Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Feb 07 & 08, 2016

ANSWER: Rusingoryx atopocranion

Explanation:
This shows a convergent evolution across millions of years between two distinctly related species. The scientists collected the fossil of wildebeest animals from Australia’s Bovid Hills in New South Wales. Most of the fossils belong to the lesser known species Rusingoryx atopocranion. It was in 2011 that University of Minnesota researchers found many skeletons of the ancient animal in one spot. Based on their anatomical investigations together with acoustical modelling, researchers think the trumpet-like nasal tube may have allowed Rusingoryx to deepen its normal vocal calls.

ANSWER: Edgar Mitchell

Explanation:
NASA astronaut Edgar Mitchell who was the 6th man to walk on the moon, has passed away in February 2016 at West Palm Beach, Florida. Lunar module pilot on Apollo 14. he died on the eve of the 45th anniversary of his moon landing which occurred on February 5, 1971. Mitchell, Alan Shepard and Stuart Roosa were part of the Apollo 14 mission. They set mission records for longest distance traversed to lunar surface, largest payload returned from lunar surface and longest stay in lunar areas.

ANSWER: Sudhir Tailang

Explanation:
Veteran TOI cartoonist Sudhir Tailang who also worked with Hindustan Times and Indian Express, has passed away at the of 55 on account of brain cancer. He was a 2004 Padma Shri awardee and caricatured many famous politicians and leaders through his humorous cartoons.

ANSWER: Grenada

Explanation:
On the even of their national day (February 7, 2016) the people of Grenda and its leader were wished by the President of India. Currently, the governor general of Grenada is Dr. Cecile La Grenade. Both countries have cooperated in the field of issues of common concern on the global fora.

ANSWER: Johnny Cash

Explanation:
Scientists who found a new kind of black tarantula known as Aphonopelma johnnycashi is all black, the way Cash often dressed when he strummed his guitar and sang songs like 'The Man in Black' and 'Folsom Prison Blues’, in field research carried out in Folsom, California. The tarantula is one of the 14 new spider species found in southwestern US.

ANSWER: PM-30

Explanation:
PM-30 a mustard developed by IARI scientists will enhance productivity and benefit health on account of low erucic acid. High erucic content is associated with myocardial fibrosis in adults and lipidosis in children. As against normal mustard which has more than 40% of erucic acid, PM_30 has lower than 2% of this avid using conventional breeding methods.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
7 of the 11 varieties are of varying horticultural products. This includes cauliflower or Pusa Betakesari, Sarda melon or Pusa Sarda, Musk melon or Pusa Madhurima and Marigold or Pusa Bahar. These are high yielding varieties of agricultural and horticultural crops.

ANSWER: Haiti

Explanation:
Haitian leaders have taken the decision for installing a caretaker government for taking over from President Michel Martelly who left office without an elected successor. The agreement was reached prior to his stepping down.

ANSWER: Dan Hicks

Explanation:
Singer cum songwriter Dan Hicks known for his blend of folk, country and jazz music succumbed to cancer at the age of 74. He was best known for the 1960s band Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks. Hicks began his career as a drummer for the rock band The Charlatans and joined his famous band during 1967. Hot Licks was disbanded after its 4th album.

ANSWER: 6

Explanation:
United Nations Postal Administration has released 6 new postage stamps for promoting equality for lesbian, gat, bisexual and transgender persons. The stamps were designed by UNPA art director and artist Sergio Baradat. They mark the first time the global body post office has issued stamps with this theme. The stamps support the UN Human Rights Office’s Free and Equal campaign to spread global public education on LGBT equality. The move also aims to promote awareness regarding violence and discrimination faced by LGBT community members.

ANSWER: North Korea

Explanation:
N. Korea defied global warnings to launch a long range rocket that UN and others called for as banned because it could strike the US mainland. Rocket was fired from the west coast of N.Korea and tracked by S. Korea. This follows the nation’s disputed claims to have tested a hydrogen bomb. This has been considered a further provocation by Seoul and its allies.

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
Indian Agricultural Research Institute has released 7 varieties of field crops including pigeon pea, mustard, rice, wheat and chickpea along with 11 varieties of HYV agricultural and horticultural produce during 2015. These varieties are resilient to biotic and abiotic stresses and have enhanced nutritional quality. The flagship institute of ICAR, IARI has announced the release of these varieties during its 54th convocation. Varieties include newly developed pigeon pea/arhar dal and mustard.

ANSWER: Sri Aurobindo International Centre for Education

Explanation:
Sri Aurobindo International Centre for Education in Puducherry has become the first Indian educational institution to be fully solar powered. Institute thrives on thrice the electricity it consumes through star power plants. This institute has had energy self reliance since September in 2014.

ANSWER: Project Sunrise

Explanation:
Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has just launched Project Sunrise for AIDS prevention in 8 NE states. Project is funded by CDC of the US and will be implemented in NE in addition to NACO programmes. AIDS prevention special programme for NE will be implemented in 20 districts of the 8 NE states. New initiative will cover over 1 lakh people.