| Welcome to The Morning Filter, your guide to the busy news day ahead. We hope you are staying safe. Here are the latest updates and the big news stories to follow today:
1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually address farmers in Madhya Pradesh on Friday at 2 pm
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak about the “beneficial provisions” of the new farm laws in his address to the farmers of Madhya Pradesh as part of a Kisan Kalyan Sammelan on Friday via video conferencing.
2. SC to decide on Friday plea to initiate contempt against comic artist Rachita Taneja  Rachita Taneja The Supreme Court would pronounce its order on Friday on a plea seeking initiation of criminal contempt proceedings against comic artist Rachita Taneja for her alleged objectionable tweets against the apex court. A bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan, R Subhash Reddy and M R Shah on Thursday took note of the fact that Attorney General K K Venugopal has consented to the plea filed by law student Aditya Kashyap against the comic artist.
3. Coronavirus | SC to hear plea regarding issues of treatment
Supreme Court will hear tomorrow plea regarding the issues surrounding the treatment of Covid-19 patients and handling of dead bodies of Covid-19 victims in hospitals.
4. EU does not expect UK trade deal by Friday
Two European Union diplomats and an official with the bloc said on Thursday they did not expect a new trade deal with Britain to come together by Friday, saying negotiators were still apart on the sensitive issue of fisheries. A source with the European Parliament told Reuters separately that the bloc's Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, told lawmakers earlier on Thursday that a deal “in the coming days is possible but difficult especially on fisheries”.
5. SC to decide on Friday whether to initiate contempt proceedings against Kunal Kamra
 Kunal Kamra | File
The Supreme Court will pronounce its order on Friday on a batch of petitions seeking initiation of criminal contempt proceedings against stand-up comic artist Kunal Kamra for his alleged scandalous tweets against the apex court. The pleas came up for hearing on Thursday before a bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan which heard the submissions of advocate Nishant R Katneshwarkar, who appeared for one of the petitioners, and claimed that Kamra had posted several tweets scandalous to the judiciary.
6. COVID-19 vaccine: Biden to get vaccine next week, Pence to receive it Friday
President-elect Joe Biden will get the coronavirus vaccine as soon as next week, transition officials said on Wednesday, as U.S. authorities try to build public confidence in a measure that promises to stanch the deadly pandemic. Vice President Mike Pence will get the vaccine on Friday, the White House said.
7. Rajasthan: Gehlot to inaugurate development projects on Friday
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will virtually inaugurate and lay foundation stones of several development projects on Friday to mark the second anniversary of the state government. On the occasion, the achievements of the government will be displayed virtually.
8. Australia vs India first day-night Test in Adelaide - Day 2  Virat Kohli warms-up before the start on the second day of their cricket test match against Australia at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia on Friday, December 18, 2020
Virat Kohli’s enduring love affair with Adelaide Oval resulted in a classy 74 but his untimely run-out triggered a batting collapse as India ended the opening day at 233 for 6 against Australia in the first Day/Night Test on Thursday. Kohli, who looked in complete command, was run out when his deputy Ajinkya Rahane backed out after calling for a single and it happened just before the second new ball was taken.
9. Indian Super League | NorthEast United eye longest unbeaten run in ISL as Jamshedpur beckons
NorthEast United would look to consolidate a terrific start and extend their unbeaten run when they lock horns with Jamshedpur FC in an Indian Super League match here on Friday. The Highlanders will be pleased with the start they have got this year after six games. A victory on Friday will put them level on points with table-toppers FC Mumbai City and second-placed ATK Mohun Bagan
10. Coronavirus | Latest numbers and developments
The number of positive coronavirus cases reported from India now stands at 99,77,707 at the time of publishing this newsletter. The death toll from the disease stands at 1,44,857.
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