Breaking News December 18 | Highlights

Delhi: A library-cum-cultural centre has been set up at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border) where farmers are protesting against the farm laws. "Anyone can come & read books here. Also, our team members teach the children living in slums of Kundli," says Survinder Singh Wadwa.

The Haryana government on Friday decided to increase the sugarcane rate by Rs 10 per quintal to Rs 350 per quintal for the 2020-21 crushing season, an official statement said. According to the statement, this price is the highest in the country.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has approved a proposal in this regard, it added.

This increase in the rate of sugarcane will benefit the farmers of Haryana, the statement said.

The chief minister has also approved the proposal for providing subsidy to the sugarcane farmers for the current crushing season 2020-21 on the pattern of 2018-19 and 2019-20 season.

Over Rs 81.37 crore for 2018-19 crushing season and over Rs 124.14 crore for 2019-20 up to May 2020, was provided as a subsidy to different sugar mills in the state, the statement said.

The head of the World Health Organization says its program to help get COVID-19 vaccines to all countries in need, whether rich or poor, has gained access to nearly 2 billion doses of several vaccine candidates.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the agreements mean that some 190 countries and economies participating in the COVAX program will have access to vaccines “during the first half of next year.”

The arrangements bring together pharmaceutical makers including AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and the Serum Institute of India.

He says the message is “vaccines will complement, not replace, the existing effective tools we have for suppressing transmission and saving lives.”

As winter chill grips the plains, the India Meteorological Department on Friday said night temperatures would continue to be below normal in north India over the next week and a slight relief can be expected only a week later.

In its forecast from December 17-24 and from December 24-30, the IMD said the minimum temperatures would be below normal by 2-6 degrees Celsius over most parts of northwest, central and east India.

Near normal or slightly above normal temperatures are likely over remaining parts of the country during the first week.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday said all regulated entities will upload 'Know Your Customer' data pertaining to accounts of legal entities opened on or after April 1, 2021, onto the Central KYC Registry (CKYCR).

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Balram Bhargava has been admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after he tested positive for Covid-19.

Veteran industrialist Ratan Tata will be honoured by the Indo-Israel Chambers of Commerce for promoting innovation that supports sustainability and peace in the region, including with the Palestinians.

The chairman emeritus of the Tata group will be honoured with 'Global Visionary of Sustainable Business and Peace' award during the launch of the Federation of Indo-Israel Chamber of Commerce's international chapter in Dubai on December 21.

The virtual ceremony will be attended by senior officials from Israel, India and UAE.

General Pradeep C Nair on Friday took over as the Director General Recruiting of the Indian Army, an official said. The Recruitment Directorate is responsible for recruiting soldiers and officers into the Army.

Lt Gen Nair, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal was commissioned into the Sikh Regiment in 1985 and is an alumnus of Sainik School Satara, National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, College of Defence Management and Indian Institute of Public Administration.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday.

Four people have been arrested for allegedly posting an online advertisement listing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Varanasi office for 'sale', police said on Friday. READ MORE

Preparing for the demand in future as part of its National Rail Plan, the Indian railways is planning to increase its share in freight movement from 27 per cent now to 45 per cent by 2030, officials said on Friday.

The railways also plans to introduce demand based passenger trains and doing away with the wait list tickets by 2024.

West Bengal Former TMC Asansol district Chief Jitendra Tiwari leaves for Kolkata from Asansol, along with 2 more rebel TMC leaders.  "When state govt thought my life was precious, it gave me security. Now govt feels my life has no worth, my security has been removed," he said.

Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDF) CEO Kirill Dmitriev says Russia is testing the first samples of its SputnikV COVID-19 vaccine that were produced in India. 300 million doses will be produced by India in 2021. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hands over a model of Astra MK-1 BVR air to air missile to IAF Chief RKS Bhadauria, at DRDO. Astra is the first indigenously developed BVR (Beyond Visual Range) air to air missile;it can be launched from SU-30, LCA and MiG-29K with range 100plus kms.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh handed over the DRDO made Indian Maritime Situational Awareness System to the Navy chief and the Border Surveillance System (BOSS) to the Army chief. 

Odisha recorded 358 new COVID-19 cases, 376 recoveries and 4 deaths on December 16, as per State Health Department.

• Total cases: 3,25,505
• Total recoveries: 3,20,584
• Active cases: 3,039
• Death toll: 1,829

48 newly-elected BJP Corporators took oath at Bhagyalakshmi temple in Hyderabad in presence of BJP State President Bandi Sanjay. "BJP Corporators took an oath that they'll not become corrupt & give good service to people," says Rakesh Reddy, Telangana BJP Spokesperson.

TMC MLA Silbhadra Datta resigned from the party, day after Suvendhu Adhikari quits party. 

Fire breaks out at a plastic godown in Chinhat area of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Fire tenders present at the spot, fire fighting operations underway.

Telangana reported 551 new COVID-19 cases, 1 death, and 682 recoveries on December 17.

• Total cases: 2,80,195
• Active cases: 7,040
• Total recoveries: 2,71,649
• Death toll: 1,506

Aam Aadmi Party MLAs display placards and banner alleging BJP of a Rs 2,500 crores scam, on the second day of the special Delhi Assembly session. 

Complaint filed against actor Kangana Ranaut in Gaya Civil Court for her alleged remarks on RLSP leader Upendra Kushwaha. 

"It's a crime to make derogatory comments against any leader. So, we've asked the court to take cognizance of our complaint," says Shambhu Prasad, Lawyer. 

A food app delivery boy died when an overspeeding Mercedes car hit his scooty in the Oshiwara area of Mumbai. The car driver has been arrested. "An overspeeding car lost control & jumped a divider, hitting my nephew's scooty. He died in hospital later," said Saroj, uncle of deceased.

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has called a party meeting, a day after Suvendu Adhikari resigned from the party.

Lt Gen Manoj Pande, C-in-C, Andaman & Nicobar Command, addressed a webinar today on 'Changing Dynamics of Indian Ocean Region'. The webinar was conducted by Centre For Joint Warfare Studies in collaboration with Army Design Bureau & Indian Military Review.

Besides generating goodwill, Joint exercises with foreign navies are also a tool for projection of a nation's soft power i.e culture, language, culture, customs and beliefs and help establish a unique spirit of bonding.

Chipko movement leader Sundarlal Bahuguna extends his support to farmers protesting against the three farm laws, says, "I support the demands of the 'annadatas' "

Ministry of Home Affairs has asked the chief secretary and DGP West Bengal for a meeting in Delhi, regarding law and order situation in the state. Communication was sent yesterday and the meeting is scheduled for 5:30 pm today. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address farmers of Madhya Pradesh through video conferencing today.

Five states- Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala constitute 52% of total recovered cases in the country, as per Union Ministry of Health.

Mizoram reported 9 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, as per the state govt. 

• Total cases: 4,094
• Active cases: 164
• Discharges: 3,923
• Deaths: 7

Delhi's air quality in the 'poor' category, as per System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research. 

IMD forecasts a maximum temperature of 16 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 3 degrees Celsius in the national capital today.