US President Donald Trump vowed to block defence contractors from paying dividends or buying back shares until they accelerate the production of military equipment. The announcement was made on Truth Social on Wednesday and sent defence stocks tumbling. It signals a rare direct intervention in the US military-industrial sector. He claimed that US produces the best equipment in the world and no country is even close to that benchmark. “Defense Companies are not producing our Great Military Equipment rapidly enough and, once produced, not maintaining it properly or quickly,” Trump posted. The GOP leader also criticised executive pay, calling it “exorbitant and unjustifiable,” and said it should be capped at $5 million.Trump did not provide details on how limits on dividends, buybacks, or salaries would be enforced. This uncertainty contributed to a drop in defence shares after his post, reversing recent gains following the dramatic use of US military equipment in Venezuela, reports news agency Reuters. The Latin American nation and its leader Nicolas Maduro were targeted last week under Operation Absolute Resolve on suspicion of narco-terrorism and drug peddling. Several large defence firms, including Lockheed Martin, routinely issue dividends and buy back stock. Lockheed recently raised its dividend for the 23rd consecutive year to $3.45 per share and authorised up to $2 billion in share repurchases, bringing total planned buybacks to $9.1 billion.The F-35 fighter jet programme has faced rising costs and delays, while the $140 billion Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile project managed by Northrop Grumman is reported to be 81 per cent over budget, according to the US military.Trump’s full Truth Social post said that there is a dire need for new and modern production plants, improved maintenance, and faster delivery of equipment. “From this moment forward, these Executives must build NEW and MODERN Production Plants, both for delivering and maintaining this important Equipment, and for building the latest Models of future Military Equipment,” he said.The MAGA chief said dividends, stock buybacks, and excessive executive compensation should be suspended until these issues are resolved. “MILITARY EQUIPMENT IS NOT BEING MADE FAST ENOUGH! It must be built now with the Dividends, Stock Buybacks, and Over Compensation of Executives, rather than borrowing from Financial Institutions, or getting the money from your Government,” he added.Trump also warned that he needs the changes “spot on, on time.”

NEW DELHI: Another CCTV clip related to the Laxmi Nagar assault has surfaced, showing a group of men arriving first, opening a gate and assaulting a man. Moments later, a Thar SUV was seen speeding towards the house and crashing into the wall, after which several men got out of it and the assault continued. Meanwhile, accused Omkar Yadav has released a video on social media defending his brother, gym caretaker and key accused Satish Yadav alias Pintu Yadav.A dispute over a gym operating from a residential property in east Delhi’s Laxmi Nagar allegedly escalated into the assault recently when the man was beaten up, his wife was said to be molested, and their son was stripped and assaulted on the street.The man runs a gym from the basement of his house and caretaker Yadav allegedly cheated him and attempted to take over the business, leading to the dispute. On Jan 2, during an argument over a basement- and sewage-related issue, Yadav, along with his associates, assaulted the couple and their son, a senior officer said.An earlier CCTV footage had shown the couple’s son being dragged onto the road, stripped and beaten up by a group of four-five men. The presence of police personnel in parts of the footage also raised questions. Police claimed the assault stopped after they arrived while the victims alleged that they were beaten up in full view of the cops, a claim that is being verified. According to the complaint, the couple’s son came out after hearing the commotion and was assaulted. The couple also said their two sons had left the house following the attack.Police said main accused Yadav was arrested while the other accused were absconding. Omkar, one of the absconding accused, posted a video on social media, saying his brother had been working with the complainant for “20-25 years” and was running the gym for the past “12-13 years”. He questioned why objections over the gym were raised only in the past five-six months. “If we captured the land, why did she start complaining only now?” he asked.Omkar further alleged that the legal proceedings were “one-sided” and claimed that he was also being targeted. He identified himself as a worker of a party and alleged that he was being defamed by an opposition party.Referring to the incident, Omkar said, “On Jan 2, I got a call from my brother. I reached the spot after 10-15 minutes. If I am seen kicking two or three times in the video, it was in self-defence. They started hitting first.”A case has been registered at the Laxmi Nagar police station under various provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful restraint, criminal trespass, assault or use of criminal force to outrage the modesty of a woman, acts intended to insult a woman’s modesty and criminal intimidation.

Pakistan remain confident that star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi will be fit in time for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is set to begin on February 7. T20I captain Salman Ali Agha said the left-arm pacer is recovering well from a knee injury, raising hopes that Pakistan will have their leading bowler available.

Afridi has returned home after suffering a knee injury while playing for Brisbane Heat in the BBL. The Pakistan Cricket Board recalled him to undergo treatment and rehabilitation at its High Performance Centre in Lahore. Shaheen featured in four matches for Brisbane, taking two wickets at an average of 76.50.

Shaheen Afridi Suffers Knee Injury in Big Bash League

Shaheen Shah Afridi suffered a knee injury while playing in the Big Bash League in Australia. The issue occurred during a match against the Adelaide Strikers, where he appeared uncomfortable while fielding before leaving the ground holding his knee.

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Brisbane Heat released Afridi from the tournament, after which the Pakistan Cricket Board called him back home to manage his recovery under its supervision.

Before the injury forced him off the field, Afridi had a mixed outing. He started well but later conceded 19 runs in an over against Italian cricketer Harry Manenti.

It is worth mentioning that this is not the first time Shaheen Afridi has suffered a knee injury. He sustained a similar injury during a Test match in Galle in 2021, which kept him out of action for several months.

We Are Hopeful Shaheen Afridi Will Be Fit for the World Cup – Salman Ali Agha

Shaheen Afridi is a key figure in their white-ball plans, and his fitness is expected to have a major impact on their T20 World Cup campaign, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Speaking in Dambulla, Salman Ali Agha said that the team is optimistic about Shaheen’s recovery. However, he added that the final call on his availability will be taken by the Pakistan Cricket Board based on advice from the medical team.

“We are hopeful he will be fit for the World Cup but the final decision will come from the (Pakistan Cricket) Board on advice from the medical panel,” Salman told the media in Dambulla, where Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in the first T20I on Wednesday.

This Series Will Help The Players A Lot For the World Cup – Salman Ali Agha

Salman Ali Agha said the team has assembled a well-balanced and competitive squad for the series against Sri Lanka. Salman added that the matches are especially useful for players with limited experience in Sri Lanka, as Pakistan are scheduled to play all of their World Cup games there.

“This series will help the players a lot for the World Cup, especially those who haven’t played that much cricket in Sri Lanka,” Salman said.

Pakistan have named an experienced squad for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, with only one new face included. Khawaja Nafay is the only uncapped player in the lineup.

Shadab Khan is back in the national team after eight months out following shoulder surgery. Selectors recalled him after his encouraging performances in the Big Bash League, adding experience and balance to Pakistan’s squad.

Also read: Mohsin Naqvi goes full ANTI-INDIA, drags Pakistan into Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup controversy

Viswanathan Anand in Kolkata (Photo by Lennart Ootes)

KOLKATA: Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand showed he remains a force to reckon with in a field increasingly dominated by youngsters, notching up two wins to emerge joint leader with 2.5 points after three rounds of the Rapid games on the opening day of the Tata Steel Chess India here on Wednesday.The 56-year-old Anand, who is returning to the tournament after six years, defeated the highly-rated American Grandmaster Wesley So by putting him in serious time trouble in the opening round to earn a full point.

He then split the point with China’s Wei Yi before beating country-mate Aravindh Chithambaram in round three.Anand is sharing the lead with American GM Hans Niemann, who overcame former World Rapid champion Volodar Murzin in the opening round, drew with India’s Vidit Gujrathi and then beat young R. Praggnanandhaa, who got into a time crunch to lose the match.In a classic game between two of India’s top players, Gujrathi made a strong statement with the black pieces, dominating Arjun Erigaisi — the double bronze medallist at the World Rapid and Blitz championships in Doha recently — to seal the win with a rare knight-and-bishop checkmate.The second round saw Praggnanandhaa control both wings before breaking through on the kingside to defeat Erigaisi.However, it was Anand, the Blitz champion here six year back, who held centrestage. In round three, the player-cum-administrator once again showed his class, using clever rook play to defeat Aravindh with black.In the women’s section, American International Master (IM) Carissa Yip emerged as the sole leader with 2.5 points out of three.Among the Indian players, Vantika Agrawal was impressive, scoring two out of three points and standing as the top performer from the country. She showed excellent endgame technique in round one, converting a material advantage to defeat R. Vaishali.The event began with a dramatic 114-move marathon draw between Dronavalli Harika and Women’s World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh.Round two featured three decisive games, highlighted by Stavroula Tsolakidou’s victory over Divya in a complex struggle. Kateryna Lagno outplayed Vantika in a knight versus bishop endgame, while Aleksandra Goryachkina took advantage of an exposed king to score her first win against Vaishali.In Round 3, Carissa claimed the lead by calmly converting an early exchange advantage against Goryachkina. Nana Dzagnidze prevailed in a dramatic queen endgame against Tsolakidou, while Vantika capped the day with an aggressive win over Harika.

Standings after Day 1:

Open category (Indians unless mentioned): 2.5 points – Viswanathan Anand, Hans Niemann (USA). 2 points: Wesley So (USA), Vidit Gujrathi. 1.5 points: Nihal Sarin, R Praggnnanandhaa. 1 point: Wei Yi (CHN), Arjun Erigaisi. 0.5 points: Aravindh Chithambaram, Volodar Murzin (RUS).Women: 2.5 points: Carissa Yip (USA). 2 points: Nana Dzagnidze (GEO), Kateryna Lagno (RUS), Vantika Agarwal. 1.5 points: Aleksandra Goryachkina (RUS), Rakshitta Ravi. 1 point: D Harika, Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE), Divya Deshmukh. 0.5 points: R Vaishali.

NEW DELHI: The income tax department on Wednesday flagged major risks associated with virtual digital assets (VDA), such as cryptocurrency, joining the Reserve Bank of India in opposing the entry of these instruments.In a presentation to the parliamentary standing committee of finance, the tax authorities flagged as to how anonymous, borderless and near-instant value transfer made it possible to move funds through a system without regulated financial intermediaries, a person familiar with the discussions told TOI.Besides, offshore exchanges, private wallets and decentralised platforms made it very difficult for the authorities to detect taxable income and also made the holdings opaque since the beneficial owners were not easily known.Jurisdictional limitations with offshore VDA activity were also flagged as multiple jurisdictions may be involved, with little ability to check flows, making verification and recovery of tax dues virtually impossible. Although there have been efforts in recent months on sharing of information, it remains difficult, inhibiting the ability of tax officials to undertake proper assessment and reconstruction of transaction chains.India is among a group of countries which have so far been reluctant to allow cryptocurrency and stablecoin despite intense lobbying and pressure from some govts. Earlier, on multiple occasions, RBI had flagged its concerns, including the lack of any underlying asset making it a risky bet for investors, and even enforcement agencies are wary especially due to VDAs being instruments that can be used for money laundering and terror financing.The tax department said that since crypto platforms operate overseas, enforcement action may be tough, including issuing summons, or TDS collection. Many of the exchanges are also unregistered with the Financial Intelligence Unit and are outside the ambit of the tax department.Indian tax authorities have sought to build in safeguards, including TDS, to track beneficiaries and have also mandated registration of entities dealing in crypto and other VDAs.

MUMBAI: Export of diamonds from India to the US has nearly halved after President Trump slapped a 50% tariff on the country, plunging the industry into a crisis, said Al Cook, CEO at De Beers Group, adding that there hasn’t been a large scale “relocation” of Indian industry to other countries, though, as stakeholders are hopeful of a trade deal between India and the US.“We just need to see the right time, right place and right politics for that (deal) to happen. The good news is that the US has announced that once there’s a deal, there will be a 0% tariff on natural diamonds. People do expect tariffs to end,” Cook said here.London-based De Beers Group which owns the Forevermark diamond brand supplies rough diamonds to several Indian partners who then cut and polish them here and export to the US. “The US put 50% tariffs on India and that’s challenging for the diamond industry because if you have got 90% of the world’s diamonds cut and polished in India and 50% of the world’s diamonds bought in America, that’s a huge market,” said Cook who met commerce minister Piyush Goyal.In 2024, total diamond exports from India stood at about $13 billion of which about 50% was shipped to the US, Cook said.A growing economy, expanding middle class which is willing to spen d more helped by higher disposable incomes, a new crop of high earning consumers and India’s love for jewellery will allow the country to retain its place as the second largest market for natural diamond consumption after the US, said Cook as the company launched its largest global flagship Forevermark store in Mumbai this week.Demand for natural diamonds grew 11% in India last year which overtook China where a declining rate of marriages—down by about 50% over the last decade has crippled sales of (diamond) engagement rings, said Cook. “In the short-term, we see stronger growth in India. It is just one of the most important countries on the earth right now and certainly, one of the most important countries in the diamond industry,” said Cook under whose watch, the company is localising offerings for Indian shoppers. More women are now buying diamond jewellery for themselves and taking to everyday pieces, a trend Forevermark is betting on with a target to close 2026 with 25 stores.

Mastiii 4 has come under legal scrutiny after popular content creator Ashish Sharma approached the Delhi High Court, flagging similarities between a comedy sequence in the film and his viral Instagram reel that clocked over 11 million views.As per Live Law, Ashish contended that a scene in the film closely resembles his reel titled “Shaq Karne Ka Nateeja”, which he shared in January 2024. In his petition, the creator claimed that the idea, narrative flow, character dynamics, and punchline in the film mirror his original content, raising concerns over unauthorised use.In his plea, Ashish Sharma has sought a permanent injunction, monetary relief, and a detailed statement of profits, arguing that his work was used without permission or acknowledgement.The plea comes at a crucial time, with the film reportedly nearing its OTT release.

Court issues notice, allows makers to respond

Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, hearing the matter, took note of the film’s release timeline while considering the request for urgent relief. The court issued a notice to the producers, observing that they should be given an opportunity to place their response on record before any interim directions are passed.The judge noted that a short notice period was appropriate given the circumstances. The matter is expected to be taken up next on January 13, 2026.

Mixed theatrical response for the film

Released theatrically on November 21, 2025, Mastiii 4 witnessed a modest box-office performance, earning approximately Rs 19.25 crore worldwide, according to Sacnilk.The legal development unfolds just days ahead of the film’s expected digital premiere on January 16.Mastiii 4 brings back the franchise’s core trio — Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi, and Aftab Shivdasani — alongside Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Nargis Fakhri, Elnaaz Norouzi, Ruhi Singh, Shreya Sharma, and Shaad Randhawa. Produced by A Jhunhunwala, Ekta Kapoor, and Indra Kumar, the Masti franchise has previously seen success with Grand Masti and Great Grand Masti.

US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he is taking steps to ban large institutional investors from buying single‑family homes in US. The MAGA chief said he will also ask Congress to codify the measure and plans to discuss broader housing and affordability proposals during his upcoming speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.“For a very long time, buying and owning a home was considered the pinnacle of the American Dream. It was the reward for working hard, and doing the right thing, but now, because of the Record High Inflation caused by Joe Biden and the Democrats in Congress, that American Dream is increasingly out of reach for far too many people, especially younger Americans,” Trump posted.Trump and some conservative supporters argue that large investors buying homes for rent have reduced availability for ordinary buyers and pushed up prices and rents. This has frustrated potential homebuyers, particularly younger Americans trying to enter the market.Large institutional investors include private equity firms, real estate investment trusts, and major asset managers such as Blackstone and Cerberus that purchase residential properties to lease. Trump’s announcement targets these large players.The market reacted quickly to this update, with shares in companies heavily involved in single‑family rentals, including Blackstone, Invitation Homes, and American Homes 4 Rent, falling sharply after the announcement. Details on how the ban would be enforced have not yet been clarified.Despite the focus on institutional investors, data suggests they own a relatively small portion of the market. Blackstone has reported that such investors currently own about 0.5 percent of all single‑family homes in the US. According to a 2022 report from the US Government Accountability Office, investors owning 1,000 or more properties accounted for only 2–3 per cent of single‑family rental homes. Most investor-owned properties are held by smaller landlords who own between one and five homes, representing around 85 per cent of investor-owned homes.According to data provided by Newswire and Housingwire, Investor activity varies across the country and over time. Reports indicate that investors purchased nearly one-third of all single-family residential properties sold in mid‑2025, influenced by high mortgage rates and affordability challenges for traditional buyers. Out-of-state investors also remain active, accounting for around 5.56 per cent of single-family home purchases in 2025.The GOP leader said the ban is intended to make housing more affordable and protect the idea that “people live in homes, not corporations.”