Breaking News: September 22, 2020 | As it happened

18 new COVID-19 cases reported in Andaman and Nicobar, taking the total number of cases to 3,691. The death toll stands at 52. Total 3,479 patients have recovered so far and there are 160 active cases. 

Karnataka reported 6,974 new COVID-19 cases, 9,073 discharges and 83 deaths today. The total number of cases in the state now stands at 5,33,850 including 93,153 active cases, 4,32,450 discharges and 8,228 deaths. 3,082 new cases reported in Bengaluru today. 

1,628 new COVID-19 cases, 1,669 recoveries, and 47 deaths reported in Mumbai in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of positive cases to 1,87,778 till date, including 1,52,204 recoveries, 8,549 deaths, and 26,644 active cases. 

Manipur reported 270 new COVID-19 cases, 49 recoveries, and 1 death, taking total cases to 9,280 till date, including 6,887 recoveries, 60 deaths, and 2,333 active cases so far. 

1,402 new COVID-19 cases, 1,321 discharged cases, and 16 deaths reported in Gujarat in the last 24 hours. The positive cases tally rises to 1,26,169 till date, including 16,402 active cases, 1,06,412 cured/discharged and 3,355 deaths. 

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board is planning to launch a mobile app for devotees to have live darshan straight from the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. The app is set to be launched on October 17.

Punjab reported 1,498 new COVID-19 cases, 1,718 recoveries and 66 deaths today, taking total cases to 1,01,341 including 77,127 discharges, 2,926 deaths and 21,288 active cases. 

West Bengal reported 3,182 new COVID-19 cases, 3,047 discharges, and 62 deaths today. The total cases in the state rise to 2,31,484, including 2,02,030 discharges and 4,483 deaths. The active cases stand at 24,971. 

Haryana reported 1,795 new COVID-19 cases, 2,892 recoveries and 29 deaths, taking total cases to 1,14,870 including 93,776 recoveries, 1,206 deaths and 19,888 active cases. 

An MoU was signed today between Israel’s Start-Up Nation Central and India’s International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology (iCreate) to initiate a bilateral program to accelerate innovation and technology cooperation between start-ups and corporates from both nations.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the 15th CII-Exim Bank digital conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership. He said, "India is Africa’s third-largest export destination. With a cumulative investment of USD54 billion, it is also one of the biggest investors in the continent. The Indian capital has created jobs & opportunities in various African countries."

"For India, Africa’s rise as one of the global system’s poles is not just desirable, it is absolutely necessary. In fact, it is fundamental to our foreign policy thinking."

263 police personnel of Maharashtra Police tested positive for COVID-19 and 7 died in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections in the state force to 21,574 including 3,548 active cases, 17,797 recovered cases and 229 deaths. 

Successful flight test of ABHYAS - High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) - conducted by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from the Interim Test Range, Balasore in Odisha. 

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) appoints AK Dixit, ex-General Manager of Union Bank of India as the new administrator of Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank with effect from September 23.

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan transfers Rs 800 crores to Cooperative Banks to be given as 0% interest loans to farmers in the state. "Sustaining the Cooperative movement is the backbone of fostering economic growth," he says.

Delhi High Court sets aside the trial court's order restraining publication of a book titled 'Gunning for the Godman: The True Story Behind Asaram Bapu's Conviction'. Court directs publisher HarperCollins to carry a disclaimer that the appeal against conviction is pending.

I will also take part in their (eight suspended Rajya Sabha MPs) movement. I will fast for a day to show support: Sharad Pawar, NCP

Rajya Sabha passes the National Forensic Sciences University Bill 2020

The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020 passed in Rajya Sabha

Rajya Sabha passes the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2020

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the convocation of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati through video-conferencing.
• Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal and Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal also participating in the event.
• The future of a nation is what its youth think today. Your dreams are going to shape the reality of India. This is the time to be future-ready: PM Modi addressing convocation of IIT-Guwahati

Commission accepted Report of the Committee & approved University Grants Commission (UGC) Guidelines on Academic Calendar for First Year of Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Students of Universities for the Session 2020-21: Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank

PM Modi to chair a high-level virtual meeting on 23rd September with CMs & Health Ministers of seven COVID19 high burden States/UT to review COVID response and management. These States/UT are Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, UP, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Punjab: GoI

Eight Opposition Rajya Sabha MPs end sit-in inside Parliament complex as Opposition decides to boycott remaining session in House, say suspended Cong MPs

Rajya Sabha has taken up the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020 for passage

DMK President MK Stalin writes to PM Narendra Modi, "I am disappointed that Chief Minister of Karnataka during his meeting with you demanded early approvals & clearances for irrigation & drinking water projects including Mekedatu despite strongest opposition from Tamil Nadu."

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh writes to President Ram Nath Kovind against the unruly behaviour with him in the House by Opposition MPs during the passing of agriculture Bills on 20th September

We wanted not just the suspension to be revoked but at the same time we wanted the farm bills to be taken back & proper voting to happen. But nothing of that sort was going to happen as the Chairman wasn't ready to listen to anyone. So all the opposition parties boycotted the rest of the session. They appealed to all the people who were sitting at the dharna to finish it & join them in boycotting the rest of the session. That is how we have ended this dharna: Syed Nasir Hussain, Congress Rajya Sabha MP

I am a senior Member of Parliament, I have apologised for what happened in the House, but I didn't get any response. I found this very insulting. My party has decided to boycott the entire session: Samajwadi Party Rajya Sabha MP Ram Gopal Yadav

We'll boycott Parliament session until Govt accepts our 3 demands-govt to bring another bill under which no private player can purchase below MSP, MSP to be fixed under formula recommended by Swaminathan Commission and govt agencies like FCI shouldn't buy crops below MSP: Ghulam Nabi Azad

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu urges Opposition leaders to "rethink, introspect, return to the House to take part in discussions".

Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha wrote to me expressing his commitment to democracy and how he was treated. He wrote to me that in order to arouse the consciousness of people he wanted to observe one-day fast: Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh to observe one-day fast against the unruly behaviour with him in the House by Opposition MPs during the passing of agriculture Bills on 20th September

Is it not painful what happened in the Upper House? Is it a way to behave? If they express their regret, the government is not bent upon to run the business without them. We are ready to hold a discussion as we're on a strong footing: Union Parliamentary Affairs Min Pralhad Joshi

The government should come to an understanding. Both the Opposition and the Government should sit together to help run the House. Democracy should work with cooperation: HD Deve Gowda, Former Prime Minister and Rajya Sabha MP

I am not happy about the suspension of the members. The action has been taken on their conduct. We have nothing against any member: Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu

Delhi: Opposition leaders stage walk-out from Rajya Sabha; protest before Gandhi statue in Parliament premises, demanding revocation of suspended MPs

Till our demands which include revocation of suspension of the 8 MPs and Govt to bring another bill under which no private player can purchase below MSP are not met, the Opposition will boycott the session: LoP & Congress Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Nabi Azad

Suspension of the eight MPs should be restored: LoP & Congress Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Nabi Azad

No one is happy with the incidents that have taken place in this House...The public wants their leaders should be heard. No one can put across their views in just 2-3 mins. There will be 90% de-escalation if MPs not constrained by time to speak: LoP & Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Nabi Azad

National Investigation Agency is conducting raids at different locations in Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir, in connection with suspended DSP Davinder Singh case

Lok Sabha passes Epidemic Diseases Bill to protect frontline COVID workers

Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev reveals yoga asanas to cure thyroid problems | WATCH NOW 

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh meets the eight suspended Rajya Sabha MPs who are protesting at Gandhi statue against their suspension from the House.

Thunderstorm with light to moderate intensity rain would occur over&adjoining areas of Bulandshahr, Amroha,  Garh Mukteshwar,Siyana,Meerut, Anupshahr,Jahangirabad, Shikarpur,Dibai, Khurja, Pahasu, Sikandrabad (UP), & isolated places of Delhi & Greater Noida during next 2 hrs.

Death toll in the Bhiwandi building collapse incident rises to 18 in Bhiwandi building collapse

Hello and welcome to today's live coverage of coronavirus news in India and across the world, with me, Sushmita Panda and my colleagues  Himanshu Shekhar, Shashwat  Bhandari, Vani Mehrotra, Priya Jaiswal, and Rashi Hardaha. You can get in touch with us directly on Twitter @sushmitapanda, @himaanshus, @ShashBhandari​ @vani_mehrotra​ @priyajais, and  @rashihardaha for news, tips, photos, questions and comments. Stay tuned to Indiatvnews.com (@indiatvnews) for all the latest updates on what's happening around the world. 

Here's a quick overview: 

The total number of global cases has surpassed 31.4 million, including more than 969,000 fatalities. More than 23,109,000 patients are reported to have recovered.

Total positive cases country-wise:

• USA 7,046,216
• India 5,560,105
• Brazil 4,560,083
• Russia 1,109,595
• Peru 772,896