A four to five-month-old baby elephant who became separated from his mother and herd at a wildlife park in Tamil Nadu, India has been reunited after a drone search located the herd 2.5 miles away. An aerial photo published by the forest officials shows the mother and calf enjoying a nap, with the baby nestled against her chest. Usually, a herd waits for a missing calf but sometimes moves away for safety from humans. Once the calf was found, a day after he was separated, drones were used to locate the herd. Before taking the calf to the herd, forest officials bathed him and spread mud on him to reduce any human smells. Kartick Satyanarayan of Wildlife SOS explained, "It means the mother and aunts will welcome the calf back and it reduces their anxiety about any human imprint." The matriarch chooses between the herd's welfare and a single calf's. Drones helped ensure this baby's distressing separation ended joyfully.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, criticizing Nehru's China policy, emphasizes a 'less rosy' perspective if India had adopted a more 'Bharat' approach. Referring to Patel and Nehru's divergent views, he underscores historical tensions. The minister highlights Nehru's request to President Kennedy for help during the 1962 conflict, revealing a left-wing influence. This follows Jaishankar's recent critique of Nehru's 'romanticism' in China dealings. He urges a shift towards a more assertive 'Bharat' stance. "If we had been more 'Bharat,' we would have had a less rosy view of our relationship with China," Jaishankar asserts, emphasizing the need for introspection in shaping India's foreign relations.

Four ancestral properties of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, located in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district, will be auctioned by SAFEMA on January 5. These agricultural plots in Mumbke village hold a reserve price of Rs 19.2 lakh, with the smallest plot at Rs 15,440. Previously, 17 properties of Dawood Ibrahim were auctioned by SAFEMA in 2017 and 2020. The upcoming auction includes properties belonging to Dawood's mother, Amina Bi, in his ancestral village. The bidding process is scheduled between 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm on January 5, with several bids already received.

As INS Imphal, India's latest guided missile destroyer, prepares for deployment, Manipuri sailors on board express unwavering commitment to their mission despite the unrest in Manipur. Serving on the country's first warship named after a north-eastern city, the crew, including Sunshine Meetei and Boris Laishram, emphasizes the importance of peace back home. The warship, commissioned on December 26, signifies a significant moment for the sailors who see hope for enduring peace. INS Imphal's capabilities position it to confront challenges in distant seas, reinforcing India's commitment to maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

In a shocking incident, 27-year-old model Divya Pahuja was allegedly murdered inside a hotel room in Gurugram on Tuesday night. Chilling CCTV footage shows Pahuja entering the City Point Hotel with owner Abhijeet Singh and another man early Tuesday morning. Later that night, the footage captures Singh and two others dragging Pahuja's wrapped body through the lobby into a car. Singh and two accomplices were arrested based on the CCTV evidence. Pahuja was a key accused in the 2016 fake encounter killing of gangster Sandeep Gadoli. Her family alleges Gadoli's siblings planned the murder with Singh. Police have filed an FIR and are searching for Pahuja's body, which they believe was disposed of for Rs 10 lakh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Lakshadweep, emphasized the island's significance, stating, "Small in size, big in heart." In a ceremony unveiling projects worth Rs 1,150 crore, Modi addressed the islanders, expressing gratitude for their warmth. He highlighted the government's focus on neglected regions, citing the recently inaugurated Kochi-Lakshadweep Submarine Optical Fibre Project, promising internet speed 100 times faster. The initiative aims to enhance services like telemedicine and e-governance. Additionally, Modi inaugurated the Low Temperature Thermal Desalination plant, ensuring 1.5 lakh litres of clean drinking water daily, and dedicated Functional Household Tap Connections on Agatti and Minicoy islands.

Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri categorically rejected widespread speculation of significant fuel price reductions, dismissing them as both speculative and mischievous. Refuting any discussions with oil marketing companies, Puri highlighted the global turbulence and conflicts, emphasizing the stability achieved in India. Despite fuel price hikes in South Asian countries, he credited India's resilience to visionary leadership and previous excise duty reductions. Energy experts anticipate crude oil prices to stay low in early 2024, citing lower demand and increased oil output, with geopolitical tensions in the Middle East being the potential catalyst for price fluctuations.

Randhir Jaiswal has taken over the role of the Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson, succeeding Arindam Bagchi, who is now India's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva. Bagchi, an IFS officer since 1995, handled significant global events during his term, while Jaiswal, a 1998-batch IFS officer, served as the consul general in New York. His initiatives included a Mobile App with a Chat Bot, aiding visa and OCI services. Jaiswal brings a wealth of diplomatic experience from postings in Portugal, Cuba, South Africa, and the UN. His appointment follows a distinguished career, culminating in this crucial diplomatic role.

Chhattisgarh's Chief Minister, Vishnu Deo Sai, announced that January 22 will be observed as a 'dry day' across the state to commemorate the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The decision aligns with the conclusion of the 'good governance' period, emphasizing the significance of Ram Raj in the state. The state contributes to the festivities by sending aromatic rice and vegetables to Ayodhya for the ceremony. With an atmosphere of celebration anticipated, the declaration of a dry day aims to enhance the joyous occasion, resembling Diwali festivities. The state eagerly awaits the auspicious event on January 22.

Delhi experienced a dip in minimum temperatures, reaching 6-9 degrees Celsius, accompanied by persistent fog conditions. Despite a slight improvement in visibility to 500 meters, the air quality remained 'very poor.' In response to severe cold weather, Noida and Greater Noida authorities ordered the closure of schools up to Class 8 until January 6. North India, including Punjab and Haryana, anticipates 'cold day' conditions until January 5, with the weather department predicting dense to very dense fog in the coming days. Additionally, parts of Rajasthan and north Madhya Pradesh may witness similar foggy conditions. Cold wave impacts are expected to linger, prompting precautions in affected regions.