1. Fausta, a female black rhino, believed to be the world’s oldest rhino, had recently died in Tanzanian conservation area. What is the IUCN status of the black rhinos?
[A] Least concern
[B] Endangered
[C] Critically Endangered
[D] Near threatened
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Critically Endangered]
Notes:
Also known as “hook-lipped rhinoceros”, these species, though called “black” are in varying colours of brown and grey. They are found in South and East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Its IUCN status is critically endangered, though the South-Western status of the black rhinoceros is classified under vulnerable.
2. The recent Taiwanese anti-infiltration law is seen as a move against which country?
[A] Japan
[B] North Korea
[C] Russia
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [China]
Notes:
Taiwan parliament had recently passed an anti-infiltration law to counter the perceived threats from China as the nation prepares itself for a presidential vote. This legislation is part of the Taiwanese government’s efforts to curb China’s influence in the politics and democratic process through illegal funding, media etc.
3. The US Congress has recently demanded a probe into the aging Runit Dome as a part of the recently approved defence bill. Where is the Runit Dome located?
[A] Marshall Islands
[B] Palau
[C] Maui
[D] Federated States of Micronesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Marshall Islands]
Notes:
The US Congress has demanded the Department of energy to investigate the concrete dome full of nuclear wastes due to the threat posed by the rising sea levels in the Marshall Islands. The Runit Dome holds tonnes of radioactive wastes from dozens of US atomic bomb tests that were carried out during the Cold War.
4. Which state was the first to pass the anti-CAA resolution?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kerala]
Notes:
The Kerala government became the first in India to pass a resolution opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019. According to the state government, the Act is against the basic principles of the Indian constitution. This contentious law has caused widespread protests across the country.
5. David Stern who passed away recently was the Commissioner of which famous Sports league?
[A] Formula 1, F1
[B] National Basketball Association, NBA
[C] Major League Baseball, MLB
[D] National Hockey League, NHL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [National Basketball Association, NBA]
Notes:
A famous figure among the basketball Community David Stern passed away recently. He served as the Commissioner of National Basketball Association, NBA from 1984 to 2014. He also made a record of being the longest serving Commissioner of a major league. He played a crucial role in broadening the scope of NBA in the international arena and making it popular and successful. The Women’s National Basketball Association was founded under his leadership.
6. Umaro Cissoko Embalo was recently elected as the President of which country?
[A] Gambia
[B] Senegal
[C] Guinea-Bissau
[D] Guinea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Guinea-Bissau]
Notes:
Former Prime Minister and Army General of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Cissoko Embalo recently won in the second round of the presidential elections of the country. Jose Mario Vaz is the incumbent President of the country, who failed to win in the first round elections held earlier. Umaro Embalo, served as the Prime Minister under the presidency of Jose Mario Vaz from 2016 to 2018. Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa, which gained independence from Portugal in 1974.
7. Which country recorded the highest number of child births on the New Year’s Day?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] Pakistan
[D] Nigeria
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
As per the recent data of UNICEF, India recorded the highest number of child births on the New Year’s Day. Out of the 3, 92,078 babies born around the world on the day of New Year, 67,385 babies were born in India, which is the highest in the world. With 46,299 births, China is in the second place. UNICEF runs ‘ Every child alive’ campaign to ensure safe birth and pregnancy to every child and mother across the world.
8. The ancient festival of ‘Lai Haraoba’ is recently celebrated in which state?
[A] Assam
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Tripura
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Tripura]
Notes:
The ancient ritualistic festival observed by the people of ‘Meiti’ community of Manipur is recently celebrated in the capital city of Tripura, Agartala. Department of Information and Cultural Affairs of the Tripura state Government jointly organised this festival along with the cultural committees of the state. The festival is celebrated for five days, hosting many cultural events that include folk dance, oral literature and music.
9. When is the World Braille day celebrated every year?
[A] January 2
[B] January 3
[C] January 4
[D] January 5
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [January 4]
Notes:
The World Braille Day is celebrated across the world on the 4th day of January. The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution in November 2018, to announce January 4 as World Braille Day. Following the proclamation, the day has been observed since 2019. According to the World Health Organization, there are 36 million blind people and 216 million people with moderate to severe visual impairment. Invented by Louis Braille, Braille is a representation of letters and number using six dots, which could be interpreted by the visually impaired.
10. The Chief Minister of Kerala recently launched the state’s regulatory authority ‘K-RERA’. The authority is related to which field?
[A] Research
[B] Revenue
[C] Real Estate
[D] Railways
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Real Estate]
Notes:
The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan recently launched the Kerala Real Estate Regulatory Authority ‘K-RERA’ to boost the confidence of customers and make the real estate sector more transparent. Under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, passed in 2016, all state governments were directed to establish the regulating authority for real estate sector, RERA for regulation and dispute redressal in the sector.