August 6, 2016 by DhakaTribune

SECOND EDITION

BANGLADESH BANK CYBER HEIST

Bangladesh close to Philippine central bank fi nes Rizal Bank recovering $15m n Reuters

n Tribune Desk

Authorities in the Philippines say it is important that Bangladesh proves that the $15m is their money

A Bangladesh central bank team visiting Manila to recover $81m stolen from its account in New York said it was close to getting back $15m of the loot frozen by the Philippines, but first has to prove ownership of the cash to its hosts. Cyber criminals tried to steal nearly $1bn from Bangladesh Bank’s account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in February, and succeeded in transferring $81m to four accounts at Manila’s Rizal Commercial Banking Corp, which was then laundered through the city’s casinos, according to investigators. Only about $18m, including $2.7m frozen by the Philippines’ casino regulator, has been accounted for. The Philippines’ Department of Justice (DoJ) has asked the Bangladesh Bank delegation to file a legal

document staking its claim to $15m of that, but the casino money will have to be pursued separately, two sources close to the visiting team told Reuters. “We are in the final stages of recovering the $15m, but for the rest we hope a [Philippines] senate hearing on the issue resumes so that we can get to know more details about the case,” said John Gomes, Bangladesh’s ambassador to the Philippines, who is helping the bank representatives on a fourday visit to Manila that ended yesterday. The last Philippines Senate hearing into the heist ended in May as a new government came to power under President Rodrigo Duterte. No date has been announced for a resumption. Gomes said late on Thursday he hoped the $15m would be returned in a month.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

The Philippine central bank said yesterday it would fine Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC) a record $21 million, after the bank was used by cyber criminals to channel $81 million stolen from Bangladesh Bank in February. The central bank said in a statement that it was the largest amount it has ever approved “as part of its supervisory enforcement actions” on a bank. RCBC said separately that it would pay the fine over a one-year period, in two tranches of 500 million pesos each.

Unknown hackers tried to steal nearly $1 billion from the Bangladesh central bank’s account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York between February 4 and February 5, and succeeded in transferring $81 million to four accounts at RCBC in Manila. RCBC earlier yesterday challenged Bangladesh Bank to take it to court, telling Reuters that the “Philippine side has done its part” and that the transfers were made based on authenticated instructions over payments network SWIFT. After the fine was announced, RCBC  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

News

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

Miscreants attack Bandarban monastery n S Basu Das, Bandarban A monastery came under attack by some unidentified miscreants at Naikkhyangchhari, Bandarban on Thursday night. According to local sources, a gang of miscreants wearing masks attacked Dhabankhali monastery located at Baisari in the upazila around 11pm. Locals people rushed to the spot, as the monastery residents made an announcement through loudspeakers about the attack. Sensing the presence of the local people, the criminals fled the scene. Principal of the monastery Taionommar told the Dhaka Tribune that some window glasses were vandalised during the attack. However, no one was injured in the attack. Officer-in-Charge of Baisari police outpost said that security had been beefed up in the area after the attack. On May 13, unidentified assailants murdered 70-year-old Buddhist monk Mong Shu You at his monastery in Chakpara of Bandarban’s Naikkhyangchhari upazila. One June 30, a local Awami League leader was hacked to death by unidentified assailants at the same upazila. International militant group Islamic State claimed responsibility for the murders. l

Bangladeshi shot dead by BSF n Nayan Khondoker, Jhenaidah Members of Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) have shot a cattle trader to death in Baghadanga frontier area, Maheshpur upazila, Jhenaidah. The deceased is Alam, 26, son of Abdus Samad alias Gama of Chuadanga. A group of 10-12 cattle traders intruded into Indian territory early yesterday. The cattle traders attacked the officials of BSF Bornobaria camp when they tried to stop the cattle traders. The BSF officials opened fire at the cattle traders that left Alam dead. However, the other traders managed to bring Alam’s body back to Bangladesh territory. l

Philippines bank challenges BB to sue over heist n Reuters A Philippines bank that was used as a conduit by cyber criminals to transfer $81 million from the Bangladesh central bank’s account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York yesterday challenged Bangladesh Bank to take it to court. The unknown hackers tried to steal nearly $1 billion from the Bangladesh Bank account between February 4 and February 5, and succeeded in transferring $81 million to four accounts at Rizal

Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC) in Manila. Bangladesh is seeking to recover about $18 million that has been frozen in the Philippines, and Bangladesh Bank officials say errors at RCBC enabled the rest to disappear into the casino industry. But RCBC told Reuters that the “Philippine side has done its part” and that the transfers were made based on authenticated instructions over payments network SWIFT. The hackers used stolen Bangla-

desh Bank credentials to issue the instructions. “Going to court instead of the media and various Philippine government agencies is the proper procedure,” RCBC said in a statement. “We will welcome that complaint as RCBC did not keep any of the funds that were released by the NY Fed and sent via three global banks after authentication by SWIFT.” The statement added that Bangladesh Bank must follow the “correct legal procedures instead of

unduly burdening the Philippine government”. A source close to Bangladesh Bank, who has direct knowledge of the legal position of the central bank, said it would sue RCBC if ongoing efforts to recover the money fail. A Bangladesh central bank team is currently in Manila to hasten the recovery process but said they were close to getting back only $15 million of the total loot. Bangladesh Bank spokesman Subhankar Saha could not immediately be reached for comment. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Philippine central bank fines Rizal Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Gil Buenaventura said in a statement: “With this payment, RCBC affirms its continued viability and determination to fulfill its firm commitment against money laundering, terrorism and other transnational crimes to ensure the stability of the banking system.” Bangladeshi officials say the money was able to disappear into the casino industry because of systemic failures at RCBC, not just individual errors by some of its officers. A Bangladesh central bank team is currently in Manila to try and recover some of the lost money, but said they were close to getting back only $15 million. ($1 = 46.8900 Philippine pesos)

BANGLADESH BANK HEIST

In one of the largest cyber heists in history, hackers ordered the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to transfer $81 million from Bangladesh Bank to accounts in the Philippines

THE MONEY TRAIL FEB.4-5, 2016

Transaction date Via New York Fed

$951

million 35 orders Via SWIFT global bank messaging system

Via Phillrem

Via RCBC

$101 million 5 orders Via New York Fed

FEB.5-13

Four US dollar accounts

$850

$81

million RECIPIENT Four Filipinos

$20

million 30 orders Blocked

Via Pan Asia Banking Corp.

million RECIPIENT Shalika Foundation Blocked Hackers misspelled name of the NGO

$31

million RECIPIENT Weikang Xu

$29

million RECIPIENT Solaire

$21

million RECIPIENT Eastern Hawaii Leisure Co. * A casino resort owned and operated by Bloomberry Resorts

Sources: Philippines Court of Appeals documents, Reuters

W. Foo, 31/03/2016

REUTERS

Bangladesh close to recovering $15m Talking to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday, Bangladesh Bank Executive Director Subhankar Saha said a portion of the heist money has been deposited to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) of Philippines. The visiting central bank team was completing some legal process to bring back the money, he said. Although the amount deposited by casinos to the AMLC would be brought back soon, legal complications meant that more time was needed to recover the rest, Subhankar added. The Bangladeshi delegation consists of Debaprosad Debnath and Abdul Rab from Bangladesh Bank’s financial intelligence unit, and Bangladesh Bank lawyer Ajmalul Hossain. They met with officials from the DoJ, the AMLC, and the Philippines central bank. The team has prepared an affidavit citing a letter by the New York Fed to the Philippines’ cen-

tral bank, in which the Fed said the money was stolen from Bangladesh Bank’s account. The affidavit will be given to the DoJ to file with a court, the sources said. Bangladeshi officials say the money was able to disappear into the casino industry because of systemic failures at RCBC, not just individual error by some of its officers. RCBC said the transfers were made based on authenticated instructions over payments network SWIFT, and the hackers had used stolen Bangladesh Bank credentials. RCBC’s then president Lorenzo Tan told a Senate hearing in March, however, that there was “some judgment error from the people on the ground.”

Prove it

Ricardo J Paras III, chief state counsel of the DoJ, told Reuters that it has already drafted court documents to

begin recovery of the $15m, but it was important for Bangladesh to prove it is their money. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), a government body that regulates casinos in the country, has promised to cooperate with Bangladesh Bank to help it recover the $2.7m it has frozen, Gomes said. “The money is with Solaire (Resort and Casino),” PAGCOR President Alfredo Lim said. “It will put us in a bad light if the money is not immediately released to them.” Solaire, operated by Bloomberry Resorts Corp, has said about $29m of the funds came to the casino and most was transferred to the accounts of two junket operators. Solaire did not immediately return requests for comment. The Bangladeshi sources said they were writing to President Duterte, whom Gomes has already met, formally seeking his help to recover all of the stolen money.

Duterte spokesman Ernesto Abella said Bangladesh Bank should reach out to the president soon. The sources said Bangladesh Bank would take RCBC to court if these efforts fail to bear fruit. It is relying on internal RCBC documents to buttress its assertion that the bank’s Jupiter Street branch in Manila ignored suspicions raised by some RCBC officials when the money was first remitted to the accounts on February 5, and then delayed acting on requests from RCBC’s head office to freeze the funds on Feb 9. “Going to court instead of the media and various Philippine government agencies is the proper procedure,” RCBC said in a statement. “Bangladesh should finish its own investigation to determine who the culprits were before concluding the theft was an outside job, without fault on their part.” l

News

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

Hefazat under pressure, acts tactically n Tribune Desk

The supporters of radical Islamist platform Hefazat-e-Islam's Dhaka unit staged a demonstration in front of Baitul Mukarram national mosque yesterday to protest against terrorism and killings. They were given permission to hold the programme under certain conditions including not to speak about the government-fixed Friday sermons, several Hefazat leaders said. The hardline group, which since 2013 has been demanding capital punishment for blasphemous acts, was also barred by the police from holding protest programmes in Dhaka and Chittagong on July 29. The event was later rescheduled for yesterday. A senior leader of the platform said seeking anonymity that the law enforcers and intelligence officials had held series of meetings with its leaders in the last few days. “They first asked us not to stage any programme, but later allowed us on condition that we shall not talk about the Islamic Foundation's sermon. “For this, only the Dhaka city unit convener spoke at the programme today [yesterday],” he told Bangla Tribune. The rally was held at the north gate of the national mosque after Jumma prayers amid tight secu-

rity. The Hefazat supporters later brought out a brief procession and Joint Convener Abul Kashem administered special prayers. The devotees were frisked by the law enforcers before entering the mosque, considering security as the militants also attacked a number of mosques in the recent months alongside conducting targeted killings across the country. In his speech, city unit Convener Maulana Nur Hossain Qasemi blamed the current education system for the rise of militant activities and killings, and demanded that the Education Policy, draft Education Act and curriculum be revised. He also called for concerted efforts against terrorism to bring peace. The Islamist parties under Hefazat and several other religion-based groups including Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh earlier threatened to wage tougher movement if the government did not scrap the Education Policy and remove “secularist and anti-Islamic contents” from textbooks. Hefazat has criticised the anti-militancy fatwa signed by more than 100,000 scholars and clerics. It was prepared under the guidance of the police and Sholakia Eid congregation imam Maulana Farid Uddin Masuud and published in June. It also came down heavily on

the Islamic Foundation for circulating a sermon and making it mandatory for all mosques to be read out during Jumma prayers. Hefazat supporters created a reign of terror in early 2013 during their series of demonstrations waged against the youths who had organised the Shahbagh movement

Qasemi blames the current education system for the rise of militant activities and killings. He demands revising the Education Policy, draft Education Act and curriculum to demand capital punishment of all war criminals and a ban on Jamaat-e-Islami. Its leaders termed the war crimes campaigners “atheists” and demanded that the government enact an anti-blasphemy law to try them. Observers say Hefazat's movement gave rise to the fatal attacks on a number of secular activists, bloggers, publishers and teachers that have taken place across the country since then. Al-Qaeda affiliate in Bangladesh Ansarullah Bangla Team claimed

responsibility for 13 attacks until April 25 that killed 11 people. Two youths who took part in one of the attacks were found to be students of Hathazari Madrasa, run by Hefazat. On the other hand, a group militants claiming themselves an affiliate of the Islamic State took credit for 25 attacks since September last year that killed 44 people including 22 in the Gulshan restaurant attack on July 1. After the July 1 Gulshan terror attack, Hefazat urged the countrymen to stand against militant activities. Such attacks are part of an international conspiracy against the Muslims and Islam. “Those carrying out these attacks are the enemies of Islam, Muslims and humanity ... Some anti-Islam quarters are trying to tarnish the image of the Muslims in a pre-planned manner,” Hefazat said in a statement on July 5. The chief of Hefazat, a Qawmi masrasa-based platform, Shah Ahmed Shafi at least in one instance in 2014 had said that it was highly recommended for the Muslims to kill the atheists. Shafi at a programme on May 28 this year said that peace can be established if the laws of the Qur'an and the Hadith are followed. “There will be no crimes like mugging, robbery and criminal activities if the country is run in line

with the Qur'an and the Hadiths. It will establish peace in the country,” he told an event in Sylhet. On April 8, he asked the fellow Muslims to get ready for another tough movement against atheists. He said that the Hefazat supporters would not spare anyone who tries to defame Islam. “No conspiracy will be tolerated on the soil of Bangladesh till the last member of Hefazat is alive,” he told a rally in Feni. In March, Hefazat waged a fierce movement when the High Court was set to hear a petition filed challenging the legality of the state religion provision in the constitution. They alleged that the Hindus and secularists were conspiring against Islam. The group later thanked the government and the court for turning down the petition. At yesterday's event, Qasemi said that Islam has nothing to do with terrorist activities. “We need to change the education system to uproot terrorism. Free thoughts in a human being are flourished through education. Our students are becoming terrorists for not getting proper education. “To save the nation from this menace, the government must change the Education Policy, the draft Education Act and the existing syllabi in line with the Qur'an and Sunnah,” he said urging the Muslims to unite for establishing peace. l

Yunus carries Olympic torch at Rio 2016 n Tribune Desk Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus, wearing elegant Olympic athlete uniform, carried the Olympic torch yesterday on the final leg of the torch relay in Rio de Janeiro. Yunus took the flame from another celebrity torch bearer in a brief ceremony and walked 200 metres with the torch to loud applause and cheers of the crowds, a press release from the Yunus Centre said. During the walk the microcredit pioneer held up the torch in one hand and held up three fingers of the other hand to symbolise the three zeroes urging the global audience to work for. These three zeros stand for three social and environmental goals of “Zero Poverty, Zero Unemployment, and Zero Net Carbon Emissions.” He has been advocating to add a social dimension to all programmes of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This was the core message of his address to IOC annual general meeting yesterday. All along the walk crowds of local children, youth, men and women surrounded him taking videos

Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus holds the Olympic torch during his participation in the Olympic Torch Relay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil COURTESY

and pictures to capture this historical event in their neighbourhood. Many in the crowd recognised him as the father of microcredit which is popular in Brazil. At the end of the walk Yunus passed on the flame to Michelle Jean, former governor general of Canada. In the evening Yunus was invited as a guest of honor at dinner by the IOC President Mr Thomas Bach which was attended by 450 leaders of the sports world and guests UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon, French President Francois Hollande, Princess Anne of UK, the king of Netherlands, the crown prince of Denmark and high officials of the IOC. Earlier in the day he was invited as keynote speaker at a conference of Brazilian CEOs hosted by the Inter American Development Bank. Yunus encouraged businesses to get involved in social businesses to tackle pressing social issues including unemployment and wealth concentration. Prof Yunus will attend the Olympic events, including the grand opening ceremony, as a guest of IOC for the next few days. l

News

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

Quader: No unity with party celebrating false birthday n BSS Awami League presidium member Obaidul Quader, also road transport and bridges minister yesterday said no unity is possible with the party that celebrates false birthday on August 15 and rehabilitated and rewarded the killers of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. "There is no ground in waging unity with quarters that patronize religious fanaticism, " Quadir said while speaking at a discussion on the occasion of 67th birth anniversary of Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Bangabandhu, at the Bangabandhu Bhaban in the capital’s Dhanmondi area. Quader accused BNP of betraying the blood of Father of Nation Bangabandhu and said, “There won’t be any compromise with BNP.” Awami Swechchasebak League (SL) organized the discussion on the birthday of Sheikh Kamal, also founder of the Abahani Limited, with its President Advocate Molla Mohammad Abu Kawsar in the chair. The minister called upon youths to take lessons from the lifestyle of Sheikh Kamal saying, “Sheikh Kamal is a role model for the young generation . . . No youth will be misguided and involved in religious fanaticism if they follow his ideology.” l

Panache Eid exhibition from today n Tribune Desk

Panache Events organises a twoday exhibition of fashionwear at the Six Season Hotel from today. A total of 40 fashion houses will take part in the exhibition titled Panache Eid Showcase to present their items ahead of this Eid-ulAzha. Fashion stores from Dhaka and Chittagong are joining this time to load customers' wardrobe with summer party attires and accessories. Formal to casual, kitchen item to deco item, all are available at the fair. The exhibition is open for all from 10am to 9pm. For security purpose, police protection and permission have been taken to ensure a secured environment for visitors, said a press release from Panache events yesterday. Panache Events will come up with its next fair on August 25-26 at the same venue. l

Just after crossing a newly built footbridge near Dhaka airport, a man tiptoes on bricks to avoid stepping into the puddle of stagnated water beside the base of the bridge. The footbridge was opened to public yesterday, but authorities are yet to clean the garbage and stagnant water in the adjacent areas DHAKA TRIBUNE

44 illegal Nepalis arrested n Tribune Report Police have arrested 44 Nepalis from Mirpur’s Pallabi area for illegally working in Bangladesh. Police raided a six-storey building in Pallabi DOHS and detained them around 12:30am on Friday. “They had come to Bangladesh on tourist visas and worked at various hotels,” said Masud Ahmed, deputy commissioner of police’s Mirpur zone. Pallabi Officer-in-Charge (OC) Dadon Bhuiyan said: “Of the de-

tainees, only one had a work permit. We also detained a Bangladeshi named Oaliullah from the building.” Oaliullah and the Nepali man, who had the work permit, brought the others to Bangladesh, the OC said. The OC said the detainees are still in the building. Oaliullah is said to have visited Nepal and Malaysia often and brought these men to Bangladesh on tourist visas. “They entered the country

through Benapol’s land port on May 22. The validity for their visa expired on June 19,” OC Bhuiyan said. OC Bhuiyan Added: “Oaliullah had pushed the men to overstay their visas and work in the hotel, asking for more money to extend their visa but he never did.” It is a case of fraud and charges will be pressed against Oaliullah by one of the victims, Ajay. Police said the detainees were handed over to the embassy concerned and will they will return home soon. l

Hefazat-e-Islam for unity against terrorists and atheists Mizanur Rahaman, n FM Chittagong Secretary General of radical Islamist outfit Hefazat-e-Islam Junayed Babunagari yesterday urged his followers to put up resistance against terrorists and atheists across Bangladesh. He came up with the call at a rally held on the premises of Andarkillah Shahi Jame Masjid in the port city on Friday. Protesting terrorism, militancy, forced disappearance and demanding to introduce Islamic lesson in every stage of education, Hefazat organised the rally.

“Islam is the religion of peace and there is no place of terrorism and extremism in Islam while an international quarter was hatching conspiracy against Bangladesh, Islam and Muslim community through creating panic and terrorism”, said the Hefazat leader while addressing the rally as the chief guest. Threatening the government of dire consequence for controlling Juma Khutba (sermon), Junayed Babunagori said the mosque was the house of Allah and the Imams use to offer the sermon as per Quran and Hadis. Protesting the countrywide target killing, terrorist attacks,

political clashes and forced disappearance, the Hefazat leader said the ruling party should stop threatening and mudslinging different opinions. He also added there was no alternative to form a national unity to eradicate the militancy and terrorism from the country. The senior Hefazat leader also demanded amendment of national education policy immediately. Presided over by Hefazat’s Joint secretary Mowlana Mainuddin Ruhi, the rally was also addressed by Mowlana Azizul Haque Islamabai, Mowlana Sorowar Kamal Azizi, Mowlana Abu Taher Arbi. l

Hiroshima Day today n BSS

Hiroshima Day reappeared with a call to impose a complete ban on the use of nuclear weapons as the world saw the devastating use of atomic bombs in the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the final phase of World War II. The day commemorates 6th August, 1945 when an atomic bomb was dropped in Hiroshima, followed a few days later by another dropped on the city of Nagasaki. The two bombings, which killed at least 129,000 people and, remain the only use of nuclear weapons for warfare in history. Tens of thousands more would later die of radiation exposure. Remembering the victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki who died and suffered the innumerable health hazards, Bangladesh like other countries organises different programmes today. The day is now a focus for anti-war and anti-nuclear discussions and demonstrations. Bangladesh Shanti Parishad will stage a discussion at Jatiya Press Club today while Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon will join it as the chief guest. Environmental group Green Belt Trust will organise a “peace rally” at Shahbagh square in the evening today. Candles will be lit and fanoos (air balloon) would be released seeking the peace of Gulshan and Sholakia victims and global peace as well. l

News

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

Inu: Not only Jamaat, BNP also responsible for secret killings n Md Hedait Hossain Molla, Khulna

Police stand guard outside the gates of Baitul Mukarram Mosque during Jumma prayers yesterday as Hefazat-e-Islam announced to bring out a protest procession against terrorism after the prayers RAJIB DHAR

‘Mess tenants should be monitored, not feared’ n Kamrul Hasan

In Dhaka city, where thousands arrive to work and study every day, bachelors’ messes are often the only option available for those looking for an affordable accommodation option. But the recent wave of police crackdown in the wake of the Gulshan terror attack has left mess owners afraid and unsure about their tenants. The prevailing panicked situation is toxic for society and might result in unrest in the future, human rights activists and law enforcers warn. Following the Gulshan attack, the police have carried out at least 60 block raids in Dhaka city, in which they arrested 43 Jamaat-Shibir activists. There have also been arrests of several home owners, including a pro-VC of North South University, who failed to provide police with the necessary information on their tenants – who later turned out to be militant suspects. These arrests have prompted many to stop renting out their homes as bachelors’ messes. The Dhaka Tribune spoke to a home owner in Shukrabad, near where police arrested nine mess tenants on Thursday, who said she previously rented out her house as a mess but changed her mind after

the Kallyanpur incident. “I might get more money from a mess. But the truth is that I do not want any problem.” So, she has already asked all her mess tenants to vacate the building. Asked why she was not complying with police orders and providing the DMP with tenant information, the home owner – who requested anonymity – said there was no way she could be sure that the information provided by her mess tenants would be authentic. However, Mirpur police station Officer-in-Charge Bhuiyan Mahbub Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune that if any owner was concerned about the authenticity of any information, they should collect the necessary documents from the tenants before they moved in, so that police would get enough time to verify those. An official from DMP’s counter-terrorism unit said any doubts about the identity of tenants can be removed by collecting copies of their national ID cards or passports, character certificates from public representatives, and official or educational institution ID cards. Home owners could also collect the number of the tenants’ parents and personally speak to them over the phone to verify identities, he suggested. It was not possible to create fake documents for all of these IDs, he said.

TEMPERATURE FORECAST FOR TODAY

THUNDERSHOWER WITH RAIN SATURDAY, AUGUST 6

Dhaka

Chittagong

DMP Deputy Commissioner (media) Masudur Rahman also assured that no home owner who had timely provided tenant information was arrested during the recent block raids. According to Bangladesh Mess Organisation, there are 1.5 million mess tenants in Dhaka city alone. The organisation’s Secretary Ayatullah Akhter said mess members have been subjected to oppression and mismanagement for a long time. If house owners had been alert about security from the beginning and had monitored their tenants, then such mess-based criminal activities would not have been possible, he said. All tenants cannot be blamed for the crimes of a few, he said, adding that better monitoring would prevent future crimes. Reazul Hoque, the newly appointed chairman of National Human Right Commission, said the panic and fear among all is leading to damaging consequences. Unrest might take place if accommodations for students and bachelor jobholders cannot be created, he cautioned. If house owners monitored their tenants as they monitored their own children, those tenants would not get the chance to do something illegal, he added. Reazul said renting out houses should be a matter of awareness, not fear. l 27

Rajshahi

DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 6:38PM

Rangpur

Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu, MP, said BNP chairperson Khaleda would be made responsible for all secret killings till the party kept alliance with Jamaat-Shibir. “Not only the Jamaat, but the BNP is also threat for the country and its constitution,” said the minister while addressing a view-exchange meeting with different professional bodies and civil society leaders at a Khulna city hotel yesterday. Bangladesh Betar organised the awareness creating meeting with a view to create awareness among mass people about the adverse impact of terrorism and militancy. Pointing fingers at the BNP, the minister said people, who could not succeed through arson terrorism, were conducting terrorism activities across Bangladesh. “The BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami are responsible for the rise of militancy in the country. It does not matter whether BNP will go to parliamentary elections or not. Rise of militancy will not take place in the country without patronisation of Khaleda Zia,” he said. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken stern steps to curb militancy, he said referring to the success of law enforcers in combating

Khulna

Barisal

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

TOMORROW SUN RISES 5:31AM

35.0ºC Sylhet

24.8ºC Sylhet

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES

the militants at Sholakia, Gulshan and Kalyanpur. Inu who is also President of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), said: “People of all walks of life are united now. The mass people would resist all the conspiracies of the BNP-Jamaat.” He said the terrorism and militancy were introduced in the country through the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Replying to questions, he said: “The defeated forces of 1971 are again hatching conspiracies to jeopardise the pace of development of the country. Time has come now to be united and fight against all perpetrators who are conspiring against the country.” Lawmaker Mizanur Rahman Mizan, JSD Organising Secretary Khalid Hossain, President of Khulna district Imam Parisad Moulana Md Saleh, Vice-Chancellor of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology Professor Dr Mohammed Alamgir, Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md Abdus Samad, Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner Nibash Chandra Majhi, Deputy Inspector General of Khulna Range Police SM Moniruzzaman and Khulna Police Super Niamul Haque Molla also addressed the programme. l

Sylhet

Cox’s Bazar

Fajr: 4:55am | Zohr: 1:15pm Asr: 5:15pm | Magrib: 6:50pm Esha: 8:45pm Source: Islamic Foundation

News

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

SHYAMAL KANTI HUMILIATION

AG office yet to receive probe report, asks cops to submit report thru affidavit n Tribune Desk The Attorney General office did not receive the handwritten probe report submitted by Narayanganj police over the humiliation of Shyamal Kanti Bhakta. The attorney general office also asked the district police to submit the report through affidavit by tomorrow, said Deputy Attorney General Motaher Hossain. On Thursday, police submitted a report over harassment incident of Shyamal Kanti Bhakta, a teacher

of Piar Sattar Latif High School in Narayanganj, stating that local lawmaker AKM Salim Osman was not involved in the incident. Deputy Attorney General Motahar Hossain said this while talking to journalists on the day. On May 13, Shyamal Kanti was assaulted on the school premises by a mob claiming that he had committed blasphemy against Islam. Later, he was also made to do squats holding his ears in presence of local Jatiya Party lawmaker AKM Salim Osman.

The teacher later told media that he had been made a victim of conspiracy by some teachers and members of the managing committee. Then, a general diary was filed with Bandar police station. After the humiliation incident which created massive outrage across the country, Kanti was undergoing treatment for several days at a hospital in Naraynganj and Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Seeking apology, Salim Osman also told journalists that he was compelled to make Shyamal Kanti

to do squats holding his ears in order to save the teacher from a mob. On May 17, the school’s managing committee sacked the teacher with effect from May 13 showing four reasons, including allegations of physically assaulting students and making disparaging statements against Islam. Later, Education Ministry dismissed the school’s managing body and reinstated Shyamal Kanti based on the findings of the probe report. On May 18, a High Court bench

Flood situation improves

Two murdered n M Kamal Mridha, Natore

n BSS

The flood situation in the northern districts improved further yesterday with the Brahmaputra and the Jamuna river waters following below the danger level. Water started receding from the affected areas in Rajbari, Manikganj, Munshiganj and Shariatpur, adjoining the banks of the Padma River. Meanwhile, water levels remain static in the rivers around Dhaka – the Turag, the Balu and the Shitalakkhya. Water Development Board’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) Executive Engineer Sajjad Hossain said the water level in the Padma River was falling under danger level in the last four days, resulting in the improvement. l

Members of Coast Guard conduct a drive 'Operation Pirates Hunt' in the Sundarbans on Thursday and destroys structures belong to forest robbers DHAKA TRIBUNE

Jubo League leader shot dead in Noakhali Chandra Kuri, n Ranajit Noakhali A Jubo League (JL) leader was shot dead by his opponent in Chowdhurirhat at 10 pm on Thursday night. The deceased was identified as Md Abu Sufian 30, son of Md Abdur Rashid of Char Parboti village. Mozammel Hoque Kamrul, Chairman of Char Parboti Union Parishad said that Md Azad and his associates fatally shot Abu Sufian while he was heading home. Md Azad was accused killing an expatriate JL leader Md Maruf in 2013. Abu Sufian had participated in protests demanded justice

issued a suo-moto rule asking why legal proceedings should not be taken against those, including the MP. The court also ordered Narayanganj district administration to submit a report on what lawful measures had been taken after the incident. Shyamal Kanti Bhakta returned to his workplace on July 11three months after he was sacked by the school’s management committee and was later reinstated by the Ministry of Education. l

for Maruf ’s killing. Azad was tried and sent to prison for the crime. On Wednesday, Azad secured bail and the killing occurred the following night. Md Fazle Rabbi, officer-incharge of Companigonj Police Station said that on information police rushed to the spot and recovered the body. The body was sent to Noakhali Medical College Hospital for an autopsy. Police raided Azad’s house and recovered 9 rounds of bullets and some local weapons. Azad managed to escape the raid. Police are conducting drive to arrest Azad and his associates, the OC added. l

A former union parishad member and his brother was murdered at their residence in Singra upazila. The deceased are Mozaffar Hossain Moza, 48, and his elder brother Hashen, 50. Locals said a band of 10 assailants knocked on the door around 1:30am and attacked Moza with sharp weapons as soon as he opened the door. He said the assailants turned on him and their elder brother when they tried to rescue Moza. Later, the attackers dragged Moza to the courtyard and slaughtered him there. They fired blank shots to disperse the locals who had come to the rescue. Police said Hashen died while being taken to Rajshahi Medical College around 10:20am. Identity of the attackers and their motive remain unknown. l

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

Many questions unanswered, motive still unknown MITU MURDER Mizanur Rahaman, n FM Chittagong The motive behind the murder of Superintendent of Police (SP) Babul Akter’s wife Mahmuda Khanam Mitu is still unknown, while the prime accused Musa is on the run. The investigators have said Mitu's mobile phone and the sharp weapon used in the murder are yet to be recovered. Mahmuda Khanam Mitu, mother of two, was stabbed and shot to death near her house in the city's GEC area on June 5 as she waiting with her son Akter Mahmud Maheer for his school bus. Police have arrested seven men including two who allegedly took part directly in the killing mission. Prime accused Kamrul Islam Musa alias Musa Sikdar is on the run. His wife Panna Akhtar has alleged that he was arrested on June 22 by plainclothes police.

The mysterious sms

Sixty days after the murder of Mitu, investigators are yet to determine why she came to the GEC intersection half an hour earlier than the usual bus schedule that morning and how the killers knew her timing. After the murder, neighbours and Mitu’s father Mossharraf said Mitu had received an SMS on her phone telling her Maheer's school would start early that day. But the police say they have looked at the operator's records and found no such text. Maheer's school denied having sent any sms and said school began on usual schedule that day. Tracking the phone to its last known location in city’s Badurtala area on June 6, police found the motorcycle used in the murder there, but no phone.

Where is Musa?

Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP)’s Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operation) Debdas Bhattacharia said: “We have already made headway in the probe, arresting five accused. But the investigation is still going on.” “The motive behind the grisly murder is still unclear. We will

learn who is the mastermind and what the motive behind the murder was, once Musa is arrested,” the officer added. At first, police suspected militant links due to SP Babul's track record in anti-terrorism drives, but later said professional killers had murdered Mitu. Ansar Al Islam, the Bangladeshi affiliate of al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), issued a statement condemning the killing. The arrestees were— Motaleb Mia Washim, Md Anwar, Ehteshamul Haque Bhola, Shahjahan Mia, Musa’s elder brother Saiful Islam Saku, Abu Nosor Gunnu and Shahjaman Robin. On June 26, Washim and Anwar gave confessional statements before a court in Chittagong. There they gave the names of associates - Musa, Nabi, Rashed, Kalu and Shahjahan. They said police informant Musa had hired the killers and did not tell them who Mitu was. Wasim said Musa had shot Mitu in the head while Nabi had stabbed her. They also said one Ehteshamul Haque Bhola had supplied the firearms to Musa and taken them back after the operation.

News

Investigators later picked SP Babul in Dhaka, creating the speculation that he was arrested in connection with the murder. He was released after 15 hours and the Detective Branch said they had quizzed him to verify some “vital information.” On June 28, police arrested Bhola and his aide Monir with two firearms from city’s Rajakhali area. On July 28, CMP issued an alert in all airports and land ports against Musa, Kalu, Nabi, Rashed and Shahjahan so they could not leave the country. On July 1, police arrested Musa’s brother Saku and Shahjahan from Rangunia upazila. On July 5, police said Nur Nabi, 28, and Nurul Islam Rashed, 29, two men directly involved in the killing, were killed in a gunfight during an arrest in Rangunia. Asked about Musa and Kalu’s whereabouts, Assistant Commissioner of CMP’s Detective Branch Mohammed Kamruzzaman, the investigation officer of the case, said police were trying to arrest them. “Apart from that we have been grilling Bhola and Shahjajan to glean more information on the killing,” said the AC. l

Massive drive to salvage stranded elephant n BSS Bangladesh and India yesterday launched a massive campaign to salvage a wild elephant stranded in marshy lands for the past five weeks after gushing flood waters washed it to Bangladesh from upstream Indian territory in Assam, officials said. “A three-member Indian expert team led by a retired chief conservator of forest of theirs reached the scene at Sharishabari (of Jamalpur) to launch the rescue drive jointly with our forest officials and experts,” said Chief Conservator of Forests Mohammad Yunus Ali. He said the joint team with veterinary surgeons was equipped with tranquilisers and other equipment to rescue the elephant which was languishing in marshy lands along the rivers. “India will to take it back if possible, otherwise we will keep the elephant,” he added. The elephant, weighing around four tonnes, crossed the common Brahmaputra River on June 27. It was roaming along the river shoals and swamps in three northern districts. l

Half her body scalded, she was left to die Rahman n Sazzadur Sazzad, Panchagarh A 12-year-old house help named Jui was allegedly murdered by her employers, who poured boiling water on her and denied her any medical treatment for more than a week to cover up the incident. Jui suffered for eight days with scald wounds from her neck down before succumbing to death on Thursday morning in Dinajpur. Her employers – medicine company representative Alamgir Alam and her wife Kudrat Un Nahar – did not even notify Jui's family of her injuries or her death. When they finally brought Jui's body to her home in Panchagarh's Kuralipara, angry locals held the couple captive and beat them up. However, they were rescued by local Jubo League leader Golam Faruk. The couple then allegedly used their influence to settle the matter with Jui's family without having her autopsy done. Local Jubo League leaders reportedly negotiated a Tk3 lakh

compensation for the victim's family on condition that they would not report the incident to the police. On Thursday night, Jui was buried without having any post-mortem exam done. When contacted, Alamgir denied allegations of torture, but claimed that boiling water had accidentally fallen on Jui. Alamgir also said he neither took the young girl to a doctor nor notified her parents as he feared police harassment. Although Pancahgarh Deputy Commissioner Amal Krishna Mandal, Superintendent of Police Md Giasuddin Ahmed, and Boda police station OC Abul Kalam Azad were notified of the incident, they all said they could not do anything as the alleged crime had taken place in Dinajpur and not in their own jurisdiction. Boda OC Azad, however, said they would take action if the parents of the victim filed any case with the police. Despite repeated calls for comment, Jubo League leader Golam Faruk did not pick up his phone. l

Although a port of northern region of Bangladesh has been flooded due to heavy rain and onrush water from upstream, Aman fields in Barind area have dried up for lack of rain. Farmers of the area are compelled to irrigate their paddy fields through shallow-run deep tube wells. The photo was taken yesterday from Sormongla area, Godagari upzila, Rajshahi AZAHAR UDDIN

People stand against militancy, 5 detained n Asaduzzaman, Satkhira Residents of Khajra, Asasuni upazila, Satkhira detained five suspected militants and later on handed them over to police on Friday afternoon. The arrestees were identified as Mehedi Hasan Imran, 23, son of Anwar Hossain, hailing from Damurhuda upazila in Chuadanga, Rafiqul Islam, 27, son of Motaleb Hawlader of

Hasnabad village under Labanchara Police Station in Khulna, Mosharraf Hossain, 20, son of Abdul Khalek Mollah of Shibchar upazila in Madaripur; Nazim Hossain, 17, son of Ahmed Nazir; and Yamin Hossain, 19, son of Kuddus Mahji of Chardhupur village in Zanjira upazila of Shariatpur. Chairman of Khajra union parishad Shahnewaj Dalim told the Dhaka Tribune that they were con-

ducting militant activities staying at madrasa in the area. “The arrestees have been staying at Hafijia Madrasah at the village for the last 20 days to avoid police arrest,” said the UP chairman. Offer-in-Charge of Asasuni police station told the Dhaka Tribune that they took shelter at the madrasa 20 days back and they used to give sermon to devotees. l

8 World

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

SOUTH ASIA

Nepal’s new PM names key cabinet member Nepal’s new Maoist Prime Minister Prachanda named a minority leader to the key position of home minister in his first appointments on Thursday, seeking reconciliation after months of protests by southern plainsfolk over a new constitution. -REUTERS

INDIA

Fresh Kashmir protests kill two, injure over 100 Fresh protests in Indian-administered Kashmir Friday left at least two protesters dead and more than 100 injured, taking the death toll from nearly a month of unrest to 54, a police officer said. Thousands of residents clashed with government forces, defying a curfew authorities extended to large parts of the disputed territory, including the main city of Srinagar, for the 28th straight day. -AFP

CHINA

Japan summons Chinese ambassador over ship instrusion Japanese vice foreign minister Shinsuke Sugiyama called in Cheng Yonghua, Beijing’s ambassador to Tokyo, to protest what it said were intrusions into its territorial waters by Chinese coast guard and fishing vessels, the foreign ministry said in a statement on its website. The two countries are locked in a long-running dispute over uninhabited islets in the East China. -AFP

ASIA PACIFIC

Indonesia arrests 6 for plotting Singapore attack Six suspected militants with links to the Islamic State group were arrested by Indonesian police on Friday while allegedly plotting a rocket attack on Singapore. Indonesian police spokesman Agus Rianto told reporters the six had been plotting with a member of IS in Syria to attack Singapore. -REUTERS

MIDDLE EAST

Danish warplanes drop first bombs in Syria Danish warplanes bombed Syria for the first time, its military said on Friday, as Denmark extended its fight against Islamic State from neighbouring Iraq. Four F-16 jets bombed Raqqa, targeting command and control facilities, weapons stocks and enemy personnel, Defence Command Denmark said. Denmark’s Chief of International Air Force Missions Jan Dam told Danish media the bombings had been an “important contribution” to the coalition’s work. -REUTERS

INTERVIEW

Hezbollah: Partition in Iraq, Syria possible outcome of war n Reuters, Beirut Lebanon’s Hezbollah said the partition of Iraq and Syria was a possible outcome of sectarian fighting across the region and there was no prospect of any end to the war in Syria until after November’s US presidential election. Sheikh Naim Qassem, deputy leader of the Iran-backed group, whose forces are fighting alongside President Bashar al-Assad against rebels supported by Western and regional powers, said Hezbollah, Iran and Russia would stand by Assad until the end. In an interview, he said recapturing Aleppo, Syria’s second major city where a decisive battle is unfolding, remained an objective but was not an immediate goal. The US and its allies say that by waging war against his own people, Assad can have no future in Syria, while Russia and Iran, wholly opposed to regime change, maintain he is the legitimate president, albeit of a state shrunk by rebel gains. Both coalitions fear his sudden departure could destroy what is left of Syria after more than five years of civil war, bequeathing a shell state to the jihadis of Islamic State and al-Qaeda. Qassem said both Syria and neighbouring Iraq, where Islamic State has also seized territory, could split. “On the battlefield and in view of regional and international interventions I don’t rule out that one of the ideas proposed is finding a state of partition in those two countries but will it succeed or not? “So far the forces that want the unity of Iraq and Syria are able to prevent the idea of partition but we should remain worried about ... the possibility that some countries might push these two countries or one of them into partition.” Assad was the best protection against this, Qassem said. “With President Assad the solution can be logical and rational in finding political parameters that can give the opposition its share and the regime its share and there could be coordination which allows for putting things back in order and reviving authority in Syria”, the white-turbaned sheikh said.

Sheikh Naim Qassem

REUTERS

lessly to keep Assad in place, has confounded the designs of Washington and regional Sunni powers such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey, Qassem said, opening the way to a political solution. “Iranian and Russian relations with Syria helped achieve steadfastness on the ground because both support Assad staying in power and back a political solution,” the Hezbollah number two told Reuters. The Syria war grew out of Arab spring-inspired protests in 2011 calling for democratic change. Before Iran, Hezbollah and Russia came to Assad’s aid, his grip on power appeared to be failing. Their support was seen by diplomats and Middle East experts as key to Assad’s survival. Syria’s civil war, now in its sixth year, has killed more than 250,000 people, displaced more than 6.6 million inside the country and

forced another 4.8 million to flee, creating a huge influx into neighbouring countries and Europe. Qassem said the months-long push on rebel-held Aleppo by Assad’s government forces was aimed less at recovering Syria’s major city than at separating the rebels from Idlib, their stronghold in the north-west, and choking their supply lines from Turkey. Aleppo, with a population of more than 2m people now, has been divided for years into rebel and government areas. “The main objective of the Syrian state and allies was to cut the road between the city of Aleppo and Idlib. As for liberating Aleppo that’s a different goal that may not be undertaken quickly...” “Regaining Aleppo will remain one of the goals of the Syrian state and its allies but we’re not tied to a timeframe”, said the Hezbollah leader.

Fighting global threat

The Lebanese group, a Shia Islamist party with a powerful armed wing, describes its role as part of a struggle against the growing regional threat presented by Sunni Muslim jihadists, who it labels takfiris for their radical ideology, violent and uncompromising stance. The conflict in Syria has further fuelled an old regional rivalry between the Shia Islamist government of Iran and the conservative Sunni Muslim kingdom of Saudi Arabia, one of the main sponsors of the insurgency against Assad.

Qassem said the US, one of the power brokers in finding a solution to the crisis, was distracted by its November presidential elections and not ready to commit to any action until a new president takes over next year. “The US administration is convinced that the period ahead of the presidential elections is a wasted time, that it can await until the new president assumes power. Then, the prospects of a solution or of a prolongation of the crisis will be clear.” He said the sacrifices of Hezbollah, which has lost hundreds of fighters in Syria, were worthy, otherwise the ultra-hardline jihadists of Islamic State would have taken control in Syria and expanded into Lebanon. “We have prevented the expansion of the crisis into Lebanon and this is a major achievement, we prevented the takfiris from disrupting the resistance and laid the basis for the steadfastness of Syria. These great achievements deserve every sacrifice,” he said. He said Islamic State, which is being targeted by coalition air strikes, will increase its attacks in Europe and beyond, adding that the group has an expansionist strategy and will use any means to achieve its goals. “European pains are big and will increase more and more,” Qassem said, adding that Islamic State “will not leave an opportunity in all the countries of the world without exception to attack when it can and when is able to.” l

Die-hard commitment

The intervention of Russia’s air force since last September, after Iran, Hezbollah, and Iraqi Shi’ite militiamen had fought relent-

Lebanon’s Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah addresses his supporters via a screen during a memorial service to mourn the death of Hezbollah commander Hajj Ismail Zahri, who died due to illness, in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon last month REUTERS

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

INSIGHT

On the trail with Mike Pence: Putting out fires lit by Donald Trump n Reuters, Washington, DC

who chose him as his number 2.

If Mike Pence had any doubts about what life would be like on the 2016 Republican presidential ticket with Donald Trump, the past week will have erased them: He is the damage control guy. The Indiana governor who swore off political mudslinging years ago heard Trump call Democratic rival Hillary Clinton “the devil” and watched him fan the flames of a feud with the parents of a Muslim soldier who died saving US troops in Iraq. Unlike many vice presidential running mates, the mild-mannered Pence was not tapped as the attack dog in the November 8 presidential election. Trump has that part down pat. Pence’s job is harder: softening Trump’s rough edges and limiting the fallout from what many Republicans see as the nominee’s self-inflicted wounds. Last Sunday, as Trump’s dispute with the parents of slain US Army

Positive Pence, testy Trump

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, right, and vice presidential candidate Mike Pence speak at a campaign event in Virginia on July 25 REUTERS Captain Humayun Khan boiled over, Pence issued a statement praising the soldier as an “American hero” and saying that his family “should be cherished by every American.” On Wednesday, Pence offered his own endorsement to House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, the top US elected Republican, after Trump infuriated many party leaders by declining to endorse Ryan in his re-election bid. Pence, who swore off negative

campaigning after losing a vituperative congressional race in 1990, eschews name calling. Trump, by contrast, delights in using monikers such as “Crooked Hillary” and “the devil” to describe Clinton. But Pence must walk a fine line. Even as he defuses Trump’s verbal bombs, Pence must be careful to show he knows who is boss. He also has to stick to his own principles while not appearing to be trying to undermine the man

Trump’s off-the-cuff insults and controversial proposals, such as a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States and a plan to build a wall along the Mexican border to keep illegal immigrants out, have made many in the party establishment uneasy. The Republican nominee’s feud with the Khan family made for an awkward moment for Pence at a campaign event in Carson City, Nevada. A military mother asked Pence how could he tolerate Trump’s disrespect for the armed forces, which prompted boos. Pence admonished the crowd to tone it down. “Folks, that’s what freedom looks like and that’s what freedom sounds like,” he said before calling Humayun Khan an American hero. Pence was asked on Thursday by an 11-year-old boy at a North Carolina rally if his role was “softening up” Trump’s policies and words. Pence replied that he and Trump were “shoulder to shoulder” in the campaign. l

INSIGHT

Female asylum seekers in Greece face sexual abuse Reuters n Thomson Foundation, Athnes When Warda left her hometown of Idlib in Syria, she knew she had a long, difficult journey ahead, but it never crossed her mind that she would face increased danger as a young woman. For the past four months, the 18-year-old has been living in a makeshift refugee camp by Pireaus harbour in Athens with her fiancé and six relatives, who also made the perilous journey to Greece via Turkey. Forced to share a tent with her parents and use a mixed bathroom, the lack of privacy is stifling. The large numbers of young, single Syrian and Afghan men, many of whom sit in groups, commenting on the women they see, is also unnerving. “It’s hard for everyone here, but particularly for women,” said Warda, who like many asylum seekers declined to give her full name. “The Afghan guys like to harass the young women here. They don’t care that I’m engaged or Muslim,” the teenager told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “But when they bother us, there’s nowhere

for us to go. It’s really scary.” Female asylum seekers are vulnerable to violence, exploitation and sexual harassment from the moment they leave Iraq and Syria to their arrival on European soil, Amnesty International says. In March, the European Union published guidelines to protect the rights of women asylum seekers and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people fleeing persecution. The EU recommended separate bathrooms and sleeping areas but these are non-existent in many refugee camps and reception centres in Greece, exposing female asylum seekers to sexual violence, exploitation and harassment, human rights groups say.

Violence

Women and children accounted for 55% of migrants passing through Greece in January, according to the latest UN figures, more than double the number last year. Ever since she arrived in Lesbos in March, 17-year-old Mariam Hussain has repeatedly tried to separate from her father, a man who has long abused her emotionally. Following months of mistreatment and failed attempts to be re-

World USA

Obama: $400m for Iran was not hostage ransom US President Barack Obama reiterated Thursday that $400m that the United States helped airlift to Iran earlier this year was not a ransom for the release of American prisoners. “Some of you may recall we announced these payments in January. Many months ago. They were not a secret,” he told a press conference at the Pentagon, emphasizing that the US does not pay ransoms. -AFP

THE AMERICAS

Kerry in Argentina to talk trade on way to Rio Olympics US Secretary of State John Kerry was in Argentina on Thursday to talk trade with President Mauricio Macri before heading to the Olympics opening ceremony in Brazil. Kerry will discuss trade and other issues in meetings with Macri and Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra, the State Department said. -AFP

Head of British child sexual abuse inquiry quits The head of a major public inquiry into decades of child sex abuse in Britain resigned on Thursday without giving a reason. The inquiry, which will last at least five years and cost about £18m, was set up in July 2014 after a series of child sex abuse scandals dating back to the 1970s, some involving celebrities and politicians. On Thursday, its chairwoman, New Zealand High Court Judge Lowell Goddard, quit without publicly explaining her decision. -REUTERS

EUROPE

Portugal ex-PM leads in race to be next UN chief

Unidentified female refugees, more than half are migrants from Syria, were waiting for being registered at Lesbos island in Greece BIGSTOCK settled elsewhere, she attempted suicide. “I was so depressed. I still am,” Mariam said, explaining that staff in the camp did nothing when she asked to be moved from her father. “In fact, they told my father what I’d said.” Hussain is pinning her hopes on turning 18 in September. “I can’t wait for September 12. Hopefully I’ll be free of him at last,” she said. Iota Peristeri from the Greek Asylum Service in Athens, said she was unaware so many female refugees were experiencing violence during the asylum process.

“Normally, a person like Mariam would go to one of EASO’s regional asylum offices, sign an official declaration saying she wants to be separated from her father and that’s it,” Peristeri said. “The process should be relatively quick and painless.” Many asylum seekers, women included, say they have been victims of police brutality in Greece an allegation police officials deny. Peristeri from the Greek Asylum Service said this was the first time she had heard of police violence. “I find it surprising,” she said. “But, then again, we never actually visit the people or go to the camps. l

Portugal’s former prime minister Antonio Guterres held the lead in the race to be the next UN secretary-general during a second straw poll on Friday, diplomats said. Guterres received 11 “encourage” votes, but two “discourage” votes and two “no opinion”, a slightly weaker showing than in the first round last month. -AFP

AFRICA

Egypt’s Mufti survives assassination attempt Egypt’s former Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa, once one of the country’s top religious authorities, survived an assassination attempt on Friday, security sources told Reuters and state television later reported. Two men on a motorcycle fired guns on Gomaa as he entered a mosque, the sources said. He is an adherent of a mystical school of Islam known as Sufism whose practices have sometimes set them at odds with more puritanical Muslims, including hardline Islamist groups. -REUTERS

World

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

CHILD DEATHS IN MICA MINING

Global firms beef up probe on Indian suppliers Reuters n Thomson Foundation, Delhi/Mumbai Major global companies buying the mineral mica from India vowed on Thursday to beef up inspections of their suppliers for child labour after a Thomson Reuters Foundation investigation revealed children were dying in illegal mines. A three-month investigation in the mica-producing states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh found at least seven children have been killed since June mining for mica, the valued mineral that puts a sparkle in make-up and car paint. These deaths, feared to be just the tip of the iceberg, have gone unreported as victims’ impoverished families and mine operators do not want to end the illegal mining in abandoned mines and protected forests - often their only source of income. While officials in Jharkhand and Rajasthan vowed to investigate child deaths following the expose, major companies buying from India said they would examine suppliers - and could stop buying from India without more efforts to end child labour. “We have immediately started investigations with our direct suppliers,” said a spokesman from German car manufacturer Volkswagen, adding that a meeting with suppliers was now scheduled for later this month. “Based on the outcome of the results of our investigations we will take corresponding actions based on our internal processes.” BMW said it did not tolerate child labour. “If the allegations are substantiated, we will do everything to ensure that the supplier involved is no longer part of our supply chain in the future,” a company spokesman said. Other big car makers in India Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Honda, Audi, Mercedes Benz, Renault, Mahindra and Tata Motors - did not respond to requests for comments. Boycotts and alternatives Indian law forbids children below the age of 18 working in mines and other hazardous industries but many families living in extreme poverty rely on children to boost household income. India is one of the world’s largest producers of mica, a silver-coloured, crystalline mineral, that has gained prominence in recent years as an environmentally-friendly material, used in the car and building sectors, electronics and “natural” make-up. This surge in demand has revived a flagging industry in India which closed most of its 700 mines

A girl shows some of the mica flakes she has collected whilst working in a open cast illegal mine in Giridih district in the eastern state of Jharkhand, India, January 22, 2016. Picture taken January 22, 2016 REUTERS

BLOOD MICA: KEY FINDINGS OF PROBE INTO CHILD DEATHS Ü Investigations children working in and around mica mines in northern Jharkhand, southern Bihar in eastern India and in Rajasthan in northwest Ü At least seven children reported killed in the past two months alone in mines Ü Mine operators and victims’ families are covering up these deaths, not reporting them but accepting payments for fear of ending the illegal mining that brings much needed income to poor areas, according to campaigners and victims’ families Ü Farmer Vasdev Rai Pratap’s teenage Madan was killed in a mica mine in June but he has not reported his son’s death and is awaiting a promised a $1,500 payment from the mine operator Ü Workers at Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi’s child protection group Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) say the teenager’s death is the tip of the iceberg, estimating less than 10% of mica mine deaths are reported to the police Ü BBA documented over 20 mica-related deaths in June, including Madan and two other teenagers - double the monthly average Ü BBA uncovered four deaths in July Ü Government officials admit child labour is a problem in some mines but have no reports of children dying in mica mines Ü Indian government officials say mica mining is a matter for state governments and out of their hands Ü Leading Indian color and effect pigment maker Sudarshan said experts estimate about 70 percent of mica production in India is from illegal mining in forests and abandoned mines Ü Figures from India’s Bureau of Mines show the country produced 19,000 tonnes of mica in 2013/14 but the same data shows exports were 128,000 tonnes with the biggest buyers China, Japan and the United States Ü Dutch campaign group SOMO says up to 20,000 children are involved in mica mining in Jharkhand and Bihar Ü By Indian law children aged under 18 cannot work in mines Ü “I know it’s dangerous but that’s the only work there is,” says Basanti, collecting mica in Jharkhand’s Giridih area as her 10-year-old son Sandeep descends 3 meters (10 ft) down a make-shift shaft to pound on the wall with a pick-axe. Ü Dhanraj Sharma, a commissioner in Rajasthan’s Labour Ministry, said he was not aware of child workers in the mines: “They may be playing there, they may be doing some small things for the parents. That doesn’t mean they are working.” Sources: REUTERS employing over 20,000 workers in the 1980s following stricter laws to limit deforestation and the discovery of substitutes for natural mica.

In 2013/14 India produced 19,000 tonnes of mica, according to the Bureau of Mines, but exported 128,000 tonnes, with the biggest

buyers China, Japan, and the US. It is estimated up to 70% of India’s mica is produced in illegal mines falling into disrepair. Activ-

ists have called for more funding to provide schooling and alternative livelihoods in mica areas which are some of the poorest regions. Rajesh Malhotra, spokesman for the Ministry of Power, Coal and Renewable Energy, said the government has dedicated funds for the welfare of local people in mining areas which will generate $1bn annually to support various programmes. He listed water, health, education, training, child welfare and sustainable livelihoods as priorities. Some companies are supporting these community initiatives. Major buyer, Chinese pigment manufacturer Fujian Kuncai Material Technology Co Ltd, said changes were “urgently needed” and called on all parties involved in the supply chain to act. Mike Tijdink, general manager of Kuncai Europe, said the manufacturer was setting up its own company in India this month to source directly from mines, working with NGO Terre des Hommes to help communities, and had started making synthetic mica. “If we are not able to create a child labour free and legal mica industry in India, the industry could consider the switch towards an undisputed product like synthetic mica,” he said. German drugmaker Merck KGaA, which cut some suppliers after it discovered children collecting mica at some mines in 2008, reiterated its condemnation of child labour. While some companies invest in communities, others say they cannot guarantee supplies are child labour free so have stopped using mica, 10% of which goes into cosmetics. British cosmetics company Lush, which prides itself on its handmade products and ethical trading, switched from natural to synthetic mica in 2014 due to concerns about child labour and described revelations of child deaths in mines as “atrocious”. “No industry should result in the loss of life, let alone that of children,” Lush’s head of ethical buying, Simon Constantine, said. “We continue to choose a boycott of natural mica until greater transparency and assurances can be given on ethical supply ... We only hope that other companies see this reporting and are as shocked into action as we have been.” A spokeswoman from L’Oreal said the company was only buying from a “limited number of trusted suppliers who have committed to sourcing only from legal gated mines where working conditions are closely monitored and human rights are respected”. l

World

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

UNHCR: IS captures up to 3,000 fleeing Iraqis n Reuters, Geneva Islamic State fighters may have captured up to 3,000 fleeing Iraqi villagers on Thursday and subsequently executed 12 of them, the UN refugee agency said in a daily report on events in Iraq. The report followed a statement on Thursday from the Iraqi Observatory for Human rights, which said about 1,900 civilians had been captured by an estimated 100-120 Islamic State fighters, who were using people as human shields against attacks by Iraqi Security Forces. Tens of civilians had been executed, and six burnt. “UNHCR has received reports that ISIL (another acronym of Islamic State) captured on August 4 up to 3,000 IDPs (internally dis-

Actors re-enact the attack by Islamic State militants on Yazidis of the town of Sinjar, to mark the second anniversary of what a UN-appointed commission of independent war crimes investigators termed a genocide against the Yazidi population by the Salafist militant group on Wednesday REUTERS placed people) from villages in Hawiga District in Kirkuk Governorate trying to flee to Kirkuk city. Reportedly, 12 of the IDPs have been killed in captivity,” the UNHCR re-

port said. The US is leading a military coalition conducting air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, where the group seized broad

swathes of territory in 2014. The fighting had displaced 3.4m people in Iraq by July 2016. Islamic State’s grip on some towns has been broken, but it still controls its de facto capitals of Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria. Last month the UN appealed for $284m to prepare aid for an assault on Mosul, as well as up to $1.8bn to deal with the aftermath. It has so far received nothing in response, according to the UN Financial Tracking Service. UNHCR has begun building a site northeast of Mosul for 6,000 people and is preparing another northwest of the city for 15,000, a fraction of those expected to need shelter. Tens of thousands who fled from the city of Falluja have still not re-

turned since its recapture from Islamic State in June. Three volunteers helping to clear Falluja of rubble and explosives died while clearing a house on Aug 1, UNHCR said. “Although local authorities have suggested that returns to Falluja could begin in September, the Ministry of Migration and Displacement has stated that it may take another three months before conditions are conducive for large scale returns,” it said. But Iraqi authorities reported 300,000 displaced people had returned to Ramadi district, UNHCR said. Iraqi forces declared victory over the jihadist group in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, in December, but later called a halt to returns after dozens of civilians were killed by mines. l

Heritage

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

The zamindar of Laksam The Nawab became one of the first advocates in Bengal for the emancipation of women

n Tim Steel

o famous did the zamindar, a descendant of the Timurid dynasty from which the ruling Mughals derived become, in work to develop female education and other issues of social deprivation of women in the latter half of the 19th century, that Her Imperial Majesty Victoria, Empress of India, personally intervened to award the title of “Nawab.” In that unique process, Begum Faizunnesa Choudhurani became the first woman in South Asia to be so honoured. Homnabad-Pashchimgoan, now known as Laksam, close to the Indian border in Comilla District of Bangladesh, was a zamindari, characteristic of the British period, being held by a Muslim family in an area which, even today, enjoys a rich heritage of fine Hindu Temples that betrays a probable Hindu majority of the time. She was born in 1834 to a very

devout Muslim family, with its very aristocratic heritage, and was, very strictly, brought up in purda; although, in fact, her father was of sufficiently liberal mind to hire a male tutor to enhance the education of his two daughters.

diminished in modern times. That process of self and home education was, certainly, effective. Arabic and Persian in the household would have been the most commonly used languages, as in most such aristocratic

Rupjalal, was to acknowledge her tutor, Ustad Tazuddin, as the source of inspiration, and learning. It may also be interesting to speculate that she had access to newspapers, that, as English language publications, would

Of course, in the great traditions of Islam, such an upbringing may not have permitted a great deal of social intercourse, but it is clear that it did facilitate for her an opportunity for a high degree of self education: Reading. Sadly, a vital form of education that has

families of the time; indeed, Persian was commonly used, even by the East India Company in its communications, and was an essential learning for Company employees. Faizunnesa, in the preface of her famous work of poetic fiction,

certainly have aided a familiarity with social changes, even in Britain. Two years before her birth, 1832 was the year of the First Great Reform Bill passed by the British Parliament. The act, itself, only marginally

extended the voting franchise, still limited to males, as well as reforming Parliamentary seats. However, in 1817, Jeremy Bentham had first advocated enfranchisement of women, and although it was to be nearly another century before such reform was enacted in Britain, together with the succession to the throne of Queen Victoria in 1837, emancipation of women, combined with an embryonic movement for women’s rights, were certainly already on an international agenda from before the Begum’s birth. Fascinating, indeed to suspect that, so early already, deep in the rurality of the lands that are now Bangladesh, and in a very strict Muslim family, it appears that something stirred in the field of female educational rights and opportunities. Which, amongst other things, begins to raise suspicions that the movement towards independence, which seems largely in the late

19th and early 20th centuries to have emerged from a more “anglicised” upper and middle class in the sub-continents, may well have had some roots amongst the more leisured zamindari, especially those of ancient lineage. However, Faizunnesa found herself at the age of 27, in a traditional polygamous marriage to a neighbouring zamindar, a distant cousin, Muhammad Gazi, becoming his second wife with whom she had two daughters. In fact, it was a marriage at an unusually high age; at the age of nine, Muhammad Gazi, on a family visit, became obsessed with her, and sought marriage then. Faizunnesa’s father denied permission then, on the grounds of her youth, but in the ensuing years, found it difficult to arrange any marriage for his daughter, over the well-known objections of her older suitor. It was evidently not a marriage or situation that suited the well-educated, evidently rather independent-minded young woman. After bearing two daughters, she returned to her parental home. There then ensued a lengthy process of obtaining marital alimony, at the end of which she received property as a settlement. It is, however, clear that she remained on good terms with her husband, blaming his first wife, who he had married on rebound from his original failure to marry Faizunnesa, for the failure of the marriage. On the death of her father, her apparently similarly self-assured and educated mother, took over administration of the zamindari. On her mother’s death in 1883, Faizunnesa inherited the zamindari. It is evident that, like so many, she was not content with British colonial rule; we may well surmise that the 1857 rebellion, although it had little impact in Bengal, and indeed the lands still at the time designated as a part of Tripura, especially the suspicion engendered by the role of Muslims in that uprising, was also contributory to her discontent. In her writing, she also refers to the suicide of her maternal grandfather, Mozaffar Gazi Chowdhury, preferring death to submission to the then colonial ruler, the East India Company. In the period between the Battle of Buxar, that facilitated the Company’s domination of the lands, and the Act of Permanent Settlement in 1793, governance was so rapacious that 75% of zamindari are believed to have changed hands. It was not a period in which such aristocratic rulers could work easily. But it is apparent that she was determined not to be suppressed by the rule of the successor administration, the British Imperial rule.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

As zamindar were invited by Magistrate Douglas, the district magistrate of Tripura, to contribute to funds for his provincial development plan, she was the only zamindar who responded to the request, donating -- in the absence of other support -- all the funds requested. As a result, Douglas requested the British government that she be awarded with a title. Nawab,was, at the time, the highest honorific awarded to zamindars. The male zamindars, however, objected vociferously, and Faizunnesa was awarded the honorific title of Begum, with the agreement of Queen Victoria. She rejected the offer, pointing out that she was already known in her lands by that title; she demanded that she be treated with equality to male zamindars. The British Parliament decided in her favour, and she became Nawab Faizunnesa. It is not hard to imagine her satisfaction beating the system!

Her semi autobiographical ‘allegory,’ Rupjalal, published in Dhaka in 1876, eventually brought her a worldwide literary reputation, but she also remains an outstanding figure in the continuing fight for women’s rights in the lands that are now Bangladesh

Other women rulers in India had proved themselves content with the title Begum, usually the way in which a zamindar’s wife was addressed; Faizunnesa, alone, and a Muslim woman, made it clear that she found it degrading not to be recognised equally with male zamindars. Her work as zamindar was far from limited to the effective administration of the lands she held. As early as 1893, with the support of her mother, she had established one of the earliest

privately established female schools in the Indian subcontinent. She also established a school at Pashchimgaon, now upgraded to a college. In 1893, she established a dispensary for women, particularly destitute women, as well as a hospital for women in Comilla. Her semi autobiographical “allegory,” Rupjalal, published in Dhaka in 1876, eventually brought her a worldwide literary reputation, but she also remains an outstanding

Heritage

figure in the continuing fight for women’s rights in the lands that are now Bangladesh. Her origins and her upbringing suggest how hard it must have been for her to plough her furrow, despite her advantages of wealth and family. A conspicuous, and perhaps somewhat neglected figure in the social and religious cultural development of Bangladesh today. l Tim Steel is a communications, marketing and tourism consultant.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

Climate Change

The world’s largest human rights violation? De Souza, Laura n Mickael Pasternak, and Meraz

Mostafa

f denying people access to fresh water, food, health services, and proper education all violate human rights, why then is climate change not seen as the world’s largest human rights violations? In early July this year, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution that firmly makes the connection between human rights and climate change. The resolution, adopted through consensus, includes eleven paragraphs linking human rights to the international climate talks, known as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate

deliberately violate people’s human rights, but it can create an environment where rights are violated. Climate change threatens people’s access to food, shelter, and education. It threatens progress made on the right to development, reducing gender inequality and other forms of discrimination. In the case of small island states, it threatens sovereignty and statehood. Ultimately, climate change is a threat to our most basic rights -- the right to life and the right to health.

International climate talks

Many remain skeptical of bringing human rights into the climate talks. Forgetting the fact a separate UN body already exists for human

More research is needed on how to lessen the negative environmental impacts of seaborne trade. Yet overall Bangladesh is in a good position not only for green growth but for protecting and utilising our oceans as well

Change (UNFCCC). Bangladesh, along with the Philippines and Vietnam, was one of the key countries spearheading the resolution at the Council. Ms. Nahida Sobhan, a Bangladesh diplomat, eloquently stated: “Compared to any time in the past, accomplishing a world of dignity, a world of peace, a world of fairness, a world of justice may remain a far cry if we fail to factor in innovative ways to provisioning human rights of the climate-affected people.” It is essential that we do not only address climate change as a technical and scientific issue, but as a human rights one as well.

Climate change a human rights issue

Typically for human rights to be violated a traceable entity needs to violate another person’s rights, the blame must be obvious. Mother Nature can’t violate human rights as a volcanic eruption, mudslide, or meteor blast are all outside human control even though they put individuals in harm’s way. But if a country is causing the conditions for human rights to be abused in another country, it becomes an international issue. Climate change does not

rights, there is concern that integrating rights into the UNFCCC will further confuse a complicated process. By making climate change a technical, scientific issue, it is also a lot easier to make deals to push countries to act on climate change because the notion of culpability lessens. On the other hand, addressing human rights may change the nature of the negotiations for the better. For instance, one reason the United States did not ratify the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, intended to reduce global greenhouse emissions, was because countries with increasing greenhouse gas emissions such as India and China were not required to participate in the Protocol. Under a human rights framework, whether or not India and China took climate action would not matter: The United States would be required to reduce emissions because of its own obligation to human rights. This is what is meant by human rights providing a “common standard” to the UNFCCC. While countries may have different positions at the negotiations, they will still have to adhere to universal human rights obligations under Interna-

tional Human Rights Law.

Is loss and damage a human rights issue?

Loss and damage may be one of the more obvious links between these two issues. Loss and damage is a technical term referring to the devastating impacts of climate change that people are unable to adapt to. This includes loss of land, culture, and even lives -- all rights which countries are obliged to protect. Yet when you examine the Loss and Damage mechanism in the UNFCCC, named the Warsaw International Mechanism, there is no mention of human rights at all. A reason may be that when we start talking about human rights violations, we need to talk about who is responsible. As mentioned before, human rights cannot just be violated: Some entity needs to have caused the violation. Once developed countries take responsibility for climate change as a human rights violation, the issue of compensation and liability invariably arises. Developed countries are extremely hesitant to directly compensate those most adversely affected by climate change. Compensation was not only

explicitly left out of the Loss and Damage article in the recently ratified Paris Agreement, but during negotiations various developed countries wanted to ensure compensation would never be a part of future talks. Perhaps human rights can help the plight of Loss and Damage in another way. Countries are obligated to act in solidarity to protect human rights around the world. So if Loss and Damage violates human rights, countries under international human rights law are required to help out.

Bringing climate change to court

One of the most recent high profile cases on climate change linked to human rights comes from the Netherlands -- the Urgenda Case. Leading climate change and human rights lawyers appealed that the government was not doing enough to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, arguing it was a human rights concern worldwide. The Dutch government is now required to reduce its emissions by a minimum of 25% by 2020 compared to 1990. If action on preventing climate change can be grounded in human rights, it only makes sense that the consequences of not acting would be a violation. The Urgenda case gives hope for future cases to be fought elsewhere linking human rights to climate change. Even if litigation is unsuccessful, these cases bring considerable media attention to the relationship between these two issues.

A human rights lens

Many were excited to see two references to human rights in

the preamble of the recent Paris Agreement. The preambles colours how the operational part of the text should be read. “There is no longer any room for arguing that human rights do not fall squarely within the climate discussion,” said Ben Schachter from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Even if we cannot incorporate human rights officially into the UN climate talks, we view the Paris Agreement through a human rights lens. Tools like human rights indicators and human rights assessments may be very useful for future planning. Lots of countries party to the UNFCCC have ratified the UN conventions on human rights. It only makes sense these countries seriously consider human rights when taking climate action. l Mickael De Souza studies Anthropology and Sociology at Concordia University; Laura Pasternak is doing her Master’s in Human Rights Law at the University of Strathclyde; and Meraz Mostafa works at the International Center of Climate Change and Development and manages this DT-ICCCAD page. This page has been developed in collaboration with the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) and its partners, Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) and International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). This page represents the views and experiences of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of Dhaka Tribune or ICCCAD or its partners.

Kids

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

Learning English through English picture books From the very first introduction to listening to English, children can enjoy carefully selected picture books that expose children to a range of language structures and vocabulary familiar to native-speaking children. By sharing books with their child, parents can have a positive impact on learning and achievement, and can build children’s confidence in using English.

n Opal Dunn It often takes time to build up a child’s readiness to talk about picture books in English, however, this does not mean that he or she is not listening and learning. Children usually understand more than they can say and, if the book experience is focused and fun, they usually want to pick up the new English at their own speed. Children are busy exploring their world and most are keen to find out something new, particularly if it is presented in an encouraging and attractive way. Parents often underestimate

their children’s ability to pick up more text each time a picture book is shared. Many are surprised to see how keen their children are to join in ‘reading’ if they are encouraged to finish off a sentence or say a stressed word such as ‘no’ each time it occurs. Once children work out how to join in, they gradually extend their skills to pick up whole short sentences until, eventually, they can recite most of a text as they turn the pages to match it to the illustrations. Many a busy parent purposely skipping a little text has had their ‘mistake’ pointed out by their child.

Children may often ask for the same book to be read and re-read. Parents need to respond positively to these requests as re-readings provide the natural repetition children may need for making meaning or picking up new language, as well as confirming and refining language they have already acquired. Illustrations in picture books are not merely supporting understanding of language, as might be the case in many text books. The different styles of artwork naturally broaden children’s visual experiences. One of the delights of sharing picture

books with children is that, on first viewing, children tend to look at an illustration as a whole but with repeated reading of the book, details and subtleties usually emerge. The illustrations may be by well-known artists, pictures may be photographs or the books may contain 3D novelty paper sculptures, all of which are exciting for children. Exposure to picture books increases visual decoding skills and, over time, influences creativity and the ability to appreciate design and illustration. Picture books illustrated by British-

trained artists tend to reflect environments and cultural habits typical of British society. Where these are very different from the child’s world, parents need to be prepared to give added explanation in the home language. Picture books also help children find meaning within their own life. Children can pore over emotional situations contained within picture books that may help to relieve personal frustrations, or they can encounter exciting and imaginative experiences way beyond their own environment or even their dreams.

Activities to use with children

Exercise

Groups of instruments Help your child to identify which of the following instruments is a string instrument, which is a wind instrument and which is a percussion instrument. Ask them to write next to the pictures: string, wind or percussion. If your child is not confident in writing in English, you can write the words for them.

2 Children understand only as much English as they can say.

After reading the article, decide whether the following statements are true or false: 1 Children are keen to find out about new things.

3 Picture books have no relevance to children’s own lives or emotional situations. 4 By rereading books, children confirm and refine language they have acquired. 5 Picture books broaden children’s visual experiences and over time can increase creativity. Answers 1 True 2 False 3 False 4 True 5 True

Rapido and Zen Learn English 10. Memory How do you remember so many new words?

Oh, they’re just old words that you’ve forgotten! Another fun activity you can do with your child is to make a shaker. You can do this by taking a plastic container and adding a handful of rice, dried beans, lentils or pasta. Make sure you secure the top of the container. You can make another shaker with different contents and see if they make different sounds when you shake them. l

For more about the British Council www.britishcouncil.org

Kids

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

fiction

True meaning There were two sisters who got stuck in traffic while trying to get to a Christmas party. They were all dressed up, and being stuck in traffic made them sad because they were missing all the fun. They were sitting in the car looking at their phones, ignoring each other. They had forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. They had forgotten that Christmas was about valuing your friends and family, and about spending time with them. They had gotten caught up in all the glamour of parties. While they sat around, suddenly, both of their phones died. For a second, they couldn’t believe it. They began talking to each other and slowly began to understand that Christmas is more than just an event – it is a time to give the most important people in your life the importance they deserve. l

ea meet th rtist

Powerpuff Girls Help! Please! Townsville is under attack! Worried? No need to be. One phone call from the mayor and the most powerful girls ever will come and save the day. There are three of them: Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup. We know who they are, but here is the person who created them, almost 23 years ago. His name is Craig McCracken, and he is an American animator. At first, he named the show “Whoopass Girls!,” but later, he changed that to Powerpuff Girls. Apart from this, he even wrote story lines for Dexter’s Laboratory. l

ical creature myth

Sisters of justice

he Three Furies were spirits who stood up for fairness, and scared men

when they did something bad. They were called “the angry ones” because they would

get very sad whenever they punished the evil people on earth. But some people realised that all they needed to do was call them “the nice ones,” and they would become calm again. The furies are three sisters: Allecto (meaning endless), Tisiphone (meaning punishment), and Megaera (meaning rage). The three sisters looked like monsters. They would keep whips and cups of poison with them, so they could use it to hurt bad people.l

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

toy

movie

The season of bloom

The boy every dog should have Meet Mr Peabody, the world’s most successful dog, scientist and genius, along with his friend, the naughty eight-year-old Sherman. They have a plan to go to the pyramids, and even meet Leonardo Da Vinci! Using WABAC (WayBack), they wish to go on their amazing adventure. WABAC is a time machine. Sherman wants to impress his friend Penny, and so decides to use WABAC, which makes a hole in the universe. They fail and bring trouble to the most important days in history.

Mr Peabody has to save them before they change everything in the past, present and future! But how will he? He has to face the hardest challenge of all time - being a parent. It is a funny and interesting movie, with action too! Watch “the dog-father of all comedies,” Mr Peabody & Sherman, by the makers of How To Train Your Dragon and directors of The Lion King. Don’t miss it! l

Vacations might become a little boring if you don’t have fun things to do. Why not try this flower making kit? This awesome toy helps you make life-like flowers using the paper and tools in the box. You can make different flowers using different coloured papers and the flower press, in the set. Unlike most toys, this kit will last long if you look after it. The flowers can also be used for decoration. Isn’t that nice? This kit, called Funskool Fantastic Flower Domestic, is available at Kids and Moms in Banani at the price of Tk2,400. l

Videogame

Alien attacks the garden

Go Diego Go! Go Diego Go! is a television series on Nick Jr. It’s the second part to the television series Dora the Explorer. Diego is Dora’s elder cousin. Diego, along with his elder sister Alicia, rescues animals from all over the world. Diego and Alicia

Kids

are animal lovers, and they have Diego’s baby jaguar to help them. Diego runs an animal rescue center in the rainforest. Diego goes to rescue these animals whenever he hears them cry, and Alicia takes Diego and baby jaguar to the animals in need.

The bad guys in the series are the Bobo brothers, and Diego needs to scream “Freeze, Bobos!” to stop them. Can Diego, along with Alicia, baby jaguar, his tools and all of us, successfully save the animals? l

The battle may be over, but the war isn’t! Planets vs Zombies: Tower Defence releases the new Planets vs Zombies: Garden Warfare. The difference? Well, unlike older games, this one is in 3D, which lets the player move around. This colourful, funny, and easy to follow game will have kids wanting to play for long periods at a stretch. The cartoony drawings with different kinds of plants to fight zombies with is as fun as it is insightful. This game is available for the PC, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. The difference in the Xbox versions is that you can play with another friend. l

Kids

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

art tutorial

d iy

Floppy disk pots n Sama E Deen Techno pots Floppy disks! Everyone knows those old, thin computer disks that were used to store files. Some of us might still have these in our houses. If that’s the case, then why not use these floppy disks to make something new and useful, like a flower pot? You need • 5 floppy disks • Strong glue • Flower plants • Soil Instructions Take five floppy disks and glue them together to make a cubic box. Fill the box with soil and plant flowers and other plants of your choice into the box. Your floppy disk pot is now ready for a journey out of the house and into the gardens. l

trivia fun science

Balloon rocket n Sama E Deen Shoot for the sky For all the junior scientists out there, this is your chance to rule the skies. You need • 1 long balloon • 1 long kite string • 1 plastic straw • Tape Instructions Tie one end of the string to a chair and push the other end of the string through the straw. Pull the string tight and tie the other end to another chair. Blow up the balloon but don’t tie it. Pinch the mouth of the balloon and tape the body of the balloon to the straw. Your rocket is ready to be launched.

How it works The balloon moves forward real fast, because of the air inside it causing a push forward. This push is called “thrust,” and is caused by the air coming out of the balloon, very fast.l

About flowers! 1. Broccoli is really an eatable flower. If not eaten and left to grow, it would have little yellow flowers on it. 2. Plants like Venus Flytrap are “carnivores,” they eat small insects and spiders! 3. Moon flowers are special flowers that only bloom at night. 4. In the past, juice from the bluebell flower was used to make glue and at times it was also used to bind books. 5. In the 17th century, tulips meant a life forever, and love. Their prices used to be higher than that of gold. 6. The Titan Anum flower is a 10 feet long flower which smells like rotten flesh, thus it is widely known as “corpse” flower. Corpse means a dead person. 7. The Agave plant lives years without growing any flowers, but after it blooms, it dies.l

The tales of Ancient Greece nNusrat Naushin The Ancient Greeks lived in Greece, the places that we now call Bulgaria and Turkey. They are known to have come up with new ideas for government, science, philosophy, religion, and art. Democracy A form of democracy in ancient Greece was practised in the city-state of Athens for about 100 years. It was an experiment. All adult citizens had to take an active part in government (rule by many). At this time, citizens were free men. The word “democracy” is Greek. It means “government by the people.”

Theatre The word “theatre” is Greek. Most modern theatres follow the Greek plan. The ancient Greeks loved live theatre. Every town had at least one open air theatre. These theatres attracted crowds of 15,000 people. The ancient Greeks came up with three types of plays. Tragedies always had a sad ending. Comedies always had a happy ending. And satires poked fun at real people and events.

The Olympics The first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC at the Greek city of Olympia. The ancient Greeks loved competitions of all sorts, especially sports. The Olympics were not the only competition

held in ancient Greece, but they were the most popular.

Architecture Throughout the world, buildings were made in the style of ancient Greece. The British Museum is an example of this. The ancient Greeks wanted their art to be visually interesting. Still, they were not going to let a building

fall down because they wanted it to look beautiful. What they would do was design the support pillars so that from a distance they looked straight and graceful. But in reality, those pillars might lean this way or that way in order to provide better support. The Greeks were great architects. The first alphabet with vowels The ancient Greeks played an important part in the creation of alphabets. The first two letters of the Greek alphabet - alpha and beta - have given us the word “alphabet.” The Greek alphabet is over 2,500 years old and is still used today! The Greek alphabet was the first alphabet to include vowels. It is another gift we received from the Greeks. l

The Greek alphabet is over 2,500 years old and is still used today! The Greek alphabet was the first alphabet to include vowels

Kids

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

20 Editorial

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

INSIDE

The Bangladesh faith practices manifesto Leave other people’s faiths alone and focus on your own. The tolerance you show to others as a matter of principle can serve as an example to others where people of your faith may seek tolerance PAGE 21

Then and now MEHEDI HASAN

In 1990, the people of Bangladesh rose up to a man as they came out on the streets demanding the ousting of Hussein Muhammad Ershad, the most corrupt and notorious dictator who ruled this country for nine years PAGE 22

Stop giving bachelors a hard time A win-win formula If a construction company builds houses for disadvantaged buyers using different payment options such as flexible mortgages made through payroll deductions, it would clearly help the disadvantaged afford decent homes whilst, at the same time, it would benefit it as a business PAGE 23

Be heard Write to Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/ DhakaTribune. The views expressed in Opinion articles are those of the authors alone. They do not purport to be the official view of Dhaka Tribune or its publisher.

t was never easy to be a single person in Dhaka looking for a place to rent. Recently, in the aftermath of the Gulshan attack, the situation has gotten worse. After facts emerged that the terrorists had used two apartments in Dhaka as their dens, landlords have suddenly become even more reluctant to rent out to single people, either students or professionals. The first question apartment-seekers get asked is if they have a family, as families are viewed with less suspicion. There are reports of landlords asking their bachelor tenants to leave, in spite of there being no evidence whatsoever that the tenants had engaged in any kind of unlawful or undesirable activity. Generalising a group of people based on their marital status does not do any good. We, as a nation, need to shake off culturally retrograde attitudes that view single people as suspicious, or profile them as more likely to commit crime. It is up to the police to assure both tenants and landlords that recent raids conducted in apartment buildings are based on actionable intelligence, and that law enforcement does not in any way profile people based on marital status. This would go a long way in reducing harassment and hardships for apartment-seekers and existing tenants. Thousands of single people come to Dhaka for work or education, and they need roofs over their heads. Refusing to acknowledge their plight is no solution. In the light of recent events, it is a good thing that the nation is on high alert, and that security measures are being taken. But the focus must be kept on terrorists. Stigmatising bachelors who have done nothing wrong and have every right to legally rent a dwelling reeks of prejudice and oppression.

We, as a nation, need to shake off culturally retrograde attitudes that view single people as suspicious

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

The Bangladesh faith practices manifesto for Facebook A few guidelines for proper conduct when discussing faith on social media

n Afsan Chowdhury 1. Everyone’s faith is precious and dear to the person. Everyone has a right to practice their religion without fear and with the patronage of society and the government if required. 2. It’s alright not to know the details of your own faith since, like you, most others also are ignorant of theirs. 3. It’s alright not to know about the faith of others. Faithful people are mostly like that. 4. It’s not alright to discuss comparative merits of each religion because everyone believes that their faith is the best. Usually this discussion leads to resentment, hurt, abuse, conflicts, and fights. Why do it? 5. Leave other people’s faiths alone and focus on your own. The tolerance you show to others as a matter of principle can serve as an example to others where people of your faith may seek tolerance.

Leave other people’s faiths alone and focus on your own. The tolerance you show to others as a matter of principle can serve as an example to others where people of your faith may seek tolerance

6. Avoid intolerant people because it will make you intolerant too. And two intolerant people will lead to conflict. Why get into conflict, and what do you get except the pleasure of trying to prove you are stronger? 7. There are many subjects to discuss and debate. Ask yourself: Why do you want to choose religion/faith as a topic leaving

Talking about religion has a few laws of its own everything else? And is the public space the best space for this for this debate, given the present global environment? 8. This is Bangladesh and we, in principle, believe that we will promote social harmony. That is one of our social principles and we hope to follow this. This includes leaving other religions alone, and, if they are under attack, to help them even if they are idolworshippers and be helped in return. 9. That we will engage with those who, like us, believe in letting others be instead of debating, discussing, and ultimately insulting any faith which is by very definition not a matter of discussion, but belief. 10. Thank you. l Afsan Chowdhury is a journalist and researcher.

Opinion

BIGSTOCK

This is Bangladesh and we, in principle, believe that we will promote social harmony. That is one of our social principles and we hope to follow this. This includes leaving other religions alone, and, if they are under attack, to help them even if they are idol-worshippers, and be helped in return

Long Form

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

Then and now Have we lost our values? This is the concluding part of yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long form

We, as a people, used to stand up against those who sought to destroy our nation

BIGSTOCK

in the dormitories of all public universities, and it is a lucrative business? Do we also not hear that contracts of construction work of almost all public universities worth thousands of crores of taka are almost routinely given to leaders of either the youth front or the student front of a political party with the connivance of the university authorities, adversely affecting the quality of construction? This is eating into the vitals of our morality as a nation. What are we doing to stop this decadence? Do our political leaders not know of it? We, the Muslims of this country, be it in British India or united Pakistan have always been very moderate in practicing our religion. But at the same time, we never tolerated Islam and our Prophet being ridiculed. Unfortunately there is a change in the air. Only in the recent past, a senior cabinet minister, while on official tour in the US, made some very objectionable remarks about Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam and about our Prophet of Islam and, almost got away unscathed. Of course, in the face of massive uproar in the media, the minister who was earlier involved in massive wrongdoings resulting in immense loss to the government exchequer in a previous ministry, was dropped from the cabinet. But he remained an MP. On his return, he was put under arrest. But instead of going to prison he got admitted to PG Hospital. He remained there in an air conditioned room as a VVIP

Pakistan. But now we have allegedly a few hundred billionaire families in Bangladesh and surprisingly no protest from any quarters. In 1969, our people joined hands with the people of West Pakistan as they came out on the streets and demanded the ousting of President Ayub Khan who had ruled Pakistan with iron fist for 11 years. Ayub Khan resigned, handing over power to Gen Yahya Khan and went into political oblivion never to be seen again. In 1990, the people of Bangladesh rose up to a man as they came out on the streets, demanding the ousting of Hussein Muhammad Ershad, the most corrupt and notorious dictator who ruled this country for nine years. He was forced to resign and hand over power to Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed, the then chief justice and was taken into protective custody lest he be lynched by the angry mob. Faced with a number of serious corruption charges, already sentenced to imprisonment in one case, and being a prime accused in the murder case of Gen MA Manzur, a decorated valiant freedom fighter, and finally with the High Court verdict declaring his rule for nine years as illegal, Ershad should have been languishing in Dhaka Central Jail. But instead, he is a special envoy of the prime minister with the status of a cabinet minister enjoying all ministerial facilities. The law makers of the Jatiya Party of which he is the chairman are partly cabinet ministers and

Gen Shamsuddin n Brig Ahmed (Retd)

hese darker sides of our modern society were not there before. Most shockingly, these immoral activities are going on unabated, and our political leaders happen to be the least concerned. How our young girls and boys have debased themselves can be gauged from the way they dress, dance, and sing together in advertisement films exhibiting physical intimacy and vulgarity hardly acceptable to viewers with modicum of Islamic values and sentiments. Why is there such decadence of Islamic values and morality in a nation that is predominantly Muslim, with Islam declared as its state religion?

There were not so many schools, colleges, and universities before as we have now. But our boys and girls got quality education. We never heard of question papers being leaked out before, as we hear now so often. Do we not hear that student leaders belonging to a particular political party control the allocation of seats for students

patient for a long time until one fine morning he decided to walk into the Jatiya Sangsad while it was in session and offered his resignation as an MP of the ruling party. Quite the drama! In the erstwhile Pakistan, the people of this country had raised hue and cry, and protested against accumulation of wealth by over a dozen millionaire families in West

partly opposition party members in the Jatiya Sangsad. And to top it all off, Rawshan Ershad, his wife, is the leader of the opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad. An octogenarian, Ershad is mulling to be the president of Bangladesh again. l Brig Gen Shamsuddin Ahmed (Retd) is a former Military Secretary to the President of Bangladesh.

Opinion

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

A win-win formula Do we even know what CSR means?

n Ekram Kabir

angladesh’s Finance Minister Mr Abul Abdul Mal Muhith has recently commented on how the companies in the country are spending their CSR (corporate social responsibility) contributions. According to him, the money spent is more often being misused, and not benefiting society and, for that matter, the country. He added that the biggest portion of the money is being spent in organising get-togethers, merry-making, and sponsoring unnecessary events. He also put forward his guidance for developing a national policy for CSR. We must thank the minister for highlighting this issue. Yes, he’s very much right; most of the money that is being spent across the country, not only by the companies but also by thousands of individuals, is not being spent intelligently. However, we may also want to remind the minister that the government stake-holders are also responsible for this way of spending CSR money, as they are one of the biggest beneficiaries of sponsorships from business concerns. And there are also nongovernment and private beneficiaries who get quite a lot from the CSR contributions from the private sector. Whether the companies have spoilt their stake-holders or the stake-holders saw an opportunity in this is a matter of debate, but yes, there are millions of intelligent ways that the money could benefit society in the truest sense of the term. Well, this is not the first time that a government high-up has directed to formulate a CSR policy for the country; this matter has been in everyone’s discussion in the last 15 years, but the policyformulation wasn’t taken up seriously. Bangladesh still remains unsure about the definition of CSR and following the old theory of philanthropy while the rest of the world has gone several steps forward as far as CSR is concerned. They don’t even call it CSR these-days; it as now CR (corporate responsibility) and has been for a long time. A great chunk of the philanthropic money is spent in mosques, churches, temples, organising get-togethers and AGMs

CSR is about resources and utilising them wisely and printing souvenirs, organising tournaments, etc. Although helping to build religious institutions could be termed as philanthropic, this way of spending money has still got a “pro-people” touch. On the other hand, organising get-togethers and AGMs and printing souvenirs is far from being an intelligent way of spending money. That’s why the companies lose steam when they spend from their revenue for these purposes. If the companies don’t find any link with the business they do, ultimately they will run out of funds to sponsor these events. For example, a food manufacturer spending on a nutrition campaign would be more meaningful than sponsoring a feast for a certain group. Again, a telecom operator’s contribution would be more meaningful if it was spent on helping digitise the country. A shoe manufacturer would do great if it spent its CSR money for the protection of the environment. There are many such examples; and the companies in the country that are trying to build

BIGSTOCK

If a construction company builds houses for disadvantaged buyers using different payment options such as flexible mortgages made through payroll deductions, it would clearly help the disadvantaged afford decent homes whilst, at the same time, it would benefit it as a business

proper corporate governance are already following all the modern definitions of corporate responsibility. They want to become good corporate citizens. They want to be more responsible for the workforce they employ in their businesses and be more compliant with the laws and environment of the country they work in. But above all, they now want to look at their social responsibility strategically. For example, if a construction company builds houses for disadvantaged buyers using different payment options such as flexible mortgages made through payroll deductions, it would

clearly help the disadvantaged afford decent homes whilst, at the same time, it would benefit it as a business. This is what you call strategic CSR. Strategic CSR should be a win-win formula. We appreciate the minister’s concerns about the misuse of CSR money and enthusiasm about formulating a CSR policy, but he would do a great service to the nation if he could guide the policy-formulators about the sustainability of social responsibility. Because CSR is about resources and utilising those resources wisely. l Ekram Kabir is a writer.

24 Sport

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

TOP STORIES

Fizz set for op Thursday Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman is all set to go under the knife on Thursday after the fast bowling sensation incurred a shoulder injury in England recently, informed chief BCB physician Dr Debashish. PAGE 26

Mou positive about Pogba chase Jose Mourinho expressed confidence that Manchester United will sign Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba in time for the Premier League season and criticised rival managers’ reactions to the mooted world-record transfer. PAGE 26

SL sniff series after Herath hat-trick Sri Lanka took three late wickets as they tightened the screws on Australia in the second Test after setting the tourists a daunting target of 413 to save the series. Herath became the second Lankan to pick up a hattrick in Tests. PAGE 27

Djokovic to play Del Potro in first round Top seed Novak Djokovic faces a hazardous first round at the Rio Olympics after Thursday’s draw pitted him against Argentine powerhouse Juan Martin del Potro, the man who denied him a medal four years ago in London. PAGE 28

Bangladesh flag bearer and ace golfer Siddikur Rahman poses for a photograph in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil yesterday

INTERNET

Brazil’s Neymar flops in South Africa stalemate, Argentina lose n AFP, Rio de Janeiro Brazil and superstar Neymar were booed off as their quest for a maiden Olympic football gold medal began with a 0-0 draw against 10man South Africa on Thursday. Barcelona ace Neymar is by far the biggest name in the competition and has been tasked with restoring pride to Brazilian football after a catastrophic 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany on home soil at the 2014 World Cup. However, he endured a frustrating afternoon on a sandy and slow surface in Brasilia as South Africa held out despite Mothobi Mvala’s red card half an hour from time prompting the crowd to jeer the hosts off on the final whistle. “For us the draw is a defeat,” said Neymar. “The team went on the field to win, we know our responsibility, we know it isn’t going to be easy. “It is not just a case of turning up and winning the gold medal.” Group A is now in a four-way tie on one point after Iraq and Denmark also played out a score-

less draw. In contrast to the swaths of empty stands across the six cities being used to host the men’s and women’s football tournaments on the opening two days, the hosts commanded a near-capacity 70,000 crowd. However, the Brazilian side boasting Neymar, Manchester City’s new £27 million ($35.4 million) signing Gabriel Jesus and Marquinhos of Paris Saint-Germain did not provide the expected victory procession. South Africa’s Lebo Mothiba had a host of chances to cause an almighty upset, but failed to make a ragged Brazilian defence pay for early nerves. “The first game is always the most difficult due to the anxiety of the competition starting,” added Neymar. “I think the anxiety hurt us a bit.” Portugal’s stunning summer after winning Euro 2016 could get even more golden as they saw off Argentina 2-0 to the delight of the Brazilian crowd in Rio. Both sides are looking to the

future with Lionel Messi having announced his international retirement with Argentina after three final losses and Portuguese hero Cristiano Ronaldo now 31. Gonzalo Paciencia’s low drive put Portugal ahead before a horrible error from Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli allowed Pite’s long-range effort to sneak between his legs to secure the three points six minutes from time. Honduras beat Algeria 3-2 in the other Group D game. Germany played out a entertaining 2-2 draw with 2012 gold medallists Mexico under a torrential downpour in Salvador. Three goals in 10 minutes in the second half put Mexico 2-1 ahead as Oribe Peralta and Rodolfo Pizarro struck either side of Arsenal’s Serge Gnabry’s reply for Germany. South Korea smashed Fiji 8-0 in the other match in Group C with Ryu Seung-Woo scoring a hat-trick. Nigeria arrived in the Amazonian city of Manaus just hours before a thrilling 5-4 win over Japan. l

RESULTS GROUP A Iraq

0-0

Denmark

Brazil

0-0

South Africa

GROUP B Sweden

2-2

Colombia

Ishak 43, Ajdarevic 62

Nigeria

Gutierrez 17, Pabon 75-P

5-4

Umar 6, Etebo 11, 42, 51, 66-P

GROUP C Mexico

2-2

Germany

Peralta 52, Pizarro 62

Fiji

Japan Koroki 9-P, Minamino 13, Asano 70, Suzuki 90+5

Gnabry 58, Ginter 78

0-8

South Korea

Ryu 32, 63, 90+3, Changhoon 62, 63, Son 72-P, Suk 77, 90

GROUP D Honduras

3-2

Algeria

Quioto 13, Pereira 33, Lozano 79

Argentina

Bendebka 68, Bounedjah 85

0-2

Portugal

Goncalo 66, Pite 84

Sport

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

Fizz set for op Thursday n Mazhar Uddin Bangladesh paceman Mustafizur Rahman is all set to go under the knife on Thursday after the fast bowling sensation incurred a shoulder injury in England recently. According to the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s chief physician Dr Debashish Chowdhury, Mustafizur will undergo the operation under the supervision of Dr Andrew Wallace of Fortis Hospital in London. “So far what I heard is that Mustafizur Rahman’s shoulder operation will take place on August 11 under Mr Andrew Wallace at Fortis Hospital in London. However, I will get all the details of his operation and other information [today],” Debashish told Dhaka Tribune yesterday. Earlier, the 20-year old had taken advice from two shoulder surgeons in England - Lennard Funk and Tony Kocchar - to assess his condition and his reports were also sent to Australia’s David Hoye for observation. But as Lennard will not be available until August 22, the board has decided to consult with Dr Wallace. Dr Wallace had also performed a shoulder operation on Sachin Tendulkar at Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth on March 27, 2006. Mustafizur travelled to England earlier this month to join Sussex for the Royal London One-Day Cup and the NatWest Twenty20 Blast. Following a brilliant debut in the T20 Blast, the Bangladesh paceman complained of pain in his shoulder. He was in the 13-man squad for the game against Gloucestershire in the One-Day Cup and had travelled to the ground to practise with the rest of the team, but persistent pain forced Sussex to take the precautionary move. l

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club defender Yeasin Khan (L) makes a goalline clearance to deny Chittagong Abahani during their Bangladesh Premier League clash in Mymensingh’s Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Ctg Abahani, Sk Jamal fire blank in Mymensingh n Tribune Report Mymensingh welcomed the fourth round of the JB Bangladesh Premier League with over-packed galleries during the city’s first match between Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Chittagong Abahani that ended in a goalless draw yesterday. After three thrilling rounds in the port city of Chittagong, the professional football league shifted to the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh for the first time in history and the galleries filled up with more spectators than the original capacity. Only two major football tournaments were held in the city of Mymensingh before. The Nitol-Ta-

ta Football Tournament was held there in 2004 while the Sher-eBangla Gold Cup took place in 1991. Rising powerhouse Chittagong Abahani moved to the top of the table with yesterday’s draw with eight points from four matches while the title-holders Sheikh Jamal remained at fourth with six points. It was Sheikh Jamal who began the game brightly, creating the first chance with just two minutes into the clock when Haitian midfielder Landing Darboe ran through the right flank before cutting a nice cross at the middle of the box. But two Sheikh Jamal forwards Enamul Haque and Emeka Darlington missed the line of the ball.

The match saw two quick attacks in the 21st and 22nd minutes. A cutback by Landing was blocked by the diving Chittagong Abahani goalkeeper Ashraful Islam Rana before Rakib Sarker got the rebound

RESULT Chittagong Abahani 0-0 Sheikh Jamal DC

TODAY’S MATCH Feni Soccer Club v Sheikh Russel KC 4.00pm

and placed the ball forward. Rana however, made a quick recovery to kick the ball away to safety. On the counter attack, Chittagong Abahani forward Rubel Miah, with his quick footwork made his way through the Sheikh Jamal defence and even went past

goalie Maksudur Rahman Mostak, but his angular placing shot was cleared from the goalline by defender Yeasin Khan. In the 69th minute, substitute Sheikh Jamal forward Wedson Anselme curved a free kick from just outside the box but Chittagong Abahani custodian Rana again pulled out a diving save. In the 79th minute, Landing made his way through the Abahani defence carrying a through pass of Wedson but much to the frustration of the Gambian and Sheikh Jamal, the ball rebounded off the side post. Emeka Darlington let his team down in the 86th minute when he failed to tap a Wedson cutback from handshaking distance.l

Sk Kamal Complex work begins November n Tribune Report

(R-L) Abahani Limited club director Kazi Anis Ahmed, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, Member of Parliament of Bangladesh Awami League Fazle Noor Taposh, Abahani chairman Salman F Rahman and Bangladesh Football Federation vice president Kazi Nabil Ahmed attend the 67th birth anniversary of Sheikh Kamal in Dhanmondi yesterday

The construction work of the Sheikh Kamal Krira Complex is all set to start from November this year, informed the chairman of Abahani Limited, Salman F Rahman, yesterday on the occasion of the 67th birth anniversary of the prestigious club’s founder. Already the facelift of the Abahani ground has started with a Chinese construction company given the responsibility to complete the construction work, which will cost around Tk 4500 crore. “I am hopeful that we can start the construction work of the Sheikh Kamal Krira Complex from

November. On every August 5, we had to hear many criticism that Abahani are not doing well on the field but this time around, we have clinched the title in cricket, football and hockey. And I hope that we will continue this success in the coming days,” Salman told the media. On August 5, 2015, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the sports complex, once completed, would change the lives of Dhanmondi residents as well as all Dhaka dwellers. She made the comments while speaking at a discussion commemorating the 66th birth anniversary of Sheikh Kamal, the premier’s younger brother who was killed alongside his family on August 15, 1975.l

Sport

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

1979 ICC TROPHY

Bangladesh’s first international foray n Tribune Report Roughly seven years after becoming a new nation, Bangladesh went to England to play their first overseas cricket tournament. It was the 1979 International Cricket Council Trophy, and Bangladesh were one of the 15 participating teams. But their participation didn’t just happen overnight. The Marylebone Cricket Club’s tour of Bangladesh in the winter of 1976 later paved the way for Bangladesh becoming an ICC member. MCC toured Bangladesh in 1978-79 season and there was one tour by Sri Lanka in the previous season. Bangladesh slowly became a determined cricket team, and to boost their fitness the Bangladesh Cricket Control Board (as the BCB was known back then) arranged for a fitness camp in the navy headquarters in the months leading up to the competition. The 1979 ICC Trophy was the first such qualifying tournament for the one-day World Cup of the same year. Bangladesh won two of their group games, but didn’t qualify for the semi-finals but there were many memorable moments including Syed Ashraful Huq taking a seven-wicket haul in their first game against Fiji, which Bangladesh won by 22 runs. Before the tournament started, Bangladesh played six practice matches, five of them against local

clubs. Played between May 15 to 23, the opposition were Three Counties Cricket League, Star League, Leicestershire Club Cricket Championship, Pickwick, Wolverhampton and Bermuda. During the tournament Bangladesh also played against Birmingham Municipal Cricket Club, Bromsgrove and St George’s. In the tournament proper however, Bangladesh’s first session went quite badly. They were bowled out for 103 runs in 43 overs of the 60-over one-day game against Fiji. Omar Khaled Rumi top scored with 28 but they slipped to 54 for eight at one stage. But contributions from the tail – Daulat Zaman, Dipu Roy Chowdhury and Ziaul Islam Masud helped Bangladesh past the 100-run mark. Fiji were 53 for three at one stage but they were halted by the offspin of Ashraful, who took seven for 23. It was the best bowling figure in the ICC Trophy for 15 years before Bhawan Singh and Ole Mortensen also took seven-wicket hauls in the 1994 tournament. Ashraful was known as a canny customer, a type of bowler who was hard to get away. It was a rousing start for Bangladesh with the 22-run win. But five days later, they lost to eventual champions Canada in the next game by 49 runs. Pace bowler Jahangir Shah Badshah took four wickets as Canada made 190/9 in 60 overs. Ashraful took two wickets while paceman Masud took one wicket. But Bangladesh’s middle-order gave away quickly despite being one for 50 in their 191-run chase. Raqibul Hasan top scored with 34 but Ashraful’s 23 was the next sig-

This file photo dated May 24, 1979, shows the Bangladesh team celebrating their victory over Fiji in the ICC Trophy at Water Orton cricket ground near Birmingham GETTY IMAGES nificant contribution as they were bowled out for 141 runs in 50.3 overs. Bangladesh’s campaign got back on track three days later when they crushed Malaysia by seven wickets at Gorway. The burly paceman Daulat took four wickets while there was one each for Masud, Dipu Roy, Badshah, Ashraful and Rumi. Badshah, sent to open the innings with Raqibul, top scored with an unbeaten 39 while Ashraful made 22 as Bangladesh toppled Malaysia’s 114 in 41.2 overs. At Kings Heath, Bangladesh needed to beat Denmark to have any chance of making it to the

semis. In the tough battle, Denmark were restricted to 165 for eight in 60 overs. Keld Kristensen top scored with 74 runs while Daulat took two wickets. Masud, Dipu Roy, Badshah and Rumi took a wicket each. Bangladesh however, faltered right at the end as they lost by 10 runs. They had lost three early wickets but Ashraful and Yousuf Rahman Babu resurrected the chase making 31 and 21 respectively. Towards the end Shafiqul Haque made 20 and despite lower order contributions, they were bowled out for 155 with seven balls to spare.

No Bangladesh batsman made it past 100 runs in the tournament with Ashraful’s 76 in the four matches making him their highest run-getter. He was also the highest wicket-taker with 10 scalps while Badshah finished with seven wickets.

Bangladesh’s 1979 ICC Trophy squad

Ashraful Haque, Belayet Hossain, DR Chowdhury, Daulat Zaman, Jahangir Shah, Mujibul Haque, Mustafizur Rahman, Najmun Noor, Omar Khaled, Raqibul Hasan, Shafiqul Haque, Yousuf Rahman, Ziaul Islam. l

Mou positive about Pogba chase Man City face Steaua Bucharest in UCL n AFP, Manchester

Jose Mourinho expressed confidence yesterday that Manchester United will sign Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba in time for the Premier League season and criticised rival managers’ reactions to the mooted world-record transfer. United and Juventus are believed to be putting the finishing touches to a deal for the France midfielder expected to exceed £100 million ($130.4 million, 117.7 million euros). Mourinho described other managers, such as Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp and Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger, as “unethical” for talking openly about the Pogba fee and questioning his colossal price tag.

“Yes, we have 22 players and we are going to have 23,” said Mourinho when asked if a signing was close. “I don’t like to speak about other clubs or players from other clubs. Other managers like to do that. They like to speak about my club and my players. “I am very pragmatic on this. All that matters is what happens in my house and not in my neighbour’s house. “Paul Pogba is a Juventus player until he isn’t, officially, so we stay like this. The market closes on August 31, but I think my club is trying to do everything to close our market before the 14th. “Normally, next week, we will have our squad closed.” l

n Reuters Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will play Romanian side Steaua Bucharest in the final Champions League qualifying round after the draw was made in Nyon yesterday. Guardiola, who twice won the competition as manager with Barcelona, will see his new side travel to the home of the 1986 champions for the first leg as they attempt to reach the lucrative group stages. Former champions Porto have been handed a tough tie against Roma while four-times winners Ajax face Russian side FC Rostov. Scottish side Celtic must find

a way past Israeli side Hapoel Beer-Sheva, who knocked out Greek side Olympiacos in the previous round. Ties will be played on Aug. 16-17 with the reverse legs a week later.

Full draw:

Ludogorets v Viktoria Plzen Celtic v Hapoel Beer-Sheva Copenhagen v Apoel Dundalk v Legia Warsaw Dinamo Zagreb v Salzburg Steaua Bucharest v Man City Porto v Roma Ajax v Rostov Young Boys v Borussia Monchengladbach l

Sport

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

SCORECARD

QUICK BYTES

SRI LANKA 1ST INNINGS 281 all out in 73.1 overs (Kusal Mendis 86, Angelo Mathews 54; Mitchell Starc 5-44)

Abu Sufian joint third in Commonwealth Chess International Master Abu Sufian Shakil moved jointly to third place in the Commonwealth Chess Championship 2016 after beating Baivah Mishra of India in the eighth round at Waskaduwa in Sri Lanka yesterday. Shakil earned six points after the end of the penultimate round to share third spot along with nine other players. The ninth and final round games will be held today where Shakil will play against Indian Grandmaster Abhijit Kunte. Meanwhile, Shakil, who plays for Golden Sporting Club, was sponsored by Elegant International Chess Academy in order to participate in the tournament.

Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti has ruled out a return for Bastian Schweinsteiger, as the German champions finished their US tour. “Schweinsteiger plays no role in our planning,” said Bayern’s new Italian coach after Bayern’s 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid in a friendly in New York. –AFP

DAY’S WATCH OLYMPICS STAR SPORTS 1,2,3,4 5:00PM Rio Olympic Games 2016

FOOTBALL TEN 1 08:00PM Sky Bet EFL 2016/17 Nottingham Forest v Burton Albion

SONY ESPN 10:00 PM International Champions Cup Liverpool v Barcelona

TEN 1 HD 12:45 Trophee des Champions PSG v Olympique Lyon

CRICKET TEN 3 10:30AM Australia Tour of Sri Lanka 2nd Test: Day 3

TEN 1 HD 6:40 PM New Zealand Tour of Zimbabwe 2nd Test Day 1

TENNIS SONY ESPN 1:00 AM ATP World Tour 250 2016 BB&T Atlanta Open Semi Final

0 42 11 5 8 27 0 0 4 3 0 6

2 41 44 10 28 42 1 1 10 16 5

Total (all out in 33.2 overs)

106

Bowling Fernando 2-0-16-1, Herath 11-2-35-4, Dilruwan Perera 15-4-29-4, Mathews 3-1-13-1, De Silva 2-1-7-0, Sandakan 0.2-0-0-1

–TRIBUNE REPORT

Ancelotti rules out Schweinsteiger return

AUSTRALIA 1ST INNINGS (overnight 54 for two) J. Burns c Perera b Fernando D. Warner c Mathews b Perera U. Khawaja b Dilruwan Perera S. Smith b Herath A. Voges c Karunaratne b Herath M. Marsh c Karunaratne b Sandakan P. Nevill lbw b Herath M. Starc lbw b Herath N. Lyon c Mendis b Perera J. Hazlewood c Mathews b Perera J. Holland not out Extras (b5, lb1)

Sri Lankan cricketer Rangana Herath (L) celebrates with teammates after he dismissed unseen Australian batsman Peter Nevill as Mitchell Marsh (C) looks on during the second day of the second Test in Galle yesterday AFP

Sri Lanka sniff series win after Herath hat-trick n AFP, Galle Sri Lanka took three late wickets as they tightened the screws on Australia in the second Test in Galle yesterday after setting the tourists a daunting target of 413 to save the series. At the end of an action-packed second day, which saw 21 wickets tumble and a hat-trick from Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath, Australia

were 25 for three in their second innings - still 388 runs short of their target. David Warner was unbeaten on 22 while skipper Steve Smith will resume on Saturday on one as the tourists face an uphill struggle to avoid an embarrassing loss within three days at the Galle International Stadium. Although Mitchell Starc took six wickets as Australia restricted

Sri Lanka to 237 in their second innings, the tourists were effectively undone in the first session of the day when they were skittled out for 106. It was their lowest total in 28 Tests against Sri Lanka who are on a high after winning last week’s first Test in Pallekele. Victory in Galle would ensure the Sri Lankans win the three-match series with a game to play. l

Ronaldo, Bale and Griezmann compete for UEFA Best Player n Reuters Real Madrid duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale are in the running with Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann for the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, while Barcelona pair Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have missed out on nomination. Ronaldo, who will be the favourite for the prestigious award, led Real to their 11th Champions League win before playing a pivotal role in guiding Portugal to their first major international trophy at Euro 2016. Ronaldo’s team mate Bale, who also won a Champions League medal, inspired Wales to reach the semi-finals at June’s European Championship.

France striker Griezmann lost the Champions League final with Atletico, and was also on the losing side in the Euro 2016 final, although he was crowned top scorer with six goals and was named player of the European Championship. The three finalists for the award were chosen by journalists from UEFA’S member nations.

Last year’s winner Messi finished fifth in the voting, one place below his Barcelona team mate Suarez, who missed out on the top three despite scoring 59 goals in 53 appearances for the Spanish side. The winner will be announced on Aug. 25, the day of the draw for the Champions League group stage. l

SRI LANKA 2ND INNINGS K. Silva c Smith b Hazlewood D. Karunaratne c Marsh b Starc K. Perera b Lyon K. Mendis c Nevill b Starc A. Mathews b Lyon L. Chandimal c Nevill b Starc D. de Silva c Nevill b Starc D. Perera b Starc R. Herath b Holland L. Sandakan not out V. Fernando c Voges b Starc Extras (lb1, w1)

R 2 7 35 7 47 13 34 64 26 0 0 2

Total (all out in 59.3 overs)

237

B 6 8 38 14 69 29 48 89 55 0 1

Bowling Starc 12.3-1-50-6, Hazlewood 9-3-13-1, Lyon 19-2-80-2, Holland 10-1-69-1, Voges 1-0-4-0, Marsh 4-1-7-0, Smith 4-0-13-0 AUSTRALIA 2ND INNINGS R (target: 413 runs) D. Warner not out 22 J. Burns c de Silva b Herath 2 N. Lyon c Silva b Dilruwan Perera 0 U. Khawaja b Dilruwan Perera 0 S. Smith not out 1 Extras 0 Total (3 wickets; 6 overs)

B 18 4 7 1 6

Bowling Herath 3-1-16-1, Perera 3-0-9-2

Misbah edges Pakistan ahead n Reuters Pakistan grafted out a first-innings lead of 103 runs over England on a dramatic third day of the third Test in Birmingham yesterday during which the home side’s James Anderson was removed from the attack for running on the pitch. Pakistan progressed from their overnight 257 for three to 400 all out at tea, captain Misbah-ul-Haq leading from the front with a combative 56. Misbah was bowled by Anderson before England’s leading strike bowler was ordered out of the attack for the rest of the innings by umpire Joel Wilson. l

DAY 3, AT TEA ENGLAND 297 v PAKISTAN 400 (Azhar 139, Sami 82, Misbah 56) Pakistan lead by 103 runs

Rio Olympics

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

IOC clears about 270 Russian athletes for Rio n Reuters, Rio De Janeiro Olympic officials on Thursday cleared about 270 Russian athletes to compete at the Rio Olympics, just one day before the opening ceremony, the TASS news agency reported, citing the head of the Russian Olympic Committee. Russian boxers, tennis players, judokas and shooters were among those given the last-minute approval by an International Olympic Committee panel set up to review the eligibility of all Russian athletes previously cleared to compete by their international federations. “We have received documents on the admission of about 270 sportspeople, now we need to do the updated counting,” TASS cited Alexander Zhukov, the head of the Russian committee, as saying. That is about 70 percent of the 387 athletes Russia initially planned to send to the games.

Russia, which narrowly avoided a complete ban from the Olympics following revelations of statebacked doping, had hoped to have between 272 and 280 athletes declared eligible for Rio after the IOC review. The International Boxing Association said all 11 Russian boxers who qualified for the Games had been given the all clear. They will be joined by eight Russian tennis players, 18 shooters, 11 judokas and Russian golfer Maria Verchenova, the sports’ international federations said. Russian news agency R-Sport reported that 29 Russian swimmers and canoeing world champion Andrey Kraitor would also be allowed to compete. “AIBA has carried out an individual analysis of the anti-doping record of each of the 11 Russian boxers qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games...” AIBA said in a

statement. “That process is now complete and confirmation has been received from the IOC Review Panel that the following 11 Russian boxers are eligible to compete at Rio 2016.” Russia’s doping scandal, which centres on allegations that the Russian government and FSB security service systematically covered up widespread cheating in sport, has already cost the country’s trackand-field athletes and weightlifters their place at the Rio Games. The IOC chose not to impose a blanket ban on all Russian athletes at a meeting in July, but directed sports federations to allow Russians to compete if they met a set of criteria, including a clean doping past and sufficient testing at international events. The Games’ ruling body said on Saturday those decisions would now be reviewed by an independent panel.l

Djokovic to play Del Potro in first round n Reuters, Rio De Janeiro Top seed Novak Djokovic faces a hazardous first round at the Rio Olympics after Thursday’s draw pitted him against Argentine powerhouse Juan Martin del Potro, the man who denied him a medal four years ago in London. The 29-year-old Serb, beaten by Del Potro in the bronze medal match at the 2012 Games, is bid-

ding to become only the third man to win all four grand slam singles titles, the Davis Cup and Olympic gold, after Agassi and Nadal. Second seed Andy Murray, the defending champion who will carry Britain’s flag at the opening ceremony, takes on Viktor Troicki in round one while defending women’s champion Serena Williams opens her campaign against Australian Daria Gavrilova.l

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic returns the ball during a training session at Olympic Tennis Centre in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday AFP

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Sporting side (4) 5 Postpone (5) 9 Ask hospitably (6) 10 Respectful fear (3) 11 Paradise (4) 12 Uncovers (5) 14 Transmit in stages (5) 16 Article (4) 19 Identical (4) 21 Speech defects (5) 24 Advantage (5) 27 Old stringed instrument (4) 29 Vigour (3) 30 Effaces (6) 31 Grassy surface (5) 32 Tidy (4)

DOWN 1 Rank (4) 2 Finish (3) 3 Wards off (6) 4 Pit (4) 5 Discussions (7) 6 Distant (3) 7 Female sheep (3) 8 Plant secretion (4) 13 Vote in favour (3) 15 Restriction (7) 17 Misapplication (6) 18 Harvests (5) 20 Drink (3) 22 Scheme (4) 23 Keen relish (4) 25 Ply the needle (3) 26 Mineral spring (3) 28 Afternoon reception (3)

Downtime

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 14 represents B so fill B every time the figure 14 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. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

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

Showtime

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

Meet the squad n Showtime Desk While the Suicide Squad is getting bashed critically, it’s blowing out any previous August release records in the box office. Some fans might have been disappointed by the film, some really liked it, while others absolutely had a blast watching it. For most of you, this team of supervillains may not look familiar. If you haven’t already watched it, we’ve put together a small guide so you can get a little familiar with these comic book characters in the film, before you add on to this box office money maker.

The Joker

First appearance: Batman #1 (April 1940) The Joker is widely regarded as Batman’s greatest enemy. Though there have been several comic books, film and video games depictions of the Joker’s

origin, his true beginnings are unknown. The only constants for the Clown Prince of Crime are his love for unbridled chaos and his obsession with Batman. He’s played by Jared Leto.

Deadshot

First appearance: Batman #59 (June 1950) Deadshot, aka Floyd Lawton, is an assassin-for-hire in the DC Universe that boasts a “never miss” record. Although he’s one of the more hardened criminals on the team, Deadshot has a soft spot for his daughter. Will Smith is the second person to portray a live-action Deadshot. The first was Michael Rowe who played the expert marksman for three seasons on The CW’s Arrow.

Harley Quinn

First appearance: Batman: The Animated Series (Sept 1992) One of the first characters to start

on TV and jump to the comics later, Harley Quinn has had a meteoric rise in popularity during the last few years. Originally a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum, Quinn, then Harleen Quinzel, breaks bad after analysing The Joker and falling in love with him. Margot Robbie plays the latest incarnation of the character.

Killer Croc

First appearance: Detective Comics #523 (Feb 1983) Killer Croc, originally sideshow wrestler Waylon Jones, suffers from a genetic disorder that gave his crocodile-like appearance. The disorder also made him an animalistic criminal who is often portrayed as cannibalistic. Croc is on of the heaviest hitters on the team. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje plays the super strong villain.

Rick Flag

First appearance: The Brave and

the Bold #25 (1959) There has been a Flag family member tied to the Suicide Squad since its inception. Rick Flag Sr helped lead the original Suicide Squad during World War II. Later his son, Rick Flag Jr, would go on to lead two separate incarnations of the squad. While he’s doesn’t possess powers, he’s a skilled combatant. Joel Kinnaman brings him to life on the big screen.

Star Wars on TV

Enchantress

First appearance: Strange Adventures #187 (April 1966) Perhaps the most powerful member of the team, June Moone is empowered by a magical entity known as The Enchantress. Unfortunately, The Enchantress manages to take control of Mooney and wreak havoc with her abilities. Model turned actress Cara Delevigne plays the seductive sorceress.

Boomerang

First appearance: Flash #117 (Dec 1960) George “Digger” Harkness, aka Captain Bommerang or just Boomerang, was originally a Flash villain who used his multitude of boomerangs to wreak havoc on the Scarlet Speedster. Later, when he is recruited into the Suicide Squad, Boomerang’s grating personality causes a lot of friction on the team. Portrayed by Jai Courtney, he’s often viewed as the most dysfunctional member of the team.

El Diablo

First appearance: El Diablo Vol 3 #1 (Sept 2008) The El Diablo character that Jay Hernandez plays in Suicide Squad, Chato Santana, is actually the third person to hold the mantle. Santana gains his powers in the comic after being hospitalised and meeting Lazarus Lane, the first El Diablo, who lends him his fire-controlling powers. Santana also had the distinction of being the only member of the team who turned himself in to the police.

Amanda Waller

First appearance: Legends #1 (Nov 1986) Waller is the true mastermind of the Suicide Squad. Despite having any powers, Waller, nicknamed The Wall, is one of the DC Universe’s most powerful forces. She uses her intelligence, intimidation and political connections to further her endeavours which are usually cantered national security. Viola Davis plays The Wall. l

n Mahmood Hossain The success of Star Wars might continue on with a live-action TV series from Lucasfilm. There’s already a popular animated series on Disney XD called Star Wars Rebels. But it seems that network president Channing Dungey of ABC (also owned by Disney) has had discussions with Lucasfilm over the slight possibility of bringing a Star Wars universe to television. Dungey went on record to say, “As a fan I would absolutely love to say yes. We have had conversations with [Lucasfilm] and we will continue to have conversations with them. I think it would be wonderful if we could find a way to extend that brand onto our programming.” After the panel at the Television Critics Association over the summer, in which Dungey took part of, he added by saying, “It’s all a little hush-hush. That company exists under a big shroud of secrecy. If you think Marvel is secretive, Lucas takes it to a whole other level. [Talks] are ongoing. We don’t really have an official timeline yet.” For the time being, there are only two animated series in the line-up. Star Wars Rebels takes place in the years following Revenge of the Sith and before A New Hope, while Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures which takes place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The show Rebels is executive produced by Simon Kinberg, who also happens to be writing a mystery Star Wars anthology film. With the official announcement of a Han Solo standalone film, many fans and pundits are hoping for an Obi-Wan Kenobi film. Perhaps that’s the secret project Kinberg is taking part in. As for now, fans are looking forward to the first ever Star Wars film that doesn’t include the Skywalkers or the Jedi. Rogue One is set to be released this December 16 worldwide, directed by Gareth Edwards. l

Dunkirk in summer of 2017 n Mahmood Hossain The new film Dunkirk is the largest project Christopher Nolan has ever taken control of. The Warner Bros film, taking place in World War II, is an action-thriller based on the original screenplay written by Nolan himself. It chronicles the evacuation of Dunkirk, during the British military operation that saved up to 330,000 lives, while the Allied soldiers were surrounded by German forces. WB dropped the first teaser trailer to this war epic on Thursday night. Recently, we’ve found ourselves in a time where studios give too much away in a fulllength movie trailer. Fortunately, teasers are the exact opposite. Even at this stage, studios have to be careful in exactly what they are revealing to the public. Nolan’s latest looks to be more of a summer blockbuster with plenty of Oscar nominated elements. The teaser builds up to a

Pooja Bedi’s daughter Aaliyah Ebrahim is set to make a mark

n Showtime Desk Adding to the list of star kids like Shah Rukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan, Saif Ali Khan’s daughter, Sara Ali Khan and Amitabh Bachchan’s granddaughter, Navya Naveli Nanda, there’s a new hottie in the scene. Pooja Bedi’s daughter Aaliyah Ebrahim is now all grown up and is taking social media by a storm. Aaliyah has grown up to

become a beautiful woman with a gorgeous bikini bod, which would spark jealousy among many A-list actresses. However, it is not her looks that caught our eye. Rather, it is the sparkling and bold personality that makes us think that she could be the next big sensation in B-town, if she wishes to join the fraternity. Here are some of Aaliyah’s pictures, taken from her Instagram profile. l

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

WHAT TO WATCH

very tense cliff-hanger, taking your breath away, and not in the romantic way. The aesthetics are very reminiscent to the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan (1998), directed by Steven Spielberg. However, the slightly dark tone of hopelessness in the footage gives you a pretty good feel to how the film will play out. The film is shot in IMAX, which is standard nowadays, but executed wonderfully by Nolan. It seems that Nolan utilises the IMAX cameras the best. Even though the film is a little less than a year away, the marketing for the movie has gotten off to a good start. Teasers should remain as teasers, and reveal the right amount. We’ll start seeing more footage (or trailers) and information as the months go on. For now, you can watch and re-watch the teaser trailer over and over again on YouTube. Dunkirk stars Tom Hardy, Kenneth Branagh and Mark Rylance. l

New hottie on the block

Showtime

The Transporter Star Movies 4:49pm Frank is hired to “transport” packages for unknown clients and has made a very good living doing so. But when asked to move a package that begins moving, complications arise. Cast: Jason Statham, Qi Shu, Matt Schulze

Cox to be married soon

Terminator Genisys HBO 7:08pm When John Connor, leader of the human resistance, sends Sgt. Kyle Reese back to 1984 to protect Sarah Connor and safeguard the future, an unexpected turn of events creates a fractured timeline. Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Clarke, Emilia Clarke

n Showtime Desk Courteney Cox and Johnny McDaid’s plan to tie the knot has finally been revealed. Media sources reported that the Friends star and the Snow Patrol rocker do not want a big wedding, but wish to elope instead. “They just want to do this with a minimum of fuss in an LA registry office, then they’ll have a wedding dinner party at her place with friends and family,” a source told the celebrity gossip site, adding that the actress and the musician want the nuptials to be, “just the two of them with Coco.” Coco is Courteney’s daughter with David Arquette. Apparently, making the wedding plans were so stressful that it caused the 52-year-old actress and the musician to break up in 2015. However, they got back together later on. The occasion is aimed to be in autumn and the couple is planning a trip to Northern Ireland for their honeymoon. “They’ve told people to keep a weekend free in October,” said sources. However, McDaid’s family may not be overjoyed about the couple’s plans. Sources said that, “Johnny’s family won’t be happy about this, but it’s what they both want right now. They’re finally at a place where they’re having loads of fun.”

Faster WB 7:13pm An ex-con gets on a series of apparently unrelated killings. He gets tracked by a veteran cop with secrets of his own and an egocentric hit man. Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Billy Bob Thornton, Maggie Grace

The couple got engaged in June 2014, and in September 2014, Cox revealed on Jimmy Kimmel Live that McDaid had proposed to her at Jennifer Aniston’s house. “We went to Jen’s (Jennifer Aniston) house for dinner because it was Coco’s birthday and she was god-mom. They made a plan to count down from three and when they got to one, he was gonna get down on his knee and say, ‘Will you marry me?’ and she was gonna say, ‘Will you marry him?’ They planned it out. They found the perfect tree that branches that led to one trunk. It was just beautiful,” said Cox. l

How to Train Your Dragon Zee Studio 9:30pm A hapless young Viking who aspires to hunt dragons becomes the unlikely friend of a young dragon himself, and learns there may be more to the creatures than he assumed. Cast: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Christopher MintzPlasse First Blood Movies Now 9:30pm Former Green Beret John Rambo is pursued into the mountains surrounding a small town by a tyrannical sheriff and his deputies, forcing him to survive using his combat skills. Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Brian Dennehy, Richard Crenna

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Gunmen kill 14 in Assam n Reuters, Guwahati

Gunmen in military uniforms sprayed bullets and flung grenades into a crowded market in northeast India on Friday, killing at least 14 people in a rampage authorities blamed on a regional separatist group. A further 15 people were wounded in the attack on the outskirts of Kokrajhar town, one of the deadliest in recent years in the state of Assam, a region with a history of sectarian and separatist bloodshed. The assailants, one of whom was shot dead by security forces, arrived by auto-rickshaw, witnesses said. Troops were in pursuit of three or four others hiding in a nearby forest, Assam police chief Mukesh Sahay told reporters. He attributed the attack - for which no one had claimed responsibility - to the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit) group, a militant faction fighting for a separate homeland for the indigenous Bodo tribespeople. Sahay said police had recovered an AK-47 rifle and explosives from the as yet unidentified dead gunman, as well as the assailants’ three-wheeler. A senior home ministry official in New Delhi also said preliminary reports indicated the attack was carried out by the group. “Police have launched a hunt to trace insurgents... It is a militant attack and we will be sending a team from Delhi to investigate further,” the official said. The dead included eight men and five women and several were members of the Bodo community, local senior police officer LR Bishnoi said. Like much of India’s remote and underdeveloped northeast, Assam has been racked by a hotchpotch of ethnic and tribal insurgencies for decades. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won power in Assam for the first time in May after campaigning on a promise to disenfranchise Bangladeshi Muslim immigrants while also pledging to increase spending in the state. “This attack is intended to destabilise peace in Assam,” said Himanta Biswa Sarma, the state’s finance and health minister and a member of the BJP. Militants fighting for a Bodo homeland killed at least 70 people, most of them Muslims or tea-plantation workers from other parts of India, in a series of attacks in Assam in 2014. l

The army examines bags with metal detector recovered from suspected NDFB (S) militants who fired in a market area at Balajan Tinali near Kokrajhar town of Assam yesterday PTI

Games light up Rio de Janeiro as Olympic fever hits n Reuters, Rio de Janeiro The statue of Christ the Redeemer overlooking Rio de Janeiro was illuminated in Brazil’s yellow and green national colours on Thursday as the city put the finishing touches to its preparations for South America’s first Olympics. Workers rushed to install wiring and put up signs at venues as the Olympic flame made its way through the city of 6 million carried by a succession of sportsmen, stars and even a Nobel laureate, to cheers from thousands of residents who succumbed to the excitement of the Games. It was a far cry from the previous evening, when riot police had used stun grenades and tear gas to clear protesters from the torch’s path in a poor suburb of Rio, fuelling complaints that the Games have ignored the city’s poor. Those anti-torch demonstrations underscored simmering social tensions in Latin America’s largest nation amid its worst eco-

nomic downturn since the Great Depression and a political crisis that has deeply divided the country. That resentment was nowhere to be seen on Thursday as the torch progressed through the wellheeled districts of Barra de Tijuca, where the Games will be held. “It’s impossible to explain the emotion of carrying the torch,” said Brazil’s double World Cup winning soccer captain Cafu, who joined Nobel peace prize winner Muhammad Yunus in carrying the Olympic flame on its penultimate day. Brazil will open its Games on Friday in the famed Maracana soccer stadium with a ceremony showcasing samba and the drumming made famous by Rio’s Carnival celebrations. The torch rode the waves into Rio on Thursday in the hands of veteran Brazilian surfer Rico de Souza, a day after the International Olympic Committee announced surfing would be one of five new sports included in the 2020 Olympics.

Some 500,000 foreign visitors are descending on the iconic beach city. They are protected by 85,000 police and soldiers, more than double the number of security personnel in the 2012 Games in London. The brief abduction of three Swedish tourists by armed men on Wednesday after they stopped to take photos near a dangerous slum highlighted the security challenges facing organizers. The three were released unharmed, authorities said. The opposition has called a demonstration against interim President Michel Temer’s government for Friday outside the Maracana stadium, accusing him of conducting a ‘coup’ against suspended leftist President Dilma Rousseff, who is being placed on trial in the Senate. The tense political atmosphere may have deterred some foreign leaders from attending the Games, with Brazilian presidency sources saying only 28 heads of state have confirmed their presence.

French President Francois Hollande, whose country is bidding for the 2024 Games, toured Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic Park on Thursday, met with members of his national swim team and posed for photos in front of the Olympic rings. The volatile political situation has added to concerns over crime, water pollution, late infrastructure and an outbreak of the Zika virus in northern Brazil earlier this year that clouded the build-up to the Games. The Olympic soccer competition entered a second day on Thursday with Brazil eking out a disappointing 0-0 draw against South Africa in the national stadium in the capital Brasilia. Soccer is the only sport with games taking place outside the host city. Fans of the national team watched the game in the rehabilitated Praça Mauá square by Rio’s port, home to a new museum and water-front promenade built for the Games. The area will house the Olympic pyre during the Games. l

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