AUSTRALIA'S Test against Afghanistan is likely to be postponed until it is clearer what impact the takeover by the Taliban will have on sport in the country, Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley told local media on Monday (11).
CA last month threatened to scrap the Test, which is scheduled to start in Hobart on Nov. 27, if the Taliban government which took power in August did not allow women and girls to play the sport.
"It's likely that we will postpone (the Test) until a point of time where there is more clarity and that's following consultation with the Australian government," Hockley told the ABC.
"The work we've been doing is to understand the current situation on the ground.
"We made our position very, very clear off the back of some earlier comments around, potentially, cricket as a sport for women and girls not being supported in Afghanistan."
Hockley also said he was confident negotiations with the Western Australia government would be successful and that the fifth Ashes Test will go ahead as scheduled in Perth next January.
The tourists conditionally agreed to proceed with the tour late last week after Hockley held two video conference meetings with the England players to ease their fears about overly strict biosecurity protocols.
Western Australia has employed strict border controls to keep Covid-19 out of the state and if the government stuck to its rules, the England squad would have to quarantine for two weeks after arriving in Perth from the fourth Test in Sydney.
Hockley thought the state would be prepared to relax the quarantine requirements and allow the England players to play the Perth test in a bio-secure bubble with some freedoms.
"We would desperately like to play the fifth Test in Perth. It's absolutely our intention to do so," he added.
"Those discussions are going on right as we speak. That will be our focus over the next couple of months."
The holy town of Ambaji witnessed a spiritually significant day on Sunday as His Holiness Siri Rajrajeshwar Guruji, head of the International Siddhashram Shakti Centre, London, performed the Dhwaja ritual at the historic Ambaji Temple in Gujarat, one of the most revered Shakti Peeths of India.
Guruji, who travelled especially from London to be part of the festivities, offered prayers to Goddess Amba and hoisted the sacred flag, a symbol of divine strength, victory, and eternal devotion. Speaking about the ritual, he reminded devotees that the dhwaja inspires courage, faith, and a constant remembrance of the divine in everyday life.
Adding to the spiritual significance of the day, Guruji also personally served Bhandara (community meal) to devotees gathered at the temple premises.
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The International Siddhashram Shakti Centre in Harrow witnessed an inspiring and environmentally responsible celebration of Ganesh Utsav 2025, which concluded on Saturday, 6 September, with the Ganesh Visarjan ritual performed on the sacred occasion of Anant Chaturdashi.
What made this year’s celebration exceptional was the decision to conduct the Visarjan in a custom-built artificial water pool at the temple premises. After the ceremonial parikrama, the idol of Lord Ganesh was immersed with devotion, ensuring that the environment and public water bodies remained protected. The move also underlined compliance with local regulations, offering a model of how cultural traditions can be maintained with modern responsibility.
HH Siri Rajrajeshwar Guruji reminded devotees that true devotion also lies in mindful practice: “Our faith must go hand in hand with respect for the environment and the laws of the land. By celebrating responsibly, we honour our deities and set a positive example for other communities.”
The ten-day festival at Siddhashram was filled with devotional activities, including Ganesh Mantra Sadhana and the chanting of Hanuman Chalisa on 30 August, followed by the vibrant Annakut Darshan of Lord Ganesh on 2 September, which drew large numbers of devotees.
With soulful bhajans, prayers, and rituals held daily, the festival reaffirmed Siddhashram’s role as a centre of spiritual growth and cultural preservation in London. The eco-conscious Visarjan, in particular, stood out as a symbol of blending tradition with responsibility, inspiring worshippers to celebrate with both devotion and awareness.
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Rick Davies, British rock legend of Supertramp, dies at 81
Rick Davies, co-founder of Supertramp, has died at 81 after a long battle with cancer
The British musician wrote and sang classics including Goodbye Stranger and Bloody Well Right
Davies kept the band alive after Roger Hodgson’s departure in 1983 and toured until 2022
His music, especially Breakfast in America, continues to inspire generations worldwide
Rick Davies' death has left a profound mark on the music world, as fans remember the Supertramp co-founder who turned a progressive rock outfit into one of the most successful British bands of the late 1970s. Alongside partner Roger Hodgson, he penned songs that defined an era, while his unique keyboard style helped shape rock history. Beyond his artistry, Davies’ determination kept Supertramp going long after internal disputes and creative differences split the group.
Rick Davies, British rock legend of Supertramp, dies at 81 Getty Images
Who was Rick Davies in Supertramp?
Born in Swindon, England in 1944, Rick Davies developed an early fascination with jazz and blues before moving into rock. In 1969, he placed an advert to form a new band, eventually bringing in Roger Hodgson. Together, they rebranded as Supertramp in January 1970.
While Hodgson’s higher-pitched vocals carried The Logical Song and Give a Little Bit, Davies’ deeper tones became the backbone of tracks like Bloody Well Right, Rudy and Goodbye Stranger. His mastery of the Wurlitzer electric piano gave Supertramp its signature sound, combining pop hooks with progressive structures.
John Helliwell, Rick Davies, Roger Hodgson, Bob Siebenberg and Dougie ThomsonGetty Images
What were Supertramp’s biggest hits?
Supertramp first tasted commercial success with the 1974 album Crime of the Century, which featured Davies’ single Bloody Well Right. The band’s true breakthrough, however, came in 1979 with Breakfast in America.
The record sold more than 30 million copies (approx. £24 million / ₹2,520,000,000) worldwide, topping charts across the US and Europe. Its singles The Logical Song, Take the Long Way Home, and Goodbye Stranger remain radio staples. The album earned the group two Grammy Awards, strengthening their place in rock history. Davies’ role as songwriter, singer and pianist was central to this success, his songs carrying a soulful, world-weary edge that contrasted with Hodgson’s more whimsical lyrics.
By the early 1980s, tensions between Davies and Hodgson intensified over songwriting royalties and creative direction. Following the release of ...Famous Last Words... in 1982, Hodgson quit the band.
While many assumed this would end Supertramp, Davies chose to carry on. He released four more albums under the band’s name, including 2002’s Slow Motion. Though the band never again reached the commercial heights of Breakfast in America, they maintained a devoted fan base. Davies’ leadership ensured the group’s legacy endured, with tours continuing into the 2000s.
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How did Rick Davies spend his later years?
In 2015, Davies was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer affecting bone marrow. This forced him to cancel a planned reunion tour. Despite his illness, he continued performing with local musicians in the US under the name Ricky and the Rockets, entertaining fans with blues and rock classics.
Davies died on 5 September at his home in Long Island, aged 81. A statement from the band said: “His soulful vocals and unmistakable touch on the Wurlitzer became the heartbeat of the band’s sound… Rick’s music and legacy continue to inspire many and bears testament to the fact that great songs never die, they live on.”
Rick Davies, Supertramp’s guiding force, dies at 81Getty Images
He is survived by his wife Sue, who had been Supertramp’s manager since 1984.
Apple to unveil the iPhone 17 range, including a new ultrathin iPhone 17 Air.
Updates expected across Apple Watch, AirPods, iPad Pro, Vision Pro, Apple TV, and HomePod mini.
Major redesign for iPhone Pro models, marking Apple’s biggest hardware refresh in five years.
Event takes place on Tuesday, 9 September, ahead of the holiday season.
Apple’s biggest launch of the year
Apple will host its annual product showcase on Tuesday, 9 September, at Apple Park. The company is expected to unveil its iPhone 17 line-up, alongside new Apple Watches, AirPods, and updates to other devices. The event comes at a time when Apple is facing tougher competition from Samsung, Google and Chinese manufacturers, while lagging behind rivals in generative AI development.
iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, Pro Max and iPhone 17 Air
Apple will launch four iPhone models this year. The highlight is the iPhone 17 Air, an ultrathin model measuring 5.5mm, about one-third thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro. Its slim design results in reduced battery life and a single rear camera but retains the A19 processor, a 6.6-inch display, USB-C, ProMotion support and eSIM-only connectivity.
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will see a major redesign for the first time since 2020, including a new camera layout, enhanced video capabilities, and improved battery life. The Pro models will return to an aluminium frame for better heat management and lighter weight. They also gain the A19 Pro processor, a 48-megapixel telephoto lens, variable aperture, and simultaneous front-and-back video recording.
The standard iPhone 17 will move to a 6.3-inch display with ProMotion for the first time on a non-Pro model.
Apple will also launch new accessories, including redesigned cases and colour updates such as light blue for the Air and orange for the Pro models.
Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3 and SE
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 will receive its first major update since 2022, with a larger display, a new S11 chip, 5G RedCap support and satellite-enabled messaging.
The Series 11 will retain the design of the Series 10 but gain a brighter screen and refreshed colour options.
The budget-friendly Apple Watch SE, priced from £249, is also expected to receive a faster chip and new displays, maintaining its role as an entry-level option for younger users.
AirPods Pro 3
Apple will update its premium wireless earbuds for the first time in three years. The AirPods Pro 3 are expected to feature a smaller charging case, a new pairing system and the addition of health-tracking functions such as a heart rate monitor. They will also support live translation features through iOS 26.
iPad Pro, Vision Pro, Apple TV and HomePod Mini
Apple is preparing incremental updates across its wider product portfolio:
iPad Pro: A new model with the M5 chip and a secondary front-facing camera.
Vision Pro: The first update since launch in 2024, swapping the M2 chip for newer options, and possibly introducing a space black colour.
Apple TV: The first upgrade since 2022, with a new processor to support Apple Intelligence features, including a revamped Siri.
HomePod mini: A refreshed version with improved sound, new wireless chips, and additional colours, including red.
Coming soon
Looking ahead, Apple is developing the AirTag 2 with improved wireless tracking, a foldable iPhone expected next year, and a 20th anniversary glass iPhone planned for 2027.
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People try to board a migrant dinghy into the English Channel on August 25, 2025 in Gravelines, France. (Photo: Getty Images)
THE UK government said on Sunday it is examining the use of military sites to house migrants, amid growing criticism over the practice of accommodating asylum seekers in hotels.
"We are looking at the potential use of military and non-military use sites for temporary accommodation for the people who come across on these small boats," defence secretary John Healey told Sky News.
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood said in a statement that migrants using boats to cross the Channel from France was "utterly unacceptable".
According to figures published Sunday by the Home Office, more than 30,000 people have arrived in Britain by boat since the start of the year.
Mahmood also said a new deal with France, which came into effect in early August, would allow Britain to detain those arriving by boat and return them to France.
The arrangement requires Britain to accept an equal number of eligible migrants from France.
Some hotels currently used to house migrants have seen protests, and the government is also facing legal challenges. By law, asylum seekers must be provided with accommodation and access to health care.
Prime minister Keir Starmer has pledged to end the use of hotels within four years. The government has already reduced the number of hotel places by half compared to a year ago.
The previous Conservative government had already prepared two disused military bases to house several hundred asylum seekers, a measure criticised by migrant-aid groups.