Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2021

Notes:
India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have commenced India-ITU Joint Cyberdrill 2021.
This Cyberdrill, a four days virtual event, is intended for Indian entities especially Critical Network Infrastructure operators. Experts from organizations, made presentation on best practices and highlighted the policy initiatives of cybersecurity in India as well across globe. India secured 10th rank in the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI).

Notes:
Elon Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 48 Starlink internet satellites and two BlackSky satellites as a payload from Florida.
The partially reusable Falcon 9 rocket had its first-stage boosters launched into space as part of several missions. The array of Starlink satellites offer internet coverage in remote areas of several countries.

Notes:
The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry has extended the timeline for the implementation of Smart Cities Mission to June 2023 due to the Covid pandemic and other reasons.
As per the earlier deadline, the cities were expected to complete their projects within five years of selection under the Smart Cities Mission. Hundred smart cities were selected through four rounds of competition from January 2016 to June 2018.

Notes:
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is an intergovernmental organization and implements the Chemical Weapons Convention 1997. It is headquartered at The Hague, Netherlands.
Recently, “Prohibition of chemical weapons as tools for law enforcement” has received the approval of OPCW based on 85-10 voting.

Notes:
The United Nations has adopted 2nd December as the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. It was on this date, the UNGA passed a resolution in 1949 against Slavery.
As per International Labour Organisation, more than 40 million people across the globe are victims of modern slavery, which includes forced labour, debt bondage, forced marriage, and human trafficking.

Notes:
Semeru is the tallest mountain on Java Island, Indonesia, spewed up towers of ash and hot clouds. The eruption of Semeru volcano has killed at least 14 people and injured many people in the island.
The eruption also destroyed buildings and damaged a strategic bridge connecting two areas in the district of Lumajang with the city of Malang. Around 1,300 people have been evacuated, while nine people were unaccounted for.

Notes:
Every year, the 6th December is celebrated by India as ‘Maitri Diwas” to remember the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Indo-Bangladesh ties as well as 50th year of Bangladesh Liberation. India was one of the first countries to establish bilateral diplomatic ties with Bangladesh on December 6, 1971.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has released a “National strategy on blockchain”, in which 44 potential areas have been identified for use of blockchain technology in India.
The Ministry has proposed setting up a National Blockchain Framework with 3 participants namely – user, operator and technology stack builder.

Notes:
36-year old Top British Racing Driver Lewis Hamilton won the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Tournament.
He passed Max Verstappen with six laps remaining in the race on the street circuit on the 30-kilometer coastal resort area in Jeddah. With this victory, Hamilton also levelled points with Red Bull rival Max Verstappen.

Notes:
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a United Nations body, is the nodal agency to manage and ensure cooperation among various air carriers. It is headquartered at Canada.
International Civil Aviation Day is observed on December 7 to raise awareness about the role aviation plays in the social and economic development.  ICAO Council establishes a theme for International Civil Aviation Day every five years. The theme till 2023 will be: “Advancing Innovation for Global Aviation Development”.