August 7, 2016 by DhakaTribune

SECOND EDITION

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

Shraban 23, 1423, Zilqad 3, 1437

Regd No DA 6238, Vol 4, No 102

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

Rio Games begin amid glitzy opening ceremony n Tribune Report

2016 Rio Olympics - Opening Ceremony - Maracana - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil yesterday. Flagbearer Mohammad Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh leads his contingent during the opening ceremony REUTERS

From bad to worse? BNP’s announcement of an executive committee generates confusion and resentment

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla With death-row convicts, lifers and absconders getting positions and the dominance of dynastic politics prevailing, the newly-announced Executive Committee of the BNP has triggered controversy and discontent among many senior leaders. The announcement of the full national committee yesterday was met with mixed reactions in the party while two leaders – Mosaddek Ali Falu and Shamimur Rahman Shamim – immediately tendered their resignations citing personal grounds. Falu was made a vice-chairman of the new committee. He earlier served as an adviser to the party chief. He resigned within four and a half hours of the announcement of the 502-member Executive Committee that also includes the Standing Committee. Death row convict Lutfozzaman Babar has a post, as does war criminal Salauddin Quader Chowhdury’s son, who has never been involved with the BNP. A good number of disgruntled leaders

are even thinking of quitting politics as they were not awarded posts commensurate to their contributions, sources say. On the other hand, many people who were never active in the party have received important portfolios. Moreover, the new committee has 113 new faces – most of whom are very close to functionaries at the party chief’s Gulshan office. Senior leaders, even the party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, were in the dark about what the new committee would look like before receiving the list. The party held its last council in March where Chairperson Khaleda Zia, a three-time former premier, was tasked with the job of declaring the full committee. Khaleda’s son Tarique Rahman also proposed some names but some of them were not entertained, sources say. Amanullah Aman, who was made adviser to the chairperson, had been a joint secretary general in the last committee. He was “punished” for not playing due role during the movements.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

The 2016 Rio Olympics opening ceremony began with fireworks and laser-lit choreography on Friday as Brazil sought to forget seven years of troubled preparations and the Olympic movement to temporarily put aside its doping crisis. Under the gaze of Rio’s Christ the Redeemer statue, 78,000 packed into the iconic Maracana Stadium to watch the four-hour party with Michael Phelps, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and other sporting superstars taking centre stage in South America’s first Olympics, reports AFP. Bangladesh has had a terrible relation with the Olympics ever since their first appearance in 1984 in Los Angeles, and an upward trajectory is hardly predicted in this year’s mega event. Bangladesh also holds the infamous record of being the most populous country in the world never to win an Olympic medal.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

News

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

BNP announces national committee n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla In a bid to accommodate all factions and please all quarters, BNP has announced a huge list of over 500 office bearers for its national committees. More than four months after the party’s national council, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at a press conference yesterday announced the names of 17 of the 19 standing committee members, 498 executive committee members out of 502 and 73 advisers for Chairperson Khaleda Zia. In the executive committee, 113 are new faces. Many more names may be added to this list. Alamgir himself is in the standing committee ex-officio as the 20th member. Two names in the

standing committee are yet to be announced. Two new standing committee members are Salauddin Ahmed, now in India, and Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, a former commerce minister. The appointment is being widely seen as an attempt to ensure that party faithfuls remain steadfast in BNP’s future campaigns which will very likely test their loyalty and sincerity. Soon after the committee was announced, Vice Chairman Mosaddek Ali Falu and Assistant Publicity Secretary Rahman Shamim resigned from the office citing personal reasons. BNP, the main political opposition, held its national council on March 19 this year. As per par-

ty charter, committee should be formed in the council but the council members empowered Khaleda Zia to form the full committee. She took more than four months to form the committee. Only two new faces were included in standing committee. Two members - M Shamsul Islam and Sarwari Rahman – remain unable to carry out their duties due to age. Secretary general Khandakar Delwar Hossain and RA Gani have died and Salahuddin Quader Chowhdury was hanged for his crimes against humanity during the Liberation War. Salahuddin Ahmed is the youngest member of the committee. “It is a very vibrant committee. The committee was formed based on the quality the organisation need-

ed. I think this committee will play a positive role in the politics of Bangladesh and to restore democracy in the country,” Mirza Fakhrul said. When asked why the committee was so large, he said: “The overall situation of the country is the reason behind this. BNP has flourished and especially the number of people involved in active politics has grown.” Political commentator Afsan Chowdhury said he believed the giant committee would not really make any difference for BNP because the party was dissociated from the reality. “This committee will have no impact on the party’s activities,” he said. Asked about his reaction, a senior leader told Dhaka Tribune:

“Everyone is a leader here. There are no followers.” “Basically, madam (Khaleda Zia) wants to please everyone. She does not want to fuel any division within the party.” Khaleda Zia several times hinted towards bringing new faces to the party leadership and keeping senior politicians in the back to guide them. In the new committee, it was seen that many new faces also included in the committee. The grassroots level leaders, who were credited for waging successful movement outside the capital during the January 5 elections, were ignored this time as well. Not a single Union or Upazila Parishad leader has a position in the newly announced executive committee. l

leaders bagged more than a dozen positions in the newly-announced committee. Mirza Fakhrul’s younger brother Mirza Faisal Amin has been inducted in the new committee. Standing Committee member Jamiruddin Sircar’s son Nawshad Jamir, another leader Rafiqul Islam Miah’s wife Sahid Rafiq and former whip Jahed Ali Chowdhury’s son Fahim Chowdhury are also there. Former Standing Committee leader and executed war criminal Salauddin Quader Chowhdury’s son Hummam Quader Chowdhury, though never involved with the BNP, also has a post. Standing Committee leaders Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain’s son Khandakar Maruf Hossain, Goyeshwar Chandra Roy’s daughter Arpana Roy, ViceChairman Abdul Awal Mintoo’s son

Tabith Awal and Vice-Chairman Nitai Roy Chowdhury’s daughterin-law Nipur Roy Chowdhury also got positions in the Executive Committee. Other new faces in the Executive Committee include Mirza Abbas’s wife Afroza Abbas, missing BNP leader Ilyas Ali’s wife Tahsina Rushdir Luna and Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu’s wife Nasima Aktar Kalpana. Pintu, who was awarded life-term imprisonment in BDR Mutiny case, died of cardiac arrest last year. The mammoth list of the BNP’s office bearers, which surpasses the previous list of 386 people, is likely to become a challenge and may not function properly. The previous office bearers have not submitted a single report about

their activities although they are required to do so by the end of their tenure. Most of their activities are not mentionable. The party also did not hold general meetings every six month as required by its charter. The BNP managed to arrange council sessions only thrice in the last seven years. Activities of the leaders were limited to issuing press releases and holding press conferences, that created huge criticisms within the party and the media. “What is the usage of such a huge committee? It will not bring any change to the party’s political activities. When Khaleda Zia calls for any political programme, everyone remains busy to save their skins. The same thing will happen again,” a senior leader said seeking anonymity. l

Rousseff. She refused to attend the ceremony, leaving Temer in her place with a hostile reception from the crowd predicted. At most Games the lighting of the flame is a highlight. And the secret of the Rio flame returned ahead of the ceremony when Brazilian football great Pele, 75, said he could not carry the torch because of poor health. A vast security blanket of 85,000 military and police -- twice the number on duty at the 2012 London Games -- will be draped over the city to ward off the threat of street crime and terror attacks. That has not been able to offer total protection, with a spate of thefts from the Olympic Athletes village. The Danish, Chinese and

Australian delegations have all reported items stolen. Journalists’ cameras and laptops have also been targeted for thefts. Anticipation for the sporting battles has been eclipsed by fallout from the Russian doping scandal that has divided the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Anti-Doping Agency. The IOC’s decision not to impose a blanket ban on Russia over revelations of a state-sponsored doping program opened the door to legal turmoil. That left the precise make-up of the Russian team in limbo. On Thursday, the IOC confirmed the Russian team would be made up of 271 athletes, with 118 eliminated because of the drug scandal. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

From bad to worse? Nazimuddin Alam was the international affairs secretary in the last committee but has been made a member now. Journalist leader Kader Gani Chowdhury, who had no position in the BNP, has been made assistant information and research secretary. Senior leaders Sadek Hossain Khoka, Shah Moazzem Hossain, Abdullah Al Noman, Abdul Awal Mintoo, Khandakar Mahbub Hossain and Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed did not get expected posts. Insiders say some of them are thinking of quitting politics.

lawmaker Shah Moazzem Hossain Kaikobad has remained absconding for a long time and is facing a number of cases. Khoka was sentenced to 13 years in jail last year in a graft case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission. Senior leaders Osman Farruk, Barkatullah Bulu and Rizvi Ahmed have been on the run to avoid police harassment. The BNP claims its leaders and activists across the country are facing more than 100,000 cases, which it says are politically motivated.

The condemned, the jailed and the missing

Dynastic politics to continue

Former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar has a position in the new committee, though he is a death-row convict. Former

The new Executive Committee shows that dynastic politics still dominates the party. Sons, wives, daughters, brothers and relatives of some senior

Why such a huge committee?

Rio Games begin amid glitzy opening ceremony This time around, seven Bangladesh players will fight in five different disciplines out of the 28, trying their luck once again to put their name in the medal tally along with the 82 other countries who have never won a medal. This is the largest contingent in Bangladesh’s history. Brazilian singer Paulinho da Viola sang the national anthem with children to set off the show of laser lights and elaborate dances before the athletes’ parade. France’s President Francois Hollande and Argentina’s Mauricio Macri were among a handful of state leaders in the VIP box with Brazil’s troubled interim leader Michel Temer. Organisers said the opening ceremony aimed to send a message of

tolerance and respect. But it came as Brazil battles a crippling recession, double-digit unemployment and rising crime and Temer fought off political turmoil. As the clock ticked down to the start of the ceremony, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to vent their fury at Brazil’s rulers and the multi-billion-dollar cost of the Games. Waving signs reading “No to the Olympics!”, about 3,000 people gathered outside the luxury Copacabana Palace Hotel where many Olympic athletes are staying. Brazil has spent more than $10 billion on new infrastructure and preparing for the Games at a time of economic crisis. The billions lavished on the

Games has angered many Brazilians as the country grapples with a tanking economy and mass social problems. “This party wasn’t done for the people. The Games don’t come close to the reality lived by the poor. So I’m protesting against the lack of finances for our schools and for the way our salaries are only paid in instalments,” said teacher Guilherme Moreira Dias, 38. The ceremony launches 17 days of sporting drama led by a cast of elite athletes including sprint king Usain Bolt and swimming superstar Phelps which wraps up on August 21. As well as the economic problems, Brazil is also in the grip of a political crisis which led to the impeachment of President Dilma

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

Hasnat never friendly with his students n Shadma Malik

Several former students of North South University said Hasnat Reza Karim, a former teacher of the business faculty forced to resign in 2013 over alleged militant connections, was indifferent about his classes and unfriendly with students. He was even given a warning by the university authorities for not being punctual, an official said. In 2013, Hasnat and three other teachers of the university were asked to resign because of their involvement with banned militant outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir, an international organisation that aims to establish the caliphate. Hasnat was then working as a part-time teacher. He left his fulltime job at the university in 2012 and asked for a release order saying he wanted to concentrate on the family business, an engineering firm, but continued till the spring semester of 2013. Belal Ahmed, deputy director of NSU’s public relations department, yesterday said the authorities had not informed the police about the NSU teachers asked to resign because it was not considered necessary. Hasnat joined NSU in 2008. He was among the 34 people who survived the terror attack at an upscale restaurant in the Gulshan diplomatic zone where at least 20 people, mostly foreigners, were killed on July 1. Two police officers outside the restaurant were also killed by the militants. Hasnat was shown arrested in the case on Thursday for his suspicious role during the hostage crisis. He was later remanded for eight days. Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, a former student said: “In 2011, I took an MIS course that he [Hasnat Karim] used to teach. He was an introvert and was never friendly with his pupils. “He appeared to be a moderate Muslim and prayed in his own room. There were no signs of his being a radical extremist.” Another student said Hasnat had never been a responsible teacher. He did not guide his students properly, the student said, asking not to be named. A former BBA student who took Hasnat’s finance course said: “He had a bizarre personality. He could not even explain simple mathematics in class. He used to bring notes and explain them. I think most students wanted to not take his courses.” Even though one of the Gulshan attackers – Nibras Islam – was a former NSU student, detectives have not found evidence that Hasnat had any involvement with him. The former students that the Dhaka Tribune reached yesterday were not familiar with Nibras. l

Locals of Dhaka’s Ward 26 form a human chain in front of a Dhaka South City Corporation office in Azimpur yesterday with an aim to forge a committee to prevent terrorism and militancy MEHEDI HASAN

Nazimuddin Samad murder mastermind identified n Mohammad Jamil Khan Police have said they have identified the mastermind and the perpetrators of the killing of Jagannath University (JnU) Masters student Nazimuddin Samad in Old Dhaka, and they belong to the banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT). A “sleeper cell” of the outfit from Sylhet targeted 28-year-old Nazimuddin Samad for his writings online, followed him and carried out the killing. Police have gleaned these information by interrogating one of the attackers who was arrested in April, a senior Detective Branch (DB) official told Dhaka Tribune yesterday. The arrested attacker is Mehedi Hasan Ami alias Rafi alias Osama alias Hasan alias Abdullah, from Purba Darga gate area of Kotwali police station in Sylhet city. A Dhaka police team arrested him on April 19 from Sylhet. Interrogating Ami, investigators gleaned the identities of five others responsible for the attack, including the mastermind of the gruesome killing. The mastermind was

Nazim Uddin identified as Saiful Islam, an ABT member who is on the run. On April 6, Nazim, information and research secretary of Sylhet district unit Bangabandhu Jatiya Jubo Parishad, also a Gonojagoron Moncho activist, was hacked to death in Old Dhaka’s Sutrapur. A day after the incident, Nurul Islam, sub-inspector of Sutrapur police station, filed a case against four to five unidentified assailants. Within a few days, ABT, the Bangladesh division of al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), claimed the murder, calling Nazim a blasphemer.

Sutrapur police investigated the case at first but handed it over to Criminal Investigation Department, and then it was given to the DMP Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit for further investigation. Nazim was a student of Leading University of Sylhet and completed LLB there in 2014. Ami was also a student of the university. At that time, Nazim used to write against extremism and radicalism on facebook. When bloggers Ananta Bijoy Das and Niladri Chatterjee were killed, the former in Sylhet on May 12 last year and the latter on August 7 in Dhaka, Nazim grew concerned. He even possibly escaped one attack, a few days after Niladri’s killing, when four to five youths followed him in Ambarkhana area of Sylhet and he took shelter in a nearby mess. Later, Nazim stopped writing online. He came to Dhaka in January and got himself admitted to JnU in February and began living in Gendaria. Just two weeks later, he was killed in the Ekrampur intersection area nearby. An official involved in the in-

vestigation process, requesting anonymity, told the Dhaka Tribune that Nazim was targeted when he used to write. The planning was made in Sylhet but the execution was done in Dhaka. One of the attackers, Ami, during interrogation gave sensational information to investigators, who was earlier a Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) member and later joined with ABT activities. An investigating source said Ami’s information has already helped law enforcement break down ABT’s network in Sylhet and led to arrests. On August 2, CT unit arrested Ifat Ahmed Chowdhury Nahid, a student of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, for suspected involvement with ABT. On July 19, CT unit arrested another suspect, Abdul Aziz from the same department at SUST. Saiful Islam, additional deputy commissioner of CT unit, told the Dhaka Tribune that they had information and idea on the numbers of ABT leaders in Sylhet. “Some have already been arrested and others will be arrested soon,” he said. l

News

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

‘Detained militants refuse to give info’ n Mohammad Jamil Khan Islamist militants prefer to die than giving information to the police during interrogation because they are brainwashed by their recruiters and given assurance of a ticket to heaven through wrong explanation of Islam, the police chief has said. “When we ask them anything, these militants, mostly youths, simply reply ‘kill me, I will go to heaven,’” Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque said yesterday. Shahidul stressed the need for motivation of the youths through true explanation of the Qur’an and the Hadiths by Islamic scholars and imams so that they can realise their mistakes. “It is totally misleading that the

people of only one religion will live in a country. We need to take stand against such preaching,” he said while addressing a seminar on militancy and terrorism as the key speaker organised on the occasion of the 14th founding anniversary of the Daily Amar Patrika at National Press Club. These youths have been brainwashed. “Parents will have to take care of their children so that they are not motivated by the extremists while social awareness can play an important role to curb militancy,” the police chief said. The militants are convinced that they will go to heaven after they die – either while carrying out attacks or after they get arrested by the law enforcers. Some of the

attackers at the Gulshan cafe and others at the Kallyanpur den made such statements, detectives say.

‘It is totally misleading that the people of only one religion will live in a country. We need to take stand against such preaching’ Recently, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wondered why these youths were so desperate to go to heaven. She said they cannot go to heaven by killing people. Several banned militant out-

fits have been carrying out targeted attacks on secular activists, non-Muslims and non-Sunni preachers, foreigners and police for the last couple of years to destabilise the government and capture power to establish Islamic rule in the country. Since 2013, they have killed at least 55 people. Referring to the recent militant attacks, the police chief yesterday claimed that they had already identified the masterminds and were trying to arrest them. Urging the people to assist the law enforcers, Shahidul said: “We have already declared bounties of Tk20 lakh each for information on Tamim Ahmed Chowdhury and suspended Maj Syed Ziaul Haque. These militant leaders are staying

around you … inside Bangladesh.” He observed that bloggers were hurting the religious sentiment through their writings while the “militants are harming the society, the state and humanity by killing people.” Journalist Meer Ashfakuzzaman presented the keynote paper at the seminar. Daily Amar Patrika’s editorial board President Hazi Alauddin presided over the discussion while Principal Information Officer of the Press Information Department AKM Shamim Chowdhury, ICT Secretary Shyam Shundor Shikder, ETV CEO Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Ershadnagar Mosque’s Khatib and Hefazat-e-Islam leader Kamal Uddin also spoke among others. l

IELTS, Cambridge, Edexcel exams still on schedule n Shadma Malik The British Council has announced that all examinations held under its purview will be on schedule despite the closure of its Dhaka offices. All O Level and A Level candidates (Cambridge International Examinations and Pearson Edexcel) that the exams will take place on time, as scheduled, a press release from the British Council said yesterday. The registration deadline for the Cambridge International Examinations in November 2016 session was extended to August 10. The council, which is the UK government’s cultural and educational organisation worldwide, closed its offices in Dhaka last month citing security concerns. However, the press release said they were running their operations remotely and planned to continue all operations and services across the country. School candidates should contact their school for a unique school candidate registration link and private candidates can apply through the website www.britishcouncil.org.bd, the release said. IELTS registration dates for August and September 2016 were still open, the release said. Candidates will be able to register online at ielts.britishcouncil.org as usual. IELTS results will also be issued as per schedule. Candidates in all in five cities – Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Rajshahi and Khulna - can take the exam. In Bangladesh, the British Council conducts over 100,000 exams annually. l

PCJSS chief Shantu Larma speaks during a press briefing organised by Bangladesh Adivasi Forum on occasion of International Day of the World’s Indigenous People which will be observed on August 9. The briefing was held at Hotel Sundarban in Dhaka yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

RAB: Motive for murder of army officer’s mother unearthed n Kamrul Hasan Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) yesterday claimed to unveil the motive behind the of murder of an army officer’s mother in Uttara on June 4. Monowara Begum was the mother of Army Officer Lt Col Khild Bin Yusuf. She was hacked to death at home in Uttara on June 4. RAB arrested two people in connection, one was already under the law enforcers custody. The two were – security guard of

the house Ghulam Nabi alias Abu alias Robi and a tenant of the building Laili alias Labonnyo. According to RAB Labonnyo rented an apartment on the second floor of the house on May 22. She was previously acquainted with the security guard Robi. Labonnyo confessed to being a sex workers according to the statement she gave to the RAB. She had changed apartments at least 12 times in the last seven to eight years in Uttara. During a press briefing RAB 1 Commanding Officer (CO) Lt Col

Tuhin Md Masud said: “RAB arrested Robi from his in-laws house at Cox’s Bazar on August 4. During the primary interrogation he confessed that the murder was masterminded by Labonnyo.” As soon as the house owner found out that Labonnyo was conducting her sex work from the house, she asked her to vacate the apartment. On May 29 she told Robi about the incident and her plans to kill Monowara. She called Robi to the building on June 4 and the duo went to

Monowara’s apartment late at night and started a conversation with her but within minutes began to carry out their plan to kill her with a knife. Labonnyo covered Monowara’s face with a scarf while Robi stabbed her with a knife. During the murder, the knife broke so they killed her by suffocation. They also looted Tk1,13,000 from the apartment which they split equally between themselves. Robi bought an expensive cell phone with that money and fled to Cox’s Bazar. l

News

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

Power Division’s sudden fund request baffles Finance Ministry n Asif Showkat Kallol The Power Division's sudden request for a large sum of money, days after the fiscal year's budget was passed in Parliament, has led to some consternation in the Finance Ministry. Thirteen days after the FY17 budget was passed, on July 13, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid sent a letter to the financial minister seeking an additional Tk4,000cr for development projects under the Power Division in the current fiscal year. The one-page letter did not elaborate why this amount was left out while formulating budget or how the ministry came to the conclusion that it needed more funds. “Considering the reality,” it said, an additional Tk4,000cr was needed to implement Power Division projects properly. It listed six Power Division projects, three of them rural electricity connection projects, one renovation project and two projects in Sylhet, the finance minister's constituency. Finance Minister AMA Muhith, upon seeing this letter on April 17, wrote a brief comment on top of it that said: “We just passed the budget. Such a large demand within days.” Nasrul's letter warned that the development projects mentioned would face delays and cost overruns if the requested funds are not issued. The power and energy sector was a special priority for the government, the state minister's letter said. “Without the necessary allocations the government's initiative to bring power to everybody by 2021 under the Vision 2021 will also be hampered,” it said. On June 30, the Parliament passed a Tk340,605cr national budget for the fiscal year 2016-17. In the budget the government allocated Tk13,062.09cr for development projects in the Power Division. Of this amount, Tk6,744.09cr will come from the government exchequer and rest from foreign project assistance. The projects mentioned in the ministry's letter include three projects on new rural connections – one for 1.8 million connections and two for 1.5 millions in rural areas. There is one project to replace 70,000 overloaded transformers. l

With hopes to achieve world peace by eradicating terrorism, participants of a human chain release sky lanterns to express their solidarity in achieving the feat. The human chain was organised by Green Belt Trust in remembrance of Hiroshima Day in Dhaka’s Shahbagh yesterday MEHEDI HASAN

Full implementation of LBA stuck at Muhurir Char n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

The full implementation of Land Boundary Agreement between Bangladesh and India is yet to be materialised as New Delhi is not ready to sign the last strip map designated for Muhurir Char. A senior official of the government seeking anonymity said the 4,156 kilometre Bangladesh-India border have exhibited in 1,145 strip maps. Both the countries signed 1,144 maps as India refused to sign the last strip. Bangladesh and India signed Land Boundary Agreement in 1974 and the main objectives of the deal were to exchange enclaves, resolve problems related to adversely possessed land and settle 6.5 kilometre undemarcated border. Bangladesh ratified the agreement in 1974 and after long negotiation, both the countries signed a protocol in 2011 to implement the deal and subsequently India passed the Land Boundary Agreement in both of their houses. Last year, the enclaves were exchanged, adversely possessed land

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problems were resolved but out of the 6.5 kilometre undemarcated border, demarcation of two kilometre could not be done due to opposition from India. Both the countries have 6.5 kilometre undemarcated border in three districts. Out of that, Muhurir Char in Feni has two kilometre, Lathitila in Sylhet has three kilometre and Doikhata in Panchgarh has 1.5 kilometre. After land survey, India agreed to settle border in Sylhet and Panchgarh but it did not agree with Feni's undemarcated border. Another senior official of the Land Ministry said both the countries signed index map of Muhurir Char in December 2012 and subsequently under the joint supervision 45 pillars were erected on Muhurir Char border. But in 2015, India – during a joint meeting of the land survey departments of the countries – informed Bangladesh that they had objection of border demarcation, the official said. In Bangladesh-India joint

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boundary working group [JBWG] meeting last year, New Delhi said they signed the index map mistakenly and they wanted a new survey of the border, he said. Bangladesh responded negatively as it argued that the whole process was conducted complying the Land Boundary Agreement of 1974 and its protocol in 2011, he added. In the JBWG meeting, it was decided that the issue would be resolved at the political level, the official said. Another Home Ministry official said it was discussed during the home minister level talks between the two countries in July. Bangladesh raised the issue and India took note of it but it was not resolved at the meeting, he said. The decision about Muhurir Char is likely to be settled at the top political level of the two countries, he added. The official said the issue is very sensitive. If there is any renegotiation and Bangladesh gets less land than earlier settled, it would have an adverse impact in the country, he added. l Khulna

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PRAYER TIMES

English book on political life of Bangabandhu launched n UNB A book launching ceremony titled “Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's biography- from Rebel to Founding Father” in English which will cover the autobiography, poetry, and short stories written about him was held yesterday. Pathak Somabesh, the distributor of the book in Bangladesh, organized a launching program. One of India’s renowned publishing companies, Niyogi Books, published the book. The writer of the book is journalist and columnist Syed Badrul Ahsan. Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor said Bangabandhu's political life was multi-dimensional, eventful and stormy. “As a result of the publication of the book in English, English-speaking young people will know better about the political life of Bangabandhu. This book will create the opportunity for a lot of people who want to know about Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at home and abroad.” l Sylhet

Cox’s Bazar

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

News

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

Health complex facing water crisis Serajul Islam, n Mohammed Sylhet

Patients at Beanibazar Upazila Health Complex in Sylhet are facing unbearable sufferings due to water crisis as its water pump has remained out of order for the last fourteen days. Water crisis is not a new phenomenon at the 50-bed hospital as the water pump becomes inoperative frequently resulting in unbounded woes for those coming here for treatment, said hospital sources.

The water pump has gone out of order as many as 29 times since July last year, said Rafiqul Islam, chief office assistant of the hospital. The patients who have no other option for poor financial capacity are bound to lie here but those who are relatively solvent move elsewhere for treatment, he added. Unhygienic sanitation is another common problem in the hospital, raising further concern. Patients and their attendants have to use the toilets pressing nose with cloths to subdue discomfort from bad odour.

Air freshener is often sprayed to remove the bad odour yet that dose not act much. Sometimes, people manage water on their own spending money. During a recent visit, it was found that the hospital’s water pump went out of order 15 days back the authorities some how continued water supply managing another pump on a temporary basis but that too became inoperative one week ago. Besides, it takes unusually long time to lift water to the reserve tank as the supply line pipe is a

shabby one having ruptures in its innumerable places. Siraj Mia, an attendant, said he managed water at his own cost as his daughter, who was a delivery patient, urgently needed that at the moment. Zakaria, a patient, said her husband hired a room at a nearby residential hotel for meeting the demand of water. Selina Akter, a senior nurse of the hospital, said patients at the hospital had risk of being attacked with viral diseases due to the unhygienic condition of the toilets.

Dr SM Shahrier, medical officer of the health complex, said the water pump upon being very much old goes out of order frequently. Recently, the authorities have repaired the pump spending Tk90,000 but in vain, he added. Civil Surgeon Dr Habibur Rahman said he had visited the health complex in the evening and ordered the upazila health officer to take immediate steps. Upazila health officer Dr Moazzem Ali said they expect that the situation would improve within three or four days. l

Jubo League leader killed

n Bipul Sarker Sunny, Dinajpur A local leader of Jubo League was killed in a clash over ownership of a pond at Boigram in Hakimpur upazila yesterday morning. The deceased was Abu Hayat Mohammad Badiuzzaman Sujon,30, president of the Boaldah union unit of Jubo League and son of late Selim Master of the village. Officer-in-charge of Hakimpur police station Abdus Sabur said, there had been a longstanding dispute between Sujon and his neighbour Rabiul, son of Shariful of the village, over ownership of a pond. The clash ensued following an altercation between them over the issue in the morning. At one stage, men of Rabiul hit Sujon with a stick, leaving him critically injured. Sujon succumbed to his injures on way to Rangpur Medical College Hospital. l

Village police directed to share info with police Mizanur Rahaman, n FM Chittagong Chittagong District Superintendent of Police (SP) Nure Alam Mina yesterday stold the village police to provide information to them if they notice anything wrong. The SP was addressing at a meeting in the city tilted ‘Role of Village Police To Resist Terrorism and Militancy’. Chittagong District Police organized the programme at city’s GEC Convention Centre to create awareness against militant activities where more than 1,500 village police were present. SP Mina requested the village police personnel to share any kind of information with them. Moderating by Additional SP (Sadar) Habibur Rahaman, Chittagong Deputy Commissioner Mezbah Uddin, Additional SP Rezaul Masud SB addressed among others. l

Teachers of Govt Naldangavuson Pilot High School at Kaliganj in Jhenaidah form human chain in the town against militancy

Water level in Padma recedes further n BSS Water level in river Padma receded yesterday which is now 34 centimeters above the danger level showing indications of improving the flood situation, said an official source. The normal level is 8.65 meters and now the river is flowing at a level of 8.99 meters. Heavy rainfall in the past weeks and on rush of water from the upstream flooded the low lying areas of seventeen unions of five upazilas of this district when the water level in Padma and in its tributaries Arial Khan and Madhumati increased, said the flood control room of DC. The affected upazilas are Faridpur Sadar, Charbhadrasan, Sadarpur, Bhanga and Madhukhali. The source said that so far 205

tonnes of rice and a cash of Taka 6 lakh 90 thousand have been distributed among the affected people. According to official sources, a number of medical teams are working in the affected areas with necessary medicine. There is an apprehension of breaking out water borne diseases after recession of water. During last five days about 100 meters of flood control embankment at Gazir Tek union under Charbhadrasan upazilla eroded due to pressure of water inundating a vast area. Few hundred people had to take shelter on high lands when their homesteads submerged. On Thursday two third portion of a regional pucca road measuring

about 100 meters at Darga Bazar in Nasirabad union under Bhanga upazila eroded by the river Arial Khan. But the impending disastrous situation was saved by the joint efforts of hundreds of people, administration, WDB and Awami League presidium member Kazi Zafrullah. Finally the erosion was temporarily checked and saved at least five or more villages from flooding. Bricks, boulders and bamboo driving technology was used to check the erosion. According to an Agriculture office source, standing crops amounting to nearly Taka 3 crore has been lost due to flood and erosion in four unions of Charbhadrasan upazilla. The crops included mainly jute, Aus paddy and vegetables.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Three killed in road crash n Mohiuddin Molla, Comilla

At least three people were killed and five others injured in two separate road accidents in Burichang and sadar upazilas yesterday. In Burichang, two passengers of a bus were killed and five others injured as the Chittagong-bound bus of ‘Eagle Paribahan’ plunged into a roadside ditch on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway at Kabila in the morning. One of the deceased was identified as Ismail Hossain, 40, a resident of Noakhali. Officer-in-Charge of Maynamati Highway police station Mahbubur Rahman said the bus plunged into a ditch as the driver lost control over the steering, leaving two passengers dead on the spot and five others injured. l

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

To stay against militancy, students of Khademul Islam Girls’ School and College take oath at a human chain in Rajshahi city yesterday

Bay fish survey from November n Anwar Hussain, Chittagong

Survey on fisheries resources in the Bay of Bengal will start from November of this year. According to local sources, Department of Fisheries (DoF) will conduct the survey to assess the stock of marine fisheries and other fishing resources in the Bay as a part of an ongoing development project titled ‘Bangladesh Marine Fisheries Capacity Building Project’ The project is jointly financed by Islamic Development Bank, Malaysia and Government of Malaysia. Bangladesh Government has already procured the vessel from Malaysia for conducting the survey. RV Meen Sandhani, the modern survey and research vessel arrived at Chittagong on June 9. The multipurpose research vessel is equipped with all necessary high-tech equipment for carrying out survey activities in the sea. The research vessel was built

at a cost of Tk65 crore in Malaysia with a length of 37.8 metre, draft of 3.2 metre and breadth of 9.2 metre. Nasiruddin Md Humayun, director of Marine Fisheries Office told the Dhaka Tribune that the survey would likely to begin from November. Favourable and calm weather in the sea is required for carrying out survey activities and for that reason the survey will begin tentatively from November. Humayun said surveys on marine resources could be conducted in the Bay for the next 20-25 years with the help of the vessel. “There had been no full-fledged assessment on pelagic fish in the Bay. The survey will help us of the stock of pelagic fish in the Bay,” said the marine official. The first marine resources survey was carried out in 1973 with Russian trawlers. Some surveys were conducted between 1978 and 1986. At present the marine fisheries

sector of Bangladesh contributes to 17.74% of the country’s total production of 3.26 million tonnes, in spite of a reasonable marine and brackish water area under the Exclusive Economic Zone. “At present we do not have any concrete data on the country’s marine resources. The survey will help us to make a complete list of all commercially valued and exploitable marine fishes in the Bay,” said Prof Saidur Rahman Chowdhury, Institute of Marine Sciences and Fisheries of Chittagong University. “The survey will help about distribution of marine fishes, quantity and species of marine fishes and their breeding grounds. The survey will also help us to follow the movement of the straddling or trans-boundary fishes in the Bay,” said Prof Saidur. Md Iqbal Haroon, principal scientific officer, Marine Fisheries Survey and Management Unit told the Dhaka Tribune: “The Bay of Bengal

Six bodies recovered from Padma n UNB The bodies of six people, including that of three of a family, who drowned after a trawler capsized in the Padma River near Harin Baria Bazar in Kalukhali upazila on Friday, were recovered from the river yesterday. The deceased were identified as Halimon, 50, her daughter Farida Akhter, 30, her sister-in-law (husband’s sister) Begum, 20, two children --Raju, 4, and Rahul, 6,-- and van-puller Dulal, 36. They hailed

from different villages of Kalukhali and Pangsha upazilas of the district. Police said the Habashpur-bound trawler from Harin Baria Bazar carrying 20-22 people sank in the river under a bridge near the bazaar around 6pm on Friday due to strong current. Six people went missing while others managed to swim ashore. A rescue team of divers and police rushed in and started its rescue operation on Friday. The team with the help of lo-

cal people recovered the bodies of three people --Farida Begum, Halimon, Raju, Begum and Rahul --from the river on Saturday morning, said officer-in-charge of Kalukhali Police Station Nure Alam Faruki. Later, the team recovered the body of Dulal from near the spot around 3pm, the OC added. Rajbari deputy commissioner Jinnat Ara and Police super Jihadul Kabir visited the spot, and provided Tk 20,000 for family members of each victim for their burial. l

News

is one of the world’s largest marine ecosystems. However, the indiscriminate fishing in the Bay by the fishermen is putting many fish species and aquatic animals in peril.” “The project will help us to assess the total mass of organism in a given area or volume. The survey will ultimately help to determine Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). The MSY is theoretically the maximum level at which a natural resource can be routinely exploited without long-term depletion,” said the principal scientific officer. According to a survey conducted during 1980s, there are a total of 475 fish species including 36 species of shrimp fish in the Bay of Bengal. The survey also revealed that the there was a stock of 1,88,000 tonnes of demersal fish in the Bay of Bengal. The same survey put the stock of pelagic fish in the Bay between 60,000- 120,000 tonnes. l

AZAHAR UDDIN

Ctg city BNP committee announced

n Anwar Hussain, Chittagong Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s Chittagong city unit was reconstituted yesterday by making Shahdat Hossain its new president and Abul Hashem Bakar general secretary. Besides, Abu Sufian was made vice-president of the new committee. BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced three names of the fresh Chittagong City unit committee at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office. Mahbuber Rahman Shamim, BNP’s Chittagong divisional organising secretary told the Dhaka Tribune that a three-member fresh committee was announced for BNP’s Chittagong City unit. Shahdat Hossain was general secretary of the previous Chittagong city BNP committee. Nearly two months back, Shahdat was announced as BNP’s Chittagong divisional organising secretary. l

Two held with 50,000 yaba tablets Mizanur Rahaman, n FM Chittagong Members of Narcotics Control Department (NCD) yesterday arrested two youths with 50,000 contraband yaba tablets in city’s Firingibazar area. The arrested were Nurul Absar, 32 and Abul Kashem, 42, hailed from Gohira village under Anowara upazila of the district. On a tif-off , a

team of NCD raided a pickup van in Firingibazar area around 3pm and seized the contraband which were loaded inside scrap materials in the pickup van, said Ibrahim Khan, inspector of NCD, Kotowali zone. “The youths brought the tablets from Gohira village of Anowara upazila to handover those to any drug trading gang in the city”, the NCD officer said. A case was filed in this connection. l

8 World

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

SOUTH ASIA

Measles outbreak kills 30 in Myanmar, mostly children Myanmar health officials have confirmed that a measles outbreak is behind the deaths of more than 30 people, mostly children, in a remote part of the country as authorities rush to treat victims. The outbreak has struck the far corner of Myanmar’s northern Sagaing region which area is populated by people from the Naga tribes. -AFP

INSIGHT

UN report on Yemen: Houthis used human shields, IS got cash YEMEN WAR AT A GLANCE On going conflict is devastating Yemen. 82% of the population require some kind of humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs or protect their fundamental rights. The severity of needs among vulnerable people has intensified across sectors.

INDIA

Death toll in Assam attack rises to 15 The death toll from an attack in India’s northeastern Assam state, where gunmen opened fire on a busy market, jumped to 15 on Saturday as 3 more people succumbed to their injuries. The dead included a militant from a faction of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland, which has waged a decades-long campaign for an independent homeland for the indigenous Bodo people. -AFP

PRIORITY NEEDS

CHINA

China conducts combat patrols over contested islands

China’s air force sent bombers and fighter jets on combat patrols near contested islands in the South China Sea, in a move a senior colonel said was part of an effort to normalise such drills and respond to security threats. The patrols included surveillance and refuelling aircraft. -REUTERS

ASIA PACIFIC

Cambodia seizes 600kg of ivory Cambodian customs Friday seized more than 600kg of illegal ivory in a container packed with corn that had languished unclaimed at a port for two years after being shipped from Africa. The haul was made after officials decided to open the container, which had been left at the southwestern port of Sihanoukville weeks after a crackdown on ivory smuggling in 2014. -AFP

MIDDLE EAST

Yemen’s Houthi-led bloc sets up governing council Yemen’s two dominant political movements on Saturday announced a 10-member governing council, pushing ahead with plans to run the country as UN-sponsored talks to end a 16-month-old war drew to a close without a deal. The announcement came as supporters of the internationally-recognised President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi launched a fresh offensive to try to capture the capital Sanaa. -REUTERS

n Reuters, United Nations Yemen’s Houthi rebels used civilians as human shields, Islamic State militants in the country received an influx of cash and al Qaeda has improved its roadside bombs, according to a confidential report by United Nations experts monitoring sanctions on Yemen. The 105-page report to the UN Security Council, seen by Reuters on Thursday, also said a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia had violated international humanitarian law by bombing a civilian home in Al-Mahala village in May, and the monitors were investigating three other cases in which civilians were bombed. The midterm report covered the past six months. The experts noted that they have been unable to travel to the Arabian Peninsula country so they gathered information remotely. “The panel has documented violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law committed by the Houthi-Saleh forces, the Saudi Arabia-led coalition and forces affiliated to the legitimate Government of Yemen,” the panel said in the report. Saudi Arabia has said it is committed to international humanitarian law. The mostly Sunni Arab alliance

intervened in Yemen’s civil war in March last year to support the government and fight forces loyal to ex-President Ali Abdullah Saleh and the Houthi movement, which it has accused of being a proxy for Shiite arch-rival Iran. The report on the implementation of an arms embargo and targeted sanctions on Saleh and four Houthi leaders has been submitted to the 15-member UN Security Council sanctions committee. The Security Council imposed an arms embargo on Houthi rebels and soldiers loyal to Saleh in April 2015. Being put on the UN blacklist triggers a travel ban and asset freeze. The UN sanctions committee will use information from the expert panel to decide if additional people or groups should be blacklisted for “engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, security or stability of Yemen.” A Saudi-led coalition investigation into air strikes on markets, clinics and a wedding in Yemen on Thursday largely defended the attacks on the grounds that armed militias were at the sites. The UN report said the Houthis had concealed fighters and equipment in or close to civilians in Al Mukha in the Taiz Governorate “with the deliberate aim of avoiding attack” and in violation of in-

ternational humanitarian law. The report said the Houthis had diverted about $100 million a month from Yemen’s central bank to support the group’s war effort and that the foreign reserves of the central bank had dropped to $1.3 billion in June 2016 from $4.6 billion in November 2014. Political and central bank sources have said the Houthis were likely to have received more central bank cash for their troops than the government because when they seized Sanaa thousands of their militiamen were added to army rosters and became entitled to state pay. The Houthis were not immediately available to comment on the report.

Tug o’ war for land, recruits

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has taken advantage of Yemen’s civil war to take over parts of southern and eastern Yemen, and the militant group Islamic State has also gained a foothold in the country. The two groups’ are now “undermining one another as they compete for recruits,” the report said, adding that in March and April 2016 “ISIL received a significant influx of cash in Yemen, which it is using to attract recruits, finance operations, and purchase

equipment.” The report, using an acronym for Islamic State, did not specify the source of the money. The report said that from a technical perspective, AQAP’s operational capability had improved, evidenced by advanced improvised explosive device (IED) designs it was now using in Yemen. The group also boasts one of the world’s most feared bomb makers, Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri. The monitors said AQAP also likely had access to more reliable commercial electronic detonators, making it capable of implementing a sustained IED campaign. The UN experts said that so far in 2016 there had been three seizures of weapons in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which they were investigating to see if the arms embargo had been violated. The report said that during a seizure of weapons from a stateless dhow on Sept. 25, 2015, communications equipment, including mobile and satellite telephones, was found and inspected. It said one member state, which was not identified in the report, had analyzed the communications traffic and found that in the month leading to the seizure most of the calls had come from the same Iranian number. Iran has denied providing material support to the Houthis. l

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

9/11 REPORT

USA

Secret 28 pages reveal indirect link to Saudi prince Bandar n Tribune International Desk An “indirect link” between a company Saudi Arabian royalty and phone numbers held by an alleged al-Qaeda member held over the September 11 terror attacks has been revealed in documents kept private by the US government until last month. After years of the Bush administration refusing to publish the “28 pages” – a congressional report from 2002 which was part of an investigation into the 9/11 attacks – the Obama administration agreed to release the documents in July this year. The report reveals that a phone log maintained by an alleged senior al-Qaeda operative, Abu Zubaydah, a nom de guerre for Zayn al-Abidin Muhammed Hussein, included the unlisted phone number for a Colorado company associated with a key member of the Saudi royal family, Prince Bandar bin Sultan. A former highly-regarded ambassador to the US, Prince Bandar was close to George HW Bush during the lead-up to the Gulf War against Iraq in 1991. The number was for the company that once managed Prince Bandar’s estate in Colorado. Another phone number was found for a bodyguard who worked at

the Saudi Embassy in Washington, the “28 pages”, which are actually 29 pages, also show. “Both of those numbers were unpublished, so they had to have gotten into Zubaydah’s phone book through a personal contact who knew what those numbers were and what they represented,” said former Senator Bob Graham, co-chair of the congressional commission that compiled the 28 pages, according to CNN. Zubaydah’s own senior role in al-Qaeda has never been fully confirmed. Indeed, the New York Times and other media outlets say the CIA no longer believes Zubaydah was in Osama bin Laden’s inner circle as was once thought to be the case. A transcript of the 45-yearold Palestinian speaking during a Combatant Status Review Tribunal at Guantanamo Bay back in 2007 shows he said: “They told me, ‘sorry, we discover that you are not Number 3 [in Osama bin Laden’s inner circle], not a partner, not even a fighter.’” The CIA and FBI concluded that there was no evidence anyone from the Saudi royal family knowingly provided support for the 9/11 attacks. Saudi officials any possible allegations made against them with

In an effort to repair some of the damage he had inflicted on his presidential campaign, Donald Trump endorsed House Speaker Paul Ryan to end a four-day standoff that exposed the deeps chasms in the Republican Party over his candidacy. Trump struck a rare conciliatory tone at a Wisconsin rally on Friday, imploring his party to unite behind him and opening a full-throttle attack on Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. “Arm in arm, we will rescue the country from the Obama-Clinton disaster,” Trump told supporters after formally declaring his support for Ryan in next week’s congressional primary. “We will have disagreements,” Trump said just days after refusing to endorse the Wisconsin Republican. “But we will disagree as friends and never stop working together toward victory.”

Prince Bandar bin Sultan, Saudi Ambassador to the US, speaking to former President George W Bush at the Bush Ranch in Crawford, Texas, in August 2002 REUTERS regards the 2001 attacks in which nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. They called for the pages to be released so Saudi Arabia could address ongoing accusations over its alleged role in 9/11, and pointed to a 2005 FBI investigation which cleared the Saudi government and royal family of funding or knowledge of the 19 hijackers – 15 of whom were Saudi nationals – who committed the atrocities. Senator Graham for one has said the indirect connection between Zubaydah’s contact list and the comapny associated with Prince Bandar was “one of the most stunning parts of the inves-

Donald Trump’s recent struggles with gaffes, backtracks, criticisms and outlandish claims

45.7 45

July 30 Responds to criticism from Khizr Khan, father of a Muslim American solder slain in Iraq, by saying he had “made a lot of sacrifices” and “I work very, very hard”

August 1 Continues feud with Khan by tweeting “Mr Khan... viciously attacked me...”

44.3 Hillary Clinton

43.4

RealClearPolitics average of media polls preference: Trump vs Clinton

45.6

43.3 July 28 Trump tells Fox News he had been “sarcastic” about the emails

42.0

41.6

40.6

August 1"That election is going to be rigged" Trump tells Fox news August 4 "We are letting people come in from terrorist nations that shouldn't be allowed..." Rally in Portland, Maine

It was an unusual gesture for Trump, who is known for his refusal to admit mistakes and his tendency to double down when he’s under attack. Trump’s general election campaign has been defined by his constant attacks on fellow Republicans — a habit that has baffled party leaders, who have begged him to stay focused on his Democratic rival. In addition to praising Ryan,

The Obama administration is preparing to elevate the stature of the Pentagon’s Cyber Command, signalling more emphasis on developing cyber weapons to deter attacks, punish intruders into US networks and tackle adversaries such as IS. Under the plan being considered at the White House, US Cyber Command would become what the military calls a unified command. -REUTERS

THE AMERICAS

HOW TRUMP ROLLS July 27 Trump challenges Russia to hack into Hillary Clinton’s emails

Obama to boost US military’s cyber role

Colombian government and Farc agree on demobilisation plan

tigation” and worthy of pursuing further. Ambassador to the US Abdullah Al-Saud said in a statement: “Since 2002, the 9/11 Commission and several government agencies, including the CIA and the FBI, have investigated the contents of the ‘28 Pages’ and have confirmed that neither the Saudi government, nor senior Saudi officials, nor any person acting on behalf of the Saudi government provided any support or encouragement for these attacks. l

[This is an excerpt from a THE INDEPENDENT article, which can be

found at http://ind.pn/2aWnhQQ]

Trump ends standoff with Speaker Ryan n Tribune International Desk

World

Trump also threw his support behind Arizona Senator John McCain, saying he held the senator “in the highest esteem ... for his service to our country in uniform and in public office.” In the past, Trump questioned McCain’s status as a war hero, and told the Post he felt McCain “should have done a much better job for the vets.” Trump also endorsed New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte,

with whom he has also sparred, calling her “a rising star.” Ryan, like other top Wisconsin Republicans, did not attend Trump’s evening appearance in their state. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker also skipped the evening rally, preferring to attend an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner. Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos offered a blunt message ahead of the presidential nominee’s arrival: “We are Ryan Republicans here in Wisconsin, not Trump Republicans.” Eager to change their minds, Trump unleashed a torrent of insults at Clinton throughout the day. “If Hillary Clinton becomes president,” he said at a rally in Iowa, “you will have really, in my opinion, the destruction of this country from within.” Trump called his Democratic opponent “a dangerous liar,” ‘’an unbalanced person,” ‘’pretty close to unhinged,” ‘’totally unfit to lead” and lacking “the judgment, temperament and moral character to lead the country.” l

Colombia’s government and leftist Farc insurgents took another step toward ending more than a half century of conflict on Friday, agreeing on a UN-supervised security protocol, timetable and other details for disarming the estimated 9,000 guerrillas. Under the June agreement, Farc troops will gather at 26 locations around the South American country and hand over their arms. -REUTERS

Teen in court over London knife attack A teenager accused of murdering a US tourist and injuring 5 others in a knife attack in central London made his first court appearance on Saturday and was remanded in custody. Zakaria Bulhan is charged with the murder of 64-year-old retired teacher Darlene Horton plus 5 counts of attempted murder following the incident on Wednesday evening in Russell Square. -AFP

EUROPE

Fire kills 13 in French bar A fire swept through a bar in the northern French city of Rouen overnight, killing 13 people and injuring 6, after a birthday cake with candles and sparklers fell to the floor and set the carpet ablaze, police said. The fire broke out in the basement of the popular Cuba Libre bar and quickly engulfed the room where some 20 people were celebrating. -REUTERS

AFRICA

South Sudan agrees to deployment of regional force

South Sudan’s government on Friday agreed to allow a regional protection force to be deployed in the country following fighting between rival groups last month in the country’s capital, Juba. Such a force has been a key demand of former vice president Riek Machar, the leader of one of the factions involved in last month’s fighting. -REUTERS

World

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

INSIGHT

Beyond Aleppo, Syria’s war rages on with no end n Tribune International Desk The UN says it wants to resume Syria peace talks in late August, but more than 5 years after anti-government protests erupted in 2011, the country is still consumed by fighting, reports The Associated Press. Aleppo, Syria’s largest city and once its commercial hub, is the focal point of the day’s fighting after government forces closed off the last remaining opposition supply line, trapping tens of thousands of people inside with dwindling resources. But the civil war is also being fought daily beyond Aleppo, as Syrian government forces steadily claw back territory around the capital, Damascus, and the international community targets the Islamic State group, though with little visible success. Here’s a look at hotspots beyond Aleppo and general peace prospects for Syria:

Aleppo

Aleppo is often viewed as the weather vane of the Syrian conflict, perhaps now more than ever. Four years after rebels captured much of the city’s eastern districts, government forces aided by massive Russian air power and Iranian-backed militias have encircled the area and urged rebels to turn themselves in. It’s a tactic the government has successfully used in Homs and other locations to force an opposition surrender.

Rebels have launched a fierce counter offensive to break the siege, which has trapped tens of thousands of residents amid warnings of a potential catastrophe. The city, near the border with Turkey, is tied to regional geopolitics. The rebels are backed by Turkey and it remains to be seen how that country’s recent political turmoil will affect the battle for Aleppo.

Other hotspots

While the world’s attention is on Aleppo, rebels and the government are fighting in other areas as well — none more consequential than around the outskirts of the capital, Damascus. After a ring of suburbs broke with Damascus rule early in the war, government forces have besieged the towns and bombarded them from the air and ground. The tactics, denounced by rights groups as collective punishment against the civilian population, are slowly paying off. In May, pro-government forces seized vital farmland to the east of Damascus, tightening the noose on already exhausted residents and rebels. There are other fronts open between the rebels and the government as well, but none are seen as important as the ones around Aleppo and Damascus.

Humanitarian disaster

In 2013, the UN labelled the Syr-

ia war as the worst humanitarian disaster since the Cold War. Things since then have only gotten worse. Nearly 5 million Syrians are registered with the UN as refugees — that is, displaced beyond Syria’s borders — in what is the largest refugee population today. The UN refugee agency says a further 6.5 million are displaced inside the country. Some 600,000 Syrians are trapped in sieges, needing urgent access to food and medical supplies, the UN says. A further 250,000 are trapped by government forces in eastern Aleppo. Reliable casualty estimates are hard to come by. When the UN stopped tallying those killed in the summer of 2015, its count stood at a quarter-million dead. Other observers put the death toll between 280,000 and 470,000. Various charities and international organizations warn of a lost generation of Syrian children that suffers from psychosocial trauma and has been cut off from basic schooling and health services.

Fight against Islamic State group

The global war against the Islamic State group continues to be the priority for foreign governments involved in Syria. A US-led coalition is working with predominantly Kurdish ground forces fighting IS, providing air and other logistical support. Despite significant loss of territory over the past year, IS still holds on to the city of Raqqa as the

militant group’s de facto capital of its self-declared caliphate over parts of Syria and Iraq, and still has the ability to launch surprise offensives. The latest battles against IS revolves around Manbij, a vital border satellite to Raqqa. The Syria Democratic Forces, a U.S.-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab groups, is spearheading the fight in Manbij and by some estimates has managed to secure control of around 60 percent of the town.

Russia-Us military talks

The United States and Russia are engaged in talks to boost military cooperation and intelligence sharing in Syria. Much of what happens next depends on whether Moscow and Washington seal the deal. Their coordination is focused on targeting al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, the Levant Conquest Front, formerly known as the Nusra Front. In a pre-emptive move, the group announced last week it had changed its name and disassociated from al-Qaeda central — a move dismissed by the US, Russia and Syria as merely tactical. The group is embedded with other rebel outfits in Syria and is one of the most effective fighting forces against President Bashar Assad’s troops. An air campaign against the Levant Conquest Front may ultimately be detrimental to the wider anti-Assad opposition. Underlining the

group’s major role in the fighting in Aleppo, its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, issued an audio on Friday rallying his fighters and vowing to “crush Russian tyranny ... under the feet of the mujahedeen,” or holy warriors, in Aleppo.

Peace prospects

The UN’s special envoy for Syria has set late August as a target for resuming peace talks, but it’s unclear who could represent the fractured opposition, and with the government on the front foot in Syria, it is unlikely to make any major concessions in Geneva. This augurs more conflict for the country until the government can secure what some analysts call “useful Syria” — a portion containing the four largest cities and Syria’s Mediterranean coast — while leaving the fates of the jihadi-controlled northwest, the Kurdish-controlled north, and the Islamic State-controlled east to the chess game of international diplomacy. Looking past the shades of colour on the map, there are practically no victors to this war. Even if, or when, the government retakes the alleged target stretch of Syria, it will still face the massive task of rebuilding a shattered economy and wrestling back control from militias and profiteers who have built robust patronage networks that rival the traditional hierarchies of the Assad family’s authoritarian rule. l

THE SYRIA WAR 2011

2012

2013

Revolt and repression

All-out war, foreign intervention

Chemical weapons, radicalisation

DAMASCUS

Scores of rebel groups battle regime for control of towns

2014

Rise of Islamic State group (IS) IS siezes 30% of country, most gas/oil production US-led coalition attacks IS Sources: UNHCR, IDMC, SCPR

Regime backed by:

Nationwide protests against regime. Crackdown

RUSSIA IRAN

Al-Nusra

TURKEY GULF STATES

Emergence of Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra

QATAR WESTERN POWERS

2015

Attacks:

TURKEY

Rebels

Regime

Where we are now

RUSSIA

Kurds

Jihadist rebels

Islamic State group enters war, fighting:

2016

Conflict becomes international

1,400+ die

Regime uses chemical weapons

S. ARABIA

UK FRANCE

Moderates lose ground to jihadists

Rival rebel groups backed by:

Deaths:

at least 270,000*

Refugees abroad:

4.8 million (21% ofpopulation)

Internally displaced:

6.6 million (29% of pop.)

World

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

#PANAMAPAPERS LEAK

Nobel Laureate Stiglitz quits Panama Papers probe, cites lack of transparency

Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph E Stiglitz

n Reuters, Buenos Aires The committee set up to investigate lack of transparency in Panama’s financial system itself lacks transparency, Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz told Reuters on Friday after resigning from the “Panama Papers” commission. The leak in April of more than 11.5 million documents from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, dubbed the “Panama Papers,” detailed financial information from offshore accounts and potential tax evasion by the rich and powerful. Stiglitz and Swiss anti-corruption expert Mark Pieth joined a seven-member commission tasked with probing Panama’s notoriously opaque financial system, but they say they found the government unwilling to back an open investigation. Both quit the group on Friday after they say Panama refused to guarantee the committee’s report would be made public. “I thought the government was more committed, but obviously they’re not,” Stiglitz said. “It’s amazing how they tried to undermine us.” The Panamanian government defended the committee’s “autonomous” management in a statement issued later on Friday, and while it said it regretted the resignations of Stiglitz and Pieth, it chalked them up to unspecified “internal differences.” Panama’s President Juan Carlos Varela said in April that the independent commission would review the country’s financial and legal practices. In its first full meeting of the investigative committee in New York on June 4-5, there was consensus that the government of Panama needed to commit to making the final report public, whatever its findings, Stiglitz and Pieth said.

REUTERS

But they said they got a letter from the government last week backing off from its commitment to making the committee’s finding public. “We can only infer that the government is facing pressure from those who are making profits from the current non-transparent financial system in Panama,” Stiglitz said. Commission member Alberto Aleman, former administrator of the Panama Canal, rejected assertions that the committee lacked transparency, and said the five remaining members, four of which are Panamanian, would continue their work. “The report has to be delivered to the president of Panama, and then the president of Panama will decide when and how it will be made public,” he said. The Panama Papers cover a period of almost 40 years, from 1977 until December 2015, and show that some companies set up in tax havens with the help of Mossack Fonseca may have been used for money laundering, arms and drug deals as well as tax evasion. In addition to embarrassing leaders worldwide who had interests tied to secretive business concerns, the leak heaped pressure on Panama, well-known for its lax financial laws, to clean up its act. “I have had a close look at the so called Panama Papers, and I must admit that even as an expert on economic and organised crime, I was amazed to see so much of what we talk about in theory was confirmed in practise,” Pieth said in a telephone interview. In the papers he said he found evidence of crimes such as money laundering for child prostitution rings. “We’re being asked to do this as a courtesy for them and we’re paraded in front of the world media first, and then we’re told to shut up when they don’t like it,” Pieth, a criminal law professor at Basel University, said. l

12 Business

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

TOP STORIES

Software export soars in FY 2016 n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

Mannan: Credit opportunities to buy nuclear power technologies limited in global market Bangladesh has recently signed an $11.38bn loan agreement with Russia to construct the 2400-megawatt Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant which was first taken up in 1961. The technologies for the plant will be imported from Russia with the credit. PAGE 13

Best Practices for the Job Interview – A Primer How you express yourself in a job interview, first and foremost, is not going to be a static; it will change in time as you grow. PAGE 14

Growth snapshots ahead in world awash with cheap money Bumper July jobs data from the United States have again begun to stoke expectations of a September rate hike from the Federal Reserve, just when other major central banks around the globe are unleashing ever-looser policy. PAGE 15

Capital market snapshot: Past Week DSE Broad Index

4,577.6

0.9% ▲

Index

1,123.0

1.1% ▲

30 Index

1,795.2

1.3% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

22,165.2

12.9% ▲

Turnover in Mn Vol

548.1

23.3% ▲

All Share Index 14,070.2

0.8% ▲

30 Index

12,995.6

1.1% ▲

Selected Index

8,565.3

0.8% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

1,245.1 -11.2% ▼

CSE

Turnover in Mn Vol

40.5

38.9% ▲

Bangladesh’s software exports have seen over 14.50% rise to nearly $152 million in the last fiscal year compared to the same period in the previous year. The export performance, however, is bellow the expectation of sector people as well as the government target of earning $5 billion by 2021. According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data, in the last fiscal year, Bangladesh earned $151.83 million, a 14.55% up over $132.554 million a year ago. The figure is 4.71% higher against the target of $145 million for the period. “Bangladesh’s IT sector laid its foundation of software export in 2009 and 14.55% growth is laudable,” BASIS president Mustafa Jabbar told the Dhaka Tribune. “We have to move forward, but branding for the sector is very poor. Bangladesh has to show its potential and capacity.” The growth is lower than the government target of $5 billion export earnings from software and IT-related services export, said Shamim Ahsan, former president of Bangladesh Association of software and Information Services (BASIS) If Bangladesh wants to earn $5 billion, exporting software by 2021, it will have to post about 50% growth instead of existing nearly 15%, but the current growth is satisfactory, said Ahsan.

SOFTWARE EXPORT TREND

200

150

100

2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 Source: EPB

He also stressed investment in marketing. “The actual earning from the IT sector including export freelancer and IT freelancing services was about 400 million, of which 152 million came through legal channel, 70 million from free lancers and the rest from different ways,” State Minister for ICT Ministry Zunaid Ahmed Palak told the Dhaka Tribune. It is quite possible to earn $5 billion by 2021 as our entrepreneurs like Tiger IT, which got a contract of $43 million from Nepal, are getting more work orders for IT services, said Palak. By 2018, Bangladesh will be able to reach its export earnings to $1 billion from the sector, he added. Industry insiders say the sector has much want of IT professionals and the university curricula are

IT SECTOR IN BRIEF Market size about $800m

400 firms export to 60 countries Over 1000 registered IT companies 70,000 IT professionals IT sector employs over 2.5 lakh people Tk8,306cr allocated for this FY Source: BASIS

not matching with the industry demands. “We are witnessing an increased number of GPA 5 holders and fresh graduates, but yet to get young generation skilled in IT. To create more professionals for the sector, Bangladesh needs to reform education system,” said Shamim Ahsan. Facilities are being given to promote IT sector, Palak said, add-

ing that primarily 10 IT firms and 10 emerging entrepreneurs are receiving training, low-cost office space and fund facilities. In addition, 10 start-ups have been offered office space at Software Technology Park (Janata Tower) in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka, at a lower rate so they can build business. “To meet the demand for IT professionals, we are arranging training for fresh university graduates and based on selection, they will have the 600-hour IT educational training, he added. Talking on the challenges, the IT entrepreneurs describe slow speed of internet and high prices of bandwidth as barriers to boosting the information technology sector along with the infrastructure. Since it is a thriving sector, investment is a must while the government should prove business and investment friendly policy support. The government should monitor initiatives taken to boost the information and technology sector of the country, they said, demanding quick implementation of IT zones. As regards infrastructure, the junior minister said the government has increased budget allocation in the current fiscal year to improve the infrastructure for IT sector soon. Tk8,306 crore has been allocated to IT sector for the fiscal year 2016-17. The sector had Tk6,107 crore in the last fiscal year. l

Grant element for non-concessional loans increased n Asif Showkat Kallol The government has increased grant element for non-concessional loans to ease the risk of debt burden of Bangladesh. A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved a proposal on the matter. Economic Relations Division (ERD) placed the proposal redefining non-concessional loans of Bangladesh for increasing grant elements. The meeting was presided over by Finance Minister AMA Muhith. After the meeting, Additional Cabinet Division Secretary Mustafizur Rahman said the cabinet committee on economic affairs gave its consent to the new definition of non-concessional loans. According to the ERD proposal, the government is considering new non-concessional loan amount as

its grant element fixed below 35%, which will be placed on the standing committee on non-concessional loans for approval. At present, the amount of non-concessional loan as grant element is above 25%, which was fixed by the International Monetary Fund under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) agreement. The ECF deal expired last year. The grant element is defined as the difference between the loan’s nominal value (face value) and the sum of the discounted future debt-service payments to be made by the borrower (present value), expressed as a percentage of the loan’s face value, according to the World Bank. Former Finance Adviser to Caretaker Government AB Mirza Azizul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune earlier, however, that the increase of grant element would not bring any good.

He thinks the government instead should focus on interest rate and maturity period for the payment of loan in reducing the risk of debt burden. But according to the proposal, the debt burden of the country will increase as the hard-term or non-concessional borrowing entails higher interest and less maturity period.

“As a result, it has been proposed to increase grant elements to ease the risk of debt burden,” it said. The country’s debt portfolio as of 30 June 2014 shows that total debt stock was nearly $53.55bn – of which external debt was $24.59bn or 45% of the total debt, and domestic debt was $27.96bn or 55% of the stock, according to the finance ministry data. l

Business

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

Mannan: Credit opportunities to buy nuclear power technologies limited in global market n Asif Showkat Kallol Bangladesh has recently signed an $11.38bn loan agreement with Russia to construct the 2400-megawatt Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant which was first taken up in 1961. The technologies for the plant will be imported from Russia with the credit. State Minister for Finance and Planning MA Mannan attended the deal signing ceremony held in Moscow, the Russian capital, on July 26. On his return, the state minister was interviewed by the Dhaka Tribune. He said the interest rate of the loan is not high given the current global situation. Following are the excerpts of that interview.

The government has finally signed a credit deal with Russia to build the country’s first-ever nuclear power plant?

Yes, we have the signed a deal with the Russian Federation to borrow $11.38bn to construct the first-ever nuclear power plant in Bangladesh. This will be a 2400-MW plant in Rooppur, Pabna. This is the country’s biggest-ever project with foreign loan.

What about terms and conditions, like interest rate?

Interest rate is LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) plus 1.75%.

credits have zero or very low interest and can be repaid in 25-40 years with 5-10 years of grace period. The interest rates of project loans are lower if the loans are taken from global lenders like World Bank, Asian Development Bank or the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. But we have decided to take the loan from state instead of global lenders. Besides, loan opportunities for nuclear technology are still limited in the global market.

Who will operate the power plant? State Minister for Finance and Planning MA Mannan

I am sure that the Russian Federation and the United States are the world’s best in the nuclear power technology. Twenty per cent of the total power supply in Russia come from nuclear plants The loan will be repaid in 28 years with a 10 -year grace period, and the rate can never exceed 4%. The repayment will start from 2027 and the number of instalments will be two annually. Russia will provide all technical assistance and equipment to the project.

Large cap keep market afloat n Tribune Business Desk Stocks witnessed rally in the past week that ended Thursday after profit-booking modest decline in previous week. Large-cap stocks have played a key role in pulling up the market in the week. Most investors, however, were still cautious as trading remained subdued throughout the week though it rose in the week. The benchmark index of Dhaka Stock Exchange, DSEX, rose nearly 40 points or 1% to finish the week at 4,577. The DS30 index, comprising blue chips, was up over 23 points or 1.5% to 1,795. The DSE Shariah Index gained 12 points or 1% to 1,123. The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index CSCX rallied 66 points or 0.8% to 8,565. The week’s daily average turnover stood at Tk443 crore, registering an increase of 13%

over the previous week’s average of Tk393 crore. Among the large-cap stocks, Lafarge Surma Cement jumped 7.6%, followed by Titas Gas with 7%, Mobil Jamuna Limited Bangladesh (MJL) 4% and Square Pharmaceuticals 1.7%. Fuel and power, plus engineering and banking sectors were the highest traded sectors together accounting for about half the week’s total trade value. Lanka Bangla Securities said large cap shares were the top turnover generator of the week though top gainer board was dominated by low-cap junk stocks. “Buying interest spurred on the large caps while industry specific updates kept some investors watchful about future market movement amid profit-taking mood.” Of 328 issues traded, 164 closed higher, 132 lower and 32 remained unchanged on the DSE during the week. l

Is the rate higher compared to global market?

No. I do not think so. Given the current situation, it’s not higher than the global rate. Besides, this is not like a concessional loan from the World Bank’s IDA (International Development Association). IDA

Russian experts and technicians will operate the nuclear power plant for first three years after construction. Then the operation will be handed over to the trained local people. Bangladeshis are now under training in Russia.

There are concerns about safety related to the nuclear power plant?

I am not an expert on the matter. But I feel the good things will happen. This is a state level agreement. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin are involved. I believe the Russian experts will not neglect their responsibilities to ensure safety of the plant.

Why did the government go for the Russian technology?

This is a political decision when a

country decides to export nuclear technology to another country as security reason is involved with the transfer of the nuclear technology. Besides, the cost of power generation with nuclear technology compared to using other technologies also matters. The country which is exporting the technology tries to get maximum returns from their investment.

If the Rooppur power plant project could not be implemented successfully or disasters like Chernobyl happen, is there any back up plan? How we will repay the loan?

We will address the matter though it has not been mentioned in the financial deal of the Rooppur plant. However, the Russian authorities use third generation nuclear technology where the nuclear reactor can automatically shut down its operation sensing any possible danger. In the third generation technology, the reactor is covered by double wall.

You’re saying that the Russian nuclear power technology is good?

I am sure that the Russian Federation and the United States are the world’s best in the nuclear power technology. Twenty per cent of the total power supply in Russia come from nuclear plants. l

Business

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

Best practices for the job interview: A primer

E N T ER P R I S E AND SOCIETY

Sajid Amit Director, Center for Enterprise and Society. You can follow him @sajidamit

How you express yourself in a job interview, first and foremost, is not going to be a static; it will change in time as you grow. In my case, for instance, when I was a freshly minted college graduated, I was more talkative, peppy, and even liked to control the flow of the interview. I think I used to get away with it quite well because I was younger and interviewers older than me liked to encourage what they saw as budding signs of self-confidence. However, as I grew older, I tended to be more reserved and while confidence is essential, I have probably tried to express it more subtly. So your style will vary, depending on your personality and stage of life you are at. But certain things will not change, despite all despites.

In the interest of generalising for the benefit of the most number of readers, here are a few essential tips worth bearing in mind:

Research the company beforehand. Do it with genuine interest because genuineness shows. Moreover, genuine interest will translate to you bringing up your knowledge of the company at the appropriate time in the interview instead of parachuting it inappropriately, which can look insincere. Also learn about your interviewer.

Groom and dress sharp. Doesn’t matter if you are interviewing for a corporate position, a university position, or an NGO position; how you dress will impact you feel on the day. For men, a suit always helps, and for a suit, the cut and fit are everything. If you are on Instagram, follow men’s style pages and show your tailor the sort of fit and cut you like. Despite our national sartorial achievements, we are yet to master the cut and fit of the business suit. For ladies, an impulse towards formal minimalism may be useful.

Carry a copy of your CV. Also carry a pen.

Prepare beforehand, answers to oft-recurring questions: “Where do you see yourself in five years,” “Why do you think you are suitable for the role,” “Name three weaknesses you think you can work on,” and of course, “What is your salary expectation?” If someone asks you your salary expectation, and you say something that is higher than the market standard, please be prepared to rationalise and explain why you think you deserve it. Best to research and find out beforehand the market rates for the position you will be interviewing for.

Also think of stories you can use for behavioral questions. Your interviewer may ask you to narrate stories that demonstrate your ability to deliver on deadlines, meet sales targets, manage teams, handle stress, or any skill specific to the role.

6 7

Follow-up on the interview with a well-crafted and brief thank you note. You can Google for sample thank-you notes. This is not a western cultural artefact. A thank you note caters to the basic human instinct of being respected for affording time. And lastly, go to bed early, the night before your interview.

Overall, throughout the interview process, and of course, thereafter, it is important to be beyond reproach when it comes to telephone, email and in-person etiquette, not just with your interviewer but in any and all interactions with your colleagues, however senior, junior, full-time or casual. Of course, a strong CV is ultimately your best bet in getting you through the door. Crafting such is ultimately what will get you your job interview. That, however, is a topic for a different piece

Growth snapshots ahead in world awash with cheap money

Bank of England governor Mark Carney pauses as he speaks during a news conference at the Bank of England in London REUTERS

n Reuters, London Bumper July jobs data from the United States have again begun to stoke expectations of a September rate hike from the Federal Reserve, just when other major central banks around the globe are unleashing ever-looser policy. That slightly more positive tone may linger as a backdrop for the global economy in the coming week, with growth data due for the euro zone, Germany and Italy, along with key releases on inflation, industrial production and retail sales in China. New Zealand’s central bank is also expected to join the easing brigade with a cut on Thursday. In the past week, the Bank of England fired its first post-Brexit salvo - cutting Bank Rate to a new record low of 0.25% while also reigniting its asset purchase program - and hinted further easing was in the pipeline. Governor Mark Carney said he had unveiled an “exceptional package of measures” because the economic outlook had changed markedly following the June Brexit vote. The Bank expects the economy to stagnate for the rest of 2016 and suffer weak growth next year. Slow growth and virtually non-existent euro zone inflation will also force the European Central Bank to extend and expand

the scope of its asset purchase program, a Reuters poll of economists showed last month. Early indications suggest the bloc has so far largely shrugged off Britain’s decision to quit the European Union but preliminary data due on August 12 are expected to show the rate of economic growth across the currency union halved to 0.3% in the second quarter. Germany will also publish its GDP numbers, likely to show a slowdown, but rising employment and wages should continue to support disposable income growth in the second half of the year. Italy probably maintained its slow and steady pace. “With the UK potentially on the brink of recession, the resilience in economic sentiment indicators on the other side of the English Channel in July is perhaps surprising,” said Christian Schulz at Citi.

Asia

The Bank of Japan disappointed markets last month by keeping bond purchases steady, defying expectations it would buy up more, and made traders even more nervous after announcing it would re-evaluate policies in September. Japan’s economic growth is also expected to have slowed last quarter, weighed down by weak domestic demand and stagnant exports, a Reuters poll found on Friday.

That would be a setback for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who has said the top priority for his reshuffled cabinet is growing the economy and beating deflation. “The world’s third-largest economy, continues to take center stage in global macroeconomic developments, partly due to the sense that it operates as a lodestar for the trajectory of both developed and emerging economies,” said Richard Iley at BNP Paribas. The actual GDP data won’t be published until August 14 but on Wednesday the Cabinet Office publishes June core machinery orders, a leading indicator of capital spending, which likely rose for the first time in three months. Three years of reflationary monetary, fiscal and reform policies dubbed “Abenomics” have done little to revive the economy, and financial markets are growing worried the BOJ is running out of ammunition. “To quash talk that its arsenal is empty, the Bank of Japan might decide at its September meeting to stop targeting the monetary base, which conflicts with the negative-rate policy,” Iley said. Skittish global investors may be reassured by fairly steady growth expected in a flurry of Chinese data in coming weeks, but tepid demand, slowing investment and rising debt levels remain pressing concerns for the world’s second-largest economy. Beijing will publish data on trade, consumer prices, industrial production and retail sales in the week With economic growth comfortably within the government’s target range but credit growth near all-time highs, analysts have pared back calls for the first Chinese interest rate cut since October. “Although signs were growing that the People’s Bank of China could introduce more stimulus to boost growth, recent comments suggest that the bank is sufficiently happy with the pace of growth to keep monetary policy “prudent” this year,” said Oliver Kolodseike at IHS Markit. l

Business

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

CORPORATE NEWS

Sayedpur branch of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited has recently organised a meeting for sharing success stories, said a press release. The bank’s chairperson, Engr Mustafa Anowar was present at the programme as chief guest

Nou Kollan Foundation Trading Company Ltd has recently signed an agreement with Shandong Tiejun Electric Power Engineering Company Ltd for two coal based power projects, said a press release

National Bank Limited has recently held a business review meeting, said a press release. The bank’s deputy managing director, Abdus Sobhan Khan was present at the meeting, among other high officials of the bank

Md Shafiul Azam has recently been appointed as managing director and CEO of Modhumoti Bank Limited, said a press release. Prior to this role, Azam was the bank’s additional managing director. Shafiul Azam started his career in 1991

Pound edges up after Bank of England stimulus slump n AFP, Tokyo

The pound ticked up slightly Friday after plunging the day before in reaction to the Bank of England’s interest rate cut and surprise stimulus to shore up the British economy. The central bank slashed interest rates to a record low 0.25% - the first cut since 2009 - Thursday, while it also unveiled a £170bn

growth-boosting package. Bank policymakers’ hands were forced after the country voted on June 23 to quit the European Union, a move the BoE warned could send Britain into recession. As such, it slashed its growth outlook for next year and 2018. Sterling plunged to $1.3114 by the end of the day Thursday, from above $1.33 earlier in Asia. On Fri-

day it edged up slightly to $1.3131 in Tokyo. “It was all about the Bank of England overnight, with the bank over-delivering on expectations for further policy easing,” Jason Wong, a currency strategist at the Bank of New Zealand, said in a commentary. London’s measures came after a string of disappointing announcements out of global central banks

from Tokyo to Europe that came up well short of expectations and dented confidence. World markets had soared through July on promises from leaders of financial support in the wake of the British EU exit vote. The dollar was flat against its major peers ahead of key US jobs data later in the day. The July government employ-

ment figures could offer a clue about the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy plans, after weak second-quarter economic data growth all but ruled out an interest rate hike this year. The greenback fetched 101.24 yen compared with 101.22 yen in US trade, while the euro was at $1.1132 and 112.70 yen against $1.1131 and 112.66 yen. l

Career

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

How to kill your career Common mistakes which effectively stab your professional potential

gotten your priorities jumbled up. Stay hungry, and keep striving to be the best that you can be, even when it seems enough.

Change

A similar sin, fear of change also aims to make you believe things

that’s when the problems will arise. Never be willing to think you have done enough to be special or be treated differently, for once you do, you basically pave the path to lose it all.

All work, no play

While your boss might be happy having you chained to your desk all day and night, it’s important for you understand that your work isn’t everything. Don’t lost sight of the bigger picture, and work smart rather than hard. When you blind yourself to your ultimate purpose, everything else tends to bleed.

Hormonal imbalance

It’s obvious that you will be kicked out of your job if you cannot play nice with others. It’s one case if you are a rude person, but If you have the tendency to illustrate your every emotion at every moment, it’s a whole other level of nuisance for the people you work with. When your expression clearly shows annoyance at your seniors’ orders or you give off an obvious grunt of annoyance at every bad joke cracked at the corporate stairway, no one will like you. The battle here is between diplomacy and honesty. While honestly is appreciated, a certain level of diplomacy is definitely expected. Practice your poker face, and learn how to keep people in the dark about what you’re thinking. It comes off handy.

Being a pet

Photo: Bigstock

n Rad Sharar Bin Kamal The following are minute factors which add up to a paramount change in your professional life. The person who can damage your career the most is you, but realising that alone will help you leap forward in it.

Promising more, delivering less It’s easy to promise people the world and gain their trust on your words, especially if you have a reputation of honesty and persistence placed on you. The problem is that there is no need to pound additional pressure on yourself when it will make you look bad. If you promised three days on a project but took a fourth to pull through, no matter how well the job was executed, you have missed your deadline. The moment you give your word to someone, they expect nothing less. You could have lowered

expectations and have done the same job without looking like a failure. The message here is to understand that perception matters more than reality. Be realistic when it comes your words and try not to impress at every curve. Consistency is far more valuable that exceptional shortterm performance, in most cases.

Complacency

When was the last time you updated you resume, or cleaned up your LinkedIn account? If you can’t remember, chances are that you have become complacent, or in other words, displaying a smug sense of self-satisfaction. Why does it happen? You think everything will be the same as it always was and things will never change, till it does. Change is inevitable, and if you have become too engrossed to learn new things, improve your skills or expand your network, you have successfully

will stay the same and usher you into a toxic comfort zone. The most successful professionals have a reputation of accepting change and adapting to them in a heartbeat. Now let’s talk about the more applicable part. Change will not only come professionally, but personally as well, and the latter has a superb talent to hamper your performance in the former. Wherever there is change, it needs to be remedied with a strong sense and capability of balance. For instance, if a relationship with your significant other fell apart, it should not be a reason for your job to fall apart either, and vice versa.

Egoistic rant

Success is a real morale booster, but like everything in the world, too much of it tends to lead a person to think he’s Batman or Wonderwoman. If you have had a string of positive results at your job, it may get to your head, and

We all know that sucking up to your boss has its perks, but understand that real respect can never be gained by being a impeccably groomed office chihuahua. Most people often try to gain favours by stroking their boss’s ego rather than earning a relationship based on respect. The first option also belittles you in front of your colleagues and co-workers. There’s no substitute for a job well done, and you wish to have that perfect boss-employee bond, authenticity is a must.

Politically active

With the relationship with your boss part covered, let’s move on to being successfully respected by your colleagues. This segment actually matters more, as they are the people who can make your life miserable if you make their day dreadful. Working hard to gain actual respect is a different concept to undermining others, initiating conflict, playing with emotions, spreading rumours and picking sides. It would be more prudent if you stick to tried-and-tested strategies which you shall be proud to talk about. l

Internships

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

9 tips to turn your internship into a full-time job n Muzakkir Hossain When recent university graduates seek internships, they are essentially testing the waters to decide which sector they want to build their career in. Internships, however, also give employers a chance to find dependable people with strong work ethics. If you have landed an internship at a company you would consider working for, these tips shall increase the likelihood of you landing that full-time job by the end of it.

Greet everyone you meet

This tip should actually go down as a rule to follow regardless of where you are in life. A successful career requires healthy work relationships. Greeting everyone you meet will allow you to exhibit your presence and enthusiasm, while also give away a positive and friendly vibe for everyone else working with you. After all, if you hope to build your career in that company, you cannot hide under a rock forever.

Research

We have mentioned this before, and we will mention it again. Do your research. Do it before you apply for a company, do it before you interview, do it after you get the internship, do it during your internship. Research and learn all you can about the company, the industry and how the company places against its competition. You cannot provide useful comments unless you know exactly where the company is headed.

Keep yourself busy

You can grow and discover a new side of yourself during an internship, but that will only happen if you put your all into it. Sure, you might not be getting paid much (or nothing at all), but remember that you are doing this for yourself. Ask your supervisor for work. When you are done and cannot find any more work, take initiative and start something new. Set goals for yourself to make sure you get all the relevant skills that the employer looks for in a full-time employee. That is vital.

Be prepared to work

Joining an internship, you might want to jump right into the big leagues and sit down in board meetings. If you are delegated to doing grunt work like filing and printing from time to time, don’t start getting ideas about quitting. Remember that as an intern, you are at the bottom of the corporate food chain. However, if you end up filling your day with grunt work, you might want to speak to your supervisor about your goals so you get tasks which help you develop.

Ask questions

A wise man by the name of Euripides once said, “Question everything. Learn something. Answer nothing.” When you are in a new environment, do not be afraid to question anything and everything you don’t understand. Stray away from pedantic and irrelevant questions, but otherwise, question everything. Your “intern” status is like blessing for you take advantage of. Asking relevant questions will show your motivation towards the company and the industry. If you happen to

A man by the name of Euripides once said, “Question everything. Learn something. Answer nothing

know everything (only if you know EVERYTHING), go ahead and ask questions you know the answers to. It will show that you are humble and open to knowledge.

Find a mentor

When you join the company, find someone you admire and ask them to be your mentor. You can only find someone if you meet and greet everyone (as outlined above). If you manage to forge a good relationship to your mentor, it will last long after your internship has ended and he/she can recommend you into a fulltime job. A good mentor will be

open to sharing their expertise and see you succeed in your field.

Be professional, stay professional

When you decide to set your foot into a corporate environment, regardless of how “chilled out” and relaxed it is, leave your gossip-monger at home. What happens between you and co-workers, stays between you and your co-workers. Avoid gossip and office politics, as tempting as it sound. You might come off as friendly to a small group of fellow “gossip-ers,” but everyone else will instantly dislike you. Maintaining professionalism will also make you an efficient worker, and hence a better worker.

Develop professional relationships

Before you jump into it, I don’t mean you should start flirting with the other intern. That is as far from what I just outlined above. Communicate with your supervisors regularly and keep them updated of your progress. Additionally keep yourself on top of office communications so you know what is happening. Use your internship as an opportunity to develop your skills of communication which you can use to create a professional network throughout your career.

Show enthusiasm

Employers love enthusiastic employees. So be an employee they love. Do not be afraid as coming off as annoying. Show your enthusiasm and motivation everywhere in the office. Enthusiasm is viral and your enthusiasm can rub off on other existing employees and motivate the whole company as a whole. l

Photo: Bigstock

Career

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

| dress for success |

Suit yourself Find the right suit for your body type

n Sabrina Fatma Ahmad Whether we like it or not, dress codes matter a great deal at work. As free-spirited as you might be, your clothing does send messages about yourself, and your attitude towards your work environment, and can subtly affect your career, so you want to play to your strengths. Starting this week, this limited-edition column will tackle clothing options for different work environments to help you stay fresh and profesh. So let’s talk suits. While it’s not something most women in Dhaka at least will voluntarily throw on, even for work, some multinational banks and hotels mandate suits for their female employees, right along with the men. While these environments are usually strict about the colour and fabric of the suits, there’s no reason why you can’t get yourself to a tailor to tweak the details so that what you

get is a suit that looks polished, classy and powerfully feminine, instead of clunky and mannish. And let’s face it, an impeccably tailored suit signals strength and confidence like no other garment can. So let’s find the right suit for your body type.

Fun-sized femme

If you’re on the petite side, you want a shorter jacket, one that hits an inch or so below the hips, but no lower, and is fitted. Avoid long or oversized jackets that you will drown in. For the trousers, if possible, pick a cropped straight pair that hits right above the ankle bone, and pair with pumps. If that is frowned upon, opt for slightly wide legged trousers with narrow waists, and hems that hit the top of your shoes (heels/wedges are a no-brainer).

Counting the hours

If you’re blessed with voluptuous

Photos: Bigstock

curves, you want a fitted jacket that hugs (not squeezes) the waist, to accentuate your shape. Choose a straight cut that doesn’t add bulk. Same with your trousers; look for a nice straight cut. If your uniform code allows it, a highwaisted jacket that cinches the waist will also work wonders for defining your shape in a classy way. An additional pointer, if the office mandates button-down shirts, don’t button all the way up to your throat; this will only draw attention to your chest and give it a sack-like appearance. Pop the

first two buttons, wear a discreet chain, and if you’re still feeling self conscious, throw a scarf over your shoulder.

Full-figured and fabulous

If you’re on the bigger side, your jacket should be tailored and trim and hit at the hips. Avoid oversized jackets. Straight-cut pants in solid colours, that fall to the bottom of your heel look best. They draw the eye vertically, and distract from your weight.

Bottom heavy belles

If you’re a bit pear-shaped, choose a jacket with some structural support on the shoulders, to distract the eye from all that bass. Go for pants that flare out a bit at the ankle, and absolute no-no on pant pockets, They add unnecessary bulk.

Ruler shaped ranis

If you’re not naturally curvy, you want a longer jacket that cinches at the waist. The other option - if allowed by your workplace - would be peplum jackets. Your trouser options include flares, or jodhpur style tapered pants.

Packing lunch

Ladies, I know we have a problem with “rules” for dressing. While there are those that - out of a genuine desire to be helpful - prescribe certain rules for what to wear, there are others who find said rules mighty stifling. So let’s start with a disclaimer: in this column, we’re going to be talking about guidelines for achieving a certain visual effect using the power of fashion. This column does not advocate body-shaming in any form.

If you’re carrying all your weight in your midsection, opt for a blazer jacket with a single button that closes just under the bust-line. This is an incredibly flattering streamlined look. Again, if possible, a peplum jacket would provide additional coverage.

A tall drink

If you’re on the leggy, lanky side, you can embrace the longer jackets and drapey, oversize styles. Keep the look profesh by making sure the shoulders are fitted. Rolled cuffs on your tailored pants will ooze sophistication, and with this style of trouser, you can even get away with modest heels or flat shoes. Opt for smart ballerinas or tasselled loafers. l

| tech |

Biz Info

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

| dessert |

WE and Banglalink bring exclusive offers on smartphones To add to the joy of the upcoming Friendship Day, smart solution service provider WE and digital communications service provider Banglalink have launched a special campaign that allows users to share certain bonus amounts with their friends. Customers, who will buy any one of the three smartphones (WE B1, V1 and X1) with new or existing Banglalink connection from WE outlets, will receive bonus minutes and data volume on recharge. When a user recharges Tk98, he or she will receive 70MB of data bonus, and the same amount of data bonus will be added to his/her friends’ account. Also, recharging Tk128 will give the customers 100MB of data, and the same amount of data bonus will be added to his/

| meals |

Loiter D85’s specials

Loiter D85 has several set menus specialised for lunch and dinner meals. The options include chicken brochette, (priced at Tk295+), BBQ chicken (priced at Tk295+) and prawn brochette (priced at Tk375+).l

her friend’s account. The bonus is valid for four to five days from the receiving date for all three offers respectively. To share the bonus amount, customers need to send their friends’ mobile number to 4321 after recharging. Customers need to fix a friend’s mobile number even after recharging the mentioned amount. A customer can avail this offer as many times as she or he wants during the campaign period. In addition, a special tariff will not be applicable for bonus usage. During the month-long campaign period, starting from August 7, WE will offer customers with a free selfie stick with the purchase of any of the three smartphones, and a bluetooth headset with the purchase of WE X1.l Tastebud now provides delectable fondant cakes for any type of celebration, small or large!

| food |

Cilantro’s Mexican picks

Cilantro brings you the flavours of Mexican cuisine with its famous quesadilla, which is filled with seasoned chicken, beef or shrimp all wrapped with a tortilla made only from organic ingredients. Filled with cheese and sided with salsa, it is must try for food lovers with a knack for something different. Handpicked and fresh

calamari dipped in airy light batter and fried till golden, served with a succulent house special creamy tartar sauce, is another dish to look out for. With toppings of cheese sauce, flavorsome salsa, crunchy onions, jalapeno and sour cream on crispy tortilla bottoms, their nachos are worthy of mention as well. l

20 Editorial

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

TODAY

A broken system When civil society and intellectuals cannot voice critical thoughts and analysis, one-sided partisan language becomes the political reality -- a reality within which people have to act. This decreases ideas and limits solutions PAGE 21

What banning Muslims would mean The list of exceptions of Muslims allowed to visit the US, should Trump have his way, is likely to grow. And if the criteria applied are objective, it is going to be a very, very long list PAGE 22

Mamata Banerjee’s new name for West Bengal We will have at our disposal, simply by name association, the Bengal tiger, the Bay of Bengal, LA Times South Asia correspondent Shashank Bengali, and last but not least, the Bengal Club 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.

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Olympians, Bangladesh will be cheering for you

he seven Bangladeshi athletes who will compete in five different disciplines at the Rio Olympic Games make us proud. Our nation will be represented by Siddikur Rahman, Shyamoli Roy, Abdullah Hel Baki, Mahfizur Rahman Sagor, Sonia Akter Tumpa, Mezbah Ahmed, and Shirin Akter. Amid a host of domestic problems, the country rallies behind these talented young men and women who will be representing Bangladeshi excellence in the world stage. Bangladesh has never won a medal at the Olympic Games, since it first participated in the event in Los Angeles in 1984. This year, however, we are sending our largest contingent ever, and hopes are high for some exciting competition. The spectacle of the Olympics is the most-watched sporting event on the planet. Our seven athletes will find themselves the company of 11,000 athletes from 206 different countries, with 306 medals up for grabs in 20 different disciplines. But the scope of the Olympics was never limited to just being a sports competition. There is an opportunity here to foster global peace and harmony, and get countries talking to each other with good sportsmanship. Brazil is facing many social and economic challenges this year, and already the Rio Olympics has been subject to much criticism. It will be a test for Rio to conduct the games peacefully and efficiently, but for athletes, from Bangladesh or any other country, going to the Olympics is the dream of a lifetime. Let’s all throw our support behind the seven Bangladeshis who have already accomplished the incredible feat of making it to Rio 2016. Go Bangladesh!

The country rallies behind these talented young men and women who will be representing Bangladeshi excellence in the world stage

Opinion

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

A broken system Have we lost faith in our institutions?

Do we trust the police to always uphold the law?

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

n Morten Koch Andersen

he political situation in Bangladesh is complex and confusing. A range of political agendas and actions converge and collide and analytical predictions and expectations are rarely met or accurate. Information is scarce, fragmented, and always questioned as rumors, biased propaganda, or purposeful distraction. The media and public debate, once prominent and widespread, is challenged from one side by the targeted killings and from the other by the governments security measures of control. It is not surprising that safety and security dominates the agenda in light of recent events, similar to the developments in France. But the difference is, Bangladesh police appear to randomly arrest and detain suspects for weeks and months, forcing inconsistent declarations of guilt, often in secret locations. This do not enhance public trust in law enforcement, not even as a provider of safety. The public debate is naturally preoccupied with discussions on present insecurities and uncertainties. However, this preoccupation with the present risks might shade, question, and turn us away from the fundamental principles of rule of law and democracy. Instead of looking into the events of today and tomorrow, I will take a step back and give a brief interpretation of some of the events that went before and maybe paved the way for the present situation. Not so long ago, many young people of Bangladesh fought for the nation and the state as a democratic ideal. In 2008 the country saw a renewed call for

When civil society and intellectuals cannot voice critical thoughts and analysis, one-sided partisan language becomes the political reality -- a reality within which people have to act. This decreases ideas and limits solutions democracy and rule of law. These demands today remain unfulfilled, and the country has been unable to realise its full potential, as the spirit of change faded off and traditional bipartisan antagonistic politics kicked in. There was a moment of real change and disruption of old forms of politics in the air, especially amongst the student youth who took to the streets to protest and challenge the military. It was based on a dream and an ideal, though distant and unfulfilled, of a just democracy. Not very different from the ideas that initiated and motivated the movement against the Ershad regime in 1990-91, I recall from conversations with activists of both movements. When the Awami league government was elected into office on a platform of modernity and prosperity that was framed around a slogan of Digital Bangladesh based on a plan of economic development for 2020, it soon after disappointed the party’s own postulated ambitions. Political favouritism and corruption, in the form of biased nominations for state positions and distribution of state resources was increasingly reported in the media and known in the public. This was not new. Rather it was a representation of the old and traditional forms of “iconomic” politics -- a contraction of icon and economy -- that have marred Bangladesh since independence. After the government

reinvigorated Bangabandhu’s murder trial process, people were sentenced and executed. It initiated court processes for crimes committed during the Liberation War. People continue to be sentenced and executed. These processes were long overdue. However, they did not just settle outstanding historical issues, but re-produced longstanding fault lines that were recast and co-opted by global discourses. One such an example was the Shahbagh movement that paved the way for the popularisation of the blogger community and discussions about critical thinking, critique, respect and responsibility, and freedom of speech. It was somewhat of a contradictory movement calling for justice and death as well as for a modern secular democracy. Like many similar popular movements around the world, the activists occupied a central part of the city and through endurance and stamina, pushed their demands through and circumvented the ruling of the court. Over time, the movement lost its impetus. It became coopted by traditional politics and the trials lost popular interest but it did provoke a reaction. The Hefazat movement was the local response. It was based on traditional confrontational street politics of crowds, masses, and numbers as the tool through which to attain public attention, political leverage, and bargaining

position. The government effectively stopped it, recognising the political practice and potential, ending in death and injury. The other response was direct and lethal. Resembling similar attacks happening in the world, it appeared as another example of the impetus of global discourses. The hacking to death of known bloggers followed by killings of Christian and Hindu priests, and random foreigners, marked a substantial change in political language and practices in Bangladesh. Claiming to be part of IS and al-Qaeda, they look for global links and attention. Regardless, whether this claim is real or not, they manage to bring, sustain, and situate global discourses in national politics. The horrendous attack on the Gulshan restaurant is the most recent example. However, the use of draconian laws such as the Special Powers Act of 1974 (SPA) and of paramilitary forces such as RAB, established to combat organised crime, have increased since the early 2000s, leaving thousands of people dead, disappeared, and injured. An anti-terrorism ordinance was approved in early 2009, without public consultation and scrutiny. The vague definition of “terrorist activities” was open to include all sorts of political activities. An amendment of the ICT Act increased the punishment to seven

to 14 years in jail, if any person deliberately publishes any material in electronic form that causes the deterioration of law and order, prejudice the image of the state or person, or hurt religious belief. Furthermore, a broadcasting policy along similar lines was introduced, again without any public consultation. The government wanted to bring justice to the victims of the Liberation War, which brought some form of closure to these dramatic events. However, at the same time, it began undermining the very same principles of democratic plurality and human respect they were defending. The active undermining of the rule of law, exemplified by the acts and laws that have followed the SPA of 1974, testifies to the hollowing out of the state as a democratic ideal and practice. However, regardless of the legal and institutional deficiencies, the real threat to any democracy and to development is the negation of voice and criticism. It leads to exclusion, discontent, and potential conflict. When civil society and intellectuals cannot voice critical thoughts and analysis, onesided partisan language becomes the political reality -- a reality within which people have to act. This decreases ideas and limits solutions to those with definitional authority and institutional power to enforce it. The government had all opportunities including general popular support to choose a new path for the country. However, they were not able to fulfill their potential and further develop and sustain a sincere democratic culture, at the same time dealing with historical issues of guilt, suffering, and justice. The processes are on-going, but seem to somehow have lost public interest. Institutional collapse, impunity, corruption, and especially safety, in light of the recent attacks, appear to dominate the public agenda. In the present situation, the ideals of the young activists appear to have lost, challenged and swayed away by a dual and interconnected discourse of violent extremism, on one side, and security, on the other. The question is: Could this have been avoided? l Morten Koch Andersen is a postdoctoral researcher on urban violence at DIGNITY, the Danish Institute Against Torture.

Long Form

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

What banning Muslims from the US would mean Keeping Muslims out would work against Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interests. This is the first part of a two-part long form

American Muslims have laid down their lives for their country

n Ansar Ahmed

he Western media buzz has basically moved on beyond this topic, but the relevance for understanding future leaders of the Western world has not. It is not as scary that Trump can make these kinds of outrageous statements inappropriate for virtually anyone, let alone a candidate for the presidency of the United States -- it is that there are significant numbers of Americans who support those ideas. It is clear to me that this is not the America I came to 35 years ago. Let us think about why Donald Trump is okay with Sadiq Khan, the newly-elected Mayor of London, and a Muslim, visiting the US even after he (Trump) made the call for banning all Muslims from entering the country. The answer is quite simple, actually: Mr Khan demonstrably poses no security, and certainly no terroristic, threat. He has proven to all, whether they like it or not, that he is electable to public office with a popular vote in a highly reputable city in the Western world. As a matter of fact, the list of exceptions of Muslims allowed to

REUTERS

The list of exceptions of Muslims allowed to visit the US, should Trump have his way, is likely to grow. And if the criteria applied are objective, it is going to be a very, very long list visit the US, should Trump have his way, is likely to grow. And if the criteria applied are objective, it is going to be a very, very long list. Like Sadiq Khan, an overwhelming majority of Muslims, in the US and elsewhere, demonstrably pose no security or terrorist threat. One does not have to be elected as the mayor of a large city in the Western world to earn that right; there are several other ways that the same proof of not being a threat can be met. Not all of them involve being named in a media item, or being in the public eye, for their accomplishments. For example, if you visit virtually any hospital, or higher educational institution, or research organisation, or international organisation, or governmental offices, and the like, in the US, you are almost guaranteed to see Muslims working there in very respectable positions.

These are professionals dedicated to their work. They are typically very highly educated, highly skilled, contributing citizens who pay their taxes on time and have no criminal records. Of course, you have the larger diasporas and ethnic enclaves as well, comprised of people of various occupational engagements. They, like the professionals, have made, and are making, significant contributions, particularly the second generation and onwards. For all of these Muslims, the biggest concern is balancing work and family life and how to ensure a bright future for the next generation. In other words, these are indeed the ideal American citizens whose focus is the creation of the good society. They represent the profile that is upheld and sought in a society that seeks peace, stability, and homeostasis. No sane politician would ever want to rid the country

of all of these people. Imagine the tremendous loss to society if there was a mass exodus of all Muslims from the US. I dare say, it will set the country back a couple of centuries with the brain drain, the loss of scientists, doctors, professors, businessmen, and many others who silently and passionately contribute towards the good of the society on a daily basis, year in and year out. Donald Trump would tell you that his proposition is geared towards ensuring greater security for the US. And given recent global events, he does not have a hard time convincing a certain category of people, particularly those who have faced economic hardship (largely attributed to company manufacturing operations moving offshore, and, ironically, that is also something that Trump himself is guilty of doing). Ensuring greater security is not the debate; all of us, everywhere

in the entire world, seek it. It is the strategy by which we seek to achieve it that posits the solution or the enhancement of the problem. Trump is not bothered about a workable strategy, and is not going to spend long hours explaining to the masses the practical ways of ensuring greater security (I am also not sure he knows much about the practical ways). In his crazed fervour to occupy the White House, he chose the simple path -- scapegoating and pointing fingers at an entire group, perhaps knowing fully well that, if he ever makes it, his campaign promises will fall through (like it does for most candidates) and not much will transpire in terms of either banning Muslims or building walls to keep Mexicans out. But, at that point, it will not matter to him. He would have what he sought. l The concluding part of this long form will be published tomorrow. Dr Ansar Ahmed is an Effectiveness Management Consultant, currently employed by Booz Allen Hamilton and working with the US Department of Defense educational activity projects in Washington, DC.

Opinion

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

Why Mamata Banerjee’s new name for West Bengal will change everything overnight West Bengalis will now be known as Bongs from Bongo

n Sandip Roy

he curse of Gopal Krishna Gokhale lives on. It’s been decades since he said: “What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow.” Since then, all kinds of industries from jute mills to tea gardens to Nano plants have packed up and left the state. But Bengalis kept thinking. Meanwhile, the state kept sliding backwards. The more the state slid, the more Bengalis thought. But now, finally, the Age of Mamata has dawned. It is time for action. It’s time for “ekla cholo re.” The indefatigable Didi has had enough. She has, all on her own, come up with a brilliant idea to make the state first class first again. West Bengal will drop its West and immediately miraculously hop skip and jump from 30 in the alphabetical order of Indian states to number 4. Didi will no longer have to wait for

and Arunachal go ahead. This, fellow Indians, is no mean sacrifice in a country where the name is the shortcut to getting ahead. That is why parents all over India are constantly saddling their children with AA-names. Aaradhya. Aarav. Aarna. Aadi. We are an A-plus culture. Bengal is happy to be B-plus, at least for now. The proposed name change makes perfect logical sense. We are a West Bengal in the east of the country. There is no East Bengal to our West Bengal except on the football fields of the Maidan. East Punjab became just Punjab in 1950. The national anthem already refers to Dravida Utkal Banga. And best of all, the rest of India calls Bengalis Bongs for short already. Now we can become the Bongs of Bongo. We could have the Bongo-players of Bongoland Band. The possibilities are mind-bongling. It has a nursery rhyme Abol Tabol flourish to it.

What was Didi thinking?

We will have at our disposal, simply by name association, the Bengal tiger, the Bay of Bengal, LA Times South Asia correspondent Shashank Bengali, and last but not least, the Bengal Club, where the rules of William Thackeray are still in force

every other CM to speak before making her presentation. The Bengal contingent will not have to wait for every other state to pass by in the Republic Day parade before they can impress the president with vague Tagore dance moves in white saris with red borders. The West will be won. The West will be conquered. In a way it already has. Newspapers like The Telegraph have long referred to the state as just Bengal. Mamata’s government doles out Banga-samman or Pride of Bengal awards. The West has long been left by the wayside. It’s time to make it official. However, our Didi is not greedy. As Rajyasree Sen points out in NewsLaundry, “she could well have renamed West Bengal as Aahamori (which means Dear One) and pushed the state to the absolute top of the state pile, but she didn’t.” But no, she has graciously let Andhra and Assam

And yet, Delhi keeps throwing a spanner in the Bengali march to Number 4. When Jyoti Basu had initially proposed a name change, the Atal Behari Vajpayee government had nixed it. Mamata had one misguided moment as well when she wanted to become Paschim Banga which would just moved us ahead of Punjab and Puducherry in the pecking order, which is really not much progress at all. Apparently, many feel that West Bengal preserves in its name the memory of Partition and they are loath to let that go. “The name has a lot of emotions attached to it and the people will not accept such a whimsical change,” says state BJP president Dilip Ghosh, as if Mamata had decided to rename the state as Ma-Maati-Manushdesh. What Ghosh might or might not know is that long before there was West Bengal, there was Banga. The Times of India reports that the

first reference to Banga shows up in the Mahabharata. Raja Samudrasen of Banga was one of Draupadi’s suitors at the swayamvar. Of course, he lost. Yet another example of a Bengali snubbed. And who won? A man with an A-name. But we digress. The time has now come for the descendants of Raja Samudrasen to reclaim their inner Banga. Once we become Bengal, our entire profile changes overnight. We will have at our disposal, simply by name association, the Bengal tiger, the Bay of Bengal, LA Times South Asia correspondent Shashank Bengali, and last but not least, the Bengal Club, where the rules of William Thackeray are still in force. Yes, there will be naysayers. We are a contrary people, and the Automobile Association of Eastern India in West Bengal was a perfect example of our lives as a contradiction. A Twitter wag has

REUTERS

noted that now Didi can have her bongo and play it too. BJP MP Babul Supriyo disapproves of Bongo for that very reason. It can be confused with a musical instrument that is played or bajao-ed, I say don’t worry, be happy. That’s a confusion that’s more than welcome in a state that prides itself on its knack for culture. And it’s better than being confused with Bangla, the country liquor. A little music embedded in our name itself soothes the savage beast. Mamata can declare it the state instrument. There will be some nostalgia of course. Bengalis are prone to nostalgia. It is the indigestion of our souls. They remember the jackfruit and mango trees of their grandparents’ orchard in Rajshahi and Comilla of the “other Bengal.” The West always reminds them of that phantom east and its lost orchards. In a state built on waves of refugees, the West pointed back to a life left behind. Now, only a football club will remind us of that history. But Didi is resolute. Didi is practical. Didi wants to move ahead and not be held back by the past. The centre will not give her the money she wants. At least it can give her the name. l Sandip Roy is the Editor for FirstPost. com and a novelist. He lives in Kolkata. This article previously appeared in Huffington Post India.

24 Sport

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

TOP STORIES

Rio nails opening ceremony With the budget a fraction of recent games, the Brazilians presented a beautiful, thoughtful opening ceremony that spawned celebrations across the city. Of note was an embrace of the LGBT community. PAGE 26

Fizz in good hands, says BCB physician The Bangladesh Cricket Board’s decision to choose Dr Andrew Wallace of Fortius Hospital in London for paceman Mustafizur Rahman’s surgery was due to the experience of the English orthopaedic surgeon. PAGE 26

Aussies wrecked as SL seal series Dilruwan Perera laid bare Australia’s spin frailties again yesterday to spin Sri Lanka to a series-clinching 229-run victory inside three days of the second Test in Galle. The 34-year-old claimed 6-70. PAGE 27

Pep’s XI a million dollar question It was a shocking finish to the EPL season for Manchester City last time around, resulting in the departure of Manuel Pellegrini. And now with the introduction of Pep Guardiola as manager, the City fans are highly expecting a bright future ahead for them. PAGE 28

Bangladesh’s archer Shyamoli Roy aims to shoot an arrow during a training session at the Sambodromo archery venue in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, on the eve of the opening of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games AFP

American Thrasher hits first Rio gold n AFP, Rio de Janeiro US teenager Virginia Thrasher claimed the first Rio Olympics gold medal with her final shot in the shooting yesterday. The 19-year-old won the women’s 10m air rifle title at the Deodoro shooting venue, holding her nerve to see off China’s Du Li on the final shot. She finished with 208 points, one clear of 2004 Athens champion Du. Bronze medal went to China’s defending champion Yi Siling. Olympic chief Thomas Bach looked on in the crowd as the first of 12 gold medals in play on a crammed opening day was awarded. There are more than 300 titles on offer over the next fortnight at the 2016 Olympics. Thrasher claimed gold just 11 hours after Brazilian marathon runner Vanderlei Cordeiro lit the Olympic cauldron at the climax of

Friday’s spectacular opening ceremony. An absorbing competition was led briefly by Daria Vdovina, one of the Russian contingent competing in Rio in the shadow of the massive doping scandal that has dogged the Games build-up. She eventually slipped off the pace to finish fifth. Yi was bang in contention to successfully defend her 2012 crown but sharp shooting saw Thrasher and Du go

head to head, with the American, displaying maturity beyond her years, edging it on the final shot. Surprise absentees from the final were Serbian duo Andrea Arsovic and Ivana Maksomovic, both rated major threats but who misfired in qualifying. For New York native Thrasher this was a dream Olympic debut after only taking up the sport four years ago. l

Shyamoli to face Mexican Gabriela n Tribune Report

Bangladeshi archer Shyamoli Roy will play against Gabriela Bayardo of Mexico in the opening round later this week after finishing 53rd out of 64 participants in the recurve bow event’s ranking round at the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil on Friday. Shyamoli and Gabriela will take on each other in the round of 64 on Thursday at 12:39am in the women’s individual archery event and the winner will move to the round of 32 which no previous Bangladeshi athlete has ever managed before. With Shyamoli taking the field on Friday night, Bangladesh also began their journey at the Rio Olympics. The 22-year old scored a total of 600 points to take 53rd spot while her Mexican counterpart scored 48 more points (648) to finish 12th in the ranking round. Shyamoli, hailing from Narail, earlier clinched her best spot in the 2015 Asian Archery in Thailand where she won gold medal in the recurve bow individual event. There, she also put up her best score of 618. This is her maiden appearance in the biggest and most prestigious sporting event of the world and she got into the Olympics through wild-card. Emdadul Haque Milon took part in the last edition of the Olympics in 2012 London where he crashed out in the first elimination round with a 6-0 defeat against Great Britain’s Larry Godfrey. Milon, on Thursday, said it would be a big achievement for Shyamoli if she can improve her ranking in Rio. l

Sport

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

A LOOK AT HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE RIO 2016 OPENING CEREMONY

LIGHTING THE CALDRON RIO NAILED THE OPENING CEREMONY With the budget a fraction of recent games, the Brazilians presented a beautiful, thoughtful opening ceremony that spawned celebrations across the city. Of note was an embrace of the LGBT community, a nod towards preserving our planet and the lack of an introduction for interim Brazilian president Michel Temer.

Cordeiro de Lima, a marathon bronze medalist at Athens, got the honor of closing the Olympic torch relay. De Lima endeared himself to the world at the 2004 Games when he didn’t let a race-spoiling interference get him down. Brazilian soccer legend Pele declined the role due to his failing health.

GISELE’S FINAL STRUT

FIRST EVER REFUGEE TEAM

THAT GUY FROM TONGA

Dressed in a shimmering gown from controversial designer Alexandre Herchcovitch, Brazil native Gisele Bundchen sashayed across the Maracana Stadium to The Girl From Ipanema in what was her swan song as a runway model.

Time and again, the Olympic games have served to reflect and even amplify this spirit. It has allowed people to represent their countries—even if they weren’t officially recognized by their neighbors or members of the United Nations. But this summer, one group’s participation will doubtless outshine even Kosovo’s historic inclusion. The first ever refugee team will participate at the games in Rio, representing not a country, but the 65 million people displaced (internally, or outside their country) by war and persecution.

The island nation may have just a single medal ever (a silver in 1996), but it sparked a buzz around the stadium and across the Internet with oiled-up flagbearer Pita Nikolas Taufatofua. The 32-yearold taekwondo competitor is in his first Games.

Sport

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

Shakib’s Jamaica in CPL final n Tribune Report All-rounder Shakib al Hasan’s three wickets in an over guided Caribbean Premier League Twenty20 franchise Jamaica Tallawahs to the final following their 19-run win (Duckworth/Lewis method) against Trinbago Knight Riders in Saint Kitts on Friday. Shakib’s Jamaica will take on Guyana Amazon Warriors in the grand finale today at 5am (Bangladesh standard time). The Bangladesh all-rounder came on to bowl in the 11th over when Trinbago needed 40 runs from 12 balls. Shakib, bowling his second over, went for a boundary off the first ball but bounced back nicely in the next delivery, removing South Africa’s Hashish Amla (37 off 28). With Sunil Narine on strike, the third delivery of the over went for a six but in the very next ball, Shakib removed him. Shakib bagged his third wicket of the over, and the game, after he removed Dwayne Bravo for a golden duck. Earlier, Andre Russell struck a 42-ball century, his first in T20 cricket, to lift Jamaica to 195 and set up a convincing win to seal their place in the CPL 2016 final. After a lengthy rain interruption during the run chase, Trinbago’s adjusted target of 130 in 12 overs always looked out of their reach.l

Fizz in good hands, says BCB physician n Minhaz Uddin Khan

Andre Russell (R) of Jamaica Tallawahs celebrates his century as teammate Jonathan Foo looks on during the Hero Caribbean Premier League Play-off at Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts CPL T20

BCB in tussle with Kalpage over return n Minhaz Uddin Khan Bangladesh Cricket Board will take necessary legal action if national assistant coach Ruwan Kalpage fails to respond to the board’s query of joining the office. BCB’s media and communication chairman Jalal Younus informed this to Dhaka Tribune yesterday. Following the terrorist attacks in Dhaka and Sholakia in July this

year, the foreign staff of the Bangladesh cricket team expressed concerns with the security. BCB president Nazmul Hasan had said the board understands their worries and arranged the required security to satisfy the foreigners. Satisfied with the security arrangement, national fielding coach Richard Halsall and trainer Mario Villavarayan reached Dhaka yesterday. Head coach Chandika Hathurus-

ingha is set to arrive by today or tomorrow while BCB’s High Performance unit coach Simon Helmot is expected to reach Dhaka on Tuesday. However, Kalpage showed dissatisfaction with BCB’s arrangement and apparently taking advantage of the situation has demanded a hike in his payment. Kalpage, who joined the Tigers as the assistant and spin coach on August 2014, has demanded a change in

his contract with the BCB. “We are discussing with the CEO (Nizamuddin Chowdhury) as to what can be done. He (Kalpage) has a contract with the board and we will look into it. We might set a time for him to reach Dhaka. If he does not respond, we will take action accordingly,” said Younus. It is understood that BCB’s legal team is looking into the papers to counter the former Sri Lanka cricketer’s claims. l

Sk Russel continue wretched run n Tribune Report

An action from the BPL match between Sheikh Russel (R) and Soccer Club

Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra continued their awful run in the Bangladesh Premier League as they conceded their fourth straight defeat, this time at the hands of Feni Soccer Club at Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh yesterday. The shift of venues, from Chittagong’s MA Aziz Stadium to Mymensingh, failed to improve the fortune of the former treble winners, who went down to a 2-0 loss against unfancied Soccer Club. Ghanaian striker Twum Frank put Feni ahead in the opening half

before Chowmrin Rakhaine doubled the lead in the second half to seal their first victory in the league after two draws in their first three matches in Chittagong. The loss ensured Maruful Haque’s side would remain at the bottom of the table without a single point while Feni climbed to joint fifth place with five points from four games. However, it was Sheikh Russel who went close to scoring in the 10th minute when defender Mintu Sheikh’s closerange header from a Monayem Khan Raju free-kick went wide. Just two minutes later, Sheikh Russel’s Shakhawat Hossain Rony

got another opportunity but headed inches wide from the edge of the six-yard box following a Jamal Bhuiyan free-kick. Frank though soon gave Feni the breakthrough in the 35th minute after a defensive blunder from the opposition. The Ghanaian striker collected a poor clearance before unleashing a grounder from the edge of the box that beat Sheikh Russel goalkeeper Liton. Rumman Sarkar squandered a great chance to equalise the margin in the 39th minute after Jamal set him up with a neat cutback inside the penalty area. Another Sheikh Russel

The Bangladesh Cricket Board’s decision to choose Dr Andrew Wallace of Fortius Hospital in London for paceman Mustafizur Rahman’s surgery was due to the experience of the English orthopaedic surgeon. Mustafizur is set to go under the blade on Thursday at Bupa Cromwell Hospital in London, an internationally renowned private hospital. According to chief BCB physician Dr Debashish Chowdhury, the board had discussions with three surgeons - two based in England, as advised by the England and Wales Cricket Board, and another in Australia. The three surgeons advised surgery for Mustafizur, who suffered SLAP (Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior) tear in his left shoulder in England recently. Dr Wallace was an easy choice for the BCB, given his experience in sports surgery. The English surgeon played a crucial role in the London Olympics in 2012 and has treated many cricketers from England and India, including the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Ashish Nehra, who returned back to the game gaining full fitness. Sachin underwent a shoulder operation under the supervision of Dr Wallace at the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth on March 27, 2006. “He has very rich experience with sports surgery. The surgery should not last more than 30 to 40 minutes. The toughest part of this surgery is the rehab, which can last at least five months,” Dr Debashish told the media yesterday. Dr Debashish informed that another Bangladesh pacer Rubel Hossain also underwent the same operation. “It took around nine months for Rubel to recover. We are expecting Mustafizur to get fit within five to six months,” said the chief BCB physician.l

RUSSEL’S LAST 3 MATCHES Jul 24 Jul 28 Aug 1

Sheikh Russel 0-1 Uttar Baridhara Rahmatganj 2-0 Sheikh Russel Sheikh Russel 1-2 Ctg Abahani

RESULT Sheikh Russel

0-2

Soccer Club

Frank 35, Chowmrin 81

TODAY’S MATCH BJMC v Mohammedan, 4pm

attack, Fikru’s left-footed volley in the 53rd minute, flew over the bar. Chowmrin killed off Sheikh Russel’s hopes in the 80th minute by doubling the lead. Receiving a pass from Sharan Hawlader, Chowmrin drifted past his marker to break into the penalty area before sending the ball into the back of the net. l

Sport

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 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)

Midfielder Milner quits England duty

AUSTRALIA 1ST INNINGS 106 all out in 33.2 overs (David Warner 42; Rangana Herath 4-35, Dilruwan Perera 4-29)

England midfielder James Milner has retired from international football, the FA said on Friday. The 30-year-old Liverpool player, who won 61 caps in a seven-year international career, informed new England manager Sam Allardyce of his decision this week. “I would like to thank Sam for taking the time to come and see me in person and have the conversation,” Milner said. Allardyce paid tribute to his contribution to the team.

SRI LANKA 2ND INNINGS 237 all out in 59.3 overs (Angelo Mathews 47, Dilruwan Perera 64; Mitchell Starc 6-50)

–REUTERS

Sammy sacked ‘in 30-second phone call’ Darren Sammy, who led West Indies to the World Twenty 20 title in 2012 and 2016, claimed Friday he has been sacked as captain in a 30-second phone call from the head of selectors. He posted an video on his Facebook page where he said his six-year spell in charge had ended. Sammy also said he had been dropped from the squad. “I got a call yesterday, it was probably 30 seconds, from the chairman of selectors telling me that they’ve reviewed the captaincy of the Twenty20 team and I won’t be captain anymore” Sammy said in the video. –AFP

DAY’S WATCH OLYMPICS STAR SPORTS 1, 2, 3, 4 5:30PM, 12.30AM Rio Olympic Games Daily live coverage

FOOTBALL SONY SIX 9:00PM FA Community Shield Man United v Leicester City

TEN 1 Sky Bet EFL 2016/17 5:00PM QPR v Leeds United 9:30PM Sheffield Wednesday v Aston Villa

BOXING SONY SIX 7:00AM HBO Boxing Andre Ward v Alexander Brand

CRICKET TEN 2 1:30PM New Zealand Tour of Zimbabwe 2nd Test, Day 2

TEN 3 10:30AM Australia Tour of Sri Lanka 2nd Test, Day 4

AUSTRALIA 2ND INNINGS (target: 413 runs; overnight 25/3) D. Warner lbw b Perera J. Burns c de Silva b Herath N. Lyon c Silva b Dilruwan Perera U. Khawaja b Dilruwan Perera S. Smith c Silva b Perera A. Voges b Perera M. Marsh lbw b Sandakan P. Nevill run out (Mendis) M. Starc b Herath J. Hazlewood c&b Perera J. Holland not out Extras (lb7)

41 2 0 0 30 28 18 24 26 7 0 7

31 4 7 1 58 70 39 38 31 20 2

Total (all out; 50.1 overs)

183

Fall of wickets 1-3 (Burns), 2-10 (Lyon), 3-10 (Khawaja), 4-61 (Warner), 5-80 (Smith), 6-119 (Marsh), 7-123 (Voges), 8-164 (Starc), 9-181 (Hazlewood), 10-183 (Nevill) Bowling Herath 19.1-1-74-2, Perera 23-5-70-6, Sandakan 6-1-30-1, De Silva 2-0-2-0

Sri Lanka players celebrate the wicket of Australian batsman Peter Nevill during the third day of their second Test at The Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle yesterday AFP

Sri Lanka beat Australia by 229 runs Sri Lanka lead the three-match series 2-0

Perera wrecks Australia as Sri Lanka seal series n Reuters Dilruwan Perera laid bare Australia’s spin frailties again yesterday to spin Sri Lanka to a series-clinching 229-run victory inside three days of the second Test in Galle. The 34-year-old claimed 6-70 as the world’s top-ranked Test team folded for 183 in their pursuit of an improbable 413-run victory target. The off-spinner became the first Sri Lankan player to score a fifty and claim 10 wickets in the same match as the hosts clinched their first Test series victory over Aus-

tralia since 1999. Perera also became the fasTest Sri Lankan to claim 50 Test wickets, achieving the feat in his 11th match, and won the man-of-thematch award for his all-round brilliance. Resuming day three on 25 for three, Australia captain Steve Smith (30) and deputy David Warner (41) showed positive intent, frequently using their feet against the spinners even though they were merely delaying a defeat that looked inevitable. Perera separated them when he

trapped Warner leg-before with a straight delivery. The batsman reviewed the decision but could not get it overturned. The spinner then returned to induce Smith into giving a bat-pad catch to Kausal Silva at forward short leg and went on to complete his five-wicket haul when Adam Voges (28) attempted a reverse sweep only to have his leg stump pegged back. Mendis displayed tremendous reflexes as he stopped a Peter Nevill shot at forward short leg and flicked it back on the stumps to run

Latham century as NZ dominate first day n Reuters, Bulawayo Tom Latham scored a century for a second successive match as New Zealand pulverised the home bowling to finish on 329 for two on the first day of the second Test against Zimbabwe yesterday. Latham, who made 105 in the first Test, scored 136 before being caught and bowled in the last over of the day by part- timer spinner Sean Williams. Captain Kane Williamson, playing his 50th Test, will start on Sunday five runs short of his century and completing a re-

2ND TEST, DAY 1 NEW ZEALAND 329/2 (Latham 136, Williamson 95, Guptill 87) v ZIMBABWE cord of tons against each of the Test playing nations. Martin Guptill was the first man out, trapped lbw to a full delivery from Donald Tiripano. Guptill went for 87 after sharing an aggressive opening partnership of 167 with Latham on a slow wicket after Williamson won the toss. Latham’s century came up off 190 balls.l

out the batsman and trigger wild celebrations at the Galle International Stadium. Sri Lankan spinners claimed 18 of the 20 Australian wickets to fall in the conTest, underlying the tourists’ struggle on turning tracks. Among the visitors, only paceman Mitchell Starc redeemed himself with a match haul of 11 wickets on a spin-friendly track, while none of the Australian batsmen managed a fifty. The teams now move to Colombo for the third and final Test from next Saturday. l

Shah strikes as Eng lose Root n AFP, Birmingham Pakistan’s Yasir Shah took the key wicket of Joe Root as England found runs hard to come by on the fourth day of the third Test at Edgbaston yesterday. At tea, England were 262 for four in their second innings - a lead of 159 runs - after losing both Root (62) and James Vince (42). Gary Ballance (21 not out) and Jonny Bairstow (two not out) were unbeaten.l

DAY 4, AT TEA ENGLAND 297 & 262/4 (Cook 66, Root 62, Hales 54) v PAKISTAN 400 ENGLAND LEAD BY 159 RUNS

Sport

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

Guardiola’s formation a million dollar question n Fazley Rabbi Moon It was a shocking finish to the English Premier League season for Manchester City last time around, resulting in the departure of Manuel Pellegrini. And now with the introduction of Pep Guardiola as manager, the City fans are highly expecting a bright future ahead for them. Guardiola, after his mesmerising records in Spain and Germany, now looks to try his hand in the Premier League where he will be challenged by great mangers like Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger, Juergen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino and Claudio Renieri. However, with the signings of Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus and Marlos Moreno, the former Bayern Munich coach has already showed some impact. The class of Guardiola has always been doubted for working in easy jobs - managing super giants Bayern and Barcelona. But this time, the Catalan will have no such luck in Manchester as the team he has given showed tactical down-

falls under Pellegrini. The 45-year old has a big challenge ahead of him to shape up the team to his standards. The football world will be looking at the jobs facing him and how he will react to make his arrival a successful one. City will start their new season on Saturday against Sunderland at Etihad Stadium where all eyes will be on Guardiola to see what formation he deploys on his EPL debut. He was famous for his perfect 4-3-3 system during his Barcelona days, which hard-pressed the ball and rarely gave it back again after winning. Guardiola had the perfect team consisting few of the world’s best individuals in Barcelona. After moving to Bayern, he had to change the structure almost on a weekly basis, giving less priority on his tactics to get the results. Ex-City boss Pellegrini was never a good fan of the four-man defensive 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation as he argued that put your best players upfront and the rest would take care of automatically. But one of Guardiola’s innovative training drills involved setting up cones in the back half of the ground to ensure his defensive players stayed to their places. And he always expects his brilliant attacking midfielders to interchange and create chaos across the front half.

So there is a fine line between his approaches at Bayern and Barcelona and the question is will he use any of his previous plans at City this time. Let’s try guessing a few of Guardiola’s potential formations.

Guardiola came to limelight with the 4-4-3 formation in Barcelona which gave him instant rewards and arguably this plan would work at City. With the recent inclusion of Sane and Nolito, he is strengthening his wide attacking

options while Gundogan will fight it out with Fernandinho and Fabian Delph for the central places. Guardiola started at Bayern with the 4-1-4-1 formation and that could be his first City set-up, as they already have enough efficient players for this. Gundogan along with Brazilan duo Fernandinho and Fernando could all lead the attack while Jesus Navas, Sane, Nolito and Raheem Sterling will provide pace and width. Proven stars David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne can play behind Sergio Aguero. There is another formation of 3-3-3-1 he can possible apply with this squad. French duo Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy can both play in a back three. To apply this, Guardiola needs to coach the squad and there is no doubt that he has the midfielders to play like this. 3-4-2-1 is a pattern that highly depends on dominating possession, needs a high degree of coaching and uses wing backs for width. It would need a lot of time for Guardiola to knock the current Sky Blues squad into this shape. 4-2-3-1 is another system that can fit closely with City’s current squad for its lack of strikers and excess of attacking mids. With all these formations Guardiola will be happy with only two strikers in the squad challenging the traditional EPL thought of including four.l

Ibra wants winning start FIVE KEY COMMUNITY SHIELD QUESTIONS n Reuters Zlatan Ibrahimovic has predicted that he will begin his Manchester United career with a trophy when the team meet Leicester City in

the Community Shield at Wembley today. “I’m used to winning trophies; I didn’t come here to waste time,” said Ibrahimovic, who is in line to make his competitive debut for United after joining them on a free transfer from Paris St-Germain in July, having enjoyed a trophy-laden career to date. The 34-year-old Swede plans to set the tone for what he hopes will be a successful spell at Old Trafford and help the FA Cup holders to get Jose Mourinho’s reign off to a winning start against the Premier League champions. “That is the first trophy we will bring home,” he told Manchester United TV. “For me, every trophy is very serious. I have collected 30 trophies and I want to collect more of them. I’m not satisfied until I collect everything. “I didn’t come here to lose time,” the former AC Milan striker continued. “I came here to win. I believe the philosophy is the same for the club, especially a club like this. They are made to win.” Last season, Ibrahimovic helped PSG to win a second successive domestic treble, winning Ligue 1, the French Cup and the French League Cup.l

Will Mourinho make his mark?

Jose Mourinho will be keen to mark his first significant outing as United manager with a tone-setting victory as he looks to improve his disappointing Community Shield record. Since his Chelsea team defeated Arsenal in 2005, Mourinho has been beaten three times in the fixture. Last year’s first ever loss to arch rival Arsene Wenger culminated in the feuding managers refusing to shake hands.

No regrets for Vardy?

Jamie Vardy’s meteoric rise from non-league obscurity to Premier League champion was last season’s fairytale and the Leicester striker is determined to ignore the trappings of sudden celebrity. Vardy, who scored 24 league goals last season, has described his life since Leicester’s triumph as “carnage”. The 29-year-old says he cannot even leave his house without being mobbed and he will be relieved to be able to focus on the pitch again.

‘Bromance’ for Ibra and Rooney?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic hailed Wayne Rooney as the “perfect partner for a striker” after United’s Swedish forward played alongside the England star for the first time last month. Rooney finished last season in an unfamiliar midfield role, but Mourinho wants United’s captain to return to a more attacking position despite the arrival of Ibrahimovic from Paris Saint-Germain. Ibrahimovic has been a star wherever he has played in his glittering career, but this is his first taste of English football and his ability to dovetail with Rooney will be crucial to both his and United’s success.

Can United find the right defensive recipe?

Mourinho’s predecessor, Louis van Gaal, was lambasted for the dire quality of United’s football, but his team were a solid prospect defensively. No Premier League team recorded more clean sheets than United’s 18 last season and they boasted the division’s joint-best defensive

record along with Tottenham Hotspur. But changes in United’s back four are afoot, with left-back Luke Shaw fit again and Mourinho splashing out £30 million ($39.5 million, 35.4 million euros) to sign Ivorian centre-back Eric Bailly from Villarreal.

Will Ranieri’s new boys bed in?

With the Premier League title to defend and a first Champions League campaign to prepare for, Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri has bolstered his squad with his latest series of under-the-radar signings. Having already benefitted from astute scouting that unearthed gems like Vardy, N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez, Ranieri will hope for similar dividends from Ahmed Musa, Nampalys Mendy, Luis Hernandez and Bartosz Kapustka. Musa, Leicester’s £16 million record signing from CSKA Moscow, could be the best of the bunch. The Nigerian striker struck twice, including a superb solo effort, in a mid-week friendly defeat against Barcelona. With Kante having left for Chelsea, his replacement, French midfielder Mendy, also needs to make a fast start. l

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Corolla leaf (5) 4 Maximum (4) 7 Tree (3) 8 Rudimentary shoot (3) 9 Tempest (5) 12 Precious stones (4) 13 Of grave aspect (7) 15 Spanish nobleman (3) 16 Modest (3) 18 Flightless bird (3) 19 Wrongdoing (3) 21 Withdrawn (7) 24 Trick (4) 26 Backbone (5) 27 Church seat (3) 28 Female swan (3) 29 Actual (4) 30 Requires (5)

DOWN 1 Go by (4) 2 High regard (6) 3 Thunder god (4) 4 Drinking vessels (4) 5 Lyric poem (3) 6 Irritable (5) 10 Disencumber (3) 11 American elk (5) 14 Single entities (5) 17 Laid bare (6) 18 Mistake (5) 20 Pinch (3) 21 Stagger (4) 22 Mature (4) 23 Lairs (4) 25 Mineral spring (3)

Downtime

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 11 represents W so fill W every time the figure 11 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

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

Rita Ora is taking over for Tyra Banks on America’s Top Model

n Showtime Desk America’s Next Top Model will be back on the runway soon. Tyra Banks remains on board as an executive producer of new episodes of the long-running

reality franchise, but will not return as host. The 25-year-old Rita Ora will be accompanied on the panel by Pussycat Dolls’ Ashley Graham, Drew Elliot from Paper magazine and stylist Law Roach, who works

Box office breakdown

n Mahmood Hossain No matter what the critics say, it won’t stop moviegoers from enjoying an outing with the Suicide Squad. Already given a clear indication of how well the film would do in the tracking stages before release, the squad is heading for a very impressive $140 million opening weekend mark. Gathered by early estimates, the film is being played in 4,255 locations in the US, and will end up in the top 20 domestic launches of all time. Guardians of the Galaxy held onto the record for August openings for the past two years, until this pack of supervillains demolished the former’s record. Suicide Squad has officially been the third biggest openings in 2016, lead by Captain America: Civil War and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. You’d think the recent terrible reviews from critics would hurt the film’s box office numbers, but it seems the 26% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes has had no affect for the audience.

Warner Bros (the film’s studio) spent around $175 million to make this film, adding to the growing DC Cinematic Universe. The amount of support from fans has shown to be a huge advantage of the film’s success in theatres. With over 4 million followers for the film on Facebook, it also broke the record for August pre-release ticket sales. Although the rising success won’t be slowing down anytime soon, the film is highly unlikely to be released in China, which will serve the newest DC instalment a large blow. In addition, the film is estimated to make over $100 million from the worldwide box offices by the end of the threeday opening. And the film is unlikely to be nudged off the top, as Universal’s Jason Bourne is thought to bring in another $21 million, with a large drop from its initial weekend release. It still will garner over $100 million domestically, with the worldwide numbers yet to be decided. Bad Moms, which most didn’t expect much of, did quite well within the 10 days it’s been in theatres, bringing in about $50 million. Finally, The Secret Life of Pets finishes fourth at $10 million, racking up to a 31-day total of $318 million. You can safely assume that animated movie will be receiving a sequel treatment. l

for Celine Dion among others. The hit US reality show was cancelled by CW a few months ago after 22 seasons, but is now on its way back on to rival channel VH1. There is the obvious question if it will be the same without 42-year-old Tyra. The reason for the line-up change remains unknown, but as Tyra is now a mother to a small baby, it’s probably to do with her schedule, and Rita’s general ubiquity. People are already speaking up about the new change, saying things along the lines of, “But Rita’s not a catwalk model, she’s a pop singer and an occasional movie star!” Although, she has judged people on The Voice UK and The X Factor, and those jobs went relatively well, when she wasn’t crushing the soul of Olly Murs. Rita was labelled a “ditz” by X Factor head honcho Simon Cowell,

after working with him last year. This part of her personality is sure to be one of the reasons why she’s landed this plum job on America’s Got Talent. It was known to all that a few months ago, America’s Next Top Model was cancelled. It was a shame, but these things happen. The show had ran for an unprecedented 22 seasons, boasted 14 judges, crowned 22 winners including a female model that is below 5ft 7”, one plus sized model and one girl who won it twice. However, Rita is no Tyra. No one can be Tyra Banks. Tyra simultaneously filled the role of big sister, model coach, toughlove giver, class clown, matriarch, dream breaker, dream fulfiller and celebrity with their own side projects that they’re keen to plug. Tyra was everything. Can Rita Ora really fill in those very large and intimidating shoes? Only time will tell. l

Zorro is now in Finding Altamira

n Showtime Desk A new movie trailer, starring the Mask of Zorro star was released recently. Finding Altamira stars Antonio Banderas and Rupert Everett among others and is set in 1879. The film follows the trail of archaeologist (Banderas) who stumbles upon paintings with his daughter in a cave, in northern Spain, that brings to question the current conceptions of faith and being. The synopsis in short, in 1879, Spanish archaeologist Marcelino (Banderas) and his daughter Maria (Allegra Allen) discover seemingly impossible paintings of galloping bison

adorning the walls of a hidden cave in northern Spain. The cave of Altamira brings the world together in amazement, drawing people of all types to see the paintings in person. But, Marcelino soon realises that the art on the walls must be 10,000 years old, earlier than anyone believes possible. The theory threatens to tear Maria and Marcelino’s family apart, while the outside world’s astonishment soon turns to fury and fear. Directed by filmmaker Hugh Hudson, the film also stars Irene Escolar, Tábata Cerezo, Pierre Niney and Golshifteh Farahani. Finding Altamira is set for release on September 16. l

WHAT TO WATCH

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Movies Now 9:30pm A goofy detective specializing in animals goes in search of a missing dolphin mascot of a football team. Cast: Jim Carrey, Courtney Cox, Sean Young Wild Wild West HBO 9:30pm The two best hired guns in the West must save President Grant from the clutches of a nineteenth-century inventorvillain. Cast: Will Smith, Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh The Hangover Part II WB 7:09pm Two years after the bachelor party in Las Vegas, Phil, Stu, Alan, and Doug jet to Thailand for Stu’s wedding. Stu’s plan for a subdued pre-wedding brunch, however, goes seriously awry. Cast: Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms Safe Zee Studio 9:30pm Mei, a young girl whose memory holds a priceless numerical code, finds herself pursued by the Triads, the Russian mob, and corrupt NYC cops. Coming to her aid is an ex-cage fighter whose life was destroyed by the gangsters on Mei’s trail. Cast: Jason Statham, Catherine Chan, Chris Sarandon Life of Pi Star Movies 7:00pm A young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal tiger. Cast: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Adil Hussainl

Your August releases

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

All-time August hits

n Showtime Desk

We’ve only spent a single week of August, and if you haven’t already picked up in this month’s movie releases, there’s a couple you might have missed on and plenty more to watch. Here’s a list of the films of August releases.

The lists don’t end folks! While there are plenty of films to go watch at the theatres now, we’ve gathered a list of the top hits in the month of August from the past years. We’re pretty sure there might be a few films you haven’t seen and plenty on the list you won’t mind re-watching. The following are the title of the films and their opening weekend box office numbers.

Kubo and the Two Strings

Suicide Squad

We know you’re sick and tired of seeing everything about this squad. But can you really blame all the film enthusiasts? Released a few days ago, this was the most anticipated summer movie of 2016. The film stars Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Viola Davis, Jared Leto, Cara Delevigne and more.

Kubo, voiced by Game of Thrones actor Art Parkinson (Bran Stark), is a humble storyteller who accidentally summons a spirit from his past. As he runs from the revenge-seeking spirit, Kubo crosses paths with dozens of characters voiced by Matthew McConaughey, Charlize Theron, Ralph Fiennes, Rooney Mara and more. This animated feature will surely be a hit for all ages.

Southside With You

Ben-Hur

Hands of Stone

The last major film to be released in August is Hands of Stone. It’s a bit too soon, but there could be plenty of Oscar buzz around this film. Here the audience will follow the story of legendary Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran from his debut at 16 years old to his 1980 victory over Sugar Ray Leonard and his eventual retirement at 50. Edgar Ramirez, Ana de Armas and Robert De Niro star in this action-packed biopic.

Showtime

Before you make your judgements, this reboot of the 1959 original stars Jack Huston as Judah Ben-Hur. A promising actor? Sure. However, this won’t guarantee a blockbuster hit. Although a new take of an original is intriguing prospect. Look at it this way, if you don’t like this version, the original will always be there for you to watch. Ben-Hur is about a prince wrongly accused of treason by his brother, a high-ranking officer of the Roman army. When he returns home after years at sea, the scorend prince seeks his revenge guided by a sheik played by Morgan Freeman.

Here’s an interesting outing. Southside With You recounts the story of how President Barack Obama wooed his future First Lady, Michelle Obama. Taking place in South Side of Chicago, in the summer of 1989, the film is produced by musician John Legend.

War Dogs

Here’s a meaty film that both

Jonah Hill and Miles Teller have sunk their teeth into, even though it’s a laugh out loud comedy. Set in Miami Beach during the Iraq War, the two leads somehow land a $300 million contract with the US government to arm the Afghan Army, which tosses them into business with some very unlikely partners. The film is directed by Todd Phillips, who also directed The Hangover. l

Guardians of the Galaxy (opened with $94,310,883)

The Bourne Ultimatum (opened with $69,283,690)

Rush Hour 2 (opened with $67,408,222)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014; opened with $65,575,105)

Straight Outta Compton (opened with $60,200,180)

Signs (opened with $60,177,080)

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (opened at $54,806,191)

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (opened at $54,713,046)

Rush Hours 3 (opened with $49,100,158)

10.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (opened with $47,042,215)

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

SOFTWARE EXPORT SOARS IN FY 2016 PAGE 12

AMERICAN THRASHER HITS FIRST RIO GOLD PAGE 24

YOUR AUGUST RELEASES PAGE 31 Diplomatic area gets new transport system from August 10 n Shohel Mamun An alternative transport system will be come into effect on August 10 at Dhaka’s Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara area. No public transport will be allowed into the areas except 500 rickshaws and 30 AC buses. On July 1, Holey Artisan Bakery was attacked by militants in Gulshan where 20 people were killed including 17 foreign nationals. Since then authorities have beefed up security in the diplomatic area and have taken some initiatives to change the transport system. DNCC Mayor Anisul Haque said: “The circular bus service is likely to be begin from August 10. The fare has been fixed Tk15 for a single trip. The bus route is only within Gulshan and adjacent area.”

A farmer carries few bunches of water lily (shapla) on this shoulders which he gathered from the water-body to sell in local markets. It is common practice among farmers during monsoon. The photo was taken recently from Munshiganj’s Nimtali area MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

DMP to assign tenants ID numbers n Arifur Rahman Rabbi DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia yesterday said that the DMP will assign tenant identification (ID) numbers to keep track of people moving into apartments. The commissioner said: “When a tenant moves to a new apartment, the landlord will give the police the tenant ID number so we can keep track of who lives where.” He also informed that two million tenant information has been already collected which the police will verify by going to each apartment and check the information provided. This tenant information will then be uploaded into a database and given to the beat police. It will also be available on the DMP website, he added. The issue of tenant information being unavailable was highlighted after the Holey Artisan Bakery attack on July 1 as it turned out that some of the attackers had rented apartments without filling out the previously distributed tenant information forms given by the DMP. l

Hearing on proposed gas price hike starts today n Aminur Rahman Rasel An eight-day public hearing on the proposed hike of gas prices begins today. The proposals was submitted by seven state-owned gas transmission and distribution companies to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC). An official of BERC said the hearing will take place at the TCB auditorium in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar. It will also hold a hearing on gas bulk tariff. Different consumer right groups, including Consumers’ Association of Bangladesh (CAB), social organizations, left-leaning political parties have registered their names to participate in the hearing to oppose gas utilities’ hiked price proposals. The seven companies earlier submitted their proposals after the government decided to increase gas transmission and gas prices. The hearing on proposals of the Gas Transmission Company Limit-

ed (GTCL) will be held today, while that of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Ltd will be held on August 8 and Pashchimanchal Gas Company Limited will be held on August 10. The hearing on Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company Limited will be held on August 11 and Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited proposals will be held on August 14. The hearing on proposals of Jalalabad Gas Transmission and Distribution System Limited will be held on August 16 and Sundarban Gas Company Limited will be held on August 17. The bulk tariff hearing of Petrobangla, Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited, Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Limited and Sylhet Gas Fields Limited will be held on August 18. Other companies including Petrobangla submitted their proposals to increase gas bulk tariff. According to their proposals, domestic users will have to pay

Tk1,200 every month instead of Tk650 for double burners, which is an 85% hike in price. On the other hand, Tk1,100 has been proposed for single burners, from the current Tk600. Consumers using meter-based burners will have to pay Tk16.80 instead of Tk7 for per cubic metre of gas, an increase of 140%. The proposals also asked to increase gas prices for commercial use, in power plants and tea gardens. Fertiliser companies and industrial users will also face a price hike under the new proposal. Gas Transmission Company Limited has proposed that the BERC raise gas transmission tariff from Tk0.1565 to Tk0.4213 per cubic metre. In February last year, the BERC organised a series of public hearings after the state-owned gas distribution companies pressed to have gas tariffs increased. After the hearings, the government increased gas prices from September 1 last year. l

The rickshawpullers have already been trained and they must wear an uniform provided by the authorities Anisul also said: “There 500 rickshaws allowed inside the lanes of Gulshan, Baridhara, Banani residential area. We have already selected 1,500 rickshaw-pullers, who will drive in three shifts working eight hours a day.” The mayor made the statement at a seminar at Dhaka’s CIRDAP auditorium jointly organised by the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh and Bangladesh Institute of Planners yesterday. The alternative transport system will be executed jointly by DMP and DNCC. Ashraful Alam, assistant commissioner, diplomatic zone told the Dhaka Tribune: “The alternative transport system for Dhaka’s diplomatic area will help us for ensure security for the residents.” “The rickshaw-pullers collected by local councillors have already been trained, they must wear an uniform provided by the authorities when they will drive rickshaw,” said Ashraful. As per the decision, except selected buses and rickshaws, only private cars belonging to locals and vehicles of organisations located in these areas will be allowed inside the diplomatic area. l

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