Breaking News: Centre revises guidelines for international arrivals in India

Union Health Ministry revised guidelines for international arrivals in India that will be effective from December 1. The guidelines mandates submitting 14 days travel details, uploading negative RT-PCR test report on Air Suvidha portal before the journey.

BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said in Mumbai, "Govt of India should mend its ways and bring a law on MSP. Otherwise, January 26 (Republic Day) is not far, and 4 lakh tractors & farmers all are there."

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was honored with the 'Mahatma Phule Samta Puraskar' on the 131st death anniversary of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. Bhupesh Baghel said, "I bow to Mahatma Phule Ji. I am very grateful to Chhagan Bhujbal Ji who considered me worthy of this award."

Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury wrote to Speaker Om Birla, demanding to ease restrictions that limit media persons' entry to the press gallery of the Parliament. He has urged the LS Speaker to provide all necessary facilities to media persons to cover the Parliamentary proceedings in a free and fair manner. 

To discuss the prevalent COVID situation in the state, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, held a review meeting in Bhopal. During the meeting, various issues were discussed, including the reopening of the schools at 50% strength and other COVID-related things. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs each from PMNRF for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the road accident in Nadia, West Bengal. Rs 50,000 would be given to the injured, PMO informed.

Union Home Ministers following an emergency meeting chaired by the home secretary on new COVID Variant of Concern ‘Omicron’ informed, "Decision on effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passengers service, to be reviewed, as per evolving global scenario".

Meeting of NDA parties' floor leaders in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, begins at Parliament

Responding to NC leader Omar Abdullah's controversial remarks on terrorism, BJP National Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said, "Omar has lost political relevance". 

NC leader Omar Abdullah gives clean chit to Pakistan, says "Terrorists haven't come from outside but are 'home-grown' in Kashmir". 

The ruling BJP established a majority in the civic body elections in Tripura

BJP Parliamentary Executive Committee meeting starts at Parliament in New Delhi.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP chief JP Nadda, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, and Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar reached Parliament for BJP Parliamentary Executive Committee meeting.

31 parties participated in the all-party meeting today. 42 leaders from various parties participated in a constructive discussion. The govt is ready for any discussions permitted by the Chairman & the Speaker, w/o disruptions: Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi

'We expected PM to attend the meeting today. But for some reason, he didn't attend it...Govt has withdrawn farm laws but PM had said that he couldn't make farmers understand. It means that these laws may be brought back in some other form in future," says Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha

"We demanded from the government that families of COVID19 victims be given compensation of Rs 4 lakhs each. Compensation should also be given to farmers who lost their lives during the farm laws protest," he added. 

The AAP staged a walkout of the all-party meeting on the winter session of Parliament, alleging that it was not allowed to speak on the issue of farmers and the BSF jurisdiction. Aam Aadmi Party's Sanjay Singh said he had demanded that a bill on MSP be introduced in the upcoming session but was not allowed to speak on the same. 

Lashing out at the UPA govt for being 'soft' on terror, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday, pointed out that his views have been echoed by Congress MP Manish Tewari. Citing the excerpt from Tewari's unreleased book - '10 Flash Points; 20 Years - National Security Situations that Impacted India', he asserted that UPA had failed to act against Pakistan. Tewari's book delves into every salient National Security Challenge India has faced in the past two decades.

"On 26/11, terrorists had attacked Mumbai and killed over 166 Indians. Congress failed to address the incident properly. It is not just me who is saying this. Senior leader of Congress party Manish Tewari in his book has accepted the truth that the then Congress govt did not act strongly against terrorism after 2008 Mumbai terror attacks," Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in a BJP rally in Jaunpur.

Miffed with Singh's statement, Tewari expressed shocked at the Union Minister's inference.

All-Party meeting convened by government concludes, at Parliament Annexe Building

In their first reaction towards early trends showing Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) ahead in the Tripura Civic polls, party leader Amit Malviya sent a message to Mamata Banerjee, 'Tripura is just the beginning'. The counting for 222 seats is currently underway and the BJP has been leading in at least 3 wards with win confirmed in ward number 35 and ward number 18. Trinamool Congress (TMC) had challenged the ruling BJP while the Mamata Banerjee-led party had earlier made claims that party workers were beaten up in Agartala during the elections.

'Violence and intimidation have its shelf life' says BJP's Amit Malviya

All-Party meeting convened by the government today, ahead of Winter Session of Parliament

"In the last 5 years, the Delhi government has provided all the facilities in all the schools which a teacher should get to teach from the heart and a child should be able to go to school with self-respect. But you are talking about 250 schools, so I am releasing the list of only 250 schools," said Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia on Sunday, sharing a list of schools in the national capital. 

In Punjab, a new debate has ensued between the ruling Congress and the AAP, which has announced major reforms in the education sector, if voted to power. The Charanjit Channi government had earlier challenged the Kejriwal government in Delhi to compare 250 schools from Punjab and Delhi on the basis of the National Performance Grading Index for a debate comparing the education system of the national capital to that of Punjab.

Production of RT-PCR negative report (irrespective of vaccination status) not older than 72 hours at the entry point is mandatory for those arriving from Kerala & Maharashtra. Students who have arrived from Kerala in the last 15 days to undergo mandatory RT-PCR test: Govt of Karnataka

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in a letter to PM Narendra Modi, "urges to stop flights from regions witnessing the new variant, with immediate effect. Any delay may prove harmful."

"We are taking all precautions and are prepared to deal with it. The District Commissioners have been asked to remain vigilant especially before granting permission for fairs"

BJP has won from 29 wards out of 51 wards bagging majority in Agartala Municipal Corporation, as per State Election Commission

“We don’t need to be panicky, but take preventive steps. There should not be any sense of complacency as the number of cases comes down and we are hovering around 10,000 cases for almost 10 days now. These numbers can rise if the virus behaves in a manner like the Delta variant, as we do not know the behaviour of the virus,” Dr Arora told Republic in an exclusive interview.  

"We've started through airport screening & strong vigilance of those travelling from South Africa, Hong Kong, Botswana & other European countries, who have witnessed the new COVID variant," State Health Min, Dr Sudhakar K, on 'Omicron'

S-based biotechnology firm Novavax's application to the Drugs Controller General of India seeking the approval of its COVID-19 vaccine 'Covovax' has faced a roadblock, sources revealed on Sunday. While the submission took place in August, the expert panel of DCGI has sought additional data from the firm before taking a call on this vaccine's approval. Moreover, it also highlighted the fact that the US Food and Drug Administration is yet to authorise Covovax for emergency use. 

In June itself, Novavax's Indian partner Serum Institute of India commenced the production of the first batch of this vaccine at its Pune facility. As per the agreement, the SII is responsible for manufacturing and commercializing Covovax in India. Notably, Novavax and SII have pledged to provide over 1.1 billion doses of this vaccine to the COVAX facility.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah today inaugurated a milk powder plant and automated storage and retrieval system among other projects of Amul Dairy at Gujarat's capital city Gandhinagar

After AAP drew flak from other parties over its promise to give Rs.1000 to adult women, Arvind Kejriwal made an emotional appeal to them in Punjabi on Sunday. While announcing the election sop earlier this week, the Delhi CM had dubbed it as the "biggest women empowerment" programme. According to him, this will help women attend college and not make them dependent on their father or husband for their expenses.

Reiterating the purpose of this scheme in his video message, he slammed BJP, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal for highlighting the financial implications of the move. 

AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal remarked, "Some days ago, I had made an announcement that we will give Rs.1000 every month to every girl, sister and mother aged above 18 years if you give us one chance to form the government in Punjab. I am getting so many phone calls. The women are so happy. But BJP, Congress and Akali Dal are abusing me. They are saying that the government will go bankrupt as a result. If I am giving Rs.1000 to a girl to pay her college fees, will the government go bankrupt? Political leaders have looted all the money and taken it home. I will stop this loot. I am making just one request- please seek blessings for me from God when you go to the temple or gurudwara next time." 

Israel closes borders to all foreigners over #Omicron variant of COVID19, reports AFP

Health Minister Dr Mandaviya to move the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2020 in Lok Sabha tomorrow. The Bill is for regulation & supervision of assisted reproductive technology clinics, prevention of misuse, safe & ethical practice of reproductive tech services

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar to move the Farm Laws Repeal Bill 2021 for passing in Lok Sabha on 29th November, the first day of the Winter Session of Parliament.

Families of COVID victims witnessed standing in long queues for MCCD in Vadodara, Gujarat We've deployed a special team for the MCCD (Medical Certification of Cause of Death) & try to distribute them as soon as possible; max 10-15 mins: Medical Officer of SSG Hospital, Sher Banu

As heavy rains continue to lash parts of Tamil Nadu under delayed monsoon, it has resulted in waterlogged areas and flooded localities in multiple districts across the state. As a result of torrential rains over Chennai and other coastal districts, streets can be seen submerged in water while the authorities are trying to pump out water as much as possible. An orange alert has also been issued over north Tamil Nadu for the day. 

WHO designated a new SARS-CoV-2 variant, presently circulating in South Africa, as a 'Variant of Concern' on Friday. The new COVID-19 variant has been named Omicron. The mutation was discovered on Monday by the Network for Genomics Surveillance in South Africa (NGS-SA). It had discovered a cluster of SARS-CoV-2 viruses that belonged to the B.1.1.529 lineage. According to preliminary findings, this variant may be even more transmissible than the highly infectious Delta strain, and current vaccinations may be less effective against it. 

Read here for 'How many COVID Variants have been discovered thus far'

Linking 'Bharat' and 'Hindus' Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said that 'If Hindus want to stay as Hindu then Bharat needs to become Akhand.' The RSS Chief was speaking at an event in Gwalior where he also added that the number, strength of Hindus have decreased along with the emotion of Hindutva. 'Bharat is Hindustan, no one can separate Bharat and Hindu,' added Mohan Bhagwat.

Taking offence, the Pakistan Embassy shared as follows;

Trouble mounted for BJP MP and former cricketer Gautam Gambhir as he received another death threat via email from 'ISIS Kashmir' on Sunday. The email, sent in the wee hours of November 28 warned Gambhir that the Delhi Police and IPS Shweta cannot save him as their 'spies' are present in the police force. 

"Your Delhi Police and IPS Shweta can't uproot anything. Our spies are present in the police. All the information is being received by you," read the email sent from 'isiskashmir@gmail.com' to Gautam Gambhir.

Leaders of various political parties arrive at the Parliament for an all-party meeting ahead of the commencement of the Winter Session

"There was a river in Jalaun called Noon river. Gradually, the river came to the brink of extinction. This created a crisis for farmers in the area. The people of Jalaun this year formed a committee&revived the river. This is an example of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas," PM Modi said during his radio programme Mann Ki Baat. 

India reports 8,774 new cases, 621 deaths and 9,481 recoveries in the last 24 hours; Active caseload stands at 1,05,691; lowest in 543 days: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

India's Active caseload stands at 1,05,691; lowest in 543 days.

PM Modi to address 83rd edition of monthly radio programme today. 

As Afghanistan remains on the brink of financial collapse, dozens of retired employees and veterans who served during the previous government demanded their due pensions from the Taliban regime. On Saturday, retirees gathered in front of the Department of Retirement in Kabul to demonstrate their grievances and urge the Taliban's interim Cabinet to release pensions, required to support their families, TOLO News reported.

Since the Taliban's takeover of Kabul in August this year, Afghanistan has been pushed into a constantly growing humanitarian crisis with social media flooding with visuals of people taking to the streets to demand their rights. 

"We demand our rights. They say there is no money at the bank and the system is broken. All the retired employees are here but they don't pay as we have no money even buy bread," Gul Khan, a retired employee of the former government told TOLO News.

Canada's Lake Manitoba has been transformed into a site of rare ice structures, which is only seen once every few years in different parts of the world. As per the reports of CBC News, the frozen surface has been transformed into rocks and stones. In another spot, the water has frozen into geometric lines that resemble a box of toothpicks or needles.

According to CBC News, glaciologist Jeff Kavanaugh stated that the phenomenon is caused by wind movement and rolling supercooled water as it solidifies. Local entrepreneur Peter Hofbauer, who owns a canoeing company near Steep Rock on the lake's east bank, around 150 miles from Winnipeg, shared a video on November 20, which has been shared by many people since then.

In another impetus to women empowerment, Border Security Force (BSF), for the first time in Jammu, deployed its women jawans at the international border with Pakistan. The women bravehearts will guard the border and thwart terrorist infiltration bids along the Line of Control. 

At the Jammu international border, women BSF soldiers were seen maintaining a round-the-clock vigil, keeping a tab on the enemy's activity. Just opposite this area is the nefarious Pakistan and its terror camps, where the terrorists are waiting for an opportunity to sneak into the Indian territory.

This is the first time women jawans are patrolling at the Jammu border. While has been a tradition at the international border along with Punjab and other regions, it is for the first time that women soldiers have been deployed in J&K.

Amid the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, a top official in Russia has said that Washington and Moscow are actively discussing the crisis in the war-torn nation. According to Sputnik, Russian Ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, on Saturday, 27 November, informed that the two nations have “intensive contacts” on Afghanistan, Syria, North Korea and on Iranian nuclear program. “All these contacts are positive,” Antonov said during a live YouTube show. 

As the World Health Organisation declares Omicron to be a "COVID-19 variant of concern," many people wonder what the distinction is between this classification and other types of variants. Early evidence on Omicron, identified by the technical designation B.1.1.529, suggests that the variant has a huge number of mutations, some of which have worrisome characteristics, according to WHO Health Emergencies Programme COVID-19, Technical Lead Dr Maria Van Kerkhove.

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray to hold COVID19 review meeting today with all Divisional Commissioners and Collectors

Tamil Nadu: Severe waterlogging affects various parts of Chennai; water pumping underway in residential areas

Squash player Saurav Ghosal on Saturday scripted history as he became the first-ever Indian to win the Malaysian Open. This is the first time in three years that Ghosal has managed to bring a PSA Tour title under his belt. Ghosal defeated top seed, Miguel Rodrigues, after winning three straight sets in 55 minutes. The Colombian was outplayed by Ghosal, who looked in full control of the game right from the start. 

Ghosal won the first set 11-7 and then followed it up with a victory in the second game by beating Rodrigues 11-8. Rodrigues did give Ghosal a hard time in the third set but the Indian star managed to stage a comeback as he won the game 13-11 and also bagged the Malaysian Open title in style. Ghosal came into the final on the back of consecutive wins in the preliminary stage of the competition. Ghosal did not lose a single game in the tournament. 

Over two dozen of government employees have been named for alleged terror links in Jammu and Kashmir. The intelligence agencies in the Union Territory traced their direct links to anti-national activities, at a point in time, and accused them of operating as OGWs (overground workers) for insurgent groups spewing terrorism and not for the Indian Armed Forces. The said sackings will be cleared by the committee of the J&K administration for recommending charges under Article 311(2)(c) of the Indian Constitution. The Article enumerates that a government employee can be dismissed when the President or Governor, as the case may be, is satisfied that it is in the interest of the security of the state. In fact, in such detention, it is not expedient to hold a departmental enquiry.

Sources informed that the lot outrightly denied any links to a terror organisation, however, officials have ascertained that they were associated with unlawful advances at a point in time

The body of a 20-year-old girl, who was allegedly raped, was found murdered in Mumbai's Kurla area on Saturday. According to the police, the victim's body was found on the 13th floor of an unoccupied building in the HDIL compound. Initial medical reports have confirmed sexual assault against the girl. The Mumbai police information also stated that the girl's body had started decomposing and serious head injuries have been observed. A case has been registered under Sections 376 and 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

DCP (Zone 5) of the Mumbai Police Pranay Ashok told ANI, "Special teams have been formed to ascertain the identity of the victim. CCTV footage is being checked. Post-mortem report shows evidence of the sexual assault."

Counting of votes is underway for Agartala Municipal Corporation, Nagar Panchayats elections BJP leading in Ambassa, Jirania, Teliamura and Sabroom, as per Tripura State Election Commission. 

A Russian court on Saturday, Nov 27 ordered the imprisonment of five people and ruled that they remain in pre-trial detention for up to two months in relation to a coal mine blast in Siberia that resulted in the deaths of over 51 people. If convicted, the said detainees may face up to seven years of prison. Pending an investigation, the Central District Court in the city of Kemerovo on November 27 ordered the director of the Listvyazhnaya mine, Sergei Makhrakov, his deputy Andrei Molostvov and section supervisor Sergei Gerasimenok to be sent to jail in connection with the methane explosion that rocked the mine in southwestern Siberia on Thursday, earlier this week. 

At least 46 miners and five rescuers died as a result of toxic methane inhalation and fire. 

Amid concerns over the new Omicron COVID-19 variant, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, “Centre should take prompt action in view of the new variant of COVID-19 Omicron. Many people across the country have not taken the second dose of the vaccine. A booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine should also be administered.” 

PM Narendra Modi will chair an all-party meeting on Sunday, to discuss the agenda for the upcoming winter session at the Parliament and other important businesses. Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi will also hold a meeting with floor leaders of political parties in the Parliament at 11 am.

Meanwhile, Vice president M Venkaiah Naidu, who is also the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, has also called a meeting of the floor leaders this evening. The winter session will commence on November 29.

The BJP-led Central government has a heavy agenda for the winter session, with its legislative business including 26 new bills.

The bill to repeal three farm laws will be taken up on priority and will be tabled on the first day of the session. The bill was cleared by the union cabinet earlier this week. The government's agenda also includes the Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2021.

Allahabad High Court granted bail to JNU student Sharjeel Imam in a case registered by the Uttar Pradesh police. This was pertaining to his alleged provocative speech on December 13, 2019, which was shared on social media. In Aligarh, the police had registered an FIR against him under IPC Sections 124A (sedition), 153A (promoting enmity grounds of religion, race), 153B (making statements provoking breach of peace) and 505(2) (statements made which are alarming, false intention to create disharmony). 

Sharjeel Imam's controversial remarks: If we have 5 lakh organized people then we can permanently cut north-east from India or at least for one month. Put so much (unclear) on the road that they cannot even remove it for a month. It is our responsibility to isolate Assam from India, then only they will listen to us". He was arrested from Bihar's Jehanabad district on January 28, 2020, after the police accused him of being involved in the violence that took place in Jamia on December 15, 2019, during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act."

While he has got bail in cases filed in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the activist was denied bail by Additional Sessions, Judge Anuj Agrawal, on October 22 in connection with an FIR filed by the Delhi Police pertaining to the same speech. On November 2, the Karkardooma court reserved its order on the bail petition of the JNU student in a UAPA case registered by the Delhi Police. At present, Imam is languishing in Tihar jail and is also facing charges in the Delhi riots conspiracy case.

Matilda Kullu, an Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) worker from Sundargarh district in Odisha has been named among the strongest women personalities in the country by Forbes. Kullu, who is a COVID warrior featured in the Forbes India W-Power 2021 list. The list featured the likes of Aparna Purohit, Head of Originals, Amazon Prime Video India, Arundhati Bhattacharya, Chairperson and CEO, Salesforces India, popular actors Sanya Malhotra and Rasika Dugal.

Who is Matilda Kullu?

Kullu, a 45-year-old woman working in Gargadbahal village in Baragaon of Sundargarh district for the last 15 years have now been named amongst the strongest women personalities in the country. Having worked as an ASHA worker, Kullu has been instrumental in bringing the healthcare system closer to the people of the rural village of Gargadbahal. The local hero has now received praises from different parts of the country, for her remarkable feat.

Listing her third in the Forbes India W-Power 2021 list, Forbes noted that the ASHA worker has devoted her life to looking after 964 people in the Baragaon tehsil.

With the aim to ensure a smooth Winter Session of Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will chair a meeting with the floor leaders of parties on November 29, sources said on Saturday. The meeting is likely to be held along with that of the business advisory committee of Lok Sabha, they said.

Birla had said that he would sit with the Opposition and the ruling side to build a consensus for the smooth functioning of the House.
 

As fear over the new variant of COVID-19 'Omicron' looms over the nation, Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel has assured the state government's preparedness for the arrival of the variant in the state and said that there is no need to worry about another COVID-19 wave. While speaking to news agency ANI, the state health minister said, "We are well prepared, irrespective of another third wave hits India or not. From oxygen cylinders, ventilators to beds, arrangements have been increased. Be it third, fourth, or fifth wave, it won't affect us."

Amid an alarming situation over COVID-19 variant Omicron, two South African nationals tested positive for the virus at Bengaluru Airport on Saturday. According to official reports, both individuals have tested positive for the Delta variant. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in yesterday's meeting, had ordered vigilant checking of all international arrivals, their testing as per guidelines, with a specific focus on countries identified 'at risk'.

The two individuals were travelling amongst 584 passengers from 10 high-risk nations.

Karnataka Minister R Ashoka said more than 1000 people have come from South Africa and all of them have been tested. "One more test will be done after 10 days for those who have already come to Bengaluru or somewhere," he was quoted as saying by ANI.

One Pakistani national who inadvertently crossed over into Indian territory was handed over to Pakistan Rangers by BSF on 27th November as a goodwill gesture & on humanitarian grounds. The man had crossed IB and was detained on 26th November: BSF Punjab Frontier.

The Araria POCSO court in Bihar set a record by closing the fastest trial in the country. The POCSO court fast-tracked the proceedings by recording witnesses, arguments, and counter-arguments, convicting the accused, and issuing its judgement in just one day, the fastest verdict by any POCSO court in the country.

Though the proceedings of the court occurred on October 4, 2021, the matter was only discovered by the outsiders on November 26 when the order sheet became available.

The accused was convicted to life imprisonment and was fined Rs 50,000 by special judge (POCSO) Shashi Kant Rai. The court also directed the victim to get Rs 7 lakh in compensation from the Victim Compensation Fund. The case was related to the rape of an eight-year-old girl on July 22 this year and the FIR was lodged on July 23.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday launched a drone-based vaccine/emergency medicine delivery system close to the international border in Jammu. Dr Jitendra Singh took to his Twitter handle and shared the video of the event in which he can be seen launching the drone-based medicine delivery system. The video shows that a man loads a medicine kit bag under the drone and then operates it through a remote. The drone then flies away in the sky carrying the medicine kit bag while Dr Jitendra Singh and other spectators watch its successful launch. Sharing the video, the Union Minister further informed that this CSIR initiative comes under the Ministry of Science & Technology, contributing to the #HarGharDastak campaign.

Dr Samiran Panda, Head, Epidemiology & Communicable Diseases Division, ICMR, on November 27, noted that current scientific evidence reveals the new COVID-19 variant Omicron contains many more mutations and that existing vaccines may be less effective. The media agency ANI in a tweet quoted Dr Panda as saying, "Time could tell but there are different kinds of vaccines. Some are directed towards the spike protein of the virus which gets attached to the receptor. So, if changes happened there, vaccines might not be effective."

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over south Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, and Kerala & Mahe on November 28. Heavy rainfall is likely to occur at isolated places over South Interior Karnataka.

Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are very likely at isolated places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, Rayalaseema, South Interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, and Kerala & Mahe.

According to the IMD, strong winds with speeds reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph are very likely over the Comorin area, Gulf of Mannar and off the south Tamilnadu coast adjoining the southwest Bay of Bengal. Fishermen have been advised to not venture into the sea.

Click here to read the weather forecast for November 29

Amid mounting concerns over the new variant of Coronavirus emerging from South Africa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting with top officials on Saturday to discuss the country's pandemic situation.

During the comprehensive meeting, PM Modi was briefed about the new variant of concern ‘Omicron’ along with its characteristics and the impact seen in various countries. PM directed officials to be proactive in light of the new variant and discussed its implications for India. He highlighted the need to monitor all international arrivals, their testing as per guidelines, with a specific focus on countries identified 'at risk'. 

Taking a jibe at BJP over China's continued refusal to retreat from Line of Actual Control (LAC), Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition (LOP) Mallikarjuna Kharge on Saturday, termed BJP as 'Beijing Janata Party'. Kharge explained it by pointing out China's latest affront by building a village in Arunachal Pradesh territory, its Ladakh incursions and the latest ad goof-up where Noida airport was promoted using a Beijing airport photo. India and China have agreed for 14th round of talks for de-escalation at the LAC, while MEA has refuted that China has built a village inside Arunachal Pradesh.

In the run-up to Punjab Elections 2022, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addressed a public meeting in Mohali where he assured voters that AAP's Chief Minister candidate would be from Punjab and not from outside. His remark came in response to a demand by an elderly worker, who told Kejriwal that the CM should be one of the local leaders like Bhagwant Mann, Harpal Cheema or Aman Arora.

"CM candidate will not be from outside, it will be from Punjab, this is my promise to you," said Kejriwal. While Kejriwal's assurance should have been met with applause, the Delhi CM was instead interrupted mid-speech as a lobby of people in support of Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann began sloganeering his name for the post. Asking the people to stop sloganeering, Kejriwal continued, but was interrupted once again by the Mann lobby.