ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

• 2004 Facebook is founded
• 1789 George Washington is elected as first President of the United States
• 1861 The Confederate States of America are established

NATIONAL

• India evacuates Maldivians, Bangladesh citizens from Wuhan as part of neighbourhood first policy. China not only took four days to allow permission for evacuation but also reportedly expressed displeasure over the advisory India issued this asking its citizens to refrain from travelling to China in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
• Kolam contest enters Asia Book of Records. A 'kolam' drawing contest in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu has made it into the Asia Book of Records. Hundreds of students created 510 unique 'kolams', the traditional art of designs done with powder.
• BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year: Sindhu, Mary Kom among nominees. The other three nominees are, Vinesh Phogat (wrestling),Dutee Chand (athletics) and Manasi Joshi (para-badminton).

ECONOMY

• Anil Ambani's sons quit Reliance Infra board in less than six months. The statement mentioned the date of cessation as 31st January, and did not share reasons for resignation. The company did not share any details on any new role that the two brothers will assume.
• Realty ace Sandeep Mathrani is WeWork CEO. Mathrani, an Indian-American, joins from US-based real estate management company Brookfield Properties, where he was the CEO of its retail division.
• RBI Chief Das is Central Banker of the Year. Currently serving as the 25th governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI),Shaktikanta Das was earlier a member of the Fifteenth Finance Commission and India's Sherpa to the G20.