# UK approves Oxford vaccine

• The Covid-19 vaccine by Oxford university and Astrazeneca has been approved for emergency supply in the UK.

• The first doses were released on wednesday and the vaccination will begin early in the next year.

• This is significant for India, as the pune based Serum institute of India (SII) has tied up with Astrazeneca to deploy the vaccine in the country.

•  SII is also waiting for its approval for the vaccine from the Indian regulators.

# New farm laws

• The protesting farmers and union ministers on wednesday reached an agreement on the decriminalisation of stubble burning and the safeguarding of power subsidies.

• So, the two of the four issues on the negotiating table has been resolved.

• However, deadlock continued on the two biggest demands i.e repealing of the three farm market reform laws and a legal gurantee for MSP for farm produce.

# New missions in Estonia, paraguay

• The government on wednesday announced that it would open three missions in Estonia, Paraguay and Dominican republic in 2021.

• The openings of the mission will help expand India’s diplomatic footprint, deepen political relations among many others.

• Both paraguay and the Dominican republic had set up missions in Delhi in 2006.

# Akash missile export

• The union cabinet chaired by PM Modi, on Wednesday approved the export of indigenously developed and manufactured Akash short range surface to air missile.

• It also approved the high level committee formed to expedite clearance of such exports.

• This committee would authorise subsequent exports of major indigenous platforms to various countries.

# Tableau on Chandni chowk

• A tableau proposed by the Delhi government depicting a redeveloped chandni chowk, is likely to roll down Rajpath during the republic day celebrations.

• Chandni chowk has been redeveloped using red stones giving it a mughal era look.

• The stretch of 1.5 km long road has been declared car free zone.