Daily Current Affairs 29 November 2014

1) Narendra Modi flagged off 1st train connecting Meghalaya: Meghalaya on 29 November 2014 came on the country's rail map more than six decades after independence, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagging off the first train to the northeastern state and favouring privatisation of railway stations. "Railway facilities are the same as they were 100 years back.... Privatise the railway stations and modernise them," he said after flagging off the first train linking Meghalaya. The first train from Meghalaya – the 55819 Up Mendipathar – Guwahati. Mendipathar is the first railway station in Meghalaya and train connectivity in the state became possible due to construction of the 19.75 km long line from Dudhnoi in Assam to Mendipathar.

2) Jhumpa Lahiri, Shamsur Rahman Faruqi in DSC Prize shortlist: Indian writer critic Shamsur Rahman Faruqi and Indian-American author Jhumpa Lahiri are among five authors shortlisted for next year's USD 50,000 DSC Prize for South Asian Literature. Lahiri's novel "The Lowland", an intimate portrayal of two brothers and political passion was earlier on the 2013 Man Booker Prize shortlist as well. Her debut short story collection, "Interpreter of Maladies" had won the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

3) Egypt court dropped charges against Hosni Mubarak: A court in Egypt has dropped charges against former President Hosni Mubarak over the killing of 239 protesters during the 2011 uprising against him. The Cairo court erupted in cheers when the judge said Mubarak should not have been a defendant in the case as the charges against him were added late.

4) ISRO to launch communication satellite GSAT-16 on December 5: India is set to launch its latest communication satellite GSAT-16 onboard Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana next month. “GSAT-16 communication satellite would be launched onboard Ariane 5 from French Guiana in the early hours of December 4 (Dec 5 in Indian time), a senior Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) official was quoted as saying to PTI. GSAT-16 will be the 11th among GSAT series of Indian communication satellites and will have a mission life of more than 12 years. GSAT-16 is similar to GSAT-15 with each satellite weighing 3,150 kg and having power generation capacity of 6.8 kW.

5) India-Australia first Test postponed: With the cricket world mourning Phillip Hughes’ tragic death, next week’s first Test between India and Australia was on Saturday pushed back to an unspecified date to let the players attend the late batsman’s funeral scheduled on Wednesday in his hometown. In a statement issued on Saturday, Cricket Australia (CA) said that it was neither feasible nor fair to begin the Test on December 4 as originally planned. “The first Test between Australia and India that was scheduled to start in Brisbane next Thursday has been postponed until an unspecified date to allow the cricket world time to grieve over the death of Phillip Hughes,” the statement said.

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Latest Current Affairs Questions: 29 November 2014

1) Who was on 26 November 2014 appointed as the new Lok Sabha Secretary-General?

(A) Anoop Mishra

(B) T. K. Viswanathan

(C) P K Grover

(D) None of these

2) What was the name of the proposed computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS)-cum Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) terminals that would be opened by Ministry of Railways under public private partnership (PPP) as announced on 28 November 2014?

(A) Passenger Ticket Reservation Centre

(B) Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendra

(C) Passenger Ticket Suvidha Kendra

(D) Yatri Ticket Reservation Centre

3) Yan Bingtao broke Indian hearts by defeating title favourite Pankaj Advani 6-4 in the quarter finals of IBSF World Snooker Championships on 28 November 2014. 14-year-old Yan Bingtao is from which country?

(A) Indonesia

(B) England

(C) Belgium

(D) China

4) Round the clock all India Security helpline ‘1800-111-322’ was on 28 November 2014 launched by?

(A) Delhi Metro

(B) Air India

(C) Indian Railways

(D) CBI

5) Which body on 28 November 2014 issued final guidelines for the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS)?

(A) RBI

(B) IRDA

(C) SEBI

(D) National Payments Corporation of India

6) Phil Hughes, who had sustained severe head injury after being struck by a ball on 25 November and passed away on 27 November 2014 is cricketer from which country?

(A) South Africa

(B) Australia

(C) England

(D) Ireland

7) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 27 November 2014 issued final guidelines for payments and small banks that aim to take banking services to more people and small businesses. What is the prescribed minimum paid-up equity capital for both these categories of banks?

(A) Rs. 10 crore

(B) Rs. 50 crore

(C) Rs. 100 crore

(D) Rs. 1000 crore

8) Which country will be hosting next SAARC summit in 2015?

(A) India

(B) Bhutan

(C) Pakistan

(D) Bangladesh

9)  In a move which will give a major boost to the tourism sector, the Government on 27 November 2014 launched the much-awaited electronic visa facility for visitors from how many countries?

(A) 43

(B) 25

(C) 101

(D) 23

10) Name the Boxer who received his Arjuna Award from Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal after winning a High Court case on 27 November 2014?

(A) Vijendar Singh

(B) Manoj Kumar

(C) Akhil Kumar

(D) Jitender Kumar

Answers

1) Ans. (A) Anoop Mishra

2) Ans. (B) Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendra

3) Ans. (D) China

4) Ans. (C) Indian Railways

5) Ans. (A) RBI

6) Ans. (B) Australia

7) Ans. (C) Rs. 100 crore

8) Ans. (C) Pakistan

9) Ans. (A) 43

10) Ans. (B) Manoj Kumar

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28th November 2014 Current Affairs Updates

1) Anoop Mishra new Lok Sabha Secretary-General: Anoop Mishra, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary, will be the new Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan announced the appointment on 26 November 2014. Mr. Mishra, a former IAS officer of the 1978 batch, will have the rank and status of Cabinet Secretary with effect from December 1, 2014 to November 30, 2016 or until further orders. 

2) RBI allowed banks to extend loan against long-term bonds: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 27 November 2014 said banks could extend loans to individuals against long-term bonds issued by them. This would “provide liquidity to retail investors who are invested in long-term bonds issued by banks for financing infrastructure and affordable housing”, RBI said in a notification to banks.

3) Round the clock All India Security helpline ‘1800-111-322’ for train passengers is operational: Indian Railways has taken several steps for the security of train passengers. An All India Security Helpline ‘1800-111-322’ has been operational at railway Board to enable passengers to seek security related assistance round the clock.

4) Chinese prodigy knocks out Advani in World Snooker: China's 14-year-old Yan Bingtao broke Indian hearts by defeating title favourite Pankaj Advani 6-4 to storm into the men's semifinals at the IBSF World Snooker Championships on 28 November 2014. In a manner of speaking, the 29-year-old Advani, who came into the tournament as holder of 12 World titles and a hot favourite, virtually gifted the match to the Chinese prodigy who bounced back after trailing 0-2 with a break of 107 in the third frame and went on to win a tight match.

5) Parliament cleared Bill to amend labour laws: Parliament on 28 November 2014 cleared the Labour Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintaining Registers by Certain Establishments) (LLE) Amendment Bill, 2014, with the Lok Sabha giving its nod for the draft legislation that reduces small establishments’ obligations to file returns.

6) RBI issued final guidelines for the Bharat Bill Payment System: Reserve Bank of India on 28 November 2014 issued final guidelines for the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS). The system will help consumers pay multiple bills like electricity, telephone and school fees at a single point of transaction. The BBPS is an integrated bill payment system offering inter-operable and accessible bill payment service to customers through a network of agents, enabling multiple payment modes, and providing instant confirmation of payment.

7) Railways to introduce Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendra: With a view to expanding the facilities for issue of tickets (both reserved and unreserved), ministry of railways have decided to allow public private partnership (PPP) in establishment and operation of computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS)- cum Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) terminals at centres which shall be called Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendra (YTSK). As per this scheme, all the authorised ticketing agents, who have worked for at least five years in providing railway ticketing (reserved/unreserved) services for passengers of Indian Railways, are eligible to become YTSK licensee. 

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Daily Current Affairs: 27 November 2014

1) RBI issued final norms for payment, small banks: Telcos, supermarkets, and even companies that run electronic wallets (or other prepaid instruments) can open so-called payments banks in the country, with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) releasing rules for such entities. The move is aimed at providing basic savings, deposit, payment, and remittance services to people who currently do not have a bank account, including millions of migrant workers. Fifty per cent of Indians don’t have bank accounts. The central bank also released rules for small banks, which will provide loans to small businesses and marginal farmers. Payments bank will initially be restricted to holding a maximum balance of Rs.1,00,000 per individual customer. They can offer payments and remittance services and issue ATM/debit cards, but not credit cards. Such entities can also distribute simple financial products such as mutual fund units and insurance products, said RBI.

2) Australian cricketer Phil Hughes died of injuries: Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes died in hospital in Sydney on 27 November 2014, two days after the international batsman as struck on the head by a ball during a domestic match. Governing body Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed the 25-year-old had lost his fight for life, casting a pall over a cricket-mad nation which is co-hosting the World Cup early next year.

3) 18th Saarc Summit concluded with one pact, several understandings: The 18th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) Summit concluded in Kathmandu on Thursday with the adoption of a 36-point Kathmandu Declaration. During the Summit, a Saarc Framework Agreement on Energy Cooperation was signed while leaders of the South Asian nations directed their respective ministers to hold a meeting within three months to finalise the Saarc Motor Vehicles Agreement for the Regulation of Passenger and Cargo Vehicular Traffic, and the Saarc Regional Agreement on Railways. The summit adopted the Kathmandu Declaration with the theme of "Deeper Integration for Peace and Prosperity" to deepen cooperation in core areas of trade, investment, finance, energy, infrastructure and connectivity. The next SAARC summit will be held in Islamabad in 2015.

4) India launched e-visa facility for 43 nations: In a move which will give a major boost to the tourism sector, the Government on 27 November 2014 launched the much-awaited electronic visa facility for visitors from 43 countries including US, Germany and Israel. "We want to promote tourism in the country in a big way. The contribution of tourism in the GDP is approximately 7 per cent and we want to double it up," Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here after launching the e-visa facility. Now, a visitor from these countries will just have to apply for an e-visa on the designated website and pay the fee online to get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) within 72 hours. E-visa will be valid for 30 days and a tourist can avail the facility twice a year. With the launch, the e-visa facility has become operational at nine international airports - Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Goa.

5) Scrap Chennai Super Kings, observes apex court: The Supreme Court on Thursday said Chennai Super Kings should be thrown out of the IPL without any further probe, virtually putting a question mark on the cash-rich league already battling allegations of betting and spot fixing. 

6) Boxer Manoj Kumar finally received Arjuna Award: Boxer Manoj Kumar received his Arjuna Award from Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal after winning a High Court case. The Kapil Dev-led award committee had earlier refused to give the coveted award to the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist. Angry with the government's decision not to give him the award, Manoj had filed a case in the Delhi High Court. The Sports Ministry then admitted that they had mixed his name up with another junior boxer, also named Manoj Kumar, who was not considered for the Award because of doping allegations in a junior tournament.

7) PNB announced free ATM usage for customers: Punjab National Bank (PNB) on 26 Nov 2014 said it will continue giving free transactions to all saving bank account cardholders using PNB ATMs, irrespective of the number of transactions. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had advised that atleast five free transactions (inclusive of financial and non-financial transaction) per month should be permitted to the savings bank account holders for use of own bank ATMs.

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Current Affairs daily Updates: 26 November 2014

1) 18th Saarc Summit began in Kathmandu: With all eyes on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's take on the future of South Asia, the 18th Saarc Summit commenced in Kathmandu on 26 November 2014 morning. Apart from host Nepal, all seven heads of state and government are in Kathmandu to attend the summit. As chair of Saarc, Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul opened the summit and handed over the responsibility of the chair of the regional bloc to Nepal's Prime Minister Sushil Koirala. This is the third time Nepal is organising the summit -- first in 1987 and then again in 2002. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Afghanistan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul and Bhutanese Prime Minister Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay are attending the summit.

2) Nation remembered 26/11 : Nation remembered and paid tribute to victims and martyrs of horrible 26/11 terror attacks on its sixth anniversary. Modi, who was in Katmandu for the SAARC summit, stressed the need to combat “terrorism and trans-national crimes.” “Today, as we remember the horror of the terror attack in Mumbai in 2008, we feel the endless pain of lost lives,” the prime minister said at the opening of the two-day summit.

3) Constitution Day observed: Constitution Day was observed on 26 November 2014. On this day in 1949 the Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly. 

4) National Milk Day celebrated: Indian dairy sector majors decided to celebrate 26 November as National Milk Day to mark the 93rd birth anniversary of Father of White Revolution, Dr. Verghese Kurien. Indian diary sector majors that have joined hands are National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Indian Dairy Association (IDA) along with around 22 state level milk federation's including Gujarat's own - Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) that markets brand Amul.

5) World's 2nd Tallest Power Transmission Towers in West Bengal:  The world's second tallest power transmission towers, built by Haldia Energy Limited (HEL), has come up in West Bengal. The 236-metre-long twin towers, located at HEL's 600-MW capacity plant at Haldia and Raichak across the river Hooghly, are the tallest in the country. Covering a span of 1.5 km, the twin towers weigh 1,800 tonnes. The world's highest transmission tower (370 metres) is located at Mount Damaoshan in China.

6) Bill to amend law on CBI chief’s appointment passed in Lok Sabha: Ahead of the appointment of a new CBI Director early next month, the Lok Sabha, setting aside objections raised by the opposition to some of its provisions, passed The Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2014. The Bill was passed though voice vote. The Bill seeks to include the leader of the single largest opposition party in the three-member committee that selects the CBI Director since there is no recognised Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

7) Haryana government reduced retirement age of government employees from 60 to 58: The Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP government in Haryana decided to roll back the erstwhile Congress regime's decision to enhance the retirement age of state employees by two years, evoking sharp reaction from the opposition. Government notification will come in effect from 30 November 2014. While, the upper age limit for fresh recruitment would remain 42 years.

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Current Affairs Quiz for exams: 26 November 2014

1) Who among the following was on 25 November 2014 appointed as the UN Goodwill Ambassador for the South Asian region by UN Women at an event held to mark the International Day to End Violence against Women?

(A) Saina Nehwal

(B) M C Mary Kom

(C) P V Sindhu

(D) Sania Mirza

2) Which bank got the RBI approval on 25 November 2014 to form a subsidiary to enter the General Insurance business?

(A) Kotak Mahindra Bank

(B) IDBI Bank

(C) Punjab National Bank

(D) South Indian Bank 

3) Which Australian cricket player was admitted to hospital in critical condition after being knocked out by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and NSW at the SCG on 25 November 2014?

(A) Michael Clarke

(B) David Warner

(C) Phil Hughes

(D) Cameroon White

4) 'Namsai' on 25 November 2014 became the 18th district of which state?

(A) Kerala

(B) Arunachal Pradesh

(C) Uttar Pradesh

(D) Mizoram

5)  Renowned dancer Sitara Devi, who passed away at the age of 94 in Mumbai on 25 November 2014, was an exponent of which classical dance form?

(A) Kathakali

(B) Mohiniyattom

(C) Kuchipudi

(D) Kathak

6) International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was observed every year on?

(A) November 25

(B) November 27

(C) November 23

(D) November 30

7) Name the Union Health Minister who on 25 November 2014 announced in Rajya Sabha that, Union Health Ministry has accepted a proposal to prohibit the sale of loose cigarettes (as single sticks) and raise the minimum legal age for sale of tobacco products?

(A) Dr Harsha Vardhan

(B) Dr Jithendra Singh

(C) J.P. Nadda

(D) Suresh Prabhu

8) Union government on 25 November 2014 rolled out 'Swachh Bharat Kosh' mission. The fund that will be raised through this mission will finance activities such as construction of?

(A) Public Wells

(B) Public Libraries

(C) Public toilets

(D) None of these

9) Om Pizza & Eats Pvt Ltd, the Indian franchisee of Papa John’s International on 25 November 2014 acquired its local rival?

(A) Pizza Hut

(B) Pizza Corner

(C) KFC

(D) Chicking

10) Violence erupted in Ferguson on 24 November 2014 after the grand jury found there was no probable cause to charge the white officer for shooting an 18-year old black youth. Ferguson is a small town in which country?

(A) UK

(B) France

(C) Canada

(D) USA

Answers

1) Ans. (D) Sania Mirza

2) Ans. (A) Kotak Mahindra Bank

3) Ans. (C) Phil Hughes

4) Ans. (B) Arunachal Pradesh

5) Ans. (D) Kathak

6) Ans. (A) November 25

7) Ans. (C) J.P. Nadda

8) Ans. (C) Public toilets

9) Ans. (B) Pizza Corner

10) Ans. (D) USA

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Daily Current Affairs Updates: 25 November 2014

1) Hughes in critical condition after being hit by bouncer: Australia Test batsman Phil Hughes has been rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital in critical condition after being knocked out by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and NSW at the SCG on 25 November 2014. The 25-year-old collapsed after being struck on the side of the head by a Sean Abbott delivery and was stretchered from the ground. He is currently undergoing surgery and according to Ambulance officials he was in a critical condition. A statement issued by South Australia Cricket Association said: “On behalf of the SACA Board and administration, our thoughts and prayers are with Phil Hughes and his family at this time. 

2) Sania named UN Women's Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia: Indian tennis star Sania Mirza was on 25 Nov 2014 appointed the UN Goodwill Ambassador for the South Asian region by UN Women at an event held to mark the International Day To End Violence Against Women. Sania, India's most successful women's tennis player and the first Indian to break into the World Tennis Association's top 50 rankings, is the first South Asian woman to be appointed the goodwill ambassador in the organisation's history.

3) Papa John’s acquires Pizza Corner: Om Pizza & Eats Pvt Ltd, the Indian franchisee of Papa John’s International, on 25 Nov 2014 acquired local rival Pizza Corner for an undisclosed sum. Atulya Mittal, a nephew of steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, is the promoter of Om Pizza & Eats Pvt Ltd. “Papa John’s today announced that they have entered into an agreement for the merger of Pizza Corner stores in South India. Papa John’s will convert the existing Pizza Corner stores to Papa John’s branded restaurants through Q1 2015,” the company said in a statement. Pizza Corner brand will cease to exist and all its stores will be re-branded as Papa John’s.

4) Impressive turnout in J&K and Jharkhand: The first phase of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand on Tuesday witnessed a high turnout. Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi said that the 71.28 per cent polling recorded in J&K was probably the highest. Jharkhand saw 61.92 per cent voting in the 13 Assembly constituencies. Only minor incidents of violence were reported in the naxal-hit areas of western Jharkhand. In Chhatarpur seat of Palamu district, miscreants destroyed control units of voting machines in two booths.

5) Govt rolls out Swachh Bharat Kosh for donations on sanitation: Keen to encourage public participation in his Swachh Bharat Mission, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will personally acknowledge all donations over Rs 20 crore by companies and Rs 1 crore by individual citizens to the Swachh Bharat Kosh. The government on Tuesday formally launched the Swachh Bharat Kosh (fund) “to facilitate channelisation of philanthropic contributions and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds” towards this cause. Using the donations, the fund will finance activities such as construction of new toilets as well as repair and renovation of dysfunctional toilets in rural areas, urban areas, elementary, secondary and senior secondary government schools, aanganwaadis.

6) Rajya Sabha passed Bill to amend labour laws: Though all political parties except the BJP spoke against it, Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed a Bill to amend the Labour Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintaining Registers by certain Establishments) Act, 1988, powered by the Congress’s inability to vote against a Bill that it had itself mooted.

7) Sale of loose cigarettes faces ban: The Union Health Ministry has accepted a proposal to prohibit the sale of loose cigarettes (as single sticks) and raise the minimum legal age for sale of tobacco products, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda told the Rajya Sabha on 25 November 2014.

8) International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women observed: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women observed across the world on 25 November 2014. The day was observed to raise awareness about violence against women and discuss solutions that would work for women community.

9) Kathak legend Sitara Devi passed away: Kathak queen Sitara Devi died at a hospital in Mumbai on Tuesday. She was 94. Born in 1920 in Kolkata, Sitara Devi drew from the themes, poetry and choreography collected by her father in her choreographies. She also got inspired from the environment around her — whether it is a town or a village.

10) Arunachal Pradesh gets Namsai as its 18th district: Namsai on Tuesday officially became the 18th district of Arunachal Pradesh, as Chief Minister Nabam Tuki made the declaration, amidst jubilation at an inauguration function.

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Current Affairs Questions with Answers: 25 November 2014

1) The mascots for the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics have been revealed on 24 November 2014. 2016 Olympics games will be held at?

(A) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

(B) Tokyo, Japan

(C) Pyeongchang, South Korea

(D) Sochi, Russia

2) Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Murli Deora passed away in Mumbai on 24 November 2014. He had held which portfolio during UPA-1 regime?

(A) Minister of Science & Technology

(B) Minister of Parliamentary Affairs

(C) Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas

(D) Minister of Railways 

3) Norway's Magnus Carlsen won the World Chess Championship 2014 defeating Indian challenger Viswanathan Anand in the 11th round of the game on 24 November. The championship was held at?

(A) Chennai

(B) Brussels

(C) Oslo

(D) Sochi

4) Who was appointed as the special representative of India to conduct boundary negotiations and strategic consultations with China on 24 November 2014?

(A) Sujatha Singh

(B) Ajit Doval

(C) H S Sandhu

(D) Ranjan Mathai

5) Who was appointed as the new chairman of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on 23 November 2014?

(A) Rajni Razdan

(B) Amar Pratap Singh

(C) Manbir Singh

(D) Deepak Gupta

6) Supreme Court judge CK Prasad is set to be appointed as the head of the Press Council of India. He will replace?

(A) Justice Markanday Katju

(B) Justice Mukul Mudgal

(C) Justice K G Balakrishnan

(D) Justice H L Dattu

7) Indian boxers Sarjubala and Saweety settle for silver at World boxing Champioships 2014 being held at?

(A) Japan

(B) South Korea

(C) Indonesia

(D) Nepal

8) Housing finance company DHFL recently appointed which bollywood actor as its brand ambassador?

(A) Aamir Khan

(B) Salman Khan

(C) Shah Rukh Khan

(D) Amitabh Bachchan

9) Switzerland won its first Davis Cup Tennis title after defeating which country in finals on 23 November 2014?

(A) Spain

(B) India

(C) USA

(D) France

10) All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced that the 2015 I-League will commence on January 17. Which channel has bagged the broadcasting rights of the tournament?

(A) Sony SIX

(B) Ten Sports

(C) Star Sports

(D) Neo Sports

Answers

1) Ans. (A) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

2) Ans. (C) Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas

3) Ans. (D) Sochi

4) Ans. (B) Ajit Doval

5) Ans. (D) Deepak Gupta

6) Ans. (A) Justice Markanday Katju

7) Ans. (B) South Korea

8) Ans. (C) Shah Rukh Khan

9) Ans. (D) France

10) Ans. (B) Ten Sports

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Daily Current Affairs: 24 November 2014

1) Former Union Minister, senior Congress leader Murli Deora died: Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Murli Deora passed away in Mumbai on 24 Nov 2014 morning after prolonged illness. He was 77 and is survived by his wife and two sons, including former MP Milind Deora. He held the portfolio of Petroleum and Natural Gas during the UPA—1 regime. The Congress veteran had also served as the Mumbai Congress President for 22 years.

2) Winter Session of Parliament began: The winter session of parliament began on 24 November 2014. Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the new ministers who were inducted. The session, the first after the expansion of the council of ministers this month, will have 22 sittings and will end Dec 23.

3) Carlsen retains title at World Chess Championship: World chess champion, Norway's Magnus Carlsen retained his title, defeating Indian challenger Viswanathan Anand in the 11th round of their title match at Russia Sunday. The reigning world champion called off the exchange/sacrifice blunder or bluff of Anand on move 24 and wrapped up the 12 game in 45 moves. Interestingly Anand went for the misadventure of exchange/sacrifice - giving up his rook for Carlsen's bishop when he was enjoying a slight positional advantage. Carlsen scored 6.5 points first to retain the title that he wrested from Anand last year.

4) 2015 I-League to begin on Jan. 17: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced that the 2015 I-League will commence on January 17. TEN Sports will broadcast 75 of the 110 matches on its channel and website. The league will kick off in Bengaluru, the home of the defending champion Bengaluru FC.

5) Ajit Doval appointed special representative by PMO on Indo-China border issue: National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval has been appointed as the special representative by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to resolve the India-China border issue. "Ajit Doval, NSA, appointed as the special representative of India to conduct boundary negotiations and strategic consultations with China," the Prime Minister's Office said in the statement. "This arrangement will be part of NSA's overall assignment," the statement added. 

6) 2016 Olympic and Paralympic mascots launched: The mascots for the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics have been revealed and are inspired by the animals and plants of hosts Brazil. The yellow Olympics mascot represents the animals of Brazil, while the blue Paralympics mascot "is a fusion of plants found in Brazilian forests". A poll will decide their names with the results to be announced on 14 December. The shortlisted pairings to chose from are Oba and Eba, Tiba Tuque and Esquindim or Vinicius and Tom.

7) Sarjubala, Saweety settle for silver at World boxing C'Ships: Indian pugilists S Sarjubala (48kg) and Saweety (81kg) faltered at the final hurdle to settle for silver medals, rounding off a decent campaign for the country in the 8th World Women's Boxing Championships being held at South Korea. Sarjubala lost to world No 3 Nazym Kyzaibay of Kazakhstan, who also happened to be a bronze-medallist from the previous World Championships. Saweety, on the other hand, lost to Yang Xiaoli of China.

8) Former SC judge Prasad to succeed Katju as PCI chief: Former Supreme Court judge CK Prasad is set to be appointed as the head of the Press Council of India. Information and broadcasting ministry sources said Prasad has been selected by a committee headed by Vice President Hamid Ansari and a communication has been received in this regard. Prasad will succeed justice Markanday Katju as the chairman of the PCI.

9) Federer hands Switzerland first Davis Cup title:  Roger Federer produced a vintage performance to crush Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 and seal Switzerland's maiden Davis Cup title with a 3-1 win over hosts France on Sunday. The 17-time Grand Slam champion shook off back problems during the weekend and recovered from Friday's defeat by Gael Monfils to hand France a third defeat in their last three finals.

10) Chuck Hagel quits as US defense secretary: US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel resigned amid reports of differences with President Barack Obama who apparently wants to install a new leadership at the Pentagon as he enters the last two years of his presidency facing new global challenges like the rise of IS.

11) Ex-IAS officer Deepak Gupta named new UPSC chief: The government has appointed former IAS officer Deepak Gupta as new chairman of UPSC, breaking away from the tradition of appointing the chief from the serving members of the Commission. Gupta, a retired IAS officer of Jharkhand cadre, had on Saturday taken over as the chief of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), official sources said. He is the younger brother of former Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta.

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