Biden Administration Convinced Iran Will Attack Israel In Few Days: Report

The Biden administration is convinced that Iran will attack Israel in the coming days and is preparing to help it repel it , three American sources told Axios, according to which the Iranian attack - in retaliation for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran - could follow the same pattern as the one conducted on April 13, but potentially larger, could involve the Lebanese Hezbollah.

But the administration fears that, unlike four months ago, it may be more difficult to mobilise the same regional and international coalition that helped Israel defend itself from the swarm of drones and missiles launched in April, reports Adnkronos news agency.

The killing of Ismail Haniyeh "does not help" efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza with Hamas, US President Joe Biden admitted, speaking to reporters at the Andrews air base where he went to welcome prisoners exchanged with Russia.

Biden - who yesterday had a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - said he was "very concerned" about the latest escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

"We have a ceasefire base, it has to go forward and they have to go forward," the president urged again, in a reference to the phone call with Netanyahu, which he called "very direct."

Ismail Haniyeh will be buried in Qatar today. The body of the Hamas political leader arrived in Doha yesterday from Iran, after thousands of people attended his funeral in Tehran.

According to Hamas and Qatari state media, the funeral prayer will be held after the Friday prayer at Qatar's national mosque, followed by burial in the city of Lusail.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Choose To Accept My Scars": Hina Khan, Battling Cancer, Shaves Her Head

Hina Khan is fighting her battle with cancer with remarkable courage. In June, the actress revealed that she had been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Since then, Hina has been sharing snippets from her journey. In the latest video released on Instagram, Hina shaves her head. The video opens with a throwback clip of Hina carrying a pixey cut. Following this, a text appears: “I loved wearing my hair so short which I probably wouldn't have done ever. Although I could not enjoy the Short-Hair-Phase long enough. It did look cool. I may continue with this pixie look for some time once they grow back insha Allah. But for now. The Pixie says Adios. Coz it's Time to Buzz it Off!” The video then transitions to a collection of clips showing how Hina's hair was falling out, covering her clothes and pillows.

Following that, Hina Khan says, “Then, You can win this only if you can embrace yourself, accept it. And I choose to accept my battle scars because I believe if you embrace yourself you are one step closer towards your healing. I really really want to heal and focus on that part and that aspect of my life. Mujhe us process se nahi guzarna hai, jaha pe [I don't want to go through that process, where] every time I put my hand in my hair and a bunch of hair falls. It is very stressful. It is very depressing. I don't want to go through that.”

Talking about the importance of mental health, Hina Khan added, “Mujhe usse pehle hi jo mere control me hai, mujhe vo steps lene hai. Mujhe yeh bhi lagta hai ki I want to tell you all this thing ki agar aapki mental health sahi hai to aapki physical health usse 10 guna better hai. [Before anything else, I need to take the steps that are within my control. I also feel that I want to tell you all this: if your mental health is good, your physical health is ten times better.] So in order to work on your physical health, you got to focus on your mental health also. Mental health mere haath me hai, mere control me hai. [My mental health is in my hands, in my control.] So I really really want to work on it and stay positive and happy and do all the possible things ki yeh jo meri journey hai, isme at least mujhe mentally koi stress na ho. Physically, of course, pain vagera hoga but I want to focus ki mai mentally strong rahu aur vo sab cheez karu jisse mai apna stress kam kar saku. [In this journey of mine, at least I don't want to be mentally stressed. Physically, of course, there will be pain and such, but I want to focus on staying mentally strong and doing everything I can to reduce my stress.] So this is one of those things. I am going to do this today.” 

For all the people who are battling with cancer, Hina Khan said, “To all you people out there, who are going through these tough times, especially women, I know how hard it is. It is very very stressful. It is very very painful. Don't put yourself through all this. Just simply buzz it off before it starts falling. That's what I tell you guys and that's what I am going to do. Remember you are still you, nothing is going to change. In fact, you are more beautiful. So embrace this new version of yourself. Embrace this new truth, this new journey with every breath, every cell, every single time, with every way possible. Trust me, It is really really going to help. You are going to be mentally very very strong. And I don't know. I think I am going to carry this bald look quite well once I do it in some time. I am going to put a wig on wherever necessary. But I am also going to carry this bald head which I am going to have proudly. Lots of love.”

Before shaving her head with a trimmer, the actress said, “So, here we go. Bismillah, may Allah give us all a lot of strength.” Towards the end of the video, we are shown all the chopped hair lying on the floor.

In her caption, Hina Khan wrote, “The pixie says ADIOS, It's time to BUZZ it off ! Here's another attempt to Normalise the hardest phase of this journey, aesthetically speaking. Remember ladies..our strength is our Patience and calm. If we put our minds to it nothing is unattainable.. Mind over Matter Dua.”

Reacting to the post, Rubina Dilaik said, “Dua.” Mouni Roy commented, “Sending all my love..” Jihu Parmar wrote, “Hina you are an epitome of strength. May God hold you tight and you come out of it with flying colours. Your strength is beyond commendable. Big hug to you. Heal. love. prayers.” Sophie Choudry posted, “Sending you love, strength, positive vibes and all my duas beautiful girl. InshAllah all will be well.” Suni Rajwar called Hina “strongest.” Many others followed suit.

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In June, Hina Khan shared the news of her cancer diagnosis on Instagram by posting an elaborate note. Click here to read in detail.

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Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Gets New Gameplay Trailer, Pre-Orders Now Live

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions was announced last month, with Warner Bros. Games confirming a September 3 release date. Now, the publisher has revealed the gameplay for the Wizarding World title with a new trailer. Warner Bros. Games has also confirmed the game's pre-order details and staggered release timeline, with the digital version of the game launching in September, followed by a physical release in November. The new gameplay trailer showcases Quidditch gameplay, available game modes and player characters.

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions gameplay trailer

Developed by Unbroken Studios, Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions will feature a single-player career mode and an online competitive mode. The game will also feature the Quidditch World Cup. The "Welcome Students" gameplay trailer provides a first look at fast-faced Quidditch matches, where players can take part as a Beater, Chaser, Keeper or Seeker. The publisher also revealed pre-order details for the title, which will be available in Standard and Deluxe editions. 

The latest trailer showed off Quidditch gameplay, large arenas and popular playable characters from the Wizarding World, including Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy and more. Players can also choose to create their own custom character.

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions pre-order details

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions has also been confirmed to get a staggered release. The digital versions of both Standard and Deluxe editions of the game will be released September 3, while the physical Deluxe edition will launch November 8 on PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store) PS5, PS4, Xbox Series S/X and Xbox One. A Nintendo Switch version will arrive later during the 2024 holiday season. Deluxe edition rewards include House packs for all four houses — Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, and in-game currency.

The game is currently available to pre-order on all platforms, with a Firebolt Supreme broom skin available as a pre-order reward item. Additionally, the Standard edition of Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions will be available as a PlayStation Plus launch title at no extra cost to all PS Plus members from September 3 to September 30. Once added to the library, the game will be playable as long as players have an active PS Plus subscription.

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Candidates, Parents, 'Kingpins' Named In CBI's 1st NEET Chargesheet

Filing its first chargesheet in the NEET-UG paper leak case on Thursday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has named 13 people, including four candidates, a junior engineer and two kingpins. The paper leak for the medical entrance exam had sparked protests in several parts of the country and prompted demands for a re-test, but the Supreme Court had ruled against that, noting that there had not been a systemic breach. 

Stating that the parents of some students were also named in the document, officials from the CBI said that the agency will also file at least one supplementary chargesheet as the investigations are in an advanced stage.

Nitish Kumar and Amit Anand are the two kingpins while the four candidates who feature in the chargesheet are Ayush Kumar, Anurag Yadav, Abhishek Kumar, and Shivnandan Kumar. Sikander Yadvendu, a junior engineer from Bihar's Danapur Town Council, is also named in the document. 

All 13 accused, including the four examinees, were booked under sections dealing with criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy.

During its investigation so far, the CBI believes that Nitish Kumar, a resident of Patna's Gopalpur, is the main accused and allegedly one of four "setters". He, along with Amit Anand and Sikander Yadvendu, hatched a conspiracy to leak the paper for a price of Rs 30-32 lakh per student.

The probe also revealed that Yadvendu had told Kumar and Anand that he had four students who were ready to buy papers. "Four students were called by Amit on the night of May 4 (the eve of the exam) and made to solve the leaked question paper and memorise answers," states the chargesheet.

An official said the CBI utilised advanced forensic techniques, artificial intelligence, CCTV footage and location analysis, among others, to gather evidence against the accused, which has been presented before the court. 

"The CBI is continuing further investigation against other accused/suspects and on other aspects of the case. Several other accused are already in custody. When the investigation against the other people is complete, one or more supplementary chargesheets will be filed," the official said. 

So far, the central agency has arrested 40 people in this case - including 15 who were arrested by Bihar Police - and conducted searches at 58 locations.

Key Accused

• Nitish Kumar had been jailed earlier this year as well in connection with an alleged paper leak in a Bihar Public Services (BPSC) examination.
• Amit Anand, a resident of Mangal Bazar in Munger, has told the CBI that the question paper was leaked on May 4, a day before the exam.
• Ashutosh Kumar, a Jamui resident living in Rajiv Nagar, Patna, is believed to be an associate of "setter" Amit Anand.
• Roshan Kumar, 35, a resident of Ekangarsarai, Nalanda, also lives in Rajiv Nagar and is an associate of Amit Anand. His role was allegedly to convince candidates to buy the question paper.
• Anurag Yadav from Danapur, Patna, allegedly approached the "setters".

Six Cases

The initial case into the alleged NEET-UG irregularities was registered by the Patna Police on May 5 and later transferred to CBI on June 23. The agency filed its first chargesheet in 38 days.

So far, the CBI has registered six first information reports (FIRs). The FIR from Bihar is on the paper leaks while the remaining ones from Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra are regarding impersonation of candidates and cheating. Another, filed on a reference from the Union education ministry, pertains to a "comprehensive investigation" into the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024.

The NEET-UG is conducted by the NTA for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions. The exam was held across India on May 5 and over 23 lakh students had appeared for it. 

Allegations of paper leaks and arbitrary grace marks to over 1,500 students triggered protests, and the opposition has also been attacking the government over the issue. 

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