Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 11th July 2023

1. Which institution released the World Investment Report 2023′?

[A] UNCTAD

[B] UNDP

[C] FAO

[D] UNEP

Answer: [A] UNCTAD

According to the World Investment Report 2023 by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the total amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) in developing Asian countries stayed at USD 662 billion in 2022. This shows no significant change compared to the previous year. This figure, although representing approximately half of the worldwide inflows, remained constant.

2. Which technology company has launched ‘Threads’ app?

[A] Amazon

[B] Meta

[C] Google

[D] Microsoft

Answer: [B] Meta

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp newly developed Threads app, intended to rival Twitter. Recently, it was announced that it will not be released in the European Union (EU) at present. Regulatory concerns are preventing the app from being launched in the EU.

3. Which Union Ministry launched the ‘Scheme for Expansion and Modernization of Fire

Services in the States’?

[A] Ministry of Home Affairs

[B] Ministry of Defence

[C] Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

[D] Ministry of Family and Health Affairs

Answer: [A] Ministry of Home Affairs

The Ministry of Home Affairs has initiated the “Scheme for Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services in the States” with a total budget of Rs. 5,000 Crore. A sum of Rs. 500 crore from the overall budget has been allocated to incentivize States based on their implementation of legal and infrastructure-related reforms.

4. As per a recent report, how many children and adoloscents lose their lives due to infectious diseases annually?

[A] Three Million

[B] Five Million

[C] Ten Million

[D] Fifteen Million

Answer: [A] Three Million

As per a recent study published in The Lancet journal, it is revealed that approximately three million children and adolescents lose their lives due to infectious diseases annually. This figure is equivalent to one death occurring every 10 seconds due to infectious diseases. India, Nigeria and Pakistan share the highest disease burden.

5. When was the “Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act” enacted in India?

[A] 2000

[B] 2005

[C] 2010

[D] 2013

Answer: [D] 2013

The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 was enacted to eradicate manual scavenging in all its forms and ensure the holistic rehabilitation of individuals identified as manual scavengers. Recently the eighth meeting of the Central Monitoring Committee was held at Dr Ambedkar International Centre to assess the implementation of the act.

6. What is the name of the platform, which allow farmers to sell their surplus produce across state borders?

[A] E NAM State Portal

[B] Market Yard of National Importance

[C] E Surplus Seva

[D] E Market Katha

Answer: [B] Market Yard of National Importance

Market Yard of National Importance (MNI) platform aims to allow farmers from participating states to sell their surplus produce across state borders, creating digital ecosystems that utilize the expertise of different segments in the agriculture value chain. An Expert Committee recently submitted a report on the MNI platform, recommending the implementation framework, legal framework, inter-state license reciprocity, dispute resolution mechanism, and rollout strategy.

7. DGCA has signed an MOU with which agency for cooperation in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)?

[A] NASA

[B] ISRO

[C] EASA

[D] Boeing

Answer: [C] EASA

The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to facilitate cooperation in the areas of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Innovative Air Mobility. The primary objective of this MoU is to foster collaboration between the two civil aviation authorities in the domains of unmanned aircraft and advanced air transportation solutions.

8. Ambergris, which was in the news recently is also called?

[A] Floating Gold

[B] Dry Musk

[C] Dry Ice

[D] Marine Gold

Answer: [A] Floating Gold

The substance named ambergris, often referred to as ‘floating gold,’ was found recently in the carcass of a sperm whale that washed up on a shore of the Canary Island of La Palma. Ambergris, is a wax-like material derived from the digestive system of protected sperm whales and is mostly known for its use in creating perfume and fragrance much like musk.

9. The decrease in yields of Tomato recently in India is attributed to which of the following?

[A] EL Nino

[B] Tomato mosaic virus

[C] Land mining in western Ghats

[D] Loss of soil fertility

Answer: [B] Tomato mosaic virus

Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) is a plant pathogenic virus. It is found worldwide and affects tomatoes and many other plants. Tomato growers in Maharashtra and Karnataka have attributed the decrease in yields to the tomato mosaic virus (TOMV). TOMV is a member of the Virgaviridae family and shares a close relationship with the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV).

10. Which country has recently amended its anti-espionage law?

[A] India

[B] Russia

[C] Ukraine

[D] China

Answer: [D] China

The Peoples Republic of China has recently updated its anti-espionage law, which redefines espionage. Activities like cyber-attacks against government or sensitive information systems are redefined as acts of espionage. The law became effective from 1st July 2023. The National Counter intelligence and Security Centre (NCSC) of the US government has raised apprehensions regarding China’s recently modified law.

11. Which country is undergoing ‘Growth recession’ at present?

[A] India

[B] USA

[C] UK

[D] Australia

Answer: [B] USA

“Growth Recession” is the term used to describe an economy where job losses exceed job additions due to sluggish growth. According to experts, the US economy is currently undergoing growth recession. US stock markets are soaring even as the economy struggles to avoid recession. The US is neither fully in recession nor growing to its full potential.

12. Which country has stationed its military troops in the ‘Second Thomas Shoal’ underwater reef?

[A] USA

[B] China

[C] Philippines

[D] Russia

Answer: [C] Philippines

‘Second Thomas Shoal’ is an atoll in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea. The Philippines asserts its sovereignty by stationing a small number of troops. The Philippines recently accused China of harassing its vessels near this reef. The shoal is located inside the Philippine EEZ.

13. Which term refers to the case when certain birds opt to separate from their current partners and find new mates?

[A] Bird Separation

[B] Bird Divorce

[C] Bird Migration

[D] Bird Regression

Answer: [B] Bird Divorce

Bird divorce is a phenomenon where certain birds opt to separate from their current partners and find new mates for future breeding seasons, even if their original partners are still alive. A group of scientists from China and Germany have discovered two significant elements that play a role in divorce across various bird species: male promiscuity and long-distance migrations.

14. The meteor-like streaks falling on the Sun’s surface are called as?

[A] Solar Comets

[B] Solar Shooting stars

[C] Solar Streaks

[D] Solar Photons

Answer: [B] Solar Shooting stars

Solar shooting stars are meteor-like streaks falling on the Sun’s surface. They were observed by the researchers by utilizing the European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter spacecraft. This observation marks the first time the impacts of Solar shooting stars have been spotted.

15. Taylor Glacier is located in which region?

[A] Australia

[B] Greenland

[C] Serbia

[D] Antarctica

Answer: [D] Antarctica

After over a hundred years, scientists have finally determined the cause behind the crimson- colored discharge known as Blood Falls from Taylor Glacier in Antarctica. Through analysing samples collected in 2006 and 2018, researchers discovered that the presence of iron-rich nanospheres is responsible for the striking red coloration.

16. Philadelphia, where a mass shooting took place, is in which country?

[A] Russia

[B] USA

[C] UK

[D] Australia

Answer: [B] USA

The term “Ghost gun” describes a firearm that is usually built by an individual using components that can be acquired without undergoing a background check or registration process. The city officials of Philadelphia have declared their initiation of a legal action against two ghost gun manufacturers, specifically JSD Supply and Polymer 80.

17. Which institution released a consultation paper on Consolidated Cyber Security and Cyber Resilience Framework (CSCRF)?

[A] NITI Aayog

[B] SEBI

[C] RBI

[D] NASSCOM

Answer: [B] SEBI

SEBI has recently released a consultation paper on ‘Consolidated Cyber Security and Cyber Resilience Framework (CSCRF) for Sebi Regulated Entities’. This proposed framework requires all regulated entities to establish an updated cyber crisis management plan.

18. Which state approved MSME (Facilitation of Establishment & Operation) Rules, 2023?

[A] Assam

[B] Tamil Nadu

[C] Odisha

[D] West Bengal

Answer: [A] Assam

The Assam state cabinet recently approved the Assam Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Facilitation of Establishment & Operation) Rules, 2023. These regulations aim to grant a three- year exemption to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from specific approvals and inspections necessary for their establishment and operation within the State.

19. Septimius Severus was the Emperor of which country/ region?

[A] Greece

[B] Turkey

[C] Mongolia

[D] Rome

Answer: [D] Rome

Emperor Septimius Severus, hailing from the Roman province of Africa, served as the Roman emperor from 193 to 211. A dispute has arisen between a Danish Museum and Turkey regarding a bronze head of Emperor Septimius Severus showcased in a Copenhagen Museum. Turkey asserts that the head was unlawfully obtained during an archaeological excavation in the 1960s and is requesting its return.

20. ‘Mission Vatsalya’ which was seen in the news, is associated with which Union Ministry?

[A] Ministry of Women and Child Development

[B] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

[C] Ministry of Home Affairs

[D] Ministry of MSME

Answer: Ministry of Women and Child Development

Village-level Child Welfare and Protection Committees have been assigned the task of identifying vulnerable children, including orphans and street children, to create a vulnerability map that will aid in efficiently providing necessary support. The identified children will be assisted under the sponsorship component of the Mission Vatsalya scheme of Ministry of Women and Child Development.