News highlights: BMC bans playing of Holi in public and private spaces due to Covid-19

Track Deccan Herald's latest updates of news in India and across the world.

Joe Biden calls for tighter gun control measures after Colorado shooting

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday called for a ban on assault weapons and tighter gun control measures as he stepped into the familiar role of grief counselor for a traumatized nation after a mass shooting left 10 people dead in Colorado.

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Four people dead in wall collapse at an under-construction building in Surat, say police - ANI

BMC issues order - playing of Holi at public places and private spaces not allowed in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic and rise in cases here - ANI

Suspension of international flights further extended till 30th April 2021. However, international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on case to case basis: Office of Director General of Civil Aviation. - ANI.

India's total cases of mutant Covid-19 strains reach 795

The total number of cases with the UK, South Africa and Brazil variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the country has reached 795, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday as India is witnessing a surge in Covid-19 cases.

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Karnataka reports 2,010 new Covid-19 cases, 677 discharges and 5 deaths in the last 24 hours - ANI

As Covid-19 cases surge once again in the state, Telangana government has announced the closure of all educational institutions from Wednesday. Online mode of teaching to resume

India abstains in vote in UN Human Rights Council on a resolution regarding reconciliation & accountability on human rights against Sri Lanka - ANI

State/ UT Governments shall take all necessary measures to promote Covid-19 appropriate behaviour in work places and in public, especially in crowded places

Keeping in view a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases, MHA in fresh guidelines asks states to strictly enforce the Test-Track-Treat protocol in all parts of the country and to scale up the vaccination drive, to cover all the target groups

States and UTs, where the proportion of RT-PCR tests is less, should rapidly increase it, to reach prescribed level of 70% or more. New positive cases, detected as a result of intensive testing, need to be isolated/ quarantined at the earliest

The only way by which Sharad Pawar Ji's credibility can be restored is by making Anil Deshmukh resign: Union Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad. - ANI.

Who is running the show of Maharashtra? Is it the most confused govt in the history of Maharashtra? What is the political direction of this 'vasooli' Aghadi? Sharad Pawar enjoys political credibility but under what compulsion is he defending Anil Deshmukh: RS Prasad. - ANI.

A 'khela' is happening in Maharashtra too. I just saw the Maharashtra ATS press conference, where only a statement was was made and no questions were taken...What's happening in Maharashtra is not 'vikas' it is 'vasooli': Union Minister & BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad. - ANI.

The total number of cases with UK, South Africa and Brazil variants of the Covid virus in the country as on date is 795: Ministry of Health - ANI

Those above 45 years can get Covid-19 vaccine from April 1

With the Covid-19 surging across India again, anyoneabove 45 years will now be able to get the Covid-19 vaccine from April 1.

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Musk says SpaceX to land Starship rockets on Mars well before 2030

Elon Musk's SpaceX will be landing its Starship rockets on Mars well before 2030, the billionaire entrepreneur said in a tweet on Tuesday.

The private space company had raised about $850 million in equity financing in February even as a prototype of its Starship rocket exploded during a landing attempt after a high-altitude test launch.

The SN9 prototype was a test model of the heavy-lift rocket being developed by SpaceX to carry humans and 100 tons of cargo on future missions to the moon and Mars. (Reuters)

Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh expressedconcern as 81 per centof latest 401 samples sent by Punjab for genome sequencing show a new UK Covid variant, affecting more young people. The CM has urgedPM Narendra Modi to expand Covid-19 vaccine to under 60. (ANI)

JUST IN | Pakistan reaches out to China to ensure supply of Covid-19 vaccine

Congress issues whip to its MPs in Rajya Sabha and asks them to support the party's stand on Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (AMENDMENT) Bill, 2021 to be presented in the House today.

AIMIM will contest in the West Bengal Elections 2021. "As far as the number of seats on which the party will contest is concerned, I will speak on that at a public meeting in Sagardighi on 27th March,"AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said. (ANI)

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has prepared the revised National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP)-2019 which addresses Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) issues in detail: MoS Home in Lok Sabha

E-Visa facility is granted to nationals of various countries after taking into consideration, inter-alia, issues of security, inbound tourism and investments, bilateral relations etc Presently, citizens of 171 countries can avail themselves of e-Visa facility: MoS Home Nityanand Rai told the Lok Sabha.

MHA in Lok Sabha

The Ministry of Home Affairs said in the Lok Sabha that “Police” and “Public Order” are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Therefore, State Police has the primary responsibility of prevention, detection, registration, investigation and prosecution of crimes.

In the Lok Sabha, The Finance Bill, 2021 is being discussed

Maharashtra Congress' ministers to hold a meeting today at Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Balasaheb Thorat's residence in Mumbai.

Supreme Court stays all proceedings pending before various High Courts for regulation and functioning of Over-the-top (OTT) platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar etc. by the government.

In a press conference regarding the controversy surrounding Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, ex-CM Devendra Fadnavis slammed the Maharashtra Maha Vikas Agadhi government for 'shielding its ministers. He also said NCP chief Sharad Pawar was briefed incorrectly.

Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha proceedings begin.

Polls open in fourth Israeli election in two years

JUST IN | Indus water talks begin in Delhi.A delegation of officials from Pakistan arrived in Delhi yesterday

BJP Parliamentary Party meeting begins at the Parliament

BJP MP Sushil Modi has given Zero hour Notice in Rajya Sabha over allegations by an IPS officer against the Home Minister of Maharashtra.

Adjournment notice given in Lok Sabha

Congress MP Manish Tewari gives Adjournment Motion in Lok Sabha over the issue of coup-affected Myanmar nationals seeking entry in India.

Helicopter rescues used in worst Australian floods in nearly 50 years

Helicopters and boats were deployed to rescue residents stranded by "catastrophic" floods in eastern Australia Tuesday, as authorities warned more areas were now under threat.

A relentless week-long downpour has soaked most of New South Wales, causing surging rivers to burst their banks; swallowing homes, roads, bridges and farmland.

Strained emergency services -- which just one year ago were battling drought and unprecedented bushfires -- used military aircraft and watersports equipment to access cut-off communities.

Madhya Pradesh: 13dead and 4 injured after a bus collided with an auto in Purani Chhawani area of Gwalior, earlier today.

A total of 23,54,13,233 samples have been tested for Covid-19 up to March 22, 2021. Of these, 9,67,459 samples were tested yesterday, as perIndian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

Over the past few days, false reports are doing rounds in the media. I was hospitalised from Feb 5-15 after testing Covid-positive on February 5. I got discharged on February 15 andwas home quarantine for 10 days hence on February15, I came to Mumbai via private plane: Maharashtra HM Anil Deshmukh said in a video posted on his Twitter account

US shooting update

10 fatalities have been reported including one Police Officer.

In the light of newly reported Covid-19 cases, offline classes have been suspended at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) untilfurther notice. All classes will be held online as per prior schedule. (ANI)

Thousands evacuated in Australia's worst flooding in almost half a century

Australian authorities issued fresh flood warnings and evacuation orders on Tuesday as torrential rains again pummelled several parts of the country, sweeping away homes, roads and livestock in the worst downpour in more than half a century.

The country's weather agency has posted severe weather warnings in every mainland state or territory but one, affecting around 10 million people in the country of 25 million, across an area the size of Alaska. (Reuters)

Germany to enter strict 5-day shutdown over Easter: Merkel

US shootings update

'Multiple' people including a police officer lost their lives in the shooting at a supermarket in Boulder, Colorado, according to a police officer. "A suspect is in custody. He was injured and is being treated for his injury at a hospital," the officer added. (ANI)