LIVE News Updates: Our demands have remained the same, repeal new Farm laws, says Bharatiya Kisan Union

Our demands have remained the same from the beginning - repeal the new Farm laws: Manjit Singh Rai, Bharatiya Kisan Union, Doaba

For the first time since April 1, no new COVID-19 case was reported in Mumbai's Dharavi in the last 24 hours: Civic official

Delhi reports 758 new COVID-19 cases, 1,370 recoveries and 30 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Delhi Health Department Total cases: 6,21,439 Total recoveries: 6,03,758 Death toll: 10,414 Active cases: 7,267

Punjab reports 320 new COVID-19 cases, 412 discharges, and 9 deaths today, says Govt of Punjab. Total cases in the State rise to 1,64,821 including 1,54,845 discharges and 5,269 deaths. Active cases stand at 4,707

COVID-19 vaccine to be available free for Indian students studying in UK: UK govt.
Indian students pursuing higher studies in the UK will be able to access the Pfizer and BioNTech Vaccine, reports India Today

The fact is that Modi Government has done nothing to help West Bengal. They are yet to release even a portion of the Rs 85,000 cr of outstanding dues that includes unpaid GST dues of Rs 8,000 cr: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

Today, PM showed apparent concern for farmers through televised address, instead of proactively working to resolve their issues. While he publicly claimed his intention to help farmers of WB through his PM Kisan Yojana...fact is he's trying to mislead people with half-truth: WB CM

Jammu and Kashmir: An encounter has broken out at Kanigam area of Shopian. Police and security forces are carrying out the operation.

Among the UK returnees, according to the information I have, about 10 people have tested positive (for COVID-19). Their samples have been sent to NIMHANS… once that (report) is out, we will know whether it is the second strain: Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar

Uttar Pradesh reports 13 more COVID-19 fatalities, 1,285 new cases. Death toll rises to 8,279, infection tally 5,79,982. There are 16,159 active cases of the disease in the state.

The PM-CARES fund set up for COVID donations is "established by the government" and therefore a public entity, the centre has said in a new RTI reply that appears to contradict its own recent claim on its website that the fund is private, reports NDTV

Noted Urdu writer Shamsur Rahman Faruqi has passed away

Odisha reports 325 new COVID-19 cases, 3 fatalities. Infection tally rises to 3,27,867, death toll 1,853. The state now has 2,989 active cases of the disease.

CMs of Punjab, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Puducherry had requested to meet the President. The President must be under so much pressure that four chief ministers wanted to meet him but he couldn't meet them. This is my assumption: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot

Modi Ji doesn't have the courage to talk face to face with the protesting farmers. Govt talks about Rs 18,000 cr being directly transferred to bank accounts of farmers. But, I want to say that middlemen still exist & the entire amount doesn't reach farmers: AR Chowdhury, Congress

Former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta arrested from Pune in TRP scam case sent to police custody till 28th December

Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth, 70, has been admitted to Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad, for high blood pressure, reports NDTV

Let farm laws be implemented for year or so; if found not beneficial for farmers, we will be ready for necessary amendments: Rajnath Singh

A youth was arrested with arms and ammunition from Jammu city on Friday, police sources said.

Sources said the youth identified as Riyaz Ahmad belongs to the Qazigund area of Kashmir's Kulgam district.

He was found carrying one pistol and some live ammunition in the Narwal area of Jammu city.

I appeal to the protesting farmers to end their protest and hold talks with the government. I hope they will understand the importance of the new farm laws, and the issue will be resolved soon: Union Agriculture Minister

Delhi's Sacred Heart Cathedral closed for visitors on Christmas, due to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic

Nine more persons, including an army man, tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, pushing the caseload in the northeastern state to 16,678, a health department official said on Friday.

Cold and foggy weather persisted in the national capital on Friday as the minimum temperature remained below five degrees Celsius for the third consecutive day, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the dignitaries who paid rich tribute to former prime minister and BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth anniversary.

Remember ‘someone’ who explained radar to the Indian Air Force. This idea bears the imprint of the same mind. The Indian army is a fighting force not a tourist destination.

A total of 518 new COVID-19 cases, 491 discharges and 3 deaths were reported in Telangana yesterday, says State Health Department Total positive cases: 2,84,074 Total recoveries: 2,75,708 Active cases: 6,839 Death toll: 1,527

With 23,068 new COVID-19 infections, India's total cases rise to 1,01,46,846. With 336 new deaths, toll mounts to 1,47,092. Total active cases at 2,81,919 Total discharged cases at 97,17,834 with 24,661 new discharges in the last 24 hours.

Minimum temperature of 4.6 degrees Celsius recorded at Safdarjung, Delhi today: India Meteorological Department

Five more persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, raising the tally in the Union Territory to 4,901, a health department official said on Friday.

Jharkhand's COVID-19 tally rose to 1,13,786 as 179 more people tested positive for the infection, a health department official said on Friday.

Merry Christmas! May this festival bring peace & harmony to your homes and hearts, tweeted Rahul Gandhi.

Greeting people on Christmas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the life and principles of Lord Christ gives strength to millions across the world.

Farmers protest at Delhi's borders with Haryana at Singhu and Tikri enters 30th day. Farmer unions on 23rd December wrote to the government urging it not to repeat the "meaningless amendments" which they had earlier rejected and to come up with a concrete proposal in writing