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ট্যাঙ্গো নাচে ওবামা

এক নারী নৃত্যশিল্পীর সঙ্গে ট্যাঙ্গো নাচে অংশ নিলেন আর্জেন্টিনা সফররত মার্কিন প্রেসিডেন্ট বারাক ওবামা। স্থানীয় সময় বুধবার রাতে রাজধানী বুয়েনস এইরেসের সাংস্কৃতিক কেন্দ্রে রাষ্ট্রীয় আপ্যায়নের আয়োজন করা হয়েছিল। সেখানে ওই নৃত্যশিল্পী ওবামার প্রতি হাত বাড়ালে তিনি নাকচ করেন। তার পর কয়েকবার তিনি ওবামাকে নাচের অনুরোধ করেন। একসময় ওবামা চেয়ার ছেড়ে ওঠেন এবং স্বর্ণালি পোশাক পরা ওই নারীর সঙ্গে প্রায় এক মিনিট নাচেন। এ সময় ট্যাঙ্গো সংগীত বাজতে থাকে। পাশে থাকা ফার্স্ট লেডি মিশেল ওবামা আরেক পুরুষ শিল্পীর সঙ্গে নাচেন।

এক নারী নৃত্যশিল্পীর সঙ্গে ট্যাঙ্গো নাচে অংশ নিলেন আর্জেন্টিনা সফররত মার্কিন প্রেসিডেন্ট বারাক ওবামা। স্থানীয় সময় বুধবার রাতে রাজধানী বুয়েনস এইরেসের সাংস্কৃতিক কেন্দ্রে রাষ্ট্রীয় আপ্যায়নের আয়োজন করা হয়েছিল। সেখানে ওই নৃত্যশিল্পী ওবামার প্রতি হাত বাড়ালে তিনি নাকচ করেন। তার পর কয়েকবার তিনি ওবামাকে নাচের অনুরোধ করেন। একসময় ওবামা চেয়ার ছেড়ে ওঠেন এবং স্বর্ণালি পোশাক পরা ওই নারীর সঙ্গে প্রায় এক মিনিট নাচেন। এ সময় ট্যাঙ্গো সংগীত বাজতে থাকে। পাশে থাকা ফার্স্ট লেডি মিশেল ওবামা আরেক পুরুষ শিল্পীর সঙ্গে নাচেন।

এক নারী নৃত্যশিল্পীর সঙ্গে ট্যাঙ্গো নাচে অংশ নিলেন আর্জেন্টিনা সফররত মার্কিন প্রেসিডেন্ট বারাক ওবামা। স্থানীয় সময় বুধবার রাতে রাজধানী বুয়েনস এইরেসের সাংস্কৃতিক কেন্দ্রে রাষ্ট্রীয় আপ্যায়নের আয়োজন করা হয়েছিল। সেখানে ওই নৃত্যশিল্পী ওবামার প্রতি হাত বাড়ালে তিনি নাকচ করেন। তার পর কয়েকবার তিনি ওবামাকে নাচের অনুরোধ করেন। একসময় ওবামা চেয়ার ছেড়ে ওঠেন এবং স্বর্ণালি পোশাক পরা ওই নারীর সঙ্গে প্রায় এক মিনিট নাচেন। এ সময় ট্যাঙ্গো সংগীত বাজতে থাকে। পাশে থাকা ফার্স্ট লেডি মিশেল ওবামা আরেক পুরুষ শিল্পীর সঙ্গে নাচেন।

এক নারী নৃত্যশিল্পীর সঙ্গে ট্যাঙ্গো নাচে অংশ নিলেন আর্জেন্টিনা সফররত মার্কিন প্রেসিডেন্ট বারাক ওবামা। স্থানীয় সময় বুধবার রাতে রাজধানী বুয়েনস এইরেসের সাংস্কৃতিক কেন্দ্রে রাষ্ট্রীয় আপ্যায়নের আয়োজন করা হয়েছিল। সেখানে ওই নৃত্যশিল্পী ওবামার প্রতি হাত বাড়ালে তিনি নাকচ করেন। তার পর কয়েকবার তিনি ওবামাকে নাচের অনুরোধ করেন। একসময় ওবামা চেয়ার ছেড়ে ওঠেন এবং স্বর্ণালি পোশাক পরা ওই নারীর সঙ্গে প্রায় এক মিনিট নাচেন। এ সময় ট্যাঙ্গো সংগীত বাজতে থাকে। পাশে থাকা ফার্স্ট লেডি মিশেল ওবামা আরেক পুরুষ শিল্পীর সঙ্গে নাচেন।

এক নারী নৃত্যশিল্পীর সঙ্গে ট্যাঙ্গো নাচে অংশ নিলেন আর্জেন্টিনা সফররত মার্কিন প্রেসিডেন্ট বারাক ওবামা। স্থানীয় সময় বুধবার রাতে রাজধানী বুয়েনস এইরেসের সাংস্কৃতিক কেন্দ্রে রাষ্ট্রীয় আপ্যায়নের আয়োজন করা হয়েছিল। সেখানে ওই নৃত্যশিল্পী ওবামার প্রতি হাত বাড়ালে তিনি নাকচ করেন। তার পর কয়েকবার তিনি ওবামাকে নাচের অনুরোধ করেন। একসময় ওবামা চেয়ার ছেড়ে ওঠেন এবং স্বর্ণালি পোশাক পরা ওই নারীর সঙ্গে প্রায় এক মিনিট নাচেন। এ সময় ট্যাঙ্গো সংগীত বাজতে থাকে। পাশে থাকা ফার্স্ট লেডি মিশেল ওবামা আরেক পুরুষ শিল্পীর সঙ্গে নাচেন।

এক নারী নৃত্যশিল্পীর সঙ্গে ট্যাঙ্গো নাচে অংশ নিলেন আর্জেন্টিনা সফররত মার্কিন প্রেসিডেন্ট বারাক ওবামা। স্থানীয় সময় বুধবার রাতে রাজধানী বুয়েনস এইরেসের সাংস্কৃতিক কেন্দ্রে রাষ্ট্রীয় আপ্যায়নের আয়োজন করা হয়েছিল। সেখানে ওই নৃত্যশিল্পী ওবামার প্রতি হাত বাড়ালে তিনি নাকচ করেন। তার পর কয়েকবার তিনি ওবামাকে নাচের অনুরোধ করেন। একসময় ওবামা চেয়ার ছেড়ে ওঠেন এবং স্বর্ণালি পোশাক পরা ওই নারীর সঙ্গে প্রায় এক মিনিট নাচেন। এ সময় ট্যাঙ্গো সংগীত বাজতে থাকে। পাশে থাকা ফার্স্ট লেডি মিশেল ওবামা আরেক পুরুষ শিল্পীর সঙ্গে নাচেন।

Brussels attacks: Victims and survivors

BBC Online

Names are beginning to emerge of some of the hundreds of people killed, injured, or missing following Tuesday's terror attacks in Brussels.
At least 31 people died in the three bomb attacks at Brussels airport and Maelbeek metro station. Some 250 are thought to have been wounded.

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Adelma Tapia Ruiz, 37, killed

Adelma Tapia Ruiz, 37, died at Brussels airport while her husband and

 twin daughters played nearby. Photo: Facebook/BBC

The first fatality to be confirmed was that of 37-year-old Peruvian Adelma Tapia Ruiz. Tapia was killed at the airport, where she was with her Belgian husband, Christophe Delcambe, and their twin four-year-old daughters Maureen and Alondra, who all survived.
A spokeswoman for Peru's foreign ministry, Benilda Babylon, confirmed Ms Tapia's death.
Tapia's brother, Fernando Tapia Coral, said in an interview that Delcambe followed his daughters outside the gate area shortly before the explosion and could not find his wife after the blast.
Delcambe was reportedly injured while waiting to see his family onto a flight. Maureen had shrapnel wounds in one arm but Alondra was not injured, reports said.
Writing on Facebook, Tapia called his sister's death "incomprehensible".
"It is very complicated to describe this pain that we are feeling at home, but as the older brother, I know I have to try.
"It is more difficult still to understand the way that destiny has snatched the life of a loved one, but even more incomprehensible is not being able to be close to her in this family tragedy that today knocked on the doors of my family. Early this morning in the Brussels airport, my sister Adelma Tapia died in the terrorist attack, unable to survive this jihadist attack that we'll never understand.
"Rest in peace little sister and strength to all of us who knew you. It will take much to assimilate that we will no longer see you in the short life that you had."
He said his sister was due to catch a flight to New York where she was meeting their sisters, and had planned to return to Peru this year before setting up a Peruvian restaurant in Brussels.

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David Dixon, 51, missing

David Dixon and his partner have a seven-year-old son. Photo: BBC

David Dixon, a British computer programmer from Nottingham, has been missing since the attacks. Dixon commutes on the Belgian capital's metro but did not arrive at work yesterday. Relatives and friends have been unable to reach him. He is thought to be the only Briton still missing since the attacks.
Dixon's partner Charlotte Sutcliffe, who also lives in Brussels, has been driving around hospitals in the hope of finding him, a friend told the BBC.
The friend, Simon Hartley-Jones, said the couple have lived in Brussels for about 10 years and have a seven-year-old son. They still own a house in Nottingham and return regularly, Hartley-Jones said.
He described Dixon, originally from Hartlepool, as "a lovely guy" and "an amazing man who deeply deeply loves his son". The son was staying with friends and was unaware that his father was missing, he added.
Sutcliffe sister Marie plans to travel to Brussels to help with the search. She told the BBC: "Not everybody has been identified yet among the injured, so it's just waiting for that process to happen ... It's just waiting, which is heartbreaking and very worrying."
Downing Street says four Britons were injured in the attacks.

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Sabrina Fazal, 24, missing
Friends of Sabrina Fazal, a 24-year-old nursing student and Belgian national, say Fazal was on the metro when the terrorists struck and they have not been able to contact her since.

Friends of Sabina Fazal have issued an appeal for information

 on Facebook. Photo: Facebook/BBC

She has a one-year-old son named Heyden, who is staying with his grandmother. Fazal's partner, Jonathan Selemani, has been searching Brussels hospitals for signs of Fazal with the help of a friend. Speaking to the BBC, the friend said Fazal's phone was found near Maelbeek station.
He said: "We're going to the military hospital later. We've been calling all other hospitals, we're still looking around. Jonathan saw Sabrina yesterday morning before she went to school. She studies nursing. Her phone was found close to the station but not inside. We think she might be injured, we'll see how it goes."
Another friend of Fazal told the BBC: "She was in the Metro yesterday in Belgium and we haven't heard from her. She has a baby boy who is only one year old."

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Sebastien Bellin, 37, wounded

Photo: AP

Sebastien Bellin was the subject of one of the first images to emerge from inside the Brussels airport terminal targeted by the bombers.
Bellin, a Brazilian-born father of two and basketball player with the Belgian national team, was pictured lying on the airport floor with blood pooled around his leg.
He was thrown 6ft (2m) into the air by the blast and injured by shrapnel in his left leg and right hip, his father, Jean Bellin, said.
"My son is doing well, considering," Jean told CNN. "He went through his first operation today. Because he was left for about an hour on the floor in the airport in Brussels, he lost a lot of blood.
"So they stabilised him and now he is going to go through another operation. I spoke with him twice. He is obviously stunned."
Jean, who lives in California, realised his son was caught up in the attacks when they saw the image of him circulating online.

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Mormon missionaries, wounded

Mason Wells (L) and Joseph Empey (R) were wounded by the airport

 blast. Photo: AP

Four Mormon missionaries were injured by a blast at the airport, their church said, three seriously. One, Mason Wells, 19, was reportedly only one block away from the Boston bombing in 2013, and was in Paris during terror attacks there in November.
Two other missionaries, Richard Norby, 66 and Joseph Empey, 20 from Utah were seriously injured, officials from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints said. A fourth, Fanny Clain, suffered minor injuries.
Wells' father, Chad Wells, said he woke up to see the news on TV, before calling the church's mission president in France and finding out his son was injured but alive.
"I'm completely shocked by the news. It's the kind of thing as a parent you never, ever want to wake up to," he said.
"Hopefully he's run his lifelong odds and we're done. I think it will make him a stronger person ... Maybe the Boston experience was there to help him get through this experience."
Chad Wells said he had spoken to his son, who was groggy and exhausted after surgery.
Empey is doing well after being treated for second-degree burns to his hands, face and head, his parents, Court and Amber Empey, said in a statement. He also had surgery for shrapnel injuries to his legs.
"We have been in touch with him and he is grateful and in good spirits," the family said.

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Sascha and Alexander Pinczowski
There are fears for two siblings from New York, Sascha and Alexander Pinczowski, who were at the airport terminal when the bombs were detonated. Family say they have not been able to reach the pair since.
Their father told the BBC he was on the phone to them when the explosion happened. "It sounded like they fell into a ditch," he said.

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Raghavendran Ganesan, missing

Photo: Facebook/BBC

Raghaven Ganesan, an employee of Indian IT firm Infosys, has not been heard from since the attack, the company has confirmed.
Ganesan's brother told the BBC from Germany they had not been able to reach him since their usual morning call that day.
He said: "We normally speak when he is on his way to the Park station. We last spoke to him at 08:55. Since they we have not been able to reach him. His friends have checked up all the hospitals in the city but have not found him ... But we are hopeful. We are in touch with the Indian embassy."
Ganesan's family is based in Mumbai.

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Others
Friends of Aline Bastin, a 29-year-old Belgian woman, have appealed for information on Facebook. "She was most probably on the metro this morning during the attacks. We are desperately looking for her," a friend wrote.
Olivier Delespesse is missing after making his regular commute via Maelbeek station on Tuesday. "We have no news of a friend who goes to Maelbeek every morning," a friend wrote.
Information about others killed or wounded remains limited. At least eight French citizens were wounded, according to the country's foreign ministry, including three who are in a critical condition. Three Italians were among the injured, according to the Italian embassy in Belgium.
At least a dozen US citizens were wounded, a US State Department spokesman said. Mark Toner said the State Department was not aware of any fatalities but said a number of US citizens remained unaccounted for. Two cabin crew members working with the Indian airline Jet Airways were injured at the airport, the New York Times reported.

NHRC sends notice to government

The Chief Secretary and DGP have been given two weeks’ time to submit a factual report.

Dantewada-based journalist Prabhat Singh. (Source: ANI) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) sent a notice to Chhattisgarh government Wednesday in connection with the arrest of journalist Prabhat Singh, who was picked up by police Monday. The notice is based on a complaint “drawing specific attention to the illegal arrest, detention and torture of a progressive journalist by police in Bastar on March 21, 2016, and alleging that human rights defenders are being targeted for doing their legitimate work as defenders of tribal rights in the state.”
The Chief Secretary and DGP have been given two weeks’ time to submit a factual report.

Singh was picked up by police from Dantewada and charged under Sections 292 and 67 and 67(A) of IT Act, based on a complaint by Santosh Tiwari who took umbrage to a post allegedly circulated by Singh on a WhatsApp group. The post on the group ‘Bastar News’ read, “Patrakaar Suraksha Kanoon se keval unhe parhez hai jo already mama ki **** mein bathe hai” (Only those sitting in ‘mama’s’ **** have a problem with Patrakaar Suraksha Kanoon). “Mama” is a term commonly used by journalists in the region to refer to a top police officer in the Bastar range.
Incidentally, Singh had filed a complaint against Tiwari and members of Samajik Ekta Manch, a group known to be close to state police, for allegedly abusing and defaming him. The complaint has seen no action so far.
The NHRC notice says, “The complainant has alleged that the victim journalist and a Human Rights Defender Shri Prabhat Singh was picked up from his shop…He was taken to Parpa police station, beaten up and tortured all night and even deprived of food and water.”
The complaint, filed by Henri Tiphagne of Human Rights Defenders Alert India, names IG S R P Kalluri and the Manch as “perpetrators” and says, “…The latest arrest of journalist Prabhat Singh comes after a series of attacks, harassment and illegal arrests of human rights defenders in the state… working as journalists, lawyers, researchers and political activists. They are being targeted by the state police as well as by state-sponsored groups and many are being systematically hounded out of Chhattisgarh for doing their legitimate work as defenders of tribal rights….”

Written by Dipankar Ghose | Raipur 

Mehbooba Mufti visits father’s grave

"Mehbooba visited her father's grave in Bijbehara to offer prayers just before she takes final call with regard to government formation with the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir," a PDP leader said.

Mehbooba Mufti PDP President Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday visited her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s grave in Bijbehara in south Kashmir, hours before PDP legislature party’s crucial meet which will decide on government formation in the state.
“Mehbooba visited her father’s grave in Bijbehara to offer prayers just before she takes final call with regard to government formation with the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir,” a PDP leader said. He said Mehbooba left for her hometown Bijbehara shortly before noon and would chair the legislature party meet in the evening at her official residence in Gupkar here.

The party is likely to make an announcement on the future of the alliance with BJP after the meeting. The PDP-BJP coalition, after 10 months rule from March 2015 to January, ran into rough weather following the death of then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on January 7, after which the state came under Governor’s rule.
Since then, the PDP leadership has sought confidence building measures and assurances on the implementation of the already agreed Agenda for Alliance from the Centre for forming the government again. Hopes for government formation were revived after Mehbooba  met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Tuesday.
She termed the meeting as “positive”, saying she was “satisfied” with the discussions with the Prime Minister.
By: PTI | Srinaga 

Three Indian fishermen arrested

This is the fifth detention of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy this month on the charge of fishing in the island nation's waters.

This is the fifth detention of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy this month on the charge of fishing in the island nation’s waters. At least three Indian fishermen have been arrested by Sri Lankan coast guard for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and fishing in Lankan waters, the fifth such detention this month.
They were arrested yesterday in north west of Jaffna’s delft islet. They have now been brought to Kankesanturai and will be handed over to Fisheries and Water Resources officials there, Sri Lanka Navy said. They were arrested by the Coastal Guard officials with the assistance of the Navy.

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This is the fifth detention of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy this month on the charge of fishing in the island nation’s waters. At least 28 Indian fishermen were arrested on March 13. Eight fishermen were arrested on March 3, while 29 others on March 6 and another batch four on March 10 by the Sri Lankan Navy at different locations in mid sea.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had written letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a permanent solution to the recurring arrests. She had also sought the Centre’s intervention for the release of all the arrested Indian fishermen and their fishing boats in the custody of Sri Lanka.
By: PTI | Colombo |

Kangana Ranaut to endorse Melange

The collection takes inspiration from Kangana Ranaut's strong individuality and interplays the latest season's trends.

The “Queen” actress is scorching in the latest “Rethink Ethnic” campaign by the brand that challenges the conventional and is inspired by her fearless, bold and strong individualistic style. (Source: IANS)

Actress Kangana Ranaut has been signed in by Lifestyle International Pvt. Ltd. as the brand ambassador for their contemporary ethnic wear brand Melange by Lifestyle.

The “Queen” actress is scorching in the latest “Rethink Ethnic” campaign by the brand that challenges the conventional and is inspired by her fearless, bold and strong individualistic style.

With modern silhouettes, classy cuts and vibrant patterns, Melange by Lifestyle’s latest Spring Summer collection redefines ethnic wear and is crafted for the independent woman of today whose sense of style reflects her individuality. “Melange is a brand that gives a contemporary twist to traditional Indian-wear and adds a chic vibe to ethnic looks, much like my free-spirited sense of fashion. The way the brand marries Indian aesthetics with fun, modern nuances makes me rethink ethnic and fall in love with it. Hence, the endorsement,” Kangana said.

The collection takes inspiration from the actress’ strong individuality and interplays the latest season’s trends highlighting eclectic designs, patterns and global accents while bringing forth the brand’s new philosophy — Rethink Ethnic.

“Melange by Lifestyle has emerged as a preferred contemporary ethnic wear brand for modern women who have a keen sense of style and dress in a manner that amplify their individuality. Kangana wholly embodies the Melange Woman with her effortless style, fierce personality and independent persona,” Kabir Lumba, managing director, Lifestyle International Pvt. Ltd. said.

“Her achievements as a versatile actress coupled with her quintessential confidence are inspirational to women across the country, and we are delighted to have her as our brand ambassador,” Lumba added.

This new brand campaign will be rolled out across outdoors, print, digital and in-store this March.

By: IANS | Mumbai 

Lingerie tips

Sherin Shetty, fit expert at online lingerie brand Zivame gives us a few tips on what to wear this Holi.

Quick tips: Look for broader strap brassieres that are non-metallic and ensure easy movement. (Photo: Thinkstock) You have already made elaborate plans for pre and post Holi skin as well as hair care, but what about picking the right lingerie for the festival of colours. An expert tells us how to avoid embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions.
Sherin Shetty, fit expert at online lingerie brand Zivame, has shared some tips on what to wear on Holi:

* Smooth cup t-shirt brassiere: We recommend wearing a smooth cup T-shirt brassiere this Holi if you are planning to wear a T-shirt or kurta.

The brassiere will offer full coverage, reduced bounce and will also ensure that you do not have to constantly worry if the cups or straps can be seen after you have been drenched in a spray of colour.
Look for broader strap brassieres that are non-metallic and ensure easy movement. You can also opt for a white or black sports brassiere if that works better for you.
* Areola concealers: No woman wants to be caught with perky areolas (the pigmented area on the human breast) in the middle of water cannon fights. Ensure that you use concealers / stickers / silicon petals for complete peace of mind.
* Dark coloured briefs: Avoid wearing a bright coloured briefs on Holi and stick to dark colours. You don’t want to be caught with your coloured brief showing through separately after you are all black and blue with colour.
* Camisoles: If you are a modest girl, and all this talk about brassieres seems to be excessive, you can use camisoles that can be worn under any garment. Even for those who will be wearing brassieres, a cami worn over a brassiere can offer better coverage even when the outerwear is wet.
By: IANS | New Delh 

Colour Blast

Nishka Lulla on her latest collection for a high-street brand and her forthcoming Lakme Fashion Week line

Actor Athiya Shetty (third from left) with Nishka Lulla and other models DESIGNER Nishka Lulla is used to being called “that crop top girl”. In fact, that’s what her Instagram bio reads. The Mumbai-based designer, whose boho chic designs have earned her a young clientele, has now created a colourful line of separates for high street brand 109°F. And yes, there are crop tops galore. Here she talks about the collaboration and her own Summer/Resort 2016 line:
Your colour palette lately has been about pastels and muted shades. What brought on the bright hues?

The brand approached me to design a capsule collection that was everyday pret, but with an element of style. It was aimed towards a younger age group and had to be summer specific. We’ve used fuchsia, sunny bellow, bright blue and pristine white, inspired by nature.
What were the limitations while designing a collection for another brand?
We had to make a conscious effort to make it wearable. The inspiration for the brand comes from streetwear, so it had to be practical and comfortable. It’s a mix-and-match collection — crop tops, shirts, dresses, jackets and shorts. In a collaboration like this, the idea is to fuse your style with the brand’s sensibilities and reach a common point that caters to both your clients.
How have you retained your trademark look in this collection?
As usual, my inspiration comes from bohemian things — nature, flowers, dreamcatchers, feathers and arrows. I’ve used pretty prints and incorporated thread-work and mirror-work. I’ve also included natural fabrics like cotton and Liva that I generally use in all my collections. The silhouettes are fuss-free and feminine, in keeping with my style.
Tell us about your forthcoming Lakme Fashion Week collection?
My collections are always about the global nomad, but this time she is returning home from her travels, confident in all that she has explored and experienced. It’s primarily a spring-time collection with a vintage European aesthetic. There are lots of pretty poppy prints, flower pot prints and cube prints to suggest window sills, lazy afternoons and watching people walking by. The fabrics are mostly cotton, crepe, Hakoba and a textured denim and my colour palette spans ivory, blue, peach, strawberry pink, aqua green and yellow. The silhouettes are asymmetric and romantic, with wrap skirts, circular skirts, dungarees, crop tops, cold shoulder tops, palazzos and double-breasted jackets.
Written by Kimi Dangor |

Wendell Rodricks to give a modern twist

Through his collection, Rodricks will create a fusion of twenty Indian costume icons.

Designer Wendell Rodricks.

Noted designer Wendell Rodricks will explore the vast Indian textiles and present the collection in a contemporary modern way at the upcoming Lakme Fashion Week here.

Rodricks will celebrate the wealthy legacy of handwoven Indian textiles at the upcoming Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2016 here.

The fashion extravaganza begins from March 30-April 3.

“My collection is called “Indica Emporia”. I used the Latin word because I wanted to go back in time. The fashion of India has always been a great provider of textile and culture. It (collection) takes my philosophy ahead of being diverse,” Rodricks told PTI.

“We are used to see garments in a certain way I felt like giving the garments modern avatar in a contemporary way,” he said.

Through his collection, Rodricks will create a fusion of twenty Indian costume icons.

“We have taken 20 iconic garments and contemporarised them to modern wearability. Like we have taken a simple garment like ‘dhoti’ and converted it into a ‘dhoti jumpsuit’ with a sari,” he added.

He will celebrate the vast emporium of Indian textiles and clothing for Indian Textile Day 2016.

The Goan designer will use a vibrant Indian color palette of beige, red, grey, peacock green, peacock blue and ultra violet among others.

By: PTI | Mumbai

Lesbian, gay, bisexuals face more mood,

The results showed that gay and lesbians reported about twice the rates of anxiety and mood disorders compared to heterosexuals.

The results showed that gay and lesbians reported about twice the rates of anxiety and mood disorders compared to heterosexuals. (Source: Thinkstock Images) Gay, lesbian and bisexuals experience more mood and anxiety disorders than other people, says a new study, adding that they are more likely to turn to heavy drinking.
The study claims to be the first of its kind in which researchers found that those who are bisexuals reported the highest rates of mood and anxiety disorders and heavy drinking compared to any other group. “Often gay, lesbian and bisexual people are grouped together in studies, but we found there are important differences in their reported health,” said lead study author Basia Pakula from University of British Columbia’s school of population and public health in Canada.

“These findings are extremely useful because this information has not been available for us in Canada until now,” Pakula added in the paper published in the American Journal of Public. The team analysed more than 220,000 Canadian participants between 2007 and 2012. The results showed that gay and lesbians reported about twice the rates of anxiety and mood disorders compared to heterosexuals.
For bisexuals, the rates were nearly four times those of heterosexuals and approximately twice the rates of gay or lesbian respondents.
While this study did not look at the causes of anxiety and mood disorders in this population, an extensive body of research suggests that these people experience chronic stress related to prejudice and stigma, Pakula noted. People often turn to substances like alcohol to cope with ongoing stress. Any health interventions aimed at helping people deal with stress and anxiety or mood disorders should also address the unique needs of the population, the authors stated.
“Bisexual people often face a double stigma from within heterosexual and gay or lesbian communities and lack needed supports,” Pakula explained. The study’s findings can be used to plan and allocate resources for health services that better respond to the issues facing these groups, the researchers suggested.By: IANS 

How dumb!

This study provides compelling evidence that there shouldn't be any discrimination against blondes based on their intelligence.

While jokes about blondes may seem harmless to some, they can have real-world implications. (Source: Screenshot) The jokes about “dumb blondes” are, well, just jokes! Researchers have found that the average IQ of blondes may actually be slightly higher than those with other hair colours.
While jokes about blondes may seem harmless to some, they can have real-world implications, said study author Jay Zagorsky from The Ohio State University in the US. “Research shows that stereotypes often have an impact on hiring, promotions and other social experiences,” Zagorsky said. “This study provides compelling evidence that there shouldn’t be any discrimination against blondes based on their intelligence,” Zagorsky pointed out.

The study involved 10,878 US women. Data from the study came from the US National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79), a national survey of people who were between 14 and 21 years old when they were first interviewed in 1979. In 1980, participants in the NLSY79 took the Armed Forces Qualification Test, or AFQT, which is used by the Pentagon to determine the intelligence of all recruits. The overall AFQT score is based on word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, math knowledge and arithmetic reasoning.
The resulting findings showed that blonde-haired White women had an average IQ of 103.2, compared to 102.7 for those with brown hair, 101.2 for those with red hair and 100.5 for those with black hair. Blonde women were slightly more likely to be in the highest IQ category than those with other hair colours, and slightly less likely to be in the lowest IQ category, the findings showed.
The study, published in the journal Economics Bulletin, could not say whether there are any genetic relationships between hair colour and intelligence, but Zagorsky did find one fact that could at least partially explain why blondes showed slightly higher intelligence — they grew up in homes with more reading material than did those with any other hair colour.
“If blondes have any slight advantage, it may simply be that they were more likely to grow up in homes with more intellectual stimulation,” he said. “I don’t think you can say with certainty that blondes are smarter than others, but you can definitely say they are not any dumber,” Zagorsky pointed out.
By: IANS |

Michelle Obamaat Cuba State Dinner

The embroidery on the gown was Kashmir's traditional Ari work.

By: IANS | New York | Published:March 23, 2016 5:10 pm

The gown was embroidered with an Indian floral motif. (Photo: Reuters) US First Lady Michelle Obama chose a floral gown made of Kashmiri fabric and embroidery by Indian-American designer Naeem Khan for dinner on the concluding day of the Obamas’ visit to Cuba on Tuesday.
“The dress Michelle Obama selected for the Cuban dinner was in a Kashmiri fabric,” the New York Times reported.

“It was embroidered with an Indian floral motif, and was similar to one in the same fabric from the designer’s pre-fall collection,” it added.
The embroidery on the gown was Kashmir’s traditional “Ari work”.
The dinner’s dress code was “casual cocktail”.
Celebrated designer Khan told the media “after what America has done for me, coming from India, I need to give back to this country”.
“She (Michelle Obama) has made my brand and put America back in fashion,” he said. “I would do anything for her.”
Barack Obama is the first US President since 1928 to undertake a three-day visit to Cuba along with his wife Michelle Obama and senior officials. He arrived in Cuba on Sunday.

Nixon was advised to recognise Bangladesh

But his love for Yahiya and a secret China visit deal shaped US mind on East Pakistan

Cheerful Nixon and Yahya during the Pakistani ruler's visit to the US in October 1970. Nixon pledged to support Pakistan 'despite strong feeling in his country favouring India'. Photo: collected

Inam Ahmed and Shakhawat Liton

US intelligence analysis had predicted early that the separation of Pakistan was imminent as the political situation in East Pakistan descended into chaos in March 1971.
The East Pakistanis went into vehement protests from early March with the West Pakistan military junta's refusal to hand over power to Awami League following its landslide victory in the 1970 election.
The US National Security Council had also recommended the US quickly recognise Bangladesh should the situation arise, declassified US documents from March 1971 reveal.
History took a different course, however. The US government ignored the advices and got embroiled in the conflict taking the side of the trigger happy Pakistan military and resisted the emergence of Bangladesh until the end mainly because then president Richard Nixon and his close aide Henry Kissinger had a special disliking for Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Indira Gandhi.
Nixon was also specially partial to Pakistan. When he first visited Pakistan in 1953 as vice president under president Dwight Eisenhower, Nixon said, “Pakistan is a country I would like to do everything for. The people (Pakistanis) have less complexes than the Indians.”  
He stuck with Pakistan until the end. It was he who ignored the advice of his security council and tried to prevent the birth of Bangladesh by placing resolutions at the UN Security Council, calling for a ceasefire.
On March 3, 1971, soon after president Yahiya Khan had postponed the session of the national assembly, the US Security Council, in its report to the deputy secretary of defence David Packard, the under secretary of state John N Irwin and the CIA director wrote:  The possibility of imminent separation of the two wings of Pakistan stems from the outcome of the December 1970 elections to choose a National Assembly to frame a constitution. As a result of Yahya's postponement of the Assembly, the crisis has reached a critical juncture. Unless a compromise formula can be devised, secession by the Bengalis or separation of the two wings of Pakistan by mutual consent have become real possibilities.”
The National Security Council had assessed that although a united Pakistan served the US interest the best, things were going downhill and the US had little influence over the fast moving course of events.
“In the present circumstances, we could perhaps affect the timetable or modalities of East Pakistani secession through our posture toward Mujib and his followers, or perhaps influence the West Pakistani response to it. However, we could not deter a move for independence if the East Pakistanis should make the ultimate decision to establish their own country,” the analysis said.
The National Security Council then went on to propose alternative US stances in case Bangladesh became independent.
The first alternative was to say that although the US believes in the unity of Pakistan, it is up to the people of Pakistan to decide what kind of political settlement they want. US has a role to play here.

A handshake in 1972 for which the US waited for 25 years to resume diplomatic relation with China. General Yahya brokered the meeting between Nixon and Mao Zedong. Right, Nixon and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai toast during Nixon's 1972 visit to China. Photo: Collected

The second alternative said, the US could warm up to the Bangalis and say while it favours Pakistan's unity, it was ready to adjust its policies to the evolving situation and to work with the new government system.
The third alternative was that the US would privately urge president Yahya Khan to make every effort to reach an accommodation with Sheikh Mujib which would enable a united Pakistan to continue, even though its federal power would be curtailed.
But after weighing the alternatives, the council preferred a balanced posture between West and East Pakistan. It would reassure the West Pakistan leadership and at the same time leave the impression with East Pakistanis that the US was not “inflexible”.
If separation of East Pakistan became imminent but was yet to be announced by Awami League, the US should let East Pakistan leaders know that the US would be ready to recognise an independent state in East Pakistan. The US should consider economic assistance to the new state, the Security Council advised.
 But in case Awami League, prior to a formal declaration of independence, should request US intervention to forestall anticipated West Pakistan military action, the US should “decline on the grounds that America does not consider military intervention likely (assuming this to be the case at the time)”.
It was clear from the report that US analysts ruled out any military crackdown on the Bangalis. However, in case of military crackdown, the US would urge West Pakistani leaders to cease military action.
“If West Pakistani — and possibly Indian — military intervention should occur, we would not make any military moves ourselves. However, in concert with the British and other interested external powers we should be prepared to use the threat of sanctions, including cessation of economic aid and military supply, if hostile actions should occur or continue,” the report said.
In case Bangladesh secedes, the Security Council had recommended what America should do to recognise the new state.
It had suggested that if the secession was an agreed action of East and West Pakistan, then the US would immediately recognise Bangladesh. But in case Pakistan opposed Bangladesh's independence and used force, the US would coordinate with the UK to recognise the new state and should be among the first to do so.
But then the worst and the least expected event started with the military crackdown and the following genocide from the night of March 25.
Three weeks after the genocide began, the National Security Council again proposed that the US recognise Bangladesh once the “government of Bangla Desh achieved control over a substantial portion of East Bengal and once it had been recognized by other countries including India”. It also suggested writing a strong letter to Yahya Khan and demand release of Bangabandhu.
But all this remained on paper as the US sided with Pakistan while US-made tanks, arms and ammunition were being used for the world's biggest genocide since WWII.
One major reason for that Nixon and Kissinger held a special hatred for Indira Gandhi as explained by Gary J Bass, an American journalist, in his book “The blood Telegram”.
“I don't like the Indians,” Nixon had snapped at the peak of the Bangladesh crisis. He had always thought Indira and India were close partners of the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War. Nixon had never liked India's non-aligned approach to global politics.
On the other hand, he had found a good ally in Yahya Khan and began supplying arms to Pakistan in exception to the US arms embargo imposed on both India and Pakistan since the 1965 war.
During a meeting between Yahya and Nixon in the Oval Office in October 1970, Nixon pledged to support Pakistan “despite strong feeling in this country favouring India”.
“We will keep our word with Pakistan. We will try to be as helpful as we can,” Nixon had promised.
His friendship to Pakistan was rewarded in February 1972, when Mao Zedong and Nixon met in Beijing in a significant event ending 25 years of separation of the two super powers states. The groundwork for the meeting was laid much earlier with the help of Yahya who had opened a door to dialogues between the US and China in return of US support in 1971.
Seen in this context, it was not surprising that the National Security Council's advices fell on deaf ears.
Archer Blood, the US consul general in Dhaka in 1971, frantically sent cable after cable to the State Department describing the ongoing genocide in East Pakistan. His strongest cable titled “Selective Genocide” read: “Here in Dacca we are mute and horrified witnesses to a reign of terror by the Pak military.”
The State Department first ignored his cables because the US was Pakistan's strong ally as a member of Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO) and also because the US was trying to open the previously mentioned diplomatic channel with China with Pakistan's help.
A few weeks later in April, Blood was asked to request home leave and transfer to State Department.
“In other words, I was being dismissed from my post in Dacca,” Blood writes. “…It came as no surprise after the dissent cable.”
The US went on to support Pakistan to the hilt when India got involved in the war on December 3, 1971.
As Pakistan's defeat became imminent, on December 4, just a day after India was dragged into the war, George HW Bush, who was then the US ambassador to the UN, placed a resolution for an immediate ceasefire in East Pakistan and withdrawal of Indian troops.
In the following days as chaos reigned at the UN over the war in Bangladesh, the US brought one resolution after another to stop the war and forestall the birth of Bangladesh.

Kriti Sanon misses Delhi’s Holi celebrations

Kriti Sanon, who originally hails from Delhi, misses the kind of Holi she used to play with her family and friends in the capital.

Kriti Sanon, who originally hails from Delhi, misses the kind of Holi she used to play with her family and friends in the capital. Two films old actress has shot to fame very soon, but she misses those little things in life which she used to do back at her home town. Kriti Sanon, who originally hails from Delhi, misses the kind of Holi she used to play with her family and friends in the capital. Two films old actress has shot to fame very soon, but she misses those little things in life which she used to do back at her home town.
She recalls celebrating Holi with her family in Delhi. Sharing that she enjoys the festival of Holi and is excited to celebrate the festival with her parents who are in Mumbai, Kriti said, “I have always loved Holi, But ever since I shifted to Mumbai (from Delhi), I haven’t played much. I don’t have the kind of friends circle here, like I had in Delhi. Plus, being an actor, I need to take care of my skin. Even though I don’t play Holi the way I used to back home, it’s still my favourite festival.”

The actress also remembers her friends and family gathering in a park in Patparganj, to celebrate the festival of colours.

“Before starting, my sister and I would oil each other’s hair. Then hit Holi songs would be played loudly all day. There would be pakoras and thandai for everyone. It used to take us an hour to wash the colours off,” she recalled.
The festival isn’t complete without relishing your taste buds with the sweet gujiyas which are prepared days in advance of the festival. She said, “Eating gujiyas is a must for me every Holi. This year, my parents are in Mumbai, and my sister has also moved here. So, I am excited because we will all celebrate together.”
Kriti was last seen in Dilwale which also starred Shah Rukh Khan, Varun Dhawan and Kajol. By: Express Web Desk | New Delhi | 

‘Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hai’

Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hai actress Shilpa Shinde, who stopped shooting for the hit serial has been been ordered by CINTAA to resume shoot immediately. However, the actress continues to defy.

Written by Sonup Sahadevan | Mumbai | Updated: March 23, 2016 3:17 pm

Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hai actress Shilpa Shinde’s woes have only been growing with every passing day. The actress, who stopped shooting for the hit serial in which she plays the lead role of Angoori Bhabhi, has now been been ordered by CINTAA (Cine & TV Artistes Association) to resume shoot immediately. However, the actress continues to defy. Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hai actress Shilpa Shinde’s woes have only been growing with every passing day. The actress, who stopped shooting for the hit serial in which she plays the lead role of Angoori Bhabhi, has now been been ordered by CINTAA (Cine & TV Artistes Association) to resume shoot immediately. However, the actress continues to defy.
Justifying CINTAA’s decision of asking Shilpa to resume shoot, Amit Behl who is the Joint Secretary of the association and also the Chairman of the dispute committee told IndianExpress.com, “It has reached a point where the artist (Shilpa Shinde) is not able to understand and she has gone and said that CINTAA is a producers’ body and not an actors body. I have received a call from Channel Head also. Now this show is the channel’s driver. Unfortunately, she is breaking the contract. She spoke to me also and instead of speaking logic she started crying over the phone.” (Read: Shilpa Shinde aka Angoori Bhabhi quits Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai, accuses makers of mentally torturing her)

Elaborating on how they tried to settle the issue with Shilpa, Amit said, “We had a joint dispute settlement committee where we tried to explain it to Shilpa. We heard the producer’s point of view, broadcaster’s point of view and Shilpa’s point of view. I find this entirely unfair. She has created such a situation that she wants to leave the show. May be she is joining Kapil’s show and there is some profit sharing which I am not concerned about but the point is that you have signed a show, you are on contract, you have renewed the contract, your fees have been increased as per the contract and the producer is also bearing your idiosyncrasies and tantrums to a certain level because you are that character which is a hit. CINTAA is an actors body and as a member of the fraternity, I heard her out first. And then we heard others and I can only say that the actor is beyond reason in this case. She is not able to understand. Every logic was put forward to her on the table and she continued saying that she is going through physical, mental and financial torture. Finally, when we heard out everything, we realised there was no torture. We tried telling her that but finally you can’t talk to a wall. So we have issued a showcause notice to her but beyond a point we are also powerless. They (producers) can take legal recourse. We as creative people don’t want this to become a mess and have tried reasoning it out. But unfortunately, Shilpa is beyond reason now.”
We tried reaching Shilpa Shinde but she remained unavailable for comment

Take power, give Internet speed

India will supply 100 megawatt of electricity to Bangladesh in return for 10 Gigabits per second Internet bandwidth.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. (Source: AP) India on Wednesday began supplying electricity to Bangladesh in return for internet bandwidth that will help connect its North- Eastern states, a move that Prime Minister Narendra Modi described as historic.
India will supply 100 megawatt of electricity in return for 10 gigabits per second internet bandwidth. Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina launched the twin links through video conference.

“In my opinion this is an historic occasion,” Modi said as he nudged Dhaka to join the space cooperation with India. India, he said, is marching shoulder-to-shoulder with Bangladesh in its progress and today is the opening of a new chapter, he said. “In an era of inter-dependent world, the two nations have further strengthened their ties,” he said. Hasina said: “The relation between the countries has further consolidated through the supply of power and Internet bandwidth.”
As much as 100 MW of power will be supplied to Bangladesh from Tripura. PowerGrid Corporation of India Ltd has erected 400 KV d/c line from Suryamaninagar (Agartala) to the Indian border while its Bangladeshi counterpart, PowerGrid Corporation of Bangladesh Ltd has laid a line from there to Comilla.
Simultaneously, a new gateway to give broadband connectivity to North-East states via Bangladesh was also opened.

“We have gateways in west and south but entire east was untouched. As part of my Act East policy, this gateway in the east is very important. The opening of eastern gateway in association with Bangladesh will bring connectivity to eastern region particularly Assam, Tripura and Sikkim,” Modi said.

Prime Minister said previously road connectivity between Bangladesh, Nepal, India and Bhutan had been initiated. “Today we are doing electricity and digital connectivity… we have to cooperate in space too. It is our desire that Bangladesh joins India in space satellite mission too,” he said.
“Bangladesh would observe its National day on March 26 and I pay my respect to the memory of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh. The era of good relations began during the time of ‘Bangabandhu’ between the two countries which still continues,” said Modi. He was referring to ‘Bangabandhu’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding leader of Bangladesh and father of Hasina, saying he shared close bonds with India.
The eight north-eastern states would be immensely benefited with the opening of the third International Internet gateway, he said, adding that Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan have made considerable development in road links. “Now India and Bangladesh are connected through water, surface communication and air. We want to be connected with Bangladesh though space also,” the Prime Minister said.
In her speech, Hasina said: “We always remember India’s cooperation during the liberation movement in 1971.”
On the power supply, she said during her visit to Tripura in 2012, she discussed the matter of getting power from the state’s Palatana project and it came true now. Hasina said her country was getting 500 MW power from India now and both the countries made considerable development in the field of cooperation through roads, railways and power. She also thanked PM Modi and Tripura CM Manik Sarkar for their cooperation. Sarkar, at the invitation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, also joined the programme via videoconferencing.By: Express News Service | New Delhi

Shommu Sharkar Catch @ alamin Two Wicket

BIO-DATA OF AIR VICE MARSHAL EHSANUL GANI CHOUDHURY,GUP, ndu, psc, GD (P), BAF

Born in a noble Muslim family of Sylhet in 22 November 1962. Air Vice Marshal  Ehsanul Gani Choudhury joined Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) on 15 November 1980 as a flight cadet and was commissioned in General Duties (Pilot) Branch on 16 May 1983. After commissioning, he joined the operational fighter squadron of BAF and served in almost all the fighter squadrons of BAF in various appointments. Progressing through his career, he has flown different types of aircraft including PT-6, FOUGA, FT-5, FT-6, F-6, FT-7B, FT-7A, F-7MB, FT-7BG, FT-BG, FT-7BG1, F-7BG1, MIG-21UM & MF, MIG-29UB & B. He is also a Qualified Flying Instructor and carried out extensive instructional flying in various fixed wing trainers and fighter aircraft. As an acclaimed fighter pilot of BAF, the Air Vice Marshal has logged more than 2250 flying hours to his credit. 

Air Vice Marshal Ehsan is well reputed in BAF for his altruism, simplicity and honesty both as a person and as a commander. His distinct service is marked with a fine mix of command, instructional and staff appointments. The Trendsetters commanded 8 Squadron and 25 Squadron, BAF. Having performed his stints at the wing and squadron level, he subsequently commanded two BAF bases at Zahurul Haque, Chittagong and Bangabandhu, Dhaka Cantonment. The Air Vice Marshal also served as a Directing Staff in Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur. His significant staff assignments include Director of Plans, Air Secretary at Air Headquarters and Director External Affairs and Liaison Bureau Director General Force Intelligence. At present he is appointed as Chairman Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh.

Air Vice Marshal Ehsan has attended several professional courses, training and seminars at home and abroad. He has Master in Defense Science and Master in Business Administration. He attended Air Staff Courses in Indonesia in 1997 and Contingent Commander Course in Malaysia in 2011. He is a graduate from Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur, Dhaka and National Defence University, China.

The Air Vice Marshal is widely traveled person. He has keen interest in games and sports & Pursuit of Knowledge through reading. He is happily married to Dr. Jobaida Akhtar and blessed with two sons name Efaz Tazbeed Choudhury & Javed Tazbeed Choudhury.

Kiwis upset India by 47 runs

World T20, 13th Match

Kiwi cricketers celebrate the fall of a wicket during a T20I match. File Photo: AFP

Star Online Report

India lost their seventh wicket in the 11th over, and the writing was on the wall for the home side. Ish Sodhi captured his second of the night as Jadeja was caught and bowled for a three-ball duck.

The tenth over of India’s chase saw another Indian batter fall prey to Santner spin. Pandya was trapped in front for one run by Santner. TV replays the ball would have clipped leg.

India v New Zealand

India: 79 (18.1/20 over)

New Zealand: 126/7 (20.0/20 over)

India lost the big wicket of Kohli when Ish Sodhi struck with his first ball. Kohli got an outside edge to a big ripping leg-break and perished for 23 runs in the ninth over.

Nathan McCullum took his second wicket in the fifth over, and sent India reeling in their chase.

Yuvraj Singh was caught and bowled for four runs. He came forward to the flighted ball, the ball pitched just before it hit the bat and the batsman chipped it cleanly to the bowler. The third umpire confirmed the catch and sent back Yuvraj.

Kiwi bowler Santner gave his side plenty to cheer about after he took two important wickets in the third over of India’s chase.

Suresh Raina failed to fire tonight, moved back across the stumps, closed the bat-face too early and was easily caught at mid-wicket. He fell for a single run.

Rohit Sharma was dismissed in the third over, and India felt the pressure getting to them. Santner took his first wicket when he fooled Sharma with his length, the ball ripped past the outside edge and the keeper completed the stumping after a fumble.

The Indian opener scored only five runs.

Wickets put Kiwis on top…

India lost their opener Shikhar Dhawan in the first over of their chase of 127. Nathan McCullum trapped the batter in front for a single run.

Dhawan tried to sweep but missed his shot and the ball struck him flush on the pad. The umpire didn’t hesitate to rule in favour of the bowler.

Earlier, A strong performance in the field by Indian cricketers allowed them to restrict New Zealand to 126 for 7 in the first match of the Super 10 phase of the ICC WT20 2016.

On a spinning Nagpur track where the ball wasn’t coming on, Indian spinners as well as their medium-fast bowlers denied the Kiwi batters pace to play with, and kept up the pressure from both ends. Five India bowlers picked up a wicket each.

New Zealand were devoid of a substantial partnership, and 28 for the fifth wicket was their best effort. Corey Anderson was the highest scorer for his side with 34 from 42 balls.

Luke Ronchi gave the Kiwis some much-needed runs at the end with 21 from 11.

New Zealand lost their seventh wicket, that of Elliot when he was run out for nine runs in the last over of their innings.

Jadeja picked up his first wicket of the game in the 17th over. He removed Santner for 18 runs when the batsman tried to open his shoulders.

India’s Bumrah came back in the 16th over, delivered yorker after yorker and sent back Corey Anderson for a well-made 34.

Anderson tried to scoop the ball over fine leg but Bumrah uprooted his middle stump. The Kiwi allrounder faced 42 balls and struck three fours in his innings.

New Zealand lost the important wicket of Ross Taylor due to a brilliant piece of fielding by the bowler Raina in the 12th over.

Raina moved quickly in his follow-through, dived, tumbled and rolled as he collected the ball and backhanded it on to the stumps. Taylor was a long way out and was run out for 10 runs from 14 balls.

Kiwis stumble after the quick wickets…

The Kiwis were rattled again in the seventh over when their captain Williamson lost his cool and gave away his wicket. Williamson stepped out of the crease too early and was stumped comfortably in the end.

Raina sent back Williamson for eight runs only.

India got their second breakthrough not long after Ashwin struck, and Ashish Nehra sent back Munron for seven runs in the second over.

Munro stepped out of his crease, tried to smash the ball down the ground but only managed to mis-time his shot to Pandya at mid-off.

India calling the shots early…

New Zealand were rattled early in the first over when Ashwin sent back New Zealand opener Guptill with his second ball.

Although the umpire ruled in favour of the bowler in his lbw plea, replays showed the ball was going over the stumps. Guptill had to leave for six runs from two balls.

New Zealand captain won the toss and decided to bat first given the conditions at Nagpur’s VCA stadium against India led by MS Dhoni in the first game of the Super 10 phase of the ICC WT20 2016.

The Kiwis will begin life without Brendon McCullum, their charismatic skipper. In his absence, Kane Williamson, will lead a team that's packed with talented but underachieving players.

The batting looks settled and the squad has as many as three spinners. Will they go with sheer pace or will they look to spin India out? If pace is their answer, Adam Milne or Mitchell McClenaghan should form a three pronged attack along with Tim Southee and Trent Boult.

India, on the other hand, have gone on record to say they are on "auto-pilot" in the shortest format thanks to the exposure from the IPL. Their top order is perhaps the strongest in the tournament and you would think with Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya lower down, there is enough of a failsafe should things go wrong.

The only reason there may be a change made to India's Asia Cup-winning XI is if Mohammed Shami has impressed the management enough to squeeze in ahead of Ashish Nehra.

India have won 10 out of 11 T20I matches since the start of the year.

In their only meeting in WT20s, New Zealand beat India by 10 runs at Johannesburg in 2007. New Zealand and India have met each other only once during the last seven years in T20Is with New Zealand winning that match at Chennai by 1 run.

The surfaces in use for the qualifiers at Nagpur here have been dry. Balls have stopped on the batsman a bit - even offcutters from the seam bowlers.

India

MS Dhoni (Captain, Wicketkeeper), R Ashwin, JJ Bumrah, S Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, RA Jadeja, V Kohli, Mohammed Shami, P Negi, A Nehra, HH Pandya, AM Rahane, SK Raina, RG Sharma and Yuvraj Singh

New Zealand

KS Williamson (Captain), CJ Anderson, TA Boult, GD Elliott, MJ Guptill, MJ McClenaghan, NL McCullum, AF Milne, C Munro, HM Nicholls, L Ronchi (Wicketkeeper), MJ Santner, IS Sodhi, TG Southee and LRPL Ta

Fingers pointed at Manila bank

Rizal allowed stolen fund withdrawal despite 'stop order' from other banks

Maia Santos Deguito, a branch manager of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp, takes an oath during a money laundering hearing at Senate in Manila yesterday. Photo: Reuters

The Inquirer, Manila

The Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) allowed the withdrawal of the bulk of the funds suspected to have been stolen by computer hackers from the Bangladesh central bank account despite having received an order from its counterpart banks abroad to stop the payment.
This was revealed during the Philippines senate investigation on the $81 million money laundering activity that has rocked several local banks and put into question the efficacy of the country's laws to guard against the entry of dirty funds.
During a hearing yesterday, Senator Teofisto “TG” Guingona III revealed that, after receiving the suspicious funds on February 5, the publicly-listed bank controlled by the wealthy Yuchengco family received a “stop payment” order from the Federal Bank of New York at 5:00pm on February 8 -- a banking holiday in the country because of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
“The stop payment order was received by your bank, [on] February 8, 2016,” he told RCBC President and CEO Lorenzo Tan. “On the morning of February 9, the first banking day, you should have seen the stop payment request. But apparently it was not honoured because the funds were withdrawn. All the funds were withdrawn.”
Guingona further pointed to documents filed by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) with the courts noting that RCBC “responded to the Bangladesh Bank's stop payment request at 7:45pm on February 9.”
“That was the end of the day already,” Guingona said. “Would you care to explain why the stop payment request -- which should have been honoured at the very start of the banking day -- was not honoured?”
To this query, the RCBC chief invoked the Bank Secrecy Law and declined to reveal specific details about the transaction, but offered an explanation of general procedures pointing to the responsibility of the branch manager to execute the stop payment order.
“Sorry, Your Honour. I cannot confirm or deny this request specific to this transaction,” Tan told Guingona. “But as a general rule, when there's a freeze order on an account, the branch manager involved should comply with such an order.”
Pressed further if RCBC's head office sent the stop payment order to Maia Santos-Deguito, the manager of its now controversial Jupiter St. branch in Makati City, the bank president stonewalled and again pointed at Deguito's responsibility.
“Again, Your Honour, I'm precluded because of bank secrecy. But as a general rule, these orders are sent by the head office to the branch manager,” Tan said.
Just before posing the question to Tan, Guingona also asked the same question to Deguito in an attempt to ascertain how the funds slipped through the bank's internal control mechanisms despite indications from its foreign counterparts that the fund transfer effected on February 5 was fraudulent.
“February 9 was a banking day. That was a Tuesday. $81 million was still there in the accounts,” said the senator, chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. “On February 9, all the $81 million was withdrawn. Did you not have a stop payment request on February 9?”
At this, Deguito, too, invoked the Bank Secrecy Law, telling senators that she was willing to answer questions only in a closed-door executive session, because she has become the subject of a complaint filed by the AMLC against her, and that anything she would say in public could be held against her.
“I apologise but questions related to my actions I can only answer in an executive session,” Deguito replied.
Frustrated by both sides' invocation of the Bank Secrecy Law, Guingona pointed at the inaction of the bank on the request by its New York counterpart to hold the transaction and allowing the funds to be withdrawn by still unknown parties.
“All these amounts that you mentioned were withdrawn on February 9. And the stop payment request was already there on the morning of February 9,” Guingona said.
“And yet all these millions of dollars were withdrawn. Had the stop payment request been honoured, then $58 million of the $81 million would have been preserved and would not have gone astray.”
During yesterday's hearing, AMLC officials told senators that they received a request for assistance from Bangladesh Bank as early as February 11, after which two Bangladeshi officials flew to the Philippines on February 16.
AMLC then conducted its own investigation into the issue.
The Philippines daily Inquirer broke the news about the laundering of funds through the local financial system on February 29, and on that day -- 20 days after the bulk of the funds was withdrawn from fictitious accounts created at RCBC's Jupiter branch -- regulators asked the Court of Appeals to freeze seven bank accounts suspected to be involved in the laundering activity.
On the next day -- three weeks after the funds were withdrawn from the bank, converted into pesos, with some being moved to local casinos -- the Court of Appeals issued a freeze order. A report from Bangladesh quoted a government official as saying that only $68,000 had been frozen.
The Philippines senate will resume its probe on the issue on Thursday (March 16), with an eye on amending the Anti-Money Laundering Act to strengthen it against future laundering attempts. 

Copyright: Philippine Daily Inquirer/ Asia News Network