1. Which is the first private companies that successfully took off for International Space Station with astronauts from the US?
a. Blue Origin
b. SpaceX
c. Boring Company
d. Rocket Lab
S-b
EXPLANATION-
• SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft successfully took off from Kennedy Space Center for the International Space Station (ISS), with two NASA astronauts Behnken and Hurley.
• The spacecraft is the first to take the American astronauts to orbit from American soil in nearly a decade.
• The mission marks the first launch of a rocket owned by SpaceX, the commercial space company founded by Elon Musk.
• US President Donald Trump was present at the Kennedy Space Center to view the rocket launch.
• NASA has assigned Hurley and Behnken, two of its most experienced astronauts. Behnken is the joint operations commander for the Demo-2 mission, responsible for activities such as rendezvous, docking and undocking, as well as activities while the spacecraft is docked to the space station.
• He was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2000 and has completed two space shuttle flights. Hurley is the spacecraft commander for the mission, responsible for activities such as launch, landing and recovery. He was selected as an astronaut in 2000 and has completed two spaceflights.
2. Which country has assured timely delivery of Rafale aircraft to India?
a. US
b. Israel
c. Germany
d. France
S-d
EXPLANATION-
• France reaffirmed its commitment to ensure timely delivery of Rafale Aircraft to India despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• French Minister of Armed Forces, Ms Florence Parly assured the Defence minister Rajnath Singh of the delivery during a telephonic conversation. Both the leaders discussed matters of mutual concern including COVID-19 situation, regional security and agreed to strengthen the Bilateral Defence Cooperation between India and France.
• Both Ministers appreciated the efforts made by Armed Forces of India and France in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Which of the following countries launched Corona Tracer BD?
a. Bangladesh
b. Iran
c. Germany
d. Turkey
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• The ICT Division of the Government of Bangladesh and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) have launched an app to trace Corona infected people and people near them.
• The smartphone-based app 'Corona Tracer BD' utilizes Bluetooth signal to trace a Corona infected person nearby.
• The app will also help the government in determining areas with high risk of Coronavirus.
4. Where will India host Women's Asian Cup?
a. 2022
b. 2021
c. 2023
d. 2024
S-c
EXPLANATION-
• The Asian Football Confederation awarded the hosting rights of the tournament to India after the AFC Women's Football Committee meeting.
• In February, the AFC Women's Football Committee had recommended India to be hosts. This is the first time that India will be hosting the event since 1979, in which India had finished as the runner-ups.
• The tournament comes as the latest boost to AIFF as India are slated to host the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup next year. India had also hosted the AFC U-16 Championships in 2016 and the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017.
• The tournament will feature 12 teams, expanded from the previous slot of eight teams. India will qualify directly as hosts.
• The event will also serve as the final qualification tournament for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. The tournament is likely to be held in the second half of the year.
5. Who among the following has been appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador of UNADAP?
a. M Nethra
b. B Akshara
c. C Nethra
d. D Rupakshi
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• In Tamil Nadu, a thirteen-year old Madurai girl M Nethra has been appointed the Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Association for Development and Peace, the UNADAP.
• It was in recognition of her role in feeding the poor during the COVID-19 lockdown by her father, a hairdresser by profession.
• UNADAP stands for United Nations Association for Development And Peace.
• Nethra will be given the opportunity to speak at the United Nations (UN) conferences in New York and in Geneva addressing Civil Society forums and conferences.
