Synopsis

National

Cong leader Motilal Vora passes away at 93

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Motilal Vora died at a hospital here following post-COVID-19 complications, his family said.

Several protesting farmers queue up at Singhu border to register for blood donation camp

Several protesting farmers queued up here at the Singhu border on Monday to register their names for a blood donation camp set up by a Ludhiana-based NGO.

President Kovind praises KGMU for its leading role in battling Covid-19

Lucknow''s King George''s Medical University (KGMU) on Monday came in for the fulsome praise from President Ram Nath Kovind, who said public hospitals like it have played a leading role in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

Arunachal Pradesh reports one new COVID-19 case, 17 fresh recoveries

One more person tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, pushing the tally in the northeastern state to 16,630, a health department official said on Monday.

Former CM Siddaramaiah appeals to K'taka govt to promote school students

Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday appealed to the Karnataka government to promote school students in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Assam man sentenced to death for rape, murder of 5-year-old girl

A man was sentenced to death on Monday by a court in Assam''s Bishwanath district for allegedly raping and killing a five-year-old girl.

17 pc work of Mumbai coastal road completed so far: BMC chief

Nearly 17 per cent work of the ambitious eight-lane coastal road project, undertaken to ease traffic woes in Mumbai, has been completed so far, BMC commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal said on Monday.

Farmers start day-long 'relay' hunger strike

Intensifying their agitation against the Centre''s new agri laws, farmers began their day-long ''relay'' hunger strike on a chilly Monday morning at all sites of protest on Delhi''s borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

COVID-19: India reports 24,337 new cases

New Delhi: India''s COVID-19 caseload rose to 1,00,55,560 with 24,337 new infections being reported in a day, while the number of people who have recuperated from the disease crossed 96 lakh, according to Union health ministry data.

International

EU-UK trade talks slog on past another Brexit deadline

Brussels: Problems increased in the bid to put a trade deal between the European Union and the United Kingdom on the rails before a Brexit transition period ends on New Year''s Day, with the EU legislature insisting ever more it will not have time to vet and approve an agreement.

With winter at hand, the virus whips up winds of uncertainty

Coronavirus cases spiking nationwide. A chill, existential and literal, setting in once more. And now: a winter likely to be streaked by a soundtrack of sirens instead of silver bells.

Nepal PM Oli defends move to dissolve Parliament, blames own party leaders for his decision

Nepal''s embattled Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Monday defended his move to abruptly dissolve Parliament, saying he was forced to seek a fresh mandate through elections as the rift within the ruling Nepal Communist Party severely affected his government''s functioning.

Report: gov't spyware targets phones of Al-Jazeera reporters

Dozens of journalists at Al-Jazeera, the Qatari state-owned media company, have been targeted by advanced spyware in an attack likely linked to the governments of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, a cybersecurity watchdog has said.

Biden to receive COVID vaccine as Trump remains on sidelines

Washington: The leader of the Trump administration''s vaccination program says people who have been infected with the coronavirus a group that includes President Donald Trump should receive the vaccine.

Japan Cabinet OKs more defense funds amid potential threats

Japan''s Cabinet approved a ninth straight increase in the nation''s defense budget as the government bolsters funding to develop longer-range cruise missiles and stealth fighters to counter potential threats from China and North Korea.

Asian shares skid despite US economic stimulus deal

Shares started the week out on a sour note in Asia as worsening coronavirus outbreaks overshadowed news that US lawmakers finally have a deal on more support for American families and businesses.

Asia Today: Australia state report says quarantine bungled

An Australian state government leader on Monday apologised for a bungled hotel quarantine program that led to most of the nation''s COVID-19 deaths.

Georgia pastor and Trump adviser tests positive for COVID-19

The leader of a north Georgia megachurch who has been a spiritual adviser to President Donald Trump has tested positive for COVID-19.

Business

Sensex tanks 1,407 pts as new COVID-19 strain in UK triggers global selloff

Mumbai: Equity benchmark Sensex plummeted 1,407 points as panic over a new strain of coronavirus in the UK led to a massive selloff in global equities.

Gold jumps Rs 496; silver zooms by Rs 2,249

Gold prices in the national capital jumped Rs 496 to Rs 50,297 per 10 gram on Monday in line with rally in international precious metal prices and rupee depreciation, according to HDFC Securities.

Rupee falls 23 paise to 73.79 against US dollar

The rupee depreciated by 23 paise to settle at 73.79 (provisional) against the US dollar on Monday following a massive selloff in domestic equities and strong American currency overseas.

AstraZeneca Pharma gets DCGI nod to market asthma drug

Drug firm AstraZeneca Pharma on Monday said it has received marketing authorisation from Drug Controller General of India for Benralizumab solution, indicated as an add-on maintenance treatment for severe asthma.

Thomas Cook India survey says 89% people keen to 'resume travel'

Travel services firm Thomas Cook India and its Group firm SOTC Travel on Monday said that 89 per cent of respondents in a survey conducted by them across tier-1 and 2 cities in India displayed keen interest to resume travel, revealing resurgence of consumer confidence.

High-flying Tesla joins S&P 500; skeptics say buyer beware

In the middle of last year, Tesla''s losses were piling up, sales weren''t enough to cover expenses and big debt payments loomed. The situation was so bad that one influential Wall Street analyst raised the possibility that Tesla wouldn''t be able to pay its bills and would have to be restructured financially.

Rupee slips 17 paise to 73.73 against US dollar in early trade

The rupee declined 17 paise to 73.73 against the US dollar in opening trade on Monday amid weak domestic equities and strengthening American currency in the overseas market.

Sensex drops over 200 pts in early trade; Nifty slips below 13,700

Mumbai: Equity benchmark Sensex dropped over 200 points, tracking weak cues from global markets amid concerns over a new strain of the virus leading to fresh restrictions in European countries.

Legal

Authorities obligated to ensure public land not encroached as 'place of worship': HC

New Delhi: Authorities like the DDA are obligated to ensure that places of worship are not created on public land by unscrupulous persons through encroachment, the Delhi High Court has said.

Karnataka HC stays govt order dropping 61 charges against

The Karnataka High Court on Monday stayed the State government''s order dropping 61 charges against ministers and the elected representatives.

Court orders framing of charges against Kashmiri separatist Aasiya Andrabi

A Delhi court Monday ordered framing of charges against Kashmiri separatist Aasiya Andrabi and her two associates for allegedly waging war against the Government of India, sedition and conspiracy to commit terror acts in the country.

PIL in SC to establish Special Anti-Corruption Courts in every district

New Delhi: A PIL seeking to establish special anti-corruption courts in every district to decide cases related to various economic offences like money laundering and tax evasion within one year has been filed in the Supreme Court.

HC declines to injunct Amazon from writing to authorities about SIAC award against FRL

The Delhi High Court on Monday declined to grant Kishore Biyani led Future Retail Ltd''s (FRL) plea for an interim injunction restraining Amazon from writing to SEBI, CCI and other authorities about the arbitral order against its asset sale.

HC declines to injunct Amazon from writing to authorities about SIAC award against FRL

The Delhi High Court on Monday declined to grant Kishore Biyani led Future Retail Ltd''s (FRL) plea for an interim injunction restraining e-commerce giant Amazon from writing to the SEBI, Competition Commission of India and other authorities about the SIAC arbitral order against its asset sale under a Rs 24,713 crore deal with Reliance Retail.

Entertainment

Much more questionable whether we will do it at all and how: Jenkins on 'Wonder Woman 3' future

New Delhi: Director Patty Jenkins says it is "questionable" whether a third film in the "Wonder Woman" franchise will be made following Warner Bros'' decision to opt for a theatrical-and-digital to release its films.

Big B remembers 'most beautiful mother' Teji Bachchan on death anniversary

Paying tributes to his mother, social activist Teji Bachchan on her 13th death anniversary, megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Monday said her blessings continue to be with the family.

I learnt comedy through theatre, says Shikha Talsania

Actor Shikha Talsania, who is looking forward to the release of "Coolie No 1", says she was introduced to the art of comedy at a young age through the stage plays of her parents.

Tom Parker facing memory loss amid terminal brain tumour treatment

The Wanted frontman Tom Parker has revealed he is experiencing memory loss after undergoing rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for his inoperable brain tumour. The 32-year-old singer, best known for being the lead vocalist of the British-Irish boy band The Wanted, announced his grade four glioblastoma tumour diagnosis in October.

Sunny Leone begins shooting for her next with Vikram Bhatt

Actor Sunny Leone on Monday announced she has started work on her latest project, "Anamika".

Sports

Boxing Day Test crucial in deciding fate of the series against India: Joe Burns

Adelaide: If opener Joe Burns'' views are any indication, another onerous task awaits an embattled Indian team, as Australia are entering the second Test believing that a favourable result for them in Melbourne could "decide the fate" of the four-match series.

Don't think India can turn this as Adelaide was their only opportunity: Haddin

Former Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin reckons the opening day/night Test was India''s best shot at winning in the ongoing series as it will be very difficult for the visitors to script a turnaround after demoralizing eight-wicket loss in Adelaide. India were bundled out for their lowest-ever Test score of 36 in their second innings as Australia claimed an eight-wicket win in the pink-ball Test to take a 1-0 lead in the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

Indian men to finish 2020 in 4th position, women in 9th spot in FIH rankings

The Indian men and women hockey teams will finish 2020 in fourth and ninth positions, respectively, after a major part of the year was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Injured Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq ruled out of first Test against NZ

Pakistan captain Babar Azam and opener Imam-ul-Haq were on Monday ruled out of the upcoming first Test against New Zealand with thumb injuries, prompting the tour selection committee to include rookie Imran Butt in the 17-member squad.

Celtic wins Scottish Cup final to complete delayed treble

Neil Lennon became the first person in Scottish football to win the domestic treble as a player and manager after Celtic won the Scottish Cup final.

Real Madrid president backs soccer changes post-COVID

Long linked to the creation of a more lucrative competition, Real Madrid president Florentino P rez wants financial disruption caused to soccer by the coronavirus pandemic to spur deep changes to current playing formats.

CA to honour indigenous pioneer during Boxing Day Test

The player of the match in the upcoming Boxing Day Test between India and Australia will be awarded with the Johnny Mullagh Medal as a tribute to honour the captain of Australia''s first sporting team to tour internationally. Mullagh was the leader of the 1868 Aborginal tour to the United Kingdom.

7-time F1 champion Hamilton wins BBC's top sports prize

Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton capped another successful year by claiming the BBC''s Sports Personality of the Year prize

GK Snapshots on 21 December 2020 

1.35th edition of IND-INDO CORPAT 2020 between the Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy Held

2. India-Maldives held Defence Cooperation Webinar and Expo

3. 20th Meeting of IORA Council of Ministers hosted Virtually by UAE; France Joined IORA as its 23rd Member

4. India ranks 111 out of 162 countries in the Human Freedom Index 2020; New Zealand tops the index

5. Amar Singh College Receives ‘Award of Merit’ in the 2020 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation

6. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu Chairman of NHAI gets 2nd Extension of 6 Months

7. Russia launches 36 UK Telecom Satellite into Space

8. Wrestler Anshu Malik wins India’s First Medal at the Individual World Cup 2020

9. VP Venkaiah Naidu Released “Oh, Mizoram”, Book of English Poems by P S Sreedharan Pillai Governor of Mizoram

10. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launches book Written by ANI Chairman Prem Prakash

11. Justice S Muralidhar was Elevated as CJ of Orissa High Court