Morning Current Affairs: 18 December 2021

SII’s Covovax receives emergency use approval by WHO

The World Health Organisation has granted emergency use approval to the Serum Institute of India’s manufactured Covovax vaccine. It will further help in expanding the list of WHO-validated Covid-19 vaccines. SII has been producing Covovax under the license from Novavax.

Goa CM inaugurates Goa Pink Police Force

The Chief Minister of Goa has inaugurated Goa Pink Police Force. It will patrol the beach areas and will provide aid in case a woman complains of abuse or accidents. The Pink Force in Goa is not only for women but it is for children as well. 11 prevention-dedicated teams have been formed with weaponry and communication facilities.

AUKUS joint steering group meeting

The inaugural meeting of the AUKUS Trilateral Joint Steering Groups was recently held by Australia, the USA and the UK. The groups were established as part of the governance structure of AUKUS in September 2021. The Group met on December 9 and December 14.

Foundation Stone of Ganga Expressway in Shahjahanpur to be laid down by PM Modi today

PM Modi will lay the foundation stone of Ganga Expressway in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh today. He will also address a rally at Railway ground. The expressway will pass through Meerut, Bulandshahr, Hapur, Budaun, Amroha, Bareli, Sambhal, Hardoi, Unnao, Pratapgarh, and Prayagraj districts.

New Program supporting innovations announced by India and US to tackle climate change and clean energy challenges

India and the United States have announced a new program that will support the innovations to tackle the clean energy and climate change challenges. The program will identify and support the technology showstoppers and other entrepreneurial initiatives in the area.

Government advises people to avoid mass gatherings, unnecessary travel amid Omicron case rise

 The Government of India has advised people to avoid mass gatherings and non-essential travel as the Omicron cases increase in the country. So far 101 Omicron cases have been reported from 11 states. The Government has asked people to receive a covid vaccine and follow covid appropriate behavior.