Times of India

The Pacific Palisades wildfire, one of California's most destructive fires, led to delayed evacuation orders with alerts coming 40 minutes after homes began burning. Most residents evacuated safely due to prior awareness and first responders' efforts, despite intense traffic congestion.

Trafficked from East Africa to the UK when he was just nine, Mo Farah found refuge in running. It would see him blossom into a four-time Olympic champion and a six-time world champion. Still in top shape, the 41-year-old now wants to show people what they can overcome through sports...

The Israeli cabinet officially approved a ceasefire with Hamas after 15 months of conflict in Gaza. This agreement, backed by US, Egypt, and Qatar mediation, includes a prisoner and hostage exchange, military withdrawal, and a monitoring mechanism. Future talks are planned for a permanent resolution.

Impeached South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol will appear at a Seoul court hearing to contest his formal arrest over imposing martial law last month. Yoon, detained after a large police operation, faces rebellion charges with the potential for up to 20 days of custody if the arrest warrant is granted.

TikTok may face a shutdown in the US on January 19 without assurances from the government on service provider liability. The US Supreme Court upheld a federal ban, with Apple and Google likely to remove the app from their stores. The Biden administration leaves enforcement to the incoming administration.

Canada is bracing for a potential trade war with the US if President-elect Trump's 25% tariffs on Canadian imports are imposed. Foreign minister Melanie Joly and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promise strong retaliatory measures, with options including tariffs on US goods and halting energy exports. Canada's economy and workforce could face severe consequences.

The SA20 League's third season kicked off with a record 382,778 unique live viewers on SuperSport for the opening match, marking a 129% increase from last season. With sold-out crowds and high attendance rates, the league has also attracted substantial commercial interest, bolstering its status in South Africa.

A video of Abhey Singh, an IIT-Bombay graduate turned spiritual seeker at Maha Kumbh 2025, has gone viral, sparking debates on life choices and happiness. Singh, who studied aerospace engineering, left his career for spirituality.

A 29-year-old Dalit woman was allegedly stripped and attacked with a sharp-edged weapon while trying to save her husband's brother from being beaten. The incident occurred in a sugarcane field in a village under Kheri police station. An FIR was lodged against six accused who are now absconding. Relevant sections of the IPC and SC/ST Act have been applied.

The Eagles will face the Rams at Lincoln Financial Field in a NFC Divisional Round matchup. Jason Kelce, former Eagles star, expressed his pride and emotions seeing his former team succeed without him, despite retiring last season. The Eagles defeated the Rams in Week 12. The Rams hold momentum after six wins in their last seven games.

The Los Angeles Lakers are considering a blockbuster trade for Trae Young, aiming to enhance their offensive capabilities and improve fourth-quarter performances. The trade involves Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, and a 2029 first-round pick. Trae Young's playmaking skills could significantly benefit the Lakers alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

The Supreme Court criticized the MCD for failing to manage solid waste in Delhi, where 3,000 tonnes of waste are dumped untreated daily. The court was dismayed that the Ghazipur dumpsite would take another four years to be cleared. The Centre expressed its commitment to addressing the problem, highlighting the need for better coordination between the Centre and Delhi government.

BJP president J P Nadda unveiled the first part of BJP's manifesto for the Delhi elections, promising Rs 2,500 monthly allowance for eligible women, financial support for expecting mothers, subsidies, and implementation of Ayushman Bharat Yojana. Nadda criticized AAP for failing to implement similar schemes and assured the prompt execution if BJP is elected.

China is restricting the movement of employees and specialized equipment for high-tech manufacturing to India and Southeast Asia, aiming to prevent production shifts due to possible US tariffs under President-elect Trump. The measures target technology transfers, potentially impacting companies like Foxconn and affecting India's solar panel and electric vehicle manufacturing sectors. Beijing denies harmful actions, aiming to retain production and jobs.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman plans to introduce a bill for a new direct tax law during the budget session. The focus is on simplifying provisions and making the language more accessible for the common man. The new law will replace the 63-year-old Income Tax Act. The bill will be introduced and potentially tweaked based on feedback from taxpayers and experts.

The 2025 Bharat Mobility Global Expo highlights a significant shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), with major launches from Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, and luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz emphasizing sustainability and green mobility. This aligns with the Indian government's push for EV adoption and infrastructural support.

The Supreme Court stated that an accused can be considered for bail in money laundering cases if they have spent over a year in jail without charges being framed, following its decision in the Senthil Balaji case. This aims to bring consistency to bail plea rulings.

PM Modi urged the auto industry to focus on eco-friendly mobility through EVs, hydrogen fuel cells, and biofuels while highlighting the role of the middle class and youth in driving car sales. At the Bharat Mobility Global Expo, he emphasized manufacturing in India for both domestic use and export, with the aim to reduce fossil fuel imports and promote sustainability.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will distribute over 65 lakh property cards to rural land owners, with a cumulative property value of Rs 135 lakh crore. These cards from the SVAMITVA Scheme will aid in obtaining bank loans and ease property-related disputes. Beneficiaries span across 50,000 villages in 10 states and two Union Territories. The success of the scheme is set to be showcased internationally.

Amit Shah met with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to discuss implementing the new criminal laws in the state, emphasizing proper use of terrorism-related sections and 'trial in absentia' for national security cases. Shah pushed for transparency and efficient legal aid, along with advancements in forensic capability and electronic evidence management.