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President launches Tropical Belt Initiative at COP28, proposing a paradigm shift in climate funding
President Ranil Wickremesinghe unveiled the ground-breaking Tropical Belt Initiative, a visionary plan aimed at addressing the challenges of global warming and securing sustainable development for nations within the tropical belt at COP28 held in Dubai, UAE
The President’s speech highlighted the urgency of the initiative, emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift in climate funding and a multilateral approach to achieve meaningful results.
President Wickremesinghe began by addressing the uncertainties surrounding the 2030 target for peaking global temperatures. He stressed the 50-50 chance of meeting this crucial goal and questioned the feasibility of expecting substantial financial contributions from governments. Instead, he proposed a bold approach that involves both tropical and non-tropical countries, as well as collaboration between the government and the private sector.
The Tropical Belt Initiative focuses on harnessing commercial investments in vital natural resources within the tropical belt, such as forests, swamps, and mangroves. President Wickremesinghe emphasized the importance of making these investments commercially viable, unlocking the funds needed to combat global warming. He highlighted the initiative’s potential to attract private sector involvement, contributing to the ambitious goal of securing trillions of dollars annually.
Furthermore, President Wickremesinghe shed light on the collaboration with the Indian Ocean Rim Association to promote the blue economy and create a sustainable Indian Ocean. The combination of the tropical belt initiative and efforts in the Indian Ocean is envisioned to become the world’s largest global sink for carbon.
The President also revealed discussions with world leaders, including Maldivian President, Kenyan President, President Lula of Brazil, and French President Macron, showcasing widespread interest in the initiative. He proposed the establishment of a panel of experts to report on the initiative, with plans to present the findings at COP30 in Brazil.
Additionally, President Wickremesinghe unveiled plans for the International Climate Change University (ICCU), a joint project between Sri Lanka and Maldives. The ICCU aims to foster capacity building and central research, acting as a stakeholder university with contributions from interested parties.
The President concluded his address by emphasizing the need for a break from conventional thinking to mobilize the funds required, expressing optimism that the Tropical Belt Initiative and ICCU will lead the way for similar initiatives worldwide. As nations strive to meet climate goals, President Wickremesinghe’s proposals mark a significant step towards a sustainable and resilient future.
Former Prime Minister of Australia Malcom Turnbull was also in attendance at the event.
Prime Minister Turnbull congratulated Sri Lanka on the launch of the initiative, saying that the protection of the region is one of the biggest challenges.
US officials are headed to Russia to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, according to President Donald Trump.
The news comes after Ukrainian officials agreed to a 30-day ceasefire following a highly anticipated meeting with US officials in Saudi Arabia.
Earlier, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the “ball is truly in Russia’s court” and that the US believes the only way to end the fighting was through peace negotiations.
The American visit comes as President Vladimir Putin visited Russia’s Kursk region – parts of which have been under Ukraine’s control since an incursion last year.
Russian TV aired footage of Putin meeting military commanders, who told him Russian troops had recaptured 86% of the area from Ukraine.
Following the meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was now up to the US to convince Russia to agree to the “positive” proposal.
The Kremlin has said it was studying the ceasefire deal, and that a phone call between Trump and Putin is possible.
Speaking alongside Ireland’s Taoiseach – or Prime Minister – Micheál Martin in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump said he had received “positive messages” about the possibility of a ceasefire. “But a positive message means nothing,” he said. “This is a very serious situation.”
Trump did not specify which officials were travelling to Moscow.
However, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at the White House that National Security Secretary Mike Waltz had spoken to his Russian counterpart.
Earlier this week, a source familiar with the matter told the BBC that Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff would head to Moscow for negotiations following the talks in Jeddah.
The White House confirmed the plans on Wednesday.
“We urge the Russians to sign on to this plan. This is the closest we have been to peace in this war,” Leavitt said.
The Kremlin has said it is studying the proposed ceasefire and further details, which spokesman Dmitry Peskov said will come “via various channels” over the course of the next several days.
In the Oval Office, Trump said that he believes a ceasefire would make sense for Russia, adding – without further details – that there is a “lot of downside to Russia” as well.
“We have a very complex situation solved on one side. Pretty much solved. We’ve also discussed land and other things that go with it,” Trump added. “We know the areas of land we’re talking about, whether it’s pull back or not pull back.”
To pressure Russia, Trump said that he “can do things financially that would be very bad for Russia,” he said. “I don’t want to do that because I want to get peace.”
The meeting in Jeddah was the first between US and Ukrainian officials since a 28 February meeting between Zelensky, Trump and Vice-President JD Vance descended into a shouting match and, ultimately, a pause in US military assistance and intelligence sharing.
The pause was lifted following the meeting in Jeddah, and Trump said that he believes that the “difficult” Ukrainian side and Zelensky now want peace.
Even as negotiations over a potential ceasefire are ongoing, fighting has raged in Ukraine.
Russian drones and missiles reportedly struck targets in Kryvyy Rih – Zelensky’s hometown – overnight, as well as in the port city of Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv.
Clashes also continued in Russia’s Kursk region, where Peskov said Russian troops were “successfully advancing” and recapturing areas held by Ukrainian forces.
Ukrainian troops invaded the region of western Russia that borders Ukraine, in a surprise attack in August last year. At its peak, Ukraine claimed to have captured 100 towns and villages – but since then, Russia has retaken most of that territory.
He was shown in footage released by the Kremlin walking alongside his military chief Valery Gerasimov.
Russian media report that Putin ordered the military to “fully liberate” the region during the visit. He is yet to comment on the ceasefire proposal agreed by Ukraine and the US on Tuesday.
The head of Ukraine’s military, Oleksandr Syrsky, also indicated on Wednesday that some of its troops were withdrawing from Kursk. In a post on Telegram, he said: “In the most difficult situation, my priority has been and remains saving the lives of Ukrainian soldiers.”
[BBC]
Cricket Canada CEO Salman Khan, who was appointed in the job in January this year, has dismissed reports on his alleged arrest and release on bail on charges of theft and fraud as “completely false”. He, along with one other individual, had been charged earlier this month with theft and fraud by the Calgary Police in relation to his earlier role as president of the Calgary and District Cricket League between 2014 and 2016.
It is understood that initially the case was a civil suit, but now criminal charges have been laid.
Khan, posting on the Facebook page of Alberta Cricket Association, said: “I see many fake and self-created posts circulating around, and I want to set the record straight. First of all, these are all fake. I have never been arrested, detained, or on any bail. These claims are completely false, and those spreading these rumors will have to answer for it.
“Here’s the truth: A police complaint was filed against me more than 7 years ago. A police investigator approached me and said he wanted to hear my side of the story and see the evidence I have to defend myself. He told me that if I didn’t provide my side, he would proceed with charges. I told him I would visit after Ramadan, but he didn’t want to wait and decided to post charges without even hearing my side or my evidence.”
Khan said nothing had been proven against him in seven years, and he would keep fighting the case. “Let me make this clear: They have nothing to prove against me – in 7 years they were not able to prove anything in the civil case, and certainly not in any criminal case. I have over 21 transcripts, with the complainant even admitting that everything was false.
“I am not worried at all. I’m ready to fight just like I’ve been doing for the past 8 years.”
[Cricinfo]
Mahmudullah has called time on his international career after announcing his retirement from ODIs through a social media post on Wednesday [12th March 2025]. Mahmudullah, who turned 39 last month, had already retired from Tests in 2021 and T20Is in 2024.
“All praises only for the Almighty Allah. I have decided to retire from international cricket,” Mahmudullah wrote on his official Facebook page. “I would like to thank all of my team-mates, coaches and especially my fans who have always supported me. A big thank you to my parents, my in-laws, especially my father in law & most importantly my brother Emdad Ullah, who has been there for me constantly since my childhood as my coach & mentor.”
“And finally, thanks to my wife & kids, who have been my support system through thick & thin. I know Raeid will miss me in red and green jersey. Not everything comes to an end in a perfect way, but you say yes and move forward. Peace, Alhamdulillah. Best wishes to my team & Bangladesh cricket.”
Mahmudullah finishes as Bangladesh’s fourth-highest run-getter, behind Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, with 5689 runs at an average of 36.46, including four hundreds and 32 fifties. His retirement comes a week after Mushfiqur, his long-time team-mate and brother in law, had also retired from ODIs.
On Monday, when the BCB informed in its press release that Mahmudullah had requested that the board not consider him in the central contracts list after February 2025, it was seen as a sign of impending retirement.
All of Mahmudullah’s centuries came in ICC tournaments. After scoring two hundreds in the 2015 ODI World Cup, he made an unbeaten 102 against New Zealand in the 2017 Champions Trophy in Cardiff. More recently, in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, he scored 111 against South Africa in Mumbai.
The ODI retirements of Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur come after Bangladesh suffered an early exit in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Mahmudullah played just one innings, managing 4 off 14 balls against New Zealand in Rawalpindi. Mahmudullah’s form in the lead-up to the tournament, though, was excellent: he had scored four ODI fifties in a row, against Afghanistan and West Indies, away from home late last year.
Mahmudullah made his ODI debut in 2007 as a utility player, batting mostly at No. 7 and bowling offspin. His first turning point came in the 2011 World Cup agsinst England, when he added an unbroken 58 for the ninth wicket with Shafiul Islam to guide Bangladesh to a two-wicket win. In the following year, his unbeaten fifties helped Bangladesh to a 3-2 ODI series win against West Indies.
He enjoyed more success in the 2015 World Cup, when he struck centuries against England and New Zealand in successive matches while batting at No. 3. His hundred against New Zealand in the 2017 Champions Trophy, in a 223-run stand with Shakib, is an iconic innings in Bangladesh cricket history.
Mahmudullah made a comeback ahead of the 2023 World Cup after he had been dropped from the side. He also proved his value with the ball, taking 82 wickets at an economy rate of 5.21. Mahmudullah never led Bangladesh in ODIs, though he had captained them in T20Is and Test cricket.
Mahmudullah’s retirement brings the curtain down on Bangladesh’s most successful quintet of cricketers who played between 2006 and 2025 in white-ball cricket.
Apart from Mahmudullah, Tamim reconfirmed his retirement from international cricket earlier this year. Shakib had announced his Test and T20I retirement in India last year, while also informing at the time that the Champions Trophy would be his last ODI assignment. Having missed the tournament due to various reasons, his ODI career now seems finished, too.
Mashrafe Mortaza last played ODIs in 2020, when he also signed off from captaincy. Mushfiqur has retired from ODIs and T20Is, but is in line to become the first Bangladesh cricketer to reach the 100-Test landmark.
[Cricinfo]
US team headed to Moscow for Ukraine talks as Putin visits Kursk
Cricket Canada CEO says reports on his alleged arrest ‘completely false’
Mahmudullah calls time on international career
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