The big news: India confirms over 50 new COVID-19 cases, total leaps to 236, and 9 other top stories
Other headlines: Kamal Nath quit as Madhya Pradesh chief minister even before facing a floor test, and the four Delhi gangrape convicts were hanged to death.
A look at the headlines right now:
- India reports biggest single-day spike in number of COVID-19 cases: The Union Health Ministry confirmed 50 new cases on Friday.
- Kamal Nath quits as Madhya Pradesh CM before floor test, accuses BJP of betraying mandate: Nath said the BJP was unable to tolerate the development work done under his administration.
- Four convicts in 2012 Delhi gangrape and murder case hanged at Tihar Jail: Less than two hours before the execution, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal from the convicts. PM Modi said ‘justice has prevailed’, while ICJ condemned the hanging.
- Sensex, Nifty 50 rise nearly 6% each but record their worst week since 2008: The BSE Sensex rose 1,627 points and the Nifty 50 settled 482 points higher.
- Delhi HC refuses to hear Kunal Kamra’s plea, says such behaviour ‘cannot be permitted’: He has been banned by Vistara, Air India, GoAir, Indigo and SpiceJet for heckling journalist Arnab Goswami on a flight in January.
- Amid coronavirus pandemic, all workplaces in Mumbai, Pune to be closed till March 31, Delhi asks malls to stay shut: However, pharmacies and grocery stores inside malls in Delhi will remain open.
- Congress MP Anand Sharma asks why Parliament session is going on despite COVID-19 restrictions: Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said the government was leading by example by running Parliament.
- Odisha CM urges Modi to postpone Census to avoid COVID-19 infection risk: Naveen Patnaik said mobilisation for the exercise will pose a great risk for field functionaries as well as citizens.
- Akhil Gogoi arrested again, two days after being granted bail: Gogoi’s lawyer said that several cases have been filed against him and he still doesn’t have all the details.
- Fitch Ratings cuts India growth forecast to 5.1% for 2020-’21: The credit rating agency said that India’s economic crisis has been further compounded by the ‘Yes Bank failure’.