this is Shades of the Day — bringing you different shades of opinion in news & culture so that you can see the big picture quickly. We believe that seeing multiple POVs is the best way to stay informed.

It’s Monday, January 13 — here’s what you’ll find in today’s edition:

• Emergency aid surge in LA

• North Korean soldiers in Ukraine

• The start of the Maha Kumbh Mela festival

• 6 quick hits of news from the last 24 hours

Emergency aid surge in LA

In Los Angeles, over 24,000 individuals have applied for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The LAist writes that number is only expected to rise.

OPB offered its take on the high number of L.A.'s FEMA assistance applications: They highlight the deep impact of recent natural disasters.

WGCU agreed: 24,000+ applications show dire need for disaster relief after L.A.'s recent calamities.

For what it's worth, The LA County Library says FEMA is making efforts to assist LA residents in need: FEMA representatives are available in local library branches to assist the 24,000+ residents in need.

North Korean soldiers in Ukraine

NBC News sets the stage, revealing how North Korean soldiers joined the Ukraine conflict, aiding Russia as their allies, with heavy losses reported.

But Politico offers a twist, saying Ukrainian forces find North Korean troops skilled and fiercely disciplined, shaking off stereotypes.

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera agrees with NBC News, detailing significant North Korean casualties and their active combat role in Ukraine.

The NY Times digs deeper, revealing secret deployments of North Korean troops and the use of video evidence by Ukraine.

BBC wraps it up by highlighting Ukrainian President Zelensky's proposal to exchange captured North Korean soldiers, underscoring their undeniable presence.

Maha Kumbh Mela begins

India kicks off the world's largest religious festival, the Maha Kumbh Mela, showcasing its massive religious and cultural influence, says Yahoo.com.

Clickorlando.com supports the hype, emphasizing the festival's immense scale with over 400 million attendees, highlighting its significance in Hindu traditions and rituals.

However, NPR points out that the festival has political implications too, as it's a platform for Hindu nationalism, particularly under PM Modi's leadership.

On the cultural side, France24 says it's not just spiritual but an organizational marvel, transforming a riverside into a bustling city.

Al Jazeera rounds it off by calling it not just a festival, but a remarkable spectacle of logistics and faith, showing how India's deep-rooted traditions can bring millions together for a common spiritual goal.

1) Two North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine, neither seeking asylum in South Korea.

2) Yahoo.com shares photos of fire's origin at Eaton Canyon electrical tower, where residents first saw flames before it scorched 14,100 acres.

3) Trump's plan to seize Greenland raises red flags for NATO, potentially destabilizing alliances with threats of military force and sanctions.

4) TikTok faces potential U.S. ban over digital security concerns as Supreme Court leans towards upholding a law requiring its sale by Chinese parent company.

5) The rise of AI in retail brings big changes as NVIDIA introduces AI shopping assistants to enhance customer service and operational efficiency.

6) Mark Zuckerberg embraces "masculine energy" by ditching fact-checking and DEI at Meta for more conservative vibes.