Sanjay Roy, convicted for the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, was sentenced to life imprisonment by Sealdah court on January 20, 2025. Roy, a former civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, was found guilty under Sections 64, 66, and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The victim's family had sought the death penalty, expressing dissatisfaction with the investigation, while Roy’s lawyer argued for reform and rehabilitation. The body of the doctor was discovered on August 9, 2024, sparking national protests.

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.

Investigations into the attack on actor Saif Ali Khan revealed that his assailant, Shehzad Mohammad Rohilla Amin Fakir, had previously been involved in a diamond ring theft at a Mumbai pub. Shehzad, a Bangladeshi national, was arrested on January 20 and remanded in police custody. He had stolen the ring in August 2024, leading to his dismissal from the pub. During the attack on January 16, Shehzad broke into Khan's apartment with theft intentions but ended up stabbing the actor multiple times. Saif Ali Khan is recovering after surgery following the attack.

Bitcoin reached a record high of $109,241 on January 20, 2025, ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration, before dropping back to $107,765. The surge follows optimism surrounding Trump’s stance on cryptocurrency deregulation. Since Trump’s victory in November 2024, Bitcoin has seen a significant rise, surpassing $100,000 for the first time in December. Trump, once critical of cryptocurrencies, has since advocated for them, appointing a cryptocurrency supporter to head the US securities regulator. Over the weekend, Trump launched his own cryptocurrency, $TRUMP, driving further interest in the market.

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.

The Indian men's team clinched the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup title with a 54-36 win over Nepal in New Delhi. This victory followed the Indian women's team's dominant 78-40 win over Nepal in the final. Led by captain Pratik Waikar and standout performer Ramji Kashyap, India dominated the match, building an early lead with spectacular sky dives and aggressive play. Despite Nepal’s efforts in the final turn, India’s defense, led by Waikar and Sachin Bhargo, held strong. India’s journey to the title included impressive wins over Brazil, Peru, and Bangladesh in the knockout rounds.

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.

Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra is now married. He shared the news with fans on Instagram, posting heartfelt photos from his private ceremony. "Starting a new chapter of life with my family. Grateful for every blessing that brought us here," he wrote. His wife, Himani, is studying in the USA. The ceremony, attended by close family and friends, featured emotional moments, including a ritual blessing from Neeraj’s mother. Neeraj also revealed plans for a javelin-only Continental Tour event in India, supported by World Athletics and AFI, scheduled for May 2025.