Ayodhya, Dec 5 (PTI) The VHP would observe Shaurya Diwas on December 6, the anniversary of Babri Masjid demolition, and also gear up for programmes lined up on the occasion of Gita Jayanti on December 18 to garner support for the construction of a grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

With the 2019 Lok Sabha elections round the corner, all eyes seem to be on the temple town as Thursday marks the 26th anniversary of the demolition.

New Delhi, Dec 5 (PTI) Christian Michel, the alleged middleman who has been chargesheeted in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal, was Wednesday produced before a Delhi court which allowed his five-day custodial interrogation by the CBI.

He will again be produced in the court on December 10.

Michel, who is a citizen of United Kingdom, was brought to India late Tuesday night following his extradition by the UAE in connection with the case.

Mumbai, Dec 5 (PTI) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Wednesday expectedly kept interest rates unchanged but held out a promise to cut them if the upside risks to the inflation do not materialise.

It also coaxed banks to lend more in order to support the slowing economy.

With all the six member of the monetary policy committee (MPC) voting for a hold on rates, the RBI kept benchmark repurchase (repo) rate at 6.5 per cent.

Having raised rates twice this year, the central bank retained its 'calibrated tightening' policy stance.

New Delhi, Dec 5 (PTI) India is the fourth highest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world, accounting for 7 per cent of global emissions in 2017, a study said Wednesday.

The top four emitters in 2017, which covered 58 per cent of global emissions, were China (27 per cent), the US (15 per cent), the European Union (10 per cent) and India (7 per cent), according to the projection by the Global Carbon Project.

The rest of the world contributed 41 per cent last year, it said.

5 Dec 2018; AFP: A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck near New Caledonia Wednesday, triggering a tsunami alert and emergency evacuations across a swathe of the South Pacific, but there were no reports of serious damage or injuries.

Authorities said the quake, followed by at least 20 strong aftershocks, was centred about 170 kilometres (100 miles) southeast of New Caledonia's Loyalty Islands at a depth of just 10 kilometres.

Island residents said the initial quake shook the walls of buildings and in places turned the sea foamy.

KANPUR: In pursuance of the directives the common effluent treatment plant in Jajmau has been repaired, which has now got approval from a two-member panel.

Kannur, Dec 5 (PTI) Five people have been arrested in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old school girl by several people over different days at various places in Kannur district after enticing her through social media, the police said Wednesday.

The tenth standard girl was taken to a lodge at Parasinikadavu, a temple town on the banks of Valapattnam river in the district and allegedly sexually assaulted by four of the accused on November 19.

KANPUR: In his inspection, the divisional commissioner Subhash Chandra Sharma noticed the below standard work in ongoing construction work at Boat Club near Ganga Barrage here. Taking strong cognizance of the matter, he apprised the KDA secretary of this irregularity.

In view of the seriousness of this complaint, the KDA secretary KP Singh asked the IIT Kanpur to initiate an enquiry into the use of the sub-standard materials.

Panaji, Dec 5 (PTI) A 50-year-old man has been booked for allegedly raping a minor girl in Goa, police said.

The accused, a Goa resident who has been working abroad, left India soon after committing the offence in October, Margao Police Inspector Kapil Nayak said on Tuesday.

The 14-year-old girl was raped repeatedly between October 15 and 20 by the accused residing in her neighbourhood at Sirlim village in South Goa district, he said.

KANPUR: A joint team of the RPF and the GRP caught four thieves of an inter-state gang at Central station outer area on Monday late night. On Tuesday they were sent to jail.

Cash, jewellery and mobile have been recovered from their possession.

It was learnt that they had been involved in theft cases in other states.GRP inspector told that two golden pendants, mobiles and intoxicating powder were recovered. 

New Delhi, Dec 5 (PTI) A six-year-old girl was reportedly sexually assaulted by a relative at her house in outer Delhi's Karan Vihar, police said Wednesday.

The incident took place on Tuesday, they said.

The victim was sexually assaulted when her parents were out for work. When her parents returned home, the minor girl narrated the incident to her mother following which they approached the police, a senior police officer said.

Bulandshahr (UP), Dec 4 (PTI) Police arrested four people on Tuesday and were hunting for a Bajrang Dal activist in connection with mob violence in Bulandshahr that left an inspector and a passerby dead, as angry families demanded action amid criticism of the UP chief minister and suggestions of conspiracies