Thursday, January 26, 2017

SECOND EDITION

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

|

Magh 13, 1423, Rabiul Saani 27, 1438

|

Regd No DA 6238, Vol 4, No 269

|

www.dhakatribune.com

|

32 pages |

Price: Tk10

Six-member EC search committee formed › 2 The Trump presidency on January 25 › 8

‘Gulshan attack plans drawn up in Gaibandha’ › 3

DHAKA TRIBUNE

SUNDARBANS OIL SPILL

Graft index: BD moves up by just one notch › 5 MP Liton’s sisters term death a set-up › 7

Rafa roars again No contingency The sorry state as Serena eyes plan for at least of ‘pictorial one year › 32 warning’ › 18 dream final › 25

What’s next for the Dakota access, Keystone XL pipelines? › 9

DT

News

2

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Six-member EC search committee formed Showkat Kallol, Shohel n Asif Mamun and Tarek Mahmud President Abdul Hamid yesterday formed a six member search committee headed by Appellate Division Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain to reconstitute the Election Commission.

The other members of the committee are - Justice Obaidul Hassan, Public Service Commission Chairman Muhammed Sadique, Dhaka University Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam, Comptroller and Auditor General Masud Ahmed and Chittagong University Pro-Vice Chancellor Shirin Akhter, according to a gazette notification from the Cabinet Division yesterday.

Apart from the inclusion of the two professors, this committee follows the same structure as the last one which formed the EC. The committee will have to send their recommendations for the chief election commissioner and other commissioners to the president within the next 10 working days, the gazette reads.

The new Election Commission will organise the national polls in 2019.

The EC will likely be reconstituted by the next month as the tenures of the incumbent commissioners including the chief election commissioner will expire halfway through February.

President Hamid held talks with 31 political parties throughout December and January over the EC reconstitution before making his recommendations.

Yesterday morning he sent a letter to the Cabinet Division outlining his proposal for the committee. The

letter included the names of four members and instructions to pick a Supreme Court justice and a High Court justice.

After Bangabhaban issued the letter, Law Minister Anisul Huq and Cabinet Secretary Md Shafiul Alam met with Chief Justice SK Sinha, who recommended the two justices.

Later the Cabinet Division made a summary and sent it to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Upon her approval, the list was again forwarded to Cabinet Division and published as a gazette.

According to the constitution, the president has the authority to appoint the chief election commissioner and other commissioners as per suggestion of the prime minister.

According to Article 118(1) of the constitution, the president formally constitutes the Election Commission.

But Article 48(3) says: “In the exercise of all his functions, save only that of appointing the prime minister pursuant to clause (3) of article 56 and the chief justice pursuant to clause (1) of article 95, the president shall act in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister.”

Although twenty parties had proposed enactment of a law to appoint the EC, the president avoided this because of lack of time, officials said.

No such law has been in place since the adoption of the constitution in 1972.

In 2012, late president Zillur

Rahman appointed incumbent CEC Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad and election commissioners through a search committee after holding a meeting with country’s 23 registered political parties.

During the meetings, five of them proposed forming a search committee, while four suggested enacting a law that could be followed for such appointments.

Later, President Zillur Rahman, on January 22, 2012, formed a four member search committee headed by Appellate Division judge Mahmud Hossain. The other members of the committee were Justice Nuruzzaman, then Public Service Commission chairman ATM Ahmedul Haque Chowdhury, and the then comptroller and auditor general Ahmed Ataul Hakim.

The committee invited names from the political parties for the chief election commissioner and other commissioners. After screening, the committee shortlisted 10 people.

Later, president Zillur Rahman formed a new five-member Election Commission with Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad as the Chief Election Commissioner. Four other election commissioners were former additional secretary Mohammad Abu Hafiz, former joint secretary Mohammad Abdul Mobarrak, Brig Gen (retd) Mohammad Zabed Ali, and former district and session judge Mohammad Shahnewaz.

Tenure of CEC Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad and the other commissioners Mohammad Abdul Mobarak, Mohammad Abu Hafiz and Md Zabed Ali will end on February 8 while another commissioner Md Shah Nawaz would serve out his tenure on February 14.

Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune after the announcement of their names, two members for the search committee expressed their commitment to finding neutral and capable candidates for the next EC. Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of Bangladesh Masud Ahmed said he had been informed that he was chosen for the search committee to form EC. “Firstly, we will call an introductory meeting among the members.

Later we will make a list of persons who have honesty, capability and acceptance in the society,” he said.

“We also weigh the proposed names by their professional and personal lives,” he said. He added that he had plans to suggest more persons than the required number so that the authorities have more flexibility of choice.

Dr Shirin Akhter, pro-vice-chancellor of Chittagong University, said: “We will sit together as ordered by president and we will try to form an acceptable Election Commission under which a free and fair election can be held. We want everyone’s help and participation.”

Public Service Commission Chairman Mohammed Sadique told the Dhaka Tribune he did not know anything about the matter as no government notification had reached his hands yet.

“I cannot say anything about the matter. The committee chief is the spokesperson on the activities of the committee,” he also said.

The chief of the committee Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, secretary Justice Obaidul Hassan and Syed Manzoorul Islam could not be reached immediately for comments. l

SEARCH COMMITTEE MEMBERS Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain Justice Obaidul Hassan Appellate Division

High Court

Dr Muhammed Sadique

Chairman, Bangladesh Public Justice Justice Service Commission Syed Obaidul Dr MuMahmud Hasan is hammed Hossain a judge of Sadique has Supreme was been an Court’s appointed Appellate High Court chairman Division division. of Bangjudge since February 2011. He was Before that he worked as the ladesh appointed additional judge of the chairman of International Crimes Public Service Commission on High Court Division in February Tribunal 2 from December 13, May 2, 2016. Before that he was a 2001 and judge in February 2003. 2012. He was appointed an member of the commission since He was enrolled as an advocate additional judge of the High Court November 2014. He previously of the District Court and the High Division in June 2009 and made worked as education secretary Court Division of Bangladesh judge in June 2011. He began as and EC secretary. He served in Supreme Court in 1981 and 1983 an advocate of district court in various other important civil respectively. He also acted as 1986, the High Court Division in service positions including dideputy attorney general from 1988 and the Appellate Division rector general of the Bangladesh December 1999. Justice Syed in 2005. Obaidul passed BSS Institute of Administration and Mahmud obtained his BSc and (Hons) and MSS in economics and Management (BIAM) Foundation LLB from London University.

LLB from University of Dhaka. and director of Bangladesh Civil Justice Syed Mahmud is the son His father is Dr Akhlaqul Hossain Service Administration Academy. of Syed Mustafa Ali and Begum Ahmed and mother is Begum Apart from his professional life, Kawsar Jahan. He was born on Hosneara Hossain. Justice Obaidul Sadique is a creative writer and December 31, 1954. l was born on January 11, 1959. l has a number of publications. l

Masud Ahmed

Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh Masud Ahmed has been the comptroller and auditor general of Bangladesh since April 2013. Previously he worked as deputy accountant general at the Local Government and Rural Development Division, chief accounts officer at foreign ministry, director of Foreign Aided Project Audit Directorate and Defence Audit Directorate, deputy finance Controller, Joint Finance Controller and Senior Finance Controller of Defence Finance and a member of the Planning Commission. He joined Bangladesh Civil Service as an audit and accounts cadre in January 1981. l

Dr Shirin Akter

Pro-Vice-chancellor of Chittagong University Professor Dr Shirin Akhter was appointed Pro-VC of Chittagong University in March 2016.

She is the first female pro-VC there. She joined the university in 1996 as a lecturer of Bengali and obtained professorship in 2006.

She did her PhD from Jadavpur University in Kolkata, India and her MA and BA in Bengali Language and Literature from Chittagong University in 1981 and 1978. Shirin is a lifetime member of Bangla Academy. She is also a member of Cox’s Bazar Mohila Awami League.

Shirin has many research and creative works in Bengali literature.

Shirin is married to Md Latiful Alam Chowdhury. l

Dr Syed Manzoorul Islam

Professor, Dhaka University Dr Syed Manzoorul Islam is a professor of English at Dhaka University. He has published about 30 articles on English literature in academic journals at home and abroad. He also has publications on art. Dr Islam won the Bangla Academy award for literature in 1996. He is a trustee board member of Centre for Policy Dialogue, Transparency International Bangladesh and the National Museum and a member of the Executive Council of Bangla Academy. He is also a member of the academic councils of many private universities and the syndicate of University of Liberal Arts, Bangladesh. l

DT

3

News

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

BNP: Not frustrated, but angry n Manik Miazee BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam told reporters yesterday that BNP was angered at the president’s nominations for EC search committee.

He said: “We are not frustrated, rather angered. The nominations do not reflect what the people have been expecting. The selected members have allegiance to the ruling party and will not be impartial.”

Mirza Fakhrul alleged that the president squandered the chance to form a neutral EC search body. He further said that the act has pushed the nation towards uncertainty again.

Echoing him, BNP Standing Committee Member Lt General (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune: “The nation is now at an uncertain point. I hope that the president would ultimately not make any moves that could push the nation toward uncertainty.”

He also added that he was not aware of the background of all the six search body members, but believed that Dr Syed Manzoorul Islam, one of the members of the committee, “is a good man” and appreciated him as a writer.

Speaking at a discussion at Dhaka Reporter’s Unity, Mirza Fakhrul said it was obvious that the search

committee was comprised of people who were to Awami League’s liking.

“The president had the opportunity to bring the nation out of the prevailing political crisis, but he did not take the chance,” he said.

Fakhrul alleged that the president had knowingly picked Awami League’s favourites for the committee.

“This is because they want to have another election like January 5, 2014.

“When by answering the BNP chairperson’s call the president held dialogue with 31 parties, people were hopeful. People hoped for a neutral EC and free and fair vot-

ing, which is a fundamental right,” the BNP spokesperson said.

The PSC chairman, the comptroller and the pro-VC were all appointed by this government, Fakhrul said.

“This pro-VC said on a private television whatever responsibilities Sheikh Hasina bestows upon her I will be carrying out sincerely.

So you can imagine what a neutral committee this is,” he added.

“The honourable president has given us a terrible example of neutrality. We are not only frustrated, we are angry,” he said.

The present political crisis will not be resolved, the secretary gen-

eral said.

“We are already clear what sort of EC this search committee will recommend. There is no doubt that the government wants the status quo unchanged, the instability to prevail, as in they want to take power and stay in power,” he added.

JaPa Secretary General Ruhul Amin Howlader told the Dhaka Tribune that JaPa was satisfied with the nominations. “We hope that the committee will match the expectations of people and form a neutral Election Commission. We also thank the president for opening discussion with 31 political parties about the matter,” he said. l

AL leaders welcome move for EC search body Abu Bakar n Mohammad Siddique Awami League leaders have welcomed president’s action of forming a search body that is tasked with forming the new election commission within 10 days.

AL leaders called the move a right one for strengthening the electoral system.

President Md Abdul Hamid nominated a six-member search body headed by Appellate Division Judge Syed Mahmud Hossain yesterday.

AL Organising Secretary Abdur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune: “We hope that the search body will be able to form a good election commission. We also hope that other political parties would take the decision positively and cooperate.”

However, some leaders are concerned that certain groups might resist the initiative, which could make it difficult to hold the elections in time.

Information and Research Secretary of AL, Afzal Hossain, said: “Zillur Rahman had first taken the initiative of forming a search body, so this is a progress.”

He also added that the prime minister is determined to hold the election in due time. “No other government in Bangladesh has ever taken so many steps to strengthen the electoral system,” he said.

“There are groups who want to hinder these developments, we need to show confidence in development. The president took the step as a guardian, we hope the search committee would deliver,” he added. l

Students are seen riding on the foothold of a fully occupied human haulier like flying fox amid great risk. The photo was taken from Dhaka’s Agargaon area yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

‘Gulshan attack planned in Gaibandha’ Pakistan asked to ensure n Kamrul Hasan The Gulshan attack was first planned in a rented house at Gaibandha in February last year, said Jahangir Alam alias Rajib alias Gandhi in his statement to a Dhaka court on Monday evening.

The chief of ‘Isafa group’ – killing squad of New Jamaatul Mujahedeen Bangladesh (New JMB) –Jahangir in his statement described how the plan was made and later implemented, said sources from Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Unit and Dhaka CMM Court.

Jahangir gave names of several people who are still absconding, including top level leaders of the Gulshan attack who played roles as recruiters, arms and money suppliers.

Seven top militant leaders – Tamim Chowdhury, Mamunur Rashid Ripon

alias Jahangir, Shariful Islam Khaled, Nurul Islam alias Marjan, Major (rtd) Jahidul Islam, Raihan Kabir Tareq and Jahangir – held a meeting at a house in Saghata, Gaibandha rented by Nazrul Islam alias Parvez alias Bike Hasan where the Gulshan attack was planned.

An Isafa member, Bike Hasan was the suspect in the murder of Rajshahi University teacher Rezaul Karim. He was killed in a gunfight with police last year.

Later, IT Wing In-Charge Basharuzzaman alias Abul Bashar alias Chocolate, Sarwar Jahan Manik and Tanvir Qadri joined the plan, said Jahangir.

According to Jahangir, Marjan’s brother-in-law Hadisur Rahman Sagor, Mizanur Rahman alias Boro Mizan of Gaibandha and Mizanur alias Choto Mizan supplied the arms for the Gulshan and Sholakia attacks. Marjan’s uncle Sohel Mahfuz alias Hatkata Sohel supplied the grenades.

Basharuzzaman brought the money used for the Gulshan attack to Tamim.

Tanvir Qadri managed the money for the group. He rented safe houses in Bashundhara.

The Gulshan attackers also lived there and were trained by Maj Jahid and Tareq.

Jahangir fled the flat with his family after the attackers left for Gulshan.

According to Jahangir, he recruited militants Don and Badhon. Don (later identified as Abir Rahman ) participated in the Sholakia attack and Badhon (later identified as Khairul islam Payel) in Gulshan. The rest of the four recruits were provided by Khaled.

When contacted, CTTC additional Deputy Commissioner SM Nazmul Alam refused to comment over on the matter, saying he was not authorised to do so.

Deputy Commissioner Mohibul Islam Khan said the confessional statement would help them crack the case sooner. l

safety in BD missions n Tribune Desk Bangladesh has asked Pakistan to further strengthen security in all Bangladesh missions in Pakistan to avert any unwanted or offensive activities.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Pakistan High Commissioner in Dhaka Rafiuzzaman Siddqui yesterday and conveyed the message, reports UNB. The Foreign Ministry also asked the high commissioner to bring the issue of safety and security of the high commissioner of Bangladesh in Islamabad, the deputy high commissioner in Karachi and their staff to the attention of the authorities concerned of Pakistan.

The Pakistan high commissioner was reminded that it is the

responsibility of the host government to ensure that the premises of the diplomatic missions remain protected at all times from any unwanted or offensive activities.

The director general of South Asia wing at the Foreign Ministry conveyed Bangladesh’s position to the Pakistan high commissioner.

The ministry, however, did not make it clear what prompted it to summon the high commissioner and convey the security concerns. But a Bangladesh diplomat in a Pakistan mission told Bangla Tribune that a burning flare exploded just outside the Karachi mission on Tuesday.

“It was not strong, but we informed the local police and also the ministry in Dhaka,” Nur-e-Helal Saifur Rahman said. l

DT

News

4

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Bernicat disappointed at violence against children n Jebun Nesa Alo

President Abdul Hamid is in a group photo session of with the senior officials of Bangladesh police marking the ‘police week 2017’ yesterday

PID

KOHELIA POWER PLANT

Low-tech bidders eligible to build 700MW coal plant n Aminur Rahman Rasel The proposed ultra super-critical Kohelia Power Plant is at risk of delays and substandard construction because it’s owners, state-owned Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL) and Singapore’s Sembcorp, have lowered the bar on who can bid for the project work.

Following an amendment to the Expression of Interest (EoI), bidders with experience only in constructing sub-critical power plants can submit proposals for the 700 MW coal-fired plant.

When the EoI was first called on December 5, 2016, it required that only companies with experience constructing supercritical or ultra-supercritical power plants could participate in the bid.

“If less capable bidders are given the opportunity to work, then the project might not be completed within the scheduled time frame

and there is also a possibility that the construction would not be up to the mark,” a CPGCBL official said, asking not to be named.

This high requirement was scrapped in a revised notice on January 12 this year, allowing less capable bidders to submit proposals.

The amended EoI says that companies with experience in the “design, engineering, supply, construction, installation, testing and commissioning of a sub-critical, supercritical or ultra-supercritical coal-fired or oil-fired thermal power plant project” are eligible as the main contractor.

In order to give new bidders time to submit proposals, the deadline to submit the EoI has been extended from January 18 to February 7.

Executive Director (project) of CPGCBL Md Abdur Rouf disputed last week that the lowered bid standards would be a problem.

“As there are no differences in building a power plant with

sub-critical and ultra-supercritical technology, these bidders have been given chance,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.

The Dhaka Tribune emailed Sourav Das, vice-president of corporate communication and Angelynn Tan, senior executive of group procurement at Sembcorp Utilities PTE Limited, to ask why the bid requirements were changed. On January 23, they telephoned back to say they would not provide any comments.

CPGCBL’s managing director, Md Abul Quasem, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We had forgotten to include them, but now contractors with sub-critical technology will be eligible to apply because we have amended the EoI.” When asked why the standard of eligibility had been lowered, he replied: “We are allowing more bidders to take part in the process.”

CPGCBL and Singaporean company Sembcorp will jointly build

and finance the power plant at Matarbari in Cox’s Bazar, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on December 9, 2015. The project will be implemented on a 50:50 equity basis.

As per the MoU, Sembcorp will carry out the construction of the power plant, the construction of a jetty for coal imports, coal storage facilities, the development of a township, rural electrification and transmission facilities and roadways.

The coal shall be imported and conveyed by the to-be-constructed jetty from the 1200 MW Matarbari power plant project, which is 100% owned by CPGCBL and located approximately 5km south of a shared coal storage yard.

The proposed project will share the Matarbari coal-fired power project’s facilities, such as the coal transshipment terminal and related facilities, coal unloading jetty and a 400 kV sub-station. l

US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Marcia Bernicat expressed her disappointment and concern about the growth of violence against children.

Marking her two year anniversary in Bangladesh yesterday, Bernicat went live on Facebook and shared her thoughts.

The ambassador said: “The past two years have been challenging and enjoyable. I look forward to what the next year will offer.

“Like most of you, I have been most saddened by the violence against children. They are so vulnerable and are our future, so they deserve to be the most protected among us. There is growing awareness in Bangladesh of this problem, so I am hopeful that the violence will be stopped. This is a problem we continue to fight in the US as well.”

Bernicat also discussed the Trump administration, saying that every president asks ambassadors who are political appointees of their predecessors to step down, but career Foreign Service officers such as herself, usually stay.

In response to a question about the position of new administration over the GSP suspension issue, Bernicat said: “We will need to wait and see what the new Trump Administration’s position will be on GSP and trade in general.”

In her own opinion over the matter, the ambassador said there has been tremendous progress on safety issues, but much work remains to be done on workers’ rights.

Bernicat also addressed the Rohingya crisis, saying the US Government has been a strong proponent for human rights everywhere in the world, including Myanmar. The US urges the government of Myanmar on a regular basis to respect the rights of religious and ethnic minority groups.

She said Bangladeshis are no longer eligible for the Diversity Visa programme as Bangladeshi immigrants in the US have steadily increased. l

Custodial torture on youth: HC rejects police probe report n Ashif Islam Shaon The High Court has rejected a police probe report over the alleged incident of torturing a youth at a police station in Jessore, ordering fresh investigation into the incident.

The High Court bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Mohammad Ullah came up with the moves Wednesday.

The court expressed doubt over the probe report submitted by the police department, asking the Jessore Superintendent Police to submit the fresh probe report on February 5.

Conforming with the court’s previous order, Kotwali Model Police Station’s Sub-Inspector Nazmul and Assistant Sub-Inspector Hadibur Rahman appeared before the court which heard statement of

the victim Abu Sayeed as well.

On January 8, the court in a suo moto rule summoned the duo after media reports along with a photo of a youth being hung upside down, with his hands and legs fastened to a wooden stick, between two tables inside the police station surfaced.

At the outset of yesterday’s hearing, the court asked Sayeed if it was him in the photograph. The victim confirmed he was not in

the photo, saying he had little idea about its origin.

The two policemen told the court that the place, shown in the photograph, was not their workplace and, however, said they did not issue a rejoinder to the media reports, though they held a press briefing to refute the allegation.

According to the news reports, plain-clothes policemen picked up Sayeed from his residence in

Talbaria village of Jessore on January 8 and demanded Tk 200,000, which he refused to pay, leading to torture on him.

He was finally freed from police custody after his relatives paid Tk50,000 to police, the reports added.

Interestingly, amid growing criticism, Sayeed in a press conference had earlier claimed he was not tortured while in police custody. l

5

DT

News

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Graft index: BD moves up by just one notch n Nure Alam Durjoy Bangladesh showed slight improvement in the Transparency International’s (TI) flagship corruption index as the country landed in the 15th position from previous year’s 13th.

The most corrupt country of 2016 is Somalia, while the least corrupt countries are Denmark and New Zealand, according to the international corruption watchdog.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) published this report at a press conference at the MIDAS Centre in Dhaka yesterday.

Mentioning that Bangladesh is still pretty much in the bottom tier, Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman told the press conference: “The corruption trend is nearly static.

We are in a static position. This not satisfactory because we are so far behind the average level (43 score) in the global corruption index.”

“We could say that the corruption has been trimmed down to a medium level only when we could be able to score over 43,” Iftekharuzzaman added.

“With these scores we cannot certainly say whether corruption increases or decreases. But, what makes us feel comfortable is the fact that we are not going down,” said TIB Chairperson Sultana Kamal.

Comparing the score with those of the previous years, she, however, added that Bangladesh was in the same position as it had been, and that there were no significant changes.

WHY NO VISIBLE PROGRESS High-level graft hardly addressed Unabated land grabbing Political influence on contracting, recruiting firms Unabated money laundering Weakening of political institutions Lack of accountability Deficit in effectiveness, independence of ACC Culture of denial, impunity Weakening of rule of law Shrinking press freedom, civil society’s space

WHAT TO DO

Fulfilling govt’s pledges Bringing the corrupt to book Ending culture of impunity Strengthening state institutions Freeing institutions from political influence Ensuring professional integrity, impartiality Ensuring access to info Ensuring press freedom Widening civil society’s space Controlling conflicts of interest

Executive Director of Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) Iftekharuzzaman speaks at a press conference yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

TEMPERATURE FORECAST FOR TODAY

Dhaka

LIGHT TO MODERATE FOG WEATHER LIKELY THURSDAY, JANUARY 26

30

15

Chittagong

28

16

Rajshahi

DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 5:40PM

said 109 countries scored less than the average point.

The other lowered-ranked countries include South Sudan, North Korea, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya, Afghanistan, Guinea-Bissau, Venezuela and Iraq.

In preparing the index, the TI

a score of 15, while Bhutan is the least corrupt country in the region with a score of 65.

According to the TI, no country scored 100, which indicates that corruption prevails virtually in every country, and 124 out of 176 countries scored below 50. It also

Sultana Kamal, also a human rights activist, stressed ensuring an atmosphere that will help the people raise their voice against graft.

Among the eight South Asian countries, Bangladesh is the second most corrupt country after Afghanistan that ranked sixth with

30

18

Rangpur

30

16

Khulna

30

14

Barisal

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

TOMORROW SUN RISES 6:42AM

30.2ºC Cox’s Bazar

10.0ºC Srimangal

Source: Accuweather/UNB

31

15

PRAYER TIMES

gathered data from a total of 13 sources between January 2015 and September 2016 from 176 countries.

The anti-graft watchdog has been publishing corruption indices since 1995 and in Bangladesh since 2001. l

Sylhet

30

13

Cox’s Bazar

29

17

Fajr: 6:10am | Zohr: 1:15pm Asr: 4:30pm | Magrib: 5:50pm Esha: 7:45pm Source: Islamic Foundation

DT

News

6

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

RMP law yet to be passed due to bureaucratic tangles n Liakat Ali Badal, Rangpur Though the cabinet approved the drafts of “The Rangpur Metropolitan Police Law, 2015”, on December 7, 2015, the law has not been passed yet due to bureaucratic complexity.

The cabinet meeting chaired

by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina passed the Rangpur Metropolitan Police (RMP) Law, 2015 aimed at providing more services to the people of the newly-constituted metropolitan city, but the law had not been placed before the parliament yet, said sources.

Due to lack of proper direction, the law enforcers in the city could not work properly, alleged representatives of Rangpur civil societies.

However, the sources of Inspector General of Police and Home Ministry offices claimed that the draft would be placed before the parliament during the current session.

Khandaker Golam Faruque, deputy inspector general of Rangpur Range, said: “We need a law to start the activities of Rangpur Metropolitan Police. We

cannot start our activities, as the law has not been passed yet.”

The police official said: “I heard that the law would be placed before the parliament during the current session.”

Rangpur police sources said the cabinet declared Rangpur as division on January 25, 2010.

Though seven years had passed after the declaration of the division, the police law was not passed yet.

“To prevent unlawful activities in the city, we need the law immediately,” said the police sources.

Urging to start RMP activities as soon as possible, MA Bashar, convener of Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, Rangpur unit, said: “Without RMP law it was quite impossible for police to prevent illegal activities in the city.”

Tushar Kanti Mandol, general secretary of Rangpur metropolitan unit of Awami League, said: “It was a matter of great mystery that the RMP law was not submitted before the parliament yet, though it got cabinet node nearly one and half years ago.” l

Transport worker shot dead

College student beaten to death in Sirajganj

Ripon, n Asaduzzaman Narsingdi A transport worker was shot dead in Kauriapara area in the town yesterday.

The deceased was Al Amin, 22, son of Iman Ali in the area.

According to sources, a group of unknown miscreants attacked Al Amin at Sadar Bus Station while he was going to his working place around 10pm.

At first they hacked him leaving critically injured. Later, they shot him to death.

On information, police went to the spot and sent the body to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital morgue.

Golam Mostofa, officer-incharge of Narsingdi Model police station, said Al Amin was wanted in several cases including theft. l

n Aminul Islam Rana, Sirajganj A College student, who was beaten over trifling matters at Khan Sonatola village under Ullahpara upazila in Sirajgang district on Tuesday, succumbed his injuries yesterday morning on his way to Dhaka.

The deceased was – Asadul Haque Akash, 18, class XI student of RS College in the area and son of Menhaj Uddin, hailing from the village.

Quoting locals police said students of class X of Khan Sonatola Tafsir Memorial High were engaged into an altercation during their farewell programme on Monday. At one stage, Aksah went there to solve the programme. During his initiative of settlement, Akash and one student Kobat Ali, son of Ansar

Students at Comilla University yesterday lock main gate demanding to resume their classes and exams

Tension mounts at Comilla University n Mohiuddin Molla, Comilla A tension situation has been prevailing on the campus of Comilla University, as students and teachers are in a face off situation.

Teachers of the university have been observing work abstention demanding six points, much to hamper academic activities.

Yesterday, students locked university’s main gate, administration building to realised their 11-point demands, including resumption of classes and examinations, punishment of the killers of BCL leader Khaled Saifulla and suspension M Shariful Karim, a teacher of the university.

Md Nowshad Ullah, who leads

Deceased’s father Menhaj filed a case against Kobat and his brothers Barek, Khalek and Kuran yesterday noon and police was trying to arrest the accused Ali, of the village, logged into an altercation over the issue.

On Tuesday noon, while Aksah was returning home from his college, Kobat and his brothers Barek, Khalek and Kuran beat him up at Gulistan Mor at the village. The brothers hit on Akash’s head with

the movement, said their academic activities were hampered seriously, as teachers stopped classes and examinations over their factional feuds.

“We also demand exemplary punishment of those persons who had killed the BCL man Khaled Saifullah,” he said.

Khaled Saifullah, a seventh semester student of marketing department, was shot dead during a clash that took place among two BCL faction on August 25 last year.

Dr Abu Taher, president of Teachers’ Association, said they had been observing demanding six points.

Dr Ali Ashraf, chancellor of the university, said he would sit with the association soon. l

bricks, leaving him critically injured.

Later, locals rescued him and taken him to Sadar Hospital first.

As his condition was deteriorating, he was shifted to Khawja Eunus Ali Medical College but the doctors referred him to Dhaka Medical College.

Yesterday morning, Akash succumbed his injuries on this way to Dhaka.

Dewan Koushik Ahmed, officer-in charge of Ullahpara police station, said: “Deceased’s father Menhaj filed a case against Kobat and his brothers Barek, Khalek and Kuran yesterday noon and police was trying to arrest the accused.”

However, police yet to arrest anyone of the accused while this report filed yesterday around 8pm. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Madrasa student hospitalised after teacher’s beating Huda Nasim, n Nazmul Bogra

A madrasa student was reportedly been admitted to hospital after beating by his teacher at Belkuchi under Dhunat upazila in Bogra district.

The student was – Belal Hossain, 12, son of Mostafizur Rahman, hailing from the village and a student of Hephaja department of Belkuchi Hephajia Madrasa and orphan.

Bachchu Mia, parental uncle of the victim, told the Dhaka Tribune that Hephaja teacher Reazul Islam beat Belal up indiscriminately as Belal failed to perform the recitation of Kuran properly on Tuesday evening, leaving him critically injured.

After hearing the news local people rushed in the spot, rescued the boy and send him to Upazila Health Complex. Locals also staged demonstration before the madrasha demanding justice on Tuesday night.

Bachchu also claimed that managing committee of the madrasa was used to pressurise them not to file any complaint with police.

Belal, from hospital bed, said: “Reazul Islam hujur hit me on palms and thighs as I failed to perform the recitation of Kuran.”

This reporter failed to reach accused Reazul Islam for his comments as his cell phone was switched off after the incident. l

DT

7

News

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

MP Liton’s sisters term death a set-up n Tazul Islam Reza, Gaibandha The family members of murdered Gaibandha MP Monjurul Islam Liton called a press conference yesterday and questioned the strange circumstances surrounding his brutal death.

MP Liton’s younger sister Fahmida Bulbul Kakoli, who filed the murder case, and their elder sister Afroza Bari Jochhona called a press conference with other members of the family.

Afroza read out a written statement where she questioned the lapse of security around MP Liton.

She said: ”A person’s home is where they are safest. My brother was always surrounded by his confidants, activists and party members. At home he had a pair of German Shepherd dogs.

”Where were they when the murderers came calling? Why did Liton have to crawl to the courtyard and his family did not rush to him?” she questioned.

Afroza alleged Liton was breathing for well over an hour after getting shot. She said no inquiries were made during the period which could have helped identify the shooters.

She said various media outlets have published alarming information. ”We want answers. Only the truth can help us through the suffering,” she said.

Afroza continuously questioned how and why the murderers decided on Liton’s house to kill him. Her concerns were echoed by Fahmida, the plaintiff.

Fahmida said Liton’s family is not concerned about contesting

the interim elections for his vacant seat, rather hoping for his murder to be served justice.

The press conference was also attended by several cousins and nieces of Liton. However, the absence of his wife and anyone from his in-laws was noticeable.

When asked about his wife, Afroza said she was in Dhaka and quickly changed the question.

The Dhaka Tribune tried to contact Syeda Khurshid Jahan Smrity, the widow of Liton, but could not reach her. On Wednesday afternoon, a woman answered and said Smrity is recovering and will not speak to the media at the time.

A senior police officer, claiming anonymity, said the murder looks to have Liton’s close people involved.

Investigating Officer Abu Haider Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman said

over 100 people have been questioned so far, including his brotherin-law Bedarul Islam Bedar, who was Liton’s right-hand man in his businesses.

UP chairman Rezaul Islam Liton was placed on a three-day remand in connection with the killing case of lawmaker of Gaibandha constituency 1 (Sundorganj).

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Moinul Hasan Yusuf yesterday passed the order after Rezaul Islam Liton, a resident of Rambhadra Kodomtola village under Sundorganj upzila, was produced before the court.

Officer-in-Charge of Sundorganj police station Atiar Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune that police arrested Liton from Dhopadanga area on Monday.

Meanwhile, two accused of the murder case – Masudar Rahman

Mukul and Saiful Islam – were sent to jail after three-day remand, said Abu Mohammad Asrafuzzaman, investigation officer of the case.

But he declined to say anything about what type of information they had got from the two accused.

Family members of Monirul Islam Ratan, who was arrested in connection with the murder of lawmaker of Gaibandha constituency 1 Monjurul Islam Liton, wanted trace of him.

Family of Ratan told the Dhaka Tribune that 14 days had passed since Ratan, a resident of Protap village under Sadullahpur upzila, was arrested by people of law enforcement agencies for his alleged involvement in the murder of MP Liton, but he yet to be taken to police station or produced before a court. l

Culling of stray dogs creates uproar on social media Mizanur Rahaman, n FM Chittagong A number of pictures depicting culled stray dogs in Chittagong metropolis created uproar on social media yesterday.

Animal rights activists accused the Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) of allegedly culling 150 stray dogs, violating the order of the High Court (HC) that imposed a restriction on this practice.

Images of these dogs were circulated in different platforms of social media, including Facebook, triggered the demand to stop cruelty on the animals immediately.

The CCC officials, however, denied their involvement in the incident, saying they are unaware of the issue.

Sources said the CCC allegedly carried out the drive in different parts of Chittagong, including Dewanbazar, Chawakbazar, Kotwali, Hazipara, and Andarkillah areas.

Trisha Bhattacharia, founder of Rise for Paw, a non-profitable Chittagong based organisation, told the Dhaka Tribune that workers of CCC had been culling dogs since the last few days in different areas and dumped the bodies into garbage bins. They were later taken to Anandabazar garbage yard.

“To investigate the matter, we went to the Dewanbazar ward councilor Chowdhury Hasan

Mahmud Hasni on January 21, but he told us that he was unaware of the HC ban and has denied his involvement,” Trisha said.

CCC’s Chief Conservancy Officer Safiqul Mannan Siddique refused to comment on this issue and disconnected his telephone line.

In the photos, that were circulated the social media shows that a number of stray dogs were culled along with the puppy and dumped to the garbage bin and roadside areas.

Criticising dog culling, Sabeera Kayfiath wrote that she does not understand how any human being can be so horrible to these creatures. She asked the citizens of Chittagong why they have not raised their voices on her Facebook post.

Tonni Afrin Tonu, another FB user, wrote “Why Chittagong culls so many feeble animals? What was its guilty? Why CCC carries out the drive despite having a ban on this?

Chittagong District Civil Surgeon Dr Mohammed Azizur Rahman Siddique told the Dhaka Tribune that there was an order from the High Court (HC) for not cull any dog. The supply of anti- rabies vaccination for stray dogs was also suspended since long as it’s too expensive.

This correspondent could not make contact with Chittagong City Corporation Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin despite several attempts. l

Two workers are seen picking bricks from a bricks field. The photo was taken from Khorkhori area in Poba upazila of Rajshshi yesterday AZHAR UDDIN

Two police officers shot in Pabna n Md Emroz Khandakar, Pabna

Two police officers were wounded in a drive-by shooting in Pabna’s Atgharia upazila yesterday.

Sub-inspectors – Tofazzal Hossain, 40, and Monir Hossain, 40, were shot when they tried to stop a car at the upazila’s Denger village around 11am.

The police officers, who were in plainclothes, had apprehended activities of the car’s passengers to be suspicious, Atgharia police Officerin-Charge Faruk Hossain said.

“As Tofazzal and Monir ap-

proached the car, the people inside the vehicle shot them and fled the scene,” he added.

Police raided the area after the shooting and found the vehicle abandoned. Four pistols and a knife was found in the vehicle, the OC added.

The injured policemen were being treated at Pabna General Hospital.

SI Monir has been shifted to the Dhaka Medical College after his condition deteriorated, Assistant hospital Director Monjura Rahman said. l

10 gold bars recovered at Shahjalal airport n Tribune Desk Customs officials arrested a Singapore returned passenger along with 10 gold bars worth about Tk5 millions from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the city early yesterday.

“We arrested one Fazlul Huq, 43, of Keraniganj, from Green Channel area of the airport around 12:15 am and recovered 10 gold bars weighing one kilogramme kept inside his rectum,” assistant commissioner of customs Ahsanul Kabir said. l

DT

8 World

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

SOUTH ASIA

Pakistani female lawmaker harassed in parliament A Pakistani female lawmaker threatened to self-immolate after she was harassed by male colleagues in parliament. Nusrat Sahar Abbasi, an MP in Sindh province, spoke of her fury after provincial minister Imdad Pitafi invited her to his private chambers on the floor of the assembly Friday in comments seen as sexual harassment in conservative Pakistan. AFP

INDIA

Killer avalanches hit Kashmir Avalanches killed five people in Indian-administered Kashmir on Wednesday, four members of a family whose home was buried under snow and a soldier stationed at a military base. The four family members died when an avalanche ripped through a small village close to the unofficial border with Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, while they were asleep in their home. AFP

CHINA

China’s Xi pushes for clean, reformed military Chinese President Xi Jinping urges the military to ensure they are free from corruption and following party orders on reform and training.

Xi is overseeing an ambitious military modernisation programme, which includes the painful culling of 300,000 members from the ranks, as well as developing hightech weapons like stealth fighters and aircraft carriers. REUTERS

ASIA PACIFIC

Death toll rises in Malaysia boat tragedy The confirmed death toll rose to 16 on Wednesday after a boat overloaded with illegal Indonesian immigrants sank off Malaysia, and more than 20 are still believed missing. Ten bodies were recovered on Monday, four on Tuesday and two on Wednesday, a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency spokesman said. AFP

MIDDLE EAST

Jihadists battle moderate rebels in northern Syria Heavy fighting erupted in northwestern Syria on Tuesday between a powerful jihadist organisation and more moderate rebel groups, threatening to further weaken the opposition to President Bashar al-Assad in its biggest territorial stronghold. Rebel groups fighting under the Free Syrian Army (FSA) banner, some of which attended peace talks in Kazakhstan. REUTERS

FACTBOX

The Trump presidency on January 25 US President Donald Trump on Wednesday is expected to address two major themes of his campaign – limiting refugees entering the country and building a wall on the Mexican border.

Highlights of the day follow

Supreme Court on February 2.

Security New Defence Secretary James Mattis next week will visit Japan and South Korea, choosing the two close US allies for his debut trip.

Immigration

Climate change

Trump is expected to sign executive orders that include a temporary ban on most refugees and a suspension of visas for citizens of Syria and six other Middle Eastern and African countries, sources say.

Election Trump says on Twitter he will seek a major investigation on voter fraud in the November election, despite an overwhelming consensus among state officials, election experts and politicians that it is rare.

Pipelines Opponents of two controversial oil pipelines face a difficult legal path if the US government approves their construction, experts say after Trump issued orders to advance the Keystone XL and Dakota Access projects.

The Trump administration is instructing the Environmental Protection Agency to remove its climate change website page in the latest move to erase ex-President Barack Obama’s climate initiatives.

US President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order at the White House in Washington on January 24 REUTERS

Crime Trump vows federal intervention in Chicago to quell the “carnage” of gun violence there unless local officials can curb the murder rate on their own.

International relations British Prime Minister Theresa May, scheduled to meet Trump in Washington this week, says any trade deal with the United States would put British interests and values first.

China is mapping out global leadership aspirations from trade to climate change, drawing distinctions between President Xi Jinping and Trump.

Trump invites Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit later this year in a phone call that touched on economic and defense cooperation.

Supreme Court Trump says he will make his choice to fill the 11-month vacancy on the U.S.

Lawsuits Legal advocacy groups challenging Trump in court over alleged conflicts of interest say lawsuits are part of a larger strategy to highlight their concerns and put political pressure on the administration.

Lookalikes Impersonators representing Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un prompt laughs on a street in Hong Kong as part of a promotion for a Lunar New Year song. l

Source: REUTERS

Trump on immigration: What we know so far US President Donald Trump will begin rolling out executive actions on immigration Wednesday, beginning with steps to build his proposed wall along the US-Mexico border, according to two administration officials. He’s also expected to target so-called sanctuary cities and is reviewing proposals that would restrict the flow of refugees to the United States, reports the Associated Press.

Many of the details of the executive orders are not yet known, and might not be known immediately after he signs them. But here’s what we can say with confidence so far.

Building the wall

On Wednesday, President Trump is likely to sign an order directing the Department of Homeland Security to use certain existing funds to start construction of a wall on the US-Mexico border. It’s not yet clear which funds he’s going to reassign to the wall, but the president has authority to shift money around within agencies for related purposes. It wouldn’t be enough to build the whole thing, but it would get the project started before Trump asks Congress (as expected) for more money for the wall in a May appropriations bill.

Sanctuary cities

The president is also expected to sign an executive order Wednesday that does something to strip funding from “sanctuary cities,” or local jurisdictions that limit their cooperation with federal immigration agents when it comes to identifying or turning over unauthorized immigrants. It’s not clear what definition of “sanctuary city” President Trump will use, or what funds would be targeted. Depending on what the executive order says, it could face a stiff court battle, given Supreme Court rulings that limit the federal government’s ability to make grants conditional on specific policies.

Suspending refugee admissions

Sometime this week — possibly Wednesday, possibly later — Trump is expected to sign an order suspending refugee admissions to the US for a certain period of time (possibly for four months). This is something the president has broad authority to do (President George W Bush suspended refugee admissions for three months after 9/11) but that would severely disrupt the lives of thousands of refugees in the midst of a global refugee crisis. The executive order might make an exception for “religious

President Donald Trump is moving ahead with his immigration agenda, making good on plans for a border wall, targeting so-called “sanctuary cities” and reviewing proposals to restrict the flow of refugees to the United States To be constructed by Department WALL of Homeland Security along US-Mexico border.

Plan includes repair of existing fences and provision of 5,000 extra border staff. Some US foreign aid to Mexico could be redirected to partially fund project Syria

Proposals being REFUGEES considered include temporary ban on most refugees, and suspension of visas for citizens of countries where US considers security screening is inadequate.

Total refugee admissions for 2017 capped at 50,000. Syrian refugees barred from entering US indefinitely.

Pentagon and US State Department to plan “safe zones” inside Syria

Possible visa bans

minorities” who are persecuted in their home countries — presumably intended for Christians in the Middle East.

countries. These countries don’t account for a large portion of entries to the US, though they do account for a larger portion of refugee admissions. The visa suspension might last 30 days. While it’s possible that a ban that targeted only majority-Muslim countries could face a court challenge, current US law and court cases give the president broad authority to restrict immigration from particular countries. l

Suspending visas from seven majority-Muslim countries

Trump is also expected to sign an executive order stopping people from several countries from entering the US on visas. The list of countries reportedly includes Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen — all majority-Muslim

Libya Sudan © GRAPHIC NEWS

Iran Iraq Yemen

Somalia

Sources: AP, VOX

9

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

USA

Q&A

Trump to announce SC pick on February 2

What’s next for the Dakota access, Keystone XL pipelines?

US President Donald Trump’s executive actions on the Dakota Access and Keystone XL pipelines are aimed at turning the much-protested pipelines into reality.

Here’s a look at what may be next for the two pipelines:

Where they stood before Tuesday?

The $3.8bn Dakota Access pipeline to carry North Dakota oil through South Dakota and Iowa to a shipping point in Illinois is nearly complete, except for a stretch underneath Lake Oahe, a Missouri River reservoir in southern North Dakota. Construction is stalled due to a court fight between developer Energy Transfer Partners and the Army Corps of Engineers over permission for the pipeline to cross under the lake amid objections from the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, which gets its drinking water from the lake.

The $8bn Keystone XL project was to bring oil from Canada’s oil sands to Nebraska, where it would join other lines already leading to refineries along the Gulf Coast. Former President Barack Obama halted it in late 2015, declaring it would undercut US efforts to clinch a global climate change deal that was a centrepiece of his environmental agenda.

What the orders mean?

Trump’s move on Dakota Access didn’t

DT

World

TRUMP REVIVES CONTROVERSIAL PIPELINES Keystone XL Owner: TransCanada Estimated cost: $8 billion Expected capacity: 830,000 barrels/day Blocked by Obama as a measure to combat climate change

Hardisty

CANADA

Expected capacity: 470,000 barrels/day Threatens native American sacred sites and water sources

Will protesters return?

Bakken/Three Forks

MONTANA

NORTH DAKOTA

Baker Proposed extension

Dakota Access Construction: Energy Transfer Partners

Current pipeline: 590,000 barrels of oil a day

ILLINOIS

Steele City

Patoka

UNITED STATES Cushing

400 km

TEXAS WASHINGTON

immediately clear the way for construction to resume, but it did order the Corps to quickly consider whether to approve the Lake Oahe crossing.

Tribal attorney Jan Hasselman said what happens next will depend on how the Corps interprets the language. He said the tribe will fight in court any reversal of the Corps’ recent decision to conduct a full environmental study of the crossing - a process that could take

Houston

Department environmental study satisfies required reviews under environmental and endangered species laws.

Environmental groups promised a legal challenge, arguing a new application requires a new review.

Nederland Gulf of Mexico

up to two years.

Not completing a study “would be a gross violation of the tribe’s treaty rights,” he said.

The Corps’ Northwestern Division didn’t immediately comment, saying it was still studying Trump’s action.

Trump directed the State Department and other agencies to make a decision within 60 days of a final application and declared that a 2014 State

Opposition to Dakota Access resulted in hundreds and sometimes thousands of people camping on federal land along the pipeline route in North Dakota. The area since August has been the site of numerous, sometimes violent clashes between protesters and police, with nearly 625 arrests.

The camp has dwindled to fewer than 300 people after the Tribal Council recently told protesters to leave due to harsh winter weather and the need to get the area cleaned up before spring flooding.

Trump’s action could re-ignite protests, but “to what degree, we don’t know,” said Dallas Goldtooth of the Indigenous Environmental Network, which had been one of the main camp organizers before heeding the tribe’s call to leave last month. That group and other organizers have since called on Dakota Access opponents to spread out around the country rather than concentrate in southern North Dakota. l

Source: AP

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he intends to announce his nominee for the Supreme Court on Febreuary 2, and three federal appeals court judges are said to be the front-runners to fill the lifetime seat held by the late Justice Antonin Scalia. The leading contenders, who have met with Trump, are William Pryor, Neil Gorsuch and Thomas Hardiman. REUTERS

THE AMERICAS

52 inmates on run after Brazil jailbreak Brazilian police were hunting for 52 inmates who broke out of a jail on Tuesday in the latest unrest to hit the country’s overcrowded prisons.

Inmates set fire to one of the cellblocks before escaping from the Penitentiary Progression Centre, a semi-open prison in the town of Bauru, northwest of Sao Paulo, the national prisons authority said. AFP

UK

British PM will open Brexit plan to MPs British Prime Minister Theresa May said Wednesday she would publish her Brexit plan in parliament so that MPs can scrutinise it, but insisted the government’s timetable was on track. The announcement is a concession to lawmakers angered at what they say is the lack of detail so far in May’s proposals for leaving the European Union. AFP

EUROPE

Trump announces major Trump seeks to review voter fraud investigation terror interrogations n AFP, Washington, DC US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday he would seek a probe into what he calls widespread voter fraud in the election that brought him to power, hammering away at allegations widely dismissed as baseless.

No public evidence has emerged of large-scale illegal voting in the November election, and Trump and the White House have failed to substantiate the president’s claim.

Trump’s own lawyers have stated in legal filings that there was no evidence of fraud in the November 8 election.

Even as major US media now brand Trump’s allegation an outright lie and lawmakers urge him to drop the subject, the president stuck to his guns on Wednesday.

“I will be asking for a major investigation into VOTER FRAUD, including those registered to vote in two states, those who are illegal

and even those registered to vote who are dead (and many for a long time),” Trump wrote in the latest of his early morning tweets.

‘Knock this off’

That report did not provide evidence that dead people voted, or that others voted in their name.

David Becker, the primary author of the Pew report, tweeted in response to the Trump team’s claims that he “can confirm that report made no findings re: voter fraud.”

Trump has also cited an Old Dominion University study which suggested 14% of non-citizens said they were registered to vote.

But that study has been dismissed as having flawed methodology, with a sample size of under 1,000 and no link between being registered to vote and actually voting.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina urged Trump to provide evidence for his allegations or “knock this off.” l

n Tribune Desk US President Donald Trump is asking for a review of America’s methods for interrogating terror suspects and the possible reopening of CIA-run “black site” prisons outside the United States, according to a draft executive order obtained by the Associated Press.

The order would also reverse America’s commitment to closing the US detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The document instructs top national security officers to “recommend to the president whether to reinitiate a program of interrogation of high-value alien terrorists to be operated outside the United States and whether such program should include the use of detention facilities operated by the Central Intelligence Agency.”

The document says US laws should be obeyed at all times and

explicitly rejects “torture.” But its reconsideration of the harsh interrogation techniques banned by President Barack Obama and Congress is sure to inflame passions in the United States and abroad.

While some former government leaders insist the program was effective in obtaining critical intelligence, many others blame it for some of the worst abuses in the “war on terror” after the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.

On the campaign trail, Trump spoke emphatically about toughening the US approach to fighting the Islamic State group. He spoke he would interrogate terror suspects with the outlawed practice of waterboarding, which simulates drowning, and a “hell of a lot worse.” Since becoming president, however, he has tempered those calls, noting his Defence Secretary James Mattis’ advice that torture is ineffective. l

Ex-EU parliament chief to stand against Merkel Germany’s Social Democrats unexpectedly named former European Parliament chief Martin Schulz as their candidate for the chancellorship on Tuesday, raising the stakes in a September election that promises to be Angela Merkel’s toughest yet. The announcement came after SPD party leader and vice-chancellor Sigmar Gabriel surprised observers by saying he would step aside to make room for Schulz, conceding that his own chances of victory were dismal. AFP

AFRICA

28 killed in Shabaab attack on Mogadishu hotel Twenty-eight people were killed Wednesday when al-Shabaab fighters attacked a popular Mogadishu hotel, setting off two car bombs and opening fire on security guards, according to the city’s main ambulance service.

The attack, claimed by the al-Qaeda-aligned Shabaab insurgents, began when a car loaded with explosives rammed the gate of the Dayah Hotel near the Somali parliament and state house. AFP

DT

10

World

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

FACTBOX

70 years of the Anglo-American relations The relationship was tested again in 1962 when the administration of US President John Kennedy unexpectedly cancelled its Skybolt missile programme, angering Britain, which had been set to use the missiles.

But, as with Suez, the resolution of the crisis deepened ties between the countries and contributed to the decision of France to block Britain’s accession into the European Community in the early 1960s.

British Prime Minister Theresa May will meet new US President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday seeking to reinvigorate what London views as the two countries’ “special relationship”.

May, the first foreign leader to visit Trump, aims to forge closer ties with the United States as Britain leaves the European Union. She hopes to enjoy the same closeness with him that Margaret Thatcher had with Ronald Reagan in the 1980s.

The history of the special relationship between the two countries has always been defined by personalities, Europe and security issues and has not always been easy.

Thatcher and Reagan The defining image of British and US relations by the end of the Cold War was of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and President Ronald Reagan.

The grocers’ daughter and the Hollywood film star struck up a rapport on

From Churchill to crisis The United States declared independence from Britain in 1776 but it was not until 1946 that Winston Churchill coined the term “special relationship” following World War Two. The establishment of Nato in 1949 helped to deepen military ties but the alliance saw challenges in the early years of the Cold War. In the 1956 Suez Crisis, when Britain attacked Egypt without informing the United States, US President Dwight Eisenhower was incensed and pressured Prime Minister Anthony Eden to seek

British PM Margaret Thatcher, left, and US President Ronald Reagan REUTERS a peaceful solution, resulting in Eden’s resignation.

The episode was arguably the worst crisis of US-UK relations in the 20th century but demonstrated to the British establishment its fading imperial power and the importance of collaboration with the United States in international affairs.

As Trump stresses ‘America First’, China plays the world leader the world stage.

Even on the thorny issue of the South China Sea, Beijing did not rise to the bait of White House remarks this week about “defending international territories” in the disputed waterway. Instead, China stressed its desire for peace and issued a restrained call for Washington to watch what it says.

Stepping up Chinese President Xi Jinping REUTERS

n Reuters, Beijing China is calmly mapping out global leadership aspirations from trade to climate change, drawing distinctions between President Xi Jinping’s steady hand and new US President Donald Trump, whose first days have been marked by media feuds and protests.

Just days ahead of Trump taking office, a self-assured Xi was in Switzerland as the keynote speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos, offering a vigorous defence of globalisation and signalling Beijing’s desire to play a bigger role on

That message was reinforced this week when Trump formally withdrew the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, distancing US from its Asian allies. Several remaining TPP members said they would now look to include China in a revised pact, or pursue Beijing’s alternative free trade agreements.

China’s hosting of an international conference on its “One Belt, One Road” initiative in May is one opportunity for Beijing to showcase its leadership of global infrastructure and investment.

China was likely to hold it at the same glitzy convention centre used to host the Apec summit in 2014, setting the stage for Xi’s most high profile diplomatic event of the year. l

US President Bill Clinton, right, and British PM Tony Blair REUTERS

the basis of their shared commitment to small government, economic liberalism and anti-communism.

Even this relationship was subjected to strains, however. Thatcher was angered by the US invasion of Grenada, a Commonwealth nation in 1983. In 2014 a recording of a phone call by Reagan, apologising to Thatcher, was released.

WMDs The special relationship was reinforced again with the co-operation of Prime Minister Tony Blair and President George W Bush over the Iraq War. Following the 9/11 attacks on the United States, Blair was keen to offer support to the United States. However, while the initial military action to depose Saddam Hussein as Iraq’s leader in 2003 achieved its aims, the war became drawn out.

The lack of weapons of mass destruction, which had provided a justification for the action, drew opposition on both sides of the Atlantic, with some describing Blair as a puppet of Bush.

While Blair’s close friendship with Bush - they famously shared their toothpaste - became a political issue for him, British leaders tended to see good relations with president Barack Obama as an asset.

Obama was popular in Britain and

US President George W Bush, left, and British PM Tony Blair REUTERS Prime Minister David Cameron was keen to portray their closeness, in contrast to the more awkward manner of his predecessor Gordon Brown.

Pragmatism May Trump lack of personal ties Tom Packer, research fellow at the Rothermere American Institute in Oxford University, believes that the pragmatic relationship of Bush and Blair may be a better guide to May and Trump’s relationship than Reagan and Thatcher.

“I think it can’t be like Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, because they shared an ideological vision, and also had important personal ties already,” Packer said. l

Source: REUTERS

Brexit ruling points Scotland towards independence n AFP, Edinburgh The Supreme Court’s Brexit ruling has hit pro-EU Scotland hard by denying it the legal right to have a say on leaving the bloc and pushing it further towards making a new bid for independence. The court ruled on Tuesday that UK Prime Minister Theresa May had to seek approval from parliament to start the divorce process but did not need the support of lawmakers from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reacted angrily to the judgement, saying that Scotland was “simply not being heard”, but political analysts say the path to a new independence referendum is far from easy.

“Is Scotland content for our future to be dictated by an increasingly right-wing Westminster government or is it better that we take our future into our own hands?” the leader of the pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP) said in a statement.

Aggravatingly for semi-autonomous Scotland, the Supreme Court ruling spelled out that a convention under which Scotland cannot have legislation foisted on it by the national government was not le-

This file photo taken on June 28, 2016 shows A woman holds up a placard at a demonstration by Pro EU campaigners in Edinburgh, Scotland AFP gally binding.

It clears the way for London to trigger the Brexit process within weeks without Scotland’s consent even as Sturgeon demands a special status that would allow it to stay in the EU’s single market while the rest of Britain leaves.

An independence referendum in 2014 resulted in a 55% majority in favour of staying part of Britain and opinion polls show a majority of Scots still want to remain. Sturgeon would also need the go-ahead from

the British parliament in London to hold a new independence vote.

In the run-up to the 2014 referendum, Scotland was offered extensive new powers in exchange for voting against independence with a joint statement by national political leaders dubbed “The Vow”.

A key pillar of the British promise was a legal clause, opaquely known as the Sewel Convention or Legislative Consent Motion (LCM), declaring that London will not normally force laws on Scotland. l

DT

11

World

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Panama suspends Panama Papers probe n AFP, Panama City

Panama is suspending its probe into the Panama Papers, the leak of a legal firm’s files on clients who stored assets in opaque offshore companies, prosecutors said Tuesday. The records from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca revealed the

names of leaders, politicians, celebrities and wealthy individuals from around the world who used the firm to create offshore entities to hide their assets.

A legal challenge on constitutional grounds required the suspension, the country’s attorney general, Kenia Porcell, told a news

conference. It was now up to the Supreme Court to rule on the matter and decide whether the probe should resume, she said.

The Panama Papers scandal erupted in April last year when media reports divulged documents from the massive data dump leaked by an anonymous source to a Ger-

Like what you’re reading?

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

Call: 0161-I-WANT-DT (01614926838) | Visit: dhakatribune.com/subscribe

Dhaka Tribune

man newspaper. Mossack Fonseca has argued that the revelations were illegal and based on stolen information.

The explosive dossier linked some of the world’s most powerful leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister David Cameron and others

to unreported offshore companies.

The revelations led to the resignation of Iceland’s prime minister.

Other prominent people who turned up in the documents include Argentine President Mauricio Macri, footballer Lionel Messi and, most recently, the daughter of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. l

DT

12 Business

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

CAPITAL MARKET SNAPSHOT: WEDNESDAY 5,621.3 -1.5% ▼ Index DSE Broad Index CSE All Share Index 17,427.0 -1.6% ▼ 30 Index

1,287.6 15,112.6

-1.1% -1.2%

▼ ▼

30 Index Selected Index

2,028.1 10,571.8

-0.6% -1.6%

▼ ▼

Turnover in Mn Tk Turnover in Mn Tk

15,249.4 839.4

-24.3% -29.9%

▼ ▼

Turnover in Mn Vol Turnover in Mn Vol

489.7 32.0

-28.3% -25.3%

▼ ▼

Muhith: Bangladesh to benefit as US withdraws from TPP n Asif Showkat Kallol

Telenor invests $1.18bn in Bangladesh in five years n Tribune Business Desk Telenor has invested in Bangladesh $1.18bn over the last five years, of which $248m was alone in 2015, said a report of the group published recently.

The Telenor’s total global investment was $3.2bn in 2015, including $3.1bn of capital expenditure $1.8bn of the capital expenditure was attributed to Asia.

Telenor Group recently unveiled its first Global Impact Report quantifying the socio-economic impact of the its contributions to 13 markets across the world, including six in Asia with Bangladesh being one of its major Asian markets.

In 2015, Grameenphone directly

employed 4,728 full-time equivalent staff in Bangladesh. Of them, 73% were male; 27% were female; and 99.7% were Bangladeshi nationals.

In addition, an estimated additional 169,900 indirect jobs were generated through its supply chain in Bangladesh.

Through increased digital access for female subscribers in Bangladesh, Grameenphone has contributed $7.48bn to the Bangladesh GDP between 2011 and 2015.

The report includes a detailed study of the socio-economic effects created by Telenor as one of the largest mobile operators in Bangladesh, its instrumental role in digitisation of Bangladesh and other Asian economies, including

India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Thailand.

The Global Impact Report sheds light on how Telenor’s operations contribute towards this goal in Bangladesh.

Sigve Brekke, President and CEO of Telenor Group, said: “In Telenor, we believe that connected societies are empowered societies.

In a changing digital landscape, it is imperative that governments, businesses, and organisations work together to develop frameworks that stimulate growth and create shared value.”

This report aims to contribute to a constructive dialogue on how to continue realising the value and the opportunity of digital future.

Grameenphone CEO Petter B Furberg said: “It is encouraging to see how Grameenphone operations have made a significant impact on the socio-economic growth of the people of Bangladesh as well as on the key financial indicators of the country.”

“As Grameenphone shifts its focus on transforming the digital landscape in Bangladesh we expect to even greater social empowerment and development,” said the CEO. Telenor is committed to its journey in Bangladesh and Grameenphone as its subsidiary is proud to play a core part of this nation’s enlightenment. l

Finance Minister AMA Muhith said the withdrawal of the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal would benefit Bangladesh.

According to him, the step will help Bangladesh face relaxed competition in the US market which is the largest destination after the EU of Bangladeshi garment products.

“As Vietnam is our main competitor in the US market, especially in garment sector, the US withdrawal from the TPP deal will reduce competition for our exporters,” he told journalists yesterday.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday pulling out of the 12-nation trade deal that covered 40% of the world’s economy.

It was a cornerstone of former US President Barack Obama’s Asia policy but Trump had criticised it

as a “potential disaster” for the US during his campaign.

The deal was negotiated in 2015 by countries including the US, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Mexico. China was not part of the agreement.

Muhith said the government would be busy implementing its election pledges in the upcoming years before the next general election.

However, the government planned enacting bank merger and acquisition law within two years, he said.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau data, Bangladesh overall garment exports to the US market reached $2.86bn in the July-December period of 2016 while Vietnam exports to the US market was $33.19m in the same period.

Of the top 10 garment exporters to the US, only Bangladesh and Vietnam showed positive trends in the shipments during the period. l

BSEC: Be well-informed of stocks before investment n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) asked investors to make investment after being well-informed about the fundamentals of the company they are investing and the risk of investment in the stock markets.

“Investment in the capital market is risky. Know, understand and make long-term investment decision,” the stock market regulator made the warning in a statement posted on its website yesterday.

The move was taken following the recent upward rally at the country’s stock markets.

In the last 30 trading sessions, DSEX, the key index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), registered a gain of 714 points or 14.55%, ending at 5,621 points.

On January 23, the daily turnover recorded a six-year high to Tk2,180.7 crore while on December 5, 2010, the DSE recorded the turnover of Tk3,249.5 crore, the highest ever in the history of Bangladesh exchange.

The investors have been urged to consider issues such as institutional good governance, amount of assets and its utilisation by the company, trend and amount of dividend declaration, Net Asset Val-

ue (NAV) of share and Earning Per share (EPS).

The regular also called upon the shareholders for an insight into the companies’ compliance with stock regulations, their price sensitive information in time and whether the companies hold their Annual General Meeting (AGM) regularly and take shareholders opinion into account.

The commission asked the investors to review the price movement of previous time, price earning ratio and make long-term, short-term and medium-term investment plan with portfolio diversification. Investors have also been directed to abide by rules and regulations of trading.

Mentioning the Do’s for investors, the regulator asked the investors not to invest all their savings in a single sector and stocks being influenced by others, not to pay heed to rumor and sign in unauthorised deeds or forms.

Finally, the regulator suggested not investing in any securities or offer which do not have proper approval, even if they promise high returns and low risk.

It also called for the investors to be aware of temptation of investments with excessive profit forecasts and make personal budget and financial planning as per income and expenditure. l

13

DT

Business

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Kamal hopes 7.5% GDP growth this FY n Kamrul Hasan Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said Bangladesh would achieve the 7.5% growth of gross domestic product (GDP) in the current fiscal year and 8% before 2020.

He was speaking at the launching of Bangla version of seventh FiveYear Plan at the planning ministry auditorium in Dhaka yesterday.

Mustafa Kamal said if they succeeded in implementation of the plan, it would help the country become a knowledge-based society.

Prof Shamsul Alam, member (senior secretary) of General Economics Division of the Planning Commission presided over the function.

He said some 12.9m additional jobs would be created in the next five years.

President of National Press Club Shafiqur Rahman and Naquib Bin Mahbub, chief of the GED, were also present, among others.

Safiqur Rahman laid emphasis on data-gap analysis in implementing the sustainable development goals and urged the government to remove the gap immediately.

Naquib Bin Mahbub, also National Project Director of Support to Sustainable and Inclusive Planning (SSIP) Project, UNDP Bangladesh, gave the welcome address.

Prof Shamsul Alam said the GED launched the Bangla version after a directive from Prime Minister

2nd Global Cotton Summit begins tomorrow n Tribune Business Desk Bangladesh is going to organise the second edition of Global Cotton Summit 2017 tomorrow to establish a network between producers and buyers to ensure smooth sourcing of cotton.

Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) and Bangladesh Cotton Association will jointly host the two-day show in between January 27 and 18 at Radisson Blu Water Garden in the capital.

“Bangladesh is a successful trade-based country. Textile and clothing are the major trading sector. To run the trade successfully and ensure sourcing of cotton, we are going to organise the summit, said Mohammad Ali Kokhon, vice-president of BTMA. He was addressing a press briefing on Bangladesh Cotton Summit 2017.

Considering the current consumption trend, it is assumed that in the coming years, Bangladesh will need more 15 lakh bale cotton. The summit will play an important role to achieve the goal, said the business leader.

Bangladesh is the largest cotton importer and also the second largest garment exporter after China. As of 2016, Bangladesh imported 6.1 million bale cotton, of which 2.99 million bale was imported from India.

“We will focus on Africa to meet the new demands for cotton. African cotton association will join the summit and

it will help us have better ties with the African country for souring cotton.”

Bangladesh will not face problem in meeting the increased demand if it can maintain a good relation with the producers, said Mehedi Ali, general secretary, Bangladesh Cotton Association.

“To reduce import dependency on a single country, we are looking for second and third option for sourcing,” he added.

Currently, Bangladesh imports 50% cotton from India.

About 99% demands of cotton met by import, Bangladesh produces 1.80 lakh bale of cotton per annum, which was only 50,000 bale five years ago.

“I believe the summit will improve buyer-seller relationship and help resolve the disputes arising from among the parties,” said Mehedi Ali. Bangladesh has set the target to earn $50 billion by 2021.

In achieving the goal, it is required to ensure uninterrupted supply of yarns and fabrics and cotton is the raw material for it, he added.

Delegates, traders, shippers and merchant from Bangladesh, India, Sudan, United Kingdom, Singapore, Switzerland, Mali, Chand, Turkey, Iran and United States will join the show.

Currently, there are 430 Spinning Mills across the country with a production capacity of 11.50 million, but the full-fledged capacity is not being utilised due to some constraints. l

Sheikh Hasina so the general people could learn about the plan. The project was started six months ago, he said.

Abul Kalam Azad was appointed as the chief coordinator for the SDGs affairs at the PMO. He said without good governance, the SDGs cannont be achieved.

The speakers at the function said the ministry should maintain co-operation with media and different ministries to help the government achieve the SDGs. United Nations Development Programme Country Director to Bangladesh Sudipto Mukherjee said the UNDP would continue their support to Bangladesh government. l

Planning Minister Mustafa Kamala seen at the launching of Bangla version of 7th Five-Year Plan at the ministry auditorium yesterday

DT

14

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Business NBR chief: Revenue collection increases thousand times since 1972 n SM Najmus Sakib

German firms in 4 sectors Ifo surveys - manufacturing, construction, wholesaling, and retail - reported lower confidence in Jan REUTERS

Germany clings to growth hopes as Trump clouds gather n AFP, Frankfurt The German government yesterday maintained its growth forecast for 2017, even as a monthly survey showed firms increasingly nervous about the future in the face of global uncertainty.

Europe’s largest economy should expand by 1.4% in 2017 after hitting 1.9% last year, the economy ministry in Berlin said in a statement.

“The German economy is in very good condition,” said Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel, adding that “the effect of a lower number of working days” compared with 2016 would ac-

count for most of the fall in growth.

But he acknowledged that “despite the extremely good economic situation, many people are concerned” about their own and the country’s prospects.

Earlier in the day, a survey from the Munich-based Ifo institute showed business confidence at its lowest level since September.

The Ifo index stood at 109.8 points in January, a fall of 1.2 points after months trending upwards. Analysts surveyed by Factset had predicted a slight increase to 111.3 points.

“Companies expressed greater satisfaction with their current business situ-

ation, but are less optimistic about their six-month business outlook,” Ifo president Clemens Fuest said in a statement.

“Germany is getting increasingly concerned about the possible impact from US president Trump’s suggested trade sanctions,” wrote analyst Carsten Brzeski of ING Diba bank.

The US dislodged France as Germany’s biggest export customer for the first time in many years in 2015, he noted.

According to the federal statistics office Destatis, Germany sold 174bn euros ($187bn) of goods to the US in 2015, while importing around 60 billion euros of American goods. l

National Board of Revenue Chairman Nojibur Rahman said the country’s revenue collection figure has increased 1,224 times in the past 45 years of independence.

He said while the figure collected in the fiscal year 1972-73 was Tk166 crore, it increased to Tk1,55,518 crore in the FY2015-16.

Nojibur Rahman said the government set Tk2,03,152 crore for revenue collection in the FY2016-17.

He was addressing a press conference at the NBR office yesterday. It was held to brief the media about observing “International Customs Day” today.

Nojibur Rahman said the NBR upgraded and brought

massive changes to its system, especially in rules and regulations and operation.

NBR will observe the day with the theme “data analysis for effective management.”

NBR chief said the board would organise day-long programmes on the International Customs Day, which include colourful processions, rallies and seminars.

NBR introduced online VAT system, easing of customs procedure and digital system, bond management automation project, e-TIN, e-filing and e-payment of taxes, electronic LC and online EXP system, Nojibur Rahman said.

Since 2009 International Customs Day is being observed on January 26 every year, raising awareness among citizens to pay taxes. l

Stock markets climb as Trump fears ease n AFP, London Asian and European markets pushed higher yesterday, tracking a record close on Wall Street as investor concerns eased over Donald Trump’s lack of domestic policies.

After a slack start to the year for global equities, US traders took up the reins Tuesday to press back on with the November-December Trump rally after the tycoon gave the green light to two big oil pipeline deals.

“Following on from a late rally in the US last night, thanks to the second round of Trump executive orders, the markets looked a lot perkier,” said Spreadex analyst Connor Campbell.

The new president signed off on the controversial Keystone XL pipeline - which would carry oil from Canadian tar sands to US Gulf Coast refineries - and another crossing in North Dakota.

The move reverses decisions taken recently by Barack Obama and is the latest effort to wipe out the former president’s legacy.

The announcement weighed on oil prices on fears it will add to a global glut of

crude, despite the OPEC exporting cartel’s agreement in November to cut output.

Also Tuesday it emerged that House Speaker Paul Ryan signalled support for public works spending, while reports surfaced that Senate Democrats will unveil a $1tn infrastructure plan, offering the president their support if he backs it.

The developments soothed anxiety on markets that promised economy-firing spending and tax-cutting measures were being put on the back burner by Trump in favour of reviewing global trade deals.

Pound rallies

In Europe yesterday, Frankfurt and Paris stocks won more than 1%, but London gains were tempered as sterling rebounded to multi-week highs against the euro and dollar.

The British pound had slid Tuesday after the UK Supreme Court’s verdict that Britain’s government must win parliament’s approval before launching Brexit negotiations.

But sterling recovered lost ground as markets focused on the greater certainty that the ruling delivered. l

15

DT

Business

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Asian-wealth shakeout will favour top players n Jun Yang

A Japanese flag flies atop the Bank of Japan building in Tokyo

REUTERS

BOJ slows bond buying, reminds markets focus is on rates n Reuters The Bank of Japan likely reduced government bond buying this month than in December by forgoing purchases of short-term bonds on Wednesday, a move some market players saw as a prelude toward tapering the central bank’s massive asset-buying programme.

But Wednesday’s move was more about getting markets accustomed to a decision the BOJ made in September, which was to shift its policy focus to interest rates from the pace of bond buying, sources familiar with its thinking say.

“What’s most important is to achieve the bond yield targets,” said one of the sources.

“Under the current framework, interest rates take priority over the amount of bond buying,” the source said, a

view echoed by several others.

Japanese government bonds tumbled on Wednesday after the BOJ surprised markets by not offering to buy JGBs with one to five years to maturity, when such an operation had been deemed as a certainty.

Many BOJ officials say that the central bank may gradually slow its bond purchases, if it can achieve its yield targets through buying smaller volumes.

But they also stress that the BOJ won’t taper its asset purchases abruptly and would maintain its massive balance sheet until inflation sustainably hits its 2% target.

“The amount, timing and frequency of our bond-buying market operation is decided in a way that would guide the yield curve in a shape deemed appropriate”

by the BOJ’s policy board, a senior central bank official told Reuters on Wednesday.

Revamped framework

After more than three years of heavy asset purchases failed to jolt the economy out of stagnation, the BOJ revamped its policy framework in September into one targeting interest rates instead of the pace of money printing.

The BOJ now pledges to guide short-term interest rates at minus 0.1% and 10-year JGB yields around zero percent.

It also has another loose commitment to keep buying JGBs at the current pace so the balance of its holdings increases around 80tn yen ($704bn) per year. But many in the central bank hope to gradually slow the pace of purchases, as its huge buying is drying up market liquidity. l

Kuwait: Oil market rebalancing n AFP, Kuwait Oil markets have already begun to rebalance after strong signs that producers are complying with output cuts, Kuwait Oil Minister Essam al-Marzouk said yesterday.

“We are confident that rebalancing in the oil markets has already started,” Marzouk said.

“We expect a positive impact on the market by the end

of the first quarter of 2017,” he told a conference organised

by Petroleum Intelligence.

Marzouk said that signs indicate that OPEC and nonOPEC producers who agreed in December to reduce output by a total of 1.8 million barrels per day “are complying with their commitments to cut.”

Marzouk heads a five-country committee tasked with monitoring the

implementation of the landmark deal.

The committee met in Vienna on Sunday and said that compliance with the sixmonth accord, which took effect on January 1, had been very encouraging.

The aim is to reduce a global glut that has depressed oil prices and blown a huge hole in the public finances of producer nations, despite being good news for consumers. l

Asian wealth management is an increasingly elite business. High costs threaten the viability of private banking in the region, even though it is now home to the world’s largest population of high-net-worth individuals.

That is forcing stragglers to quit. The clear winners will be mega-houses like UBS and rising regional champion DBS, which can build on their scale and cut costs.

In the good old days, firms could earn annual revenue of about 1% of assets under management, according to an industry executive. But a crackdown on money laundering since the financial crisis has lifted compliance costs. Low interest rates are also bad for business, and in Asia, competition is more intense as the small share of millionaires using private banks tends to have accounts with multiple banks. All this squeezes margins, which can now be as thin as 40 basis points.

Hence, industry consolidation is well underway, with 16 deals in 2015, according to Scorpio Partnership. Last month, ABN Amro threw in the towel, and more exits will

probably follow. Bad profitability is doubly painful for smaller businesses that built up costly operations during the boom time.

The conventional wisdom nowadays is that firms need $30bn in AUM to break even, although some leaner outfits can make do with less. The goal among big players is to go huge, with a $100bn target on everyone’s lips, according to one sector banker.

Only four banks were above that mark in Asia at the end of 2015, according to Asian Private Banker magazine. The quartet was led

by UBS, which has more than $270bn in regional AUM, and none are homegrown. However, Singapore’s DBS, which in 2014 bought Societe Generale’s Asian private-banking operations to boost AUM to more than $70bn, is closing in fast.

DBS has checked out at least two other businesses, including one Barclays last year sold to Singaporean peer OCBC at 1.75% of AUM. Private-banking suitors can be picky, as cheap assets abound. For the lucky few, it’s a buyer’s market. l Jun Yang is a columnist at Reuters.

16

Dhaka Tribune THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Advertisement

DT

18

Feature

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

The sorry state of ‘pictorial warning’ As graphic as it can get?

n Mahmood Sadi The cigarette packets which entered the market in Bangladesh last April had a grotesque picture of the throat of a smoker. It definitely had enough elements to keep smokers from buying the packet – supposedly the main purpose behind having such pictorial warnings in the first place.

After three months however, that picture was changed to that of a person wearing a respiratory mask against a dark background of what seems to be an x-ray photo of the lungs. This warning clearly had more artistic elements to it than the scary parts.

The next two pictorial warnings also got milder (in terms of being outright grotesque) than before, with a picture of bleeding human brain followed by a picture of a yet another patient wearing an oxygen mask.

The tobacco companies didn’t do anything illegal though because the changes in the packets were made as per the amended Tobacco Control Act which states that the pictorial warning on the packet should be changed every three months.

However, as vexed as the antitobacco activists of the country are by this ‘softening’ of the pictorial warnings, they are more worried about the fact that over 92 percent of tobacco companies are still not completely complying with the pictorial warning regulation even though the government has made them mandatory for tobacco packets or containers.

Through a recent survey which seven anti-tobacco organisations – ACD, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, SHIMANTIK, YPSA, National Heart Foundation, Development Council and PROGGA – have jointly conducted, the activists have expressed their concern about the government’s honest intention about making the pictorials effective in staving off smokers.

What was found in the survey?

The survey was conducted simultaneously in eight divisional cities in November last year, after eight months of the introduction of the pictorial warning on March 19, the same year, to examine the implementation of the law by tobacco companies.

It was conducted across 120 tobacco-selling shops in eight divisional cities based on seven indicators. Those are: printing of GHW covering at least 50 percent

PHOTO: SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

of the packet/container, printing GHW on both sides of packets or containers, printing only government approved image and message as GHW, updating the GHW image every three months, following government approved ratio in printing GHW image and warning text and others.

The surveyor collected a total of 1,827 different tobacco packets from the market as samples. From that, their data analysis found that 100 percent of bidis (60 packets), 96.4 percent of zarda (456 containers), 75.86 percent of gul (44 containers), and 20.88 percent of cigarettes (185 packets) have not complied with the pictorial warning law properly.

Around 19.2% (350) packets didn’t have any sort of pictorial warnings on them. A total of 35 out of 44 cigarette brands and 12 out of 17 bidi brands were found using the same pictorial warnings which they had three months ago, even though the Act specified that the pictorial warnings have to be changed every three months.

Almost 100% (none of the samples that the surveyors collected) mentioned "For selling

•

According to Section 10 (1) of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act 2013, it is mandatory to print coloured pictures about the harms caused by the use of tobacco products covering at least 50 percent of the main display area in all forms of tobacco packets, containers or cartons.

•

As per the Tobacco Control Law Rules, 2015 tobacco packets without pictorial warning are not allowed to be marketed or sold after March 19, 2016 and defying the rule is a punishable offence.

•

First introduced by Canada in 2001, pictorial warning labels have now become a key part of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, with one-third of countries introducing them.

in Bangladesh only" printed on the body of the packets, which is another mandatory provision.

The compliance with the Tobacco Control Act in case of smokeless tobacco is also disappointing. The survey found no pictorial warning on 40.2% Jarda and on 23.7% Gul.

Meanwhile, it was found out in the survey that 31% of sellers are not aware of the mandatory provision of having pictorial warnings on the packets of tobacco products. Around 70.8% sellers don’t know that the pictorial warnings had to be changed in every three months.

The survey recommendation “Overall, the scenario of GHW enforcement is frustrating. The rate of GHW implementation complying 100 percent with the rules, regulations and laws is still less than half,” said the survey report.

It said the scenario is more disappointing for cheap cigarettes, bidi, zarda and gul, which are mostly consumed by the uneducated and lower-income group people, although the pictorial warning is more effective for those sections of the people.

“If the government vigilantly uses this strong tool for public health, it will play an important role to make the country tobaccofree,” added the report.

The survey made recommendations to primarily compel the tobacco companies to print pictorial warning covering 50 percent of the space on tobacco packets, ensure printing of pictorial warning with 100 percent compliance, penalise the law violating tobacco companies and increase the number of mobile courts and make the law enforcement agencies more active.l

19

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

| competition |

| event |

Black Horse Extreme Explorer ends its journey at IUB

Co-ed activities held at Banophool Adibashi Green Heart College

Black Horse, the popular soft drink of AST Beverage Ltd and Globe Soft Drink Ltd (a concern of Globe Pharmaceuticals Group of Companies Ltd), has been doing various activities to engage with the youth of the country.

In this regard, Black Horse has introduced a new, thrilling campaign named “Black Horse Extreme Explorer – Sky Diving” for the first time in Bangladesh.

20,000 students of more than 50 colleges and universities separately participated in this campaign. 250 students have been selected through primary competitions for a grand finale on the basis of the highest points.

PHOTO: COURTESY

Out of the 250 finalists, the top five finalists have been selected for an adventurous real sky diving experience in Pattaya, Thailand.

Black Horse started its selection process through virtual sky diving competitions in different universities and college campuses all over Dhaka division with the most advanced virtual reality (VR) gaming technology, Oculus Rift. The top five finalists with the highest points won the real skydiving experience in Pattaya, Thailand.

The competition started its official journey at a leading private university and later

on, this campaign was held in different colleges and universities.

Lastly, the campaign ended at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) through a grand final competition followed by a prize giving ceremony, which was held on January 19 at the Centre Court of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB). Samir Al Rashid, director (corporation) of Globe Pharmaceuticals Group of Companies handed over DhakaPattaya-Dhaka air tickets and trophy to the winners. Prof M Omar Rahman, vice chancellor of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) was present as the chief guest at the event. The special guests of the event were Samir Al Rashid, director (corporation), Globe Pharmaceuticals Group of Companies Ltd, Prof Dr Sarwar Uddin Ahmed, dean, School of Business, IUB, and Abul Khair Jyote, senior lecturer, IUB. Employees of Globe Soft Drinks and AST Beverage Ltd, students and teachers of the different universities and colleges were also present at this event.l

DT

Biz Info

PHOTO: COURTESY

A captivating co-education ceremony was held at Banophool Adibashi Green Heart College playground from January 14 to 22. Founder and chairman of the college governing body Ven Prajnananda Mahathera released pigeons and colourful balloons in the air to inaugurate the coeducation activities ceremony on January 14. The co-education activities were held in a festive mood. On this occasion, an elaborate program was chalked out which included sports, science festivals, mathematical olympiad, IT festival, cake festival, bookfair, debate and cultural competitions.

The closing ceremony and prize distribution phase was held on January 22. Rector of the Banophool Adibashi Green Heart College, Professor Tarun Kanti Barua presided over the event. Founder and chairman of the college governing body Ven Prajnananda Mahathera was present in the ceremony as chief guest and distributed prizes among the winners. Acting principal of Banophool Adibashi Green Heart College, Sudip Kumar Mandal delivered the welcome speech and math teacher, Jakidul Islam delivered the greetings speech to the students. l

| program |

| education |

Rural Electrification to soon cover all upazilas

Engineering University School & College holds science fair and cultural festival

Following the direction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) is rapidly closing in on covering all of the upazilas.

Currently 79 Palli Bidyut Samity (rural electricity association) under BREB is devoted to electrification of the rural areas in all of Bangladesh. A plan has been devised in December 2015 to gradually cover all upazilas in order to implement the creative initiative of the Prime Minister entitled “ghorey ghorey bidyut” program. The Prime Minister has already inaugurated the program for complete coverage of six upazilas. In December 2016 an additional 25 upazilas came under coverage, which will soon start operation. To achieve the goal of hundred percent coverage 146 upazilas will be given coverage in the incumbent fiscal year and 314 more will have electricity in the next fiscal year. According to this plan all of 460 upazilas will be covered by December 2018. 14

projects are currently ongoing under the allotted budget of Tk31,026 crores and seven more projects are in the pipeline. BREB currently serves one crore and 75 lakh subscribers. By June 2017, 25 lakh new families will be given coverage, taking the total subscribers to two crores.

BREB earned the ISO certificate as an acknowledgment of its excellence in quality.

Subsequently it was also awarded the IMS certificate. Under the digitalisation program, online application for electricity connection was started. BREB has already taken steps to build eight solar charging stations for charging of the ‘Easybikes’. Four of these stations have already been built.

Moreover, projects have been planned to install 2,000 solar water pumps and 40 pumps have been installed. Plans have also been made to install 40 thousand kilometres of line and build 84 sub-stations in 2016-17 fiscal year.

30 lakh new subscribers will be added during this time. l

Prof Dr Saiful Islam, vice-chancellor, BUET inaugurated a three day long annual science fair and cultural festival 2017 as the chief guest of Engineering University School & College on Monday, January 23, 2017 at the school premises. Among others, Prof Dr M Shamsul Hoque, chairman, school governing body, M Shamsul Hoque, principal and Md Abu Baker Siddique, Asst Head Master of the institution were also present at the occasion.

PHOTO: COURTESY

DT

20 Editorial

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

TODAY

Connecting the dots As we as a nation recover from the scars of Holey Artisan, let us be reminded that violence is on the decline and that terrorist elements thrive on fearmongering PAGE 21

The constant quest to be number one What is wrong with society is our competitiveness and constant battle with ourselves and those around us to win certain races, and then win others, until it becomes an endless whirlwind of ambitions

BIGSTOCK

PAGE 23

A pressing matter Withered hopes of Western liberalism?

Where eight years ago, the world looked like it could only get better, now it looks like it can only get worse. And Obama has to own much of that legacy and what is to come over the next decade PAGE 23

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

The views expressed in opinion articles are those of the authors alone and they are not the official view of Dhaka Tribune or its publisher.

W

hile it is good news that ETV journalist Nazmul Huda has been granted bail for his alleged provocation of RMG workers, the fact that he was detained by police in the first place is a matter of concern for journalists everywhere.

Press freedom is paramount to a well-functioning democracy, and making it possible to launch spurious or frivolous attacks against journalists is a slippery slope.

Unfortunately, Bangladesh has too many laws thwarting press freedom. Along with many other states, Bangladesh is categorised by Reporters Without Borders as a country where press freedom is in a “difficult situation.”

Steps taken under the ICT Act shows that the government still promotes plans to exercise power over the free press.

Worse would be to give district magistrates the authority to cancel declarations for newspapers of publishing material deemed “anti-state,” or stories that could hurt religious sentiments of the people, as has been suggested.

And these concerns are not restricted to Bangladesh.

Hundreds of journalists around the world have been killed for bringing the news to the public. The press plays a very important role in keeping governments accountable, and making sure perpetrators of crimes against humanity are brought to justice.

Choking press freedom is a dangerous road that must be avoided.

With over 30 television channels and even more newspapers, Bangladesh has a chance to set a good example in letting a free press flourish.

Choking press freedom is a dangerous road that must be avoided

DT

21

Opinion

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Connecting the dots 2016 was the year of Trump, Brexit, Holey Artisan, and the Zika virus. But are they connected?

Trump + Brexit = ?

n Syed Raiyan Nuri Reza

A

glance behind our shoulder, and we see the year of (among many other things) Trump’s ascension, Brexit, the Holey Artisan terrorist attack, devastation of Syria and Yemen, genocide of the Rohingyas with its immigration ramifications here in Bangladesh, the Zika virus, the death of Carrie Fisher in a line of notorious celebrity deaths, and of course, the rise of Joe Biden’s memes.

Naturally we are inclined to ask, what does this all bode for the world in 2017?

Perhaps in Trump’s ascension and Brexit, we see the fall of liberalism, the abandonment of progressive values, the embrace of regressive ideals, and a descent into mass lunacy.

We might find a tale of increasing violence as chronicled in the Holey Artisan incident, the blight of Syria, and the tragedy of Rohingyas. Or in Joe Biden’s memes, we scorn at the inadequately flippant attitude of the millennials, Facebook generation, and Instagram junkies -- concluding that this is tell-tale symptom of a pandemic social media addiction, whereas attention-craving social updates are a cheap substitute for serious

REUTERS

discourse.

And maybe as we heard of Fisher’s departure to the beyond, we were finally convinced of a conspiracy against the celebs lot.

How else could one explain her death along with David Bowie and George Michael in one year?

beat the CAPTHA tests that stumps malware programs.

Yet, this very act misled us to see sinister monsters in the shadows of our darkened rooms as our parents killed the light to bid us to sleep. Thus, it is this same cognitive sleight of hand that can

that no major world power has been in direct conflict for decades, and we are healthier and wealthier than before, with the global economy lifting a billion people out of extreme poverty in the last 25 years.

And it was possible.

As we as a nation recover from the scars of Holey Artisan, let us be reminded that violence is on the decline and that terrorist elements thrive on fear-mongering Yet, what pattern we see is probably a false narrative, a result of our minds’ frantic desire to concoct a coherent picture, woven out of the disparate data strands it feeds on as it watches the evening news, or surfs the world wide web.

We perceive these patterns for the same reason that we see dragons, aliens, and faces of people as we stare up to the sky on a cloudy day.

Our brain is hardwired to impose order onto a cacophony of information. So much so that this whole act is instinctive.

A handy ability though, one that allows us to read poetry, recognise familiar faces, see artwork whereas computers see different shades of colours, and

trick us as we review the year that was. Leading us to construct a trend out of a single data point, the aggregate sum of what occurred in 2016, which is an act of mathematical impossibility.

So, I will refrain from telling what is to come merely by giving 2016 a glance. For, should there be any societal motion, it will reveal itself in statistics encompassing decades, if not centuries.

A point that Obama was all too aware of, as he told the world at the end of his tour of Europe and the Middle East, that we are living in the most prosperous, most peaceful, and most progressive era in human history -- reminding us that education level is on the rise,

Based on this understanding, Bill Gates wrote his inaugural blog post of 2017 titled “Five reasons I am optimistic about Africa.”

Conceding 2016 was a tough year for African economies, but he did state that all the positive trends were there: HIV, malaria, and child mortality rate are on the decline, while entrepreneurship, mobile banking, and income per capita is on the rise -- all this over the timescale of a decade. Similar positive trends apply at a global level.

So as we embrace 2017 and take on its challenges, let us be aware that the odds are on our sides. As we deal with the ramifications of a Trump presidency, let us remember that the majority voted for

Hillary, and that historically the conservatives of today are more liberal than the liberals of the past.

And as we as a nation recover from the scars of Holey Artisan, let us be reminded that violence is on the decline and that terrorist elements thrive on fearmongering. Being cognisant of the facts, not giving in to panic, neither casting a suspicious eye on our compatriots, and standing in unity is more than enough to undo their conspiracies against us.

And as we witness the slaughter of Rohingyas in our neighbouring region, let us not turn a blind eye for it is apathy of the majority rather than the cruelty of tyrants that leads to the triumph of evil, so that we may keep the promise of “Never Again” that we swore in the aftermath of Holocaust and forgot about all too soon at Darfur and Rwanda.

And let us not ascribe such cruelty to the moral depravity of modernity, for once upon a time genocide and mass slaughter were seen as bragging points, rather than shameful tragedies.

So let us take on 2017, without ascribing its challenges to the decadence of our era, but treating them as the foot-stones to our ascension. l Syed Raiyan Nuri Reza if a freelance contributor writing from Tehran.

DT

22

Opinion

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

The constant quest to be number one Focus a little less on winning, a little more on empathy

The road to becoming king often comes a great cost

BIGSTOCK

What is wrong with society is our competitiveness and constant battle with ourselves and those around us to win certain races, and then win others, until it becomes an endless whirlwind of ambitions

n Syeda Samara Mortada

L

eadership is defined as the act of leading a group of people or organisation.

But for me, something does not ring right when it comes to the term “leadership.” To me, it oozes of hegemony. After all, how can one lead others if not through a narcissistic quest to climb to the very top of the ladder, to dictate, to control others?

Don’t get me wrong, I know of at least a dozen or so programs that will teach you how to be a good leader, or the traits of a positive leader, and the like. And every organisation demands and needs good leaders, to take the

organisation to the forefront, help staff members reach their “true potential.”

There are, however, some discrepancies with this statement, if looked at closely. Firstly, if every staff member becomes a leader, who then will they lead?

More importantly, as soon as one becomes a leader, they are placed in constant juxtaposition against other team members, consciously or subconsciously, and that will ultimately result in a power play.

One cannot be a leader as well as a team player (contradictory to what most organisations preach), because as soon as you become the former, you are alienated, separated from the rest of the

tribe, and placed in a position of privilege which the rest are far from reaching at any given point.

So, I have a problem; I have issues with the term leadership, as I do with “topmanagement committees” that most organisations seem to have. The logical question then is, what is the alternative?

To have organisations without management?

But, then again, what is the alternative to democracy? Is it autocracy? I am not saying that organisations ought to be left without guidance and that everyone should be doing their own thing.

However, organisations are made up of employees, a body of people, and they need to be recognised for the work they do, need to be acknowledged for the profits (also the losses) they bring in, and need to be consulted on important decisions, instead of being notified about them through members of “top management” or leaders.

Coincidentally, society also always encourages us to be leaders, starting from school, all the way to community practices.

Even if you are with a voluntary organisation, there is always a founder who is the leader and then the others; so the position defines one’s work, rather than the work itself.

In families, too, one person (usually the man) is intermittently the head of the family and ultimately responsible for all decision-making processes. One might ask, what is wrong with leadership, what if there are number ones and number twos in every organisation or family?

The problem is that we, as a society, are taught and brought up to always be the best at what we do; it is the drive for the number one position that, in the process, results in the purpose of it all being lost.

What is the alternative? Instead of striving to be number one, what one might do is try to be more humane. Instead of offering and taking these leadership courses, one might opt to learn to be more empathetic.

Courses can be introduced to teach the act of empathy by doing things for others without any selfish goals, where the objective will be to be selfless and give to others. I am not preaching that one should take the high road here; what I’m saying is that maybe what is wrong with society is our competitiveness and constant battle with ourselves and those around us to win certain races, and then win others, until it becomes an endless whirlwind of ambitions, and that needs to stop somewhere.

In The Problem with Leadership, Juliette Summers and Brian Howieson say: “Because much leadership activity has become more focused on monetary worth than on social worth, this can lead to damage to the societies and communities in which organisations operate and upon whom their actions and decisions impact.

The failure of the banking industry is just one example.”

Perhaps, if we look back and try to pull up a friend who is falling behind for a change, the gratitude that comes with a sense of satisfaction will be worth not reaching the end-line in time. That is what empathy teaches us, and that is maybe what is being taken away from us every day. l Syeda Samara Mortada is a freelance writer.

DT

23

Opinion

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Has Obama’s presidency withered the hopes of Western liberalism?

As President, Obama played it safe. But at what cost? a similar argument can be made about his domestic governance.

Obama was right to bail out the financial system in 2008. That prevented a 1930s-style Great Depression in the US, and a potential re-run of the great tragedies of the 1930s elsewhere. The system was bruised, but it limped on. That was a good call. What was not, was what followed. Someone had to pick up the tab for bailing out the global financial crisis.

The financial crisis

And in the US, as in most other countries in the world, the judgement call was made to play it safe: Leave the banks well alone and do not rock the boat while they still appear to be fragile. And thus, the financial sector suffered almost zero consequences for

be increasingly hijacked by a plutocratic oligarchy -- just look at the Trump cabinet. The world has been left to chancers who have no regard for human rights and who will continue to trample on civilian lives as they jostle for regional power and prestige. And liberalism and its values have been discredited by association.

Where eight years ago, the world looked like it could only get better, now it looks like it can only get worse. And Obama has to own much of that legacy and what is to come over the next decade. l Azeem Ibrahim is Senior Fellow at the Centre for Global Policy and Adj Research Professor at the Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College.

He tweets @AzeemIbrahim. This article previously appeared in Al Arabiya News.

Where eight years ago, the world looked like it could only get better, now it looks like it can only get worse. And Obama has to own much of that legacy and what is to come over the next decade Obama gave Wall Street a free pass, and now Trump’s cabinet is all set to wreak havoc

n Azeem Ibrahim

F

ortune favours the bold.

That is one of the most reliable lessons to learn from history, and it is especially true in politics. The last few years have also shown this to be true with astonishing frequency.

Vladimir Putin’s forays into the Middle East and Ukraine -- both highly risky endeavours which paid off in spades. Russia’s increasingly assertive propaganda war against the West: Europe has been destabilised more seriously than at any time since WWII, and in the US is a new president who was almost a typecast product of this propaganda and who is now closer to Putin and the FSB than he is to his own intelligence agencies.

Even in the global Islamist insurgency, IS has become the de facto face of global jihadism by being more assertive and brazen than any other militant group.

Unfortunately, the Obama presidency has not been similarly bold. It was audacious, and

hopeful, to be sure. But not bold.

And for that, he leaves a legacy that is much diminished from what it could have been. A legacy which his successor is vowing to dismantle completely. With it will also wither the hopes of Western liberalism.

President Obama’s final speech as president was at a rally in Chicago. The symbolism was clear, as it was here over a decade ago that he launched his political career. A political career that, on the one hand, went much farther than he could have reasonably expected, and on the other, delivered much less than it had promised.

What was remarkable about his speech, however, was how much it sounded like the speeches made by the candidate Barack Obama. Using the same rhetorical motifs and cadences. You would be forgiven for forgetting that this man has spent the last eight years in the Oval Office.

But of course, the tragedy is that the speech needed to be the same. It needed to appeal to

REUTERS

hope. It needed to call on the faith that liberal values and creeds are on “the right side of history.” It needed to do these things, because neither America nor the world had moved very much toward the vision the candidate Obama set out on 10 years ago.

And after eight years of the Obama presidency, the future of the world is now entrusted to Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

Cardinal sin

Obama’s cardinal sin was his unwavering faith that the world will inevitably, ultimately bend to his vision of the future -- what he called the “long arc of history.”

That faith meant that he was too patient for the world to do just that. And it absolved him of the need and urgency to assert that vision of the world and defend it robustly.

Much ink has been spilled about the catastrophic decision not to enforce the chemical weapons red line in Syria. That turned out to be one of the most fundamental shifts in geopolitics since 9/11. But

their catastrophic, and in many cases, criminal mismanagement of the American and global economy. Instead, the price was borne ordinary people, in taxes, in jobs, in work security, in public services.

In the 1930s, Roosevelt was bold: He took the crash and the Great Depression as an opportunity to restructure and rebuild American finance, the wider economy, and even society as a whole. That recipe for how to organise America went on to conquer the world. Obama had the same opportunity given to him.

But he was not bold. He demurred. He caved in to pressure from Wall Street that things had to go on exactly as they had done before the crisis, and bought the line that any drive to hold Wall Street accountable for its crimes would affect the wider economy.

He played it safe. And sure enough, the economy has been limping along rather well. But at what cost?

The cost is that the economy has been and will continue to

DT

24 Sport

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

TOP STORIES

Rafa roars as Serena eyes dream final A resurgent Rafael Nadal beat Milos Raonic to reach his first Grand Slam semi in three years at the Australian Open yesterday, as Serena Williams eyed a final with her sister Venus. PAGE 25

‘Rooney’s record one for the ages’ Former Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney’s Manchester United goal-scoring record is one for the ages and unlikely ever to be broken. PAGE 26

4th Nat’l Baseball begins today The fourth edition of the Walton National Baseball Championship, organised by the Bangladesh Baseball-Softball Association, gets underway today in the capital’s Paltan ground. PAGE 27

Bangladesh paceman Kamrul Islam Rabbi during his flight home from New Zealand to Bangladesh yesterday

Mominul recovering well for India Test Tigers reach home after NZ tour Later, the 25-year old was n Tribune Report benched and given a two-week

Gala boss wants 5-goal Poldi to stay Galatasaray manager Jan Olde said he hoped striker Lukas Podolski would stay at the club despite talk of a move to the Far East, after the ex-international bagged a five-goal haul in a cup game. PAGE 28

INTERNET

Bangladesh Test batsman Mominul Haque is likely to be fit for the side’s next assignment when they tour India in February for the lone Test in Hyderabad.

Mominul was ruled out of the second and final Test in Christchurch against host New Zealand last week due to a bruised rib cage. The x-ray report on the left-handed batsman had come out clear but he was unable to make necessary movements during training a day before the Test match began and was subsequently termed unfit.

recovery time.

BCB chief physician Dr Debashish Chowdhury yesterday informed the latest on Mominul.

A final decision however, on the cricketer’s availability for selection will only come next week following a fitness test.

“The pain is less than before. I will have to give a fitness test and hope to recover before the team leave for India. I will have to pass the fitness test to get included in the squad,” Mominul told the media yesterday.

The biggest challenge for

Bangladesh during their short tour of India will be to cope with the change in conditions, said Mominul. The Tigers have been in harsh Australia and New Zealand conditions for the last six weeks and have played on pace-friendly wickets. In India, the batsmen will have to battle it out against the spinners.

“We will take our best preparation – for both pace and spin. Personally, I think the main challenge will be able to cope with the home conditions as soon as possible,” said Mominul, who returned to Dhaka right after the first Test in Wellington.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh squad returned to Dhaka yesterday night following a dreadful tour of New Zealand. The side lost all eight international matches, mainly due to batting and fielding failures, while the dressing room was shattered with injuries.

Following a short break, the Tigers' 30-member squad, which was named by the board earlier, will regroup at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

Bangladesh are scheduled to leave Dhaka on February 2 for their maiden bilateral tour of India. l

25

DT

Sport

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Rafa roars again as Serena eyes dream final n AFP, Melbourne

A resurgent Rafael Nadal beat Milos Raonic to reach his first Grand Slam semi in three years at the Australian Open yesterday, as Serena Williams eyed a final with her sister Venus.

Nadal hasn't contested a major semi-final since he won the last of his 14 Grand Slam titles at the 2014 French Open, but he never looked like losing to Raonic, the Canadian world number three.

Spain's Nadal yelled in delight as he completed a 6-4, 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 win which set up a semi-final with Grigor Dimitrov - with old rival Roger Federer potentially waiting in the final.

Nadal has a 7-1 head-to-head record with Dimitrov, the Bulgarian 15th seed dubbed “Baby Fed” for his Federer-like playing style who earlier ousted Belgium's David Goffin 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

Federer will play fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka in today's semi-final with the very real prospect of a ninth Grand Slam final against Nadal, and the first since the 2011 French Open.

The women's competition also has a retro feel after Serena Williams beat Britain's Johanna Konta 6-2, 6-3 to set up a semi-final with an emotional Mirjana Lucic-Baroni - 19 years after they last met as fellow teenage prodigies.

Williams, 35, has come a long

way since her last meeting with Lucic-Baroni in the second round at Wimbledon in 1998, when they were both 16 and without a trophy to their names.

While Williams is now eyeing an Open-era-record 23rd Grand Slam title and a return to world number one, the Croatian is into her first major semi since 1999 after her career was derailed by personal trauma.

Unseeded Lucic-Baroni wept freely and gasped for a while after she upset Czech Republic’s world number five Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

Williams, whose sister Venus plays Coco Vandeweghe in today's other women's semi, said she could take inspiration from Croat Lucic-Baroni.

There was little disappointment from Konta despite her steamrollering by Williams, who was able to raise her game to counter her opponent's court speed and aggressive striking.

Despite Williams having only 45 percent success with her first serves, Konta could only break once, in the second set, and the American quickly hit back with two breaks of her own.

Also on the centre court, Dimitrov soared into his second major semi-final with his straight-sets win over Goffin, his 10th victory in a row after his trophy run this month in Brisbane. l

Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after defeating Canada’s Milos Raonic during their quarter-final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia yesterday AP

Carrick says Man Utd will go for it at Hull n AFP, London Michael Carrick has pledged that Manchester United will not rest on their laurels when they travel to Hull City looking to close out victory in their League Cup semi-final.

United won 2-0 in the first leg at Old Trafford courtesy of second-half strikes from Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini, putting them within reach of a final showdown with either Liverpool or Southampton.

But Hull have shown signs of improvement under new manager Marco Silva, giving Premier League leaders Chelsea a decent game in Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge, and Carrick says United will take no chances.

"It's definitely not over, we all know that," the 35-year-old midfielder told MUTV. "We are telling ourselves that.

I think we'll be pretty much full-

strength and will approach the game like it's a 0-0 and starting from scratch.

"It's dangerous when you go in

Going to Wembley, winning a trophy, how can you not like that? there defending a lead to tell yourself this result will do or that result will do, or we can afford to do this or that.

"We need to approach it like any other game, keep our focus and intensity and try to win the game."

After a run of nine successive wins in all competitions, United's advance towards the Champions League places has been held up

by 1-1 draws against Liverpool and Stoke City.

It means they remain sixth in the league table, four points off the top four, but Carrick feels a Wembley final appearance will show Jose Mourinho's men are on the right track.

"Going to Wembley, winning a trophy, how can you not like that?" said Carrick, whose side last reached a League Cup final in 2010, when they beat Aston Villa 2-1 to claim the trophy for a fourth time.

"Especially when we feel we are as close as we are to getting there, without taking anything for granted.

"That's what you play for and that's what the fans want to watch.

They want to go and celebrate victories and win things, lift trophies, have a good day out and enjoy it."

United captain Wayne Rooney will go into the game with a spring in his step, having scored a

record-breaking 250th goal in the club's colours with a stoppage-time free-kick to equalise at Stoke.

Mourinho will be able to recall centre-back Marcos Rojo after he missed the Stoke trip through illness, meaning Eric Bailly, who is at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast, is the only expected absentee.

Hull's preparations for the game have been overshadowed by the serious head injury suffered at Chelsea by midfielder Ryan Mason.

Mason, 25, had to undergo surgery at a London hospital after fracturing his skull in an aerial collision with Gary Cahill, with Hull revealing on Tuesday that he was making "excellent progress".

Hull's players will wear 'MASON 25' T-shirts during the warm-up - a reference both to Mason's age and squad number - and fans have been encouraged to join in with a min-

ute's applause in the 25th minute.

Hull have bolstered their ranks with a loan move for Serbian winger Lazar Markovic, who had been on loan at Sporting Lisbon from Liverpool.

Markovic, 22, joined Liverpool from Benfica for £20 million ($25 million, 23.3 million euros) in 2014 and having failed to make an impression in his Anfield career to date, he is eager to prove his worth.

"I hope that my actions will speak louder than words and I can prove myself to the club and to everyone in English football," Markovic told the Hull website.

"I joined Liverpool when I was very young and have not yet had a long run in the side to show people what I am capable of.

"I hope to use this loan spell with Hull City to prove myself in the best league in the world, because I feel there is lots more to come from me." l

DT

26

Sport

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Fergie can't see Rooney's Utd record falling n AFP, London Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney's Manchester United goal-scoring record is one for the ages and unlikely ever to be broken.

The 31-year-old England forward scored his 250th goal for United when his superb free-kick late on rescued a 1-1 draw away to Stoke City in the Premier League on Saturday.

In the process Rooney surpassed the previous record of 249 United goals set by England great and World Cup winner Bobby Charlton back in 1973.

United captain Rooney's future at Old Trafford remains a topic of debate, with the former Everton striker used sparingly by current Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho.

But Ferguson believes Rooney's place in United's history is already secure.

"Well, it lasted for 44 years, I think, and when Wayne Rooney joined the club I could never imagine anybody could beat Sir Bobby's record," Ferguson told MUTV, United's in-house television station.

"So his achievement is outstanding. It's amazing, he's 200-

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and striker Wayne Rooney

INTERNET

manager Ferguson, who brought Rooney to Old Trafford from Liverpool-based club Everton in 2004.

"I don't think (anyone can overtake Wayne). I couldn't say never - never say never - but if you look

odd games short of Bobby's playing record and that makes it even more amazing," added former United

at modern-day football, Manchester United are one of the few clubs who can keep players for over 10 years.

"But, in the modern day, you see it happening less and less that players stay for that length of time.

"For instance, Jose (Mourinho) mentioned young Marcus Rashford and he's got to score more than 20 goals a season for the next 10 years or so and that is difficult in itself."

Rooney was football's most expensive teenager of all-time when Ferguson signed him from Everton for around £30 million ($37.5 million, 35 million euros).

"The only way you can assess value is the length of time he has been at the club," said Ferguson.

"I was very lucky in my time to have Roy Keane for 11 years, Steve Bruce for a long period, Peter Schmeichel for years, Denis Irwin, you know?

"The young ones that came through like Ryan (Giggs), Paul (Scholes) and Gary (Neville) lasted more than 10 years," he added.

"With the case of Wayne, what we felt at the time was 18 years of age, he had huge potential.

"Hopefully if we have got him for 10 years, £27 million is nothing.

It is gone like that...the value was there, no question." l

Cavani, Di Maria fire PSG into League Cup final n AFP, Paris Edinson Cavani and Angel di Maria propelled holders Paris Saint-Germain into a fourth straight French League Cup final with both scoring twice in a 4-1 victory at Bordeaux on Tuesday.

Argentine Di Maria's stunning free-kick gave record six-time champions PSG the lead, but Diego Rolan cancelled out the winger's effort just past the half hour.

Cavani put the visitors back on top with a thumping finish on 60 minutes before adding a second, while Di Maria again struck from distance as PSG set up an April 1 showdown with the winner of yesterday's semi-final between Monaco and Nancy.

Paris have dominated this competition in recent years, winning each of the past three editions, and Unai Emery ignored any temptations to rest players ahead of Sunday's pivotal clash with Ligue 1 leaders Monaco by fielding a fullstrength side.

"We want to play for all the titles and to win as many as possible," said Emery. "This team deserves its

place in this final. "(Against Monaco) it's going to be a big match for the league. We want to win because [Tuesday] they are first."

We want to play for all the titles and to win as many as possible Bordeaux coach Jocelyn Gourvennec admitted the Parisians were simply too strong.

"We have nothing to be embarrassed about in this defeat, it's not an upset to be eliminated by Paris," he said.

"To beat them would have been an exploit, we believed in ourselves but they managed to punish us.

"This evening they had an extreme precision as Di Maria demonstrated. I hope we'll bounce back and beat them in the league in

less than two weeks."

PSG survived an early scare when Malcom steered straight at PSG goalkeeper Kevin Trapp after Thomas Meunier misjudged a cross, but the away side struck first when Di Maria drilled a 30-yard free-kick past Jerome Prior.

Blaise Matuidi should have doubled the lead but could only shoot tamely at Prior when clean through, and Bordeaux hit back as Rolan stabbed into an empty after an effort from Malcom deflected off Thiago Silva and into his path.

But Cavani, who reached 20 league goals in France for the first time at the weekend, applied a clinical finish to restore PSG's lead on the hour as he ran onto a through ball from Lucas.

The Uruguayan demonstrated his predatory instincts to grab his second on 74 minutes after Marquinhos headed back across goal from a corner.

Di Maria, making his first start of 2017, completed his brace nine minutes from time with an angled drive that brushed the fingertips of Prior before nestling inside the far corner. l

Paris’ Argentinian forward Angel Di Maria vies with Bordeaux’ Malian midfielder Abdou Traore during their French League Cup football match on Tuesday at the Matmut Atlantique stadium in Bordeaux, southwestern France.

AFP

27

DT

Sport

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

England cricket team players jog during a practice session at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur yesterday ahead of their first T20I against India today

AP

University of Asia Pacific beat NSU Fed Cup Basketball n starts today Tribune Report

University of Asia Pacific defeated North South University by five wickets in the first match of the second day in the 10th University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh Fair Play Cup Cricket T20 in the capital's Mohammadpur yesterday.

Batting first, NSU scored 81 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their stipulated 20 overs with Faiaz

DAY’S WATCH CRICKET Star Sports 2 9:18AM Pakistan Tour of Australia 2017 5th ODI

Star Sports 1 4:50PM England Tour of India 2017, 1st T20I

FOOTBALL TEN 3

top-scoring with 20 from 29 balls.

UAP's Imran bagged two wickets giving away 14 runs from his quota of four overs.

In reply, UAP reached their destination with five wickets and three deliveries to spare. Player of the match Joy was the highest scorer with a 49-ball 29.

NSU's Maruf picked up two wickets conceding 18 runs in four overs.

The second game of the day between Eastern University and Southeast University was abandoned due to unavoidable circumstances.

In today's matches at the same venue, State University Bangladesh will take on United International University at 9:30am while host ULAB will face Independent University Bangladesh at 1:30pm. l

The Federation Cup Basketball Tournament 2017 begins today with the opening match between Dhaka Gladiators and The Gregs Club at Dhanmondi Basketball Gymnasium.

Dhumketu Club take on Bokshi

Bazar Club in the day's other match.

A total of six teams split into two groups are taking part in the event.

The Gladiators, The Gregs and The Gregory's Club have been placed in Group A while Dhumketu, Bokshi Bazar and The Shaon's Club are in Group B. l

Abahani's AFC Cup 2017 mission begins Mar 14 n Tribune Report Bangladesh Premier Football League champion Dhaka Abahani Limited will host Maldives topflight champion Maziya Sports and Recreation Club in their first match of the south zone in the AFC Cup 2017 group stage on March 14.

The record five-time Bangladesh professional league champion, Abahani, earlier on December 13 last year were placed in Group E along with Maziya and I-League champion Bengaluru FC while the fourth member of the group are yet to be finalised. It will be decided through play-off.

2:50PM A-League 2016-17 Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC

Abahani will play a total of six matches in the group stage, meaning they will face every side twice on a home-and-away round-robin basis.

The Sky Blues will travel to Maldives for an away game on May 17.

Bengaluru will host the Dhaka giant on April 18 before Bangladesh's capital host the India champions

on May 3.

A total of 36 teams split into nine groups will be playing in the group stage to decide the 11 places in the knockout stage of the 2017 AFC Cup. The group champion of the south zone will advance to the inter-zone play-off semi-finals in September. l

4th Nat’l Baseball begins today

Ten 2

n Tribune Report

1:00AM (Friday) EFL Cup 2016-17, SF 2, 2nd Leg Hull City v Man Utd

TEN 1 HD 1:30AM (Thursday) EFL Cup 2016-17 SF, 2nd Leg Liverpool v Southampton

TENNIS

Sony Six 2:30PM Australian Open 2017 Men’s Semi-final, Day 11

n Tribune Report

The annual sports competition of Adamjee Cantonment Public School was held yesterday in the capital ISPR

The fourth edition of the Walton National Baseball Championship, organised by the Bangladesh Baseball-Softball Association, gets underway today in the capital's Paltan ground. The three-day long tournament is being sponsored by Walton for the second time.

Bangladesh Police, two-time champion Sirajganj and the country's divisional sides will take part

in the competition.

The prize giving ceremony will be held this Saturday.

The details of the tournament were announced in a press conference yesterday at Bangabandhu National Stadium. FM Iqbal bin Anwar, chief of sports and welfare, Walton group, Mohammad Yahya, convenor of the tournament committee and members of the baseball association spoke during the programme. l

DT

28

Sport

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Callejon strikes as Napoli set up Juve or Milan Cup semi n AFP, Milan

Forentina’s Cristoforo, center, is challenged by Napoli’s Amadou Diawara during an Italian Cup, Round of 8 soccer match between Napoli and Fiorentina, at the San Paolo stadium in Naples, Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017 AP

A fine second-half header from Jose Callejon fired Napoli into the semi-finals of the Italian Cup and a last four date with either Juventus or AC Milan after a bad-tempered 1-0 win over Fiorentina on Tuesday.

Both sides finished with 10 men at the Artemio Franchi stadium after a fiery finale that saw Napoli defender Elseid Hysaj then Fiorentina's Maximiliano Olivera sent off within minutes of each other.

But Napoli were fully deserving of the win in a season which has seen Maurizio Sarri's men keep Juventus on their toes as they bid for a record sixth consecutive Serie A title.

Stand-in striker Dries Mertens started on the bench as Sarri gave Leonardo Pavoletti his first start in a Napoli shirt, and the absent Belgian's clinical finishing was perhaps missed in a wasteful first half for the hosts.

Pavoletti blazed over the Fiorentina bar and Ciprian Tararusanu was even more alert to the danger when he tipped Lorenzi Insigne's

free kick at the near post on to the crossbar.

Insigne, then Callejon spurned further chances before the end of a first half which, after battling to a thrilling 3-3 draw in their last league outing, surprisingly finished scoreless.

Fiorentina's sole chances came on the counter, but the threat was real, Pepe Reina palming Federico Chiesa's shot over from a tight angle before producing a fine one-handed save to parry a Davide Astori header.

Fiorentina resumed in determined fashion, Chiesa dribbling his way into the area only to be stopped in his tracks by an onrushing Reina. At the other end, Insigne's angled drive on the left flank that was blocked yards from goal.

But Napoli regained command, Pavoletti beating a flailing Tatarusanu but seeing his free kick from outside the area hit post and crossbar, prompting Sarri to immediately replace the big front man with the more diminutive, but more successful Mertens. l

Doubts grow over Luis Aussie bowler suffers 'brain Enrique's Barca future bleed' after hit n AFP, Barcelona

n AFP, Sydney

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique again avoided questions over his future yesterday as speculation grows that he could walk away from the Spanish champions at the end of the season.

Enrique has won eight trophies in two and a half years in charge but is out of contract at the end of the season and is in no rush to renew, with the club's focus on securing new deals for Lionel Messi and captain Andres Iniesta.

Barcelona daily Sport reported yesterday that Enrique's assistant Juan Carlos Unzue is his preferred choice to take over should he leave, whilst Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli has also been heavily linked with a move to the Camp Nou given his fine first season in Spanish football.

"I don't have anything to say," Enrique replied when pressed on his future and whether Unzue, who has barely any senior managerial experience, could handle the role.

However, Enrique insisted his relationship with the squad is as good as ever in his third season in charge.

"This is my third year here and I see the same desire, same eagerness and will to want to keep

Australian paceman Joe Mennie suffered a "minor brain bleed" and fractured skull after a ball hit his head during training, Cricket Australia (CA) said yesterday.

Mennie was bowling at a nets session with his Twenty20 Big Bash League team the Sydney Sixers in Brisbane on Monday when a ball struck the side of his head.

CA chief medical officer John Orchard said Mennie was initially discharged from hospital that night Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli making history and winning titles.

"I see the same hunger and I would even say it is greater with every passing season."

Barca remain well-placed to land more trophies under Enrique's watch as they welcome Real Sociedad to the Camp Nou today for the second leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final holding a 1-0 first-leg lead.

The Spanish champions are also only two points adrift of La Liga leaders Real Madrid, although Madrid also have a game in hand, and face Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League. l

but follow-up scans the next day revealed his injures were worse than first thought.

"Joe was reviewed by a Cricket Australia doctor on Tuesday and had some scans performed that revealed a small fracture and associated minor brain bleed," Orchard said in a statement. The medic described the injury as serious but said Mennie was "feeling well".

"We believe that this is a stable injury and will not require surgery," he added.

"As a precautionary measure,

Joe has been admitted to hospital for observation and will continue to be assessed by a neurosurgeon to determine best course of action."

Mennie was released from hospital later yesterday and was cleared to fly out from Brisbane with his team today, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The Sixers were due to take on the Brisbane Heat in the BBL semi-final yesterday night.

The newspaper said he would not play in the semis and would be monitored over the next few days. l

Galatasaray boss wants 5-goal Podolski to stay n AFP, Istanbul Galatasaray manager Jan Olde Riekerink yesterday said he hoped German striker Lukas Podolski would stay at the club despite persistent talk of a move to the Far East, after the ex-international bagged a fivegoal haul in a cup game.

Podolski, who joined Galatasaray in 2015, has in the last weeks been linked with a big money move to China's Beijing Guoan

and latterly to Japanese J1 side Vissel Kobe.

Despite the uncertainty, he fired five goals for Galatasaray in Tuesday night's 6-2 Turkish Cup victory against third division minnows Erzincan.

It was the first time in 17 years that a player had scored five goals for Galatasaray in a game while Podolski is just the fifth player in the club's history to have achieved the feat. l

Galatasaray’s Lukas Podolski

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Looks slyly (5) 5 Yield (4) 8 Shooting star (6) 9 Sky coloured (5) 10 Without legal force (4) 11 English river (5) 12 Little devil (3) 15 Nidus (4) 18 Distributed cards (5) 21 Female deer (3) 22 Uprising (4) 24 Satellite (4) 25 Plant secretion (5) 28 Papal ambassador (6) 29 Drink (4) 30 Agreements (5)

DOWN 1 Calm (6) 2 Flightless bird (3) 3 Saucy (4) 4 Meat dish (4) 5 Gathering of witches (5) 6 Worn away (6) 7 Finish (3) 13 Myself (2) 14 Conditional release (6) 16 To that extent (2) 17 Sport (6) 19 Passenger vessel (5) 20 In the direction of (2) 23 Snare (4) 24 Unruly crowd (3) 26 Greek letter (3) 27 Dry, of champagne (3)

29

DT

Downtime

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 8 represents N so fill N every time the figure 8 appears.

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

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

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

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

CALVIN AND HOBBES

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

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

DT

30

Showtime

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Oscars nominations 2017: Snubs and surprises n Showtime Desk The nominations for the 89th Academy Awards reflected how the recent criticism made the Academy show more diversity in terms of nominations ever since the controversial hashtag #OscarsSoWhite started trending after the previous two editions.

However, pundits and fans still consider the nominations to have snubbed some of the best performances as well as some unpredicted break ins. Here are a few snubs and surprises from this year’s nominations.

Snubs

Amy Adams and Annette Bening missing out

There were many worthy contenders this year vying for the precious five slots, two of whom were certain to go to La La Land’s Emma Stone and Jackie’s Natalie Portman. The real surprises came in the form of a nod for Florence Foster Jenkins star, Meryl Streep, and Elle’s Isabelle Huppert, who rode a wave of critical support and a well-timed Golden Globes nod to land a nomination. Loving’s Ruth

Negga, too, surprised a few. This meant that Annette Bening, who was brilliant in 20th Century Women, and Amy Adams, also nominated by the Screen Actors Guild for Arrival, were left out in the cold.

out to Kubo and the Two Strings, My Life as a Zucchini and The Red Turtle is a bit, well, fishy.

Oscar nominee Suicide Squad

Passengers receives more than Silence

No grant for Hugh Grant

Deadpool left out

Ryan Reynolds pushed his comicbook blockbuster enough to earn nominations from the Golden Globes, the Writers Guild, and the Producers Guild, but the Academy simply wouldn’t buy it.

One for Sully, one for Silence The Academy favourite Clint Eastwood’s Sully managed to get only one nomination, for sound editing while Martin Scorsese’s Silence also received a lone nomination for cinematography.

Surely, these Hollywood kingpins were neglected this time for what they had to offer.

Can’t find Finding Dory The long-awaited sequel to Finding Nemo was universally praised by critics. We know that the Academy loves Pixar, proven since even Cars was nominated back in 2006. Losing

Hugh Grant was considered as a strong contender for best supporting actor for his performance as Streep’s long-suffering and enabling husband in Florence Foster Jenkins, but the academy thought otherwise.

Well, it seems that Oscar host Jimmy Kimmel won’t need to look for a one-liner for the show: “Oscar nominee Suicide Squad” would be all that he’d need. The Razzie nominee landed a nomination for Best Hair and Makeup.

Viggo Mortensen’s vigorous inclusion

Martin Scorsese’s arduous religious epic never quite found its awardsseason footing, coming in very late and proving a difficult sit for many voters. Its sole Oscar nod came in best cinematography, while the critically derided Passengers scored a surprising two nominations for Best Score and Best Production Design.

Surprises

Mel Gibson is back

Even though he had initially earned the awards-season buzz for his turn as a lawman in Nocturnal Animals, Michael Shannon was sidelined for much of the awards season. It is therefore surprising when Shannon becomes the sole Nocturnal Animals nominee.

After being exiled from Hollywood for derogatory remarks on Jews, it appears that Gibson is back on track and is pushing further down the road from disgrace to Hollywood redemption with a nomination for Hacksaw Ridge, which involves a World War II corporal who is also a conscientious objector. l

Michael Shannon shook up the Best Supporting Actor race

Mortensen seemed like an awardsseason long shot until he earned nominations from Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards for his performance as a bohemian father raising his family off the grid in Captain Fantastic.

Momina not enjoying her celebrity life n Showtime Desk Young singing sensation Momina Mustehsan was engaged to US-based banker Ali Naqvi last September in a ceremony which was private and restricted to relatives and close friends only.

However, Momina and her fiancé recently broke their engagement after four months, a source close to the couple confirmed to Daily Pakistan on Saturday. The reason could not be ascertained.

The news comes as a surprise to the singer’s fans who still remember the couple being very happy and smiling in their photos.

On the other hand, Momina does not seem to be enjoying her celebrity status at all. In her latest message on social media, Momina has decided to respond to the news of her breakup by attacking media outlets. However, she is yet to confirm or deny the news.

Momina does not seem to realise that the personal life of celebrities has always been a matter of public debate and controversy, with celebrity breakups and hookups being one of the biggest fodder for entertainment reporting. l

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/ MOMINA MUSTEHSAN

31

DT

Showtime

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Int'l Children's Film Festival commences n Showtime Desk Organised by Children’s Film Society, the International Children's Film Festival, the ultimate film fiesta for children has commenced simultaneously in three cities: Dhaka, Rajshahi and Rangpur. With the slogan, “frame-e frame-e aagamir swapna,” the 10th edition of the festival started showcasing more than two hundred films from all around the world at 11 venues from January 24.

Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, finance minister, inaugurated the seven-day festival at the Central Public Library premises.

Other distinguished personalities including Asaduzzaman Noor, cultural affairs minister, Mustafa Monwar, adviser to the festival, Munira Morshed Munni, general

secretary of Children’s Film Society, and Morshedul Islam, festival adviser and filmmaker also graced the occasion. Mohammad Abir Ferdous, the festival director, disclosed the details about the event.

Followed by the inauguration, a 2014 German family drama was screened as the opening film.

The festival has been organised in cooperation with A2I and British Council with support from Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

The venue partners of the festival are Alliance Française de Dhaka, Goethe-Institute Bangladesh and Daffodil International University.

The screenings at the festival are free for all while the festival authority has invited students from various schools and colleges to participate in it. l PHOTO: COURTESY

PC busy with Baywatch n Showtime Desk After the release of Deepika Padukone’s debut Hollywood flick xXx: Return of Xander Cage, it’s now time for Priyanka Chopra to bask under the limelight.

The entire cast of Baywatch seems to be in awe of the desi girl. Priyanka Chopra has been dropping major hints about bringing Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron to India for Baywatch promotions.

Just the other day, on Koffee With Karan, the actress stated that she would like to promote her Hollywood debut movie in India. In fact, she wants Dwayne The Rock Johnson to be a part of the promotional spree. In a recent chat with Bombay Times, the 35 year old actress revealed, “Dwayne and Zac, and in fact the entire team of my film love India and they really want to come.

There are almost five months left

WHAT TO WATCH Man of Steel Movies Now, 2:10pm Forced to confront his secret extrastellar origin, Superman learns to fight for Earth when it gets invaded by members of his own race.

Cast: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane Kingsman: The Secret Service Star Movies, 6:54pm The film, based on an acclaimed comic book The Secret Service by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons, tells a story of a man named Gary Unwin, a street kid living in South London. When an agent from spy organisation recognises potential in the youth and hires him as a trainee for a secret service mission, they have to stop a global threat to change the climate problem, but via worldwide killing spree.

Cast: Colin Firth, Samuel L Jackson, Mark Strong, Taron Egerton

for the film to hit screens and we are still shooting. There is a big plan for the film’s release around the world and I am sure India will be incorporated in it.” Looks like Priyanka has done a lot of PR about her city as the boys are excited to visit the country.

Perhaps there is a surprise which PC has in store but is keeping it under the wraps for now. Whatever the case may be, it sure is exciting. Apart from Baywatch –talk Priyanka Chopra was an absolute firecracker on Koffee With Karan this week.l

The BFG Zee Studio, 9:30pm Ten-year-old Sophie is in for the adventure of a lifetime when she meets the Big Friendly Giant.

Naturally scared at first, the young girl soon realises that the 24-foot behemoth is actually quite gentle and charming. As their friendship grows, Sophie’s presence attracts the unwanted attention of Bloodbottler, Fleshlumpeater and other giants.

After travelling to London, Sophie and the BFG must convince Queen Victoria to help

them get rid of all the bad giants once and for all.

Voice: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton, Jemaine Clement, Rebecca Hall Mad Max: Fury Road HBO, 9:30pm

In an apocalyptic world, a tyrant rules over a stark desert, controlling every drop of water.

Two rebels, one escaping grief and the other reaching out to her childhood, are the last hope for a few.

Cast: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Rosie HuntingtonWhiteley, Riley Keough l

DT

32

Back Page

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

KAMAL HOPES 7.5% GDP MOMINUL RECOVERING OSCARS NOMINATIONS 2017: GROWTH THIS FY PAGE 13 WELL FOR INDIA TEST PAGE 24 SNUBS AND SURPRISES PAGE 30 SUNDARBANS OIL SPILL

No contingency plan for at least one year n Abu Siddique It will take one more year to finalise a national oil spill contingency plan, which began two years ago, to avoid large-scale damages in future.

Taken up after experiencing several oil spills, some in the Sundarbans, requires the coordination of 20 government agencies including port authorities, the navy and coast guard will require some more work, said Mokbul Hossain, director of the Department of Environment, the designated focal point.

Mokbul, who is heading the initiative, told the Dhaka Tribune that Bangladesh does not have the expertise on the issue. “We will need more time to finish the work.”

He said the environment department had already identified the 20 stakeholders who will be involved in the plan with specific roles to play in case of such a disaster. “Now we need around one year to finalise the plan and related policies.”

Bangladesh undertook the initiative in 2015 under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2010 among five coastal countries in South Asia — Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Mal-

The capsized oil-tanker in Shela River in the Sundarbans spilling dark furnace oil dives.

The memorandum stipulates that once a country finalises a contingency plan, it will get cooperation — including technical and equipment support, information, logistic support, etc — from the regional countries in tackling such disasters.

Half-day hartal to protest Rampal plant today n Manik Miazee The National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports has called a half-day hartal in Dhaka today, to protest the construction of the coal-powered Rampal power plant near the Sundarbans.

National Committee Secretary Prof Anu Mohammad announced the hartal following a mass rally yesterday. The hartal is a part of a seven-point programme declared by the committee.

Prof Anu said: “We have been protesting for over seven years to protect the Sundarbans, but the government has never taken us seriously. We have been compelled to call for a strike.

“The hartal will be from 6am-2pm,” he added.

BNP against Rampal On January 22, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said BNP would support the half-day hartal.

“The Rampal power plant will poison our fresh air and the government knowing this, is still going ahead with the project merely to appease foreign powers,” Rizvi said.

At the briefing, he cited the prime minister’s comments on Rampal made in Davos, and said: “From what the prime minister said at Davos, it seems she will ignore the opinion of all national and international experts.

Everything she said at Davos was false.”

Stating that some 3.5 million people depend on the Sundarbans alone, he said: “If the world’s last remaining mangrove forest is destroyed, around 50 million people will be affected as there will be no natural protection for them.” l

According to government statistics, about 5,000 large water vessels including oil tankers and cargo ships ply the country’s coast and another 7,000 small and medium sized vessels sail along Bangladesh’s coast, rivers and canals every year, all the while releasing large amounts of oil.

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

The need for a functional oil spill contingency plan was highlighted by two major spills, the first of which came on December 09, 2014 when an oil tanker with 3,57,000 litres of furnace oil capsized in Shela river inside the world’s largest mangrove forest Sundarbans.

The spill decimated flora and

fauna of the surrounding areas of the forest. Rescuers even found a dead sweet water Irawaddy Dolphin.

The rescue operation was delayed as the Forest Department did not have the know-how and necessary equipment to contain the spill.

The other accident came on June 19, 2015 when three furnace oil wagons derailed and sank in Boalkhali canal of Karnaphuli river in the southern part of Bangladesh spilling thousands of litres of furnace oil.

Moreover, in October 27, 2015 a cargo vessel, loaded with 510 tonnes of coal, capsized in Pashur River near Mongla. The Khulna bound ship MV Zia Raj capsized with a fractured keel.

Acknowledging the damages as a result of lack of a contingency plan, Mokbul Hossain said the government had taken the issue seriously and therefore launched the formulation of a plan.

The plan will contain all necessary issues to tackle oil spill including operations, process, equipment and capacity building.

India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have formulated their plans, while the Maldives is trying to do it with Indian cooperation. l

Trump admin orders EPA contract freeze and media blackout n Tribune Desk

The Trump administration has instituted a media blackout at the Environmental Protection Agency and barred staff from awarding any new contracts or grants, part of a broader communications clampdown within the executive branch.

The prohibitions came to light Tuesday as the agency moved to delay implementation of at least 30 environmental rules finalized in the closing months of President Barack Obama’s term, a potential first step to seeking to kill the regulations.

A summary of the actions posted in the Federal Register includes a long list of regulations that include updated air pollution rulings for several states, renewable fuel standards and limits on the amount of formaldehyde that can leach from

wood products. President Donald Trump signed a directive shortly after his inauguration on Friday ordering a “regulatory freeze pending review” for all federal agency rules that had been finalized that have not yet taken effect.

Emails sent to EPA staff and reviewed by the AP also detailed specific prohibitions banning press releases, blog updates or posts to the agency’s social media accounts.

The Trump administration has also ordered what it called a temporary suspension of all new business activities at the department, including issuing task orders or work assignments to EPA contractors. The orders were expected to have a significant and immediate impact on EPA activities nationwide. EPA contracts with outside vendors for a wide array of servic-

es, from engineering and research science to janitorial supplies.

Similar orders barring external communications have been issued in recent days by the Trump administration at other federal agencies, including the departments of Transportation, Agriculture and Interior.

Staffers in EPA’s public affairs office are instructed to forward all inquiries from reporters to the Office of Administration and Resources Management.

“Incoming media requests will be carefully screened,” one directive said. “Only send out critical messages, as messages can be shared broadly and end up in the press.”

A review of EPA websites and social media accounts, which include numerous new posts each day, showed no new activity since Friday. l

Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207. Phone: 9132093-94, Advertising: 9132155, Circulation: 9132282, Fax: News-9132192, e-mail: news@dhakatribune.com, info@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com