Another economic report stole the consumer price index’s thunder, with investors focusing more on a jump in jobless claims than the latest inflation figures. Initial jobless claims for the week ended Sept. 6 jumped by 27,000 from the prior period to 263,000. That exceeded a Dow Jones estimate of 235,000 and was the highest reading since late 2021. The report pointing to further signs of a slowing labor market overshadowed the Labor Department’s CPI report, which was in line with expectations except for the headline month-over-month change . “Today’s CPI report has been trumped by the jobless claims report,” said Seema Shah, chief global strategist at Principal Asset Management. “While the CPI report is a tad hotter than expected, it will not give the Fed a moment of hesitation when they announce a rate cut next week. If anything, the jump in jobless claims will inject a bit more urgency in the Fed’s decision making, with Powell likely signaling a sequence of rate cuts is on the way.” Indeed, at least a quarter percentage-point rate cut next week from the Federal Reserve is guaranteed, based on where interest rate futures are trading. The CME Group’s FedWatch tool also showed a slight uptick in expectations for a half-point rate reduction. The 10-year Treasury note yield briefly dipped below the key 4% level Thursday, the lowest since April, before snapping back later. “This dynamic illustrates the Fed’s focus on the ‘maximum employment’ half of the dual mandate, with today’s inflation print not hot enough in our view to derail a 25 bps interest rate cuts at next week’s FOMC meeting,” said Josh Jamner, senior investment strategy analyst at ClearBridge Investments. That may be the reason equity futures are mostly holding up. S & P 500 futures were up 0.2% minutes ahead of the 9:30 a.m. open, while Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq-100 futures were also higher. And while sticky inflation should concern the Fed, former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein warned how dangerous it’d be for the central bank to focus too much on inflationary pressures. “The consequences of incremental inflation versus a dropoff in growth and employment, you know, it’s not the same consequence. I think the drop off in employment will be felt much more radically and have, you know, bigger consequences in the immediacy to the country,” Blankfein said on CNBC’s ” Squawk Box .” — CNBC’s Alex Harring and Michelle Fox contributed reporting. ( Learn the best 2026 strategies from inside the NYSE with Josh Brown and others at CNBC PRO Live. Tickets and info here . )
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NETL Superalloy Design Research Paper Most Sought After Content in Metallurgical Journal
A paper co-authored by current and former NETL researchers was the most downloaded paper of 2024 published by The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society, an achievement that underscores the Lab’s prominence as a global leader in superalloy design.
The paper “Solving Recent Challenges for Wrought Ni-Base Superalloys,” which was co-authored by NETL researchers Martin Detrois and Paul Jablonski with retired NETL researcher Jeffrey Hawk, reviews the status of technology used to design and manufacture new wrought polycrystalline nickel-base superalloys for critical engineering applications, such as aerospace and energy.
Specifically, the team examined the development of superalloys that can operate reliably at higher temperatures, which improves the efficiency of aircraft engines and advanced power plants. The researchers stressed that successful alloys must be designed with manufacturability in mind.
“Improved alloy performance often comes from more complex alloy compositions,” Detrois said. “However, this complexity can make alloys harder to produce using standard processes like melting, forging and rolling. We must balance the desired high-temperature performance with the ability to cost effectively manufacture the alloys for practical use.”
The team noted that to develop successful alloys, researchers must consider these manufacturing challenges early in the design using computational tools to predict how the alloy will behave during production.
The article was first published in 2020, but has proven evergreen, continuously drawing readers since its release and becoming the most downloaded paper last year with readers accessing it more than 16,000 times. Furthermore, it has been downloaded more than 44,000 times in total, ranking as the top three most downloaded papers in the journal Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, one of the society’s publications, over the past five years.
NETL has a long history of advanced alloy research at its Albany, Oregon, site, stretching back to the 1943 establishment of its predecessor organization, Northwest Electro-Development Laboratory. Today, the Albany site is home to the Advanced Alloys Signature Center, a complete alloy development facility capable of prototyping alloys at scales that accelerate innovation and advance commercialization.
The Lab’s alloy development capabilities are anchored by the lab’s alloy ingot metallurgy (melting) and thermal-mechanical processing (forging and rolling). Combined with computational materials design and performance evaluation, NETL can provide alloy solutions enabling advanced energy systems and supporting the deployment of emerging technologies for U.S. industry.
NETL is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory dedicated to advancing the nation’s energy future by creating innovative solutions that strengthen the security, affordability and reliability of energy systems and natural resources. With laboratories in Albany, Oregon; Morgantown, West Virginia; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, NETL creates advanced energy technologies that support DOE’s mission while fostering collaborations that will lead to a resilient and abundant energy future for the nation.
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Effect of methotrexate discontinuation on psoriatic patients with sign
Introduction
Liver disease accounts for approximately 2 million deaths annually, representing 4% of all deaths, with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma as leading causes.1 Patients with psoriasis are more likely to have liver diseases than matched controls in the general population, particularly those who receive systemic treatment.2 Notably, 10% of patients with psoriasis are at a high risk of developing advanced liver fibrosis, with elevated prevalence among those with a history of methotrexate (MTX) use.3 Despite the availability of biologic therapies, MTX remains a widely prescribed treatment due to its accessibility, ease of administration, and relatively low cost.4 As a result, many international guidelines recommend MTX as one of the first-line systemic treatments for moderate-to-severe psoriasis, a practice that is also followed in Thailand.
The hepatotoxic potential of MTX in patients with psoriasis remains controversial. Early reports of cirrhosis prompted routine liver biopsies after each cumulative MTX dose of 1500 mg.5,6 However, subsequent studies have generally not found a clear association between cumulative MTX dose and histologic liver fibrosis grading.6–8 One study did report an increased risk of advanced liver fibrosis at cumulative MTX doses exceeding 5000 mg.6 It is now established that cumulative MTX doses up to 2 grams were less likely to cause clinically significant hepatotoxicity, nevertheless, the current AAD-NPF guideline recommends that gastroenterology consultation and liver biopsy be considered for patients who exceed cumulative MTX doses of 3.5 to 4 grams.4
The introduction of transient elastography (TE) has improved non-invasive monitoring of liver fibrosis in psoriatic patients treated with MTX, reducing reliance on liver biopsy.4 A meta-analysis found no significant association between cumulative MTX dose and the risk of significant liver fibrosis when assessed by non-invasive tests.3 Instead, risk factors such as age, obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome were linked to liver fibrosis.3 Similarly, recent studies using TE have confirmed that high BMI,9,10 metabolic syndrome,10 and diabetes10,11 are significantly associated with liver fibrosis, while cumulative MTX dose has not shown a statistically significant relationship.9–11
Although several studies have explored risk factors for the development of liver fibrosis in patients with psoriasis, evidence regarding the potential for fibrosis regression following MTX discontinuation remains limited. This gap in knowledge is particularly notable given the common clinical practice of discontinuing MTX in patients diagnosed with significant liver fibrosis and the ongoing controversy surrounding MTX-induced hepatotoxicity. Therefore, the present study aims to assess the incidence of liver fibrosis regression after MTX discontinuation and to identify clinical and laboratory factors associated with this outcome.
Material and Methods
Study Design and Ethical Consideration
A pilot cross-sectional study of patients with psoriasis, significant liver fibrosis and a history of methotrexate usage was conducted. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Boards of Mahidol University (COA. MURA2022/432) which are in full compliance with international guidelines for human research protection such as the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to enrollment in the study.
Patient Selection Process
Medical records of all outpatients aged 18 years or over who were treated at Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, from January 1, 2008, to August 1, 2024, with an International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) code of L40.0 (psoriasis vulgaris) and had at least one TE result were reviewed. Patients were prospectively recruited between April 2023 and November 2024. Significant liver fibrosis is indicated by a liver stiffness measurement (LSM) ≥7 kilopascals (kPa).12
Inclusion criteria were patients aged ≥18 years with a dermatologist-confirmed diagnosis of psoriasis vulgaris and a most recent LSM of ≥7.1 kPa, who had discontinued methotrexate treatment for a minimum of six months prior to recruitment. Exclusion criteria included current use of potentially hepatotoxic agents, hepatocellular carcinoma, chronic viral hepatitis, heavy alcohol consumption (>20 grams per day), and pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Data Collection
The patient’s demographics, medical comorbidities, clinical presentations, laboratory results (HbA1c, triglyceride, HDL, LDL), type and dosage of systemic therapy (MTX, cyclosporine, acitretin, phototherapy, and biologic agents), reasons for MTX discontinuation, and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) were extracted from the medical records on the day of each TE session.
Liver Stiffness Measurement Using Transient Elastography
LSM were obtained using TE (FibroScan, Echosens, Paris). TE was performed on the right lobe of the liver through an intercostal space with the patient in the dorsal decubitus position and the right arm fully abducted. All patients underwent TE after a minimum of 4 hours of fasting. The measured depth of the liver was between 25 and 65 mm. Ten validated measurements were taken. Only the LSM results with 10 validated measurements, a success rate of at least 60%, and an interquartile range (IQR)/median of less than 30% were deemed acceptable. All TE procedures were performed by an experienced operator who was blinded to patient clinical data.
Statistical Analysis
Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages, while continuous variables were described using means and standard deviations. The primary outcome was the incidence of liver fibrosis regression, defined as a >30% reduction in LSM from baseline. This threshold was selected based on the FibroScan manufacturer’s acceptable variability (up to 30% IQR relative to the median LSM in a reliable scan) and has been used in prior studies.13–16
The secondary objective was to identify factors associated with liver fibrosis regression. Univariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between clinical variables and fibrosis regression. Categorical thresholds for cumulative MTX dose (>2 grams) and treatment duration (>4 years) were selected based on existing guidelines and prior literature.4,17 Multivariate analysis was not performed due to the limited sample size, in order to minimize the risk of overfitting. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. All analyses were performed using STATA version 16.0 (StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX, USA).
Results
A total of 15 patients with psoriasis and significant liver fibrosis were included in the study. The mean age was 53.6 ± 13.9 years, and 10 patients (66.7%) were male. The mean BMI was 31.2 ± 6.1 kg/m². The mean baseline PASI score was 5.3 ± 6.1. Psoriatic arthritis was present in 6 patients (40%). Comorbidities included type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity in 13 patients (86.7%), dyslipidemia in 10 (66.7%), and hypertension in 7 (46.7%).
All patients were diagnosed with significant liver fibrosis by TE while on MTX therapy or shortly after MTX discontinuation. Upon significant liver fibrosis diagnosis, MTX was promptly discontinued in all cases. Following MTX discontinuation, 5 patients (33.3%) received no additional systemic therapy or phototherapy, 8 (53.3%) received acitretin, 3 (20.0%) were treated with cyclosporine, 2 (13.3%) received phototherapy, and 2 (13.3%) were prescribed IL-17 inhibitors.
The mean duration of MTX use was 4.6 ± 2.9 years, with 6 patients (40.0%) using it for more than 4 years. The mean cumulative MTX dose was 2.0 ± 1.5 grams, with 5 patients (33.3%) received a cumulative dose exceeding 2 grams. The mean MTX-free duration prior to follow-up TE was 3.5 ± 2.2 years. Patient characteristics are summarized in Table 1.
Table 1 Baseline Characteristics
Liver fibrosis regression was observed in 5 patients (33.3%) following MTX discontinuation. These patients had a mean MTX use duration of 6.6 ± 3.2 years, a mean cumulative dose of 3.0 ± 2.2 grams, and had remained MTX-free for 3.6 ± 3.1 years before the follow-up TE.
In univariate analysis, duration of MTX use for >4 years was significantly associated with higher odds of regression (OR = 16.00, 95% CI: 1.09–234.25; p = 0.043). Non-significant trends toward increased odds of regression were also observed with longer MTX duration as a continuous variable (OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 0.92–2.63; p = 0.100), cumulative MTX dose (OR = 2.25, 95% CI: 0.74–6.85; p = 0.150), and cumulative MTX doses >2 grams (OR = 6.00, 95% CI: 0.56–63.98; p = 0.138). In contrast, male gender was associated with lower odds of fibrosis regression (OR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.02–1.78; p = 0.138), although this association was not statistically significant.
Other variables, including age, BMI, HbA1c, PASI, BMI decrease of 1 kg/m2, HbA1c decrease of 1%, triglyceride decrease of 10 mg/dL, HDL increase of 10 mg/dL, LDL decrease of 10 mg/dL, acitretin use, diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and MTX-free duration were not significantly associated with liver fibrosis regression. The results of the univariate analysis are presented in Table 2.
Table 2 Univariate Analysis of Potential Prognostic Factors for Liver Fibrosis Regression
Discussion
In this pilot cross-sectional study, we observed that one-third of psoriasis patients with significant liver fibrosis showed evidence of fibrosis regression following MTX discontinuation, which suggests potential reversibility of MTX-associated liver fibrosis. Notably, patients who had used MTX for more than 4 years had significantly greater odds of liver fibrosis regression (OR = 16, p = 0.043). However, given the small sample size, this high OR may be influenced by selection bias. While previous studies have reported no clear association between cumulative MTX dose and liver fibrosis,3,9–11 we observed a non-significant trend toward fibrosis regression in patients who discontinued MTX after a cumulative MTX dose exceeding 2 grams (OR = 6, p = 0.138). We hypothesize that among patients with significant liver fibrosis and prior exposure to MTX, only a subset may have developed fibrosis primarily due to MTX toxicity. MTX has been postulated to contribute to liver fibrosis through folate depletion, Nrf2 suppression, and mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to oxidative stress and hepatic inflammation.18 These patients, especially those with extended MTX usage, showed a higher likelihood of fibrosis regression following to MTX cessation. These observations highlight the potential role of MTX withdrawal in liver fibrosis management.
Interestingly, liver fibrosis regression was not significantly associated with MTX-free duration (p = 0.956). This finding suggests that the possibility of regression does not simply increase with time following MTX withdrawal. It also implies that if regression is not observed in a certain amount of time, other reasons for liver fibrosis should be looked into, and further interventions may be needed. In terms of clinical practice, this underscores the need for structured TE monitoring at predefined intervals rather than relying solely on time since withdrawal. Prospective studies are needed to define the significance of MTX-free duration in fibrosis regression and to inform guideline recommendations on TE monitoring schedules and potential MTX discontinuation thresholds.
Given the shared pathophysiology between metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and psoriasis,19 weight loss, an established strategy for fibrosis regression in MASLD,20 might be expected to have similar effects in our cohort. Obesity is a known risk factor for liver fibrosis in psoriasis3,9,10 and MTX-related liver injury.8 However, our study did not find a significant association between a 1 kg/m2 decrease in BMI and fibrosis regression (OR = 0.75, p = 0.508). This suggests that weight loss may not be sufficient to reverse fibrosis in this specific patient population, though larger studies are needed to confirm this.
We also observed a non-significant trend suggesting that male gender (OR = 0.17, p = 0.138) was associated with lower odds of fibrosis regression. Although this finding did not reach statistical significance, it may indicate that fibrosis regression is less likely in male patients. This raises the possibility that gender-related differences or non-MTX-related mechanisms could contribute to persistent liver fibrosis in certain subgroups.
Our study has limitations. As a pilot study with a small sample size, the statistical power to detect associations was limited, and multivariate analysis could not be performed, leaving results vulnerable to unadjusted confounding. It may also have introduced selection bias. Additionally, our cohort consisted predominantly of patients with known risk factors for MTX-induced hepatotoxicity, such as obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. However, as metabolic comorbidities are common in psoriasis and are part of the psoriatic march,21 their presence in our cohort likely reflects the typical clinical profile of psoriasis patients rather than merely acting as confounding factors. Nevertheless, the generalizability of our findings to lower-risk psoriasis populations may still be limited. Future prospective studies involving larger, more diverse cohorts are warranted to validate our findings and further explore the predictors and reversibility of liver fibrosis in psoriasis patients treated with MTX.
Conclusion
One-third of psoriasis patients with significant liver fibrosis experienced regression following MTX discontinuation for a mean duration of 3.6 years. MTX use duration >4 years was significantly associated with fibrosis regression. These findings suggest potential benefits of MTX withdrawal in selected patients with significant liver fibrosis. However, given the small sample size, these results should be interpreted with caution. Larger, prospective studies are warranted to validate these preliminary findings, determine the optimal timing of follow-up TE, and further clarify factors influencing fibrosis regression.
Data Sharing Statement
The data sets used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.
Funding
No sources of funding were used to prepare this manuscript.
Disclosure
The authors declare that this manuscript was prepared in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
References
1. Devarbhavi H, Asrani SK, Arab JP, Nartey YA, Pose E, Kamath PS. Global burden of liver disease: 2023 update. J Hepatol. 2023;79(2):516–537. doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2023.03.017
2. Ogdie A, Grewal SK, Noe MH, et al. Risk of Incident Liver Disease in Patients with Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis: a Population-Based Study. J Invest Dermatol. 2018;138(4):760–767. doi:10.1016/j.jid.2017.10.024
3. Yongpisarn T, Namasondhi A, Iamsumang W, Rattanakaemakorn P, Suchonwanit P. Liver fibrosis prevalence and risk factors in patients with psoriasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Med. 2022;9:1068157. doi:10.3389/fmed.2022.1068157
4. Menter A, Gelfand JM, Connor C, et al. Joint American Academy of Dermatology-National Psoriasis Foundation guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis with systemic nonbiologic therapies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(6):1445–1486. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2020.02.044
5. Zachariae H, Kragballe K, Søgaard H. Methotrexate induced liver cirrhosis. Studies including serial liver biopsies during continued treatment. Br J Dermatol. 1980;102(4):407–412. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.1980.tb06553.x
6. Aithal GP, Haugk B, Das S, Card T, Burt AD, Record CO. Monitoring methotrexate-induced hepatic fibrosis in patients with psoriasis: are serial liver biopsies justified? Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2004;19(4):391–399. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2036.2004.01819.x
7. Boffa MJ, Chalmers RJ, Haboubi NY, Shomaf M, Mitchell DM. Sequential liver biopsies during long-term methotrexate treatment for psoriasis: a reappraisal. Br J Dermatol. 1995;133(5):774–778. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.1995.tb02754.x
8. Berends MA, Snoek J, de Jong EM, et al. Liver injury in long-term methotrexate treatment in psoriasis is relatively infrequent. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2006;24(5):805–811. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.03047.x
9. Dos Santos Pereira M, Stolnicki DK, Azulay-Abulafia L, de Mello Perez R, Filho C, Avelleira JCR. Evaluation of liver fibrosis by transient elastography in Brazilian patients with psoriasis using methotrexate. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2025;39(7). doi:10.1111/jdv.20654
10. Babakinejad P, Lapsley R, Forster L, et al. Cumulative methotrexate dose is not associated with liver fibrosis in patients with a history of moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Br J Dermatol. 2024;191(2):275–283. doi:10.1093/bjd/ljae069
11. Atallah E, Grove JI, Crooks C, et al. Risk of liver fibrosis associated with long-term methotrexate therapy may be overestimated. J Hepatol. 2023;78(5):989–997. doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2022.12.034
12. Berends MA, Snoek J, de Jong EM, et al. Biochemical and biophysical assessment of MTX-induced liver fibrosis in psoriasis patients: fibrotest predicts the presence and Fibroscan predicts the absence of significant liver fibrosis. Liver Int. 2007;27(5):639–645. doi:10.1111/j.1478-3231.2007.01489.x
13. Fahmy DM, Shokeir M, El Zeiny SM, Jonas MM, Abdallah A. Changes in liver stiffness and noninvasive fibrosis scores in egyptian adolescents successfully treated with ledipasvir-sofosbuvir for chronic hepatitis c virus infection. J Pediatr. 2021;231:110–116. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.12.031
14. Hézode C, Castéra L, Roudot-Thoraval F, et al. Liver stiffness diminishes with antiviral response in chronic hepatitis C. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2011;34(6):656–663. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04765.x
15. ACOH Cohort. Regression of liver stiffness after sustained hepatitis C virus (HCV) virological responses among HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. Aids. 2015;29(14):1821–1830. doi:10.1097/qad.0000000000000787
16. Chan J, Gogela N, Zheng H, et al. Direct-acting antiviral therapy for chronic hcv infection results in liver stiffness regression over 12 months post-treatment. Dig Dis Sci. 2018;63(2):486–492. doi:10.1007/s10620-017-4749-x
17. Salliot C, van der Heijde D. Long-term safety of methotrexate monotherapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic literature research. Ann Rheum Dis. 2009;68(7):1100–1104. doi:10.1136/ard.2008.093690
18. Di Martino V. Methotrexate-induced liver fibrosis: the end of a long-held belief. J Hepatol. 2023;78(5):896–897. doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2023.02.018
19. Tan S, Liu M, Feng F, Li R, Tian R, Nie Z. Exploring the pathogenesis and immunological profiles of psoriasis complicated with MASLD. PLoS One. 2024;19(6):e0305217. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0305217
20. Machado MV. MASLD treatment-a shift in the paradigm is imminent. Front Med Lausanne. 2023;10:1316284. doi:10.3389/fmed.2023.1316284
21. Boehncke WH, Boehncke S, Tobin AM, Kirby B. The ‘psoriatic march’: a concept of how severe psoriasis may drive cardiovascular comorbidity. Exp Dermatol. 2011;20(4):303–307. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0625.2011.01261.x
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Sagard Real Estate and Ontario Teachers’ acquire industrial facility in Houston
● The transaction marks Ontario Teachers’ first industrial acquisition in the U.S. and the launch of a new joint venture with Sagard Real Estate
Toronto, Canada – Sagard Real Estate, a leading U.S.-based real estate investment advisor, and subsidiary of Sagard, a multi-strategy alternative asset management firm with US$32B+ of AUM, and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (“Ontario Teachers’”), have completed the acquisition of a 163,402 square-foot industrial facility in Southeast Houston. The facility is located within Houston’s premier submarket and offers immediate access to Beltway 8, Highway 225, and proximity to the Port of Houston’s busiest container terminals, ensuring strong regional connectivity.
The acquisition marks the inaugural transaction under a new joint venture between Sagard Real Estate and Ontario Teachers’. The joint venture is structured to ensure alignment between both firms through a flexible, institutional investment approach. It will focus on value-add industrial opportunities across major U.S. markets and reflects both institutions’ conviction in the fundamentals of the industrial sector and their shared commitment to building scalable, strategic partnerships. The approach is also rooted in active asset management, strategic capital improvement, and value creation.
“We are excited to partner with Ontario Teachers’ on this new U.S. industrial initiative,” said Mark Bigarel, COO & Head of Investments at Sagard Real Estate. “This relationship brings together two institutions with aligned values, a disciplined investment philosophy, and a shared perspective on opportunity in the industrial sector. We view this as the right time to initiate a strategy focused on lasting value creation in a sector supported by enduring demand drivers.”
“As we look to expand in the U.S. industrial sector, this investment fits well with our long-term, global strategy. We also believe that, with the underlying market dynamics, this asset provides long-term growth potential,” said Karl Kreppner, Senior Managing Director, Real Estate, Ontario Teachers’. “We are pleased to be working with Sagard—a partner with deep sector expertise and an operator mindset—and we are looking ahead to identifying and collaborating on future opportunities.”
About Ontario Teachers’
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers’) is a global investor with net assets of $269.6 billion as at June 30, 2025. Ontario Teachers’ is a fully funded defined benefit pension plan, and it invests in a broad array of asset classes to deliver retirement security for 343,000 working members and pensioners. For more information, visit otpp.com and follow us on LinkedIn.
Media Contact: Dan Madge – Email: media@otpp.com
About Sagard Real Estate
Sagard Real Estate is a real estate investment advisor and operator providing investment management services throughout the U.S., including portfolio management, acquisitions, debt origination, asset management, development, and property management for investors. With US$5.2 billion in assets under management, Sagard Real Estate offers commercial real estate investment strategies through separate accounts and commingled funds. Founded in 1997, the firm is headquartered in Denver and maintains regional investment offices in New York City, Charlotte, Austin, Los Angeles, and San Francisco metro areas. Sagard Real Estate is a part of Sagard, a multi-strategy alternative asset management firm. For more information, visit www.sagard.com/realestate or follow us on LinkedIn.
About Sagard
Sagard is a global multi-strategy alternative asset management firm with more than US$32B under management, 190 portfolio companies, and 400 professionals.
We invest in venture capital, private equity, private credit, and real estate. We deliver flexible capital, an entrepreneurial culture, and a global network of investors, commercial partners, advisors, and value creation experts. Our dynamic and supportive ecosystem gives our partners the advantage they need to learn, grow and win at every stage. The firm has offices in Canada, the United States, Europe and the Middle East.
For more information, visit www.sagard.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
Media: adam.daifallah@teneo.com (Canada & Europe); sagard@avenuez.com (United States)
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The Games Take Centre Stage at the Giornata dello Sport
An Edition Dedicated to the Theme “Mountains and Sea”
This year’s edition, dedicated to the theme “Mountains and Sea”, focused on the major sporting events of 2026: the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 and the Mediterranean Games in Taranto. To strengthen coordination ahead of these events, a new Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), the Ministry for Sport, CONI, and CIP. The agreement aims to enhance the national system through the diplomatic and consular network and the network of CONI delegates.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani: “Sporting events are extraordinary opportunities from every perspective”
Minister Tajani emphasised that major sporting events are “extraordinary opportunities from every perspective: economic, social, and cultural.” In particular, the Milano Cortina 2026 Games were highlighted as a key driver: with an estimated economic impact of €5.3 billion, approximately €3 billion in infrastructural legacy, and a truly widespread Olympic Games model that enhances diverse territories and consolidates the legacy of the Games through an unprecedented international promotion campaign.
The Exhibition of the “Essential” Olympic and Paralympic Torch
The event featured the on-site exhibition of the “Essential” Olympic and Paralympic Torch of Milano Cortina 2026. The torch was designed by Eni — a Premium Partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 — in collaboration with Versalis (Eni), Official Supporter of the Games. Also on display was a fiberglass reproduction of the Mediterranean Games Mascot. Eni and Versalis selected the Carlo Ratti Associati studio to develop the design, and Cavagna Group for the engineering and production of the torch and its components.
In line with the previous edition, the Minister also appointed new “Ambassadors of Sports Diplomacy” — Italian champions from various disciplines who will represent national sporting excellence worldwide, joining the over 300 events already organised globally by Italy’s embassies and consulates.
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The Next Decade of Invictus: Horizons Event Charts Ambitious Future
The Invictus Games Horizons event brought together supporters, partners, and champions of the wounded warrior community to celebrate a decade of achievements while setting an ambitious course for the future. The evening highlighted how Invictus has evolved from a sporting event into a global movement that changes lives, perceptions, and entire systems of support for service personnel.
A Decade of Remarkable Growth
Ten years since its inception, the Invictus Games has achieved milestones that seemed impossible at the outset. What began with 13 countries and over 400 competitors at the inaugural London 2014 Games has grown into a truly global community. Twenty three nations participated in the most recent Vancouver Whistler 2025 Games with 534 competitors, representing wounded, injured, and sick service personnel from every inhabited continent.
The movement now encompasses innovative developments like Vancouver Whistler’s pioneering hybrid winter Games and Germany’s first-ever Veterans Day. Perhaps most impressively, Nigeria became the first African country in history to join the Invictus Games when they debuted at Düsseldorf 2023. Its national programme has flourished in just three years, complete with an Armed Forces Invictus Centre being built in Abuja, opening the door for continental expansion across Africa.
These achievements demonstrate Invictus’s unique ability to serve as a catalyst for change. While the Games provide the initial spark, it’s the leadership of local communities and the determination of service personnel themselves that sustain and expand the impact.
Ukraine: A Testament to Urgent Need
The recent visit to Ukraine has underscored the vital importance of Invictus’s mission right now as the scale of need is staggering and unprecedented. Ukraine is facing upward of 20,000 military amputees, with German officials estimating between 30,000 and 50,000 Ukrainian amputees overall as a result of the conflict. An estimated 300 new amputees are created every day, and by the end of this year, there could be some 50,000 Ukrainians in need of prosthetics.
Europe has experienced nothing like it since World War I, and the United States not since the Civil War. This underscores that new cohorts of wounded, injured, and sick service personnel are in need of exactly the kind of support and recovery pathways that the Invictus model provides in addressing trauma and facilitating recovery.
Beyond Competition: A Movement for Unity
The Horizons event emphasized that Invictus represents something far more significant than sporting achievement. In a world where conflicts continue to rage and divisions seem to deepen, the Invictus community stands as a powerful counter-narrative. The movement proves that unity is not just possible but formidable, demonstrating that bonds of courage, respect, and humanity transcend political differences, backgrounds, and nationalities.
Personal Stories of Transformation
The event featured a powerful discussion facilitated by the Duke with three key members of the Invictus Movement who had recently visited Ukraine together. As their friend of a decade and the one who took them to Ukraine, Josh Boggi, JJ Chalmers, and David Wiseman each witnessed firsthand the profound impact of seeing the urgent need there, then shared their personal recovery journeys and reflected on how Invictus has shaped their lives.
Josh’s story is one of extraordinary resilience. He has nearly died three times during his recovery journey, which began after an IED explosion during his third tour of Afghanistan. He spoke about how sport played a crucial role not just in his physical rehabilitation, but in giving him purpose and hope during the darkest moments when survival itself was uncertain. His transformation from a critically wounded soldier to an inspiring advocate demonstrates the life-changing power of the Invictus approach.
JJ, recognized by many for his excellent performance on Strictly Come Dancing, discussed his story of post-traumatic growth and how being part of the Invictus community and serving as a Trustee of the IGF shaped his recovery journey. His visibility has helped change perceptions about what wounded veterans can achieve, showing millions that injury doesn’t define limitation.
David, who continues to carry the bullet in his chest that ended his military career, has dedicated his life to the recovery and rehabilitation of fellow service members. His reflection on our recent Ukraine visit and his ongoing commitment to supporting others exemplifies the spirit that drives the Invictus movement forward. Seeing him connect with Ukrainian veterans, sharing experiences across language barriers through the universal language of recovery, was deeply moving.
Strategic Vision for the Next Decade
The evening outlined a clear strategic direction for Invictus’s continued expansion. The focus will be on reaching areas where need is greatest while strengthening the international community already established. The goal extends beyond individual recovery to driving systemic change, ensuring that wounded, injured, and sick service personnel everywhere can access recovery through sport, rehabilitation, and community support.
Particularly exciting is the potential for expansion across Africa. Following presentations at the African Union, Chiefs of Defence from across the continent have been encouraged to follow Nigeria’s example and join the movement. The vision includes Invictus communities spanning the entire African continent and beyond.
A Call for Continued Partnership
The Horizons event served as both celebration and rallying cry. As conflicts continue worldwide and the need for support grows, Invictus stands ready to expand its impact. While acknowledging the remarkable achievements of the first decade—from 13 nations in 2014 to a record-setting 23 nations in 2025—the growing global need requires an expanded response. The numbers from Ukraine alone demonstrate this urgency.
This is just the beginning of what the Invictus Movement can accomplish when communities, nations, and individuals unite behind wounded warriors seeking recovery and purpose. Recognizing the bonds between Josh, JJ, and David, the Ukrainian veterans, and across the entire global Invictus family, the Duke stated: “Invictus is not just about the Games. It is about showing the best of humanity, about proving that there is no wound – physical or invisible – that cannot be met with strength, with dignity, and with hope.”
Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
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Women umpires, referees set to officiate entire Cricket World Cup 2025
For the first time in history, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 will be overseen entirely by women, with the International Cricket Council confirming an all-female panel of match officials for the tournament.
According to the ICC, while all-female panels have previously officiated at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the last two ICC Women’s T20 World Cups, this is the first time such a panel will oversee matches at a Women’s Cricket World Cup.
The Emirates ICC Panel of Match Officials includes 14 umpires and four match referees, with several experienced names returning. Claire Polosak, Jacquline Williams, and Sue Redfern will be officiating at their third Women’s World Cup, while Lauren Agenbag and Kim Cotton return for their second appearance, having officiated in the 2022 final, where Australia secured their seventh title.
Meanwhile, the match referee panel comprises Trudy Anderson, Shandré Fritz, GS Lakshmi, and Michelle Pereira, who bring a range of experience to the tournament, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka starting September 30, 2025.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah described the announcement as a “defining moment in the journey of women’s cricket”.
“This marks a defining moment in the journey of women’s cricket, one that we hope will pave the way for many more trailblazing stories across all facets of the sport,” Shah said in the ICC statement.
“The inclusion of an all-women panel of match officials is not only a major milestone but also a powerful reflection of the ICC’s unwavering commitment to advancing gender equity across cricket.”
He added that the move aims to increase visibility and create opportunities for women in officiating roles.
“This development goes beyond symbolic value. It is about visibility, opportunity, and the creation of meaningful role models who can inspire future generations.”
The ICC expressed hope that the initiative will motivate more women around the world to consider officiating as a career path and contribute to redefining leadership in cricket.
Emirates ICC Panel of Match Officials
Match Referees: Trudy Anderson, Shandré Fritz, GS Lakshmi, Michelle Pereira
Umpires: Lauren Agenbag, Candace la Borde, Kim Cotton, Sarah Dambanevana, Shathira Jakir Jesy, Kerrin Klaaste, Janani N, Nimali Perera, Claire Polosak, Vrinda Rathi, Sue Redfern, Eloise Sheridan, Gayathri Venugopalan, Jacquline Williams
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ITER Reactor Diagnostic System Nearing Completion
Cracow, 10 September 2025 – In the Universe, thermonuclear fusion is a common reaction: it is the source of energy for stars. On Earth producing energy using this process is difficult due to problems with controlling the plasma emitting significant amounts of energy. Of critical importance here is the knowledge of the current state of the plasma and the power released in nuclear reactions. In the ITER reactor this knowledge will be gathered by a sophisticated neutron flux diagnostic system.
The ITER experimental reactor, which has been under construction for over a decade, is a milestone in the development of fusion energy: it is to be the first device using nuclear fusion, capable of generating several times more power than required for its operation. A critically important element of the plasma diagnostics system in this reactor – the High Resolution Neutron Spectrometer (HRNS) – has just been presented in the journal Fusion Engineering and Design. The spectrometer design is a joint effort by physicists and engineers from the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IFJ PAN) in Cracow, the University of Uppsala and the Istituto per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Plasmi in Milan, developed in close cooperation with the ITER Organization.
“The spectrometer we have designed allows us to measure both the number and energies of neutrons emitted by plasma across the full range of fusion power expected for the ITER reactor. This provides us with information about the proportions of deuterium and tritium, hydrogen isotopes that combine with each other inside the reaction chamber,” says Dr. Jan Dankowski (IFJ PAN), the first author of the article describing the spectrometer. He further clarifies: “Measuring the fast neutron population from the two dominant reactions in the plasma is a direct indicator of fuel composition, ion temperature, and combustion quality. In ITER and future reactors, this will be a key tool for controlling and optimizing reactor operation. Lack of this information would effectively mean the loss of one of the most important plasma diagnostic tools, significantly hampering both scientific research at ITER and the safe operation of future power reactors”.
Thermonuclear energy can safely be described as ‘green’. Energy is generated here similarly to the manner in which it is generated inside stars, i.e. through nuclear fusion reactions, the most promising of which appears to be the fusion of hydrogen isotopes (deuterium and tritium) into helium. Importantly, deuterium is found in vast quantities in the Earth’s oceans, and tritium is not needed in large amounts and may in future be produced in the reactor itself (by bombarding more readily available lithium with neutrons). Furthermore, the fusion reaction is not chain-like, so it cannot lead to an explosion and the dispersion of large amounts of highly harmful radioactive materials. The risk of environmental contamination therefore remains minimal and is mainly limited to the reactor’s structural elements themselves. Unfortunately, despite its enormous potential, fusion energy remains in the research and development phase. Practical implementation may take several years to complete – with the construction of the DEMO tokamak, a bridge between experimental reactors and a fusion power plant.
The nuclei of hydrogen isotopes form plasma, which, being electrically charged, can be held in isolation from the walls by a magnetic field inside the toroidal vacuum chamber of the reactor (these sorts of reactors are called tokamaks). Currently, this plasma must be additionally heated to reach a temperature of 150 million Kelvin, which guarantees the proper course of the reaction. The high-energy neutrons produced during fusion, being electrically neutral, escape towards the walls of the tokamak, allowing most of the energy produced to be recovered (and ultimately creating tritium in collisions with lithium).
The formation of helium nuclei would be of fundamental importance for the efficiency of future thermonuclear reactors. Endowed with high energy and electrically charged, they would remain inside the plasma in the tokamak’s magnetic field and, in subsequent collisions with deuterium and tritium, would decrease own energy, ultimately increasing the energy of the thermonuclear fuel. This process would reduce the energy costs associated with external heating. The ITER reactor – under construction in Cadarache, France, since 2007, with a budget currently exceeding $20 billion and scheduled to start operating in the middle of the next decade – will not yet use helium nuclei to heat the plasma. Despite this limitation, it is expected to generate up to ten times more energy than it consumes, ultimately reaching a power output of 500 megawatts.
The HRNS spectrometer will be installed behind a thick concrete protective wall surrounding the fusion chamber, near an opening several centimetres in diameter, to be able to detect neutrons produced in the very center of the plasma. Depending on the power of the reactor, their flux will vary dramatically, reaching up to hundreds of millions of particles per square centimetre per second. During the measurement, HRNS will be able to analyze the neutron spectrum from the deuterium-deuterium reaction (neutrons with an energy of 2.5 megaelectronvolts) and from the deuterium-tritium reaction (neutrons with an energy of 14 megaelectronvolts).
In order to ensure the operation of the HRNS spectrometer under the full range of conditions anticipated in the ITER reactor, it had to be divided into four independent sub-assemblies. Each of these is essentially a separate spectrometer, operating on different principles and designed for a different range of neutron flux intensities. Physicists from the IFJ PAN are working on the development of the first subassembly, called TPR (Thin-foil Proton Recoil). Here, neutrons knock protons out of a thin polyethylene foil – and their scattering angles depend on the energies of the neutrons. Nearly 100 silicon detectors are responsible just for the detection of the protons. The second subassembly is the NDD (Neutron Diamond Detector) spectrometer, where neutrons are recorded by an array of over a dozen diamond detectors. The last two subassemblies, FTOF (Forward Time-of-Flight) and BTOF (Backscattering Time-of-Flight), measure the flight times of neutrons and estimate their kinetic energy based on the velocities determined in this way, with FTOF analysing neutrons that maintain a direction of motion similar to the original one, and BTOF analysing those scattered at large angles.
“The HRNS was designed to measure neutrons, but that doesn’t mean it won’t detect other types of radiation. In practice, many other particles, from gamma-ray photons to particles resulting from neutron interactions with reactor components and even with parts of our spectrometer, will produce a signal in the active part of the detector. All these factors results in the measured spectrum having an exceptionally complex structure. To properly interpret the data and extract reliable information about the amounts of deuterium and tritium, we must thoroughly understand the origin of this rich noise,” emphasises Prof. Marek Scholz (IFJ PAN).
Due to limited access to the measuring system during tokamak operation, scientists need to know how to interpret the incoming data. This is especially important if, during the running phase, some of the detectors of one of the subassemblies or even the entire subassembly are damaged. It was also critically important to design shielding elements so that neither the neutron flux nor the parts of the equipment excited by it would interfere with the operation of electronic subsystems or other measuring devices operating in the vicinity of the entire spectrometer.
“The project required a huge amount of numerical calculations, not only those directly related to neutron measurements. For example, a group from our institute was responsible for, amongst others, Monte Carlo calculations that enabled the optimization of the HRNS spectrometer’s radiation shielding by demonstrating the transport of neutrons and gamma radiation in the environment and within individual components of the entire system. Equally important was the calculation of the radioactive activity of individual components of the HRNS spectrometer. This knowledge guarantees both the proper functioning of the device and the safety of the personnel operating it,” notes Dr. Urszula Wiacek, head of the Department of Radiation Transport Physics at the IFJ PAN.
Scientists expect that a prototype of a high-resolution neutron spectrometer for the ITER fusion reactor will be developed within two years. Work on the device was financed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the ITER Organization.
The Henryk Niewodniczański Institute of Nuclear Physics (IFJ PAN) is currently one of the largest research institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences. A wide range of research carried out at IFJ PAN covers basic and applied studies, from particle physics and astrophysics, through hadron physics, high-, medium-, and low-energy nuclear physics, condensed matter physics (including materials engineering), to various applications of nuclear physics in interdisciplinary research, covering medical physics, dosimetry, radiation and environmental biology, environmental protection, and other related disciplines. The average yearly publication output of IFJ PAN includes over 600 scientific papers in high-impact international journals. Each year the Institute hosts about 20 international and national scientific conferences. One of the most important establishments of the Institute is the Bronowice Cyclotron Centre (CCB), which is an infrastructure unique in Central Europe, serving as a clinical and research centre in the field of medical and nuclear physics. In addition, IFJ PAN runs four accredited research and measurement laboratories. IFJ PAN is a member of the Marian Smoluchowski Kraków Research Consortium: “Matter-Energy-Future”, which in 2012-2017 enjoyed the status of the Leading National Research Centre (KNOW) in physics. In 2017, the European Commission granted the Institute the HR Excellence in Research award. As a result of the categorization of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Institute has been classified into the A+ category (the highest scientific category in Poland) in the field of physical sciences.
/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.Continue Reading
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Scientists finally know why forever chemicals spread easily in water
Scientists have just rechecked how acidic many PFAS really are – and the results were surprising. The new numbers show they’re even stronger acids than once thought, helping explain why these “forever chemicals” move so easily through water.
Acidity controls whether a molecule holds onto a proton or lets it go, which determines if it carries a charge. Charged molecules dissolve more readily in water, giving them the ability to travel farther and faster through the environment.
Acidity matters for forever chemicals
Alexander Hoepker, Ph.D., a senior research scientist at the University at Buffalo (UB) RENEW Institute, and his team focused on measuring acidity with a method that avoids the usual traps that can skew results.
In the new study, the researchers determined pKa values for 10 PFAS and three small fluorinated acids. A pKa value indicates the pH at which a molecule is half charged and half neutral.
Lower pKa numbers mean stronger acids and greater ionization at typical environmental pH. That tendency increases solubility and makes long-distance movement in groundwater more likely.
Acidity data tell a new story
For perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), the team measured a pKa near −0.27, which implies it will exist in the charged form across almost any natural water. Earlier experiments and models often placed it between 0.24 and 3.8 – a very different picture.
The replacement chemical GenX showed a pKa roughly one thousand times lower than that reported in one earlier study. That shift places GenX in the same very strong acid category as PFOA.
Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) came in at about 0.03, while past estimates ranged from 0.30 to 1.1. That makes it a stronger acid than many had assumed.
“These findings suggest that previous measurements have underestimated PFAS acidity. This means their ability to persist and spread in the environment has also been mischaracterized,” said Hoepker.
Where past methods fell short
PFAS molecules tend to adsorb to glass, a detail that confuses bulk measurements because some of the sample sticks to the container. In other tests, adding too much organic solvent drives the numbers upward.
The team avoided those pitfalls by analyzing the molecules directly with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), a spectroscopic method that tracks changes in nuclear signals within a strong magnetic field.
When the head group carries a negative charge, nearby fluorine atoms shift to a different radio frequency.
This approach captures the charge state without being distorted by losses to surfaces or by micelles that form at higher concentrations.
For the most acidic compounds, where neutral forms are hard to prepare, the team combined experiments with density functional theory (DFT) calculations to predict the reference signals.
“We augmented partial NMR datasets with computational predictions to arrive at more accurate pKa values,” said Hoepker. That strategy narrowed the estimates where conventional titrations would struggle.
Cleaning up forever chemicals from water
Accurate acidity values anchor the models that forecast where these chemicals go in real settings. Acidity influences whether the forever chemicals remain dissolved in water, bind to soil, or move into the air.
The stakes are high because PFOA and PFOS are now listed as hazardous substances under CERCLA in a federal rule that took effect in July 2024. That designation triggers reporting and cleanup authority for releases.
The EPA also set national drinking water limits for several PFAS in 2024, including GenX. Utility monitoring, public notification, and treatment choices flow from those enforceable standards.
“In turn, knowledge of the pKa values of emerging PFAS will allow researchers to develop appropriate analytical methods, remediation technologies, and risk-assessment strategies more efficiently,” said Diana Aga, Ph.D., director of the UB RENEW Institute. Those tasks become easier when the underlying numbers are trustworthy.
The overlooked PFAS problem
TFA appears in rain, rivers, and even drinking water in many locations, and multiple lines of evidence point to atmospheric transport.
A 2024 review noted widespread detections and emphasized the difficulty of removing this small, mobile acid. The newly measured pKa of about 0.03 helps explain that pattern, because the charged form remains in water and moves with it.
That makes tracking sources more important – from the breakdown of fluorinated refrigerants to the degradation of longer PFAS.
Lessons from the findings
The take-home message is simple: when acidity is measured correctly, the story of how PFAS move becomes clearer and easier to predict.
These values feed into better laboratory methods, stronger models, and more practical cleanup plans. They also help regulators and communities focus resources where they can do the most good.
The study is published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters.
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Suryakumar Yadav Sends Clear Message To Pakistan After India’s Dominant 9-Wicket Win Over UAE In Asia Cup 2025 | Cricket News
India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav has sent a direct message to Pakistan following India’s dominant nine-wicket victory against the United Arab Emirates in their Asia Cup 2025 opener on September 10 at Dubai International Stadium. India kicked off their Asia Cup campaign on a high note, registering a comprehensive win by nine wickets. The match lasted just 17.4 overs, with India chasing a low target of 58 runs in a record-breaking 4.3 overs, marking India’s fastest-ever T20I run chase in terms of balls played. While an Indian victory was expected, the overwhelming margin surprised many, especially since only six days prior, the UAE had lost to Pakistan by a narrower 31 runs, making their collapse against India even more striking.
When questioned by Sanjay Manjrekar about whether India’s performance was a message to Pakistan ahead of their high-profile match on September 14, Suryakumar Yadav gave a straightforward reply:
“We all are excited, everyone wants to play a good game and we are really looking forward to it.”
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The entire game only took 17.4 overs, with the Men in Blue completing the chase in 4.3 explosive overs. This assuredness reflects the confidence of a captain who has led India to just two losses in 15 matches since the start of 2024, establishing the team as the world’s best in T20Is.
Toss Decision
Suryakumar had hinted at this aggressive intent a day earlier while sitting beside Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, emphasizing high expectations from his side.
Regarding his decision at the toss, he explained:
“Wanted to see how the wicket was playing, it was the same in the second innings as well.”
When asked about the early finish and if the players would receive their full match fees, he laughed and said:
“That we will talk about later.”
He praised the team’s energy and attitude on the field, especially highlighting the bowling support shown by Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Shivam Dube:
“Clinical performance from the boys. Wanted good energy and attitude in the field and that carried over into batting.”
On Abhishek Sharma’s outstanding batting, Suryakumar said:
“He is a phenomenal batter and that is the reason he is the world number one batter right now. He keeps the team first, irrespective of the score, and that is unbelievable from him.”
This powerful statement sets the tone ahead of the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025, where both teams will look to assert their dominance on the subcontinental stage
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