Former Punjab & Sind Bank official, Bedanshu Shekhar Mishra, allegedly stole over ₹52 crore from customer fixed deposits (FDs) to fund online gaming. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached ₹2.56 crore worth of assets, following a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Mishra, suspended in November 2022, exploited his position at the Khalsa College branch to unauthorizedly break FDs using his and other staff members' IDs. The fraudulent transactions occurred between 2021-22, as revealed in the FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation. Mishra directed the embezzled funds to online gaming companies via diverse current accounts.

Celebrities are arriving in Ayodhya for the Ram Mandir consecration on January 22. Randeep Hooda and Lin Laishram were seen in Mumbai and Ayodhya, dressed for the occasion. Anupam Kher expressed excitement, mentioning the long-awaited day. Shefali Shah called it a significant cultural moment, sharing her honor to be present. Musicians Shankar Mahadevan and Anu Malik expressed happiness and emotion at the Lucknow airport. Rajinikanth, Dhanush, Kangana Ranaut, Amitabh Bachchan, Chiranjeevi, Jackie Shroff, Ram Charan, Anushka Sharma, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Virat Kohli, and others are expected to attend this grand event, receiving invitations to the historic occasion.

The Indian government has clarified that the recent plane crash in Afghanistan does not involve an Indian aircraft. Contrary to initial reports, the Civil Aviation Ministry stated it is a Moroccan registered small aircraft. The crash occurred in Badakhshan province, and while Russian authorities initially mentioned it as a charter ambulance flight from India to Moscow, the exact location remains unknown. The aircraft, a French-made Dassault Falcon 10, went off radar screens. The Hindu Kush mountain range adds complexity to the search. Further details are awaited as teams are dispatched to investigate.

Ayodhya intensifies security measures for tomorrow's Ram Mandir 'Pran Pratistha' ceremony, deploying nearly 13,000 personnel, including NDRF teams, anti-bomb squads, and RPF. Prime Minister Modi will attend the event, which boasts high-profile attendees like Amitabh Bachchan and Mukesh Ambani. Anti-drone technology, AI-powered CCTV, and 10,000 cameras enhance surveillance. Traffic diversions and extensive parking arrangements are in place. Ayodhya is adorned with decorations, cultural events, and gifts from various places, creating a festive atmosphere. The consecration ceremony marks a significant milestone, with the Ram Mandir opening for public view on January 23.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claims his vehicle was attacked by an "unruly BJP crowd" during the party's 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' in Jumugurihat, Assam. The incident involved tearing off Yatra stickers and shouting anti-BJNY slogans. Ramesh accuses Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma of orchestrating the attack, vowing to continue the yatra undeterred. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate alleges the assault extended to a party cameraman and social media team members. AICC communications coordinator Mahima Singh reports police involvement and claims of equipment snatching during the BJP event. Tensions rise as accusations fly in Assam.

A spiritually uplifting discussion on the monumental earth restoration project, Africa's Great Green Wall, was held at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters in London on Saturday, January 20. Attended by BK Jayanti Kirpalani and Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami, the event highlighted humanity's shared duty to heal and revitalize the planet. Originally envisioned as an 8000 km tree belt across Africa's arid Sahel region, the Great Green Wall has evolved into a movement regenerating landscapes, biodiversity, food security, and livelihoods for local communities. Truly a planetary-scale collaboration, it demonstrates the power of collective action grounded in spiritual values of oneness, service, and care for Mother Earth. Such green initiatives aligned with yogic agriculture principles kindle hope for restoring balance across the world. 

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman accuses the Tamil Nadu government of prohibiting puja in over 200 temples for Lord Ram on the day of Ayodhya Ram Mandir's consecration. Sitharaman claims restrictions on live telecast and police interference in privately organized events. Tamil Nadu Minister P K Sekar Babu refutes the allegation, stating no ban exists, and it's a rumor diverting attention from a DMK youth wing conference. Babu deems Sitharaman's post as false with ulterior motives, expressing regret over the dissemination of fake news. The conflicting statements highlight political tensions surrounding religious events in the state.

A compact charter jet, a French-made Dassault Falcon 10, en route from India to Moscow via Uzbekistan, disappeared from radar screens over Afghanistan on Saturday evening, Russian aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia confirmed. Afghan police had earlier reported a crash, but details remain unconfirmed. The plane, registered in Russia, carried six individuals, including four crew members and two passengers. Earlier reports wrongly attributed the crash to an Indian plane, refuted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The crash's cause, casualties, and specific details are yet to be determined in the remote, mountainous region of Badakhshan in Afghanistan.

AIIMS in Delhi faces backlash as it initially announces a half-day closure for the Ram Temple event, aligning with nationwide celebrations. Opposition leaders, including Shiv Sena's Priyanka Chaturvedi and Trinamool Congress's Saket Gokhale, express concern over the impact on patients. The decision prompts public and social media outcry, leading AIIMS to reverse its closure after concerns about potential disruptions to critical clinical services. Critics question prioritizing a political event over healthcare. The "pran pratishtha" of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is set for Monday, generating both anticipation and controversy over the temporary halt of routine medical activities.

Iranian-backed militias target Al-Assad airbase with ballistic missiles, leaving US personnel undergoing brain injury assessments. Air defense intercepts most projectiles, but damage assessment ongoing. The attack, the largest since October, raises concerns, with some attacks linked to solidarity with Israel-Hamas war. The use of ballistic missiles, a rare occurrence, adds to tensions. US response remains uncertain, given past airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias. Earlier drone strike and calls for troop withdrawal highlight complex situation. Evaluations ongoing as US presence in Iraq and Syria faces renewed scrutiny.