Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Jan 30 & 31, 2016

ANSWER: Adv Partners

Explanation:
Dr. Agarwal’s Group of Eye Hospitals have secured USD 45 million from Hong Kong based PE firm Adv Partners. This is one of the largest PE deals within the eye-care assignment to help healthcare firm expand through a network of eye hospitals in domestic as well as foreign shores over the next 4 years. Of a USD 45 million investment, undisclosed sum will be provided to existing investors Evolvence India. Suresh Prabhala will be inducted into the board of Adv shortly. Veda Corporate Advisors have acted as exclusive financial advisors to Dr. Agarwal’s.

ANSWER: MITRA

Explanation:
Lt. Governor of Puducherry AK Singh has launched the MITRA mobile application for ensuring the safety and security of women in the UT. Android based app can transmit emergency messages in the face of danger. For launching the app, person needs to press power button of the mobile thrice. It can only be used by smartphones currently.

ANSWER: All of the 3

Explanation:
Human Rights Up Front Initiative was prominently featured in the news as UNGA called on member states, ECOSOC and UNSC to fulfil an important role in promoting changes sought by the initiative. This initiative was launched by Secretary General Ban-ki moon in December 2013 for preventing and responding to serious violations of humanitarian law and human rights. This initiative is oriented towards cultural change, operational change and enhanced engagement.

ANSWER: Australia Open

Explanation:
Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis on 29th January 2016 won the Australian Open title of tennis in the women’s doubles category. For winning the title, top seeded pair defeated 7th seeded Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka 7-6 (1), 6-3 at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia. They have now been unbeaten for 26 matches. In the semi final of the tournament, duo created the world record by winning the 29th women’s doubles match in succession.

ANSWER: Twitter

Explanation:
From a financial sector, Berland was Executive Vice President, Global Advertising, Marketing and Digital Partnerships at American Express. She has links with the financial world and will benefit the microblogging social network in many ways. Berlin also worked for other companies like McDonalds, Uber, Facebook, TripAdvisor and Apple.

ANSWER: Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities

Explanation:
Kamlesh Kumar Pandey has been appointed as Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities on 28th January 2016. He has been appointed for a period of 3 years. He is a science graduate from University of Allahabad and Medical graduate from University of Agra in 1990. He has worked for the visually challenged and been part of NGOs working in the field of disability.

ANSWER: Waheeda Rehman

Explanation:
Well known actress Waheeda Rehman has been honoured for a special contribution to the film industry at the Yashwant International Film Festival which is a JV of Y.C. Pratishthan and Pune Film Foundation. Festival was organised from January 22 to 28 in which around 60-65 movies were screened.

ANSWER: Waterline Data Science

Explanation:
Outsourcing firm Infosys has invested INR 27 crore in California headquartered Waterline Data Science, that provides software to ensure uses can gain hidden insights from massive chunks of data. This is the 7th investment for India’s second largest software exporter from USD 500 million innovation fund. Partnership will provide value for customers to combine Waterline Data Science offerings with Infosys international presence and board industrial expertise.

ANSWER: NTPC Ltd

Explanation:
Gurdeep Singh on 28th January 2016 has been appointed as CMD of NTPC Ltd. Singh is the first individual to be appointed at the top job in the Maharatna company via a search committee route. Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by PM Shri Narendra Modi has approved Singh’s appointment after Arup Roy Choudhary finished his 5 year term on 31st August 2015. Singh was MD of Gujarat State Electricity Ltd and started his career in NTPC in the 1980s.

ANSWER: Iran

Explanation:
China and Iran have signed 17 documents and letters of intent for promoting bilateral cooperation. Agreements were signed in Tehran during the visit of the Chinese president Xi Jinping. Agreement covers numerous areas such as energy, finance, investment, communications, culture, judiciary and science and technology. This is the Chinese president’s first trip since sanctions were lifted on Iran. During the early January 2016 months, USA, EU and Japan lifted oil as well as financial sanctions under the JCPA/Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action also known as the Vienna agreement. This was the first trip by a Chinese head of the state in 14 years.

ANSWER: LearnSprout

Explanation:
Apple has acquired educational technology startup LearnSprout to create software for students for tracking their academic performance. This is a 3 year old San Francisco based software startup whose online data insights help K12 educators track student performance. Company raised USD 4.7 million from investors across two rounds and is working on education tools for the iPad.