Somnath… hearing this word instils a sense of pride in our hearts and minds. It is the eternal proclamation of India’s soul. This majestic temple is situated on the western coast of India in Gujarat, at a place called Prabhas Patan. The Dwadasha Jyotirling Stotram mentions the 12 Jyotirlings across India.The stotram begins with “Saurashtre Somnatham Ch”, symbolising the civilisational and spiritual importance of Somnath as the first Jyotirling.It is also said: Somalingam Naro Drishtva Sarvapapaih PramuchyateLabhte Phalam Manovaanchitam Mritah Svargam SamaashrayetIt means: Just the sight of Somnath Shivling ensures that a person is freed of sins, achieves their righteous desires and attains heaven after death.Tragically, this very Somnath, which drew the reverence and prayers of millions, was attacked by foreign invaders, whose agenda was demolition, not devotion.

The year 2026 is significant for the Somnath Temple. It has been 1,000 years since the first attack on this great shrine. It was in Jan of 1026 that Mahmud of Ghazni attacked this temple, seeking to destroy a great symbol of faith and civilisation, through a violent and barbaric invasion.Yet, one thousand years later, the temple stands as glorious as ever because of numerous efforts to restore Somnath to its grandeur. One such milestone completes 75 years in 2026. It was during a ceremony on May 11th, 1951, in the presence of the then President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad, that the restored temple opened its doors to devotees.The first invasion of Somnath a thousand years ago in 1026, the cruelty that was unleashed upon the people of the town and the devastation that was inflicted upon the shrine have been documented in great detail in various historical accounts.When you read them, the heart trembles. Each line carries the weight of grief, cruelty and a sorrow that refuses to fade with time.Imagine the impact it had on Bharat and the morale of the people. After all, Somnath had great spiritual significance. It was also on the coast, giving strength to a society with great economic prowess, whose sea traders and seafarers carried tales of its grandeur far and wide.Yet, I am proud to state unequivocally that the story of Somnath, a thousand years after the first attack, is not defined by destruction. It is defined by the unbreakable courage of crores of children of Bharat Mata.The medieval barbarism that began a thousand years ago in 1026 went on to ‘inspire’ others to repeatedly attack Somnath. It was the start of an attempt to enslave our people and culture. But, each time the temple was attacked, we also had great men and women who stood up to defend it and even made the ultimate sacrifice. And every single time, generation after generation, the people of our great civilisation picked themselves up, rebuilt and rejuvenated the temple. It is our privilege to have been nurtured by the same soil that has nurtured greats like Ahilyabai Holkar, who made a noble attempt to ensure devotees can pray at Somnath.In the 1890s, Swami Vivekananda visited Somnath and that experience moved him. He expressed his feelings during a lecture in Chennai in 1897 when he said, “Some of these old temples of southern India and those like Somnath of Gujarat will teach you volumes of wisdom, will give you a keener insight into the history of the race than any amount of books. Mark how these temples bear the marks of a hundred attacks and a hundred regenerations, continually destroyed and continually springing up out of the ruins, rejuvenated and strong as ever! That is the nationalmind, that is the national lifecurrent. Follow it and it leads to glory. Give it up and you die; death will be the only result, annihilation, the only effect, the moment you step beyond that life current.”The sacred duty of rebuilding the Somnath Temple after Independence came to the able hands of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. A visit during Diwali time in 1947 moved him so much that he announced that the temple will be rebuilt there. Finally, on May 11th, 1951, a grand temple in Somnath opened its doors to devotees and Dr Rajendra Prasad was present there. The great Sardar Sahib was not alive to see this historic day, but the fulfilment of his dream stood tall before the nation.The then Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, was not too enthused with this development. He did not want the honourable President as well as ministers to associate with this special event. He said that this event created a bad impression of India. But Dr Rajendra Prasad stood firm and the rest is history. No mention of Somnath is complete without recalling the efforts of KM Munshi, who supported Sardar Patel very effectively. His works on Somnath, including the book, ‘Somanatha: The Shrine Eternal’, are extremely informative and educative.Indeed, as the title of Munshi Ji’s book conveys, we are a civilisation that carries a sense of conviction about the eternity of spirit and of ideas. We firmly believe that that which is eternal is indestructible, as outlined in the famous Gita verse “ Nainam Chhindanti Shastraani …”. There can be no better example of our civilisation’s indomitable spirit than Somnath, which stands gloriously, overcoming odds and struggles.It is this same spirit that is visible in our nation, one of the brightest spots of global growth, having overcome centuries of invasions and colonial loot. It is our value systems and the determination of our people that have made India the centre of global attention today. The world is seeing India with hope and optimism.They want to invest in our innovative youngsters. Ourart, culture, music and several festivals are going global. Yoga and Ayurveda are making a worldwide impact, boosting healthy living. Solutions to some of the most pressing global challenges are coming from India.Since time immemorial, Somnath has brought together people from different walks of life. Centuries ago, Kalikal Sarvagna Hemchandracharya, a respected Jain monk, came to Somnath. It is said that after praying there, he recited a verse, “ Bhavabijaankurjananaaraagaadyaah Kshayamupagataa Yasya” . It means: Salutations to That One in whom the seeds of worldly becoming are destroyed, in whom passion and all afflictions have withered away. Today, Somnath holds the same ability to awaken something profound within the mind and soul.A thousand years after the first attack in 1026, the sea at Somnath still roars with the same intensity as it did back then. The waves that wash the shores of Somnath tell a story. No matter what, just like the waves, it kept rising again and again. The aggressors of the past are now dust in the wind, their names synonymous with destruction. They are footnotes in the annals of history, while Somnath stands bright, radiating far beyond the horizon, reminding us of the eternal spirit that remained undiminished by the attack of 1026. Somnath is a song of hope that tells us that while hate and fanaticism may have the power to destroy for a moment, faith and conviction in the power of goodness have the power to create for eternity.If the Somnath Temple, which was attacked a thousand years ago and faced continuous attacks thereon, could rise again and again, then we can surely restore our great nation to the glory it embodied a thousand years ago before the invasions. With the blessings of Shree Somnath Mahadev, we move forward with a renewed resolve to build a Viksit Bharat, where civilisational wisdom guides us to work for the welfare of the whole world.Jai Somnath!(Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India and is also the chairman of the Shree Somnath Trust)

Television actors Jay Bhanushali and Mahhi Vij, who have been in the news for the past few months due to speculation around their personal lives, have finally addressed the divorce rumours. On January 4, Jay Bhanushali took to his Instagram Story to confirm that the couple has decided to separate. The couple, who got married in 2011, have mutually decided to part ways after 14 years of togetherness.Sharing a long note, Jay and Mahhi both mentioned that they are fully committed to their kids, “Today we choose to part ways on a journey called life. Yet we continue to have each other’s back. Peace, growth, kindness, and humanity have always been our guiding values for the sake of our children – Tara, Khushi, Rajveer, we commit to being the best parents, the best friend, and whatever else it takes to do what is right for them.“

They added, “Though we walk separate paths, there is no villain in this story and no negativity attached to this decision before any conclusions are drawn, please know that we chose peace over drama and sanity above all else.”

Jay and Mahhi further shared in the note that they will continue to support each other and be friends even after the separation, “We continue to respect one another, support one another, and remain friends, as we always have been. With mutual respect, we ask for your respect, love, and kindness as we move forward. Mahhi Vij and Jay Bhanushali.”Jay and Mahhi got married in 2011 and have three children together: their biological daughter Tara, born in 2019, and foster children Rajveer and Khushi, whom they took in 2017. The couple often shared pictures and videos of their children together on social media.On the professional front, while Jay is currently busy with hosting reality shows, live events, Mahhi recently made her Television comeback with TV show, Sehar Hone Ko Hai.

The Big Bash League (BBL|15) heads north on Monday as Sydney Sixers take on Brisbane Heat at the picturesque Coffs Harbour International Stadium. With the league phase entering the mid-stage, both sides will be keen to build momentum away from their traditional home venues.

Kane Richardson returns to strengthen Sydney Sixers bowling attack

Sydney Sixers have made a key change to their squad, bringing experienced fast bowler Kane Richardson back into the mix for the Coffs Harbour encounter. Richardson’s return adds depth and experience to the Sixers’ pace unit, particularly valuable on a surface that could offer assistance to seamers under lights.

To accommodate Richardson, the Sixers have left out Jafer Chohan, with the international signing having featured in only two matches in BBL|15 so far. While Chohan showed flashes of promise, the Sixers appear to have opted for Richardson’s proven reliability as the tournament intensifies.

The move signals a tactical shift by the Sixers, who are looking to fine-tune their combination ahead of the finals push.

Brisbane Heat sticks with their winning combination

In contrast, Brisbane Heat have opted for stability, naming an unchanged squad following their impressive victory over the previously undefeated Melbourne Stars on Friday, January 2. That result not only boosted the Heat’s confidence but also demonstrated their ability to close out high-pressure chases.

Opener Max Bryant was the standout performer in that match, producing a blistering unbeaten 48 from just 26 deliveries. His clean hitting at the death transformed the contest and showcased the aggressive brand of cricket the Heat are aiming to play this season.

SS vs BH, BBL|15: Match details

• Date and Time: January 5; 1:45 pm IST / 8:15 am GMT / 7:15 pm Local
• Venue: International Sports Stadium, Coffs Harbour

SS vs BH, Head-to-Head Record in BBL

Matches played: 23 | Sydney Sixers won: 15 | Brisbane Heat won: 07 | No result/Tied: 1

International Sports Stadium Pitch Report

The International Sports Stadium in Coffs Harbour offers a grass surface that provides early assistance to seamers with consistent bounce before settling into a batting-friendly pitch as the game goes on, making it well suited for T20 cricket.

Teams batting first have enjoyed clear success here, winning around 60-75% of matches, with par scores typically ranging between 150 and 180. While dew can help chasing sides under lights, seam movement often remains a factor. Fast bowlers account for most wickets, with spinners coming into play later as the surface wears.

The venue has a capacity of 20,000 and is equipped with floodlights. Winning the toss usually prompts captains to bat first, particularly when dry conditions are expected.

Squads

Sydney Sixers: Sean Abbott, Babar Azam, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques (c), Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Ben Manenti, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe, Kane Richardson, Lachlan Shaw, Jordan Silk

Brisbane Heat: Tom Balkin, Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Liam Haskett, Lachlan Hearne, Matthew Kuhnemann, Nathan McSweeney (c), Colin Munro, Oli Patterson, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Hugh Weibgen, Jack Wildermuth, Jack Wood

Also READ: BBL|15 – David Warner’s century in vain as Hobart Hurricanes pull off a record run chase at ENGIE Stadium

SS vs BH, BBL|15: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Sydney Sixers wins the toss and bowls first
• Brisbane Heat’s powerplay score: 40-50 (6 overs)
• Brisbane Heat’s total score: 160-170

Case 2:

• Brisbane Heat wins the toss and bowls first
• Sydney Sixers’ powerplay score: 50-60 (6 overs)
• Sydney Sixers’ total score: 180-190

Match result: Sydney Sixers to win the contest.

Also READ: 4 Australian players who featured in T20 World Cup 2024 but won’t play in 2026 edition

Across the first four Tests of the series, spinners claimed just nine wickets, accounting for only a fraction of the total overs bowled. (Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Australia created an unwanted slice of history by naming a Test XI without a specialist spinner for a match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with skipper Steve Smith admitting he had been backed into a corner. Not since 1888 have the hosts gone into a Sydney Test without a frontline slow bowler at a venue once considered Australia’s spin haven.The 138-year run was broken for the fifth and final Ashes Test against England, with all-rounder Beau Webster included and off-spinner Todd Murphy overlooked.

“Hate doing it,” said Smith.“But if we keep producing wickets that we don’t think are going to spin and seam is going to play a big part and cracks are going to play a big part, you kind of get pushed into a corner.”The decision reflects a growing trend in Australian cricket. The hosts had earlier left out veteran Nathan Lyon for the pink-ball second Test in Brisbane, before Murphy — brought in as Lyon’s injury replacement — was also omitted in Melbourne and Sydney.England, too, continued without their frontline spinner Shoaib Bashir for a fifth straight Test in Sydney, meaning he will return home without bowling a single ball in a Test match in Australia.Across the first four Tests of the series, spinners claimed just nine wickets, accounting for only a fraction of the total overs bowled.Speaking in Melbourne after the seam-friendly fourth Test ended inside two days, Smith elaborated on the thinking behind the absence of spinners.“With a lot of the wickets we’re playing on now, I think spin … is the easiest thing to face,” he said.“On some of these wickets that are offering a lot of seam, it’s almost got to the point where (you ask): ‘Why would you bowl it when you know you could leak 30 or 40 runs quickly if they decide to play positively and the game shifts immediately?’“I love seeing spinners play a part in the game, but right now, why would you?”

Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC launched a scathing attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, accusing him of possessing “regressive thoughts”. Speaking to ANI, Shaina NC said, “Aaditya Thackeray inducted Rashid Mamu. Aaditya Thackeray joined Umar Khalid at the Gateway protest. They are plotting to turn Mumbai into Mamdani, but we will never let that happen. We are here for progressive politics. They are here for regressive thoughts and comments.”

Meanwhile, Aaditya Thackeray hit back at the Mahayuti government in a post on X on Sunday, alleging attempts to “falsely steal credits” for the Mumbai coastal road and the installation of a statue of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. In his post, Aaditya Thackeray said, “Looking at these shameless ones, you realise how much of a fraud someone can be. Just like they’re falsely trying to steal credit for the Coastal Road, today they’ve put up a hoarding claiming that the revered Hindu heart-emperor Balasaheb Thackeray’s statue was also installed by these frauds.”He further stated, “The location of the statue, its design–these were decided by Uddhavsaheb, it was installed by Uddhavsaheb, and even the fee was paid by Uddhavsaheb!”Continuing his attack, Aaditya Thackeray added, “But a thief is a thief. They can never go straight. In ‘Mindhechya’ mirror, do they even see their own face, or is that stolen too?”Aaditya Thackeray’s remarks were aimed at the ruling Mahayuti government amid ongoing political sparring between the rival Shiv Sena factions in Maharashtra.Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday unveiled their joint manifesto, ‘Vachan Nama’, for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The manifesto’s cover prominently featured a photograph of the Thackeray brothers alongside Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.The Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance pledged to provide affordable housing and strengthen infrastructure across healthcare, public transport, and education sectors.This came after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis criticised the opposition, saying that the Mahayuti will “teach a lesson” to those who care only about their self-interest.“We launched our BMC election campaign by breaking a coconut. This election will be a life-changing one for the people of Mumbai and for Mumbai itself. We have to teach a lesson to those who only care about their self-interest,” he said.Polling for 29 municipal corporation elections across the state, including Mumbai, Pune, and Pimpri-Chinchwad, will be held on January 15, with vote counting scheduled for January 16.

US President Donald Trump (AP photo)

US President Donald Trump on Monday issued a fresh warning to India, reiterating that the US will raise tariffs on New Delhi “if they don’t help on Russian oil issue,” once again tying his threat to the Russia-Ukraine war and India’s alleged role in bolstering Moscow through continued crude purchases.“We could raise tariffs on India if they don’t have help on Russian oil issue,” said US President Trump, quoted by Reuters.US President Donald Trump added, “They wanted to make me happy, basically… PM Modi’s a very good man. He’s a good guy. He knew I was not happy. It was important to make me happy. They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly…”Trump was referring to India’s continued oil trade with Russia, a point his administration has repeatedly opposed, and which he had cited as the basis for doubling tariffs on India to 50% in August 2025.India is already facing the 50% tariff imposed by Trump, who has been sharply critical of New Delhi’s ties with Moscow and has alleged India of strengthening Russia in the Ukraine war by purchasing Russian crude. Trump’s deep interest in the Russia-Ukraine war is no secret. He has imposed heavy tariffs on India over its purchases of Russian oil while simultaneously attempting to position himself as a mediator between Moscow and Kyiv. He has held multiple rounds of talks with Vladimir Putin, even inviting him to Alaska, though none have produced meaningful results.Trump has also spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on several occasions, but those conversations, too, have yet to yield any concrete path to peace.Months earlier, Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him India would stop buying Russian oil, calling it a “big step” towards increasing pressure on Moscow.However, India later clarified that no such conversation between Trump and Modi had taken place, dismissing the US President’s claim.

The United States launched pre-dawn airstrikes on Venezuela early Saturday, triggering explosions across Caracas and setting the stage for the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, a dramatic escalation that was confirmed hours later by US President Donald Trump. Venezuelan authorities declared a state of emergency as panic spread across the capital following the attacks, which killed at least 40 people.

US strikes rock Caracas

According to AFP, at least seven loud explosions were heard across Caracas around 2.00 am local time (0600 GMT), with the first blast occurring shortly before 1.50 am. Air sirens, low-flying aircraft and widespread power outages added to the chaos as residents rushed into the streets.

Photo credit: AP

“One was so strong, my window was shaking after it,” CNN correspondent Osmary Hernández said. Reuters reported that smoke was seen rising from southern Caracas near a major military base, while witnesses described aircraft flying overhead. Videos of the blasts quickly surfaced on social media.Trump later confirmed the military action, saying the United States had ordered strikes on targets inside Venezuela, including military facilities.

Maduro captured after overnight operation

According to US officials cited by CBS News, Maduro was taken into custody by members of Delta Force, the US military’s elite special mission unit, during a night-time operation in Caracas.CBS reports suggested the operation may also have involved the elite army helicopter unit Night Stalkers, whose pilots participated in the 2011 raid that killed al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden.Speaking on Saturday afternoon, US President Donald Trump and senior military officials provided further details of how Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were tracked to a “very highly guarded … fortress” during what Trump called Operation Absolute Resolve.“They got taken out in a matter of seconds,” Trump said, claiming Maduro had tried to flee into a safe room. “He was trying to get into it, but he got bum rushed so fast that he didn’t get into that.” He added that while some US forces had been hit, none were killed, and troops had used a blowtorch to cut through steel doors.

Gen Dan Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the special forces team reached Maduro’s residence at around 2 am, engaging in “multiple self-defence engagements” during their escape from Venezuelan territory, according to US officials.Confirming the action, US President Donald Trump said the United States had carried out a “large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader”. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.”He added that the operation was conducted “in conjunction with US Law Enforcement” and said further details would be shared at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago.

White House released images of US President Trump monitoring the Venezuela strike and Maduro’s capture

As reports of Maduro’s capture spread, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said the whereabouts of the president and his wife were unknown, adding that authorities were demanding “proof of life”, according to the Associated Press.

From Caracas to US custody

US authorities later detailed Maduro’s transfer out of Venezuela. Officials said he was seized in Caracas and flown by US helicopter in the early hours of Saturday. He was first taken to the USS Iwo Jima at an undisclosed location in the Caribbean Sea, before being transferred to the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.From there, Maduro was flown to Stewart Air Force Base in New York State’s Orange County and then taken by helicopter into New York City. In total, he travelled about 2,100 miles (3,300 kilometres) from Venezuela to the United States.Video footage released later on Saturday showed Maduro arriving handcuffed and escorted by US officials. Trump also shared an image showing the Venezuelan leader handcuffed and blindfolded aboard the USS Iwo Jima, captioned: “Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima.”According to the BBC, a motorcade believed to be carrying Maduro was seen leaving the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) headquarters in Manhattan before heading to a heliport. Three helicopters were later seen flying down the Hudson River past the Statue of Liberty before landing. US officials said Maduro and Flores were taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

Charges filed in New York

US Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that Maduro and Flores have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. The charges include conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess such weapons against the US.US media reports said the booking process has begun, including fingerprinting, biometric data collection, mugshots and medical examinations. The couple are expected to be formally produced in court, possibly as early as Monday.Speaking later on Fox and Friends Weekend, Trump said the operation lasted less than 30 minutes and had been rehearsed in advance, claiming Maduro had been heavily guarded inside a fortified palace. The White House’s Rapid Response account later posted a video appearing to show a “perp walk” of the ousted Venezuelan leader at the DEA office in Manhattan.Governments across the world reacted with alarm and condemnation after the US operation in Venezuela, with many warning of regional instability and violations of international law. The European Union called for restraint and strict adherence to the UN Charter, with its top diplomat Kaja Kallas stressing that international law must be respected even as the bloc said it does not recognise Nicolás Maduro’s legitimacy. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said all countries must uphold international law and underlined that the UK was not involved in the action.Russia described the incident as an abduction and an “act of armed aggression”, demanding immediate clarification, while Spain urged de-escalation and offered to help mediate a democratic and peaceful solution. In Latin America, Colombia called the move an assault on regional sovereignty and sought an urgent UN Security Council meeting, while Mexico warned the strikes seriously jeopardised regional stability. Iran and Cuba strongly condemned what they called a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty, with Havana denouncing “state terrorism” against the Venezuelan people. China, meanwhile, urged Washington to immediately release Maduro and his wife, ensure their safety, and resolve the crisis through dialogue and negotiation, saying their removal violated international law and established norms