ED arrests Hemant , Champai to take over as CM

ED arrested Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren soon after he resigned from his CM post in Jharkhand .

Transport Minister Champai has been chosen as leader of the JMM legislative council . He will be the next CM .

Hemant Soren also launched an FIR on four ED officials citing that the Delhi raid was an attempt to harass him .

Hemant Soren has been arrested in a case of purchasing and selling tribal lands by forging documents between 2020 – 2022 .

RBI curbs to render Paytm wallet FASStag inoperative

The Reserve Bank of India ( RBI ) imposed additional curbs on Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL ) , on Wednesday .prohibiting it from operating its mobile wallet after Fabruary .

It has also been barred from taking further  credit transactions or top ups  in bank accounts , prepaid instruments , wallets , fastags or National Common Mobility cards after Fabriatu 29 .

The RBI has initiated action against PayTM after a Comprehensive audit report that revealed “ persistent non compliance and continued material supervisory , concerns from bank , warranting further supervisory action .”

Court permits Hindu prayer in Gyanvapi Mosque’s basement

What court said :

The Varanasi district court on Wednesday , allowed Hindu prayers to be offered inside ‘ Vyas ka Tahkhana  ( sealed basement area )  of Gyanvapi Mosque complex .

The court has directed the administration to make arrangements for Puja within seven days .

Petitioner :

According to the petitioner the Hindu priest appointed by the Vyas family has performed daily rituals in the temple , at this spot within the complex before 1993 . Later it was stopped by state govt orders .

Opposition :

Anjuman Intezamia Committee that looks into the functioning of Gyanvapi mosque will challenge the order in the Allahabad High Court .

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board ( AIMPLB ) told the decision “ completely unacceptable “

We will present full budget once  new government is formed after polls : Modi

On Fabruary 1 , Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present budget for year 2024-25 . This will be ‘ interim budget ‘ , as this is last budget session just before general elections . A full budget will be presented after new government forms .

PM Modi speaking to media  pointed this being interim budget . On tussle between Opposition and treasury benches in winter session when 146 MPs were suspended , PM Modi said that  “ habitutally unruly “ MPs must introspect .

Bombay HC delivers split verdict on validity of Center’s fact checking rule

The two judge bench of Bombay High Court gave split verdict over fact checking rule by govt .

In Information Technology ( Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code )  Amendment Rules , 2023   , Provision of a fact checking unit is there . The Fact Checking unit will identify fake , false and misleading information on social media . PIB has been made a fact checking unit .

A third judge will be appointed by the Bombay High court  who will now decide on the validity of the fact checking unit .

World

Imran Khan gets 14 years in second jail term in two days

Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Biwi was found guilty of retaining and selling state gifts in violation of government rules . On Wednesday Imran Khan was sentenced to 14 year jail term in this case .

In addition Mr Khan was also disqualified for holding any oublicnoffice for 10 years .

Mr Khan’s lawyer dismissed the conviction as violation of his basic rights telling that the judge didn’t wait for arrival of his legal team .

Iran to ‘ decisively strike ‘ to any IS strike on nation

Iran threatened on Wednesday to “ decisively respond “ to any attack on Iran . 

Earlier after killing of 3 US soldiers , Joe Biden had accused Iran for this and has vowed for retaliatory strikes .

Maldives turns to Sri Lanka for medical Evacuation support

Maldives has sought Sri Lanka’s assistance in Medical evacuation services  – mainly to transport patients to Colombo , in Air ambulances – amid persisting strain ties with India .

Maldivian civil Aviation minister met his Srilankan counterpart and announced that Srilanka has agreed with that .

This comes after Maldives is facing  strained ties with  India .

India’s two naval Chopper and a Drone aircraft

has been involved in more than 600 evacuations in recent times .

Sports

Maharashtra takes Khelo India Youth games crown for fourth time

Maharashtra topped Khelo India Games with medal tally of 57 golds , 48 Silver and 53 Bronze .

Tamilnadu finished second with 38 Gold , 21 Silver and 39 Bronze ( 98 medals )

Haryana finished third with 35 Gold , 22Silver and 46 Bronze

Science

Scientist fuse brain like tissue with electronics to make computer

Scientist have fused brain like tissue with with electronics to make an “ organoid neural network “ that can recognise voice and solve complex mathematical problem .

Making Artificial Neurons , chips that can  help curing neurological diseases is one of the most important reseaech areas in current time .

First human has received Neuralink transplant

According to Elon Musk  his company Neuralink has for the first time implanted a coin size device in the brain of a human through a survey. .

Elon Musk in a post on X said that the first device will be known as “ Telepathy “ . It enables users to control their phones “ just by thinking “ .

He said that initial users will be those who have lost their limbs .

The Great Indian Internet shutdown. , how access to the Internet in India is curtailed :

The Supreme Court in India on  Wednesday , questioned the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir about non publication of orders on suspension of internet  in the UT .

Anuradha Bhasin Jidgement –  On January 10 , 2020 Supreme Court of India held that access to internet is fundamental right under Indian Constitution . The court further ruled that any suspension to Internet should be temporary , limited in Scope , lawful , necessary and proportionate . The court further added that Government’s order to further restricting internet services are subject to review by court .

Rising. Tension in Korean Peninsula

Tension between North and South Korea has increased in recent times . Recently North Korea has cancelled its policy of Korean Unification , and has formally categorised South Korea as an adeverdial state , The country has also rescended its frequency and policy of missile test , expanding its strategic capabilities .

The main reason behind these is countries like USA , and Japan conducting regular military exercises . The current govt of South Korea is tilted towards this . North Korea also has drifted further towards Russia , that could be seen from recent visit of Kim Jong Un to Russia .