Khaled al-Masoud, who was killed at his home during a raid in the town of al-Dumayr in the Damascus countryside. (Courtesy of the al-Masoud family via AP)

A joint raid by the US forces and a local Syrian group targeting an Islamic State (IS) militant instead resulted in the killing of a man who had been working undercover to gather intelligence on the jihadist organisation, his family and Syrian officials told The Associated Press.Khaled al-Masoud was killed on October 19 during the operation in Dumayr, a town east of Damascus, the Syrian capital.According to his relatives, al-Masoud had spent years spying on IS — first for the insurgent forces led by Ahmed al-Sharaa and later for al-Sharaa’s interim government, which was formed in January following the December 2024 ouster of then-President Bashar al-Assad.Local residents told AP that the US troops carried out the raid alongside the Syrian Free Army (SFA), a US-trained opposition faction that once fought against Assad and now operates under the Syrian Defense Ministry.Residents recall raidAt around 3 am on October 19, residents woke to the sound of heavy vehicles and planes.Al-Masoud’s cousin, Abdel Kareem Masoud, recalled opening his door to find Humvees bearing American flags. “There was someone on top of one of them who spoke broken Arabic, pointed a machine gun at us with a green laser, and told us to go back inside,” he recounted.The victim’s mother, Sabah al-Sheikh al-Kilani, alleged that the forces then surrounded her son’s house next door — where he was staying with his wife and five daughters — and banged on the door.According to her, al-Masoud was shot despite telling the troops he worked with General Security, an Interior Ministry force. She claimed he was taken away while wounded. Later, government security officials informed the family he had been released but was in a hospital. The family was subsequently called to collect his body. The exact time and cause of his death remain unclear.“How did he die? We don’t know. I want the people who took him from his children to be held accountable,” she said.The family believes he was targeted on the basis of “faulty intelligence” provided by SFA members.Al-Masoud had previously worked with Ahmed al-Sharaa’s insurgent group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, in its Idlib stronghold before Assad’s fall, his cousin said. After returning to Dumayr, he served in the security apparatus of al-Sharaa’s interim government.Following the operation, early media reports claimed an “IS official” had been captured. However, the US Central Command — which routinely issues statements on operations that kill or detain IS members in Syria — made no announcement about the incident.Fewer than 1,000 US troops are believed to be operating in Syria, conducting airstrikes and ground raids against IS cells. They work primarily alongside the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the northeast and with the SFA in the south.

Ravindra Jadeja plays a shot during the second ODI in Raipur. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has slammed Ravindra Jadeja’s lack of urgency with the bat, calling the left-hander’s slow finish a “crucial difference” in India’s four-wicket defeat to South Africa in the second ODI on Wednesday. Despite centuries from Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad powering India to 358/5, South Africa chased the target down in the final over, leaving Pathan convinced that India “left runs on the table.”Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The flashpoint for Pathan was Jadeja’s unbeaten 24 off 27 balls, an innings he felt lacked the aggression demanded at the death.“Ravindra Jadeja’s 27 off 24 felt extremely slow. We said during commentary — this could hurt India, and in the end, it did,” Pathan said on Seedhi Baat. “If everyone is striking above a run a ball and you’re at 88 strike rate, the innings lacked urgency. The intent from Jadeja was disappointing.”

Pathan insisted his criticism was not “hindsight analysis,” emphasising that the warning was raised live during the game. With a mammoth score on the cards in Raipur, he said India failed to push their advantage when it mattered most.“India were in a strong position. The ball was getting wet, the fielding side would struggle later. But Jadeja not pulling his weight with the bat became a disappointing factor,” he added.

Pathan credited South Africa for a late bowling surge, pointing out that India managed only 55 runs between overs 39 and 49, allowing the visitors to regain control.“This score could have been 370. The way Lungi Ngidi and the others pulled things back was outstanding. KL Rahul’s 18 runs in the final over were magnificent, but it was crucial how South Africa clawed back.”With the series tied 1–1, India head to Vizag needing both runs and intent — something Pathan clearly expects more of.

The Geminids meteor shower is widely regarded as one of the brightest and most dependable annual celestial events. Every December, it transforms the night sky into a spectacular display of streaking lights, captivating stargazers around the world. In 2025, viewing conditions are especially favourable, with minimal moonlight during the peak nights, ensuring darker skies and optimal visibility. This meteor shower is renowned for its consistency, often producing dozens of meteors per hour, making it a must-see event for both amateur and experienced astronomers. With its dazzling performance, the Geminids offer a rare opportunity to witness the beauty of our universe in action, creating unforgettable memories under a glittering canopy of shooting stars.

The peak of the Geminids meteor shower occurs on the nights of 13 December and 14 December 2025. This year, the timing is ideal for observers because the last quarter moon falls on 11 December. By the time the Geminids reach their peak, the moon will be a waning crescent, meaning there will be minimal moonlight to interfere with the visibility of the meteors, providing perfect conditions for stargazers, astronomers, and casual skywatchers alike. During these peak nights, observers in dark, clear locations away from city lights can expect to see between 60 and 120 meteors per hour. The meteor activity is generally consistent, so even casual viewers have a good chance of witnessing multiple shooting stars in a single hour, creating a truly magical night sky experience.

The Geminids are most prominent in the Northern Hemisphere but are also visible from the Southern Hemisphere, especially during clear, dark nights in December. The meteors appear to radiate from the Gemini constellation, which makes locating them easier for stargazers of all experience levels.To find the radiant point of the Geminids:

The radiant rises in the mid-evening hours, making it possible to view meteors from dusk until dawn on 13 and 14 December.

To enjoy the Geminids meteor shower to its fullest, follow these expert tips:

What makes the Geminids meteor shower unique is its origin. Most meteor showers are caused by debris from icy comets, but the Geminids originate from an asteroid. The parent body, 3200 Phaethon, is an unusual blue space rock that exhibits comet-like behaviour. Every 1.4 years, Phaethon sheds a stream of particles as it orbits the Sun.Scientists believe that Phaethon may have suffered a major collision in the distant past, which created a vast trail of cosmic dust. When Earth passes through this debris field, these particles sometimes called “asteroid crumbs” enter the atmosphere at high speed. The friction with the atmosphere causes them to heat up and burn brightly, producing the streaks of light that we call meteors.

The Geminids have a long and fascinating history that spans nearly two centuries. The first recorded observation of this meteor shower was made in 1833 from a riverboat on the Mississippi River. Over time, the Geminids became renowned for their consistency and intensity. Unlike other meteor showers that may vary in visibility year to year, the Geminids are known to produce a high number of meteors per hour, making them a favourite among amateur and professional astronomers alike.This historical reliability has also made the Geminids a subject of scientific study, helping researchers understand the nature of meteor showers, their parent bodies, and the composition of the cosmic debris that causes these spectacular light shows.

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Home Department reconstituted both the High-Level Security Committee and the Review Committee responsible for determining security classifications for important political and protected persons across the state. Officials said, as per the new govt resolution (GR), the High-Level Committee, with the Commissioner and Additional Director General of Police, State Intelligence Department, will chair. Senior officers from the ATS, Mumbai Police Crime Branch, Special Branch, VIP Security, and the Home Department will serve as members. The move overrides earlier govt circulars and decisions issued in 2007, 2011, and 2014. The original High-Level Committee—first created in 1986 and later reconstituted—was tasked with assessing threats and recommending security categories. A Review Committee headed by the Chief Secretary was subsequently formed to take final decisions on these classifications without requiring separate govt approval. The State Intelligence Department recently proposed expanding and updating both committees, citing administrative changes and the creation of new security-related posts over the years. Accepting this proposal, the govt has now reconstituted the High-Level Committee with the Commissioner and Additional Director General of Police, State Intelligence Department, as chair. Senior officers from the ATS, Mumbai Police Crime Branch, Special Branch, VIP Security, and the Home Department will serve as members. The Review Committee has also been restructured, with the Chief Secretary as chair and the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Director General of Police, Mumbai Police Commissioner, and the State Intelligence Commissioner as members. The govt said the updated framework aims to strengthen the process of evaluating and granting security protection to high-risk individuals in Maharashtra.

Adelaide Strikers Women face Hobart Hurricanes Women in the 37th match of the Women’s Big Bash League 2025 at Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide, on Friday. Hobart Hurricanes top the points table with seven wins from nine matches and a net run rate of +0.662, while Adelaide Strikers sit sixth with three wins from eight games and two no-results.​

Hobart Hurricanes enter on a high after convincing victories over Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars, with Danielle Wyatt-Hodge leading runs alongside support from Nicola Carey, Lizelle Lee, and Elyse Villani; bowlers Molly Strano, Heather Graham, and Linsey Smith dominate. Adelaide Strikers fight to stay playoff-contending despite inconsistency, buoyed by home advantage and recent wins, though they need points to climb from mid-table.​

AS-W vs HH-W, WBBL 2025: Match details

• Date and Time: December 05; 01:40 pm IST/ 08:10 am GMT/ 07:10 pm Local
• Venue: Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide

AS-W vs HH-W, Head-to-Head Record in WBBL

Matches played: 18 | Adelaide Strikers won: 14 | Hobart Hurricanes won: 04 | No result: 00

Karen Rolton Oval Pitch Report

Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide generally offers a true, batting-friendly surface with even bounce, allowing stroke-makers to play through the line confidently. Teams batting first have often posted competitive totals in the 150–170 range, but the pitch can slow down as the game progresses, bringing spinners and change-of-pace bowlers into play. Shorter square boundaries keep power-hitters interested, yet disciplined new-ball bowling can still find movement in the air and off the seam early on.

Squads

Hobart Hurricanes: Nicola Carey, Heather Graham, Isabella Malgioglio, Ruth Johnston, Lizelle Lee, Natalie Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Amy Smith, Lauren Smith, Linsey Smith, Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman, Elyse Villani, Callie Wilson, Danni Wyatt-Hodge

Adelaide Strikers: Laura Wolvaardt, Tammy Beaumont, Madeline Penna, Tahlia McGrath (c), Bridget Patterson (wk), Ellie Johnston, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Jemma Barsby, Sophie Ecclestone, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown, Eleanor Larosa, Anesu Mushangwe

Also READ: WBBL 2025: Ashleigh Gardner’s all-round display leads Sydney Sixers to an 16-run victory over Melbourne Stars

AS-W vs HH-W, WBBL 2025: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Adelaide Strikers Women wins the toss and bowls first
• Hobart Hurricanes Women’s powerplay score: 50-60
• Hobart Hurricanes Women’s total score: 180-190

Case 2:

• Hobart Hurricanes Women wins the toss and bowls first
• Adelaide Strikers Women’s powerplay score: 55-65
• Adelaide Strikers Women’s total score: 190-200

Match result: Team bowling first to win the game.

Also READ: WBBL|11: Sophie Devine propels Perth Scorchers to a comprehensive win over Melbourne Renegades

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

One of the biggest Chinese companies, Hikvision, is taking America’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to court. Chinese surveillance equipment manufacturer Hikvision announced that its US subsidiary has filed a legal challenge against a new FCC rule, escalating the ongoing dispute between Washington and Chinese technology companies over national security concerns. Hikvision stated it has filed a petition seeking judicial review of the FCC’s recent decision. The company argues that the commission exceeded its statutory authority and “seeks to retroactively curtail lawful authorizations without a sufficient legal or evidentiary basis.” Hikvision, best known for its video surveillance and security camera systems, also sells network transmission equipment and accessories.The legal action targets recent regulatory moves that allow US government agencies to tighten restrictions on telecommunications equipment manufactured by Chinese companies deemed to pose security risks. “Our legal action seeks to protect our established market rights and the lawful interests of our customers and partners, and to support a stable, transparent and predictable regulatory environment for all law-abiding businesses,” Hikvision said in a statement.

Dispute over “Covered List”

The dispute centers on the FCC’s “Covered List,” a designation for companies considered a threat to U.S. national security. The list effectively bars the FCC from authorizing the import or sale of new equipment from named firms. Hikvision, along with other major Chinese entities such as Huawei, ZTE, China Mobile, and China Telecom, has previously been placed on this list.This filing follows a series of regulatory crackdowns. In February, a U.S. appeals court rejected a separate bid by Hikvision to lift a 2022 FCC ban on approvals for its new video surveillance and telecommunications equipment.The regulatory pressure has extended beyond legal filings to the retail market. In October, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr announced that major American retail websites had removed several million listings for prohibited Chinese electronics. These items, which included home security cameras and smartwatches from Hikvision, Huawei, ZTE, and Dahua Technology, were removed for being on the Covered List or lacking agency authorization.The lawsuit comes as the American government continues to widen the scope of its restrictions on Chinese tech infrastructure. On October 15, the FCC announced it was moving to revoke the operating authorization of HKT, a leading Hong Kong telecom carrier and subsidiary of PCCW, citing national security concerns.Additionally, the FCC has recently moved to withdraw recognition from equipment test labs owned or controlled by Chinese entities, further tightening the compliance bottleneck for Chinese manufacturers attempting to enter or remain in the US market.

Inflation at a benign 2.2 per cent and growth at 8.0 per cent in H1:2025-26 present a rare goldilocks period, said RBI.

RBI monetary policy: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25% in the December meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). While most economists and experts had expected a 25 basis points cut after the October inflation came in at a record low of 0.25%, the recent better-than-expected GDP growth number of 8.2% for the second quarter had tapered these expectations.“The Monetary Policy Committee met on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of December to deliberate and decide on the policy repo rate. After a detailed assessment of the evolving macroeconomic conditions and the outlook, the MPC voted unanimously to reduce the policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25 per cent with immediate effect. Consequently, the standing deposit facility rate under the liquidity adjustment facility shall stand adjusted to 5.00 per cent and the marginal standing facility rate and the Bank Rate to 5.50 per cent. The MPC also decided to continue with the neutral stance,” said RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra.

Why did the RBI cut the repo rate despite strong GDP growth?

Inflation at a benign 2.2 per cent and growth at 8.0 per cent in H1:2025-26 present a rare goldilocks period, said RBI. The RBI governor noted that while inflation remains benign, and is expected to be within RBI’s comfort zone, the GDP growth may soften in the coming quarters. “Growth, while remaining resilient, is expected to soften somewhat,” said Sanjay Malhotra.Also Check | RBI MPC Meeting: Top Highlights“High-frequency indicators suggest that domestic economic activity is holding up in Q3, although there are some emerging signs of weakness in few leading indicators. External uncertainties continue to pose downside risks to the outlook, while speedy conclusion of various ongoing trade and investment negotiations present upside potential,” RBI cautioned.

“Accordingly, the MPC unanimously voted to reduce the policy repo rate by 25 bps to 5.25 per cent. The MPC also decided to continue with the neutral stance,” Sanjay Malhotra said.However, despite the softening outlook, RBI has raised its GDP growth forecast for this financial year from 6.8% in the last policy meeting to 7.3% today. This is a revision of 50 basis points.RBI-led MPC is of the view that the growth-inflation balance, especially the benign inflation outlook on both headline and core, continues to provide the policy space to support the growth momentum.“Despite an unfavourable and challenging external environment, the Indian economy has shown remarkable resilience and is poised to register high growth. The headroom provided by the inflation outlook has allowed us to remain growth supportive. We will continue to meet the productive requirements of the economy in a proactive manner while ensuring macroeconomic stability,” Malhotra said.

Rahul targets Centre over IndiGo crisis

NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi weighed in on the IndiGo disruption, stating that it is a consequence of the monopoly model promoted by the government, for which ordinary citizens are paying the price. He took to X to share a post emphasising the need for fair competition across all sectors rather than allowing monopolies to dominate.“IndiGo fiasco is the cost of this Govt’s monopoly model,” wrote Gandhi, “Once again, it’s ordinary Indians who pay the price – in delays, cancellations and helplessness. India deserves fair competition in every sector, not match-fixing monopolies.”

https://x.com/RahulGandhi/status/1996793416383160562?s=20IndiGo flights have triggered major disruptions at key airports across India. The airline is grappling with significant operational challenges, resulting in widespread flight cancellations, confusion among passengers, and considerable frustration as travellers are stranded, with many also losing their luggage.The flight disturbances have now escalated into a political issue, with the Opposition likely to raise the matter in Parliament.Earlier today, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi submitted a notice under Rule 180 in the Rajya Sabha, urging Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu to make a statement regarding the disruption of IndiGo’s operations, which has been causing severe inconvenience to passengers nationwide.In her notice, she stated, “The extensive disruption in IndiGo Airlines’ operations on Wednesday, which led to delays of up to seven hours and the cancellation of more than 70 flights across the country, including major hubs like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, was due to a critical shortage of crew and other operational challenges. This situation caused substantial hardship for passengers, with several prominent domestic routes and international services, including the Mumbai-Maldives flight, severely impacted during peak hours.“She added, “This issue is of urgent public importance, as thousands of passengers were stranded, normal airport operations were disrupted, and recurring large-scale disturbances in airline services underscore the need for immediate government intervention, accountability, and measures to prevent such incidents in the future. I request that the Minister provide a statement on this matter at the earliest opportunity.“Meanwhile, IndiGo has requested temporary operational exemptions from certain Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) for its A320 fleet until February 10, 2026, and assured that full operational stability will be restored by that date, according to a statement from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Thursday marked the historic air operations carried out on December 5, the third day of the 1971 war, underscoring how air power proved decisive in shaping the conflict’s outcome and paving the way for India’s victory and the creation of Bangladesh.In a post on X, the IAF recalled its strike on the Sakesar radar station, which crippled Pakistan’s key western air defences for two days.“On the third day of the 1971 war, the IAF was everywhere the enemy looked — and many places where they didn’t expect. Hunters tore through Drigh Road and Karachi, smashing storage hangars. Canberras kept up relentless pressure, delivering 1,44,000 lbs of ordnance across four major airfields,” the post said.The IAF added that 132 missions were flown on the western front, with An-12s and Canberras “raining devastation on enemy concentrations.” On the eastern front, with the Pakistan Air Force effectively grounded, 104 offensive sorties by the IAF cleared the way for the Indian Army’s rapid march into East Pakistan, ultimately leading to the birth of Bangladesh.It also recalled the legendary Battle of Longewala, fought from December 4 to 7, 1971, in Rajasthan’s Longewala sector, where heavily outnumbered Indian troops held their ground against a major Pakistani assault — a defence in which the IAF also played a crucial role.“Four Hunters rewrote history — shattering an enemy armoured thrust and leaving 27 tanks destroyed and 10 more damaged. Jaisalmer stood safe because air power arrived when it mattered,” the post highlighted.The 1971 India–Pakistan war began on December 3 with Pakistan launching pre-emptive strikes on Indian air bases amid the Bangladesh Liberation War in East Pakistan. The conflict ended on December 16 with Pakistan’s defeat, the surrender of 93,000 troops — the largest military capitulation since World War II — and the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent nation.