Srinagar: A weekend lockdown has been declared in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the covid outbreak. The State Disaster Management Department said the decision was taken in view of the rising number of covid cases on a daily basis and the increasing positivity rate.

On Friday, 2,456 new cases were reported in Kashmir. Friday saw the highest number of single-day cases in the state since covid was confirmed. A night travel ban is currently in place. Night curfew is in place from 9 pm to 6 am. Schools, colleges, and coaching centers were closed earlier.

Only those who have received two doses of the vaccine are allowed to enter the offices. Cinema halls, theaters, multiplexes, restaurants, gyms, and swimming pools can accommodate up to 25 percent of the population. The number of people attending halls and public events have been reduced to 25.

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has tightened restrictions on the rapid spread of covid and Omicron cases. From January 14 to 18, the public was denied access to places of worship. It was also decided to implement a lockdown in the state on Sunday, January 16th.

Essential services will be excluded from the lockdown. Only 75% of passengers will be allowed to travel on public transport. The restrictions are in effect until January 31.

Currently, 64 percent of people in the state have been fully vaccinated. About 74 percent of children between the ages of 15 and 18 have been vaccinated, the CM Stalin said. Stalin said the booster dose was also receiving a good response. Last day alone, covid confirmed 20,911 cases in the state. Total cases 28,68,500. The total covid deaths are 36,930. There are currently 1,03,616 covid victims under surveillance.

Kottayam: Bishop Franco Mulaikkal was acquitted in the case of raping a nun. The verdict was pronounced by judge G Gopakumar. The judge also ruled that the entire case against Franco would not stand.

The case alleges that Bishop Franco molested a nun 13 times between 2014 and 2016 at the Missionaries of Jesus monastery in Kuravilangad.

The verdict in the case comes after a 105-day hearing. The bishop was charged with seven charges, including rape and sexual assault using power.

Bangalore: Seven killed when car overturns on a divider. The incident took place at Kananakatte village in the Jagalur district of Karnataka. The victims were traveling from Bangalore to Hospet.

The victims were traveling from Bengaluru to Hospet and from the Yadgir district. Six of them died at the scene and another died on the way to the hospital.

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has increased the fines for those who do not wear masks. The government increases the fine collected for not wearing the mask at public places to Rs 500. Earlier it was Rs 200. Meanwhile, the fine has been increased with the increase in covid cases. This has been extended to January 31st. The Tamil Nadu government has made two doses of the vaccine mandatory for entry into the Nilgiris.