Cricket matches keep coming in thick and fast, with India and New Zealand now facing off in a two-match Test series.
The Black Caps had just a couple of days to recover from their T20 World Cup final defeat before they played three T20s in six days, losing to Rohit Sharma's India 3-0.
The first Test begins in Kanpur on Thursday, and the number of absentees is the biggest talking point.
It is the first time India will be facing New Zealand in whites since their defeat in the World Test Championship final earlier in the year. But they will be severely restricted in terms of resources against the No1 ranked Test team.
The hosts will be without captain and batting mainstay Virat Kohli, who has decided to skip the first of the two Tests. Batsman Rohit Sharma, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant plus fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have decided to miss both matches, given their brutal schedule.
On Tuesday, KL Rahul was also ruled out due to a left thigh muscle strain and replaced by Suryakumar Yadav.
However, what should balance things out for India is the availability of their ace spinners Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.
The team will be led by Ajinkya Rahane in Kanpur with Kohli returning for the second and final Test in Mumbai from December 3.
Shubman Gill was expected to play in the middle order, but with Rahul's injury, he should be back in the opener's slot.
New Zealand, on the other hand, will be slightly better placed. They will be without pace spearhead Trent Boult and all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme.
Captain Kane Williamson, who missed the T20 series, faces one of his biggest challenges as the Kiwis have not won a Test in India since 1988.
"They're one of the great challenges on the Test calendar," New Zealand coach Gary Stead said on Tuesday.
"It's something we haven't done for a while, we haven't been here since 2016 but we're certainly looking forward to what's ahead."
India realise New Zealand are their toughest opponents in international cricket - they had ended a seven-match losing streak against the Kiwis across formats during their recent T20 win.
"We have home advantage, but we can't take New Zealand lightly at all," India vice-captain Cheteshwar Pujara said.
"They've played excellent cricket and they're a good side in all the formats. We'll stick to our game plans, we'll stick to what we know, how to play in Indian conditions."
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Specs
Price, base: Dhs850,000
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 591bhp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.3L / 100km
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The five pillars of Islam
