Cabinet clears Lokpal draft; Anna, opposition reject it (The Times of India)
The key formulations of Lokpal Bill cleared by Cabinet were slammed by both Team Anna and the opposition, setting the stage for another round of confrontation. Read

Govt plans to introduce new Lokpal Bill in LS on Dec 22 (Indian Express)
Union Cabinet has approved Bill that will have no control over CBI but brings PM within its purview. Read

Ready for lokpal battle, says Sonia Gandhi (Hindustan Times)
Sonia Gandhi today told party MPs that Congress was ready to fight for lokpal and women's bill, reports said. The opposition and Team Anna should accept the government's draft bill, she added. Read

India urges Russia to drop case against Gita translation (The Hindu)

India has asked Russia to drop a court case against a translation of the Bhagavad Gita, while Russian ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin criticised as "madmen" those from the Siberian city of Tomsk who have sought a ban on the scripture which is part of the Mahabharata. Read

Noida witnesses biggest traffic pileup on e-way (The Times of India)
The Noida-Greater Noida Expressway witnessed the biggest pileup ever with over 30 vehicles crashing into each other due to thick fog and poor visibility. Read

Party rallies behind Jayalalithaa (The Hindu)

A day after the expulsion of Sasikala and her family members from the AIADMK, the Christmas celebration, organised by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, turned out to be a show of solidarity. Read

2G scam: I heard Raja shouting at Mathur at the top of his voice, says Achary
Testifying in the case, Achary said a rift had developed between Raja and then telecom secretary DS Mathur when the grant of 2G licences was the 'burning issue