Today in History (December 19th,1961)
December 19th is Goa Liberation Day, which commemorates the day in 1961 when the Indian armed forces annexed Goa from Portuguese rule.
Let’s Revise
1) Who is the Foreign Minister of China, recently met with Ajit Doval?
a. Wang Yi
b. Lin Jang
c. Min Yarkhov
d. Xi Jinping
Answer: a)
2) The first National Policy on Education (NEP) in India was announced in?
a. 1968
b. 2001
c. 2005
d. 1980
Answer: a)
Summary of Today’s News
Positive Developments from India-China Talks
Historic Meeting
• First Meeting in Five Years: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing for the first Special Representatives (SRs) boundary talks since 2019.
Key Discussions
• Affirming Disengagement: Both sides positively affirmed the outcome of their disengagement agreement on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• Maintaining Peace: Emphasized the importance of learning from the four-year military stand-off to maintain peace and tranquillity at the border.
• Cross-Border Exchanges: Discussed resuming the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, data sharing on trans-border rivers, and border trade.
Six-Point Consensus
• Substantive Discussions: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a “six-point consensus” to maintain peace and enhance bilateral relations.
• MEA’s Position: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated most of the points without specifically referring to a “six-point consensus.”
Other Considerations
• No Mention of Direct Flights: The talks did not address resuming direct flights or journalist exchanges discussed previously.
• Economic and Cultural Exchanges: Emphasized the need to restore economic, cultural, and trade exchanges.
Resuming SR Process
• Significance: The resumption of the SR process, aimed at resolving the India-China boundary dispute, marks a significant step towards normalizing diplomatic relations.
• Next Steps: Focus on de-escalation and de-induction of troops following the disengagement agreement.
Strategic Communication
• Political Trust: Both sides stressed the importance of restoring political trust and promoting collaboration in various areas.
• Commitment: Mr. Doval highlighted the significance of the resumption of talks and India’s commitment to strengthening strategic communication with China.
Principal Caught Stealing Eggs Meant for Students
The incideont ccurred on December 13. A government school in Vaishali district, Bihar. Principal Suresh Sahani was caught on camera stealing eggs intended for the midday meal scheme.
Investigation and Response
• A video of the principal stealing eggs went viral on social media.
• Education Department’s Action: The department initiated a probe and issued a show-cause notice to Mr. Sahani, demanding an explanation within 48 hours or face disciplinary action.
Details of the Incident
• Caught on Camera: Mr. Sahani was seen filling a plastic bag with eggs as a van with midday meal rations arrived at the school.
• Midday Meal Scheme: Students are served meals six days a week, with one boiled egg each on Fridays.
Student Complaints
• Inadequate Meals: Students reported not always receiving prescribed food items, with missing green vegetables, eggs, and mashed potatoes (chokha) with khichdi.
Potential Outcomes
• Possibility of Forgiveness: There is speculation that Mr. Sahani might be forgiven due to his impending retirement in January, as disciplinary action could affect his post-retirement benefits.
U.S. Congressional Report on COVID-19 Origins
Overview
• A U.S. Congressional committee, led by Republican Brad Wenstrup, concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic likely resulted from a virus that leaked from a research facility in Wuhan, China.
• Report Publication: The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic published its final report on December 2, 2024, spanning over 500 pages.
Lab-Leak Theory
• Basis of Conclusion: The report inferred its conclusion from circumstantial claims made early in the pandemic.
• Evidence: It cited a January 2021 U.S. State Department factsheet stating that several researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) became sick in autumn 2019 with symptoms similar to COVID-19 and common seasonal illnesses.
• Expert Statements: Molecular biologist Alina Chan and others supported the lab-leak hypothesis, noting Wuhan’s prominence in SARS-like virus research.
Furin Cleavage Site
• Significance: The report highlighted the presence of a furin cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2, which is not found in other known members of its viral family, suggesting it could not have arisen through ordinary evolutionary processes.
• Scientific Debate: The Lancet published a letter in August 2023 refuting this idea, arguing that the site could have evolved naturally.
Additional Findings
• NIH Funding: The report stated that the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded gain-of-function research at WIV.
• Gain-of-Function Research: This type of research involves genetically altering organisms to enhance certain functions, such as transmissibility or infectivity.
OPEC+ Concerns Over U.S. Oil Output Rise Under Trump
Context
• OPEC+ is wary of a potential rise in U.S. oil output with Donald Trump’s return to the White House, as increased U.S. production could erode OPEC+ market share and hinder efforts to support oil prices.
Historical Context
• Underestimating U.S. Output: OPEC has a history of underestimating U.S. output gains since the start of the shale oil boom, which has made the U.S. the world’s top oil producer.
Current Situation
• Output Plans Delayed: OPEC+ delayed plans to raise output until April and extended some supply cuts until the end of 2026 due to weak demand and booming U.S. production.
Impact of Trump’s Policies
• Deregulation Package: Trump’s transition team has put together a package to deregulate the energy sector, which could lead to higher U.S. oil production.
• Environmental Policies: A return of Trump could mean less stringent environmental policies, benefiting the oil industry but potentially increasing U.S. output.
Future Implications
• Raising Output: A further rise in U.S. output could hinder OPEC+ plans to raise output from April 2025 without risking a drop in prices.
• Economic Impact: A drop in oil prices would negatively affect OPEC+ countries that rely on oil revenues.
Trump Jokes About Canada Becoming the 51st U.S. State
Context
• U.S. President-elect Donald Trump joked on social media that it would be a “great idea” for Canada to become the 51st U.S. State. The statement was made on Truth Social.
Key Points
• Support Claim: Trump claimed that “many Canadians” would welcome the idea, citing potential savings on taxes and military protection.
• Political Crisis: The joke comes amid a political crisis in Ottawa, following the resignation of Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister.
Public Reaction
• Mixed Responses: The idea has been met with mixed reactions, with some finding the joke in bad taste.
• Poll Results: A recent poll indicated that 13% of Canadians favor the idea of Statehood.
