Q.1584

This was unveiled in Jan 2015 as the personal monogram of a tennis player. The number 77 is part of this logo.

Which player and why 77?

Source: The Guardian

[+ Show Answer]

Andy Murray (you can see an "AM"); the "77" refers to the 77-year long wait for a British player to win a Wimbledon singles title (which he ended in 2013).

More here.

This day last year: Q.1219

Q.1583

In Jan 2015, an severe outbreak of measles in California, USA, was attributed to have originated in which heavily visited part of that state located in Anaheim District?

[+ Show Answer]

Disneyland. More here.

This day last year: Q.1218

Q.1582

Srinivas is the space correspondent for the Times of India. In Dec 2014, based on a request by an Indian agency to mark 100 days of one of their ambitious projects, he got a piece of work done by someone at home.

This was one of the last pieces done by whom?

[+ Show Answer]

R.K.Laxman, the legendary cartoonist, who died on Jan 26, 2015. His son is Srinivas. Here's that last cartoon.

This day last year: Q.1217

Q.1581

Image: Bill Gates

In this photo published in Jan 2015, Bill Gates is seen drinking water made by "Omniprocessor", a machine that recycles it from a very unusual source material. This is part of his foundation's work to 'reinvent' a part of most households.

What is this material?

[+ Show Answer]

Human waste. More here.

This day last year: Q.1216

Q.1580

What name, that was at the centre of an event that held the world's attention for several days in Jan 2015, gets its name from the lead character of a popular comic series and a shortened form of the French word for 'weekly'?

[+ Show Answer]

"Charlie Hebdo", the French magazine attacked in Jan 2015. More here on this name.

This day last year: Q.1215

Q.1579

In Jan 2015, the Indian comedy group AIB, through an event featuring film stars Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, brough the concept of a 'comedy roast' to India, in which the stars get made fun of by performers. Such an event has a main host (in this case the director Karan Johar).

What name, popularised by Comedy Central's Roast, is given to such a host which might remind you of a group of people who practice public speaking?

[+ Show Answer]

"Roast Master". More on 'roasts' here.

This day last year: Q.1214

Q.1578

In Jan 2015, an American brewery found itself the subject of Indian protests for the name of one of its India Pale Ales. The name, an ironic choice for a beer label, had been accompanied by a line on its website saying the beer is an "ideal aid for self-purification...".

What was the fuss about?

[+ Show Answer]

It had been named "Gandhi-bot", which led Indians to protest against the use of Mahatma Gandhi's name and likeness. More here.

This day last year: Q.1213

Q.1577

An article in the journal "Nature" in Jan 2015 announced the discovery of "teixobactin". This is being hailed as the first major finding of what in the last 25 years?

[+ Show Answer]

Antibiotic. More here.

This day last year: Q.1212

Q.1576

This fictional organisation claims to be for "Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion" and headed by a man who liked cats. Its name will be the name of the next release (expected to be late 2015) in a major movie franchise.

What name?

[+ Show Answer]

"SPECTRE" - the new James Bond film. More on the film.

This day last year: Q.1211

Q.1575

The Punjab Government recently banned the screening of this movie. Akal Takht, the highest Sikh temporal authority raised its concerns over the subject and the officials say the decision has been taken to safeguard peace and social harmony.

Which controversial film are we talking about?

[+ Show Answer]

MSG : The Messenger of God
The chief of Dera Sacha Sauda, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh starrer movie has been pulled down from all the theatres since the film is likely to evoke strong emotional reactions, leading to public display of conflicting.

Q.1574

Kevin Zaborney came up with this idea. This ‘day’, thus occurs annually on Jan 21st. It started in 1986 and he chose this date since it fell between Christmas/New Year’s eve and Valentine’s day/Birthdays. Therefore, he inferred that people are generally in low spirits during this time.
Although he thought that his idea would fail, he considers that ‘American society is embarrassed to show feelings in public’, which he wanted to change.

So what tradition did he start?

[+ Show Answer]

National Hugging Day

Q.1573

This term didn’t come from Astronomy. They were earlier known as Perigee which means ‘near earth’. An astrologer, Richard Nolle, is credited with coining this term.
In 2015, we’ll be witnessing 6 ______ and the first of which will be visible on 20th January at around 13:14 UTC.

Fill in the blanks.

[+ Show Answer]

Supermoon
A new or full moon which occurs with the moon at or near (within 90% of) its closest approach to Earth.

Q.1572

The 2015 African Cup of Nations kicked off from 17th January. This time it is known as Orange AFCON and it was hosted by Equatorial Guinea. However, the tournament was initially scheduled to be hosted by Morocco. But owing to a particular reason, Morocco demanded postponement of the event. Subsequently Morocco was ruled out as a host country.

What was their reason?

[+ Show Answer]

The Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa
In a 26 September statement, the WHO said, "The Ebola epidemic ravaging parts of West Africa is the most severe acute public health emergency seen in modern times”

Q.1571

I got really fired up in the changing room and sort of played my knock before I even came out to bat. Aggression was the main thing for me today — I just wanted to go right from the start. I was on 92 when I realised it was going to be close. I wasn’t going to take the singles when I was in the 90s

Who said this on the back of a historic knock?

[+ Show Answer]

AB de Villiers who scored the fastest century in 31 balls
He scored this knock against the West Indies on 18th Jan beating Corey Anderson’s previously held record which was accomplished in 36 balls also against WI.

Q.1570

The book ‘El Sari Rojo’ or ‘The Red Sari’ by Javier Moro was originally published in October 2008 in Spanish. It was released by Roli books on 16th January. It is an unauthorized biography of _____ ______, a person who’s typically seen wearing the aforementioned piece of clothing.

Fill in the blanks.

[+ Show Answer]

Sonia Gandhi
The book describes about how Sonia Gandhi’s courage, honesty, and dedication have made her a leader in the eyes of one-sixth of humanity. It has also been the reason and centre of much controversy.

Q.1569

Anil Vij, the Sports and Health minister of Haryana announced that a certain ‘Ramkrishna Yadav’ would be appointed as the State brand Ambassador. It was decided since the Government longs to propagate the benefits of ____ to common people.

Zero period in all schools will be ____ period, Anganwadi teachers will teach ____ and an AYUSH wing would be established in all the hospitals.

How do we better know Mr.Yadav?

[+ Show Answer]

Baba Ramdev
The offer was a part of government of Haryana’s ambitious plans to promote yoga and ayurveda in Haryana. Although, Ramdev Baba declined it later.

Q.1568

The winners of these awards receive a plaque and a cash prize of Rs.1 Lakh. The plaque awarded was designed by the Indian film-maker Satyajit Ray. Prior to this, the plaque occasionally was made of marble, but this practice was discontinued because of the excessive weight. During the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965, the plaque was substituted with national savings bonds.
Which awards are we talking about?

[+ Show Answer]

The Sahitya Akademi Award
The award's purpose is to recognize and promote excellence in Indian writing and also acknowledge new trends. Eminent Sanskrit scholar Prabhu Nath Dwivedi was on 14th Jan named as the winner for Sanskrit language.

Q.1567

This is Randall Park. He is an American actor, comedian, writer, and director. Among the various characters he’s played are Minnesota governor Danny Chung in ‘Veep’ and Ming in ‘Five year engagement’. Although, he’s come in spotlight lately for playing a controversial character.
Which one?

[+ Show Answer]

Kim Jong Un in the 2014 film The Interview
The GOP (Guardians of Peace) group demanded that Sony pull down its film. They also hacked into Sony pictures and the attack was allegedly sponsored by North Korea. North Korea recently denied all responsibility.

Q.1566

Recently, Cristiano Ronaldo won the FIFA Ballon d’Or over Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer.
During the same ceremony, if Germany's World Cup winner Joachim Low won men's coach of the year and if Germany midfielder Nadine Kessler was named women's player of the year.
Then what award did Colombia’s James Rodriguez win?

[+ Show Answer]

Goal of the year/ Most beautiful goal/ Puskas Award
He won the Fifa goal of the year award for his World Cup strike against Uruguay. The award is in honor of Ferenc Puskás, the striker of Real Madrid and central member of the highly successful Hungarian side.

Q.1565

The biggest challenge and most fun part of this move, however, is the fight we’re going to be picking with Yelp. In the market they have dominated for so long. After all, like Mark Twain famously said, it isn’t the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog”

What ‘move’ is Deepinder Goyal talking about?

[+ Show Answer]

Zomato acquires US company Urbanspoon for Rs 360 crore
The acquisition also marks Zomato's entry into the biggest market for the space. Urbanspoon is said to be next only to Yelp in the restaurant discovery business in the US.

Q.1564

Rex Ryan is an American football coach who spent the past six years with the New York Jets, leading them to the AFC title game in each of his first two seasons. Now, he is all set to join the ______ ____ as their new head coach.

What is the name of this NFL team which was renamed after William Fredrick Cody, a famous bison hunter? The name might also remind you of a certain ‘Jame Gumb’ from Thomas Harris’s 1988 novel.

[+ Show Answer]

Buffalo Bills
Ryan is set to be hired as head coach of the Buffalo Bills on January 12, 2015, agreeing to a five-year, $27.5 million contract.

Q.1563

Bhaskar Bhat is the chairman and Phee Teik Yeoh is the CEO of this company. It takes its name from the Sanskrit word which means ‘limitless expanse’. Identify this company whose logo is pictured below.

[+ Show Answer]

Vistara Airlines
Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, commenced operations on 9 January 2015 with its inaugural flight between Delhi and Mumbai.

Q.1562

In 1977 it existed for a duration of 105 days and the cause was the Sheikh Abdullah led National Conference government bowed out after being reduced to a minority.
In 1986, it lasted for 246 days and this time the reason was loss of majority.
Post that, it has happened 4 times for varied time spans and reasons.
What and where?

[+ Show Answer]

President’s rules in Jammu and Kashmir
It was again imposed on 9th January since there was a failure of Government formation.

Q.1561

Wit.ai is a Y Combinator startup founded in 2013 by Alexandre Lepburn. Its aim is to create an API for building voice-activated interfaces. It already has 6000 developers on its platform who have built hundreds of apps.
Why is it in the news currently?

[+ Show Answer]

It got acquired by Facebook
The Wit.ai platform will remain open and will be available entirely free for everyone even after the acquisition, the details of which were not disclosed.

Q.1560

Who said this? He’s also on the hit list of Al-Qaeda.

I stand with Charlie Hebdo, as we all must, to defend the art of satire, which has always been a force for liberty and against tyranny, dishonesty and stupidity ... religious totalitarianism has caused a deadly mutation in the heart of Islam and we see the tragic consequences in Paris today.

[+ Show Answer]

Salman Rushdie
He is on Al Qaeda’s hit list and has received death threats for his novel ‘The Satanic verses’.

Q.1559

Players in the 12000 runs club are Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid and X (in descending order of runs).
X is the latest entrant. On 3rd January 2015, he became the fastest cricketer to reach this milestone in a test match against New Zealand.
Identify X.

[+ Show Answer]

Kumar Sangakkara
Earlier on 3 December 2014, Sangakkara became the fourth player to score 13000 runs in ODI cricket after Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Sanath Jayasuriya.

Q.1558

University of Southampton has initiated this one of a kind project. A team of scientists have planned to grow Lettuce on ____. The ingredients required for this would be transferred in 2018. The lettuce’s growth will be without any water or soil. Also, some nutrients will be sprayed on it regularly. Post the project, the heaters will be switched to full power, exterminating all life in it.
What’s the destination?

[+ Show Answer]

Mars
The scientists led by Suzanna Lucarotti will demonstrate their project via a payload in the form of lettuce that will be carried by Mars One Lander in 2018.

Q.1557

Braigo includes a microprocessor with assorted components such as electric motors, sensors and actuators. It was designed by 13-year-old Shubham Banerjee.
In September 2014, it was demonstrated at the Intel Developers Forum.
What is special about Braigo? And what was it made from?

[+ Show Answer]

Braille printer made from Lego blocks
In August 2014, a new company called Braigo Labs Inc. was formed. Since Shubham Bannerjee is a minor, his mother Malini is listed as the President of the company. Also, World Braille Day is celebrated every year on the 4th of January.

Q.1556

This policy was introduced in 1978 but came majorly into effect since 2002. Due to this, there were many parents in this country who became ‘Shidu Fumu’. However, a decision taken in late 2014 will ensure that this policy is amended. This was done in order to balance the country’s population structure.
What was thus modified?

[+ Show Answer]

China’s one child policy replaced by two child policy
Shidu is a phenomenon denoting the loss of a parent's only child. The amended policy, which will come into force on 1 January 2016, will lift the restrictions on couples from having only one child.

Q.1555

SETU (Self-Employment and Talent Utilisation) is a techno-financial incubation programme which supports start-up businesses most significantly in technology-driven areas.
This mechanism falls under a something that has replaced an institution established in 1950.
Which institution? And what was it replaced by?

[+ Show Answer]

NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aaayog replaced the Planning Commission of India.
Formed on 1 Jan 2015, NITI Aayog is a Government of India policy think-tank established by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to replace the Planning Commission.

Q.1554

The co-author of a 2013 book named "Why Growth Matters" was put in charge of a National Institution for Transforming India. Who and what was he made charge of?

[+ Show Answer]

The economist Arvind Panagariya was named Dy. Chairperson of a new Indian body called "NITI Aayog", which replaces India's Planning Commission. "NITI", an acronym, also means "Policy". More here.

This day last year: Q.1189