Places in News Current Affairs MCQs

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Russian troops launched a large-scale offensive to retake parts of the western Kursk region from Ukrainian forces. Kursk is a city and the administrative center of Kursk Oblast, located along Russia’s southwestern border. It lies about 450 km (280 miles) south of Moscow, along the upper Seym River. The region is part of the Black Earth territory, known for its highly fertile soil. Kursk has a moderately continental climate, experiencing distinct seasonal variations.

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Japan plans to consider deploying long-range missiles on Kyushu Island. Kyushu is the southernmost and third-largest of Japan’s four main islands, covering 35,640 sq. km. It is bordered by the East China Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. The Tsushima Strait separates Kyushu from the Korean Peninsula. It has volcanic ranges, including Mount Aso, the world’s largest active volcanic crater.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled his visit to Vicharpur village in Shahdol district, Madhya Pradesh, during a conversation with podcaster Lex Fridman. He called Vicharpur a “Mini Brazil” due to its deep football culture. Prime Minister Modi also mentioned Vicharpur in the 103rd episode of Mann Ki Baat. Every family in the village has played football for four generations. Around 80 national-level players have emerged from Vicharpur.

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A strong 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck off New Zealand’s South Island recently. South Island is the larger and southernmost of New Zealand’s two main islands, located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It is separated from North Island by Cook Strait and from Stewart Island by Foveaux Strait. The island is mostly mountainous, dominated by the Southern Alps, with Mount Cook (3,754m) as its highest peak.

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Rushikonda Beach in Visakhapatnam regained its Blue Flag certification after a temporary withdrawal due to compliance issues. The Blue Flag certification is administered by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Denmark. Rushikonda Beach is the only Blue Flag-certified beach in Andhra Pradesh. Known for its golden sands and clear waters, it is a popular destination for relaxation and swimming. The certification ensures high environmental, safety, and cleanliness standards for sustainable beach tourism.

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Kazakhstan has found a major deposit of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) at the Kuirektykol site in the Karaganda Region, estimated to hold 1 million tons, which can support clean energy technologies globally. The Karaganda Region, in central Kazakhstan, is known for arid plains, hills, and seasonal streams, with major landscapes like Karkaraly National Park, Mount Aksoran, and Lake Balkhash. Important rivers in the region include the Ishim (Esil) and Nura, supported by the Irtysh–Karaganda Canal. Once known for coal mining and Gulag camps during Soviet times, it remains an industrial and mineral-rich hub. Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are 17 similar elements used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, smartphones, lasers, and defence technologies.

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The Ream Naval Base is on Cambodia’s Gulf of Thailand coast near Sihanoukville and recently gained global attention due to its expansion and China’s involvement. On April 5, 2025, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet inaugurated the expanded base, supported financially and technically by China. Cambodia claims the expansion supports its national defense, but concerns remain over possible Chinese military use. The base is close to the Malacca Strait, a key route for global trade and energy transport. China’s role suggests it aims to boost its influence in the Indo-Pacific and strengthen its naval presence near the South China Sea.

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The Cradle of Humankind in South Africa has reopened to the public after being closed for three years due to flooding. It is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site known for its underground limestone caves. It is located near Johannesburg, South Africa. It includes several significant sites such as Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Taung Skull Fossil Site. The site provides critical scientific insight into human evolution, dating back over 3.5 million years.

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United States (US) air strikes on Yemen’s Ras Isa oil port have killed at least 80 people. Ras Isa Port is located on the Ras al-Mashawn Peninsula in Yemen. It lies along the Gulf of Aden, about 35 kilometers west of the city of Al Mahrah. The Marib–Ras Isa oil pipeline is a vital part of Yemen’s energy network. This pipeline connects the inland oil fields of Marib to the Ras Isa Marine Terminal on the Red Sea. The port plays a major role in Yemen’s oil exports and overall economic stability.

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Recently, former United States President Donald Trump proposed formal recognition of Crimea as Russian territory, challenging America’s long-standing opposition to the annexation. Crimea is an autonomous republic in southern Ukraine, located between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The Crimean Peninsula connects to Ukraine through the 8-kilometre-wide Perekop Isthmus and to Russia via the Crimean Bridge across the Kerch Strait. Historically known as the Tauric Peninsula, Crimea has seen control shift between empires like the Ottomans and Russians. The region has the Crimean Mountains, rivers like Salhir and Alma, and important resources on the Kerch Peninsula.