Covaxin booster dose: What is it? What does govt say about this?

Natural antibodies produced after Covid-19 infection remain effective for 7-12 months, but the effectiveness of vaccine-produced antibodies is not known and the requirement of a booster shot will depend on that.

Ex-MP Atiq Ahmed fails to get protection from SC; asked to approach high court

Supreme Court refuses to entertain gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed's plea alleging threat to his life from UP police, directs him to file a petition before Allahabad High Court. Ahmed was convicted in connection with 2007 kidnapping case of a lawyer and a prime witness in the murder of a BSP MLA.

Govt cancels licenses of 18 pharma companies over spurious medicines: Report

In a joint inspection by central and state regulators, 76 pharma companies were inspected and 18 had their licences cancelled for producing substandard and adulterated drugs. Show-cause notices were issued to 26 firms, with 203 firms identified in total, mostly from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh. Questions have been raised about the quality of drugs made in India following a recall in the US and children's deaths in the Gambia and Uzbekistan last year.

Congress to talk to Oppn for no-trust vote against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

The Congress has planned a month-long protest programme across the nation to "save democracy" following Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from the Lok Sabha. 19 opposition parties, including Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena, have joined the Congress in the protest. The party wants to bring a no-confidence motion against the Lok Sabha Speaker on Monday. Trinamool has also joined the protest, despite avoiding the Congress in electoral politics.

ED only targeting non-BJP states: CM Baghel after fresh raids in Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel accused the Enforcement Directorate of targeting only non-BJP states, claiming that the ED had not conducted raids in BJP-ruled states. The ED conducted fresh raids in Chhattisgarh in connection with the coal levy money laundering case, searching premises of Congress Treasurer, coal businessman and senior bureaucrat.

Committee formed on anti-competitive practices by big tech firms: Govt tells RS

Government formed committee on digital competition law to check anti-competitive practices by big tech firms. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said inquiries against Amazon, Flipkart, Zomato, Swiggy, BookMyShow, Apple, WhatsApp, Facebook (Meta) and Google are being conducted. Terms of reference of committee include reviewing existing provisions in Competition Act, 2002 and need for ex-ante regulatory mechanism for digital markets.

'My best wishes!!!': AAP MP congratulates Raghav Chadha, Parineeti Chopra on their ‘union’

Raghav Chadha and Parineeti Chopra have been the talk of the town ever since they were spotted on a dinner outing in Mumbai last week. Sanjeev Arora, Chadha's AAP colleague, seemingly confirmed the news in a tweet, while the politician has stayed mum on the subject. Fans are speculating if the two are dating, while the Rajya Sabha chairman, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, has joked about the matter.

'Sick and perverted’: Mahua Moitra slams BJP MP's jab at Rahul, Sonia Gandhi

Mahua Moitra, Trinamool Congress MP, slammed BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal for his "person born to a foreign woman" remark against Congress' Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, calling it "sick and perverted". Jaiswal made the remark in response to Gandhi's "Modi surname" comment, which resulted in his disqualification as an MP. Gandhi was served an eviction notice to vacate his 12 Tughlaq Lane residence and he responded by saying he will abide by the details.

Evening brief: Life term for Atiq Ahmad; Umesh Pal's mother seeks death penalty, and all the latest news

Mother of 2006 kidnapping victim Umesh Pal demands death sentence for Atiq Ahmad after court sentences him to life imprisonment. NASA shares image of 800 million light-years away 'jellyfish' galaxy. Virat Kohli's gesture of deliberately blocking a run to ensure Chris Gayle's maiden IPL century remembered 12 years later. Chiranjeevi honours SS Rajamouli and MM Keeravani for Oscar win. Tips to deal with UTI in women.

19 parties supporting us, Rahul Gandhi not worried about bungalow: Congress

The Congress has announced a month-long satyagraha, starting with a 'Save Democracy' peace march on Tuesday 7pm in New Delhi, supported by 19 parties including the Shiv Sena. The protest is in response to the Lok Sabha secretariat's "wonderful speed" in disqualifying Rahul Gandhi and issuing him a notice to vacate his official bungalow.

Rahul Gandhi back in Lok Sabha 'very quickly'? Congress leader says...

Opposition parties have come together in support of Rahul Gandhi after his disqualification from Lok Sabha following a conviction in a criminal defamation case. Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid said this provides fertile ground to "build an edifice on" and if sustained, is "worth paying the price" for. Khurshid also said changes to the law on disqualification of legislators is "inevitable" and Gandhi will be back in Parliament soon.

Jagdeep Dhankhar's 'hawa nikal sakti hai' advice in Rajya Sabha

Opposition MPs in Rajya Sabha continued to demand a JPC probe into alleged Adani scam, to which Rajya Sabha Chairman Dhankar said, "Anything is possible... any bubble can be burst". He was referring to Rahul Gandhi's comment, who faced criticism for publicly humiliating a journalist. The Mumbai Press Club asked him to apologize. The Adani controversy is the latest conflict between the BJP and the Opposition, with Congress vowing to continue raising questions.

NK Singh, Lawrence Summers co-conveners of G20 expert group on strengthening MDBs

The G20 has set up an expert group to prepare a roadmap for a modern MDB ecosystem to finance Sustainable Development Goals and transboundary challenges. Co-conveners Lawrence Summers and NK Singh, along with other members, will focus on MDB coordination, funding, and capital adequacy frameworks. The report is due by June 2023.

Who is Atiq Ahmed, sentenced to life term in Umesh Pal kidnapping case| 5 points

Atiq Ahmed, a former MP and five-time MLA with over a hundred criminal cases against him, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Tuesday for kidnapping lawyer Umesh Pal in 2006. Pal was a key witness in the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal. Ahmed was also ordered to pay Rs 1 lakh compensation to Pal's family. Supreme Court dismissed his plea for protection during his custody with UP Police.

Delhi HC issues summons to Raut, Thackeray, Twitter, Google in defamation case

Delhi High Court summons Shiv Sena leaders Uddhav Thackeray, Sanjay Raut, Aditya Thackeray, Twitter and Google in a civil defamation case filed by Rahul Ramesh Shewale over Raut's claim of a Rs 2000 crore deal for bow and arrow symbol. Senior advocate Rajiv Nayar asked court to pass an injunction to restrain Raut and others from making any further defamatory allegations. Court directed Google, Twitter, Raut, and the Thackerays to file written statements within 30 days.

Watch | Amritpal Singh seen in Delhi wearing a mask and no turban

Radical Sikh leader Amritpal Singh has been seen on a Delhi street in a fresh CCTV footage, according to police. He is flaunting a different look with no turban and a mask. The Indian government has asked the Nepal government to not allow Amritpal to flee the country. He has been seen multiple times on CCTV footage since his escape on March 18.