Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2022

Notes:
The UN Economic and Social Council voted to oust Iran due its systematic violation of the rights of women and girls.
The US-sponsored resolution was triggered by Iran’s ongoing crackdown on peaceful protesters. The 54-member ECOSOC voted to remove Iran from the Commission on the Status of Women for the remainder of its 2022-2026 term.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched ‘Grih Pravesh’ programme for beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Rural.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated State’s first Dental College in Agartala.n Meghalaya, the Prime Minister unveiled projects worth over 2,450 crore rupees, including 4G mobile towers, the new campus of IIM Shillong, at Umsawli, the Shillong – Diengpasoh Road which will provide better connectivity to the new Shillong satellite township.

Notes:
The International Monetary Fund has approved a deal that will provide a USD 3bn support package to Egypt over almost four years.
The support package, known as an Extended Fund Facility Arrangement, which is expected to draw in an additional USD 14 billion in financing for the country. It will strengthen the social protection network for citizens.

Notes:
The leaders of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary signed an agreement on the construction of an electric cable running under the Black Sea to carry green energy from Azerbaijan.
The agreement involves a 1,100 km 1,000 MW cable running from Azerbaijan to Romania as part of European Union efforts to diversify energy resources away from Russia amid the Ukraine war.

Notes:
EU member states and parliamentarians announced agreement for major reform to the bloc’s carbon market.
The deal aims to accelerate emissions cuts, phase out free allowances to industries and targets fuel emissions from the building and road transport sectors.

Notes:
Indian Navy’s sailboat INSV Tarini has started its expedition to Cape Town, South Africa for participating in the 50th edition of Cape to Rio Race 2023.
This ocean sailing race will be flagged off from Cape Town and will culminate at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is one of the most prestigious Trans-Atlantic Ocean races. The expedition is being undertaken by an Indian Navy crew of five officers including two women officers.

Notes:
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced that from April 1, poor families covered under the Ujjwala scheme will be given 12 LPG cylinders a year for Rs 500 each.
The chief minister made the announcement at an event for the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra event.  Under Ujjwala scheme, the people are provided with LPG connections but not cylinders. The current price for LPG cylinders of14.2kg is around Rs 1,057.

Notes:
The UAE launched a biometric service at the Abu Dhabi airport under which no passport or ticket will be required and a passenger’s face will be his boarding pass.
The face recognition services will be implemented at self-service baggage touchpoints, immigration e-gates, and boarding gates. This advanced AI technology is designed by Abu Dhabi-based tech company, NEXT50.

Notes:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a four-month ‘Program Monitoring with Board involvement (PMB)’ for war-hit Ukraine.
The program is aimed at maintaining economic stability following Russia’s invasion of the country, and helping promote donor financing. IMF estimates the country will need between USD 40 billion and USD 57 billion in external financing in 2023.

Notes:
Argentina’s Lionel Messi creates record as the professional football player with the most appearances in FIFA World Cup.
Messi has appeared in 26 matches across all FIFA Men’s World Cups since 1930. The record was earlier held by Lothar Matthaus. Miroslav Klose appeared in 24 matches, followed by Paolo Maldini and Cristiano Ronaldo. Earlier, Messi held the record for being the youngest player to score and assist in the same game in the tournament.