West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the arrest of former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, denouncing it as a BJP-backed conspiracy. Calling Soren a "powerful tribal leader" and her "close friend," she vowed unwavering support. Banerjee accused BJP-backed agencies of a vindictive act to undermine a popularly elected government. Soren, arrested on Jan 31 in a money laundering case, was sent to one-day judicial custody. Banerjee's stance was echoed by Trinamool Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien, who walked out of both houses of Parliament protesting against the alleged misuse of agencies to target elected representatives.

Multiple shots were fired at the home of Simranjeet Singh, an associate of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in Surrey, British Columbia in June. The incident occurred in South Surrey, with no reported injuries. RCMP confirmed the shooting and believe it to be isolated, but pro-Khalistan groups allege Indian involvement due to Singh's recent activism. Moninder Singh, a spokesperson for the British Columbia Gurdwaras Council, expressed concerns over the attack's possible connection to Indian interests. The incident adds to a string of gang-related violence in the region, including recent drive-by shootings.

Champai Soren has been sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Jharkhand, succeeding Hemant Soren, who resigned and was arrested by the ED in a money laundering case. The JMM legislature party leader took oath at the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi, following a political crisis in the state. Soren, a 67-year-old tribal leader, has been given 10 days to prove his government's majority. He hails from the Kolhan region and has a long political career, previously serving as a cabinet minister. His appointment comes amidst uncertainty, with the state Congress supporting the JMM-led alliance.

Delhi Public School located in the RK Puram area of New Delhi faced a bomb threat on Friday morning, prompting the evacuation of the premises. The threat, received around 10 am, warned of an impending explosion on the school premises. Delhi Police, upon receiving the alert, swiftly initiated a search operation, which has been ongoing for the past two hours. Despite extensive efforts, authorities have not discovered any suspicious items or devices thus far. Fire and police personnel were deployed outside the school as a precautionary measure. Investigations are ongoing to determine the source and credibility of the threat.

Shoaib Bashir, the 19-year-old off-spinner, had a dream start to his Test career as he clinched the prized wicket of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma on the opening day of the second Test between India and England in Visakhapatnam. Bashir's ecstatic moment came in just his fourth over, dismissing Rohit for a modest 14 runs. While Rohit's departure seemed like a setback for India, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal's aggressive partnership reshaped the innings, with Jaiswal leading the charge with an impressive half-century. Bashir's early breakthrough set the stage for England's dominance as they sought to capitalize on India's initial struggle.

The death of 19-year-old Indian-origin student Shreyas Reddy Beniger in Ohio marks the fourth such incident this year, raising concerns over the safety of Indian students in the US. Beniger, a student at Linder School of Business, was found deceased, with authorities ruling out foul play or hate crime. This follows recent deaths of Neel Acharya at Purdue University and Vivek Saini in Georgia, highlighting potential risks faced by Indian students abroad. Despite reassurances from Indian consulates, questions arise over campus security and support systems. With over 300,000 Indian students in the US, concerns over mental health and safety persist amidst the pandemic influx.

The Supreme Court has declined to intervene in the arrest of former Jharkhand Chief Minister, Hemant Soren, by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case. Instead, the court directed Soren's lawyers to seek recourse in the Jharkhand High Court. Soren, who was arrested following questioning in connection with a land scam case, had appealed to the apex court, alleging his arrest violated his fundamental rights. The Enforcement Directorate, in its case against Soren, alleged he illegally acquired and possessed multiple land parcels in Ranchi. The development comes amid accusations of political conspiracy by Soren ahead of upcoming elections.    

Dense fog blanketed parts of Delhi-NCR, causing chaos for commuters as flight and train services were severely impacted. With visibility reduced to zero, Delhi's IGI Airport reported disruptions since early morning. The India Meteorological Department highlighted very dense fog over Delhi and scattered fog across neighboring states. While rain lashed some regions, the IMD anticipates a reduction in fog density after February 4 and 5. Meanwhile, other states like Rajasthan experienced light showers, and Himachal Pradesh witnessed moderate to heavy snowfall. Despite the challenges, the weather department forecasts a rise in rainfall for February, offering hope for improved conditions in the coming days.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a staggering 2050% increase in H-1B visa registration fees, effective from April 1. The move, revealed by the Department of Homeland Security, also includes hikes in L-1 and EB-5 visa fees. The new H-1B registration cost will be $215, up from $10. Netizens express concern, labeling it an assault on legal immigration. The DHS cites updated volume forecasts and increased workload as reasons for the changes. The move comes amid ongoing discussions on immigration policies and raises questions about its impact on skilled professionals.

The United States conducted overnight strikes targeting 10 Houthi attack drones and a ground control station in Yemen. A subsequent explosion near a vessel west of Hodeida was reported. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency confirmed no damage to the ship or injuries. The US, countering Houthi missile attacks, also downed an anti-ship ballistic missile and three Iranian drones. The Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping triggered reprisals by the US and UK. While tensions rise, both the US and Iran aim to avoid direct confrontation. The Houthi actions follow anger over Israel's Gaza campaign.