West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slammed the BJP, alleging a pre-election stunt with the Ayodhya Ram Mandir inauguration. Addressing a public event, she said, "Do whatever you want, you are doing a gimmick before the elections, do it, I have no problem, but disregarding people of other communities is not right." Banerjee vowed, "I will never allow discrimination between Hindus and Muslims as long as I live." Accusing the BJP of dividing people on religious lines, her comments reflect ongoing tensions surrounding the polarizing event. The Ram temple's 'Pran Pratistha' ceremony is set for January 22, drawing political attention ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections.

Music maestro Ustad Rashid Khan, a prominent figure of the Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana, succumbed to prostate cancer at a Kolkata hospital. The 55-year-old, great-grandson of gharana founder Inayat Hussain Khan, faced deteriorating health, worsened by a cerebral attack last month. Despite efforts, he passed away at 3:45 PM, leaving behind a grieving family. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed sorrow, announcing a gun salute and state honors for Khan, with his last rites scheduled for Wednesday at Rabindra Sadan.

On the morning of the first day of his two-day UK visit, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh receives grand ceremonial welcome at the iconic Horse Guards Parade ground. The British Army's elite Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards and the Band of the Irish Guards orchestrated a special Guard of Honour for the minister, symbolizing the strong ties between Indian and the UK. Later, along with the UK Secretary of State for Defence, Grant Shapps, the Indian Raksha Mantri discussed shared military commitments and training opportunities at the Ministry of Defence. This marks a significant step towards strengthening the strategic partnership. Tomorrow, Singh is scheduled to meet with PM Sunak and David Cameron, further fostering diplomatic relations.

Prince Andrew is grappling with financial pressure as King Charles plans to cease funding security for the Royal Lodge, given mounting abuse claims from Jeffrey Epstein's court papers. The Duke of York, facing no clear income source, must now find a way to cover security and maintenance costs for the Windsor residence. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer supports calls for police investigation into the claims made against Prince Andrew, outlined in newly unsealed court documents. The Duke vehemently denies any wrongdoing, as questions about his royal status persist amidst the legal scrutiny.

South Korea's National Assembly has passed a groundbreaking bill outlawing the consumption of dog meat, a centuries-old tradition. The legislation, endorsed with a 208-0 vote, aims to contribute to animal rights values, fostering a respectful coexistence between humans and animals. The bill, effective from 2027, makes the slaughtering, breeding, trade, and sales of dog meat for human consumption illegal, carrying penalties of 2-3 years in prison. While the legislation doesn't specify penalties for eating dog meat, it provides assistance to those in the industry for transitioning to alternative livelihoods. Animal rights advocates celebrate the historic move.

Israeli forces conducted expanded operations in Gaza's Khan Younis, resulting in the death of approximately 40 Palestinian fighters. The military reported airstrikes targeting Hamas militants in Al-Maghazi, central Gaza. The offensive has concentrated on the southern and central regions, with Israel declaring the dismantling of Hamas infrastructures in the north. Ongoing battles persist between Israeli troops and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The escalation underscores the continuing tensions in the region, with both sides engaged in military confrontations.

Suchana Seth, CEO of AI start-up Mindful AI Lab, was apprehended in Karnataka after allegedly murdering her son in a Goa apartment. The 39-year-old checked into a North Goa hotel with her son, checked out alone, and insisted on a taxi to Bengaluru. Hotel staff discovered bloodstains, prompting police involvement. During the arrest, the child's body was found in her bag. A possible motive involves her strained relationship with her husband. Ms. Seth, recognized in AI ethics, faces questioning in Goa. The shocking incident raises questions about the CEO's actions and the underlying circumstances leading to the tragic event.

Maldivian politician Zahid Rameez, who faced backlash for derogatory comments post-PM Modi's Lakshadweep visit, wishes External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on his birthday. Rameez's online post, expressing goodwill and diplomatic success, comes after Jaishankar thanked Modi for birthday wishes. The earlier row emerged when Maldivian officials criticized Lakshadweep following Modi's visit, resulting in the suspension of three ministers. Rameez, a Progressive Party of Maldives leader, had mocked Modi's efforts to promote Lakshadweep, questioning cleanliness and ridiculing hotel standards. The birthday message signals a diplomatic tone shift amid efforts to mend relations strained by recent comments.

The Indian Meteorological Department issues 'Cold Day' to 'Severe Cold Day' warnings for Delhi, Punjab, and Rajasthan until January 9. Delhi experiences its coldest day as temperatures drop to 5.3°C. Dense fog alerts cover Haryana-Chandigarh, affecting visibility in northern regions. Meanwhile, heavy rains persist in Tamil Nadu, with warnings extended till January 14. Southern states face waterlogging, leading to school closures in Puducherry. IMD predicts isolated rainfall in northern and central India, while hailstorms are expected in east Rajasthan and west Madhya Pradesh. The weather agency highlights ongoing weather challenges in different parts of the country.

A chlorine gas leak in Dehradun's Jhanjra area triggered panic as residents reported breathing difficulties, prompting swift action by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and security forces. The leak, originating from cylinders stored in an empty plot, led to the evacuation of affected residents to safety. Senior officials, including SSP Ajay Singh, confirmed the ongoing efforts for safe disposal. Sahaspur MLA Sahdev Singh Pundir highlighted the potential disaster averted through coordinated actions. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported. This incident echoes a 2017 chlorine gas leak, emphasizing the need for vigilant safety measures in chemical storage.