Breaking News: Maharashtra logs over 43,000 new Covid-19 cases, 19 deaths

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Bengal BJP wants municipality elections deferred by a month, cites Covid surge
The BJP's West Bengal unit wrote to the State Election Commissioner (SEC) demanding for the municipality elections to be postponed by a month due to the rising Covid-19 cases in the state, reports ANI.
‘Jallikattu’ in Tamil Nadu: 1 dead, total 80 injured after bull taming competition, reports ANI
Health officials in Tamil Nadu said that one person lost his life and in total, 80 people were injured following the ‘Jallikattu’ competition – a popular bull taming sport – in Avaniyapuram area of Madurai district, reports ANI. The injured included 38 bull tamers, 24 bull owners, and 18 spectators.
Maharashtra reports 238 new Omicron cases, tally reaches 1,605
Maharashtra reported 238 new cases of the Omicron Covid-19 variant, taking the state's tally so far to 1,605. Also 859 people have been discharged so far.
Pune City added 197 cases while 32 were from Pimpri-Chinchwad and three each from Pune Rural and Navi Mumbai. Two cases were from Mumbai and one was from Akola.
Maharashtra sees over 43,000 new Covid-19 cases, 19 deaths in 24 hrs
Maharashtra logged 43,211 new Covid-19 cases and 19 deaths as the state's total caseload reached 7,124,278 and the death toll climbed to 141,756.
Indian Railways redesignates ‘Guard’ post as ‘Train Manager’
Indian Railways redesignated the post of "Guard" as "Train Manager" with immediate effect.
Uttarakhand polls: ‘Almost all names finalised’ says Cong's Harish Rawat
Congress leader Harish Rawat said that discussion was held on 70 seats and almost all names were finalised for the state assembly elections, reports ANI. “Tomorrow we'll present the names before Central Election Committee (CEC),” he said.
NATO to sign enhanced cyber cooperation with Ukraine
NATO to sign deal on enhanced cyber cooperation with Ukraine after cyberattack, reports AFP.
Karnataka sees 28,723 new Covid-19 cases, 14 deaths; over 20,121 cases in Bengaluru Urban
Karnataka logged 28,723 new Covid-19 cases and 14 deaths in the last 24 hours and of the new cases 20,121 were reported from Bengaluru Urban district.
The daily positivity rate in the state stood at 12.98% and the active caseload reached 141,337.
Daily Covid-19 tally, active caseload drop in Mumbai: 11,317 new cases, 9 deaths in last 24 hrs
The daily Covid-19 tally in Mumbai saw a slight dip after 11,317 people tested positive on the day. Also nine more people succumbed to the illness. The active caseload also declined and was recorded at 84,352.
IAF Chopper crash: ‘Unexpected change in weather’ likely cause of accident, initial probe finds
The preliminary findings from the Tri-Services Court of Inquiry into the Mi-17 V5 accident on 08 Dec 21, in which CDS General Bipin Rawat and few others were killed, has ruled out mechanical failure, sabotage or negligence as a cause of the accident.
Further, the probe also found, the crash was a result of entry into clouds due to unexpected change in weather conditions in the valley. This led to spatial disorientation of the pilot resulting in Controlled Flight into Terrain.
‘Ensure free, fair, transparent, safe elections’: ECI to poll observers
The Election Commission of India (ECI) briefed the observers deployed for the upcoming state assembly elections in Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, reports ANI.
“Officers drawn from IAS, IPS, IRS and other account services are deployed as General, Police & Expenditure Observers. CEC Sushil Chandra directed all 3 Observers to work in coordination with Enforcement Agencies and ensure the conduct of free, fair, transparent and safe elections,” the ECI said.
Delhi reports 24,383 new Covid-19 cases, 34 deaths in last 24 hours
With 24,383 new Covid-19 cases and 34 deaths in the last 24 hours, the total caseload in Delhi reached 1,670,966 and the death toll climbed to 25,305.
The active caseload jumps to 92,273.
Mild, asymptomatic Covid patients eligible for home isolation: Health ministry
The Union health ministry said that Covid-19 with mild symptoms or asymptomatic are eligible for home isolation while those above 60 years of age and those with comorbidities will be allowed home isolation after medical evaluation.
Kerala suspends offline teaching for up to class 9 due to Covid surge
Following the surge in Covid-19 cases in Kerala , the state government suspended offline classes for up to class 9, reports ANI citing the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).
Nitin Gadkari approves draft notification to mandate 6 airbags in vehicles carrying upto 8 passengers
“In order to enhance the safety of the occupants in motor vehicles carrying upto 8 passengers, I have now approved a Draft GSR Notification to make a minimum of 6 Airbags compulsory,” Union minister Nitin Gadkari tweeted.
Australia agrees to delay Djokovic's deportation, reports AFP
Australia agreed to delay Novak Djokovic's deportation, reports news agency AFP citing his lawyer.
‘Bulli Bai’ app case: Court sentences 2 accused to 14-day judicial custody
Shweta Singh and Mayank, accused in the ‘Bulli Bai’ app case, have been sent to a 14-day judicial custody by court, reports ANI citing Mayank's lawyer Sandeep Sherkhane.
‘Bulli Bai’ app case: Mumbai police say accused Shweta Singh produced before court
'Bulli Bai' app case accused Shweta Singh's and Mayank's Police custody ends. Shweta was produced before the court while Mayank could not be due to testing positive for Covid-19, the Mumbai Police said, reports ANI.
PM Modi to meet with startups on Jan 15
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet with startups virtually on January 15 (Saturday) at 10.30am, reports ANI citing the PMO.
The startup will make presentations before the PM on six themes including Growing from Roots; Nudging the DNA; From Local to Global.
5 identified of 9 dead, ₹5 lakh ex-gratia given to families: Indian Railways
The Indian Railways said that five out of the nine people dead in the Bikaner-Guwahati train mishap have been identified and their families were given ₹5 lakh each, reports ANI.
“We have also given ₹1 lakh each to the 10 grievously injured persons and ₹25,000 each given to 26 minor injured,” said Rajiv Jain, ADG PR, Indian Railways.
Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia says BJP using NCPCR to stop AAP's ‘Desh ka Mentor’ program
Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia said that the BJP does not want Aam Aadmi Party's 'Desh ka Mentor' program to continue, reports ANI.
"So they used NCPCR to stop this program on a complaint by a BJP worker from Chhattisgarh, who said it is a "threat" to a child's safety," he said.
Delhi alert: IED recovered from unattended bag in Ghazipur Flower Market
An IED was found in the bag, NSG experts will verify and tell what kind of explosive materials are there in it, confirms Joint commissioner of police (eastern range) Sagar Preet Hooda.
Swami Prasad Maurya, Dharm Singh Saini, other rebel BJP MLAs join SP in presence of Akhilesh Yadav
UP minister Swami Prasad Maurya, rebel BJP MLAs Dharm Singh Saini and others join Samajwadi Party in presence of Akhilesh Yadav.
All schools in Madhya Pradesh to remain closed for students till Jan 31, announces CM Chouhan
All government and private schools will remain closed for students of classes 1-12 between Jan 15 and Jan 31. All political and religious gatherings and fairs will be banned. No ban on Makar Sankranti 'snan', announced Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Ukraine claims massive cyber attack on govt websites, reports AFP
Ukraine reports massive cyber attack on government websites.
High alert in Delhi: Bomb disposal squad rushed to Ghazipur flower market
Delhi Police rushes bomb disposal squad to Ghazipur Flower Market in East Delhi after the recovery of an unattended bag. Fire engines also sent to the site, police said.
Australia revokes Novak Djokovic's visa again
Australia has cancelled Djokovic visa for second time, announced country's immigration minister.
Hong Kong airport bans transit flights from over 150 countries, reports AFP
Hong Kong airport bans transit flights from over 150 countries.
‘Big let down,’ says Sister Lucy as Kerala court acquits Bishop Franco in nun rape case
“Big let down,” said Sister Lucy Kalapura who was expelled from the congregation for supporting the victim.
North Korea fires ‘unidentified projectile’, says S Korea military
North Korea fired an unidentified projectile into the sea off its east coast on Friday, South Korea's military said, as reported by news agency AFP.
Deposed bishop Franco Mullakal gets clean chit in nun rape case
“Lord is supreme. Truth prevailed,” says Mullakal after coming out of the court.
The verdict was announced by Additional Sessions judge G Gopakumar. Jalandhar Diocese released a statement thanking all those who stood with the bishop. Initial reports suggest lack of scientific evidence led to his acquittal. Read more
Additional police outside Kottayam sessions court ahead of nun rape case verdict
DCGI's SEC to review Covishield, Covaxin full market approval today
DCGI's Subject Expert Committee to review applications of Bharat Biotech and SII for full market approval to Covaxin and Covishield today, news agency ANI reported quoting sources.
11 skulls, 54 bones of fetuses found in biogas plant in Maharashtra hospital
Eleven skulls and 54 bones of fetuses were found in biogas plant of a private hospital in Arvi, Wardha during the investigation of a separate case of illegal abortion. Hospital director Rekha Kadam and one of her associates were arrested, said sub-Inspector Jyotsna Giri in Wardha, Maharahstra.
'Congress-ruled states don't pay attention to law & order,' says Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar
“The reason why such incidents keep happening in Congress-ruled states is that they don't pay much attention to law and order. If parties will think about their personal benefits, they'll always fail to keep the public safe,” says Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Alwar rape.
At least 9 dead in Bengal train accident, reports ANI
Death toll in Bikaner-Guwahati Express mishap has risen to 9. Rescue operation is over. 36 injured were admitted to different hospitals. Passengers were sent to Guwahati by special train, said Union Minister John Barla, as quoted by ANI.
Dense fog engulfs national capital
6 killed as Bikaner-Guwahati train derails in West Bengal, says railways division
Six people lost their lives after 12 coaches of the Bikaner-Guwahati Express (15633) derailed in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district on Thursday, stated Chief Public Relations Officer, Northeast Frontier Railway.
Kejriwal to flag off 100 low-floor CNG buses in Delhi today
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will flag off 100 modern and environment friendly AC low-floor CNG buses on Friday from Rajghat cluster bus depot, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said.
These will be state-of-the-art buses equipped with modern facilities like panic button, GPS among others. The minister said that these low-floor buses will have features of bus kneeling with ramp for differently abled people.