Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Feb 14 & 15, 2016

ANSWER: Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak

Explanation:
Nuclear reactor in China has created plasma at temperature of 90 million Fahrenheit for 102 seconds (around 49.999 million degrees C or 50 million Kelvins). Temperature is three times hotter than the sun’s core or a mid zed thermo nuclear explosion. This study was conducted at the Institute of Plasma Physics at Chinese Academy of Sciences in Jiangsu province. Research team maintained the high temperature for 1000 seconds or nearly 17 minutes.The EAST machine or Experimental Advanced Supercomputing Tokamak was used for this study. Plasma created is a super hot has formed from the heating of atoms in the magnetic EAST device. EAST experiment follows successful testing of German Wendelstein 7- stellarator fusion reactor earlier in the month for only a second.

ANSWER: Aftab Ullah

Explanation:
Infotech has hired BoA India’s head of global delivery centres of expertise Aftab Ullah as the Chief Operating Officer of the IT arm of Larsen & Toubro, continuing its journey to become a publicly listed player. CEO Sanjay Jalona has announced the appointment. Ullah has 23 years of professional experience in the IT services space. Prior to BoA, Ullah was Global Delivery Head for Financial Services at Capgemini for 4 years.

ANSWER: Second

Explanation:
Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull has announced a Cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of three ministers on account of scandals and retire at elections due within months. This is a second major reshuffle for the Australian PM since he came to power in September. The transition has led to the emergence of younger political leaders.

ANSWER: Justice Antonin Scalia

Explanation:
Justice Antonin Scalia, a conservative voice of the US SC has passed away at the age of 79 on 13th February 2016. His death following three decades on the SC bench could cause the balance of power of the SC from its 5-4 conservative majority to a more liberal one. He was the longest serving justice of the US SC.

ANSWER: 11

Explanation:
International Day of Women and Girls in Science was celebrated on February 11, 2016. The present year marks the first time this day has been observed. UNESCO DG Irina Bokova called for efforts to empower women through science, taking forward the 2030 agenda. The theme for the International Day was “Transforming the World: Parity in Science”.

ANSWER: World Radio

Explanation:
February 13th has been observed as World Radio Day each year by UNESCO. This day celebrates the awareness and freedom of expression promoted across cultures by promoting activities with broadcasters, communities and organisations across the world. This day was proposed by Spain and approved on 3rd November 2011 by the 36th General Conference of UNESCO. The UNESCO theme for World Radio Day was “Radio in Times of Emergency and Disaster.”Radio remains a popular way to communicate since its invention 100 years ago.

ANSWER: Dubai’s The Mall of the World

Explanation:
Dubai has announced that it will be building what is the world’s largest shopping mall. Mall of the World covering 8 million square feet of shopping space connected to theme parks and over 100 hotels has been announced. The first phase (one fourth of the project) will be completed before the Dubai Expo 2020 exhibition. Total estimated bill is around USD 22 billion.

ANSWER: Canada, Mexico and US

Explanation:
Canada, US and Mexico signed a deal in Winnipeg to tap into energy cooperation between the 3 nations. The Memorandum of Understanding on Climate Change and Energy Collaboration was signed at the meeting. As per this MoU, the three countries will share as well as collaborate information in areas such as energy efficiency, carbon capture and emissions reduction.

ANSWER: Twinstar Display Technologies

Explanation:
NRI billionaire, Anil Agrawal announced his firm Twinstar Display Technologies will establish the first LCD manufacturing facility in India. Pact is to be signed at Made in India week in Mumbai between this company and the government. Project is being set up in Maharashtra.

ANSWER: Saab

Explanation:
Saab Group, a Swedish aerospace as well as defence firm is all set to form a pact with Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited to manufacturing air defence systems jointly. JV between Saab and the defence arm of Kalyani Group, KSSL will ensure the delivery and manufacturing of air defence systems to Indian customers. Saab and KSSL are already in the process of planning for technology transfer for different packages within the programme. KSSL is a 100 percent unit of Bharat Forge Limited which is part of the Kalyani Group engaged in forgings for automative as well as non automotive sectors as well as speciality steels and infrastructure.

ANSWER: Mahindra Shubhlabh Services Ltd

Explanation:
BoD of directors of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd have approved the proposal for transferring the company’s agri business to 100% subsidiary Mahindra Shubhlab Services to create one entity for focused growth. Agri business is aligned to long term aim for farm tech prosperity. Agri business has reached a critical mass and new entity will provide benefit for completely leveraging potential offered by businesses.

ANSWER: ONV Kurup

Explanation:
Well known Malayalam poet and lyricist ONV Kurup has passed away at a private hospital at the age of 84 from age related ailments. He is survived by his wife, daughter and son. ONV was conferred with the country’s highest honor, Jnanpith Award in the year 2007. He also won the Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan award besides numerous literary awards. He was also a professor of repute.

ANSWER: Anatoly Ilyin

Explanation:
Soviet football star Anatoly Ilyin died at the age of 84. He was capped 31 times by USSR in the 1950s and scored as many as 16 goals. He also played for the Spartak Moscow club for most of his professional career. Ilyin scored the winning goal for Russia in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and also participated in the World Cup in 1958. He won the Soviet Top League a total of 5 times.

ANSWER: Serbia

Explanation:
President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended greetings and felicitations to Government and persons of the Republic of Serbia on the eve of their National Day which was February 15, 2016. Currently the president of the Republic of Serbia is His Excellency Mr. Tomislav Nikolic. As co founders of NAM or Non Aligned Movement, India and Serbia have engaged in strong bilateral cooperation over the years.

ANSWER: Rajiv Dayal Mathur

Explanation:
Air Vice Marshal Rajiv Dayal Mathur who was assistant Chief of Air Staff was promoted to rank of Air Marshal on February 15, 2016. He has over 5,000 years of flying experience and earlier served as Air Defence commander at Ho Eastern Air Command and commanded a frontline Air Force Station and a Fighter aircraft squadron. He has been conferred with the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2003 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2014 by the President of India.