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Vaughan Advocates for Two-Tier Test Cricket System to Boost Engagement

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Former England captain Michael Vaughan has called for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to establish a two-tier system for Test cricket. He believes that creating dedicated windows throughout the season could enhance the format’s relevance and engagement among fans and players alike. Vaughan shared his insights during a recent interview while reflecting on modern-day Test cricket and its evolving dynamics.

Vaughan expressed optimism about the current era of Test cricket, describing it as a time of remarkable spectacle. He stated, “This is an incredible era for the game. Test cricket is more of a spectacle than it has ever been.” He emphasized the need for greater significance in every Test match, rather than focusing solely on high-profile series like the Ashes or contests between India and Australia.

Promoting Consistency Across Formats

The former captain noted that the younger generation of players has been influenced by white-ball cricket and franchise leagues. Despite this, he is confident that Test cricket will endure. Vaughan highlighted the success of the World Test Championship final as a benchmark for how to elevate the format. He suggested that more regular high-stakes matches are essential for maintaining interest.

Vaughan pointed out that the current scheduling of Test matches is often inconsistent, stating, “It’s too spread out. You’re never quite sure who’s playing when.” He proposed the idea of having concentrated periods during the year when all teams focus on Test cricket, which could potentially streamline the viewing experience for fans.

He praised several players, including Shubman Gill and Joe Root, for their mastery of the fundamentals of Test batting. According to Vaughan, a strong defensive technique remains vital in the format, and he hopes that coaches will continue to emphasize this balance between aggression and defense.

The Impact of ‘Bazball’ and Future of Test Cricket

Vaughan also discussed the influence of England’s aggressive playing style, dubbed ‘Bazball’, named after head coach Brendon McCullum. He noted that while this approach can be exciting, it is essential to play with a degree of prudence, especially on challenging pitches. “They need to lift a prominent trophy or two,” he remarked, highlighting that there will be scrutiny on the team during upcoming series against India and in the Ashes.

The former captain observed that young players today have greater access to cricket content than previous generations. He stated, “These kids are seeing more cricket… They know what digital content is.” However, he stressed the importance of fostering a deeper understanding of traditional formats like Test cricket among the youth.

Vaughan is also concerned about the disparity in resources available for hosting Test matches in various countries. He noted that the pitches in two recent Test matches in Barbados and Grenada were subpar, attributing this to a lack of funding for ground maintenance. “The distribution of the wealth of the game is very important,” he said, underlining that financial investment in cricket infrastructure is critical for the growth of the sport.

He concluded with a call for the ICC to create a structured Test calendar that prioritizes the format across different regions. “We should have Test cricket here for a short period in the English summer, or the Caribbean at this time,” he suggested. By implementing a two-tier system, Vaughan believes that Test cricket can grow, fostering competition and ensuring that teams are held accountable for their performances.

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TS EAMCET 2025 Phase 1 Seat Allotment Results Released Today

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The results for the TS EAMCET 2025 Phase 1 seat allotment will be released today, July 18, 2025. Students who successfully passed the TG EAPCET 2025 exam can participate in the online counselling process through the official website. This allotment is crucial for students seeking admission to various engineering, agriculture, and medical programs in the state of Telangana, India.

The TS EAMCET, or Telangana State Engineering, Agriculture and Medical Common Entrance Test, serves as a pivotal gateway for aspiring students. Following the announcement, candidates will be able to access their individual allotment results, which will indicate their assigned colleges and courses based on their ranks and preferences.

Understanding the Allotment Process

The seat allotment process involves several steps. Initially, students must register on the official counselling portal and provide their choices for colleges and courses. After the results are published, students will receive notifications regarding their allotted seats. Those who secure a seat will be required to complete the admission process by confirming their acceptance and paying the necessary fees.

This year, the counselling process has been streamlined to enhance accessibility and efficiency. Students can expect to receive updates directly through the counselling website and via registered mobile numbers.

Next Steps for Students

Once students receive their allotment results, they should act promptly to secure their admissions. It is advisable to review the specific requirements for the allotted college, including documentation and fee payment deadlines. The counselling authorities have emphasized the importance of adhering to these timelines to avoid missing out on opportunities.

In addition, students are encouraged to prepare for the next phases of the counselling process, as subsequent rounds may take place for those who do not secure seats in this initial allotment phase. Understanding the overall process will be vital for students aiming to maximize their chances of admission into their desired programs.

With the release of the TS EAMCET 2025 Phase 1 seat allotment results, students across Telangana will be eager to see where their efforts in the TG EAPCET exam have led them.

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Grab iPhone 16 and 16 Pro at Discounts up to Rs 11,000 on Amazon

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The iPhone 16 series is now available at significant discounts on Amazon, with savings reaching up to Rs 11,000. The series, which launched in September 2023, includes four models: the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. For those considering an upgrade, both the base model and the Pro variant are now offered at reduced prices.

Current Deals on iPhone 16 and 16 Pro

On Amazon India, the iPhone 16 with 128GB storage is priced at Rs 72,900, down from its original price of Rs 79,900. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro, also featuring 128GB of internal storage, is available for Rs 1,11,900, reduced from Rs 1,19,900. Additionally, customers using the Amazon Pay ICICI credit card can benefit from a cashback offer of up to Rs 3,357 as Amazon Pay Balance.

Specifications and Features of iPhone 16 Series

The iPhone 16 is equipped with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display and runs on the Apple A18 processor with the latest iOS 18. It features a dual rear camera system that includes a 48MP primary shooter and a 12MP ultra-wide angle lens, along with a 12MP front camera for selfies. The device is powered by a 3561mAh battery and supports 25W MagSafe charging.

In contrast, the iPhone 16 Pro boasts a larger 6.3-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It operates on the Apple A18 Pro chipset, supported by 8GB RAM and the same 128GB storage for the base version. The Pro model enhances photography capabilities with a triple rear camera setup, featuring a 48MP primary sensor, a second 48MP ultra-wide angle sensor, and a 12MP periscope telephoto lens. Like the iPhone 16, it includes the same 12MP front camera and a slightly larger 3582mAh battery.

With these attractive discounts, the iPhone 16 series is positioned as a compelling choice for consumers looking to invest in a high-quality smartphone that is expected to remain relevant for the next five to six years.

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Young Exoplanet TOI 1227 b Loses Atmosphere Under Stellar Assault

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NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, in collaboration with the Hubble Space Telescope, has identified a young exoplanet, known as TOI 1227 b, that is rapidly losing its atmosphere due to intense stellar radiation. Located approximately 8 million years from formation, this Jupiter-sized planet orbits a faint red dwarf star and is undergoing significant atmospheric erosion.

The powerful X-ray emissions from the star are stripping away TOI 1227 b’s thick gas envelope at an alarming rate. Research indicates that this planet is losing an amount of gas equivalent to Earth’s entire atmosphere roughly every 200 years. According to scientists, the planet’s atmosphere “simply cannot withstand the high X-ray dose it’s receiving,” leading to rapid changes in its structure.

Insights from Observational Data

The study utilized data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory alongside earlier observations from the Hubble Space Telescope to analyze TOI 1227 b’s atmospheric conditions. This planet orbits its star at an extremely close distance, much closer than Mercury orbits the Sun, making it about a thousand times younger than Earth. The star’s intense X-ray radiation is depicted in computer simulations as a blue tail of gas streaming off the planet, illustrating the ongoing atmospheric loss.

Remarkably, if current conditions persist, TOI 1227 b could eventually transition from a gas giant to “a small, barren world.” This process, known as photoevaporation, highlights the significant impact of stellar radiation on planetary evolution.

Stellar Radiation and Planetary Evolution

The findings emphasize the critical role of high-energy stellar radiation in young planetary systems. Intense X-rays and ultraviolet light from active young stars can heat and subsequently blow away a planet’s atmosphere. Co-author of the study Joel Kastner notes that understanding exoplanets necessitates accounting for high-energy radiation such as X-rays. He likens the star’s output to “a hair dryer on an ice cube,” illustrating how the radiation gradually erodes the gas off the planet.

This phenomenon could explain why many intermediate-sized exoplanets appear to end up smaller or are stripped down to their core. As scientists continue to explore the dynamics of exoplanets like TOI 1227 b, these observations provide a rare glimpse into the formative stages of planetary evolution, shaping our understanding of how stars interact with their orbiting worlds.

The research contributes valuable insights into the processes influencing planetary atmospheres and their long-term survivability in the cosmos, paving the way for future studies in exoplanetary science.

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Scrub Typhus Emerges as Leading Cause of Encephalitis in Southern India

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A recent multicentre study has identified scrub typhus as the most common infectious cause of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) among children in southern India. Conducted across three states—Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu—the study involved 587 children and was published in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia.

The research team, which included experts from NIMHANS, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, and other institutions, sought to investigate the infectious causes of AES, a condition characterized by fever, altered mental status, and seizures. The findings reveal that scrub typhus, caused by the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi, accounts for 44% of AES cases, far surpassing the historically dominant Japanese encephalitis virus at 11%.

Scrub typhus has emerged as a significant public health concern, with the incidence of AES in India reported at between 3.5 and 13.8 cases per 100,000 patient-years. Over 10,000 cases of AES are documented annually, according to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP). The study’s lead author, Dr. Tina Damodar, emphasized that the recognition of scrub typhus as a major contributor to AES has been limited by inadequate surveillance efforts.

Dynamic Landscape of AES in India

The research analyzed data from children aged 28 days to 18 years presenting with AES at three tertiary care hospitals in Bengaluru. During the study period from March 2020 to February 2023, 714 children were screened, with 587 ultimately included in the analysis. A microbiological diagnosis was established for 315 cases, revealing that scrub typhus was responsible for 138 infections.

In addition to scrub typhus, the study identified other notable pathogens, including dengue (10%), leptospira (5%), and chikungunya (5%). Dr. Damodar noted that these findings illustrate a diverse and evolving landscape of AES in the region.

Key predictors for both scrub typhus and other doxycycline-treatable infections included age, illness duration, and specific clinical signs such as lymphadenopathy and hepatomegaly. Notably, the study found that over 60% of microbiologically confirmed cases were linked to infections treatable with doxycycline, yet this antibiotic is not routinely included in AES treatment protocols.

Recommendations for Treatment Protocols

In light of these findings, the researchers recommend integrating doxycycline or azithromycin into the initial treatment for children presenting with AES or acute febrile illness in southern India. This recommendation has already been implemented at the participating referral hospitals.

Dr. Reeta S. Mani, head of Neurovirology at NIMHANS, highlighted the urgency of timely treatment, noting that nearly 40% of the children diagnosed with scrub typhus experienced severe outcomes, including death or neurological complications, largely due to delayed diagnosis. To mitigate this, the study advocates for the wider availability of diagnostic tests for scrub typhus, such as IgM ELISA or PCR, at primary and secondary healthcare facilities.

Additionally, the research team developed a clinical prediction model—a simple point-based tool designed to assist frontline clinicians in identifying children who are likely to benefit from doxycycline treatment, even before laboratory confirmation is available.

The emergence of scrub typhus as a key player in AES underscores the need for enhanced surveillance and revised treatment protocols to improve patient outcomes in southern India.

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