Current Affairs Questions & Answers - July 20, 2016

ANSWER: Malcolm Turnbull

Explanation:
Malcolm Turnbull was on 19th July 2016 appointed the next Australian PM for the second time.

• He was sworn in following a narrow election victory with budget repair and public vote on same sex marriages being among the top priorities.
• The 2016 elections in Australia was a double dissolution election, being the first such since the 1987 election.
• During the first week of vote counting following the election, no party garnered enough seats in the House of Representatives to form a government.
• Opposition leader Bill Shorten conceded defeat on 10th July, 2016.

ANSWER: Hyderabad

Explanation:
India’s first e-court was opened at High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad on 17th July 2016.

• It was inaugurated by SC judge Madan Lokur who heads the e-committee of the SC.
• This is a common high court for states of AP and Telangana.
• Aim of the e-court is to ensure speedy justice for litigants.
• Apart from the launch of the e-court, SC judge Madan B Lokur also announced India’s first Integrated Criminal Justice System will be launched in HC of Judicature at Hyderabad.
• System will integrate courts, police stations, forensic science labs and jails as well as prosecution.

ANSWER: 0.8

Explanation:
Wholesale Price Index rose to 20 month high of 1.6 percent in June from 0.8 percent in May will work well for toll road projects revenues for the fiscal 2017-2018, according to ICRA.

• The toll rates are expected to increase in the range of 3.0-3.7 percent during FY2018, marking the highest growth after FY2015.
• Average increase in WPI for 2017 is around 3 percent and a report also indicated that toll fees are revised annually to adjust for inflation as determined by movements in WPI.
• The report also indicated that toll fees are annually revised to adjust for inflation as determined by WPI movements.
• Projects for which toll rates are linked fully with WPI, the toll rates are revised downwards whereas for other projects, increase has been 2.7 percent in FY2016 and 1.9 in FY2017.
• Traffic growth has been robust during FY2016 which is likely to continue during the current fiscal.
• According to the report, in a low inflation scenario. when there is no commensurate fall in interest rates, profitability of toll road projects is negatively impacted.

ANSWER: 6.2

Explanation:
A report released by CRISIL shows that for the past 5 years, 69 percent of India’s population residing in its rural areas has experienced a higher degree of inflation as against urban counterparts.

• Report indicates in the past 24 months to June 2016, while urban inflation fell from 9 percent to 5.3 percent (compared with the two years prior)rural inflation fell from 10.1 percent to 6.2 percent.
• Gap has remained around 100 basis points in the recent past and is in the recent past and is caused by higher core and fuel inflation in rural areas.
• In fiscal 2016, rural core inflation was 6.7 percent as against 4.8 percent in urban.
• Sub-categories such as health, education, household goods and services as well as recreation and amusement recorded higher inflation in hinterland in the previous fiscal.
• NSSO household consumption expenditure data for 2011-2012 offers data in support of this.
• Schemes to improve access to infrastructure such as Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana have yet to near completion.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
North Korea fired three ballistic missiles on July 19 which flew between 500 and 600 kms (around 300 and 360 miles) into the sea off its east coast.

• South Korea’s military indicated this in a latest series of moves by the isolated country.
• US military has detected lunches of what are two Scud missiles and one homegrown Rodong missile based on Soviet era Scud technology as well.
• North Korea has meant this to be a show of force.
• Launches came after South Korea and the US took the final decision to deploy Terminal High Altitude Area Defence/THAAD anti-missile system in the South to counter threats from the North prompting Pyongyang to sound an offensive.
• Ballistic missiles flight was from 500 to 600 km which is enough to strike Busan in South Korea.

ANSWER: Charles Kettles

Explanation:
President Barack Obama has bestowed the Medal of Honour on retired Lt. Col. Charles Kettles, a Vietnam War veteran.

• Kettles received the nation’s highest military honour on July 18, 2016.
• He led chopper flights carrying reinforcements to US soldiers and evacuated the wounded after they were ambushed in combat operations near Duc Pho in May 1967.

ANSWER: Malaysia

Explanation:
Following deadly attacks by ISIS in Nice and Istanbul, India and Malaysia have agreed to engage with one another on combating the threat posed by the global terrorist organisation.

• These countries are democratic and oppose the terror groups which are attracting youngsters with extremist ideology
• MoU on combating transnational crime between Malaysia and India is also being finalised.

ANSWER: Uttar Pradesh

Explanation:
The Netherlands and UP on 14th July 2016 signed an MoU to set up a skill development centre to assist farmers.

• MoU will ensure farmers get information on food processing as well as use of modern techniques to boost production of sugarcane, potato, dairy products and flowers.
• Dutch government will also help in cleaning the Yamuna in Agra and in sewage treatment.
• Under this agreement, it will assist the state in solid waste management, urban infrastructure and development.
• It will also assist the state in water management, water supply and cleanliness of water resources, sewage treatment, transport management and revival of water bodies.
• The Netherlands will also help in land reclamation of 1500 acres in the Ganga basin in Kanpur and development of cultural heritage.
• MoU will remain operational for the next three years.

ANSWER: IISc Bengaluru

Explanation:
India has expanded the base in the rankings with 17.6 percent of the 250 universities from the nation, and its highest ranked university, Indian institute of Sciences Bengaluru fell a single place from the previous year’s ranking.

• 6 of the top 10 Indian universities also lost position while India had one fewer university in the top 20 when compared to last year’s rankings.
• India has 8 universities in the top 50, same as Russia and one more than Brazil among the BRICS Nation.
• Quacquarelli Symonds are global higher education analysts which release a ranking of the best universities in the BRICS nations each year.

ANSWER: Varun Sahni

Explanation:
Acclaimed international political scientist Dr. Varun Sahni has been chosen to be the new Goa University VC, according to chancellor Mridula Sinha’s office.

• He is currently serving as professor and chairperson at the Centre for International Politics, Organisation and Disarmament in JNU.
• Current GU VC is Dr. Satish Shetye.
• Committee headed by Dr. Mashelkar had recommended the names of the GU VC to the chancellor.
• Sahni had earlier served as Reader in Latin American Politics at GU. He has also served as the VC of Jammu University.

ANSWER: Guruprasad Mohapatra

Explanation:
Bureaucrat Guruprasad Mohapatra was on 15th July 2016 appointed as chairman of Airports Authority of India w.e.f 19th July 2016.

• He is a 1986 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre.
• He was posted as Joint Secretary in Union Ministry of Commerce prior to this.
• He has also served as joint MD of GIDC during his tenure in Gujarat.

ANSWER: NBA

Explanation:
The agreement is to stream exclusive non-game programming, pushing deeper into sports streaming through a new way to attract users.

• NBA deal follows Twitter’s high profile agreement with the National Football League to stream NFL games this fall.
• Twitter will deliver a live stream of new weekly pre-game show of NBA and another show as well.
• NBA deal highlights CEO Jack Dorsey’s plan to use video to make the microblogging site more engaging and spur user growth.

ANSWER: HDFC

Explanation:
Hotel rooms aggregator Oyo has announced a tie up with HDFC Bank for its payment solution PayZapp on its consumer app.

• The tie up will enable users to link debit and credit card on PayZapp and use it to book a room at Oyo by making a payment with one click

ANSWER: RM Lodha panel

Explanation:
SC on 18th July 2016 accepted major recommendations of Justice RM Lodha Panel on structural reforms in the BCCI.

• SC agreed that no minister or serving bureaucrat can be a member of the BCCI board.
• Bench of Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justice FMI Kalifulla rejected the objection against recommendations for one state-one vote and indicated states like Maharashtra and Gujarat having more than one cricket association will have voting rights on rotational basis.
• It also accepted the panel recommendation that there should be a players’ association in the BCCI and funding of players’ association accepted while leaving the board to decide the extent of funding.

ANSWER: Microsoft

Explanation:
A new partnership between Microsoft and Boeing have been formed for AI enthusiasts.

• Boeing’s digital aviation can be centralised on Azure and analysis of large sets of data from many sources.
• Cortana’s intelligence suite can help airline operators work through inventory more efficiently.
• Smart scheduling is the aim of the partnership.

ANSWER: Intel India

Explanation:
To foster creativity and innovation, NITI Aayog has signed a two year statement of intent with tech major Intel India to set up first 10 ATLs in the nation.

• This is part of the government’s flagship Atal Innovation Mission.
• For a period of 5 years, USD 15 million will be spent on managing 500 ATLs in schools and communities across the nation.
• The first 10 ATLs will act as exemplars for the remaining 490.

ANSWER: L&T

Explanation:
IT department has signed a contract with L&T Infotech for implementing Project Insight to strengthen non intrusive information driven approach for improving tax compliance.

• The project will be rolled out in three phases and the first phase platform is expected to of live from May 2017
• Integrated platform will play a key role in widening tax base and data mining to track tax evaders.

ANSWER: US

Explanation:
BlackBerry has signed a 5 year multimillion dollar deal to run emergency notifications for the US senate.

• The Canadian company has also signed the deal to shift to software from smartphones.
• BlackBerry also said that AtHoc, a crisis communication firm purchased last year has expanded a deal with US Coast Guard to cover staff in Washington.
• US Department of Defence is one of its largest customers.

ANSWER: INR 3 lakhs

Explanation:
Special Investigation Team on black money has recommended a ban on cash transactions of more than INR 3 lakh and restricting cash holding with individuals to not more than INR 15 lakh to curb illegal wealth in the economy.

• SIT headed by Justice MB Shah submitted its 5th report to the SC on methods for curbing black money in the economy.
• SIT recommended a total ban on cash transactions above INR 3 lakhs and an Act to be framed to declare such transactions as illegal/punishable by law

ANSWER: Matdata Mahotsav

Explanation:
SVEEP portal is a web based app accessible to the CEO and other stakeholders and all other stakeholders and serves as a window for easy accessibility of numerous initiatives of the Commission such as Online Voter Competition and NVSP. The EC also launched Matdata Mahotsav Document and a film on the Matadaata Mahotsav which was held in Central Park from 14th - 17th January, 2016.

• The Mahotsav was the first of its kind.

ANSWER: Khangchendzonga National Park

Explanation:
Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim has been inscribed as India’s first Mixed World Heritage Site on UNESCO World Heritage List by fulfilling the nomination criteria under both national and cultural heritage.

• The 40th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee granted approval to the inscription of this Indian site on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• The IUCN and ICOMOS are two advisory have given a positive recommendation for the 21 member UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
• KNP has one of the widest attitudinal ranges of any protected area worldwide.
• Park has an extraordinary vertical sweep of over 7 km within the area of only 178,400 ha and comprises unique diversity of lowlands, valleys and world’s third highest peak, Mt. Khangchendzonga
• Numerous lakes and glaciers include the 26 km long Zemu glacier dot these barren high altitudes.
• KNP is home to numerous endemic and rare as well as threatened animal, avian and plant species
• With this inscription, the number of Indian sites on the World Heritage List has become 35

ANSWER: Foreign Exchange Earnings

Explanation:
The following findings were arrived at by the Ministry of Tourism which compiles FTAs and FEEs on the basis of data received from BOI:

• FTAs during June 2016 were 5.50 lakhs as against FTAs of 5.12 lakhs during the month of June 2015 and 5.02 lakhs in June 2014.
• There has been a growth of 7.3 percent in June 2016 over June 2015.
• FTAs during the period January-June 2016 were 41.86 lakhs with a growth of 8.9 percent as against FTAs of 38.45 lakh with a growth of 3.7 percent in January-June 2015 over 2014.

ANSWER: NOAA

Explanation:
Last month was the hottest June in modern history

• This is the 14th consecutive month that international heat records have been broken according to NOAA.
• "The globally averaged temperature over land and ocean surfaces for June 2016 was the highest for the month of June in the NOAA global temperature dataset record, which dates back to 1880," the agency said in a statement.

ANSWER: 20

Explanation:
Global warming has led to bleaching of the Great Barrier reef as well as wildfires.

• Another such problem is that majority glaciers in India including Gangotri are melting at varying rates ranging from five to 20 metre per year.
• "The studies carried out by ISRO, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIGH) Dehradun and other institutions have revealed that majority of the glaciers are retreating (melting) at varying rates from 5-20 metre per year," Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave said in a written reply.

ANSWER: Advay Ramesh

Explanation:
Advay Ramesh, a 14 year old student from Chennai has won the Google Community Impact Award for Asia for creation of a device that enhances fishermen safety and productivity.

• Ramesh, a class X student from Chennai’s National Public School is among top 20 finalists shortlisted to compete for USD 50,000 as a Google scholarship.

ANSWER: Colombia

Explanation:
President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended greetings and felicitations to Government and Republic of Colombia’s people on the eve of their national day i.e July 20, 2016.

• The current president of the Republic of Colombia is Mr. Juan Manuel Santos.