Breaking News updates: Boris Johnson holds press conference over Omicron COVID variant

To counter the Omicron COVID variant, the UK requires anyone entering the country to take a PCR test within the second day of arrival & isolate till then, says Boris Johnson. T

The railway is constructing the world's tallest bridge pier in Manipur which is a part of the 111 km long Jiribam-Imphal railway project Sandeep Sharma, Chief Engineer of the project informed, "With the completion of the project the 111 km of distance will be covered in 2-2.5 hrs."

Due to torrential rains observed in the city for the past few days, several regions in Chennai were partially submerged in floodwater.

Union MoS Jitendra Singh told ANI, "Developed at National Aerospace Laboratories it can be used in hilly states like J&K, Himachal, Arunachal where transportation isn't easy & it's difficult for health workers to transport vaccines".

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Mohali said, "Channi Sahab said electricity has been made free in Punjab. I ask you if you have access to free electricity. Who all are such beneficiaries? Did he lie? I've brought bills of Delhi's 1 Lakh consumers.35 Lakh consumers received zero electricity bill last month".

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad in Kashmir's Kulgam said, "Usually, UTs are upgraded to state. But in our case, the state was downgraded to UT. It's like demoting DGP to the post of thanedaar, CM to MLA, and chief secretary to Patwari. No wise man can do this."

BKU leader Rajveer Singh Jadaun in Delhi informed, "In today's meeting of SKM, we have decided to continue to protest until Govt holds talks with us over MSP, the death of farmers during the protest, & the Lakhimpur violence matter. We do not agree with Govt's announcements today". 

Aircel Maxis case: Delhi court issues summons to former Union Minister P Chidambaram, his son Karti Chidambaram and others in ED and CBI cases. The court takes cognizance of the charge sheets filed by probe agencies in the matter.

"We will come to find talent in the rural areas. They will be chosen, tested, polished and made capable of turning into diamonds so that they bring laurels to India. Ravi Dahiya of the future will be found like this."

"If you look at medal winners, you will realise that they are not from affluent households. Those with fire in their belly and the sense to do & achieve something, those from rural areas are winning medals for India," he added.

After Narendra Singh Tomar's appeal to protesting farmers, unions have called off the demonstration scheduled for November 29. Earlier today, Tomar had asked the farmers to end their agitation and 'go home'.

Delhi Congress leader Mukesh Goel joins Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the presence of Deputy CM Manish Sisodia.

PM Narendra Modi chaired a comprehensive meeting which lasted for almost 2 hours to review the public health preparedness & vaccination-related situation for Covid-19 today morning: PMO

• PM highlighted need for monitoring all international arrivals, their testing as per guidelines, with a specific focus on countries identified ‘at risk’. PM also asked officials to review plans for easing international travel restrictions in light of the emerging new evidence
• PM directed officials to work closely with state govts to ensure that there is proper awareness at state & district levels. He directed that intensive containment & active surveillance should continue in clusters reporting higher cases
• Officials briefed PM Modi about the new Variant of Concern ‘Omicron’ along with its characteristics & impact seen in various countries. Its implications for India were also discussed. PM spoke about the need to be proactive in light of the new variant

Children are allowed to go to Sabarimala temple without RT-PCR test report, says Kerala Govt However, adults will require either the final vaccination certificate or an RTPCR negative certificate within 72 hours to enter temple premises 

15 fire fighters have rushed to the spot. No casualties are reported as yet. 

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar announced today that a committee will be formed to deliberate on the issues of crop diversification, zero-budget farming, and making the MSP system more transparent and effective. 

"This committee will have representatives from farmers' organizations. With the constitution of this committee, farmers' demand on MSP stands fulfilled," said Tomar. 

"Farmer organizations had demanded to decriminalize stubble burning by farmers. The government of India has accepted this demand as well," the Minister said. 

"As far as cases registered during the protest are concerned, it comes under the jurisdiction of state governments and they will take a decision. The state governments will decide on the issue of compensation too, as per their state policy," he clarified.

While speaking to CNN, chief medical advisor to the US President and director of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr Fauci, said, "Right now you're talking about sort of like a red flag that this might be an issue- but we don't know." He clarified that once it is tested it would be clear whether the new COVID strain "does or does not evade the antibodies that we make- for example against the virus, through a vaccine."  

"US scientists are in very active discussion with South African specialists to learn more about the molecular makeup of the variant so that researchers can examine for the variant in the United States. This kind of data also can help investigators better foretell how well current COVID-19 vaccines may work against the variant," Fauci told CNN.

The administration of Andhra Pradesh said on Friday that 44 people have died as a result of floods triggered by the state's unprecedented rain. According to a statement released by the state government, the floods devastated a total of 1990 villages in 119 mandals in four districts namely -- Kadapa, Chittoor, Anantapur, and Nellore -- with 211 villages entirely flooded, 44 persons killed, and 16 people still missing.

"The rains, which started after the first week of this month, continue to fall today. The Rains began on the 16-17th. As never seen before in history, heavy rains inundated Rayalaseema. On the streets of Tirumala and in the town of Tirupati, we have experienced heavy rains and vehicles being washed away," the statement said. "Four buses were stuck in the flood, where an RTC bus had fallen from Nadaluru bridge, causing 10 people to succumb to death and the rest were rescued by SDRF teams. 10 others had died at Sivalayam which is on the banks of the river," it said.

A collision took place between MVs Aviator & Atlantic Grace in the Gulf of Kutch on Nov 26 night. No casualties, oil slick reported. Indian Coast Guard ships in the area including pollution control vessel on stand-by in the vicinity & monitoring the situation: PRO Defence, Gujarat.

Bengaluru-Patna GoAir flight with 139 passengers & crew members on board makes an emergency land at Nagpur airport due to technical glitch, as per an official of Nagpur airport.

Amid concerns over the new South Africa COVID strain, Mumbai announces genome sequencing for those arriving from South Africa. 

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, along with other state officials, at Gyan Bhawan, Patna, took an oath on November 26, to abstain from alcohol consumption for the rest of their life, pledging that the state's liquor prohibition law will be enforced more effectively in the future. The CM urged people to help with the project since alcohol is detrimental to health and society. Media agency ANI posted a video of the event on Twitter with the caption, "Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and his cabinet and others present at Gyan Bhawan in Patna today took a pledge that they would neither consume liquor nor take part in any activity related to it."

Number of crimes and accidents decreased after liquor ban: CM Nitish

The Nitish Kumar led government banned alcohol use in 2016. Kumar went on to say that since the legislation was implemented in 2016, the number of crimes and accidents has decreased across the state. The CM also recognised 31 officials, including police officers, for their efforts in enforcing the order. All law enforcement authorities must ensure that the ban is properly enforced across the state, he said, adding that all violators, including government employees, will face harsh penalties, according to several media reports. Patna police recently raided many hotels and wedding halls in the state capital, arresting several people on suspicion of consuming and distributing alcohol.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asserted that Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Akhilesh Yadav must repent and apologise for what entailed in the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots. Further, CM Yogi claimed the state's law and order, under the SP regime, was disrupted while girls and women were unsafe. 

"There were riots every second day. Who can forego the Muzaffarnagar riots? Who can forget the Kosi Kalan riots? Disturbance and commotion erupted on a daily basis. Day to day rioting in Bareilly cannot be forgotten either.  Who can let go of all that?" CM Yogi Adityanath asked. 

With the objective to motivate the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to join the armed forces, the Indian Army held an interactive program in the border district of Samba. The initiative has been taken to urge the youth to join Indian Armed forces and make them aware of the operational preparedness. 

As a part of this program, college students including children from border districts partook and they were educated about weapons used by the Army to combat enemies. Further, details regarding various weaponry including anti-tank guided missiles, Sig Sauer assault rifles (SiG 716), and their effectiveness were briefed to them.

State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran in Chennai stated, "Eight people have died in rain-related incidents in Tamil Nadu, out of which 3 people lost their lives yesterday. Two teams of NDRF have been deployed in Chinglepet and one in Kanchipuram."

"Waterlogging has been reported at 220 places in Chennai, out of which water is cleared at 34 places. The process to pump out floodwater is ongoing at 127 places," he added. 

Gujarat mandates RT-PCR testing for travellers landing at the airports in the state from Europe, UK, Brazil, South Africa, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Hong Kong over the new variant concerns

"After the announcement of the repeal of the three farm laws, there is no point in continuing farmers' agitation. I urge farmers to end their agitation and go home," Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said.

The Central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to introduce the all-important Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 on the opening day of the winter session on Monday, November 29. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar will move the bill for introduction and passage. The move comes as a show of the government’s quick response to its promise to the farmers. PM Modi had announced the decision to repeal the three contentious farm laws earlier last week.

An official bulletin on Friday confirmed that the repeal legislation will be listed at the Lok Sabha on the opening day of the winter session. Minister Narendra Tomar will push the bill for passage. Meanwhile, the opposition is adamant to discuss the bill in the House in order to attack the government. The opposition which had earlier spoken against the laws will bring up the issues faced by the farmers during the tenure of the protest.

"Akhilesh had laid the foundation stone of Purvanchal Expressway, but after 2017 it was found that the work was zero per cent. Tenders were issued, but there was no land," CM Adityanath said to Republic TV. 

Mumbai Police said, "A 20-year-old woman was raped and killed by an unidentified person in Kurla area of Mumbai, Maharashtra. The woman's body, which had started decomposing, was found in a vacant building. A case has been registered under Sections 376 & 302 of IPC."

The girl’s body was found in a lift room in the HDIL compound in Kurla. In the same building, an 18-year-old boy had gone to shoot a video along with his friends, when he witnessed the body of a girl. He then contacted the Mumbai Police Control room.

Girl found with serious injuries marks on her head and body and it has been sent for autopsy in Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar. Also, police are trying to identify the girl.

Paying his tribute to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, US State Secretary Antony Blinken on Friday, 26 November, asserted that even thirteen years after the terrorist attack on 26 November 2008 "it is long overdue for the perpetrators to face justice". Hailing the "resilience of Mumbaikars", Blinken also paid homage to the six Americans killed in the dastardly attack. The attack, as per ANI, killed 174 people, including 20 security force officials and 26 foreign nationals and injured 300 others.

Claiming that BJP does not have people's trust anymore, Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath reached out to NSUI (National Students Union of India) State Secretary who was admitted to hospital after violent clashes broke on during Thursday protest. Speaking to the media persons, Kamal Nath said that police had beaten up his 'partner'. On November 25, NSUI had launched an agitation near Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan's residence in Bhopal against NEP, inflation, rising unemployment and other issues. 

"I had come to see my partner who was beaten up by the police yesterday. Now BJP is left with police, administration and money only. Public trust is not lost, every section is troubled," added the former MP CM. 

The World Trade Organization (WTO) on Saturday, 27 November postponed its conference of government ministers which was set to commence on Tuesday next week over the spread of the new highly concerning Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 with several mutations. The move was prompted after Switzerland instated new travel bans to curb an event of the variant outbreak within the country via air travel.

Read full story here:

Delhi's Department of Environment & Forests has issued an order banning entry of trucks in the national capital except those carrying essential commodities from today till Nov 30.

In what would be a major boost to India's health infrastructure, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed on Friday that the Centre plans to invest approximately Rs 64,000 crore in the next five years to improve the county's health sector. 

The Union Minister, during a one day visit to Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang district, interacted with healthcare workers at the Khandro Drowa Zangmo District Hospital and apprised them of numerous health welfare schemes launched by the Union government. 

"Never in the past was health considered as wealth. The present Union Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working on these lines to provide health security to all through its various health welfare schemes," Mandaviya said in an official statement. 

Fuel rates in all major cities on November 27, 2021

• Mumbai

Petrol - Rs 109.98 per litre

Diesel - Rs 94.14 per litre

• Delhi

Petrol - Rs 103.97 per litre

Diesel - Rs 86.67 per litre

• Chennai

Petrol - Rs 101.40 per litre

Diesel - Rs 91.43 per litre

• Kolkata

Petrol - Rs 104.67 per litre

Diesel - Rs 89.79 per litre

• Bhopal

Petrol - Rs 107.23 per litre

Diesel - Rs 90.87 per litre

• Hyderabad

Petrol - Rs 108.20 per litre

Diesel - Rs 94.62 per litre

• Bengaluru

Petrol - Rs 100.58 per litre

Diesel - Rs 85.01 per litre

• Chandigarh

Petrol - Rs 94.23 per litre

Diesel - Rs 80.90 per litre

• Guwahati

Petrol - Rs 94.58 per litre

Diesel - Rs 81.29 per litre

• Lucknow

Petrol - Rs 95.28 per litre

Diesel - Rs 86.80 per litre

A top Maoist militia commander, who was said to be involved in 9 deadly attacks on our security forces was eliminated on Friday in a successful encounter in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district. The wanted Maoist, identified as Basta Bheema, was carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head.     

He was killed in a gunfight that took place at 7 pm in the forest area of Tadmelta village when the joint team of the district reserve guard of the police and the CRPF's elite cobra 201 battalion was out on an anti-Maoist operation. The patrolling team was cordoning off the forest area when the firing started.

One rifle and IED weighing about 5 kg, along with 2 BGL shells and 20 electric detonators were recovered by the CRPF. 

Dismissing the chances of any 'Maha coalition' working against BJP, Adityanath pointed out the Opposition's poll loss in 2014, 2017 and 2019. The 403-seat UP assembly where Yogi rules with an iron-clad majority of 314 seats, is up for battle in February 2022. 

"In 2017, there was a coalition of two boys and in 2019 there was a Mahagathbandhan and we have seen the results. It is common that those who are of one thought - dynastic, corrupt, mafia, will come together. People know this and has decided what answer to give them. What happened in 2014, 2017, 2019 will repeat in 2022, voting for the facilities provided by Centre and Uttar Pradesh govt," he said.

India reports 8,318 new COVID cases, 10,967 recoveries, and 465 deaths in the last 24 hours.

• Active cases: 1,07,019
• Total recoveries: 3,39,88,797
• Death toll: 4,67,933
• Total vaccination: 121.06 crore doses

Visuals from Valluvar Kottam & T Nagar area

In light of an increase in coronavirus cases caused by the newly discovered B.1.1.529 variant, dubbed Omicron, in countries including South Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong, the Karnataka government has issued guidelines for the ‘rigorous’ screening for travellers from these countries.

The state government issued an order stating that international arrivals from the three countries will need to undergo screening and testing. Travellers from other ‘at risk’ countries’ will also be subjected to rigorous screening, the state government informed.

“Botswana, South Africa and Hong Kong are already on the list of at-risk countries for international travellers coming to India. It is, therefore, imperative that all international travellers coming from and transiting through Botswana, South Africa and Hong Kong, and also including all other at-risk countries identified by the Centre, are subjected to rigorous screening and testing as per guidelines,” the circular stated.

As of Friday, all three countries listed by the state reported cases of the new Omicron COVID strain. The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the strain as a Variants of Concern (VoC). South Africa reported six cases of the new variant while Botswana reported three and Hong Kong reported one case. The WHO has stated that the fresh variant has a significantly high number of mutations.

The European Union's 27-nation bloc issued a temporary ban on air travel from South Africa, due to which stocks in Asia, Europe, and the US plummeted. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has fallen by over 1,000 points and the price of oil has dropped by approximately 12%.

At noon on Friday, the United Kingdom barred flights from South Africa and five other countries from the African continent and said that everyone who had just arrived from those countries would be requested to take a coronavirus test. Germany, too, has imposed a flying ban. Flights returning from South Africa will only be able to take German nationals home, and all travellers, whether vaccinated or not, will be required to undergo quarantine for 14 days.

Anyone who has spent the previous 14 days in any of the seven southern African countries (South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, and Eswatini) would be denied admission to Italy, according to the Italian health ministry. Similar measures were envisaged in the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.

Japanese nationals going from Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, and Lesotho will be required to quarantine for ten days and take COVID-19 tests on the third, sixth, and tenth days, according to the Japanese government.

In India, states and UTs have been warned about this "really awful, heavily mutated" variant. In a letter to states and UTs, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan requested "rigorous screening and testing" of passengers travelling from the affected areas.

South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla, on November 26, called the decision by countries to impose travel restrictions on travellers from the nation, in light of the newly discovered Omicron COVID-19 variant, 'unjustified'. He added that there is no proof of the new COVID variant being more dangerous or resistant to vaccines.

He was quoted by Sputnik as saying, "We want to assure South Africans and other people elsewhere in the world that we believe some of the reactions has actually been unjustified, referring here specifically to the reaction of countries in Europe, the UK, a number of other countries. The reaction of some countries in terms of imposing travel bans and such measures are completely against the norms and standards as guided by the World Health Organization."

To combat the spread of the newly found variant in South African provinces, several countries across the globe have imposed travel restrictions from South African countries. US and European Union countries decided on Friday to implement a travel ban on the nation. The European Union (EU) presidency said in a statement that the 27 nations acted quickly after the EU executive advised them to be especially cautious in dealing with the variant until it was evident how serious of a threat it was.

US President Joe Biden On Friday, November 26, ordered further travel restrictions on countries in Southern Africa, joining efforts by other governments to try to halt the spread of a potentially lethal new COVID-19 variant. In a tweet, he reiterated his call for global vaccinations to combat the pandemic. It is to mention that the travel ban was announced after Biden's chief medical adviser, Dr Anthony Fauci, stated that COVID strain found in South Africa had not yet arrived in the United States. 

Speaking with CNN on Friday, he said that the variant has "some mutations that are raising some concern," notably about the speed with which it spreads and whether it would render existing antibodies, vaccines, and treatments less effective and the medical experts are striving to solve these problems. However, AP reported citing senior administration officials that the US government will restrict travel from South Africa and seven other nations beginning Monday.

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal is all set to visit Punjab on Saturday, November 27. This comes shortly after his earlier visit to the state on November 22 and further marks his second visit to the poll bound-state in just one week. As Punjab is ready to undergo Assembly elections in 2022, Kejriwal is ensuring to implement the party's strategies throughout the state with his 'Mission Punjab'.

Meanwhile, during his visit on Saturday, the AAP supremo is likely to visit the protesting teachers in Mohali and will extend his support to them. The teachers have been protesting for the last few days over their demands regarding the regularization of the services of contractual teachers and many others. 

With the hope of rising to power in the northern state, Kejriwal has been visiting Punjab frequently ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in 2022. Earlier in the 2017 polls, the party emerged as the second-largest party in Punjab.

PM Modi to chair a meeting on the COVID-19 situation & Vaccination with top officials at 10:30 am today

Tune in to watch the interview

Amid growing demands for a law to regularise Minimum Support Price (MSP), Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday said that it is not possible to draft a law guaranteeing MSP to farmers as it would put pressure on the government to buy their produce in case nobody else does.

Speaking to the media over MSP, Khattar said, "Till now, no discussions have been held on this. Agricultural economists also have varied opinions. It does not seem possible to draft a law on this. Law on MSP is not possible because if such a law is framed, then the onus will come on the government that if their product is not bought, then the government will have to buy it."

CM Khattar said he was also worrying that the farmers should go back. There are indications from all sides that farmers will definitely go back as soon as the law is repealed in Parliament on November 29, he added. 

The new coronavirus variant B.1.1.529 named by the World Health Organization as Omicron and classified as ‘variant of concern’ [VOC] originated in South Africa and was shared with the international database on 22 November. The strain has worried the scientists and health community as it is the most potent version of the SARS-CoV-2 variant discovered yet owing to its complex genetic code. The protein spike for the variant has over 50 mutations, with more than 30 on the spike protein that makes it much more transmissible than the now dominant Delta variant that has ravaged the global epicenter of Europe. 

What is Omicron variant? 

The heavily mutated variant B.1.1.529 is a major "cause for concern” for the virologists as it has an "awful spike" mutation profile. It has been detected in several confirmed cases of the coronavirus in South Africa where the Beta variant was detected. Now being described as a ‘dangerous’ variant due to an "extremely high" number of mutations and scientists are skeptical about how effective the vaccines will be against it. It has been found that the highly contagious variant B.1.1.529 is at the moment confined to just one province in South Africa but has shockingly spread in just less than 2 weeks. Omicron variant now dominates all infections following a devasta

Earthquake of 4.3 magnitude hits Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan: National Center for Seismology

Medical authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have urged countries against overreacting until the new coronavirus variant, first detected in South Africa, and dubbed a Variant of Concern (VOC), is properly analysed.

The WHO, on November 26, urged nations to undergo field investigations and laboratory assessments where capacity exists to improve understanding of COVID-19 Variant of Concerns (VOCs) after classifying the newly found coronavirus variant, Omicron, as a highly transmissible VOC. 

The Danish Health Authority (SST) has approved the immunisation of children aged 5-11 against COVID-19, the deputy director-general of the SST, Helene Probst, informed on November 26. 

"Despite most of the Danish population having already been vaccinated, and having achieved the revaccination targets, it is not enough to stop the pandemic. Therefore, children aged 5-11 will also be offered shots against the coronavirus," Probst told Danish broadcasters.

In a fresh advisory, in order to curb the prospects of the COVID-19 outbreak from the new variant ‘Omnicorn’ originated in South Africa, India on Saturday announced that it will conduct rigorous screening and testing of all international travellers coming from or transiting through South Africa, Hong Kong and Botswana. India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Nov. 26 added several nations on the list that now requires additional health safety measures including the COVID-19 diagnosis post-arrival. Among the countries added to the additional measures, list is the UK, Israel, China, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh Botswana, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the European countries. 

Earlier Health Secretary of India Rajesh Bhushan, in a letter to health secretaries of all states and Union Territories, said: "lt has now been reported by National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) that multiple cases of a COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529 (named as Omicron) have been reported in Botswana (3 cases), South Africa (6 cases) and Hong Kong (1 case).”

As the world continues to battle the Delta variant, scientists in South Africa have discovered a new variant -- B.1.1.529 that is likely to evade the immune response. On Friday, advisers to the World Health Organization (WHO) held special session about a worrying new variant of the COVID-19 and suggested that the new variant 'Omicron' poses an increased risk of reinfection in the community. The independent group of experts, which periodically monitors and evaluates the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and assesses if specific mutations and combinations of mutations alter the behaviour of the virus, informed that the variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are "concerning." The B.1.1.529 variant was first reported to WHO from South Africa on 24 November.

The first known confirmed B.1.1.529 infection was from a specimen collected on 9 November, the WHO panel said in a statement released on Twitter. Following the detection, the epidemiological situation in South Africa has been characterised by three distinct peaks in reported cases, the latest of which was predominantly the Delta variant. In recent weeks, infections have increased steeply, coinciding with 'Omicron'.

For the first time, India has entered the league of developed countries with an improved sex ratio. The recent survey result generated by National Family Health Survey 2019-21 (NFHS-5) showed 1020 females to every 1000 males - depicting a female majority for the first time. According to the mentioned survey, the sex ratio of more than 1,000 (female population), has essentially been observed in developed countries. 

The achievement resulted from various measures taken for women empowerment and other such steps, mentioned survey. 

"For the first time, due to various measures taken for women empowerment such as financial inclusion and for combating gender bias and disparities, the sex ratio in the country has been reported at 1,020," revealed the survey, adding that sex ratio of more than 1,000 (female population), has largely been observed in the developed countries.

NHFS-5 survey result on improved sex ratio here

"In an order dated Nov 16, "Reserve Bank of India has imposed Rs 1 crore penalty on State Bank of India based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance. It is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers." ANI reported.

"Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) is presently at 386 (overall) in the ' Very Poor' category, as per SAFAR-India"

On the 13th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, a motorcycle rally was organised in Janakpurdham, Nepal, against Pakistan for supporting terrorism. Under the direction of the National Unity Campaign, youngsters organised a motorbike rally and held posters with various messages accusing Pakistan of supporting terrorism to mark the terrorist assault in Mumbai. The motorcyclists left the local railway station and travelled via Yali Bhanu Chowk, Shiva Chowk, and Janak Chowk before arriving at Janaki Temple, ANI reported.

On Friday, India marked the 13th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attack, which killed 174 people, including 20 security officers and 26 foreign nationals, and injured over 300 more. Earlier today, even as the external affairs ministry summoned a senior Pakistani diplomat to seek a speedy trial of those guilty for the carnage in the country's financial centre, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated that India cannot forget the wounds of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The 26/11 attacks have left deep scars in India, PM Modi said in a brief video posted on Twitter by the external affairs ministry. "Now, today’s India is combating terrorism with a new policy and new ways. I pay my homage to all those who died in the Mumbai attacks. Many brave police personnel were martyred in this attack. I also pay homage to them," he added.

Speaking at Republic's ‘India Economic Summit 2021’, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal shed light on trade relations with China. He said India believes in fair trade and follows the multi-trade rules of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

"We believe as a stakeholder of the WTO we have to maintain those principles. Having said that, we are working with other countries talking to other stakeholders of the WTO. We are not breaking the rules of trade with any country whatsoever in the world," Goyal said.

Piyush Goyal explains why India pulled up from RCEP

Recalling India's decision to not enter the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) trade deal, Piyush Goyal said, "India under PM Narendra Modi will protect the interests of Indians first." 

"This negotiation (RCEP) was between other countries and India was not part of it. Congress government in 2012 entered the detail. We already had FTAs with ASEAN countries, Japan and Korea. The other countries left were Australia, China and New Zealand. We were already in talks with Australia and were not interested in New Zealand. So we were entering into an FTA with China," he said.

Addressing Republic's ‘India Economic Summit 2021’, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship of India Rajeev Chandrasekhar, on Friday, November 26, asserted that the proposed Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2021, doesn't intend to ban crypto or Blockchain. He further informed that India is leading globally in terms of regulations relating to digital currency and crypto.

"The suggested Crypto law doesn't ban cryptocurrencies and blockchain," Rajeev Chandrasekhar said.

Further elaborating on the bill, Union MoS Electronics & IT said, "What the law actually does is that there will be a Centre bank digital currency.  In a sense, it takes away volatility, speculations out of the picture".

As the Centre announced on Friday that international flight operations will resume in India starting December 15, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has added Hong Kong and Israel to the list of countries from where travellers would need to follow additional measures on arrival in India, including post-arrival testing.

Here's the list of countries from where travellers would need to follow additional measures on arrival in India, including post-arrival testing (Countries at-risk): 

• Countries in Europe including The United Kingdom
• South Africa
• Brazil
• Bangladesh
• Botswana
• China
• Mauritius
• New Zealand
• Ansbalswe
• Singapore
• Hong Kong
• Israel 

Taking stern cognizance of the reports of molestation of a minor by a doctor at a ‘Mohalla Clinic’ in Delhi, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has written to the Delhi police seeking details of the action taken in the matter. The NCPCR has sought the details of the investigation being done by the police in the case and asked what actions have been taken against the accused under POCSO.

2-year-old molested at Delhi government-run clinic

The girl's condition began to deteriorate on Wednesday, so she went to the neighbouring Mohalla clinic. After finding her alone, the accused doctor posted there sexually assaulted the innocent little girl. The child informed her mother of the whole incident on Thursday morning. The issue was later brought up in front of family members and neighbours. Locals outraged by the incident protested at the Mohalla Clinic to demand harsh punishment for the perpetrator.

Following widespread public outrage, police arrived on the scene and detained the accused doctor based on preliminary investigation. According to the authorities, the innocent child lives with her family in Kanjhawala's Karala's Shiv Vihar neighbourhood. The victim comes from a poor economic background as her father is a newspaper distributor. 
 
Women's safety in the national capital has deteriorated in recent years, as multiple incidences of crime against women have been reported.

Keeping in purview the rising COVID cases in the state, the Rajasthan government on Friday issued fresh guidelines to mitigate the spread of the lethal virus while directing schools to give online classes to the students not willing to join the school for physical classes.

With the rise in COVID cases in the state, the government has mandated COVID testing for symptomatic people while encouraging all adults to administer both doses of the vaccine.

The new COVID guidelines issued by the State Home Ministry say that students willing to join physical classes at school will have to get the parents' consent in the written form.

The Government of India is organising grand celebrations at the India Gate to mark the golden jubilee of India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war that led to Bangladesh's independence. The celebrations would include a recreation of the war and the participation of soldiers from both India and Bangladesh.

PM Narendra Modi is expected to commence the celebrations, from December 14 to December 16. Mukti Yodhas (Bangladeshi freedom fighters) will be arriving in the national capital this year to take part in the grand celebrations, along with Indian veterans who fought in the war for Bangladesh's liberation, ANI reported quoting army sources.

According to the media agency, the Army is also planning to recreate the two war fronts which would showcase how the Indian troops crushed Pakistani forces in the war, especially on the eastern front. 

World Trade Organization (WTO) says it has postponed its in-person ministerial conference in Geneva over concerns regarding "an outbreak of a particularly transmissible strain of the COVID-19 virus"

An advisory panel of the World Health Organisation classified a new COVID-19 variant first detected in South Africa as a highly transmissible virus of concern and named it omicron under its Greek-letter system.

The announcement Friday from the United Nations health agency marks the first time in months that WHO has classified a COVID-19 variant as such. The delta variant, which has become the world's most prevalent, is in the same category