Morning Filter: With seven consecutive draws, will Gukesh or Ding Liren break the jinx?

Syria rebels celebrate in captured Homs, set sights on Damascus Syrian rebels announced they gained full control over the key city of Homs early on Sunday after only a day of fighting, leaving President Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule dangling by a thread as insurgents marched on the capital, Damascus.Thousands of Homs residents poured onto the streets after the army withdrew from the central city, dancing and chanting “Assad is gone, Homs is free” and “Long live Syria and down with Bashar al-Assad”. Maharashtra Opposition MLAs to take oath on Sunday Two days after being sworn in as Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday took oath as MLA along with deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, while the opposition MVA boycotted the ceremony alleging EVM misuse. The opposition members refused to take oath on the first day of the three-day special session of the Maharashtra assembly after questioning the Mahayuti’s massive mandate and the trustworthiness of electronic voting machines (EVMs). They are likely to take oath on Sunday. Fadnavis, Shinde and Pawar were administered the oath of office as MLAs by pro-tem speaker Kalidas Kolambkar soon after the proceedings began at 11 am. South Korean President Yoon avoids an impeachment attempt over martial law South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law, as most ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday (December 7, 2024) to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential power. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify public protests calling for Mr. Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea, with a survey suggesting a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party, but it is also determined to oppose Yoon’s impeachment apparently because it fears losing the presidency to liberals. Shiv Sena firm on Home portfolio, clarity on Maharashtra cabinet formation by Dec 8: sources Amid intense discussions among Mahayuti allies over the distribution of portfolios and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena’s insistence on the Home Ministry, the clarity on the composition of the council of ministers is expected by Sunday, sources said. The expansion of the Devendra Fadnavis-led cabinet is likely to take place on December 11 or 12. Despite Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, securing a massive mandate in last month’s assembly elections, the new chief minister took oath after 12 days on December 5, apparently due to the internal pulls and pressure. With Fadnavis firm in the saddle as the CM and Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar taking oath as Deputy CMs, the focus is now shifted to the formation of the new Cabinet, which is likely to be tricky, sources indicated on Saturday. Leaders like Uday Samant and Sanjay Shirsat had openly demanded the allocation of the Home Ministry to the Shiv Sena after former chief minister Shinde finally accepted the fait accompli and agreed to become a Deputy CM under Fadnavis. India vs Australia day-night Test match in Adelaide - Day 3 The faithful, who congregated at the Adelaide Oval, relished the local hero’s exploits. Travis Head, back in his city, and against a familiar rival, turned on his aggressive mode. The southpaw’s blistering hundred held Australia in good stead as the second Test swung the host’s way in Adelaide on Saturday (December 7, 2024). If Head’s 137 derailed India in the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup final at Ahmedabad, the latest 140 at his home ground, could help Australia spring back in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, in which Pat Cummins and his men trail at 0-1. At close on the second day, after Australia scored 337 in its first innings and gained a 157-run lead, India wobbled at 128 for five in the second innings and trails by 29 runs. World Chess Championship: Game 11 Indian challenger D. Gukesh will play white in Game 11 of the World Chess Championship. IN Game 10, D Gukesh yet again proved equal to the task with defending champion Ding Liren of China as the 10th game of the World Chess Championship match between them ended in a draw without much excitement here on Saturday. It was by far the easiest of the game with black pieces for Gukesh as the position played itself out of a London system game wherein Ding Liren took no risks and was also apparently happy with the drawn result. Focus on batting as demoralised India look to avoid series defeat against Australia A desperate India will need their under-fire batters to step up in the second Women’s ODI against Australia here on Sunday, as the visitors aim to avoid yet another series loss Down Under. India’s batting woes continued as the tourists were bundled out for 100 in the series opener, leading to a demoralising five-wicket defeat, their heaviest in terms of balls remaining since ODIs were reduced to 50 overs a side. India have never won a series Down Under and they will have their task cut out against a quality Australian side, which showed no signs of rust despite playing in the format after a gap of nine months. On the other hand, it was the Indians who appeared under-prepared as the squad was unable to train together as some of the players were competing in domestic T20 tournaments while others played in the Women’s Big Bash League. Mohun Bagan look to extend dominance against NorthEast United, consolidate lead Unbeaten in six matches, Mohun Bagan will aim to extend their dominant run when they face NorthEast United FC in their away fixture of the Indian Super League here on Sunday. Mohun Bagan’s last loss had come against Bengaluru FC on September 28. Another victory on Sunday will see the Mariners move three points clear of Bengaluru FC at the top of the table. Smarting from their loss to East Bengal in Kolkata, NorthEast United FC, on the other hand, will look to return to winning ways and capitalise on their strong home form. They have won four of their last six games at home with eight goals in their last two matches here and they will aim to continue their strong attacking run. The Highlanders have been lethal in open play. They have registered a league-high 18 goals from open play this season. [morning filter logo] The Morning Filter 08 December 2024 [morning filter logo] The Morning Filter 08 December 2024 Welcome to the Morning Filter newsletter, your guide from The Hindu on the major news stories and events to follow today. [View in browser]( [More newsletters]( Here are the latest news and big news stories to follow today Syria rebels celebrate in captured Homs, set sights on Damascus Syrian rebels announced they gained full control over the key city of Homs early on Sunday after only a day of fighting, leaving President Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule dangling by a thread as insurgents marched on the capital, Damascus .Thousands of Homs residents poured onto the streets after the army withdrew from the central city, dancing and chanting “Assad is gone, Homs is free” and “Long live Syria and down with Bashar al-Assad”. Maharashtra Opposition MLAs to take oath on Sunday Two days after being sworn in as Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday took oath as MLA along with deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, while the opposition MVA boycotted the ceremony alleging EVM misuse. The opposition members refused to take oath on the first day of the three-day special session of the Maharashtra assembly after questioning the Mahayuti’s massive mandate and the trustworthiness of electronic voting machines (EVMs). They are likely to take oath on Sunday. Fadnavis, Shinde and Pawar were administered the oath of office as MLAs by pro-tem speaker Kalidas Kolambkar soon after the proceedings began at 11 am. South Korean President Yoon avoids an impeachment attempt over martial law South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law , as most ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday (December 7, 2024) to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential power. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify public protests calling for Mr. Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea, with a survey suggesting a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party, but it is also determined to oppose Yoon’s impeachment apparently because it fears losing the presidency to liberals. Shiv Sena firm on Home portfolio, clarity on Maharashtra cabinet formation by Dec 8: sources Amid intense discussions among Mahayuti allies over the distribution of portfolios and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena’s insistence on the Home Ministry, the clarity on the composition of the council of ministers is expected by Sunday, sources said. The expansion of the Devendra Fadnavis-led cabinet is likely to take place on December 11 or 12. Despite Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, securing a massive mandate in last month’s assembly elections, the new chief minister took oath after 12 days on December 5, apparently due to the internal pulls and pressure. With Fadnavis firm in the saddle as the CM and Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar taking oath as Deputy CMs, the focus is now shifted to the formation of the new Cabinet, which is likely to be tricky, sources indicated on Saturday. Leaders like Uday Samant and Sanjay Shirsat had openly demanded the allocation of the Home Ministry to the Shiv Sena after former chief minister Shinde finally accepted the fait accompli and agreed to become a Deputy CM under Fadnavis. India vs Australia day-night Test match in Adelaide - Day 3 The faithful, who congregated at the Adelaide Oval, relished the local hero’s exploits. Travis Head, back in his city, and against a familiar rival, turned on his aggressive mode. The southpaw’s blistering hundred held Australia in good stead as the second Test swung the host’s way in Adelaide on Saturday (December 7, 2024). If Head’s 137 derailed India in the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup final at Ahmedabad, the latest 140 at his home ground, could help Australia spring back in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, in which Pat Cummins and his men trail at 0-1. At close on the second day, after Australia scored 337 in its first innings and gained a 157-run lead, India wobbled at 128 for five in the second innings and trails by 29 runs. World Chess Championship: Game 11 Indian challenger D. Gukesh will play white in Game 11 of the World Chess Championship. IN Game 10, D Gukesh yet again proved equal to the task with defending champion Ding Liren of China as the 10th game of the World Chess Championship match between them ended in a draw without much excitement here on Saturday. It was by far the easiest of the game with black pieces for Gukesh as the position played itself out of a London system game wherein Ding Liren took no risks and was also apparently happy with the drawn result. Focus on batting as demoralised India look to avoid series defeat against Australia A desperate India will need their under-fire batters to step up in the second Women’s ODI against Australia here on Sunday, as the visitors aim to avoid yet another series loss Down Under. India’s batting woes continued as the tourists were bundled out for 100 in the series opener, leading to a demoralising five-wicket defeat, their heaviest in terms of balls remaining since ODIs were reduced to 50 overs a side. India have never won a series Down Under and they will have their task cut out against a quality Australian side, which showed no signs of rust despite playing in the format after a gap of nine months. On the other hand, it was the Indians who appeared under-prepared as the squad was unable to train together as some of the players were competing in domestic T20 tournaments while others played in the Women’s Big Bash League. Mohun Bagan look to extend dominance against NorthEast United, consolidate lead Unbeaten in six matches, Mohun Bagan will aim to extend their dominant run when they face NorthEast United FC in their away fixture of the Indian Super League here on Sunday. Mohun Bagan’s last loss had come against Bengaluru FC on September 28. Another victory on Sunday will see the Mariners move three points clear of Bengaluru FC at the top of the table. Smarting from their loss to East Bengal in Kolkata, NorthEast United FC, on the other hand, will look to return to winning ways and capitalise on their strong home form. They have won four of their last six games at home with eight goals in their last two matches here and they will aim to continue their strong attacking run. The Highlanders have been lethal in open play. They have registered a league-high 18 goals from open play this season. 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