Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2020

Notes:
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has recently raised concern on pollution and frothing in Yamuna River.
The body has asked Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and other states to implement effective sewage treatment. Increase in ammonia level from untreated water and industrial effluents containing phosphorous are the two main reasons for frothing.

Notes:
Pfizer has approached the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) seeking for emergency use authorisation (EUA) for its COVID 19 vaccine in India.
The company has obtained the emergency use authorisation from United Kingdom and Bahrain recently. The company has asked permission to DCGI for distribution of its COVID vaccine in India and waiver of clinical trials.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet headed by the Prime Minster Narendra Modi has approved for an MoU between SEBI and Financial and Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), Luxembourg.
The MoU is expected to enhance the cooperation between the two countries in the field of securities regulations.

Notes:
Google launched a new health research app called the ‘Google Health Studies’. It enables the research institutions to connect with potential study participants.
Through this app, android users can take part in health studies by answering survey questions and providing relevant data. Its first study will focus on respiratory illnesses like COVID-19.

Notes:
Every year, December 9 is observed as the International Anti-Corruption Day. The day is observed since 2003 after the United Nations passed a resolution in this regard. The theme for this year’s day is ‘United Against Corruption’. ‘
This year’s theme gives a special focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and states that corruption as one of the biggest obstacles in achieving it.

Notes:
Indian state-owned telecommunications company BSNL in partnership with machine connectivity solutions company Skylotech India, to launch a satellite-based narrowband IoT network in India.
The solution will connect with the satellite ground infrastructure of BSNL. This is the world’s first satellite-based narrowband-IoT network. The IoT connectivity is already tested in Indian Railways and fishing vessels among others.

Notes:
Morocco has become the latest Arab League country to agree to normalise relations with Israel in a deal brokered with US initiative.
As part of the deal, the US has agreed to recognise Morocco’s claim over the disputed Western Sahara region. Morocco is also the fourth country to normalise ties with Israel since August, this year. Earlier, Bahrain and UAE signed such deal.

Notes:
NITI Aayog has recently released a white paper titled ‘Vision 2035 – Public Health Surveillance in India’.
It describes India’s vision for public health surveillance via the integration of three-tiered public health system into Ayushman Bharat. The paper aims to make the public health surveillance system of the country, more responsive.

Notes:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare conducts a national level health survey called as the ‘National Family Health Survey’.
So far four editions of the survey have been conducted, with the latest being conducted in 2015-16. The Health Ministry has released the phase 1 results of the Fifth edition of the survey. The Under 5 and infant mortality rate (IMR) has decreased in 18 states and UTs.

Notes:
The USA’s Electoral College has ratified the results of the elections and has declared that Joe Biden would be next President of the country.
The Electoral College of USA is required to be formed once in 4 years, as per the us Constitution for the purpose of electing the President and Vice President.