Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is rebuilding her influence after the US stopped aid to Bangladesh. The aid cut weakens groups linked to interim leader Muhammad Yunus. Hasina’s Awami League remains united, with leaders and workers staying loyal. She uses encrypted platforms to communicate and hold virtual meetings. Her social media messages keep supporters motivated. Despite being in exile, Hasina is focused on regaining control. Party leaders believe her work for the country still earns her love and support. They are confident she will fight back when the time for elections arrives.

At least 30 people have died and 60 more were injured in a tragic crowd crush during the Kumbh Mela festival, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the tragedy and expressed condolences to the victims. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos at the Ganges River bank, with belongings scattered as people tried to escape the crush. Officials had expected up to 100 million attendees for the ritual bathing day. Despite the chaos, tens of thousands continue to attempt the holy dip, but the atmosphere remains subdued.

Virat Kohli's return to the Ranji Trophy, playing for Delhi against Railways, raises mixed expectations. After a tough Test series in Australia and ongoing recovery from a neck strain, Kohli's performance in the final round of the league will attract attention. While a century or more would be seen as routine against a relatively weak Railways side, another low score could fuel critics. Despite the stakes being low, this rare domestic appearance has generated interest, especially with the upcoming ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy. Kohli's commitment to the game remains unquestioned, even in this low-pressure scenario.

The Supreme Court has directed hospitals, including AIIMS Delhi, to regularize the unauthorized absence of doctors who participated in protests following the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College in August 2024. A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna clarified that protesting doctors who returned to work post-SC order should not be penalized for their absence. The ruling followed a submission from a doctors' body concerned about the treatment of the period as leave, which could affect medical students. The decision comes after the conviction of Sanjay Roy for the crime.

A stampede occurred at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj during the Mauni Amavasya ritual of the Maha Kumbh, causing chaos as thousands gathered for the holy dip. At least 15 people are feared dead, with over 70 injured. Vivek Mishra, a local resident, described the scene, noting that pilgrims, many carrying luggage, lost their balance due to obstacles like dustbins, leading to the stampede. Despite the chaos, authorities reported that no injuries were life-threatening. UP CM Yogi Adityanath was contacted by PM Modi and Amit Shah. Opposition parties criticized the event's poor arrangements.

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal challenged Union Minister Amit Shah and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to drink Yamuna water in public, reiterating his claim that Haryana is poisoning it. He alleged ammonia levels spiked to 7 PPM, calling it a "deliberate conspiracy" to disrupt Delhi's water supply. Citing a Jal Board CEO’s letter, Kejriwal accused BJP of endangering Delhiites. Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini threatened legal action, while PM Modi dismissed the claim, saying, "I drink the same water." With Delhi elections on February 5, access to clean water remains a major poll issue.

PM Modi, at a Delhi rally, rebuffed AAP’s claim that Haryana poisoned Yamuna water, asking, "Can Haryana BJP poison me?" He argued Yamuna water is consumed by judges, diplomats, and Delhiites, including himself, and called AAP’s remarks divisive and insulting to Haryana. AAP, led by Arvind Kejriwal, alleged that ammonia contamination in Yamuna water from Haryana posed a health risk, endangering Delhi residents. Modi accused AAP of electoral fear-mongering and vowed BJP’s “double-engine government” would address Delhi’s long-standing issues. He also extended condolences for lives lost in the Maha Kumbh stampede earlier that day.

Ukraine launched 104 drones targeting Russian oil and power facilities, according to Russia’s defense ministry. Drones targeted nine regions, including Smolensk and Kursk, where Ukrainian forces are active. A nuclear power plant was reportedly among the targets, though it remains operational. Debris from a destroyed drone caused a fire at an oil refinery in Nizhny Novgorod. Flights temporarily halted at Kazan and Pulkovo airports have resumed. Meanwhile, Ukraine reports downing 29 of 57 Russian drones launched overnight, with attacks damaging buildings in Odesa's port area. Both sides continue escalating drone warfare amidst ongoing conflict.

Chinese AI firm DeepSeek has sparked U.S. national security concerns with its breakthrough AI model, prompting the U.S. Navy to ban its apps over "potential security and ethical issues." The White House confirmed investigations into DeepSeek’s implications, as President Trump labeled it a "wake-up call" for U.S. tech. DeepSeek’s rise caused a dip in U.S. tech stocks, reigniting fears of knowledge distillation from OpenAI models. Meanwhile, DeepSeek faces cyberattacks, temporarily limiting user registrations. Despite advancements, experts assert U.S. dominance in AI, emphasizing its strong chip manufacturing edge.

Virat Kohli’s return to the Ranji Trophy after 13 years has created a buzz rarely seen in domestic cricket. Ahead of Delhi’s match against Railways at Arun Jaitley Stadium, a Delhi police officer requested more security due to the unexpected crowd of journalists and fans. Kohli, choosing not to captain Delhi, supported Ayush Badoni’s leadership. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and JioCinema will live-stream the match to meet fan demand, deviating from their original broadcasting plans. This marks a significant moment for the tournament, showcasing Kohli’s dedication to promoting domestic cricket.