International Events (Part-VI)

Total Questions: 50

1. John Kerry, who has been recently appointed the Secretary of State for the United States, prior to this appointment he was: [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2013]

(a) Chairman of the Senate Committee for Foreign Affairs
(b) Adviser of the President in Defense matters
(c) U.S. Ambassador to UNO
(d) None of the above

Correct Answer: (a) Chairman of the Senate Committee for Foreign Affairs

Solution:US Secretary of State or Secretary of State, John Kerry was the head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate of the Upper House of the US Congress from January 6, 2009 to February 1, 2013. On January 20, 2017, Tom Shannon replaced the new Secretary of State for the United States of America. On February 1, 2017 (Former Exxon Mobil President and Chief Executive Officer) took over as the new US Secretary of State after Senate approval. Antony J. Blinken was sworn in as the 71st US Secretary of state on January 26, 2021.

2. The Chinese new year beginning from 10th February, 2013 is known as the : [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2013]

(a) Year of Dragon
(b) Year of Horse
(c) Year of Ox
(d) Year of Snake

Correct Answer: (d) Year of Snake

Solution:The Chinese new year beginning from 10th February, 2013 is known as the Year of Snake. Hence, option (d) is correct.

3. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Report (2015), which of the following countries was the top importer of arms in the period 2011-15? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]

(a) China
(b) Pakistan
(c) India
(d) Saudi Arabia

Correct Answer: (c) India

Solution:On 22nd February 2016, SIPRI released the annual report, 'Trends in International Arms Transfers' 2015, on the status of the transfer of conventional armaments in the world. According to the report, the top five arms importing countries in the world (and their share in the world's arms imports) in the period 2011-2015 are as follow:

1. India (14%), 2. Saudi Arabia (7%), 3. China (4.7%), 4. U.A.E. (4.6%) and 5. Australia (3.6%). According to the SIPRI Year Book 2022 of Trends in International Arms Transfer, 2017-21, the 5 largest exporters in world are-the United States, Russia, France, China and Germany accounted for 77% of total volume of export, while India, Soudi Arabia, Egypt, Australia and China are the 5 largest importer in world in 2017-21. According to Trends in International Arms Transfer, 2023, top five largest exporters were the USA, Frame, Russia, China and Germany. Top 5 largest arms importers in 2019-23 were India, Soudi Arabia, Qatar, Ukraine and Pakistan.

4. According to a report published recently by 'Stockholm Research Peace International Institute, the biggest arms importing country in the world is : [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2013]

(a) China
(b) India
(c) Pakistan
(d) South Korea

Correct Answer: (b) India

1. India (14%), 2. Saudi Arabia (7%), 3. China (4.7%), 4. U.A.E. (4.6%) and 5. Australia (3.6%). According to the SIPRI Year Book 2022 of Trends in International Arms Transfer, 2017-21, the 5 largest exporters in world are the United States, Russia, France, China and Germany accounted for 77% of total volume of export, while India, Soudi Arabia, Egypt, Australia and China are the 5 largest importer in world in 2017-21. According to Trends in International Arms Transfer, 2023, top five largest exporters were the USA, Frame, Russia, China and Germany. Top 5 largest arms importers in 2019-23 were India, Soudi Arabia, Qatar, Ukraine and Pakistan.

5. What is India's rank in the 2018 World Press Freedom Index (WPFI)? [63rd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2017]

(a) 136th
(b) 138th
(c) 135th
(d) 137th
(e) None of these/More than one of these

Correct Answer: (b) 138th

Solution:India was ranked 138th out of 180 countries included in the Press Freedom Index, 2018. Norway ranked first and North Korea last in this index. In the year 2019, Norway was first, Turkmenistan last and India was ranked 140th. In this index released in the year 2021, India ranked 142 out of a total of 180 countries, while Norway topped and Eritrea got the last position. According to World Press Freedom Index 2023, top performing nations are Norway, Ireland and Denmerk. Vietnam, China and North Korea were the bottom perfomers. India is at 161st position (out of 180 countries) in 2023 ranking.

6. Which of the following gases started emission from a small temporary island formed by a recent earthquake in Baluchistan in September, 2013? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]

(a) Carbon Monoxide
(b) Methane
(c) Sulphur dioxide
(d) Carbon dioxide

Correct Answer: (b) Methane

Solution:Methane was emitted from a small temporary island formed by a recent earthquake in Baluchistan in September, 2013. Hence, option (b) is correct.

7. The scientists of which country have grown recently human liver tissue from stem cells for the first time? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]

(a) China
(b) U.S.A.
(c) Japan
(d) India

Correct Answer: (c) Japan

Solution:In July 2013, scientists at Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan, succeeded in developing the liver in the laboratory from stem cells derived from skin and blood for the first time.

8. Which of the following organization has launched 'The Great Reset' Initiatives for the recovery of global economy during the Post Covid-19 phase? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

(a) World Economic Forum
(b) World Bank
(c) OECD
(d) UNCTAD

Correct Answer: (a) World Economic Forum

Solution:After Covid-19, 'The Great RESET' effort was started by the World Economic Forum (WEF) for the upliftment of the global economy.

9. Which one of the following countries has decided in January, 2014 to make military service compulsory for all its adult males? [56th to 59th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2015, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]

(a) North Korea
(b) U.A.E.
(c) Israel
(d) Turkey

Correct Answer: (b) U.A.E.

Solution:In January 2014, UAE Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum decided to make military service compulsory for adult males. Adult males between the age group of 18-30 years who are high school graduates, will have to remain in military service for 9 months and adult males of this age who do not pass high school will be in military service for 2 years.

10. Which of the following countries has allowed HIV positive recruits in army? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2015]

(a) Libya
(b) UK
(c) Ethiopia
(d) Israel

Correct Answer: (d) Israel

Solution:On the occasion of World AIDS Day, Israel also allowed HIV-positive people to join the army like others countrymen.

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