International Events (Part-V)

Total Questions: 50

31. Why has Pakistan's Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry been in the news recently? [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016]

Correct Answer: (b) Speaking in the National Assembly for giving credit of Pulwama to Pakistan
Solution:In October, 2020, Pakistan's Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry, speaking in the National Assembly, attributed the Pulwama attack to Pakistan and called it a success of Pakistan. However, due to controversy after his statement, he turned back from his statement.

He said that it was not the Pulwama attack, but when India dared to enter Pakistan's border, then he had given the credit to Pakistan for the damage caused to the fighter ships by Pakistan.

32. Who among the following took over as the Secretary-General of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in March, 2014? [U.P. Lower Sub (Mains) 2013]

Correct Answer: (c) Arjun Bahadur Thapa
Solution:In March 2014, former Nepal Foreign Secretary Arjun Bahadur Thapa was appointed as the new Secretary-General of SAARC. He is the 12th General Secretary of this regional group. Currently, Sri Lanka's diplomat Esala Ruwan Weerakoon is the 14th Secretary-General of SAARC will complete his tenure in March 2023.

On October 25, 2023 upon the approval of SAARC Council of Mnisters, Golam Sarwar has been appointed as the 15th Secratary General of SAARC and 3rd Secretary General from Bangladesh.

33. The first woman president of "Indian Journalists Association" who was recently elected in London is: [U.P. Lower Sub. (Mains) 2013]

Correct Answer: (c) Aditi Khanna
Solution:In March 2014, the Press Trust of India (PTI) had elected London correspondent Aditi Khanna as the President and General Secretary of the Indian Journalists Association (IJA). She is the first women to be appointed to this position in the 67 years history of the association.

34. Who among the following Indian-origin woman has become the first New Zealand minister in November 2020? [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016]

Correct Answer: (b) Priyanka Radhakrishnan
Solution:On November 6, 2020, Indian-origin Priyanka Radhakrishnan took charge in the cabinet of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. She is the first Indian-origin citizen to hold this position in New Zealand. He was born in Chennai (Tamil Nadu).

35. On which one of the following dates did Turkey start the railway within the first intercontinental sea tunel? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Mains) 2013]

Correct Answer: (c) 29 October, 2013
Solution:The Marmaray Rail Tunnel was constructed beneath the Bosporus Strait, which connects the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. The length of this railway tunnel is 13.5 km and it connects the Asian and European part of the Turkish city of Istanbul. It is the world's first Intercontinental sea rail tunnel. It was opened for transport on October 29, 2013, on the occasion of Turkey's 90th Foundation Day. It is also called 'Bosporus Rail Tunnel'.

36. The countries to participate in the Malabar naval exercise in November, 2020 are- [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016]

Correct Answer: (b) India, United States of America, Japan and Australia
Solution:In November, 2020, the countries involved in the Malabar naval exercise are India, United States of America, Japan and Australia. The first phase of the Malabar exercise was conducted in the Bay of Bengal from November 3 to 6, 2020. Its second phase was conducted in the North Arabian Sea from November 17 to 20, 2020.

In the year 2021, the first phase of Exercise Malabar was conducted in the Philippines Sea from 26 to 29 August 2021. Whereas the second phase of this exercise was conducted in the Bay of Bengal from October 12 to 15, 2021. 27th edition of Exercise MALABAR was concluded on East Coast of Australia (Sydney) on August 21, 2023.

37. Which of the following countries has refused India's invitation to participate in the naval exercise 'Milan-2018'? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2017]

Correct Answer: (d) Maldives
Solution:In February 2018, Maldives turned down India's invitation to participate in the Naval exercise, 'Milan-2018'. The Maldives did not provide any reason for this. The naval exercise was held in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar between 6th-13th March, 2018, in which 16 countries including Myanmar, Mauritius and Oman participated in addition to India.

Exercise MILAN-2022 was held from 25th - 28th February 2022 & 1st - 4th March 2022 in the 'City of Destiny' Vishakhapatnam. The theme of the MILAN-2022 exercise is 'Camaraderie-cohesion - Collaboration'. 12th edititon of multi-national Exercise MILAN in Vishakhapatnam on February 21, 2024

38. South Korea tested a new ballistic missile in April, 2014 with the aim/target: [U.P. Lower Sub. (Mains) 2013]

Correct Answer: (b) 500 km.
Solution:South Korea successfully tested a new ballistic missile in early April 2014, with a range of 500 km. It is now developing a ballistic missile with a range of 800 km., as announced by South Korea.

39. According to the F.D.I. Restrictive Index (FRI) 2012, which of the following countries is the most restrictive country? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2014]

Correct Answer: (a) China
Solution:China is the most restrictive country according to the F.D.I. Restrictive Index (FRI) 2012. Hence, option (a) is correct.

40. According to a survey conducted by London based Human Rights Organization, which one of the following countries is the world's biggest state executioner? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]

Correct Answer: (c) China
Solution:The London based International Human Rights Organization, 'Amnesty International' released a report on the current status of the death penalty around the world. According to this report, in 2017, a total of 23 countries executed death penalty. By the end of 2017, a total of 106 countries abolished the death penalty for all crimes through legislation.

China has the highest number of death sentences in 2017. Second Most (507+) (estimated figure) were executed in Iran in the year 2017. Amnesty International rewarded at least 579 executions in 18 countries in 2021. China has the highest number of death sentences in 2021. Second most (314+) were executed in Iran in the year 2017.