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Men guilty of felling much-loved British ‘Sycamore Gap’ tree

Mamun Gazi
                                       Published by: Sunday, 18 May, 2025, 8:05 am
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Men guilty of felling much-loved British ‘Sycamore Gap’ tree

Two men were found guilty on Friday of cutting down Britain’s ‘Sycamore Gap’ tree two years ago, felling the much-loved landmark whose dramatic silhouette had featured in a Hollywood movie in what prosecutors described as a “moronic mission”.

The sycamore, estimated to be almost 200 years old, stood at the centre of a dramatic dip in the landscape alongside the historic Hadrian’s Wall in northern England, making it a popular spot for photographers, hikers and even marriage proposals.

Such was its fame that it featured in the 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” and its felling in September 2023 provoked widespread grief and anger.

Prosecutor Richard Wright told jurors at Newcastle Crown Court last month that Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were responsible for the “mindless vandalism”, expertly and deliberately cutting it down with a chainsaw.

The felling also caused damage to part of Hadrian’s Wall, built by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Graham and Carruthers, who travelled to the site in the Northumberland National Park from their homes in the Carlisle area, about 25 miles away, had denied any involvement. But they were convicted of two counts of criminal damage.

The men will be sentenced on July 15.

“For over a century, Sycamore Gap has been an iconic natural landmark in the north east of England, bringing immeasurable joy to those visiting the area,” Chief Crown Prosecutor Gale Gilchrist said.

“In just under three minutes, Graham and Carruthers ended its historic legacy in a deliberate and mindless act of destruction.”

During the trial, the jury was shown a video of their “moronic mission”, filmed on Graham’s mobile phone, which showed grainy footage of what appeared to be the iconic tree being cut down.

The prosecution said the men had taken a wedge of the tree as a trophy and messages they sent to each other afterwards showed they had been “revelling” in the worldwide reaction to the incident. No explanation has been given for their actions.

The National Trust, a heritage conservation charity which looks after the site, said last August there were signs of life at the base of the tree, giving hope it might live on.

Bangladesh announce ODI squad for Sri Lanka series, Naim returns after 2 years

Munna Khan
Published by: Wednesday, 25 June, 2025, 2:42 pm
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Bangladesh announce ODI squad for Sri Lanka series, Naim returns after 2 years

Bangladesh have announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka, with left-handed opener Mohammad Naim making a return to the national setup after more than two years.

Right-arm pacer Taskin Ahmed also returns from injury.

Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain announced the squad on Monday at a press conference held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

The three-match series will begin on 2 July in Colombo. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who was recently appointed as the ODI captain, will lead the side for the first time in the format.

Naim, 25, was rewarded for his strong domestic form. He scored 618 runs in 11 matches in the recently concluded Dhaka Premier League, finishing as the tournament’s third-highest run-getter.

He replaces Soumya Sarkar, who is yet to fully recover from a recurring back injury.

Taskin Ahmed’s inclusion will boost Bangladesh’s pace options. The fast bowler missed recent assignments due to fitness issues but has returned to full training.

The ODI series will follow the conclusion of the ongoing Test series. The second Test is set to begin on 25 June in Colombo.

Bangladesh squad for Sri Lanka ODIs: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman.

Honda launches City e:HEV in Bangladesh

Munna Rahman
Published by: Tuesday, 24 June, 2025, 10:48 am
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Honda launches City e:HEV in Bangladesh

DHS Motors Limited, the official distributor of Honda in Bangladesh, has recently launched the Honda City e:HEV at the Honda Showroom in Tejgaon, Dhaka.

The Honda City e:HEV features a 1500cc hybrid engine. The vehicle comes equipped with a leather interior, rear AC controls, and other features. All of this is put together in a body bigger, wider, and higher than the national favorite Toyota Premio, according to a press release by DHS Motors.

All but 3 political parties agree on term limit of PM: Ali Riaz

Staff Correspondent, Dhaka
Published by: Monday, 23 June, 2025, 8:09 am
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All but 3 political parties agree on term limit of PM: Ali Riaz

Most political parties have agreed that no individual should serve as prime minister for more than 10 years in their career, except for three including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), professor Ali Riaz, vice-president of the National Consensus Commission said on Sunday.

“After lengthy discussions, we reached a clear position that a person cannot remain prime minister for more than 10 years. However, we have yet to reach full consensus as three parties opposed the proposal and asked for reconsideration,” he stated.

Professor Ali Riaz made these comments today after the second round of talks between the National Consensus Commission and political parties at the Foreign Service Academy on Bailey Road in the capital.

Speaking about the discussions with political parties, he said, “We focused on two main topics throughout the day: the term limit of the prime minister and the fundamental principles of the constitution.”

On the term limit issue, Ali Riaz said most parties agreed on a 10-year cap, but BNP, NDM, and BLDP differed, requesting further discussion after internal consultations. These parties argued that this issue is linked with other matters, particularly the formation of the NCC and the structure of the upper house.

Regarding the second discussion point, Ali Riaz mentioned that the Constitutional Reform Commission had presented a proposal on the constitution and the state’s guiding principles.

Taking into account the sentiments and positions of various parties, the consensus commission will prepare a final proposal emphasising equality, human dignity, social justice, and democracy, he added.

Ali Riaz also said that the meetings were adjourned for the next two days at the request of political parties so they can discuss these matters at their policymaking levels.

“We hope this break will help resolve the remaining unresolved issues,” he added.

Today’s discussion with the National Consensus Commission aimed to conclude previously unfinished talks and included 30 political parties such as BNP, Jamaat, NCP, Islami Andolon, Gono Odhikar Parishad, and Ganosamhati Andolan.

Moderated by the chief adviser’s special assistant Monir Haidar, commission members Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emdadul Haque, Badiul Alam Majumdar, Iftekharuzzaman, and Mohammad Ayub Mia, were also present at the meeting.