Consider the following statements
- Romania
- Bulgaria
- Ukraine
- Russia
- Georgia
- Turkey
Which of the above countries are bordering with Black Sea?
- 1,4,5 and 6 only
- 2,3 and 6 only
- 1,2,3,4 and 6 only
- 1,2,3,4,5 and 6
Answer: (d) 1,2,3,4,5 and 6
Explanation:
In NEWS:Turkey discovers large natural gas reserve off Black Sea
- Recently, Turkey has found its biggest ever (a 320 billion cubic meter) natural gas field discovery in the Black Sea. The gas field will become functional in 2023.
- Turkey is determined to become a net energy exporter. The discovery has the potential to transform Turkey’s dependence on Russia, Iran, and Azerbaijan for energy imports.
- Turkey is also having strained relations with its neighbor Greece over the exploration of natural resources in the Mediterranean sea.
About Black sea
- Black Sea is an inland sea located between far-southeastern Europe and the far-western edges of the continent of Asia and the country of Turkey.
- Bordering Countries: Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, and Turkey.Hence option (d) is correct
- It connects to the Mediterranean Sea first through the Bosporus Strait, then through the Sea of Marmara and the Dardanelles Strait, then south through the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Crete.
- The Black Sea is also connected to the Sea of Azov by the Strait of Kerch.
Consider the following statements regarding West Nile Virus
- It is indigenous to Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia.
- It was first discovered in Uganda in 1937.
- It can cause a fatal neurological disease in humans.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1,2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1,2 and 3
Explanation:
In NEWS:West Nile virus outbreak claims two lives in Spain
An outbreak of West Nile virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, has claimed the lives of two people in southern spain
About West Nile Virus (WNV)
- West Nile Virus (WNV) can cause neurological disease and death in people. Hence statement 3 is correct.
- WNV is commonly found in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America and West Asia.Hence statement 1 is correct.
- WNV is maintained in nature in a cycle involving transmission between birds and mosquitoes.
- Humans, horses and other mammals can be infected.
- It was first discovered in Uganda in 1937.Hence statement 2 is correct
- West Nile Virus (WNV) is a member of the flavivirus genus and belongs to the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of the family Flaviviridae.
- It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito.
- There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people.
- West Nile virus is a single-stranded RNA virus that causes West Nile fever.
Consider the following statements regarding Aarogya Setu
- It is a COVID-19 tracking app that uses GPS and Bluetooth features of smartphones to track the infection as well as close contacts of infected persons.
- It has been developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: Government launches ‘Open API Service’ in Aarogya Setu app
- The Government has introduced ‘Open API Service’, a novel feature to help the people, businesses and the economy to return to normalcy.
- The Open API Service of Aarogya Setu can be availed by organizations and business entities, which are registered in India with more than 50 employees.
- They can use the Open API Service to query the Aarogya Setu Application in real-time and get the health status of their employees or any other AarogyaSetu User, who have provided their consent for sharing their health status with the organization.
- The Open API shall only provide the AarogyaSetu status and name of the AarogyaSetu User (with User’s consent).
- No other personal data shall be provided through the API.
About AarogyaSetu
- It is a mobile app launched by the Government to connect essential health services with the citizens of India.
- It is a COVID-19 tracking app that uses GPS and Bluetooth features of smartphones to track the infection as well as close contacts of infected persons.Hence statement 1 is correct
- Once installed in a smartphone the app detects other devices with AarogyaSetu installed that come in the proximity of that phone.
- The app uses Bluetooth technology, algorithms and artificial intelligence to calculate the risk of infection if any of these contacts is tested positive.
- The App will help the Government take necessary timely steps for assessing risk of spread of COVID-19 infection, and ensuring isolation where required.
- The mobile app has been developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).Hence statement 2 is correct
Which one of the following National Parks lies completely in in the Eastern Himalayas’ submontaneTerai belt?
- Neora Valley National Park
- Valley of Flowers National Park
- Jim Corbett National Park
- Gorumara National Park
Answer: (d) Gorumara National Park
Explanation:
In NEWS:Orlando the dog cracks his first case: Gaur poaching
Under two months after he joined the forest department, Orlando—a Belgian Malinois dog—helped crack a case of gaur (Indian bison) poaching at the Gorumara National Park in north Bengal
About Gorumara National Park
- It is located in the Eastern Himalayas’ submontane Terai belt. Hence option (d) is correct
- This region has rolling forests and riverine grasslands, and is known as the Dooars in West Bengal.
- The park is located on the flood plains of the Murti River and Raidak River. The major river of the park is the Jaldhaka river, a tributary of the Brahmaputra river system.
- In this regard, Gorumara is a significant watershed area between the Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems.
- The park is rich in large herbivores including Indian rhinoceros, gaur, Asian elephant, sloth bear, chital, and sambar deer. Small herbivores include barking deer, hog deer and wild boar.
Consider the following statements regardingIndian bison
- It is native to South and Southeast Asia
- It has been listed as an endangered on the IUCN Red List
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
In NEWS:Sniffer dog Orlando cracks his first case: Bison poaching in north Bengal
- The Gaur called the Indian bison, is native to South and Southeast Asia. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The domesticated form of the gaur is called gayal (Bos frontalis) or mithun.
- It is the tallest species of wild cattle found in India and largest extant bovine.
- In India, they are found in Nagarhole, Bandipur, Masinagudi National Parks and BR Hills.
- It has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986.Hence statement 2 is incorrect
- Included in the Schedule I of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
- Due to the destruction in the grasslands, planting of commercially important trees, invasive plant species and indiscriminate grazing of domestic animals
Consider the following statements regarding African Union (AU)
- It is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent.
- It is headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS:African Union’s peace and security architecture: Filling the gaps
- The AU’s African Peace and Security Architecture was established when the organisation adopted the Protocol on the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council in July 2002. It is guided by the AU’s mandate and its interventionist approach.
- The architecture, which has five pillars composed of AU organs and bodies, drives the AU’s peace and security work. Its aim is to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts by working collaboratively with the Regional Economic Communities and Mechanisms.
- The five pillars are: the Peace and Security Council, the Panel of the Wise; the Continental Early Warning System; the Standby Force, and the Peace Fund.
About the African union
- The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent.Hence statement 1 is correct
- Functions: To achieve greater unity and solidarity between the African countries and Africans, To defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of its Member States and To accelerate the political and social-economic integration of the continent.
- The bloc was launched on 9 July 2002 in South Africa.
- It was officially launched as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999).
- The most important decisions of the AU are made by the Assembly of the African Union, a semi-annual meeting of the heads of state and government of its member states.
- The AU’s secretariat, the African Union Commission, is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Hence statement 2 is correct
Mousuni Islands, is recently seen in news, is located near
- Kerala
- Punjab
- Assam
- West Bengal
Answer: (d) West Bengal
Explanation:
In NEWS:Disaster strikes Bengal’s Mousuni island third time in 10 months
- Recent breach in embankments follow the devastatations caused by cyclones Amphan, Bulbul
- Mousuni Island in West Bengal’s Sundarbans region was severely impacted August 20-21, 2020 by extreme weather. The combined impact of a low pressure, easterly winds and a high tide caused several breaches in surrounding river bunds. The ingress of saline water affected thousands.
- Mousuni, along with Ghoramara and Sagar, are among the most vulnerable in the region, climate experts have pointed out. The three adjacent islands underline the high climate risk faced by the risk of western part of Indian Sundarbans.
About Mousuni Islands
- Mousuni Islands are in the Ganges delta, lying on the continental shelf of Bay of Bengal to the south of Kolkata, West Bengal. Mousuni, a small island near Namkhana, West Bengal, India (on NH 117).Hence option (d) is correct
- Mousini Island is a heavenly abode for all the bird watchers and kakramarirchor is the ideal point.
- Mousuni, which lies a few km south of Ghoramara and Ganga Sagar. Ganga Sagar is the largest island in the Sundarbans archipelago. It is one of the most famous Hindu pilgrimage centres in India.
Recently, the Vice President of India released a report titled ‘Status of Sex Ratio at Birth in India’, was brought out by the
- Population Foundation of India
- Indian Association of Parliamentarians for Population and Development
- Indian Association for the Study of Population
- Ministry of Women and Child Development
Answer: (b) Indian Association of Parliamentarians for Population and Development
Explanation:
In NEWS: Vice President urges political parties to arrive at consensus to provide reservation to women in Parliament & state legislatures
- In a Facebook Post titled “End Discrimination, Empower Women”, Mr Naidu pointed out that with women constituting about 50 percent of India’s population, progress cannot be achieved unless they are given equal opportunities in all spheres, including the political arena.
- While observing that the flagship scheme BetiBachao, BetiPadhao has created a positive impact, much more needs to be done to change societal mindset
- The Vice President recently released a report- Status of Sex Ratio at Birth in India which mentioned that there has not been any change in the sex ratio at birth in India from 2001-2017–the number of girl children born is much less than what is the general or natural norm.
- It was brought out by the Indian Association of Parliamentarians for Population and Development (IAPPD).Hence option (b) is correct
- Stressing the need for rigorous implementation of Pre-conception & Pre-natal Diagnostics Techniques law to bring about a balance in the sex ratio, the Vice President said there should be zero tolerance towards any kind of discrimination or violence against girls and women.
- Calling upon the people to collectively declare a war on poverty, illiteracy and other social hurdles coming in the way of building a New India
Consider the following statements regarding Nuakhai Juhar
- It is an agricultural festival celebrated in Odisha and Chhattisgarh
- It is observed to welcome the new rice of the season.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS:PM Modi extends greeting to farmers on ‘Nuakhai Juhar’
- Nuakhai Juhar is the agricultural festival is also called Nuakhai Parab or Nuakahi Bhetghat.
- ‘Nuakhai Juhar’, which is one of the most ancient festivals celebrated in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and areas of neighbouring states to welcome the new crop of the season. Hence statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is correct
- Nuakhai is a combination of two words signifies eating of new rice as ‘nua’ means new and ‘khai’ means eat.
- Farmers offer the first produce from their lands to Goddess Samaleswari, the famous ‘Mother Goddess’ of Sambalpur district of Odisha.
- Moreover, locals also organise several cultural programmes – folk songs and dances in their respective districts on this day to display the state’s local culture and tradition
- Nuakhai is understood to have nine colours and as a consequence nine sets of rituals are followed as a prelude to the actual day of celebration
- People offer the newly harvested crop called Nabanha to their respective presiding deities. After offering the Nabanha, people relish different types of delicacies prepared from the newly harvested crop.
- The Nuakhai Juhar is a major ritual of the festival. It is an exchange of greetings with friend relative and well-wishers.
Who among the following Mughal Emperors shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to album and individual portrait?
- Humayun
- Akbar
- Jahangir
- Shah Jahan
Answer: (c) Jahangir
Explanation:
- During Akbar’s reign many manuscripts were illustrated, the prominent being Razmnamah, the Persian translation of Mahabharata. It was during Jahangir’s reign that manuscripts became less important and individual portraits became more prominent. Hence option (c) is correct
