England's Ollie Pope made headlines with his blistering knock of 150, the fastest at The Oval, before being dismissed for 325 on day two of the third Test against Sri Lanka. Debutant Josh Hull also left his mark by claiming his first Test wicket, while bad light and the contentious issue of players being called off the field due to darkness continued to frustrate both teams. Despite a late comeback by Sri Lanka's captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis, England still holds a first-innings lead but their lower-order collapse in the final six wickets brought some fight from Sri Lanka's side.
England's stand-in captain, Ollie Pope, achieved a remarkable feat on Day 1 of the third Test against Sri Lanka at the Oval. Pope, who was leading the team in the absence of injured Ben Stokes, scored an unbeaten century and became the first player in Test cricket to score his first seven centuries against seven different teams. The 26-year-old batsman's first Test century came against South Africa in 2020, and since then, he has scored six more against New Zealand, Pakistan, Ireland, India, and West Indies.
In his first innings as captain against Sri Lanka, Ollie Pope returned to form with a dominating performance, scoring a run-a-ball 103 not out during England's well-placed 221-3 on the opening day of the third Test. This was his seventh Test century and a historic one as each of his first seven centuries came against different opponents. Despite a strong start, England's opener Ben Duckett was unable to make the most of his innings, giving away his wicket on 86. Duckett praised Pope's ability to ignore the noise and criticism around his leadership and batting, proving his critics wrong with a stellar performance.
After a run of low scores, England captain Ollie Pope made a stunning return to form with a dominant unbeaten 103 in the third and final test against Sri Lanka at The Oval. Along with Ben Duckett's fluent 86, their partnership led England to a strong position of 221-3, making Sri Lanka regret their decision to bowl first in overcast conditions.
The Australian Top End T20 Series 2024 is in full swing with Tasmania and Adelaide Strikers gearing up for their highly anticipated match. Both teams have a good mix of young and experienced players, ensuring an exciting game of cricket. Taking place at TIO Stadium, fans can expect high-scoring action as the stadium's surface has improved vastly over the years. As the Strikers and Tigers face off, cricket enthusiasts are reminded of the past as Tasmania shares a throwback photo to their 2004-05 ING Cup victory.
Prime Minister Narendra D Modi met with Pope Francis at the G7 summit and gave him his signature embrace. During their encounter, Modi assured the Pope that he would do everything in his power to safeguard churches and Christians in India from any violence or persecution. In a heartfelt message, Modi emphasized his government's unwavering commitment to the security and welfare of all Indians, regardless of their religious beliefs.
Pope Francis, with his moral authority and star power, will address G7 leaders at their annual summit in Italy and push for stronger regulations on AI development and usage. His concerns about AI, beyond a viral deepfake incident, are based on values of compassion, mercy, morality and forgiveness, which he believes are crucial for guiding the development and use of this technology. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has invited Francis, knowing the potential impact of his participation to elevate and bring global attention to this shared concern.
In a rare public apology, Pope Francis expressed remorse for using a derogatory term to describe the 2SLGBTQ+ community during a meeting with Italian bishops. The Vatican stated that the Pope did not intend to use homophobic language and remains committed to a welcoming church for all. His reported comments have stirred controversy and surprise, as the Pope has been praised for his previous efforts towards inclusivity.
Advocates for the Catholic LGBTQ+ community are urging for greater acceptance and understanding after the Pope was quoted using a derogatory term for gay men in a meeting about the ban on gay priests. This has sparked widespread backlash and calls for more inclusive language and attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community in the Catholic Church. The controversy highlights the ongoing struggle for equality and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community within religious institutions.
During a closed meeting with Italian Catholic bishops, Pope Francis used a derogatory term for homosexuality while discussing a ban on homosexuals from seminaries. Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See Press Office, issued a statement relaying the Pope's apology for using the term. Many speculate that Francis, whose native language is Spanish, may have mistakenly used the Italian word without being fully aware of its derogatory connotations.