The Hughes fire in northwest Los Angeles County has grown to 10,000 acres, forcing over 31,000 people to evacuate. Firefighters have contained 14% of the blaze, but strong winds of 20-30 mph are hampering efforts. The National Weather Service has issued red-flag warnings until Friday, citing dangerous fire conditions. Climate change and dry vegetation have worsened the situation, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires. Rain is expected over the weekend, potentially easing the fire but increasing risks of mudslides and flooding. Authorities urge residents to stay prepared and follow evacuation orders in high-risk areas.

The 97th Academy Awards nominations were unveiled on January 23 by Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles. Leading the race is Emilia Pérez with 13 nominations, followed by Wicked with 10. Key nominees include Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) and Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) in acting categories. Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez) headlines Best Director contenders, while Dune: Part Two and A Complete Unknown also secured Best Picture nods. The Oscars ceremony will stream on Disney+ Hotstar on March 3 IST.

Rahul Gandhi's social media post on Netaji's birth anniversary triggered political uproar. By mentioning August 18, 1945, as Bose's death date, he invited criticism from BJP, Trinamool Congress, and Forward Bloc. The parties argued that no conclusive evidence exists about Bose's death in the Taihoku plane crash. BJP demanded an apology, while Trinamool called the statement unsupportable. Forward Bloc termed Gandhi's action "uncivilized," highlighting the ongoing mystery surrounding Netaji's disappearance and challenging the unverified death narrative.

A massive wildfire in California has forced over 31,000 people to evacuate north of Los Angeles. The Hughes Fire, which erupted near Lake Castaic, has rapidly spread across 10,000 acres with only 14% containment. Firefighters are battling the blaze using aerial water drops and ground operations. The fire follows recent devastating wildfires in the Palisades and Eaton regions. High winds and low humidity continue to exacerbate the situation, with President Trump controversially suggesting withholding federal aid until water conservation efforts are changed.

India's cricket luminaries experienced a disastrous day in the Ranji Trophy, raising serious concerns about their form ahead of the Champions Trophy. Captain Rohit Sharma scraped just 3 runs for Mumbai, Yashasvi Jaiswal managed 5, Rishabh Pant scored a solitary run for Delhi, and Shubman Gill fell for 4 in Punjab's match against Karnataka. These underwhelming performances highlight potential vulnerabilities in India's batting lineup. The BCCI-emphasized domestic cricket platform failed to provide the expected rhythm and confidence for these star players, leaving selectors and fans questioning the team's preparedness for upcoming international challenges.

A horrifying crime has emerged in Telangana, where Gurumurthy, a retired Army jawan, allegedly murdered his wife Puttavenkata Madhavi. According to police, he claimed to have killed her during an argument, then meticulously dismembered her body. The suspect reportedly chopped her body in the bathroom, boiled body parts in a pressure cooker, and crushed bones with a pestle over three days. He then allegedly disposed of the remains in a nearby lake. The couple, married for 13 years with two children, lived in Venkateswara Colony. Investigation is ongoing, with police yet to confirm the death.

Maharashtra Ports Minister Nitesh Rane sparked outrage with controversial remarks about Saif Ali Khan's recent stabbing incident. Questioning the authenticity of the attack, Rane made inflammatory comments about the actor's discharge from the hospital and made derogatory statements targeting Bangladeshi nationals. The minister's remarks drew criticism, with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar attempting to downplay the controversy. The incident involves a Bangladeshi national, Shariful Shehzad, who has been arrested for allegedly attempting to burglarize Khan's residence and attacking the actor.

In a significant consumer rights move, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to Ola and Uber, demanding clarification on reports of differential ride pricing based on mobile device types. The investigation stems from social media allegations that users experience varying fares when booking rides through Android and iOS devices. While Uber has denied personalizing trip pricing based on phone manufacturers, the government remains committed to ensuring transparent pricing practices. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has mandated a thorough inquiry, emphasizing zero tolerance for consumer exploitation.

Storm Eowyn is set to hit the UK and Ireland with explosive cyclogenesis causing dangerous weather conditions. A rare red alert for strong winds has been issued for Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland, with gusts of up to 90mph expected on Friday. Tornadoes are also a risk, especially along the Bristol-London line. Forecasters predict heavy rain, snow, and disruptive winds across the country, with coastal areas facing large waves and spray. The Met Office warns of widespread disruption, including transportation delays and risks to life from flying debris.

In a bold announcement, former President Donald Trump launched the Stargate AI project, backed by OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Oracle’s Larry Ellison, and SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son. The $500 billion project promises to create 100,000 jobs and transform AI infrastructure. However, tech mogul Elon Musk, excluded from the project, expressed doubts about its financial viability on social media. Musk, who has had a turbulent relationship with Altman, has filed lawsuits against OpenAI in recent years. Despite Musk’s criticism, Altman praised Trump, calling Stargate the most significant project of the era for the U.S.