Home Blog Page 75

T20 World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony: Date, Time, Performers and Details

0

T20 World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony: Date, Time, Performers and Details
T20 WC Finals (Agency Photo)

2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to reach climax on Sunday indian national cricket team The final was played against the New Zealand national cricket team in Ahmedabad. After nearly a month of gripping matches and dramatic comebacks, the tournament will conclude with the much-anticipated title clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium.india leader Suryakumar YadavA 7-run win over England Cricket in a tense semi-final in Mumbai sealed a place in the final. Meanwhile, New Zealand sealed their summit berth with a superb performance in the last four matches, beating South Africa by nine wickets in Kolkata.

T20 World Cup Final: Greenstone Lobo predicts India vs New Zealand winner horoscope analysis

This will mark India’s fourth T20 World Cup final as the team chases a record third title. For New Zealand, this will be their second final appearance as they continue their pursuit of their first T20 World Cup trophy.India will enter this contest with several factors working in their favour. They sit at home and have the confidence of defending their title, having also had success against New Zealand in the recent bilateral series. However, the historical record adds an interesting twist as New Zealand have never been beaten by India in the tournament.Both teams had their ups and downs during the game. At different stages, both sides faced the risk of being eliminated early, and then recovered strongly to enter the finals of global events.Before the much-anticipated final begins, organizers plan to hold a special closing ceremony to celebrate the end of the competition.The closing ceremony of the 2026 T20 World Cup will be held on Sunday, March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The event is expected to begin at 5:30 p.m.Awards ceremony will feature performances by international pop stars Ricky Martinpopular Bollywood and Punjabi singer Sukhbir, and renowned Gujarati folk artist Falguni Pathak, add a vibrant musical vibe before the final showdown begins.

From Tamil Nadu to West Bengal: How Governor RN Ravi’s transfer affects two poll-bound states

0

从泰米尔纳德邦到西孟加拉邦:州长 RN Ravi 的调任如何影响两个受民意调查影响的邦<sup></sup>” decoding=”async” fetchpriority=”high”/></div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div></div>
</div>
<p>New Delhi: Yes <a href=bjp Transforming Raj Bhavans into a ‘war room’? Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress thinks so, especially after the pivot at the Center governor of tamil nadu RN Ravi flew from Tamil Nadu to West Bengal. The appointment and transfer of governors is a routine executive decision, but when changes come to poll-bound states, there are accusations that the decision is politically motivated. Ironically, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has high stakes in both Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, which are going to polls in a few months. In West Bengal, the Bharatiya Janata Party is gearing up to oust the Mamata-led Trinamool Congress government, while in Tamil Nadu, the saffron party has played a key role in an anti-DMK alliance with its ally AIADMK.

Return or the main strategic line? How former CMK return in Tamil Nadu reshapes state politics

Why is there Registered Nurse RaviTransfer sparks backlash?RN Ravi’s tenure in Tamil Nadu was eventful. As the state’s governor, Ravi, a former deputy national security adviser, often engaged in public feuds with Stalin’s MK. DMK Government targets different issues. No wonder the ruling Trinamool Congress party in West Bengal reacted with shock to the change. DMK MP P Wilson’s reaction sums it all up: “I am sad about two things – firstly, the DMK has lost a star campaigner in the upcoming elections. RN Ravi is a constant reminder of the BJP’s intentions for Tamil Nadu. Secondly, I feel sad for the people of West Bengal and my good friends in the All India Trinamool Congress Party. Wherever he (RN Ravi) goes, the casualties are the Constitution, the federal structure and parliamentary democracy,” DMK’s Rajya Sabha member wrote on XSenior political analyst R Kannan welcomed RN Ravi’s transfer. “He had a bitter confrontation with the state government and some of the things he insisted on, such as the playing of the national anthem at the beginning of parliamentary sessions, were simply wrong. Things like insufficient faculty in universities are appropriate. The performance was mixed, but it was a welcome departure,” he said.Trinamool leaders were quick to attack the BJP for this “unilateral decision”. TMC’s Rajya Sabha Sagarika Ghose deputy leader claimed: “The Modi government has once again shown contempt for constitutional federalism by unilaterally appointing the new governor of Bengal. Raj Bhavans has become the war room of the BJP.” Why DMK MP calls RN Ravi party star campaignerRN Ravi became the 26th Governor of Tamil Nadu in 2021, a few months after the MK Stalin-led DMK government took office. His tenure in the state was tumultuous and he often clashed with the state government. Ravi walked out of a rally for the fourth consecutive time this year without delivering his customary speech, claiming disrespect for the national anthem. The governor was involved in several bills passed by the Assembly, prompting the state government to file cases in the Supreme Court. Disagreements over the appointment of vice-chancellors have resulted in 14 of the state’s 22 universities having principals with tenure ranging from one to three years.Then there are policy-driven fights, such as those over national education policy.While all these issues affect the ruling DMK, what may worry the BJP and its ally AIADMK is RN Ravi’s multiple confrontations with the state government over his remarks against Dravidian ideology and its icons. This may explain why MP P Wilson said the DMK has lost a star campaigner. Perhaps, not only the DMK but also the AIADMK will be relieved by this change.Why Trinamool is worriedFor the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, confrontation with the governor has long been part of its politics. It started with Jagdeep Dhankar, who often clashed with the Mamata government when he was the governor of West Bengal. Then there is CV Ananda Bose. After a brief period of affability, his tenure was marked by confrontation on a variety of issues. Now, the Trinamool Congress is braced for another round of unrest in view of RN Ravi and his record of confrontation with the DMK government. As expected, the BJP welcomed Ravi’s appointment. In an interesting remark, senior West Bengal BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said the change of governor should not automatically be interpreted as a step towards imposing President’s rule, even as he hinted that the situation in the state could lead to such an outcome if the situation worsens.“The new Governor is coming and we welcome him. We are happy to have an IPS officer as the Governor. The law and order situation in Bengal is very bad and we hope the situation will improve under his watch,” Ghosh told news agency IANS.“If the President’s Rule is to be implemented in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee cannot stop it. But if the Governor is changed, it does not necessarily mean that the President’s Rule has been implemented.” However, because of their attitude, Presidential Rules may happen. Disruptions and delays in the SIR process, as well as lack of cooperation from staff, led to the violence,” he said.These comments partly explain why the Trinamool reacted strongly to the new appointments. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has claimed that outgoing Governor Bose may have been pressured by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to “serve certain political interests” ahead of the Assembly elections.Can a governor act independently of an elected state government?The Constitution gives the governor a dual role. The Governor-General is the executive head of the state (Article 154) and the constitutional representative of the Centre. As titular heads, they usually act on the advice of the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers (Article 163), but they have discretionary powers.Article 163 provides: “A Council of Ministers, headed by the Chief Minister, shall be established to assist and advise the Governor in the discharge of his functions, except insofar as the Governor is required to exercise any function under this Constitution or at his discretion.” Obviously, the governor has discretion. Supreme Court lawyer and constitutional law expert Ginant Singh said: “There is no doubt that the governor has the power to act independently of the state government in certain circumstances. However, this power should not be abused as has happened recently.”“If you look at the content of the oath taken by the governor, you will find that it is different from the content of the oath taken by political administrators and even judges, including the Chief Justice of India, so far, that the governor will act to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the laws,” said Ginant Singh.The content of the oath is similar to the content of the presidential oath. And for the political executives and judges of the Supreme Court, the oath taken is about “true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India” and not about “preserving, protecting and defending the Constitution”. The Constitution gives the Governor this special responsibility, but problems arise when his actions are politically motivated and violate the spirit of the Constitution.The oath of office of the Union Minister is as follows: “I will preserve the sovereignty and integrity of India, I will discharge my duties as a Union Minister faithfully and conscientiously, and I will treat all persons with kindness and kindness in accordance with the Constitution and the law, without fear, favor, affection or malice.”Clearly, the Constitution gives the governor discretion. But when that discretion appears to benefit the party’s dominance at the center, it sparks political controversy and accusations of abuse of the position. The state government has been demanding a say in appointing governors. The Sarkaria and Punchhi committees have made recommendations in this regard. But it is clear that no political party has the will to implement these recommendations. Therefore, this political battle is unlikely to end anytime soon.

Zohran Mamdani backs wife Rama Duwaji, calls her ‘private person’ amid report on pro-Palestinian campaign

0

mayor of new york city Zoran Mamdani He expressed support for his wife, Rama Duwaji, when asked about her social media interactions with certain pro-Palestinian posts on Instagram.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed support for his wife, Rama Duwaji, after she posted pro-Palestinian content online. (Reuters)
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed support for his wife, Rama Duwaji, after she posted pro-Palestinian content online. (Reuters)

Duwaji, an illustrator and animator, expressed her approval by liking a post slamming the “military occupation.” Israel In Gaza. The post, shared by @theslowfactory on October 7, 2023, described Hamas’ attacks on Israel as “breaking down the walls of apartheid” and highlighted long-standing blockades and human rights abuses in the region.

The post featured photos of bulldozers removing barriers Israel-Gaza At the border, there was another photo of Palestinians celebrating aboard a captured IDF vehicle.

The post and Duvaji’s involvement were highlighted in a recent article by the pro-Israel outlet Jewish Insider, which also noted other pro-Palestinian posts Duvaji Used to like it.

Also read: Who is Brian Kinney? Corey Lewandowski’s wife Allison’s first husband killed in 9/11 terrorist attacks

Mamdani calls wife ‘the love of my life’

Mamdani was asked about the report at a recent press conference. In response, he said: “My wife is the love of my life and she is also a private person with no official role in my campaign or City Hall.”

He went on to say that he had a responsibility to take responsibility for his “ideas, policies and decisions.”

Zohran Mamdani’s social media activity

Duvaji interacts on Instagram through her personal account, where she often shares her artwork and expresses her support for Palestine.

Shortly after October 7, Duwaj reportedly liked more posts with the slogan “River to Sea,” which some interpreted as a call for the elimination of Israel, while others interpreted it as a call for the liberation of Palestine.

Mamdani’s His stance on the conflict between Israel and Gaza came under intense scrutiny during last year’s mayoral campaign. He condemned Israel’s actions and called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” and promised to arrest him if he visited New York City.

However, he maintained that he is committed to ensuring that the city remains a safe environment for all Jewish New Yorkers, free of anti-Semitism.

Middle East Crisis: Are Iranian Ballistic Missiles Exhausted in US-Israeli Attack?

0

Middle East Crisis: Are Iranian Ballistic Missiles Exhausted in US-Israeli Attack?
Representative image (Source: ChatGPT)

Is Iran about to run out of ballistic missile arsenal?The Middle East remains on edge after U.S. President Donald Trump’s epic Wrath campaign and Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion targeted Iran’s leadership and military infrastructure, killing Iran’s longtime leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggering a wave of retaliation from Tehran across the region.Since then, Iran has launched missile and drone attacks on U.S. military bases, Israel and multiple Gulf countries. But a new report suggests Tehran’s most powerful weapon, its ballistic missile force, may already be under severe strain.

Iran launches five waves of ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities in less than 12 hours

A report from the Jewish Institute for National Security Studies in America (JINSA), an American think tank, said that attacks by the United States and Israel have significantly weakened Iran’s ability to launch missiles in the current war.

Missile attacks drop sharply

JINSA said the number of Iranian ballistic missile launches has dropped by about 90% since the beginning of the conflict. Attacks against Israel alone have decreased by approximately 88%.The report also noted that Iran fired more missiles on the first day of Israel’s early Operation Lion last year than in the first five days of the current war combined.The think tank said the U.S.’s Operation Epic Fury and Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion had reduced Iran’s daily missile launches to a rate nearly three times faster than during the conflict in 2025.

The transmitter becomes the weak link

A major reason for the decline was the destruction of missile launchers. JINSA estimates that approximately 75% of Iran’s launch capabilities were destroyed within a short period of time.Launchers have become a major bottleneck in Iran’s missile operations. Whenever Iran launches a missile, U.S. and Israeli forces have another opportunity to locate and destroy the remaining launch systems.As a result, Iran has shifted from large-scale missile attacks to smaller, less frequent strikes.

Inventories under pressure

Iran entered the war with a large stockpile of missiles – about 2,000 medium-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israel, and 6,000 to 8,000 short-range missiles designed to strike regional targets.However, ongoing attacks have destroyed many of the missiles and disrupted the logistics needed to transport them from storage locations to launch sites.The loss of medium-range missiles is particularly damaging because these systems were specifically designed to target Israel and cannot be easily replaced by short-range weapons.JINSA said that at the current rate of losses, Iran could lose most of its ability to launch these missiles at Israel within a few days to a week.

Strategy shifts to Gulf targets

The report also noted that Iran has expanded the scope of its attacks to the entire region, not just targeting Israel. By targeting Gulf states, Tehran may seek to increase pressure on U.S. allies and expand the political impact of the conflict.This approach would also require different missiles – long-range systems for Israel and short-range missiles for the Gulf states.

Drones and agents may be next

As its missile-launching capabilities shrink, Iran is expected to increasingly rely on drones and allied proxy groups.Lebanese Hezbollah, Iran-backed Iraqi militias and Yemen’s Houthi rebels could play a larger role in attacks against Israel, U.S. forces and Gulf states.Kinsa said Iran may still try to carry out occasional missile strikes or even a one-off large-scale attack. But such an attack would quickly deplete its remaining transmitters.Overall, the report concluded that Iran’s missile activity is likely to continue to shrink as U.S. and Israeli strikes destroy launchers and disrupt supply lines, forcing Tehran to rely more on drones and proxy warfare to pressure its adversaries.

‘Inflation whip to hit public’: Opposition slams Center for LPG cylinder price hike

0

NEW DELHI: The opposition on Saturday lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing them of “waving the whip of inflation on the public” after raising prices of LPG cylinders across the country. The price of 14.2 kg household cylinder has been increased by Rs 60 while the price of 19 kg commercial cylinder has been increased by Rs 115 with the revised rates effective from Saturday, March 7.Congress calls PM ‘inflation man’The Congress launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him an “inflation man” and accusing the government of pushing up the cost of living.The party posted on X that the price increase will directly affect ordinary families. Congress wrote on “Meanwhile, for commercial LPG cylinders, you now have to pay Rs 115 more. In the last 3 months, the price of commercial LPG cylinders has increased by Rs 307. Narendra Modi keeps waving the inflation whip at the public,” it added.Pawan Keira Target Hardeep Singh PuriCongress leader Pawan Khera also criticized Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri for the rate hike, questioning his recent assurances on fuel affordability.Khera wrote in a post on Never believe what Hardeep Singh Puri says. “Kaira’s remarks came a day after the minister said India was not short of energy despite ongoing conflicts in West Asia.Earlier, Puri had assured consumers that there was nothing to worry about, while responding to concerns over fuel supply.“Our priority is to ensure that our citizens have access to affordable, sustainable fuel and we are doing so with ease. There is no energy shortage in India and our energy consumers have nothing to worry about,” the Union minister posted on X on Friday.Mamata attack centerWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also criticized the price hike, raising concerns about the burden on ordinary households.She said: “LPG prices have increased again. Now you have to book gas 21 days in advance, so if you run out of LPG at home, what will you do in these 21 days? What will you eat? Will you order food delivered to your door? Even the kerosene quota has been reduced. You are increasing the prices of things every day. Is that why you want to remove votes? To break Bengal? Others may be afraid of you, but we will not. We will expose you.”Liquefied petroleum gas price adjustments in major citiesAfter the latest adjustment, the price of 14.2kg domestic liquefied petroleum gas cylinders has increased in many cities:

  • Delhi: Rs 853 → Rs 913
  • Mumbai: Rs 852.50 → Rs 912.50
  • Kolkata: Rs 879 → Rs 939
  • Chennai: Rs 868.50 → Rs 928.50

Prices of 19kg commercial LPG cylinders have also increased:

  • Delhi: Rs 1,768.50 → Rs 1,883
  • Mumbai: Rs 1,720.50 → Rs 1,835
  • Kolkata: Rs 1,875.50 → Rs 1,990
  • Chennai: Rs 1,929 → Rs 2,043.50

The last domestic LPG price revision was in April 2025, when the unsubsidized price in Delhi was Rs 853.The comments came against the backdrop of tensions in West Asia, which have stoked global concerns about possible disruptions to the flow of crude oil through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, ANI quoted government sources as saying that India’s oil, petroleum products and LPG supply situation was “very comfortable”.

Google offers Sundar Pichai a compensation package worth up to $692 million: Everything you need to know

0

Sundar PichaiGoogle’s CEO will be paid up to $692 million under a new compensation plan announced Friday by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Indian-origin tech leader, who is also the CEO of Google parent company Alphabet, is expected to earn the money over the next three years.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai attends the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit in New Delhi, India. (Associated Press)
Google CEO Sundar Pichai attends the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit in New Delhi, India. (Associated Press)

Within the compensation plan:

According to reports, Pichai’s salary of $6 million over three years, or $2 million per year, will not change. The remainder of his compensation plan will be paid out in Alphabet stock.

Also read: Jack Dorsey’s Block Techie who survived mass layoffs offered 75% pay rise, but she quits

In addition, the compensation will include shares in two subsidiaries: self-driving car company Waymo and drone delivery service Wing. According to SEC filings, Pichai could receive nearly $175 million from subsidiaries, including $45 million from Wing and $130 million from Waymo.

However, the allocation will reportedly depend on the stock’s performance. As for Alphabet, it will depend on the amount of dividends paid. The deal will make Sundar Pichai one of the highest paid people CEO in the world.

What happens if you get fired?

If Pichai is fired, he will have to “forfeit all outstanding stock options,” according to the filing.

Also read: Delhi entrepreneur explains how his top truck drivers earn more than software developers

“Mr. Pichai’s current and prior compensation incentives have significantly benefited Alphabet and its shareholders,” the company said in the filing.

(With input from AFP)

‘Wants access to our ports’: EAM Jaishankar on India’s rescue of Iranian ships

0

EAM S Jaishankar

New Delhi: In his first response to the US Navy’s sinking of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said one Iranian ship had sought and received permission to dock in India while another Iranian warship, the IRIS Dena, got caught on the “wrong side of the incident” near Sri Lanka.ALSO READ | Days before ‘IRIS Dena’ was sunk by US, India provides safe harbor to another Iranian shipJaishankar made the remarks during the Resina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi.

Jaishankar explains why India allowed Iranian ships to dock amid ongoing conflict between US, Iran

“I also support UNCLOS and international law… We received information from Iran that one of the ships that was probably closest to our border at the time wanted to come into our port. They reported that they were having problems… On March 1, we said we could come in and it took them a few days to get in and then they docked in Cochin… There were a lot of young cadets and they got off the ship,” the foreign minister said.He added that there were two other ships and the situation changed after a fleet review and exercise in India.

polling

Do you think India’s decision to allow the Iranian ship to dock due to difficulties was the right one?

“This ship, or these ships, and two other ships… when they set out and came here, it was a completely different situation. They came for a fleet review and then they got caught on the wrong side of the incident. So for us, when this ship wanted to come in and also got into difficulty, I think it was the humane thing… we followed that principle. In the sense of other ships, one obviously being in a similar situation in Sri Lanka, they made the decision they did and unfortunately, one of them didn’t make it,” he explained.The Iranian frigate participated in the Milan-2026 exercise hosted by India in Visakhapatnam last month. The IRIS Dena was hit by a torpedo fired by a U.S. Navy submarine early Wednesday as it returned to international waters, in what War Secretary Pete Hegseth described as a “quiet death.”The fact that the sunken ship was returning from India and was hit in the Indian Ocean led to opposition criticism of the government.ALSO READ | IRIS Dena sinking: BJP says illogical to blame India for US attack on Iranian frigateTalking about the issue, Jaishankar pointed out that foreign troops are already present in the region.“There is a lot of debate on social media about this… Please understand the reality of the Indian Ocean. Diego Garcia has been in the Indian Ocean for the past five years… The fact that foreign powers were stationed in Djibouti happened in the first decade of this century. The port of Hambantota (in Sri Lanka) came into being during this period,” he said.Diego Garcia is a joint US-UK military base located on the island of the same name in the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean.ALSO READ | Iran warns US it ‘regrets’ IRIS Dena submarine attack; second warship heads to Sri Lanka seeking asylumThe IRIS Dena was sunk by the United States in the epic Operation Fury against Iran launched on February 28 with Israel, which Israel dubbed Operation Roaring Lion. More than 80 sailors on the frigate were killed, and the Sri Lankan Navy rescued 32 people.Tehran responded by launching Operation Real Commitment 4, which targeted Israel and U.S. military bases in the Gulf states. Attacks have also targeted civilian infrastructure in Gulf states, drawing them into the conflict.

‘Give him a break’: Former India batsman urges India to drop Abhishek for final

0

'Give him a break': Former India batsman urges India to drop Abhishek Sharma for T20 World Cup final

Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif urges team management to consider bold changes ahead of 2026 T20 World Cup final, hints at in-form opener Abhishek Sharma Should have been rested in the title match against the New Zealand national cricket team. India will face New Zealand in the summit meeting at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.Kraft trusts Indian think tank led by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadavshould not hesitate to make changes for such a crucial game. Abhishek had a tough game in the tenth edition of the tournament, crossing the 50-run mark only once and struggling against spin bowling on several occasions.

T20 World Cup Final: Greenstone Lobo predicts India vs New Zealand winner horoscope analysis

Opposition teams targeted this weakness by introducing spinners in the powerplay. Abhishek fell down four times during the match, usually while trying to attack from the start. The aggressive approach that usually defines his batting hasn’t paid off this time around and he’s struggled to adapt to spin shots or take time to settle at the crease.The situation was also complicated by health issues before the game. Abhishek suffered a stomach infection shortly before the start of the match and had to be hospitalized. The disease caused significant weight loss and a lack of strength that seemed to affect his bat swing and overall confidence. His woes extended to the field as well, with the left-hander missing two catches in India’s Super Eights match against West Indies.With these factors in mind, Kraft believes the team can start by bringing in Linku Singh finals.“India can give Abhishek Sharma a break. He has played a lot of games now. There’s no harm in making changes. You can make changes in the shortest format. Roston Chase’s Brandon King was out of form against India. They backed him for five or six games, but in one big game they gave him a break. I believe, like you brought in Sanju and he did a great job, so this change is good for you,” Kraft said on his YouTube channel.“India have proven players. Rinku Singh’s scores are everywhere, be it Test matches, Ranji Trophy or tournaments intense pulsed light. Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj also took wickets here and there. When you look at the dugout to see who can replace Abhishek Sharma, you will see Rinku Singh sitting there. So, bring him in. One is struggling and the other is sitting on the outside despite doing well,” he added.Abhishek’s lack of top form also prompted the team management to reintroduce Sanzhou Samson Entering the match eleven. The wicketkeeper-batsman responded impressively, hitting match-winning knocks against West Indies and England and was awarded the Man of the Match award in both matches.Kaif also pointed out that Samson’s experience in high-pressure tournaments sets him apart from Abhishek, who is relatively new to global events.“The biggest difference between Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson is that Abhishek Sharma is very new to ICC events. If you keep ICC events aside, he has a great record. There is a big difference when it comes to playing in ICC events like the World Cup,” Kaif said.“Sanju has scored over 8000 runs in T20S. His name is in the top 10 in the IPL, both in terms of runs scored and six-hitting ability. He is already a mature player. Abhishek Sharma is still young and needs to improve his game. He is not a finished product. Don’t compare him with Sanju. Sanju is already a finished product. He made his debut in India 11 years ago,” he concluded.

Explained: How Iran’s war is driving oil and gas prices sharply higher

0

Explained: How Iran's war is driving oil and gas prices sharply higher

Global oil prices surged this week as the war with Iran intensified, raising concerns about long-term disruptions to energy supplies in the Middle East.Oil prices surged a week after the United States and Israel launched major attacks on Iran, escalating tensions into a broader regional conflict. Ongoing hostilities have disrupted major energy routes and facilities, driving up oil and gas prices in global markets.

Oil prices climb to highest level since 2023

Oil prices continued to rise rapidly on Friday, with U.S. crude oil closing at $90.90 a barrel, up 36% from a week ago. In Friday trading alone, U.S. crude oil prices rose more than 12% to more than $91 a barrel, hitting their highest level since late 2022. U.S. crude oil prices have risen nearly 60% since the beginning of the year.Meanwhile, international benchmark Brent crude oil prices topped $94 a barrel, rising more than 9% to reach their highest level since late 2023. Analysts said the sharp rise reflected growing concerns that a war with Iran could trigger a long-term energy supply crisis.

Strait of Hormuz disruption leads to tanker stranding

The conflict has severely disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage that handles much of the world’s oil trade.Nearly 20 million barrels of oil are typically shipped daily through the narrow waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to global markets. However, several oil tankers have been stranded in the area due to concerns about missile and drone attacks, according to the Associated Press.The conflict has also caused damage to oil and gas facilities across the Middle East, disrupting supplies. A Wall Street Journal report said Kuwait “began cutting production from some oil fields after running out of space to store bottled crude.”As the conflict expands, energy infrastructure is directly affected.Iran has launched retaliatory attacks across the region, including a drone attack on the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia, as well as attacks on a major oil refinery in Saudi Arabia and a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Qatar.Analysts said the attack halted the flow of refined products and temporarily disrupted about 20% of the world’s liquefied natural gas supply.Claudio Galimberti, chief economist at Rystad Energy, said the scale of disruption was growing. “We keep seeing news of attacks on ships, refineries or pipelines, so the list is long.”He said about 9 million barrels per day of oil are currently off the market due to facility closures or precautionary measures taken by producers. Galimberti added: “Right now, with all of these being closed, we are in a situation of extreme deficit.”

Fuel prices rise for consumers

Soaring oil prices have pushed up fuel costs for consumers and businesses. U.S. regular gasoline prices rose to $3.32 a gallon on Friday, up 11% from a week ago, according to AAA. Diesel prices rose 15% to $4.33 per gallon during the same period.European and Asian energy markets, which rely heavily on supplies from the Middle East, have been hit even harder. According to Rystad Energy, diesel prices have doubled in Europe due to supply disruptions, while jet fuel prices have surged nearly 200% in Asia.The conflict also roiled financial markets. On Friday, the S&P 500 fell more than 1.3% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 453 points, or 1%. The Nasdaq Composite fell 1.6%.Currently, all three major stock indexes this year are in negative territory, with the Dow Jones Index recording its worst weekly performance since April 2025 and the S&P 500 Index recording its worst weekly performance since October.

“The problem is the oil deal…”

Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump said U.S. military action against Iran could last four to five weeks, but added that the U.S. “has the ability to last much longer.”Trump also appeared to rule out talks with Iran unless Iran agreed to significant concessions, saying: “No deal with Iran unless there is unconditional surrender!”Al Salazar, head of macro oil and gas research at Enverus, warned that this situation is likely to continue. “The more messages we hear, the more it feels like this is going to be going on for a long time.”To help stabilize maritime trade, Trump announced a plan to insure up to $20 billion in loss insurance for ships operating in the Gulf. The initiative aims to restore confidence among shipping lines and support businesses operating in the Middle East.However, some experts say financial guarantees alone may not solve potential safety issues.Amy Jaffe, director of the Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Laboratory at New York University, said shipping companies remain concerned about security threats, the Associated Press reported. “The problem is that in the oil trade, oil transportation area, people are worried about counterterrorism.”“In order for the United States to create an atmosphere that eliminates the current bottleneck in the Strait of Hormuz, some credible solutions to counterterrorism issues must be presented,” Jaffe added.

Middle East tensions force England to move T20 World Cup camp from Abu Dhabi

0

Tensions in the Middle East force England to move T20 World Cup training camp from Abu Dhabi to South Africa
dubai international cricket stadium

The England women’s cricket team has moved its T20 World Cup preparation camp to South Africa after canceling a training program in Abu Dhabi amid security concerns related to the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran.Around 30 players will now gather in Pretoria for a training camp. They will be divided into two teams of 15 players each for a five-game intrasquad series scheduled for March 10-27.Both teams are named after former England players Jan Brittin and Rachel Hayhoe-Flint, who were part of the home World Cup winning side.England captain Nat Seaver-Brent will lead the Brittain side. The team will be coached by former Durham batsman and England Women’s assistant coach Jon Lewis. Vice-captain Charlie Dean will captain Hayhoe-Flint, with assistant coach Luke Williams in charge.Head coach Charlotte Edwards will oversee both teams during training camp. She said the series will help players compete for a spot in the team ahead of the home T20 World Cup.“This is a fantastic opportunity for every player involved to put their hand up and prove they are an invaluable part of our World Cup plans,” Edwards said in a press release, according to news agency PTI.“This is the same opportunity for every player, whether they are new to the team or have already played 100 games. We want to use this series as an opportunity to stretch ourselves and put ourselves under pressure in a competitive game.“We have held two training camps this year in Oman and Stellenbosch with a focus on skills. Our next step is to add a more competitive element and I am very pleased with the performance of the team ahead of the summer.”This will be England’s second training camp in South Africa this year, following skills-focused camps in Oman in January and Stellenbosch last month.England are scheduled to play white-ball series against New Zealand and India ahead of the T20 World Cup from June 12 to July 5. They will then play a women’s Test match against India at Lord’s.Heyhoe-Flint Team: Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Charlie Dean (captain), Sophie Ecclestone, Mahika Gaur, Dani Gibson, Jodi Grewcock, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Grace Potts, Grace Scrivens, Alexa Stonehouse, Danni Wyatt-Hodge.Team Brittin: Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Sophia Dunkley, Lauren Filer, Freya Kemp, Charis Pavely, Davina Perrin, Paige Scholfield, Nat Sciver-Brunt (captain), Linsey Smith, Rhianna Southby, Ellie Threlkeld, Mady Villiers, Issy Wong.