Melbourne Cricket Ground is bracing for an influx of nearly 100,000 fans for the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia. Security is being amplified, with extra personnel deployed to manage the anticipated boisterous crowd, particularly in the notorious blue stand area. Resale ticket markets are thriving, with fans paying significant premiums.
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New Zealand and India have secured semi-final spots in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 from Group A, eliminating hosts Pakistan and Bangladesh. Rachin Ravindra's century helped New Zealand defeat Bangladesh, ensuring India's progression. Australia and South Africa will face off in a crucial Group B match for a place in the semi-finals, with emphasis on their respective strengths.
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt defended the PCB amid the controversy surrounding Rachin Ravindra's injury during the tri-series in Pakistan. Butt attributed the injury to player misjudgment and not the stadium's floodlights. The incident drew comparisons to the delay during the India-England ODI due to floodlight issues, raising concerns about stadium management across cricket nations.
Air India, now under Tata Group, continues to face issues with clogged toilets caused by passengers flushing inappropriate items. Engineers noted the old aircrafts’ ducts are increasingly susceptible to blockages, leading to disrupted flights. Most foreign airlines experience this problem rarely, highlighting different passenger behavior aboard Indian carriers. Crew suggests educating passengers and improving onboard waste management systems.
Southern California is facing critical wildfire conditions due to dry winds and parched terrain. With significant evacuation orders in place, power outages affecting thousands, and arrests made for wildfire-related offenses, the National Weather Service warns of extremely dangerous fire weather, potentially worsening until Wednesday.
Despite debates over home advantage in the IPL, Gujarat Titans COO emphasizes that pitch conditions are standardized for all teams. Home advantage should stem from familiarity with the stadium and local conditions.
Aakash Chopra is surprised by BCCI's new rule requiring players to travel together for matches and practices. He suggests the rule may have been introduced due to past misuse. The rule follows a review meeting after India's loss to Australia. Players must get permission to travel separately. Chopra stresses accountability for past exceptions.
Life in Katra, Jammu, gets disrupted as Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti leads a 72-hour shutdown, protesting the proposed ropeway project. The agitators argue that the project threatens local livelihoods and traditional pilgrimage practices. Despite police intervention and detentions, the strike continues, with support from BJP and Congress factions.
Following a midnight intrusion at their Mumbai residence, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor requested paparazzi to avoid photographing their children, Jeh and Taimur, and not to gather outside their home due to security concerns. Saif suffered minor injuries, and the police are investigating. The family is implementing additional security measures for their safety.
President Donald Trump issued an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the 'Gulf of America' and declared February 9 as 'Gulf of America Day.' The change highlights the region's historical importance to the United States and directs the official transition to occur within 30 days.
Delhi airport has issued an advisory warning of possible flight disruptions due to low visibility caused by fog. Non-CAT III compliant flights may experience delays or cancellations. The airport's CAT III-enabled runway allows safe landings in severe fog. Passengers should check with airlines for updated flight information. The IMD forecasts denser fog and warns of further visibility issues.