# Covid-19 vaccine

• Britain approved Pfizer’s covid-19 vaccine, jumping ahead of the rest of the world.

• The medicines and healthcare products regulatory agency (MHRA) granted emergency use approval of Pfizer-Biontech vaccine, which claims to be 95% effective in preventing illness.

• Britain said it would start vaccinating most serious patients. This early stage vaccination will start early next week after it gets 8,00,000 doses from Pfizer’s manufacturing centre in Belgium.

# CBSE exams

• The central board of secondary education said that board examinations will be conducted in written mode and not online.

• Alternatives are being considered for practical examinations.

# Republic day 2021

• India has invited UK prime minister Boris Johnson as chief guest for the republic day celebrations on 26 jan 2021.

• The final decision is awaited from London.

• It was also speculated that the British PM may be invited for the Raisina dialogue.

# Cameras at NIA, CBI offices

• The supreme court on 2nd december ordered the centre to compulsorily install CCTV cameras and recording equipments in the offices of central agencies like NIA, CBI, NCB and others which have the power to carry out interrogations.

• This measure is necessary to protect the fundamental rights to dignity and life.

# Noida film city

• Noida film city is facing a stiff criticism from maharashtra government.

• It is speculated that it will take hindi film industry from Mumbai to Noida.

• However, Uttar pradesh CM yogi adityanath clarified that the proposed Noida film city will only provide an alternative to film makers for making films.

# China buys rice

• China has begun importing Indian rice for the first time in atleast three decades due to tightening supplies from Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam and an offer of sharply discounted prices from India.

• India is the world’s biggest rice exporter and china the biggest importer.

• China buys about 4 million tonnes of rice a year but avoids purchases from India, citing quality issues.

# Today in India’s history

• 1884 – Dr. Rajendra prasad, first president of India, was born in jeradei village of Bihar.

• 1889 – Khudiram Bose, famous revolutionary and freedom fighter of Muzzafarpurbomb case, was born at Habibpur village in west bengal.

• 1971 – Bangladesh liberation war broke out between India and Pakistan.