Daily Current Affairs MCQ- August 16, 2022 - UPSC MCQ

On this day 80 years ago — on August 9, 1942 — the people of India launched the decisive final phase of the struggle for independence. It was a mass upsurge against colonial rule on a scale not seen earlier, and it sent out the unmistakable message that the sun was about to set on the British Empire in India.

• Mahatma Gandhi, who had told the Raj to “Quit India” on the previous day (August 8) was already in jail along with the entire Congress leadership, so when August 9 dawned, the people were on their own — out on the street, driven by the Mahatma’s call of “Do or Die”.
• This truly people-led movement was eventually crushed violently by the British, but by then it was clear that nothing short of their final departure was acceptable to India’s masses.
• Reasons: While factors leading to such a movement had been building up, matters came to a head with the failure of the Cripps Mission. The failure of the Cripps Mission made Gandhi realise that freedom would come only if Indians fought tooth and nail for it.

Gandhi’s address: Do or Die

• On August 8, 1942, Gandhi addressed the people in the Gowalia Tank maidan in Bombay (Mumbai).
• “The mantra is: ‘Do or Die’. We shall either free India or die trying; we shall not live to see the perpetuation of our slavery,” Gandhi said.
• Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the Tricolour on the ground.
• The Quit India movement had been officially announced.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

United States Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Colin Kahl confirmed on August 8, 2022 that Washington has supplied some “anti-radiation missiles” to Ukraine, which could be fired from some Ukrainian Air Force aircraft.

• The statement, kind of, confirms Russian allegations that an American anti-radar missile, AGM-88 HARM, which is part of NATO’s inventory, has been used in the theatre of conflict.
• The acronym ‘HARM’ in the AGM-88 HARM air-to-surface missile stands for High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile.
• It is a tactical weapon fired from fighter aircraft, and has the capability to detect and home into radiation emitted by hostile radar stations that have surface-to-air detection capabilities.
• The missile was originally developed by the Dallas-headquartered Texas Instruments, but is now produced by the major American defence contractor Raytheon Corporation.

Hence both statements are correct.

Both the House of Parliament adjourned Sine Die, four days ahead of the schedule.

• The Monsoon Session of Parliament, which commenced on 18th of last month, was scheduled to end on the 12th of this month.
• Rajya Sabha conducted business for 38 hours while it lost 47 hours due to disruptions during the session. the Question Hour could not be taken up on seven days. Only five Bills were considered and passed. the House took up a short duration discussion on the rising prices of essential items in the country.
• In the Lok Sabha, six bills were introduced and seven bills were passed during the session. 16 sittings were held and the House conducted business for more than 44 hours. The House also held two short duration discussions on the price rise and steps to promote sports in the country.

Hence both statements are correct.

The 13th Edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise “Ex Vajra Prahar 2022” commenced at the Special Forces Training School at Bakloh of Himachal Pradesh.

• The Vajra Prahar series of joint exercise aims to share best practices and experiences in areas such as joint mission planning and operational tactics as also to improve inter-operability between the Special Forces of both the Nations.
• This annual exercise is hosted alternatively between India and the United States. The 12th edition was conducted at Joint Base Lewis Mcchord, Washington (USA) in October last year.

Hence both statements are correct.

The Ashoora-e-Muharram was observed with due reverence and solemnity in various parts of the country.

• The day marks the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hazrat Imam Hussain, and his companions, who laid down their lives for upholding truth, righteousness and justice in Karbala.
• Tazia processions were taken out to mark the occasion which were buried later in the evening at designated places.
• Majlis or religious meetings were also organized where religious scholars highlighted various aspects of Karbala incident.

Hence both statements are correct.

• Biofuel is a fuel that is produced over a short time span from biomass, rather than by the very slow natural processes involved in the formation of fossil fuels, such as oil.
• Most of biofuel consumption occurs as a blend with refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, and kerosene-type jet fuel.
• However, some biofuels do not require blending with their petroleum counterparts and are referred to as drop-in biofuels.
• The most common biofuels now are –
  • Bioalcohols such as ethanol, propanol, and butanol (a substitute for petrol/gasoline);
  • Biodiesel (a substitute for diesel);
  • Bio-oils (substitutes for kerosene).

Hence both statements are correct.

On August 7, 2022, the U.S. Senate approved a bill titled the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) 2022.

• The IRA has a special focus on climate, healthcare, and tax provisions to address inflation.
• The Bill marks the largest American investment aimed toward making the U.S. a leader in clean energy. It provides a tax deduction to low and middle-income households to go electric and seeks to lower the energy bills of U.S. households.
• For disadvantaged low-income communities and tribal communities, the Bill provides funding to benefit from zero-emission technologies. It also imposes a fee on methane leaks from oil and gas drilling.
• However, climate advocates criticise the bill for coupling the development of renewable energy, which is the cause of global warming, with land leasing for oil and gas drilling.

Hence both statements are correct.

The Union Cabinet has approved the ratification of amendments to the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) as contained in the Eleventh Additional Protocol to the Constitution signed during the 27th Congress of the Universal Postal Union held at Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire) from 9-27 August, 2021.

• The approval enables the Department of Posts, Government of India to have the “Instrument of Ratification” signed by the Hon’ble President of India and have the same deposited with the Director General of the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union.
• This would fulfil the obligations arising from Article 25 and 30 of the UPU Constitution which provides for ratification of the amendments to the Constitution adopted by a Congress as soon as possible by the member countries.
• The Universal Postal Union (UPU) established by the Treaty of Bern of 1874, is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that coordinates postal policies among member nations, in addition to the worldwide postal system. The UPU's headquarters are located in Bern, Switzerland.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Union Cabinet has approved the signing of an Audio Visual C0-Production Treaty, between India and Australia with a view to promote co-production of films.

• Such agreements are Umbrella Agreements under which private, government agencies enter into contracts to produce films together.
• The proposed agreement will boost ties with Australia, lead to exchange of art and culture, showcase the soft power of our country and lead to generation of employment.
• India has so far signed 15 Audio Visual Co-production Treaties with foreign countries. Australia has emerged as a preferred destination for shooting of Indian films. India is fast emerging as a major content hub for film makers looking for new projects. India has abundance of exotic locations, talent pool, relatively cheaper cost of production and post production, making India a favoured destination of foreign film makers.

Hence both statements are correct.

American tennis legend Serena Williams, the winner of 23 Grand Slam titles, has announced that she will retire from professional tennis.

• Serena has now set her eyes on the US Open which starts on the 29th of this month. It would be her last tournament.
• Serena Williams first major title was the 1999 US Open, when she was 17. She won her last Slam title at the 2017 Australian Open when she was eight weeks' pregnant with daughter Olympia.
• Serena and older sister Venus have been widely regarded as changing the face of tennis and inspiring future players, as well as pushing for gender equality.
• She has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most by any player in the Open Era, and the second-most of all time (behind Margaret Court's 24).
• Serena has also won 73 WTA titles overall, including all four Slams at least three times, 39 combined major titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles, 14 major doubles titles with sister Venus, four Olympic gold medals in singles and doubles 319 weeks at the top of the world rankings.

Hence both statements are correct.