Covid LIVE: Maharashtra sees 18,466 new cases; Omicron tally reaches 653

The number of active cases are 66,308

1:55 PM

Delhi buses, metro to operate at full capacity amid fresh Covid curbs

1:29 PM

Delhi Metro trains, buses allowed full seating capacity

Delhi Metro trains and buses will be allowed to run with full seating capacity to prevent crowds and queues at terminals, says Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia.

1:08 PM

Delhi to have weekend curfew

Delhi will impose a weekend curfew to contain rising Covid-19 cases. Government officers will work from home and private offices will be allowed 50 per of their staff, said the city’s disaster management authority. Essential services will be allowed during the curfew.

12:55 PM

Mumbai may impose lockdown if daily cases cross 20,000

Mumbai will have to impose lockdown if daily Covid-19 cases cross the 20,000-mark, says Mayor Kishori Pednekar, according to ANI.

12:40 PM

Manipur will provide tapped water to all households: Modi

Manipur on path to providing tapped water to all households, says PM Modi

12:38 PM

Northeast India on path to progress: PM Modi

Manipur and northeast India will bring glory to country, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi at public rally in Imphal.

12:36 PM

Devas case: AAI says it's taking legal recourse against Canada court's order

State-run Airports Authority of India (AAI) said Tuesday it will take legal recourse to defend itself from a Canadian court order that has allowed Devas Multimedia's shareholders to seize an amount of over $30 million of the AAI held by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). "AAI has not been served any order by the Quebec Court, Canada in this matter," said a spokesperson for the organisation.

12:15 PM

Foxconn India iPhone plant unlikely to reopen until Jan 7, says govt official

Apple Inc supplier Foxconn is unlikely to reopen its shuttered south Indian iPhone manufacturing facility until January 7, a senior government official familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The Foxconn plant, located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, was closed on Dec. 18, following protests  over 250 of its workers being treated for food poisoning. Apple has since placed the factory on probation after discovering that some dormitories and dining rooms did not meet required standards.

12:14 PM

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari tests positive for Covid

Bharatiya Janta Party MP from North East Delhi and former state unit chief Manoj Tiwari on Tuesday said he tested positive for COVID-19 and has isolated himself at home.

He has developed fever and cold two days back and tested positive on Tuesday.

"Was feeling unwell since January 2 night. I could not go for poll campaigning in Rudrapur in Uttarakhand due to mild fever and cold. Have tested positive today. As precautionary measure I have isolated myself yesterday (Monday) only. Please take care of you and your families, Tiwari said in a tweet in Hindi on Tuesday.

He has also asked his staff and those who came in contact with him to get tested and quarantine themselves as a precaution.

12:13 PM

AIIMS cancels doctors' winter vacation amid Covid surge

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Tuesday announced the cancellation of doctors' winter vacation amid rising Covid cases.

In a notice issued on Monday, the AIIMS Delhi has directed all faculty members to join back their duty with immediate effect at the hospital.

"In continuation of the office memoranda of dated December 22 and 27, it is to inform that the Competent Authority has decided to cancel the remaining part of the winter vacation from 5th to 10th January due to ongoing Covid 19 and Omicron pandemic," said the notice issued by the hospital administration with approval of AIIMS Director.

11:33 AM

Supreme Court to hear EWS quota matter Wednesday

Supreme Court agrees to hear matter related to EWS quota in connection with NEET-PG admissions on Wednesday, reports PTI.

10:44 AM

Punjab imposes night curfew till Jan 15

Punjab imposes night curfew (10pm to 5am) in "municipal limits" of towns and cities till January 15. Bars, cinemas halls, malls, restaurants, spas to operate at half their capacity. Only fully vaccinated employees must to attend government and private offices, says ANI quoting notification.

10:34 AM

Moody's assigns Baa2 rating to RIL's $5 bn bond issue

Moody's Investors Service on Tuesday assigned a Baa2 rating to the proposed USD-denominated senior unsecured bonds of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), with stable outlook. Reliance last week said it will raise as much as USD 5 billion in foreign currency denominated bonds and use the proceeds to retire existing borrowings, PTI reported.

10:11 AM

Income Tax searches at real estate firm ACE Group in UP

News agency ANI says sources tell it the Income Tax Department is searching the properties of real estate company ACE Group and its promoter Ajay Chaudhary in Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida, Agra. Chaudhary is related to a political leader in Uttar Pradesh.

9:57 AM

India Covid recovery rate is 98.13 per cent

India's active cases of Covid-19 comprise 0.49 per cent of total infections. The national recovery rate is 98.13 per cent, said the health ministry Tuesday.