News Highlights: Elamaram Kareem urges govt to call meeting of all Oppn parties 'if it is sincere' in letter to Joshi

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I really worked hard for this, says BWF World Championships silver medallist Kidambi Srikanth

The World Championships silver medal is a culmination of years of intense hard work, said India's Kidambi Srikanth after falling short of the top prize here on Sunday.

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Opposition parties reject govt outreach to select leaders for resolving the issue of suspension of 12 Rajya Sabha MPs, say PTI sources

Mahatma Gandhi would be happy to see Kashi today: CM Yogi

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said Mahatma Gandhi would have been happy to see the "beauty" of Kashi (Varanasi) today, highlighting the city's makeover under Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project.

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Elamaram Kareem urges govt to call meeting of all Oppn parties 'if it is sincere' in letter to Joshi

Modi govt doesn't want Parliament to run, says Jairam Ramesh, accuses BJP of 'running away from demand for resignation' of Ajay Mishra

Rohini court blast accused attempts suicide in police custody, now stable

A senior DRDO scientist who was arrested for "planting explosives" inside the Rohini district court allegedly attempted suicide by consuming hand wash in a washroom in police custody, officials said on Sunday.

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Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has called a meeting of floor leaders from like-minded parties tomorrow at 9:45 am in Parliament.

(ANI)

Objective of NEP to correct past anomalies: Union minister Jitendra Singh

Union minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said the two-fold objective of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is to correct past anomalies and introduce contemporary provisions that are in keeping with the present global trends.

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In a scathing attack, Union Home Minister Amit Shah describes Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra as a 'punctured rickshaw' whose wheels are going in three different directions and causing only pollution

BJP MP Roopa Ganguly alleges party took money from KMC poll aspirants

On a day when the BJP is struggling to keep themselves afloat in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation election, the party's Rajya Sabha member Roopa Ganguly on Sunday increased the embarrassment of the party, alleging that it has taken money from poll aspirants.

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Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin writes to EAM Dr S Jaishankar requesting his intervention in the matter of apprehension of 2 Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy in last 24 hours, requests him to secure the immediate release of Indian fishermen & fishing boats in Sri Lanka's custody

(ANI)

Shashi Tharoor is now CPM's poster boy in Kerala

As Congress MP Shashi Tharoor backed Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's development initiatives, CPM leaders in Kerala seem to have made Tharoor the poster boy to take forward the much-hyped semi-high-speed railway project that is being opposed by the Congress.

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New vistadome train services to boost tourism: Assam CM

Two more vistadome train services were flagged off in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday, aimed at boosting trade and tourism through rail connectivity and promoting the cultural heritage of the northeast.

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Kolkata civic polls | BJP delegation meets West Bengal State Election Commission

We met WB Election Commission & demanded repolling. We want forensic probe of CCTV footage. Many BJP agents were beaten up during polls today. This is a big lapse in security: WB LoP Suvendu Adhikari

(ANI)

'No post is permanent': Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai triggers rumours of his exit

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in an emotional address to the people of his constituency Shiggaon in this district said nothing is permanent in this world including posts and positions, fuelling speculation in some quarters about his possible exit.

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BJP requests Governor Dhankhar to take steps for declaring KMC polls null and void

Shuttler Kidambi Srikanth loses to Loh Kean Yew of Singapore 15-21, 20-22 in BWF World Championship final match, settles for a silver medal

(ANI)

Akhilesh Yadav took cases back against 15 terrorists. Later when the case reopened, 4 out of the 15 terrorists were hanged to death & the rest got life imprisonment. Was he a 'rakshak' or a 'bhakshak'? Give him 'aaraam' & Yogi Ji 'kaam': Nadda

(ANI)

Govt invites leaders of parties whose MPs were suspended for a meeting in Parliament on Monday at 10 am. Opposition not likely to attend as the meeting is specific to five parties. They want all parties to be called.

(DHNS)

Police personnel shot at by terrorists in Pulwama, shifted to hospital

BJP only party without dynastic politics: Nadda in Uttar Pradesh

BJP president J P Nadda on Sunday said the Samajwadi Party (SP) stood for "corruption, injustice, atrocities and misconduct".

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For power, CM Thackeray compromised with Hindutva: Amit Shah in Pune

The health of CM Thackeray is not good, may God give him good health but when his health was fine the public used to ask where is the govt? In 2019, I clearly said that CM will be from BJP but for power, they compromised with Hindutva: Union Min Amit Shah in Pune

India seeks cooperation with Central Asia to help Afghanistan

India seeks to work with Central Asian nations to help provide aid to Afghanistan and ensure a more representative government is in place there, India Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said Sunday.

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ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2022 India squad announced by the All-India Junior Selection Committee; to be played in the West Indies b/w Jan 14-Feb 5, 2022, across 4 host countries: BCCI

No visible sign of sacrilege at Gurdwara sahib, says Punjab cop

FIR registered u/s 295A. Info about attack on police, man killed being verified. If it appears to be murder then FIR to be registered accordingly: IG Jalandhar on mob allegedly kills a man over sacrilege attempt at Kapurthala gurdwara

(ANI)

CM Yogi defends I-T raids on Akhilesh Yadav's aides

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday defended the Income Tax raids on the offices and residences of several close aides of Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav in different parts of Uttar Pradesh even as Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi decried them.

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A Parliamentary delegation from Vietnam called on President Kovind

Speaking about the cooperation between India and Vietnam at multilateral fora, the President said that our coordinated efforts at the UN and other fora have given voice to the majority of developing countries

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pledges his support to journalists

He putout a tweet on media freedom following reports about attacks on journalists in the country.

We appeal to the people of the State to respect & protect the religious centers of all religions: Channi

"It might be that some bad elements are causing this as Assembly elections are nearing. Our agencies are conducting a probe,"he added.

Trinamool Congress appoints Pavan K Varma as the vice-president of the party

Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Pune

"At a time when even uttering the word swarajyainstilled fear, Shivaji Maharaj spent his whole life establishing Hindavi Swarajyain the country," he said

Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi visits Golden Temple in Amritsar

Kolkata polls: TMC warns of strict action against any leader involved in violence during elections

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee says if any party leader is found involved in violence during Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) elections, strict action will be taken within 24 hours, requests media to come out with related footage and evidence if available

During inauguration of new campus of Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Pune, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says there is a need to expand capacity building for forensic science in the country to solve crime cases and increase the conviction rate

I want to ask the National Conference - What has happened in the last 6 months that participation in the Delimitation Commission meeting was an endorsement of abrogation of Article 370 then, and not now? They need to answer this: Sajad Lone, (JKPC)

(ANI)

One more beaten to death for alleged sacrilege attempt in Punjab

A day after a man was beaten to death for an alleged sacrilege bid at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, another person was killed for allegedly disrespecting 'Nishan Sahib' (Sikh religious flag) at a gurdwara here on Sunday morning.

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Goa tops in good governance, per capita income: PM Modi at Goa Liberation Day event

Pope Francis said 'this is the greatest gift you have given to me' when I invited him to India: PM Modi in Goa

Amit Shah to lay foundation stone of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue in Pune

Goa never forgot India, neither did India forget Goa: Modi on Goa liberation day event

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates multiple development projects including the renovated Fort Aguada Jail Museum, Super Speciality Block at Goa Medical College, New South Goa Dist Hosp, Aviation Skill Development Center at Mopa Airport & Gas-insulated Substation at Davorlim, Navelim in Goa

(ANI)

Watch LIVE: Prime Minister addresses public meeting Goa

50% voter turnout in Kolkata Civic polls so far; Mamata thanks cops

Kolkata Civic polls | Voter turnout recorded till now is over 50%. I am happy people voted peacefully. Kolkata Police is carrying out its duties efficiently: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

(ANI)

Empowerment doesn't mean gas cylinder or toilet: Priyanka Gandhi to UP women

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday asked women to vote for those who genuinely want to empower them.

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PM Modi felicitates freedom fighters of ‘Operation Vijay’ as part of Goa Liberation Day celebrations

Sacrilege bid at Golden Temple: Case registered against dead accused

Punjab Police is trying to ascertain the identity of a man, who was beaten to death after he allegedly attempted to commit sacrilege inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, and it has been established that he spent a few hours inside the complex.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa held a meeting in Amritsar (when) with the deputy commissioner, the police commissioner, the inspector general of police (border range), the Amritsar Rural SSP and other officials.

A case was registered against the unidentified man late Saturday night under IPC sections 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and 307 (attempt to murder), Amritsar Police Commissioner Sukchain Singh Gill said on Sunday. (PTI)

Delhi govt allows transfer of excess ration at fair price shops to other FPS

The Delhi government has asked officials to transfer excess ration at fair price shops (FPS) in different zones of the city to those nearby FPS where the ration is required or can be accommodated, department officials said on Sunday. (PTI)

Mormugao sails on Goa Liberation Day

Mormugao, the Indian Navy's second indigenous stealth destroyer of the P15B class, planned to be commissioned in mid-2022, proceeded on its maiden sea sortie today. The ship sailed for trials on the Goa Liberation Day.

Sikh devotees arrive to pay respect at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on December 19, 2021, a day after a man was beaten to death for allegedly trying to commit an act of sacrilege at the holiest shrine of the Sikh faith. (AFP Photo)

Refugees, who fled a flare-up in fighting between the Myanmar army and ethnic minority rebels prepare, as they are voluntarily returning across the border to Myanmar, at a pier in Mae Sot district, Tak province, Thailand. (Reuters Photo)

Congress did 2G, 3G and many other scams: Anurag Thakur

"Congress did 2G, 3G andmany other scams. We have completed seven yearsof our government under PM Modi's leadership, but no one from Rahul Gandhi to Sonia Gandhi can accuse PM Modi of a 7 paisa scam. We have given corruption-free, development-oriented government," saidUnion Minister Anurag Thakur in Uttarakhand.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath's address at Jan Vishwas Yatra

"Public is ready to wipe out the BJP government in the upcoming UP polls," says Akhilesh Yadav

"Uttar Pradesh tops farmers' suicide, malnourished children, schools without toilets..," Akhilesh Yadav reads out list where "incompetent Uttar Pradesh government" ranks no. 1

Samajwadi Party leaders' phones are being tapped, says Akhilesh Yadav

BJP conducting Income Tax raids to save their government in UP: Akhilesh Yadav

Akhilesh Yadav's press conference on income tax raid

People queue to enter the passport office at a checkpoint in Kabul on December 19, 2021, after Afghanistan's Taliban authorities said they will resume issuing passports.(AFP Photo)

"I've been told that State Secy of BJP OBC Morcha was stabbed to death, this morning. This is the handy work of Islamic terrorist group is the info coming from Alleppey (Alappuzha). I demand the State government to take strict action against perpetrators," Union Min V Muralidharan. (ANI)

Demonstrators march during a protest to oppose the vaccine pass proposal and ongoing government restrictions in Barcelona.Nations across Europe are moving to reimpose tougher measures to stem a new wave of Covid-19 infections spurred by the highly transmissible omicron variant. (AP Photo)

KMC polls: 10.86% voter turnout recorded till 9 am

A voter turnout of 10.86 per cent was recorded in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) elections till 9 amon a chilly Sunday morning.

A senior official of the State Election Commission told PTI that the polling process has been "absolutely peaceful" and no untoward incident has been reported from any of the 144 wards of the KMC.

Mumbai NCB arrested a drugs peddler in a courier drugs case last night from the Dongri area. He will be produced before the court shortly. (ANI)

"After yesterday's incident, we have made security arrangements here at Golden Temple. Many Sangats come on weekends... although the situation is peaceful,"ACP Sanjeev Kumar. (ANI)

Section 144 imposed in Alappuzha district of Kerala as BJP leader murdered

"BJP OBC Morcha State Secy Renjith Sreenivasan was allegedly killed in Alappuzha this morning. Yesterday, KS Shan, State Secy, Social Democratic Party of India, was allegedly killed in district Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan condemns the two alleged murders in Alappuzha,"CMO. (ANI)

Voting underway for Gujarat panchayat polls

Polling was underway on Sunday at more than 23,000 booths for elections to 8,690 village panchayats in Gujarat, with tight security arrangements and Covid-19 protocols in place, officials said. The polls are being seen as a major test for political parties ahead of the Gujarat Assembly elections due in December next year.

India reports 7,081 new Covid-19 cases, 264 deaths

India logged 7,081 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases declined to 83,913 according to the Union health ministry data updated on Sunday. The country also reported 7,469 recoveries in the past 24 hours.

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Section 144 imposed in Alappuzha district of Kerala: A Alexander, District Collector (ANI)

Four dead in Australia light plane crash

Four people have died following a light plane crash in waters off the Australian city of Brisbane, police said Sunday.

Queensland state police said the four were killed after the small aircraft crashed off the coast near Redcliffe, a bayside suburb in the city's north, just after 9:00 am local time.

"A multi-agency operation is underway with Queensland Water Police officers and divers along with the Forensic Crash Unit assisting other agencies, including the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, as investigations continue," police said in a statement.

Queensland police commissioner Katarina Carroll told local media the initial response had encountered challenging conditions.

"The plane is in a very, very difficult situation, (a) difficult position in the wetland area, and we have currently got police and divers travelling to that area, and that's all I can say at this stage," she said.

A police spokesperson confirmed that the four were the only people on board when the plane crashed. (AFP)

5.3-magnitude earthquake strikes Qinghai in China: Report

Lowest minimum temperature of -1.1 °C recorded at Churu, West Rajasthan as on December 18, followed by below normal temperature -1.6°C to -3.0°C at many places over Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh...: IMD. (ANI)

75 reported dead in Philippines typhoon

More than 300,000 people fled their homes and beachfront resorts as Typhoon Rai ravaged the southern and central regions of the archipelago.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah to lay foundation stone at Chhatrapati Shivaji’s statue in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on December 19 (Sunday).

Richard Rogers, British architect behind Pompidou Centre, dies aged 88

British architect Richard Rogers, known for designing some of the world's most famous buildings including Paris' Pompidou Centre, has died aged 88, according to media reports.

Rogers, who changed the London skyline with distinctive creations such as the Millennium Dome and the 'Cheesegrater', "passed away quietly" Saturday night, Freud communications agency's Matthew Freud told the Press Association. (Wikimedia Commons Photo)

An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists at Harwan area of Srinagar. One unidentified terrorirst neutralised: ANI