WBCS Current Affairs 26/04/2014 to 02/05/2014
Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 10:55 am1.The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) launched city-specific domain names. To begin with this, dot London, the new domain for London, was launched marking the first time that businesses, organizations and individuals can apply for a web address ending in .london as an alternative to .com or .co.uk.
2.A research project named “SOLAR-JET” funded by the European Union (EU) has produced the world’s first “solar” jet fuel from water and carbon dioxide (CO2). Scientists have for the first time successfully showed the entire production chain for renewable kerosene, using concentrated light as a high-temperature energy source. The project is still in nascent stage, with a glassful of jet fuel produced in laboratory conditions, using simulated sunlight. However, researchers hope that in future any liquid hydrocarbon fuels could be produced from sunlight, CO2 and water.
3.A Southern California mite (Paratarsotomus macropalpis) was recently recorded running at up to 322 body lengths per second. This makes it the world’s fastest land animal. Previously, this record was held by the Australian tiger beetle, which was recorded running at 171 body lengths per second. By comparison, a cheetah running at 60 miles per hour reaches only about 16 body lengths per second. The mite’s speed in terms of body length per seconds is equivalent to a person running roughly 1300 miles per hour.
4.Muslim Brotherhood’s supreme guide, Mohamed Badie and 683 alleged supporters of the group have been sentenced to death by an Egyptian judge. The judge confirmed the death sentences of 37 of 529 alleged supporters condemned earlier.
5.The Philippines and the United States inked a 10-year Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) to allow a bigger US military presence on Filipino territory. This pact would would give U.S. forces temporary access to selected military camps and allow them to pre-position fighter jets and ships. It allows more US troops into the Philippines for joint military training exercises, but will not permit Washington to set up a permanent base in the Philippines or bring in nuclear weapons to the country.
6.Polo (43), India’s only gorilla, listed as one of the world’ s critically endangered species, passed away at the Mysore Zoo (Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens), Karnataka. The male Western Lowland Gorilla, which was gifted to Mysore zoo by Dublin zoo about 19 years ago, had been ill since over a month.
7.Researchers in South Korea have created unique patterns made from tiny, randomly scattered silver nano-wires. The invention may be utilized to authenticate goods and deal with the problem of counterfeiting.
How nanoscale ‘fingerprints’ are made?
The nanoscale ‘fingerprints’ are made by synthesizing a solution containing individual silver nanowires each with an average length of 10 to 50 µm, coating the nanowires with silica, doping them with specific fluorescent dyes and then randomly dropping them onto a transferable film made from flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
The fluorescent dyes allowed the patterns, which are invisible to the naked eye, to be visually identified and authenticated under an optical microscope. These could be used to tag a variety of goods from electronics and drugs to credit cards and bank notes.
8.The 28-nation bloc European Union (EU) has imposed a temporary ban on the import of Alphonso mangoes, the king of fruits, and 4 vegetables from India effective from May 1, 2014. The move by EU has led to protests from the Indian community, legislators and traders. The temporary ban includes Alphonso mangoes, eggplant, taro plant, bitter gourd and snake gourd, and prohibits the import to tackle the deficiency in the sanitary certification system of such products exported to the EU.
Which fruits and vegetables are banned by the EU?
EU has imposed a temporary ban on following:-
Fruit(s): Alphonso Mangoes
Vegetables: Eggplant (Baingan), Taro plant (Arbi), Bitter Gourd (Karela), Snake Gourd (Chichinda)
Why EU has banned Indian Mangoes and 4 vegetables?
The EU’s Standing Committee on Plant Health decided to impose the ban after 207 consignments of fruits and vegetables from India imported into the EU in 2013 were found to be contaminated by pests such as fruit flies and other quarantine pests. As per the Committee, the potential introduction of new pests could pose a threat to EU agriculture and production.
9.India’s premier defence equipment manufacturer Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully test-fired a new Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) interceptor missile capable of neutralizing any incoming long-range missile at higher altitude.
How this test was conducted by DRDO?
Firstly, the target which was a dummy incoming enemy missile was test fired from a naval ship more than 2,000 km away in the Bay of Bengal. Following this, after receiving signals from the radars, the interceptor missile blasted off from the launch pad-IV of Integrated Test Range at Wheeler Island off the coast of Odisha to hit this target missile.
What are the objectives of the Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) mission?
DRDO is working to develop sophisticated interceptor missiles capable of neutralizing any incoming long-range missile at higher altitude. The latest PDV mission seeks to engage targets in the exo-atmosphere region at more than 120 km altitude.
DRDO’s achievements in Interceptor Missile Development:
Earlier DRDO had successfully tested six interceptor missiles developed by it, both in the endo-atmosphere (within 30 km altitude above the sea level) and exo-atmosphere stage (above 30 km altitude above the sea level).
The Prithvi Air Defence interceptor missile has already exhibited its precision at an altitude of 50 km and 80 km while the Advanced Air Defence interceptor missile has striked the target missile at an altitude of 15 km to 30 km.
10.President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent for dissolution of the Andhra Pradesh assembly and a fresh proclamation for central rule in Andhra Pradesh.
Why President’s rule was imposed in AP?
President’s rule was imposed in Andhra Pradesh on March 1, 2014 after CM of the state N. Kiran Kumar Reddy resigned following the clearance of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill by the Indian Parliament. The Bill is meant to carve out a separate Telangana State.
The Union Cabinet had suggested dissolution of the state assembly and proclamation of the president’s rule there beyond April 30, 2014, circumventing the need for calling a special session of Parliament to ratify the proclamation.
The step will buy Centre two more months before approaching Parliament for the mandatory ratification of president’s rule in the state. Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh are being conducted along with the Lok Sabha elections.
What does Article 356 of the Constitution of India says on this?
As per the Clause 3 of Article 356 of Constitution of India, a proclamation imposing central rule needs to be ratified by the Parliament within 2 months and shall cease to operate at the expiration of 2 months if it is not approved by both Houses of Parliament during this period.
11.Rajeev Suri (46) has been announced the new CEO of Finnish telecommunications gadget manufacturer Nokia. Previously, Suri was the head of Nokia Solutions and Networks (NSN), the smaller network equipment unit of Nokia when the company still made mobile phones. Suri one of those rare top corporate executives who have attained heights without pursuing any MBA/PG degree.
Recently, Nokia finalized a $7.5 billion deal for the sale of its struggling mobile phone business to Microsoft.
12.The Goldman Environmental Foundation awarded six environmental activists from India, Peru, Russia and three other countries Goldman Prize for year 2014. India’s Ramesh Agrawal has been given the prize for helping villagers to battle coal mining in Chhattisgarh.
13.The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released, on its website for public comments, the Report of the GIRO (Government Internal Revenue Order) Advisory Group. GIRO Advisory Group (GAG) was constituted by the RBI in October 2013, under the chairmanship of Prof. Umesh Bellur, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay to implement a national GIRO-based Indian Bill Payment System.
The panel has recommended a mechanism for centralised bills payment system in India, mainly by laying out 2 organisations:
Bharat Bill Payment Services (BBPS)
Bharat Bill Payment Operating Units (BBPOUs)
14.15th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) informally known as the “Bollywood Oscars,” held in US for the first time. The ceremony was held at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida,US. The 2014 IIFA Awards honoured the best films of 2013, took place between April 23-26, 2014. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was awarded the most awards (14).
Hollywood star John Travolta was also awarded at the ceremony for his outstanding contribution to International cinema.
Winners
Popular Awards
Best Film: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Director: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra– Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Actor In A Leading Role: Farhan Akhtar – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag as Milkha Singh
Best Actress In A Leading Role: Deepika Padukone – Chennai Express as Meenalochni Azhagusundaram
Best Actor In A Supporting Role: Aditya Roy Kapur – Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani as Avinash “Avi” Arora
Best Actress In A Supporting Role: Divya Dutta – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag as Ishri Kaur
Male Debutant Star: Dhanush – Raanjhanaa as Kundan Shankar
Female Debutant Star: Vaani Kapoor – Shuddh Desi Romance as Tara
Best Performance In A Comic Role: Arshad Warsi – Jolly LLB as Jagdish Tyagi (Jolly)
Best Performance In A Negative Role: Rishi Kapoor– Aurangzeb as DCP Ravikant, HPS
Best Story: Prasoon Joshi – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Musical awards
Best Music Direction: Aashiqui 2 – Mithoon, Ankit Tiwari, Jeet Ganguly
Best Lyrics: Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2 – Mithoon
Best Male Playback Singer: Ankit Tiwari for Sunn Raha Hai;– Aashiqui 2
Best Female Playback Singer: Shreya Ghoshal for Sunn Raha Hai – Aashiqui 2
Best Sound Design: Nakul Kamte – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Background Score: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Technical awards
Best Action: Sham Kaushal & Tony Ching Siu Tung – Krrish 3
Best Special Effects: Keitan Yadav & Haresh Hingorani (Red Chillies VFX) – Krrish 3
Best Choreography: Remo D’souza – Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Best Cinematography: Binod Pradhan – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Costume Design: Dolly Ahluwalia – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Dialogue: Prasoon Joshi – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Editing: P. S. Bharti – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Makeup: Vikram Gaikwad – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Production Design: Wasiq Khan – Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela
Best Screenplay: Prasoon Joshi – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Sound Mixing: Anup Dev – Chennai Express, Debajit Changmai – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Sound Recording: Vinod Verma for Lungi Dance – Chennai Express
15.Suresh Reddy has been appointed as a full-time envoy for ASEAN. Reddy is at present ambassador in Iraq and has been given credit for swinging about the Indo-Iraqi links. The Indian mission would be based out of Jakarta (Indonesia), which houses the ASEAN secretariat.
16.Australian scientists have discovered an entirely new brittle, translucent, orthorombic crystalline structure, purple and translucent mineral “Putnisite,” in a surface outcrop at Polar Bear peninsula, Southern Lake Cowan in Western Australia. It occurs as tiny crystals, smaller than 0.5 mm in diameter, and is found on volcanic rock. It appears as dark pink spots on green-white rocks and forms almost perfect cube-shaped crystals. At present it is unclear whether Putnisite will have any practical applications.
Why discovery of “Putnisite” is different from the world’s known 4,000 minerals?
The discovery of “Putnisite” so special and different from from the world’s known 4,000 minerals is its very strange combination of Strontium(Sr), Calcium(Ca), Chromium(Cr), Sulphur(S), Carbon(C), Oxygen(O) and Hydrogen(H) elements, forming a kind of panoptic and distinctive formula “SrCa4Cr83+(CO3)8SO4(OH)16•25H2O”. Thus, an unusual elemental combination is notable for its dissimilarity from other known families of minerals.
2.A research project named “SOLAR-JET” funded by the European Union (EU) has produced the world’s first “solar” jet fuel from water and carbon dioxide (CO2). Scientists have for the first time successfully showed the entire production chain for renewable kerosene, using concentrated light as a high-temperature energy source. The project is still in nascent stage, with a glassful of jet fuel produced in laboratory conditions, using simulated sunlight. However, researchers hope that in future any liquid hydrocarbon fuels could be produced from sunlight, CO2 and water.
3.A Southern California mite (Paratarsotomus macropalpis) was recently recorded running at up to 322 body lengths per second. This makes it the world’s fastest land animal. Previously, this record was held by the Australian tiger beetle, which was recorded running at 171 body lengths per second. By comparison, a cheetah running at 60 miles per hour reaches only about 16 body lengths per second. The mite’s speed in terms of body length per seconds is equivalent to a person running roughly 1300 miles per hour.
4.Muslim Brotherhood’s supreme guide, Mohamed Badie and 683 alleged supporters of the group have been sentenced to death by an Egyptian judge. The judge confirmed the death sentences of 37 of 529 alleged supporters condemned earlier.
5.The Philippines and the United States inked a 10-year Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) to allow a bigger US military presence on Filipino territory. This pact would would give U.S. forces temporary access to selected military camps and allow them to pre-position fighter jets and ships. It allows more US troops into the Philippines for joint military training exercises, but will not permit Washington to set up a permanent base in the Philippines or bring in nuclear weapons to the country.
6.Polo (43), India’s only gorilla, listed as one of the world’ s critically endangered species, passed away at the Mysore Zoo (Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens), Karnataka. The male Western Lowland Gorilla, which was gifted to Mysore zoo by Dublin zoo about 19 years ago, had been ill since over a month.
7.Researchers in South Korea have created unique patterns made from tiny, randomly scattered silver nano-wires. The invention may be utilized to authenticate goods and deal with the problem of counterfeiting.
How nanoscale ‘fingerprints’ are made?
The nanoscale ‘fingerprints’ are made by synthesizing a solution containing individual silver nanowires each with an average length of 10 to 50 µm, coating the nanowires with silica, doping them with specific fluorescent dyes and then randomly dropping them onto a transferable film made from flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
The fluorescent dyes allowed the patterns, which are invisible to the naked eye, to be visually identified and authenticated under an optical microscope. These could be used to tag a variety of goods from electronics and drugs to credit cards and bank notes.
8.The 28-nation bloc European Union (EU) has imposed a temporary ban on the import of Alphonso mangoes, the king of fruits, and 4 vegetables from India effective from May 1, 2014. The move by EU has led to protests from the Indian community, legislators and traders. The temporary ban includes Alphonso mangoes, eggplant, taro plant, bitter gourd and snake gourd, and prohibits the import to tackle the deficiency in the sanitary certification system of such products exported to the EU.
Which fruits and vegetables are banned by the EU?
EU has imposed a temporary ban on following:-
Fruit(s): Alphonso Mangoes
Vegetables: Eggplant (Baingan), Taro plant (Arbi), Bitter Gourd (Karela), Snake Gourd (Chichinda)
Why EU has banned Indian Mangoes and 4 vegetables?
The EU’s Standing Committee on Plant Health decided to impose the ban after 207 consignments of fruits and vegetables from India imported into the EU in 2013 were found to be contaminated by pests such as fruit flies and other quarantine pests. As per the Committee, the potential introduction of new pests could pose a threat to EU agriculture and production.
9.India’s premier defence equipment manufacturer Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully test-fired a new Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) interceptor missile capable of neutralizing any incoming long-range missile at higher altitude.
How this test was conducted by DRDO?
Firstly, the target which was a dummy incoming enemy missile was test fired from a naval ship more than 2,000 km away in the Bay of Bengal. Following this, after receiving signals from the radars, the interceptor missile blasted off from the launch pad-IV of Integrated Test Range at Wheeler Island off the coast of Odisha to hit this target missile.
What are the objectives of the Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) mission?
DRDO is working to develop sophisticated interceptor missiles capable of neutralizing any incoming long-range missile at higher altitude. The latest PDV mission seeks to engage targets in the exo-atmosphere region at more than 120 km altitude.
DRDO’s achievements in Interceptor Missile Development:
Earlier DRDO had successfully tested six interceptor missiles developed by it, both in the endo-atmosphere (within 30 km altitude above the sea level) and exo-atmosphere stage (above 30 km altitude above the sea level).
The Prithvi Air Defence interceptor missile has already exhibited its precision at an altitude of 50 km and 80 km while the Advanced Air Defence interceptor missile has striked the target missile at an altitude of 15 km to 30 km.
10.President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent for dissolution of the Andhra Pradesh assembly and a fresh proclamation for central rule in Andhra Pradesh.
Why President’s rule was imposed in AP?
President’s rule was imposed in Andhra Pradesh on March 1, 2014 after CM of the state N. Kiran Kumar Reddy resigned following the clearance of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill by the Indian Parliament. The Bill is meant to carve out a separate Telangana State.
The Union Cabinet had suggested dissolution of the state assembly and proclamation of the president’s rule there beyond April 30, 2014, circumventing the need for calling a special session of Parliament to ratify the proclamation.
The step will buy Centre two more months before approaching Parliament for the mandatory ratification of president’s rule in the state. Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh are being conducted along with the Lok Sabha elections.
What does Article 356 of the Constitution of India says on this?
As per the Clause 3 of Article 356 of Constitution of India, a proclamation imposing central rule needs to be ratified by the Parliament within 2 months and shall cease to operate at the expiration of 2 months if it is not approved by both Houses of Parliament during this period.
11.Rajeev Suri (46) has been announced the new CEO of Finnish telecommunications gadget manufacturer Nokia. Previously, Suri was the head of Nokia Solutions and Networks (NSN), the smaller network equipment unit of Nokia when the company still made mobile phones. Suri one of those rare top corporate executives who have attained heights without pursuing any MBA/PG degree.
Recently, Nokia finalized a $7.5 billion deal for the sale of its struggling mobile phone business to Microsoft.
12.The Goldman Environmental Foundation awarded six environmental activists from India, Peru, Russia and three other countries Goldman Prize for year 2014. India’s Ramesh Agrawal has been given the prize for helping villagers to battle coal mining in Chhattisgarh.
13.The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released, on its website for public comments, the Report of the GIRO (Government Internal Revenue Order) Advisory Group. GIRO Advisory Group (GAG) was constituted by the RBI in October 2013, under the chairmanship of Prof. Umesh Bellur, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay to implement a national GIRO-based Indian Bill Payment System.
The panel has recommended a mechanism for centralised bills payment system in India, mainly by laying out 2 organisations:
Bharat Bill Payment Services (BBPS)
Bharat Bill Payment Operating Units (BBPOUs)
14.15th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) informally known as the “Bollywood Oscars,” held in US for the first time. The ceremony was held at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida,US. The 2014 IIFA Awards honoured the best films of 2013, took place between April 23-26, 2014. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was awarded the most awards (14).
Hollywood star John Travolta was also awarded at the ceremony for his outstanding contribution to International cinema.
Winners
Popular Awards
Best Film: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Director: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra– Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Actor In A Leading Role: Farhan Akhtar – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag as Milkha Singh
Best Actress In A Leading Role: Deepika Padukone – Chennai Express as Meenalochni Azhagusundaram
Best Actor In A Supporting Role: Aditya Roy Kapur – Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani as Avinash “Avi” Arora
Best Actress In A Supporting Role: Divya Dutta – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag as Ishri Kaur
Male Debutant Star: Dhanush – Raanjhanaa as Kundan Shankar
Female Debutant Star: Vaani Kapoor – Shuddh Desi Romance as Tara
Best Performance In A Comic Role: Arshad Warsi – Jolly LLB as Jagdish Tyagi (Jolly)
Best Performance In A Negative Role: Rishi Kapoor– Aurangzeb as DCP Ravikant, HPS
Best Story: Prasoon Joshi – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Musical awards
Best Music Direction: Aashiqui 2 – Mithoon, Ankit Tiwari, Jeet Ganguly
Best Lyrics: Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2 – Mithoon
Best Male Playback Singer: Ankit Tiwari for Sunn Raha Hai;– Aashiqui 2
Best Female Playback Singer: Shreya Ghoshal for Sunn Raha Hai – Aashiqui 2
Best Sound Design: Nakul Kamte – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Background Score: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Technical awards
Best Action: Sham Kaushal & Tony Ching Siu Tung – Krrish 3
Best Special Effects: Keitan Yadav & Haresh Hingorani (Red Chillies VFX) – Krrish 3
Best Choreography: Remo D’souza – Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Best Cinematography: Binod Pradhan – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Costume Design: Dolly Ahluwalia – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Dialogue: Prasoon Joshi – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Editing: P. S. Bharti – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Makeup: Vikram Gaikwad – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Production Design: Wasiq Khan – Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela
Best Screenplay: Prasoon Joshi – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Sound Mixing: Anup Dev – Chennai Express, Debajit Changmai – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Sound Recording: Vinod Verma for Lungi Dance – Chennai Express
15.Suresh Reddy has been appointed as a full-time envoy for ASEAN. Reddy is at present ambassador in Iraq and has been given credit for swinging about the Indo-Iraqi links. The Indian mission would be based out of Jakarta (Indonesia), which houses the ASEAN secretariat.
16.Australian scientists have discovered an entirely new brittle, translucent, orthorombic crystalline structure, purple and translucent mineral “Putnisite,” in a surface outcrop at Polar Bear peninsula, Southern Lake Cowan in Western Australia. It occurs as tiny crystals, smaller than 0.5 mm in diameter, and is found on volcanic rock. It appears as dark pink spots on green-white rocks and forms almost perfect cube-shaped crystals. At present it is unclear whether Putnisite will have any practical applications.
Why discovery of “Putnisite” is different from the world’s known 4,000 minerals?
The discovery of “Putnisite” so special and different from from the world’s known 4,000 minerals is its very strange combination of Strontium(Sr), Calcium(Ca), Chromium(Cr), Sulphur(S), Carbon(C), Oxygen(O) and Hydrogen(H) elements, forming a kind of panoptic and distinctive formula “SrCa4Cr83+(CO3)8SO4(OH)16•25H2O”. Thus, an unusual elemental combination is notable for its dissimilarity from other known families of minerals.