11. Semeru Volcano, which was seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] Philippines
[B] Indonesia
[C] Japan
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indonesia]
Notes:
Semeru Volcano has started erupting in Java Island, Indonesia. The eruption ahs caused huge volcanic ash and over 2,000 residents in East Java province were evacuated.
As per the Indonesia’s disaster management agency (BNPB), no injuries or deaths have so far been reported. Mount Semeru lies around 640 kilometers southeast of the capital Jakarta.
12. Which state recently got over ₹10.5 lakh cr investment proposals during its state-organised conclave?
[A] Telangana
[B] Odisha
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Odisha]
Notes:
Odisha received over ₹10.5 lakh cr investment proposals during Make in Odisha (MIO Conclave 2022).
During the three-day (MIO Conclave 2022), the state received an overall investment proposal worth ₹10.5 lakh crores. UK-based Sram and Mram Group announced Rs 2-lakh crore investment for a semiconductor unit in Odisha at the ‘Make in Odisha Conclave’.
13. Which country abolished morality police known as the Gasht-e-Ershad or ‘Guidance Patrol’?
[A] UAE
[B] Iran
[C] Iraq
[D] Qatar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Iran]
Notes:
Iran has abolished ‘morality police’ known as the Gasht-e Ershad or ‘Guidance Patrol’. The unit was established in 2006 and their patrols were feared among women.
The custodial death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was picked up by the vice squads in Tehran and declared dead created public outcry and led to protestors.
14. Which institution released the ‘Global status of black soils’ Report?
[A] UNEP
[B] FAO
[C] UNFCCC
[D] UNHCR
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [FAO]
Notes:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) released the ‘Global status of black soils’ Report on the occasion of World Soil Day, December 5, 2022.
As per the report, Black soils, which feed the global population, are under threat, with most losing at least half of their soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. As per the FAO, the reasons are Land-use change, unsustainable management practices and excessive use of agrochemicals.
15. Which institution released the report titled ‘Climate Investment Opportunities in India’s Cooling Sector’?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] World Bank
[C] World Economic Forum
[D] International Monetary Fund
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [World Bank]
Notes:
The World Bank recently released a report titled ‘Climate Investment Opportunities in India’s Cooling Sector’.
The report was released during the two-day ‘India Climate and Development Partners’ Meet’ being organised by World Bank in partnership with the Kerala government. As per the report, the country is experiencing higher temperatures that arrive earlier and stay far longer. India could become one of the first places in the world to experience heat waves that break the human survivability limit.
16. Print and Digital Media Association (PADMA) is notified as a self-regulatory body under which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
[B] Ministry of Communication
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Science and Technology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]
Notes:
Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting recently approved the Print and Digital Media Association (PADMA) as a self-regulatory body for publishers of news and current affairs across India.
The organisation, which has 47 digital news publishers on board, will look into grievances related to digital media news content on their platforms. The Ministry has approved nine self-regulatory bodies since May 2021.
17. Which institution has approved USD 780 million loan to expand Chennai metro rail network?
[A] World Bank
[B] ADB
[C] IMF
[D] AIIB
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ADB]
Notes:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved financing of USD 780 million to build new lines for Chennai’s metro rail and improve the network’s connectivity with bus and feeder services.
The project will construct 10.1 km of an elevated section, nine metro stations, 10 km of the underground section among others. The stations will be disaster- and climate-resilient and responsive to the needs of the elderly, women, children, and the differently abled.
18. Which organisation ruled that search engines must delete search results about people if they can prove that the information is clearly wrong?
[A] European Court of Justice
[B] International Court of Justice
[C] African court on human and peoples’ rights
[D] Supreme Court of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [European Court of Justice]
Notes:
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that search engines must dereference information if the person making the request can demonstrate that the material is inaccurate.
People in Europe have the right to ask Google and other search engines to delete links to outdated or embarrassing information, even if it is true, under a principle known as the right to be forgotten.
19. Which city corporation launched the World Bank’s flagship Gender Toolkit?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Kolkata
[C] Chennai
[D] New Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chennai]
Notes:
A Gender Toolkit based on ‘Enabling gender responsive urban mobility and public spaces’ was launched by Greater Chennai Corporation.
The toolkit was launched at a session conducted by the World Bank and the Chennai Urban Metropolitan Transport Authority. It aims to highlight the gender issues surrounding mobility and city design.
20. The Election Commission of India (ECI) recognises a party as ‘National Party’ if it is recognised in at least how many states?
[A] Two
[B] Four
[C] Six
[D] Eight
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Six]
Notes:
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) got a vote-share close to 13% in Gujarat Elections. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI) rulebook, a political party can apply to be recognised as a national party if it is ‘recognised’ in at least four states; or polled at least 6% of the total votes in any four or more states in the previous Lok Sabha or assembly election, and sent at least four MPs to the Lok Sabha in the previous Lok Sabha election; it has won at least 2% of the total seats in the Lower House, from no less than three states.