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India invited to join Russia’s fast reactor research project Russia

India invited to join Russia’s fast reactor research project Russia in November 2016 invited India to join in developing next-generation nuclear reactors and participate in its fast reactor research project, known as MBIR (Russian acronym). The information was given by ROSATOM’s project manager, Alexander Zagornov, who was in India for the opening of the company’s south Asia regional centre. ROSATOM is the nuclear corporation of Russia. This multipurpose reactor is a type of reactor in which nuclear fission chain reaction is sustained by fast neutrons. This project is coming up at the International Research Center in Dimitrovgrad, located in the Ulyanovsk region. Purpose of MBIR research reactor project •    The MBIR’s design includes three independent loops, which can be used to test different coolants like gas. Lead, molten salt and others. The facility will help in conducting material testing research in those different environments. •    Its main purpose is to conduct a large number of reactor studies of Generation 4 nuclear systems, including the fast neutron reactor with closed fuel cycle, as well as small and medium power thermal neutron reactors. •    The new technological platform is being created for nuclear energy, which will be based on the closed fuel cycle with fast neutron reactors. •    This closed fuel cycle involves recycling the nuclear waste as new fuel. •    It essentially signifies research on a sodium-cooled Generation 4 fast reactor to design an advanced fast neutron reactor for use in nuclear power plants. •    These types of reactors, also known as a fast reactor, are a type in which the nuclear fission chain reaction is sustained by fact neutrons. This type of reactors don’t need neutron moderator like normal water. Benefits of fast-neutron reactors •    These fast-neutron reactors may help in solving the major ecological problem of reprocessing and deactivation of the accumulated radioactive waste. •    The closed fuel cycle will lead to the solution of the five key problems and they are safety, competitiveness, shortage of fuel, reprocessing and re-fabricating the used nuclear fuel and radioactive waste. It will also be helpful in enforcing non-proliferation of fission materials and weapons technologies.

NASA completes construction of James Webb Space Telescope

NASA completes construction of James Webb Space Telescope .The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on 2 November 2016 completed the construction of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) after more than 20 years of hard work. This largest-ever space telescope is expected to launch in 2018 following the in-depth testing. Highlights of the Telescope • The telescope has 18 large mirrors that will collect infrared light, sheltered behind a tennis-court-size sun shield. • It is considered as the successor to NASA's iconic Hubble Space Telescope. • It is a 8.8 billion US dollars worth space observatory built to observe the infrared universe like never before. • Earth's atmosphere glows in the infrared, so such measurements can't be made from the ground. Hubble emits its own heat, which would obscure infrared readings. • It can run close to absolute zero in temperature and rest at a point in space called the Lagrange Point 2, which is directly behind Earth from the sun's perspective. That way, Earth can shield the telescope from the sun's infrared emission, and the sun shield can protect the telescope from both bodies' heat. • The telescope's infrared view will pierce through obscuring cosmic dust to reveal the universe's first galaxies and spy on newly forming planetary systems. • It will also be sensitive enough to analyze the atmospheres of exoplanets that pass in front of their stars, perhaps to search for signs of life. • It will be able to see a bumblebee a moon's distance away both in reflected light and in the body heat the bee emitted. • Its mirrors are so smooth that if you stretched the array to the size of the US, the hills and valleys of irregularity would be only a few inches high. Background The project is led by NASA but supported by international partners, including the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency. The telescope was originally scheduled to launch in 2014 at a cost of about 5 billion US dollars, but a series of setbacks and budget constraints delayed and nearly canceled the project. The telescope's testing at Goddard will ensure that it can withstand the shaking and loud noise of a rocket launch. Then, it will be moved to Texas, where its focus will be tested, and then to California for some final assembly. The full telescope, with a 21.3-foot (6.5 meters) mirror assembly, is too large to launch fully extended, so the telescope will be carefully furled during launch and will have to unfold over the course of two weeks once it's in the air.  By six months after launch, the telescope will be ready to begin doing science.

RBI directs banks to dispense more 100 rupees notes through ATMs

RBI directs banks to dispense more 100 rupees notes through ATMs The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 2 November 2016 directed all the banks to dispense more 100 rupees notes through ATMs within the next 15 days. The decision came after a review of steps taken by banks for installing ATMs dispensing lower denomination banknotes was conducted. After the review, it was found that very few banks had taken initiatives in setting up ATMs dispensing lower denomination notes including 100 rupees banknotes. In keeping with the objectives of Clean Note Policy and to ensure that genuine requirement of members of public for 100 rupees denomination banknotes are met, the banks should increase dispensation of 100 rupees banknotes through ATMs which are widely used for distribution of banknotes for retail use. Moreover, RBI also decided to conduct a pilot project wherein 10 percent of the ATMs in the country will be calibrated to dispense 100 rupees banknotes exclusively. For this purpose, banks are free to select the branches with the sample covering relatively large number of centres or states. Once it is completed, the banks will further share their feedback on the pilot project after a lapse of two months.

IISER researchers develop Gelator to scoop out marine oil spills

IISER researchers develop Gelator to scoop out marine oil spills The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Thiruvananthapuram, developed a compound, called Gelator, to scoop out marine oil spills. The results based on laboratory studies were published recently in the journal Angewandte Chemie. A team led by Dr. Kana M. Sureshan from the School of Chemistry used glucose as a starting material and through several chemical reactions produced compounds (gelators) that selectively congeal oil, including crude oil, from an oil-water mixture.  Key highlights of the Gelator • The gelators, which are in a powder form, can be easily applied over oil-water mixture. In addition, they do not cause any environmental damage. • It can recover oil from oil-water mixture and can be reused several times. However, in the case of crude oil, the gelator cannot be recycled. • The gelator molecule is partly hydrophobic and partly hydrophilic. While the hydrophilic part helps in self-assembling to form gelator fibres, the hydrophobic part is responsible for its diffusion into the oil layer. • To achieve better diffusion of the molecule into the oil phase and enhance the oil recovery, the researchers increased the hydrophobicity. This was done by adding an aromatic/alkyl group at some part of the molecule. • Since the outer part of the fibre is hydrophobic, oil tends to gets into the spongy network made of fibres. • Once inside the fibre network, oil loses fluidity and becomes a gel. As the self-assembly is strong, the gel maintains its structure and rigidity even under pressure.

PM Modi inaugurated Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster

PM Modi inaugurated Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 3 November 2016 inaugurated the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) in New Delhi. Aim of the 3-day conference is to find ways for better management of disaster risk. The conference will come out with a declaration consolidating the political commitment of governments towards preventing and reducing risk as well as strengthening resilience by accelerating implementation. Inaugurating the Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction Modi  outlined a ten-point agenda for renewing efforts towards disaster risk reduction. The 10-point agenda includes •    All development sectors must imbibe the principles of disaster risk management •    Network of universities should be developed to work on disaster issues. •    He emphasised on working towards risk coverage for all, which starts from poor households to small and medium enterprises, as well as multi-national corporations to nation states. •    He asked to encourage involvement and leadership of women as they are the biggest sufferers of any disaster. •    He called for global investment in risk mapping. •    Leveraging on technology to enhance the efficiency of the disaster risk management efforts •    Utilise the opportunities provided by social media and mobile technologies. •    He also called for building on local capacity and initiative •    Opportunity to learn from a disaster must not be wasted. •    Bring about greater cohesion in international response to disasters. Besides, he also asked all countries to embrace the spirit of Sendai Framework which calls for an all-of-society approach to disaster risk management.

Sports Ministry tells NSFs to identify 2020 Olympics Medal

Sports Ministry tells NSFs to identify 2020 Olympics Medal Prospects The Union Sports Ministry on 2 November 2016 directed the National Sports Federations (NSFs) to shortlist names of potential medalists along with their support staff for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. They have been asked to submit the list by 30 November 2016. The direction was approved by the Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel. Japan unveiled Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympics emblems Benefits of the move: The potential medalists will get a head start in their Olympic preparations and a chance to work with the best support staff. Key facts Performance of the chosen players along with their support staff will be reviewed after every six months Results of the review will be put up on the Sports Federations’ website, suggesting full transparency.All the financial assistance required by the NSFs will be taken care of by the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme. Aside from this, the Sports Authority of India will take over the same role in case of sports disciplines in which NSFs are suspended like Gymnastics, Tennis and Archery. Besides, the Department of sports also advised NSFs to prepare the programme for training and exposure of the medal prospects for the year 2017.

Kristalina Georgieva appointed as CEO of IBRD & IDA of World Bank

Kristalina Georgieva appointed as CEO of IBRD & IDA of World Bank Kristalina Georgieva was on 2 November 2016 appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group with effect from January 2017. Her appointment was confirmed by the World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. IBRD and IDA are the lending arms of the World Bank. About Kristalina Georgieva • Georgieva is a Bulgarian national and has held multiple positions at the World Bank Group between 1993-2010 focusing on economics and sustainable development. • In her last role at the bank she served as Vice President, Corporate Secretariat, the interlocutor between the World Bank Group’s senior management, its Board of Directors and its shareholder countries. • After leaving the World Bank Group in 2010, she played an important role in shaping the agenda of the European Commission as a Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid. • In her current role as European Commission Vice President for Budget and Human Resource, she is in charge of the European Union's 175 billion US dollars budget and 33000 staff. • She also served as co-chair of the United Nations Secretary-General's High-Level Panel on Humanitarian Financing, where she secured a more effective system to meet the needs of vulnerable people.

Mariano Rajoy re-elected as Prime Minister of Spain

Mariano Rajoy re-elected as Prime Minister of Spain .Mariano Rajoy on 29 October 2016 was re-elected as the Prime Minister of Spain after winning a parliamentary vote. 170 lawmakers voted for him, 111 against and 68 abstained. With this, Spain has its first fully functioning government since December 2015, when a general election left no party with a majority. About Mariano Rajoy • Mariano Rajoy became leader of the People's Party in 2004. • He was the Leader of the Opposition between 2004 and 2011 under Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's government. • He became the Prime Minister in 2011 following the People's Party landslide victory in the general election of 2011. • His party lost the majority in the 2015 general election. However, the election ended in deadlock. Thereafter, a second election in 2016 enabled him to be re-elected prime minister as head of a minority government.

Current Affairs Quiz: 3 November 2016

1. India and which country recently signed MoU to develop Techo Park at Ramallah? a) Egypt b) Italy c) Palestine d) Oman 2. As per a recent ruling of Supreme Court, false declaration of what information could lead to annulment of a candidate’s election. a) Financial assets b) Educational Qualification c) Family Background d) All of the above 3. What is the theme of 2016 World Savings Day? a) A global celebration for saving b) Shining a light on what people value c) Saving, investment and planning for retirement d) Grabbing hold of your financial future 4. Which state launched the Parippida Mission recently? a) Kerala b) Karnataka c) Tamil Nadu d) Assam 5. What is the theme of the 2016 Vigilance Awareness Week? a) Combating Corruption- Technology as an enabler b) Public participation in promoting integrity and eradicating Corruption c) Preventive Vigilance as a tool of Good Governance d) Promoting Good Governance: Positive contribution of vigilance 6. Who of the following won the men’s singles title of the Bahrain International Challenge badminton tournament? a) Aditya Joshi b) Pratul Joshi c) Evgenij Dremin d) Denis Grachev 7. Who of the following was appointed as the brand ambassador of Swachh Rail Mission? a) Bindeshwar Pathak b) Kailash Satyarthi c) Amitabh Bachchan d) Sachin Tendulkar 8. Name the organisation/institution that released Freedom of the Press 2016 report. a) Freedom House b) UNESCO c) Reporters without Borders d) None of the above 9. Name the country that invited India to join its fast reactor research project. a) China b) Russia c) United States d) Germany 10. Name the joint military exercise that will be held between India and Bangladesh at Tangail, Dhaka from 5 to 18 November 2016. a) MITRA SAKTI b) DOSTI c) SURYA KIRAN d) SAMPRITI 11. Identify the sculptor who designed FIFA World Cup Trophy. a) Silvio Gazzaniga b) Stabilimento Artistico c) Bertoni d) None of the above 12. M N Sharma, who passed away recently, was the first chief architect of which of the following cities? a) New Delhi b) Bengaluru c) Kolkata d) Chandigarh 13. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently presented the Ramnath Goenka Awards. The awards are given in which of the following fields? a) Social Work b) Education c) Journalism d) Arts and Culture 14. Kolkata-born Sarabjit Singh Marwah recently became the first Sikh to be appointed to the Senate of which of the following countries? a) Ireland b) Canada c) Australia d) Denmark 15. Saur Sujala Yojana was recently launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which of the following states? a) Chhattisgarh b) Madhya Pradesh c) Uttar Pradesh d) Punjab ANSWERS 1. (c) Palestine 2. (b) Educational Qualification 3. (d) Grabbing hold of your financial future 4. (a) Kerala 5. (b) Public participation in promoting integrity and eradicating Corruption 6. (b) Pratul Joshi 7. (a) Bindeshwar Pathak 8. (a) Freedom House 9. (b) Russia 10. (d) SAMPRITI 11. (a) Silvio Gazzaniga 12. (d) Chandigarh 13. (c) Journalism 14. (b) Canada 15. (a) Chhattisgarh

The Current Affairs One liners cover important current affairs of the day

The Current Affairs One liners cover important current affairs of the day like SC ruling on Candidate's Election, 2016 World Savings Day and Ramnath Goenka Awards among others. • India recently signed MoU to develop Techo Park at Ramallah with - Palestine • State that launched the Parippida Mission recently- Kerala • Theme of 2016 World Savings Day- Grabbing hold of your financial future • As per a recent ruling of Supreme Court, false declaration of what information could lead to annulment of a candidate’s election- Educational Qualification • Theme of the 2016 Vigilance Awareness Week- Public participation in promoting integrity and eradicating Corruption • India and Bangladesh will conduct a joint military training exercise at Tangail, Dhaka from 5 to 18 November 2016 is - SAMPRITI • Russia invited India to join in developing next-generation nuclear reactors and participate in its fast reactor research project, known as - MBIR (Russian acronym) • Organisation that released Freedom of the Press 2016 report is - Freedom House • Railway Ministry appointed him as the brand ambassador of Swachh Rail Mission - Bindeshwar Pathak • He won the men’s singles title of the Bahrain International Challenge badminton tournament - Pratul Joshi • Saur Sujala Yojana was recently launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in - Chhattisgarh • Kolkata-born Sarabjit Singh Marwah recently became the first Sikh to be appointed to the Senate of - Canada • Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently presented the Ramnath Goenka Awards. The awards are given in the field of - Journalism • M N Sharma, who passed away recently, was the first chief architect of - Chandigarh • Name of the designer of the FIFA World Cup Trophy, who passed away recently, is - Silvio Gazzaniga