West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee after she walked out of the house of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) chief Pratik Jain during an ED raid (ANI photo)

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking directions for the registration of an FIR against West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banarjee, the DGP and the Kolkata police commissoner for “obstructing probe, tampering with and destroying evidence in a multi-state money laundering case against I-PAC”.Asserting the requirement for an FIR, the anti-money laundering agency said “protectors of law became party to a serious cognizable offence” as they “intimidated and threatened ED officers and snatched files and electronic evidence containing incriminating material.”

The central probe agency also said it had approached the Calcutta high court for the CBI probe into the incident but “the clout enjoyed by the CM and her supproters was used to create a ruckus in the courtroom forcing the judge to adjourn hearing”.The ED on Saturday moved the apex court alleging interference and obstruction by the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government during search operations at the Kolkata headquarters of political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee(I-PAC) and the residence of its director Pratik Jain. Later, the state government filed a caveat seeking to be heard before any adverse order is passed.The Bengal government’s caveat was filed after the ED carried out searches on Thursday at I-PAC’s office and Jain’s residence as part of a money laundering probe linked to an alleged multi-crore rupee coal pilferage scam. A caveat allows a party to ensure that no order is issued without giving it an opportunity to present its case.The ED has alleged that chief minister Mamata Banerjee entered the raid locations and took away what it described as “key” evidence, including physical documents and electronic devices. Banerjee has rejected the allegations and accused the central agency of overreach.The entire controversy erupted after CM Mamata Banerjee rushed to the house of I-PAC director Pratik Jain amid the raid and accused the Centre of holding political vendetta, alleging that central agencies were being misused ahead of elections.Reacting sharply to the action, Banerjee questioned the role of the ED and Union home minister Amit Shah. She claimed that party documents and data were being seized under the pretext of investigations. She also alleged that voter names were being deleted in West Bengal during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision exercise, linking the moves to the election process.

Mahhi Vij and Jay Bhanushali have been making headlines since they announced their divorce on social media. The actress recently shared a heartfelt post for her close friend Nadeem Nadz. This received a mixed reaction from fans, with many trolling her. Actor and television host Jay Bhanushali has now reacted to the dating rumours surrounding his ex-wife, Mahhi Vij.Ankita Lokhande shared a long note bashing the trolls and defending her close friend Mahhi as she faced criticism over her bond with Nadeem. Jay has reshared the post on social media, finally breaking his silence on the matter.Ankita took to her Instagram handle and expressed her disappointment. She wrote, “Today I want to say something not as a celebrity, but as a friend. I’ve been really disturbed by the way people are commenting on Mahi and Nadeem’s relationship. I know Mahi, I know Nadeem, and I know Jai very well. And I need to say this clearly Nadeem has always been a father figure to Mahi and Jai, and a father to Tara. That’s it. Nothing else.”She further wrote, “Some bonds are built on respect, love, and years of trust, and outsiders don’t get the right to judge them. As a friend, I can say Nadeem is someone who has stood by people, including me, in difficult times. My respect for him is huge. Mahi and Jai, you’re doing an amazing job as parents. God bless you. And to those spreading negativity please stop. Let people live their lives. Karma is watching. Mahi, I love you. Jai, I love you. And Nadeem, you’re truly one of the best. You are a god-sent person for many of us!!” Jay shared a screenshot of the post on his Instagram handle and wrote, “Thank you Ankita and I agree to everything you said.” Mahhi Vij also reshared the post. The couple recently announced their separation on a mutual note, confirming that there’s no bad blood and that the two will equally take responsibility for their kids.Mahhi Vij slams trolls over dating rumours with close friend Nadeem amid divorce; says, “Tara has been calling him Abba for 6 years”

The 22nd match of the SA20 2025-26 season features a high-stakes clash between Pretoria Capitals and MI Cape Town at the lightning-fast SuperSport Park. With the playoff race heating up, both teams are desperate for a win to solidify their position in the top four.

Pretoria Capitals are riding high after a clinical defensive performance where they successfully defended 138 against the Paarl Royals. Shai Hope has been their standout performer, recently smashing a record-breaking 118 at Kingsmead.

MI Cape Town, the defending champions, have finally found their rhythm after a dismal start. Led by Ryan Rickelton, who is currently the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 317 runs (including two centuries), MICT has won two games on the bounce and must keep winning to stay in the hunt.

PC vs MICT, SA20 2025-26: Match details

• Date and Time: January 12 (Monday); 9:00 pm IST / 03:30 pm GMT / 5:30 pm Local
• Venue: SuperSport Park, Centurion

PC vs MICT, Head-to-Head Record in SA20:

Matches played: 6 | Pretoria Capitals won: 3 | MI Cape Town won: 3 | No result/Tied: 0

SuperSport Park Pitch Report

The pitch at SuperSport Park in Centurion is a traditional highveld surface, renowned for its extreme pace and steep bounce. Early in the innings, the grass cover and typical evening humidity will assist fast bowlers with significant seam movement. However, as the game progresses, it typically transforms into a high-scoring belter. The thin air at this altitude, combined with a quick outfield and relatively short boundaries, makes it a paradise for stroke-makers. With an average first-innings score of around 180.

Squads

Pretoria Capitals: Will Smeed, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Shai Hope, Dewald Brevis, Roston Chase, Andre Russell, Bryce Parsons, Codi Yusuf, Gideon Peters, Keshav Maharaj (c), Lungi Ngidi, Tymal Mills, Lizaad Williams, Sibonelo Makhanya, Wihan Lubbe, Keith Dudgeon, Junaid Dawood, Sherfane Rutherford, Jordan Cox, Daniel Smith, Meeka eel Prince

MI Cape Town: Ryan Rickelton (wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Nicholas Pooran, Jason Smith, Jacques Snyman, Tom Moores, George Linde, Rashid Khan (c), Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult, Dane Piedt, Karim Janat, Thomas Kaber, Tiaan van Vuuren, Tristan Luus, Daniel Lategan, Reeza Hendricks, Dwaine Pretorius, Corbin Bosch

Also READ: Faf du Plessis recalls MS Dhoni’s iconic act after Donovan Ferreira’s stunning run-out for Joburg Super Kings in SA20 2025-26

PC vs MICT, SA20 2025-26: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• MI Cape Town wins the toss and bowls first
• Pretoria Capitals’ powerplay score: 45-55 (6 overs)
• Pretoria Capitals’ total score: 165-175

Case 2:

• Pretoria Capitals wins the toss and bowls first
• MI Cape Town’s powerplay score: 55-65 (6 overs)
• MI Cape Town’s total score: 175-185

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest

Also WATCH: Dewald Brevis and Sherfane Rutherford unleash a flurry of sixes on MI Cape Town bowlers in SA20 2025-26

Asian shares inched higher on Monday as investors weighed political and economic developments in the United States, while the dollar slipped amid concerns over the independence of the US Federal Reserve.HSI jumped 208 points or 0.79% to 26,439. Japan’s Nikkei also climbed 822 points or 1.6% to 51,939. Shenzhen and Shanghai also added 1.2% and 0.78% respectively. In South Korea, Kospi traded in green adding 29 points at 11:11 AM IST. Market sentiment was shaped by confirmation that the US Justice Department had issued a subpoena to the Federal Reserve, a move that raised alarm among investors. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged the action late on Sunday, calling it unprecedented and linking it to pressure from US President Donald Trump for further interest rate cuts, despite the Fed signalling that rates would remain unchanged. Powell said that the central bank received grand jury subpoenas on Friday related to his testimony before the Senate in June, which dealt with a major renovation project of Federal Reserve office buildings. The political tension followed the release of weaker-than-expected US labour data on Friday. The jobs report showed that only 50,000 new jobs were created in December, while the unemployment rate edged down to 4.4 percent. Financial markets reacted swiftly. The dollar slipped around 0.2% against major currencies, according to Bloomberg. Gold prices jumped 1.5% as investors sought safety amid rising uncertainty. Equity markets across Asia moved higher in early trading. Gains were seen in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul and Taipei, mirroring Wall Street’s record close at the end of last week. Stocks also rose in Bangkok, Manila, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. Global markets have largely begun the year on a strong footing. Stock indices in Frankfurt, London, Paris and Seoul touched record highs last week, driven mainly by optimism surrounding technology stocks and advances in defence sector shares. Oil prices dipped slightly on Monday but largely held on to last week’s rally. Ongoing protests in Iran continued to fuel geopolitical concerns, while the US seizure of Venezuela’s crude supplies added to worries about excess supply. President Trump has warned Iran of consequences if demonstrators were harmed, as Tehran cautioned against foreign interference. On Sunday evening, Trump said he was weighing potential military action following reports of a violent crackdown that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people.

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NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Ahmedabad during his first official visit to India. The two leaders attended the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront, where they were seen flying kites. Visuals from the event showed both leaders interacting with participants and taking part in the colourful festivities, which drew kite enthusiasts from India and abroad. Held ahead of Makar Sankranti, the three-day International Kite Festival will conclude on January 14 and features 135 international kite flyers from 50 countries, along with 65 participants from across India and 871 local flyers from Gujarat.Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad ahead of the festival’s inauguration.Merz arrived in India on Sunday for a two-day official visit from January 12 to 13, his first since assuming office, and was welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Sabarmati Ashram. The two leaders are scheduled to hold bilateral talks from 11.15 am at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, where they will review progress in the India–Germany Strategic Partnership, which recently marked its 25th anniversary.The discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation in trade and investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility, as well as advancing collaboration in defence and security, science, innovation and research, green and sustainable development, and people-to-people ties. PM Modi and Merz will also exchange views on regional and global issues and engage with business and industry leaders from both countries.The visit is expected to build on ongoing high-level political engagement and reaffirm a shared commitment to a forward-looking partnership. On January 13, Chancellor Merz will visit Bosch and the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) before departing for Germany.PM Modi and Merz last held talks on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, where they agreed to further expand the bilateral strategic partnership. The visit also comes ahead of the India–EU Summit scheduled for January 27.German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann recently underscored cooperation in defence and security, saying that “the strategic partnership between the nations has grown over the years.”

Bank holiday on Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary: Banks will be observing multiple holidays in January 2026, ranging from regional festivals to nationwide observances. On January 12, some banks will remain closed to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Keeping track of bank holidays is essential for planning financial activities, as physical banking services will be unavailable on these days and customers are advised to schedule branch visits accordingly.

Where are banks closed on January 12?

On January 12, the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, banks will remain closed in West Bengal.

Upcoming holidays in January:

January 14: Banks in Gujarat, Odisha, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will remain closed on account of Makar Sankranti and Magh Bihu. January 15: Banks in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh will shut for Uttarayana Punyakala, Pongal, Maghe Sankranti and Makara Sankranti. January 16 and January 17: Tamil Nadu will see additional banking holidays, in observance of Thiruvalluvar Day and Uzhavar Thirunal.January 23: Banks in Tripura, Odisha and West Bengal will shut to mark the birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Saraswati Puja (Shree Panchami), Vir Surendrasai Jayanti and Basanta Panchami. January 26: Banks across the country will remain closed for Republic Day. In addition to these holidays, banks will also be closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, as per the standard banking schedule. While physical branches will not be operational on these days, customers will still be able to access online banking services, ATMs, mobile banking applications and UPI for routine transactions such as fund transfers and bill payments. However, services requiring an in-person visit, including large cash deposits, cheque clearances and the issuance of demand drafts, will not be available during closures. Customers are advised to plan essential banking activities in advance to avoid inconvenience and make use of digital banking options during holiday periods.

Saurabh Mukherjea tells students to focus on AI-resistant skills

India’s white-collar job boom is over. What once grew at 11% a year is now barely 1%, warns Saurabh Mukherjea, founder of Marcellus Investment Managers. He made the stark revelation in his podcast “Coffee and Investing with Saurabh Mukherjea”, in the episode titled “No Jobs & High Debt: The Silent Middle Class Crisis.”For decades, India’s urban middle class has relied on stable office jobs, especially in the IT sector, finance, and BPO services, as a ticket to economic mobility. Today, Mukherjea says, that ticket is being revoked. The combination of tech layoffs, automation, and AI disruption is changing the rules of employment, and students who cling to old career assumptions risk being left behind.“The salaryman era is over,” Mukherjea declares. “If students do not build skills that cannot be automated, they will not just miss opportunities—they may find themselves unemployed in a shrinking job market.”

Tech layoffs and automation are eating jobs

The IT sector, long the engine of white-collar employment, is shedding roles. Large companies like Tata Consultancy Services, HCL Tech, Infosys, and Wipro are reducing headcount while adopting AI, automation, and productivity-enhancing technologies. Entry-level coding, routine customer support, and administrative tasks are increasingly being done by software and intelligent systems rather than humans.The slowdown is not restricted to tech. Finance, legal services, logistics, and media are also experiencing structural shifts as AI-driven workflows replace traditional roles. According to Mukherjea, up to 25% of current tech and customer experience jobs could vanish by 2031.For college students and recent graduates, this serves as a wake, up call. Several job roles that were earlier deemed as ‘safe’ are now vulnerable. Besides this, even top, tier companies cannot be relied on for lifelong jobs, and due to the rapid technological disruption, the time for conventional career planning is almost gone.

Students can’t afford to wait

Mukherjea’s advice is clear: waiting for a salaried job to appear is no longer a strategy—it is a gamble. Students need to adapt, learn new skills, and focus on work that AI cannot do. Skills that involve humans, like creativity, problem-solving, empathy, negotiation, and critical thinking, are now the most valuable because they are harder to automate. Jobs in areas like healthcare, education, design, and other service-based fields offer good opportunities for growth and long-term stability.Technical skills are still important, but they need to be paired with the ability to adapt. Mukherjea points out that learning AI, machine learning, cloud computing, cybersecurity, or data analytics is useful, but only if students also stay flexible, curious, and take initiative.As he bluntly puts it: “The salaryman era is over. Students must focus on building skills that cannot be automated.”

Skills that will keep you relevant

To survive—and thrive—in the new job market, students must develop a balanced combination of technical, soft, and entrepreneurial skills. From a technical perspective, knowledge of artificial intelligence and machine learning, cloud computing and cybersecurity, as well as data analytics, coding, and software development will become increasingly necessary. Similarly, soft skills like creativity, problem, solving, communication, collaboration, emotional intelligence, and leadership that help students adapt and thrive in changing work environments are just as necessary. Entrepreneurial skills are equally important, such as being a freelancer, working on some side projects, pivoting quickly, seeking new opportunities, and creating a personal brand or portfolio. Practical knowledge is most important and thus students can be encouraged to undertake micro, projects, internships, or cross, disciplinary work, because the portfolio and tangible accomplishments will speak volumes about the person’s capabilities rather than the resume only, says Mukherjea.

How to adapt to the new job market

Students who will thrive in the future are those who can adapt quickly as the job market changes. Saurabh Mukherjea advises that students focus on a few important habits to stay ahead. First, they should keep learning continuously through online courses, certifications, and workshops. This helps them gain new knowledge and skills that are in demand and prepares them for changes in the workplace. Second, students should gain practical experience by doing internships, freelance projects, or even small side ventures. Real-world experience teaches problem-solving and gives them skills that cannot be learned from books alone.Building a strong professional network is crucial. Connecting with mentors, peers, and industry professionals helps students get guidance, find opportunities, and understand job market changes. They should also stay updated on AI and automation to know which jobs are disappearing and which are emerging. Using creativity to add value in ways AI cannot, solving problems, and taking initiative will help students stay competitive and stand out in the job market.

Why this matters now

Mukherjea’s warning is quite urgent in a rapidly changing world. There is an exponential growth in AI usage, and automation is extending its reach beyond just routine tasks to areas such as customer service, marketing, legal research, and financial analysis. Many of the “entry level” jobs as they are called that exist today, may not be there in 2030.For the middle class of India, which has been relying on salaried jobs for both stability and a way to move up, it is a hard hit. The truth is that graduates have to change their mindset from seeking security to being prepared for change and development, otherwise they may not catch up in a quickly changing economy.

No safety nets: Adapt or lose out

The white collar job market is rapidly evolving, but students willing to adapt still have opportunities. Those who over time develop skills that AI will never replace, develop people, oriented skills, and adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, without doubt, will be better equipped to succeed than the previous generations.Disruption is inevitable. Survival is optional. Mukherjea’s advice: act now, build skills, and redefine what “career success” means for the 21st century.