Covid LIVE: Centre writes to UP, Delhi, 3 other states over rising TPR
India recorded 1,247 new Covid infections on Monday; number of active cases rose to 11,860
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A health worker collects swab samples of residents for Covid-19 testing, in Gurugram (Photo: PTI)
Latest news LIVE: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's 34-member Cabinet was sworn in on Tuesday after several days of delay, with Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani administering the oath to new ministers as President Arif Alvi did not attend the ceremony. The ceremony was scheduled to be held on Monday, but President Alvi had refused to administer the oath to the lawmakers, compelling the government to postpone it. Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP's) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was not among the ministers. Earlier, there was speculation that he would be the country's next foreign minister.
Delhi's Covid-19 positivity rate on Monday jumped to 7.72 per cent even as the city recorded 501 fresh cases, 16 less than the previous day, according to health department data. Officials said that last time the positivity rate was above seven per cent in the city on January 29 (7.4 per cent) and on January 28 (8.6 per cent). Barring Sunday, Delhi has been witnessing an upward trend in daily Covid-19 cases positivity rate in the last few days. Despite less tests the positivity rate in the city on Monday rose to 7.72 per cent. The national capital on Sunday recorded a 4.21 per cent positivity rate.
Delhi's Covid-19 positivity rate on Monday jumped to 7.72 per cent even as the city recorded 501 fresh cases, 16 less than the previous day, according to health department data. Officials said that last time the positivity rate was above seven per cent in the city on January 29 (7.4 per cent) and on January 28 (8.6 per cent). Barring Sunday, Delhi has been witnessing an upward trend in daily Covid-19 cases positivity rate in the last few days. Despite less tests the positivity rate in the city on Monday rose to 7.72 per cent. The national capital on Sunday recorded a 4.21 per cent positivity rate.
Russian forces have begun the battle for the Donbas region, but Ukraine will defend itself, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said in a video address. "Now we can say that Russian troops have started the battle for Donbas, for which they have been preparing for a long time. A very large part of the entire Russian army is now focused on this offense," Zelensky was quoted as saying by the state-run Ukrinform news agency. "No matter how many Russian troops are driven there, we will fight," he added.
11:19 PM
Russia eases FX controls for some export-focused companies
The Russian central bank said on Tuesday it had decided to ease forex currency control measures for Russian export-focused companies outside the commodities and energy sectors.
The mandatory sales of foreign currency earned by these companies remains in place, however the currency they receive after April 19 can now be sold within 60 days instead of the previous three days, the central bank said.
This rule currently lasts until Sept. 1 but can be extended if needed, the regulator added in its statement.
11:16 PM
Elon Musk to invest up to $15 bn of his own money to buy Twitter: Report
Elon Musk is willing to invest between $10 billion and $15 billion of his own money to take Twitter Inc private and is planning to launch a tender offer in about 10 days, the New York Post reported on Tuesday, citing two sources familiar with the matter.
The billionaire has tapped Morgan Stanley to raise another $10 billion in debt, according to the report.
The social media company adopted a "poison pill" last week to protect itself from its second-biggest shareholder's $43 billion buyout offer.
Twitter and Tesla did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.
11:08 PM
Naresh Kumar, a 1987-batch IAS officer, has been appointed chief secretary of Delhi
11:04 PM
Biden, allies consult on Ukraine including aid
US President Joe Biden and allied leaders discussed ongoing efforts on Ukraine on Tuesday including the need to provide economic and humanitarian aid, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters.
Psaki, briefing reporters as Biden flew to New Hampshire on a day trip, said Biden and the allies also discussed efforts to hold Russia accountable for its invasion of Ukraine.
10:37 PM
IAF successfully test-fires BrahMos missile from Su30-MkI fighter jet
9:45 PM
Russian companies must revoke foreign listings by May 5, central bank says
Companies that are registered in Russia and have depositary receipts traded on foreign bourses must revoke them by May 5, the central bank said on Tuesday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed into law a bill requiring Russian companies to delist their depositary receipts from international bourses and convert them into local securities in a bid to reduce foreigners' control over these firms.
"Russian issuers are required to take actions by May 5, 2022, to terminate the agreements in accordance with which the placement of securities under foreign law was carried out, as well as to terminate the depositary receipts programmes," the central bank said.
9:38 PM
Biden, allies hold video call on Ukraine amid Russia assault
US President Joe Biden consulted with U.S. allies on Tuesday on the latest developments in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the White House said on Tuesday as Moscow launched an all-out assault on eastern Ukraine.
The purpose of the call was "to discuss our continued support for Ukraine and efforts to hold Russia accountable as part of our close coordination," the White House said.
Russia seized its first town in eastern Ukraine as part of a fresh all-out assault that Ukraine has described as the Battle of the Donbas aimed at taking two provinces.
9:34 PM
Russian operations in Ukraine 'prelude' to bigger offensive
The United States sees ongoing Russian activity in eastern Ukraine as a prelude to a much larger offensive in the country, a senior U.S. defense official said on Tuesday.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Russia was still adding to its military capabilities to prepare for the new offensive, introducing an additional two battalion tactical groups (BTG) in the past 24 hours to bring to the total number of Russian BTGs in the country to 78.
9:23 PM
Uber, Lyft end mask mandates for riders, drivers as Covid cases fall
Uber Technologies and Lyft Inc have scrapped face mask mandates for their riders and drivers in the United States, the ride-hailing companies said on Tuesday, as COVID cases have fallen sharply from their Januray peak.
Lyft, which also ended requirements for the vehicle windows to be kept open and for the front seat to empty, said health safety reasons will no longer appear under cancellation options on its app.
Uber, which introduced mask mandates for its drivers, riders and delivery workers around the world in May 2020, said that riders will have the option to cancel their trip if they feel uncomfortable with revocation of the mask mandate.
9:10 PM
Union Health Secretary writes to 5 states on increasing Covid positivity rate
8:54 PM
Jahangirpuri violence: National Security Act imposed against 5 culprits
8:27 PM
632 new cases in Delhi
8:10 PM
Russia launches 'Battle of Donbas' all-out assault on east Ukraine
Russia launched its long-awaited all-out assault on east Ukraine on Tuesday, seizing its first town after unleashing thousands of troops in what Ukraine has described as the Battle of the Donbas, a campaign to take two provinces.
Ukrainian officials insisted their troops would withstand the new assault, which they said began overnight with massive Russian artillery and rocket barrages and attempts to advance across almost the entire stretch of the eastern front.
7:58 PM
1 dead, 12 injured in Sri Lanka as police open fire at anti-govt protesters
At least one person was killed and 12 others injured on Tuesday when police opened fire to disperse anti-government protestors in Sri Lanka's southwestern region of Rambukkana.
The residents were protesting the latest fuel price hike when they clashed with the police.
Police said the protesters had blocked the railway track at Rambukkana and started pelting stones at them.
7:52 PM
Covid-19: Karnataka reports 62 new cases, zero fatality in last 24 hours
Karnataka on Tuesday reported 62 fresh Covid-19 cases and zero fatalities, taking the total infection to 39,46,484 till date, the State Health Department said
The death toll stood at 40,057.
Of the total infections, Bengaluru urban district saw 57 while two each in Shivamogga and Dakshina Kannada and one in Mysuru.
Topics : Vladimir Putin Volodymyr Zelensky Coronavirus Covid-19 XE Variant Today News Russia Ukraine Conflict Delhi Coronavirus Tests Coronavirus Vaccine Russia
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First Published: Apr 19 2022 | 6:52 AM IST
