The UK is set for a cold spell, with temperatures dropping to -7°C in rural Scotland. The UK Health Security Agency has issued yellow cold health alerts for parts of northern and southeastern England from February 7 to 11. A blocked weather pattern over Scandinavia is bringing easterly winds, causing below-average daytime temperatures and strong wind chills. Some areas in the South and East may see light snow on Saturday and Monday. While this isn’t a "Beast from the East" event, the cold snap is expected to last through next week. Authorities advise caution against frost and icy conditions.

The H-1B cap registration for FY 2026 will open on March 7 with major changes, including a higher registration fee of $215 (up from $10) and a beneficiary-centric selection process to curb fraud. The new system links applications to a unique passport number to prevent duplicate entries. USCIS aims to reduce second lottery rounds by refining selection criteria. Modernized rules redefine “specialty occupation” and introduce stricter fraud prevention measures. Experts warn of increased scrutiny and Requests for Evidence (RFEs). Companies and applicants must prepare for a more competitive process. Lottery results are expected by March 31.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25% in its first Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting under Governor Sanjay Malhotra. The move aims to inject liquidity into the market, following a previous decision to keep the rate at 6.5%. The Sensex dropped 192 points, while Nifty fell by 73 points after the announcement. Malhotra projected a 6.75% GDP growth for the next year and emphasized the stability of commercial banks. The RBI reaffirmed its commitment to inflation targeting, stating it has served the Indian economy well.

The Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, saw a massive surge as 67.2 lakh pilgrims visited the site on Thursday. Authorities reinstated traffic restrictions, including barricades and vehicle diversions. Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, Manipur CM N Biren Singh, and Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan took a dip at the Triveni Sangam. A 68-member Hindu group from Pakistan’s Sindh performed ancestral rites. Meanwhile, Vishva Hindu Parishad’s three-day meeting began, addressing temple control, demographic concerns, and religious site issues. The Kumbh administration reported a steady increase in footfall, with Monday witnessing 2.47 crore pilgrims.

A US military C-17 transport aircraft carrying undocumented Indian immigrants landed in Amritsar on Wednesday, sparking concerns over mass deportations. The Indian government assured Parliament it is engaging with the US to ensure dignified treatment of deported individuals. Legal experts say returnees face no prosecution unless they used fake documents. However, they may be barred from re-entering the US or other Western nations. Calls are growing for action against travel agents exploiting desperate migrants. “The hammer should now fall on them,” said advocate KK Manan. Investigations into illegal immigration networks are ongoing.

US President Donald Trump will impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) for investigating US citizens and allies, including Israel. The executive order will freeze financial assets and impose visa bans on individuals assisting ICC probes. A White House official stated the move aims to counter what Trump calls "politically motivated" cases against US military personnel and allies. Critics argue the sanctions undermine international justice. The ICC has faced US opposition over past investigations into alleged war crimes. The move is expected to heighten tensions between the US and international legal bodies.

Exit polls predict BJP’s return to power in Delhi after nearly 30 years, with Axis My India forecasting 45-55 seats. AAP, seeking a third term, is projected to win 15-25 seats, while Congress may get 0-1. CNX and Today’s Chanakya also predict a BJP victory. Muslim votes remain with AAP (69-74%), while SC votes are split. BJP is expected to dominate East, West Delhi, Chandni Chowk, and New Delhi. The final results will determine if AAP defies predictions.

US President Donald Trump sparked controversy by calling the Washington plane crash that killed 67 people “amazing.” Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast, he said the tragedy would lead to better air traffic control systems. Comparing the collision to golf balls at a driving range, Trump claimed the US air control system is outdated and blamed “obsolete equipment.” His remarks drew sharp criticism, with many calling them insensitive. Earlier, Trump blamed diversity hiring for the crash. The accident involved an American Airlines flight and a Black Hawk helicopter near Washington’s Ronald Reagan National

2 Indian students, Cherukuri Suresh Chowdhary and Bhargav Chitturi, died in a car crash near Carlow, Ireland. Their Audi A6 veered off the road and hit a tree. Two others, also Indian students, sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and are receiving treatment at St Luke’s General Hospital. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin expressed shock, while the Indian Embassy in Dublin extended condolences and offered support. Authorities urged people to avoid sharing crash images. A community fundraiser raised over €25,000 to assist the victims' families with funeral costs.

Indian food delivery giant Zomato announced it will rebrand as "Eternal," integrating its key businesses—Zomato, Blinkit, District, and Hyperpure. CEO Deepinder Goyal stated the move signifies the company's evolution beyond food delivery. "We thought of renaming when something beyond Zomato became a significant driver," he said. Blinkit’s rapid expansion has fueled investor confidence in quick commerce. Competitors like Swiggy Instamart, Reliance JioMart, Amazon, and Walmart India are also expanding in this sector. Zomato first introduced the name internally over two years ago. The rebrand aims to align with its diversified business model.