Places in News Current Affairs MCQs

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India aims to operate Mongla Port in Bangladesh and build a new terminal to counter China’s regional influence. Mongla, the second largest seaport in Bangladesh, is strategically located 62 km from the Bay of Bengal, protected by the Sundarban forest. India’s interest in Mongla will improve access and reduce transportation costs to northeastern states like Assam and Tripura. India Ports Global Limited has expressed interest, following the 2015 MoU for transit.

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Archaeologists discovered Tu’am, an ancient city known for its pearl trade, on UAE’s Siniyah Island, confirming its historical existence. Dating back to the fourth century, Tu’am thrived until succumbing to local conflicts and the bubonic plague. Excavations revealed ancient homes and a Christian monastery, aligning with historical records. This discovery establishes Siniyah Island as the true location of Tu’am, showcasing its significance as the largest known ancient town on the UAE’s Gulf coast.

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Tamluk, located in West Bengal, was a significant ancient city known as Tamralipta or Tamralipti. It served as the capital of the Suhma kingdom and later the Pala Empire during the 7th to 9th centuries CE. Excavations have revealed remnants of the ancient town Chandraketugarh. Today, Tamluk is renowned for its production and export of paan (betel leaf), shedding light on its historical trade importance in Indian kingdoms.

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A severe bleaching event has ravaged 97% of coral at Lizard Island, part of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, due to extreme heat stress. Known as Jiigurru or Dyiigurra, Lizard Island is located in Queensland. The island’s traditional owners are the Dingaal people, an Aboriginal Australian clan also known as Dingiil, Walmbarddha, or Walmbaria.

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Researchers discovered 230 million metric tons of minerals essential for electric car batteries on the seabed off Minami-Torishima Island, also known as Marcus Island. This isolated Japanese atoll in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, southeast of Tokyo, has a triangular shape formed by a raised coral reef. The island has a flat terrain with a maximum altitude of 9 meters and an oceanic climate, with an average annual temperature of 25.6°C.

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India’s external affairs minister affirmed support for Mauritius regarding the Chagos Archipelago, aligning with its decolonization stance. Located in the central Indian Ocean, about 1,000 miles south of India’s tip, this UK overseas territory was established on November 8, 1965. Key islands include Diego Garcia, hosting a strategic US military base. The archipelago experiences a tropical marine climate, moderated by trade winds, with high temperatures and humidity.

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Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city and a key economic hub in East Africa, faces severe water shortages due to aging infrastructure, rapid urbanization, and inadequate government response. Located along the Indian Ocean, the city’s growing population and outdated water systems exacerbate the crisis, impacting residents’ daily lives and regional economic activities.

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Russia’s Defence Ministry reported that Russian warplanes intercepted two U.S. strategic bombers over the Barents Sea, preventing a border violation. The Barents Sea, a marginal sea of the Arctic Ocean, covers 1.4 million sq. km and borders Norway and Russia. Named after Dutch explorer Willem Barents, it was known to Vikings as the Murmean Sea. It is bounded by several archipelagos and seas, including the Svalbard and Novaya Zemlya archipelagos.

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In the harsh environment of Death Valley, 97 runners recently embarked on the Badwater 135, a 48-hour ultramarathon renowned as the world’s toughest foot race. Death Valley, located in southeastern California, USA is the lowest, hottest, and driest part of North America, spanning 7,800 sq. km, with about 1,425 sq. km below sea level. This rift valley, formed by the sinking of rock between major faulted mountains, is part of Death Valley National Park and the Mojave and Colorado Deserts Biosphere Reserve. It is bordered by the Grapevine, Funeral, and Black Mountains to the east, and the Panamint and Cottonwood Mountains to the west.

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A deadly strike on a playing field in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights has heightened concerns about a possible new conflict. The Golan Heights is a rocky plateau in southwestern Syria, about 60 km from Damascus. It covers 1,000 sq km and is surrounded by the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee, Mount Hermon, the Wadi Al-Ruqqad River, and the Yarmuk River. It is considered occupied territory under international law.