40 PERCENT OF THE UK POPULATION IS IN LOCKDOWN AMIDST THE NEW COVID-19 VARIANT SCARE.

This comes as the UK government on Saturday extended the strict Tier 4 lockdown in other parts of east and south-east England. More than 24 million people across the UK are now living under lockdown. The call to impose a nationwide lockdown comes as cases of the new strain of COVID-19 virus were detected in other parts of Europe on Saturday, including Spain, Switzerland, and Sweden.

CANADIAN PROVINCE, ONTARIO HAS REPORTED TWO CONFIRMED CASES OF THE NEW CORONAVIRUS STRAIN FROM UK.

The virus has been identified in a couple living in Southern Ontario. The couple has no known travel history, exposure or any high-risk contact during the pandemic.

The province went into lockdown on Saturday. The ban on UK flights has been extended until January 6th in Canada. Ontario has been reporting over 2000 cases per day for 12 consecutive days now.

EUROPEAN UNION LAUNCHES CO-ORDINATED VACCINE ROLLOUT TO FIGHT COVID-19 IN MOMENT OF UNITY.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Saturday the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had been delivered to all 27 member states. Some countries started administering the jabs on Saturday, saying they were not prepared to wait another day. The EU has so far reported more than 335,000 Covid-related deaths.

US PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP HAS SIGNED THE COVID RELIEF BILL INTO LAW

Earlier this week, he had asked the congress to amend the bill. The package worth $900bn was approved but Trump said that the amount wasn't enough. He wants Americans to receive $2000. Republicans in the Congress have rejected this proposal. Trump initially refused to sign the bill. President-elect, Joe Biden called it "abdication of responsibility". However, the bill has now been passed in the US preventing a partial government shutdown.

A LAWYER HAS COMMITTED SUICIDE AT FARMERS' PROTEST IN DELHI AND HAS LEFT BEHIND A NOTE ASKING PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI TO LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF PEOPLE.

In a suicide note dated December 18, Amarjeet Singh has written that he was sacrificing his life in support of the agitating farmers. He also said that common people like farmers and labourers are feeling defrauded by the three black agricultural laws. He was from Jalalabad in Fazilka district of Punjab. The police are verifying the authenticity of the suicide note.

INDIAN NAVAL SHIP HAS CONDUCTED 'PASSAGE EXERCISE' WITH VIETNAMESE SHIP IN SOUTH CHINA SEA.

This comes as a part of the efforts being made to boost the maritime cooperation between the two countries. Indian naval ship INs Kiltan was sent to deliver flood-affected people in central Vietnam and it participated in the exercise while on its return journey on Saturday. This show of force in the South China seas when China is expanding its military assertiveness in the south china Sea notwithstanding the rising global criticism and concerns. India has been egged on by the United States to be the main force to counter China, part of the US strategy to keep the Asian giants engaged. India further fights a ship to Myanmar.

ARGENTINA FIGHTS FOR BOLIVIA TO BECOME A FULL MEMBER OF THE SOUTHERN COMMON MARKET.

According to Congressman Óscar Alberto Laborde, the final approval rests with the Brazilian Congress while the Argentinian government continues to press for Bolivia's acceptance. Once approved, Bolivia will have stronger economic and trade relations with its neighbouring countries through the Southern Common Market (Mercosur). This comes at a critical time for Bolivia, which has suffered considerable economic devastation from COVID-19.

PRESIDENT IVAN DUQUE ACCUSES THE MADURO REGIME OF AN ALLIANCE WITH FARC TERRORISTS.

Colombian FARC rebels (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) have developed an accord with the administration of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Colombian President Ivan Duque openly criticized Maduro's unabashed offer of asylum to members of the FARC, who are considered terrorists by the Colombian government.

THAILAND GOVERNMENT HAS ORDERED THE PRIVATE HOSPITAL TO STOP ADVERTISING COVID-19 VACCINES ON SALE.

No vaccines have been officially approved in the country. Vibhavadi Hospital claimed that its offer for 1,000 initial reservations for the two-dose Moderna vaccine had been the result of a misunderstanding. Reports reveal that the cost of vaccination for an individual is 10,000 bahts and reservation for being vaccinated is priced at 4,000 bahts.

INDONESIA PLANS TO INTRODUCE THE NEW RAPID BREATH TEST FOR THE DETECTION OF THE GLOBAL VIRUS.

A covid-19 infection can be detected in a few minutes now. Breathalysers GeNose C19 has been developed by researchers. A single test takes only three minutes and the results are ready in just two minutes through a breathing test. On Saturday, a source revealed that 100 breathalyzers would be initially distributed for massive screening in public places, such as airports, railway stations, and hospitals after the Health Ministry grants a distribution permit for their use.