The 2025 Grammy Awards honored top musical talents, with Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter winning Album of the Year and Best Country Album. Kendrick Lamar dominated with Not Like Us, winning Record, Song, and Best Rap Performance. Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran won Best Latin Pop Album, while Chappelle Roan secured Best New Artist. Sabrina Carpenter won Best Pop Vocal Album and Pop Solo Performance. The Beatles won Best Rock Performance for Now and Then. Hans Zimmer’s Dune: Part II won Best Score Soundtrack. Daniel Nigro was named Producer of the Year (Non-Classical). The night celebrated diverse global music excellence.

Over 62.25 lakh devotees participated in the sacred Amrit Snan at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on Basant Panchami during the Maha Kumbh 2025. Following a deadly stampede on January 29, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath enforced a "zero error" directive for safety. Saints and akhadas led processions at dawn for the ceremonial dip. Security was heightened, with 3,000 CCTV cameras monitoring 25 sectors. Over 34.97 crore pilgrims have attended so far. With a five crore turnout expected on Monday, authorities remain vigilant. The next major bathing dates are February 12 and 26, marking the culmination of the grand event.

Canadian hockey and basketball fans booed the US national anthem after President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on Canadian imports. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged Canadians to support local businesses, while provinces like Ontario pulled American alcohol from shelves. Canada retaliated with C$155B in tariffs on US goods, targeting Republican-led states. Trump insisted tariffs would remain until fentanyl and migration issues were addressed, even suggesting Canada should become the 51st US state. Economists warn Canada may face recession if tariffs persist. "We prefer diplomacy but are ready to fight," Trudeau declared.

India’s Abhishek Sharma blasted a 37-ball century against England in Mumbai, making him the fastest player to reach a T20I hundred within 11 overs. He missed Rohit Sharma and David Miller’s 35-ball record but surpassed Quinton de Kock’s previous milestone of 10.2 overs. Abhishek’s explosive innings featured relentless hitting, including a 17-ball fifty. His dominance helped India post their highest-ever T20I Powerplay score of 95/1. Partnered with Tilak Varma, he dismantled England’s bowling attack. Abhishek had earlier scored a 28-ball hundred in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

The Maha Kumbh Mela’s third Amrit Snan on Basant Panchami witnessed heightened security in Prayagraj after a deadly stampede on Mauni Amavasya killed 30 people. By 4 AM, 16.58 lakh devotees had taken a holy dip, with an estimated 5 crore expected. The Uttar Pradesh government reinforced security and crowd control, with CM Yogi Adityanath overseeing preparations. The Prayagraj DM declared a holiday for government offices due to the massive influx. The snan of all akharas concluded smoothly. The Maha Kumbh, held every 12 years, will conclude on February 26.

US President Donald Trump signaled plans to impose tariffs on the European Union, accusing it of treating the US “terribly.” The EU warned of a strong response, emphasizing that tariffs harm all parties. Trump previously imposed tariffs on European steel and aluminum in 2018, sparking a trade war. EU leaders will discuss the threat in Brussels. The President’s remarks follow recent tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada. Meanwhile, tensions persist over Trump’s push to acquire Greenland, which Denmark rejected. The EU insists on maintaining a rules-based trade system while preparing for potential economic conflict.

India secured a commanding 150-run victory over England in the fifth T20I at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, closing the series 4-1. Batting first, India posted a massive 247/9, with Abhishek Sharma smashing 135 runs off 37 balls. England’s chase faltered as they were bowled out for just 97 runs in 10.3 overs. India’s bowlers dominated, cutting through the English lineup. Despite a valiant half-century from Phil Salt, it wasn’t enough to stop the Indian team from sealing a dominant win in the series.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was clear about the need for tax relief in the Union Budget 2025. She explained that it took time to convince bureaucrats, who were focused on ensuring revenue generation. Sitharaman highlighted the government's efforts to simplify direct taxes and reduce the compliance burden for taxpayers. The new tax regime provides relief for salaried individuals, with those earning up to ₹12 lakh being exempt from income tax. Sitharaman emphasized that the Budget reflected the concerns of the middle class and aimed to serve all sections of society.

ISRO's 100th rocket mission, launched on Wednesday, faced a technical glitch. The NVS-02 satellite, which was to be placed in a geostationary orbit, encountered an issue when the thruster valves failed to open for orbit raising. As a result, the satellite remains in an elliptical orbit, and its designated tasks may be delayed or abandoned. ISRO is working on alternative strategies for the satellite’s use. The NVS-02 is part of India’s NavIC system, which provides regional GPS services. This glitch follows a series of previous challenges faced by other NavIC satellites.

The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing for a safe and error-free Amrit Snan during Maha Kumbh 2025 on Basant Panchami, February 3. Officials are working to prevent a repeat of the deadly stampede on January 29, which killed at least 30 people. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed authorities to ensure smooth crowd management. Senior officers, including Ashish Goyal and Bhanu Chandra Goswami, are overseeing the preparations. The Amrit Snan is an important ritual, attracting millions of devotees to the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, where they believe they can purify themselves and attain salvation.