Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Apr 09 & 10, 2016

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
The 26 km long Thane Creek which covers a ground area of 1690 has suffered an environmental catastrophe over 14 years. Around 58 of the 69 marine species have become extinct in the waters during this period. Fisherman looking for fish and crab species like Hilsa, Asian Sea Bass, Black Tiger Prawn, Small Crab and Lobster will now enter the high seas for the same. Remaining 11 species of fish in the Thane Creek will soon disappear as high levels of toxins are contaminating the creek. Research by SACON or Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History has revealed the same. Of the 11 species that have survived, only 4 are edible.

ANSWER: 10

Explanation:
Central arctic was completely ice free during summers 6 to 10 million years ago and sea surface temperature reached 4 to 9 degree celsius, according to a new study. In spring, autumn and winter, ocean was covered by sea ice of variable extent, according to researchers. In spring, winter and autumn however, large undersea mountain range in central arctic, were covered by sea ice of variable extent along with the oceans.

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
Mother Teresa has been posthumously conferred with the United Kingdom prestigious Founders Award this year which is awarded for exemplary attainments of people within the global Asian community. Mother Teresa’s living relative, Agi Bojazhiu flew from Italy to receive the award on 9th April.

• Mother Teresa will also be made a saint on September 4, 2016
• She founded the Missionaries of Charity and spent 45 years serving the poor and the sick on the streets of Kolkata
• Leading NRI entrepreneur and philanthrophist Rami Ranger contributed 1,00,000 pounds for the Mahatma Gandhi statue and received the Community Service award for this.
• Awards launched in 2010

ANSWER: BR Ambedkar

Explanation:
Birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar, architect of the Indian Constitution and Dalit rights activist would be at the UN for the first time with the aim of combating inequalities to attain sustainable development goals. Permanent Mission of India to the UN in association with the Kalpana Saroj Foundation and Foundation of Human Horizon will celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of the Dailt icon at the UN HQ.

• Ambedkar is the Father of the Constitution. He was born on April 14, 1891 and died on December 6, 1956.
• He was posthumously conferred with the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award for India in 1990s.

ANSWER: Ocean platform

Explanation:
Following 4 failed bids, SpaceX finally stuck the landing 9th April, powering the first stage of the Flacon 9 rocket into the ocean platform where it touched downright after launching cargo to space. The rocket has successfully landed just minutes after Falcon 9 propels the unmanned Dragon cargo craft to orbit carrying supplies for astronauts at International Space Station. Ocean attempts had previously failed.

ANSWER: Inconel 718

Explanation:
Nuclear Fuel Complex under Department of Atomic Energy has developed a material to be used in ISRO planned moon mission called Inconel 718. This can be used in high temperature applications and titanium alloy tubes face been developed for a nuclear submarine. Additionally, at least a dozen materials have been developed by NFC for use in defence and other sectors. Aluminium magnesium alloy has been developed for the manufacture of tubes for the Indo Russian Brahmos missiles. Missiles were also developed for the Bofors gun barrel as well as Trishul and Nag missiles. NFC has produced 1503 metric tonnes of pressurised heavy water reactor fuelling bundles during the year 2015-2016, surpassing 1252 metric tonnes produced the year before.

• India is the world’s largest producer of nuclear fuel
• Country has more quantity of fuel bundles than needed for immediate use.

ANSWER: 8th April 2016

Explanation:
On 8th April, the new year was celebrated across communities as the onset of the New Year

• Cheti Chand
• Gudi Padwa
• Ugadi
• Navreh
• Saljibu Cheiraoba

ANSWER: Aryabhata

Explanation:
Union Minister of HRD Smriti Irani has unveiled a bronze bust of the ancient Indian mathematical astronomer Aryabhatta at the UNESCO HQ in Paris. He attended the high level segment of the International Conference on Zero at the UNESCO HQ. The Minister also held a meeting with the DG of UNESCO, Irina Bokova to discuss Indian’s cooperation in this respect.

• Conference of Zero was organised in memory of great mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan in honour of whom National mathematics Day (22nd December) was celebrated at the UNESCO Paris HQ.

ANSWER: FOXF2

Explanation:
US researchers have found a new set of genes called FOXF2 which may be responsible for stroke and dementia. The new gene called FOXF2 increases the risk of having a stroke due to a small vessel disease in the brain. Small vessel disease causes stroke and also leads to dementia and is associated with problems of gait and mental health issues like depression.

ANSWER: Endurance: My Year in Space and Our Journey to Mars

Explanation:
Kelly’s memoir is entitled “My Year in Space and Our Journey to Mars” as announced on April 6, 2016. Book will be published by Alfred A. Knopf and offer a journey of the glimpse into his journey to space and life aboard the International Space Station.

• Book will be published in November 2017
• He has been an engineer, retired astronaut and retired US Navy captain.

ANSWER: Haryana

Explanation:
The Haryana State University of Horticultural Sciences at Karnal, Haryana was set up to cater to the needs of teaching, research and extension activities in the state, and there will be establishment of the synergy to disseminate the latest technology and horticulture education to the younger generation

• University will also act as a skill development centre to meet the need for trained manpower.

ANSWER: Sharad Agarwal

Explanation:
Lamborghini India Pvt Ltd, Indian arm of Italy based super luxury sports car maker has appointed Sharad Agarwal as the head with immediate effect. He was previously head of Field Force for Audit India in the new role, where he oversees functions of sales, marketing, network development and more.

• Automobili Lamborghini is an Italian brand manufacturer of luxury sports cars and SUVs owned by Volkswagen Group through Audi.
• Lamborghini production is headquartered in Sant’Agata Bolognese Italy.
• Italian magnate Feruccio Lamborghini founded this company in 1963.

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
Union Ministry of HRD Smriti Irani has launched a portal for registration and allotment of the International Standard Book Number created in a short period of time to facilitate publishers and authors to register for ISBN online.

• ISBN has been used to provide identity to monographic publicans and it is displayed in barcode format
• It is a 13 character identification allowed by ISBN agency in the UK
• India India, ISBN registration has been carried out by Raja Ram Mohan Roy National Agency.