FirstUp: Bangladesh's Cabinet to be sworn in, Israel genocide case in ICJ... today's big stories

It’s Thursday. And there’s a big day of news ahead. The Supreme Court is set to continue to hear the bail plea of AAP leader Satyendar Jain. Bangladesh’s new Cabinet is expected to take the oath of office on Thursday – a day after Sheikh Hasina was sworn in as prime minister for the fourth-consecutive time. The 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit enters its second day in Gandhinagar. The Delhi High Court will hear a petition from Congress leader P Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis case. International Court of Justice will hear a petition from South Africa alleging that Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to Genocide. Let’s take a look at today’s big-ticket items: SC hears AAP leader’s bail plea The Supreme Court will hear the Enforcement Directorate’s argument on Jain’s bail plea in the money laundering case**.** Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who appeared for the ED, will present his case before the apex court. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, earlier appearing for Jain, argued that allegations aren’t enough to keep him in jail until after the trial. Singhvi took the court through the Jain’s latest medical report and his surgery. Singhvi also told the court that Jain has cooperated in the matter and there is no predicate offence against the former minister. Singhvi added that according to the law, assets of a company can never be attributed to a shareholder or director and he asked how money can be attributed to Jain which lies in the company. Bangladesh Cabinet swearing-in Bangladesh’s new Cabinet is set to take their oath of office today. “President Mohammad Shahabuddin will administer the ministers’ oath of office on Thursday,” a Bangabhaban presidential palace spokesman said. This comes a day after Sheikh Hasina was sworn in as Bangladesh prime minister for a fourth-consecutive term. [caption id=“attachment_13590372” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina was sworn in on Wednesday. ANI[/caption] The ruling Awami League headed by Prime Minister Hasina won 222 seats; the Jatiya Party 11 seats; the Workers’ Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and Bangladesh Kalyan Party one seat each; and independent candidates won 61 seats. Hasina won the Gopalganj-3 seat in a landslide victory in the election, securing her eighth term as a lawmaker. Vibrant Gujarat Summit continues The Vibrant Gujarat Summit, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 10 January, continues today. The event, being held at the Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre, will be held until 12 January. Seminars and conferences will be held on topics ranging from Semiconductors and Electronics, Port-led City Development, Electric Vehicle Manufacturing and GIFT City today. Tomorrow, an ‘MSME Conclave’ will be held in the main convention hall, followed by various seminars on topics ranging from circular economy, green hydrogen and clean energy. The previous Vibrant Gujarat Summit was held in 2019. Due to the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown, it could not be organised in the last few years. Delhi HC to hear Chidambaram response The Delhi High Court has sought a response from Congress leader P Chidambaram, his son Karti Chidambaram and other accused in the Aircel-Maxis case. This, after a CBI plea challenged a trial court’s order directing the agency to supply unrelied upon documents to them. The CBI, in its petition, contended that the trial court erred while directing the investigating agency to supply all un-relied upon documents to the accused. The CBI said it apprehended that the sweeping direction to provide all un-relied upon documents shall hamper further investigation. The case relates to alleged irregularities in the grant of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval to the Aircel-Maxis deal. [caption id=“attachment_13468242” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram. ANI[/caption] The approval was granted in 2006, when Chidambaram was the Union finance minister. The CBI and the ED had alleged that as the finance minister, Chidambaram had granted approval to the deal beyond his capacity, benefitting certain people, and received kickbacks. Israel genocide case in ICJ The Hague is set to witness a high-stakes showdown today. The filing from South Africa accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza and Jerusalem’s decision to defend itself at the International Court of Justice will play out before a panel of judges in the Great Hall of Justice. But anyone expecting a quick verdict be warned – the case is likely drag on for years. At its heart is the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, drawn up in the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust. The convention defines genocide as acts such as killings “committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.” South Africa’s 84-page filing says Israel’s actions “are genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part” of the Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has accused South Africa of conducting an ‘absurd blood libel.’ Happy b’day Rahul Dravid! The ‘Wall of India’ turns 51 today.

Dravid is one of the greatest players in the history of cricket.

His sound technique and uncanny ability to soak up pressure at the crease – at the vital number 3 spot for India for many years – saw him notch over 13,000 test runs at an average of 52.31 with a staggering 36 centuries. Since his retirement, Dravid has taken his talents to coaching – first as mentor to the Rajasthan Royals’ IPL team, then as coach of the India Under-19 side, Head of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy and then finally coach of Team India. Here’s wishing Dravid has a great day and a wonderful year!