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Rain ends Kolkata Knight Rider’s playoff hopes and extends pause on IPL 2025
Kolkata Knight Riders’ title defence ended with a washout in Bengaluru knocking them out of IPL 2025. The tournament’s return after a break because of tensions between India and Pakistan was a wet one as heavy rains lashed the city. The downpour was so consistent the players couldn’t even come out to stretch.
The one point from this match took KKR to 12, which means the maximum they can get to is 14.Three teams are already past 14, and there is a match remaining between the ones at 14and 13.
The one point also confirmed progress for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but they were looking to maximise points in order to seal a top-two spot. They moved to 17 from 12 matches. Their closest rivals were Gujarat Titans with 16 from 11 matches and Punjab Kings with 15 from 11.
A top-two finish ensures two shots at making the final of the IPL. Unlike the usual semi-final formation, sides finishing in the top two don’t get knocked out with their first defeat in the playoffs. They get a chance to play a virtual semi-final against the winner of a playoff match between the third- and fourth-placed teams.
Only once has a side finishing outside the top two gone on to win the IPL: Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016.
It was a frustrating night out for Virat Kohli fans, who came out in whites to pay tribute to Kohli, who announced his Test retirement during this break. They will be hoping for better luck with the weather on Friday as the rainy season in Bengaluru has kicked in, and RCB still have one home match to go. The said match is against Sunrisers, a team that has already been knocked out. They will want to have a shot at two points against them.
[Cricinfo]
The United States Coast Guard has said it has suspended its search for survivors days after the US military said it struck two more boats in the eastern Pacific amid its ongoing military campaign in waters in and around Venezuela.
In a statement shared on its website on Friday, the Coast Guard said the three-day search had been focused on water “approximately 400 nautical miles [about 740km] southwest of the Mexico/Guatemala border” and had continued for more than 65 hours, but that no sightings of survivors had been reported.
(Aljazeera)
At least 7 explosions have been heard in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, followed by a low-flying aircraft, according to The Associated Press. The southern area of the capital city, located near a major military base, was reportedly without electricity.
Venezuela’s government accuses the US of attacking civilian and military installations in multiple states; no word from the US.
The explosions come after months of tension with the United States, which has accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of being involved in drug trafficking. Maduro has denied the accusations.
On Thursday, Maduro indicated he was open to negotiating a deal with the US to combat drug trafficking. The US has carried out more than 20 air strikes in the sea near Venezuela since September, as it slapped sanctions and upped military pressure on Caracas.
(Aljazeera)
Latest News
Tri-Forces donate LKR. 372 million, a day’s pay of all ranks to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
Members of all ranks from the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force have collectively donated a day’s basic salary to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, which was established to restore livelihoods and rebuild the country following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Accordingly, the total contribution made by the Tri-Forces amounts to LKR. 372,776,918.28.
The cheques representing the financial contributions were handed over on Wednesday (31 December) at the Presidential Secretariat to the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
The donations comprised LKR. 250 million from the Commander of the Army, Major General Lasantha Rodrigo; LKR. 73,963,879.71 from the Commander of the Navy, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and LKR. 48,813,038.97 from the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe.
Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, was also present on the occasion.
Navy seize an Indian fishing boat poaching in northern waters
US Coast Guard suspends search for survivors of Pacific boat strike
Venezuela’s capital hit by explosions, Caracas blames the US
Tri-Forces donate LKR. 372 million, a day’s pay of all ranks to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
Rabada to lead strong South Africa pace attack at T20 World Cup
Showes about 75 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and in Matale, Nuwara-Eliya and Polonnaruwa districts.
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