BJP weighs its options in Bihar
Nithis Kumar is likely to resign today and join hands with BJP . BJP party leaders and MLAs held meetings twice on Saturday .
Under the new government with BJP support Nitish is likely to be the CM , BJP is likely to have two deputy Chief ministers Renu Devi and Sushil Modi .
Bihar Legislature ( Total seats – 243 , Required to form govt – 122 , RJD – 80 , BJP – 53, JD( U) – 71 )
India and France agree to set up ‘ joint surveillance mission ‘ in Indian Ocean
India and France agreed to intensify their copliperation in the Southwestern India Ocean, building on “ Joint Surveillance Missions’ ‘ , Carried out from French Law Reunion in 2020 and 2022 .
The joint statement released by Ministry of External Affairs say this .
NeXT put on backburner again as NMC seeks comment from stakeholders
NeXT test has been put on hold again after NMC ( National Medical Commission ) ,the body that regulates Medical education asked for feedback from medical professional to comment on preparation before bringing the exam .
NMC has given a date till February 7 for the feedback .
NeXT test is to replace (NEET PG ) for admission in PG courses and FMGE ( Foreign Medical Graduate Exam ) for foreigners to practicing medicine in India .
India Medical Association (IMA ) has been opposing the test .
Hand over Gyanvapi site , VHP asks mosque panel
After ASI made its report on Gyanvapi Mosque public , the Vishwa Hindu Parishad ( VHP ) has asked the Mosque administration to shift the Mosque to some other place . Alok Kumar , International working President of VHP also urged Muslim community to allow Shivpuja at site .
ASI on its survey report had said that the western wall of the Gyanvapi Mosque is part of a large Hindu temple . The interior of the mosque was built with the help of some of the remainings of the temple .
Earlier SC had allowed “ scientific survey “ of Mosque using “ non invasive technology “
. The survey was done using Ground Penetrating Radar ( GPR ) .
Places of Worship Act , 1991 – Places of Worship Act 1991 talks of keeping the status of religious places same as they existed in August 15 ,1947 .
Jarange Patil ends stir after govt offers OBC benefits to Marathas
Jarange Patil the Maratha activists on Monday ended his indefinite fast after. Maharashtra govt issued a notification that Marathas will get all facilities that a OBC gets until it’s Assembly makes law to give Maratha Kunbis the OBC status .
Jarange Patil was on fast since 26 January at Azad Maidan in Mumbai .
World
Britain , Italy and Finland pause funding for UN agency in Gaza
Britain , Italy and Finland became the latest countries to stop funding to UNRWA .
US , Canada and Australia has already paused their funding .
This came after an allegation by Israel that 12 UNRWA employees were involved in the October 7 attack by Hamas .
Washington approves sale of F-16 jets to Turkey
After Turkey Parliament ratified Sweden’s NATO bid . US has cleared a 23 billion dollar deal to sell 40 F16 to Turkey , the deal also includes upgradation of 79 F16 with Turkey .
The US Congress has also cleared a deal of about 8.6 billion dollars to sell 40 F35 to Greece .
F16, F 35 these are considered to be the most advanced Fighter jets currently in function.
Sports
Australian Open
Women’s Singles : Aryana Sabaleka won AO 2024 by defeating. China’s Zheng Quinwen
Doubles : Rohan Bopanna and Ebden won AO doubles men .
Bopanna and Ebden are currently world no 1 .
FAQ
1.What is Ladakh’s demand on Gilgit Baltistan ?
Ladakh’s two socio economic bodies Leh Alex Body ( LAB ) and Kargil Democratic Alliance ( KDA ) are in talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding several of their demands . Recently they submitted a memorandum to extend territorial control of Ladakh up to Gilgit Baltistan in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir .
Why this demand ?
Prior to 1947 , the Ladakh district also comprised the Gilgit Baltistan area , which is now occupied by Pakistan .
The memorandum highlights this fact in favor of its demand .
Other demand of Ladakh Civil Society groups
● Restoration of State good for Gaza ,
● Special status under sixth schedule and Article 371 .
● Establishment of Ladakh Public Sevice Commission that will have exclusive rights to recruit officials .
Ladakh has a population of 2.74 lakh , with 46 % Muslim , 40% Buddhist and 12% Hindus .
2.Why Punjab is in court over BSF’s power
In 2021 the government of India increased the Jurisdiction of Border Security Force ( BSF ) , which chiefly focuses on trans order crimes , – from 15 km to 50 km , inside international borders in the states of Punjab , West Bengal and Assam .
Punjab govt has criticized this move , it has ultimately moved to Supreme Court , which has fixed the third week of April for hearing the lawsuit .
3.Can malaria vaccine rollout be scaled up ?
On January 22 Cameroon in Africa , became the first country in the world to launch the RTS , a malaria vaccine for children in Routine national immunization service .
Twenty-one countries aim to roll out such programmes this year . The vaccine has been made under UNICEF initiative by UK based GSK .
About Malaria
Malaria is the biggest killer of children across the world. In 2022 , more than half the country’s population was at risk of malaria .
Africa amounts to the highest burden with 94% of cases and 95% of deaths .
India
According to a recent report by WHO , India accounts for 66% of malaria cases in South East Asia .
India has made progress in reducing its maraia burden . It has a vision to be a malaria free country by 2027 , and elimination by 2030.
Science
Minimal radioactive discharges from Indian nuclear plant : study
Western Equine Encephalitis outbreak in Argentina :
Western Equine Encephalitis is a mosquito borne disease .
