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IND vs ENG: How India fared in T20 World Cup semi-finals

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IND vs ENG: How India fared in T20 World Cup semi-finals
India head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav (ANI Photo)

New Delhi: India are heading into their sixth T20 World Cup semi-finals in ten editions and will look to defend their title against England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.Their journey in the tournament dates back to 2007, when they reached the semi-finals in the first edition. India beat Australia in Durban and then Pakistan in the final in Johannesburg to win the T20 World Cup for the first time.

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Gautam Gambhir 75 runs were scored in the final and bowlers like RP Singh and Irfan Pathan played a key role under the captaincy MS Dhoni.After this, India failed to reach the semi-finals in 2009, 2010 and 2012. In 2014, they defeated South Africa and returned to the semi-finals. Virat KohliSri Lanka remained unbeaten with 72. However, despite Kohli’s 77 in the final, Sri Lanka chased down 131 and missed out on India.In 2016, India reached the semi-finals again at home, but lost to eventual champions West Indies in Mumbai.A big moment comes in 2022 as India face England in the knockout rounds for the first time. India posted 168/6 with Kohli and Hardik Pandya scoring 50 runs, but the England openers chased down India without losing a single wicket to win by 10 wickets to clinch the title.The race for 2024 continues. Batting first, India scored 171, led by Rohit Sharma57 points. This time, England lost by 103 runs and India won by 68 runs. They defeated South Africa in the final to win the T20 World Cup for the second time.Now, India and England will meet in the semi-finals for the third consecutive time. It is expected to add a new chapter to their increasingly fierce World Cup competition.

UAE Travel Alert: Air Arabia extends flight suspension until March 9, what passengers need to know | World News

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UAE Travel Alert: Air Arabia extends flight suspension until March 9, what travelers need to know

Air Arabia has extended the suspension of flights to and from the UAE until 15:00 (UAE time) on Monday, March 9, 2026, while allowing a limited number of flights to be operated in coordination with the authorities.

Limited flights approved for operation

The airline confirmed it is currently operating only a limited number of flights. The services are being coordinated with relevant authorities and are still subject to operational and safety approvals.Air Arabia will contact passengers planning to travel on operating flights directly with further details.

Passengers are advised not to go to the airport

Air Arabia advises all other passengers not to travel to the airport unless they receive direct notification from the airline.The airline urged passengers to wait for official announcements before heading to the airport as most services remain suspended.

Rebooking and flight update guidelines

Passengers are asked to check flight status regularly through airline websites.Passengers who booked their tickets through Air Arabia’s direct channel can visit the airline’s website to select alternative travel options. Passengers who booked through a travel agent should contact their travel agent directly for rebooking assistance.

Airlines receive a flood of inquiries

Air Arabia said it is currently receiving a high volume of inquiries and asked passengers to be patient while it handles requests.Passengers are encouraged to follow the airline’s official website and communication channels such as social media for the latest travel updates.The airline is also reminding travelers to ensure their contact details are updated via the Manage Booking page so important notifications can be sent directly.Air Arabia added that as the situation continues to evolve, the safety of its passengers and crew remains its top priority.

Glenn Maxwell breaks silence to announce retirement after Australia T20 World Cup disaster

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Glenn Maxwell breaks silence to announce retirement after Australia T20 World Cup disaster
Australia’s Glenn Maxwell (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Australian veteran all-rounder Glenn Maxwell Stressing that he has no immediate plans to quit T20 internationals, the 2028 T20 World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics are both on his radar.Maxwell, 37, will turn 40 when Australia hosts the 2028 T20 World Cup, an event expected to take place a few months after the 2028 Summer Olympics cricket tournament in Los Angeles. Speculations about his future have intensified following Australia’s early exit from the recent T20 World Cup and poor form with the bat, but the explosive all-rounder insists he is not rushing into any retirement decision.“I think not making a decision around my future will probably be more based on what the next 12 months looks like. There’s not much T20 cricket planned so there’s probably no need to make any kind of formal announcement, just look at my fitness and my travels and if there’s an opportunity to play in the future hopefully I’ll be fit and full of energy,” Maxwell told reporters in Melbourne on Wednesday.Australia’s T20I schedule remains light until August 2027, with only eight bilateral matches currently scheduled. Maxwell has ended his ODI career but is still willing to extend his tenure in the shortest international format.Maxwell sounded hopeful but cautious when asked about the prospect of playing in the 2028 Olympics and the home T20 World Cup.“Fitness and shooting? Hopefully. But yeah, no dates have been set. I feel like I’m getting better and better throughout the World Cup. I’m probably going to judge more on my runs on the pitch and how I feel, that’s probably more important than any statistics on wickets and runs. I just feel like I’ll be able to finish the game more easily. It feels like I’m doing the best I can in my role and feels like I still have a lot to offer,” he said.Although his recent returns in T20Is and Big Bash League have been modest, Maxwell believes his value to the team is not just in terms of statistics.Australia’s next T20I assignment is a three-match series against Bangladesh in June as part of a wider tour that also includes ODIs against Bangladesh and Pakistan. Maxwell confirmed discussions were ongoing with selectors about the plans.“We’ve had some discussions about what’s going to happen and we’re going to continue to have really open and fluid discussions. Like I said, if I’m healthy and able to play and available, I’ll be ready,” he said.After leaving the international stage, Maxwell will remain busy on the franchise circuit. He has agreed to a two-year contract extension with Melbourne Stars of the Big Bash League and will also play pakistan super leagueMajor League Cricket and the new T20 competition in Europe later this year. He will represent Hyderabad Kings in the PSL, making his debut in the tournament.“Looking at my window between the World Cup and the MLC, since we weren’t as deep into the tournament as I had planned, I found myself with a lot more time between tournaments and just felt like I was going to be cold going into the next game,” Maxwell said.“So it could be a perfect time gap to bridge. And the opportunity to join a new team and start from the ground up with someone – I really enjoy those opportunities. I think starting with a team from the beginning is great to be a part of and build a brand,” he said.

Parents of Indian-American Savitha Shah, killed in Austin bar shooting, break silence, ‘She believed…’

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Family members of the deceased savitha mountainA 21-year-old University of Texas student who was shot by a gunman at an Austin bar has released a statement after confirming his daughter was the second victim of the shooting.

Savitha Shan, a 21-year-old senior at the University of Texas, was one of the victims of the Austin shooting.
Savitha Shan, a 21-year-old senior at the University of Texas, was one of the victims of the Austin shooting.

The family expressed deep sadness and overwhelming grief, confirming the tragic death of their “beloved daughter in the recent terrorist attack” in the United States. “She was 21 years old and our only child. Our hearts are broken beyond words,” Savitha’s parents said.

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Savita Shan: A dedicated student

“Savitha was an intelligent, compassionate and deeply caring young woman whose presence brought warmth, comfort and joy to all who knew her. She was a dedicated student at the University of Texas, Austin’s McCombs School of Business, where she studied with determination and excellence. She believed in hard work, service to others and living with integrity,” the statement continued.

“Her sudden and heartbreaking death has left an irreplaceable void in our lives and the lives of all who loved her. This loss feels unreal and profoundly unfair, and the space she once illuminated is now filled with sadness. As we mourn this unimaginable loss, we also keep the other victims of this tragedy in our hearts.”

two other victims austin The shooters have been identified as Jorge Pedersen and Ruud Harrington.

The incident happened around 2 a.m. Sunday outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, a bar frequented by college students near the university campus. On Monday night, the Austin Police Department identified the suspect as Ndiaga Diagne. Shot and killed by law enforcement officers. Fourteen people were also injured, some of them in critical condition.

Who is Savitha Shan? “Superstar” students

Savitha Shan is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a double major. University records show her legal last name is Shanmugasundaram. She is widely regarded as one of the university’s most outstanding students.

University of Texas at Austin President Jim Davis described her in a letter to the campus community as “a child with loving parents. A devoted friend to many. A Longhorn ready to change the world.”

Shan is actively involved in student life and serves on the executive committee of the Indian Students Association. Faculty members remember her as academically outstanding and professionally ambitious.

Russ Finney, an assistant professor at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin, told The

The shooting followed weekend military developments between the United States, Israel and Iran and heightened security concerns across the country.

Russian Shadow Fleet LNG tanker sinks after ‘sudden explosion’ off Libyan coast

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Russian Shadow Fleet LNG tanker sinks after 'sudden explosion' off Libyan coast

The Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Arctic Metagaz sank in the central Mediterranean between Libya and Malta after a “sudden explosion” sparked a fire on board, Libya’s Ports and Maritime Transport Authority said on Wednesday.All 30 crew members were rescued in waters off Libya, they added.Libyan ports and maritime transport authorities said the Arctic Metagaz tanker “experienced a sudden explosion followed by a fire that ultimately led to its complete sinking” north of the Libyan coast.There were no immediate reports of crew casualties.According to local reports, the Russian Ministry of Transport later accused Ukraine of launching a naval drone attack on the oil tanker from the Libyan coast, claiming that the “Arctic Metaz” was hit by an unmanned surface ship, but Kyiv has not publicly commented on this accusation.

Russia provides energy support despite Trump threats, India confident of averting fuel crisis in war

The Armed Forces of Malta’s Rescue Coordination Center, which helped coordinate the response, said the survivors of the Arctic Metagaz were found on a lifeboat in the Libyan search and rescue area and were reported to be safe.Tracking data showed the ship had earlier loaded liquefied natural gas at a Russian floating storage facility before sailing around Western Europe and into the Mediterranean, where its automatic identification system signal disappeared about 30 nautical miles off the northeastern coast of Malta before the fire broke out.The Maltese Armed Forces said they were alerted to the distress situation of the Arctic Metagaz outside Malta’s search and rescue area and initiated verification procedures to locate the ship and work with international partners before the survivors were discovered on a lifeboat in Libyan waters.The crew abandoned ship as the fire spread and were later transferred to another ship after broadcasting a rescue coordination message to nearby ships, according to Maltese and Libyan authorities.

Abhishek’s top spot under threat, Farhan’s double ton shakes up ICC rankings

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Abhishek Sharma's top spot under threat, Sahibzada Farhan's twin shakes ICC rankings
Abhishek Sharma and Sahibzada Farhan (Institutional Photo)

pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan Already near the top of the ICC men’s T20I batting rankings, competition with India intensifies Abhishek Sharma Following the release of the latest weekly update on Wednesday.

T20I batting rankings

T20I batting rankings

Farhan climbed to the second spot after his historic performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The right-hander became the first cricketer to score two centuries in a single tournament and scored his second century against Sri Lanka at Pallekele in the last Super 8 match between the two sides. The knock not only moved him up one spot in the rankings, but also earned him a new career-high rating.

India reach final nets match before T20 World Cup semi-finals

Abhishek Sharma continues to occupy the first position, 26 points ahead of Farhan. The Pakistan batsman, who scored 383 runs during the World Cup, surpassed England’s Phil Salt and is now rated 848, significantly narrowing the gap at the top of the list. The end of the Super 8 phase triggered some other changes in the batting charts. Indian Ishan Kishan Fourth place is with 783 points, while Tilak Varma has moved up to sixth place with 749 points, both making it into the top 10. South Africa’s Dewald Brevis also secured eighth place. Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett made one of the biggest jumps, soaring six spots to 11th after scoring 292 points in the competition. South African pair Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram also advanced, rising to 13th and 16th respectively.

T20I bowling rankings

T20I bowling rankings

In the T20I bowling rankings, Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy remains at the top of the list, but his lead has been reduced to just 18 points as the tournament enters the knockout stages. Chakravarthy has taken 12 wickets so far but Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed is closing in after moving up two places to third. Among other bowlers, India’s Jasprit Bumrah climbed to seventh spot, while Arshdeep Singh jumped six places to 13th. England’s Liam Dawson jumped nine places to joint 14th, while South Africa pacer Lungi Ngidi climbed six places to 20th. All-round ranking continues to be led by Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza. Indian Hardik Pandya He now moves up one spot to second place, replacing Pakistan’s Saim Ayub as his closest challenger. West Indies veteran Jason Holder is another major winner, jumping eight places to 11th on the back of a stellar performance with bat and ball in the World Cup.

Veteran journalist and Padma Shri awardee HK Dua dies at 88

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Senior journalist and Padma Shri awardee HK Dua died in New Delhi on Wednesday at the age of 88, The Tribune reported. Three weeks ago, he was admitted to a private hospital and had been feeling unwell. His cremation will take place at Lodi Road Crematorium on March 5 at 12 noon.Dua is the former editor-in-chief of The Tribune and served as media advisor to former prime ministers Dev Gowda and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He also represented India as Ambassador to Denmark.He led the Tribune from 2003 to 2009 and was credited with growing the paper’s national standing and editorial credibility. During a distinguished career spanning several decades, Dua held senior editorial positions at The Indian Express, The Times of India and Hindustan Times.In 2009, he was nominated to the Bundestag to participate in debates on media freedom and public policy. In 2008, he was awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to journalism.Congress MP Manish Tewari expressed grief over Dua’s death, recalling that he “was an editor, but the editor’s identity was still important”.Tewari said in a post on X that Dua stood up for his beliefs, refused to compromise editorial independence and never sought favors from political leaders or media owners. He described him as a warm, humble man who was able to express his ideas with clarity and integrity. “It is sad to learn about the death of Sh HK Dua. He was an editor but being an editor is still important. Editor-in-Chief of The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Indian Express and The Tribune. He chose to live by his beliefs rather than be a lackey of the owners and an AD who kowtows to politicians. Media Advisor to the late Prime Minister Sh. Atal Behari Vajpayee, Ambassador of India to Denmark and nominated by the Prime Minister as Member of Parliament late Dr. Manmohan Singh. He is a very warm person, completely unpretentious and knows how to speak his mind,” Tewari wrote on “X”.

Heartbreaking note left by Annie’s sister Savannah Guthrie on Nancy’s memorial reveals, “We are standing…”

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Savannah Guthrie On Monday, she and her sister penned a poignant message for their missing mother while visiting a memorial outside 84-year-old Nancy’s home in Tucson.

Nancy Guthrie disappeared on February 1 and is currently under investigation, with authorities suspecting she was kidnapped. (Handout from NBC/Today/Reuters)
Nancy Guthrie disappeared on February 1 and is currently under investigation, with authorities suspecting she was kidnapped. (Handout from NBC/Today/Reuters)

“Mom, we miss you so much! Our hearts are broken. We stand in ashes and scorched earth!” the card read, according to NBC News.

“But, Mom, even though we are surrounded by so much darkness and uncertainty, our love burns bright,” it continued.

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Tribute to Savannah Guthrie with sister Annie and husband Cioni

TODAY star and her sister Anne and brother-in-law Tommaso ScioniThey could be heard crying as they approached the memorial together on Monday, holding flowers.

The heartfelt tribute comes one month after Nancy disappeared from her home in Arizona on February 1.

Haven’t seen her since Johnny That night, after a night filled with games and dinner with her family, authorities believe she was abducted from her home by masked kidnappers while she slept.

Nancy Guthrie case: No suspects arrested

Disturbing footage comes from Nancy’s Home security cameras appear to have captured the perpetrator – a masked man with a gun – sneaking up on him in the early morning hours. However, no suspects have been identified or arrested so far.

Many were briefly detained but all were released within hours, and all insisted they had no role in the abductions.

Furthermore, a series of ransom letters purportedly from the kidnappers, demanding millions of dollars for Nancy’s safe return, ultimately yielded no results after the deadline, and no evidence that Nancy was in the author’s custody.

Authorities have exonerated members of Nancy’s family, including Johnnyhe is the focus of online investigators because he was the last person to see Nancy alive.

However, law enforcement insists the investigation is moving forward and making progress despite Nancy His whereabouts remained unknown for more than four weeks, and no evidence was ever found.

‘Pakistan should do something’: Karthik slams England pair

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'By the same logic, Pakistan should do something': Dinesh Karthik slams England duo for earlier remarks against India
Team Pakistan and Dinesh Karthik

Indian cricket veteran after Pakistan were eliminated at Super 8 stage of 2026 T20 World Cup Dinesh Karthik A stinging dig at the former England captain Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussein.Last year, Atherton and Hussain had said that India had an unfair advantage when winning the Champions Trophy in Dubai.

India reach final nets match before T20 World Cup semi-finals

Since the Indian team plays all its matches at the same venue, they won’t have to deal with travel or changing conditions after the Indian government did not allow the team to travel to Pakistan. The British pair said adapting to one venue and staying in one place helps India better plan and ultimately win the title.Fast forward to this T20 World Cup, Kartik is using the same logic to question Pakistan’s performance. Speaking on the Sky Cricket Podcast, he said he expected both Sri Lanka and Pakistan to reach the semi-finals. He pointed out that the Pakistan team had a similar comfort level this time, playing continuously in Colombo, staying in a hotel and familiarizing themselves with the same pitches.That’s when he punched. Talking about Atherton and Hussain, Karthik said: “I was looking forward to Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Sri Lanka, because of their home conditions, because they are a team that needs a bigger cause. But that didn’t work out. Then I thought of Pakistan, purely because they have been playing in Colombo, staying in a hotel, knowing the same pitches – you ‘fossils’ all think that was the main reason why India won the Champions Trophy. “By the same logic, Pakistan should do something in this World Cup. Obviously, it works for one team but not another, so there is a real lack of skill there. I would support Pakistan and say they will bat more, but then it’s crazy to almost lose to Sri Lanka, and on top of that, you hear that.”

Eid Al Fitr 2026: Saudi Arabia declares Eid Al Fitr 2026 public holiday for government and private sector World News

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Saudi Arabia declares Eid al-Fitr 2026 as public holiday for government and private sector
Saudi Arabia declares Eid al-Fitr 2026 as official holiday/Photo: File

Saudi Arabia Eid al-Fitr 2026 public holidays have been officially declared for employees in the government, private and not-for-profit sectors, giving millions of workers a clear idea of ​​their time off at the end of Eid al-Fitr Ramadan. The decision was confirmed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, which outlined the start date and duration of the holidays in accordance with Saudi labor regulations.

saudi arabia eid al-fitr eid al-fitr 2026 holiday dates

According to the ministry, the Eid al-Fitr holiday for the private and non-profit sectors will begin at the end of the working day on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, which is the 29th of Ramadan 1447 in the Islamic calendar. The holiday will last four days. As a result, employees are expected to remain off work until Saturday, March 21, 2026, and then return to work according to the company’s official schedule.For government departments, holiday arrangements are usually announced through official announcements, and public officials can also take a few days off to mark the end of Ramadan. The announcement ensures coordination across departments and allows families to plan celebrations and travel arrangements in advance.

How is the date of Eid al-Fitr 2026 determined?

Eid al-Fitr marks the first day of Showar, the month following the Islamic lunar month of Ramadan. The exact date depends on the appearance of the new moon. If Ramadan ends for 29 days, Eid al-Fitr is expected to start on Thursday, March 19, 2026. However, if the moon is not visible, Ramadan will last for 30 days and Eid al-Fitr will begin one day later. After the Lunar Observation Committee completes its observations, the Saudi authorities will make a formal confirmation.Since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, dates in the Gregorian calendar advance each year. This makes official announcements particularly important for businesses, tour operators and residents to plan ahead.

Preparing for Eid al-Fitr

With the date now confirmed, celebrations are getting into high gear in the Kingdom. Eid Al Fitr, meaning “the feast of breaking the fast,” marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fast of Ramadan.

  • Shopping and Travel: Airports and shopping malls in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam are expected to experience significant increases in footfall as residents prepare for family gatherings and ‘Eidiah’ (gift-giving).
  • Moon Viewing: While the date for the holiday has been set, the official start of Eid al-Fitr (Eid al-Fitr) still hinges on traditional moon viewing. If Ramadan lasts for 30 days, Eid al-Fitr will fall on Friday, March 20; if it lasts for 29 days, it will start on Thursday, March 19.
  • Regional context: Saudi Arabia’s announcement follows similar announcements from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, and will bring much of the Gulf to a period of synchronized rest and reflection.

eid al-fitr the whole kingdom

Eid al-Fitr is one of the most important celebrations in Saudi Arabia and the entire Muslim world. The day begins with special collective prayers held shortly after sunrise, followed by family gatherings, festive meals, and al-Fitr (a charitable donation before the Eid prayers).By declaring the Eid al-Fitr 2026 public holiday in advance, the Saudi authorities are providing clarity and stability, ensuring smooth planning for government agencies, private businesses and millions of residents preparing to celebrate the end of Ramadan.