Breaking News, July 29: Highlights

People of Assam are advised not to travel to Mizoram as any threat to the personal safety of the people of the state can't be accepted, said Assam Government in an issued advisory.

Thunderstorm with moderate to heavy intensity rain would occur over & adjoining areas of Hastinapur, Chandpur, Khatoli, Hapur, Aligarh, Khurza, Jattari, Bulandshashar, Gulothi, Atroli, Siyana, Garhmukteshwar, Bijnor during the next 2 hours, declared IMD.

Panchayat Ward Secretaries staged a protest in Patna demanding due salary, proper honorarium, and job regularisation. Bihar police used water cannons to disperse protesters.

A landslide has caused a blockage of Rishikesh- Chamba national highway 94 in Uttarakhand.

India’s cumulative COVID vaccination coverage has surpassed 45.55 crore (45,55,02,438). Nearly 47 lakh (46,52,914) vaccine doses have been administered today, as per the 7 pm provisional report, said Union Health Ministry.

18-point agenda given by Congress high command will be implemented for sure. Some days back I tabled five priority areas in front of Punjab CM Amarinder Singh including the Centre's 3 farm laws, faulty PPAs, said Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu, in Jalandhar.

Death toll rises to 213 due to flood/heavy rainfall in various places of Maharashtra: State Emergency Operation Centre, Disaster Management Unit.

Uttarakhand reports zero death, 48 new cases, and 51 recoveries. 

Active cases: 669
Total recoveries: 3,27,915
Death toll: 7,361

Karnataka reports 2,052 new #COVID19 cases, 1332 recoveries and 35 deaths. Active cases: 23,253, Total recoveries:28,41,479, Death toll: 36,491.

Kerala reports 22,064 new COVID19 cases, 16,649 recoveries and 128 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases are at 1,54,820 while the Death toll is at 16,585.

We've decided to give relaxation in restrictions in 25 districts. Relaxation will be given in the functioning of shops, theaters, cinema halls, gyms. There would be restrictions in wedding functions etc, we would discourage using an air-conditioned hall. Things will be open on Saturdays with limitations, Sunday restrictions to continue. Detailed guidelines in the next 2-3 days. hotels&shops timings will increase till 8-9 pm. But they need to ensure staff is fully vaccinated, they'll be allowed to function on 50% capacity: Rajesh Tope, Maharashtra Health Minister.

1. The concept of playschools, which was restricted only to top cities till now, will reach villages too, regardless or rich and poor.
2. There are over 3 lakh such students in India who need sign language for education. For the first time, the Indian sign language has been made a subject. Now, students will be able to learn it as a language. It will help our divyang brothers and sisters. 

1. The new education policy has diverse offerings for the youth. 
2. You must have realised that NEP was always kept away from any pressures. There was clear openness.
3. Multiple entry, exit options now available for students.
4. Over 150 universities of India now have established Office of international affairs.

5. The new ‘National Education Policy’ assures the youth that the country is now fully with them, with their courage.

6. The Artificial Intelligence program that has just been launched will also make our youth future oriented, pave the way for AI driven economy. 

We mark a year of the launch of one of the most landmark policy reforms in India-New Education Policy 2020. When the world was at its peak of struggling to cope with the COVID19 pandemic, our govt came up with this transformative policy. Amid the pandemic, govt launched this policy for reaching impact on the educational landscape of the country. It is shaping the destiny of the nation, says Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches multiple key initiatives including Academic Bank of Credits and National Digital Education Architecture, in the field of education.

1. Congratulate citizens and students on the completition of one year of the new National Education Policy. 
2. Several people including policymakers, teachers, principals and other stakeholders have made strenous attempts in the last one year on the new education policy.
3. We all need to understand that this is a huge mission.
4. Our youths are ready for change, they do not want to wait more. 
5. Covid-19 situation posed challenges to education. However, students adapted to that change, and welcomed online education with open arms. 
6. Ministry of Education started Diksha platform, curriculum on Swayam platform. Students largely engaged with these.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses nation on completion of one year of the National Education Policy (NEP).

For further investigation, an SIT has been formed under the leadership of ADG (Ops) Sanjay Anand Lathkar. Further investigation will be done carefully. Action will be taken as per the further facts that come up: Amol Vinukant Homkar, IG (Operations).

Boxing, Women's Flyweight (48-51kg) Preliminaries Round of 16: MC Mary Kom loses to Ingrit Valencia 3-2

Our Govt has taken a landmark decision for providing a 27% reservation for OBCs & a 10% reservation for the Economically Weaker Section in the All India Quota Scheme for UG & PG medical/dental courses from the current academic yr... This'll create a new paradigm of social justice in our country, says PM.

Four people were immediately arrested and among them, one was a govt servant who has been suspended. Parents should also take responsibility while sending minor children out, says Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on gang rape of two minor girls on a beach.

Rainfall was reduced in J&K and Himachal. U'khand to receive heavy rainfall but it'll reduce during next 24 hrs. No extremely heavy rainfall for Maharashtra & peninsular range for the next 3-4 days. Delhi will continue to receive rain; cloudy skies likely, sayd IMD Sr Scientist RK Jenamani

Rescue operation & restoration work continues in Honzar Dachhan area of Kishtwar dist. following cloudburst; 7 people have died, 12 were injured & 19 people remain missing. "Today, there is no sign left of a village here," says a local.

Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee called on Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today. In the presence of officials, they reviewed various road projects being undertaken in the state.

Delhi reports 51 new COVID-19 cases, 70 recoveries and zero deaths in the last 24 hours.

Delhi: West Bengal CM and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee arrives at the residence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to meet him.

It is saddening if someone has said such a thing. One must refrain from making such comments: Bihar LoP Tejashwi Yadav on BJP's Nishikant Dubey's claim that Mahua Mitra called him 'Bihari gunda'.

An earthquake of magnitude 8.2 struck Alaska's Perryville on Thursday, said the United States Geological Survey (USGS). According to the USGS, the quake occurred at 06:15:49 (UTC), 91 km east-southeast of Perryville in Alaska. "Notable quake, preliminary info: M 8.2 - 91 km ESE of Perryville, Alaska, 46.7 km depth," said USGS. 

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2:00 pm as Opposition MPs gathered around well of the House and protested over various issues.

Lok Sabha adjourned till 1230 hours amid sloganeering by Opposition MPs. 

Himachal Pradesh: National Highway 5 blocked due to landslide near Chambaghat in Solan district, restoration work underway.

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray to chair a meeting today with COVID19 Task Force to assess the present situation in the state.

Union Health Secy Rajesh Bhushan writes to Kerala govt on "super spreader events" observed in Kerala recently. Health Secretary mentions that COVID guidelines need to be followed properly, "Compliance with mass/social gatherings guidelines need to be enforced strictly": Sources.

Situation is tense but no incident took place in last 2 days. CRPF is also present in the area. Some people still trying to enter the state. Our police and public are alert: Assam Minister Parimal Suklabaidya on border tension with Mizoram.

Uttarakhand: Gangotri Highway closed due to landslide near Helugad, Uttarkashi: Border Road Organisation (BRO).

COVID-19: Total samples tested up to 28th July are 46,26,29,773 including 17,28,795 samples tested yesterday. 

Tokyo Olympics 2020: Boxer Satish Kumar beats Jamaica's Ricardo Brown 4-1 in men's Super Heavy (+91kg) to qualify for quarterfinals.

Tripura: TMC MP Derek O' Brien arrives at Agartala after a team (I-PAC) sent by TMC was detained by police. This is the only kind of antics they (Modi-Shah) know- to threaten, to bully. We will take them head-on, he says.

Tokyo Olympics: Archer Atanu Das beats South Korea's Oh Jin-Hyek 6-5 in men's individual 1/16 eliminations.

CBI yesterday conducted raid at the ESI Zonal office in Puducherry and arrested deputy director Petras Gregory Calco and his security officer on charges of embezzlement of funds from insurance plans. 

General Richard D Clarke, Commander of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), lays a wreath at the National War Memorial in Delhi.

Tokyo Olympics: Archer Atanu Das beats Chinese Taipei's Deng Yu-Cheng in men's individual round of 32 match.

Maharashtra Energy Minister Dr Nitin Raut will visit the Konkan region today to assess the damage caused due to floods. "80% of power restoration work has been completed. We are also providing solar lamps at places where power is yet to be restored," he said. 

Tokyo Olympics: India beat Argentina 3-1 in men's hockey Pool A match.

Maharashtra: "A 12-feet crocodile was rescued by locals in Sangalwadi area of Sangali district, yesterday. It was later handed over to the forest department," Mayor Digvijay Suryavanshi confirmed.

Tokyo Olympics: Badminton, Women's singles Round of 16: PV Sindhu beats Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt 21-15, 21-13.

Telangana: Four people were arrested with 3,650 kg of marijuana worth Rs 7.30 crores during a vehicle check, in  Kothagudem, yesterday; two trucks seized. Speaking to media, Bhadradri Kothagudem SP Sunil Dutt said, "Marijuana was being transported to Hyderabad and Haryana."