Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat, ahead of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya, delves into the historical context, urging an end to decades-long Ayodhya dispute conflict. Reflecting on India's 1,500-year struggle against invaders, Bhagwat emphasizes the systematic destruction of religious places and the foreign forces' aim to weaken society. He notes the invaders' strategy encompassed the demolition of the Shri Ram temple. Bhagwat calls for unity, envisioning a society embodying Lord Ram's virtues, stressing the need to end bitterness and the Ayodhya dispute.

Dense fog has blanketed North India, causing delays and cancellations of flights and trains in Delhi. The IGI Airport recorded zero visibility since 3 am, impacting air travel. The cold wave has intensified, with the India Meteorological Department predicting continued dense to very dense fog conditions for the next two days. The cold spell, prevailing since December 29, 2023, has led to temperatures dropping 5-8 degrees Celsius below normal. While a brief respite occurred on January 7 and 8, the cold conditions returned, affecting various regions. Minimum temperatures are expected to fall by 2-3°C in Central India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in religious rituals at the Lord Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram after a sacred dip at the 'Agnitheerth' beach. Wearing a rudraksha-mala, PM Modi prayed at the ancient Shiva temple, receiving traditional honors from priests. The temple, with a connection to the Ramayana, holds significance as Lord Ram and Sita Devi prayed there. Earlier, PM Modi worshipped at the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple in Tiruchirappalli before a warm reception from BJP workers and locals upon his arrival in Rameswaram via Air Force chopper.

Four law students from MNLU, Mumbai, GLC, and NIRMA law school have moved the Bombay High Court opposing the Maharashtra government's declaration of a public holiday on January 22 for the Ram Temple consecration. Arguing that such a move violates constitutional principles of secularism, the students contend that the state should not endorse or celebrate religious events. They emphasize that public holidays should commemorate patriotic figures or historic events, not cater to specific religious communities. The special bench of Justices GS Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale is set to hear the case tomorrow at 10:30 am.

Sexual health services in England are facing an "unprecedented" crisis with demand soaring by a third from 2013 to 2022, resulting in nearly 4.5 million consultations in 2023. Two-thirds of council areas report escalating rates of STIs, including a staggering 97% increase in gonorrhoea cases across 10 councils. Syphilis sees a concerning 76% spike, while chlamydia cases rise by 36%. The Local Government Association attributes the strain to an £880m reduction in the public health grant. Urging a 10-year sexual health strategy, they call on the government to publish increased 2024-25 grant allocations to address this escalating public health concern.

The Indian Diaspora in UK marked the upcoming inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya with a spectacular car rally today. Over 300 enthusiasts from the Indian Hindu diaspora joined the procession, starting from The City Pavilion on Collier Road in West London. The convoy traversed East London, resonating with songs praising Lord Rama and echoing 'Jai Shree Ram.' The event culminated back at the starting point, where the diaspora plans to organize a Maha-Aarti in the evening. Meanwhile, in Ayodhya, preparations for the consecration ceremony are in full swing, highlighted with ceremonies that began on January 16 and the installation of the Ram Lalla idol inside the sanctum sanctorum.

Two UK warships, HMS Chiddingfold and HMS Bangor, collided at a Bahrain port. Video footage shows HMS Chiddingfold reversing into HMS Bangor. The Ministry of Defence confirms no injuries. Both ships are minesweepers ensuring safe trade flow in the Gulf. The cause of the collision is under investigation, and Rear Admiral Ahlgren emphasizes the commitment to safety. HMS Chiddingfold had a similar incident in 2021. HMS Bangor, set for decommissioning next year, sustains damage. A thorough investigation is underway, with potential procedural changes to prevent future incidents. UK remains dedicated to securing merchant shipping in the region. 

Nora Fatehi becomes the latest victim of deepfake deception, unveiling a manipulated video promoting a fashion brand. The flawless deepfake, mirroring Nora's voice and mannerisms, raised concerns amid the surge in such incidents. Nora took to Instagram, expressing shock and clarifying, "This is not me." Previously targeted celebrities include Rashmika Mandanna, Katrina Kaif, Kajol, Alia Bhatt, and Priyanka Chopra. The alarming rise in deepfake cases prompts increased vigilance in distinguishing authentic content from AI-generated forgeries. Deepfake videos continue to pose challenges to digital identity and authenticity in the entertainment industry.

Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena approves a half-day closure for Delhi government offices on January 22 in honor of the Ayodhya Ram Temple consecration. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal orders offices to shut until 2:30 pm. Over 11,000 VIP attendees, including PM Narendra Modi, will witness the 'pran-pratishtha' of Ram Lalla. Several states, including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Haryana, declare public holidays or half-days. The central government already announced a half-day holiday for its employees. Chandigarh and other states ensure closures for government institutions, allowing participation in the historic event.

Delhi Police apprehends a 24-year-old, identified as Eemani Naveen, for creating a deepfake video of actor Rashmika Mandanna. Naveen, a digital marketer, admitted his motive was to gain Instagram followers. The deepfake, initially featuring British-Indian influencer Zara Patel, went viral, prompting the Centre to issue advisories emphasizing legal consequences for deepfake creation. Naveen, a Mandanna fan, ran a fan page and observed a surge in followers after the video's release. Aware of potential trouble, he deleted posts, changed the channel name, and removed relevant digital data. The incident underscores concerns over the misuse of deepfake technology.