The Melbourne Cricket Ground's pitch during the Ashes 2025-26 Boxing Day Test was rated 'unsatisfactory' by the ICC due to excessive seam movement and poor batting conditions, resulting in a demerit point for the venue and marking the first time an Australian pitch has been deemed substandard under the current system.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground's pitch for the Boxing Day Test was heavily criticized after a two-day match that saw 36 wickets fall, resulting in England's first win in Australia since 2011 and a significant revenue loss for Cricket Australia. Pitch curator Matthew Fox expressed shock and disappointment, noting the unusual and unpredictable nature of the match, which was influenced by the grass length and weather conditions. The event has prompted reviews and discussions about pitch preparation and future testing strategies.
England achieved a historic first Test win in Australia since 2011, defeating Australia in a two-day match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, marking a significant milestone in their cricket rivalry after 18 attempts. The match was notable for its short duration, unconventional play, and the emotional victory for captain Ben Stokes and his team, amidst challenging pitch conditions and injuries to key players.
Gus Atkinson of England injured his hamstring during the fourth Ashes Test at the MCG, adding to England's injury woes in the series, which already includes key fast bowlers. He was replaced by Ollie Pope after feeling soreness while bowling.
The first day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne was chaotic with 20 wickets falling, largely due to the Melbourne groundsman's decision to leave 10mm of grass on the pitch, which many experts and former players criticized for favoring bowlers and making batting difficult, sparking controversy over pitch preparation and its impact on the game.
An elderly woman in East Los Angeles was scammed by con artists who stole her necklace containing her late daughter's ashes after asking for prayers and pretending to need help, highlighting a heartbreaking theft of sentimental value.
Australia secured a 14-4 victory over England in the second Test of the Ashes series, extending their winning streak to 14 consecutive series wins, and making the upcoming third Test a dead rubber as Australia aims for a series sweep.
Suge Knight claims that Tupac's friends and family smoked his cremated remains in a symbolic gesture, with Knight himself abstaining due to legal concerns, following Tupac's death in 1996.
A Chicago man's attempt to honor his space-loving father by sending his ashes into orbit ended in disappointment when the capsule was lost during reentry due to parachute failure, dispersing the remains at sea. The mission was part of Celestis' memorial spaceflight services, which have been growing in popularity as a unique way to memorialize loved ones with an interest in space.
The docudrama "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans" reveals the surprising auction of Truman Capote's ashes by his confidant Joanne Carson after her death, with the remains selling for close to $44,000. Carson had kept the ashes in a wooden box and considered them a source of comfort, even taking them with her when she traveled. Despite ethical concerns, the auctioneers decided to include the ashes in Carson's estate auction, ultimately attracting significant attention. However, it's important to note that only Carson's portion of Capote's remains was auctioned, as a large amount of his ashes were interred in a Los Angeles cemetery.
The Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has stated that, under certain conditions, Catholics may keep a small portion of a loved one's ashes in a personal place of significance. The request must be evaluated by ecclesiastical authority, and the family must reject any misunderstandings related to pantheism, naturalism, or nihilism. The ashes should be kept in a sacred place, and the Church emphasizes the importance of sacred respect towards the deceased. The commingled ashes of baptized individuals can also be set aside in a permanent sacred place. The Vatican's regulations on the preservation of cremated ashes, including the prohibition of spreading ashes, remain valid. The Church believes in the bodily resurrection of the dead, even if the body has been destroyed or dispersed, and the conservation of ashes helps prevent the deceased from being forgotten or shown disrespect.
The Vatican has eased its rules on the storage of cremated ashes, stating that a small part of the ashes may be kept in a place that was significant to the deceased, rather than in a church or cemetery. However, the remaining ashes must still be kept in a sacred place to ensure they are not excluded from prayers and remembrance. The Vatican's doctrinal office emphasized that anti-Christian practices must be ruled out, and the identity of each deceased must be marked if their ashes are mixed in a common urn. The Catholic Church has historically frowned upon cremation, but the ban was lifted in 1963.
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, a Vatican office, has responded to questions posed by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi regarding the disposition of cremated remains. The Dicastery affirms that it is possible to create a sacred place for the accumulation and preservation of ashes, similar to ossuaries, and that family members may be allowed to keep a portion of the ashes in a place significant to the deceased. The response emphasizes the importance of respecting the remains of the deceased and the Christian belief in the resurrection of the body. The ecclesiastical authority will assess and consider such requests, ensuring they align with both canonical and civil norms.
Sandra Bullock is reportedly planning to scatter the ashes of her late partner, Bryan Randall, at the luxury resort Three Bees in Harbor Island, Bahamas. The resort held special significance for the couple, who would spend weeks there together with their children and friends. The decision to say goodbye to Randall at Three Bees was an easy one for Bullock, as it was also the location of their commitment ceremony. After a three-year battle with ALS, Randall passed away at the age of 57.
Stuart Broad, one of England's greatest cricketers, announced his retirement from Test cricket on the fourth day of the final Ashes Test. The day started with anticipation and celebration for Broad's farewell, but as the match progressed, it became clear that the perfect ending was not guaranteed. Broad hit a six off his last ball in Test cricket, but his bowling performance was lackluster as Australia built a solid partnership. Rain eventually led to the abandonment of play, leaving the outcome of the series uncertain.