Highlights: Delhi reports 1,095 Covid cases in last 24 hours; positivity rate at 22.74%

Delhi on Tuesday reported 1095 fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hours, according to the latest health bulletin. Positivity rate stood at 22.74%.

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar arrived at the Fortis Hospital in Mohali, hours after former Punjab CM and Shiromani Akali Dal patron Parkash Singh Badal passed away at the age of 95, ANI reported.

The IAF C-130J aircraft on Tuesday landed in Port Sudan to join evacuation of stranded Indians in Sudan under ‘Operation Kaveri’, ANI reported citing MEA spokesperson.

“My respect to him and also deep condolences to the family,” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was quoted as saying by PTI on the demise of former Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal.

PM Modi expressed his condolences after the former Punjab CM and Shiromani Akali Dal patron passed away on Tuesday. "Extremely saddened by the passing away of Parkash Singh Badal Ji. He was a colossal figure of Indian politics & a remarkable statesman who contributed greatly to our nation.He worked tirelessly for the progress of Punjab & anchored the state through critical times," tweeted Modi.

Former Punjab chief minister and Shiromani Akali Dal patron Parkash Singh Badal passed away at Fortis Hospital in Mohali on Tuesday, confirmed Jangvir Singh, media advisor of the party.

He was admitted to a private hospital in Mohali seven days ago, remained in the intensive care unit (ICU) on the second consecutive day on Saturday.

However, the Media Bulletin from Fortis Hospital Mohali has yet to confirm the cause of death.

32-year-old Anthony Paul and 42-year-old Rajesh Damodar Bobate alias Ravi, arrested for allegedly framing actress Chrisann Pereira in a narcotics case by giving her a memento (trophy) that had drugs hidden in it and asking her to deliver it to someone in Sharjah, sent to Police custody till 4th May.

One passenger was killed and 22 were injured when a state-owned MSRTC bus overturned after hitting a road divider in Maharashtra's Raigad district on Tuesday, police said, reported PTI.

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) on Tuesday expelled former legislator Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar from party for 6 years for indulging in “anti-party activities”, PTI reported.

After INS Sumedha departed with the first batch of 278 stranded Indians in conflict-hit Sudan, INS Teg joined “Operation Kaveri” with additional officials and essential relief supplies, ANI reported citing Indian Navy officials. 

Frontline warship INS Teg has already reached Port Sudan for evacuation of Indian citizens.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday moved Gujarat High Court seeking stay on his conviction in “Modi surname” case. Read more

Maharashtra reported 722 new Covid infections in 24 hours, according to state government's data released on Tuesday. Active cases stood at 5,549.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated NaMo hospital complex at Silvassa in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a gathering at Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu on Tuesday said, “In the last 5 years, central government has spent more than ₹5500 crores to provide Silvassa with good infrastructure, roads, bridges, schools, and improved water supply.” (ANI)

Delhi police on Tuesday said that they received information that a drone has been seen near the residence of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, ANI reported. Facts are being verified, police further said.

Customs department on Tuesday seized 788.57 grams of gold, worth ₹38 lakhs, from a passenger at Kochi airport, ANI reported. The passenger, MK Hakkeem - a native of Palakkad district, was coming from Doha. Three capsules of gold in a compound form were concealed inside his body.

Chinese defence minister General Li Shangfu will visit India this week for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meet, PTI reported citing China's defence ministry.

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced that he will be running for re-election as President of the United States.

The first batch of stranded Indians in Sudan depart for Jeddah under ‘Operation Kaveri’ in INS Sumedha with 278 people onboard, ANI reported citing ministry of external affairs spokesperson.

Political strategist Prashant Kishor on Tuesday drew parallels between former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu's efforts to unify the opposition ahead of the 2019 elections and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar's current meetings with various opposition leaders in preparation for the 2024 elections, ANI reported.

He further said "Nitish Kumar has 'langdi sarkaar' and must worry about Bihar."

British foreign minister James Cleverly said he had spoken to the leaders of warring factions in Sudan to help facilitate the evacuation on Tuesday of British citizens from the North African country.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday inaugurated 180 new websites of 50 departments of the Delhi government and stressed on using artificial intelligence to make services more accessible to the common people.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday paid floral tributes to former chief minister Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna on his 104th birth anniversary, terming him a leader who had a clear vision for the state's development.

A fire broke out at Sarojini Nagar market in south Delhi early on Tuesday and was doused within an hour, officials said. Five fire tenders were rushed to the spot and doused the flames in an hour-long effort. There was no casualty, officials added.