Times of India

After over five decades of Assad family rule, President Bashar al-Assad has fled Damascus as rebel forces breach the Syrian capital. The Alawite dynasty, established by Hafez al-Assad in 1970, maintained power through strategic manipulation of sectarian divisions. Bashar, inheriting power in 2000, failed to implement reforms, leading to the 2011 uprising and subsequent civil war.

India suffered a heavy 10-wicket defeat against Australia in the second Test in Adelaide, marking Rohit Sharma's fourth consecutive loss as Test captain. Nitish Kumar Reddy's 42 was the top score in India's meager 175. Pat Cummins' five-wicket haul set up Australia's easy chase, leveling the series 1-1. The match became one of the shortest completed Tests in Australia.

India captain Rohit Sharma downplayed the on-field spat between Mohammed Siraj and Travis Head during the Adelaide Test, attributing it to the competitive nature of the match. Sharma acknowledged Siraj's aggressive style while emphasizing the importance of staying within acceptable limits. He confirmed that such exchanges are common in fiercely contested matches and shouldn't be overanalyzed.

India's 10-wicket loss to Australia in the second Test has jeopardized their World Test Championship final hopes. Slipping to third in the WTC standings, India now need at least a 4-1 series win to control their own destiny. The heavy defeat in the second Test meant India percentage points slipped from 61.11 to 57.29 as the third placed Australia swapped places with them, boosting their percentage points from 57.69 to 60.71.

Two police personnel were found dead with gunshot wounds inside a police vehicle in J&K's Udhampur district early Sunday. Authorities suspect a case of fratricide and suicide. The incident occurred en route to a training center. A third officer in the vehicle was unharmed. An AK-47 rifle was reportedly used.

India's crushing 10-wicket loss to Australia in the second Test has jeopardized their World Test Championship final hopes. Australia's Travis Head starred with a blistering 140, setting up a 10-wicket victory for the home team in the pink-ball Test at the Adelaide Oval. India now sits third in the WTC standings, trailing South Africa, while Australia go top.

Mohammed Siraj and Travis Head clashed during the second Test in Adelaide, which ended in fiery send-off given by Siraj after he dismissed Head. The Australian batter claimed he said "well bowled" to Siraj, but the Indian denied this, accusing Head of lying and abusing him. The incident sparked booing from the Adelaide crowd and a discussion about on-field conduct.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized the BJP's accusations against the US, OCCRP, and Rahul Gandhi, calling their behavior an "embarrassment to India." The US rejected the BJP's claims of a conspiracy, stating their support for independent journalism does not influence editorial decisions.

Hamas released a video of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker pleading for a ceasefire after over 420 days in captivity. He described dire conditions and urged the Israeli government to negotiate the hostages' release. Zangauker's mother and advocacy groups echoed his plea, criticizing Prime Minister Netanyahu's alleged inaction while ceasefire talks show renewed potential progress.

Mohammed Siraj refuted Travis Head's claim of simply complimenting his bowling after being dismissed in the second Test. Siraj stated Head's account was untrue and that he had been verbally abused, prompting his celebratory reaction. Head admitted his response was excessive but maintained he was standing up for himself after Siraj's gesture.

Rohit Sharma's struggles with bat and captaincy continue in the Adelaide Test, as former Pakistan batter Basit Ali criticizes his decision to limit Bumrah's spell, allowing Travis Head to capitalize and put Australia in a commanding position. India's hopes rest on a substantial partnership between Pant and Nitish to set a challenging target.

Australia Women posted a record-breaking 371/8 against India Women in the second ODI at Brisbane. Ellyse Perry and Georgia Voll smashed centuries (105 and 101 respectively), while Phoebe Litchfield and Beth Mooney contributed with half-centuries. India now faces a daunting chase to level the three-match series.

Mysterious drones have been spotted flying over New Jersey for weeks, sparking curiosity and concern among residents. Seen near critical infrastructure and residential areas, these large drones have even interfered with a medical helicopter rescue. While officials claim no public danger, the operators and purpose remain unknown, prompting an FBI investigation and official monitoring.

Amid a sweeping rebel offensive, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's whereabouts are unknown, with unverified reports suggesting he fled Damascus. Rebels have seized key cities, leaving Assad's regime clinging to a few strongholds. Even allies like Hezbollah and Iran are reportedly reducing their support, as the conflict intensifies and Assad's grip on power weakens.

Syrian opposition forces, spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and backed by Turkish-supported militias, are rapidly advancing on Damascus after seizing key cities like Aleppo and Hama. This marks the closest opposition forces have been to the capital since 2018, raising concerns about the country's future.

Allu Arjun's 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' continues its box office rampage, estimated to rake in Rs 115 crore on its first Saturday. The Hindi version alone is projected to collect over Rs 70 crore, potentially surpassing 'Jawan's' single-day record. With a total Hindi collection nearing Rs 200 crore in just three days, the film is heading towards a Rs 600 crore gross opening weekend.

Islamist rebels from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) claimed to have seized Homs, Syria, escalating the country's conflict and prompting multi-country talks in Doha. The Syrian army fortified Damascus as opposition forces advanced, while the UN relocated staff and reported over 370,000 displaced. About 2,000 Syrian soldiers sought refuge in Iraq.

Taiwan's stock market surges amidst the global AI boom, outpacing South Korea's struggling market. Taiwan's dominance in the semiconductor industry, particularly TSMC's success, fuels this growth. Meanwhile, South Korea grapples with political instability and Samsung's underperformance. Despite looming US tariff threats, Taiwan appears better positioned due to its crucial role in US tech supply chains.

In a historic event, 51-year-old Keralite priest George Jacob Koovakad became the first priest from India to be directly elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis. The ceremony, held at St. Peter's Basilica, saw Koovakad join five other Indian cardinals. Koovakad, who organizes the Pope's travels, was ordained in 2004 and began his diplomatic career in 2006.