Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Feb 21, 2016

ANSWER: Integrated Bridge Management System

Explanation:
GoI will be mapping 1.5 lakh bridges through an integrated system called IBMS. This stands for Integrated Bridge Management System. When completely operational, it will be the largest such system across the globe. Around 46,645 bridges have been digitally mapped by Germany. IBMS has mapped close to 50,000 bridges and culverts numbering 1.5 lakh in the nation. System that is an initiative under the Make in India drive will have smallest details of culverts and bridges and address safety as well as security concerns. IDEC Engineers have been appointed as project consultant for this and the system will contain data such as national identity number, latitude and longitude classifications and SES.

ANSWER: Umberto Eco

Explanation:
Italian author Umberto Eco who was known for his famous and best selling historical novel “The Name of the Rose” passed away on 19th February 2016. He had authored a wide range of books and was famous for penning medieval thriller “The Name of the Rose” which was made into a Sean Connery movie. Born in 1932 at a town east of Turin, Alessandria, he received a philosophy degree from the University of Turin in the 1950s. He was the first processor of semiotics at University of Bologna at 1971. He also lectured and studied at top institutions like Oxford and Columbia. 23 institutions have awarded him honorary degrees by the year 2000. Recent works by the late author include “From the Tree to the Labyrinth” and “Turning Back the Clock”.

ANSWER: Bhubaneswari Mishra

Explanation:
Well known Odia singer Bhubaneswari Mishra has died in New Delhi following a cardiac arrest at 67. She was popular as a classical and playback singer both. She began her career with the song
Tiki Mora Naa Ti’ for the mythological Odia movie Krushna Sudama in the 1970s. Mishra was also conferred with the Odisha State Film Award for best female playback singer for two years in 1979 and 1980.

ANSWER: Brendon McCullum

Explanation:
Brendon McCullum has blasted the fastest Test century, a 54 ball effort which broke a record help by Misbah Ul Haq and Vivian Richards, in his 101st (final) Test match. McCullum’s efforts were two balls higher than the previous 56 ball century scored by Richards and equalled by Misbah Ul Haq.

ANSWER: Christine Lagarde

Explanation:
Christine Lagarde has been re appointed as the IMF MD for the second 5 year term after an uncontested election. 60 year old Lagarde will serve as a IMF MD for another 5 year term beginning July 5th, 2016. Board’s decision was taken by consensus. Lagarde replaced Dominique Strauss Kahn. Prior to her IMF appointment, she worked as a well known anti trust and labour lawyer.

ANSWER: Amit Mitra

Explanation:
West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra was named the new chairman of the Empowered Committee of State FMs on GST to succeed Kerala FM K.M. Mani who resigned in November over corruption charges. Mitra has been Secretary General of FICCI before joining TMC in WB and becoming a political leader in 2011.

ANSWER: Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency

Explanation:
Japanese Aerospace Examination Agency has launched the ASTRO-H satellite onboard the H-IIA rocket known previously as NeXT or New X Ray Telescope. Mission involved a 2700 kg satellite equipped with 4 telescopes and a total of six detectors. It can study hard as well as soft x rays and gamma rays. Astronomy mission has been launched for studying x-rays from black holes and galaxy clusters. JAXA has partnered NASA, ESA, Canadian Space Agency, Netherlands Institute for Space Research and Japanese, European and US universities for this initiative.

ANSWER: Winston

Explanation:
This cyclone tore through the Pacific Island chain prompting a national curfew and month long state of disaster. Speeds from the cyclone were estimated at 177 miles per hour and cyclone was tracked across northern coast of main island, Viti Levu. Though not directly in the cyclone’s path. Fiji’s capital Suva was experiencing high winds. Government has also declared a state of national disaster for 30 full days.

ANSWER: Charon

Explanation:
Pluto’s largest moon Charon had a subsurface ocean frozen long ago and expanded, pushing the surface of the natural satellite and stretching it, causing massive fractures. Side of Pluto’s moon is viewed by New Horizon and has a system of pull apart tectonic faults expressed as ridges, scarps and valleys reaching more than 6.5 km deep. Outer layer of Charon is water ice whereby the layer was kept warm when Charon was young by heat generated by radioactive elements decay as well as the own internal heat formation of Charon. Scientists have opined that Charon could have enough warmth to cause water ice to melt, creating a subsurface ocean. As Charon cooled over time, ocean will be freezing and expanding lifting the outermost layers of the moon and creating a massive chasm.

ANSWER: Idea Cellular

Explanation:
Aditya Birla Nuvo, one of 11 entities receiving in principle approvals for setting up a payments bank from RBI has incorporated a new subsidiary for the same purpose. The 51:49 JV between Aditya Birla Nuvo and Idea Cellular is called Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank Ltd. Aditya Birla Nuvo owns 23.26% in Idea Cellular which is its telecom subsidiary.

What is a payments bank?

As per RBI norms, payment bank can accept deposits equalling INR 1 lakh from individual customers as well as issue ATM and debit cards and offer payment and remittance services besides acting as distributor of simple financial products. Payment banks cannot carry out lending activities. Mobile telephone companies are specifically mentioned as existing business entities which can apply to set up payments banks.

ANSWER: 9

Explanation:
Apart from the MoUs, the prime ministers of the two countries inaugurated the power transmission from Muzaffarpur (India) to Dhalkebar (Nepal). Other list of agreements include the following:

• MoU on utilization of US$ 250 million Grant component of GOI’s Assistance package for Post-earthquake reconstruction assistance
  
• MoU on strengthening of road infrastructure in the Terai area of Nepal
• MoU between Nepal Academy of Music and Drama and Sangeet Natak Academy
• Letters of Exchange on Transit Routes
• Letters of Exchange on Rail Transport
• Inauguration of Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar transmission line
• Establishment of Eminent Persons Group (EPG)

ANSWER: UK

Explanation:
David Cameron has announced that deal has been reached to give UK special status in the EU. Deal gives Britain special status within the EU and provides impetus for tough new restrictions on access to UK welfare system for EU migrants. The new deal also provides a 7 year emergency stoppage of in work benefits for EU migrant workers and cuts in child benefit for children residing overseas.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
The Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute has developed a technology called Ksheer Scanner for tackling health hazards due to milk adulteration. India ranks number 1 for milk production and contributes a total of 18% of the world’s milk. It is estimated that 60% of this milk is contained. Ksheer Scanner detects the above identified adulterants in milk and is a low cost portable system with user friendly features. It can detect contaminants in a given sample in just 45 seconds at the cost of 50p. Apart from this CSIR-CEERI has also developed the Ksheer Analyser, Ksheer Tester and Ksheer Scanner Plus.

ANSWER: Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram

Explanation:
Indian PM Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram on their statehood day i.e 20th February 2016. Arunachal Pradesh known as the Land of the Rising Sun has celebrated what is its 27th statehood day, having been formed in 1986-1987. Mizoram is the other NE state which celebrated statehood on this day as well.

ANSWER: Both of the above

Explanation:
Pangolins are also known as anteaters or trenggling and are in danger of extinction due to illegal trade and poaching. A division of WWF India, TRAFFIC India, stressed on the eve of World Pangolin Day that one needs to save these creatures facing extinction in India. 2 of 8 species of Pangolin ( 4 in Asia and Africa each) are from India namely Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata and Chinese Pangolin Manis pentadactyla. Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked animal and conservation groups from across the world are trying to save this burrowing mammal.