Breaking News February 23 | Highlights

Election Commission will hold a meeting tomorrow to finalize the schedule for Assembly elections in 5 states.

The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered to healthcare and frontline workers in the country has crossed 1.19 crore, the Union health ministry said on Tuesday.

A total of 1,19,07,392 vaccine doses have been administered through 2,53,434 sessions till 6 pm on Tuesday, according to a provisional report.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday inaugurated a new chancery building of the Indian High Commission in Mauritius and reviewed over 950 housing units built with Indian support in the country.

The Punjab government on Tuesday ordered curbs on both indoor and outdoor gatherings from March 1 and authorised deputy commissioners (DCs) to impose night-curfew in COVID-19 hotspots in their districts if needed.

Chairing a virtual review meeting of the COVID-19 situation in Punjab, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh issued orders to limit indoor gatherings to 100 people and outdoor events to 200 attendees from March 1, an official statement said.

Climate activist, arrested in toolkit case in relation to farmers protest, was on Tuesday granted bail by the Session Court of Patiala House Court. 

Post mortem report confirms suicide, death due to asphyxia, said Mumbai Police on the death of Lok Sabha MP Mohan Delkar. His body was found hanging in a hotel in the Marine Drive police station area yesterday.

Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat today met Union Minister Nitin Gadkari over road connectivity projects in the State.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed webinar on budget provisions in the Health sector. 

• The budget allocated for the health sector now is extraordinary. It shows our commitment towards this sector. COVID-19 pandemic has taught us a lesson to be prepared to fight similar challenges in the future.
• Today, the world's trust in India's health sector is at a new high. We have to be prepared for the increasing demand for the 'Made in India' vaccines.

India reported 10,584 new COVID-19 cases, 13,255 discharges, and 78 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry.

• Total cases: 1,10,16,434
• Total discharges: 1,07,12,665
• Death toll: 1,56,463 
• Active cases: 1,47,306
• Total Vaccination: 1,17,45,552

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to review the COVID-19 situation in the state with health experts and senior officers today. 

5 killed in quarry blast in Hirenagavalli, Chikkaballapur, Karnataka. Dr K Sudhakar, Chikkaballapura Dist in-charge, who visited the spot said, "Shocked by the incident. These are illegally held explosives. Strict action will be taken."

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to hold a meeting today with BMC Commissioner and officials, to review the COVID-19 situation.

India has allowed Pakistan PM Imran Khan‘s aircraft to use Indian airspace. He is travelling to Sri Lanka. 

Petrol and diesel prices in Delhi stand at Rs 90.83 per litre (increase by 25 paise) and Rs 81.32 per litre (increase by 35 paise), respectively. 

Defence Research and Development Organisation conducts two successful launches of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM). 

A 680-metre road has been constructed using plastic waste, near Women's College in Agartala. "We've started using plastic waste in the construction of roads with an aim to reduce the waste and make the environment plastic-free, said Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb.

PM Narendra Modi will today inaugurate Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Institute of Medical Sciences and Research at IIT Kharagpur and will address the 66th Convocation of the IIT, via video conferencing.

Jharkhand reported 41 new COVID-19 cases, 45 recoveries, and one death in the last 24 hours, as per State Health Department.

• Total cases: 1,19,637
• Total recoveries: 1,18,103
• Death toll: 1,086
• Active cases: 448

Case registered against former MP Dhananjay Mahadik and two others for violation of COVID-19 measures at marriage function of his son in Pune on February 21. NCP chief Sharad Pawar, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and Haryana Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala were among the attendees.