LIVE: Maharashtra reports 2 more cases of Omicron; India's tally now 40

Maharashtra has so far reported 20 Omicron cases

11:01 PM

Over 9,800 children orphaned since April last year during COVID-19, NCPCR tells SC

Over 9,800 children have been orphaned, 508 abandoned and 1.32 lakh have lost either of their parents between April last year to December 7 this year during the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has told the Supreme Court.

 

The child rights' body has given the crucial information in an affidavit to the apex court which is hearing a suo motu case about children who have been adversely affected by the pandemic, by losing either one or both their parents.

 

The NCPCR, referring to the data uploaded on the Baal Swaraj Portal-COVID care, said that from April, 2020 onwards and up to December 7, 2021, 9,855 children have been orphaned, 1,32,113 children have lost either of their parents and 508 children have been abandoned.

10:19 PM

Air pollution: Delhi govt says ban on construction, entry of trucks to continue

Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday said the ban on construction and the entry of trucks, barring CNG ones, e-trucks and those engaged in essential services, into Delhi will continue till further orders in view of a forecast about further deterioration of air quality in the city.

 

The government will review the construction ban on December 16, Rai told reporters after a meeting with officials of the concerned departments.

 

The minister said the environment department has sent to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) a proposal from the education department, seeking immediate reopening of schools and coaching centres for students of Class 6 and above, and in colleges.

 

For children of Class 5 and below, the education department has suggested reopening schools from December 20.

9:40 PM

Telangana clocks 190 new COVID-19 cases, one death

Telangana on Monday reported 190 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the tally to 6,78,478, while the death toll rose to 4,008 with one more fatality.

 

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 70, followed by Suryapet district (10), a state government bulletin said, providing details as of 5.30 PM today.

 

The number of recoveries outnumbered fresh cases with 198 people recovering from the infectious disease. The cumulative number of recoveries till date was 6,70,633.

9:22 PM

Tamil Nadu records 657 new COVID-19 cases, 12 fatalities

Tamil Nadu on Monday logged 657 new COVID-19 positive cases and 12 fatalities, taking the caseload to 27,36,046 and death toll to 36,624.

 

A passenger who returned from UAE added to the 657 cases today, according to a bulletin from the State health department.

 

With 702 COVID-19 positive patients getting discharged after treatment, the total recoveries so far has mounted to 26,91,756. The number of active cases as of today remain at 7,666.

 

Chennai and Coimbatore reported 114 and 101 new infections respectively, while Ramanathapuram and Theni reported nil cases, the bulletin said. While Erode reported 53 new cases, 12 districts recorded cases below 50 and 21 districts reported cases in single digits.

8:27 PM

Maharashtra reports 2 more cases of Omicron

7:59 PM

Pictures from the spot of Srinagar terrorist attack

7:45 PM

Srinagar terror attack: Two police personnel succumb to injuries

7:16 PM

Residence of Kareena Kapoor has been sealed: BMC

7:15 PM

Rohit Sharma ruled out from the test series against South Africa

7:15 PM

PM Modi witnesses 'Ganga Aarti' in Varanasi

5:39 PM

First UK patient has died from Omicron variant

At least one patient has died in the United Kingdom after contracting the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday.

 

"Sadly at least one patient has now been confirmed to have died with Omicron," Johnson told reporters.

 

"So I think the idea that this is somehow a milder version of the virus - I think that's something we need to set on one side - and just recognise the sheer pace at which it accelerates through the population."

4:24 PM

Actor Kareena Kapoor tests positive for Covid

3:49 PM

PM Modi takes a boat ride from Lalita Ghat to Ravidas Ghat

3:28 PM

PM Modi inspects Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi

3:11 PM

There is 'Virasat' and 'Vikas' in new India, says PM Modi in Varanasi

3:08 PM

India successfully carries out a long-range Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo off coast of Balasore

3:00 PM

Ban on construction, demolition activities to continue: Delhi Environment Minister

Ban continues on entry of all trucks, barring CNG, e-trucks and those engaged in essential services, said Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday. Ban on construction, demolition activities to continue till further orders, to be reviewed on December 16, said Rai.

2:27 PM

This is a confluence of ancient and new: PM Modi at Kashi Vishwanath Temple

2:20 PM

PM Modi speaks in Bhojpuri

2:16 PM

CBSE drops controversial passage from Class 10 English paper

2:15 PM

Omicron appears to have a growth advantage over Delta variant: WHO

1:07 PM

Modi offers prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers to Lord Shiva at Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. He is on a two-day visit to his constituency and will inaugurate the first phase of the Rs 339 crore Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project that connects the temple town's two iconic landmarks: Kashi Vishwanath temple and Ganga ghats.

 

 

12:26 PM

CBSE exam paper has 'blatantly misogynist' passage: Sonia in Lok Sabha

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi raises objection in Lok Sabha to "blatantly misogynist" passage in CBSE Class 10 exam. She demands apology from the government, PTI reports. More about the controversial exam paper here.

12:13 PM

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm as Opposition protests resume protests to show support for 12 suspended lawmakers.

11:58 AM

Enjoyed playing under Virat Kohli: Rohit Sharma

Virat Kohli led India from the front for five years as the team's limited-overs captain, said his successor Rohit Sharma, insisting that he enjoyed "each and every moment" that he played under the star batter. Kohli stepped down as T20 captain after the World Cup in the UAE and was subsequently replaced by Rohit as ODI skipper earlier this month.

11:29 AM

Rajya Sabha adjourned 12 noon

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 noon as opposition parties continue protests over 12 suspended MPs. The government is adamant and provoking us to disrupt the proceedings of the House. This is why we will walkout from the House, says Congress lawmaker Mallikarjun Kharge.

10:53 AM

PM Modi arrives in Varanasi

9:56 AM

Hindustan Syringes allowed to work Faridabad plants

Hindustan Syringes and Medical Devices, India’s largest manufacturer in the sector, has been allowed to continue operations at its Faridabad plants that were shut to control air pollution in Delhi and cities nearby.

9:51 AM

India Covid-19 cases increase to 34.69 million

India recorded 7,350 new cases of Covid-19 and 202 deaths from the disease overnight, says the health ministry. The country coronavirus cases increased to 34.69 million and fatalities to 475,636.

 

9:45 AM

Biden declares federal disaster in Kentucky

US President Joe Biden has declared a major federal disaster in Kentucky after a swarm of deadly tornadoes hit the state on Friday, an administration official said, a move that paves the way for additional federal aid. Kentucky's governor Andy Beshear on Sunday formally requested the declaration, the AP reported.