A joint delegation from India's CBI, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and National Investigation Agency (NIA) is set to depart for the UK, aiming to accelerate the extradition process of high-profile fugitives like Sanjay Bhandari, Nirav Modi, and Vijay Mallya. The team, led by a senior foreign ministry official, will engage with UK authorities to gather information on assets and banking transactions of these fugitives. Bhandari, linked to defence deals, fled in 2016, and efforts are underway to identify his properties. Extradition appeals by Modi, Mallya, and Bhandari are pending in UK courts. The visit seeks collaboration under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty.

Former Indian captain and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, reflecting on cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni, expressed admiration for Sachin's greatness, Virat's aggressiveness, and Dhoni's calmness. Ganguly, known for his aggressive batting, highlighted these qualities on a reality show. When asked about a unique quality he possesses, he responded with "adjustment," earning applause from the audience. Ganguly recently endorsed Rohit Sharma for the T20I World Cup captaincy, advocating for Virat Kohli's inclusion in the squad. His impactful tenure as BCCI president concluded in October 2022, succeeded by Roger Binny.

Former President Donald Trump secured a resounding victory in the Iowa caucuses, winning over 50% of the votes, signaling a strong start to his 2024 Republican primary campaign. Governor Ron DeSantis claimed a distant second place, gaining just over 20%. Trump's triumph prompted calls for party unity, while DeSantis vowed to continue despite falling behind. The Iowa results hold significance in shaping the campaign's momentum. Trump's dominance raises questions about challenges to his candidacy. Meanwhile, Nikki Haley, who initially surpassed DeSantis in polls, faced a lower-than-expected placement, emphasizing Trump's enduring influence within the party.

US-based pro-Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has renewed threats against India, sharing pro-Khalistan graffiti in Delhi. The Delhi Police filed an FIR for the graffiti found in Nihal Vihar. Pannun, founder of the banned Sikhs for Justice, vows to "avenge" the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar ahead of Republic Day. Despite being declared an 'unlawful association,' Pannun persistently uses social media to incite Punjab-based individuals against India. Under National Investigation Agency (NIA) scrutiny since 2019, he faces non-bailable warrants. Last year, NIA seized Pannun's properties in Amritsar and Chandigarh. Security measures escalate amid rising concerns.

A sudden arctic blast blankets North-West England, causing road and school closures. Lancashire Police shut Grane Road and Elton Road in Belthorn due to hazardous conditions after a crash. Merseyside grapples with 20 closed schools as Liverpool faces a snowy morning rush hour. Merseyrail adapts to the cold, running initial services without passengers for safety checks. Traffic issues persist despite overnight gritting efforts by Liverpool City Council. Lancashire experiences dangerous conditions, leading to the closure of major roads. Gritting teams and snow ploughs are deployed across the region, but uncertainty looms over the duration of closures. Motorists are urged to stay vigilant amid challenging weather conditions.    

The nominations for the 69th edition of Filmfare Awards have been unveiled, revealing Shah Rukh Khan's dual nominations for Best Actor in the same year for his stellar performances in "Jawan" and "Dunki." The highly anticipated event also sees the film "Animal" securing a staggering 19 nominations, making it the frontrunner. Other notable contenders include "12th Fail," "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani," and "Pathaan." The diverse list showcases the industry's talent across categories, with critics' choices adding an extra layer of anticipation. As Bollywood gears up for this prestigious ceremony, fans are eager to see who will clinch the coveted Filmfare trophies.

Germany anticipates its first two-year recession since the early 2000s after a 0.3% GDP contraction in 2023, states the national statistics office. The impact of elevated energy costs and weakened industrial demand, coupled with higher interest rates and living costs, contributed to the economic setback. Dr. Ruth Brand, president of the statistics office, cited "multiple crises" affecting the economy. Analysts foresee stagnant growth in 2024 with a heightened risk of consecutive negative output years. The dominant industrial sector, excluding construction, experienced a 2% decline, reflecting challenges from higher energy costs and reduced demand.

Canada's Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, discusses potential limits on international student admissions to address the housing affordability crisis. With a record-high of nearly one million students admitted in 2023, concerns rise over the strain on housing demand. Miller emphasizes the need for a balanced approach, acknowledging that reducing admissions alone won't solve the crisis. The proposal raises challenges for universities dependent on international tuition fees. Canada grapples with soaring demand for housing, prompting political pressure on Prime Minister Trudeau. The housing agency estimates a need for 3.5 million more units by 2030.

Second Lieutenant Madison Marsh made history on Sunday as the first active-duty service member to be crowned Miss America. Lt. Marsh represented Colorado in the annual competition just months after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a degree in physics. The newly crowned Miss America started competing in pageants while attending the Academy. She also founded a foundation to raise money for pancreatic cancer research in honor of her late mother. Lt. Marsh will now serve her time as Miss America while also pursuing a Master's degree in public policy at Harvard. The Air Force officer hopes to make a positive impact and represent the military during her reign.

The world's wealthiest individuals, including Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, have seen their fortunes surge to $869 billion since 2020, while nearly 5 billion of the world's poorest have faced financial setbacks, states Oxfam's latest report. Predicting the emergence of the first trillionaire within a decade, the report highlights a widening wealth gap and warns that at current rates, global poverty won't be eradicated for another 229 years. Oxfam calls for a wealth tax, suggesting that taxing British millionaires and billionaires could generate £22 billion annually. The report coincides with the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos.