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The Northern Lights are forecast to be visible again across Britain on Saturday

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If you missed the display on Friday night, forecasters at the Met Office Space Weather Prediction Center say it can be seen again on Saturday night.

“Geomagnetic activity is expected to persist…there is a possibility of severe storms,” ​​he says.

Therefore, the Northern Lights can be seen in Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern areas of England and Wales.

They may also be visible further south, albeit slightly.

Clouds may spoil views for people in Scotland and Northern Ireland, but elsewhere, there will be somewhat clear skies, especially during the first part of Saturday night.

To see the lights, first look north for a faint glow, and if you can’t see the colours, try a camera lens or your phone.

Geomagnetic storms and solar flares are completely safe for us because we are protected from the radiation by our atmosphere, but they can interfere with technology.

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Trump criticizes NATO over Israel’s attack on Tehran and US’s move to seize Iran’s nuclear stockpile

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Pentagon officials have drawn up detailed plans for the potential deployment of U.S. senior military commanders. They have submitted specific requests for the potential deployment of U.S. ground forces to Iran, as President Trump considers his next move in the U.S.-Israeli conflict, CBS News cited sources as saying. Trump is considering whether to deploy troops to the region, though it is unclear under what circumstances he would approve the deployment of troops on the ground.

“No, I’m not sending troops anywhere,” he told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, adding, “If I was, I certainly wouldn’t reveal it to you.” US Central Command officials declined to comment, citing enquiries from the White House and the Pentagon.

At the same time, the Trump administration is exploring options to secure or remove Iran’s nuclear material, according to another CBS News report citing multiple sources. Iran is believed to have about 450 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, close to weapons-grade, although Trump indicated last week that seizing the stockpile was not a priority. He also rejected Vladimir Putin’s proposal to move it to Moscow.

As fighting on the ground continues to escalate, Israeli forces launched attacks on Tehran on Saturday. Explosions were also reported in the capital as well as in Isfahan and Karaj, which signifies the expansion of Israeli operations deeper into Iranian territory.

US-Israel vs Iran war news live updates

Israel’s attacks hit Tehran, Isfahan and Karaj

The Israeli military said it carried out strikes targeting sites in Tehran on Saturday, with explosions in the capital as well as in the central cities of Isfahan and Karaj, west of Tehran. The latest attacks signal a significant expansion of Israeli operations deeper into Iranian territory.

Trump hints at stopping military operations

Trump has suggested that Washington may be nearing the end of its military campaign. The US President said he was considering “terminating” the operation, claiming the United States was very close to achieving its objectives in the war. Despite these assurances, thousands of US service members are deployed throughout the Middle East, and 2,500 additional Marines are on the way.

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US eases sanctions to stabilize oil market

The United States has taken a parallel step aimed at managing the economic fallout. Sanctions on Iranian oil temporarily eased, leaving them stranded at sea till 19th April. The Associated Press reports that the decision aims to relieve pressure on global energy markets as prices rise amid the ongoing conflict. The Treasury Department said the waiver applies only to oil already in transit and does not allow new production or sales, with officials estimating that about 140 million barrels could enter the market.

Iran is a threat to global tourism destinations

Iran warned it could target recreational and tourist sites around the world and said it was continuing to build missiles, nearly three weeks after the US-Israel attacks, the AP reported.

Trump calls NATO a ‘paper tiger’ on Hormuz standoff

US President Donald Trump has criticised NATO allies and called them “paper tigers” for their lack of support in the war against Iran. In a post on Truth Social, he accused allies of refusing to help resolve the Strait of Hormuz crisis and said there are “no leaders” left for talks in Iran as attacks continue.

IOCL assures stable fuel supply despite global surge

Indian Oil Corporation Ltd said it has ensured no increase in fuel prices for regular motor vehicles rising global crude oil costs. The limited modification applies only to the premium petrol XP-95. The company said its focus is on consistent supply and responsible pricing.

Pentagon seeks $200 billion for long-term war effort

The Pentagon has asked Congress for an additional $200 billion to continue the war effort, underscoring the scale and uncertainty of the conflict and suggesting that a clear end timeline remains elusive.

Civilian casualties are rising across Iran and Lebanon

The Iranian Red Crescent reports that more than 1,400 people, including at least 204 children, have died in Iran. Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed more than 1,000 people, including 118 children.

South Korea joins joint effort on Hormuz Strait

South Korea has joined the signatories of a joint statement aimed at ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz amid Iran’s blockade. The leaders of six countries – the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan – initially signed the statement. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain and Lithuania have joined, the BBC reports.

Fire reported at US diplomatic facility in Baghdad

According to the BBC, a fire has been reported following the attack on US diplomatic facilities in Baghdad. The complex is intended to accommodate US military personnel. During the war, several US diplomatic facilities in the Gulf region have faced targeted attacks. Following the Iranian attacks, the US embassies in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia suspended operations, and the US Consulate in Dubai also faced an attack weeks earlier. So far, this conflict has claimed the lives of 13 American personnel.

Iran signals Japanese ships to pass through Hormuz

According to the BBC report, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Japanese media that Tehran is ready to allow ships belonging to Japan to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Japan is among six countries that have signalled readiness to explore joint efforts to ensure safe passage amid Iran’s blockade.

America attacked about 8,000 targets in three weeks

The United States has attacked nearly 8,000 targets in the three weeks since the conflict began. The most intense phase was between March 7 and 9, when nearly 2,000 targets were hit over three days, according to US Central Command data obtained by CNN.

Khamenei denies role in attacks on Türkiye, Oman

Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said the attacks on Türkiye and Oman were not carried out by Iran or its allied forces, Reuters reported.

Airspace restrictions and rising costs hit airline operations

Airlines are facing operational challenges due to airspace restrictions, high fuel prices and rising insurance costs amid the Middle East conflict. India’s aviation regulator DGCA has advised airlines to avoid nine regional airspaces, including Iran, Iraq, Israel and the UAE, till March 28 and maintain contingency plans.

Oil falls due to America; allies are discussing Hormuz access

Oil prices fell more than 1 per cent as the US and its allies discussed measures to address supply disruptions and secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude fell 1.45 per cent to $107.07 a barrel, while US WTI fell about 1.3 per cent. Officials said the easing of sanctions on Iranian oil stranded at sea could increase supplies to Asia within days, Reuters reported.




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The status quo likely to remain in England’s cricket Ashes review but Brendon McCullum in extra time

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A difficult task for the England regime is to repair the damage done to the relationship with the supporters.

It was the worst performance in an overseas Ashes match in years, and anger over what happened on and off the field ran high. Many fans will be surprised that no one at the top is paid for their job.

Winning resolves most issues, and Gould, Key, and their team have strategically bet on England’s strong chances of success in the upcoming months.

There are winnable Test series against New Zealand and Pakistan this summer, before the 150th Anniversary Test against Australia in Melbourne, with South Africa and Bangladesh the same for the winter. There is no other white-ball tournament until the autumn of the following year.

However, any future victories will be overshadowed by past failures against the best. Even if England regains the Vase on home soil in the summer of 2027, the legacy of this reign may already be defined by events in Australia.

Central to the immediate future of the Test team is the relationship between coach McCullum and captain Stokes.

Variations in their messages in Australia suggest that the two may not be in agreement. Still publicly supporting each other, McCullum suggested England had not stuck to their method, while Stokes batted like Geoffrey Boycott and said teams had worked out how to play against him.

There was a perception that Stokes was the more powerful of the pair, yet his performance on the field – certainly with the bat – has diminished and his body is refusing to complete the Test series without injury.

McCullum and white-ball captain Harry Brook looked more united during the T20 World Cup. The scene had echoes of Michael Vaughan inspiring the white-ball team in 2003, prompting Nasser Hussain to hand over the Test reins to Vaughan.

Although there is no question – yet – that Stokes should step down as Test captain, despite the Ashes debacle, we are certainly heading towards buzzball overtime.

When he takes charge of the Test team in 2022, the New Zealander will have signed a four-year contract. His term would have ended now if he hadn’t agreed to an extension in 2024.

McCullum now faces a rebuild that is similar to the situation he inherited four years ago.

England had been defeated in Australia and was isolated from its supporters.

Their opponents at the start of the summer were New Zealand, as they have been this year. The first Test this year is at Trent Bridge – where the second Test was played four years ago. It was Nottingham where “Bazball” was born—Jonny Bairstow and all that.

On that occasion, England celebrated their surprise victory over the Black Caps with beers on the dressing room balcony. Hours later, as night turned to day, the players were filmed in the takeaway, with Ollie Pope looking at his kebab as if he had never seen anything so beautiful.



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Supreme leader breaks silence after top minister’s death in Israeli attack

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Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei has issued a message.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei has issued a message of condolence to President Massoud Pezeshkian. The murder of Intelligence Minister Ismail Khatib occurred in an Israeli attack earlier this week.

Khamenei paid tribute to Khatib, calling him a “hard-working intelligence minister,” according to an Al Jazeera report that cited a statement from the Tasnim news agency.

In his message, the Supreme Leader stressed the need for authorities to step up efforts to address the gap. Khatib was saved from death. He called on the Intelligence Ministry to continue its work in maintaining national security.

Khamenei also urged vigilance against what he described as “internal and external enemies,” stressing the importance of continued security operations following the minister’s assassination.

Amid rising tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed on Wednesday that Khatib was killed in the strike overnight on Tuesday.

Katz said the conflict would continue on multiple fronts, including operations targeting Iran and the group Hezbollah, Al Jazeera reported. The statement also warned of intensified hostilities and hinted at further “surprises”.

Ismail Khatib’s tenure

Khatib took over as Iran’s intelligence minister in 2021 during the presidency of Ebrahim Raisi. During his career, he held several senior roles in the Intelligence Ministry as well as in the Office of the Supreme Leader. He was also known to have studied Islamic jurisprudence.

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In 2022, the United States Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Khatib, citing his leadership of Iran’s intelligence ministry and accusing him of engaging in cyber-enabled activities targeting the United States and its allies.

According to the BBC, Khatib joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shortly after the Iranian Revolution in 1980.

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India Women set to play one-off Test against South Africa: View tour details | Cricket News

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India will play the only Test match against South Africa.

India Women are scheduled to play a one-off Test against South Africa in Gakkai from December 20 to 23, a tour that also includes a three-match ODI series. The ODIs, part of the ICC Women’s Championship, will be held from December 9 to 15 in Potchefstroom, Bloemfontein and Cape Town.

India vs South Africa: Complete Tour Schedule

The Indian women’s team will play a one-off Test against South Africa from December 20 to 23, 2026, at Gakbarha. A three-match ODI series will also be played before the Test in this tour. The ODI series, part of the ICC Women’s Championship, is scheduled from December 9 to 15 in Potchefstroom, Bloemfontein and Cape Town.

Jay Shah termed 2019 to 2026 as the golden era of Indian cricket.

A rare Test encounter between the two sides

This match will be only the fourth women’s Test between India and South Africa and only the second women’s Test at St George’s Park. It will also be India’s second Test of the year, after their only match against Australia at the WACA in Perth, where Harmanpreet Kaur and Co suffered a 10-wicket defeat.

Warm-up fixtures before the series

Ahead of the crucial series, India will begin their tour with a warm-up match against South Africa Emerging in Benoni on December 6, giving the squad a chance to acclimatise to the local conditions.

T20I series scheduled earlier in the year

Earlier, Cricket South Africa announced that India will also tour the country for a five-match T20I series from April 17 to 27, 2026. Durban, Johannesburg, and Benoni will host the matches, serving as a crucial preparation for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

The CSA CEO highlighted the importance of women’s cricket development.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) CEO Pholitsi Museki expressed his excitement about hosting top international teams:”

We are delighted to be hosting two of the world’s leading teams in India and Australia for what promises to be a blockbuster home summer for the Proteas women,” said CSA Chief Executive Officer Folitsi Moseki.

“These tours will showcase the best of international women’s cricket and drive an encouraging increase in fan attendance, as we continue to welcome growing crowds across the country to watch world-class players compete at some of our iconic venues.”

He added. “It is also exciting to host two Test matches on home soil during the season.

Test cricket is a special and historic format of the game, and giving our Proteas women the opportunity to compete in red-ball cricket at home is an important step in the continued recognition of the women’s game in South Africa.”

he said. Stadium This match is an important platform to create awareness in the fight against GBV. ”Musaki also highlighted the importance of hosting Test matches.

SA, 2026 tour of India

History Fixture location
December 6 Warm-up: SA Emerging vs India Benoni
December 9 First ODI Potchefstroom
December 12 Second ODI Bloemfontein
December 15 Third ODI Cape Town
December 20-23 Test only Gqeberha

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BHA launches new equality, diversity and inclusion strategy to tackle ‘persistent patterns’ of racism

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The BHA’s research on under-represented groups in racing highlighted “negative experiences, barriers to progression (which are often hidden), inconsistent support and a lack of trust in reporting systems”.

A study that focused on an urban riding academy – a social enterprise aimed at providing inner-city people and people from diverse backgrounds access to horses and horsemanship – found that all 20 participants had experienced racism.

In the same study, all participants said that race affected their career progress.

One participant shared that he had contemplated suicide “on a few occasions because of the way I was treated.”

Meanwhile, 40% (67) of respondents in a separate survey said they have experienced, witnessed, or reported unfair or poor treatment because of ethnicity or cultural background.

Some reported verbal abuse, including offensive racist language such as “dirty refugees” and “it would have been better if you were bombed.”

The new strategy also identified a significant under-representation in female jockeys, with only 25% of jockeys being female, while 70% of them are racing school students and 50% of racing staff. Women also get only 9% of the rides and only 3% of the top-tier races.

the BHA’s head of diversity and inclusion,

Rose Grissell, the BHA’s head of diversity and inclusion, said, “The strategy is based on evidence and shaped by the lived experiences of people working in racing today, and we are hugely grateful to those who took the time and had the courage to share these with us.

“Many people have positive experiences, but not everyone has, and acknowledging these differences is an important step in supporting positive progress.

“Our aim is to make inclusion part of everyday practice, not an optional extra.”

The BHA’s new equality, diversity and inclusion strategy includes the following proposals:

  • Strengthen leadership and accountability

  • Create equitable practices to eliminate biases and barriers

  • Improve education and awareness to act inclusively

  • Better support and celebrate an inclusive culture

  • Engage new audiences and make sports more accessible

BHA chief executive Brent Dunshea said the new strategy was about ensuring the “long-term health and success” of horse racing.

“To attract talent, fans and investment, we must ensure that everyone who works in or engages with racing feels safe, respected and able to thrive,” he said.

“British racing is at its best when it is open, welcoming and reflective of the society around us.”

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‘Gokesh won the title by accident’: Former world chess champion Karpov sparks controversy | Chess news.

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India’s D Gokesh (FIDE/Eng Chin An via PTI photo)

New Delhi: India’s young chess star De Gokesh has come under fire from former world champion Anatoly Karpov.

who claimed that his title win was due more to luck than to sheer force. Gokesh defeated Ding Liren to become the youngest world champion, but some voices, particularly from Russia, have questioned the quality of the victory.

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From Laptop to Chess World Cup Dreams: Exclusive Interview with GM Praneesh M

Criticism of former champions

“First, the Indian became a chess player. [champion] Coincidentally, he did not have to win a match against a Chinese player. [Ding Liren]. The Chinese player lost a game there that he should not have lost. If it wasn’t for him, the Chinese player would still be the world champion,” Karpov told KP.RU, a Russian outlet. This incident is not the first time such criticism has surfaced. Former champion Vladimir Kramnik had earlier reacted strongly, writing, “No comment, sad, the end of chess as we know it.”

He also criticised the quality of play during the match, saying, “To be honest, I’m very disappointed with today’s game (Game 6). Even Game 5 wasn’t at a very high level, but today it was really — for a professional — a terrible game from both players.

It’s a very disappointing level.” He added, “It’s a very strange game. Both players were making mistake after mistake, including tactical errors. It’s like they have no sense of position. Maybe I’m old but it’s very basic! Of course, they’re both excellent players and great calculators.

They calculate brilliantly.” “But I expect a bit more from a world championship match, like ideas! Human games, human concepts! If I want to enjoy chess as a mere game of calculation, I want to see the world championship of chess engines!”

Ding’s answer

Amid Gokesh’s criticism, Ding himself has taken a calmer approach after losing the title to Gokesh. “I am quite enjoying my current situation. I mean being a passive ranked player, who rarely takes part in elite invitations. I am enjoying this rare moment of leisure,” he said in a recent interview. He added, “I occasionally play an online game: it doesn’t require hard pre-game preparation, just undivided concentration in the moment. The process itself is rewarding.”

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