NATIONAL 
EXPRESS

An earthquake of 5.3 magnitude on the Richter scale was felt in Jammu and Kashmir today. The epicentre was in Tajikistan. Director of the Jammu and Kashmir Meteorological Department Mukhtar Ahmad said an earthquake occurred 110 kilometres inside the earth’s crust at 2.44 AM. According to the Meteorological Department, the tremors were felt in Jammu and Kashmir, although no casualties or damage to property have been reported from anywhere so far.

In Women’s Premier League Cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Defending Champions Mumbai Indians by three wickets in Navi Mumbai last night. Put in to bat first, Mumbai Indians posted 154 runs for the loss of six wickets in stipulated 20 overs, with Sajeevan Sajana scoring 45 and Nicola Carey contributing 40 runs. For Bengaluru, Nadine de Klerk picked up an impressive four-wicket haul. In reply, Royal Challengers Bengaluru overhauled the score, posting 157 for the loss of seven wickets in the alloted overs. Nadine de Klerk once again did well, this time with the bat, scoring a match-winning unbeaten 63 off 44 balls. The fourth season of Women’s Premier League is being played across two venues-the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai and the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. After the Navi Mumbai leg, the tournament will move to Vadodara, where the remaining 11 matches, including the playoffs, will be held.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a three-day visit to Gujarat beginning today. During his visit, the Prime Minister will attend several events including the Somnath Swabhiman Parv. Mr Modi will also take part in major development programmes and diplomatic engagements across Rajkot, Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. The four-day Somnath Swabhiman Parv, celebrating the enduring spirit of the Somnath Temple, began on Thursday at the coastal town of Veraval in Gir Somnath district. The event marks one thousand years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026 AD by Mahmud of Ghazni. This year’s celebrations also coincide with the upcoming 75th anniversary of the inauguration of the restored temple in 1951.  The Prime Minister will reach Somnath this evening and participate in Omkar Mantra chanting at the Somnath Temple. He will also view drone show at the temple. Tomorrow, the Prime Minister will take part in Shaurya Yatra, a ceremonial procession organised to honour the countless warriors who laid down their lives defending the Somnath Temple over centuries. He will offer prayers at the Somnath Temple and also participate in a public function marking the Somnath Swabhiman Parv. On commencement of the parv, Prime Minister Modi in a social media post had said that despite repeated assaults in subsequent centuries, the eternal faith of devotees and the civilizational resolve of India ensured that Somnath Temple was rebuilt time and again. He said, the Somnath Swabhiman Parv is also about remembering the countless children of the country, who never compromised with their principles and ethos. The temple stands today as a powerful symbol of resilience, faith and national pride, owing to the collective resolve and efforts to restore it to its ancient glory. After independence, the effort for restoration of the Temple was undertaken by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. One of the most important milestones in this journey of revival was achieved in 1951, when the restored Somnath Temple was formally opened to devotees in the presence of the then President Dr. Rajendra Prasad.  Tomorrow, later in the day, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Rajkot and formally inaugurate the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for the Kutch and Saurashtra Region at Marwadi University. He will also address the gathering on the occasion. Mr Modi will also inaugurate the trade show and exhibition at the conference.  From Rajkot, the Prime Minister will travel to Ahmedabad where he will inaugurate the remaining stretch of Phase 2 of Ahmedabad metro from Sector 10A to Mahatma Mandir, marking a significant milestone in the city’s urban transport infrastructure.  On Monday, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad. Both leaders will also visit the Sabarmati Ashram and attend the International Kite Festival.

The 8th meeting of the National Traders’ Welfare Board was held in New Delhi yesterday, chaired by Board Chairman Sunil J. Singhi. The Commerce and Industry Ministry said, the Board emphasized the importance of the Vocal for Local initiative to boost indigenous industries and promote locally made product. Addressing the meeting, Joint Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Sanjiv, highlighted the significant role of the retail trade sector in the Indian economy.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that Indian Railways is well-positioned to set global benchmark and play a key role in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. Mr Vaishnaw was speaking after presenting the 70th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar 2025 to 100 railway officials and awarding 26 shields to the best-performing railway zones in New Delhi yesterday. Mr Vaishnaw said Indian Railways has set six new resolutions for 2026. These include carrying out systemic reforms in 52 weeks, using technology and artificial intelligence to improve reliability and productivity, upgrading maintenance standards, strengthening safety, and moving away from a colonial mindset. He added that a new innovation portal will link Indian Railways with startups and innovators and that AI will be widely used for maintenance work. The Minister also pointed to improvements in operations, including coal transportation and fuel supply to power plants, and said that the number of rail accidents has reduced from an average of about 170 in earlier years to 12. The Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar is among the highest honours in Indian Railways, recognising dedication, innovation, and excellence in service. Talking exclusively to Akashvani News, awardee Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of Jammu Division, said tourism in Jammu and Kashmir has benefited greatly since the launch of the Vande Bharat train and dedicated the award to his team. Another awardee, Senior Assistant Loco Pilot Sushmita, said that such recognition motivates employees and helps them face future challenges effectively.

Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) exports slowed across most major markets in the first half (July-December) of FY2025-26, weighed down by domestic political instability, law and order challenges and an unfavourable global economic environment. Export Promotion Bureau data showed that RMG exports declined 2.63 per cent year-on-year to $19.37 billion during the period, compared with $19.88 billion in the same months of FY25. Exporters said political tensions and security concerns at home eroded buyers’ confidence, while weak global demand, inflation, tariff issues and economic slowdown further dampened performance. Exports fell in key destinations, including the European Union, the United States and non-traditional markets. Shipments to the EU, the largest market for Bangladeshi apparel, dropped 4.41 per cent to $9.46 billion, with sharp declines in Germany, France and Italy. Exports to the US also slipped marginally by 0.1 per cent to $3.83 billion. By contrast, exports to the UK and Canada recorded modest growth, while earnings from non-traditional markets declined more steeply by 5.52 per cent to $3.18 billion. Industry insiders said buyers shifted orders to rival sourcing countries amid unrest and policy uncertainties, while reduced incentives and stronger government support for exporters in India and China further weakened Bangladesh’s competitiveness. Economists warned that the downturn signals the need for urgent reforms, emphasising political stability, market and product diversification, and a move towards higher-value apparel to revive export growth.

Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology has warned of worsening weather as a depression over the Bay of Bengal moves closer to the island, raising concerns of heavy rain, strong winds and possible disruptions. Forecasters added that the depression is likely to intensify into a deep depression within the next 12 hours. The system was located about 490 kilometres southeast of Pottuvil on the eastern coast at 11:30 p.m. yesterday and is expected to move west-northwestward toward Sri Lanka’s eastern coast within the next 24 hours, the department said. Cloudy conditions are expected across most parts of the country yesterday, with showers or thundershowers forecast at times in most parts of the island. Heavy rainfall exceeding 100 millimetres has been predicted for the Eastern and Uva provinces. Strong winds of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour may occur in several regions, including parts of the central hills and western districts. Sri Lanka is still recovering from Cyclone Ditwah, which struck the island in November 2025.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the security forces resumed the search operation in the morning today to track down terrorists hiding in a forest in Kathua district, where one security person suffered a minor injury. Akashvani Jammu Correspondent reports that the joint action by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K Police and other security forces was launched at Kahog village in Billawar area last evening, leading to an encounter. The search operation to track down the hiding terrorists has been resumed after a night-long cordon. The searches are being conducted in the Dhanu Parole-Kamadh nallah area. Additional forces have been called in, along with aerial surveillance, to pin down the terrorists hiding in the dense forest. IGP, Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti, said in a post on X, “Despite darkness, thick vegetation and treacherous terrain, the SOG is relentlessly engaging the terrorists. Teams of the CRPF are also participating in the joint operation. According to officials, the firing between the two sides lasted for more than an hour before the guns fell silent. There are also reports of the movement of three groups of infiltrating terrorists in the region. Army, BSF, Police and CRPF are continuously conducting search operations, identifying border dwellers, and intensifying patrols along the International Border in Samba and Kathua districts and the adjoining areas of Punjab for the past one month. A multi-tier security grid comprising the BSF, border police, and Village Defence Guards has been put on alert ahead of the Republic Day on January 26.

US President Donald Trump announced withdrawal from dozens of international organisations, including the UN’s population agency. Trump yesterday signed an executive order stopping US support for 66 organisations, agencies and commissions after ordering a review of American participation and funding. The State Department said in a statement that the administration believes these institutions are poorly managed, unnecessary, wasteful, or influenced by interests that do not align with US priorities, and may threaten the country’s sovereignty and prosperity. The decision comes as Trump’s administration has taken several foreign policy actions, including capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and indicating an intention to take over Greenland.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today extended greetings to the nation on the commencement of Somnath Swabhiman Parv. In a social media post, Mr Modi said the Swabhiman Parv is about remembering the countless children of the country who never compromised with their principles and ethos. Mr Modi noted that in January 1026, Somnath faced its first attack.   Prime Minister said that despite repeated assaults in subsequent centuries, the eternal faith of devotees and the civilisational resolve of Bharat ensured that Somnath was rebuilt time and again. Mr Modi recalled the timeless civilisational spirit that has kept Somnath alive in the hearts of millions for over a millennium.   The Prime Minister shared glimpses from his previous visits to Somnath and invited citizens to join the celebration by sharing their own memories using #SomnathSwabhimanParv. He recalled the programme held on 31st October 2001, which marked 50 years since the rebuilt Somnath Temple opened its doors in 1951 in the presence of the then President Dr. Rajendra Prasad.   Prime Minister Modi said the efforts of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, K M Munshi and several others were highlighted as pivotal in the temple’s reconstruction. Mr Modi underscored that 2026 marks 75 years since the grand ceremony of 1951, when the Somnath Temple was rededicated to the nation.    He affirmed that this milestone is not just about the temple’s reconstruction, but about the indomitable spirit of the country’s civilisation that continues to inspire generations. Prime Minister will join the ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parv’ on the 11th of January. The event will feature a year-long series of spiritual, cultural, and social activities. Our correspondent reports that the major highlights of the event are a massive drone show with 3,000 drones, continuous 72-hour ‘Omkar Naad’, grand ‘Shaurya Yatra’ or heroic procession, among others.

Prabhat Kumar, hailing from Karnataka, has been honored with the Asia Talent Award 2026 by the World Talent Network. In 2022, he established ML360 Educations, where he serves as the Chief Learning Officer. His mission is to democratize advanced learning by creating and offering a range of courses in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, financial analytics, and personal development. This initiative reflects his commitment to making cutting-edge education accessible to a broader audience, ensuring that learners from various backgrounds can benefit from these essential skills. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of education, Kumar was named one of India’s Top 10 Chief Learning Officers in 2022. His innovative approach to mentoring has impacted hundreds of students, combining practical experiences in AI, ethics, and financial literacy. His efforts were further acknowledged when he received the Best Investment & AI Coach Award from the Tamil Nadu Government in 2023, underscoring his dedication to fostering a new generation of informed and capable individuals in these critical areas. Kumar's journey into entrepreneurship was fueled by his extensive corporate experience with renowned companies such as IBM, Cognizant, Credit Suisse, and UBS, as well as his role as Chief Engineer at Maybank. He co-founded ML360 Educations during the surge of the ed-tech sector following the pandemic, leveraging his background to provide consultancy services focused on value investing, risk management, and AI-driven forecasting. An accomplished author, he has penned Amazon bestsellers like "Nectars of Life," which delves into personal development, and "Talking to Machine," addressing ethical AI. His remarkable achievements have earned him a place in the National Book of Records (NBR) as one of India’s top polymaths, further solidifying his reputation with accolades such as the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Award for his scientific research in related fields.

In a proud moment for Karnataka State, India, two eminent social leaders—Dr. Y Srinivas and Ambarish S—have been honored with three prestigious awards each for the year 2026. The awards were jointly conferred by the Indian NGO Awards and the Bharat Seva Society, in collaboration with the Veyil Foundation, recognizing their outstanding contributions to social welfare, rehabilitation, and community development. Their achievements underscore the growing recognition of grassroots leadership and sustained service aimed at uplifting marginalized and vulnerable sections of society. Dr. Y Srinivas, Managing Director of the Raksha Foundation, has emerged as a prominent figure in the field of social service through his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to community welfare. For his impactful work, he has been awarded the Asia Talent Award 2026, the Bharat Seva Puraskar 2026, and the Rabindra Ratna Puraskar 2026. These accolades reflect his dedication to addressing social challenges through structured initiatives that focus on education, health, empowerment, and support for underprivileged communities. Under Dr. Srinivas’s guidance, the Raksha Foundation has played a crucial role in delivering essential services to those in need, while also creating awareness about social responsibility and collective action. His approach combines compassion with strategic planning, enabling sustainable solutions rather than short-term relief. Beyond the immediate impact of his programs, Dr. Srinivas has inspired volunteers, youth, and fellow professionals to actively participate in social causes, helping foster a culture of service and empathy across communities. Equally noteworthy is the recognition bestowed upon Ambarish S, a dedicated social worker known for his work in rehabilitation and spiritual treatment through the Sreenidhi Trust (R). For his meaningful contributions, he has received the Asia Talent Award 2026, the Rashtra Seva Puraskar 2026, and the Netaji Smriti Puraskar 2026. His efforts focus on holistic healing, combining rehabilitation support with spiritual guidance to help individuals overcome personal, social, and emotional challenges. Through the Sreenidhi Trust (R), Ambarish S has been instrumental in helping people rebuild their lives, regain confidence, and rediscover a sense of purpose. His work emphasizes dignity, inner strength, and long-term transformation, particularly for individuals facing addiction, mental distress, or social exclusion. By addressing both the physical and spiritual dimensions of recovery, his initiatives have brought lasting positive change to many lives. The recognition of Dr. Y Srinivas and Ambarish S highlights the vital role played by committed social workers in shaping a more inclusive and compassionate society. Their awards not only celebrate individual excellence but also draw attention to the broader impact of social service organizations working tirelessly at the grassroots level. As role models for future generations, their achievements stand as a testament to the power of dedication, service, and leadership in transforming communities across India.