18 Sep, 2016 by DhakaTribune

SECOND EDITION

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Ashwin 3, 1423, Zil-Hajj 15, 1437

Regd No DA 6238, Vol 4, No 141

www.dhakatribune.com

32 pages

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Noor Chy’s extradition still a hope n Tribune Desk Bangladesh and Canada have agreed to find out a way for the extradition of Noor Chowdhury, the self-confessed killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman now living in Canada, through discussions. Both countries reached the consensus during a bilateral meeting between Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau at Hyatt Regency Montreal on Friday, reports UNB. Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Huq and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the talks.

The aim of the discussion will be to bring Noor Chowdhury to justice and execute the verdict Shahidul said that the officials of the two countries would sit across the table and find out a way for the extradition of death-row convict Noor from Canada. “The aim of the discussion will

be to bring Noor to justice and execute the verdict of the Bangabandhu assassination case,” he said. Shahidul said that the government had been trying in many ways to bring back Noor from Can-

ada. The consensus would open up a new door in this regard. Earlier, a senior Foreign Ministry official told the Dhaka Tribune that Noor’s political asylum application had been rejected in 2006. At that time the death sentence verdict against him was pending with the Appellate Division. Noor’s diplomatic passport was returned to the Bangladesh High Commission to Ottawa in 2006 and Canada also expressed its interest to send him back to Dhaka. The official said that at that time, a political transition was taking place in Bangladesh and there was no strong effort in bringing him back. Noor then appointed one of the best Canadian immigration law-

yers, Barbara Jackson, and filed an application with the Office of the Canadian Attorney General in mid-2007. Noor’s application is still pending with the office. Former law minister Shafique Ahmed earlier told the Dhaka Tribune that he met his Canadian counterpart in 2009 to extradite the killer, but they said laws restricted them to deport any death-row convict. Shafique said that the government should have appointed a constitutional lawyer in Canada to pursue the deportation case, but instead a commercial lawyer was appointed before the Awami League government took over power in 2009.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

Ex-Canadian PM conferred Liberation War honour

IS propaganda chief killed in airstrike

n BSS

The Pentagon has said that a USled coalition airstrike killed Islamic State leader Wa’il Adil Hasan Salman al-Fayad, who oversaw the militant group’s propaganda, on September 7. Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said on Friday in a statement that the airstrike took place near Raqqa, Syria, and targeted and killed the top IS militant, also known as Dr Wa’il. “He was a close associate of Abu Muhammad al-Adnani, the ISIL spokesman and leader for plotting and inspiring external terror attacks.” On August 30, Islamic State said Adnani was killed in a US airstrike in Syria, which was later confirmed by the Pentagon. The Islamic State group controls parts of Iraq and Syria, and has broadcast its beheadings of journalists and aid workers over the past few years. The group has sympathisers in several countries who have carried out bombings and shootings of civilians. The Pentagon said that Wa’il was the minister of information, and a prominent member of the Islamic State’s Senior Shura Council, or leadership group. A US Defence Department official, speaking on the condition of

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has conferred Bangladesh Liberation War honour posthumously on former Canadian premier Pierre Elliott Trudeau. She handed over the “Friends of Liberation War Honour” award to Pierre Trudeau’s son and Canada’s incumbent Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after her bilateral talks with him at the Hyatt Regency Montreal on Friday. The Bangladesh government awarded the honour to Pierre Trudeau for his outstanding support and contribution during the 1971 Liberation War. Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and Bangladesh High Commissioner

in Ottawa Mizanur Rahman were present on the occasion. Briefing reporters after the event, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Huq said while handing over the award, the premier mentioned that Trudeau was one of the few international leaders who stood firm beside the people of Bangladesh in its struggle for independence. “Pierre Trudeau spoke in favour of Bangladesh’s Liberation War at international level and Canada was one of the first countries to recognise Bangladesh immediately after its independence,” she said. The Bangladesh premier said that he had openly supported Bangladesh’s membership in the United Nations and the Commonwealth. The foreign secretary said handing over the award to Justin  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

n Reuters

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hands the Friends of Liberation War Honour crest to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, son of former Canadian prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, in Montreal, Canada on Friday. Pierre Trudeau was posthumously conferred the honour for his outstanding support and contribution to Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War PID

INSIDE ‘Sheikh Hasina a pillar of women’s rights’ Canadian Minister of International Development and La Francophonie Marie-Claude Bibeau has described Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the “pillar of South Asia in women rights and empowerment” as she highly praised Bangladesh’s socioeconomic uplift under her stewardship.  PAGE 3

Rayerbazar seeks mayor’s attention

The sorry state of roads, poor drainage and waste management in Rayerbazar have made commuting in the area a nightmare for the locals.  PAGE 5

Boat race festival kicks-off in Gopalganj

The two-month long traditional boat race festival on the occasion of Biswakarma Puja began at Kaliganj of Kotalipara upazila yesterday.  PAGE 7

Messi double leads five-star Barca

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar were all on target as Barcelona got back to winning ways in La Liga with a 5-1 against Leganes yesterday.  PAGE 25

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

News

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

O-, A-Level students prefer coaching more n Shadma Malik English medium students who are due to appear in O Level and A Level examinations prefer going to coaching classes over schools, as they believe going to coaching centres would help them more in getting their desired grades. Even though most schools encourage students to continue their studies at school, a majority of students and their parents, home tutors and coaching centres find private coaching classes to be more fruitful, deeming school both cost-

ly and time-consuming and lacking the “extra” support that coaching centres provide. “English medium schools charge an obscene amount of money for tuition fees in Grades 9 and 10,” said Rafiqul Islam, founder and principal of Lords Institute who has been running the coaching centre since 2005. “To continue studying at the schools after Grade 8, students have to pay around Tk60,000 per month, whereas coaching centres charge Tk3,000-3,500 per subject only. A huge number of students

come from middle-income families and cannot afford the high tuition fees of English medium schools, so they opt for private coaching centres and home tutors to prepare for their O and A Level exams.” Rezina Akhter, teacher at an English medium school who has been tutoring students for 20 years, said: “Parents prefer private tuition for multiple reasons. Schools provide 40-minute classes, which are hardly sufficient for O Level and A Level subjects. Subjects like maths, science and Bangla demand more time and attention. That is

why parents enrol their children in coaching centers and hire home tutors for them for good results.” She further said while some schools have highly qualified and professional teachers, many schools have teachers who are not qualified enough or do not have a good grasp on the subjects they teach. “Parents appoint home tutors to help their children tackle the excessive homework assigned by the schools. After spending seven to eight hours in school, students have to study at home too, and for that they often need the help of a

tutor if their parents are unable to help them,” said Syed Hasan, a university student who has been tutoring O and A Level students for five years. Abrar Nousher, an O Level candidate, will appear in his exams as a private candidate. “I used to go to Drexel School. I dropped out in Grade 9 as my school did not have good teachers for the subjects I am taking. Now I am attending coaching classes in five subjects for my O Level exams. Without school, I have more time for my studies,” he told the Dhaka Tribune. l

Joy to receive ICT Dev Award in US n BSS Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister, would be conferred upon “ICT for Development Award” for his far reaching initiatives in setting Bangladesh on the road to Digital World. The award will be conferred on September 19. The World Organization of Governance and Competitiveness, Plan Trifinio, Global Fashion for Development and School of Business of the University of New Haven, Connecticut in USA will jointly organise the ceremony. This would be in recognition of his tremendous contribution to the people of Bangladesh through the implementation of ‘Digital Bangladesh’ initiive as well as his outstanding leadership and commitment towards ICT and Competitiveness as a tool for Sustainable Development, according to website of Bangladesh Awami League. Introduced this year, the award will be given regularly on an annual basis. The award would be handed over to Sajeeb Wazed by eminent actor Robert Davi at a high-level reception in support of the First Anniversary of the Adoption of the UN SDGs and the Importance of ICT and Competitiveness as a tool for Sustainable Development. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as well as ministers and high-level political leaders from Bangladesh and other countries, UN senior officials, heads of International Organizations, Ambassadors, private sector and civil society leaders and celebrities are likely to attend the occasion. Sajeeb Wazed was the first Bangladeshi to be selected as a Young Global Leader for the year 2007 as an Information Technology (IT) specialist by the World Economic Forum. l

Members of Bangladesh Hijra Welfare Foundation form a human chain in front of National Press Club in Dhaka yesterday demanding immediate arrest and punishment of the killers of Haider Hijra MEHEDI HASAN

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Noor Chy’s extradition still a hope Ex-Canadian PM conferred Trudeau lauds anti-militancy steps

About militancy, Foreign Secretary Shahidul said that the two leaders described the menace as a “global problem,” and they decided to solve it through united efforts. He said that the Canadian prime minister highly appreciated Bangladesh’s anti-militancy stance and ongoing movement against militancy and terrorism. The two prime ministers also discussed other issues including boosting trade and investment, and export of garment products. Hasina also invited Trudeau to visit Bangladesh and the Canadian prime minister cordially accepted the invitation, Shahidul said.

In this connection, the Canadian premier recalled his visit to Bangladesh along with his father Pierre Elliott Trudeau, the then prime minister, at the age of 12. Trudeau told Hasina that he would visit Bangladesh soon as he has some hazy memories about her visit to Bangladesh that took place 1983. The foreign secretary said that the visit of an elected Bangladeshi prime minister took place in Canada for the first time after a span of 30 years. “The tour has opened up a new horizon in terms of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Canada,” he added. l

Trudeau was a mix of two things as they both are the “second generation” prime ministers. “The award was handed over through reminiscing of the relations between the fathers of two leaders,” the foreign secretary said. The premier said: “I wish prosperity and happiness of the friend-

ly people of Canada and good health, long life and happiness of his Excellency Justin Trudeau and his family members.” Hasina hoped that the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and Canada would continue to grow in the days to come. l

IS propaganda chief killed anonymity, said that Wa’il was targeted by the airstrike while he was on a motorcycle outside his house. “Wa’il oversaw ISIL’s production of terrorist propaganda videos showing torture and executions,” Cook said in the statement, using an acronym for the group.

On Friday, the Pentagon acknowledged that US special operation forces are accompanying Turkish and vetted Syrian opposition forces battling Islamic State in and around the area of the Syrian border near al-Rai and the town of Jarablus, further east. l

News

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

‘Sheikh Hasina a pillar of women’s rights’ n Tribune Desk Canadian Minister of International Development and La Francophonie Marie-Claude Bibeau has described Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the “pillar of South Asia in women rights and empowerment” as she highly praised Bangladesh’s socioeconomic uplift under her stewardship. The appreciation of Marie-Claude Bibeau, the moderator of the 5th Global Fund Replenishment Conference, came while inviting the Bangladesh premier to deliver her address in the event here on Friday, reports BSS. The Canadian minister said there is no need for introducing Sheikh Hasina afresh as she is the “pillar of South Asia in women rights and empowerment.” The two-day 5th Global Fund Replenishment Conference was kicked off at Hyatt Regency Montreal on Friday. The conference aimed at further gearing up efforts to end the epidemics of the world’s three most devastating diseases – AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria – by 2030. Apart from Sheikh Hasina, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Senegalese President Macky Sall, Togo President Faure Gnassingb, Executive Director of the Global Fund Mark R Dybul and Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie Michaëlle Jean spoke at the opening session of the conference. Turning to the reflection on the commitments of her government in empowering and engaging girls and women, particularly in the health sector, Hasina mentioned three points. She said her government have firstly placed utmost importance on women’s education – the most “powerful tool” for empowering women. “We have made education free for girls up to 12 grade and introduced various types of stipends for them... this has not only resulted in significant improvement in school retention of girls but also reduced under-age marriage, maternal and child mortality,” she said. Secondly, she said, violence is seriously impacting physical and mental health of women. “We have been maintaining a ‘zero tolerance’ against all sorts of violence and discrimination against women,” she said. She said thirdly her government has set up more than sixteen thousand community clinics and union health centres to deliver quality health services in order to serve poor and marginalised sections of the people.

“Most of the staff working in these clinics are women,” she said, adding 30 types of medicine are being provided free of cost from these centres. While addressing the conference, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also urged the international community to work together with commitment, determination and solidarity to combat deadly diseases like AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis saying that these are preventable and treatable diseases. “I firmly believe that AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria are preventable and treatable. It needs commitment, determination and solidarity... let’s make a pledge to work together towards that end,” she said, reports UNB. The Global Fund is the world’s main funding body for activities related to the prevention and treatment of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. It supports programmes all over the world, with a focus on those areas where the burden of disease is the heaviest. Sheikh Hasina said health security is a critical aspect of development and access to healthcare is critically important for society. “It depends on poverty alleviation, food security and even climate change management,” she said adding that development of an equitable, affordable and sustainable health system for all remains a challenge,” she said. She said her government attaches top priority to health security by investing in health infrastructures, products and services. Hasina also sought the Global Fund support to her government’s strides to ensure health security for Bangladesh. The prime minister also pointed out the adoption of a landmark agenda for sustainable development in 2015 with a vision to create a poverty-free healthy global society. Mentioning her government’s move towards elimination of malaria by 2020, she said Bangladesh is maintaining low prevalence rate in HIV/AIDS for the last two decades and several institutional approaches have been undertaken in this regard. She termed the role of international partners, including Global Fund, in strengthening Bangladesh’s health sector as a significant contribution. She said the maternal mortality ratio has declined by 70% while the under-five mortality rate has reduced by 66% and the infant mortality rate by 62% during last one and a half decades. l

Passengers climb down to one of the platforms of Kamalapur Railway Station in Dhaka from a train roof yesterday. Caught in the post-Eid rush of returning to their workplace, many people had to travel back to the capital on the roofs of trains and buses as they were unable to find space inside DHAKA TRIBUNE

Karim planned major suicide attacks, bank robbery n Arifur Rahman Rabbi

The New JMB militant Tanvir Qadri alias Abdul Karim, who was killed in Azimpur earlier this month, was planning to form a new suicide squad to carry out major terror attacks, police has claimed. He had to plan for such a specialised cell because of the death of 14 militants in two major incidents – the Gulshan attack and the police raid in Kalyanpur. All of these men were members of the suicide squad. On the other hand, five other suicide squad members were arrested from Dhaka in the last one month. Due to these reasons, New JMB now has a crisis of members to be used in suicide missions. Tanvir Qadri was planning to form cells to continue missions in the future, investigators disclosed to Dhaka Tribune. He was also planning to rob banks. After death of New JMB coordinator Tamim Chowdhury on September 3, Karim, the interim coordinator, was planning a major attack with a suicide squad who got training from him at a Dhaka dorm. Karim had begun carrying out targeted killings before going for a major attack. The attempted killing of a Hindu priest in Narsingdi was their first such crime since the Gulshan attack, said officials of Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s special branch Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Unit

and Detective Branch (DB). “Abdul Karim (Tanvir) took charge as the interim coordinator of the group after several New JMB leaders were killed in some recent police drives. Karim was plotting major terror attacks after he took charge,” Counter Terrorism unit’s ADC Sanwar Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune.

Militants in disarray after top leaders’ deaths

The New JMB militants are in disarray as their network has fallen apart following the deaths of several top leaders. “The group was planning targeted killings to reinvigorate its activities. They were planning to go for major attacks if the small attacks were carried out successfully,” said a top official. For targeted killings, they were planning to attack people of other religions. Maj Zahidul, who wasw killed during the police raid in Mirpur, was in charge of training suicide squad members, added the official. “Police have already received info on a training camp for suicide squads in Dhaka. We are trying to locate the camp,” said the official. The CT Unit official told the Dhaka Tribune that police had recovered four laptops, a pen drive and a diary of Maj Zahid from the Azimpur den and all these contained important information about the group’s plans. In addition, the three female mil-

itants, all wives of major leaders of the group, who were arrested during the Azimpur raid have also provided important clues, he added. “Crisis has deepened inside the terrorist group after their leader Tamim died. Now it does not have the capacity to train new suicide squad members and buy arms for their operations. That is why Karim, a former banker, was planning to rob a bank to collect money to fund operations,” said another top official wishing not to be named.

Police hunt for escaped militants

Police arrested five New JMB members from the city, but four of them managed to escape. “All nine members came to Dhaka from the northern region. We managed to arrest five of them, but another four - Nannu, Sajib, Imran and Gypsy fled from the scene. All of them were in touch with Karim,” said the investigators. Police is now trying to arrest those four so that important clues on Karim’s operations can be traced out, said the officials. ADC Sanowar told the Dhaka Tribune they had successfully arrested a number of New JMB militants. “We have obtained important clue from the interrogation of the arrestees and from evidence obtained from several militant dens. We are analysing the info and trying to arrest the escaped militants to go forward with the investigation,” he added. l

News

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Russian firm to do Rooppur safety assessment n Asif Showkat Kallol The Science and Technology Ministry has sought Tk24cr to have the assessment of design and construction of the proposed Rooppur nuclear power plant done by a Russian firm for July to December period. The ministry forwarded the proposal on be half of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Control Authority (BAECA) to Finance Division as the country lone Control Authority of Atomic Energy usual provide the licenses of the Environment impact of nuclear related plant. Officials of Finance Division told Dhaka Tribune it would not be not possible to give $3 million or Tk24cr to BAECA for preliminary

licensing the Rooppur power plant to asses environment impact of plant and safety measures. The environment licensing is not incorporated into the total project cost of Rooppur power plant so BAECA arrange it own funds, Official also said. As part of the inspection of construction of Rooppur power plant BAECA gave inspection license to Rooppur power planr authority on July 21 with help of Russian Federation company Rostechnadzor. Sources in BAECA said the Authority has funds of more than Tk30cr which deposits in a bank for giving licence of various local and foreign companies including a Malaysia firm.

Bangladesh signed an $11.38bn loan agreement with Russia on July 26 in Moscow to build a 2,400MW nuclear power plant

According to the proposal, BAECA has no expertise or human resource to deal with the matter. As a result the authority has hired consultants and expertise from Russian Federation Rostechnadzor compa-

ny’s subsidy firm TSO CO Safety. Russian firm TSO CO Safety is now conducting review assessment of license documents for design and construction of Rooppur nuclear power plant for the July-December period. A total of $3 million will be required for the payment of Russian federation firm FSUE VO ‘Safety’ for 2016 for service related to assistance to BAECA for construction of Rooppur power plant which includes the required safety measures of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Nuclear power plant expert Dr Abdul Motin told Dhaka Tribune the Russian firm could not be accountable in its inspection. The state-

owned firm was likely to favour the state-owned firm contracted for building the plant, he pointed out. “IAEA manual directive is that only an independent firm can assess safety measures and impact of environment for a nuclear power plant,” he said. Science and Technology Minister Yeafesh Osman said: “Because we are moving into the nuclear age, we have borrowed the expertise and technology of the Russian state-run firm.” Bangladesh signed an $11.38bn loan agreement with Russia on July 26 in Moscow to build a 2,400MW nuclear power plant of two units in Rooppur in northern district of Pabna. l

Quader: Govt looking for alternative to easy bikes

n Anwar Hussain, Chittagong Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday said the government is considering an alternative to battery-run autorickshaws popularly known as easy bikes. The minister made the statement while addressing a view-exchange meeting with the representatives of CNG-run Autorickshaw drivers’ and owners’ associations. The meeting was organised by Chittagong district administration at the Chittagong Circuit House. Quader said: “Thousands of battery-run easy bikes are on the roads illegally across Bangladesh. The easy bikes are responsible for causing traffic congestion, frequent road accidents and extreme electricity crisis. Therefore, we are holding talks with the stakeholders for an alternative to the battery-run easy bikes.” “The High Court had issued a ban on operating vehicles like battery-run easy bikes and no leniency will be shown in this regard. Except for regional and feeder roads, movement of easy bikes should be controlled in metropolitan areas,” the minister said. The minister also directed the authorities concerned to investigate whether 10,300 CNG-run autorickshaws of Chittagong that installed meters were following mandatory meter use. Quader announced that from now onwards the CNG-run vehicles will be able to refill gas from filling stations on the highways till 9am. Earlier, the CNG-run vehicles were allowed to refill gas from filling stations on the highways from 6am till 8am. l

The file photo shows easybikes parked beside a road in Sadar upazila of Sherpur district. Easybikes are a popular mode of transport in the rural areas of Bangladesh as it runs by rechargeable batteries and has lower operating costs than other vehicles RAJIB DHAR

Jubo League activist killed over ‘political feud’ n Tribune Desk A Jubo League activist who was shot by unknown miscreants at the Motijheel AGB Ideal Colony late Friday night succumbed to his injuries after several hours at a hospital in Dhaka. Some miscreants attacked Rizvi Hasan Babu, 34, locally known as Bocha Babu, and Ahsanul Haque Emon, 32, at a club room inside the colony around 11:20pm on Friday leaving them critically injured. Police say the murder was preplanned and that it took place over a political feud. The duo were first taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 12:30am. Babu was later shifted to Square Hospital. The authorities at Square Hos-

pital referred him to Apollo Hospital where the on duty doctors pronounced him dead as soon as he was taken there around 2:30am, said Motijheel police station’s Sub-Inspector Munibur Rahman. Emon is now undergoing treatment at the DMCH. A security guard at the colony, seeking anonymity, said that some youths had forced them not to go near the crime spot. President of Ward 10 Dhaka city (south) unit Jubo League Maruf Reza Sagar alleged that Anwar Hossain Milon, Anwarul Azim Tushar, Hirok and some others led the attack on the duo over previous enmity. Milon is the general secretary of the newly-announced ward committee while Tushar is a Shechch-

hasebok League leader. Sagar claims himself the nephew of former Jubo league leader Reazul Hasan Khan Milki, who was shot dead in Gulshan by a rival group on July 29, 2013, to establish supremacy. He claimed that Milon and his associates were freed recently on bail in a case filed with Motijheel police for vandalising their party office few days back. The party office was previously used by Milki. When contacted, both Milon and Tushar blamed Sagar for carrying out the attack on Babu and Emon. “The attack was made so that Sagar does not need to face a political competitor in the area. He has been patronising criminals since the death of Milki,” Milon alleged.

Tushar also refuted the allegation, and claimed that Sagar had long been trying to spoil the political environment since long. Jubo league activists of the ward present at the hospital claimed that Babu told his father the names of the six attackers while undergoing treatment. The father, Abul Kalam, refused to disclose the names. Meanwhile, police sources said that Babu had at least five cases including for murder and looting against him. Several cases were also filed against Sagar and Milon, said Motijheel police’s Inspector (investigation) Golam Rabbani. Babu was killed over local political feud. “We are trying to arrest the attackers,” he said, adding that Babu’s father had given them some names. l

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Rayerbazar seeks mayor’s attention n Abu Hayat Mahmud The sorry state of roads, poor drainage and waste management in Rayerbazar under the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) have made commuting in the area a nightmare for the locals. Mayor Annisul Huq has visited different areas and took initiatives to address the various issues since assuming office last year but the DNCC did not undertake projects for the area’s development, locals claimed. Residents of Rayerbazar, on the south-west part of Dhaka, allege that they have been denied services by the city corporation and concerned government agencies. “There has been no new project for repairing or constructing roads and drains for quite some time in Rayerbazar allegedly because of negligence and lack of sincerity on the part of the concerned city corporation authorities,” said Rajjab Ali, a resident of Sultanganj at Rayerbazar. As for their part, the DNCC blamed their lack of development activities in the area on fund crunch. Mayor Annisul has promised to address the issues as much as possible in this fiscal.

Rundown roads, poor drainage and waste management

Most of the roads in the area were found in a sorry rundown state during a recent visit. The East Rayerbazar, Sher-e-Bangla , Sultanganj, Hashemkhan, Mekabkhan, Katashur Namabazar roads were found muddy and full of potholes. The road beside Sadek Khan Krishi Market was muddy because of poor maintenance by the city corporation, alleged Kamrul, who runs a tea stall there. Since last year, Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) has been digging parts of the roads for repairing sewerage and water lines but no steps have been take to repair them, locals alleged. They said they approached Ward

News

ACC to release mobile app this year n Adil Sakhawat

The Rayerbazar City Corporation Market building is in a dilapidated state, with concrete having come off of the ceiling completely. Shopkeepers in the market are worried about potential accidents if the building is not repaired soon. The photo was taken yesterday RAJIB DHAR Khan intersection. Most of the roads in Rayerbazar had become dirty for lack of proper waste management.

33 Councillor Tarequzzaman Rajib but their pleas fell on deaf ears. It has become a norm that every time it rains, parts of Rayerbazar would be under water. The situation is particularly bad for residents of Mekabkhan Road who have to wade through knee-deep water after rain, thanks to poor drainage system. Jabbar Hossain, resident of Mekabkhan Road said: “After Annisul took over as DNCC mayor, we thought the residents of Rayerbazar will finally get rid of rundown roads and waterlogging. But we have got nothing in the past one year.” Another thing the city corporation has overlooked is setting up designated waste dumping ground in the area. Residents say many took advantage of the lack of dumping ground and disposed of garbages at any place they wanted. During a visit, this correspondent found waste containers set up on the road. Garbage was also seen dumped on roadside at the Hashem

Kitchen market in sorry state

The Rayer Bazar City Corporation Kitchen Market, also a major shopping centre in the area has been in a sorry state for a long time, as traders have stood against the repair of the buildings. Although the market was declared unsafe, hundreds of traders have refused to move. According to sources, the city corporation declared the buildings unsafe about 12 years ago. After inspecting the market’s old buildings, the city corporation officials, in April, 2006, pasted a notice on the buildings wall, warning people that it could collapse, but nothing has changed.

Mayor promises action

Mayor Annisul has taken various projects for development of roads, sewerage and drainage in posh

areas like Gulshan, Banani, and Baridhara. Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, he explained that embassies and high commissions of most countries are located in these areas and foreign gusts also stay there. “That’s why we focused our development work there first.” He has visited various under-develop areas including Mirpur and Gabtali to see the problems for himself and find solutions. But Rayerbazar residents claim they have been largely ignore. The mayor said it was not the case. He said people of Rayerbazar were not facing problems alone. “Residents of other areas are also facing various problems. We have noted down these problems and will solve them one by one,” the mayor said. “We will undertake big development projects for Rayerbazar, Mirpur and other under-developed areas in the city corporation,” he added. l

Khaleda Zia in Medina n UNB

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia along with her family members went to Medina from Mecca yesterday to visit the grave of Prophet Muhammad. The BNP chief and her family members, who had been staying in Mina Royal Palace for the last three days after performing hajj, offered the concluding tawaf of Kaba Sha-

TEMPERATURE FORECAST FOR TODAY

THUNDERSHOWER OR RAIN LIKELY

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

Dhaka

Chittagong

Rajshahi

DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 5:59PM

Rangpur

rif in the morning before starting her journey for Medina, said Sharif Shah Kamal Taj who is on her entourage. Kamal said Khaleda, her eldest son and BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman, his wife Zubaida Rahman, daughter Zaima Rahman and late Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife Sharmila Rahman will be staying in Medina for a few days. l Khulna

Barisal

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

TOMORROW SUN RISES 5:46AM

35.7ºC Faridpur

24.5ºC Rangamati

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES

In an effort to combat corruption the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is set to release a mobile application by the end of the year. The app will be launched on the android platform which the ACC hopes will be a better mode for engagement with the people in terms of reporting corruption directly. The app, to be available in Bangla, will allow people to read and report corruption directly through their mobile phones. The details about the scheduled offences under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act will also be listed on the app. A software development company CODEX is responsible for initiating the finishing touches on the app according to an ACC official. ACC Secretary Abu Md Mustafa Kamal said to the Dhaka Tribune over phone: “The application is on test run but will hopefully be launched by the end of the year. “With this application, I hope people will be able to access easily the services provided by the ACC in the fight against corruption.” The secretary said the complaints filed through the app will let people report corruption without revealing their identity. Once downloaded, people have to register with their names phone number and email address. When reporting on corruption people can also upload videos, photos or documents to support their claim. On receiving a complaint, the commission will send an automatic confirmation through an SMS. The ACC Chairman would monitor the complaints and can send them to the scrutiny cell. If the cell finds enough evidence to open an investigation then it will submit that complaint to the commission to start a formal inquiry. The ACC is also planning on launching a 24 hour helpline to combat corruption. To ensure the people to know more about anti-graft measures and get an immediate response to their complaints, the ACC approved the initiative in its regular meeting at commission’s headquarters. The BTRC was consulted about the helpline and the ACC has already sent an application to the BTRC in this regard. The Rab and the DMP recently also launched their own mobile apps to directly engage the public in reporting crimes. l Sylhet

Cox’s Bazar

Fajr: 5:10am | Zohr: 1:15pm Asr: 4:45pm | Magrib: 6:12pm Esha: 8:15pm Source: Islamic Foundation

News

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Traders frustrated over low price of rawhide Tauhid-Uz-Zaman, n Md Jessore Rawhide traders, who have bought the skins of sacrificial animals at higher prices during Eid, voiced their frustration for the high cost of salt and the low rates of rawhide fixed by tanners. Rawhide traders of Razarhat, country’s second largest rawhide market alleged that most of the traders have not been producing the skins at the market due to low

price for couple of days. Rawhide traders from Jessore, Khulna, Barisal, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Narail, Magura, Kushtia, Chaudanga, Faridpur along with traders of Dhaka and Chittagong have been gathering on Saturday and Tuesday of the week at Razarhat rawhide market for many years to buy and sell rawhide. This year, duo to high cost of salt and the low rates rawhide, traders have lost their interest to attend at the market.

Nikhil Chandra Dash, a rawhide trader of Noapara area in Jessore Sadar upazila said: “I have sold 14 skins out of 18 with very low price. Due to low price of rawhide and high price of salt this year I am running up losses.” On September 9, this year, Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leathergoods and Footwear Exporters’ Association, Bangladesh Tanners Association, and Bangladesh Hide and Skin Merchants Association, the three leading trade bodies in

the sector fixed the price of raw cowhide at Tk50 per sft in Dhaka and Tk40 for the rest of the country. The price of goatskin was fixed at Tk20 per sft, lowering the price by 10% from last year’s rate. Moshiar Rahman, a rawhide trader of Jhikargachha upazila of Jessore district said: “I have come at the market with 45 salt-treated skins of goat and sold them by Tk100, which is below my cost.” Duruing his visit to Razarhat rawhide market this correspond-

ent found, rawhide traders were selling the untreated hide of a bigsized cow to a local trader for Tk 1300, Tk500 to Tk700 less than previous year. Abdus Sabur, from Satkhira told to the Dhaka Tribune that he has already thrown four-five skins of goat as buyers offered him very low price. President of Razarhat rawhide traders welfare society Abdul Malek urged to the tannery owners to buy rawhide with more higher price to save them. l

Irregularities at hospital in calling tender n Manoj Shaha, Gopalganj

Allegation of manipulating tender for purchasing various goods for Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Eye Hospital and Training Institute in Gopalganj has been arisen. Md Mosharraf Hossain, owner of Messers Shonali Traders, has sent a legal notice to Dr Bimal Krishna Bain, director of the hospital, in this regard. Mosharraf alleged that the tender was called during the vacation of Eid-ul-Azha so that only the firm favoured by Dr Bimal and Humayun Kabir, accountant of the hospital, can obtain the opportunity. There was a six-day Eid vacation before the last date, which was September 15, for purchasing the tender form, he said. Besides, only between 10am to 1pm on September 18 was fixed for submitting the form and the previous two days were government holidays, whereas according to the government rules, the form could be submitted anytime before the last date of submission, he added. Many firms could not purchase the form, as they did not know about the tender; because the advertisement of the tender was not hung on notice board, alleged Mosharraf. Moreover, the terms and conditions mentioned in the tender violated the public procurement act 2008, he also alleged. On the other hand, Dr Bimal, denying all the allegations, said the tender was called as per the government rules. Twenty three days were given for submitting the form, while it was 21 days as per the government rules, added the director. He said: “The advertisement was hung on the notice board as well as massive campaign was also launched.” Dr Bimal acknowledged that they had got a legal notice and said they would send its reply in due time. l

Artisan busy making idols ahead of Durga Puja. The picture was taken yesterday from Alupatti Sheker Bazar in Rajshahi

12 killed in road accidents n Tribune Desk

At least 12 people were killed in separate road accidents in Tangail, Jessore and Sylhet districts yesterday. Our Tangail correspondent said at least seven people were killed and 13 more people injured in two separate road accidents at Tangail’s Mirzapur and Kalihati upazilas. In Mirzapur, five people, including a woman and a child, died when a Dhaka-bound passenger bus and a truck collided head-on in the morning. Gorai highway police OC Khalilur Rahman Patwari said the accident on the Dhaka-Tangail Highway left two dead on the spot and 15 others injured. Later, three of the injured people succumbed to their injuries at Kumudini Medical College Hospital, he added. In Kalihati, a private car hit a motorcycle, killing two motorcy-

clists were at Analiyabari area. One of the motorcyclists died on the spot while the other died at Tangail Medical College Hospital, said Bangabandhu east thana Officer-in-Charge Asabur Rahman. Police identified one of them as Towhid, 27, hailing from Gaibandha. In Benapole, a teenager was killed and 5-6 people were injured as a human hauler turned turtle at Marua village on the Chougaccha-Barobazar road in Chowgachha upazila. The deceased was Shohan Ali, 13, son of Jonab Ali, a resident of Shalikha village in Shalikha upazila. Officer-in-Charge of Chowgachha police station M Mashiur Rahman said a group of people from Shalikha upazila went to Hajrakhana village in Chowgachha to visit a fair on Friday afternoon. On early Saturday, they were returning home riding a human hauler. When they reached Marua vil-

lage, the human hauler overturned as the driver lost control over the steering, leaving Shohan dead on the spot and 5/6 others injured. The injured where taken to Chowgachha Upazila Health Complex. Four people, including two children, were killed and 15 others injured as a bus plunged into a roadside ditch at Kayasthagram on the Sylhet-Jakiganj road in Golapganj upazila in the morning, reports our correspondent. The deceased could not be identified immediately. Officer-in-Charge of Golapganj police station Mir Abdul Naser said the Sylhet-bound bus, coming from Jakiganj, fell into a roadside ditch as the driver of the bus lost his control over the steering around 11am, leaving 19 passengers injured. The injured were taken to Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital where four people succumbed to their injuries, the OC added. l

AZAHAR UDDIN

Youth kills mother

Mizanur Rahaman, n FM Chittagong Police have captured a youth in injured condition for allegedly hacking his mother to death in Purba Goshaildanga area of the port city yesterday afternoon. The suspect, Sujon Chowdhury, 21, has been admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, said police. SI Atiqur Rahman of Bandar police station said: “Somnath Chowdhury, the elder son of Kumkum Chowdhury, 45, wife of local lawyer Sukhomoy Chowdhury, found the hacked body of his mother at their house after returning home around 12:30pm. “Being informed by the family members, a team of Bandar police recovered the body and detained Sujon from the spot in injured condition.” l

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Chemically-treated dried fish raises health risk concern n Anwar Hussain, Chittagong Rampant use of toxic chemicals to process dried fish has become a cause for great health concern for the people of Chittagong. Physicians and nutritionists have warned that consuming the chemically treated dried fish will pose a serious threat to public health. A mobile court conducted a drive at Asadganj dried fish market in Chittagong on September 6, where they found 1,500kg of chemically-treated dried fish and sentenced four dried fish traders to eight months in prison with a fine of Tk340,000 in total. Executive Magistrate Md Arafat Hossain, who led the mobile court,

told the Dhaka Tribune: “Traders usually want the dried fish to retain some moisture so that they weigh more, but moisture creates the perfect environment for bacteria breeding. So traders use DDT on the fish to stop bacteria infestation. But DDT use is harmful and can cause cancer.” Asadganj is one of the largest dried fish trading hubs in the country from where dried fish is supplied all over the country. Last year on August 8, another mobile court conducted a drive at Chaktai dried fish market in Chittagong and seized 1,000kg of dried hilsha fish which were sprayed with inedible colour to make them look fresh. Dr Azizur Rahman Siddiqui, civ-

il surgeon in Chittagong district, warned that consuming the chemically treated dried fish may lead to liver and kidney diseases as well as mouth ulcer. “If expectant mothers consume the chemically treated dried fish, their unborn babies may be at the risk of deformities,” he said. “Furthermore, those who work at the dried fish factory are highly likely to suffer from skin-related diseases.” Prabhati Dev, Chittagong district fisheries officer, said dried fish, if prepared properly, is rich with nutrients. “Sundried fish is a lot richer in protein since it gets concentrated in the fish. Dried fish can easily fulfil our everyday protein demand as it is

a cheap source of protein,” he said. SM Nazer Hossain, vice-president of Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), expressed concern over the rampant use of chemicals in dried fish and asked the authorities concerned to take action in order to put a stop to the malpractice. However, Md Jamal Hossain, joint secretary of Asadganj Dried fish Merchants’ Association, claimed that the use of chemicals in processing dried fish had reduced significantly. “Traders used to use chemicals because we did not have storage facilities before. But now we have cold storages here and we reject consignments found to be processed with chemicals,” he said. l

Thousands of men and women of different ages gather on both sides of Babur canal at Kaliganj in Gopalganj to enjoy the boat race for celebrating Vishwakarma Puja. The picture was taken yesterday MANOJ SHAHA

Boat race festival kicks-off in Gopalganj n Manoj Shaha, Gopalganj Boat race on the occasion of Biswakarma Puja began yesterday. The two-month long festival started with a great enthusiasm at Kaliganj of Kotalipara upazila in the afternoon with a participation of more than hundred boats from Gopalganj, Madaripur, Pirojpur, Narail and Barisal, reports our cor-

respondent. The race took place in a canal named Babur Khal, both sides of which were thronged by hundreds of people. The race was also held at Gopalpur and Rakhilabari village in Tungipara upazila on the same day. On Sunday, the boat race will take place in Chanda Bil at Mahata-

li village of Maksudpur upazila. A fair will be held there on the occasion. The festival will end on November 17 through a boat race on the occasion of Kartik Puja in Bhennabari of the district’s Sadar upazila. The race will be held in 50 places of the district in the two months. Nando Lal Biswas, a teacher of

News

Gopalpur, said: “200 years ago, local people of bil areas used to arrange the boat race to entertain themselves and since then it has been a part of our life.” Prabin Shanto Sen of Rakhilabari said: “Relatives visit our homes and different delicious food items are also cooked on the occasion. We all enjoy the race very much.” l

Four commit suicide n Tribune Desk At least four people committed suicide in Magura and Nilphamari districts on Saturday. Our Nilphamari correspondent said a housewife and a schoolgirl committed suicide in the district. The deceased were Joinab Banu, 26, daughter of Jamiar Rahman in Sadar upazila and Kalpana Rani, a sixth grade student of Akkelpur High School and daughter of Amal Chandra Roy. According to local sources, Joinab had been married off with Mostak Hossen Manik, son of Sadek Hossain of Jhunagachi village six years back. She was working as a trainer at E-Centre in the town. Locals alleged that Manik used to torture Joinab over dowry. Jamiar said he had given Tk10 lakh to Mostak as dowry after the marriage. But later he deamded more four lakh. “As he could not give more money, Mostak did not give her shelter in his house. He sent her to my house,” said he. On the day , Joinab phoned Mostak and talked a long time. After talking over phone, she looked very upset. Later, she went to her bedroom and locked it from inside. At one stage, family members called her but there was no response. They broke open the door and found her hanging from the ceiling. Moazzem Hossen, officer-in-charge of Dimla police station, said a case was filed in this connection. On the other hand, the schoolgirl Kalpana had an altercation with her mother over family feud. Over the issue, she committed suicide hanging from the bamboo beam in her bedroom. Police recovered the body and sent it to hospital. Bazlur Rashid, officer-in-charge of Kishoreganj police station, said a case was filed. Our Magura correspondent said two teenage girls took their own lives by hanging themselves in two separate places. The deceased were Reshma Begum,14, a resident of Laxmipur village in Sadar upazila, and Tammi Islam Oishi, 18, daughter of Magura municipality councilor Parveen Islam. Sudarshan Kumar, superintendent of police of the district, said Sabbir Hossain, a neighbour of Reshma, proposed her a relationship of love. Following this, she committed suicide by hanging herself with the ceiling of her room in the afternoon. In another incident, Oishi, a second year student of Lalmatia Mohila College in the capital, hanged herself over a family feud at noon. l

8 World

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

SOUTH ASIA

Pakistan court orders confiscation of Musharraf’s property

A Pakistani court trying former military ruler Pervez Musharraf over a deadly raid on Islamabad’s radical Red Mosque passed an order Saturday confiscating his property. Lower court judge passed the order in a case over the death of radical cleric Abdul Rashid Ghazi, one of more than 100 people killed when Pakistani troops stormed the Red Mosque in 2007. AFP

INDIA

India loses WTO appeal in US solar dispute India lost its appeal at the World Trade Organisation in a dispute over solar power, failing to overturn a US complaint that New Delhi had discriminated against importers in the solar power sector. The WTO’s appeals judges upheld an earlier ruling that found India had broken WTO rules. REUTERS

CHINA

China issues alert for 2nd typhoon in a week China is bracing for its 2nd typhoon in a week after government raised their alert to orange for Typhoon Malakas on Saturday, just as southeastern provinces continue to clean up after an earlier, stronger storm. Malakas will be the 16th storm of this year’s typhoon season, coming after Typhoon Meranti made landfall in Fujian province on Thursday. REUTERS

ASIA PACIFIC

Philippine militants free Norwegian hostage A Norwegian held hostage by a notorious in the strife-torn southern Philippines was released Saturday after a year in captivity and will soon be handed over to officials. Resort manager Kjartan Sekkingstad was among four people abducted in September 2015 by Abu Sayyaf Islamic militants based on remote and mountainous southern islands. REUTERS

MIDDLE EAST

Iran denies EU demanded centrifuge details Iran’s atomic agency is denying that the EU has demanded full details of its manufacture of centrifuge parts. A Saturday report on the Iranian state TV website quotes agency spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi as saying, “We have not received such a demand through official sources.” AP reported Friday that the EU is demanding that Iran share with the UN full details of its centrifuge of nuclear weapons. AP

Russia and rebels cast doubt over Syria ceasefire n Tribune International Desk Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday he remained “more positive than negative” over a shaky ceasefire in Syria, but a senior rebel in Aleppo warned the truce “will not hold out” as some fighting persisted and aid failed to come through. The ceasefire is the result of an agreement between Russia, which backs Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with air power, and the United States, which supports some rebel groups, and has cooled fighting since coming into effect last Monday. But in comments delivered in Kyrgyzstan on Saturday, Putin cast doubt over Washington’s commitment to the deal, saying it was “deviating” from its own call for openness, and had been unable to split moderate from “semi-criminal” rebels. However the two agreed on Friday to extend the ceasefire and Putin said that Russia would abide by its own commitments and still believed that securing a Syrian ceasefire was a common goal for both Washington and Moscow. Insurgents say they only reluctantly accepted the initial deal, which they believe is skewed against them, because it could relieve the dire humanitarian situation in besieged areas they control, and blamed Russia for undermining the truce. “The truce, as we have warned, and we told the (US) State Department - will not hold out,” the rebel official said, pointing to the continued presence of a UN aid convoy at the Turkish border awaiting permission to travel to Aleppo. “It is not possible for the party (Russia) that wages war against a people to strive to achieve a truce, as it is also not possible for it to be a sponsor of this agreement while it bombs night and day, while on the other side, the other party America - has the role of spectator,” he said. Moscow has itself accused rebels of breaking the truce and said Washington needs to do more to make them abide by its terms, including separating from the jihadist Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, which only broke formal allegiance to al-Qaeda in July. The five-year civil war has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced half the country’s original population, drawing in global and regional powers, causing an international refugee crisis and inspiring

THE FRAGILE CEASEFIRE IN SYRIA

TURKEY

1 Fighting:

Rocket fire and shelling in rebel-held east Damascus. A serious violation of the terms of the ceasefire, which took effect on Monday

3 Aleppo

Deir Ezzor

2 Blocked:

Trucks full of food and medicine destined for some of the 250,000 civilians trapped in eastern Aleppo were still stuck on the border with Turkey

3 Deadlock:

The demilitarisation of the Castello Road to allow aid trucks to enter into rebel-held districts of eastern Aleppo

Raqa

Idlib

Homs LEBANON

Palmyra

1 DAMASCUS JORDAN

Sources: Thomas Van Linge, bureaux AFP

jihadist attacks around the world.

Overnight shelling

Both sides have accused the other of being responsible for aid deliveries being stuck far from Aleppo, where army and rebel forces were supposed to retire from the Castello Road which leads into besieged, insurgent-held eastern districts. Russia on Friday said the Syrian army had initially withdrawn but returned to its positions after being fired on by rebels, who in turn say they saw no sign of government forces ever leaving their positions. “There is no change,” said Zakariya Malahifji, an official for a rebel group in Aleppo on Saturday, asked whether there had been any move by the army to withdraw from positions along the road. The United Nations pointed the finger at the government for holding up aid by denying letters guaranteeing access. Warplanes strafed or bombed rebel-held areas in Maarat al-Numan, Saraqeb and Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib, Teir Maalah, north of Homs, and Souha, east of Hama, overnight after other strikes earlier on Friday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The Britain-based war monitoring group also reported clashes between the army and rebels or shelling overnight in the capital’s Eastern Ghouta suburbs, in Sanaisil and Jawalik, north of Homs, al-Eis and Ramousah, south of Aleppo and Ibta in Deraa. In the Jouba district of Damascus, clashes continued on Saturday after a large explosion and fighting on Friday, the Observatory said. It reported the two sides were shelling each other after what it

said was an attempt by the army to advance.

Islamic State

Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army rebels are pushing south in northern Syria from the towns of al-Rai and Azaz toward the Islamic Stateheld town of al-Bab, supported by tanks and jets, security sources said, clashing with the jihadist group. Vehicles were mobilized in northern Syria across from the Turkish village of Arapakesmez from the early hours of the morning and Turkish artillery deployed at the border have fired at Islamic State targets. CNN Turk footage showed white smoke rising from across the border in Syria as Turkish howitzers fired west of al-Rai, where some US special forces were briefly deployed to help coordinate against the militants before withdrawing on Friday. If the ceasefire deal is successful, Moscow and Washington will start to share targeting information on militant groups, including Islamic State, they have said. Elsewhere in Syria on Saturday, clashes resumed between the army, backed by air strikes, and Islamic State around the towns of Qasr alHair and Sukhna and the villages of al-Taiba and Arak, near Palmyra, the Observatory reported. Jets also hit the group’s positions near Deir al-Zor, while Islamist rebel groups including Jabhat Fateh al-Sham battled Islamic State fighters in the Eastern Qalamoun mountains northeast of Damascus.

UN meeting cancelled over US objections

A hastily scheduled Security Coun-

50 km

IRAQ

Territory: IS group Influence Control Syrian regime and allies Rebels and/or Fateh al-Sham Kurds cil meeting was cancelled because the US does not want to make public details of the Syrian cease-fire deal, Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations said Friday. Vitaly Churkin said there was no point in briefing the council if the US did not want to say exactly what was in the documents outlining the deal hammered out last week by US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. “This briefing is not going to happen and mostly likely we’re not going to have a resolution of the Security Council because the United States does not want to share those documents with the members of the Security Council and we believe that we cannot ask them to support a document which they haven’t seen,” Churkin said.

Syria truce violated 199 times so far

The ceasefire established in Syria has been violated 199 times since it came into force five days ago, a Russian defence ministry official was quoted as saying on Saturday. “The United States and socalled moderate (rebel) groups under their control did not implement any of the obligations taken under the Geneva agreements,” Russian news agencies quoted Lieutenant-General Viktor Poznikhir as saying. “If the United States does not take steps needed to fulfil its obligations under the September 9 agreement, then all the responsibility for any collapse of the ceasefire in Syria would lie with the United States,” he added. l

Sources: REUTERS, AP

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Divided EU leaders struggle with post-Brexit vision n Reuters, Bratislava European leaders, struggling to overcome an historic crisis following Britain’s vote to leave the EU, agreed on Friday to explore closer defence cooperation and boost security at their external borders, but could not hide deep divisions over refugees and economic policy. Meeting in the Slovak capital with the British conspicuously absent, the 27 other EU members unveiled a six-month “road map” of measures designed to restore public confidence in Europe’s ailing common project. But several leaders, including Italy’s Matteo Renzi and Hungary’s Viktor Orban, shattered the facade of unity as soon as the meeting ended, underscoring how divided the bloc remains after years of economic crisis, a record influx of migrants and a se-

ries of deadly attacks by Islamist militants. “I’m not satisfied with the (summit) conclusions on growth or on immigration,” said Renzi, apparently miffed at being excluded from a joint news conference given by Germany’s Angela Merkel and France’s Francois Hollande at the end of the summit. Orban criticised Merkel for refusing to agree to a ceiling on the number of migrants entering Europe, calling her welcoming stance towards refugees “self-destructive and naive”. Until the policy was corrected, the Hungarian premier said, a “suction effect” would continue to draw masses to Europe. People who were in the summit room said that neither Orban nor Renzi had raised serious complaints with other leaders during the talks, which were described

USA

US condemns Russian elections in Crimea The United States does not recognise the legitimacy, and will not recognise the outcome, of the Russian Duma elections planned for Russian-occupied Crimea on September 18th, State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement. They also expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in Crimea, including the status of the ethnic Tatar community and human rights abuses. AFP

as cordial. “This is clearly about domestic politics,” one senior official said.

Franco-German couple

Hollande, standing alongside her, said the summit had demonstrated that the EU was capable of moving forward after the Brexit vote. It was Germany and France that drove the bloc’s foundation on the ashes of World War Two. But the Franco-German “motor” has stalled in recent years, with Germany playing an increasingly dominant role and France struggling with a weak economy, and more recently, a string of deadly Islamist attacks. But the deeply unpopular Hollande is widely expected to lose power in a presidential election next spring, and speculation is rife in Germany about whether Chan-

THE AMERICAS

French President Francois Hollande , right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel AFP cellor Merkel will decide to run for a fourth term at next year’s parliamentary election amid a fall in her popularity and infighting among her conservatives. The leaders touched on the looming divorce negotiations with Britain only briefly, with European Council President Donald Tusk leading a discussion over lunch on a boat on the Danube. l

What are these elections?

Every five years, Russians go to the polls in local parliamentary elections. There are 450 seats up for grabs in the lower house of the Russian parliament (the State Duma), with 4,500 candidates running across 14 parties. Some 2,000 of those candidates are running as independents. Elected MPs will hold their seats for the next five years, with 266 seats needed by one party to win a majority. Official campaigning was held from 20 August and ended on 16 September.

How many parties are involved in the elections and who are they?

Fourteen official parties will contest the elections. The main party in Russia is the current ruling party United Russia. It was created by President Vladimir Putin 15 years ago and is headed by Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev. It already has a majority of 238 seats in the Duma and is expected to do similarly well this year.

Only a handful of leaders have travelled to a meeting of a large Cold War-era bloc in Venezuela this week, in an embarrassment for the crisis-hit socialist government. Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has touted the 17th meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement as one that would be remembered for centuries. Yet turnout has paled compared to past meetings attended by some 35 heads of state. REUTERS

20,000 refugee supporters march through London

Russia’s elections: New rules, old faces Russians go to the polls on Sunday in parliamentary elections that will all but guarantee a win for President Vladimir Putin’s party United Russia. Some 450 seats are up for grabs in the lower house of the Russian parliament, but will the ruling party do well again?

Venezuela summit draws few leaders

Q&A

n Tribune International Desk

World

What about the other parties?

Well, it is a bit complicated. In Russia, there is no true opposition in the western sense of the word. Rather, there are two groups of varied parties, one sanctioned by the Kremlin, the other not.

So who is this so-called sanctioned opposition?

The Kremlin-approved group of opposition parties - or so-called “system” parties - comprises of the Communist Party (mostly older supporters, nostalgic about the old Soviet Union), the LDPR (a token Liberal-Democrat party which, in reality, is a far-right nationalist party that campaigns for the return of the old Soviet Union’s borders), and Just Russia (a leftist, social-democratic party). This collective of opposition parties is sponsored by the government and provides the acceptable and, more importantly, regulated face of Russian political opposition. The same is true for the new liberal conservative Party of Growth, a business orientated party led by Putin’s business ombudsman Boris Titov.

Is Putin standing in these elections?

No, he is not. His next test will come in the 2018 presidential elections which, judging by the nature of Russian politics and Mr Putin’s genuinely high approval ratings, he is guaranteed to win.

Around 20,000 pro-refugee demonstrators took to the streets on London on Saturday to call on Prime Minister Theresa May to do more to tackle the migrant crisis. Protesters marched down the affluent Park Lane and the central thoroughfare Piccadilly carrying an array of colourful placards and shouting slogans including “say it loud, say it clear: refugees are welcome here!” REUTERS

RUSSIA The world’s biggest country Population: 144.1 million

(2015)

17,098,250 km2

70.4 years

Total area

life expectancy

2500

Forest

Moscow

2,231

2000

990

1000

500 km

Crimea (annexed)

1,326

1500

Poverty level in %

500 0

2006

2010

Unemployment 10

Vladivostok

10.8%

11.2%

13.4%

2013

2014

2015

2013 2015

% of the pop.

Corruption

Transparency International 2015 Least corrupt

Gas and oil exports

8.3

8 7.1

200

5.1%

180.9

2005

2014

Inflation as % of GDP

168 countries surveyed

Oil Western sanctions

100 strengthened

23.6

7.7%

2015

Natural gas

2012

2013

39.3*

41.8

So who is expected to win these elections?

Last time Russians voted in parliamentary elections in 2011, United Russia got 49% of the vote, winning 238 seats in Duma. The Communist Party came in second with 19%. The highest-polling opposition party was Yabloko with only 3% of the popular vote. Since then, support for United Russia has waned with Levada - the only independent pollster operating in Russia before it

2014

China 83

119

89.6

*1st six months

USA 16 Saudi Arabia 48

in billions of dollars

150

25 19.3 20 15 10 5 0 2005

8,149,305 km2

Saint Petersburg

GDP in billions of $

17.5* 2015

2016

Most corrupt

Iran 130 Syria 154

Sources: World Bank, Russian gov

was branded a “foreign agent” and shut down by the government - polling the ruling party at 31%, their lowest rating yet. This significant decline is being attributed mainly to Russia’s economic downturn. Again, the Communist Party is polling second place with 10%. Parnas will consider itself amazingly successful if they get anywhere near third place. l

Sources: AP, SKY NEWS

EUROPE

Thousands protest in Europe against trade deals Tens of thousands of people protested in European cities on Saturday against planned free trade deals with the United States and Canada they say would undermine democracy and lower food safety, environmental and labour standards. The demonstrations are against the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the US and the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement with Canada. REUTERS

AFRICA

Niger, Chad armies kill 38 Boko Haram fighters Soldiers from Niger and Chad have killed 38 Boko Haram fighters during operations that followed attacks by the Nigerian Islamist group on two border towns in southeastern Niger earlier this week. The bilateral forces also seized large quantities of weapons and ammunition and soldiers are continuing to pursue Boko Haram fighters in the area. REUTERS

World

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

ANALYSIS

Issues at stake in 2016 US election A selection of issues at stake in the presidential election and their impact on Americans, in brief:

Immigration

The future of millions of people living in the US illegally could well be shaped by the presidential election. The stakes are high, too, for those who employ them, help them fit into neighbourhoods, or want them gone. Republican Donald Trump at first pledged to deport the estimated 11 million immigrants in the country illegally. Not only that, he’d build a wall all along the Mexican border. But his position has evolved. He’s sticking to his vow to build the wall and make Mexico pay. But he’s no longer proposing to deport people who have not committed crimes beyond their immigration offences. Still, he’s not proposing a way for people living in the country illegally to gain legal status. Democrat Hillary Clinton, in contrast, would overhaul immigration laws to include a path to citizenship, not just legal status. Illegal immigration has been at nearly 40-year lows for several years. It even appears that Mexican migration trends have reversed, with more Mexicans leaving the U.S. than arriving. Billions of dollars have been spent in recent years to build fencing, improve border technology and expand the Border Patrol. Nonetheless the Mexican border remains a focal point for those who argue that the country is not secure.

Education

Education is a core issue not just for students and families, but for communities, the economy, and the nation as a global competitor. The country has some 50 million K-12 students. Teaching them, preparing them for college and careers, costs taxpayers more than $580bn a year, or about $11,670 per pupil per year. A better education usually translates into higher earnings. And while high school graduations are up sharply and drop-out rates down, the nation has a ways to go to match the educational outcomes elsewhere. American schoolchildren trail their counterparts in Japan, Korea, Germany, France and more. For students seeking higher education, they face rising college costs and many are saddled with debt. Hillary Clinton has proposed free tuition at in-state public colleges and universities for working families with incomes up to $125,000 — free for families, that is, not for tax-

payers. Donald Trump has focused on school choice, recently proposing to spend $20bn in his first year in office to expand programs that let low-income families send their children to the local public, private, charter or magnet school that they think is best.

Role of government

It’s the Goldilocks conundrum of American politics: Is the government too big, too small or just right? Every four years, the presidential election offers a referendum on whether Washington should do more or less. Donald Trump favours cutting regulation and has promised massive tax cuts, but his plans are expected to add trillions to the national debt. Unlike most conservatives, he supports eminent domain and has spoken positively about government-run health care. And don’t forget that massive border wall. Hillary Clinton has vowed new spending on education and infrastructure that could grow government, too. She strongly supports “Obamacare,” which most small government proponents see as overreach. At its heart, the debate about government’s reach pits the desire to know your basic needs will be cared for against the desire to be left alone. For the last few decades, polls have found Americans generally feel frustrated by the federal government and think it’s wasteful. A smaller government sounds good to a lot of people until they’re asked what specific services or benefits they are willing to do without.

Trade

In this angry election year, many American voters are skeptical about free trade — or hostile to it. The backlash threatens a pillar of US policy: The United States has long sought global trade. Economists say imports cut prices for consumers and make the US more efficient. But unease has simmered, especially as American workers faced competition from low-wage Chinese labor. Last year, the US ran a $334 bn trade deficit with China — $500bn with the entire world. The Democratic and Republican presidential candidates are both playing to public suspicions about trade deals. Hillary Clinton broke with President Barrack Obama by opposing an Asia-Pacific trade agreement that she had supported as secretary of state. Donald Trump vows to tear up existing trade deals and to slap huge tariffs on Chinese imports. But trade deals have far less impact on jobs than forces such as

automation and wage differences between countries. Trump’s plans to impose tariffs could start a trade war and raise prices.

Supreme court

STEPS IN ELECTING A US PRESIDENT The president is elected every four years and can serve for only two terms. According to the US constitution, the president must be a native born citizen at least 35 years of age and resident for at least 14 years

The ideological direction of the Supreme Court is going to tip one way or the other after the election. The outcome could sway decisions on issues that profoundly affect everyday Americans: immigration, gun control, climate change and more. The court has been operating with eight justices since Antonin Scalia died in February. His successor appears unlikely to be confirmed until after the election, at the earliest. The court is split between four Democratic-appointed, liberal justices and four conservatives who were appointed by Republicans — although Justice Anthony Kennedy has sided with the liberals on abortion, same-sex marriage and affirmative action in the past two years. The ninth justice will push the court left or right, depending on whether Democrat Hillary Clinton or Republican Donald Trump becomes president. President Barack Obama has nominated Merrick Garland to take Scalia’s seat, but the Republican Senate has refused to consider Garland’s nomination, in an effort to prevent a liberal court majority.

China

Tensions have been rising over China’s assertive behaviour in the seas of Asia. The US also accuses China of unfair trading practices and cyber theft of business secrets. Donald Trump says that the sheer volume of trade gives the US leverage over China. He accuses China of undervaluing its currency to make its exports artificially cheap and proposes tariffs as high as 45 percent on Chinese imports if Beijing doesn’t change its behaviour. Such action could risk a trade war that would make many products in the US more expensive. Clinton says the US needs to press the rising Asian power to play by international rules, whether on trade or territorial disputes. While many of China’s neighbours are unnerved by its military build-up, the wider world needs the US and China to get along, to tackle global problems. The US and China are also economically inter-dependent, and punishment by one party could end up hurting the other.

tions have not worked so far. North Korea’s isolation is deepening, but it has continued to conduct nuclear test explosions and make advances in its missile technology. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says the US can put more pressure on China to rein in its North Korean ally. He says he is willing to meet the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un. Democrat Hillary Clinton wants the world to intensify sanctions as the Obama administration did with Iran, a course that eventually opened the way for a deal to contain its nuclear program. But it will be tough to force North Korea back to negotiations that aim at its disarmament in exchange for aid. Kim views atomic weapons as a security guarantee for his oppressive regime

North Korea

America and the world

Pariah state North Korea could soon be capable of targeting America with nuclear weapons. What can the US do to stop it? Diplomacy and economic sanc-

How the US uses its influence as the world’s sole superpower is a central feature of presidential power. It can mean taking the country to war — to protect the homeland or to

defend an ally. Or it can mean using diplomacy to prevent war. It can affect US jobs, too, as choices arise either to expand trade deals or to erect barriers to protect US markets. In the contest between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, America’s role in the world is a point of sharp differences. Each says the US must be the predominant power, but they would exercise leadership differently. Trump calls his approach “America first,” meaning alliances and coalitions would not pass muster unless they produced a net benefit to the US Clinton sees international partnerships as essential tools for using US influence and lessening the chances of war. These divergent views could mean very different approaches to the military fight and ideological struggle against the Islamic State, the future of Afghanistan and Iraq, the contest with China for influence in Asia and the Pacific, and growing nervousness in Europe over Russian aggression. l

Source: AP

World

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Inter-state water war exposes urban India’s growing pains n Reuters, Bengaluru Oracle employees were at work on Monday when protesters entered their nine-storey building in India’s technology hub, Bengaluru, and asked them to leave in support of demonstrations that had erupted across the city over a water dispute. By early afternoon, one of the US software giant’s biggest overseas offices had been evacuated, two employees there told Reuters, as had the Bengaluru premises of dozens of multinationals and Indian firms that stayed shut on Tuesday to ensure staff safety. A spokeswoman for Oracle in India said no one was available to comment on the incident. Two days of violence, in which protesters torched buses and clashed with riot police after a court ordered Karnataka state to share water from a river with another region, have exposed the growing pains of the dynamic technology hub’s chaotic boom. “They come and live here, which means our resources are being used by them. Tomorrow, if there is no water in the city, will they have an office here?” said 30-year-old local activist Keerthi Shankaraghatta, who led a group that staged peaceful calls to shut down several offices during the protests. Videos posted on his Facebook page show employees from companies including Accenture and ICICI Bank being escorted out of their offices. ICICI declined to comment. Accenture did not respond to a request for comment.

‘I felt unsafe’

Bengaluru businesses have faced four days of disruption this month after the water protests and an unrelated strike, hitting operations in a city that accounts for a significant chunk of India’s $97bn in information technology exports. The head of Indian drugmaker Biocon jokingly referred to Bengaluru as “Bandhaluru”, using the Hindi word “Bandh” for closed. Employees of two large Indian companies told Reuters their buses were stopped and rocked by protesters, who asked them to join the demonstrations. Cars and trucks registered in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu were smashed and set on fire. A 22-year-old IT worker, who declined to be identified, said she saw a police van in flames. “For the first time, I felt unsafe in a city I love so much,” said Prejin Joe, who runs a tech startup in Bengaluru and is originally from another southern state, Kerala. Despite such experiences, and images of burning buses and trucks broadcast by Indian TV news channels, employers said the spasm of violence, in which two people were killed, had done no major damage to the appeal of the southern city. Several big employers contacted by Reuters said the violence had not changed their view of the city as an attractive place to be based. None was prepared to be quoted. Yet major infrastructure problems like congestion and poor water management, if not adequately addressed, may over time blunt Bengaluru’s edge over other dynamic

commercial centres in India and beyond. From a sleepy retirement centre known as “Garden City” in the 1990s, Bengaluru, or Bangalore, has grown to become a sprawling metropolis of 10 million that is home to major offices of firms such as Amazon.com, Dell and local giant Wipro . To some, Bengaluru’s rise mirrors India’s economic progress over the past two decades, with business parks staffed with thousands of young, English-speaking graduates lured by the city’s cosmopolitan feel and well-paid office jobs. But the growth has come at a cost. Streets are gridlocked, property prices have jumped and lakes and open spaces concreted over. Many locals like Shankaraghatta are angry at the pressure new inhabitants put on resources. “Bangalore definitely has its challenges in terms of traffic, water and infrastructure. The government has got a lot to do in terms of urban planning, but this city has a never-giveup attitude,” said Ryan Fernando, head of a Bengaluru-based chain of nutrition clinics.

400 million more city dwellers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has grand designs to build 100 futuristic ‘smart’ cities that promise a hygienic, networked life for residents, but India’s existing urban spaces lack efficient public transport and sanitation. In the southern city of Chennai, poor urban planning and rampant “encroachment” by property developers were blamed for exacerbating deadly floods last December. With India’s cities forecast to absorb 400 million more people within a generation, experts worry the hassles of doing business could eventually outweigh the cost advantages that brought so many companies to Bengaluru. Cities like Hyderabad, nearly 600km to the north, are rushing to offer tax incentives and tout newer infrastructure to lure big employers away from crowded Bengaluru. Facebook, Uber and Google have large offices in Hyderabad. But for now the advantages Bengaluru enjoys, with its unrivalled pool of skilled software engineers and swanky business parks, make it the city of choice for most large firms. Companies leased out top grade office space of more than 7 million square feet in Bengaluru in the first nine months of 2015, double 2013 levels and more than any other Indian city, according to property consultancy Cushman and Wakefield data. Hyderabad also leased out double the amount of prime commercial space in 2015 from two years earlier, but at the lower level of over 2 million square feet, the data showed. “What has happened has been blown out of proportion. Bengaluru’s mojo has not gone,” said Shailesh Pathak, executive director at Bhartiya Group, which runs an integrated residential, business and commercial township in Bengaluru. “People will certainly diversify to Hyderabad, Chennai, the Delhi National Capital Region and Pune - as they are already doing. But Bengaluru remains head and shoulders above all other megacities.”l

An armoured police car patrols during a curfew following violence in the city due to the Cauvery water sharing dispute with neighbouring state Tamil Nadu in Bangaluru on September 13 AFP

12 Business

SUNNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

ADB to provide $200m for modernising railways n Tribune Business Desk

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $200 million to modernise Bangladesh Railway (BR) to increase its passengers and goods transport capacities. The development partner is providing the loan under the ‘Railway Rolling Stock Project’, reports BSS. A loan agreement on the funding will be signed between the government and the ADB on September 28. ADB’s Country Director and Residence Mission Chief Kazuhiko Higuchi and Senior Secretary of Economic Relations Division (ERD) Mohammad Mejbahuddin will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides. According to the project document, the funding will help improve railways transport capacity on key routes such as the Dhaka-Chittagong and Dhaka-Khulna mainline by supporting the capacity building initiatives of the BR. With the ADB’s fund, BR will purchase 264 passenger carriages, 10 diesel electric locomotives for meter gauge main line network, four relief cranes, two train washing plants and one simulator for loco-master training. l

DSE, CSE trading resumes today n Tribune Business Desk Trading in the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) will resume today, ending a nine-day Eid holiday. The two stock exchanges were closed from September 9 to 17 on the occasion of the holy Eid-ulAzha, the second biggest religious festival of the Muslims. “The stock exchanges will reopen for business on Sunday (today),” said an official. Besides, trading will also remain open on September 24 (Saturday) on the bourses in line with all the public offices including financial institutions, DSE said in a statement. Before going for long closure on September 8, the DSE key index, DSEX, rose marginally over 6 points or 0.2% to 4,601. The DS30 comprising blue chips fell over 2 points or 0.3% to 1,759. The DSE Shariah Index, DSES, lost 2 points or 0.3% to 1,108. Trading activities declined as the DSE turnover stood at Tk481 crore, down over 3% over previous session. The CSE Selective Categories Index, CSCX, gained 16 points or 0.2% to 8,617. l

Plan to take $600m hard loan from World Bank n Asif Showkat Kallol Bangladesh plans to take a hard loan of $600m from the World Bank for a short term along with a soft loan for the country’s productive infrastructural projects, said official sources. The government has also taken an initiative to start the second phase of the Investment Promotion and Financing Facility (IPFF) project. Finance Division officials said the global lender has come up with a fresh proposal and the division and Bangladesh Bank are now reviewing that proposal. The loan will be taken from the “Scale-up Facility” fund of the World Bank Group’s International

Development Association (IDA). According to the proposal, the weighted average interest rate will be 1.60% which the government thinks “acceptable.” The IDA-funded IPFF project has played a role in enhancing technical capacities of the Public-Private Partnership initiatives. However, the IDA’s soft loans will be reduced gradually and as a result the hard loans will be necessary for the development projects. With the help of the global lender, the government has been implementing the IPFF projects since 2007. Bangladesh Bank has executed the IPFF projects signing an administrative contract between Finance Fivision and Bangladesh Bank.

The main objective of the project is to develop the infrastructure with long-term low-interest financing as there is a lack of capacity of the local banks and financial institutions. In the first phase of project, the World Bank gave a total of $50m while $60m came from the government, of which 98% used for the first three years. Under the IPFF initiative, a total of seven power plants were built in the private sector, adding 178 megawatt of electricity to the national grid. After evaluation of the first phase of that project, the World Bank has increased financing five times in the second phase. There is a target of a total of

$307m funding in the running of the second phase of the project that will end in December, 2016. For the 365MW capacity of four power plants, the water treatment plant, an inland container depot and a nationwide project to establish a fiber-optic cable network has nearly $80m longterm loan. In the meantime, the government’s counterpart funds are equivalent to approximately $30m. The government has already received nearly $81.8m, which has been submitted to the government treasury. There is no pending of loan instalments under the private sector debt during last three years, according to the latest data of the project. l

BSEC tightens financial Petrol pump owners disclosure norms threaten indefinite n strike in early Oct Tribune Business Desk

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission has made mandatory full disclosures of the quarterly financial statements in an effort to bring more transparency in the market. The move follows listed companies publishing quarterly financial statements in brief in newspapers without giving details, after which it created a confusion to read the financial statements of the companies. Publishing advertisements with details will be easier to understand them. “In case of significant deviation in any parameter between the quarterly periods, the issuer company must provide reasons in its financial disclosures,” said the BSEC. “The issuer of a listed security will have to make available the detailed quarterly financial statements in their website.” The notification said the issuer must disclose, among others, comparative net asset value per share, earnings per share and net operating cash flow per share in respect of preceding comparable period for these parameters as declared for the current period’s financial statement. The board of directors of the issuer of a listed security will have to hold the board meeting involving price sensitive decision either after trading hour or on a holiday, it added.

In its notification, the securities regulator included the provision of publishing financial statement for the second quarter along with other quarterly statements in at least two widely circulated dailies, one in Bangla and the other in English. Besides, the listed companies, other than the insurance ones, will have to submit financial statements within 45 days of the end of the first quarter and one month of the end of second quarter and third quarter to the commission and stock exchanges, it said. Besides, the listed companies, other than the insurance ones, shall submit financial statements within 45 days of the end of the first quarter and one month of the end of second quarter and third quarter to the commission and stock exchanges, according to the notification. It said the insurance companies will have to publish and submit quarterly financial statements (audited or unaudited) to the commission and stock exchanges within 90 days of the end of quarter one and one month of the end of the quarter two and three. At the same time, the companies will include the paragraph ‘The details of the published quarterly financial statements are available in the website of the company. The address of the website is…’ while publishing the quarterly financial statements in the newspapers. l

n UNB

Country’s petrol pump and tank-lorry owners and workers have threatened to go on an indefinite strike from the first week of October if the government ‘fails’ to resolve their problems by the time. “We’ve made the final appeal to the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) chairman through a letter, dated September 4, to address our problems through discussions by a week,” Nazmul Haque, convenor of Bangladesh Petrol Pump and Tank-Lorry Owners-Workers Unity Council, told UNB. Nazmul Haque said the copy of the letter, which was given to the BPC Chairman, was also sent to the State Minister for Power and Energy and the Secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.

“This is our final notice to the government before going on a non-stop strike across the country,” he said. There has been no response from the government as yet though over 10 days have elapsed since the letter was sent. “So, the Unity Council will announce its action programme this week to launch a non-stop strike from the first week of October,” said Nazmul Haque. “Actually, we’re taking time just because of Eid vacation. We don’t want to create any hazard for the mass people by enforcing a strike right now,” he said. The Unity Council, formed recently by the owners and workers of petrol pumps and tank-lorries, earlier observed a 9-hour strike on August 28 to press home their 12-point demand. l

Business

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

BTB for partnering with youths to attain SDGs n Ishtiaq Husain Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) has now undertaken initiatives for partnering with the youths to attain the country’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs). As part of its move, national tourism organisation organised a day-long workshop on “SDG Implementation” in association with Stride Bangladesh at its office in the capital recently. A total of 20 students including young travelers, youth community leaders and young professionals attended the workshop. Civil Aviation Minister Rashed

Khan Menon distributed certificates among the participants. Nikhil Ranjon Ray, director (Joint secretary) of Bangladesh Tourism Board said: “On January 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – adopted by the world leaders in September 2015 at an historic UN Summit -officially came in to force.” The SDGs have certain similarities with its predecessor called “Millennium Development Goals” in terms of poverty, healthcare, education and environmental sustainability but the SDGs are more robust, ambitious and detailed in characteristics.

The SDGs touched all the key aspects of future development and denoted that all sorts of development have to be inclusive yet controlled in nature. Among the SDGs, sustainable tourism has been given the highest priority. In particular, the tourism sector has been focused in goals 8, 12 and 14, which address inclusive and sustainable economic growth, sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and the sustainable use of oceans and marine resources respectively. The goal eight of SDGs says: “To devise and implement policies by 2030 for promoting sustainable

tourism that creates jobs and upholds local culture and products.” The target of the Goal 12 is to develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products. Goal 14 targets to increase the economic benefits to small island developing states and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism by its stipulated timeframe. Akhtaruz Zaman Khan Kabir,

CEO of Tourism Board said: “Bangladesh Tourism Board will work out a Comprehensive Tool Kits for measuring and monitoring environmental, economic and social impacts for the development of sustainable tourism under Tourism Master Plan.” Under this plan, small potential offshore islands would come under sustainable development of tourism, destination and product planning, substantial investment in education and tourism infrastructure, adopting a proper strategy and policies to address inadequacy to domestic air connectivity as well as to boost growth of the tourism industry. l

Jobs in EPZs rise by 8% in FY’ 2015-16 n Tribune Business Desk Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) has achieved 8.0% growth in terms of employment generation in 2015-16 fiscal year compared to the previous fiscal year. “The Export Processing Zones (EPZs) under BEPZA created employment opportunities for 33,551 Bangladeshi nationals. The figure was 31,084 in the fiscal year 2014-15,” a BEPZA press release said yesterday.

Among the 33,551 new employments in the last fiscal year, 8306 manpower was added in Karnaphuli EPZ, 7,124 in Uttara EPZ, 6,154 in Chittagong EPZ, 6,368 in Adamjee EPZ, 3,330 in Dhaka EPZ, 2,522 in Comilla EPZ and 15 in Mongla EPZ. The BEPZA press release said: “Currently 4,53,652 Bangladeshi nationals are working in 461 enterprises of EPZs under BEPZA, with 64% being female workers indicating EPZs role in women empowerment in the country.” l

Tech Mahindra launches new revenue experience platform n Tribune Business Desk Tech Mahindra, a specialist in digital transformation, consulting and business re-engineering and, Mahindra Comviva, the global leader in providing mobility solutions, recently announced the launch of “Data Revenue Booster (DRB)”, said the company in a statement. DRB allows Communication Service Providers (CSP) to open up additional revenue opportunities while delivering innovative services to users. The DRB Solution bridges the gap between operator networks and content services by exposing the OSS and BSS capabilities of operators to content providers and vice versa. This streamlines collaboration between digital content providers and operators, making it possible to offer unique application-specific features to end users for better experiences.

Built on Google Mobile Data Plan APIs, DRB will seamlessly support future Google Use Cases and other digital content providers. Shailesh Patwardhan – Technical Fellow, Tech Mahindra, said: “Digital Transformation across the industry is opening up new possibilities of collaboration between CSPs and digital content providers.” To realise the next step in the collaboration, Tech Mahindra is excited to bring the Mobile Data Revenue Experience platform to CSPs, he said. The deep domain expertise of the company simplifies and accelerates the integration of the solution, paving the way for a quicker realisation of the collaboration benefits. Based on Mahindra Comviva’s mBAS suite, the DRB Solution enables apps such as YouTube to trigger customized real-time data offers, leading to a seamless YouTube watching experience. l

Workers from a environmentally-friendly rubbish disposal business called ScrapApp sort through garbage in a shopping mall in Noida REUTERS

Businesses designed to help poor in India attracting overseas investors n Reuters As a new business in India offering environmentally-friendly rubbish disposal, ScrapApp has boomed in the past year while helping address one of the nation’s major problems - garbage. In India, where recycling rubbish is not part of the formal sector, masked workers from social enterprise ScrapApp sift through mounds of rubbish daily at India’s largest mall, DLF Mall of India, separating recyclable trash from other waste. The mall contract is the jewel in the crown for the year-old start-up, one of a growing number of social enterprises in India which are seeking funds to create businesses with a mission to tackle social problems.

A Thomson Reuters Foundation poll of nearly 900 experts on the best countries for social entrepreneurs found access to investment was one of the key challenges in the growing sector. But India was one of the countries where it was easiest to access investment, coming behind Canada, Singapore, the United States, and Belgium. ScrapApp’s CEO Vidhur Bakshi, 27, said overseas may be the best place to seek funds to have an impact in India where one-third of the 1.3 billion population live below the poverty line and garbage pollutes streets and rivers and spreads disease. “There are sources of funding within India, but it is not easy, most people want a quick return,” said

Bakshi, who started ScrapApp in September 2015 with three colleagues. “There are a lot possibilities if we explore sources of finance overseas.” The poll, carried out in partnership with Deutsche Bank, the Global Social Entrepreneurship Network (GSEN) and UnLtd, foundations for social entrepreneurs, surveyed social entrepreneurs, academics investors and support agencies in the world’s 45 biggest economies as ranked by the World Bank. The survey found the difficulty in accessing funds was compounded by a lack of public awareness about the work of social entrepreneurs who can run for-profit or non-profit businesses which try to drive social change. l

Business

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Linde CEO, CFO leave after Praxair talks collapse n Reuters, Frankfurt German industrial gases group Linde’s top two executives are leaving the company, Linde announced last week, raising the possibility that abandoned merger talks with US rival Praxair could come back onto the agenda. The German company had sought to create a $60bn plus industrial gases market leader in a merger of equals with Praxair, but the two companies said on Monday they had agreed to end the talks. Finance chief Georg Denoke, who was cited by people close to the matter as a disruptive influence with ambitions to lead the company himself, is leaving the management board immediately, Linde said in a statement. Chief Executive Wolfgang Buechele will not extend his contract beyond April 2017. Chairman Wolfgang Reitzle, once again the most powerful man at Linde after vacating the CEO position two years ago, said the company would now concentrate on organic growth. He also told German business daily Handelsblatt that other rivals would be a poor fit for Linde compared with Praxair. But people close to Linde said the departures made it more likely that talks with Praxair could restart. “With new management in place, new talks could come about,” said one. One source close to the merger talks said Denoke campaigned against the deal aggressively. Another source close to Linde said tension had been building between

Linde Group logo is seen at company building in Munich Denoke and Buechele. Others said Denoke had merely been lukewarm about the deal but that this was the last straw in a history of conflict. Attempts by Reuters to reach Denoke were not successful and Linde said it could no longer speak for its former CFO. Shares in Linde closed 4.6%

higher at 144.85 euros on the news, making up some ground lost on Monday when they fell 7% on the collapse of the talks. “I was personally disappointed that I could not reach the goal of creating the number one globally. This has not been an easy decision,” Buechele said in a statement. Reitzle praised Buechele’s

REUTERS

“sense of responsibility” in making sure the interests of Linde’s German presence would have been secured in any merger. The talks foundered on where the combined firm would have its key operations, and who would occupy the main management roles, sources had told Reuters. “Linde will now redouble its

focus on its core markets and expand the company’s competitive position based on its considerable inherent strengths,” Reitzle said. Reitzle said the search for a successor to Buechele would start immediately. Linde’s head of Group Treasury, Sven Schneider, will take over from CFO Denoke on an interim basis. l

IEA: Global energy 1m Samsung smartphones in US recall investment slides in 2015 n AFP, San Francisco

n AFP, Paris The International Energy Agency said last week that global energy investment sank in 2015 on ultra-low oil prices but noted a shift towards spending on cleaner energy. Investment in global energy projects fell eight percent last year on sliding expenditure in oil and gas upstream projects, despite robust spending in renewables, electricity networks and energy efficiency, the Paris-based IEA said in a report. The total level of investment was $1.8tn (1.6tn euros), down from $2tn in 2014, it said in a detailed analysis of the energy sector. The IEA added however that there was a clear move to switch away from fossil fuels and towards cleaner renewable energy. “We see a broad shift of spend-

ing toward cleaner energy, often as a result of government policies,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol in the report. “Our report clearly shows that such government measures can work, and are key to a successful energy transition. “But while some progress has been achieved, investors need clarity and certainty from policy makers. China was the world’s largest energy investor last year with spending of $315bn thanks to its efforts to build up low carbon generation and electricity networks and energy efficiency policies. Renewable energy investments of $313bn accounted for nearly a fifth of total spending last year, making renewables the largest source of power investment, the report found. l

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission last week announced a recall of around one million Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones plagued by incidents of batteries bursting into flames. The move by the US safety agency formalizes the recall underway in 10 countries after reports of faulty batteries that caused some handsets to explode during charging. Samsung meanwhile announced replacements for the faulty phones would be available to US customers next week. In the United States, there have been 92 reports of batteries overheating, including 26 reports of burns and 55 reports of property damage, including fires in cars and a garage, the commission said in a notice. The US notice affects around one million of the global total of 2.5 million handsets being recalled,

which has cast a cloud over the South Korean electronics giant and world’s largest smartphone vendor. Samsung has advised consumers in 10 countries to trade their handsets for temporary replacement phones until it releases an updated flagship device. But many users have snubbed the offer, choosing to wait until the new phones were available, citing the inconvenience of switching devices for an interim period. And different regulatory practices in different countries - as well as varying reactions from carriers have caused a degree of customer uncertainty and confusion that is hampering Samsung’s efforts to get the recall behind it as quickly and painlessly as possible. In a half-page ad carried by major South Korean newspapers on Wednesday, Samsung announced a Note 7 software update that will limit battery recharges to 60 percent of capacity. It would prevent the phones

from overheating, and thus exploding, but would effectively mean a downgrade of the high-end device.

Replacements coming

Samsung Electronics America announced that replacements for Note 7 smartphones will be available at retail locations in the US by September 21. “Our collaboration with the CPSC to fast-track a voluntary recall in the US addresses safety concerns by ensuring we reach Note 7 owners quickly to exchange their devices,” Samsung America president Tim Baxter said. “We are asking owners to act now by powering down their Note 7 devices and receive a replacement devices or a refund through our exchange program.” In an effort to steal a march on Apple, the Note 7 was given an early launch in the key US market, making that a priority for the recall effort. l

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

IEA: Global oil glut set to last at least until mid-2017 n AFP, Paris

A global oil glut that has hurt producers but means cheaper pump prices look set to go on at least six months longer than previously thought, the IEA said last week, sending world oil prices slumping. The International Energy Agency said demand growth was slowing while supply was rising, meaning the glut was now due to linger “at least through the first half of next year”. The Paris-based organisation had earlier seen the oil oversupply disappearing in the latter part of 2016. The timing of the world oil market’s return to balance is “the big question”, the IEA said in its monthly report, adding that current prices - above $45 - would suggest supply falling and strong demand growth. “However, the opposite now seems to be happening,” it said. “Demand growth is slowing and supply is rising.” The trend may fuel speculation of a possible production freeze aimed at supporting prices - being agreed between OPEC and nonOPEC member Russia at a meeting in Algeria later this month. China and India, which had been key drivers recently of demand growth, are “wobbling”, it said, while a slowdown in the United States and economic concerns in developing countries have also contributed to the surprise development. Global oil demand is now expected to grow by 1.3 million barrels per day (mb/d) in 2016, to 96.1 mb/d, from its original forecast of 1.4 mb/d growth. The IEA also trimmed its demand growth forecast for 2017 by 200,000 barrels per day, to 97.3 mb/d.

Saudi jumps US

On the supply side, output fell in August, led by producers outside of

Oil workers are seen in front of a refurbished oil refinery in Esmeraldas the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) cartel. After gains in June and July, global oil supplies dropped by 300,000 barrels per day last month, to 96.9 mb/d. Non-OPEC supply is expected to rebound next year, after declining this year. But, said the IEA, OPEC production edged up last month to a near-record supply level, which “just about offset steep non-OPEC declines”. Producers Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq are all at, or near all-time highs, the report said. “Saudi Arabia’s vigorous production has allowed it to overtake the US and become the world’s largest oil producer,” it added. The US had held the spot since April 2014. In late 2014, OPEC shifted its strategy to defend market share, rather than price, a move which has hit high-cost non-OPEC producers especially hard. Among them, the United States,

formerly the engine of non-OPEC supply growth, has particularly suffered. Iran, meanwhile, has been “swift” to ramp up its production after the lifting in January of years of nuclear-linked sanctions. Production by the 14 members of OPEC rose slightly in August to 33.47 mb/d.

OPEC ‘trapped’

The IEA, which advises oil consuming nations on energy issues, said its latest data indicated that the “supply-demand dynamic may not change significantly in the coming months.” “As a result, supply will continue to outpace demand at least through the first half of next year,” it said. “As for the market’s return to balance - it looks like we may have to wait a while longer,” it added. As a result of the stubborn supply glut, producers have been hurt by a plunge in crude prices from

Business

REUTERS

around $100 in mid-2014 to 13-year lows of below $30 at the start of this year. Analyst Olivier Jakob, of Switzerland-based Petromatrix, said OPEC was “trapped” as non-OPEC supply had been able to adapt to lower prices better than expected. “The IEA data is also suggesting that an OPEC ‘freeze’ will not be enough to rebalance the market in 2017,” he said in a note to investors.

Oil slumps

World oil prices dropped Tuesday in response to the IEA report, which came a day after OPEC said that non-OPEC producers, such as Russia, would see output rise in 2017, revising its previous expectations of a drop. “Oil remains under pressure again today after the IEA reported that oil demand growth will be lower than expected this year,” said Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at Oanda trading group. l

Central bankers: Basel on right track with bank capital rules n Reuters Regulators are heading in the the right direction in reforming the way banks calculate how much capital they must hold to stay solvent, a group of central bankers said on Sunday. The reforms have been heavily criticised by lenders who say they will lead to hefty increases in capital requirements, an outcome the central bankers said should be avoided. The world’s top central bankers said on Sunday that completion of remaining post financial crisis reforms to bank capital was going in the right direction and the focus should be on avoiding large increases in requirements. The Basel Committee of banking supervisors is finalising rules on how much capital lenders should hold to withstand shocks without needing the taxpayer handouts that many were given during the 2007-09 financial crisis. The committee is facing hefty pushback from banks and some governments, especially in Europe. The Group of Central Bank Governors and Heads of Supervision, or GHOS, met on Sunday to scrutinise progress so far on finalising the Basel III reforms ushered in by the financial crisis. Its members include the Federal Reserve, the Bank of England, and the European Central Bank (ECB). “The GHOS endorsed the broad direction of the Committee’s reforms,” it said in a statement. “The GHOS discussed the Basel Committee’s ongoing cumulative impact assessment and reaffirmed that, as a result of this assessment, the committee should focus on not significantly increasing overall capital requirements.” Banks have dubbed the remaining reforms Basel IV, meaning a step change in requirements that they say will make it harder to increase lending to the economy. l

Wearable tech market cools, as consumers step back n AFP, Washington Wearable tech, which was seeing sizzling sales growth a year ago, is cooling this year amid consumer hesitation over new devices, a survey showed last week. The research firm IDC said it expects global sales of wearables to grow some 29.4% to some 103 million units in 2016. That follows 171% growth in 2015, fueled by the launch of the Apple Watch and a variety of fitness bands.

“It is increasingly becoming more obvious that consumers are not willing to deal with technical pain points that have to date been associated with many wearable devices,” said IDC analyst Ryan Reith. So-called basic wearables - including fitness bands and other devices that do not run third party applications - will make up the lion’s share of the market with some 80.7 million units shipped this year, according to IDC. l

Green Delta Capital Limited and Central Sharia Board for Islamic Banks of Bangladesh (CSBIB) have recently organised a workshop on Islamic Financing and Growth Opportunity of Sukuk in Bangladesh, said a press release. Chairperson of Green Delta Capital Limited, Nasir A Choudhury inaugurated the workshop at the presence of AQM Safiullah Arif, secretary general of CSBIB

Career

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Don’t let me go:

why good employees leave Understanding brownout and how to avoid it

Sabrina Fatma Ahmad

As the corporate cultures in the country continue to evolve, companies are watching their employees with concern. Even with the job market the way it is, turnover rates are on the up, and it’s less and less likely to come across people who choose to stay with a single company for life. Even the “good” employees – the loyal, hard-working, and passionate ones are likely to disengage as their interest in their job dissipates with time. Michael Kibler, who has spent much of his career studying this phenomenon, refers to it as brownout. Like candles guttering out, even top employees slowly lose their fire for their jobs. “Brownout is different from burnout because workers afflicted by it are not in obvious crisis,”Kibler says. “They seem to be performing fine: putting in massive hours, grinding out work while contributing to teams, and saying all the right things in meetings. However, they are operating in a silent state of continual overwhelm, and the predictable consequence is disengagement.”

The good news is, this situation is avoidable, and it doesn’t necessarily involve tons of money, but rather, a change in managerial strategy. Here are five surprising reasons why good employees leave.

No growth

In this day and age of instant gratification, when patience is passé and everything is on demand all the time, employees are less inclined to wait for that promotion or opportunity for career advancement. If at any point the workers feel like they have hit the ceiling at the current job, you can be sure they’re looking for the next place to start. Creating a dynamic structure, or providing concrete motivation, not just in terms of salary, but also by making the good employees stakeholders in the big picture can actually convince them to stay on.

Tolerance for poor performances

If you’ve ever had to do a group project in school or university, you know that the success of the project usually depends on that one person who actually does all the work while the rest of the team disappears. And if you’re that

one person, you must remember the loathing you felt towards the slackers. The same case applies at work. If there are person(s) who are not applying their best to the job, or holding up the process, the pressure to meet deadlines and carry the project through falls on the top talent. Over time, this leads to burnout and resentment and the workplace environment becomes very toxic. Managers who wish to retain their star performers must absolutely address personal issues head on.

for hard work are more likely to inspire corporate loyalty than companies that don’t.

need to be involved in the minutiae of their employees’ lives; but a certain amount of empathy is definitely necessary.

No empathy

This one’s frustrating, but true, and increasingly important. When the work is repetitive, there is a high chance of boring the best employees into jobs somewhere else. For businesses, this means that attracting, engaging, and retaining top talent depends on reinventing their work environments, blurring the line between work and play. The workplace culture needs to incorporate opportunities for autonomy and innovation, in order to keep up the feel-good factor. Thankfully, companies in Dhaka are waking up to this, and workplace cultures are relaxing slowly, and several offices have even incorporated an element of fun into their workplace design.

Let’s face it. Life in Dhaka is hard. There is always some exigency looming around the corner, and sometimes even the best worker falls short, or needs time off. This is where it’s tantamount for the managers to be present and available to listen. And sometimes, when there is a problem with the existing system within the workplace, the worker may have a valuable suggestion for improvement. Showing them that there is scope for their concerns and suggestions to be heard and taken into account goes a long way. This is not to say that the bosses

No fun

Ultimately, the thing to remember is that people don’t leave jobs; they leave their managers. So if your company is bleeding talent, maybe it’s time to shake the structure. l

Lack of appreciation

Believe it or not, a hefty pay-check won’t always guarantee staying power. The person doing the grind, putting in the hours needs to feel like his/her work matters, and is noticed by the big brass. Labour Relations scholar and author of How to Find a Job, Career and Life You Love and CEO of Purpose Meets Execution, Louis Efron talks about the power of “intrinsic motivation”, and that it may often trump the outside incentives, such as pay-check and punishment. Companies that recognise a job well done, and show appreciation

PHOTOS: BIGSTOCK

Internships

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

PHOTO: BIGSTOCK

Reasons

why you shouldn’t ignore non-paid internships n Luana Ahonika Nasir

Utilising your networking skills can even take you to the right people at the right time and even land you a full time, paid job!

Let’s be honest, internships can be a daunting experience. Putting your blood and sweat into work without any expectation of getting paid may seem unsettling. You may start thinking if it’s at all worth it. Hold on to your horses before jumping into any conclusion and passing that life changing opportunity of an internship. Be it paid or unpaid. Keep reading to give yourself more reasons to take the first step for pursuing your life’s ambition.

Resume

Make no mistake, your internship experience is going to boost your resume while you get a taste of the real world. It will set up a platform for you to work in the field of your career choice while giving an insight of enough know-how for you to survive in the job market.

Contacts

Internships will greatly shape

you to glide into the direction of your career. It will expand your horizons of knowledge, moulding you into a strong candidate for a potential job in the ever-socompetitive job market. Most importantly, it creates great opportunities for making new contacts to feature in your professional network. Utilising your networking skills can even take you to the right people at the right time and even land you a full time, paid job!

The unpaid factor

Some businesses, may it be a nonprofit organisation or a start up, don’t usually pay their interns for their efforts. The reason is simplethey are not obligated to. They do not necessarily need YOUR services. They probably have plenty of potential candidates vying on that internship notice. It is also likely that the payment does not fit into their budget. So the opportunity cost of turning down the unpaid internship for

you, is too high. To be fair, the unpaid factor seems meagre in comparison with the golden ticket to step into the world full of opportunities.

The trial period

Internships can be looked at as a “free trial period.” The reason it is free is quite obvious. Organisations actually use internships as a trial period where interns are assessed on different criteria. If you can make the cut, you are welcomed aboard and a permanent member of the team. Freshly out of school, you are lined up with a job for which you are qualified as you are already accustomed to the job environment and shaped perfectly with training. After getting an insight into the experience of unpaid internship, all the points can be co-related to one very important thing: getting a full time job that pays well. Internships may not amount to hefty pay-cheques even after the hard labour poured into the work.

However, the experience gained in the process in your desired work field is priceless. You must remember, there is a competitive job market out there. So all the work experience, network and knowledge you gain will surely be helpful when you are applying for a full time position at your desired organisation. Therefore, keep everything in mind and think twice before letting the golden ticket slip away. l

Want to send in internship articles? Email us at featuresdt@gmail.com

Feature

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Powerful 'YouthQuake' at UNDP

n Saqib Sarker On September 8, UNDP Bangladesh organised a youth conference as part of its larger programme called “YouthQuake! Youth Ambassadors for Resilient Bangladesh”. BBC Media Action, BDYouth, and UNDP Bangladesh are collaborating to manifest the campaign programme. The campaign launched “The Earthquake Preparedness Campaign Challenge” or “the Challenge” that seeks to generate new youth groups who are interested in disaster risk reduction issues, while developing economic opportunities for themselves. Teams of 3-4 youths from across the country will be challenged to design and present a potential earthquake preparedness campaign that captures the importance of taking precautions during an earthquake, fosters a culture of preparedness, and disseminates relevant information on disaster risk reduction strategies. The resulting campaign will be implemented in universities, organizations, institutions and also in the most vulnerable and disaster prone areas of the country to promote greater community resilience. Most communities in these vulnerable areas currently have limited knowledge on disaster risk reduction techniques, and as such, this campaign will be of great value in embedding a sustainable community culture – enhancing their resilience and lowering their risk in the wake of natural disasters.

How it works

Youth groups will submit campaign proposals, which will

be evaluated by a jury, and the top 3 campaigns of each challenge will be asked to present their unique campaign design to a separate panel of judges at a large, high-profile innovation event. The winning group from each challenge will be given a cash prize to implement their campaign with the support and guidance of the UNDP Youth team.

Why youth quake

The campaign aims to encourage youth leadership in disaster management. “We are looking forward to working with some of the brightest young minds of our country on a youth campaign for earthquake preparedness,” said Palki Ahmad, the Youth Coordinator in Democratic Governance Cluster at UNDP. Palki Ahmad said that the aim of the September 8 conference was to “create a platform for creative and bright minds to unite, to engage in active citizenship and network with relevant peers,” as a precursor to the bigger events. The conference took place at the IDB Bhaban in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, which also houses the UN offices. The UNDP Country Director Nick Beresford welcomed the participants in his opening remarks. Anchored by Palki Ahmad, the welcome speech was followed by an ice breaking session where participants were divided into groups and asked to make something with only old newspapers. The participants came from different universities including Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, North South University, Daffodil University, Ahsanullah

University, Dhaka University, Dhaka Mahanagar Mohila College, United International University, Bangladesh University of Professionals, and Military Institute of Science and Technology. After some interactive activities, a lively presentation was given by the Executive Editor at BBC Media Action Shihan Zuberi. One of the media partner Radio Shadhin are producing and airing documentaries under the title “Shaking things up”. 3 episodes have already been made and broadcast. A total of 6 episodes will be made. As part of the campaign the BBC Media Action has also started the #amraipari hash-tag. They are also producing a stick figure animation series to disseminate the essential information about earthquake. The closing speech was given by the Portfolio Manager of Climate Change and Environment Resilience (CCER) Cluster of the UNDP, Khurshid Alam.

Early success stories

“My basic background is in disaster management. I have had the opportunity to work in all major disasters over the 20 years all over the world. Starting from the earthquake in Iran to the Haiti earthquake, in Pakistan, in Kahsmir earthquake, during the tsunami, I was there,” Khurshid Alam informed the audience. Khurshid Alamsaid that Bangladesh has made tremendous progress in disaster management. “Two innovation particularly helped Bangladesh reduce the mortality rate in disaster significantly,” he said. “One of them is the “Orsaline”

(the saline supplement taken orally), and the other is satellite imaging and modeling technology,” he said. “We can now track when a cyclone is formed and make mathematical models (that accurately predict or map out its trajectory or route).” “You will be very glad to know that the building you are sitting in today is the brain of Bangladesh in disaster management.” “Earthquake is not actually a new disaster in this region.” But

government for search and rescue in the urban areas,” he said. “The government is also spending millions of dollars. So, at the Ministry of Disaster Management there is big preparing going on. They are also signing cooperation agreements with friendly countries,” Alam said. “Our whole campaign is designed to bring about behavioral change. The orsaline was a technological innovation but the real advancement was in the attitude change,” he said. “To raise awareness we have to reach people. I want to reach 12 million people in 3 years. A big part of it has to be through mobile phones. Because everyone has a mobile phone,” said Khurshid Alam. “But the most important component is you: the youth,” Khurshid Alam said. “Don’t think we are using you do it. It’s us who want to be part of a youth campaign by you,” Khurshid Alam said to the participants. Khurshid Alam thanked BDYouth, the BBC, Radio Shadhin and the Daily Dhaka Tribune for collaborating with UNDP. After the session ended the participants were keen to carry on with their involvement with UNDP. “From what I’ve gathered, this campaign is more than just

70 thousand building in Dhaka and 4 hundred thousand building in Bangladesh will collapse in case of a major earthquake. That means 4 hundred thousand Rana Plaza Khurshed Alam said that the old disasters need to be understood in the new context. Alam said that there are a few important elements that need to taken into account. “We are in an early stage of industrialization in this country. Number 2, urbanization; even 40 percent people in rural areas now live in “pukka” houses,” he said. “70 thousand building in Dhaka and 4 hundred thousand building in Bangladesh will collapse in case of a major earthquake. That means 4 hundred thousand Rana Plaza” said Khurshid Alam. Khurshid Alam emphasized that the preparedness has to be built up locally. “We have created 36 thousand urban volunteers. We also provided equipment to the

about taking on earthquakes. It is also about the powerful impact of this country’s youth be it in the ability to come up with out of the box ideas or be it in robust execution or be it in the techsavvy nature of our generation,” said one of the participant Sama Ahmed. Sama is studying civil engineering at Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology. “The part that makes me really happy is that the country is now looking at us for a solution to an imminent threat, and the response from my peers has shown me that each and every one of us is ready to take on this challenge with undying bravado,” Sama said. l

Biz Info

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

| jobs |

| award |

Employment generation of BEPZA rises by 8% in 2015-16 FY

Etihad Airways named best international airline

Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) has achieved 8% growth in terms of employment generation in 2015-16 fiscal year compared to the previous fiscal year. In the last fiscal year, EPZs under BEPZA created employment opportunities for 33,551 Bangladeshi nationals. The figure was 31,084 in the

fiscal year 2014-15. Thus, BEPZA is playing an important role to implement vision 2021 by creating huge employment opportunities in EPZs. Among the 33,551 new employments in the last fiscal year, 8306 persons added in Karnaphuli EPZ, 7124 in Uttara EPZ, 6154 in Chittagong EPZ,

6368 in Adamjee EPZ, 3330 in Dhaka EPZ, 2522 in Comilla EPZ and 15 in Mongla EPZ. Presently 453,652 Bangladeshi nationals are working in 461 enterprises of EPZs under BEPZA, among them 64% are female workers. EPZs of Bangladesh are playing a pivotal role in women empowerment.l

Etihad Airways was named ‘Best International Airline – Offline’ at the 2016 Travel Agents’ Association of New Zealand (TAANZ) National Travel Industry Awards held in Auckland on September 10. Voted for by the New Zealand travel industry, the award recognises the airline’s world-class product and service. Etihad Airways’ General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Sarah Built, who accepted the award on the airline’s behalf

thanked the partners, patrons and affiliates for their support. Etihad Airways code-shares with Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand from Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown and Wellington to its four Australian gateways, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. The annual TAANZ National Travel Industry Awards are in their third year in 2016. The ‘Best International Airline – Offline’ award is Etihad Airways’ first win in this category.l

| report |

| medal |

Friendship’s post-flood response

UGC Chairman receives ‘Professor Mobassher Ali Gold Medal 2016’

An estimated 3.7 million people have been affected by the recent floods which began in mid-July. More than 250,000 houses are reported damaged. Around 110 deaths have been reported. Though flood water has started receding from several districts, including Kurigram and Gaibandha, over the last couple of days, people’s sufferings have not been eased for lack of relief materials. As the flood situation improved, various post-flood agonies like acute crisis of food, drinking water and the outbreak of waterborne diseases have been reported.

According to the information of Kurigram Water Development Board (WDB), some 7,000 hectares of cropland have been inundated and damaged by the floodwater, leaving at least 1.59 lakh farmers affected. During this crisis period and before they go for next harvest, they not only need food relief for lack of earning sources but also need support for immediate farming. As part of the emergency response, an NGO Friendship distributed during and postflood relief to 20,757 families. In addition, post-flood rehabilitation measures have been taken to rebuild 56 primary schools and two secondary schools, and repaired five plinths where community village can be rehabilitated during postflood. To ease their suffering from diseases and malnutrition, 20 satellite clinics and nutrition camps have been organised. To provide safe drinking water and sanitation, 47 tube wells and 30 latrines have been installed. 4,000 seeds have been

distributed among farmers who lost their crops. The Founder and Executive Director of Friendship, Runa Khan quoted, “In giving relief, we must beware that we do not take away their self-respect and dignity. Then we take more than what we give.” Friendship’s continuing flood response was possible due to the extended support from several institutional contributors not only from Bangladesh but also from Sweden, Luxembourg, Holland, France and UK, along with support from many individual supporters and as well as the staff of Friendship Bangladesh. Floods in Bangladesh have once again exposed the fragile relationship between people and water. While there are urgent needs to address in the short term, we also have to look at building up the long-term resilience of these communities. Any further support received will allow Friendship to meet those needs. l

‘Professor Mobassher Ali Gold Medal-2016’ distribution ceremony was held on September 8, at the campus premises of World University of Bangladesh. Dr Mashiur Rahman, Economic Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister was present on the occasion as chief guest. Professor Dr Abdul Mannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor, World University of Bangladesh presided over the function. UGC Chairman

Professor Abdul Mannan and Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University Dr. Anisuzzaman received ‘Professor Mobassher Ali Gold Medal-2016’ for their outstanding contribution to higher education. Professor Dr Yasmin Ara Lekha, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Uttara University and Dr Abdul Wahab, former director of Bangla Academy were present on the occasion as guests of honour. l

20 Editorial

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

TODAY

Whatever happened to sticks and stones? We can’t hurl a word at someone hoping to make them die in an explosion, or shoot hollow-point words at the enemy to disarm them. What we can do is give them their chance at the podium PAGE 21

Living on the edge It is beyond doubt that men are working hard to arrange a house for the family, but it is indisputable that it is women who are putting everything together to make it a sweet home PAGE 22

Let’s not rot children’s brains. Give them a novel to read. A documentary to watch. Do not declare grades to be an end in itself PAGE 23

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.

To address road fatalities, start with buses

Your grade isn’t everything

Be heard

DHAKA TRIBUNE

espite repeated loss of life and limb year round, road accidents continue to be an all too common for the Bangladeshi citizen. Yesterday alone, 17 people were killed as a result in separate road accidents in Brahmanbaria, Tangail, and Madaripur. All three accidents involved buses. This is symptomatic of the terrible culture of impunity afforded to many bus drivers and their owners, who drive with absolute disregard for the sanctity of human life. Buses are often seen breaking traffic laws, cutting lanes, overtaking from the wrong side, holding up the traffic, and slamming into other competing buses. The police need to come down harder on traffic violations and, though this does not apply to buses alone, they have been the biggest offenders. Many of the bus drivers are underaged, unlicensed, or carry fake licenses, or are sometimes too tired from overwork or lack of sleep to be driving in the first place. Not only that, many of the buses, both local and for inter-city travel, are in poor shape, with no routine checks performed to make sure they’re safe. Buses need to be better regulated so that incidents such as these are prevented. Solely coming down on private cars, which comprise a much smaller percentage of accidents, is both inefficient and unjust. There needs to be a governing body that ensures that these companies are following the law by hiring qualified drivers and keeping the conditions of their vehicles under check. They are responsible for the lives of too many people for the authorities to ignore.

Many of the buses, both local and for inter-city travel, are in poor shape, with no routine checks performed to make sure they’re safe

Opinion

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Whatever happened to sticks and stones? Freedom of speech cuts both ways

Is it ever OK to silence writers?

BIGSTOCK

We can’t hurl a word at someone hoping to make them die in an explosion, or shoot hollow-point words at the enemy to disarm them. What we can do is give them their chance at the podium

n Rubaiyat Kabir

s a child, I was always told to speak when I was spoken to, as a teenager I was always told to watch what I say, and now, as an adult-ish person, I am finding the

age-old bit of (probably Chinese) wisdom “it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt” to be truer and truer with every instance of forced social interaction. It’s astonishing how much importance we, as a species, place

on the simple act of speech. A few manipulated sounds coming out of the mouth, the mere stroke of a key, or even a simple wave of a hand can often mean all the difference between life and death, between chaos and creation. When we hear “freedom of

speech,” the typical image that springs to mind is of some sort of a dystopia where the slightest of utterance against the prevailing class can land someone in a great deal of trouble. It makes us think of Ingsoc, of countries such as North Korea, or Turkey, or even, to a lesser degree, Bangladesh, and all the associated oppression that such societies harbour. Such thoughts are entirely justified, of course. Question the grand narrative that is Islam, and you risk getting your head lopped off; question the even grander narrative that is our nation’s history, and you risk being made an enemy of the state.

But, is freedom of speech the exclusive right of the oppressed? The short answer is: Nein. We find it easy to root for the schoolteacher doing time for his poorly conceived (and possibly even drunken) Facebook status calling out the government for something it’s not doing right, but we’re all to quick to demonise an Islamist preaching antiquated notions about how women should be covered head-shoulders-kneesand-toes when roaming about in public. “Someone so obviously bigoted doesn’t deserve freedom of speech,” I hear you say, rolling your collective eyes from one end to the other. But who exactly is the bigot here? The person who is doing nothing more than sharing his or her beliefs, or those of you who want nothing less than their tongue on a platter (ideally with a complimentary slice of humble pie)? Much to the chagrin of those of you who are easily offended, I’m afraid freedom of speech cuts both ways. Call me an idealist, but I’d like to think that there is a reason why every human being on Earth is endowed with the capacity to communicate, and that no entity should be able to dictate how and what we say as individuals, for better or worse. Not your constitution, not your government, not God, not even your mom and dad. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” I remember chanting in school along with my schoolmates when I was a wee lad; and, as much of a cliché as it has become, the age-old adage has still retained that feeling of middle-school profundity when I first heard our teacher introduce the entire class to it. And, at the end of the day, that’s all they are: Words. We can’t hurl a word at someone hoping to make them die in an explosion, or shoot hollow-point words at the enemy to disarm them. What we can do is give them their chance at the podium -- show them that we understand, that we empathise. After all, to intentionally misquote the inimitable Wayne LaPierre: “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is to let him have his say.” l Rubaiyat Kabir is a Sub-Editor at the Dhaka Tribune. Follow him on Twitter at @moreanik.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Climate Change

Living on the edge The main sufferers of climate change are the poor people

Aklima never stopped fighting back the societal and environmental issues she faces everyday

COURTESY

n Tanzinia Khanom

limate change is the buzzword of the decade, and yet the very people who live on the coasts of Bangladesh, directly impacted by global warming, rarely understand the term. They notice, however, their living environment is changing -- the seasons are different and riverbanks are eroding land faster than they used to -- and these changes are threatening their livelihoods. This could be a story on the general adverse effects of climate change on life and livelihoods -but this not the story I am going to tell you. My story is of a woman, and her fight against all the odds to survive against nature and society. While working on a researchto-action project, focused on improving livelihood resilience in Bangladesh, I had the chance to meet people directly affected by cyclones and learn what their thoughts were. That is how I met Aklima, with her 10-year old son, living in a village in southwest Bangladesh. Because she lives on the coast, she faces cyclones almost every other year. She smiles warmly every time I visit her for my work. Her husband lives in Chittagong, earning money, and so she has to

This is the woman I’ve known for two years, still smiling, still affable and still fighting against adversity. It is beyond doubt that men are working hard to arrange a house for the family, but it is indisputable that it is women who are putting everything together to make it a sweet home

manage all the household work as well as other responsibilities she is burdened with in his absence. She never stops talking and loves to crack jokes with me every time. Our friendship continues to grow with each meeting. Aklima’s house is located outside of the new river embankment. It is a beautiful house made with hay. There is a mud yard with a small garden surrounding her house along with a kitchen. When I visited her this past winter, her home reminded me of the houses I used to draw as a child. Calm and quiet. In our free time, we usually sit in her yard and devour puffed rice with her home cooked masala tea. Yet, winter is not the only season Aklima faces; in the past 15 to 20 years, not only has she faced the summer and the monsoon seasons, but these seasons have

become longer than they once were. During the monsoon, her house gets flooded, often by rain and tidal surges. And things are much worse after a cyclone strikes: Instead of enjoying the greenery of her yard, she is stranded on her bed with her son, waiting for the water to subside. Once water returns to the river, Aklima has to repair her yard and her kitchen. She has to do this after every flood and cyclone; it is almost a regular job. The first cyclone of the monsoon struck on May 21 of this year, named cyclone Roanu. After cyclone hit, my project team went to the village and to meet Akilma and others. Aklima was busy preparing food for her family in her flooded kitchen. She strolled outside to meet me. She was so happy to hear that I had

come to visit her after the cyclone. When I asked about her limp, she confessed she had twisted her leg while running to the cyclone shelter during Roanu. She looked relieved that her husband traveled a long way to see whether his family was safe after the winds had subsided. Although luck saved Aklima, she was not spared from the distress of her house being flooded. But Aklima now fears river erosion more than cyclones. It is the river now approaching that threatens to consume her land. The only land she has, and while the river is the main means of survival for the whole village, it is an agony for those living outside of the embankment. “What’s the point of surviving a cyclone,” she tell me, “if the river takes away your home?” Her misery has no bounds, but

she has faith -- she believes her situation will change and her boy will have a better life. This is the woman I’ve known for two years, still smiling, still affable, and still fighting against adversity. It is beyond doubt that men are working hard to arrange a house for the family, but it is indisputable that it is women who are putting everything together to make it a sweet home. Last year in Paris, climate change negotiators were struggling to sign an agreement to keep global temperature within two degrees celsius. Aklima, unaware about the international climate talks, was busy with her kitchen, yet again repairing her house, and praying for a miracle. There are thousands of Aklimas around us and they are the true victims of climate change and hoping to be rescued. This year, our eyes are on Marrakesh, where the 22nd UN climate talks will take place. We will learn the roadmap of action from the experts from different corners of the world. Aklima’s eyes are on the edge of destruction, so it’s time to get to know the people who wave at you when you visit them to distribute relief after a cyclone hits, or when you go to study them for your research. At the same time decision makers pass along their thoughts on how best to tackle climate change, the sea levels are rising and the riverbanks eroding, threatening to displace not only Aklima and her neighbors, but many others too. Aklima may be a portrait of climate vulnerability. But till now she has never stopped fighting back every challenge she has had to face. “I survived cyclone Sidr,” she firmly replied when I asked why she left from the shelter, “What can Roanu do to me?” l Tanzinia Khanom is a researcher officer working at the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD). This page has been developed in collaboration with the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) and its partners, Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) and International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). This page represents the views and experiences of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of Dhaka Tribune or ICCCAD or its partners.

Opinion

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Your grade isn’t everything You will be surprised at what the human brain is capable of

n Syed Raiyan Nuri Reza

ith my hands clasped behind my back and gaze fixed on the starry décor of the roof, I contemplated eternity and infinity. And tried to work out the reasoning behind a very wellknown law of astronomy whose statement I was familiar with: “The apparent brightness of a star is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the star and Earth.” I was curious. Why the square of a distance? Why not the cube or any other arbitrary number for the exponent? So I set forth to solve the mystery right there and then; undaunted and intrepid, I pounced onto the problem. Never mind the fact that I was a sixth grader who struggled with numbers. Realising how a torchlight casts light on a wall, and figuring out that the same principle applies to stars, only at a much larger scale, I worked out the principle from the ground up, just needing to recall the principle of conservation of energy and elementary geometry. And Eureka, I thought. Though I did not do anything as fittingly dramatic as Archimedes, it was a powerful moment for me. One that left a lasting impression on me. A moment that I owe to my dad, who urged me to never simply copy and paste all that a teacher chalks up on a blackboard, to use my own thinking and a go that extra mile to learn a thing or two beyond the syllabus. Hence, he taught me to think. A handy skill, I tell you. One that allowed me to overcome my math issue and, a few years down the road, crunch derivatives ahead of my peers and get a firm grip on the art of calculus. Not bad. All without the benefit of dedicated tutors at each crucial step. Something that cannot be said for a large percentage of Bangladeshi students. There seems to be a tutor craze raging on. That somehow wellintending parents are under the impression that their beloved sons and daughters are to be academically damned if they are not sent away to coaching centres. Where they are to spend their evening, clinging with a fanatic’s zeal to every nth trick and note the tutor instructions to them. All for the coveted Golden GPA. And that is what we truly seem to have. Not an education system. Rather a grade-earning rat race. It’s understandable, though. It is the GPA-5 and competitive

entrance exam that one braves to get the enviable and scarce admission seats at DU or BUET. Not that the culture of rote learning ends there. Digging the net, I came across a Quora response on a particular query, “What are some things a BUET first year student should know?” The top response was provided by a former graduate of EE and a grad student at University of Minnesota. In his detailed answer, he did call the teaching methodology archaic, with its emphasis on memorisation of facts, and to have some general knowledge of the world at large, to sign up for courses on edex, Khan Academy, or some other website, or risk knowing nothing even amidst the hectic schedule. He concludes that the grades are important but the testing system methodology means that good grades and learning are not correlated, so “get the good grades but also learn,” he insisted. Which I am here to reiterate. Learn. Yes, there is a difference between someone who learned his way to A grade and one who just studied for the test. It shows. Eventually, anyway. Say, when one sits for an interview at Google, where they actually state it is important to show the steps through which you had arrived. It is even more notable that, Google, with its Big Data

The classroom should be about learning, not memorisation

The education landscape is changing. While poverty is holding us back here and there, we are mostly held back by the poverty of thought. So let’s not rot the children’s brains. Give them a novel to read. A documentary to watch. Do not declare grades to be an end in itself

initiatives, uncovered that, after a year or two at their offices, employee performance only slightly correlated with GPA and so they had entirely stopped asking for grade transcripts save for new grads and the occasional case when someone has been out of school for a long time. Or so claimed Laszlo Bock, the Senior Vice President of People Operations at Google, in his 2013 interview with The New York Times. He did add that this is perhaps because GPA gauges success in an artificial environment. The artificiality of the academic

cocoon is of course something that modern day pedagogy is becoming increasingly cognisant of. To address it, some are going quite far. Bill Gates, in his blog, tells of visiting Ricky Thacker’s classroom at Betsy Layne High School, where the very classic classroom setup is dismantled and reimagined. Teachers have no special designated desks, each wall being assigned a white board and the classroom painted in bright orange and yellow to give it an energetic vibe. The unorthodox teaching methodology puts the students first, engages them in creative ways with the course content

rather than the traditional shock and awe factor of authority. And so far the school is doing all the better for it. It is not only rich nations on the other side of the Atlantic applying innovative pedagogy. Right here in Iran, where I just happen to reside, Dr Shahrokh MirzaHosseini serves as the president of Avicenna International School, Tehran. I was the given chance to attend, and he presented a very similar vision of what classrooms ought to be like. With charismatic witticism too, I have to add. Think again of classrooms where teachers are not asserting

BIGSTOCK

their authority by having their privileged desks, with monitors assigned to each grade, and promoted with their cohorts until eighth grade, since that is where puberty hits and the resultant metamorphosis demands a new monitor -- healthy snacks being available to students in class to address their nutritional needs and such and not insisting on how to sit, as we are quite fond of doing. All this is a sign that the education landscape is changing. While poverty is holding us back here and there, we are mostly held back by the poverty of thought. So let’s not rot the children’s brains under excessive private tutorship. Give them a novel to read. A documentary to watch. Do not declare grades to be an end in itself. And when stuck on a problem, trust their ability to handle it. The human brain is a wondrous biological apparatus. You will be surprised at what it can do. l Syed Raiyan Nuri Reza is a freelance contributor writing from Tehran.

24 Sport

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Tigers training camp resumes today

TOP STORIES

n Tribune Report Messi double leads five-star Barca Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar were all on target as Barcelona got back to winning ways in La Liga with a 5-1 win at newly promoted Leganes yesterday. Barca suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat to Alaves last weekend. PAGE 25

Mourinho tells Pogba to forget price tag Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has urged midfielder Paul Pogba to forget his worldrecord price tag and concentrate on producing the goods for the team. United broke the world transfer fee to bring Pogba. PAGE 26

Arafat Sunny (L) and Taskin Ahmed

Del Potro wins as Argentina take lead Juan Martin del Potro delivered a huge blow to Britain’s hopes of retaining the Davis Cup when he beat Andy Murray 6-4 5-7 6-7(5) 6-3 6-4 in a five-hour thriller as Argentina grabbed a 2-0 lead in their world group semi-final. PAGE 27

Tite recalls Silva in Brazil sqaud Brazil coach Tite has recalled veteran central defender Thiago Silva to his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Venezuela. The 31-year-old former captain of the national side won the last of his 59 caps in the 2015 Copa America. PAGE 28

Taskin, Sunny available for Afghanistan ODIs? n Tribune Report The national selection panel is confident of suspended bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny returning to the international arena and that there is not much worry over their participation in the home series against Afghanistan later this month. Both Taskin and Sunny, who were suspended by the International Cricket Council in March this year for illegal bowling action, appeared for bowling action review test in Australia on September 8. According to the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s media and communications committee chairman Jalal Younus, the result is expected to be out by this Thursday. In that case, it is understood that the national selectors will have the option to include Taskin

and Sunny in the squad. The Bangladesh squad for the series is likely to be announced this Tuesday but last minute inclusions can always be made, given that it is a home series. The Tigers are scheduled to check in at the team hotel this Friday. “They (Taskin and Sunny) appeared for the test on the eighth of this month. We are expecting to get the result within 14 days,” Jalal told the media yesterday. “The two bowlers are eagerly waiting while the selectors are hopeful of positive results. They will be part of the team if everything turns out to be positive,” the BCB director added. Meanwhile, the BCB has already started its preparations for the Afghanistan series in what will be the maiden bilateral series between the two teams. Security

is the top-most priority and Jalal informed that the visitors will get full-proof protection which is given to any VVIP by cricket’s governing body in the country. “We will have the same protection plan as we have for England. The level might not be identical but will be similar to what is given to any VVIP,” said Jalal. The Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, which will host all the three day-night ODIs, will have layers of security checks for the spectators coming to the venue. “The spectators used to get body search once getting through the main gate but in the Afghanistan series, there will be several layers of security check. The physical security check post will be set away from the main gate of the stadium. So we are pretty much ready,” informed Jalal. l

The 20-member Bangladesh cricket squad will get back down to business today following an 11-day break. Head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, newly-appointed batting consultant Thilan Samaraweera, bowling coach Courtney Walsh and the rest of the foreign staff will be available today to brush up the Tigers. Bangladesh will get around a week to prepare before returning to their favourite format - one-day internationals - after around nine months to take on Afghanistan in a three-match series. The first of three day-night ODIs will be held next Sunday in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. ICC Associate Member Afghanistan are scheduled to reach Dhaka this Tuesday for their first ever bilateral series with Bangladesh. The Tigers think-tank’s chief concern will be to have opener Tamim Iqbal and paceman Taskin Sunny available for selection for their maiden bilateral series against Afghanistan. Tamim, who picked up an undisclosed fracture in his left little finger during catching practice last month, is expected to recover by today. According to the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s chief physician Dr Debashish Chowdhury, Tamim has recovered well and will undergo a scan today which will determine the left-hander’s availability for the series. Meanwhile, Taskin is eagerly waiting for a positive result of his bowling action review test. Taskin, who was suspended from bowling by the International Cricket Council, underwent bowling action review test in Brisbane earlier this month and is likely to have the results by this Thursday. Till date, Bangladesh have faced Afghanistan twice in ODIs, winning one and losing the other. In their first encounter, the Tigers were humiliated in front of the home crowd in Fatullah, courtesy a 32-run defeat in the 2014 Asia Cup. In the 2015 World Cup though, Bangladesh more than made up for their Asia Cup defeat against the Afghans with a huge 105-run victory in Canberra. Afghanistan’s only experience of playing against an ICC Full Member side in a bilateral series is against Zimbabwe. The two sides have played three series so far. l

Sport

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Bayern roar back to floor Ingolstadt n AFP, Berlin

Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho (2R) scores their second goal against Bournemouth during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium yesterday

Illness-hit Bayern Munich conceded their first goal of the season before roaring back with a 3-1 win at home to Ingolstadt to stay top of the Bundesliga yesterday. Bayern leaked their first goal of the season with just eight minutes gone at Munich’s Allianz Arena. The lead lasted just four minutes though as Polish forward Robert Lewandowski curled his shot past the reach of Ingolstadt’s goalkeeper Orjan Nyland. Xabi Alonso belted home his shot into the bottom left-hand corner on 50 minutes before Rafinha claimed Bayern’s late third. l REUTERS

Citizens pull clear, Slimani lifts Foxes n AFP, London Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Kelechi Iheanacho shone as City crushed Bournemouth 4-0 yesterday to provisionally go five points clear in the Premier League. League debutant Ilkay Gundogan also found the net for Pep Guardiola’s City, who have made their best ever start to a season with eight consecutive wins in all competitions. Full debutant Islam Slimani scored twice as champions Leicester City won 3-0 at home to Burnley and there were also wins for Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion. At the Etihad Stadium, Guardi-

ola made four changes to the team that had outclassed Borussia Moenchengladbach in the Champions League, with Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Nolito and Iheanacho coming in. Jack Wilshere, on loan from Arsenal, made his first Bournemouth start, but it was to prove an afternoon to forget for the England international. He gave away the free-kick that led to City’s 15th-minute opener, De Bruyne cleverly stroking the set-piece beneath the jumping wall and into the bottom corner. The Belgian was involved in the hosts’ second goal 10 minutes later, moving Nolito’s pass on to Sterling, who unselfishly teed up Iheanacho

to score. Sterling added a third early in the second half, squeezing a shot over the line after Iheanacho had returned the favour, before De Bruyne set up Gundogan for City’s fourth. The only disappointment for Guardiola was the late dismissal of Nolito for leaning his head towards Adam Smith. Arsenal are also on 10 points after winning 4-1 at Hull City to register a third consecutive league win for the first time since last December. Alexis Sanchez claimed his first goal of the afternoon when Alex Iwobi’s shot flicked off him and into the net in the 17th minute. After Theo Walcott had chipped

in to make it 2-0, Robert Snodgrass reduced the arrears with a 79th-minute penalty following a foul on Hull debutant Dieumerci Mbokani by visiting goalkeeper Petr Cech. But Sanchez made the game safe six minutes later by lashing home after Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic had saved from Walcott and substitute Granit Xhaka added a stunning late goal from long range. Leicester are three points back in ninth place after Slimani put paid to Burnley at the King Power Stadium. Algeria international Slimani was making his league debut after

his 28 million pounds ($36.4 million, 32.6 million euros) transfer from Sporting Lisbon. l

RESULTS Hull Snodgrass 79 – P

Leicester

1-4

Arsenal

Sanchez 17, 83, Walcott 55, Xhaka 90+2

3-0

Burnley

4-0

Bournemouth

Slimani 45+1, 48, Mee OG - 78

Man City

De Bruyne 15, Iheanacho 25, Sterling 48, Gundogan 66

West Brom Chadli 8 – P, 56, Rondon 37, McClean 44

4-2

West Ham Antonio 61, Lanzini 65 - P

Messi double leads five-star Barca Leganes’ defender Pablo Insua vies with Barcelona forward Lionel Messi during their Spanish league match at the Butarque municipal stadium in Leganes yesterday AFP

n AFP, Madrid

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar were all on target as Barcelona got back to winning ways in La Liga with a 5-1 thrashing at newly promoted Leganes yesterday. Barca suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat to Alaves last weekend, but despite a bright start from the hosts there was to be no repeat of that upset once Suarez teed up Messi to open the scoring after 15 minutes. Suarez and Neymar tapped home to give Barca a healthy half-

time lead before a Messi penalty and wonder strike from Rafinha made it 5-0. Gabriel Appelt Pires’s fine freekick pulled a goal back for Leganes 10 minutes from time. Barca move level with Real Madrid at the top of the table, but Madrid play their game in hand away to Espanyol without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale on Sunday. Messi, Suarez and Neymar were starting together for only the second time this season and, just as in

a 7-0 thrashing of Celtic on Tuesday, showed no mercy as Leganes’s high defensive line was torn apart in the first-half. The hosts were given a warning when Diego Rico blocked Messi’s goalbound effort from Barca’s first counter-attack. However, Leganes were punished moments later when Suarez showed great strength to burst down the right and his low cross was easily turned home by Messi. The roles were reversed for Barca’s second. l

Sport

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren scores their first goal against Chelsea during their English Premier League match at Stamford Bridge on Friday

REUTERS

Klopp’s Reds sink Conte’s Blues at the Bridge Chelsea suffered a 1-2 defeat against Liverpool in the English Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Friday night. Here are the talking points from the game which was decided by a Jordan Henderson winner.Chelsea 1 2 Liverpool

the composed Joel Matip to largely nullify Costa’s threat, and an aggressive display from the Croatian fully deserved the opening goal he grabbed with a finish any forward would have been proud of.

Magnificent Matip, Lovren impress

Liverpool took no time in feeling their way into the game, instantly grabbing possession and carrying the fight, probing to find a way through Antonio Conte’s team and in doing so, signalling their belief and intention to return to Merseyside with the full rewards. There was a no-nonsense approach to the Reds’ play, with the team knowing

The build up to the game centred on how Liverpool’s back-line would contain Diego Costa, and while the in-form forward netted on the night, that it proved to be nothing more than a consolation is a testament to the work of the central pair. After a nervy start, Dejan Lovren settled brilliantly alongside

Reds rise to big game stage again

exactly what was required to add to the increasing list of big wins claimed away from home at Man City, Arsenal last month and again at the very venue of Jurgen Klopp’s first Premier League win almost a year ago.

park looking like a class act which he showed he really can be, despite popular belief outside of Anfield to the contrary, with an absolutely magnificent strike that doubled Liverpool’s lead.

another selfless performance in the heart of midfield proved crucial to Liverpool’s efforts defensively and going forward.

Henderson produces captain’s performance

Wijnaldum shines at the Bridge

Georginio Wijnaldum spoke in the build up to the game about his desire to net his first Liverpool goal, and while his wait goes on for that maiden strike, the Dutchman’s increasingly important role continues to grow. The summer signing is slowly developing into an important player in Klopp’s side, and he proved it in west London, where

A long standing criticism of this current Liverpool team has been their defensive vulnerability and ability to capitulate when the going gets tough. When Costa pulled one back you could be forgiven for thinking “here we go again” but the Reds gave a fantastic and welcome display to the contrary, battling, scrapping and fighting when it mattered most to hold on for victory. l

After a slow start to the campaign adapting to a new role, Liverpool’s skipper has really begun to find form – none more so than at Stamford Bridge where he produced a real leading display. A dominating presence in midfield, Jordan Henderson patrolled the middle of the

Reds show resolve as Blues outshined

Mourinho tells Pogba to forget price tag

Hart: No hard feelings over City dumping

n AFP, London

n AFP, Turin

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has urged midfielder Paul Pogba to forget his world-record price tag and concentrate on producing the goods for the team. United broke the world transfer record to bring Pogba, 23, back to the club from Juventus last month in a deal worth an initial 89 million pounds. Pogba produced disappointing performances in United’s losses to Manchester City and Feyenoord, but Mourinho pointed to the France midfielder’s busy close season as a mitigating factor. “The world-record player is always a question that will be open until somebody breaks the record,” Mourinho said.

“I think there are clubs that paid 20, 30, 40 (million pounds), which is a bigger deal than what Man United paid for Paul because you make a relation between what you pay and the club revenue. You realise that other clubs paying 20, 30, 40 is a much bigger thing than what Man United did and I just want Paul to forget that and to play his football. “Euro final, no pre-season, holidays, come back - it’s normal that in the first week he had the very good impact in the first game (in United’s 2-0 win over Southampton). It’s normal that after the first game he has a little decrease, but I am full of trust with him because I know the player he is.” United visit Watford in the Premier League today. l

Torino and England goalkeeper Joe Hart said Friday he has no hard feelings towards Pep Guardiola despite being unceremoniously forced out at Manchester City and replaced by Claudio Bravo from Barcelona. Hart, who joined City as a teenager in 2006, signed for the unfashionable Serie A club on a season-long loan deal designed to make sure he is “playing regular football again”. But the 29-year-old shot-stopper, who suffered huge criticism for the 2-1 defeat to Iceland that sent England crashing out of Euro 2016, said he felt no bitterness towards new City boss Guardiola. “It was fairly obvious to everyone,” Hart told media when asked

about the circumstances surrounding his high-profile divorce from City. Asked if Guardiola had been honest with him, Hart said: “He was open with me.” He added: “Football’s football... and it resulted in me looking for a new club and, as I said, I’m very happy to be where I am at the moment. I absolutely love to play football and it looked like my options were limited (at City). It was an easy decision for me. “I’m very thankful for the opportunity and I’m proud and happy to be here. I’m looking forward to hopefully having a good season.” Expected to return to the Etihad stadium at the end of the current campaign, Hart has fully embraced the Italian culture.l

Sport

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Southee ruled out of India Tests n Reuters, Wellington New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee has been ruled out of the three-match Test series in India with an ankle injury and will be replaced by paceman Matt Henry. Southee felt pain in his front foot while bowling in training and a scan had shown a ligament strain in his left ankle, New Zealand’s cricket board said. The 27-year-old, New Zealand’s most experienced Test bowler with 52 matches and 177 wickets, will return home for rest and rehab.l

DAY’S WATCH FOOTBALL STAR SPORTS 2 4:50 PM Premier League 2016/17 Watford v Manchester United

STAR SPORTS 4 Premier League 2016/17 9:20 PM Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland

STAR SPORTS SELECT HD 1 7:05 PM Premier League 2016/17 Crystal Palace v Stoke City

STAR SPORTS SELECT HD 2 9:16 PM Bundesliga 2016/17 Hertha Berlin v FC Schalke 04

TEN 1 HD 6:50 PM French Ligue 1 2016/17 Montpellier v Nice Cote D Azur 8:50 PM Saint Etienne v Bastiais 12:35 AM Marseille v Lyon

SONY SIX 4:00 PM La Liga Santander 2016/17 Osasuna v Celta Vigo 8:00 PM Athletic Bilbao v Valencia 10:30 PM Villarreal v Real Sociedad 1:00 AM Espanyol v Real Madrid

SONY ESPN 10:00 PM Serie A TIM 2016/17 Inter Milan v Juventus 12:30 AM Fiorentina v Roma

TENNIS NEO SPORTS 6:00 PM Davis Cup 2016 World Group Semi Finals Singles

FORMULA ONE STAR SPORTS 4 5:55 PM FIA F1 World Championship 2016 Main Race: Singapore

Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro in action against Great Britain’s Andy Murray during their Davis Cup semifinal at Emirates Arena, Glasgow, Scotland on Friday

REUTERS

Del Potro defeats Murray as Argentina take lead n Reuters, Glasgow Juan Martin del Potro delivered a huge blow to Britain’s hopes of retaining the Davis Cup when he beat Andy Murray 6-4 5-7 6-7(5) 6-3 6-4 in a five-hour thriller as Argentina grabbed a 2-0 lead in their world group semi-final on Friday. World number two and Wimbledon champion Murray looked poised to chalk up his 30th victory in 32 Davis Cup matches when he led by two sets to one against the man he beat in last month’s Rio Olympics singles final. But Del Potro, ranked 64th in the world after being plagued by numerous injuries, refused to sur-

render and condemned Murray to only his third singles defeat in the men’s team competition after finishing off the marathon encounter with an ace. “I won but I still remember Olympic final. This is very important to me and my team and we are looking to reach another final in the Davis Cup,” Del Potro said courtside. “Against Andy you never know when the match will finish. He is a dangerous player, a fighter and great champion. In end I played good forehands and good serves and that was key. Britain’s day went from bad to worse in Glasgow as Guido Pella

then beat Kyle Edmund 6-7(5) 6-4 6-3 6-2 in the second singles. Friday’s defeats mean the hosts have to win the three remaining rubbers if they are to reach the final for the second year running. The big serving Del Potro capitalised on Murray’s mistakes to take the first set, which included one rally of 41 strokes. Towards the end of the second, both players, while appreciating the backing of their respective supporters in a noisy crowd, were upset by excitable calls of “out” from spectators. That happened on the final point of the set to Del Potro’s fury, the umpire declining to replay it.

He recovered his composure in the third set, taking two of the three successive breaks of serve while running up a 5-3 lead. But Murray saved a set point with a superb lob and drew level at 5-5 before taking it on the tiebreak. Del Potro, who won the U.S. Open in 2009, then showed what he was capable of producing as he pummelled winners from the baseline to bag the next two sets and leave Argentina two wins away from reaching their first final since 2011. The winner will face either France or Croatia, who are locked at 1-1 in the other last-four tie, in the final. l

Putin says leaked WADA documents raise ‘lots of questions’

Aguero close to new City deal n AFP, Manchester

n AFP, Bishkek

Striker Sergio Aguero is close to agreeing a contract extension with Manchester City, manager Pep Guardiola revealed on Friday. City are due to announce that the Argentina international has agreed a one-year extension to his current deal, which will commit him to the club until 2020. Aguero, who joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2011, missed yesterday’s Premier League home match against Bournemouth as he served the second game of a threematch domestic suspension.l

President Vladimir Putin said Friday that World Anti-Doping Agency documents leaked in a hack blamed on Russian cyberspies had raised “lots of questions” about medical exemptions that allow athletes to take banned substances. “We do not support what the hackers do, but what they did cannot but be of interest to the international community, and most of all to the sports community,” Putin said at a regional leaders summit in

Central Asian Kyrgyzstan, Russian news agencies reported. “It raises lots of questions.” WADA said in a statement earlier this week that the Russian cyber-espionage group Tsar Team (APT28) had broken into its Anti-Doping Administration and Management System. The hacking group released information from the files of US Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams, among others. Putin slammed the fact that “healthy athletes” had

been allowed to take forbidden medication while Russia’s Paralympians had been excluded from the Rio Paralympics “under suspicion of having taken some kind of drugs”. Russia is still smarting after its track and field athletes were banned from the Olympics and its entire Paralympics team turfed out of their Games over evidence of state-sponsored doping. WADA called the hack “retaliation” after it released reports detailing the cheating and called on Russia to help stop the hacking of its computer systems.l

Sport

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Cavani hits quadruple in PSG romp n AFP, Paris

Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani shoots to score during their French L1 match against Caen at the Michel d’Ornano stadium in Caen, northwestern France on Friday AFP

Edinson Cavani shrugged off his Champions League woes to score four goals in the first half as Paris Saint-Germain romped to a one-sided 6-0 win at Caen in Ligue 1 on Friday. The Uruguayan, charged with filling Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s sizeable boots this season, was criticised for missing several gilt-edged chances in PSG’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Tuesday, despite scoring the opener against the Premier League club inside 42 seconds. But he hit back by scoring four times in the space of 35 first-half minutes at the Stade Michel-d’Ornano as PSG claimed their most convincing win so far under new coach Unai Emery. Lucas Moura and Jean-Kevin Augustin added further goals after the break as PSG ended a run of three games without a win in all competitions and went top of the table on goal difference from Monaco and Nice ahead of the rest of

the weekend’s games. “We have confidence in Edinson. When he has five chances and only scores one, like on Tuesday, I tell him to be calm,” said Emery. With this game coming just 72 hours after Paris faced Arsenal in their Champions League opener, Emery opted to leave Thiago Silva and Marco Verratti on the bench at kick-off. Damien Da Silva headed narrowly wide for Caen before PSG opened the scoring in the 12th minute, Cavani turning the ball in at the back post after Lucas had dummied a low Maxwell cross from the left. The champions then won a penalty midway through the first half when Lucas was brought down in the box by Syam Ben Youssef and Cavani stepped up to beat Remy Vercoutre from 12 yards. Vercoutre saved from a powerful Lucas strike but Cavani got in front of Ben Youssef to convert another low Maxwell cross and complete his hat-trick - his third in Ligue 1 - on 38 minutes. l

Inter face Juve acid test in ‘Derby d’Italia’ n AFP, Milan Mauro Icardi’s dream of “winning trophies” with Inter Milan has been dealt a Europa League blow and now faces a Serie A acid test in today’s visit of champions Juventus for the “Derby d’Italia”. The Argentine striker has hit the net six times against the Old Lady of Turin, including three times with his former club Sampdoria. And with three goals from the opening three games of the season,

the 23-year-old fans’ favourite will be looking to stretch his impressive record against Juve’s legendary ‘keeper Gianluigi Buffon. Already five points behind the league-leading Turin giants, Inter are in dire need of fresh hope after suffering a stunning 2-0 home defeat by Hapoel Be’er Sheva in their Europa League opener on Thursday. Icardi said in the lead-up to the game he would love to emulate his idol, former Inter and Barcelona

striker Ronaldo, who helped Inter to the UEFA Cup title in 1998. “Ronaldo is the biggest striker of all time, but I want to win trophies wearing this jersey as well,” he said. Icardi failed to make an impact as a late substitute on Thursday, when Inter looked anything but title challengers. Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci expects a “fierce” encounter at the San Siro but, after a chastening scoreless draw with Sevilla

Aguero, Higuain set for return n Reuters, Buenos Aires

Sergio Aguero, in fine scoring form for Manchester City this season, looks set to lead Argentina’s attack in next month’s World Cup qualifiers after being recalled to their squad on Friday. Coach Edgardo Bauza could line up Gonzalo Higuain alongside Aguero as a twin strike force after also including the Juventus player in a 24-man squad for matches away to Peru on Oct. 6 and at home to Paraguay five days later. The pair missed last month’s two qualifiers, Higuain having agreed with Bauza not to be included while he settled into his new club in Serie A and Aguero after withdrawing from the squad

through injury. Aguero hit three goals in City’s Champions League 4-1 home win over Borussia Moenchengladbach on Wednesday, and has also scored three times in the Premier League. Captain Lionel Messi, with a hat-trick of his own in Barcelona’s 7-0 rout of Celtic in midweek, will lead the team again after scoring in their 1-0 home win over Uruguay but then missing the 2-2 draw in Venezuela with a groin problem. The draw with Venezuela, having fought back from two goals down, left Argentina in third place in the 10-team South American group with 15 points, one point less than leaders Uruguay and below Brazil on goal difference. The top four go through to the

2018 finals in Russia while the fifth placed team qualifies for an intercontinental playoff for another berth.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero, Nahuel Guzman Defenders: Facundo Roncaglia, Mateo Musacchio, Ramiro Funes Mori, Marcos Rojo, Martin Demichelis, Pablo Zabaleta, Nicolas Otamendi, Gabriel Mercado Midfielders: Matias Kranevitter, Javier Mascherano, Lucas Biglia, Augusto Fernandez, Nicolas Gaitan, Ever Banega, Angel Di Maria, Erik Lamela Forwards: Lionel Messi , Angel Correa, Lucas Pratto, Sergio Aguero, Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain. l

in their Champions League opener in midweek, says Juve won’t be swayed from their bid to win a record sixth consecutive title. “I expect a fierce game because let’s not forget: it’s the Italian Derby,” Bonucci told Sky Sport. An Inter defeat would leave Frank de Boer’s men eight points behind Juve after just four games and heap further pressure on the Dutchman after Thursday’s shocker. Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri is under no such pressure but is set

to ring the changes with Dani Alves doubtful for today’s clash after suffering a knock against Sevilla. l

FIXTURES Udinese Cagliari Crotone Sassuolo Torino Inter Milan Fiorentina

v v v v v v v

Chievo Atalanta Palermo Genoa Empoli Juventus Roma

Tite recalls Silva n Reuters, Rio De Janeiro

Brazil coach Tite has recalled veteran central defender Thiago Silva to his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Venezuela. The 31-year-old former captain of the national side won the last of his 59 caps in the 2015 Copa America but then fell out of favour with Tite’s predecessor Dunga. The new coach said he called the Paris St Germain player within days of taking over and he is now in contention for a place alongside either Miranda or PSG team mate Marquinhos at the heart of the Brazil defence. The other surprise in Friday’s announcement was a first call up for Flamengo goalkeeper Muralha.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Alisson Muralha, Weverton Defenders: Miranda , Marquinhos Thiago Silva, Gil, Daniel Alves, Fagner, Marcelo, Filipe Luis Midfielders: Casemiro, Renato Augusto, Paulinho, Oscar (Chelsea), Willian, Fernandinho, Lucas Lima, Giuliano, Philippe Coutinho Forwards: Neymar, Douglas Costa, Firmino, Gabriel Jesus. l

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Golfer's warning (4) 5 Jeer (5) 9 Peaceful (6) 10 Female deer (3) 11 Tear (4) 12 Added clause (5) 14 Man's name (5) 16 Copied (4) 19 Back of the neck (4) 21 Plant secretion (5) 24 Bid (5) 27 Low sand hill (4) 29 Regret (3) 30 Book of the Bible (5) 31 Finished (5) 32 Allows (4)

DOWN 1 Discharge (4) 2 Metal-bearing rock (3) 3 High repute (6) 4 Extremist (4) 5 Scratches (7) 6 Strange (3) 7 Enemy (3) 8 Passenger craft (5) 13 Choler (3) 15 Skipped like a goat (7) 17 Make bare (6) 18 Tally (5) 20 Land measure (3) 22 Worshipped image (4) 23 Untidy state (4) 25 Merry amusement (3) 26 Nourished (3) 28 Fastener (3)

Downtime

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 15 represents P so fill P every time the figure 15 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

MONDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Showtime

11 TV shows to watch in September n Hasan Dabir Uddin

after their stint in the institution. There, they work alongside two doctors played by John Stamos and Taylor Lautner. Season 2 of Scream Queens leaves the sonority house behind and takes place in a hospital run by Dean Munsch (Jamie Lee Curtis).

Bang-up arrangement for entertaining you, these summer staples will wrap up soon. These are TV shows that are full of romance, thrill, emotion and simply pure entertainment. Trust us on this you will not be disappointed. These shows are worth the watch.

Designated Survivor

Kiefer Sutherland stars as a low-level cabinet member who suddenly becomes President of the United States when the Capitol is attacked during a State of the Union speech. If you loved the high-octane drama of Sutherland’s previous hit, 24, then you’ll equally love his role as the “designated survivor.” Natasha McElhone also stars.

Atlanta

Two cousins working to help their families into the city’s music scene in hopes of success and stability, Donald Glover’s latest creation is brilliant, taking place in the capital of state of Georgia.

Queen Sugar

Based on a family’s story revolving around Nova (Rutina Wesley), a journalist and activist, Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner), a wife and manager of a professional basketball player and Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe), a young father recently released from prison. After their father suffers from a stroke, the three reunite and must figure out how to run their family’s ailing sugar cane farm in the South.

Masters of Sex

William Masters (Michael Sheen) and Virginia Johnson (Lizzy Caplan), the two scientists who pioneered human sexuality, are on

Empire

the rocks, and their clinic is facing impending legal trouble. The 1970s are in full swing and sexual experimentation is on the rise.

American Horror Story

Lady Gaga is back in this horror anthology series. Ryan Murphy and crew are keeping tight-lipped

Fallon losing the late night war?

about what will go down on Season 6. The 19 faux trailers that the creators released give almost no indication of where the season will go.

Scream Queens

Chanel (Emma Roberts) and her minions find jobs at the hospital

Season 3 of the Empire drama series will go even deeper into the always-complicated Lyon family, also revealing how Cookie and Lucious (Terrence Howard) first met. And we’ll finally see who went over the balcony at the end of last season.

Notorious

Piper Perabo stars in this new series about a powerhouse news producer and her high-level attorney BFF (played by Daniel Sunjata), who feeds her news stories as they attempt to control the media and the justice system.

Unless you have been living under a rock, you are no stranger to the name Donald Trump. A wealthy man turned politician, he has indeed made his name into a brand. This Thursday, he paid a visit to The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. In order to amuse his audience, the host wanted to play with Trump’s hair, which he did with permission. This sparked an outrage amongst viewers. Some criticised Fallon’s “willingness to

This season of Younger will see Hilary Duff ’s character Kelsey grieving the loss of her fiancé and figuring out life as a single 20-something. Meanwhile, Liza (Sutton Foster) is still caught in a love triangle with Josh, her much-younger ex-boyfriend, and Charles, her boss who finally kissed her in last season’s finale. Who will she choose?

Crisis in Six Scenes

This six-episode comedy drama focuses on a suburban middleclass family whose lives are upended when an unexpected visitor comes and shakes things up, written and directed by Woody Allen (his first time doing TV!

Quantico

Alex Parrish (Priyanka Chopra) clears her name and saves millions of Americans last season, but she was still fired from the FBI. But right at the end, she’s given a second chance by none other than the CIA. Season 2 shifts gears from Quantico to “The Farm,” the CIA’s training facility, where Alex must learn the ropes of espionage and the dangers that come along with it.l

David Osokow (left) and Jamie Foxx (right) attend Kari Feinstein’s Style Lounge at Siren Studios.

Today is all about the Emmys. As we wait for the winners, we take a look at the night before, with the star-studded pre-award show parties.

serve as hell’s court jester.” The Huffington Post said, “A softball interview even by softball standards.” But Fallon has been known for his appolitical stance, unlike his CBS counterpart Stephen Colbert. So far, Fallon’s nice guy image has helped him be the late night ratings leader. Who knows if Fallon can keep up his ratings high? Only time will tell. But there is a huge wave of angry tweets, posts, articles, etc on Fallon’s interview with Trump. l

Younger

Party at the Emmys n Showtime Desk

Showtime Desk

But the undeniable spark between the two is so palpable; you just know there’s more to their relationship!.

Ariel Winter, star of Modern Family, at the Audi Celebrates The 68th Emmys at Catch LA.

Constance Zimmer (left) of UnReal and Mr Robot star Rami Malek (right) at the Audi Celebrates The 68th Emmys at Catch LA.

Cuba Gooding Jr. of The People v O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, and Emmy nominee attends the Audi Celebrates The 68th Emmys at Catch LA.

Showtime

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Action ladies of Bollywood Shaolin joint locking, Kali knife and some close-quarter combat appears to have given Madhuri the action diva vibe on screen.

Aishwarya Rai

Considered by some as the most beautiful woman of the world, Aishwarya has proved her strength beneath the vulnerable feminine figure on many occasions. She has matched Hrithik Roshan in Dhoom 2 and Jodha Akbar. Her sword fighting sequence in the latter earned her fame and critical acclaim across the globe among Bollywood movie lovers.

Shilpa Shetty

n Showtime Desk Recently, Sonakshi Sinha completed an action filled film in Akira, where her new image has gotten popularity with the audience. Before the film, it was almost impossible to think such an Indian beauty could turn into an action star. But Sonakshi is successful in her mission to change her image and the perception the public might have of her and actresses like her. But Sonakshi isn’t the first and definitely not the only one. There are more beauties from Bollywood

who break the wall of softness and seen in aggressive roles. Let’s check out some of those beauties who proved themselves in the action arena.

Madhuri Dixit

In the movie Gulab Gang, Madhuri plays as Rajjo, the leader of a gang of Indian women dressed in pink saris, fighting for their rights. Beating up rogues on screen is no easy task. It is said that for this role, Madhuri trained in martial arts forms like Shaolin Kung Fu, Pekiti-Tirsia Kali and Shaolin Chin Na. Add to some stick training,

Shilpa Shetty is one actress who looks awesome in a bikini and equally intimidating with a gun in her hand. In the 2005 action spy thriller Dus, directed by Anubhav Sinha and produced by Nitin Manmohan, Shilpa played the role of Aditi Kumar who stepped into the role of being a member in the elite Anti-Terrorist Cell (ATC), fighting terrorists with her brains, guns and a whole lot of guts.

n Rayan Quddus Komola Ranga Rod is a romantic comedy starring Mahfuz Ahmed and Tisha, and written by Ashfaque Nipun. The plot doesn’t have the traditional third act structure, rather, it is told in a spontaneous manner through the characters’ minds. The whole story happens within a date between two people, who met for the first time and are probably set up together by someone else in order to get married. There are only

Neha Dhupia

As Akshay Kumar’s gun trotting assistant, Neha makes her first presence in an action themed role in the movie Singh is Kinng. She also played the role of a dangerous gangster in the movie Phas Gaye re Obama, where her action sequences and acting was so inline with the character that she got accolades for her performance.

potential work in action movies she might come across in the future. The ease and preciseness, which she executed the marital arts choreography in the film are commended by all. And she proved that in Bajirao Mastani with Ranveer Singh.

Deepika Padukone

She only has one action movie Chandni Chowk to China in her kitty. But her mind-blowing action skills in the movie gave the audience a glimpse of her

Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra grabs the top position among the action heroines in Bollywood. She played the role of a bodyguard of the male lead in the movie Drona and essayed with panache. Starring in Krrish 2 and Don 2 made her an established action star. And now she is hitting Hollywood with her action image as an FBI agent on ABC’s Quantico. l

Bipasha Basu

Although Bipasha has been a part of many action oriented movies like Dhoom 2 and Race, she remained as eye-candy in most of the roles, and never really got a chance to show her action skills. With films such as Singularity and

Mahfuz and Tisha on a date two characters in the film. Sabbir, played by Mahfuz, is a banker with a relatively shy personality. And Mira, played by Tisha, is an NGO worker who is relatively outspoken. Nothing much happens on the date, but while they are talking, the story cuts to another place, which runs simulations of hypothetical marriage scenarious. These cutaway scenes were shrewd, teasing different types of couples, from various arrays of life and socioeconomic class. And some of those were over the top, shows that the drama didn’t try to take itself too seriously. Even though the plot seems to have a certain structure, it can be clearly understood that the writer poured his stream of consciousness while typing, a lot of which remained in the final draft. And the story is very convincing because most people who are at that age of “about to get married” think of those things shown in the film. To a certain

Players, Bipasha had made her grand entry into the action arena.

WHAT TO WATCH extent, the script can be seen as someone’s biography because of its pragmatic tone. On top of its realistic approach to the idea of marriage, the film not only accepts the fact that there is no such thing as a perfect couple, it also tries to tell viewers to embrace the flaws of their lovers. This is not another sappy romantic comedy; it is a slightly funny, realistic story with a charm of its own. Tisha and Mahfuz showed an amazing on-screen chemistry. The performances were so captivating that you would actually forget that you were watching television and believe that you were witnessing a real event which is happening to you. If you miss this out it wouldn’t be the worst thing ever, but you would be missing out on something solid. If your folks are pushing you to get married, you might enjoy this 39 minutes of stimulations. And you can also find out what happens at the end, so that way, you are left with no spoilers. l Ratings: 3/5

Rise of the Planet of the Apes Star Movies 7:04pm A substance, designed to help the brain repair itself, gives rise to a super-intelligent chimp who leads an ape uprising. Cast: James Franco, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto The Dark Knight HBO 8:30pm When the menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, the caped crusader must come to terms with one of the greatest psychological tests of his ability to fight injustice. Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart

Top Five WB 9:00pm A comedian tries to make it as a serious actor when his reality-TV star fiancée talks him into broadcasting their wedding on her TV show. Cast: Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, Gabrielle Union Megamind Zee Studio 7:35pm The supervillain Megamind finally defeats his nemesis, the superhero Metro Man. But without a hero, he loses all-purpose and must find new meaning to his life. Cast: Will Ferrell, Jonah Hill The Final Destination Movies Now 5:30pm After a young man’s premonition of a deadly racecar crash helps saves the lives of his peers, Death sets out to collect those who evaded their end. Cast: Nick Zano, Krista Allen, Andrew Fiscella

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

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PLAN TO TAKE $600M HARD LOAN FROM WORLD BANK PAGE 12

TASKIN, SUNNY AVAILABLE FOR AFGHANISTAN ODIS? PAGE 24

Boro procurement target tough to fulfill n Abu Bakar Siddique The government is lagging far behind its procurement target of Boro rice this year as the supplies were poor due to Eid festivities, which is likely to weaken the country's food reserves. According to the Food Directorate data, the government until September 5 procured around 323,000 tonnes of Boro rice from the local market against a target of 750,000 tonnes. Md Badrul Hasan, director gen-

First Hajj return flight delayed by 5 hours n Ishtiaq Husain The first return Hajj flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, scheduled to land yesterday evening, was delayed by five hours. According to Biman’s schedule, the first flight was supposed to reach Dhaka at 8:40pm but the flight was rescheduled to land at 1:30am early today, Biman said in a statement released in the evening. The flight was delayed as the Hajj pilgrims did not report on time at Jeddah airport, the statement said. Asking not be named, an official of Biman told the Dhaka Tribune that the Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft of the national carrier reached the Jeddah airport in time to bring the pilgrims back home but the pilgrims were late to arrive. The return Hajj flight will continue till October 16. The national flag carrier will operate 137 flights to bring back all the pilgrims to Bangladesh. Meanwhile, another four Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims died yesterday taking the death toll to 51. All the four victims – two male and two females – died in Mecca, a Hajj bulletin of the Religious Affairs Ministry said. One of the four dead was identified as Md Shamsur Rahman, 74, from Jamalpur. Until now, of the dead Bangladeshis, 38 are male and 13 females. Thirty-seven of them died in Mecca, right in Medina, five in Mina and one in Jeddah between August 5 and September 16, the bulletin adds. As of yesterday, 23 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims are now hospitalised in Saudi Arabia for different health issues. l

eral of the Food Directorate, said: “The millers could not supply adequate amount of rice on time due to shortage of labour during the Eid-ul-Azha. We hope to reach our target by this month.” The government started Boro procurement from May 1 with the target of collecting 500,000 tonnes of rice and 600,000 tonnes of paddy. The process was supposed to end by August 31. But on August 16 the target was increased by an extra 250,000 tonnes of rice and the deadline ex-

tended to September 15. Badrul mentioned that the government's current rice stock was around 450,000 tonnes less than the previous year. As of September 5 last year, the government's rice stock was around 1.3 million tonnes. The reserve stood at 814,000 tonnes on the same day this year. Nirod Boron Saha, president of Association for Naogaon Paddy-Rice Wholesalers and Business Community, said that the government in no way would be able to

fulfil its target this year as the market price goes up at this time. “The government is procuring rice at Tk32 per kg while the market rate is around Tk32-32.50. How will the millers supply rice in the government fixed rate?” He added: “The government can get at best 50,000 tonnes more rice from stock in the next few days.” The government had estimated Boro rice production cost at Tk29. About the reserve, the Food Directorate chief said: “We think the

current stock is a healthy amount. More rice stocks sometimes create problems.” Last year when the government had in stock around 250,000 tonnes of rice in excess, it had to sell the rice at reduced price through Open Market Sale (OMS). Nirod Boron Saha said: “Collection of less rice than the target will not affect the country's overall food reserves as well the rice market since there is enough rice stock in the local market at this moment.” l

HOW CLOSE IS TOO CLOSE!

At a glance, it may seem to be a joyful sight of people taking pictures of and with a tiger inside a cage at Dhaka Zoo as part of their post Eid celebrations but how safely are they doing it is the question. Ignoring the risks involved in the act, people are seen to climb the safety boundary surrounding the tiger's cage and take pictures in close proximity with the beast. Though it is completely forbidden to cross the boundary, zoo authorities were not seen at sight when these pictures were taken on Friday. It should be noted that a few years ago, several accidents took place where humans were killed and injured near a tiger's cage at Dhaka Zoo SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

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