Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Dec 14, 2015

ANSWER: Sea

Explanation:
Melting of glaciers near the poles of the earth and rise in sea level has slowed down the earth’s rotation, increasing the length of the days. Scientists are studying past changes in sea level to make accurate future predictions. Melting water from glaciers not only causes a rise in sea levels, but also leads the shift of the mass from the poles to the equator. Gravity from the moon also leads to the slowdown. Consequently, the length of the days is slowly rising and in a century from now, it will increase by 1.7 milliseconds.

ANSWER: Tikhori

Explanation:
Organising Committee of the 12th South Asian Games 2016 unveiled the logo and mascot of the game at Guwahati,Assam. Both Shillong and Guwahati will jointly host the Games from February 6 to 16 2016. The OC-SAG kicked off its volunteers programme also, which is open to the public. Close to 4500 sports persons and officials from 8 nations will be participating in 23 events from 6th to 16th February 2016. The logo has 8 petals representing the nations participating in the 12th South Asian Games. Name of the Mascot of the Games is Tikhor who is the brand ambassador of the 12th South Asian Games 2016.

ANSWER: Kento Momota and Nozomi Okuhara

Explanation:
Japanese shuttlers Kento Momota and Nozomi Okuhara have won the men’s and women’s singles categories in the BWF Superseries Final at Hamden Sports Complex. World no.5 Momota beat Danish Viktor Axelsen while World No.4 Okuhara beat No.3 Yihan Wang from China. Chinese twin shuttlers Luo Ying and Luo Yu won the women’s doubles titles while in the mixed double final, Adock couple Chris and Gabriele were the victors. Indonesia’s double men’s pair of Hendra Setiwan and Mohammad Ahsan won the men’s doubles.

ANSWER: Angkor Wat

Explanation:
Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia is much larger than previously thought, according to archeologists who discovered buried towers and remains of huge structure near the largest religious monument in the world. Team also found more components than previously envisaged and bounded on the south side by a unique, massive structure. Researchers also found that Angkor Wat included an entire ensemble of buried towers built and demolished during construction and initial use of the temple.

ANSWER: 17

Explanation:
Saudi Arabians voted 17 women into public office in municipal elections in the conservative Islamic kingdom on Saturday, the first for allowing female participation. This election is a landmark step because women can now vote and run as candidates. This is a major step forward from the time that women were barred from driving and dependent on male relatives for all life decisions.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
Leaders from Afghanistan, India and Pakistan have joined Turkmenistan in breaking ground over the new TAPI pipeline which is 1080 miles long and intended to carry gas through Afghan cities of Herat and Kandahar and end up in India Pakistan border town Fazilka. Turkmenistan has the world’s 4th largest gas reserves yet exports mainly to China.

ANSWER: Benedict Anderson

Explanation:
Benedict Anderson, a scholar from Cornell university who was one of the most influential voices in the field of nationalism and Southeast Asia studies passed away in Indonesia on 13th December 2015 at the age of 79. He died in his sleep during a visit to the city of Malang. He is best known for his 1983 book entitled Imagined Communications: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism.

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
Padma Vibhushan award was conferred on Shri Dilip Kumar/Mohammad Yusuf Khan for his exceptional and distinguished service. The award was announced on Republic Day of 2015 and Union Minister Shri Rajnath Singh conferred the award on the senior actor at his residence.