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.

Four young Israeli female soldiers—Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag—are set to be released by Hamas under the ongoing Gaza ceasefire deal. In exchange, Israel will free 180 Palestinian prisoners. The soldiers, aged 18-20, were captured during the October 7, 2023, attack at Nahal Oz army base. Their release follows the recent freeing of three hostages under the same agreement. The six-week ceasefire aims to free a total of 33 Israeli hostages. While families await their return, the conflict has left 1,200 Israelis and over 47,200 Palestinians dead, highlighting the heavy toll on both sides.

Ahead of his film Sky Force, Akshay Kumar stated, “History books need correction. We read about Akbar or Aurangzeb but not about our own heroes.” In an interview with CNN-News18, he highlighted the absence of unsung Indian warriors like Param Veer Chakra awardees in school syllabi. Akshay, known for portraying such figures, plays Wing Commander KO Ajuha in Sky Force, inspired by OP Taneja. The film, based on India's 1965 Sargodha airbase attack, stars Sara Ali Khan and Veer Pahariya. Directed by Sandeep Kewlani and Abhishek Kapoor, it releases January 24 under Maddock Films.

Polio cases have surged to 73 in Pakistan in 2024, up from six in 2023, reigniting global health concerns. Experts link the resurgence to virus spillover from Afghanistan, where ongoing conflict, poor sanitation, and Taliban restrictions hinder vaccination efforts. Renowned immunisation expert Zulfiqar Bhutta warns that uneven vaccination rates—85% in Punjab and 30% in Balochistan—pose significant challenges. Pakistan has spent $10 billion since 2011 on immunisation programs but struggles to achieve nationwide coverage. Health experts stress the need for improved strategies and collaboration with Afghanistan's Taliban government to address polio and other infectious diseases effectively.

BJP New Delhi assembly candidate Parvesh Verma took a boat ride on the Yamuna, carrying a life-size cut-out of ex-CM Arvind Kejriwal. The cut-out depicted Kejriwal holding his ears with the slogan, "Main fail ho gaya... mujhe vote mat dena," referencing his unfulfilled promise of cleaning the Yamuna by 2025. Verma criticized AAP’s failures and proposed measures for cleaning the river. The issue of Yamuna pollution has become a central topic in Delhi’s 2025 assembly elections. Congress and Samajwadi Party also weighed in, criticizing BJP and AAP for politicizing river pollution.

President Donald Trump toured the devastation caused by recent wildfires in Los Angeles, after the fires destroyed neighborhoods and killed at least 28 people. Trump, accompanied by Governor Gavin Newsom, criticized California's emergency response and expressed concerns over aid distribution, particularly regarding the state's water policies and voting laws. Despite political differences, Trump vowed full federal support for recovery efforts. As new fires ignited across Southern California, officials continued battling extreme weather conditions. Governor Newsom announced a $2.5 billion state-level aid package, while Trump suggested states should manage disaster relief independently.

India is closely monitoring Pakistan's recent sending of ISI agents to Bangladesh, following a high-level delegation led by Major General Shahid Amir Afsar. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that India is vigilant about regional security developments and will take appropriate actions. This comes after Bangladesh's increasing ties with Pakistan, including a controversial decision to ease visa restrictions for Pakistani nationals. Experts warn of a rise in ISI and Jamaat activities in the region. India continues to support a democratic, progressive Bangladesh while addressing border security concerns.

Storm Eowyn wreaked havoc across the UK and Ireland on Friday, causing record-breaking wind speeds, power outages, and extensive travel disruptions. Flights, rail services, and hospitals were impacted, with Scotland advising people to avoid travel due to dangerous conditions. In Northern Ireland, 1,800 trees fell, and roads remain impassable. Celtic FC's stadium was damaged, and power cuts affected over 725,000 homes. Forecasters warn of additional disruptions this weekend, including the possibility of tornadoes. Authorities have warned that it could take days to assess the full damage and restore power.

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed the Ukraine crisis could have been avoided had Donald Trump been US president in 2022. Putin praised Trump as "smart" and "pragmatic," echoing his claim of a "stolen" 2020 election. Trump threatened severe sanctions on Russia, calling the conflict "ridiculous." Kyiv criticized attempts to sideline Ukraine in talks, with officials urging Putin to "come back to reality." Meanwhile, Russian strikes killed 3 in Kyiv, and Ukraine launched drone attacks on 12 Russian regions, including Moscow. Both nations remain locked in escalating hostilities, with no signs of resolution.