The Champions Trophy 2025, set to begin on February 19, may move from Pakistan to the UAE. Construction at Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi stadiums remains incomplete. The ICC requires the venues to be ready by February 12. Reports suggest the PCB is struggling to meet the deadline. An ICC team is expected to visit Pakistan soon to assess progress. If the stadiums fail to meet standards, the tournament could shift entirely to Dubai. This would be a setback for the PCB, which had insisted on hosting the event in Pakistan. The coming days will decide the tournament’s future location.

BLACKPINK’s Rose has made history with her solo song Apt.. The track reached No. 10 on the Billboard Radio Songs chart, making her the first female K-pop soloist to achieve this. Critics believe her collaboration with Bruno Mars helped boost the song’s popularity. While some fans praise her talent, others credit Mars for the song’s success. Rose’s achievement puts her alongside major K-pop acts like BTS in breaking into the American music scene. Despite mixed reactions, Apt. proves Rose’s growing influence as a solo artist and her ability to connect with listeners worldwide.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal announced the backing of Trinamool Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Samajwadi Party for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. The move isolates Congress, which lacks support from INDIA bloc allies in the polls. Sources reveal Uddhav Thackeray plans to campaign for AAP, reinforcing its position. Despite collaborating with Congress in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, AAP is contesting solo in Delhi, aiming for a third consecutive victory. Kejriwal’s party previously won 67 and 62 seats in the 2015 and 2020 elections, respectively, and now enjoys backing from significant opposition forces in the capital.

Three devastating wildfires in Los Angeles suburbs have forced tens of thousands to evacuate as flames spread rapidly. Over 1,400 firefighters are battling the blazes, with helicopters conducting water drops in Pacific Palisades. The fires, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and dry conditions, are advancing from the north and west, prompting authorities to warn there is "no possibility" of containment in the immediate future. Residents face increasing danger as worsening weather conditions threaten more destruction. Emergency services urge people to evacuate immediately and avoid the affected areas. The fires highlight the growing threat of wildfires in California's dry climate.

Delhi is bracing for a severe cold wave, with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a minimum temperature drop to 5°C by Friday. The Safdarjung Observatory reported a maximum temperature of 16.2°C and a minimum of 10.5°C on Wednesday, above seasonal norms. Meanwhile, air quality improved, leading to the revocation of Stage 3 restrictions under GRAP, though Stages 1 and 2 remain. Dense fog on Tuesday reduced visibility to 150 meters, delaying 25 trains. The IMD expects worsening conditions as the cold wave grips northern India, urging residents to take precautions.

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake hit China’s Qinghai province on Wednesday near the Yellow River's source. The quake, at a depth of 14 km, struck Madoi County in Golog prefecture at 3:44 p.m., according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). This region, populated largely by Tibetans, is part of the seismically active Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. The quake follows a deadly 6.8-magnitude tremor in Tibet and a 3.1-magnitude quake in Sichuan earlier this week. Over the past 5 years, 102 earthquakes of magnitude 3+ have occurred in the area, with the largest recorded at 7.4 in 2021.

Shivam Dhol Tasha Pathak, a Texas-based Indian-American Dhol band, has been invited to perform at the 60th Presidential Inaugural Parade following Donald Trump’s swearing-in as the 47th US President on January 20. The ensemble will march from Capitol Hill to the White House, showcasing India’s rich musical heritage to millions globally. This marks the first time a Texas-based Indian traditional drum ensemble will perform at such a prestigious event. "This is a defining moment for the Indian community in Texas, the US, and beyond," the group stated, highlighting the cultural significance of their performance on this grand stage.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation ahead of the upcoming general election, triggering a leadership race within the ruling Liberal Party. Anita Anand, 57, a Tamil-origin leader and current Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, has emerged as a frontrunner. A former Defence Minister, Anand played a pivotal role in securing COVID-19 vaccines and supporting Ukraine during the Russia-Ukraine war. Born in Nova Scotia to Indian-origin parents, Anand holds multiple law degrees and has been a key Liberal figure since 2019. The new leader will be chosen before Parliament reconvenes on March 24.

A 14-year-old schoolboy, fatally stabbed on a bus in Woolwich, London, has been named as online rapper 'Grippa.' The attack occurred on the 472 bus near Woolwich Church Road, where the teen, identified as Kelyan, was fatally wounded. Despite efforts by paramedics, he succumbed to his injuries. Grippa had recently released the track 'Bangers & Mash' on Christmas. Friends and family have paid tribute, with many describing him as a kind-hearted, aspiring rapper. Police are conducting a manhunt for the attacker, but no arrests have been made. The incident has shocked the local community.

The murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar in Chhattisgarh has highlighted the dangers faced by reporters in India's conflict zones. Chandrakar, 33, was found in a septic tank linked to a contractor he exposed for corruption. Known for his YouTube channel Bastar Junction, he covered underreported issues like tribal hardships and Maoist conflict. His work, though sometimes unpolished, gave a voice to Bastar's marginalized communities. Colleagues admired his courage but acknowledged challenges of financial instability in small-town journalism. Police have arrested three suspects. Manisha Pande from Newslaundry emphasized the need for financial sustainability to support fearless journalism in India’s hinterlands.