Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Apr 27, 2016

ANSWER: Vision 2030

Explanation:
The Saudi Arabian kingdom on 25th April 2016 approved the Vision 2030 which is a broad based economic reform plan. Vision 2030 maps the path for diversifying Saudi economy within the next one and a half decades and ensure that Saudi Arabia lives without oil by 2020.

• Vision 2030 involves forming public investment fund, increasing affordable housing and providing expats with long term residence rights

Vision 2030 has the following three pillars:

• Saudi Arabia is at heart of Islamic and Arab worlds
• Determination for becoming an international investment powerhouse
• Turning Saudi Arabia into a hub connecting three continents

ANSWER: Biotechnology

Explanation:
LS on 25th April passed the Regional Centre for Biotechnology Bill 2016 to indicate statutory provisions for existing Regional Centre for Biotechnology in Haryana’s Faridabad. Bill seeks to provide national importance to Centre for transfer of technology and knowledge and creating a hub for biotechnology expertise

• The Bill seeks to disseminate knowledge through teaching and research facilities in biotechnology and linked fields
• Creation of biotechnology hub
• Improving transfer of technology and knowledge in SAARC and Asia
• Promote international cooperation
• Provide master and doctoral degrees and post graduate diplomas through the regional centre for biotechnology.

ANSWER: Health

Explanation:
Close to 13 percent jump has been reported in budgetary allocation for health research in 2016, according to the government. Total budget allocated for the department of health and family welfare for financial year 2016-2017 is INR 40657.57 crore while INR 1144.80 crore had been allocated to the department of health research. The 12.44 percent increase in allocation over the financial year 2015-2016 was discussed, as the budgetary allocation for health research stood at INR 1018.17 crore in 2015-2016.

ANSWER: Technology

Explanation:
Snapdeal has made it mandatory for logistics partners to integrate with the technology platform. E-commerce firm has invested USD 300 million or INR 2000 crore in logistics tech in the remaining two years. It is linked to plug and play online platform for facilitating integration and cutting down reliance on manual procedures.

• Meanwhile rival company Flipkart is expected to spin off logistics vertical E-Kart into a separate vertical
• Close to 100 million USD or INR 667 crore has been invested by it.

ANSWER: Kanika Kalra

Explanation:
E-commerce major Snapdeal has indicated it will appoint former HUL Brand Director Kanika Kalra as Vice President Marketing.

• Close to 12 years of experience and stints at HUL, GSK and Pepsico are achievements of this executive

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
Alphabet Google Unit, Ford Motor Co and Volvo Cars as well as 2 ride sharing companies have formed a coalition to urge federal action on self driving cars

• Coalition includes Uber and Lyft
• The aim is to work with law makers and public as well as regulators for promoting benefits of self driving vehicles

ANSWER: Carbon Dioxide

Explanation:
Earth is getting greener on account of higher CO₂ levels in the atmosphere according to new research.

• NASA satellite observations indicate there has been a steady rise in leaves on plants and trees as a result of higher CO₂ levels.
• Leaves absorb CO₂ and combine this with water to produce food for plants.
• Greening is largely on account of the fertilising rise of atmospheric CO₂ concentration through computer models to replicate plant growth in the satellite data.
• Close to 85 percent of ice free lands on earth are covered by vegetation

ANSWER: Amanullah Khan

Explanation:
Amanullah Khan, a founder of the JKLF leading a campaign for independent Kashmir died. He has been involved in incidents such as the death of Indian diplomat and hijacking of IA plane to Lahore

• He died due to complications of a lung disease
• A prominent Kashmiri leader, he was London based before being deported to Pakistan.
• Khan had set up JKLF in 1977.

ANSWER: Sweden

Explanation:
Sweden has pledged support to Sri Lanka to get back to the Generalised Scheme of Preferences plus which provides concessional access to the EU

• EU in 2010 temporarily withdrew the facility of GSP plus given in Sri Lanka after a year long exhaustive investigation.
• Shortcomings” in respect of Sri Lanka's implementation of three UN human rights conventions – International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention against Torture and the Convention on the Rights of the Child – were cited for the action.

ANSWER: 21st

Explanation:
Former Thai PM Banham Sila-archa died on April 23rd 2016 in Bangkok.

• The former PM was 83 years old and his tenure saw the Thai economic collapse in the 1990s
• He was the 21st PM of Thailand (1994-1996) and elected 11 times to the Parliament
• He also masterminded several Thai political coalitions

ANSWER: Digital Creativity: Culture Reimagined

Explanation:
The World Intellectual Property Day 2016 was observed on 26th April with the theme Digital Creativity: Culture Reimagined

• WIPO works with numerous agencies to hold events and promote activities on WIPO day
• This year’s theme studies the future of culture in the digital age in terms of how to create, access and finance it.

ANSWER: Jeje Lalpekhlua

Explanation:
Jeje Lalpekhlua was named the Football Players Association of India Indian Player of the Year award at a Mumbai function. Nigerian striker Ranti Martins was named Foreign Player of the Year

• Manipur born Udanta Singh bagged the Young Player of the Year Award
• Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood won the Coach of the Year award
• Debijit Majumdar was named Fans player of the year.

ANSWER: Riyad Mahrez

Explanation:
Riyad Mahrez on 24th April 2016 became the first African footballer to win the Professional Footballers Association’s (PFA) Player of the Year award for the 2015–16 season. With the award, Mahrez also became the second non-European, after Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, to grab the award. Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli was named Young Player of the Year.

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the King, Government and people of the Netherlands on the eve of their King’s Day (April 27, 2016).
Willem-Alexander is the King of the Netherlands. Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the Government and people of the Republic of Sierra Leone on the eve of their National Day (April 27, 2016 as well).His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, is the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.

• Republic of Togo also celebrated its national day on this day. His Excellency Mr. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe is the President of the Republic of Togo.
• The President of India, also extended his greetings and felicitations to the Government and people of the Republic of South Africa on the eve of the Freedom Day of South Africa (April 27, 2016) and send a message to His Excellency Mr. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, the President of the Republic of South Africa,