Synopsis 

With 22,890 fresh cases, India's COVID-19 tally rises to 99.79 lakh

New Delhi: India's COVID-19 caseload rose to 99.79 lakh with 22,890 new infections being reported in a day, while total recoveries crossed the 95 lakh-mark, according to the Union Health Ministry's data.

Another 'severe' cold day likely in Delhi as icy winds continue

New Delhi: Delhi is likely to record another "severe" cold day on Friday as frosty winds from snow-covered Western Himalayas continue to sweep the national capital, the India Meteorological Department said.

Thane district records 331 new COVID-19 cases, 7 deaths

With the addition of 331 new COVID-19 cases, the tally in Thane district of Maharashtra has gone up to 2,37,660, an official said on Friday.

DMK, allies begin hunger strike in support of protesting farmers

The DMK-led opposition in Tamil Nadu on Friday embarked on a day-long hunger strike in support of farmers protesting against the three farm laws enacted by the Centre recently.

Centre encroaching on rights of states: Kejriwal on transfer of three IPS officers from WB

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal on Friday accused the Centre of blatantly interfering in the West Bengal administration, saying its move to transfer police officers in the state was an "assault" on federalism.

International

Biden names key members of his climate team

Washington: US President-elect Joe Biden has announced his climate and energy team, which the transition said is ready on day one to advance his agenda and lead the world to confront the undeniable, accelerating and punishing reality of climate change.

Pelosi, McConnell to get vaccine, urge members to do same

The top leaders of the US House and Senate will be receiving the coronavirus vaccine this week, and Congress'' attending physician has informed members that they are all eligible for the shots under government continuity guidelines.

Biden advisor Cedric Richmond tests positive for coronavirus

One of President-elect Joe Biden''s closest advisors tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday, according to his transition team.

Hack against US is 'grave threat', cybersecurity agency says

Federal authorities have expressed increased alarm about an intrusion into US and other computer systems around the globe that officials suspect was carried out by Russian hackers. The nation''s cybersecurity agency on Thursday warned of a grave risk to government and private networks.

Implosion of former Trump casino pushed back a few weeks

The implosion of one of President Donald Trump''s former Atlantic City casinos is being delayed by a few weeks.

Business

Markets extend winning run to 6th session; Sensex ends at record high

Mumbai: Extending its winning run to the sixth session, equity benchmark Sensex advanced 70 points to end at a new record following gains in Infosys, ICICI Bank, TCS and Reliance Industries.

Rupee settles 3 paise higher at 73.56 against US dollar

The rupee appreciated by 3 paise to close at 73.56 (provisional) against the US dollar on Friday amid sustained foreign fund inflows and positive domestic equities.

Watch time jumped 45% in July 2020 vs same time last year: YouTube

YouTube on Friday said watch time on the platform in India jumped 45 per cent in July this year as compared to the same period last year with regional language content being one of the strongest drivers of this growth.

US long-term mortgage rates fall; 30-year at 2.67%

US long-term mortgage rates declined this week to record low levels for the 15th time this year against the backof an economy ravaged by the pandemic.

Sensex opens at record high, turns choppy in early trade

Mumbai: Equity benchmark Sensex opened on a choppy note as profit-booking emerged at fresh highs in early trade amid persistent foreign fund inflows.

Asian stocks sink after Wall St hits record on stimulus hope

Asian stock markets declined Friday after Wall Street hit a new high on optimism about economic stimulus and coronavirus vaccine development despite a spike in US unemployment claims.

Legal

SC rejects challenge to election of Dhiraj Prasad Sahu as Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand

New Delhi: The Supreme Court rejected the challenge to the election of Congress leader Dhiraj Prasad Sahu as a Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand in 2018.

SC grants interim protection to BJP leaders facing criminal cases in WB

The Supreme Court on Friday granted interim protection to five BJP leaders, including Mukul Roy and MPs Kailash Vijayvargiya and Arjun Singh, in criminal cases lodged against them in West Bengal and directed the state police not to taken any coercive action.

SC directs states to carry out fire safety audit of dedicated COVID-19 hospitals

The Supreme Court on Friday directed all the states to carry out fire safety audit of dedicated COVID-19 hospitals across the country to prevent fire incidents in medical institutions.

UP: Court awards 4-year jail term to man under Gangsters Act

A local court on Friday sentenced a man to four years in prison under the Gangsters Act for being involved in several cases of loot and dacoity.

SC issues show-cause notices to Kamra, Taneja in contempt cases

New Delhi: The Supreme Court issued show-cause notices to comedian Kunal Kamra and comic artist Rachita Taneja for their alleged scandalous tweets against the apex court.

Entertainment

No drug consumed at party: Karan Johar in reply to NCB notice

Mumbai: Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar, in his response to the notice issued by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), has claimed that no drug was consumed during a party at his house last year, an official said on Friday.

'Bajirao Mastani' team celebrates five years of magnum opus

As "Bajirao Mastani" clocked five years, filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali''s production company took a trip down memory lane and shared what went behind the making of the period romance saga.

Jennifer Lopez to front Netflix's 'The Cipher'

Singer-actor Jennifer Lopez is set to topline the feature "The Cipher" for Netflix.

'Star Wars' actor Jeremy Bulloch dies

English actor Jeremy Bulloch, who played bounty hunter Boba Fett in George Lucas'' original "Star Wars" trilogy, has died. He was 75.

Gal Gadot says she gave testimony in WarnerMedia's investigation against Joss Whedon

Hollywood star Gal Gadot has revealed that she had provided testimony during WarnerMedia''s recent investigation into the claims made by her "Justice League" co-star Ray Fisher against filmmaker Joss Whedon.

George Clooney says watching 'Batman & Robin' physically hurts

Hollywood star George Clooney says "Batman & Robin" was so bad that watching the film still "physically hurts" him.

Rahul Roy to undergo angiography of brain and heart

Bollywood actor Rahul Roy, who suffered a brain stroke last month, said he is recovering well and will be undergoing angiography of the brain and heart on Friday.

Noomi Rapace to lead Ali Abbasi's 'Hamlet'

Noomi Rapace, popular for films like "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" and "Prometheus", has come on board to feature in the new film adaptation of Shakespeare''s play "Hamlet".

Frances McDormand to star in, produce 'Women Talking' adaptation

Oscar winner Frances McDormand will star in and produce the upcoming adaptation of author Miriam Toews'' bestselling novel "Women Talking".

Dhanush joins cast of Russo brothers' 'The Gray Man'

Dhanush, known for movies such as "Aadukalam" and "Raanjhanaa", is set to make his debut in Hollywood as the actor has joined the cast of Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans-starrer "The Gray Man".

Sports

Pakistan wins toss, bats in 1st T20 vs New Zealand

Pakistan captain Shadab Khan won the toss and elected to bat Friday in the first of three Twenty20 cricket internationals against New Zealand at Eden Park.

First Test: Starc takes four wickets as India shot out for 244

Adelaide: India''s tail-enders contributed precious little as the first innings folded at 244 early on the second day of the first Day/Night Test against Australia here.

Lexi Thomson shoots 65, leads LPGA Tour's season finale

With brother Curtis back at her side at Tiburon Golf Club, Lexi Thompson shot a 7-under 65 to take the first-round lead in the LPGA Tour''s CME Group Tour Championship.

Rashford leads Man United comeback after winning FIFA award

Hours after being honored for his impact off the field, Marcus Rashford also delivered in front of goal.

Rooney's 11-year-old son Kai signs for Man United academy

One of Wayne Rooney''s sons has followed in his father''s footsteps by signing for Manchester United.

IOC accused of ignoring human rights for 2022 Beijing Games

A coalition representing ethnic minorities in China is again accusing the International Olympic Committee of ignoring widespread human rights abuses as the country prepares to hold the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

GK Snapshots on 18 December 2020

1. 17th International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers – 17th December 2020

2. India’s 1st Maritime Theatre Command to get its final shape in 2021

3. India, UK to Set Up Joint Task Force for Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications

4. Telangana’s Nehru Zoological Park becomes 1st Indian zoo to receive ISO certification 9001:2015

5.Ministry of Home Affairs approves Rs. 90.6 Crore to Land Ports Authority of India for new ICP in Tripura

6. India to have 350mn 5G connections by 2026: “The Ericsson Mobility Report 2020”

7. 51st International Film Festival of India will be held in Hybrid format

8. cinemaSCOpe – India’s exclusive movie series for members of SCO Organisation

9. ADB Launches a $9 billion Vaccine Initiative, APVAX to its Developing Members

10. World Bank Approves 4 India Projects Worth over $800 million

11. UNEP announces 7 recipients for “Young Champions of the Earth” 2020 Prize; Indian Entrepreneur Vidyut Mohan features in the list

12. Shashi Shekhar Vempati CEO of Prasar Bharati Elected as Vice President of Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union

13. India successfully test fires two Prithvi-2 Missiles from Odisha’s Balasore Coast

14. China’s Chang’e-5 spacecraft brings home first moon samples in 40 years

15. Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) selects Qatar to host Asian games 2030 and Saudi Arabia as host for 2034 Edition

16. Father of Fibre Optics Narinder Singh Kapany India born American Physicist Passed Away at 94