21. The India-US bilateral goods trade crossed which milestone recently?
[A] USD 10 billion
[B] USD 50 billion
[C] USD 100 billion
[D] USD 500 billion
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [USD 100 billion]
Notes:
According to figures released by the US Census Bureau, India-US bilateral goods trade was worth USD 113.391 billion from January to December 2021.
This is the largest volume of goods trade in a calendar year in India-US economic history. India exported goods worth over USD 73 billion, and imported goods worth over USD 40 billion dollars. In 2020 trade fell to USD 78.2 billion due to pandemic, from the high of USD 92.1 billion in 2019.
22. 110 million-year-old lizard species protected in a piece of amber has been found in which country?
[A] India
[B] Myanmar
[C] Japan
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Myanmar]
Notes:
A piece of amber with a well-preserved juvenile ‘Retinosaurus hkamtiensis’ was recovered from the near the Jade mines in Myanmar
The newly-identified lizard species was trapped in an araucarian tree resin about 110 million years ago. It is a representative of Scincoidea, a superfamily that includes skinks, armoured lizards and night lizards.
23. Which country has become the first to allow drones in civilian airspace?
[A] USA
[B] Israel
[C] Russia
[D] UAE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Israel]
Notes:
Israel’s Ministry of Transport and Road Safety has announced the country’s first certification for unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs) to operate in civilian airspace.
With this, it has become the first country to allow drones in civilian airspace. For safety purposes, international aviation regulations prohibit uncertified aircraft from flying in civilian airspace.
24. Which institution released a report titled ‘Reimagining Healthcare in India through Blended Finance’?
[A] Ministry of Health
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] AIIMS
[D] Reserve Bank of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [NITI Aayog]
Notes:
NITI Aayog released a report titled ‘Reimagining Healthcare in India through Blended Finance’. As per the report, about 65 per cent of hospital beds in the country cater to almost 50 per cent of the population concentrated in some states.
The report also stressed that the number of beds must be increased by at least 30 per cent to ensure equitable access to healthcare facilities for people.
25. Australia has recently designated which species as ‘Endangered’?
[A] Panda
[B] Koala
[C] Kangaroo
[D] Sloth
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Koala]
Notes:
Australia has recently designated the koala an endangered species, which was classified as vulnerable only 10 years ago.
The impact of prolonged drought, summer bushfires, and the cumulative impacts of disease, urbanisation and habitat loss over the last twenty years have led to the decision. From now, Koalas will be provided with greater protection under Australia’s national environment law.
26. Ilker Ayci, former Turkish Airlines Chairman has been appointed as the MD and CEO of which Indian Airlines?
[A] Spice Jet
[B] IndiGo
[C] Air India
[D] Vistara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Air India]
Notes:
The Tata Group has appointed Ilker Ayci, former Turkish Airlines Chairman, as Air India’s Managing Director and CEO.
The decision is in line with the Tata Group’s plans to appoint an expatriate chief to run Air India, which it took over from the Indian government recently.
27. Which country has invoked a never-before-used Emergency power, to curtail protests demanding end of Covid restrictions?
[A] USA
[B] Canada
[C] Australia
[D] Brazil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Canada]
Notes:
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked a never-before-used emergency power to curtail protests demanding end of Covid restrictions.
This decision was taken after anti-government protests in the Canadian capital and blockades at border crossings with the US. The country is witnessing over two weeks of “Freedom Convoy” protests by Canadian truckers and their supporters, demanding an end to all Covid restrictions.
28. Which High Court recently struck down the state’s ban on online gambling (after Kerala and Tamil Nadu)?
[A] Odisha
[B] Karnataka
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Karnataka]
Notes:
After Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Karnataka High Court has struck down the state’s ban on online gambling, declaring it to be ultra vires under the Constitution.
The Court struck down key amendments to the Karnataka Police Act, 1963, which were brought in last year to ban all forms of gambling in the state. The Court said that the state may bring in legislation to regulate betting and gambling, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
29. Which US state has sued Facebook parent Meta over facial recognition data?
[A] California
[B] Texas
[C] Flourida
[D] Houston
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Texas]
Notes:
The Texas Attorney General is suing Facebook’s parent company Meta, saying it allegedly collected biometric data on Texans for commercial purposes without their consent.
The suit claims that Facebook parent Meta has been storing millions of biometric identifiers, including retina or iris scans, voice prints, or a record of hand and face geometry.
30. Asteroid (130) Elektra, which was seen in the news, is known for which feature?
[A] First quadruple asteroid
[B] Largest Asteroid
[C] Nearest Asteroid to Earth
[D] Hottest Asteroid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [First quadruple asteroid]
Notes:
Astronomers have recently discovered a third moon orbiting the main-belt asteroid (130) Elektra, making it the first ‘Quadruple Asteroid’ ever found.
(130) Elektra is a large main-belt asteroid, first discovered in 1873 by Litchfield Observatory astronomers. It has an effective diameter of 199 km. The discovery of first quadruple asteroid system will help in understanding the mechanisms of the formation of these satellites.