BJP and Congress have instructed their members in both Houses to ensure their presence for the remainder of the Winter session which resumes today, 14 December. The issue of demonetisation has cast a shadow on the winter session of Parliament with the opposition parties protesting the governments move to scrap high-value notes.

The Congress has issued the whip amid concerns in its ranks that the ruling side would rake up the AgustaWestland helicopter issue to target its top brass to "divert attention from hardships faced by people due to demonetisation", sources in the party said.

eople have been detained after Income Tax Department and crime branch of the Delhi Police, acting on a tip off, conducted a joint raid at hotel Taksh Inn in Karol Bagh and seized over Rs. 3 crore in banned denominations on 14 December.

According to the police, the money belongs to Mumbai-based Hawala operators.

Upon further questioning, the police found out that a specialist was hired to pack the notes so that it goes undetected under X-rays in the airport. The police further said that tapes and wires that pass through X-rays were used for packaging, ANI reported.

Congress Party lawmaker Mallikarjun Kharge on 14 November said the party would take up the issue of a vigilance report accusing Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju of influencing payments for a hydro project contract in Arunachal Pradesh.

"Today, we will have a party meeting. We have two to three important issues to raise in Parliament like demonetisation, India's foreign policy towards Pakistan, and of course, the issue involving Rijiju. We will discuss all these issues in the party meeting and accordingly raise our issues in parliament," Kharge said.

A day after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump named Rex Tillerson, chief executive of ExxonMobil as well as an old friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, as his Secretary of State, Chinese media said this nomination would not harm Beijing-Moscow ties, as is being feared.

"If Tillerson is approved by the Senate, the U.S.-Russia relationship is poised for improvement. There have always been concerns in the Chinese public opinion field that an improved U.S.-Russia relationship may harm Beijing-Moscow ties. Such a worry is not ridiculous, but not professional either," said the Global Times in an article.

An Indian physics teacher in the UK, recognised for her experiential method of teaching physics, is among the top 50 contenders from around the world for a global prize of USD one million.

Kavita Sanghvi has been recognised for her experiential method of teaching physics as principal of MET Rishikul Vidyalaya in Mumbai by The Global Teacher Prize 2017.

She helped her students grasp the application of textbook concepts in real life situations.

"For the past few days on receiving the mail and finding my name in the top 50, I have been walking in the clouds, smiling and feeling an immense sense of gratitude towards all for shaping me professionally to develop my strengths and potentials," Sanghvi said.