International Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Ukraine launches counteroffensives against Russian occupation in Kharkiv. Russian shelling since 2022 targets critical infrastructure like power plants and schools. Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, hosts numerous universities and is vital to the nation’s industry.

Notes:
Norway, Ireland, and Spain recently granted statehood status to Palestine. In response, Israel recalled its ambassadors from Norway and Ireland. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced that the official declaration will be made on May 28.

Notes:
Dubai has launched the Dubai Gaming Visa under the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033 (DPG 2033) to position itself as a global gaming leader. This long-term residency initiative attracts gamers, content creators, and industry professionals worldwide. The DPG 2033 aims to transform Dubai into a gaming hub, creating 30,000 new jobs and contributing $1 billion to the GDP by 2033.

Notes:
India assumed the Chair of the Colombo Process for 2024-26, its first time since 2003. The Colombo Process, a regional consultative platform for managing overseas employment and labor, includes 12 Asian member states like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. India, a founding member, focuses on skills recognition and ethical recruitment. The UN’s International Organization for Migration supports this process.

Notes:
The U.S. pledges $135 million in aid to Moldova to counter Russian influence. Moldova, a landlocked country in the northeastern Balkan region of Europe, borders Ukraine and Romania. Its highest point is Mount Bălănești, with major rivers including the Dniester and Prut. Moldova experiences moderate winters and warm summers and possesses natural resources like lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, and limestone.

Notes:
China introduced the “One Person, One File” (OPOF) mass surveillance program, intending to triple facial recognition camera deployment and compile extensive personal data on residents. This reflects China’s push for comprehensive digital censorship, transcending mere surveillance to create a pervasive digital record for each citizen. The initiative encodes individuals’ relationships, activities, and behaviors into data, enhancing Party oversight.

Notes:
Hungary recently unveiled the ‘Bridge of National Unity,’ a 700-metre pedestrian bridge spanning Budapest’s Danube River. Symbolizing unity, it marks a milestone in Hungary’s architectural landscape. Attended by officials and citizens, its significance lies in fostering cohesion, showcasing engineering prowess, and providing leisure space. The bridge enhances connectivity and serves as a vibrant public area.

Notes:
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) elected Philemon Yang, the former Prime Minister of Cameroon, as the President of the 79th session of the UNGA. The session is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 and end on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 in New York City. Yang will hold the mainly ceremonial office for one year. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described Yang as a “proud African dedicated to the future of his continent” with a wealth of experience.

Notes:
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) signed an agreement to upgrade the Biocontainment Facility at Chaudhary Charan Singh National Institute of Animal Health (CCSNAIH), Baghpat. The project, costing ₹160 crores, will take 20 months. CCSNAIH, an apex lab since 2010, conducts quality control testing for veterinary vaccines, including HS and RD. The agreement was signed in the presence of Secretary Alka Upadhyaya.

Notes:
Sir Keir Starmer has been appointed as the UK’s 58th Prime Minister by King Charles III on 5 July 2024. His Labour Party won a landslide victory, securing 412 out of 650 House of Commons seats. He replaces Conservative leader Rishi Sunak, whose party won only 119 seats. Starmer will reside at 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the UK Prime Minister.