Global Climate Summit: World leaders gather in New York to discuss strategies for reducing global carbon emissions by 2030, with a focus on transitioning to renewable energy sources.
Indo-US Strategic Partnership: India and the US announce a joint initiative to advance research in artificial intelligence (AI) for military applications, boosting defense cooperation.
India’s G20 Agenda: India’s G20 presidency emphasizes digital transformation, with a special focus on harnessing technology to improve global healthcare.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Ongoing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine see a breakthrough, with both sides agreeing to a temporary ceasefire to allow for humanitarian aid.
El Niño Warning: Meteorological agencies issue warnings of severe droughts in parts of Southeast Asia and Australia due to El Niño effects, leading to potential crop shortages.
WHO Global Health Initiative: The World Health Organization launches a global initiative to eradicate polio by 2026, with a focus on vaccinating children in conflict zones.
IMF Economic Forecast: The International Monetary Fund revises its global growth forecast for 2024, predicting a slower recovery due to inflationary pressures and geopolitical conflicts.
Quad Joint Naval Exercises: The Quad nations (India, US, Japan, Australia) commence their largest-ever joint naval exercises in the Indian Ocean, aimed at enhancing maritime security.
European Union Green Deal: The EU accelerates its Green Deal, pledging additional funds to support green technologies and aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.
NASA Mars Mission Update: NASA confirms that its Perseverance rover has successfully collected new samples from Mars, offering fresh insights into the planet’s geology.
Brazilian Amazon Protection Plan: The Brazilian government unveils a $2 billion plan to protect the Amazon rainforest from deforestation and illegal mining, aiming to reduce damage by 30% by 2025.
New Zealand General Elections: New Zealand gears up for general elections, with climate change and housing affordability being the key issues debated by major political parties.
Azerbaijan-Armenia Ceasefire Agreement: Azerbaijan and Armenia sign a new ceasefire agreement to halt ongoing skirmishes in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, mediated by the UN.
China’s Economic Slowdown: China announces a decline in manufacturing output for the fourth consecutive quarter, raising concerns about the global impact of its economic slowdown.
Global Chip Shortage Eases: Semiconductor manufacturers report a gradual easing of the global chip shortage, with production ramping up in new facilities across Asia and the US.
FIFA Women’s World Cup Bid: Several nations, including Spain, Australia, and Japan, submit their bids to host the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with sustainability at the forefront of their proposals.
Africa Renewable Energy Investment: The African Union announces a $500 million investment into renewable energy projects across the continent, with a focus on solar and wind power.
United Nations Digital Compact: The UN pushes forward its Digital Compact initiative, aimed at bridging the global digital divide and ensuring equitable access to the internet for all nations.
OPEC Oil Production Cut: OPEC members agree to a further cut in oil production, citing a need to stabilize falling global oil prices due to a supply glut.
Paris Fashion Week: Paris Fashion Week 2024 kicks off, showcasing eco-friendly and sustainable fashion from top designers, with a focus on reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.
- Which organization received the 2024 UN Inter-Agency Task Force Award for its work on non-communicable diseases (NCDs)?
- A) WHO
- B) UNICEF
- C) ICMR
- D) Red Cross
Answer: C) ICMR
- Where will India open new consulates in the US, as announced by PM Modi in 2024?
- A) San Francisco and Miami
- B) Boston and Los Angeles
- C) Seattle and Dallas
- D) New York and Houston
Answer: B) Boston and Los Angeles
- Which initiative was launched by the Quad countries to tackle cancer in the Indo-Pacific region?
- A) Cancer Moonshot Initiative
- B) Indo-Pacific Health Initiative
- C) Quad Cancer Research Project
- D) Cancer Care 2030
Answer: A) Cancer Moonshot Initiative
- What is the focus of the new semiconductor fabrication plant set up by the US and India?
- A) Solar energy
- B) Silicon carbide and gallium nitride devices
- C) Artificial intelligence
- D) Pharmaceuticals
Answer: B) Silicon carbide and gallium nitride devices
- Which branch of the Indian military launched the first tri-services ‘Future Warfare’ course?
- A) Indian Army
- B) Indian Navy
- C) Indian Air Force
- D) Integrated Defence Staff
Answer: D) Integrated Defence Staff
- Which vaccine is India contributing to the Quad Cancer Moonshot initiative?
- A) COVID-19
- B) Polio
- C) Cervical cancer vaccine
- D) Malaria
Answer: C) Cervical cancer vaccine
- How many women die each year from cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific region, as highlighted by the Quad Cancer Moonshot initiative?
- A) 50,000
- B) 100,000
- C) 150,000
- D) 200,000
Answer: C) 150,000
- What major event did SpaceX’s Starship accomplish recently?
- A) A crewed mission to Mars
- B) Successful landing in the Indian Ocean after a hypersonic return
- C) First crewed Moon landing in 50 years
- D) Establishing a space station
Answer: B) Successful landing in the Indian Ocean after a hypersonic return
- What is the key objective of the Quad Cancer Moonshot initiative?
- A) To develop new cancer vaccines
- B) To reduce the cancer burden in the Indo-Pacific region
- C) To enhance space research
- D) To provide free healthcare globally
Answer: B) To reduce the cancer burden in the Indo-Pacific region
- Which new technology is set to impact future warfare, as discussed in India’s new tri-services course?
- A) Biotechnology
- B) Robotics
- C) Hypersonic weapons and artificial intelligence
- D) Electric vehicles
Answer: C) Hypersonic weapons and artificial intelligence
- Which countries form the Quad, which is involved in the Cancer Moonshot initiative?
- A) India, Russia, Japan, and Australia
- B) US, India, Australia, and Japan
- C) US, UK, India, and Japan
- D) China, US, Australia, and India
Answer: B) US, India, Australia, and Japan
- Which global sector is expected to benefit from the new US-India semiconductor fab?
- A) Healthcare
- B) Automotive
- C) Telecommunications and green energy
- D) Aerospace
Answer: C) Telecommunications and green energy
- What was launched to modernize warfare education in India?
- A) War Simulation Center
- B) Future Warfare course
- C) Cyber Defense Academy
- D) Drone Combat Training Program
Answer: B) Future Warfare course
- Which health initiative was launched at the Quad Leaders Summit?
- A) Quad Health 2030
- B) Cancer Moonshot Initiative
- C) Global Vaccine Alliance
- D) Indo-Pacific Health Mission
Answer: B) Cancer Moonshot Initiative
- Which technological development is the US Space Force collaborating with India on?
- A) Drone technology
- B) Quantum computing
- C) Semiconductor fabrication
- D) Renewable energy
Answer: C) Semiconductor fabrication
- What was the focus of the strategic technology alliance between the US Space Force and India?
- A) Cybersecurity
- B) Space exploration
- C) National security technologies like power electronics
- D) Renewable energy
Answer: C) National security technologies like power electronics
- Who is leading the tri-services ‘Future Warfare’ course in India?
- A) Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan
- B) Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande
- C) Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Hari Kumar
- D) Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari
Answer: A) Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan
- What does the Cancer Moonshot initiative aim to address in the Indo-Pacific region?
- A) Childhood cancer
- B) Cervical cancer
- C) Lung cancer
- D) Skin cancer
Answer: B) Cervical cancer
- Which Indian institution won a UN award for non-communicable disease control?
- A) AIIMS
- B) ICMR
- C) Indian Red Cross
- D) WHO India
Answer: B) ICMR
- What was the key feature of SpaceX’s Starship demonstration?
- A) First manned Mars landing
- B) Survival of a hypersonic return from orbit
- C) First flight to Saturn
- D) Successful launch of a solar energy satellite
Answer: B) Survival of a hypersonic return from orbit