41. Recently, who has been appointed as the chief adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government?
[A] Kamal Ahmed Majumder
[B] Muhammad Yunus
[C] Mohammed Shahabuddin
[D] Dipu Moni
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Muhammad Yunus]
Notes:
Muhammad Yunus, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner, has been appointed chief adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation amid protests. Yunus, born in 1940, is an economist known for pioneering microcredit through Grameen Bank, founded in 1983. The bank has loaned over $34 billion to nearly 10 million people, with a 97% repayment rate, inspiring global microfinance initiatives. Yunus’s appointment aims to address unrest over government job quotas.
42. Recently, where was the ’19th CII India Africa Business Conclave’ inaugurated?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Bhopal
[C] Chennai
[D] Bengaluru
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [New Delhi]
Notes:
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the 19th CII India Africa Business Conclave in New Delhi on August 21, 2024.
The three-day event, running from August 20-22, 2024, includes senior officials and business leaders from Africa and India. The conclave aims to boost trade and investment, encourage Indian investment in Africa, and explore business opportunities. This year’s focus includes agriculture, food processing, defence, healthcare, digital partnerships, power, energy, financial partnerships, infrastructure, and skill development. The theme of the conclave is “Creating One Future.”
43. Ulchi Freedom Shield 24, recently seen in news, is an annual joint exercise between which two countries?
[A] France and Russia
[B] U.S. and South Korea
[C] Japan and Australia
[D] India and China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [U.S. and South Korea]
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.
44. India has recently approved the exports of an additional 251 MW power from which country?
[A] Bangladesh
[B] Bhutan
[C] Nepal
[D] Myanmar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Nepal]
Notes:
India approved an additional 251 MW of power exports from 12 hydropower projects in Nepal, raising total exports to 941 MW. Nepal will export power to Bihar for the first time under a medium-term agreement. Nepal became a net electricity exporter last fiscal year, earning NPR 16.93 billion. Nepal’s power exports to India grew from 39 MW in 2021 to over 941 MW in less than three years. Agreements with Indian states like Haryana and Bihar support Nepal’s exports. A long-term agreement aims for 10,000 MW exports from Nepal to India in the next decade.
45. Recently, which country unveiled new ‘Suicide Drones’ amid rising tensions with the US and South Korea?
[A] United States
[B] North Korea
[C] China
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [North Korea]
Notes:
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has supervised tests of new suicide drones developed domestically. These drones, capable of targeting ground and sea objectives, have varying striking ranges. Kim Jong-un has encouraged further development of diverse suicide drones for infantry, special operations, and strategic reconnaissance. He also emphasized integrating artificial intelligence into unmanned aerial vehicles. This move comes amid rising tensions with the US and South Korea.
46. What is the primary responsibility of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), recently in news?
[A] Environmental protection
[B] Economic development
[C] Maintenance of international peace and security
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Maintenance of international peace and security]
Notes:
India should be given a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for its rightful place, according to former Singapore diplomat Kishore Mahbubani. The UNSC is one of the five main organizations of the United Nations, responsible for maintaining global peace and security. All UN member states must follow UNSC decisions. The UNSC identifies threats to peace, urges peaceful dispute resolution, and may impose sanctions or authorize military action. It has 15 members: five permanent (P5) with veto power (UK, China, France, Russia, USA) and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. UNSC headquarters is in New York City.
47. Recently, where was the “BRICS National Security Advisers’ meeting” held?
[A] Russia
[B] China
[C] India
[D] Brazil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Russia]
Notes:
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Russian President Vladimir Putin on 12 September 2024 during the BRICS national security advisors meeting. Russia is the current chair of BRICS and will host all related meetings in 2024, including the 16th BRICS summit in Kazan from 22 to 24 October 2024. President Putin invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the summit. The BRICS national security advisors’ conclave took place in St. Petersburg from 11 to 13 September 2024, attended by 10 member countries, including India, Russia, Brazil, China, and others. The meeting was hosted by Russian NSA Sergei Shoigu.
48. Recently, which country became a new member of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB)?
[A] Algeria
[B] Peru
[C] Singapore
[D] Cambodia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Algeria]
Notes:
Algeria has recently become a new member of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), officially gaining membership status in September 2024. Before Algeria, countries like Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, and Egypt also joined the NDB. The New Development Bank is a multilateral development bank established by the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa).
49. Recently, Jafar Hassan has become the new prime minister of which country?
[A] Qatar
[B] Jordan
[C] Iraq
[D] Iran
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jordan]
Notes:
Jordan’s King Abdullah II appointed Jaffer Hassan as the new Prime Minister, replacing Bishar Khasawane. Hassan was instructed to support the Palestinians. He will focus on reducing the economic impact of the Gaza War. Hassan will also address the decline in tourism, a vital sector for Jordan’s economy. Jordan is located in the Middle East, between Asia, Africa, and Europe. It’s bordered by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Israel, and the West Bank of Palestine.
50. Recently, which country signed agreements under the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) on clean and fair economy?
[A] India
[B] Nepal
[C] Bhutan
[D] Myanmar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
India signed agreements on clean and fair economy under the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) during PM Modi’s US visit. These agreements focus on clean energy development, climate-friendly technologies, anti-corruption measures, and tax transparency. IPEF was introduced by US President Biden in October 2021 and officially launched in May 2023 in Tokyo. It aims to boost economic growth, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region without lowering tariff barriers. IPEF includes four pillars: trade facilitation, digital economy standards, supply chain resilience, and decarbonization.