UK IDENTIFIES NEW CORONAVIRUS VARIANT AND TIGHTENS LOCKDOWN AMIDST A FAST SPREADING INFECTION

Many parts of the UK are on the verge of being put under strictest level of lockdown The decision was made on Wednesday after talks about 36,804 positive coronavirus cases. This figure is the largest daily number of infections recorded at any time during the pandemic.

INDIA FOILS CHINA'S STRATEGIC OFFER TO MAKE EIGHT MOUNTAIN SLOPES OF THE SIRIJAP RANGE A NO TROOP ZONE

The Chinese Military has proposed that Indian and Chinese troops should move back on both sides of the eight mountain slopes which overlook the north bank of Pangong lake - named Finger 1 to 8. They are suggesting converting the area in between to a no-activity buffer zone or a no-man's land. But the proposal does not serve India's interests since half of the eight mountain slopes were under Indian control before Chinese troops violated 30 years of written agreement to maintain peace and tranquillity along the LAC on May 5, 2020.

INDIA HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE TEST FIRING OF ITS MEDIUM RANGE SURFACE TO AIR MISSILE FROM INDIA'S EAST COAST TEST PLATFORM IN ODISHA

The missile was fired from a ground mobile launcher at launchpad number -1 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) . It hit the target with accuracy. An unmanned air vehicle (UAV), 'Banshee' was first flown into the air which was hit by the missile.

THE EU AND UK HAVE BEEN INCAPABLE OF REACHING A POST BREXIT TRADE DEAL. BUT THEY CONTINUE TO TALK AND BARGAIN ON KEY ISSUE

Disputes over fishing rights and business competition rules remain the key hurdles to reaching a deal. An EU official close to the talks said: "It is crunch time. But talk of a deal announcement is premature." The two sides have until 31 December, when the UK leaves EU trading rules, to reach a deal and then get it approved - or ratified - by parliamentarians. If this does not happen by then, they could place import taxes on each other's goods, potentially affecting prices.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS ASKED THE CONGRESS TO AMEND THE NEW CORONAVIRUS AID BILL

According to him, the bill should be $2000bn. The relief package is intended to help millions of needy Americans during Pandemic.

MODERNA'S COVID 19 VACCINE HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR USE IN CANADA.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the country expects to receive 1.2 millions doses of the vaccine by January 31st. Health Canada said, "There were no important safety issues identified and no life-threatening adverse events or deaths related to the vaccine." Meanwhile, Pfizer BioNtech vaccine is already being administered in the country to the high priority groups.

THE FIRST SHIPMENT OF COVID-19 VACCINES HAS ARRIVED IN CHILE TODAY

South America has reached a turning point in the battle against the coronavirus. President Sebastián Piñera announced the arrival of 10,000 doses of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine. This will allow the highly anticipated vaccine roll out to begin. President Piñera said their nation secured more than 10 million doses of the vaccine, which will arrive regularly and systematically.

NEW LAW IN NICARAGUA THREATENS THE FUTURE OF FREE ELECTIONS

The law was presented by the Sandinista National Liberation Front as a means to stop outside interference with elections. The OAS (Organization of American States), the European Union, and the United States have expressed concern over this law and what it could mean for the freedom of Nicaragua's people.

CENTRAL JAVA HAS PLANNED TO CONDUCT COVID-19 SCREENING AT TOURIST SPOTS USING ANTIGEN TESTS

The test will be done during the Christmas and New Year holidays to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus. The testing is set up at 11 locations across the province including the six-holiday spots. Indonesia is South-east Asia's worst-hit country in the pandemic.

THAILAND BLAMES MYANMAR'S MIGRANT WORKERS FOR SURGE IN COVID-19 CASES

Illegal entrance from Myanmar has been blamed for an increase in the record of covid-19 cases in Thailand. Travelling of foreign workers across Thailand has signaled the termination of months of efforts to control the spread of the virus. Migrant rights group have urged Thais to empathise with foreign workers who staff the multibillion-dollar fishing industry. Since Sunday Thailand has reported more than 1,300 new coronavirus cases with 80% of them being migrant workers.