Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Sep 06, 2016

ANSWER: Laos

Explanation:
President Obama on 5th September 2016 visited the SE Asian nation of Laos closing a dark chapter in the shared history of the two nations.

• He is one of several world leaders coming to this nation of close to 7 million people
• Its one party communist state tightly controls public expression but is also hosting the annual meeting of ASEAN nations
• Bolstering economic ties in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar is part of the US strategy to counter China’s growing dominance in the region

ANSWER: INSAT-3DR

Explanation:
ISRO is set to launch the GSLV-FO5 carrying advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR from the spaceport of Sriharikota on September 8.

• Previous launch by ISRO on Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle was GSLV-D6 carrying communication satellite GSAT-6
• GSLV-FO5 in its 10th flight would launch the 2211 kg advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR into Geostationary Transfer Orbit
• INSAT-3DR will prove numerous meteorological services to the nation
• GSLV FO5 was developed in which the indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage will be carried on board for the fourth time during a GSLV flight
• GSLV-F05 is configured in three stages including CUS similar to earlier launches GSLV-D5 and D6 which placed GSAT-14 and 6 successfully earlier

ANSWER: CISCO

Explanation:
The state education department of Rajasthan has partnered with US based technology firm CISCO to promote digital learning across the state using virtual digital room solutions.

• Initiative aims to enhance the quality of education through digital learning for academia to connect, collaborate and share content across 12 centres of State Institute for Education Management and Training.
• CISCO has committed to 5000 man hours of training and partnered with the Rajasthan government to establish Digital Learning Solution Rooms which will deploy virtual digital classrooms across 12 institutes as part of the ongoing social initiative programme in Rajasthan.
• Partnership covers various initiatives of digitising the state which include projects on urban development and acceleration of local innovation.
• Education is the most potent catalyst of economic empowerment as highly skilled workforce and building local capacity will speed up digital transformation in the state.
• Digital learning initiative will result in qualitative and quantitative enhancement of training capabilities.

ANSWER: Eastern Gorilla

Explanation:
The largest living primate Eastern Gorilla found in the Congo mountains is now officially critically endangered according to a fresh update of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
IUCN World Conservation Congress made the announcement regarding the same in Hawaii.

• Eastern Gorillas have suffered a devastating population decline of more than 70 percent in 2 years with the population estimated to be lower than 5000
• Four of the six great apes- Eastern Gorilla, Western Gorilla, Bornean Orangutang, Sumatran Orangutang are now listed as Critically Endangered
• Two remaining-Chimpanzee and Bonobo are under considerable threat of extinction and are listed as Endangered.
• Latest IUCN Red List also reports the decline of the Plains Zebra due to illegal hunting and growing extinction threat to Hawaiian plants used by invasive species.
• 38 of the 415 endemic Hawaiian plants assessed for this update as listed as Extinct and four other species have been listed as Extinct in the Wild meaning they only occur in cultivation
• The IUCN Red List now includes 82,954 species of which 23,928 are threatened with extinction.
• Eastern Gorilla (Gorilla Beringe) is now made up of 2 subspecies. One of the subspecies Grauer’s Gorilla has lost 77 percent of its population since 1994 declining from 16,800 to just 3,800 in 2015.
• Mountain Gorilla another subspecies is around 880
• The Plains Zebra has moved from Least Concern to Near Threatened. Population has been reduced by 24 percent in past 14 years from 660,000 to 500,000.
• 3 species of antelope found in Africa - Bay Duiker (Cephalophus dorsalis), White-bellied Duiker (Cephalophus leucogaster) and Yellow-backed Duiker (Cephalophus silvicultor) - have moved from Least Concern to Near Threatened.
• However, the good news is that the Giant Panda and the Tibetan Antelope are now listed as Vulnerable and Near Threatened respectively from Endangered status.
• Other conservation successes include the Greater Stick-nest Rat (Leporillus conditor) and the Bridled Nailtail Wallaby (Onychogalea fraenata).

ANSWER: Serena Williams

Explanation:
Serena Williams broke through a record on 5th September with her 308th Grand Slam match victory taking her past Roger Federer for most wins in major tournaments.

• The win also qualified her to enter the quarter finals of the US Open.
• Williams was never seriously challenged in a 6-2, 6-3 victory over 52nd-ranked Yaroslava Shvedova as she extended her career record over the Kazakh to 5-0.
• A seventh US Open title would take her past the record she shares with Chris Evert
• She will also break the Open Era record shared with Steffi Graf of 22 Grand Slam crowns.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
G-20 nations pledged to roll back protectionist measures by end of 2018 and ensure rule based, transparent multilateral trading system with WTO for global growth.

• The group of 20 nations also reaffirmed to continue to support the world of WTO, UNCTAD and OECD in monitoring protectionism
• Emphasising the benefits trade and open markets must be communicated to the wider public more effectively and accompanied by domestic policies to ensure benefits are widely distributed.
• Leaders also committed to ratify the Trade Facilitation Agreement towards the close of 2016 and called for other WTO members to do the same.
• They also reiterated advancing negotiations on remaining Doha Development Agenda issue as a matter of priority including three pillars of agriculture-market access, domestic support and export competition, non agricultural market access and services among others.
• The nations also recognised the need to ensure consistency with WTO rules.
• Leaders also endorsed the strategy for global trade growth under which the G20 will lead by example to lower trade costs, harness trade and investment policy coherence boost trade in service, enhance trade finance and promote e-commerce development and address trade and development .
• It also added that the G-20 will continue to prioritise the work on food security, nutrition, sustainable agricultural growth and rural development as a significant contribution to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
• The G-20 also reaffirmed its commitment to promoting investment with focus on infrastructure in terms of both quantity and quality
• It would also support policies that encourage firms of all sizes in particular women and young entrepreneurs, women led firms and SMEs to take advantage of global value chains.
• Further it said generating quality employment is indispensable for sustainable development and is at the centre of the domestic and global agenda of the G-20.
• The communique also stressed it will further develop G-20 employment plans in 2017 to address these commitments and monitor progress in a systematic and transparent manner in attaining the G-20 goals especially on youth employment and female labour participation

ANSWER: UP

Explanation:
There has been a significant rise in number of cases of atrocities against Dalits in 2016. UP leads the list with 8358 cases followed by Rajasthan with 6998 cases, and Bihar (6438 cases). AP and MP with 4415 and 4188 cases are also in the top 5.

• Maximum number of women rape cases in the age bracket of 18-44 years is also in Rajasthan according to the National Crime Records Bureau

ANSWER: Falcon Marine Exports

Explanation:
Odisha’s government on 3rd September 2016 signed a long term lease agreement with Falcon Marine Exports for the operation of Jagatiore Shrimp Project in coastal Kendrapara district.
Falcon Marine Exports has signed a lease for 15 years which will fetch revenue of INR 13 crore to the government.

• Project was first implemented in 19921993 in Mahakalapada Tehsil of Kendrapara District
• It was executed with the help of the World Bank and completed in 2000
• Odisha in 2015 was the first state to adopt a Comprehensive Fishery Policy with the aim to double fish production and receive export earnings of INR 10,000 within 5 years
• State also notified the Brackish Water Land Leasing Policy to make 24,000 ha of land in coastal areas available for aquaculture
• On this day, the state government also launched the Biju Kanya Ratna Yojana in Ganjam, Dhenkanal and Angul districts
• Objective of this BKRY scheme is to ensure development of girls and improve sex ratio at birth as well as child sex ratio
• CSR has fallen from 967 in 1991 to 941 in 2011 in 4 districts of AP including these three where BKRY is being implemented.
• BKRY will ensure enrolment of girls in elementary education and track dropout of girls from schools, creating a better environment for them.

ANSWER: 1958

Explanation:
Shri Pranab Mukherjee presented the National awards to meritorious teachers from across the nation at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on the occasion of Teacher’s Day.
Distinguished teachers were conferred the award and the President emphasised the need for building a knowledge society.

• Award carried a Silver Medal, Certificate and INR 50,000
• 346 teachers were awarded the 2015 National Teachers award.
• This award was instituted in 1958
• September 5th is the date of investiture to accord public recognition to meritorious teachers in elementary and secondary schools

ANSWER: Tihayu

Explanation:
The craft was build by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited.

• It was handed over to the Indian navy on 30th August 2016 by CMD GRSE AK Verma to the CO of the ship, Cdr. A. Kashov.
• GRSE had earlier built and delivered ten (10) WJFACs to the Indian Navy during 2009 to 2011, which are proving well in service.
• This warship measuring 48 X 7.5 M with a displacement of around 315 Tons, has an endurance of around 2000 nautical miles at 12-14 knots speed.
• It also has modern habitability conditions with accommodation for 29 personnel.
• It is named after an island in the Andaman
• The craft is fitted with 3 water jet propulsion systems powered by marine diesel engines generating 2720 KW of power.
• It is also fitted with CRN-91 indigenous 30mm Gun, to provide Artillery fire support during attack missions.

ANSWER: UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literary

Explanation:
Jan Sikshan Sansthan Malappuram has won the UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy.

• Award has been conferred on JSS in recognition of literacy linked skill development activities among underprivileged in rural areas.
• JSS bagged the prestigious international award for applying new technology such as Braille app and talking pen in the field of literacy
• JSS chairman Abdul Wahab will receive the award comprising USD 20,000 a diploma and a silver medal as well as a visit to China on study tour
• JSS has reached out to widows, Adivasis and vulnerable sections of society with its literacy program
• More than 53,000 persons have been empowered since the project began in 2006

ANSWER: New Delhi

Explanation:
Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism and Culture has said that Incredible India Tourism Investors Summit 2016 is a platform for investors across the globe to explore investment opportunities available within the ambit of the Indian tourism sector as well as core infrastructure.

• India is one of the fastest growing economies and the tourism sector seeks to escalate its culture and heritage
• India’s tourism offerings will be on display during the summit
• Centre has allowed 100 percent FDI under the automatic route in tourism and hospitality as well as tourism construction projects
• Policies offer attractive investment potential in the tourism sector
• Incredible India Tourism Summit organised by Ministry of Tourism is its initiative in association with CII and TFCI
• Highlights of the summit include participation from more than 27 Indian states, around 600 investable projects from across the country and from across various sectors of tourism participation from 140 investors from 70 companies and 21 seminars across two shows along with event road shows, an updated website and B2G meetings prefixed online