A look at the headlines right now:

  1. Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat named next Army Chief, superseding two senior officers: The selection was made reportedly on the basis of ‘merit and suitability’.
  2. Political parties will not be exempted from I-T scrutiny after demonetisation, clarifies Arun Jaitley: The Union finance minister denied media reports, and said the ‘political class is no exception’.
  3. Indian films will be screened in Pakistan from December 19: The owners of cinema houses said they had stopped showing Indian films, but had not banned them.
  4. China has agreed to return US drone seized in South China Sea, says Washington: However, Beijing accused the United States of hyping up the entire incident.
  5. Three Indian soldiers killed as militants attack Army convoy in Pampore: Security forces have cordoned off the adjoining residential area and launched a search operation.
  6. CBI arrests two RBI officials for unauthorised exchange of demonetised notes: Senior Special Assistant Sadananda Naika and Special Assistant AK Kavin allegedly gave away new notes worth Rs 1.99 crore to the apex bank officials and others.
  7. At least 13 soldiers killed, 55 injured in bomb blast in Turkey: The region’s governor said the explosive was planted in a car that was parked next to the bus carrying the security personnel.
  8. Demonestisation is a Modi-made disaster, to benefit only PM’s friends, says Rahul Gandhi: The Congress vice president, who addressed a rally in Karnataka, said the government was constantly shifting the goalpost for the note ban move.
  9. Sharad Pawar resigns from the post of Mumbai Cricket Association’s president: According to Lodha committee, administrators above the age of 70 cannot hold posts in cricket boards. Pawar is 75.
  10. SP Tyagi, two others sent to judicial custody till December 30 in connection with AgustaWestland scam: The accused filed bail applications at the Patiala House Court, which will hear the matter on December 21.