Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins hailed England as the "form team" in white-ball cricket but shrugged off the potential impact on the forthcoming Ashes of Saturday's T20 World Cup clash.
Eoin Morgan's England are the 50-over World Cup champions and chasing a second T20 global title after their 2010 triumph.
Both teams go into Saturday's clash in Dubai with two wins in two games and the semi-finals enticingly within reach.
Adding extra spice is the approaching Ashes series which starts in December.
"It's always huge. We play England a lot. I think the style of play is quite similar. We like to take the game on," said Cummins on Friday.
"They've been probably just about the form team the last few years in white ball cricket.
"We know it's such a big game in the context of making the semi-finals."
Australia are the current holders of the Ashes. However, few in the T20 teams are regular Test players.
For example, Morgan and Australia skipper Aaron Finch will not be involved while England fast bowler Tymal Mills only plays the T20 format.
"The majority of the side are mainly white ball players. Different format. I wouldn't read into it too much," added Cummins who does excel in both formats.
In the 2019 Ashes in England, he was his team's leading wicket-taker with 28.
One of the key figures in the forthcoming Ashes series will be opener David Warner who smashed an attacking 65 in Thursday's seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka.
"He is fantastic. He's a big-game player. He likes to take on the big teams. I'm sure tomorrow you'll see him puffing his chest out, and he's someone that our whole team absolutely loves playing alongside," said Cummins.
The 28-year-old fast bowler has no doubt that Warner will also be key in the Ashes, backing him to shine at the top of the order.
That's despite his miserable performance in England in 2019 where he scored just 95 runs in 10 innings for an average of only 9.50 and a highest score of 61.
Seven times he was dismissed by Stuart Broad who will be facing him again later this year.
"There's huge expectations that he puts on himself," said Cummins.
"He's been around enough to know that runs aren't too far away. It's frustrating, but every player that's been around for a decade kind of goes through those patches.
FILE PHOTO: A pump jack operates near a crude oil reserve in the Permian Basin oil field near Midland, Texas, US, February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Eli Hartman
PAKISTAN's largest refiner Cnergyico will import one million barrels of oil from Vitol in October, Cnergyico's vice chairman Usama Qureshi said on Friday (1), the country's first-ever purchase of US crude following a landmark trade deal.
The West Texas Intermediate light crude cargo will be loaded from Houston this month and is expected to arrive in Karachi in the second half of October, he said.
"This is a test spot cargo under our umbrella term agreement with Vitol. If it is commercially viable and available, we could import at least one cargo per month," Qureshi told Reuters, adding that Vitol was its long-term trading partner.
Qureshi said Pakistan's finance and petroleum ministries encouraged local refineries to explore US crude imports after the April tariff announcement.
Vitol did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside of office hours.
On Thursday (31), Pakistan hailed a trade deal struck with the US, its top export market, and said the agreement would increase investments. The White House said on Thursday the US would charge a 19 per cent tariff on imports from Pakistan.
A key China ally, Pakistan has been wooing Trump after he threatened tariffs. It credited US diplomatic intervention for ending recent hostilities with neighbouring India and nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Oil is Pakistan's biggest import item and its shipments were valued at $11.3 billion (£9bn) in the year ended June 30, 2025, accounting for nearly a fifth of the country's total import bill.
The import deal will help Pakistan diversify its crude sourcing and reduce reliance on Middle Eastern suppliers, which account for nearly all of its oil imports.
"Gross refining margin is on par with Gulf grades, and no blending or refinery tweaks are required," Qureshi said.
Cnergyico could consider buying at least 1 million barrels of US oil a month after it evaluates the first shipment, given its current monthly demand stands at 4.6 million barrels, he said.
"It aligns well with domestic market requirements. Demand typically strengthens in the October–November period," Qureshi said.
Cnergyico can process 156,000 barrels of crude per day and operates the country's only single-point mooring terminal near Karachi, enabling it to handle large tankers unlike other refiners in Pakistan.
The company plans to install a second offshore terminal to allow larger or more frequent shipments, and to upgrade its refinery over the next five to six years, Qureshi said.
The refiner, which has been operating at an average refinery run rate of 30 per cent to 35 per cent due to tepid local demand, is betting on growth in demand for oil products.
Trump said on Wednesday (30) the US would also cooperate with Pakistan to develop the south Asian country's "massive oil reserves", without providing further details.
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Blake Lively accused of harassment by YouTuber amid Justin Baldoni legal feud
YouTuber Lauren Neidigh accuses Blake Lively of harassment and seeks a court-issued protective order.
Lively’s team dropped subpoenas against Neidigh and others but left the door open to reissue them.
Neidigh says Lively’s actions were meant to silence critics amid her ongoing legal dispute with Justin Baldoni.
Lively's spokesperson insists the subpoenas were standard legal tools, not attempts to intimidate.
A YouTuber has formally accused actress Blake Lively of harassment and intimidation, requesting a protective order after Lively's legal team subpoenaed her amid an ongoing federal lawsuit involving actor-director Justin Baldoni.
Lauren Neidigh, known online as LethalLauren904, filed a statement to the court on 28 July, alleging that Lively’s actions were designed to suppress online criticism through legal pressure. The dispute stems from Lively’s broader legal battle with It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, in which she has accused him of sexual harassment.
U.S. judge rules Blake Lively’s harassment claims were legally protected speech Getty Images
Why did Blake Lively subpoena YouTubers?
Lively’s legal team had subpoenaed Neidigh and two other content creators, McKenzie Folks and Kassidy O’Connell, seeking personal data including banking information. The subpoenas were dropped shortly afterward, but not before triggering concerns among the creators.
Neidigh claims the move was an act of intimidation, writing in her letter to the court: “The subpoena targeted creators who expressed unfavourable opinions about Lively. It was not supported by any evidence and was intended to chill constitutionally protected speech.”
Despite withdrawing the subpoenas, Lively’s team has not ruled out the possibility of reissuing them, which Neidigh argues creates an “undue burden” and ongoing fear of retaliation.
In her formal plea, Neidigh has asked the court to issue a protective order to prevent Lively from issuing any further subpoenas against her or other online creators. She has also called for sanctions against the Gossip Girl star’s legal team, citing emotional distress and the invasion of privacy.
She wrote that Lively’s lawyers were “largely unresponsive” to her requests for clarification about why her personal and financial information was needed in the first place. “This was a clear misuse of legal tools to target critics,” she argued.
What’s the background on the Lively-Baldoni legal battle?
The drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni began in December 2024 when Lively filed a sexual harassment complaint against Baldoni, who directed and starred alongside her in It Ends With Us. In January 2025, she officially sued him.
Baldoni, in turn, countersued for defamation, but that case was dismissed in June. Lively’s case continues, with depositions already underway. Last week, she sat for questioning at her lawyer’s New York City office, reportedly with Baldoni present.
Lively has publicly spoken about the ordeal, telling Late Night With Seth Meyers in May that “fear is, by design, meant to keep us silent,” in reference to coming forward with her claims.
Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively's It Ends With Us feud takes a new digital turnGetty Images
Has Blake Lively responded to the harassment claims?
A spokesperson for Lively clarified that the subpoenas were not accusations, but standard legal procedures to obtain admissible evidence. “There is no attempt to silence anyone,” the rep told Us Weekly, “This is about uncovering a coordinated media campaign designed to discredit Ms. Lively.”
The representative also claimed that Baldoni’s PR team planned an “untraceable” smear campaign after Lively’s allegations surfaced, adding that subpoenas to social media platforms are helping to “connect the evidentiary dots.”
Lively claims the lawsuit has deeply affected her husband, Ryan Reynolds, and their four children Getty Images
What’s next in the case?
While the subpoenas against Neidigh and other creators have been withdrawn for now, the legal clash is far from over. Lively continues to gather evidence, and the case is scheduled for trial on 9 March 2026.
Meanwhile, Baldoni and his wife Emily have stayed out of the spotlight, aside from a quiet family holiday earlier this year. Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, however, have made multiple public appearances in recent months.
The fallout from this legal battle is increasingly drawing in public figures, influencers, and online commentators, turning a private dispute into a digital firestorm with potential implications for free speech and creator safety.
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FILE PHOTO: Irish Garda police officers stand on duty on Parnell Street, in Dublin. (Photo by PAUL FAITH/AFP via Getty Images)
THE Indian Embassy in Ireland on Friday (1) issued an advisory expressing safety concerns following recent attacks in and around the capital Dublin and urging Indian citizens to take safety precautions.
"There has been an increase in the instances of physical attacks reported against Indian citizens in Ireland recently," said the advisory issued online.
"The embassy is in touch with the authorities concerned in Ireland in this regard. At the same time, all Indian citizens in Ireland are advised to take reasonable precautions for their personal security and avoid deserted areas, especially at unsocial hours," it added.
It also provided emergency embassy contact details as 0899423734 and cons.dublin@mea.gov.in.
The Gardaí, as the police are known in Ireland, had opened an investigation into the case and Indian ambassador to Ireland Akhilesh Mishra was amongst those who took to social media to express shock over the attack.
"Regarding the recent incident of physical attack on an Indian national that happened in Tallaght, Dublin, the Embassy is in touch with the victim and his family. All the requisite assistance is being offered. The Embassy is also in touch with the relevant Irish authorities in this regard," the embassy said in a social media post days after the incident.
A Stand Against Racism protest was also held by the local community in condemnation of what was described as a "vicious racist attack" and to express solidarity with migrants to the region.
Earlier this week, a Dublin resident Dr Santosh Yadav took to his LinkedIn account to post details of a "brutal, unprovoked racist attack" near his apartment.
Yadav, an entrepreneur and AI expert, stressed that it was not an isolated incident and called for "concrete measures" from the governments of Ireland and India to ensure Indians feel safe to walk the streets of Dublin without fear.
His post reads: "After having dinner, I was walking near my apartment when a group of six teenagers attacked me from behind. They snatched my glasses, breaking them, and then beat me relentlessly across my head, face, neck, chest, hands, and legs—leaving me bleeding on the pavement. I managed to call the Gardaí, and an ambulance took me to Blanchardstown Hospital. The medical team confirmed my cheekbone is fractured, and I have now been referred for specialist care.
"This is not an isolated incident. Racist attacks on Indian men and other minorities are surging across Dublin—on buses, in housing estates, and on public streets. Yet, the government is silent. There is no action being taken against these perpetrators. They run free and are emboldened to attack again."
Fine Gael party councillor for Tallaght South, Baby Pereppadan, was amongst those who expressed concern following last month's attack.
"People need to understand that many Indian people moving to Ireland are here on work permits, to study and work in the healthcare sector or in IT and so on, providing critical skills," he said.
(PTI)
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The UK Supreme Court will issue a verdict that could reshape the car finance industry
Supreme Court to deliver ruling at 4:35pm today on £44bn car finance mis-selling scandal
Judgment concerns hidden commissions paid to dealers without disclosure to buyers
Potential for billions in compensation claims if appeal court ruling is upheld
FCA expected to confirm next steps within six weeks
Lenders argue practices were lawful; Treasury warns of market impact
Supreme Court Poised to Rule on Landmark Car Finance Case
The UK Supreme Court will issue a verdict that could reshape the car finance industry and trigger billions of pounds in compensation claims for mis-sold motor finance.
The judgment, expected at 4:35 pm Friday, will determine whether to uphold a Court of Appeal ruling from October, which found that undisclosed commissions paid by lenders to car dealers or brokers were unlawful.
The Test Case: Undisclosed Broker Commissions
The case centres around two lenders – FirstRand Bank and Close Brothers – who were found to have paid commissions to dealers arranging finance deals, without disclosing the amount or terms of those payments to borrowers.
This practice was deemed unlawful by the Court of Appeal. If the Supreme Court upholds that ruling in full, the decision could pave the way for millions of customers to seek redress for loans arranged under similar conditions.
Wider Financial Implications for the Industry
The car finance market is deeply embedded in UK car sales, with around 90% of new cars and a significant proportion of second-hand vehicles bought on finance.
A full ruling against lenders could result in huge financial liabilities for the sector. Lloyds Banking Group, heavily exposed through its Black Horse division, has already set aside £1.2 billion in anticipation of potential claims.
The Financing & Leasing Association, which represents lenders, has continued to maintain that no wrongdoing occurred.
The Role of Discretionary Commission Arrangements
At the centre of many complaints are Discretionary Commission Arrangements (DCAs), which were banned by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in 2021. Under DCAs, dealers could increase their commission by steering customers toward higher interest rates.
Thousands of consumers who purchased vehicles using DCAs before the ban are already in line for possible compensation.
What Happens Next
The FCA is expected to announce within six weeks of the Supreme Court ruling whether it will establish a centralised compensation scheme for affected borrowers. However, today’s ruling could dramatically widen the pool of those eligible for payouts if it affirms the appeal court’s full findings.
If the judges side with the lenders, the scope of potential redress will be much narrower.
Government Concern Over Financial Fallout
The UK Treasury had previously raised concerns about the potential financial impact of large-scale compensation, warning it could significantly disrupt the car finance market. The Supreme Court rejected the government’s unusual intervention request in February, affirming judicial independence in the matter.
While the Treasury supports fair outcomes for consumers, it has also cautioned that the sector must remain capable of providing essential finance options for car buyers.
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Risk of power disruption, fallen trees and structural damage
Sixth named storm of the season, and first since January
Wind gusts could reach 85mph in parts of Scotland
Storm expected to hit Monday, exact track still uncertain
Risk of power disruption, fallen trees and structural damage
Summer storms not unprecedented, but their impact can be greater
What to Expect from Storm Floris
The Met Office has officially named Storm Floris, which is forecast to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to much of the UK on Monday. This will be the sixth named storm of the season, and the first since January.
Early projections indicate that the centre of the low-pressure system will track across the northern half of the UK, while the most disruptive winds are expected to develop on the southern and western flanks.
Forecasted Wind Speeds
Northern coasts and hills may see gusts between 60 and 70mph, with up to 85mph possible along exposed areas of Scotland’s coastline.
Inland areas across the warning zone could experience gusts of 40-50mph.
Even southern regions might see winds reaching 40-45mph.
The storm is currently evolving from a band of showers over the Great Lakes region of the United States. As it moves into the Atlantic, it is expected to intensify rapidly due to the influence of a powerful jet stream, resulting in a sharp drop in pressure before arriving over the UK.
Timing and Uncertainty
Though Storm Floris is forecast for Monday, the exact track of the system remains uncertain. The severity and regional impact will depend heavily on its final trajectory. The Met Office advises the public to stay updated with the latest forecasts over the weekend.
Potential Disruption
If forecasts hold, Storm Floris could lead to significant travel disruption, particularly for road, rail, and air travel. Additional risks include:
Fallen trees and broken branches, due to trees being in full summer leaf
Damage to temporary summer structures, such as tents and marquees
Power outages and minor structural damage
Localised flooding in areas affected by heavy rain
How Common Are Summer Storms?
While such low-pressure systems are more typical in autumn and winter, named storms during the summer months are not unusual.
In August 2023, Storm Lilian led to the closure of Leeds Festival stages and flight cancellations at Heathrow.
That same month, Storm Antoni caused windy, wet conditions in south Wales and south-west England, impacting Pride events in Brighton and Plymouth.
Storm Betty followed less than two weeks later, causing further disruption.
In 2020, two significant August storms—Ellen and Francis—brought gusts exceeding 80mph, causing widespread transport issues, coastal flooding, and power cuts.
Stay Prepared
Residents are advised to check local weather alerts, secure loose outdoor items, and plan travel accordingly. The Met Office will continue to monitor developments and issue further warnings as needed.
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