CRED has launched the beta version of its e₹ wallet, developed in collaboration with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and YES BANK as the sponsor bank. This initiative marks the implementation of RBI's Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) on a fintech platform.
After Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh, cannabis cultivation for both industrial and medical purposes will be regulated by Himachal Pradesh, making it the third state in India to become involved in this business. The addition of this new business is expected to enhance the state's revenues by Rs 500 crore every year.
Places like Kullu, Manali, Mandi, Chamba, Shimla, and Sirmaur have suitable climatic conditions suitable for Agro and cannabis plants. Hence, it grows in abundance there. This recommendation was approved to the cabinet yesterday.
For the purposes of controlling cannabis cultivation in the state, the cabinet has permitted the revenue department to proceed with effective cultivation along with a pilot program for cannabis cultivation which will be done in collaboration with Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Krishi Vishvavidyalaya from Palampur in the Kangra district and Dr YS Parmar University from Nauni in the Solan district.
Google is complying with President Donald Trump’s executive action that renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Soon, the name change will appear on Google Maps.
In a post on X, Google explained that it has a “longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources.” The name will be tweaked when the Geographic Names Information System, a government database of names and location data, is updated.
Google will also change the name of Mount McKinley, the nation’s highest peak, from Denali. Former President Barack Obama renamed the Alaska landmark to Denali in 2015 as a nod to the region’s native population.
Harpreet Kaur Babla of the BJP was on Thursday elected as the new mayor of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, winning against AAP’s Prem Lata. Babla garnered 19 votes compared to Lata’s 17. The announcement was made by presiding officer Ramneek Singh Bedi.
Polling for the post began at 11:20 am in the assembly hall of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation and ended at 12:19 pm.
The contest for the mayoral polls was between the BJP and the AAP-Congress combine.
In a significant move to address Bengaluru’s growing congestion, the Karnataka cabinet has approved the development of an Integrated Satellite Township spanning 8,032 acres between Bidadi and Harohalli. The decision, taken during a cabinet meeting on January 30, aims to create a sustainable urban hub that will ease pressure on the state capital.
According to Moneycontrol report, the proposed township, to be developed under the Greater Bangalore Development Authority (GBDA), will encompass ten villages in Ramanagara district, including Bairamangala, Bannigere, Hosur, and Vaderahalli.
Air Force Wing Commander Akshay Saxena was conferred with the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) on Monday for the daring rescue operation in the Arabian Sea in 2024. Wing Commander Akshay Saxena was tasked with a mission in support of operation Sankalp aimed at coercing 35 pirates onboard a merchant ship to surrender and ensure the safe evacuation of 17 crew members.
He airdropped two Combat Rubberised Raiding Craft (CRRC) boats and a team of 18 Marine Commando Force (MARCOS) with a combat load to capture the pirate-controlled ship. The ship was not only launching attacks on merchant vessels in the Arabian Sea but also opened fire at INS Kolkata and had shot down a naval spotter drone.
The objective area was near the Somalian coast, 1,450 nautical miles off Mumbai. Due to the critical time and secret nature of the mission, he finalised a suitable crew and ensured aircraft readiness for a quick launch.
Renowned documentary film-maker, human rights and peace activist Tapan Kumar Bose breathed his last at his New Delhi home on the morning of Martyr’s Day, January 30. He was 78.
Having started his activism during the Emergency in mid 1970s, and later filming the victims of Bhagalpur blindings, Bose was also well known for his films and activism around the Bhopal disaster and the advocacy for victims. Bose was part of a collective of activists, scientists, journalists and artists, who tried to strengthen the rationalist spirit of the Indian constitution.
He was staunch advocate of communities who were oppressed by jingoistic nationalism and militarisation. His knowledge of South Asia made him a recognised author with many academics and young film-makers.
World Champion GM Gukesh Dommaraju continued his unbeaten streak with a win over Leon Mendonca in round 9, securing the sole lead on the leaderboard of the 2025 Tata Steel Masters in the Netherlands on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, R Praggnanandhaa lost to home favorite Anish Giri, dropping from joint first to fourth place with 5.5/9 points. Pentala Harikrishna, on the other hand, suffered his third defeat of the tournament.
India pacer Jasprit Bumrah was honoured with the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for Men’s Cricketer of the Year, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Tuesday.
The pacer had a remarkable 2024, as he dominated every game he played in. The India speedster defeated fellow nominees Travis Head, Joe Root and Harry Brook to win the accolade.
He is now the fifth recipient of the award from India, after Rahul Dravid (2004), Sachin Tendulkar (2010), Ravichandran Ashwin (2016) and Virat Kohli (2017, 2018).
The government on Wednesday (January 29, 2025) approved a ₹16,300-crore National Critical Mineral Mission, envisaging a total outlay of ₹34,300 crore spread over seven years, with an aim to achieve self-reliance and accelerate India’s journey towards green energy transition.
According to a release by the mines ministry, public sector enterprises are expected to contribute ₹18,000 crore to the mission which aims at promoting exploration of critical minerals within the country and at offshore locations.
Critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth are essential raw materials required to fuel the growth of rapidly growing clean energy technologies and their expanding uses ranging from wind turbines and electricity networks to electric vehicles and battery manufacturing.