Rohit Sharma was named captain of the ICC T20I Men's Team of the Year 2024. Three other Indians—Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh—also made the list. Despite his match-winning knock in the T20 World Cup final, Virat Kohli was excluded. The team includes stars like Babar Azam, Rashid Khan, and Sikandar Raza. India’s pace attack dominated the lineup after their World Cup win. Rohit’s stellar performance, including 378 runs in the tournament, earned him this honour. The announcement highlights India’s successful year in cricket, ending an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy.

Hamas released four Israeli women soldiers as part of a second exchange under a ceasefire deal. The soldiers, captured during the October 7, 2023 attack, were handed over to the Red Cross and reunited with their families in Israel. Crowds gathered at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, cheering and crying with joy. In return, Israel is expected to release 200 Palestinian prisoners. The fragile ceasefire, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, aims to end the war in Gaza. However, displaced Gazans returning home found their houses destroyed. Talks for a permanent ceasefire and Gaza’s reconstruction are ongoing.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, calling him a liar who breaks promises. Speaking at a press conference, Shah said Kejriwal’s government failed to deliver on clean water, cleaning the Yamuna, and other promises. He accused Kejriwal of opening liquor shops near schools and temples and being involved in scams like the Liquor Scam and the Delhi Jal Board scam. Shah compared Kejriwal with PM Modi, saying the BJP works on fulfilling promises. He also mocked Kejriwal for not taking a promised dip in the Yamuna after claiming he would clean the river.

Four Israeli women soldiers held captive by Hamas for 477 days were released as part of a truce deal in the ongoing Gaza conflict. The hostages—Liri Albag, 19; Daniella Gilboa, 20; Karina Ariev, 20; and Naama Levy, 20—were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza. Emotional footage shared by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) showed their families celebrating their return. Crowds gathered in Tel Aviv's "Hostage Square" to watch the release, waving Israeli flags and cheering. The women reunited with their families in southern Israel and are undergoing medical assessments. The October 2023 attack had claimed over 1,200 lives.

The US Supreme Court has approved the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a Canadian of Pakistani origin, to India. Rana, 63, is accused of aiding David Coleman Headley in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which killed 166 people, including six Americans. He allegedly facilitated Headley and Lashkar-e-Taiba's activities, leading to coordinated attacks on Mumbai. Arrested by the FBI in 2009, Rana is currently held in Los Angeles. Despite contesting extradition citing double jeopardy concerns, his appeal was dismissed. Indian authorities seek to prosecute him for his involvement in the attacks, marking a significant step in delivering justice for the victims.

A United Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to Washington made an emergency landing at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport due to a technical issue. The sharp descent caused chaos, leaving 4 passengers and 2 crew members seriously injured, while 32 others sustained minor injuries. Passengers described terrifying moments as the cabin lost pressure and the plane dropped multiple times. Emergency services promptly treated the injured. Videos of the aftermath showed scattered belongings inside the aircraft. United Airlines is cooperating with local authorities to investigate the cause of the incident. All 245 passengers and 11 crew members disembarked safely.

Four Israeli female soldiers, held hostage by Hamas since October 7, have been released and returned to Israel. The handover took place in Gaza City, where crowds gathered in Palestine Square as the hostages were transferred to Red Cross vehicles. In exchange for the hostages' release, Israel will free 200 Palestinian prisoners, with 70 deported. However, the Israeli government accused Hamas of breaching the ceasefire deal by not releasing civilian Arbel Yehud. While Israel celebrates the return of the four women, the IDF reiterated its commitment to bring home the remaining 90 hostages in Gaza.

A 34-year-old Romanian woman, Adriana Neagoe, was found dead under shocking circumstances in her Bucharest apartment. After being unresponsive for days, family members alerted authorities, who discovered her lifeless, half-eaten body with her two pugs by her side. The dogs had begun eating her corpse due to being unfed, police reported. While no signs of violence were found, an autopsy is underway to determine the cause of death. The pugs were taken to a shelter. Neagoe's family confirmed her death with heartfelt tributes, and her funeral will be held at a local chapel.

The UK remains under four weather warnings for wind, snow, and ice, while Ireland begins cleaning up after Storm Eowyn. Scotland’s amber wind warning was downgraded to yellow, expiring at 3 PM, with snow and ice warnings lifted by 11 AM. England’s ice alert, stretching from Plymouth to Nottingham, and Northern Ireland’s snow and ice warning are set to end at 10 AM. The Met Office cautioned against hazardous driving conditions, urging preparedness. Meanwhile, Ireland faces widespread destruction, with ESB Networks reporting unprecedented power outages. Recovery from the storm is expected to take weeks.

Two French tourists cycling to Nepal were stranded in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, after following a Google Maps shortcut. Brian Jacques Gilbert and Sebastian Francois Gabriel, en route to Kathmandu from Pilibhit, ended up at Churaili Dam late at night. Villagers, unable to understand their language, took them to a local police outpost to ensure their safety. Senior officer Anurag Arya provided assistance, and the tourists were hosted by the village headman overnight. The next morning, police guided them with proper directions to continue their journey. The duo had flown from Paris to Delhi on January 7.