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'AUS are favourites, but... ': ENG pacer Mark Wood ahead of Ashes opener

England's Mark Wood acknowledges the daunting challenge of facing Australia Down Under, emphasizing the crucial role of early wickets. He notes England has studied Australia's successful fast-bowling model and looks to 'copy' it. Meanwhile, Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood dismisses concerns about his experienced pace attack's age, asserting their continued motivation ahead of the Ashes opener.

Kaal Bhairav Ashtami 2025: Know Significance, Puja Vidhi, Puja Muhurat, And More

Kaal Bhairav Ashtami 2025: Kaal Bhairav Ashtami, also known as Bhairav Jayanti, is a sacred Hindu festival celebrated to honour Lord Kaal Bhairav, a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiv. As per the Hindu calendar, this auspicious occasion falls on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Margashirsha. In 2025, Kaal Bhairav Ashtami will be observed on 12 November. Devotees believe that worshipping Lord Bhairav on this day removes fear, protects against evil, and grants divine blessings. ALSO READ: Margashirsha Month Begins Today: Know Its Significance, Rituals, And All About This Sacred Month Mythological Significance Of Kaal Bhairav According to the Shiv Purana, Lord Kaal Bhairav emerged from Lord Shiv’s divine energy to destroy arrogance and restore dharma. It is said that when the demon Andhakasura attacked Lord Shiv, Bhairav was born from Shiv’s blood to annihilate him. Hence, Kaal Bhairav is worshipped as the fierce protector who eliminates fear and negativity. Devotees believe that his blessings free one from sorrows, misfortune, and planetary obstacles. Bhairav Ashtami 2025 Puja Muhurat As per the Hindu Panchang, the Ashtami Tithi begins at 11:08 PM on 11 November and ends at 10:58 PM on 12 November 2025. Since Kaal Bhairav is revered during the night, devotees should perform the Nishita Kaal Puja (midnight worship) for the best spiritual results. Puja Vidhi And Rituals Begin the day with an early morning bath and take a vow to observe the fast. Visit a Shiv or Bhairav temple in the evening. Light a four-faced oil lamp (choumukha deepak) before the deity. Offer flowers, imarti, jalebi, urad dal, paan, and coconut. Chant the sacred mantra “Om Kaal Bhairavaya Namah” 108 times. Offer jalebi or imarti as bhog after the prayers. Donate two-coloured blankets or woollen clothes to the needy. Feeding black dogs is considered an essential and auspicious ritual. Spiritual And Health Benefits The word ‘Kaal Bhairav’ means “the one who removes fear of time and death.” His worship is believed to eliminate anxiety, danger, and sudden misfortunes. According to the Narada Purana, praying to Kaal Bhairav fulfils all desires and grants longevity and peace. Charity And Auspicious Acts Donating woollen clothes, blankets, or food to the poor during the month of Agahan brings prosperity and divine grace. Such acts of kindness attract the blessings of both Lord Bhairav and Shani Dev. Importance Of Pradosh Kaal Puja The ideal time to worship Lord Bhairav is during Pradosh Kaal (twilight) or midnight. Devotees stay awake through the night, performing rituals dedicated to Lord Shiv, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Bhairav. Even Kaal Bhairav’s divine vehicle, the black dog, is revered with devotion. Worshipping Lord Kaal Bhairav on this day grants freedom from fear, removes planetary afflictions, and protects from enemies. Scriptures state that those who disrespect Bhairav’s devotees find no refuge in any of the three worlds. Hence, observing this fast with faith ensures protection, peace, and spiritual progress. [Dislaimer: The content of this article is based solely on beliefs and should be taken as general guidance. Individual experiences may vary. ABPLive.com does not assert the accuracy or validity of any claims or information presented. It is strongly recommended to consult a qualified expert before considering or implementing any information or belief discussed herein.]

Ozone layer is in danger! Rockets and satellite re-entry are silently destroying Earth’s protective shield; new study reveals

Commercial space launches are impacting Earth's ozone layer. Rocket exhaust releases chemicals that degrade ozone. Satellite re-entries also contribute to depletion. Scientists warn that unchecked growth could reverse ozone recovery efforts. This new challenge emerges as the world celebrates past successes in protecting the atmosphere. Future launches may significantly thin the ozone shield.

DYK: Rohit Shetty was Akshay's body double in ‘Suhaag’

Filmmaker Rohit Shetty, known for his ₹100-crore hits, began his career as a stunt performer and assistant director. He revealed on a reality show that he served as Akshay Kumar's body double for the 1994 film Suhaag, even mimicking the star's walk. This journey culminated in their blockbuster collaboration on Sooryavanshi decades later.

'Enemy is massively attacking': Russia targets Ukraine's energy infrastructure; 1 dead, multiple power outages reported

Russia launched a large-scale assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing power outages and one fatality. Drone attacks hit energy facilities in Kharkiv and Odesa, while a strike in Dnipro devastated a residential building. These persistent attacks raise concerns about heating availability as Ukraine enters its fourth wartime winter.

When Vicky's mother showed love via paranthas to Katrina

Katrina Kaif's adjustment to her Punjabi family life, particularly food, has been a sweet journey. Initially hesitant with parathas due to her diet, her mother-in-law now prepares sweet potatoes for her. Vicky Kaushal humorously describes their union as 'paranthas weds pancakes,' highlighting their shared love for food. The couple recently welcomed their first child, a baby boy.

'Enemy Within': Ex-CIA Officer Reveals US Officials Alerted Pakistan About Gen's Arrest In Nuclear Smuggling

Former CIA officer Richard Barlow has revealed that senior officials in the US State Department secretly warned the Pakistani government about an undercover American operation meant to arrest a retired Pakistani general linked to nuclear smuggling during the 1980s. In an interview with news agency ANI, Barlow detailed how the covert operation, jointly run by the CIA and US Customs Service, aimed to capture Arshad Parvez, a Pakistani agent attempting to procure 25 metric tons of Maraging 350 steel from a US steel company. The high-strength alloy is a key material used in uranium enrichment and nuclear weapons development. Pakistani General’s Role In Nuclear Procurement Barlow said Parvez was working under the supervision of retired Brigadier General Inam-ul-Haq, a procurement agent for Pakistan’s Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) and the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). Both institutions were central to the country’s clandestine nuclear weapons program. “We established the Nuclear Export Violations Working Group. Not long after that, we were informed by someone in the Department of Energy that a Pakistani named Arshad Parvez, who lived in Canada, sought to buy about 25 metric tons of Maraging 350 steel from a US steel company,” Barlow told ANI. He added, “Working with the Customs Service, we ran an undercover operation and eventually arrested Parvez. He was being run by retired Pakistani general Inam-ul-Haq, who was supposed to appear in Pennsylvania, where there was a warrant for his arrest. But Haq didn’t show up — and I later learned that some people in the State Department had tipped off the Pakistani government about the arrest warrant.” Barlow's 'Enemy Within' US Claim   Barlow, a key investigator into Pakistan’s nuclear procurement network during the Cold War, said the leak came from high-level officials and effectively sabotaged the mission. He described his reaction as one of disbelief and anger. “I was ballistic. These were people in my own government, the enemy within,” Barlow recalled. He argued that the incident exposed deep fractures within the US administration, as some officials prioritised Pakistan’s strategic value during the Soviet-Afghan war over efforts to enforce nuclear non-proliferation laws. Barlow said his team had gathered extensive evidence linking Parvez and Haq directly to Pakistan’s nuclear establishment. “There was no doubt they were agents of the Pakistani government. We had hard evidence, documents, recordings from undercover meetings, everything,” he said. The operation’s exposure triggered outrage in the US Congress, where lawmakers called for a suspension of American aid to Pakistan under the Solarz and Pressler Amendments, which were laws designed to penalise countries engaged in nuclear proliferation. Battle Lines Within the US Government Barlow noted that once details of the case became public, the incident ignited a fierce debate within Washington. “Congress learned of the arrest and called for an immediate aid cutoff in the press. The battle lines over Pakistan were drawn between the State Department and a section of the CIA monitoring proliferation,” he said. “It was not an intelligence failure. It was a policy failure. Despite clear violations, the White House and the State Department found ways to keep military and financial aid flowing to Pakistan,” Barlow told ANI. He added that by 1986–87, most intelligence analysts were convinced Pakistan had already assembled all the components of a nuclear weapon, though policymakers continued to look for “every way around” legal restrictions. Cold War Politics Took Priority The ex-CIA officer later testified before Congress alongside National Intelligence Officer David Einsel, who he said was closely aligned with the White House and directed not to jeopardise support for the Afghan Mujahideen. His testimony exposed how geopolitical motives overshadowed US non-proliferation efforts. “This was not an intelligence failure. This was a policy issue, a wink and a nod,” Barlow said. Reflecting on the Reagan-era mindset, he added, “The Cold Warriors were in charge. Fighting the Soviets was the top priority. They didn’t see Pakistan’s pursuit of nuclear weapons as a problem because they viewed everything through the Cold War lens.”

'Like a table fan': Ex-IND batter's brutal take on Shubman Gill

India eyes an overseas T20I series win against Australia, with opener Shubman Gill under scrutiny. While Abhishek provides explosive starts, Gill's inconsistent form is a concern. Former batter Sadagoppan Ramesh likened their dynamic to a "storm and a table fan," emphasizing the crucial role of the opening partnership in setting formidable totals.

‘Talks Over': Pakistan Minister Khawaja Asif Issues Stern Warning To Afghanistan

Just as diplomatic optimism was building around peace negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the dialogue has once again collapsed. The talks, held in Istanbul and facilitated by Turkey, were aimed at de-escalating tensions following a series of deadly border clashes. Pakistan-Afghanistan Peace Talks Collapse Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that the negotiations had stalled, while Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared bluntly that “the talks are over,” warning that the fragile ceasefire would hold only if no further violations occurred from the Afghan side, as per a report on The Hindustan Times.The breakdown came shortly after Afghan officials alleged that four civilians were killed in recent cross-border skirmishes. The renewed violence threatens to unravel the ceasefire that both nations had agreed to just a week earlier. Turkey, which brokered the discussions, had expressed confidence that operational details of the peace mechanism would be finalized in a follow-up meeting scheduled for November 6.Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, speaking amid the stalled peace talks with Afghanistan, stated that Pakistan “will not support any steps by the Taliban government that are not in the interest of the Afghan people or neighboring countries,” according to the Associated Press. The latest tensions trace back to October, when explosions in Kabul—which the Taliban blamed on Pakistan—sparked a cycle of retaliatory attacks. The Taliban claimed to have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers, while Islamabad acknowledged 23 deaths. Although a ceasefire was quickly brokered, it proved fragile, with Pakistani airstrikes reportedly killing at least 10 people inside Afghan territory.The most recent flare-up on Thursday night saw both sides exchanging fire along the Chaman border in southwest Pakistan. With both militaries now on high alert, regional observers warn that peace efforts between Islamabad and Kabul may once again be on the brink of collapse. ALSO READ: Delhi Airport Partially Back On Track As ATC Glitch 'Gradually Improving'; Minor Delays Continue