A historic ceasefire and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas was finalized just 10 minutes before the official announcement. Negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. culminated after months of complex discussions in Doha. The agreement includes a phased ceasefire, hostage releases, and Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. Key shifts occurred following Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s death and changes in regional dynamics. Pressure from both the outgoing Biden and incoming Trump administrations was pivotal. The final hurdles, including returnee inspections, were resolved with mediator intervention, ensuring the deal’s success.

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was stabbed six times by an aggressive intruder at his Bandra duplex on Thursday morning. According to Kareena Kapoor's statement to the police, the attacker was first spotted in their son Jeh's bedroom. Saif intervened heroically, saving the family. While Saif was rushed to Lilavati Hospital by his 7-year-old son, Taimur, and a domestic help in an auto-rickshaw, Kareena and Jeh were taken to safety by Karisma Kapoor. Saif, now out of danger, earned praise from doctors for his bravery. Kareena called the day “incredibly challenging” and requested privacy during this time.

A Russian air strike on Kyiv killed 4 people overnight, local authorities reported. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that air defenses were active in the Ukrainian capital. The Shevchenkivskyi district saw shattered windows, a fire in a non-residential building, and flooding caused by damaged infrastructure. Videos online showed a car engulfed in flames. Officials issued a ballistic missile alert, urging residents to take shelter. This marks the second fatal attack on Kyiv this month, intensifying the toll on the city's civilian population. The exact target remains unclear, as tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a 42-day ceasefire starting January 19, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US. The deal includes the release of 33 hostages, including women, children, and elderly, and 737 Palestinian detainees. Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza’s densely populated areas but maintain an 800-meter buffer zone inside Gaza. Hostages will undergo medical evaluations before being transported to Israeli hospitals. Negotiations for a second phase of the truce will begin on the 16th day, aiming for a permanent end to the conflict. Outgoing US President Joe Biden praised the agreement as a crucial step toward peace.

TikTok warned it will shut down in the US on January 19 unless President Joe Biden assures Apple and Google of non-enforcement. This follows the Supreme Court's unanimous decision to uphold a law banning TikTok unless its Chinese owner ByteDance divests. The ban affects 170M American users and raises national security concerns.   Donald Trump, returning as president, plans to "save" TikTok but hasn't outlined specific actions. ByteDance remains unwilling to sell, while users are shifting to other platforms. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday.   Experts see Beijing leveraging TikTok in the ongoing US-China tensions.

Dense fog in Delhi disrupted train and flight operations on Saturday, with the minimum temperature settling at 7°C and maximum at 19°C, the IMD reported. The fog is expected to persist for three days before rain and thunderstorms arrive on January 22-23. Delhi’s AQI improved to 248 after recent rains, moving to the "Very Poor" category. Cold wave conditions gripped North India, impacting Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, with Himachal witnessing snowfall. Visibility in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh remained low due to dense fog. IMD predicts no significant temperature change in the next 48 hours.

Israel's government has approved a ceasefire deal with Hamas, starting January 19, 2025. The agreement ensures the release of 33 Israeli hostages held in Gaza, exchanged for 95 Palestinian prisoners. The six-week truce allows displaced Palestinians to return, facilitates aid delivery, and mandates Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza’s densely populated areas. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated the deal aligns with war objectives. Despite internal political opposition, the agreement aims to ensure "sustainable calm" and Gaza reconstruction. Mediators include Qatar, Egypt, and the US. Egypt confirmed 600 daily aid trucks entering Gaza. The conflict has caused over 46,870 deaths in Gaza.

The Israeli security cabinet has approved a ceasefire deal for Gaza and the release of hostages, recommending that the full government give its final approval. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that after reviewing political, security, and humanitarian factors, the security cabinet believes the proposed deal supports the war’s objectives. The full cabinet is set to meet later to make the final decision. The deal could be a significant step towards easing tensions in Gaza and ensuring the safety of hostages caught in the ongoing conflict. Further updates are expected after the full cabinet meeting.

SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft broke apart mid-flight during its test launch, forcing airlines to reroute flights to avoid falling debris. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) briefly restricted airspace, with at least 20 flights altering their routes. Elon Musk attributed the failure to an oxygen or fuel leak near the ship engine firewall and announced plans for fire suppression upgrades. Despite the setback, Musk assured the next launch remains on schedule for next month. The incident marks the seventh test of the Starship, which aims to carry humans and cargo to Mars. Musk quipped, “Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed.”

Israel's security cabinet has recommended approving a Gaza ceasefire deal, with a government vote pending. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated hostages held since the October 7 Hamas attacks could begin returning on Sunday. Israeli airstrikes on Gaza continue, with 113 Palestinians killed since the deal's announcement, per Gaza's civil defense agency. Over 46,000 Palestinians have died in Israel's Gaza offensive, according to Hamas-run health authorities. Israel's health ministry is preparing for released hostages' immediate care, emphasizing psychological and social support. The ceasefire remains uncertain, as challenges persist, per reports from Jerusalem.