Latest news with #ICEC
BBC News
24-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Lord's to host three England Tests in 2026
Lord's will hosts three England Tests next summer - its first women's Test and men's matches against New Zealand and first men's Test against Pakistan at Headingley in August will be the only Test played north of men begin their summer at Lord's on 4 June with the first of three Tests against New play five T20s and three one-day internationals against India in July, followed by a three-Test series against Pakistan before T20s and ODIs against Sri Lanka in second and third men's Tests and the first two India T20s will clash with the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, which will be held in England. England's women warm up for that tournament with three ODIs and five T20s against New Zealand, followed by three more T20s against landmark women's Test at Lord's, which was announced last year and was a recommendation of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) report in 2023, will be a four-day affair starting on 10 July. It will be England's first home women's Test since the 2023 the men's Test series being played from 19 August, The Hundred will move forward a week from its position in 2025 to avoid a the Hundred, England's women play three ODIs against Ireland in September. Including the World Cup, England women will play a minimum of 18 matches at home next first match of the summer on 10 May at Chester-le-Street and a World Cup fixture at Leeds are the only occasions they play north of of the Ashes Tests in 2027 will be played in the north, a decision questioned by Yorkshire chief executive Sanjay Patel this month. Old Trafford will host a Test in early 2027 before the Oval will host the last of those matches as it takes the final white-ball match of the summer, rather than its traditional concluding last Test of the summer will be played at Edgbaston from 9 September. England 2026 fixtures in full All times BSTEngland women v New Zealand10 May: First ODI, Durham, 11:0013 May: Second ODI, Northampton, 13:0016 May: Third ODI, Cardiff, 11:0020 May: First T20, Derby, 18:3023 May: Second T20, Canterbury, 14:3025 May: Third T20, Hove, TBCEngland women v India28 May: First T20, Chelmsford, 18:3030 May: Second T20, Bristol, TBC2 June: Third T20, Taunton, 18:3010 July: One-off Test, Lord's 11:00England women v Ireland1 September: First ODI, Leicester, 13:00 3 September: Second ODI, Derby 13:006 September: Third ODI, Worcester, 11:00England men v New Zealand4 June: First Test, Lord's, 11:0017 June: Second Test, Kia Oval 11:0025 June: Third Test, Nottingham, 11:00England men v India1 July: First T20, Chester-le-Street, 18:304 July: Second T20, Manchester, 14:307 July: Third T20, Nottingham, 18:309 July: Fourth T20, Bristol, 18:3011 July: Fifth T20, Southampton, 18:3014 July: First ODI, Birmingham, 13:0016 July: Second ODI, Cardiff, 13:0019 July: Third ODI, Lord's, 11:00England men v Pakistan19 August: First Test, Leeds, 11:0027 August: Second Test, Lord's, 11:009 September: Third Test, Birmingham, 11:00England men v Sri Lanka15 September: First T20, Southampton, 18:3017 September: Second T20, Cardiff, 18:3019 September: Third T20, Manchester, TBC22 September: First ODI, Chester-le-Street, 12:3024 September: Second ODI, Leeds, 12:3027 September: Third ODI, Kia Oval, 10:30
The Herald Scotland
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
New declaration on independence, same old problem
The latest one to catch my attention is The International Commission for European Citizens or ICEC (gotta have an acronym). It was established in 2011 and has been very busy indeed proving something is being done by issuing lots of declarations and determinations and resolutions. The latest one was signed at the weekend and was called, with suitable solemnity, The Cardiff Declaration. It's worth taking a look at in more detail not only because it is a classic of the genre, but because it helps reveal the curious hyperopia common among nationalists: the contradictions are there, right in front of them, but for some reason they cannot see them. The stated aim of The International Commission for European Citizens essentially is to gather together several pro-independence organisations, institutions and individuals into one organisation, a commission of commissions. It has members from Scotland, Wales, Catalonia, the Basque Country, Flanders, South Tyrol and Veneto and all of them were there on Saturday to sign the declaration. It is, we're told, a commitment to peaceful, democratic self-determination and closer collaboration. The fact the commission chose to meet in Wales is interesting because support for independence in the country appears to be growing, with one recent poll showing 41% excluding the don't-knows. The changing situation was enough for the Welsh Government to establish a commission (but of course) called The Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales which called for greater devolution on a range of subjects including policing and energy none of which has happened yet (but of course). Perhaps we need another commission to look at the implementation of the commission's proposals. But let's look at what The International Commission for European Citizens actually came up with. 'We believe,' says the declaration, 'that the Europe of the future must be built on the foundation of democracy, equality and the sovereign will of all its peoples. In the face of persistent democratic deficits and centralising forces, we reaffirm that our shared vision is one of self-determination, greater citizen participation and the right of all nations to shape their own futures." The declaration also promises to 'work as closely as possible together as nations' and to 'ensure that our campaigns for independence are open, accessible and representative of all our people'. Read more No-shows. Screamers. And locked doors. Are our social norms breaking down? Do not believe the middle-class moaning about private schools At last – maybe we can start talking about the issue we've all been ignoring On the face of it, this is all perfectly reasonable, particularly on the subject of the self-determination of peoples, a principle unionists and nationalists should agree on. Where they might disagree is how you determine what the people think (is 50.0001% enough?) and the possible consequences of the principle. The British defence of The Falklands for example was absolutely justified on the basis of self-determination but it would be interesting to find out how many supporters of Scottish independence think Margaret Thatcher's reaction to the Argentinian invasion was right. Not many I imagine because self-determination is not a cool and objective principle, it involves nationalistic emotions which aren't always logical. The language used in The Cardiff Declaration also highlights the same old problems that lie at the heart of the independence movements which support it, and they're particularly obvious in Scotland. The declaration says for instance that we face 'persistent democratic deficits and centralising forces' – this in a country that had a referendum on independence with an 84% turnout. In the last 30 years, the UK has also been precisely the opposite of centralising: devolution in 1998 profoundly changed the UK and devolution has been extended since; the idea of a 'centralising force' is wrong. However, it's the first solemn promise of the declaration that is especially revealing – 'to work as closely as possible together as nations' – because it underlines the contradiction that the SNP, Plaid Cymru and other proponents of independence struggle with. They talk about working closely together, supporting each other in the face of challenges and helping each other in mutual advancement and yet they support a cause that seeks to undermine all of those things. Stephen Flynn (Image: Newsquest) It is particularly obvious in the case of the SNP when they talk about the European Union. You may remember the party's Stephen Flynn saying how we should be back in the EU working closely together, supporting each other in the face of challenges and helping each other in mutual advancement. 'We should be seeking to rejoin the European single market,' he told the Commons. 'We should be seeking to rejoin the European customs union.' But what the SNP has never resolved is the contradiction at the heart of that. Mr Flynn says the Scottish economy is intrinsically linked to our relationship with the EU and we should therefore be seeking to rejoin. But if the Scottish economy is intrinsically linked to our relationship with the EU, it is even more intrinsically linked to our relationship with the UK. The only logical – not emotional – conclusion is that seeking to rejoin the EU means seeking to remain in the UK and that if leaving the EU has created barriers, damaged growth and hurt our mutual advancement, then Scotland leaving the UK would do exactly the same. This is the problem The Cardiff Declaration cannot see, particularly in the case of the SNP. Self-determination is a principle all of us can get around, unionist and nationalist; it should be the bottom line of international politics and law. But a declaration like the one we've seen coming out of Cardiff denies reality if it does not acknowledge, or refuses to see, that nations and regions working closely together for economic, social, security and other practical reasons requires serious compromises on independence. That is the reality that unionists accept, and support. But it appears to be a reality the signatories to The Cardiff Declaration simply cannot see.
The National
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Scotland among 7 countries to sign independence declaration
On Saturday, the International Commission for European Citizens (ICEC) conference took place in Cardiff, where members gathered to mark a milestone in the co-operation between Europe's pro-independence movements. The event was attended by the ICEC's seven member nations – Scotland, Wales, Catalunya, the Basque Country, Flanders, Sud Tirol and Veneto – as well as delegations from Brittany and Sicily. READ MORE: Kate Forbes: Bigger-picture switch is proving key in tackling tourism issues At the conference, the seven nations signed the Cardiff Declaration, a multilateral commitment to peaceful, democratic self-determination and closer collaboration between ICEC member nations. The declaration also outlined a vision for national independence based on citizen participation, mutual support and European democratic values. It states: "We believe that the Europe of the future must be built on the foundation of democracy, equality, and the sovereign will of all its peoples. In the face of persistent democratic deficits and centralising forces, we reaffirm that our shared vision is one of self-determination, greater citizen participation, and the right of all nations to shape their own futures." The declaration recognises that while each nation's journey towards independence is diverse, "our commitment is united". The declaration pledges the following: To work as closely as possible together as nations and movements to build strong and lasting bonds between us. To share knowledge, experience, good practice, and effective campaigning strategies to strengthen and accelerate the success of our respective campaigns. To support each other in the face of challenges, fostering solidarity and a spirit of mutual advancement. To commit to mass participation and grassroots engagement as the driving force of our movements, ensuring that our campaigns for independence are open, accessible, and representative of all our people. The declaration adds: "Today, in Cardiff, we stand not as isolated movements but as part of a growing, forward-looking network of nations determined to shape our own destinies – together." The conference featured campaign updates from all participating nations, as well as discussions on mass mobilisation and international opportunities. READ MORE: Craig Murray: I've been left questioning real purpose of Alba Party Those attending said they believed the conference reaffirmed the momentum of Europe's independence movements and their commitment to a just and democratic future. Commenting, Shona McAlpine, Scotland's respresentative for the ICEC, said: "The Cardiff Declaration lays the groundwork for deepened cooperation and shared progress." Phyl Griffiths, chair of YesCymru and ICEC spokesperson for Wales, added: "This is more than a statement - it's a united step forward for our nations." The ICEC is recognised as one of the most important international structures acting for the normal exercise of the right of self-determination in Europe. It works to promote co-operation, knowledge exchange and mutual advocacy among its member nations.
BBC News
26-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
State schools to play cricket at Lord's ground in new tournament
A new tournament, specifically for state school pupils, has been launched at Lord's cricket ground by former England captains Heather Knight and Michael Knight-Stokes Cup will be a T20 competition contested next summer via a series of knockout regional qualifiers with the finals to be staged on the main ground at Lord' tournament will be for school pupils in the Year 10 age group with separate events for boys and is part of the game's wider efforts to increase opportunities for state school children to play cricket, following a critical report about elitism in the game. A 2023 report by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) reported "elitism and class-based discrimination" in the game was partly down to a lack of cricket in state schools and a talent pathway structurally aligned to private commission said it was "alarmed" by repeated references to "the bank of mum and dad", with respondents to their study stressing the importance of financial support from parents in determining their report recommended the historic Eton versus Harrow school matches should not be played at Lord's - but objections by some members of the MCC led to a compromise in which that match - and the annual university match between Oxford and Cambridge - will remain at the ground until at least 2027, when there will be a review. The Knight-Stokes Cup will be held in the summer of 2026 which schools can sign up to named after Knight and the current England captain Ben Stokes, both of whom learned to play at state Cricket Club (MCC) Foundation will oversee the organisation of the cup in conjunction with regional cricket competition will also provide opportunities for potentially talented cricketers to be spotted at an early age.A number of independent schools have agreed to provide grounds and facilities for state schools to play matches.
The National
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Wales to host major European conference on independence
The 2025 International Commission for European Citizens (ICEC) conference will be held in Cardiff on July 5 at the Old Library in the heart of the Welsh capital. Hosted by YesCymru on behalf of Wales, this international gathering will bring together representatives from seven stateless nations: Wales, Scotland, Catalunya, the Basque Country, Flanders, Sud Tirol, and Veneto. The aim of the conference is to forge closer working relationships between the seven participating nations, including fostering shared strategies, knowledge exchange and solidarity in their respective campaigns for independence. READ MORE: 20 Scottish mums start hunger strike in protest over Israel's Gaza genocide The event will feature speakers, panel discussions, and cultural showcases, offering a platform to highlight each nation's aspirations and challenges. Phyl Griffiths, a spokesperson for ICEC, said: 'We are honoured to host the ICEC conference here in Wales, this is more than a conference — it is a celebration of democracy, identity, and the shared pursuit of a better future for our nations.' Geraint Thomas, Wales representative for ICEC, added: 'Organising a transnational conference like this is a powerful opportunity to strengthen ties between our nations. "By coming together, we share not only our challenges but also our strategies, ideas, and hope for the future. This collaboration lays the foundation for a new era of cooperation among Europe's stateless nations — one rooted in mutual respect, solidarity, and a shared vision of democratic self-determination.' More details, including the day's agenda and speaker announcements, will be shared in the coming weeks.
