The Mahakumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj witnessed 1.98M pilgrims by 10 AM on its sixth day, with over 73M attending so far. Devotees flocked to the Triveni Sangam for Kalpavas and sacred dips. Mahamandaleshwar Narayanand Giri Maharaj, adorned with 6.8 kg of jewelry, said his gems, including ruby and sapphire, enhance spiritual energy. Laurene Powell, Steve Jobs’ widow, embraced Sanatan Dharma under Swami Kailashanand Giri. The event united people of diverse backgrounds, blending spirituality with devotion. Foreign devotees joined bhajan sessions, amplifying the sacred ambiance of this historic gathering.

Coldplay is setting a benchmark in sustainability with eco-friendly practices on their global tours. The band minimizes air travel, opting for commercial flights and using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to cut carbon emissions by up to 80%. On the ground, they rely on electric vehicles and biofuels. They’ve planted 7M trees across 24 countries in partnership with One Tree Planted. To combat plastic pollution, they’ve deployed solar-powered river interceptors by The Ocean Cleanup. Their concerts feature free water refill stations and have achieved an 86% reuse rate for LED wristbands. Additionally, 72% of tour waste is recycled or composted.

A Russian air strike on Kyiv killed 4 people overnight, local authorities reported. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that air defenses were active in the Ukrainian capital. The Shevchenkivskyi district saw shattered windows, a fire in a non-residential building, and flooding caused by damaged infrastructure. Videos online showed a car engulfed in flames. Officials issued a ballistic missile alert, urging residents to take shelter. This marks the second fatal attack on Kyiv this month, intensifying the toll on the city's civilian population. The exact target remains unclear, as tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a 42-day ceasefire starting January 19, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US. The deal includes the release of 33 hostages, including women, children, and elderly, and 737 Palestinian detainees. Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza’s densely populated areas but maintain an 800-meter buffer zone inside Gaza. Hostages will undergo medical evaluations before being transported to Israeli hospitals. Negotiations for a second phase of the truce will begin on the 16th day, aiming for a permanent end to the conflict. Outgoing US President Joe Biden praised the agreement as a crucial step toward peace.

A new CCTV image reveals the attacker of Saif Ali Khan in a yellow t-shirt, different from previous visuals. Police suspect the individual boarded a train from Bandra to evade capture. The 54-year-old actor was stabbed six times at his Bandra home while intervening in an intruder’s attack. Saif is now stable and recovering after spinal surgery at Lilavati Hospital. Two house helps also sustained injuries. Mumbai Police has formed 35 teams to track the suspect, identified as a 35-40-year-old man. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis assured that significant leads will result in an arrest soon.

Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah is expected to join India’s 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, pending fitness confirmation. The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, will finalize the squad on January 18 in Mumbai. Bumrah, recovering from a back injury, might play in the ODI series against England for fitness assessment. Despite stellar form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Karun Nair has been excluded due to lack of recent international exposure. Sanju Samson, part of the T20I squad, also misses out, reportedly for skipping domestic tournaments. India aims to finalize its lineup for the crucial tournament.

Sealdah court in Kolkata will deliver its verdict today in the RG Kar rape-murder case, where 31-year-old trainee doctor was killed inside the medical college. The CBI seeks the death penalty for accused Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, arrested via CCTV evidence. The case, transferred from Kolkata police to the CBI, highlighted lapses in initial investigations. Nationwide protests demanded stronger safety measures for medical professionals, prompting the Supreme Court to form a National Task Force for their protection. The victim's family alleges more culprits remain uncharged, citing DNA evidence, and has approached the high court for further action.

TikTok warned it will shut down in the US on January 19 unless President Joe Biden assures Apple and Google of non-enforcement. This follows the Supreme Court's unanimous decision to uphold a law banning TikTok unless its Chinese owner ByteDance divests. The ban affects 170M American users and raises national security concerns.   Donald Trump, returning as president, plans to "save" TikTok but hasn't outlined specific actions. ByteDance remains unwilling to sell, while users are shifting to other platforms. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday.   Experts see Beijing leveraging TikTok in the ongoing US-China tensions.

Dense fog in Delhi disrupted train and flight operations on Saturday, with the minimum temperature settling at 7°C and maximum at 19°C, the IMD reported. The fog is expected to persist for three days before rain and thunderstorms arrive on January 22-23. Delhi’s AQI improved to 248 after recent rains, moving to the "Very Poor" category. Cold wave conditions gripped North India, impacting Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, with Himachal witnessing snowfall. Visibility in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh remained low due to dense fog. IMD predicts no significant temperature change in the next 48 hours.

Israel's government has approved a ceasefire deal with Hamas, starting January 19, 2025. The agreement ensures the release of 33 Israeli hostages held in Gaza, exchanged for 95 Palestinian prisoners. The six-week truce allows displaced Palestinians to return, facilitates aid delivery, and mandates Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza’s densely populated areas. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated the deal aligns with war objectives. Despite internal political opposition, the agreement aims to ensure "sustainable calm" and Gaza reconstruction. Mediators include Qatar, Egypt, and the US. Egypt confirmed 600 daily aid trucks entering Gaza. The conflict has caused over 46,870 deaths in Gaza.