KABUL: The clean water crisis in Afghanistan has reached alarming levels, with the European Union warning that more than 20 million people lack access to safe drinking water.
According to reports, the EU has highlighted that contaminated water is contributing to a rise in waterborne diseases across the country. Afghan media outlet Khaama Press reported that over 212,000 children are currently affected by illnesses linked to unsafe water.
The World Health Organization (WHO) cited restrictions imposed by the Taliban and poor sanitation systems as key factors driving the surge in diseases.
The statement also noted that by May 2025, 442 medical clinics had been forced to close, further exacerbating the public health crisis.
The EU urged urgent international support to address Afghanistan’s water and health challenges, emphasizing that immediate action is needed to prevent further loss of life.
ISLAMABAD: The schedule and format for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) have been revealed. PSL 2026 will be held from March 26 to May 3, 2026, across five cities in Pakistan, featuring a total of 44 matches.
Sources confirmed that the tournament will feature eight teams competing in a single-league format, with each team playing a minimum of 10 matches. The entire PSL 11 will be completed over 39 days.
According to the plan, the first phase of the tournament will consist of 28 matches. In the second phase, the eight teams will be divided into two groups of four, and each team will play four matches within their group.
The Super Four stage will see each team play three matches, totaling 12 matches. The top two teams from each group in the Super Four stage will advance to the playoffs, ultimately deciding the PSL 2026 champion.
This edition promises exciting cricket action, with fans looking forward to high-quality matches and competitive encounters among all eight franchises.
Colombo: Sri Lanka’s former cricket captain and 1996 World Cup–winning hero Arjuna Ranatunga is likely to face arrest in connection with an alleged corruption case involving oil procurement, Sri Lankan media reported.
According to the reports, Ranatunga, who previously served as the country’s Minister of Petroleum, has been accused of financial irregularities in oil purchases. He is currently outside Sri Lanka, and a Colombo magistrate has ordered his arrest upon his return to the country.
The oil corruption scandal has already led to the arrest of Ranatunga’s elder brother, further intensifying scrutiny of the case.
It is noteworthy that during Sri Lanka’s political crisis in 2018, Ranatunga was also arrested on charges related to firing and murder.
An incident of gunfire in Colombo at the time resulted in one death and injuries to two others, with police describing Ranatunga’s role in the incident as significant.
Arjuna Ranatunga captained Sri Lanka to its historic Cricket World Cup victory in 1996, a landmark achievement in the country’s sporting history. Following his retirement from cricket, he entered politics and has held several key positions since 2001.
Sydney: Australia have announced their playing XI for the third Test of the Ashes series, making two changes to the side.
According to Cricket Australia, captain Pat Cummins has returned to the playing XI, while veteran spinner Nathan Lyon has also been included in the team. Cummins had missed the first two Tests of the Ashes series due to a back injury.
Fast bowlers Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett have been left out of the final XI, while senior batter Usman Khawaja has once again been overlooked despite having fully recovered from a back issue sustained during the Perth Test.
Cricket Australia confirmed that Khawaja is now fully fit but has not been recalled for the Adelaide encounter.
The third Test of the Ashes series is set to begin tomorrow in Adelaide. Australia currently lead the five-match series 2–0.
On the other hand, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced its men’s team’s playing XI for the must-win third Ashes Test against Australia, scheduled to commence on December 17 here at the Adelaide Oval.
The touring side, trailing 2-0 in the blockbuster five-match away series, made just one change to their lineup, replacing Gus Atkinson with Josh Tongue.
Atkinson has been struggling on the Australia tour as he could pick up three wickets in the first two fixtures at a dismal bowling average of 78.66, the worst amongst the England bowlers.
Meanwhile, Tongue, who has represented England in six Tests since making his debut in 2023, has taken 31 wickets in the longest format at an average of 30.
His last appearance for the Three Lions came in the final match of the home Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against India, concluded in August, while he last played against Australia at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in the last Ashes, where he picked up five wickets across the two innings, including dismissing Steve Smith twice.
Although Tongue only managed to take two wickets in the tour matches, England prioritised him over Shoaib Bashir despite an anticipated spin-friendly pitch, due to which Australia brought back their experienced spinner Nathan Lyon.
Notably, despite their struggles in the batting department, England decided against making any changes after head coach Brendon McCullum publicly backed their top seven.
England Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue.
Washington: US President Donald Trump has filed a defamation lawsuit against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), accusing the broadcaster of airing an edited clip of his January 6 speech that allegedly damaged his reputation.
According to reports, President Trump has lodged the lawsuit in Florida, seeking $5 billion in damages over the broadcast of what he claims was a misleadingly edited version of his address. Trump contended that the BBC presented his remarks out of context, resulting in serious harm to his public standing.
The US president also warned the British broadcaster of further legal action, previously threatening to seek up to $1 billion in damages over the matter.
The controversy stems from a BBC documentary in which segments of Trump’s January 6 speech were edited together to give the impression that he directly instructed his supporters to march toward the US Capitol and engage in confrontation.
Trump maintains that the quoted remarks were delivered nearly an hour apart and were not intended to incite violence.
The BBC has since acknowledged the error and issued an apology, admitting that different portions of the January 6, 2021 speech were combined in a manner that created a misleading impression that Trump had explicitly called for violence.
Following the incident, BBC Director General Tim Davie and BBC News Chief Deborah Turness have reportedly resigned over the editorial lapse.
Brisbane: Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has expressed his excitement about playing in the Australian Big Bash League (BBL), representing Brisbane Heat.
In a recent interview, Afridi said that Australia has a large number of Pakistani fans, and many Pakistani cricketers are already participating in the league.
He added that he has not had the opportunity to play in the BBL for a few years, but is now eager to take part, with no national duties during the league period. “I hope to get the chance to play the full season,” he said.
Afridi also spoke about his teammates in the Pakistan national team and PSL, mentioning that he has played alongside Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam for several years.
He praised Babar Azam as a world-class player who has scored numerous runs for Pakistan, highlighting Babar’s preference for strike rotation and his elegant cover drives.
On Mohammad Rizwan, Afridi noted that he prefers fast bowling and bats differently from Babar, but both players have consistently delivered strong performances for Pakistan. He added that net practice sessions often feel like real matches when facing them.
Reflecting on his experience in Brisbane, Afridi said he has played international matches at The Gabba, noting the pitch offers significant bounce, unlike the flatter pitches he expects in the BBL.
Afridi also shared insights on leadership, revealing that he had not captained in domestic cricket before joining the Pakistan Super League. He credited Thameem Rana for guidance, stating that leadership should be calm and not authoritative, as being overly harsh does not create a good impression.
NEW DELHI: India has been removed from the global technology alliance PAX SILICA, a move that has sparked criticism from the Indian opposition, according to news agencies.
Opposition leaders have raised questions over India’s exclusion from the digital alliance, describing it as a major diplomatic and technological setback for the Modi government on the global stage.
Speaking on the issue, opposition leader J. Ram Ramesh linked the expulsion to India’s defeat by Pakistan in May, calling it a key reason for the country’s international embarrassment.
He further remarked that India’s removal from PAX SILICA by the United States after May 10 was not entirely surprising.
PAX SILICA is a global initiative aimed at establishing a secure and reliable silicon supply chain with trusted allies.
Analysts say India’s exclusion could have implications for its access to advanced technology and international collaborations.
Mumbai: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and global football icon Lionel Messi met at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium, where the two sporting greats shared warm exchanges and gifts in a memorable moment for fans.
During the meeting at the famous cricket venue, Tendulkar presented Messi with his cricket jersey, while the Argentine World Cup winner gifted Tendulkar a football signed from his World Cup triumph. Both legends extended best wishes to each other, celebrating mutual respect across sports.
VIDEO | Maharashtra: Amid loud cheers, Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar gifts Argentine football icon Lionel Messi the 2011 World Cup jersey, calling it a golden moment for Mumbai and India.
Speaking at the ceremony held at Wankhede Stadium, Sachin Tendulkar said he had experienced some incredible moments at the venue, recalling historic memories, including India’s 2011 World Cup victory on the same ground.
Commenting on Messi, Tendulkar said that discussing the footballer’s greatness required no special platform.
“Everyone knows what people say about him,” Tendulkar remarked. “Messi has achieved everything. We are all truly inspired by his dedication, determination, and commitment.”
The meeting of two of the greatest athletes in sporting history was widely praised by fans, symbolising the unifying power of sport beyond boundaries and disciplines.
Sydney/Adelaide: Australian authorities have decided to significantly increase security for the third Ashes Test between Australia and England following the recent deadly shooting incident in Sydney.
The third Test of the Ashes series is scheduled to begin on December 17 at the Adelaide Oval. According to Australian media reports, officials have confirmed the deployment of additional security measures in and around the stadium.
South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the specially trained Security Response Section will be deployed for the match. He explained that officers in this unit are highly trained and equipped with additional firearms to respond swiftly to any potential threat.
The police commissioner noted that the Response Section, established several years ago, regularly performs duties at public venues. He added that the unit will be stationed around the Adelaide Oval to ensure the safety of spectators and players.
The decision comes amid heightened security concerns after the shooting at a Sydney beach, where at least 16 people have been killed so far.
Authorities have assured cricket fans that all necessary steps are being taken to maintain public safety during the high-profile international fixture.
SYDNEY: New South Wales Police on Monday named a father and son as the alleged perpetrators of the fatal shooting at Bondi Beach, providing new details at a press conference.
According to police, the shooting occurred during a Jewish community event at Bondi Beach. One of the attackers was killed during the police response, while the second suspect sustained critical injuries and remains hospitalized.
The NSW Police Commissioner confirmed that the deceased suspect has been identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram, while the injured suspect is his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. Police stated that Sajid Akram had held a firearms licence for the past 10 years and was also a member of a gun club.
Authorities recovered six firearms from the deceased suspect. Investigations are under way to determine which of the recovered weapons were used in the attack.
Police further revealed that two active improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found near the crime scene and were safely secured by bomb disposal units.
Officials have ruled out the involvement of additional suspects but said investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind what is being treated as a terrorist attack.
The police commissioner added that the father and son had been residing in Australia for a considerable period, though further details about their background could not be disclosed at this stage.
Meanwhile, the Australian government has announced a national day of mourning, with flags to be flown at half-mast on all government buildings.
It is worth noting that the attack resulted in 16 people being killed and 40 others injured. One attacker was shot dead by police, while the second was taken into custody in an injured condition.
