Indian Sub-continent

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Afghan survivors of an errant U.S. drone strike that killed 10 members of their family in August said Tuesday they are frustrated and saddened that U.S. troops involved in the attack will not face disciplinary action.

A hellfire missile had slammed into a car belonging to Zemerai Ahmadi, killing him and nine relatives, including seven children, in the chaotic final days of the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

14 Dec 2021; MEMO: Leaders of the Tablighi Jamaat movement in India have responded with anger to Saudi Arabia's decision to ban the movement and describe it as "aberrant and perverse" and a "gateway to terrorism".

Belagavi (K'taka) Dec 13 (PTI) Even as the BJP government in Karnataka prepares to table the anti-conversion Bill during the ongoing winter session of legislature, state's Energy Minister V Sunil Kumar on Monday said that a law prohibiting 'love jihad' will also be introduced in the days to come.

'Love jihad' is a term generally used by right wing activists to refer to the alleged campaign of Muslims forcing Hindu girls to convert in the guise of love.

New Delhi, Dec 13 (PTI) The three services are facing a shortage of 9,362 officers and around 1.13 lakh soldiers, airmen and sailors, according to details provided by the government on Monday.

In response to a question in Rajya Sabha, minister of state for defence Ajay Bhatt said that the Army has a shortage of 7,476 officers and 97,177 soldiers including Junior Commissioned Officers.

According to details provided by Bhatt, the Navy has a shortage of 1,265 officers and 11,166 sailors.

Amritsar, Dec 13 (PTI) A large group of farmers led by farm union leaders was accorded a warm welcome at different locations on their way to the Golden Temple here on Monday.

On reaching the main entry point of the city at Golden Gate, various political outfits and NGOs accorded a warm welcome to them and showered rose petals.

On reaching the Golden Temple, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) honoured leaders of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, a grouping of 40 farmer unions who led the struggle against farm laws.

New Delhi, Dec 13 (PTI) The Congress on Monday appointed the party's Punjab unit chief Navjot Sidhu as chairman of the state Election Committee.

The members of the all-important Punjab Pradesh Election Committee include chief minister and CLP leader Charanjit Singh Channi, Ambika Soni, chairperson of the coordination committee, Sunil Jakhar, chairman of the campaign committee, and Pratap Singh Bajwa, chairman of the manifesto committee.

Mumbai, Dec 13 (PTI) Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan on Monday said she has tested positive for COVID-19, after sources in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said both she and her actor-friend Amrita Arora had contracted the virus.

Kareena confirmed her diagnosis on her Instagram Story, adding that she hopes to be "up and about soon".

"I have tested positive for Covid. I immediately isolated myself while following all medical protocols. I request anyone who has come in contact with me to please get tested," she said in a statement.

Mathura, Dec 13 (PTI) BJP MP Subramanian Swamy here on Monday criticised his party's government at the Centre, saying neither the PM nor the finance minister know economics.

He also held the Union finance minister responsible for the price rise it the country, saying she does not consult anyone.

"The government does not understand economics, neither the PM knows nor the finance minister," he told reporters, adding that they do consult anyone over it.

Jabalpur, Dec 14 (PTI) An 11-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by two friends of her father in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur district, a police official said on Tuesday.

The incident took place on December 7 and came to light on December 11 following which the two accused were arrested, he said.

The Class 7 student was allegedly raped in the backyard of her house by two of her father's friends, aged 25 and 26 years, Additional Superintendent of Police Sanjay Agrawal said.

Her father, a labourer, was out of home when the incident occurred.

Mumbai, Dec 14 (PTI) The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) on Tuesday announced its 22nd edition of IIFA Weekend and Awards will be held on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on March 18 and 19, 2022.

Superstar Salman Khan will host IIFA 2022 at Yas Island's state-of-the-art indoor entertainment venue Etihad Arena.