Breaking news updates: Maharashtra sees another jump in its daily Covid-19 count; records 10,066 fresh cases, 163 deaths

Maharashtra recorded 10,066 cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday, taking the state-wide tally to 59,97,587. 163 deaths were also reported in the last 24 hours, the death toll now stands at 1,19,303.

Jammu recorded its first case of the delta variant of Covid-19 on Wednesday, reported news agency ANI. The infected individual who was admitted at Government Medical College and Hospital has reportedly recovered.

AFP said on Wednesday that the Delta variant of Covid-19, first recorded in India, will account for 90% of the new cases in Europe by August. The news agency was citing an European Union agency.

Fashion designers Manish Malhotra, Sabyasachi, Ritu Kumar have been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case. The three designers have been asked to report on Thursday and Friday at the agency's headquarter in New Delhi. Officials familiar with the developments said ED wants some clarifications from them regarding certain cash payments they received.

Nepal is all set to resume domestic flight operations from July 1, and international flights June 24, reported ANI.

Russia has fired warning shots at a British navy ship on the Black Sea, reported AFP on Wednesday.

Singapore is reducing the duration of quarantine for people from high-risk regions to 14 days from the earlier 21 days, reported Bloomberg. The Singaporean government said it has found no evidence that virus variants of concern come with longer incubation periods.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra announced a two-day assembly session on July 5 and July 6, reported ANI.

An encounter led by the police and security forces is currently underway at Shirmal area of Shopian, reported ANI. More details awaited.

UK High Court refused fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi's application to appeal against his extradition to India, reported ANI.

Delhi health minister Satyendra Jain told reporters that the national capital recorded 134 cases of Covid-19, 8 fatalities in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate in the capital now stands at 1.45%.

A first information report has been registered against former National Register of Citizen (NRC) coordinator Prateek Hajela and his close associates "for alleged manipulations in the Family Tree Verification", a process used to update the NRC list. Abhijeet Sarma, president, Assam Public Works told news agency ANI.

The Maharashtra health department said that ASHA workers called off their strike after the state government agreed to increase their salary by ₹1,000 and give additional ₹500 as Covid allowance, to be implemented from July 1.

Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Wednesday wrote to chief secretaries of Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Maharashtra, and urged them to take up immediate containment measures in the districts where Delta Plus variant of Covid-19, categorized as a 'Variant of Concern', has been detected.

At least four people were injured in an explosion today in Lahore’s Johar Town area. Injured persons shifted to a local hospital. The nature of the blast is being ascertained, ANI quoted Pakistan media as reporting.

Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday said that officials have been directed to closely monitor cases of the Delta Plus variant of Covid-19.

"Information about these cases should be collected and recorded for study. We are taking 100 samples from every district," ANI quoted Tope as saying.

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunil Jhakar and Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Wednesday.

India has reported 40 cases of Delta Plus variant of Covid-19, ANI quoted government sources as saying. Most of the cases are from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is still a variant of interest, the official said.

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday lashed out at Congress leader Digvijaya Singh over his tweet quoting a media report that 'Indian officials silently visit to meet Taliban leaders'. Chouhan in response to the tweet said Singh's mentality is Talibani.

"His (Digvijaya Singh) mentality is Talibani," ANI quoted Chouhan as saying.

India on Wednesday reported 50,848 new Covid-19 cases and 1,358 deaths, as per the Union health ministry.

"In a few weeks, @Tokyo2020 begins. Wishing the very best to our contingent, which consists of our finest athletes," the PM also tweeted.

The outbreak of the Delta variant of Covid-19 in Australia's Sydney moves the authorities to impose new restrictions like compulsory mask-wearing at all indoor venues such as workplaces and shops.