Pushpalatha R, the head teacher at Murugamalla Village Government High School in Chikkaballapur, Karnataka, has been suspended after photos from her allegedly "romantic photoshoot" with a Class 10 student circulated on social media. The images, taken during a study tour, showed the teacher hugging and kissing the student. Outraged parents filed a complaint with the Block Education Officer, leading to a thorough investigation. Social media users expressed anger, calling for action against both parties. Following the inquiry, BEO V Umadevi recommended suspension, a decision implemented by the Deputy Director of Chikkaballapur District Education Department. Both the student and the teacher have claimed that the photos were meant to be private and got leaked, leading to outrage from the parents.

President Droupadi Murmu has granted assent to a bill establishing a mechanism for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners in India. The law provides for a search committee to prepare a panel of names for consideration by a selection panel chaired by the Prime Minister. This committee will then make recommendations to the President for formally appointing the CEC and ECs. The bill aims to bring greater transparency and accountability to the appointment process. The President also approved the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, which replaces a British-era law governing the publishing sector with simplified regulations. As per I&B Minister Anurag Thakur, the law will enable a streamlined, technology-driven registration process for newspapers and magazines.

A historic peace agreement has been signed between the Central government, Assam government and the insurgent group United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). Home Minister Amit Shah announced that ULFA will be disbanded as an organization, with the Centre promising to meet their reasonable demands regarding issues like illegal immigration and indigenous rights. Shah credited PM Modi for bringing stability to the Northeast, evidenced by reduced AFSPA. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said the deal largely solves the militancy problem in the region. However, the Paresh Baruah-led ULFA (Independent) faction remains opposed to talks currently. The peace pact ends the decades-long insurgency by one of the major separatist groups in the Northeast.

Mangaluru International Airport authorities conducted extensive security checks after receiving a bomb threat email on Tuesday night claiming explosives were planted on a plane and elsewhere in the airport. The email, sent by a purported terrorist group called 'Funing', threatened to kill everyone at the airport. Mangaluru Police were alerted on Wednesday morning and launched search operations, tightening security with additional checkpoints. An anti-sabotage team swept the airport along with a bomb detection squad but found nothing suspicious. A case was registered by Bajpe Police under IPC Section 507 for criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication. The threat comes after similar emails were sent to multiple airports across India on the same night.

Four employees of Air India SATS (AISATS) and an Indian passenger were arrested at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport for alleged involvement in a human trafficking operation. CISF personnel uncovered the suspicious activity when immigration officials flagged a UK-bound passenger's doubtful documents. Further scrutiny via CCTV footage showed AISATS staffers at the check-in counter using invalid documents to facilitate boarding for the passenger and two others. The four staffers - Rohan Verma, Mohammad Jahangir, Yash, and Akshay Narang - along with passenger Diljot Singh were handed to police. AISATS CEO Sanjay Gupta said the company played a key role in working with authorities to thwart the trafficking attempt. The arrests come after a recent case where a charter jet to Nicaragua was grounded in France over trafficking concerns.

Voting will be held today to decide which idol of Lord Ram Lalla will be installed inside the sanctum sanctorum of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust will vote among three options crafted by different sculptors, choosing the one with the best divine and childlike look to represent the god. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ayodhya on December 30th to inaugurate the redeveloped railway station and airport ahead of the consecration ceremony to be held on January 22nd, which Modi will also attend. The city is preparing for the event with enhanced security near the temple site and decorations like new ceremonial gateways.

Bimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, the 'King of Ayodhya,' anticipates a thriving future as the city undergoes a remarkable transformation before the Ram Temple's grand consecration on January 22. Revealing a surge in development, he notes, "More than 100 applications for five-star hotels have come in." Ayodhya, once lacking proper accommodations, is set to become a Smart City with a new airport and revamped railway station. Mr. Mishra expresses optimism, stating, "Ayodhya will be known as the best holy town in the country." The developments signal a positive turn as the city sheds the historical shadow of 'Mata Sita's Curse.'

As New Year approaches, cities including Mumbai, Lucknow, and Bengaluru brace for restrictions. Mumbai enforces Section 144 till January 18, banning drones and aerial activities for 30 days. Lucknow follows suit with Section 144 till January 2, restricting public gatherings in various places. Bengaluru tightens security, imposing strict measures on drunk driving and traffic, setting a 1 AM deadline for New Year parties. Police Commissioner B Dayanand outlines restricted zones, aiming to curb traffic congestion in key areas. Citizens urged to adhere to guidelines for a safe celebration. Check local updates for comprehensive details on New Year festivities in these cities.

Sanjay Singh, the recently elected Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president, asserts that the sports ministry failed to follow the "proper procedure" in suspending the WFI. Singh, citing the democratic election process, states, "We have won the elections (of WFI) democratically... After all these, if you say we are suspended, we are not going to accept it." He plans to challenge the suspension in court, emphasizing, "A democratically-elected body was not given a chance to explain its position which is against the principle of natural justice which everybody is entitled to under the Constitution of India." Singh dismisses the IOA-formed ad-hoc committee and accuses Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik of playing politics. Singh hopes for a favorable response from United World Wrestling regarding the ban imposed on WFI, stating, "We have written to the UWW requesting to lift the ban imposed on the WFI, as the elections were held democratically."

The Enforcement Directorate's recent charge sheet reveals links between Robert Vadra, Priyanka Gandhi, and land transactions facilitated by real estate agent CC Thampi. While Vadra has been named in earlier charge sheets, this marks the first mention of Priyanka. The document alleges a "long and thick" relationship between Thampi and Vadra, emphasizing shared business interests. Although both Vadra and Priyanka are not accused, the charge sheet aims to establish connections between them and Thampi. The broader investigation involves fugitive arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari and accusations of money laundering and other financial irregularities.