Breaking News Updates: HM Shah inaugurates development projects worth Rs 112 Cr in Gujarat

Locals in Srinagar organized a candlelight protest, against the incident where terrorists opened fire on a police team and killed two personnel in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

A demonstrator told ANI, "It's Pakistan that is benefitting from bloodshed in Kashmir. This is not jihad. You (terrorists) are defaming the religion of peace".

People paid their last respects to JWO A Pradeep at his residence in Ponnukkara, Thrissur district. Pradeep was one of the army personnel who died in the IAF chopper crash that occurred near Tamil Nadu's Coonoor. 

A large number of locals participated in the funeral procession of Wing Commander PS Chauhan in Agra. Chauhan was one of the army personnel who lost his life in the IAF chopper crash that occurred near Tamil Nadu's Coonoor. 

Malayalam film director Ali Akbar has converted to Hinduism and changed his name to Ramasimha, saying, "It's a protest against those Muslims who were putting smileys on posts related to the death of CDS General Bipin Rawat. Why are religious leaders not correcting them?".

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated a drone fair in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. The Minister said, "The drone technology will help farmers in spreading pesticides on their farms. This is not just a state's revolution but the entire country will benefit from drone technology".

"Development projects worth Rs 112 crores have been inaugurated today. Ahmedabad has been active even during Corona, that is why we are launching these projects today", Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Ahmedabad. 

"I congratulate Punjab and it’s legal team to be the 1st to approach the Hon’ble Supreme Court by filing an original suit challenging the notification extending the BSF jurisdiction", Congress leader Navjoth Singh Sidhu tweeted.

Indian Air Force (IAF) officials informed that Group Captain Varun Singh’s health condition continues to be critical but stable. Varun Singh is the sole survivor of the helicopter crash that occurred when he was travelling with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, and 11 other defence personnel, near Tamil Nadu’s Coonoor.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a train overbridge and several other developments projects in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

A large number of people from Ghardana Khurd village in Jhunjhunu paid respects to Squadron Leader Kuldeep Singh. Kuldeep Singh was one of the army personnel who lost his life in the IAF chopper crash that occurred near Tamil Nadu's Coonoor. 

"Defamation of Maharashtra govt by ED needs to be stopped. Kirit Somaiya has levelled allegations of fraud against me in Waqf Board land matter. I want to apprise him that an FIR will be lodged against a BJP leader next week & he will be arrested", Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik said.

"ED officers have been telling the media that they will raid my house. Today Kirit Somaiya said ED will visit my house in Waqf board land matter...Instead of this whispering campaign, they can directly ask me to appear, I will do so", he added.

Kashmir Police IG Vijay Kumar and General Officer Commanding of Army’s Kilo Force, Sanjiv Singh Slaria chaired a joint meeting of security officers in Bandipora, a day after militants opened fire on a police team and killed two personnel in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

Mortal remains of Squadron Leader Kuldeep Singh were brought to his native place in the Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. Kuldeep Singh was one of the army personnel who died in the IAF chopper crash that occurred near Tamil Nadu's Coonoor. 

"It's sad. Govt says everything is hunky-dory. When police personnel aren't safe, how is a common man? China's occupying our territory, does the Govt of India allow discussion in the Parliament?", NC chief Farooq Abdullah, on Dec 10 incident when militants opened fire on a police team and killed two personnel in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

"BJP showed dreams that farmers' income will be doubled by 2022, where are the farmers with increased incomes? They spend more on advertisements than on projects. Huge hoardings are put that youngsters are getting jobs, where have they given jobs in UP?", Akhilesh Yadav, SP Chief.

After immersing ashes of India's first CDS Gen Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat in Ganga in Haridwar, some of the last remains were given to the family members and friends to be immersed in 5 different river confluences in Uttarakhand known as ‘Panch Prayags’ in next few days.

"It's important for the country's development to not let water scarcity become a barrier. Govt's topmost priority is the right utilization of river water. The completion of the Saryu Nahar National Project is a testament of honest intentions and efficient work", Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Balrampur

Amid tensions between communities in Gurugram, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday said that 'the act of offering namaz in open spaces will not be tolerated'. He also assured that the issue will be resolved soon as he has directed the police and administration to look into the matter. According to the Chief Minister, there is no problem in offering namaz or puja at the designated places. 

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday paid tribute to Junior Warrant Officer (JWO) Rana Pratap Das, who was killed in the IAF helicopter crash in Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday. CM Patnaik paid his final respects to JWO Rana Pratap Das in Bhubaneswar before his funeral. The JWO was one of the 13 persons who lost their lives in the tragic IAF chopper crash, which also killed CDS General Bipin Rawat.

The mortal remains of JWO Das arrived at Bhubaneshwar in a special IAF flight around 12 noon on Saturday. The late officer was given a guard of honour by the personnel of the 120 Battalion. Following this, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik paid his tribute to the brave heart. Other political leaders and state government officials also paid floral tributes to JWO Das.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is looking for names of eligible officers with the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) from all States and Union Territories (UTs) to fill two empty vacancies at the United Nations office in African Union (UNOAU). Apart from states and UTs, the ministry has sought names from more than 19 Central organisations mostly functioning under it. The hiring will be on a secondment basis to fill two vacant UNOAU positions: Police Reform Adviser and Police Planning Adviser, ANI reported on Saturday. 

Last week, the MHA's Police Division-II issued a letter asking the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police of all states and UTs to suggest the names of "qualified and willing officers." It directed to forward the names to the ministry through the proper channels by December 27. Besides, Central organisations including Intelligence Bureau, the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, the Central Bureau of Investigation, the North Eastern Police Academy, the Special Protection Group,  the National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science (NICFS), the Directorate of Coordination Police Wireless (DCPW) and the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, were also asked to submit names from their respective departments.

More details here

Northern Indian states are experiencing intense cold wave conditions as dense fog continues to engulf parts of Kashmir valley, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi. While Delhi recorded its coldest night of the season on Thursday, December 9, with the minimum temperature dipping to 8.3 degrees Celsius, temperatures in Jammu and Kashmir continue dipping to sub-zero at nights resulting in dense fog in the mornings affecting visibility and vehicular movement. Also, parts of Himachal Pradesh have received rainfall and fresh snow over the weekend. 

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital has inched under the 'very poor' category. 

Similarly, the temperature in Srinagar was recorded at -2.2 degrees celsius, informed the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) 

Hundreds of thousands of residents in conflict-hit Myanmar organised a silent protest on Friday to raise their voices against the recent killings of villagers by the military junta. Despite multiple warnings and embargoes, the military has increased its atrocities on the pro-democracy protesters in the southeast Asian country. On Tuesday, local media floated reports of the Tatmadaw ‘shooting and burning’ at least 11 people in the Sagaing region. The brutalities evoked strict reactions from the international community including Washington which termed it as “credible and sickening.” The UN, meanwhile, said that it was an “alarming escalation of grave human rights abuses.” 

As a part of the silent protests, Yangon residents restricted themselves in their homes. Yangon is the largest city in the country and has served as the country capital previously. 

On Friday, the Centre revealed that 8 states and 13 High Courts had voiced their opposition to the creation of an All India Judicial Service (AIJS). Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju was responding to a starred question by Lok Sabha MPs Bidyut Baran Mahato and Adoor Prakash on the possibility of the Centre forming an AIJS to recruit judges on the lines of Civil Services. Mentioning that a "comprehensive proposal" on the constitution of AIJS was approved by the Committee of Secretaries in November 2012, he added that views of the states and High Courts were formally sought on the proposal. 

The Law Minister affirmed, "In Government's view, a properly framed All India Judicial Service is important to strengthen overall justice delivery system. This will give an opportunity for induction of suitably qualified fresh legal talent selected through a proper all-India merit selection system as well as address the issue of social inclusion by enabling suitable representation to marginalized and deprived sections of society". Citing the divergence of opinion amongst the stakeholders, Rijiju stated that the Centre is engaged in a consultative process with the stakeholders to arrive at a common ground.

"Doctors are working hard to save the life of Group Captain Varun Singh. I pray to Maa Pateshwari to save his life. The nation stands with his family. The country also stands with the families who lost those brave soldiers," PM Modi said. 

"We launched projects of Rs 10,000cr on Dec 7 &had inaugurated 9 medical colleges in Siddharthnagar & 1 international airport in Kushinagar. Saryu Nahar National Project was approved in 1972, the year I was born. I grew up but it never got completed," he said. 

While mentioning sarcastically that he was awaiting a 'tweet' wherein 'someone (Akhilesh Yadav) would take credit for the Saryu Nahar National Project in Balrampur, PM Modi said. "We have done more work in the Saryu canal project than what was done in 5 decades. That is why this is a double engine government."

When the work on this project started, its cost was less than Rs 100 cr. Today it has been completed after spending about 10 thousand crores. The country has already paid 100 times more for the negligence of the earlier govts: PM Modi

"Wherever General Bipin Rawat maybe, in the days to come, he will see India moving ahead with new resolutions," PM Modi said in Balrampur. 

"The completion of the Saryu Canal National Project is proof that when there is intent, the work will happen," PM Modi. 

"Whenever we'll speak of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the contribution of Maharaja Pateshwari Prasad Singh Saheb of Balrampur princely state(erstwhile) will be mentioned. People in Balrampur are connoisseurs, they gave 2 Bharat Ratna in the form of Nanaji Deshmukh & Atal Bihari Vajpayee," PM Modi said. 

Paying tribute to CDS Rawat, his wife and twelve others who were aboard the IAF chopper on December 8, PM Modi said, "India stands with the Bravehearts we have lost, General Rawat will see the country march forward."

"We will not stop in our mission," PM Modi vouched. 

Prime Minister's Office stated, "The work on the project started in 1978 but due to lack of continuity of budgetary support, interdepartmental coordination and adequate monitoring, it got delayed and was not completed even after nearly four decades. Prime Minister’s vision for farmer welfare and empowerment, and his commitment to prioritising long pending projects of national importance, brought much-needed focus on the project. Consequently, in 2016, the project was brought under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana with the target to complete it in a time-bound manner. In this endeavour, innovative solutions were found for new land acquisition to construct new canals and fill the critical gaps in the project, and also for resolving the pending litigation related to the previous land acquisitions. The renewed focus on the project has resulted in the project being completed in only about four years. 

The Saryu Nahar National Project has been built with a total cost of more than Rs. 9800 crore, out of which more than Rs 4600 crore was provisioned in the last four years. The project also involves interlinking of five rivers -  Ghaghara, Saryu, Rapti, Banganga and Rohini to ensure optimum usage of water resources of the region.

'Project will provide assured water for irrigation of over 14 lakh hectares of land and benefit about 29 lakh farmers of over 6200 villages of Eastern UP," it added. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the Saryu Nahar National Project in Balrampur.

Farooq Abdullah is addressing leaders and workers from the Kashmiri Pandit community. 

• "I still remember how people of Kashmiri pandit community in Jammu under intense heat." (Referring to the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits)
• "You had suffered a lot, I had not seen so much heat."
• "Kashmiri pandits have suffered a lot after migration..the pain of pandit community is countless."
• "They thought with ethnic cleansing, they will get hold of Kashmir."
• "You (Kashmiri pandits) have been used for vote bank but no one healed your pain."
• "I apologise to you."
• "Not Muslims, but those who don’t understand religion threw Kashmir pandits out."
• "You were not expelled by Muslims but those thugs who know nothing about religion. It includes your as well as our people."

Protesting farmers at the Tikri border celebrate the suspension of their year-long protests against three contentious farm laws passed by the Centre in 2020. 

PM Narendra Modi arrives in Balrampur to inaugurate Saryu Nahar Project. 

With 93,277 active COVID-19 cases in India, the mark is recorded to be the lowest in 559 days. 

Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi decked up ahead of Kashi Vishwanath corridor inauguration by PM Modi on Dec 13

Reportedly, TTP attacked Pakistan Police forces in Tank District. 

PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate Saryu Nahar National Project in Balrampur today. A large number of people gather to participate in the inauguration event. 

Daughters of CDS General Rawat & Mrs Madhulika Rawat immersed the ashes in River Ganga in Haridwar. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was present at the ceremony as well. 

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's approval rating has plummeted to an all-time low at the end of a chaotic, troublesome week suffused with controversies related to the 'Christmas party' scandal at Number 10 last December. According to YouGov polls, UK’s Conservative leader currently sits at a net favorability of -42, and only 24%  have a "favourable" opinion for his leadership.

Reports have emerged of the discreet talks among the Conservative party lawmakers to bid him adieu with an internal vote of no confidence as his tenure, in the recent weeks, was marred with scandals. Net favourability of UK Prime Minister has slumped by 11 points as at least 66% Britons hold negative opinion for Tory leader. 

“Two-thirds of the public now have an unfavourable opinion of the Prime Minister,” the YouGov revealed in the report published Dec. 10, Friday. 

Mortal remains of JWO Pradeep Arakkal reach Sulur Air Base; Final rites will be conducted in Thrissur

The mortal remains of Lance Naik Sai Teja have reached Yelahanka airbase for the wreath-laying ceremony before the Indian Armed Forces.

Assam Police has recovered a stolen luxury watch belonging to late legendary Argentine footballer Diego Maradona, from a man named Wazid Hussein in Assam and have also arrested the accused in the process. The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma took to his official Twitter handle on Saturday and posted the whereabouts of the stolen watch by saying the Assam Police in coordination with the Dubai Police have recovered the heritage Hublot watch of Maradona through Indian federal LEA.

"Our flag shall always fly high because brave men like late CDS General Bipin Rawat, who was trained here at the IMA, will always preserve & protect its honour," President Ram Nath Kovind at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun

BJP Kerala chief K Surendran on Friday hit out at the state government for failing to take action against people making disrespectful remarks about Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat. Surendran has also claimed that the Kerala government is "promoting sedition among the people". The state BJP chief has attacked the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government over its silence on the issue. General Bipin Rawat was killed in a chopper crash in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. 

"Kerala government is not taking any action against a government pleader who made unfair remarks about CDS Bipin Rawat. It's painful and evident that the state government is promoting sedition among the people," K Surendran told ANI 

"Many people are celebrating the tragic incident that happened in Tamil Nadu. Left people are doing a bad campaign on this and the government is still silent," he added. 

CBI has recorded statements of 7 people in Mumbai yesterday. These seven are Police personnel who were deployed for the security of Anil Deshmukh when he was the Home Minister of Maharashtra.

The Madurai district administration in a bid to intensify the COVID-19 vaccination coverage has mandated vaccinations for people visiting public places. Confirming the same, Madurai district collector Aneesh Sekhar has announced that the ones who are not yet vaccinated will be banned from public places such as fair price shops, business establishments, supermarkets, theatres, shopping malls, wedding halls, garment shops, banks, and liquor stores. Apart from that, he also instructed concerned officials to take necessary measures for sending unvaccinated people to the nearby centres. The move came shortly after the collector held a meeting with stakeholders of different establishments across the district further mandating vaccination certificates for people. 

In a major feat, Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district administered 96% of its eligible population with both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Surpassing the difficulties of reaching far-flung regions in the difficult terrain, Poonch achieved the feat by ramping up its vaccination pace under the government's doorstep vaccination campaign 'Har Ghar Dastak'.   

"We achieved administering 100 percent first dose of COVID vaccine on September 25 in the district. 96 percent of people have taken the second dose. Poonch district is at the first position across the Union Territory in terms of vaccination," Dr. Rahul Sharma, Nodal Officer for vaccination drive in the district said.

"We have a large team of vaccinations and there are a total of 107 vaccination centres here," he added. 

Pune is all set to celebrate ‘Pedestrian Day’ today. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced that no private vehicle will be allowed at Laxmi Road between 10 am to 4 pm today. To celebrate the day, PMC has organised various programs at Laxmi Road.

"I'm glad to see 387 Gentleman Cadets who'd shortly embark on their journey of valour & wisdom. India's proud to have Gentlemen Cadets of friendly foreign nations of Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Turkmenistan and Vietnam," President said at the IMA passing our ceremony. 

"Our flag shall always fly high because brave men like late CDS General Bipin Rawat, who was trained here at the IMA, will always preserve & protect its honour"

An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.3 on the Richter Scale, hit 145km East of Fayzabad, Afghanistan today at 10:17 am: National Center for Seismology

A pair of 'Varada-Kati Hastas', made of gold and studded with diamonds and rubies, were donated to Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala by a devotee. The ornaments weighed around 5.3 kgs and are worth about Rs 3 crores.

"Respect for our soldiers is topmost for us. Late CDS Gen Rawat will always be Uttarakhand's pride. If any miscreant makes any objectionable comment about any late defence personnel on social media or otherwise, our govt will take stringent legal action against them," Uttarakhand CM Dhami told ANI. 

"Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced Rs 50 lakh ex-gratia to the family of Lance Naik B Sai Teja, who lost his life in Tamil Nadu Chopper Crash crash on 8th Dec, which claimed 13 brave souls. He was serving as PSO to the CDS," Andhra Pradesh CMO stated. 

President Ram Nath Kovind reviews the passing out parade, in the presence of CM Pushkar Singh Dhami & Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh, at the Chetwode Building Drill Square, Indian Military Academy in Dehradun.

The second case of the Omicron Variant has been reported in Delhi. The person was fully vaccinated and returned from Zimbabwe. The person had also travelled to South Africa, the Government of Delhi has stated. 

Govt of India dispatched humanitarian assistance consisting of medical supplies, on a special flight from Kabul that returned from India, today. These medicines will be handed over to representatives of WHO in Kabul & will be administered at Indira Gandhi Children Hospital in the capital province of Afghanistan. 

The special flight had arrived in India yesterday from Kabul, carrying 10 Indians and 94 Afghans, including members of the Afghan minority community.

Mortal remains of JWO Pradeep A, Wg Cdr PS Chauhan, JWO Rana Pratap Das, Sqn Leader Kuldeep Singh, L/Nk B Sai Teja and L/Nk Vivek Kumar identified so far. The last rites of CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, Madhulika Rawat, and Brig LS Lidder were performed yesterday

Extended Range Pinaka (Pinaka-ER) Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher System successfully tested at Pokhran Range. The system is designed by DRDO Laboratory ARDE along with HEMRL, Pune, the technology has been transferred to the Indian industry. (Source: DRDO)

PM Narendra Modi will address the function on “Depositors First: Guaranteed Time-bound Deposit Insurance Payment up to Rs 5 Lakh” tomorrow at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi. Union Finance Minister, MoS Finance and RBI Governor will also be present on the occasion, the Prime Minister's office stated.

While addressing the virtual Democracy Summit on Friday, US President Joe Biden stressed on making governments transparent, accountable, more resilient against the buffering forces of autocracy. 

"As the leaders of governments, we have a responsibility to listen to our citizens, to strengthen the guardrails of democracy, and to drive reforms that are going to make transparent, accountable governments — governance more resilient against the buffering and — the buffeting forces of autocracy and those who want — and the naked pursuit of power ahead of the public good,” the US President said. 

"We focussed on the need to empower human rights defenders and make sure technological advancement. Technology enables so much of our lives that are used to advance democracies to lift people up not to hold them down," Biden said. 

As the Centre repealed the three contentious farm laws observing a year-long protest, the farmers prepare to head back home from the Ghazipur border. 

"A large group of farmers shall vacate the area at 8 AM tomorrow. In today's meeting, we'll talk, pray, & meet the people who helped us. People have started vacating already, it'll take 4-5 days. I will leave on 15th December," BKU leader Rakesh Tikait told reporters at Ghazipur Border. 

Stepping up its attack against Punjab CM Charanjit Channi, AAP MLA Raghav Chadha on Friday, announced that AAP will 'reward' him Rs 25,000 for every illegal sand-mining case he acts against. Taking to Twitter, Chadha informed Channi that he had a list of areas where illegal sand mining was taking place. Punjab along with Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Goa are set to go to the polls in February 2022.

Protesting farmers take down their tents at the Ghazipur border (Delhi-UP border) as they prepare to return to their homes following the announcement of the suspension of their year-long protest.

Madurai Dist Collector Aneesh Sekhar announces that those in the dist, who haven't been vaccinated, will be barred from public places incl fair price shops, business establishments, supermarkets, theatres, wedding halls, shopping malls, garment shops, banks & liquor stores. 

"Measures have been taken to send those who have not been vaccinated to nearby centers," he told ANI. 

Wooing women voters in Goa, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra promised that 30% of the new government jobs will be reserved for females if her party forms the government in the state. Addressing 'Priyadarshini'- a women's convention at Costa Ground in Goa on Friday, she contended that the BJP dispensation had a very myopic idea of its responsibilities towards women. 

ICMR develops test kit to detect Omicron variant of COVID-19 in 2 hrs

At least two people were killed and four others were injured in two separate bomb blasts in Kabul, Afghanistan on Friday, December 10, Taliban Interior Ministry spokesperson Sayed Khosti told reporters. The first explosion took off on a minibus in Dasht-e-Barchi district near the Iraqi Police recruiting centre at Kisak, killing as many as two. Khosti further added, another explosion in western Kabul injured a woman. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blasts, however, the area has been a target of violence by Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) for many years.

The twin blast comes after an explosion in central Kabul's Kandahar market injured two Taliban security personnel on November 23, Tass News Agency had reported, citing local police representatives. As per the report, a magnetic mine affixed to a car belonging to members of the Taliban movement was detonated.

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange will be extradited to the United States as a UK High Court judge concluded on Friday. The verdict overturns an earlier decision by the Westminster Magistrate Court, which had halted the extradition order owing to concerns about Assange's mental health and conditions in US jails. The decision of the appellate court on Friday will almost certainly be challenged.

Earlier this year, a lower court judge denied an American plea to extradite Assange to the United States to face spying charges stemming from the publishing of secret military papers by Wikileaks a decade ago, according to AP. District Judge Vanessa Baraitser dismissed extradition on health grounds, claiming that Assange would likely commit suicide if imprisoned in the United States.

Two days after a low-intensity explosion took place inside Rohini district court, the Delhi Police is still clueless about the culprits even as the security personnel are checking CCTV cameras at the court premises and probing the incident from all angles.

The force is also investigating a possible terror angle. 

Naib Court head constable Rajeev was injured in the explosion that took place on Thursday, creating panic among lawyers and the public and raising questions about security arrangements there. 

The explosion took place inside courtroom number 102 that belongs to Metropolitan Magistrate Prituraj, police said.

The United States Supreme Court on Friday ruled that Texas abortion providers can continue their legal fight over the state’s ban on most abortions. However, the justices allowed the law to remain in place, according to AP. The ruling has been declared a week after the court had indicated that it would take back abortion rights and overturn Roe v. Wade decision. 

Seven judges of the Supreme Court voted in favour of permitting the clinics to file the lawsuit against the ban to proceed and only Clarence Thomas had voted the other way. According to AP, the court's main view was written by Justice Neil Gorsuch, who has been against abortion rights. Gorsuch has written that abortion providers need to follow the same set of rules that apply to people asserting other constitutional rights.

"A mosque in Jalpaiguri isn't using loudspeakers for namaz to avoid disturbance in studies of students of a school, during COVID We're offering namaz without loudspeakers for noise-free classes on our premises. Can't develop the nation without education," Najimul Haque, Imam

India on Friday organised a two-day seminar on “Securing Cyberspace in the Contemporary Threat Environment” for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) countries. The event was organised with the help and support of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of SCO (RATS SCO), which is meant to assist the member states in fighting terrorism. According to an MEA press release, the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), Government of India in association with the Data Security Council of India (DSCI), organised the Practical Seminar from 7-8 December. 

A senior servitor of the famed Jagannath temple in Odisha's Puri was arrested on Friday on the charge of sexually harassing a boy, police said.

The boy, the son of another servitor who is visually impaired, was allegedly sexually harassed on the temple premises, as per the complaint.

The accused was booked under the relevant sections of the IPC and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, said Sunil Kumar Pradhan, the inspector in charge of the Singhadwar police station.

The complainant said that his son used to take him to the temple every day.

On Thursday, another servitor was arrested for allegedly molesting a girl on the premises of the 12th-century shrine, police said. PTI 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday met family members of Wing Commander Prithvi Singh Chauhan who lost his life in an IAF (Indian Air Force) chopper crash in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor on Wednesday. The CM announced a job to his family member and Rs 50 lakh compensation. An institution will also be named after him, CM Yogi Adityanath announced.

"I met the family members of Wing Commander Prithvi Singh Chauhan who died in the helicopter crash to express my condolences. The state govt will provide a job to his family member and Rs 50 lakh. We will also name an institution after him," the UP CM said.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik on Friday issued an unconditional apology to the Bombay High Court over remarks on NCB Mumbai Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede and his family despite an assurance given to HC asserting that he would not do so.

Appearing for Malik, senior counsel Aspi Chinoy submitted an affidavit by the Minority Affairs Minister where he apologised for violating the November 29 order of the court. In the affidavit, he claimed that his intention was not to dishonour the court by breaching his own undertaking.

"I offer my unconditional apology to this court in terms of breaches of the undertaking given on November 25 and November 29," he said in the affidavit.

The CM Uddhav Thackeray-led government imposed Section 144 in Mumbai in view of heightened cases of Omicron. 

Maharashtra reported seven new cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus on Friday including a three-and-half-year-old girl which took the tally of such infections to 17, the state health department said. Overall, Maharashtra recorded 695 new coronavirus cases during the day.

Omicron cases were found in the state capital Mumbai.

The Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women informed Lok Sabha that the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBP) scheme has failed to show the desired results and recommended the government to reconsider spending on advertisements and instead focus on planned expenditure allocation for sectoral interventions in education and health.

"The Committee has also found that out of a total of Rs 446.72 crore released during the period 2016-2016, a whopping 78.91% was spent only on media advocacy," the Committee's report informed.

"The Committee has recommended that the government should, hereafter, reconsider spending on advertisements under the 'Beti Bachao - Beti Padhao scheme and should focus on planned expenditure allocation for sectoral interventions in education and health," the

added.

The government Friday said it has approved 3,258 applications out of the total 5,714 it received under the 'PM-CARES for Children' scheme for supporting children orphaned during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani told Lok Sabha the applications for such children are uploaded on the portal by respective state and union territory governments. 

As of December 8, 5,714 applications have been uploaded on the portal out of which 3,258 have been approved by district magistrates after due process and 542 are pending approval, she said in a written reply.

As informed by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), 11,331 adoptions have been reported through the Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System (CARINGS) portal between 2018-19 to 2020-21, Irani said.

Under the scheme, Rs 2000 per child per month is made available for non-institutional care of children in the need of care and protection and Rs 2,160 per child per month for children living in Child Care Institutions. 

During the last three years, an amount of Rs. 2189.76 crore has been released under the scheme with a total 2,30,063 beneficiaries, the minister added.

Responding to another question, she said the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has received 438 complaints through POCSO e-Box during the last three years and the current year 2021-22. (PTI)

The nation bid a tearful goodbye to General Bipin Singh Rawat, India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and his wife Madhulika Rawat on Friday. General Rawat and Madhulika lost their lives in an Indian Air Force helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor on Wednesday. The last rites were held at Brar Square Crematorium in Delhi Cantonment with full military honours.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief Ministers Pushkar Singh Dhami and Arvind Kejriwal, DRDO chief Dr G Satheesh, General Rawat's family members and several others were present at the decorated officer's funeral.

A total of 800 service personnel were in attendance for the military funeral of the CDS. CDS Rawat and his wife were accorded a 17 gun salute. Post the playing of the Last Post and Rouse by tri-services buglers, the funeral pyre was lit by family members.

At the funeral, the daughters of CDS General Rawat and Mrs Madhulika Rawat, Kritika and Tarini, performed the last rites. 

With India’s finest military officer and first CDS General Bipin Rawat laid to rest today in Delhi, a state of sorrow has descended over the entire country. While a huge crowd emerged to pay final respects to the revered soldier in Delhi, the entire nation has made efforts to express their tributes to General Rawat and 12 others who died in the tragic IAF crash in their own way.