LIVE News Updates: Bhopal man arrested under MP’s new anti-conversion law

Madhya Pradesh police have arrested a 25-year-old mechanic in Bhopal under a new law in the state that penalises religious conversions through fraudulent means, after a woman lodged a complaint against him, officials said on Thursday.

In her complaint, the victim, a 23-year-old engineering student, accused the man of repeatedly raping her and bullying her besides threatening her to change her faith to marry him, they said.

Maharashtra crosses 20 lakh COVID-19 caseload mark with 2,886 new infections; toll up to 50,634 as 52 more patients die: Official

COVID-19 death toll in Jammu and Kashmir rises to 1,924 with one more fatality, infection tally climbs to 1,23,764 with 117 fresh cases: Officials

Pune: Five charred bodies recovered from Serum Institute of India building where fire broke out in afternoon: Fire official

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with vaccinators and beneficiaries of the COVID-19 inoculation drive in Varanasi on Friday via videoconferencing: PMO

Electrician Sheikh Nur Rehman had meticulously planned a perfect burglary -- or at least he thought so -- in his employer's jewellery showroom in Kalkaji and seemed headed for a 'glittering' future with over Rs 20-crore booty. But within hours, as ill-luck would have it, he was in police cross-hairs and cooling his heels behind bars.

When Rehman, 25, took leave on January 10 to visit his native place in West Bengal, no one suspected anything amiss.

As per the information we've received, the fire is under control. There have been no casualties so far. The fire had not broken out at the COVID vaccine unit: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, on fire at SII

Six people have been rescued (from fire). Prima facie it seems that the fire was caused by an electric fault. The COVID vaccine is safe. I have not spoken to Adar Poonawalla till now: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray

Bird flu has been confirmed in 17 districts of Rajasthan. So far, 181 birds were found dead in the state

Twitter has locked the official account of China's Embassy in the US over a controversial post that referred to Muslim Uyghur women as "baby-making machines" prior to government intervention.

Maharashtra: Fire breaks out at Terminal 1 gate of Serum Institute of India in Pune.

A team of Uttar Pradesh Police arrives at the residence of the director of web series Tandav, Ali Abbas Zafar to serve him notice.

Govt has said tractor parade on R-Day can't be conducted on Delhi's Outer Ring Road, due to security reasons. We're clear that we'll conduct tractor parade there only. After tomorrow's meeting with Centre, we'll hold another meeting with police: Darshan Pal, Krantikari Kisan Union

Telangana recorded 226 new Covid cases and reported one death during the last 24 hours, health officials said on Thursday.

The state's cumulative tally rose to 2,92,621. One person succumbed to the virus, pushing the death toll to 1,584.

According to the director of public health and family welfare, the fatality rate remained 0.54 per cent against the national average of 1.4 per cent.

Supreme Court issues notice to makers and producers of web series 'Mirzapur' and Amazon Prime Video, on a petition complaining about the portrayal of Mirzapur district, UP in a bad light in the web series. SC seeks response from the OTT platform and series makers

Supreme Court grants bail to Kannada film actress, Ragini Dwivedi, arrested for her alleged involvement in a Sandalwood drugs case

Bombay High Court dismisses actor Sonu Sood's petition challenging BMC notice on illegal construction at his residence

India reports 15,223 new COVID-19 cases, 19,965 discharges, and 151 deaths in last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry
Total cases: 1,06,10,883
Active cases: 1,92,308
Total discharges: 1,02,65,706
Death toll: 1,52,869
Total vaccinated: 8,06,484

Maharashtra: Narcotics Control Bureau conducts searches at several locations in south Mumbai, seizes drugs and cash worth crores. Drugs manufacturing unit busted in Dongri area was run by drugs peddler Chinku Pathan who was arrested yesterday, says NCB

Jharkhand's COVID-19 tally rose to 1,18,012 on Thursday as 125 more people tested positive for the infection, a health official said.

Sensex jumps 230.69 pts to cross 50,000-mark for first time; Nifty surges 72.95 pts to record 14,717.65

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the United States' stated re-engagement with the World Health Organisation (WHO), saying supporting the health agency is absolutely critical to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said Washington joining the global vaccine initiative will boost efforts to ensure equitable access to vaccines for all countries.

"Supporting the WHO is absolutely critical to the world's efforts for a better coordinated response against COVID-19, a statement issued by the UN Chief's spokesperson on Wednesday said.

Guterres said now is the time for unity and for the international community to work together in solidarity to stop the virus and its shattering consequences.

With vaccines being a critical tool in the battle against COVID-19, the United States joining and supporting the COVAX facility will give momentum to efforts to ensure equitable access to vaccines for all countries, the statement said.

Angry at the WHO for its handling of the coronavirus, which he had termed China virus due to its origin in the Chinese city of Wuhan, Biden's predecessor Donald Trump had halted funding to the global health agency last year.

His administration had also formally notified the United Nations of its decision to withdraw the US from the WHO.

The US has been the largest funder to the WHO, contributing more than USD 450 million per annum. The US has been a party to the WHO Constitution since June 21, 1948.

As the world reached a heart-wrenching milestone of two million COVID-19-related deaths less than a week ago, Guterres lamented that the deadly impact of the pandemic has worsened due to the absence of a global coordinated effort and said that vaccinationalism by governments is self-defeating that will delay a global recovery.

Guterres has said the UN is supporting countries to mobilise the largest global immunisation effort in history and the world organization is committed to making sure that vaccines are seen as global public goods people's vaccines.

"That requires full funding for the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator and its COVAX facility which is dedicated to making vaccines available and affordable to all, Guterres had said.

He stressed that manufacturers need to step up their commitment to work with the COVAX facility and countries around the world to ensure enough supply and fair distribution.