Heavy fog in Delhi on Saturday led to major flight disruptions, with over 18 flights diverted and several delays. Poor visibility forced airlines to reroute planes to cities like Lucknow, Jaipur and Ahmedabad between 7:30am-10:30am. SpiceJet and Vistara alerted flyers about likely delays and diversions via social media. While the diversions helped flyers reach destinations safely despite near zero visibility in Delhi, it did cause inconvenience. The closures came as Delhi's air quality index stood at 368 in the 'very poor' category, while a thick winter fog enveloped the capital reducing visibility. The India Meteorological Department has predicted moderate fog on Saturday with temperatures between 12-25 degree Celsius in Delhi.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has initiated the distribution of invitation letters for the upcoming inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024. Nearly 6,000 people will receive invitations to attend the 'Pran Pratistha' consecration ceremony of 'Ram Lalla.' Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are among the notable attendees. Construction progresses with three versions of Ram Lalla crafted, with the final selection anticipated this month. The installation ceremony is set for the third week of January 2024, culminating the long-anticipated construction of the historic temple.

The Garisenda tower, standing at 150 feet in Italy's Bologna and leaning at a historic 4-degree angle since the 14th century, is now on the verge of collapse, prompting urgent action. City officials implement a civil protection plan, placing a metal cordon to contain potential debris and safeguard surrounding structures. A scientific committee's October 2023 report warns of an "unexpected and accelerated trend" in the tower's base compression, raising concerns of imminent instability. With cracks detected, roads leading to the area are closed, emphasizing the peril faced by this ancient landmark with deep historical significance.            

A bipartisan group, spearheaded by Representative Pramila Jayapal, has introduced the HR6542 Act in the U.S. House of Representatives to eliminate per-country caps on employment-based green cards. The bill aims to ease the enduring backlog of green card applications, notably from India and China, where applicants face decades-long waits. Supported by groups like Immigration Voice, the legislation could bring relief to 1.2 million high-skilled immigrants stuck in the green card backlog. By phasing out per-country caps, the bill intends to enhance the immigrant visa system, aiding American businesses in retaining global talent. The move aligns with efforts to address a record-breaking 1.8 million employment-based green card backlog reported by USCIS this year.

Three Khalistan extremists have been sentenced in New Zealand for the attempted murder of Indian-origin radio host Harnek Singh in 2020. Singh survived over 40 stab wounds from the religiously-motivated attack due to his vocal opposition to Khalistani ideology. The key plotter harbored years of resentment against Singh's anti-Khalistan statements. Two attackers, including stabber Sarvjeet Sidhu who pleaded guilty, were sentenced along with an accessory to the crime. The judge emphasized deterring religious extremism and protecting the community in sentencing. Singh was ambushed and stabbed by the extremists but managed to survive the murder attempt by sounding his car horn to draw attention. (Image Source: Harneksingh_nz on Instagram)

A selfie of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni has sparked buzz online. Shared by Meloni on Instagram and X from COP28 in Dubai, the photo was captioned "Good friends at COP28, #Melodi." The unique hashtag, referencing the leaders' surnames, instantly began trending. It highlights the camaraderie between them which drew attention earlier during Meloni's G20 Delhi visit. Their viral laughter-filled exchange and Meloni wishing Modi online spurred the moniker. This latest selfie has now become top trend material on multiple platforms. Users are applauding the friendly India-Italy bilateral relations. The two leaders also discussed their countries' shared commitment to sustainability during COP28.

Five Republican senators, led by Marco Rubio, call on President Biden to implement a travel ban between the U.S. and China following a spike in respiratory illness cases. Concerns escalated after the World Health Organization sought more information on undiagnosed pneumonia clusters in Chinese children. The senators advocate for immediate restrictions until the nature of the illness is better understood. The Biden administration, closely monitoring the situation, notes seasonal trends and no evident link to U.S. emergency department cases. China's Embassy dismisses the claims as ill-intentioned fabrications. Increased flights between the nations raise precautionary measures.

After an eventful India tour featuring World Cup glory and blistering T20I displays, Glenn Maxwell has returned home to Australia. Maxwell played a starring role in Australia's recent ODI World Cup triumph and followed it up with impactful performances in the T20I leg versus India. His wife Vini Raman hilariously reminded Maxwell of fatherly duties awaiting him back home with their newborn son. Maxwell smashed a match-winning double century against Afghanistan at the World Cup and a magnificent T20I ton while chasing 223 in the 3rd T20I. Despite being in his late 30s, he proved he's still a game-changer. While the multi-format campaign has concluded, Maxwell will now embark on daddy duty after signing off the memorable Indian tour.

Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad stirred controversy on Thursday by stating he did not know how many hostages were still alive in Gaza, adding "the number is not important." Ghazi Hamad made the remarks in an interview with CBS News, drawing a sharp rejoinder from Israel. Israel's Government spokesperson Eylon Levy reacted that "Hamas says it doesn’t know how many hostages are still alive and ‘the number is not important’. Israelis value life. Hamas worships death." As part of a now collapsed ceasefire, Hamas had agreed to release Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. With the ceasefire's end, Israel claims Hamas still holds 136 hostages in Gaza, including two children.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, on the eve of vote counting, writes to PM Modi seeking a ban on apps linked to illegal online betting. Baghel highlights the nationwide nature of this offshore-run business and requests action to curb illicit financial transactions. This move follows allegations, including an ED claim of Baghel receiving Rs 508 crore from UAE-based app promoters. BJP releases a video supporting the allegations. Baghel defends his position, referencing police actions against online betting in Chhattisgarh. The letter adds a layer to the ongoing controversy surrounding the Mahadev app and its alleged financial transactions.