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The Pakistan Super League (PSL), the country's top domestic T20 cricket tournament, will take place in empty stadiums due to the recent surge in oil prices. The decision was announced by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, citing a fuel shortage caused by the Middle East conflict.The league, set to start on Thursday, will now be hosted in only two cities: Lahore and Karachi. The opening match will be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The PCB has also cancelled the opening ceremony that was scheduled to take place in Lahore.Pakistan is facing soaring oil prices due to the conflict in the Middle East, prompting the government to advise citizens to restrict their movements. Naqvi stated that it wouldn't be feasible to have 30,000 people in stadiums daily while people are being asked to limit their travel.The PCB will refund tickets to fans who had purchased them and will also compensate franchise owners for the loss of revenue from gate receipts. Naqvi apologized to the four cities – Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, and Peshawar – that will no longer host PSL games this season.Several foreign players, including Australians Jake Fraser-McGurk and Spencer Johnson, South African Ottneil Baartman, and West Indian Gudakesh Motie, have pulled out of the PSL due to personal reasons. The PCB consulted with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is also the PCB patron, and the eight franchises before making the decision to stage the games without spectators.

Cuba has extended an invitation to Cuban Americans and other exiles living abroad to invest in and own businesses on the island, effectively opening its doors to a community that has traditionally agitated for harsh economic sanctions against the Communist government. The move is part of a broader effort to revive Cuba's collapsed economy, which has been exacerbated by a US-imposed oil blockade and sanctions leading to extended blackouts and shortages of fuel, food, and medicine. Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga stated that there are no limitations for Cubans living abroad to participate in the country's development, including investing in larger projects, particularly in agriculture. This policy shift comes as Cuba has begun talks with the US, and US officials have indicated a desire for an economic opening as part of any bilateral agreement. The issue of allowing emigrants to invest in island businesses is sensitive, given the often-hostile stance of some exile communities towards the Cuban government. Economist Paolo Spadoni described the policy shift as 'pragmatic' but noted that Cuba should have initiated it years ago. He added that this change could be a catalyst for deeper US-Cuba economic ties, creating significant opportunities for US companies. With over 1 million Cubans having emigrated since 2021, this move represents a potential source of investment still largely untapped. The policy change occurs against the backdrop of strained US-Cuba relations, with US President Donald Trump having cut off Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba and threatening tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba.

US President Donald Trump has ordered a pause in attacks on Iran's power infrastructure for five days. The move comes after Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to reopen the critical shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz or risk US attacks on its power plants.Iran's Response to US Ultimatum: Iran threatened to attack power plants in Israel and the Gulf if its own power plants were targeted. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that it would hit power plants in Israel as well as any supplying electricity to military bases hosting US troops and assets in the region.Potential Targets: Iran could target Israeli power plants, including Orot Rabin north of Tel Aviv, with a capacity of around 3,900 megawatts, and Rutenberg in Ashkelon, with a capacity of around 2,250 megawatts. Iran also mentioned that it would target financial entities that finance US military assets, including US Treasury bonds.Energy Infrastructure: Iran's attacks on energy infrastructure in the Gulf have already had significant impacts. Qatar's state-run energy firm, QatarEnergy, halted LNG production following Iranian attacks on its operational facilities, causing an estimated $20bn in lost annual revenue. Saudi Arabia also shut down operations at the Ras Tanura plant, its biggest domestic oil refinery.Financial and Corporate Entities: Iran could target large US companies with Israeli links, including Google, Microsoft, Palantir, IBM, Nvidia, and Oracle. Iranian officials also mentioned that they would target US Treasury bonds and entities that finance US military assets.Other Critical Infrastructure: Iran's foreign minister accused the US of striking a desalination plant on Qeshm Island off the coast of Iran, cutting off the water supply to 30 villages. Bahrain also reported that an Iranian drone caused material damage to one of its desalination plants.

President Donald Trump has announced a significant diplomatic pause in the escalating conflict with Iran, instructing the US military to delay any strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period. The announcement comes as Trump claims both nations have reached "major points of agreement" and are seeking a "complete and total resolution" of hostilities in the Middle East.This decision follows a tense 48-hour ultimatum issued by Trump on Saturday, in which he threatened to "obliterate" Iranian power plants if Tehran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait is a critical global chokepoint, handling approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas; its closure has already triggered a severe global energy crisis and spiked oil prices.Speaking from Florida, Trump stated that Iran is eager to make a deal and that his envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, have been engaged in talks with a "respected" Iranian leader. For a resolution to materialize, Trump asserted that Iran must relinquish its enriched uranium stockpile, and he suggested the strategic Strait of Hormuz would be reopened very soon if an agreement is reached.The prospect of de-escalation provided immediate relief to global financial markets. Wall Street stocks saw early gains on Monday, while oil prices—which had soared since the onset of hostilities—experienced a sharp decline. The easing of tensions is viewed as a potential "off-ramp" for the war, which analysts suggest may be an attempt by Trump to secure a dignified exit from the conflict.While Iran has not officially confirmed the talks, its Foreign Ministry suggested the pause is a tactical maneuver to lower energy prices. However, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any attack on Iranian power plants would trigger a massive retaliation, including strikes on US bases and economic infrastructure. Analysts believe the likelihood of Iran refusing this offer is remote, as the country seeks to avoid further devastation.

UK MPs have called on the government to halt a contract with Palantir, a US-based spy-tech company, after it was revealed that the firm will gain access to a vast trove of highly sensitive UK financial regulation data. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the watchdog overseeing thousands of financial bodies, has hired Palantir to apply its AI systems to two years' worth of internal intelligence data to help tackle financial crime. However, the Liberal Democrats and Green party have raised concerns over Palantir's ties to Donald Trump and the potential risks to national and economic security. The Liberal Democrats have called for a government investigation into the contract, citing concerns that it could be "a huge error of judgment". Palantir, founded by Peter Thiel, a billionaire supporter of Trump, has built up over £500m in contracts in the UK, including with the NHS, police, and Ministry of Defence. The company supports the US and Israeli militaries and the ICE immigration crackdown. Insiders at the FCA have questioned whether there are sufficient safeguards in place to prevent the data from being exploited. There are concerns about the potential for data about sensitive FCA investigations into high-profile figures to be accessed during Palantir's work. The FCA has insisted that Palantir will be a "data processor", not a "data controller", meaning it can only act on instruction from the regulator. The FCA will retain exclusive control over the encryption keys for the most sensitive files, and the data will be hosted and stored solely in the UK. Despite these assurances, MPs have expressed concerns over the risks associated with the contract. Daisy Cooper, the Liberal Democrats' Treasury spokesperson, called for an investigation into the FCA's Palantir contract, citing concerns over Palantir's ties to Trump. The Green party MP Siân Berry has called for the government to "step in immediately and protect our national and economic security by blocking this contract award". Palantir has denied claims that it may "use customer data for our own purposes", stating that this is "something that we have no business interest in, and that we are legally and contractually prevented from doing".

England manager Thomas Tuchel has made two significant inclusions in his squad for the upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan at Wembley. Ben White, the Arsenal right-back, has been recalled to the squad after a period of exile that began during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. White's return comes after Jarell Quansah was forced to withdraw due to injury. White, who has four England caps, last played for the national team in March 2022 against Côte d'Ivoire. His absence from the squad was partly self-imposed, but Tuchel indicated in March that White wanted to return. This season, White has struggled for regular game time at Arsenal, starting only five Premier League games. In addition to White's recall, Tuchel has called up Harvey Barnes from Newcastle as a replacement for Eberechi Eze, who has withdrawn with a calf injury. Barnes, who has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season, is second on Newcastle's scoring charts, trailing only Anthony Gordon. He previously earned his only England cap as a substitute against Wales in October 2020 under Gareth Southgate. Notably, Scotland had been attempting to lure Barnes for their World Cup squad. Tuchel's squad selection has been influenced by injuries, particularly the hamstring injury to first-choice right-back Reece James. Trent Alexander-Arnold was not recalled, and other options at right-back include Tino Livramento and Djed Spence. England will host Uruguay on Friday, followed by Japan on Tuesday at Wembley.

Global stock markets swung wildly on Monday as investors reacted to US President Donald Trump's decision to postpone military strikes on Iranian power plants. The move led to a relief rally in European markets, with the French Cac 40, Spanish Ibex, and German Dax all rising by 0.8%, 1%, and 1.2% respectively.The FTSE 100 share index, which had fallen by almost 1.5% in early trading, reversed course to gain 0.4% before paring back to close down 0.2%. US markets were up more than 1% in early afternoon trading on Wall Street.Oil prices, which had been rising after Trump threatened to strike Iranian infrastructure, dropped sharply. Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell 10% to $101 a barrel. The UK month-ahead gas prices fell 6% to 142p a therm.Trump announced on his social media platform Truth Social that the US and Iran had “very good and productive conversations” over the past two days regarding “a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East”. He said he had instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period, subject to the success of ongoing meetings and discussions.The global economy has been bracing for much higher oil prices due to disruption in the strait of Hormuz, with Goldman Sachs forecasting Brent crude will average $85 a barrel this year, up from previous expectations of $77 a barrel. Brent hit $119.50 a barrel earlier this month, the highest since the war began.

The Orange Tree theatre in London is currently hosting a captivating production of Nicholas Wright's 2002 play, Vincent in Brixton. This poignant piece imagines a lesser-known chapter in the life of Vincent van Gogh, who spent a year in south London pursuing a career as an art dealer and possibly had a romantic relationship with his landlady or her daughter.In Georgia Green's tender production, the play blossoms into more than just a footnote in art history. The story revolves around Vincent, portrayed by Jeroen Frank Kales, and his landlady Ursula, played by Niamh Cusack. Their characters share a deep mental perturbation, uncovering a kinship in misery that eventually blossoms into romance.The setting, designed by Charlotte Henery, is a cozy kitchen on the Orange Tree stage, perfect for quiet confidences. The sound design by Donato Wharton adds a sensory layer with birdsong, the sound of pans on the stove, and the rush of Vincent's blood during his first kiss. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, with Cusack's rich-layered voice conveying Ursula's distraught emotions.The play is remarkable for its non-judgmental writing, allowing the characters to express their feelings in personal and poetic ways. The cast delivers full-hearted performances, including Rawaed Asde as the other lodger and Ayesha Ostler as Ursula's vigilant daughter. The relationship between Vincent and Ursula is portrayed as a brief, radiant interlude, offering a glimpse into Van Gogh's life before he found his vocation as an artist.This production of Vincent in Brixton runs at the Orange Tree theatre, London, until 18 April, offering audiences a chance to experience a unique and emotional exploration of restless souls.

Irish actor Barry Keoghan, known for his roles in various films and upcoming projects, has candidly shared the negative impact of online abuse on his life. In a recent interview with SiriusXM host Ben Harlum, Keoghan disclosed that the relentless online abuse about his appearance has reached a point where he “doesn’t want to go outside” anymore. Despite having left social media in 2024 to escape the harassment, Keoghan admitted that the abuse continues to affect him significantly. He expressed concern about how this online hate might influence his career and personal life, particularly his role as Ringo Starr in Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles tetralogy. Keoghan acknowledged that while many fans are supportive, there is a “nasty side” to online interactions. He mentioned that he often finds himself “shying away” from public events and feeling the urge to “hide away” due to the constant abuse and hate. This situation has become so severe that it’s affecting his willingness to continue acting, which could be disappointing to his fans. The actor also expressed worry about the potential impact on his three-year-old son, Brando, who may encounter these negative comments in the future. Keoghan emphasized the need to protect his child from the harsh realities of online abuse. Keoghan has been open about his difficult past, including his time in foster care and his mother’s struggles with drug addiction. Recently, he has been involved in projects such as Netflix’s Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man and The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Event, where he stars alongside Harris Dickinson, Paul Mescal, and Joseph Quinn.