Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2021

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:
Embassy of India in Madagascar organized the monthly literary program LaLitTana. It was held in a virtual platform for the first time due to the Omicron spread.
The event witnessed Malagasy and Indian poets reading their translations of poems to each other. The event was attended by several Indian poets. The Indian ambassador to Madagascar & Comoros Abhay Kumar highlighted that the Malagasy language has about 300 Sanskrit words.

Notes:
Four-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles was named Time’s 2021 Athlete of the Year, the Time magazine announced.
She had withdrawn from four event finals at the Tokyo Olympics, stating reasons of her mental health. However, the 24-year-old managed to earn all-around silver and a bronze in balance beam at the Tokyo Olympics.

Notes:
Maharashtra tops the list of states with maximum number of beneficiaries under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY).
It is followed by Tamilnadu and Gujarat. ABRY was announced as a part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat 3.0 package to boost the economy, increase the employment generation along with social security benefits.

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:
As per a new study published, Bubbler is a breathalyzer, which performs viral RNA detection to diagnose SARS-CoV-2, just by making the patient exhale into the device.
Its name is derived from the bubbling sound that occurs when the patient exhales. The Bubbler reverse transcribes RNA from airborne virus particles into DNA to be tested via PCR. It can also barcode that DNA, allowing samples to be linked directly to the patient they have come from and be used for sequencing.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved an incentive scheme worth Rs 1,300 crore for a period of one year, for the promotion of RuPay Debit Cards and low-value (up to Rs 2,000) BHIM-UPI transactions (person-to-merchants).
The scheme will enable the acquiring banks in building a robust digital payment ecosystem and promoting RuPay Debit card and BHIM-UPI digital transactions. The main aim is to further deepen digital payments in the country.

Notes:
The Government of India has decided to notify the Najafgarh Jheel, which is the second largest water body in Delhi-NCR as a transboundary wetland for its restoration and rejuvenation.
Najafgarh Jheel is fed by Sahibi River and was a vast lake in south west Delhi and was connected to the river Yamuna by a drain called the Najafgarh nullah.

Notes:
Veteran American Black feminist author Bell hooks, passed away at the age of 69.
Her famous works include “Ain’t I a Woman? Black Women and Feminism,” in which she examined the impact of sexism and racism on Black women. She also argued for a more inclusive movement, and focussed the impact of racism within feminism.

Notes:
The Telangana State Government has issued the Telangana Child Labour (prohibition and regulation) (amendment) Rules 2021.
It seeks to initiate stringent action against those employing child labour in different works and issued steps to ensure continuity of their education. As per the rules, children would not perform any tasks during school hours and between 7 p.m and 8 a.m the next day.