NEW DELHI: Indian military retaliation against the terror attack in Pahalgam led Pakistan to frantically seek US mediation to make New Delhi pause the strikes deep inside its territory.Disclosures from US FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act) filings reveal that between May 7, when IAF struck headquarters of JeM, LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen, and May 10, when Pakistan director general of military operations Major General Kashif Abdullah rang up his Indian counterpart Lt General Rajiv Ghai, Islamabad had launched an urgent lobbying campaign in Washington. Pakistani diplomats, including its ambassador and defence attache, initiated over 60 points of contact – comprising meetings, calls and emails – with high-ranking US officials and media outlets to solicit international intervention. The details are part of the filings by Squire Patton Boggs, hired by Pakistan for lobbying and which, like other US lobbying firms, are mandated to share with the US Department of Justice, the details and nature of their dealings. A majority of meetings were sought between the onset of Operation Sindoor and the eventual suspension of India’s military operations with requests to secure American mediation to “somehow halt” India’s retaliatory military operations. While Pakistan tried to dismiss the impact of India’s strikes, the records confirm a high-level of behind-the-scenes panic.Pakistan had hired lobbying firm Squire Patton Boggs originally to help it steer away from FATF grey list. An email from its representative and former US ambassador Paul W Jones to US diplomat Elizabeth K Horst on May 14, 2025, sought a meeting with Eric (Garcetti, US ambassador to India) to “discuss and hear his perspectives to move the relationship forward”.The email read: “Squire Patton Boggs is a registered agent of the govt of Pakistan. We’d very much appreciate your feedback on the attached one-page outline of ways forward in US-Pakistan relationship – Did we miss anything or would anything sound off-key in Washington? Separately, do you think we could try again to schedule a meeting with Eric to discuss and hear his perspectives on how best to move the relationship forward? Finally, I’d appreciate the opportunity to speak with you or a member of your team on FATF, in order to better understand the lay of the land.“The firm is said to have circulated documents in diplomatic circles on behalf of Pak “appreciating constructive role played by US and President Trump’s expressed willingness to support efforts aimed at the resolution of J&K”. The documents sought “critical minerals agreement” and bilateral relations with US independent of ties with its neighbours, shortly after Operation Sindoor.

This is the first election in over two decades where Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin, the MNS chief Raj Thackeray, are fighting the polls together. In an interview to TOI, Uddhav said the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS have come together for the sake of Marathi and Mumbai unlike the MahaYuti which is bound together by the spoils of office. Excerpts from an interview:Q. Are the BMC poll dynamics different this time, you have tied up with your cousin Raj Thackeray?A. All elections are different. But these elections are being fought with deceit and bad intent to erase the identity of Mumbai and the Marathi manoos. So it is different in that sense.BJP is saying this tie-up with MNS is an opportunistic alliance. So? BJP has gone with Congress in Ambernath, AIMIM in Akot. What was that for? For playing sports? We’ve come together to preserve Mumbai and Maharashtra’s Marathi identity whereas unabated corruption is the glue that keeps BJP and Eknath Shinde together in MahaYuti. In the last five years, you have had an alliance with almost all parties in Maharashtra. What is new about the alliance with MNS?See, we were in alliance with BJP. We went with Congress because BJP forced us to go there. They failed to keep their promise and broke our trust. To teach BJP a lesson, we went with Congress and formed the govt. With MNS, Marathi is the common theme and agenda along with Mumbai’s interest.Your alliance with the Congress broke…The Congress announced unilaterally that they are going solo. So it is their issue now. We will see what happens on Jan 16 now.There has been a lot of rebellion in the Sena (UBT) and MNS rank and file.Elections and ticket distribution are always testing times. We can only field one candidate from one seat. So there are many good candidates, some get upset and leave. We have put up 70-80% new faces. Those old faces knew they would not win and stepped back. Today’s politics is the IPL (Indian Political League). We don’t know who is playing which side.Corruption has become one of the main issues in the BMC elections this time. Both sides accuse the other of causing a massive loss to the exchequer. BJP says the city suffered for decades under the Sena (UBT) regime.Corruption was never so transparent in BMC as it is under the present govt. In the 4 years from 2022 to 2026, they have indulged in corruption to the extent of Rs 3 lakh crore. They have given out work orders of Rs 3 lakh crore, doled out advances to favourite contractors. These are all kickbacks. And now they are asking us questions. In the 4 years after the chief minister appointed an administrator to the BMC, it was he and the urban development minister who ran BMC. In our time, there was an elected body and all parties were in the standing committee. Today we don’t even know what tenders are floated and what work orders are given. Supreme Court had to scrap a tender, but no action was taken against contractors. The chief minister has said BMC’s fixed deposits (FDs) are not meant for hoarding. Are FDs meant for distribution to contractors? FDs are meant to keep the system running for the next 100 years.They have said that they are spending on infrastructure.BMC now has a committed liability of Rs 3 lakh crore. Who is going to pay all this? Once their term is over, one will go to Nagpur and the other to a five-star farm and the third to his uncle in Baramati. They are giving money to contractors through advance mobilisation and taking kickbacks. The entire city is dug up and air quality levels are worse than ever before. People are forced to breathe cement and dust. This is development without planning. They are cutting trees that give oxygen.You said 2 Gujaratis will swallow Mumbai?See, who has got the contracts to install electric meters in Mumbai? Who is developing Dharavi? Who has got the Deonar dumping ground land? Who is getting the salt pan lands, all 256 acres? Who got the Kurla Mother Dairy land? Who is getting all the TDR from Dharavi? Who is getting to create another Dharavi in Mulund? Where is the bullet train terminus coming up? If you answer these questions, then you will know what I’m saying. I’m not against development, but we want to expose their real face, which is hidden under the garb of development.There is also a communal element to the campaign this time?They come and talk about Hindu-Muslim and Khans. But they only want to create divisions among people and make money.The real Shiv Sena and MLA disqualification case is pending in the SC even now.Yes, after CJI Ramanna, we have had justices UU Lalit, DY Chandrachud, Sanjeev Khanna, Bhushan Gavai and now CJI Suryakant. So there have been 6 CJIs till now. I wonder if we will end up saying “Ab tak 56”. We are counting the number of CJIs, what else can we do? We are counting the judges who are counting days. After the BMC polls, this petition will have no meaning. Justice delayed is justice denied.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continued his sensational form with a stunning century, while Aaron George also reached triple figures as India U-19 crushed South Africa by 233 runs in the third and final youth ODI, completing a commanding 3-0 series sweep on Wednesday. Sooryavanshi’s brilliance earned him both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards. Sent in to bat, captain Sooryavanshi, who had blitzed a 24-ball 68 in the previous match, was once again in destructive mood. The 14-year-old from Bihar smashed 127 off just 74 balls, belting ten sixes and nine fours, showcasing his fearless strokeplay.

Opening partner Aaron George backed him up superbly, crafting 118 off 106 deliveries. Together, the duo put on a massive 227-run partnership that set the tone for India’s imposing total of 393 for 7. South Africa’s chase never got off the ground, as they were bowled out for 160 in 35 overs. Ntando Soni (3/61) and Jason Rowles (2/59) led the bowling effort for India at Willowmoore Park, sharing five wickets between them. Chasing a steep target, South Africa stumbled early, losing three wickets for just 15 runs in the fourth over. Kishan Singh wreaked havoc at the top, dismissing Jorich Van Schalkwyk (1), Adnaan Lagadien (9), and Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (0). The 19-year-old Singh, who had already taken four wickets in the second ODI, was once again the standout bowler. A brief fightback from Daniel Bosman (40) and Jason Rowles (19) proved insufficient, as South Africa slid to 99 for six in the 23rd over. Late resistance from Paul James (41) and Corne Botha (36 not out) only delayed the inevitable. Sooryavanshi’s third Youth ODI century further cemented his rising reputation. In 18 matches, he has scored 973 runs at an average of 54.05 with a strike rate of 164.08, including three centuries and four fifties. India had already secured the series with a 25-run DLS win in the opener and an eight-wicket victory in the second ODI, making this final triumph a fitting conclusion to a dominant campaign.

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.

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