Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that a ceasefire agreement with Hamas is not yet finalized, as negotiators work on final details. The statement follows an announcement by the United States and Qatar about a potential deal to pause the 15-month Gaza war and facilitate the release of hostages.

Celebrations erupted in Gaza after the announcement, with residents expressing relief. The war has caused over 46,000 Palestinian deaths, including women and children, according to Gaza health authorities. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 250, with around 100 hostages still held.

The proposed ceasefire agreement includes three phases:

Phase One: A six-week ceasefire begins, accompanied by Israeli troop withdrawals from densely populated areas, allowing displaced Palestinians to return. Thirty-three hostages—women, the elderly, and injured individuals—are expected to be released. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners will also be freed. Humanitarian aid to Gaza is set to increase significantly.

Phase Two: Negotiations for this phase start on Day 16. It focuses on releasing remaining hostages, including soldiers, in exchange for further Israeli withdrawals. However, Israel insists on eliminating Hamas' capabilities before a full withdrawal, while Hamas demands troop removal before releasing the last hostages.

Phase Three: This phase involves returning the bodies of deceased hostages and initiating large-scale reconstruction of Gaza, a region devastated by the conflict.

Netanyahu emphasized that Israel’s response would depend on finalizing all aspects of the agreement. Mediators remain engaged in bridging differences to secure a path to peace.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on AAP leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over rising pollution and inflation at his first rally for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. Speaking at the ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan’ event in Seelampur, Gandhi accused Kejriwal of failing to deliver on promises made to Delhiites.

“Kejriwal had promised to clean Delhi, remove corruption, and transform it into Paris. Instead, pollution levels are suffocating, inflation is soaring, and corruption remains unchecked,” Gandhi said, contrasting Kejriwal's governance with Sheila Dikshit's tenure, which he claimed brought genuine development.

Gandhi also criticized the AAP for its silence on the caste census, pledging a caste survey in Delhi if Congress came to power. He called on voters to back Congress, emphasizing its record of progress under Dikshit’s leadership.

Responding to the criticism, Kejriwal took a veiled dig at Gandhi on X, saying, “Rahul Gandhi abused me a lot, but I won’t comment on his statements. While he is fighting to save the Congress, my fight is to save the country.”

The Congress and AAP, former allies in the INDIA bloc, have decided to contest the Delhi elections separately. This divergence comes after their joint effort in the Lok Sabha elections ended in defeat, with the BJP sweeping all seven seats.

The Congress is banking on Sandeep Dikshit, son of Sheila Dikshit, to reclaim its relevance, directly challenging Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency. Meanwhile, the AAP is defending its record of free welfare schemes, which include subsidized power, water, and public transport.

Polling for the 70-member Delhi Assembly is set for February 5, with results to be declared on February 8. AAP will aim to retain its dominance, while Congress hopes to make a comeback.

Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP), has issued a stern warning to US President-elect Donald Trump over his controversial remarks about annexing Canada. In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), Singh declared, "Our country is not for sale. Not now, not ever."

Singh passionately defended Canada’s sovereignty, emphasizing the pride and resilience of its people. “Canadians are proud of their country and are ready to fight like hell to defend it,” he asserted.

The NDP leader highlighted Canada’s history of goodwill, referencing Canadian firefighters assisting the US during the devastating Los Angeles fires. “That is who we are. We show up and support our neighbors,” Singh said, underscoring Canada’s commitment to partnership.

Singh also issued a sharp rebuke to Trump’s threats of economic penalties. “If Donald Trump imposes tariffs on us, we will retaliate with tariffs in kind. Canada will not back down,” he vowed, urging other Canadian leaders to adopt a similarly firm stance.

Trump has been vocal about his vision to integrate Canada as the 51st state, claiming many Canadians would welcome the move. On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump suggested that joining the US would slash Canadian taxes by 60%, expand businesses, and offer unmatched military protection.

Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dismissed Trump’s remarks as ludicrous. "There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States," Trudeau said, reaffirming the strength of Canada-US trade and security ties.

Singh’s message to Trump and the world was clear: “Canada’s sovereignty is non-negotiable. We will stand united against any threat to our independence.”

The brewing tensions have set the stage for a fiery debate over the future of US-Canada relations.

The world’s elite are vying for a coveted spot at Donald Trump’s swearing-in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, held at the iconic Capitol in Washington, DC. Trump’s return to the presidency has sparked global interest, with Vice President JD Vance also taking the oath that day.

Breaking tradition, Trump has extended personal invitations to leaders like Chinese President Xi Jinping, signaling a strategic move to foster dialogue with allies and competitors. While Xi may not attend, senior Chinese officials like Han Zheng or Wang Yi are expected. Invites have also reached leaders like Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Argentina’s Javier Milei, underscoring Trump’s ambition to turn the event into a global spectacle.

Representing India, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will attend, marking a continuation of India-US engagement. His visit includes meetings with key members of the incoming administration, though specific details remain under wraps.

Corporate America is equally invested, with companies like Boeing, Meta, and Amazon donating millions to the event, fueling a record-breaking $200 million fundraising effort. Industry titans like Apple CEO Tim Cook and OpenAI’s Sam Altman have pledged $1 million each.

However, demand for VIP passes has outstripped availability, leaving major donors scrambling. Access to exclusive events, like the January 19 candlelight dinner with Trump and Melania, has heightened the stakes.

Inaugurations are not just ceremonial; they’re pivotal networking hubs for corporations and lobbyists eager to align with the new administration. Trump’s team has strategically leveraged this interest, ensuring his second inauguration cements both political and economic alliances on a grand stage.

With global leaders and industry giants converging, the event is set to redefine the scale and significance of US presidential inaugurations.

The first anniversary of the Ram Lalla idol consecration in Ayodhya commenced on Saturday, drawing thousands of devotees to the holy city. The celebrations, scheduled from January 11 to 13, began with the recitation of the Yajurveda and are set to include grand religious and cultural events at the Ram Temple complex.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will perform the ceremonial 'abhishek' of Ram Lalla, followed by a grand aarti at 12:20 PM and an offering of 56 dishes to the deity. The temple's court has been adorned with flowers, creating a vibrant and spiritual atmosphere.

Anup Mishra, a local devotee, expressed his joy at witnessing the festivities, having missed the idol’s consecration in January 2024. Similarly, Sarla Maheshwari from Bhopal shared her excitement about participating in the event.

A German hangar tent at the Angad Teela site, accommodating up to 5,000 people, serves as the venue for rituals, Ram Katha sessions, and classical performances. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has invited saints, devotees, and 110 VIPs, ensuring participation from those who missed the historic event last year.

Champat Rai, the trust’s general secretary, emphasized the inclusivity of the celebrations, encouraging pilgrims and residents to experience Ayodhya’s spiritual fervor. "This event aims to unite all in devotion and joy," Rai said.

The Ram Lalla idol was consecrated on January 22, 2024, in a landmark ceremony led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Marking the culmination of a decades-long movement to reclaim the sacred site, Modi envisioned the temple as a foundation for building a "strong and divine India" for the next millennium.

This anniversary celebrates not only devotion but also the transformative spirit of Ayodhya, heralding a new chapter in India’s spiritual and cultural legacy.

Global banks are bracing for sweeping workforce changes as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the industry, potentially eliminating up to 200,000 jobs over the next three to five years, according to a Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) report. The cuts, averaging 3% of the workforce, primarily target roles in back office, middle office, and operations. Routine and repetitive tasks, including customer services and know-your-customer duties, are particularly vulnerable, BI senior analyst Tomasz Noetzel noted.

However, the transformation isn't entirely bleak. AI is expected to drive significant productivity and efficiency gains, with 80% of surveyed banks predicting a 5% or greater boost in productivity and revenue within the same period. This surge in efficiency could elevate global banks’ pretax profits by 12% to 17%, adding up to $180 billion by 2027.

Despite job displacement concerns, many firms stress that AI is augmenting roles rather than replacing them outright. Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, emphasized AI’s potential to enhance quality of life, predicting shorter work weeks and advances in health and technology. Similarly, Teresa Heitsenrether, who leads JPMorgan's AI initiatives, said the technology is reshaping roles rather than eliminating them.

Banks have invested heavily in AI, modernizing IT systems to streamline operations and reduce costs post-financial crisis. Generative AI is now being integrated across key functions, from client services to compliance. Citi estimates that 54% of banking jobs are highly automatable, suggesting the industry is more susceptible to AI-driven disruption than others.

While these shifts pose challenges, they also herald opportunities. As AI reshapes banking, the focus is on workforce transformation—enabling employees to transition into roles that leverage human creativity and problem-solving alongside advanced technology.