Monday, January 30, 2017

SECOND EDITION

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017 | Magh 17, 1423, Jamadiul Awwal 1, 1438 | Regd No DA 6238, Vol 4, No 273 | www.dhakatribune.com | 32 pages plus 8-page world supplement | Price: Tk10

Trump immigration ban loses first legal battle › 2

Muslim ban sparks protests in US › 2

AL hesitant on recommending names › 3

REUTERS

Bangladesh combating climate change without aid › 5 Modi’s opponents join forces for Uttar Pradesh polls › 10

BB warns banks of loan diversion into stocks › 12

Emotional Federer savours Rakhine Commission long-awaited 18th slam hears testimony of sexual win › 24 violence victims › 7

Chan’s visit to Bollywood › 30

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Muslim ban sparks protests in US n Tribune Desk President Donald Trump’s seismic move to ban more than 130 million people from the United States and to deny entry to all refugees reverberated worldwide Saturday, as chaos and confusion rippled through US airports, American law enforcement agencies and foreign countries trying to grasp Washington’s new policy.

Trump’s executive order barred citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States for the next 90 days and suspended the admission of all refugees for 120 days.

“Dozens and dozens” of people remained in detention at the John F Kennedy Airport in New York, lawyers of two Iraqis said in a court filling. The two Iraqis were released by Saturday night.

A large crowd massed at John F Kennedy International Airport to protest the detentions.

A federal judge in New York on Saturday night blocked the deportation of people stranded in US airports under the executive action.

The protesters gathered in Terminal 4 at JFK and carried signs reading: “We are all immigrants!” and “No ban! No wall!”

“Mr President, look at us,” said US Representative Nydia Velazquez, a New York Democrat.

“This is America. What you have done is shameful. It’s un-American.”

Several New York officials showed support for the protests.

Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered the Port Authority of New

KGB chief linked to Trump file found dead n Tribune Desk

An ex-KGB chief suspected of helping former MI6 spy Christopher Steele to compile his dossier on Donald Trump may have been murdered by the Kremlin and his death covered up, it has been claimed, reports The Telegraph.

Oleg Erovinkin, a former general in the KGB and its successor the FSB, was found dead in the back of his car in Moscow on December 26.

Erovinkin was a key aide to Igor Sechin, a former deputy prime minister and currently head of Rosneft, a state-owned oil company, whose name repeatedly comes up in the dossier.

He has been described as a key liaison between Sechin and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Steele wrote in an intelligence report he has a source close to Sechin, who had disclosed alleged links between Trump’s supports and Moscow. l

Trump immigration ban loses first legal battle n AFP, New York

Protesters rally during a demonstration against the Muslim immigration ban at JFK Airport in New York City York and New Jersey to reverse an earlier decision to restrict passage aboard the JFK Airport AirTrain to ticketed passengers and airport employees only. He also instructed state police and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to assist with security and transportation for protesters.

“The people of New York will have their voices heard,” Cuomo said.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted: “What’s happening at JFK is shameful. @NYCImmigrants Affairs Commissioner Nisha Agarwal is

on the ground now working to help.”

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe joined protesters at Dulles International Airport outside Washington.

“This executive order is antithetical to the values that make America great, and it will make our country less safe,” he said in a statement.

In Portland, one demonstrator carried a sign that said: “Portland coffee comes from Yemen,” one of the seven Muslim-majority nations on the no-travel list.

AFP

“This was the last straw,” she said of Trump’s policies. “We’re all immigrants.”

A group of community activists, attorneys and others gathered at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago.

Protests also took place at airports in Newark, New Jersey; Boston; San Francisco; Denver, Colorado; and Dallas.

Protests are scheduled Sunday in Orlando, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Seattle, Washington and Chicago, mostly at airports. l

Sufferings caused by Muslim ban n Tribune Desk President Donald Trump’s executive order bars citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries - Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Lybia and Somalia from entering the US for the next 90 days and suspends the admission of all refugees for 120 days, reports CNN. The move bans more than 130 million people from the United States and denies entry to all refugees.

Chaos and confusion rippled through US airports as American law enforcement agencies and foreign countries were left trying to grasp the new policy.

The White House on Saturday also said US green card holders from those seven Muslim-majority countries will require additional screening before they can return to the United States, reports Reuters.

Amid protests and confusion a federal judge has granted emergency stay to temporarily allow people who landed in US with valid visa, Reuters reports.

The ruling was made after the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

brought a challenge on behalf of two Iraqis detained at JFK airport in New York on Friday night, hours after Trump issued his executive order.

The civil rights group is representing dozens of travellers held at the JFK Friday and Saturday, including the two Iraqis, who had ties to the US military and had been granted visas.

The two Iraqis, Hameed Khalid Darweesh and Haider Sameer Abdulkaleq Alshawi, had been released by Saturday night. But lawyers for other detained travellers said in a court filing that “dozens and dozens” of individuals remained held at JFK. After a flight from Beirut to Doha and then to Philadelphia on Saturday, two families of two brothers, their wives and children who had crossed into Lebanon from war-torn Syria were told to get on a flight back to Doha, reports CNN. Their relatives in the US said they were not allowed to communicate with incoming families, who were given the options of either be detained, or take the first flight back to Doha. They chose the latter.

Iranian-born Masoud Afzali, 34, a computer programmer in Richmond, Virginia green card holder came to the United States with his wife and daughter about a year and a half ago.

Last week, his wife and three-year-old daughter went to visit family in Iran.

They now face the prospect of being separated indefinitely, reports Reuters.

A woman attempted to commit suicide inside John F Kennedy Airport for being forcefully sent back to her native country, she was revived and taken to Jamaica Hospital in stable condition, reports New York Daily News.

In Stillwater, Oklahoma, Saleh Taghvaeian, 36, does not how to reunite with his wife who is in Iran to visit family, he fears she will not be allowed back into the United States. Both of them were on track to get their green cards, reports Reuters.

Seven people, being escorted by officials from the United Nations refugee agency, were prevented from boarding a flight from Egypt to New York after authorities in Cairo contacted their counterparts at JFK, reports Guardian. l

US airports braced for fresh protests Sunday against Donald Trump’s temporary immigration ban, which a federal judge partially blocked by ordering authorities not to deport refugees and other travellers detained at US borders.

The ruling coincided with a wave of anger and concern abroad, including among US allies, and rallies at major airports across the United States.

“Victory!!!!!!” the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which had sued the government, tweeted after US District Judge Ann Donnelly in New York issued an emergency stay.

“Our courts today worked as they should as bulwarks against government abuse or unconstitutional policies and orders,” the ACLU said.

But the ruling, which did not touch on the constitutionality of Trump’s order, did not quiet protestors at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, where thousands had gathered.

“People are prepared to stand against this” said David Gaddis.

“It’s not surprising that people are mobilizing,” the 43-year-old said. “Every day he’s in office, it’s a national emergency.”

Mass protests also broke out at major airports, including Washington, Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Dallas.

Trump’s executive order, signed Friday, suspends the arrival of refugees for at least 120 days and bars visas for travelers from seven Muslim majority countries for the next three months.

The exact number of those affected is unclear, but Donnelly ordered the government to provide lists of all those detained at US airports since the measure went into effect.

Sending those travellers back to their home countries following Trump’s order exposes them to “substantial and irreparable injury,” she wrote in her decision.

A second federal judge in Virginia also issued a temporary order restricting immigration authorities for seven days from deporting legal permanent residents detained at Dulles Airport just outside Washington. l

MORE STORIES ON PAGES 8, 9

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BNP willing to recommend names for EC n Manik Miazee

The winners of a national primary school sports and cultural competition with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Osmani Auditorium yesterday

BSS

Govt plans to relocate unregistered Rohingyas to Hatia island Mahmud and Adil n Tarek Sakhawat The Bangladesh government issued a gazette Sunday night instructing officials to relocate “undocumented Myanmar nationals” to Hatia island in Noakhali.

The Cabinet Division instructed government officials to transfer “undocumented Myanmar nationals” to Thengarchar Island in Hatia upazila under Noakhali district.

The gazette does not at all mention the term Rohingya, rather opting for “undocumented Myanmar nationals” which has a more diplomatic tone.

An 11-member committee has

been formed in line with the gazette led by the divisional commissioner of Chittagong.

Three district committees – Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban – have been formed, led by respective deputy commissioners, supported by 10 other members from administrative and law enforcement service.

The gazette also ordered each deputy commissioner to form committees in every union parishad under their jurisdictions.

The move is designed to identify and segregate undocumented Myanmar nationals who are living among Bangladeshis.

A provision has been kept in the

gazette to call upon any district to form similar committees in the future if need be.

The committees are answerable to concerned authorities on their activities while the government will provide all kinds of assistance to the committees.

The gazette also instructs to provide necessary facilities to the Rohingyas after relocating them to the islands, citing possible influx of crime, disease and social disorder conveyed by the “undocumented Myanmar nationals.”

In 2015, Mohammad Abdullah, the erstwhile divisional commissioner of Chittagong, said in a media query that the government had

primarily selected some land in Hatia for the relocation. But the move was not followed up, as the Cabinet did not approve of the plans.

The gazette order is the first government initiative to help the Rohingyas relocate. The gazette, dated January 26 and signed by Cabinet Division Joint Secretary Habibur Rahman, was published on the cabinet’s website on Sunday night.

Shafiul Alam, secretary of the Cabinet Division, confirmed it to the Dhaka Tribune.

The gazette states around “65,000 undocumented Myanmar nationals” have entered in the country. l

BNP has decided on principle to send names of their preferred election commissioners to the president’s search committee.

It was decided at a meeting of the party’s standing committee last night that names would be recommended as per the search committee’s request, sources present at the meeting told the Dhaka Tribune.

However the party has not decided who to recommend.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, however, said the meeting had been postponed and would be continued today.

“We will tell you all about our decisions tomorrow,” he said.

The meeting was held from 9:30pm to 10:45pm yesterday at BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan.

On Saturday, the search committee asked 31 registered political parties to propose five names each for the EC. Earlier yesterday, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told reporters he did not expect much from the committee.

He argued that the government’s previous actions had not led to political consensus.

“In the past there were talks regarding the formation of the EC but they resulted in nothing,” he said.

“Eminent personalities were consulted when the constitution was amended but the caretaker government provision was dropped.

Many Awami League leaders opposed the government decision.

But it only reflected a particular person’s will,” said the BNP leader.

He added that there was a chance that the same person’s will would be reflected again.

“The nation doubts whether the Election Commission will be fairly selected, since the search committee members are all ruling party-leaning people,” he said. l

AL hesitant on recommending names Abu Bakar n Mohammad Siddique Awami League is yet to decide its actions on the Election Commission search committee’s request to submit five names for the next commission.

The president’s search committee to reconstitute the Election Commission on Saturday asked all political parties to recommend five names for the positions of election commissioners.

But Awami League’s Publicity and Publication Secretary Hasan Mahmud told Dhaka Tribune yes-

terday afternoon that the party had not received a letter from the search committee yet.

Most other political parties had received the committee’s letter by Saturday evening. The committee wants names by tomorrow morning.

“The party leadership will discuss the matter only after we have been formally informed by the search committee,” Hasan said.

Awami League presidium member Abdur Razzak told the Dhaka Tribune that the matter would be discussed in the top policy making body of the party. But he could not say whether a meeting had been called.

He pointed out that the party had been put in a fix by being asked to recommend names.

“If Awami League recommends names, even if they are the most eligible, it might be criticised. If we do not recommend any names, there would be different implications.

“I would rather not comment before the party leadership takes a decision,” Razzak said.

He said he hoped that the EC will be formed by the wisest and most qualified persons.

Similarly, Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said it was irrational for the committee to

seek names from political parties.

“This is not logical, since the people they will recommend will be considered politically loyal to that party,” he said.

“This is my personal opinion. However, it is for the party to decide the course of action in this regard.“ President Abdul Hamid formed the search committee after sitting in dialogue with 31 political parties over the constitution of the Election Commission, under which the next parliamentary election will be held.

The search committee asked political parties to submit names of five “neutral and acceptable” per-

sons for the commission.

Organising Secretary Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said if the search committee had sought names from the party, it would definitely be discussed in the party forum.

“We have always said that we welcome the president’s steps regarding the constitution of Election Commission. And we shall support and cooperate with this process,” he said.

Party presidium member Abdul Mannan Khan said any decision made in this regard would have to come through the process prescribed in the party’s discipline. l

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Schools still awaiting textbook corrections n Shohel Mamun A preliminary inquiry has already identified some massive mistakes in school textbooks about a month ago and yet the school authorities and teachers still have not received the corrected versions from the government.

The mistakes were identified a few days after the books were handed over to schools following the textbook festival on January 1. At that time, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid had declared that the textbook errors would be corrected and sent to schools as soon as possible, but as no action has been taken, the students continue to study the incorrect texts.

When questioned, the ministry stance has been that further investigation is being undertaken

by a team headed by an additional secretary and that committee has been granted a seven day extension to complete their inquiry.

Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Sohorab Hossain said: “The probe committee headed by additional secretary Ruhi Rahman has sorted out the errors in the textbooks, but the committee is still working. We are unable to send corrected copies to the schools until the committee’s investigation is complete.”

“Even then, our primary inquiry report notes that the number of errors is minimal, so teachers should be able to make those corrections themselves. The media is blowing these errors out of proportion and as a result is actually hampering the students’ education.”

“There is a conspiracy group in

the media which is trying to harm our education system,” he added.

The school teachers, however, have a slightly different viewpoint.

“We have yet to receive corrected copies of the textbooks from ministry, but we are correcting the errors ourselves and continuing to teach the lessons,” said a teacher of a govt girls’ primary school in Gazipur, choosing to remain anonymous.

“But I do not know what the other school authorities are doing.

It would be better for all of us if the government corrects the errors.

Otherwise, many students who study at home on their own will continue to follow the incorrect texts,” she added.

After the textbook festival day, the National Curriculum Textbook Board’s (NCTB) intentional changes to original texts and numerous

spelling and printing mistakes started surfacing on social media.

In a grade one textbook, a minor girl is seen saying “O tey Orna Chai,” meaning “I want a scarf.”

The choice of the word ‘orna’ for ‘O’ has been called gender discriminatory on social media.

In the Bangla textbook for grade three, a very popular poem “Adarsha Chele” by Kusumkumari Das appears in the textbook with changed words and spelling mistakes. In one line, the NCTB has supplanted half the sentence.

In the Hindu Religion and Moral Education textbook printed for the third grade, the NCTB printed “Do not heart anybody” instead of “Do not hurt anybody.”

Sohorab Hossain, however, maintains that these mistakes are minor at best. l

Feni MP sues Daily Observer editor for Tk10cr n Rafiqul Islam, Feni MP Nizam Uddin Hazari yesterday filed a defamation lawsuit of Tk10crore against Daily Observer Editor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury and another two person for publishing a fictitious report in the newspaper on him.

Nizam Hazari, an Awami League lawmaker from Feni 2 constituency, filed the lawsuit with the Feni Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court.

“Calling me and two other lawmakers kingpins of a drug syndicate, Iqbal, who is also media affairs adviser to the prime minister, published a false report on January 23 in his newspaper causing a loss of Tk10cr worth of reputation,” Nizam told reporters on the court premises.

After hearing the petition, the court ordered the officer-in-charge of Feni sadar police station to submit a probe report by February 2. l

Gulshan murder puzzles police n Kamrul Hasan

The murder of a woman in Gulshan 2 has puzzled investigators with no clues uncovered as of yet.

Rani, 35, was found dead with two bullets in her chest in an alley of Road 43 in Gulshan 2 on Friday night.

Gulshan Police SI Faruk Alam told the Dhaka Tribune the spot was not covered by CCTV cameras.

He has yet to talk to the family of the deceased.

The recovered bullets were sent to a Mohakhali lab and the findings are yet to arrive, he said.

The SI said police have yet to determine Rani’s occupation and reason to be in the area.

Gulshan OC (Investigation) Salauddin Mia said from the prima-

ry statement of Rani’s son Shanto it was learnt that Rani had left his father Alam around one and a half years ago because he was not providing for their living.

Alam said Rani had divorced him around seven months ago and she had an affair.

Asked about Rani’s profession, he said Rani was jobless while she was with him.

Rani’s brother Murad Hasan who filed the murder case with the police station on Saturday night said he knew that Rani had been in a job for some time, but he did not know what she did.

He was also unaware of the fact that Rani had become separated from her husband Alam, he claimed. l

The picture taken recently shows the iron bridge on Buriganga River at the capital’s Kamrangirchar area. Water of the river has turned almost into solid garbage under the bridge where, adding insult to injury, locals dump household wastages and burn them, putting serious threat to lives and environment MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Two minors get HC bail in murder case n Ashif Islam Shaon The High Court yesterday granted bail to two minors till a murder case filed against them is not disposed off at the trial court.

The High Court bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Mohammad Ullah passed the order on Sunday after the minors were produced before the court.

The court also ordered to hold the proceedings of the case at a juvenile court.

The court observed that the detention without determining their age is against the relevant law. It asked to provide security for the children and their family members.

The next hearing on the matter will be held on March 1.

Earlier on January 15, being moved by a writ petition filed by human rights organisation Children’s Charity Bangladesh Foundation (CCBF), the court asked the authorities concerned

to produce them before it on January 29.

The two children -- Md Yusuf and Joy Das -- were detained in the murder case of Alif Bhuiyan, son of Uzzal Bhuiyan of Kamrangirchar, who was killed on September 29 last year.

The victim’s body was recovered 12 days after the murder, and police arrested the accused on the same day, mentioning both of them to be 12 years old.

According to the Child Act

2013, any individual who is 18 years old or younger is recognised by the law as a child. The act also maintains that if a case is filed against a child, irrespective of what the crime is, the juvenile court would have the jurisdiction to try them.

A lawyer of CCBF, Abdul Halim said that according to the birth certificate, the minors are both nine years old.

Police had shown them detained October 12, 2016. The

High Court issued a ruling on the matter on November 24 last year questioning the legality of detaining them without determining their age.

It had also asked the authorities concerned to determine the age of the accused and submit a report.

On January 4, deputy commissioner of Lalbagh division of police and Kamrangirchar police station OC filed the report on the age of the two children. l

Bangladesh combating climate change without aid n Mahadi Al Hasnat Though developed countries have allotted adequate funds to combat climate change risks, Bangladesh has yet to receive adequate financial support, forcing the country to spend money from its own funds, said Finance Minister AMA Muhith at a programme yesterday.

Bangladesh cannot combat the issue alone due to a lack of technical and non-technical capability.

Regardless, the country has progressed significantly The minister said that the Bangladesh government has been gravely concerned about the severe impact of climate change on the country, especially since the developed countries, whose excessive carbon emission primarily gave rise to climate change issues, were not doing enough to help developing countries to tackle the problem.

While speaking as the chief guest at a workshop titled ‘Inclusive Budgeting and Financing for Climate Resilience Project’ at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka, the Finance Minister said: “We are investing our own money to combat climate change risks, since we are not getting adequate financial support from the developed coun-

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Muhith loses temper, goes off on journo n Mahadi Al Hasnat

tries.”

Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Robert D Watkins, DFID Bangladesh Chief Alexandra Maclean were present at the event, with Finance Division Senior Secretary Mahbub Ahmed in chair.

Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said: “Bangladesh is not producing as much carbon dioxide as the developed countries, but the government has still undertaken many initiatives to tackle the problem as it is a threat for humanity.”

Citing the solar energy project as an example, the minister said the government has managed to lower costs to around 60% and was committed to beat the effects of climate change in the country by increasing expenditure on and implementation of environmentally friendly projects.

UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Robert D Watkins said that though Bangladesh was one of the worst affected by climate change, it was not fully equipped to face the problem.

“Bangladesh cannot combat the issue alone due to a lack of technical and non-technical capability.

Regardless, the country has progressed significantly. In order to be rid of the risks posed by climate change, the country needs combined initiatives of the government, NGOs and donor communities,” said Robert.

He also suggested that the government should open negotiations in the international arena to garner the aid needed to combat climate change effectively.

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News Angered by a question raised on the government’s efforts in tackling impacts of climate change on Bangladesh, Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday lost temper and yelled at journalists.

The incident happened at the inauguration of a workshop titled “Inclusive Budgeting and Financing for Climate Resilience (IBFCR) Project,” jointly organised by the Ministry of Finance and UNDP at Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Dhaka.

At the event, journalists wrote their questions on paper and submitted them to minister.

The 83-year-old veteran minister became enraged when he noticed a question on implementation of climate change projects in the country. The question was: “There are allegations that climate change mitigation fund is spent

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ience projects in Bangladesh, especially when the country is struggling to receive foreign funds in different projects.

The government has allocated Tk3,300 crore to climate change fund in the national budget in the past 11 years.

Although initially the annual allocation was Tk700 crore, in the past few years it has been brought down to Tk200 crore, according to sources at the Ministry of Finance.

Facing pressure from foreign donors, the government also set up Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund and Bangladesh Climate Change Resilience Fund, but the donors have contributed only $100 million to the funds since 2005.

Meanwhile, a Transparency International Bangladesh study claimed that nepotism and political identity influence the climate projects in Bangladesh. l

poorly. What is your response to that?”

“Who raised this question?… How is the project being poorly implemented?

If you have courage, stand up,” Muhith yelled out.

When no one stood up in response, the minister went on: “I am challenging you, [the one] who sent me a piece of paper, which I have torn into pieces.

It’s nonsense!”

Then he scattered the pieces of paper on the stage.

“Do you know what is being done about climate change in this country?

You do not know anything about it...

Bangladesh is one of the best in implementing climate change projects,” he said before leaving the stage.

Officials at the ministry said Muhith might have gotten so angry because the question was raised in an event which had been jointly organised by UNDP, a major foreign donor for climate resil-

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

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20 members of Sundarbans robber gang surrender Rahman Swapan, n Anisur Barisal Twenty members of Jahangir Bahini, an infamous robber gang of Sundarbans, surrendered to Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in presence of Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at RAB headquarters in the district town yesterday.

The surrendered gang members were Jahangir Shikari, the gang leader, his associates Sheikh Md Farid, Maruf Sheikh, Akram Sheikh, Mustahar Sheikh, Kamrul Sheikh, Harun Sheikh, Haidar Sheikh, Aiub Ali Sheikh, Aiub Ali Gazi, Mofikul Gazi, Kabir Gazi, Ershad Khan, Palash Hossain, Baser Shikdar, Hannan Sardar, Ijaj Molla, Mohsin Morol and Eakub Sardar.

They were inhabitants of different areas of Bagerhat and Jessore districts, told Major Adnan, deputy commander and media spokesman of RAB-8.

The gang members laid down 31 firearms and 1,507 bullets, said Lieutenant Colonel Faridul Alam, commanding officer of RAB-8.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan was the chief guest in the programme presided over by Lieutenant Colonel Anowar Uz Zaman, commanding officer of RAB-8.

Among others Benazir Ahmed, Director General of RAB, Maruf Hasan DIG of Barisal Range, S M Ruhul Amin, police commissioner of Barisal Metropolitan Police, Dr Gazi Md Saifuzzaman, DC of Barisal also present in the programme.

“Jahangir Bahani was the notorious gang in Sundarbans area,” said Anowar uz Zaman.

The robbers used to attack trawlers of fishermen and kidnap fishermen for ransom in deep forests of the Sundarbans adjacent to Shibsha River, Kateshwar and Sapkhali area under Satkhira range.

In the programme, the Home Minister assured the surrendered gang members that government

Members of Sundarbans-based infamous robber gang Jahangir Bahini surrender along with their firearms to Rapid Action Battalion in Barisal yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE will provide them all types of assistance to come back in normal life.

Over the nine months, a total of 92 members of nine robber gangs of the Sundarbans surrendered to law enforcers along with huge arms and ammunition.

According to previous reports, with assurance that the government would provide all legal assistance to forest robbers if they wanted to return to normal life, several gangs of the bandits in Sundarbans were going to surrender to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

The robber gangs ‘Majnu Bahini’ and ‘Iliaz Bahini’ were scheduled to surrender their firearms and vessels around 3pm at Mongla port, said Commanding Officer of RAB 8 Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Faridul Alam.

With the incidents of surrender of infamous robbers’ gang local fishermen happy as they are the target of the bandit. They said they would be able to catch fish without fear if other bandits also decided to surrender to law enforcers.

Forest department sources said ‘Majnu Bahini’ had long been involved in extorting ransom after taking fishermen hostage in Satkhira range area of the Sundarbans while ‘Iliaz Bahini’ used to attack trawlers in the Sundarbans West Zone and the Bay of Bengal.

On May 31, another gang ‘Master Bahini’ based in the Sundarbans, led by its gang leader, Mostafa Sheikh alias Kader Master, along with seven other robbers surrendered to the RAB. According to sources, there are

20 RMG workers fall sick n Tanveer Hossain, Naraynganj

A total of 20 workers of Danison Attires, an export-oriented garment factory, in Police Line area of Fatullah in Naraynganj have sickened due to overwork.

Two of them were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) in critical condition, while others were admitted to Naraynaganj 300bed Hospital.

Panchami Goswami, on-duty physician at the emergency depertment of the 300-bed hospital,

said the workers fell sick due to deprivation of sufficient sleep and intake of oily food.

Sanjida, Mousumi, Kajol, Salma, Sheuli, Minara, Amena, Lata, Swapna, Tasnu, Jhorna, Sonia, Nurrunnahar, , Shahanaz, Shefali, Eva, Renu, Yanur Begum and Shohag were admitted to the 300-bed hospital one after another from 8:00am to 1:00pm, while Renu and Yanur were shifted to the DMCH in critical condition.

Md Monir Hossain, operator at sweing section of the factory, said

the operators at sweing and finishing sections started to fall sick from the morning due to overwork and taking oily food.

GM Faruque, vice president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and also president of labour standing committee, said taking oily food was the workers’ personal matter.

“The incident took place due to working overtime and not taking the required amount of protin or food, as the workers want to save money, “ he added. l

at least 18 robber gangs operating in the Sundarbans, the biggest mangrove forest of the world, including “Majnu Bahini”, “Sagar Bahini”, “Raju Bahini” and “Jahangir Bahini”.

All the gangs possess modern arms and ammunition, and they collect money from fishermen, honey collectors, and wood cutters.

Each of these gangs has its own area of operations and nobody can enter the Sundarbans without a “token” given by them in lieu of a monthly payment.

At present, the RAB and Bangladesh Coast Guard provide security in and around the Sundarbans.

The surrender of the bandits made local fishermen happy. They said they would be able to catch fish without fear if other bandits also decided to surrender like the ten. l

Ruet students continue class boycott n Abdullah Al Dulal, Rajshahi A section of students of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) have been demonstrating by boycotting their classes and examinations for the second consecutive day demanding cancellation of the “33 credit system”.

Around 150 students of 2014-15 and 2015-16 sessions restarted their sit-in programme in front of the administrative building on Sunday around 10am.

However, the university authorities did not take any step to solve the issue yet and described the students’ demonstration as illogical.

The students went on an indefinite strike yesterday for fulfilling their demand.

According to the university sources, a student has to achieve minimum 33 credits out of 40 in the “33 credit system”. If the student fails to do so, he or she will not be allowed to move up to next session and has to retake the whole year.

Whereas previously, students were allowed to attend classes and examinations of the next session even if they got less than 33 credits. They could obtain the credits by taking examinations later. But the RUET authorities cancelled the system in 2013-14 academic year.

According to the university sources each course represents three to five credits.

When contacted, Vice Chancellor Prof Rafiqul Alam Beg said: ‘‘Protesting students were demanding to upgrade them to next class though they had failed in all courses.

“Decision on the next course of action will be made after a meeting of academic council on Saturday”, he added.

NHM Kamruzzaman Sarkar, welfare adviser to the RUET student, said: ‘‘Most of the students were eager to attend in classrooms where few students forced general students to attend the protest.” l

UP chairman beaten by miscreants in Shariatpur n Rafikul Islam A Union Parisad chairman was severely beaten up by miscreants in Dafterbari area under Gosahrihat upazila of Shariatpur district.

The injured is - Mohsin Sardar, 50, chairman of Nagerpara Union Parisad.

Sohel Rana, son of the victim, said: “A group of miscreants carried out an attack on my father af-

ter making rope barrier in the area while he was on his way to home with bike on Saturday night around 10pm.

“Later, the miscreants tighten up him, beaten up and snatched his bike, mobile and money,” he said.

Later, locals rescued him and taken to local health complex.

Md. Mofazzel Hossain, officer in-charge of Goshairhat police station, confirmed the incident. l

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News

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

Rakhine Commission hears testimony of sexual violence victims Sakhawat and Abdul n Adil Aziz, Cox’s Bazar

The delegation of Rakhine Commission yesterday visited a camp of Rohingyas and heard testimonies of Rohingya women, who were allegedly sexually tortured before fleeing to Bangladesh from Rakhine state in Myanmar, during the recent military crackdown against them.

A three-member delegation talked to four Rohingya women at International Organization for Migration (IOM) office at Leda makeshift camp in Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar district. They also visited some of the living places where the new arrival Rohingyas took shelter, said a Rohingya man from the Leda camp, who was also present there during the visit of the commission.

Prior visiting Leda camp, the delegation visited Balukhali area where the new arrival Rohingyas took shelters, sources said.

The delegation is compromising

by Win Mra, chair of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, Aye Lwin, core member and

A three-member delegation of Rakhine Commission visits Leda makeshift camp for Rohingyas in Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar district yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE founder of Religious for Peace Myanmar and Ghassan Salame’, former Lebanese minister of culture and UN special advisor to the secretary-general.

The team was associated by Md. Baky Billah, assistant secretary of Bangladesh Foreign Ministry, Cox’s

Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Ali Hossain and officials of IMO, UNHCR and other human rights organisations.

Members of several international human rights organisations, who cooperated with the delegation during their visit to the Rohingyas

in Bangladesh, told the Dhaka Tribune that the members were very attentive while they talked to the Rohingyas.

The Advisory commission on Rakhine state was formed on August, last year, after the “Clearance Operations” launched by Myanmar

Army to root out rebels, who were allegedly accused for a deadly attack on Myanmar Border Police’s outpost.

The commission was formed by Ministry of Office of the State-Counsellor, Myanmar and the Kofi Annan Foundation with nine members, who are highly experienced, respected and neutral individuals.

The committee is committed to find out permanent solutions of the longstanding Rohingyas’ problems and delicate issues in the Rakhine State, said a press release of Ministry of the Office of the State Counsellor, Myanmar earlier.

A senior official of Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh seeking anonymity said: “It was the first time that any international committee visited the Rohingyas camps and makeshift areas. We hoped that the team will find out a solution on this issue.”

Almost 70,000 Rohingya had fled the northern part of Rakhine state since October after the crisis began.

Today, the team is supposed to visit the Kutupalong Rohingyas camps in the district. l

Tungipara rickshaw-van puller gets job in Air Force When the prime minister’s photo of riding the van went viral, media also highlighted Imam Sheikh.

The youth expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister after getting the job offer letter yesterday.

Gazi Golam Mustafa, chairman of Tungipara Upazila Parishad and BM Golam Kader, president of Tungipara Press Club were present there and singed the job offer letter as witnesses.

Meanwhile, the Air Force has donated Tk40,000 for his ailing father and renovation of their house. Besides, his rickshaw van has been taken to the museum.

Squadron Leader Harun or Rashid said: “We handed over the appointment letter to Imam following instruction from higher authorities and his van was taken to the museum.”

Imam’s mother Shahnur Begum said: “We were grateful to the Prime Minister. God may bless her as she is

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina along with her family members takes a rickshaw-van ride during her visit to Tungipara on Friday FILE PHOTO

n Manoj Saha, Gopalganj Imam Sheikh, the 17-year-old boy, who came to light after giving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members a tour on his rickshaw-van on Friday, has been picked for a job in Bangladesh Air Force.

Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, the

religious affairs secretary of the ruling Awami League, confirmed it to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday morning.

Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah said: “A three-member team of Bangladesh Air Force’s Bir Sreshtho Matiur Rahman Base, Jessore, led by Squadron Leader Harun or Rashid, went to Imam’s house in the morning.

“They took him and his rickshaw-van with them to Jessore Air Force base, and will give him a job there.”

A regular rickshaw-van puller, Imam Sheikh was chosen by the premier’s officials to give them a ride for an hour in Tungipara on Friday. Hasina was accompanied by her nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq, his wife and two children.

working relentlessly for the welfare of the destitute.”

On Saturday, Imam told the Dhaka Tribune that his father is mentally ill, and my mother is a housewife. He has three sisters – two are married and one is studying in Class IV. He has an elder brother who just got a job in Dhaka. He was the only earning member of the family”.

“I could not study past Class V because I had to take care of my family.

I have been pulling this van for two years, but I do not want to keep doing this forever. I wanted to ask the prime minister for a job. But in the end, I could not because I was too excited to have met her,” Imam Sheikh added.

Yunus Kader Mollah, primary school teacher of Imam, said: “Imam’s father sickness and poverty had forced him to leave study. He used to pull rickshaw to run the family. We were very happy as our Prime Minster gave him a job.” l

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8 World

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

SOUTH ASIA

Top Muslim lawyer gunned down in Myanmar A prominent Muslim lawyer and member of Myanmar’s ruling party was shot dead along with a taxi driver outside Yangon’s international airport on Sunday. Ko Ni, a legal adviser to Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party, had just returned from a government delegation trip to Indonesia. AFP

INDIA

EC bans exit polls between February 4 and March 8 The Election Commission on Sunday banned exit polls between February 4 and March 8 in view of the Assembly polls in five States and the Amritsar Lok Sabha bypoll.

Citing provisions of section 126 A of Representations of the Peoples’ Act, 1951, a spokesman of the EC said, “Exit polls cannot be conducted and publicised by means of print and electronic media or dissemination in any other manner THE HINDU

CHINA

23 missing Chinese in Malaysia boat sinking found alive Twenty-three Chinese tourists and two crew members have survived after their boat sank in rough seas off eastern Malaysia but six people are still missing. The sinking of the catamaran on Saturday, the first day of the Lunar New Year holiday, sparked a major air and sea search covering some 400 nautical square miles. AFP

ASIA PACIFIC

Philippine troops kill 15 Islamic States supporters Philippine soldiers killed 15 militants and seriously wounded their leader, believed to be the IS representative in the country, following air and artillery strikes in a southern province Sunday. Abu Abdullah and a leader of the Philippine militant group Abu Sayyaf, might die as he needed immediate medical treatment, military chief General Eduardo Ano told reporters. REUTERS

MIDDLE EAST

Iraqi MPs call for reciprocal travel ban on US The Iraqi parliament’s foreign affairs committee called Sunday for a reciprocal travel ban on Americans after Washington barred the entry of citizens from countries including Iraq. “We clearly demanded that the Iraqi government deal reciprocally in all issues, with the US,” Hassan Shwairid, the deputy head of the committee, said. AFP

In one week, Trump shakes up Washington and the world n AFP, Washington, DC Donald Trump hurtled through his first week in power, punching out at critics, dishing up “alternative facts,” polarising public opinion and making good on an electoral promise to shake up Washington.

One week into the Trump era and there is a serious case of political whiplash in America’s capital.

Just a week ago, an outsider who never before held elected office rode into town. Seven days later, norms and doctrine that have guided the United States for decades are being re-examined.

Trump’s down-to-the-studs gut job began with a feisty inaugural address: a call to arms that tested old distinctions between left and right.

“Today, we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another or from one party to another,” he said.

“We are transferring power from Washington, DC, and giving it back to you, the people.”

Rolling thunder

Before arriving to the Oval Office, Trump’s strategists had decided to use the first few weeks to unleash a daily wave of executive orders.

The aim was to unbalance opponents, define Trump as a man of action and slake his supporters’

US President Donald Trump holds up an executive action on rebuilding the armed forces after signing it on January 27 at the Pentagon in Washington, DC AFP thirst for change.

For much of middle America, globalisation, automation and the Great Recession had been apocalyptic.

Politics had passed them over and worse, they felt steamrollered by “coastal elites” in America’s “culture wars” over abortion, gay rights, immigration, global warming and religion.

Trump ripped up a trans-Pacific trade deal designed to counterbalance China’s regional economic

power, imposed a ban on refugees from Syria and migrants from seven other Muslim countries.

The United States, a nation founded by migrants, was now willing to shut its doors.

Rocky start

But it was not all positive for Trump. The White House is far from purring. Key positions have yet to be filled and the decision making process is haphazard.

Trump aides were forced to

publicly row back suggestions of a 20% border tax on Mexican goods and defend a chaotic rollout of the refugee and migrant ban.

Throughout the week, Trump engaged in intemperate outbursts about the size of his inaugural crowd, alleged election fraud and perceived media persecution.

Privately, in call after call, he complained to top aides about press coverage. The impression was of a man focused on his image more than running the country. l

FACTBOX

Travellers so far blocked by Trump travel clampdown Fresh protests are expected at US airports Sunday, following President Donald Trump’s order to suspend refugee arrivals and impose tough controls on travellers from seven mostly Muslim countries.

The visa-restricted countries are Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

Here are some of the cases known about so far, of people stopped either before boarding flights to the United States or on arrival there.

Iran Two travel agencies said they had been instructed by Etihad Airways, Emirates and Turkish Airlines not to sell US tickets or allow Iranians holding American visas to board US-bound flights.

An Iranian woman blocked from boarding at Tehran airport on Sunday said she had waited 14 years for her green card, which was recently approved only for her hopes to be dashed.

Egypt An Iraqi family was barred from flying from Cairo to New York on Saturday.

Egyptian officials said the family had visas and were in transit when they were prevented from boarding the EgyptAir plane to New York’s JFK airport.

Fuad Sharef, 51, his wife and three children were instead forced to board a flight back to Arbil in Iraq’s autonomous region of Kurdistan, he said.

Austria At least three Iranian nationals were stopped at Vienna airport on Saturday as they sought to travel to the US, a spokesman for Austrian Airlines said.

The trio, an elderly couple and a young woman who all came from the central city of Isfahan, had valid US visas, Peter Thier told the Austria Press Agency.

The couple remained stranded in the Austrian capital for the night while the woman had flown back to Iran, he added.

A woman in the US flag hijab chants with other protesters against the travel ban at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Dallas on January 28 REUTERS

The Netherlands

France

Dutch flag carrier KLM said it had stopped seven passengers from boarding its flights, five of whom it had been able to contact before departure.

Air France said Sunday it had refused to embark 15 people who were nationals of the 7 predominantly Muslim countries.

Source: AFP

9

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

EU leaders vow firm response to Trump n AFP, Paris The EU’s traditional power couple France and Germany expressed mounting alarm Saturday at key decisions by US President Donald Trump in his first week in office, saying they raised many issues of concern.

French President Francois Hollande vowed a “firm” response to a growing list of pronouncements by the maverick tycoon, including his encouragement for Brexit and suspension of all refugee arrivals.

Another EU founder member, Luxembourg, also said Trump risks bolstering “hatred towards the West” by slapping tight new controls on travellers from seven Muslim countries including warwracked Syria.

‘Hatred’

Trump has announced a series of controversial decisions, making good on what some thought may have been electioneering campaign pledges, on an almost daily basis since taking office on January 20.

Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn condemned the tougher visa measures slapped on seven Muslim states: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

“The decision is .. bad for Eu-

USA

Silicon Valley hits back on Trump’s refugee ban

Silicon Valley giants including Google, Facebook, Apple and Uber, have condemned Donald Trump’s executive orders on immigration and said they are preparing to hit back. Thousands of staff in the tech industry could be affected

by Trump’s initiative, which bars refugees and travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US. INDEPENDENT

THE AMERICAS

Mexico rebukes Israel over Netanyahu wall tweet

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande lay down flowers at a memorial of flowers and candles for the victims of the Berlin Christmas market attack on January 27 in Berlin AFP rope, because it’s going to strengthen even further the mistrust and hatred towards the West in the heart of the Muslim world,” he told the Sunday edition of German daily Tagesspiegel, excerpts of which were released a day in advance.

The first concrete cases emerged Saturday of US-bound travellers being turned back due to the new visa arrangements.

In Cairo an Iraqi family bound

for New York was stopped, while some who were already in the air when Trump signed the executive order were detained on arrival, the New York Times reported. The French and German foreign ministers meanwhile voiced “concern” about Trump at talks in Paris.

‘Concern’

Trump held telephone talks Saturday with world leaders including

German Chancellor Angela Merkel – whose decision to admit so many migrants he called a “catastrophic mistake” – and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He was due to talk to Hollande later in the day. Trump has alarmed European leaders with his positive comments on Putin, and has left open the possibility of lifting sanctions on Russia despite Moscow’s annexation of Crimea and role in the Ukraine conflict. l

Under fire, May criticises Trump curb on refugees n Reuters, London British Prime Minister Theresa May said Britain did not agree with US President Donald Trump’s curbs on immigration after coming under criticism from lawmakers in her own party for not condemning his executive order when initially questioned.

On a visit to Turkey on Saturday, she was asked three times to comment on Trump’s move to put a four-month hold on allowing refugees into the United States and to temporarily bar travellers from Syria and six other Muslim-majority countries, which he said would protect Americans from violent Islamists.

May - who had flown to Turkey from the United States where she was the first foreign leader to meet the new US president for talks she called successful - replied that Washington was responsible for its policy on refugees.

But after the prime minister flew back to a political storm in London late on Saturday, coming under fire from within her own party, her spokesman said Britain disagreed with Trump’s ban.

“Immigration policy in the United States is a matter for the government of the United States,

DT

World

US President Donald Trump and British PM Theresa May appear to hold hands at the White House NYT just the same as immigration policy for this country should be set by our government,” he said.

“But we do not agree with this kind of approach and it is not one we will be taking. We are studying this new executive order to see what it means and what the legal effects are, and in particular what the consequences are for UK nationals.”

Britain’s disapproval sharpened on Sunday when Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said in a tweet: “Divisive and wrong to stigmatise because of nationality”.

Outcry

Trump’s executive order plunged America’s immigration system into chaos, with legal US residents

being turned away at airports, and drew criticism from Western allies including France and Germany.

The US ban affects travellers with passports from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. According to State Department guidance, travellers with dual nationality will also be affected.

May had been enjoying a positive response at home for revitalising the “special relationship” between Britain and the United States, which could be a vital trading partner after Britain exits the European Union.

But her response while in Ankara for talks with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan triggered criticism from her party.

“Trump really is a sickening piece of work,” tweeted lawmaker Sarah Wollaston, a member of the ruling Conservative Party. She said Trump should be snubbed by parliament when he comes to Britain for a planned state visit this year.

“I don’t care how special the relationship is, some lines just shouldn’t be crossed,” Conservative MP Heidi Allen tweeted.

“Strong leadership means not being afraid to tell someone powerful when they’re wrong. It’s an ethos this country is proud of.” l

Mexico’s government rebuked Israel on Saturday for a tweet by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that appeared to applaud US President Donald Trump’s plan to build a border wall with Mexico to keep out illegal immigrants.

Netanyahu said on Twitter earlier on Saturday, “President Trump is right. I built a wall along Israel’s southern border. It stopped all illegal immigration. Great success.

Great idea.” REUTERS

UK

Olympian Mo Farah: Trump made me an alien

Olympic champion Mo Farah condemned U.S. President Trump’s curbs on immigrants and visitors as coming “from a place of ignorance and prejudice” and said they would make him an “alien” in the United States, where he trains and lives with his family. Farah came to Britain as a child and is a British citizen, but his birthplace of Somalia is one of the seven countries subject to Trump’s immigration restrictions. REUTERS

EUROPE

Merkel: Trump immigration ban not justified German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday slammed the restrictions on immigration imposed

by US President Donald Trump, saying it was not justified to target people based on their background or religion. “The chancellor regrets the entry ban imposed by the US government against refugees and nationals from certain countries,” her spokesman Steffen Seibert said in a statement. AFP

AFRICA

Morocco: More African states back bid to rejoin AU

Morocco has obtained the unconditional support of 42 members of the 54-strong African Union (AU) to rejoin the bloc at a summit which opens Monday, a senior Moroccan diplomat said. AU member states are expected to mull Morocco’s bid to rejoin during a two-day summit in Addis Ababa, and elect a new chairperson. AFP

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MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

Modi’s opponents join forces for Uttar Pradesh polls n Reuters, New Delhi Two of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s main political opponents opened their joint campaign on Sunday to win a crucial election in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, which heads to the polls next month.

Home to 200 million people and India’s most important region politically, Uttar Pradesh will help shape Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) chances of winning a second term in national elections in 2019.

The chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and president of the Samajwadi Party, Akhilesh Yadav, and the vice-president of the Congress party, Rahul Gandhi, smiled and hugged for the cameras in a show of personal and political unity.

“We are going to fight united and we are going to defeat the BJP,” Gandhi, 46, told reporters in the state capital, Lucknow, before the two headed off for their first campaign roadshow.

In Uttar Pradesh, a poor and agrarian state, people tend to vote

Samajwadi Party (SP) President and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav, left, and Vice President of India's Congress party Rahul Gandhi attend a joint press conference in Lucknow on January 29 REUTERS along social and religious lines.

With no one community dominant, political parties struggle to win unless they can convince more than

one social group to back them.

The alliance brings together two parties that have previously won a large share of Muslim voters.

Muslims account for 19% of Uttar Pradesh’s population. Another party in the state, led by politician Mayawati, is also wooing their vote.

BJP minister Mahesh Sharma said the Congress and Samajwadi party tie-up was a “desperate and opportunistic alliance”.

Modi has invested huge political capital in winning Uttar Pradesh, holding a series of rallies and trumpeting the benefits of his controversial decision to abolish high-denomination banknotes in November.

Congress, run by the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that has ruled India for most of its existence, has watched its voter base shrink in recent years. The alliance offers it a chance for a limited comeback.

Akhilesh Yadav, 43, is a relatively popular leader and regarded as the modern face of his party after he triumphed in a bruising battle with his father for control of their party.

Voting in Uttar Pradesh begins on February 11.

The election is set to be the world’s largest democratic exercise this year.

Four other Indian states also head to the polls, with results due on March 11. l

French presidentials on knife-edge Germany’s SPD leaders endorse Schulz as as left votes, right fights scandal chancellor candidate Fillon, Le Pen, centrist Emmanuel Macron, and rebel left-winger Jean-Luc Melenchon who shunned the primaries.

The latest polls show him breathing down the necks of Fillon and Le Pen.

Fillon on offensive

Former PM Manuel Valls, right and ex-education minister Benoit Hamon REUTERS

n Reuters, Paris A new chapter opened in France’s closely contested presidential election campaign on Sunday as Socialists voted to choose their champion and conservatives fought to keep their scandal-hit campaign on track.

Polling opened at 0800 GMT in a Socialist primary runoff that pits pro-business ex-premier Manuel Valls against hard-left lawmaker Benoit Hamon for the Socialist ticket.

Francois Fillon - chosen as conservative candidate last year by his party The Republicans but hurt last week by a newspaper claim that his wife was paid for fake work - was meanwhile due to hold a rally on the outskirts of Paris.

Hamon is favourite to beat Valls in

the Socialist primary’s head-to-head vote, but neither man has much chance of winning the presidential race itself after five years of unpopular Socialist rule.

Until Fillon tripped up over his British wife Penelope’s pay, prompting the opening of an official inquiry into the matter, he was favourite to win the election proper. Opinion polls showed him beating far-right National Front (FN) leader Marine Le Pen in a run-off vote on May 7 with a comfortable two-thirds of the vote.

Popularity polls since have shown his rating slip slightly, although there have been no polls on voting intentions since the scandal broke.

Whichever Socialist wins on Sunday, opinion polls show him destined for a humiliating fifth place in the April 23 first round of the election itself, behind

Fillon sought to get his campaign back on track on Sunday with an interview in the Journal du Dimanche newspaper.

Muck-racking against mainstream candidates could end up propelling Le Pen into power, he said.

“If we continue to try to destroy credible candidates in the presidential election, this is how it’ll end,” Fillon told the paper.

It was the satirical weekly Le Canard Enchaine that threw his campaign off track last week. Its report said his wife had received a total of around $640,000 for employment by him and his successor in parliament, and later as a literary reviewer for a cultural journal.

Fillon has not denied the figures, but he has denied the jobs were fake, saying his wife for years proof-read his speeches and prepared press reviews.

He has said he would not give up his presidential bid unless he was himself put under formal investigation.

Last week, investigators searched the headquarters of the cultural journal that employed Penelope Fillon. They also seized files on Francois Fillon held

by France’s official anti-corruption watchdog. l

n Reuters, Berlin Leaders of Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) endorsed former European Parliament President Martin Schulz on Sunday as their candidate to run against conservative Angela Merkel in September’s national election, sources familiar with the decision said.

The decision will be formalised at a special party conference to be held in Berlin on March 19, the sources told Reuters.

About 35 members of the party’s executive committee voted unanimously for Schulz, 61, to become the party’s new leader and its chancellor candidate, the sources said.

The centre-left party in a surprise move on Tuesday had announced it was nominating Schulz to replace current party leader Sigmar Gabriel, who said he was standing aside to enhance the party’s chances in the September 24 election. German news magazine Der Spiegel portrayed Schulz as the party’s saviour on Sunday, carrying a photo on its front cover of a beaming Schulz with the headline “Saint Martin.”

Polls suggest that Schulz has a better chance than Gabriel, though still very small, of unseating Merkel, who has led Germany since 2005 and is Europe’s most powerful leader. Merkel’s grand co-

alition with the SPD has governed since 2013.

Schulz was a member of the European Parliament for over 20 years but is not a member of the German Bundestag.

Malu Dreyer, premier of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate and member of the SPD executive committee, said she was confident that Schulz would “give the party a real jolt.” l

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World

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

57 dead in first US raid on al-Qaeda in Yemen under Trump n AFP, Aden

Trump took office on January 20.

A US raid in Yemen killed 41 suspected al-Qaeda militants and 16 civilians on Sunday, an official said, in what would be America’s first military action in the country under President Donald Trump.

Eight women and eight children were among those killed in the dawn raid in Yakla district, in the central province of Baida, said the provincial official, who did not want to be named, and tribal sources.

Sources in the region said the raid targeted the houses of three tribal chiefs linked to al-Qaeda.

The provincial official said Apache helicopters also struck a school, a mosque and a medical facility which were all used by al-Qaeda militants.

Other sources spoke of US commandos taking part in the operation, but it was not possible to verify the information.

The three prominent tribal figures killed in the attack were identified as brothers Abdulraouf

‘Most dangerous’ franchise

US raid in Yemen killed at least 41 suspected al-Qaeda militants and 16 civilians and Sultan al-Zahab and Saif Alawai al-Jawfi, the official and other sources said.

They were known for their strong links to al-Qaeda, the sources said.

The Zahab brothers have two other al-Qaeda brothers who were also killed in the past by drone strikes.

An al-Qaeda chief in the region, who was identified as foreigner

REUTERS

Abu Barazan, was also killed in the attack, the official said.

The military operation is the first to be attributed to the United States against jihadists in Yemen since

Under Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama, the United States stepped up its use of drone strikes against suspected jihadists in Yemen, as well as other countries including Afghanistan.

The United States considers the extremist group’s Yemen-based franchise, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, to be its most dangerous.

Although it only sporadically reports on a long-running bombing campaign against AQAP, it is the only force known to be operating drones over Yemen.

On January 14, the Pentagon announced the killing of a senior al-Qaeda operative in Baida the week before in an air strike.

Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State jihadist group have exploited a power vacuum created by the twoyear-old conflict in Yemen between the government and Shia Huthi rebels, especially in the country’s south and southeast. l

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12 Business

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

CAPITAL MARKET SNAPSHOT: SUNDAY 5,500.9 -2.1% ▼ Index DSE Broad Index CSE All Share Index 17,398.3 0.0% ▲ 30 Index

1,274.8 15,183.1

-1.4% 0.0%

▼ ▲

30 Index Selected Index

2,003.2 10,549.0

-1.7% 0.0%

BB warns banks of loan diversion into stocks n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi Bangladesh Bank in its monetary policy asked the banks to be cautious about diversion of loans into the stock market in the wake of recent rally.

The country’s stock exchanges had been experiencing lacklustre business since the stock crash in 2010.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir also asked financial institutions to strengthen surveillance of loan usage by their customers so that they cannot divert it to stocks for abnormal profits.

The BB chief came up with precautionary advice while he was announcing monetary policy for the second half of the current fiscal year yesterday.

In recent couple of months, the country’s capital markets are showing increased buoyancy. Since November last year, DSEX, the key index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), increased by 19.66% to 5,501 points as of yesterday.

On November 1, DSEX was at 4,597 points.

On January 23, the daily turnover stood at Tk2,180.79 crore, the highest in last six years. On December 5, 2010, the DSE recorded a turnover of Tk3,249.5 crore, the highest ever in the history of Bangladesh stock exchange.

“As precautionary measures

from the central bank, BB has already strengthened monitoring to keep the banks’ capital market exposure within a permitted limit as per the law,” he said.

Banks and financial institutions have to strengthen surveillance of their clients to prevent diversion of business and consumer loans into stock markets for abnormal profits, added the governor.

‘BB has strengthened monitoring to keep the banks’ capital market exposure within a permitted limit as per the law’ The issue of loan diversion came into the spotlight as the interest rate witnessed a significant decline. Industry people are enjoying a single digit loan interest rate. Due to huge excess liquidity in banks, loans are being offered at cheap rate.

The weighted average lending rate in market is 9.94% as of November last year. The capital market is also lucrative to the depositors as returns from bank deposit are very low at 5.29%, according to the central bank data.

Talking on the responsibility of

stock market regulator, Fazle Kabir said an effective surveillance is very important to eliminate the dull situation and bring normalcy in the stock market, or else small investors might be loser as in the previous time.

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has already issued precautionary messages and taken initiatives to improve investors financial literacy.

The central bank head also suggested imposing restriction on supply margin loan to purchase higher Price Earning ratio (PE) shares and sponsor share for the betterment of investors.

Stock market capitalisation in Bangladesh remains modest accounting for around 15% of GDP that can play an important role in financing long-term investments as long as valuations reflect fundamentals and do not pose financial stability risks.

To ensure that capital market can finance long-term investment while exuberance remains rational, banks need to upgrade their surveillance of loan usage by their customers shying away from their intended purpose, the BB governor said in the monetary policy.

The central bank may also direct banks to prevent diversion of business and consumer loans into stock markets and remains ready to take prompt policy actions, he added. l

▼ ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk Turnover in Mn Tk

11,371.5 724.3

-10.4% 0.0%

▼ ▲

Turnover in Mn Vol Turnover in Mn Vol

314.2 23.5

-12.6% 0.0%

▼ ▲

Inquiry underway into remittance inflow through non-banking channels n Jebun Nesa Alo Bangladesh Bank (BB) has started inquiry into the reasons behind remittance inflow through nonbanking channel.

Central Bank governor Fazle Kabir came up with the disclosure while announcing the new Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) for the second half of the current fiscal year at a function held at Bangladesh Bank headquarters in the city yesterday.

Announcing the MPS, he also disclosed that a research group has already been formed to find out the root causes of sending remittance through non-banking channels.

“We have taken up a strong research work to analyse the causes of sending remittance through non-banking channel and also to see whether hundi is being used to send the remittance or not”, said BB governor.

He said: “The research group will submit its report within a month along with recommendations of what measures should be taken to stop remittance inflow through non- banking channel.”

“The group has started research activities and they will visit the Middle-Eastern countries, Malaysia and Singapore in the second

week of the next month to find out the causes of lower remittance inflow and will give recommendations to the central bank,” said BB governor.

Remittance inflow witnessed a sharp fall by 17.6% at the end of December last year in the wake of lower fuel price in the global market.

Bangladesh Bank has also taken immediate action to stop remittance coming from abroad through illegal ways or mobile banking, said BB governor.

“We have already instructed all the Bangladesh High Commissions and Embassies stationed in different countries to take necessary measures for stopping unauthorised remittance business using bKash logo,” he said.

He said: “BRAC Bank has been asked to look after the agents who are doing illegal remittance business through mobile banking and they did it accordingly. Some 25 businessmen were held in UAE for doing remittance business illegally.”

“We will also investigate the commission charge taken by exchange houses from ultimate beneficiaries that whether higher commission is being charged on them”, said BB governor.  PAGE 14 COLUMN 3

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MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

Rooppur plant: Advisory support deals with India likely to be signed next month n Asif Showkat Kallol The government is going to sign deals with two Indian agencies for advisory support and security of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant construction project.

Drafts of the agreements will be placed at the cabinet meeting today for approval, said official sources.

Prime Minsiter Sheikh will preside over the meeting.

The agencies are Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.

The agreements are aimed at the exchange of technical information and cooperation in the regulation of nuclear safety and radiation

protection. The deals are expected to be signed next month after the cabinet’s approval.

Science and Technology Minister Yafes Osman told Dhaka Tribune that Bangladesh and India will share experiences on nuclear power plant under the agreements.

He added: “We know Russia has experience of setting up nuclear power plants. So, they are perfect in the field.”

The Government source said India intends to provide all kinds of cooperation including the security of the project through a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding with Bangladesh and Russia.

According to the proposal, the

12.6% of budget spent in Q1 n Asif Showkat Kallol The government has spent Tk42,894 crore from the current national budget in the fiscal year’s first quarter, which is only 12.59% of total allocation.

The total budget allocation is Tk3,40,605 crore in the ongoing FY2016-17.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith disclosed the figures in the Parliament yesterday.

Of the figure spent, the expenditure in non-development sector was Tk35,325 crore and the rest of the money was spent on development sector, according to the quarterly report.

However, finance minister

said: “Bangladesh’s macroeconomic situation has been stable since the beginning of the current fiscal year. Political situation has remained stable for last two years.”

He hoped for a “prosperous Bangladesh” under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

National Board of Revenue has seen 17.98% in revenue collection during the July-September period while it was 15.49% one year ago.

According to the finance ministry’s report, the planning ministry has spent Tk7,569 crore during the period this fiscal year while the expenditure was Tk7,537 crore in the same period last fiscal year. l

DITF may be extended n Rafikul Islam Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) is likely to expand the ongoing Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) by four more days in response to the request made by the exhibitors from home and abroad.

Mohammad Abdur Rouf, deputy director (Information) of EPB, yesterday said: “We have made primary decision today to expand the DITF by four more days considering the demands of the traders.

However, we will take final decision at the meeting to be held with all the authorities concerned tomorrow.”

During the last year, the

fair was expanded by 10 more days on the same ground.

This year the demand for expansion of the deadline came after the exhibitors got huge response from the visitors.

While talking to reporter, some foreign exhibitors alleged that customs delay hampered their business.

“We have got our products even after 10 to 15 days after the fair begins. Besides, local traders said many visitors are coming here in the eleventh hour to buy their chosen products this year. So, the decision of expanding would be positive for all the exhibitors if the deadline is expanded from January 31 to February 4.” l

exchanges will be made in knowledge and experiences, advisory services, technical assistance and assets in boosting skills and ability of the workers including running of the plant safely as well as ensuring its security.

It said the parties concerned will help enhance advisory and technical capacity in the fields of construction, running, regulating and maintenance in waste management and refining at the power plant.

Where applicable, the two parties - Bangladesh and India - will exchange experience in the running and maintenance of the power plant.

Besides, the three parties will be

able to cooperate in other aspects, including supply of equipment, machinery and accessories to the plant on the basis of their consensus in writing, according to the proposal.

According to the draft, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) has already taken site licence of Rooppur power plant from Russian regulatory authority.

BAERA will have to take design and construction and operation licence from the Russian authority.

It will take necessary assistance from the Indian Atomic Energy Regulation Board to obtain licence from Russian authority, according to the proposal.

Bangladesh signed MoU with Russia for setting up of the Rooppur plant in 2011.

The final agreement between two countries was concluded on December 25, 2016.

Under this agreement, Russia will provide Bangladesh with a loan of $12bn.

The 2400 megawatt power plant will supply power for 50 years under the deal.

Works are in progress for experimental opening of the 1200 megawatt first unit in 2023 and the second unit in 2024.

The first unit is expected to go for commercial production in October 2024. l

Business

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MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

For US Fed, Trump-onomics not yet in effect n AFP, Washington President Donald Trump’s plans to upend US trade policy with import tariffs and new negotiations, slash taxes, and spend on infrastructure makes the Federal Reserve’s work more challenging this week.

Since his election in November, Trump’s pronouncements have left US central bankers guessing and citing the “considerable uncertainty” for monetary policy until they turn into specific policies.

Fed members have raised the possibility they may have to increase interest rates faster than they had planned before Trump’s surprise election victory, and have said they will be watching for the new administration’s policies.

But meanwhile, economists say that when the policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee gathers in Washington Tuesday and Wednesday to review monetary policy, it is likely to stand pat, as the outcome of any new Trump fiscal and trade moves remains far off.

“My guess is there won’t be any action,” said Edwin Truman, a former FOMC staff economist now at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington.

“The outlook looks a bit stronger, both in the United States and the world,” he told AFP. “But as for the shape of fiscal policy ... we don’t really know a lot more than we did in December.”

The Fed in December raised rates for only the second time in a decade, increasing the target range by a quarter point to 0.5-0.75% to help head off inflation as the somewhat sluggish recovery from the

full employment, but the central bank will be watching to see what policies the administration pursues. She has said spending to increase productivity would be welcome, since that would increase growth without driving inflation.

Trump’s new policies could affect the Fed’s path but “at this point, however, the size, timing and composition of such changes remain uncertain,” she said in a recent speech.

Trump’s big ‘meh’

US President Donald Trump Great Recession continues.

The odds of another increase remain below 40% until the third meeting of the year in May, according to Fed fund futures markets.

US central bankers have made clear that despite the fairly tepid recovery, the economy appears to be on track to achieve its primary goals of full employment and two percent inflation.

The unemployment rate has remained under five percent and job creation has been steady at an average of 165,000 new positions a month. Despite years of low inflation, the Fed’s favored price measure, the personal consumption expenditures index, has been trending up slowly.

However, economic growth

REUTERS

‘The Fed has understood this, maybe because they’re here in DC and they’re not quite as excitable’ slowed sharply in the final quarter of last year, pulling 2016 growth down to 1.6%, the lowest since 2011.

New FOMC voters

Adding another wrinkle to the attempts to gauge how the Fed will react, the composition of the Federal Open Market Committee will change as it always does at the first

meeting of the year, and this time will include three first-time voters.

The change might mean the committee could become less hawkish than it was in 2016, when Esther George of the Kansas City Fed dissented at six of last year’s eight Fed meetings to vote in favor of rate hikes. The Boston Fed’s Eric Rosengren dissented in September, while Cleveland’s Loretta Mester dissented in September and November.

Those three will be replaced by some of the newest Fed officials: Patrick Harker, head of the Philadelphia Fed bank, Neel Kashkari of Minneapolis, and Robert Kaplan of Dallas.

Fed Chair Janet Yellen has said the economy is on course to meet the Fed’s targets for inflation and

Jared Bernstein of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities said that while Wall Street had rallied since the election, Americans were beginning to understand that any direct influence from Trump on the economy was most likely to occur further down the road.

“Market participants continue to take Donald Trump way too seriously in terms of fiscal policy,” he said.

“Yes, there’s going to be a tax cut. The earliest it’s going to kick in is 2018,” Bernstein told AFP. “An infrastructure plan is a big question mark. House Republicans see it as a big ‘meh.’”

“The Fed has understood this, maybe because they’re here in DC and they’re not quite as excitable.”

Tim Duy, an economist at the University of Oregon and close observer of the Fed, said the uncertainty that Trump had created was still weighing on policymakers and could fuel inflation.

“I get the sense they think the administration’s policies are leading to an environment that is weighted to the upside with inflation risks,” Duy said. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

India looks to ease pain from Inquiry underway into remittance inflow cash crunch in budget through non-banking channels n AFP, New Delhi

India’s government is expected to ramp up spending in its latest budget this week, seeking to ease the pain from a ban on high-value banknotes that slammed the brakes on the world’s fastest-growing major economy.

Ahead of a series of elections, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will unveil a budget on Wednesday that analysts say will aim to offset the impact from the so-called demonetisation programme with stimulus measures.

“The overarching focus of the budget will somehow indicate a gain from pain mentality - how the pain of demonetisation helped the government get some extra resources that it can now spread around,” Rajeev Malik, senior economist at brokerage CLSA, told AFP. “It’s going to be a budget that is

meant to soothe the pain.”

Before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s shock decision in November to pull all 500 and 1,000 rupee notes from circulation, the International Monetary Fund had forecast India’s economy would grow 7.6% in 2016, faster than any other major country.

But as authorities struggled to print replacement notes fast enough, causing consumer spending to plunge, the IMF knocked a percentage point off its forecast.

The government’s prediction is 7.1% growth.

By painting demonetisation as a blitz on corruption and cash-hoarding that will ultimately boost tax revenues, Modi has so far escaped a major backlash. While there were massive queues outside banks in the weeks afterwards, they have now subsided while limits on withdrawals have eased. l

He also hoped that the central bank would be able address the problems within two or three months to boost the overall remittance inflow.

Slower export growth and downturn of remittance inflow hit hard the current account balance taking it to negative position, said governor.

Current account balance was negative US$726 million and trade deficit widened to $3.88 billion as of July-November of fiscal year 2016-17, according to the central bank data.

BB Governor announced the MPS for January-June of FY17 keeping the most of the policies unchanged taking growth supportive cautious stance.

Private sector credit growth was reset at 16.5% and domestic credit growth at 16.4% for FY17, which was set in earlier monetary policy

for July-December of current fiscal year.

The actual private sector credit growth was 15% as of November last year against the monetary target of 16.6% set for December that year. Domestic credit growth was 12.3%, far below from the target of 15.7% during the same period.

BB Governor also projected that GDP growth will surpass the government’s target of 7.2% by FY17 with uprising trend of credit growth.

Inflation, one of the major objective of Bangladesh Bank to keep under control, declined to 5.5% by December 2016 aided by favorable agriculture production and modest rise in global commodity prices.

Bangladesh Bank projected annual average inflation to be around 5.3%-5.6%.

The exchange rate was mostly discussed issue in the money mar-

ket as the difference of dollar price between institution and kerb market was widening due to cash dollar crunch.

Bangladesh Bank in its new MPS also explained that the difference widened due to India’s demonetisation measures that created demand shock for cash dollars.

Local currency turned into depreciation against USD recently as cash dollar has been imported to meet up the crisis, said Faisal Ahmed, senior economic advisor of the central bank.

In response to a question over progress of reserve heist incident, BB governor also said: “It remained under judiciary process in Philippine. Bangladesh Bank is going to take a new security arrangement with SWIFT in March as there is no alternate of SWIFT for international transaction.” l

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

Experts: MPS could be a bit more proactive and accommodative n Tribune Business Desk The newly announced Monetary Policy Statement is termed ordinary by the economic experts.

The MPS could be more proactive and accommodative and should have message for policy makers who work with fiscal management, said Salehuddin Ahmed, former governor of Bangladesh Bank.

He said the central bank apprehended that the bank loan might be diverted to stock market, but there

is no explanation as to what measures should be taken to stem the money flow into the stocks.

The central bank did not take any measures that could discourage the investors from stock investment, added the former governor.

He said credit growth target does no matter. It is important to outline what the impact will be on livelihood, how the monetary policy will be implemented.

He opined that the MPS could be more positive and explanatory.

CORPORATE NEWS

Chairperson of Social Islami Bank Limited Major Dr Md Rezaul Haque (retired) has recently greeted Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith on his birthday with flowers

NCC Bank Limited has recently signed an agreement with The Westin Dhaka on providing the bank’s cardholders with special facilities at the hotel, said a press release. The bank’s managing director, Golam Hafiz Ahmed and Dilip Madhok, the hotel’s general manager signed the agreement

Dutch-Bangla Bank has recently held a conference for its managers, said a press release. The bank’s managing director, Abul Kashem Md Shirin presided over the conference

There is no problem with credit growth targets set in MPS but how targets will be achieved finds little explanation said, AB Mirza Azizul Islam, Brac University professor and former finance adviser to the last caretaker government.

Still banks have excess liquidity due to lack of adequate demand.

Bangladesh Bank could have taken measure to cut policy rate to put pressure on lending rate to decline further. He suggested lowering lending rate, keeping the deposit

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rate unchanged.

The exchange rate is now stable when Pound and Euro are depreciating against dollar. The central bank did not give clear instruction about depreciation of Taka.

Abu Ahmed, professor of Dhaka University, said, central bank should slash repo and reverse repo rate to help lending rate decline.

He welcome the suggestion of Bangladesh Bank to tighten margin loan saying that it will be good for investors. l

Indonesia wants to export LNG to Bangladesh n Tribune Business Desk Indonesia has expressed its keen interest in export of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to Bangladesh.

The Indonesian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Iwan Wiranata Atmadja, said this during a meeting with State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid at his secretariat yesterday.

Indonesian envoy expressed interest in setting up Floating Storage Re-gasification Unit (FSRU) in Bangladesh, according to a government handout. l

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Health

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

Chinese home remedies for your everyday cough Maybe there’s a way to avoid running to the store for the cough syrup

n Adila Hoque With the weather changing so rapidly, many of us are going to be subject to a sore throat. Now, as we all know, it is actually a lot more difficult than it sounds, and the fact that we get sleepy after every dose of cough syrup only makes things worse. Chinese home remedies are normally based on food and herbs that offset the imbalance that is created in our bodies. Several different remedies soothe a variety of symptoms for all kinds of cough, giving you a range of options to choose from.

1. Nuts and honey for a dry cough The dry cough or the itchy throat is probably the most irritating of the lot and even the cough syrups are sometimes quite ineffective in battling this. Add 250gm of honey to 500gm of nuts and take small doses after every meal, remembering to wash it down with lukewarm water.

2. Tofu with ginger and sugar for a prolonged cough If you experience cough very frequently, it is most possibly a sign of a deeper condition, so get checked as soon as you can. In the meantime, you should cook a bowl of tofu with fresh ginger and some sugar to just deal with the cough PHOTOS: BIGSTOCK

for now. Repeat this treatment before bedtime every night for one week straight.

3. Radish soup for a dry cough A loud cough produces a little phlegm that requires something to bite for it to soothe down. Cook radish with some green onions and

fresh ginger to make a quick fiveminute soup, and have the soup while it’s still warm. The radish will cut through the irritation in the lungs.

4. Pear and lotus root for the frequent cough The frequent cough produces

thick yellow phlegm and requires sweet pear and lotus juice to heal. Peel the large Asian peer and slice it so that you can use it in a blender. Add the lotus root and maybe even a little bit of sugar. Remember to take small sips throughout the day until the cough disappears.l

SAD

Those seasonal blues

n Sabiha Akond Rupa SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a kind of depression which one may experience from time to time due to the seasonal changes we go through. When the season starts changing from fall to winter, some may witness the symptoms of SAD. Some also start getting depressed at the end of winter or in the beginning of summer.

Often confused with the feeling of “winter blues”, SAD should be treated by making a continued effort to keep ourselves motivated, constantly working towards a state of mental well-being.

Symptoms The symptoms vary from person to person, depending on their nature. Sometimes they might experience unipolar depression where the symptoms of depression are ever present, while others might have bipolar depression which includes low depressive periods combined with

manic attacks. SAD’s symptoms are similar to other depression but this mainly affects one’s everyday productivity. Patients may find no pleasure in any activity that they undertake, constantly feeling down, irritated, tired, worthless and hypersensitive. In addition, they may oversleep or gain a lot of weight over a short span of time.

Reasons There are no specific reasons that causes SAD but some theories suggest that sunlight effects the brain’s chemicals and our hormones, although it’s not clear how exactly it plays out. However, studies show that sun rays can affect one part of the brain which controls mood, appetite and sleep.

Cure If you think you or your family members have shown considerable signs of no improvement, it’s advisable to contact a doctor who specialises in these cases. Usually, if a patient is suffering from SAD and is bipolar,

For a home remedy, try incorporating these changes: • Change your way of thinking, eliminate negative thoughts • Try to figure out your own way to cope with the symptoms of SAD • Employ stress management techniques

they are given a combination of light therapy, medications as well as psychotherapy. Light therapy is one kind of phototherapy that exposes you to bright lights, mimicing natural outdoor light. l ILLUSTRATION: BIGSTOCK

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Feature

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

Intellectual property in academics Why many local students resort to making cheating a habit and what can be done to avoid it

PHOTO: BIGSTOCK

n Lameya Alma Amin When you are in that stage of your life where you are only expected to study and work hard, it’s the least you can do. People fail to understand, but this is the best time of their lives, where most of them are only required and expected to do so. Yet we come across people who love to slack off, cheating their way through completing the task at hand assignments.

Most students prefer to cheat.

Why? Nobody knows for sure, but probably the most apparent reason is simply being lazy. It is a universal fact that studying needs a minimum level of patience, hard work, and a big bowl of motivation, and sadly this lacks in a lot of cases.

Surprisingly, a huge number of people in our educational sector don’t know what plagiarism is.

They do not understand the concept of it, and ends up doing it, failing to realise that their actions are objectionable and punishable.

Most students think that whatever is present there in the Internet can be used freely and as one wishes, without giving any proper credit

to the party who is responsible for the information in the first place.

When asked, a fellow university student studying English Literature the reasons for indulging in plagiarism, Rifat Rabib said, “First of all, we were never informed about plagiarism back in school and, were not taught how to cite to avoid it.

Here in NSU, we were taught how to do so, and yet we sometimes end up not citing everything properly because it takes a huge amount of time to do the documentation. And not a lot of us want to spend so much time doing so, and also with the hope that the teachers might not notice it.” This shows the grim scenario, that students lack the patience and ethics to work on something to avoid cheating, and these acts go unnoticed, giving the student another chance to repeat the same offence.

“I try my best to educate students about the rules of plagiarism early on in the semester. I tell them that they cannot ever quote or paraphrase from any source without giving proper credit to that source, and that they cannot submit a

Not going through the citation process while preparing a paper gives them the opportunity to disrespect the individual whose ideas or information they are using, without giving the individual proper recognition for his/her work paper for my class that they have submitted for another class.

However the message often doesn’t quite get through. When I catch minor cases of plagiarism, such as not using inverted commas for quotes, I give my students a chance to fix the error. When I catch more serious crimes, such as submitting a paper they clearly did not write, I immediately give them a failing grade. There are no second chances in those cases,” said Joshua Yu Burnett, an assistant Professor in North South University, when asked about how he tries to inform his students here, and the penalties they face in his class if they plagiarise.

He further noted that, “Compared to universities in the United States, the response to

plagiarism here does not seem very systematic. I was required to go over the Department’s plagiarism policy in the first two weeks of class, and all the students were required to sign a document saying they understood what plagiarism was and agreed not to do it. I had to report any case of plagiarism to my Department’s Director of Graduate Studies – there was paperwork to fill out. The penalties were very clear: for the first offence, the student received a failing grade for theplagiarised paper. For the second offence, the student was referred to a disciplinary committee with the power to impose more serious penalties, up to and including expulsion from the university.

Here, such systems do not seem to be in place. I do think it would be helpful to approach plagiarism in a more standardised and systematic fashion. Not just for punishing students but for educating them about what plagiarism is, why it is wrong, and what the consequences are.

One major cause of plagiarism here is that students simply do not understand what plagiarism is, and they do it without even realising that what they are doing is unacceptable.”

Students are educated so that this learning process enlightens them, makes them better citizens, and to give them the ability to do something with their lives as well as for others. But not going through the citation process while preparing a paper gives them the opportunity to disrespect the individual whose ideas or information they are using, without giving the individual proper recognition for his/her work.

It is of the utmost importance to educate oneself, to build up the motivation to work hard, in a truthful manner and with integrity. l

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Biz Info

MONDAY,JANUARY 30, 2017

| anniversary |

| celebration |

Daffodil International University celebrates 15th Founding Anniversary

WINGS Foundation Day observed

US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat, addressing the 15th Founding Anniversary of Daffodil International University as the guest of honour PHOTO: COURTESY

Daffodil International University celebrated its 15th Founding Anniversary on January 28, with great enthusiasm at its Ashulia permanent campus. To mark the Founding Anniversary, a week-long inter-department sports competition, math olympiad, inter-university cultural competition, and IT quiz were organised. The day long program included bus rally, pitha utshab, blood donation program, discussions, picnic, tree plantation, games and sports, raffle draw, live concert and other fun events.

Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat, US Ambassador to Bangladesh was present as the guest of honour at the program.

Abdul Matlub Ahmad, President, The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), graced the occasion as the speaker of Foundation Day. Md Sabur Khan, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Daffodil International University and Chairman, Daffodil Family, presided over the ceremony.

The function was addressed

by Dr Yousuf M Islam, vice chancellor, Dr SM Mahbubul

Haque Majumder, pro-vice chancellor, Hamidul Haque Khan, treasurer, Professor Rafiqul Islam, dean, Faculty of Business & Economics, Professor M Shamsul Alam, dean, Faculty of Engineering, Professor AMM Hamidur Rahman, dean, Faculty of Humanities & Social Science, Professor Ahmed Ismail Mostafa, dean, Faculty of Allied Health Science, Professor AKM Fazlul Haque, registrar and Prof Mostafa Kamal, dean, Permanent Campus.l

Women in Need Group or WINGS observed its annual Foundation Day on January 27 at Gulshan Club.

The chief guest Khushi Kabir, coordinator and women’s rights activist Nijera Kori, the State Minister for the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid MP, professor at the Sociology Department of University of Dhaka Sadeka Halim were amongst renowned guests that attended the program.

WINGS was founded in January 2015 by reputed entrepreneur Tootli Rahman along with other women members, who have been working with the women of Bangladesh to improve their lives.

Tootli Rahman wanted to start a women’s group with women who believe in the cause of women's development and empowerment.

WINGS is committed to extending support to the distressed and needy women of Bangladesh through its specialised bodies.

Even though there are many such organisations, both in the government and private sectors, involved in similar kinds of work, WINGS, since its inception has moved by leaps and bounds in understanding the predicament of women and is actively involved in resolving their problems.

The chief guest, Khushi Kabir stressed on the need for privileged women to come forward and extend help in every way possible

and assured that her organisation would be available to extend any additional support in the cause of WINGS. The special guest Sadeka Halim, Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka, thanked WINGS for the scholarship to five students of her department.

Sonia Bashir Kabir, CEO of Microsoft Bangladesh committed to signing an MOU with WINGS. She also announced that her organisation will sponsor the five girls from the university and also give them training on IT. From the floor, three persons took the responsibility of three girls as their “Angels” (sponsors) for supporting their education.

In addition, WINGS is also is providing training to 10 nurses in the Holy Family Hospital and helping five recovered leprosy girls in providing them training in sewing skills.

All of these 20 girls were crowned in front of the audience

by Khushi Kabir and Sadeka Halim with a lot of applause from the audience The president of WINGS, Tootli Rahman, informed the audience on the achievements of the Angels of WINGS program, which helps women become socially and financially independent. The event also marks the launching of the first issue of the WINGS Magazine.l

| conference |

BBS Cables Dealer Conference held "BBS Cables Limited Dealer Conference 2017" took place at the International Convention City Bashundhara, Hall-4 (Novoratri) on January 26, 2017.

Managing director of BBS Cables Limited, Engr Abu Noman Howlader, director Engr Badrul Hassan, director Engr Hasan Morshed Chowdhury, director Engr Ruhul Majid, director Ashraf Ali Khan, senior general manager (S&M) Omar Faruk and brand manager Md. Rabiul Kamal and other officials, dealers from all over Bangladesh, high-officials from different organisations were present at the program.

More than a thousand dealers of BBS Cables Limited from different parts of the country joined in the dealer conference.

Dealers that achieved their yearly sales target were awarded at the program. l

PHOTO: COURTESY

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DT

Biz Info

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

| recognition |

LankaBangla Finance Limited wins the SAFA BPA Award 2015

PHOTO: COURTESY

LankaBangla Finance Limited has won the SAFA BPA Award 2015 for Best Presented Annual Report under Financial Service Sector category. Having won the award for two successive years, this accomplishment denotes transparency in financial reporting, fair presentation in annual reporting and excellence in corporate governance practices at every sphere of the company and is in essence, a matter of honour for the enterprise. With this achievement, LankaBangla is poised to receive fresh impetus in delivering better operational results as well as convincing service quality. SAFA is an apex body of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) and an Acknowledged Accounting Grouping of International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

The award has been distributed at a ceremony organised on January 27 at Pan Pacific

Sonargaon Hotel, Dhaka. The deputy managing director Khwaja Shahriar, received the prestigious award from finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith. The governor of Bangladesh Bank Fazle Kabir, chief financial officer Shamim Al Mamun, FCA and other MANCOM members of LankaBangla Finance Limited also attended the grand ceremony.

LankaBangla deems this success to be a collaborative effort put together by a host of partners, who have been instrumental in igniting competitive edge within the enterprise and acted as catalysts to arrive at the summit of success.

LankaBangla Finance Limited expresses heartiest gratitude to all its customers, stakeholders, board members, management committee, regulatory body, employees, clients, and vendors for their effective cooperation and relentless support in achieving this accolade.l

| award |

| launch |

IUB students awarded in USAID Video clip competition

Kantar MRB launches report on Internet category

IUB students Abdullah al Rhidoy from Media and Communication Department and Alvi Rahman Shemanto from BBA Department won the first and third prizes for making video documentary showreels.

The competition was initiated by USAID Bangladesh’s Agricultural Value Chains (AVC) Project. Their video showreels highlighted how farmers embrace business thinking as a way to become self empowered. Michael Field, Chief of Party, USAID Bangladesh’s AVC Project, handed over the certificates and prize money to Rhidoy and Shemanto at the AVC Project office in Dhaka.

USAID Bangladesh AVC Project is working to address agricultural challenges by improving economic stability through enhanced food security in the southern delta region. The AVC project is trying to increase rural income, support rural employment and expand export sales of eight crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, groundnuts, pulses like lentils and mungbeans, etc.

Primarily, eight students from Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University and Independent University, Bangladesh were short-listed to prepare scripts and produce AV showreels. Subsequently, they visited the project locations in Bhola to shoot the films.

After editing, three best AV showreels were selected by the experts. IUB students Rhidoy won the first prize for his video on ground nut in Char Fashion and Shemanto secured third position for his video on mung bean in Monpura.l

Kantar MRB has launched a syndicated report – ICube on Internet category on Thursday, January 19 at Sky Ball Room, Le Meridien hotel. The report covers information on penetration, and Internet usage behaviour through different hardware – desktop, laptop and mobile handset. This report can be used extensibly by the industry, media agencies and policy makers for planning Internet related business strategy. This has been done as part of ICube South Asia 2016 which includes India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The study was partnered with technology giant Google and Media agency Group M. The study covers individuals of age 6+ from urban areas of seven regions. It provides in-depth information on IT and telecom product ownership, profile of internet users and mobile internet

PHOTO: COURTESY

IUB students Md Abdullah al Rhidoy from Media and Communication Department and Md Alvi Rahman Shemanto from BBA Department received certificates and prize money from Michael Field, Chief of Party, USAID Bangladesh Agricultural Value Chains (AVC) Project for winning the first and third prize respectively for producing video showreels under a competition organised by AVC Project of USAID Bangladesh.

PHOTO: COURTESY

users. The study also captures on-line behaviour of internet users, their consumption details, behaviour and attitude towards ISP, information on M-commerce and apps usage.

Reports are available separately for Internet, mobile apps, personal computers, M- commerce, mobile internet and broadband.

The programme hosted speakers from industries, research, and media house. Sanjay Pal from Kantar talked about global digital trends and Bangladesh. Biswapriya Bhattacharjee from Kantar MRB detailed out triggers and barriers of digitisation in South Asia. Fazal Ashfaq from Google spoke about the growth of the digital ecosystem in Bangladesh. Rezaul Hasan from Mindshare Bangladesh took the audience through the topic – ‘Planning for digital media and ICube’.l

DT

20 Editorial

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

TODAY

The angry tide Given the veritable tide of angered, dissenting voices against the very notion of a potentially massivelypolluting power plant located near the Sundarbans, I am inclined to believe that it might not be the greatest idea ever, even if the odds are in favour of everything being fine PAGE 21

Our celluloid charade The truth is, the film world has now waded into such low levels of unscrupulousness that it’s very hard to pinpoint one reason which can counter the rot PAGE 22

Trump’s revolutionary first 100 hours In the first 100 hours, we have seen this at work, as ‘populist’ Trump and ‘cut regulations’ Trump have come together, forcing everyone to think in a new way 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.

BIGSTOCK

Gas extraction should not be leaking money

I

t is alarming to know that at least Tk105 crore has gone down the drain due to the state-owned BAPEX’s gross mismanagement in handling its gas exploration projects.

The Mubarakpur project in Pabna was initiated all the way back in 1984 which was greenlit more than two decades later, and after numerous delays, revisions, and technical problems, the deadline had been extended to June 2015 -- all the while the budget for the gas-extraction project kept getting bumped up significantly.

There can be no excuse good enough to back up an unmitigated mess of this size and scope.

It’s no big secret that Bangladesh’s gas reserves are expected to run out within the next decade. Which is all the more reason for the government to chalk out a better plan in place in order to prepare.

Exploring potential new gas reserves is a good step, but the government, and any third parties involved, need to ensure that they are backed up by thorough field research before any drills are put to ground.

After the Khulna gas project -- which aimed to bring new gas connections to the people of Khulna -- wasted around Tk370cr, yet another loss-making failed gas-exploration project would be immensely financially draining.

If the government expects the common people to pay more for gas, it cannot afford to waste public funds in such failed endeavours.

Exploring potential new gas reserves is a good step, but the government, and any third parties involved, need to ensure that they are backed up by thorough field research before any drills are put to ground

DT

21

Opinion

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

The angry tide Does Rampal represent the slow death of democracy in Bangladesh?

Some images are harder to forget than others

n Rubaiyat Kabir

I

’m no environmentalist, but I am someone who understands just how sacred one’s home can be. For those of us privileged enough, it’s the place where we seek refuge after a trying day of fending off our inherent existential dread. The place where we find ourselves waking up most often. The safest space one can imagine, literally.

With that out of the way, please allow me to present what is perhaps (and, please, bear with me on this one) the dumbest rhetorical question that I’ve ever committed to print: What is Earth if not home to the entire human race?

Trite, I know, but it gets the point across.

However, you’d be forgiven to think that Planet Earth is, in reality, a burden that we just can’t seem to shake off -- more so now than any other point in history.

Consider this: The world’s biggest superpower is currently in the adorable hands of a businessman who thinks climate change is some kind of propaganda on the part of his country’s biggest competitor. This fact alone, coupled with America’s proclivity

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

to pollute and waste more than most other nations, should be enough reason for scraps of paper to fly everywhichway while people everywhere panicked and yelled: “We didn’t listen!”

“Bangladesh is one of the countries to be hit hardest by the effects of climate change” -- we’ve heard this horn get tooted time

development projects ever to be taken up by the Bangladeshi government so far.

We’ve witnessed numerous protests in the public campaign to get the government to reconsider the Rampal dirty-coal power plant, and the melee that was witnessed last Thursday was yet another tipping point.

memories, it makes sense for any self-respecting democracy to take advantage of the needs of the hour. So, while weekend warriors may have their impotent rage triggered by an image of a protester being dragged away by the cops, it’s hard to stay mad at “the man” for too long when they scroll down to a picturesque photo

Given the veritable tide of angered, dissenting voices against the very notion of a potentially massively-polluting power plant located near the Sundarbans, I am inclined to believe that it might not be the greatest idea ever, even if the odds are in favour of everything being fine

and again. And while it’s great to know that our prime minister has attended the last two Conference of Parties to push this narrative in the hopes of securing a pittance or two to prepare ourselves for the impending flood, it makes absolutely no sense for the administration to continue to remain so tone-deaf regarding the tangible environmental concerns over one of the most contentious

People protest, the government assures them that everything will be fine, people protest again, the government reassures them that everything will be fine; add a dash of heavy-handed police action for good measure and you have all the makings of a repeating cycle -- all the while the project nears its completion.

In this age of short attention spans and one-time-use

of our leader carrying a small child on her lap during a rickshaw-van ride in rural Bangladesh in the social network of their choice.

Like a nation of goldfish, unable or unwilling to remember any event for too long, we keep getting taken on for a ride ourselves by those who we have entrusted, out of our own volition or otherwise, to serve our nation.

It’s not entirely true, of

course. If there is one thing that Bangladeshis know how to do better than any other jati, it’s remembering. Our rapid economic progress may have all but healed the wounds left by our birth, but picking at the remaining scabs is the preferred pastime for those who lived through it all. We seem to be unable to forget, unable to forgive.

I don’t have the statistics on hand, but given the veritable tide of angered, dissenting voices against the very notion of a potentially massively-polluting power plant being located anywhere near the Sundarbans, I am inclined to believe that it might not be the greatest idea ever, even if the odds are in favour of everything being fine.

But, more than the argument for preserving environmental integrity, Rampal represents the slow death of democracy in our nation, it represents a day when our leaders won’t even need to pretend to listen to the people.

And when that day comes, you can rest assured that the people will not forget, nor forgive. l Rubaiyat Kabir is a Sub-Editor at the Dhaka Tribune. Follow him on Twitter @moreanik.

DT

22

Opinion

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

Our celluloid charade What ails Dhaliwood? of Dhaliwood is that it is governed by the phantom of the Bollywood formula -- underground dons, dialogue filled with braggadocio, navel-exposing item numbers, and implausible plots.

The name “Shakib Khan” came up with the mention of the movie Shikari. Reportedly, this was a successful film. A disjointed storyline, incredulous dialogue supported by cringe-worthy plot twists make this another celluloid absurdity.

Trust me, I tried watching it.

So what is the reason for the success of such a film? Well, I would call it luck, nothing else. 10 movies by one actor are released in a year -- one is bound to do better than others and if it’s released during Eid, chances of profit are doubled because people have plenty time to spare and often end up in the movies, not to watch a certain film but to pass some time enjoying camp entertainment.

Ludicrous stuff can be fun when one is part of a large group.

Someone also said that the film industry is in a morass because productions are arbitrarily dictated Originality is one of the many things that the Bangladeshi film industry needs

n Towheed Feroze

F

ilmdom in crisis, or “cholochitro shonkote,” is something which we have been hearing for quite some time and, on Saturday last, while lazily surfing through TV channels, came across a round table discussion where luminaries of the film world had gathered to discuss the current state of stagnation afflicting movies, leaving the cinema industry in a precarious position.

In fact, one observation is that, nowadays, most new actresses seem to be determined to marry quickly and settle down with a comfortable (read: Secure) life.

Marriage was certainly not an option for many professional actresses in the 70s and 80s until they reached an age when they could not delay it any longer.

The reason was simple: At that time, actresses had regular work, guarantee of income, and a secure livelihood from films.

Today, female actors do not have that security.

This is because the movie industry is a loss-making one.

Being an avid movie-goer and watcher of both local and international films, I decided to pay attention to the talk show, where a lot of harsh truth was spoken with some utter nonsense

thrown in, diluting the main concern in the end.

The most poignant observation was possibly made by Amjad Hossain, a veteran actor, plus movie producer and director, who underlined the problem of wanton copying from ludicrous Madrasi and Tamil films.

“I see a hodge-podge of absurd culture in the copied productions which do not have the purely Bangladeshi touch,” he remarked.

I agree. But it’s also wise to keep in mind that copying from others is not a new trend. Even in the 70s and 80s, many super-hit movies made here were based on some hit Bollywood formula of the time. The done-to-death templates of “two sons getting lost, one becoming a goon, the other a police officer and the happy family reunion in the end of separated siblings with their lost mother by incredible twists” is actually a Bollywood creation, followed assiduously with countless variations here in Bangladesh.

Many movies like those based on Masud Rana, Sujon Shokhi, Naag Purnima, and Fakir Maznu Shah were not total copies but based on either indigenous rural plots or historical struggles.

Today, not even one can claim to have an original plot. At the discussion, the recent blockbuster Aynabaji, made by an advert

BIGSTOCK

expert, was mentioned, but then, no one ever said at the roundtable that Aynabaji was not an original either.

The film borrows the main plot from a Korean film, Tumbleweed.

I saw Aynabaji and liked it despite the fact that it was not fully original, but just because the plot was perfectly crafted/recalibrated to fit into the middle-class socioeconomic frame of Bangladesh.

Millions went and watched it; the advert guru Amitabh Reza, present at the discussion, should have mentioned that his inspiration was from the Korean film.

Sorry, I refuse to accept that the similarities in the plot line of Aynabaji and the Korean film are merely coincidental.

Yet, the film has set a milestone: I would give the credit to Partho, Chanchal, and the others for the fluid, non-contrived acting.

The plot may have been borrowed but the performances were not and that is where the success lay.

Proving, once again that we have talent here.

What the advert man said about marketing made a lot of sense.

Even before the film was released, hype was created which triggered a social media storm, leading to full cinema halls.

The thing is, the main disease

The truth is, the film world, which, honestly speaking, was never an arena of total honesty, has now waded into such low levels of unscrupulousness that it’s very hard to pinpoint one reason which can counter the rot

by the producer, who often impose their own ideas on directors.

This is true, but there is another shockingly murky dimension to this.

People who have never produced movies suddenly show interest in making films, reportedly for two reasons: First, to avoid paying too much income tax by showing their involvement

in movie-making or, in more civilised language, engagement in the promotion of the arts, and, secondly, just to become accessible to the countless number of young women who often enter the film world to become a star at any cost.

Sorry to say this, a lot of established actors have very notorious backgrounds -- some hushed-up, others not so much, since their past escapades are often available in the international adult channels.

Whatever the case, let’s not go into the moral sphere here. Once someone has made a mark in filmdom, the dark past should be laid to rest.

Incidentally, the loss-making film is actually advantageous because, by citing financial difficulty, other tax related facilities can be gained.

What no one ever talks about is that shadowy world of filmdom where no-strings-attached physical favours overtake the actual movie-making, leaving cinema as just a facade with elaborate launching ceremonies carried out with the sole purpose of giving credence to a quick money-making, tax-dodging scams.

In the last five years, countless movies were announced which never went into actual shooting.

In these cases, either the faux launching was used to gain social leverage in some form or they were done simply as a cover for seamier operations.

Just an idea: One can easily carry out a plethora of “other” activities when there is the banner of a movie/media production to work as a shield.

Many directors and actors know of this but won’t talk about it.

The truth is, the film world, which, honestly speaking, was never an arena of total honesty, has now waded into such low levels of unscrupulousness that it’s very hard to pinpoint one reason which has caused it to rot.

But, for starters, the judicious path would be to stop copying brazenly to make movies based on local stories.

Also, take lessons from Aynabaji -- innovative marketing can do wonders. So, cut out the flesh-exposing posters and guntoting heroes with superhuman swaggers.

Why not try to be down to earth and plausible? l Towheed Feroze is a journalist currently working in the development sector.

DT

23

Opinion

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

The secret meaning of Donald Trump’s revolutionary first 100 hours The swamp is in trouble

n Richard Manning

D

onald Trump walked into the Oval Office on the first Monday of his presidency, and what has ensued is a frenzy of focused activity aimed at national and job security.

Through a series of executive actions, the president has been checking off his campaign promises like a Friday to-do list before a three-day weekend.

Authorise building the wall, check.

Streamline federal regulations on building pipelines, check.

Order a regulatory streamlining plan from the Commerce Department to ease burdens on manufacturers increasing the number of jobs, check.

Implement “extreme vetting” of asylum-seekers from certain Middle Eastern countries, check.

Withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, check.

Clear away bureaucratic debris to allow the building of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines, check.

In his first 100 hours, Trump has shown that the previous administration’s choice to create law using the president’s pen and phone can and will be eviscerated, one signature at a time.

But what is most significant is the political deftness Trump and his team are showing. The picture of the new president sitting with some of his most ardent opponents from organised labour has got to send shivers down the spines of Democratic Party insiders.

Open Secrets reports that private sector unions contributed more than $25 million in political donations in 2016, with an overwhelming majority going to Democrats. But the real political power of labour unions within the Democratic Party is their established political network, which provides instant trained grassroots to benefit candidates they support.

Trump’s White House invitation and meeting threaten to rip asunder the out-of-power Democrat establishment’s precariously balanced coalition of environmental anti-economicgrowth elitists and labour unionidentifying blue-collar workers.

To date, the top-down rule of

Is DC ready to adapt to Trump?

REUTERS

In the first 100 hours, we have seen this at work, as ‘populist’ Trump and ‘cut regulations’ Trump have come together, forcing everyone to think in a new way labour organisations has assured the Democratic Party the benefits of the money and muscle that these groups can provide, while increasingly losing their voters’ support.

In the first 100 hours of the Trump administration, Democratic Party hegemony through that top-down rule has been shaken, as many of the leaders who visited the White House received access they never had to Barack Obama, who was pivoting toward a loose coalition of millennials, Silicon Valley elites, and identity politicsbased voters, and away from the blue-collar voters who had been a mainstay of decades of electoral success.

The meeting with the labour leaders preceded Trump’s signature on a memorandum withdrawing the US’ signature from the crown jewel of Obama’s trade policy, the Trans-Pacific Partnership -- giving the union

leaders a big win.

Less than two hours later, Trump was signing another memorandum undoing the Democrat policy of administratively killing the job-creating Keystone XL pipeline, a high priority of many of the union leaders who were in the Oval Office.

International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President James Hoffa Jr applauded President Trump, crowing in victory: “This is a major step toward putting more Americans to work, building the infrastructure that we need, and creating economic prosperity.”

In his book, The Art of the Deal, Trump listed his number one attribute for success: “I like thinking big. I always have. To me it’s very simple: If you’re going to be thinking anyway, you might as well think big.”

In the first five days of his presidency, Trump has thought

big, setting in motion a chain of events that could alter the electoral map for a generation. In an adroit political act, albeit one I disagree with, Trump signed a separate pipeline memorandum requiring that American steel be used in building the pipelines.

Through this bold move, he signaled to everyone that he is a different kind of president.

Unbound by conventional philosophical constraints, he has unleashed projects that supporters of limited government and a free market believe are necessary to achieve North American energy independence and the economic benefits that entails, while putting a decidedly anti-free-market pill in the package to force-feed private sector money into taking a small step in rebuilding the American steel and coal industries.

Anyone surprised by this approach should remember another of Trump’s principles

from his book: “Deals work best when each side gets something it wants from the other.”

In the first 100 hours, we have seen this at work, as “populist” Trump and “cut regulations” Trump have come together, forcing everyone to think in a new way, beyond the set piece arguments that have calcified American politics.

Just as “candidate” Trump dismantled conventional wisdom by ripping through the Democrats’ vaunted Blue Wall of Rust Belt states, President Trump seems intent on moving forward with policies he perceives will help rebuild the nation’s manufacturing base.

However, unlike those Republicans in the 1950s who declared that whatever was good for General Motors was good for America, Trump’s cry seems to be, whatever is good for the American worker who makes, builds, and extracts wealth, is good for the country and the world.

In the first 100 hours of Trump, everything has changed. Rather than him adapting to DC, it appears DC will be forced to adapt to him. The swamp is in trouble. l Richard Manning is president of Americans for Limited Government.

DT

24 Sport

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

TOP STORIES

ROLL OF HONOUR 2017 Roger Federer (SUI) 2016 Novak Djokovic (SRB) 2015 Novak Djokovic (SRB) 2014 Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 2013 Novak Djokovic (SRB) 2012 Novak Djokovic (SRB) 2011 Novak Djokovic (SRB) 2010 Roger Federer (SUI) 2009 Rafael Nadal (ESP) 2008 Novak Djokovic (SRB) 2007 Roger Federer (SUI) 2006 Roger Federer (SUI) 2005 Marat Safin (RUS) 2004 Roger Federer (SUI) 2003 Andre Agassi (USA) 2002 Thomas Johansson (SWE) 2001 Andre Agassi (USA) 2000 Andre Agassi (USA)

Liton, Shuvagata star in BCL Wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das registered a double century to put East Zone in the driving seat against Central Zone on the second day of round one in the ongoing Bangladesh Cricket League 2016-17 yesterday. PAGE 25

LIST OF LEADING MEN'S GRAND SLAM WINNERS

Spurs survive Wycombe scare

MATCH STATS

Liverpool were knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship club Wolves as Tottenham survived a potential giant-killing of their own by twice coming from behind in a 4-3 win over Wycombe. PAGE 26

Shopna shines as U16 girls end Japan tour Bangladesh U-16 women’s football team concluded their Japan tour with two wins and a loss on the second and final day of the J Green Sakai U-15 Women’s Football Festival in Osaka yesterday. PAGE 27

Time: 3hr 38min Federer Nadal 20 Aces 4 3 Double Faults 3 73 Winners 35 57 Unforced Errors 28 6/20 Break Point Conversions 4/17 150 Total Points Won 139

Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a return against Rafael Nadal of Spain during their men's singles final on day 14 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne yesterday AFP

Emotional Federer savours longawaited 18th slam win n Reuters

Payet moves back to Marseille France international Dimitri Payet’s long drawn out transfer saga ended yesterday as Premier League side West Ham agreed to sell him to Ligue 1 outfit Marseille for a reported £25million (29.3m euros, $31.3m). PAGE 28

18 - Roger Federer (Switzerland) Australian Open (5), French Open (1), Wimbledon (7), U.S. Open (5) 14 - Rafa Nadal (Spain) - Australian Open (1), French Open (9), Wimbledon (2), U.S. Open (2) 14 - Pete Sampras (United States) Australian Open (2), Wimbledon (7), U.S. Open (5) 12 - Novak Djokovic (Serbia) - Australian Open (6), French Open (1), Wimbledon (3), U.S. Open (2) 12 - Roy Emerson (Australia) - Australian Open (6), French Open (2), Wimbledon (2), U.S. Open (2) 11 - Rod Laver (Australia) - Australian Open (3), French Open (2), Wimbledon (4), U.S. Open (2) 11 - Bjorn Borg (Sweden) - French Open (6), Wimbledon (5) 10 - Bill Tilden (United States) Wimbledon (3), U.S. Open (7)

An emotional Roger Federer wiped away tears and urged Rafa Nadal to stay with him on the tour for years to come after felling his great rival to win his fifth Australian Open yesterday.

Completing a brilliant comeback after six months out of the game, the nerve-shredding 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3 win gave Federer a long-awaited 18th grand slam title that many thought beyond the 35-year-old Swiss.

Having endured a decade of grand slam heartbreak against Spaniard Nadal, 17th seed Federer roared back from 3-1 down in the tense final set, riding a wave of

Switzerland’s Roger Federer shakes hands with Spain’s Rafael Nadal during the awards ceremony of the men’s singles final on day 14 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne yesterday AFP crowd support at a heaving Rod Laver Arena to mow through five straight games.

Federer sealed the title with a forehand winner on the second championship point but had to

endure a nervous wait as Nadal challenged the line call.

The ball was good and Federer jumped in the air, with tears welling up in his eyes, having won his first grand slam title since Wimbledon in 2012.

Federer was presented with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup by Australian great Rod Laver, sharing an embrace with the 11-times grand slam champion.

The win snapped Federer's sixgame losing streak to Nadal at the grand slams, with his last major win over the Spaniard coming at the 2007 Wimbledon final.

It made Federer the first player ever to win five titles at three different grand slams. l

25

DT

Sport

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

Mahmudullah signed up by Quetta Gladiators n Tribune Report Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah has been signed by Pakistan Super League franchise Quetta Gladiators for the upcoming second edition of the tournament, beginning February 9. Mahmudullah came in as a replacement for Australian batsman Brad Hogde, who ruled himself out of the tournament this year due to family issue.

Mahmudullah became the third Bangladesh cricketer to be named in the PSL this year after Shakib al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal. Both Shakib and Tamim are set to play for Peshawar Zalmi.

Quetta announced Mahmudullah’s inclusion in their official twitter account yesterday.

“Pleased to announce that useful Bangladeshi all-rounder Mahmudullah has replaced Brad Hodge”, Quetta tweeted.

The Bangladesh cricketers however, will not be fully available for their respective PSL sides due to international commitment. The Tigers are set to tour India this Thursday for the solitary Test match.

Bangladesh are then set to tour Sri Lanka for a full bilateral series.

There is however, a two-week gap between the India and Sri Lanka tours which the Bangladesh cricketers are likely to utilise for the PSL T20. l

Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim works out in the gym in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday

MD MANIK

Imrul starts rehab, Liton, Shuvagata star in BCL hopeful for India Test n Tribune Report

n Tribune Report Injured Bangladesh opening batsman Imrul Kayes has started his rehabilitation after the left-hander suffered a thigh injury during the recent first Test against New Zealand at Basin Reserve in Wellington.

Imrul kept wickets for nearly 150 overs in the first Test after skipper Mushfiqur Rahim suffered a thumb injury. However, he soon suffered a thigh strain while taking a quick run in the first innings and was later taken off the field.

The Meherpur cricketer went to Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday where he spent some time cycling and doing light running. He informed that there is not much pain and expressed hope of recovering before the India Test.

“There is less pain now and I have done some cycling. I also did a running session [yesterday]. I have spoken with the doctor as the Test against India starts February 9. I

am hopeful of becoming fit before that,” Imrul told the media.

Along with Imrul, Mushfiq and Mominul Haque will also appear for fitness Test tomorrow. Imrul said his availability will depend on the report of the physio, Dean Conway.

“Obviously I want to play in the India series as it’s a dream for every cricketer. We don’t get much opportunity to play in India. I don’t want to miss this opportunity. We all are excited,” Imrul said.

Bangladesh will take part in a two-day practice match against India A, starting this Sunday. Imrul however, has very little chances of participating in the lone tour game before the historic Test match against the host in Hyderabad.

“My participation in the practice match will depend on the report of the physio and if he gives the green signal, then I will play. Still I have four to five days and I think things will get better in the next few days.

I am hopeful of getting fit,” he added. l

Wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das registered a double century to put East Zone in the driving seat against Central Zone on the second day of round one in the ongoing Bangladesh Cricket League 2016-17 yesterday.

Liton, who started on his overnight score of 60, faced 241 balls and scored 219, hitting 26 boundaries and four over-boundaries.

Central Zone v East Zone, Bogra

Liton boosted East Zone but failures by the other batsmen saw the side manage only a 143-run lead in the first innings. At stumps on day two, Central Zone trail by 78 runs with nine wickets remaining.

East Zone resumed the day on 95 runs without loss. The side however, failed to resist the Central bowling attack, led by Shuvagata Hom’s five-wicket haul. Opening batsman Mehedi Maruf’s 41 was the second best figure for East Zone.

Later, Central Zone posted 65 runs on the board in the second innings in 18 overs. Both openers Shamsur Rahman and Raqibul Hasan, batting at number three,

East Zone’s double centurion Liton Kumar Das sweeps were unbeaten on 29 runs each.

North Zone v South Zone, Sylhet

Riding on Naeem Islam’s unbeaten 176 runs, North Zone, at stumps on day two, posted 474 runs losing seven wickets in the first innings against South Zone. North Zone resumed the innings on 210 for three and continued building, propelled

by Naeem, who began the day on an unbeaten 54. The right-handed batsman faced 457 balls and stroked 12 boundaries and two sixes. Sohrawardi Shuvo added a

COURTESY

132-ball 57 to the tally with the help of four boundaries. Veteran South Zone spinner Abdur Razzak picked up three wickets. l

5TH BCL, 1ST RD, DAY 2 CENTRAL ZONE 224 & 65/1 in 18 overs (Shamsur 29*, Raqibul 29*) trail EAST ZONE 367 in 88.3 overs (Liton 219, Shuvagata 5/101) by 78 runs NORTH ZONE 474/7 in 184 overs (Naeem 176*, Razzak 3/174) v SOUTH ZONE

DT

26

Sport

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

FA CUP RESULTS 2-0

Blackburn

Blackpool

Gallagher 9, Bennett 22

2-0

Burnley

Bristol City

Vokes 45, Defour 68

4-0

Chelsea

Brentford

Willian 14, Pedro 21, Ivanovic 69, Batshuayi 81-P

Crystal Palace

0-3

Manchester City Sterling 43, Sane 71, Toure 90+2

3-1

Lincoln

Brighton

Power 57-P, Tomori 62-og, Robinson 85

Towell 24

1-2

Liverpool Origi 86

Wolves

Stearman 1, Weimann 41

Middlesbrough

1-0

Accrington

3-0

Newcastle

Downing 69

Oxford

Hemmings 46, Nelson 79, Martinez 87

0-4

Rochdale

Huddersfield

Quaner 42, Brown 66-P, Hefele 72, 84

Southampton

0-5

Arsenal Welbeck 15, 22, Walcott 35, 69, 84

4-3

Tottenham

Son 60, 90+7, Janssen 64-P, Alli 89

Wycombe Hayes 23, 36-P, Thompson 83

Tottenham’s Son Heung-min in action with Wycombe Wanderers’ Jamal Blackman during their FA Cup fourth round match at White Hart Lane on Saturday

REUTERS

Spurs survive Wycombe scare, Arsenal thrash Saints n AFP, London Liverpool were knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship club Wolves as Tottenham survived a potential giant-killing of their own by twice coming from behind in a 4-3 win over fourth-tier Wycombe Wanderers.

Wycombe threatened an even bigger upset as they surged into a 2-0 lead away to eight-times FA Cup winners Spurs thanks to two first-half goals from captain Paul Hayes only for Son Heung-Min, who scored twice, to grab the winning goal seven minutes into stop-

page-time.

Hayes fired Wycombe into a 23rd-minute lead with a fine volley.

And in the 36th minute, he made it 2-0 from the penalty spot following Cameron Carter-Vickers's foul on Sam Wood.

But Son scored on the hour and four minutes later the north London side were level through a Vincent Janssen penalty after he was brought down in the box.

Wycombe, however, regained the lead though Gary Thompson's 83rd-minute header only, with two minutes of normal time left, for England midfielder Alli, on as a

substitute, to make it 3-3.

Wycombe were then cruelly denied even a replay when South Korea forward Son scored with a deflected shot seconds before the final whistle.

Chelsea kept their double hopes alive with a comfortable 4-0 fourthround win at home to fellow west London club Brentford. Wilian gave Chelsea a 14th-minute lead with a free-kick into the top corner.

Minutes later, Chelsea were 2-0 up through Pedro. Branislav Ivanovic made it 3-0 before Michy Batshuayi's penalty nine minutes from time completed the scoring.

Manchester City won an all-Premier League tie against Crystal Palace, last season's losing finalists, 3-0 courtesy of goals from Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Yaya Toure.

England forward Theo Walcott scored a hat-trick against his former club as Arsenal won 5-0 away to Southampton in Saturday's late kick-off.

First-half goals from Danny Welbeck, who scored twice in his first start since a knee injury in May, and Walcott put Arsenal 3-0 up.

Walcott completed his treble after the break, with the Gunners

untroubled as manager Arsene Wenger served the first of a four-game touchline ban for misconduct.

In other FA Cup ties, Premier League Burnley and Middlesbrough triumphed following 2-0 and 1-0 wins over lower league Bristol City and Accrington respectively.

Meanwhile non-league Lincoln stunned Championship leaders Brighton 3-1 and third-tier Oxford upset second-tier Newcastle 3-0 as Blackburn defeated Blackpool 2-0 and Huddersfield thrashed Rochdale 4-0. l

Bayern beat Werder for record 13th straight time n Reuters

BUNDESLIGA 1-2

Wolfsburg Gomez 4

Altintop 25, Kohr 69

3-1

Ingolstadt

Gross 14, Suttner 22, Cohen 47-P

Werder Bremen

Hamburg Sakai 63

1-2

Kruse 53

Bayern Munich

Robben 31, Alaba 45+1

1-6

Darmstadt Sam 66-P

Augsburg

Cologne

Sulu 32-og, Osako 37, 72, Modeste 42, Jojic 85, Rudnevs 89

RB Leipzig

2-1

Werner 38, Sabitzer 77

Leverkusen

2-3

Hoffenheim Amiri 18

M’gladbach

Tah 31, Hernandez 34 Stindl 52, 58, Raffael 71

Bayern Munich edged past Werder Bremen 2-1 on Saturday for a Bundesliga record 13th consecutive win over them to stay three points clear at the top of the table.

Bayern, who face Arsenal in the Champions League knockout stage on Feb. 15, never hit top form but are now on 45 points with promoted RB Leipzig on 42 after they ended Hoffenheim's unbeaten run this season with a 2-1 win.

Dutchman Arjen Robben drilled in after 30 minutes for Bayern following a spectacular run down the wing from Franck Ribery and David Alaba doubled their lead, perfectly curling

a free kick over the wall and into the top corner on the stroke of halftime.

Max Kruse cut the deficit seven minutes after the restart, shaking off Alaba to fire in as the hosts looked more aggressive but Werder Bremen failed to find an equaliser and stayed in 15th spot, a point above the relegation playoff spot.

Hoffenheim's top scorer Sandro Wagner, who like Werner is hoping for a Germany call-up, was sent off with a straight red card on the hour for kicking Ilsanker, with Germany coach Joachim Loew in the stands.

Leipzig made the extra man count and grabbed the winner with a deflected effort by Marcel Sabitzer in the 77th minute. l

Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben celebrates with Franck Ribery after the former scored against Werder Bremen during their Bundesliga match REUTERS

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MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

State Uni, IUBAT win big in ULAB Fair Play Cup n Tribune Report

BFF boss hints of foreign coach appointment n Tribune Report

State University of Bangladesh defeated International University of Business Agriculture and Technology while Independent University Bangladesh beat BRAC University yesterday in the ongoing 10th ULAB Fair Play Cup Inter-Private University Cricket Tournament.

Courtesy the wins, both SUB and IUB qualified for the Super Eight phase.

SUB defeated IUBAT by 74 runs in the first game of the day. Winning the toss, IUBAT opted to bowl first. SUB scored 148 runs losing four wickets.

In reply, IUBAT managed to score 74 runs before losing all of their wickets in 17.3 overs. Morshed Reza of SUB scored 46 runs off 27 balls and picked up two wickets later in the game.

In the second game, IUB won against BRACU by 31 runs. Winning the toss, IUB elected to bat first and scored 178 runs for seven wickets.

Rafsan of IUB scored 56 from 42 balls while Rahat added 48 off 32 balls to the tally. BRACU scored 147 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs. Saad scored 49 runs off 35 balls. Rafsan of IUB was adjudged player of the match.

Tomorrow, North South University will face Stamford University Bangladesh at 9:30am while South East University will face Green University of Bangladesh at 1:30pm. l

BFF president Kazi Salahuddin faced the media at BFF House yesterday to inform the ongoing activities of football's governing body in the country regarding the development of their four-year plan.

The BFF boss talked about the men’s senior national team’s physical camp in BKSP, the U-16 women’s football side's tour of Japan, the senior women’s team's performance in the recent Saff Women’s Championship in India, the Super Mokh Cup in Malaysia, the elite referee development and coach education, club licensing and U-15 talent hunt. Salahuddin informed that they will confirm the source of their funds for the “master plan” by the third week of February. l

India’s Lokesh Rahul plays a shot against England during their second T20I in Nagpur yesterday. India made 144/8

Shopna shines as U16 girls end Japan tour n Tribune Report Bangladesh U-16 women's football team concluded their Japan tour with two wins and a loss on the second and final day of the J Green Sakai U-15 Women’s Football Festival in Osaka yesterday.

The girls in red and green won a total of three matches, drew one and lost two against different women’s teams, including renowned football academies and profes-

Bangladesh archers eye six golds on final day n Tribune Report Bangladesh archers reached the final of five different team and mixed events in both the men’s and women’s category on the third day of the opening edition of the ISSF International Solidarity Archery Championship 2017 yesterday.

With the target of winning at least six gold medals out of nine prior to the tournament, Bangladesh will fight for gold medals on the final day of the tournament in seven different events at Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium today.

Bangladesh didn’t have the best of days on the opening day but showed dominance on the second day by reaching the final in every event they played yesterday. Bangladesh men’s side, comprising Roman Sana, Sanwar Hossain and Mohammad Tamimul

REUTERS

Islam, defeated Sudan 6-0 in the semi-finals of the men’s recurve bow team event. They will face Bhutan in the final.

Bangladesh women’s side, consisting Beauty Roy, Shyamoli Roy and Radia Akter Shapla, will take on Nepal in the women’s recurve team event while Ruman Sana and Beauty pair will lock horns with face Bhutan in the mixed doubles event.

In the men’s compound team event, Bangladesh’s Mohammad Abul Kashem Mamun, Milon Molla and Nazmul Huda will fight for the gold medal against Malaysia while Kashem and Sushmita Banik are up against the Iraq side in the mixed compound event.

Earlier, Hira Moni and Bonya Akter are the only participants from Bangladesh who reached the final of their respective events on the second day of the tournament. l

sional clubs in Japan and Thailand.

Each game comprised 40 minutes.

Bangladesh began the day brightly with a convincing 4-0 victory over Amagasaki Ladies in their first match with in-form striker Sirat Jahan Shopna netting twice in the 12th and 16th minute while captain Srimoti Krishna Rani Sarkar and Marzia Akter scored one each, in the 19th and 34th minute.

They then faced Thailand U-16 team in their second game that

ended in a 1-1 draw in stipulated time with Shopna scoring again in the 11th minute. Bangladesh however, eventually lost the game in the tie-breaker 4-2.

Bangladesh came back strongly in their third game against Tokai University Academy where they outplayed their last opponent of the tournament with a 4-0 margin.

Shopna continued her amazing run of form by scoring twice in the 18th and 40th minute while Sheuli

Azim and Akhi Khatun added one apiece in the 10th and 11th minute respectively. Shopna scored a total of seven goals from six matches.

All the matches were played at Dream Camp in J Green Sakai Academy in Osaka. The team are scheduled to return home today.

The tour was part of Bangladesh U-16 girls' preparation for the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Thailand, scheduled to be held in September. l

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Sport

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

Moraes eager to rebuild shattered Chapecoense n AFP, Lisbon

Barcelona’s Brazilian forward Neymar vies with Betis’ Argentinian defender German Pezzela and goalkeeper Antonio Adan during their Spanish league match at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Sevilla yesterday AFP

Barca denied by ghost goal despite Suarez leveller n AFP, Madrid Barcelona's La Liga title challenge suffered a huge blow as the Spanish champions were controversially held 1-1 at Real Betis despite Luis Suarez's last minute equaliser yesterday.

Aleix Alegria gave Betis the lead their dominance deserved 15 minutes from time when he bundled home from close range after Marc-Andre ter Stegen flapped at a corner.

However, Barca were rightly infuriated seconds later as the ball clearly crossed the Betis goalline, but no goal was given by referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez.

Krkic joins Mainz on loan n

AFP, Berlin

Wandering ex-Barcelona midfielder Bojan Krkic has joined Bundesliga club Mainz on loan for the rest of the season after stints in Spain, Italy, Holland and England.

"Mainz 05 have given me the opportunity and privilege of playing in another major European league, in the Bundesliga, following my spells in La Liga, Serie A, the Eredivisie and the Premier League," said Bojan.

He made 164 appearances for Barca before also having spells with Roma, AC Milan, Ajax and Stoke City, from whom he joins Mainz on loan. l

Suarez did at least rescue a point in the dying seconds, though, as he slotted home Lionel Messi's through ball for his 21st goal of the season.

Barca move above Sevilla into second on goal difference, but remain a point adrift of Real Madrid, who have two games in hand, the first of which comes at home to Real Sociedad later yesterday.

Sevilla are also in action later at Espanyol. Suarez was less understanding as he claimed the ball "was a metre over the line."

Ultimately Enrique paid the price for again heavily rotating his side with Wednesday's Copa del

Rey semi-final, first leg at Atletico Madrid in mind.

Enrique made six changes in all, including three of the back four and Betis took advantage with a bright start.

Ter Stegen was forced into saves from Ruben Castro and Dani Ceballos early on.

However, Barca arguably had the best chance of the first-half when Antonio Adan flew off his line to deny Neymar from another scintillating Messi pass.

Enrique made all three of his substitutions early in the second period, but Barca were still struggling to gain a foothold under Betis' intense pressing. l

LA LIGA RESULTS Real Betis

1-1

Barcelona

Alegria 74

Luis Suarez 90

ON SATURDAY

Villarreal

2-0

Granada

Bruno 42, Alvaro Gonzalez 73

Alaves

0-0

Atletico Madrid

Eibar

3-1

Deportivo

Adrian Gonzalez 4, Enrich 15, Lejeune 72

Leganes

Colak 19

0-2

Celta Vigo Lemos Collazo 32, Guidetti 66-P

Payet moves back to Marseille n AFP, London

France international Dimitri Payet's long drawn out transfer saga ended yesterday as Premier League side West Ham agreed to sell him to Ligue 1 outfit Marseille for a reported £25million (29.3m euros, $31.3m).

The 29-year-old - who starred for the Hammers last season scoring 12 goals - had effectively gone on strike at the beginning of the month.

He said he would not play for the club again and his and his wife's priority was a return to France and his former club.

However, having turned down two earlier bids - reported to be £19m and £20m - West Ham changed their tune with the higher offer and also having signed Scotland international Robert Snodgrass from Hull.

"West Ham United can confirm that a £25m fee has today been agreed for the transfer of Dimitri Payet to Olympique de Marseille," tweeted the club on their Twitter page. Payet, who also starred for France in last year's Euro 2016 championships where they lost to Portugal in the final, had been demoted to train with the Under-23 side as he was frozen out by Ham-

mers manager Slaven Bilic and his team-mates after his refusal to play.

He was erased from their WhatsApp team conversations and excluded from team dinners.

Payet, who joined West Ham from Marseille for £10 million in 2015 and only last February signed a new £125,000 a week five-and-ahalf-year contract, had also attracted the ire of the fans.

His photograph outside the ground had to be guarded by a steward at home matches and the fans normal laudatory chant of him was replaced by more abusive terms. l

Former Benfica and Roma goalkeeper Artur Moraes says he did not think twice when he was invited to return to Brazil to play for Chapecoense after most of its squad was wiped out in a plane crash.

"Practically everyone in the world is rooting for Chapecoense at the moment. I am one of them, I could not say no," the 36-year-old Brazilian said in an interview published yesterday in Portuguese daily Diario de Noticias.

"I didn't doubt embracing this cause. When they called me I did not delay in replying and wanted to take the first plane to come help.

Playing for Chapecoense at this moment is not just a job, it is a life choice.

"To be able to lift this club up, be part of this story, is also why I accepted this challenge," he added.

Moraes, who earlier this month penned a one-year contract with Chapecoense, is one of club's most high-profile signings since the tragic plane disaster.

Chapecoense rose from obscurity to make it to the final of the Copa Sudamericana regional tournament. But the plane disaster on November 28 cut short their dream as they flew to Colombia to play.

The crash in the Colombian mountains killed 71 people, including 19 of the team's players and numerous staff.

Three players survived - winger Alan Ruschel, defender Helio Neto and goalkeeper Jackson Follmann, who had his leg amputated.

Their shirt numbers will be reserved and not allocated to any of the new players.

Nine of the club's first-team players were not on the flight. l

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Adverse fate (4) 4 Periods of time (4) 8 Energy (3) 9 Trading centre (4) 10 Prayer ending (4) 11 Corroded (5) 12 Prevalent (4) 14 Homo sapiens (3) 15 Result of addition (3) 17 Meshed fabric (3) 19 Male sheep (3) 21 Bivalve mollusc (4) 23 Proverb (5) 26 Gag (4) 27 Certain (4) 28 In favour of (3) 29 Line between abutting edges (4) 30 Check (4)

DOWN 1 Mythical monster (6) 2 Above (4) 3 Musical note (5) 4 Flightless bird (3) 5 Coarse files (5) 6 Specialised skill (3) 7 Place for pigs (3) 11 Of the kidneys (5) 13 Ridiculous shame (5) 16 Of recent time (6) 18 Ornamental coronet (5) 20 Army rank (5) 22 Additional (4) 23 Donkey (3) 24 Owing (3) 25 Precious stone (3)

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Downtime

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 12 represents G so fill G every time the figure 12 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

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30

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

Showtime

Chan’s visit to Bollywood

n Showtime Desk Jackie Chan, who is now currently in Bollywood to promote his upcoming film Kung Fu Yoga, met several celebs who are in turn, bigger fans of him! Tiger Shroff almost forgot papa Jakie for the Jakie he has admired since

childhood! He reached the top of the world when he met his lifetime idol.

An elated Tiger said, “The man defines my childhood and on Monday (the day they met) my life came to a full circle. He is the reason I do what I do. There’s so much to learn from him - he’s so energetic, always moving and

Kaabil and Raees earning big n Showtime Desk Everyone knows about the story of the slow turtle and the super fast rabbit. No matter how fast the rabbit was, the turtle won the race in the end. Let’s not call Hrithik Roshan the turtle, but his movie definitely can be.

It seems as if Hrithik Roshan’s luck is finally back on his side.

After the disaster of Mohenjo Daro, it was obvious for Jr Roshan to try and grab a hit. Kaabil, his latest film has become the one which helped him survive.

Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees took the lead from the start at the box office when it was released alongside Hrithik Roshan’s Kaabil. But the gap between the two is closing up rapidly.

It was a no-brainer that a SRK film will definitely get a bigger

opening, earning over Rs 20 crore with just 2900 screens is a great number. Kaabil took Rs10.43cr in it’s opening which is also massive given the fact that it only had 2200 screens.

By January 26, the gap widened further when Raees recorded Rs 26.30 crore while Kaabil made Rs 18.67crore. While SRK’s film crossed the Rs 50 crore mark in just three days, Hrithik’s film surprisingly had to wait only another day to reach the mark.

In both the days, the films were about Rs 7-9 crore away from each other but the earnings on Jan 28 changed it all. So no one really knows who will emerge as the winner; the turtle or the bunny. But it is certain that the two are earning big at the box-office despite all the previous drama.l

stretching, with a smile that never slips. He clicks pictures with everybody who approaches him. I wish to live my life like Jackie sir and reach the level he has.”

Chan also met Salman Khan who later posted a photograph from their meeting which showed the two posing with

two stuffed panda toys, sharing a light moment for the camera.

Previously, Salman thanked Chan on Twitter for offering this film to his Dabangg co-star Sonu Sood.

The legendary action star will be seen promoting his forthcoming multilingual action-adventure comedy film Kung Fu Yoga in an

episode of the popular comedy show, The Kapil Sharma Show.

Actor Kapil Sharma, who hosts the Sony Entertainment Television show, took to Twitter on Monday to announce the news. “Oh my god. Jackie Chan on The Kapil Sharma Show,” Kapil tweeted.

Seems this is not the end though, more surprises are coming though!

Kung Fu Yoga is centered on the exploits of Chinese archeology professor Jack (Chan) who teams up with beautiful Indian professor Ashmita and assistant Kyra to locate lost Magadha treasure. The team travel across Asia, Europe and the Middle East as they dodge one obstacle after the other until they are ultimately led to a remote mountain temple in India where they will use a rare diamond as a key to unlock the real treasure that will culminate their quest. l

Tahsan urges ‘Aanarkoli’ story to be reshaped n Showtime Desk Tahsan Khan was highly likely to play a lead in an upcoming film named Aanarkoli.

Gousul Alam Shaon, who will produce the film, and director Shihab Shaheen are jointly developing the film’s story where the singer turned actor will be cast opposite Momo.

Meanwhile, Tahsan Khan responded to the news of him being involved with the big screen venture. He told Bangla Tribune that favourable changes to the film’s story and title only can only confirm whether he will be a part of it or not.

He said, “When Gousul Alam Shaon plans for anything, it

will be nothing but wonderful as expected. I heard the film’s story from the director. But, I am not feeling comfortable with the film’s story and title. If these are changed I will definitely work in it. Because, I am interested in working with such talented people as always.”

In response to Tahsan’s words, Gousul Alam Shaon gave nothing much on the matter. He said, “I can fill everyone in on this in about 10-15 days later. Now, I decline to comment on this.”

“However, I agree with Tahsan on what he said. If he does not like the film’s story and title, he surely will not work in it. He has the right to take such decisions.

But we really want him to play the hero in it,” he added.

Earlier, Shaon revealed that Aanarkoli will be a romantic comedy.

Seven years ago, Tahsan Khan acted in a film titled To Be Continued, a directorial venture of Iftekhar Ahmed Fahmi, which is yet to be released. l

‘I Don’t Feel at Home’ wins top honour at Sundance

n Showtime Desk I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore, a film long on ambition and longer in title, scooped the top honour at the Sundance Film Festival which wrapped up on Saturday.

Starring Elijah Wood, the film won the grand jury prize in Sundance’s US dramatic competition which was announced at its world premiere in the Sundance Film Festival.

The film, a directorial debut of

Green Room actor Macon Blair, is a bloody crime comedy with an escalating body count in the best traditions of Quentin Tarantino, Guy Ritchie, the Coen brothers and Paul Thomas Anderson.

Meanwhile, Dan Sickles and Antonio Santini’s Dina, described by critics as a “nonfiction rom-com,” won the best US documentary award.

The film follows an eccentric suburban woman and a Walmart door-greeter as they navigate their evolving relationship in an

unconventional love story.

The US dramatic audience award -- the second prize to the grand jury award -- went to Matt Ruskin’s Crown Heights, the story of a man fighting to clear his name after being wrongly convicted of a crime.

The US documentary directing prize went to Peter Nicks for The Force while the US documentary audience award went to Chasing Coral.

Tarik Saleh’s Swedish thriller The Nile Hilton Incident won the grand jury prize for world drama while Feras Fayyad’s Last Men in Aleppo, about the Syrian conflict, won the world cinema documentary competition.

Many critics have pointed out that this year’s festival was more overtly political than in previous years.

Founded by Robert Redford, the Sundance Film Festival is considered as a showcase for independent and documentary films. l

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Showtime

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

WHAT TO WATCH Crank: High Voltage WB, 4:51pm Chev Chelios survives a fall from the sky, sort of. He’s in an unknown location, sedated, while various Chinese are harvesting his organs. His heart is gone, in an ice chest; a temporary in its place. Chev escapes, knowing only the name of the guy with the ice chest. He calls Doc Miles, an unlicensed cardiologist, who tells him there’s only an hour’s life in the artificial heart: keep it charged.

Chev needs to find his own heart and get to Doc for a transplant.

Cast: Jason Statham, Amy Smart, Clifton Collins Jr, Efren Ramirez, Bai Ling

truth.

Cast: Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, Gemma Arterton, Judi Dench, Jeffrey Wright

Quantum of Solace Movies Now, 7:20pm James Bond finds out about a huge secret organization called Quantum. He believes that the organisation had something to do with the death of Vespa, his love. As he gets closer to finding about the organisation a mysterious woman Camille leads Bond to Dominic Greene, a businessman working within the organisation. James Bond gets caught in Greene’s sinister scheme. Now in a minefield of treachery, murder and deceit, Bond must allies with his old friends in a battle to uncover the

American Sniper HBO, 6:16pm Chris Kyle’s pinpoint accuracy was nothing more than a Texan man who dreamed of becoming a cowboy, saves countless lives on the battlefield and turns him into a legend. So he joined the SEALs in order to become a sniper. After marrying, Kyle and the other members of the team are called for their first tour of Iraq. Back home to his wife and kids after four tours of duty he realises that after all, it’s the war he can’t leave behind.

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner l

Fakhri misses show in Dhaka for technical issues n Showtime Desk Bollywood beauty Nargis Fakhri was set to come to Dhaka to attend a show titled, “Fashion Forward with Farzana Munni.” However, the organisers had to cancel the show at the last moment since Fakhri couldn’t arrive in Dhaka.

“There were other pre-planned projects with Fakhri which Gaan Bangla was supposed to do. But that could not happen for technical issues,” informed Koushik Hossain Taposh, MD, Gaan Bangla.

He also Informed that the show has been postponed but not cancelled. The organisers intend to arrange the show once again with maximum perfection. l

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MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

ROOPPUR PLANT: ADVISORY SUPPORT DEALS WITH INDIA LIKELY TO BE SIGNED NEXT MONTH PAGE 13

TAHSAN URGES ‘AANARKOLI’ STORY TO BE RESHAPED PAGE 31

BANGABANDHU 1 SATELLITE

Thales to use SpaceX’s Falcon 9 to launch Showkat Kallol and n Asif Ishtiaq Husain Thales Alenia Space, the Franco-Italian company that is developing Bangabandhu 1, Bangladesh’s first ever satellite, has signed a deal with US company Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) to use their Falcon 9 launch vehicle to launch the satellite.

The two companies signed the deal during their kickoff meeting held recently under the Launch Service Agreement, said sources at Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

Falcon 9 is a family of 21st cen-

tury two-stage-to-orbit launch vehicles, according to the SpaceX website.

SpaceX is a private aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company that has worked with NASA and transported cargo to the International Space Station.

Officials at the BTRC lauded the agreement saying it was a huge step forward in the development of Bangabandhu 1.

“The signing [of the agreement] is a big development in this project.

Considering the way project is progressing, we are hopeful that we will be able to launch Bangabandhu 1 in time,” BTRC Secretary Sarwar Alam told the Dhaka Tribune.

The government plans to launch the satellite on December 16 this year, according to BTRC officials.

Construction of two ground control stations in Gazipur and Betbunia is in full swing, and all the equipment is currently being set up there, the officials said.

The government has also decided to form Bangabandhu Communications Satellite Bangladesh Company Ltd (BCSB) to operate the satellite, they added.

Approved by the cabinet on October 20, 2015, the satellite project took off after the BTRC signed an agreement with Thales, the largest satellite manufacturer in Europe, on November 11 the same year.

Speaking to reporters at the time, Thales CEO Jean-Loic Galle said Bangladesh had entered the prestigious list of world telecommunication through this agreement and it was also the beginning of a long-term relationship between Bangladesh and France.

The cost of project is estimated at Tk2,967 crore, of which, Tk1,652 crore is being provided by Thales as a loan.

The rest of the money is being paid by the government, who took a loan of 157 million euros from the HSBC Bank on September 9, 2016.

The construction of the ground control stations started in January 2016. Around 43% of the fund has

been spent as of December 2016, according to the government’s Annual Development Programme implementation report.

BTRC sources said once the satellite is launched, Bangladesh is expected to save $14 million annually and earn around $1 billion by leasing and renting the satellite.

The satellite will facilitate digital services such as telemedicine and e-learning, as well as early warning system and emergency relief efforts during natural disasters.

Over 150 channels with high-definition quality will be available in the country as well, the sources added. l

INDIAN VISA

Walk-in scheme extended to 8 more districts n Nure Alam Durjoy

Dhaka University Family forms a human chain on DU campus premises yesterday calling for help safe movement of visually impaired persons MEHEDI HASAN

The Indian High Commission will extend its walk-in tourist visa facility to eight more districts in the country for Bangladeshi travellers from February 1.

Bangladeshi travellers will get Indian tourist visa without any prior appointment at eight more Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet, Chittagong, Khulna, Jessore, Mymensingh and Barisal, according to an Indian High Commission press release issued yesterday.

The travellers must have confirmed air, bus, or rail ticket (issued by authorised operators) to India to avail the facility, the release said.

The date of journey should be within one month of date of submission of visa application at IVAC. Applicants from Dhaka, however, will continue to enjoy the facility at IVAC Mirpur.

The walk-in Tourist visa scheme was launched first in October 2016 for female travellers and their family members and thereafter was extended to all Bangladeshi travellers from January 1, 2017. l

Star Jalsha, Star Plus, Zee Bangla to stay on the air Islam Shaon and n Ashif Shadma Malik Indian TV channels Star Jalsha, Star Plus and Zee Bangla will continue airing in Bangladesh as the High Court yesterday rejected a writ petition against their broadcast.

The writ petition, citing instances like children’s death, quarrel among spouses, and even murder alleged that the channels have became a threat to the country’s tradition and culture, snatching away the bulk of the TV viewers from local channels, and sought ban on those channels.

After final hearing on a ruling issued earlier, an HC bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice JBM Hassan said that they found no merit in the petition to maintain it.

Writ petitioner’s counsel Ekhlas Uddin Bhuiyan said they will move an appeal.

Informing that the petitioners did not approach government authorities concerned before filing the petition, the court observed that in the era of digitalisation it is not fair to stop airing of channels which are abiding by laws; at the same time it is not desirable that any channel airs anything that contradicts the country’s culture and social

norms affecting social equilibrium.

In October 2014, in response to a writ petition filed by lawyer Sayada Shaheen Ara Laily, the court issued a ruling asking the government as to why steps should not be taken to stop airing those channels in Bangladesh.

Viewers express mixed reaction The rejection of the plea caused mixed reaction among viewers.

While some found it positive because of the “improved quality of Indian drama serials,” some were depressed apprehending “negative impacts on Bangladeshi families” those serials would continue making.

Many viewers said airing of those channels should continue because of their better scripts, acting and making of programmes along with their taking comparatively less time for advertisements compared to Bangladeshi local drama.

Viewers prefer Indian channels because they are familiar with Bangladeshi lifestyles while Bangladeshi dramas are more focused on business, said one Pinky Latif, 26, of Dhaka.

According to the housewife, Indian channels Star Jalsha and Star Plus air better drama serials than Bangladeshi ones.

People here feel familiar with lifestyles depicted in Indian serials.

The Indian dramas have an art to hook people to watch it over and over again, she argued.

However, there are contradictory points too.

“The plots of these serials mostly focus on conflict between wife and mother-in-law, romance and extra-marital affairs that create sensation among the audiences,” said a student named Sumaiya Chowdhury, 26, in the capital.

She said local Bangladeshi programmes also showcase many such issues, but the Indian channels dramatises the issues in an utmost negative way, where viewers can be hooked. l

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