A delayed Gaza ceasefire began on January 19, allowing displaced Palestinians to return home. Hamas released three Israeli hostages, including dual nationals, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Israel struck Gaza before the truce due to the delay in receiving hostage details, killing 19 people. The ceasefire allows aid to flow into Gaza and Israeli forces to withdraw from populated areas. Negotiations for a second phase, involving more hostage releases and troop withdrawals, will start soon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the truce is temporary and war could resume. Gaza has seen over 46,910 deaths since the conflict began.

A massive fire broke out at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on January 19 after gas cylinders exploded at the Sector 19 campsite. Flames engulfed 18 tents but were quickly controlled by fire officials and the NDRF. No injuries or casualties were reported, and nearby residents were safely evacuated. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the site to review the situation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Adityanath about the incident. Authorities assured devotees that the situation is under control. The Maha Kumbh 2025 has so far seen over 7.72 crore pilgrims participating in the holy festival.

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was stabbed in his Bandra flat on January 16 by an intruder. The accused, Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, climbed to the 12th floor using a pipe and entered through a bathroom window. He demanded ₹1 crore from Khan's nanny. Saif confronted him and was stabbed in the back. The intruder fled but was arrested in Thane on January 19. Police recovered tools like a hammer and screwdriver from his bag. Shehzad, a Bangladeshi national living under a fake name, claimed he didn’t know he had entered a celebrity’s house. He is in police custody.

Coldplay’s India tour began with a memorable performance at Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, where lead singer Chris Martin acknowledged historical ties between India and Britain. During the concert, Martin said, “Thanks for forgiving us for everything the Britishers did,” drawing cheers from the audience. He also greeted fans in Hindi, saying “shukriya,” and spontaneously read “Jai Shri Ram” from a placard, asking about its meaning. Fans were delighted by the band’s heartfelt connection. Coldplay performed hits like Paradise and Viva La Vida. The band will perform again in Mumbai on January 21-22 before heading to Ahmedabad.

A CCTV clip from January 9, a week before actor Saif Ali Khan was stabbed, helped Mumbai Police arrest accused Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, a Bangladeshi national. The footage showed Shehzad roaming Dadar and Prabhadevi, providing key leads. Saif was stabbed at his Bandra home on January 16 during a theft attempt and rushed to Lilavati Hospital for emergency surgery. Posters of Shehzad circulated citywide aided the arrest. Police are probing potential international conspiracy links. Shehzad's lawyer claims he is an Indian citizen and denies conspiracy allegations. Saif Ali Khan is recovering and expected to be discharged soon.

Thousands of demonstrators, mostly women, gathered in Washington DC for the People's March, protesting against President-elect Donald Trump two days before his inauguration. Previously known as the Women's March, the movement began in 2017 to oppose Trump's policies. Protesters rallied at the Lincoln Memorial, advocating for causes like abortion access, climate change, and women's rights. Organizers expected 50,000 attendees, but approximately 5,000 participated. Smaller protests occurred in New York and Seattle. Protesters criticized Trump's agenda, with one stating, "This time the stakes are higher." Meanwhile, Trump held a private event in Virginia as part of his inaugural festivities.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in Gaza on January 19, 2025, after a nearly three-hour delay. The truce follows a deal for the release of 33 Israeli hostages, starting with three women, including Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari. The delay was caused by Israel's demand for a list of hostages to be freed, with Hamas attributing the delay to technical reasons. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli airstrikes killed 13 Palestinians just before the truce. The deal, negotiated by Qatar, the US, and Egypt, could help end the ongoing conflict.

A major fire broke out at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on January 19, 2025, when a cooking cylinder exploded in Sector 19 of the Tent City. The fire engulfed 18 tents, but no casualties were reported. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath visited the site and assured that the situation was under control. The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes, thanks to 15 fire tenders and efforts by local police and NDRF. The Samajwadi Party expressed concern, urging the government to improve safety and relief operations. The 2025 Mahakumbh continues until February 26.

Humanitarian aid trucks began entering Gaza on Sunday as the truce between Israel and Hamas took effect, the United Nations confirmed. Jonathan Whittall, interim chief of the UN's OCHA for Palestinian territories, stated that "a massive effort" was made to prepare aid distribution across Gaza. According to an Egyptian source, 197 trucks carrying supplies and 5 fuel trucks crossed via Kerem Shalom between Israel and Gaza and al-Oga-Nitzana between Egypt and Israel. The shipments mark a critical step in delivering relief to the region amid the ongoing crisis. Details on the exact distribution remain undisclosed.

Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja have confirmed their participation in the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches. Rohit will represent Mumbai against Jammu and Kashmir from January 23 in Mumbai, while Jadeja will play for Saurashtra against Delhi in Rajkot. Jadeja attended training on January 19, confirming his availability. The move aligns with the BCCI's directive mandating domestic cricket participation for national selection. Both players continue to prioritize domestic commitments, with Jadeja recently named in India's Champions Trophy squad. Rohit emphasized the importance of domestic cricket, stating, “Star players are not taking it for granted.” Their involvement highlights a renewed focus on grassroots tournaments.