Vladimir Putin Says Russia Is Close to Creating Cancer Vaccines: Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, February 14, 2024

Russia President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russian scientists were close to creating vaccines for cancer that could soon be available to patients. 

Indian Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) ICGS Varaha made a significant port call at Maputo Port, Mozambique, on February 14 as a part of the ongoing strategic overseas deployment to East Africa, marking a pivotal milestone in the ongoing diplomatic maritime engagements.

The Supreme Court will deliver on Thursday its verdict on pleas challenging the validity of the electoral bonds scheme. In November last year, a 5-judge Constitution Bench headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra had reserved its verdict in the matter after hearing the arguments for three days in a row. The petitioners before the apex court had argued that the Electoral Bond scheme violates the citizen's fundamental right to information under Article 19 (1) and it enables backdoor lobbying and promotes corruption and eliminates level playing field for political parties in Opposition.

A special session of the Maharashtra Legislature will be held February 20 (Tuesday) to discuss the various issues related to reservation for the Maratha community, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced here on Wednesday. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting presided over by Shinde, as per his commitment made in December 2023 on the same in the Assembly and to the Maratha community last month.

The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Qazi Faez Isa, has sought assurance from the Attorney General that the Pakistan Army will only work on defence-related matters and not run any business, a media report said. The Chief Justice sought the assurance during the hearing of a petition filed against commercial activities being carried out on military land, Geo News reported. During the hearing, CJP Isa said the army was conducting business and had set up marriage halls on military lands. He then sought assurance from the Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan that the army would remain the “protector”, and not do any business, Geo News reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) temple, the first-ever Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi.

PM Modi Inaugurates BAPS Temple

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a circular for the Class 10 and 12 board exams 2024, which are scheduled to begin on February 15. The circular contains important instructions and guidelines for the students, parents, and schools regarding the conduct of the exams. According to the circular, students are advised to reach the exam centre by 10 am, as the entry will be closed at 10:15 am.

A huge fire erupted at Patna Medical College and Hospital storeroom in Bihar on Wednesday evening. According to the news agency ANI, an operation is underway to douse the fire.

Fire at Patna Hospital

In a strategic move to bolster its path-breaking green energy initiatives, Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL), the world's first airport fully powered by solar energy, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) for setting up a green hydrogen plant in the premises of Cochin Airport.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has requested the Madras High Court to consider a speedy trial in the job-for-cash scam case against Tamil Nadu DMK leader and former minister V. Senthil Balaji. The ED in its affidavit before Justice Anand Venkatesh said that the former minister was intentionally stalling the commencement of the trial in the money laundering case. The premier investigating agency urged the court to order a speedy trial instead of accepting the plea to grant bail before the completion of the trial.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, February 14, addressed the World Governments Summit in Dubai. Speaking at the event, PM Narendra Modi said, "I believe that it is the job of the government to ensure that government interference in people's lives is minimal." The Indian Prime Minister further said that his biggest principle has been "Minimum government, maximum governance".

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Vibhakar Shastri, the grandson of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, joined the BJP in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak. Earlier, Vibhakar Shastri resigned from the Congress party.

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Vibhakar Shastri, the grandson of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, resigned from the Congress today, February 14. He tendered his resignation from the party's primary membership to Mallikarjun Kharge.

The Congress, on Wednesday, February 14, released a list of candidates for the Rajya Sabha Biennial elections.  The grand old party has nominated Sonia Gandhi from Rajasthan and Abhishek Manu Singhvi from Himachal Pradesh.

Section 144 CrPC has been imposed in and around 500 metres of area in seven gram panchayats in West Bengal. The imposition of Section 133 also includes Sandeshkhali gram panchayat and will be in force till February 19.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the Sant Ravidas Temple in Varanasi today. A video going viral on social media shows Yogi Adityanath offering prayers at Sant Ravidas Temple in Varanasi today.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, February 14, paid homage to the soldiers who were martyred in Pulwama. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, PM Narendra Modi said that their service and sacrifice for our nation will always be remembered.

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Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi is expected to file her nomination for Rajya Sabha today, February 14. She is expected to file her nomination for Rajya Sabha in Rajasthan's Jaipur today.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, on Tuesday, February 13, hailed the Centre's efforts after eight Indian Navy veterans were released, detained by Qatar on espionage charges, terming it a 'huge achievement' for the government. Bhupendra Patel said that the release of eight Indian Navy veterans was possible due to the strong stature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a world leader.