LIVE: Kerala sees 9 more Omicron cases, 4 in Jaipur; India's tally now 226

Meanwhile, Haryana decides to allow only fully vaccinated people at public places; Delhi bans gatherings for Christmas, New Year celebrations

4:55 PM

Security cover of former Bengal minister and TMC leader Rajib Banerjee has been withdrawn

4:23 PM

Delhi bans Christmas, New Year gatherings

4:15 PM

The discussion on anti-conversion bill will be taken up tomorrow: Karnataka Assembly Speaker

3:39 PM

Amazon to acquire full stake in joint venture Prione Business

E-commerce giant Amazon said on Wednesday it will acquire Prione Business Services, a joint venture firm with Catamaran, PTI reported. In August, Amazon and NR Narayana Murthy's Catamaran had announced that they will not continue their joint venture, Prione Business Services, beyond May 2022.

3:34 PM

Foxconn's India unit files for $663 mn domestic IPO

Hong Kong-listed FIH Mobile Ltd's India unit Bharat FIH Ltd on Wednesday filed for a domestic initial public offering of up to 50.04 billion rupees ($662.97 million), according to its draft prospectus. FIH Mobile is a unit of Apple Inc supplier Foxconn.

3:01 PM

4,690 arrested under UAPA, 149 convicted: Parliament told

As many as 4,690 people were arrested in different parts of the country under the stringent anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the past three years, and 149 of whom got convicted, according to government figures. Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in Rajya Sabha that 1,421 people were arrested in 2018 under the UAPA, 1,948 in 2019 and 1,321 in 2020, PTI reported.

2:22 PM

CISF provides security at 11 private establishments: Minister

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) provides security at 64 airports and 11 private establishments, including those of Reliance Industries, Tata Steel and Infosys, junior home minister Nityanand Rai said in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. The CISF is deployed based on threat perception and the commitment of the company’s management to bear the cost, PTI reported about the paramilitary.

1:56 PM

IT dept searches entities linked to Chinese mobile phone manufacturers

The Income Tax Department on Wednesday search places in the national capital region and southern states as it investigates entities engaged with Chinese mobile phone manufacturers charged with tax evasion, PTI reported quoting government sources. Some vendors and distribution partners of these firms are being searched and more details are awaited, said the news agency.

1:35 PM

Covid always comes with mild symptoms: Niti Aayog member

Covid always comes with mild symptoms in the initial stages. We're watching any change in the pattern of the presentation of the emerging cases very carefully, says Dr VK Paul, Member-Health in Niti Aayog, referring to the virus’s Omicron variant.

1:17 PM

Income Tax department conducts raid on some Chinese companies in Delhi-NCR, reports ANI

 Search is on Oppo mobile company and its vendors since yesterday. Earlier in August, Chinese government-controlled telecom vendor, ZTE was searched. More details awaited, reports news agency ANI.

12:47 PM

Singapore Airlines will stop accepting new bookings for all Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) flights

From midnight today, Singapore Airlines will stop accepting new bookings for all Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) flights into Singapore scheduled between 23 Dec 2021 & 20 Jan 2022, following the Singapore govt’s directive, says the airline.

12:46 PM

Goa elections 2021: Don't think TMC stands anywhere in the race, says Arvind Kejriwal

You might give a lot of importance to TMC but I don't think it stands anywhere in the race: Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, in Panaji, Goa 

12:02 PM

Parliament Winter session: Both houses adjourned sine die ahead of schedule

11:07 AM

Massive fire breaks out at Vaishno Devi shrine forest area

A massive fire broke out at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine forest area on Tuesday.

 

However, the fire has been brought under control by the team of the shrine board and the forest department.

 

Meanwhile, the yatra to the holy shrine in Trikuta hills remained unaffected, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board informed.

11:06 AM

Intel to put unvaccinated workers on unpaid leave

Chip-maker Intel has reportedly notified employees that those who are unvaccinated will have to get the jab or submit an exemption by January 4, else they will be put on unpaid leave.

 

According to a report in The Oregonian, the tech giant told workers that those who don't receive an exemption for religious or medical reasons will be on unpaid leave, beginning in April.

 

"It told employees that they had a January 4 deadline to be vaccinated or seek an exemption, citing a government mandate for federal contractors," the report mentioned late on Tuesday.