New Delhi, Dec 24 (PTI) Following are the top stories at 9 PM: NATION DEL34 UP-UNNAO RAPE-2NDLD SURVIVOR (6.34 PM)

'Kaal' for my family: Unnao rape survivor on suspension of Sengar's jail term; to move SC Unnao/Ballia (UP): The 2017 Unnao rape survivor on Wednesday termed the Delhi High Court's decision to suspend the jail term of the accused, expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar, "kaal" (death) for her family and said she would move the Supreme Court against it.

MDS16 ISRO-LDALL SATELLITE (6.04 PM)

ISRO''s ''Bahubali'' rocket places 6000 kg US communication sat into orbit, the heaviest from country Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh): In a historic Christmas eve mission, ISRO's "Bahubali" rocket on Wednesday successfully launched a 6,100 kg US communication satellite-- the heaviest by and Indian launcher, into the desired orbit, a feat described by the space agency as the season's gift to the country.

DEL53 RAHUL-2NDLD UNNAO (7.56 PM)

Rahul meets Unnao rape survivor, says 'we're turning into dead society' on her ill-treatment New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met the Unnao rape survivor here on Wednesday after she allegedly faced ill-treatment for raising her voice against the bail granted to convict Kuldeep Singh Sengar, and said India is not just becoming a dead economy, but also a dead society.

DEL56 PM-UP-LD VISIT (8.14 PM)

PM to inaugurate national memorial in Lucknow to honour life, ideals of Vajpayee New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Thursday inaugurate a landmark national memorial and complex in Lucknow that will host statues of BJP ideologues Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

DEL61 CAB-LD DELHI METRO (8.32 PM)

Union Cabinet clears 3 new Metro stretches in Delhi, including Central Vista Corridor New Delhi: In a major boost to Delhi's infrastructure, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved three new Metro corridors, including a 9.91-km stretch from the RK Ashram Marg to Indraprastha, which will connect all Kartavya Bhavans, India Gate, Bharat Mandapam, the National War Memorial and other important installations in Lutyens' Delhi.

BOM20 MH-2NDLD UDDHAV-RAJ (6.06 PM)

Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS announce alliance ahead of Mumbai civic polls Mumbai: Ending a 20-year political feud, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS president Raj Thackeray forged an alliance on Wednesday for the elections to the cash-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to be held on January 15.

DEL52 ENV-ARAVALLIS (7.54 PM)

Centre imposes ban on new mining leases in Aravallis; protected zone to be expanded New Delhi, Dec 24 (PTI) The Centre on Wednesday issued directions to states for a complete ban on granting new mining leases in the Aravallis, officials said.

DEL57 ENV-CAQM-GRAP (8.20 PM)

GRAP 4 curbs revoked in Delhi-NCR as air quality improves New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas on Wednesday revoked curbs imposed under GRAP 4 following improvement in air quality, officials said.

BOM13 MH-UDDHAV-RAJ-FADNAVIS (3.32 PM)

Alliance of Thackerays won't have much impact; tie-up for their own political survival: Fadnavis Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday downplayed the alliance of the parties led by Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin Raj, saying it will not make any significant difference and that their coming together was an attempt for their own political survival.

CAL31 AS-VIOLENCE-LD ARMY (7.50 PM)

Army conducts flag march in Assam's violence-hit West Karbi Anglong Diphu: The Army conducted a flag march in violence-hit West Karbi Anglong district of Assam to help maintain law and order, Director General of Police Harmeet Singh said on Wednesday.

CAL13 WB-BANGLA-UNREST-LD PROTEST (3.14 PM)

Protests erupt at Bengal land ports over atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh Kolkata: Members of a pro-Hindu organisation held demonstrations at several land ports along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal on Wednesday over the killing of a man belonging to the minority community in the neighbouring country.

CAL18 OD-GIRL-2NDLD-MURDER (5.09 PM)

Girl raped, murdered in Odisha, 1 arrested, mob demolishes accused's house; Oppn calls bandh Bhubaneswar/Bhadrak (Odisha): A 10-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered in Odisha's Bhadrak district, triggering a massive outrage with locals demolishing the accused's house, police said on Wednesday.

LEGAL LGD13 DL-HC-2NDLD AIR PURIFIERS (5.29 PM)

Delhi HC directs GST Council to meet at earliest, consider lowering GST on air purifiers New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the GST Council to meet at the earliest and consider lowering or abolishing goods and services tax on air purifiers in view of worsening air quality in the national capital.

LGD10 DL-COURT-BLAST (3.17 PM)

Red Fort blast: Delhi court extends judicial custody of 7 accused till January 8 New Delhi: A Delhi court on Wednesday extended the judicial custody of seven accused in the Red Fort blast case by 15 days.

LGD16 DL-HC-MAJNU KA TILA (7.07 PM)

Delhi HC asks authorities to take action against illegal cafes, restaurants in Majnu ka Tila New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed authorities to take action against various cafes, bars and restaurants in Majnu ka Tila area here which are operating without sanctioned building plans and safety measures.

LGD14 DL-HC-GANGSTER-LD WEB SERIES (5.59 PM)

Delhi HC refuses to halt release of web series based on life of gangster Vikas Dubey New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to stay the release of web series "UP 77", which is reportedly based on the life of slain gangster Vikas Dubey.

FOREIGN FGN44 US-CHINA-LD INDIA (4.56 PM)

China probably seeks to capitalise from deescalating tensions along Line of Actual Control with India: US report New York/Washington: China probably seeks to capitalise from deescalating tensions along the Line of Actual Control with India to stabilise bilateral relations and prevent the deepening of US-India ties, according to a report by the US Department of War.

FGN54 BANGLA-BNP-LD RAHMAN (7.43 PM)

BNP's acting chief Tarique Rahman set to return Bangladesh on Thursday Dhaka: Tarique Rahman, the Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and heir to the influential Zia family, is set to return home on Thursday, ending his nearly 17 years in exile in London, his party said on Wednesday.

FGN59 BANGLA-EXPLOSION (8.58 PM)

1 killed in crude bomb explosion in Bangladesh Dhaka: One person was killed in a crude bomb explosion in the Bangladeshi capital on Wednesday, police said.

FGN57 US-CHINA-PAK (8.19 PM)

Pentagon report highlights cooperation between China and Pakistan in defence, space New York/Washington: A report by the Pentagon highlights the cooperation between China and Pakistan in sectors such as defence and space, adding that Beijing "likely also considered" setting up a base in Pakistan.

PTI OZ OZ

GST on air purifiers: Delhi High Court directs GST Council to consider lowering or abolishing tax. The Delhi High Court directed the GST Council to meet urgently to consider lowering or abolishing the goods and services tax on air purifiers due to worsening air quality, urging fiscal reconsideration as a public health response.