Kolkata rape-murder convict Sanjay Roy pleaded his innocence in court ahead of sentencing on Monday. When asked about the quantum of punishment, Roy claimed, “I have been framed without reason. They forced me to sign many papers and didn’t let me speak.” He further stated that his Rudraksha chain, a constant on him, would have broken during the crime if he were guilty. Roy maintained his earlier stance, insisting he was denied a fair chance to present his case. The court is yet to announce the punishment.

“I want to fulfil my brother's dream and become a doctor,” said 10-year-old Amr al Hindi, who lost his entire family during the Gaza conflict. Amid widespread devastation, survivors like Hatem Al-Atar, 25, recount harrowing experiences of saving lives while enduring personal losses. “Every second in this war was hard. You could lose your life or a beloved one any second,” Hatem shared. Aid convoys from organizations like the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization are arriving, but UN agencies accuse Israel of obstructing aid flow. As rebuilding begins, survivors grapple with trauma and the monumental task of reconstructing their lives.

The Sealdah court in Kolkata will announce the sentence for Sanjay Roy, convicted of raping and murdering a 31-year-old duty doctor at RG Kar Medical College in August 2024. Convicted under Sections 64, 66, and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Roy faces a possible death penalty or life imprisonment. Amid tight security with 500 policemen deployed, Roy was brought to court on Monday morning. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee refrained from commenting but reiterated her earlier demand for the death penalty. Roy claims innocence, citing his Rudraksh garland as a symbolic defense, which the court will address before sentencing.

The Indian women's team triumphed in the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup, defeating Nepal 78-40 at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. Demonstrating exceptional speed, strategy, and skill, India dominated all four turns. Skipper Priyanka Ingle led the charge, scoring multiple touch points, while Chaithra's Dream Run in Turn 4 sealed the victory. Nepal's BK Dipa fought valiantly, but India remained unstoppable. The hosts advanced to the final with wins over South Korea, Iran, and Malaysia in the group stages, followed by victories against Bangladesh and South Africa in the knockouts. India now stands as the first-ever Kho Kho World Champions.

Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden will leave a letter for Donald Trump, continuing the 35-year tradition started by Ronald Reagan in 1989. This marks a unique first, as Trump also left a note for Biden in 2020, making them the only duo to exchange letters across nonconsecutive terms. While Trump's 2020 letter to Biden was described as "very generous," Biden's message for his returning successor remains undisclosed. Past presidents, including George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama, have followed this tradition, symbolizing goodwill and continuity in governance. Trump will take office Monday as the first nonconsecutive-term president since Grover Cleveland.

Mumbai Police arrested Shariful Islam, a Bangladeshi national, after a 72-hour operation involving 300 officers and 600 CCTV scans. Islam, using the alias Bijoy Das, had attacked actor Saif Ali Khan during a burglary attempt on January 16. He was traced to a Thane location after a key UPI payment for food linked him to a local vendor. The attacker, who had entered India illegally, had previously scouted Shah Rukh Khan’s home for a robbery. Police suspect an international conspiracy. After his arrest, a court remanded him in five-day police custody for further investigation.

Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners, mostly women and children, under the first phase of a ceasefire deal with Hamas. Celebrated by loved ones in the occupied West Bank, their release followed Hamas freeing three Israeli hostages: 31-year-old Doron Steinbrecher, 28-year-old British-Israeli Emily Damari, and 24-year-old Romi Gonen. The women, now recovering in a Tel Aviv hospital, were handed to the Red Cross in Gaza City before returning to Israel. Hamas confirmed that for every hostage freed, 30 Palestinian prisoners would be released. Though the ceasefire brought hope, many Palestinians returned to devastated homes, dampening the moment's joy.

Donald Trump will take office as the 47th US President today, with a list of ambitious Day 1 promises. Key plans include launching the largest deportation in US history, ending birthright citizenship, and imposing tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China. Trump also vows to cut federal funding for schools promoting "critical race theory" or enforcing vaccine mandates. Additionally, he aims to declare a national energy emergency, revive pipelines, and loosen EV regulations. Trump’s controversial agenda includes targeting the “deep state” through Schedule F reforms and potentially jeopardizing Ukraine’s NATO aspirations. Global anticipation surrounds these moves.

Indian H-1B visa holders in the US are grappling with depression and anxiety due to prolonged uncertainties surrounding their immigration status. Many have shared experiences on social media, highlighting struggles with job security, inability to visit families, and the endless cycle of visa renewals. With 72% of H-1B visas held by Indians, the system leaves them vulnerable, as job losses require re-employment within 60 days. Experts warn of mounting mental health issues among these professionals, who fear further restrictions under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Long queues for Green Cards exacerbate their challenges, impacting both stability and quality of life.

Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, and Nita Ambani, Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, attended pre-inaugural events in Washington DC ahead of Donald Trump’s swearing-in as the 47th U.S. President. At a private reception, the Ambanis congratulated Trump and emphasized their hope for deeper India-U.S. relations during his transformative second term. They also attended a “candlelight dinner” with Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. Inauguration Day on January 20, 2025, will feature high-profile attendees, including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will represent the government at the swearing-in ceremony.