Israel quietly maintains ties with Egyptian army

Indonesian protesters are holding up a banner of US President Barack Obama during a rally to show their support for the Egyptian people. Photo: AFP

Israel is quietly and carefully watching the turmoil in neighboring Egypt while maintaining close contacts with the Egyptian military amid concerns that the escalating crisis could weaken their common battle against Islamic militants in the Sinai Peninsula, officials said.
As the week’s death toll in Egypt rises, this alliance has put Israel in a delicate position. Wary of being seen as taking sides in the Egyptian military’s standoff against Islamist supporters of the ousted president, Israel also needs the Egyptian army to maintain quiet along their shared border – and to preserve a historic peace treaty.
The 1979 peace treaty, Israel’s first with an Arab country, has been a cornerstone of regional security for three decades. It has allowed Israel to divert resources to volatile fronts with Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. For Egypt, it opened the way to billions of dollars in US military aid.

Moroccan protesters shout slogans in support of Morsi in Rabat. Photo: AFP

Although diplomatic relations have never been close, the two militaries have had a good working relationship. These ties have only strengthened since longtime President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in a popular uprising two and a half years ago. With both armies battling extremist Jihadi groups in the Sinai Peninsula, near the Israeli border, Israeli security officials often say that relations with their Egyptian counterparts are stronger than ever.

Demonstrators hold a banner reading “Supporting Legitimacy, Strengthening Stability” against Egyptian military in Paris. Photo: AFP

With so much at stake, Israel has remained quiet since the Egyptian military ousted Mubarak’s Islamist successor, Mohammed Morsi, in a coup on July 3. Morsi, who became Egypt’s first democratically elected president, hails from the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist group considered the parent organization of militant Palestinian Hamas that rules the Gaza Strip and is a bitter enemy of Israel.

Activists of Pakistan march with an effigy of Egyptian General Fattah al-Sisi during a pro-Morsi rally in Karachi. Photo: AFP

Israel has not commented on this week’s bloodshed, in which the Egyptian troops killed hundreds of Morsi’s supporters who were rallying against the coup and demanding that he be reinstated.
“Israel does not have to support the (Egyptian) regime, especially not publicly. It is not our place to defend all the measures taken, this is not our business,” said Giora Eiland, a former chairman of Israel’s National Security Council.
At the same time, Eiland suggested that international condemnations of the Egyptian military’s actions have been excessive. He said Israeli and Western interests are “much closer” to the interests of Egypt’s military leader, Gen. Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi and his secular allies.

Protest in support of Morsi outside 10 Downing Street in London. Photo: AFP

“Even if we don’t share the same values, we can share the same interests,” he said. “The Israeli interest is quite clear. We want a stable regime in Egypt.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office declined comment but Israeli defense officials confirmed to The Associated Press that security cooperation with Egypt has continued over the past week.

Abdur Rahman Boyati no more

Renowned folk singer Abdur Rahman Boyati died at Japan-Bangladesh Friendship Hospital in the city yesterday. He was 74. Earlier, he was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition relating to neurological and urological complications on Sunday night. He had also complications of the kidney, lungs, high blood pressure, and other ailments while he was admitted to the hospital. He was suffering from various diseases for last three months.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed deep shock at the death of Abdur Rahman Boyati.
Rahman Boyati was born on January 1, 1939 to a respectable Muslim family of Dayagonj in Dhaka. Besides being a folk singer, he was also a lyricist, music composer, director and poet. He had entered the world of singing at the inspiration of poet Alauddin Boyati. Although he had showed a knack for singing since his early days, he started to sing professionally in 1956. Eventually, he formed a group in 1982 which is known as Abdur Rahman’s group.
Boyati’s song “Mon Amar Deho Ghori Sondhan Kori” has been hugely popular amongst the Bengali-speaking people all over the world. He had also ventured out of singing to act in movies. In 1989 he acted in “Ashati” directed by Hafiz Uddin. In 1995 he was in the news again for singing folk song in the band style for the album “Dehoghori” by a popular band— Feedback.
Boyati was the only performer from Bangladesh who was invited to a cultural show at the dinner party of George Bush Sr. held in the White House in 1990. For his contribution to the music of Bangladesh, Boyati won six National Awards including the Presidency Award. The celebrated folk singer also won a number of awards from countries abroad.
In 1982 Boyati formed an eight-member musical group and participated in many stage shows at home and abroad. He had performed in 40 countries of the world including the UK, the USA, China, Japan, Canada, India and Australia. During his long musical career, Boyati has released 500 solo and 200 mixed albums. Besides, he had performed on every television channel in the country.

Managing riches in the Arctic

AN unprecedented warming of the Arctic region is underway. According to a study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) the region is set to become ice free by 2070. Yet more recent studies and satellite imagery have moved that date to anywhere between to 2020 to 2035. Whatever may be the case, the region which had until recently been considered impassable is now set to become the playground for exploration of natural resources ranging from oil to gas. Nearly a quarter of the world’s estimated undiscovered oil and gas and massive deposits of other valuable minerals are thought to be located in the polar region. Looking beyond the vast untapped deposits of oil and gas, the Arctic supplies 40% of the world’s palladium, 20% of diamonds, 15% of platinum, 11% of cobalt, 10% of nickel, 9% of tungsten and 8% of zinc.
It had been feared that Arctic nations that include Russia and the United States would engage in armed brinkmanship to settle scores over the “race to riches;” that has not happened. Contrary to popularly held beliefs, the five states with Arctic coastlines, namely, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Russia and the United States have effectively used the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the basis for settling maritime boundary disputes and enacting safety standards for commercial shipping.
Although the United States had a hand in its drafting, for decades senators on both sides of the political divide have blocked its ratification. As pointed out by Scott Bogerson in his article ‘The coming Arctic Boom’ published in Foreign Affairs, “UNCLOS allows countries to claim exclusive jurisdiction over the portions of their continental shelves that extend beyond the 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zones prescribed by the treaty.
In the United States’ case, this means that the country would gain special rights over an extra 350,000 square miles of ocean — an area roughly half the size of the entire Louisiana Purchase. Because the country is not a party to UNCLOS, however, its claims to the extended continental shelf in the Beaufort and Chuchi seas (and elsewhere) cannot be recognised by other states, and the lack of a clear legal title has discouraged private firms from exploring for oil and gas or mining the deep seabed.” Ratifying UNCLOS could be the first step for the US to form a coherent Arctic policy.
Energy hungry nations of Asia led by China and India have already taken the lead to gain a foothold in the new Arctic spring that has just begun to unfold. China for instance has already begun to make inroads into the region, signing a free-trade deal with Iceland and setting up the largest embassy in the country. Denmark’s sway on Greenland, which is recipient to an annual $600 million could wane as foreign direct investment from South Korea, China and other nations outstrip the aid it gives to the now autonomous region.
The race for riches is on. The biggest question that looms large at this stage is to strike a balance between exploitation of natural resources and conservation of the environment. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Given the delicate ecosystems in the Arctic already strained by consequences of climate change, the coming boom in economic activity will inevitably lead to make them more precarious. The construction of pipes and roads, noise pollution from offshore drilling, seismic surveys and added maritime traffic could all collude to make matters worse.
The world’s leading drilling companies are in a rush to tap the Arctic’s untapped resources. Hence, it becomes more imperative than ever to set up an appropriate liability regime. The European Union at present is mulling over a proposal that would oversee companies’ compliance requirements for both equipment standards and financial guarantees. As pointed out by Lloyd’s report titled ‘Arctic Opening: Opportunity and Risk in the High North’: “Arctic Council Task Force is developing recommendations on an international instrument on Arctic marine oil pollution, preparedness and response, due for release in 2013. This aims at developing a more streamlined process to ensure more rapid clean-up and comprehensive payments. Given the potential trans-national impact of spills, this may include an international liability and compensation instrument. Greenland, for example, has argued that ‘different national systems may lead to ambiguities and uncertainty delays in oil pollution responses and compensation payments’ and that any regime must adapt as understanding of the ‘worst case scenario’ in the Arctic changes.”
Given the region’s remoteness and difficulty in accessibility, Arctic countries need to take into account the infrastructure gaps and address them accordingly. Similarly, environmental regulation and liability issues must be addressed through adoption of regulatory mechanisms that will go a long way in mitigating risks associated with mining and drilling.

IAAF World Championships Moscow 2013

Usain bolts to 200m hattrick

MAN OR SUPERMAN? Jamaica sprinter Usain Bolt strikes his trademark pose with his country’s flag after leaving the field in his dust to win his third successive 200m crown at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Usain Bolt underlined his amazing sprinting prowess on Saturday by powering to a third successive world 200m title at the World Athletics Championships for his seventh world gold medal.
The 26-year-old Jamaican destroyed the field to finish in 19.66 seconds, teammate Warren Weir claiming silver in a personal best of 19.79sec and American Curtis Mitchell taking bronze in 20.04.
“I had to push myself to be the best,” said a subdued Bolt. “I’m really happy to get it done as the 200m is my favourite event.
“I knew it wouldn’t be the fastest of races as when I came into the straight I felt slightly tired and I started to look around me.”
It was Bolt’s seventh world gold medal after winning the 100 and 200m at the Berlin worlds in 2009, the 200m in Daegu in 2011, the 100m in Moscow on Sunday and golds as part of the winning Jamaican 4x100m relay squads in both 2009 and 2011.
He also has two silvers (200m, 4x100m relay) from the 2007 worlds in Osaka.
His burgeoning medal haul also includes unprecedented treble golds from both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
Bolt now has the opportunity to draw level with the present mark of eight world gold medals won by retired American duo Carl Lewis and Michael Johnson when he races the 4x100m relay on Sunday.
Bolt, who had been nursing a sore foot after regaining his 100m title on Sunday, had the slowest reaction time of the eight-man field, but exploded into the corner and was up on Briton Adam Gemili on his outside in lane five within 10 paces.
As he rounded the bend, Bolt had a clear lead on the rest of the field, Weir in lane eight coming through late on.
Bolt’s sprint double was just the tonic for track and field, the credibility of which had again been called to account in recent weeks, notably after American sprint rival Tyson Gay and Jamaican compatriot Asafa Powell tested positive for drugs.

IAAF World Championships Moscow 2013

Usain bolts to 200m hattrick

MAN OR SUPERMAN? Jamaica sprinter Usain Bolt strikes his trademark pose with his country’s flag after leaving the field in his dust to win his third successive 200m crown at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Usain Bolt underlined his amazing sprinting prowess on Saturday by powering to a third successive world 200m title at the World Athletics Championships for his seventh world gold medal.
The 26-year-old Jamaican destroyed the field to finish in 19.66 seconds, teammate Warren Weir claiming silver in a personal best of 19.79sec and American Curtis Mitchell taking bronze in 20.04.
“I had to push myself to be the best,” said a subdued Bolt. “I’m really happy to get it done as the 200m is my favourite event.
“I knew it wouldn’t be the fastest of races as when I came into the straight I felt slightly tired and I started to look around me.”
It was Bolt’s seventh world gold medal after winning the 100 and 200m at the Berlin worlds in 2009, the 200m in Daegu in 2011, the 100m in Moscow on Sunday and golds as part of the winning Jamaican 4x100m relay squads in both 2009 and 2011.
He also has two silvers (200m, 4x100m relay) from the 2007 worlds in Osaka.
His burgeoning medal haul also includes unprecedented treble golds from both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
Bolt now has the opportunity to draw level with the present mark of eight world gold medals won by retired American duo Carl Lewis and Michael Johnson when he races the 4x100m relay on Sunday.
Bolt, who had been nursing a sore foot after regaining his 100m title on Sunday, had the slowest reaction time of the eight-man field, but exploded into the corner and was up on Briton Adam Gemili on his outside in lane five within 10 paces.
As he rounded the bend, Bolt had a clear lead on the rest of the field, Weir in lane eight coming through late on.
Bolt’s sprint double was just the tonic for track and field, the credibility of which had again been called to account in recent weeks, notably after American sprint rival Tyson Gay and Jamaican compatriot Asafa Powell tested positive for drugs.

IAAF World Championships Moscow 2013

Usain bolts to 200m hattrick

Afp, Moscow

MAN OR SUPERMAN? Jamaica sprinter Usain Bolt strikes his trademark pose with his country’s flag after leaving the field in his dust to win his third successive 200m crown at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Usain Bolt underlined his amazing sprinting prowess on Saturday by powering to a third successive world 200m title at the World Athletics Championships for his seventh world gold medal.
The 26-year-old Jamaican destroyed the field to finish in 19.66 seconds, teammate Warren Weir claiming silver in a personal best of 19.79sec and American Curtis Mitchell taking bronze in 20.04.
“I had to push myself to be the best,” said a subdued Bolt. “I’m really happy to get it done as the 200m is my favourite event.
“I knew it wouldn’t be the fastest of races as when I came into the straight I felt slightly tired and I started to look around me.”
It was Bolt’s seventh world gold medal after winning the 100 and 200m at the Berlin worlds in 2009, the 200m in Daegu in 2011, the 100m in Moscow on Sunday and golds as part of the winning Jamaican 4x100m relay squads in both 2009 and 2011.
He also has two silvers (200m, 4x100m relay) from the 2007 worlds in Osaka.
His burgeoning medal haul also includes unprecedented treble golds from both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
Bolt now has the opportunity to draw level with the present mark of eight world gold medals won by retired American duo Carl Lewis and Michael Johnson when he races the 4x100m relay on Sunday.
Bolt, who had been nursing a sore foot after regaining his 100m title on Sunday, had the slowest reaction time of the eight-man field, but exploded into the corner and was up on Briton Adam Gemili on his outside in lane five within 10 paces.
As he rounded the bend, Bolt had a clear lead on the rest of the field, Weir in lane eight coming through late on.
Bolt’s sprint double was just the tonic for track and field, the credibility of which had again been called to account in recent weeks, notably after American sprint rival Tyson Gay and Jamaican compatriot Asafa Powell tested positive for drugs.

Historic opportunity missed

Say senior journalists of the two countries

Editor of Samakal Golam Sarwar speaks at a dialogue on “Role of media in strengthening relations between Bangladesh and India” at a hotel in the capital yesterday. Seen on his left are senior journalist Abed Khan, CEO of Boishakhi TV Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, and Indian filmmaker Goutam Ghosh. Friends of Bangladesh, Dhaka chapter organised the programme. Photo: Star

Journalists from Bangladesh and India yesterday said a new era had been created in the relations between the two countries with the visit of Sheikh Hasina to India in 2010, but it turned into a missed opportunity.
They said Sheikh Hasina had taken a political risk during the visit, which had created a historic opportunity, but it was not properly utilised.
Terming it as “history of a missed opportunity”, the Indian journalists frankly admitted that the Indian side had failed to understand the problems in Bangladesh despite having like-minded governments in both countries.
They further recognised that a peaceful and stable situation had been prevailing in north-eastern India because of the Hasina administration’s cooperation.
Journalists of the two countries spoke at a dialogue, “Role of media in strengthening relations between Bangladesh and India”, at a hotel in Dhaka, organised by Dhaka chapter of “Friends of Bangladesh”.
Senior journalists of both countries said Sheikh Hasina took a high risk and responded to India’s main concern of security, transit, border management but India failed to reciprocate, as it had yet not solved pending issues with Bangladesh.
The Indian journalists said India was fortunate enough to have Hasina government in power and called for resolving all pending issues with Dhaka like Teesta water sharing deal and the Land Boundary Agreement.
They accused Indian media of failing to positively portray the opportunities created and opened up by Bangladesh in the last five years.
The speakers feared that Bangladesh and India relations might face a setback again if the current government in Dhaka changed through the upcoming election.
Executive Editor of The Daily Star Syed Badrul Ahsan and noted Indian filmmaker and President of Friends of Bangladesh Goutam Ghosh presented the keynote papers, while noted cultural activist Nasir Uddin Yousuff delivered the introductory speech.
Among the Bangladeshi journalists were Abed Khan, Samakal Editor Golam Sarwar, Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam, CEO of Boishakhi TV Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Haroon Habib, Acting Editor of Sangbad Moniruzzaman, Desh TV’s Alok Das Gupta, DU journalism department teachers Akhter Sultana and Robaet Ferdous.
On the Indian side were Shankar Raghuraman, associate editor, Times of India; Sumit Chakravartty, editor, Mainstream; Gautam Das, editor, Desher Khatha in Agartala; Saumya Bandyopadhyay, consulting editor, Prothom Alo, New Delhi; Kalyan Barooah of Asham Tribune; Santanu Ghosh of Times Now; and Topasree Gupta, coordinator, Friends of Bangladesh.
Goutam Das said people of Tripura were getting the benefits of Hasina’s government, as it allowed transportation of heavy equipment and machineries for Palatana power plant through Bangladesh without charge.
Golam Sarwar bitterly criticised the role of Indian media, saying they totally ignored Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has taken several positive steps to resist the rise of fundamentalism, but there is no reflection in Indian media about this, said Abed Khan.
The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam said India and Bangladesh relations were fundamental to the prosperity of the two nations.
“India should help Bangladesh from a point of view of India’s self-interest, as an economically prosperous Bangladesh will add to the peace and stability of the region and be a more attractive trading partner of India,” he said.
He asked the Indian journalists to realise Bangladesh as an important partner in the regional affairs and give Bangladesh due importance.

Eid Friday Eid Mubarak

Eid Friday

The holy Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated across the country on Friday as the new crescent moon of the month of Shawwal was sighted Thursday.

The biggest religious festival of Muslims will be observed on Friday, said the National Moon Sighting Committee after reviewing reports on moon sighting in the country’s sky.

The largest Eid congregation in the country will be held at Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj.

In the capital, the main congregation will be held at the National Eidgah near the High Court building at 8:30am.

In the case of inclement weather, the main congregation will be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 9:00am, according to an official announcement.

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Five congregations will be held at the National Mosque at 7:00am, 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am and 11:00am.

Devotees have been requested not to carry camera and mobile phone while taking part in Eid prayers at the National Eidgah, reports BSS.

Eid congregations will also be held in Armanitola and Dhopkhola Maidans. An Eid jamaat (congregation) will be held at the SouthPlaza of the Jatiya Sangsad at 8:00am.

Two Eid jamaats will be held at Dhaka University Central Mosque at 8:00am and 9:00am.

The Eid congregation at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) ground will be held at 7:45 am.

In case of inclement weather, the jamaat will be held at the Buet central mosque at 8:00am.

The Eid congregation at Bashiruddin Road Jame Mosque in Kolabagan will be held at 8:30am.

Law enforcers have taken stringent security measures at different Eid congregation venues across the country.

President Abul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia issued separate messages greeting the people on the occasion.

The national flag will be hoisted atop government and non-government office buildings on Eid day.

Marking the festival, the city thoroughfares and road islands will be decorated with national flags and banners inscribed with Eid Mubarak.

National dailies brought out supplements while BTV and private TV channels and radio stations will telecast special programmes on the occasion.

Special diet will be served to children staying at orphanages and people at hospitals, jails and old homes on Eid day.

Md Mustafa Kamal