NEW DELHI: Indian fast bowler Umran Malik, often compared with Pakistan’s legendary Shoaib Akhtar for his raw pace, has been left out of Jammu and Kashmir’s squad for the Ranji Trophy preparatory camp in Pondicherry. The decision has surprised many fans, especially given Malik’s experience at the international level. Picked by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 75 lakh at the IPL 2025 auction and retained this year, the pacer has represented India in 10 ODIs and eight T20Is, but his recent domestic form has not been convincing enough for selection.

Umran was part of Jammu and Kashmir’s squad for the first half of the Ranji Trophy season. However, he featured in only one match, against Rajasthan in Srinagar, where he failed to take a wicket. His struggles continued in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he played five matches and picked up six wickets. Despite that, Malik was dropped from the squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy and has now also missed out on the Ranji Trophy preparatory camp. The reason for the snub, however, is still unknown.“To prepare the J&K Team for the tournament & acclimatise the team, the Management has decided to send its team to Pondicherry. The players and Members of Support staff of the team will travel directly to Chennai under the arrangements of JKCA on 16th January, 2026 from their respective locations,” wrote the JKCA in a statement.“The team will then travel in the Bus from Chennai to Pondicherry arranged by the Cricket Association of Pondicherry. No individual movement from Chennai to Pondicherry is allowed.”He is not the only notable omission. Senior opener Qamran Iqbal, who scored a memorable century in Jammu and Kashmir’s famous Ranji Trophy win over Delhi at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, has also been left out. In contrast, the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) has included Dikshant Kundal and Kawalpreet Singh, while Umar Nazir and Shubham Pundir have been recalled to the squad.Jammu and Kashmir will begin the second phase of their Ranji Trophy campaign against Pondicherry at the Siechem Stadium from January 22 to 25. They will then face Himachal Pradesh from January 29 to February 1 at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cricket Stadium in Nadaun. Head coach Ajay Sharma is set to join the team on January 17.Jammu and Kashmir are currently placed second in Elite Group D with 20 points from five matches, just behind table-toppers Mumbai. The knockout stage of the Ranji Trophy will be played from February 6 to 28.

The White House on Saturday shared a first-hand account of the US raid that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The post detailed a Venezuelan security guard’s claim that regime forces were overwhelmed in what he described as a “massacre”. “Stop what you are doing and read this,” White House Press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote while sharing the account online.

The post, presented as an interview with a Venezuelan security guard who claimed to have been on duty during the raid, describes a sudden and overwhelming assault that left Venezuelan forces unable to respond. According to the account, radar systems “shut down without any explanation” before swarms of drones appeared overhead.Also read: Wars without declarations: The American way“We were on guard, but suddenly all our radar systems shut down,” the guard said. “The next thing we saw were drones, a lot of drones, flying over our positions. We didn’t know how to react.”The guard claimed that only a handful of helicopters followed, deploying what he estimated to be “maybe twenty men”. He said that the Venezuelan forces were “technologically unmatched.” “They didn’t look like anything we’ve fought against before,” he said.When asked how the confrontation unfolded, the guard replied: “It was a massacre.”“We were hundreds, but we had no chance,” he said, describing gunfire delivered with “precision and speed”, adding that it appeared as though each attacker was firing “300 rounds per minute”.The guard also described a weapon that he could not identify, which he likened to a sonic or acoustic device. “It was like a very intense sound wave,” he said. “Suddenly I felt like my head was exploding from the inside. We all started bleeding from the nose. Some were vomiting blood. We fell to the ground, unable to move.”

The guard claimed the attackers suffered no casualties, adding: “Those twenty men, without a single casualty, killed hundreds of us. We had no way to compete with their technology.”He concluded with a stark warning to other countries in the region. “I’m sending a warning to anyone who thinks they can fight the United States,” he said. “They have no idea what they’re capable of.”

Operation Absolute Resolve

The account surfaced as US officials continue to defend the legality and necessity of the raid that saw Maduro seized in a predawn operation and flown out of Venezuela. The mission followed months of covert intelligence-gathering by the CIA, including drone surveillance and human sources close to the Venezuelan leader, which allowed US planners to map his movements in minute detail.Chair of the joint chiefs of staff Gen Dan Caine previously said the intelligence operation meant the US knew “where Maduro moved, what he ate and even what pets he kept”. Elite Delta Force commandos rehearsed the extraction on a full-scale replica of Maduro’s compound before launching the raid.US forces reportedly disabled air defences, plunged parts of Caracas into darkness and cleared a path for helicopters carrying special operations troops. Maduro was captured within minutes and transferred to a US warship before being flown to the United States to face charges.President Donald Trump has framed the operation as a decisive blow against drug trafficking in Latin America.

US banks have flagged concerns over President Donald Trump’s call to sharply cut credit card interest rates, warning that such a move could restrict access to credit and hurt households and small businesses that rely heavily on cards, AFP reported.Trump said on Friday that from January 20, marking the first anniversary of his administration, he wants a 10 per cent cap on credit card interest rates. Posting on Truth Social, he said Americans should no longer be “ripped off” by card issuers charging interest rates of 20–30 per cent.In a joint statement issued late Friday, five major banking industry groups said they shared the president’s goal of making credit more affordable, but cautioned against the proposed cap.“At the same time, evidence shows that a 10 per cent interest rate cap would reduce credit availability and be devastating for millions of American families and small business owners who rely on and value their credit cards,” the associations said.They added that such a cap, if implemented, could push consumers towards “less regulated, more costly alternatives”.The statement was issued by the American Bankers Association, Bank Policy Institute, Consumer Bankers Association, Financial Services Forum and the Independent Community Bankers of America.Credit cards remain the primary source of consumer credit in the US, with usage rising sharply in recent years as households lean on borrowing to maintain spending, including for essential expenses. Federal Reserve data shows that total outstanding credit card debt crossed $1.23 trillion by the end of September, making it the fourth-largest category of household debt after mortgages, student loans and auto loans.According to the Fed, credit card interest rates currently stand at 21 per cent or higher and can go up to 38 per cent for borrowers with higher risk profiles. This compares with an average of about 12 per cent a decade ago.With midterm elections due in November, Trump is under pressure to deliver on campaign promises to lower the cost of living amid persistent inflation and growing consumer stress.However, Senator Elizabeth Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, questioned Trump’s intent, noting his administration’s efforts to weaken the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.“Begging credit card companies to play nice is a joke,” Warren said in a statement. “Trump doesn’t care about affordability.”

Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bhardwaj are working together again on their fourth movie, ‘O Romeo’. The film will be released in theaters on February 13, 2026.The first look of the Shahid Kapoor‘s look from the film dropped a while ago on his social media handle.

Shahid Kapoor in ‘O’ Romeo’

Taking to Instagram, Shahid Kapoor unveiled the first look with the caption, “Romeo O Romeo where art thou O’ROMEO ! Catch a peek into the world of #ORomeo. Out Tomorrow! The first look has Shahid Kapoor sporting a body tattoo, clad in a jeans, jacket and ganji. He sports a menacing smile, baring his teeth with blood and brusie marks on his face and hands.

More about Shahid Kapoor’s look from ‘O’Romeo’

According to Pinkvilla, Shahid Kapoor will be seen sporting a full body tattoo for the visionary filmmaker’s movie. This radical transformation is said to be central to his character’s identity and psychological depth, marking a first-of-its-kind look not only for the actor but also possibly for the Indian cinema as a whole. The physical transformation demanded intense preparation, with the creative team paying meticulous attention to the tattoo’s design, placement, and narrative relevance. The look is reportedly not cosmetic but deeply embedded into the story, reflecting the character’s inner turmoil, rage, and emotional scars.Reportedly, every department, from performance and aesthetics to storytelling, is said to be operating at peak precision. The actor-director duo is leaving no stone unturned to deliver a cinematic experience that is raw, unsettling, and unforgettable. Shahid and Vishal Bhardwaj are known for their work in films like ‘Haider’ and ‘Kaminey’.

Upcoming projects

Apart from ‘O Romeo’, Shahid Kapoor will also be seen in much-awaited ‘Cocktail 2’ alongside Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna.

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Uttarakhand Tourism launches pan-India roadshow to promote year-round travel

Uttarakhand Tourism on Saturday launched its first nationwide integrated roadshow campaign, beginning from New Delhi, with the aim of promoting the state as a year-round tourism destination. The multi-city outreach programme is being held under the guidance of Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and tourism minister Satpal Maharaj, according to an official press release.The curtain-raiser event in the national capital was attended by over 250 stakeholders from the tourism industry, including representatives from Uttarakhand and the Delhi NCR region. The roadshow series is scheduled to travel to several major metropolitan cities across the country to engage with the national travel trade and showcase Uttarakhand’s tourism offerings.The campaign seeks to position Uttarakhand as a destination offering tourism opportunities across all seasons, including adventure, culture, spirituality, wellness, winter tourism and nature-based experiences. Tourism officials said the initiative is in line with the state’s vision of a 365-day tourism economy. that functions throughout the year rather than being limited to peak seasons.Tourism minister Satpal Maharaj attended the event as the chief guest, along with tourism secretary Dheeraj Singh Garbyal, additional secretary Abhishek Ruhela, Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) managing director Vishal Mishra and Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) managing director Vineet Tomar. Senior officials made presentations outlining tourism products and business opportunities in the state.As part of the programme, industry experts shared views on areas such as adventure tourism, winter tourism, wildlife-based ecotourism, hospitality growth and homestay development. The roadshow also featured business-to-business meetings, interactive sessions and networking engagements with industry stakeholders.According to the tourism department, the campaign will also focus on promoting winter tourism activities, spiritual circuits, wedding tourism and partnerships to develop new tourism products, as Uttarakhand looks to expand its presence in domestic and international travel markets.

The Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday staged protests across Punjab, accusing the BJP, Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal of hurting religious sentiments by circulating a “doctored” video of senior party leader and former Delhi chief minister Atishi.The AAP alleged that the “edited” video, which amounted to “beadbi” (sacrilege) of the Guru Sahib, was circulated on social media for political gain.The party also said an FIR has been registered in the matter, and a forensic examination has “confirmed deliberate manipulation” of the clip.On Friday, the Jalandhar police commissionerate filed an FIR in connection with uploading and circulating the “edited” and “doctored” video of Atishi in the Delhi Assembly.Using the clip, Delhi BJP leaders, including law minister Kapil Mishra, alleged on Tuesday that Atishi insulted Guru Tegh Bahadur in the assembly during a debate on a programme organised by the Delhi government to mark the 350th martyrdom day of the ninth Sikh Guru last November.The Delhi assembly has taken cognisance of the FIR, with speaker Vijender Gupta saying strict action will be taken against the Jalandhar police commissioner for “breach of privilege” because the video clip is a property of the Delhi vidhan sabha.On Saturday, hundreds of AAP workers held demonstrations outside the residences of BJP leader Ashwani Sharma in Pathankot, Congress leader Pargat Singh in Jalandhar cantonment, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal in Lambi, and Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira in Bholath.Senior AAP leader and the party’s Punjab in-charge, Manish Sisodia, said those who circulate fake videos for petty political interests and insult Guru Sahibs deserve strict action.In a post on X, Sisodia said public anger against such leaders is justified, and demanded that those responsible be sent to jail.He also alleged that several leaders from the BJP, Congress and the SAD shared the “edited” video, which was originally posted by a BJP minister from Delhi, and claimed the act showed a coordinated attempt to spread misinformation.Addressing a protest in Jalandhar, Punjab minister Mohinder Bhagat claimed the opposition parties are resorting to false propaganda because they have failed to challenge the Bhagwant Mann government on development and governance issues.“Leaders from all three opposition parties knowingly circulated the edited video to mislead the public without considering its consequences,” Bhagat said.The AAP leaders said the party will not tolerate any attempt to hurt religious sentiments or mislead people with “fabricated” content.Atishi, on her part, has accused the BJP of indulging in petty politics by dragging the name of the ninth Sikh guru into the controversy.In a video post on X, Atishi claimed that she was talking about the BJP running away from a discussion on pollution and about their protest in the Assembly on the issue of stray dogs.But the BJP deliberately added a false subtitle and inserted the name of Guru Tegh Bahadur into it, she claimed, referring to the clip.The former Delhi chief minister also said that she belongs to a family in which, for generations, the eldest son adopted Sikhism.She would rather die than insult the Guru Sahib, Atishi said.

In a candid moment ahead of India’s three-match ODI series against New Zealand, Shubman Gill addressed his omission from the T20 World Cup 2026 squad. The Indian ODI and Test captain shared his thoughts with reporters on Saturday (January 10), blending disappointment with unwavering support for the national team.

Shubman Gill T20 World Cup exclusion: Right-handed batter’s honest take

“Obviously as a player, you have a belief that if you play in the World Cup, you will win it for your team, and you will win it for your country,” Gill stated firmly. His words capture the raw ambition every cricketer harbors, especially after his stellar IPL 2025 performances and consistent white-ball form. Yet, he quickly pivoted to positivity: “Having said that, I respect the selectors’ decision and am wishing the T20 team all the very best. I really hope that they win the World Cup for us.”

This exclusion marks a pivotal shift for Gill, who has captained India in ODIs and Tests with flair. Selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, appear to favour a T20-specific core blending youth and experience for the 2026 edition hosted across India and Sri Lanka.

Gill’s philosophy: Destiny and self-belief in cricket journey

Gill doubled down on his philosophical outlook, adding, “My belief is that in my life, I am where I am supposed to be and whatever things are written in my destiny, no one can take those things from me.” This mindset echoes his rise from Punjab domestic circuits to leading India, amassing over 5,000 ODI runs at an average near 50. Fans admire how he channels setbacks into fuel, much like Virat Kohli during lean patches.

Also READ: Former opener explains how Yashasvi Jaiswal can become a three-format player for Team India

Team India gears up for New Zealand ODIs under Gill’s captaincy

Timing couldn’t be better for Gill’s reaction to his T20 World Cup omission, with the India vs New Zealand ODI series kicking off January 19 in Lucknow. This three-match rubber serves as a litmus test to the T20 World Cup preparations. New Zealand arrives battle-hardened from Super Smash, boasting Daryl Mitchell’s guile and Michael Bracewell’s all-round threat.

India’s squad blends Gill’s top-order stability with KL Rahul’s middle-order consistency and pace duo Mohammed Siraj-Arshdeep Singh.

Also READ: IND vs NZ, ODI Series – Broadcast, Live Streaming details | When and where to watch in India, USA, New Zealand, UK & other countries

NEW DELHI: A 55-year-old man from Jammu and Kashmir was detained on Saturday after he allegedly attempted to offer namaz inside the Ram Mandir complex in Ayodhya and raised slogans when stopped, Uttar Pradesh police said.The man was identified as Ahmed Sheikh, a resident of Shopian district in Jammu and Kashmir, according to Superintendent of Police (Security) Balramchari Dubey. Officials said Sheikh entered the temple premises during the day, visited the shrine and later sat near the Sita Rasoi area, allegedly preparing to offer namaz.Security personnel noticed his actions and intervened immediately, following which he was detained by temple security staff and handed over to the local police. Some sources claimed that the man raised slogans when he was stopped, police said, adding that the allegation was being verified.Police said Sheikh’s family has claimed that he is mentally ill and provided medical records from the psychiatry department of Srinagar Medical College. His son, Imran, told reporters at their residence in Shopian that the family had no knowledge of Sheikh’s visit to Ayodhya.“We didn’t know anything about it. He is totally unsound,” Imran said.Imran said his father does not stay at home for long and often leaves without informing the family. “He had visited his in-laws’ place five to six days ago. He keeps leaving and does not stay at home,” he said, adding that his father frequently visits mosques.Neighbours in Shopian said Sheikh has been undergoing treatment and taking medication. “Had he been of sound mind, he would not have prayed inside a temple. He would have known it is a temple. He often leaves home like this. He doesn’t understand that he has a family to care for,” a neighbour said.Investigators are questioning Sheikh to ascertain his intent and are verifying his travel details, including the purpose of his visit to Ayodhya and whether anyone else was involved. Police sources said that during preliminary checks, items such as cashews and raisins were found in his possession, and that the man told investigators he was travelling to Ajmer.Senior police officers and intelligence agencies are also reviewing security arrangements at the Ram Mandir complex following the incident. The Ayodhya district administration and the Ram temple trust have so far declined to comment.

Indian Railways has rolled out a sweeping timetable overhaul under the Timetable of Trains (TAG) 2026, introducing 122 new trains and speeding up 549 services nationwide to reduce travel time, improve punctuality and enhance operational efficiency, according to official data released on Friday.Under TAG 2026, Indian Railways has not only added new services but also extended existing routes, increased frequencies and converted select trains into superfast services across all railway zones, reflecting a system-wide push to improve passenger convenience.

122 new trains added across categories

Of the 122 new trains introduced in 2025, the largest share comprises 60 Mail/Express services, followed by 28 Vande Bharat trains to strengthen semi-high-speed connectivity. The additions also include 26 Amrit Bharat trains, 2 Rajdhani, 2 Jan Shatabdi, 2 Humsafar, and 2 Namo Bharat Rapid Rail services. Some of these were introduced under the TAG–Time on Demand (TAG-TOD) framework.

549 trains sped up to improve punctuality

A total of 549 trains have been speeded up across zones under TAG 2026. Of these, 376 trains saw a reduction of 5–15 minutes, 105 trains by 16–30 minutes, 48 trains by 31–59 minutes, and 20 trains by 60 minutes or more, significantly cutting journey times on several key routes.

Zone-wise expansion and speed upgrades

The scale of changes varies sharply across railway zones. The South Western Railway (SWR) emerged as the biggest beneficiary, introducing eight new trains and speeding up 117 services, the highest among all zones. The North Western Railway (NWR) added 12 new trains and speeded up 89 services, while the Western Railway (WR) introduced 10 new trains and accelerated 80 services.The Southern Railway (SR) introduced six new trains and speeded up 75 services, while the Northern Railway (NR) added 20 new trains, extended 10 services and speeded up 24 trains. The East Central Railway (ECR) recorded a major expansion with 20 new trains, 20 extensions, and 12 trains speeded up.Other zones also saw notable changes. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) introduced 10 new trains and sped up 36 services, while the Central Railway (CR) added four new trains, extended six services and sped up 30 trains. The Eastern Railway (ER) introduced six new trains and sped up 32 services, while the East Coast Railway (ECOR) added four new trains and accelerated three.

Mix of premium, express and passenger trains

Of the 122 new trains introduced, 60 are Mail/Express services, including eight under the TAG–Time on Demand (TAG-TOD) framework. Indian Railways also added 28 Vande Bharat trains to strengthen semi-high-speed connectivity, 26 Amrit Bharat trains (four via TAG-TOD), along with two Rajdhani, two Jan Shatabdi, two Humsafar, and two Namo Bharat Rapid Rail services.

Travel time cut across 549 trains

Speed improvements form a key pillar of TAG 2026. Of the 549 trains speeded up, 376 services saw time savings of 5–15 minutes, 105 trains by 16–30 minutes, 48 trains by 31–59 minutes, and 20 trains by 60 minutes or more.Zones such as SWR, NWR, WR and SR accounted for a large share of these gains, reflecting a focus on reducing end-to-end travel time on high-density corridors.