Jewish, Muslim Women Denounce World Silence on Hamas' Sexual Attacks: Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, January 21, 2024

A Jewish beauty queen from Israel and a Muslim doctor from Britain denounced Hamas' sexual violence and the silence of feminist groups at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday. Linor Abargil, and Qanta Ahmed were participating in a group discussion at the gathering. The Israeli-organised event, titled, "Women at the Forefront of the Global Peace and Security Agenda."

Cities across the country have been decorated with lights, huge cutouts of Lord Ram and posters bearing religious slogans related to Lord Ram ahead of Ram Temple's 'Pran Pratishtha' in Ayodhya on Monday.

The grand opening of Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22 is a big religious event. It also comes with a large economic impact as India gets a new tourist spot which could attract 50 million plus tourists a year, foreign brokerage firm Jefferies said in a report.

Hundreds of devotees from different age groups on Sunday marched through the East-West Highway, with some dressed as Hanuman and others as Ram and Sita, while taking part in the Sobha Yatra ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya. The Jaleshwar Municipality, which lies at aflat distance of about 18 kilometres, took out a religious procession on Sunday to celebrate the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Sunday expressed dissatisfaction over the manner in which the Central forces have been dealing with the current crisis in the northeastern state impacted by ethnic violence that first broke out on May 3 last year. Saying that the role of Central forces extends beyond "observation" to the "protection of lives and property", Singh asserted that the security personnel were in the state to help contain the violence and not "simply watch and observe".

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the Deepotsav ceremony at Parade Ground in Dehradun on January 21, ahead of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya. The chief minister was observed lighting diyas during the celebration.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Joins Deepotsav Celebration in Dehradun

In Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya, the "Sandhya Aarti" commences at Saryu Ghat, setting the spiritual tone ahead of the Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha Ceremony scheduled for January 22.

Sandhya Aarti Begins at Saryu Ghat

In Taiwan, the Indian community joyously celebrates the Pran Pratishtha Ceremony of the Ayodhya Ram temple on January 22, 2024. Two pre-event celebrations were organised on the eve of the auspicious occasion. The Indian diaspora in Taiwan and ISKCON Taiwan both hosted events.

Taiwanese Indian Diaspora Joins Pre-Event Celebrations for Ram Temple

The Congress party has accused BJP workers of assaulting senior leader Jairam Ramesh's car and media personnel accompanying the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam's Sonitpur district. The Congress claims that BJP supporters, conducting a march along Rahul Gandhi's route, vandalized vehicles, including Ramesh's, ahead of a scheduled rally in Kaliabor, Nagaon district.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman condemns the Tamil Nadu government's decision to ban the live telecast of Ayodhya Ram Mandir programs on January 22, 2024. Sitharaman criticises the state's restriction on activities related to Lord Ram in over 200 temples managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department.

Tamil Nadu Government Bans Live Telecast of Ayodhya Ram Mandir Programmes

A senior official from the DGCA confirmed that the recent plane crash in the mountains of Topkhana, Afghanistan, does not involve an Indian aircraft. The crashed plane, identified as a Moroccan-registered DF 10 aircraft, was not an Indian Scheduled Aircraft or a Non-Scheduled/Charter aircraft, according to the DGCA. The Ministry of Civil Aviation states that the unfortunate incident does not involve Indian planes, and further details are awaited.

Afghanistan Plane Crash Doesn't Involve Indian Aircraft

An Indian passenger plane has crashed in the mountainous region of Badakhshan, northern Afghanistan, according to local officials. The incident occurred in the Topkhana area of the Zebak district, with casualties feared. As of now, critical details such as the cause of the crash remain unclear, awaiting further investigation.

Indian Plane Crashes in Northern Afghanistan 

In a significant development, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi has today reversed its earlier decision to suspend services for outdoor patients until 2:30 pm tomorrow. The initial decision was made in light of the grand consecration event at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. However, following a substantial outcry, the institute has decided to continue its services as usual.

AIIMS Delhi Reverses Decision to Shut Services

In anticipation of the grand Pran Pratishtha of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a significant visit to Arichal Munai point in Dhanushkodi on Sunday. This location holds historical significance as it is believed to be the starting point of the Ram Setu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visits Dhanushkodi 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his warm greetings to the people of Manipur on the occasion of Manipur Statehood Day. In a tweet, he expressed his best wishes to the residents of the state and acknowledged Manipur’s significant contribution to India’s progress. The Prime Minister highlighted the pride India takes in the rich culture and traditions of Manipur. He also offered prayers for the state’s continued development.

Manipur Statehood Day 2024

In a significant event held in Nagpur on January 20, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, took to the stage to sing “Jaago Toh Ek Baar Hindu Jaago Toh”. This song is notably associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. The Deputy CM’s performance has drawn attention and is being widely discussed.

Devendra Fadnavis Sings Ram Janmabhoomi Movement Song

An earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale struck the Southwest Indian Ridge in the early hours of Sunday morning, as reported by the National Centre for Seismology.

Earthquake in Southwest Indian Ridge