UK/Europe
THE UK IS FINALLY TAKING THE EXIT ROUTE FROM EUROPE
New immigration rules will be "simple and flexible" as the UK's points-based post-Brexit system prepares to go live. From Tuesday most foreign nationals, including from the European Union, who want to work in the UK from 1 January will have to apply online for a visa. Those seeking a skilled worker visa will need a job offer, to be proficient in English and earn at least £25,600. Free movement from and to the EU will come to an end on 31 December.
A GLOBAL BILLIONAIRE AND PHILANTHROPIST GEORGE SOROS have SHOWN HIS FAITH IN THE EUROPEAN UNION IN THE POST PANDEMIC WORLD
He warned investors will lose faith in the political bloc if the EU does not speak with one voice and continues to stay divided.
US/ North America
TRUMP DISCUSSES PARDONS FOR CHILDREN WITH ADVISERS
The US President Donald Trump has discussed the grant of preemptive pardons to his children, his son-in-law and his personal lawyer Rudolph W. Guiliani with his advisers last week. President Trump is reportedly concerned that a Biden Justice Department might seek retribution against the president by targeting these people.
C.D.C. RECOMMENDS VACCINATION OF NURSING HOMES AND HEALTH WORKERS FIRST
An independent panel, the Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices which advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that the residents and employees of nursing homes and similar facilities should be the first people in the United States to receive coronavirus vaccines, along with health care workers who are especially at risk of being exposed to the virus.
India/ South Asia
MEETING BETWEEN FARMER LEADERS AND GOVERNMENT OF INDIA INCONCLUSIVE, THE NEXT TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 3
35 protesting farmer organisation members and 3 Indian union ministers met in the national capital on Monday. The government offered to set up a committee to look into the issues raised by the farmers but they refused to accept the proposal.
INDIA MAY USE A SMARTER METHOD OF VACCINATION TO BREAK THE CHAIN OF TRANSMISSION, SAYS, HEALTH SECRETARY
Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan says that the Indian government has never spoken about the vaccination of the entire country. The vaccination would depend on the efficacy of the vaccine and if the Health Ministry is able to vaccinate a critical mass of people and break the virus transmission, it might not need to vaccinate the entire population.
Latin America/ South America
DEFORESTATION IN BRAZIL'S AMAZON FOREST RISES
Deforestation has surged to its highest level in the past since 2008. Since Jair Bolsonaro became the president, the rates are constantly rising. He has allowed agriculture and mining activities in the world's largest rainforest. The Brazilian government has cut funding to federal agencies who have the authority to arrest or fine people who are seen breaking environmental laws.
LATIN AMERICA REPORTED 20% INCREASED HIV INFECTIONS IN THE LAST DECADE
The testing and treatment have been a challenge for the patients amidst the lockdown. The number of annual new infections has confirmed to rise, rising 120000 in 2019 compared to 10000 in 2010. HIV still remains a major public health problem. WHO AND PAHO suggest self-testing as a key strategy. With proper implementation, we can stem the issue in Latin America.
Asia
SOUTHEAST ASIA'S INTERNET ECONOMY TO CROSS $100 BILLION THIS YEAR
An Industry report revealed that this year Southeast Asia's internet economy will hit $105 billion amidst the pandemic. All the activities in the world got paralysed this year. The report further revealed the drastic increase of internet users in certain areas including Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines. These regions added 40 million new internet users this year, taking the total to 400 million. 70% of the region's population is now online.
TERRORIST KILLED 4 CHRISTIANS IN SULAWESI
A senior military officer said that Indonesian authorities including military special forces are chasing the terrorists. The group of 11 men had split up in order to avoid detection. They descended from the higher mountain areas and were moving near the borders of Poso and Sigi regencies in Central Sulawesi.