Strictly Come Dancing professional Vito Coppola suffered a really awkward wardrobe malfunction throughout Saturday’s dwell finale.

The dancer, 32, was left desperately struggling to carry up his trousers after the button seemingly popped on his costume in the course of the American Clean with Miranda star Sarah Hadland, 53. 

Whereas nonetheless giving the routine his all the previous winner was nonetheless pressured to shortly return his hand to his waist in a bid to keep away from being left somewhat purple confronted.

Following the dance Sarah was left in hysterics after realising the problem, whereas host Tess Daly, 55, declared: ‘Now we have a wardrobe problem! Can you keep your decency?’.

Guffawing the dancer did all the pieces he might to disguise the mishap earlier than the judges scored the efficiency a really spectacular 39 out of 40.  

The dancer, 32, was left desperately struggling to carry up his trousers after the button seemingly popped on his costume in the course of the American Clean with Miranda star Sarah Hadland , 53

Chris McCausland and his professional accomplice Dianne Buswell have been topped 2024’s champions after the comic made historical past because the present’s first ever blind contestant. 

Chris, 47, pipped his fellow finalists to the put up within the ‘finest ever’ closing on Saturday, together with his cheeky wit and provoking story serving to to save lots of the present following a 12 months of scandals. 

The ultimate, which gained the very best quantity of votes from the general public ever, noticed all of the {couples} every carry out three dances for the judges earlier than hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman introduced Chris because the winner of the a lot wanted Glitterball trophy. 

The funnyman broke down in tears as he was embraced by his fellow celebs earlier than throwing Dianne triumphantly over his shoulder whereas the viewers went wild.

Requested how the second felt by Tess and Claudia, Chris stated: ‘It is astonishing, I do not know what to say. I truthfully thought I used to be going to exit within the first week or two and I do know no person went out within the first week however I nonetheless thought I might. 

‘We have simply lasted and lasted and [Dianne] has received a lot out of me and she or he deserves [the trophy] a lot’ as he went on to gush over her ‘positivity’ and ‘perception’. 

He then joked: ‘Until she modifies her quantity she’s caught with me. That is for [Dianne] and everybody on the market, it simply reveals that with the chance and help something is feasible!’.

Chris gained his first good rating of 40 factors for a waltz to You’ll By no means Stroll Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers, which was his closing dance of the sequence and left the judges and viewers in tears. 

Whereas nonetheless giving the routine his all the previous winner was nonetheless pressured to shortly return his hand to his waist in a bid to keep away from being left somewhat purple confronted.

Following the dance Sarah was left in hysterics after realising the problem, whereas host Tess Daly , 55, declared: ‘Now we have a wardrobe problem! Can you keep your decency?’

His second routine was a medley of dance kinds to You Get What You Give by New Radicals and he recreated his viral “blackout” second for the primary dance.

Chris and Dianne additionally danced to their very own alternative of tune – Prompt Karma! (We All Shine On) by John Lennon.

Talking earlier within the present, Chris stated: ‘I hope [me being on Strictly] will make a distinction in individuals’s attitudes in direction of people who find themselves blind and disabled individuals. 

‘Once I began this my daughter was actually nervous, she’s eleven, and I believe she fed off my fears and worries however she’s been having fun with watching me and she or he’s actually proud.

‘I’ve discovered that I’m extra resilient, I believe It would take much more to scare me sooner or later and one thing does not must be good to be a hit. 

With a darkish cloud hanging over it since January when 2023 contestant Amanda Abbington first got here ahead along with her complaints about professional accomplice Giovanni Pernice, Chris has introduced the embattled present’s viewers bundles of pleasure.

The present was then hit with a recent wave of scandal when Graziano Di Prima was sacked in July for ‘kicking’ his accomplice, Love Island star Zara McDermott. 

Giovanni was cleared of ten out of Amanda’s 16 allegations when the BBC probe concluded in September however remained absent for the present version of the sequence. 

Following his abrupt exit from the programme, Giovanni went on to seem on the Italian model of Strictly. 

Regardless of bosses discovering Giovanni was not threatening or bodily abusive, it did uphold a few of Amanda’s complaints of verbal bullying and harassment. 

The BBC additionally agreed with Amanda at occasions he seemed to be giving her overly damaging suggestions. 

In a written assertion, a spokesperson for Giovanni stated: ‘We’re happy that this six-month overview has not discovered any proof of threatening or abusive behaviour by Giovanni.

‘Giovanni is relieved that the overwhelming majority of allegations out to the BBC haven’t been upheld and appears ahead to persevering with his work on Dancing With The Stars in Italy this season.’

Strictly Come Dancing’s Chris McCausland and professional accomplice Dianne Buswell have been topped 2024’s champions following Saturday’s glitzy dwell closing – after making historical past as present’s first ever blind contestant

The comic, 47, pipped fellow finalists Tasha Ghouri , JB Gill and Sarah Hadland to the put up within the present’s ‘finest ever’ closing as his cheeky whit and provoking story was stated to have saved the present following a 12 months of scandals

Following Chris’ speculator win, Steven Morris from incapacity charity Sense: ‘Chris’s historic Strictly Come Dancing win goes to point out that given alternatives and help, disabled individuals can break down boundaries many wrongly do not suppose are doable.

Kerry Bevan of Information Canine UK agreed: ‘Chris and Dianne are worthy winners and it is much more poignant that this milestone occurred throughout Strictly’s twentieth anniversary sequence. Dianne has been a shining instance of how we will all take steps to make the world a extra inclusive and accessible place’.

The motion packed present noticed the judges hand out quite a few tens and every celeb have been left emotional as she they described how a lot they’d beloved showing on the BBC present. 

Strictly Come Dancing 2024: Who’re the {couples}?

Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell 

JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE 

Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk 

Paul Merson and Karen Hauer 

Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał

Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin 

Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola 

Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones 

Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez 

Wynne Evans and Katya Jones 

Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec 

Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas 

Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe 

Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova 

Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu

 

Strictly Come Dancing skilled Vito Coppola suffered an ungainly wardrobe malfunction when his trousers got here undone mid-routine throughout Saturday night time’s remaining (14 December).

Coppola and his accomplice, the Miranda star Sarah Hadland, are amongst these vying for the glitterball trophy in tonight’s remaining as they compete towards Chris McCausland and his accomplice Dianne Buswell, Tasha Ghouri and her accomplice Aljaž Škorjanec and JB Gill and his professional accomplice Lauren Oakley.

The pair have been performing an American Clean to “Proud” by Heather Small when Coppola’s trousers got here unfastened, and he had to make use of his free hand to carry them up throughout the routine.

Observe together with our stay protection of the Strictly Come Dancing remaining right here.

When the dance completed, Coppola and Hadland broke into laughter as host Tess Daly acknowledged that the skilled dancer had skilled a “wardrobe situation”.

Because the pair approached the judges, Daly requested: “Are you OK Vito?” including: “Are you able to go on with sustaining your decency?”

Hadland then used a chunk of material from her costume to cowl Coppola’s crotch, as he held up his trousers with each arms.

“That apart, that dance was completely magical,” stated Daly, whereas choose Shirley Ballas assured them that there may need been a malfunction with the clothes, however not with the routine.

“That was completely very good,” she concluded.

Up to now on tonight’s remaining, all 4 movie star contestants dazzled judges whereas skilled dancer Amy Dowden delighted viewers when she made a shock cameo in a bunch routine after beforehand pulling out of the competitors.

open picture in gallery

Finalist JB Gill was previously partnered with Dowden till she was pressured to tug out of the competitors after sustaining a stress fracture in her shin. She was suggested by docs to take a number of weeks off to recuperate, and subsequently she was changed by professional Oakley.

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Whereas Dowden may not compete within the competitors, she popped up within the opening routine for the ultimate as she smiled and winked on the digital camera.

“So superb seeing Amy again on the dancefloor,” stated one fan on X/Twitter, as one other added: “We’ve missed her.”

So, I didn’t get Banjo-Kazooie. I didn’t get Hole Knight: Silksong. Rockstar will in all probability by no means make a sequel to Bully. I used to be simply in shambles final evening whereas the remainder of the group’s predictions for the 2024 Sport Awards ended up being extra true-to-life than any of us may’ve anticipated. Then, Capcom confirmed up. And revealed Okami Sequel. To correctly perceive what which means, right here’s a screenshot of me reacting with the remainder of the squad to the reveal in actual time.

For sure, I used to be solely a little excited. Admittedly, I didn’t play Okami till five-ish years in the past. But, whereas I used to be enjoying it, it felt like I used to be a bit child experiencing the sport again when it launched in 2006. A masterpiece. How a lot did I really like Okami? I performed the unique model — not the HD port. My eyes damage your complete rattling time, however, man, it was value each second. (If you understand, you understand.)

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God, I’m so joyful for Hideki Kamiya, the Director of Okami all these years in the past. The man has been eager to make a sequel to the sport for years to no avail. “The story ended halfway, so leaving it as it’s, I really feel dangerous,” Kamiya mentioned in an interview alongside Ikumi Nakamura. “Creators, I feel, have the obligation to create sequels followers are eager to see. Though I sound all excessive and mighty, it’s been awhile since I’ve moved on from Okami. However I nonetheless really feel like I haven’t fulfilled my obligation. So Capcom, please, let’s do it collectively.”

You bought your want, King.

the universe corrects itself ever so barely with ‘okami sequel’ reveal

However to again up for a second, I acknowledge that technically, Okami was a “cult traditional.” Regardless of being a serious essential darling — successful awards left and proper and touchdown on a number of “Greatest Video games of All Time” lists — it was a “business failure.” In actual fact, that’s a significant component as to why Clover Studio disbanded following the sport’s launch. (Although the precise causes for the dissolution stay hotly contested.)

That signifies that a lot of you watched the Okami Sequel teaser and have no concept why folks like me are screaming our heads off in euphoric jubilation. If “Legend of Zelda however with a silent, snarky wolf” is a pitch that perks your ears up? Please, please, please play Okami. You should buy the HD port for round $20 on principally each platform — Swap, Xbox, PlayStation, and, duh, Steam.

The artwork type is attractive — and the HD port received’t make your eyes burn whilst you play! All of the characters are enjoyable and memorable. The facet actions are partaking and significant. The narrative is S-tier. Okami is a track sung by a choir of angels. It’s aged so gracefully — nonetheless capable of stand toe-to-toe with action-adventure video games in 2024. Anybody who’s performed it could possibly inform you: it was a ten/10 recreation again in 2006, and it’s a ten/10 recreation in 2024. Okami Sequel would be the Sport of the 12 months for no matter yr it comes out — mark my phrases. Screenshot this, bookmark it, keep in mind it.

BBC viewers are on tenterhooks as one celeb is about to be topped the winner of this 12 months’s Strictly Come Dancing. After weeks of twirling and pirouetting throughout the dancefloor, both JB Gill, Tasha Ghouri, Sarah Hadland or Chris McCausland will raise the glitterball trophy.

In anticipation of the grand finale, which guarantees dazzling showdances, a efficiency from singer RAYE, and a solid group quantity, head decide Shirley Ballas shared her ideas on the sequence.

Talking to the BBC she mentioned: “The entire sequence of Strictly 2024 has been completely outstanding. It has been an honour to have a entrance row seat to one of the best present on tv. The solid have been really fantastic and the dancing has been off the chart. I’ve cherished being with my fellow judges and getting concerned within the enjoyable. It has been a blast.”

Nevertheless, because the long-standing dance present commenced, it appeared that viewers had been fast to note the identical factor when Shirley Ballas gave suggestions to Sarah Hadland. Earlier than taking them to the dancefloor, Shirley attended Sarah and Vito’s rehearsal to present them some recommendation and suggestions, experiences the Mirror.

Talking to the digital camera, she mentioned: “Persons are going to be searching for these completed extensions. You’ll want to have comfortable knees. Shes simply received to deliver all of it collectively and promote it.”

Sarah was over the moon with Shirley’s sage recommendation, gratefully acknowledging the decide’s steerage. Shirley responded: “Look, you’ve got ended up within the closing! I wager you did not assume that for a New York minute did you?! You symbolize, after all, all the ladies over 50, I am 64. You get on the market and also you present ladies, ‘You already know what, you are able to do this.'”

But, viewers had been fast to voice their displeasure at Shirley’s give attention to age. One viewer exclaimed: “Shirley, cease mentioning Sarah’s age problem she will simply be superb no matter her age #strictly.”

One other remarked: “I am unable to do with Shirley consistently mentioning Sarah’s age She’s superb, full cease.” A 3rd commented: “F**okay sake Shirley cease banging on so much Sarah’s age. We do not care!”

Yet another chimed in: “When will Shirley give Sarah’s age a relaxation it is so undermining.” Whereas one other vented: “Why does Shirley at all times point out Sarah’s age although! She’s good, does not matter that she’s over 50!”

Following Sarah and Vito’s efficiency within the closing, Shirley was filled with compliments. Commenting on Vito Coppola’s minor wardrobe problem.

Shirley declared: “There was no malfunction with the routine! That was completely very good. Are you aware what’s form of extraordinary for me? After I met you for these couple of hours within the studio, I gave you so many issues to consider.”

Shirley added, “is once I met you for these couple of hours within the studio, I gave you so many issues to consider.”

Shirley Ballas, the esteemed decide on Strictly Come Dancing, lavished reward on contestant Sarah for recalling all her suggestions throughout her latest efficiency.

Shirley gushed: “I am fortunate if I get one or two issues remembered from college students and also you; I can see that you simply actually labored laborious.”

Followers at the moment are abuzz with anticipation: may Sarah grow to be the following champion to hoist the coveted Glitterball into the air?

Strictly Come Dancing is accessible to look at on BBC iPlayer.

As Daniel Craig sashayed his approach via the streets of Paris in an advert for Belvedere vodka in 2022, he gave the impression to be shedding James Bond’s pores and skin as soon as and for all as he stepped into a brand new period in his life.

Superstar alcohol endorsements are nothing new to the Hollywood actor, 56. However after 15 years enjoying the suave tremendous spy, his dramatic debut felt like a rebirth following his ultimate outing in 2021’s No Time To Die.

The cheeky clip opened with him carrying a trendy white go well with earlier than slicing via a ready automotive and rising in a black outfit, wanting each inch the celebrity with a black leather-based jacket and chunky chain necklace.

It screamed “that is me” and shortly went viral with milions of views, indicating folks had been sitting up and taking discover. Though Daniel had undertaken many different roles throughout his Bond tenure, they had been typically overshadowed by his position within the legendary franchise.

Nevertheless, there is no such thing as a hazard of that occuring now. Because the iconic advert, he has labored at guaranteeing he’s as far faraway from the fictional spy as potential.

All through his tenure as Bond, he was more likely to be seen in sharp fits and classy tailoring off display in addition to on, totally embodying the position.

However not too long ago, his model has develop into much more relaxed. He’s nonetheless a fan of designer gadgets, however has taken on a extra snug manner.

When he does don a go well with it’s a extra snug minimize and shirts are normally open necked as an alternative of buttoned up and styled with a tie. Only recently, he wore a cable knit jumper and loafers that resembled slippers for an occasion to advertise his newest film Queer.

His basic look has additionally softened. He has grown out Bond’s brief again and sides, which he sported for a decade and a half, and at the moment boasts longer locks. It’s the most relaxed he has regarded in a very long time and it takes years off him.

Queer additionally continues his reinvention. Whereas he has performed a homosexual character earlier than, within the type of Knives Out Benoit Blanc, this can be a much more express providing than the southern detective.

Primarily based on the 1985 William S. Burroughs novella of the identical title, the Nineteen Fifties drama sees Daniel play American expat and conflict veteran William Lee who has a romance with a youthful man, who’s a drug addict and discharged Navy serviceman.

He partakes in a number of steamy scenes within the film and advised Selection: “You type of have to go away your ego on the door. You have to type of simply let it go. There are not any guidelines.”

It’s as much as audiences to determine if he has lastly performed enugh to shake of the spectre of Bond as soon as and for all.

Queer is in cinemas on Friday December 13.

Friday, December 13
The brilliant gibbous Moon passes 4° north of Uranus at 5 A.M. EST. At the moment, the Moon sits in Aries the Ram, whereas Uranus is simply over the border in far western Taurus the Bull. The 2 set collectively round 5 A.M. native time. 

You might need higher luck recognizing the ice large within the night sky, some 40° excessive within the east two hours after sundown and with the Moon farther away now, hanging almost 11° above vivid Aldebaran, Taurus’ purple large eye. 

Uranus is positioned 7.5° southwest of the Pleiades, and about 2.4° south-southwest of the Fifth-magnitude star 63 Arietis. The planet, at magnitude 5.6, is simple to identify in binoculars or any small scope, although the brighter background sky because of the still-nearby Moon might make it a bit tougher than beneath darker circumstances. Search for a small, “flat” star with a grayish-blue hue. You may also discover the planet’s 4”-wide disk seems to be like a tiny circle, relatively than a pinpoint of sunshine (as stars seem). 

The Geminid meteor bathe peaks this morning, although with the intense Moon within the sky, its typical beautiful show might be fairly muted. After darkness falls this night, you may nonetheless hold a watch out for bathe meteors, originating from the radiant close to the heads of Gemini the Twins. Nonetheless, once more the intense Moon’s mild will intervene, and by night the Moon is even nearer to Gemini, additional diminishing prospects.

The Ursid meteor bathe, which peaks just a few days earlier than Christmas, will happen beneath darker skies. So, keep tuned — we’ll ensure that to spotlight that occasion when it happens.

Dawn: 7:14 A.M.
Sundown: 4:35 P.M.
Moonrise: 2:54 P.M.
Moonset: 5:26 A.M.
Moon Section: Waxing gibbous (96%)
*Instances for dawn, sundown, moonrise, and moonset are given in native time from 40° N 90° W. The Moon’s illumination is given at 12 P.M. native time from the identical location.

Saturday, December 14
Asteroid 15 Eunomia reaches opposition within the constellation Auriga at 1 A.M. EST; sadly, the Moon once more interferes, positioned close by in northern Taurus. Nonetheless, at Eighth magnitude, Eunomia ought to nonetheless be seen to bigger scopes even with the intense background mild, though the beautiful deep-sky objects it’s passing on this area of sky will probably be washed out. Try the chart above and ensure to revisit Auriga later within the month after the Moon has handed by; you’ll have higher luck with each the asteroid and the star clusters and nebulae it’s close to.  

The Moon passes 5° north of Jupiter in Taurus at 3 P.M. EST; each are already above the japanese horizon at sundown and stand facet by facet as they rise, gaining altitude as darkness falls. The Moon could be very almost Full, a section it’ll attain early tomorrow morning, however happily Jupiter continues to be at its brightest, so its magnitude –2.8 glow will nonetheless reduce by means of the intense moonlight to succeed in your bare eye. The planet now stands as the center level in a line drawn between the Moon and Aldebaran, a beautiful sight for all to see within the night sky. 

For those who’ve obtained a telescope, you may zoom in additional on Jupiter to look at the coloured cloud bands seen on its 48”-wide disk and search for its 4 Galilean moons. For 3 hours, between about 6:35 P.M. and 9:35 P.M. EST, solely three moons are seen: Io alone to the west and Ganymede (nearer) and Callisto to the east. Shortly earlier than 9:35 P.M. EST, Europa seems simply off Jupiter’s northeastern limb, having crossed behind the planet and thru its at the moment quick, darkish shadow, due to the geometry of opposition. 

Dawn: 7:15 A.M.
Sundown: 4:35 P.M.
Moonrise: 3:53 P.M.
Moonset: 6:43 A.M.
Moon Section: Waxing gibbous (99%)

Sunday, December 15
The final Full Moon of 2024 happens at 4:02 A.M. EST. December’s Full Moon can be known as the Chilly Moon, because it happens when colder temperatures are falling throughout North America. 

Even because the Full Moon is setting within the west within the hour earlier than daybreak, Mercury is reaching its stationary level in opposition to the background stars of Scorpius within the southeastern sky. An hour earlier than dawn, the tiny planet is sort of 5° excessive, glowing at magnitude 0.4. It’s the brightest level of sunshine on this area of the sky, particularly because the morning twilight grows. Via a telescope, the planet exhibits off an 8”-wide disk that’s some 30 % lit; it’ll attain 50 % lit in just some days, so we’ll return to see the way it has modified. 

Mercury formally reaches its stationary at 4 P.M. EST, ending its present retrograde (westward) movement and shortly shifting east (prograde) once more. 

Dawn: 7:15 A.M.
Sundown: 4:36 P.M.
Moonrise: 4:41 P.M.
Moonset: 7:54 A.M.
Moon Section: Full

Monday, December 16
Double stars can present the right alternative to view contrasting star colours in a single place. Probably the most well-known instance is Albireo in Cygnus the Swan, however 145 Canis Majoris is one other one — so like the previous that it’s generally known as the Winter Albireo. 

Canis Main is among the standout constellations within the winter sky, following its grasp, Orion the Hunter, up into the sky from the east towards the south because the night progresses. Situated close to the hindquarters of the Massive Canine, 145 Cma is a few 25° excessive within the south round midnight. It’s simply 3.6° northeast of magnitude 1.8 Wezen (Delta [δ] Cma), and about 10° east-southeast (to the decrease left) of blazing Sirius. 

Shining with a complete magnitude of 4.8, 145 Cma consists of a cooler, golden star nestled close to a warmer, bluish star, simply because the “actual” Albireo on the head of Cygnus the Swan. At some 27” aside, most devices will discover the pair comparatively simple to separate.

Dawn: 7:16 A.M.
Sundown: 4:36 P.M.
Moonrise: 5:49 P.M.
Moonset: 8:53 A.M.
Moon Section: Waning gibbous (97%)

Tuesday, December 17
Slowly setting towards the horizon because the night progresses, Saturn now hangs some 40° excessive within the south an hour after sundown. Glowing at magnitude 1 by means of the top of the yr, the ringed planet is the brightest level of sunshine in Aquarius and the encompassing constellations, hanging under the Circlet of Pisces. Nearer to the horizon, instantly under Saturn within the early night, is magnitude 1.2 Fomalhaut, Piscis Austrinus’ alpha star. 

Via a telescope, Saturn’s 17”-wide disk is flanked by its beautiful rings, now tilted slightly below 5° to our line of sight. Over the following few months, the rings will slim till they just about disappear as Earth passes by means of the airplane of the rings, though the precise date of the ring-plane crossing happens when Saturn is just too near the Solar to view. At current, these rings seem to stretch almost 40” from finish to finish, providing a wonderful goal by means of a telescope even on the low viewing angle. 

The planet’s brightest moon, Eighth-magnitude Titan, lies almost 2.5’ to the east, whereas a number of of its fainter, Tenth-magnitude moons cluster nearer to the disk. Tethys spends the early night simply north of the japanese portion of the rings, whereas Rhea and Dione stand to the west; Rhea is barely nearer to Saturn than Dione, and stands southeast of the latter moon. 

Dawn: 7:17 A.M.
Sundown: 4:36 P.M.
Moonrise: 6:59 P.M.
Moonset: 9:41 A.M.
Moon Section: Waning gibbous (93%)

Wednesday, December 18
The Moon passes 0.9° north of Mars at 4 A.M. EST. You possibly can simply catch the pair earlier than dawn this morning — an hour earlier than native dawn, they’re 40° excessive within the west in central Most cancers, close to the Beehive open cluster (M44). In fact, the Moon’s vivid mild will probably wash out the cluster itself, however Mars is glowing at magnitude –0.9, shortly brightening because it approaches opposition in a few month. 

Mars sits simply to the decrease proper of the waxing gibbous Moon this morning. Via a telescope, the Pink Planet now seems 13” huge and 96 % lit. As a result of this upcoming opposition might be an aphelic opposition, when Mars is round its farthest level from the Solar, the planet gained’t develop a lot bigger even at opposition, solely stretching to fifteen” huge round that date early subsequent yr.

To the pair’s decrease proper as dawn approaches are the intense stars Castor and Pollux, which mark the heads of Gemini the Twins. To these stars’ decrease left is Procyon, the nostril of Canis Minor the Little Canine, whereas to their decrease proper is Capella, the alpha star of Auriga. Brilliant Jupiter, which outshines all these suns, is simply barely above the horizon, setting round 6:30 A.M. native time. 

Dawn: 7:17 A.M.
Sundown: 4:37 P.M.
Moonrise: 8:09 P.M.
Moonset: 10:17 A.M.
Moon Section: Waning gibbous (87%)

Thursday, December 19
With no Moon within the night sky, the celebrities of the Little Dipper might be discernible to the bare eye from a darkish website tonight. Early within the night, the dipper is swinging from west to east, hanging instantly from its deal with mid-evening. 

Pinned within the north, this well-known asterism is a part of the bigger constellation Ursa Minor the Little Bear. Its deal with is anchored by the North Star, the one star within the northern sky that doesn’t seem to maneuver as Earth rotates on its axis. Additionally cataloged as Alpha (α) Ursae Minoris or Polaris, this 2nd-magnitude star is much from the brightest, however will get its notoriety from its present location above the North Celestial Pole. 

From Polaris, the Little Dipper’s deal with consists of two extra stars: 4th-magnitude Yildun (Delta Umi) and equally vivid Epsilon (ε) Umi. Epsilon connects the deal with to the cup of the dipper at 4th-magnitude Zeta (ζ) Umi. Shifting clockwise, the opposite stars within the cup are 2nd-magnitude Kochab (Beta [β] Umi), Third-magnitude Pherkad (Gamma [γ] Umi), and Fifth-magnitude 19 Umi. 

Dawn: 7:18 A.M.
Sundown: 4:37 P.M.
Moonrise: 9:16 P.M.
Moonset: 10:47 A.M.
Moon Section: Waning gibbous (79%)

Friday, December 20
Mercury reaches 50 % lit at the moment, an occasion you may observe within the early-morning sky within the hour earlier than dawn. The planet has brightened to magnitude 0 and stands close to the border of Scorpius and Ophiuchus, already some 7° excessive an hour earlier than dawn.

Via a telescope, Mercury’s half-lit face has misplaced a little bit of dimension, now spanning nearer to 7” as its distance from Earth will increase. It now stands some 0.9 astronomical unit away; one astronomical unit is the typical distance between Earth and the Solar (93 million miles or 150 million kilometers). Do ensure that to place away any optics you’re utilizing nicely earlier than dawn out of your location, which might differ from the time listed under. 

Excessive above Mercury within the early-morning sky, the marginally brighter (magnitude –0.1) star Arcturus guidelines the southeast, whereas 1st-magnitude Spica sits far to Mercury’s higher proper and Arcturus’ decrease left. As dawn approaches, see if it’s also possible to spot 1st-magnitude Antares peek above the horizon to Mercury’s decrease proper, though will probably be a battle between the star’s mild and the approaching daybreak. 

Dawn: 7:18 A.M.
Sundown: 4:38 P.M.
Moonrise: 10:19 P.M.
Moonset: 11:11 A.M.
Moon Section: Waning gibbous (70%)

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What a day this has been. No rain, and 377 runs and 7 wickets over 87.4 overs. 5 of the wickets got here courtesy that man Jasprit Bumrah, and 263 of the runs courtesy these two nice India tormentors, Travis Head and Steven Smith, 241 of them in a fourth-wicket stand that rattled alongside at slightly below 5 an over.

India’s three-pronged tempo assault put Australia below strain at numerous factors at present, and Akash Deep was extraordinarily unfortunate to finish up with no wickets, regardless of inducing 45 false photographs to Bumrah’s 46. However the depth of India’s general bowling was discovered wanting at present, as Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja, their fourth and fifth bowlers, gave away 141 runs over a mixed 29 overs, whereas selecting up one wicket.

The massive tales of the day, nonetheless, had been Head and Smith. India continued to don’t have any reply to the essential query Head has posed them since day one: how do you bowl to somebody whose inventory response to the top-of-off line and size is a fast-hands sq. minimize? They tried numerous issues, however they weren’t in a position to maintain a risk for any size of time in opposition to a batter of his high quality within the kind he is in. And Smith began so, so scratchily, taking part in and lacking repeatedly, however he got here in with a way, returning to the massive shuffle throughout the stumps after abandoning it following his first-innings duck in Perth, and he caught to it, and finally discovered the fluency to achieve his thirty third Check hundred and tenth in opposition to India.

Bumrah then got here again and picked up three wickets in 12 balls with the second new ball, however by then Australia gave the impression to be effectively in entrance. By the top of the day, they’d gone previous the 400 mark, and also you’d assume that their bowlers ought to get considerably extra out of this pitch than India’s have managed, given each residence benefit and top benefit.

Solely three days to go, although, so time might grow to be an element as this Check match goes alongside. And the climate could possibly be one other issue over days three, 4 and 5, so Australia could have some calculations to make. Both manner, they’re in a terrific place, and no matter occurs subsequent ought to make for fascinating viewing. Do be a part of us good and early tomorrow (it is one other early begin, bear in mind), and we’ll benefit from the experience collectively.

Rain largely worn out day one of many third Check between Australia and India in Brisbane with solely 13.2 overs bowled.

Australia openers Usman Khawaja (19 not out off 47 balls) and Nathan McSweeney (4no off 33) steered the hosts to 28-0 after India had gained the toss and elected to bowl.

India seamer Akash Deep, who had come into the aspect rather than Harshit Rana, had an lbw attraction in opposition to McSweeney turned down however there have been no different alarms for the hosts.

Play was solely attainable throughout two spells within the morning session and the sport was deserted for the day an hour earlier than the scheduled shut at The Gabba.

The beginning of day two has been introduced ahead half an hour to 9.50am (11.50pm UK and Eire) with 98 overs as a consequence of be bowled, though extra rain is forecast.

Sequence locked at 1-1 after two Checks

Australia thumped India by 10 wickets in final week’s day-night second Check in Adelaide to degree the five-match sequence at 1-1, after the vacationers had gained the primary in Perth by 295 runs.

India should win a minimum of two of their ultimate three Checks in Australia – there are additional video games in Melbourne and Sydney – to succeed in subsequent summer season’s World Check Championship ultimate at Lord’s.

Australia will attain the ultimate with a minimum of two extra victories in opposition to India.

Australia recalled the fit-again Josh Hazlewood for the Brisbane Check – the 33-year-old missed the sport in Adelaide as a consequence of a aspect downside – with Scott Boland the person to drop out.

India changed Ravichandran Ashwin with fellow spinner Ravindra Jadeja along with choosing Deep as an alternative of Rana.