The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved major changes to the formats of its flagship men’s tournaments, introducing new competition structures for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to make every match more meaningful and increase competitive intensity. The decisions came during the ICC Board’s annual meetings in Edinburgh, where directors approved recommendations from the Chief Executives’ Committee. The governing body said the changes aim to create “more meaningful contests,” strengthen the competitive structure of global events and improve the experience for players and fans. Read More: Which Teams Will Play Cricket at LA28? ICC Reveals the Full Plan The 14 team ODI World Cup will keep the same number of participating nations but adopt a new three stage format before the knockout rounds. Under the revised structure, the teams ranked 12th, 13th and 14th will first compete in a round robin Super Series, with the winner advancing to the next stage. The remaining 12 teams will then compete in two groups of six. The top three teams from each group, along with the next highest placed team across both groups, will qualify for the newly created Super 7 stage. The Super 7 will feature a single round robin competition. The top four teams will advance to the semi finals, where the first placed team will face the fourth placed side and the second placed team will meet the third placed team before the winners progress to the final. T20 World Cup gets Super 10 and Eliminator stage The ICC also approved sweeping changes to the Men’s T20 World Cup while retaining the tournament’s 20 team format. Instead of four groups of five, the group stage will now feature five groups of four teams. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the new Super 10 stage, replacing the previous Super Eights. The Super 10 will consist of two groups of five teams playing in a round robin format. The winner of each group will qualify directly for the semi finals. Read More: Pregnancy No Longer a Career Roadblock? ICC Unveils New Plan The ICC has also introduced an Eliminator stage. The second placed team from one Super 10 group will play the third placed team from the opposite group. The winners of those two Eliminators will claim the remaining semi final places. The governing body said performances by emerging nations during the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup influenced the revised format. Officials believe the changes will keep more teams in contention deeper into the tournament while ensuring that the final Super 10 matches remain significant. Associate nations receive more opportunities The ICC Board also endorsed a proposal for a new 16 team global tournament exclusively for Associate Member nations. The event is expected to take place before future Men’s T20 World Cups and aims to improve competitive standards while giving associate teams a marquee international competition. The proposal still requires approval from the ICC Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee in November. The Board also finalised the qualification pathway for the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Read More: South Africa Stars Accuse ICC of Unfair Treatment During T20 World Cup Scotland will advance directly to the Europe Regional Final because of exceptional circumstances surrounding the 2026 tournament. Teams that played in the 2026 T20 World Cup but failed to qualify automatically for 2028 will move straight to the Global Qualifier. The remaining eight Global Qualifier places will come through regional competitions. Africa, Asia and Europe will each send two teams, while the Americas and East Asia Pacific regions will each qualify one team. The highest placed team from every region, together with the next three highest placed teams overall, will qualify for the 2028 Men’s T20 World Cup, subject to the ICC’s minimum performance criteria.
Pakistan Introduces Strict Entry Requirements for Dual Nationals
Pakistan has introduced new travel guidelines for dual nationals, making it compulsory for overseas Pakistanis travelling on foreign passports to carry either a valid National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) or a valid Pakistani visa before entering the country. According to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) sources, immigration authorities have started enforcing the new directives at all international airports. The rules apply to passengers arriving from every country, including the United Kingdom, which hosts one of the largest Pakistani diaspora communities. Read More: Want to Travel More? This 9-to-5 Employee Shares Her Formula Under the revised policy, dual nationals can no longer enter Pakistan using an expired, cancelled or revoked NICOP. Officials say the move ends the previous practice under which some passengers could still travel despite carrying expired identity documents. The Ministry of Interior has formally communicated the updated instructions to immigration authorities nationwide, and airport officials have begun implementing them immediately. New policy tightens document checks for overseas Pakistanis Under the new guidelines, every Pakistani dual national travelling on a foreign passport must carry one of the following: A valid NICOP, or A valid Pakistani visa. FIA sources said immigration officials will deny entry to travellers who arrive without either document. The requirement applies regardless of the country of departure, including the UK, the United States, Canada, the Gulf states and other countries with large overseas Pakistani populations. Read More: Pakistan Launches ‘Passport at Your Doorstep’ Service With TCS NICOP serves as proof of Pakistani citizenship for eligible overseas Pakistanis and allows visa free entry into Pakistan when it remains valid. NADRA issues the document to Pakistani citizens living abroad, including recognised dual nationals. Previously, FIA travel guidance allowed some travellers with expired NICOPs to seek temporary facilitation in certain circumstances, including renewal slips or short landing permits. The latest directives indicate immigration authorities will now enforce stricter document verification for dual nationals arriving on foreign passports. Travellers advised to renew documents before departure The latest directive means overseas Pakistanis should verify the validity of their NICOP well before booking travel. Travellers whose NICOP has expired, been cancelled or revoked should renew it through NADRA or obtain a Pakistani visa before departure. Officials warn that failing to do so could result in denied entry upon arrival. The move forms part of broader efforts to strengthen immigration controls, improve identity verification and ensure uniform enforcement of entry requirements across Pakistan’s airports. Read More: Pakistani Passport Drops to 100th Place in Global Rankings Authorities have advised airlines and immigration staff to check passengers’ travel documents before boarding and again upon arrival to avoid delays or complications. Pakistan hosts one of the world’s largest overseas communities, with millions of citizens living in the Gulf, Europe, North America and Australia. Many hold dual nationality and routinely travel using foreign passports together with Pakistani identity documents. Officials say the updated policy aims to remove ambiguity surrounding entry requirements and ensure that all dual nationals meet the same immigration standards before entering Pakistan. The new travel guidelines are now effective at all international airports and will apply to every eligible traveller entering the country on a foreign passport.
Flying Emirates Soon? You Could Receive These New Bulgari Gifts
Emirates has unveiled a new collection of Bulgari amenity kits for First and Business Class passengers, continuing a luxury partnership that has defined the airline’s premium cabins for the past 16 years. The Dubai based airline announced its 18th collection of Bulgari amenity kits, which will roll out gradually on selected long haul routes throughout the year. The redesigned kits feature updated colours inspired by Emirates’ recently retrofitted cabin interiors while maintaining the airline’s focus on premium comfort and luxury. Read More: From Caviar to Private Suites: Emirates Wins World’s Top Airline Honor The latest collection offers separate designs for men and women in both First and Business Class. Emirates said the new bags also incorporate recycled materials as part of the airline’s broader sustainability efforts. According to the airline, Emirates remains the only carrier to partner exclusively with Bulgari for luxury amenity kits in all premium cabins. First Class passengers receive Bulgari’s luxury fragrances Passengers travelling in First Class will receive the most premium collection. Men receive a chocolate coloured faux leather bag with burgundy lining, while women receive a champagne metallic bag with blush pink interiors. The highlight of the collection is Bulgari’s Le Gemme fragrance range. Female passengers receive a 30ml bottle of Le Gemme Sahare, a fragrance featuring ambergris and rose notes. Male passengers receive 30ml of Le Gemme Yasep, a woody fragrance that returns to Emirates’ collection after previous popularity. Each First Class kit also includes a dental kit, deodorant, lip balm, foldaway hairbrush and other travel essentials. Women’s kits additionally include a gold pocket mirror designed as a keepsake. The airline said the redesigned collection complements the colours and style of its upgraded premium cabins, which continue to roll out across its Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 fleet. Business Class gets exclusive travel editions Business Class passengers will also receive redesigned Bulgari amenity kits, although with travel sized fragrances developed exclusively for Emirates. Men receive chocolate brown fabric bags with grey lining, while women receive buttercream faux leather bags featuring pink accents. The kits include 5ml Bulgari Man Rain Essence for men and 5ml Omnia Crystalline for women. Rain Essence combines green tea and musk notes, while Omnia Crystalline offers lighter floral notes built around lotus and white peony. Read More: Iran Conflict Triggers $100 Billion Shock for Global Airlines Beyond fragrances, Emirates has increased the use of recycled materials throughout the collection. The airline now uses fabrics containing recycled content for the bags, recycled materials for combs and hairbrushes, black kraft paper packaging for dental kits and mirrors produced from recycled wheat straw in selected Business Class kits. The airline said the new collection reflects its continued investment in improving the onboard experience as international premium travel demand remains strong. Emirates has consistently ranked among the world’s leading airlines for premium cabin services. Luxury amenity kits have become a signature feature of its long haul flights, alongside chauffeur services, airport lounges and onboard dining. The new Bulgari collection will become available progressively across selected Emirates long haul routes during 2026, giving First and Business Class passengers access to the airline’s latest premium travel experience.
Messi or England? One Step Away From the World Cup Final
Lionel Messi’s Argentina will face England on Wednesday in one of the most anticipated matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a place in the final against Spain at stake. The semi-final in Atlanta brings together two of football’s biggest rivals in their first competitive meeting since the 2002 World Cup. It also revives one of the sport’s most historic rivalries, shaped by memorable World Cup clashes and the political backdrop of the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas. Read More: Spain Are One Win Away From Making World Cup History Reigning champions Argentina are chasing history. Lionel Scaloni’s side hopes to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup title. The tournament could also mark a remarkable farewell for Lionel Messi, who returned for another World Cup after leading Argentina to glory in Qatar in 2022. The 39 year old captain has once again delivered on the biggest stage. Messi has scored eight goals, tying for the Golden Boot lead, and inspired Argentina through difficult knockout victories over Cape Verde and Egypt. Tuchel confident as England prepare for historic test England enter the match after an impressive tournament under Thomas Tuchel, although the team has often relied on moments of brilliance rather than complete performances. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have scored 12 of England’s 13 goals, carrying the Three Lions into another World Cup semi-final. Tuchel insisted his players were embracing the occasion rather than fearing it. “I don’t feel a burden,” he said. “We feel the tension and will be nervous but that is normal.” He added, “What I like is that I feel the players are really competitive, hungry and excited to play this match.” The England manager also confirmed that midfielder Declan Rice had recovered from illness and was fit to start. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni attempted to keep the focus away from politics despite the historical significance of the fixture. “The reality is this is a football match,” Scaloni said. Read More: Why a 64 Team World Cup Could Become Reality in 2030 “I am not going to mix everything up, especially regarding things that happened so long ago.” He added, “It was a very sad time in our history, and we can’t do much about it. This is a football game, that’s all.” Spain await the winner after ending France’s title hopes Spain booked their place in Sunday’s World Cup final after defeating France 2-0 in Arlington, ending Les Bleus’ hopes of winning a third World Cup title. Mikel Oyarzabal converted a first half penalty before Pedro Porro doubled Spain’s advantage after the break. The victory extended Spain’s remarkable unbeaten run and confirmed their place in the final. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente praised his players after another dominant display. “We started almost four years ago with an idea and we’ve been faithful to that idea and it’s brought us here,” he said. Read More: Experts Say the World Cup Is Being Played in Dangerous Heat He added, “These players deserve everything. Day after day they’ve shown their commitment, their solidarity, their generosity, their talent. They make the difficult look easy.” The winner of Wednesday’s clash between Argentina and England will advance to Sunday’s World Cup final in New Jersey, setting up a blockbuster showdown with Spain. For Messi, it represents another chance to cement his legendary career. For England, it offers the opportunity to reach a first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 1966.
Your Phone May Be Dirtier Than a Toilet Seat. Here’s Why
A Dubai based microbiologist has warned that smartphones can carry more bacteria than a toilet seat, urging people to clean their devices regularly to reduce the spread of germs and improve everyday hygiene. Neethu Sureshkumar shared the warning in an Instagram video that has attracted widespread attention on social media. She explained that smartphones constantly come into contact with contaminated surfaces throughout the day before ending up near people’s faces, hands and even food. Opening the video, she asked, “What if I told you that your mobile phone might have more bacteria than a toilet seat?” While the comparison may sound alarming, health experts have long cautioned that frequently touched objects such as smartphones can accumulate significant amounts of bacteria because people rarely clean them. Studies published by the University of Arizona and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have found that mobile phones often carry thousands of bacteria, although most are harmless to healthy individuals. Why smartphones collect so many germs According to Sureshkumar, the issue stems from modern lifestyles. People carry their phones almost everywhere, allowing the devices to pick up microorganisms from multiple environments throughout the day. She explained, “Studies have shown that mobile phones can harbour large amounts of bacteria because we take them everywhere.” The microbiologist highlighted several common places where phones collect germs. These include shared office desks, kitchen counters while cooking, gym equipment, handbags, pockets and even bathrooms. She also pointed out one common habit that increases the risk of contamination. “Sometimes even use them in the washroom,” she said. The problem does not end there. After touching contaminated phones, many people continue eating, preparing food or placing the device against their face during calls. Sureshkumar warned, “Then we keep touching the same phone while eating, cooking, or placing it close to our face during calls.” She explained that this habit “can constantly transfer bacteria from one surface to another,” creating an ongoing cycle of cross contamination. In the caption accompanying her video, she summed up the message with a simple reminder: “Your phone might be dirtier than you think.” Simple cleaning habits can reduce germ transfer Despite the attention grabbing comparison, Sureshkumar stressed that she was not trying to frighten people. She said, “As a microbiologist, I’m not trying to scare you. This reel is just a reminder to clean your phone regularly.” She recommended cleaning smartphones with phone safe disinfectant wipes or by applying a small amount of hand sanitiser to a soft cloth before gently wiping the device. Directly spraying liquids onto a phone should be avoided because manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung recommend using soft lint free cloths with approved disinfectants to prevent damage. Read More: Could Your Sweat Score Reveal a Hidden Health Risk? The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends regularly cleaning high touch surfaces to reduce the spread of germs, particularly during cold and flu seasons. Sureshkumar concluded her message with a simple hygiene reminder. “Clean phone, better hygiene.” Health experts note that regular hand washing remains the most effective way to reduce infections. However, cleaning frequently touched personal devices can further minimise the transfer of bacteria between surfaces, hands and the face. Hindustan Times noted that the report was based on social media content and that it had not independently verified Sureshkumar’s claims. However, the broader advice to clean frequently handled devices aligns with recommendations from public health authorities and smartphone manufacturers.
Spain Are One Win Away From Making World Cup History
Spain booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final with an impressive 2 to 0 victory over France on Tuesday, ending Les Bleus’ hopes of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final and moving within one win of football history. The European champions delivered a disciplined display at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, combining defensive solidity with clinical finishing to outclass a France side that entered the semi final as one of the tournament favourites. Spain will now face either England or Argentina in Sunday’s final as they chase their second World Cup title after lifting the trophy in 2010. Oyarzabal and Porro seal dominant Spanish win The match turned in Spain’s favour midway through the first half when Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton awarded a penalty after France left back Lucas Digne brought down teenage winger Lamine Yamal inside the box. Mikel Oyarzabal calmly fired the penalty past goalkeeper Mike Maignan for his fifth goal of the tournament, giving Spain a deserved lead after controlling possession and limiting France’s attacking threats. France’s problems deepened moments later when defender William Saliba left the pitch with a recurrence of his lower back injury. Maxence Lacroix replaced the Arsenal centre back, forcing coach Didier Deschamps into an early defensive reshuffle. Spain continued to dominate through Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo, who repeatedly found space in midfield. France failed to register a single shot on target in the opening half and managed only two attempts before the break. Deschamps introduced Desire Doue in the 57th minute to inject pace into the attack, but Spain struck again just a minute later. Pedro Porro exchanged a quick pass with Dani Olmo before calmly finishing past Maignan to double Spain’s advantage. The French coach responded by bringing on Theo Hernandez and Rayan Cherki after the second hydration break, but Spain’s organised defence refused to give France a route back into the contest. Spain have now conceded only one goal throughout the tournament while keeping six clean sheets in seven matches. Their unbeaten run has stretched to 37 games under coach Luis de la Fuente, equalling Italy’s long standing European record. France left to fight for third place The defeat ended France’s pursuit of a third World Cup title and another appearance in the final after winning the 2018 tournament in Russia and finishing runners up to Argentina in Qatar four years later. Despite boasting stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, France struggled to create clear chances against Spain’s disciplined defence. After the match, France captain Mbappe admitted his side fell short. He said, “We didn’t play the match we wanted to, neither tactically, nor technically, nor in terms of our overall performance.” France will now play in the third place playoff, the final match in charge for Didier Deschamps before he steps down after 14 years as head coach. Attention now shifts to Wednesday’s second semi final in Atlanta, where England and Argentina will battle for the remaining place in the final. England captain Harry Kane dismissed suggestions that history would influence the clash. He said, “From a player’s point of view it’s us against a great team, who are smart, who are tactical, who know how to buy fouls, know how to slow the game down, like many different teams you come up against throughout your whole career.” The winner will meet an in form Spain side that now stands just 90 minutes away from becoming the first champions of the expanded 48 team FIFA World Cup.
PM Shehbaz Wants 100% Digital Remittances. Why It Matters
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed authorities to process all overseas remittances through digital channels. He said the move would accelerate Pakistan’s shift toward a cashless economy and improve financial transparency. Chairing a meeting on digital payments, the prime minister praised his economic team for expanding digital financial services over the past year. He also urged authorities to launch stronger awareness campaigns. The campaigns will encourage more merchants to adopt QR code based digital payments. Read More: Overseas Pakistanis Send Record $41.6 Billion Home in FY26 The prime minister asked banks and financial institutions to play a bigger role in expanding digital transactions across the country. He also welcomed the digitalisation of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) payments. He described the new system as faster, more transparent and more convenient for beneficiaries. Digital payments record strong growth Officials briefed the meeting on Pakistan’s recent progress. Between June 2025 and June 2026, the number of merchants accepting digital payments rose 300 percent to 2.003 million. Officials also reported that 99 percent of NADRA payments now take place through digital channels. Cash payments dropped sharply from 71 percent to just 1 percent. The government now sends payments to 10 million BISP beneficiaries through digital wallets. Read More: Pakistan Sets Sights on 4 Lac Overseas Jobs Ahead of FIFA 2034 Mobile banking also continued to expand rapidly. The number of users increased from 95 million to 137 million within a year. The prime minister called the increase a major achievement. Pakistan also recorded 11.9 billion digital transactions between July 2025 and June 2026, showing growing public confidence in digital banking. Digital remittances become a national priority Officials told the meeting that 92 percent of overseas remittances already arrive through digital channels. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed authorities to increase that figure to 100 percent. He said digital remittances would strengthen transparency and improve financial efficiency. Workers’ remittances remain one of Pakistan’s largest sources of foreign exchange. The country recently received a record $41.6 billion in remittances during FY2025-26, boosting foreign exchange reserves and supporting the economy. Read More: Govt Considers Big PTA Tax Relief for Overseas Pakistanis Officials also informed the meeting that an independent organisation is validating the government’s cashless economy initiative. It will submit its final report with recommendations in November 2026. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Banks’ Association has assigned digital payment targets to member banks. The targets include wider adoption of the Raast instant payment system, which supports fast and secure digital transfers. Federal ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad, the NADRA chairman and senior officials attended the meeting.
