Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of India’s youth in achieving the goal of a developed nation. Speaking at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025, he said the youth’s strength would shape the country’s future over the next 25 years. Modi praised Swami Vivekananda’s faith in India’s youth, adding that with the right vision, India can overcome challenges and become economically, strategically, socially, and culturally empowered. The event, marking National Youth Day, was attended by 3,000 young leaders aged 15 to 29, who will help guide the nation’s roadmap.

Over 35,000 homes and businesses in Los Angeles are without electricity due to ongoing wildfires. Southern California Edison reports 18,400 customers affected, with 16,100 outages for LA Department of Water & Power customers. Nearby areas like San Bernardino and Riverside also face blackouts, impacting thousands more. Since the fires began on Tuesday, power has been restored to 355,000 customers, according to LA Department of Water & Power. The wildfires have caused significant damage, with 16 deaths confirmed and the toll expected to rise. Crews continue to battle the flames, working tirelessly to restore power and aid affected communities.

ISRO’s Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) is making progress as satellites SDX01 and SDX02 approach each other for docking. Currently, the satellites are 15 metres apart and holding position, ISRO announced. A trial attempt to close the gap to 3 metres was conducted, with the spacecraft later moved to a safe distance for further analysis. The mission, launched on December 30, 2024, aims to demonstrate in-space docking technology, crucial for future projects like the Bharatiya Antariksh Station and lunar astronaut missions. If successful, India will join three other nations in mastering this complex space technology.

The future of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the Indian cricket team will be decided after the 2025 Champions Trophy. Both struggled in recent series against New Zealand and Australia, with Rohit failing consistently and Kohli performing below expectations, despite a century in Perth. A special BCCI meeting chaired by President Roger Binny reviewed their performance. Management has asked both to improve and committed to stricter rules, disallowing players to skip bilateral and domestic games. Changes in captaincy and team composition may follow if their Champions Trophy performance does not meet expectations.

Wildfires in Los Angeles have claimed 16 lives and destroyed over 12,000 structures. The Palisades fire has burned 22,600 acres, while the Eaton fire has scorched 14,000 acres. Strong winds up to 120 km/h are expected, worsening the situation. Search teams with cadaver dogs are looking for victims. Toxic smoke has led to a public health emergency, with officials urging limited outdoor exposure. A curfew has been imposed to prevent looting, and arrests have been made. A federal investigation is underway to find the cause. Experts blame climate change for the growing frequency and intensity of wildfires.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will attend Donald Trump’s swearing-in as the 47th President of the US on January 20. The ceremony will take place in Washington, D.C., at the Capitol. Trump will take the oath of office from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. Vice President-elect JD Vance will be sworn in before Trump. Jaishankar will also meet members of the new administration and other dignitaries. The Joint Congressional Committee has announced “Our Enduring Democracy” as the theme for the event. Flags will be at half-staff in honour of former President Jimmy Carter, who recently passed away.

Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) improved slightly to 327 but remains in the 'very poor' category. Neighbouring areas like Gurugram, Noida, and Ghaziabad reported 'poor' AQIs between 201-222. On January 11, Delhi’s AQI exceeded 400, with some zones recording over 450. The Central Pollution Control Board reinstated Stage 3 anti-pollution measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) due to rising pollution from unfavorable weather. Measures were lifted on January 5 but returned on January 9. Light rain forecast by the IMD could further improve air quality in the coming days.

Los Angeles wildfires have claimed 16 lives, with five deaths in the Palisades Fire zone and 11 in the Eaton Fire zone. The Palisades Fire has spread northeast, endangering affluent neighborhoods like Brentwood and Bel Air and threatening the Getty Museum. Six major wildfires have burned nearly 40,000 acres, destroying over 12,000 structures. Damage estimates range from $135B to $150B, possibly making this the costliest wildfire disaster in U.S. history. Allegations of poor leadership and resource mismanagement have emerged. Residents and animals remain displaced, while firefighters battle to contain the infernos under worsening weather conditions.

Temperatures plunged to -18.9°C in the Highland village of Roybridge, Scotland, marking the UK’s coldest January night since 2010. The average January low for northern Scotland is 0.3°C. Over 50 schools were shut in the Highlands, with closures in Aberdeenshire, Moray, and Shetland as freezing weather persisted. The UK Health Security Agency extended its cold weather alert until January 14, warning of increased health risks. Milder air is forecast from Sunday, with temperatures reaching 10-14°C next week, potentially causing snowmelt and flooding. Scottish Water reported a 30% rise in burst pipes due to the extreme cold.

Former child star Rory Callum Sykes, 32, tragically died during the Los Angeles wildfires at his family’s Malibu property. Born with cerebral palsy, Rory gained fame in the 1998 British TV show Kiddy Kapers and later became a motivational speaker. His mother, Shelley Sykes, revealed on social media that the water supply was turned off, preventing firefighters from saving the cottage where Rory was staying. Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong extended condolences and confirmed consular support. The wildfires, fueled by climate change, have devastated over 30,000 acres, claimed 16 lives, and caused damages exceeding $135 billion.