Donald Trump delivered a campaign-style rally in Washington on the eve of his inauguration, where he promised to sign nearly 100 executive orders on his first day. Speaking to supporters, he vowed to reverse Biden administration policies and restore America's strength. Trump also hinted at pardoning January 6 rioters, ensuring his supporters would be pleased with the outcome. The rally saw Trump dancing to "YMCA" with The Village People and sharing a hug with Elon Musk. He also promised an aggressive plan to restore U.S. borders in his inaugural speech.

Hamas released three Israeli hostages on January 19, 2025, handing them bizarre "gift bags" before their transfer to the Red Cross. The bags contained photos of the hostages in captivity, a commemorative image of Gaza, and a "certificate of release." The hostages described the items as part of a "cynical game" to manipulate them. The video released by Hamas shows the hostages smiling with certificates while armed terrorists drove them through Gaza City. This release marks the first phase of a cease-fire deal involving 33 hostages, with more expected in the coming days.

A 26-year-old Hyderabad youth, Raviteja, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Washington, US. The incident occurred on Washington Avenue, where Raviteja was attacked. A resident of Green Hills Colony, RK Puram, Hyderabad, Raviteja had moved to the US in March 2022 for his master’s degree. Having recently completed his studies, he was actively seeking job opportunities when he was tragically shot. Local authorities are investigating the incident, and further details are awaited.

Melania Trump has launched her own cryptocurrency, the $Melania coin, on the eve of her husband’s inauguration. Following the launch of the $Trump cryptocurrency, both coins have seen volatile trading. The $Melania coin, created on the Solana blockchain, is described as a crypto asset, not an investment opportunity. Melania Trump announced the launch on social media, saying, "The Official Melania Meme is live! You can buy $Melania now." With a market valuation of $1.7 billion, $Melania coins are trading alongside other volatile assets like $Trump and Bitcoin.

Oxfam’s latest report reveals that the UK extracted $64.82 trillion from colonial India between 1765 and 1900, with the richest 10% of Britons receiving $33.8 trillion. This amount, the report claims, would have been enough to carpet London’s surface area with British pound 50 notes almost four times over. The group also highlighted the destruction of India’s industrial output, falling from 25% of global output in 1750 to just 2% by 1900. Oxfam criticized the colonial era for fostering inequality and exploitation, with modern corporations continuing similar practices.

“I want to fulfil my brother's dream and become a doctor,” said 10-year-old Amr al Hindi, who lost his entire family during the Gaza conflict. Amid widespread devastation, survivors like Hatem Al-Atar, 25, recount harrowing experiences of saving lives while enduring personal losses. “Every second in this war was hard. You could lose your life or a beloved one any second,” Hatem shared. Aid convoys from organizations like the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization are arriving, but UN agencies accuse Israel of obstructing aid flow. As rebuilding begins, survivors grapple with trauma and the monumental task of reconstructing their lives.

Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden will leave a letter for Donald Trump, continuing the 35-year tradition started by Ronald Reagan in 1989. This marks a unique first, as Trump also left a note for Biden in 2020, making them the only duo to exchange letters across nonconsecutive terms. While Trump's 2020 letter to Biden was described as "very generous," Biden's message for his returning successor remains undisclosed. Past presidents, including George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama, have followed this tradition, symbolizing goodwill and continuity in governance. Trump will take office Monday as the first nonconsecutive-term president since Grover Cleveland.

Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners, mostly women and children, under the first phase of a ceasefire deal with Hamas. Celebrated by loved ones in the occupied West Bank, their release followed Hamas freeing three Israeli hostages: 31-year-old Doron Steinbrecher, 28-year-old British-Israeli Emily Damari, and 24-year-old Romi Gonen. The women, now recovering in a Tel Aviv hospital, were handed to the Red Cross in Gaza City before returning to Israel. Hamas confirmed that for every hostage freed, 30 Palestinian prisoners would be released. Though the ceasefire brought hope, many Palestinians returned to devastated homes, dampening the moment's joy.

Donald Trump will take office as the 47th US President today, with a list of ambitious Day 1 promises. Key plans include launching the largest deportation in US history, ending birthright citizenship, and imposing tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China. Trump also vows to cut federal funding for schools promoting "critical race theory" or enforcing vaccine mandates. Additionally, he aims to declare a national energy emergency, revive pipelines, and loosen EV regulations. Trump’s controversial agenda includes targeting the “deep state” through Schedule F reforms and potentially jeopardizing Ukraine’s NATO aspirations. Global anticipation surrounds these moves.

Three Israeli hostages, Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari, were reunited with their families in Tel Aviv on Sunday, marking the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Hamas released the hostages in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners, with celebrations witnessed on both sides. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the hostages, emphasizing national solidarity. The ceasefire, beginning after 15 months of war claiming over 47,000 lives, is set to last six weeks, with negotiations underway for further exchanges, including the release of 94 remaining hostages. Final phases aim to repatriate the deceased from both sides.