Daily briefing: New Covid strain in UK; counting for J&K DDC polls; and more
Read top news on the new Covid-19 strain detected in the UK, Govt-farmer talks over the contentious farm laws, and the J&K DDC election results. December 22, 2020 8:05:35 am
A look at the top news today, December 22, 2020.
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India has joined two dozen countries in
blocking flights from the UK, where a new variant of the novel coronavirus, known to be more infectious, has been detected. The mutation, one of several which has emerged since the first Covid-19 case in Wuhan, has an unusually large number of genetic changes. However, there is no proof so far that it will tamper with vaccine effectiveness.
dissolved the country’s lower house of Parliament, two years short of its five-year tenure, following months of bickering among factions within the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP). The move triggered protests and the resignations of at least seven Cabinet-rank ministers.
The new strain of Covid-19 detected in the UK will be
discussed today by the Health Ministry’s top advisory body at an urgently convened meeting. The variant shows alterations in the spike protein that could theoretically make it more infectious. Several European countries have already banned flights from the UK as a precaution. BJP leader Amit Shah during a road show at Bolpur, West Bengal. (Express Photo: Shashi Ghosh)
Saying the MSP system would continue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
stepped up his attack on the Opposition by accusing them of “repeatedly lying” to farmers about the new farm laws and “using them for their politics”.
The exodus of Trinamool Congress leaders has
left party workers in despair. Despite leaders saying there is time and believing Mamata Banerjee can tide over the crisis, they know the BJP is taking advantage of the situation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the state this weekend could be some indication of what is to come, months ahead of the Assembly elections.
Daily Briefing: Open to aiding vaccine drive, EC chief says; SC asks Centre if new farm laws can wait until it hears matter
Daily Briefing: Open to aiding vaccine drive, EC chief says; SC asks Centre if new farm laws can wait until it hears matter
From Sonia Gandhi s meeting with 23 senior leaders who had written to her, to the growing human-tiger conflict in Gadchiroli district; here are today s top stories. Updated: December 18, 2020 8:59:14 am
Express Cartoon by EP Unny.
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The Big Story
Although no official assistance has been sought, the Election Commission is open to helping the government
walked out after a heated exchange with a BJP member.
The Union Cabinet has
approved the sale of 2251.25 MHz of spectrum across seven frequency bands at a reserve price of Rs 3.92 lakh crore. Incidentally, the reserve price being auctioned in this round is lower than the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s recommendations.
Only in Express
US-based investment firm Interups Inc is among the bidders for Air India. In fact, the company has made a series of acquisition bids through the NCLT this year. A closer look at the deals the company claims to be ‘pursuing’ in India, however, shows a patchy, if not poor, record.