INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS ( 24 May 2021) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• S1: At the center of a mature tropical cyclone, air sinks rather than rises. For a sufficiently strong storm, air may sink over a layer deep enough to suppress cloud formation, thereby creating a clear “eye”.
• S2: Extra-tropical cyclones may not always have an eye, whereas mostly mature storms have well developed eye. Rapidly intensifying storms may develop an extremely small, clear, and circular eye, sometimes referred to as a pinhole eye.
• S3: It is warmer and not colder for a tropical cyclone. The warmer temperature is what drives the storm.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/24/cyclone-yaas/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: What is the “17+1” initiative?

• The 17+1 initiative is a China-led format founded in 2012 in Budapest with an aim to expand cooperation between Beijing and the Central and Eastern European (CEE) member countries, with investments and trade for the development of the CEE region.
• The framework also focuses on infrastructure projects such as bridges, motorways, railway lines and modernisation of ports in the member states.
• The platform is largely seen as an extension of China’s flagship Belt and Road initiative (BRI).
• China’s narrative towards the 17+1 initiative is about improving its relations with the European countries that are less developed as compared to the Western European states.
• Composition:
  • The initiative includes twelve EU member states and five Balkan states — Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/24/lithuania-quits-chinas-171-cooperation-forum/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Baltic Nations is a geopolitical term, typically used to group the three sovereign states in Northern Europe on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
• The three countries do not form an official union, but engage in intergovernmental and parliamentary cooperation. The most important areas of cooperation between the three countries are foreign and security policy, defence, energy and transportation.
• All three countries are members of the European Union, NATO, the eurozone and the OECD.
• All three are classified as high-income economies by the World Bankand maintain a very high Human Development Index.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/24/lithuania-quits-chinas-171-cooperation-forum/

Ans: (a)

Explanation: About IAEA:

• Set up as the world’s “Atoms for Peace” organization in 1957 within the United Nations family.
• Reports to both the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council.
• Headquarters in Vienna, Austria
• S3: Works with its Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/24/international-atomic-energy-agency/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• IAEA Safeguards are meant to understand if imported/enriched uranium is not used for non-peaceful purposes.
• Refer: UPSE CSE 2020

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/24/international-atomic-energy-agency/

Ans: (d)

Explanation: Congo’s Mount Nyiragongo:

• Congo’s Mount Nyiragongo volcano erupted at night and sent thousands fleeing in panic.
• Mount Nyiragongo is an active stratovolcano with an elevation of 3,470 m in the Virunga Mountains associated with the Albertine Rift.
• It is located inside Virunga National Park, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Nyiragongo and nearby Nyamuragira are together responsible for 40 percent of Africa’s historical volcanic eruptions.
• The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) share land border with Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi
• And Maritime borders Tanzania (across Lake Tanganyika)

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/24/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-24-may-2021/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The India Biodiversity Awards is a joint initiative by the ministry of environment, forest and climate change, National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
• About the India Biodiversity Award:
  • In 2012, the Government of India, in partnership with UNDP India, initiated the India Biodiversity Awards to recognize and honour outstanding models of biodiversity conservation, sustainable use and governance at the grassroots level.
  • The award carries ₹2 lakh cash prize and citation.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/24/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-24-may-2021/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: Where is Galwan Valley?

• The valley refers to the land that sits between steep mountains that buffet the Galwan River.
• The river has its source in Aksai Chin, on China’s side of the LAC, and it flows from the east to Ladakh, where it meets the Shyok river on India’s side of the LAC.
• The valley is strategically located between Ladakh in the west and Aksai Chin in the east (currently controlled by China).
• At its western end are the Shyok river and the Darbuk-Shyok-Daulet Beg Oldie (DSDBO) road.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/24/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-24-may-2021/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The Sambhar Salt Lake is India’s largest inland salt lake. The lake receives water from five rivers Medtha, Samaod, Mantha, Rupangarh, Khari and Khandela. The lake is an extensive saline wetland. It is the source of most of Rajasthan’s salt production.
• Sambhar has been designated as a Ramsar site (recognized wetland of international importance) because the wetland is a key wintering area for tens of thousands of pink flamingos and other birds that migrate from northern Asia and siberia.

Refer: https://www.thehindu.com/society/dying-slowly-illegal-salt-mining-is-threatening-the-wetland-ecosystem-of-sambhar-lake/article34167696.ece

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Kerala’s Nilambur teak aka Malabar teak has found its place in the Geographical Indications (GI) Registry.
• Known for its superior timber quality and appearance, it is the first forest produce to bag the tag.
• The golden brown teak is known for its log dimensions, desired wood figure and wide reputation in the world of trade.
• Its durability is attributed to the synergistic effect of total extensive components and the resistance to fungal decay to naphthoquinone and derivatives it contains. The hydrophobicity, anti-oxidant properties and oily nature are due to a caoutchouc compound.
• The Nilambur forests are also known for their tribal settlements, vast rain forests, waterfalls and the world’s first Teak Museum.

Refer: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/first-for-forest-produce-gi-tag-for-nilambur-teak/articleshow/62320961.cms