Breaking News, March 18

AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine is safe & effective, says European Medicines Agency

Maharashtra's single-day Covid count crosses 25,000-mark, highest since pandemic outbreak. Read full story

Karnataka: Congress President Sonia Gandhi has approved the candidature of Ashok Managoli, Mallamma and Basavanagoud R. Turvihal for by-elections in Sindgi, Basavakalyan and Maski constituencies respectively.

• Today Congress has become so weak that it can go to any extent & join hands with anyone... Can a party that doesn't have stable thinking give a stable govt to Assam?
• On one side, BJP has a policy, leadership and good intentions. While on the other side, Congress neither has a leader nor policy or ideology.
• Rail connectivity was very poor in Barak Valley, and people have continuously demanded for it. Quality of roads, too, was poor. People had to travel long distances to reach different parts of Assam.
• Gas connectivity, too, wasn't up to the mark. The BJP govt is swiftly pulling Assam out of this situation.
• Congress kept Assam divided in every way, BJP tried to connect Assam in every way. "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Biswas" — is the BJP's development mantra.

Andhra Pradesh: Former CM and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu has filed a quash petition in Andhra Pradesh High Court against the FIR filed by State's CID in connection with Amaravati area land case. 

'Poribortan'(change) is Mamata Banerjee's slogan; why are you copying Mamata Banerjee?... After winning Bengal, we will jump to Delhi & shake BJP: West Bengal CM & TMC leader Mamata Banerjee in Kharagpur

Dr Cyrus S. Poonawalla, Chairman and Managing Director, Serum Institute of India, along with Adar Poonawalla called on President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public rally in West Bengal's Purulia. Here are some highlights from his address:

• This land is a witness to Lord Ram and Goddess Sita's exile. This land has Sitakund. It is also said that when goddess Sita was thirsty, Lord Ram got water from the ground by hitting it with an arrow...It is an irony that Purulia faces a water crisis today.
• First, the Left govt and then the TMC govt didn't let industries develop here. The kind of work that should've been done for irrigation, didn't take place. I know the problems faced in rearing livestock due to less water. TMC govt was busy in its 'khel' by leaving farming on its own.
• These people have given Purulia a life riddled with the water crisis. They have given Purulia, migration. They have given the poor of Purulia, discriminatory governance. They have given Purulia an identity of being one of the most backward areas of the country.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Purulia, says, "Didi bole khela hobe, BJP bole chaakri hobe. Didi bole khela hobe, BJP bole vikas hobe. Didi bole khela hobe, BJP bole shiksha hobe....Khela shesh hobe, vikas aarambh hobe."
• Bengal made up its mind long back. It's been saying 'Lok Sabha mein TMC half aur iss baar poori saaf'. Seeing this determination, didi is taking out her frustration on me. But for us, she's a daughter like crores of daughters of India. Respect for them is part of our culture.
• That is why we were concerned when didi got injured. I pray to God that her leg injury heals soon.

The mortal remains of Indian Air Force pilot Ashish Gupta rested at the crematorium for last rites in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. He died in the MiG-21 Bison crash.

All government schools, colleges, hostels, and private schools in Palghar District, Maharashtra to remain closed till further orders. 

BJP leader Khushbu Sundar holds a roadshow near Valluvarkotam in Chennai, ahead of filing her nomination from the Thousand Lights assembly constituency. 

"536 COVID-19 cases reported on Wednesday. The positivity rate in Delhi is 0.66%. Compared to other states, the situation in Delhi is under control. The testing rate is 5% more than the national average. People shouldn't be careless and wear masks as much as possible," said Delhi Health Minister Satendra Jain.

IPS Rajnish Seth, currently DG Anti-corruption Bureau, Maharashtra takes additional charge as DGP of Maharashtra. 

Alliance Air, IndiGo, and Air Asia have de-boarded 7 passengers till now, for not following COVID19 appropriate behaviour onboard their flights. On Mar 13, DGCA stated that passengers can be de-boarded if they don't wear masks properly inside aircraft or don't follow COVID norms. 

Nine people on board a special forces helicopter were killed after it crash-landed in Behsud district, Maidan Wardak province of Afghanistan. 

All gardens and parks in Gujarat's Ahmedabad closed for the public from today till further orders, due to a rise in COVID19 cases.

India reported 35,871 new COVID19 cases, 17,741 recoveries and 172 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per the Union Health Ministry

• Total cases: 1,14,74,605
• Total recoveries: 1,10,63,025
• Active cases: 2,52,364
• Death toll: 1,59,216 
• Total vaccination: 3,71,43,255

A paramedical staff of a hospital has been arrested for allegedly molesting a woman patient in ICU ward in Chitrakoot area of Jaipur, Rajasthan.

A truck driver has been fined Rs 1,000 for driving the vehicle without wearing a helmet in Ganjam district, Odisha. 

A private bus carrying around 100 passengers overturns on Yamuna Expressway in the Khandauli area. "14 passengers sustained injuries and were rushed to a hospital," said Archana Singh, Circle Officer, Etmadpur.

Ten prisoners have tested positive for COVID-19 at Kanpur jail. All of them are asymptomatic and have been shifted to L1 level hospital established at the jail.