GK & Current Affairs – November 30, 2015

1. Which of the following countries are anchor investors of the Commonwealth Trade Financing Facility?
[A]India, Sri Lanka, Malta and Mauritius
[B]India, Sri Lanka, Australia and Mauritius
[C]Sri Lanka, Australia, South Africa and United Kingdom
[D]Sri Lanka, Australia, South Africa and Nigeria
Answer: India, Sri Lanka, Malta and Mauritius
In the recently held Commonwealth Summit in Malta, India and three other countries have taken the initiative to establish Commonwealth Trade Finance Facility. The other three countries are Sri Lanka, Malta and Mauritius. The facility will be aimed at boosting trade and investment flows, particularly for small and developing countries of the Commonwealth. The four countries have signed the Declaration of Intent as anchor investors. The fund is voluntary in nature and it hopes to attract a start-up capital of $ 20 million.
2. Who of the following cricketers is suspended from bowling in international cricket by ICC?
[A]Taskin Ahmed
[B]Imran Tahir
[C]Lasith Malinga
[D]Sunil Narine
Answer: Sunil Narine
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine from bowling in international cricket with an immediate effect. The ICC took a decision after an independent assessment found that his bowling action illegal after the 3rd ODI match of West Indies against Sri Lanka in Pallekele in November 2015. The assessment revealed that all variations of his deliveries exceeded the 15-degree limit. Narine can apply for re-assessment after modifying his action. Currently, he is the No. 1 ranked bowler in the ICC rankings for ODIs and T20Is.
3. Which of the following countries has won the Davis Cup 2015?
[A]Belgium
[B]Great Britain
[C]Spain
[D]Switzerland
Answer: Great Britain
Andy Murray led Great Britain have won the 2015 Davis Cup for first time since 1936 and for the 10th time in the competition’s 115-year history. Great Britain tennis team defeated Belgium team in the finals to win the 104th edition of the competition. The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men’s tennis organised by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). It was established in 1900 as a tennis challenge between Great Britain and the United States. Since then, it is contested annually between teams from competing countries in a knock-out format. United States has won the tournament for record 32 times. The women’s equivalent of the Davis Cup is the Fed Cup. Australia, US and Czech Republic are the only three countries that have won both Davis Cup and Fed Cup titles in the same year.
4. Who is the author of the book titled-‘The Book of Gold Leaves ‘?
[A]Anuradha Roy
[B]Neel Mukherjee
[C]Akhil Sharma
[D]Mirza Waheed
Answer: Mirza Waheed
Recently, six authors of Indian-origin have been shortlisted for this year’s DSC Prize for South Asian Literature. It includes Neel Mukherjee (author of The Lives of Others), Mirza Waheed (author of The Book of Gold Leaves), Akhil Sharma (author of Family Life), KR Meera (author of Hang Woman), Anuradha Roy (author of Sleeping on Jupiter) and Raj Kamal Jha (author of She Will Build Him A City).
5. Which of the following ministries has launched an online quiz programme titled – ‘BHARAT KO JANIYE’?
[A]Ministry of Culture
[B]Ministry of HRD
[C]Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs
[D]Ministry of Commerce
Answer: Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs
The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MoIA) has launched an online quiz programme titled – ‘BHARAT KO JANIYE’. The quiz is targeted for the Indian Diaspora. The quiz is intended to create awareness about India’s rich cultural heritage and it’s diversity. It also educate about India’s progress in various fields like, Science & Technology, Manufacturing etc. The quiz is open for both PIOs and NRIs between the age group of 18 – 35 years.
6. The headquarters of the Mashreq bank are located in which country?
[A]Israel
[B]United Arab Emirates
[C]Iran
[D]Afghanistan
Answer: United Arab Emirates
The Mashreq bank is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Recently, the bank has appointed Som Subroto, an alumnus of IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad as the head of the Mashreq’s retail banking group.
7. Who among the following are the winners of the 2015 Delhi Half Marathon?
[A]Birhanu Legese and Florence Kiplagat
[B]Guye Adola and Cynthia Limo
[C]Guye Adola and Florence Kiplagat
[D]Birhanu Legese and Cynthia Limo
Answer: Birhanu Legese and Cynthia Limo
Ethiopia’s Birhanu Legese and Kenya’s Cynthia Limo have won the 2015 Delhi Half Marathon in men’s and women’s categories respectively. In this eighth edition of marathon around 34,000 athletes and amateur runners from different parts of the world had participated. From India, Nitendra Singh Rawat and Lalita Babar topped in the men’s and women’s category respectively.
8. Cairns Group is a coalition of which of the following countries?
[A]Coalition of 20 agricultural exporting nations
[B]Coalition of 10 petrol exporting nations
[C]Coalition of 8 diamond exporting nations
[D]Coalition of 15 gold exporting nations
Answer: Coalition of 20 agricultural exporting nations
The Cairns Group is a unique coalition of 20 agricultural exporting nations lobbying for agricultural trade liberalization. The 20 countries include Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Uruguay, and Vietnam. The coalition attempts to present a common front in multilateral trade negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Cairns Group was formed in August 1986, when the Australian government initiated the formation of a group and organized the inaugural meeting in the city of Cairns, Australia.
9. Green bonds are what type of financial instruments?
[A]debt instruments
[B]equity instruments
[C]quasi-debt instruments
[D]None of the above
Answer: debt instruments
A bond is a debt instrument with which a company/organisation raises money from investors. A green bond is very similar but the only difference is that the issuer of a green bond publicly states that capital being raised is used for funding of ‘green’ projects, which typically include those relating to renewable energy. Recently, SEBI said the norms for green bonds will be in line with the requirements recommended by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA).
10. Anirban Lahiri is related to which sports?
[A]Boxing
[B]Tennis
[C]Golf
[D]Athletics
Answer: Golf
Anirban Lahiri is an Indian professional golfer. He currently plays on the European Tour, Asian Tour, and PGA Tour. Presently, he is placed at 39th position in the world golfer rankings.

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