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An Iranian delegation headed by its top diplomat set off for Geneva yesterday for talks with the US, as the Islamic republic’s president struck an upbeat tone about the prospect for a negotiated agreement to avert fresh conflict. Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened strikes if Iran fails to cut a deal on its atomic programme, and in his State of the Union address on Tuesday, the US president accused Tehran of “sinister nuclear ambitions” after he ordered a massive military deployment around the Gulf. But Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said yesterday that he had a “favourable outlook for the negotiations”, after Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his team left for Switzerland.“We are continuing the process under the guidance of the supreme leader so that we can move beyond this ‘neither war nor peace’ situation,” Pezeshkian said in a speech. Trump in his address claimed that Tehran had “already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and they’re working to build missiles that will soon reach the US of America”.He also said that Iran was “at this moment again pursuing their sinister nuclear ambitions”. But Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei yesterday refuted those claims as “simply the repetition of ‘big lies’”. The maximum range of Iran’s missiles is 2,000km (1,200 miles) according to what Tehran has publicly disclosed, though the US Congressional Research Service estimates they top out at about 3,000km — less than a third of the distance to the continental US. The West believes Iran is seeking an atomic bomb, but Tehran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful.“My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy but one thing is certain: I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. Hours before Trump’s speech, Iran’s Araghchi declared the two sides had “a historic opportunity”, saying a deal was “within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority”. He vowed Iran would “under no circumstances” develop atomic weapons, but insisted on its right to peacefully use nuclear technology.Iran and the US held five rounds of nuclear talks last year, but those negotiations ended after Israel’s unprecedented attack on Iran triggered a 12-day war that Washington briefly joined. Source link
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is due in India this week, seeking to boost trade and mend fractured ties on the first stop of his Asia-Pacific tour.The two countries are aiming to reset their relations, which deteriorated following Canadian allegations that India was involved in the 2023 assassination of a Canadian Sikh leader — claims New Delhi strongly denied. Carney will begin his visit in Mumbai, India’s financial hub, before travelling to New Delhi for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both countries face rapidly shifting global trade policies and uncertainty over US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, adding urgency to efforts to diversify economic partnerships.Carney’s office said discussions will focus on “ambitious new partnerships in trade, energy, technology and artificial intelligence (AI), talent and culture, and defence”. India, the world’s fastest-growing major economy, is Canada’s seventh-largest goods and services trading partner.Annual two-way trade is more than $21bn, according to Canadian government figures. Last year, the countries agreed to resume negotiations on a proposed free-trade agreement aimed at taking bilateral trade to $50bn by 2030.“That means big new opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses,” Carney said in November, after meeting Modi on the sidelines of a G20 summit in South Africa. “India and Canada have great potential in strengthening trade and investment,” Modi said at the time.More than 600 Canadian companies are present in India, operating in sectors including information technology, banking, health sciences and financial services. India’s main exports to Canada include pharmaceuticals, gems, jewellery and precious stones, and seafood.New Delhi, which is seeking to attract more overseas investments, says Canadian pension and wealth funds have already invested $73bn in India. The government has eased foreign investment rules, opening up sensitive sectors such as defence, energy and insurance.Mining giant Canada holds large rare-earth metal reserves, and New Delhi is looking at ways to ease its dependence on China. Ottawa also brings technical expertise in mining and resource development.Energy-hungry India — the world’s most populous country, with 1.4bn people — hopes Canada can support its ambitious plan to expand nuclear power capacity from its current 8 to 100 gigawatts by 2047. When Carney and Modi met in November, they reaffirmed civil nuclear co-operation, including potential long-term uranium supply agreements.A multi-billion-dollar deal on extended uranium supplies is reportedly under discussion. Ottawa is also keen to look for potential long-term alternatives to cut overdependence of its energy exports to the US.“India sees major collaboration potential with Canada in critical minerals, clean energy and emerging technologies,” New Delhi’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said last year. Canada has roughly 2.8mn people who are either Indian or of Indian origin.Nearly 400,000 Indians attend universities in Canada, according to New Delhi, making up the largest group of international students in the country. Canada is also home to the largest Sikh community outside India. The community includes activists of a fringe separatist movement seeking an independent state for the religious minority carved out of Indian territory, which they call Khalistan.Ottawa accused India of orchestrating the 2023 killing in Vancouver of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Khalistan campaigner, and targeting other Sikh activists connected to the movement. India has repeatedly dismissed the allegations, which sent diplomatic relations into freefall, with both nations expelling a string of top diplomats in 2024.Ties improved after Carney took office in March 2025, and envoys have since been restored.The separatist campaign has been blamed for the assassination of an Indian prime minister and the bombing of a passenger jet.It has been a bitter issue between India and several Western nations with large Sikh populations. Source link
TOPSHOT – This handout photograph taken and released by the World Health Organization (WHO) on February 25, 2026 shows Meghan (3L), Duchess of Sussex and Prince…
The Australian government has told dependants of Australian diplomats in Israel and Lebanon to leave the two Middle East countries, citing a deteriorating security situation in the region, the foreign ministry said yesterday. The government has also offered voluntary departures to Australian diplomats’ dependants in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Qatar, it said on an official ministry X account. US President Donald Trump laid out his case for a possible attack on Iran in his State of the Union speech to Congress on Tuesday. Iran and the United States resumed negotiations earlier this month as Washington builds up military capability in the Middle East. Iran has threatened to strike US bases in the region if it is attacked. The Australian government continues to advise citizens in Israel and Lebanon to consider leaving while commercial options are still available, the foreign ministry said. The announcements were made in a series of posts on the foreign ministry’s Smartraveller X account. (Reuters) Source link
Co-host Sri Lanka were knocked out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup yesterday (25 February) after suffering a 61-run loss to New Zealand. A counterattacking…
South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj denied Wednesday that his side will have an advantage in their T20 World Cup showdown against the West Indies in Ahmedabad after playing four of their five matches there. Both sides come into today’s crucial Super Eights clash off the back of five straight wins in the tournament and the winners will put themselves in pole position for a semi-final berth. South Africa have played all but one match in Ahmedabad, including a thumping 76-run win over India in their first Super Eights match that silenced an 80,000-strong crowd. The West Indies have been playing exclusively in Mumbai and Kolkata, where conditions are very different to the cavernous Narendra Modi stadium. “It’s nice to not travel,” said left-arm spinner Maharaj, who took 3-24 as co-hosts India were routed for 111 on Sunday. “But from a pitch point of view, I think every game has been very different. “The four matches that we’ve played here, conditions have played very differently throughout the game. “So I don’t see it too much of an advantage. “It’s just making sure that we adapt quicker rather than later compared to the opposition.” West Indies batting coach Floyd Reifer said if his players stuck to their game plan they could negate any edge South Africa might hold. “They have an advantage of playing most of their games at the same venue,” Reifer told reporters. “But like I said, once we plan properly and execute our plans, then we will play a good game of cricket. “So for us, we’re not worried too much about the venues and who played there, who didn’t play there. “For us, no, it’s just coming now and understanding what’s needed to be done and execute.” FLAWLESS RECORDUnbeaten West Indies are being underestimated despite their flawless record so far in the Twenty20 World Cup, batting coach Reifer said. “There’s no point to prove for us and we came here like any other team to win the competition,” Reifer told reporters on Wednesday. “A lot of people have us flying under the radar but we plan every game to go in there with a positive mentality to win cricket games.” West Indies are chasing World Cup glory for the first time in a decade, having last triumphed in 2016, and Reifer credits their success to squad depth rather than star power. “We have quality batters and we’re not like the other teams – depending on one or two batters. “Everybody has stepped up every game and put in performances and we’ve been consistent in doing that,” he said. South African spinner Maharaj believes his side, finalists in the last edition, have finally developed the character to overcome the shortcomings that have historically derailed their World Cup campaigns. “In previous World Cups, we never crossed over those small moments… If the character is strong in winning those small moments, it propels us to go further on in this tournament,” Maharaj said. “Despite the energy buzzing through the camp after Sunday’s 76-run victory over India, Maharaj warned against complacency against a West Indies side fresh off a mammoth 107-run win over Zimbabwe. “We’re not getting carried away at that. We still know that there’s a lot of cricket to be played in this tournament,” the 36-year-old said. South Africa will be playing their fifth match of the tournament in Ahmedabad but Maharaj said that would not give them any advantage and stressed the need for clear execution and adaptation. “West Indies have a way of turning up in these events and we know the danger they possess from an explosive point of view,” he told reporters. Regardless of today’s outcome, the group featuring defending champions India, West Indies, Zimbabwe and South Africa will remain wide open, with all four teams having an equal chance of reaching the semi-finals. Related Story Source link
England’s captain Harry Brook (right) plays a shot as Pakistan’s wicketkeeper Usman Khan fields during the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup Super Eights match at the…
Al Zaeem stormed to a resounding 5-0 victory over Al Doha as the third edition of the Al Thumama Ramadan Tournament continued at Al Furjan Stadium in the Al Thumama area.Al Zaeem delivered a dominant display, with Youssef Bassem Hassan named Man of the Match after a standout performance.In the second fixture, Abdullah Bin Turki edged Al Thumama 1-0 in a closely contested encounter, while Tamim Mohammed al-Qudah claimed the Man of the Match award. Al Wajba secured a 2-1 win over Al Rayyan in the third match of the day, with Mahfouz Nour El Din earning Man of the Match honours.The third edition held in cooperation with the Qatar Sports for All Federation features 13 teams divided into two groups.Hassan al-Ishaq, Head of the Tournament’s Organising Committee and member of the Municipal Council, said the competition continues to grow in stature.“We are delighted with the large turnout for the tournament this year, which reflects the great confidence in the tournament and its social and sporting objectives,” al-Ishaq said.“We are always keen to provide a safe and competitive environment for our children aged 10 to 14, contributing to honing their talents and strengthening the values of sportsmanship among them.”He added: “The intensity of the matches makes it difficult to predict the winner, and this is what makes the tournament so enjoyable.” Related Story Source link
New Zealand recovered from a poor start to crush Sri Lanka by 61 runs in the Twenty20 World Cup Super Eights and eliminate the co-hosts from the tournament Wednesday. Mitchell Santner led New Zealand’s recovery with a captain’s knock of 47 off 26 balls after coming in with his side in huge trouble at 84-5 to power them to a competitive 168-7 at the R Premadasa Stadium. Sri Lanka managed 107-8 in reply, never recovering from a top-order collapse to succumb to their second defeat in the Super Eight stage of the 20-team tournament. Rachin Ravindra (4-27) and Matt Henry (2-3) impressed with the ball for New Zealand. “It’s embarrassing to disappoint the home crowd, they’ve been very supportive,” Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said. “We wanted to restrict them to 130 but, to be honest, they played really well so we must give them credit.” Having lost to England in their first Super Eight match, it was a do-or-die game for Sri Lanka and they initially showed a sense of urgency with the ball after electing to field. NEW ZEALAND START WELLNew Zealand got off to a strong start before losing openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert in successive overs. They were 75-2 in the 10th over before the Sri Lankan spinners wreaked havoc to reduce them to 84-6. Maheesh Theekshana (3-30) removed the well-set Ravindra (32) and Mark Chapman in the same over to turn the screw. Santner joined Cole McConchie, who made 31 not out, in a rapid 47-ball stand of 84 that proved decisive. Santner smacked four sixes as New Zealand plundered 70 runs from the last four overs to ensure their bowlers had a decent total to defend. Henry bowled Pathum Nissanka for a duck with the first ball of the Sri Lankan innings and deceived Charith Asalanka with a slower delivery in his next over. Player of the match Ravindra then whittled out Sri Lanka’s middle order to derail the chase. The left-arm spinner sent down a two-wicket over in which Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake were stumped to reduce Sri Lanka to 29-4 in the ninth over. Ravindra also dismissed Shanaka for three to effectively seal their victory. Kamindu Mendis (31) and Dunith Wellalage (29) offered brief resistance but Sri Lanka were never in the chase. “It’s one of those wickets where, if you can get in and give yourself a bit of time, you can cash in,” Santner said. “It was pretty tough to start out there, so to hit 160 was nice.” Group Two leaders England have qualified for the semi-finals with four points from two matches. New Zealand, who came into the match with one point from their washed-out match against Pakistan, have three points. BRIEF SCORESNew Zealand 168 for 7 (Santner 47, Ravindra 32, Theekshana 3-30, Chameera 3-38) beat Sri Lanka 107 for 8 (Kamindu 31, Wellalage 29, Ravindra 4-27, Henry 2-3) by 61 runs Source link
Soccer Football – UEFA Champions League – Play Off – Second Leg – Atalanta v Borussia Dortmund – New Balance Arena, Bergamo, Italy – February 25,…