Poco X7 5G Specifications Leaked; Said to Get MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultra SoC, IP68 Rating

Poco X7 5G is expected to launch soon as the successor to Poco X6. While we wait for the official announcement, specifications of the unannounced phone have appeared online. The Poco X7 5G is said to ship with a 1.5K resolution display and MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultra processor. Its predecessor, the Poco X6, also had a similar display, but was equipped with a Snapdr...

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Who Was Epigamia CEO Rohan Mirchandani, Who Died Of Cardiac Arrest At 41

Rohan Mirchandani, the co-founder of Epigamia, died on December 21 after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 41. Mr Mirchandani, who co-founded Drums Food International in 2013, built Epigamia into India's leading Greek yoghurt brand.

The company's senior leadership, including COO Ankur Goel and co-founder Uday Thakker said in a joint statement, “All of us at the Epigamia family will deeply mourn this loss. Rohan was our mentor, friend, and leader. We remain steadfast in our determination to carry forward his dream with strength and vigour. Rohan's vision and values will continue to guide us as we work together to honour the foundation he built and ensure that his dream continues to flourish.”

Who was Rohan Mirchandani?

Rohan Mirchandani studied at Bergen Catholic High School, New Jersey, as per his LinkedIn account. He then pursued a Bachelor of Science in Finance and International Business at NYU Stern School of Business and later earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

He started his career in 2004 as an Associate in the CVC division at Duff & Phelps (formerly S&P), working for a year in the Greater New York City area. In 2005, Mr Mirchandani became a Board Member at The Ross Group, a private holding company focused on logistics and warehousing across North America. 

In 2013, he co-founded Drums Food International, the parent company of Epigamia, India's first Greek yoghurt brand. Epigamia offers a range of healthy snacks and convenience food products, including yoghurt, milkshakes, almond drinks, smoothies, cheese, and flavoured yoghurts. The company prides itself on producing preservative-free, plant-based, and lactose-free products.

As CEO, he led the company for more than a decade, driving its growth from the Mumbai area. Epigamia, backed by actress Deepika Padukone, planned to expand into the Middle East by 2025-26. Mr Mirchandani also aimed to increase the company's revenue to Rs 250 crore this fiscal year.

Rohan Mirchandani holds a nearly 4.68 per cent stake in the $160 million startup, which is the third-largest operator in its segment, according to data from the research agency Tracxn. The 41-year-old executive's net worth is not publicly disclosed. However, data shows that he has not cashed in on any of his holdings.

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Cricket Match Called Off After Ravindra Jadeja-Hindi Press Conference Row

The aftermath of the Ravindra Jadeja press conference controversy has reportedly seen a planned T20 match between the media personnel of the two countries being cancelled. Ahead of the 4th Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja spoke to a few reporters on various topics. However, a section of Australian media suggested that Jadeja refused to answer questions in English and left the media arrangement before the Australian reporters could ask him their questions. However, the members of the Indian media contingent and the team's media manager continue to deny the same.

As a result of the controversy that erupted in Melbourne on Saturday, match between the reporters of the two countries, in Melbourne to cover the match, was boycotted and eventually called off. The fixture was arranged by Cricket Australia.

According to The Age, a section of India's backroom team along with travelling media decided to boycott the press match against local counterparts which was scheduled to be held on Sunday afternoon. The game was scheduled to be held at Junction Oval in Melbourne but had to be called off.

It has been alleged that Team India's media manager pulled out of the fixture, prompting a few other members to withdraw their names too. As a result, there wasn't enough players for the match to go ahead.

As the controversy around Jadeja's Hindi-only press conference intensified, a few Indian reporters have claimed that the media event was called only for travelling journalists. Also, since Jadeja was asked questions in Hindi, he decided to answer them in Hindi. The India all-rounder, however, didn't refuse to speak in English at any instance, as has been suggested by Australian media.

The fourth Test between India and Australia is scheduled to be start at the MCG on December 26.

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Jadeja Slammed For Speaking Hindi In Australia. Report Called 'Hypocrisy'

The India vs Australia Test series recently witnessed an off-field controversy when Virat Kohli asked a reporter to not take picture of his family at the airport. Now, another controversial incident has happened involving Ravindra Jadeja. The left-arm spinner addressed a press conference on Saturday ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and the proceedings of it have not impressed some media outlets it seems. 7 News, one of whose reporters was asked by Kohli to not film his family, has said that that the "strange and frosty media conference" as Jadeja refused to answer questions in English.

The report added that it was 'an annoying situation' for the Australian journalists as Jadeja answered the questions in his 'native language' - Hindi. It also said that Jadeja left the PC early. The report further claimed that "India's media team said the conference was for "travelling Indian media only", even though Australian media was invited."

However, two journalist travelling for the series - Abhishek Tripathi of Dainik Jagran and Subhayan Chakraborty of RevSportz - claimed that the Australian media were over-reacting. Both claimed that Jadeja could not answer all the questions due to lack of time.

Several social media users termed the report 7 News report as 'hypocrisy'. 

Indian cricket stalwart Virat Kohli was involved in a heated exchange with a few media persons at the airport, after the conclusion of the third Test against Australia in Brisbane. Kohli, who likes to maintain keep his personal life away from the spotlight that comes with his career, wasn't reportedly happy to see him and his family members being captured by the media. Seeing cameras capturing him and his children at the airport, Kohli reportedly lost his cool. However, it was later discovered that it was only a misunderstanding.

It has been reported that a few journalists were interviewing Australian pacer Scott Boland, when Kohli and his family were spotted at the airport. The cameras shifted focus to Kohli, seeing which the India star wasn't happy

Kohli was taken aback by Channel 7 cameras focusing on him and his family. He was involved in a tense conversation with a TV reporter over the fact that his privacy wasn't being respected.

However, the matter cooled down when Kohli was assured that his children weren't being filmed. Kohli, as per a report, even shook the hands of a Channel 7 cameraman after getting the required assurances.

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Star Batter Dropped As Australia Make Plethora Of Changes For Last 2 Tests

The Australian cricket team has made multiple changes in its squad for the 4th and the 5th Test against India - in Melbourne and Sydney respectively. One of the casualties of the changes that have been made was opening batter Nathan McSweeney who was touted to be the long-term replacement for retired David Warner. The man replacing him is 19-year-old Sam Konstas who impressed many with his century in the Prime Minister's XI practice game against Team India in Canberra before the pink-ball Test.

McSweeney's exclusion from the squad isn't the only big change as marquee pacer Josh Hazlewood has also been ruled out of the remainder of the series. Hazlewood sustained an injury in the Brisbane Test that made him unavailable for the final two days of the match too. Australia have also added, Sean Abbott, Jhye Richardson and Beau Webster in the squad for the final two matches of the series.

"The squad provides options as to how we structure the XI for the final two Tests of the series," Cricket Australia's chairman of Selectors George Bailey in an official statement.

"Sam gets a call-up to the Test squad for the first time. His style of batting offers a point of difference and we look forward to watching his game develop further.

Bailey said that Australia are still counting on McSweeney's potential and it was a difficult decision to drop him from the squad for the 3rd and the 4th Test.

"We remain confident Nathan has the ability and temperament to succeed at Test level in the future. It was a difficult decision to leave him out.

"It has clearly been a challenge at the top of the order for batters throughout the series and we want to provide the option of a different line-up for the next two matches."

Scott Boland and Jhye Richardson unarguably remain the top two options to replace Josh Hazlewood in the playing XI for Australia.

"In the absence of Josh Hazlewood, Jhye provides further options in the fast bowling space. It has been pleasing to see his successful return throughout the early part of the domestic summer," he added.

Australia squad for last two Tests against India: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Beau Webster, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Jhye Richardson, Alex Carey, Scott Boland, and Josh Inglis.

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Honor Magic 7 Lite Listed Online; Colour Options, RAM and Storage Configurations Revealed

Honor Magic 7 Lite has been part of the rumour mill for quite some time now. Honor is yet to announce the launch of the new Magic series smartphone, but ahead of it, the handset has been listed on the Honor Italy website revealing its colour options and RAM and storage details. The listing shows the Honor Magic 7 Lite in two colour options with 8GB RAM and up to 512GB...

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Ashwin Contradicts Rohit, Makes Stunning Retirement Revelation In Chennai

There was the mandatory shower of flower petals, lots of smiles and a live band too as Ravichandran Ashwin returned home on Thursday after his shock international retirement in the middle of a Test series in Australia, insisting that he made an "instinctive" decision and is walking away with "zero regrets". He landed at the Chennai International Airport early this morning and was escorted out by officials of the state cricket association. The 38-year-old owner of 765 international wickets did not speak to the waiting media there as he hopped into his car where his wife Prithi and two daughters were waiting for him.

However, once he reached home and was surrounded by his parents, and other well-wishers, Ashwin did oblige the waiting newspersons, opening up a bit about his decision.

"It's emotional for a lot of people, and may be it will sink in (in some time) but for me, personally, it is a great sense of relief and satisfaction. It was very instinctive and it has been running in my head for a while. I just felt (it) on Day 4 and I just called it a day," Ashwin said, referring to the drawn third Test in Brisbane.

"...it (retirement) is a not a big decision as far as I am concerned because I am going to embrace a new path," he went on.

Asked if he regretted not being the captain of the national side, Ashwin dismissed the suggestion.

"I can't do it now. I have no such regrets. In fact, I have zero regrets. I have seen from a distance those people with regrets but I don't have any such regrets," asserted the bowler, who has 537 Test wickets to his credit, making him India's second highest wicket-taker in the format behind the great Anil Kumble (619).

As he entered his house, his parents embraced him and the seasoned bowler was garlanded too. A few from among the gathering took his autograph, shook hands and congratulated him for a stellar run as an India player.

"I never thought so many people will come here. I just wanted a quiet entry, and was looking forward to relax at home. But you have made my day. I have played Test cricket for so many years, but the last time (I saw something) like this was after the 2011 World Cup," he said.

Ashwin on Wednesday announced retirement with immediate effect in the middle of the five-match Test series that is currently locked 1-1 after three games.

"To be honest, we all go through a lot in our career, not only for cricketers but in general. Generally, when I go to sleep I remember a lot of things like taking wickets, making runs, but those memories are not there in the last two years.

"So, that was a clear indication that we need to take a different route now," Ashwin said.

"I have not set any new goals, as I just want to relax now. Actually, it's difficult for me to stay inactive, but I want to try that now," he added.

He will continue to play club cricket, including the IPL, where he will return to play for Chennai Super Kings next year.

"I think that part for me is still burning bright. I am going to play for CSK and don't be surprised if I aspire to play for as long as I can. I don't think Ashwin the cricketer is done, I think only Ashwin the Indian cricketer called time. That's it," he reiterated.

In the limited-overs format, being part of the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy-winning teams would count among the major highlights of his 14-year career.

Ashwin played 116 ODIs for India, claiming 156 wickets, while his 65 T20 International outings yielded 72 scalps. His career began in 2010 in the one-day format before he made his Test debut a year later.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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OnePlus 13R Design, Key Features Revealed Ahead of January 7 Launch; Buds Pro 3 to Get New Colour

OnePlus 13 series global launch is set to take place on January 7. The launch will include the OnePlus 13 and the OnePlus 13R. The 13R will offer the same battery capacity as the OnePlus 13, the company confirmed. Meanwhile, a new colour option for the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 TWS will also launch on the same day.

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Opinion: The Election That Defied Explanations

India on the Move by Marya Shakil and Narendra Nath Mishra; Pages 174; Price Rs 699 

First, a disclosure. One of the authors of the book India on the Move is a friend I have known and admired for years. I urge you to keep that in mind while reading this review.

The book is an honest attempt to make sense of the multi-layered 2024 Lok Sabha verdict. It does so in a way few others have attempted to decipher elections thus far: Through WhatsApp group chats, by examining the issues that unified and polarized the country, through long and arduous train journeys, and through conversations with some of the most prominent figures in Indian politics, among other methods.

In that sense, the book is a collection of impressions drawn from real events as they unfolded. As master chroniclers of our time, the authors must be commended for not imposing their biases and prejudices on their written words. That is no mean achievement considering the polarised world we are living in.

A few lines from the book are worth highlighting here. “While JNU catalysed a resurgence of nationalist discourse in India, it concurrently sowed seeds of discord among the youth, whose disillusionment would manifest in subsequent political landscapes,” the authors observe, referring to a series of events at India's premier Jawaharlal University, which eventually contributed to the emergence of contrasting narratives.

Let's consider another passage: “While the virus tested the robustness and contingencies of the country's healthcare systems, the fear of the virus also amplified existing prejudices at a time when the nation needed to fight a common enemy,” the authors argue, reflecting on the Covid pandemic, which tested our bodies and nerves like few other events in recent decades.

There are chapters, and then there are unique phrases. Here are some chapter titles from the book: When a Deadly Virus Meets Viral Nationalism, Nationalism Goes Global, Of Ideology and Semantics, New Parliament and New Names, Political Tricolour and Soft Hindutva, and Popular Culture: The New Battleground. My favourite remains the one dealing with multiple discourses during the Covid-19 pandemic. The authors are spot-on when they observe that “the new plan of benevolent statesmanship linked with nationalism has now become an inevitable part of politics".

My own take is that while the 2024 verdict leaned more toward benevolent statesmanship, the element of macho nationalism was somewhat missing. It seemed like a collection of several state elections. While West Bengal voted one way, neighbouring Bihar went the opposite. The verdict in Uttar Pradesh was full of surprises, and the people of Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan chose to punish some and reward others.

One theme that stood out was that people did not appreciate any political party taking them for granted. “Logon ne aukat dikha di” (people showed a mirror to all), as a friend said the day the Lok Sabha election results were announced.

The book delves into the multiplicity of the 2024 Lok Sabha verdict. Instead of a single meta-narrative, there were several at play—some cancelling each other out, and some reinforcing one another.

My editor-in-chief beautifully captured the pattern here: “It is a multi-layered verdict—the beauty of the India we know and have grown up in. The 2024 mandate is like a rainbow whose colours politicians will have to work hard to decipher. And decipher they must, with humility and passion, not dismissively. This verdict signals a triumph of individualism.”

(The author is Consulting Editor, NDTV)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

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Samsung Galaxy F06 Renders Reportedly Hint Towards a Redesigned Camera Module: Expected Specifications

Samsung Galaxy F06 is rumoured to be launch as the successor to the Galaxy F05, which arrived in September. Ahead of its anticipated debut, the renders of the purported smartphone have surfaced which hint towards a redesigned optics module at the back with a unified camera island. Further, its specifications have also been reportedly leaked and the handset may feature...

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Moto G15, Moto G15 Power With MediaTek Helio G81 Extreme SoC Launched

Moto G15 and Moto G15 Power were launched in European markets on Wednesday as the latest G lineup smartphones by the Lenovo-owned brand. The new models run on Mediatek Helio G81 Extreme chipset and have 6.72-inch screens, so the main differences are found in their batteries and cameras. They come with Android 15 and offer up to 24GB of RAM with the RAM Boost feature. ...

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"Technique Isn't Made For...": Pujara's Blunt Verdict On 'Struggling' Kohli

It was a disappointing show from Indian cricket team star batter Virat Kohli once again as he was dismissed cheaply on Day 3 of the third Test match against Australia in Brisbane on Monday. Kohli managed to score just three runs before he was caught behind the wicket by Alex Carey off the bowling of Josh Hazlewood. Besides the century in the first Test, Kohli has been extremely inconsistent for the team and at stumps, India were left struggling on 51/4. During his analysis, Pujara pointed out that Kohli's strength lies in playing against the old ball. With India's top-order batters also struggling for runs, he has been forced to play the new ball, and his 'technique' has not helped. 

"We were discussing that he has been forced to play the new ball. He has gotten out whenever he has played the new ball. When he played the old ball, he scored a hundred in Perth. So that's also a very big point," Pujara said on Star Sports.

"His technique isn't made for the new ball. His batting should come after 10, 15 or 20 overs. If he plays the new ball, the bowlers are fresh and their confidence is also high. When they get two wickets, the entire team is charged up," the Indian cricket team batter added.

Coming to the match,  Brisbane's weather came to India's rescue as most of Monday's play was lost because of rain on the third day of the third Test against Australia at the Gabba.

A rattled India limped to 51-4 at stumps on a day when the Australians were only able to bowl 17 overs at the visitors and players left the field seven times due to downpours.

KL Rahul was on 33 at the end of a wet day along with skipper Rohit Sharma, who was yet to score.

Needing 245 to avoid the follow-on, India lost three early wickets in the first session, after earlier bowling Australia out for 445.

(With AFP inputs)

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"Zakir Hussain Revolutionised World Of Indian Classical Music": PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid condolences to tabla maestro Zakir Hussain who died at the age of 73 in a San Francisco hospital on Monday. PM Modi described Ustad Husain as someone who "revolutionised" Indian classical music. 

"Deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain Ji. He will be remembered as a true genius who revolutionized the world of Indian classical music. He also brought the tabla to the global stage, captivating millions with his unparalleled rhythm. Through this, he seamlessly blended Indian classical traditions with global music, thus becoming an icon of cultural unity," PM Modi posted on X. 

Deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain Ji. He will be remembered as a true genius who revolutionized the world of Indian classical music. He also brought the tabla to the global stage, captivating millions with his unparalleled rhythm.…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 16, 2024

"His iconic performances and soulful compositions will contribute to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers alike. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the global music community," PM Modi added. 

According to Ustad Hussain's family, he was suffering from complications caused due to a chronic lung disease. "He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come," the statement read.

Mr Hussain was hospitalised for two weeks and was shifted to an intensive care unit (ICU) before his death. 

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Google Pixel 10 Will Reportedly Use MediaTek's Purported T900 Modem

Google Pixel 10 series handsets have done rounds of the rumour mill recently. The purported smartphones are said to come with Tensor G5 chipsets and run on the Android 16 operating system. The Google Pixel 10 will reportedly come with a new modem. A new report suggests that the Mountain View-based tech giant will carry a modem by MediaTek, which is yet to be released...

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China Abductee Rejects 3 Flats, Cars From Wealthy Parents To Stay Humble

A 26-year-old Chinese man kidnapped as an infant and reunited with his biological family last year, has made after rejecting three apartments and a car offered by his wealthy father, opting instead to forge his path, the South China Morning Post. 

Xie Qingshuai, from Xingtai in Hebei province, was kidnapped on January 20, 1999, when he was just three months old. His biological parents, prosperous construction company owners, spent over a decade and more than one million yuan (US$140,000) searching for him. Their efforts paid off when they were reunited on December 1 last year.

Overnight, Xie's life transformed, with netizens joking that he had gone from an "orphan" to a "wealthy second-generation." However, in a December 5 interview with Shandong Radio and TV, Xie revealed he had declined the lavish gifts his father offered, expressing concerns that sudden wealth might negatively influence his values and lead to irresponsible spending.

"I was worried that accepting these gifts could change my mindset," Xie explained. "Suddenly becoming 'second-generation rich' reminded me of Hello Mr. Billionaire, where the protagonist goes from rags to riches and starts spending recklessly. I didn't want to end up like that."

Hello Mr. Billionaire, a 2018 Chinese comedy, tells the story of a man who must spend 1 billion yuan in 30 days to inherit 30 billion.

Xie clarified that his only request to his father was a modest marital home as he plans to marry his girlfriend. "I don't need anything else. I can buy my own car, even if it means working hard and earning just a few thousand yuan," he said.

Since reuniting with his family, Xie has transitioned into live-streaming, initially facing criticism for leveraging his story just 23 days after the reunion. Netizens accused him of gaining sympathy, leading Xie to briefly pause his online activities.

In July, he launched a live-stream e-commerce business, quickly gaining traction. His first five sessions attracted over 20 million viewers and generated 50 million yuan (US$7 million) in sales. Xie defended his decision, emphasizing that this venture enables him to provide for his family and assist others.

"In today's attention economy, not utilizing such resources would be a waste," he said.

Xie's decision to reject his father's wealth has sparked widespread discussion online, with many praising his independence and entrepreneurial spirit.

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"Nahi Ho Raha...": Bumrah's Frustration Caught On Stump Mic During 3rd Test

Indian cricket team fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was heard complaining about the lack of swing during Day 1 of the third Test encounter against Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday. Only 13.2 overs of play was possible in the first session of the match due to rain and the conditions were predominantly overcast. However, there was very little swing on offer for the fast bowlers and Bumrah was heard complaining about it on the stump mic. During the fifth over of the match, Bumrah tried to alter his length in order to find more movement off the pitch. However, he realised that there was no swing on offer.

“Nahi ho raha swing, kahin bhi kar (There is no swing no matter where you bowl)," Bumrah's comment was caught on the stump microphone as he made his way back to the bowling mark.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to field in the third Test against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday.

The match will begin in overcast and humid conditions with the threat of rain later, which could suit Indian spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

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The five-match series is locked at one win apiece after India won the first Test in Perth, before Australia bounced back to claim victory in Adelaide.

Australia made one change, with speedster Josh Hazlewood back from a side strain in place of Scott Boland.

India have brought in spinner Ravindra Jadeja for Ravichandran Ashwin, while Akash Deep replaces fast bowler Harshit Rana.

"It's a little bit overcast and there's a little bit of grass and looks a bit soft as well," Sharma said. "We want to make best use of the conditions."

Australian captain Pat Cummins said he would have bowled first as well.

"We're really happy with last week, just about everyone got into the series -- it's been a good lead-up (to Brisbane)," he said.

Australia: Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Rohit Sharma (capt), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep

(With AFP inputs)

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Australia Announce Playing XI For 3rd Test vs India, Make One Big Change

Australia's Josh Hazlewood was cleared of injury Friday to reunite with fellow pace spearheads Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc for the crunch third Test against India in Brisbane. The five-match series is finely poised at 1-1 after the visitors won the first game in Perth by 295 runs before crumbling to a 10-wicket defeat with the pink ball in Adelaide. Hazlewood took five wickets in Perth but picked up a side strain that ruled him out of the next clash. Scott Boland performed admirably in his place, but it was not enough to save him.

"Josh Hazlewood comes back. He's had no hiccups, he had a really good bowl yesterday and a couple of days previous," skipper Cummins told reporters. "Him and the medical team are super confident."

There are no other changes for the Test starting Saturday.

Cummins admitted it was hard to leave out Boland, but suggested he could still play a part in the series.

"It's tough, he was fantastic in Adelaide," he said of the 35-year-old seamer, who bagged five wickets in the match.

"He's unfortunately spent a fair bit of time on the bench over the past 18 months. And whenever he's played, he's been fantastic.

"A shame for Scotty, but still a fair bit to play out this series. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't get another crack at some point."

The Gabba used to be a fortress for Australia, who were unbeaten there since 1988 until India finally breached it in 2021 to clinch their four-Test series 2-1.

Australia won their next two Tests in Brisbane, against England and South Africa, but were upset again earlier this year by the West Indies.

Cummins played down the significance of results at particular venues.

"It's just a venue really. We play at dozens and dozens of venues each year," he said.

"It's always good coming back to a place that is familiar. As a player you can look back at times where you might have scored runs or taken wickets," he said.

"But the scoreboard starts at 0-0 so the venue isn't the be-all-and-end-all."

Australia's Playing XI: Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Redmi Note 14 5G Series, Buds 6, Xiaomi Sound Outdoor Speaker Now on Sale in India

Redmi Note 14 5G series, Redmi Buds 6, and Xiaomi Sound Outdoor Speaker will go on sale in India for the first time today. All new products were launched in the country earlier this week. The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G, Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G and Redmi Note 14 5G feature 6.67-inch OLED displays and have a 50-megapixel primary camera. The base Redmi Note 14 5G and Redmi N...

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Opinion: A Power Vacuum In Syria Is A Threat For Everyone

The cataclysmic events in Syria have taken the world, at least much of it, by surprise. Their full magnitude and ramifications will be understood only with time. How did proud, progressive Syria come to such a pass? The only parallel is Afghanistan, where a militant group simply strolled into Kabul and took over the country as President Ashraf Ghani fled. In Syria, rebel groups backed by Turkey, many of which had ties with Al Qaeda and other militant groups earlier, after mounting a lightning offensive from northwestern Syria, similarly walked into Damascus, where, without any fight, President Bashar Al Assad's regime gave in. Predictably, the President fled the country with his family. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Al Jalali announced that he had agreed to hand over power to the rebel "Salvation Government ". Main rebel commander Abu Mohammad Al Jolani met the prime minister to coordinate the transfer of power that "guarantees the provision of services".

The comparison with Afghanistan is both inevitable and disappointing. Syrian society was qualitatively different. The country had achieved 100% literacy; women enjoyed equal rights with men; its many minorities and the Al Assad dynasty, ruling Syria for more than five decades and being members of Syria's largest minority group, the Allawites, had kept the country secular. Syria had been at the forefront of pan-Arabism even though it was closely allied with Iran. Till the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011, it had been a strong champion of the Palestinian cause, had hosted Hamas and refused to make peace with Israel till the return of the Golan Heights occupied by Israel since the 1967 war. Finally, Syria had, even at enormous human cost, been a bulwark against Sunni radicalism.

What Went Wrong? A Myriad Explanations

We may never know what really happened since November 27, when rebel groups, spearheaded by the Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS), mounted an offensive from Idlib, which they had been occupying since the beginning of the fratricidal war that has claimed millions of lives. Within two weeks, they were able to sail into Damascus and take over. The world has been taken by surprise because, thanks to military and economic support rendered by Russia, Iran, and Iran-backed Hezbollah, the Assad regime had once been able to reclaim over 70% of Syrian territory from the various terror organisations that occupied parts of the country. This included ISIS too.

Narratives abound: that Western sanctions had ruined the Syrian economy, that long years of the war, together with a lack of reforms, had rendered the Syrian army weak, tired, and without the morale to fight its co-religionists (a majority of Syrians are Sunni Muslims and the rebel groups fighting the Assad regime were almost all Sunni). Assad himself had failed to consolidate the military gains and translate them into political and social ones. Russia, Syria's main military support, was too stretched with the Ukraine conflict to intervene, while Iran had been weakened by Israel. Hezbollah was in disarray too after its war with Israel.

Were Iran's Warnings Ignored?

Russia itself has announced that Assad held talks with the rebels and decided to leave the country without consulting it. The clearest message has come from Iran. According to Iran's FARS News Agency, in June this year, Iran's Supreme Leader Syed Ali Khameini had warned Assad—that was their last meeting—that rebel factions were regrouping and planning an offensive in Syria. Such warnings and preemptive measures were, however, ignored. High-ranking Iranian officials were holding discussions with Assad even hours before he was overthrown. But Assad placed greater trust in his Arab partners, with whom he had had a reconciliation recently. This made Iran decide not to intervene further in Syria. In any case, the "Shia Crescent" created by Iran—stretching through Iraq, Syria and Lebanon—had almost collapsed by then.

Indeed, the last few years did see a rapprochement between Assad and Sunni powers such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, all of whom had initially backed various rebel factions in the Syrian civil war. A variety of geopolitical factors—not least of which was an indifferent United States—and attacks on territory from both the Sunni radical ISIS and Iran-backed Shiite Houthis in Yemen had caused a rethink, leading to their embrace of Assad. After its ouster in 2011, Syria was reinstated into the Arab League last year; a jubilant Assad also visited Saudi Arabia, where he was given a warm welcome. The only major Sunni power to refuse the recognition of Assad-ruled Syria was Qatar, which had financed many of the Syrian rebel groups.

So, what happens now?

Making Of Another Afghanistan?

The HTS, which has taken control of Damascus now, was until some years ago an Al Qaeda affiliate that wanted to establish a caliphate and had engaged in brutal acts of violence. Al Jolani himself had been an Al Qaeda member who spent time in US custody and had a $10 million bounty on his head. In 2016, he announced that HTS had broken ties with Al Qaeda. While some sections in the media are positioning him and the HTS as having mutated into a more moderate rebel faction, it remains to be seen whether this change is genuine or just a tactical move. As in the case of the Taliban, for instance, while its stance regarding its external relations has changed, its attitude towards women and minorities has not.

In any case, any political transition usually faces teething troubles. What is important for the international community is to see that no power vacuum exists for long. For now, Assad's main allies, Russia and Iran, have had to retreat from Syria, though both have said that they are in touch with the rebel leaders. The Joe Biden administration has been bombing ISIS strongholds and monitoring Syrian weapons depots, while President-elect Donald Trump has announced that this is not America's war.

Advantage Turkey?

Israel and Turkey clearly have the upper hand. Israel has pushed into and occupied part of the demilitarised buffer zone on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights to prevent the spillover of any chaos into its own territory. The Israeli Air Force and Navy have struck missile depots, naval vessels, fighter jets and more to ensure they don't fall into the wrong hands. In a statement on Tuesday, the Israeli Defence Forces said that its Air Force and Navy had carried out over 350 strikes against “strategic targets” in Syria, taking out “most of the strategic weapons stockpiles” in an effort to prevent advanced weaponry from falling into the hands of hostile elements.

Turkey, on the other hand, has long been aiding the Syrian rebels; most of the foreign fighters who crossed over into Syria to join the rebels, including ISIS, have gone through the Turkish-Syrian border. It is also widely believed that the current rebel offensive would not have been possible without tacit Turkish approval. In the northwestern regions of Syria, which have been held by the rebels since the civil war began in 2012, both the Syrian revolutionary flag and the Turkish flags fly.

Even though Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned Israel for pushing into Syrian territory and spoken out against any attempts to divide Syria, it is quite possible that Turkey itself may move deeper into Syria, even if by pushing for a bigger buffer zone between its borders and Syria. Turkey may also use some of these groups as leverage to achieve its strategic objectives in the region.

A Kurdish Uprising May Not Be Out Of Question

There is yet another possibility of an enclave in northeastern Syria being carved out for the Kurdish minority. The Syrian Kurds have been at the forefront of the battle against ISIS but also allege widespread oppression by the Assad regime. The emergence of an independent Kurdish enclave would be of strategic value to Israel as well as to the Sunni Arab states. Israel has always maintained good connections with the Kurds, a significant minority community found in countries across the region—Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. Interestingly, soon after the new Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz took charge, he made a mention of the Kurds and his support for them in his address. However, an independent Kurdish enclave would vehemently be opposed by Turkey, which has long been waging an internal battle against Kurdish insurgency. It would also be opposed by Iran.

Will Syria Become A Terrorist Hub?

The other security nightmare is that the vacuum, together with the almost defunct Syrian army, may once again draw terrorist groups to set up bases in Syria. The spectre of another monstrosity like ISIS rising again in Syria may not be too far-fetched.

The only hope in this quagmire can be derived from the Syrian people—the many qualified, resilient women and men who have paid a great price and made many sacrifices for their motherland over the years. They are the only ones who can ensure that Syria does not turn into another Afghanistan.

(Aditi Bhaduri is a journalist and political analyst)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

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Vivo to Debut New Sub-Brand Dubbed Jovi Next Year Starting With Three Models: Report

Vivo will introduce a new sub-brand for smartphones next year called Jovi, according to a report. It was reportedly spotted on a database along with the mention of three upcoming devices that will debut under its banner. However, they might not be new handsets but are speculated to be rebranded versions of existing Vivo smartphones.

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Actor Sapna Singh's Son Found Dead In Bareilly, His 2 Friends Arrested

Actor Sapna Singh staged a protest in Bareilly after her 14-year-old son was found dead under suspicious circumstances, with police arresting his two friends over the case, officials said on Wednesday.

She ended the protest on Tuesday after more than 90 minutes following police's assurance that action will be taken.

Her son Sagar Gangwar's two adult friends -- identified as Anuj and Sunny -- were arrested and sent to jail on Wednesday on charges of murder, the officials said.

"The postmortem report could not confirm the exact cause of death but indications of poisoning or drug overdose have been found. Viscera samples have been preserved for further examination," Circle Officer (Fatehpur) Ashutosh Shivam said.

Bhuta Police Station Inspector Sunil Kumar added, "Anuj and Sunny confessed during questioning that they had consumed drugs and alcohol with Sagar. The overdose caused Sagar to collapse. Panicking, they dragged his body to a field and left him there." Sagar, a Class 8 student, was staying with his maternal uncle Om Prakash in Anand Vihar Colony, Bareilly, according to police.

His body was discovered Sunday morning near Adalakhia village in the Izzatnagar police station area.

Initially, a postmortem was conducted, treating it as an unidentified case. However, the Baradari police had registered a missing persons complaint filed by Om Prakash on December 7, an official said.

Following the identification of the body, CCTV footage near the incident site showed Anuj and Sunny dragging Sagar. This led to their detention, the official added.

The incident sparked protest in Sagar's village, with residents blocking the road and demanding a second postmortem.

Sapna Singh, known for her roles in TV programmes "Crime Patrol" and "Mati Ki Banno," returned from Mumbai on Tuesday to find her son dead.

She broke down upon seeing his body and demanded justice. Police added a murder case following the protests and filed a fresh FIR at the Bhuta police station. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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OnePlus 11 Receiving Android 15-Based OxygenOS 15 Update in India: What’s New

OnePlus is rolling out its latest Android 15-based operating system (OS) dubbed OxygenOS 15 for OnePlus 11 users in India, the company announced via its community forum on Wednesday. Its introduction takes place days after the OnePlus Pad received the same update. OxygenOS 15 brings visual enhancements such as flux themes, luminous rendering effects, and improved anim...

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'Selfless' Rohit Drops Big Hint For 3rd Test Role, Kohli Looking To...

The pink-ball Test between India and Australia could be over but the players are still toiling hard in the nets at Adelaide. After the day-night Test ended in just 2 days and one session, the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, etc. decided to put the hard yards in the nets at Adelaide, before they fly to Brisbane for the third Test of the series. Ahead of the Gabba clash, Rohit Sharma's batting position has been one of the biggest talking points among experts. However, it doesn't look like the India captain is willing to change anything.

Rohit batted at the No. 6 spot in the pink-ball Test, allowing KL Rahul to continue opening alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. Both Rahul and Rohit failed to put in the runs, prompting discussions that the Hitman should reclaim his opening spot. But, Rohit seems to be keen on playing in the middle order for at least one more game.

From India's net sessions in Adelaide on Tuesday, the broadcaster reported that there was no change in Team India's batting order from the pink-ball Test.

In the nets, Virat Kohli worked on his backfoot as well as the issue of pressing the ball on his front foot, subsequently getting caught in the slips. Rohit, meanwhile, continued to occupy a spot in the middle-order.

Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli working hard in nets ahead of the third Test#INDvsAUS #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Vl0IcKea96

— Virat Kohli ( Fans) (@viratkofans18) December 10, 2024

The broadcaster KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal came out for the hits first, followed by Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant. The batting order, hence, indicates that Rohit might not be keen to get Rahul shifted to a spot in the middle-order at the Gabba.

Neither Rohit, nor Rahul had a fruitful outing in the pink-ball Test which concluded on Sunday. But, it doesn't look like the team management is looking to give up on Rahul as an opener at the moment, especially considering the way he performed in the Perth Test.

Rohit might be keen to take up the opening role himself but his selfless act has proved once again that the Hitman always puts the team over personal comfort.

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Moto G35 5G With 50-Megapixel Main Camera, 5,000mAh Battery Launched in India: Price, Specifications

Moto G35 5G was launched in India on Tuesday. The handset is equipped with a Unisoc T760 chipset paired with 4GB of LPDDR4x RAM. It comes with an IP52 rating for dust and splash resistance. The phone has a 50-megapixel dual rear camera unit and a 16-megapixel selfie shooter. The 6.72-inch full-HD+ LCD screen is equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection.

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Realme Note 60x With IP54 Rating, 5,000mAh Battery Launched: Price, Specifications

Realme Note 60x has been launched in the Philippines with a Unisoc T612 chipset and an IP54-rated build for dust and splash resistance. The handset comes with ArmorShell protection which is said to protect the internal ports and core components. It is backed by a 5,000mAh battery and runs on Android 14-based Realme UI out-of-the-box.

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Box Office: Pushpa 2 On A Rampage, Enters Rs 800 Crore Club

Allu Arjun and director Sukumar's Pushpa 2 continues to make waves at the global box office. The film has grossed over Rs 800 crore worldwide in just four days and trade reports suggest it will easily cross Rs 1,000 crore before completing its first week in theatres. The sequel is particularly creating a storm in the Hindi-speaking market. Trade analyst Ramesh Bala shared on his X account that Pushpa 2 surpassed Rs 800 crore in gross earnings globally over its opening weekend.

The Hindi version of Pushpa 2 has outperformed the original Telugu version, becoming the first Hindi film to earn over Rs 80 crore nett in India. According to Sacnilk, the film collected Rs 141.5 crore nett in India on December 8. Of this, the Hindi version contributed a staggering Rs 85 crore nett, while the Telugu version earned Rs 44 crore nett. In Tamil Nadu, the film recorded Rs 9.5 crore nett on Sunday.

Additionally, the Malayalam and Kannada versions of Pushpa 2 earned Rs 1.9 crore and Rs 1.1 crore nett, respectively, in India on Sunday. The total four-day collection now stands at Rs 529.45 crore nett, with the Hindi version playing a major role in these impressive earnings. The Hindi version alone has earned Rs 285.7 crore nett in the first four days.

Directed by Sukumar, Pushpa 2 picks up where its predecessor, Pushpa: The Rise (2021), left off. The much-anticipated sequel continues the story of red sandalwood smuggling, with Allu Arjun reprising his role as Pushpa Raj, alongside Rashmika Mandanna as Srivalli and Fahadh Faasil as Bhanwar Singh Shekawat. The film also features seasoned actors such as Jagapathi Babu, Dhananjaya, Rao Ramesh, Sunil and Anasuya Bharadwaj.

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How Syria's Assad Used Chemical Weapons To Suppress Civilian Unrest

Syrian rebels have declared the start of a new era as they marched into the capital Damascus this morning. President Bashar Al-Assad, whose family has ruled the Middle Eastern country for over 50 years, has fled the country and the Syrian army command has confirmed to its officers that the Assad rule has ended.

Assad had maintained a strong grip on Syria despite protests and rebels joining hands to free the Sunni-majority country from an Alawite ruler. Even the slightest of protests evoked the strictest of responses from Assad's forces. Assad had used chemical weapons to suppress the civilian unrest that had kept his government on the brink for over a decade.

The use of chemical weapons amounts to a war crime, as per international laws. At least 193 countries are signatories to the Chemical Weapons Convention, which aims to eliminate chemical weapons as a weapons of mass destruction.

Syria became a member of the convention in 2013 and declared they have removed all their chemical weapons. However, questions still remain about the completeness of Syria's declaration.

Attacks On Ghouta

Ghouta bears witness to one of the worst chemical attacks in the history of Syria. The morning of August 21, 2013 captured a horror never seen before as the Assad regime carried out two chemical attacks on the opposition-controlled suburbs of Damascus. The attacks led to the death of hundreds of civilians, including children.

A surface-to-surface rocket system was used to carry out the attack, according to an investigation by Human Rights Watch. Sarin, an extremely potent nerve agent, was likely used in the attack as doctors said the victims showed symptoms of exposure to nerve gas - suffocation, nausea, frothing in the mouth, and fluids coming out of eyes and noses.

Denying responsibility for the attack, the Syrian government had put the blame on the opposition groups. HRW claims that it has found no evidence that supported the Syrian claim.

The severity of the attack could be understood from the visuals -available online - showing rows of bodies of dead adults and children wrapped in white shrouds.

In 2017, Assad had carried out another chemical attack on rebels in Khan Shaykhun. In response, then-US President Donald Trump had ordered strikes on Syria.

Fears Over Chemical Weapons

The Assad chapter may be over, but fears remain over the future of chemical weapons. US intelligence agencies assess that the forces had limited stockpiles, including sarin-loaded munitions, intended to be used against the rebels. The agencies are now monitoring the chemical weapons storage sites.

Torture Of Detainees

Syrian protesters were often picked up and tortured in jails. There have been reports of children being maimed and sexually abused by Assad's forces and recruited for fighting by the rebels.

In a recent UN report, former detainees of the Syrian government have described the inhumane conditions they were kept in and the physical and psychological abuse unleashed on them. This includes beatings, stress positions, and sexual violence.

"Thousands of families bear the psychological toll of not knowing where their loved ones are. This is unimaginable psychological torture, yet the Syrian Government continues to intentionally withhold and cover-up information," said Robert Petit, head of the UN International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM), which prepared the report.

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US Embassy In India Holds 'Super Saturday' To Reduce Visa Wait Times

The United States Embassy in New Delhi and Consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad will open consular operations on Saturday, December 7, to accommodate applicants requiring in-person visa interviews, officials said on Friday.

The US Mission in India launched a series of special Saturday interview days in January earlier this year as part of a larger effort to reduce wait times for first-time visa applicants.

According to an official statement this fourth 'Super Saturday' is an innovative way to keep pace with the growing demand for travel between the United States and India. The participating posts will employ the maximum resources to conduct the most visa interviews on the Super Saturday. These additional interview days are just one component of a multi-pronged initiative to address the burgeoning demand in India for travel to the United States, the statement said. The Department of State has implemented remote processing of interview waiver cases for applicants with previous US visas and is also increasing the number of consular officers permanently assigned to the Embassy and Consulates. Mark McGovern, Consul General at the US Embassy New Delhi said, "This year, we have already processed more than one million visas across India, and we are so excited to be here for the fourth 'Super Saturday'."

"But our work isn't just about the numbers; each visa means a family reunified, a business deal made, a new educational experience, or a tourist visiting America for the first time," McGovern said.

"The people-to-people ties between the United States and we certainly understand that so is the demand for visas," he added.

"That's why we're working overtime to keep the momentum going, even if it means coming in on a Saturday. Knowing that we can have that kind of impact makes this job so rewarding," he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Google Pixel 9a Design Spotted in Leaked Live Images With Oval-Shaped Rear Camera Module

Google Pixel 9a design has been spotted on X (formerly Twitter) with an oval-shaped rear camera module that lacks the metal "visor" seen on the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro models. Here's everything you need to know about how the Pixel 9a might look like, months before its anticipated debut.

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Professor Who Fled Gaza Teaches Trapped Students From Canada

University professor Ahmed Abu Shaban often gets up at 3:00 am in Toronto to remotely teach his students in Gaza -- motivated by loyalty to his trapped pupils, and a deep sense of guilt.

Shaban, an academic who fled Gaza days after October 7, 2023, said he has an obligation to students in the Palestinian Territory desperate to study in defiance of unimaginable challenges.

He also said he has a responsibility to help preserve higher education in Gaza, while the world is focused on the humanitarian emergency. 

But the 50-year-old conceded that guilt also weighs on him. 

"Guilty for leaving Gaza," he told AFP. "Like we just abandoned our country, our people, our institution."

Shaban is still the dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine at Al-Azhar University, which was destroyed -- along with most university buildings -- by Israeli air strikes.

Shaban crossed to Egypt shortly after the war began, anticipating Israel's response to the Hamas attack would be "massive," he said. 

Canadian contacts arranged a posting at Toronto's York University, where he is a visiting professor in the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change.

In a campus office with empty book shelves and mostly bare walls, Shaban explained that he felt compelled to help make Al-Azhar operational in some form. 

He wanted "to give the very clear message for the whole world: Yes, they just destroyed our infrastructure. Yes, they destroyed our buildings... but we are still alive and we will just continue," he said.

"This is actually a responsibility for our students, for our nation, and for our independent state in the future."

- Hunger to study -
Shaban, who is on Al-Azhar's board, said its pre-war enrolment was 14,000 students. 

When registration opened for online courses earlier this year he expected 1,000 students to join. 

"We got 10,000," he said. 

"It was really, for me, shocking because, just imagine: you live in a tent, you have no electricity, you have no internet. You have nothing at all. 

"But you still have the hope to go to sign up for online courses and to walk for five (kilometres) to get internet connection and even to communicate, to sit and study. And sometimes you risk your life even while you are searching for internet."

Shaban conceded his personal schedule is "stressful," as he tries to work in two time zones. 

One day last month, he was up at 3:00 am to join a workshop on Gaza's food system, before an Al-Azhar board meeting at 6:00 am. He then headed to his Toronto office to prepare a guest lecture on the Gaza war. 

On evenings and weekends he records and uploads lectures for his Palestinian students.

Shaban said the study program is flexible, given the challenges of internet access. Students watch lectures and complete assigments when they can get online.  

- Star student killed -
He said students in Gaza can be "angry" and "pushy": they want to know, for example, when they will able to do lab work, even though all the labs have been destroyed.

Shaban said he understands their frustrations. 

"Sometimes you feel the students are looking at us like we can do things that actually are not doable," he said. "I have to be responsive in a gentle way."  

As agitated student messages pour in, Shaban said he reminds himself that he is living comfortably in a city with electricity and grocery stores stocked with food. 

"(I) try just to provide them with whatever support that I can. There are many things that I cannot do," he said. 

Students who have died are always front of mind.

He recalled five engineering students killed as they gathered by an internet source to work on an assignment. 

Shaban said he will never forget his "star student" Bilal al Aish, who, days before the war started, was trying to decide whether to pursue a scholarship in Germany or the American Fulbright. 

"I saw the hope in his eyes, not only for his own future, but also the future of our institutions."

Shaban said Aish was killed by an Israeli strike early in the war. 

"I got the feeling they are killing the future," the professor said. "That was really painful for me."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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'Dead', 'Bye Bye Bye': Israel's Joke 'Spotify Wrapped' List Sparks Row

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have released a Spotify Wrapped-inspired list to showcase their 2024 “operational accomplishments”. Known for its viral popularity, Spotify Wrapped is a feature that lists users' top songs, artists, and listening habits over the year. The IDF, however, reimagined the format as a “playlist” to detail the killings of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar.

In their “Wrapped,” shared on X, the IDF listed “accomplishments” in the format of a public playlist titled "Your Top Songs 2024". The entries reinterpreted Spotify's music aesthetics, with song-like titles.

Standout tracks included “Dead”, referring to the elimination of Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's former secretary general, and “Dead Pt. II”, referencing Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar. Other entries such as “365”, inspired by Charli XCX's hit this year, stressed a year of “protecting our civilians”. 

Another entry read, “19,000+ Terrorists Eliminated” with the mock album named “Bye Bye Bye” - an NSYNC song. The post also featured mock albums such as “Dead Hezbollah Terrorists” and “Dead Hamas Terrorists.”

“Thought we would share our year, wrapped,” they wrote in the caption.

Thought we would share our year, wrapped. pic.twitter.com/Yc9fArXceW

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 4, 2024

The internet, however, did not take the IDF's Spotify Wrapped-inspired recap lightly. Almost immediately, social media users began sharing their own versions of Wrapped, using the viral template to call attention to Israel's war crimes. 

A user wrote, “Don't be shy, post your real one,” and detailed, “Your top war crimes: Killing over 100,000 people in Gaza, displacing millions in Gaza, leaving 0 functioning hospitals in Gaza, destroying over 80 per cent of all buildings in Gaza, causing mass starvation in Gaza.” 

don't be shy post ur real one https://t.co/oDj93pgtQ0 pic.twitter.com/iIZDIFSsGk

— Hurt CoPain (@SaeedDiCaprio) December 4, 2024

News website Mondoweiss also created their own version of the Spotify Wrapped-inspired list with the caption, “Israel's genocide 'Wrapped' since October 7th, 2023.” The post used the same format as the IDF's original, but with starkly different content. Titled “Israel's Genocide Wrapped”, the template included statistics, such as the number of Palestinians killed, displaced, and injured, as well as the destruction of Gaza. The list highlighted the deaths of over 2,00,000 Palestinians, the displacement of more than 1.5 million, and over 20,000 children still missing in Gaza. The post also pointed out the more than 1,05,000 Palestinians injured, over 10,000 imprisoned.

Israel's genocide "Wrapped" since October 7th, 2023. pic.twitter.com/iBxZadqcYb

— Mondoweiss (@Mondoweiss) December 4, 2024

“Turning death and destruction into a Spotify Wrapped parody? This is grotesque on a whole new level. Celebrating violence like it's a greatest hits album only highlights how far humanity has been stripped out of this conflict. War crimes as ‘accomplishments'? Shameful," a social media user commented.

Turning death and destruction into a Spotify Wrapped parody? This is grotesque on a whole new level. Celebrating violence like it's a greatest hits album only highlights how far the humanity has been stripped out of this conflict. War crimes as "accomplishments"? Shameful.

— NaanSenseGuy (@NanSenseGuy) December 4, 2024

The IDF continues its war in Gaza, particularly in the north. A massive evacuation is underway in Beit Lahia, with over 10,000 people forced to leave in the last 24 hours.

On Wednesday, Human Rights Group Amnesty International published a report, accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. The group said the Israeli Defence Forces committed at least three of the five acts banned by the 1948 Genocide Convention. The IDF assault has led to indiscriminate killings of civilians, caused serious bodily or mental harm, and deliberately inflicted "on Palestinians in Gaza conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction".

“Month after month, Israel has treated Palestinians in Gaza as a subhuman group unworthy of human rights and dignity, demonstrating its intent to physically destroy them,” said Agnes Callamard, secretary-general of Amnesty International, Al Jazeera reported.

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Sea Of Toxic Foam In Tamil Nadu's Hosur After Dam Discharges Surplus Water

A stretch of the South Pennai River near Tamil Nadu's Hosur has transformed into a sprawling sea of toxic foam following the release of surplus water from the Kellavarapalli Dam. The discharge, prompted by heavy inflows from Karnataka after recent rains, has triggered a severe environmental and public health concern.

Videos shared on social media reveal alarming visuals: massive frothy waves coursing over the river's surface, foam swirling and spreading across nearby areas, and flurries of froth carried by the wind. 

Authorities suspect the source lies in untreated industrial effluents from factories in neighbouring Karnataka straddling the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border. These factories are believed to have exploited the heavy rains to dump pollutants into the water system, exacerbating the toxic buildup. The toxic foam poses significant threats to the river's ecosystem, aquatic life, and human health.

 "The recent frothing event on the South Periyar River is part of a troubling pattern," said Professor Sacchida Nand Tripathi, Dean of the Kotak School of Sustainability. Prof Tripathi linked the event to "excessive organic loads" entering the river system due to untreated sewage and industrial waste.

"This foam reduces dissolved oxygen levels in the water, leading to the death of fish and the destruction of algae, which are critical to the river's health," Prof Tripathi added. The foam also presents risks of waterborne diseases for nearby communities that rely on groundwater linked to the river system.

This is not the first time toxic foam has plagued Hosur. In October, heavy rain and reservoir discharges led to a similar incident, with five-foot-high froth spilling onto roads, disrupting traffic, and sparking cleanup efforts by emergency teams. Then, as now, authorities suspected industrial units in Karnataka were dumping effluents into the river.

The Kellavarapalli Dam incident mirrors similar frothing crises seen in other parts of India, including Bengaluru's Bellandur and Varthur Lakes and Delhi's Yamuna River. These events share common threads: untreated sewage, rampant industrial discharge, and weak regulatory oversight.

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Hunter Biden Faces $300K Unpaid Rent Accusations, Elon Musk Reacts

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, known for his provocative and controversial comments on social media, has weighed in on the recent scandal involving Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden. Hunter has been accused of owing over $3,00,000 in unpaid rent.

The billionaire entrepreneur shared a Fox News report on X, adding his own commentary: “Truth is stranger (and funnier) than fiction.”

Truth is stranger (and funnier) than fiction ???? https://t.co/YgtEBAEE8h

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 4, 2024

The fresh allegations against Hunter Biden came from Shaun Maguire, a partner at the venture capital firm Sequoia. On social media platform X, Mr Maguire expressed concerns after President Biden's decision to grant his son a full and unconditional pardon.

Mr Maguire, who claimed to have been Hunter Biden's landlord in Venice, California, stated that he failed to pay rent for over a year. He detailed the frustration in a post, saying, “So what happens to the $300k+ in back pay rent that Hunter Biden owes my family from 2019-2020? Is that pardoned now? Thanks, Joe (This is a true story).”

So what happens to the $300k+ in back pay rent that Hunter Biden owes my family from 2019-2020?

Is that pardoned now?

Thanks Joe

(This is a true story)

— Shaun Maguire (@shaunmmaguire) December 2, 2024

In a follow-up post, Mr Maguire added, “Yup. True story. Hunter was our tenant in Venice, CA. Didn't pay rent for over a year. Tried to pay w/ art made from his own faeces. Absolute s**t bag.”

Yup. True story. Hunter was our tenant in Venice, CA. Didn't pay rent for over a year. Tried to pay w/ art made from his own feces.

Absolute shit bag.

— Shaun Maguire (@shaunmmaguire) December 2, 2024

The property had a rental fee of $25,000 per month. Mr Maguire also recounted that Hunter “changed the locks and used secret service to enforce. We had no access to the property.”

He changed the locks and used secret service to enforce. We had no access to the property.

— Shaun Maguire (@shaunmmaguire) December 2, 2024

In another comment, he expressed hesitation about pursuing legal action against the Bidens, suggesting they “are kind of a scary family to go after.”

It's kind of a scary family to go after

— Shaun Maguire (@shaunmmaguire) December 2, 2024

The presidential pardon applies to federal crimes committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024. Hunter Biden had previously faced federal charges for tax offences and accusations of lying about his substance abuse history on a firearm background check form.

According to the Fox News report, the unpaid rent allegations are a civil matter and not covered by a presidential pardon.

Joe Biden had earlier maintained that he would not pardon his son but changed his stance months before leaving the White House.

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Realme 14x Tipped to Go on Sale on December 18; Could Pack a 6,000mAh Battery

Realme 14x could launch in India soon. While Realme has not provided any details yet, a report has suggested the phone's sale date and possible specifications. The Realme 14x is tipped to come with an IP69 rating and could include a 6,000mAh battery.

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"Rang Neela Hi Rahega": Ex Pakistan Star Flaunts His Indian Roots

One of the finest wicket-keepers to play for Pakistan, Rashid Latif is known for his quirky yet strong opinions on cricketing topics. However, not many know of the former wicket-keeper batter's Indian roots. In a video that has surfaced on social media, Latif could be heard flaunting his Indian roots, as he explained why people from Uttar Pradesh (where his father lived before migrating to Pakistan in 1950s) should not be messed with. Rashid, who proudly flaunted his India connection, also has a half-brother who still lives in UP.

In the video, Latif revealed that about 90% of his family members still live in Sultanpur (Uttar Pradesh) from where his father migrated in the 1950s.

"Mulq chhod diya hai iska matlab logo ko bhul thodi na jayenge. Rang to neela hi rahega na humara to. Ek humare bhai Sultanpur mein rehte hain and humari 90 percent family Sultanpur mein rehti hai. Goro nei aisi hi nahi Uttar Pradesh ka naam Upper Province rakha tha ["Leaving the country doesn't mean we'll forget the people. Our color will still remain blue, won't it? One of my brothers lives in Sultanpur, and 90 percent of my family resides there too. The British didn't name Uttar Pradesh the 'Upper Province' without reason]," Latif said.

Rashid latif is now Claiming he is Indian pic.twitter.com/YGbfuCDLmp

— The StatPadder (@The_statpadder) December 2, 2024

Latif further Uttar Pradesh, saying people from the state are among the best when it comes to politics, intelligence, and even abuses.

"Politics mein and brain mein and gaaliyon mein number one Uttar Pradesh. Hum log waha se hain. Toh panga nahi lene ka apan se. [In politics, intelligence, and even abuses, Uttar Pradesh is number one. That's where we come from. So, it's better not to mess with us]," the former Pakistan wicketkeeper said.

For the unversed, Rashid's half-brother Shahid decided to remain in India and built a career while working for a newspaper in Kolkata.

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Honor 300 Ultra, Honor 300 Pro, Honor 300 Launched With 5,300mAh Batteries: Price, Specifications

Honor 300 Ultra, Honor 300 Pro and Honor 300 were launched in China Monday. All three phones feature a 50-megapixel main rear camera and a 50-megapixel selfie shooter. They run on Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipsets and ship with Android 15-based MagicOS 9.0. The Honor 300 series smartphones feature full-HD+ displays with up to 120Hz refresh rate. They have an IP65 dust an...

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Mamata Banerjee Wants UN Force In Bangladesh, Says PM Modi Must Intervene

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday called for a United Nations peacekeeping force be deployed in Bangladesh and demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal intervention to secure the safety of religious minorities in the violence-hit neighbouring nation.

Ms Banerjee's demands come amid reports that at least three Hindu priests - from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness - have been arrested in civil unrest that has roiled Bangladesh since August, when a student-led rebellion forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to stand down and the Army took over, before an interim government was installed.

"We have families... properties... and loved ones in Bangladesh. We accept whatever stance the Government of India takes on this...but we condemn atrocities on religious grounds anywhere in the world and appeal to the union government, and the Prime Minister, to intervene," she said.

Addressing the Bengal Assembly, Ms Banerjee said she had spoken to the chief of the ISKCON's Kolkata unit to extend her sympathies and support, and stressed, "If Indians are attacked in Bangladesh, then we cannot tolerate it. We can bring back (repatriate) our people from there."

"The Government of India can take this matter up with the United Nations... so a peacekeeping force can be sent to Bangladesh," Ms Banerjee thundered.

The Bengal Chief Minister said she was not seeking to interfere with the internal affairs of another country, but pointed out that when Bangladeshi fishermen had mistakenly entered Indian waters, or when a Bangladeshi trawler had capsized, her government had "rescued them and treated them (well)".

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Bangladesh Estimates $16 Billion Siphoned Yearly During Sheikh Hasina Rule

An average $16 billion may have been illicitly siphoned out of Bangladesh annually during former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule, according to the findings of a committee formed by interim leader Muhammad Yunus.

The panel led by economist Debapriya Bhattacharya submitted a white paper on the state of Bangladesh's economy to Yunus in Dhaka on Sunday, according to a government statement.

Sheikh Hasina was ousted by student protesters in August after 15 years of increasingly authoritarian rule. The army and protest leaders tapped Nobel laureate Yunus, who pioneered microcredit to the poor, to lead an interim government.

"Our blood curdles to know how they plundered the economy," Yunus said in the statement. "The sad part is they looted the economy openly. And most of us could not summon courage to confront it."

The document shows "the economy we inherited after the July-August mass uprising," he said.

Leaders in Sheikh Hasina's party are in jail or hiding in Bangladesh, or have left the country. The party doesn't have a spokesperson who can be contacted to comment on allegations in the white paper.

As part of its investigations, the committee looked into seven large projects out of 29 which had more than 100 billion taka ($836 million) expenditure outlay each.

The initial cost of the seven projects examined was estimated at 1.14 trillion taka. Hasina's government later revised project costs to 1.95 trillion taka through the addition of more components and inflated land prices among others, according to the statement.

"The problem is deeper than what we have thought," Bhattacharya said, adding that the 400-page white paper will show "how crony capitalism gave birth to the oligarchs, who controlled the policy framing."

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"When We Have Said...": Congress Reacts To AAP Going Solo For Delhi Poll

The Congress on Monday confirmed what many expected and what AAP boss Arvind Kejriwal said Sunday - there will be no alliance for the Delhi Assembly election due early next year.

Udit Raj, the party's ex-Delhi (North-West) Lok Sabha MP, pointed out that the interim boss of his party's Delhi unit, Devender Yadav, "had already said we will not have any alliance". "When Congress has already said it, then where does this question (of a seat-share deal) arise?

"It means they (the AAP) are afraid and want to create an environment that compromises the Congress. Otherwise, when this has been clarified, then it should not happen again. A week ago, Delhi Congress had said that we would not make an alliance with anyone..." he said.

On Sunday former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal ruled out the possibility of an alliance between his party and Congress, or any INDIA bloc partner, for the Delhi election.

"There will be no alliance in Delhi," Mr Kejriwal said at a press conference.

The AAP and Congress fought the Lok Sabha Elections together, but it ended in a debacle as the BJP won all seats. The AAP and Congress were also engaged in seat-sharing talks before the Haryana Assembly elections in October, but the talks failed, and the BJP won the elections.

The AAP-Congress break-up has been mocked by the BJP, which is seen as the AAP's clearest rival in the February election. "After coming together for the Lok Sabha election... they lacked ambition and could not win any seat in Delhi. Now, this is the 'friendship with benefits' model. Here they are saying they will contest against each other but come together in Parliament," Shehzad Ponnawalla said.

The BJP's newest recruit - former AAP leader Kailash Gahlot - also threw in a jab.

"I think people of Delhi have decided to bring the BJP to power. In the Lok Sabha election, there was no impact of alliance (between AAP and the Congress). People of Delhi are troubled due to damaged roads, overflowing sewers and other issues."

Meanwhile, Mr Kejriwal will personally run point on his party's solo bid to win a third consecutive Delhi Assembly election, sources said. The ex-Chief Minister - who resigned September after (finally) securing bail in the alleged liquor policy scam - will "micro-manage" the re-election bid.

READ | AAP "Fishing In Congress' Waters" As Kejriwal Plots Re-Election Bid

That bid has already begun; the AAP has already released a first list of 11 candidates, three of whom are sitting MLAs and have been dropped to ward off the anti-incumbency factor.

Two of the 11 named candidates have recently joined from the Congress.

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