International Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
South Africa has enacted its first Climate Change Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, aligning its efforts with the Paris Climate Agreement. The law mandates emission limits for major polluters and requires local strategies to address climate change. A primary goal is to reduce emissions from coal, South Africa’s main energy source, making it one of the top carbon dioxide emitters. The Act establishes emissions targets for key sectors like agriculture, transportation, and industry, with ministries responsible for implementation. It introduces a carbon budget system, where large emitters face extra carbon taxes if they exceed set limits.

Notes:
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee approved the Sado gold mine in Japan as a cultural heritage site. This decision includes acknowledging the mine’s role in Japan’s wartime abuse of Korean laborers, reflecting an improvement in Japan-South Korea relations. Located on an island off Niigata’s coast, the mine was a major gold producer for nearly 400 years before closing in 1989. The committee’s unanimous support came after Japan provided additional details and made necessary amendments to address historical concerns.

Notes:
Archaeologists have discovered a terracotta pipeline during the 10th phase of excavation at Keeladi, a Sangam Era site in Tamil Nadu. This find highlights advanced water management practices from over 2,600 years ago. Keeladi, located near Madurai, has revealed over 20,000 artifacts, suggesting the Sangam Era began around 600 BCE, earlier than previously thought. Additional discoveries include rice husks from 3,200 years ago and evidence of early iron technology.

Notes:
During Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to India from July 30 to August 1, 2024, the Indian government announced $300 million in loans to strengthen Vietnam’s maritime security. Nine agreements were signed, including Vietnam joining the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and a plan to develop the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat. The visit marked a significant step in deepening India-Vietnam ties.

Notes:
China conducted its largest unmanned cargo aircraft flight, designed for civilian use, with a 2-ton payload capacity. The twin-engine aircraft’s inaugural flight lasted about 20 minutes in Sichuan province. China aims to expand its low-altitude economy, targeting a 2-trillion-yuan industry by 2030. The aircraft, developed by Tengden, has a wingspan of 16.1 meters and is slightly larger than the Cessna 172.

Notes:
India is co-hosting a conference on online radicalization with the European Union (EU). The collaboration underscores the need to address online radicalization internationally. The EU is a significant political and economic union of 27 member states, mainly in Europe. With over 449 million people and contributing about one-sixth of the global GDP in 2022, the EU is a key global partner in this initiative.

Notes:
The 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base in South Korea is conducting a major military training exercise. This exercise is integrated with Ulchi Freedom Shield 24, an annual joint exercise between the U.S. and South Korea. The combined exercise began on August 19, 2024, and continue until August 23, 2024. The aim is to enhance military preparedness and readiness to respond to potential threats.

Notes:
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

Notes:
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.

Notes:
In the 2024 Algerian presidential election, 78-year-old President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was re-elected with a huge win. He secured 94.65% of the valid votes, as per Mohamed Charfi, head of the election authority. The election was held on 7 September 2024, with 5.6 million voters out of 25 million eligible participants. President Tebboune was re-elected for a second five-year term. He was first elected in 2019, but the opposition boycotted that election. Tebboune, seen as military-backed, defeated rivals Abdelaali Hassani Cherif and Youcef Aouchiche, who gained 3% and 2.1% of votes, respectively.