Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 18 December 2020

SSC CGL Current Affairs

Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 18 December 2020

::NATIONAL::

India, China to resume diplomatic talks over Ladakh disengagement

India and China are set to resume diplomatic dialogue after a gap of nearly 11 weeks to resolve the ongoing border standoff in the Ladakh sector.
Diplomats from both sides will hold a virtual meeting under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on Border Affairs (WMCC) where they are likely to discuss disengagement of troops, thousands of whom have dug in on either side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in sub-zero conditions.
The last WMCC meeting was held on September 30 – the 19th overall since the mechanism was set up in 2012 -- which had failed to take forward the negotiations focussed on troop disengagement.
Diplomatic sources in Beijing said the focus of the negotiation will be on troop disengagement.
The latest round of WMCC talks will coincide with a virtual address to be delivered by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, at an online event organised by the Mumbai-based Asia Society Indian Centre.
Wang is expected to talk on the ongoing crisis in Sino-India bilateral ties, triggered by the eight month-long military standoff.

JP Nadda gives ‘6-point agenda’ to BJP cadres for AtalBihari Vajpayee’s birth anniversary

The BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP) has directed all its state units to actively take part in “Good Governance Day” to celebrate former Prime Minister AtalBihari Vajpayee’s birthday on December 25.
Party President JP Nadda has asked party leaders and cadres to perform six programmes on this occasion.
The party has issued an advisory to all its state unit chiefs, state in-charges and all organisational leaders to actively take part and celebrate the late Prime Minister’s birth anniversary as “Good Governance Day”.
The internal circular issued by BJP office in charge and General Secretary Arun Singh reads: Prime Minister NarendraModi, several Union Ministers and senior leaders of the party will pay floral tributes at the SadaivAtal Samadhi of the late Prime Minister in Delhi.
Circular issued by Singh carries six-point agenda item of programmes to be taken up by central to the booth level.
Floral tribute along with the discussion about the life and mission of Bharat RatnaAtalBihari Vajpayee should be organised at every booth.
Webinars at the district level should be organised to discuss the achievement and welfare scheme of the Central government and BJP state government.
KaviSammelan (Kavyanjali) through video conferencing to recite the poems of AtalBihari Vajpayee should be organised. Blood donation camps and fruit distribution in hospitals and other social activities keeping in view the pandemic should be organized.

::ECONOMY::

PM to deliver keynote address at ASSOCHAM Foundation Week 2020

Prime Minister NarendraModi will deliver the keynote address at ASSOCHAM Foundation Week 2020 on 19th December at 10:30 AM via video conferencing.
Prime Minister will also present the ‘ASSOCHAM Enterprise of the Century Award’ to Ratan Tata, who will receive the award on behalf of the TATA Group.
ASSOCHAM was established in 1920 by promoter Chambers representing all regions of India. Having in its fold over 400 Chambers and Trade Associations, and serving over 4.5 lakh members across India, ASSOCHAM has emerged as the fountainhead of knowledge for Indian industry.

::INTERNATIONAL::

WHO team expected to visit China in January 2021 to probe COVID-19 origins

The much-awaited international mission led by the World Health Organization (WHO)is expected to go to China in the first week of January to investigate the origins of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that triggered the COVID-19pandemic.
Chinese Foreign Ministry on Thursday did not directly comment on the WHO visit but said that it stands ready to enhance its cooperation with WHO to advance the global tracing efforts and to contribute China’s share in an early victory against the pandemic.
A year into the COVID-19pandemic, now a team of12-15 international experts is expected to go to China to examine evidence,including human and animal samples collected by Chinese researchers, and to build on their initial studies.
The United States, which has accused China of having hidden the outbreak’s extent, has called for a “transparent” WHO-led investigation and criticised its terms, which allowed Chinese scientists to do the first phase of preliminary research.
China and the WHO have been under pressure as some Western countries have voiced concern at the delay in sending international experts.
The WHO has for months been working to send a team of international experts.
In May, the World Health Assembly (WHA), the governing body of the 194-member states of the WHO, approved a resolution to set up an independent inquiry to conduct an impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation" of the international response as well as that of WHO.

Science and Tech

ISRO's workhorse rocket PSLV launches India's newest communication satellite CMS -01 into orbit

The 52nd mission of ISRO's workhorse rocket PSLV launched India's newest communication satellite CMS -01 into orbit as per schedule today.
In a textbook exercise, the PSLV C50 lifted off into the skies above Sriharikota at 3:41 p.m and its various stages separated as planned before placing its only payload- the CMS-01 - in predesignated geosynchronous transfer orbit around twenty minutes after launch.
Addressing scientists gathered for the launch at the mission control centre later, ISRO chairman Dr. K. Sivan said the satellite had been injected precisely into its transfer orbit and it's solar panels had been successfully deployed.Initial reports indicated that the satellite was functioning very well.
He said the satellite would be moved into its geostationary orbit on the 21st of this month after a series of manoeuvres over the next four days.CMS-01 would take over the role performed by GSAT 12 communication satellite which was nearing the end of its life and carry out all its functions successfully.
Referring to ISRO'S next mission, he said the PSLV C -51 due soon would usher in a new era of space reform in the country. It would launch the first satellite from a startup - for earth observation purposes - within just 8 months of the sector being opened up for private participation.
He said work was going on onChandrayaan -3 ,Aditya L1 and Gaganyaan besides the GSLV and SSLV missions despite the challenging Covid situation.
The CMS-01 satellite launched today will provide telecommunication services including television, tele-education, tele-medicine, and disaster management support.
This includes expanded and improved telecommunication coverage for both Andaman & Nicobar Islands as well as Lakshadweep besides improved coverage over the Indian mainland.
The CMS-01 will be a replacement for GSAT-12 that was launched on July 11, 2011 with a mission life of eight years.

Sports

Lewandowski beats Messi and Ronaldo to FIFA Best Player Award

Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski was named The Best FIFA Men's Player 2020 on 17-12-2020, beating off competition from last year's winner Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Lewandowski, who won the German league and cup double as well as the Champions League with Bayern, finished as top scorer in all three competitions and won the award for the first time.