31. Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) has extended a line of credit (LOC) worth USD 215.68 million to which country?
[A] Burundi
[B] Malawi
[C] Madagascar
[D] Bhutan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Malawi]
Notes:
The Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) has extended a line of credit (LOC) worth USD 215.68 million to the Malawi government for drinking water supply schemes and other development projects.
With this recent agreement, EXIM bank has extended five LOCs to Malawi, with the total value of LOCs being USD 395.68 million. Under this LOC, the projects covered are supply of irrigation network, cotton processing plant, green belt initiative, construction of water supply system, among others.
32. ‘Martyapura Re Jamaraj’, that won a special jury award at COVID-19 International Film Festival 2020, is a short film made in which language?
[A] Marathi
[B] Odia
[C] Hindi
[D] Kannada
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Odia]
Notes:
A short film produced by a group from a village of Odisha named ‘Martyapura Re Jamaraj’ (‘Yamaraj on earth’) has won a special jury award at the COVID-19 International Film Festival 2020.
The 13-minute short film directed in Odia language by Stitadhi Rath, seeks to spread awareness about preventive measures to curb the spread of coronavirus in the rural areas. The film uses humour genre to convey the message.
33. What is the theme of the “World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought”?
[A] Food.Feed.Fibre: Sustainable production and consumption
[B] Combatting Drought in 2020
[C] Cooperation in combatting Drought
[D] No more desertification
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Food.Feed.Fibre: Sustainable production and consumption]
Notes:
“World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought” is celebrated on June 17, every year across the world.
UN General Assembly declared June 17 as the specified World Day, to promote public awareness of the issues of Desertification and Drought. This year, the theme is “Food.Feed.Fibre: Sustainable production and consumption.” The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification leads the observance.
34. Chinese carmaker Great Wall Motors (GWM) signed MoU with which Indian state to modernise its manufacturing plant?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Gujarat
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Great Wall Motor (GWM), the Chinese carmaker recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra government.
GWM, also the latest Chinese automaker to enter the Indian market agreed to invest in modernising its Talegaon manufacturing plant. This investment is expected to generate employment for 3,000 people. The company also confirmed its plan to invest USD 1 billion in the Indian market.
35. The investment arm of NABARD, NABVENTURES Fund I, has made its first investment in which rural fintech start-up?
[A] Jai Kisan
[B] Zest Money
[C] Stellapps
[D] PayU
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jai Kisan]
Notes:
The investment arm of NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development), NABVENTURES Fund I has made its first investment in rural fintech start-up Jai Kisan.
NABVENTURES was launched in May 2019 with a proposed corpus of over ₹500 crore. The investment was made in the Mumbai-based start-up as part of a ₹30 crore funding round. Jai Kisan plans to invest the capital for hiring personnel and investing in its technology platform.
36. Which eclipse is to be witnessed on 21 June, 2020 in India?
[A] Total solar eclipse
[B] Partial solar eclipse
[C] Annular solar eclipse
[D] Lunar eclipse
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Annular solar eclipse]
Notes:
An annular solar eclipse would occur on 21 June this year. The annular phase is expected to be visible from some places of the country.
It would be seen as partial solar eclipse from the rest part of the country. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth and blocks the light of the sun from reaching the earth. As a result, the shadow of the moon is cast on the earth. Annular eclipse happens when the moon is farthest from the earth and a ring of fire structure is seen.
37. Which Tennis championships is scheduled to be held from August 31 to September 13 this year, without spectators?
[A] Australian Championship
[B] US Open Championship
[C] Wimbledon Championship
[D] French Open Championship
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [US Open Championship]
Notes:
As per the official confirmation, the US Open tennis championships will be held as scheduled in the month of August.
The championships will be held without spectators, in Queens, New York from August 31 to September 13. The New York Governor Andrew Cuomo formally gave approval to the event. There was uncertainty around the tournament, as the location is the epicentre of Covid-19 crisis in the US. Safety procedures and sanitation protocols would be followed.
38. India Ideas Summit is an annual conference held to promote trade between India and which country?
[A] Japan
[B] Souh Korea
[C] Russia
[D] United States
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [United States]
Notes:
The US Chamber of Commerce has recently announced that ‘India Ideas Summit 2020’ is scheduled to be held virtually on July 21-22.
The summit is organised by US India Business Council (USIBC). This year is the 45th annual meeting and will focus on geopolitics in the post-COVID world, technology trends and the future of healthcare, among others. Last year, the Summit was organised in Washington. It brings together scholars, diplomats and think tanks for high-level dialogue on key issues related to India.
39. What is the theme of the ‘World Hydrography Day 2020’?
[A] Hydrography enabling autonomous technologies
[B] Work and Contribution of Hydrographers
[C] Opportunity to highlight Hydrography
[D] Celebrating Hydrographic data
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Hydrography enabling autonomous technologies]
Notes:
The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and its international members celebrate World Hydrography Day every year on June 21.
The day highlights the importance of hydrography and its relevance in the modern world. This year, the theme of the World Hydrography Day is “Hydrography enabling autonomous technologies”. The autonomous technologies include aerial, surface and underwater survey drones as well as autonomous ships.
40. Which Indian has won the prestigious Peace Prize of the German Book Trade?
[A] Amartya Sen
[B] Raghuram Rajan
[C] Urjit Patel
[D] Manmohan Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Amartya Sen]
Notes:
Veteran Indian economist and Nobel-laureate Amartya Sen has won the prestigious Peace Prize of the German Book Trade.
The 86-year-old economist has been named for the award for his decades-long work on global justice and social inequality. The German Publishers and Booksellers Association, Börsenverein constituted the award. The association also mentioned Amartya Sen’s three significant concepts: ‘Human Development Index’, the ‘capabilities approach’ and the notion of ‘missing women’.