The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has summoned Captain Varun Anand in the probe into the Air India 171 crash, Air India told him. Anand is related to Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the pilot in command who died in the accident. The Federation of Indian Pilots has sent a legal notice to the bureau, saying it has not explained why Anand was called. The body said he had no role in the flight, planning, or site work and is not a witness or expert. It also cited ICAO rules against summoning family members. Anand has offered to join the process through video call. (PC: NDTV)

The Indian Army is using the Aeroarc-made Multi-Utility Legged Equipment, or MULE, as a robotic support partner in difficult terrain. The four-legged robot is designed to walk across snow, sand and shallow water. It can climb steps, carry supplies and reduce risk to troops in dangerous zones. The system can be fitted with cameras and sensors to help in watch duties and in detecting explosive threats. Around 100 units have been supplied by Delhi-based firm Aeroarc and have been shown at public events and field trials. The robot is built to work in extreme heat and cold and can also move in groups with other MULE units. 

The Supreme Court on Thursday heard the Enforcement Directorate plea on alleged interference in its raids at political consultancy I-PAC in West Bengal. The ED sought suspension of state DGP Rajeev Kumar and alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and senior police officers blocked searches and took documents. Appearing for Banerjee, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said the agency waited two years and raided the office close to elections. He claimed the premises held sensitive poll data and that no material was seized. The ED denied wrongdoing and said the chief minister committed theft. The court said it will hear all sides. (PC: India Today)

Denmark said there is a “fundamental disagreement” with the United States over Greenland after talks in Washington on Wednesday. Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio was frank but constructive. He said President Donald Trump is pushing to take control of Greenland, which Denmark and Greenland oppose. The three sides agreed to set up a high-level working group to discuss future ties. Denmark and Greenland said they are open to more US military bases on the island. Trump later repeated that the US needs Greenland for national security. (PC: BBC)

Air India cancelled at least three US-bound flights on Thursday after Iran closed its airspace without notice. The shutdown forced Indian carriers to reroute long-haul services that normally pass over Iran. Two Delhi to New York and Newark flights and one Mumbai to New York service were cancelled, sources said. The airline warned that some Europe routes may also face delays. Air India said flights over the region are using longer alternate paths, which may cause delays or more cancellations. IndiGo and SpiceJet also issued travel advisories, saying some international flights were impacted by the sudden closure. (PC: The Telegraph)

Delhi recorded its coldest night in three years on Thursday as the minimum temperature at Safdarjung fell to 2.9 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department said. The last lower reading was 2.6 degrees on January 18, 2023. Dense to very dense fog covered many areas during night and morning hours. Visibility at Palam airport dropped to nearly 50 metres at 5.30 am, while Safdarjung reported about 100 metres. Other stations also saw low readings, including Palam at 2.3 degrees and Ayanagar at 2.7 degrees. The IMD said fog is likely till January 19. (PC: HT)

The United States has started withdrawing military personnel from select bases in the Middle East as tensions with Iran continue to rise. The move comes amid security concerns following regional instability and warnings from Tehran against foreign military action. Adding to the uncertainty, Iran temporarily shut its airspace to civilian flights, forcing airlines to reroute services and raising fears of a wider conflict. While US officials have not confirmed any imminent military action, the developments have fueled speculation about potential confrontation. The situation has heightened global concern, with diplomatic and security agencies closely monitoring the rapidly evolving regional dynamics. (PC: India Today)

India assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate refused to shield his players after India’s comprehensive seven-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the second ODI, stating the match exposed glaring flaws in the team’s bowling attack. He pointed out ineffective bowling, particularly from the spinners, and stressed that India failed collectively rather than as individuals. New Zealand chased the target comfortably, losing only three wickets, with India’s bowlers struggling to build pressure. Pacers Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna picked up two wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav claimed one. Daryl Mitchell’s composed knock earned him the Player of the Match award. (PC: NDTV)

The U.S. State Department has announced it will pause immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, and Russia, starting January 21, 2026, as part of a broader immigration crackdown. The decision targets nations whose migrants are deemed more likely to rely on public assistance, with visas halted until new screening procedures are reviewed to prevent perceived welfare dependency by new immigrants. The freeze affects family, employment, and diversity visas but non-immigrant visas like tourist and student visas remain largely unaffected. The suspension could delay plans for thousands of prospective immigrants. 

Air India has announced that its international flights that typically overfly Iranian airspace will now use alternative routes following the closure of Iran’s skies amid rising regional tensions, potentially leading to delays for affected services. The airline posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the changes are necessary due to the evolving situation and the safety of passengers and crew remains its top priority. In some cases where rerouting isn’t feasible, flights may be cancelled, and passengers are advised to check flight status before departure. The disruption stems from Iran’s airspace shutdown, which has impacted several airlines globally. (PC: India Today)