1) What is the name of the heaviest next generation rocket launched by ISRO on 18 December 2014 that marked first step towards India’s manned missions? – Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mark III (GSLV Mark-III)
Explanation: The 630-tonne GSLV Mark-III and standing 43.43-metre tall is the heaviest rocket launched till date by ISRO. The launch was done from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota (AP). With successful launch of this rocket ISRO is now hoping this will become the main stay rocket in the future, which later will be suitably equipped for ferrying Indian astronauts into space. Once ISRO masters this rocket, there may not be any need for India to send its heavy-duty communications satellites to space using expensive foreign launchers. It can also hope to make a dent in the multimillion-dollar commercial launch market of the world. The mission cost Rs. 155 crore and its main purpose was to test the rocket’s atmospheric flight stability with around four tonne luggage. The second objective was to study the re-entry characteristics of the crew module – called Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment – its aero braking and validation of its end-to-end parachute system.
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2) In a historic development United States and Cuba on 17 December 2014 agreed to restore diplomatic ties that Washington severed more than 50 years ago. President Barack Obama called for an end to the long economic embargo against its old Cold War enemy. Which US hostage was released by Cuba on 17 December, which made this development possible? – Alan Gross
Explanation: 65-year old Alan Gross, a U.S. international development professional, had been imprisoned in Cuba for five years. He was prosecuted in 2011 after being accused of crimes against the Cuban state for bringing satellite phones and computer equipment. He was released by Cuba on 17 December 2014. His case had been a major obstacle to improving relations. After 18 months of secret talks, Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro agreed in a phone call on 16 December on a breakthrough prisoner exchange, the opening of embassies in each other’s countries, and an easing of some restrictions on commerce. The two leaders made the announcement in simultaneous televised speeches. Cuba and the United States have been ideological foes since soon after the 1959 revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power. US broke diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1961 as it steered a leftist course that turned it into a close ally of the former Soviet Union.
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3) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 17 December 2014 imposed fines on state-run Bank of Baroda (BOB) and ICICI Bank – the largest private bank in India. What was the charge on these two banks? – Violation of KYC and anti-money laundering norms
Explanation: RBI imposed fines worth Rs.50 lakh and Rs.25 lakh on ICICI Bank and Bank of Baroda, respectively, for violations of its instructions on know-your-customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering norms. Three other banks including State Bank of India, Axis Bank and State Bank of Patiala, were cautioned to put in place appropriate measures and review them from time to time to ensure strict compliance of KYC requirements in future. This RBI action came after it received a complaint in this regard. It cautioned these banks to put in place appropriate measures and review them from time to time to ensure strict compliance of KYC requirements in future. The fraudsters had managed to open fictitious accounts in the name of the statutory organisation in the above five banks and operated the accounts mainly for encashing cheques/demand drafts/postal orders of which they were not the rightful owners, for periods ranging from one month to two years, without being detected by the banks.
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4) What is the name of the top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander accused of plotting the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai in 2008, who was granted bail in the same case on 18 December 2014 by Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Court? – Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi
Explanation: Lakhvi, who was the operational head of the banned Laskhar-e-Taiba, was one of the key planners of the Mumbai attack that killed 166 people. The court observed that the prosecution has been unable to provide evidence against him. He and six others had applied for the bail on 17 December. Granting of bail to Lakhvi came as a big shock to India, especially just a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had pledged to root out terrorism from his country. It is worth mentioning that the seven accused – Lakhvi, Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younis Anjum are facing trial at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
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5) Which West Indian cricketer hit six sixes in an over on 16 December 2014 during a trial match for Australia’ s Big Bash season? – Kieron Pollard
Explanation: Kieron Pollard smashed six sixes in an over in a trial game for the Big Bash team Adelaide Strikers. He thus joined the elite league of 5 players – Sir Garfield Sobers (1968), Ravi J. Shastri (1985), Herschelle Gibbs (2007), Yuvraj Singh (2007) and Jordan Clark (2013) to achieve this feat. Big Bash season started from 18 December.
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