Breaking news: August 12, 2020 | As it happened

4,593 COVID cases detected out of 1,43,109 tests conducted today in Assam. Total cases stand at 68,999 including 45,073 recovered cases, 23,762 active cases and 161 deaths. 

679 COVID-19 cases and 8 deaths reported in Jharkhand today. The total number of cases in the State is now at 20,257, including 12,197 recovered/discharged, 7,858 active cases, and 202 deaths. 

1,212 new COVID-19 cases and 5 deaths reported in Kerala. Of these new cases, 1,068 contracted the infection through local transmission. 

Tamil Nadu reports 5,871 new COVID-19 cases and 119 deaths today taking the total number of cases to 3,14,520 including 5,278 deaths and 52,929 active cases. 

82 new COVID-19 cases and 48 recovered cases reported in Himachal Pradesh till 5 pm today, pushing the tally in the state to 3,579, including 1,214 active cases, 2,321 recoveries, and 16 deaths till date. 

41 new COVID-19 positive cases, 76 recovered cases reported in Manipur in the last 24 hours. The state's total cases tally now stands at 3,982 including 1,739 active cases, 2,231 recovered cases and 11 deaths. 

Jammu and Kashmir reported 482 new COVID-19 cases (106 in Jammu and 376 in Kashmir), 544 recoveries and 8 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking total number of cases to 26,413 till date, including 7,392 active cases, 18,523 recovered cases and 498 deaths. 

Karnataka reported 7,883 new COVID-19 cases, 7,034 recoveries and 113 deaths today, taking the total number of cases to 1,96,494, including 80,343 active cases, 1,12,633 recovered cases and 3,510 deaths till date. 2,802 cases reported in Bengaluru

4,583 new COVID-19 cases, 4,073 recovered cases and 55 deaths reported in the last 24 hours in Uttar Pradesh. Total number of active cases till date stands at 49,347 while total 84,661 people have recovered and 2,230 have died so far. 

480 COVID-19 cases and 161 recoveries reported in Goa today, as of 6 pm. The total number of cases in the state is now at 9,924, including 3,194 active cases, 6,641 recovered, and 89 deaths. 

81 new COVID-19 cases, 1 death reported in Chandigarh today, taking the total number of cases to 1,751, including 700 active cases, 1,023 recovered cases and 26 deaths. 

1,020 new COVID-19 cases, 422 recovered cases and 39 deaths reported in Punjab today, taking the total number of cases to 26,909, including 9,022 active cases, 17,212 recovered cases and 675 deaths. 

439 new COVID-19 cases and 217 recovered cases reported in Uttarakhand today, taking the positive cases tally to 10,886, including 4,020 active cases, 6,687 recovered cases, and 140 deaths so far. 

Total COVID-19 active cases rise to 656 in Meghalaya, while total recoveries stand at 517 in the state. 

12,712 new COVID-19 cases reported in Maharashtra taking the total number of cases in the State to 5,48,313. There are 1,47,513 active cases and the death toll is at 18,650. 13,408 people discharged today, total recoveries stand at 3,81,843. 

Madhya Pradesh reports 870 new COVID-19 cases and 15 deaths today, taking the total number of cases to 41,604 including 1,048 deaths and 9,317 active cases. 

1,132 new COVID-19 cases and 50 deaths reported in Mumbai today. The total number of cases now at 1,26,371 including 1,00,070 recovered/discharged cases, 19,064 active cases and 6,940 deaths. 

West Bengal reports 2,936 new COVID-19 cases and 54 deaths today. The total number of cases rises to 1,04,326 and the death toll is at 2,203. There are 26,003 active cases. 

797 fresh COVID19  cases reported today in Haryana, taking the total number of cases in the state to 44,024 including 6,827 active cases, 36,694 recovered/discharged cases and 503 deaths. Recovery rate in the state is 83.35%. 

The national highway leading to Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines was blocked at several points due to falling of boulders after rain lashed Rishikesh in Uttarakhand's Dehradun district early on Wednesday. The traffic was temporarily stopped to clear the highway, said SHO, Muni ki Reti police station, Kishor Saklani.

Boulders fell on the the road at several points between Neer Gaddu and Shivpuri, the station house officer said, adding that an earth-mover machine got stuck while clearing the road for traffic.
  
The Ganga was flowing 10-cm above the warning level, and its water level continues to rise, Saklani said.

Water level of Henwal river, a tributary of the Ganga, has also risen and families living close to it have been shifted to safer places, the officer said.

9,597 new COVID-19 positive cases, 6,676 recoveries and 93 deaths reported in Andhra Pradesh today, taking the total number of cases to 2,54,146, including 90,425 active cases, 1,61,425 recovered and 2,296 deaths so far.

A 49-year-old Assistant Sub-Inspector of Delhi Police died and his colleague was injured when the roof of a building in north Delhi where they gone as part of a tenant verification drive collapsed, officials said on Wednesday.

Responding with scepticism to Russia’s approval of a COVID-19 vaccine, several scientists around the world, including in India, suggest it hasn’t been tested properly given the time constraint and there may not be enough evidence to prove its efficacy.

Using e-cigarettes is associated with a substantially increased risk of COVID-19 among teenagers and young adults, according to a study led by an Indian-origin researcher. The study, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, is the first to examine connections between youth vaping and COVID-19 using US population-based data collected during the pandemic.

Among young people who were tested for the virus that causes COVID-19, the researchers found that those who vaped were five to seven times more likely to be infected than those who did not use e-cigarettes.

India's COVID-19 recovery rate soared past 70 per cent on Wednesday with 16,39,599 people having recuperated from the disease so far in the country, while active cases comprise 27.64 pc of the total caseload, the Union Health Ministry said.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts very heavy rainfall for tomorrow in the Madhya Pradesh districts of Rewa, Satna, Panna, Chhatarpur, Damoha, Alirajpur, Jhabua, Dhar, Datiya and Bhind.

India's fuel demand is beginning to flatline after showing signs of returning to life, as consumption dipped 11.7 per cent in July, official data showed.

Fuel consumption, a barometer of economic activity in the country, had slumped by over 45 per cent in April as nationwide lockdown halted most vehicular traffic and shut industries. However, with easing of lockdown restrictions, the demand picked up in May and June with month-on-month increase in consumption numbers.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday claimed that the unemployment rate in the state has been reduced by 40 per cent at a time
when the country is witnessing an all-time high of 24 per cent joblessness.

German lender Deutsche Bank on Wednesday announced a capital infusion of Rs 2,700 crore into its India operations for expansion across segments. This is the second time in less than two years that the bank has infused money into local operations consisting of 17 branches, after the Rs 3,800 crore investment in early 2019.

Banks have to set aside capital for every new loan that they make and also when the loan slips into non-performing territory. A bank statement said the fresh capital will be used to support further expansion of Deutsche Bank India across all of its businesses, including corporate banking, investment banking, and international private banking that have been consistently growing over the years.

West Bengal: Tigress Sheela gave birth to three cubs today at Bengal Safari in Siliguri. This takes the total tiger population at Bengal Safari to seven. 

The grim shadow of COVID-19 crisis was visible on Dahi Handi festivities in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra on Wednesday as mandals opted for low-key celebration unlike past years which provided for public spectacles by ebullient Govinda squads.

Devotees offer prayers at a Krishna Temple in Ludhiana on the occasion of Janmashtami. Priest of the temple says, "Due to COVID-19 turnout of devotees is less this year. Priests of the temple will participate in the 'mangal abhishek' to avoid gathering of people."

Former President Pranab Mukherjee’s health condition continues to remain critical. Presently he is haemodynamically stable & on a ventilator, says Army Research & Referral (R&R) Hospital, Delhi Cantt. Pranab Mukherjee underwent emergency surgery for a brain clot on 10th August

One gate of Khadakwasla Dam in Pune was opened today releasing 500 cusecs of water following incessant rainfall.

Odisha's COVID-19 tally on Wednesday crossed the 50,000-mark with the highest single-day spike of 1,876 fresh cases, while the death toll rose to 305 as nine more patients succumbed to the disease

Muzamil Pasha, an SDPI leader has been arrested by Police in connection with DJ Halli police station limits violence (in Bengaluru): Mujahid Pasha, convenor SDPI (Social Democratic Party of India)

The fight is to save democracy and it will continue. All our MLAs stayed together for such a long time. This is a victory of the people of Rajasthan. It is our duty to serve the people of the state, says Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot in Jaisalmer

As India's COVID-19 recovery rate rises above 70 per cent, 17 states have seen a drop in active coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours. Latest MoHFW figures indicate that while over 60,000 new COVID-19 cases have come to light in the last 24 hours, over 56,000 people have recovered from the virus. This means that only 4,000 active cases were added in the overall tally in India. In the fine prints of India's COVID-19 numbers from last 24 hours, there have been 17 states across India that have seen a drop of COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. Read Full Report

India's recovery rate has crossed the 70 per cent mark despite over 60,000 cases being reported in the last 24 hours. As per latest figures issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there have been 60,963 new COVID-19 cases that have come to light in the last 24 hours while the death toll has risen by 834. This has taken India's overall case tally to 23,29,639 cases. Out of these, 16,39,600 people have recovered after contracting the virus while 6,43,948 people still find themselves positive. Read Full Report

The first photos of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha from his birthplace in Mathura on Janmashtami .

Mathura, Lord Krishna's birthplace is celebrating Janmashtami without the usual fanfare today due to the coronavirus guidelines in place. However, there is no let down in the mood of people who are celebrating Janmashtami today. 

Main celebrations will take place at the Krishna Temple also known as Banke Bihari Mandir in Vrindavan. According to the Hindu mythology, when Lord Krishna appears on this day, thousands of gods and goddesses are present to witness it. The priests dress Lord Krishna with flowers and dress studded with gold and diamonds. 

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, people are not being allowed in the main temple today. The doors of the main temple open for "darshan" at 12 PM. Here;s the first look of Lord Krishna in Mathura's Banke Bihari Temple. 

United States Democratic candidate Joe Biden has chosen Kamala Harris as his running mate in the US Presidential Elections 2020. This basically means that were Biden to win the forthcoming elections, Kamala Harris would become the Vice President of the United States. This is a big development since Kamala Harris would effectively become the first black woman in USA to compete not only for the VP post but on any major party presidential ticket. The announcement has been hailed by the Indian American community because of Harris’ Indian roots. Read Full Story

So Russia has officially become the first country to register the world's first coronavirus vaccine. President Vladimir Putin himself endorsed the vaccine when he came out in the open and said that the vaccine was safe to use and that one of his daughters had already been vaccinated. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko has said that the first Russian vaccine against the coronavirus will begin to be produced at two sites —Gamaleya Research Institute and the company Binnopharm. The Russians have named their vaccine — Sputnik V — a name that has been of some prominence in the Russian/ Soviet Union’s history. Read Full Story

One soldier lost his life in action in the ongoing Pulwama encounter.Meanwhile, one unidentified terrorist also killed. One AK along with grenades, pouches & other war like stores recovered. Search operation underway

Celebrations at ISKCON Temple in Sector 33, on Janmashtami today. Temple officials say, "Darshan will be shown live on our YouTube channel and Facebook page, in the wake of COVID. Devotees are not allowed for darshan at the temple. All precautions have been taken."

In view of the coronavirus pandemic, ISKCON-Bengaluru is organising a virtual Krishna 'Janmasthtami'-2020 on August 11 and 12.

The ISKCON, a religious organisation, is organising a 40-hour webcast 'Swagatam Krishna'.

The event is being shown on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. 

Yoga guru Swami Ramdev reveals yoga asanas to manage stress and lead a healthy life | WATCH NOW 

• Light rain would occur over a few isolated places of East Delhi, South Delhi, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad during the next 2 hours: India Meteorological Department (IMD)
• Thunderstorm with light to moderate rain would occur over & adjoining areas of isolated places of Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, Karnal, Roorkee, Khataoli, Hastinapur, Nazibabad, Bijnor, Amroha, Moradabad, Agra, Tundla, Mathura & Muzaffarnagar during the next one & half hours: IMD

Water level of Sharda Barrage in Banbasa of Champawat dist rises due to rise in the level of Sharda river following incessant rainfall. Officials say "We're monitoring. Water can affect 2 dists of the state and 10 dists of UP. People are being informed about situation"

Hello and welcome to today's live coverage of coronavirus news in India and across the world, with me, Sushmita Panda and my colleagues  Himanshu Shekhar, Shashwat  Bhandari, Vani Mehrotra, Priya Jaiswal,  Sidhant Mamtany and Rashi Hardaha. You can get in touch with us directly on twitter @sushmitapanda, @himaanshus, @ShashBhandari​ @vani_mehrotra​ @priyajais, @SidMamtany, and  @rashihardaha for news, tips, photos, questions and comments. Stay tuned to Indiatvnews.com (@indiatvnews) for all the latest updates on what's happening around the world. 

Here's a quick overview: 

The total number of global cases has surpassed 20.5 million, including more than 744,000 fatalities. More than 13,427,000 patients are reported to have recovered.

Total positive cases country-wise: