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Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Virat Kohli to lay low, lead quiet life in England, stay away from cricket even as India play 2 Tests in London: Report
As India prepare for a highly-awaited five-Test series against England, the most talked-about absence is undoubtedly that of Virat Kohli, who, while not part of the squad, remains very much in the vicinity. The former captain, now retired from Test cricket, is based in London with his wife Anushka Sharma and their two children, choosing a life of quiet anonymity just miles away from the cricketing field he once dominated. A report in The Telegraph sheds light on Kohli's current life in England: understated, private, and deliberately distanced from the sport, even as the Indian team gets ready to play two Tests in the very city he now calls home. Unlike Sachin Tendulkar, who was spotted at Lord's recently, Kohli skipped both the World Test Championship final and the MCC's 'World Cricket Connects' symposium, despite being within touching distance. London has long offered Kohli a kind of refuge that India never could. Here, he is occasionally seen at restaurants or even riding the tube, an unthinkable scenario back home. Kohli has, on a number of occasions, also acknowledged the privacy he enjoys on foreign soil, which seems to be the primary reason behind his shifting his base to England. The couple is believed to reside in Notting Hill, a neighbourhood they have quietly occupied for a few years now. In contrast to his iconic on-field persona, Kohli's off-field life has become intentionally minimal. Recently, County side Middlesex had shown interest in roping in Virat Kohli for the season; however, Kohli has yet to show any inclination towards the offer. His only recent cricketing involvement came earlier this month when Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the IPL franchise he led, finally won their maiden title, prompting wild celebrations that also, tragically, resulted in a deadly stampede during the victory parade. Kohli is expected to return to action in August for India's ODI tour of Bangladesh, the only format he now plays. Until then, his relationship with the England series will remain a curious one: geographically close, otherwise distant. Kohli did, however, host a number of Team India players, including newly-appointed captain Shubman Gill, at his London home for lunch before the start of the series.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Mystery of vanishing Chinese military planes: String of long-range, high-capacity cargo aircraft disappears in Iran
A string of Chinese cargo flights—operated by Boeing 747s often associated with military logistics—have reportedly vanished from radar near Iranian airspace , fueling speculation that Beijing may be covertly aiding Tehran amid escalating tensions with Israel. According to The Telegraph, at least three of the aircraft departed Chinese cities on June 15, 16, and 17—just after Israel launched strikes on Iran . Public flight data showed the freighters flying west over northern China , entering Kazakhstan, then moving south through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan before disappearing near Iran. Although their flight plans listed Luxembourg as the destination, none of the aircraft were tracked entering European airspace. The nature of these flights—long-range, high-capacity cargo jets with military applications—has raised alarms. Intelligence sources suggest they may have delivered strategic equipment or retrieved sensitive materials or personnel. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo This development comes amid deepening military and economic ties between China and Iran. Over 90% of Iran's sanctioned oil exports now go to China, often routed via a clandestine 'dark fleet' of tankers with disabled transponders. These discounted crude shipments—some priced $2–$11 lower per barrel—mainly fuel independent Chinese refiners in Shandong. Payments are made in yuan, limiting Iran's ability to spend outside China and prompting one Iranian official to label the setup 'a colonial trap.' Any Israeli strike on Kharg Island—Iran's primary oil export hub—could severely disrupt this supply chain and send shockwaves through China's energy market. Live Events Though China publicly urges de-escalation, analysts say its long-term ambitions may include undermining Western influence in the Middle East and asserting itself as a power broker. Quietly backing Iran could serve to test Western red lines, reinforce BRICS alliances, or strengthen leverage in any future ceasefire talks. In the past, China has supplied Iran with missile components and surveillance tech. In May, a massive explosion at Iran's Bandar Abbas port was linked to stored Chinese solid propellant. China has publicly expressed concern. On June 18, President Xi Jinping called for all sides—'especially Israel'—to halt hostilities. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned that the region could slide into an 'abyss' if the Israel-Iran conflict escalates. Behind the scenes, a deeper strategic calculus may be playing out, according to reports. The two nations signed a 25-year cooperation deal in 2021, signaling a long-term commitment.
India Today
9 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Boeing ghost flights: China-Iran air route raises eyebrows in Israel conflict
Multiple Boeing 747s were tracked flying from China to Iran, disappearing near Iranian airspace, prompting speculation that Beijing may be covertly supporting Tehran during escalating tensions with Israel.A string of mysterious Boeing 747 flights departing China for Iran has raised suspicions that Beijing may be covertly aiding Tehran as Israeli airstrikes intensify against Iran's nuclear infrastructure, according to a Fox News Digital Boeing 747s have been spotted on radar leaving China for Iran over the last week," Fox News reported, citing flight-tracking data and European intelligence assessments. Starting June 14, at least five cargo flights took off from various points in China and travelled a discreet route westward along China's northern air corridor. They then descend through Central Asia -- Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan -- before vanishing from radar near Iranian airspace, according to FlightRadar24 and The Telegraph. Intriguingly, the listed destination for the flights was Luxembourg. But the aircraft never entered European airspace."The mystery transport planes," as described by The Telegraph, have fuelled speculation amongst defence analysts who suggest the flights could be part of an undisclosed logistics operation — possibly moving military supplies, key personnel, or sensitive cargo to support Iran during its escalating confrontation with types of planes are typically used for transport," one expert told Fox News Digital, "and could be evidence of China aiding its longtime ally Iran during the conflict."China and Iran are strategic partners. They oppose the US-led world order and favour a multipolar phase in global diplomacy. Iran is also a key energy supplier to China, sending two million barrels of oil daily."I think it's important to remember what the relationship is; forty-three percent of China's oil and gas comes from the Middle East, a large volume of that from Iran," Robert Greenway, director of the Heritage Foundation's Centre for National Defence, told "The Ingraham Angle" on Wednesday night. Iran supplies China with about two million barrels of oil each DENIES INVOLVEMENT IN CHINA-IRAN FLIGHTSThe main airline involved, Luxembourg-based cargo airline, Cargolux has denied allegations linking its aircraft to a series of suspicious Boeing 747 flights from China to Iran, which reportedly disappeared from radar near Iranian airspace. These claims have fuelled speculation that China may be covertly aiding Iran with weapons during its ongoing tensions with a statement released on both its official website and Facebook page on Sunday, Cargolux clarified that "none of its flights utilise Iranian airspace." The airline emphasised that its operations are fully transparent and relies on advanced tracking systems to ensure real-time flight tracking systems provide real-time data, which confirms that no flight entered Iranian airspace. Any claims to the contrary are completely unfounded," the company XI CALLS FOR CEASEFIREChina's President Xi Jinping urged more diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict between Israel and Iran in a call with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday, Chinese state news agency Xinhua without naming the United States, said "major countries" with "special influence" in the region should step up diplomatic efforts to cool down the situation, the report said, emphasising Israel's role in bringing about a ceasefire.
Economic Times
9 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Caught on Flightradar: Did China secretly send weapons to Iran? 3 mysterious cargo planes spark global alarm
Boeing 747 freighters flew from China towards Iran, but flights disappeared from radar near Iran. The planes were reportedly carrying heavy cargo; however, it is not confirmed. The planes were headed towards Luxembourg, but they never reached Europe. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Chinese Flights That Disappeared China-Iran Strategic Ties Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Big Unknown FAQs Only a day after Israel launched attacks on Iran, a Boeing 747 freighter plane departed from China, the following day, another left from a coastal Chinese city, and then on Monday, a third plane took off from Shanghai, raising concerns that China might be sending weapons to Iran, as per a three flights that flew in the three consecutive days, which were Boeing 747 freighters, are commonly employed to carry heavy-duty military equipment under government contracts, according to The Telegraph. All three flights took very similar paths, flying west over northern China, crossing into Kazakhstan, then curving south into Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and then falling off the radar as it neared Iran, reported The concerns over what might have been sent from China in the direction of Iran increased as the flight plan indicated that each plane was bound for Luxembourg, but none of the planes were even spotted anywhere near Europe, according to The Telegraph READ: With heat advisory extended, Southern Californians urged to stay cool as outdoor areas are closed off A lecturer at the University of Exeter who specialises in China's relations with the Middle East and North Africa, Andrea Ghiselli pointed out that, 'These cargos cannot but generate a lot of interest because of the expectation that China might do something to help Iran,' quoted The doubts arise as China and Iran are strategic partners, who are aligned in their opposition to the US-led world order, and in favour of a new 'multi-polar' phase in global diplomacy, as per the report. While, Iran is also one of China's main energy suppliers, as it sends about two million barrels of oil a day, which might have led Beijing to find ways to support and stabilise the Islamic Republic, according to The explained that, 'The collapse of the current regime would be a significant blow and would generate a lot of instability in the Middle East, ultimately undermining Chinese economic and energy interests,' as quoted in the report. He added that, 'Moreover, in Iran there are probably many that are expecting some kind of help from China,' quoted The it is not possible to know exactly what the cargo planes were carrying unless an independent inspections is done, according to the report. While some of the aircraft which flew later appear to take off from around the same area along the Turkmenistan-Iran border, and go toward Luxembourg, The Telegraph reported, citing publicly available flight they vanished from radar near Iran, used large cargo planes suited for military transport, and claimed destinations (Luxembourg) that they reportedly never three were Boeing 747 freighters, often used in transporting military-grade cargo and government shipments.
Economic Times
15 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Five ways Iran can retaliate if U.S strikes the Islamic Republic
1. Ballistic Missiles: First and Fastest Response 2. Proxy Attacks: Iran's Militant Network Live Events 3. Strait of Hormuz: Choking the World's Oil 4. Oil Facilities: Targeting the Heart of Gulf Energy 5. Cyber Attacks: Silent Sabotage FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel As US president Donald Trump has indicated that he might have a plan for a potential strike on Iran, and although the order is yet to be issued, 40,000 US troops deployed across the Middle East stand ready, but Iran has several ways to retaliate, as per a what could happen if the US attacks Iran:Iran's probable response would be to fire missiles at neighbouring US bases, something it has done even previously, according to The Telegraph. Iran attacked US sites in Iraq in 2020, wounding more than 100 soldiers, as per the report. American military bases in Iraq, Syria, and the Gulf are within the 2,000 km range of Iran's Sejil-2 ballistic missile, reported READ: Crypto bets on Polymarket show rising odds of a U.S. strike on Iran — should we be worried? Tehran might mobilise proxy forces such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq, or the Houthis in Yemen to attack US forces or their allies, according to the report. Hezbollah and Hamas had also kept Israel's military occupied, which made it unable to strike at the Islamic Republic, while Houthi rebels also distracted the West by targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea, reported the to the report, Hezbollah might 'act directly against its [US] interests and bases across the region', if the US joins the war against might try to close the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical shipping lane for world oil, with mines, missiles, or drones launched from naval ships, as per The Telegraph. Even if the passage is closed for a short time, it would send oil prices high across the world, according to the report. US aircraft carriers are now in place to stop this, but removing mines is still could hit Saudi Arabian or UAE oil fields and refineries, like it reportedly did in 2019, as per The Telegraph. These attacks have the potential to raise global oil prices and destabilise the energy market, as per the report. The worst-case scenario of taking out a facility like Abqaiq again, through which Saudi Arabia processes most of its oil, according to the has previously claimed responsibility for numerous cyber attacks against Israel, like destroying data, phishing campaigns and information operations, the Telegraph reported. While, the US government has been trying to get information on Iranian hackers responsible for targeting critical infrastructure because of the high threat it poses to both civilians and the military, as per the could launch missile attacks on US bases nearby, use proxy groups to carry out attacks, or target critical infrastructure like oil facilities, as per the could try using mines, missiles, or drones, however, the US is actively trying to prevent this.
