Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2021

Notes:
The state government of Himachal Pradesh recently notified to constitute a “Samanya Varg Aayog”. This was notified amid an aggressive protest by the general category people.
A large number of people in the state belonging to the general category had been demanding to constitute a commission for them.

Notes:
The Nupi Lal Day is observed to pay rich homage to the brave women of Manipur who fought for justice against the British Government.
It is observed every year on December 12. This year, an observation ceremony was held at Nupi Lal Memorial Complex located at Imphal. The day is also observed by NGOs and women-based organizations across the state.

Notes:
Meta-owned WhatsApp announced its pilot programme of adopting 500 villages across Karnataka and Maharashtra.
The programme aims to empower people with access to digital payments through ‘payments on WhatsApp’. The announcement regarding the programme was made at “Fuel For India 2021 — Meta’s annual event in India”.

Notes:
Scientists at the Himalayan Research Group NGO, a part of Department of Science and Technology Programme of Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division devised a customized solar water and space heating system.
Named the ‘Solar hamam’, the system is a cost-effective alternative to fuelwood. In the higher Himalayan region, 50% of fuelwood is consumed for the purpose of heating and is also a main reason for forest degradation.

Notes:
Wholesale inflation, based on the Wholesale Price Index, jumped to 14.23 per cent in November from 12.54 per cent in October.
As per the data released by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the rise is primarily due to rise in food prices especially of vegetables, and minerals and petroleum products. This is the highest level of wholesale inflation in the 2011-12 series.

Notes:
For the first time in European Union, Malta has become the first country to legalise cannabis at home and for personal use.
Under the new law of Malta, people aged 18 and above will be allowed to have up to seven grams of cannabis and grow up to four plants at home. But consuming cannabis in public remains illegal and punishable by a fine. The new law is set to go to the President for approval.

Notes:
India launched the supersonic missile assisted torpedo system developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The next-generation missile-based standoff torpedo delivery system was launched from Wheeler Island in Odisha, from a ground mobile launcher. Several DRDO labs were involved in developing the missile system.

Notes:
The Israeli government has announced to donate 1 million coronavirus vaccines to the U.N.-backed COVAX programme.
Italy’s Foreign Ministry said the AstraZeneca vaccines would be transferred in the coming weeks. This decision is seen as a part of Israel’s strengthening ties with the African countries. Israel has close ties with several African nations, including Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. Last year, Israel established relations with Sudan.

Notes:
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) suspended its over two-year-old approval for Amazon’s deal to acquire stake in retailer Future Coupons Private Limited.
The CCI also imposed a ₹ 202 crore penalty on the US-based e-commerce major for hiding facts and making false statements while seeking regulatory approvals in 2019. Amazon objected to Future’s deal with Reliance, citing the 2019 deal.

Notes:
The new generation nuclear-capable ballistic missile ‘Agni P (Prime)’ was successfully test-fired from Odisha coast.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation said that ‘Agni P’ is a two-stage canisterised solid propellant ballistic missile. This was the second test of the Agni Prime missile, with the first test in June this year. The surface-to-surface ballistic missile has a range of 1,000 to 2,000 km.