ISSUE 374 - 06-11-2020

40 06/11/2020 NEWS LITERATURE POLITICS FASHION ART & CULTURE KIDS RELIGION FILMS
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4-week lockdown comes
into force in ENGLAND
London : Amid an ongoing second
Covid-19 wave, a new four-week lockdown
in England came into force on Thursday,
under which people will have to stay at
home, while non-essential shops, pubs and
gyms will remain closed.
The lockdown came into effect after MPs
on Wednesday voted in its favour by 516 to
39, a majority of 477, the BBC reported.
It will replace the three tiers of regional
restrictions that were previously in place
across England.
On December 2, MPs will again vote on
the next steps needed to tackle the virus
before the lockdown comes to an end.
Under the new rules, households are
banned from mixing indoors or in private
gardens, unless in a support bubble.
All non-essential retailers, leisure and
entertainment venues will be shut, with pubs
and restaurants will be closed except for
takeaways.
In a warning, Martin Hewitt, chairman of
the National Police Chiefs Council, said that
those responsible for the most "egregious"
breaches of the rules would face stiff fines.
Unlike the first lockdown in March,
schools, universities, and nurseries will
remain open, and people will be able to meet
another person who they do not live with in
an outdoor public place such as a park or
beach.
During a debate in the House of
Commons before the vote, Prime Minister
Boris Johnson said that the second lockdown
was "not something any of us wanted to do"
but "I am not prepared to take the risk with
the lives of British people", the BBC rpeorted.
"While it pains me to call for such restrictions
on lives, liberty and business I have no
doubt that these restrictions represent the
best and safest path for our country," he told
MPs.
Johnson insisted the lockdown will expire
automatically on December 2 and he hopes
"very much" to "get this country going
again" in the run up to Christmas.
On Thursday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak
will address the House of Commons during
which he will outline what economic support
will be available to businesses and jobs during
the lockdown.
On Wednesday, the UK reported 492
news coronavirus deaths, the highest daily
figure since May 19, and 25,177 confirmed
cases.
With the new tallies, the UK's overall
caseload and death toll stood at 1,102,305
and 47,832, respectively.
UK, EU admit wide
gaps in post-Brexit
trade TALKS
London : The UK and the European Union (EU) have admitted
that wide differences remained on some difficult issues following
the conclusion of two weeks of intensive post-Brexit trade negotiations.
"Progress made, but I agree with @MichelBarnier that wide
divergences remain on some core issues. We continue to work to
find solutions that fully respect UK sovereignty," the UK's chief
negotiator David Frost tweeted on Wednesday night.
Also taking to Twitter, Michel Barnier, EU's chief Brexit negotiator,
said that "despite EU efforts to find solutions, very serious
divergences remain in Level Playing Field, Governance and
Fisheries", Xinhua news agency reported.
"These are essential conditions for any economic partnership.
The EU is prepared for all scenarios," Barnier added.
The UK and the EU resumed talks on October 22 after negotiations
stalled following the bloc's summit earlier last month, with
Downing Street insisting there was no point in resuming discussions
unless there was a change in stance from the regional bloc.
The two sides started their lengthy and bumpy post-Brexit talks
in March after the UK ended its EU membership on January 31,
trying to secure a future trade deal before the transition period
expires at the end of this year.
Computer operator
nabbed for stealing
gold worth Rs 1 cr
Bengaluru : The
Bengaluru police on
Thursday arrested a
computer operator
working in city's
famous Navaratan
Jewellers for allegedly
defrauding gold worth
Rs 1 crore from the
showroom.
According to the
police, the arrested is
identified as
Lambodhar Jaiswal
(22), hailing from
Inkerband in Nuapada, Odisha.
Speaking to the reporters,
Deputy Police Commissioner
(Central Division) M. N.
Anuchet said that the accused
had been working in Navaratan
Jewellers for the last six years.
He added that after pocketing
more than one and half kilogram
of gold, worth Rs 1 crore, he
escaped to his hometown
Inkerband in Nuapada, Odisha.
"We arrested him from his home
and brought him here for further
interrogation," he added.
The DCP said that he had
joined as a helper six years ago
in the same showroom and gradually
he became a computer
operator.
"Over the years, due to his
hard work and being a quick
learner he gained experience as
well as trust of owners in a very
short span. As soon as
the owners opted to go
for computerisation,
they only opted him as
their man to be incharge
of their computer
operations," a senior
official said.
The officer further
added that Jaiswal identified
a loophole in the
new computer system
as it was used to allow
the operator to edit the
weight of the jewellery.
Using this loophole to his advantage,
he started collecting very
tiny quantities of gold and accumulated
gold worth Rs 1 crore
over a period of few months.
The police said that the owners
came to know only when the
thorough auditing was carried
out and realised they have been
cheated by their trusted employee
and by then he had left for his
hometown with the gold.