Actor Saif Ali Khan was stabbed six times during a failed burglary at his Bandra home on January 16. Police arrested Bangladeshi national Sariful Islam, who entered India illegally and used a stolen Aadhaar card to get a SIM card. The SIM was traced to Khukumoni Sheikh from Bengal, who claimed her phone was stolen. Islam, using the alias Bijoy Das, worked in Mumbai without documents. Kareena Kapoor Khan and a nurse witnessed the attack. Saif underwent emergency surgery and was discharged on January 21. Islam's father claims his son is being framed.

Indian-Americans, once seen as "model immigrants," are now targets of online hate from MAGA supporters. Criticism focuses on H-1B visa holders, accused of taking jobs, and claims of "casteist attitudes." Many fear these online attacks could lead to real-life harassment. Social media posts highlight resentment towards Indian culture and religion. Some accuse Indians of favouring their own in hiring. However, others defend Indian workers, stressing their contributions to the U.S. economy. The rising hate has alarmed Indian communities, with many urging vigilance and action against racism, fearing the hostility may extend beyond the internet.

Coldplay's lead singer Chris Martin and actor Dakota Johnson visited the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj after Martin’s concert in Ahmedabad. The couple arrived at the grand event on Monday, drawing attention from fans. A video shared online showed them greeting onlookers and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. Chris, known for his lively energy, interacted with fans while posing for cameras. The Maha Kumbh Mela, which began on January 13, has attracted thousands of devotees seeking blessings at the Triveni Sangam. Chris and Dakota have also explored Indian culture, visiting temples like Siddhivinayak in Mumbai during their stay.

NASA astronaut Don Pettit aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has shared breathtaking photos of the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Captured at night, the images show the grandeur of the world's largest human gathering, illuminated near the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. Pettit, known for his astrophotography, posted the images on X, highlighting the scale and vibrancy of the event. The 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela, which began on January 13, is being facilitated with extensive upgrades, including AI-enabled security and 24/7 electricity.

India and China have agreed to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and direct flights between the two nations in 2025, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations. The decision was made during a meeting between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The Yatra, which had been suspended since 2020, will resume in the summer of 2025. Both nations also agreed to hold a meeting to discuss resuming hydrological data provision and enhancing bilateral cooperation. Additionally, efforts will be made to boost people-to-people exchanges, media interactions, and public diplomacy.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal launched the party’s manifesto for the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, outlining 15 key promises under the theme ‘Kejriwal ki guarantee.’ These include job creation, increased financial support under the Mahila Samman Yojana, free medical treatment for senior citizens, and scholarships for Dalit students studying abroad. Kejriwal also promised to fulfill previous guarantees like 24-hour water supply and Yamuna cleaning, while extending benefits like free water, electricity, and bus rides to tenants. He criticized the BJP for copying AAP’s promise-based governance but claimed AAP delivers on its guarantees.

DeepSeek, a low-cost Chinese AI chatbot, has rapidly surged in popularity, overtaking OpenAI's ChatGPT as the most downloaded free app in the US. Developed for a fraction of the cost of its rivals, DeepSeek has raised concerns over the future of US dominance in AI. Major US firms like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Meta saw their share prices fall as a result. The chatbot’s performance, on par with top models, has shocked the market. While the technology is praised, its low cost and potential to disrupt investments in AI infrastructure have sparked debate among experts.

Virat Kohli, ahead of his rumoured return to the Ranji Trophy, trained in Alibaug under the guidance of former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar. Kohli, focusing on his backfoot play, practiced playing rising deliveries with throwdowns from 16 yards. A portable cement slab was used to simulate steep bounce and back-of-length deliveries. Kohli's session comes after struggles in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where his front-foot game was troubled by Australian pitches. The Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) is preparing for Kohli’s return, with expectations of 10,000 fans at the final Ranji match.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a telephonic conversation for the first time since Trump's second inauguration. The leaders discussed strengthening bilateral ties and emphasized their shared commitment to global peace and stability. The call comes a week after Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. Modi last spoke to Trump on November 7, 2024, after the US Presidential Elections. India was represented at Trump’s inauguration by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who delivered a personal letter from Modi.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge questioned if taking a dip in the Ganga could end poverty. He accused BJP leaders of using faith for show during the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Speaking at a rally in Madhya Pradesh, Kharge said, "Does this fill hungry stomachs?" He apologised if his remarks hurt anyone's faith but criticised spending money on such acts while the poor suffer. BJP leader Sambit Patra responded, calling Kharge's words anti-Hindu. He defended BJP leaders' faith and accused Congress of disrespecting Hindu beliefs. The comments have sparked a political row, with both parties trading barbs.