Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Mar 26 & 27, 2016

ANSWER: 190

Explanation:
On April 22nd, 2016, India will formally sign the Paris climate agreement adopted by over 190 nations in December 2015. Agreement will be open for signature at the UN HQ in NY from April 22 2016 to April 21, 2017. 80 to 100 countries will sign the agreement on the first day itself. Country’s environment, forest and climate change minister Prakash Javadekar will represent India in this capacity. Under A21 of the agreement adopted in Paris in 2015, following a marathon negotiation lasting 13 days, close to 55 countries counting for 55 percent of total GHG emissions will have to ratify the agreement before it enters into force. 3 countries-Fiji, Palau and Marshal Islands have completed their ratification process.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
Scientists in South Korea have studied brown skuas in Antarctica and found that just like crows, magpies and mockingbirds, they too can recognise individual persons. They recognised people who had previously measured their nest. Birds knew these people regardless of clothes change. Brown skuas who have lived in human free habitats recognised individual humans after just 3 to 4 visits. They have high level of cognitive abilities.

ANSWER: 26th March

Explanation:
The nation paid tributes to many killed during the 1971 liberation war against Pakistan on 26th March 2016. Occassion was marked with a pre dawn 21 gun salute as Dhaka’s skyline lit up. Pakistani troops launched a brutal crackdown on March 25 necessitating the war on the next day. War saw breakup of Pakistan as Bangladesh won independence with India’s help.

ANSWER: Sabarmati Riverfront

Explanation:
A 10 ha space on the Sabarmati Riverfront near Vasna barrage will be developed as a biodiversity park. The Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited is scouting for developers and INR 167 crore will be spent in developing the park. Park will have more than 15,000 trees and endangered species as well as other fauna.

ANSWER: Pusapati Anand Gajapathi Raju

Explanation:
Ex State minister and MP Pusapagi Anand Gajapathi Raju has passed away at 65 and is survived by a wife and daughter. His younger brother Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju condoled his death. He was suffering from respiratory ailments.

ANSWER: Japanese International Cooperative Agency

Explanation:
Mizoram government and Japanese International Cooperative Agency have signed an MoU on capacity enhancement for sustainable agriculture and irrigation development. MoU will pave the way for technical cooperation in 4 rural development blocks in Mizoram.

ANSWER: Goa

Explanation:
A national level AROGYA fair has been organised by the Ministry of AYUSH, government of India in collaboration with the Goa State government and CII in Goa. The Yoga protocol for the second international day of Yoga was also released. India also signed an agreement with WHO and US for promotion of AYUSH.

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
Director of school education in Kashmir has declared schools in the valley polythene free zones and directed officials to ensure ban on sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of school.

ANSWER: Cybersecurity

Explanation:
China has just launched the first cybersecurity public organisation for safeguarding national cybersecurity and guiding internet firms in performing their duties. CyberSecurity Association of China comprises academic institutes, individuals as well as internet companies. This includes Tencent and Qihu 360.

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
India is home to the biggest telescope project in the world - USD 1.47 billion Thirty Metre Telescope International observatory in Hanle, Ladakh. The first choice for the project had been Hawaii but there were problems with this. India is building edge sensors, system support assemblies and actuators apart from contributing to the software of TMT.

ANSWER: Both of the above

Explanation:
Numerous cracks and holes have developed in Mount Everest region due to massive earthquakes that killed close to 9000 people across Nepal as per a specialist team for maintaining the climbing route on the world’s highest peak. Ice fall doctors are sherpa mountaineers who repair the climbing route on Mount Everest. They have notified the authorities regarding the damage to the world’s highest peak.

ANSWER: Bhushan Patil

Explanation:
Mobile commerce firm Paytm has appointed ex head of the Alibaba group holding wholesale business, Bhushan Patil. Indian merchants will create a compelling commerce platform and bring incredible experience of building cross border commerce. Key areas at Paytm for Patil will be building cross border commerce of the country.

ANSWER: TATA STEEL EU CEO Karl Koehler

Explanation:
TATA STEEL CEO, Karl Koehler is stepping down as the chief executive of the European unit. He will take a leadership position with a large privately owned industrial company in Germany. Koehler will be replaced by Hans Fischer, Chief Technical Officer at TATA STEEL Europe effective from March 1st, 2016. Koushik Chatterjee, group executive director and board member will become the TATA STEEL ED for EU.