1. When is the ‘International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances’ observed?
[A] August 30
[B] September 1
[C] September 2
[D] September 4
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Correct Answer: A [August 30]
Notes:- ‘International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances’ is marked every year on August 30, across the world.
- The day is observed to honour and pay tribute to people who have faced enforced disappearances.
- On December 21, 2010, the United Nations General Assembly officially proclaimed August 30 as the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
- The Assembly also welcomed the adoption of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
2. INS Airavat has reached which country in August 2021, as a part of Mission SAGAR?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Afghanistan
[C] Vietnam
[D] Malaysia
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Correct Answer: C [Vietnam]
Notes:- Indian Naval vessel – INS Airavat has recently reached Ho Chi Minh City Port in Vietnam, as a part of Mission SAGAR.
- The vessel has shipped 100 Metric Tons of Liquid Medical Oxygen and 300 Oxygen Concentrators of 10 LPM capacity, to fight against the COVID 19 pandemic.
- SAGAR stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region, under which India has been helping its neighbors at times of stress.
3. Which place in India is known to have all three species of crocodiles?
[A] Kendrapara
[B] Kochi
[C] Kannur
[D] Konark
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Correct Answer: A [Kendrapara]
Notes:- Kendrapara district located in the state of Odisha has been found to have all three species of crocodiles -salt-water, gharial and mugger.
- The Bhitarkanika National Park is located in this district and is known for conservation of crocodiles.
- This national park is home to more than 70% of India’s crocodiles.
- This is the second Ramsar conservation sites in India and was designated so in the year 2002.
4. Where was the Naval Exercise between India and Algeria conducted recently?
[A] Bay of Bengal
[B] Arabian Sea
[C] Indian Ocean
[D] Mediterranean Sea
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Correct Answer: D [Mediterranean Sea]
Notes:- Recently, the naval forces of India and Algeria has conducted a maiden naval exercise
- The exercises were conducted at the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Algeria.
- India was represented by Navy’s stealth frigate INS Tabar and naval ship ANS Ezzadjer was its counterpart.
- This exercise was aimed to enhance interaction and collaboration between the two nations.
5. Indian Navy has undertaken a joint exercise with which country, in Gulf of Aden near Yemen?
[A] Russia
[B] Germany
[C] France
[D] Italy
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Correct Answer: B [Germany]
Notes:- Navies of India and Germany carried out a joint exercise, in Gulf of Aden near Yemen.
- The exercise included helicopter landings and search and seizure operations.
- The Indian Navy’s frigate ‘INS Trikand’ exercised with German frigate ‘Bayern’ in the Gulf of Aden.
- INS Trikand is currently deployed in the Gulf of Aden region for anti-piracy patrol.
6. Which country has passed the world’s first law to force tech companies to offer alternative payment systems?
[A] France
[B] Italy
[C] South Korea
[D] India
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Correct Answer: C [South Korea]
Notes:- South Korean lawmakers passed the world’s first law to force tech giants such as Google and Apple to offer alternative payment systems on their app stores.
- The country is set to amend the ‘Telecommunications Business Act’, the nation’s primary telecommunications law.
- The legislation would allow developers to bypass the tech giants’ proprietary payment systems and could help shape how the firms collect fees and exert power over developers and users.
7. When was the first “International Day for People of African Descent” celebrated by the UN?
[A] August 25, 2021
[B] August 30, 2021
[C] August 31, 2021
[D] September 1, 2021
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Correct Answer: C [August 31, 2021]
Notes:- The United Nations have observed August 31, 2021 as the first ever “International Day for People of African Descent”.
- This day has been dedicated by the UN to commemorate the contributions of the African diaspora in every field of human existence.
- International Decade for People of African Descent is observed from 2015-2024.
- The year 2020 marked the midterm of the International Decade for People of African Descent.
8. Which country hosted the 8th BIMSTEC Agriculture Experts Meeting?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Nepal
[C] India
[D] Myanmar
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Correct Answer: C [India]
Notes:- India has recently hosted the 8th BIMSTEC Agriculture Experts Meeting, in a virtual mode.
- The meeting was chaired by Dr Trilochan Mohapatra – Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
- Experts of the Agricultural Ministries from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand participated in the meeting.
- The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an international organisation of seven South Asian and Southeast Asian nations, which is Headquartered at Kathmandu.
9. The world’s highest motorable way, which was inaugurated recently, connects Leh to which place?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Sri Nagar
[C] Ladakh
[D] Pangong Lake
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Correct Answer: D [Pangong Lake]
Notes:- The world’s highest motorable way which connects Leh to the Pangong Lake has been inaugurated recently.
- The road has been built by the Indian Army, and it passes through the Kela Pass at 18,600 feet above Mean Sea Level.
- This road is expected to reduce the travel from Leh to the Pangong Lake by 41 km.
- Till now, the road through the Khardungla Pass was the world’s highest motorable road at a height of 18,380 feet.
10. R9X Hellfire missile, also called as the ‘Ninja’ bomb, is associated with which country?
[A] USA
[B] China
[C] UAE
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [USA]
Notes:- The United States used a special missile in its drone strikes in Afghanistan that does not explode but releases knife-like blades.
- The US drone strikes were carried out using the Hellfire missile. There are various variants of the Hellfire missile. The R9-X is also called the ‘Ninja’ bomb.
- It weighs about 45 kg and the missile can also be launched from helicopters, aircraft and Humvees. The range of these missiles varies from 500 metres to 11 km.
- The US forces have carried out two back-to-back drone strikes. The US has said they targeted the Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State (IS) — ISIS-Khorasan.
