Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Feb 09, 2016

ANSWER: Moglix

Explanation:
e-Commerce company Moglix has made the announcement that it has received undisclosed financial investment from industrialist Ratan Tata. The investments have been made in e-commerce and new age technology enabled companies. Moglix is known for its expertise in B2B procurement of industrial products such as fasteners and MROs with pan Asia manufacturers. It also raised Pre-Series A funding from Accel Partners and Jungle Ventures.

ANSWER: Mumbai

Explanation:
Maharashtra has made the plan to set up the first international arbitration centre in Mumbai ahead of the maiden Make in India Week to be held from February 13 to 18. Overseas disputes arbitration is set to yield revenue worth INR 2 billion. Singapore International Arbitration Centre showed in 2013 that of the total 259 new cases, Indian companies made the contribution to the highest number of filing at 85. MCIA will open up avenues for business as well as legal talent across the state and evolve framework in accordance with global standards followed by SIAC, ICC and LCIA.

ANSWER: India

Explanation:
PM Narendra Modi has announced that India will host the first ever Global Maritime Summit in April 2016 and called for maritime cooperation to build friendship and curb conflict. International maritime stability cannot be preserved by a single nation, according to the PM who also said India will always be a maritime nation.

ANSWER: UK

Explanation:
UK wind energy industry has received a boost with the announcement of the largest offshore wind farm across the globe to be constructed off the NE coast. Danish firm Dong Energy made the announcement regarding this largest investment in offshore wind to date. Company has already placed 6 billion pounds into wind power in the UK. Currently, the largest wind farm operating is the 630 MW London Array which will be outdone by Hornsea Project One.

ANSWER: Nanoparticles

Explanation:
Nanoparticles used in conjunction with x-rays are the perfect method for destroying cancer cells deep within the living body, according to a new study. Researchers from Australia’s CNBP or Centre for Nanoscale BioPhotonics are associated with successful quantification of singlet oxygen generated during photodynamic therapy for cancer. Single oxygen molecules are able to destroy or inhibit growth of cancer cells in the body on account of their toxicity. Photodynamic therapy occurs when light sensitive compounds are placed within close proximity of diseased cells. X-rays, a form of light were used for stimulating cerium fluoride CeF3 nanoparticles placed near group of cells. Findings are significant as this is the first time there has been correct quantification of singlet oxygen molecules produced in this kind of procedure.

ANSWER: Cold dust grains

Explanation:
International team of researchers have found cold dust grains in the planet forming disc named the Flying Saucer around 400 light years from earth. France’s team at the Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux, measured the temperature of large dust grains around the young star named '2MASS J16281370-2431391' in the Rho Ophiuchi star formation region. Specific disc was seen on the edge and its appearance in visible light pictures has led to the coining of the moniker the Flying Saucer. Scientists came up with very sharp images and saw a negative signal which is normally physically impossible. The negative signal indicates parts of the disc are cooler than its background.

ANSWER: Nepali Congress

Explanation:
Ex PM of Nepal and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala assed away on account of pneumonia at the age of 79, on 9th February 2016. He was elected PM of Nepal in February 2014 and passed away at his residence in the outskirts of Kathmandu. He was known for promulgating the new constitution of Nepal in September 2015. Suffering from COPD, he succumbed to the disease. He was born in Banaras India and entered Nepali politics in the 1950s.

ANSWER: Net Neutrality

Explanation:
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on 8th February 2016 barred TSPs from charging differential rates for data services prohibiting Free Basics and Airtel Zero Platform. While no service provider can provide discriminatory tariffs for data services in association with content. no service provider can also enter into discriminatory tariffs for data services and reduced tariff has only been permitted for accessing or providing emergency services. Financial punishments will also be imposed for regulation contravention and the regulation may be reviewed after a period of 2 year. Fine of INR 50,000 will be levied each day, subject to maximal value of INR 50 lakh for violation of regulation by service providers.

ANSWER: Dhirendra Hiralal Waghela

Explanation:
Government announced the transfer on 8th February of CJ of Orissa HC Dhirendra Hiralal Waghela to the Bombay HC to assume charge as CJ with effect from February 16, 2016. SC led by CJI T. S. Thakur recommended the transfer of Mr. Waghela and the president approved it. Justice Hemant Gupta, a judge of the Punjab and Haryana HC was also transferred to Patna HC w.e.f the same date.

ANSWER: R. K. Pachauri

Explanation:
TERI chief R. K. Pachauri has been appointed as Executive Vice Chairman of the body following the charge of DG of TERI being taken by Dr. Ajay Mathur. While Mathur has joined as director general of TERI, Pachauri has been appointed as executive vice chairman with immediate effect according to the TERI governing council. He will be the first to hold this newly created bost. Mother is the former DG of BEE under Power Ministry.

ANSWER: NBeG47

Explanation:
ICRISAT or International Crops Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics has announced the release of the first machine harvestable chickpea variety NBeG47 in AP. Normal process of harvesting 2.25 tonnes of chickpea takes a total of 3 days and will be harvested in 75 minutes by standard machinery. This is possible through a new taller chickpea variety suitable for machine harvest. This chickpea was funded by Department of Agriculture and Cooperation under National Food Security Mission of Union Ministry of Agriculture.

ANSWER: National Air Quality Indices

Explanation:
Central Pollution Control Board during the first week of February 2016 published the National Air Quality Indices for over 24 cities. The indices are published with colour code and numerical value to compare pollution levels across different cities. NAQI measures 8 pollutants namely particulate matter, SO2, NO2, CO, O3, NH3 and Pb. Varanasi in UP and Muzzafarpur in Bihar led the list with a AQI value of 409 points while the capital city of Delhi stood at sixth position.

ANSWER: Both b and c

Explanation:
India and China on 6th February 2016 held the first every joint tactical military exercise in 2016. The 1 day long exercise was held in Chusul-Moldo area in LoAC in J&K’s Ladakh region. This is part of the initiative between the two countries to strengthen interaction between soldiers at the Line of Actual Control. This is complementary to the hand in hand series of Sino-Indian exercises.