Author: Rasmita Jena

  • Josh Hazlewood’s Comeback Boosts Australia for Third Test Against India

    Josh Hazlewood’s Comeback Boosts Australia for Third Test Against India

    Josh Hazlewood is getting ready to return for the third Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, taking place at the Gabba in Brisbane. He missed the pink-ball Test in Adelaide because of a side injury, and many were unsure if he would make it back in time. However, Hazlewood has recovered quicker than expected. On Monday, he was seen bowling strongly at the Adelaide Oval, looking pleased with how he felt. Hazlewood has taken 278 wickets in his Test career so far.

    Australia, who tied the series by winning 10 wickets in Adelaide, would greatly benefit from Hazlewood’s presence in Brisbane. Former captain Ricky Ponting prefers Hazlewood over Scott Boland, who performed well in Adelaide. Ponting said, “Even though Boland bowled brilliantly, I would still choose Hazlewood for Brisbane.”

    Hazlewood’s history at the Gabba is quite impressive; he has played 8 Tests there, taking 37 wickets with an average of 23.75 and two five-wicket hauls. His return could be crucial, especially since Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are struggling for runs. After the Adelaide victory, captain Pat Cummins said Hazlewood is on track and just needs to bowl again to check how he feels. If Hazlewood plays, it might mean not all current players can stay in the team, making it tough for whoever has to make space. In Hazlewood’s absence, Boland took five wickets in the Adelaide match, even getting Kohli out in the second innings.

  • Cold Wave to Hit Delhi Soon: What You Need to Know About the Weather

    Cold Wave to Hit Delhi Soon: What You Need to Know About the Weather

    The weather is turning colder! Starting today, the national capital, Delhi, is expected to have foggy weather on Monday, with the temperature dropping to 8 degrees Celsius at night and going up to 24 degrees during the day. After light rain in parts of Delhi on Sunday evening, the air quality has improved. Places like Kota House, Akbar Road, and Pandara Park experienced some rain.

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a cold wave across Northern India, starting December 9. Here’s what the weather will look like this week:

    – December 9: Min 8°C, Max 23°C – Dense Fog
    – December 10: Min 6°C, Max 24°C – Moderate Fog
    – December 11: Min 6°C, Max 24°C – Moderate Fog
    – December 12: Min 6°C, Max 25°C – Shallow Fog
    – December 13: Min 7°C, Max 25°C – Fog
    – December 14: Min 8°C, Max 25°C – Fog

    A cold wave is expected to chill many areas in Northern India, including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh. The IMD mentioned that by December 10, temperatures in Delhi could drop to about 3°C, down from 7°C now.

    The cold wave will last from December 9 to 14 in West Rajasthan and will reach places like Punjab and Haryana by December 11. Cold wave conditions mean temperatures will drop sharply, making it much colder than what these areas usually experience. Already, towns like Hisar in Haryana have recorded low temperatures of around 4.7°C.

    As the weather worsens, the Delhi government has set up night shelters for those in need. These shelters are located in areas like AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and Nizamuddin Flyover, helping people stay warm during these cold nights.

  • Mixed Oil Prices: China Demand Drops, Middle East Tensions Rise

    Mixed Oil Prices: China Demand Drops, Middle East Tensions Rise

    Oil prices were mixed in early trading on Monday. Concerns about weak demand in China were balanced by fears of rising tensions in the Middle East after Syrian rebels claimed victory over President Bashar al-Assad. Brent crude oil slightly dropped by 1 cent to $71.11 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose by 1 cent to $67.21 per barrel.

    Last week, Brent oil prices fell over 2.5%, and WTI dropped by 1.2% as analysts worried there might be too much oil available next year due to weak demand. This worry continued even after OPEC+, a group of oil-producing countries, decided to delay increasing oil production and keep production cuts in place until the end of 2026.

    Saudi Aramco, the largest oil company in the world, said it lowered its prices for January 2025 for buyers in Asia, reaching the lowest point since early 2021 because of weak demand from China.

    Meanwhile, Syrian rebels claimed on state TV that they have overthrown President al-Assad, ending his family’s rule of 50 years. This has raised fears of more instability in an already troubled Middle East.

    In the U.S., the number of oil and gas rigs increased last week, indicating that oil production might be going up, which caused prices to dip further. OPEC+ also decided to push back plans to increase oil output by three months, now aiming for April, and extended production cuts until 2026.

  • Biden Celebrates Assad’s Ouster: A New Dawn for Syria!

    Biden Celebrates Assad’s Ouster: A New Dawn for Syria!

    Outgoing US President Joe Biden spoke about the fall of Bashar Assad’s government in Syria, which has hurt many people for over fifty years. He described this event as an important chance for the people of Syria. Biden shared his thoughts at the White House after rebel groups took control of Syria, ending a long and violent civil war.

    “After thirteen years of fighting and more than fifty years of strict rule by Assad and his father, the rebel forces have pushed Assad to resign and leave the country. We do not know his exact location right now, but there are rumors he is in Moscow. Finally, the Assad regime has ended,” Biden said.

    “This regime has harmed, tortured, and killed hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians. The end of this regime is a big step towards justice. It’s a historic moment for the suffering people of Syria to create a better future for their beloved country,” he added.

    Biden also talked about the risks and uncertainties that come with this change, noting that recent support for Assad from groups like Hezbollah, Iran, and Russia has weakened. He views this situation as a chance for Syrian people to take the lead.

    The Syrian opposition that has removed Assad is led by a group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which the US considers a terrorist group linked to al-Qaida. However, this group has stated that it has cut ties with al-Qaida.

    Looking to the future, Biden mentioned a few important actions:

    1. Support for Neighbors: The US will help countries near Syria, such as Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Israel, if any dangers arise during this transition. He plans to talk with regional leaders soon and is sending senior officials to assist.

    2. Maintain Stability in Eastern Syria: The US will protect its personnel in Syria and continue its fight against ISIS. Biden emphasized they will make sure ISIS doesn’t gain strength during this time. “Today, US forces conducted airstrikes targeting ISIS hideouts,” he noted.

    3. Engagement for a New Syria: The US will work with all Syrian groups to create a new, independent government through a process led by the United Nations. This new government will be formed by the people of Syria, not imposed from outside.

    US Secretary of State Tony Blinken stated that they will keep a close eye on what happens next and work with international partners to hold the Assad regime accountable for their actions, including the use of chemical weapons against civilians.

  • Dhanush Dazzles Fans at London Event! Sweet Moments Inside!

    Dhanush Dazzles Fans at London Event! Sweet Moments Inside!

    Fans gathered excitedly around actor Dhanush at an event in London! Dhanush took part in the 7th annual diabetes walk at Queensbury Station Parade Green. The event was special because it was the London part of a tour that started in Toronto, Canada. After the walk, he attended a private brunch where fans could meet him at the Sugar and Spice Lounge.

    In videos shared on social media, Dhanush looked happy and thrilled to see so many fans eager to meet him. Wearing a stylish grey suit, he smiled brightly as he entered the lounge. One touching moment was when a young fan came up to him, and he bent down to accept a garland from her. “It’s so lovely to see you all…such lovely, smiling faces. Thank you,” he said.

    Many fans posted comments under the videos, some expressing their sadness for missing the chance to see him. Others commented with phrases like “what a moment” and “never disappoints,” adding fire and heart emojis to show their excitement.

    In other news, Dhanush recently made headlines because of a disagreement with actress Nayanthara about her Netflix series “Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale.” Nayanthara wrote an open letter to him on Instagram, saying he wouldn’t allow them to use clips from their film “Naanum Rowdy Dhaan,” which he produced. Even though Dhanush sent her a legal notice, the series still included behind-the-scenes footage of the film.

    Last seen in his own directed film “Raayan,” Dhanush will soon appear in “Kubera,” directed by Sekhar Kammula. He is also acting in, directing, and producing a new film called “Idly Kadai.”

  • Taylor Swift Celebrates Fans During Eras Tour with Heartfelt Gratitude!

    Taylor Swift Celebrates Fans During Eras Tour with Heartfelt Gratitude!

    As Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is getting closer to its final show on December 8, she is feeling very thankful for her fans. On December 7, during the second night of her concert in Vancouver at BC Place Stadium, she shared her love for the audience. Taylor thanked everyone for helping make the tour such a huge success.

    In a fan video that people shared online, Taylor expressed, “This is the most fun and exciting tour I’ve ever done; that’s all thanks to how you have treated it.” She also said, “This is my longest tour ever because I didn’t want it to end. You all have made it such a wonderful experience for everyone on stage.”

    Taylor talked about how fans created special traditions during the tour. She mentioned a line in one of her songs about making friendship bracelets. When the tour started, fans brought and traded bracelets, making friends with each other. Taylor said, “You made the idea of friendship bracelets a big part of the Eras Tour. That’s pretty amazing!”

    The Eras Tour, which began in March 2023 in Arizona, is a record-breaking experience. The shows featured an hour-long setlist with songs from her entire career. Taylor performed all over the world, surprising fans with special songs on piano and guitar. Recently, she was named the Top Artist of 2024, and her album topped lists on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.

  • India’s Batting Struggles in Australia: Can Rohit Rally the Team?

    India’s Batting Struggles in Australia: Can Rohit Rally the Team?

    In three out of four innings during the current tour of Australia, the highest-run scorer for India has been Nitish Reddy. It feels odd, but it’s true. Over the last ten innings, India has scored less than 200 runs six times, including a shocking total of just 46 runs. This is a worry, and it’s real.

    Since their series against New Zealand in 2021, the average runs for India’s top players in tough countries like South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia (known as SENA) has dropped to only 27.94. It’s disappointing, but it’s true.

    Despite this, India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, isn’t too scared about their batting problems. “I wouldn’t say worry,” Rohit commented after being asked about the team’s struggles. He admitted that they didn’t bat well in their recent matches but added that they chose to play in tough conditions to improve their skills.

    The big question now is whether India’s batsmen can perform well in tough situations or if they only do well when conditions are easy. The team often encounters collapses that lead to defeats.

    When India batted first in Adelaide, it seemed like the perfect opportunity. However, they fell short at 180 runs, which Rohit thought was 30-40 runs below what they needed. After that, it became hard for them to comeback. This isn’t just a single game issue; their top-order players haven’t been consistent lately and often need help from bowlers or lower-order batsmen.

    The team’s batting averages keep dropping, making it hard to predict how they will perform. They swing between two extremes: great runs like in Perth and very low scores like in Adelaide. There seems to be no middle ground.

    Rohit stated, “I am not too worried about this one game. Every player wants to score runs to help the team. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, it just doesn’t work out.”

    While the team is putting in a lot of practice, results are what really matter. Rohit believes that they need to improve how they plan and think about the game, especially during Test matches. Every team goes through tough times, but it is important to learn from them.

    Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar expressed his disappointment with the team, saying, “You can’t just be in your hotel rooms. You’ve come here to play cricket, so practice even if it’s not all day.” Gavaskar acknowledged that the team was indeed practicing after the match.

    Test cricket is changing, and so are the ways to play it. It is still possible to succeed with different playing styles, similar to stars like Rahul Dravid or Cheteshwar Pujara. However, following their strategies could help the current team as they face questions about their performance, especially after the loss in Adelaide. Rohit needs his batsmen to step up and prove they can perform at a high level. It may sound strange, but it’s true.

  • AVARTAN 2024: A Premier Business Festival at IIM Mumbai

    AVARTAN 2024: A Premier Business Festival at IIM Mumbai

    The Indian Institute of Management Mumbai (IIM Mumbai) is excited to announce its 30th annual business festival, AVARTAN 2024, starting on Monday, December 9, 2024. This is a special event where business leaders and experts come together for discussions, workshops, and networking. They will explore important topics like economic trends, market signals driven by artificial intelligence (AI), and changes in job opportunities.

    Over 250 companies, more than 25 top executives (CXOs), and over 8,000 students from business schools will join this event. Prof. Manoj Kumar Tiwari, the Director of IIM Mumbai, shared that AVARTAN has grown into a major platform for learning, collaboration, and career growth.

    The event will feature several exciting sessions:

    – December 9: The Prerana Business Meet will include industry leaders like Sashi Mukundan from BP Group and Rishi Pardal from Biopeak. There will also be a Supply Chain Management Conclave and a Green Lantern Sustainability Conclave.

    – December 10: The Prerana Strategy Conclave will have speakers from Accenture and PwC, and the Product Management Conclave will feature leaders from Capgemini and HDFC Life.

    – December 11: The Prerana HR Conclave will discuss human resources with experts from Raymond Ltd. and Godrej Properties. There will also be a CXO Connect with leaders from Godrej Industries.

    – December 12: The Marketing Conclave will feature CMOs from Motilal Oswal and NSE India. On this day, a musical night will also take place with singer Amaal Mallik.

    The festival will also celebrate outstanding business leaders with awards and feature national competitions, startup pitches, and celebrity talks.

    For more details, you can check out the official IIM Mumbai website.

  • Bashar al-Assad Resigns: A New Chapter for Syria

    Bashar al-Assad Resigns: A New Chapter for Syria

    On Sunday, Russia announced that Bashar al-Assad, the president of Syria, has decided to resign and leave the country. This comes after a long civil war that lasted nearly 14 years, during which Assad’s government was challenged by rebel forces.

    According to Russia’s foreign ministry, Assad had discussions with several parties involved in the conflict before making this decision. Although Russia claimed he instructed his team on how to peacefully hand over power, they said they were not part of these talks.

    Reports say that Assad flew out of Damascus, the capital, just as rebel fighters were entering the city. No one knows where he went, and his family’s whereabouts—including his wife Asma and their two children—are also unclear.

    The news of Assad’s resignation sparked celebrations across Syria. Many people celebrated by pulling down statues of his father, Hafez al-Assad, and his late brother, Bassel. In some places, crowds ransacked Assad’s palaces, stealing chairs and other furniture.

    Bashar al-Assad has been in power since 2000 after taking over from his father, who ruled from 1970. Since 2011, he has been known for harshly stopping protests that called for more democracy in the country.

  • Pushpa 2: Breaks Records with ₹500 Crore in Just 4 Days!

    Pushpa 2: Breaks Records with ₹500 Crore in Just 4 Days!

    The much-anticipated movie “Pushpa 2: The Rule,” directed by Sukumar and starring Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil, opened in theaters on December 5, with special paid previews the night before on December 4.

    As of now, the movie has made over ₹500 crore in India! According to Niftystat, here’s how much it has earned:

    – Paid Previews: ₹10.65 crore
    – Opening Day: ₹164.25 crore
    – Friday Earnings: ₹93.8 crore
    – Saturday Earnings: ₹119.25 crore
    – Sunday Earnings (up to 7 pm): ₹113.76 crore

    So, in just four days, “Pushpa 2” has made a total of ₹501.71 crore!

    Breaking Records
    “Pushpa 2: The Rule” has set many records, including being the highest-grossing opening for any Indian film. It was also the first movie to earn over ₹50 crore in two languages on the same day. Amazing, right? The film became the fastest Indian movie to reach over ₹600 crore worldwide in just three days!

    About the Movie
    This new film continues the story from “Pushpa: The Rise,” which came out in 2021. In “Pushpa 2,” Allu Arjun’s character, Pushpa Raj, now leads a red sandalwood smuggling group. Rashmika’s character, Srivalli, is his wife, and Fahadh’s character, Bhanwar Singh, is out for revenge. The movie got mixed reviews but is doing great at the box office, partly because ticket prices were raised for the first week.