11. ’Squirrelpox virus’ disease is spreading in which country?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] UK
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [UK]
Notes:
Squirrelpox virus is a deadly disease affecting the United Kingdom red squirrels. Invasive, non-native grey squirrels from North America are the main carriers of this pathogen.
The pox killed up to 80% of red squirrels over winter at one of just three sites 11,000 people have signed a petition calling on the Welsh government to fund vaccine research.
12. Which state/UT hosted the ‘5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure’?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Mumbai
[C] Chennai
[D] Jaipur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [New Delhi]
Notes:
The 5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure is being organized this year in New Delhi.
The theme for this event is ‘Delivering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure: Pathways for Risk Informed Systems, Practices and Investments’. The 50-million-dollar Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund was announced last year.
13. Which country launched the ‘Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative’?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] Australia
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [USA]
Notes:
Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative was launched by the US to increase Ukraine’s capacity to defend itself from Russia’s aggression.
Under this initiative, USD 2.6 billion military aid package was announced by the US. USAI is an authority under which the United States procures capabilities from industry.
14. Which institution released the ‘Infertility Prevalence Estimates, 1990–2021’ Report?
[A] WHO
[B] UNICEF
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] CDC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [WHO]
Notes:
The ‘Infertility Prevalence Estimates, 1990–2021’ report was released recently by the World Health Organization (WHO).
It provides the estimates of global and regional prevalence of infertility. According to this report, around 1 in 6 people experience infertility across the world.
15. Which country launched the ‘Overseas Security Assistance (OSA) programme’?
[A] USA
[B] Japan
[C] Australia
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Japan]
Notes:
Japan’s Overseas Security Assistance (OSA) programme was announced recently. It will provide financial assistance to help foreign nations strengthen their defences.
As per the foreign ministry, since the help would be offered as grants, only poor nations will be able to receive it.
16. Project CAVForth is the first registered service of which country to use full-sized autonomous buses?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] India
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UK]
Notes:
Project CAVForth was launched in 2019 to provide fully autonomous full-sized bus service across the Forth Road Bridge.
CAVForth is a joint project of various institutions and it is part funded by the UK Government’s Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. It will be the first registered service in the UK to use full-sized autonomous buses. Bus services under this project will be launched in Scotland soon.
17. ‘TOPS’ scheme, which was seen in the news, is associated with which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of External Affairs
[B] Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports]
Notes:
Target Olympic Podium Scheme’s purpose is to identify, groom and prepare potential candidates for Olympic medals.
The Sports Ministry’s Mission Olympic Cell recently gave nod for financial assistance under this scheme for 12 para-badminton players, who are set to participate in the upcoming Brazil Para-Badminton International.
18. ‘Lumpy Skin Disease’ causes high fever in which type of species?
[A] Cattle
[B] Poultry
[C] Fish
[D] Human Beings
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Cattle]
Notes:
Lumpy Skin Disease is a highly contagious viral infection of cattle and buffalo that causes high fever, large lymph nodes and multiple nodules on the skin and mucous membrane. The Indian Government is expecting stagnation in milk production and a possible scarcity due to the Lumpy Skin Disease, which resulted in deaths of over 1.89 lakh cattle recently.
19. ‘Parambikulam Tiger Reserve’ is situated in which state/UT?
[A] Kerala
[B] Jharkhand
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kerala]
Notes:Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is situated in Kerala in the Western Ghats. A Division Bench of the Kerala HC has ordered the wild elephant locally called ‘Arikompan’ to be captured, radio-collared and translocated to this protected area.
The Forest department approached the Assam government to procure a Satellite Radio Collar to be attached to the wild tusker in Idukki before it is translocated from Idukki to Parambikulam.
20. The Supreme Court set aside the orders of I&B Ministry and Kerala High Court, which refused to renew license of which channel?
[A] Alt News
[B] Media One
[C] News Minute
[D] Scroll
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Media One]
Notes:
The Supreme Court set aside the orders passed by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) on January 31, 2022, and the Kerala High Court on March 2, 2022, refusing to renew Malayalam news channel Media One’s broadcast license.
The apex court recently quashed the ‘sealed cover’ ban on Media One after the channel argued that it went against the principles of natural justice.