International (Current Affairs – UPSC) (Part-II)

Total Questions: 50

21. Recently with which country government did ONGC Mittal Energy Limited (OMEL) sign a joint-venture deal of $6 billion dealing with infrastructure, refinery and power? [2006]

(a) Colombia
(b) Venezuela
(c) Nigeria
(d) Saudi Arabia

Correct Answer: (c) Nigeria

Solution:On 10th November, 2005, ONGC Mittal Energy Ltd (OMEL), the joint venture between Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and L. N. Mittal Group, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Nigerian Government for long-term infrastructure investments in exchange for drilling rights in that country.

22. What was the main reason for which Niger was in the news in recent times? [2006]

(a) Many deaths due to AIDS
(b) Fierce civil war
(c) Intense fighting with Algeria
(d) Famine and starvation

Correct Answer: (d) Famine and starvation

Solution:Nigeria was in the news recently for famine and starvation.

In the 2020 Global Hunger Index, Nigeria ranks 98th out of the 107 countries with sufficient data to calculate 2020 GHI scores. With a score of 29.2, Nigeria has a level of hunger that is serious.

23. Which of the following countries signed the Tshwane Declaration in October 2006? [2007]

(a) China and South Africa
(b) India and South Africa
(c) South Africa and Botswana
(d) Saudi Arabia and South Africa

Correct Answer: (b) India and South Africa

Solution:The Tshwane declaration was signed by India and South Africa in 2006. Through this declaration both the parties reaffirmed their Strategic Partnership.

24. Recently, the European Union and other six countries including India signed the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Project. Which one of the following was not a signatory to it? [2007]

(a) Canada
(b) China
(c) Japan
(d) USA

Correct Answer: (a) Canada

Solution:India, European Union, along with 5 other nations (China, Japan, Korea, Russia and United States) signed the ITER project. Canada was not among the signatories as it stayed out of the agreement due to scarcity of necessary resources.

ITER is one of the most ambitious energy projects in the world today. The experimental campaign that will be carried out at ITER is crucial to advancing fusion science and preparing the way for the fusion power plants of tomorrow.

25. How is Steve Fossette known as : [2007]

(a) as a crocodile hunter
(b) for completing the longest nonstop flight around the globe
(c) for swimming across Atlantic Ocean
(d) for climbing to Mt Everest without any co-climber

Correct Answer: (b) for completing the longest nonstop flight around the globe

Solution:Steve Fossette was the first person to circumnavigate the world in a hot-air balloon. This American entrepreneur and an enthusiastic traveller achieved the feat in 2002.

26. Consider the following statements: [2007]

1. Republicans won the majority in the US House of Representatives Elections held in the year 2006.

2. Republican Bobby Jindal, won a seat in the US House of Representatives for the second time.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 & 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only

Solution:In the 2006 United States House of Representatives elections, Republicans won 202 seats while Democrats got the majority by securing 233 seats.

The American-Indian Politician, Piyush "Bobby" Jindal was elected to the U.S. House of Representative in 2004 and was re-elected in 2006.

27. What is the broad area in which the Nobel Prize winners for the year 2006 in Physiology or Medicine, worked to get the Prize? [2007]

(a) Prevention of weakening due to ageing
(b) Flow of genetic information
(c) Immunology and disease resistance
(d) Adult stem cell research

Correct Answer: (b) Flow of genetic information

Solution:The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2006 was awarded jointly to Andrew Z. Fire and Craig C. Mello for their discovery of RNA interference which is gene silencing by double-stranded RNA.

The discovery is an important aspect of fundamental mechanism for controlling the flow of genetic information.

28. Which one of the following countries is planning to construct a rival to the Panama Canal to link the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans? [2007]

(a) Colombia
(b) Costa Rica
(c) Guatemala
(d) Nicaragua

Correct Answer: (a) Colombia

Solution:Colombia in association with China is planning to construct a dry canal alternative to the Panama Canal. It will link Colombia's Atlantic and Pacific coasts together by rail in an attempt to facilitate increased trade between the two countries. China is also trying to build a canal near Nicargua now.

29. Which one of the following pairs of countries joined the European Union in January 2007? [2007]

(a) Bulgaria and Romania
(b) Bulgaria and Belgium
(c) Romania and Slovenia
(d) Hungary and Croatia

Correct Answer: (a) Bulgaria and Romania

Solution:Bulgaria and Romania joined the European Union on 1st January 2007. With joining of these two countries from Eastern Europe, the number of European Union members increased to 27 on the date in 2007.

30. Which one of the following countries recently upgraded its defence agency to a full defence ministry? [2007]

(a) Italy
(b) Japan
(c) Switzerland
(d) Poland

Correct Answer: (b) Japan

Solution:In 2007, Japan upgraded its Defence Agency to a full ministry for the first time since World War-II. The upgrading of the Defence Agency, formerly under the Cabinet Office was propelled by deep concern in Japan over North Korean missile and nuclear weapons development.

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