Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann will lead an AAP protest on February 2 against BJP's alleged malpractices in the recent Chandigarh mayoral election. The BJP secured victory amid controversy, with opposition votes invalidated. Kejriwal accuses BJP of rigging and warns of concerning precedents. AAP-Congress alliance, expecting a win, faced defeat. The protest coincides with Kejriwal's Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons in a money laundering probe linked to the Delhi excise case. BJP claims Kejriwal mocks the constitution by evading ED, adding tension to the unfolding political drama.

Top UN officials caution that the halt in funding to UNRWA, the main aid agency in Gaza, could lead to a "collapse of the humanitarian system." The US, UK, Germany, Sweden, and Japan suspended funding over alleged UN staff involvement in Hamas attacks. Israel accuses UNRWA of having Hamas ties. While the US urges a continued aid agency operation, UNRWA warns it may cease operations by February without funding. UN Secretary-General Guterres launches an independent investigation, emphasizing the vital role UNRWA plays. The UN urges reconsideration of funding cuts to prevent severe humanitarian consequences in Gaza.

The Indian government is set to present the "Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill" in the Lok Sabha on Monday, targeting paper leaks in various exams. The bill suggests substantial penalties, including fines from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh and imprisonment up to 10 years for offenders. In response to recent question paper leaks in states like Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Bihar, the legislation aims to address unfair practices in central agency competitive exams and university assessments. President Droupadi Murmu affirmed the government's commitment to combatting exam malpractices during the Budget session.

China confirms the death of a 63-year-old woman from Anhui province due to a rare combination of H3N2 and H10N5 bird flu strains. The woman, with underlying health conditions, showed symptoms starting November 30, and her close contacts tested negative. China's Disease Control emphasizes this as an isolated bird-to-human transmission, asserting low infection risk and no human-to-human transmission. The country's environment, rich in bird populations, raises concerns about virus mixing. This incident follows last year's H3N8 bird flu fatality in China. Global health organizations monitor these developments amid the dynamic nature of avian viruses.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a final rule for the FY 2025 H-1B cap, focusing on beneficiary-centric selection to ensure fairness. The rule, effective from October 2024, mandates registrants to provide valid passport information, reducing fraud risks. USCIS clarified requirements for employment start dates and gained the authority to deny or revoke petitions with false information. The FY 2025 H-1B cap registration opens on March 6, 2024, with USCIS launching organisational accounts on February 28, 2024. The reforms aim to enhance transparency, efficiency, and resistance to fraud in the H-1B program.

As anticipation builds for the upcoming second Test against England in Vizag, the Indian cricket team showcased their determination with a focused training session on Wednesday. Led by captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid, the squad honed their skills in the nets, aiming to level the series starting February 2. With key players like Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel expected to play crucial roles, the team is leaving no stone unturned in their preparation. Despite challenges like Ravindra Jadeja's absence, India remains upbeat and ready to take on the English challenge on home turf.            

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the BJP, accusing them of misusing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to target Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Soren resigned following ED questioning in a land scam case, prompting Kharge to declare it as an assault on federalism. Kharge highlighted BJP's alleged misuse of PMLA provisions to intimidate opposition leaders, labeling it a conspiracy to destabilize non-BJP governments. As Soren steps down, loyalist Champai Soren is set to become the new chief minister. The political drama unfolds as opposition voices rally against what they perceive as a threat to democracy.

Pakistani and Iranian crew express gratitude to the Indian Navy for their rescue from Somali pirates. The Navy released a video showcasing the anti-piracy operation, with the crew thanking Indian Navy for saving their lives. Pirates disarmed after seeing the Indian Navy, firing warning shots during the mission. The Navy remains committed to maritime security in the Indian Ocean region. INS Sumitra successfully thwarted piracy attempts, rescuing 19 Pakistani crew members. The crew members, held by Somali pirates, extend their thanks, emphasizing the Indian Navy's crucial role in ensuring maritime safety.

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan emphasized the significance of Virat Kohli's continued absence alongside KL Rahul's injury, providing a lifeline for struggling batters Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer. With both failing to make an impact recently, their positions in the squad were under scrutiny. However, the void left by Kohli and Rahul's unavailability prompts a potential reprieve for Gill and Iyer. Despite calls for new blood, the team management leans towards experience amidst a challenging series against England. Pathan's optimism resonates with India's capacity to bounce back, maintaining hope for victory despite a setback in the opener.

Indian Navy's INS Sumitra successfully rescues hijacked fishing vessel from Somali pirates, releasing 19 Pakistani crew members. Netizens, amused by a zoomed-in photo, discover a pirate wearing a Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) jersey. Social media erupts with laughter and memes, with comments like "Divided by Nation, united by RCB." Users highlight the global fanbase of RCB and humorously suggest the pirate might have thought the jersey would garner forgiveness. Despite the amusing revelation, the Indian Navy continues its efforts, thwarting another piracy attempt on the Iranian-flagged fishing vessel, FV Iman, saving 17 crew members.