Basic facts Trending – Israel and Hamas announce truce  The ongoing truce talks between Israel…

Southern California continues to grapple with the aftermath of devastating wildfires that have destroyed more than 12,000 buildings and claimed 25 lives. Harsh winds have fueled the fires, leaving millions of residents under evacuation orders and facing power outages.  

The German government has approved measures allowing the military to shoot down suspicious drones near military installations and other critical infrastructure. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasised the increasing drone threats since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, stating that the technology poses significant challenges for police forces.

Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage release agreement after 15 months of conflict, according to mediators Qatar and the United States. While details are still being finalised, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the progress and thanked U.S. President Joe Biden for supporting the deal. Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya attributed the agreement to the resilience of the Palestinian people.

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan is in the hospital following a stabbing incident at his Mumbai home early Thursday morning. Reports suggest an intruder broke into his residence in an upscale neighbourhood of the city and attacked him.  

The United States saw a notable rise in inflation last month, driven by spikes in energy and food costs. According to the Labor Department, prices in December increased by 2.9% compared to the same period a year earlier, up from 2.7% in November.