Satellite images have highlighted the massive destruction caused by wildfires in Los Angeles, which have been burning since Monday. Over 11 square kilometers of the city have been destroyed, with thousands of homes and buildings ravaged. The Pacific Palisades fire has caused the most damage, engulfing 6,407 hectares, including historical sites and luxury homes. The Eaton fire, affecting Altadena, has claimed five lives and displaced over 100,000 people. With about 400,000 homes without power, early damage estimates reach $16 billion. Officials warn that worsening weather conditions could spread the fires further.

A severe cold wave has gripped Kashmir, with temperatures plummeting below freezing across the Valley. Pahalgam recorded the lowest temperature at minus 10.4°C, followed by Gulmarg at minus 9.6°C. Srinagar also experienced a significant drop, settling at minus 4.4°C. Clear skies and bright sunshine over the past days have contributed to the plummeting temperatures. The region is currently in the 'Chillai-Kalan,' the harshest winter period. The Met Office forecasts continued cold conditions and possible light rain or snow at isolated spots in the coming days.

Several Hollywood stars have tragically lost their homes in the ongoing wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles. Celebrities including Mandy Moore, Paris Hilton, Anna Faris, Billy Crystal, and Diane Warren are among the victims of the blazes. Moore shared that her Altadena home was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, while Hilton expressed heartbreak over the loss of her Malibu property. Crystal confirmed the Pacific Palisades fire took his family's home, and Warren's 30-year-old beach house was lost as well. Other stars, such as Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, also faced similar devastation, as wildfires continue to ravage the region.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan’s recent remarks during an employee interaction have sparked widespread criticism. Subrahmanyan suggested that employees should work 90 hours a week, including Sundays, claiming, “If I can make you work on Sundays, I’ll be happier.” He drew comparisons to his own work ethic, stating, “I work on Sundays also.” Critics slammed the comment, accusing L&T of promoting an unhealthy work culture, drawing parallels to Narayana Murthy’s earlier controversial stance on workweeks. The debate has fueled broader discussions on work-life balance and corporate expectations in India’s private sector.

The Supreme Court has refused to review its October 2023 judgment rejecting legal recognition of same-sex marriages in India. A five-judge bench, reviewing petitions in chambers, found no "error apparent on the face of the record." The court upheld its majority view that marriage laws fall under the legislative domain and not the judiciary. Petitioners argued the ruling compels LGBTQIA+ couples to live dishonestly. The 2023 decision denied both marriage and civil union rights, leaving advocates disappointed. The bench reiterated its position, stressing that Parliament, not the judiciary, is the appropriate forum to address such issues.

Passengers landing in Los Angeles on January 7 witnessed shocking views of wildfires engulfing neighborhoods below. Nathan Walroth, traveling from Denver, filmed the glowing devastation, prompting exclamations like “Oh my God!” from others onboard. Cal Fire confirmed five active fires in Los Angeles by Wednesday night, with at least five fatalities reported. Strong winds continue fueling the flames, complicating containment efforts and forcing widespread evacuations. Emergency responders work tirelessly to prevent further losses.

The pound dropped 0.9% to $1.226, its lowest in over a year, as UK borrowing costs soared to a 16-year high. Economists warned that rising costs could force tax hikes or spending cuts to meet fiscal rules. Treasury Minister Darren Jones dismissed the need for emergency action, citing orderly market conditions. Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride criticized the government for higher debt and lower growth concerns. Mohamed El-Erian of Allianz highlighted rising debt interest costs and slower growth impacts. The Bank of England held interest rates at 4.75%, citing uncertainty. Global factors, including US policy shifts, also influenced bond yields.

A silo collapse at a smelting plant in Chhattisgarh’s Saragaon area on Thursday left 1 worker dead and 25 trapped under debris. The incident occurred around 1 PM during ongoing work. Emergency teams and police launched a rescue operation using heavy machinery and manual efforts, but progress is hindered by hot iron dust. Two injured workers have been rescued and hospitalized in Bilaspur. Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse, while Superintendent of Police Bhojram Patel confirmed ongoing rescue operations. The plant owner has assured cooperation, but the exact number of trapped workers remains uncertain.

India has slipped from 80th to 85th in the Henley Passport Index 2025, which ranks 199 countries by visa-free access. Indian passport holders can now travel visa-free to 57 destinations, sharing the rank with Equatorial Guinea and Niger. Singapore retains the top spot, offering visa-free access to 195 destinations, followed by Japan (193) and Finland (192). The UAE climbed to 10th place with 185 destinations, while the US fell to 9th. Pakistan and Yemen rank at the bottom, with visa-free access to 33 countries. Experts attribute India's decline to limited bilateral agreements improving travel freedom.

Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone has voiced her disapproval of the suggestion made by L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan that employees should work seven days a week. In a recent social media post, Deepika called the remark "shocking" and underscored the importance of maintaining a work-life balance and prioritizing mental health. Subrahmanyan's comment, made during an employee meeting, advocated for a 90-hour work week, including Sundays. His statement has sparked further debate over work-life balance, following similar remarks from Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy.