Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2021

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the ₹9,802 crore Saryu Canal National project in Uttar Pradesh’s Balrampur district.
The project, which is the biggest in Uttar Pradesh, connects five rivers which include Ghagra, Saryu, Rapti, Banganga and Rohin. Many sub canals with a length of 6,600kms have been linked to the 318 km long main canal.

Notes:
US President Joe Biden inaugurated the first White House Summit for Democracy. It was launched as a two-day virtual summit.
The US President Biden warned about a global slide for democratic institutions and called for world leaders to demonstrate democracies can deliver. Over 100 participants representing governments, civil society and private-sector leaders participated in the summit.

Notes:
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) hosted an event titled ‘Digital Payment Utsav’.
The day celebrated the journey and rise of digital payments in India and the event also included the unveiling of the DIGIDHAN logo, launch of an awareness campaign called Digital Payments Sandesh Yatra with a digital payments anthem.

Notes:
NITI Aayog released a report titled ‘Report on country level-secondary and tertiary level and district level emergency and injury care in India’.
These reports highlight the prevailing gaps in ambulance services, health infrastructure, human resources, and equipment in the provision of optimal care. NITI Aayog aims to set up an efficient, professional, and integrated emergency-care system.

Notes:
Global Methane Initiative (GMI) is a voluntary Government and an informal international partnership having members from 45 countries including the US and Canada. It was created in 2004 and India is one of the members since its inception
A Steering Leadership meeting of Global Methane Initiative (GMI) has been held virtually in which India’s representative from the Ministry of Coal was the Vice Chairman. The Chairperson of the Steering Leadership is from Canada.

Notes:
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully flight-tested the stand-off anti-tank (SANT) missile from Pokhran range.
The indigenously designed and developed helicopter-launched missile has the ability to neutralise targets in a range of up to 10 kilometres. It also has a millimetre wave (MMW) seeker which provides high precision strike capability from distance.

Notes:
In the United States, the House voted to pass the Protect Our Democracy Act, which addresses presidential abuses of power. The bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate, at present.
The Act also stresses the checks and balances between the branches of government. It aims to strengthen limitation on presidential pardons, requirement for candidates for president and vice president to submit their personal tax returns for 10 years, and acceptance of any foreign or domestic emoluments.

Notes:
Nauru, Kiribati and the Federated States of Micronesia are island countries located in the western Pacific Ocean.
The United States, Australia and Japan have announced that they will jointly fund the construction of an undersea cable to boost internet access in three small Pacific countries. This is regarded as the counter to the rising Chinese influence in the region.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stone of Maa Umiya Dham Development Project involving Umiya Mata Dham temple and temple premises in Gujarat.
The Community-led project involves the Temple of Goddess Umiya, clan-deity of Kadava Patidars. The complex will also comprise of medical facilities, senior citizen care facilities, students hostel, recreation & sports facilities, career development facilities among others.

Notes:
India voted against a UN Security Council (UNSC) draft resolution that linked climate change with global security challenges.
Moved jointly by Niger and Ireland, the draft resolution called on “integrate climate-related security risk as a central component into comprehensive conflict-prevention strategies.”India argued that this resolution would only create friction among the UN membership.