Auqib Nabi’s family members watch Ranji Trophy final (TOI Photo)

BARAMULLA: Some 40 km west of Uri, close to the Line of Control, sits Sheeri village. Along the Jhelum Valley road, north west of Srinagar. There, a narrow lane off the main road takes you to the home of cricketer Auqib Nabi Dar. It is barely wide enough for three people to walk alongside each other, but remember the address. For it is not to be forgotten in a hurry.Usually bustling in the manner that tiny mountain villages can be, on Saturday however, shops in Sheeri were open, but business was slow. Men stood milling on the narrow streets, groups of boys were gathered, mobile phones in their hands. It looked aimless, but there was purpose. Constantly checking their phones, sharing updates, exhausting mobile data by the minute, they kept abreast with the Ranji Trophy final score in faraway Hubballi.

Inside the two-storey dwelling, family members sat in a small room, huddled before a modestly-sized TV set. Next to the TV, in the cramped room, tucked in was an almirah. In its chest, it contained the many cricketing medals that Auqib has won over the years. The room was quiet except for the sound of the TV commentary.His grandmother, Fazi, her wizened eyes fixed on the screen, smiled whenever the camera showed Auqib. Father Ghulam Nabi Dar, a government school teacher, leaned forward as he sat, closely following every ball. Like a prayer off a rosary, he quietly reeled off names of players and match details as the final reached its hour. When Jammu and Kashmir won, the family looked at each other. And smiled quietly. Women members hugged each other. Moments later came the announcement that Auqib Nabi Dar had been named Player of the tournament.

Auqib Nabi’s family members watch Ranji Trophy final (TOI Photo)

The room fell silent, again as if hushed before prayer, as he began his post-match interview.“He is a shy boy,” his father said, smiling, not taking his eyes off the screen. When the anchor on TV reminded Auqib that his father had once wanted him to become a doctor, and when Auqib smiled in response, Ghulam Nabi removed his spectacles and wiped his eyes. In Kashmir, most parents encourage their children to pursue medicine as it usually serves as a respectable and secure career. Ghulam Nabi said he often worried that cricket would pull his son away from studies. He spoke of a time when he stopped Auqib from going out to play, locked him inside a room and even tied him with a rope to keep him from leaving. Around 2015, he missed securing a medical seat by two marks, recalled Ghulam Nabi, as if banishing a bad memory.

Auqib Nabi’s family members (TOI Photo)

Medicine’s loss was to become cricket’s gain, and a father understood in time.“Later, I understood how serious my son was about the game, and I allowed him to play,” he said. He then added, smiling shyly, “I too used to play cricket when I was young.”Now, Ghulam Nabi only hopes to see his son play for India. “My dream is to see him in the Indian jersey,” he said.The proud father’s phone kept ringing with calls from relatives, neighbours and reporters as scenes of historic jubiliation unfloded on the TV. “People are calling with affection,” he said as he struggled to answer each one of them. Women from neighbouring houses came to congratulate Auqib’s mother and grandmother. They hugged them and offered prayers.In another room, Bilal Ahmad Dar, 30, Auqib’s cousin, watched the match alone on his phone, preferring to follow games quietly, he said. Bilal spoke of how there were no proper cricket facilities in Sheeri when Auqib was growing up. Even today there are only basic facilities around. To practice, Auqib would travel nearly five km to a small ground near Lower Jhelum across the river.

Auqib Nabi’s accolades over the years (TOI Photo)

Bilal closely tracks Auqib’s career. He remembers almost every match that his cousin has played since being selected for the Ranji team. Over the past two years, Bilal said that Auqib has taken 104 wickets, 44 last year and 60 this year, and feels proud seeing well-known cricketers praise Auqib on social media. “When senior players tweet about him, it means a lot,” he said.Auqib is a science graduate from the University of Kashmir and remains humble despite his success, Bilal said, recalling the day of the IPL auction. “Auqib and me were watching the auction in this room,” Bilal said. “At first, when his name came up, no team picked him for a few seconds, we were silent. Then Delhi placed a bid and we were relieved.”As the bidding increased and more franchises joined in, the price kept rising. “When it reached Rs 8.40 crore, we couldn’t believe it. We were happy,” he said. Within minutes, word spread across the village. People began gathering outside the house, beating drums and celebrating. “There was a huge rush,” Bilal said. “But he is very shy. He didn’t even come out.”

Phoebe Gates regularly asks candidates one question during interviews. The co-CEO of the artificial intelligence (AI)-powered shopping assistant Phia has revealed that she asks this question to candidates during interviews for roles at her startup. The youngest daughter of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and philanthropist Melinda French Gates said that this question helps her to understand how applicants approach problem-solving rather than testing their factual knowledge.Speaking on the Opening Bid Unfiltered podcast with Yahoo Finance, Gates said, “I stole this from another founder. ‘How much do you think California state spends on healthcare? And do a bottoms-up approach for how you would build that out.’” She added that the question is being asked across departments. Phobe noted, “I’ll ask that for every single role. I’ll ask that for sales, I’ll ask that for marketing, I’ll ask that for engineering.” Gates said the goal is not to check whether candidates know the correct figure but to evaluate “how someone goes through a logical approach to solving that question.”As Phia expands, Phoebe Gates said she uses additional questions during the hiring process. When interviewing sales candidates, she asks about the “craziest” thing they have done to close a deal. “That teaches you a lot about how far they’ll go, how dedicated they are to do something,” she said.The 23-year-old recently raised $35 million in Series A funding for Phia, the AI shopping agent she co-founded in April 2025 with her Stanford University roommate, Sophia Kianni. Since launch, the startup has attracted more than 1 million users and reported an elevenfold increase in revenue. The company is currently valued at about $185 million.Phia is a mobile app and browser extension designed to help shoppers reduce spending by displaying resale and secondhand alternatives to the products they are browsing.

What Phoebe Gates said about funding from Bill and Melinda Gates

Gates also noted that Phia has not taken funding from her parents, saying, “I have a chip on my shoulder,” during the same podcast. She added that one of the key lessons she has learned from her parents is how to build strong teams.“From my dad, I’ve really learned that your team is the core of what you’re building. You can’t do anything without an incredible team,” she added.Instead of investing financially in the venture, Bill Gates has contributed his time and experience to support his daughter’s startup. Shortly after the company’s launch in 2025, the tech billionaire shared on LinkedIn that he was assisting the team with customer service efforts in the early stages. Announcing his involvement with Phia, Gates wrote: “I’ve entered the startup world again.”“When your daughter asks if you’d be willing to work a shift in customer service at her startup, the only right answer is yes. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how technology can make systems more efficient, equitable, and accessible. But I’ve learned over the years that the best way to understand how something works, or where it breaks, is to go straight to the people using it. That’s why I’ll be joining the Phia customer experience team for a day this week”, Bill Gates wrote in a LinkedIn post last year.

Badlapur: Adopting a zero-tolerance stance amid rising cases of sexual offences against minors, Thane police have issued a stern warning to school managements across the city, making it clear that any negligence in ensuring student safety will invite strict legal action.A comprehensive student safety review meeting was convened by police for principals and teachers of pre-primary, playgroup, nursery, junior KG, primary and secondary schools falling under the jurisdiction of Badlapur East and West police stations. The meeting was held at Pushpalata Mhatre College in Hendrepada, Badlapur West.The meeting was attended by DCP Sachin Gore, MLA Dnyaneshwar Mhatre (Konkan Teachers’ Constituency), assistant commissioner of police Shailesh Kale (Ambernath division), Badlapur municipal chairperson Ruchita Ghorpade, deputy chairperson Priyanka Damle, and the group education officer, among others. Around 100 to 125 principals and teachers were present.Addressing the gathering, DCP Sachin Gore said, “The state government has already issued detailed circulars regarding child safety. Schools are hereby directed to implement these instructions in letter and spirit. Any laxity will not be tolerated.”He further stated, “Student safety is non-negotiable. If schools fail to comply with the prescribed norms, we will be compelled to initiate legal proceedings directly against the management.”The meeting comes in the backdrop of a disturbing rise in cases of sexual offences involving schoolchildren in Badlapur over the past two years. On Wednesday, a 12-year-old schoolgirl was allegedly molested by a school bus driver, a case that even resonated in the state legislative session. Earlier in 2024, a reputed school in the city had come under scrutiny after two minor children were allegedly assaulted by a sweeper who was later killed in police encounter.During the meeting, police officials elaborated on government-mandated safety protocols and issued clear directives to educational institutions. Special emphasis was laid on regulating school and private transport services.DCP Gore said, “All school van drivers must undergo proper character verification. Schools must ensure that background checks are completed before appointing any driver or transport staff.”He added, “It is mandatory to appoint women security guards and female attendants in schools. In addition, CCTV cameras must be installed within school premises as well as inside school vans to ensure continuous monitoring.”Police also guided schools on compliance related to transport regulations, including strict adherence to safety norms for school-run and privately operated vehicles ferrying students.Officials reiterated that ensuring a safe and secure environment for children—especially those studying from playgroup to secondary level—is a shared responsibility of the administration, school authorities and parents.With law enforcement now closely monitoring compliance, schools in Badlapur have been put on notice: follow the rules without exception or face stringent consequences.

The Middle East slid deeper into open conflict on Saturday after missiles struck a key service centre of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, while explosions were reported in Abu Dhabi and airspace across the Gulf was shut amid escalating strikes between United States, Israel and Iran.Bahrain’s state news agency confirmed that multiple facilities inside the kingdom were hit in what it described as a “flagrant violation of sovereignty”, saying authorities had activated emergency measures. Later, it said the service centre of the US Fifth Fleet had been targeted in a missile attack, with further details awaited.

The strikes came hours after the US and Israel launched what both sides called a “broad, coordinated military operation” against Iran, with early attacks reported near Tehran, including areas close to offices linked to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Iranian media reported explosions and air strikes across multiple cities, while state television aired footage of damaged buildings in Tehran, showing rescuers digging through rubble for survivors. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard later said it had launched a first wave of drones and missiles targeting Israel, signalling further retaliation.

Gulf on edge, airspace shut

The United Arab Emirates closed its airspace as explosions were heard in Abu Dhabi, a move expected to cause major disruption to global air travel given the presence of Emirates and Etihad. Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq also reported sirens, warning alerts and airspace closures as the conflict rippled across the region.The US Embassy in Qatar, along with missions in the UAE and Israel, issued shelter-in-place advisories for American personnel and citizens. Qatar hosts Al Udeid Air Base, the forward headquarters of US Central Command and home to thousands of US troops.In Israel, authorities instructed civilians to remain near shelters as sirens blared nationwide. Streets emptied and television broadcasters shifted to bomb shelters while air defence systems intercepted incoming Iranian missiles. Explosions were also reported in parts of Jordan and southern Lebanon.

Trump declares ‘major combat operations’

US President Donald Trump said in a video posted on social media that the United States had begun “major combat operations in Iran”, describing the campaign as necessary to eliminate what he called imminent threats from Tehran’s nuclear and missile programmes.“Iran cannot have nuclear weapons,” Trump said, warning that the operation could lead to American casualties. He added that the strikes were part of a “massive and ongoing operation” aimed at destroying Iran’s missile industry, degrading its navy and neutralising allied proxy forces.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the joint action was designed to remove an “existential threat”, claiming the operation had been planned for months in coordination with Washington.

The T20 World Cup 2026 has boiled down to a high-stakes ‘virtual quarter-final’ at the iconic Eden Gardens, where the West Indies face a resurgent Indian side. Following a bruising nine-wicket defeat to South Africa in Ahmedabad, the Men in Maroon find themselves in a ‘win-or-go-home’ scenario to secure their semi-final berth.

Amidst the tension, legendary former captain Carl Hooper has voiced his concerns regarding the team’s recent tactical blunders, specifically pointing to a glaring omission in the bowling department. As the Shai Hope-led squad prepares to face India’s explosive top order, Hooper believes that returning to a proven formula is the only way to dismantle the hosts’ momentum. With the destiny of the two-time champions in their own hands, the veteran’s advice highlights a desperate need for tactical ‘boldness’ to counter India’s clinical stroke-makers on a historic Kolkata turf.

West Indies legend points out the missing link in Shai Hope’s playing XI for Eden Gardens game vs India

Former West Indies captain Carl Hooper has pulled no punches in his assessment of the team’s selection, explicitly naming left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein as the player who must be reinstated for the clash against India.

Despite Hosein’s status as a top-tier T20I bowler, he was surprisingly sidelined in the previous game against South Africa to accommodate off-spinner Roston Chase, a move Hooper labeled as a failed ‘match-up’ experiment. Hooper argues that Hosein’s accuracy and unique ability to strike during the Powerplay are far more valuable than chasing specific batter-bowler statistics, especially against an Indian top order that thrives on pace.

“I don’t understand why Akeal, who has also been the No.1-ranked T20I bowler, wasn’t included against South Africa. The idea to play Chase was to have an off-spinner to counter Quinton de Kock
and the No.3 (Ryan Rickelton). But I really hate these match-ups. In Akeal, you have a bowler who’s accurate, can bowl in the Powerplay with success. So, why would you not have him in the team? All they need to do is trust their skills, focus on the basics and be bold.” Carl Hooper was quoted as saying by The Telegraph India.

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Blueprint for the West Indies to iron out the flaws of India in Kolkata

Beyond the inclusion of Hosein, Hooper provided a comprehensive blueprint for the West Indies to “iron out the flaws” that were exposed in Ahmedabad. He noted that while India possesses world-class batters, they no longer dominate spin with the same historical invincibility of legends like Navjot Singh Sidhu, giving spinners like Gudakesh Motie and Hosein a window to “mix it up” with flight and flatter deliveries.

Furthermore, noting the mediocre performance of the seam department on red soil, Hooper suggested that the grass-tinged Eden pitch would be the perfect setting to unleash pacers early in the innings to rattle India’s openers.

“In our times, even a Navjot Singh Sidhu could take down a rival spin attack. But that’s no longer the case with the current Indian team. So, they (WI spinners) need to mix it up with a fair bit of flight and firing it in flat. Hitting a six or a four and following it up with a single is the way to go. Taking 15 in one over and then only four in the next doesn’t help. But yeah, the batters shouldn’t go into a shell or shift from their natural game against the Indian attack.” Carl Hooper concluded.

Also READ: Faf du Plessis picks his 5 best batting performances from T20 World Cup 2026

where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 40 development projects worth ₹147.28 crore.

HALDWANI(UTTARAKHAND): Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday participated in a programme at Sushila Tiwari Government Medical College, Haldwani, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 40 development projects worth Rs 147.28 crore. According to the release, this includes the inauguration of 23 projects costing Rs 72.38 crore and the foundation laying of 17 projects amounting to Rs 74.90 crore.The chief minister stated that these projects will accelerate the pace of development in Nainital district. He said the state government is working swiftly towards building a “Developed Uttarakhand,” and the state is progressing continuously across all sectors. Several historic decisions taken by the government, he added, are serving as an inspiration for other states.He further said that along with development, the government is also committed to preserving the state’s heritage. Emphasising that the sole objective is to move Uttarakhand forward, he reiterated that the government has implemented landmark decisions such as the Uniform Civil Code, a strict anti-copying law, and an anti-conversion law. He reaffirmed his commitment that no one will be allowed to tamper with the state’s culture, heritage, and sanctity.Among the 23 projects inaugurated were: a 30-meter span motor bridge over the Shipra River; a technology lab at the Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Haldwani; tube well constructions at Kotabagh, Mahadevpuram, Jhaluwajhala, Belpokhra, and Bailpadav; construction of a laboratory at the Women’s College; installation of stabilizers at tube wells in Lalkuan; 14 drinking water schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission — including Haripur Lachhi, Kalupur Pokhariya, Jeetpur Raikwala, Devalatalla, Bhawan Singh Nawad, Basantpur, Kishanpur Raikwala, Chorgalia Aamkheda, Jayram Parma, Haldauchaur Jaggi, Bhawanipur Krishna, Padlipur, Bhagwanpur Durgapur, and Bakutiya; and the construction of a building at the Veterinary Hospital in Ramgarh, among other works, as stated in the release. On the occasion, under the chief minister’s announcement, compliance and the Special Plan Assistance (SPA) programme, he also performed the Bhoomi Pujan for the Haldwani-Kathgodam source and treatment augmentation drinking water scheme, approved at a total cost of Rs 154.43 crore.

Global financial markets are preparing for heightened volatility after the United States and Israel carried out strikes on Iran, triggering fears of wider conflict in the Middle East and potential disruptions to global energy supplies, Reuters reported. Tehran retaliated by launching missiles towards Israel, intensifying concerns among investors and oil producers across the region.President Donald Trump said the strikes were aimed at eliminating a security threat and offering Iranians an opportunity to challenge their leadership, while nearby Gulf nations moved into alert mode amid fears of escalation.

Oil markets take centre stage

Oil prices remain the most immediate indicator of geopolitical stress. Iran’s location along the Strait of Hormuz – through which roughly 20% of global oil supply flows – makes any regional conflict a direct risk to energy markets.Brent crude was trading near $73 per barrel on Friday, its highest level since July and already up sharply this year. Following the attacks, several oil majors and trading firms suspended shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, four trading sources told Reuters.William Jackson, chief emerging markets economist at Capital Economics, said Brent could climb to about $80 even if tensions remain contained. A prolonged disruption, however, could push prices towards $100 per barrel, potentially adding 0.6–0.7 percentage points to global inflation, he said.

Volatility risks rise across assets

The escalation threatens to amplify market swings already driven by trade tensions and a global technology-sector selloff earlier this year.The VIX volatility index has climbed by roughly one-third in 2026, while implied volatility in US bond markets has risen about 15%.Currency markets are also expected to react. Analysts at Commonwealth Bank of Australia noted that during the June conflict involving Iran, the dollar index briefly weakened before stabilising within days.“In current circumstances, the size of the fall will depend on how large and how long-lasting the conflict is expected to be,” CBA analysts said.They added that a sustained disruption to oil supply could instead strengthen the US dollar against most currencies, except traditional safe havens such as the Japanese yen and Swiss franc.Israel’s shekel is another closely watched currency. It fell sharply at the start of previous regional conflicts before rebounding, though JPMorgan warned that prolonged hostilities could produce a more lasting impact this time.“This would especially be the case if confrontation with Iran also triggers more intensive operations against Iran’s proxies,” the bank said.

Safe-haven demand builds

Investors are increasingly shifting toward defensive assets. The Swiss franc, widely viewed as a safe haven, has already gained about 3% against the US dollar this year and may strengthen further.Gold, which has surged 22% in 2026, could attract additional inflows alongside silver. US Treasury bonds are also expected to benefit as investors seek stability.Bitcoin, however, has not behaved like a traditional hedge. The cryptocurrency slipped 2% on Saturday and has declined more than 25% over the past two months.Gulf markets under scrutinyAttention has turned to Middle East stock exchanges for early signals of investor sentiment. Markets in Saudi Arabia and Qatar began trading Sunday, while Dubai reopens Monday.“I suspect markets will be down if these hostilities continue through the day,” said Ryan Lemand, chief executive officer and co-founder of Neovision Wealth Management, estimating Gulf equities could fall between 3% and 5% depending on how the conflict evolves.Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index had already declined 1.3% over the previous five trading days, extending recent losses.

Airlines under pressure, defence stocks gain

Airlines have cancelled flights across parts of the Middle East, raising the risk of further pressure on aviation stocks if airspace disruptions expand.Defence companies, by contrast, may benefit. European weapons manufacturers, already up about 10% this year, could see stronger demand amid rising geopolitical tensions.With oil flows, currencies and regional equities reacting first, investors are watching closely to gauge whether the latest escalation remains contained or develops into a broader market-moving crisis.

Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan created history in the must-win Super 8 clash against Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup 2026, going past Virat Kohli to register the highest number of runs in a single edition of the tournament on Saturday.Kohli had scored 319 runs in six innings during the 2014 T20 World Cup, a record that had stood for years.

Farhan, however, overtook that mark with another fluent knock at a crucial time for Pakistan, emphasising his dream run in this year’s competition.The big moment came in a high-pressure game. Farhan amassed 100 off 60 balls, having racked up nine 4s and five 6s. And thanks to this innings, he now holds 383 runs, 64 more runs than Kohli’s tally, in a single edition of a T20 World Cup.Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and chose to bowl first. While Sri Lanka were already out of the semifinal race, Pakistan still had a slim chance. To qualify, they needed not just a win but a massive 64-run victory to overtake New Zealand on net run rate.Pakistan made three changes to their playing XI, with Babar Azam, Saim Ayub and Salman Mirza missing out. Naseem Shah, Khawaja Nafay and Abrar Ahmed were drafted in. Sri Lanka also made two changes, bringing in Kamil Mishara and Janith Liyanage.Batting first, Pakistan got off to a blazing start. Farhan and Fakhar Zaman put together an unbeaten 150-run partnership in just 14 overs.Pakistan raced to 150 without losing a wicket, scoring at more than 10 runs per over. The powerplay itself yielded 64 runs, setting the tone for a strong total.With Farhan in record-breaking form and Pakistan off to a flying start, the team kept its semifinal hopes alive in style.

PAK vs SL Playing XIs

Pakistan: Salman Agha (c), Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq.Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara (wk), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka.