Former India cricketer, coach Anshuman Gaekwad passes away at 71
Vadodara: Former India batter and head coach Anshuman Gaekwad passed away in Gujarat’s Vadodara on Wednesday after a prolonged battle with blood cancer.
The 71-year-old was undergoing treatment in London before returning to India last month. Facing financial challenges, he received support from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which released Rs 1 crore for his treatment following requests from Kapil Dev and Sandeep Patil.
In an international career spanning 12 years, the gutsy opening batter represented India in 40 Test matches and 15 One Day Internationals (ODIs). After his playing career, he served as a selector and later became the head coach of the Indian team. One of his most memorable moments as a coach was during a Test match in New Delhi when Anil Kumble scripted history and took all 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and offered condolences and stated that Gaekwad will be remembered for his contribution to the sport. “He was a gifted player and an outstanding coach," Modi added.
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Lebanon appoints new representative for talks with Israel, rejects linkage to Iran
Beirut: Lebanon’s has moved to underline its independent position in ongoing regional developments, amid attempts to link the country to the broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
President Joseph Aoun, while announcing the appointment of former US ambassador Simon Karam as Lebanon’s representative in talks with Israel, made it clear that Karam would be the sole representative for Lebanon and that there would be no substitute.
The move comes in response to what the Lebanese officials see as efforts by Iran to tie Lebanon’s situation to the wider regional conflict. Iran had indicated that there would be no ceasefire involving the US, Israel and Iran unless it also included a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Some groups, including Hezbollah and its supporters, had expressed support for linking the situations, citing concerns that the Lebanese government has limited leverage in negotiations with Israel. Lebanon is not formally a party to the conflict, and its army is considered weak.
However, others, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, have opposed this approach. They view Iran’s stance as an attempt to influence Lebanon’s internal affairs and see it as undermining the country’s sovereignty.
Officials backing the government’s position say the move is aimed at reaffirming Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensuring that decisions about peace and ceasefire within the country are not dictated externally.
They also see it as a safeguard, so that any breakdown in talks between the US, Israel and Iran does not automatically lead to renewed conflict in Lebanon.
