December 2020 International Affairs

Sakshi Education

Pakistan approves chemical castration of sex offenders
President ArifAlvi of Pakistan recently passed the Anti-Rape Ordinance 2020. The ordinance was passed following the protests in the country after a mother was gang raped in front of her children when her car broke down near Lahore.

The ordinance proposed to create a National Sex Offenders Register. This has now been approved by the President.

This is the first National Sex Offenders Register being created in the country.

Apart from the creation of National Sex Offender Register, the ordinance will also create special courts. Anti-rape cells are to be established to provide medical examination within six hours of the compliant. The ordinance also has provisions of Chemical Castration.

Pakistan is a patriarchal nation. The victims of sexual abuse are often too afraid to speak. Only 3% of rapes and sexual abuse are reported in Pakistan. Also, Pakistan ranks third last or 151 in the Global Gender equality Index. There are more than 2,000 honour killings occurring in the country. Pakistan rank-s 130 in the United Nations Development Programme Gender Equality Index. For these reasons, it is essential bring in strict legislations to protect the women in the country.

The common problems faced by women in Pakistan are marital rape, honour killing, domestic violence, forced marriage, induced abortions, and abduction.
New coronavirus strain in the UK
India suspended all flights from and to the UK until December 31, amid concerns about a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that is “spreading & growing rapidly” there.

Last week, the new SARS-CoV-2 variant was revealed to be the reason behind the rapid surge in Covid-19 cases in South and East England.

It is being referred to as VUI (Variant Under Investigation) 202012/01, or the B.1.1.7 lineage.

The variant was identified in genomic surveillance by COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK), a consortium that analyses genome sequencing data from the UK. COG-UK is the largest contributor to the global Covid-19 database GISAID.

The variant is the result of multiple mutations in the spike protein of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, as well as mutations in other genomic regions of the RNA virus.

Preliminary analysis suggests that it is more transmissible than previously circulating variants.

COG-UK identified one of these mutations as “N501Y”, in an area of the spike protein that binds to a key protein in the human cell, the ACE2 receptor. This was an indication that the alterations may, theoretically, result in the virus becoming more infectious.
Trump Signs Stopgap Funding as Congress Passes Virus Relief Bill
The US President signed the Stopgap Funding Bill. The bill provides the law makers two more days to sort out few issues in the ongoing negotiations about the 900 billion USD aid package.

A stopgap funding bill is used by the US Government to ensure that it does not run out of funds for running federal programme after the deadline of an Appropriation Act.

In a fiscal year, the US Congress passes 12 Appropriation Acts which gives budgetary authority to spend from the US Treasury for specific purposes.

These Acts have a deadline and the funds cannot be used to address new obligations after it. When the Congress fails to fund the government, a government shutdown is declared and all non-essential services are stopped.

The Fiscal year in US begins on October 1. During a fiscal year, the Congress passes twelve annual appropriation acts that provide the budget authority to expend funds from US Treasury for specific purposes.

The funds cannot be used to address new obligations. In other words, the funds expire after specified deadline.

The Government Shutdown occurs when the Congress fails to fund the government.

In such scenario, the US Government stops all the non-essential services. On the other hand, the essential services such as police departments, armed forces, etc continue of function.

The Government Shutdowns in the United States have resulted in furloughs for several hundred thousand Government Employees. The reduction in Government activities affected various sectors of the economy.
India, Uzbekistan sign 9 pacts, vow to fight terror
India and Uzbekistan signed nine agreements to further broadbase cooperation in several areas and vowed to combat the threat of terrorism by “destroying” terrorist safe-havens, networks and funding channels.

Both the nations deliberated on expanding bilateral ties, and agreed to step up efforts for early conclusion of a bilateral investment treaty. The agreements signed are aimed at expanding cooperation in a range of areas, including new and renewable energy, digital technologies, cyber security and sharing of information.

Dustlik 2019 is the joint military exercise held between India and Uzbekistan. The first Dustlik military exercise was held in 2019.India and Uzbekistan have set an annual trade target of 1 billion USD. India is also trying to increase its relations with the country where China has already made inroads with the country taking advantage of its geographical contiguity.

India has offered a line of credit of 40 million USD for procurement of goods and services by Uzbekistan from India.India and Uzbekistan signed three Memorandum of Understandings in the field of Defence in 2019 to enhance cooperation in military medicine and military education.

In January 2019, India and Uzbekistan signed a nuclear deal for long term of supply of Uranium to India. Uzbekistan is the seventh largest exporter of Uranium in the world. After Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan is the second central Asian country to export Uranium to India.
France unveils draft law to fight Islamist radicalism
The French Cabinet recently presented a draft law that targets “Radical Islamism”. Although the word “Islamist” is not part of the text.The Bill comes in the wake of a series of terror attacks in recent years.

It is being seen as a response to the October beheading of schoolteacher Samuel Paty. It has raised concerns that it could stigmatise France’s Muslim community, the largest in Europe.The law aims to envisage range of measures that includes school education reforms to make sure Muslim children do not drop out of school.

It aims to provide strict controls on preachers and mosques.The law will provide rules against hate campaigns online.

When the law comes into force, the French mosques will see increased surveillance on their activities, especially financing.The French Government under the law will be empowered with greater powers to shut down places of worship. These places of worship are those that receive public subsidies. They will be shut down if they go against the republican principles such as gender equality.

The Community leaders being targeted by extremist PUTSCH will receive protection under the law. PUTSCH is a violent attempt to overthrow a government.The law will severely suppress the home-schooling of children over three years. This is because through this, the parents enrol them in underground Islamic structures.

The law will punish doctors issuing virginity certificates.The law will ban the officials from granting residency permits to polygamous applicants.The law allows to interview couples separately prior to their weddings to find out if they are forced in to marriage.
ADB launches $9 billion Covid-19 vaccine scheme to procure, deliver vaccines
The Asian Development Bank recently launched Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility to provide equitable support to the developing countries as they procure and deliver vaccines.

It will support developing countries in Asia and will put in efforts to procure vaccines against deadly virus. If a country has to obtain finances under APVAX, then it should fulfil the following criteria:

It must be procured through COVAX.

It should be prequalified by World Health Organization.

It should be authorised by a stringent regulatory authority.

The bank has allocated 9 billion USD for the APVAX scheme.

Earlier, the Asian Development Bank earlier approved the 500 million USD vaccine import facility as a part of the trade and supply chain finance programme of the bank

The bank allocated 1 billion USD to co-finance with the private sectors in importing COVID-19 vaccines.

In April 2020, ADB approved 20 billion USD to support developing countries to address the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic and deliver quick assistance.

The bank committed to 14.9 billion USD of loans to support the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Option.

In November 2020, ADB announced 20.3 million USD of technical assistance to establish systems that will enable efficient and equitable distribution of vaccines.
First Trilateral Working Group Meeting between India, Iran and Uzbekistan on joint use of Chabahar Port
The first Trilateral Working Group Meeting between India, Iran and Uzbekistan on the joint use of Chabahar Port was held virtually.

During the meeting, the participants discussed joint use of Chabahar Port for trade and transit purposes and enhanced regional connectivity.

All sides also noted the significant role played by Chabahar port for the region to deliver humanitarian assistance during the COVID pandemic.

All sides welcomed India’s proposal to hold "Chabahar Day” on the sidelines of the International Maritime Summit scheduled to be hosted by India in January 2021.

Chabahar Port is a seaport in Chabahar located in southeastern Iran, on the Gulf of Oman.

In December 2018, India took over the operations of the Port.

India began building a railway line between Chabahar port and Zahedan as part of the North-South Transport Corridor.

Chabahar port is about 170 km away from Gwadar Port built in Pakistan by China.
UNESCO to launch international prize in the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Rahman
UNESCO is to launch an international prize in the creative economy field in the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The UNESCO-Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman International prize is to be launched from November 2021.

2021 has been declared as ‘International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development’ by UNESCO.

Currently there are only twenty-three UNESCO International Awards in the name of international celebrities and organisations. For the age of the organizations, the numbers are very few.

Thus, the UNESCO-Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman International prize has its own significance.
Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen agree to continue UK-EU trade talks
UK and European Union (EU) have agreed to continue negotiations on the Brexit trade deal and drop the December 31 deadline, end of transition period for a post-Brexit trade deal. 11 month period has been finalized until December 31, 2020.During this period, the UK continues to participate in the EU customs union and single market.

The transition period ensures that there is no is not a sudden shock but a degree of continuity that enables both sides to secure an orderly Brexit, minimizing disruption to citizens, businesses, governments, as well as to international partners.

In post-Brexit trade agreement negotiations, significant differences remain on three critical issues: equal opportunity, governance and fisheries. The United Kingdom rejected the "evolution mechanism" or the "parity mechanism".

This mechanism aims to deter the UK from undermining the European Union if the bloc decides to raise its standards in areas such as environmental rules or workers' rights. The UK could not accept a deal that left it bound by EU rules in the future.

The UK wants to reach an agreement through bilateral talks with EU leaders, however, the EU has already suggested that the mechanism should be managed by a joint committee of EU and UK officials, with arbitration in case of disputes and negotiations should be conducted on behalf of All 27 member states of the bloc by the committee.

The main focus is on the access of European Union fishing fleets to the UK's waters, and according to reports, France is leading the task in this area and is demanding access rights for at least 10 years, a demand that the UK does not wish to give in, claiming that it has failed in meeting the criteria for restoration control for leaving the block.
Singapore’s foodie “hawker” culture given UNESCO recognition
Hawker Culture in Singapore has been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at the 15th session of the Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) that was held online.

Hawker Culture in Singapore is a living heritage shared by those who prepare hawker food and those who dine and mingle over hawker food in community dining spaces called hawker centres.

It reflects Singapore’s multicultural identity as a people and nation, and resonates strongly with Singaporeans across all races and social strata.

UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage is made up of those intangible heritage elements that help demonstrate diversity of cultural heritage and raise awareness about its importance.

The list was established in 2008 when the Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage came into effect.
When is the International Migrants Day observed?> GK> Days
Every year, the International Migrants Day is celebrated on December 18 by the United Nations and several other international organizations.

This year, the International Migrants Day is celebrated under the theme: Reimagining Human Mobility.

December 18 was chosen because on this date, the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their families was adopted.

The resolution to celebrate International Migrants Day was adopted in 1990 during the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their families.

The day is celebrated by the United Nations to highlight the contributions made by the migrants.

According to UN, there are roughly around 272 million migrants in the world. This includes 41 million internally displaced persons.
When is International Volunteer Day celebrated?
December 5 is celebrated as International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development

International Volunteer Day (IVD) for Economic and Social Development is also commonly referred to as International Volunteer Day (IVD)

International Volunteer Day gives individual volunteers, communities and organizations the opportunity to promote their contribution to development at the local and national and also at international levels.

International Volunteer Day (IVD) is a unique opportunity for individuals and participating in voluntary organizations to collaborate with government agencies, non-profit organizations, community groups, academia and the private sector.

The United Nations General Assembly - UNGA passed a resolution on December 17, 1985, passing the International Volunteer Day (IVD) for Economic and Social Development.

In 2012, in response to the ever-evolving experience and suggestions, the UN Volunteers (Volunteers) Program took the lead in implementing a "five-year International Volunteer Day Strategy" with a view to making it globally recognized and owned by grassroots organizations.

In the past six years, IVD has been celebrated in more than 80 countries/regions every year.

IVD website receives about 50,000 web page views each year, among which about 150 stories are posted. These stories highlight more than 50,000 volunteers around the world, photos and videos of the celebration
WTO dispute panel in fisheries management
India has submitted a new proposal at the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) on-going negotiations on prohibiting harmful fisheries subsidies.

Attempts are being made at the negotiating committee to avoid an apparent deadlock over special & differential treatment (S&DT) for developing countries and push forward the talks towards conclusion.

Members are seeking to reach an agreement on prohibiting ‘harmful’ fisheries subsidies estimated at $14- 20.5 billion annually that lead to over-fishing and depletion of fish stocks worldwide.

Under its proposal to the WTO, India has suggested that the role of the dispute settlement panel in fisheries management of coastal areas should be limited.

India has also suggested that a member should be allowed to retain its sovereignty in the matter.

According to India the WTO needs to prevail by the determinants of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations.

India is playing a key role in the WTO fisheries negotiations which is important as an agreement to limit subsidies will have a deep impact on the livelihoods of Indian fishers, many of them small and artisanal.

The two proposals made by the country are key to ensuring protection of vulnerable fishers and guard the nation’s sovereignty.

The threshold level proposed by India is important for the country as it would lead to the exclusion of China, the country with the highest fisheries subsidy, from the waiver.
Australia’s 'Go for Zero' helps COVID revival
The “Go for Zero” policy of Australia helped the country to bring down its COVID-19 cases.

The Go for zero policy of Australia was proposed by a non-profit think tank Grattan Institute that advises the government.

Under the policy besides expanding the testing of covid-19, Australia also increased contact tracing and mandatory isolation.

The government had introduced a QR code-based system to tackle the issue of travellers breaking quarantines. This system helped to track the related person.

Certain states of Australia such as Victoria even deployed police to carry out spot checks of people instructed to be in isolation.

Hot hotels or health hotels were established. These hotels set up for symptomatic travellers. This prevented emergence of clusters.

Australia under the policy also supported workers and businesses.

Subsidies are provided to forms to keep people employed and also increased unemployment benefits.

As the cases of covid-19 began to decrease in the month of September, Australia lifted the lockdown in a tiered manner.
What is the revised height of Mount Everest?
Nepal and China announced that they would adjust the height of Mount Everest to 8,848.86 meters. The new height is 86 cm higher than the previous height.

According to the survey conducted by the Bureau of Investigation of India in 1954, the new height of 8,848.86 meters replaced the long-term associated 8,848 meters.

The joint statement means that the two countries have long-standing differences in mountain heights-China's declared elevation is 8844 m, and Nepal is 8847 m.

Solving this three-meter difference is the goal of a joint project, which is attributed to China and Nepal using the "snow height" of snow including snow caps to calculate the "rock height" under snow.

Mount Everest is also known as Sagarmatha in Nepal and Mount Everest in China.

This mountain is suited on the border between Nepal and Tibet, and the summit can be accessed from both sides.

Its English name comes from the colonial geographer Sir George Everest (Sir George Everest), who served as the chief surveyor of India in the mid-19th century.

In 1953, Tenzing Norgay from India and Nepal and Edmund Hillary from New Zealand scaled it for the first time.

The first survey of Mount Everest: The first effort was made in 1847 by a team led by Andrew Waugh, chief surveyor of India. The survey is based on triangulation calculations and is called the Indian Triangle Survey.

The research team found that "Peak 15" (called Mount Everest at the time) was the highest peak, which was the highest peak at the time, contrary to the Kanchenjunga Mountain (8,582 m, currently the third highest peak in the world).

K2 Mountain is 8,611 meters above sea level and is the second highest mountain in the world.
When is the International Mountain Day observed?
The United Nations (UN) and several other international organizations celebrate International Mountain Day on December 11th every year. Protecting mountain areas is very important, because mountain areas have 15% of the world's population. They also have more than half of the world's biodiversity hotspots. The protection of mountains is also a key part of Sustainable Development Goal 15. This year, celebrate the International Mountain Day with the theme "Mountain Biodiversity".

The first International Mountain Day was celebrated in 2003. Mountain areas and their protection measures have attracted increasing attention, forcing the United Nations to declare 2002 as the United Nations International Year of Mountain Areas.

In 1992, the United Nations adopted "Managing Fragile Ecosystems: Sustainable Mountain Development". This is part of the "Agenda 21" action plan of the Conference on Environment and Development.

Goal 4 of SDG 15 is dedicated to protecting mountain biodiversity. In addition, the decade from 2021 to 2030 has been declared the United Nations Decade for Ecosystem Restoration. This also includes mountain ecosystems.

Governments must prepare for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework adopted at the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15). These measures help protect the mountains.

According to the United Nations, among the 20 crops that provide 80% of the world's food, six are diversified in mountainous areas. They are potatoes, barley, tomatoes, barley, sorghum and apples.

More than half of human beings rely on mountain fresh water every day. Over 30% of the world's key biodiversity areas are located in mountainous areas. Mountain areas are being highly threatened by climate change and overdevelopment.

Alpine glaciers melt faster. Therefore, reducing the carbon footprint and protecting these mountains and their biodiversity have become crucial.
Trump pardons former national security adviser Michael Flynn
The President of the United States of America (USA) has exercised his powers under the constitution to pardon his former National Security Advisor.

Pardon removes both the sentence and the conviction and completely absolves the convict from all sentences, punishments and disqualifications.

The President of the US has the constitutional right to pardon or commute sentences related to federal crimes. The US Supreme Court has held that this power is "granted without limit" and cannot be restricted by congress.

Clemency is a broad executive power, and is discretionary which means the President is not answerable for his pardons, and does not have to provide a reason for issuing one. But there are few limitations.

The USA has a Presidential system.

Article II, Section 2 of the US Constitution says all Presidents "shall have power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in cases of Impeachment.
When is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is observed?
The United Nations celebrates the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on November 29 every year. This is an opportunity for the international community to refocus on the following facts: The Palestinian issue has not yet been resolved and the Palestinian people have not yet realized the inalienable rights stipulated by the General Assembly.

The date of November 29 was chosen because of its significance and significance to the Palestinian people. On that day in 1947, the General Assembly passed Resolution 181 (II), which later became known as the "Division Resolution."

The resolution provides for the establishment of a "Jewish State" and an "Arab State" in Palestine, with Jerusalem as the main body under a special international system. So far, only one of the two countries established under the resolution in Israel.

In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly requested that November 29 be commemorated every year as the "International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People". That day, in 1947, the General Assembly passed a resolution on the partition of Palestine.

Palestine is officially recognized as the State of Palestine by the United Nations and other entities.

It is a legally sovereign state in West Asia. Although its administrative centre is currently located in Ramallah, the West Bank (bordering Israel and Jordan) and the Gaza Strip (bordering Israel and Egypt) have Jerusalem as the designated capital.

Since 1948, the entire territory occupied by the State of Palestine has been occupied by Egypt and Jordan, and then by Israel after the Six-Day War in 1967.
China hydropower company plans first downstream dam on Brahmaputra
Chinese authorities have given the go ahead for a Chinese hydropower company to construct the first downstream hydropower project on the lower reaches of the river Brahmaputra (known as Yarlung Zangbo in Tibet).

The project was put forward in the proposals for formulating the country's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).

The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 were adopted by Plenum - a key policy body of the CPC.

This will be the first time the downstream sections of the river will be tapped. However, the location of the planned project has not been mentioned anywhere.

India has been expressing concerns on Brahmaputra since 2015 when China operationalised its project at Zangmu.

A dam at the Great Bend, if approved, would raise fresh concerns considering its location downstream and just across the border from Arunachal Pradesh.

India is concerned about the Chinese activities affecting the quality of water, ecological balance and the flood management.

India and China do not have a water sharing agreement. Both nations share hydrological data so it becomes important to share genuine data and have continuous dialogue on issues like warning of droughts, floods and high-water discharges.
When is the World AIDS Day Observed?
Every December 1st is World AIDS Day. People have been celebrating this day since 1988. Celebrating this day is to raise people’s awareness of preventing HIV infection.

The November last week of is celebrated as AIDS Awareness Week annually. The first AIDS Awareness Week was held in San Francisco in 1984.

This year, World AIDS Day is celebrated with the following theme "Global Solidarity and Shared Responsibility".

According to statistics from the NACO - National AIDS Control Organization, as of 2017, about 2.14 million people in India have AIDS.

As of 2018, India is the world's third-largest place of residence for AIDS patients after South Africa and Nigeria. The HIV infection rate in India is lower than in many other countries.

In 2016, the prevalence of AIDS in India was 0.3%. This is the 80th highest in the world. India is fighting the disease through antiretroviral drugs and educational programs.

National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) was established in 1992 under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It is in a leading position in controlling AIDS.

It works with the National Institute of Medical Statistics and the Medical Research Council of India to estimate disease every two years.

India’s first such estimate was completed in 1998, and the last was done in 2017. NACO has increased the number of centers that provide free antiretroviral treatment from 54 to 91.

Due to COVID-19, the number of AIDS patients in the country has greatly increased in 2020. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the country’s government plan to reduce AIDS has ceased.
When is the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery observed?
December 2 is regarded as the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery worldwide. The annual event was organized by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and was first celebrated in 1986.

The focus of the day is to eliminate contemporary forms of slavery, such as the worst forms of child labour, human trafficking, forced marriage, forced recruitment of children for armed conflict and sexual exploitation.

On December 2, 1949, the UNGA - United Nations General Assembly approved the "Convention for the Suppression of Trafficking in Persons and Exploitation of Prostitution."

On December 18, 2002, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2004 as the "International Year for Commemorating the Opposition and Abolition of Slavery" in its resolution 57/195 of 2002.

In November 2016, the International Labor Organization (ILO) passed a new legally binding protocol aimed at strengthening global efforts to eliminate forced labour, which has come into effect.

In addition, the ILO has launched 50 freedom campaigns with the aim of persuading about 50 countries to ratify the Forced Labor Protocol by the end of 2019.

The main forms of modern slavery:
Forced labour
child labour
Trafficking
When is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities observed?
Every December 3rd, the United Nations celebrates other International Day of Persons with Disabilities around the world.

Celebrate this day this year with the following theme: “Building Back Better: Towards a disability-inclusive accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 World”.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities was 1st announced by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992.

Its purpose is to promote the well-being and rights of persons with disabilities, and to increase their awareness of social, political, economic and social conditions and also cultural life.

There are above one billion disabled people in the world. 80% of them live in developing countries. Among the disabled in the world, 46% are over 60 years old. People with disabilities are among the hardest hit by COVID-19.

The Resolution "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" was passed in 2006. The other main frameworks of the United Nations with a disability as a major component are as follows

2030 Sustainable Development Goals Agenda

New urban agenda

Addis Ababa Development Finance Action Agenda

Charter for the Participation of Disabled People in Humanitarian Action

Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The United Nations Disability Integration Strategy aims to support the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Sustainable Development Goals, the Human Agenda and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. It was launched in June 2019.
Joe Biden picks Vivek Murthy as Surgeon General
US President-elect Joe Biden has tapped his key Covid-19 adviser Dr Vivek Murthy as the next Surgeon General, a role for which he was appointed during the Obama administration and had to leave abruptly during the current Trump administration, according to a report.

The 43-year-old is one of the three co-chairs of the Biden's Covid Advisory Board.

He has been asked to reprise the role in an expanded version.

Murthy will return to that role, but with a broader portfolio that will include acting as the top medical expert.

The 43-year-old Indian-American doctor is one of the three co-chairs of the Biden's Covid-19 Advisory Board.
Britain becomes first country in world to approve coronavirus vaccine
In a historic move, Britain has become the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine. They have said that the vaccine will be rolled out from next week onwards.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said, the government has accepted the recommendation from the Independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to approve Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for use. Hancock said, the vaccine will be made available across the UK from next week. Priority for vaccination will be given to healthcare workers and care home residents.

Pfizer's CEO has called the approval a historic moment in COVID-19 battle. Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has proven 95 per cent effective against COVID-19 in the final phase trials.