West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in the state. She was joined by Trinamool Congress leaders and families who said they were affected by the revision process. The party said a 15-member delegation attended the meeting at the Election Commission office. It included Abhishek Banerjee and MP Kalyan Banerjee. Several participants wore black shawls as a mark of protest. The party claimed some living people were marked as dead in records. It also said some families faced stress linked to the SIR process. Security was increased around the EC office. (PC: India Today)

Rafah Border Crossing between Gaza and Egypt has reopened for limited civilian movement after months of closure, Israeli and Egyptian officials said. The gate had been mostly shut since Israeli forces took control of the Gaza side in May 2024. Officials said only small numbers will be allowed to cross each day. Priority will go to sick and wounded Palestinians. Israeli reports say about 50 patients daily can leave with one or two relatives. European Union supervisors and Palestinian staff are managing operations, with Israeli security checks done remotely. The World Health Organization is helping move medical patients for treatment abroad. (PC: BBC)

The International Cricket Council is considering possible sanctions against Pakistan Cricket Board after Pakistan refused to play its T20 World Cup match against India, according to broadcaster sources. A senior-level ICC meeting is expected within 48 hours to review the situation. Options under discussion include financial penalties and possible suspension from ICC events. Pakistan officials said the team will take part in the tournament but skip the India match in support of Bangladesh, which was replaced by Scotland. The ICC has not made a formal public statement yet. The dispute has raised concerns about the tournament schedule and revenue. (PC: NDTV)

At least 12 miners were killed after a Russian drone strike hit a bus in eastern Ukraine, according to energy company DTEK and local officials. The bus was carrying workers after their shift in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Emergency services said at least 15 people were injured. DTEK first reported 15 deaths but later revised the toll to 12. Ukrainian officials also reported other strikes overnight. A drone hit a maternity hospital in Zaporizhzhia and injured six people. Regional head Ivan Fedorov said the attack happened while women were giving birth. Russia had earlier said it would pause attacks on energy sites during the cold snap. (PC: BBC)

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has released a video showing a woman suicide attacker taking part in a recent armed operation in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. The woman, identified by the group as Hawa Baloch, is seen firing a rifle and delivering a recorded message hours before her death. She claims Pakistani forces were afraid to confront them and calls on Baloch supporters to join the fight. The video appears to be filmed at night on a phone camera. It ends with visuals of two dead fighters. Pakistan’s military said more than 130 separatists were killed in two days of counter-operations. The BLA also reported its own casualties.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani was heckled by protesters outside his official residence after new Epstein-related records mentioned his mother, filmmaker Mira Nair. Videos showed people shouting “shame” and “you lied to us” near Gracie Mansion. The records include a 2009 email that refers to Nair attending an after-party at the townhouse of Ghislaine Maxwell. The message listed several public figures present at the event. The US Justice Department recently released millions of Epstein-linked documents and files. There is no allegation of wrongdoing against Nair in the email. Mamdani has not issued a detailed public response to the protest at the time of reporting. (PC: India Today)

Pakistan security forces are carrying out large search operations in Balochistan after coordinated militant attacks left more than 190 people dead in two days. Officials said those killed include civilians, security personnel, and militants. The provincial chief minister said cleared areas are now under control and warned, “Our blood is not that cheap. We will chase them until their hideouts.” The attacks hit banks, police stations, jails, and military sites. Mobile internet and train services remain suspended in many areas. Pakistan ministers accused India of supporting the attackers without sharing proof. India denied the charge and called the allegations “baseless” and meant to deflect from internal issues. (PC: HT)

A possible Pakistan boycott of the India match at the T20 World Cup 2026 could hit the tournament’s biggest revenue game. Industry estimates value the India-Pakistan clash at about $500 million, or nearly ₹4,500 crore, from broadcast, ads, sponsors, and tickets. The ICC said it hopes the PCB will consider the “long-term implications” for its own cricket and the global game. Reports say broadcasters may lose about ₹300 crore in ads if the match is not played. Both boards could lose around ₹200 crore each in direct and indirect income. A voluntary withdrawal may also expose the PCB to fines and withheld ICC payments. (PC: NDTV)

UK politician Peter Mandelson has resigned from the Labour Party, saying his links to Jeffrey Epstein could cause “further embarrassment” after new US justice files were released. The papers mention three payments of $25,000 each in 2003 and 2004 linked to his name. Mandelson said the allegations are false and he has “no record or recollection” of the payments. In his letter, he wrote, “I do not wish to cause further embarrassment to the Labour Party and I am therefore stepping down.” He also repeated his apology to Epstein’s victims. Mandelson said he will review the claims and earlier questioned if the documents are authentic. (PC: BBC)

Cigarette pack prices have increased after the higher excise duty on tobacco took effect from February 1. Trade distributors said prices are up by about ₹22 to ₹25 per pack of 10 sticks. They said fresh supplies with revised MRP will start reaching shops from this week. A distributor told PTI, “Companies have started billing retailers at new tax rates, and new stock will follow.” Mid-size brands like Wills Navy Cut may rise from ₹95 to around ₹120. Larger packs such as Wills Classic and Gold Flake Lights may reach ₹220–₹225. Distributor groups also warned that sharp price hikes may increase smuggling and fake products. (PC: HT)