Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2021

Notes:
Yutu-2 is a robotic lunar rover which was launched in 2018, as a part of Chang’e 4 mission to the Moon.
The rover has recently detected a strange-looking, cube-shaped object on the surface of the Moon. The rover spotted the object as it crossed the Von Karman crater on the far side of the Moon. The object has been dubbed “mystery house” and scientists are set to drive the rover closer to get a better look.

Notes:
The ‘Armed Forces Flag Day’ is observed every year on December 7. The day is meant to honour martyrs, and the brave soldiers who serve this country.
It is also known as India’s Flag Day and is dedicated to raising funds from Indian citizens for the welfare of the Indian Army. India has been celebrating this day every year since August 1949.

Notes:
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is implementing the PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan).
Under the scheme, subsidy is given for setting up standalone solar pumps and for the solarization of agricultural pumps. MNRE has recently issued advisory for public on PM Kusum Scheme, providing cautions against fraudulent links.

Notes:
The “International Anti-Corruption Day” is observed on December 9 every year, across the world. It is organised by the United Nations Development Program.
The Day aims to raise awareness on the importance of getting rid of corruption, which prevents the progress towards sustainable development goals. The UNCAC United Nations Convention Against Corruption was drafted in 2003.

Notes:
Olaf Scholz has been sworn in as Germany’s new chancellor, officially taking over from Angela Merkel, who served historic 16 years as the Chancellor.
The 63-year old leader steered the Social Democrats to election victory in September. He has played a key role in the Merkel government as vice-chancellor. All 16 ministers took the oath of office, becoming Germany’s first cabinet to include as many women as men.

Notes:
Gulf of Mexico Bryde’s whales have been classified as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act.  They are the only known resident baleen whales in the Gulf of Mexico, with less than 100 individuals left in the population.
The carcass of an endangered Bryde’s whale was washed ashore near the border of Puri and Ganjam districts of Odisha.

Notes:
Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) is a US government program, launched in 2019, under former President Donald Trump. It is also dubbed as “Remain in Mexico” policy.
It mandates that certain citizens and nationals of countries other than Mexico be returned to Mexico while their American removal proceedings are pending. UNICEF has expressed concern about the re-implementation of the program.

Notes:
The International Maritime Organization is headquartered at London. Recently, the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization has elected the some countries to be Members of its Council for the 2022-2023.
India has been selected as the Category (b), which are 10 States with the largest interest in international seaborne trade.

Notes:
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett became the first Prime Minister of Israel to visit the United Arab Emirates.
He recently arrived in the United Arab Emirates to meet the Gulf state’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. The two countries signed a US-brokered agreement known as the Abraham Accords.

Notes:
OSCAR 1 (Orbiting Satellites Carrying Amateur Radio) is the world’s first non-governmental satellite, first amateur Radio Satellite. It was launched successfully on December 12, 1961.
It was also the first satellite built by a collection of private individuals. OSCAR 1 operated for nearly 20 days, testing radio reception from space.