Daily subject-wise quiz : International Relations MCQs on M23 rebel group, Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific and more (Week 119)
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With reference to 'Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific', consider the following statements:
1. It was launched by UNDP on the sidelines of COP28.
2. It aims to attract investment programs that incorporate nature-based solutions, particularly focused on capital markets and other sources of private capital.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
According to adb.org,
— ' The Asian Development Bank (ADB) launched a Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific at COP28 which aims to attract at least $2 billion into investment programs that incorporate nature-based solutions, particularly focused on capital markets and other sources of private capital.'
Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
The Kamchatka region was in the news due to a 6.6 magnitude earthquake. The region is part of:
(a) United States
(b) Kazakhstan
(c) Italy
(d) Russia
Explanation
— A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck near the coast of the Kamchatka region in the far east of Russia, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said. The quake was at a depth of 10 km, GFZ said. It initially reported a magnitude of 6.2 for the earthquake.
Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.
Which country has decided to formally recognise the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan?
(a) China
(b) Iran
(c) Russia
(d) Ukraine
Explanation
— At a meeting on July 3, Russia's Ambassador to Kabul, Dmitry Zhirnov, informed Taliban Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi that Russia had decided to formally recognise the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.
— The Afghan foreign ministry welcomed Russia's action as 'a historic step that will set a good example for other countries'. It remains to be seen whether China, Pakistan, and other countries will follow Russia's lead.
Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.
Which of the following states/U.Ts is set to take over Bitra island, an atoll, to make use of it for defence purposes?
(a) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) Andhra Pradesh
(d) Lakshadweep
Explanation
— The administration of Lakshadweep intends to take over Bitra Island, an atoll in the Union Territories, for military use. However, the idea has been met with opposition, with local MP Hamdullah Sayeed promising to address the issue in Parliament.
— A government notification released on July 11 highlighted the idea for Lakshadweep's Department of Revenue to take over the whole land area of Bitra island and transfer it to relevant Central defence and strategic agencies, according to news agency PTI.
— Bitra is the least populated of the ten inhabited islands in the Lakshadweep UT, with 271 persons according to the 2011 Census.
Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.
The Han Guang drill is the biggest-ever military exercise conducted by:
(a) Taiwan
(b) Philippines
(c) Japan
(d) North Korea
Explanation
— The Han Guang drills (Taiwan's 'biggest-ever' military exercise) 'began with exercises to counter the actions of Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia ships that have been harassing Taiwanese ships around offshore island groups close to the Chinese coast', the Taiwanese Defence Ministry said.
— Regular forces will be backed up by 22,000 reservists and 'realistic conditions' will be simulated. According to the Associated Press, this could be 'a possible attempt to counter criticisms that past exercises have veered on the performative'.
— The Chinese government criticised Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), saying the drills could not stand in the way of the 'historical trend of national reunification'.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
With reference to the M23, consider the following statements:
1. This rebel group has been backed by Nigeria and Algeria.
2. They have signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end decades-long fighting in eastern Congo.
3. The peace deal between M23 rebels has been facilitated by Russia.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Explanation
— Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end decadeslong fighting in eastern Congo that commits them to a permanent ceasefire and a comprehensive peace agreement to be signed in one month. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
— A final peace deal is to be signed by August 18, and it 'shall align with the Peace Agreement between Congo and Rwanda' mediated by the US in June, according to a copy of the proclamation obtained by The Associated Press. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
— The M23, backed by neighbouring Rwanda, is the most visible of more than 100 armed groups vying for control of Congo's mineral-rich east. With 7 million people displaced in Congo, the UN has described the conflict as 'one of the most protracted, complex, and serious humanitarian crises on Earth.' Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
Consider the following pairs:
UN Specialised Agencies : Headquarters
1. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) : Rome
2. International Labour Organisation (ILO) : Geneva
3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) : New York
Which of the following are not correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
The IMF headquarters in Washington, D.C.
(Source: un.org)
Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.
Which is the second largest inter-governmental organisation in the world after the United Nations?
(a) G20
(b) Organization of American States
(c) Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
(d) African Union
Explanation
— The OIC, which was known as the Organisation of the Islamic Conference until 2011, is the second largest inter-governmental organisation in the world after the United Nations, with a membership of 57 countries spread across four continents. The OIC describes itself as 'the collective voice of the Muslim world', and its stated objective is 'to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world'.
— The OIC has reserved its membership for Muslim-majority countries. The Central African Republic, Russia, Thailand, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and the unrecognised Turkish Cypriot 'state' have Observer status.
Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 117)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 119)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Science and Technology (Week 119)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 119)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 119)
Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 118)
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Hence, statement 1 is not correct. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. Consider the following statements: 1. The Chairman or Speaker, or person acting as such, shall not vote in the first instance, but shall have and exercise a casting vote in the case of an equality of votes. 2. The quorum to constitute a meeting of either House of Parliament shall be one-fifth of the total number of members of the House. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation — The Chairman or Speaker, or person acting as such, shall not vote in the first instance, but shall have and exercise a casting vote in the case of an equality of votes. 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The 42nd Amendment to the Constitution replaced the words 'sovereign democratic republic' with 'sovereign socialist secular democratic republic'. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Explanation — A preamble serves as an introduction to a document and contains its basic principles and goals. — When the Indian Constitution was being drafted, the ideals behind the preamble were first laid down in the Objectives Resolution, adopted by the Constituent Assembly in 1947. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — Additionally, the violation of any principle mentioned in the preamble cannot be a reason to go to court, meaning the preamble is 'non-justiciable' — however, judgments of courts can cite it as an additional factor in their reasoning, given that it constitutes the spirit of the Constitution. Hence, statement 2 is correct. — The 42nd Amendment to the Constitution, passed in 1976 when the Emergency was in place, replaced the words 'sovereign democratic republic' with 'sovereign socialist secular democratic republic'. Hence, statement 3 is correct. — The amendment also changed 'unity of the nation' to 'unity and integrity of the nation'. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 119) Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 120) Daily subject-wise quiz — Science and Technology (Week 120) Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 120) Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 120) Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 120) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
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