International Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Moscow hosted the 2nd Meeting of the Joint Russian-Indian Commission on Emergency Management on August 28, 2024. The Indian delegation was led by Nityanand Rai, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs. The Russian delegation was led by Kurenkov Aleksandr Vyacheslavovic, Minister for Civil Defence, Emergencies, and Disaster Management. Both countries agreed to continue sharing best practices and lessons in disaster management. They will also cooperate in emergency management during 2025-26. The first meeting of this Indo-Russian Joint Commission took place in New Delhi in 2016.

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The United Arab Emirates has completed the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the first nuclear power plant in the Arab world.
Located in Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi, near Ruwais, it began construction in 2012 and started operations in 2020. The plant has four reactors and, once fully operational, will reduce carbon emissions by 21 million tonnes annually. It will produce 40 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity each year, meeting 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs, equivalent to New Zealand’s annual consumption. The plant will power major companies, including ADNOC, Emirates Steel, and Emirates Global

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The 5th Defence Cooperation Dialogue between India and the Maldives was held in New Delhi on September 6, 2024. Discussions included bilateral military exercises, marking the first defence dialogue after recent tensions between the two nations. Earlier, the Maldives President, as part of his “India Out” campaign, had Indian military personnel withdraw and leaned towards pro-China policies. Recent cooperation between the two countries has improved following India’s External Affairs Minister’s visit to the Maldives and the Maldives President attending India’s Prime Minister’s oath ceremony.

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Brazil and India have settled a WTO trade dispute over sugar subsidies, reflecting their strategic partnership. This resolution is part of their wider collaboration, which includes working together on ethanol technology and addressing global sugar surplus issues. Their relationship encompasses strategic dialogues, trade forums, and other cooperative mechanisms, highlighting their joint efforts to manage global sugar trade challenges and price issues.

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Arun Goel, a retired IAS officer and former Election Commissioner of India, has been appointed as India’s Ambassador to Croatia by the Ministry of External Affairs. Following his retirement in March 2024, this new role highlights his continued contribution to public service. His extensive experience in governance and administration will help strengthen diplomatic relations between India and Croatia, marking an important step in his distinguished career.

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Zimbabwe plans to cull 200 elephants to help feed communities facing severe hunger due to the worst drought in 40 years.
The El Niño-induced drought affected 68 million people in southern Africa, causing widespread food shortages. The cull, the first since 1988, will occur in Hwange, Mbire, Tsholotsho, and Chiredzi districts, and follows Namibia’s recent cull of 83 elephants. The culling aims to provide food and reduce the elephant population, which exceeds the parks’ capacity of 55,000. Zimbabwe has over 84,000 elephants and has been advocating for the reopening of ivory trade to manage its $600,000 worth of stockpiles.

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Iran unveiled its latest ballistic missile, named “Jihad,” in a military parade in Tehran. The missile was developed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) Aerospace Force. This marks the introduction of a new liquid-fuel missile platform in Iran’s defense technology. The Jihad missile highlights Iran’s ongoing military advancements despite international sanctions. Iran’s missile development has raised concerns among Western nations about its potential destabilizing effects in the region.

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Israel is requiring control of the Philadelphi corridor as a condition in ceasefire talks with Hamas. The Philadelphi corridor is a narrow strip of land about nine miles long and 100 meters wide along the Gaza-Egypt border, including the Rafah crossing. It was designated as a demilitarized zone after Israel withdrew its settlements and troops from Gaza in 2005. The corridor stretches from the Mediterranean Sea to the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel. After the Israeli withdrawal, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority were responsible for the area.

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NASA scientists suggest China’s Three Gorges Dam may affect Earth’s rotation due to shifting massive amounts of water.
Located on the Yangtze River in Hubei Province, it’s the world’s largest hydroelectric power station. The dam, completed in 2012, is 2,335 meters long and 185 meters high. Its reservoir holds 40 cubic kilometers of water, generating up to 22,500 megawatts of electricity. It uses water from the Qutangxia, Wuxia, and Xilingxia gorges to spin turbines. The dam also boosts shipping capacity and helps reduce flood risks downstream.

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India has recently become an affiliate member of the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF). The IMDRF was established in 2011 to promote international medical device regulatory harmonization. Its members include regulatory authorities from countries like the U.S., Australia, Canada, the EU, Japan, and WHO. Membership reduces complexity for manufacturers and promotes public health through collaboration. It supports innovation and timely access to new medical devices. India will participate in IMDRF Open Sessions to share experiences and discuss regulatory strategies. This will strengthen India’s medical device regulatory system and ensure public health protection.