04 Jan, 2015

Paush 21, 1421 Rabiul Awal 12, 1436 Regd No DA 6238 Vol 2, No 271

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

20 pages | Price: Tk12

B1 | BUSINESS

7 | LONG FORM

11 | OP-ED

12 | SPORT

CPD: OVERINVOICING TAKES TOLL ON LOCAL INDUSTRY

WHAT REALLY MATTERED IN 2014

YOUR BUSINESS IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS

FINAL WORLD CUP SQUAD TO BE NAMED TODAY

Khaleda in confinement, Rizvi detained BNP to march towards Nayapaltan through 10 points

Awami League firm on occupying all the city streets

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla Political tension was ratcheted up a notch late yesterday with the arrest of BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and the confinement by police of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia to her Gulshan office.

Police took Rizvi into custody from the BNP’s Nayapaltan headquarters, following an ambulance, called because Rizvi had complained of feeling ill, into the party office premises.

Special Assistant to Khaleda Zia Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas at an instant press briefing from the BNP Gulshan office late yesterday confirmed Rizvi’s arrest.

He also told journalists that Khaleda wanted to return home in her car but had been barred by police from leaving the office. He said she had been confined against her will.

Police pick-up vans were parked diagonally, blocking the main entrance to the BNP Gulshan office so as to obstruct anyone from leaving the building.

On the eve of the January 5 election anniversary, the country appears to be sitting on another explosive political situation, with both BNP and Awami League hell-bent on staging showdowns in the capital, and the administration discussing the possibilities of banning political programmes.

For months, the BNP has been  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

Power generation capacity doubled in 6 years n Aminur Rahman Rasel The Awami League-led coalition government has achieved a number of successes in the power sector during the past six years. Power generation capacity more than doubled from 4,942MW in 2009 to 11,265MW currently, with around 68% of the population having access to electricity.

Furthermore, the government has increased the number of power plants, transmission lines and distribution lines. Per capita power generation has increased. The country has the highest rate of solar home system installations in the world. The number of irrigation pumps has gone up and the number of consumers of electricity has also increased during the tenure of the AL-led coalition government.

System losses have been significantly reduced during this period.

Some $5.2bn was pumped into the

Hayat Mahmud and n Abu Mohammad Jamil Khan

Police obstruct BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s car as she tries to get out of her Gulshan office to set off for home around 12 at night yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Trade in stolen newborns spiked in 2014

n Shohel Mamun

Jamil Khan and n Mohammad Asif Islam

The lives of those who make their homes on the banks of the Padma River have seen their lifestyles undergo rapid change as construction of the Padma Multi-purpose Bridge at Munshiganj and Shariatpur begins.

Residents of the area, who never dreamt that they could make money on house rents, are now charging amounts that approach Dhaka rental prices to thousands of labourers working on the project.

During a visit to Mawa and Kumarbagh village on December 17 the Dhaka

PADMA BRIDGE Tribune saw that local residents had constructed several commercial buildings and tin-shed houses to meet rental demand.

One house owner told the Dhaka Tribune: “Many people have expressed a desire to rent space, so I am con-

structing a dozen rooms to rent out on two katha of land which will be ready this month.”

Rafik, a labourer, said he and three others share a single room which costs them Tk2,000 per month in rent. He said he lived in Dhaka’s Mirpur area two years ago, and a similarly-sized room in the capital cost him Tk3,000 per month.

“So the rent of this room is much too high,” he concluded.

Despite rising land prices, most residents are loath to sell their land.

Nevertheless real estate developers’  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

NOTICE All offices of the Dhaka Tribune will remain closed today on the occasion of Eid-e-Miladunnabi.

Therefore, there will be no issue tomorrow. However, our online www.dhakatribune.com will keep you updated. ____________

One side of this road in Ramna area in the capital witnesses a long tailback because of the rally brought out by Chhatra League on the other side. The student wing of the ruling Awami League brings out the rally marking its 67th founding anniversary yesterday RAJIB DHAR

Child theft and kidnapping are not new, but the new monetised trade in newborns, taking place for a variety of social and economic reasons, saw an alarming spike in the closing months of 2014.

Despite the best efforts of law enforcement agencies to stem the rise of the infant theft and resale business, it appears to be spreading.

The newborn theft business had been reported on as early as 2009, but the numbers have seen a sharp rise in recent times.

There were just four reports of infant thefts, all from Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), in the five years covering 2009 to 2013. But towards the end of 2014, incidents of infant theft sky-rocketed to 18 reported cases in just four months – eleven in the capital and the rest outside it.

Although first reported in the capital, the business of stealing infants, especially newborns, has spread across the country.

One possible reason for the crime is the staffing practices at neo-natal wards. There is a preponderance of part-time nurses and part-time nurse-assistants, who are underpaid, have little hope of a permanent job and little loyalty either to the employer or to the profession.

Part-timers are therefore prone to money-making schemes, investigators told the Dhaka Tribune. For as little as Tk3,000-4,000, part-time nurse-assistants switch girl children for boy children to satisfy clients who would rather raise someone else’s male child than a female one of their own.

One part-time nurse-assistant, Nilu-

INSIDE 2 | News

Terming the proposed salary scale to the government employees the biggest ever, State Minister for Finance MA Mannan said the example of enhancing allowance and salary for the government employee would continue in the future.

3 | News

The government has developed several monitoring modalities to closely observe the implementation of the seven fast-track projects.

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

Padma Bridge project creating add-on economic benefits

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

Our Arts and Letters supplement that is published on the first Sunday of every month could not be published today because of unavoidable reasons. It will now be merged with the regular broadsheet and published as a special page later this month. We apologise for the inconvenience.

The ruling Awami League and its affiliated bodies have planned rallies at 16 points including the Suhrawardy Udyan of the capital for tomorrow to observe the “Victory Day of Democracy” and resist the BNP’s counter programmes the same day.

Several central leaders of the ruling party have confirmed to the Dhaka Tribune that they would take control of all the city streets from 2:30pm.

Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ulAlam Hanif said they would act strongly if the BNP supporters attempted to create anarchy in the name of holding rally.

He also claimed that the Dhaka Metropolitan Police had already given them permission to hold rallies at the 16 spots.

According to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s political office at Dhanmondi, the 16 spots are Purabi Cinema Hall, Shyampur-Jurain rail gate, Demra-Jatrabari ground, Badda-Rampura petrol pump, Dhanmondi Road 32, Mirpur 1 (intersection), Lalbagh, Gulshan, Sutrapur, Tejgaon, Sabujbagh-Khilgaon, Uttara, Kamrangirchar, Mohammadpur, Kafrul and Suhrawardy Udyan.

Local lawmakers and senior leaders of ward units would lead the rallies in their respective areas.

5 | News

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday directed the Social Welfare Ministry to take steps to ensure shelter and education for the country’s all children, including orphans and street urchins.

6 | Nation

Even after twice extending the deadline of the Dhaka-Mymensingh Four-Lane Highway Project, its progress is very poor. Only 62 percent of the project has so far been completed.

4 | News

Ruben Eloy Arosemena Valdes, Panama Ambassador to South Korea, visited International Maritime Academy in Gazipur on Friday. Its commandant and senior cadets gave them a warm reception.

9 | World

Indonesia pledged yesterday to investigate flight violations by AirAsia, as search teams found four large parts of the airline’s plane that crashed into the sea last weekend with 162 people on board.

15 | Entertainment

Three Comrades completes hundred episodes today at 8:20pm on ETV. The drama is about three friends living in a rented house in Dhaka. The comedy is about hiccups faced by three young men namely Zia, Helal and Opu.

far Yasmin, who has worked at DMCH for twenty-two years said: “The blame always falls on the least powerful among us, part-timers, full-time nurses...but do you think any of this would be possible without the knowledge of the doctors?”

DMCH Director Brigadier General Mostafizur Rahman said: “We have installed closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) and posted guards in front of every ward after this wave of thefts began. We believe outsiders and parttime staff are responsible for it, and we have done our best to enforce entry barriers and the use of ID cards to control the situation.”

Infant boys fetch up to Tk1 lakh, more than double the average for infant girls who are sometimes sold for just Tk30,000 Investigators said the demand for newborns comes either from childless couples in search of a child to “adopt” or families without boy children who want to satisfy social preferences so badly that they are willing either to switch their own child for another’s or are willing to buy a stolen baby boy.

Buyers prefer newborns so that it is difficult for outsiders to claim the infant isn’t their own child.

The common practice is for the wife to “go away” for some time – to “give birth” at her “parents’ house” or a “hospital” – and then to reappear with a newborn in tow.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Minister: New pay scale likely from July 1

Trader killed in the capital n Tribune Report

n BSS

A trader was chopped to death in the capital’s East Tejturi Bazar area yesterday afternoon.

The dead was identified as Kalu, 37, a trader of the kitchen market.

Police sources said a man named Munna was arrested in connection with the killing. Munna, who lives in Mohakhali, was also a kitchen market trader.

Officer-in-Charge Mazharul Islam of Tejgaon police said primary investigation revealed that Kalu owed Tk2.8 lakh to Munna and for the last several days Munna was asking for the money.

“As Kalu did not make the payment, Munna went into Kalu’s house, which was on the sixth floor of an under construction building in the area, and chopped him to death,” the OC said. l

Terming the proposed salary scale to the government employees the biggest ever, State Minister for Finance MA Mannan yesterday said the example of enhancing allowance and salary for the government employee would continue in the future.

He hoped that the new pay scale would be implemented from July 1.

“We want an overall national development and to use all the time for development of our motherland,” he said while addressing the 18th inter-club competition of customs, excise and VAT. Mannan also said the government under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina was relentlessly working to free the country from the

Padma Bridge project  PAGE 1 COLUMN 4

sign boards are prominent on the Dhaka – Mawa road and give the riverbank the feel of an urban development site.

Twelve years ago, a bigha [one-third of an acre] of land in Lauhajong upazila cost about Tk1 lakh. Today, one katha [one-twentieth of a bigha] costs from Tk3 to 4 lakh, a sixty to eighty-fold increase in just over a decade.

The bridge project has fast-tracked development and commercial speculation in Munshiganj, Shariatpur and Madaripur.

For instance, the Dhaka-Mawa Highway has been proposed to be upgraded to a four-lane highway. The Mawa-Munshiganj road has been broadened to accommodate access to the new ferry terminal at Shimuliya, where it has been shifted from Mawa because of construction work on the Padma Bridge project.

The Mawa-Shimuliya single-lane road is being upgraded by the army.

At Kumarbagh, at the construction yard made by the China Major Bridge Engineering Company (CMBEC) on the banks of the Padma River, crowds of people have congregated in search of jobs.

One of them, Monju Hasan, who worked on the Mongla Port project as an assistant surveyor, wants to do the same job on the Padma Bridge project.

He said: “I live in Munshiganj, but I have come here in the hope of landing a job.” Job hunters and small entrepreneurs have thronged to the construction site in the hope of capitalising on the new opportunity.

When the bridge is completed, more jobs will be created for the maintenance of the toll plaza and for cleaning and security operations.

Amid the mad rush for jobs, fraudulent placement agencies are doing a brisk business. Some have collected more than Tk1cr from poor labourers.

More than 19 districts will be served by it. When the Padma Multi-purpose Bridge comes into operation it is estimated that it will induce GDP growth of 1.23%. l

curse of terrorism, militancy and fundamentalism. He also urged the public servants to work relentlessly to turn the country into a middle income one within 2021.

Chairman of the National Board of Revenue Golam Hossain and senior officials of customs, excise and VAT, among others, addressed the function as special guests.

A total of 900 NBR employees from all over the country attended the event.

The Eighth Pay and Service Commission has recommended doubling the salaries for government employees on an average in its report submitted to the finance minister.

According to the recommendations, the minimum basic pay for civil servants will be now Tk8,200 while the maximum pay would be Tk80,000 – a 100% raise. l

Two BNP activists showing the handcuff to photojournalists while being taken to Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court in the capital yesterday.

Police arrested scores of BNP activists suspecting that they might unleash violence during BNP’s rally tomorrow MEHEDI HASAN

Awami League firm on occupying all the city streets  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

On the other hand, the BNP supporters have reportedly planned to take position in 10 spots of the capital tomorrow to observe “Democracy Killing Day.” Then they will march towards the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters in small processions.

On January 5, the Awami League will hold rallies in divisions, districts and upazilas, and also at 16 points in the capital. The rally on January 6 is set to be held at the Central Shaheed Minar. The party would organise another rally on January 10 at the Suhrawardy Udyan marking the Homecoming Day of Bangabandhu.

When contacted, DMP Deputy Commissioner Masudur Rahman said they had only given “verbal permission” to the Awami League. “But a decision in this regard [on both parties’ applica-

tions] will be made today.”

Another DMP official seeking anonymity told the Dhaka Tribune that section 144 could be imposed to avert any untoward incident as two major parties had announced programmes simultaneously.

The authorities last week banned public gatherings in Gazipur that foiled BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s rally since the Awami League’s student body Chhatra League had declared a counter rally at the same venue the same day.

State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal yesterday said the authority of giving permission for rallies lies with the police.

He earlier said the BNP-led 20-party alliance would not be allowed to hold any rally if there was apprehension that the party’s supporters might get involved in subversive activities.

The recent developments centring tomorrow’s programmes have galvanised the political situation of the country as both the parties have been seen firm on their stances. The BNP has threatened tougher movement if their programmes were obstructed. Its leaders warned that they would not allow the Awami League to hold rally peacefully, if barred.

The 20-party alliance led by the BNP boycotted the January 5 election held last year.

BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said they would hold the rally at any cost.

Criticising him for the statement, Hanif on Friday said the BNP leaders’ threats and provocative speeches proved that they did not respect the law.

The Awami League earlier an-

BNP to march towards Nayapaltan through 10 points  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

talking and making preparations about reminding people big time about what they say was an “illegal and one-sided election” that took place exactly a year ago.

On the other hand, the ruling Awami League has also been trying to charge up its leaders and activists to remain visible and active on the streets in order to prevent what they say was “BNP-Jamaat’s attempt to create anarchy in the name of a movement.”

On December 22, the BNP applied to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and the Public Works Department (PWD), seeking permission to hold a rally at either the Suhrawardy Udyan or Nayapaltan or the Shapla Intersection in Motijheel.

The BNP is looking to observe January 5 as the “democracy killing day.”

However, the Awami League by then had already sought permission from the administration to hold several rallies in the city on the same day, which for them is the “victory day of democracy.”

Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul Alam Hanif yesterday

claimed that they had already got permission to stage rallies at 16 points in the capital.

The BNP however claimed that they have not managed to even meet the DMP boss despite several attempts over the last few days.

Contacted, DMP Deputy Commissioner Masudur Rahman said they had only given verbal permission to the Awami League and a final decision about both the applications would be made today.

However, seeking anonymity, a high official of DMP told the Dhaka Tribune that they are discussing whether or not to impose section 144 in the city, just like what has been done in Gazipur recently, if both the parties remain adamant.

State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal warned that if anyone tries to disturb law and order situation then law enforcers will be strict.

BNP’s strategy

A senior BNP leader told the Dhaka Tribune that the plan for January 5 is to march towards their Nayapaltan office through 10 different points in the

capital.

He said BNP’s ally Jamaat-e-Islami has been assigned to occupy six of those points in the city.

The Dhaka-based leaders of the BNP have had to face the music for putting up a dismal performance when the party and its allies were trying to resist the January 5 national election last year.

Apparently having learned from that, the party is now trying to make sure that the leaders and activists of its Dhaka city unit are on the same page this time. The BNP is also trying to make sure that the senior leaders from the other allies also stay in the streets.

Sources said senior BNP and alliance leaders will accompany the Dhaka city unit leaders and activists in the march towards the party office.

On Friday night, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia held a meeting with some senior leaders including acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at her Gulshan residence.

The decision to march towards the Nayapaltan office was finalised in that meeting.

Yesterday afternoon, Fakhrul reportedly held a meeting with the lead-

Power generation capacity doubled in 6 years  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

sector to set up 65 power plants from 2009 to 2014.

Shortfalls of electricity generation compared with national demand has been a problem for the country since independence. An adequate and uninterrupted power supply is a crucial factor for fostering economic growth.

To cope with the severe power crisis, the government entered into contractual agreements for high-cost temporary solutions, such as rental power and small independent power producers (IPPs, mostly diesel or furnace oil based) on an emergency basis.

At the aggregate level, the estimated relationship between gross domestic product (GDP) and electricity generation shows that an extra economic output (value added) in the range of Tk46mn to Tk107mn (at constant 1995/96 prices) is generated for every million kilowatt-hours (MkWh) increase in electricity supply in Bangladesh, according to a study titled “Quick Rental Power Plants in Bangladesh: An Economic Appraisal” conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies in June 2013.

This implies that in fiscal year 201112 alone, the contribution of additional electricity generated by the quick rental power plants to GDP was between Tk23,312cr and Tk54,226cr at constant 1995/96 prices, which is equivalent to between Tk52,093cr and Tk121,168cr at 2011/12 prices, it said.

In 2009, when the Awami League took office, the country’s power generation capacity was 4,942MW. This number rose to 11,265MW last year, Mohammad Hossain, director gener-

nounced to hold a grand rally for tomorrow. But later they deferred it by a day after the BNP announced a rally on the same day.

Dhaka city unit General Secretary Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya earlier said activists of the BNP-Jamaat alliance led by Khaleda Zia would not be allowed to take to the streets from this month.

Maya, also the disaster management and relief minister, claimed that supporters of the Awami League’s Dhaka city unit, Chhatra League, Jubo League, Sechchasebak League and other associate bodies would take position everywhere to protest BNP’s agitation.

Ruling 14-party ally Workers Party has also announced a rally in the capital for tomorrow to observe “Victory Day of Democracy.” l

Subject

Year: 2009

Year: 2014

Achievement

Number of Power Plants

27

92

65

Installed Power Generation Capacity

4,942MW

11,265MW

6,323MW

Highest electricity generation

3,268MW (January, 6)

7,418MW (July,18)

4,150MW

Total Transmission lines

8,000 circuit kilometres

9,536 circuit kilometres

1,536 circuit kilometres

Total Distribution lines

260,000 kilometres

303,000 kilometres

43,000 kilometres

Access to electricity (%)

47%

68%

21%

Per capita power generation

220kWh

348kWh

128kWh

Installed Solar Home system

40,000

3.3 million

3.26 million

Number of irrigation pumps

234,000

308,000

74,000

Number of Consumers

10,800,000

15,400,000

4,600,000

Total system loss reduction (%)

18.45%

14.13%

4.32%

Source: Power Division al of the Power Cell, under the Power Division of Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Countrywide, electricity generation was 3,268MW at the beginning of 2009, and reached 7,418MW in July last year, he said.

“The success was achieved through long term, mid-term and emergency measures adopted as part of the government’s power sector guidelines. As the country continues to industrialise the importance of power generation and its supply will grow,” he said.

“A flourishing economic growth, fast urbanisation and increased industrialisation and development has increased the country’s demand for electricity. Electricity is a key ingredient for the socio-economic development of

the country,” State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid told the Dhaka Tribune.

“The government has given top priority to the development of the sector considering its importance in the overall development of the country. The government has set the goal of providing electricity to all citizens by 2021,” he added.

Right after assuming office in 2009, in order to address the debilitating power shortages plaguing Bangladesh from 2001 onwards, the Awami League-led government formulated the forward looking Power Sector Master Plan 2010.

Nasrul said that a total of 65 power plants with a combined capacity of 5,091MW were commissioned and 500MW of power is being imported from India.

ers from the party’s Dhaka city unit and gave them directives about the points they should take position at.

Text messages containing directives in this regard were also sent to the mobile phones of the assigned leaders.

A senior BNP leader said: “Madam [Khaleda] has asked the senior leaders not to flee leaving the activists alone on the streets.”

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, joint secretary general of BNP, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We will hold a rally at any cost and nobody can prevent us.” He also hoped that the government will not do anything that may lead in anarchy.

Sources said the BNP is also planning to enforce consecutive hartals starting January 6, leaving the Ijtema days free.

Permission drama

Yesterday, around 11:30am, a 3-member BNP team went to meet the DMP commissioner at his Bailey Road office; but they could not meet him because he was busy.

Once before on Thursday, the BNP tried in vain to meet the DMP boss.

“Just like Thursday, we failed to

Policeman held for bike theft n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong Police in a drive arrested five motorbike thieves and a police constable connected to the theft gang from Raozan upazila early yesterday.

Police constable Monir Alam Joni of Sandwip upazila worked at the Public Order Management (POM) department of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP).

Joni was promoted to the CMP in October, said CMP’s Assistant Commissioner (AC) Hasanuzzaman Mollah of Double Mooring circle. The AC said a case was filed with Halishahar police station following arrests centring on motorcycle theft.

During interrogation, police found Monir’s involvement in the gang. l

meet the DMP commissioner or other senior officials. So, we are yet to get permission for the rally,” said Zainul Abdin Farroque, publicity secretary of BNP. Asked what they will do if they do not get permission, Farroque said: “As we believe in democracy, we will keep seeking permission. We are still hoping that we will get it. If we do not, we will go ahead with the rally.”

Officials told the BNP delegation that the commissioner was busy with Ijtema security preparations and so he could not give them time.

Benazir Ahmed has recently been appointed the director general of RAB; but he still doing office as he is yet to hand over responsibility to new DMP commissioner Assaduzzaman Mia. State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told reporters yesterday: “It is up to the Police. DMP commissioner knows who to give permission. It is his decision.”

He also said: “One thing is very clear – political parties will announce their activities. If those programmes disturb others and violence takes place then we will have things to do.” l

Trade in stolen newborns spiked Of the total of 5,091MW, gas-based plants produce 2,537MW while liquid fuel-based plants account for 2,554MW. The additional capacity has been added in annual increases of 365MW, 775MW, 1763MW, 951MW, 1163MW and 583MW respectively in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

He said the present government had prioritised the power sector right from the publication of its election manifesto.

The government aims to generate an additional over 9,600MW electricity by 2018 under short, medium and longterm plans, he added.

“A total of $5.2bn has been invested in establishing power plants from 2009 to 2014 of which $2.8bn was invested in public sector projects and $2.4bn was invested in private sector projects,” the state minister said.

“Another $8.5bn is needed to complete the ongoing power plant projects.

Of that, $4.3bn is needed for government-owned projects and $4.2bn for private sector projects,” Nasrul added.

Bangladesh is now importing power from India. Power from India began to flow in October, 2013.

Bangladesh has achieved the fastest growth rate for installing solar home systems in the world, at a rate of 70,000 systems every month. Over 3 million systems have already been installed with support from development partners.

“Presently, 68% of the total population has access to electricity, including renewable energy, and the per capita generation is 348kWH, which is very low compared to other developing countries,” he said. l

 PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

This preference for boy children in the infant theft business is reflected in the price, with infant boys fetching up to Tk1 lakh, more than double the average for infant girls who are sometimes sold for just Tk30,000.

Gangs have their own jargon to disguise the transactions that they negotiate. They call boys, “jamai” [groom], and girls “bou” [bride], when discussing the infants they are hoping to steal, and sell.

Baby theft

The most recent child theft took place last Monday at Ward number 22 at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH).

Rubina Begum gave birth to a girl around 12:30pm, and lost consciousness while delivering her first-born.

The baby girl was given to her grandmother. The baby’s father, Torikul Islam, after seeing his newborn daughter’s face, went to buy medicine for his recovering wife.

The grandmother remained busy with the care of the infant.

At 1pm, a friendly woman, unknown to the family, came to the ward and became affectionate with the infant. Seeing her ease with the child, the grandmother left the baby briefly in the woman’s care and went out to fetch some dry swaddling clothes.

When she returned, there was no trace of the woman or her grand-daughter. Word of the theft spread rapidly and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB 5) led the investigation. Within two days, the baby had been returned to its mother.

Three people, including the woman from the ward, had been arrested. Two

of the arrestees turned out to be hospital part-time staff.

Similar cases have been reported in Rangpur, Barisal, Sylhet and Comilla.

In the capital, the majority of cases of newborn theft have been reported from four hospitals: DMCH, Azimpur Maternity Hospital, Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital (SSMCH) and Matuail Maternity Hospital.

Police sources said one reason these gangs continue to strike repeatedly was because they were granted bail relatively quickly by the courts due to loopholes in the law.

For example, one of the top infant theft gang leaders, Dipali, believed to have been involved in more than 30 child thefts from DMCH, SSMCH and other hospitals, was bailed by the High Court just two weeks after her arrest.

Her associates, Nilufa Begum, 35, Munni Akther, 28, and Nasima Begum, 32, all arrested by Nawabpur police at the same time as Dipali, were also bailed by the High Court.

In a separate incident, RAB officials arrested four women, Kohinur Begum, 35, Jhorna Begum, 30, Renu Akther, 28, and Nurjahan Begum, 38, for their involvement in child theft from the DMCH. They were all part-time nurseassistants.

In interrogation, police learned that this was not their first arrest for stealing infants. They had been arrested – and bailed – before.

Lt Col Khandaker Golam Sarwar, commanding officer of RAB 3, said his force was investigating the infant theft situation and the trade in newborns.l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

3

Sunday, January 4, 2015

FAST-TRACK PROJECTS

Body readies eleven modalities to check irregularities n Asif Showkat Kallol The government has developed several monitoring modalities to closely observe the implementation of the seven fast-track projects, involving over $16.5bn, and ensure transparency in tender processes.

Apparently learning from the allegations of corruption raised by the World Bank regarding the Padma bridge project, the government now wants to keep the implementation of the fast-track projects spotless.

The projects are: Padma bridge; metro rail; deep-sea port; 1,320 megawatt Rampal Power Plant; Matabari 1,200MW power plant; 1,000 MW Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant; and LNG Terminal.

The matter came up a couple of weeks ago during a meeting of the “fast-track projects monitoring committee,” chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

On January 7, the set of 11 modalities will be sent to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) for approval.

PM’s Principle Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday: “We want to introduce e-tender. Everyone will participate and that will definitely ensure transparency in the fast-track projects.”

According to the decisions made in the committee meeting, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will closely monitor the fast-track projects which, once implemented, are expected to reshape Bangladesh’s economic outlook, improve communication and accelerate GDP growth.

The ADB will also regularly recommend the first-track task force based

on the monitoring outcomes.

One of the modalities follows an ADB recommendation that monitoring will be easier if the ministries and divisions concerned prepare budgets for projects.

Another modality says ministries and divisions will follow the public procurement regulations and contacts for procurement of equipment.

Tender documents should be transparent and matters would not be hazed in the tender documents.

The authorities would appoint several deputy project directors to smoothen operation of the seven firsttrack projects.

If necessary, the government can introduced e-tenders for the projects and publicise them in well-circulated dailies and on the website of Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU).

Progress of the first-track projects will be regularly uploaded on the website of ministries and divisions concerned with photographs, says another modality.

Project directors will look into the weaknesses of the projects under a critical ratio process, according to another modality.

In June 2012, the World Bank cancelled its financing plan for the Padma bridge project after corruption allegations were brought against some public servants.

Bangladesh eventually withdrew its request for funds in January 2013, just before an expert panel reported that the government had not carried out full and fair corruption investigation it had promised, and decided to implement the project with its own funds. l

Youth dies while taking selfie on flyover n Tribune Report A youth died after being hit by a motorbike while taking selfie on Mayor Hanif Flyover in the city’s Jatrabari area on Friday night.

The deceased was identified as M Anwar Hossain, 22, a resident of Dakkhinkhan.

His friend Mehedi Hasan said four of them on two motorbikes went to the flyover for a pleasure ride.

After parking the bikes on a corner of the flyover at the Dholaipar portion, they began to take photos with their mobile cameras. Suddenly another speedy motorbike plying almost at the

corner of the flyover hit Anwar leaving him critically injured.

They rushed Anwar to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) where the duty doctor declared him dead around 9:15pm.

Meanwhile, the motorbike that killed Anwar also faced accident. Two riders – Rubel and Shamim – of the bike were injured on the flyover, few yards off the spot.

They were also taken to the DMCH, where Anwar’s friends identified them and informed the police who immediately arrested the duo, confirmed DMCH police camp in-charge inspector Mozammel Haque. l

A common yet disturbing scene of the capital where cars and motorbikes are parked in front of a sign that clearly reads ‘no parking’ in the Naya Paltan area. The photo was taken yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Bangladesh Chhatra League in a shambles n Ahmed Zayeef

Chhatra League’s organisational structure is in terrible disorder as the central committee as well as most of the district committees expired last year, with no sign of fresh councils.

Many Chhatra League leaders, including the president and the general secretary of the central committee, have government jobs but are still holding their organisational positions, violating the charter.

The present central committee led

by President HM Bodiuzzaman Shohag and General Secretary Siddique Nazmul Alam – both students of Dhaka University – was formed on July 11, 2011.

It ran out in July last year and a new committee should have been formed through a council before that but no council has been held as yet, much to the frustration of the leaders who aspire to lead the organisation in the future.

The current committee was also supposed to form 101 local committees in districts before becoming expired.

But in the past three years, only 54 committees were formed, 17 of which have already run out.

The organisation’s charter says nobody above the age of 29 can become a member of the central committee.

The fact that a council is not on the cards worries leaders who are nearing the age limit.

Apart from the anomalies, members of the ruling party’s student wing have also drawn criticism for their alleged involvement in acts like extortion, mugging and taking money in the name of securing admission to different educational institutions.

Chhatra League activists hardly follow the organisation’s charter, which makes it mandatory for the primary members to renew their membership at the end of every academic session.

But the requirement has not been fulfilled in the recent years.

The charter also says the central executive committee should hold a meeting in every two months, but only two meetings were arranged by the present committee before it expired.

Violation of employment-membership rule

According to section 2(c) of the charter of Chhatra League, those who begin working in the public sector cannot continue holding their posts.

Website of the organisation says Rahul Patwari is the programme and planning secretary but he joined the police department through BCS. Similarly, Chhatra League’s Mass Education Secretary Mukib Mia is now an education officer (BCS) while both Health Secretary Ataul Karim and Private University Secretary Md Zaved are health officers (BCS).

Deputy Office Secretary Rashed-

CPD: Low private investment, infrastructural bottlenecks, sluggish reform hindering growth n Tribune Report About 40% entrepreneurs did not opt for fresh investment in the current fiscal year due to political uncertainty that persisted in the country centring the January 5 election, said a new study.

On December last year, the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), a local think-tank, carried out the study on the present state of investment by interviewing 11 entrepreneurs and businessmen from ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, medical services, jute, IT, printing and publishing, light engineering, plastic and construction sectors.

According to the study, 60% of the interviewees made new investment during fiscal year 2014-2015 while the rest 40% did not do so fearing political instability.

The findings of the study titled ‘State of the Bangladesh Economy in FY 2014-15 (first reading)’ was shared at a briefing at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital yesterday.

“This indicates that some entrepreneurs continue to have uncertainty in regard to business environment,” said CPD Executive Director Mustafizur Rahman.

The report said new investment was carried out by taking loan from the financial institutions although some sectors, such as jute, did not get loan as the sector was considered as ‘non-viable’.

Moreover, production growth of

these enterprises during the first half of FY15 was not very impressive with only 30% respondents mentioning a rise in production while 50% reporting the same level of production. The rest 20% of respondents said production slumped in their enterprises.

He termed the existing 6% GDP growth as ‘Bangla Growth’ and said Bangladesh needed ‘Super Bangla Growth’ of 8% to 10% In the backdrop of relatively calm environment of the first half of FY15, private investment was expected to pick up. But data shows only a modest rise in investment, the CPD said.

“Investors were unable to take the advantage of improved political stability after the election as uncertainty still persists,” said Rahman.

“Infrastructural bottlenecks coupled with lack of reform measures have held back private investment,” he added.

“Crowding in of the private investment will also depend on the speedy implementation of the major public sector infrastructure projects where pace of implementation has been rather slow.”

“For encouraging private investment and regaining the growth momentum, a conducive political envi-

ronment that generates confidence, will be the key determining factor as the economy enters into the second half of FY2015,” he said.

The CPD executive director highlighted that Bangladesh was concerned only about the remittance inflow, but it was not aware about remittance outflow and money laundering. Quoting a survey of an Indian organisation, he said Bangladesh was the fifth largest remittance source for India.

Also present in the event, CPD distinguished fellow Debapriya Bhattacharya said the economy had remained stuck at 6% over the past few years due to the sluggish private investment.

He termed the existing 6% GDP growth as ‘Bangla Growth’ and said Bangladesh needed ‘Super Bangla Growth’ like 8% to 10%. And faster private investment growth was needed for that.

About Bangladesh Bank’s GDP growth estimation of 6.5% in the current fiscal year, Debapriya said it would be a daunting challenge for the government.

The CPD fellow said political uncertainty still looms large in the new calendar year, and the room for political coexistence and freedom of expression were shrinking day by day.

Identifying traditional hindrances like power, gas, land scarcity and corruption for sluggish private investment, he said, “these are nothing but uncertainty in the political front.”

Debapriya doubted the authenticity

of many economic data and questioned industrial term loan, saying the government data produced on the industrial term loan and the classified loan do not reflect the true picture.

The CPD was critical of the growing non-performing loan in the banking sector and deceleration of the readymade garment exports.

It said growth of export earnings, an important indicator of vibrancy in the manufacturing sector, had not picked up as yet.

On revenue target, it said the budgetary targets for FY15 needed to be reviewed at the earliest, and had to be matched with the reality.

“Without significant strengthening of institutional capacity, revenue collection will pose a greater challenge for the coming fiscal year as well,” it said adding that revenue generation targets for FY15 are already under serious strain.

The think tank also raised question over the role of Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission in giving IPO nod in 2014 saying the quality of initial public offering was questionable.

The early trends of macroeconomic aggregates in FY15 suggested that while positive trends are recorded in terms of declining inflation, stable exchange rate, higher foreign exchange reserves and recovery of remittance growth, a number of disquieting fault lines are emerging which could undermine the macroeconomic stability, the report said. l

uzzaman is a library official at Dhaka University, Deputy Literature Secretary Sheikh Baten and Deputy Finance Secretary Syed Ashraful Alam are NSI officers, Deputy Information and Research Secretary Imran is a BCS (economics) officer, Deputy Literature Secretaries Tarikul Islam and Shahidullah Mamun are sub-inspectors, and Deputy Health Secretary Mahfuzur Rahman is a lecturer at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.

Siddique Nazmul Alam claimed these people were no longer in the committee and the list on the website had not been updated.

But several Chhatra League leaders confirmed that the aforementioned members were yet to give up their posts.

Expired district committees

Chhatra League has 101 district committees, and according to section 9(b) of its charter, such a committee is valid for only a year. This makes 37 district committees, which were formed last year, still valid.

But 25 committees were formed in 2012, 13 in 2011 and two in 2012, and all those have run out.

The committees in Faridpur, Shariatpur, Bagerhat and Madaripur were formed at least a decade ago.

Requesting anonymity, an organising secretary of the central committee of Chhatra League said: “Top leaders

took large sums of money from local leaders while forming committees which is why councils were not held.

Announcements were made only through press releases.”

Siddique Nazmul Alam told the Dhaka Tribune they were working on it.

“We formed a good number of committees last year,” he added.

No sign of council

On August 31 last year, the central committee held a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the chief guest.

Those who joined the rally expected specific directives from the prime minister about forming a fresh committee but she said nothing about that.

Asking not to be named, a vice-president of the central committee said: “She [Hasina] was our last hope as we expected that she would address the issue. But she said nothing, leaving us very frustrated. We do not know how long we will have to wait for another council.”

Siddique Nazmul Alam told the Dhaka Tribune they were busy with the district committees and would arrange a council of the central committee when the prime minister would direct to do so.

“Chhatra League is a big organisation. Two years are not enough to finish all the organisational tasks.

Not just us, every previous central committee functioned even after expiry,” he added. l

Chief claims Election Commission is neutral n Tribune Report Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed yesterday claimed that the commission had proved that it was neutral enough to ensure neutrality during elections.

“We conducted the Gazipur City Corporation election. There we proved how to act neutrally and create a level-playing field for all parties,” the CEC said while visiting the server station at Bandarban district election office, our correspondent reported.

Some influential political leaders have reportedly been assisting the illegal Rohingyas, living outside the two registered camps in Cox’s Bazar His comments came couple of days after BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had placed seven proposals to the government including ensuring level-playing field for all political parties.

Calling for initiating dialogue, Khaleda also demanded that the EC be reconstituted, the existing voter list updated while the RPO amended before declaring schedule for mid-term poll.

The BNP, its 19 other allies and some other parties boycotted the January 5 election.

Senior leaders of the ruling Awami League have rejected Khaleda’s propos-

als saying that no election would be held before 2019 and that the demand for a caretaker government was irrational.

Asked about the EC’s measures on inclusion of the illegal Rohingyas in the voter list, Rakibuddin said they had taken special measures for updating the voter list in three districts.

He possibly referred to Bandarban, Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong where presence of the Myanmar Muslims is significant.

“We are adding new voters following strict scrutiny in three districts. A special committee is looking into the process. Here 23 points of information are sought from the new voters, and then the data is cross matched,” the CEC said.

Some influential political leaders have reportedly been assisting the illegal Rohingyas, living outside the two registered camps in Cox’s Bazar, in securing national identity cards, allegations say.

Since the independence, Rohingyas have regularly been coming to Bangladesh followed by sectarian violence in Rakhine province of Myanmar. After getting the NIDs, they identify them as Bangladeshis and even secure passports.

Rakibuddin also said the EC had taken initiatives to hold the local government polls quickly. “Elections to the union councils will be held very soon.

The EC is taking preparations in this regard,” BSS quotes him as saying.

The server station has been built at the place of old post office at a cost of Tk98 lakh. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Dhaka sends 28.71 lakh workers abroad in 6yrs n BSS Bangladesh sent 28,71,705 workers with overseas jobs and received $ 76,604.38 million remittance between 2009 and December, 2014, said an official.

“Manpower export is a prospective sector and the government declared it as a thrust sector,” he said adding that the government has taken a realistic plan to send workers abroad with employment.

The country sent 4,20,612 workers along with 67,583 female workers abroad from January to December, 2014 Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Engineer Khandker Mosharraf Hossain said that the government is expecting overseas employment for six to seven lakh more per year as the global economy recovering from its downturn.

He said the present government has sent workers to 160 countries as a result of its successful labour diplomacy.

“Efforts are underway to explore new labour markets all over the globe and the government has set up tech-

nical training centres at district headquarters to produce skilled and semiskilled workers,” Mosharraf said.

He said the government has set up 47 vocational training centres, four institutes of marine technology across the country for imparting training to a large number of workers and a project is undertaken to set up over 400 upazila-level vocational training centres.

“We have reduced migration cost and provided necessary training to workers to send skilled manpower abroad and the remittance flow gradually increased,” the minister said.

According to the ministry sources, the present government has been able to send workers to 159 countries as a result of its successful labour diplomacy while the previous four-party alliance government had sent workers to only 69 countries.

Sources said Malaysia has legalised 2,67,803 unauthorised Bangladeshi workers there due to successful diplomatic measures taken by the present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The most significant is that the country sent 4,20,612 workers along with 67,583 female workers abroad from January to December, 2014 receiving clearance from the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET), it added. l

Bangladesh Inter-District Truck Drivers’ Union brings out a rally from the capital’s Gabtoli area yesterday protesting intensity of the penalty given to drivers for accidents and existing irregularities in issuance of driving licenses SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Madhusudan Sangskriti University demanded in Sagordari

Man held for slandering PM n Our Correspondent, Brahmanbaria

n Our Correspondent, Jessore

Police yesterday arrested a 35-year-old man for allegedly slandering Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Brahmanbaria.

The arrested was Rajon Das. Nabinagar police OC Rupok Kumar Saha said the villagers beat him up after they learned that he had posted a status on the facebook slandering the prime minister and then “we arrested him from the village.” l

Residents of Jessore have demanded a university be built in the memory of legendary poet and dramatist Micheal Madhusudan Dutt in his hometown Sagordari.

The pioneer of Bangla drama was born on the bank of Kopotaksho River in Sagordari, a village in Keshabpur up-

azila of Jessore district.

The members of Madhusudan Sangskriti University Implementation Committee placed the demand at Keshabpur Press Club yesterday.

Already there are tourist centres, institutions, primary schools, academies and different socio-cultural organisations established in the name of the celebrated poet in the village, said the

Panama Ambassador to Korea visits IMA n Tribune Report Ruben Eloy Arosemena Valdes, Panama Ambassador to South Korea with his spouse Ana Lorena visited International Maritime Academy (IMA) in Gazipur on Friday.

Its commandant and senior cadets gave a warm reception to the ambassador with a guard of honour.

The ambassador also visited the newly commissioned fire-fighting complex with the smoke chamber for simulating advanced fire fighting

Youth held for obnoxious facebook status over Islam Correspondent, n Our Habiganj

Police arrested a 22-year-old man yesterday for allegedly making an “obnoxious” remark against Islam recently in Habiganj.

The arrested was identified as Tony Chowdhury Krishna, son of Promoth Chodhury, from Saradnagar village in the district’s Ajmiriganj upazila.

Ajmiriganj police station Officer-in-Charge Taimur Bakht Chowdhury said they arrested him after locals had taken out a procession, alleging that he be arrested and put on trial immediately for posting an “obnoxious” status on the facebook, targetting Islam recently.

Further actions would be taken after looking into this, he said. l

2 fake RAB officials held in Mymensingh Correspondent, n Our Mymensingh Police have detained two men in Nandail on charges of intimidating people into giving money by impersonating RAB officials.

Md Jewel Mia and Sabbir Ahmed were held in the late hours of Friday night at Janata market where they were gambling.

Both hail from Nandail while Jewel was said to a BGB official, who is posted in Panchagarh.

OC said the two were sent to court yesterday in a case filed against them after their detention. l

techniques, during which IMA Chairman Emdadul Haque Chowdhury briefed him about maritime training facilities and employment sector of Bangladesh.

Besides, the chairman informed of long-term plans for the academy, which ensures employment of all its cadets after completion of their course.

Ruben Eloy expressed his satisfaction at the move and assured of giving all possible assistance on behalf of his government for the sake of Bangladesh seafarers in Panama flag vessels. l

speakers. Now time demands that a cultural university be built in the name of Dutt in Sagordari, they said.

With MR Khairul Umam as the convener, the 501-member committee was formed on December 20 last year.

Advocate Abu Bakar Siddiqui and poet Khasri Parvez were made joint convener and member secretary respectively. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

5

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Prime minister: Arrange shelter, education for all children n UNB Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday directed the Social Welfare Ministry to take steps to ensure shelter and education for the country’s all children, including orphans and street urchins.

“I don’t want to see any child passing days in a miserable condition living alongside streets without going to school…we’ll have to ensure a better life for them all,” she said.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the National Social Services Day 2015 and inaugural of the Social Services Week 2015 at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city.

'I don’t want to see any child passing days in a miserable condition living alongside streets without going to school…we’ll have to ensure a better life for them all' Sheikh Hasina said her government is implementing many programmes for the welfare of the ultra poor, physically-challenged people, windows, abandoned women and shelter-less people as it believes in the welfare of commoners.

She said if these people get some money in their hands the social status of these people will improve a lot.

Hasina also mentioned that the government has taken programmes for the welfare of marginalised people, hijra

(transgender), dalit (untouchable) and bede (nomadic) communities of the country as they are usually neglected socially and economically.

She said it would not take too long to fulfill people’s basic rights -- food, cloths, shelter, medicare and education -- as the government has taken numerous programmes to this end.

“We want to make sure that the country’s people will enjoy their five basic rights…some of those have been already been achieved…we’ll be able to attain more, we’ll be able to achieve the rest of the target, it’ll not take that much time to reach the target,” Hasina said.

Observing that the country’s poverty rate now stands at 24 percent, Hasina reiterated that this has to be brought down by 10 percent further before her government’s current term ends.

“We’re planning our programmes keeping this target in mind….I believe this can be done,” the PM said directing the officials and employees of the Social Welfare Ministry to play a greater role in achieving the target.

Social Welfare Ministry organised the programme with its minister Syed Mohsin Ali in the chair.

Speaking on the occasion, Mohsin Ali came down heavily on the country’ s businesspeople saying that they are always driven by profit motive, not humanity.

Talking about farmers’ woes, the minister said potato price had marked a sharp fall last year, depriving the farmers even of their production cost.

“At that time, the price of potato in Sri Lanka was Tk40,” he said adding that Bangladesh could have exported potato to Sri Lanka, and requested the Prime Minister to look into the matter. l

The cars used for training by different driving schools are seen illegally parked on a street in the capital’s Rajarbag area yesterday

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

‘No BNP rally until Tarique Rahman apologises’ n DU Correspondent

The BNP will not be allowed to hold any rally in the country if its Senior Vice-chairman Tarique Rahman does not apologise for his derogatory comments on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, central Chhatra League General Secretary Siddique Nazmul Alam said yesterday.

Addressing a programme arranged to mark Chhatra League’s 67th founding anniversary at Aparajeyo Bangla on the campus of Dhaka University, he called on Chhatra League activists to be prepared to face BNP men on streets tomorrow.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Abdus Sobhan Golap and Awami League Joint Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif were among those who inaugurated the programme.

Obaidul Quader, also a former Chhatra League leader, said 2015 would be a year full of challenges as the BNP and its associate organisations might create anarchy in the name of democratic movement.

“This is why you [Chhatra League activists] must play a crucial role to resist any attempt to create anarchy,” he said.

The minister urged Chhatra League

leaders to cooperate with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for making Bangladesh a developed country.

Bodiuzzaman Shohag, president of Chhatra League, said the next central Chhatra League council would be held very soon.

“We have already held councils in half of the districts and are gradually working to complete the rest,” he said.

As part of the celebration, a slew of Chhatra League activists joined a huge procession which paraded through different streets before ending outside Chhatra League’s Bangabandhu Avenue office.

Chhatra League activists also cut a cake at Curzon Hall late yesterday night in celebration of the anniversary. They hoisted the national flag and the party flag of Awami League at the party office early this morning.

They also laid floral wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu in the morning.

Founded on January 4, 1948, Chhatra League started its journey as a student organisation at the instruction of Bangabandhu.

This year, the anniversary was celebrated a day earlier as today is Eid-e-Miladunnabi, which is a public holiday. l

‘Natyaparban 2015’ begins at JU n JU Correspondent

CU BCL faction’s blockade gets two-day interval

With a slogan of “Astitter Dohone Laxmo Astitter Hunkar”, a six-day theatre festival titled Natyaparban 2015 began at Jahangirnagar University (JU) yesterday.

JU’s theatre organization arranged the festival in the university’s Selim Al Deen Muktamoncha gallery where five troops would stage some six plays, the organisers said.

On the inaugural day, Dhaka Theatre’s “Iti Patramita” was staged while awaiting plays are Uaan Darien by Jahangirnagar Theatre on Sunday, Rupchan Shundorir Pala by Bangalok on Monday, The Outsider by Jahangirnagar Theatre on Tuesday, Shesher Kobita

by Theatre Art Unit on Wednesday and Shey Raate Purnima Chhilo by Arshinagar Theatre on the closing day. l

n CU Correspondent

WEATHER

Marking the ‘Deshtake Porishkar Kori Dibosh’ (Let’s Clean Up the Country Day), volunteers of Poribartan Chai conduct a cleanliness drive inside the Osmani Udyan in the capital yesterday RAJIB DHAR

LIGHT RAIN

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4 DHAKA TODAY TOMORROW SUN SETS 5:25PM SUN RISES 6:42AM FORECAST FOR TODAY 27 28 24 25 26 27 25 27

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

17 20 14 14 16 18 16 20

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

32.1ºC Sitakunda

16.5ºC Dinajpur

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajr Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

5:22am 6:41am 12:03am 3:48pm 5:24pm 6:45pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

School teacher saves child from forced marriage in Brahmanbaria

PALS training centre opened in the capital

Correspondent, n Our Brahmanbaria

The International Training Centre of the Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) was opened in the capital on Wednesday with an aim to provide hands-on training to different medical institutions in the country.

The project is a joint initiative of Distressed Children & Infants International (DCI) and Pediatric Education Development Society (PEDS) International, according to a press release.

American Heart Association (AHA) International and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) collaborated in this project, the press release said.

Dr Matthew D Kaye, director, office of Volunteer Programs and Service Learning, Sacred Heart University, CT, USA attended the opening ceremony as chief guest.

Professor AK Azad Khan, president, Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (DAB) and Dr Muhammad Abdul Mazid, chief executive, Diabetic Association of Bangladesh were also present at the event. l

A class eight student narrowly escaped a forced child marriage with the aid of her schoolteacher in Brahmanbaria’s Akhaura upazila on Friday.

The girl named Soheda Akhter, 13, is a resident of Ranikhar village and a student of SA Hannan Secondary and Technical High School.

To spread awareness, I frequently discuss the hazards of child marriage with my students in class On Friday around 8pm, after the groom along with his relatives arrived at her place to perform the wedding rituals, she eloped with the help of her classmates and took shelter at her teacher Mujibur Rahman’s house in the same village.

Union Parishad member Syed Ja-

hangir Alam said Soheda’s father Murshed Miya had fixed her marriage with Akram Miya, a resident of Gazipur and currently an immigrant in Malaysia, despite Soheda’s protests.

After Mujibur Rahman informed the matter to Akhaura Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ahsan Habib and Additional Police Super Md Zahidul Islam, they sent a police team to Soheda’s place.

Sensing the presence of police Akram and his relatives fled away.

Dhorkhar police outpost In-Charge Sub-Inspector Mujibur Rahman said the girl was handed over to her parents in presence of other elderly people of the village and her parents signed a bond of not marrying her before the age of 18.

Schoolteacher Mujibur Rahman said: “To spread awareness, I frequently discuss the hazards of child marriage with my students in class. I told them to inform me if any underage girl was forced into marriage. This is the reason why they came to me and I took initiative to stop the marriage.” l

n Tribune Desk

A faction of Chittagong University Bangladesh Chhatra League enforced a nonstop blockade yesterday morning to press home its six-point demand which includes the withdrawal of false cases against its leaders in connection with Tapos murder.

However, the blockade was observed till afternoon as the shuttle train based faction, also known as Varsity Express (VX), decided to relax its movement to mark the founding anniversary of Chhatra League.

The faction also announced a two-day break to the blockade to observe Eid-e-Miladunnabi and Awami League’s “Victory Day of Democracy” programme tomorrow.

In the morning, Chhatra League men blockaded the university’s shuttle train tracks at Sholoshahar Railway Station from 8am to 2pm for which the train service remained suspended for last eight hours – till 4pm, campus surces said.

Sholoshahar Railway Station Master Md Shahbuddin said the blockaders had cut 12 hosepipes of two CU shuttle trains in the morning after which the railway authorities suspended all CU-bound shuttle trains and sent them for repairs.

CU Chhatra League sources said after 2pm, the demonstrating Varsity Express, backed by Chittagong city’ Awami League President ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, postponed their blockade

programme till Tuesday.

Confirming the matter, VX leader and former CU BCL’s Organising Secretary SM Ariful Islam said the blockade programme will start again on January 6.

Meanwhile, the blockade hampered regular activities at the university as only few department took classes with low presence of students.

CU Examination Controller (acting) Professor Dr Mohiuddin said the scheduled examinations of all departments have to be taken on time however a few departments might fail to take their examinations.

Professor Dr Abdur Rahman, chairman of Accounting and Information department, said 3rd year midterm examinations of the department was postponed as 13 students could not appear due to the blockade.

However, CU Proctor Siraj Ud Dowla claimed the university’s academic and disciplinary situation was normal.

Earlier, the faction called the nonstop blockade programme on Friday night to press home its six-point of demand which includes the withdrawal of false cases against its leaders in connection with Tapos murder, removal of Hathazari police station’s Officer-inCharge Md Ismail Hossen and immediate arrest of killers of Tapos.

Tapos Sarkar, a first year student of Sangskrit department, was killed on December 14 during a clash between two Chhatra League factions in the campus. l

2 shot dead within 24 hours in Chittagong’s Satkania n CU Correspondent Unknown miscreants shot dead a woman at Satkania upazila in Chittagong yesterday evening. A similar incident happened at the same upazila on Friday night.

The woman was identified as Gulchad Begum, 32, wife of late Nurul Islam from Purba Gatiyadanga area of the upazila, Sub-Inspector Delwar Hossain of Demsha Investigation Center told the Dhaka Tribune.

Quoting witnesses, he said the woman died on the spot after being shot in the neck by a group of mis-

creants on the street near Tunipara mosque at Purba Gatiyadanga around 6:30pm. Her body was now with Chittagong Medical College and Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Chittagong District Police (South) Additional Superintendent of Police Mustafizur Rahman suspected that she had been killed over some previous enmity between two rival groups in the locality.

On Friday night, ruling party Awami League activist Jamal Uddin was shot dead by a group of masked miscreants at Kanchana union of Satkania upazila over a party infighting. l

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Nation

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway project to miss deadline n Our Correspondent, Gazipur Even after twice extending the deadline of the Dhaka-Mymensingh FourLane Highway Project, its progress is very poor. Only 62 percent of the project has so far been completed.

It has triggered doubts among project officials whether the rest could be implemented by March 31 this year, prompting them to apply to extend the deadline for the third time.

Seeking anonymity, project supervisors and other officials said they did not have the adequate amount of bricks and bitumen and so the construction work was now slowing down.

Roads and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader inaugurated a bridge over the Khiru river and another over the Barek river on May 10 last year.

Both the bridges could not be used because there was no approach roads

to the bridges, causing huge sufferings to commuters, especially pedestrians.

Alam Asia Paribahan’s truck driver Mokhles said he needed around seven to eight hours to reach Gazipur’s Joydevpur due to the horrible road conditions while it could be done much less than that time. Mymensingh Palli Bidyut Samity 2 Storekeeper Nazrul Islam said they were failing to bring in any electricity pole to expand the power lines here due to the awful road conditions at Bhaluka’s Seed Store.

Joydevpur-Mymensingh Four-Lane Highway Project Director Hafizur Rahman said there was scarcity of construction materials, including bricks and bitumen, and so the work had slowed down for 15 days. The project director said it was not possible to say for sure until late into the next month whether the project could be implemented within the present deadline. l

A classroom packed with young learners of new books on the first day of the new academic year. Boys and girls eagerly listening to the Head Master reading out from a colourful book.

The photo was taken yesterday at Govt Primary School of Kantapasha under the Godagari upazila in Rajshahi AZAHAR UDDIN

NEWS IN BRIEF School teacher hacked to death

A school teacher was hacked to death by a gang of assailants at village Shikerpur in Ujirpur upazila on Friday night. The deceased was identified as Krishna Chakrawarti, 57, was an Islamic teacher of Upazila W.B Union Institute. The victim’s brother Ashutosh Chakrawarti said, Krishna Chakrawarti came under attack by a miscreants group when he was returning home after attending a meeting around 8pm. They hacked him indiscriminately. Injured Krishna was rushed to Upazila Health Complex where on-duty doctor declared him dead. Police suspect that Krishna might have been killed over land dispute.

– Correspondent, Barisal

Robber injured; arrested after gunfight An alleged robber was injured in a gunfight between his cohorts and police in Palashpol area of the town early Saturday. The injured was identified as Mintu Sardar, 30, son of late Abdul Gaffar of the area. Sadar police station Officer-in-Charge Golam Rahman said on a tip-off, a team of police conducted a drive in the area around 4am.

Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the robbers hurled some crude bombs towards them.

– Our Correspondent, Satkhira

51 BNP-Shibir men held

Police arrested 51 activists of BNP and Jamaat’s student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir in a special drive in the district yesterday.

The identities of the detained could not be known immediately.

Assistant Superintendent of Police in Jessore Reshma Sharmin said the drive was conducted in the district town from Friday night till Saturday morning. She said all but six of the detained were accused in several cases. District BNP’s organising secretary Delwar Hossain Khokon said none of their leaders was held in the raid. He claimed that he was not aware about the identities of the arrested.

– Our Correspondent, Jessore

Shramik Dal leader held

Police arrested Bagerhat unit of Jatiyatabadi Shramik Dal president Sardar Liakat Ali from in front of his house in VIP Mor area of the town on Friday night. Bagerhat Model police station Officer-inCharge Azam Ali Khan said on a tip-off, a team of police conducted a drive in the area and arrested Liakat around 7:30 pm. He was arrested on suspicion that he might carry out subversive activities, the OC added.

– Our Correspondent, Bagerhat

Ashifat wants to live, to be a doctor n Our Correspondent, Kishorganj

Needles. Injections. Aprons. She is well familiar to these medical equipment.

Its not because, she is a doctor, medical student or nurse or a medical assistant.

Its only because of the need for her life.

She has to take an injection in every 15 day for her treatment. But she has a dream—a dream to be a doctor.

A ray of hopes is brightening the horizon of her family members. And certainly there is a reason for that.

The girl battling cancer has achieved GPA-5 in the Primary School Certificate (PSC) in Katiadi upazila of Kishoreganj.

The 11-year-old girl, Ashifat, appeared in the PSC exam from Char Jhalakia Govt Primary School this year.

“I want to be a doctor. I want to help

the people to relieve from their pain,” she said. “I do not want that anyone suffers from the pain like me,” she added.

Ashifat is undergoing treatment at Bangladesh Medical College Hospital in Dhaka. As a part of her treatment, she needs to take an injection in 15 days, her father Abul Quashem said.

“I had to sold out almost all of my properties to ensure treatment of my daughter,” he said adding that each of the injections costs Tk24,000.

“But the PSC result of Ashifat has given me a reason to be proud,” he said.

Quashem, a headmaster of Charia Govt Primary School, said his wife used to take their daughter to her school and bring her back to home. “Some Tk25 lakh is needed for her higher treatment now, which I can not afford,” he said. l

Jubo League leaders’ tendon severed n Our Correspondent, Natore Two Jubo League leaders’ tendons were cut by a gang of assailants in Bhabaniganj area of the district town on Friday night.

The victims were identified as upazila Jubo League joint secretary Nur Islam and Pouro Jubo League member Imon Hossain.

Quoting locals police said, Nur Islam and Imon came under attack by an armed gang around 9:15pm while they were gossiping. Miscreants cut their tendons , leaving the two critically injured. They were admitted to Natore Sadar Hospital.

Faridul Islam, officer-in-charge of Sadar police station said, police are trying to nab the culprits. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Long Form

7

Sunday, January 4, 2015

What really mattered in 2014

W

n K Anis Ahmed hat makes headlines and what might leave a lasting impact are not always one and the same. That’s a known adage, but 2014 presented a few conspicuous examples. The disappearance of flight MH 370 was among the most avidly followed stories of the year. The number of people dying of Ebola was far greater and received almost as much attention, though spread over a longer arc of time. By contrast, a typical conflict in the Central African Republic, which took a far bigger toll, estimated at nearly 10,000 deaths, than either vanishing airplanes or deadly disease, received much less attention.

Similarly, among political conflicts, nothing received more column-inches or airtime than Gaza, but the death toll in Syria this year alone was almost 20 times higher at an estimated 76,000.

While many of the killed in Syria were combatants of one or another side, the number of civilians lost was still greater than the total in Gaza.

Clearly, neither what media – in great part responding to public curiosity – allocates space or time for nor numeric measures are an indicator always of lasting impact or turning points. Sifting through the headlines – big and small, dominant or unnoticed – here are ten news topics of the past year that reflect paradigms that may shift in the year(s) ahead, or whose refusal to do so may continue to pose a challenge for the world.

1. Invasion of Crimea: This was a big turning point in the World Order as we know it. Since WWII, major nations rarely invade one another for the purpose of annexation. An extensive network of international structures, most notably the UN, have been put in place and done more than one notices to reduce wars of occupation. Putin’s big push into Crimea was remarkable in its stealth and swiftness, and as a violation of that principle. At first, the West fumbled in its response, but Putin too over-reached by pushing more broadly into Eastern Ukraine.

And the price of the sanctions, helped hugely by plummeting oil prices, is just beginning to tell.

2. The rise of IS: Along with the principle of sovereignty, the other fundamental value that was dealt new blows is of course human rights.

It’s been on retreat in fact for some time across the world. In America, it’s taken the form of covert operations that included torture and snooping on civilians. Elsewhere, the increasing authoritarianism of regimes and states. But the most egregious form of violations in 2014 came in the form of the so-called Islamic State, and its spectacles of beheadings, among other

1

Most crises today call for response that needs to be super-swift and with cross-border coordination.

So nations would do well to keep increasing their capacities for such interactions

horrors. The IS’s brand of Islamic rule is of course viewed as neither Islamic nor sane by most Muslims, but that is of little solace to its victims, ranging from helpless minorities to women taken into sexual servitude.

3. Thaw with Iran, and Cuba: Foreign policy has been the Obama administrations’ weakest area. This was signaled right away during the first term with early humiliations in the hands of Netanyahu, and came out as full-blown dysfunction over Syria and Crimea. Team Obama has, however, finally swung into action with a surprise on Cuba. Coupled with the long-inthe-making Iranian rapprochement, these thaws point to a more progressive and pro-active outlook.

4. Turkey’s regress, Tunisia’s progress: The opposing trends raging within the Muslim world have been put on display by two of the traditionally more progressive states. Turkey, long marketed as a “secular” Muslim state, is back-sliding fast. President Erdogan, driven by need to strengthen his grip on power, has chosen both to push for more populist pro-Islamic policies, and to shrink freedoms, especially of expression. This apparent

6

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“slide” may be possible today partly due to the forced nature of the Ataturk project, and uneven development over the secular decades. By contrast, Tunisia has provided a more hopeful signal in chucking out the Islamists quickly and through elections – not by fiat, as in Egypt.

5. Plummeting oil prices: This is the single factor that has perhaps most affected the balance of powers in 2014.

The US has been profiting from shale gas, and quietly supported by Saudis refusing to lower supplies. Net effect: those who’d challenge the world order, and depended heavily on oil revenues – Russia, Iran, Venezuela – have been hard hit. Low oil prices will continue to help with re-stabilisation of the West-oriented world order, and may also lend some support to manufacturing-led economies. America should parlay this fillip into more durable gains, say, with Iran, and not expect such a gift to last forever.

6. The rise of Modi: The rise of a man, once so tainted that for years the US would not issue him a visa, to the power of a billion-plus nation – and by popular choice – is indeed news. Modi has spoken to a younger India’s need to succeed in a way that the sclerotic Congress dynasty woefully failed to do. But Indians latching onto that narrative strand may be under-estimating the desire among a rising number of Indians to more openly embrace a Hindu identity as a nation. How Modi will balance the growth desired by all Indians with the Hindutva demanded by his base remains to be seen.

7. The Lima Pact: Many defining patterns of the world come out of bureaucratic wrangles in back rooms.

The Lima Pact, which finally got the world to sign on to a degree of climate change commitments, did receive a lot of attention. Critics have complained that letting nations set their own emission limits makes the compact a

2 bit toothless. Despite room for skepticism, one can also hope that nations will find themselves slowly wading into deeper commitments – as many did with labour rights or arms control – than they felt politically feasible at the time of signing.

8. Ebola: The hardest hit African countries – Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea – have not only lost lives by the thousands, but also seen their economies decimated. A great deal of the blame for allegedly slow or under-coordinated response may be laid at the feet of the WHO, but in these cases, often its Western nation-states who alone have the resources to corral the scale of rapid response one needs.

Ebola was a test the world failed. Next time the world fails, the price might be paid by more than a few nations in Africa.

9. Palestine’s push for statehood: Palestine was back in the news due to Israel’s wantonly ruthless attacks on Gaza, but the deeper story might be the Palestinians’ willingness to push for formal recognition as a state. Israel faces no imminent risk at the UN, let alone at the ground level, as long as US backing is secure. And given the strength of the Jewish lobby in America that support too is not likely to wane anytime soon. Meantime, Israel keeps snatching fresh bits of land almost daily. PLO and Hamas meantime must unite for any real success.

And the Hamas coming into such unity must be one that sheds double-talk and any kind of violence for good.

It’s not a matter of Israel having some unique right to exercise violence, but

8

5 given the ineffectuality of the best that Hamas can do with force, they need to really re-think their modus.

10. Detection of methane surge on Mars: Scientists detected a spike of methane on Mars. Methane is thought to be a distinct – though not guaranteed – sign of life. Even if any life is found, it won’t be anything like the stuff of science fiction. But even a trace of microbial presence would technically prove that life is not unique to planet earth. One hopes any such discovery would be accompanied by the continuing struggle for a Copernican revolution in social thought, so that we can also learn to shed no more blood in the name of our unique national, religious or other ideological claims.

So, given the trends of 2014, what might 2015 have in store for us?

Lesson one: we have no idea! No one predicted either IS or Ebola, neither Crimea nor Cuba. There may be new surprises – nice or nasty. China had a surprisingly, and thankfully, quiet year. What if China decides that 2015 is the year to assert itself over a few disputed islands? Financial markets too were quiet enough, for the most part. But Western banks are still sitting on ticking time-bombs of their own making and China sits on municipal bond messes of epic proportions.

A single teetering European nation might be enough to set off a renewed global economic crisis.

Despite all the unpredictability, one thing is clear. Most crises today call for response that needs to be super-swift and with cross-border coordination.

So nations would do well to keep increasing their capacities for such interactions. They need to do it certainly with a view to known threats: terror, financial mismanagement and natural or epidemiological disasters. And if we know yet how to do it, then learn to prepare a bit too for the unknown unknowns. l K Anis Ahmed is the author of the short story collection, “Good Night, Mr. Kissinger,” and the novel, “The World In My Hands.” He is also the publisher of the Dhaka Tribune.

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Britain’s Prince Andrew named in US ‘sex slave’ case n AFP, Washington

Britain’s Prince Andrew has been named in a US court filing by a woman who claims she was kept as an underaged “sex slave” by a billionaire Wall Street financier.

In a statement Friday, Buckingham Palace in London denied the allegations, made in a motion filed by her lawyers on Monday in US District Court in West Palm Beach, Florida.

A plaintiff identified as “Jane Doe #3” alleges she was “forced to have sexual relations” with the Duke of York in London, New York and the Caribbean at the behest of Jeffrey Epstein.

Epstein, a known friend of the prince, was convicted in 2008 of soliciting an underage girl for prostitution and served a prison term.

This week’s motion was not the first time Andrew’s name had been linked to the case, but the allegations were serious enough for the British royal family to issue a formal denial.

“This relates to long-running and ongoing civil proceedings in the US to which the Duke of York is not a party,” a spokesman said.

“However, for the avoidance of doubt, any suggestion of impropriety with underage minors is categorically untrue.”

“Jane Doe #3” made the claim in a motion to be included in an ongoing civil case that accuses federal prosecutors of cutting a plea-bargain deal with Epstein without consulting his victims, in violation of the US Crime

Victims Rights’ Act. Epstein was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to a single Florida state charge of soliciting prostitution. He remains a registered sex offender.

The filing alleges Epstein forced “Jane Doe #3” to have sexual relations with Andrew in London, New York and on the financier’s private Caribbean island during an orgy with other underaged girls.

“Epstein instructed Jane Doe #3 that she was to give the Prince whatever he demanded and required Jane Doe #3 to report back to him on the details of the sexual abuse,” the document states.

No dates for the purported sexual encounters were given, but the woman claimed she was Epstein’s sex slave from 1999 through 2002.

Others named in the filing include Alan Dershowitz, one of Epstein’s defense lawyers, with whom “Jane Doe #3” was allegedly forced to have sex with on several occasions – a claim he denied.

The Harvard Law School professor, who is one of America’s most prominent jurists, said Friday he could easily prove the claim to be untrue.

Speaking to AFP, he accused “Jane Doe #3” of “filing a false and malicious legal proceeding” in an attempt to extort money from his former client.

Dershowitz challenged the woman to file criminal charges against him. He said he also planned to act swiftly to have her lawyers disbarred for unethical conduct. l

17 soldiers, 1 civilian, killed in southern Libya n AP, Cairo A Libyan army spokesman says armed militants have shot and killed 17 soldiers and one civilian at a checkpoint.

Mohammed Hegazi told The Associated Press that the attack occurred early Friday in the central district of Jufra.

He blamed the attacks on “terrorists roaming the desert areas freely.”

Widespread militia violence has plunged Libya into chaos less than four years after a Nato-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

Islamic extremist militias are battling troops in the second largest city of Benghazi in the west. Other militias have taken over the eastern city of Darna and the capital Tripoli. l

Some 500 Syrian would be immigrants arrive aboard the Ezadeen ship at Corigliano harbour on Friday. Italian coastguards have narrowly prevented two disasters this week off the country’s southern coast involving so-called ‘ghost ships,’ which seem to have originated in Turkey. The EU vowed to fight people smugglers’ new tactic of abandoning ‘ghost ships’ full of migrants off European coasts AFP

New tactic: Smugglers put ships on autopilot n AP, Rome

Smugglers who bring migrants to Europe by sea appear to have adopted a new, more dangerous tactic: cramming hundreds of them onto a large cargo ship, setting it on an automated course to crash into the coast, and then abandoning the helm.

It happened twice this week in the span of three days, and both episodes could have ended in tragedy if the vessels had not been intercepted at sea.

In the latest such incident, the cargo ship Ezadeen was stopped with about 450 migrants aboard after smugglers sent it speeding toward the coast in rough seas with no one in command.

Italian authorities lowered engineers and electricians onto the wave-tossed ship by helicopter to secure it, and the Icelandic Coast Guard towed it to the Italian port of Corigliano late Friday.

Children and pregnant women were among the migrants, most of whom were believed to be from war-ravaged Syria, Italian Coast Guard Cmdr.

Filippo Marini said. The Sierra Le-

Soldiers patrol in the north of Borno state close to a Islamist extremist group Boko Haram former camp near Maiduguri

one-flagged ship apparently set sail from Turkey, he said.

Some of the migrants, most of them young men, watched wearily from the railings of the ship as they waited to disembark early yesterday. Several were wrapped in blankets against the freezing temperatures.

A large tent was set up at the dock so that the migrants could stop for food and water. Sky TG24 TV said that after their documents are checked, they will be sent to shelters. Their requests for asylum will be evaluated.

An Italian Coast Guard patrol plane had spotted the 66-meter (220-foot) Ezadeen on Thursday about 90 miles east of Italy’s Calabria region and contacted it to see if it needed assistance.

“There was no crew, and one migrant, a woman, took the call,” Marini said. “She said: ‘We are alone. Please help us. We are in danger.’”

Two days earlier, the Blue Sky M, a Moldovan-flagged cargo ship carrying about 800 migrants, was similarly abandoned by smugglers who locked the ship on automatic pilot and set it

on a collision course for a stretch of Italy’s southern coast, authorities said.

Despite strong winds and high waves, Coast Guard officers were lowered onto the ship’s bridge and managed to regain control of the steering about a half-hour before it was due to strike the coast, Marini said.

In the past few years, there have been increasing cases of smugglers overturning motorised dinghies or fishing boats and then speeding off in motorboats, leaving many migrants to drown. In other cases, they just fled, leaving their passengers to fend for themselves.

Marini said the latest incidents appear to represent an even more dangerous tactic.

“Certainly it’s very dangerous because a ship with no one on the command bridge is like a bomb that will strike up against the reefs,” he said.

It was not clear in either case if the smugglers jumped ship. Italian authorities said they were questioning passengers on the Blue Sky to see if any of the smugglers tried to pass themselves off as migrants.

Israel warns Palestinians of legal steps

US embassy bombing suspect dies ahead of New York trial

n Reuters, Jerusalem

A suspected al Qaeda figure alleged to have planned the 1998 bombings of the US embassies in Tanzania and Kenya has died in New York just days ahead of his scheduled trial, NBC News reported on Friday.

Abu Anas Al-Liby, whose real name was Nazih al-Ragye, was seized by US forces in October 2013 in the Libyan capital Tripoli and was brought to the United States to face criminal charges stemming from the bombings, which killed 224 people.

Al-Liby, 50, died at a local hospital after being transported from a lower Manhattan correctional center on Wednesday, NBC reported, citing court records filed by the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office.

Reuters could not independently verify the report.

The Attorney’s Office could not be reached and the filings could not be immediately located. Al-Liby’s attorney, Bernard Kleinman, could also not be immediately reached. l

Israel is looking at ways to prosecute senior Palestinians for war crimes in the United States and elsewhere in response to Palestinian steps to join the International Criminal Court, an Israeli official said yesterday.

The Palestinians delivered to UN headquarters in New York on Friday documents on joining the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and other global treaties, saying they hoped to achieve “justice for all the victims that have been killed by Israel, the occupying power.”

The Hague-based court looks at cases of severe war crimes and crimes against humanity such as genocide.

The Israeli official said Palestinian leaders “ought to fear legal steps” after their decision to sign onto the Rome Statute.

“Israel is weighing the possibilities for large-scale prosecution in the United States and elsewhere” of Palestinian

President Mahmoud Abbas and other senior Palestinians, the official said.

Israel would probably press these cases via non-governmental groups and pro-Israel legal organisations capable of filing lawsuits abroad, a second Israeli official said, explaining how the mechanism might work.

Israel sees the heads of the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank as collaborators with Hamas militant Islamists in Gaza because of a unity deal they forged in April, the first official said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously warned that unilateral moves by the Palestinian Authority at the United Nations would expose its leaders to prosecution over support for Hamas, viewed by Israel as a terrorist organisation. “(Hamas) ... commits war crimes, shooting at civilians from civilian populated areas,” the official said, alluding to a war in Gaza last summer in which more than 2,100 Palestinians and more than 70 Israelis died. l

AFP

Boko Haram seizes 40 boys and young men in northern Nigeria

Egyptian Christians kidnapped in Libya

n AFP, Kano

n AP

Suspected Boko Haram gunmen have kidnapped 40 boys and young men in a remote village in northeast Nigerian Borno state on New Year’s Eve, residents who fled the isolated settlement said yesterday.

Scores of Boko Haram militants stormed the Malari village and whisked away the males, aged between 10 and 23, into the nearby Sambisa forest, believed to be one of the Islamists’ major bases.

The news of the abductions came out only days later, when residents who fled the village arrived in the state capital Maiduguri late on Friday.

“They came in pick-up trucks armed with guns and gathered all the

men in the village outside the home of the village chief where they preached to us before singling out 40 of our boys and taking them away,” Bulama Muhammad told AFP Malari village lies 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) from the Sambisa forest and close to the town of Gwoza, which the militants captured last June declaring it part of their caliphate.

“My two sons and three nephews were among those taken away by the Boko Haram gunmen and we believe they are going to use them as conscripts,” Muhammad said.

“When we heard of the kidnap of 40 boys in Malari by Boko Haram we decided to leave because we could be the next target,” said Alaramma Baba-

goni, who fled from the nearby village of Mulgwi.

There was no immediate comment on the incident from the military in Maiduguri.

Boko Haram is still holding in captivity more than 200 schoolgirls it abducted from their school in Chibok in Borno state last April.

The Islamists are believed to control large swathes of territory in Borno as well as several towns and villages in two other northeastern states, Adamawa and Yobe.

Boko Haram’s five-year uprising in Nigeria has claimed more than 13,000 lives and has seen dozens of people, including women and children, kidnapped by the Islamists. l

More than 170,000 migrants were intercepted or needed rescue by Italian navy, coast guard and air force patrols last year.

In November, Greek authorities rescued nearly 600 migrants from a 70-meter (230-foot) cargo ship that lost engine power off the Greek island of Crete. Greek authorities arrested 19 of those on board as suspected smugglers. Most of the passengers were Syrians fleeing war in their homeland and were believed to have been charged $2,000 to $6,000 for passage to Italy.

There was no indication the vessel had been set on a collision course. But it illustrated what authorities said appears to be another recent development.

“The use of larger cargo ships is a new trend,” said Vincent Cochetel, the UN refugee agency’s Europe bureau director.

William Spindler, a spokesman for the UN agency, said on BBC radio that the organisation is aware of four incidents in the past two months in which cargo ships full of hundreds of migrants were abandoned by their crews off the coast of Italy. l

Masked gunmen in central Libya kidnapped 13 Coptic Christians after seven were abducted days earlier, said a witness and a priest, in a new wave of assaults against Egypt’s Christians working in the war-torn North African nation.

Witness Hanna Aziz told The Associated Press that the gunmen in the Libyan city of Sirte went room to room in their residence at 2:30am yesterday and asked for identification papers to separate Muslim workers from Christians.

Aziz says the gunmen handcuffed the Christians and drove away with them.

“They were 15 armed and masked

men who came in four vehicles. They had a list of full names of Christians in the building. While checking IDs, Muslims were left aside while Christians were grabbed,” Aziz said, adding that he survived simply because he did not open his door.

“I heard my friends screaming but they were quickly shushed at gunpoint. After that, we heard nothing,: said Aziz who said he has three relatives among the hostages.

“I am still in my room waiting for them to take me. I want to die with them,” he added.

Abu Makar, a Coptic priest in the workers’ hometown of Samalout in southern Egypt, confirmed the abduction took place. l

n Reuters

Iran, 6 powers move closer to nuke talks deal n AP, Vienna Iran and the United States have tentatively agreed on a formula that Washington hopes will reduce Tehran’s ability to make nuclear arms by committing it to ship to Russia much of the material needed for such weapons, diplomats say.

In another sign of progress, the two diplomats told The Associated Press that negotiators at the December round of nuclear talks drew up for the first time a catalog outlining areas of potential accord and differing approaches to remaining disputes. The diplomats said differences still dominate ahead of the next round of Iran-six power talks on Jan. 15 in Geneva. But they suggested that even agreement to create a todo list would have been difficult previously because of wide gaps between the sides. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

9

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Indonesia pledges AirAsia probe as plane parts found n AFP, Pangkalan Bun

Indonesia pledged yesterday to investigate flight violations by AirAsia, as search teams found four large parts of the airline’s plane that crashed into the sea last weekend with 162 people on board.

The country’s transport ministry said the ill-fated aircraft had been flying on an unauthorised schedule when it crashed, and the airline has now been suspended from flying the route from the city of Surabaya to Singapore.

“It violated the route permit given, the schedule given, that’s the problem,” director general of air transport, Djoko Murjatmodjo, told AFP. He said AirAsia’s permit for the route would be suspended until investigations were completed, while other airlines in the country would also be examined.

“We will carry out an audit or an evaluation on all airlines in Indonesia over whether there are any violations related to route, time and schedule,” he said.

Major parts of the Airbus A320-200 were found in the Java Sea off the island of Borneo late Friday night, raising hopes that the remaining bodies and the black box recorders, crucial to determining the cause of the crash, would soon be located.

So far recovery teams have found 30 bodies of those killed when Flight 8501 went down early Sunday during a storm, and search leaders were sending divers to the spot where plane parts had been found to try to recover

the remaining bodies.

“With the discovery of an oil spill and two big parts of the aircraft, I can assure you these are the parts of the AirAsia plane we have been looking for,” search and rescue agency chief Bambang Soelistyo told reporters.

“The main focus today is to find and evacuate victims.”

A statement from transport ministry spokesman J.A. Barata said AirAsia Indonesia had not been permitted to fly the Surabaya-Singapore route on Sundays and had not asked to change its schedule.

It was unclear how the airline, a unit of Malaysia-based AirAsia, had been able to fly without the necessary authorisation.

AirAsia Indonesia chief Sunu Widyatmoko told reporters that the company would not comment until the results of the investigation were known, adding that the airline would “fully cooperate with the government in that evaluation process.”

Hampered by strong current

Recovery teams, which have been hampered by rough weather in recent days, had on Friday narrowed their search to an area of 45 by 35 nautical miles centred about 75 nautical miles southwest of Pangkalan Bun, a town in Central Kalimantan on Borneo.

Search official S.B. Supriyadi in Pangkalan Bun said their yesterday operation would also comb coastal areas to see if bodies had drifted to shore, while their ability to send divers

Indonesian officers carry coffins with the remains of passengers of AirAsia flight QZ8501 before they are sent to Surabaya, in Pangkalan Bun yesterday down would depend on sea currents and waves.

Russia has sent in dozens of search and rescue workers to help with the operations, as well as two planes, one amphibious, while French and Singaporean investigators are helping to locate the black boxes.

The United States, Australia, South

Korea and Malaysia are among other countries helping in the search effort.

Soelistyo said the larger of the two objects found on Friday night was about 10 metres by five metres (32 feet by 16 feet).

A presentation shown to reporters described one of the pieces a “suspected tail” of the plane.

“As I speak we are lowering an ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle) underwater to get an actual picture of the objects detected on the sea floor. All are at the depth of 30 metres,” Soelistyo said.

He added however that the strong current was making it difficult to operate the ROV.

AFP

Toos Sanitioso, an investigator from the KNKT (National Transportation Safety Committee), said he was hopeful they would find the black boxes in a few days.

“It seems that they have found the major (plane) parts,” he told reporters in Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city. l

Clashes erupt at demonstrations in Bahrain n Agencies

Pakistan to alter constitution, form special terrorism court

Thousands flee homes as Australian wildfires rage

n AP, Islamabad

n AP, Sydney

Anti-riot police and hundreds of demonstrators keeping up daily protests to demand the release of Bahrain’s main Shia opposition leader have clashed in villages near Manama, witnesses said.

An unspecified number of arrests were made and several people were wounded as police fired buckshot and tear gas to disperse the protests staged after weekly prayers in mosques on Friday.

The demonstrators, including women and children, carried portraits of jailed Al-Wefaq leader Sheikh Ali Salman and chanted slogans calling for his release. l

Pakistan’s leadership has decided to amend the constitution and the army act to form special courts for the trial of alleged terrorists, a minister said Friday.

Information minister Pervaiz Rasheed said that a marathon session headed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and including the country’s entire civilian political and military leadership, produced a unanimous agreement to alter the constitution in order to form the alternative court system.

“The special court will try all the terrorists who have killed inno-

cent civilians in the country’s street and bazars, schools and all around, and involved in killing security personnel and attacks on military installations, Rasheed told reporters following the meeting at the prime minister house.

He said the necessary amendment would be presented to the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, yesterday and was likely to be discussed and approved Monday. He said the proposal, if approved as expected, would come before the Senate, the upper house, the following day.

Sharif, in a statement, praised the collective stance among the country’s

Indian police arrest US slaps more sanctions on 3 for gang rape of N Korea after Sony hack Japanese scholar to western Europe or the United States n AP, Patna n Reuters ... They don’t have billions of dollars in Police arrested three Indians for allegedly gang raping a 22-year-old Japanese research scholar near a Buddhist pilgrimage center in eastern India, police said Friday.

Police were looking for two more suspects who also allegedly kept the Japanese woman as a hostage for nearly three weeks in a village near Bodh Gaya, a town nearly 130 kilometers (80 miles) south of Patna, the capital of Bihar state, police officer Akhilesh Singh said.

She managed to escape from their captivity on Dec. 26 and reached Kolkata, once known as Calcutta, where she was based and filed a police complaint.

She has studying life in rural India for some time, Singh said. l

Warehouse collapse kills five in China

n AP, Beijing A warehouse collapse in the northeastern city of Harbin killed five firefighters and injured 13 others, Chinese state media reported.

The state broadcaster Central China Television reported yesterday that rescuers had found the bodies of two firefighters who had been out of contact, raising the death toll to five.

The Harbin Communist Party said on its Sina Weibo microblog account that a security guard also was injured in the blaze.

The official Xinhua News Agency said the firefighters were on the second floor of a ceramics market warehouse Friday night trying to put out a blaze above them when the floor collapsed on them. Three of the injured remain in critical condition.l

North Korea was hit with more sanctions on Friday designed to impede access to the US financial system in the wake of a cyberattack on Sony Pictures Entertainment, which the Obama Administration has said was supported by the reclusive country.

The US government named three entities, including North Korea’s military intelligence agency, and sanctioned 10 people with links to weapons sales and proliferation.

Financial sanctions have been effective in bringing pressure on Iran and Russia, but they have had limited impact on North Korea, which has been sanctioned by the United States for more than 50 years.

“It’s not as if they travel a lot abroad

western banks,” said Joel Wit of 38North, part of the US Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University in Washington.

Pyongyang has denied involvement in the cyberattack. Washington said there was no evidence that any of the three entities or the individuals were linked to it.

Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew said in a statement that Washington had a “commitment to hold North Korea accountable for its destructive and destabilizing conduct.”

Lew said that even as a probe by the FBI continued “these steps underscore that we will employ a broad set of tools to defend US businesses and citizens, and to respond to attempts to undermine our values or threaten the national security of the United States.” l

Political revolt roils Sri Lanka presidential vote n AP, Colombo Until just a few weeks ago, Sri Lanka’s upcoming election seemed a mere formality. Nothing, it seemed, could keep President Mahinda Rajapaksa from rolling to a third term in office.

He was the president hailed as a king after crushing the Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009 and ending the island nation’s 25year civil war. He is a charismatic campaigner with vast campaign funds. He has turned the government into an extended family business, with politically powerful brothers, sons and nephews who can all help his candidacy.

But times change. Quickly.

An internal revolt now threatens

Rajapaksa’s hold on power. Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, a close Rajapaksa aide and No. 2 in the president’s Freedom Party, defected in a secretly choreographed news conference in late November, announcing he would run as an opposition candidate in Thursday’s election.

Power, he said, has become too concentrated, and corruption epidemic.

“One family has captured the country’s economy, wealth, administration, and the management of the political party,” Sirisena told reporters. He says at campaign rallies that Rajapaksa began to believe the public support after the end of the war and “perhaps he thought he could become a real king.” l

leadership as “a demonstration of national unity and accord” and “a bright chapter of our political movement.”

Pakistan vowed to crack down on terrorism and make it easier to detain and prosecute suspected terrorists following a December Taliban attack on a school in Peshawar. The attack left 150 people, including 134 children, dead.

The proposed special courts were the most controversial of the 25 anti-terrorism measures proposed by Sharif late last month.

In Pakistan, shoddy police investigations and alleged intimidation of witnesses and judges have made it difficult to convict suspected terrorists. l

Thousands of Australians fled their homes as wildfires raged across the nation’s south yesterday, with firefighters struggling to contain the blazes fanned by strong winds.

Six homes were destroyed by the fires in South Australia and Victoria states, officials said, though no serious injuries have been reported.

Dry conditions and temperatures in the upper 30s Celsius (around 100 degrees Fahrenheit) were causing headaches for firefighters battling the blazes. Officials said it would likely take days to get the fires under control.

The worst of the fires was in the Adelaide Hills in South Australia, where the flames had destroyed five homes and put hundreds of others at risk, state Country Fire Service spokesman Daniel Hamilton said. Residents of 19 communities had been asked to evacuate as a predicted shift in the winds later yesterday prompted fears the flames could worsen.

The forecast was also calling for increased humidity, which could slow the fire’s progress yesterday night, Hamilton said.

“There should be no sense of relief because the temperatures are somewhat lower, or that there are spots of rain about.” l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Sunday, January 4, 2015

CODE-CRACKER

Do not risk safety of the Sundarbans

T

he government must not backtrack on the banning of water vessels plying the Sela river route in the Sundarbans, even though it is facing pressure from organisations representing river transport workers to reopen the route this month.

It should heed the call by citizens organisations like Biggan Andolon Mancha demanding permanent restrictions on the movement of vessels through this precious mangrove forest.

With the long term consequences of December’s catastrophic oil spill to the Sundarbans ecosystem still unquantified, now is not the time to risk adding to the hazards faced by the nation’s leading World Heritage site.

Preliminary findings of the joint UN-Bangladesh Mission to Sundarbans Oil Spill team are clear in their conclusion that the movement of water vessels through the mangrove forest should not be continued.

It is the responsibility of the Shipping Ministry and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority to urgently progress work on reviving the alternatives such as the Mongla-Ghashiakhali channel, which was closed to navigation three years ago.

With demand for transport high in a growing economy, there is no reason why authorities should not be able to create alternative employment for the several thousand workers who it is claimed are affected by the Sela route closure.

There is no reasonable case to justify risking the safety of the Sundarbans, whose value as a unique nature reserve and bulwark against the sea should be held as sacrosanct.

The government must take responsibility for allowing the forest’s safety to be compromised in the first place. It should speed progress on ensuring safer routes and building alternative employment for the workers affected.

Now is not the time to risk adding to the hazards faced by the Sundarbans

Build proper intercity networks

T

he Planning Commission urgently needs to speed up its review of the Railway Ministry’s project plans to construct the proposed Dhaka-Faridpur link.

Without development of this railway connection, the government’s target to inaugurate the Padma Multipurpose Bridge by 2018, will not be met as the bridge will lack its key railway component.

This apparent oversight in planning is indicative of a tendency for planners and politicians not to show foresight when setting out visions for the future.

It is not only the country’s railway network that suffers from delays in building improvements. Work on upgrading the Dhaka-Chittagong and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways has constantly been delayed by inadequate planning and inefficient management.

As well as wasting public funds, such mismanagement delays essential improvements to national infrastructure.

Lack of long-term thinking means that even many of the transport projects which are underway, are not likely to meet the future needs of our growing population and expanding economy.

While the prime minister is now promising that the Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane highway will be upgraded to a six-lane one soon, the question needs to be asked why this was not considered or incorporated earlier.

As a geographically small nation, there is no reason why all parts of Bangladesh should not be reachable to each other within a few hours.

The benefits of building a faster railway network and improving our intercity highways are obvious. They will more than pay for themselves by removing bottlenecks and encouraging more decentralisation.

If the government is to fulfill the goal of lifting Bangladesh’s economy to middle income level, it must plan better for the future by modernising transport networks appropriately,

Build for the future by improving intercity highways and speeding up railways

Be heard Write to Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Sukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email letters.dt@dhakatribune.com Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

Bangladesh is no basket case December 24

Dr Ahsan Habib Henry Kissinger, the influential US secretary of state in the 1970s, famously derided it as a “basket case.”

I have searched many sources. But so far found no evidence that Henry Kissinger ever said that. The word was mentioned in a meeting in December 1971 by another US diplomat where Henry Kissinger was present. I would like to know, does the author of this article have any evidence that Henry Kissinger actually said (derided) these words?

Seira “Bangladesh is one of the few countries likely to meet almost all of the Millennium Development Goals. The country is still very poor, but it has made spectacular progress.”

Enjoyed reading the article. We have come a long way, but we do have an even longer way to go.

Akm Fazlul Bari Dr Ahsan Habib: Many phrases Henry Kissinger uttered either in public or private were not recorded by the media. I believe when Finance Minister Tajuddin came to Washington, in either 1972 or 1974, he met the illustrious personality, “Sir Henry,” who was so opposed to the creation of Bangladesh that he angrily uttered the famous word “basket case.”

Perhaps that was the origin. If anyone has access

Getting off the bus December 26

How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 18 represents T so fill T every time the figure 18 appears.

You have two letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them it in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters go in the missing squares.

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

As you get the letters, fill in the other squares with the same number in the main grid, and the control grid. Check off the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

to classified US State Department documents, it would not be difficult to find the origin of the use of this word.

Seira Dr Ahsan Habib: I have seen this reference multiple times as well. Maybe in newspaper clippings during the war, or post-war?

Dr Ahsan Habib Seira: The comment was made on December 6, 1971. It was reported in Time magazine on January 17, 1972, when it had two articles – one on the return of Mujib and one on the diplomacy of Kissinger. The Escondido article clearly states who made the comment. Then ABM Nasir in BDNews24 made a detailed analysis of it and produced all the transcripts related to “basket case.” I have all three articles. But you may be able to find them from a web search.

Akm Fazlul Bari: I already sent a reply to Seira.

The origin of the phrase took place in a meeting on December 6, 1971. ABM Nasir wrote about it in details in BDNews24. But, before that, Time Magazine reported the quote in its January 17, 1972 issue. I have both the documents.

SUDOKU How to solve: Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 – 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no number repeating.

Seira Dr Ahsan Habib: Are there web versions of the three articles you mentioned? If so, could you please provide the links here?

The next steps for Saarc Energy Agreement December 24

Karl Hungus “Saarc countries must come together to envision energy as the means of reducing low-level political conflicts.”

At least some headway has been made with a Saarc energy regulatory authority now being considered.

Bijay Pradhan “A passenger dares to cover this huge distance by jumping off a bus in the capital’s Malibagh area. The sorry state of the road bears no sign of the recently done repair work here.”

Hahahahaha … good split!

SA Bijay Pradhan: Or better yet, you can call it a flying leap of faith!

Zayed Quaiyum “And the gold medal goes to ….”

Share the Christmas spirit across communities December 25

Anup Das A happy Christmas to the entire Christian community.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Dreampie Karl Hungus: Saarc will definitely find some way to mess that up as well, rest assured.

MH370 was ‘shot down by the US military,’ former airline CEO claims December 23

Aviation Enthusiast “The Boeing 777 crashed nowhere near where international search teams have been combing the ocean for wreckage, he claims.”

Nicely written. It’s a shame that even in this decade, something as massive as a Boeing 777 would go missing just like that. Satellite feeds from all over the world trace down terrorism and drug smuggling so it is certainly not easy to sway the eye from a 63-feet aircraft.

My condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones to what I believe is a crime that people just got away with.

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Conductors’ wands (6) 6 Fuel (3) 9 Unaccompanied (5) 10 Large volume (4) 11 Replenish (5) 12 Monkey (3) 13 Country (6) 15 Direction (4) 18 Encounter (4) 21 Hurry (6) 24 Greek letter (3) 25 Make amends (5) 28 Tear (4) 29 Receptacles for flowers (5) 30 Lyric poem (3) 31 Held principles (6)

DOWN 1 Freight boat (5) 2 Beverage (3) 3 Holding and lifting implement (5) 4 United (3) 5 Tidings (4) 6 Incite (4) 7 Electrical unit (6) 8 Observed (4) 14 Tree (3) 16 Lessened (6) 17 Small child (3) 19 Uneven as if gnawed away (5) 20 Long lock (5) 21 Brave man (4) 22 Of sound mind (4) 23 Part of a church (4) 26 Make brown (3) 27 Meshed fabric (3)

JL leader ‘mistakenly’ shoots schoolgirl December 23

AH I hope the police are aware that the PM has asked them not to look into the political identity of the criminals.

Then again, she has been known to say so many things just to say them. Shrewd politician that she is, makes me wonder what she really thinks.

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

Kathak Dance Festival begins today December 24

PEANUTS

SUDOKU

imzy But Kathak isn’t a Bengali dance. It’s an Indian one. Bengali classical dances are Gaudiya, Manipuri, and Sattriya.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

11

Sunday, January 4, 2015

BIGSTOCK

Your business is everybody’s business

“T n Monica Islam

k250, apa!” demanded the driver from behind the greasy grills of a CNGrun three-wheeler. The fare meter blinked 85 in neon-red digits. Under the scorching heat of mid-day, I stood on the brick pavement of Dhaka city, bargaining vigorously for a close-toreal price. While the heated exchanges continued between us, many offered cursory glances at us, but only one man dressed in formal attire stopped near us.

“Increase the fare for him. Give him 200,” he advised me in a sympathetic tone. When I asked this Good Samaritan to pay the remaining amount towards his proposed price after I paid what I had intended to, the man darted off to his business. It amazes me how absolute strangers interfere in other people’s lives with such ease, and not even to endorse something legal or fair.

We are a curious nation. It does not take much in this country for a crowd to form and to grow bigger, creating a large tamasha. Whenever there is a wreck on the road and a lone policeman attempts – sometimes in vain – to settle the dispute between two parties, random “street witnesses” show up.

“It’s Driver A’s fault,” one yells. “It’s Driver B’s fault,” yells the other. “The person at fault must pay for the damage (which, by the way, takes the form of invisible scratches in many cases).”

They both yell in unison, before the drivers could even look up from their not-so-palatable blame-game.

Men – in lungi (loin-cloth), in baggy jeans, in well-fitted trousers et al – huddle around the road accident.

Women form a minority even in this situation. Jubilant street urchins peek through the legs. Failing to do that, they make a rather ambitious yet futile attempt of viewing the scene over the shoulders of taller adults in front of them. Passing vehicles pause momentarily before the seated passengers within those vehicles, or from ones behind, urge the drivers to look ahead for a wreck-free, congestion-less journey.

Commercial establishments seem to intensify the onslaught of the Meddling Syndrome. Shoppers around you will remark about your purchases, if not your appearance. Some competitive women – wearing an unfulfilled look – will compare your purchases with theirs. Men who feel the need to dominate the shopping sphere as well will peek at your shopping cart and advise their respective chaperoned spouses about the latest trend, wearing a proud smirk which is characteris-

tic of the all-knowing lot.

Once in a spacious shop at Jamuna Future Park, a woman was heard crying hysterically, and if witnesses are to be believed, she was suffering from a sudden asthma attack. All the staff members present, except the guard at the entrance, rushed to the spot, worsening the breathlessness of the woman.

Wandering customers peeped and inquired. A few nervous souls began to raise a hue and cry (as if that helped). Some “concerned” individuals suggested obvious recommendations: “Give her water,” or “remove the scarf.” Sadly, it occurred to none that dispersing the crowd to allow the free passage of air and comforting the victim could have been possible – and maybe better – solutions.

At an “upscale” restaurant, my mother chose to be seated in a quiet and warm corner where all the tables were unoccupied. Later, a group of two couples – appearing to be in their 30s – entered the restaurant. After inspecting other vacant spaces, they made themselves comfortable at the table immediately next to us.

In a while, my mother and I became the unwilling participants in their night-out, as they ogled at the food we ordered, and laughed and conversed extra-loud, disrupting the civility (let alone peace) in that corner.

The Meddling Syndrome creeps into workplaces too. During the Rana Plaza collapse, when the world was shaken by the colossal casualties that it caused, one executive of a “development” organisation was anxiously monitoring if the organisation had succeeded in collecting the highest amount of donations!

We are a curious nation.

It does not take much in this country for a crowd to form and to grow bigger

Previously, this same organisation was fixated on its rivals (other social workers) to such an extent that it downplayed their efforts and overzealously discussed them in every meeting. Alliances were formed only when they were “strategic.”

Somehow, aggressive competition was taking over the innocence that should have been a part and parcel of every charitable organisation.

Seats are common triggers of this syndrome. Many feel the urge to sit as close to others as possible. Is it a general disposition towards bodily warmth, or is it a superstitious belief that unoccupied spaces elsewhere are somehow unlucky or less attractive?

Once at a private university, I sat in a quiet and well-lit spot, revising for an exam a few hours before its commencement. Interrupting that bliss were two girls who soon situated themselves inches away from me with plates of food and tongues full of gossip. Neither of them paid any heed when I politely requested them to shift somewhere else (the lounge was spacious and empty) or to maintain silence. “We will not talk anymore,” they assured me only to continue whispering, which was even more distracting.

One would expect to unwind at home without the Meddling Syndrome kicking in, but alas, that has become a utopian scene in many households at present. With melodramatic dialogues of saas-bahu sagas blaring in the background, real-life saas-bahu animatedly denigrate the neighbouring girl who wears “immodest” clothing and is “spoilt” to the core; the lady who frequents the local club and returns home in a drunken state; and the former school teacher who – after being widowed – now manages an enormous

amount of wealth.

All of them are the unaware objects of ridicule, gossip, and contemptuous mirth. If these stories do not fill their appetites, the adventurous duo will seek the help of spying domestic help for more. All else failing, they would take it upon themselves to either peek into the neighbouring homes or eavesdrop on others.

What makes it so difficult for us to mind our own business? If it is a genuine concern for others, why do we pull the blinders when others are mugged, beaten, or harassed? Why do we dismiss domestic violence as a “private family matter?” And as pointed out by a Bangladeshi civil servant, why do we, when asked about the competency or character of any person – whether it is someone known to us or not, casually say “kharap na” (not bad)?

Does it hurt to say (or acknowledge) good, excellent, best when commenting about others? If you find yourself either curious for apparently no good reason, or overjoyed at the misery of others in an attempt to fill an inner void of yourself, you are most likely to be diagnosed with the Meddling Syndrome. The only cure is to subdue the seemingly-invincible Green Eyed Monster with large powerful doses of empathy. l Monica Islam is a freelance contributor.

The $150bn startup called Bangladesh n Mohd Fahad Ifaz

D

evelopment, disorder; high returns, uncertainty; inadequate leadership, opportunity to make a difference; growth, chaotic management – these are some of the words that come to mind when thinking of Bangladesh, just as they do in the context of a startup.

In that way, Bangladesh is a startup.

While one cannot get too literal in applying any analogy, especially to a country like Bangladesh, the startup analogy yields an interesting model for thinking and making decisions. Let’s look at some aspects of a startup – the ability to have an impact, peoplerelated matters, organisational, and financial issues.

Impact

Most startups want to change something and create a new status quo, and so does Bangladesh. Our country has the potential, but she has to create her own path. We should avoid the mistakes made by other nations, in terms of learning from their varied approaches to urban development, energy, and healthcare.

While we do have legacy on many fronts, there are also other fronts where we have a relatively clean sheet to write on. For individuals too, the room to make an impact is overwhelming, as it is in a startup. Success in such a situation requires a lot of persuasion to keep plugging away despite the odds being poor.

Fortunately, there is a new breed of Bangladeshis who have this conviction and the steel to take on the challenge.

The adrenaline levels are running

high, driven by growth, opportunity, value of stock market, or pure faith.

We need to ensure that a bump on the way does not deter the “proponents.”

People-related matters

Often, one joins a startup to take on a disproportionate responsibility – for example, a manager from Microsoft put in the role of a VP in a startup.

Bangladesh has many “open positions” that provide ample opportunity for people to rise quickly and assume a lot of responsibility. However, there are a couple of things about the country that need to change for it to feel like a great startup.

The job of the management (government) is harder because this startup is a democracy

One is attitude. It is vital to have people who possess the desire to do well and take responsibility for a problem.

In general, Bangladeshis can take a lot of pride in all kinds of things but not enough in the quality of work and the value of commitment, unless someone else is holding us to it.

Be it the pitiable-looking public buses, user interfaces with spelling errors, or missing clasps in house-

hold plumbing – one can argue this is indeed like a startup, sure, but it is a startup that needs fixing. The gap will be fatal when worthy competitors arrive. If we do not make a systemic correction in the attitudes of more members of our team, we could be in trouble. Clearly, the country cannot “fire” its citizens, but as consumers, managers, and professionals, we need to demand and deliver higher standards and not be content with “No. 3 public bus” quality.

Financially, Bangladesh is definitely a “high risk, high reward” startup. For returning remittance earners, there is the risk of not having a position back in Dubai. For people with homes, it is real estate prices, and for those without homes, it’s the rent. Most people take a better standard of living for granted and assume that their salaries will continue to rise. However, the Bangladeshi startup has not been going for long enough to validate that assumption.

While historically it was normal to take a salary cut in a startup, today, because of (too much) capital, salary cuts are no longer needed. Unfortunately, high salaries endanger the companies’ staying power. Similarly in the case of Bangladesh, salaries are rising so quickly that we are endangering our own competitiveness and staying power.

So, while the upside potential of the Bangladesh Startup is very high, we need to preserve fiscal carefulness.

In the short run, it may mean that we behave like a startup that is maximising adoption, investing for the future, and not indiscriminately increasing its expenses.

The country is a serious business Organisationally, we have a long way to go. Champions of the Bangladeshi industry and government officials are not as easily accessible compared to a developed country.

This is unlike the senior management in a startup, when compared to bigger companies.

Our industry champions and politicians need to behave like the top management of any startup. On another front, immature processes and infrastructure, coupled with constant change, are as much a part of Bangladesh as of any startup. Just as the finance department of a startup keeps revising the reimbursement policy, so does the Bangladesh National Board of

NASHIRUL ISLAM

Revenue.

Constant change in policies at this stage of Bangladesh is not alarming as it marks growth and progress towards identifying issues that need addressing – as long as it’s not the same things that keep changing.

A lot of us are betting that the Bangladesh Startup is a once-in-alifetime opportunity. The job of the management (government) is harder because this startup is a democracy – discontinuing free coffee results in protests and burning of the office furniture. The management confuses its financing with its personal bank accounts. There is not sufficient urgency in fixing the infrastructure,

especially when compared with other up and comers.

Yet, there are many good things in terms of strong momentum, lots of promising talent, a daredevil young generation, compelling market opportunity, virtues of a democracy, and a lot of belief and prayers. Like any other opportunity, with huge upsides, this also has a downside that is worth thinking through before taking the leap. Don’t join the startup because it’s cool and a sure bet, but rather because you will enjoy it. l Mohd Fahad Ifaz is a private sector development consultant. He can be reached at bd.linkedin.com/in/fahadifaz.

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE Sunday, January 4, 2015

13 Sangakkara

passes 12,000 Test runs

14 Pardew leaves

Gallic legacy at St James’ Park

14 Podolski arrives

to sign Inter loan deal

Sport

Did you know?

This is only the fifth time in English topflight history that two sides have been top with the exact same record after November

Final World Cup squad to be named today Importance of DPL final round increase two-fold If that were to happen, both the Primes his stomach. n Minhaz Uddin Khan On the eve of the World Cup selecwill be locked on 24 points and Net The final round of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League 2014-15 season takes place today at different venues amidst a lot of tension and excitement.

Not only will Prime Bank and Prime Doleshwar fight it out for the title of the country’s lone 50-over domestic competition, the cricketers of the six Super League clubs are expected to be jangling with nerves as the final 15-man squad for the forthcoming ICC World Cup in Australia-New Zealand will be announced today.

Abahani, Kalabagan Cricket Academy, Legends of Rupganj and Mohammedan are out of title contention leaving the two Primes in a competitive battle for the DPL crown. Whatever transpires today, the DPL will get a new champion in either Prime Bank or Prime Doleshwar.

Table-toppers Prime Bank (24 points) face Abahani in Mirpur and a win for the former will mean it will be the bankers who will lift the trophy at Prime Doleshwar’s expense.

The equation is a bit more complicated for Prime Doleshwar (22 points), who encounter Mohammedan at BKSP. Mushfiqur Rahim’s charges must win against Mohammedan and hope Prime Bank lose their match against Abahani.

Run Rate will decide which of the two teams will be crowned champions.

In the third match of the day, Kalabagan CA will lock horns with Rupganj in Fatullah. This match will be a mere formality as both the sides are out of the running for the title. However, a win for Kalabagan CA and a defeat for Abahani will see the former pipping the latter to third position in the points table.

Table-toppers Prime Bank (24 pts) face Abahani and a win for the former will mean it will be the bankers who will lift the trophy at Doleshwar’s expense As far as the World Cup selection is concerned, a lot will be at stake in today’s matches.

Even though Abahani have nothing to play for, their middle-order batsman Nasir Hossain will not be short of motivation. As the final 15-member Tigers squad will be named at the home of cricket, Mirpur, Nasir will be keen to impress the selectors while another Abahani batsman, opener Liton Kumar Das, will also have butterflies in

tion, a few Prime Bank cricketers will also be anxious with as many as five players involved in the running for berths in the final squad.

Prime Bank skipper Mahmudullah, paceman Taskin Ahmed, spinner Taijul Islam, seamer-allrounder Soumya Sarker and middle-order batsman Shuvagata Hom will target one final performance today.

The Prime Doleshwar lot will be an apprehensive one heading into the final round’s play not only because of the title-race and World Cup selection but also because of the absence of their captain Mushfiq. The Bangladesh Test skipper picked up an unfortunate shoulder injury during practise last week and was later advised to rest for seven days. In Mushfiq’s absence, a lot will depend on their openers – Rony Talukder and Mehedi Maruf – who are both in fine touch. With two centuries, Rony is leading the run-scorers’ chart with 651 runs. The bottom side of the Super League, Mohammedan, are low on confidence and will no doubt be looking to end their campaign on a winning note. If the traditional Black and Whites do win their final match, they will turn out to be quite the party-poopers. l

Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal starts rehab in his operated knee in Melbourne. The picture was collected yesterday from his official Facebook page

Of Tamim Iqbal and superstitions n Minhaz Uddin Khan

Prime Bank cricketers Soumya Sarker (L) and Farhad Reza head out of their training session in Mirpur yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sports personalities around the world believing that different habits and routines, largely based on superstitions, will put them in a better position to perform is hardly a new thing in the sporting arena.

18-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams does not change her socks during a tournament while Michael Jordan, one of the greatest ever basketball players in history, always wore his UNC (University of North Carolina) shorts just before putting on his NBA shorts.

Former England football captain and Chelsea stalwart John Terry meanwhile

once admitted he has around 50 superstitions that he has to observe before the start of a competitive fixture.

The game of cricket and superstitions also go hand in hand. No matter how established a cricketer is, every now and then, they have always been known to possess certain superstitions.

Even the god of the game, Sachin Tendulkar, is not immune to superstitions.

The little master always puts on his left pad first before going out to bat.

The Bangladesh cricketers are no different.

When opener Tamim Iqbal changed his jersey number from 29 to 28 in the home ODI series against India in June,

BANGABANDHU GOLD CUP

Booters see deferral as a blessing in disguise n Shishir Hoque The Bangladesh national football players and coaching staff are taking the “deferral” news of the much awaited Bangabandhu Gold Cup international tournament as a positive side as they believe more time will give them the opportunity to prepare extra.

The first international friendly tournament in more than a decade, Bangabandhu Gold Cup, was earlier expected to kick off on January 16, but is now almost certain that the tournament will defer. A fixed date is yet to be announced by the Bangladesh Football Federation while recent statements from the federation’s general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag indicated, though they are eying Jan 16, but it could be delayed by two to seven days.

However, under the guidance of interim coach Saiful Bari Titu the residential training camp of the national team at the BKSP is in full swing from January 1. Though captain Mamunul Islam is down with fever is yet to join while defensive midfielder Jamal Bhuiyan, who flew to Denmark after Sheikh Jamal DC’s club friendly against Korean club Busan IPark and returned yesterday, is expected to join the camp today.

“The date (for the Bangabandhu Gold Cup) has not been fixed yet but we are doing our job regularly and training twice a day. The main priority in the training is on physical plus technical and tactical sides as well,” said Titu yesterday. “It would be good for the team if the tournament is delayed because then we will have more time for the

preparation and can also play two practice matches before the event,” added Titu who also informed that players like Emily, Zahid, Mithun, Hemanta and Topu are yet to gain full fitness.

National striker Jahid Hossain Emily also echoed the same tone with Titu saying, “If the Bangabandhu Gold Cup defers it could be for one week and it wouldn’t hamper us. Rather it will be

better for the team. The preparation will be better and we will get more practice time.”

Emily, however, also admitted that it would be better for the players and the camp if the date of the tournament is fixed.

Young forward Wahed Ahmed also said the deferment of the tournament will help them get fully prepared

The national footballers are in action during training at BKSP on Friday

though defender Linkon pointed the negative aspect of the issue.

“Every tournament, domestic league are deferred for this event. It’s January and there’s still no fixed date for the Federation Cup, Premier league.

Everyone’s fitness is high now and I think it would not be any way good if the tournament is shifted once again,” said Linkon. l

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

2014, it caught the attention of many.

Ever since his debut in 2007, Tamim has been sporting 29 as his jersey number. However, according to his close associates, the southpaw’s lean patch of form in the recent past forced the 25-year old cricketer to think out of the box. Hence, the new jersey number – 28.

Bangladesh Cricket Board cricket operations manage Sabbir Khan informed Dhaka Tribune yesterday that Tamim first wanted to alter his jersey number in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 in Dhaka. “But, it was not possible as the squad was already submitted with all the necessary information.”

Months after the world event,

Tamim got his wish fulfilled through the ODIs against India.

Has luck changed for Tamim since the modification? Well, comparing his figures following the India series to that of the last two years, his numbers have certainly gone up.

However, it will be Tamim himself who can justify his belief. The picture will be much clearer in 2015, when Bangladesh will play the ICC World Cup and are scheduled to host Pakistan, India, South Africa and Australia in bilateral series.

Tamim is currently undergoing rehab in Australia following his knee surgery and is likely to return to the country this Saturday.l

Bed rest for Mushfiq, Shakib flies for BBL today n Minhaz Uddin Khan Bangladesh Test skipper Mushfiqur Rahim has been advised a week’s bed rest after the MRI report on his injured right shoulder yesterday revealed he is suffering from subluxation.

Bangladesh Cricket Board chief physician Dr Debashish Chowdhury informed Dhaka Tribune yesterday that Mushfiq, a key member of the Bangladesh side, has been advised seven-days rest following the medical examination.

“We will then start rehab and exercise with him,” said Debashish. The BCB physician further informed that it will take around 10 days for the wicket-keeper to return to the nets.

“This is, however, a speculation.

This will solely depend of his (Mushfiqur) physic deals with the injury. In medical terms, we can only expect the days of recovery but cannot confirm,” said Debashish.

With only around a month to go for the ICC World Cup the Bangladesh contingent have been hit with two crucial injuries.

Opener Tamim Iqbal was the first to report and had to go under the blade for a Grade 1 meniscus tear on his knee, while Mushfiqur injured his shoulder during club practice last week.

This is likely to have panicked the national team management but according to ace all-rounder Shakib al Hasan there isn’t much to worry.

“I have spoken to Tamim and he is doing well. He should be fit in time for

the World Cup. It should not be a problem. I also don’t think Mushfiqur’s injury is serious. I expect him to be back very soon as well,” said Shakib to the media on Friday.

Shakib is all set to fly to Australia tonight and join his Big Bash League side Melbourne Renegades.

The 27-year-old expects batting-friendly wickets in the competition and looks to gain experience and share it with the Bangladesh team when they set foot in Australia for the World Cup. l

MELBOURNE RENEGADES BBL FIXTURES January 7 v Hurricanes in Hobart January 10 v Melb Stars in Melbourne January 13 v Heat in Melbourne (Docklands) January 19 v Strikers in Melbourne (Docklands)

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

13

Sunday, January 4, 2015

QUICK BYTES

NZvSL, DAY 1

Villa striker Bent joins Derby on loan Aston Villa striker Darren Bent has joined Championship (second tier) side Derby County on loan for the rest of the season, the Premier League club said on Friday. The 30-year-old former England international, one of only 24 players to score more than 100 Premier League goals, has been on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion for the last month. Bent, who played 13 times for England from 2006-11, started his career with Ipswich Town before moving on to Charlton Athletic, Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland.

He joined Villa for a club-record fee of 18 million pounds ($27.7 million) in January 2011 but spent last season on loan at Fulham.

–Reuters

Steven Taylor ruled out for rest of season Newcastle defender Steven Taylor confirmed on Friday that he will miss the rest of the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. Taylor sustained the injury during his side’s 3-3 draw with Burnley at St James’ Park in the Premier League on Thursday. The Magpies’ caretaker manager John Carver said after the match that he didn’t expect Taylor to play again this term and 28-year-old centre-back used his official personal account on social media website Sportlobster to say: “Gutted to say I’m going to be out for the season.

–AFP

DAY’S WATCH Star Sports 4 2:15PM T20 Big Bash League Brisbane Heat v Adelaide Strikers English FA Cup 7:00PM Dover v Crystal Palace 9:30PM Yeovil Town v Man United 11:30PM Arsenal v Hull City

Star Sports 2 Spanish La Liga 10:00PM Valencia v Real Madrid 12:00AM Espanyol v Eibar 2:00AM Real Sociedad v Barcelona

Star Sports 1 English FA Cup

B

6 37 69 35 0 15 11 7 16 0 16 9

21 53 115 43 2 18 22 20 26 1 15

Total (10 wickets, 55.1 overs)

221

Bowling Lakmal 17-2-71-3 (3nb), Pradeep 16-0-63-4 (2w, 1nb), Prasad 11.1-1-50-2, Mathews 9-329-1, Herath 2-0-7-0 Sri Lanka 1st innings R D. Karunaratne c Neesham b Boult 16 K. Silva b Bracewell 5 K. Sangakkara not out 33 L. Thirimanne c McCullum b Bracewell 0 A. Mathews c Watling b Southee 15 P. Jayawardene c Neesham b Bracewell 6 Extras (lb1, nb2) 3 Total (five wickets, 25.4 overs)

B 25 30 58 7 24 12

78

Fall of wickets 1-18, 2-25 (Silva), 3-29, 4-58, 5-78

The New Zealand players applaud Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara off the field during the first day of their second Test in Wellington yesterday

CRICINFO

Sangakkara passes 12,000 runs as second Test in balance n

Reuters, Wellington

Kumar Sangakkara became the fasTest player to reach 12,000 Test runs and will look to rebuild Sri Lanka’s innings after they were left teetering on 78 for five at the end of the first day’s play in the second Test against New Zealand.

Sangakkara was 33 not out while wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene was dismissed for six in the final over on Saturday in reply to New Zealand’s 221 on the green Basin Reserve pitch.

Doug Bracewell took two quick wickets and Trent Boult another as New Zealand reduced the visitors to 29 for three.

The tourists then slumped to 58 for four after Tim Southee dismissed Angelo Mathews, before Bracewell had Jayawardene caught in the slips in the final over.

“We are definitely satisfied with the day,” Bracewell, who finished the day with figures of 3-23 from 7.4 overs, told reporters. “They’re 70 for five and we have an opportunity to make that 70 for six, 70 for seven tomorrow.

“I think it was a good day. The boys are pretty excited about going into tomorrow and seeing what happens.”

Sangakkara had entered the game needing five runs to become the fifth man to surpass 12,000 runs, which he

achieved with two off his hip into the leg side off Trent Boult.

Sangakkara has accumulated his runs in 224 innings, compared to India’s Sachin Tendulkar and Australia’s Ricky Ponting, who both needed 247 innings to surpass the mark.

The left-hander, who spent the majority of his career also keeping wickets, was given a standing ovation by the crowd of almost 5,000, though he barely acknowledged the milestone.

New Zealand had been dismissed just after the tea break after they lost their last eight wickets for 80 runs.

The hosts had been in control of the match having raced to 141 for two after

lunch, with Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor well set.

Nuwan Pradeep then sparked the collapse as New Zealand lost five wickets for 41 runs before tea with the visitors taking advantage of poor shot selection from the hosts, though Bracewell said the pitch was proving tricky to bat on.

“I think its the sort of wicket where you can lose wickets in clumps,” he added.

“It’s the sort of wicket if you bowl badly you can get punished but if you stay disciplined and hit good areas and stay patient then you’ll get rewarded.

“Looking at where we’ve got them at the moment 220 looks alright.”l

Bowling Boult 7-1-18-1, Southee 9-2-30-1, Bracewell 7.4-1-23-3 (2nb), Neesham 2-0-6-0

Equatorial Guinea sack coach on eve of Nations Cup n Reuters, Malabo African Nations Cup hosts Equatorial Guinea have fired coach Andoni Goikoetxea just over three weeks before the tournament, plunging their preparations into chaos.

Goikoetxea departed on Thursday after the election of a new president for the Equatorial Guinea Football Federation last week. New president Andres Jorge Mbomio confirmed the sacking of the former Spanish international, who had been in charge for the last two years, but gave no reasons in a statement on Friday.

Goikoetxea, who earned infamy in his playing days as a tough-tackling defender dubbed the ‘Butcher of Bilbao’, tweeted a thank you note to players “for their work and many good results”.l

Australia paceman Johnson in doubt for India Test

Nadal shrugs off Murray loss

n AFP, Sydney

Rafael Nadal shrugged off his 6-2, 6-0 defeat to Andy Murray at the Mubadala World Tennis Championships on Friday, insisting he’ll be fighting fit when his 2015 season starts in Qatar next week.

The 14-time Grand Slam title winner was making his first appearance since undergoing an appendectomy late last year having also missed most of the second half of the 2014 season with a wrist problem.

The Spaniard’s rustiness was obvious against Murray, who had played for more than two hours in seeing off Feliciano Lopez in his first match at the Abu Dhabi exhibition tournament on Thursday.

“This was not the best start possible against a tough rival in Andy Murray,” the 28-year-old Nadal told the Gulf News. “But there are only small things I need to adjust.”

“6-2, 6-0 is too much. I had a lot of

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson missed training on Saturday citing hamstring soreness, throwing into question whether he will be fit for the fourth and final Test against India, reports said.

Johnson, 33, has bowled long spells during the first three Tests against India, and has said he is hoping for a more responsive pitch in the fourth which begins in Sydney on Tuesday.

“Definitely, all us bowlers feel like we need to have a bit of a freshen up,” he said on Friday. “So we’ll just see what happens after this match here.

“And then we’ve got some tri-series one-dayers, so hopefully I can get a bit of a break at some stage there.”

Johnson missed a training session with the rest of the team on Saturday,

Australian Associated Press reported, adding that he had stayed instead at their hotel for treatment.

Australia’s squad includes fellow left-armer Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle as potential back-up pace bowlers - along with Ryan Harris and Josh Hazlewood.

Harris has said he is planning on playing in Sydney, and if Johnson is rested he could be replaced by Starc.

“We haven’t trained for a couple of days, so I am raring to get out there today and in the next couple of days, in order to get myself best prepared for this Test,” Starc said Saturday.

“I guess it (selection) depends on the fitness of other blokes and how they have pulled up from last week.”

“The decision isn’t up to me, but If I am called up this week I will be ready.”l

n AFP, Abu Dhabi

chances to have a closer result. I have to improve, that’s obvious, and I’m going to improve. This match helps me and the defeat does not affect me too much.

“I felt I was dominating the points a lot of times, but I am missing competitive spirit. I am going to keep working hard to get that.”

Murray goes on to face world number one Novak Djokovic in final after the Serb eased past Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka 6-1, 6-2.

Wimbledon champion Djokovic was playing his first match in a month having completed his 2014 campaign by featuring in the International Premier Tennis League.

“I haven’t played in over a month, so to play at such a high level against such a class player was nice,” said the 27-year-old Djokovic.

Djokovic and Nadal will open their competitive 2015 campaigns at the Qatar Open in Doha from Monday. l

9:00PM Man City v Sheffield Wednesday

Nadal reacts after losing a point against Murray during their semi-final in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship AFP

Jedinak given a break as Australia step up training n Reuters, Melbourne

Ten Cricket 2:00PM South Africa v West Indies 3rd Test Day 3

MONDAY Ten Cricket 2:00PM South Africa v West Indies 3rd Test Day 4

Star Sports 2 10:00AM Ranji Trophy Haryana v Delhi 5:30PM Chennai Open (Tennis) 1:45AM Italian Serie A Lazio v Sampdoria

Star Sports 4 2:15PM T20 Big Bash League Melbourne Stars v Sydney Sixers 1:45AM English FA Cup Wimbledon v Liverpool

Star Sports 1 15:30AM (Tuesday) Australia v India 4th Test, Day 1

R

Fall of wickets 1-31, 2-62, 3-141, 4-142, 5-162, 6-181, 7-182, 8-194, 9-195, 10-221

Stoke’s Huth sorry over explicit tweets Stoke defender Robert Huth is being investigated by the Football Association after apologising for a series of explicit interactions he made on Twitter. Huth has landed himself in hot water after responding to a Twitter account which posts sexual images of individuals. The account invites users of the social media site to guess from cropped photographs of people in explicit poses whether those pictured have male or female genitalia. A series of tweets posted from Huth’s official account showed the 30-year-old German playing the game. On Friday, with the interactions with the other account having been deleted, he posted a message saying: “Clearly no offence was meant or directed to anyone, but apologies if I’ve offended anyone.”

–AFP

New Zealand 1st innings T. Latham c Jayawardene b Lakmal H. Rutherford c Jayawardene b Pradeep K. Williamson b Prasad R. Taylor b Pradeep B. McCullum b Lakmal J. Neesham c Jayawardene b Pradeep B. Watling c Chandimal b Mathews M. Craig c Mathews b Lakmal D. Bracewell b Prasad T. Southee c Sangakkara b Pradeep T. Boult not out Extras (lb1, w3, nb5)

So Mi (L), the new Korean coach of the Bangladesh women shooters, observes the male shooters yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Australia captain Mile Jedinak was given a deserved day off as the remainder of a happy and fully fit Socceroos squad ramped up the intensity on Saturday ahead of their Asian Cup opener against Kuwait.

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou was keen not to overload his influential skipper, who was named Australian footballer of the year on Friday, after a demanding period with English Premier League side Crystal Palace.

“He had two games in 48 hours and has come off a long flight, it was always the plan to ease him back into it but he’ll train tomorrow,” the coach told reporters. “He’s very, very fit.”

With the temperatures rising to 40 degrees in Melbourne on Saturday, Postecoglou brought forward training for the other 22 players to avoid the searing heat. Concerns over defender Trent Sainsbury’s troublesome hamstring problem had subsided, the coach said, with the rest of the group ready for Friday’s opener against Kuwait.l

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Real’s 22-game run under threat n AFP, Madrid La Liga leaders Real Madrid face one of their toughest tests since embarking on a 22-game winning streak back in September when they start 2015 with a trip to Valencia on Sunday.

Los Che have reason to be optimistic in the new year with a return to Champions League football for next season top of their agenda.

Valencia sit fourth, a solitary point above Sevilla, Villarreal and Malaga, but demonstrated their financial ad-

LA LIGA Getafe Valencia Espanyol Real Sociedad

v v v v

Rayo Vallecano Real Madrid Eibar Barcelona

vantage over the other Champions League hopefuls following Singaporean businessman Peter Lim’s recent acquisition of the club by splashing out $30 million on Argentine international midfielder Enzo Perez this week.

Perez is expected to make his Mestalla debut against a Real side still shorn of Luka Modric through injury.

Sergio Ramos is also a serious doubt having played with a calf injury as the European champions ended 2014 by collecting their fourth trophy of the

year in the Club World Cup against San Lorenzo a fortnight ago.

Unusually the opening of the transfer window has sparked rumours of possible departures from the Santiago Bernabeu rather than big money signings with Gareth Bale linked with a move to Manchester United.

However, the Welshman, who scored in his third final for Los Blancos with his 11th of the season in the Club World Cup final, has dismissed suggestions that he could leave the Spanish capital after a remarkably successful 18 months since joining from Tottenham Hotspur.

Barcelona start the year just a point adrift of Real at the top, but having played a game more.

The Catalans also face a potentially tricky trip away to David Moyes’s Real Sociedad on Sunday and have had little time to prepare for the game as a group following the Christmas break.

Lionel Messi, Neymar and Dani Alves only returned to training on Friday, while the latter remains a doubt due to a hamstring injury.

Champions Atletico Madrid host Levante in the first La Liga match of the year on Saturday, but Fernando Torres will not be available to mark his return to the Vicente Calderon as his move from AC Milan cannot be formally completed until the Italian transfer window opens on Monday. l

Real Madrid players take part in a training session on Friday ahead of their La Liga encounter with Valencia tonight

Man City eye another Wembley FA Cup triumph n AFP, London Manchester City’s recent emergence as a genuine footballing power started with FA Cup success in 2011 and, if manager Manuel Pellegrini has his way, it will continue with another triumph at Wembley in May. The current Premier League joint-leaders face an apparently easy third round home tie on Sunday against Championship club Sheffield Wednesday, whom they defeated 7-0 in the League Cup as recently as September.

The FA Cup has played a key role in City’s recent resurgence, with former manager Roberto Mancini ending the club’s 35-year wait for silverware when he masterminded final victory against Stoke four years ago. There was a return to Wembley for the 2013 final, and a far different outcome, as City were stunned by Wigan in one of the biggest

final upsets of all time, a result which led to the club sacking Mancini.

Little wonder, then, that Pellegrini, who won a Wembley final last season

FIXTURES Dover QPR Sunderland Aston Villa Man City Southampton Stoke City Yeovil Town Chelsea Arsenal

v v v v v v v v v v

Crystal Palace Sheffield United Leeds United Blackpool S Wednesday Ipswich Town Wrexham Man United Watford Hull City

against Sunderland in the League Cup, is placing great store in the competition as City look to ensure they end the season with at least one piece of silverware.

Recent injuries - particularly in attack - mean Pellegrini will rotate his squad for the third round game and young forward Jose Angel Pozo, who scored his first and so far only senior goal in that League Cup victory against Wednesday, is in line for what would be only the second start of his career.

Sheffield Wednesday boast an admirable FA Cup pedigree, with six appearances in the final to their name but they last lifted the trophy in 1935 - one of three triumphs in the competition.

The Owls’ most recent bow in a final came in 1993, when they were beaten 2-1 by Arsenal in a replay.

The South Yorkshire club reached the fifth round last season but know as well as anyone they face a daunting task to progress past the third round this time.

The 7-0 defeat at the Etihad earlier this term saw all the goals coming in the second half but, nevertheless, manager

Stuart Gray believes his side return to the Etihad Stadium with hope.

John Terry expects Chelsea to recover from their New Year’s day mauling at Tottenham when Watford visit Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.

The 5-3 loss at White Hart Lane was as painful as it was unexpected and the visit of a side battling to get out of the Championship should provide an opportunity for Jose Mourinho’s shell-shocked players to recover their confidence.

It will be a major surprise if the Premier League leaders stumble against a team led by former Chelsea midfielder Slavisa Jokanovic, the fourth manager to take charge of the Hornets this season.

Chelsea haven’t needed to rely too much on luck in the FA Cup in recent seasons, but if Mourinho’s side are looking for omens, the pairing with Watford should provide a lift. l

INTERNET

Liverpool losing ‘red heartbeat’ in Gerrard n Reuters, London Liverpool will be losing their “red heartbeat” when captain Steven Gerrard quits the club at the end of the season, 2005 Champions League-winning manager Rafa Benitez said on Friday.

“After hearing the news today that Steven will leave Liverpool ... I wanted to wish him all the best for the future and thank him for all his hard work during the time I was at Anfield,” the Napoli boss said on his website.

“Liverpool FC is not just losing a great athlete or a great footballer. The club is losing its red heartbeat. Steve, remember, you’ll never walk alone.”

Benitez said the remarkable penalty shootout victory, after his side trailed 3-0 after 45 minutes against AC Milan

in the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul, would not have been possible without Gerrard.

“Steven inspired the team that night, refusing to believe it was an impossible job at halftime,” explained the Spaniard. “He led the charge with a wonderful headed goal and showed the determination needed to win a penalty for our third goal. It was the perfect stage for him to showcase his talents.

“If I could think of one word to describe Steven Gerrard it would be ‘passion’,” added Benitez. “He was my captain at Liverpool for six seasons and we worked closely together. He nearly always thrived on the big occasion, producing one of the great FA Cup goals as we beat West Ham at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff,” he said of the 2006 final. l

Marseille look to avoid surprises in French Cup

Lavezzi, Cavani risk PSG punishment n AFP, Paris

n AFP, Paris

South American attacking duo Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani finally returned to their club Paris Saint-Germain on Friday, but both face possible sanctions after missing a training camp.

Having vowed to bolster team discipline, coach Laurent Blanc has said he will be demanding “explanations” from the pair, who have both been linked with moves away from the French capital during the January transfer window.

They were notable absentees from a winter training camp in Morocco which culminated in a 1-0 friendly win over Inter Milan on Tuesday and neither player appeared at Friday morning’s first training session of the new year at the club’s base in the Paris suburbs. l

After a short winter break, Ligue 1 clubs are back in action this weekend in the round of 64 of the French Cup, with Marseille hoping to avoid any surprise against lower-league opponents.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side, who topped the Ligue 1 table at the halfway stage of the season to take the symbolic title of Autumn Champions, travel to the freezing Alps for an awkward tie against fourth-tier Grenoble on Sunday.

A tie that should be straightforward could be a tricky affair due to the state of the playing surface at the Stade des Alpes, which has been covered to protect it from the bitter cold but will be used for a Top 14 rugby match on Saturday.

“It is a reality that we need to live

with. The pitch will suffer but I don’t think it is something worth pointing out because it will be the same for the two teams,” said Bielsa.

The Argentine added that he intends to play his strongest possible team as Marseille try to win the Cup for the first time since 1989.

Winger Florian Thauvin will come up against the club where he started his career, although much has changed at Grenoble in recent times.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain go to Montpellier in an all top-flight encounter on Monday. Montpellier beat the capital giants at the Parc des Princes in the round of 32 a year ago and Rolland Courbis’s side may fancy their chances of a repeat performance this time, just two weeks after holding PSG in the league.l

Pardew enters Palace, leaves Gallic legacy at St James’ Park

Ben Arfa set for transfer to Nice n AFP, Nice

Podolski arrives to sign Inter loan deal

n AFP, London

French midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa is set to join Nice, the Ligue 1 side announced on Saturday, on what could be an 18-month long contract.

The 27-year-old is currently on Newcastle’s books but has been on loan with Hull City this season without establishing himself in Steve Bruce’s side.

His loan spell at the KC Stadium was cut short and Newcastle have made it clear there is no further role for home at St James’ Park, opening up the prospect of a return to France.

“OGC Nice have reached an agreement in principle with Hatem Ben Arfa.

The France international will have a medical on Monday prior to signing with Le Gym,” the club said on its website, adding that he had trained with his new teammates on Saturday.

Sources close to the Cote d’Azur side said that the length of the contract would likely be 18 months. l

n AFP, Milan

Former Newcastle manager Alan Pardew posing with the jersey of his new destination, Crystal Palace, yesterday

By overseeing a ‘French Revolution’ at Newcastle United, outgoing manager Alan Pardew has had a more far-reaching impact on the club’s heritage than almost any of his immediate predecessors.

While he failed to win over large sections of Newcastle’s support during his four-year tenure, the stockpiling of French players under Pardew radically changed the make-up of the success-starved club’s playing staff.

Of the 27 players signed by Newcastle during Pardew’s time at the helm, 13 were French - a testament to the influence of chief scout Graham Carr, for whom Ligue 1 has proved richly fertile territory.

In October 2013, a sequence of 13 consecutive Gallic goals saw Newcastle establish a new record for the longest run of goals scored by foreign players from one country in the English top flight.

Earlier that year, the club had host-

ed a ‘French Day’, which saw fans turn up for a match against Southampton brandishing Tricolore flags and wearing berets, while the Marseillaise was played before kick-off.

Pardew was rechristened ‘Alain Pardieu’ on social media and joked: “I think there’s a good chance I could win French manager of the year.”

The heavy French presence in the changing room has had the added bonus of making it easier for Newcastle to attract Francophone players to the club.

Including Papiss Cisse (Senegal), Cheick Tiote (Ivory Coast), Mehdi Abeid (Algeria) and Kevin Mbabu (Switzerland), there are currently 13 French-speaking players on Newcastle’s books.

There have been French players at Newcastle before, such as the flamboyant wingers David Ginola and Laurent Robert, but for a club where the walls used to ring with the Geordie tones

INTERNET

of home-grown heroes like Paul Gascoigne or Alan Shearer, it represents a cultural sea-change that has not been to everyone’s liking.

“I don’t think it’s a healthy thing to have too many French players in one dressing room,” Shearer confided in 2013.

Newcastle’s form oscillated continually under Pardew, with the club finishing 12th, fifth, 16th and 10th in the four Premier League seasons he completed and lying 10th in the table on the day he left.

But from a financial perspective, the French invasion has been a resounding success. Yohan Cabaye arrived from Lille for £4.8 million ($7.5 million, 6.2 million euros) in July 2011 and was sold to Paris Saint-Germain for £19 million in January 2014.

Newcastle also made a £7 million profit on Mathieu Debuchy, who left for Arsenal, while winger Yoan Gouffran, now a first-team regular, cost only £1.4 million from Bordeaux.l

German World Cup winner Lukas Podolski arrived in Milan on Friday where he was poised to sign a loan deal with Inter after being frozen out by Arsenal.

The 29-year-old has become increasingly frustrated at his lack of playing time with the English Premier League side.

Podolski was pictured on the Inter website brandishing a blue and black club scarf on his arrival in the Italian city.

His move to Italy comes despite Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on Tuesday describing Inter’s interest as “a joke”.

Podolski, who moved to Arsenal from Cologne in 2012, is due to undergo a medical today and could make his debut against champions Juventus on Tuesday.

He has scored 31 goals for the Gunners but has yet to start a Premier League match this season.

Reports on the morning of Thurs-

day’s game at Southampton, which Arsenal lost 2-0, claimed Podolski had stormed out of training session in frustration at being repeatedly omitted from Wenger’s starting line-up.

The Germany international took to social media to deny a bust-up and Wenger insisted Podolski was absent from his squad because of a groin injury. But Wenger did admit the player could be allowed to leave for Inter if the Serie A club improved on their first offer for the player. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

15

Sunday, January 4, 2015

SHOKH in new TV series

Three Comrades completes its 100 episodes

n Entertainment Desk

n Entertainment Desk

Model-actress Shokh is going to play a role in a TV series titled “Modhho Bitto Shukh Ashukh.”

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, she said the title of the series may be changed.

Shokh, who also nailed her name in Dhallywood with “Bolona Tumi Amar” and “Olpo Olpo Premer Golpo,” said she will be one of the central characters in the TV series.

“I liked the story of the TV play which I am working on,” Shokh said adding that the shooting of the shooting has already been started.

“I hope that the audience would appreciate my works on the recent TVC, which will be aired on television channels soon,” she said.

“The start of a the new year has been a fresh and good. I hope to continue with my acting career for the entire year,” she said.

Shokh is also busy in shooting for single TV plays to be aired on Valentine Day occasion. l

Drama series Three Comrades completes its hundred episodes today at 8:20pm on ETV. The drama “Three Comrades” is about three friends living in a rented house in Dhaka. The comedy is about hiccups faced by three young men namely Zia, Helal and Opu in their daily lives.

Taxi driver Zia is a big fan of the Dhallywood late actor Manna and follows his style. He is also attracted to the land owner’s daughter and tries to attract her in different hilarious ways. Helal is cooperative to his friends but his main source of income is to blackmail unknown people.

At one point, he falls in a trap while blackmailing someone. The other guy, Opu is from a small town and studies in a university in the town. He is also a theatre activist.

Opu is in love with a member of his theatre troupe who is one year older than him. The girl gets a chance in a TV series and leaves theatre.

The shift creates problem in their relation.

However, the three friends as three comrades try to celebrate life whenever they man-

Wuthering Heights HBO Defined, 5:50pm

Heath, a musically talented homeless youth brings both desire and turmoil to a family living in a secluded lighthouse named The Heights.

Bee Movie HBO Hits, 7:00pm

age to pass their time together. The main three characters are played by Hasan Masud, Shahriar Nazim Joy and Adnan Faruk Hillol. The drama also features Noushin, Ahona, Shimana, Shams Shumon and many more in other important roles. l

Barry Benson, a bee just graduated from college, is disillusioned at his lone career choice: making honey.

The Island WB, 9:30pm

DJ Sonica releases first music video n Entertainment Desk Marzia Kabir Sonica, widely known by her stage name DJ Sonica, has recently released a music video for the first time.

Via Youtube, the music video was released on December 31, 2014. Titled Bhallage, the song was written and performed by Sonica herself. While Shahan, the music composer, joined her in vocal.

The four minute long music video also features Bangla Bangla Mentalz as a vigilante rap group.

Talking to Dhaka Tribune, Sonica said: “Actually

I did the music video as part of amusement. However, I have plan to release an audio album which is under way.”

Throughout her carrier Sonica has been working in every possible arena to accomplish that magical skill to make any type of crowd jump on their feet with her groovy beats and this time she releases first new musical material, potentially to be featured on her upcoming album in mid 2015.

DJ Sonica has carved a niche for herself as the first female DJ in the country who started her career as a disc jockey in the year of 2007. l

A man goes on the run after he discovers that he is actually a “harvestable being,” and is being kept as a source of replacement parts.

Oblivion Star Movies, 3:00pm

Drishtipath Nattya Sangsad staged their recent production ‘Koila Ronger Chador’ on Friday and Saturday at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital

Film

Meghmallar Ouija Interstellar Gone Girl Ek Cup Cha Into The Storm Blockbuster Cinemas Jamuna Future Park Meghmallar Brick Mansions Big Hero 6 (3D) Pipra Bidda Lavel 8, Star Cineplex, Bashundhara City

Exhibition

Nakshi Kantha: Zainul Abedin Time: 12pm – 8pm Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhanmondi

PK becomes Bollywood’s all time highest grossing film

SELENA GOMEZ deletes photo taken in mosque n Entertainment Desk

n Entertainment Desk As protests against the film continued, the producers of Aamir Khan-starrer “PK” said the film has broken “Dhoom 3” record to become the biggest earner in Bollywood by collecting Rs 278.52 crores since its release on December 19.

The film has faced criticism by rightwing organisations who said the Rajkumar Hirani-directed film disrespects Hindu religion, an allegation rejected by its makers.

Hirani, 52, said the film’s word-ofmouth performance has been overwhelming. “I had never in my wildest dreams thought this film will cross these numbers. It reinforces faith that content is king. We can continue making films we believe in. The messages I get are overwhelming. People are watching the film over and over again. It’s humbling,” the director said in a statement.

“PK”’ with its Rs 278.52 crores at the box office is the second film by both Aamir and Hirani after “3 Idiots” (Rs 202 crores) to be a part of the highest earning films’ club.

The film has done well in overseas markets as well by contributing Rs 124 crores at the box office. l

Selena Gomez caused a stir with her pictures from her visit to the Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque. The “Come & Get It” singer had jetted over to Abu Dhabi to ring in the New Year with pals, including Kendall Jenner, Cody Simpson and Gigi Hadid.

When the group visited the Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque on December 29, they posed for a couple of Instagram photos, which irked some who found her snaps to be disrespectful.

Gomez, 22, got most of the comments when she posted a now-deleted picture of herself showing off her bare ankle. Gomez followers immediately began commenting on the snapshot, with some calling the pose offensive.

“I was just thinking, why purposely go to a sacred place and do something considered disrespectful?” one user wrote, according to Us Weekly.

Instead of commenting on the controversy, Gomez deleted the offending ankle shot and left only a group photo up from the visit. l

A veteran assigned to extract Earth’s remaining resources begins to question what he knows about his mission and himself.

2015’s most anticipated movies n Entertainment Desk Fifty Shades of Grey Release date: February 13

Sam Taylor-Johnson’s hotly anticipated adaptation of EL James’ erotic drama, about a relationship between a college student and a businessman, hits the big screen in time for Valentine’s Day with Jamie Dornan, Dakota Johnson, Eloise Mumford, Rita Ora, Marcia Gay Harden and Andrew Airlie.

Furious 7 Release date: April 3

Director James Wan’s seventh instalment of the car-racing franchise focuses on Ian Shawseeking revenge against Dominic Toretto and also stars Paul Walker in his last film with his younger brothers as stand-ins after his death, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster and Tyrese Gibson.

on the theme park’s land stars George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie, Keegan Michael-Key and Judy Greer.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part 2 Release date: November 20

Jennifer Lawrence returns to finish off the post-apocalyptic action franchise, based on Suzanne Collins’ novels, alongside Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Donald Sutherland, Julianne Moore and Gwendoline Christie.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Release date: December 18

JJ Abrams directs the seventh episode of George Lucas’ beloved franchise, reuniting Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill and adding Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson, Andy Serkis, Gwendoline Christie, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Daisy Ridley and Lupita Nyong’o.

Mission: Impossible 5 Release date: December 25

Avengers: Age of Ultron Release date: May 1

Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L Jackson and Cobie Smulders are back with Idris Elba, Tom Hiddleston, Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson in Joss Whedon’s sequel to square off against James Spader.

Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the next instalment in the marquee franchise has Tom Cruise reprising the role of Ethan Hunt with Paula Patton, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson and Alec Baldwin.

The Hateful Eight Release date: TBD

Tomorrowland Release date: May 22

Written by Damon Lindelof with Jeff Jensen and directed by Brad Bird, Disney’s scifi feature about a better world and based

Quentin Tarantino’s post-Civil War bounty hunter film stars Samuel L Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Demian Bichir, Walton Goggins, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen and Bruce Dern.

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Eid-e-Miladunnabi today n UNB

POST JANUARY 5 VIOLENCE

Fear still haunts Malopara Hindus at Abhoynagar n Touhid Zaman, Jessore The Bangla term “Abhoynagar” stands for “the city of fearlessness.” But it has a different meaning for the people of Malopara Hindu community of Abhoynagar in Jessore where they had fallen victims to atrocities after the January 5 elections last year.

For them, the Abhoynagar is a place of fear.

One year after the deadly attacks, a nightmare is still haunting as the people of the area are still apprehending violence yet again.

However, the authorities concerned said the situation is under their control.

There is no scope for the violence.

The Hindus came under attack soon after the completion of general election on January 5 in different parts of the country allegedly by BNP-Jamaat activists who were resisting the election.

Right after the attacks, many top leaders of AL extended their supports and provided encouragement to the people before the PM’s visit to the area In the wake of mindless attacks, members of the minority community at Chapatola in Abhoynagar fled their homes.

With assurance from different organisations and the government, they have begun living at the newly built houses.

The government had provided help to 62 families to construct their houses and temples. Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), a paramilitary force which is primarily responsible for the border security of the country, had helped to construct the houses and other buldings.

In an open eye, lives of the people in the area will appear very normal for an outsider. But an engaged talks with the people will reveal a different reality.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, many people of the area expressed their anxiety about the security of their lives and properties.

They said they do not know what will happen to them once the government is out of power as the attackers threatened to unleash the atrocities again.

Shekhor Barman, a resident of Malopara, said: “Till today, I become frightened when the incidents of that day comes to my mind.”

Hearing the sounds of even firecrackers, the women and children of area become frightened as they could not overcome the psychological trauma till today, he said.

“Though we are trying to lead a nor-

mal life, we can not,” said housewife Sanchita Barman.

“Most of the people who were involved in the attacks have come out on bail from the jail,” she said.

“The attackers have repeatedly threaten us saying that how many days this government will remain in the power? When the government leaves the power, we will see you then,” she added.

Despite the government’s several assurance of taking development initiatives for the area, none of the projects have been implemented.

“The prime minister stood beside us during our tough times. On the occasion of her visit to the area, the construction of the road in area was begun in a quick manner,” said housewife Swarsati Barman.

“As the prime minister left the area, the construction work was stopped.

And it has not been completed till today,” she said.

During her visit to the area, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina assured of constructing a school. But no building has been erected till today, she added.

Children of the area have to go to Chengutia school, which is around four kilometer far from the locality.

“After sending our children to the school, we have to remain in anxiety if they come under attacks,”Prohlad Barman.

“Despite our repeated demands for a permanent police outpost in the area, the number of police force from the temporary one has been reduced to 10 from 20,” he said.

Biswajit Sarkar, a resident of the area, and the secretary of Prembag union unit of ruling Awami League, the people the had fallen victim to the attacks only for being supporters of the AL. Right after the attacks, many top leaders of AL extended their supports and provided encouragement to the people before Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to the area, he said.

But none of them came to the area after the prime minister’s visit, he added.

Biswajit demanded that the existing temporary police outpost be made a permanent one, and the number of the police force be increased at outpost to ensure security of the people.

Anisur Rahman, superintendent of police (SP) of Jessore, said there is no scope for violence in the area as police are much active to ensure security of the people.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is investigating the case file over the attacks on Malopara Hindu community, he said.

Some 15 to 16 people were arrested on charge of their involvement in the attacks. The CID will submit a charge sheet against the people involved in the incident soon, he added. l

The birth and death anniversary of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), Eid-e-Miladunnabi, will be observed across the country today with due religious fervour and solemnity.

On this day in 570, the 12th of Rabiul Awal of the Hijri calendar, the Prophet was born in Makkah in Saudi Arabia with divine blessings and messages of peace for mankind. He also passed away on the same day.

The day is a public holiday.

The government as well as religious and socio-cultural and political organisations have chalked out various programmes, including discussions and milad mahfil, to mark the day.

Different Islamic organisations will take out peaceful processions carrying banners inscribed with “Kalema Taiyeba” in the city as elsewhere across the country and arrange competitions on Qur’an recitation and exhibitions of religious books.

Islamic Foundation Bangladesh will organise various programmes highlighting the significance of the day.

Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private TV channels will air special programmes while newspapers publish special articles on the day.

President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Opposition Leader Rawshan Ershad and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia issued separate messages on the occasion greeting the country’s people and Muslims across the world. l

Househelp dies falling from high-rise building in capital n Tribune Report

Yet another manhole lies uncovered on the Najimuddin Road in Old Dhaka posing a risk of accidents to pedestrians. A four-year-old boy recently died after falling inside an uncovered abandoned water pipe in the capital recently triggering widespread criticism towards to city administration MEHEDI HASAN

ACC inquires DSCC’s Tk50cr embezzlement n Adil Sakhawat An Anti-Corruption Commission inquiry has found that Tk12 crore, not Tk62 crore, was spent by the Dhaka South City Corporation authorities for the construction of roads and footpaths along Gulistan-Jatrabari Mayor Hanif Flyover.

But the DSCC withdrew a bill of Tk62 crore for the work, which has been questioned by the locals too.

It is alleged that the authorities did not complete the work properly as the roads in and around the flyover area have been in a dilapidated condition.

The ACC launched the inquiry with

Deputy Director Abdus Sobhan at its helm after getting the allegations, an official told the Dhaka Tribune seeking anonymity.

Scrutinising related documents, the commission has found that a Tk62 crore project was undertaken in 2013 to develop the roads under and beside the flyover. But the ACC inquiry has unveiled that the authorities spent only Tk12 crore and embezzled the rest.

The flyover was opened for public in October 2013.

Stating the sorry state of the roads and footpaths, the locals recently submitted complaints to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Casualties on both sides in Kashmir mortar fire n Tribune Report

Two Indian soldiers and a woman were killed while 11 people were injured as Pakistani troops targeted villages and security posts at various places in Jammu and Kashmir since Friday night that triggered migration of hundreds of people from some border areas.

The latest round of firing by Pakistan which started on New Year’s eve has left two dead, including a BSF soldier, and nine injured while five Pakistani Rangers had been killed in retaliatory firing by India.

While the firing and shelling continued, Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh regretted that Pakistan is repeatedly targeting border areas of India.

Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire along the LoC near Kanhaiyah Post last night by firing rocket propelled grenades into Tanghdar area, police officials said while citing the FIR lodged by the army, the Hindustan Times reported.

They said the Pakistani action caused death of two Indian soldiers and injury to another. A BSF jawan, who was posted on duty in a nearby post of the force, was also injured in the incident, the officials said.

Along the International Border, Pakistani troops targeted villages and 13 border outposts with heavy mortar shelling in Kathua and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir, leading to death of a wom-

Indian youth Rahul Kumar, injured in cross border firing between Indian and Pakistan troops, is shifted to Government Medical College Hospital in Jammu yesterday AFP an and injuries to eight others.

Shelling of villages triggered panic and migration from border villages and over 1400 people have been evacuated from hamlets in Samba and Kathua district, officials said.

“Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked and heavy firing and mortar shelling on posts and civilian areas along IB in Samba and Kathua districts since 2130 hours last night,” Inspector General of BSF Rakesh Sharma told PTI. “BSF troops gave a befitting reply resulting in exchanges which stopped at 3am in the morning,” the IG said.

Pakistan again started mortar shelling and firing targeting civilian areas since 7am, he said.

A woman identified as Tori Devi of village Mangu Chack wassa killed in the shelling and four civilians have been injured in the firing and shelling, Anil Magotra, senior superintendent of police (SSP), Samba, told PTI. Four persons, including two women, were injured in Nauchak village in Kathua, deputy commissioner Kathua Shahid Iqbal said.

IG BSF has also issued an advisory to the border people for evacution.

Scores of houses have suffered damage and few animals have also perished in the firing, Magotra said.

The SSP said buses have been kept ready for evacuation and “we are waiting for the firing and shelling to stop so that people are shifted to safer areas in shelter camps”.

People have taken shelter in bunkers and are not venturing out, he said.

“While we are offering our hand of friendship to Pakistan, it is continuously indulging in ceasefire violations. We made a beginning by inviting Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the swearing-in of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who shook hands with him offering not just friendship but also hoping to unite hearts. Despite that, Pakistan is indulging in ceasefire violations repeatedly,” he said.

The renewed ceasefire violations come barely two months after the last major escalation that left 13 people dead and displaced 32,000 border residents in August and October.

Over 550 incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan occurred in 2014, the highest since the truce came into force in 2003, with the Indo-Pak border witnessing the worst such escalation during August to October which left 13 people, including 2 security personnel dead.

A total of 19 people, including 5 soldiers, were killed and over 150 injured in such incidents last year. l

The DSCC also withdrew bill for the construction of a four-kilometre pipeline between Joykali Mandir and Jatrabari showing the project “complete,” though it is not.

It was supposed to be completed before Eid-ul-Fitr, 2013, but the work is yet to be finished, an ACC official told the Dhaka Tribune.

Moreover, the roads from Phulbaria to Gulistan, Gulistan to Kaptan Bazar and Gulistan to Bangabhaban have been left unfit.

Of the Tk62 crore cost, the DSCC alone claimed to have completed the infrastructure work worth around Tk15 crore and the rest with other organisations. l

A female house help allegedly committed suicide jumping off the roof of a 17-storey building in the capital’s Moghbazar yesterday.

Police recovered the body of Fatema Akhter, 20, from the road adjacent to the building named Century Tower around 9am.

Daughter of Gagon Ali, Fatema worked at flat D/17 on the 17th floor. She hailed from Kandapara of Mymensingh.

According to police, the flat owners stay abroad and only the father of the housemaster, who is aged around 60 years, lived there.

Sub-Inspector Shafiul Alam of Ramna police said the body bore no injury marks. “We have sent the body to Dhaka Medical College morgue for a post mortem examination and waiting for the report.”

He claimed that in primary investigation they found that the girl had committed suicide after being deceived by her so-called boyfriend.

Quoting inhabitants of other flats, police say Fatema had no idea that the youth had been married.

She came to know about the matter recently. l

Rain in winter slightly unusual but not surprising n Abu Bakar Siddique The heavy rainfall that some parts of the country have been experiencing, though a bit unusual, is not totally surprising, says the meteorological department.

The sudden downpour of the last two days is the result of a depression which formed in the Bay of Bengal few days ago.

According to the met office, the rain mainly occurred in the country’s southern and northern parts breaking the record of average rainfall in the season in most places.

Adbur Rahman, meteorologist of Bangladesh Meteorology Department told the Dhaka Tribune that they had recorded 15 millimetres of rainfall in Dinajpur, 13 millimetres in Syedpur and 8 millimetres of rainfall in Rangpur yesterday while average rainfall record in the region in this time of the year is only 8 millimetres.

Citing the ‘well marked low/depression’ as the cause of such kind of irregular heavy rainfall in the winter, he also said the temperature had increased because of this.

He further said the rain would cease from today as the depression had already lost it gravity and pace and was getting dissolved in the air.

However, the farmers of the rural areas were happy because of the unexpected rainfall as it helped with the irrigation for winter crops like wheat and maze.

“This sudden rain has saved me around Tk2000, which was supposed to be spent for my 2 acres of wheat field,” said Sajjad Hossain, a farmer from Dinajpur.

Met Office anticipated that at least one moderate to severe cold wave would hit the country in the last week of the month January being the coldest month of the year in Bangladesh, the recent rise in the temperature because of the depression also baffled many people.

The Met office said the temperature would decrease within next two or three days bringing in a mild cold wave for few days.

It also anticipated that at least one moderate to severe cold wave would hit the country in the last week of the month.

The winter season in Bangladesh prevails from middle of November to middle of February. l

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B3 Global factory growth

ends 2014 on low note

B4 New year may mean new view on energy stocks globally

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 www.dhakatribune.com/business

Best and worst stocks of 2014 n Tribune Report Investors who owned cement stocks have strong ground to smile as they received hefty return of more than 114% in 2014 against their investments in this sector.

Cement stocks were the best performers at the Dhaka Stock Exchange in just-concluded year amid expectation of good business opportunities for cement makers due to the Padma Bridge construction project – the country’s largest ever infrastructure.

The sector was driven by heavyweight Lafarge Surma Cement that posted 267% price return last year, according to the Lanka Bangla Securities yearly review on capital market 2014.

‘Due to upgraded national grid, power generation companies load factor increased’ It said the second best performer is telecommunication with 70.7% gain in its market capitalisation, led by Grameenphone – the market’s largest capitalised stock that alone posted over 80% price return.

Food & allied sector came third rising 59.6% market capitalisation, lifted by Olympic Industries and British American Tobacco Bangladesh Corporation, which surged 108.6% and 65.3% respectively.

Pharmaceutical sector’s market capitalisation increased 43.8%, dominated by ACI, Renata, ACI Formulation, Square Pharmaceuticals and Marico Bangladesh.

Scam-hit banking sector that remained under pressure in the past several years due to rising non-performing loan was the worst performer falling 3.5% in its market capitalisation.

At the end of 2014, the best performing companies were recorded from diverse manufacturing sectors. Mostly health-care, consumer goods, telco and real estate stocks saw substantial return in the past year.

Northern Jute Manufacturing Company is logged as the highest return-giving company with 391.9% return followed by Alltex, Lafarge, Summit Alliance Port Limited and ACI with 318%, 267%, 173.6% and 172.8% return respectively.

Around 157 companies gave negative returns at the end of 2014 compared to the end of previous year.

Among all these losing stocks, top 10 worst performing companies posted 38% to 60% negative returns.

Among the worst performing companies, some are from textile and food & allied sectors that encountered the largest losses in 2014. Tallu Spinning is the worst performing company with over 60% negative return followed

by Fine Foods, Delta Spinning, Argon Denim, Paramount Textile, Rahima Food and Metro Spinning.

Corporate profitability of listed companies was up by 28.9% in first nine months of 2014 compared to the same period a year earlier.

Banking sector performed the best with 91.5% growth in net profit during the period while textile sector the worst in 2014 by losing profitability of 14.9%.

Telecom sector witnessed staggering 43.1% growth in net profit during the period as Grameenphone, the country’ top mobile operator, registered 48.6% growth in earnings.

The company’s earnings growth saw impressive rise as the government did not raise corporate tax in the current financial year, which depressed its earnings in the previous year.

Fuel & Power sector’s corporate earnings during January-September period last year registered 9.2% gain year on year.

“Due to upgraded national grid, power generation companies load factor increased during the year resulting in growth of earnings of all the companies,” said the review.

Listed non-banking financial institutions’ (NBFIs) profit rose 14.8% during the period after a marginal increase last year. After the capital market crash, the NBFI’s 2014 earning was the best as interest income contributed 50% to its operating profit. l

CPD distinguished fellow Debapriya Bhattacharya speaks on the capital flight at a press briefing at CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka yesterday

CPD: Over-invoicing takes toll on local industry n Tribune Report

Rampant over-invoicing in import of a large number of goods is affecting domestic manufacturing industry, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) said yesterday.

It said the declared prices of imported items such as base metal and articles of metal, electrical equipment parts, vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment are shown much higher than their actual value.

The situation is worst in case of imports of base metal and articles of base metal that saw a growth of 595% in July-November 2014 as compared to the same period a year earlier, according to the CPD. During the period, the import of electrical equipment parts rose by 134.89% and vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment increased 44.38%.

The analysis of National Board of Revenue (NBR) data on import of capital machineries reveals suspicious growth in import during July-November period, said CPD Executive Director Mustafizur Rahman while presenting on the state of Bangladesh’s economy in FY15 at the CIRDAP auditorium.

“Higher growth of industrial term loan and high imports of capital machineries and intermediate inputs do not fully correspond with real investment on the ground,” he said.

He said the imports for a large number of items are exceptionally high, and do not tally with off-take of term loan.

Whether this is an issue of “misdeclaration” or mispricing or whether flight of capital is taking place through this is something that needs to be examined thoroughly by competent authorities, he added.

Mustafizur Rahman maintained that

Wi-max yields to 3G internet service

n Muhammad Zahidul Islam Wi-max technology has lost 51% of its regular subscribers in the country during the last one and a half year due to increasing trend in 3G internet users.

After June 2013, the number of total subscribers of the two Wi-max operators was over 5 lakh, which was 1.40%

of the total internet market share.

But as of November 2014, active Wimax users came down to more than 2 lakh, which is only 0.58% of the total market share, according to an official statistics.

Market sources said soon after the launching of the fastest third generation (3G) mobile internet services, a

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

good number of Wi-max users diverted their technology to this new service.

As a result, the two Wi-max operators are experiencing a declining trend in their clients in the recent months.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) publishes a monthly regular update on the statistics of internet subscribers.

According to the BTRC statistics, there was a sharp fall in Wi-max users in August 2013 as the number drastically dropped to over 3 lakh from 5 lakh in July. In July, the number of Wi-max subscribers stood at over 5 lakh against the total internet users of over 3 crore.

Then the figure witnessed a slight increase to over 3 lakh in December 2013. In April 2014, it dropped to around 3 lakh.

But as of November 2014, total internet users were more than 4 crore while Wi-max users stood at over 2 lakh.

The Wi-max service operators observed that the fall occurred because of the launching of third generation mobile broadband although the fall began weeks before the official launching of the fastest data service in the country.

Data showed that the shrinking of Wi-max users began in August 2013, two months prior to the official launching of the 3G in October 2013 by private mobile phone operators.

While talking to the Dhaka Tribune, Wi-max operator Ollo’s chief technical officer Md Mizanur Rahaman described the fall as a shift to a new technology by the users.

“3G is a new service in Bangladesh and most users are young, who will accept it to have a new taste. That is why, a shifting is taking place in the market,” he said. The market insiders observed that the limited coverage of Wi-max network is another reason behind the ‘shifting’ as the service is mostly available in only city areas.

“Limited network coverage is a big shortfall for the Wi-max service, which fails to satisfy the customers’ need in a wide scale, prompting the users to choose other options,” said an executive of a Wi-max operator, asking not to be named.

Meanwhile, Ollo officials added that they were establishing 4G network, the fastest mode of wireless connectivity in the world as of now. l

analysis of capital machinery import payments raises concerns about reliability of the data in view of growing questions as regards trade mispircing or deceleration leading to capital flight.

CPD distinguished fellow Debapriya Bhattacharya said investable assets have been going out of the country in the form of capital flight and on the other hand, investment remains sluggish, which is a matter of concern for the country’s manufacturing industry.

As per GFI, some $1.8bn was taken out of the country in 2012, he said, adding that the amount is larger than the foreign aid received by Bangladesh annually.

He said money was laundered in the name of capital machinery import by showing factitious price.

Even some might look for scope of capital account convertibility facility to conduct transaction of local finan-

cial assets into foreign financial assets freely, Debapriya observed.

According to a recent report of Global Financial Integrity (GFI), a Washington-based research and advocacy organisation, the amount of money has been flown out of the country through illicit means stood at $1.78bn in 2012 while it was $593m in 2011.

The annual average money laundering through manipulation of commercial invoices hit $1.31bn during a period between 2003 and 2012 in Bangladesh.

Trade misinvoicing involves deliberate manipulation of commercial invoices in order to misreport the value of a transaction, thereby illegally shifting money across international borders without detection.

According to the report, Bangladesh was ranked 51st among 145 developing countries that lost huge amount of money through siphoning. l

ASSOCHAM study: Indian equity market may remain buoyant in 2015 n PTI, New Delhi Indian equities are likely to continue its bullish run this year on the back of improved corporate earnings and RBI’s action on interest rates coupled with positive global trends, says an ASSOCHAM study.

The market trends in 2015 will be determined by various domestic and international factors like global market movements, strengthening of US dollar, RBI’s policy and visible improvement in corporate earnings of domestic firms. lso overall positive shift in global markets will also have an impact on the Indian equities market.

“The year 2014 has been undoubtedly one of the good years for the Indian equity markets and in 2015 it is expected the growth spurt in coming year with more stability,” according to A SS O C H A M paper on ‘Indian Capital Market outlook for 2015’.

Also, the industry body said that IPO market is expected to have good movement

in 2015 following the good secondary market growth as well positive investor sentiments.

The year 2014 witnessed a spurt of around 35 per cent in the BES’s benchmark index Sensex. Besides, mid-and small-cap indices have been even better performers with the BSE Mid-cap index gaining more than 50 per cent and the BSE Small-cap index rising as high as around 70 per cent.

In 2014, Rs 39,127 crore were raised from the public equity market. l

B2

Final week of 2014 ends on buoyant mood n

IDLC Investments said the week remained volatile while nervous investors tried to set expectation in anticipation of better economic results in the New Year.

It said turnover remained weak throughout the week partly due to political uncertainty. The week observed two consecutive nationwide strikes which also played a role to set the investors’ mood, it said.

“The securities regulator also tried to revive the market turnover by allowing same stock netting facility which would improve the liquidity condition of the market.”

All the major sectors gained last week. Cement appreciated sharply by 7.9%, mainly from the sector’s heavyweight Lafarge Surma which gained 14.4% alone.

Pharmaceuticals also posted a decent return of 2.3%. Banks and non-banking financial institutions also closed in green, going up by 1.8% and 1.4% respectively.

Food and allied rose 1.4%.

Power and Telecommunication also advanced 1.2% each.

Gainers outpaced losers as out of 299 issues traded, 231 advanced, 58 declined and 24 remained unchanged.

Lafarge Surma Cement dominated the past week’s top turnover chart for the second consecutive week with shares worth Tk42.5 crore changing hands followed by Mobil Jamuna Limited Bangladesh, Beximco Pharmaceuticals, Grameenphone and DESCO. Al-Haj Textile was the week’s top gainer, posting a rise of 24% while Shahzibazar Power Company was the week’s worst loser, plunging by nearly 17%. l

Tribune Report

Stock market finished the last week of 2014 with upbeat mood, breaking three consecutive weeks’ losing streak.

The week’s rally was attributed to the steps taken by the securities regulators, including allowing share netting facility. The steps helped boost turnover that remained poor since launching new trading system.

In the past week that ended Thursday, the benchmark index DSEX ended at 4,941, soaring 118 points or 2.5%. The comprising blue chips DS30 index gained 56 points or 3% to 1,843. The DSE Shariah Index, DSES, rose 35 points or 3% to 1,174.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange also rallied with its Selective Categories Index, CSCX, which was up 146 points or 1.7% to settle at 9,165.

However, market participation remained low and the week’s daily average turnover was Tk209 crore, registering a decline of 6.7% over the previousweek’saverageofTk224crore.

On Wednesday, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission allowed share netting facility for the same security and extended the deadline to provision un-realised losses of merchant banks and stock brokers.

Lanka Bangla Securities said the market observed reversal in the last week of 2014 as most stocks generated positive return after observing sluggishness in consecutive weeks.

“In the year 2015, investors might be eying for reaping benefits from falling commodity prices and interest rate,” it said.

Weekly capital market highlights DSE Broad Index : DSE - 30 Index : CSE All Share Index: CSE - 30 Index : CSE Selected Index : DSE LOSERS Company Shahjibazar Power-N Savar Refractories-Z Shampur Sugar -Z Northern Jute -Z Progressive Life-A Keya Cosmetics -A Stylecraft -A Dulamia CottonZ Alltex Industries -Z CVO PetroChem RL-A

Closing (% change) -16.86 -12.18 -11.22 -11.11 -9.01 -8.33 -7.36 -6.49 -6.15 -5.39

CSE LOSERS Company EBL NRB M.F.-A Shahjibazar Power-N NCCBL Mutual Fund-1-A National Polymer -A Standard Ceramic -A Keya Cosmetics -A Rahima Food -Z Apex SpinningA Alltex Industries -Z Reliance1 M.F.-A

Closing (% change) -53.40 -14.70 -9.84 -9.80 -8.88 -8.33 -7.05 -6.16 -5.77 -5.19

4941.51504

(+) 2.45%

1843.18025

(+) 3.15%

15142.6902

(+) 2.14%

12269.3782

(+) 2.25%

9165.6835

(+) 1.70%

Average (% change) -15.51 -14.44 -9.56 -11.11 -7.86 -10.75 -14.00 -9.68 -5.00 -5.50 Average (% change) -53.17 -4.23 -9.84 -9.88 -8.88 -10.34 -6.82 -6.21 -4.78 -5.19

ANALYST

Closing average 191.87 47.06 8.89 280.00 80.53 21.43 860.00 7.00 24.69 492.91

Closing average 4.80 496.96 5.50 68.92 39.00 21.50 37.01 68.47 24.52 7.30

Weekly closing

Bank NBFI Investment Engineering Food & Allied Fuel & Power Jute Textile Pharma & Chemical Paper & Packaging Service Leather Ceramic Cement Information Technology General Insurance Life Insurance Telecom Travel & Leisure Miscellaneous Debenture

DSE Million Taka 992.04 558.01 202.79 901.92 344.88 1446.98 7.47 656.06 1227.58 29.59 341.17 50.76 77.79 521.04 267.44 74.81 162.95 278.93 59.11 191.47 0.00

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ Weekly high

188.40 47.60 8.70 280.00 79.80 22.00 860.00 7.20 24.40 490.10

Weekly closing

231.00 51.00 9.20 301.00 89.90 23.80 874.00 7.50 26.30 534.00

Weekly high

4.80 192.70 5.50 69.00 39.00 22.00 36.90 68.50 24.50 7.30

4.80 226.00 6.00 69.80 39.00 23.80 39.00 69.00 26.60 7.30

DSE key features Dec 28, 2014-Jan 1, 2015

DSE GAINERS

Turnover (Million Taka)

Al-Haj Textile -A Prime Islami Life -A Berger Paints-A ACI Formulations-A Desh Garments -B LafargeS Cement-Z FarEast Knitting -N Pharma Aids A Modern Dyeing -Z MJL BD Ltd.-A

Company

8,392.76

Turnover (Volume)

212,576,316

Number of Contract

246,082

Traded Issues

313

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

236

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

77 -

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,641.03

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

32.01

CSE key features Dec 28, 2014-Jan 1, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka)

1,111.93

Turnover (Volume)

22,206,203

Number of Contract

39,464

Traded Issues

266

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

180

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

81

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

4

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,539.59

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

30.78

Turnover in million

185.00 47.10 8.20 275.00 79.10 21.00 853.00 6.80 24.00 488.00

Weekly low

42.678 0.023 0.141 0.003 1.165 175.998 0.341 0.087 22.940 113.220

Turnover in million

4.80 187.30 5.50 66.70 39.00 21.00 36.70 67.00 22.70 7.30

0.005 3.524 0.076 0.922 0.009 8.406 0.224 0.109 2.224 0.037

Closing (% change) 24.13 12.10 11.16 10.52 10.20 10.13 9.38 8.14 6.90 6.57

CSE GAINERS

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

Weekly low

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Latest EPS 9.00 -0.44 -52.72 1.00 2.30 2.36 44.98 -3.84 3.28 5.24

Latest EPS 0.64 9.00 0.43 2.76 0.60 2.36 -0.80 0.86 3.28 1.38

Latest PE 21.3 -ve -ve 280.0 35.0 9.1 19.1 -ve 7.5 94.1

Latest PE 7.5 55.2 12.8 25.0 65.0 9.1 -ve 79.6 7.5 5.3

Company Prime Islami Life -A Kohinoor Chem -A 7th ICB M F-A Berger Paints-A ACI Formulations-A LR Global BD MF1-A Continental Insur. -A LafargeS Cement-Z MBL 1st M. F.-A FarEast Knitting -N

Closing (% change) 23.81 15.70 14.86 11.94 11.87 10.87 10.20 10.15 9.52 9.41

Average (% change) 22.49 12.17 11.46 11.52 10.90 8.42 7.15 7.02 5.14 6.97 Average (% change) 14.33 15.70 14.13 11.94 9.30 9.13 9.95 8.76 5.59 7.06

Closing average 102.52 74.19 1,433.99 130.04 83.73 129.60 27.59 239.90 92.00 127.57

Closing average 73.65 350.00 91.46 1500.00 129.93 5.02 21.55 129.63 4.53 27.61

Weekly closing 102.90 74.10 1,431.30 129.20 83.20 131.60 28.00 241.90 92.90 128.10

Weekly closing 78.00 350.00 92.00 1500.00 130.10 5.10 21.60 131.30 4.60 27.90

Weekly high 102.90 81.00 1,475.00 132.00 85.00 132.10 28.20 247.50 95.90 129.10

Weekly high 78.00 350.00 92.00 1500.00 134.90 5.10 21.70 132.80 4.60 28.20

Weekly low 80.40 65.00 1,262.00 115.80 75.00 119.40 24.60 217.10 87.00 118.70

Weekly low 62.50 350.00 84.50 1335.00 115.50 4.60 19.70 119.00 4.40 25.00

Turnover in million 23.111 20.429 24.079 65.482 7.184 424.190 31.789 36.683 0.271 354.195

Turnover in million 0.485 0.004 0.026 0.082 3.100 0.242 0.053 45.006 0.041 5.414

Latest EPS 1.04 4.95 49.25 3.27 0.80 2.43 2.28 9.88 -2.16 5.11

Latest EPS 4.95 10.40 8.52 49.25 3.27 0.69 2.27 2.43 0.18 2.28

Latest PE 98.6 15.0 29.1 39.8 104.7 53.3 12.1 24.3 -ve 25.0

Latest PE 14.9 33.7 10.7 30.5 39.7 7.3 9.5 53.3 25.2 12.1

News, analysis and recent disclosures CITYBANK: The Company has informed that the Board of Directors of the Company has approved the revaluation of Land and Buildings as follows: Land revalued from carrying amount of Tk. 345.35 crore to Tk. 423.24 crore and Buildings revalued from carrying amount of Tk. 181.58 crore to Tk. 205.65 crore.

STANDBANKL: The Company has informed that it has purchased a land measuring 19 katha 15 chatak at Plot No. 06, Block No. SW(G), Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka-1212 from Apex Hotels Limited, registration executed on 29.12.2014 for Banks Corporate Office, at the cost of Tk. 10.50 crore only per katha totaling Tk. 209,34,37,500.00 only excluding registration cost, all Government duties and other related expenses.

HFL: Hamid Fabrics Ltd. has informed that the Board of Directors of the Company has taken the following decisions: The Board considered and approved disposal of 120 units old looms of Hamid Fabrics Limited Unit-1 for renovation of this unit by new weaving machinery under expansion of the Company as per IPO Prospectus. The Board also decided to sell aforesaid 120 Units old looms to Mr. Abdul Awal of M/S Shah-Zalal Shah Poran at Tk. 15,000,000 (Taka fifteen million only) subject to approval of the concerned authorities.

RUPALIBANK: The Company has informed that the Board of Directors of the Company has approved the revaluation of Land, Buildings and Motor Vehicle

as follows: Land revalued from carrying amount of Tk. 468.13 crore to Tk. 1002.09 crore, Buildings revalued from carrying amount of Tk. 430.22 crore to Tk. 323.20 crore and Motor Vehicle revalued from carrying amount of Tk. 12.77 crore to Tk. 21.89 crore.

BDTHAI: The Company has informed that the Board of Directors of the Company has approved the revaluation of fixed assets (Land and Land Development) as of November 30, 2014 showing the depreciated current cost of Land and Land Development of the Company at an aggregate amount of Tk. 1,483,437,500.00 and a revaluation surplus at Tk. 917,501,724.00 over its depreciated historical costs thereof The Board also decided to incorporate the aforesaid depreciated current cost and revaluation surplus in the Companys financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

SUMITPOWER: The Company has informed that after receiving BSECs consent the Board of Directors of Summit Power Limited (SPL) has approved further allotment of SPLs 10,67,91,361 Ordinary Shares of Tk. 10.00 each in favour of Summit Industrial and Mercantile Corporation (Pvt.) Ltd. (SIMCL) in exchange for acquisition of 20,39,71,500 shares of Tk. 10.00 each of Summit Meghnaghat Power Company Limited (SMPCL), equal to 30% of the SMPCLs Equity, in the ratio of 1.91 SMPCL shares for 1 share of Summit Power Limited.

OLYMPIC: The Company has informed

that the Board of Directors has decided to purchase a land measuring area of total 29.50 decimals at Lolati, Sonargaon, Narayanganj at a total consideration of Tk. 79.85 lacs only.

1STICB, 2NDICB, 3RDICB, 4THICB,5THICB, 6THICB,7THICB,8THICB: Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) has informed that Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) vide its letter dated October 30, 2014 has given consent to the Corporation to take decision regarding liquidation or conversion of the fund within December 2016.

Credit Rating: SINOBANGLA: Credit Rating Information and Services Limited (CRISL) has rated the Company as A- in the long term and ST-3 in the short term along with a stable outlook based on audited financial statements of the Company up to October 31, 2013, unaudited financials up to July 31, 2014 as well as other relevant quantitative as well as qualitative information up to the date of rating declaration.

GP: Credit Rating Agency of Bangladesh Limited (CRAB) has announced the entity rating (surveillance) of the Company as AAA with a stable outlook based on unaudited financial statements up to September 30, 2014, audited financial statements up to December 31, 2013, bank liability position as on October 31, 2014 and other relevant quantitative as well as qualitative information up to the date of rating declaration.

The week remained volatile while nervous investors tried to set expectation in anticipation of better economic results in the New Year

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY Sector

Stock

DHAKA TRIBUNE

% change 11.82 6.65 2.42 10.75 4.11 17.24 0.09 7.82 14.63 0.35 4.07 0.60 0.93 6.21 3.19 0.89 1.94 3.32 0.70 2.28 0.00

Million Taka 75.15 27.90 14.10 78.00 19.72 90.43 0.00 79.74 290.29 20.18 48.17 16.10 11.62 51.78 12.30 3.45 5.60 249.81 19.36 39.60 0.13

CSE

% change 6.52 2.42 1.22 6.76 1.71 7.84 0.00 6.91 25.17 1.75 4.18 1.40 1.01 4.49 1.07 0.30 0.49 21.66 1.68 3.43 0.01

Million Taka 1067.20 585.91 216.90 979.92 364.60 1537.41 7.47 735.80 1517.86 49.77 389.33 66.85 89.40 572.82 279.75 78.25 168.55 528.75 78.47 231.06 0.13

Total

% change 11.18 6.14 2.27 10.26 3.82 16.10 0.08 7.71 15.90 0.52 4.08 0.70 0.94 6.00 2.93 0.82 1.77 5.54 0.82 2.42 0.00

Prepared exclusively for Dhaka Tribune by Business Information Automation Service Line (BIASL), on the basis of information collected from daily stock quotations and audited reports of the listed companies. High level of caution has been taken to collect and present the above information and data. The publisher will not take any responsibility if any body uses this information and data for his/her investment decision. For any query please email to biasl@bol-online.com or call 01552153562 or go to www.biasl.net

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company LafargeS Cement-Z MJL BD Ltd.-A Beximco Pharma -A Grameenphone-A DESCO Ltd. -A IDLC Finance -A Agni Systems -A Square Pharma -A Keya Cosmetics -A SummitAlliancePort.-A CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Grameenphone-A Square Pharma -A LafargeS Cement-Z MJL BD Ltd.-A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A SummitAlliancePort.-A SAIF Powertec-N WesternMarine -N Hamid Fabrics -N Aftab Auto.-A

Volume shares 3,406,360 2,835,158 4,525,729 699,590 3,364,792 2,549,796 5,671,568 704,112 7,707,752 2,056,383 Volume shares 679,909 916,385 362,755 230,887 705,932 299,181 359,243 385,602 447,557 165,527

Value in million 424.19 354.20 270.15 251.61 234.90 189.65 185.24 180.74 176.00 170.99 Value in million 244.20 234.69 45.01 28.80 25.63 24.91 22.62 20.36 16.46 11.18

% of total turnover 5.05 4.22 3.22 3.00 2.80 2.26 2.21 2.15 2.10 2.04 % of total turnover 22.10 21.24 4.07 2.61 2.32 2.25 2.05 1.84 1.49 1.01

Weekly closing 131.60 128.10 62.10 364.30 70.90 76.20 33.40 260.30 22.00 84.90 Weekly closing 363.40 260.20 131.30 127.90 37.30 84.80 64.30 53.70 36.90 69.80

Price change 10.13 6.57 2.64 1.14 4.73 2.83 2.14 2.12 -8.33 5.73

Weekly opening 119.50 120.20 60.50 360.20 67.70 74.10 32.70 254.90 24.00 80.30

Weekly high 132.10 129.10 62.60 365.00 71.60 76.40 34.30 263.00 23.80 85.80

Weekly low 119.40 118.70 58.30 355.00 65.70 72.00 31.30 253.40 21.00 78.90

Weekly average 129.60 127.57 61.02 363.21 70.88 75.75 33.51 259.90 21.43 84.43

Price change 0.83 1.76 10.15 6.67 2.75 6.13 1.90 2.48 0.27 2.50

Weekly opening 360.40 255.70 119.20 119.90 36.30 79.90 63.10 52.40 36.80 68.10

Weekly high 365.00 261.00 132.80 129.00 37.50 85.10 65.10 54.20 37.50 70.00

Weekly low 343.00 254.00 119.00 118.40 35.50 78.10 60.10 51.30 35.90 66.90

Weekly average 347.33 259.97 129.63 127.09 37.03 84.31 64.31 53.57 36.98 68.00

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

B3

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Global factory growth ends 2014 on low note n Reuters Global manufacturing activity expanded at its weakest pace in more than a year at the end of 2014, even though factories cut their prices at the steepest rate for nine months, a business survey showed on Friday.

JPMorgan’s Global Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), produced with Markit, fell to 51.6 in December from November’s 51.8.

That was its lowest reading since August 2013. Even so, it has now been above the 50 mark that separates growth from contraction for two years.

However, a PMI covering output prices slid below the break-even mark, coming in at 49.3 compared with November’s 50.1.

The PMI combines survey data from countries including the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, China and Russia.

Indian manufacturing activity expanded at its fastest pace in two years in December as new orders flooded in and factories kept price increases to a minimum, a business survey showed on Friday.

Strong new business reinforces Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s view that the economy will grow “much better” in 2015/16, while weaker inflation gives the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) more room to cut interest rates as expected this year.

The survey also showed input prices slumped to a near six-year low as oil prices tumbled.

In November, India’s annual consumer price inflation fell to 4.38 percent, well below the 8 percent which the RBI had hoped to achieve by the end of the year and the lowest since the government started releasing the data in 2012.

“With the disinflationary trend gaining ground, the RBI is expected to find space for some rate cuts in 2015,” said Pranjul Bhandari, chief India economist at HSBC. A Reuters poll predicted the RBI would start cutting its key lending rate from 8 percent in the second quarter.

But despite surging factory production, driven by improved business conditions and strong domestic and foreign demand, factories cut headcount at the steepest rate for nearly three years.

An employment sub-index slipped to 49.6 from November’s 50.2. l

A worker operates a lathe machine as he makes a steel cutter at a manufacturing unit in Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi

REUTERS

China factory slowdown a force for disinflation, Indonesia inflation jumps to 8.36% after fuel price hike Asia faces softer demand n

Reuters, Sydney

China’s growth engine looks to have ended last year on a flat note as its massive factory sector sputtered in December, though ebbing price pressures also offered scope for more policy stimulus from Beijing and across much of Asia.

The tale was similar from Singapore to South Korea to Indonesia as manufacturers struggled with weak demand, both at home and abroad.

China’s official Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) slipped to 50.1 in December from November’s 50.3, its lowest level of the year and just above the 50-point level that is supposed to separate growth from contraction.

There was better news from China’s services sector, which accounts for close to half of the economy, where the PMI edged up to 54.1 in December from November’s 53.9.

Yet many analysts suspect economic growth for all of 2014 will undershoot the government’s 7.5% target, marking the weakest expansion in 24 years.

With factories able to make more than consumers wanted to buy, the pressure was intense to cut prices.

“The price measures show very strong disinflationary forces,” said analysts at Nomura.

“With no inflation pressure, we expect more policy easing in the first quarter, including a 50 basis-point cut in the bank reserve requirement ratio, to shore up domestic demand.”

Inflation deflates

Disinflation was a feature across much of the region.

India’s PMI showed input prices slumped to a near six-year low, even as overall manufacturing activity picked up to its fastest in two years.

The HSBC PMI, compiled by Markit, rose to 54.5 in December from 53.3, the 14th straight month above the 50-mark that separates growth from contraction.

With no inflation pressure, we expect more policy easing in the first quarter, including a 50 basispoint cut in the bank reserve requirement ratio, to shore up domestic demand Yet India’s annual inflation rate has slowed to only 4.38%, the lowest since the government started releasing the data in 2012 and potentially a green light for easing by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

“With the disinflationary trend gaining ground, the RBI is expected to find space for some rate cuts in 2015,” said Pranjul Bhandari, chief India economist at HSBC.

In South Korea, consumer prices grew at the slowest clip in more than 15 years in December, opening the door for further rate cuts there.

Its version of the PMI contracted slightly but did show some improvement in December to stand at 49.9, from 49 in November.

Indonesia was not even that fortunate as its PMI slipped to 47.6 in December, the lowest since the survey began in April 2011 and a third consecutive month of contraction.

Singapore also disappointed as economic growth slowed more than expected in the fourth quarter and the manufacturing sector contracted in the face of erratic global demand, which could continue to weigh on Asia’s trade-reliant economies well into the new year.

The city-state’s gross domestic product expanded by an annualized 1.6%, well short of the 3% analysts expected and mainly due to a reversal in manufacturing.

“The external demand story remains very lackluster at this juncture,” said Selena Ling, an economist at Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp, adding that Japan, China and Europe were all slowing down.

“Unlike 2014, when we started on a strong note for the first half and after that the momentum tapered off, we could be starting 2015 on a relatively soft note, especially as people are looking forward to the Fed to normalize policy,” she added.

Fed, ecb on diverging paths

Asian exporters will get some relief as the US economy shifts into higher gear, though they did not benefit as much from the American recovery in 2014 as they had in the past.

The US Federal Reserve has indicated it will start raising rates from zero later this year as long as the economy continues to improve and unemployment falls further.

The U.S. Institute for Supply Management’s measure of manufacturing is due later on Friday and is expected to show a still strong reading around 57.6 for December. ECONUS In contrast, the December PMIs from the euro zone are seen staying subdued, which will only add to pressure for more aggressive action from the European Central Bank.

In an interview with German financial daily Handelsblatt published on Friday, ECB President Mario Draghi acknowledged the risk that inflation would stay too low for too long.

“We are in technical preparations to adjust the size, speed and compositions of our measures early 2015, should it become necessary to react to a too long period of low inflation,” he said. “There is unanimity within the Governing Council on this.”

The ECB council meets on Jan. 22 and markets are wagering heavily it will finally decide to start buying sovereign debt, a major reason the euro hit 29-month lows on Friday. l

Oman sees $6.47bn budget deficit amid oil slump n AFP, Muscat

A cashier inspects a euro banknote in a supermarket in Vilnius on January 1. Lithuania switched over to the euro on Thursday, becoming the last Baltic nation to adopt Europe's single currency in a bid to boost stability despite fears of inflation and eurozone debt woes AFP

Non-OPEC member Oman on Thursday announced a budget deficit for 2015 of $6.47bn (5.35bn euros), reflecting the effect on Gulf producers of plummeting crude oil prices.

The budget includes expenditure of $36.5bn, up 4.5% from 2014, and revenue of $30.03bn, down 1%, the official ONA news agency cited the finance ministry as saying.

The projected deficit will represent 21% of public revenue and 8% of the sultanate’s GDP. Oman is a small producer of crude, at about one million barrels per day.

Current expenditure accounts for the lion’s share at 68% of public spending, far ahead of investments (23%), the ministry said.

Because of the falling price of oil - which brings in 79% of Muscat’s revenues - the government had to “take preventative measures... to preserve financial and economic stability”, the ministry’s statement said.

However, these “would have no impact” on the standard of living or on social services and employment, it added. l

n AFP, Jakarta

Indonesia’s inflation rate shot up in December and its trade balance swung to a deficit after the country’s new president hiked fuel prices by 30% a month earlier, data showed Friday.

December inflation jumped to 8.36% year-on-year from 6.23% in November.

Transportation cost adjustments in December that pushed up food prices during the holiday season were the main reason for the higher-than-expected inflation, the Statistics Agency said.

“Some (companies) adjusted the transportation cost only in December and this is the reason why inflation is that high,” said Statistics Agency head Suryamin, who goes by one name.

The 30 percent increase in the price of diesel and petrol was announced in November, and was aimed at cutting government subsidies that gobble up a huge chunk of the state budget and have sparked investor alarm.

The trade balance also suffered as it swung to a deficit of $425.7 million from a small surplus of $20 million in October as prices of commodities, the resourcerich country’s key exports, slumped.

“These data are surprising, the inflation is much higher than our expectation, while the trade deficit is bigger than our estimate,” David Sumual, chief economist at Indonesia’s Bank Central Asia, told AFP. Adding to the gloomy data, manufacturing activity hit yet another low to weaken further in December as HSBC said in its Purchasing Managers’ Index for Indonesia fell to a record low of 47.6. A reading below 50 indicates contraction, while anything above signals growth.

However, economists praised new President Joko Widodo’s move this week to scrap the gasoline subsidy and fix the subsidy for diesel fuel for 2015.

Economists have long been calling for Indonesia to reduce its generous fuel subsidies which are blamed for a widening current account deficit, although attempts to cut them are often met with public anger.

Widodo, who took office in November, made reducing the payouts a key election pledge, and has vowed to divert the money to overhauling the country’s creaking infrastructure and for programmes to help the poor. l

France, Spain, Italy bond yields hit fresh historic lows n AFP, Paris

Borrowing rates in France, Spain and Italy fell to fresh historic lows on Friday in thin holiday trading, as investors eyed possible new anti-deflation measures from the European Central Bank.

The yield on France’s 10-year debt hit 0.812 percent, while the Spanish 10year bond traded at 1.541% and the Italian at 1.819% - beating previous records set on Tuesday.

The yield on the German 10-year bond - seen as the benchmark for European debt - also came within a whisker of its previous record of 0.535%, as yields fell to 0.536%.

Trading volumes were thin as many investors took an extended break after the New Year holiday, possibly distorting the moves.

However, those that were trading were looking towards possible new ECB moves to ward off deflation after comments by the central bank’s chief Mario Draghi.

Draghi told German business daily Handelsblatt that the risk of deflation in the eurozone was “not excluded” although was likely to be “limited”.

Analysts took this to mean that the ECB could announce as soon as January 22 new measures to buy sovereign bonds - a form of quantative easing already tried by central banks in the United States, Britain and Japan.

Such a move would likely further push down the yields of the main sovereign bonds in the eurozone.

Also helping drive down yields was a general risk aversion on the part of investors amid a fresh political crisis in Greece.

At times of uncertainty, traders prefer to park money in the relatively safe haven of sovereign bonds rather than play the riskier stock market.

The difficult political situation in Greece - which has been forced into an early election later this month after parliament failed to choose a new president - saw its yields soar to over 9% on Monday when the poll was announced. l

Local online gaming contest starts n Tribune Report

Rise Up Labs, a local games development company, has announced an online gaming competition with their action shooting game (mobile version) titled Highway Chase.

Opened on December 30 last, the contest will continue till January 28, said a release issued in Dhaka yesterday.

Interested people have been invited

to take part in the competition and win brand new smart handsets.

The organiser wants to create awareness about local gaming market as they arranged the event for the second time.

The rules and regulations could be seen in a Facebook link (https://www. facebook.com/notes/rise-up-labs/highway-chase-online-gaming-contest-january-2015/339898016135015). l

B4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

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Sunday, January 4, 2015

New year may mean new view on energy stocks globally n Reuters, New York Last year was an ugly one for the US energy sector, and while the first trading day of 2015 pointed to continued weakness in oil, investors are starting to look to when the sector might start to recover.

Crude oil prices fell 42% in the fourth quarter. The fallout on corporate bottom lines isn’t yet known, but forecasts suggest it will be severe. Energy sector earnings are seen down 19.6% in the fourth quarter, according to Thomson Reuters data; on Oct 1, the consensus estimate was for growth of 6.4%.

While the flip in expectations is bearish, analysts say the dramatic decline in the stocks means some investors are going to start looking for buying opportunities.

“It won’t surprise anyone to see profits fall, so if you have no exposure this is a good time to step in,” said Scott Wren, senior equity strategist at St. Louisbased Wells Fargo Advisors, which has an “equal weight” rating on the sector.

“The market is ready for bad news.”

Investors didn’t flee the group even as it fell in the last three months of the year. A total of 85 energy sector funds tracked by Lipper, a Thomson Reuters company, shows five consecutive weeks of inflows dating to late November, with more than $3.5 billion in inflows.

One of the buyers is Michael Matousek, head trader at U.S. Global Investors Inc in San Antonio, who said he was adding exposure “since these

stocks are so cheap right now.”

Matousek noted that the pain wasn’t spread equally across the sector. Denbury Resources and Noble Corp were two of the worst performers in the S&P 500 last year, losing half their value, while big integrated oil and gas firms saw less severe share price declines. Exxon Mobil fell 8.6 percent in 2014 while Chevron Corp lost about 10.2 percent.

Linn Energy and Civeo Corp issued warnings this week, with both citing how lower prices have led to lower production.

Investors seeing the decline in share prices and concern about overleveraged companies could bet on weaker players getting taken out by bigger companies. The energy sector has already seen one big deal, in November, when Halliburton Co agreed to buy Baker Hughes Inc for $35bn.

“You could start seeing M&A take place, since it makes sense for the bigger players to start gobbling up smaller companies,” Matousek said. “They’ve got plenty of cash on hand and can use it to grow if they’re not growing organically.”

While energy shares are viewed as one of the market’s bigger bargains, that comes with bigger risks. The supply glut that has devastated oil prices shows no signs of stabilizing.

“Certain areas of the sector have come down enough,” said Joshua Brown, vice president of investments at Fusion Analytics in New York. “The big high-dividend companies, those probably have, but the smaller companies?

They haven’t seen enough pain.” l

A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York

REUTERS

Oil declines in thin, volatile trading

US factory sector suffers end-of-year chill

n Reuters, New York

n Reuters, Washington

Global benchmark Brent crude oil closed down nearly a dollar a barrel Friday after a day of choppy trading despite expectations of new investments in the new year, as strong mid-day rallies in crude fizzled.

Brent was down 91 cents at $56.42 a barrel. Earlier, it touched a post-2009 low of $55.48, having averaged around $110 a barrel between 2011 and 2013.

Front-month US crude for February delivery settled down 58 cents a barrel at $52.69, before a steep 50-cent drop post-settlement.

The US dollar index was 0.9% stronger on Friday. The combination of the supply glut and the strong dollar has been a “double whammy” for crude oil prices, said Walter Zimmerman, chief

technical analyst at United-ICAP. “This is a long-term cyclical downtrend,” Zimmerman said. “It’s going to take a while for prices to fall low enough to cut off that excess production.”

Low trading volume also made the market vulnerable to knee-jerk reactions.

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz is suffering from pneumonia and temporarily needed help to breathe through a tube on Friday but the procedure was successful and his condition was now stable, the royal court said.

OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, which includes Saudi Arabia, declined to restrict oil output in November despite pressure from its member nations.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister urged

regional rival Saudi Arabia on Thursday to take action to support oil prices, saying producer countries across the Middle East will be hurt unless the price slump is reversed.

In the United States, benchmark oil prices took some support from data on Wednesday showing inventories fell by 1.8 million barrels in the last week, but an increase of 2 million barrels at the US crude contract’s delivery hub of Cushing, Oklahoma, kept prices under pressure. traders were searching for a bottom in US crude around the $52 a barrel mark, but Friday contained mostly sideways trading due to thin volume, said Carl Larry, director of business development at Frost & Sullivan.

“We’re all waiting for the new money to come in next week,” he said. l

The US factory sector grew at its slowest pace in six months in December, a sign that weakness in the global economy is weighing on the United States.

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said its index of national factory activity fell to 55.5 last month from 58.7 in November. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the manufacturing sector, and the reading remains well above its two-year average. That means the slowdown appears unlikely to derail a broader strengthening of the US economy.

“These were readings that in any ordinary time would be considered excellent,” Guy Berger, an analyst with RBS Securities, said in a note to clients.

Prices for US Treasuries rose and the US dollar was up against a basket of

currencies after the data. US stock indexes also were trading higher.

Still, the data suggests weakness abroad and a surge in the value of the dollar, which is near its strongest level since 2005, are inflicting pain on key parts of the US economy. A gauge of factory exports fell to 52 in December from 55 in the previous month.

At the same time, the weakness in global demand also has pushed oil prices lower, enabling American consumers to spend more and boost the US economy.

The economy went on a tear in the third quarter, when it grew at a 5% annual rate, and many economists expect a generally strong showing in the second half of 2014 will continue into this year, leading the US Federal Reserve to raise interest rates sometime in 2015.

“It makes sense that manufacturing

activity should be coming off the boil,” said Paul Dales, an economist with Capital Economics, “But the strength of domestic demand will ensure that industry and the wider economy still perform particularly well in 2015.”

The data suggested that employment in the factory sector rose more in December than analysts had expected, marking the 18th consecutive month of expansion in manufacturing employment sentiment.A separate report showed US construction spending unexpectedly fell in November, held back by a drop in government outlays and by less money spent by businesses on projects other than homes.

Construction spending fell 0.3%, the first decline since June, to an annual rate of $975bn, the Commerce Department said. l

Euro dips against dollar on ECB stimulus expectations n AFP, Singapore

A Saudi jeweller shows a customer gold bangles in a jewellery shop in Riyadh

REUTERS

Gold rebounds from one-month low on US manufacturing data n Reuters, New York Gold rebounded from a one-month low on Friday, as weaker-than-expected U.S. manufacturing data counteracted the impact of a stronger dollar, but still looked set to post its third straight weekly loss.

Spot gold fell to its lowest since Dec. 1 at $1,168.25 an ounce after the dollar strengthened, but rebounded to $1,183.76 by 2:33 p.m. EST (17:33 GMT), up 0.2 percent.

The turn upward came after the Institute for Supply Management said its index of national factory activity fell to

55.5 in December.

That was the lowest reading in six months and well below expectations, raising speculation that the US Federal Reserve would delay raising interest rates as economic weakness abroad begins to hamper the US economy, said Eli Tesfaye, senior market strategist for RJO Futures in Chicago.

“Any kind of slowing down is bullish for the precious metals,” Tesfaye said.

“Gold is still showing a sign of strength even with a strong dollar.”

Higher interest rates weigh on noninterest-bearing bullion.

Prices were heading for a 0.9%

weekly decline, the third straight week of losses.

US gold futures for delivery in February rose 0.2% to settle at $1,186.20 an ounce.

The rebound came after spot gold fell to a one-month low at $1,168 an ounce as the dollar rose to its highest level in nearly five years, mostly due to a lower euro, which hit a 4-1/2 year low after the European Central Bank fanned expectations it would take bolder steps on monetary stimulus later this month.

The dollar was up 0.9% against a basket of currencies.

Bullion ended 2014 down nearly

2%, following a 28% slump the previous year. Anticipated US interest rate hikes and a recovering economy may strengthen the dollar’s appeal in 2015. A stronger dollar makes gold more expensive for holders of foreign currencies.

Silver was up 0.13% at $15.66 an ounce after posting a 19.3% decline in 2014.

Platinum fell 0.7% at $1,194.10 an ounce, having fallen 12% last year.

With an 11% jump, palladium was the best-performing precious metal in 2014, mostly on supply concerns from top producer Russia. Prices were up 0.54% at $792.72 an ounce. l

The euro edged lower against the dollar in Asia on Friday amid mounting speculation the European Central Bank will start buying sovereign bonds, analysts said.

The euro bought $1.2055 in afternoon Singapore trade - near two-year lows - from $1.2097 in New York on Wednesday before the New Year break.

The single currency meanwhile stood at 145.09 yen, up from 144.87 yen.

The dollar was at 120.42 yen compared to 119.76 yen in US trade and 119.66 in Asian trade on Wednesday.

Markets in mainland China, Japan, Taiwan, New Zealand, the Philippines and Thailand were closed Friday for holidays.

In an interview published Friday, ECB president Mario Draghi said the central bank’s governing council was “unanimous” that the bank would intervene to prevent the 19-nation bloc from slipping into deflation.

“We are in technical preparations to adjust the size, speed and compositions of our measures in early 2015, should it become necessary to react to too long a period of low inflation,” Draghi was quoted as saying by German financial newspaper Handelsblatt.

The ECB has already used several tools to push inflation in member nations back up to the 2% annual rate it regards as healthy, including asset purchases and making cheap loans available to banks.

It is also examining the possibility of large-scale purchases of sovereign debt - so-called quantitative easing (QE) - to

DILBERT

help jump-start the European Union’s moribund economy.

If the eurozone fell into deflation, it would create a dangerous downward spiral of falling prices that can strangle economic growth and drain government coffers.

Stephen Pope, managing partner at the London-based Spotlight Ideas, said Draghi will have his work cut out amid concerns by “hardliners” that “QE is a backdoor to sovereign state financing” and “the notion that the ECB will act as buyer” of debt from eurozone nations that have refused economic reforms.

“I fully expect to see explicit measures that will limit credit risk by suggesting that only the highest quality bonds be acquired,” Pope said in a commentary. The decision-making ECB council meets next on January 22.

The US dollar meanwhile remained supported ahead of the release of factory data later Friday, analysts said. The Dollar Index ended 2014 11% higher against a basket of rival currencies following a slew of positive economic news.

The greenback was largely higher against Asia-Pacific currencies.

It rose to Sg$1.3277 from Sg$1.3217 in Singapore on Wednesday, to 33.00 Thai baht from 32.89 baht, to 63.31 Indian rupees from 63.30 rupees, and to 12,564.50 Indonesian rupiah from 12,408.60 rupiah.

It strengthened to Tw$31.74 from Tw$31.59, while remaining flat at 44.72 Philippine pesos.

The Australian dollar bought 81.37 US cents against 81.91 cents, while the Chinese yuan bought 19.33 yen from 19.30 yen. l