510

#Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir: Rahul Gandhi Seen In Jacket As Yatra Resumes From Hatli Morh

Braving winter rains, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi started his Bharat Jodo Yatra from Hatli Morh in this border district of Jammu and Kashmir on January 20 with several prominent leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT's) Sanjay Raut also joining the foot march. A tight security ring, comprising of police and CRPF personnel, was thrown around Gandhi as he started walking along with his supporters despite the rains which lashed wide parts of Jammu and Kashmir since early on January 20. A tight security ring, comprising of police and CRPF personnel, was thrown around Gandhi as he started walking along with his supporters despite the rains which lashed wide parts of Jammu and Kashmir since early on January 20. 

509

#Peegate: Air India Fined Rs 30 Lakh, Pilot Loses Licence For 3 Months

Responding to the incident of a man allegedly urinating over an elderly woman co-passenger on an Air India New York-Delhi flight, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has slapped a fine of 30 lakh on the airline for violating norms in handling the unruly passenger. The regulator also suspended the pilot-in-command’s licence for three months and slapped a fine of 3 lakh on the airline’s director in-flight services. It’s the first such instance in India of an airline being fined for violating norms when dealing with a “disorderly” passenger.

508

#NewsZealand: Covid Hero, Chris Hipkins Set To Replace Jacinda Ardern As PM

After emerging as the sole candidate nominated to lead the Labour Party, Chris Hipkins, who oversaw New Zealand's response to the COVID-19 outbreak, is expected to succeed Jacinda Ardern as the country's next prime minister, the party announced on Saturday.

At a gathering of Labour's 64 legislators, or Caucus, on Sunday, Hipkins is anticipated to be formally sworn in as the party's next leader.

"I think we're an incredibly strong team," Hipkins told mediapersons after he was announced the lone warrior in the race to the highest office in the Oceanic nation.

430

#IndianArmy: Around 108 Women Officers To Be Colonels, Can Lead Army Units First Time

Nearly 80 women officers in the Army have been cleared so far for the rank of Colonel (selection grade), making them eligible to command units in their respective arms and services for the first time, media has learnt.

The Women Officers Special No. 3 Selection Board proceedings, which began January 9, are currently underway at Army headquarters for promotion from the rank of Lt Colonel to Colonel to bring them on a par with their male counterparts.

As many as 244 women officers are being considered for promotion against 108 vacancies – from the batch of 1992 to 2006 – in various arms and services, including Engineers, Signals, Army Air Defence, Intelligence Corps, Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps and Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

429

#Wrestling Sexual Harassment Allegations: Wrestlers Adamant, Meeting With Sports Minister Anurag Thakur Inconclusive

Top Indian wrestlers’ meeting with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur remained inconclusive on Thursday (January 19) night as they refused to back down from their demand that the government immediately disband the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The marathon meeting began around 10 pm on Thursday, the second day of the wrestlers’ protest against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

The wrestlers left Thakur’s house at 1:45 am and did not speak to the reporters waiting outside. Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia, Ravi Dahiya, Sakshi Malik and world championship medallist Vinesh Phogat were part of the meeting.

Thakur flew to Delhi from Himachal Pradesh after an earlier meeting between government officials and the protesting wrestlers remained inconclusive. The wrestlers will meet the Sports minister again on Friday (January 20), according to government officials.