Israel had serial lockdowns & pandemic management problems, but has become the world leader in vaccine rollout. The UK, meanwhile, has resources it hasn’t yet tapped for the rollout.
With Boris Johnson cancelling his visit, India has approached leaders of countries in the immediate neighbourhood, but Covid makes the situation uncertain.
In phone call to PM Modi, Johnson expressed regret but said in light of the mutant Covid strain and national lockdown in UK, it was important for him to remain in the country.
Johnson announced a target to give shots to 13.9 million people at the highest risk by mid-Feb. Once they have all been vaccinated, the restrictions can begin to be eased, he said.
UK government is back in crisis mode, with new virus cases exceeding 50,000 a day and hospital admissions soaring past the peak of the first wave in April 2019.
The end of the transition period launched the UK on a new path on its own. Much, however, remains unknown about what that future will look like after Britain’s 5 decades in the bloc.
The UK PM said he wants to use the new opportunities Brexit provides to pioneer developments in biosciences, artificial intelligence and battery and wind power technology.
The last time this matter flared up was when Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, in a very similar directive in April, called for the relocation of stray dogs in the capital.
Finance ministry says the proposed revamp will focus on structural reforms, rate rationalisation & ease of living, & will be deliberated upon in the coming weeks.
The project is meant to be a ‘protective shield that will keep expanding’, the PM said. It is on the lines of the ‘Golden Dome’ announced by Trump, it is learnt.
Now that both IAF and PAF have made formal claims of having shot down the other’s aircraft in the 87-hour war in May, we can ask a larger question: do such numbers really matter?
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