Daily Current Affairs - 05 Dec 2020

Daily Current Affairs Capsule

5th December 2020

International

World Soil Day: 05 December

Every year December 5 is celebrated as World Soil Day.

1. The day is primarily celebrated to bring our focus and attention on the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources.
2. World Soil Day became an international day to celebrate Soil after the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002 recommended it.
3. The FAO Conference unanimously endorsed World Soil Day in June 2013.
4. 2020 theme "Keep soil alive, Protect soil biodiversity”.

International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development: 05 December

International Volunteer Day is observed on December 5.

1. It offers an opportunity for volunteer-involving organizations and individual volunteers to promote volunteerism,
2. The day is observed to promote the culture of volunteering, encourage the governments to support the efforts put in by volunteers in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at all levels.
3. 2020 theme "Together We Can Through Volunteering"

International Day of Banks: 4 December

International Day of Banks is observed globally on the 4th of December.

1. On 19 December 2019, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 74/245, which designated 4 December as the International Day of Banks.
2. It also recognises the significant potential of multilateral development banks and other international development banks in financing sustainable development and providing know-how.

National

Rohingya refugees arrive at the relocation facility in Bhashan char

The government of Bangladesh sent a batch of 1642 Rohingyas to the newly developed facility at Bhashan char.

1. The refugees were taken to Chattogram from Cox’s Bazar camps from where they were transported to the Bhashan char under the supervision of the Bangladesh navy.
2. Another 3500 Rohingyas will be sent to the Bhashan char this week and the relocation will be completed within a week.
3. 22 NGOs have started work at the Bhashan char to provide cooked food to the refugees. Food items have been stored for 3 months for the refugees.

India invites CLMV countries to join the International Solar Alliance

India invited the CLMV countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam to join the International Solar Alliance as well as the Resilient Supply Chain Initiative by India.

1. The invitation was extended at the sixth India-CLMV Business Conclave 2020.
2. During the conclave, India mentioned that it is ready to share COVID-19 vaccine with the CLMV countries.
3. The CLMV countries are Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
4. The countries act as a gateway for the market access to European Union and China and also other markets due to various trade agreements.

Phase 8 of the Vande Bharat Mission extended till 31st December

Phase 8 of the Vande Bharat Mission has been operational since the first of November. This Phase has now been extended until the 31st of December.

1. Under this extended phase called Phase 8 Plus, 897 international flights have been scheduled to operate from 15 countries with a capacity to repatriate an estimated 1.5 lakh people.
2. In addition to this, flights operated under the bilateral air bubble arrangements with 18 countries are progressing smoothly.
3. As of today, 34.1 lakh Indians have been repatriated through different modes.

Appointments

Joe Biden picks Vivek Murthy as Surgeon General

US President-elect Joe Biden has selected two former Obama administration officials for senior roles to help fight COVID-19, including the appointment of Jeff Zients as White House coronavirus coordinator.

1. Biden adviser Vivek Murthy will return to his role as Surgeon General but with a broader portfolio as the pandemic rages through the country.
2. Dealing with the virus that has killed more than 274,000 Americans as well as the economic fallout from the crisis is one of Biden's top priorities once he takes office on Jan 20.

Kuldeep Handoo appointed as PM's 'Fit India’ Movement Ambassador

First Dronacharya Awardee from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Kuldeep Handoo has been appointed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Fit India’ Ambassador.

1. Mr Handoo, who is Wushu Coach of Team India is serving as Inspector in Jammu and Kashmir Police Department.
2. In the year 2019, the ‘Fit India Movement’ was started by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. Its purpose is to make every section of the country health conscious.

Awards

Parkash Singh Badal returns his Padma Vibhushan award in solidarity with farmers protesting against farm laws

Former Punjab Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal patron Parkash Singh Badal has returned his Padma Vibhushan award in solidarity with the farmers protesting against the three farm laws.

1. Mr. Badal received Padma Vibhushan Award in 2015.
2. He served as the Chief Minister of Punjab state from 1970 to 1971, from 1977 to 1980, from 1997 to 2002, and from 2007 to 2017.
3. He is also the patron of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), a Sikh-centered regional political party.

Deaths

Former PM of Pakistan Zafarullah Jamali passes away

The 15th Prime Minister of Pakistan, Zafarullah Khan Jamali passed away.

1. He served as PM from November 2002 to June 2004 for a duration of 1 Year, 7 Months and 3 days.
2. He was the first politician from Balochistan to become Prime Minister.
3. Jamali served the country when former military dictator Pervez Musharraf was the President of the country.
4. As PM, Jamali vowed to sign a peace agreement and cease-fire in the disputed Kashmir region.