Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Jan 29, 2017

ANSWER: FATF

Explanation:
Reserve Bank has prohibited Indian entities from making direct investments in any entity located in ‘non co-operative countries and territories.’

This is as identified by the inter-governmental body FATF.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) currently comprises two regional organisations and 35 member jurisdictions, including India, US, UK, China and the European Commission.

FATF was established in 1989.

Its objectives are to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.

FATF: Know More

• Abbreviation: FATF
• Formation: 1989
• Type: Intergovernmental organization
• Purpose: Combat money laundering and terrorism financing
• Headquarters: Paris, France
• Region served: Worldwide
• Membership: 36
• Official language: English, French
• President: Roger Wilkins

ANSWER: MSDE

Explanation:
The 68th Republic Day was the first outing for a MSDE tableau.

MSDE tableau was created to highlight efforts in imparting the best of skill development to the people of India.

The credit for this novel idea to represent MSDE at the Republic Day parade goes to the Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy.

The Skill India Tableau was an effort to showcase Skill India program’s initiatives.

MSDE made an effort to display flagship programs like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna (PKKVY), Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK) and ITIs.

The Central Industrial Security Force's (CISF) Republic-Day contingent, which on 28th Jan 2017 was adjudged the "best marching contingent.”

This is the fifth time that the CISF contingent has been adjudged as the best, the earlier occasions being in 2007, 2008, 2013 and 2015.

CISF director-general O P Singh on Saturday congratulated the contingent for its "excellent performance and for bringing proud moments to the organisation".

ANSWER: Both of the above

Explanation:
A judicial order on 28th Jan 2017 stayed the deportation of people from seven Muslim-majority countries who arrived in the U.S.

This is after President Donald Trump barred their entry into the country through an executive order on Friday.

The judicial order does not deal with the merit of the executive order issued by Mr. Trump that could be deemed unconstitutional as it effectively sanctions religious discrimination.

The New York court order extends to all of America and provides relief to people in similar situations but at least three more court rulings on similar lines have been reported from other States.

Protests erupted across America, particularly at airports where travelers were detained.

Sergey Brin - a Russian immigrant and cofounder of Google - was among the protesters at San Francisco International Airport.

Those detained or not allowed to travel to American include holders of permanent residency permits – popularly called green cards – students and business people.

Mr. Trump’s selection of seven countries that figure in the list has also brought into focus questions of conflicts of interests

Wall In Mexico: Know More

• President Donald Trump has set in motion his plan to build a wall between the US and Mexico.
• The border is about 1,900 miles (3,100 km) long and traverses all sorts of terrain.
• Trump says his wall will cover 1,000 miles and natural obstacles will take care of the rest.

ANSWER: 18^th

Explanation:
Roger Federer won his 18th Grand Slam title and first for five years.

He secured a thrilling five-set victory over Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final.

The 35-year-old Swiss won 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3 to claim his fifth Melbourne title.

He was also able to extend his lead at the top of the all-time men's major winners' list.

Nadal, 30, remains tied in second with Pete Sampras on 14 Grand Slams following his first final since 2014.

Federer's previous major title came at Wimbledon in 2012.

Men's all-time Grand Slam singles titles leaders (in ascending order):

10	(1920-1930) - Bill Tilden (US)
11	(1974-1981) - Bjorn Borg (Swe)
11	(1960-1969) - Rod Laver (Aus)
12	(1961-1967) - Roy Emerson (Aus)
12	(2008-present) - Novak Djokovic (Ser)
14	(1990-2002) - Pete Sampras (US)
14	(2005-present) - Rafael Nadal (Spa)
18	(2003-present) - Roger Federer (Swi)

He becomes the first man in history to win five or more titles at three different Grand Slam events - five Australian Opens, five US Opens and seven Wimbledons.

ANSWER: MoneyGram

Explanation:
Ant Financial, e-commerce giant Alibaba’s financial arm, has reached an agreement to acquire American money-transfer major MoneyGram.

The deal is for $880 million, in a deal that will expand the firm’s business in the US after India and Thailand.

The mission is to bring inclusive financial services to users around the world.

The company owns Alipay, one of China’s biggest online payment platforms and controls the company that manages the country’s largest money market fund, Yu’ebao.

The transaction will connect MoneyGram’s money transfer network of 2.4 billion bank and mobile accounts and 350,000 physical locations with Ant Financial’s users.

The transaction is subject to approval of MoneyGram’s stockholders and regulatory approvals.

MoneyGram: Know More

• MoneyGram International Inc. is a money transfer company.
• It is based in the United States with headquarters in Dallas, Texas.
• It has an operation center in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
• It also has regional and local offices around the world.
• Headquarters: Dallas, Texas, United States
• CEO: W. Alexander Holmes (Since 1 Jan 2016)
• Founded: 1940
• Parent organizations: MoneyGram Payment Systems Inc, MoneyGram International Holdings

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
Three Indian origin persons were awarded this highest civilian honor for contribution in medicine and work towards the community.

Purushottam Sawrikar, a Sydney-based medical practitioner, received Order of Australia medal for the year 2017.

This was announced on the Australia Day in General division category for his service to medicine, and to the Indian community.

Sawrikar was a former president of Australian Indian Medical Graduates Association.

He has also founded a community radio called Akashwani Sydney.

Makhan Singh Khangure from Perth was given the award for his for significant service to medicine in the field of neuroradiology.

He was also awarded for contribution to education, and to a range of professional medical associations.

Vijay Kumar, a nuclear medicine specialist and a researcher, was given the award for his significant service to medical research in the disciplines of nuclear medicine and biology, to professional organisations, and to the community.

Kumar, a founding member of Sydney Tamil Sangam Association, was also awarded Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Award in 2007 and 2014.

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
The annual Surya Namaskar Yajna or Health for Humanity Yogathon has been recognised in the US House of Representative.

This is on the occasion of its 10th anniversary.

Surya Namaskar integrates simple yoga postures in ten steps that along with teaching easy breathing techniques, can provide immense health benefits to both the body and the mind.

Hindus worldwide celebrate January 14th as Makar Sankranti–a day that marks the change of season as the sun enters the sign of Capricorn or Makar.

To mark this occasion, HSS has organised the “Yoga for Health, Health for Humanity Yogathon” from January 14 to January 29,” he said.

The 16-day event will raise awareness about yoga and its advantages in achieving a healthy body, mind, and spirit.

HSS Yajna: Know More

• This comprises one million Sun Salutations known as Surya Namaskar.
• The initiative aims to bring awareness among people about Yoga and its advantages in achieving healthy body, mind and spirit.
• Surya Namaskar is a combination of few yoga postures called as “asana (asanas)”.
• It is practiced in more than 40 different types all over the world.
• These are set of well-balanced movements that will stretch all the muscles in the body, thus keeping the body and mind healthy.
• Surya Namaskar is performed in a set of ten yoga postures provides exercise and several advantages to body muscles and internal organs.
• Each year Hindus worldwide celebrate January 14th, as Makar Samkranti day, a change of season and the day the Sun enters the sign of Capricorn or Makar.
• Makar Samkranti bring in longer days, thus the festivity symbolizes sunshine in the life.

ANSWER: French Aerocampus Aquitaine

Explanation:
The Telangana Government on 29th Jan 2017 said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with French Aerocampus Aquitaine for setting up Aero Skill Academy.

The scope of this partnership is to create a world-class aero skills academy.

The academy will be in collaboration with academia and industry based in the state capital.

“The project deliverables include identifying skill gaps, designing courses and enabling EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) and DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) certifications for the academy and its courses.

This partnership focuses on developing skills across youth as well as experienced professionals in tune with the latest industry trends.

The new academy will offer specialised aeronautical courses in engineering, manufacturing and maintenance domains.

It will also offer long duration basic training programmes for young students and vocational training and short duration courses tailor-made to industry requirements for experienced technicians.

French Aerospace Aquitaine: Know More

• Created in 2011.
• AEROCAMPUS Aquitaine aims to be Europe’s largest provider of higher education and professional aeronautic training.
• The association is deeply rooted in the local economic environment.
• It operates in partnership with the biggest aeronautic industrials in the region.
• 19 expert companies teamed up in 2012 to found the AEROCAMPUS Cluster, with the objective of keeping ahead of the industry’s professional training needs for all aeronautic applications.
• This is ranging from maintenance and repairs to composites manufacturing, welding, advanced materials & coatings production and advanced assembly techniques.
• In 2013 Paris Air Show, AEROCAMPUS Aquitaine signed an agreement for the first ever immersive Virtual Reality room entirely dedicated to training in France.

ANSWER: 28^th Jan 2017

Explanation:
To celebrate National Immunisation Day, President Pranab Mukherjee launched the countrywide programme for 2017 by administering polio drops to children aged below five years.

The programme will cover around 17 crore children aged under five years.

It will make an effort to maintain the country’s polio-free status.

Immunization is one of the key interventions in reducing child deaths in country.

Rotavirus virus vaccine has been introduced as part of the Universal Immunisation Programme last year.

The Ministry will soon introduce Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine to reduce the burden of diarrhea, pneumonia and meningitis

It will also conduct a countrywide campaign with Measles-Rubella vaccine in phased manner.

India has reduced under-5 mortality rate from 75 per 1000 live births in 2005 to 45 per 1000 in 2014.

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
Central Water Commission under the Ministry of Water Resources River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation signed two separate MoUs with IIT Madras and IISc Bengaluru.

These premier educational institutions will help CWC for the procurement of specified software and equipment for enhancing dam rehab efforts.

Capacity building in areas of dam safety have been taken over through the World Bank assisted DRIP or Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project.

Scope includes testing of the labs, enhancement of analytical capabilities, exposure visits to top global institutions and on ground exposure to dam safety concern.

DRIP is currently rehabilitating 250 dams in 7 states.

This includes the Southern state of TN.

Owners of the dam require technical support for rehab.

Premier institutes are now providing training and consulting services to help dam owners.

Dams in India: Know More

• There are about 4900 large dams in India and about 300 are under construction.
• In addition, there are several thousand smaller dams.
• These dams are vital for ensuring the water security of the country.
• They also constitute a major responsibility in terms of asset management and safety.
• In April 2012, the Central Water Commission (CWC) with assistance from the World Bank, embarked upon the six year Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP).
• This is at an estimated cost of Rs. 2100 crore.
• The project originally envisaged the rehabilitation and improvement of about 223 dams within the following states namely, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand.
• The total number of dams covered under DRIP increased to 250.
• Central Dam Safety Organisation of Central Water Commission, assisted by a Consulting firm, is coordinating and supervising the Project implementation.

ANSWER: Assam

Explanation:
The first Brahmaputra Literary Festival with more than 150 authors commenced on Jan 28, 2017 in Assam.

The festival is jointly organised by the National Book Trust and the Assam Government.

It will hold panel discussions, book releases, readings and culture events such as screening of films based on books.

Musical and dance performances will also be held.

The focus is on languages, literary, culture, society, performance traditions, politics, music and identity in NE states, India and the world.

This will also serve as a rich literary interface and a showcase of unique cultural and linguistic heritage.