Correct Answer :   Atul Mehra

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Axis Capital has appointed Atul Mehra as the managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO). The appointment is subject to receipt of requisite approvals. Mehra, who was formerly with JM Financial, will oversee both the investment banking and institutional equities businesses of Axis Capital.

His appointment comes after the departure of Axis Capital’s current MD & co-CEO Salil Pitale. In December, JM Financial roped in Chirag Negandhi — who was the co-CEO at Axis Capital — as its MD.

Mehra is a veteran dealmaker with over three decades of experience and was the joint MD at JM Financial. Axis Capital has also appointed Parag Gude as the chief operating officer (COO) of Institutional Equities and Dhaval Desai as Head – Cash Equities..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Democratic Republic of Congo

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The Democratic Republic of Congo has appointed Judith Suminwa Tuluka as the country’s first female Prime Minister. This move by President Felix Tshisekedi fulfills a campaign promise and comes at a time of worsening violence in the mineral-rich eastern region bordering Rwanda.

Humanitarian Crisis in the East :

The long-running conflict in the east has displaced more than 7 million people, according to the United Nations, making it one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The region is overrun by more than 120 armed groups seeking control over the area’s gold and other resources, leading to mass killings.

Regional and UN Peacekeepers :

Withdrawing Both regional and UN peacekeepers have been asked to leave Congo after the government accused them of failing to resolve the conflict. As the withdrawal of personnel begins, and Congolese authorities take over, violence has only continued to worsen.

Rebel Group M23 Gains Territory :

The prominent rebel group M23 has made significant territorial gains in the east, contributing to the spike in violence and surging numbers of displaced people, according to the top UN envoy to Congo, Bintou Keita.

Tensions with Rwanda :

President Tshisekedi has blamed neighboring Rwanda for providing military support to the rebels, a claim Rwanda denies. However, UN experts have stated there is substantial evidence of Rwandan forces in Congo. The United States has urged both countries to avoid war.

New Prime Minister’s Priorities :

The new Prime Minister, Judith Suminwa Tuluka, has promised to work towards peace and development in her first speech. However, forming a new government could take months due to the need for intensive negotiations with various political parties.

Correct Answer :   Joyshree Das Verma

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* Joyshree Das Verma took over as the 41st National president of FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), the oldest women-led and women-centric business chamber of South East Asia for 2024-25.

* She has been appointed by Israel as its Honorary Consul for Northeast India.

* Verma is also the Director of HR firm Kaapro Management Solutions Pvt Ltd.

* "I am honoured to lead FICCI FLO as the 41st National President. Under the theme 'Collective Vision, Collaborative Action for the year 2024-25, our endeavour is to build a strong, inclusive community dedicated to sustainable progress, fostering individual growth, and inspiring impactful change," she said..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Microsoft and OpenAI

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Microsoft and OpenAI unveil plans for 'Stargate,' a $100 billion AI supercomputer. Scheduled for completion by 2028, it marks the culmination of a six-year endeavor. Challenges include chip scarcity.

In a groundbreaking collaboration, tech giants Microsoft and OpenAI have revealed plans to construct an unprecedented artificial intelligence supercomputer known as “Stargate.” This ambitious endeavor, estimated to cost a staggering $100 billion, represents a significant leap forward in AI infrastructure and capabilities.

Project Overview :

Challenges and Solutions :

Implications and Future Prospects :

This visionary initiative signifies a monumental leap forward in AI capabilities, with Stargate poised to unlock unprecedented opportunities for innovation and discovery.

Correct Answer :   Mahatma Gandhi Setu

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Bihar, a state in India, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and diverse history. With unique traditions and customs, it stands out among the states of India. Bihar boasts numerous constructions of significance, among which bridges hold a special place. One such remarkable bridge is the Mahatma Gandhi Setu, which holds the distinction of being Bihar’s longest bridge.

Longest Bridge in Bihar :

The Mahatma Gandhi Setu, towering as the longest bridge in Bihar, stretches over the majestic Ganges River, India’s longest, connecting the vibrant regions of North Bihar and South Bihar. It stands as a crucial artery, effectively shortening the distance between these areas, facilitating smoother connectivity and economic exchange.

Interesting Facts About Longest Bridge in Bihar :

Here are some interesting facts related to Mahatma Gandhi Setu, the longest bridge of Bihar :

Correct Answer :   Bharat Biotech

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Bharat Biotech, founded by Krishna Ella in 1996 and headquartered in Hyderabad, has initiated clinical trials for the Tuberculosis Vaccine "MTBVAC," which is the first vaccine against Tuberculosis derived from a human source by the Spanish bio-pharmaceutical company, Biofabri.

Correct Answer :   Geneva

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* Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh attended the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, Switzerland.

* The IPU is an international organization of national parliaments that aims to promote democratic governance, accountability, and cooperation among its member countries.

Correct Answer :   March 30

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National Doctor’s Day 2024 is celebrated on March 30th each year to honor physicians and the contributions they make to society. On this day, people can express their gratitude and appreciation to doctors for their hard work, dedication, and compassion on behalf of patients, colleagues, and communities. The opportunity to recognize the critical role physicians play in preserving and enhancing public health and well-being is presented by National Doctors Day in 2024.

National Doctor's Day 2024 Theme :

* The website of National Doctors revealed the 2024 theme which is “Wings & Stethoscopes: Healers of Hope."

* “This year’s (2024) theme, “Wings & Stethoscopes: Healers of Hope," reflects the idea that doctors selflessly and tirelessly work to lift America’s families through two powerful symbols. The first is the ubiquitous stethoscope hanging from the shoulders of doctors, ready to spring into action.

* The second symbol is the caduceus, two snakes winding around a winged staff in a nod to Asclepius, the Greek god of healing and medicine," it said in a statement.

National Doctor's Day 2024 History :

* National Doctors' Day has its origins in recognition of the first use of general anesthesia in surgery by Dr. Crawford W. Long in 1842.

* In 1933, the inaugural National Doctors' Day was observed in Winder, Georgia, the location of Dr. Long's medical clinic. President George H. W. Bush issued a proclamation in 1991 declaring March 30th to be National Doctors' Day in the US..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   New Delhi

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Earlier this month (Mar 2024), Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda inaugurated a Krishi Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) set up at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi, a big-screen dashboard of all digital innovations in the sector. Officials described the ICCC as a “significant leap forward” in leveraging technology for the advancement of agricultural practices.

What is the Krishi ICCC?

* The ICCC is a tech-based solution involving multiple IT applications and platforms, which is designed to help in making informed decisions. The centre is housed in the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, which is responsible for legislation, policy formation, and implementation of initiatives in the agriculture sector.

* The ICCC uses state of the art technologies such as artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to collect and process large amounts of granular data — on temperatures, rainfall, wind speed, crop yields and production estimations — and presents it in graphical format.

What do you get as the visual output?

* On eight large, 55-inch LED screens installed at the ICCC, you can see information on crop yields, production, drought situation, cropping patterns (geographic region-wise and year-wise) in map, timeline, and drill-down views.

* You can also see the relevant trends (periodic and non-periodic), outliers, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and receive insights, alerts, and feedback on agriculture schemes, programmes, projects, and initiatives.

* The ICCC uses platforms including the Krishi Decision Support System (DSS) to collect micro-level data, process it, and present the macro picture.

* The ICCC has a contact centre and a helpdesk facility, with the operator’s handset capable of being converted into a call centre. If needed, farmer beneficiaries can interact directly with officials or the Minister through video conferencing facilities.

What is the objective of the ICCC?

* The ICCC will enable comprehensive monitoring of the farm sector by making available at one place geospatial information received from multiple sources, including remote sensing; plot-level data received through soil survey; weather data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD); sowing data from Digital Crop Survey; farmer- and farm-related data from Krishi MApper, an application for geo-fencing and geo-tagging of land; market intelligence information from the Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics (UPAg); and yield estimation data from the General Crop Estimation Survey (GCES).

* The integrated visualisation of the data will enable quick and efficient decision-making by the The ICCC ecosystem can be linked with the PM-Kisan chatbot going forward.

Correct Answer :   Luis Montenegr

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After eight years of Socialist rule in Portugal, Luis Montenegro, leader of the centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD), has been appointed as the new prime minister. However, his minority government faces challenges due to his refusal to ally with the far-right Chega party.

Fragile Minority Government

Challenges and Opposition

Montenegro’s Agenda and Leadership

Immediate Tests and Future Prospects

Background and Resignation of António Costa