Current News and Affairs

Consider the following statements:

• Statement-I: Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States.
• Statement-II: The ‘Arab Peace Initiative’ mediated by Saudi Arabia was signed by Israel and Arab League.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

[amp_mcq option1=”Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I” option2=”Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I” option3=”Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect” option4=”Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct” correct=”option3″]

The correct answer is C) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect.

Statement-I is correct: Israel has established diplomatic relations with several Arab states. Egypt and Jordan signed peace treaties and established relations decades ago. More recently, the Abraham Accords, starting in 2020, led to normalization agreements between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.
Statement-II is incorrect: The ‘Arab Peace Initiative’ was proposed by Saudi Arabia in 2002 and endorsed by the Arab League. It offered full normalization of relations between Arab states and Israel in exchange for Israel’s withdrawal from occupied territories, establishment of a Palestinian state, and a just resolution for Palestinian refugees. Israel did not sign this initiative; it was a proposal from the Arab League to Israel.

The Abraham Accords represented a significant shift in the approach to Arab-Israeli relations, moving towards normalization by some Arab states without the prior resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in contrast to the premise of the Arab Peace Initiative.

Consider the following pairs:

Regiona often mentioned in news	Reason for being in news
1. North Kivu and Ituri	: War between Armenia and Azerbaijan
2. Nagorno-Karabakh	: Insurgency in Mozambique
3. Kherson and Zaporizhzhia	: Dispute between Israel and Lebanon

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

[amp_mcq option1=”Only one” option2=”Only two” option3=”All three” option4=”None” correct=”option4″]

The correct answer is D) None.

Pair 1 is incorrect: North Kivu and Ituri are provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), experiencing ongoing conflict involving various armed groups, not the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Pair 2 is incorrect: Nagorno-Karabakh is a disputed region primarily between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The conflict there escalated significantly in 2020 and 2023. Insurgency in Mozambique is primarily concentrated in the northern Cabo Delgado province.
Pair 3 is incorrect: Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are regions in southern Ukraine that have been central to the conflict with Russia since 2022. The dispute between Israel and Lebanon involves border issues, maritime boundaries, and the activities of groups like Hezbollah.

Geographical locations of conflicts are important for international relations and current affairs. North Kivu and Ituri are known for prolonged ethnic violence and militia activity. Nagorno-Karabakh has been a source of conflict since the breakup of the Soviet Union. Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are among the Ukrainian regions partially occupied and claimed by Russia.

Consider the following statements:

• 1. Vietnam has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world in the recent years.
• 2. Vietnam is led by a multi-party political system.
• 3. Vietnam’s economic growth is linked to its integration with global supply chains and focus on exports.
• 4. For a long time Vietnam’s low labour costs and stable exchange rates have attracted global manufacturers.
• 5. Vietnam has the most productive e-service sector in the Indo-Pacific region.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”2 and 4″ option2=”3 and 5″ option3=”1, 3 and 4″ option4=”1 and 2″ correct=”option3″]

Statements 1, 3, and 4 regarding Vietnam’s economy are correct, while statements 2 and 5 are incorrect.

– Statement 1: Vietnam has indeed been one of the fastest-growing economies globally in recent decades, driven by reforms and integration into the global economy.
– Statement 2: Vietnam is a socialist republic with a single-party system led by the Communist Party of Vietnam, not a multi-party system.
– Statement 3: Vietnam’s economic growth is strongly linked to its integration into global supply chains, particularly in manufacturing, and a focus on exports.
– Statement 4: Low labour costs and a stable exchange rate have been significant factors attracting foreign direct investment and global manufacturers to Vietnam for a long time.
– Statement 5: While Vietnam’s e-service sector is growing rapidly, claiming it is the “most productive” in the entire Indo-Pacific region is a very strong and likely inaccurate claim compared to more developed economies like South Korea, Singapore, or even parts of India.

Vietnam underwent significant economic reforms (Doi Moi) starting in the late 1980s, transitioning from a centrally planned economy to a socialist-oriented market economy. Its strategic location, young population, and trade agreements have further boosted its economic trajectory.

Consider the following:

• 1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
• 2. Missile Technology Control Regime
• 3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

India is a member of which of the above ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”3 only” option3=”2 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option4″]

India is a member of all three organisations listed: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

– India is a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which was established in 2016.
– India became a full member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in June 2016.
– India became a full member state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in June 2017 at the Astana summit.

AIIB is a multilateral development bank focused on infrastructure investment in Asia. MTCR is a non-proliferation regime aimed at curbing the spread of missiles and missile technology. SCO is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance. India’s membership in these diverse bodies reflects its growing engagement in global and regional governance structures.

Consider the following pairs:

Country – Important reason for being in the news recently
1. Chad – Setting up of permanent military base by China
2. Guinea – Suspension of Constitution and Government by military
3. Lebanon – Severe and prolonged economic depression
4. Tunisia – Suspension of Parliament by President

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

[amp_mcq option1=”Only one pair” option2=”Only two pairs” option3=”Only three pairs” option4=”All four pairs” correct=”option3″]

Three out of the four pairs are correctly matched: Guinea, Lebanon, and Tunisia have all been in the news recently for the reasons cited.

– Guinea experienced a military coup in September 2021, leading to the suspension of its constitution and government.
– Lebanon has been facing a severe and prolonged economic depression, widely considered one of the worst global crises since the mid-19th century.
– Tunisia’s President Kais Saied suspended the parliament and dismissed the prime minister in July 2021, consolidating power and leading to a political crisis.

The first pair, Chad – Setting up of permanent military base by China, is incorrectly matched. While China has been expanding its presence in Africa, its first and only overseas military base is in Djibouti, not Chad. Chad has faced significant political instability and transitions recently, but not specifically related to a Chinese military base being set up there.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news?

[amp_mcq option1=”It is generally believed that they are artificial islands made by a country around South China Sea.” option2=”China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea.” option3=”A permanent American military base has been set up there to help Taiwan to increase its defence capabilities.” option4=”Though International Court of Justice declared them as no man’s land, some South-East Asian countries claim them.” correct=”option2″]

Statement B correctly identifies the core issue surrounding the Senkaku Islands (known as Diaoyu in China), which are the subject of a maritime dispute between China and Japan in the East China Sea.

The Senkaku Islands are a group of uninhabited islands located in the East China Sea. Both Japan and China claim sovereignty over these islands. This dispute is a significant point of tension in Sino-Japanese relations and affects maritime security in the region. The islands are strategically located near potential oil and gas reserves and important shipping lanes.

Statement A is incorrect because the islands are natural landforms, not artificial, and they are located in the East China Sea, not generally considered part of the South China Sea disputes (though related to broader regional tensions). Statement C is incorrect; while the US has security alliances in the region, there is no permanent American military base specifically set up on the Senkaku Islands to aid Taiwan. Statement D is incorrect; the International Court of Justice has not declared the islands ‘no man’s land’, and the primary claimants are China and Japan, not South-East Asian countries.

Consider the following countries:
1. Armenia
2. Azerbaijan
3. Croatia
4. Romania
5. Uzbekistan
Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic States?

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 5″ option2=”1 and 3″ option3=”2 and 5″ option4=”2, 4 and 5″ correct=”option3″]

The correct answer is C) 2 and 5.

The Organization of Turkic States (formerly the Turkic Council) is an international organization comprising Turkic states. The current member states are:
1. Azerbaijan
2. Kazakhstan
3. Kyrgyzstan
4. Turkey
5. Uzbekistan
Observer states include Hungary and Turkmenistan.
Based on this, Armenia (1), Croatia (3), and Romania (4) are not members. Azerbaijan (2) and Uzbekistan (5) are members.

The organization aims to promote comprehensive cooperation among Turkic-speaking countries. Its secretariat is located in Istanbul, Turkey. The decision to rename the organization from “Turkic Council” to “Organization of Turkic States” was made at the 8th Summit in Istanbul in November 2021.

Consider the following statements:
1. Bidibidi is a large refugee settlement in north-western Kenya.
2. Some people who fled from South Sudan civil war live in Bidibidi.
3. Some people who fled from civil war in Somalia live in Dadaab refugee complex in Kenya.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2″ option2=”2 only” option3=”2 and 3″ option4=”3 only” correct=”option3″]

The correct answer is C) 2 and 3.

Statement 1 is incorrect. Bidibidi is a large refugee settlement located in **Uganda**, in the northwestern part of the country, not Kenya.
Statement 2 is correct. Bidibidi settlement in Uganda was established primarily to host refugees fleeing the civil war and conflict in neighboring South Sudan.
Statement 3 is correct. Dadaab is one of the world’s largest refugee complexes, located in eastern Kenya. It has historically hosted and continues to host a large population of refugees from Somalia, who have fled due to civil war, conflict, and environmental crises.

Uganda hosts a large number of refugees, particularly from South Sudan, making it one of the top refugee-hosting countries globally. Kenya has long hosted refugees from Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and other countries, with Dadaab and Kakuma being prominent refugee camps.

The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple at Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple ?

• 1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.
• 2. A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni.
• 3. Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option1″]

The correct answer is A) 1 and 2 only.

Statement 1 is correct. Somnath Temple is traditionally considered the first among the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.
Statement 2 is correct. The medieval Islamic historian and scholar Al-Biruni described the Somnath temple in his Kitab-ul-Hind, noting its immense wealth.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The Pran Pratishtha (installation) of the present temple structure was performed by the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, on May 11, 1951. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan was the second President of India.

The Somnath Temple has a long and complex history, having been destroyed and rebuilt several times. The current structure was reconstructed after India’s independence. The temple is located in Veraval, Saurashtra, Gujarat.

Consider the following statements in respect of the ICC World Test Championship :

1. The finalists were decided by the number of matches they won.
2. New Zealand was ranked ahead of England because it won more matches than England.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option4″]

The question asks for the correct statements regarding the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).
Statement 1: The finalists for the inaugural WTC (2019-2021) were decided based on the percentage of points earned from matches played, not simply by the number of matches won. This system was implemented due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the schedule, where not all teams could play the same number of series or matches. Thus, Statement 1 is not correct.
Statement 2: New Zealand was ranked ahead of England in the 2019-2021 WTC cycle based on the percentage of points, not because they won more matches. In fact, England won 12 matches compared to New Zealand’s 7 matches in the cycle. New Zealand finished second with 70.0% points, while England finished fourth with 61.4%. Thus, Statement 2 is not correct.
Based on the analysis, neither statement 1 nor statement 2 is correct. Therefore, the correct option is D.

– The ICC World Test Championship standings were determined by the percentage of points earned per match contested, not total wins.
– New Zealand ranked higher than England in the 2019-2021 WTC cycle despite winning fewer matches.

The percentage of points system was adopted partway through the 2019-2021 WTC cycle to account for incomplete series and varying numbers of matches played by teams due to the pandemic. This ensured a fairer comparison between teams. India and New Zealand were the finalists for the 2019-2021 WTC final.