Allee Willis, a Grammy-winning and Emmy-nominated songwriter who helped compose the theme song for the sitcom Friends, has died aged 72.

I'll Be There for You, the single she co-wrote for the Rembrandts, became one of the most recognised television theme songs of all time.

Willis also co-wrote the Earth, Wind & Fire hits September and Boogie Wonderland and, last year, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The cause of death was cardiac arrest.

Born and raised in Detroit, home of the legendary record label Motown, Willis would visit the studios every weekend growing up, she told the New York Times last year. "You could hear through the walls, which is how I became a songwriter," she said.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman released a postage stamp here on Thursday to commemorate the distinguished service and glorious contribution by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in protecting the nation, the Finance Ministry said.

Speaking on the occasion, Sitharaman congratulated the DRI on the excellent performance of its officers and remarked that the apex intelligence agency continues to play an immense role in countering smuggling as well as in preserving the cultural heritage and environment of the country. She stressed on the critical need for training the officers of DRI in using technology and data analytics to be able to inspire the confidence of its citizens and deter smugglers.

The finance minister congratulated all officers and staff of DRI on their commitment to duty and determined and collaborative efforts to counter smuggling activities in the country.

Da Chen, the brilliant storyteller who drew from the hardships he suffered as a persecuted child growing up in the midst of China’s cultural revolution to create the critically acclaimed memoir Colours of the Mountain, has died at age 57.

Chen died of lung cancer on December 17, his wife, Dr. Sun-Ling Chen, told The Associated Press on Tuesday from the family’s home in Temecula, California.

His most recent book, Girl Under a Red Moon, was published just three months ago.

In a Christmas gift for its passengers, Indian Railways today unveiled Him Darshan Express comprising all-new Vistadome coaches from Kalka railway station to Shimla. This special train will commute between the Kalka and Shimla station for the next one year till December 24, 2020.

Commuters travelling in Him Darshan Express will enjoy the beautiful scenic view of the Himalayas as the train will have swanky Vistadome AC coaches with glass roof. Modified in carriage and wagon depot at Kalka, this is a first-of-its-kind train on the Kalka-Shimla route. The train will have seven coaches including one first-class sitting cum luggage room coach (FCZLR) and six first class AC Vistadom coaches.

HRDMinistryHuman Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launched the five documents developed by University Grants Commission, UGC covering the 5 verticals of Quality Mandate in New Delhi today.

These five documents cover evaluation reforms, eco-friendly and sustainable university campuses, human values and professional ethics, faculty induction and academic research integrity.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Nishank said that to improve the quality in Higher Educational Institutions, UGC has adopted the Higher Education Quality Improvement Programme Mandate. He said, the quality mandate aims at evolving higher education system to equip country’s next-generation with vital skills, knowledge and ethics for leading a rewarding life.

Mr Nishank said, student evaluation plays a crucial role in improving the quality of Higher Education in the country. He said, in order to make student assessment more meaningful, effective and linked to Learning Outcomes, the report ‘Evaluation Reforms in Higher Educational Institutions in India’ is very timely and beneficial for HEIs.

Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has said, the right kind of diet will help to reduce the disease burden in the country.

Inaugurating the second edition of Eat Right Mela in New Delhi, the Minister said, healthy eating should become a people's movement.

He stressed upon the importance of having a people's movement, encouraging people to have healthier diets which will help in reduction of the disease burden in the country.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan stated that the Eat Right Mela is a commendable effort and outreach activity for citizens to nudge them towards eating right.

He also highlighted that on one hand, India is suffering from under-nourishment and on the other side, there is obesity due to the result of junk food, wrong choices of food, overeating and lack of exercise.

ImageIconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station in Mumbai has been conferred with 'Eat Right Station' certification with the five-star rating by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for food safety and hygiene. An official release said that the CSMT is the first station on the Central Railway to get this certification.

It stated that the CSMT has been judged on the basis of compliance of food safety and hygiene, availability of healthy diet, food handling at preparation, food waste management, promotion of local and seasonal food and creating awareness on food safety and healthy diet. 'Eat Right Station' initiative is a part of the 'Eat Right India' movement launched by FSSAI and an FMCG major which is aimed at promoting food safety and hygiene at the static catering units at railway stations.

The Atal Bhujal Yojana is a Central Sector Scheme with a total outlay of Rs.6000 crore to be implemented over a period of 5 years.

It aims to improve ground water management through community participation in identified priority areas in seven States, viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

Implementation of the scheme is expected to benefit nearly 8350 Gram Panchayats in 78 districts in these States.

The scheme will promote panchayat led ground water management and behavioural change with primary focus on demand side management.

Out of the total outlay of Rs. 6000 crore, 50% shall be in the form of World Bank loan, and be repaid by the Central Government.

Former Indian captain MS Dhoni has been named as the captain of Cricket Australia’s ODI team of the decade. This side was announced Cricket Australia on Tuesday and it features Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as the two other Indians.

“The input of MS Dhoni with the bat did tail off during the latter part of the decade, but he was a dominant force in a golden period for India’s one-day side. Having assured his greatness by guiding his nation to World Cup glory on home soil in 2011, the right-hander became India’s ultimate finisher with the bat,” said Cricket Australia about Dhoni.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday unveiled a statue of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the Lok Bhawan here. He also laid the foundation stone for the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University in the Uttar Pradesh capital.

The state government has given 50 acres of land for the varsity.

The event coincided with the birth anniversary of Vajpayee, who represented Lucknow in the Lok Sabha five times.