India gears up for the experimental flight of "Pushpak Viman," a winged rocket aimed at revolutionizing space access. Developed by ISRO, the reusable launch vehicle seeks to lower costs by reusing its upper stage. Named after a legendary spaceship from the Ramayan, the 6.5-meter craft weighs 1.75 tons and will undergo autonomous landing tests. With over ₹100 crore invested, India eyes commercial launch opportunities and aims to establish its own space station by 2035. Pushpak represents a significant step towards sustainable and affordable space exploration for the nation.

Australia's federal court has ordered ex-Indian envoy Navdeep Suri to pay a penalty of $97,200 to Seema Shergill, his former domestic help, for paying her less than $10 a day during her year-long employment. Shergill worked seven days a week, 17.5 hours daily, handling household chores and tending to Suri's needs. The court termed Suri's actions "egregious and exploitative," equating them to "slave-like conditions." Despite India's rejection of the ruling, emphasizing diplomatic immunity, the judgment stands. Shergill's legal counsel praised her courage, calling for legislative changes to protect domestic workers in diplomatic residences.

The Delhi High Court rejects CM Arvind Kejriwal's plea for safeguarding against coercive action by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the money laundering probe linked to the scrapped Delhi excise policy. Despite Kejriwal's move, citing illegal summonses, the court declines interim relief. The ED's inquiry focuses on alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating the city's 2021-22 excise policy. AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are in judicial custody related to the case. The BJP accuses Kejriwal of evading investigation, highlighting his political stance against corruption. Kejriwal faces increasing pressure as the probe intensifies.

In a surprise move, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) announced MS Dhoni's resignation as captain, with Ruturaj Gaikwad appointed as his successor. Dhoni's absence was notable in the IPL captain's photo shared on Twitter, as CSK gears up to defend their title against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians undergo a leadership transition, naming Hardik Pandya as captain. The IPL season gains momentum with speculation swirling around Dhoni's future in the league and excitement building for the action-packed matches ahead.

Following criticism from the Supreme Court, the State Bank of India (SBI) has furnished all details on electoral bonds to the Election Commission. This includes unique serial numbers crucial for matching donors with political parties. SBI's affidavit of compliance assures full disclosure, except for complete account numbers and KYC details. The Election Commission is poised to upload the data on its website imminently. This move comes amidst heightened scrutiny over transparency in political funding ahead of elections.          

The iconic Jacobite train, famous for its role in Harry Potter films, is suspended pending a safety decision in the UK, potentially costing £50m. Operated by West Coast Railways, the service awaits approval to continue operating with hinged-door carriages. The Office of Rail and Road's ruling follows a High Court challenge over door safety. Despite the multimillion-pound retrofit cost, a judge upheld the ORR's safety concerns. The suspension disrupts the Fort William to Mallaig route, impacting tourism and local economies. WCR's application for an exemption is under assessment, while passengers are offered full refunds amidst uncertainty over the train's future.

In a strategic move, HDFC Bank and Toronto Dominion (TD) Bank have united forces to aid Indian students pursuing higher education in Canada. The partnership simplifies the process of fulfilling financial requirements for study permits. Under the collaboration, HDFC will guide students to TD for the International Student GIC Programme, easing their transition. GICs, akin to Indian fixed deposits, ensure financial stability for students. With India being Canada's top source of international students, this initiative streamlines the banking experience and offers additional benefits. The online application process for GICs, devoid of fees, starts accruing interest pre-arrival.

The Supreme Court has halted the Centre's Fact Check Unit, citing concerns over freedom of expression. Led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, the bench set aside the Bombay High Court's approval of the government's move, without commenting on the case's merits. Comedian Kunal Kamra and the Editors Guild of India had contested the unit's establishment, fearing censorship and restrictions on social media expression. The unit, part of amendments to IT rules, aimed to address fake news by flagging posts to intermediaries. The Centre argued for public interest, but concerns lingered over potential stifling of political satire and criticism.          

As of Thursday, Israel's military reported that over 140 militants were killed in a four-day operation targeting Hamas militants at Gaza's Al-Shifa medical center. The Israeli army used tank fire and airstrikes in the raid. Combat ensued in the hospital area, which houses patients and displaced individuals. International outrage followed a previous raid in November. The military confirmed the continuation of precise operations in the Shifa hospital area, resulting in the elimination of over 50 militants in recent exchanges of fire. This ongoing situation reflects escalating tensions in the region.

At a House Committee hearing, Donald Lu, the United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, addressed concerns surrounding allegations against India in the Pannun case. The issue revolves around accusations of Indian involvement in targeting Sikh American Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Lu assured lawmakers of the Biden administration's serious approach to the matter, stating that the US is collaborating with India to ensure transparency and justice. Meanwhile, the hearing also underscored broader US-Pakistan relations, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in counterterrorism efforts amidst regional dynamics and concerns over Chinese influence.