Breaking News December 20 | Highlights

Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan on Sunday said that the first shot of a coronavirus vaccine could be administered in "any week of January". READ MORE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the inaugural address at the India International Science Festival (IISF) on Tuesday via video conferencing, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said on Sunday.

A student of Banaras Hindu University has made it to the Guinness World Records by creating the world’s largest painting using natural colours, a senior official said on Sunday.

In a bid to to provide health service to the poor people near their residences in densely-populated urban areas, the Gujarat government will set up dedicated clinics in the cities and towns with the population of over one lakh, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said on Sunday.

Cold day conditions occurred at a few places in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, the Meteorological Department said.

Work on the upcoming Noida International Airport is progressing as scheduled and the first flight is expected to take off by December 2023 or January 2024, a senior government executive said on Sunday.

Also, the resettlement and rehabilitation of over three thousand families who are getting displaced due to the mega greenfield project is likely to be completed by May 2021, Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL) CEO Arun Vir Singh said.

Japanese auto major Honda plans to increase vehicle prices in India from next month and company dealers have been informed about the decision, industry sources said. READ MORE

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) appoints Delhi MLA Raghav as co-incharge of party's Punjab unit.

Two US-based Sikh NGOs donated toilets, geysers and tents to farmers at Tikri border in delhi.

"Due to lack of basic facilities at protest sites, we've decided to donate 200 portable toilets and geysers," said S P Singh Khalsa, Hoshiarpur Coordinator, Sikh Panchayat Fremont California.

Afghanistan Interior Minister Massoud Andarabi says 9 people killed and 20 more wounded in an explosion in Kabul today. 

India’s present active caseload -- 3,05,344 -- consists of just 3.04% of India’s total positive cases. The new recoveries of 29,690 in the last 24 hours have led to a net decline of 3,407 in the total active cases. 

A total of 592 new COVID-19 cases, 643 discharges, and 3 deaths were reported in Telangana yesterday, says State Health Department. 

• Total cases: 2,81,414
• Total recoveries: 2,73,013
• Active cases: 6,888
• Death toll: 1,513

8-year-old boy kidnapped from Ujire area of  Dakshina Kannada, abductors allegedly demand ransom in Bitcoin. "The child was kidnapped when he had gone for a walk with his grandfather on December 17. A case was registered," said SP Laxmiprasad.

Main accused could be a former business partner of the child's father. It is suspected that he was under assumption that the child's father has Bitcoins. Since the price of Bitcoin has gone up, the accused demanded the ransom in Bitcoins.

Father of the child is a local businessman and his grandfather is a retired serviceman. The child was rescued from Kolar district on December 19 and 6 accused were arrested. The main accused is on run.

Fire broke out at a scrap godown and later engulfed other godowns nearby, in Vapi area of Valsad district, Gujarat early morning today. "The fire has been controlled. The cooling process is underway," said an official of fire department.

Odisha recorded 372 new COVID-19 cases, 362 recoveries and 4 deaths on December 19, as per State Health Department.

• Total cases: 3,26,233
• Total recoveries: 3,21,309
• Active cases: 3,035
• Death toll: 1,836

Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli reaches President's Office with the recommendation to dissolve the Parliament. At an emergency meeting called by PM KP Sharma Oli, the council of ministers recommends to dissolve the Parliament. "It (recommendation) has been sent to the President," said Energy Miniter Barsaman Pun.

The decision has been made in haste as all the ministers weren’t present in the cabinet meeting this morning. This is against the democratic norms and would take the nation backwards. It can’t be implemented, said Narayankaji Shrestha, Spokesperson of ruling Nepal Communist Party. 

Surrendered terrorist contested DDC poll from Darhal Malkan constituency in Rajouri. 

"I worked as divisional commander of a terrorist outfit for over 7 yrs. I appeal terrorists to give up arms & join mainstream," said Munaf Malik. 

Eight-phase DDC polls in Jammu and Kashmir concluded yesterday. 

In an unscheduled visit today morning, PM Narendra Modi visited Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi and paid tributes to Guru Teg Bahadur for his supreme sacrifice.

Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation today unveiled the design of the mosque and hospital to be constructed at the five-acre plot in Ayodhya.

IICF was formed by UP Sunni Central Waqf Board after Supreme Court's verdict on Ayodhya land dispute case.

An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 on the Richter scale hit Hindu Kush, Afghanistan at 6:09 am today, as per National Center for Seismology. 

33 States and UTs have less than 20,000 Active Cases. Kerala and Maharashtra together account for 40% of total COVID-19 active cases, as per Union Ministry of Health.