Top 5 news: PM Narendra Modi's Varanasi visit, Omicron now in 63 countries, and more - In pics

PM Narendra Modi will begin his two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency Varanasi today to inaugurate phase 1 of the 'Kashi Vishwanath Dham' project constructed at a cost of around Rs 339 crores.

He will also witness the ‘Ganga Aarti’ being performed on ghats from a cruise boat along with chief ministers of BJP-ruled states, deputy chief ministers and other top leaders of BJP. Read more

The WHO has warned that the new Omicron coronavirus strain is now present in 63 countries and will surpass Delta in spreading speed.

It is not clear yet, why the new strain is spreading so fast, the organization said. The Omicron variant might reduce the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines based on preliminary data, but this strain is less dangerous than Delta, the WHO assumed. Read more

Several people are feared dead following reports of tornadoes late Friday and early Saturday in six states of the US. There were at least 50 tornado reports during the outbreak this weekend in Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. Read more

Max Verstappen has won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the Formula One world championship for Red Bull on Sunday (December 12) after passing the Mercedes of title rival Lewis Hamilton on the last lap.

The 24-year-old won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and his first Formula One title with a last-lap overtake to deny championship rival Hamilton a record eighth crown in a race full of controversy. Read more

On the 'Sunday Ka Vaar' episode of Bigg Boss 15, host Salman Khan was back on the show after his absence on Saturday. He came back with a bang and grilled contestants on their behaviour in the past week, especially Karan Kundrra.

He schooled him for his possessive and controlling nature over his girlfriend Tejasswi Prakash and said that he will give them in writing that if this pattern continues, their relationship will not last for even a month. Read more