England captain Ben Stokes and Australian batter Steve Smith expressed dissatisfaction with the Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch after England’s victory in the fourth Ashes Test. The match ended in less than two days, with 20 wickets falling on the first day and 16 more on the second before England sealed the win. Stokes said that although his team was proud of the win, the pitch’s behavior was not ideal for Test cricket, as it offered excessive assistance to bowlers and produced an unusually short match.

Smith echoed similar concerns, noting that the pitch provided too much movement throughout the game, preventing batters from settling. He suggested that reducing the grass length from 10 millimeters to 8 might help achieve better balance. The result gave England their first win in Australia in 15 years, but both captains agreed that the surface was overly bowler-friendly.

The debate over the Melbourne pitch has divided cricket fans, with some viewing it as a challenge for bowlers and others criticizing it for undermining the traditional endurance of Test cricket.

A 22-year-old Indian-origin student, Manoj Sai Lella, was arrested by Frisco police in Texas on December 22. He is a senior student at the University of Texas at Dallas. According to authorities, police responded to his home after family members reported a mental health-related incident and alleged threats. Officials stated that Lella had attempted to set fire to his home a few days earlier.

NDTV reported that Lella faces charges of arson with intent to damage a residence or place of worship, classified as a first-degree felony. He was also charged with making 'terroristic' threats against family or household members, a Class A misdemeanor. However, police clarified that no evidence indicated any threat toward a place of worship.

Court documents show that bail was set at 100,000 US dollars for the arson charge and 3,500 US dollars for the threat charge.

Tensions are reportedly rising between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top advisers to U.S. President Donald Trump. According to a report by Axios, Trump’s senior aides believe Netanyahu is deliberately undermining the Gaza peace process. The report states that frustration among Trump’s inner circle has grown as they suspect Netanyahu is taking active steps to delay the peace agreement and weaken the ceasefire.

The report names Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, peace envoy Steve Witkoff, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles as among those disappointed with Netanyahu. A White House official indicated that Netanyahu has largely lost the support of Trump’s core team, though Trump himself continues to back him and wants the agreement to move forward quickly.

Under Trump’s peace plan, the first phase of the ceasefire took effect on October 10, but Israel has reportedly failed to comply. Israeli forces have continued attacks in Gaza, with 412 people killed and 1,118 injured since the ceasefire began, according to TRT World.

A severe winter storm named Devin caused major travel disruptions across the United States on Friday, leading to the cancellation of 1,802 flights and delays to more than 22,000 others, according to Reuters. The storm struck during the Christmas holiday season, heavily affecting the northeastern region. The worst disruptions occurred at John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty, and LaGuardia airports, where more than half of all cancellations and delays were reported. JetBlue canceled 225 flights, Delta 212, Republic Airways 157, American Airlines 146, and United Airlines 97.

Airline representatives said ticket change fees were waived for affected passengers. JetBlue reported canceling about 350 flights over two days, mostly in the northeastern United States. The storm also impacted Boston, Chicago, and Toronto in Canada. Authorities declared states of emergency in parts of New Jersey and New York as the National Weather Service forecast four to five inches of snow from New Jersey through southern Connecticut.

By Friday evening, snowfall reached seven inches in New York’s Pawling and Wolcott and 6.5 inches in Waterbury, Connecticut, with snow, rain, and ice expected to continue into early Saturday.

England are edging toward victory in the low-scoring Melbourne Ashes Test, where bowlers have dominated all three completed innings. As of the latest report, England reached 77 for 2 in 12 overs, needing 98 more runs with eight wickets in hand to chase a target of 175. The match has seen no team surpass 150 runs in an innings so far.

Australia were bowled out for 132 in their second innings on the second day, undone by the pace attack of Brydon Carse and Ben Stokes. Carse took four wickets for 34 runs, while Stokes claimed three for 24. Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson added two and one wickets respectively, meaning all ten wickets fell to pace bowlers. Earlier, Australia had scored 152 in their first innings, with England replying with 110.

The report indicates that England, led by Stokes, are building resistance and moving steadily toward what could be their first win of the current Ashes series.

A powerful winter storm has disrupted daily life across the northeastern United States, prompting emergency declarations in parts of New York and New Jersey. The U.S. weather service forecasted between four and five inches of snow from New Jersey through New York City to southern Connecticut. As of Friday evening, heavy snow, rain, and ice were affecting the region and were expected to continue until early Saturday.

According to the weather department, by 8:15 p.m. Friday, seven inches of snow had been recorded in Pawling, New York, 6.5 inches in Waterbury, Connecticut, and seven inches in Wolcott, New York. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in more than half of the state, covering 36 counties, including all five boroughs of New York City.

Forecasts indicated that snow would persist through Saturday morning, with the Mid-Hudson, New York City, and Long Island areas expected to see the heaviest accumulation. Snowfall could reach 4 to 8 inches in many areas, with some places seeing up to a foot, raising concerns about power outages and accidents.

On the opening day of the Boxing Day Ashes Test in Melbourne, a total of 20 wickets fell as Australia took a narrow lead. England’s Josh Tongue produced a five-wicket haul to bowl out Australia for 152 runs in their first innings. However, England’s batting collapsed even more dramatically, managing only 110 runs in reply. By the end of the day, Australia reached 4 without loss in their second innings, leading by 46 runs overall.

Australia’s innings unraveled early, losing wickets rapidly after reaching 27 runs. Michael Neser top-scored with 35, while Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey contributed 29 and 20 respectively. For England, Harry Brook scored 41, Gus Atkinson added 28, and captain Ben Stokes made 16, but the rest fell cheaply. Australia’s Michael Neser took four wickets, Scott Boland three, and Mitchell Starc two.

The first day’s play left Australia in a stronger position, holding a modest but valuable lead heading into the second day of the Test.

Imran Ahmed, a British national and head of the U.S.-based Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration in a New York district court. Ahmed described the U.S. visa ban imposed on him as unconstitutional and an attempt to expel him from the country. The State Department recently announced that five European figures involved in technology regulation, including Ahmed, would be denied visas, accusing them of pressuring U.S. social media platforms to censor views they dislike.

The European Union and several member states have strongly condemned the decision, pledging to defend Europe’s regulatory autonomy. Ahmed, a U.S. green card holder and permanent resident, named Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as defendants. A district judge has temporarily barred his arrest or detention, with a follow-up hearing scheduled for next Monday.

The State Department has maintained its position, stating that the Supreme Court and Congress have repeatedly affirmed that the U.S. has no obligation to allow foreign nationals to enter or reside in the country.

The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to detain around 80,000 undocumented migrants in large warehouse facilities across the United States, according to a draft plan obtained by The Washington Post. The initiative, led by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), includes the establishment of at least 22 detention warehouses nationwide, marking one of the largest expansions of migrant detention infrastructure in U.S. history.

The plan outlines the conversion of industrial warehouses in key states such as Texas, Virginia, Louisiana, Arizona, Georgia, and Missouri into holding centers. Seven major facilities would each accommodate between 5,000 and 10,000 detainees, while 15 smaller centers would hold 500 to 1,500 people each. The move follows a record-high detention rate, with more than 70,000 migrants currently in custody.

Critics have raised concerns over human rights and logistical feasibility, while supporters argue it strengthens border enforcement. The proposal signals a continuation of President Trump’s hardline immigration stance during his second term, with further deportation operations expected in the coming months.

A new survey by Russia’s state-owned polling agency VTsIOM reveals that most Russians believe the war in Ukraine will conclude in 2026. The optimism stems from Russia’s recent battlefield advances and intensified diplomatic efforts between Moscow and Kyiv to reach a ceasefire agreement. The poll, conducted among 1,600 respondents, found that 55% expect the conflict to end next year, while 70% foresee 2026 as a more successful year for Russia overall.

VTsIOM’s deputy head, Mikhail Mamonov, noted that the positive outlook is linked to President Vladimir Putin’s recent remarks suggesting the “special military operation” could soon align with national interests and approach resolution. Despite ongoing economic and social challenges, the survey indicates a shift in public sentiment toward cautious optimism about the future.

Analysts suggest the findings reflect a combination of war fatigue and growing expectations for stability. However, observers warn that the path to peace remains uncertain, dependent on both battlefield dynamics and diplomatic negotiations in the coming months.

Russia’s state space agency Roscosmos has announced plans to construct a nuclear power plant on the Moon by 2036. The facility is expected to supply electricity to Russia’s lunar exploration program and a planned joint Russia-China research base. The project will be developed in partnership with the Lavochkin Association, with participation from the state nuclear corporation Rosatom and the Kurchatov Institute, Russia’s leading nuclear research center.

The initiative marks Moscow’s renewed ambition to regain prominence in space exploration after setbacks such as the crash of its Luna-25 lander in 2023. Roscosmos described the proposed power plant as a critical step toward establishing a sustainable lunar presence. Although the agency did not explicitly confirm the plant’s nuclear nature, the involvement of major nuclear institutions strongly indicates that direction.

Analysts view the project as part of Russia’s broader strategy to compete with the United States and China in lunar development. If successful, it could enable long-term human and robotic operations on the Moon, though technical and financial challenges remain significant.

A bomb explosion outside a police station in Moscow early Wednesday killed three people, including two traffic police officers. According to Russia’s Investigative Committee, the blast occurred on Yeletskaya Street when officers approached a suspicious man who then detonated an explosive device. The incident follows a car bomb attack two days earlier in the same area that killed Russian Army General Fanil Sarvarov.

Authorities have not yet confirmed who was behind the latest explosion, though previous similar attacks in Russia have been linked to alleged Ukrainian intelligence involvement. The deceased officers were aged 24 and 25, and one reportedly leaves behind a wife and a nine-month-old child. The attack has prompted heightened security measures across Moscow.

The explosion underscores growing security concerns in the Russian capital amid ongoing regional tensions and recent high-profile attacks. Investigators are working to determine whether the two incidents are connected as Moscow tightens surveillance around police and military facilities.

A US federal court has upheld President Donald Trump’s executive order raising the H-1B visa application fee to $100,000, rejecting a lawsuit filed by attorneys general from 20 states. The challengers argued that the fee increase was excessive, unlawful, and harmful to both applicants and the US labor market. The 56-page ruling, issued by Judge Beryl Howell, affirms the administration’s authority to adjust visa fees when deemed necessary for economic or national security reasons.

Judge Howell acknowledged that the decision could negatively impact American businesses and universities that rely on skilled foreign workers. Critics of the H-1B program have long claimed it undermines opportunities for US workers, while supporters argue it helps attract top global talent essential for innovation and competitiveness.

The ruling marks a significant policy win for Trump’s immigration agenda, though it may face further appeals. Industry groups and academic institutions are expected to lobby for revisions, warning of potential talent shortages and economic repercussions.

The US State Department has announced visa bans on five European figures, including former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, accusing them of aiding censorship and exerting pressure on free expression. Breton, who helped design the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), was cited for his role in shaping online content moderation rules. Others sanctioned include leaders from the UK-based Global Disinformation Index and Germany’s HateAid.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the individuals and organizations acted as tools of foreign censorship campaigns targeting American speakers and companies. Breton dismissed the move as politically motivated harassment, arguing that Washington’s understanding of censorship is misplaced. European officials have rejected claims that the DSA suppresses political speech.

The decision has drawn criticism from conservative US groups, who claim it punishes right-wing viewpoints. Analysts warn the dispute could strain transatlantic cooperation on digital regulation and free speech standards, as both sides accuse each other of politicizing online governance.

Russian authorities reported that Ukraine launched a major overnight drone assault targeting Moscow and surrounding regions, including the Tula industrial zone where a fire broke out. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said at least three drones approaching the capital were shot down, and emergency services were deployed to affected areas. No immediate casualties or damage were reported.

Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that its air defense systems destroyed 172 Ukrainian drones overnight, with nearly half intercepted near border regions. Two of Moscow’s four main airports temporarily restricted operations following the attacks. Tula Governor Dmitry Milyaev confirmed that debris from a downed drone caused a fire at an industrial facility, though details about the site or damage remain undisclosed.

The incident marks another escalation in Ukraine’s long-range drone campaign targeting Russian military, energy, and logistics infrastructure. Kyiv maintains that such strikes are a defensive response to Russia’s continued assaults on Ukrainian territory, signaling the deepening technological and strategic dimensions of the conflict.