In the ongoing 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at Ayodhya's Ram temple, Day 2 unfolds with the idol of Lord Ram Lalla taking a significant tour of the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi temple after 1:20 pm. The detailed rituals include Jalayatra, Teertha Puja, Brahmin-Batuk-Kumari-Suvasini Puja, Vardhini Puja, and Kalshayatra. Previously, rituals on Day 1 involved essential purifications, 'Panchgavyaprashan,' 'Godan,' and 'Karmakuti Homa.' Upcoming days will witness various ceremonies, leading to the grand consecration on January 22, graced by PM Narendra Modi. The temple will open to the public on January 23.

Star bowler Mohammed Shami, sidelined with injury, aims for a comeback in the T20 World Cup. Despite missing early games, Shami topped wickets in the 2023 ODI World Cup with 24 dismissals. Focused on ODIs in 2023, he now eyes the T20 format. His stellar IPL 2023 performance, claiming the Purple Cap with 28 wickets for Gujarat Titans, reinforces his T20 prowess. Shami emphasizes IPL as pivotal for World Cup selection, saying, "There's still a lot of time... If I'm performing well, I should be selected. Who will say no to the World Cup?" With proven consistency and skill, Shami remains a key asset for national and franchise teams.

Amidst diplomatic tensions following the expulsion of Canadian diplomats from India and a dispute over the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada witnessed an 86% decline in study permits issued to Indian students in the last quarter of 2023. Immigration Minister Marc Miller expressed doubt about a quick rebound, attributing the drop to strained India-Canada relations, hindering the processing of applications. With Indians forming the largest group of international students in Canada, concerns over diplomatic issues and academic facilities contributed to students exploring alternative destinations. The slowdown poses challenges for Canadian universities heavily reliant on international students.

A SpiceJet flight from Mumbai to Bengaluru turned bizarre as a male passenger found himself trapped inside the lavatory for almost the entire journey. The ordeal, lasting about an hour, unfolded due to a malfunctioning lavatory door mid-air on flight SG-268. Cabin crew provided assistance throughout, and upon landing in Bengaluru, an engineer addressed the door issue. The passenger, immediately attended to by medical professionals, was assured of well-being. SpiceJet released a statement acknowledging the incident and emphasizing their prompt response to the unexpected situation.

Pakistan strongly condemned Iran's airstrikes in Balochistan, claiming it destroyed two bases of the Jaish ul-Adl terror group. The strikes resulted in the tragic death of two children and injuries to three girls, according to Pakistan's Foreign Ministry. Denouncing the incident as an "unprovoked violation," Islamabad summoned the Iranian Charge d'Affaires, warning of "serious consequences." Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) asserted that the Jaish ul-Adl's major bases were targeted in the operation. Tensions escalate as Pakistan deems the strikes unacceptable, holding Iran responsible for the repercussions. The international community closely watches the unfolding situation amid regional security concerns.

Armed miscreants targeted security forces in Manipur's Moreh during an early morning ambush, resulting in the tragic death of one Commando (CDO) official. The attackers utilized rocket-propelled grenades and live rounds, targeting personnel who were sleeping near Ema Kondong Lairembi Devi Mandir. The assault continued with a second ambush at SBI Bank Building Dekhunai Resort, leaving another officer injured. Assam Rifles, stationed nearby, swiftly responded, shielding the area with bullet-proof vehicles. Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the perpetrators behind this attack on security personnel.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar has opted out of attending the 'Pran Prathisha' ceremony for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, following the lead of fellow INDIA alliance leaders. In a letter to the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra General Secretary, Pawar expressed gratitude for the invitation and announced his decision to visit for "darshan" once the temple's construction is complete. The move aligns with the Congress party's earlier decision to boycott the event, accusing the BJP and RSS of exploiting it for electoral gains. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has also stated her intention to abstain from the ceremony.

Former Lok Sabha member Mahua Moitra, ousted in December 2023, faces eviction from her government bungalow following an order by the Directorate of Estates. Initially asked to vacate by January 7, Moitra's allotment cancellation prompted a series of notices. Despite a Delhi High Court suggestion to seek permission for extended stay, she now must leave immediately. The court emphasized the need for due process in eviction. Moitra's expulsion resulted from alleged "unethical conduct," accepting gifts and sharing parliamentary credentials. As controversies unfold, the ethical committee's report may further influence the case.            

Dense fog continues to wreak havoc in North India, disrupting air and rail travel. With over 100 flights cancelled and 600 delayed since Sunday, passengers face extensive delays at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. The freezing conditions also impact railway operations, leaving numerous trains running behind schedule. The India Meteorological Department issues an orange alert for Delhi as the cold wave persists. IMD scientist Soma Sen predicts ongoing foggy mornings, while the air quality in the national capital hits "severe" levels. Authorities implement Stage 3 measures to tackle rising pollution, compounding the challenges for residents and travelers alike.            

Iran launched cross-border attacks on alleged bases of the militant group Jaish al-Adl in Pakistan, deploying missiles and drones, according to state media. The reports were later removed without clarification. Jaish al-Adl, a Sunni militant organization, primarily operates in Pakistan. This comes amid heightened regional tensions, following Iran's recent missile strikes in Iraq targeting what it labeled an Israeli "spy headquarters." The situation is compounded by fears of spillover from the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Iraq condemned the attacks in its territory as a "blatant violation" of sovereignty, leading to the recall of its ambassador from Tehran.