language movement.

People from all walks of life gathered at Central Shaheed Minar yesterday to pay their respects to the language martyrs of 1952 who sacrificed their lives to establish Bangla as one of the state languages of erstwhile Pakistan.

Walking barefoot, singing songs of patriotism, wearing black badges and holding bouquets close to their bosoms, people of all walks of life paid homage to the martyrs of 1952 from the early hours of Sunday.

Many young children were seen with their parents, carrying flowers in their hands.

The historic song “Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February” was sung as people paid their  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

INSIDE HRW: Charging editors is dramatic backslide Human Rights Watch has urged upon the state authorities to immediately withdraw all criminal charges filed against the editors of the Daily Star and Prothom Alo.  PAGE 3

Students of Hashimukh, a school of street children in the capital run by university students, pay tribute with flowers to the language martyrs at a makeshift Shaheed Minar in Paribagh area yesterday SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Panchagarh Hindu priest slaughtered Jamil Khan in n Mohammad Dhaka and Sazzadur Rahman Sazzad in Panchagarh

Twin blasts kill 46 in Syria’s Homs A double bombing killed at least 46 people in Syria’s Homs on Sunday, as US Secretary of State John Kerry said a provisional deal had been reached on the terms of a ceasefire.  PAGE 23

Law enforcers suspect that members of banned Islamist group Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) slit the throat of the priest of a Hindu temple in Panchagarh’s Debiganj yesterday morning as part of their series of attacks on religious leaders and establishments.

Joggeshwar Roy, 50, who had no enemies and never threatened, was slaughtered with a machete on the verandah of his house, beside the Sonto Gaurio Temple, around 7am. Neighbour Gopal Chandra Roy, 35, received bullet injuries as he tried to save the priest.

The injured was sent to Rangpur Medical College Hospital for treatment, said Babul Akther, officer-incharge of Debiganj police station.

An abandoned crude bomb covered with black scotch tape having IS (Islamic State) mark on it was recovered from the spot. The law enforcers also seized the murder weapon, a blood-stained jacket, bullet shells and fresh bullets.

The Islamic State or Dae’sh claimed responsibility for the murder of the priest, said US-based jihadi activities monitoring website SITE Intelligent Group last night.

Dae’sh made similar claims after several attacks since last year.

The attack took place at a time when the US claims that Bangla-

Ansarullah planning to kill more bloggers n Mohammad Jamil Khan

desh is under the threat of the Middle East-based group. The US has also offered Bangladesh to assist in combating the international terrorist group.

The government, however, denies the presence of Dae’sh saying that the recent attacks on Hindu and Christian priests, shrines, Shia and Ahmadiyya mosques were carried out by local militant groups with the help of BNP-Jamaat to destabilise the country.

According to the eyewitness, three people came to the temple on a motorcycle. They first threw a hand bomb on the tin-shed house of Joggeshwar, and as the priest came out of the prayer room, two

After months of staying hidden in hibernation, Ansarullah Bangla Team was planning to raise its head again by killing a series of bloggers and secular personalities.

Law enforcement sources said the militants were also planning attacks on mass public gatherings such as the ones seen during the International Mother Language Day and Pohela Boishakh.

However, their intentions were foiled when a joint police team conducted a 30-hour-long drive throughout the weekend to bust an Ansarullah base in Badda and a bomb-making factory in Mohammadpur.

A new hit-list of targets and planning details of the assassination missions were among the most

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 PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

Robi Axiata Limited achieves Tk5,000 crore revenue milestone n Tribune Report

Robi Axiata Limited has achieved TK5,000 crore revenue milestone for the first time in 2015, according to the company’s latest report published on its parent company’s,

Axiata Group, website.

In the previous year, it revenue was little more than Tk4942 crore.

The second largest operator in Bangladesh in terms of revenue recorded 6.01% growth year-on-

year in gross revenue to Tk5,239.50 crore last year.

The leading mobile phone operator, Grameenphone, achieved this revenue landmark earlier.

In 2015, Grameenphone earned Tk10,480 crore in revenue.

However, Robi’s net profit declined by 8.96% to Tk400.30 core last year from Tk439.70 crore in 2014.

The operator’s profit declined to 7.64% from 8.89%, according to its financial report. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Panchagarh Hindu priest slaughtered of them slit his throat with the machete.

They left the place safely by blasting two bombs on the premises and firing gunshots at Gopal.

Nitaipoda Das, an eyewitness, said that he woke up hearing gunshots. Opening the door he found a man aged nearly 30-35 standing in front of the temple with a pistol in his hand. The man was wearing a black jacket, he said.

“I saw two other people attacking the priest on the balcony,” Nitai said, adding that the man with a gun fired at him but he survived by running towards the local market.

Panchagarh Superintendent of Police Gias Uddin Ahmed, who visited the spot, said that the assailants first entered the temple by blasting a crude bomb. Hearing the sound, Joggeshwar came out of the temple and tried to run away. But two assailants caught him after a brief chase. They later slaughtered him.

“At that time, Gopal tried to save the priest but the third assailant shot at him that hit his leg and hand,” Gias told the Dhaka Tribune quoting witnesses.

He added that even though all the temples of the area had been under tight security, there was no police yesterday due to special duty centring the Language Martyrs’ Day. Locals demonstrated on Panchagarh-Debiganj road after the murder demanding arrest of the killers immediately. They also announced a human chain and

Relatives of Joggeshwar burst into tears after the murder of the priest yesterday demonstration in Bijoy Chattar area today protesting the murder.

Brother of the slain priest Rabindra Roy said that Joggeshwar was unmarried. He established the temple after selling all his properties in 1998. He used to discuss religious issues with the local Hindus and priests coming from different places at the temple.

Killers were professional

Analysing the crime scene, Anowar Hossain, assistant police superintendent of the Criminal Investigation Department of Dinajpur, said that they had collected evidence and samples from the spot and

were assisting other forces in the investigation.

Filing of a case accusing three to five unidentified assailants was under way with Debiganj police station.

Inspector (investigation) Ayub Ali, who got the charge of investigation, told the Dhaka Tribune that the attack was pre-planned, and that well-trained killers conducted the attack.

Eye on militants, especially JMB

DIG Monirul Islam, also the chief of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CT), said that it was not a scattered incident. The

DHAKA TRIBUNE

murder might have been committed by the members of JMB as part of their series of attacks that began last year.

The CT officials are conducting investigation in collaboration with the local police. “If needed, we will visit the area to assist the police,” he said.

Humayun Kabir, deputy inspector general of Rangpur range police, told the Dhaka Tribune that they had found similarity with the recent attacks by the JMB in Dinajpur. “We are suspecting that the attack was carried out by the same outfit as the style was very much similar with the previous attacks,” he added. l

Nation pays deepest respects to the heroes of the Language Movement.

Sheikh Hasina, also the president of the Awami League, along with her cabinet members, advisers, lawmakers and party leaders placed another wreath on behalf of the party.

Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Deputy Speaker Fazley Rabbi Mia and Leader of the Opposition Begum Raushan Ershad placed wreaths at Central Shaheed Minar.

Walking barefoot, members of the public one by one approached the platform at Central Shaheed Minar.

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia paid her respects at Central Shaheed Minar around 1:30 am.

Some Jatayatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders allegedly engaged in a clash with on-duty personnel while trying to ascend to the main platform to place their flowers.

Shortly afterwards, law enforcers intervened and brought the situation under control.

Ten people were detained yesterday over explosions at Jessore Shaheed Minar yesterday.

Six bombs went off at Jessore Shaheed Minar in the very early hours yesterday.

Police said they raided Asad Hall of Government MM College, where the memorial is located, just after the incident.

Two Bangladesh Chhatra League factions clashed at Shalikha in Magura over the placing of wreaths to observe the day.

On February 21, 1952, Rafiq Uddin Ahmed, Abdul Jabbar, Abul Barkat, Abdus Salam and a nine-yearold boy named Ohiullah embraced martyrdom when police opened fire, in front of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, on a rally demanding that Bangla be declared one of the state languages of Pakistan.

Another protester, Shafiur Rahman, died the next day.

The language activists were protesting against a policy enforced by the then leaders of Pakistan of denying Bangla the status of a state language. l

Ansarullah planning to kill more bloggers significant finds during the drive by the new Counter-terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit and the Detective Branch of the police.

DB Deputy Commissioner Mashruqure Rahman Khaled confirmed about the recovery of the hit-list; but he refused to disclose any further details as investigation was still going on.

“We have got some clues and information which we are now analysing,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.

According to an official who took part in the drive, documents recovered in Badda included a draft plan for killing two bloggers in the capi-

tal’s Uttara and Azimpur areas. The plans also contained maps marked with attack and escape routes.

The documents also contained details about how many people would take part in the killings and what their roles would be, the official added.

According to sources close to the investigation, some sensational information was also recovered during the drive that might help solve mysteries behind the previous attacks on bloggers and publishers.

Deputy Commissioner Khaled said the police were still looking whether the banned militant outfit

had any other den in the capital.

The two men arrested during the weekend drive would be placed before a court with a remand request as soon as cases are filed, he added.

On Friday, police acted on a tipoff and arrested two Ansarullah members – Kalam alias Shahin alias Jamal, 26, and Shah Alam alias Salahuddin alias Hiron, 30 – from a house in Badda. Some other suspects managed to flee.

But based on the information provided by the two detainees, the joint team recovered a large cache of bombs and explosives from a top-floor-flat of a five-storey build-

ing in Nabodoy housing area in Mohammadpur.

‘Recovery of bombs disconcerting’

The recovery of the bombs cache is a cause for concern as this was the first time the police found such improvised explosive devices from an Ansarullah den, said Monirul Islam, additional commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

The weapon of choice in most previous Ansarullah attacks had been machetes or sharp weapons.

“But the devices and explosives that were found in their [Ansarullah] den are capable of destroying a

multi-story building at a time,” said Monirul, who is heading the newly formed counter-terrorism unit.

Other militant outfits like Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Harkat-ul Jihad al-Islami Bangladesh (HujiB) had previously used explosives, but now the Ansarullah was not only showing interest in such things but also preparing it after setting up a factory in the capital, Monirul cautioned.

However, he expressed hopes that the latest Ansarullah bust would lead to more clues being unearthed and success in apprehending more militants. l

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

BNP: Khaleda obstructed, supporters attacked n Tribune Report

Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of the Indian state of West Bengal, pays respect at a language martyrs' memorial at 21 Udyan, near Birla Planetarium in Kolkata, after inaugurating it on February 19 COURTESY: MAMATA BANERJEE'S FACEBOOK PAGE

The BNP yesterday alleged that its chief Khaleda Zia was obstructed several times on her way to the Central Shaheed Minar to pay her tribute to the martyrs of the Language Movement.

The party also claimed that more than 50 BN men were injured as police charged batons on them when the three-time former prime minister was placing floral wreaths.

“Letters were sent to the police and RAB chiefs to ensure security of the BNP chairperson. But she was obstructed several times when she started from her Gulshan residence. The police formed barricade in front of her house,” Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, joint secretary general of the party, claimed.

Addressing a press briefing at the party's Nayapaltan headquarters, he alleged that when Khaleda's motorcade reached near the Central Shaheed Minar on-duty policemen formed more barricades in two and attacked the BNP leaders.

Asked why the BNP leaders and activists went to the Central Shaheed Minar with shoes, Rizvi said: “It is not true. We took position there and carried out our duties properly.

I have problems in my legs. Despite that I went there without shoes. We did not find anyone with shoes.”

He claimed that some media outlets loyal to the government were trying to tarnish the BNP's image. The Dhaka University organisers and members of government agencies were responsible for such activities, Rizvi claimed. l

HRW: Charging editors is dramatic backslide n Tribune Report Human Rights Watch has urged upon the state authorities to immediately withdraw all criminal charges filed against the editors of the Daily Star and Prothom Alo. The New York-based rights organisation demanded repeal of the country's abusive criminal defamation and sedition laws, which violate international standards.

HRW made the call by a media release showed in its website yesterday.

“Criminal charges against editors of the leading newspapers in Bangladesh are a clear attempt to intimidate all media in the country,” said Brad Adams, Asia director of HRW. “A government controlling almost all seats in parliament and

all national executive authority has to be particularly protective of a free press – or risk turning Bangladesh into an authoritarian state.”

The cases are part of a larger, organised assault on independent media in Bangladesh over several years.

Bangladeshi authorities have closed critical media houses, jailed editors, tried bloggers, and charged journalists with contempt of court for reporting unfavorably on government actions. The editor of Amar Desh newspaper, Mahmudur Rahman, has been jailed without trial since 2013 on charges of sedition and unlawful publication of intercepted conversations.

Both the Daily Star and Prothom Alo have faced government retaliation for their reporting. Media personnel have alleged to Human

Rights Watch that this includes a ban on advertising by large private companies in the two papers. Several corporate sources speaking anonymously stated that they had received these instructions in an article published by Al Jazeera in October 2015.

“Defamation should not be treated as a crime,” Adams said. “If a newspaper intentionally publishes false information that harms an individual’s reputation, then a civil defamation case is the proper remedy, so long as a fair and impartial trial can be assured. But Bangladesh should not be in the business of jailing journalists for what they write.”

Human Rights Watch called for repeal of the sedition law, which is overly broad and vague. Anam fac-

es at least 15 sedition charges.

Bangladesh’s sedition and criminal defamation laws are contrary to the country’s international human rights obligations. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Bangladesh ratified in 2000, prohibits restrictions on freedom of expression on national security grounds unless they are provided by law, strictly construed, and necessary and proportionate to address a legitimate threat.

Human Rights Watch said that laws imposing criminal penalties for peaceful expression are of particular concern because of their chilling effect on free speech. The assault on speech affects not only the media, but also critical civil society. Journalists report engaging

in self-censorship. Activists and human rights defenders have faced charges, arrest, and intimidation.

Bloggers who have expressed atheist sentiments have been killed, yet others have faced charges of insulting religious feelings.

“These criminal charges are clearly a form of retribution against political enemies of the government,” said Adams. “And while it is going after journalists, the government has taken no action to hold members of DGFI accountable for the extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and torture that took place during the caretaker period.

Bangladesh’s sedition and criminal defamation laws need to be repealed, and charges against all media and other critics withdrawn immediately.” l

Left, activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League's Kafrul unit visiting Central Shaheed Minar to place floral wreaths get involved in a scuffle with the volunteers at work there yesterday, Some BNP activists visiting Central Shaheed Minar with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia also get into a fight with the volunteers there in the early hours of yesterday RAJIB DHAR/DHAKA TRIBUNE

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

PM: Stay watchful against distortion of Bangla n Tribune Report Underscoring the need for further enriching Bangla, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called for building massive awareness to avoid its distortion.

“We want people to know different languages, but in doing so there should not be any distortion of our language, and everyone should remain aware and cautious in this regard. Massive awareness should be created among people,” she said at the inauguration ceremony of a four-day programme marking Language Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day 2016 at International Mother Language Institute in the capital.

Education Secretary Md Sohrab Hossain delivered the welcome address at the function, chaired

by Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, reported UNB. Eminent economist and Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman presented the keynote paper titled “Ekushey February: Bangali Mononer Batighor.” Unesco Country Representative in Bangladesh Beatrice Kaldun and International Mother Language Institute Director General Prof Zinat Imtiaz Ali spoke at the function.

Earlier, a one-minute silence was observed in memory of those who lay down their lives for the sake of the mother tongue.

The education minister also handed over to the prime minister the Unesco document recognising the International Mother Language Institute as a Category 2 institute. l

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina receives a Unesco document recognising the International Mother Language Institute as a Category 2 institute. The ceremony took place on the premises of the institute yesterday FOCUS BANGLA

Brick making act to see changes n Abu Bakar Siddique With an aim to make the existing act on brick more pragmatic and time-worthy, the government is planning to amend the Brick Making and Brickfield Establishment (Control) Act 2013.

A proposal from the Department of Environment is to be sent to the Ministry of Law in this regard.

“The current act which was passed in the parliament in November 2013 includes some shortcomings such as the obligation to set up brick kilns in specific areas.

This has made the sector vulnerable,” said Solaiman Haider, a director of the department.

Citing an example of locations of brick fields in the act, he said the current act says that the brick fields must be 500 metres inside roads

and at the same time they could not be in agricultural lands.

“This is conflicting. If these anomalies can be removed, entrepreneurs can be interested in setting up environment-friendly modern kilns. This is why the government is planning to make the amendment,” added Solaiman.

The Brick Making and Brickfield Establishment (Control) Act 2013, which came into effect in July 2014, clearly prohibits conventional technologies in the brick-making industry.

But most of the factories are yet to take initiatives to change their technologies. Currently, there are more than 6,500 brick kilns in the country.

The act suggests adopting energy-efficient and relatively cleaner technologies such as Zigzag, Hybrid Hoffman Kiln (HHK) and Verti-

cal Shaft Brick Kiln (VSBK).

It prohibits establishment of brick fields in residential, protected, commercial and agricultural areas, and also in forests, sanctuaries, wetlands and Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs).

The law says establishment of brick kilns in the prohibited areas will be treated as a criminal offence, with varying degrees of punishment for offenders to be determined by the nature of the areas involved.

Setting up a brick field in residential, protected or commercial locations will lead to a maximum punishment of five years in prison or a financial penalty of Tk50 lakh or both.

Speaking about the amendment, President of Bangladesh Brick Making Owners Association Mizanur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune the

existing act has resulted in many obstacles for brick kiln owners.

“The act says no small road in rural areas should be used for carrying bricks which is totally unacceptable. At the same time, the act does not permit setting up brick kilns near large roads,” he said.

Terming the government’s move to amend the act pragmatic, Mizanur said: “The government should consider the issue of using soil type in the industry as the current act does not permit using top soil and soils from agricultural lands, which ultimately prohibits the use of all kinds of soil. The irony is that the country’s brick industry is dependent on soil as a raw material.”

The brick-making industry is one of the fastest-growing in Bangladesh, which generates a yearly revenue of around Tk866 crore. l

Road blockade in Khagrachhari today

Martyrs’ Day observed in BD missions abroad

5 Bangladeshis killed in Saudi road crashes

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Parbatya Bangali Chhatra Parishad (PBCP) has called a day-long road blockade in the district today protesting the killing of a motorcycle driver in Matiranga upazila.

The announcement was made from a rally yesterday organised in Chengi Square area of the town.

Speakers also demanded that the two officials of a contracting firm who were abducted in Panchhari on February 14 be rescued.

Earlier, police recovered the body of Azizul Haque Shanta, went missing on February 18, in Matiranga upazila.

Police also arrested a suspect, Dhon Bikash Tripura, in connection with murder, said Matiranga OC Mohammad Shahadat Hossain. l

Bangladesh missions abroad observed Language Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day yesterday in a befitting manner with a call for upholding the values of 1952 and 1971.

The day’s programmes started with the hoisting of the national flag at half-mast by the heads of mission in presence of the officials, foreign guests and expatriate Bangladeshis in respective countries, according to messages from various missions.

Besides, the messages issued

by President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam were read out in the

missions, according to Press Information Department handouts.

In the meetings, Bangladesh diplomats spoke on the significance of the day and touched upon some historical aspects of Language Martyrs’ Day and its relevance in promoting mother language among the new generation.

Special prayers were, thereafter, offered for salvation of the souls of the martyrs.

The missions also organised cultural programmes to observe Language Martyrs’ Day. Reports about the observance of Amar Ekushey have so far been received from Bangladesh missions in London, Bangkok, Bangladesh Permanent Mission in the UN in New York, Islamabad, Tashkent, Bandar Seri Begawan and Kolkata. l

Five Bangladeshi nationals, including a couple, were killed and three others injured in two road accidents in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

Of them, four were killed in an accident in Al Kharj city.

The deceased were identified as Abbas Ali, 45, his wife Rehana, 32, residents of Bhogti village in Keshabpur municipality of Jessore, and Sheuli Begum, 37, and their son Saim Omar, 11, of Hamdah Sheikhpara area in Jhenidah district town.

The accident took place when a truck hit a private car carrying six Bangladeshi nationals, said Matiur Rahman, Ward 2 councillor of Keshabpur municipality.

The injured were identified as Afrin Priti, 5, daughter of Abbas

Ali, Sheuli’s husband Saiful Islam and his daughter Shammi Akhter.

Abbas had been working as a driver there, Matiur added.

Saiful had been living in Saudi Arabia for the last 22 years. His wife and two children went there on January 18 for performing Umrah, said Saiful’s elder daughter Saima Islam.

The tragic incident happened when Abbas was returning home along with his family and four other relatives after performing Umrah there, said Matiur.

Another Bangladeshi was killed in an accident in Dammam city.

Abdul Jalil, 42, from Chandpur, used to work as a pipe fitter in a company in Dammam. A speeding bus ran over him while working in the morning, leaving him dead on the spot. l

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Spotlight

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

Glimpses of Dhaka-dwellers observing Language Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day yesterday RAJIB DHAR, MEHEDI HASAN/DHAKA TRIBUNE

TEMPERATURE FOREC AST FOR TODAY

FOGGY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22

Dhaka

34

21

Chittagong

29

24

Rajshahi

DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 5:57PM

34

14

Rangpur

31

16

Khulna

34

21

Barisal

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

TOMORROW SUN RISES 6:26AM

35.4ºC Khulna

18.5ºC Rajarhat

Source: Accuweather/UNB

34

22

PRAYER TIMES

Sylhet

31

17

Cox’s Bazar

30

23

Fajr: 5:09am | Zohr: 12:12am Asr: 4:20pm | Magrib: 5:59pm Esha: 7:27pm Source: IslamicFinder.org

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

NINS hosts major neurosurgery event Indian air force chief in n Abid Azad Twelve difficult and complicated neurosurgery procedures were held throughout the day yesterday at the National Institute of Neuro-Sciences & Hospital (NINS), with live video feeds of the operations shown to local surgeons for training.

“This is the biggest neurosurgery event in our country as some top-level foreign doctors have also joined and conducted the surgeries with our local surgeons. These daylong operations were projected live so our local surgeons can gain

knowledge and expertise from the foreign surgeons,” said NINS Associate Professor Dr Md Raziul Haque The surgeries were carried out in four different operation theatres. The difficult surgeries included pituitary, spinal, tumour, brain tumour and vascular aneurysm surgeries, he added.

The government would bear all cost of these surgeries, Dr Raziul said.

Neurosurgeons from the US, Germany, Turkey and India conducted the surgeries.

“It is very expensive for our neurosurgeons to get training from

abroad. So such a workshop will help our surgeons learn modern surgery techniques, knowledge and skills,” said Dr Raziul, who is also the general secretary of Bangladesh Society of Neurosurgeons.

This live operations were a part of the Pre-congress Cadaveric Workshop held at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital on February 19 and 20.

The Sixth South Asian Neurosurgical Congress and Eighth International Scientific Conference will start today and continue until February 24 at the capital’s Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel. l

Dhaka on a five-day visit n Tribune Report Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, the chief of air staff of the Indian Air Force, arrived in the capital yesterday on an official visit for five days.

During his visit, Raha is scheduled to meet various dignitaries and chiefs of services as well as officials, according to a press release issued by the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

Raha, who is also the chairman

of Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Indian Defence Forces, will be visit various bases of Bangladesh Air Force around the country.

Furthermore, the Indian Air Force chief will present advanced training aids comprising aircraft sub assemblies to the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) in Mirpur, the press release said.

He will also give a gift of the airframe of Alloute aircraft to the Liberation War Museum. l

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

Amar Ekhushey observed in befitting manner n Tribune Report The International Mother Language Day was observed in the port city as elsewhere with due respect and solemnity.

Chittagong Central Shaheed Minar turned into a human sea shortly after zero hours with the presence of thousands of people from different walks of life.

Leaders of different political parties, sociocultural and professional organisations and people from all walks of life from children to adults gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar to pay respect to the martyred language heroes and placed wreaths one after another at the Shaheed Minar maintaining discipline with due honour at 12:01am yesterday.

To mark the day, different political, professional and sociocultural organisations held daylong programmes, including discussion meeting, milad mahfil, poetry recitation, arts competition for children, voluntary blood donation and cultural functions.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, MP, was the first to place the wreath at the Shaheed Minar.

He was followed by the Chittagong City mayor AZM Nasir Uddin, on behalf of Chittagong City Corporation, former mayor and president of Chittagong city Awami League (AL) ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, on behalf of City Awami League, Divisional Commissioner Ruhul Amin, DIG Shafiqul Islam, Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong Mezbah Uddin, Chairman of Chittagong Development Authority Abdus Salam, District Administrator MA Salam and Superintendent of Chittagong district police Hafiz Akter.

Besides, different educational institutions and sociocultural organisations chalked out separate programmes to mark the day.

Chittagong City Corporation on the occasion of immortal Ekhushey accorded Ekhushey Memorial Award to 16 eminent individuals including journalists at city’s Muslim Institute Hall today.

In Rangpur, Amar Ekushey and the International Mother Language Day was observed amid huge enthusiasm in a befitting manner to pay due respect to the Language Movement Martyrs.

The district and upazila administrations, City Corporation, socio-cultural and professional organisations, political parties, private bodies and educational institutions have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day.

In Rangpur city, the observance began at one minute past after midnight through placing wreaths by former President, Jatiya Party Chairman and Prime Minister’s Special Envoy Alhaj Hussein Mu-

As a Shaheed Minar is yet to be built at defunct enclave, people of Dasmina place wreath at a makeshift Shaheed Minar yesterday marking Amar Ekhushey DHAKA TRIBUNE

Teachers and students of Noakhali Science and Technology University bring out a procession on the campus yesterday marking the International Mother Language Day DHAKA TRIBUNE hammad Ershad at Central Shaheed Minar here to pay due respect to the Language Movement Martyrs.

Later, City Mayor Alhaj Sarfuddin Ahmed Jhantu, Divisional Commissioner Muhammad Kazi Hasan Ahmed and Acting Deputy Inspector General of Rangpur Range Humayun Kabir placed wreaths there.

Deputy Commissioner Rahat Anwar and Police Super Abdur Razzaque along with officials of the district administration also placed floral wreaths there followed by the other government and non-government departments and organisations.

Leaders of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangshad, Awami League

(AL) and other political parties, professional organisations and common people also placed wreaths there to pay homage to the Language Movement Martyrs.

Besides, competitions for the children on drawing, essay writing, hand writing, rendering patriotic songs and sports competitions for the underprivileged children were arranged along with screening of documentary films on the language movement.

In Rajshahi, theInternational Mother Language Day was observed in Rajshahi city as elsewhere of the country today (Sunday) in a befitting manner paying of glowing tributes to the memories of the language movement martyrs.

Different socio-cultural, politi-

cal organisations, educational institutions, professional groups and district administrations chalked out various programmes to observe the Day. Various political parties and socio-cultural and volunteer organisations and educational institutions observed the day with a renewed pledge for building a happy, prosperous and non-communal Bangladesh.

In Khulna, people in all walks of life today observed “Amar Ekushey” and the International Mother Language Day here with due solemnity and respect to the language heroes martyrs.

Amar Ekushey observed at defunct enclaves

The inhabitants of recently defunct 59 enclaves yesterday observed Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day2016, paying rich tributes to the Language Movement martyrs, who laid down their lives for the mother tongue Bangla on February 21, 1952.

The programme began with placing of wreaths by district Awami League General Secretary Advocate M Matiar Rahman at one minute past the zero hour in the temporary Shaheed Minar at Vitorkuti under Kulaghat Union.

Meanwhile, deputy commissioner and superintendent of police placed wreaths at the district central Shaheed Minar at one minute past the zero hour. l

Crude bombs blasted at Jessore Shaheed Minar

n Our Correspondent, Jessore Two factions of Awami League exploded crude bombs at Government Michael Madhusudan College in Jessore over placing wreaths at Shaheed Minar of the college on the eve of Amar Ekhushey.

The rivals hurled two crude bombs targeting Shaheed Minar creating panic among people who gathered there to pay homage to language martyrs.

Police said said the explosions had taken place just after local MP Kazi Nabil Ahmed, Deputy Commissioner Humayun Kabir and Police Super Anisur Rahman, left Shaheed Minar after placing wreaths at zero hour.

Police fired 15 rounds of bullets to bring the situation under control, he said.

Meanwhile, police arrested 10 members of the ruling party conducting drives at different dormitories of MM College yesterday morning.

The arrested were identified as ZA Bijoy 22,, MM Akash22, Mohidul Islam, 19, Rocky, 22, Sumon Hossain, 21, Mithun Sarkar, 26, Rashe Miazi 28, Gazi Hasan, 28, Shahee, 22, and Titas Mia, 23. l

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8

News

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

Many students in the dark over Language Movement n Ariful Islam, Kurigram Though there are stories in their curriculum about the International Mother Language Day (IMLD), the students of many educational institutes are in the dark about the Bengali Language Movement, known as Bhasha Andolon, a political movement in former East Bengal advocating the recognition of the Bengali language as an official language.

Locals said the young learners have no interest to the day as they had no idea about the movement.

Most of educational institutions have no Shaheed Minar which is another reason behind reluctance over the day of the students.

A senior teacher of Kurigram Govt High School seeking anonym-

ity said a local leader of the ruling party had promised to set up Shaheed Minar in the school. But he had not kept his promise.

On the other hand, the school authorities do not take steps to build up Shaheed Minar due to unknown reasons.

When Sohag, Mominul and Zunaed, Class Eight students of the school, were asked about day, they answered that they did not know anything about what happened on the day.

Mominul, one of their classmates, said in 1971 the people of the country had sacrificed themselves for language and in 152 for independence.

Khaleque Siddique, headmaster of the school, said: “The students will know everything from the

discussion about the day held on the school premises today [yesterday].”

While asked about the Shaheed Minar he said the authority would build the structure soon in the school.

During visit to many schools, including Kurigram Government Girls’ High School, Nilaram School and College, Begum Nur Nahar Goverment High School, River view High School, it was found that there are no shaheed minars.

Many students were asked about the day. Maximum of them echoed the voice of the students of Kurigram Government High School.

Farid, Rased, Mamun and Ashik could not say anything when they were asked about the IMLD.

Dipika, Jannatul, Farzana and Iasmin, Class Nine students of Kurigram Government High School replied that there was a story about the IMLD, but they did not read it.

On the other hand, a 3-day programme started on the premises in Shishu Niketon Field in the district on February 19. A function of quiz competition was held on the occasion of Bhasha Andolon. No body could answer satisfactorily.

Many teachers of the schools opined that the media men of the country have to come ahead to solve the problem.

Though the teachers are trying to remove the darkness of ignorance about the day, it is not sufficient, they added.

Mamunnur Rashid, professor of Kurigram Government College, said:“The students are not interested to join the morning procession now a days.”

Now it has become as a national crisis which is produced from the socio-economic condition of the country, he added.

To remove the crisis, all of the society including the media personalities should keep their role, the professor spoke up.

Bhobo Shankar Barma, district education officer, told the Dhaka Tribune that Shaheed Minar had been built in most of schools of the district.

“We will immediately take measures to build Shaheed Minar in the remaining schools of the district,” he said. l

Three Shibir men held n Tribune Report Three members of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir were held with firearms from Chittagong city and Satkania upazila in Chittagong yesterday.

The arrestees were identified as Md Rifat, 22, and Didarul Islam, 20.

Farid Uddin Khandakar, officerin-charge of Satkania police station, said that the arrested duo is accused in 10 cases.

Meanwhile, locals caught a Shibir activist with locally-manufactured firearms from Chawkbazar area, Chawkbazar police station in the city.

Later, the Shibir man identified as Mansur was handed over to the police yesterday. l

4 fined for carrying Ilish fries in Laxmipur n Tribune Report A mobile court yesterday fined four people Tk 5,000 each for carrying jatkas (hilsa fries less than 10 inches in length) in a pickup in Piarpur area of Sadar upazila.

The convicts are two fish traders Padar Bhandari and Anwar Hossain, pickup driver Jasim Uddin and his helper Selim Uddin.

Police in a drive arrested the four along with the pickup carrying jatkas from the area while they were going to the capital from Motirhat area of Kamalnagar upazila in the early hours. l

Relatives of the two people who were killed during a clash allegedly by their nephews at Singair, Manikganj break down in tears yesterday hearing the news of their death DHAKA TRIBUNE

Two killed over money, property rows in Manikganj Correspondent, n Our Manikganj Two men were killed by their nephews in a clash over money and land property disputes in Manikganj’s Singair upazila yesterday.

The victims - Nannu Mollah, 50, son of Dirgaj Mollah of Gobindhal

village, and Aziz Mollah, 55, son of late Rahim Mollah – were paternal cousins.

Five others were also injured in the attack and were sent to hospital. One of them was said to be in a critical condition.

Singair police station Officerin-Charge Syeduzzaman said Za-

hidul, nephew of Nannu, his two brothers and several others attacked Nannu and Aziz with locally-made weapons after an altercation over money and properties at Zahidul’s house.

“Nannu and Aziz died on the scene. Their bodies were sent to Manikganj Sadar Hospital morgue

for autopsy.

“The attackers left the scene immediately and no one has yet been detained but police recovered the weapons used in the attack.

“We are looking for the perpetrators. A case will be filed in this connection as well,” added OC Syeduzzaman. l

Are you ready?

Here is a sample of a full IELTS writing exam. Test your skills against the times, and know where your preparations lie.

Best of luck!

IELTS

Writing Task 1

IELTS

dates and locations

Venue: Banani

Test date: March 05, 2016 Module type: IELTS General Training Registration deadline: February 27, 2016 Test date: March 12, 2016 Module type: IELTS Academic Registration deadline: March 05, 2016 Venue: Dhanmondi Test date: March 05, 2016 Module type: IELTS Academic Registration deadline: February 27, 2016

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

Test date: March 05, 2016 Module type: IELTS Academic Registration deadline: February 27, 2016

A friend has agreed to look after your house and pet while you are on holiday.

• give contact details for when you are away • give instructions about how to care for your pet • describe other household duties

9

DT

Education

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Write at least 150 words.

Begin your letter as follows:

Test date: March 05, 2016 Module type: IELTS General Training Registration deadline: February 27, 2016 Test date: March 12, 2016 Module type: IELTS Academic Registration deadline: March 05, 2016

Dear .....................,

Venue: Bashundhara, Baridhara

Writing Task 2

Write about the following topic: Some people believe that teaching children at home is best for a child’s development while others think that it is important for children to go to school.

Discuss the advantages of both methods and give your own opinion.

Practice with us to step up your IELTS game.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write at least 250 words.

Test date: March 05, 2016 Module type: IELTS Academic Registration deadline: February 27, 2016 Test date: March 05, 2016 Module type: IELTS General Training Registration deadline: February 27, 2016 Test date: March 19, 2016 Module type: IELTS Academic Registration deadline: March 12, 2016 Test date: March 19, 2016 Module type: IELTS General Training Registration deadline: March 12, 2016 Venue: Uttara Test date: March 05, 2016 Module type: IELTS Academic Registration deadline: February 27, 2016 l

DT

10

Interview

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

Studying medicine

M

nRaqibul Mohammad Anwar

edicine as a career can be vastly rewarding but not without challenges and the life of a doctor can be exceptionally frustrating and at times, very distressful. Pursuing a career in medicine means not only do we have to work industriously for five to seven years in the medical college but then continue with strenuous lifestyle for years faced with yet more grinding training and exams, long hours of diligent duty in hospital wards and helping people through some of the most difficult and personal experiences of their lives.

Life as a doctor has numerous and continued challenges only matched by the positive reasons that medical students commit for choosing an uphill task in medicine. Choice in a medical career may be instilled by altruism, because of academic achievement in the sciences, or because of the admiration for

Life as a doctor has numerous and continued challenges only matched by the positive reasons that medical students commit for choosing an uphill task in medicine

relatives or family friends already working in the field but most are also attracted by the potential for a steady career, a healthy income and a respected status in society.

Most people believe that becoming

Professor Raqibul Mohammad Anwar with Duncan Jackman, director, International Affairs, RCS England

a doctor is more than a career – it’s a life choice and that doctors shouldn’t be able to shirk the hard work while keeping the status that doctors command.

Today I shall start with my own experience and reflect on how I became a doctor. In this context I must mention my father whose journey of becoming a doctor ignited my dream of becoming a medical/surgical practitioner. My father, I believe was an exceptional person. When I was 11-yearsold, I overheard a conversation between my uncle, my cousin and my father regarding what I ought to do when I grow up. My cousin being at the University of Dhaka insisted that as I am good in maths, I should become an engineer, my uncle being a civil servant wanted me to be CSP (Civil Service of Pakistan) officer. My father didn’t say what he wanted me to be but told me his story of how he was misled into not going to Kolkata Medical School in early 1940s when he was offered a place to study medicine there. My grandfather died when my father, I think, was only two.

My widowed grandmother was an extremely capable and hard working lady who successfully raised her children, making sure at the same time that her farmers who used her land property cleared their taxes in due time, not an easy task for a widowed lady in those days. Once my father was offered a chance in Kolkata to study medicine, my grandmother went to her second cousin whose son was at that time studying in Kolkata. Her cousin laughed at her explaining that living costs in Kolkata and studying medicine were so expensive that she must

Professor Raqibul Mohammad Anwar with Stephen Hills, director, Examinations, RCS England have been crazy to even dream of sending her son to that city.

My grandmother was told that it will be very costly and was misinformed about the tuition costs for studying medicine there, which were a lot more than what it actually required. So she returned home heartbroken and told her son that he was not going to medical school. This piece of history from my father’s life made me decide to become a doctor.

When I was only 13-years-old, I was riding on the front bar of a bicycle being paddled by my older cousin. We were headed to my maternal grandparents’ house about seven or eight miles from the town we lived in when a bull was racing towards us from the other side of the road.

By the time we noticed it, it was too late. I was left unconscious after the collision. Although my family and friends were very worried about me at the hospital, I still remember that there was a surgeon stitching my head wound and I was attempting to scream.

Then I looked at him and his calm, composed and confident smile helped me calm down. But a very strange thing kept happening after that day; I kept seeing myself in the surgeon’s place every time I thought about it.

People rightly become sceptical of such an exaggerated description of a revelatory moment and the ignited desire to become a doctor or a surgeon to be precise. It is surely not enough to convince

ourselves that we have the motivation for medicine by simply saying that we do.

Enhancing the understanding of the role of a doctor can be achieved through interacting with medical students and doctors, learning from someone’s own or close friends’ or relatives’ experience of being a patient.

Hands-on work experience in a caring role such as helping elderly members in the neighbourhood, volunteering in the local hospital or working with disadvantaged children in special schools being set up in recent times can be exceptionally useful in comprehending what a career in caring for people may involve.

Taking part in club activities and social events, fund raising campaigns, games and sports and other community activities may contribute to develop useful qualities for achieving a successful career in medicine. l Professor Raqibul Mohammad Anwar is a practising colorectal surgeon at RAHETID, a global partner organisation of the Royal College of surgeons of England in Dhaka. He also works for Bart’s and The Royal London Hospital in England. He is a retired colonel from the Royal Army Medical Corps of the British Army and a convener of examinations and an ambassador of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

DT

Editorial 11

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

INSIDE

Bangla in my heart Any discussion on mother language day, anywhere, will invoke images of sacrifice, a glorious chapter written in blood -- in Bangladesh. Our passion for the language does not derive from any larger practical motive PAGE 12

A never-ending story Till date, almost all of the media houses are still publishing and broadcasting numerous news about law enforcers or intelligence officials which sometimes turn out to be fabricated, a pattern similar to those of the last caretaker government. And there are still no controversies regarding the publication of such articles PAGE 13

The great dictators No one knows if and when peace will return to the Middle East and the lives of people there will go back to as it was decades ago. It is cynical to suggest that these countries were better off with dictators PAGE 14

Be heard Write to Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/ DhakaTribune.

The views expressed in Opinion articles are those of the authors alone. They do not purport to be the official view of Dhaka Tribune or its publisher.

BIGSTOCK

Grow partnership with Korea

S

outh Korea’s ambassador to Bangladesh has said in a seminar that Bangladesh’s ICT sector is being observed as a major target for future investment.

The ambassador’s remarks at a meeting attended by the commerce minister and over a hundred business organisations from the two countries offer encoragmnent to efforts to build closer partnerships between Bangladesh and South Korea.

Korean companies have a strong track record in helping nurture export-led growth at home, and have been major drivers in bringing about the growth of Bangladesh’s garment sector.

As major investors in Bangladesh, Korean companies employ over 55,000 workers in Chittagong EPZ alone.

It is important to build on the mutual goodwill between our nations to overcome the difficulties that have hampered recent expansion at CEPZ and to provide more incentives for South Korean entrepreneurs seeking to increase investment and trade in Bangladesh.

A Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that builds on the existing duty-free market access for Bangladeshis products provided by South Korea would be in the interest of both countries.

Closer co-operation is imperative to grow new opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to invest in Bangladesh’s labour force and growing domestic market. It can also help narrow Bangladesh’s $1 billion trade deficit with South Korea and increase our competitiveness.

This can, in turn, attract investors from other nations looking to build on growing trade links and deepening connections between East and South Asia.

Korea’s success in investing in export-led industry and skills development to rise up the global value chain offers many lessons for Bangladesh as we look to attract new investment to drive economic growth.

New trade agreements with South Korea and other nations are vital to help build a stronger foundation to nurture the economic growth we need to create more higher value jobs.

Build trade links to increase competitiveness and benefit from deepening connections between East and South Asia

12

DT

Opinion

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

Bangla in my heart Language has an inimitable power to unite

Bangla will always have a place in our hearts

n Towheed Feroze

P

ractically speaking, to get along in this world, professionally and commercially, English is essential, and in a globalised setting, unless we adapt to the existing way of operation, we stand to fall behind.

Well, whether we accept it or not, that is how the situation stands and. To be downright clear: Proficiency in the language, which has an undeniable colonial link, is a must.

Nope, I am not whining because Bangla is not a major tongue.

Needless to say, for any language to become global an imperial past, usually laced with repression, forceful domination by use of duplicity, military might, and relentless plunder seem to be prerequisites.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not criticising or lambasting history because human society has never evolved by any moral definition, rather by selfish interests layered with the pretense of benevolence.

Bangla may not be a major world language, but those who learned it as a mother tongue, and grew to love it, braved opposition to take to the streets for the right to speak it.

Today, that movement is recognised across the world, with February 21 becoming International Mother Language Day. Would I be wrong in saying that

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

the united move to safeguard the right to speak Bangla also gave the world a chance to pay respect to all mother tongues?

Any discussion on mother language day, anywhere, will invoke images of sacrifice, a glorious chapter written in blood -- in Bangladesh.

a formidable economic giant.

During many international travels, I found Hindi being spoken in several places. The reason for this certainly has a link to India’s recent economic boom, supported by steady growth.

Ask sociologists and they will possibly credit the popularity

vocalising a feeling which was subconsciously influenced by his perceptions of a robust India with a global footing -- culturally, politically, and, thanks to its movie industry, linguistically.

But Bangla is also heard in places one would least expect it, and that has got something

Any discussion on mother language day, anywhere, will invoke images of sacrifice, a glorious chapter written in blood -- in Bangladesh. Our passion for the language does not derive from any larger practical motive. We love it because we spoke it as a child, with all our initial desires and aspirations expressed in it. We revel in it because 1952 is entrenched in our existence

Our passion for the language does not derive from any larger practical motive. We love it because we spoke it as a child, with all our initial desires and aspirations expressed in it.

We revel in it because 1952 is entrenched in our existence.

Will Bangla become a major international language? Let’s not be irrationally emotional about this. Chances of that are low.

If I may be allowed to be a little pragmatic here: The path to a language becoming truly global depends on the economic might of the country which uses it.

We are still far from becoming

of Bollywood before smooth economic pace for the spread of Hindi.

Interestingly, when a nation becomes an acknowledged economic power, its people also begin to expect others to understand their tongue.

Once at Delhi Airport, at a duty-free, the attendant selling me a soda bottle was surprised when he found that I didn’t understand Hindi. “I can’t believe that you are from Bangladesh and can’t understand Hindi,” he remarked.

Well, that line made me think, and I soon concluded that the young boy at the shop was

to do with economy too, albeit indirectly.

In search of livelihood, millions of Bengali-speaking people have spread out across the world, and they keep the tongue alive.

Once, travelling to Kenya, I found myself chatting to another UN official, headed for Somalia.

The conversation began in English.

The guy thought I had come from London whereas I assumed he was from an Arabian country.

After a while, he brought out a CD and, staring at the title Jail Theke Bolchhi, by James, he remarked: “Dada, apne Bangali?”

Well, that was the end of

English and formality. He was from Kolkata, and I was Dhakaiya.

So, for the rest of the journey, we left the other passengers irritated with our non-stop chatting. Hilsa fish, road-side rolls, Dhaka biriyani, Kolkata bars, Satyajit Ray, Bobita, Rituparna, James, Miles, and whatnot.

Once, in another country, I was walking back to my hotel after a run outside, wearing a Bangladesh football team T-shirt.

From a distance, I saw a man standing outside what appeared to be a construction site.

Visibly tired after work, he was preparing to sit on a stool but my jersey made him curious.

As I came closer, he seemed to be looking straight at me, and possibly at the flag emblazoned on my shirt, his expression a bit quizzical.

I smiled, saying: “Ki bhai, kaaj shesh?” (brother, is your shift over?) and that line changed the confused look into a wide-toothed grin. We chatted for some time, in Bangla. Felt refreshed and went our separate ways. Whether Bangla becomes an international language or not, we love it.

And when in some foreign country, we come across some other Bangali, somewhere inside us, an adrenaline rush will be felt, the heart will soar, and we will inevitably say: “Bhai, apne Bangali!” l Towheed Feroze is a journalist currently working in the development sector.

13

DT

Opinion

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

A never-ending story The endless cases against Mahfuz Anam must stop somewhere

n Aaqib Md Shatil

I

n the field of marketing, especially in the consumer behaviour section, it is advised that marketers should focus on both actual and potential customers to gain more from the market.

In the context of Bangladesh, one should not disagree with the comment that, after dealing with three actual disobedient satellite television channels and a national daily, the authority is probably focusing on some potential disobedient newspapers and their editors now.

Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Daily Star, has been plagued with defamation and sedition charges, with the number of cases reaching 75 when I was writing this, and in parliament, there is sizeable hue and cry for the newspaper’s shutdown.

The “case spree” began after the Information and Technology Advisor to the prime minister, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and seven parliamentarians asked to try Mr Anam for publishing news reports supplied by an influential intelligence agency of the country without proper verification.

This was the last of the series of attacks the English language daily has been facing since AL’s victory in the 2008 general election.

The first of these attacks was initiated by the advisor of private sector affairs to the AL president, and vice-chairman of Beximco, Mr Salman F Rahman, in July 20 of 2009 when he claimed that The Daily Star was the architect of the 1/11 incident that made way for the military to take over the government in guise of a caretaker rule.

He alleged that the newspaper was vocal in implementing the “minus two” formula that meant the forced exile of Begum Zia and Sheikh Hasina from politics, an allegation which was reiterated by a number of politicians and intellectuals who are seen as ardent supporters of the regime.

But a fresh spate of attacks was launched last year when the newspaper published a photograph of a poster of Hizb ut-Tahrir that asked the armed forced to stage a coup against the government.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in parliament, had warned The Daily Star of actions patronising the banned militant group.

Couple of months later, a number of international media houses reported that the newspaper was facing an unofficial

When it came to publishing ‘false’ news, The Daily Star wasn’t the only culprit advertisement embargo that reduced 25% of its revenue for publishing news over the death of some indigenous people, in a gunfight, who were claimed as being terrorists by government agencies.

And then, the talk-show incident took place in which Mahfuz Anam was virtually grilled on-air for publishing false stories.

One of his comments drew flak from political leaders, that ensued with a social media post made by the prime minister’s son, demanding the trial of The Daily Star editor.

So the first thing that needs to be clarified before entering this argument is whether the stories were false or not.

And another question that must not go unanswered is why is it that only one newspaper and its editor are in the line of fire while almost every single media house was involved in publishing such news supplied by intelligence agencies, even though many of them were basically nothing more than fairy tales.

Surprisingly, of the seven members of parliament who lambasted The Daily Star and its

BIGSTOCK

Till date, almost all of the media houses are still publishing and broadcasting numerous news about law enforcers or intelligence officials which sometimes turn out to be fabricated, a pattern similar to those of the last caretaker government. And there are still no controversies regarding the publication of such articles

editor for the self-confessed “bad editorial judgment,” five were featured in the articles in the same newspaper a couple of years back, either for amassing wealth at an unnatural growth rate in five years or for patronising terrorism.

Moreover, till date, almost all of the media houses are still publishing and broadcasting numerous news about law enforcers or intelligence officials which sometimes turn out to be fabricated, a pattern similar to those of the last caretaker government.

And there are still no

controversies regarding the publication of such articles.

Mahfuz Anam, now an offender in 75 cases, so far, three years ago wrote a commentary piece on how the regime was being driven by arrogance, vengeance, and whims.

We believe the government will prove him wrong this time and steps would be taken to withdraw all the cases against Mahfuz Anam.

The never-ending trial of The Daily Star needs to see its end soon. l Aaqib Md Shatil is an Executive of Brand Development at Build Better Bangladesh Foundation.

14

DT

Opinion

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

The great dictators Was the Middle East really better off before US’s invasion?

Would it be a mistake to long for the ‘golden’ days of Saddam?

n Ziauddin Choudhury

A

mong the issues discussed in debates by the current pack of US presidential hopefuls, of both parties, foreign policy is one of the hotter topics.

Each candidate has expressed his or her iron will in formulating a strategy for the eradication of terrorism and, of course, sternly dealing with the rising menace of Islamic militancy in the Middle East.

Some candidates, notably Donald Trump on the Republican side and Bernie Sanders from the Democratic, have been very vocal in putting the blame for the current crisis in the Middle East and the rise of the militant state on the Iraq war.

And that discussion has led one of the Presidential hopefuls, Ted Cruz, to suggest that maybe the Middle East was better off in the past, governed by dictators.

Did Ted Cruz make a Freudian slip, saying something that many might have been thinking subconsciously?

It’s hard to imagine that the vast swath of territory, commonly known as the Middle East, that straddles two continents and

REUTERS

comprises 10 different countries, was a generally docile place a decade ago, where hardly any political commotion took place.

The occasional murmurs of protest here and there were quickly put down or were never heard even inside the countries themselves.

The heads of government in Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Tunisia, and other neighbouring countries ruled with an iron grip for decades, with nary a threat to their regimes, and the rest of the world was none the worse for what happened in those countries with the dictators.

There would be some reports of human rights abuse and suppression of freedom of speech, carried by the liberal media in the West, but generally, the Western governments looked the other way as their national interests were not at stake.

But that was until Saddam Hussain was toppled after the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, ending his long rule of nearly a quarter of a century.

Although an end to Saddam’s rule was brought upon by a war launched on Iraq to punish him for his support to terrorists, and harbouring so-called “weapons of

mass destruction,” the end to his long rule opened a Pandora’s Box of decades of trouble, not only in Iraq but also adjoining areas.

The demise of Saddam brought an end to his iron rule but it also released internal forces of sectarian opposition and ethnic hostilities that Saddam and his Baathist party had ruthlessly suppressed.

The end to the Saddam regime did not usher in a new dawn of democracy and freedom for the Iraqi citizens, it pushed them to a new era of mayhem and complete breakdown of law and order that ended in civil war between Shias and Sunnis, Iraqis and Kurds, and gave birth to militant Islamists seeking to establish a new order.

While Iraq battled one crisis after another with a weak government and a ragtag army that was completely depleted of its former ferocity, a new wave of popular movement against dictatorial regimes pounded the shores of other Middle Eastern countries.

A revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests (both non-violent and violent), riots, and civil wars in the Arab world -- the Arab Spring -- would spread from one end of that region to

the armed forces.

Today, the Arab Spring has turned into the Arab Winter for its spectacular failure in bringing about the changes the protestors wanted.

Except Tunisia, almost all of the countries that cheerfully toppled their regimes in the hope of democracy, freedom, and individual liberty are still fighting internecine civil wars, breakdown of law and order, and are living a nightmarish existence.

After four decades of economic progress, earned primarily through oil revenue and a stable albeit ruthless government, Libya is in shambles now.

It is practically a country without a formal government as it is divided in two parts -- one under a legally-elected government and the other seized by militants who call themselves Islamic state.

Yemen, where a popular upsurge led its autocratic president agree to surrender power in 2011, has now become a failed state after the hostilities between Shia Houthis and the government forces broke out in 2013.

The country has practically no government, as war between the Shia rebels and the Sunni controlled government forces aided by

of dictatorial regime has been possible mainly due to lack of a united action plan among Western powers on the disposal of the Assad regime, and support to the regime given by Iran and Russia.

This ambiguity among Western powers, as well as the breakdown of Iraq as a unified country, helped grow a third front in Syria -- the Islamic State -- which was able to solidify its strength by occupying territories of a fractured Iraqi state and parts of strife-torn Syria.

This new entity has cast itself as a force more dreadful and threatening than President Assad and his government.

The dilemma for the West now is who to get rid of first, a dictator who is suppressing only his own people, or a militant group that threatens the whole region, as well as the West itself?

No one knows when and if peace will return to the Middle East and the lives of people there will go back to as it was decades ago.

It is cynical to suggest that these countries were better off with dictators. It is decades of iron rule and suppression that has brought the countries to where they find themselves today.

But it is tempting to long for

No one knows if and when peace will return to the Middle East and the lives of people there will go back to as it was decades ago. It is cynical to suggest that these countries were better off with dictators. It is decades of iron rule and suppression that has brought the countries to where they find themselves today

another beginning with Tunisia and running through Egypt, Libya, Syria, and Yemen.

By the end of February 2012, four rulers had been forced from power (Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen) and one ruler (Syria) was fiercely fighting his existence while losing territories to rebel forces.

There were other civil uprisings that had erupted in the region, but these subsided because of lack of support from the general population and, more importantly,

Saudi Arabia ravages the country.

After a short period of democracy in Egypt, where a new government was installed after the country’s first free and fair elections after Hosni Mubarak, the army stepped in to put down another set of civil riots against the new government.

The country is back under a former army chief who formed a new government after fresh elections that many think were engineered.

The survival of this last bastion

those days for its citizens because they had roofs over their heads, and they did not have to leave their homes for work with fear of death looming over their heads.

That day will probably return, but only after the citizens in those countries get unified to fight the enemies of sectarian and ethnic strife that afflict them now. l Ziauddin Choudhury has worked in the higher civil service of Bangladesh early in his career, and later for the World Bank in the USA.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

INSIDE

28%

27%

4%

4%

7%

Financial products

Grocery

Food services

Beauty products

Home/Apartment

Consumer electronics

Baby products

Personal cloting & accessories

1%

4%

5%

14%

18%

20%

21%

25% 25%

32%

32%

CONSUMPTION PATTERN OVER DIFFERENT PRODUCT CATEGORIES

Planning to start purchasing online Source: LightCastle Partners Survey on Digital Consumers, 2015

Currently purchasing online

Study predicts significant rise in online purchase

A significant portion of traditionalists and early starters are going to shift from “See online and buy retail” trend to the “digital aspirant” group for more than a couple of items in next 12 months, said a recent study. PAGE 16

Zero rates wrecked your savings? Relax on a $17,000 footstool It doesn’t look like much, but a boxy wooden vintage Swedish footstool isn’t just a place to rest your weary feet after cross-country skiing. It is the latest competition to hedge funds or high end real estate. And that means it will cost you $17,000. PAGE 17

Smartphones to replace cards at bank machines

Here’s another use for the smartphone as it invades daily life: in place of your debit card at your bank cash machine. PAGE 18

Biman stuck in quagmire With its board dissolved, the airlines faces a crisis in major decision making while the start of operation in five routes is likely to be delayed n Ishtiaq Husain Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the national flag carrier that’s only known for problems, now confronts a new crisis. After the board of directors has been dissolved, all policy decisions get stuck in a quagmire.

As a result, the scheduled resumption of operations in two old routes and launching of three new routes in April have become uncertain as the board’s final approvals are still pending.

A high official of Biman said the civil aviation and tourism ministry had lately dissolved the airlines’ the highest decision-making body as it “failed to hold” annual general meeting (AGM) within the stipulated time.

He, however, said as per the Companies Act the ministry had no right to dissolve the board before holding AGM. The airlines suspended its operation in Dhaka-Delhi and Dhaka-Hong Kong routes two years ago, but recently decided to resume operation along with introducing three new routes – Dhaka-Colombo (Sri Lanka), Dhaka-Male (Maldives) and Dhaka-Guangzhou (China).

Biman officials said the preparation to start operation in the routes has been stopped due to dissolving the board.

At a meeting on 27 December last year, the board decided to resume flights to Delhi in February and to Hong Kong in April, and to commence operation in the three new routes in April.

The meeting said the working papers on launching operation in Guangzhou, Colombo and Male routes were ready while preparation of business case to resume Delhi and Hong Kong routes was near to completion.

Although Biman was supposed

The start of operation in five routes by Biman Bangladesh Airlines is likely to be delayed

‘As per the Companies Act the ministry has no right to dissolve the board before holding AGM’ to start sales at least two months before commencement of operation, lack of decision hampered the work.

Besides, business case preparation for Delhi and Hong Kong routes and working papers for Guangzhou, Colombo and Male routes were to be placed at the next board meeting. Officials said inhouse preparation to begin flights in the five routes would continue, but as the board’s final approval was required to start sales, the operation could be delayed.

“Although the Biman management is now unable to take major

decisions, routine activities are in progress,” Biman Acting Managing Director and CEO Asaduzzaman told the Dhaka Tribune. He hoped that all problems “will be solved soon.”

Appointment of GSA and renewal of GSA agreements for different stations are also required.

Appointment of GSA (cargo) in China (action on progress), appointment of GSA (passenger) in Hong Kong (proposals received through RFP, scrutinised and short-listed) remain pending for approval of the board’s sub-committee on marketing and sales.

To launch flights in five routes, there is an urgent necessity to fly worthy of all aircraft. One Boeing 777-200 ER is grounded due to non-availability of engine parts.

A Biman official said overhauling of Biman PW4090 Engine SAI 222031 and 222166 at United Airlines, USA of leased 777-200ER faced an unscheduled engine surge event and metallurgical failure of FIPT Stage 2 blades and

Oil drops on skepticism of potential producer deal n AFP, New York Oil prices fell Friday as the market took a more skeptical view of producer talks to limit output that had lifted prices earlier in the week.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for March delivery fell $1.13 to $29.64 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Brent North Sea oil for April delivery dropped $1.27 to $33.01 a barrel in London.

Oil prices rallied strongly Wednesday and early Thursday following talks by major producers on a potential agreement to limit production in response to crashing prices.

Saudi Arabia and Russia agreed to freeze production if other producers followed suit. Iran expressed broad support

for the initiative but stopped short of agreeing to limit output. Analysts said the market has shifted from its initial enthusiasm view to more of a show-me stance.

“We’re really going to have to wait and see whether OPEC is actually going to freeze production or whether it was just talk during the past week,” said Andy Lipow of consultancy Lipow Oil Associates. l

COURTESY

suffered severe internal damage with inflight shut down in February 2015.

Another ESN 222166 i>f ZI-ZOOER was removed from the aircraft due to HPT blade distress. Both the engines were sent to United Airlines for repairing.

Due to non-availability of engine parts, it was decided to exchange modules between the two engines and accordingly majority of modules was installed from ESN 222031 to ESN 22166. After the engine sl no. 222166 has been tested, now it is ready for delivery.

United Airlines submitted an interim invoice of $16.6m. Biman already paid $6.124m and upon payment of another $10.00m against ESN 222166, Biman can take delivery of the engine which needs approval of Biman board.

Payment of $10m to United Airlines to bring back the overhauled engine sl No. 222166 for operation of leased 777-200ER aircraft is “very urgent, which also requires approval of the board,” said an official. l

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Study predicts significant rise in online purchase Roughly 25% consumers buy food services online now

The respondents with monthly income between $251 and $650 represent an emerging middle, middle and affluent class backgrounds.

The study focuses on technology users and the rise of digital consumers in the country.

However, considering the current consumption trend, these are the categories accumulating the highest growth rate in the near future.

The report said conversion rate for consumers seeking digitised food services remains almost similar - indicating a need for expanding business in emerging regions as a long-term business strategy.

It mentioned that people are willing to move online for high-value purchase or leasing such as home or apartment as well. Traditional real estate businesses could consider this as an important indicator for some transformation.

The report also said despite having long exposure to social media and online review platforms, digital consumers still get influenced

28%

25% 25%

4%

4%

7%

Financial products

Grocery

Food services

Beauty products

Home/Apartment

Consumer electronics

1%

4%

5%

14%

18%

20%

27%

32%

32% Baby products

‘Despite having long exposure to social media and online review platforms, digital consumers still get influenced by offline peer review’

CONSUMPTION PATTERN OVER DIFFERENT PRODUCT CATEGORIES

21%

A significant portion of traditionalists and early starters are going to shift from “See online and buy retail” trend to the “digital aspirant” group for more than a couple of items in next 12 months, said a recent study.

LightCastle Partners – a business management consulting firm – unearthed the findings in its recent report titled “The Rise of Digital Consumer Class in Bangladesh”.

The report – which was based on an online study over 450 respondents in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet – was launched at a press conference held at the EMK Centre in the capital recently.

Roughly 4% of the consumers surveyed said they already purchase consumer electronics and grocery items online.

Personal cloting & accessories

n Ishtiaq Husain

Planning to start purchasing online Source: LightCastle Partners Survey on Digital Consumers, 2015 by “offline peer review” as 83.8% of the consumers said they would “trust” or “strongly trust” product or service review given offline by friends and relatives.

The report mentioned that 51% of the respondents are early startups while 26% from Chittagong and the rest from established areas in Dhaka.

The next big influencer is certifications obtained by organisations (BSTI approval is a good example for that).

According to report, the product information found on official company website persuades 69.5% of the population and traditional media advertisements affect only 30% of the consumers.

In-house store promotions also work with the same credibility level as TV commercials.

Fifty seven per cent of the consumers purchasing products online were “indifferent” or rated the service “bad.”

Currently purchasing online

These consumers prefer quality over price, and are loyal to brand name rather than aesthetic aspects.

The study findings indicate that the Bangladeshi consumers are primarily information or review seekers on the digital space as is represented by 74% of respondents.

Starting from gadgets to fall fashion collection to online contents, this population has a wide spectrum of interests. However, consumers awareness level and interests level tend to vary between product categories.

While Bangladeshi consumers’ interest in smart-phones can be compared with the likes of Italy and Germany, restaurant search patterns are mostly for smartphone information are more brand conscious than consumers looking for restaurants on internet.

It also said thousands of Facebook enabled outlets, personal clothing and accessories are some of the popular items the “digital

consumers” are purchasing online.

Online food service platforms like Foodpanda and HungryNaki have also gained attraction as 25% of the respondents admitted having subscribing to these services for at least once a month.

Comparing current trend for online purchase with the intention to go digital in the future over different product categories gave the study some interesting insights, the report said.

When asked about the report, Rezwanul Haque Jami, general secretary of E-commerce Association of Bangladesh, “E-commerce business is growing rapidly in Bangladesh. In last six months, selling trend was very high comparing with last year.”

“As we are able to achieve people’s trust, this was one of the important reasons for selling rate.

Even we were able to overcome loss due to suspension of Facebook,” Jami said. l

Plastic exports plunge 14% in July-January n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

Bangladesh’s exports earnings from the plastic sector dropped 14% to $51.73m in the first seven months of this fiscal year.

Drastic fall in the raw materials’ prices has been blamed for bleak performance by the country’s emerging industry.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) latest data, in July-January period of FY2015-16, the country earned $51.73m from the plastic sector, which was over 14% less compared to $60.20m a year ago.

The figure is 22.27% less against the target of $66.55m set for the period.

The sector people said the decrease of prices of raw materials was triggered by the economic slowdown in the export destination countries, especially in the European Union countries. And this caused downward trend in the export of the products.

The plastic sector earned $100.5m with a 17.35% growth in the last fiscal year, according to the EPB data.

“The fall of raw materials prices has triggered the price drop of the plastic goods in the global markets, which caused downward trend in the export earnings by the sector,” Jashim Uddin, president of Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA), told the Dhaka Tribune.

Though the export earnings have shown negative growth, the growth figure is still higher, which indicates the unit price fall, he said.

Plastic goods are bi-products of petroleum products, which have witnessed 30%-40% price fall. As a result, the price of raw materials of plastic goods have seen a 40%-45% decline, Jasim added.

On the other hand, export value of the sector declined due to slowdown in the European Union economies as they are the major buyers of Bangladeshi plastic products, Jasim Uddin said.

However, the sector people are hopeful about the industry’s revival as they are now exporting household products and furniture instead of traditional poly bag, woven sack, PVC bag and waste plastic.

In the current fiscal year, Bangladesh’s plastic products entered 22 new markets including Angola, Azerbaijan, Switzerland, Chile, Colombia, Cyprus, Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, Hungary, Lebanon, Liberia, Madagascar, Mongolia, Nigeria, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Yemen with its high quality products at a reasonable price, exporters said. l

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

Zero rates wrecked your savings?

Relax on a $17,000 footstool n Reuters, Frankfurt It doesn’t look like much, but a boxy wooden vintage Swedish footstool isn’t just a place to rest your weary feet after cross-country skiing. It is the latest competition to hedge funds or high end real estate. And that means it will cost you $17,000.

A global glut of cheap money is prompting investors to take unprecedented risks in order to earn returns. From the United States to the 19-country euro zone, central banks have lowered interest rates to zero since the financial crisis started in 2007 and still haven’t been able to raise them back.

Nearly a decade of free money helped these countries through the worst of the crisis, but at a heavy cost for savers, sapping earnings from traditional investments such as bonds and pushing many to look at riskier, unconventional alternatives.

Interest in hedge funds, property, paintings and wine has risen sharply.

This shift is pronounced in Sweden, a country where interest rates have long been at rock bottom. Bukowskis, a trendy Stockholm auction house, has seen rising demand for Swedish art and Scandinavian designer furniture.

The prices of humble-looking vintage carpets that capture the country’s 1950s zeitgeist of social equality have risen more than tenfold within five years. One sold for $82,000.

The $17,000 footstool is typical of the sort of minimalist, utilitarian furniture you might find at a Nordic summer cottage. For an extra $15,000, you can buy a small solid wood coffee table to go with it.

“Sales online in Sweden are exploding,” said Paulina Sokolow, Bukowskis creative director. “The prices are really increasing. I don’t think we’ve seen the peak.”

Wine has been a big money maker. A 12-bottle case of Cha-

A one-legged coffee table is seen in Stockholm, Sweden, in this undated handout picture provided by Bukowskis company to Reuters REUTERS teau Mouton-Rothschild from the 2000 vintage has risen in value from roughly $2,800 at the time to around $18,600 now. Bonus: whatever happens to prices, you can always drink it.

“The returns look attractive in the current climate,” said Tom Gearing, managing director of Cult Wines, a British wine investment firm. “And if everything goes wrong, you are still going to have a tangible asset.”

Cash hoarding

Hans Peterson, chief investment strategist at Sweden’s SEB bank, says many customers want new ways to invest.

“Clients are frustrated,” he said.

“It results in having to buy into cyclically sensitive assets such as equities, which can make those markets more volatile. People are also investing in property.”

The soaring prices for Swedish footstools and rugs come in

a country where property prices shot up by 36% since the end of 2013. The sale last year of a $12m apartment in Stockholm set a new record, though it would barely be noticed in London or New York.

The boom has been fuelled in part by tax breaks but also by Sweden’s zero interest rate that turned negative in 2015.

A negative rate increases the cost to banks of hoarding cash, designed to fire up lending.

But this heady environment, especially after a recent stock-market swoon, looks vulnerable.

“Are the risks too high?” said Peterson. “Only time will tell.”

Cautionary tale

The experience of Japan, which has been struggling through two “lost decades” of stagnation, provides a cautionary tale.

Like many cities in Europe now, Tokyo too saw a sharp rise in property prices and in demand for art in

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the early 1990s.

An abrupt tightening of property investment rules by the Japanese government triggered a collapse in home prices, dragging down the art market with it.

Japan’s subsequent slashing of borrowing rates, which reached zero around 2000, failed to reanimate the economy.

During nearly 20 years of deflation, consumers have postponed spending, believing prices will continue to fall. The country’s debt meanwhile grew to twice the size of its economy.

This is precisely the fate that the European Central Bank is determined to avoid. Its chief means of doing so, however, involves keeping borrowing rates low.

In Switzerland, negative rates, which see the central bank charge banks to hold their money, are being passed on to some customers, forced to pay to keep money on deposit.

Some people prefer to stuff money under a mattress. The amount of cash stashed in homes or vaults from the euro zone has topped 1 trillion euros, much of it in 500-euro notes.

“It’s become clear to everybody that we have negative interest rates, they seem to be here for a while and this affects preferences of investors,” said Alfred Roelli, a senior portfolio manager at Pictet, a Swiss bank which introduces its clients to art and collectibles at special events.

He said the low rate environment “forces people to be more adventurous and more open to new investment ideas”.

Robert Ketterer, who runs an auction house in Germany, said the low rates “are good for business because it prompts some, who say they can’t get a return on their savings, to buy art.”

“Owners, on the other hand, are reluctant to sell because they don’t know what to do with the money.” l

New market storm could catch euro zone unprepared

n Reuters, Paris

Distracted by an unresolved migration crisis and negotiations on keeping Britain in the European Union, euro zone leaders could be caught unprepared by a new storm on financial markets.

Global market turmoil since the start of the year has helped set warning lights flashing in euro zone sovereign bond markets. In early February, the premium that investors charge to hold Portuguese, Spanish and Italian government debt rather than German bonds hit some of the highest levels since the euro zone crisis that peaked in 2011-2012.

European bank shares have been badly hit by concerns over their high stock of non-performing loans, new regulatory burdens and a squeeze on profits due to sub-zero official interest rates. New EU banking regulations that force shareholders and bondholders to take first losses if a bank needs rescuing are further spooking the market, notably in Italy.

All this comes at a time when public resistance to further austerity measures has surged all over southern Europe, producing unstable results at the ballot box.

Furthermore, the storm clouds are gathering above a tenuous and slow euro zone economic recovery - growth is officially forecast to reach 1.9% this year versus around 1.6 percent in 2015. Southern periphery countries all face budget problems that are fuelling political tension with Brussels.

Inflation is also refusing to perk up despite the European Central Bank’s bond-buying program and negative interest rates, making it harder for heavily indebted euro zone countries to pay down debt.

Yet euro zone governments transfixed by differences over sharing out refugees, managing Europe’s porous borders and accommodating British demands for concessions on EU membership terms have a huge amount on their hands already. l

Newfound fears of investor panic can be soothed n Antony Currie

There’s a growing risk that credit woes spark bank-like runs on bond mutual funds. That’s the message from the latest in a series of studies from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on how market liquidity has changed since the crisis. In two investigations published on Friday, the regional central bank’s wonks lay out a scenario that shows how fire sales caused by problems at some funds could lead to broader

losses than a decade ago.

Some will blame new regulations that have curtailed the ability of investment banks to act as middlemen. It’s a weak argument, though, and one that the New York Fed tackled in a separate study last October.

Instead, according to the authors of the new research, entitled “Are asset managers vulnerable to a fire sale?” the problem has three causes. First, funds are larger. Second, they hold a bigger concentration of illiquid assets. Third, inves-

tors are acting in a more skittish manner, selling earlier and in greater amounts than in the past.

That all makes sense, but also misses a broader point. Mutual funds and their managers have not evolved with the times. The more assets they hold – especially in a low-rate environment where they snap up riskier, harder-to-sell securities in a hunt for returns – the more important it is to ensure they have ample liquidity to cope with a problem.

The first line of defense is cash.

Most tend to hold up to 7% of assets, more than enough to cover the 5% redemptions over three months in the 1994 market rout. In 2008, however, some funds lost up to 20%. And jumpy bondholders are likely to run through the rainyday stash pretty quickly.

Another option is to prevent investors from taking money out at will. That practice compounds the problem, especially the more illiquid holdings – like real estate –

in a fund. Money managers could even start hawking products that remove investor-driven runs, like closed-end funds.

Such measures would neither eliminate all risk nor prevent all losses. It would, however, reduce the pain for the funds and financial system alike. l Antony Currie has more than a decade of experience as a financial journalist, having worked with Euromoney since 1996, most recently as a US editor.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

Smartphones to replace cards at bank machines n AFP, Washington Here’s another use for the smartphone as it invades daily life: in place of your debit card at your bank cash machine.

The “cardless” automatic teller machine (ATM) is gaining ground in the US and around the world, with smartphone technology allowing for speedier and more secure transactions.

Dozens of US banks are installing new ATMs or updating existing ones to allow customers to order cash on a mobile application and then scan a code to get their money without having to insert a bank card.

US banking giants Wells Fargo, Bank of America and Chase are in the process of deploying the new ATMs, as are a number of regional banks and financial groups around the world. Makers of ATMs and financial software groups are ramping up to meet this demand.

“We think our model (using smartphones) reduces a lot of vulnerabilities,” said Doug Brown, who leads mobile technology for FIS Global, a major provider of software and technology for ATMs. Brown said the FIS cardless system is being used at some 2,000 ATMs operated by at least 28 banks in the United States “and we’re looking to rapidly expand that.”

He said the system should be operational at some 80,000 machines in North America over the coming 18 months. And similar changes are coming in other countries, according to Brown.

said spokesman Kristopher Dahl.

Chicago-based BMO Harris, an affiliate of Bank of Montreal, began using smartphone technology at its 750 ATMs last March.

‘Headless’ ATMs

A person using smartphone to withdraw money from an ATM booth

Reducing ‘skimming,’ fraud

In addition to speeding the transaction time, the smartphone-based system aims to curb the growing problem of “skimming” in which criminals steal the data on a card, often by inserting devices into the ATM card slot.

By some estimates, skimming cost the global banking industry some $2bn in 2015 and can lead to other kinds of fraud when card data is stolen.

“Consumers are aware of this, they really understand and welcome this,” Brown said.

Another security benefit, Brown said, is that authenticating on the handset reduces the time spent at the ATM to around 10 seconds in-

stead of the typical 30 to 40 seconds “The performance is kind shocking to some people, they almost jump back at the instantaneous response,” Brown said. “But it provides more physical security because they can make the transaction faster.”

Bank of America spokeswoman Betty Riess said the group is “currently developing a new cardless ATM solution” based on NFC or near field communication technology to allow customers to authenticate without the use of a card.

“We’ll roll out this capability in late February to associates in select ATMs in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Charlotte, New York and Boston.”

Riess said. “It will be followed by a

AFP

broader customer launch mid-year.”

Chase said it is planning a similar rollout sometime this year.

“When we first roll this out, customers will be able to request an access code through the Chase mobile app and enter it at the ATM to do their transactions,” said Chase spokesman Michael Fusco.

“Later on, they will be able to use their digital mobile wallet to complete the transaction at the ATM.” Wells Fargo is also on board, developing ATMs that will allow customers to use their smartphones to obtain and eight-digit token to authorize a cash withdrawal.

The Wells Fargo system will support Android Pay, “and we’ll continue to evaluate additional wallets,”

Some of the new technologies will require only a software update to the ATM, while others will need new hardware.

ATM manufacturer Diebold is testing a “headless” teller machine, without a screen or keypad, which dispenses cash from interaction on the smartphone.

“What we are saying with this is forget the card reader, forget the PIN pad, we all have these devices in our pockets,” said Dave Kuchenski, Diebold’s senior business development manager for new technology.

Customers need only verify their identity, which can be done with the device’s fingerprint reader, or possibly with an iris scanner on the ATM. While some existing Diebold ATMs can work with mobile applications, Kuchenski said the new concept, in testing with Citibank and others, could provide “a better user experience.”

“We don’t have to walk through the same process which we have had since the ATM has existed,” he said.

“If we’re using a mobile phone, we no longer have the need for a card, we no longer have a need for a receipt printer, we’ve dematerialized a lot of the devices. Banks like this, because it has fewer moving parts, so it reduces the total cost of ownership.” l

Saudi oil minister to face rival US producers as price rout bites n Reuters This week, Saudi Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi will for the first time face the victims of his decision to keep oil pumps flowing despite a global glut: US shale oil producers struggling to survive the worst price crash in years.

While soaring U.S. shale output brought on by the hydraulic fracturing revolution contributed to oversupply, many blame the 70-percent price collapse in the past 20 months primarily on Naimi, seen as the oil market’s most influential policymaker.

During his keynote on Tuesday at the annual IHS CERAWeek conference in Houston, Naimi will be addressing U.S. wildcatters and executives who are stuck in a zero sum game.

“OPEC, instead of cutting production, they increased production, and that’s the predicament we’re in right now,” Bill Thomas, chief executive of EOG Resources Inc, one of the largest US shale oil

producers, told an industry conference last week, referring to 2015.

It will be Naimi’s first public appearance in the United States since Saudi Arabia led the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ shock decision in November 2014 to keep heavily pumping oil even though mounting oversupply was already sending prices into free-fall.

Naimi has said this was not an attempt to target any specific countries or companies, merely an effort to protect the kingdom’s market share against fast-growing, higher-cost producers.

It just so happens that US shale was the biggest new oil frontier in the world, with much higher costs than cheap Saudi crude that can be produced for a few dollars a barrel.

“I’d just like to hear it from him,” said Alex Mills, president of the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers. “I think it should be something of concern to our leaders in Texas and in Washington,” if in fact his aim is to push aside US shale producers, Mills said.

Last week’s surprise agreement

by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Russia and Venezuela to freeze oil output at January levels - near record highs - did not offer much solace and the global benchmark Brent crude LCOc1 ended the week lower at $33 a barrel and US crude futures CLc1 ended unchanged at just below $30.

Prices fell sharply on Tuesday after Iran, the main hurdle to any production control in its zeal to recapture market share lost to sanctions, welcomed the plan without commitment. Iraq was also non-committal.

Many US industry executives understand that all is fair in love, war and the oil market, but “the Saudis have probably overplayed their hand,” said Bruce Vincent, former president of Houston-based shale oil producer Swift Energy, which filed for bankruptcy late last year.

A painful time

The fact that OPEC members are talking to each other offers a ray of hope, according to some industry figures, an indication that the

kingdom’s own fiscal pain could prompt it to change tact and lead efforts to reach a deal. On Tuesday, Standard & Poor’s downgraded Saudi Arabia’s credit rating.

“The pain is at a threshold right now. People are now willing to sit down and talk about possible remedies to that pain,” Mills said.

Texas, where oil production has more than doubled over the past five years thanks to the Eagle Ford and Permian Basin fields, is feeling acute pain. The state lost nearly 60,000 oil and gas jobs between November 2014 and November 2015, according to the Texas Alliance’s most recent data. Only 236 rigs are still actively drilling wells in the state, down from more than 900 in late 2014, Baker Hughes data showed.

Financial distress among US producers has deepened. More than 40 US energy companies have declared bankruptcy since the start of 2015, with more looming as lenders are set to cut the value of companies’ reserves, often used as collateral for credit.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp and rival ConocoPhillips both cut their dividends this month, unusual moves that showed financial stress.

The tiger has teeth

The last time Naimi spoke at CERAWeek, seven years ago, OPEC was slashing output to lift prices that sank to $40 a barrel amid the global financial crisis, and he railed against speculators who he blamed for the price plunge.

Few oil executives anticipated Naimi’s willingness to let prices collapse this time around.

Some of them, such as Harold Hamm, the chief executive of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, even called his bluff.

Shortly before the November 2014 OPEC meeting, Hamm cashed in Continental’s hedges, calling OPEC a “toothless tiger.”

In an investor call in August, Hamm said he expected OPEC to begin cuts in September, adding, “we think that may be the first of many.” Those have yet to come. l

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

| event |

| fest |

The Food Talk

Mediterranean festival at Le Meridien Dhaka Le Meridien Dhaka shall be hosting a week-long food festival showcasing the gourmets of the Mediterranean region, starting from February 25. Organised in collaboration with premium partner Standard Chartered Bank, the event shall be formally introducing the hotel’s Mediterranean restaurant Olea, which is located on the top floor

n Taskin Rahman The fourth episode of “The Food Talk” was held at Busy Beans on February 20, for which the theme was on the appreciation for coffee and tea.

The tea appreciation session was conducted by Mishael Aziz Ahmad, who brought tea from four continents, including Macha tea from Japan to Yerba Mate tea and Puer tea from Latin America. He explained the different delicacies which tea has with flower tea and milky oolong.

Famous coffee retailers North End was present as well.

Representatives Munir and Rajaon

described the different types of coffee that the market has, starting with where the beans come from, how it is roasted to even why.

Moreover, they also illustrated and explained the differences between cappuccino, latte and macchiato.

Busy Beans presented their new menu in the episode, which consisted of Japanese chicken teriyaki to their recently added dessert, named Affogato.

As the founder of “The Food Talk,” I presented the North End with our famous circle of recommendations. George’s Cafe was also given similar recommendations for their famous drink Mocha Java.l

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Biz Info

(floor 16) and shall feature a rooftop terrace. Guest chef Khalil Alsaeis, coming from St Regis Abu Dhabi, has been appointed to direct the menu and preparation of the festival’s cuisine with a strong focus on grilled gourmets.

The event is dubbed “Le Meridien Mediterranean Nights,” and will also feature music from its namesake region to complete

the dining experience for the guests.

The festival will be organised in association with airline partner Qatar Airways and beverage partner Coca-Cola Bangladesh Ltd. Priced at Tk4,200+ per person, reservations may be made by dialling +01990900900. l

| food |

Seafood sensations at The Westin Dhaka salmon and snapper, are ideal to start off the meal before the main course.

The main course offers Asian, Western, Indian and Bangladeshi styled seafood dishes that are specifically prepared to cater to the diverse seafood aficionados from all over the world. Seafood paella, grilled fish, Chilean seabass, baked prawns, calamari, cannelloni, Singapore style crab,

The Westin Dhaka introduces an extravagant seafood buffet at their signature venue, Seasonal Tastes. The sumptuous seafood palate is available every Friday from 6pm till 11:30pm, where an eclectic selection of seafood combinations are on offer.

The menu is delicately crafted by the expert chefs with only seafood in mind. For starters, guests have the option to choose from various seafood themed salads offering steamed and cured fish. To name a few, prawn cocktails, seafood chowder, ceviche, fish and chips, baked

prawn kebab, local style fish fry and many other seafood dishes adorn the main course selection.

A live steamboat and grill station offers mussel, crab, squid, prawn and many other local and exotic fish prepared live for the avid seafood connoisseurs.

The seafood buffet dinner is priced at Tk5,000. For reservations, please dial +8801730374871. l

DT

20

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Automation (5) 4 Yield (4) 7 Choler (3) 8 Joke (3) 9 Discovers (5) 12 Large volume (4) 13 Landed properties (7) 15 Spoil (3) 16 Secret agent (3) 18 Wildebeest (3) 19 Opening (3) 21 Begins again (7) 24 Musical instrument (4) 26 Ordain (5) 27 Pale (3) 28 Falsehood (3) 29 Rank (4) 30 One entertained (5)

DOWN 1 Prevalent (4) 2 Prayer (6) 3 Curved (4) 4 Domestic animals (4) 5 Self (3) 6 Foe (5) 10 Water storage (3) 11 Raised platform (5) 14 Efface (5) 17 Abstract (6) 18 Phantom (5) 20 Play on words (3) 21 Bring up (4) 22 Masculine (4) 23 To let stand! (4) 25 Be indebted (3)

Downtime CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 2 represents D so fill D every time the figure 2 appears.

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

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

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

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

CALVIN AND HOBBES

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

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

DT

World 21

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

INSIDE

ANALYSES

EU’s real brake isn’t Britain but FrancoGerman impasse

The real obstacle to deeper European integration is a long-running Franco-German impasse on how to make the euro zone stronger and more sustainable, reconciling two radically different economic and political cultures.

PAGE 22

Troops deployed to quell Haryana protests, water cut to Delhi

India deployed thousands of troops in the northern state of Haryana on Sunday to quell protests that have severely hit water supplies to Delhi, forced factories to close and killed 10 people.

PAGE 23

Cameron clears key hurdles in Brexit campaign

Prime Minister David Cameron has cleared some key hurdles as he takes his first steps in what promises to be a bitter campaign ahead of an EU membership referendum in June, experts said.

PAGE 24

Sanders struggles to broaden appeal after Nevada loss

GOP candidates offer stark contrast in visions as field thins

n Reuters, Washington, DC

n Reuters, Charleston

Bernie Sanders’ high-flying Democratic presidential campaign fell back to Earth on Saturday in Nevada.

If the Vermont senator cannot quickly find a way to broaden his appeal to minorities and union members, last week’s 22-point rout of Clinton in New Hampshire could prove to be his campaign highlight.

The race moves next week to South Carolina, where blacks make up more than half of the Democratic electorate, and on March 1 to a string of southern states with big blocs of African-Americans, who strongly support Clinton and have been slow to warm to Sanders.

The rush of March contests in big, diverse states -- Democrats in nearly two dozen states will vote between March 1 and March 15 -- could leave Sanders grasping for political life.

Although Clinton’s 5-point win was relatively narrow, it was enough to blunt Sanders’ momentum. Recent voter surveys had shown a tight race in Nevada, raising the prospect of another damaging setback for Clinton.

Entrance polls in Nevada showed Clinton trounced Sanders by 3-to-1 among black voters, and also beat him in union households by 11 percentage points.

The enthusiasm of younger and liberal voters who rallied around Sanders’ calls for reining in Wall Street and reducing income equality was not enough in Nevada to counter Clinton’s union and organisational clout, allowing her to reclaim front-runner status as the race shifts to more friendly turf.

After the New Hampshire setback, Clinton’s campaign was banking that Sanders would be unable to breach a so-called “firewall” of Hispanic and African-American support for the former Secretary of State in southern and western states.

Nevada’s result appeared to support that view.

Victim of success

The Sanders campaign said it was heartened in Nevada by entrance polls showing he beat Clinton among Hispanics by about 8points.

But the Clinton campaign questioned those numbers, saying that at one point she had won 60% of the delegates in 22 Latino-majority precincts.

Clinton’s convincing showing in Nevada could reduce the chances of a late run by an independent candidate such as former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, who would likely scoop up moderate voters turned off by a socialist nominee.

In a sense, Sanders was a victim in Nevada of his own success.

His ability to close the gap on Clinton in Iowa and rout her in New Hampshire, nearly all-white states, raised expectations that he could ride to another upset in Nevada.

But Sanders’ strong showings in the first three contests, along with his formidable fundraising,

As the presidential field winnows after Donald Trump’s commanding victory in South Carolina’s nominating contest, US Republican voters face a choice that grows starker by the day.

Do they back the rage-infused, turn-back-the-clock tone of Trump, or perhaps his conservative, evangelical rival, Ted Cruz? Or do they favour the sunnier, more inclusive appeals of emerging establishment favourite Marco Rubio or Ohio Governor John Kasich.

Not only will the answer decide the Republican nominee, it may well change what it means to be a Republican. The party is enduring a schism between those who want to work within the system and those want to tear it down.

Nevada, South Carolina results

DEMOCRATS 60 50

REPUBLICANS

Nevada: 95% votes counted 52.7%

South Carolina: all votes counted

47.2%

40

32.5%

30

22.5%

20

22.3%

10

7.8%

7.6%

Jeb Bush*

John Kasich

0

Hillary Clinton

Bernie Sanders

Donald Trump

Marco Rubio

Ted Cruz

* Has suspended campaign

suggest staying power. That could help extend the Democratic race beyond the cluster of early March contests and into April and May, when a string of contests in whiter and more liberal states could help him.

Sanders has money for the long haul, although Clinton had more on hand at the end of January.

Federal election reports showed Sanders had raised $21.3m in January and had $14.7m on hand.

In January, Hillary raised $13.2m from individual donors and had $32.9m on hand.

Some black voters said on Saturday they did not see a reason to switch their loyalty away from Clinton, a fondness that dates back to her husband Bill Clinton’s presidency but which was strained by her bitter primary battle with Barack Obama in 2008. l

“The GOP is broken may not be salvageable,” said Juleanna Glover, a Republican consultant in Washington who had supported Jeb Bush, who dropped out of the race on Saturday after a poor showing in South Carolina. Trump’s support, she said, shows that one-third of the party’s voters “want out.”

Bush, the former Florida governor, had been part of that camp of Republican establishment optimists. Ben Carson, the right-wing retired neurosurgeon, was never a factor in South Carolina and could be the next to exit.

That leaves a Final Four, of sorts, as the campaign maintains a southern focus for a string of contests on March 1 that include Georgia, Texas, and Virginia. Trump and Cruz will be the favourites in many of them, with Rubio, a senator from Florida, and Kasich seen struggling until the primary schedule shifts to

more hospitable regions, including their home states.

Rubio finished in a near tie for second in South Carolina with Cruz, rebounding strongly from his stumble in New Hampshire, where he finished fifth and was criticised for being overly scripted. He stands to benefit the most from Bush’s departure as the perceived establishment standard-bearer.

Kasich trailed well behind, managing fewer votes than Bush.

Going to extremes

Billionaire real estate developer Trump has racked up wins in two of the three early-voting states by channeling the disillusionment many Americans, especially the white working-class, feel with stagnant wages, globalisation, the influence of corporate money in politics, and a gridlocked government.

Cruz, a senator from Texas, has courted libertarian and religious voters who believe their values are under assault.

Both strike a tone of alarm, largely about the porous US southwest border and the threat of Dae’sh. And both often offer a paean to the past, asking voters to envision a time when the country appeared to be more prosperous and homogenous.

Some Republicans fear that the appeal of either candidate will simply be too narrow.

Alternatively, Rubio and Kasich bill themselves as healers of America’s fractured politics. On the stump, Rubio speaks of uniting the quarrelsome factions of the Republican Party, and has embraced diversity in a way that his competitors have not.

Rubio has vowed to grow and unite the party and broaden its appeal among younger Americans.

The contrast between Rubio’s events Friday and those of Trump and Cruz was vivid. Trump, just a day after getting into public spat with Pope Francis, told an apocryphal story about a general who executed Muslims using bullets dipped in pig blood. Cruz’s rally featured Phil Robertson, star of the reality show “Duck Dynasty” who has condemned homosexuality as sinful.

But some Republican voters worry that Rubio, who, like Cruz, is a first-term senator, and Kasich, who has labeled himself “the prince of light and hope”, aren’t tough of enough to usher in the radical change they crave. l

DT

22

World

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

ANALYSIS

EU’s real brake isn’t Britain but Franco-German impasse n Reuters, Brussels Forget Brexit. The real obstacle to deeper European integration is not the awkward British, whether they choose to stay in the European Union with a “special status” or leave.

It is a long-running Franco-German impasse on how to make the euro zone stronger and more sustainable, reconciling two radically different economic and political cultures.

Now that David Cameron has won a deal to enshrine formally Britain’s semi-detached status in the 28-nation bloc - if his sceptical voters don’t detach it completely - the onus will return to Europe’s founding nations to work out a way forward.

European federalists such as Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel are fretting that the terms granted to Britain’s embattled leader may whet others’ appetite for opting out of EU policies and ultimately lead to a disintegration of the union.

“We must not give the impression that Europe is a self-service,” French President Francois Hollande said. “There can be differences but there cannot be a Europe where each country picks out what it wants.”

The risk of a wider unravelling was highlighted by Austria’s unilateral decision last week to impose migrant quotas at its borders, and the refusal of four central European states to take any share of the million migrants who entered the EU last year.

But it is the breakdown of Franco-German leadership in the euro zone - the economic core of the 60-year-old European project - that worries the architects of European integration.

Paris and Berlin have long slept in the same bed with very different dreams.

In the heat of the euro zone debt crisis in 2010-12, they found just enough common ground: The euro zone tightened fiscal rules and created its own rescue fund, a partial banking union with a common supervisor and a mechanism for winding up failed banks with an embryonic common resolution fund.

But since the European Central Bank averted a meltdown of the 19-nation currency zone by pledging in 2012 to do “whatever it takes” to preserve the euro, reforms to reinforce economic governance and mutualism risk have stalled.

Frustrated and cheated

A 2012 blueprint entitled “Towards a Genuine Economic and Monetary Union” signed by the four presidents of the European Commission, the European Council, the ECB and euro zone finance ministers, led to the first steps in banking union but got stuck after that.

The French refused to contemplate the principle of making binding contracts with Brussels to reform their rigid labour market or generous welfare system - issues that could trigger strikes and topple governments.

The Germans and their allies balked at providing financial incentives for countries to sign up to such reforms. Berlin brushed aside ideas for a central euro zone budget, common bank deposit insurance or any joint debt issuance.

A second report last year outlining a more modest three-stage plan for euro zone reform, adding the signature of the president of the European Parliament, got no more traction.

Both main European powers are frustrat-

ed and feel cheated. The Germans think fiscal discipline is still not being properly enforced, notably on the French, while the French feel Berlin is still failing to show solidarity with weaker southern economies.

Fear of splitting the left and losing another referendum on Europe after the 2005 defeat of the EU constitutional treaty has driven Hollande’s timid European policy, insiders say.

Whether a centre-right successor - or a second-term Hollande if the Socialist were re-elected against the odds - would be open to sharing more sovereignty remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, the challenge of integrating a million refugees - a project on the scale of reunification with ex-Communist eastern Germany in the 1990s - is likely to cramp the political attention span of Chancellor Angela Merkel or her successor.

Imbalance

A growing power imbalance between an economically successful Germany and a stagnant, reform-shy France has compounded underlying differences of national tradition.

Germans dream of a rules-based Europe in which governments transfer sovereignty over national budget balances to a central authority with the power to fine or expel them, and economic reform commitments are made enforceable by EU courts.

In such a union, Berlin might be willing to accept a limited common euro zone budget and common bank deposit insurance but probably never common debt issuance.

A “transfer union” - redistributing wealth from industrious northerners to easy-going southerners - remains many Germans’ nightmare. They see it as an open door to “moral hazard”, a permanent reward for bad behaviour.

Many in France still dream of a smaller core euro zone with harmonised taxes at or close to their own high levels, a common minimum wage and unemployment insurance, and a sizeable common budget backed by joint public borrowing.

But with rare exceptions, the French remain allergic to outside control or supervision of their public finances or economic policies.

These divisions will not be dissolved magically whether Britain stays in or leaves the EU, although the shock of a British vote to depart would create political pressure for a bold euro zone initiative.

To be sure, Britain has now given a formal commitment not to obstruct further euro zone integration in return for concessions on migrant workers, exemption from EU political integration and safeguards for the City of London financial sector.

But euro zone countries would first have to agree on how to deepen their monetary union. l

23

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

Troops deployed to quell Haryana protests, water cut to Delhi Bahadurgarh/New n Reuters, Delhi India deployed thousands of troops in the northern state of Haryana on Sunday to quell protests that have severely hit water supplies to Delhi, forced factories to close and killed 10 people.

Rioting and looting in Haryana by the Jats, a rural caste, is symptomatic of increasingly fierce competition for government jobs and educational openings in India, whose growing population is set to overtake China’s within a decade.

The federal government has already deployed 4,000 troops and 5,000 paramilitaries in a massive show of force to restore order. It has ordered an end to the protests

by Sunday night, an official in prime minister’s office said.

In Bahadurgarh, on the road west from Delhi, around 2,000 protesters were occupying a highway intersection and stopping truck traffic. Shops in the town were closed.

“We are here to die,” said Rajendra Ahlavat, a 59-year-old farmer and protest leader. “We will keep going until the government bows to the pressure. There is no way we will take back our demands.”

TV reports from Jhajjar, further west, showed troops fanning out on the streets against a backdrop

cut, the government announced that extra flights had been laid on to destinations in northwest India.

The unrest poses a threat to Modi’s promise of jobs and growth for the aspirational Indians who elected him in 2014 with the largest majority in three decades.

Indian Prime Mnister Modi, who has previously faced criticism for ignoring unrest that does not fit with the upbeat narrative of his nationalist government, avoided reference to the protests in a visit to the state of Chattisgarh.

Modi wants to attract foreign investment to back his ‘Make in India’ drive to create 100m manJat community demonstrators chant slogans next to police during a protest in New ufacturing jobs by 2022. At the Delhi on Sunday REUTERS current rate India may only create 8m jobs in that period, by one independent estimate. of burning and damaged buildtorched railway stations and The Jat protests echo a simiings - evidence of the fury of Jats staged sit-ins on tracks, blocking lar movement last year in Modi’s who make up a quarter of Haryahundreds of trains. They sabohome state of Gujarat, where the na’s population and number more taged pumping equipment at a Patel community demanded a than 80 million in total. water treatment plant that progreater share of scarce governHaryana’s police chief said the vides most of Delhi’s water. ment jobs and college places that death toll had risen to 10 and 150 “No water available now. Still are now reserved for people from more had been injured. “We are no hope to get it,” Deputy Chief lower castes. trying to identify the conspirators Minister Manish Sisodia said in a Hardik Patel, the 22-year-old and take action,” Director General tweet. leader of the Gujarat unrest, beof Police Yash Pal Singal told a telThe Delhi government ordered came a national sensation after evised news conference. schools to shut on Monday and drawing half a million people to rationed water supply to residents one rally. The authorities cracked to ensure that hospitals and emerWater station attacked down on Patel, who was charged gency services have enough.

Protesters have attacked the with sedition in October. l With many road and rail links homes of regional ministers,

Twin blasts kill 46 in Syria’s Homs n AFP, Beirut

A double bombing killed at least 46 people in Syria’s Homs on Sunday, as US Secretary of State John Kerry said a provisional deal had been reached on the terms of a ceasefire.

World powers have been pushing for a halt in fighting that was meant to go into effect by Friday, but have struggled to agree on how it should be implemented.

Violence has intensified on the ground, with double car bomb blasts hitting the al-Zahraa neighbourhood of the central city of Homs on Sunday morning.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 46 people had been killed and dozens wounded in the explosions.

State television broadcast footage from the scene, showing emergency workers carrying a charred body on a stretcher past shops shorn of their fronts and mangled cars and minibuses.

Homs city has regularly been targeted in bomb attacks, includ-

ing last month when a double bombing claimed by the Dae’sh group killed 22 people in al-Zahraa.

Most of those killed in the city have been civilians. In one of the deadliest attacks, 48 children and four adults died in blasts at a school in October 2014.

SOUTH ASIA

Myanmar police face-to-face with anti-drug vigilantes Thousands of anti-drug vigilantes are locked in a showdown with police and soldiers in northern Myanmar after they were stopped from destroying poppy fields, witnesses said Sunday. Myanmar’s border regions have long been notorious drug manufacturing hotspots with both ethnic rebel forces and the military or its allied militias implicated in the lucrative trade.

-AFP

INDIA

5 dead in Kashmir attack A handful of rebels holed up in a building in the Indian portion of Kashmir exchanged fire with government forces for the second straight day Sunday, raising the number of dead to four soldiers and one civilian. Another 13 paramilitary troops have been wounded in the standoff. The rebels, numbering two to three, fired guns and grenades early Sunday as Indian commandos tried to storm the government building where they have been hiding since Saturday.

-AP

CHINA

China build-up pointer in S China Sea islands From listening posts to jet fighter deployments and now surface-to-air missiles, China’s expanding facilities in the Paracel Islands are a signal of long-term plans to strengthen its military reach across the disputed South China Sea. Diplomats and security experts in contact with Chinese military strategists say Beijing’s moves to arm and expand its long-established holdings in the Paracels will likely be replicated on its man-made islands in the more contentious Spratly archipelago.

-REUTERS

ASIA PACIFIC

Thousands in Japan rally against US base Thousands of people surrounded Japan’s parliament on Sunday to protest against government plans to relocate a US military base on Okinawa island, local media reported. Some 28,000 protesters, according to local media, had ringed parliament house in central Tokyo, holding hands and shouting: Don’t build the base.

-AFP

‘Provisional’ ceasefire agreement

The latest bombings came as Kerry said he had spoken with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov and agreed an initial basis on how to implement a ceasefire.

“We have reached a provisional agreement, in principle, on the terms of the cessation of hostilities that could begin in the coming days,” Kerry said in Amman.

World powers proposed the truce just over a week ago as part of a plan that also included expanded humanitarian access, in a bid to pave the way for the resumption of new peace talks.

The talks, which collapsed earlier this month in Geneva, were scheduled to resume on February 25, but the UN’s envoy on Syria has already acknowledged that

DT

World

MIDDLE EAST

Syrian army soldiers inspect the site of a two bomb blasts in Homs city REUTERS date is no longer “realistically” possible.

On Saturday, a key opposition umbrella group, the High Negotiations Committee, said it would agree a temporary truce only if regime backers halted fire. Assad meanwhile told Spain’s El Pais newspaper that he was “ready” for a ceasefire, but said it should not be exploited by “terrorists”.

Regime backer Moscow is a key architect of the proposed ceasefire, but has shown little sign so far that it plans to rein in the air campaign it began in September in support of Assad’s government.

On Saturday, the Kremlin said it would continue “to provide assistance and help to the armed forces of Syria in their offensive actions against terrorists”. l

Kerry: Provisional agreement reached on Syria ceasefire

Secretary of State John Kerry said Sunday that a provisional agreement has been reached on a cease-fire that could begin in the next few days in Syria’s five-year civil war. Kerry said he spoke in the morning with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss terms of a cease-fire and the two now must reach out to the parties in the conflict.

-AP

DT

24

World

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

USA

Jeb Bush ends White House bid In the end, a famous name, political pedigree and deep-pocketed donors were not enough to rescue the lackluster presidential campaign of Jeb Bush. Bush withdrew from the presidential race Saturday after another humiliating primary defeat, this time in South Carolina. Tonight, I am suspending my campaign, an emotional Bush, who at times appeared on the verge of tears, said after the disappointing result.

-AFP

THE AMERICAS

Brazilian police seize a tonne of cocaine Brazilian police announced Sunday the seizure of a tonne of cocaine after arresting an alleged drug trafficker in Jacarei, near Sao Paulo. Acting on a tip-off that a trafficker was transporting drugs in a Fiat Saloon vehicle late Saturday, special operations police arrested the man and found 25 tablets of cocaine, Sao Paulo state police said in a statement.

-AFP

UK

London mayor to campaign to leave the EU Boris Johnson is to transform the terms of the EU referendum by announcing that he is to throw his weight behind the campaign to take Britain out of the EU. In the biggest boost to the Leave campaign so far, the London mayor is to announce that after much soul-searching he now believes the time has come for Britain to sever its EU membership. -THE GUARDIAN

EUROPE

EU lenders working on plan for gradual Greek debt relief Greece’s EU lenders have been working on a plan to offer the country gradual debt relief on condition that it adopts additional reforms by 2022, the Agora weekly newspaper reported. At a later stage, there would be talks on linking debt payments to economic growth provided Athens implemented measures to be agreed with creditors by 2022, it added.

-REUTERS

AFRICA

Germany mulling military training mission in Tunisia Germany is considering sending troops to Tunisia to help train soldiers in the fight against the Dae’sh, a newspaper report said on Sunday. Bild am Sonntag said that representatives of the defence and foreign ministries would hold talks in Tunis on Thursday and Friday about how the German military could lend support in a training mission.

-AFP

ANALYSIS

Cameron clears key hurdles in Brexit campaign n AFP, London Prime Minister David Cameron has cleared some key hurdles as he takes his first steps in what promises to be a bitter campaign ahead of an EU membership referendum in June, experts said.

Starting with a reform deal struck at a European Union summit on Friday, Cameron went on to secure the support of the overwhelming majority of his cabinet on Saturday.

“Cameron did well politically with the other member states” and “the best that he could” with eurosceptics within his own Conservative Party, John Springford, a research fellow at the Centre for European Reform, said.

Cameron says the deal in Brussels confers a “special status” on Britain, protecting its status as a non-eurozone member, excluding it from the aim of “ever closer union” and curbing welfare benefits for EU workers in Britain.

After the cabinet meeting on Saturday, only six ministers said they would campaign for “Leave” on the referendum question on June 23: “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?”

The decision of Justice Secretary Michael Gove, a close personal friend and ally of Cameron,

A British Union Jack and a EU flag hang from a building in London to support “Leave” was a blow to the premier, but the endorsement of heavyweights like Home Secretary Theresa May, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and Defence Secretary Michael Fallon was seen as crucial.

One key uncertainty, however, is which way the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, who is seen as a potential successor to Cameron, will go.

The gaffe-prone but popular eurosceptic politician could boost a “Leave” camp that so far lacks a national figurehead, aside from UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage, who does not appeal to moderate voters.

‘Cameron’s standing’ is key

Whatever the arguments of the for

REUTERS

and against camps, experts said it was unlikely the details of the EU deal would have much weight in a campaign that will hinge on larger issues about national prosperity and sovereignty.

“The deal won’t do that much to convince anybody,” Springford said, adding that aside from the most ardent EU supporters and opponents “those in the middle will vote on the big arguments about economy and security”.

Anand Menon, a European politics professor at King’s College London, also said it was “unbelievable” that anyone would decide their vote based on the substance of the EU deal.

“Come June 23, no one is going to be talking about the specifics of the deal,” he told AFP.

As the campaign gets underway, Cameron will also be reassured by the backing of the City of London, Europe’s biggest financial hub, and the main centre-left opposition Labour Party.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has dismissed Cameron’s EU negotiations as a “sideshow” but has said he will campaign for Britain to stay in the EU to protect investments, jobs and worker and consumer protection rights.

Come June 23, The Economist weekly argued, voters’ decision will hinge largely on their views on Cameron, who does not want to go down in history as the prime minister who led Britain out of the European Union.

“Nothing will matter as much as Cameron’s standing,” it said, adding that his “personal appeal and abilities” would be key.

“If it currently looks like the ‘In’ campaign will prevail, that is because he remains relatively well-liked and respected (with the emphasis on relatively),” it said.

There is little scope for complacency though.

Springford identified two “risks” that remain for Cameron -a massive new influx of migrants into Europe as weather conditions improve later this year and a fresh eurozone crisis as Greece prepares for an important debt repayment in June. l

FACTBOX

EU-UK deal: What Cameron wanted and what he received EMERGENCY BRAKE

What Cameron wanted A four-year freeze on in-work benefits for EU citizens working in the UK. A head of the summit, David Cameron made a crucial concession that the changes would not apply to EU workers already in Britain, only to new arrivals. This left one problem to solve at the summit: how long Britain could keep special rules in place. The British government wanted to keep the emergency brake in place for 13 years, but the Visegrád group of four central European countries (Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic) arrived at the summit with a starting bid of five years.

What he received The consensus settled on seven years, which matches the time period other western countries had to keep eastern Europeans out of their labour markets. Britain was one of a handful of countries that allowed eastern Euro-

pean workers into its labour market, after the EU enlargement of 2004.

The seven-year emergency brake cannot be extended.

CHILD BENEFITS

What Cameron wanted Before the negotiations got serious, Cameron wanted to stop all payments of child benefit going to children living outside the UK, whose parents are working in the UK. Ahead of the summit, the UK relaxed this demand, so child benefit would merely be indexed to the standard of living in the country where the offspring are based.

Despite this concession – and the relatively small sums at stake – child benefits caused one of the biggest rows at the summit, as the Visegrád countries opposed other countries taking advantage.

What he received Child benefit payments will be indexed to the cost of living for children

living outside the UK, under new EU legislation. This will apply to new arrivals to the UK, once legislation has been passed, and to all workers from January 1, 2020.

ther the UK, nor any other country, would have a veto. The tactic can be used to delay, but not to stop euro zone laws.

PROTECTION FOR NON-EURO ZONE FROM EURO ZONE

What Cameron wanted A declaration that the treaty motto of “ever closer union among the peoples of Europe” did not apply to the UK. EU leaders had already agreed a special formula of wording in June 2014 that not all member states were on the road to integration, but Cameron wanted something stronger.

What Cameron wanted Safeguards to protect countries outside the euro zone against regulation made by those inside was at the top of prime minister’s wishlist in the Bloomberg speech. Specifically, he wanted any non-euro zone country to be able to stall new regulations for the currency union, by triggering further discussions among EU leaders of the proposals.

What he received In a surprising win for Cameron, only one euro ‘out’ will be able to force a debate among EU leaders about ‘problem’ euro zone laws. Other EU leaders agreed to this because nei-

EVER-CLOSER UNION

What he received Much more emphatic language, stressing that the UK is not on the road to deeper integration. “It is recognised that the United Kingdom ... is not committed to further political integration in the European Union. l

Source: THE GUARDIAN

DT

Sport 25

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

INSIDE

UAE on verge of Asia Cup Twenty20 berth UAE inched closer to the main round following their six-wicket win over Hong Kong in the qualifying round in Fatullah yesterday. UAE made a flying start to the tournament, defeating Afghanistan, and they continued the good run yesterday. PAGE 26

Farah wants to end career in style Mo Farah said he was determined to end his medal-laden track career with a flourish after continuing his Olympic preparations with victory in the 3,000m at the Glasgow Indoor Grand Prix. Farah is set to defend his Olympic 5,000 and 10,000m titles in Rio. PAGE 27

Moratti sister says Jose United bound The growing rumours that Jose Mourinho will be the next manager of Manchester United were further fuelled by a throw-away remark from Inter Milan dignitary Bedy Moratti. The Portuguese’s name has been increasingly linked by the media with the job. PAGE 28

Totti slams coach over lack of ‘respect’ Italian football icon Francesco Totti has demanded more “respect” from Roma and hit out at coach Luciano Spalletti for talking behind his back in the media. Injury woes this season have kept Totti on the bench - a situation that has left him “feeling bad”. PAGE 29

Bangladesh cricketers, including limited-over captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza and Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim, place garlands at the Shaheed Minar of the National Bangla high school on the occasion of the International Mother Language Day yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

It is an honour to speak in Bangla, says Mashrafe n Mazhar Uddin Bangladesh is the only nation in the world which fought for its mother language. On this very day in 1952, hundreds of students and political activists staged demonstrations to push home their demand of recognising Bangla as their official language. Some even lost their lives during the demonstrations, sparking unrest throughout the region.

More than six decades might have elapsed since that historic day but the language martyrs’ sacrifice was not lost on Bangladesh limited-over captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza. Mashrafe yesterday informed the media that it is an honour for him to speak in Bangla.

The Tigers, who are currently busy with training ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup Twenty20, paid their tribute to the language martyrs at National Bangla High School on the occasion of the International Mother Language Day

and Mashrafe said, “I do not think it is a big thing to be able to speak in English. I do not think I have to know English and speak it everywhere. Being a Bangladeshi, it is a great feeling to speak in Bangla and we all believe that. But sometimes I have to speak in English in different situations.

“It is a huge day for all the Bangladeshis so we went to place garlands. However, I think it is more important to have respect from the heart instead of only giving flowers. At times we have to speak in English during international matches but I think being a Bangladeshi, we should know our mother tongue properly,” he added.

Alongside Bangladesh manager Khaled Mahmud, all the 15 members of the Asia Cup T20 squad placed flowers at the Shaheed Minar.

Bangladesh will begin their Asia Cup T20 mission against India this Wednesday in the tournament opener in Mirpur. l

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza stretches his leg while trainer Mario Villavarayan looks on during training yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

UAE on verge of Asia Cup Twenty20 berth

BRIEF SCORE Hong Kong 146/7 (Babar 54, Naveed 3/14, Javed 2/21) United Arab Emirates 147/4 (Shahzad 52, Usman 41, Nadeem 1/17) UAE won by six wickets

n Minhaz Uddin Khan

UAE batsman Mohammad Shahzad executes a sweep shot during their Asia Cup Twenty20 qualifier against Hong Kong at Fatullah’s Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

U n i t ed Arab Emirates inched closer to the main round of the Asia Cup Twenty20 following their six-wicket win over Hong Kong in the qualifying round at Fatullah’s Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium yesterday.

UAE made a flying start to the tournament, defeating favourites Afghanistan, and they continued the good run against Hong Kong, who suffered their second loss in as many matches. A win in their last game against Oman today will be enough for UAE to progress to the main round where hosts Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka lie in await.

Riding on Mohammad Shahzad’s

Burns, Smith centuries put Australia in charge n Reuters, Christchurch

Joe Burns and Steve Smith capitalised on perfect batting conditions to score centuries as Australia reduced New Zealand’s lead to just seven runs at the end of day two of the second Test yesterday.

Neil Wagner dismissed both batsmen in identical fashion in the final half-hour to give his side some late reward for a day of toil under a cloudless Christchurch sky.

“Obviously the two wickets at the end helped us and were quite crucial,” Wagner told reporters. “A bit of luck for us that we’ve been

SCORECARD, DAY 2 NEW ZEALAND FIRST INNINGS 370 (B. McCullum 145, C. Anderson 72, B. Watling 58; N. Lyon 3-61) AUSTRALIA (overnight 57-1) J. Burns c Guptill b Wagner U. Khawaja c McCullum b Boult S. Smith c Guptill b Wagner A. Voges not out N. Lyon not out Extras (b4, lb9)

R 170 24 138 2 4 13

Total (4 wickets, 110 overs)

363

B 321 40 241 15 21

Fall of wickets 1-25 (Warner), 2-67 (Khawaja), 3-356 (Burns), 4-357 (Smith) Bowling Southee 22-4-71-0, Boult 24-5-85-2, Henry 27-6-88-0, Anderson 12-1-32-0, Wagner 20-4-63-2, Williamson 5-0-11-0

Joe Burns of Australia plays a shot during day two of their second Test against New Zealand at the Hagley Park in Christchurch yesterday AFP

trying to get all day and obviously got us back into a bit of a better position at the end of the day.

“Six wickets to get is still a long way, a lot of hard work to do and a bit of focus tomorrow on making that happen.”

Burns, who had been dismissed early in his innings only to have the decision overturned on review, was well caught low down by Martin Guptill at square leg for 170, his highest Test score and third century.

Smith also fell to a short ball in Wagner’s next over for 138, his 14th Test century, caught by the same fielder.

Adam Voges was on two with nightwatchman Nathan Lyon on four as the visitors ended the day 363 for four, having all but mowed down New Zealand’s first innings 370.

Having won the opener in Wellington comprehensively, Australia need only draw in Christchurch to clinch the two-match series and take the number one ranking in Test cricket.

New Zealand’s only other success on a wicket offering little for the bowlers was when Usman Khawaja fell in the first hour for 24 off paceman Trent Boult.

Burns and Smith then combined

in a 289-run third wicket partnership, a record for Australia against New Zealand. Burns was given out caught behind on 35 but immediately asked for a review and television replays showed the Matt Henry delivery had brushed his forearm and not his gloves.

“I was confident I was not out.

I didn’t change anything the next ball I was facing ... it’s very satisfying,” Burns said of his century.

“I’ve done a lot of work with this tour coming up. It’ll give me a lot of confidence going forward, you always want to be backing up individual performances.” l

39-ball 52 and Muhammad Usman’s 39-ball 41, the Emirati side romped home with nine deliveries to spare.

In pursuit of 147, UAE lost both their opening batsmen – Muhammad Kaleem (four) and Rohan Mustafa (10) early but a 79-run stand for the third wicket between Shahzad and Usman guided their side to safety.

Earlier, Hong Kong posted 146/7, largely thanks to a 45-ball 54 from Babar Hayat. But only three others reached double figures as Hong Kong were unable to register a challenging total. UAE’s Mohammad Naveed (3/14) was the chief architect behind Hong Kong’s modest total while captain Amjad Javed picked up two wickets.

Besides the UAE-Oman clash today, Afghanistan will also take on Hong Kong and both the matches will be held at Mirpur’s Sher-eBangla National Stadium.l

Richards happy to see McCullum beat Test record n AFP, Dubai Viv Richards said Saturday he was happy to see Brendon McCullum break his record for the fasTest Test century, describing the New Zealander as one of the game’s finest ambassadors.

McCullum smashed a whirlwind 54-ball hundred on the first day of the second Test against Australia in Christchurch, needing two balls fewer than Richards and Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq to reach the three-figure landmark.

West Indian legend Richards set the record against England on his home ground Antigua in 1986 while Misbah equalled the feat against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014.

Richards, who is in Dubai as mentor for Pakistan Super League franchise Quetta, congratulated McCullum.

“Let me take this opportunity to congratulate McCullum,” Richards told media.

“I have been a fan of yours for many years, so well done on your achievement.

“If there was going to be an individual who you would have liked to surpass whatever you have achieved in life, certainly it would have been you. You are a great ambassador and make the game beautiful.”

McCullum, playing his 101st and final Test, hit Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood for a boundary to reach the three-figure mark. l

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

Errani sweeps past Strycova to clinch Dubai title

QUICK BYTES BFF rejects Aslam’s resignation letter Bangladesh Football Federation has not accepted the resignation letter of executive committee member Sheikh Mohammad Aslam and instead wants him to stay with the federation. The former star national striker earlier decided to quit, submitting his resignation letter to the federation last Saturday, citing his inability to fulfil expectations of developing the country’s football in the eight years since he joined the BFF. “We did not accept his resignation letter.

We requested him to consider his decision with a calm head for the sake of Bangladesh football,” said BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag yesterday. Aslam recently performed his duties as the chief of the fact finding committee that investigated Bangladesh’s poor display in the Saff Championship and Bangabandhu Gold Cup. –TRIBUNE REPORT

n AFP, Dubai

Del Potro defeated in semi-finals Juan Martin Del Potro’s comeback from an injury layoff of nearly a year ended in defeat Saturday as the 2009 US Open champion fell to Sam Querrey 7-5, 7-5 in the ATP Delray Beach Open semi-finals.

Querrey fired 10 aces and won 30 of 34 points on his first serve to advance after 80 minutes without ever facing a break point, booking a date in yesterday’s final against fellow American Rajeev Ram. –AFP

Borussia ‘fight’ to keep Gundogan Borussia Dortmund say they are ‘fighting’ to keep Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, amidst reports he has already told Barcelona he will join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City next season. Second-placed Dortmund played Bayer Leverkusen yesterday hoping to close the gap behind runaway league leaders Bayern Munich.

–AFP

Charles replaces Bravo as Windies T20 team finalised Johnson Charles has replaced Darren Bravo in the West Indies team for the World Twenty20 in India next month, selectors said on Saturday. Charles, 27, has been brought in after Bravo declined to sign the remuneration contract by last Sunday’s deadline, opting instead to focus on the longer formats of the sport.

–REUTERS

Italy's Sara Errani holds the trophy after winning her women's singles final match against Czech Republic's Barbora Strycova at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships on Saturday REUTERS

Sara Errani defeated Barbora Strycova 6-0, 6-2 on Saturday to win the Dubai Tennis Championships, three years after first reaching the final.

The Italian will rise back into the top 20 as a result of her comprehensive victory in 66 minutes, according to WTA calculations.

Strycova made a stand at the end, saving four match points over the last two games before drilling a forehand out to lose for the sixth time in seven meetings with Errani.

Errani, who won the first eight games, lost the 2013 final in Dubai to Petra Kvitova. She now owns nine career titles.

She matched her last title win a year ago in Rio and said that she had seriously considered skipping Dubai to rest.

“I came here thinking maybe I should have rested, just stay home and recover,” said the 2012 French Open runner-up.

“But we came here, and every day was really tough, every match from the beginning. There were a lot of tough moments. But of course, to win a tournament, you

have to pass a lot of also bad moments.”

Errani ran off the first eight games with Czech Strycova barely getting a look in.

The 29-year-old underdog got a round of applause as she finally broke her duck by winning a game to trail 6-0, 2-1.

But the success was short-lived, with Errani continuing her momentum to reach 5-1. She was briefly sidetracked as Strycova saved a match point to hold for 2-5.

“I was not so calm at the end, I was trying not to think of all the match points,” Errani said. “I was still nervous inside.”

Strycova was gracious in defeat: “I tried everything, but it was so hard. I’m very happy to have played the final.”

She added: “This was one of the days where you try everything and then nothing is working. The funny thing is that I went on court and I didn’t feel really nervous about the match or something different.

“But I tried everything and I couldn’t put one ball in. I don’t know why, but it’s just sometimes how it is in tennis.” l

Nadal vows ‘hard work’ after new defeat n AFP, Rio de Janeiro Rafael Nadal has vowed he will put in more hard work in a bid to get his game back to the level where he can win more tournaments.

The 29-year-old Spaniard endured another frustrating defeat late Saturday when he lost a marathon semi-final in the ATP Rio de Janeiro Open to 45th-ranked Pablo Cuevas 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/3), 6-4.

It was just the second time since 2005 that Nadal has lost to

a player ranked outside the world top 30 on clay That loss came just a week after he lost in the semi-final of the Argentina Open in three sets to Austria’s Dominic Thiem, also on clay.

Nadal had travelled to South America following his first round loss at the Australian Open in a bid to reverse, on his favourite claycourt surface, the form loss that has seen his world ranking slump.

But the latest defeat will cast more doubts on his ability of once

again winning the French Open title in early June, having lost to Novak Djokovic in last year’s quarter-finals.

“I lost an opportunity, that’s it,” said Nadal of his loss to Uruguayan Cuevas.

“I fought until the end. I have to accept it and keep working to try to change the dynamic. That’s what’s happening today and I have to work hard to change it.

“I didn’t win a title, so it wasn’t a positive two tournaments. I had

Farah wants to end career in style n AFP, London Mo Farah said he was determined to end his medal-laden track career with a flourish after continuing his Olympic preparations with victory in the 3,000 metres at the Glasgow Indoor Grand Prix on Saturday.

British distance-running great Farah, a five-time world champion, is set to defend his London 2012 Olympic 5,000 and 10,000 metres titles in Rio in August.

He has already signalled his intention to retire from track competition after next year’s World

Championships in London in order to concentrate on marathon running instead.

But until then his focus remains firmly fixed on more track success.

“It would be nice to end on a high,” Farah told the BBC after a comfortable win in Glasgow.

“That’s one thing I’ve told myself as an athlete. Go out on the track while you are at the top.”

Farah cruised round in the early stages of the 3,000m in Glasgow before accelerating away from Kenya’s Augustine Choge and Ethiopia’s Dawit Wolde with just under

a lap to go before finishing in a time of seven minutes 39.55 seconds.

“It’s good to win on home soil,” said Farah after being roared on by a sell-out crowd in Glasgow. “They love me here. It’s great support and that keeps me going every day. I love the Scottish people, they really get behind you.”

Farah, who turns 33 next month, added: “I got some great support from the crowd so it’s nice to be able to win.”

“I’ve got a big year coming up with a lot of important races so it’s important I get the wins.” l

my chances in both. I lost in the semi-finals of both tournaments and just have to look forward to Indian Wells.”

That tournament, the first of the year’s Masters Series events, gets underway in California on March 20 followed by the Miami Masters.

Both tournaments are on outdoor hardcourts and Nadal will be hard pushed to match world number one Djokovic, who has already won the Australian Open in dominating fashion.l

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

Suarez, Neymar strike again in Barca win n Reuters, Madrid

Barcelona forward Neymar in action with Las Palmas' Sergio Araujo (L) and Mauricio Lemos during their La Liga match at Gran Canaria stadium, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on Saturday REUTERS

Goals from the prolific Luis Suarez and Neymar earned Barcelona a 2-1 victory at Las Palmas on Saturday that propelled them nine points clear at the top of La Liga.

The league’s leading marksman Suarez opened the scoring after six minutes, meeting Jordi Alba’s cross at the far post to net his 12th goal in seven matches in all competitions and take his La Liga tally for the season to 25.

Las Palmas equalised four minutes later when striker Willian Jose beat the offside trap to latch on to Jonathan Viera’s brilliant backheeled pass.

Neymar restored Barca’s lead in the 39th minute, and took his

league tally to 18, when Messi’s shot was parried by goalkeeper and the Brazilian netted the rebound.

Espanyol coach Constantin Galca earned a stay of execution when his side ended a run of eight matches without victory by beating Deportivo La Coruna 1-0. l

LA LIGA 1-2

Las Palmas Willian Jose 10

Barcelona Suarez 6, Neymar 39

Espanyol

1-0

Deportivo

1-1

Sporting Gijon

Asensio 52

Real Betis Pezzella 67

Castro 65

3-2

Celta Vigo Guidetti 30, 69, Jonny 39

Eibar Saul Berjon 84-P, Inui 87

Moratti sister lets slip Mourinho ‘is going to Manchester’ n Reuters, Milan The growing rumours that Jose Mourinho will be the next manager of Manchester United were further fuelled by a throw-away remark from Inter Milan dignitary Bedy Moratti on Saturday.

The Portuguese’s name has been increasingly linked by the media with the job amid the struggles of incumbent Louis van Gaal to win over the United faithful.

The speculation was sent spinning into overdrive when Moratti, sister of former Inter president Massimo, let slip to reporters after a meeting with Mourinho that the

former Chelsea boss “is going to Manchester”.

Mourinho was in Milan to watch Inter take on Sampdoria amid reports in Italy that he might be interested in a return to the club he steered to Champions League glory in 2010, a suggestion he was quick to deny.

SERIE A Verona

3-1

Toni 29, Pazzini 57, Ionita 90+5

Inter Milan

Chievo Pellissier 71-P

3-1

D’Ambrosio 23, Miranda 57, Icardi 73

Sampdoria Quagliarella 90+2

After Mourinho had visited former employer Massimo Moratti and his family for lunch, Bedy, filmed in a video interview with Calcio Mercato, said: “It was pleasant. He’s still fantastic. He’s been missed on a human level.

“Now he’s happy - he’s going to Manchester and he’s well.”

Bedy, whose family retain a major stake in Inter, was a board member at the San Siro outfit and is honorary president of supporters’ group Inter Club.

When Massimo was asked by reporters whether Mourinho was joining United, he was more circumspect, shrugging: “I’m

Former Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho arrives at the Italian Serie A match between Inter and Sampdoria at San Siro in Milan on Saturday AFP not sure. I don’t know if he wants to say”.

Mourinho released a statement

to La Stampa on Friday that denied he was interested in replacing Roberto Mancini as Inter coach.l

Reading stun West Brom, Everton win n Reuters, London

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku scores a goal that was disallowed against AFC Bournemouth during their FA Cup Fifth Round match at Vitality Stadium on Saturday REUTERS

Championship strugglers Reading spiced up an otherwise dull afternoon in the FA Cup fifth round with a shock 3-1 victory over Premier League West Bromwich Albion after holders Arsenal were held 0-0

by Hull City on Saturday.

Top-flight Watford were also up against Championship opposition in Leeds United and edged a dour game 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in nine years.

In the day’s only all-Premier League clash, Everton won 2-0 at Bournemouth, Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku scoring for the visitors after the Toffees’ keeper Joel Robles saved a first-half penalty

from Charlie Daniels.

Reading, currently 16th in the second-tier Championship, guaranteed there will be at least one club from outside the Premier League in the last eight as they came from behind to beat West Brom.l

FA CUP Arsenal

0-0

Bournemouth

0-2

Hull Everton Barkley 55, Lukaku 76

Reading

3-1

McShane 59, Hector 72, Piazon 90+4

Watford Wootton 53-og

West Brom Fletcher 54

1-0

Leeds

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

Totti slams Roma, coach over lack of ‘respect’ n AFP, Milan Italian football icon Francesco Totti has demanded more “respect” from Roma and hit out at coach Luciano Spalletti for talking behind his back in the media.

Injury woes this season have kept 39-year-old Totti, who is in his 23rd year with the Serie A club, on the bench - a situation that has left him “feeling bad”.

Indeed, the one-club man has become known more for his touchline antics and a growing number of advertising spots off the pitch as he edges closer to hanging up his boots.

“I’m still a footballer and I want to play. My injury is over, I’m doing fine and if I’m not playing it’s the coach’s decision,” Totti said Saturday.

“I’m not here to demand to play, I’ve never done that and I’m not going to start now.... my contract ends in June and then I’ll take stock of the situation, because I can’t stay like this.

“I feel bad, and so do the people who are close to me.”

Spalletti is in his second spell at the club following the sacking last month of French coach Rudi Garcia. But Totti suggested relations between the pair are far from ideal, due partly to Spalletti allegedly speaking about him in the media instead of directly.

“I say hello to him and goodbye,” added Totti. “I respect him as a person and as a coach, but I would have preferred he told me to my face the things that I’ve read in the newspapers.

“After everything I’ve given to the club all these years I would hoped to be treated with more respect.”

Totti’s wife Ilaria Blasi said recently the Roma icon was already winding down his career. l

DAY’S WATCH CRICKET STAR SPORTS 1 Asia Cup 2016: Qualifier 2:50 PM Afghanistan v Hong Kong 7:20 PM UAE v Oman

FOOTBALL TEN HD 1:45 AM Sky Bet Championship 2015/16 Southend United v Burton Albion

KABADDI STAR SPORTS 2 8:20 PM Pro Kabaddi League 2016 Jaipur v Kolkata

PSG forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (C) celebrates after scoring during their French L1 match against Reims at the Parc des Princes stadium on Saturday

AFP

Ibrahimovic on fire as PSG beat Reims n Reuters, Paris Zlatan Ibrahimovic played chief tormentor when he scored two goals and set up the others in Paris St Germain’s 4-1 home victory over Stade de Reims in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

The result put the capital side on 73 points from 27 games, 24 ahead of second-placed Monaco who won 3-1 at home to Troyes thanks to two goals by Guido Carrillo and one from Kylian Mbappe Lottin.

“After a good game against Chelsea it would have been disappointing not to play well tonight,” midfielder Adrien Rabiot told Canal Plus after PSG extended their unbeaten run in the league to

36 games.

Ibrahimovic, who also scored in PSG’s 2-1 win against Chelsea in their Champions League last16 first leg on Tuesday, played Gregory van der Wiel through for the first goal in the 12th minute.

Reims levelled in the 34th minute, Prince Oniangue heading home from Nicolas de Preville’s free kick as keeper Kevin Trapp made a huge blunder going for the ball.

PSG restored order in the 43rd when Ibrahimovic beat Cedric Carrasso from close range after being set up by Lucas who had just torn apart the visitors’ defence with one of his trademark speedy runs.

On the stroke of halftime, the Swede flicked then ball into the path of Edinson Cavani who slotted it past Carrasso for his second goal of the week after netting the winner against Chelsea.

Ibrahimovic rounded off a memorable performance by scoring the fourth with a fine volley from inside the box.

The team’s only concern came from Angel Di Maria, who limped off the pitch and was substituted

by Lucas after picking up an unspecified injury.

Midfielder Marco Verratti was replaced by Blaise Matuidi at halftime as coach Laurent Blanc decided to rest the Italian who returned from injury only last week.l

LIGUE 1 PSG

4-1

Van der Wiel 12, Ibrahimovic 43, 68, Cavani 45+1

Monaco

3-1

Carrillo 25, 38, Mbappe 90+2

Lorient

4-3

Braithwaite 90+1

Guingamp Salibur 3, 37, Briand 59

2-3

Bouka Moutou 65, Karanovic 90

Toulouse

Troyes Gueye 79

Waris 39, 49, Jeannot 48, Guerreiro 90+3

Angers

Reims Oniangue 34

Montpellier Berigaud 2, Yatabare 7, Camara 34

1-1

Gazelec Ajaccio Mayi 59

Bayern ride on Mueller strikes n Reuters, Berlin Thomas Mueller scored twice, including a spectacular 71st-minute bicycle kick, to trigger Bayern Munich’s 3-1 comeback win over Darmstadt 98 and enable the Bundesliga leaders to move 11 points clear at the top of the table on Saturday.

Bundesliga top scorer Robert Lewandowski, in fine form, completed Bayern’s turnaround in the 84th minute with his 22nd goal of the campaign.

“I am satisfied because we were patient,” Bayern coach Pep Guardiola told reporters. “We had 36 shots on goal but it is difficult against so many defenders.”

“I am also happy Franck Ribery is back from injury even if it is not yet enough for 90 minutes.”l

BUNDESLIGA Bayern Munich

3-1

Mueller 49, 71, Lewandowski 84

M'gladbach

Darmstadt Wagner 26

1-0

Cologne

1-1

Wolfsburg

Dahoud 9

Hertha Berlin Kalou 60

Hoffenheim

Schaefer 53

3-2

Amiri 13, Uth 68, 76

Ingolstadt Huebner 12, Hintersser 90-P

Mainz Cordoba 11, Jairo 78

2-0

Werder Bremen Bayern Munich's Thomas Mueller (L) celebrates with team mates after scoring a goal against Darmstadt at Allianz Arena on Saturday REUTERS

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

EKUSHEY BOI MELA 2016

Books on films and media

PHOTOS: SYED ZAKIR

n Promiti Prova Chowdhury “Amar Ekushey Boi Mela” is an event that has been catering to book enthusiasts for years now.

This year, Showtime sheds the spotlight on a few books that would be a delight for those who are interested in the fields of film, drama and mass-media.

Actor, playwright and director Gazi Rakayet’s book “Tinti Monchonatok” compiles three stage plays – Kohor, Nikhai and Jonmoshutro. The book was first published in 2014 and is now available at Ankur Prokashoni’s stall at the fair. Ankur has also published Dr Mukid Chowdhury’s “Ochin Dwiper Upakkhan,” a Bangla adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.”

Khan Shawkat’s “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib,” a historical stage play, was released in this year’s book fair by Shikha Prokashani. In the preface, prominent historian Muntasir Mamun writes, “Pure history cannot be portrayed in a play. The publisher has mixed imagination with history to create some real and imaginary characters. Although the plot is historical, some imagination has been poured in.”

For photography enthusiasts, “Photography’r Tukitaki” might turn out to be a good read and it is available at the stall of Protik Prokashoni. Written by Touhidun Nabi, the book contains details over the technicalities of photography including lens, focus, and utilisation of light. Another attraction, “Filmmaker er Bhasha” is a series written on the works of prominent filmmakers across

the globe. The two latest ones are based in Korea and Africa.

Composed by Rudro Arif and Bijoy Ahmed, the book contains interviews of 10 prominent filmmakers of the respective countries.

Humayun Ahmed’s “Ghetuputro Komola,” “Shonkhonil Karagar” and “Aguner Poroshmoni,” published

by Ono Prokash which were later turned into popular feature films, are the ones to look out for at this year’s Boi Mela. Humayun Ahmed’s “Chhobi Bananor Golpo” can be a piece suitable for a film lover’s collection since it contains behind the scene stories and the original script of the film Aguner Poroshmoni. With beautiful pictures from the shooting sets on glossy paper, the book is a treat for the eyes. It is available at Suborno Prokashoni, published by Ahmed Mahfuzul Hoque.

Another piece that can enrich one’s book archive is “Cameray Shwadesher Mukh” by the veteran photographer Amanul Haque.

Published by Shahittya Prokash, the book is a compilation of photos on the history, nature and political movements of Bangladesh. The gifted photographer also brings in “Proshongo Satyajit,” a book that features photos and narratives on Satyajit Ray caught during his shooting of his films.

Anis Alamgir’s “Tragedy of Arab Spring” was recently launched by Adarsho Prokashoni at the fair on Saturday. Apart from the events in the Middle East, the book ranges from the politics of Europe, America and all the way to South Asia. The writer states, “It is the

“Filmmaker er Bhasha” is a series written on the works of prominent film makers across the globe. The two latest ones are based in Korea and Africa. Composed by Rudro Arif and Bijoy Ahmed, the book contains interviews of 10 prominent filmmakers of the respective countries picture of today’s world politics.

The book aims to serve those who are interested in international

politics and study international relations and current affairs,” says Anis Alamgir.

A host of books based on Bangladeshi films, drama, dance and music have been made available at the stalls of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and Bangladesh Film Archive. Among them, “Mukh O Mukhosher Chherapata” by Shoraful Islam is one which contains news, views, and debates over Mukh O Mukhosh, the first Bengali language feature film to be made in East Pakistan. The book has been published by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Books on plays and theatre can be found at the stall of Theater, as well. l

Joss Stone’s soulful night in Dhaka

‘Amaar bhaier rokte rangano’ creates a stir n UNB A new rendition of “Amaar bhaier rokte rangano”, sung by 11 foreigners on the occasion of International Mother Language Day is taking online platforms by storm.

This rendition of the song symbolic of the Language Movement of ‘52, was sung in 11 different foreign languages alongside Bangla in a video made by Nabid Salehim Niloy.

Niloy, who is a student of American International University-Bangladesh, was inspired to connect singers from 11 countries in order to pay homage to the language martyrs.

His Facebook post from yesterday read: “This is one of my dream projects. Singers from 11 countries showed their respect

through this project of mine. I am thankful to all the artists for their efforts and to Aajob records, for the endless support. #project_21” The singers are from Malaysia, Lebanon, Germany, Nepal, India, Venezuela, France, Russia, USA, Hong Kong and Italy.

The video is available on YouTube. l

John Lennon’s hair has grown pretty expensive

Winner of a Grammy and two Brit-Awards, British soul sensation Joss Stone mesmerised the audience in Dhaka at the Nabaratri Hall of International Convention City, Basundhara in the capital on February 20. The concert, titled “Pop Republic” and arranged by LiveSquare Entertainment, was a part of Stone’s Total World Tour of 196 countries under the UN. Following the performances of local artistes, the headlining diva appeared on the stage at around 8:15pm and took to the microphone that had a scarf tied to it and seconds later,

the audience were treated to a powerful voice with rich soul.

Blending her old and new songs, Stone’s one and a half hour long performance featured some tunes from her latest album, Water For Your Soul that has earned the top position on Billboard’s Reggae Albums charts. With groovy music from the superb team of musicians and backing vocalists, her smooth and soulful vocals, she kept the audience intrigued and swaying.

Prior to her performance, local music icons Minar Rahman, Armeen Musa, Rafa, Elita Karim and Jon Kabir took the stage separately and in succession. l

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

WHAT TO WATCH Transformers: Age of Extinction HBO 8:30pm Autobots must escape sight from a bounty hunter who has taken control of the human serendipity: Unexpectedly, Optimus Prime and his remaining gang turn to a mechanic (Mark Wahlberg), his daughter (Nicola Peltz), and her back street racing boyfriend (Jack Reynor) for help.

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor, Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer, Sophia Myles, Li Bingbing

Titanic Star Movies 5:30pm A seventeen-year-old aristocrat falls in love with a kind, but poor artist aboard the luxurious, ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic.

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Frances Fisher, Victor Garber Green Lantern Warner Bros 9:30pm Reckless test pilot Hal Jordan is granted an alien ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers that inducts him into an intergalactic police force, the Green Lantern Corps.

Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, Tim Robbins Rush Hour 2 Movies Now 5:20pm Carter and Lee head to Hong Kong for vacation, but become embroiled in a counterfeit money scam.

Cast: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, John Lone, Zhang Ziyi, Roselyn Sanchez

PHOTO: MD SAZZAD HOSSAIN

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n Showtime Desk A German hairdresser named Klaus Baruck claims to have once given former Beatles tuft John Lennon a trim in Hamburg in 1967, and saved a lock of his hair ever since. Well, it seems to be a worthy decision, for the barber just sold it for $35,000 on auction.

“To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest lock of Lennon’s hair ever sold at auction,” said Heritage Auctions.

“It can be dated to a specific time and location and has been in the collection of the original

owner for nearly 50 years. This haircut took place just a month after the release of the legendary Revolver album. A rare and important opportunity.”

The lock of hair was only one of the several Beatles’ items on auction at Heritage Auctions.

Along with it, a photo of the great band, which was signed by all four members of the crew, was sold for $42,500.

The winning bidder for the hair also received a signed call sheet and “two vintage period newspaper articles regarding this landmark haircut,” reported the auctioneer. l

Toy Story 2 Zee Studio 5:55pm When Woody is stolen by a toy collector, Buzz and his friends vow to rescue him, but Woody finds the idea of immortality in a museum tempting.

Cast: Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear), Joan Cusack (Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl), Don Rickles (Mr Potato Head), Jim Varney (Slinky Dog) l

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

INTERVIEW: STUDYING MEDICINE PAGE 10

UAE ON VERGE OF ASIA CUP T20 BERTH PAGE 26

AMAR EKUSHEY

JOSS STONE’S SOULFUL NIGHT IN DHAKA PAGE 31

BOOK FAIR 2016

A glimpse back at history on Ekushey n Arif Ahmed For Bangladeshis, yesterday was not only about paying respect to the brave language martyrs, but also to take a moment to realise why the martyrs sacrificed their lives, and what events led to the Language Movement of 1952.

And the Dhakaites found that one of the best places to look back at history yesterday would be Amar Ekushey Boi Mela 2016.

Needless to say, the fairgrounds were filled to the brim with visitors yesterday.

Moshtaq Ahmed, a resident of Old Dhaka, was at the fair with his wife and two children when this correspondent met him.

“I bring my children here every year to make them aware about our history, culture and the sacrifices of our heroic ancestors for our mother tongue,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.

“Coming to the Ekushey book fair is always something I look forward to. But book fair on February 21 is something special,” said Nabile Tabassum, a student at Dhaka City College.

She further said she had bought two books on the Language Move-

Several physically challenged people enter the Bangla Academy premises to visit Amar Ekushey Boi Mela 2016 using wheel chairs provided by a volunteer organisation yesterday RAJIB DHAR ment and the Liberation War. Marking the Language Martyrs’ Day, the fair opened for visitors at 8am. A poetry recitation was held at the fair, presided over by poet Asad Chowdhury. There were other special events that took place through out the day.

The anthem of Ekushey, “Amar bhaier roktey rangano Ekushey February, ami ki bhulite pari,” played at the book fair all day, adding to the solemn vibe.

Most of the visitors were adorned with traditional clothes in black, white and red colours

Six dead in random Michigan shootings, suspect in custody n Reuters A gunman killed six people and wounded two in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, in random parking lot shootings, police said on Sunday.

The suspect, Jason Dalton, 45, opened fire late on Saturday outside an apartment complex, a Kia car dealership and a Cracker Barrel restaurant over a period of little more than four hours, Kalamazoo police said on their Facebook page on Sunday.

A 14-year-old girl initially reported to have been shot at the restaurant, becoming the seventh fatality, was in fact wounded and is in serious condition, a prosecutor said.

Dalton is in custody and was “even tempered” when he was arrested in downtown Kalamazoo, police said.

Michigan shooting suspect “Victims were selected at random,” they said. They described the shootings in and near Kalamazoo, a city about almost 200km

west of Detroit, as intentional but gave no motive.

A semiautomatic pistol was found inside Dalton’s vehicle. Police said he had no known criminal record.

The carnage began about 6pm on Saturday when a woman was wounded outside a Kalamazoo County apartment building. About 10pm police were called to the car dealership where two people were killed and a third was wounded.

Four people were killed about 15 minutes later in a Cracker Barrel parking lot in Kalamazoo County, where Dalton opened fire on people in their cars after a brief conversation, police said.

Police said surveillance video from businesses led to a description of Dalton’s vehicle. The victims have not been identified. l

to symbolise Ekushey. Many of their clothes had Bangla alphabets printed on them visitors; some even had images of Salam, Barkat, Rafiq and Jabbar, the four renowned language martyrs, printed on their clothes.

A majority of yesterday’s crowd

were those who came to pay respect to the martyrs at Central Shaheed Minar and decided to drop by the book fair. The road between the fairgrounds and the Shaheed Minar turned into a stream of people. As the day progressed, the fairgrounds became overcrowded.

The massive turnout of visitors gave a sharp rise to the book sales at the fair, as reported by the publishers and sellers. Long queues of readers were seen in front of nearly every book stall.

With big smile on their faces, publishers and stall owners said they were very happy with the day’s business.

“The amount of sales today has been very satisfying,” said Syed Zakir Hossain, publisher at Adorn Publishers.

However, some publishers were not as happy as the others and said they had not had sales as much as they had expected from such a big crowd.

“The number of visitors today [yesterday] was massive, but compared to that, the book sales were not as impressive, Most visitors were only looking at the books,” said Sharifa Bulbul of Balaka Publications. l

Jewel gives confessional statement in Habiganj 4 children murders n Our Correspondent, Habiganj Jewel Miah has confessed his involvement in the gruesome killings of four children in the village Sundrateki under Bahubal upazila of Habiganj.

He gave confessional statement under section-164 before judicial magistrate Koushik Ahmed Khandaker on Sunday afternoon.

“Jewel confessed that he and his family members were involved in that dreadful incident. He also gave names of more people who were involved in the killings,” said Shahidul Islam, additional superintendant of Habiganj police.

Earlier, Jewel’s younger brother

Rubel Miah too gave confessional statement before the same court.

Jewel was arrested on February 17 and he was put on 10-day remand the following day.

Four children Shuvo, 8, his cousin Tajel Miah, 10, Monir Miah, 7, and Ismail Hossain, 10, disappeared on February 10 as they went to watch a football match to nearby Uttar Bhadeshwar village.

The locals found their bodies from the bank of river Karangi on February 17.

Police arrested Abdul Ali Bagal, his sons Jewel and Rubel, Azizur Rahman Arzu and Bashir Miah in suspicion of being involved in the incident. l

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