International Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its latest annual Article IV consultation report on India released on December 22nd, has warned that under adverse economic shocks India’s general government debt could exceed 100% of the GDP by 2030. The IMF said based on India’s historical experience of external shocks such as the Covid pandemic, debt-to-GDP ratio could witness a steep climb amid global uncertainties like the Russia-Ukraine war or monetary tightening by central banks.

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St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is an annual Russian business event held in St. Petersburg since 1997, under the Russian President’s auspices since 2006. It gathers 10,000+ participants from 120+ countries, including CEOs, heads of state, and ministers. The Forum aims to bridge barriers between Russia and other countries including India, attract foreign investment, and promote Russia as a business-friendly nation. SPIEF is often compared to the World Economic Forum in Davos and called Russian Davos. It was held recently.

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Matarbari, which has been recently in the news, is the first deep sea port of Bangladesh. This port is being developed with assistance from Japan, with the aim of boosting exports for Bangladesh. It is expected to enhance economic ties and open up development prospects not only for Bangladesh but also for India’s northeastern states, including Tripura. The project is set to start operations in 2027 and is seen as a significant development in the region’s infrastructure and trade connectivity.

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Sri Lanka’s decision to impose a one-year ban on Chinese research vessels in its EEZ was influenced by concerns raised by India and the US. These concerns were regarding the potential activities of the Chinese vessels, including scientific research and ballistic missile tracking in the Indian Ocean. This move, which was communicated through diplomatic channels, reflects the geopolitical dynamics in the region, especially concerning the presence and activities of Chinese vessels in waters close to India.

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China launched its first homegrown cruise ship, Adora Magic City, from Shanghai port in January 2024 on its maiden commercial voyage. With amenities like mahjong rooms and hotpot restaurants, the 16-deck luxury ship targets China’s expanding domestic tourism market as national pride in indigenous manufacturing grows. Its success is seen as showcasing China’s shipbuilding prowess and attempt to rival foreign cruise liners.

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NATO announced signing of a $5.5 billion contract by member countries in Europe to purchase up to 1,000 Patriot air defense missiles to bolster security in view of the threat from Russia. The deal comes as Moscow has unleashed barrages of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine. Patriot systems supplied by nations like the US and Germany have been used by Kyiv to shoot down Russia’s attacks in the 11-month war.

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S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister of India, is co-chairing the 7th meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission with his Nepalese counterpart, NP Saud. This meeting is a part of Jaishankar’s first visit to Nepal in 2024, aiming to review and strengthen the bilateral relations between India and Nepal. The India-Nepal Joint Commission, established in 1987, serves as a platform for both nations to assess and enhance various aspects of their partnership. Jaishankar’s visit includes several significant engagements, such as meeting with Nepal’s President Ram Chandra Paudel, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, and other prominent political figures, along with a dinner hosted by Nepal’s Foreign Minister NP Saud.

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Amid escalating tensions with Hezbollah militants along the Lebanese border, Israel recently deployed “Sky Dew,” a surveillance blimp developed jointly with US company TCOM. Shaped like an aircraft, this state-of-the-art detection system features powerful radars and sensors capable of tracking multiple airborne threats simultaneously from up to 250km away. Operating at a high altitude without need for refueling, Sky Dew significantly boosts Israel’s aerial threat detection abilities and intelligence gathering versus Hezbollah and other adversaries. The timing of its deployment points to Israel bolstering its defenses against potential attacks.

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Scientists recently discovered a 22-million-year-old lost forest in the Panama Canal, a crucial artificial waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Stretching 80 kilometers, the canal features locks to adjust water levels for ship passage through the isthmus. Initiated by France in 1881, the United States took over in 1904, completing and managing the canal until 1999. Panama assumed full control in 2000, following the Torrijos-Carter Treaties with the U.S. in 1977.

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Google’s Threat Analysis Group (TAG) revealed that the Russian hacking group COLDRIVER is engaged in credential phishing against high-profile targets, including NGOs, former intelligence and military officers, and NATO governments. COLDRIVER conducts campaigns targeting Ukraine, NATO countries, academic institutions, and NGOs. The group impersonates experts or individuals affiliated with the targets, sending innocuous-looking PDF documents for feedback. If the target attempts to open the document, it appears encrypted. COLDRIVER then provides a link to a supposed decryption utility, which is a backdoor called SPICA, enabling the hackers to control infected devices and execute various commands. SPICA is a customer malware tool written in Rust. It uses the websocket communication for commanding and controlling affected devices.