Places in News Current Affairs MCQs

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After numerous attempts to curb the issue of illicit sand mining, officials in Bihar’s Bhojpur district have introduced a new approach.
They are constructing pillars along the Sone River, flanking the Arrah-Sahar bridge, with the aim of preventing boats from transporting unlawfully extracted sand between Bhojpur and Patna, and vice versa.

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Goa’s Santa Cruz village panchayat has expressed surprise over preparations under way for undertaking cultivation in Bondvol lake’s catchment area.
Recently, the panchayat discovered that the water of the lake has been drained by unknown persons. Some forums has alleged that lake water was drained by tampering with a valve that was operated by the water resources department (WRD).

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Angkor Wat, located in Cambodia, is now considered the eighth Wonder of the World, beating Italy’s Pompeii.
The title of the eighth Wonder of the World is given to outstanding buildings or projects, and Angkor Wat has gained this recognition. Built by King Suryavarman II in the 12th century, it has intricate carvings on its walls tell stories from Hindu and Buddhist myths.

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The National Water Mission of Ministry of Jal Shakti is organizing ‘Jal Itihas Utsav’ at Shamsi Talab, Jahaz Mahal situated in Delhi.
It aims to raise public consciousness about safeguarding water heritage sites, creating a sense of ownership among the masses as well as promote tourism and restoration of such heritage structures. The Ministry of Jal Shakti has successfully implemented the ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain’ 2023 with the theme “Source Sustainability for Drinking Water”.

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Hundreds of people displaced from Manipur due to ethnic clashes have taken refuge in Mizoram’s capital Aizawl since May 2022. They were given shelter, education for children, and healthcare by the previous MNF government. However, with Mizoram elections bringing a possible change in power, the Manipuri refugees housed in Aizawl’s Falkland camp grow uncertain about their future.
The 62 families appeal to the new government for continued support and being allowed to stay until stability returns back home. They do not want a change in government to alter the empathetic policy towards them. Their appeals come amid calls for a separate Kuki administrative division in Manipur following prolonged tensions between tribes and armed groups.

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Israel has intensified its strike in and around Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest city. Israel has ordered people out of nearly two dozen neighbourhoods instead of the entire region, as it did in the north.
Palestinians say that as Israel continues to attack across the besieged territory, there are no safe areas left.

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Researchers from Kerala University have confirmed the remote area of Luna in Kutch, Gujarat as the site of a meteorite impact crater dating back approximately 6,900 years. This coincides with the thriving phase of the Indus Valley Civilization, whose prominent site Dholavira lies 200km away. With evidence of high-temperature minerals proving a young crater of 1.88km diameter, the meteor is estimated to be 200m wide. While past discussions assessed faunal impacts, this opens speculation on whether the meteor destabilized advanced Indus settlements, as covered sediments obscured its signature over centuries before discovery.

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President Putin mentioned plans to connect the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to the port of Murmansk in Russia’s Arctic coast. The 7,200-km INSTC network runs through Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia to offer the shortest land and sea route between Russia and India. Putin aims to boost Eurasian connectivity by linking INSTC to Murmansk, describing how it would enable shipping goods from the Arctic port to Western India within 15 days. The proposed connectivity holds strategic significance amid Russia’s increasing pivot to Asia and efforts to develop transport infrastructure across the Eurasian landmass. India has been a key partner in projects like INSTC, which stand to counterbalance China’s BRI.

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Sirpur wetland is a Ramsar site in Indore. It was recently in news as it has got Rs 6 crore sanctioned for an interpretation centre. The district administration generated funds by selling unused government land, 25% of which will be used for Sirpur’s development including building an interpretation centre costing Rs 6 crore.

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The Yogmaya Temple, alternatively known as Jogmaya Temple, is a 19th-century Hindu temple devoted to Goddess Yogmaya, Krishna’s sister. Nestled in Mehrauli, New Delhi, near the Qutb complex, the temple showcases a distinctive Hindu architectural style.