Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Nov 22, 2015

ANSWER: 21st November

Explanation:
The ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare proposed the formulation of an umbrella scheme ‘Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries’ with an outlay of INR 3000 crore covering inland fisheries, aquaculture, marine fisheries including deep sea fishing, mari-culture and all activities undertaken by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) towards realising “Blue Revolution”.

ANSWER: Indo European Water Forum

Explanation:
The forum will be attended by diplomats, government officers, world bank and UNDP officials an the DG of ED and DG of EC. The water challenges are complex and include allocation, quality, quantity and management issues. Currently, the agricultural sector is the largest user of water in India.

ANSWER: Kim Young-sam

Explanation:
Ex president of South Korea, Kim Young-sam who ended decades of military rule in South Korea and accepted a global bailout during the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis, has passed away at the age of 87 on 22nd November. He passed away following acute heart failure. He is an important figure in South Korea’s pro-democracy movement and went against military dictators for years. He also laid the foundation for peaceful power transfer in the country. His presidency lasted from 1993 to 1998. He also launched a popular anti-corruption campaign.

ANSWER: Bio-gel

Explanation:
Scientists have developed a new injectable bio-gel which can deliver anti cancerous agents directly into the tumour and eliminate them. Technology developed by University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre scientists will revolutionise treatment for different forms of cancer. Bio-gel is a liquid at room temperature and a gel at human body temperature. This bio-gel is compatible with anti-cancer immune cells.

ANSWER: Makhdoom Amin Fahim

Explanation:
Well known Pakistani political leader and senior PPP leader as well s former commerce minister M.A. Fahim passed away on 21st November 2015 at the age of 76 from blood cancer. He hailed from the Southern Sindh province and turned down several offers for top posts from different governments. Fahim was also a spiritual leader of a Sufi sect called Marwari Jamaat in Hala.

ANSWER: Jayanth Mysore

Explanation:
Home furnishings retailer Home Lane dot com has hired Google executive J. Mysore as its Chief Product Officer. Mysore played a key role in developing of Google Checkout, Google Maps and Google Analytics. He is a business graduate from Kellogg School of Management and adviser to many Fortune 500 firms.

ANSWER: 23rd

Explanation:
This declaration is entitled Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World: A Vision for an Asia-Pacific Community. This declaration outlines the following commitments for APEC members to do the following:
- Build inclusive economies;
- Foster micro, small and medium enterprises’ participation in regional and global markets;
- Build sustainable and resilient communities;
- Invest in human capital development; and
- Enhance the regional economic integration agenda.

ANSWER: None of the above

Explanation:
Harshvardhan Neotia, Chairman of Ambuja Neotia group was elected as FICCI president for the year 2016. Neotia will succeed current president Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson and MD of Bharat Hotels Ltd during the AGM in December 2015. Neotia is the Senior VP of FICCI currently. He is also a Padma Shri awardee and chairman of Abuja Neotia Group covering the complete spectrum of the real estate industry.

ANSWER: IL&FS Global Financial Company

Explanation:
Airports Authority of India on 20th November 2015 signed an MoU with IL&FS Global Financial Services for overseas expansion. The letter is a subsidiary of infrastructure giant IL&FS. Through this collaboration, AAI is aiming to become global and identify opportunities for growth in MENA and CIS nations. AAI has developed more than 60 airports in India. Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Limited is one of the leading infrastructure development and financial companies in India.

ANSWER: Japan

Explanation:
Asian Development Bank and Japan have announced a 5 year, USD 16 billion partnership which is inclusive of investment fund for supporting sustainable infrastructure development in the region. The first step will be establishment of a trust fund by March 2016 with capitalisation of USD 1.5 billion from JICA/Japan International Cooperation Agency. In a combination with the own capital of ADB and commercial co-financers, funds should provide funding of USD 6 billion. Close to USD 10 billion has been set aside for promoting public infrastructure provided by ADB and JICA in co-financing sovereign borrowers over a period of 5 years.

ANSWER: Manila

Explanation:
The 23rd Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders Summit was held in the Philippines capital of Manila from 18th to 19th November 2015. This summit had the following theme: Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World. The summit was chaired by Philippines President B. S. Aquino III. The next APEC summit will be held in Peru.

ANSWER: South Asian Annual Disaster Management Exercise

Explanation:
The first South Asian Annual Disaster Management Exercise 2015 is being held for strengthening Regional Disaster Response mechanism among SAAARC nations for testing coordination efforts and creating synergy as well as synchronising efforts for institutionalisation of Regional Cooperation on Disaster Response among member countries.

ANSWER: Guwahati

Explanation:
Union Minister of Railways, Shri S. Prabhu has flagged off the first BG Fast Passenger train from Silchar to Guwahati through Lumding in Haflong via remote control through video conferencing. This will open up new connections in previously isolated states of Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. This is a historic step for Assam to get linked via rail with the rest of the country.

ANSWER: Amos Gitai

Explanation:
The 46th IFFI paid Retrospective Honours to well known Israeli film maker Amos Gitai with the screening of the movie “Rabin, the Last Day.” Amos Gitai’s ten films are being screened including Alia, Berlin-Jerusalem, Devarim, Esther, Golem, the Spirit of the Exile, Kadosh, Lullaby to my Father, Tsili, Yom Yom. He was born in the 1950s in haifa and has created many fiction and documentary films which have brought him worldwide fame.

ANSWER: First

Explanation:
First India International Science Festival is being organised at IIT Delhi from 4th to 8th December 2015 organised by the Ministries of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, TIFAC has been chosen as the nodal government institution to organise the mega event in partnership with Vijnana Bharati a science linked NGO.

ANSWER: 2249

Explanation:
UNSC has adopted a French sponsored resolution condemning the terror attacks carried out by IS in Tunisia, Ankara, Sousse. This is the 14th terrorism related resolution the UNSC has adopted since 1999. Resolution 2249 was adopted by UNSC within a week from terror attacks in Paris on 13th November 2015.

ANSWER: Rajasthan

Explanation:
Rajasthan and Southern Australia on 20th November 2015 signed a landmark Sister-State agreement for boosting trade and investment opportunities, signed by South Australia Trade and Investment Trade Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith and Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje in Rajasthan. This agreement focuses on a sister state relationship between the two nations based on two way exchange in fields of research, technical capabilities and policies.

ANSWER: Sea traffic emissions

Explanation:
Air along the coast is replete with hazardous nanoparticles and close to half of the measured particles are from sea traffic emissions, according to Lund University researchers. The rest of the pollution is from cars and biomass combustion as well as industries and natural particles coming from the sea. This study marks the first time an effort has been made to estimate nanoparticles proportion emanating from sea traffic. Nanoparticles are harmful to health on account of their smaller size which can penetrate deeper into lungs than large particles leading to both cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Cubic centimetre contains thousands of nanoparticles. Through comparison of nanoparticle levels, conclusions can be drawn about respective proportions stemming from other sources of emissions.

ANSWER: Arvind Bhat

Explanation:
Ex national champion and winner of the 2014 German Open, Arvind Bhat has retired from international badminton, to focus on coaching stints with a Hyderabad academy. He won the national championships in 2008 after making it to the finals 4 times in the previous 7 years. The 36 year old who clinched a national title in 2011 as well will be working with White Peacock Badminton Academy. In a career spanning 13 decades, Arvind has represented the country at many global events including Thomas Cup 7 times, 2010 Asian Games and World Championships 4 times.

ANSWER: 295

Explanation:
Rajasthan government on 20th November 2015 signed 295 MoUs attracting INR 3.3 lakh crore in investments at the time of the Resurgent Partnership Summit 2015. The MoUs aim to provide 239694 lakh jobs within the state and are in different fields such as energy, roads and highways and infrastructure development.

ANSWER: UK

Explanation:
A letter of intent has been signed by Research Council UK and Indian government’s Department of Biotechnology in the field of climate change, agriculture, antimicrobial resistance and vaccine development. The letter of intent was signed in events leading up to 30th Foundation Day celebrations of the DBT.

ANSWER: Both of the above

Explanation:
Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces has exited Gateway Hotel, Jodhpur and Gateway Hotel, Ummed, Ahmedabad. However, Taj will continue management of hotels till May 9, 2016 as per contractual terms agreed to beforehand. Taj Group has a network of 28 Gateway hotels currently and plans to have a portfolio of 50 Gateway Hotels within the coming few years. Gateway hotels are a brand located just a notch below Taj Vivant.