Highlights: Kejriwal to chair emergency Covid review meet tomorrow with Manish Sisodia, top officials, reports ANI

The head of the World Health Organization said he was "very concerned" Wednesday about an unprecedented wave of Covid cases in China, urging Beijing to provide detailed information about the severity of the situation.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has called an emergency meeting tomorrow to review the preparations in view of the Covid19 situation. Deputy CM Manish Sisodia along with other senior officials of the health department will be present in the meeting, ANI reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia will continue developing its military potential and the combat readiness of nuclear forces against the backdrop of Moscow's offensive in Western-backed Ukraine.

In view of the dense fog and cold wave, all the schools from classes 1 to 8 in the district have been instructed to operate between 10:00 am to 3:30 pm from tomorrow, ANI reported.

Nepal Supreme Court orders release of French serial killer Charles Sobhraj after 19 years in jail, reports ANI

Three cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7, apparently the strain driving China's current surge of Covid cases, have been detected in India so far, official sources said Wednesday, PTI reported.

Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday claimed that he took experts' views before writing to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot to follow Covid-19 protocols during the party's ongoing ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’.

At least five students of a higher secondary school are feared killed, with the fatalities likely to rise and many injured in an accident at Khoupum area in Manipur’s Noney district on Wednesday, police said.

'A serious problem... destroys generations, profits used for terrorism', Union home minister Amit Shah said in Lok Sabha on drug abuse in India.

Union health minister tweeted after chairing a meeting on Covid situation in the country.

Union home minister Amit Shah will reply on discussion in Lok Sabha under rule 193 on the problem of drug abuse in the country and steps taken by the government at around 2 PM.

Serum Institute of India (SII) CEO Adar Poonawalla said on Wednesday raised concerns over surge in Covid cases in China. However, he urged people in India not to panic as the country has an “excellent vaccination coverage track record”.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi demanded the Centre to snoop (reference to Pegasus spyware) on drug mafias as it did on reporters, politicians while talking on drug menace. Responding to this, Union home minister Amit Shah said if Pegasus was used on him (Gogoi) then he can give proof, the Supreme Court will decide on the matter.

Commuters using the Ashram intersection for movement between Noida, South Delhi and Ghaziabad can expect major traffic snarls over the next two months as the Ashram flyover is expected to be closed to complete the integration of the existing flyover with the Ashram extension flyover, people familiar with the matter said. Read here

Border Security Force (BSF) on Wednesday recovered a total of 25 kg of heroin after a brief encounter with Pakistani smugglers at internation border in Punjab's Fazilka, ANI reported.

Ministry of I&B has directed YouTube to take down three channels – Aaj Tak Live, News Headlines and Sarkari Updates – in view of these channels being declared by PIB Fact Check Unit as peddlers of fake news, yesterday, according to sources.

Shiv Sena MP from Uddhav Thackeray's faction Sanjay Raut on Wednesday commented on the ongoing dispute over Maharashtra and Karnataka border. Referring to the Chinese transgression attempts in at LAC, he said “we will enter (Karnataka). We don't need anyone's permission”.

Former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi expressed her concerns over Chinese transgression at the party's Parliamentary meeting. "Govt being adamant & not holding a discussion on it. Public & House unable to know real situation. Why is Govt not sending out a financial reply to Chinese transgression?" she asked.

A huge quantity of liquor recovered from a house registered in the name of JD(U) leader Kameshwar Singh in Chhapra's Madhaura Nagar area, ANI reported.

“One Saroj Mahto along with his wife stay in the house as tenants. A woman has been taken into custody,” a police official said.

Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Maharashtra assembly Ajit Pawar on Wednesday said that a resolution will be passed in the assembly over the border dispute between two states. “We have always been of the view that every inch of land must come to us and we will even pass a resolution after discussing it with Speaker Rahul Narwekar. Answer must be given in the same way,” Pawar was quoted by ANI.

The plan of proscribed insurgent group RPF/PLA to disturb peace in Manipur, especially in Imphal Valley was foiled by Assam Rifles. Security Forces apprehended 2 PLA insurgents from Imphal Valley on 20th Dec. 5 grenades, 3 pistols, 3 IEDs & 3 detonators seized: Assam Rifles