14-03-2019

thursDaY
Dhaka: March 14, 2019; Falgun 30, 1425 BS; Rajab 6,1440 hijri
www.thebangladeshtoday.com; www. tbtbangla.com
Regd.No.Da~2065, Vol.17; No.47; 12 Pages~Tk.8.00
international
Pilots have reported
issues in US with
new Boeing jet
>Page7
art & culture
Britney Spears
musical heading
to Broadway
>Page 8
sport
Mushfiqur all set to
play 3rd Test against
New Zealand
>Page 9
Obaidul Quader
shifted to cabin
from Icu
DHAKA : Road Transport Minister
Obaidul Quader was shifted to a cabin
from the ICU on Wednesday after his condition
improved further. "He is doing
well," said Prof Dr Abu Nasar Rizvi of
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical
University (BSMMU), reports UNB.
"Doctors are preparing to conduct a
bypass surgery next week," Rizvi said.
His condition has been improving
gradually over the last few days and the
minister was able to walk on Monday.
Quader was admitted to BSMMU on
March 3 following breathing complications
but tests revealed three blockages
in his coronary artery.
He was flown to Singapore the next
day for treatment at the Mount
Elizabeth Hospital. Cardiothoracic surgeon
Dr Sivathasan Cumaraswamy, a
member of the medical board treating
Quader, also briefed his family members
about his improvement.
Hc seeks case records
on shahidul
DHAKA : The High Court on
Wednesday sought the records of a case
filed against acclaimed photographer
Shahidul Alam under the Information
Communication and Technology (ICT)
Act, reports UNB.
The Dhaka metropolitan magistrate
has been asked to submit the record to
the HC by today (Wednesday).
A bench of Justice Sheikh Hassan
Arif and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil passed
the order and set Thursday for next
hearing.
Barrister AF Hasan Arif and Sara
Hossain stood for Shahidul while
Attorney General Mahbubey Alam and
Deputy Attorney General Mokhlesur
Rahman represented the state.
Earlier on March 4, Shahidul Alam
filed a writ petition with the HC challenging
the legality of the case and
sought a stay on trial proceedings of it.
In the petition, Shahidul said that the
case was meant to harass him and that
it violated the photographer's basic
rights. Besides, it claims, the case contains
legal errors.
No rule to go for Ducsu
reelection : Du Vc
DHAKA : Dhaka University Vice-chancellor
Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman on
Wednesday said the demand of students
to go for reelection to DU Central
Students' Union (Ducsu) is not possible as
there is no rule to this end, reports UNB.
"Students came to my office with
their demand. I listened to it. But it's
not possible to meet their demand as
there's no rule or system in university
regulations for reelection," he said.
The DU vice-chancellor was responding
to queries from reporters in front of
his office. On the election day, instant
actions were taken in case of any irregularity,
he said referring to the Kuwait
Maitree Hall incident where sealed ballot
papers were recovered before the
voting started on March 11.
Earlier in the day, newly elected
Ducsu Vice-president Nurul Haq Nur
demanded fresh election by March 31.
Besides, members of various panels, who
boycotted Monday's Ducsu elections, have
given the authorities three days to announce
fresh polls schedule and submitted a memorandum
to the VC office in this regard.
Zohr
04:56 AM
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Bangladesh poised to
emerge as 30th largest
economy: MIGA VP
DHAKA : Bangladesh is poised to
emerge as the world's 30th largest
economy over the next few years with a
trillion-dollar GDP, a top official of
Multilateral Investment Guarantee
Agency (MIGA) said Wednesday,
reports UNB.
"In order to ensure sustained economic
development, it is essential that
the country is seen as a safe harbour for
foreign investment, particularly in sectors
that are critical towards this
growth: energy, infrastructure, manufacturing
and agriculture," said S Vijay
Iyer, the vice-president and chief operating
officer of MIGA, in a statement.
MIGA, the political risk insurance
arm of the World Bank Group, was created
in 1988 to promote foreign direct
investment in emerging economies.
MIGA's comparative value add rests
in its ability to attract and secure foreign
investment while at the same time
ensuring that these investments serve a
catalytic purpose which contribute
towards the overall development of the
country, Iyer said.
He is currently in Dhaka to discuss
DHAKA : Deputy Minister of
Education Mohibul Hassan
Chowdhoury on Wednesday presented
Bangladesh's unprecedented
achievements in women's equality
and empowerment at a high-level
side event at the UN headquarters,
reports UNB.
"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has
put the advancement of women at the
heart of our development endeavours,"
he said at 'Tracking the Walk:
Measuring progress in Women's
Economic Empowerment' as a panelist.
"She is one of the few world leaders
who were present at the adoption of
both the MDGs and the SDGs, a
unique example of successful and
sustained woman leadership,"
Mohibul told the programme coorganised
by Bangladesh and
International Trade Centre (ITC) as a
part of the ongoing 63rd Commission
on the Status of Women (CSW).
The Session of the CSW will continue
till Mar 22.
Deputy Minister Mohibul mentioned
that 35% percent women in
Bangladesh have bank accounts,
ways to enhance private sector investments
in key industries such as energy,
infrastructure, manufacturing and agricultural
development.
Iyer is holding meetings with government
officials, senior leadership from
state-owned and private sector enterprises,
financial lending institutions
and regional business leaders.
MIGA is currently exploring the possibility
to support building an energy
efficient fertiliser plant in Narsingdi,
which will produce urea from natural
gas. This will help boost domestic urea
production and improve agricultural
production, enhance food security, and
reduce environmental pollution.
Overall, MIGA's guarantees have
contributed significantly to harnessing
private investment for power generation
in Bangladesh, with an active portfolio
of over $500 million.
When fully implemented, these projects
are expected to generate 10,980
GWhs of electricity annually, procure
$40 million in goods and services from
domestic suppliers annually, and support
the creation of over 650 direct jobs.
Bangladesh highlights
women empowerment
which is above the regional average
for South Asia. He also mentioned
about the SDG Tracker, an innovative
tool that will help measuring the
achievement in attaining SDGs.
Before this event, he attended a
ministerial roundtable. In the daylong
engagements, he also met a parliamentary
delegation of Iran where
they exchanged views and ideas about
women empowerment in their
respective countries.
Mohibul led the Bangladesh delegation
at the inaugural session of the
63rd CSW.
Permanent Representative of
Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador
Masud Bin Momen, Secretary of the
Ministry of Women and Children's
Affairs of Bangladesh Kamrun
Nahar, Secretary of Coordination
and Reforms of Cabinet Division Dr
Md Shamsul Arefin, Secretary in
Charge of Ministry of Expatriate
Welfare and Overseas Employment
Rownaq Jahan, Director General of
Women Affairs Badrun Nessa are
attending various events as members
of the delegation.
Leaders and activists of five panels who boycotted Ducsu election staged demo on Wednesday in front of
Dhaka university Vc office demanding fresh announcement of holding election. Photo: star Mail
Prime Minister sheikh Hasina giving the 'Primary Education Award-2018 in inaugural program of
National Primary Education Week -2019 at Bangabandhu International conference center (BIcc) on
Wednesday.
Photo: star Mail
Announce fresh
Ducsu polls
schedule in 3
days : Protesters
to Du
DHAKA : Members of various panels,
who boycotted Monday's Dhaka
University Central Students' Union
(Ducsu) elections, have given the
authorities three days to announce
fresh polls schedule, reports UNB.
Several hundred students brought
out a procession from Raju sculpture
around 12:30pm and marched
towards vice-chancellor's office. A
six-member delegation went into
the VC office to hand over a memorandum.
Ducsu vice-president-elect Nurul
Haq Nur, also a quota reform movement
leader, was among the protesters.
Faruk Hossain, joint convener of
quota reform movement, said their
demands include withdrawal of the
cases filed against students over 'assaulting'
the provost of Ruqayyah
Hall.
Meanwhile, the hunger strike of five
Dhaka University students rolled into
the second day demanding fresh
Ducsu polls. They vowed to continue
until their demand is met.
Ducsu polls, the first in 28 years,
were marred by allegations of irregularities.
All panels, except that of
Bangladesh Chhatra League, boycotted
the election alleging vote
fraud.
The BCL panel dominated the
polls but its VP candidate Rezwanul
Haque Chowdhury Shovon was
defeated by Nur.
No written test for
admission to class
one: PM
DHAKA : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
on Wednesday expressed serious concern
over the ongoing written admission test
system for class one in primary schools
terming it a 'mental torture' on children,
reports UNB.
"This is completely unnecessary...this
system has to be scrapped, I'm asking the
ministry officials to look into the matter
because this is one type of psychological
pressure on the children," she said.
The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating
the National Primary Education
Week-2019 at Bangabandhu Int’l
Conference Centre.
In some schools, she said, there is a system
of admission test for class one where
printed question papers are served and
children write the answers accordingly.
"If a child can write answers as per the
printed question papers what they'll learn
in class one, this system has to be abolished
in public primary schools," she said.
The Prime Minister mentioned that
there should be an area-based admission
system and primary schools have to admit
local children in their appropriate age.
She also advocated for not giving excessive
pressure on students as they should
be allowed to have their education
through pleasure-smiling and playing.
"Children may lose interest in education if
extra pressure is given on them."
Hasina said extra pressure on the children
might bring fear in their minds about
education. "I'll request teachers and
guardians to remain careful in this
KHULNA : The Bangladesh Water
Development Board (BWDB) is planning
a Tk 11,000 crore project to repair
embankments in four upazilas to tackle
river erosion. Under this project, at least
82 kilometres of vulnerable dyke parts
will be repaired.
The initiative was taken after identifying
weak spots in embankments in
Paikgachha, Koyra, Dacope and
Batiaghata upazilas, said Khulna BWDB-
2 sources. The Development Project
Proposal (DPP)has also been prepared.
"We'll repair around 36km stretch of
embankments with Japan
International Cooperation Agency's
funding," the source said, reports UNB.
Under this project, around 10.5km
part of Shibsa River will be dredged
from Shibsa bridge to Soladana area.
About 10km stretch of Haria River from
Putimari to Lotabazar area, 270m of
Kurulia River, and 372m of Shibsa
River in Paikgachha will also be
regard."
She also criticised a section of guardians
for their involvement in competition for
their children. "Sometimes the competition
among guardians takes a serious
turn. This is sickening. "All children are
born with equal merit...all have to cooperate
with children so that they could learn
their lessons in their own way."
The Prime Minister said there is a section
of people who think that without having
the English in the class, the lesson will
remain unfinished. "This is also wrong."
She mentioned that the government
has given a special attention to primary
education system to modernize it. "The
government will do whatever is needed
for that."
She also described various steps of the
government, including free text books distribution,
midday meal, stipend, nationalisation
of primary schools taken for the
development of education.
State Minister for Primary and Mass
Education Ministry Md Zakir Hossen,
Parliamentary Standing Committee on
Primary and Mass Education Ministry
Mustafizur Rahman and Secretary Md
Akram-Al-Hossain also spoke at the programme.
A video containing the progress
and success in primary education of
Bangladesh was screened at the programme.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also presented
awards among the winners of different
categories, marking the National
Primary Education Week.
BWDB plans repairing 82km
embankment in Khulna
dredged. Parts of the river bank will also
be repaired. The work will cost an estimated
Tk216.62 crore. Japan will provide
the fund. The technical team has
already visited the sites and filed a
report.
Meanwhile, the BWDB plans to construct
one kilometer alternative
embankment in Dacope and
Batiaghata. Another 46km stretch of
embankments will also be repaired.
The estimated cost of the work has been
fixed at Tk 840.41 crore.
"The dykes in these areas are vulnerable.
We need to protect the banks to
tackle river erosion," said Khulna-2
BWDB Executive Engineer Md Najmul
Haque.
"A DPP has been prepared. The feasibility
study of Japan-funded Tk216.62
crore is complete. It's awaiting
approval," he said. "Moreover, the feasibility
of repairing 46km embankment
will be done."

NEWS
ThURSDAY,
MARCh 14, 2019
2
Earl R Miller traveled to Cox's Bazar to monitor US assistance to Rohingya and local communities in preparation
for the annual monsoon and cyclone seasons. The US works hand-in-hand with the local community
to build multi-purpose cyclone shelters and train emergency first responders. Photo: Collected
Dhaka, Delhi need to move beyond G2G
for greater good: ORF President
DHAKA : Bangladesh and India now
need to move beyond the government
to government (G2G) mechanism
creating a stronger bonding within
communities for greater good as the
two countries will become important
economic actors in the region in the
next 10 years, says President of a
leading think tank on Wednesday,
reports UNB.
India's Observer Research
Foundation (ORF) President Dr
Samir Saran said the relationship
between the two countries at the
government level has never been so
strong and robust but he still believes
they are yet to exploit the full
potential.
"There're vital ingredients which are
missing," he said adding that
communities of the two countriesacademic
community, artists,
business community and grassroots
workers-need to be far more
integrated.
Dr Saran was addressing a public
lecture titled 'India, Bangladesh and
Indo-Pacific' arranged by Centre for
Governance Studies at Bangladesh
Institute of International and
Strategic Studies (BIISS) auditorium.
CGS Chairperson Prof Ataur
Rahman chaired the event moderated
by its Executive Director Zillur
No alternative to
scouting to
utilize youth for
dev: Farhad
DHAKA : State Minister for
Public Administration
Farhad Hossain yesterday
urged all concerned to apply
the youths' potentials to
ensure the development of
the country.
"There is no alternative to
scouting to utilize the youths
for the development and
progress of the country," he
said while speaking at 'Camp
Fire' ceremony of the 10th
Bangladesh and 3rd SANSO
(South Asian Association of
National
Scout
Organisation) Jamboree-
2019 at the National Scout
Training Centre at Mouchak
in Gazipur.
"Scouting will play an
important role in making the
youths as qualified citizens
and future leaders of the
nation," said the state
minster.
With
National
Commissioner (ICT) of
Bangladesh Scouts Md
Mahfuzur Rahman in the
chair, the event was also
attended by Public
Administration Secretary
Fayez Ahmed was present as
the special guest.
Youths are the future of
the country, Farhad said,
adding, the scouting plays
very significant role in
building physical and
mental growth of the
children, adolescent and
youths which are significant
to make them worthy
citizens of the nation.
He also lauded the
contribution of scouts and
their constant endeavor for
the overall development of
the country.
A total of 12,500
participants, including
scouts and scout leaders,
from the SAARC states, Asia
Pacific Region, America and
England took part in the
programme.
Rahman.
Dr Saran laid emphasis on creating
a P2P (people-to-people) format for
partnering with each other on
common goals saying there are bigger
things for both the countries in the
days ahead.
"We need far more people to people
engagements, far stronger
communities' engagements and
cultural intimacy," he said adding that
it is disappointing that the countries
did not see more people like
Rabindranath Tagore who are
cultural icons of both sides of the
border.
Dr Saran who curates India's
annual flagship platform on
geopolitics and geo-economics - the
Raisina Dialogue said, "I do sense that
we are underperformed as a region.
We are underperformed as neighbors.
We are the least integrated of all
regions in the world."
He laid emphasis on creating more
such conversation between Indian
and Bangladeshi voices for
exchanging ideas freely.
Talking about the "complicated and
complex" joining of the Indian Ocean
with the Pacific Ocean, he said
Bangladesh and India are core actors
in the Indo-Pacific and the two
countries will have to navigate both
2 ex-cops arrested in killing
of black Brazilian politician
Authorities arrested two former police
officers Tuesday in the killing of Rio de
Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco and
her driver, a brazen assassination that
shocked Brazilians and sparked protests in
several countries, reports UNB.
The arrests in Rio came two days before
the anniversary of the 2018 killings. While
police had questioned many people, before
Tuesday nobody had been arrested or
charged in the shooting of Franco, a
prominent activist for Afro-Brazilian and
LGBT rights.
"It was a crime against a lawmaker, a
woman, exercising her democratic function
who had her life taken away in an
unacceptable, criminal way," Rio de Janeiro
state Gov. Wilson Witzel told reporters.
While Witzel praised police and
investigators for the arrests, the case
highlighted deep corruption in Brazil's police
forces, including connections to militias and
paramilitary groups that control large swaths
of the state. The suspects were identified as
Ronnie Lessa, 48, a retired military police
officer, and Elcio Vieira de Queiroz, 46, who
was fired from a police force in 2015 for
reasons that authorities did not release.
Lawyers for both men denied their
involvement in the assassination.
Lessa was arrested at his residence in the
same Rio condominium complex where
President Jair Bolsonaro has his home,
authorities said.
Lessa is alleged to have shot Franco and De
opportunities and challenges.
In 2017, the "Indo-Pacific" emerged
as a defining geopolitical construct
tying the future of states from East
Africa to East Asia together with big
powers, such as the US, China, India,
and Japan.
He also touched upon how China is
truly becoming an Indo-Pacific player
while the rest are just talking apart
from the reemergence of a
"supercontinent" called Eurasia.
Describing how countries are trying
to find ways to sustain
multilateralism, Dr Saran said
politics, commerce and infrastructure
are reconnecting Asia and Europe.
Talking about Bangladesh's
growing economy, he laid emphasis
on creating favorable international
environment that will allow
economies both in Bangladesh and
India to grow and help people of the
two countries prosper.
Dr Saran said India and Bangladesh
must start creating a favorable
international ecosystem as two
countries have similar vision and
highlighted importance of building
strong institutions.
Foreign affairs experts, former
diplomats and BIISS Chairman
Munshi Faiz Ahmad were, among
others, present.
Queiroz to have driven a car involved in the
attack. The car was hit with 14 bullets, four
shots hit Franco in the head and three hit her
driver, Anderson Gomes, in the back.
Police and prosecutors detailed a
"practically perfect crime" that
demonstrated "knowledge of the legal and
judicial system," which added to the
complexity of solving the crime. They
showed CCTV footage to reporters that
tracked the car in which prosecutors said
Lessa and De Queiroz drove from the
wealthy suburbs of western Rio across the
city to downtown, where the suspects waited
for two hours outside a meeting that Franco
was attending about empowering black
women. Prosecutors said they were able to
identify Lessa as the shooter through an
image of the shooter's arm, where they could
see the outline of dark parts of a tattoo
through a sleeve. Authorities said they
couldn't yet fully explain the motive for the
killings but pointed to signs of intolerance
toward the councilwoman's political agenda.
"It's a reaction of repulsion to her political
actions," said Simone Sibilo, one of the
prosecutors. "Marielle defended minorities,
black women, LGBT and other minority
causes." Siblio did not rule out that Lessa was
ordered to commit the crime by someone
else. Prosecutors said they suspect Lessa was
involved in one of the militias made up of
former police and military officers who run
extortion and security rackets in poor
neighborhoods.
Daudkandi upazila Jatiyatabadi Forum in Dhaka organized a remembrance
meeting remembering Shajahan Choudhury.
Photo : TBT
2 get life term
for murder in
Jhenaidah
JHENAIDAH : A court here
on Tuesday sentenced two
people to life imprisonment
for abducting and killing a
Madrasa student in 2015,
reports UNB.
The convicts are Atahar Ali
of Morrelganj upazila in
Bagerhat, and Habibur
Rahman of Jhenaidah's
Kotchandpur upazila.
They were also fined Tk
20,000 each.
According to the
prosecution, the body of
Miraj Hossain, 12, son of
Meher Ali of Bhomradanga
village in Kotchandpur, was
found in a filed on March 16,
2015, two days after he had
gone missing.
Four people were arrested
after a case was filed and
police submitted charge
sheet against all of them.
After examining records
and witnesses, Additional
District and Sessions Judge
Golam Azam delivered the
verdict and acquitted two
others as allegations brought
against them could not be
proven.
Art competition
held at IU
ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY : An
art competition for children
was held at Islamic
University (IU) in Kushtia on
Wednesday, reports UNB.
The university authorities
organised the competition at
Birshrestha Hamidur
Rahman Auditorium around
11 am marking Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's
99thbirthday anniversary.
IU vice-chancellor
Professor M Harun-Ur-
Rashid Askari inaugurated
the competition as the chief
guest while pro-vicechancellor
Professor M
Shahinoor Rahman,
treasurer Professor M Selim
Toha, acting registrar SM
Abdul Latif, IIER director
Professor M Maher Ali, IU
law department Assistant
Professor Armin Khatun
Mallik, were present on the
occasion among others.
IU former proctor and
syndicate member Professor
M Mahbubar Rahman
conducted the inaugural
session attended by around
one hundred students of IU
laboratory school.
While addressing the
programme, the speakers
shed light on the life of
Bangabandhu
Mujibur Rahman.
Sheikh
Mustafa Jabbar
inaugurates
construction of
BTRC building
DHAKA : Posts,
Telecommunications and
Information Technology
Minister Mustafa Jabbar
laid the foundation stone of
BTRC Building in the city's
Agargaon on Wednesday,
reports UNB.
BTRC Chairman Md
Jahurul Haque, among
other officials, was also
present at the ceremony.
The building will be
constructed on a one-acre
land at the administrative
block in Sher-e-Bangla
Nagar area. At present, the
telecom regulator is running
its office from three floors of
the Institution of Engineers,
Bangladesh (EIB) on rent.
Earlier on July 2, 2018, the
project was approved at the
Executive Committee of
National Economic Council
(Ecnec) meeting.
Iran's Persepolis suffers
late defeat against
Qarati side Al Sadd
Al Sadd of Qatar defeated
Iran's Persepolis 1-0 with an
injury time goal in the AFC
Champions League on Tuesday,
reports UNB.
In the Group D match held
in Doha's Jassim Bin
Hamad Stadium, Baghdad
Bounedjah scored the
winner for Al Sadd in the
95th minute after the
regular time was about
running out goalless.
Five students of Dhaka University (DU) start hunger strike at the foot of Raju
Sculpture on Tuesday evening, demanding fresh elections to its central student
union and hall unions.
Photo: TBT
Coordinated response to any cyclone in
Rohingya camps stressed
COX'S BAZAR : Speakers at a workshop
yesterday stressed the need for coordinated
response to any cyclone in Cox's Bazar
Rohingya camps considering the dense
settlements and extreme fragile materials of
the camps along with risk of landslide during
and after any cyclone landfall.
As the Rohingya camps settlements are very
dense and built of extremely fragile materials,
risk of landslide during and after cyclone
landfall is still very high. So, coordinated
system to respond to the impact of the cyclone
is essential, they said.
Speakers said this at a workshop on
'Cyclone and Monsoon Preparedness: Cox's
Bazar District and Camp Settlements' jointly
organized by Inter Sector Coordination
Group (ISCG) and the government of
Bangladesh, a UNDP press release said.
The two-day workshop was organized
ahead of the approaching cyclone and the
monsoon season with the support of
Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS),
American Red Cross, International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies (IFRC) and the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP).
SEU Students Participated in
the 12th SAUFEST in India
A team of student from Southeast University (SEU)
participated at the 12th South-Asian Universities Youth
Festival (12th SAUFEST) held from 22 to 26 February 2019
at Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur,
Chhatisgarh, India, a press release said.
Association of Indian Universities (AIU) organized the
Festival. The concept of organizing SAUFEST is to make
active collaboration and mutual assistance among the South-
Asian countries in Educational, Social, Cultural and
Economic field. The key objective of the fest is 'Connect,
Compete, and Celebrate' and is to strengthen the unity and
harmony among the participating countries.
The activities held during the fest include- Poster Making,
Light Vocal, Mime, Folk Orchestra, Folk Dance (Group),
Elocution, Debate, Clay Modeling, Classical Dance, and
seminars. During the fest, SEU student Md. Shakahoat
Hossain and Sabrina Islam Ani performed Folk Dance, and
Labonya Biswas sang a Song. Mohammad Ashraful Alam
Munna and Azizur Rahman Rohan participated in Debate
and Elocution competition.
About 600 student delegates participated in the festival
from the countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,
Myanmar, Mauritius, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Southeast
University Team received certificates and memento for being
part of 12th SAUFEST.
Belgium to send trade
mission to Bangladesh
DHAKA : Belgium is planning to send a trade delegation to
Bangladesh later this year to explore trade and investment
opportunities, reports UNB.
Newly appointed Belgian Ambassador to Bangladesh, with
residence in New Delhi, Francois Delhaye informed this at a
meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on
Wednesday. Dr Momen asked Belgium to continue to play
leadership role in the European Union and the UN Security
Council to mount persistent pressure on Myanmar for
sustainable solution to the crisis, including creating
congenial environment for their safe and dignified return at
the earliest.
Ambassador Delhaye reiterated Belgium's commitment to
that end, said the Foreign Ministry here. Belgium has been
elected as non-permanent member of the UNSC for the term
of 2019-2020. During the meeting, Dr Momen briefed the
ambassador about tremendous socioeconomic
developments that Bangladesh has achieved particularly
during the last one decade under the visionary leadership of
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Stakeholders from the government, UN
Agencies and NGOs, INGOs took part in the
workshop. Cyclone Programme Preparedness
(CPP) Director Ahmadul Haq presented a
keynote paper in the opening session. He said
CPP has engaged 6585 volunteers in Cox's
Bazar, among them 990 in Teknaf, 375 in
Ukhiya and 1180 in Cox's Bazar.
Addressing the function Senior Coordinator
of ISCG Filip Papas said Rohingya camps
settlements are very dense and built of
extremely fragile materials. He laid
importance on a coordinated system to
response to the impact of the cyclone.
Md Rafiqul Islam Babu, Deputy Secretary
General, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society
(BDRCS), stressed the need for collaboration
and cooperation among the organisations
working in Cox's Bazar for risk reduction.
About 250 participants from various
government offices, BDRCS, UN, NGOs and
INGOs took part in the workshop.
On the second day discussion will focus on
Disaster Risk Reduction in Cox's Bazar, where
Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster
Management and Relief Md Shah Kamal will
present as the chief guest.
A team of student from Southeast University (SEU) participated at the 12th
South-Asian Universities Youth Festival (12th SAUFEST) held from 22 to
26 February 2019 at Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur,
Chhatisgarh, India.
Photo : Courtesy
2 murder suspects
arrested in Sylhet
SYLHET : Police arrested
two college students on
Tuesday for their alleged
involvement in the killing of
a young man, reports UNB.
The arrestees were
identified as Razu Mia, 20, a
student of Dakkhin Surma
Government College, and
Shakil Nur Talukdar, 20, a
student of Shakil Shah
Khurram Degree College.
Sub-Inspector Yasin of
Kotwali Model Police
Station said they raided
Madina Market acting on a
tip-off and arrested the duo.
Two luxury
cars to be
launched in
local market
DHAKA : Ace Autos Pvt.
Ltd. is going to introduce
two brand new luxury cars in
the local at 'Dhaka Motor
Show -2019' on Thursday,
reports UNB.
The newly launched
luxury cars which are very
popular in many countries of
the world - Haval H9 and
Wingle 6 will be available
with affordable price and
comfortable offers.
Haval H9 will offer threeyear,
60,000 kilometer
service and roadside
assistance for comfortable
driving experience while
Wingle 6 will bring cabin
pickup with two liter engine
and 6MT transmission.
Complementary registration
facility and lucrative
discounts will be available on
each booking of the cars.

METRO
THURSDAY, MARcH 14, 2019
3
Sujon organized a meeting recalling Sanjida Haque Bipasha who was died in plan crash just a
year back.
Photo : TBT
Modern Tug boat 'Sundarban'
for Mongla Port fleet
KHULNA : A modern Tug boat "M T
Sundarban," a rescue ship, has joined
the fleet of Mongla Port.
The Tug boat was anchored at no-7
jetty of Mongla Port yesterday
(Tuesday) noon after arriving from
Malaysia.
Harbour Master of Mongla Port
Authority (MPA) Commander Durul
Huda told BSS, the modern rescue boat
left Malaysia on February 28 which was
anchored there and reached Mongla
port jetty on March 12.
According to maritime tradition, high
officials of the MPA welcomed it after
its arrival.
GD-446/19 (5 x 4)
GD-447/19 (6 x 4)
He said, the rescue boat will able to
play vital role to protect accident during
plying ships at Mongla channel. MPA
further said this new Tug boat will be
useful and helpful during anchoring in
jetty area and rescuing foreign ship
when it falls into accident.
This 42 ton Tug boat was constructed
Shibu Shipyard of East Malaysia at the
cost of 39 crores early this year.
A special team led by him visited
Malaysia to check any technical fault
two months back, said Harbour
Master'. He added and hoped this new
arrival in Mongla fleet will play vital
role in any river accident.
Sheikh Badiuzzaman, a user of
Mongla Port who is managing director
of Unique maritime, said that the
arrival this Tug Boat will play a big part
in smooth operating.
Talking to BSS, MPA chairman
commodore A K M FarukHasan said,
the Tug boat will play vital role to check
any river accident and to able rescue
operation.
Both foreign and country's
commercial ship will be benefitted with
the arrival of 'Sundarban' into the MPA
fleet and the port will see huge ship
anchoring in the jetty in future, he
added.
World Kidney
Day Thursday
DHAKA : The 'World
Kidney Day-2019' will be
observed in the country, as
elsewhere across the globe
on Thursday aiming to raise
awareness of the importance
of kidneys.
The theme of the day of
this year is "Kidney Health
for Everyone Everywhere."
Kidney Awareness
Monitoring and Prevention
Society (KAMPS),
Bangladesh Renal
Association and Kidney
Foundation have arranged
different programmes to
observe the day, reports
UNB.
The World Kidney Day is
observed on Thursday in the
second week of March every
year across the globe.
KAMPS will hold a rally at
8am and a discussion at
11am.
Besides, President Abdul
Hamid and Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina issued
separate messages marking
the day.
Some NGOs spent
75pc of Rohingya
funds on staff:
Minister
DHAKA : Liberation War
Affairs Minister AKM
Mozammel Haque on
Wednesday said some
NGOs working for the
Rohingyas spent over 75
percent of the foreign aid on
meeting their staff's own
expenses, reports UNB.
Rohingyas are getting only
25 percent of the funds, the
minister told journalists
after a meeting of the
cabinet committee on law
and order at the Foreign
Ministry's conference room.
"You'll get surprised
knowing that the NGOs
have paid over Tk 150 crore
as hotel bills since
September. They have spent
nearly Tk 8 crore as flat and
house rents," Mozzamel
said.
"This is really
unfortunate," he said adding
that the intelligence
agencies have been
instructed to identify such
NGOs.
Asked about some foreign
agencies' opinion regarding
relocation of Rohingyas to
Bhasan Char, the minister
said, "The government's
responsibility is to feed and
support the people they've
sheltered and ensured
security for them. It's the
decision of the government
where they'll provide
accommodation to the
Rohingyas-in Bhasan Char
or elsewhere?"
"The responsibility of
NGOs is to oversee whether
the government is taking
proper care of the
Rohingyas. If they've any
opinion in this regard, the
government will consider,"
he added.
8th convocation
of DIU held
DHAKA : The 8th
convocation of Daffodil
International University
(DIU) was held with colorful
events at university's
permanent campus at
Ashulia of Savar on
Thursday.
Delegated by DIU
Chancellor and President
Abdul Hamid, Dr Dipu
Moni, Education Minister
presided over the
convocation ceremony and
conferred the degrees, said a
press release of DIU, reports
UNB.
Professor Abdul Mannan,
Chairman of University
Grants Commission (UGC)
was present there as special
guest. Dr Pornchai
Mongkhonvanit, President,
SIAM University of
Bangkok in Thailand
attended the convocation as
the convocation speaker.
In the 8th convocation a
total of 5631 students was
conferred upon graduation
and post-graduation
degrees and among them 17
best result oriented
graduates were awarded
'Gold Medal' in different
categories.
Hasan for keeping student
politics in hands of students
DHAKA : Information Minister Dr Hasan
Mahmud yesterday urged BNP and Jatiya
Oikyafront to keep student politics in the
hands of students.
"I would like to tell BNP and Jatiya
Oikyafront to keep students politics in the
hands of students … Don't bring students
politics in the national politics," he said at a
discussion at the auditorium of Institution of
Diploma Engineers' Bangladesh (IDEB)
here.
Bangabandhu Diploma Engineers
Parishad (BDEP) organized the discussion
marking the 99th birth anniversary of Father
of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman and Independence Day with its
chief advisor and former home minister Dr
Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir in the chair.
Hasan, also the publicity and publication
secretary of the ruling Awami League, said
BNP and Oikyafront are out to fish in the
troubled water centering the DUCSU polls.
He said this is a positive side of the DUCSU
polls that elections were held after over 28
years. "Student leaders will be created
through the polls. And this is a positive side
for the students politics," he added.
He said BNP and Oikyafront were trying to
create an issue centering the polls. "The
politics of BNP is now confined to press
conferences. They are holding press
conferences every morning and afternoon,"
he added.
The minister said no one could find the
existence of Chhatra Dal in the DUCSU polls.
They were missing in the polls, he added.
Hasan said the united efforts by the leftists
Tipu for clear policy framework
to regulate three-wheelers
DHAKA : Underscoring the need for having
a clear policy framework to regulate the
three-wheelers, Commerce Minister Tipu
Munshi yesterday said relevant rules should
be devised in this regard at the earliest.
The Commerce Minister said this while
addressing a dialogue on 'Prospects and
Policies of Electric Vehicles in Bangladesh'
jointly organized by JETRO and BUILD
held at a city hotel, said a press release.
The Commerce Minister said that
charging infrastructure for
electric vehicles is another
aspect which needs to be
developed. "As greenhouse
gases are spoiling our
environment, I feel it is the
right time to introduce the
policies," he added.
Principal Coordinator on
SDG Affairs at the Prime
Minister's Office Md. Abul
Kalam Azad, Japanese
Ambassador to Dhaka
Hiroyasu Isumi, DCCI
President Osama Taseer,
spoke among others, at the
dialogue.
Md. Abul Kalam Azad
said that electric vehicles
(EV) are the future of
transport as de-carbonizing
transport is a must to
achieve SDGs. He also said
that good policies are
needed to harness the
benefits of development of
the three wheelers.
The Chief Coordinator on
SDG Affairs also
emphasized on research
and development activities
on battery manufacturing
focusing on lithium-ion (LI)
battery, recycling of battery
and attraction of FDI in
manufacturing electric
vehicles in the country.
"Private sector and donor
organizations have come
GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH
Office of the Executive Engineer, DPHE, Rangpur Division, Rangpur
Tel. No. 0521-62907, Email: ee.rangpur@dphe.gov.bd
forward. We need to develop our capacity to
address the fourth industrial revolution
issues", he added.
He suggested forming a small team to
work with members from the Ministry of
Commerce, Power Division and BUILD.
Japanese Ambassador to Dhaka Hiroyasu
Isumi put emphasis on SDG 11 related to
Sustainable Cities and Communities for
which a sustainable transport system is an
imperative.
Memo No. 46.203.8500.061.40.047.15-528 Date : 12/03/2019
Invitation for Tender
1. Ministry/Division Ministry of Local Govt. Rural Development &
Co-operatives, Local Govt. Division
2. Agency Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE)
3. Project/Program
name
Improvement of Pirgonj Pourashava water
supply and environmental sanitation project.
4. e-tender IDs 294519
5. Description of work Construction of 3290m RCC drain for Pirgonj
Pourashava under improvement of water
supply and Environmental Sanitation project
during FY 2018-19.
6. Name, Designation &
address of official
Inviting
and the rightists could not resist the victory
of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) in the
DUCSU polls. "The victory of the candidates
from other panels or independent one, who
boycotted the polls, proved that they have
failed actually… Chhatra League achieved
the victory," he said
Hasan said, "The polls were held after
about 28 years. You know that the female
students were assaulted during every polls of
the university in the past. But this time, such
type of incidents did not happen. Every party
including the leftists, the rightists and the
quota reformists took part in the polls," he
added.
Referring to the country's ongoing
development, the minister said
Bangabandhu liberated the country through
the nine-month long bloody Liberation War.
"Bangladesh is now on the highway of
development under the dynamic leadership
of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to
materialize Bangabandhu's dream," he
added.
He said many world leaders including the
former US president Barak Obama lauded
Bangladesh's rapid development.
"But some people are not willing to
acknowledge the development - they are
(rather) busy to confuse the countrymen,"
the minister said.
Hasan urged the countrymen to forge stiff
resistance against saboteurs to continue
Bangladesh's current development spree to
turn it into 'Sonar Bangla' as dreamt by
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman.
Mst. Ummay Raman Khan Jony
Executive Engineer, DPHE
Rangpur Division, Rangpur.
7. This is online Tender, Where only e-Tenders will be accepted in the
National e-Gp portal and no offline/hard copies will be accepted. Interested
person/firm can see detail in the website: www.eprocure.gov.bd
GD-441/19 (5 x 3)
Job Opportunity
SPEED COLOUR LTD
House#42, Road#04, Sector#10, Uttara Model Town, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Recruitment Number: 04
Job Title: Printing Technician (2) &
Chemical Technician (Colour Mixer) (2)
Job Requirements: Applicants from any educational background can
apply (School, College, or University). Proficiency in Chinese language will
be preferred. Need to have professional experience, sound physical and
mental fitness. Need to be able to work in a team as a team member.
Application Deadline: 23rd March, 2019.
Suitable Candidates are requested to call on this number: 01757401052 and
also to drop/send their Resume/CV on the following
E-mail Address: yyh.greenwillbd@gmail.com
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
GRAMBANGLA TUBES LTD.
This factory produces GI Tubes Manufacturing in Sonargoan,
Narayanganj.For Below position for Immediate Employment.
Name of the Post: Asst. Technical, Number of the Post: 08 (Eight)
Requirement: 1. HSC / College Degree, 01 (One) year working experience
in relevant sub sector.2. Education Qualification is relaxable for expert and
Experienced candidate only. Interested Candidate is requested to apply after
publication this advertisement.
Name of the Post: Technical, Number of the Post: 05 (Five)
Requirement: 1.Diploma Engineer / College Degree, 01 (One) year
working experience in relevant sub sector.2. Education Qualification is
relaxable for expert and Experienced candidate only. Interested Candidate is
requested to apply after publication this advertisement.
Name of the Post: Product Designer, Number of the Post: 03 (Three)
Requirement: 1.Diploma Engineer / College Degree, 02 (Two) year
working experience in relevant sub sector.2. Education Qualification is
relaxable for expert and Experienced candidate only. Interested Candidate is
requested to apply after publication this advertisement.
Application Deadline: 21 March, 2019.
Suitable candidate are request to drop their CV mentioning the post on the
Top of the Envelop to the below address by Managing Director of
GRAMBANGLA TUBES LTD. of Sonargoan, Narayanganj.
Tel:+88001907084175. Email: grambanglatubesltd@gmail.com
Dbœq‡bi MYZš¿
†kL nvwmbvi g~jgš¿
(Mst. Ummay Roman Khan Jony)
Executive Engineer, DPHE
Rangpur Division, Rangpur.

EDITORIAL
THurSDAy,
MArCH 14, 2019
4
China's debts sustaining its economic growth
Acting Editor & Publisher : Jobaer Alam
Telephone: +8802-9104683-84, Fax: 9127103
e-mail: editor@thebangladeshtoday.com
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Factors in ADP projects
and programmes
The Annual Development Plan (ADP) is a
major source of public sector investment
in the country. But success in ADP
implementation is not only about
fulfillmentof expenditure targets either.
Success must not be measured primarily on
the basis of only how quickly the money is
spent. The emphasis should be on how
quickly as well as how ' well' the money is
spent on the ADP projects. There can be no
reason for satisfaction if the expenditure
targets are fulfilled or overfulfilled while
expected physical output and other targets
from the same record serious shortfalls.
Ensuring the 'quality' of the ADP projects
and programmes call for their sound
conceiving in the first place. If this is not
accomplished, then resources spent on
them are to be considered as wasteful. Over
the years, many ADP projects have tended
to be symbolic of such waste. Thus, the
Public Expenditure Review Commission
(PERC) identified a saga of misuse of ADP
resources during the last two decades. It
found out, for instance, a railway project
costing taka 6.75 billion to link Cox' Bazar
with Chittagong notwithstanding that a
good road link already exists between these
two destinations which make spending in
the railway project irrelevant and
superfluous. It would make far better sense
if the resources spent on this project could
be diverted to another sector where the
benefits would be proportionately much
bigger than the expected ones from the
railway project.
The PERC in its examination also focused
on a string of projects where routine
substantial expenditures from the ADP are
being made as preparatory to starting full
fledged work on them. In many cases, these
projects and programmes are dependent on
resources availability or commitment and
actual disbursement of foreign funding for
them which are uncertain. Year after year, a
great deal of resources are getting consumed
in maintaining project sites and paying
salaries to staff there in anticipation that
works on these projects and programmes
could start. But these costs are proving to be
very wasteful as there is no knowing when
these ventures will take off or whether these
will take off at all. Even common sense
dictates that all ADP programmes need to be
started and ended under a strictly defined
timeframe after full availability of funding
for them and taking of all preparations to
complete them at one go.
Clearly, the first task in order of
importance ought to be selection of ADP
projects and programmes after these have
been put through cost benefit analysis and
assessed for their rate of returns and found
to be worthwhile. It is imperative for ADP
proposals to be cleared through an impartial
filtering process to ascertain their true
value. In many cases, the proposals are the
outcome of 'political designs' to favour
individuals and group interests. Only after
such a scrutiny, the really sound proposals
should merit an inclusion in the ADP and
that too after finances have been fully lined
up to start works on them immediately and
to end the same within a stipulated period.
These aspects are very important to avoid
the escalating costs from delays in
implementation and to get promptly the
benefits from completed projects and
programmes.
For the ptresent fiscal year, the
government has a big enough ADP in the
planning boards. However, as the saying
goes that the taste of the pudding lies in the
eating, the larger outlay of resources in the
ADP will be reasonable and would be
justified if the rate of its implementation
proves to be notably better than previous
years and, more significantly, the quality of
the finished projects are judged as truly
beneficial for the economy.
oVER the last 30 or more years, there
has not been a day that goes by
without China critics predicting the
economy's imminent collapse because
they believe it is piling up huge debts.
Each time they have been proved wrong,
from mainstream media such as The
new York Times in the 1990s to nicholas
Lardy of the Peterson Institute of
International Economics just recently.
The Institute of International Finance
(IIF) has estimated that China's total
debt-to-GDP ratio was 299% in 2018, of
which government, financial
corporations, non-financial enterprises
and households accounted for 50%, 70%,
130% and 49% respectively.
But whatever the numbers, China's
debts are smaller than those of the Group
of Seven, perhaps with the exception of
Germany, which according to Trading
Economics stood at around 250% of
gross domestic product in 2018. The
other members' ranged from 304% (US)
to almost 500% (Japan).
In examining China's debt numbers, it
could even be argued that they might be
the very reason its economy has
sustained relatively high and stable
growth rates of above 6% over the
decades. Of the 50% government
proportion of the debt-to-GDP ratio,
more than two-thirds belongs to local
governments in the form of loan
guarantees, largely on private public
partnership (PPP) infrastructure and
housing projects. In the PPP projects,
private partners would put up capital
while local governments pledge land. In
the event of payment defaults or the
partnership dissolves, the local
governments take ownership of the
projects.
If that happens, the housing units
would either be sold or turned into social
housing from which the local
THE contributions by so many
global coalition governments to
the military defeat of Daesh in
Iraq and Syria is understood and deeply
appreciated across the Arab world.
However, we all know that the collapse
of Daesh's final outpost will not be the
end of this story.
Moving forward, we also know that
civil society leaders and the private
sector must step up our efforts, in
partnership with governments, to
defeat extremist ideologies. We do this
because the ideology that animated
Daesh, Al-Qaeda and others threatens
the aspirations of people across the
Muslim world for a prosperous and
modern future. It threatens our
societies, our businesses and our
children.
MBC Group is the world's leading
independent Arabic-language media
company, with global reach and
influence in information and
entertainment programming. MBC's
chairman, Walid Al-Ibrahim, launched
our pan-Arab network in London in
1991, and we moved our headquarters
to Dubai, the Gulf region's business
capital, in 2002.
MBC's ownership is Saudi and the
young people in Saudi Arabia have
always been our largest market. We are
closely attuned to, and engaged with,
the massive social changes taking place
in the Kingdom. These changes are
governments would either earn a profit or
enhance social stability. The roads are
tolled, generating revenues to pay off the
debts. In short, the assets have economic
and social values, and are not a waste of
money as the critics claim.
Further, the banks that lent money to
the PPPs belong to the local governments.
In this regard, local governments are
actually protecting themselves and their
constituencies.
On non-financial corporate debts,
state-owned enterprises (SOEs) account
for 80%, according to the IIF, Bloomberg
and other organizations that are obsessed
with Chinese debts. SOEs borrow from
state-owned banks (SOBs), implying the
loan arrangement is a "family affair."
Besides, the loans are issued in yuan,
which the government is authorized to
print. The yuan is legal tender and
accepted as payment of debts and
medium of exchange within China.
What's more, the Chinese financial
system is the biggest in the world, with
more than US$36 trillion in assets and
deposits of $26 trillion, according to the
China national Bureau of Statistics
(CnBS).
Further, in order for the financial
system to collapse, all SOEs would have
to go bankrupt, a very unlikely scenario.
With regard to financial-corporation
debts, they are mostly attributed to
shadow banks, consisting of insurance,
Ken MoAK
mortgage and other non-bank
businesses. They are subsidiaries of stateowned
banks, which use them as vehicles
for wealth management programs.
As for household debts, most of them
are in mortgages. Unlike in the West,
buying a home in China is a "family affair"
in that members pitch in to help a young
couple with the down payment and
paying the mortgage if necessary. In this
regard, a housing bubble is very unlikely.
The Chinese government has made mistakes in managing debts.
For example, being overly eager to lend money in the late 1990s
resulted in a huge number of non-performing loans (nPLs),
estimated at between 25% and 40% of the total. This fiasco forced
the government to bail out the country's four largest banks with
$400 billion, according to the State Council, China's cabinet.
having enormous consequences for the
region and beyond. MBC is putting our
money and our long-standing
reputation for social reform behind a
positive, globally engaged outlook for
our region under Saudi Vision 2030.
The Arab world is changing rapidly.
Although we still face many challenges,
it is time to transform Daesh's military
defeat into a rejection of extremism and
its proponents.
For several years, MBC Group has
been working with media partners and
the Global Coalition Against Daesh -
particularly the US - to help shape the
Muslim world's evolving social norms
through the creation and distribution of
new Arabic-language film and TV
content that promotes tolerance,
diversity and pluralism. We have seen
much value in this cooperation. As
Daesh approaches military defeat, MBC
is stepping up our campaign for the
ALI JABer
According to the China Banking
Regulatory Commission, the first-time
buyer must put up a down payment of
between 20% and 50%, depending on the
region. A second home requires a down
payment of 50% or more and is only
granted if the first house is fully paid for.
In light of China's huge population, the
demand for homes will only increase,
enhancing economic growth. Home
construction has large multiplier effects,
in that it stimulates the furniture and
appliance manufacturing industries.
They in turn create demand for textiles,
leather, steel and other raw materials.
Further, China seems to have learned
from the mistakes of the past, which in
some ways is resulting in it better
managing its debts than the West.
The Chinese government has made
mistakes in managing debts. For
example, being overly eager to lend
money in the late 1990s resulted in a huge
number of non-performing loans (nPLs),
ideas guiding our future.
We have launched new program
streams - MBC Iraq and MBC Persia -
using the same program mix that made
MBC the region's leading network, to
reach out to people in these important
countries, where young people aspire to
better lives. We are looking forward to
MBC Maghreb this spring, and expect
MBC Kuwait, MBC Lebanon and MBC
Syria to follow.
We are also currently developing
programs to engage creative and
talented young Arabs in outreach
messaging. These include a series
featuring experienced filmmakers who
recently participated in a US State
Department initiative in cooperation
with the University of Southern
California's prestigious School of
Cinematic Arts. Our people have
important stories to tell - and we want
them to be seen and heard.
estimated at between 25% and 40% of the
total. This fiasco forced the government
to bail out the country's four largest banks
with $400 billion, according to the State
Council, China's cabinet. Designating
investment as an engine of growth
culminated in over- or mal-investment in
which much capital was wasted.
However, the government seems to
have learned a lesson, controlling overborrowing
and lending, as evidenced by
the 1.7% nPL ratio, a proportion in line
with global trends, according to the
International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Equally, if not more, important to note
is that the government seems to have
mastered the science of debt
management, applying deficit financing
as a counter-cyclical fiscal policy. For
example, the government mounted a
huge stimulus package of $580 billion in
2008 to avert the economy's downward
movement attributed to the USoriginated
financial crisis.
Instead of putting China in serious debt
as Western critics claimed, the Chinese
economy reversed downward growth
from 6.5% in 2008 to 9.2% in 2009,
according to IMF figures. Since then, the
Chinese economy has tripled in size, from
$4.6 trillion in 2008 to $13.6 trillion in
2018, according to the World Bank.
Applying expansionary fiscal and
monetary policies is very much evident in
the 2019 "Two Sessions," annual
meetings of the national People's
Congress and the Chinese People's
Political Consultative Conference. The
government is reducing taxes, further
eradicating poverty, building
infrastructures, and increasing loans to
small and medium-sized businesses
amid economic slowdowns due to weak
external demand.
Source : Asia times
How the media is helping the region reject extremism
In a series of horrific incidents, a metro
driver in Cairo forced his wife to drown
her children in a bucket filled with
water - with the help of his first wife, it has
been revealed. The killings occured over
the past two years. Each time, he threw the
bodies into a water canal. He documented
the murders on video and at one point
blinded the second wife as well, shocking
declarations on Egypt TV revealed.
Critics of the United Kingdom Home
Secretary Sajid Javid's decision to revoke
Shamima Begum's British citizenship say
that he effectively killed her baby. Anyone
who saw her TV interviews will have
found her hard to like. Some of her
comments supporting terrorist attacks
were monstrous. But people who have
been recruited into cults believe and say
monstrous things. It does not make them
monsters - the real versions of themselves
and everything they may have believed
were destroyed when they were
radicalised or, to use an old-fashioned
term, brainwashed.
Four years after Shamima was
indoctrinated into Daesh, the teenager
showed all the signs during her recent
interviews of having been under cultic
influence. Her head was tilted down, she
used monotone speech conveying no
emotion and her manner was detached
and cold. When she did eventually look
directly at the interviewer, it was clear
that the windows to Shamima's soul were
long closed. The most damaging thing
MBC Group is the world's leading independent
Arabic-language media company, with global reach
and influence in information and entertainment
programming. MBC's chairman, Walid Al-Ibrahim,
launched our pan-Arab network in London in 1991,
and we moved our headquarters to Dubai, the Gulf
region's business capital, in 2002.
Lynne WALLIS, GuArDIAn
she said that secured her banishment
from her homeland was that she "wasn't
bothered" by the sight of severed heads in
bins in Syria. She spoke as if what she was
saying was totally normal, as if expecting
sympathy.
Desensitisation is a key part of the
process for cults recruiting people to
commit abhorrent acts - emotion would
hamper willingness to take life, so it is
suppressed. Young female recruits to the
mujahideen in the 1970s were shown
films early on in the recruitment process
of other young women blowing
themselves and others up, prompting
severe distress. By the end of the first
month, the discomfort was lessened.
After three months, the viewers didn't bat
an eyelid. Violence is normalised.
In recent years, cult experts have become
interested in highlighting the parallels
between how cults such as the Moonies
recruit new members, and how terrorist
groups use exactly the same methodology
and psychological manipulation to secure
unswerving commitment. no one "joins" a
cult - they are targeted and recruited. They
are love-bombed initially, as part of the
grooming process. They are seduced, told
how special they are, told what a difference
they could make to the movement. Then
every argument they put forward for not
believing whatever is being asked of them
is carefully taken apart, bit by bit. With
great skill on the part of their manipulators
everything they believe is replaced with the
ideology of the group. They are then
encouraged to either recruit their families
and friends, or cut all ties with them. noncult
literature is banned, as is television,
sometimes music and art that isn't on the
cult's approved list - anything that isn't
promoting its core values. Soon the new
convert's entire world is controlled by the
Because young Arabs are video
enthusiasts, we are planning a regionwide
short-form video festival and
competition that will spur a wave of
additional content that will be
promoted online and on TV. Rather
than sensationalist violence and
iconoclasm, people will see with clarity
our hopes and aspirations.
Finally, on Tuesday we announced
MBC's commitment to supporting the
launch of the Creative Community
Partnership - a gathering of Western
and Muslim world media executives
that will sponsor the creation and
distribution of content to refute
terrorist ideology and support hope.
This project will be private sector-led,
but we hope that coalition governments
will join in too.
The Arab world is changing rapidly.
Although we still face many challenges,
it is time to transform Daesh's military
defeat into a rejection of extremism and
its proponents. MBC's core market,
Saudi Arabia, is a nation on the move.
Its youthful population is opening up to
the world and is eager to play a positive
role within the global community. MBC
Group invites you to join us in the
Creative Community Partnership - we
must harness the power of media in
support of a Middle East that is turning
despair into hope.
Source : Arab news
Daesh brides need help and guidance
Four years after Shamima was indoctrinated into Daesh,
the teenager showed all the signs during her recent
interviews of having been under cultic influence. Her head
was tilted down, she used monotone speech conveying no
emotion and her manner was detached and cold. When she
did eventually look directly at the interviewer, it was clear
that the windows to Shamima's soul were long closed.
group, and everything they do from what
they eat, what they wear and who they
have relationships with is subject to
approval by the cult's leaders. Arranged
marriages such as Shamima's are
common, as a means to secure total
commitment from emotionally vulnerable
young female members.
Shamima was just 15 when she had her
head turned by Daesh. Intellectually
curious, alert, idealistic young people
generally make easy targets, and they are
the ones that stop in the street when
Scientology recruiters invite them to take
a "personality test". They are the ones
who ask probing questions, who are
open to debate, and this makes them
vulnerable as the recruiters have their
ear. Their trained manipulators have
been doing it a long time, using tried and
tested techniques. They have an answer
for everything. Who knows what
resistance if any Shamima may have
shown? One thing is sure - she was ripe
for the picking.
Elsewhere in Europe the use of undue
influence or "mind control" is illegal, but in
the UK it isn't recognised as a crime. The
process of indoctrination can, however, be
reversed. It is commonly referred to as
"exit counselling", and when it happens -
it's often hard to get a cult member alone
for long enough - it is often successful.
Source: Gulf news

HEALTH THURSDAy,
MARCH 14, 2019
5
A third of people in relationships are being ignored because their partners are staring at
smartphones.
Photo: Jamie Grill
Spend less-time on screen
before it’s too late
Stuart Heritage
A YouGov poll has revealed that a
third of people in a relationship have
fallen victim to "screen snubbing" -
when their partners are too distracted
by their phones to properly engage
with them.
Screen snubbing is to a degree
understandable. After all, your
partner is just a person and your
phone is effectively the sum total of
all human knowledge. But the
damage the habit causes is real. The
solicitor who commissioned the poll
has spoken of the surge in divorce
inquiries she has received as a result
of people spending too long on their
phones. Are you a screen snubber?
Answer these six questions.
If your evenings primarily consist of
you sitting on the opposite end of
your sofa from your partner,
exhausted and constantly refreshing
Instagram, you are a screen snubber.
Put your phone down and try to
connect.
You don't know, do you? Or if you
do, it's only because you've been
absent-mindedly scrolling through
the show's Wikipedia page instead of
watching it. It's fine if you do this
from time to time - it's how I got
through the first series of Game of
Thrones - but try not to make it a
habit. It's one thing to screen snub a
person. But if you're screen snubbing
another screen, you've got a problem.
You know they definitely said
something, because you heard their
voice. But now whatever it was has
ended and there's an expectant
silence, so you've got to do
something. What? It can't be another
non-committal grunt - you've made
dozens of those already tonight.
Maybe it's time to apologise.
A couple of nights ago, I realised
that the main topic of conversation
I have with my wife is the string of
unaffordable Zoopla properties we
WhatsApp to each other in the
midst of an extended screensnubbing
session. Is this the most
damning indictment of modern
marriage you've ever heard? Yes it
is.
There's been a low-level yelping
sound rumbling on for about an hour
now. Look up. Is it one of your
children, begging to be acknowledged
as a valid human presence? Yes? Put
your phone down.
A temporary low-calorie diet
may reduce inflammatory
bowel disease
Pill that mimics natural antibodies
Michael Le Page
When the next flu pandemic comes, we
may be better prepared. A
pharmaceutical company has
developed a conventional drug that
mimics the effect of antibodies that are
effective against a wide range of flu
viruses. Conventional drugs are
cheaper and easier to make and store
than antibodies, and can be taken in pill
form.
Mice that were give 25 times the
normal lethal dose of one flu virus
survived after taking the drug, which is
known only as JNJ4796. It was also
effective in tests on human cells grown
in a dish. The hope is that this
antibody-mimicking strategy could
lead to new treatments for many viral
diseases, not just flu.
When we are infected by a virus, our
immune system defends us by
producing antibodies, which are
proteins that bind to the virus and
prevent them from infecting cells. But it
takes days for our bodies to ramp up
production, by which time people can
become seriously ill.
Injecting antibodies can help treat
viral infections, but there are several
problems. First, antibodies are large
proteins that are expensive to make
and have to be injected directly into the
blood. Second, flu antibodies are
usually specific to a single strain. So an
antibody treatment for the flu that
makes people ill one year will be useless
the next year.
But biologists recently discovered
antibodies that work against a wide
variety of flu viruses because they bind
to regions of the virus that seldom
change. Several companies are now
developing treatments that consist of
these "broadly neutralising" antibodies,
some of which are already being tested
in people seriously ill with flu. But these
antibodies are still hard to produce and
have to be injected. So Maria van
Dongen of pharma company Janssen
in the Netherlands and colleagues set
out to mimic their effect with a small
molecule.
They engineered JNJ4796 to bind to
the same target site as one broadly
neutralising antibody. But because it is
a small molecule rather than a protein,
it can be taken in pill form, assuming it
proves safe and effective in humans.
There are already a handful of
antiviral drugs for treating flu, the best
known being Tamiflu. But their efficacy
has been questioned, and some flu
viruses are resistant to Tamiflu.
Drugs inspired by antibodies could help us combat flu.
Photo: Getty Images
Human lives are the true
cost of air pollution
Michael Le Page
Does air pollution really kill nearly
800,000 people in Europe and 9
million worldwide every year? That's
the apparent conclusion of a study
claiming that air pollution causes
800,000 "extra" deaths in Europe
each year, which is double previous
estimates.
However, the figures don't mean
that 9 million people dropped dead
solely because of air pollution. Rather,
they are a way of representing the
harm done by air pollution.
The study suggests air pollution is a
bigger killer than smoking, which
using the same method is estimated to
cause 7 million extra deaths
worldwide each year. "I think that's
the important message of this study,"
says lead author Jos Lelieveld of the
Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in
Mainz, Germany. Air pollution has
now joined the ranks of major risk
factors such as high blood pressure,
diabetes and obesity, he says.
It is important to understand where
these numbers come from. Working
out the damage done by air pollution
is much harder than something like
car accidents, for which we have firm
figures, because it typically aggravates
the effects of common disorders such
as respiratory diseases. Many teams
around the world have been doing
long-running studies that compare,
say, people living in areas with
different levels of particulate pollution
in the air to work out how it affects the
risk of developing respiratory and
cardiovascular diseases.
The latest results suggest that air
pollution is a far greater contributor to
cardiovascular disease than previously
thought. But telling people their
"hazard ratios" for air pollution - the
standard scientific measure - would
mean nothing to them.
Instead, it is standard practice to
translate risks into more meaningful
measures. Lelieveld's team combined
the latest risk estimates with data on
people's exposure to air pollution in
Europe to work out the number of
extra early deaths in 2015. "790,000
people died who would have died later
if there was no air pollution," says
Lelieveld.
Of course, everyone dies sometime.
Another way to express the same
finding is that those 800,000 people
lost 17 years of life on average, or that
the average person in Europe loses
two years of life because of air
pollution. "These are just different
ways of spreading the total days lost
among different groups," says David
Spiegelhalter of the Winton Centre for
Risk and Evidence Communication in
the UK. "It's a confusing area."
Yet another way to express the risk
is that there are 120 extra deaths per
every 100,000 people per year. Put
that way, it might not sound too bad.
But we don't regard, say, the three
people murdered in Europe per
100,000 per year as remotely
acceptable.
The situation isn't especially bad in
the UK. Air pollution causes 100
excess deaths in the UK each year,
compared with 140 in Italy, 150 in
Germany and more than 200 in
eastern European countries such as
Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and
Ukraine, according to the study.
The bigger picture is that air
pollution has been gradually falling
over the decades in Europe because of
tighter controls on vehicle emissions -
although in some places a rise in
wood-burning is counteracting this
trend.So air pollution contributed to
far more deaths in the past - we just
didn't know about it. Only now are
studies like this revealing the full
impact of air pollution. Ironically, this
is partly because falling pollution
levels mean we now have better data
from less polluted areas, says
Lelieveld.
Mice with inflammatory bowel disease tried a vegan diet.
Photo: Eva Gruendemann
Donna Lu
A low-calorie diet may help alleviate
the symptoms of inflammatory
bowel disease (IBD). That's
according to experiments with mice
with IBD who were fed a low-calorie,
low-protein diet and had reduced
intestinal inflammation and a
regenerated gut as a result.
In humans, IBD includes Crohn's
disease and ulcerative colitis, which
both cause inflammation of the
intestines. They have been
associated with a combination of
genetic and environmental factors,
including a diet high in animal
protein. Valter Longo and his
colleagues at the University of
Southern California fed 18 mice with
IBD symptoms a reduced-calorie
diet of plant-based foods over four
days.
This fasting-mimicking diet
increased stem cells in the gut, a sign
of regeneration, and also reversed
inflammation-associated shrinking
of the colon. A second group of 11
mice on a water-only fasting diet
also showed some gut
improvements, but didn't experience
any reversal of inflammation
symptoms.
In both groups, the team found an
increase in the gut bacteria
Lactobacillus, and that transplants
of this microbe reversed IBD
symptoms. "A number of studies
indicate that it is protective against
IBD in mice and humans," says
Longo. He believes the low-calorie
diet helped to repopulate the gut
with Lactobacillus, which is
responsible for improving
symptoms.
The fasting-mimicking diet has
previously been trialled in people
without IBD. "We know it works well
to reduce inflammation and the
associated increase in white blood
cells in humans," says Longo, so it
has the potential to be effective
against Crohn's disease and
ulcerative colitis.
Air pollution in Krakow, Poland, exceeds European Union limits.
Photo: Artur Widak

NATIONAL
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019
6
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman as the chief guest
addressed a discussion at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital on Wednesday.
During the time Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defense Brig Gen Ali Ahmed Khan was
also present at the occasion.
Photo: Courtesy
Only preparations can tackle
disasters: Enamur Rahman
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md
Enamur Rahman on Wednesday said that as Bangladesh
is a disaster-prone country there is no alternative rather
than to take preparations to deal with disasters. He said
this while addressing a post-trial discussion of
"Earthquake and Fire Awareness Drill" as the chief guest
at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University
Hospital, a press release said.
Before the discussion, the earthquake drill of 7 Richter
scale suddenly shocked the current life of the Sheikh
Mujib University Hospital premises. People started to
rush. Dummy bricks and wall collapses are from different
floors of the building to make the building collapse visible.
A fire-causing scene was created through crystal smoke on
different floors. At the time, seven units of Fire Service
Sensible efforts
imperative for
child rights
protection
RAJSHAHI: Responsive and
sensible social and political
initiatives are crucial means
for protecting rights of
children particularly the
slum-dwelling and
underprivileged ones towards
transforming them into
worthy citizens, reports BSS.
Protecting the children
from all sorts of violation,
repression and deprivation is
needed for building a healthy
and knowledge-based future
generation.
The views were expressed at
a roundtable meeting titled
"Child Rights and Protection".
Leaders of influence and
development activists in the
function called for ensuring a
friendly atmosphere for the
disadvantaged children
terming those as an asset of
the nation.
Caritas Rajshahi hosted the
meeting at its conference hall
yesterday giving an overview
of its three-year project styled
'Livelihood Improvement
through Formation and
Education' which is being
implemented in some slum
areas in Rajshahi city.
The meeting was told that
the project intends to protect
and improve life of more than
800 rootless and slum
dwelling children through
providing them with
diversified services like
education, health and
counseling. Sukleaus George
Costa, Regional Director of
Caritas Rajshahi, who chaired
and moderated the
participatory discussion, said:
"Our effort is not sufficient but
more other works need to be
done for improving and
developing life of the
underprivileged children".
He said advocacy lobbying
among slum dwellers is very
effective for enhancing
networking skills and welfare
of the underprivileged
children.
District Primary Education
Officer Abdus Salam and
Religious leader Father
William Mormu addressed
the meeting as chief and
special guests respectively
while Instructor of Primary
Teachers Institute Ahmed
Rafi Raihan presented a
keynote paper on the issue.
Professor Shirin Akter from
Teachers Training College
and its retired Principal Prof
Abdus Samad Mondal, Editor
of Daily Sonar Desh Akbarul
Hassan Millat, religious
leader Father Paul Gomes and
Advocate Shamina Begum
spoke on the occasion as panel
discussants.
were deployed there. 12 emergency ambulances of
national emergency services were also added there. Then
the evacuation episode of patients started. The Fire
Service started the transfer of patients to the mobile
hospital established at the national museum premises to
send them to Dhaka Medical College. The injured were
rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital with
ambulance. Fire service unit was engaged in fire-fighting.
During the time patients were brought down from different
floors. Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defense
Brig Gen Ali Ahmed Khan, BSMMU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr.
Kanak Kanti Barua; Director Brig Gen Abdullah Al Haroon,
Proctor Professor Syed Mozaffar Ahme and Additional
Secretary of the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry
Akram Hossain were also present at the occasion.
New BSFMSTU VC visits proposed
location of the university
Ruhul Amin Raju, Melandaha Correspondent: Newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of
Bangamata Sheikh Fojilatunnesa Mujib Science and Technology University (BSFMSTU)
along with other officials visited the proposed location of the university in Melandaha upazila
recently.
Bangamata Sheikh Fojilatunnesa Mujib Science and Technology University (BSFMSTU)
will be constructed at Gobindaganj area of Melandaha upazila of Jamalpur. The newly
appointed Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Dr. Syed Shamsuddin Ahmed along with
the newly appointed Registrar of the University Khandakar Hamidur Rahman, Director
(Finance) Abdur Razzak, Deputy Registrar Mohiuddin Molla and Administrative Officer
Shiuli Khanom visited the proposed location of the university.
Newly appointed Vice Chancellor of Bangamata Sheikh Fojilatunnesa Mujib
Science and Technology University (BSFMSTU) Prof. Dr. Syed Shamsuddin
Ahmed along with other officials visited the proposed location of the
university in Melandaha upazila recently.
Photo: Ruhul Amin Raju
Two day-long Nat'l Science and Technology
Fair begins in Guimara
Didarul Alam, Guimara Correspondent: A colorful rally was brought out in Guimara upazila
of Khagrachhari district on the occasion of the inauguration of National Science and
Technology Fair and 40th National Science Olympiad 2019 on Wednesday.
The rally was brought out with the initiative of the upazila administration and paraded the
main streets of the upazila. Later a discussion meeting was held at Guimara Model
Government High School Field. The fair was inaugurated after the rally by Upazila Secondary
Education Zillur Rahman Anam. Among others, Guimara thana Officer in-Charge Bidyut
Kumar Kumar Barua, General Secretary of Upazila Awami League and UP Chairman
Memang Marma, Hafchhari UP Chairman Chaithowai Chowdhury and Upazila Women
Affairs Officer Jinah Chakma were also present at the occasion. In the fair, exhibitions of
various technology related projects are being held in 8 stalls with the participation of various
organizations including the school.
A discussion marking the inauguration of National Science and
Technology Fair and 40th National Science Olympiad 2019 was held in
Guimara upazila on Wednesday.
Photo: Didarul Alam
Asrayan changes
life of 4,500 people
in Rangpur
RANGPUR: 'Asrayan
Prakalpo', one of the 10
priority projects of the
present government, has
turned into an evident
means of alleviating poverty
of the people who once
passed their days in extreme
miseries after becoming
victims of disasters like
cyclone, river erosion and
landslides, reports BSS.
In Rangpur about 4,500
people affected by river
erosion and other climatic
disorders are changing their
fortune through various
income generating activities
under the comprehensive
social safety-net programs of
Ashraya Project.
The Awami League
government led by Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina
following a devastating
cyclone on May 19, 1997 in
Cox's Bazaar and adjoining
areas launched the project to
rehabilitate the cyclone
affected people.
The aim of the project was
to rehabilitate the affected
people with giving them
with the opportunities of
living in a better condition,
ensuring basic education,
health care and skill
development on income
generating activities.
Talking to BSS, a number
of beneficiaries of the project
narrated their stories of
transformation toward
prosperity.
"After getting training in
income-generating
activities, Upazila
Cooperative Office provided
us with Taka 6,000 as first
loan in 2012 when we
started cultivating crops as
sharecroppers," said Lucky
Begum (35), a beneficiary of
the project.
Nur Mian ( 42) another
receiver of the Chengmari
Asrayan Phase-2 Prokalpo
in Gangachara upazila, said
now he feels economic
comfort after revolving the
credits received from the
project for his homestead
farming and animal
husbandry.
"After payment of the first
loan, my family again got
Taka 8,000 in 2014 to
purchase a bull. I sold it at
Taka 24,000 in 2016, paid
the second loan and again
got Taka 18,000 loan in
2016," he said.
Asrayan Prakalpa has
ended economic
vulnerability of many
homeless families by
providing them with
shelters and necessary
financial assistance to
rebuild their life, they said
adding that rehabilitated
people are leading
meaningful life and their
children are going to
schools with better attires.
Deputy Director (Local
Government) at local district
administration Ruhul Amin
Mian said a total of 4,500
distressed families have
been rehabilitated after
completing construction of
tin-shed barracks under 41
projects in three phases in
eight upazilas of the district
since 1997.
2 eminent personalities of Moulvibazar
to get Swadhinata Padak
Alok Kanti Dev, Moulvibazar
Correspondent: Two eminent
personalities of Moulvibazar to get
Swadhinata Padak 2019. One is Dr Kazi
Khaliquzzaman Ahmed who is a renowned
economist, researcher, writer and social
reformer of the country. Dr Kazi
Khaliquzzaman Ahmed was born on 12
March 1943 in the Muslim family of
Panchgaon area under Rajnagar upazila of
Moulvibazar. He received Swadhinata
Padak for his contribution to social service
and public service. The other is Brigadier
General Dr Nurunnahar Fatema Begum
who is the forerunner of women's society
and a child heart specialist. She was
awarded the Swadhinata Padak for special
contribution in the field of medicine.
Brigadier General Dr. Nurunnahar
Fatema Begum was born in 1962 in a
Muslim family of Pakshail village under
Barni Union of Baralekha Upazila of
Moulvibazar.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is
expected to handover the award to the
recipients at a function at Bangabandhu
International Conference Center in the
capital on March 25.
Two eminent personalities of Moulvibazar, Dr Kazi Khaliquzzaman
Ahmed and Brigadier General Dr Nurunnahar Fatema Begum will receive
Swadhinata Padak 2019.
Photo: Alok Kanti Dev
Seminar on science education
held in Habiganj
Md Mamun Chowdhury, Habiganj Correspondent: A seminar and science quiz contest titled
'Science education is the controlling force of the formation of a united nation' was held in
Habiganj on Wednesday. The district administration organized the programme at the Deputy
Commissioner's conference room.
Habiganj Deputy Commissioner Mahmudul Kabir Murad was the chief guest at the
seminar. Tansen Amin, Assistant Professor of Chemistry Department of Govt. Brindaban
College, propounded the main article. Among others, Additional Deputy Commissioner
(Revenue) Nurul Islam, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Fazlul Zahid Pavel,
Curator of National Science and Technology Museum Shukyalan Bachar, District Education
Officer Anil Krishna Majumdar and Press Club president Harunur Rashid Chowdhury were
also present at the occasion.
The chief guest in his speech said that all the students should be encouraged to study
science. There are many good initiatives of the government in this regard. This initiative will
not succeed if everyone does not work together. In the seminar, 21 teachers of science
institutions and 80 science students participated. 21 teams from different upazilas and
municipalities of the district participated in the science quiz competition.
Habiganj Deputy Commissioner Mahmudul Kabir Murad as the chief guest
addressed a seminar and science quiz contest in Habiganj on Wednesday.
Photo: Md Mamun Chowdhury
Development partner organization 'United Purpose' celebrated its 25th founding at a hotel in
Banani, Dhaka on Wednesday. At the occasion Director General of NGO Affairs KM Abdus Salam as
the chief guest urged development partners to work as a supportive group of government in the
Rohingya issue. During the time Director General of National Nutrition Council Shah Nawaz was
present as the special guest while Country Director of the organization Shiramappa Ganchikar
chaired the occasion.
Photo: Courtesy

INTERNATIONAL THURSDAy,
MARCH 14, 2019
7
Airline pilots on at least two U.S. flights have reported that an automated system seemed to cause
their Boeing 737 Max planes to tilt down suddenly.
Photo : AP
Pilots have reported issues in
US with new Boeing jet
Airline pilots on at least two U.S. flights
have reported that an automated system
seemed to cause their Boeing 737
Max planes to tilt down suddenly,
reports UNB.
The pilots said that soon after engaging
the autopilot on Boeing 737 Max 8
planes, the nose tilted down sharply. In
both cases, they recovered quickly after
disconnecting the autopilot.
As described by the pilots, however, the
problem did not appear related to a
new automated anti-stall system that is
suspected of contributing to a deadly
October crash in Indonesia.
The Max 8 is at the center of a growing
global ban by more than 40 countries
following a second fatal crash, this time
in Ethiopia, in less than five months. In
the U.S., however, the Federal Aviation
Administration and airlines continued
to permit the planes to fly.
American Airlines and Southwest Airlines
operate the 737 Max 8, and United
Airlines flies a slightly larger version,
the Max 9. All three carriers vouched
for the safety of Max aircraft on
Wednesday. The pilot reports were
Trump vs. California
immigration suit
heads to appeals court
The Trump administration
will try to persuade a U.S.
appeals court on Wednesday
to block California laws
aimed at protecting immigrants,
seeking a win in one
of numerous lawsuits
between the White House
and the Democratic-dominated
state, reports UNB.
At issue in the hearing
before the 9th U.S. Circuit
Court of Appeals is a 2018
administration lawsuit over
three California laws that
extended protections to people
in the country illegally.
The legal challenge was
part of the administration's
broader efforts to crack
down on so-called sanctuary
jurisdictions that it says
allow criminals to stay on
the streets.
California officials say
their policies limiting cooperation
with U.S. immigration
authorities promote
trust between immigrant
communities and law
enforcement and encourage
witnesses and victims to
report crime.
The U.S. Department of
Justice argued in court documents
that the Constitution
gives the federal government
pre-eminent power to
regulate immigration, and
the three laws obstruct those
efforts.
"The bills, individually and
collectively, mark an
extraordinary and intentional
assault on the federal government's
enforcement of
the immigration laws," Justice
Department attorneys
said in a filing.
U.S. Judge John Mendez
in Sacramento kept two of
the laws in place in July but
blocked part of a third.
He ruled that California
could limit police cooperation
with immigration officials
and require inspections
of detention facilities where
immigrants are held, but the
state could not bar private
employers from allowing
immigration officials on
their premises without a
warrant.
filed last year in a data base compiled
by NASA. They are voluntary safety
reports and do not publicly reveal the
names of pilots, the airlines or the location
of the incidents.
It was unclear whether the accounts led
to any actions by the FAA or the pilots'
airlines. In one report, an airline captain
said that immediately after putting
the plane on autopilot, the co-pilot
called out "Descending," followed by an
audio cockpit warning, "Don't sink,
don't sink!"
The captain immediately disconnected
the autopilot and resumed climbing.
"With the concerns with the MAX 8
nose down stuff, we both thought it
appropriate to bring it to your attention,"
the captain wrote. "Best guess
from me is airspeed fluctuation" due to
a brief weather system overwhelming
the plane's automation.
On another flight, the co-pilot said that
seconds after engaging the autopilot,
the nose pitched downward and the
plane began descending at 1,200 to
1,500 feet (365 to 460 meters) per
minute. As in the other flight, the
plane's low-altitude-warning system
issued an audio warning. The captain
disconnected autopilot, and the plane
began to climb.
The pilots talked it over later, "but can't
think of any reason the aircraft would
pitch nose down so aggressively," the
co-pilot recounted.
Preliminary information released by
Indonesian investigators suggests they
are looking at the possible role of the
Max's new automated anti-stall technology
as a factor in a Lion Air crash in
October shortly after takeoff from
Jakarta. Data indicates that the pilots
struggled with repeated nose-down
commands from the plane before it
crashed into the Java Sea and killed 189
people. However, that anti-stall system
- called MCAS for its acronym - only
activates if the autopilot is turned off,
according to documents Boeing has
shared with airlines and the FAA.
"That's not to say it's not a problem,"
American Airlines pilot Dennis Tajer
said of the incidents reported to NASA,
"but it is not the MCAS. The autopilot
has to be off for MCAS to kick in."
Venezuelan government targets
Guaido as some power returns
Venezuelan officials reported blackouts easing
in some areas Tuesday, while the chief
prosecutor said opposition leader Juan
Guaido is being investigated for allegedly
sabotaging the national power grid, whose
collapse last week has inflicted misery on
millions, reports UNB.
The announcement by Tarek William
Saab, the attorney general, escalated the
Venezuelan government's standoff with
Guaido, although there are questions about
how aggressively authorities would move
against a man who is staunchly supported by
the United States as well as many Venezuelans.
Guaido, who is trying to oust President
Nicolas Maduro and hold elections, blames
corruption and incompetence for nearly a
week of nationwide blackouts that deprived
most of the already struggling population not
just of electricity, but also water and communications.
Adding to tension over
Venezuela's fate, the United States said it was
withdrawing its last diplomats still in Caracas.
The U.S. State Department also said U.S.
citizens residing or traveling in Venezuela
should leave the country, a heightening of an
advisory issued Jan. 29 that said they should
"strongly consider" doing so. "Bye-bye,"
Maduro said on national television after
praising the professional conduct of James
Story, the top-ranking diplomat at the U.S.
Embassy. Maduro also said he would seek
the help of allies Cuba, Russia, China and
Iran in investigating his allegation a U.S.
"cyberattack" targeted Venezuelan power
facilities, which he claimed was launched
from Houston and Chicago.
The U.S. has dismissed the Venezuelan
government's accusation as absurd and an
attempt to divert attention from its own
chronic failings.Venezuela's information
minister, Jorge Rodriguez, said the power
grid had been almost completely restored
and that water service was also returning.
However, anecdotal reports indicated continuing
outages for many Venezuelans, who
were already suffering from hyperinflation
and shortages of food and medicine.
On Tuesday, long lines of people converged
again at springs in the mountains of
Caracas to collect water in bottles because
water pumps have been out of service without
power. Even some relatives of Maduro
couldn't stand the power outages, according
to authorities in Colombia. The leader's
cousin, Argimiro Maduro, along with his
spouse, children and extended relatives,
tried to enter the neighboring country, seeking
relief until power is restored in
Venezuela, said Christian Kruger, Colombia's
migration director.
Venezuelan officials reported blackouts easing in some areas Tuesday,
while the chief prosecutor said opposition leader Juan Guaido is being
investigated for allegedly sabotaging the national power grid, whose collapse
last week has inflicted misery on millions.
Photo : AP
China says Taiwan
moves like ‘stretching
arm to block a car’
Attempts to block Beijing's
goal of bringing Taiwan
under its control are like
"stretching out an arm to
block a car," China said in its
latest rhetorical broadside
against the self-governing
island republic's independence-minded
president,
reports UNB.
The statement issued late
Tuesday takes aim at Tsai
Ing-wen's recent announcement
of measures to counter
China's "one country, two
systems" framework for
political unification with the
island.
Spokesman for the Chinese
Cabinet's Taiwan
Affairs Office An Fengshan
accused Tsai of harming
relations between the sides
and using the welfare of the
Taiwanese people as a "poker
chip" for the sake of electoral
gains.
Such actions "stand in
opposition to the interests
and welfare of our Taiwan
compatriots, and endeavor
to block progress by compatriots
on both sides to
progress," An said. "All it is,
is stretching out an arm to
block a car," he said, using a
common Chinese expression
to describe a futile
action.
China says Taiwan is a
part of its territory that must
be brought under its control
by force if necessary, despite
the social, political and economic
differences developed
between them since they
separated amid civil war 70
years ago.
Tsai of the pro-independence
Democratic Progressive
Party was elected in a
2016 landslide, but has seen
her approval ratings fall as
she prepares to seek re-election
next year.
In a meeting on national
security Monday, Tsai said
relations with China must
be "viewed in a positive
way, but only when the
principle of equal dignity is
safeguarded," according to
the official Central News
Agency.
Taiwan's legal and political
institutions need strengthening
and its military needs
bolstering - including
through bigger budgets -
while economic competitiveness
needs to be raised and
greater outreach make to the
international community to
counter Beijing's isolation
campaign, she said.
New Mexico bill would create first
state-run pot shops in US
New Mexico would become the first U.S.
state to set up its own government-operated
marijuana stores and subsidize medical
cannabis for the poor under a bill brokered
between Republicans and Democrats, as a
new wave of states weighs legislation that
would legalize recreational sales and consumption,
reports UNB.
The idea for state-run pot shops comes
from a trio of GOP state senators who broke
with local Republican Party orthodoxy to
embrace legal marijuana with a decidedly
big-government approach that would have
the state directly oversee most sales - and
require that marijuana consumers carry
receipts of purchase or confront penalties.
Those provisions were sown into Democrat-sponsored
legislation that contains currents
of social justice, including a provision
to subsidize medical cannabis for poor people
with "debilitating medical conditions"
who might not otherwise be able to afford
treatment. Tax dollars from recreational
marijuana sales would fund employment
and counseling programs in communities
"disproportionately affected by past federal
and state drug policies," including training to
enter the marijuana sector.
Carly Wolf, state policies coordinator at the
National Organization for the Reform of
Marijuana Laws, says the provisions for
state-run stores and medical cannabis subsidization
both would be new to the United
States, as New Mexico seeks to become the
first state to set up a complete regulatory
framework through legislation.
Ten states and Washington, D.C., have
legalized recreational marijuana - all by ballot
initiative except Vermont, which allowed
for personal use and growing but is still
debating whether to authorize commercial
production and sales.
Other legislative efforts to legalize recreational
marijuana are underway in New York
and New Jersey, while a bill to legalize recreational
cannabis in Democrat-dominated
Hawaii fizzled last week.
In New Mexico, a coterie of powerful conservative
Democrats still stands in the way of
a Senate floor vote on legalization.
"It's not a priority," said Democratic Sen.
John Arthur Smith of Deming, who will
decide whether the marijuana bill is heard by
the Senate Finance Committee, a final hurdle
before a Senate vote. Smith does not
favor legalization and worries about harmful
effects of marijuana on the brain.
Sen. Peter Wirth, the chamber's Democratic
majority leader, believes legalization
would prevail in a floor vote. He said support
from a contingent of Senate Republicans has
redrawn the political battle on marijuana
along generational lines rather than partisan
affiliation.
Wirth also called the concept of state-run
pot shops - that would sell marijuana on consignment
without owning or producing it - a
political game changer that allays anxiety
about welcoming the nation's rollicking,
multibillion-dollar marijuana industry. In
addition, marijuana production licenses
would come with an in-state residency
requirement of two years.
"It puts some parameters around it," Wirth
said. "The state can monitor what it looks
like and how it expands."
New Mexico would become the first U.S. state to set up its own government-operated
marijuana stores and subsidize medical cannabis for the
poor under a bill brokered between Republicans and Democrats, as a new
wave of states weighs legislation that would legalize recreational sales and
consumption.
Photo : AP
Cardinal Pell sent to prison for
abusing 2 boys in Australia
The most senior Catholic convicted of
child sex abuse was sentenced Wednesday
to six years in prison for molesting
two choirboys in an Australian cathedral
in a crime the judge said showed
"staggering arrogance."
Cardinal George Pell must serve a
minimum of 3 years and 8 months
before he is eligible for parole, according
to the judge's order. The five convictions
against Pell carried a maximum
possible sentence of 10 years each,
reports UNB.
"In my view, your conduct was permeated
by staggering arrogance," Victoria
state County Court Chief Judge
Peter Kidd said in handing down the
sentence.
Pope Francis' former finance minister
was convicted by a unanimous jury
verdict in December of orally raping a
13-year-old choirboy and indecently
dealing with the boy and the boy's 13-
year-old friend in the late 1990s,
months after Pell became archbishop of
Melbourne. A court order had suppressed
media reporting the news until
last month.
The 77-year-old denies the allegations
and will appeal his convictions in
the Victoria Court of Appeal on June 5.
It was not immediately clear if he will
also appeal the sentence.
For the first time in Pell's many court
appearances since he returned to Australia
from the Vatican to face abuse
charges, Pell wore an open-necked shirt
without a cleric's collar. He was also not
wearing a cardinal's gold ring, which
might reflect strict rules on jewelry in
the state penal system.
In explaining his sentencing decision,
the judge said Pell had led an "otherwise
blameless life." Kidd said he
believed given Pell's age and lack of any
other criminal record, the cardinal
posed no risk of re-offending.
The judge also took pains to note that
he was sentencing Pell for the offenses
on which the cardinal had been convicted
- and not for the sins of the
Catholic Church.
"As I directed the jury who convicted
you in this trial, you are not to be made
a scapegoat for any failings or perceived
failings of the Catholic Church," Kidd
said.
But the judge also said that Pell had
abused his position of power and had
shown no remorse for his crimes. Kidd
described the assaults as egregious,
degrading and humiliating to the victims.
Pell showed no emotion during the
hourlong hearing and barely moved
throughout. He stood silently with his
hands behind his back as the judge read
his sentence. Pell signed documents
that registered him for life as a serious
sexual offender before he was led from
the dock by four prison officers.
In a statement, one of Pell's victims
called the judge's sentence "meticulous
and considered."
"It is hard for me to allow myself to
feel the gravity of this moment, the
moment when the sentence is handed
down, the moment when justice is
done," the man said in a statement read
outside court by one of his lawyers,
Vivian Waller. "It is hard for me, for the
time being, to take comfort in this outcome.
I appreciate that the court has
acknowledged what was inflicted upon
me as a child. However, there is no rest
for me. Everything is overshadowed by
the forthcoming appeal."
New US ambassador warns of
China’s ‘payday loan diplomacy’
The new U.S. ambassador to Australia said Wednesday that he's concerned about
the way China lends money to developing Pacific nations in what he describes as
"payday loan diplomacy." Arthur Culvahouse Jr. told reporters in Canberra that it
was up to U.S. allies and Western liberal democracies to educate people about the
dangers of such loans, reports UNB.
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence previously warned of China deploying "debt
traps" against developing Pacific nations. "I would use stronger language. I would
use payday loan diplomacy," Culvahouse said. He said "the money looks attractive
and easy upfront, but you better read the fine print."
China categorically rejects accusations that it uses loans, grants and other financial
inducements to extend its diplomatic and political reach, saying it is merely
acting in the best interests of both sides in such transactions.
It is especially sensitive to "debt trap" claims where they concern projects included
under its gargantuan "belt and road" infrastructure initiative. Yet, it has largely
ignored criticism of its dealings with Sri Lanka, where that country was forced to
hand over a port, airport and land for development after it was unable to repay billions
of dollars in Chinese loans, and has sought to blunt criticism from Malaysia
and others over the terms of projects backed by Chinese loans. The U.S. and Australia
have their own infrastructure investment projects in the region.

ART & CULTURE
THUrsDAy,
MArcH 14, 2019
8
Varsity Blues: Multiple celebrities
indicted in college admissions scam
"Fuller House" actress Lori
Loughlin and "Desperate
Housewives" veteran Felicity
Huffman are among a group of 46
people who have been charged in
a widespread college admissions
bribery scandal.
Prosecutors filed charges against
33 parents, some of whom are
accused of paying between
$200,000 and $6.5 million to get
their children into elite universities.
Also among the accused are nine
college coaches who are accused of
accepting bribe payments in
exchange for granting admission.
The scheme also involved faking
SAT and ACT scores.
"Their actions were without a
doubt insidious, selfish and
shameful," said Joseph R.
Bonavolonta, special agent in
charge of the FBI office in Boston.
"Today's arrests should be a
warning to others. You can't pay
to play. You can't lie and cheat to
get ahead." The FBI dubbed the
investigation "Operation Varsity
Blues."
The parents charged in the case
include CEOs, real estate investors,
and the co-chair of a global law
firm. The children gained admission
to Yale University, Georgetown
University, Stanford University,
UCLA and USC. "These parents are
a catalog of wealth and privilege,"
said Andrew Lelling, the U.S.
Attorney in Boston. "This case is
about the widening corruption of
elite college admission through the
steady application of wealth combined
with fraud."
James Van Der Beek, Lena
Dunham and Other Stars React to
College Admissions Scandal
Felicity Huffman's Bond Set at
$250,000 for Alleged College
Admissions Bribe
At the center of the case is
William "Rick" Singer, 58, who
ran Edge College & Career
Network LLC, also known as "The
Key," a for-profit college admissions
consulting firm. Singer, who
is based in Newport Beach, Calif.,
is also alleged to have set up the
Key Worldwide Foundation, a
fake charity designed to receive
bribe payments.
Singer is alleged to have worked
to build fake athletic profiles for
students, and then worked with
college coaches to gain admission
to their schools. The coaches
would in some cases pocket the
bribe payments for themselves,
while others would give the
money to their athletic programs,
Lelling said. Singer is expected to
plead guilty later today.
Huffman and Loughlin were
charged with a single felony count
of mail fraud. Loughlin's husband,
fashion designer Mossimo
Giannulli, was also charged in the
scheme. Huffman was arrested at
her home on Tuesday morning.
Giannulli was also arrested. Both
are expected to appear for a
detention hearing in Los Angeles
federal court on Tuesday afternoon.
Loughlin was not at home
Tuesday morning, and authorities
are seeking to arrange her
surrender, said Laura Eimiller, a
spokeswoman for the Los Angeles
office of the FBI.
Loughlin and Giannulli are
accused of paying $500,000 to
have their two daughters accepted
to USC as members of the crew
team, though they did not participate
in crew. According to an FBI
affidavit, Huffman was heard discussing
a rigged SAT test for her
daughter on recorded phone calls.
The affidavit states that Huffman
"and her spouse" discussed the
arrangement on multiple calls.
Huffman's husband, actor
William H. Macy, was not
charged and is not named in the
affidavit. Huffman is accused of
paying $15,000 to Singer's charitable
organization for help gaming
the SAT.
According to the affidavit,
Singer arranged for Huffman's
daughter to take the test at the
West Hollywood Test Center.
Singer arranged for a proctor to
be there to "administer" the test,
and the proctor was paid to correct
wrong answers. Huffman's
daughter scored a 1420 on the
test, a 400 point improvement
from her SAT score.
Singer is alleged to have
employed Mark Riddell, a counselor
at a private school in Florida,
to take college entrance exams on
behalf of students, or to correct
their answers after the students
took the test. Parents paid
between $15,000 and $75,000
for this service, sometimes without
their children's knowledge.
Riddell was typically paid
$10,000 per test, according to
prosecutors. Singer is also
accused of bribing two test
administrators to allow the fraudulent
scores to be submitted.
-Variety
H o roscope
ArIes
(March 21 - April 20) : You are coming to a
new understanding of a past matter
through new or further information, or
looking at something with fresh eyes, and this will eventually
allow you to move forward with less baggage. The
information you come across today can be significant
when it comes to letting go of unproductive attitudes.
TAUrUs
(April 21 - May 21) : Memories or surprise
meetings can change your perspective.
Interactions today are encouraging and
possibly quite fruitful. Keep in mind, though, that
some things are exaggerated now, and you'll see
things more clearly at a later date. Ideally, a new
understanding of an old problem will be reached.
GeMINI
(May 22 - June 21) : Your communications
have much more impact now, so
it's best to be selective with your words.
While this is not yet the time for making sweeping
decisions, your observations today can be invaluable
later. Also today, patting others on the back
can help everything roll along smoothly.
cANcer
(June 22 - July 23) : This can be a time
of drawing upon your experience and
creating something new from it, or for
seeing new layers of a situation that you previously
overlooked, and it changes everything!
You can have new insights into recent decisions
that serve to change your perspective.
Leo
(July 24 - Aug. 23) : You might gain
a clue to a mystery or investigation,
and you see new layers to a situation
that make a world of difference to your viewpoint.
New insight into an old relationship or
your own psyche can be helpful and enlightening.
Make time to chat with others as you
might learn something to your benefit.
VIrGo
(Aug. 24 - Sept. 23) : You see the dysfunctional
elements of the past, but you also have
a strong sense of the future, growth, and
improvement, and this helps round things out. There
can be significant thinking on a past relationship matter
or a meaningful conversation with a partner. Someone's
feedback can make all the difference in your life today.
LIBrA
(Sept. 24 - Oct. 23) : This can be a time
of new insights into problems, discovering
new ways to relate with one another,
and for getting rid of excess clutter or chaos. A
quick decision may not be so off the wall now. Also
today, Venus moves into your romance and pleasure
sector for a stay of three and a half weeks.
scorpIo
(Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) : Today's conversations
or the ideas you generate can also be significant
turning points. You're in a good
place for a brand new attitude about future growth
and improvement as retrograde Mercury aligns
with the Sun and harmonizes with the North Node
in your travel, education, and publishing sector.
sAGITTArIUs
(Nov. 23 - Dec. 21) : A clash of values
with someone can prompt a bit of a
rebellious streak. Instead of following
whims, you might try to pinpoint and understand
the reason behind your restlessness and
tension. It's important not to respond to all
urges, particularly if they involve spending.
cAprIcorN
(Dec. 22 - Jan. 20) : It's better to find yourself
through this aspect than to act out. It's
an excellent time to experiment with possibilities
and approaches. Also today, Venus leaves
Capricorn and moves into your resources sector for a
stay until the 26th. It's a great time for finding more
pleasure in the world of the five senses.
AQUArIUs
(Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) : This can be valuable
and perhaps even profitable, but it's not
yet time to finalize decisions since there's
more to an unfolding story. For now, aim to observe
and analyze things. Sharing ideas with co-workers
might be rewarding now. You might decide to give
someone, an old project, or a situation another look
or the benefit of the doubt, and this feels right.
pIsces
(Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) : Note that your
words have more impact than usual
today, and with Mercury at the midpoint
of its retrograde cycle, you might want to be
selective with your communications. It may be
best that you don't count on others fulling understanding
you just for the time being!
christopher
robin (2018)
A working-class family man, Christopher
Robin, encounters his childhood friend
Winnie-the-Pooh, who helps him to
rediscover the joys of life.
Genre
Directed By
Written By
Stars
In Theaters
Runtime
Studio
The music of Britney Spears
is heading to Broadway in a
new comedy called Once Upon
A One More Time.The show
will use the singer's back catalogue
to populate a story based
around a book club made up of
fairytale princesses. It will originate
in Chicago later this year
before moving to New York in
2020.
"I'm so excited to have a
musical with my songs - especially
one that takes place in
such a magical world filled with
characters that I grew up on,
who I love and adore," said
Spears. "This is a dream come
true for me!" The plot sees a
The web series on PM Modi
will stream on Eros Now on
April. After Omung Kumar's
biopic PM Narendra Modi, it
will be filmmakers Umesh
Shukla and Ashish Wagh who
will chronicle the life of the
Indian Prime Minister in a web
series titled Modi. The Eros
Now original will capture different
phases of PM Modi's life
from his childhood, teenage,
youth to becoming the Prime
Minister of the world's largest
democracy, India.
Written by Mihir Bhuta and
Radhika Anand, the 10-part
web series has actors Faisal
Khan, Ashish Sharma and
Mahesh Thakur depicting the
several stages of Modi's life.
Each episode ranges from 35
to 40 minutes. Talking about
the series, Shukla, who has
films like 102 Not Out, Oh My
God, All Is Well and others to
his credit, said, "Prime
Minister Modi's personality
enthrals young and old alike.
His sense of humour, spirituality
and love for technology
makes him a unique leader. It
was lovely to take on a project
which came with a responsibility
to narrate the life of the
leader of new India and I am
sure each episode of the 10-
part original series will be a
revelation for the audiences.
His growing-up years, brave
decisions and roles at different
phases of life make for an
: Animation, Adventure,
Comedy
: Marc Forster
: A.A. Milne (based on
characters created by),
Ernest Shepard (based
on characters created
by) (as E.H. Shepard)
: Ewan McGregor,
Hayley Atwell, Bronte
Carmichael
: 3 August 2018 (USA)
: 1h 44min
: Disney
Britney spears musical
heading to Broadway
"rogue fairy godmother" cause
the women to question their
notions of happily ever after.
It's being described as "uproarious"
and "irreverent" and will
feature a book from Jon
Hartmere who wrote this year's
critically loathed Kevin Hart
comedy The Upside.
"These women have been in
this hermetically sealed world,
and then they start to get deeper
into modern ideas - secondand
third-wave feminism - and
also explore how stories are
passed down to us, and where
we get our norms from,"
Hartmere said. "But it's also
superfun and funny."
Web series on Narendra Modi
to release next month
incredible story."
Commenting on the
announcement of the show,
Ridhima Lulla, Chief Content
Officer, Eros Group said, "Eros
has always believed in connecting
with the masses and
Wonder Woman congratulates captain
Marvel, unites Dc and Marvel fandoms
Wonder Woman and
Captain Marvel are both
female-led superhero films.
Wonder Woman Gal Gadot
has congratulated Captain
Marvel Brie Larson on the
majestic box office opening
of the Marvel movie. Gal
posted a fan's artwork of the
two characters on her
Instagram stories, with the
caption, "I'm so happy for
you sister, congrats," and
tagged Brie in the post.
Captain Marvel has registered
one of the best box
office debuts of all time, collecting
$455 million worldwide
in its opening weekend,
along with almost Rs 50
crore in India. By comparison,
Warner Bros Wonder
Woman made close to $230
million in its opening weekend
worldwide.
Wonder Woman was the
first DC Extended Universe
telling them the stories that
matter. 'Modi' is one of our
really exciting projects. Our
attempt through this biopic is
to tell the story of Modi's struggle,
ambition, intensity and
success and how it not only
sToryLINe :
An adult Christopher Robin, who
is now focused on his new life,
work, and family, suddenly meets
his old friend Winnie the Pooh,
who returns to his unforgotten
childhood past to help him return
to the Hundred Acre Wood and
help find Pooh's lost friends.
Director Marc Forster directed this
live action movie that features
English author A. A. Milne's best
loved characters as walking and
talking stuffed animals. Ewan
McGregor stars as a middle-aged
Christopher Robin, now burdened
by an stultifying white collar job
that prevents him from spending
quality time with his family.
Winne the Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore,
and Tigger venture from Hundred
Acre Wood into London to turn his
life around.
-IMDb
According to the New York
Times, it will reportedly feature
23 songs, including some "deep
album cuts". Spears has reportedly
been in attendance at one
of the readings before developmental
workshops begin next
month. In its limited end-ofyear
run, the show will fill the
vacancy left by the recently cancelled
Michael Jackson musical,
which was expected to premiere
in Chicago before it
moved to Broadway. Don't Stop
'Til You Get Enough was
reportedly taken off the schedule
because of the Actors'
Equity Association strike causing
delays.
-The Guardian
film to feature a solo female
heroine, and the first to have
been directed by a woman.
Captain Marvel is the MCU's
first female character to get
her own movie, although
Evangeline Lilly played a titular
character in Ant-Man
and the Wasp, and Anna
Boden shared directing
duties with Ryan Fleck.
Critically, Wonder Woman
was received far more enthusiastically
than Captain
Marvel, having been released
in the year of the #MeToo
movement. It remains the
DCEU's highest rated film on
Rotten Tomatoes, and one of
its highest grossing. Captain
Marvel currently sits at a
79% RT score. Brie will
reprise her role in next
month's hotly anticipated
Avengers: Endgame, after
which it is rumoured that the
character will take on a more
central role in the future of
the MCU.
-Hindustan Times
inspires many but is one of the
factors of his mass appeal. We
are certain that the audience
will love to watch the different
facets of their enigmatic
leader."
-Indian Express

SPORTS
THURSDAy,
MARCH 14, 2019
9
Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates one of his three goals in his team's win over Atletico Madrid
on Tuesday.
Photo: AP
Ronaldo nets hat trick to send
Juventus into CL quarters
Sports Desk: Cristiano Ronaldo
made a mockery of Atletico Madrid's
vaunted defense, and then mocked its
coach as well, reports UNB.
Ronaldo scored a hat trick against
the normally resilient Spanish side to
send Juventus into the Champions
League quarterfinals with a 3-0 win on
Tuesday as the Bianconeri fought back
from a two-goal first-leg defeat.
The former Real Madrid player outjumped
Atletico's defenders to score a
header in each half and then converted
a late penalty for his first hat trick since
joining Juventus in the summer - and
just when they needed it most.
He celebrated at the final whistle by
mimicking the obscene gesture Atletico
coach Diego Simeone made after the
Spanish side's second goal in the first
leg - having the final say against a rival
he so often defeated as a Real Madrid
player.
Simeone was fined 20,000 euros
($22,500) by UEFA for improper conduct
and it remains to be seen whether
Ronaldo will face a similar punishment.
It was Ronaldo's eighth hat trick in
the Champions League, moving him
level with Barcelona's Lionel Messi and
demonstrating why Juventus paid Real
Madrid 112 million euros (then $131.5
million) for the Portugal star who has
dominated the competition in recent
years. It was the first time Juventus
came back from a two-goal defeat in the
first leg. "Maybe that's why Juventus
signed me," Ronaldo said. "To help it
do things that it had never done before.
This result is a great push for the future,
we're strong and we showed it."
The 34-year-old Ronaldo has won the
Champions League five times, including
in four of the last five seasons. Without
him, Madrid was eliminated by
Ajax last week.
However, Ronaldo had only scored
one goal in the competition for Juventus
until Tuesday.
"It would have been strange if Ronaldo's
Champions League season ended
with only one goal," Juventus coach
Massimiliano Allegri said. "Juventus
signed him for nights like this and
tonight he made the difference."
For Atletico, it was more heartache in
the competition in the year the final is
being held in its Wanda Metropolitano
Stadium - and more pain caused by
Ronaldo. While at Madrid, Ronaldo
helped beat Atletico in two Champions
League finals.
He has also now scored 25 goals
against Atletico in his career. "He's the
best in the world," Simeone said. "We
suffered, as happened to them in the
first leg. They're through and that's
right. They deserved it ... Maybe I didn't
manage to transmit to my players what
we needed." Manchester City is also
Man City routs Schalke 7-0, into
Champions League quarters
Sports Desk: A record-tying victory in the
last 16 and a quarterfinal lineup lacking at
least three of Europe's top teams suggests
this just might be Manchester City's year in
the Champions League, reports UNB.
No matter how much Pep Guardiola
protests to the contrary.
With a 7-0 thrashing of Schalke on Tuesday
that completed a 10-2 aggregate victory,
City eased into the last eight of European
soccer's most prestigious competition for the
third time in four seasons and confirmed its
status as one of the favorites - whatever
Guardiola might be saying in public.
Even if history is not on their side - Guardiola
recently called City a "teenage" side that
is "still not ready to fight for the latter stages"
- the form of his players certainly is.
Make that 61 goals in 18 games in 2019,
with only eight conceded. Perhaps more
extraordinarily, it was the seventh time that
City has scored six or more goals in a game
this season.
"This club, the best success in the history
(in the Champions League) is a semifinal,
compared to Real Madrid with 13 (titles). Or
Barcelona, Liverpool, Juventus, who have
how many? Six, seven, eight?" Guardiola
said. "It is why when the people say, 'You
have to win, you have to win,' when you are
out in the quarterfinals it is a disaster. It is
not fair." But City and Guardiola, the man
brought in at huge expense so the Abu
Dhabi-backed club can finally conquer
Europe, are running out of excuses.
City has arguably its deepest and most talented
squad ever. Paris Saint-Germain and
titleholder Real Madrid are already out. One
of Bayern Munich and Liverpool will be
eliminated. Barcelona still has it all to do
against Lyon on Wednesday, with the teams
locked at 0-0 after the first leg.
There is no denying it has opened up for
City. Certainly Schalke was in no shape to
stop Guardiola's side.
This season's round of 16 has featured
some memorable comebacks so far - notably
from Ajax and Manchester United last week
- but Schalke's chances of overturning a 3-2
first-leg deficit virtually disappeared when
Sergio Aguero chipped home a 35th-minute
penalty to make it 1-0 in the second leg at
Etihad Stadium. Aguero doubled the lead
three minutes later after running onto
Raheem Sterling's deft backheel, Leroy Sane
stroked in another goal before halftime,
before Sterling, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden
and Gabriel Jesus added second-half goals
for City against the demoralized visitors from
Germany.
Sergio Aguero was in predatory form in Manchester City's demolition of
Schalke.
Photo: AP
through to the final eight after routing
Schalke 7-0 to progress 10-2 on aggregate.
Juventus thought it had taken the
lead less than three minutes into the
game but VAR confirmed that Ronaldo
had fouled Atletico goalkeeper Jan
Oblak before Giorgio Chiellini fired in
the rebound. Italy forward Federico
Bernardeschi was handed a start
instead of Paulo Dybala for Juventus,
and he responded by putting in a cross
from the left for Ronaldo to head in at
the far post in the 27th minute.
Bernardeschi also had several chances
to extend Juve's lead - notably with an
audacious overhead kick in the 35th
minute which flew narrowly over.
Ronaldo went close again shortly
before halftime when he again outjumped
everyone but headed Leonardo
Spinazzola's cross wide of the right
post. Ronaldo did get the second goal
three minutes after the break. Joao
Cancelo put in a cross from the right
and although Oblak clawed Ronaldo's
header out from under his crossbar,
goal-line technology confirmed the ball
had crossed the line.
Juventus went all out attack and got
the decisive third goal four minutes
from time. Bernardeschi was nudged
over in the penalty area and Ronaldo
converted the resulting spot kick to
send the home fans wild.
Bangladesh face Bhutan
in SAFF Women's
Championship today
Sports Desk: Bangladesh
will take on Bhutan in their
opening group A match of
the SAFF Women's Championship
scheduled to be held
today at Shahid Rangashala
Stadium in Biratnagar,
Nepal, reports BSS.
The match kicks off at 3
pm.
The girls in red and green
are expecting a good start in
the tournament as win
against Bhutan will help
Bangladesh to secure their
last four spot of the tournament
when Bhutan already
suffered a 0-3 goals defeat to
host Nepal in their group
opening match.
On the other hand, it will
be a do or die encounter for
Bhutan to stay in the championship
race as a defeat will
knock them out from the
tournament.
However, Head Coach of
the team Choton found confident
ahead of the first
match against Bhutan,
according to a message
received here today from
Bangladesh Football Federation
(BFF).
He said, "The players are
looking forward to our first
game. The SAFF tournament
is a special competition
for all of us."
Bangladesh skipper Sabina
Khatun said, "During the
practice session we have
emphasized our preparation
and game plan on winning
the first match against
Bhutan game."
Vice Captain Mossammat
Mishrat Jahan said,"We
have only the first game in
our minds… We are upbeat
to give our best performance
in the first match which will
allows us to reach our destination."
Japan eyes 2020
Olympics to
retake place on
tech podium
Sports Desk: Driverless
cars, robot volunteers and
ultra high-definition TV:
Japan Inc. hopes to use the
Tokyo 2020 Olympics to
show the world it has
regained its touch for innovation
and technology,
reports BSS.
The last time Japan hosted
the summer games - Tokyo
1964 - it wowed visitors with
its shinkansen, the sleek
high-speed bullet train that
has since become a byword
for cool and efficient transport.
The country used the
games as a springboard to
dominate the tech world.
From Sharp's LCD (Liquid
Crystal Display) screens to
the Sony Walkman, Japan
enjoyed an unparalleled reputation
in the vanguard of
technological innovation.
But the 21st century has
seen Silicon Valley giants
and rivals from China and
South Korea catch up and
overtake some of the great
names in Japanese tech.
"One of the big problems is
that we think we're still
innovative. But when you
look at the rest of the world,
we're not the most innovative,"
said Yoko Ishikura, an
expert in competitiveness at
Hitotsubashi University.
"It is worrying to see that
many Japanese have very little
idea what is going on
elsewhere," Ishikura told
AFP.
Visitors to Japan are often
amazed to see how lowgrade
a lot of tech can be.
Archaic devices like flipphones
and fax machines
are still in common use.
But authorities and firms
are gearing up to change all
that. "Our vision for the
2020 Games includes an
aspiration to make them the
most innovative in history,"
says Masa Takaya,
spokesman for Tokyo 2020.
Japan Inc. is "galvanised"
to use the occasion to
"dream up innovative new
products", said Masanori
Matsushima, manager at
Panasonic's.
Mushfiqur all set to
play 3rd Test against
New Zealand
Sports Desk: Struggling Bangladesh can
heave a huge sigh of relief as the team's most
dependable batsman Mushfiqur Rahim is all
set to return to the fold in the side's third and
final Test against New Zealand, starting on
March 16 in Christchurch, reports BSS.
"I think he will be available for the third
and final Test," team manager Khaled
Masud Pilot said today as the Bangladesh
reached Christchurch to play the third Test.
"He batted in the nets confidently against
throw downs and did not look like he was
struggling like the way he did when he began
it earlier," he added.
Mushfiqur indeed has multiple injuries
that ruled him out in the first two Test
matches. His absence in the middle order
created such big loopholes that
Bangladesh tasted middle order collapse
in all four innings of the last two Tests.
Bangladesh had already conceded the
series, losing the first Test by an innings
and 52 runs margin and the second in an
innings and 12 runs margin. Mushfiqur's
rib injury resurfaced during the second
ODI, making him doubtful for the third
ODI, in which he went on to feature
despite scans revealing a broken rib.
Mushfiqur also sustained two more
injuries during the ongoing tour: a side strain
and a wrist injury, and according to team
management it was his wrist injury that sidelined
him from the Bangladesh's playing XI
in the first two Test matches of the threematch
Test series.
His injury was a big blow to the side,
already weakened by the injuries to regular
Test skipper Shakib Al Hasan and fast
bowler Taskin Ahmed.
Mushfiqur tried to make a last attempt to
see whether he could be available for the
second Test but found out a little bit of
soreness in that ligament area when he
tried to bat with cricket ball ahead of the
Test match.
But there is hardly any problem for him to
hit the ball, making Bangladesh team management
optimistic about his return for the
last Test, which they will play to restore some
pride and avoid another ignominious whitewash.
"We can make a call on him tomorrow but
in all likelihood he is expected to be available
unless any other complication arises,"
Masud said.
While Mushfiqur is all set to comeback to
the team, to Bangladesh's delight, their inform
opener Tamim Iqbal didn't complain
about injury problem despite playing the
Wellington Test with some niggles. "It
looked he (Tamim) is fine and didn't complain
anything about injury or niggles,"
Masud said. "So we can also expect his
service."
Mushfiqur Rahim is all set to return to the fold in the side's third and final Test
against New Zealand, starting on March 16 in Christchurch. Photo: AP
Bangladesh have undertaken
true dominance: Jamieson
Sports Desk: Campbell Jamieson, the
general manger of International Cricket
Council (ICC) was delighted to see
the progress of Bangladesh, stating that
they have undertaken a true dominance'
in the cricketing world, reports
BSS.
"It's fantastic to be back in Dhaka,
Bangladesh. My first visit in
Bangladesh was in early 1998, which is
20-21 years ago. And it's fantastic to see
the development from the cricketing
prospective in the Bangladesh Cricket
Board," Campbell Jamieson said here
today.
He was speaking at a programme in
a city hotel as ICC and Coca-Cola
jointly announced that they have
entered into a global strategic partnership
to celebrate one of the world's
most popular sport- Cricket and its
premiere events.
"They have under taken the true
dominance in the cricketing world,"
Jamieson said, being delighted to see
the progress of the country.
The partnership, however, entailed
the Coca-Cola Company's brands
becoming exclusive non-alcoholic beverage
partner of the ICC for the next
five years.
The agreement includes all ICC tournaments
around the world including
ICC World Cup in England and Wales
this year, World T20 in Australia in
2020, upcoming U-19 World Cup
Cricket, ICC Women's World Cup and
ICC World cup in India-2023 amongst
other global tournaments.
The company also announced a consumer
engagement initiative named
"Englande Jao, Stadium Matao", which
will provide Bangladeshi Cricket fans a
chance to win an opportunity to enjoy
ICC Cricket World Cup- England and
Wales-2019 live.
The details of the tie up and campaign
were presented at a press conference
today.
Sundeep Bajoria, vice-president of
South West Asia Operation, Coca-Cola,
Akram Khan, director and chairman of
BCB Cricket Operations, Jalal Yunus,
director and chairman of BCB Media
and Communications, Ajay Bathija,
country head of Coca-Cola Bangladesh
Ltd were present in the occasion along
with other top officials from Coca-Cola
in Bangladesh.
Commenting on the partnership,
Campbell Jamieson said, "It is our
pleasure to welcome Coca-Cola on
board as an ICC partner for the next
five years. There is a natural synergy to
our partnership, cricket with more than
a billion fans is one of the world's most
popular sports and Coca-Cola is one of
the world's most popular brands."
"The ICC is committed to growing
the game around the world including
of course here in Bangladesh, a cricketing
heartland and that makes it
such an exciting time for major
brands to be associated with our
sport."
Speaking on the occasion, Sundeep
Bajoria said, "Cricket is a global sport
and a passion shared by more than a
billion people across gender, generations
and cultures. In-line with our
long history of partnering with major
sporting events globally, our strategic
partnership with ICC, reinforces our
long-standing commitment to
refresh sports fans and enhance their
entertainment experience. We look
forward to delighting our consumers
with our diverse portfolio and
engagement opportunities to create
unique experiences for fans through
the next five years and even beyond
that."
"Consumers are at the heart of
Coca-Cola's beverage portfolio. The
company is acutely attuned to their
preferences and continuously looks at
innovative ways to connect people
with our brands. As part of our partnership
with ICC to inspire moments
of optimism and happiness amongst
consumers, we will also offer fans a
chance to watch the 2019 ICC World
Cup matches live." said Ajay Bhatija,
the country head of Coca-Cola
Bangladesh Ltd.
Nadal sweeps into Indian
Wells last 16
Sports Desk: World number two Rafael Nadal continued his dominance of Diego
Schwartzman, surging past the Argentine 6-3, 6-1 on Tuesday to reach the fourth
round of the ATP Indian Wells Masters, reports BSS.
Nadal took his record against the world No. 26 to 7-0 in emphatic style, never facing
a break point in a match lasting an hour and 16 minutes. "I think I played a very
solid match," Nadal said. "I did a lot of things well."Nadal, a three-time winner of
the Indian Wells title, next faces Serbian qualifier Filip Krajinovic, who ousted
14th-seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-2.
World number one Novak Djokovic was due up after Nadal on stadium court,
continuing his quest for a fourth-round berth after his third-round match against
German Philipp Kohlschreiber was halted by rain on Monday night with just one
game completed. The winner of that match will take on France's Gael Monfils, who
sped past Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-0, 6-3 on Monday.
Djokovic, who claimed a record seventh Australian Open title in January, is seeking
an unprecedented sixth Indian Wells crown. He currently shares the record of
five with Roger Federer, who takes on Stan Wawrinka in the third round in a
rematch of the 2017 final won by Federer.
Federer has dominated the rivalry with his friend and countryman 21-3, with all
three of Wawrinka's victories coming on clay courts. "Don't remind me of the
stats," Wawrinka quipped after pulling off a marathon three-set victory over Hungarian
Marton Fucsovics. The match with Federer will be another stern test for
Wawrinka, a former world number three who is climbing back up the rankings .

ECONOMY & BUSINESS 10
THURSDAy, MARCH 14, 2019
Inter Continental Dhaka and Dutch-
Bangla Bank (MoU) signed
Fazle Kabir, Governor of Bangladesh Bank has handed over the cheque for Tk.1 million to new women
entrepreneur Laky Azad proprietor of Azad Hasta Shilpa on behalf of Al-Arafah Islami Bank Ltd. at a
programme of 'Banker-SME Nari Uddokta Somabesh and Ponno Prodorshony Mela 2019' organized
by Bangladesh Bank at Shishu Academy recently. S.M. Moniruzzaman, Deputy Governor of
Bangladesh Bank, Md. Fazlul Karim Deputy Managing Director of Al-Arafah Islami Bank Ltd.,
Executive Vice President Md. Atiqur Rahman, First Assistant Vice President Sheikh Asadul Haque and
senior officials of the bank were also present in the occasion.
Photo: Courtesy
InterContinental Dhaka and
Dutch-Bangla Bank signed a
Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU)
recently to offer 'Buy 01 Get
01 Free' Breakfast, Lunch
and Dinner for Dutch-
Bangla Bank VIP banking
customers and Dutch-
Bangla Bank Nexus
Platinum & Titanium Credit
Card customers throughout
the year, aperss release said.
James P. McDonald,
General Manager of
InterContinental Dhaka
and Abul Kashem Md.
Shirin, Managing Director
& CEO of Dutch-Bangla
Bank exchanged the
documents of the MoU
signed by the
representatives of both the
organizations.
Under this MoU, the
Dutch-Bangla Bank VIP
banking customers and
Dutch-Bangla Bank Nexus
Platinum & Titanium Credit
Cards customers can enjoy
'Buy 01 Get 01 Free'
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
round the year starting from
March 12, 2019.
Shahidus Sadeque,
Director, Marketing &
Business Promotions,
Rezwan Maruf, Director,
Sales and Marketing of
Inter Continental Dhaka,
Abedur Rahman Sikder,
Chief Retail Business
Officer (CRBO), Zahid
Uddin Mohammad Arif,
Head of e-Business
Division of DBBL and other
senior officials from both
the organizations were also
present on the occasion.
Professor Dr. Md. Salim Uddin, FCA, FCMA, Chairman, Executive Committee of
Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd and Chairman, Bangladesh House Building Finance
Corporation presented a key note paper on 'Sustainable Development Goal- SDG: A
Universal Call for Transforming the World' recently at Hotel Agrabad in Chattogram
organized by Chattogram Regional Committee of the Institute of Chartered
Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB). Dr. Md Salim Uddin in his speech said that all the
standards of SDGs emphasize the implementation of good governance. As a result, it
is possible to reduce corruption from society by focusing on modern control system,
rule of law in the national institutions. Bangladesh has made significant progress in
achieving the SDGs on various parameters including implementation of human
rights, elimination of gender discrimination and empowerment of women. He urged
to the stakeholders to build trust and faith of the people, ensure honesty, transparency
and accountability to achieve the SDGs.
Photo: Courtesy
EU adds 10 countries, including
UAE, to tax blacklist
The European Union expanded its tax haven
blacklist by 10 countries on Tuesday, adding
the United Arab Emirates and Bermuda
despite the objections of powerful member
states such as Italy.
The list, now 15 countries long, was first
drawn up in 2017 in the wake of several
scandals, including the Panama Papers and
LuxLeaks, that pushed the EU into doing
more to fight tax evasion by multinationals
and the rich.
Seven countries are to be moved back from
a grey list because reform commitments had
not been met. These are Aruba, Belize,
Bermuda, Fiji, Oman, Vanuatu and
Dominica, an EU statement said.
They are joined by three other countries
whose tax policies have grown more
aggressive in the past months. They are
Barbados, the United Arab Emirates and the
Russia and OPEC : convenience but no marriage
Two years after they teamed up to take
back control of oil markets, the alliance
between Russia and OPEC continues to
be effective, reports BSS.
But experts say talk of a more formal
and permanent partnership are
premature, with Moscow keen to
maintain its independence.
Hit by a plunge in oil prices between
2014 and 2016, Russia and OPEC
heavyweight Saudi Arabia at first blamed
each other for the collapse that was
wreaking havoc on their economies.
But in late 2016 Russia and OPEC
came together, finally agreeing to limit
their oil production that accounts for
more than half of global supplies.
On Monday, representatives will meet
in a Baku hotel to review an accord that
runs until June and to possibly propose
extending it at an official meeting in
Vienna in April.
They are also set to discuss formalising
an alliance that has breathed fresh life
into OPEC and brought Russia new
influence as an arbiter on the oil market.
The pact between OPEC and a dozen
non-member countries including Russia
was not an easy decision after years of
fierce competition for market share that
lead to overproduction.
Marshall Islands.
Italy long resisted the addition of the UAE.
The Middle East powerhouse has recently
made significant investments in the
economically troubled European country.
Rome had wanted to keep the Emirates on
the so-called grey list of countries that have
made pledges to get their tax laws in order
with a standard set by Brussels.
"Everything will be solved" when new
legislation in passed in the UAE, Italian
Finance Minister Giovanni Tria said.
"The Emirates will come out immediately
afterwards," he added.
The operation in "naming and shaming"
countries into better tax policies comes
only days after a money-laundering
blacklist by the EU was torpedoed by the
bloc's own member governments after it
included Saudi Arabia.
"Before OPEC+ came into action,
OPEC had practically ceased
functioning," said Rustam Tankayev, an
expert at the Union of Oil and Gas
Producers of Russia. "The only chance for
OPEC to regain the power to regulate the
global oil market was to significantly
expand the alliance."
Francis Perrin, director of research at
the French Institute for International and
Strategic Affairs, also stressed that
relations between Russia and OPEC
"haven't always been easy".
"OPEC used to consider Russia as an
illicit hanger-on that was turning a profit
from the efforts of others," he said. "The
fact that they have made this cooperation
long-lasting is already a real result."
The challenge for OPEC+ is to retain
enough clout to keep prices at a level that
ensures comfortable budgetary returns
for producer countries without sparking
a drilling boom in the United States.
"OPEC's role will diminish in the next
20 to 30 years, the Saudis are aware of
this," said Igor Delanoe, deputy director
of the Franco-Russian Observatory
group. "Facing a newly heavyweight
America, Moscow and Riyadh have every
interest in coming to an agreement on
keeping oil prices to at least $60 to $70
Asian markets
retreat from rally,
pound stable after
Brexit drop
Asian markets retreated
Wednesday after two days of
gains but the pound enjoyed
some stability after the
previous day's sharp losses
sparked by Theresa May's
Brexit deal being tossed out
by MPs, reports BSS.
Sterling saw wild
fluctuations Tuesday as it hit a
near two-year high on news
the prime minister had won a
last-minute revision to her
agreement with the EU, then
tanked to a three-week low as
it was rejected later in the day
at Westminster.
The decision means
lawmakers will vote Wednesday
on whether to leave the EU on
March 29 without an economic
agreement - which is expected
to fail -then Thursday on
whether to extend the deadline.
However, there remains a
lot of uncertainty, with some
observers suggesting the
latest developments put the
country a step closer to
another referendum, while
others say it could make a
no-deal exit more likely.
"My tuppence is that
parliament has, in their own
mind, seized control of the
Brexit process and will duly
ask and likely get an extension
to the 29 March exit date,"
said OANDA senior market
analyst Jeffrey Halley.
"The breathing space
granted will be used by
whomever to renegotiate a
more palatable Brexit deal
for the UK. Except nobody
has asked the Europeans
yet. A short-term gain may
yet belie long-term pain."
The news from London
added to selling pressure on
Asian equity markets, which
had enjoyed a bounce
Monday and Tuesday from
last week's battering, with
investors still on edge over
the state of the global
economy.
per barrel, which renders some US
projects worthless."
While OPEC, and mainly Saudi Arabia,
have made it clear they would like to
formalise longer-term cooperation with
Russia, Moscow seems to be playing hard
to get. Russia's leaders nevertheless know
how much it owes to the alliance after
falling oil prices and Western sanctions
over its annexation of Crimea from
Ukraine led to a deep economic crisis in
2015 and 2016.
Russia's privileged position with OPEC
allows it to assert itself against the United
States in the energy sector, while playing
all the intermediaries against each other.
"There's only one country in the
alliance that's friends with all the others -
and that's Russia," said Tankayev,
highlighting Saudi Arabia's tensions with
Iran and Venezuela.
In December, OPEC nearly ended a
meeting without reaching agreement due
to tensions between Riyadh and Tehran.
Market watchers credited Russian
Energy Minister Alexander Novak with
calming everyone down at the last
minute.
Still, observers said Russia appears to
have no intention of becoming a full
member of OPEC.
First Security Islami Bank ltd (FSIBL) signed agreement with Padma Islami Life Insurance
ltd(PILIL) regarding life insurance facilities to FSIBL employees & clients on yesterday at FSIBL
Head Office. Syed Waseque Md Ali, Managing Director, FSIBL and Dr. Chowdhury Mohammad
Wasiuddin, FCA, FCMA Managing Director, PILIL exchanged the agreement letter on behalf of their
respective organizations. Among others, Abdul Aziz, Additional Managing Director, Md. Mustafa
Khair & Md. Zahurul Haque, Deputy Managing Director(s), Oli Kamal, FCS, Company Secretary,
FSIBL and Md. Morshed Alam Siddiqui, Senior Deputy Managing Director, Md. Abu Sayed Sarker,
Asst. Company Secretary, Md. Nurul Alam, Asst. Manager, PILIL along with other high officials of
both organizations were present on the occasion.
Photo: Courtesy
US, China within 'weeks' of concluding
trade talks; deal not assured : official
Washington's top trade official on
Tuesday said the United States and China
are likely to conclude their trade
negotiations within "weeks" - but a
successful outcome is not assured.
"Our hope is that we're in the final
weeks of an agreement but I'm not
predicting one," US Trade Representative
Robert Lighthizer said in Senate
testimony. "We can't predict success at
this point but we are working hard."
Eight months into their sprawling trade
war, US and Chinese officials have
alternated between projecting optimism
and warning that they have much to do
before reaching a final outcome.
The two sides have exchanged tariffs on
more than $360 billion in two-way trade,
but Lighthizer on Tuesday declined to
state publicly whether Washington would
lift the tariffs it has imposed so far if both
sides reach a deal. US officials are
demanding far-reaching changes to
Chinese industrial policy - including an
end to massive state intervention in
markets, subsidies and the alleged theft of
American technology - and insist that any
agreement must be enforceable.
Lighthizer said Washington would
reserve the right to impose them should
China fail to keep up its end of the
London stocks fall
before UK budget,
Brexit vote
London's stock market fell at
the open Wednesday ahead of
a budget update from the
government and parliament's
vote on whether to back a 'no
deal' Brexit, reports BSS.
The benchmark FTSE 100
index lost 0.3 percent to
7,131.23 points compared
with the close on Tuesday.
In the eurozone, Frankfurt's
DAX 30 index dropped 0.2
percent to 11,499.32 points
and the Paris CAC 40 slipped
0.1 percent to 5,263.01.
British MPs will Wednesday
vote on whether the UK
should leave the European
Union without a deal in just
over two weeks, after
overwhelmingly rejecting the
country's draft Brexit divorce
agreement with Brussels.
bargain. "We have to maintain the right to
be able to - whatever happens to the
current tariffs - to raise tariffs in situations
where there's violations of the
agreement," he said.
"That's the core. If we don't do that,
then none of it makes any difference."
Democrats have accused President
Donald Trump of going soft in the trade
talks and moving toward a superficial
agreement rather than tackling longstanding
problems in trade with China.
But Lighthizer said Tuesday the
agreement would either have teeth "or the
president won't agree to the agreement."
During four rounds of shuttle
diplomacy since December, officials
announced that China had agreed to
resume or increase purchase of US
agricultural goods, with Trump
announcing he would likely seal any deal
at a "signing summit" with Chinese
President Xi Jinping late this month. But
the White House has since said there is
no date yet for such a meeting.
Lighthizer said he and Treasury
Secretary Steven Mnuchin had spoken
with Chinese officials by telephone on
Monday evening and that another call
was set for Wednesday.
"We're either gonna have a good result
or we're gonna have a bad result before
too long but I'm not setting a specific time
frame," he said. Lighthizer also said the
United States would press ahead with
efforts to reform the World Trade
Organization.
Washington has blocked the
appointment of new judges to the
appellate branch of a WTO dispute panel,
which could force it to shut down by the
end of next year.
US officials say the appellate body has
improperly reversed the factual findings
of trade arbitration panels.
But Lighthizer said the United States
and the EU were at a deadlock over
whether to include agriculture in their
current trade talks.
Brussels has imposed counter-tariffs on
billions in US exports in response to
Trump's decision last year to put steep
duties on steel and aluminum exports.
But European officials refuse to include
discussion of agriculture trade in future
talks to resolve the impasse.
"The United States can't have a trade
agreement with Europe that doesn't deal
with agriculture. Their view is that they
can't have one that does," said Lighthizer.
"We're at a stalemate. We'll see how that
develops."
US stocks mixed at open; Boeing
remains under pressure
US stocks were mixed at the
open on Tuesday, as
aviation giant Boeing
remained under pressure
amid safety concerns
following the deadly crash of
one of its aircraft, reports
BSS.
After recovering from a
dismal opening on Monday,
stocks continued to move
higher despite Boeing's
renewed decline.
And there was no bad
news in the latest US
inflation data, which saw a
modest uptick in February
while the annual rate
declined.
About 10 minutes into the
trading day, the benchmark
Dow Jones Industrial
Average was down a fraction
to 25,629.36, but the
broader S&P 500 added 0.3
percent to 2,791.48, and the
tech-heavy Nasdaq was up
0.2 percent to 7,575.52.
Boeing, which is heavily
weighted in the Dow, fell
another four percent to
$384.57, after the five
percent drop Monday.
The crash Sunday of one
of the company's highly
popular 737 MAX 8 jets
killed all 157 passengers and
crew have and was the
second in five months.
Safety concerns have led
several countries to ground
the aircraft or ban the
aircraft from their airspace.
Airlines which use the jets
also lost ground, with
United Continental and
Alaska Air falling 1.8 percent
and Southwest Airlines
losing 1.6 percent.
However, consumer
prices remained tame, and
falling energy costs drove
the annual inflation rate
down to 1.5 percent in
February, its lowest in more
than two years.
"It has been a good week
and it's only one-trading day
old," said analyst Patrick
O'Hare of Briefing.com. "At
the moment, there is
nothing too terrible about
day two."

MISCELLANEOUS
THUrSDAY, MArCH 14, 2019
11
Hasan for keeping student
politics in hands of students
DHAKA : Information Minister Dr
Hasan Mahmud yesterday urged BNP
and Jatiya Oikyafront to keep student
politics in the hands of students.
"I would like to tell BNP and Jatiya
Oikyafront to keep students politics in
the hands of students … Don't bring
students politics in the national
politics," he said at a discussion at the
auditorium of Institution of Diploma
Engineers' Bangladesh (IDEB) here.
Bangabandhu Diploma Engineers
Parishad (BDEP) organized the
discussion marking the 99th birth
anniversary of Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman and Independence Day with
its chief advisor and former home
minister Dr Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir
in the chair.
Hasan, also the publicity and
publication secretary of the ruling
Awami League, said BNP and
Oikyafront are out to fish in the
troubled water centering the DUCSU
polls.
He said this is a positive side of the
DUCSU polls that elections were held
U.S. says
"meaningful
progress" made
in talks with
Taliban
after over 28 years. "Student leaders
will be created through the polls. And
this is a positive side for the students
politics," he added.
He said BNP and Oikyafront were
trying to create an issue centering the
polls. "The politics of BNP is now
confined to press conferences. They are
holding press conferences every
morning and afternoon," he added.
The minister said no one could find
the existence of Chhatra Dal in the
DUCSU polls. They were missing in the
polls, he added.
Hasan said the united efforts by the
leftists and the rightists could not resist
the victory of Bangladesh Chhatra
League (BCL) in the DUCSU polls.
"The victory of the candidates from
other panels or independent one, who
boycotted the polls, proved that they
have failed actually… Chhatra League
achieved the victory," he said
Hasan said, "The polls were held after
about 28 years. You know that the
female students were assaulted during
every polls of the university in the past.
But this time, such type of incidents did
not happen. Every party including the
leftists, the rightists and the quota
reformists took part in the polls," he
added.
Referring to the country's ongoing
development, the minister said
Bangabandhu liberated the country
through the nine-month long bloody
Liberation War. "Bangladesh is now on
the highway of development under the
dynamic leadership of Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina to materialize
Bangabandhu's dream," he added.
He said many world leaders
including the former US president
Barak Obama lauded Bangladesh's
rapid development.
"But some people are not willing to
acknowledge the development - they
are (rather) busy to confuse the
countrymen," the minister said.
Hasan urged the countrymen to forge
stiff resistance against saboteurs to
continue Bangladesh's current
development spree to turn it into 'Sonar
Bangla' as dreamt by Father of the
Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman.
"Sparing no one in fighting
corruption": Myanmar
official media
UN official says
gaming industry key
to environmental
conservation
The rapidly-growing gaming industry
should be harnessed to increase awareness
of environmental conservation, as it is
popular among the youth, a senior official of
the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) said Tuesday, reports
UNB.
"There are unprecedented opportunities in
video games that are played by an estimated
2.5 billion people globally. A partnership
with the gaming industry will therefore help
us mobilize the youth to take actions that
protect nature," said Susan Gardner,
director of ecosystems division at the UNEP.
She made the remarks at a side event of the
fourth session of the five-day UN
Environment Assembly that runs through
March 15 in Nairobi.
A report published by the UNEP indicated
that the gaming industry, which is expected
to record double digit growth in the next five
years, has the potential to unleash huge
benefits in the sustainability agenda.
The report said that video games have
proved effective at encouraging the youth to
campaign against carbon emissions and
poaching of wildlife species.
Inger Andersen, director general of the
International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN), said that video games
should be harnessed to rally the youth to
support a sustainable and green future.
"Video games can help amplify campaigns
aimed at promoting sustainable production,
waste management and wildlife protection,"
said Andersen.
Criticism of FAA
mounts as other
nations ground
Boeing jets
The United States and Taliban wrapped up
their talks in Doha, the capital city of Qatar,
Myanmar's official media "the
Global New Light of Myanmar"
stressed on Wednesday the
importance of "sparing no one in
minister to be charged with
corruption since the incumbent
government, led by the National
League for Democracy (NLD),
with "meaningful progress" made, said the fighting
corruption" took power in 2016.
U.S. State Department on Tuesday, reports notwithstanding their roles in Myanmar has been stepping
UNB.
the government machinery up anti-corruption activities with
"We've received reports back from Special under law, reports UNB. the ACC taking measures to form
The U.S. Federal Aviation
Representative (Zalmay) Khalilzad that "In our efforts to combat anti-corruption units tasked
Administration is facing
they've had meaningful progress," Robert corruption, which has become with scrutinizing corruption
mounting criticism for
Palladino, the State Department's deputy customary and has taken root in cases, tackling the issue and
backing the airworthiness
spokesperson, told reporters at a daily most departments, we must not preventing graft among civil
of Boeing's 737 Max jets as
briefing.
spare anyone because corruption servants.
the number of countries
Palladino said the Taliban has agreed that poses a major obstacle to President U Win Myint had
that have grounded the
"peace will require both sides to fully economic development, efforts told the ACC to draw up an
aircraft grows in the wake
address four core issues," namely to raise the living standard of the action plan and make efforts in
of the Ethiopian Airlines
"counterterrorism assurances, troop people, measures for reducing this endeavor.
crash over the weekend,
withdrawal, intra-Afghan dialogue, and a poverty and the smooth flow of To ensure a clean government
reports UNB.
comprehensive ceasefire."
foreign investment," the paper and a good governance system,
The rest of the world
"In this round of talks, we were able to said in its editorial.
the Anti-Corruption Act was
typically takes it cues from
move to agreement in draft on the first two The editorial came after amended to conform with the
the FAA, long considered
principles, counterterrorism assurances and Myanmar's Tanintharyi Region international standard during
the world's gold standard
troop withdrawal," the spokesperson added. Chief Minister Dr. Lae Lae Maw the tenure of the incumbent
for aircraft safety. Yet
Palladino also revealed that when the was relieved from duty on government.
other aviation safety
agreement in draft is finalized, the Taliban Monday following her arrest on The government has been
regulators, including the
and an inclusive Afghan negotiating team charge of corruption along with working to improve the
European Union, China,
that includes the Afghan government will three local company officials. administrative, legislative and
GD-443/19 (4 x 3)
Australia and the United
begin intra-Afghan negotiations of a political The removal of the regional judiciary, political and economic
Kingdom, have decided
settlement and comprehensive ceasefire. chief minister came at the end of affairs as the country makes the
not to wait for the FAA to
Qatar on Tuesday announced that the a one-month investigation by the transition to a democratic
act. The Ethiopian disaster
United States and Taliban have made Anti-Corruption Commission system, while it has clamped
came just five months after
progress in their longest round of (ACC) into the charge against the down on corruption, deeming it
the deadly crash of
negotiations in Doha to end a 17-year-old female chief minister.
a national duty, the editorial
another new Boeing 737
war in a strife-torn Afghanistan.
Lae Lae Maw is the first chief said.
Max 8 operated by Lion
Air in Indonesia.
Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-
Ore., the chairman of the
House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee,
said in a statement
Tuesday that he's
concerned that
international aviation
regulators are providing
more certainty to the flying
public than the FAA.
"In the coming days, it is
absolutely critical that we
get answers as to what
caused the devastating
crash of Ethiopian Airlines
flight 302 and whether
there is any connection to
what caused the Lion Air
accident just five months
ago," DeFazio said. The
FAA has increasingly
become cozy with airplane
manufacturers and
airlines when it should be
more pro-active in safety,
said Bill McGee, aviation
adviser for Consumer
Reports.
The magazine and
website on Tuesday called
on airlines and the FAA to
ground the 737 Max
planes until an
investigation into the
cause of the Ethiopian
crash is completed to see if
it's related to the Lion Air
crash in October. "They
have not presented any
evidence that the
problems that we've seen
with these two crashes are
not problems that could
potentially exist here in the
U.S.," McGee said.
"Increasingly the FAA is
relying more and more on
what the industry calls
electronic surveillance,"
added McGee, who has
written about aviation for
nearly two decades. "Not
going out and kicking the
tires, seeing the work
GD-444/19 (8 x 4) being done, making sure
it's being done properly."
GD-445/19 (9 x 3)
Dr Tabassum Mumtaz
contributing differently
TBT Desk:
Dr Tabassum Mumtaz, an
environmental microbiologist
from Bangladesh, works on the
conversion of biomass and other
waste materials into useful
compounds using bacteria. Her
work contributes to
directly removing
harmful materials
from the
environment as
well as
generating
renewable
energy in the
process. Dr.
Mumtaz specializes
in producing
polyhydroxyalkanotes (PHAs),
bio-plastics produced by special
bacteria that are cultivated from
compost, food waste, and
wastewater, such as the effluents
from palm oil production.
Dr Mumtaz was born in
Dhaka, Bangladesh. She
received her PhD in
Environmental Biotechnology
from University Putra Malaysia
in 2011, under an OWSD PhD
fellowship. After a postdoctorial
position at the
University Kebangsaan
Malaysia from 2014-2015, she
returned to the Bangladesh
Atomic Energy Commission,
where in addition to her
research as a principal Scientific
Officer, she trains
undergraduate students in basic
laboratory techniques for
microbiology. She has
numerous publications
including in several high-impact
journals and has acted as a
reviewer of several journals.
She is the author of a
book, "Change in the
properties of LD- PE
during
biodegradation in
soil."
Dr Mumtaz's
current research
focuses on the
remediation of
wastewater by gamma
radiation and the capability of
radio-resistant bacteria for PHA
Production. In the future, she
hopes to implement project at
BAEC on biohydrogen and
bioethanol production from
biomass. She believes that
strategies focusing on pollution
abatement and the concurrent
generation of renewable energy
and valuable green bio-products
(organic acids, bioplastics) can
be achieved through
collaborations with established
industries on Bangladesh such
as textile dyeing. These
developments will have a big
impact on the energy
consumption of the country in
the near future.

THURSDAy, DHAKA, MARCH 14, 2019, FAlGUn 30, 1425 BS, RAjAB 5, 1440 HijRi
City Corporation conducted drive to remove chemical from Old Dhaka.
First phase of upazila
polls peaceful: CEC
SYLHET : The first phase of
the upazila election was free,
fair and peaceful, Chief
Election Commissioner KM
Nurul Huda said on
Wednesday, reports UNB.
"The first phase was held in a
peaceful manner with the help
of the local administration and
the law enforcers," he told a
views exchange meeting with
law enforcers at the deputy
commissioner's office. "The
Election Commission officials
also played a vital role."
He said the law enforcers
have been asked to prevent violence
during the next phases.
He also urged them to ensure
that voters can freely vote for
their preferred candidates.
Govt bans local ads on
downlinked foreign
TV channels
DHAKA : The government
has slapped a ban on airing
local advertisements on
downlinked foreign television
channels, reports UNB.
A PID handout said the
Information Ministry issued an
order on Wednesday in this
regard. It said the ban has been
imposed as per section 19(13) of
the Cable Television Network
(Regulation) Act 2006.
It prohibits airing advertisements
on foreign channels
targeting Bangladeshi audience.
If any Bangladeshi TVC
[television commercials] is
aired on a foreign channel,
then it would be a violation of
section 11 of the Act.
INTERESTING NEWS
In the seasonally dry, deciduous
forests of northeastern Brazil,
obscured by walls of thorny-scrubs, is a
vast landscape made up of tens of millions
of densely packed earthen
mounds. These cone-shaped piles of
dirt, each measuring thirty feet wide at
its base and twice as tall as a grown
man, are waste earth excavated by the
termites when they burrow tunnels
Photo: Star Mail
US welcomes govt assurances
of Rohingyas' voluntary
relocation to Bhashan Char
DHAKA : US Ambassador to Bangladesh
Earl R Miller haswelcomed the government's
assurances that any relocation of Rohingyas
toBhashan Char islandwill be fully voluntary
based on informed consent, reports UNB.
He also welcomed assurances that those
who choose to go will have free movement off
the island to maintain connections with rest
of the Rohingya community in Cox's Bazar.
Miller, during his visit to Cox's Bazar
from March 8 to 10, met local government
officials, including the Refugee Relief and
Repatriation Commissioner, and the
deputy commissioner to learn more about
the government's plan to begin relocating
up to 100,000 Rohingyas to Bhashan Char
as early as mid-April.
The US is the leading contributor of
humanitarian assistance in response to the
Rohingya refugee crisis. It has provided nearly$500million
since the outbreak of violence
in August 2017, with approximately$450million
of that total dedicated to programmes in
Bangladesh for Rohingya refugees and
Bangladeshi host communities, said the US
Embassy in Dhaka on Tuesday.
In Cox's Bazar, Miller observed US government
assistance in the region and visited both
local communities and the Rohingya camps,
and met government officials as well as UN
organisations and NGOs operating in the
region.
After his March 3 announcement of an
additional$45.5million to the 2019 Joint
Response Plan, bringing total US contributions
to$105.5million, Ambassador Miller
The 4,000-year-old Termite
Mounds the size of Britain
under the soil. Researchers estimate
that there are some 200 million
mounds here, covering a vast region
nearly equal to the size of Great
Britain. The amount of soil excavated
is over 10 cubic kilometers, equivalent
to the volume of 4,000 great pyramids
of Giza. This makes them the biggest
engineering project by any animal
besides humans. Incredibly, some of
these mounds are as old as the
Pyramids themselves.
travelled to Cox's Bazar to ensure good stewardship
of US tax dollars and to review the
outstanding work being done by the
Bangladeshi government, UN agencies, and
NGOs to provide humanitarian assistance
and shelter to more than 900,000 Rohingya.
During his visit, Ambassador Miller met
with the American Red Cross, IFRC, IOM,
UNDP, UNHCR, WFP, and others, to discuss
their outstanding efforts working with the
local community to prepare for the annual
cyclone and monsoon season and how the US
can further assist these efforts.
The US works hand-in-hand with the
Bangladeshi government and local communities
to build Multi-Purpose Cyclone
Shelters (MPCS) and train emergency first
responders.
The US, through USAID, has built nine
MPCS's and upgraded another 60 in Cox's
Bazar since 2008.USAID, in coordination
with Bangladesh, plans to repair approximately
100 more existing MPCS's in Cox's
Bazar and Bandarban.
MPCS's serve both refugee and local communities
during a cyclone, and are further
used by local communities year-round to
serve general community needs.
Ambassador Miller took the opportunity to
visit a number of refugee camps and speak
with the Rohingya and the NGOs providing
services to the camps.
He saw how the maintenance and general
upkeep of the camps, as well as preparations
for the upcoming cyclone and monsoon season,
are progressing.
The mounds remains largely hidden
from view in the deciduous, semiarid,
thorny-scrub caatinga forests unique to
this part of Brazil. Locals call them
murundus but very few people outside
of the region have heard about it. It was
only in recent decades when some of
the lands were cleared for pasture that
outsiders have come to discover them.
Roy Funch, from the State University
of Feira de Santana, first saw these
fields of mounds in the 1980s when he
arrived in Brazil as a Peace Corps volunteer.
He originally wrote about them
in local popular-science magazines, but
never managed to stoke much interest
in them. Three decades later, after spotting
them again on Google Earth, Funch
returned to Brazil, this time as a
researcher, to learn more about these
mysterious mounds.
Funch and his colleagues found
that this colossal feat of engineering
is the work of a tiny species of termite
called Syntermes dirus, barely half
an inch long. These creatures have
been building this landscape for the
past 4,000 years, and they are still
present in the soil surrounding the
mounds. The youngest mound is
about 690 years old, while the oldest
was at least 3,820 years old.
DU students continue
hunger strike
DHAKA : The hunger strike
of five Dhaka University students
rolled into the second
day on Wednesday demanding
reelection to the Central
Students' Union (Ducsu),
reports UNB.
They started the strike at
the foot of Raju Sculpture on
Tuesday evening and vowed
to continue until their
demands are met.
Four of the protesters contested
Monday's Ducsu election
as independent candidates.
Among them, third-year
philosophy student Anindya
Mondol was a member candidate
of Jagannath Hall
union.
Tawhid Tanjin, a final-year
computer science student, was a
transport affairs secretary candidate,
while Soyeb Mahmud, a
second-year physics student,
was a candidate for literature
affairs secretary of Shahidulla
Hall union.
Md Mainiddin, a secondyear
population sciences student
contested for cultural
affairs secretary of Mohsin
Hall Union.
Roni Hossain, a final-year
geography student, is a resident
of Bijoy Ekattor Hall. He
did not contest the election.
Ducsu polls, the first in 28
years, were marred by allegations
of irregularities. All
panels, except that of
Bangladesh Chhatra League,
boycotted the election alleging
vote fraud.
Two arrestees confesses to
killing Habib in Khulna
TiTASH CHAKRABORTHy,
KHULNA CORRESPONDENT
Two arrestees Asaduzzaman
and Anupam involved in
killing of Khulna brick kiln
contractor Habibur Rahman
Sobuj recently confessed in
Khulna CMM Court that
they murdered Habib for his
extramarital affair with the
wife of one of the runaway
suspect. Anupam Kumar is
involved in a banned organization.
The other Asaduzzaman
killed his three wives in the
same way and hid their bodies
in the same way.
The arrestees in their confessions
said 5 people took
part in the killing. Anupam
Kumar and Asaduzzaman,
the accused in connection
with the case, have noted that
the slain Habibur Rahman's
house is in Satkhira. He
recently came to Khulna
District Jail in a fraud case
and embezzled of Tk 22 lakh.
At the same time
Asaduzzaman and some of
his associates came to the jail
for murdering Asaduzzaman's
wife. At the jail they met
Habibur Rahman. When
Habibur Rahman was
released on bail, one of
Asaduzzaman's associate
gave his wife's mobile phone
and asked him to contact.
The picture shows two arrestees Asaduzzaman and
Anupam involved in killing of Khulna brick kiln contractor
Habibur Rahman Sobuj.
Photo: Titash Chakraborthy
Habibur Rahman, who was
released on bail, first developed
a relationship with the
accused's wife and later with
his sister.
After knowing the matter the
accused got out on bail and
they killed Habibur Rahman in
a planned manner.
Meanwhile Asaduzzaman
is a professional killer. Earlier
he killed his 3 wives. There
are cases filed with Phultala
and Khalishpur Police stations
in this regard. At one
time Asaduzzaman was an
assistant of a doctor in
Narayanganj.
During the time he killed a
patient named Khadiza in the
same way.
It is to be noted that police
recovered different parts of
an unidentified body
wrapped with polythene and
kitchen sacks from City's
Sher-e-Bangla road and
Farazipara road area on
March 7.The youth was identified
as Habibur Rahman, a
resident of Satkhira after
searching NID server by law
enforcement agency next day.
The recovered body was
handed over to his family
members after autopsy from
Khulna Medical College
Hospital (KMCH) on March
8. Later acase was filed by the
deceased brother-in-law
Golam Mostofa accusing
unnamed criminals with
Khulna Sadar police station
on March 9.
Dhaka South City Corporation Mobile court conducted evict drive of illegal construction at
Bangabandhu Avenue and Gulisthan on Wednesday.
Photo: Star Mail
PSC for recruiting
578 to first-class
non-cadre posts
DHAKA : The Bangladesh
Public Service Commission
(PSC) on Wednesday recommended
recruiting 578 candidates
of the 37th
Bangladesh Civil Service
(BCS) examination in 78 categories
with the status of first
class non-cadre officials.
The recommendation has
been made as per the
amended Non-cadre Posts
Recruitment Rules 2014,
said a PSC release.
It has also published the
registration numbers of the
selected candidates for the
posts on its website.
Of them, 150 have been
selected as social service officers,
while 52 as food controllers
of Directorate
General of Food, 23 as upazila/thana
election officers of
Election Commission
Secretariat, 40 as sub-registrars
and 31 as assistant
directors of Department of
Environment.
The results are available in the
PSC website www.bpsc.gov.bd.
The final results of the
37th Bangladesh Civil
Service (BCS) examinations
were published on
June 12, 2018.
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Acting Editor & Publisher : Jobaer Alam, Advisory Editor: Advocate Molla Mohammad Abu Kawser, Managing, Editor: Tapash Ray Sarker, News Editor : Saiful Islam, printed at Sonali Printing Press, 2/1/A, Arambagh 167, Inner Circular Road, Eden Complex, Motijheel, Dhaka.
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