What Should England Do About Jos Buttler? England face a big selection call ahead of the World Cup semi final. The main question is clear. What should they do about Jos Buttler? Buttler has struggled at the top of the order in recent matches. That dip in form has raised doubts about his role. Still, few doubt his class or his record in white ball cricket. Move Buttler Down the Order? One option is to move Buttler into the middle order. This could ease the pressure to attack from ball one. In one day cricket, he often plays as a finisher and handles that role well. In T20s, he has batted at five and six 45 times for England. However, he has not done that regularly since 2018. A shift now would require another player to open the innings. Tom Banton and Will Jacks are natural openers. Banton returned to the squad to strengthen the middle order, especially against spin. Jacks has impressed as a finisher in this tournament. He has scored 159 runs from just 90 balls. Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell have also opened in the IPL. Brook recently smashed a brilliant century at number three. Bethell, on the other hand, does not always start quickly. Swapping Brook and Buttler is possible, but it may disturb a settled position. Another factor is Buttler’s partnership with Phil Salt. Before the tournament, many saw that opening pair as one of England’s biggest strengths. Breaking it up would be a bold step. Should England Drop Him? Dropping Buttler looks unlikely. He signed a new two year central contract last year. He has been a key part of England’s white ball teams for more than a decade. Leaving him out of a World Cup semi final would be a massive call. The match could take place at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Buttler has an excellent IPL record at that ground. He has scored 94 not out, 89 and 116 there. Ben Duckett is the spare batter in the squad. He is also short of form. This winter, he has averaged just 18.88 across 12 matches in all formats. He even fell for a first ball duck in his most recent innings. England could also turn to Rehan Ahmed, a leg spinning all rounder. That would be a surprise move and a clear gamble. A Final Chance to Respond England’s next match against New Zealand offers a low pressure chance. They have already qualified, so the result will not change their position. This game could help Buttler find rhythm before the semi final. Former England spinner Alex Hartley backed him strongly. She said anyone writing Buttler off needs to think again. According to her, one clean shot could change everything. She believes he will deliver when it matters most. England now face a tough decision. Stick with their proven match winner, or make a bold change at the top?
Sports

What Should England Do About Jos Buttler?

England face a big selection call ahead of the World Cup semi…

UEFA rejects Benfica appeal as Prestianni set to miss Real Madrid clash UEFA rejected Benfica’s appeal of the provisional suspension against Argentine winger Gianluca Prestianni. Prestianni, 20, will miss Benfica’s second-leg Champions League play off match against Real Madrid. This ban is the result of allegations made by Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior during their 1 to 0 win in last week’s first leg. Prestianni was suspended UEFA issued a provisional one-match ban to Prestianni after Vinicius Jr claimed that he used discriminatory language in the Lisbon match. According to the governing body, there were enough preliminary evidences for a prima-facie case. The officials were able to temporarily suspend the case while they conducted a thorough investigation. Benfica appealed the decision. The club did admit that, even if it went ahead, there was little chance of the decision affecting Wednesday's game in Madrid. Benfica’s Appeal is Rejected UEFA’s Appeals Body examined Benfica’s request, but rejected it. Prestianni is therefore suspended from the next European match. In the hope that the ruling would be changed, he trained at the Real Madrid stadium with his squad on Tuesday. The decision was not changed. The suspension is only temporary. The UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspection will complete a thorough review. Further sanctions may be imposed based on the results. Benfica: What this means Prestianni could have played while the investigation continued if UEFA hadn't imposed the temporary ban. Benfica will have to prepare without their young winger for the crucial Champions League match. Portuguese team is under even greater pressure as they trail Real Madrid 1 to 0 in the aggregate. UEFA is yet to announce a date for the ruling. Prestianni is still suspended until then and his immediate future in Europe remains unclear.
Sports

Prestianni Suspension Confirmed as UEFA Rejects Benfica Appeal

The Prestianni suspension will stand after UEFA rejected Benfica’s appeal ahead of…

'should have worked harder' to stop his slur being aired
Entertainment

Tourette campaigner: Broadcaster should have done more following Bafta controversy

Tourette sufferer says the broadcaster could have done more to stop his…

Bill Gates Addresses Epstein Ties in Foundation Staff Meeting Bill Gates opened up to Gates Foundation employees about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Bill Gates answered questions directly during a town hall and acknowledged that he had made a grave mistake spending time with Jeffrey Epstein. The foundation stated that Gates accepted responsibility for his actions, and addressed staff concerns with great detail. Meeting topics included the US Department of Justice's recent release of Epstein files, the work of the Foundation in artificial intelligence and the future of the global health program. Gates says he did nothing illegal The Wall Street Journal reported that Gates apologized to his staff. Epstein was later made aware that Gates had engaged in two affairs with Russians. Gates, however, insisted that he had never committed any crimes and was not aware of anything criminal. According to reports, he told his employees that he had never spent any time or met with Epstein's victims. The employee said that he had never spent time with Epstein's victims or stayed at his properties. Gates acknowledged that he made a mistake by associating with Epstein. Gates said that he had to have done more research on Epstein before meeting with him. Even after Epstein's conviction, meetings continued. Gates first met Epstein in 2011. It was years later that Epstein had pleaded to a charge of soliciting a child for prostitution. Gates informed staff that he was aware of an "18 month restriction" which limited Epstein’s travel, but did not understand all the details at the time. He met Epstein up until 2014 and even outside of the United States. Gates said Epstein had claimed to be connected with billionaires, and that he suggested raising money for charitable and global health projects. He maintained contact despite warnings from Melinda French Gates. He admitted that Melinda French Gates had been skeptical of Epstein from the beginning. Re-examination of Files After Release In January, the US Department of Justice published new documents relating to Epstein. Gates is now 70 years old and has never been accused of any wrongdoing by Epstein's former victims. Melinda French Gates said recently that the renewed attention on Epstein brought back painful memories of their marriage. After 27 years of marriage, the couple separated in 2021. The Gates Foundation was one of the largest charitable organizations in the world. The foundation confirmed the Town Hall was part of Gates regular staff meetings, which are held twice a year. He answered questions from the audience and talked about Epstein's past.
Crime and JusticePolitics

Bill Gates Addresses Epstein Ties in Foundation Staff Meeting

Bill Gates opened up to Gates Foundation employees about his relationship with…

Threat of further violence looms after Mexican cartel rampage
PoliticsUnited States

The threat of further violence looms after the Mexican Cartel Rampage at Jalisco

Cartel Fury Erupts in Guadalajara Guadalajara is one of Mexico's largest cities.…

US East Coast Snowstorm Cancels thousands of Flights Snowstorms ravaged the US East coast Monday, affecting millions and causing more than 5,700 cancellations of flights. Snowfall records, power failures, and hazardous travel conditions were all part of the storm. Northeastern Snowfall is Historic Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut were the hardest hit. Providence, Massachusetts received 36 inches more snow than the 1978 record. Central Park in New York City received over 19 inches. National Weather Service reported that some parts of Rhode Island had received 37 inches or more snow. The weather warnings covered parts of the eastern Canada, from North Carolina up to Maine's northern coast. NWS meteorologist Candice hrencecin described the record-breaking snowfall as "shocking". Travel Bans and Hazardous Roads Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Connecticut have all banned travel that is not essential to the safety of their citizens. White-out conditions can make roads dangerous. Officials have warned residents of this danger. Some residents felt trapped and were unable to leave home for several days. During the ban on travel, New York City closed all highways, bridges and roads. The police investigated an incident wherein officers in Washington Square Park were attacked with snowballs.
BusinessWeather

US East Coast Snowstorm Cancels Thousands of Flights

A historic US east coast snowstorm hit the region on Monday, leaving…

UK shops are locking chocolate bars and using CCTV and AI security as thefts rise. Find out how retailers are tackling chocolate crime.
Sports

UK Shops Lock Chocolate as Theft Becomes a Big Problem

Chocolate theft is on the rise in the UK. Some shops are…

Trump's New Tariffs Start at Lower Rate Amid Confusion US President Donald Trump's new global tariffs have officially taken effect at 10%, lower than initially promised. The move comes after the Supreme Court blocked some of his broader import tax plans last Friday. Trump initially announced a 10% global tariff, then suggested it could rise to 15%. Official documents, however, show the rate started at 10% from Tuesday, with no immediate instructions to raise it. A White House official told Reuters that the administration is working to update the rate to 15%, but the timing remains unclear. Businesses Face Uncertainty Carsten Brzeski, an analyst at investment bank ING, said the rapid changes "add to the chaos and mess" for businesses. He warned that the risk of a full-scale trade war is now higher than last year. Trump’s executive order Friday stated the temporary 10% duty is meant to "address fundamental international payments problems and continue the Administration's work to rebalance trade relationships in favor of American workers, farmers, and manufacturers." The tariffs are being applied under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, allowing the president to impose them for 150 days without Congress approval. Trade Deficit Concerns The president argues tariffs help reduce America’s trade deficit, which reached $1.2 trillion last year, up 2.1% from 2024. The US has already collected at least $130 billion in tariffs using the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). However, the Supreme Court ruled last Friday that Trump overstepped his authority with IEEPA-based tariffs. This raises the chance for businesses to claim refunds. FedEx has already filed for a "full refund" on taxes paid, and campaign group We Pay The Tariffs represents over 900 US companies demanding refunds. Experts doubt the government will return the money quickly, with Trump warning the matter could be contested in courts for up to five years. Justice Brett Kavanaugh called the refund process "likely to be a mess." Mixed Reactions from Businesses Fraser Smeaton, CEO of UK costume company Morph Costumes, said paying the 10% tariff instead of 20% is a relief. But uncertainty remains. His business imports products from China and exports to the US, and he has had to reserve funds in case of sudden tariff changes. Many companies, including his, are tracking payments to claim refunds on unlawful IEEPA tariffs. Smeaton asked, "The fact that we're at 10% rather than 20% is better, but will it stay that way?" The fast-changing tariff policies have left businesses scrambling to adapt, with potential global trade repercussions looming.
BusinessUnited States

Trump’s New Tariffs Start at Lower Rate Amid Confusion

US President Donald Trump's new global tariffs have officially taken effect at…

Eddie Jones Sees Echoes of His Own Exit in England’s Loss to Ireland Former England head coach Eddie Jones says Saturday’s defeat to Ireland brought back memories of the bitter end of his own time in charge. The atmosphere at Allianz Stadium reminded him of Twickenham after his last game. England came into the Six Nations hoping to win their first title since 2020, but back-to-back heavy defeats, including a loss to Scotland in round two, have put their campaign in jeopardy. Some home fans left the stadium early against Ireland, and fly-half George Ford was ironically cheered for finding touch after earlier mistakes. Feeling the Weight of the Loss “I felt sick at the end of the game,” Jones said on his Rugby Unity podcast. “The stadium felt half-empty, the sky grey, and the fans who stayed seemed ready to vent. It was an eerie feeling.” Jones left England after a 27-13 loss to South Africa in November 2022, and he was sacked ten days later after winning just five of 12 matches that year. Looking Too Far Ahead Jones also suggested that England head coach Steve Borthwick made a mistake before the tournament by publicly talking about aiming for the title. “Steve made comments about the France game that were unusual for him,” Jones said. “Looking too far ahead can be dangerous. Players, their partners, even families read it. Suddenly they start thinking about hotels, dinners, tickets for Paris, instead of the game in front of them. That small shift in focus can affect a team.” France currently leads the Six Nations with maximum points, while England faces a crucial match against Italy on March 7. A loss there could leave them at the bottom of the table. Leadership and Emotional Control Jones believes England’s main issue is emotional control, which affects preparation and leadership on the field. “Sometimes it’s one player not fully committed, or a leadership gap. Any of these can cause a drop in performance.” He stressed that team leaders need to pull everyone together, both on and off the field. He also questioned Borthwick’s decision to start Henry Pollock, a Northampton back row player. Pollock’s Best Role Pollock impressed by beating defenders, winning a turnover, and making the most tackles, but Jones thinks he’s more effective coming off the bench. “He’s like Bobby Skinstad—strong and athletic, but more suited to 20-minute bursts. Playing a full 80 minutes in the back row requires a grind, and that might not be his game.”
Sports

Eddie Jones Sees Echoes of His Own Exit in England’s Loss to Ireland

Former England head coach Eddie Jones says Saturday’s defeat to Ireland brought…

Hakimi Accused of Rape Paris St-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi will go on trial after a woman accused him of raping her at his home in Paris in 2023. She was 24 at the time. Hakimi denies the allegations. The public prosecutor’s office in Nanterre, a suburb of western Paris, started an investigation in March 2023. Hakimi wrote on X, "Today, a rape accusation is enough to justify a trial. This is as unfair to the innocent as it is to genuine victims. I calmly await this trial so the truth can come out." Lawyer Confirms Trial Hakimi’s lawyer confirmed that a trial has been officially ordered. He said, "We await this trial with determination so that justice may be served." No date has been set yet. The Nanterre prosecutor’s office has not commented further. Hakimi’s Career Highlights Born in Spain but playing for Morocco, Hakimi has made 194 appearances for Paris St-Germain. He helped PSG win Ligue 1 and the Champions League last season. Despite the ongoing case, he is included in PSG’s squad for their upcoming Champions League second-leg match against Monaco. Hakimi was recently named in the FIFPro Men’s World Team of the Year at the Best FIFA Football Awards in Paris. Looking Ahead to the World Cup Hakimi will also represent Morocco at the World Cup this summer. Morocco will play Scotland, Haiti, and Brazil in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Sports

Hakimi Accused of Rape

Paris St-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi will go on trial after a woman…

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