School assembly headlines February 3: Key national, global and sports developments

Students preparing for assemblies can catch up on today’s top headlines across India, the world, sports and defence. From heated exchanges in the Lok Sabha over Army Chief MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir, to Iran’s call for nuclear talks with the US, the Balochistan Liberation Army’s offensive in Pakistan, and the BCCI’s stance on Pakistan’s boycott row, here’s a quick roundup of the major stories making news today to keep you informed and updated.

NATIONAL NEWS

Lok Sabha: Rahul, Rajnath spar over ex-Army chief’s unpublished memoir

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha was disrupted and adjourned multiple times on Monday after heated exchanges broke out when Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi sought to cite an unpublished book by former Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane during his address.

The move triggered objections from the Treasury benches and from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who argued that unpublished material cannot be cited on the floor of the House. Home Minister Amit Shah supported the objection, urging Gandhi to restrict his remarks to officially published and verifiable sources.

Indian Army launches security operation in Samba after suspicious men sighted in uniform

Jammu: The Indian Army launched a security operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district on Monday following reports of two suspicious individuals dressed in army-style uniforms. Army personnel cordoned off a Military Engineering Service (MES) building in the area after locals reported seeing two unidentified men dressed in army-style clothing near the facility in Bari Brahmana. 

Centre defends Wangchuk’s detention in Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Centre on Monday justified the detention of activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA), telling the Supreme Court that his remarks posed a grave risk to national security and public order.

A bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Prasanna B Varale heard the case. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, argued that Wangchuk could not be allowed to “spread venom” by calling for plebiscites and referendums in Ladakh, a strategically vital region for India’s defence and military supply lines.

Tatkare questions merger speculation amid NCP buzz

Karad, Maharashtra: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Sunil Tatkare on Monday dismissed speculation over a possible merger of the party’s two factions, asking, “Which party is supposed to merge with whom?” He emphasised that under the leadership of the late Ajit Pawar, the NCP had collectively resolved to align with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and intends to remain within it. He added that those discussing a merger should first clarify whether they themselves support such a move.

ASI tells Bombay HC Savarkar Sadan ineligible for central protection

Mumbai: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has told the Bombay High Court that Savarkar Sadan, the former residence of Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, does not qualify to be declared a centrally protected monument, as the building has yet to complete the mandatory 100 years of age.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Iran orders nuclear talks with US as Trump voices hope for deal

Paris: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday directed the start of nuclear negotiations with the United States, local media reported, shortly after US President Donald Trump said he remained hopeful of striking a deal to avoid military action.

Fars news agency quoted a government source confirming Pezeshkian’s order, with state and reformist newspapers also carrying the report. Earlier the same day, Iran announced it was preparing a framework for talks, with messages exchanged through regional intermediaries.

Two women suicide bombers among 11 behind Baloch attack on Pakistani forces

Quetta, Pakistan: The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for a major offensive against Pakistani security forces, stating that its campaign, dubbed Operation Herof Phase II, has been ongoing for more than 40 hours across several districts of Balochistan.

According to the BLA, more than 200 personnel from the Pakistan Army, police and Frontier Corps were killed during the offensive, with at least 17 captured. The group claimed that those involved in the assault include two female suicide attackers, one of whom used an improvised explosive device (IED) in a recent attack against intelligence infrastructure.

Trump threatens legal action against Grammy host over Epstein remark

Washington: Donald Trump on Monday threatened legal action against Trevor Noah, host of the 68th Grammy Awards, after the comedian linked the US president to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during the ceremony. Trump condemned the remarks and warned of possible legal proceedings in response.

China condemns Dalai Lama’s Grammy win as ‘political manipulation’

Beijing: Beijing on Monday sharply criticised the Dalai Lama’s first Grammy Award, describing the honour as “a tool for anti-China political manipulation.” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded to the prize on Monday, declaring, “It is well known that the 14th Dalai Lama is not merely a religious figure but a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the guise of religion. We firmly oppose the relevant party using the award as a tool for anti-China political manipulation.”

Newly released emails reveal Fergie’s praise for Epstein

London: Sarah Ferguson, the former wife of Britain’s Prince Andrew, described convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as a “legend” and “the brother I have always wished for,” according to documents newly disclosed by US authorities.

Epstein’s ties to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor—stripped of his royal titles last October—have long been under scrutiny. However, the latest emails shed fresh light on Ferguson’s own connection to the disgraced financier.

SPORTS NEWS

BCCI backs ICC over Pakistan boycott row

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said it “fully agrees” with the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) statement regarding the Pakistani government’s announcement that its men’s team will not play against India in the group stage match of the 2026 T20 World Cup scheduled for February 15.

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla confirmed the board’s position on Monday.