Breaking News January 23 | Highlights

Cold conditions are likely to revive in Rajasthan from Sunday at a time when the night temperatures at present are hovering 2-3 degrees above normal, the meteorological department said. The Met department on Saturday predicted cold wave to severe cold wave conditions in few areas of Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Alwar, Ajmer, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Nagaur, Ganganagar, Churu and Hanumangarh districts for Sunday.

Meanwhile, Pilani registered the coldest place in Rajasthan with a minimum of 5.3 degrees Celsius followed by Dabok in Udaipur district where the night temperature was 8 degrees Celsius. Other areas recorded night temperatures between 8 and 13 degrees Celsius.

Jharkhand: RJD leader Lalu Prasad being shifted to AIIMS, Delhi from RIMS, Ranchi on the recommendation of the State Medical Board.

Delhi: 'Halwa Ceremony' being held at Finance Ministry to mark the beginning of printing of documents relating to Union Budget 2021-22. 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrives in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore on a three-day visit to the state. 

• His perception of 'New India' is that people of Tamil Nadu should be second-class citizens in this country. There are multiple languages and culture in this country, we feel all languages- Tamil, Hindi, Bengali, English have a state in this country.
• Narendra Modi has no respect for the culture, language and people of Tamil Nadu. He thinks that Tamil people, language and culture should be subservient to his ideas and culture.
• It is the commitment of the UPA govt that when we come to power, we will restructure the GST.

Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at Sivasagar. PM Modi distributed 1.06 lakh land allotment certificates at an event. Here are the highlights from his address: 

• The entire country is celebrating the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, today. The country has decided to celebrate this day as 'Prakram Diwas'. His life gives us inspiration even today.
• The fast-paced development of Assam in very important to us. The way to 'Atmanirbhar Assam' is through 'Atmavishwaas' (self-confidence) among the people here. 40 per cent of the state's population is taking benefit of 'Ayushmaan Bharat' scheme of the Central government.
• NDA govt has always kept the preservation of the Assamese culture at its foremost intention behind implementing policies including the protection of the Assamese language and promotion of its literature.
• The way the Assam government handled COVID19 is praise worthy. I am confident that Assam will take forward the vaccination drive now. I appeal to all to get vaccinated.
• The Centre-State double engine government is working to supply running water to all the households of the state.

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee leads march on 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

India and China to hold 9th round of corps commander level military talks tomorrow to address the ongoing military standoff in Eastern Ladakh. The talks would be held in Moldo opposite the Chushul sector in India. 

A total of 221 new COVID-19 cases, 431 discharges and 2 deaths reported in Telangana yesterday, said State Health Department.

• Total positive cases: 2,93,056
• Total recoveries: 2,87,899
• Active cases: 3,569
• Death toll: 1,973

Union Home Minister Amit Shah to launch 'Ayushman CAPF' scheme for jawans of all paramilitary forces, in Guwahati, today. This scheme will provide cashless and paperless medical treatment at empanelled hospitals. The scheme will ensure access to health services across the country to CAPFs personnel.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah pays floral tribute to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his 125th birth anniversary in Guwahati. "I hope we all participate in PM Modi's decision to celebrate 125th birth anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose and especially educate children and youth about Netaji's life. May lakhs of children take inspiration from his life and contribute in development of the country, " Shah said. 

Sasikala Natarajan is stable and comfortable. She is being continuously monitored in ICU ward, said Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute. She tested positive for COVID-19 on January 21.

India reported 14,256 new COVID-19 cases, 17,130 discharges, and 152 deaths in last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry.

• Total cases: 1,06,39,684
• Active cases: 1,85,662 
• Total discharges: 10,300,838 
• Death toll: 1,53,184
• Total vaccinated: 13,90,592

Between 100 and 200 National Guard members deployed to US President Joe Biden's inauguration tested positive for COVID-19. 

Staff members at all airports in Karnataka are considered frontline workers of COVID-19 and permitted for vaccine on priority basis. 

Brazilian President Jair M Bolsonaro thanked PM Modi for the supply of Covid-19 vaccines. He tweeted, "Namaskar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Brazil feels honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle by joining efforts. Thank you for assisting us with the vaccines exports from India to Brazil. Dhanyavaad."

Responding to his tweet, PM Modi tweeted, "The honour is ours, President Jair M. Bolsonaro to be a trusted partner of Brazil in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic together. We will continue to strengthen our cooperation on healthcare."

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Mizoram in the last 24 hours, as per state government.  

• Total cases: 4,349
• Active cases: 58
• Discharges: 4,282
• Deaths: 9