Current Affairs Questions & Answers - May 25, 2016

ANSWER: Eclat Health Solutions

Explanation:
Telangana government has signed an MoU with US based healthcare technology firm Eclat Health Solutions.

• The agreement will involve an investment of USD 15 million in the state to provide 1000 jobs.
• Release also said that the team signed another agreement with Genesis Pharma company chairman Monif Matouk and Safye Holdings CEO Afi Hasan.

ANSWER: Browsing redirect

Explanation:
When simple search on Google , Bing or Yahoo website is redirecting user to some unwanted website indicating system, it is infected by a 'browsing redirect' virus.

• Browser hijacking is no longer a far-fetched scenario, cybercriminals across the world are increasingly using to it to target netizens.

ANSWER: 140 characters

Explanation:
Twitter is making changes in the context of 140 characters or less. Social media service indicate that in coming months, photos, videos and other media won’t count towards Twitter 140 character limit

• More wordy tweets are on the way
• The aim moves to attract new users

ANSWER: Anand Chandrasekaran

Explanation:
Snapdeal’s chief product officer Anand Chandrasekaran has quit the company. The news was announced by Snapdeal co-founder Rohit Bansal on his Twitter handle.

• He is expected to start his own company.
• Before joining the e-tailer in June 2015, he was with Bharti Airtel where he led product strategy for music streaming service Wynk and Airtel Money

ANSWER: HelloTech

Explanation:
Los Angeles-based startup HelloTech and rival in-home tech support company Geekatoo said that they had merged, in a sign of consolidation in the hotly competitive on-demand sector.

• HelloTech will combine its network of about 150 college students who provide on-demand tech repair to Southern California consumers with Geekatoo's US network of about 5,000 technicians, the companies said in a joint statement.
• The merger connects HelloTech with Geekatoo's national market and provides Geekatoo with more access to venture capital funding, HelloTech co-founder Richard Wolpert said in an interview.
• HelloTech, which launched about a year ago, has raised $17 million from investors, while 5-year-old Geekatoo has raised close to $3 million.

ANSWER: Cosmic reionisation

Explanation:
An international team of scientists has detected and confirmed the faintest early-universe galaxy ever.

• This finding that can help explain how the "cosmic dark ages" ended.
• Using the WM Keck Observatory on the summit on Mauna Kea in Hawaii, the researchers detected the galaxy as it was 13 billion years ago.
• According to Tommaso Treu, professor of physics and astronomy at UCLA, the discovery could be a step toward unraveling one of the biggest mysteries in astronomy -- how a period known as the "cosmic dark ages" ended.
• Eventually, when there were enough stars, they might have been able to ionize all of the intergalactic hydrogen and create the universe as we see it now. That process, called cosmic reionization, happened about 13 billion years ago but scientists have so far been unable to determine whether there were enough stars to do it or whether more exotic sources, like gas falling onto supermassive black holes, might have been responsible.
• Gravitational lensing was first predicted by famous theoretical physicist Albert Einstein.

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
A gene, thought to be inactive in adults, may actually play a vital role in preventing heart attacks and stroke . and could also delay some of the effects of ageing, scientists have found.

• The gene, Oct4 , plays a key role in the development of all living organisms, but scientists have, until now, thought it was permanently inactivated after embryonic development.
• Researchers have determined the gene plays a critical protective role during the formation of atherosclerotic plaques inside blood vessels.
• The rupturing of these plaques is the underlying cause of many heart attacks and strokes.
• The researchers found that Oct4 controls the movement of smooth muscle cells into protective fibrous "caps" inside the plaques — caps that make the plaques less likely to rupture.
• They also have provided evidence that the gene promotes many changes in gene expression that are beneficial in stabilising the plaques.

ANSWER: Both of the above

Explanation:
The HRD ministry is mulling a plan to set up a central board for Vedic and Sanskrit education which would be first of its kind in the country. A government-appointed panel headed by former CEC N Gopalaswami had in its report suggested that the Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya Veda Vidya Pratishthan in Ujjain be made Central Sanskrit and Vedic Studies Board for the benefit of Sanskrit "pathshalas" across the country.

• In a report submitted earlier this year, the panel had suggested that the HRD ministry establish a Central Board of Veda and Sanskrit Secondary Education that will affiliate, conduct exams and make available the grant-in aid.
• The panel had also suggested that the proposed board will be an independent body under MHRD with appropriate authority.

ANSWER: Financial Times Executive Education 2016 ranking

Explanation:
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) is the only Indian Management School to be featured in the 2016 Financial Times Executive Education Top 50 Rankings.

• IIMB takes the 47th position in the overall Financial Times Executive Education 2016 Ranking and is ranked alongside prestigious universities like London Business School, IESE, IMD, Harvard Business School, University of Oxford, among others.
• After making a debut in the Financial Times Customised Executive Education Rankings 2015 with a rank of 57, IIMB has moved up 10 spots this year (2016) to 47th rank, thus positioning itself among the Top 50 in Customised Education as well.

ANSWER: Mother Teresa

Explanation:
The material in the book focuses on mercy and compassion and was compiled by the Rev. Brian Kolodiejchuk, who has led the case for Mother Teresa’s sainthood.

• Image, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, told The Associated Press on 24th May that it has set an August 16 release date for “A Call to Mercy: Hearts to Love, Hands to Serve.”
• The material in the book focuses on mercy and compassion and was compiled by the Rev. Brian Kolodiejchuk, who has led the case for Mother Teresa’s sainthood.
• On September 4, Pope Francis will declare Blessed Teresa of Calcutta a saint. She died in 1997, at age 87.
• Rev. Kolodiejchuk also edited “Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light: The Private Writings of the Saint of Calcutta,” published in 2007.

ANSWER: Oriental

Explanation:
The word ‘Oriental’ to describe the people of Asian origin will no longer be used in U.S statute books. Before taking off for his Asian tour, President Barack Obama signed a law that removed the word from two places it existed in the country’s laws. The amendments signed by the President also discontinues the use of the ‘n’ word.

• The word ‘Oriental’ has derogatory connotations, though it has acquired the abusive tone that the ‘n’ word has.
• Due to its Eurocentric nature and its association with the period of colonialism and racial segregation, the word evokes unpleasant memories for the people of Asian origin, particularly those from East Asia, in America.

ANSWER: Daniel Andrews

Explanation:
The Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, will formally apologise to the state’s gay population on Tuesday for past laws that criminalised homosexuality.

• Andrews is expected to address the Victorian parliament in Melbourne on 24th May, offering an official apology to the gay community, Xinhua reported.
• Some citizens who were previously jailed for being gay will be in the chambers to witness the landmark event, believed to be first of its kind in the world.

ANSWER: INR 20,000

Explanation:
Paying monthly fees is a tedious process as one has to repeatedly encounter red tape. The government said domestic shipping firms will have to pay only a one-time licence fee of Rs.20,000 to own foreign flag vessels, in a bid to give a boost to the maritime sector.

• The government said the move would boost the Indian Controlled Tonnage Scheme and be a step towards promoting ‘ease of doing business’ in the maritime sector.

ANSWER: Project Ara

Explanation:
Google has developed a smartphone which allows the consumer to slide out its parts like Lego blocks. The tech giant first introduced the project in 2013 and has been working on it ever since. The project is titled Ara.

• The phone contains six modular slots and all of them are flexible.
• Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects organisation used the next generation technology for different modular parts to be inflow with each other.
• ATAP developed the wireless capacity pads with the help of which communication with the main board of the smartphone and interaction among the modules is possible
• This modular smartphone will have small hardware components called modules which can be upgraded or replaced independently.

ANSWER: Begum Nurjahan

Explanation:
Editor and publisher of the weekly magazine "Begum", Nurjahan Begum, passed away at a Dhaka hospital on Tuesday. She was 91. Nurjahan was admitted to the hospital with respiratory problems on May 4. She had been on life support since May 7.

• President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have both expressed profound shock and grief over her death.
• Born on June 4, 1925, Nurjahan was the daughter of prominent journalist Mohammad Nasiruddin, the editor of the Bangla literary journal Saogat and was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2011.
• Saogat, also called Saugat (presentation) was a leading Bengali literary journal, and was first published from Kolkata in 1918.

ANSWER: S. Sonowal

Explanation:
After 15 years of Congress rule, Assam gets its first BJP government headed by Sarbananda Sonowal. The BJP coalition won a comfortable 86 seats in the 126-member Assembly.

• The BJP had alliances with smaller parties and ethnic groups like the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), the Bodo People's Front (BPF) and the Rabhas and the Tiwa community, which also paved the way for its stronghold in the state.

ANSWER: Neither of the above

Explanation:
The government is set to ban potassium bromate as food additive with health minister J P Nadda asserting that it will take appropriate action following a report which claimed presence of cancer-causing chemicals in bread samples of virtually all top brands.

• A Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) study had found nearly 84 per cent of 38 commonly available brands of pre-packaged breads including pav and buns, testing positive for potassium bromate and potassium iodate, banned in many countries as they are listed as "hazardous" for public health.
• It claimed that while one of the chemicals is a category 2B carcinogen (possibly carcinogenic to humans), the other could trigger thyroid disorders but India has not banned their use.

ANSWER: SK Sharma

Explanation:
Renowned scientist S K Sharma on 23 May 2016 was appointed the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).

• Sharma will be responsible for design, construction, commissioning and operation of nuclear power reactors. He has been appointed to the new post for a period of five years.
• At present, Sharma is working as Distinguished Scientist and Director (Operations) in NPCIL.
• NPCIL is administered by the Department of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India (DAE) and was created in September 1987 under the Companies Act 1956.

ANSWER: Rakesh Kumar Mishra

Explanation:
Rakesh Kumar Mishra, a noted expert in the study of function of genes, has been appointed as the new Director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

• Mishra had joined CCMB in 2001 as a senior scientist after stints at the IISc, Bangalore, the University of Bordeaux, France, Saint Louise University, USA and the University of Geneva, Switzerland for post-doctoral experience.
• An MSc from Allahabad University, Mishra’s research interests include investigating evolutionarily conserved features of genome organisation, chromatin structure and epigenetic regulation of genes during embryonic development stages.
• The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology or CCMB is an Indian Biotechnology research establishment of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research located in Hyderabad, India, and a designated Center of Excellence for Global Molecular and Cell Biology Network, UNESCO.

ANSWER: Vietnam

Explanation:
President Barack Obama has announced the US is lifting its embargo on sales of lethal weapons to Vietnam.

• The US is trying to bolster its relationship with its Pacific allies, as China asserts territorial claims. - Vietnam is one of several countries in the region involved in maritime disputes with China. The US insists on the right to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
• In 2014, a row over a Chinese oil rig near the Paracel islands led to clashes between Chinese and Vietnamese vessels and anti-China riots in Vietnam.
• The Vietnam War ended in April 1975 with the fall of Saigon - now called Ho Chi Minh City - after the United States withdrew combat forces and the North Vietnamese launched a massive offensive to reunite their homeland under communism.

ANSWER: Sikkim CM

Explanation:
Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling was conferred the ‘Yug Kavi Siddhicharan Award’ by Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli for his commendable contributions in promoting Nepali literature in India.

• Siddhicharan Shrestha Academy organised an event in Kathmandu on the occasion of 105th birth anniversary of the late poet Shrestha.
• The award carries a certificate of appreciation and a sum of NRs 100,000.
• Sikkim is located in Himalayan Mountains. Sikkim is the only state with Nepali Majority. Its economy is largely depends on agriculture and also tourism.
• As per Census 2011, Sikkim has the lowest population among all the Indian states.

ANSWER: Karnataka

Explanation:
The Loan and Project Agreements for World Bank (IBRD) assistance of US$ 100 million for the Karnataka Urban Water Supply Modernisation project were signed between Government of India/Government of Karnataka and the World Bank on 24th May.

• The objective of the project is to provide city-wide access to a continuous piped water supply in the eligible cities in the State of Karnataka and to strengthen the service delivery arrangements at the city level. KUIDFC is the implementing agency for the project.
• The project would have four broad components: (i) Capital Investment Program; (ii) Institution Building; (iii) Technical Assistance for Sector Development; and (iv) Project Management.

ANSWER: June 1

Explanation:
On 25th May, 2016 Union Government shall be completing two years. During this period a number of initiatives have been launched and significant achievements made by Indian Railways in all spheres, especially in its responsiveness, accessibility and improvement of passenger amenities.

• Ministry of Railways has decided to undertake a week long RAIL HAMSAFAR SAPTAAH' from 26th May to 1st June, 2016.
• Each day of the week will focus on a particular theme and hence the days have been named as 26th May-Swachchta Diwas, 27th May-Satkar Diwas, 28th May-Sewa Diwas, 29th May-Satarkata Diwas, 30th May-Saamanjasya Diwas, 31st May-Sanyojan Diwas and 1st June-Sanchaar Diwas.

ANSWER: INSV Mhadei

Explanation:
Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Mhadei (INSV Mhadei) sailed from Goa with an all-women crew for a voyage to Port Louis, Mauritius on 24th May.

• The boat is being skippered by Lt Cdr Vartika Joshi (a Naval Constructor). This would be the first open-ocean voyage of the Navy’s all-women crew of Mhadei, who are currently training to undertake a circumnavigation of the globe in 2017.
• The crew comprising Lt P Swathi, Lt B Aishwarya, Lt Pratibha Jamwal, Lt Vijaya and Lt Payal Gupta would be undertaking this arduous voyage through rough seas and heavy weather, expected during the Monsoons, in the Arabian Sea.
• This is a training voyage to expose the young crew to weather that would be faced by them during the circumnavigation in 2017.

ANSWER: Jordan

Explanation:
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the King and people of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on the eve of their Independence Day (May 25, 2016).

• In a message to His Majesty King Abdullah II, the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the President extended warm greetings and felicitations
• India and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan enjoy excellent bilateral relations. Last year, the two nations celebrated the 65th Anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations.