External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar will attend the swearing-in ceremony of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, 2025. Invited by the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, Jaishankar’s visit aims to strengthen Indo-US diplomatic relations as the new administration begins its tenure. Apart from attending the ceremony, he will hold discussions with representatives of the incoming administration and engage with global leaders attending the event in Washington, DC. The Ministry of External Affairs announced this development on social media, highlighting the significance of bilateral ties. This marks a crucial diplomatic outreach between India and the United States.

Greenland's leader Múte Egede expressed willingness to negotiate with US president-elect Donald Trump about relations between Greenland and the US but firmly rejected the idea of Greenland becoming American. Speaking at a press conference in Denmark with Danish PM Mette Frederiksen, Egede emphasized Greenland's independence aspirations, stating, "Greenland is for the Greenlandic people." Trump reiterated his desire for US control over Greenland, citing economic security as a reason. Frederiksen reaffirmed Greenland's autonomy, stating, "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders." Greenland, a Danish self-governing territory since 1953, remains strategically important and mineral-rich, relying on Denmark for defense.

Mohammed Shami has been named in India's T20I squad for the 5-match series vs England, marking his return since the ODI World Cup 2023 final. Shami, recovering from multiple injuries, impressed in domestic cricket. Rishabh Pant was left out, with Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel chosen as wicketkeepers. Suryakumar Yadav will captain the team, supported by vice-captain Axar Patel. Emerging talents like Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Harshit Rana are also included. The series begins on January 22 in Kolkata, with India seeking a strong start against a competitive England side.

German maritime authorities rescued the Panamanian-flagged tanker Eventin, identified as part of Russia's 'shadow fleet,' stranded off Rügen island in the Baltic Sea. The tanker, carrying 99,000 tonnes of oil, lost power and steering, prompting a rescue operation with three tugboats. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accused Russia of circumventing sanctions and endangering European security by deploying such vessels. This incident follows heightened Western sanctions on Russian energy sectors post-Ukraine invasion, targeting firms like Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas. Russia has not responded to the accusations regarding its shadow fleet.

Ukraine has captured two North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk region, marking the first live captures of such troops since their deployment last autumn. President Zelenskiy confirmed the soldiers were transferred to Kyiv and are being treated under international law. The men, aged 19 and 25, were interrogated with South Korean assistance due to language barriers. Captured during a special forces operation, one soldier had a jaw injury, while the other suffered a leg fracture. North Korean troops, allegedly aiding Russia since October, have reportedly bolstered artillery supplies. Moscow and Pyongyang remain silent on their involvement.

The BJP has unveiled its second list of 29 candidates for the Delhi Assembly elections, covering 58 constituencies out of 70. Former MLA Kapil Mishra will contest from Karawal Nagar, alongside incumbent Abhay Verma from Laxmi Nagar. Harish Khurana, son of ex-Delhi CM Madan Lal Khurana, will stand in Moti Nagar. Neelam Pahalwan, former AAP minister Kailash Gahlot's opponent in Najafgarh, highlights the BJP's strategic candidate choices. Gahlot, who switched parties last year, will contest from Bijwasan. The move underscores BJP's bid to strengthen its electoral base in Delhi amidst competitive assembly polls.

Britain recorded its coldest January night in 15 years, with temperatures plunging to -18.7°C in Altnaharra, Scotland. The last such extreme cold was in 2010 when Altnaharra hit -22.3°C. Other areas, like Shap in Cumbria, saw lows of -11°C, while Heathrow dropped to -5°C. The average January lows are 0.3°C in Scotland and around 1.5°C in England. The UK Health Security Agency extended a cold weather alert until January 14, warning of increased health risks, especially for older people. While temperatures are set to rise slightly next week, the Met Office warns the weather will still feel chilly.

A California woman, Gale, returned to her burned-down home in Pacific Palisades to search for valuables after fleeing the L.A. wildfires. Wearing nursing scrubs and carrying her phone, she dug through the rubble with help from a man. They discovered a safe, which they opened using an axe. Inside, Gale found her wedding rings and other valuables. Police arrived soon after, concerned about looting in the area. Gale had left behind her passport and important documents when evacuating. Authorities are working to increase security and combat looting in affected neighborhoods.

Sanju Samson has impressed fans and experts with his strong T20I performances last year, including centuries against Bangladesh and South Africa. Former India coach Sanjay Bangar compared Samson's six-hitting ability to Yuvraj Singh, praising his consistency when given regular chances. Samson, a key part of India's T20 World Cup-winning team in June, is likely to return for the limited-overs series against England this month. With KL Rahul expected to rest, Samson may also play in ODIs. The Kerala batter aims to secure a spot for the Champions Trophy in February and continue his strong run in international cricket.

Over 144,000 residents in Los Angeles are under evacuation orders as six wildfires continue to spread. The Palisades Fire has destroyed homes and prompted warnings for areas like Brentwood, Malibu, and Calabasas. Poor air quality led to a local health emergency, with officials urging residents to stay indoors. Strong winds are expected, raising fears of further spread. The Eaton Fire, the second largest blaze, has over 50 evacuation orders in place near Pasadena. Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the fires, but challenges like smoke, ash, and exhausted resources persist. At least 11 people have died in the wildfires.