Breaking News: Allahabad HC urges PM, EC to consider postponing UP polls amid Omicron spread

The Maharashtra government would unveil new Covid-19 related restrictions in the state on Friday (December 24) in view of the upcoming festive season, the Covid-19 surge and the Omicron variant. 

The decision was taken in the task force meeting headed by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday night.

The decision was taken as there would be huge gatherings in hotels and restaurants due to Christmas and New year celebrations.

The Allahabad high court has appealed to PM Narendra Modi and Election Commission of India (ECI) to consider postponing UP elections by one to two months in view of the rising cases of Omicron Covid-19 variant in India.

Odisha reports two new Omicron cases, taking the state tally to four. The new detections have been confirmed in two children aged 11 and 15, with a travel history to Nigeria.

An FIR has been lodged against an unknown person in connection with the explosion that occurred at the Ludhiana court complex earlier in the day, ANI reported.

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray will hold a Covid-19 review meeting later at 10pm with the state task force as the state continues to report higher numbers of Omicron cases, an official statement from the CMO read.

Gujarat on Thursday confirmed seven more cases of Omicron variant, thereby taking the tally to 30. Of the total Omicron cases, as many as 25 are active, ANI reported.

Maharashtra on Thursday reported 23 fresh Omicron cases, taking the state's tally to 88. Of these, 13 were found in Pune, five in Mumbai, two in Osmanabad and one each in Thane, Nagpur and Mira-Bhayander area.

Madhya Pradesh imposes night curfew from 11pm to 5am amid the spread of Omicron variant of Covid-19.

A blast has been reported at a pharma unit in Maharashtra's Tarapur town, fire brigade is currently at spot.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs Covid-19 review meeting as Omicron variant spreads alarm across country.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana expressed “deep shock” at the Ludhiana district court complex blast incident earlier in the day, ANI reported citing an official statement. He also asked the CJ of Punjab and Haryana high court to enquire about the developments.

The central government has spent ₹19,675 crore to procure Covid-19 vaccines free-of-cost to supply to states and Union territories (UTs), PTI reported citing government data. The new phase of the universalisation of Covid-19 vaccination drive was started in June this year. Under this, the Centre will obtain and supply (free-of-cost) 75% of the vaccines from the manufacturers, to the states and UTs.

Conjoined twins, Sohna and Mohna, get a job in the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), news agency ANI reported. "We're very glad about the job and have joined on December 20. We thank the Punjab govt and the Pingalwara institution, which schooled us, for the opportunity," they told ANI.

Karnataka Assembly on Thursday passed the Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021 (anti-conversion bill), ANI reported.

A 21-year-old man was nabbed by the CISF at Delhi's Khan Market metro station on Thursday after he was found carrying four bullets in his luggage, PTI reported citing officials.

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi will meet Lok Sabha MPs from Punjab at her residence in Delhi later today at 6.30pm, news agency ANI reported.

Kerala on Thursday reported five new Omicron cases, taking the state's tally to 29, state health minister Veene George said.

Karnataka on Thursday detected as many as12 fresh cases of Omicron Covid-19 variant, health minister Dr K Sudhakar announced on Twitter. With this, the southern state's Omicron tally has climbed to 31.

DDMA allows religious places to stay open amid ban on gatherings for New Year and Christmas. In an order, the DDMA said that social distancing and Covid-appropriate behaviour must be adhered to.

Firhad Hakim will continue in his role as a mayor of Kolkata, TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta announced on Twitter. Meanwhile, TMC MP Mala Roy has been named chairman of KMC, PTI reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday laid the foundation stone of Banas Dairy Kashi Sankul and Biogas Plant in Varanasi. He also launched dairy mark and digital portal.

Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi says he will visit Ludhiana to take stock of situation after explosion in district court complex.

A fresh intensity of western disturbance and its induced cyclonic circulation is likely to influence northwest India from December 26 and central India from December 27, according to IMD forecast. The cyclonic circulation will increase the minimum temperature in the northwest, east and central India.

At least two people were dead in an explosion reported from a district court complex of Ludhiana, located near the police commissionerate office, while five were injured. The explosion took place in the washroom on the second floor at around 12.22pm.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal holds a high-level meeting as Delhi reports 64 Omicron cases (as per Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) and to strengthen home isolation managment for Covid-19 patients.