Top news of Dec 24: Obamas send final Christmas greeting from White House

Twitter is buzzing with news alerts from India and rest of the world. Here are the latest updates from the micro-blogging site in one scroll -

# 12: 20 PM

Christmas celebrations underway in Delhi, midnight mass prayers being held: ANI

# 12:06 PM

Before Christmas Eve midnight mass in Bethlehem, tourists and neighbors gather near the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born: AFP

# 11: 38 PM

Obamas send final Christmas greeting from the White House: Reuters India

# 11:17 PM

Iran allows free foreign exchange at banks in move to unify rates: Reuters India

# 11:16 PM

Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt dies aged 68: Reuters India

# 11:15 PM

Sixteen hurt in Christmas eve blast at Catholic church in Philippines: Reuters India

# 10:54 PM

Well-wishes pour in for "Star Wars" actress Carrie Fisher, in hospital after medical emergency during flight.

# 10:39 PM

Campaign raises $170,000 for family of "heroic" Polish truck driver: Reuters India

# 10:29 PM

Kerala: On Christmas Eve, people attend Christmas Vigil Mass in Thiruvananthapuram: ANI

# 10:12 PM: 

Discovery of 1.8-ton WWII bomb will force 54,000 people to evacuate German city on Christmas while crews disarm it: AP

# 10:08 PM

Europe on Christmas high alert after truck attack in Berlin - Reuters India

# 10:05 PM

Tunisian security forces arrest three for links to Berlin market attack suspect - Reuters India

# 10:03 PM

Uttar Pradesh: Devotees now turn the digital way for making donations during Ganga Aarti in Varanasi - ANI

# 10:00 PM

Tamil Nadu: 7000 used water bottles make up a #Christmas tree in Coimbatore, on Christmas Eve: ANI

# 9:32 PM

Finland creates smartphone app to help drivers avoid collisions with reindeer on Arctic highways: AP

# 9:09 PM

Rs. 28 lakh, new currency seized by Air Intelligence Unit, Mumbai: ANI

# 9:08 PM

Andhra Pradesh: ACB conducted raid at Deputy Executive Engineer Subhash Chandra Patro's premise in Srikakulam: ANI

# 9:00 PM

Promoting 'less cash' society; Fully cashless Goa not possible nor desirable nor intended;Intention is to reduce cash usage: Manohar Parrikar - ANI

# 8:58 PM

Pune is a city of learning. Cant this city take lead in embracing online banking & exploring facilities: PM Modi

# 8:54 PM

We are working on gas grids, water grids, digital network, leveraging space techno, using tech. to help farmers: PM

# 8:51 PM

It is our endeavour that whatever projects are taken up are completed within the decided time frame: PM Modi

# 8:50 PM

Yes, gains of the present are vital but we need systems that cater to needs & aspirations of future: PM Narendra Modi

# 8:49 PM

As Obama exits White House, he leaves behind a Democratic Party that languished in his shadow: AP

# 8:48 PM

Israel on defensive mode after landmark #UN settlements vote: AFP

# 8:47 PM

26000 ppl sensitized in various forums, around 600 POS machine terminals established; 2,700 vendors gone on UPI apps: ManoharParrikar - ANI

# 8:46 PM

Demonetisation a firebombing on cash economy, farmers & labourers: Rahul Gandhi in Dharamsala: PTI

#8: 45 PM

Voice of 125 crore Indians will be heard. This voice cannot be subverted by a select few: PM Modi on Demonetisation

#8:44 PM

I am not saying this only for the sake of speaking, I begun this war with lot of courage: PM Modi on demonetisation

#8:25 PM

Some people thought that black money will become white by depositing into banks. The notes didn't turn white, but faces became dark: PM Modi

#8:22 PM

There is still time to work as per the law, return the poorer sections their due. Now, there's no chance of escaping. PM Modi on demonetisation

#8:19 PM

People who didn't take decisions have harmed the country, I have saved the country: PM Narendra Modi on Demonetisation - ANI

# 8:17 PM

If timely treatment had been done in the country, I would not have been forced to undertake such hard steps: PM Modi on Demonetisation

# 8:16 PM

How have govt.s functioned in our country? I don't want to criticise any one but its very painful: PM Narendra Modi -ANI

# 8:12 PM

People who have contacts are habituated to breaking the law. However, I made them stand in lines: PM Modi on Demonetisation - ANI

#8:07PM

People want both highways and i-ways. However, we will have to build optical fibre network for i-ways: #PM Narendra Modi - ANI

8:03 PM

Government of India actively working on the #RurbanMission. This caters to those places that are growing & urbanising quickly: PMModi - ANI

8:02 PM

On the other hand, we need to think long term so that we can mitigate the challenges our urban areas are facing: PM Narendra Modi - ANI

8: 00 PM

India is urbanising at a very quick pace & thus, its essential to work in 2 directions. First is to improve quality of life in villages: PM Modi - ANI

7:57 PM

PM Narendra Modi speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Pune Metro project (Phase 1): ANI

#7:55 PM

Modi in Maharashtra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays foundation stone for Pune Metro Project's Phase-1.

#7:52

Nigerian president claims Boko Haram has been crushed, driven from last stronghold in Sambisa Forest - AP

# 7:42 PM

Who is responsible for 1% people having black money? Those who are in power since 2 years or those who have ruled for 50 years: Venkaiah Naidu 

# 7:40 PM

A leader said that only 1% of people have black money in this country. I want to ask who is responsible for this situation? Venkaiah Naidu: ANI

# 7:20 PM

84 trains delayed (arriving late in Delhi area), 37 rescheduled due to fog/other operational reasons: ANI

# 7:13 PM

West Bengal: Cakes themed on Demonetisation, Swacch Bharat Abhiyan & surgical strikes hit the bakeries on the Christmas Eve in Siliguri: ANI

# 7:05 PM

UP: School children form human chain and give message of 'unity' on Christmas Eve in Moradabad.

#7:04 PM

Registration fees for Hindus, other minority communities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh as Indian citizens reduced to Rs 100 from Rs 15K: PTI

#7:04 PM

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II's granddaughter Zara Tindall, who was expecting her second child, suffers miscarriage: spokesperson (PTI)

# 7:02 PM

# 6:57 PM

PM is committed towards renewable energy.By 2022 India will b 1 of largest installations of renewable energy in world:Union Min Piyush Goyal

# 6:56 PM

Health condition of BJP MP Roopa Ganguly is now stable. However, certain tests need to be conducted tomorrow: AMRI Hospital statement: ANI

# 6:47 PM

# Devotees from across the world are going to participate in Prakash Parva celebration & state govt is prepared for it: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar - ANI

#6:17 PM

Punjab: Border Security Force seizes 7 packets of contraband suspected to be heroin in the area of Amritsar sector's Bharopal-ANI

#6:10 PM

BJP will bring back development and law and order in UP which has been sent to exile by SP and BSP: HM Rajnath Singh - ANI

# 5:53 PM

Delhi: Police arrested 2 main accused of a robbery case which took place in Kirti Nagar on August 29. Valuables worth Rs 16.5 Lakh recovered

# 5: 45 PM

Najafgarh Murder Case: Accused Shubham and Yogesh sent to police remand for three days: ANI

#5:33 PM

Tens of thousands in South Korea march for President Park's ouster: AFP

# 5:33 PM

Nigerian army 'crushes' Boko Haram in one of last strongholds: Buhari - AFP

# 5:32 PM

Land belonging to religious body can be acquired for public purpose, says Allahabad HC - PTI

# 5:31 PM

3 detained with Rs 27.6 lakh in Rs 2,000 notes in Gujarat's Bhuj: Police - PTI

# 5:29 PM

Modi lays foundation stone for the 22.5-km Mumbai Trans Harbour Link to come up at a cost of over Rs 17,800 cr: PTI

# 5:27 PM

Congress VP Rahul Gandhi inaugurated the statue of Rajiv Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi engineering college in Nagrota (Himachal Pradesh): ANI

# 5:25 PM

Dishonest people should not underestimate the mood of 125 crore Indians, you should fear them: PM Modi on demonetisation

# 5:23PM

The time of dishonest people is up, this is cleanup campaign: PM Modi on demonetisation

# 5: 22 PM

Dishonest people should now beware, they should return and accept the country's law:PM Modi on demonetisation

#5:20 PM

'After 50 days of demonetisation, problems of honest will decrease and those of dishonest will increase' PM Modi

# 5: 17 PM

Our countrymen has suffered these problems for country's future, they are ready to bear it in future too: PM Modi 

5:14 PM

People benefiting from 70 years will try to destroy this initiative. Everyone has tried their best

# 5:13 PM

Everyone tried their best but people who benefited since 70 yrs can't stand before our countrymen's pledge: PM Modi on demonetisation

# 5:12 PM

People were digressed, rumours were circulated but they kept on supporting me: PM Modi on demonetisation

#5:11 PM

We made a big attack at 8 PM on November 8th: PM Modi on demonetisation

#5:10 PM

The strength of 125 crore Indians will bring about change in this nation

# 5:08 PM

Our country will change, it will go forward, it will raise its head in front of the whole world: PM Modi on demonetisation

5: 04 PM

Even after 70 years of independence, 18000 villages were forced to live in the 18th century: #PMModi

5: 03 PM

CBI registers case against Surat based financier #KishoreBhajiawala:ANI

5:02 PM

Our country has witnessed all sorts of politics, diverse ways have been used: PM Modi on demonetisation 

4: 58 PM

I am indebted to the Maharashtra govt and people that I earned the honor of conducting Bhoomi Pujan: PM Modi on demonetisation

4: 56 PM

Even today when tourism is discussed in India, then Taj Mahal's name draws us to visit the land: PM Modi

4: 53 PM

Shivaji Maharaj was a multifaceted personality. So many aspects of his personality inspire us: PM Modi in Mumbai: 

4:52 PM

#MahatmaGandhi kept on fighting for independence along with social ills: #PMModi in Mumbai

4: 51 PM

Even in the midst of struggle, #Shivaji Maharaj remained a torchbearer of good governance: #PMModi in Mumbai

4:49 PM

I still recall my visit to Raigad, after I was declared the Prime Ministerial candidate by my party: #PMModi in Mumbai

4: 46 PM

You can imagine how happy I am feeling today: PM Narendra Modi

4: 45 PM

PM Narendra Modi address in Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai 

4: 40 PM

DRI seizes Rs 2.60 cr, with Rs 12 lakh in new notes, 80 kg silver & 15 kg gold jewellery in searches against a firm based in Noida SEZ: PTI

4:39 PM 

Hamas welcomes landmark UN vote on Israel settlement: AFP

4:38 PM

UN demands end to Israeli settlements after #US abstains from vote on resolution: AFP

4:35 PM

Mumbai: PM Narendra Modi lays foundation stone for two metro corridors and other projects at the MMRDA Grounds: ANI

4:32 PM

A woman and a teenage boy blew themselves up in #Bangladesh during a raid by police's counter-terrorism unit on Islamist #militants hideout - PTI

4:24 PM

DRDO successfully flight tested the Smart Anti-field weapon at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur off Odisha coast: ANI

4: 19 PM

President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated Mahila Dakshata Samiti and Bansilal Malani College of Nursing in Hyderabad: ANI

4:12 PM

PM Narendra Modi says won't hesitate on tough decisions to help economy: Reuters India

4:07 PM

Police bust Currency Exchange Racket, seizes Rs 39.98 lakh in Rs 2,000 notes and arrests man in Malappuram of Kerala - PTI

3:59 PM
Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays floral tribute to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at the MMRDA ground: ANI

3:58 PM

Also, I have been told that the bank has not done anything wrong but we will however co-operate in the investigation: Pankaja Munde - ANI

3:57 PM

However, the board members and I are not directly involved with the routine transactions of the bank: Pankaja Munde (ANI)

3:56 PM
It's true I'm a member of Board of Dirs of Vaidyanath Urban Coop Bank-Pankaja Munde,Maha Min for Women & Child Development&Rural Development - ANI

3:54 PM
Vaidyanath Urban Cooperative Bank issues statement, says "have done nothing wrong, however, will co-operate in investigation": ANI

#3:35PM
BJP's Parivartan Yatra has successfully laid foundation of Parivartan in Uttar Pradesh: HM Rajnath Singh in Lucknow - ANI

#3:33PM
DRDO successfully flight tested the Smart Anti-field weapon (SAAW) from an Indian Air Force aircraft, yesterday. -ANI

#3:15PM
Mumbai: PM Narendra Modi at the Jal Pujan for Chhatrapati Shivaji memorial; poses with the onboard crew.-ANI

#3:10PM
PM Narendra Modi performs Jal Pujan for Chhatrapati Shivaji memorial in Mumbai

#2:30PM
 Mumbai: PM Narendra Modi reaches Girgaum Chowpatty, Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maha CM also present Shivaji Memorial.

#2:10PM
Blackmoney is also in form of real estates, jewellery etc: Rahul Gandhi in Dharamshala-News Nation 

#2:03PM
In MP, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, your Govt (BJP) has taken away lands of adivasis: Rahul Gandhi in Dharamshala -ANI 

#1:58PM
Himachal Pradesh: Congress VP Rahul Gandhi addressing public rally in Dharamsala -ANI 

#1:49PM
Government is therefore helping families of those who died after standing in long ATM queues: UP CM Akhilesh Yadav -ANI 

#1:47PM
UP CM Akhilesh Yadav presents compensation cheques to kins' of those who allegedly died in ATM queues-ANI

#1:33PM
I can tell you if we are allowed, public wont indulge in any violence, peace will be ensured: Satyapal Singh, BJP-ANI 

#1:30PM
BJP delegation stopped by Howrah police from entering the violence-hit village in Dhulagarh.⁠⁠⁠⁠ -News Nation

#1:24PM
My aim is to make India a developed country in one generation: PM Narendra Modi -ANI 

#1:23PM
We will not shy away from taking difficult decisions that are in the interest of the country: Prime Minister Narendra Modi -ANI 

#1:18PM
The true measure of success is the impact in villages, not the impact in Dalal Street or Lutyens’ Delhi: PM Modi -ANI 

#1:16PM
Stock markets need to raise capital in innovative ways for projects in agriculture: PM Modi in Raigad -ANI

#1:15PM
Our markets should show that they are able to successfully raise capital for projects benefiting the majority-PM Modi in Raigad(Maharashtra)-ANI 

#1:14PM
My government is very keen to encourage start-ups. Stock markets are essential for the start-up ecosystem: PM Modi -ANI 

#1:13PM
India has earned a good name for its well-regulated securities markets: PM Narendra Modi-ANI 

#1:12PM
For financial markets to function successfully, participants need to be well informed: PM Narendra Modi in Raigad-ANI 

#1:10AM
PM Modi in Maharashtra: 'Demonetisation is short-term pain with long-term gain' -News Nation 

#1:09AM
We have made progress and improved ease of doing business. #FDI has now reached record levels: PM Modi -News Nation 

#1:08PM
Amendments on impending GST has been passed and GST will soon be a reality, says PM -News Nation  

#1:05PM
In less than 3 years, this government has transformed the economy: PM -News Nation 

#1:02PM
Maharashtra: PM Modi inaugurates the new campus of National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) in Raigad-ANI 

#1:02PM
PM Modi speaking at the inauguration of new campus of National Institute of Securities Markets in Raigad -ANI 

#12:56PM
A lot of informal savings have become formal now, lot of money have come into the banking system post demonetisation: FM Arun Jaitley 

#12:26PM
Maharashtra: PM Narendra Modi arrives in Raigad, to inaugurate new campus of National Institute of Securities Markets in Panvel, shortly -ANI

#12:16PM
DeMonetisation should not be seen as election issue, its not about electoral loss or victory;its only in national interest-HM Rajnath Singh -ANI 

#12:14PM
Andhra Pradesh: Affiliation ceremony of latest Indian Navy frigate INS Sahyadri at Naval Dockyard, Vishakhapatnam -ANI 

#12:13PM
Malappuram (Kerala): Rs 37 lakh in new notes seized by police from a businessman in Tirur district; Rs2.5 lakh from another local also seized -ANI

#12:03PM
One maoist killed by Police in Sukma, Chattisgarh. 

#11:58AM
Army Chief Dalbir Singh visits Manipur to review security situation-ANI 

#11:43AM
PM Narendra Modi arrives in Mumbai -ANI  

#11:27AM
Taliban attack Police check post in Farah city. 3 police personnel killed and 5 injured: TOLO News -ANI 

#11:10AM
Bhiwani (Haryana): Birhi Kalan branch of Canara Bank robbed of Rs 37 lakh (Rs 10.5 lakh is new currency), last night. Investigation underway -ANI 

#10:47 AM
Uttar Pradesh Minister Ravidas Mehrotra declared absconder by ACJM court after failing to appear in a criminal case (ANI) 

#10:31AM
Rahul Gandhi to meet UP Congress leaders on 26th December in Delhi -ANI 

#10:25AM
Opposition leaders to address media on 27th December at Constitution Club in Delhi -ANI 

#10:19AM
Former TN Chief Secy Rama Mohan Rao whose premises was raided by I-T, admitted to Ramachandra hospital late night yesterday-ANI

#10:05AM
It is not a BJP function, it is a govt function; all alliance partners must be taken along: Manisha Kayande, Shiv Sena -ANI 

#9:56AM
CBI registers a case against renowned oncologist and Padma Bhushan awardee Suresh Advani in Mumbai-News Nation 

#9:48AM
Nusli Wadia voted out as Director of Tata Chemicals in Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) -ANI 

#9:35AM
Army Chief Dalbir Singh visits Manipur to review security situation -ANI 

#9:30AM
Curfew from Lamlong bridge to Pangei area in Imphal relaxed from 6 am-5 pm -ANI 

#8:56AM
5 rescued and 3 missing after a boat capsized in a lake in Mumbai's Powai late last night. Search operations underway-ANI 

#8:48AM
Hyderabad: Around 132 kg of Alprazolam with Rs 3.3 crore market value seized by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), two ppl arrested-ANI 

#8:46AM
TN: Lady police constable suffered injuries on her face and hand after being attacked with acid by unidentified persons yesterday in Vellore -ANI 

#8:39AM
Himachal Pradesh: Rahul Gandhi to address a rally in Dharamsala today-ANI 

#8:01AM
Three member BJP parliamentary delegation to visit Dhulagarh (West Bengal) today -ANI 

#7:57AM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lay foundation stones for Shivaji Memorial and Metro rail projects in Mumbai and Pune today-ANI 

#7:56AM
Delhi: 52 trains delayed, 5 rescheduled and 1 cancelled due to poor visibility fog -ANI 

#7:30AM
President Obama signs into law a defense policy bill that authorizes $611 billion to run the military in 2017 -AP 

#7:20AM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the nation through his Mann Ki Baat programme tomorrow -ANI

#6:50AM
Delhi: 52 trains delayed, 5 rescheduled and 1 cancelled due to poor visibility fog -ANI