During his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Rahul Gandhi intensifies his criticism of Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging he is "remote-controlled" by PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Gandhi asserts Sarma would be "thrown out" if he advocated for Assam's welfare. In response, Sarma directs police to file a case against Gandhi for allegedly provoking the crowd. The FIR, termed a political move by Congress, triggers condemnation. Gandhi continues branding Sarma as the "most corrupt CM." The ongoing verbal sparring escalates as both leaders exchange accusations, adding fuel to the political heat in Assam.

The communal tensions in Mira Road escalate as a mob targets the owner of 'Rashid Tempo' in Shanti Nagar. The viral video shows the tempo being attacked merely a kilometer from the Naya Nagar area, where clashes erupted on January 21. Abdul Haque, the owner, expresses reluctance to file a police complaint, stating, "We will only get embroiled in legal hassles." His son, Mohammad Tariq, drove the attacked vehicle, suffering injuries along with associates Mohammad Meraj and Deen Ali. Despite the video circulating on social media, Haque notes a lack of police response. Communal clashes persist for the third consecutive day, raising concerns about the situation's control in Mira Road.

Uncapped spinner Shoaib Bashir, of Pakistani heritage, confronts visa hurdles on England's India tour, forcing his absence from the first Test. Expressing frustration, Captain Ben Stokes says, "I feel bad for Bashir." India's Rohit Sharma hopes for a swift resolution. UK PM Rishi Sunak's office demands fairness, stating, "We expect India to treat British citizens fairly." The spokesperson adds, "We've raised issues about their experience of applying for visas with the Indian High Commissioner in London." Despite setbacks, Bashir secures a last-minute visa. As England finalizes its XI, the visa saga adds tension, with Sunak's office emphasizing fair treatment in the process.

Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron is set to return to the Middle East, advocating for an urgent humanitarian ceasefire. Downing Street reveals he will emphasize "the importance of a two-state solution." Cameron, currently serving as foreign secretary, plans visits to Qatar, Israel, the West Bank, and Turkey. Insisting on a comprehensive ceasefire, he asserts that Hamas must release all hostages for any lasting agreement. Cameron's efforts align with Qatar's mediation for a two-month ceasefire plan. His focus includes pressuring Israel to facilitate aid into Gaza, emphasizing the need for more open crossing points.

Aryan Khan, son of Shah Rukh Khan, graduated from USC's School of Cinematic Arts amid the pandemic, with his dean revealing, "We never met him when he was there because COVID was what took one and a half years..." USC faculty, Dr. Priya Jaikumar, shared that Aryan collaborated with USC friends for his directorial debut, 'Stardom,' citing influence from his time at the university. Despite challenges, Aryan insisted on working with his USC peers over a professional crew. The web series, featuring cameos from Bollywood stars, commenced in July 2023 and offers a fictionalized glimpse into the Hindi film industry.

The Turkish parliament has finally endorsed Sweden's NATO membership bid with a decisive vote of 287-55. The process, delayed since Sweden's application in 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saw a breakthrough as Turkey, previously withholding approval over alleged support to Kurdish separatists, gave its nod. The move leaves Hungary as the sole NATO member yet to ratify Sweden's accession. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed optimism, stating, "Today we are one step closer to becoming a full member of NATO." NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Turkey's decision, urging Hungary for swift ratification.

The UK Home Office has reversed its stance on a policy that denied certain modern slavery victims protection from traffickers. The change, welcomed by human rights groups, restores crucial safeguards for vulnerable individuals. The policy, known as public order disqualification, introduced by former home secretary Suella Braverman, excluded potential trafficking victims with criminal convictions from automatic assessment for support. Critics argued this could push victims back into the hands of traffickers. The amended policy now mandates caseworkers to assess all trafficking victims for re-trafficking risk before withdrawing support due to convictions.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar suggests Prime Minister Narendra Modi may attempt to take "full credit" for conferring Bharat Ratna on late CM Karpoori Thakur. Kumar, addressing an event commemorating Thakur's birth centenary, acknowledges being informed by Thakur's son about the PM's call. While expressing gratitude, Kumar emphasizes a longstanding JD(U) demand for Thakur's recognition. Thakur, the first non-Congress socialist CM, posthumously received Bharat Ratna. The Congress welcomes the decision but deems it reflective of Modi's desperation and hypocrisy. Thakur's legacy inspires Kumar's commitment to social justice and OBC welfare measures.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issues a 'red alert' for Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, signaling an imminent severe cold wave. With very dense fog predicted, over 150 flights experience delays at Delhi's IGI Airport, compounded by Republic Day restrictions. IMD forecasts light rainfall/snowfall in the Western Himalayan Region, coupled with an 'orange alert.' Dense fog conditions create visibility challenges, affecting states like Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and more. Severe cold day conditions persist in various areas, leading to train delays and impacting flight schedules in Delhi.

According to a recent Reuters poll, India is anticipated to maintain its position as the fastest-growing major economy in the upcoming year, driven by robust government spending. The economy, predicted to grow at 6.9% this fiscal year, exceeded expectations in the first two quarters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focus on infrastructure investment has propelled growth, compensating for sluggish private investment and job creation. While inflation rose in December, economists expect it to subside soon. The survey suggests consumer spending has slowed, emphasizing the need for measures to stimulate employment and enhance disposable incomes for sustained economic momentum.