Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma have time and again shown that despite their fame and success, spirituality plays an important role in their lives. The power couple has often chosen quiet faith over noise and attention, and their recent visit to Vrindavan once again reflected this belief. On Tuesday, Virat and Anushka reached the holy town to seek blessings from spiritual leader Premanand Ji Maharaj, marking their third visit to him.A video from their visit soon went viral on social media, drawing attention to their calm presence and deep devotion. Known for staying grounded, the couple once again reminded fans that faith and inner peace remain central to their lives.

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are all smiles as they listen to Premanand Maharaj

In the viral video, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are seen all smiles as they are sitting humbly in front of Premanand Maharaj. The couple greet him with respect and listen carefully as he delivers his sermon. Dressed in simple attire, they have maintained a low profile, keeping the moment personal and sincere.

Premanand Maharaj guides them spiritually

In the video, Premanand Maharaj can be seen advising Virat and Anushka to deepen their devotion towards God and approach life with sincerity. He encourages them to see their professional work as a form of service.Maharaj says, “Apne karya shetra ko bhagwaan ki seva samajiye, ghambir bhav sey rahiye aur khup naam jaap kijiye.” (Consider your field of work as service to God, remain sincere and serious in your intent, and chant God’s name wholeheartedly).

Spiritual message on choosing God

Premanand Maharaj further speaks about seeking God above worldly comforts saying, “Joh apna asli pita hai (god) uske jisney mujhe banaya ek baar usko dekhiye bade sundar hain, dekhne yogya hain, apne hain, pyaare hain. Toh ek baar yeh lakshya bana lena chahiye ki ab main aapse milna chahta hoon. Aapne sab sukh dikha diye. Ab humein woh nahi chahiye, ab humein aap chahiye. Aur agar aap chahiye, toh saare sukh apne aap aapke charnon mein aa jaayenge.” (The one who is our true Father, God, who created me, look at Him even once; He is very beautiful, worthy of being seen, close to us, and full of love. So one should make it a goal at least once in life that ‘now I want to meet You’. You have shown us all worldly comforts; now we do not want those, now we want You. And if we attain You, then all comforts will automatically come and rest at Your feet.)

Anushka Sharma expresses faith emotionally

During the interaction, Sharma can be seen responding to Premanand Maharaj’s words with visible emotion and sincerity saying, “Hum aapke hai maharaj ji, aur aap humare” (We belong to you, Maharaj ji, and you belong to us.)Premanand Maharaj gently responds by expanding the thought beyond personal bonds. He says, “Hum sab Siri ji ke hain. Hum ek chhatra ke neeche hain, jo yeh neela chhatra hai na, aakaash. Hum sab usi ke bachche hain, hum sab usi ke hain.” (We all belong to Shri Hari. We are all under one canopy, that blue canopy, the sky. We are all His children; we all belong to Him.)

Maharaj explains the spiritual life path

Premanand Maharaj then explains how spiritual growth happens step by step, with guidance and trust. He says, “Aage ka maarg agar aap nahi jaante hain, toh hum aapka haath pakad lete hain. Humara haath koi aur pakadta hai, uska haath koi aur pakadta hai, aur uska haath koi aur pakadta hai. Is tarah hum kram se aage badhte ja rahe hain.” (If you do not know the path ahead, you hold someone’s hand. Someone holds our hand, another holds their hand, and someone else holds that person’s hand. This is how we move forward step by step, in a continuous chain).He further speaks about the tradition of following teachers and spiritual guides. He says, “Isht, Aacharya, Gurudev, inka haath pakad kar hum chal rahe hain. Yeh parampara aise hi bani hai ki hum kisi ka haath pakadte hain. Mere mein itni taakat nahi ki main khud rasta bana loon, isliye main apne Gurudev ka haath pakadta hoon, aur mere Gurudev apne Gurudev ka haath pakadte hain.” (We walk forward by holding the hand of our chosen deity, our teacher, and our Guru. This tradition exists because we rely on someone and hold their hand. I do not have the strength to create the path on my own. That is why I hold my Guru’s hand, and my Guru holds the hand of his own Guru.)Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma have visited Premanand Maharaj multiple times in the past. This was their third visit, after earlier meetings in January and May 2025.

MUMBAI: Scholars at the recent three-day 33rd Annual International Sunni Ijtema or congregation of Sunni Dawate Islami stressed the need to conquer hatred with love. Addressing a huge congregation of Sunni Muslims, they called upon the community to follow a vice-free life and practise brotherhood, peaceful co-existence with non-Muslims. World-renowned Islamic scholar Allama Qamruzzaman Khan Azmi delivered a moving address on “The Islamic System of Love and Brotherhood,” calling upon Muslims to counter societal hatred with high moral character.Allama Azmi cited the historic “bloodless” conquest of Makkah by the Prophet as the ultimate example of “victory through love.” He reminded the gathering that when Prophet Muhammad entered Makkah as a victor, he held the power to exact revenge on those who had persecuted him and his companions for decades.He asked the trembling crowd: “What do you expect from me?” They replied: “You are a noble brother, son of a noble brother.”The Prophet then declared the historic general amnesty: “Go, you are all free today. There is no reproach upon you.”Allama Azmi highlighted the depths of this mercy, noting that the Prophet even forgave his staunchest enemies, including Hinda (who had mutilated the body of his uncle Hamza) and Wahshi (who had killed Hamza).“This was not just a military victory,” Allama Azmi emphasized. “It was a victory of Morals and Love that turned bloodthirsty enemies into devoted followers.”Allama Azmi stated that if Muslims today display the same patience (sabr) and high moral character amidst oppression, the “clouds of hatred” currently hovering over the world will disperse. Maulana Shakir Noorie, president of Sunni Dawate Islami, said that one of the purposes of man:s creation is service to humanity. He stated that the purpose of creation is twofold: Worship of the creator and Service to Humanity.“If service to humanity is removed from religion, only ritual worship remains. For worship alone, the angels were sufficient for the Lord,” he remarked.Maulana Noorie listed three signs of true humanity:Humility in Wealth, forgiveness in power and selfless charity.Maulana Noorie emphasized that mercy extends to animals too.He also emphasized the value of hope. “A hopeless person loses even a good opportunity, while a hopeful person finds an opportunity even in difficulty,” Maulana Noorie said.

​Based on the HSBC Flash India Composite Output Index, the private sector saw robust business activity. (AI image)

Business activity in India moderated in December, with the HSBC PMI Composite Index that measures India’s manufacturing and service sectors’ combined output, came in at 58.9, dropping from November’s 59.7. Despite this reduction, the index remained significantly above 50.0, indicating continued business expansion.HSBC noted, “The index was down from 59.7 in November and pointed to the softest output growth since February.” Although December registered the lowest growth rate since February, the private sector maintained substantial expansion levels. Analysis revealed decreased growth rates across both manufacturing and service industries in December, primarily attributed to a moderate increase in new orders. Nevertheless, new orders maintained strong momentum, driven by positive developments in customer demand, according to an ANI report quoting HSBC PMI data.Based on the HSBC Flash India Composite Output Index, the private sector saw robust business activity in the final month of 2025, albeit at a slower pace than the previous month. The growth in new orders displayed a similar trend, maintaining healthy levels despite the deceleration.The report indicated that December saw minimal changes in workforce numbers across companies, with employment levels remaining largely stable without significant hiring or redundancies.Organisations saw increased caution regarding future prospects, as evidenced by diminished business confidence. The inflation scenario was subdued, suggesting stable cost conditions.The manufacturing industry experienced a moderation in growth, with both output and new orders showing reduced momentum. Similarly, employment expansion and purchase stock levels grew more gradually. The reduction in suppliers’ delivery times suggested improved supply chain efficiency.The HSBC Flash India Manufacturing PMI showed a decrease to 55.7 in December compared to 56.6 in November.Whilst manufacturing activity maintained solid expansion above the long-term average, December’s figures indicated the most modest improvement in the sector’s health over the previous 24 months.For the outlook towards 2026, HSBC reported that firms maintain positive expectations regarding business growth continuation. Nevertheless, confidence levels have diminished, with business sentiment declining for the third consecutive month in December, reaching its lowest point since July 2022.The HSBC PMI findings indicate that despite India’s slight business growth deceleration in December, the economy continues to demonstrate robust expansion momentum.

The stage is set in Abu Dhabi for the IPL 2026 auction, an event crucial not for building core teams, but for executing surgical, high-impact squad enhancements. This auction is not about overhauling; it is the final fine-tuning before the season kicks off, where the market is often skewed by demand for niche skills and strategic gaps.

IPL 2026 Auction: The final frontier

A total of 77 slots, including a highly contested 31 overseas positions, are up for grabs, drawing from a shortlisted pool of 359 players. The combined spending capacity of all ten franchises stands at a hefty ₹237.55 crore, promising intense bidding wars for top-tier Indian talent, who remain exempt from the new overseas salary cap of ₹18 crore. Franchises with larger remaining purses, such as KKR and CSK, hold a distinct advantage, while teams with minimal funds, like MI, must rely on razor-sharp scouting for value buys. This one-day event is a high-octane blend of finance and cricket strategy, designed to complete the final roster puzzle for a fiercely competitive IPL season.

Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction: Broadcast, Live Streaming details – When and where to watch in India, Australia, UK & South Africa

IPL 2026 Auction: Franchise-wise remaining purse and slot breakdown

1. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

• Remaining Purse: ₹64.30 Crore (Largest Purse)
• Total Slots Left: 13 (Highest Vacancies): Overseas Slots Left: 6 (Highest Overseas Slots), Indian Slots Left: 7

2. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

• Remaining Purse: ₹43.40 Crore
• Total Slots Left: 9: Overseas Slots Left: 4, Indian Slots Left: 5

3. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)

• Remaining Purse: ₹25.50 Crore
• Total Slots Left: 10 : Overseas Slots Left: 2, Indian Slots Left: 8 (Highest Indian Slots)

4. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

• Remaining Purse: ₹22.95 Crore
• Total Slots Left: 6: Overseas Slots Left: 4, Indian Slots Left: 2

5. Delhi Capitals (DC)

• Remaining Purse: ₹21.80 Crore
• Total Slots Left: 8: Overseas Slots Left: 5, Indian Slots Left: 3

6. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

• Remaining Purse: ₹16.40 Crore
• Total Slots Left: 8: Overseas Slots Left: 2, Indian Slots Left: 6

7. Rajasthan Royals (RR)

• Remaining Purse: ₹16.05 Crore
• Total Slots Left: 9: Overseas Slots Left: 1, Indian Slots Left: 8

8. Gujarat Titans (GT)

• Remaining Purse: ₹12.90 Crore
• Total Slots Left: 5: Overseas Slots Left: 4, Indian Slots Left: 1

9. Punjab Kings (PBKS)

• Remaining Purse: ₹11.50 Crore

• Total Slots Left: 4 (Least Vacancies): Overseas Slots Left: 2, Indian Slots Left: 2

10. Mumbai Indians (MI)

• Remaining Purse: ₹2.75 Crore (Smallest Purse)
• Total Slots Left: 5: Overseas Slots Left: 1, Indian Slots Left: 4

(Note: Maximum squad size is 25, with a maximum of 8 overseas players.)

Also READ: Top 5 oldest players in the IPL 2026 auction

Australian authorities say the mass shooting that killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach was a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State ideology, carried out by a father and son originally from Pakistan.Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett confirmed on Tuesday that investigators now believe the attack was ideologically motivated, following the recovery of Islamic State-linked material and improvised explosive devices. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the assessment was based on evidence seized during the investigation, including flags and online material connected to the extremist group.

Also read: Father-son duo visited Philippines – What we know about Pakistan-origin shootersThe victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 and included a British-born rabbi, a Holocaust survivor, a retired police officer and a 10-year-old girl. Twenty-five people remain in hospital, several in critical condition, including children.

The suspects were identified as Sajid Akram, 50, who was shot dead by police at the scene, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, who remains under guard in hospital. Authorities say the pair deliberately targeted Jewish attendees in what was intended to be a mass-casualty attack.Also read: Shooter spoke to mother hours before Bondi beach attackAlbanese said the gunmen appeared to have been radicalised by “an ideology of hate” aligned with Islamic State. Investigators found two homemade IS flags draped over a vehicle used in the attack, along with improvised explosive devices.

What happened during Bondi beach attack?

Australian intelligence agency ASIO had previously investigated Naveed Akram in 2019 over associations with individuals linked to a Sydney-based pro-IS network. He was interviewed, along with family members, but was not assessed as posing an imminent threat at the time. Authorities insist there was no intelligence failure and that neither man was on a terrorism watchlist before the attack.Sajid Akram legally owned six firearms and held a licence for recreational hunting. Several of those weapons were taken to Bondi Beach. The revelations have renewed scrutiny of gun licensing, with Albanese and state leaders pledging the most significant tightening of Australia’s gun laws since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.

Investigators are also examining a trip the pair took to the Philippines in November, weeks before the attack. Philippine immigration authorities confirmed that Sajid Akram travelled on an Indian passport, while his son used an Australian passport. Both declared the southern city of Davao as their destination.Australian security sources cited by ABC Australia, said the men may have undergone “military-style training” during their visit, though Philippine authorities have said there is no immediate confirmation of such activity. Islamist militant groups have previously operated in parts of southern Mindanao, although officials say their capabilities have been significantly degraded in recent years.NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said no security alert was triggered by the trip and that the purpose of the visit remains under investigation. Counter-terrorism officers later searched a short-term rental in Sydney where the men had been staying and recovered additional firearms.

Several civilians were praised for intervening during the attack. Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian-born shop owner, was filmed tackling and disarming one gunman before being shot multiple times. Albanese visited him in hospital, calling him “a true Australian hero”.Bondi Beach lifeguards also rushed towards the gunfire to assist victims, while police officers were wounded confronting the attackers.

NEW DELHI: In a rare gesture, Jordan Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II on Tuesday drove Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Jordan Museum.This comes as PM Modi is visiting Jordan to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Earlier on Monday, Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan welcomed PM Modi at the airport on his arrival for a two-day visit at the invitation of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein.

PM Modi received a warm welcome from members of the Indian community in Jordan’s capital, Amman. He greeted people and interacted with children who had gathered to welcome him, and also witnessed a cultural performance on arrival.The Prime Minister expressed confidence that his visit would boost bilateral ties between the two nations. As he began his two-day visit, he also thanked his Jordanian counterpart for the warm reception at the airport.“Deeply touched by the warm welcome extended by the Indian community in Amman. Their affection, pride in India’s progress and strong cultural bonds reflect the enduring connection between India and its diaspora. Also grateful for the role the diaspora continues to play in strengthening India-Jordan relations,” Modi posted on X.During the visit, PM Modi will hold discussions with King Abdullah II, with both leaders expected to review the entire gamut of India-Jordan relations and exchange views on regional issues.This is Prime Minister Modi’s first full-fledged bilateral visit to Jordan. He had earlier transited through the country in February 2018 while en route to the State of Palestine.“Even though it was a transit visit, exceptional courtesies were accorded to him by His Majesty the King, making it more than just a transit visit. The current full bilateral visit is taking place after an interval of 37 years. India and Jordan share warm and friendly relations marked by mutual trust and goodwill. The relationship spans political, economic and defence cooperation, as well as strong people-to-people ties,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary (South) Neena Malhotra said ahead of the visit.“Our bilateral relations are marked by strong understanding at the leadership level. Since His Majesty’s visit to India in 2018, the two leaders have met four times, the latest on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy in June 2024. The leaders remain in touch telephonically as well. They also spoke in April 2025 after the Pahalgam terror attack, during which His Majesty condemned the attack and reiterated support for India’s fight against terrorism,” she added.