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Champions Trophy: All set for the hybrid model

Published

1 year ago

2024/12/5

Priyan

The much-awaited meeting to resolve the vexing issue of Champions Trophy will be held this [05] evening with the widely-debated hybrid model all set to be accepted by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The majority of the board members – 15 in all – seem to be in favour of the two-nation formula for the 15-game championship. The meeting will be held at 3.30 PM UAE time (5 PM IST) with Jay Shah, the newly elected Chair of the ICC, presiding over the meeting.

It is reliably understood that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which has been opposing the formula, is believed to have agreed for the hybrid model with the UAE most likely emerging as the second venue where five of the 15 games, including all three league matches involving India and two knockout games – one semifinal and final – will be held. It could be formally announced after the meeting.

The PCB is understood to have made four-five demands in return for accepting the model but it is unlikely they will be accepted by the ICC. The key PCB demand, of course, is for a similar formula for India and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) when the BCCI hosts the ICC events but it remains to be seen whether that will be approved. As of now that remains the most contentious point. The PCB also seems to be asking for compensation for relocating the five games and it is unlikely there will be any opposition to this demand.

What is, however, certain is that the ICC and the Indian side will decline a key demand of the Pakistan side. It insisted that India should play a tri-series involving a third country at a neutral venue, most probably in the UAE, but there is no consensus on this. In fact, both the ICC and the BCCI are opposed to the idea and it is all set to be rejected. India have not played Pakistan in a match that is not part of either global or continental competition since 2012 and that will not change despite strong PCB demand.

Another demand of the PCB was to segregate India and Pakistan from the same group so that Pakistan could have played all their league games at home but this was not acceptable to the ICC. As is well known that an India-Pakistan game is the biggest cash cow in world cricket even the broadcasters are believed to be opposed to the idea, as previously reported by Cricbuzz. The blockbuster game is scheduled for March 1 and most likely it will be played at the Dubai International Stadium.

[Cricbuzz]

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Trump says he is postponing strikes on Iran power plants after ‘productive’ talks on ending war

Published

13 mins ago

2026/03/23

Priyan

Donald Trump says the US and Iran have held talks on the “complete and total resolution of hostilities” in the Middle East

He says that, as a result of the talks, he has postponed threatened strikes on Iranian power plants and oil and gas fall immediately after.

On Saturday night, Trump had given Iran a 48 hour deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. – or, he said, the US would “obliterate” Iranian power plants

An Iranian news agency quotes an unnamed source saying there have been no talks between Teheran and Trump.

Earlier, the UK’s Keir Starmer and Trump agreed that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is “essential to resume global shipping” during a call late on Sunday according to Downing Street

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says it expects to face ‘several more weeks of fighting against Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon

(BBC)

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Asia stocks slide as US and Iran threaten to escalate war

Published

7 hours ago

2026/03/23

Priyan

Major stock markets in Asia slumped on Monday after Washington and Tehran threatened to escalate hostilities, as the Iran war enters its fourth week.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index was almost 3.6% lower, while South Korea’s Kospi fell by almost 6%.

US President Donald Trump warned on Saturday that he would “obliterate” Iranian power plants if Iran did not open the key Strait of Hormuz shipping route. Iran said it would respond to any such strikes by targeting key infrastructure in the region, including energy facilities.

Japan and South Korea have been particularly impacted by the conflict, as they are heavily dependent on oil and gas that would normally pass through the strait.

Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest shipping channels, since the US and Israel attacked the country on 28 February.

About 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) usually passes through the waterway – and the war has sent global fuel prices soaring.

On Monday, International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol said that the war could see the world facing its worst energy crisis in decades.

Speaking at the National Press Club in Australia’s capital, Birol compared the current energy crisis to those of the 1970s and the impact of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

“This crisis as things stand is now two oil crises and one gas crash put all together,” he said.

“If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!,” Trump said in a social media post published at 23:44 GMT Saturday.

That threat came after Iranian missiles hit the Israeli city of Dimona, and shortly before a second attack on the town of Arad nearby.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, said on Sunday that energy and desalination infrastructure in the region would be “irreversibly destroyed” if his country’s power plants were attacked.

Such action would significantly escalate the conflict, which has already disrupted global energy supplies, pushing up prices and causing fuel shortages.

Other markets in the Asia-Pacific region were also lower on Monday.

Hong Kong’s Hang was down by almost 3.5% and the Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite index 2.5% lower.

Global oil prices were broadly steady, with Brent crude 0.45% higher at $112.69 (£84.56) a barrel and US-traded oil was up by 0.7% at $98.93.

[BBC]

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Anuradhapura, Mannar and Vavuniya districts

Published

8 hours ago

2026/03/23

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
at 3.30 p.m. on 22 March 2026, valid for 23 March 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in
Anuradhapura, Mannar and Vavuniya districts.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.