Bengaluru CEO Suchana Seth, accused of murdering her son, confronted estranged husband PR Venkat Raman at Calangute police station. The 15-minute meeting led to a blame game, with Raman questioning Seth about the alleged crime. Raman, expressing anguish, asked Seth, "Why did you do this to our child?" Seth denied involvement, aligning with her police statement, stating, "I did not commit the crime." Raman had earlier deposed before Goa Police, claiming denial of access to their child. Their custody battle in Bengaluru family court spans a year. Seth, arrested for smothering her son in a Goa apartment, awaits legal proceedings. The confrontation adds complexity to the tragic case.

Delhi faces the coldest night of the winter, recording a minimum temperature of 3 degrees Celsius in Aya Nagar. The Meteorological Department issues a red alert due to severe cold and dense fog in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). Minimum temperatures in Lodi Road, Safdarjung, Ridge, and Palam are reported between 3.4 and 5.8 degrees Celsius. Flight operations and trains experience delays. Delhi's Air Quality Index reaches 365, categorized as 'very poor.' Red alerts extend to Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh. Yellow alerts for cold and foggy conditions issued in Rajasthan, with the cold wave expected to persist.

Following a recent US strike in Yemen, Houthi militia vows a "strong and effective response," heightening tensions. The strikes compound concerns amid the escalating conflict spreading across the Middle East. President Biden confirms delivering a private message to Iran regarding Houthi attacks. Despite dozens of US-British strikes, Houthi spokespersons assure minimal impact on their ability to control Red Sea and Arabian Sea passages. UN envoy Hans Grundberg urges maximum restraint. The situation adds complexity to the region's turmoil since the Israel-Hamas war. US reassures no interest in a war with Yemen, but the crisis affects shipping routes, causing global economic apprehensions.

A US private lunar lander, Peregrine, leaking fuel since its January 8 launch, is now on a trajectory towards Earth, likely to burn up in the atmosphere, announces Astrobotic. The ill-fated mission, initially aimed at a soft lunar touchdown, faced an onboard explosion leading to continuous propellant loss. Despite salvaging science experiments, the craft, 242,000 miles from Earth, won't make a Moon landing. The cargo includes a sports drink can, a physical Bitcoin, and human and animal ashes. NASA's $100 million investment under Commercial Lunar Payload Services aims to foster a commercial lunar economy despite this setback.

India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, is set to visit Iran on January 14-15 amidst escalating tensions, including Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and the Israel-Hamas conflict. The visit aims to discuss bilateral, regional, and global issues with Iranian Foreign Minister HE Dr Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Key topics include political cooperation, connectivity initiatives, and concerns over the Red Sea conflict. Jaishankar may address regional stability, with a focus on the Chabahar Port for enhanced connectivity. The visit gains significance amid the Middle East crisis, where India could play a crucial role in de-escalation efforts.

Israel claims Hamas plotted an attack on its embassy in Sweden, revealing an alleged network member amidst recent arrests by Danish, German, and Swedish authorities. The Mossad statement states the Hamas network, receiving orders from a Lebanon-based command post, aimed to target Israel's embassy, procure paragliders, and activate criminal groups in Europe. While no confirmation on the alleged member's custody status, Sweden's Foreign Ministry emphasizes commitment to Vienna Convention for foreign mission protection. Hamas, traditionally limiting attacks to specific territories, hasn't responded. The revelation follows the group's use of paragliders in the October 7 attack that sparked the Gaza war.

Milind Deora has officially stepped down from the Congress party, marking the conclusion of a significant chapter in his political journey. In a statement on X, Deora expressed gratitude to leaders, colleagues, and karyakartas for their unwavering support over the years. Dismissing earlier speculations, he clarified discussions with supporters were ongoing, refuting rumors of joining Shiv Sena. Deora, the former Mumbai South MP, recently expressed discontent over Shiv Sena's claim to the constituency. As the political landscape unfolds, Deora's resignation echoes the changing dynamics within the Congress party and Maharashtra's political alliances.

In a significant setback for Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, the pro-India opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) clinched a decisive win in Male's Mayoral election. Adam Azim, the MDP candidate, secured a landslide victory with 5,303 votes, marking a shift in political dynamics. Muizzu's People's National Congress (PNC) candidate, Aishath Azima Shakoor, trailed with 3,301 votes. The Mayoral victory is anticipated to rejuvenate the MDP's political influence, contrasting Muizzu's pro-China stance. The election unfolded against the backdrop of a diplomatic row with India over derogatory comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Muizzu's ministers.

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to receive a regal Rajputana welcome in Jaipur on January 25, as the Chief Guest for India's 75th Republic Day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reciprocating Macron's gesture at the Louvre, is finalizing royal venues for a lavish dinner. Under Modi and Macron's leadership, both nations plan to reveal a military-industrial roadmap during the visit, emphasizing local manufacturing. The 25-year roadmap targets indigenous production of aircraft engines, submarines, and space capabilities. Amid China's naval expansion, India explores Barracuda class submarines. The leaders aim to strengthen their Indo-Pacific alliance, highlighting strategic autonomy and providing job opportunities for Indian youth in machine tooling.

Delhi continues to grapple with a severe cold wave as thick fog envelops the city, causing near-zero visibility on roads. Flight and train operations are severely impacted, with 22 trains to Delhi delayed and numerous flights affected at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The minimum temperature plummeted to 6.2 degrees Celsius, and the Indian Meteorological Department predicts worsening conditions till January 16. The CAT III landing system at Delhi's airport is crucial, helping aircraft navigate during dense fog. Passengers are advised to check with airlines. The prevailing cold wave and dense fog continue to grip the National Capital Region, affecting daily life.