UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : International Relations MCQs on Thitu Island, North Darfur and more (Week 131)

3. In this country, more than three-fourths of the total population live below the poverty line.

The above mentioned statements refer to which country?

(a) Peru

(b) Madagascar

(c) Bolivia

(d) Botswana

Explanation

— After Indonesia, the Philippines and Nepal, youth-led protests (often dubbed “Gen Z protests”) have been witnessed in recent days in the North African nation of Morocco and the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar.

— In Madagascar, several power and water cuts in September led to protests that the government sought to put down, resulting in the deaths of over 20 people. It led to the protestors criticising the entire establishment, with the resignation of President Andry Rajoelina now a key demand.

— About 50% of Madagascar’s population is under 18. The country has a per capita GDP of just $545, with more than three-fourths of the total population living below the poverty line. Reuters reported that income per capita has actually fallen 45% between independence from France in 1960 and 2020.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

Thitu Island was recently in the news. It is located in:

(a) Mediterranean Sea

(b) Black Sea

(c) South China Sea

(d) Arabian Sea

Explanation

— The Philippines accused Chinese maritime forces of using water cannons and ramming a Filipino vessel near the Philippine-occupied Thitu Island, calling the actions a “clear threat” that escalates tensions in contested South China Sea waters.

— The Philippines Coast Guard said three Filipino vessels, including the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, were anchored near Thitu Island, locally known as Pag-asa Island, early on Sunday as part of a government programme to protect local fishermen when Chinese ships reportedly approached and used water cannons to intimidate them.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

Which of the following organisations have launched the Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects?

(a) UNESCO

(b) World Monuments Fund

(c) British Museum

(d) International Council on Museums (ICOM)

Explanation

— UNESCO launched Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects.

— The museum, launched September 29 at UNESCO’s MONDIACULT conference, is “an innovative digital platform [which] reconnects communities with their stolen cultural treasures”, and seeks to confront the illicit trafficking of heritage items, particularly as a result of colonialism.

— The digital museum currently displays almost 240 missing objects from 46 countries, a number that is expected to grow, but also eventually fall. This is because the museum aims to “gradually empty itself”, as the objects are recovered, and returned to their countries of origin.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

North Darfur is located in:

(a) Egypt

(b) Democratic Republic of Congo

(c) Algeria

(d) Sudan

Explanation

— At least 53 people, including 14 children and 15 women, were killed in an attack by Sudanese paramilitaries that hit a shelter in a besieged Darfur city, a doctors’ group said.

— The shelling attack by the Rapid Support Forces on the city of el-Fasher also wounded another 21 people, including five children and seven women, said the Sudan Doctors’ Network, a group of medical professionals tracking the Sudanese civil war.

— The attack by the Rapid Support Forces hit the al-Arqam Home, which sheltered displaced families in el-Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur province, the group said. The shelter is located at the Omdurman Islamic University.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

India is member of:

1. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

2. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

3. US-led QUAD security dialogue

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders’ meet in Tianjin, China. The grouping includes nine member nations, including India, China, Pakistan and Russia.

— India is a member of the SCO and the US-led QUAD security dialogue (with Australia and Japan).

— India is not a part of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 125)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 131)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 131)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 131)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 130)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 130)

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