South Africa aim to secure a semifinal berth in the Champions Trophy against an already eliminated England. Key players like Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma are in form, bolstering the Proteas' chances. Despite their inconsistency, they hold a strong position. Meanwhile, England look to finish their campaign positively despite recent struggles.
Ahead of India's crucial ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against New Zealand, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate addressed the team’s wicketkeeping choice between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. While Rahul has performed well in key moments, ten Doeschate emphasised the importance of keeping Pant ready. Rahul admitted to feeling the pressure with Pant waiting in the wings.
Ryan ten Doeschate, India's assistant coach, admitted the unexpected reliance on spin in the ICC Champions Trophy, highlighting spin-friendly Dubai pitches and their impact on scoring trends. Emphasising adaptability, he noted competitive scores around 280-290. Ryan also spoke on gaining player trust and consistent communication within the coaching team led by Gautam Gambhir.
Leicester's relegation fears increased with a 2-0 loss to West Ham, who climbed to 15th place. Goals from Tomas Soucek and an own goal by Jannik Vestergaard secured West Ham's win. Leicester slumps to 19th place, five points from safety, making their relegation to the Championship increasingly likely.
Afghanistan aim for a historic Champions Trophy semi-final berth with a win against Australia in Lahore. Fresh from their victory over England, Afghanistan's confidence is high. Star batter Ibrahim Zadran's performance will be crucial. Meanwhile, Pakistan's title defense ends in disappointment after their match against Bangladesh was washed out, finishing last in Group A.
Pakistan's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 journey ended disappointingly as their match against Bangladesh was rained out. Captain Mohammad Rizwan cited injuries to key players like Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman as a major factor in their poor performance and emphasized the need for improvement in domestic cricket for future success.
Ashleigh Gardner's brilliant 58 off 31 balls and economical bowling of 1/22 led Gujarat Giants to a six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women's Premier League. The Giants restricted RCB to 125/7, with key bowling performances from Deandra Dottin and Tanuja Kanwar. Gardner's aggressive batting ensured an easy chase in 16.3 overs.
Nat Sciver-Brunt's unbeaten 75 led Mumbai Indians to their third consecutive win in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025, defeating UP Warriorz by eight wickets. Sciver-Brunt's career-best bowling figures of 3-18 restricted Warriorz to 142/9. Her formidable partnership with Hayley Matthews, who scored 59, was pivotal in securing the chase with three balls to spare.
Rachin Ravindra shines for New Zealand with a crucial century in the Champions Trophy, showcased his calm approach under pressure. His ability to handle spin, highlighted by his performance in India, will be tested against India's spin-heavy attack in the upcoming match in Dubai. Coach Sriram Krishnamurthy praises Rachin's resilience and mental strength post-injury.
Former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria commended India's bowling talent development, highlighting players like Sai Kishore and fast bowlers such as Mayank Yadav and Umran Malik. Kaneria noted that India's focus on basics at academies like MRF Pace Academy is producing great talent consistently.
Rain forced the cancellation of the ICC Champions Trophy match between Australia and South Africa in Rawalpindi after the field was not fully covered. Mohammad Kaif criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board for mismanagement of ICC funds. Both teams shared points, with South Africa leading Group B.
Delhi Capitals achieved a convincing six-wicket victory over Gujarat Giants in the Women's Premier League, led by Shafali Verma's 44 and Jess Jonassen's unbeaten 61. Successfully chasing 127 in 15.1 overs, a 74-run stand between Verma and Jonassen was pivotal. Earlier, Delhi's bowlers restricted Gujarat to 127, spearheaded by Marizanne Kapp, Shikha Pandey, and Annabel Sutherland.
Australia and South Africa, two strong batting teams, face off in Rawalpindi on Tuesday for a spot in the Champions Trophy semifinals. Despite missing key bowlers, Australia impressed with their historic chase against England. South Africa's Ryan Rickleton is confident after his century against Afghanistan, while Kagiso Rabada leads their potent pace attack.
New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra made a triumphant return from a bizarre on-field injury, scoring a match-winning 112 in a victory over Bangladesh to secure a spot in the Champions Trophy semi-finals. His crucial partnership with Tom Latham helped eliminate Bangladesh and Pakistan from the competition.
Sophie Ecclestone's all-around brilliance led UP Warriorz to a thrilling victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the first-ever Super Over of the Women's Premier League. Ecclestone's 33 off 19 balls and excellent bowling helped her team tie the match before sealing the win in the Super Over, giving up only four runs against RCB's nine-run target.
Rachin Ravindra's brilliant century helped New Zealand secure a five-wicket win over Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy, confirming semifinal spots for both India and New Zealand while eliminating Pakistan and Bangladesh. Michael Bracewell's impressive four-wicket haul limited Bangladesh to 236, with Ravindra and Tom Latham leading New Zealand's successful chase.
India captain Rohit Sharma dismissed concerns about his hamstring after taking a break during India's crucial six-wicket win over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy. Virat Kohli's 51st ODI century drove India to victory, while bowlers like Kuldeep and Axar played a key role in restricting Pakistan to 241.
India secured a crucial victory against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy, boosting their semifinal chances. Shreyas Iyer's pivotal 56 runs and Kohli's century were key contributors. Iyer praised the team's strategy and spinners' performance while dismissing injury concerns for Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami.
India have improved their chances for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finals after a decisive win over Pakistan, yet they need another victory against New Zealand for assurance. Pakistan face an uphill battle, requiring a win over Bangladesh and favorable other results to remain in contention.
India's emphatic six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy, highlighted by Virat Kohli’s unbeaten ton, sparked joy on social media. Kohli surpassed 14,000 ODI runs, leading India to a win with 45 balls to spare. Fans and celebrities celebrated the triumph, while Pakistan face an uncertain path ahead in the tournament.
India face a grudge match against Pakistan in the upcoming game, with memories of the 2017 Champions Trophy final still vivid. The conditions in Dubai are favorable for India, who have a strong spin lineup, while Pakistan's pace attack is less formidable without Mohammed Amir. India's form and conditions make Pakistan the clear underdogs.
India, coming off a strong win against Bangladesh, faces Pakistan in a crucial Champions Trophy match. With Shubman Gill in exceptional form and Mohammed Shami regaining his prowess, India seems poised for victory. Pakistan, struggling with key injuries and a recent loss to New Zealand, must win this game to stay in the tournament.
UP Warriorz Women defeated Delhi Capitals Women by 33 runs in the Women's Premier League 2025 thanks to Chinelle Henry's 62 runs and Kranti Goud’s 4-wicket haul. Grace Harris delivered a hat-trick in the final over. Despite early pressure, UP posted 177-9 and bowled out Delhi for 144, securing their first victory.
India and Pakistan cricket rivalry shaped some of the most memorable moments in ODIs through the 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s. The fantasy XI includes legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Imran Khan, and Wasim Akram, celebrating those who had the most significant impact in these head-to-head encounters.
England and Australia face off in the Champions Trophy opener, with both teams looking to recover from recent ODI setbacks. Key players are missing for Australia, while England aims to leverage their pace attack and proven batsmen for a strong start in the tournament.
MS Dhoni, 43, remains committed to the Indian Premier League, feeling capable of rigorous training for six to eight months to perform at the highest level. Despite retiring from international cricket, Dhoni's dedication to fitness and the game continues as he leads Chennai Super Kings, emphasizing the importance of effort and enjoyment.
Harmanpreet Kaur and Amanjot Kaur led Mumbai Indians to a thrilling four-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a Women's Premier League match. Notable contributions came from Ellyse Perry for RCB and crucial partnerships during MI's chase ensured their win.A rise in microplastic contamination in human brain tissue has been reported, with findings indicating an increase over recent years. Concerns about potential health impacts have been raised, as microplastics and nanoplastics have been detected in significant amounts. Research suggests that individuals with dementia had even higher concentrations, though the causation remains unclear. While the presence of these particles has been established, debates around research methodology and the accuracy of findings continue within the scientific community.
According to a study published in Nature Medicine on February 3, the concentration of microplastics in human brain tissue has risen by approximately 50 percent between 2016 and 2024. Researchers found that in those who had died with dementia, microplastic levels were nearly six times higher than in individuals without the condition. Comparisons with samples dating from 1997 to 2013 showed a continuous rise in microplastic accumulation over time.
The study examined brain, liver, and kidney tissue from 28 people who died in 2016 and 24 individuals from 2024. The highest concentrations were found in brain tissue, with microplastic levels ranging from seven to 30 times greater than in the kidney and liver. The presence of polyethylene, commonly used in food packaging, was most notable, accounting for 75 percent of the detected plastics.
In an email to Live Science, study co-author Matthew Campen, a toxicologist at the University of New Mexico, stated that the accumulation of microplastics could potentially disrupt blood flow in brain capillaries or interfere with neural connections. While concerns about links to dementia exist, no direct causation has been established.
Skepticism regarding the study's methodology has been expressed by some scientists. Speaking to Live Science, Oliver Jones, a professor of chemistry at RMIT University in Melbourne, questioned whether the results were biologically plausible. He pointed out that the main analytical method used, pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, might have led to overestimated plastic concentrations due to interference from brain fats.
Despite these concerns, toxicologist Emma Kasteel from Utrecht University, in a statement to Live Science, stated that while the exact levels may be uncertain, the confirmed presence of microplastics in the brain warrants further investigation.
Shubman Gill's unbeaten 101 guided India to an easy six-wicket win over Bangladesh in their Champions Trophy opener. Gill described the knock as one of his most satisfying and acknowledged the importance of staying till the end to secure the victory.
With the Champions Trophy format allowing little room for error, India's big stars, led by Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, face Bangladesh in their opening Group-A match in Dubai. Hosts Pakistan, meanwhile, opened the tournament with a defeat against New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday and will face India on February 23 in a must-win game.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni emphasizes the importance of self-discipline, a principle central to his cricketing success. Retired since 2020, Dhoni encourages young cricketers to prioritise their sport, just as he did. Post-retirement, Dhoni continues to enjoy cricket, reminiscing his innocent childhood passion for the game. Despite having retired from international cricket, Dhoni still continues to wins the hearts of all cricket lovers in the Indian Premier League where he plays for the Chennai Super Kings.
Captain Meg Lanning's stellar 69 off 49 balls led Delhi Capitals to a seven-wicket victory over UP Warriorz in the Women's Premier League (WPL). Chasing 166, Lanning was supported by Annabel Sutherland's unbeaten 41 and Marizanne Kapp's 19 not out. Despite Kiran Navgire’s explosive 51, UP Warriorz’s total proved insufficient against Delhi's strong batting performance.
Novak Djokovic's return from injury ended with a defeat against Matteo Berrettini at the Qatar Open, as the Italian won 7-6 (7/4), 6-2. Djokovic admitted he was outplayed despite being pain-free.
The Champions Trophy begins today with Pakistan facing New Zealand in Karachi. The tournament, last held in 2017, has the defending champions hosting the event. Matches will take place across three cities in Pakistan, while the Indian team is set up in Dubai after their refusal to travel to Pakistan.Satellites equipped with solar sails may soon improve early warnings for space weather events that could disrupt technological infrastructure on Earth. These sails, which harness light from the sun for propulsion, are being explored as a cost-effective alternative to traditional propulsion systems. Scientists believe this advancement could enhance monitoring of solar activity and provide earlier alerts for geomagnetic storms, reducing potential risks to power grids, satellites, GPS systems, and air traffic operations. Current space weather forecasting systems operate from a fixed point in space, but solar sail technology could allow satellites to move beyond conventional locations for improved data collection.
As reported by space.com, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Office of Space Weather Observations, which manages operational satellite systems, solar sails could allow spacecraft to travel beyond the Earth-sun Lagrange Point One (L1). This location, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, provides a stable position for solar observation. Irfan Azeem, Division Chief of the Research to Operations and Project Planning Division at NOAA, told Space.com that solar sails present a more efficient alternative to chemical propulsion, enabling satellites to move upstream of L1 for faster data retrieval. This could extend alert times for geomagnetic storms by up to 50 percent.
A project named Solar Cruiser, a collaboration between NOAA and NASA, is focused on developing a full-scale solar sail spacecraft. The sail, spanning 1,653 square metres, is designed to be deployed with four individual quadrants. NOAA has reported that the construction of the quadrants is expected to be completed by February 2026, with plans to secure a rideshare launch by 2029. Scientists are optimistic about the impact of this technology in space weather forecasting, as it could provide earlier detection of solar flares and coronal mass ejections, ultimately improving preparedness for disruptive space weather events.
Nat Sciver-Brunt's stellar performance in both batting and bowling led the Mumbai Indians to a five-wicket win against Gujarat Giants in the Women's Premier League. Sciver-Brunt claimed two wickets and scored 57 runs off 39 balls. Key contributions by teammates further restricted Gujarat Giants to 120 runs, securing an easy chase for Mumbai.
Barcelona reached the top of La Liga after defeating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 with a Robert Lewandowski penalty. This victory came following recent draws by Madrid clubs. Barcelona had been behind by seven points just weeks earlier. The match featured strong performances by both teams and ended Rayo’s 10-match unbeaten streak.
The BCCI has released Team India's official jerseys for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, featuring star players including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The Indian squad will miss Jasprit Bumrah due to injury, with Harshit Rana named as his replacement. India will start their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai.
Smriti Mandhana's explosive 81 off 47 balls and a solid 107-run stand with Danni Wyatt-Hodge propelled RCB to a commanding eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League. Renuka Singh and Georgia Wareham led RCB's strong bowling performance, dismissing Delhi for 141. RCB now leads the league with two wins in two matches.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh downplays the hype around the upcoming India-Pakistan clash in the ICC Champions Trophy, asserting India's superiority due to their stronger squad. He highlights India's key players' form and Pakistan's inconsistency, predicting a one-sided match. Harbhajan also sees Afghanistan as potential strong contenders in the tournament.
Tottenham's 1-0 win over Manchester United, thanks to James Maddison's early goal, lifted Spurs to 12th place and eased pressure on manager Postecoglou. Manchester United, plagued by injuries and lacking offensive punch, slipped to 15th. Fans protested against Tottenham's chairman Levy, demanding change. Key players returned for Spurs, while United struggled with a youthful bench.
Virat Kohli and the Indian cricket team engaged in their first training session in Dubai ahead of the Champions Trophy. Despite an intense practice, Kohli maintained his routine by arranging a post-session meal. A concerning moment arose when a Pandya slash injured Rishabh Pant's knee, but he continued to bat with determination.
Ashleigh Gardner's all-round performance led Gujarat Giants to a six-wicket victory against UP Warriorz in the Women's Premier League. Gardner's contributions with 2 for 39 in bowling and a swift 32-ball 52 in batting were pivotal. Priya Mishra's 3 for 25 and essential partnerships propelled Gujarat to chase down 143 with two overs remaining.
Australian cricket star Steve Smith expressed confidence that spinner Matt Kuhnemann will pass biomechanical tests on his bowling action despite being reported during a Test match against Sri Lanka. Despite surprise and confusion from Australian officials, Kuhnemann is set to undergo testing within 10 days and remains eligible for domestic cricket.
Salman Ali Agha, vice-captain of the Pakistan cricket team, highlights the significance of winning the Champions Trophy over simply beating India. He expresses confidence in Pakistan's ability to secure the title. Acknowledging the excitement of the India-Pakistan clash, Salman emphasises focusing on the bigger goal of lifting the Champions Trophy.
Arsenal's Mikel Merino scored twice in the final minutes to secure a 2-0 win over Leicester, narrowing the gap with Premier League leaders Liverpool. Meanwhile, Omar Marmoush's hat-trick led Manchester City to a 4-0 victory against Newcastle. Other notable results included wins for Bournemouth, Everton, and Brentford, while Nottingham Forest and Ipswich faced setbacks.
Delhi Capitals secured a two-wicket win against Mumbai Indians in the Women's Premier League. Chasing 165, Delhi reached the target on the last ball, with Shafali Verma and Niki Prasad making notable contributions. Shikha Pandey led the bowling attack with crucial wickets. Despite Nat Sciver-Brunt's unbeaten 80, Mumbai fell short, bowled out for 164.
Srinagar Ke Veer reached the ISPL season 2 final by defeating Falcon Risers Hyderabad by eight wickets. Sagar Ali’s unbeaten 53 off 26 balls, including five sixes, was crucial. Despite early setbacks, Sagar and Sanskar Dhyani's 64-run partnership clinched the win. Hyderabad’s Mansoor KL scored 46 not out, recovering the team from 24 for 5.A specialised form of cellulose produced by bacteria has been found to enhance wound healing and regeneration in plants. Research indicates that when applied as a bandage to plant wounds, this bacterial cellulose significantly improves recovery rates, potentially offering new solutions for agricultural applications. The material, already used in medical treatments for humans, has shown effectiveness in boosting the natural regenerative processes of plants. Scientists are exploring its possible role in improving grafting techniques, preserving cut plant materials, and accelerating root development in laboratory settings.
According to research published in Science Advances, bacterial cellulose patches were tested on the leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis thaliana to assess their role in plant healing. The study found that over 80 percent of treated wounds had completely healed within a week, whereas fewer than 20 percent of untreated wounds showed similar recovery. Microscopic analysis indicated that wounds covered with the bacterial cellulose bandage displayed healthier tissue structures, while untreated ones exhibited dehydration and stress symptoms.
Experiments also revealed that bacterial cellulose facilitated faster regeneration in plant cuttings. In laboratory trials, plant segments placed on bacterial cellulose patches developed roots and leaves more quickly than those left untreated or those placed on patches made from plant-derived cellulose. This observation suggests that bacterial cellulose provides a distinct advantage in vegetative propagation, an essential process in plant research and agriculture.
Chemical analysis detected the presence of plant hormones within the bacterial cellulose, likely secreted by the bacteria responsible for its synthesis. Despite sterilisation procedures meant to prevent contamination, these hormones remained bioactive. Núria Sánchez Coll, a plant biologist at the Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics in Barcelona, told Science News that the cellulose structure's density may have preserved these hormones, allowing them to retain their biological function.
The study also found that bacterial cellulose triggered a unique genetic response in plants, differing from standard wound healing processes. Specific genes associated with healing were suppressed, while others linked to infection resistance were activated. Researchers believe this response may be influenced by the presence of bacterial hormones and the plant's defensive reaction to the bacterial cellulose.
Anna Roig, a materials scientist at the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona, stated in Science News that while bacterial cellulose has been widely used in human medicine, this study marks the first time its direct biological effects on plants have been documented. Javier AgustÃ, a plant scientist at the Institute for Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology in Valencia, emphasised in Science News that further research on real crops is necessary to evaluate its practical applications. Early findings indicate that bacterial cellulose could be beneficial for grafting, improving plant tissue preservation, and serving as a growth medium in laboratory environments. Research groups are now investigating whether similar processes could enhance other plant regeneration mechanisms.
New Zealand triumphed over Pakistan by five wickets in the tri-nations series final, with key performances from bowler Will O'Rourke, who took four wickets, and batsmen Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham, who both scored half centuries. New Zealand chased down Pakistan's total of 242 in 45.2 overs, securing victory at Karachi's National Stadium.JioHotstar, the new streaming platform created by bringing together JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, was launched by JioStar on Friday. The newly created platform will host the entire content library of both the over-the-top (OTT) platforms. Apart from shows and movies from the two merging entities, the platform will also host content from various international studios and streaming platforms. The JV has also announced a free tier for the streaming service. Notably, the JioStar joint venture was formed in November 2024 after the successful merger of Viacom18 and Star India.
In a press release, JioStar announced the launch of JioHotstar and shared details about the new streaming platform. The company said the new platform will feature roughly 300,000 hours of content as well as live sports coverage.
At launch, the platform will have a total user base of more than 50 crore by combining the users on both platforms. However, it is not clear whether the claimed number excludes duplicate accounts (people with both JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar accounts). The new platform also gets a new logo, which is essentially the word JioHotstar alongside an asymmetrical seven-pointed star.
JioHotstar will be free to access and watch content for now. Users will not need a subscription to watch shows, movies, or live sports. However, it is unclear if certain content will be behind a paywall. The JV added that there are subscription plans for those “looking for an uninterrupted and enhanced experience.” This likely means that paying subscribers will not be shown ads, and they can stream the shows at a higher resolution.
Coming to subscriptions, existing subscribers of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar will automatically be transitioned to the new platform. The company said these users will be able to set up their JioHotstar subscriptions when logging in the first time. New subscribers can browse through the platform's new plans starting at Rs. 149.
JioHotstar will feature content in 10 Indian languages across a wide range of genres and content formats. Viewers will be able to watch movies, shows, anime, documentaries, live sporting events, and more. The company also said the platform will showcase international premieres. Additionally, JioHotstar will also feature content from Disney, NBCUniversal Peacock, Warner Bros., Discovery HBO, and Paramount.
The platform is also introducing a flagship initiative dubbed Sparks, which will spotlight “India's biggest digital creators” through unique formats.
The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League will kick off on March 22 with an opening match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens. Rajat Patidar named as RCB's new captain. The final is set for May 25 in Kolkata, with additional venues in Guwahati and Dharamsala included this season like last year.
Coach Gautam Gambhir believes that fast bowlers like Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana have significant opportunities with Jasprit Bumrah out of India's Champions Trophy squad. Despite Bumrah's absence due to injury, India's morale remains high ahead of the competition starting February 19, following a convincing 3-0 series win against England.A significant increase in global rocket launches was observed in 2024, with 259 recorded liftoffs. This marked the fourth consecutive year of growth in spaceflight activity, with launch attempts occurring approximately every 34 hours. Multiple factors contributed to this rise, including increased commercial satellite deployments, national security initiatives, and a growing emphasis on independent launch capabilities across several nations. Industry experts predict an even busier year ahead as new rockets and commercial projects enter service.
According to The Space Report, a publication by the Space Foundation, the expansion of global launch operations is expected to continue in 2025. The report highlighted a strong performance by SpaceX, which conducted 132 Falcon 9 launches last year, making up over half of global launches. A significant portion of these missions supported the expansion of the company's Starlink network, which now serves millions of customers worldwide.
As reported by space.com, military satellite deployments also saw a notable surge, with an 86 percent increase recorded. SpaceX launched over 100 satellites for the U.S. military's Starshield constellation, a classified network aimed at enhancing national security. The U.S. remained the dominant force in space launches, surpassing China's activity by a ratio of more than 2-to-1. Meanwhile, Russia significantly increased its satellite deployments, with 98 new spacecraft placed in orbit, many focused on maritime monitoring and security operations.
Multiple new rockets are set to enter service this year, further accelerating launch rates. Blue Origin's New Glenn successfully reached orbit last month, positioning itself as a competitor to SpaceX's Falcon 9. The vehicle is expected to play a key role in Amazon's Project Kuiper, which aims to establish a satellite internet network similar to Starlink.
Sierra Space is preparing for the first flight of its Dream Chaser spaceplane, expected to reach the International Space Station aboard a Vulcan rocket no earlier than May. Rocket Lab's partially reusable Neutron rocket is scheduled for its first flight in mid-2025.
The Federal Communications Commission has introduced a streamlined regulatory framework to accelerate commercial space activities. Additional spectrum allocation and revised licensing procedures are expected to ease restrictions on private sector launches.
European nations are also making progress in independent launch capabilities. French company Latitude is set to launch its Zephyr rocket, while Germany's Rocket Factory Augsburg is working on its RFA One rocket. The U.K.'s Orbex and Scotland-based Skyrora are both advancing their respective small launch vehicle projects, with maiden flights anticipated later this year.
In Australia, Gilmour Space is preparing for the inaugural flight of its Eris rocket, marking the first locally built launch vehicle to operate from Australian soil. Industry experts emphasise that these developments reflect a broader trend of countries striving for sovereign access to space through smaller, dedicated launch vehicles.
Mitchell Starc has withdrawn from the ICC Champions Trophy for personal reasons, leaving Australia without their top fast bowlers. Steve Smith will captain the team, which includes next-generation quicks like Spencer Johnson and Nathan Ellis. Starc's departure is supported by Cricket Australia, though the exact reasons remain undisclosed.