The ICC has agreed unanimously to a set of principles that will shape the future structure, governance and financial models of cricket’s governing body. These principles have been derived from a more detailed and comprehensive set of five resolutions drawn up by Cricket Australia (CA), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
It is these resolutions, not entirely finalised yet, that as many as eight full member boards will have to sign on for them to be implemented. The National has seen one version of the resolutions but outlined below are the broader principles and the changes they are set to bring to the game.
This may or may not include the implementation of a promotion and relegation system in Test cricket where no team will now be exempt from relegation (in earlier proposals, India, Australia and England could not be relegated). More crucially, this may allow teams such as Ireland and Afghanistan to break through to Test status.
This will be an amount paid equally on an annual basis to all full members (except India, Australia and England) to “encourage and support Test match cricket.” Essentially, as the ICC chief executive David Richardson pointed out this fund is designed to enable countries that are playing loss-making Test series to continue playing Tests. “With the Test fund it will go a long way in making sure that Test cricket does not get jettisoned in favour of ODI series.”
One of the more contentious principles. The changes essentially call for the FTP to be taken out of the ICC’s hands entirely and become a series of negotiations reached between each member country. Though essentially that is what happens now (the ICC simply provide administrative oversight and try to enforce a minimum standard of matches to be played by every country) this, critics argue, will lead to an flood of matches between the big three and limited opportunities elsewhere.
New leadership structure
Another contentious point. The changes call for the creation of an Executive Committee (ExCo) - which will become the main decision-making body - comprised of permanent seats for the big three. Initially plans had been to accommodate one other member, on a rotational basis but that has now been expanded to include two members outside the big three. Representatives of the big three will also occupy head seats for two years from June 2014 on the ICC board, the ExCo and the important Financial & Commercial Affairs committee.
A new financial model
Currently, 75% of the revenue that the ICC makes from the sale of its commercial rights is divided equally between the ten full members. Though specific details of a new redistribution system are not currently known, any new model is designed to ensure that the big three boards receive a far greater share of profits than other boards. Partly this is justified, as they also contribute more to the revenues the game generates than any other board. But the calculations for how much more they receive - and why - are not yet transparent; they are also potentially likely to increase the disparity between the richer boards and the rest.
World Test Championship (WTC) out, Champions Trophy back in
Launched in Abu Dhabi barely three months ago, the WTC is off the agenda, deemed unworkable by the ICC board. The Champions Trophy, however, is back, less than a year after what was supposed to be its last edition, was held in England.
osamiuddin@thenational.ae
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Representing%20UAE%20overseas
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Medicus AI
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Founder(s): Dr Baher Al Hakim, Dr Nadine Nehme and Makram Saleh
Based: Vienna, Austria; started in Dubai
Sector: Health Tech
Staff: 119
Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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'Downton Abbey: A New Era'
Director: Simon Curtis
Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter and Phyllis Logan
Rating: 4/5
Drivers’ championship standings after Singapore:
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 263
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari - 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - 212
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - 162
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari - 138
6. Sergio Perez, Force India - 68
Engine: 80 kWh four-wheel-drive
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 760Nm
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
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- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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Louis Tomlinson
3 out of 5 stars
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
