Highlights: TMC leader Saket Gokhale denied bail over misusing crowdfund case

A metropolitan court in Ahmedabad on Thursday denied the regular bail to Saket Gokhale, the spokesperson of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), who was arrested last week by the cybercrime sleuths on charges of cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy. Read more

Air India confirms that a passenger on Air India Flight 142 from Paris to Delhi on 6 December 2022 relieved himself on the vacant seat and blanket of a fellow passenger when the latter was in the lavatory: Air India’s statement

According to reports by news agency AFP, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered observing cease-fire for 36 hour in Ukraine between January 6 and 7.

Earthquake tremors were felt in Delhi and adjacent areas on Thursday. New agency Reuters reported, citing the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), that an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 struck the Hindu Kush region in Afghanistan. Read more

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday compared Agniveer Scheme with the contentious farm law. He said the decision wasn’t made after due discussions.

“Agniveer Scheme was implemented suddenly. No discussion took place regarding it. Not right to suppress the protests using force. The same happened in farm law where no discussion took place and so many farmers lost their lives,”  he told reporters.

In another incident of alleged urination on a flight, a drunk man passenger urinated on a woman passenger’s blanket on an Air India Paris-Delhi sector on December 6. But there was no penal action after the accused gave a written apology, news agency PTI reported citing officials on Thursday. Read more

DGCA issues show cause notices to Accountable Manager, Director of in-flight Services, Air India & pilots & cabin crew members of that flight as to why enforcement action shouldn’t be taken against them for dereliction of their duties:

While addressing the public in Tripura, Union home minister Amit Shah said the construction of Ayodhya’s Ram Temple will be completed by January 1, 2024. 

Police custody of the five accused in the Kanjhawala woman’s death case has been extended by another 4 days by a Delhi court.

Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday said at an event in Tripura that Congress hindered Ram Temple construction in courts.

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal on Thursday said she is not satisfied with Delhi Police’s action on Sutanpuri accident case. She demanded CBI’s intervention and pointed out that murder charges have not been added in the case.

A day after the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) sought a detailed report from Air India on the incident where one of its drunk male passengers urinated on a female passenger on November 26, 2022. “The airline in its report has said that the female passenger had initially requested that action be taken against the offender upon arrival, however she subsequently rescinded her request after the two parties appeared to sort the matter out between them,” the official said.

Protesting against the decision of Jharkhand government of declaring Sammed Shikharji as a tourist place, another Jain priest Samarthsagar (74) sat on fasting. On Tuesday, Jain priest, Sugyeyasagar Maharaj (72), who was on fasting since December 25 had passed away in Jaipur opposing the decision.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said people in Bihar are upset as they didn’t get Vande Bharat train in the state.

“We… hope the WHO secretariat will uphold a scientific, objective and just position, and make efforts to play a positive role for the world’s response to the pandemic challenge,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning was quoted as saying by news agency AFP, insisting Beijing “maintained close cooperation with the WHO”.

Haldwani demolition case: “We’ve said earlier also it is a railway land. We will proceed as per the court’s order,” said Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, reacting to Supreme Court order of staying the eviction.

The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the planned eviction of the railways in the ‘encroached’ land in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani and said a workable arrangement has to be devised.

Foreign universities setting up campuses in India will get initial approval for a period of 10 years, UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar said Thursday. He added that such varsities can only offer full-time programmes in physical mode and not online or distance learning.

IPS officer Deven Bharti took charge as Special Commissioner of Police of Mumbai on Thursday.

The first passenger flight arrived at the Manohar International Airport in Goa from Hyderabad on Thursday, marking the commencement of operations at the new facility in the coastal state.

A kabaddi coach from Punjab’s Moga, Gurpreet Singh Gindru (43) was shot dead in the capital city of the Philippines on Tuesday, said Manila Police, reported ANI.

“It’s inspiring to see govt’s deep focus on sustainable & inclusive economic growth led by digital transformation. We’re looking forward to helping India realize the Digital India vision & be a light for the world,” tweets SatyaNadella after meeting PM Modi.

“In our constitutional system, the subject of water comes under the control of the states. States’ efforts for water conservation will go a long way in achieving the collective goals of the country,” Prime Minister Modi at the All India Annual State Ministers’Confrence on Water.

“We need to use technologies like Geosensing and Geomapping in the field of water conservation. Jal Jeevan Mission has become a major development parameter to provide water to every household,” Prime Minister Modi at All-India Water Conference.

“India has made major strides in water security. Our Water vision towards 2047 will be a big contribution to Amrit Kaal. The nation is working together to build 75 Amrit Sarovars in every district. Till now 25,000 Amrit Sarovars have already been constructed,” PM Modi at All-India Water Conference.

“‘Water Vision at 2047’ is a significant aspect in the country’s journey for the next 25 years,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi at All-India Water Conference.

Delhi’s Lodhi Road recorded a minimum temperature of 2.8°C on Thursday: IMD

Delhi on Thursday recorded a minimum temperature of 3 degrees Celsius at its official weather station Safdarjung; lowest this season so far.

Centre has declared Ahmad Ahanger alias Abu Usman Al-Kashmiri as terrorist under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The Srinagar born terrorist is presently based in Afghanistan and is one of the chief recruiters of Islamic State Jammu and Kashmir (ISJK): MHA

Amazon is laying off more than 18,000 employees, more than earlier planned, reported Bloomberg.

The Central Bureau of Investigation lodged an FIR Wednesday against the former Principal Chief Operations Manager of East Coast Railway PK Jena in connection with a disproportionate asset case, ANI reported.

Australia announced Thursday it will boost its defense capabilities by spending more than 1 billion Australian dollars ($700 million) on new advanced missile and rocket systems, including U.S.-made HIMARS which have been successfully used by Ukraine’s military, AP reported.

“Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor will lead the Indian delegation while the French delegation will be led by Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the French President,” the MEA said in a statement. “The two sides will hold discussions on wide-ranging bilateral and global issues. Bonne will also call on other Indian dignitaries.”