1. ‘Hualong One’, which was seen in news recently, was the first domestically made nuclear reactor of which country?
[A] Russia
[B] China
[C] Israel
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
China’s first domestically made nuclear reactor ‘Hualong One’, has started its operations, as per the China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC).
The third-generation pressurised water nuclear reactor has been connected to the national grid. The reactor can generate 10 billion kw-hours of electricity each year and cut carbon emissions by 8.16 million tons. This is expected to reduce China’s dependency in nuclear power from its western allies.
2. Sadiq al-Mahdi, who died recently, was the former Prime Minister of which country?
[A] UAE
[B] Saudi Arabia
[C] Sudan
[D] Oman
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sudan]
Notes:
Sadiq al-Mahdi was Sudan’s last democratically elected prime minister and also the leader of the nation’s largest political party. He died recently of COVID-19 at United Arab Emirates.
He was 84 years old. Al-Mahdi was overthrown from power in a 1989 by an autocrat Omar al-Bashir. Al-Mahdi’s party allied with pro-democracy uprising and the military overthrow al-Bashir in April 2019.
3. Hayabusa2, which was making news recently, is a spacecraft of which country?
[A] China
[B] Japan
[C] South Korea
[D] UAE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Japan]
Notes:
Japan’s spacecraft named ‘Hayabusa2’ is approaching the Earth after a year-long journey from an asteroid Ryugu, about 300 million kilometers from earth.
As per the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, the spacecraft will bring soil samples and data that could provide clues to the origins of the solar system and life on Earth. The agency would drop the capsule containing the samples, in southern Australia.
4. Which award is given to individuals for their sustained and significant efforts to protect environment?
[A] Able Climate Prize
[B] Stockholm Nature Prize
[C] Goldman Environmental Prize
[D] Soviet Environmental Prize
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Goldman Environmental Prize]
Notes:
The Goldman Environmental Prize is awarded to 6 individuals each year to recognize their efforts to save and protect environment. The prize is selected by an international jury among nominations submitted by global environment organisations and individuals.
Leydy Pech, Kristal Ambrose, Paul Sein Twa, Lucie Pinson, Chibze Ezekiel, Nemonte Nenquimo are the six personalities chosen for this year’s award.
5. Which Indian PSU has launched the country’s first 100 Octane petrol?
[A] HPCL
[B] IOC
[C] ONGC
[D] GAIL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IOC]
Notes:
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has recently launched the nation’s first 100 Octane petrol. Union Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the petrol.
The 100-octane petrol also called as XP100 premium petrol will be initially available at select outlet of IOC in 10 cities. The fuel is manufactured at IOC’s Mathura refinery in Uttar Pradesh. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) had earlier launched Octane 99. Higher the octane number of a fuel, higher will be its compression and performance.
6. ‘Balsnehi (Child-Friendly) Police Station’, which was seen in the news recently, was inaugurated in which city?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Pune
[C] Ahmadabad
[D] Varanasi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pune]
Notes:
Pune City Police has recently inaugurated the ‘Balsnehi (Child-Friendly) Police Station’, on the premises of Lashkar Police Station in Pune Camp.
The Police Station has a room designated for children, who would come to report cases to the station. It also aims to create a set-up to rehabilitate children in need. Earlier, a Child-friendly Police Station was set up in Krishna District on the premises of Machilipatnam.
7. “Wolf Brigade 44”, which was seen in the news recently, is associated with which country?
[A] United States
[B] China
[C] Germany
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Germany]
Notes:
The Interior Ministry of Germany has recently banned the far-right group named “Wolf Brigade 44”, which openly pledged loyalty to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.
The Government also banned the symbols of the group including a skull with two grenades marked with the number 44. In Nazi code, the number 44 was an abbreviation for the so-called “Division Dirlewanger”.
8. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is to finance USD 50 million policy-based loan for Finance Management in which state?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] West Bengal
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [West Bengal]
Notes:
Manila-based Asian Development Bank has signed a USD 50-million policy-based loan for the West Bengal Public Finance Management Investment Programme.
The loan aims to improve financial management and operational efficiencies of the state. A centre for fiscal policy and public finance will be established along with a web-based grievance redressal system for transport corporations and urban local bodies.
9. ‘737 MAX’, which was making news recently, is the airliner of which famous company?
[A] Air Bus
[B] Boeing
[C] Qantas
[D] Emirates
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Boeing]
Notes:
‘737 MAX’ is the best-selling airliner of US-based leading multi-national aerospace company Boeing. It was grounded in March 2019 after two crashes in five months killing a total of 346 people.
The redesigned version of the ‘737 MAX’ airliner has recently staged its first post-grounding flight with media on board. It made a 45-minute flight from Texas to Oklahoma in the US. The flight’s first commercial passenger flight is scheduled in the month-end of December.
10. Which country has banned cotton imports from China citing ‘slave labour’?
[A] India
[B] United States
[C] Russia
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United States]
Notes:
The United States has issued an order to ban the cotton and cotton products from the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), one of the largest producers of China.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency issued “Withhold Release Order” to increase economic pressure on the Xinjiang region. US cites the reason for the ban as ‘slave labour’ of detained Uighur Muslims used by China.