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An Indian Coast Guard Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv crashed on Sunday in Porbandar, Gujarat, during a routine training sortie, reports news agency ANI. The incident occurred at the Coast Guard Air Enclave in Porbandar.  Weeks ahead of Delhi assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple infrastructure projects worth over Rs 12,200 crore in the national capital on Sunday. PM Modi also addressed a public meeting in Rohini after the inauguration. The projects include the 13-km stretch of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor between Sahibabad and New Ashok Nagar, worth Rs 4,600 crore, connecting it to the larger Rapid Regional Transit System (RRTS) network between Delhi and Meerut.

 

Delhi is in the grip of an intense cold wave, with temperatures dipping to a chilling 9 degrees Celsius on Sunday (January 5). A brisk wind speed of 16 km/h further exacerbated the icy conditions, leaving residents shivering. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert, warning of dense fog across the city during the morning hours. Smog and shallow fog are expected to persist through the evening and night.

 

As a thick fog blanketed the national capital, commuters were severely impactied. Flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) faced delays, with aircraft not equipped with CAT III technology particularly affected. The Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) reassured passengers, stating: "While landing and takeoffs continue, flights that are not CAT III compliant may face delays. Passengers are advised to contact their airlines for updated flight information." 

9:55 PM

Delhi-Meerut RRTS: Commuters hail PM Modi as Namo Bharat trains expand connectivity, cut travel time

Commuters travelling on the Namo Bharat train on Sunday expressed their gratitude and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inaugurating the 13-km section of the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor.

The new stretch, part of the 'Namo Bharat' corridor, connects Uttar Pradesh's Sahibabad with Delhi's Ashok Nagar, reducing travel time and improving connectivity for daily commuters.

9:27 PM

PM Modi lays foundation for ayurveda institute in Delhi, says world will soon adopt 'Heal in India'

India has immense potential to become the health and wellness capital of the world, and the day is not far when, along with 'Make in India', the world will also adopt 'Heal in India' as a mantra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday.

Modi made the remarks while virtually laying the foundation for a new Central Ayurveda Research Institute building in Rohini, terming it as "Ayurveda's next big leap".

9:09 PM

No HMPV cases in Andhra; need not panic, says health official

There are no reported cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Andhra Pradesh, a health official said on Sunday, assuring the public that there is no need to panic about the virus.

Public Health and Family Welfare Director K Padmavathi stated that the virus spreads from person to person, similar to Covid-19, primarily affecting children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immunity.

8:23 PM

Air Chief AP Singh stresses need for vigilance, readiness during Lakshadweep visit

Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh emphasised the need for heightened vigilance and readiness amid evolving geopolitical challenges during a two-day visit to the Lakshadweep Islands on January 4-5.

In a release, the IAF said, "The CAS interacted with the air warriors at Minicoy Island and Kavarati Island. During his visit, he also visited various military establishments and interacted with the troops of Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard."

7:41 PM

IAF chief visits Lakshadweep Islands, reviews combat readiness of forces

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh carried out a comprehensive review of the overall combat readiness of the armed forces around the strategically-located Lakshadweep Islands during a two-day visit to the region that concluded on Sunday.

Air Chief Marshal Singh interacted with the air warriors at Minicoy Island and Kavarati Island, besides visiting various military establishments and interacted with the troops of the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard.

7:07 PM

Drone falls close to Odisha CM during Jharsuguda visit

In a major security lapse, a drone deployed by the administration to take photographs of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi accidentally crashed on the ground close to him during his visit to Jharsuguda, an official said on Sunday.

The incident which occurred on January 2 came to light during the day after a video clip of the incident was circulated on social media platforms.

6:55 PM

French Naval ships visit Kochi

To strengthen the collaboration between the Indian and French navies, French Naval ships FS Forbin and FS Alsace, part of the French Carrier Strike Group, are on a visit to Kochi, Defence officials on Sunday said.

During the visit, Commanding Officers of the French ships would interact with the senior hierarchy of Southern Naval Command, Kochi, a release issued by a Defence PRO said.

6:14 PM

Chinese side urged to ensure interests of downstream states of Brahmaputra are not harmed

Chinese side urged to ensure interests of downstream states of Brahmaputra are not harmed, says MEA on China's plan to build dam on Brahmaputra.

 

We will continue to monitor and take necessary measures to protect our interests, MEA added.

5:46 PM

Omar secures approval of housing aid to fire-affected families in J&K's Kishtwar

The Government of India (GoI) has approved a special project under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) to provide housing assistance to the fire victims of Mulwarwan village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district.

A devastating fire on October 15 last year destroyed numerous houses, leaving several families homeless in the hamlet located in the Warwan valley.

5:19 PM

Dense fog in parts of Rajasthan, Vanasthali coldest at 6.9 deg C

Temperatures took an upward swing in parts of Rajasthan where the lowest temperature was recorded in Tonk's Vanasthali at 6.9 degree Celsius.

Dense to very dense fog was also recorded at some places in the state on Sunday morning.

5:02 PM

AAP chief says BJP seeking votes for Delhi Assembly polls by abusing him

AAP chief Kejriwal says BJP seeking votes for Delhi Assembly polls by abusing him.

5:01 PM

Want to ask PM Modi to speak on unfulfilled promises he made to people in Delhi villages: AAP chief Kejriwal

Want to ask PM Modi to speak on unfulfilled promises he made to people in Delhi villages during 2019 polls, said AAP chief Kejriwal.

5:01 PM

Projects launched by PM joint venture between Delhi govt, Centre: Kejriwal

Projects launched by PM joint venture between Delhi govt, Centre; reflects AAP's commitment to city's development, said APP chief Kejriwal.

4:31 PM

CCI will focus on leveraging tech for fair competition: Chairperson Kaur

CCI will focus on strengthening enforcement, enhancing collaborations and leveraging technology to ensure fair competition in the country, its chief Ravneet Kaur has said. Competition Commission of India (CCI), which has the mandate to foster fair competition as well as curb anti-competitive practices, has been working on understanding the dynamic interplay between traditional market practices and the rapidly evolving digital economy.

4:03 PM

Tighter anti-spam norms in a mth; TRAI pilot soon to onboard past user consents onto digital system

TRAI will start, this month, a pilot to onboard paper-based and past permissions given by customers for receiving commercial communications onto its digital distributed ledger technology (DLT) platform, a process that in the long-run would include scrubbing and verifying their current validity and offering opt-outs to those keen on it, Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti said, adding that tighter regulations on curbing spam as well as new consultation examining an authorisation framework for telemarketers can also be expected in coming weeks.