Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Sept 24, 2015

ANSWER: 23rd September

Explanation:
The people of Saudi Arabia celebrated Saudi National Day on 23rd September 2015. Indo-Saudi diplomatic relations can be traced to the 1940s and upgraded completely in 1954. Foundation of foreign bilateral relations was laid when Crown Prince Faisal visited India in 1955. This was followed by the first ever visit of Head of State, King Saud bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud in December 1955. Several agreements have been signed including DTAA, BIPPA and cooperation in the field of sports between the two nations. Delhi Declaration marks a major turn in the India-Saudi Arabia relations.

ANSWER: 22nd September

Explanation:
World Rhino Day observed on September 22, 2015 to celebrate 5 species of rhino-Black, White, Greater one-horned, Sumatran and Javan rhinos. World Rhino Day was announced by WWF-South Africa in the year 2010. In India, they day was celebrated with awareness programmes at Kaziranga National Park (Assam), Manas National Park (Assam) and Laokhowa Burachapori (Assam). According to Save the Rhino, there are 29,000 rhinos left across the globe today. Numbers fell from 5 lakh rhinos to 70,000 in 1970.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
The National Health Profile/NHP prepared by Central Bureau of Health Intelligence was released on 22nd September 2015. It covers demographic, socio-economic, health status and health finance indicators, along with detailed information on health infrastructure and human resources in health. NHP estimates there is one hospital bed for every 1833 people and the ratio of 1:11000 for the number of government doctors to patients, with Bihar and Maharashtra attaining the worst rations. India currently has 9.4 lakh allopathic doctors, 1.54 lakh dental surgeons and 7.37 lakh AYUSH doctors. Its 400 medical colleges admit an estimated 47000 students annually. NHP was launched in 2005. It seeks to understand data for health indicators of the nation and studied data under following 6 categories-demographic, socio-economic, health finance and health status indicators, comprehensive information on health infrastructure and human resources in health in India.

ANSWER: Transparent

Explanation:
Stanford engineers Shanhui Fan, a professor of electrical engineering, research associate Aaswath P Raman and doctoral candidate Linxiao Zhu at Stanford University in US, have found a solution which is based on a thin, patterned silica material laid on top of a traditional solar cell to boost its efficiency and cool the solar cells. As the heat of the solar cells increases, they become less efficient at covering photons in light into electricity with can be used. Material of the coating is transparent to the visible sunlight powering solar cells, yet captures and emits thermal radiation or heat from infrared rays. In 2014, the same researchers developed an ultrathin material radiating infrared heat directly back toward space without atmospheric warming. For a typical crystalline silicon solar cell with an efficiency of 20 per cent, minus 5 degrees Celsius of cooling would improve absolute cell efficiency by over 1 per cent, a figure that represents a significant gain in energy production. The transparent thermal overlay works best in dry environments.

ANSWER: Sripada Srisai Lalita Prasida

Explanation:
13 year old Oriya student Sripada Srisai Lalita Prasida, has won the Community Impact Award at the Google Science Fair in the 13-15 years age category for developing a water purifier that works using waste corn cobs. A standard 9th student at DPS Damanjodi in Koratpur district, Prasida was awarded USD 10,000 as prize money apart from receiving mentorship from Google. Prasida used waste corn cobs in order to clean purify water from domestic as well as industrial wastes by applying the principle of adsorption. She based her invention on the principle that waste corn cobs are able to adsorb contaminants like salt oxides, detergent, suspended particles, coloured dyes, oil, grease and certain heavy metals.

ANSWER: Both of the above

Explanation:
Following undo, tech major Google has now introduced block and unsubscribe features for Gmail service allowing users to block email ID and unsubscribe from news letters in just a few clicks. Through the new features, specific email addresses can be blocked in Gmail on the web and future mail will go to spam folder. Users can also opt out of eligible mailing lists directly from the Gmail app. The “undo” option was introduced in June and gmail currently attracts more than 900 million users internationally.

ANSWER: Traffic Aware Planner/ TAP

Explanation:
US airlines have started testing new software TAP developed by NASA to make traffic aware strategic aircrew requests (TASAR) and this software directly connects to aircraft avionics information hub on the aircraft. It reads the current position and altitude of the aircraft, its flight route and other real-time information that defines the plane's current situation and active flight plan.

Following this, it automatically looks for numerous routes or altitude changes to save fuel and flight time and display solutions straightaway to flight crew. It also scans nearby air traffic signals to avoid conflicts in flight path changes. TAP can also obtain information for airlines with internet connectivity in the cockpit.

ANSWER: 3024

Explanation:
Information regarding genetic sequence of 3024 rice types can be accessed through Amazon Web services system, according to International Rice Research Institute, Database will also make it easier to develop HYV and pest, disease, drought or flood resistant rice varieties in the face of increasing world population and climate change. Rice varieties have to be developed for a second green revolution. The first green revolution occurred between 1960s and 1990s. Genetic sequencing and initial analysis for the new database was funded by grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology.

ANSWER: Mission 2022

Explanation:
The Indian Diaspora in the US which is 3 million strong launched Mission 2022 on 22nd September 2015 in partnership with CII to further Indian collaboration. As India turns 75, the dialogues will be held every 6 months with the Diaspora over the next 7 years as part of this mission. Indian American Diaspora is deeply invested in the American system and can fuel a productive Indo-US partnership.

ANSWER: 0.50 percent

Explanation:
RBI proposed to allow domestic firms to take money from pension funds, insurance funds and SWFs as part of ECBs. Draft framework of ECB proposed to lower all in cost borrowing by 0.50 percent to make sure funds are borrowed at reasonable interest rate from abroad. Basic goal of the framework is to retain more qualitative parameters for normal foreign currency denominated ECB and provide liberal dispensation for long term foreign currency borrowings. According to the draft guidelines, there will only be a small negative list which include stock market operations, real estate activity and purchase of land not be allowed to raise resources through ECBs and rupee denominated borrowing. RBI suggested to expand the list of recognised ECB lenders by including overseas regulated financial entities, pension funds, insurance funds, sovereign wealth funds and similar other long-term investors. It also permitted Indian banks to act as ECB lenders subject to norms. It made the proposal to cap the minimum maturity of ECB up to USD 50 million at 3 years and 5 years for amount exceeding USD 50 million. The minimum average maturity for long term ECB should be 10 years. With regard to all inclusive cost, it said, interest rate for normal ECB should be 50 basis points less than the existing rate which LIBOR plus 350 basis point. Revised guidelines suggest that ECB funds can be used for repayment of trade credit for up to 3 years.

ANSWER: Volkswagen

Explanation:
Volkswagen has indicated it will set aside 6.5 billion euros for covering diesel emissions scandal cost and winning back trust of customers. Close to 11 million cars may be impacted by the admission of VW that it has falsified reports of diesel emissions. Company is recalling half a million cars in the United States.It also faces USD 18 billion in fines for pollution in the US.

ANSWER: IIM Indore

Explanation:
IIM Sambalpur in Odisha will be mentored by IIM Indore till it moves to a permanent campus or is able to operate independently. Till then, IIM Indore faculty will teach at the facility. The first PGP programme was started in IIM Sambalpur Odisha with 49 students. The director of IIM Indore, Professor. R. T. Krishnan is the Mentor Director of this educational institution. State of Odisha has allotted 200 acres of land to IIM Sambalpur. Sum of INR 80 crore has also been sanctioned for an airport to improve air connectivity of the IIM.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
India and US have signed an MoU on energy security, climate change and clean energy, Secretary of State John Kerry announced in a news conference with Indian ministers. India’s commitment to reach 175 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2022 is the world’s most ambitious target in the sector of renewable energy. Fulbright Climate Fellowship programme is also being launched to ensure key exchange of research information.

ANSWER: Ireland

Explanation:
PM Modi arrived for a brief visit to Ireland en-route to the US. Relations between the two countries date back to independence. Total trade in goods and services was pegged at euro 2.48 billion in 2013. Chief Irish export items include computer hardware and software, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, food and machinery. Indian exports to Ireland cover textiles, garments and clothing accessories, pharmaceuticals, light engineering goods and chemicals.Indian companies in Ireland include pharma majors such as Wockhardt, Sun Pharma and Reliance Genemedix and information technology firms such as FirstSource, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), HCL and Wipro. Ireland is home to around 26,000 persons of Indian origin, of which around 17,000 are Indian citizens. Last Indian PM to visit this nation was Nehru in 1956.

ANSWER: Court

Explanation:
C. Tamhane’s well known and critically acclaimed Marathi film Court was selected as the official entry of India into the Best Foreign Language category of the 2016 Academy Awards. Debutant Tamhane’s film outdid ‘PK’, Cannes winner ‘Masaan’, ‘Mary Kom’,‘Haider’, Kaaka Muttai’ and ‘Bahubali’ in the Oscar race. The internationally acclaimed film has been featured in 19 national and international film festivals and picking up 16 awards. It has won 2 coveted awards at Venice International film festival in 2014. ‘Court’ is the third Marathi film after Shwaas (Breath) in 2004, and Harishchandrachi Factory (Harischandra’s Factory) to be selected as India’s entry to Oscars.

ANSWER: Indra Nooyi and Shobhana Bharatia

Explanation:
PepsiCo Chairman Indra Nooyi and HT Group chairperson Shobhana Bharatia were on 22 September 2015 awarded with the 2015 Global Leadership Award of the US-India Business Council (USIBC) for their roles as top women leaders in the business world and their commitment to a more inclusive global economy. Indian-American artist Natvar Bhavsar was awarded with the Artistic Achievement Award for abstract expressionism and colour-field painting. The largest bilateral trade association in the US, with presence in NY, New Delhi and Silicon Valley, USIBC was formed in 1975.

ANSWER: John T. Chambers

Explanation:
Executive chairman of Cisco, John T Chambers was elected on 21 September 2015 as the next Chairman of US-India Business Council’s (USIBC) by the Council’s Board of Directors. He succeeded Banga, President and CEO of MasterCard, who has been the longest-serving chairman of the Council. He will assume charge w.e.f January 1 2016. Established in 1975, the council aims to advance commercial partnerships between India and the US from USD 100 to 500 billion. Mukesh Aghi is its president.

ANSWER: Martin Winterkorn

Explanation:
Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn resigned on 23rd September 2015 taking responsibility for the German carmaker's rigging of U.S. emissions tests in the biggest scandal in its 78-year history. A 5 member committee has been questioning Winterkorn at company HQ in Wolfsburg, Germany about the scandal prior to his resignation. Shares fell by more than 30% after news broke. U.S. authorities are planning criminal investigations after discovering that VW programmed computers in its cars to detect when they were being tested and alter the running of their diesel engines to conceal their correct emissions rate. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said on Friday Volkswagen could face penalties of up to $18 billion for cheating emissions tests on some of its diesel cars. Diesel engines constitute less than 3% of new cars in US, and around half of the cars in EU. Though associated with low GHG emissions, they are said to emit high levels of poisonous gas nitrogen dioxide.

ANSWER: Apollo International

Explanation:
Lycos has signed an agreement with Apollo International, Apollo Group for creating a JV, Apollo Lycos Netcommerce. While Lycos has expertise in digital media and marketing, Apollo is a leader in logistics and inventory management. Lycos was acquired in 2010 for $36 million by Hyderabad-based digital marketing solutions firm Ybrant Digital. This company also changed its name to Lycos. The joint venture will design, develop and fulfil e-commerce for brands online.

ANSWER: Liquid Telecom

Explanation:
Bharti Airtel announced on 23rd September 2015 that it will use Liquid Telecom’s fibre network for connecting mobile base stations in Africa, giving subscribers on 3 and 4-G networks better speeds. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Airtel serves 17 African countries. The framework agreement enables Airtel operations to leverage Liquid Telecom’s existing 20,000km-long fibre network across east, central and southern Africa, as well as enjoy new purpose-built fibre infrastructure, to connect Airtel’s mobile base stations and enterprise customers with fibre. Liquid Telecom is an independent data, voice and IP provider in Africa. It supplies fibre optic, satellite and international carrier services to mobile operators, internet service players and businesses.

ANSWER: Ajanta Pharma

Explanation:
Ajanta Pharma will replace Aditya Birla Nuvo in the NSE Nifty Midcap 50 index from October 19, 2015. Aditya Birla Nuvo, the holding company of Aditya Birla Group, will be excluded from the index. The Index Maintenance Sub-Committee has decided to make the replacement on account of proposed scheme of arrangement for transfer by way of a demerger of Madura Undertaking of Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd to Pantaloons Fashion & Retail Limited. Nifty Midcap 50 index comprises of stocks with an average free float market capitalisation ranging from Rs. 1,000 crore to Rs. 5,000 crore at the time of selection.

ANSWER: Elitecore Technologies Pvt Ltd

Explanation:
Sterlite Technologies has entered into formal agreement for acquiring Elitecore Technologies Pvt Ltd controlled by private equity major Carlyle Group, for an enterprise value of Rs 180 crore in an all cash deal. Elitecore, a provider of Operations Support Services / Business Support Services is majority owned by First Carlyle Ventures Mauritius, a part of Carlyle Group. Sterlite, a part of Vedanta Group, said this acquisition would widen its telecom portfolio of offerings to its global customers.The present management team of Elitecore will continue. In 2014-15 Elitecore reported revenues of Rs147 crore and EBITDA of Rs16 crore and is cash positive on a net debt basis. Company has been profitable for last 7 years.

ANSWER: Telenor

Explanation:
Telecom service provider Uninor on Wednesday announced it has rebranded itself as Telenor in India, Telenor Group’s head of Asia region Morten Karlsen Sorby said. Company will spend INR 100 crore on rebranding exercise. It entered India in 2009 and was initially a JV with realty major Unitech which exited it in 2012. Company then started operating as Telewings till 100 pr cent stake in company was purchased by Telenor in 2014. This company now has 47.55 million customers.