Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Dec 05, 2017

ANSWER: Recurving

Explanation:
Cyclone Ockhi, predicted to pass over the Lakshwadeep islands and veer away from mainland India will now turn and head towards parts of coastal Maharashtra and South Gujarat.

It was unlikely to cause much havoc as there was not much moisture in the Arabian Sea for the weakening cyclone to draw on.

Recurving cyclones such as these are rare.

The death toll in Kerala due to the cyclone has gone up to nine.

As many as 6007 persons were accommodated in 34 relief camps opened by the district administration in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Malappuram.

130 fishermen from Kerala and Tamil Nadu were in safe shelters on four islands - Kalpeni, Kiltan, Chetlat and Agatti - and had received medical aid.

TN, Lakshwadeep and Kerala have been impacted by the cyclone so far.

What is a Recurving Cyclone?

• Generally tropical cyclones, known variously as hurricane, typhoons etc., start out moving west then turn toward the pole of their hemsphere and finally end up moving east.
• This pattern is called recurvature.
• The recurvature has something to do with the rotation of the Earth. Local wind and temperature conditions and local topography can influence the path and produce erratic elements to the paths but the general pattern has to have a geophysical explanation.
• That explanation is that a cyclone has two components of angular momenta. One is with respect to its own spin axis and the other is with respect to the spin axis of the Earth. When a body with angular momentum, such as a gyroscope, is subjected to a torque it precesses; i.e., it angular momentum vector rotates.
• If a body with angular momentum is forced to precess then it is subject to a torque. A cyclone rotates with the Earth and its angular momentum vector is kept pointing vertically because of the rising of warm air in its eye (center).
• The resulting torque forces the cyclone toward the pole in its hemisphere.
• But as the cyclone moves toward the pole it gets closer to the spin axis of the Earth.
• The preservation of angular momentum then results in the cyclone moving faster with respect to the pole and hence starts moving east. Its path has thus recurved.

ANSWER: It will comprise jobs in formal, informal and MSME sector

Explanation:
The government's own data showed that job creation in the formal sector was slowest in almost a decade, but it has said that it felt the ground reality on jobs was not being 'properly' captured as the existing system takes into account only the formal sector.

However, this situation could change soon. All the economic activity in India, including in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and informal sectors, will soon get properly captured in line with international practices.

Incidentally, on the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a task force was set up in May this year under the chairmanship of the then Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Arvind Panagariya.

The panel's terms of reference included assessing the existing data systems and sources that provide information on jobs and job creation and then identifying alternate sources that could provide such data.

The terms also included recommending mechanisms for capturing information on jobs and job creation on a regular basis for both the informal and formal sectors.

The 'Task Force on Improving Employment Data', which had sought comments from stakeholders by July 23 on its draft report, will by September 2018 submit its final report, the current Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, Rajiv Kumar said.

Among the main recommendations could be a change in the definition of employment/workers as well as ways to include and measure employment in the informal sector as well.

Employment Data Task Force Plan

• The plan now is to include workers covered the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948 (or other similar insurance), Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1952 (or other similar social security scheme), workers having coverage under private insurance or pension schemes or provident funds as well as workers subject to tax deduction at source on their income through submission of Form 16 or similar Income Tax form.
• The panel had identified the Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) scheme, which provides small, unsecured loans to enterprises, as an important source of job creation.
• According to a report by the SKOCH Group on September 6, the MUDRA scheme had led to a total of 54,479,763 jobs being generated in just over two years.
• These included 37,753,217 direct jobs and 16,726,545 indirect jobs.

ANSWER: Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar

Explanation:
Rebel JDU MPs Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar were disqualified from the Rajya Sabha on Dec 4 night.

Mr. Naidu, Chairman of the RS, agreed to the JDU's contention that the two senior leaders had voluntarily given up their membership by defying their party's directives and attending events of Opposition parties.

The JD(U) had sought their disqualification on the grounds that they had attended a rally of opposition parties in Patna in violation of its direction.

Mr. Yadav had joined hands with the opposition after JD(U) president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kuamar dumped the Grand Alliance in Bihar and tied up with the BJP.

Mr. Yadav was elected to the House last year and his term was scheduled to end in 2022. Mr. Anwar's term was to expire early next year.

Sharad Yadav: Know More

• Born: 1 July 1947
• Hoshangabad, Central Provinces and Berar, British India
• Alma mater: Jabalpur Engineering College
• Occupation : Politician
• Website: www.sharadyadavjdu.in
• Sharad Yadav has been elected to Lok Sabha seven times and to Rajya Sabha

ANSWER: Madhya Pradesh

Explanation:
The Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Dec 4, 2017 unanimously passed a Bill awarding death to those found guilty of raping girls aged 12 and below.

With this, Madhya Pradesh becomes the first State where those convicted of such rapes will face the gallows.

Introduced in the House by Law and Legislative Affairs Minister Rampal Singh, the Bill was discussed in detail and then passed by all parties, including the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress.

The Bill will now be sent to the President for his assent after which it will become a law, State Home Minister Bhupendra Singh told reporters outside the Assembly.

Capital punishment would be awarded to convicts under Section 376 (A), which is related to rape, and Section 376 (D, A), pertaining to gang rape.

MP: Know More

• Madhya Pradesh, with an area of 3, 08, 000 sq.km. is the second largest state in India after Rajasthan.
• It is a part of peninsular plateau of India lying in north central part, whose boundary can be classified in the north by the plains of Ganga-Yamuna, in the west by the Aravali, east by the Chhattisgarh plain and in the south by the Tapti valley and the plateau of Maharashtra.
• The topography of Madhya Pradesh is defined by the Narmada Sone Valley.
• The population of Madhya Pradesh is over 7 crore.
• More than 75% of the population resides in villages whose main occupation is agriculture, while the rest of the population lives in towns.
• A majority population is Hindu with Muslims making up the largest minority community.
• The tribes of Madhya Pradesh constitute over 20 % of the state's population and are mainly concentrated in southern southwestern and eastern parts of the state.
• The social customs prevalent among different tribes and castes vary more due to variation in their habitat and surrounding geographical conditions.
• For earnings they depend upon agriculture, forest produce and local craft.

ANSWER: None of the above

Explanation:
The Telangana Government is going to set up the world's first Information and Technology (IT) Campus for differently-abled persons (divyangs) in state capital Hyderabad.

On the occasion of World Disability Day (WDD), state Government has signed agreement with Vindhya E-Infomedia Private Limited to set up IT campus to focus on creating employment opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

The proposed first of its kind differently-abled friendly campus will be set up in area of 10 acres near IT park developed by state Government near the Hyderabad international airport. The campus will have all amenities like Training, Delivery centres and Residential facility that will cater to various clients both domestic and International.

IT Campus for Differently Abled: Know More

• The campus is expected to create 2000 jobs in next 5 years by providing required training and skills.
• Telangana Government and Vindhya E-Infomedia Private Limited are looking at various corporates to participate in this one of its kind initiative and make world more inclusive.
• Vindhya E-Infomedia Private Limited is pioneer in creating inclusive workspace with PWDs as its major workforce comprising physicalled challenged, visually impaired and hearing impaired.
• It provides back office operations (BPO) support to various Telecom and e-commerce companies since 2006.

ANSWER: Shashi Kapoor

Explanation:
Veteran actor Shashi Kapoor passed away at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, on Dec 4, at 5:20 pm.

He was 79.

Mr. Kapoor had been in and out of the hospital for the past few years for treatment of a chronic kidney disease and was on dialysis. He had also undergone a bypass surgery.

Actor Randhir Kapoor, son of veteran actor Raj Kapoor, too confirmed the news.

About Shashi Kapoor

• Born on March 18, 1938, to the illustrious and formidable theatre and film actor Prithviraj Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor hit the spotlight at the age of four, acting in plays directed and produced by his father.
• He started acting in films as a child artiste in the late '40s.
• His best known performances as a child actor were in Aag (1948) and Awaara (1951), where he played the younger version of the character played by Raj Kapoor.
• Shashi Kapoor also worked as assistant director in the '50s.
• He made his debut as a leading man in the 1961 film Dharmputra and went on to appear in more than 116 films during '70s and until the mid '80s.
• Some of his memorable films include Deewar, Kabhie Kabhie, Namak Halal, Kaala Pathar and others.
• He was honoured with Padma Bhushan in 2011 and received the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award in 2015.

ANSWER: Noxeno

Explanation:
Government has launched Noxeno, a nasal foreign body removal device developed by start-up InnAccel Technologies Private Limited, Bangalore.

It was developed by fellow trained under Biodesign programme.

Noxeno is It is first dedicated tool for anterior nasal foreign body (NFB) removal that allows doctors in any setting to quickly and safely remove objects that people (mostly children aged 2 to 10 years) put into their noses.

The summit was organised by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Bio Design Programme.

It was attended by leaders of government organisations, academia, medical device industry, start-ups, hospitals, design, business and engineering institutes from Australia, Finland, Canada, India, Germany, Japan, Singapore, UK and USA.

Bio Design Programme: Know More

• Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology is implementing Bio Design Programme to develop innovative and affordable medical devices to cater to clinical needs of country.
• It aims to train next generation of medical technology innovators in country.
• It is implemented by DBT at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) and IIT Delhi in collaboration with international partners.
• DBT has authorised Biotech Consortium India Limited for management of its intellectual property and other techno- legal activities.

ANSWER: Indian Navy Day

Explanation:
The Indian Navy Day is observed every year on 4 December to celebrate achievements and role of the naval force to the country.

This year is 46th Navy Day. Celebrations of Navy Day not only display India's technological progress but also the maritime achievements of India.

Indian Navy is one of most potent maritime forces in the world and the most lethal in Indian Ocean.

It plays great role in securing marine borders of country as well as enhancing international relations of country through foreign port callings, joint exercises, humanitarian missions and calamity relief.

ANSWER: Vigilant Ace 18

Explanation:
South Korea and United States have launched Vigilant Ace 18, their largest-ever joint aerial drills.

The exercise comes after North Korea tested Hwasong-15, its most advanced and powerful Inter Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) as part of its weapons programme.

Monday's Vigilant Ace exercis'es, due to last five days, will involve more than 230 warplanes and 12,000 soldiers from both sides.

The drill lasts from today until December 8 over eight air bases across the Korean Peninsula.

Trump's troops will be using the hi-tech F-35 Lightning IIs and F-22 Raptors.

Both fighter jets are said to be stronger than North Korea's arsenal.

F-35s can fly at speeds of 1,931km/h and are capable of carrying nuclear bombs and bunker busters.

Meanwhile, the F-22 can hit speeds of up to 2414km/h and are armed with Vulcan miniguns and Sidewinder missiles.

ANSWER: Petro

Explanation:
Venezuela has launched its own cryptocurrency called Petro to circumvent US-led financial sanctions. It will be backed by the country's vast natural resource reserves.

In this regard, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has approved the creation of BlockchainBase observatory to oversee development and rollout of new cryptocurrency.

Petro: Know More

• The cryptocurrency (in Spanish, criptomoneda) could help Venezuela evade international sanctions.
• Venezuela will create a petromoneda cryptocurrency to advance the matter of monetary sovereignty as it will help defeat the financial blockade and move toward new forms of international financing for the economic and social development of the country.
• The petro will be backed by strategic reserves of oil, gold, gas and diamonds - tangible support that the government hopes will help it fight both sanctions and Venezuela's high inflation rate
• Questions remain about how the new cryptocurrency will be rolled out and whether it might be linked to established digital currencies such as bitcoin or Ethereum.
• Economist Jean Paul Leidenz warned via Twitter that the system could merely reinforce hyperinflation - which could then disproportionately harm Venezuelans who use only the bolivar currency

What is a Cryptocurrency?

• A cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security.
• A cryptocurrency is difficult to counterfeit because of this security feature.
• A defining feature of a cryptocurrency, and arguably its most endearing allure, is its organic nature; it is not issued by any central authority, rendering it theoretically immune to government interference or manipulation.