Dr. Anthony Fauci concedes that Covid-19 guidelines, including social distancing, lacked scientific foundation, mentioning the "six feet" rule "sort of just appeared." Testifying before the House Subcommittee, he also acknowledges the lab leak hypothesis is not a conspiracy theory. Fauci warns that pandemic policies may contribute to future vaccine hesitancy. He admits the forced social distancing recommendations were likely not based on scientific data, exposing systemic failures. The House committee emphasizes the need for future responses to be guided by scientific facts and conclusive data, pointing out procedural concerns in public health authority.

Iran has announced the seizure of a ship, St Nicholas, accusing it of previous oil theft. The vessel, initially named Suez Rajan, was transporting 145,000 tonnes of crude oil from Basra, Iraq, to Turkey. Iran alleges this action is in retaliation for the ship's earlier violation, as the US had confiscated it in 2023 for carrying sanctioned Iranian oil allegedly sold by Iran's Revolutionary Guard to China. Tensions rise as the ship is transferred to Iranian ports. This incident follows tit-for-tat seizures in 2023, with the US seizing Suez Rajan and Iran responding by taking other tankers.

Ahead of closing arguments in Donald Trump's civil fraud trial, a bomb threat targeted Judge Arthur Engoron's home, who oversees the case. The threat followed Trump's outburst on Truth Social against the judge. The Nassau County Police deemed it unfounded, continuing the investigation. Engoron and court staff faced previous threats during the trial. This incident adds to the rising wave of threats against officials involved in legal challenges against Trump. The trial resumed unaffected by the threat, focusing on allegations of inflating assets in financing attempts, as detailed in NY Attorney General Letitia James' lawsuit.

Maharashtra Police takes legal action against YouTube India after the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) highlights concerns about 'indecent content' involving mothers and sons on the platform. A specific YouTube channel operator faces charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) for posting mother-son 'challenge videos.' NCPCR demands YouTube India's government affairs and public policy head to appear personally on January 15 to address the issue. NCPCR chief Priyank Kanoongo emphasizes the need for corrective measures and potential legal consequences for the offenders.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expressed disagreement with the 'One Nation, One Election' concept in a letter to the committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind. She cited impracticality, highlighting the historical rupture of simultaneous polls and questioning the constitutional implications. Banerjee emphasized the Westminster system's non-simultaneity as a fundamental aspect, suggesting it should not be altered. The high-level committee seeks public input and political party opinions on the matter, aiming for a mutually agreed dialogue to discuss the concept of simultaneous elections.

Scotland plans to ban unlicensed XL bully dogs, aligning with UK legislation due to a surge in rehoming incidents. First Minister Humza Yousaf highlighted the decision amid concerns about XL bully dogs flowing into Scotland. The move follows recent regulations in England and Wales, implemented after attacks. Yousaf emphasized the need for public safety, hinting at a replicated legislation soon. The Scottish SPCA supports measures against irresponsible ownership rather than breed-specific bans. Decision details will be provided to the Scottish Parliament, addressing the recent influx and ensuring community safety.

India and the United Kingdom solidified their defense collaboration during the successful two-day visit of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh to the UK. The visit resulted in a strengthened partnership, marked by a candid exchange program and the announcement of the UK Navy's HMS Shepherd's deployment in the Indian Ocean. UK Secretary of State for Defence, Grant Shapps, expressed the significance of the defense partnership, emphasizing historic agreements in a video message posted on X. These include plans to increase joint exercises, deepen research partnerships, and notably, send the UK's Carrier Strike Group to India in 2025. Shapps underscored the crucial nature of this collaboration, emphasizing its heightened importance in current times. [Video Courtesy: @grantshapps/X ]

Shah Rukh Khan and Rajkumar Hirani's film "Dunki" is reportedly being considered for submission to the Oscars 2023. The collaboration, released in December 2023, explores the emotional journey of friends opting for the unconventional "Donkey Flight" to move abroad. If selected, it will be Khan's third film in Oscar contention, following "Swades" (2004) and "Paheli" (2005). While the movie has garnered over Rs 300 crore at the Indian box office, there is no official confirmation of its Oscar nomination consideration. "Dunki" portrays a unique narrative and has received positive reviews for its distinct storyline.

Indore retains its unparalleled cleanliness record, clinching the cleanest city title for the 7th consecutive year. Surat shares the honor as a joint winner for the first time, marking a significant achievement in the Swachh Survekshan 2023 results. Navi Mumbai secures the third spot among cities with over one lakh population. Maharashtra leads the 'best performing states' category, underscoring their commitment to urban cleanliness. The survey's expanded reach covers 4,477 cities, emphasizing citizen engagement and addressing environmental challenges. The recognition reaffirms Indore's and Surat's dedication to maintaining pristine urban environments.

ISRO Chairman S Somanath revealed India's bold space vision at the International Space Conference. Emphasizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's longstanding support, Somanath shared plans for sustained human activities in space, aiming for an Indian astronaut on the moon by 2040. The roadmap includes the Gaganyaan mission, a space station by 2035, and the Venus Orbiter Mission. ISRO's recent successes, including the Aditya-L1 and XPoSat launches, underline India's commitment to space exploration. With ongoing tests for the Gaganyaan mission, ISRO's cost-effective missions continue to shape India's advancement in various sectors.