Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2020

Notes:
Russia has successfully test-launched its heavy lift Angara A5 space rocket for the second time, the first launch having undertaken in 2014.
As per the state space agency Rocosmos, these Angara rockets do not use aggressive and toxic propellants, thereby increasing environmental safety in the areas adjacent to the launch complex and in the drop zones.

Notes:
The state government of Maharashtra has launched a new set of rules governing the real estate development.
Called as the ‘Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR)’, the rules will be applicable to the entire state except Mumbai civic body and some authorities with their own rules. This will bring clarity in regulations and uniformity in the width and size of the projects etc.

Notes:
India’s largest Central Armed Police Force, the Central Reserve Police Force has set up the National Centre for Divyang Empowerment (NCDE).
This is a facility for training the CRPF personnel, who are injured and become physically challenged in the line of duty. The personnel will be trained in the latest technologies like artificial intelligence, cyber security or warfare among others.

Notes:
The Indian Coast Guard has recently launched an operation named “Operation Oliva”. This operation aims to protect the Olive Ridley turtles of the Odisha coast, which are endangered.
The Coast Guard has launched two ships near the major nesting sites, to prevent entry of fishing vessels. Aircrafts of the coast guard have also been deployed as a part of this operation.

Notes:
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a referendum to add the efforts against climate change and the need to protect the environment in the French Constitution.
The President proposed a change in the constitution that requires a parliamentary vote, and then a referendum. Earlier, the EU leaders including Macron agreed to achieve at least 55 per cent compared with 1990 levels, by 2030.

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.

Notes:
An indigenously built interceptor boat C-454 of the Indian Coast Guard was commissioned at Hazira port in Surat, Gujarat.
This Interceptor boat is built by L&T Jetty, Hazira and is capable of operating in shallow water with very high speed. The boat is fitted with advanced navigation and communication equipment.

Notes:
The Himalayan serow has been spotted for the first time in the Himalayan cold desert region, in Spiti, Himachal Pradesh.
These are herbivores animals and are found between 2000 m and 4000 m altitude. They have an appearance similar to that of a goat, but with long ears. They have a habit of standing with fore legs stretched.

Notes:
The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi lit the ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ at the National War Memorial (NWM) in Delhi. This has kick started the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the 1971 India-Pakistan war.
In December 1971, the Indian Armed Forces won a battle against the Pakistan counterpart, which resulted n creation of a new nation called Bangladesh.

Notes:
The US Federal Reserve has recently joined the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System (NGFS).
NGFS is an international group of central banks of various countries, that has a special focus on climate change risks. It is headquartered at Paris, France.