Daily GK & Current Affairs Quiz – 12th & 13th July 2020

Correct Answer: D. Golden Birdwing

Explanation: Himalayan Golden Birdwing butterfly named as India’s largest butterfly, a record an unknown specimen had held for 88 years. The female Golden Birdwing with 194 mm wingspan was recorded at Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district’s Didihat town, while the male Golden Birdwing with 106 mm wingspan was recorded at the Wankhar Butterfly Museum (in Shillong). The new measurements of this and 24 other species of butterflies were published in the latest issue of Bio notes, a quarterly newsletter for research on life forms. Shristee Panthee of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences in Yunnan and Peter Smetacek of the Butterfly Research Centre at Bhimtal in Uttarakhand are the authors of the study.

Correct Answer – C. Prakash Javadekar

Explanation: The fourth edition of the virtual Ministerial on Climate Action was co-chaired by European Union, China and Canada. In the meeting, India was represented by the Union Environment Minister, Shri Prakash Javadekar. The meeting witnessed the countries deliberating on how countries are aligning economic recovery plans with the Paris Agreement as well as the critical enabling conditions to ensure continued climate action. The virtual Ministerial on Climate Action was held with prime objective of demonstrating the continued political commitment to global climate action. It also aimed to further the discussions on the full implementation of the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It was attended by Ministers and representatives of about 30 countries and was held virtually in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Correct Answer – C. 11th July

Explanation: World Population Day is observed globally on 11th July every year. This day is observed to raise awareness among people about the impact of a growing population and issues including gender equality, the importance of family planning, poverty, maternal health, human rights, etc. This year theme of World Population Day 2020: Putting the brakes on COVID-19: Safeguarding the health and rights of women and girls.

• UN Population Fund Headquarters: New York, United States
• UN Population Fund Executive Director: Natalia Kanem
• UN Population Fund Founded: 1969

Correct Answer – B. 5.2%

Explanation:  In accordance with the Dun and Bradstreet’s (D&B) Country Risk and Global Outlook Report, which has covered 132 countries, the global economy is likely to contract by 5.2% in 2020. This is the biggest decline since the Second World War and a far stronger contraction than the 1.7% recorded in 2009 during the global financial crisis. As per report, the global economy will not reach pre-pandemic levels of activity again before 2022.

India’s economy is expected to contract this fiscal year after four decades of positive growth. In March, 2020 D&B downgraded India’s rating to DB5c from DB4d, stating the magnitude of downgrade and the risk level highest since 1994.

Correct Answer – A. SEBI

Explanation: A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for data exchange between the two organizations. The MoU was signed by Smt. Anu J. Singh, Pr. DGIT (Systems), CBDT and Smt. Madhabi Puri Buch, Whole Time Member, SEBI in the presence of senior officers from both the organizations via video conference.

The MoU will facilitate the sharing of data and information between SEBI and CBDT on an automatic and regular basis. In addition to regular exchange of data, SEBI and CBDT will also exchange with each other, on request and suo moto basis, any information available in their respective databases, for the purpose of carrying out their functions under various laws.

Correct Answer – B. United States

Explanation: The United States has formalized to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) on July 6, 2021. The actual project of disentangling the U.S. from WHO began on July 6, 2020, with a letter signed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. It will take one year to go into effect.

Why United States decide to withdraw from the WHO?

• The US has accused the WHO of siding with China on the outbreak of the virus, which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, alleging the health body misled the world resulting in deaths of over half a million people globally, including over 130,000 in America alone.
• In April, the US stopped funding to WHO as the Trump administration reviewed the ties. A month later, President Donald Trump announced the US was terminating the relationship.
• The US is the single largest contributor to the WHO, providing over USD 450 million per annum. China’s contribution to the global health body is about USD 40 million, one-tenth of that of the US.
• The US has been a party to the WHO Constitution since June 21, 1948. Its participation was accepted by the World Health Assembly with certain conditions set out by the US for its eventual withdrawal from this world body.

Correct Answer – D. Karur Vysya Bank

Explanation: Karur Vysya Bank (KVB), a Scheduled Commercial Bank in India has joined hands with Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance for bancassurance, under which KVB will market all retail and group products of Bajaj Allianz including savings, retirement, investment, protection and critical illness life insurance products through its 780 branches.

Correct Answer – C. Bharat Dynamics Limited

Explanation: Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has signed License Agreement and Transfer of Technology (ToT) with Defence Research and Development Organisation–Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDO–DRDL) for Akash Missile Weapon System (Indian Army Variant).

About Akash Missile:

• Akash Missile is the first medium-range Surface to Air missile produced in India which can engage multiple targets from multiple directions.
• The missile flies at a speed of nearly 860 meters per second at a maximum altitude of 18 km.
• The Akash missile was designed and developed by DRDO and manufactured by BDL.
• The aerial targets like jets, drones, air to surface missiles at a distance of 30 km can be targeted using Akash.
• The missile can be launched from mobile platforms like tanks and trucks.

Correct Answer – C. Neowise

Explanation:  The images of the comet Neowise(C/2020 F3), were captured by NASA astronaut Bob Behnken from International Space Station (ISS) camera, which was discovered by the Neowise space telescope, short for the Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer.

Correct Answer – E. Both B & C

Explanation: The book, titled ‘Mahaveer: The Soldier who never died’ is authored by award winning author A.K. Srikumar and his wife, Rupa Srikumar. The book is a patriotic story about the courage and selfless love of Jaswant Singh Rawat who is one of the legendary Garhwali soldiers fought in Indo-Chinese battle of Nuranang in 1962. The book is published by Rupa Publications and represented by The Book Bakers.

Correct Answer – B. Andhra Pradesh

Explanation: Andhra Pradesh celebrated RythuDinotsavam (Farmer’s Day) to mark the 71st birth anniversary of YS Rajasekhara Reddy, 14th Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. The first RuthuDinotsavam(Farmer’s Day) was celebrated on 8th July 2019.

Correct Answer – B. $50 million

Explanation: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has released $50 million loan to L&T Infrastructure Finance Ltd. This is the first tranche of a $100 mn loan to L&T Infrastructure Finance Ltd for funding Renewable Energy projects in the country. This loan has been extended by the Bejing-based multilateral development bank to on-lend to large and mid-scale wind and solar power infra projects in India. A $100 million loan sanctioned by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to the unit of L&T Finance Holdings is AIIB’s first loan to a non-banking financial company (NBFC) in India.

Correct Answer – B. Odisha

Explanation:  The Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, launched the Bhubaneswar Land Use Intelligence System (BLUIS), a flagship development of the General Administration and Public grievances departments. Odisha becomes the first state in India to use high resolution satellite imagery utilizing space technology and artificial intelligence to monitor government lands.

Correct Answer: D. IIT-Hyderabad

Explanation: Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) is tie-up with a multinational technology company, NVIDIA to establish India’s 1st ‘NVIDIA AI Technology Centre’ (NVAITC). This centre is established to accelerate research on Artificial Intelligence and its commercial adoption. IITH already houses two NVIDIA DGX-1TM systems and an NVIDIA DGX-2TM system dedicated to research being undertaken at the institute. Telangana govt has signed 8 Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with various companies, including NVIDIA among others on January 2, 2020. The State government recently announced 2020 as the ‘Year of AI’. NVIDIA is already a partner of the government in this endeavour.

Significance of the Tie-up:

• The projects to be taken up include, Increasing crop yields using AI algorithms and applying AI-based solutions to support safe transportation systems and better ways to manage traffic among others.
• The collaboration focuses on improvising AI research in the aspects of agriculture, smart cities and language understanding.
• The NVAITC will accelerate research for the 220 faculty at IITH, which is already among India’s foremost research institutions.
• This will build on the strong AI capabilities IITH has built, including the country’s first B.Tech in AI programme.”

• NVIDIA Headquarters: California, United States.
• NVIDIA Co-Founder, President and CEO: Jensen Huang.
• Director of IIT-Hyderabad:S.Murty.

Correct Answer – A. Rajasthan

Explanation: Raghu Sharma, Health minister of Rajasthan launched the week long campaign “Pure for Sure” from 8th July 2020 to 14th July 2020 – to ensure the purity of the milk and dairy products.

Correct Answer – C. Suresh Mathur

Explanation: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has formed a working group to examine the feasibility of ‘Pandemic Risk Pool’. Suresh Mathur, Executive Director, Irdai, will be the Chairman for the 9-member working group with industry representatives as members. Apart from studying the need for such as pool, the group will also recommend the structure and operating model.

Correct Answer – C. Ivory Coast

Explanation: Prime Minister of Ivory Coast, Amadou Gon Coulibaly passed away. He recently returned from France after receiving medical treatment. He was also chosen as the ruling party Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP)’s candidate for October’s presidential election. Amadou Gon Coulibaly served at many positions which includes technical advisor, senior civil servant, deputy and mayor of Korhogo, agriculture minister, cabinet minister. After serving as secretary general of the presidency for six years, he became the prime minister of Ivory Coast in January 2017.

• President of Ivory Coast: Alassane Ouattara
• Capital of Ivory Coast: Yamoussoukro
• Currency of Ivory Coast: West African CFA franc (XOF)

Correct Answer – B. 10th

Explanation:  Joshna Chinappa, 33 year old Indian Squash player ranked 10th in the latest PSA World Women’s Ranking 2020.She entered the top 10 of the PSA world ranking following the retirement of Raneem El Welily of Egypt. She first entered the top 10 list in 2016 second to Dipika Pallikal, the other Indian woman squash player to enter the top 10 ranking. Saurav Ghosal, India’s top male squash player, remains in the 13th position in the latest Professional Squash Association (PSA) ranking.

Correct Answer – B. Susheel Gowda

Explanation: Kannada TV actor, Susheel Gowda passed away. He joined the Kannada television serials in 2015 and acted in one or two Kannada films also. He played a role in serial Anthapura and was looking forward to establishing himself in the Kannada Film Industry. Other than an actor, he was also a fitness trainer.