Breaking News: PM Modi to lay foundation stone of 23 projects in Uttarakhand on Dec 30

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday demanded that the Centre declare Gangasagar Mela a national fair and said she had written several letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this connection in the past but did not get reply to any of them.

The Gangasagar Mela is equally important as the Allahabad 'Kumbh Mela' but it is yet to get the national status, she said.

With Omicron cases breaching the 600 mark in the country, overall COVID-19 infections have also started plummeting across states. Maharashtra, on Tuesday, observed a massive surge in coronavirus cases, recording 2,172 fresh infections in the last 24 hours. In the same time period, Maharashtra recorded 22 COVID-related deaths, with the highest number of infections being recorded in the state capital, Mumbai. 

India's economic capital, Mumbai, recorded a 70% uptick in daily COVID cases as out of the total fresh coronavirus infections in the state, 1,377 new COVID-19 cases were reported from the city, bringing the total number of current cases in Mumbai to 5,803.

Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases and the emergence of a new 'variant of concern' Omicron, the Punjab government on Tuesday announced a ban on the entry of non fully vaccinated individuals in public places. This will come into effect from January 15, 2022. The government advised people who have not taken two jabs to remain at their residences.

"In public places with a large gathering like sabzi mandi, grain markets, public transport, parks, religious places, malls, shopping complexes, haats, the local market and other similar places only fully vaccinated (second dose) adults persons or those who are not due for the second dose as per the health protocol are to be allowed," the government said.

It added that only doubly vaccinated individuals will be allowed in government offices in Chandigarh. Hotels, bars, restaurants, malls, shopping complexes, cinema halls, gyms and fitness centres are also advised to allow those who are fully vaccinated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Uttarakhand on December 30. PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 23 projects worth over Rs 17,500 crores, the Prime Minister's Office informed. 

Taking cognisance of the rapidly rising COVID cases in the national capital, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday issues the restrictions placed under the ‘Yellow Alert’ of the Delhi government’s GRAP (Graded Action Plan) to contain the spread of the virus. 

Among all the other strict restrictions, Night Curfew in Delhi has been announced. The night curfew in Delhi will be imposed from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am in all areas. Under this all non-essential travel has been banned, only front line workers and health care workers will be permitted to travel in the National Capital Territory. 

A massive fire engulfed the Tourism Reception Centre of Chatroo in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district. As of now, no loss of life has been reported. The Police and firefighters rushed to the spot upon receiving information about the fire incident.

AIIMS doctors cancel tomorrow's protest. The protest that was held by the doctors concerning the delay in NEET-PG counselling will not be held. 

"We've decided to establish 3 clusters of incense sticks, charcoal & basket, with the Northeast Council. PM Modi has provided so many startup opportunities that youth leave their civil services & MNC jobs for startups", said Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on new youth startups in J&K.  

"DRDO handed over the technology of extreme cold weather clothing system (ECWCS) to 5 Indian companies. 3-layered ECWCS provides thermal insulation between +15° to -50°C. ECWS is required by the Indian Army for sustained operations in glacier & Himalayan peaks", the Ministry of Defence informed. 

Sun Pharma on Tuesday said its subsidiary has received emergency use authorisation (EUA) from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to manufacture and market a generic version of MSD and Ridgeback's antiviral drug molnupiravir under the brand name Molxvir in India.

The DCGI has approved molnupiravir for treatment of adult patients with COVID-19 and who have high risk of progression of the disease including hospitalisation or death.

Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar's cabinet underwent an expansion on Tuesday with two MLAs from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) being elevated to the post of Ministers. BJP's Kamal Gupta and JJP's Devender Singh Babli were inducted as new ministers of the state cabinet at 4 PM at the Raj Bhavan, the chief minister's office said. 

The oath of office was administered to the two Ministers by Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya. While BJP's Kamal Gupta took the oath in Sanskrit, Devender Singh Babli was administered the oath in Hindi. After taking the oath, the two Ministers greeted CM Manohar Lal, Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala and Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta, who were also present at the ceremony. 

According to Karanata Government's notification, private hospitals will not be allowed to reuse vials once opened. "Once opened, a vial will have to be used within 4 hours itself", the notification read. 

Protesting doctors hold a press briefing at Safdarjung Hospital after Health Minister urged them to call off their strike in the public interest. 

Protesting doctors are holding a meeting at Safdarjung Hospital after Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya urged them to call off their strike in the public interest. 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed the media and attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over deaths due to COVID-19.

ED has sought details from DGGI over raids in Kanpur and Kannauj. DGGI had recovered over Rs 250 crores of cash, 25 kg gold, and 250 kg silver during the raids.  

NIA to reply on the witness' claim on the Malegaon Blast case after witness Sameer Kulkarni makes a shocking revelation that he was forced by the ATS to name Yogi Adityanath and some RSS leaders in the Malegaon case.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya urged protesting doctors to call off their strike in the public interest. Doctors have gathered at Safdarjung Hospital to register their protest against the delay in the NEET PG counselling.

Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya meets with representatives of protesting doctors. Over 3000 doctors have gathered at Safdarjung Hospital to register their protest against the delay in the NEET PG counselling.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes impromptu meet with fresh graduates of IIT Kanpur who could not be a part of the graduation ceremony

RSS Leader Indresh Kumar speaks to Republic over Malegaon blast case witness Sameer Kulkarni's shocking claims that he was asked to name Yogi Adityanath and other RSS leaders in the case.

An Election Commission team led by the Chief Election Commissioner arrived in Lucknow on a three-day visit to review the situation before the upcoming UP polls. 

Citizens above 60 years of age with co-morbidities are not required to obtain a medical certificate for a precaution dose of COVID-19. But, they will be given the option of precaution dose of the vaccine on the advice of their doctor from January 10.

Responding to Republic's question, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has denied links with arrested businessman Piyush Jain. 

COVID19 restrictions under Yellow alert of Graded Response Action Plan in #Delhi: Night curfew 10pm-5am, Delhi Metro, restaurants, bars to operate at 50% capacity; Cinema halls,spas,gyms,multiplexes, banquet halls, auditoriums & sports complexes to be closed,with immediate effect. 

As the COVID19 positivity rate has been above 0.5% for the past few days, we are enforcing Level-I (Yellow alert) of the Graded Response Action Plan. A detailed order on restrictions to be implemented will be released soon: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday granted approval to two indigenously developed vaccines and one anti-viral drug for the treatment of adult patients of COVID-19 having “a high risk of progression of the disease.” Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mansukh Mandviya announced that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation and Health Ministry has approved the CORBEVAX vaccine, COVOVAX vaccine, and anti-viral drug Molnupiravir. In the aftermath, the two new vaccines have become what people are terming as 'game-changers' in India's battle against the SARS-CoV-2 and its variants including the latest Omicron strain. 

Read more to know if new vaccines are efficient against Omicron.

In a massive reprieve for Hyderabad-based vaccine giant  Biological-E, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on Tuesday, approved its vaccine - Corbevax. Apart from Corbevax, DCGI has also given a nod to Cipla's anti-viral drug Molnupiravir to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19. With Corbevax's approval, India's vaccine kitty has expanded to Covishield, Covaxin, Sputnik V, Moderna vaccine (mRNA-1273), Janssen vaccine, ZyCoV-D and allowed import of any foreign-based vaccine i.e Pfizer.

Issuing a press release, Biological E explained, "Corbevax is a “recombinant protein sub-unit” vaccine, developed from the receptor biding domain (RBD) of the spike protein on the virus’s surface combined with Dynavax’s CpG 1018 adjuvant with alum, which helps the body build the immune response against the virus. It is India’s first indigenously developed protein sub-unit vaccine against COVID-19 and has been developed by Biological E. Limited in collaboration with Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development (Texas Children’s CVD) and Baylor College of Medicine (Baylor) in Houston, Texas". The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) gave its nod to Corbevax on Monday.

Corbevax vaccine is India's 1st indigenously developed RBD protein sub-unit vaccine against COVID-19, Made by Hyderabad-based firm Biological-E. It's a hat-trick! It's now 3rd vaccine developed in India." 

RBD is a critical component of the viral spike glycoprotein that is found in coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. 

As for Biological E's Corbevax, in light of the suggestions of the SEC meeting held on December 10, the firm submitted a proposal for grant of marketing authorisation to the vaccine for restricted emergency use in adults along with the updated interim safety and immunogenicity data of phase 2/3 clinical trial and updated interim safety and immunogenicity data of phase 3 active comparator trial.

The vaccine should be administered intramuscularly in two doses of 0.5 ml each with intervals of 28 days (Day 0 and 28) and has to be stored between 2 degrees Celsius to 8 degrees celsius, mentioned the PTI, citing sources. 

With the latest update, the number of vaccines that have received emergency use authorisation in India has now increased to eight. So far, Serum Institute's Covishield, Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, Zydus Cadila's ZyCoV-D, Russia's Sputnik V and the US-made Moderna and Johnson and Johnson have received emergency use authorisation.

Read more

At the outset of the arrest of pro-Khalistani terrorist Jaswinder Multani on December 28 in the Ludhiana blast case, it is affirmed that the explosion was conspired by Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa terrorist Rinda Sandhu alias Harvinder Sandhu. Intelligence sources confirmed that German Federal Police was intercepted by Indian authorities about Multani's warrant and the arrest was made accordingly.

It is pertinent to note that Sandhu, a staunch supporter of the banned outfit SFJ (Sikhs for Justice), allegedly carried out the Ludhiana explosion on December 23 on the orders of Multani. Also, Sandhu has been under the scanner for his alleged links with Lahore-based Babbar Khalsa international chief Wadhawa Singh Babbar and has also been under the scanner for planning to target Delhi and Mumbai. 

Who is Rinda Sandhu & what are his links with terrorist Jaswinder Multani?

Inside details of terrorist Sandhu reveal that he was a pro-Khalistani radical who operated from Pakistan and has been on the radar along the Indo-Pak borders at Sialkot. Sandhu is noted in terror links and records of Punjab Police and premier anti-terror agency National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 'over two dozen cases', as per top sources of Republic TV. 

Multani, the main conspirator, is said to have devised mechanisms to smuggle arms and explosives into Punjab to incite disharmony in the state ahead of the 2022 Punjab Assembly polls. On the other hand, there exist shreds of evidence and records that imply that Sandhu, following Multani's directions, even advanced an unlawful drug cartel in the country routed from Pakistan. The same is registered in multiple FIRs before the Punjab Police.

Ludhiana blast case prime suspect - Gagandeep Singh

The prime suspect - Gagandeep Singh, who is an ex-police personnel, was killed while operating the blast, said the police. The probe revealed that Gagandeep Singh was posted as munshi at Sadar Khanna police station. He was dismissed from service after a case was registered against him under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. As a result, he was put in jail in 2019 and was only released in the month of September this year.  

As per sources, the prime accused had devised the blast while being lodged in relation to several NDPS cases. While in jail, the dismissed cop got in touch with Cheeta, who introduced him to Pakistani-handler Rinda Sandhu. 

With a few days left for commencing the drive for vaccinating children and further administering COVID-19 booster doses to the frontline workers and senior citizens, the Union Health Ministry is expected to hold a virtual workshop of Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) on Tuesday. The virtual session is likely to begin at 11:30 AM. 

According to officials, the workshop specifically organised for the Chief Medical Officers from across the states will hold discussions on the strategies which will be implemented for carrying out the vaccination drive for children between the age of 15 to 18 years and booster shots for frontline workers, healthcare workers and senior citizens above the age of 60 with comorbidities. Along with that, strategies will be also communicated to the CMOs accordingly. 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday issued the Arab World’s first civil marriage license to a non-Muslim couple flipping the age-long personal status laws on marriage and divorce that are based on Islamic Sharia principles. The move comes as, in November 2021, the federation made a formal announcement that the non-muslims would be allowed to marry, divorce, and get joint child custody under civil law in Abu Dhabi in accordance with the new decree issued by ruler Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The UAE witnessed the region’s first-ever ‘non-Muslim’ civil marriage which was reportedly officiated by a court of the Islamic country. Arab’s domestic news outlets reported that the newly-wedded non-muslim couple are Canadian nationals and the ceremony was held via a video conference in accordance with rules set by the law.

“The happy couple expressed their thanks and gratitude for facilitating the civil marriage contract service in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and expressed their appreciation for the efforts made both in terms of organisation, ease of application, and speed in concluding the authentication procedures,” UAE’s Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported. “Civil marriage registration service is now available on the official website of the Judicial Department, for both residents and visiting tourists. The contracting and registration of marriage is done remotely through video conferencing technology,” it added.

While India continues to face rising cases of Omicron variant ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, senior Congress leader and Chhattisgarh Health Minister TS Singh Deo has suggested that the Election Commission of India conducts the Assembly polls earlier than the scheduled time.

While speaking to ANI, Minister TS Singh Deo said that postponing the upcoming assembly elections in the five states will not be the right decision as there are rising concerns over a possible third wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

Further expressing his surprise over the Allahabad High Court's appeal to the Election Commission for postponing the Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh for the next one or two months, he said that more problems arise if the elections are postponed as the positivity rate is still less at this moment.

"When the country is in the middle of the third wave of COVID-19, it will become more difficult to conduct elections", he said. He further added that the elections would not be able to take place before September or October in 2022 if the polls are postponed for now and that President's rule will have to be imposed in the states as the Assembly terms would be over by then. "The commission shall conduct the elections before the decided time in view of the possible third wave", Singh said.

Russia’s antiviral drug Avifavir is effective against different variants of COVID-19, such as Delta and Omicron, ChemRar Group, the developer of the drug said on Monday. According to a press release, the Russian company explained that Avifavir affected the highly conservative and mutation-resistant replication systems of RNA virus, resulting in a complete blockade of the viral infection. It said that the antiviral drug can also alleviate the symptoms and drastically decrease the duration of COVID-19, while the pathogen cannot develop resistance to the drug.  

"The ChemRar Group, the developer of the Russian drug against coronavirus Avifavir, announces about its efficacy against COVID-19, including the new Delta and Omicron strains. Avifavir acts on genetically highly conservative RNA virus replication systems, including delta and omicron strains of SARS-CoV-2, and it does so through three complementary mechanisms," according to the statement.

BCCI President and former India captain Sourav Ganguly has been admitted to hospital after testing positive for COVID-19, say BCCI sources

Shocked at the police action on protesting doctors, top doctor unions - AIIMS Resident Doctors' Association, Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) and Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) have called for complete shut down of health services on December 29 in protest. Over 2500 doctors clashed with Delhi police on Monday, as doctors took to the streets demanding expedition of NEET-PG counselling. Doctors have been on indefinite strike since December 17

AIIMS RDA issued a statement condemning 'manhandling of doctors by Police', demanding the immediate release of all detained doctors with an apology from the govt & police. It added, "If no response from govt within 24 hrs, AIIMS RDA to go on a strike on Dec 29 including a shutdown of all non-emergency services". Similarly, FORDA termed Monday a 'Black Day' and announced that all healthcare institutions would be completely shutdown from today. FAIMA too has called for complete withdrawal from all healthcare services across the country from 8 am on December 29 "in protest against brute force by Delhi Police against doctors".

India reports 6,358 new COVID-19 cases and 6,450 recoveries in the last 24 hours. Active caseload currently stands at 75,456. Recovery Rate currently at 98.40%

With the administration of 72,87,547 vaccine doses in the last 24 hrs, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeds 142.47 Cr. The recovery rate of 98.40% is the highest since March'20. Weekly positivity Rate at 0.64% remains less than 1% from last 44 days: Union Health Ministry

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has tested positive for COVID-19:

Sources confirmed the Chief Minister is likely to take a decision on implementing Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). 

United States President Joe Biden, on December 27, committed the federal government's complete support to states dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks, caused by the more-transmissible Omicron variant. Biden acknowledged long lines and chaotic scenes, as Americans sought testing amid the surge and wanted to safely meet with family and friends during the holiday.

"My message is: if you need something, say something, and we are going to have your back any way we can," Biden said at a regular meeting between his coronavirus response team and the National Governors Association, according to various media reports.

Joe Biden mentioned his administration's proposal to make 500 million quick tests available to Americans starting next month through a website that is still being constructed.

"Seeing how tough it was for some folks to get a test this weekend shows we have more work to do and we’re doing it," Biden said. A White House official said that the new tests would come from new manufacturing capacity and wouldn't interfere with existing supply chains, AP reported.

On being asked if the quarantine period should be shortened for those who test positive for COVID-19, Biden deferred to his medical team advisers, stating, "When I get a recommendation I follow it." Even while his administration is preparing to purchase nearly half a billion COVID-19 fast test kits and distribute them for free in American households, it has been reported that despite the urgency, it would take a few weeks for these to be ready.

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and his wife Sudesh Dhankhar handed over a cheque amounting to Rs 5.5 lakh to the family of the late Havaldar Satpal Rai, who died in the IAF chopper crash on December 8. The family was called on at Raj Bhawan in Darjeeling on Monday and handed over the financial assistance to braveheart's wife & mother. Late Satpal Rai was onboard the Mi-17V5 helicopter that was also carrying CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 12 others in uniform. 

With a single-day rise of 12 infections, the number of Omicron cases in Telangana has jumped to 55 on Monday. Out of the 12 cases, 10 passengers have returned from non-risk countries over the last three days followed by the other two who are the contacts of the existing patients. To date, the state has recorded five cases from 'at-risk' countries. 

In an official board bulletin, State Director of Public Health G Srinivasa Rao informed that the 10 International passengers from the 'non-risk' countries had arrived at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad and then were later found positive for the Omicron variant after testing. Besides the other two were in contact with the Dubai-returned person of Siricilla district.

Currently, their total number of Omicron variant patients has touched 55. Meanwhile,10 patients have recovered from the variant and the remaining 45 are under isolation at the Telangana Institute of Medical Science in Hyderabad. 

In a rare confession, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan lauded India's tech exports boom admitting that his country had fallen behind in comparison. Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Lahore Technopolis on December 23, Imran Khan remarked that while Indian tech exports boomed to $150 billion within 15-20 years, Pakistan was lagging far behind and could only reach $2 billion.

“Unfortunately, Pakistan lagged behind in the sector despite having ideal conditions, including a huge population of young people,” he said, adding that within 15 to 20 years, Indian tech exports boomed to $150 billion while Pakistan's could reach only $2 billion,” The Express Tribune quoted Imran Khan as saying.

He also specified how Pakistan failed to pick pace in the technology sector despite having ideal conditions including a huge young population. Discussing the growth of tech companies during the COVID-19 slump, he lamented over how Pakistan could not pick on the benefits at a time when tech giants were profiting. He further added that when the country started achieving economic growth, the current account got disturbed owing to the import of machinery.

"This ultimately devalued the local currency and compelled the government to approach the IMF for loans", The Express Tribune reported. “The country can only come out of this cycle by boosting its exports and allowing wealth creation,” he said.

Khan also cited the Chinese model of development and shared how the Communist country had achieved remarkable progress. "China steered 700 million people out of poverty by eliminating corruption and jailing over 450 ministerial-level people and enhancing exports,” he underlined.

Ahead of Uttar Pradesh General Assembly elections scheduled for February to March in 2022 to elect 403 members, an Election Commission (EC) delegation led by EC Chief Sushil Chandra will begin a three-day tour from Tuesday, December 29. The itinerary includes meeting with all leaders of all national and regional parties in Lucknow. The delegation is set to meet officials of UP Police and central security forces too to assess the law and order situation during and after UP Polls.

On December 29, the delegation will hold a review meeting with all district returning officers, police chiefs and IGs. On the last day, the panel will hold talks with the Chief Secretary and the Director-General of Police.

Assembly Elections are slated to be held in five states including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Manipur and Punjab next year. Amid rising Omicron cases in the country, the Allahabad High Court on Thursday urged the Election Commission to notify the postponement of polls in Uttar Pradesh for 1-2 months. It further urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the EC to ban rallies and public meetings of political parties in the state. 

"Modi made a big show of his visit to Vatican and meeting The Most Reverend Pope but Modi’s foot soldiers are spitting Venom against Christians and Muslims."

Speaking to the media on Monday, AIMIM supremo Asaduddin Owaisi frowned upon the efforts of other political parties to woo Brahmins ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. Claiming that mainstream parties like BJP, BSP and Samajwadi Party do not care for the welfare of Muslims who account for nearly 19% of the state's population, he stressed the need to develop leadership within the community. According to the Hyderabad MP, this new leadership can represent the interests of Muslims in an effective manner. 

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi remarked, "Akhilesh Yadav, BJP and BSP are trying their best to secure Brahmin votes. There is one common factor- they are working hard on all castes and communities except Muslims who account for 19% population. All these parties have left 19% Muslims orphaned and poor. Their vote has no importance."

He added, "This is what we are telling the Muslim minority of Uttar Pradesh. You should develop your leadership. People will understand the importance of your vote when you develop your leadership. These political parties will never accept this nor will take efforts in ensuring that 19% Muslims of Uttar Pradesh get their due share and many leaders emerge who can work for the justice of Muslim minorities." 

In another attack on Samajwadi Party and its chief Akhilesh Yadav, Supreme Court advocate Vishwanath Chaturvedi alleged the SP chief and his close aides of running bogus companies and further carrying out transactions worth crore of rupees. However, responding to the same, the party has refuted such allegations saying that it has been sponsored by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). 

Advocate Vishwanath Chaturvedi on Monday while addressing a press conference in Lucknow levelled a series of allegations on Samajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav, his brother Prateek and other people close to him and accused them of running 16 fraud companies and transacting worth crore of rupees. He further said that the 16 companies have been registered under the same address and a single mobile number. Apart from that, he also alleged Akhilesh Yadav and his close aides of having links with mafia Chhota Shakeel. Additionally, Chaturvedi also accused Akhilesh Yadav of transacting business with Chhota Shakeel while he was the chief minister. 

Urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to initiate necessary action in regard to this, he said that details concerning the same has been given to the Income Tax Department a year ago but no action was taken so far. 

Amid the Omicron surge in the United States, flight cancellations had hampered holiday travel which stretched into Monday, as airlines cancelled over 1,000 flights in the nation. 

For the four consecutive days, the cancellation of the flights took place due to employees being sick with the coronavirus disease during the time of one of the busiest travel periods of the year, as well as the US storms which contributed to the chaos. As per FlightAware, which records flight cancellations, airlines have cancelled almost 4,000 flights to, from, or within the United States since Friday. 

This year has seen a lot of flight delays and cancellations due to airline personnel shortages, as per the Associated Press.  As air traffic dropped in 2020, airlines pushed workers to resign, and operators have battled to make up ground this year when air travel returned quickly than nearly everyone predicted. Further, the introduction of the Omicron strain has only added to the difficulty. 

John Grant, senior analyst at travel industry research firm OAG, "During the pandemic, we have seen experienced airline personnel leave the industry and not return across the globe. Filling those skill gaps was already a challenge in the recovery before the latest variant," the Associated Press reported. 

Meanwhile, when the new COVID-19 strain Omicron is included, however, airline staffing figures become "irrelevant," according to Atmosphere Research Group travel industry researcher Henry Harteveldt. 

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi made big announcements concerning the vaccination drive in India, Union Health Ministry has issued new guidelines for vaccinating adolescents and precautionary doses to healthcare and frontline workers, and to people above 60 years of age who have co-morbidities. 

How to register online to avail vaccination slots for adolescents aged 15-18 years?

• Individuals falling in the age group between 15 and 18 years can register on Co-WIN to book a slot and receive the COVID vaccine dose. All those whose birth year is 2007 or before will be eligible to register themselves on Co-WIN. 
• Beneficiaries can self-register or can use an existing account on Co-WIN to book the vaccination slot. To create a new account, one can do it through their mobile number, this facility is currently available for all eligible citizens.  
• The eligible candidates can also register for COVID vaccination offline by the verifier/vaccinator in facilitated registration mode.
• Beneficiaries are offered an option to book their vaccination slot online or onsite. 

According to the new guidelines issued by the Health Ministry, for the population aged 15-17 years, the option for vaccination would only be available for Covaxin as this is the only vaccine with EUL for this age group. Adolescents of this age group will be vaccinated from January 3, 2022, and its effect will be reviewed time-to-time. 

Amid rising cases of Omicron in India, the Centre on Monday reviewed the public health response measures and vaccination status with five poll-bound states. During the meeting, the Centre advised ramping up vaccination of all eligible sections of the population through the district-wise weekly plan with daily review, an official release of the government stated. It also urged states to exponentially accelerate testing to curb the sudden surge of COVID-19 cases, along with the strict enforcement of COVID-appropriate behavior. 

A meeting was also scheduled between the Election Commission of India and senior Health Ministry officials today, December 27. Here, Union Health secretary Rajesh Bhushan, apprised the Commission on the condition of the pandemic and the vaccination coverage, especially in the states going for assembly elections in 2023. Five states would go to the polls in February-March next year. These include Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur, and Goa. The commission and the Ministry are expected to hold another meeting in January 2022 to have a more comprehensive discussion and review of the situation. 

India's Omicron tally is inching closer to the 600-mark. As of December 27, a total of 578 cases of the Omicron variant have also been reported from across the country with Delhi leading the tally with 142 cases followed by Maharashtra at 141 cases. India on Monday reported fresh 6,531 cases in the last 24 hours taking the active COVID-19 tally to 75,841. 

The Kerala government on Monday directed that New Year celebrations shall not continue after 10 PM on December 31 and similar restrictions shall be in place at night from December 30 to January 2, possibly with a view to prevent any increase in COVID-19 cases due to the festivities.

The decision to impose restrictions at night -- from 10 PM to 5 AM -- from December 30 to January 2 was taken in a COVID review meeting presided over by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday, a state government release said.

In the meeting, it was decided that New Year's celebrations would not be allowed after 10 PM on December 31 and the seating capacity in bars, clubs, hotels, restaurants and eateries will remain at 50 per cent, the release said.

It was also decided in the meeting that District Collectors will deploy sectoral magistrates with adequate support from police officers in areas such as beaches, shopping malls and public parks where large crowds are likely to gather for the New Year celebrations, it said. 

Besides that, areas where COVID-19 was spreading should be monitored for cluster formations, be considered as containment zones and restrictions should be tightened there, the Chief Minister directed at the meeting.

NITI Aayog on Monday released the fourth State Health Index presenting data about the improvement in a state's health infrastructure. Out of 19 larger states evaluated across India, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh bagged the top spot as it made the biggest jump in rankings and showed the most improvement in its Health Index between the base year 2018-19 and the reference year 2019-20. Following the Index's release, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said that the health system in the UP has undergone lots of development in the last 2-3 years and congratulated the state for its 'impressive progress'. 

Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi on December 27, Monday said that his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe has agreed to start operating a hotline between their defence officials as tensions between the two nations escalated over disputed islets in the East China Sea in the recent months. At a state press conference, Kishi said that he held a video conference call with his Chinese counterpart, where the latter acknowledged that peace and stability are vital for Japan's security. Bilateral ties between Japan and China are thwarted as Beijing reasserts territorial claims on the disputed Senkaku Islands. Tokyo on Monday stressed that it will closely monitor developments there, according to Nikkei Asia. "We need candid communication to foster mutual understanding," Kishi said. 

"We confirmed that the early establishment of a hotline between Japanese and Chinese defence authorities is important," the Japanese news agency Nikkei Asia quoted Kishi as saying earlier yesterday.

The Japanese minister expressed "extreme grave concern” over routine incursions by the Chinese coast guard ships in the disputed waters surrounding the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands, which Beijing calls Diaoyu.