Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2021

Notes:
A recent report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has said China is the world’s biggest captor of journalists with at least 127 reporters detained at present.
The report titled ‘The Great Leap Backwards of Journalism in China’ reveals China’s violations against its international commitments to freedom of opinion and expression. At least ten journalists and online commentators were arrested in 2020 for informing public about the COVID-19 crisis.

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:
UN recognised the 38 degrees Celsius measured in Siberian region of Russia, as the new record high for the Arctic
The heat equivalent to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit was seen on June 20, 2020 in the Russian town of Verkhoyansk. It marked the highest temperature ever recorded above the Arctic Circle, as per the World Meteorological Organization.

Notes:
National Conclave on Natural Farming is being hosted in Anand, Gujarat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the farmers during the valedictory session of the National Conclave.
Farmers will be provided with all requisite information detailing the benefits of adopting natural farming methods. The three day Summit is being attended by over 5000 farmers, and other farmers connecting Live through Central Institutes of ICAR, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency) network in the States.

Notes:
The Delhi government launched the “Dilli Ki Yogshala” programme, under which it will offer free yoga classes to people within their housing societies, colony parks or community centres.
Under the scheme, 400 certified yoga instructors from Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DPSRU) and Delhi TTE Team will teach yoga lessons to people at their doorsteps in the city.

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:
Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton received his knighthood from Prince Charles at Windsor Castle for his services to motorsport.
A knighthood is a title conferred on a person by a British king or queen for their high achievement and services to their country within their industry. Hamilton is also the only black driver in the 70-year history of Formula One. Hamilton was earlier awarded the MBE, a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

Notes:
President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the reconstructed Ramna Kali temple in Ramna, a part of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka.
The temple was destroyed by Pakistani forces during their Operation Searchlight in March 1971, which led to the Bangladesh War of Liberation. The 400-year-old temple dedicated to the Goddess  Kali, is believed to have been built during the Mughal period.

Notes:
The Nadi Utsav (River Festival) is being celebrated in India across 16 states and 41 districts from Uttarkashi to Kerala, under the four chosen themes of Cleanliness, Patriotism, Nature and Ecology, Devotion and Spirituality. The festival is being conducted from 16th Dec to 23rd Dec 2021.
This is in line with the Prime Minister’s speech in Man Ki Bath, urging all people living near rivers to celebrate a river festival at least once in a year.

Notes:
Fossils of five ice age mammoths have been unearthed in Cotswolds, the UK in an extraordinary state of preservation. Seeds, snails, dung beetles, pollen and plant fossils were also found.
The remains of two adults, two juveniles and a child, who lived on the Earth around 200,000 years ago have been found. It may offer new clues to how Neanderthal ancestors lived in Britain. This is claimed to be one of the most important discoveries in British palaeontology.