Highlights: Centre asks states to increase genome sequencing of positive samples

With China reporting a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya decided to chair a coronavirus review meeting on Wednesday. The meeting will convene at 11am, news agency PTI reported.

Amid a sudden spurt in Covid-19 cases in Japan, South Korea, Brazil, China and the US, the central government on Tuesday urged all states and Union territories to gear up the whole genome sequencing of positive samples to keep track of emerging variants.

In joint statement, Opposition parties said: 'We are saddened and shocked by the death of 38 people in Bihar caused by the consumption of spurious liquor. The Government of Bihar has taken stringent steps to tackle bootleggers and arrack makers. It has also deployed mass-outreach campaigns highlighting the dangers of consuming spurious liquor and reminding the people to prioritize their health.

However, the ruling regime has once again demonstrated that there is no tragedy which it will not seek to leverage for its own political gain". 

Over 55,000 homes were left without electricity after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of California in the United States early Tuesday.

The fact-checking wing of the Press Information Bureau (PIB), government of India, has pulled up that three YouTube channels having over 30 crore views and 33 lakh subscribers for allegedly propagating misinformation regarding the Supreme Court of India (SC), the Chief Justice of India (CJI), Prime Minister Modi, and the election commission of India (EC).

Govind Sahu, the prime accused in the kidnapping and murder of a woman teacher in Kalahandi district of Odisha, was on Tuesday found hanging from a tree on the premises of a jail in Bolangir district, PTI reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, along with fellow Members of Parliament, enjoyed a lunch hosted by agriculture minister Narendra Tomar to mark Millet Year 2023.

“Why do Congress leaders feel Gandhi family will be happy if they insult Indian Army, those fought for freedom, women leaders?... Many such remarks were made in Gandhi family's presence. If Gandhi family like such language why will leaders apologise”, Smriti Irani was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. 

The last vehicle of the up governor Anandiben Patel’s fleet overturned in Naini area of Prayagraj on Tuesday noon. 

The governor was returning to the city after attending the convocation of Prof Rajendra Prasad (Rajju Bhaiya) State University located at Naini when the accident took place. 

Eye witness says that the vehicle, belonging to one of the magistrates on duty, overturned while saving a scooty rider. No one was injured in the incident. It also had no impact on movement of the governor.

Amid the ongoing conflict with China, the Indian armed forces are now going to acquire the 'Pralay' ballistic missile which can hit targets from 150 to 500 Kms, ANI reported.

Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a probe into Shraddha Walkar case by a special investigation team if senior police officers. The SIT will look into alleged delay in registering the case, withdrawal of the letter by Walkar, political pressure in the case if any.

Protesting farmers came face-to-face with police officials as they continue to protest outside a liquor factory in Ferozepur's Zira.

Delhi court seeks ED reply as Jacqueline Fernandez seeks permission to travel abroad amid money laundering case.

A case has been registered in Prayagraj against 43 security guards on the basis of a complaint filed by a student in connection with the violence that broke out at the Allahabad University Campus over a recent fee hike, reported ANI. 

Delhi LG VK Saxena asks Chief Secretary to recover ₹97 Crores from AAP over political advertisements.

Haryana Governor gives assent to the Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Rules, 2022, reported ANI. 

Haryana deputy CM Dushyant Chautala’s cavalcade met with a road accident on Monday night near Agroha in Hisar, when he was going to Sirsa. One commando sustained minor injuries.

Markets opening bell: Sensex opens in red at 61,515; Nifty at 18,326.

One person is reportedly killed and at least 10 people are injured in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar when a bus collided with a container vehicle due to heavy fog in Dankaur area early Tuesday, police said, reported ANI.

Congress party's Bharat Jodo Yatra resumed from Burja village in Alwar, Rajasthan this morning. Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi join Rahul Gandhi and others in the padayatra.

North Korea on Tuesday denounced Japan's new security strategy as fundamentally changing the regional security environment and warned it will show how "wrong" and "dangerous" Japan's choice is with unspecified actions, reported Reuters.

Harvey Weinstein was found guilty Monday of rape at a Los Angeles trial in another #MeToo moment of reckoning, five years after he became a magnet for the movement.