In a tragic turn of events, three jawans lost their lives and three sustained injuries in a terrorist ambush on two Army vehicles in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. The targeted convoy was transporting personnel involved in a critical anti-terror operation near Bufliaz, focused on the DKG (Dera ki Gali), Thanamandi, Rajouri region. The attack occurred at approximately 3:45 pm in the Savni area along the Rajouri-Thanamandi-Surankote road. Following hard intelligence, a joint operation was launched, and an encounter is underway. Additional forces have been deployed to the site. This incident adds to recent security challenges, including an explosion in a police unit compound in Poonch. Authorities are actively managing the situation, with updates pending.            

Olympic medallist Sakshee Malikkh announces her resignation following Sanjay Singh's victory in the Wrestling Federation of India elections. She expresses her concern over continued harassment. Singh, a long-time aide of former chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, triumphs with 40 out of 47 votes. Disappointed top wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, criticize unfulfilled government promises. Malikkh, who advocated for a female chief, states, "If the new president is Brij Bhushan's aide, his business partner, then I quit wrestling," placing her boots on the table. Singh assures no injustice to women wrestlers. The WFI election process faced delays and suspension, now cleared by the Supreme Court.

The Lok Sabha has passed the bill to regulate appointments of top election officers, after it was already cleared by the Rajya Sabha. The highly contentious bill aims to establish procedures for selecting the three Election Commissioners, but conflicts with the Supreme Court's direction that they should be chosen by a panel including the Chief Justice of India. The new law drops the CJI from the selection committee in an attempt to limit judicial oversight. A key amendment is a clause protecting election commissioners from lawsuits over actions taken in their official capacity. Courts cannot entertain civil or criminal cases against current or former election commissioners for acts done in discharging duties. The bill's passage comes despite opposition objections over its impact on the independence of the election body.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will take over comprehensive security of the new Parliament building after the security breach on December 13th. The Home Ministry has directed a security survey of the complex to enable regular CISF deployment for security and fire protection. Currently, CISF guards key government buildings and critical infrastructure. Experts from CISF's government building security unit along with Parliament's current security team will start the survey this week. This comes after two men, Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D, breached security by jumping into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors' gallery during a session, raising concerns over loopholes.

In a rare interview with the Financial Times, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphatically denies allegations of discrimination against religious minorities in India, stating, "There is no feeling of discrimination." Modi highlights the economic success of Parsees, describing them as a "religious micro-minority" thriving in India. While the interview avoids explicit mention of Muslims, Modi dismisses critics, saying, "Critics have the right to level allegations, but others have an equal right to respond with facts." Addressing concerns about anti-Muslim hate speech, Modi laughs off questions about his government's alleged crackdown, expressing confidence in disproving doubters, much like historical underestimations of India's potential.

The bodies of 87 Kuki-Zo ethnic clash victims in Manipur were finally laid to rest on Wednesday in a mass burial ceremony in Churachandpur district. Thousands gathered to bid farewell amid emotional scenes, Christian rituals and gun salutes. The event was held under tight security following violent clashes and curfew imposition. It came after a long wait for families who lost loved ones as young as a one-month-old baby to as old as a 70-year-old. Groups now vow to continue the struggle for justice and a separate Kuki-Zo administrative area. This was the second recent mass burial this month after bodies of 64 other victims were shifted from morgues per Supreme Court order. (Image Source: Hindustan Times)

Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have been invited to the Ram Temple inauguration on January 22, but reports suggest they might not attend. Invitations extended to former PMs Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda. Notably, chief ministers and governors are excluded from the invitee list. LK Advani and MM Joshi, pivotal in the Ram Mandir movement, express intent to attend if health permits. PM Modi will participate in the installation of Ram Lalla's idol. Public darshan begins on January 23 post the consecration ceremony, set to span 48 days starting January 24.

As the Ayodhya Ram Mandir inauguration approaches on January 22, 2024, a colossal 108-foot incense stick is being readied in Vadodara, Gujarat, for transport to Ayodhya. The upcoming Pran Pratishtha ceremony, signifying the installation of an infant Lord Ram idol, will witness the participation of 4,000 saints, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending. Vedic rituals, led by renowned priest Lakshmi Kant Dixit, precede the ceremony from January 16. Additionally, 42 specially blessed bells from Namakkal are en route to Ayodhya, commissioned by devotee Rajendra Prasad, embodying meticulous craftsmanship for the auspicious occasion.            

The residents of a Madhya Pradesh village had been worshipping fossilized dinosaur eggs they found as "Kuldevtas" - a deity that safeguards farmland - for years before experts revealed their true identity. "We used to offer coconuts to Bhilat Baba and performed the puja. Villagers also used to offer goats during rain," said Padlya villager Vesta Mandaloi about the stones they called "Kakad Bhairav". However, a visiting team found the "stones" were million-year-old dino eggs. "Many times people find such fossils and start worshipping them," said DFO A.S. Solanki. Over 250 such eggs have been found in MP's Dhar district, home to the Dinosaur Fossil National Park that stores various ancient fossils.

Torrential rains in Tamil Nadu have left at least 20,000 people stranded, prompting the army and disaster response teams to undertake rescue operations. The situation remains dire in the worst-affected Srivaikuntam area which saw heavy flooding due to overflowing rivers, though officials say no lives are endangered. With aerial food drops underway and teams striving to reach cut-off regions, Tuticorin MP Kanimozhi called the conditions challenging as even boats couldn't navigate submerged zones. This comes as Chennai recovers from Cyclone Michaung's destruction last month. Given the widespread damage, CM Stalin sought ₹2000 crore interim relief from the National Disaster Fund to aid victims and repair infrastructure battered by the unprecedented floods. (Video Courtesy: ANI on X)