US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for a detailed plan to rebuild and govern Gaza after the ongoing conflict. Speaking at the Atlantic Council, Blinken proposed an interim government for Gaza, involving international partners and Arab states to ensure stability. He emphasized that reforms in the Palestinian authority and contributions from Arab nations for security training are crucial. The plan prioritizes rebuilding Gaza, ensuring security, and removing Hamas from governance. Blinken’s efforts have gained support from Gulf Arab states and focus on maintaining strategic progress achieved during the Biden administration.

Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist has criticised Indian batter Shubman Gill for his poor performances in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Gilchrist remarked that Gill should prioritise improving his batting instead of focusing on his hairstyle. The young opener scored just 93 runs in five innings, averaging a disappointing 18.60. Gilchrist quipped, “No cricketer looks good with their hair after taking off the helmet unless they score centuries.” Gilchrist gave Gill a performance rating of 4 out of 10, urging him to focus on consistency and big scores. He also praised Ravindra Jadeja, calling him a "brilliant cricketer."

India has demanded that Russia release all Indian nationals serving in its military after the death of an Indian citizen in Ukraine. The deceased, from Kerala, was reportedly killed during the conflict. Another Indian from Kerala was injured. India has raised the issue with Russian authorities and requested the discharge of remaining Indians serving in Russia’s military. India has previously called for the release of such nationals, as many are believed to have been misled into joining. The government is working to bring back the bodies and injured individuals.

Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, according to officials. Israel is hopeful that a deal will be reached soon. Qatar, acting as a mediator, said the negotiations are at their closest point to a resolution. The ceasefire deal includes the gradual release of 33 hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza’s population centers. Despite progress, key details are still being finalized, and the agreement must be approved by Israel’s Cabinet. The deal is expected to help end the 15-month-long conflict.

Delhi Police have uncovered key details about hoax bomb emails sent to over 400 schools, causing widespread panic. A teenager, detained in connection with the emails, is linked to an NGO with political ties. The BJP claims the AAP is connected to the NGO and is politicising the issue. AAP leaders denied the allegations, accusing the BJP of making baseless claims ahead of Delhi elections. Police are still investigating if the teen acted alone or if others were involved in the hoax. The investigation is also exploring possible connections to terrorist groups.

England pacer Saqib Mahmood, who is yet to make his T20I debut, has not received his visa for the upcoming tour of India. The England Cricket Board (ECB) was forced to cancel his flight as his passport remains with the Indian Embassy. Mahmood was scheduled to join a pace bowling camp in the UAE with fellow bowlers but could not travel due to the visa delay. With the first T20I against India set for January 22, it is unclear if Mahmood will be able to join the team in time.

US Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report claims Donald Trump would have been convicted over his attempt to overturn the 2020 election had he not won re-election in 2024. Smith’s investigation revealed sufficient evidence to convict Trump, including pressure on state officials and spreading false claims. However, due to a legal policy prohibiting prosecution of a sitting president, charges were dropped after Trump’s victory. Trump has denied the charges, calling the investigation politically motivated. Smith emphasized that his team followed the law and facts, regardless of political influence.

Karun Nair, who scored a historic triple century for India in 2016, faced a tough phase when he was dropped from the national team. However, he has made a strong comeback in domestic cricket, particularly in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Nair has been in sensational form, scoring multiple centuries, including a 163* and 122, helping Vidarbha reach the semi-finals. Reflecting on his journey, he shared, “I stood on the balcony and thought, ‘What just happened?’” Nair remains hopeful of returning to the Indian team, saying, “I dream of playing for my country again.” His resilience continues to inspire.

Reports say China is discussing the possibility of Elon Musk buying TikTok’s U.S. operations. This comes as the app faces a potential ban in the U.S. due to national security concerns linked to its Chinese ownership. The Chinese government prefers ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, to keep control but is considering Musk’s purchase. If the deal happens, Musk would own X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok's U.S. operations. Critics warn this could lead to a social media monopoly. ByteDance denied the reports, calling them "pure fiction." TikTok is currently challenging the U.S. ban in court.

A powerful Arctic storm is set to hit the UK next week, bringing heavy snow and freezing temperatures. Weather maps show up to 5 inches of snow in Scotland, especially between Inverness and Dundee, on Saturday, 25 January. The snow will spread to areas like Manchester, Newcastle, Cardiff, and west London. Temperatures could drop as low as -1°C in the north, with an average of 0°C across the UK. Forecasters warn this could be the winter’s harshest cold spell. The Met Office predicts a mix of rain, wind, and brief snowy periods through late January and early February.