Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2023

Notes:
A total of 4,45,256 cases of crime against women were registered across India in 2022, up from 4,28,278 in 2021 and 3,71,503 in 2020. The rate of crime against women per lakh population stood at 66.4 while the charge sheeting in such cases was logged at 75.8, showed the data in the annual crime report of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
NCRB functions under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The majority of crimes against women under the Indian Penal Code were of cruelty by husband or his relatives (31.4 per cent) followed by kidnapping and abduction of women (19.2 per cent). Delhi registered the highest rate of crime against women in the country at 144.4, while the country’s average rate was 66.4. Uttar Pradesh (65,743) registered the maximum FIRs in cases of crime against women in 2022.

Notes:
The Governor of Punjab Banwarilal Purohit, inaugurated a Deeptech Startup Accelerator Program for innovation in agriculture and water technology called SAMRIDHI (Strategic Acceleration for Market, Research, Innovation & Development: a Holistic Initiative for ICPS Startups) hosted by iHub AwaDH, a Technology and Innovation Hubs set up UNDER National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).
The SAMRIDHI conclave in which five strategic collaborations were formalized, featured five deep-tech innovations. A total of 13 startups shortlisted through rigorous evaluation, presented their ideas while 25 startups showcased their solutions at the exhibition.

Notes:
Since 1947, Norway has sent an annual gift to Britain, expressing thanks for its support during World War Two.
This year, the symbol of historic gratitude has arrived in Trafalgar Square. At 20 meters tall and approximately 70 years old, this year’s “queen of the forest” was carefully selected from woodlands around Oslo, then ceremonially felled in November.

Notes:
India and Oman begun talks for a free trade agreement. Mineral fuels, inorganic chemicals, compounds of precious metals and iron and steel are India’s top exports to Oman while oil, fertilisers and plastics are the top imports.
India’s exports to Oman in April-September FY24 were $2 billion and imports were $2.1 billion. The government has identified petroleum products, gems and jewellery, engineering products, pharmaceuticals, cement and ceramic products, ready-made textiles, and footwear as some goods with scope for more trade with Oman.

Notes:
The Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of the year. Saudi Arabia has introduced a 96-hour stopover visa for Indians traveling to the West or the Middle East.
This initiative is a part of the Saudi Vision 2030 to streamline Umrah visits. The Umrah Visa, valid for 90 days, enables holders to reside and travel within Saudi Arabia, ensuring an efficient and convenient pilgrimage experience.

Notes:
India, Pakistan and South Africa, along with five others, have pushed for a five-year global patent waiver for Covid-19 diagnostics and therapeutics. In a submission to the World Trade Organization, they said that diagnostics and therapeutics are essential tools to fight the pandemic.
The submission, made on behalf of 65 WTO members came after the US refrained from taking sides in extending the waiver, which is applicable to Covid-19 vaccines only. For almost two years, India, South Africa and 80 other WTO members sought a response for future pandemics through exceptions in the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement but the ministerial outcome of 2022 (MC12) only covered Covid-19 vaccines.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first Indian Art, Architecture & Design Biennale (IAADB) 2023 at Red Fort.
During the programme, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Centre for Design’ at Red Fort and the student Biennale- Samunnati. He also launched a Commemorative Stamp.

Notes:
Defence Ministry signed a Rs 588.68 crore contract with Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) for the acquisition of Digital Coast Guard (DCG) project, under the Buy (Indian) category.
At its core, the project marks the establishment of a Tier-III standard Data Centre, armed with the latest technological capabilities. It enables centralised monitoring and management of applications deployed by the ICG, ensuring vigilant oversight of critical IT assets of the ICG.

Notes:
UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited, in collaboration with India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change unveiled the “Green Rising” initiative at COP28 in Dubai.
The main goal is to mobilize millions of young people worldwide, encouraging their active participation in green initiatives addressing and adapting to the severe impacts of climate change on their communities. Through the YuWaah campaign in India, the focus is on engaging youth to drive impactful environmental actions at the grassroots level, inspired by the Mission Life movement.

Notes:
Hanukkah is Judaism’s “festival of lights.” On eight consecutive nightfalls, Jews gather with family and friends to light one additional candle in the menorah — a multibranched candelabra.
The holiday marks the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC, after a small group of Jewish fighters liberated it from occupying foreign forces.