Iran reportedly notified the Pakistani military in advance about its January 16 missile strike but did not inform Islamabad about making it public, claims an Iranian local media report. The report states that Tehran gave prior notice to Islamabad, with a source mentioning they could have executed the strike without publicizing it. A Telegram channel linked to Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard Corps asserted that the attack required coordination with the Pakistani government. While Iranian journalists hinted at a diplomatic visit aiming to inform Pakistan beforehand, the reports remain unverified. The tit-for-tat strikes have heightened concerns about regional instability. Both nations signal a desire to ease tensions despite casualties reported.

Indian spinner R Ashwin, on his YouTube channel, supports Shivam Dube's inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad, likening him to a 'Yuvraj Singh Lite' package. Dube's explosive batting in the Afghanistan series, securing two fifties, has caught Ashwin's attention. Ashwin suggests Dube's aggressive spin-hitting style makes him a valuable asset, especially in West Indies conditions. Despite recognizing Hardik Pandya's importance, Ashwin sees Dube as an additional weapon for India. Comparing Dube to the legendary Yuvraj Singh, Ashwin praises his ability to attack spinners straight down the ground. The debate now arises over selecting Pandya, Dube, or both for the T20 World Cup.

In a tragic incident during the silver jubilee celebrations at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, Vistex CEO Sanjay Shah lost his life, and a colleague suffered serious injuries. The CEO and his colleague entered an iron cage for a descent, but a broken iron chain led to a fall. Despite immediate hospitalization, Sanjay Shah succumbed to his injuries, while his colleague remains in critical condition. A case has been registered against the event management authorities based on a complaint from another company official. The unexpected accident has cast a pall over the firm's milestone celebration.            

The Prague high court has ruled in favor of extraditing Nikhil Gupta, a 52-year-old Indian man, to the United States. Gupta faces charges for his alleged involvement in a foiled plot to kill Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The court's decision, rejecting Gupta's appeal, allows the Czech Republic to proceed with the extradition sought by the US. Czech Justice Ministry spokesperson Vladimir Řepka states that Minister of Justice Pavel Blažek will make the final decision. Gupta, who denies being the intended person, claims a political motive. His defense, citing human rights violations, plans to appeal to the Constitutional Court.

North India is set to endure a relentless cold wave and dense fog for the next 5 days, warns the India Meteorological Department. The latest bulletin predicts dense to very dense fog and cold to severe cold day conditions, with the plains of Northwest India experiencing cold wave to severe cold wave conditions for the next 3 days. Flight and train delays persist due to poor visibility, affecting travel plans across the country. While Delhi's IGI airport sees a slight improvement, most parts of North India continue to grapple with chilling temperatures and disrupted transportation. The prolonged cold spell since December 29, 2023, shows no signs of immediate relief.

In anticipation of the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, the Maharashtra government has declared a public holiday on January 22. The decision, prompted by a request from BJP leader Mangal Prabhat Lodha, received approval from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's office despite initial opposition. Following the Centre's announcement of a 'half-day' for central government offices, BJP-led states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Goa have also declared closures for government offices and educational institutes. Private sector banks will remain open, while certain states impose bans on liquor and meat sales. The Ram Mandir inauguration will witness Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries in attendance.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has initiated a search for properties once belonging to the Russian Empire or the Soviet Union, directing officials to identify and secure these assets abroad. The undisclosed budget for the operation and specific targeted properties have heightened speculation about Putin's ambitions, particularly in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The order underscores Putin's interest in former imperial possessions, raising concerns among neighboring states. At its zenith, the Russian Empire extended into modern-day Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland. The move amplifies existing worries as Putin issues threats to Latvia and Finland, citing concerns over Russian-speaking populations and NATO membership, respectively.

Tata Steel, owner of Port Talbot steelworks, officially announces the closure of its two blast furnaces, a move termed "absolutely devastating" by unions. The decision, impacting up to 2,800 jobs directly and many more in the local community, is attributed to the plant's financial challenges. Unions, including Unite, contemplate strikes, while political figures like Keir Starmer urge reconsideration of proposals to avert compulsory redundancies. Tata's shift towards greener, cheaper steelmaking operations follows a £500m financial backing from the UK government. The closure, coupled with similar proposals at British Steel Scunthorpe, leaves the UK without the ability to produce steel from scratch.

Japan's space agency, JAXA, has made history by successfully landing its 'sniper' probe, SLIM, on the moon. The precision landing aimed within 100m of the target, making Japan the fifth country to achieve this feat. While SLIM's landing has been confirmed, the control room awaits contact to assess its condition and orientation. SLIM's scanning technology autonomously evaluates the lunar surface for a safe landing. The mission marks a significant achievement in lunar exploration, with SLIM tasked to provide insights into the moon's geology and resources. Further updates are expected after the communication is established.

Reliance Industries has announced a company-wide holiday on January 22 to commemorate the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. This decision aligns with various state governments and private companies allowing holidays for employees to partake in the celebrations. The move follows the Indian government's half-day holiday declaration for central offices on Jan 22. Reliance's announcement comes after reporting an 11% YoY rise in net profit for the December quarter. Maharashtra government has also declared a state holiday on Jan 22, with the stock market closed, ahead of the grand inauguration attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.