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National Security Council reviews security measures for 2024 presidential election

Published

1 year ago

2024/09/19

Priyan

The National Security Council convened this morning (19) at the Presidential Secretariat, chaired by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, to discuss security arrangements for the upcoming 2024 presidential election.

The council focused on ensuring the election is conducted independently and fairly, with full support pledged to the Election Commission to maintain law and order.

Key discussions included safeguarding candidates, securing polling centres, and upholding security at polling stations.

Additionally, President Wickremesinghe directed security agency heads to take all necessary steps to maintain peace and stability in the country during the post-election period, ensuring minimal disruption to the daily lives of citizens.

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Flights cancelled as travel warnings issued after strikes on Iran

Published

32 mins ago

2026/03/1

Priyan

Airlines serving the Middle East cancelled and diverted flights on Saturday after the US and Israel launched deadly strikes against on Iran, including its capital Tehran.

British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Wizz Air were among carriers to pare back their schedules to destinations in the Middle East, citing safety concerns.

Iran responded by launching a series of attacks, with Israel and four Gulf Arab countries that host US military bases – Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE – targeted by strikes.

The UK Foreign Office urged British nationals in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to immediately shelter in place following explosions.

US President Donald Trump cited a failure to reach an agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear programme and regime change as among the reasons for launching the attack.

Iranian and Israeli airspace were both closed on Saturday, with flight tracking showed international air traffic avoiding the region.

All flights in and out of Dubai International and Al Maktoum International airport in Dubai were suspended on Saturday afternoon.

On Saturday evening, the media office for Dubai International said the airport had sustained “minor damage in an incident” and that four members of staff had been injured.

Qatar Airways confirmed the temporary suspension of flights to and from its capital Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace, later saying operations would resume 19:00 Doha time on Sunday (16:00 GMT).

British Airways cancelled services to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until Wednesday.

Virgin Atlantic cancelled a Heathrow to Dubai flight and warned its flights to India, Saudi Arabia and the Maldives may take longer due to being rerouted.

Wizz Air suspended all flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman up until and including next Saturday.

Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport, urged travellers to check with their airline for updates.

Passengers on the 20:00 flight to Doha on Friday returned to Heathrow after it turned back part way through the journey, but this was due to a technical issue with the aircraft and unrelated to the military action.

[BBC]

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Trump says Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead after US-Israeli strikes

Published

43 mins ago

2026/03/1

Priyan

Donald Trump, pictured arriving in Florida [BBC]

Donald Trump has announced that Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei has been killed. Here is his whole post on his Truth Social Platform:

Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS. He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us. As I said last night, “Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death!” Hopefully, the IRGC and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots, and work together as a unit to bring back the Country to the Greatness it deserves. That process should soon be starting in that, not only the death of Khamenei but the Country has been, in only one day, very much destroyed and, even, obliterated. The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

[BBC]

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South Africa put spotless record on the line in all-African clash

Published

56 mins ago

2026/03/1

Priyan

Corbin Bosch has been sensational in the death [Cricinfo]

South Africa have had a near-perfect tournament so far. Fifty games in, they are the only unbeaten side in this 20-team T20 World Cup and are poised to enter the semi-finals with a spotless record. On Sunday, Aiden Markram’s men will meet their neighbours Zimbabwe, who last beat South Africa in international cricket way back in 2000. Overall, Zimbabwe have beaten South Africa just twice in 58 completed international matches.

Apart from history, the conditions and recent form are also against Zimbabwe. After toppling Australia and Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe have struggled across the board in India. Having suffered back-to-back defeats on flatter pitches at the Wankhede and Chepauk, Zimbabwe were knocked out of contention for the semi-finals.

Their bowlers conceded back-to-back 250-plus totals against West Indies and India. The indiscipline has seeped into their fielding as well: after dropping just one catch in the group stage, Zimbabwe have shelled at least five chances in two matches in the Super Eight. Yet they have had plenty of reasons to celebrate, including avoiding going through the qualifiers for the 2028 T20 World Cup.

South Africa may rest some of their key players as they did earlier in another dead rubber against UAE in Delhi.

A late bloomer in international cricket, allrounder Corbin Bosch has barely been needed with the bat in this competition, but has been South Africa’s go-to bowler in the death overs. He has bowled 54 balls between overs 16 and 20, conceding just 56 runs while taking three wickets. Lungi Ngidi’s variations have grabbed the headlines, but Bosch has certainly played his part with variations of his own, especially the yorker.

Brad Evans also has a good slower ball in his repertoire, but didn’t find grip at Wankhede or Chepauk. His slower ones slid onto the bat, making it easier for batters to line him up. Can he find a way to be more potent in these conditions and sign off on a high?

With not much riding on this fixture, South Africa may empty their bench again and keep some of their first-choice players fresh for the knockouts. Jason Smith, Kwena Maphaka, George Linde and Anrich Nortje all could add to their caps.

South Africa (probable): Aiden Markram (capt), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Jason Smith/David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen/Kwena Maphaka, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj/George Linde, Lungi Ngidi/Anrich Nortje

The presence of four left-handers in South Africa’s top seven may keep left-arm fingerspinner Wellington Masakadza on the bench. Zimbabwe, though, may consider bringing wristspinner Graeme Cremer back in place of medium-pacer Tinotenda Maposa.

Zimbabwe (probable): Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (capt), Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava