Current Affairs Quiz/Questions-answers December 2013, December 2- 8 December 13

Nelson Mandela was an anti-apartheid revolutionary in South Africa who passed away on 5 November 2013 at the age of 95. He died at his house in Johannesburg after a long illness. Mandela was widely known as Madiba in South Africa.

The correct answer is Union Agriculture Minister, Sharad Pawar. The informal Group of Ministers (GoM) recommended a bailout package to the Sugar Industry, which included 7200 crore rupees at 12 percent interest rate to sugar mills by the banks to pay off the arrears of the sugarcane growers. As the Union Agriculture Minister, Sharad Pawar would be responsible for overseeing and addressing issues related to the agriculture sector, including the sugar industry. Therefore, it is logical to conclude that he would head the GoM on this matter.

The correct answer is eight. Sri Lanka's Board of Investment announced plans to start eight export processing and industrial zones across the country. These economic zones are expected to begin operations in 2014.

Saudi Arabia declined to accept the membership in protest of the failure of UNSC to end the Syrian and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts. This created a vacancy in the non-permanent member seat of the United Nations Security Council. Jordan was then elected to fill this seat on 7 December 2013.

The correct answer is Andhra Pradesh. The Union Cabinet approved the Telangana draft Bill, which means that the state of Andhra Pradesh will be divided to create a new state called Telangana.

Hyderabad will be the capital of both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for a period not exceeding 10 years. This means that Hyderabad will serve as the capital for both states, but the duration of this arrangement will not exceed 10 years. After this period, it is likely that the two states will establish separate capital cities.

Armed Forces Flag Day is observed on 7 December 2013. The day is dedicated to remembering the sacrifices made by the brave servicemen of India in protecting the country's borders. It is also a day to honor the martyrs, show support for the welfare of widows, children, disabled, and sick ex-servicemen. This day serves as an opportunity for the nation to express solidarity and gratitude towards the armed forces.

Article 371-D of the Constitution of India grants special status to the two states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for equitable opportunities for education and public employment. This article provides for the establishment of a separate development board for both states, which will be responsible for ensuring the proper utilization of funds for the development of these regions. It also allows for the reservation of seats in educational institutions and public services for local candidates in these states. This special provision recognizes the historical and socio-economic disparities in these regions and aims to promote their overall development.

The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013 was implemented in India on 6 December 2013, except in the state of Rajasthan. This act aims to prohibit the employment of manual scavengers, who are individuals engaged in the hazardous and inhumane practice of manually cleaning and handling human waste. The act also focuses on the rehabilitation and welfare of manual scavengers, providing them with alternative livelihood options and ensuring their social inclusion. However, Rajasthan has not implemented this act, which means that manual scavenging may still be prevalent in the state, posing a threat to the dignity and safety of individuals involved in this occupation.

The correct answer is Sudan. The resignation of Ali Osman Taha, the vice-president, suggests a political transition in a country that has been experiencing a long-standing civil war. Sudan fits this description as it has been grappling with internal conflicts, particularly the civil war in Darfur, for many years.

The Supreme Court of India, on 5 December 2013, supported the idea of imposing life imprisonment as a punishment for individuals involved in the production and sale of adulterated milk. This implies that those found guilty of such activities would be sentenced to spend their entire life in prison as a consequence of their actions.

The 9th WTO Ministerial Meet in Bali concluded with agreements on various issues such as trade facilitation and permits for storing food grains in times of contingency. However, an agreement on services was not reached by the member countries. This means that there was no consensus or understanding among the countries regarding the liberalization of trade in services.

The correct answer is "Challenges and opportunities in the changing paradigm in Asia." This is because the theme of the 8th Asia Gas Partnership Summit, as mentioned in the given information, was focused on discussing the challenges and opportunities that arise from the changing paradigm in Asia's gas market. The summit aimed to explore green alternatives to existing fossil fuel consumption and to collaborate effectively in order to meet these challenges.

Miss Venezuela Alyz Henrich was crowned with the pageant of Miss Earth 2013 at the Versailles Palace, Philippines. She received the crown from Tereza Fajksova, the Miss Earth 2012 from Czech Republic.

The correct answer is Adidas. Adidas is the manufacturer of the Brazuka, the official match ball for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. They unveiled the ball on 3 December 2013.

The theme for International Volunteer Day 2013 was "Young-Global-Active." This theme suggests that the focus of the day was on engaging and empowering young people to become active participants in global initiatives and projects. It highlights the importance of involving young individuals in volunteer work and recognizing their contributions to economic and social development at all levels - local, national, and international.

not-available-via-ai

The correct answer is 6 December 2013. This is the date when the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013 came into effect. This act prohibits the employment of manual scavengers, the manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks without protective equipment, and the construction of insanitary latrines.

The 2018 Winter Olympics will be held in PyeongChang, South Korea.

India outbid Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Ireland, and South Africa to host the U-17 FIFA World Cup in 2017.

The correct answer is Germany. The Suzlon group received orders to supply wind turbines in Germany as declared by the company.

Tulsi Tanti is the correct answer because he is the chairman of Suzlon, a well-known wind turbine maker.

Germany has declared to phase out all nuclear power by 2022. This decision was made after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan in 2011, which led to increased concerns about the safety of nuclear power. Germany's decision to phase out nuclear power reflects their commitment to transitioning to renewable energy sources and reducing their reliance on nuclear energy.

The 2014 Winter Olympics were held in Sochi, Russia.

The correct answer is Finland and Switzerland. This is because the question asks for the least corrupt countries according to the Global Corruption Perception Index 2013. The Index ranks countries based on their perceived levels of public sector corruption. Finland and Switzerland were ranked as the least corrupt countries in that year's index.

The correct answer is CD8 T Cells. Scientists at Oxford have developed a novel vaccine for Malaria that has shown to have a protective effect through a sufficiently high immune response involving CD8 T cells. CD8 T cells, also known as cytotoxic T cells, play a crucial role in the immune response by recognizing and killing infected cells. This immune response helps to prevent the spread and replication of the Malaria parasite in the body, ultimately leading to protection against the disease. CD10 T cells and CD4 T cells are not specifically mentioned in relation to the vaccine's protective effect.

Category 3 munitions are unfilled chemical weapons.

Park Geun-hye, the President of South Korea, agreed to join hands with Vice President of US, Joseph Biden, to denuclearize North Korea. This indicates that the two countries recognized the importance of working together to address the issue of North Korea's nuclear program.

Ahmet Uzumcu is the correct answer because he was re-appointed as the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on 4 December 2013. This was confirmed at the 18th Session of the Conference of State Parties, marking his second term in the office.

Bihar approved a new surrender and rehabilitation policy for Maoists on 3 December 2013. This policy aims to convince Naxals to surrender their weapons and reintegrate into society, leading a normal life. It also focuses on bringing the youth who have been influenced by Maoist ideology back into the mainstream of society.