The Khushwant Singh Literary Festival's second day witnessed intense discussions on the India-Canada diplomatic row. Former Canadian Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh, an author, addressed the festival, emphasizing the need for objective discussions about India, Canada, Khalistan, and freedom of speech. Dosanjh expressed concern over the escalating tensions, urging both nations to avoid further escalation. The festival also tackled pressing issues like the climate crisis, lack of drug regulations, and corporate challenges. Dosanjh highlighted the importance of maintaining student futures and diplomatic dialogue amid the ongoing discord.

India and Sri Lanka have resumed ferry services after a four-decade hiatus, connecting Tamil Nadu's Nagapattinam with Sri Lanka's Kankesanthurai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed this development as a vital step in strengthening bilateral ties, emphasizing its potential to enhance connectivity, trade, and cultural links. The high-speed ferry, operated by the Shipping Corporation of India, carries 150 passengers and covers a distance of 60 nautical miles. This initiative, fostering historical maritime connections, signifies a new chapter in diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries, promoting people-to-people ties and economic cooperation.

Former student leader Shehla Rashid, once a critic of PM Modi, praised the Indian Army, Modi, and Amit Shah amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. She acknowledged feeling fortunate as an Indian, crediting the security forces for Kashmir's peace. Rashid, previously associated with the 'tukde tukde gang,' faced controversy for tweets about Kashmir in 2019. Recently, she withdrew from a petition against Article 370's scrapping, acknowledging improved human rights in Kashmir under Modi's administration. Her stance shifted from opposition politics to recognizing government efforts in maintaining peace. Rashid's praise came amidst the ongoing Middle East crisis.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted extensive raids in West Bengal and Sikkim, including Kolkata, Siliguri, Darjeeling, and Gangtok, targeting a fake passport scam. The agency arrested Gautam Kumar Saha, a senior superintendent at the Gangtok Passport Seva Kendra, and apprehended a hotel agent with Rs 1,90,000 in connection with issuing passports using forged documents. The investigation also led to the filing of a case against 24 individuals, including officials, involved in the issuance of passports based on fake documents in exchange for bribes.

Shahid Latif, a top Jaish-e-Mohammad commander and key handler in the 2016 Pathankot air base attack in India, was shot dead in Pakistan's Sialkot on Tuesday, Indian officials said. Latif was in touch with the four attackers during the assault that killed seven Indian personnel. He was designated a terrorist by India and faced an Interpol red notice. His killing comes after India handed evidence to Pakistan linking Latif and other JeM members to the Pathankot attack. However, Pakistan failed to act on the dossier or share proof with India. Latif's death provides some closure for India over the attack.

Pakistani sports journalist Zainab Abbas, in India to cover the ICC World Cup 2023, has reportedly been deported over her alleged anti-India and anti-Hindu tweets. A lawyer filed a complaint against Abbas over her old tweets, now resurfaced, accusing her of making derogatory remarks against Hindus and India. Abbas' media outlet said she left India over safety concerns and is currently in Dubai. Her departure came amid allegations involving cybercrime and her previous tweets against India. Some reports say she was deported while others state she left due to security issues before the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka match in Hyderabad.

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan will receive Y+ security cover from Mumbai Police following “imminent and probable” death threats from gangsters, reportedly after the success of his films 'Pathaan' and 'Jawan'. Following the 'besharam rang' row from his film Pathaan, released early this year, Paramhans Acharya, an Ayodhya-based seer, had allegedly issued death threats to the actor. Shahrukh informed the Maharashtra government about the threats, leading to increased security measures. Maharashtra State Intelligence Department (SID), reviewed the situation and recommended the Y+ with an escort scale of security to Khan with "immediate effect”.  Under the Y+ cover, Khan will be accompanied by six armed security personnel around the clock, up from his previous two-person security detail. 

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust has spent Rs 900 crore on constructing the Ram Temple in Ayodhya between February 2020 and March 2022. The trust still has over Rs 3,000 crore remaining in its bank accounts. Trust secretary Champat Rai provided an update after a meeting, stating 18 points were discussed including taking foreign donations. The temple consecration ceremony is expected on January 22 with PM Modi and 10,000 guests attending. The trust has appealed for people to light lamps at home that evening. Rice will be worshipped and distributed to 5 lakh villages nationwide ahead of the event.

A CRPF jawan and a woman were injured in a grenade blast outside the residence of Manipur minister Yumnam Khemchand in Imphal on Saturday night. The attack occurred despite tightened security after recent protests against ministers. Police said the grenade was lobbed by unknown motorbike-borne assailants around 10pm. The injured CRPF guard sustained minor hand wounds. Chief Minister N Biren Singh rushed to the spot and said investigations are underway to nab the perpetrators. There have been several recent attacks on ministers' homes amid ethnic clashes in Manipur that have killed over 175 people. 

NewsClick portal has strongly denied allegations made in a Delhi Police FIR, calling them "untenable and bogus." The police accused NewsClick of receiving funds from China to disrupt India's sovereignty, invoking anti-terror law UAPA. The portal emphasized it received no Chinese funding, never advocated violence, and expressed confidence in the judicial system. Founder Prabir Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakravarty were arrested. NewsClick claimed the latest FIR aimed to circumvent Purkayastha's interim protection, moving the Delhi High Court for quashing the FIR and their release. Police plan to question individuals named in the FIR, including senior journalists and contributors.