Breaking news highlights: Punjab adds 1,379 new Covid-19 cases

Punjab on Friday added 1,379 new cases of Covid-19, which pushed the caseload to 750,272. As many as 25 patients died and the toll has climbed to 17,392.

The Congress party's CM candidate in Punjab will be announced by Rahul Gandhi on February 6 during his visit to Ludhiana, reports ANI citing the party's Punjab in-charge Harish Choudhary.

Delhi reported 2,272 new Covid-19 cases and 20 deaths in the last 24 hours and the daily positivity was at 3.85%. 

The active caseload stood at 11,716.

Maharashtra logs 13,840 Covid-19 cases, 81 deaths in the past 24 hours; Mumbai sees 846 new infections.

Reenat Sandhu, currently serving as a secretary in the ministry of external affairs, has been appointed as the next Ambassador to the Netherlands, reports ANI citing the ministry.

“We are taking a historic decision in Goa, a new 'NYAY Scheme' will be launched. ₹6,000 per month, i.e. ₹72,000 in a year, will automatically be transferred to Goa's poorest citizens,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said during a virtual rally.

Routine inpatient admissions including elective surgeries to resume at AIIMS Delhi with immediate effect, reports ANI. 

Union minister Piyush Goyal said that home minister Amit Shah will give a statement on Monday (February 7) on the shooting incident against Asaduddin Owaisi. 

“The whole house is grateful and thankful to God that he (Owaisi) is safe and we wish him a long life. The state government has done an inquiry and have recovered some items. Home minister on Monday will give a full statement on this,” Goyal said. 

“So I reject the Z category security but I demand UAPA on those people so that this kind of radicalisation can be stopped,” said Asaduddin Owaisi. 

Asaduddin Owaisi said that he does not want the Z category security provided to him but wanted to live with “freedom”. 

“I request you to see what they said about me in Haridwar, mathura, you have the IB report on that. I am not afraid of dying but I want to appeal to the government to see what was said. I don't want Z security, I want to live with freedom and not a stifled life but I want to be an ‘A-category’ citizen,” he said. 

“Who are these people who believe in bullets and not the ballot, who have so much hate. If this is the kind of politics we are going to see- of bullets being strewn at a tollbooth, we can see the kind of radicalisation. I appeal to you that you should have a special cell in MHA to tackle this kind of radicalisation,” said Asaduddin Owaisi in Parliament after attack on him. 

Rajya Sabha adjourned till Monday, 7th February, hours after the Opposition walked out in protest against the NEET bill. 

Rajasthan state government revised the Covid-19 rules in the state following which decided night curfew will be lifted and a maximum of up to 250 people at private and public gatherings would now be allowed, reports PTI. 

The new rules are set to come into effect from Saturday (February 5). 

“We have presented before him that in the present form, it is not advisable to go ahead with it. He agrees with us and will give the necessary directions,” said Union minister V Muraleedharan after meeting Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw over the Kerala state government's proposed semi high-speed rail project. 

JNU Vice-Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar appointed as the chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Uttar Pradesh selected as best state tableau of Republic Day parade 2022, while Maharashtra wins in the popular choice category; CISF named best marching contingent among CAPF: Defence ministry

Yogi Adityanath files nomination from Gorakhpur Urban assembly constituency, from where he will contest the upcoming state polls.

Schools for classes 9-12 to open from February 7, night curfew to begin from 11pm, instead of 10pm. Offices to function with 100% attendance, single drivers in cars to be exempted from masks and gyms to open with restrictions.

Centre gives ‘Z’ category security cover of CRPF to AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, a day after firing at his convoy in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.

No question of any politics, the Netaji hologram was switched off because of extreme weather conditions as per standard international practice. It was switched on at midnight yesterday: Culture ministry

Haryana government moves Supreme Court against Punjab and Haryana high court order staying the state law providing 75% reservation in private sector for local candidates.

Union health ministry postpones NEET PG exam 2022 by 6-8 weeks.