News

Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Dwayne Bravo to headline Season 2 of US Masters T10

Published

2 years ago

September 12, 2024

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The much-awaited second season of the US Masters T10 is coming up soon. But before that, the franchises have had their say and picked their squads, with the eventual goal of first winning the trophy, and also entertaining the crowds in North America.

Like the inaugural edition, the season promises plenty of riveting contests and of course, the big hits as cricket’s fastest and most entertaining format takes centre stage. The likes of Dwayne Bravo, Suresh Raina, Shoaib Malik, Mishab-ul-Haq, James Neesham, Angelo Perera, and Aaron Finch, among others will battle it out for the top prize. With 60 spots up for grabs in the tournament, more than 500 cricketers registered for the Player Draft for Season 2 of the US Masters T10.

The California Bolts came into the Player Draft with James Neesham (New Zealand: Icon), Lliam Plunkett (England: Platinum Grade), Colin de Grandhomme (New Zealand: Global Superstar), Shehan Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka), Bipul Sharma (India) and Lahiru Milantha (USA) already signed up. They went onto add Munaf Patel (India), Martin Guptill (New Zealand), Manpreet Gony (India), Samiullah Shinwari (Afghanistan), Jon-Russ Jaggesar (West Indies), Devendra Bishoo (West Indies), Chris Benjamin (South Africa), Mayank Tehlan (India), Hussain Talat (Pakistan), Kesrick Williams (West Indies) and Dhammika Prasad (Sri Lanka).

The Detroit Falcons roped in Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka: Icon), Abdur Razzak (Pakistan: Platinum Grade), Aaron Finch (Australia: Global Superstar), Dawid Malan (England), Rayad Emrit (West Indies), and Angelo Perera (Sri Lanka) as their direct signings. At the Player Draft, they signed on Denesh Ramdin (West Indies), Mashrafe Mortaza (Bangladesh), Seekkuge Prasanna (Sri Lanka), Chaturanga De Silva (Sri Lanka), Ariful Haque (Bangladesh), Lewis McManus (England), Imran Khan (Pakistan), Syed Rasel (Bangladesh), and Enamul Haque Jr (Bangladesh).

The Chicago Players brought in Parthiv Patel (India: Icon), Isuru Udana (Sri Lanka: Platinum Grade), Suresh Raina (India: Global Superstar), Gurkeerat Singh Mann (India), Anureet Singh (India), Kennar Lewis (West Indies) as their pre-draft singings. The team went ahead and brought in Pawan Negi (India), Kevin O Brien (Scotland), Ishwar Pandey (India), Jesse Ryder (New Zealand), William Perkins (West Indies), Shubham Ranjane (India), Jesal Kariya (India), Abhimanyu Mithun (India), Shapoor Zadran (Afghanistan) and Al-Amin Hossain (Bangladesh) to complete their squad.

The New York Warriors named Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan: Icon), Shaun Marsh (Australia: Platinum Grade), Dwayne Bravo (West Indies: Global Superstar), Kamran Akmal (Pakistan), Sohail Khan (Pakistan), and Umaid Asif (Pakistan) in their squad ahead of the draft. The Warriors bolstered the set-up with the additions of Mohammad Hafeez (Pakistan), Richard Gleeson (England), Ben Dunk (England), Sohail Tanvir (Pakistan), Hassan Khan (Pakistan), Manoj Tiwary (India), Unmukt Chand (USA), Chris Wood (England), Sean Dickson (South Africa) and Imran Tahir (South Africa).

The Atlanta Riders announced Nurul Hasan Sohan (Bangladesh: Icon), Ravi Bopara (England: Platinum Grade), Shoaib Malik (Pakistan: Global Superstar), Samit Patel (England), Mohammad Irfan (Pakistan), and Hammad Azam (Pakistan) as their direct signings. At the draft, they picked Ricardo Powell (West Indies), Kevon Cooper (West Indies), Kamrul Islam Rabbi (Bangladesh), Arafat Sunny (Bangladesh), Benny Howell (England), Elias Sunny (Bangladesh), Hamilton Masakadza (Zimbabwe), Rajdeep Darbar (India), and Amila Aponso (Sri Lanka).

The Morrisville Unity camp signed on Harbhajan Singh (India: Icon), Chadwick Walton (West Indies: Platinum Grade), Ashley Nurse (West Indies: Global Superstar), Obus Pienaar (South Africa), Saurabh Tiwary (India), and Shannon Gabriel (West Indies) to begin with. Then, at the draft they added the likes of Rumman Raees (Pakistan), Anwar Ali (Pakistan), Upul Tharanga (Sri Lanka), Chandrapaul Hemraj (West Indies), Mukhtar Ahmed (Pakistan), Jasakran Malhotra (USA), Navin Stewart (West Indies), Carmi Le Roux (South Africa), Yogesh Nagar (India), Jonathan Carter (West Indies) and Rajat Bhatia (India).

Nawab Shaji Ul Mulk, T Ten Global Sports Founder and Chairman, said, “Cricket in US has been growing rapidly, and we want to be a part of this special journey. The ICC T20 World Cup this year made a significant impact in the region, and we want to build on that momentum and carry it forward. With Season 2 of the US Masters, we aim to provide fans with more memorable contests and help accelerate the growth of cricket in a non-traditional market like USA.”

News

Dubai churches and temples shut temporarily, some shift to online services

Published

13 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Several churches and places of worship across Dubai have announced temporary closures and suspension of in-person services starting April 3, following official directives prioritising public safety.

The move comes just ahead of important religious observances, including Easter services and Orthodox Palm Sunday on April 5.

Churches shift to online services

Prominent churches such as St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral confirmed that all services will be held online in compliance with “strict instructions issued by UAE authorities.”

Similarly, St. Mary’s Catholic Church announced the closure of its premises to visitors while continuing to livestream select services, including Friday prayers.

The Mar Thoma Parish also stated that all “Passion Week” services will be conducted virtually.

However, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church confirmed that all masses are cancelled entirely, with no online streaming, urging parishioners to avoid visiting church grounds.

Meanwhile, St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church suspended all services and activities, including its Friday liturgy, as a precautionary step.

Temples and Gurudwara follow suit

Beyond churches, other major religious centres, including the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara and the Hindu temple in Dubai, have also announced closures until further notice, citing safety and security directives.

Community safety takes priority

Religious leaders across Dubai have emphasised that these measures are temporary but necessary, urging worshippers to follow official guidelines and avoid gatherings during this period.

While physical services are paused, many institutions are ensuring spiritual continuity through digital platforms, encouraging the community to stay connected remotely.

News

Weekend road closures in Sharjah as Etihad rail work progresses

Published

14 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Michael Gomes

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UAE motorists should prepare for temporary disruptions as infrastructure works for the Etihad Rail project continue.

Authorities have announced that the exit from Maleha Road towards Emirates Road will be closed every weekend starting from 11pm on Saturday, April 4, until 5am on Monday, June 1. The closure is part of ongoing construction efforts tied to the UAE’s ambitious national railway network.

Drivers who frequently use this route are advised to plan and consider alternative roads to avoid delays, especially during late-night and early-morning hours.

The Etihad Rail project is set to transform transportation across the UAE by linking major cities, industrial zones, and ports. In the future, it will also connect the country to other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, strengthening regional mobility and trade.

In a recent emergency response, Etihad Rail operated special passenger services to help residents and citizens travel when flights were suspended due to regional airspace closures. This demonstrated the railway’s potential as a reliable alternative transport option during crises.

Health

UAE authorities issue mosquito alert: Residents urged to remove standing water after rains

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

Michael Gomes

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As rainy weather creates ideal conditions for mosquitoes, the authorities in Sharjah and Ajman have issued fresh guidelines to help residents prevent mosquito breeding and protect public health.

The main problem: Standing water

Authorities stressed that puddles and stagnant water are the biggest contributors to mosquito spread. Even small amounts, like water collected in containers, can quickly turn into breeding grounds.

Residents are being urged to:

Avoid contact with stagnant water
Regularly inspect homes and surroundings
Remove any standing water immediately
Keep drainage systems clean and functional

Don’t overlook gardens and green spaces

Your garden could be part of the problem if not maintained properly. The municipality recommends:

Trimming trees and dense shrubs
Avoiding overwatering plants
Keeping swimming pools clean and covered

Humid, shaded areas with thick vegetation are perfect spots for mosquitoes to thrive.

Common breeding hotspots

Watch out for everyday items that can collect water:

Flower pots
Old tyres
Abandoned containers
Waste and debris

Even something as small as a bottle cap can hold enough water for mosquitoes to multiply.

Free pest control support

To support residents, the municipality is offering a free pest control service. You can request assistance via:

Official website
Call centre: 993

Extra Safety Measures

Authorities also highlighted:

Covering water tanks
Preventing water buildup at construction sites
Following general cleanliness and safety standards

Community effort matters

The municipality emphasised that controlling mosquito spread is a shared responsibility. Small actions by residents can make a big difference in keeping neighbourhoods safe and healthy.