Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 14 August 2021

SSC CGL Current Affairs

Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 14 August 2021

::NATIONAL::

Narendra Singh Tomar addressed the 6th SCO meeting of Agriculture Ministers

The Government of India has been taking several steps to develop innovative technologies and their dissemination from Lab to Land to empower rural youth, farmers and farm women. This was stated by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar in the 6th meeting of Agriculture Ministers of the member countries of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
The Minister in the meeting organized virtually in Dushanbe, Tajikstan stated that the agriculture sector in India performed well even during the severe Covid-19 pandemic. Along with food production, exports have also registered significant growth, contributing to global food security.
Speaking on the occasion, the Agriculture Minister mentioned that the Government is determined to attain sustainable development goal to end hunger, achieve food security and nutrition. He further emphasized that the bio-fortified varieties are a source of staple diets, rich in micro nutrients and are being promoted to address the aspects of malnutrition in the country. Further, he expressed that the Government with the goal to double farmer’s income by 2022 has launched several programs to enhance optimal utilization of water resources, create new infrastructure for irrigation, conserve soil fertility with balanced use of fertilizers, provide connectivity from farm to market, Information and Communication Technology(ICT) linkage besides building infrastructure, organic farming etc.
The Agriculture Minister said that India has achieved several milestones towards success in agriculture sector. Besides the Green Revolution, the White Revolution, blue revolution, the Public Distribution System and price support system for farmers are unparallel in the World.
It was the result of the vision of policy makers, ingenuity of our agricultural scientists and the hard work of our farmers that India became not only self-sufficient but surplus in food grains. Today, India is a leading producer of several food commodities like cereals, fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs and fish.

::INTERNATIONAL::

US warns 9/11 anniversary could inspire extremist attacks

The upcoming 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks as well as approaching religious holidays could inspire extremist attacks, the Department of Homeland Security said in terrorism.
DHS did not cite any specific threats in the National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin. But it noted that the US is in a “heightened threat environment," fuelled by factors that include violent extremists motivated by racial and ethnic hatred and resentment of restrictions imposed during the pandemic.
DHS issues the warnings to alert the public as well as state and local authorities. They reflect intelligence gathered from other law enforcement agencies.
The bulletin is an extension of a similar one issued in May that expired on the day the new one was issued. DHS says domestic extremists remain a national threat priority for US law enforcement and will for at least the remainder of the year.
The agency noted that al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula recently released the first English-language edition of its Inspire magazine in four years, apparently to mark the upcoming anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

::ECONOMY::

Airtel, Reliance Jio conclude spectrum trading agreement

Bharti Airtel on Friday announced the closure of its agreement with Reliance JioInfocomm to transfer ‘right to use’ of Airtel’s 800 megahertz (MHz) spectrum in three circles to Jio.
Airtel has received 1,004.8 crore (net of tax) from Jio for the proposed transfer, the company said in a statement. In addition, Jio will assume future liabilities of 469.3 crore relating to the spectrum.
In April, Jio had entered into a definitive agreement with BhartiAirtel for acquisition of ‘right to use’ spectrum in the 800MHz band in Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and Mumbai circles through spectrum trading.
The agreement is in accordance with spectrum trading guidelines issued by the Department of Telecommunications.
With this trading of ‘right to use’ spectrum, Jio will have 2X15MHz of spectrum in the 800MHz band in Mumbai circle and 2X10MHz of spectrum in the 800MHz band in Andhra Pradesh and Delhi circles, thereby further consolidating its spectrum footprint in these circles.

::SCIENCE AND TECH::

ISRO chief K Sivan inaugurates Health Quest study

Dr K Sivan, Secretary, DOS/Chairman, ISRO on August 04, 2021 formally inaugurated the Health QUEST study (Health Quality Upgradation Enabled by Space Technology of ISRO) which will be undertaken by 20 private hospitals across India. Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Health was the guest of honour and spoke on the occasion.
The objective of the study is to strive towards reducing human errors and achieve zero defect and quality service in the Emergency and Intensive Care units of hospitals. The study aims to upgrade the healthcare systems standards of the country in line with the ISRO quality standards and best practices.
The procedures and practices of Quality Assurance mechanism in vogue in ISRO will be shared with the study team for setting the parameters to establish health care quality standards.
During his inaugural address Dr. Sivan assured the support from ISRO for completing the study and achieving the quality goal. The event was co-organised by Association of Health Care Providers India (AHPI) and Society for Emergency Medicine in India (SEMI). The CEOs and Coordinators of the 20 hospitals have participated in the virtual event.

::SPORTS::

ICC will push for inclusion of cricket in 2028 Olympics

The England and Wales Cricket Board will play a leading role in paving the way for cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, said ECB CEO Tom Harrison. ICC has officially assembled a bid for cricket, targeting the LA Games.
“I think we will have a leading role. My chairman Ian Watmore is heading the working committee that is working out on cricket’s inclusion in IOC,” said the ECB CEO Tom Harrison while replying to a Hindustan Times query during a virtual interaction.
The only time cricket was a part of the Olympics was way back in 1900 in Paris when Great Britain took on France in a two-day one-off match, which was won by the former. The match was recognised officially only in 1912 and Britain and France got gold and silver medals respectively.
When asked to explain ECB’s role further in speeding up the process, Harrison said it is a big opportunity for cricket’s growth.