A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's Kyushu region on Monday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The tremor, centered in Miyazaki Prefecture, had a depth of 37 km and reached an intensity of lower 5 on Japan's 0–7 seismic scale. Authorities issued tsunami advisories for Miyazaki and Kochi prefectures, but no damage or casualties were reported. The Hyuga-Nada Sea region recorded the quake. Japan, situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, frequently experiences seismic activity. This follows a series of devastating earthquakes, including a 7.1-magnitude quake in Tibet last week that left 126 dead and over 300 injured.

India summoned Nural Islam, Bangladesh's Deputy High Commissioner, following allegations by Dhaka regarding unauthorized fence construction at five border locations along the 4,156-km Indo-Bangladeshi border. This comes a day after Bangladesh summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma. India clarified that both nations’ border forces maintain regular communication on such issues. Diplomatic ties have further strained since former Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, her refuge in India, and Dhaka's extradition request. Bangladesh has issued an arrest warrant and seeks an Interpol red notice against Hasina for alleged crimes. India confirmed receiving the request but has made no commitment regarding her extradition.

Los Angeles faces a "particularly dangerous situation" as the National Weather Service issues red flag warnings amid strong winds reaching 70 mph. Over 40,000 acres have burned, with the Palisades fire only 13% contained. The death toll has risen to 24, with 100,000 residents evacuated under curfew orders. Firefighters from Mexico and Canada have joined efforts, with nearly 5,000 personnel battling the largest blaze. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass assured preparedness, stating, "The city is ready to face critical fire weather conditions." Reports of price gouging have emerged as displaced families struggle to find shelter amidst growing devastation.

India's largest government bank, the State Bank of India (SBI), saw its market capitalisation plummet by ₹44,935.46 crore to ₹6,63,233.14 crore over five days due to a weak domestic equity trend. The benchmark BSE index dropped 1,844.2 points (2.32%), and the Nifty declined 573.25 points (2.38%) last week. Private sector giant HDFC Bank experienced an even larger slump, losing ₹70,479.23 crore in market value. Other major players, including Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank, and ITC, also faced significant losses, contributing to a total valuation drop of ₹1,85,952.31 crore across five of the top ten firms. Conversely, companies like TCS, Infosys, and Bharti Airtel gained value. Despite the decline, Reliance Industries remains the most valued domestic firm.

Former England spinner Monty Panesar has proposed splitting coaching roles in Indian cricket, suggesting VVS Laxman for Test matches and Gautam Gambhir for white-ball formats. Gambhir, who replaced Rahul Dravid in July 2024, has struggled as Test coach, with 3 wins in 10 matches and a historic home whitewash against New Zealand. However, his record in T20Is remains perfect, with 6 consecutive wins. Panesar argued that Gambhir’s past as a teammate may complicate relationships with senior players and believes Laxman’s stellar Test record commands greater respect. India’s next Test challenge is a five-match series in England in June 2025.

The Indian stock market faced a sharp decline on Monday, January 13, with Sensex tumbling 677 points (0.88%) to 76,701.69 and Nifty dropping 213 points (0.91%) to 23,218.60. Real estate, financial services, and consumer durables sectors led the losses, while Zomato (-2.86%), Mahindra & Mahindra (-2.13%), and Power Grid (-2.07%) emerged as top losers. The rupee reached an all-time low of ₹86.35 per dollar, driven by a rally in the US dollar following positive jobs data. IndusInd Bank and Axis Bank were the only Sensex gainers, rising 2.05% and 0.44%, respectively. All sectoral indices closed in the red.

India's Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma has informed the BCCI of his plans to step down as captain after the ICC Champions Trophy. In a review meeting with the board, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, and head coach Gautam Gambhir, Rohit reportedly assured he would lead for a few more months, urging the BCCI to identify a successor. While Jasprit Bumrah was suggested as a potential long-term captain, concerns about his fitness and leadership in extended Test series were raised. The BCCI is expected to finalize India's captaincy roadmap during the upcoming 5-match Test series against England post-IPL 2025.

The Tapti Ganga Express, traveling from Surat to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela, came under attack near Jalgaon, Maharashtra. Stones hurled at the train shattered the windows of the B6 coach, sparking fear among pilgrims, 45% of whom were headed to the event. A video shared online highlighted the broken windows and passengers' appeals for increased security. Railways have heightened police presence on the train, while authorities investigate the incident to determine if it was a random act or part of a larger plan. With 45 crore expected at Maha Kumbh, safety concerns have been amplified.

The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have claimed 24 lives and displaced over 100,000 residents. Officials warn of worsening conditions as powerful Santa Ana winds, reaching speeds of up to 112 kph, are expected to intensify the blazes. The Palisades Fire has burned 23,700 acres and is only 11% contained, while the Eaton Fire scorched 14,117 acres, with containment rising to 27%. Governor Gavin Newsom described the disaster as potentially the worst in U.S. history, pledging a "Marshall Plan" for rebuilding. Night curfews and National Guard resources have been deployed, with firefighters racing against time to contain the fires.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has offered to exchange two captured North Korean soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia. The soldiers, taken in Kyiv, reportedly thought they were in Russia for "training," according to Ukraine's Security Service (SBU). One soldier carried a fake Russian ID, while the other had no documents. Zelensky shared their photos online, suggesting alternatives for those unwilling to return to North Korea, including aiding peace efforts. Reports suggest North Korea has sent 10,000 troops to support Russia, with 2,700 wounded and 300 killed. Russia has not denied using North Korean troops.