Current Affairs Quiz 19 and 20 July

Current Affairs MCQs [ 19 and 20 July 2017 ] PIB TheHindu IndianExpress & Other leading newspapers

Sumant Kumar, B.Tech NIT Allahabad

Consider the following statements regarding Turkey : 1. Turkey is a

transcontinental country in Eurasia

2. Turkey is a democratic, secular, unitary, parliamentary republic

3. Turkey is a crucial NATO ally

Which of the following statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans : (d) 1, 2 and 3

Consider the following statements regarding Turkey : 1. Turkey is

bordered by 6 countries. 2. The country is

encircled by seas on three sides: the Aegean Sea is to the west, the Black Sea to the north, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south.

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 Ans : (b) 2 only

Turkey is bordered by eight countries: Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest; Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan and Iran to the east; Iraq and Syria to the south.

Consider the following statements regarding Turkey : 1. Ankara is the capital 2. Istanbul is the country's

largest city and main cultural and commercial centre.

3. Kurds are the largest ethnic minority group, making up approximately 20% of the population.

Which of the following statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans : (d) 1, 2 and 3

Turkey : • Current bilateral Trade is about $6.4 Billion

• Target is $10 Billion for 2020

• Turkish President visited India in May 2017

Current Status of Turkey: • A recent referendum gave Turkish President

sweeping executive powers giving rise to fears about a lack of adequate safeguards for democratic rights in Turkey.

• President is using Islam to shore up his credibility

Consider the following statements regarding Kurds : o The Kurds are an ethnic group in the

South East Asia o mostly inhabiting a contiguous area

spanning adjacent parts of southeastern Turkey (Northern Kurdistan), northwestern Iran (Eastern Kurdistan), northern Iraq (Southern Kurdistan), and northern Syria (Western Kurdistan).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2Ans : (b) 2 only The Kurds are an ethnic group in the Middle East

Turkish stance on Indian issues: • Turkey supports “multilateral dialogue” on Kashmir

and offers to mediate between India and Pakistan. Thus, it is against India's stance of Kashmir being a bilateral issue.

• Turkey supports Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s position on Kashmir which is again anti-India

• On India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Turkish stance has been to push for Pakistan’s case along with India’s.

• Turkey supports India’s bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council. But, Turkey is a member of the group called Uniting for Consensus which opposes expansion of permanent membership in the Security Council. And this group includes Pakistan

Scope in Future: • Focus should be Trade and Economic ties. • Turkey needs new market as Europe is not

welcoming Turkey.

• The two nations are also exploring cooperation in areas such as construction, infrastructure development, renewable energy, and tourism

Consider the following statements:

According to the World Bank, India’s gross spending on R&D as a %age of its GDP is lesser than that of China and Brazil In India, the government accounts for the majority share of overall spending in research 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 Ans : c.

• The Global Innovation Index 2016 ranked India 66th out of 128 countries. • India still lags behind China at 25,

Russia at 43 and South Africa at 54. • Reason : low levels of investment in

Research and Development (R&D).

• According to the World Bank, in 2014, India’s gross spending on R&D was about 0.63% of its GDP, against 1.5% by China and 1.1% by Brazil.

• Many developed countries spend upwards of 4% on their R&D.

Consider the following statements regarding Global Innovation Index 2017

It is published by World Trade Organisation India climbed 6 spots, from 66 last year, to 60/130

a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ans : b) 2 only

It is published by Cornell University, INSEAD, and the World Intellectual Property Organization, in partnership with other organizations and institutions

Consider the following statements regarding Global Innovation Index 2017

Switzerland is ranked 1st India has maintained the top spot in the Central and South Asia regions India is ranked above all its neighbours. BRICS countries: Brazil (69), Russia (45), China (22), South Africa (57).

Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Ans : (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

• Positives in India:

o Strong market potential

o Excellent talent pool

o An underlying culture of frugal innovation

• Negatives in India:

o Business environment,

o Education expenditures,

o New business creations and

o Creative goods and services production

Products used by differently-abled people are being taxed at the lowest GST rate of 5%. Which of the following is/are the consequences? • Tax incidence will go up, resulting in higher

expenditure incurred by the buyer • Imported products of the same category of

goods will be at an advantage as they are zero-rated

Select the correct answer using the code given below: a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2

A tax incidence is an economic term for the division of a tax burden between buyers and sellers. • if such goods are exempt, then even

imports will have to be at zero duty, which will increase competition for the domestic industry. This would mean that domestically manufactured devices and equipment would bear the burden of input taxes, increasing their cost and becoming uncompetitive to imports.

The ‘City Liveability Index’ was recently launched by a) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs b) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare c) Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation d) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ans : A

• The Ministry of Urban Development (now Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs) launched the City Liveability Index.

• The index will be used to measure 116 cities, which include smart cities, state capitals, and cities with a population of above one million.

• Why the Index :

• The index will be a common minimum reference framework that will help cities know where they stand in terms of quality of life.

• It would also help cities to understand the interventions required to improve these standards.

The cities will be assessed on a set of 79 parameters which would capture the extent and quality of infrastructure. These include availability of roads, mobility, education and health care, employment opportunities, emergency responses, mechanisms for grievance redressal, level of pollution, and availability of open spaces.

http://moud.gov.in/# Consider the following statements regarding City Liveability Index :

It is published by Ministry of Home Affairs It will cover cities with a population above one million, including the capital cities. The index will help cities to analyse where they stand in terms of the quality of life. It will help them to come up with interventions required to improve it.

Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans : (c) 2, 3 and 4 only

Consider the following statements regarding Microplastics

They are biodegradable They increase water pollution They have a potential to disrupt the aquatic ecosystem.

Which of the following statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans : (c) 2 and 3 only

Issues With Microplastics non-biodegradable

flow through sewers to seas/oceans and add to the huge chunk of “plastic soup” in the environment.

increase water pollution

have a potential to disrupt the aquatic ecosystem.

Once they enter water bodies they accumulate as act as carriers for other pollutants.

They carry carcinogenic chemical compounds in the food chain.

Due to their small size they pass through waste water treatment filtration system as well.

Their unregulated production and use aggravates the problem.

There is an international campaign demanding ban on Microplastic.

Consider the following statements regarding Microplastics 1. Once the microplastics enter

water bodies they accumulate as act as carriers for other pollutants.

2. They carry carcinogenic chemical compounds in the food chain.

Select the correct answer using the code given below: a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ans : c) Both 1 and 2

MicroPlastics/MicroBeads • A petition has been filed in NGT

demanding ban on Microplastics.

• The NGT has issued notice to MoEF and Ministry for Water Resources and sought their reply.

Consider the following statements regarding Microplastics 1. Due to their small size

they pass through waste water treatment filtration system as well.

2. There is an international campaign demanding ban on Microplastic.

Select the correct answer using the code given below: a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ans : c) Both 1 and 2

MicroPlastics/MicroBeads What are they? • Microplastics measure less than five

milimetres.

• The microplastics or microbeads found in personal care products are always smaller than one milimetre.

• Microplastics or Microbeads are plastic pieces or fibre which is very small, generally measuring less than 1mm.

o They are used in personal care products like toothpaste, body creams, clothing and industrial use.

• They have an ability to spread easily and provide silky texture and colours to the product. Thus adding visual appeal of the cosmetic products.

The World Investment Report 2017 issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development also points out that tax-related concerns are a deterrent for some foreign investors to invest in India. Thus, Israeli investors will not be comfortable if taxation is completely outside BIT’s purview. The annual ‘World Investment Report’ is published by a) World Bank b) World Trade Organisation c) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development d) World Economic Forum Ans : C

The World Investment Report 2017 • issued by the United Nations Conference on

Trade and Development

• points out that tax-related concerns are a deterrent for some foreign investors to invest in India.

• India continues to remain as a favourite destination for FDI even though tax related concerns remain as a deterrent for the foreign investors

• FDI inflows into India remained stagnant at USD 44 billion.

• Each year´s Report

o covers the latest trends in foreign direct investment around the World and

o analyses in depth one selected topic related to foreign direct investment and development.

Consider the following statements regarding Iran nuclear deal :

The deal allows Iran to engage in nuclear activities for peaceful and constructive purposes like addressing it’s energy needs. It was done between Iran and P5+1 The deal is seen as a threat to themselves by Sunni nations (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt etc.)

Which of the following statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans : (c) 2 and 3 only

Impact on Arabs: • Iraq and Saudi Arabia are arch rival due to Shia-

Sunni conflict

• Saudi Arabia has openly opposed the deal

• seen as a threat to themselves by Sunni nations (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt etc.)

• Thus it may lead to proliferation of nuclear weapons via Pakistan to these nations further endangering global peace.

Impact on India: • India need all Arab nations. So a fine balancing act

is needed

• It has trade and cultural relations with most of the nations of the region and imports crude oil from Saudi Arabia as well as Iran.

• A large number of Indians work in the Gulf countries. • At the same time, India which is on the target of

Islamist terrorism will also have to make sure that nuclear weapons don’t reach them.

Which of the following are not the part of P5+1 nations with reference to Iran Nuclear Deal :

USA UK India China France Russia Germany Japan

Options : 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 Only 3 and 8 only 3, 4 and 8 only None of the Above

Ans : B 3 & 8

The ‘Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action’, issues related to which often appear in the news, is one that was reached between which of the following countries?

USA Russia Germany China Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2 only b) 1, 2 and 3 only c) 2, 3 and 4 only d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Solution: d.

On July 14, 2015, the P5+1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States), the European Union (EU), and Iran reached a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to ensure that Iran’s nuclear program will be exclusively peaceful.

Consider the following statements regarding Zero Hour :

It is not mentioned in the Rules of Procedure. It is an Indian innovation in the field of parliamentary procedures It has been in existence since 1962. With this device, members of the Parliament can raise matters without prior notice.

Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Ans : (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

“It is not mentioned in the Rules of Procedure. It is an Indian innovation in the field of parliamentary procedures and has been in existence since 1962. With this device, members of the Parliament can raise matters without prior notice.” These statements refer to which one of the following devices of parliamentary proceedings? a) Question Hour b) Zero Hour c) Calling Attention Motion d) Half-an-Hour Discussion Ans : b. • The Calling Attention motion, unlike the zero

hour, is mentioned in the rules of procedure.

• But like the zero hour, it also an Indian innovation in parliamentary procedure and has been in existence since 1954.

The ‘Joint International Taskforce on Shared Intelligence and Collaboration’ is related to the issue of a) Tax avoidance b) Drug trafficking c) Trafficking of women and children d) “Lone wolf”-style terrorism Ans : A

• The JITSIC brings together 37 of the world’s national tax administrations that have committed to more effective and efficient ways to deal with tax avoidance.

• It offers a platform to enable its members to actively collaborate within the legal framework of effective bilateral and multilateral conventions and tax information exchange agreements – sharing their experience, resources and expertise to tackle the issues they face in common.

• India is a member.

With reference to the Strategic Partnership Model, consider the following statements:

It was released by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Government will select only one strategic partner for manufacture of each category of defence equipment To be eligible for a strategic partnership, the organisation must be an Indian company, owned and controlled by resident Indian citizens

Which of the following statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans : (c) 2 and 3 only It was released by the Ministry of Defence.

• Building expertise: • The government will select one strategic

partner for manufacture of each of the following defence equipment: fighter aircrafts, helicopters, submarines and main battle tanks.

• This is to ensure that each strategic partner maintains a core area of expertise.

• Ownership and management: • An organisation must be an Indian company

(as defined under the Companies Act, 2013), owned and controlled by resident Indian citizens, to be eligible for strategic partnerships.

• Indian citizens must have majority representation on the company’s Board of Directors, and the chief executives of the company must be resident Indians.

• Maximum FDI permitted in such a company will be 49%.

Challenges : fundamental differences Israel and India have on BITs

Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) provision that allows foreign investors to bring claims against a host state for alleged treaty breaches at international arbitral forums. o Foreign investors prefer international arbitration —

which is faster and independent — over litigating in domestic courts.

o Israeli model : gives an investor the choice to submit any investment dispute with a state to international arbitration if not resolved within 6 months through negotiations.

o Indian model : A foreign investor will have to litigate in domestic courts for 5 years before pursuing a claim under international law.

Israel’s model provides a broad asset-based definition of foreign investment that covers both FDI and portfolio investment. o Indian model of 2016 defines investment narrowly as

an enterprise (with its assets) that has to possess certain characteristics of investment including the investment having ‘significance for the development’ — words not defined in the BIT — of the host country.

Israeli model contains a broad most favoured nation (MFN) provision - which is missing in the Indian model. Indian model excludes taxation altogether from the purview of the BIT. o Thus, the foreign investor cannot bring an ISDS claim

even if taxes imposed are confiscatory, discriminatory or unfair.

Which of the following statements refer to certain provisions in the model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) of Israel, that are absent in the Indian BIT?

Foreign investors can bring claims against a host state for alleged treaty breaches at international arbitral forums Israel’s BIT model provides a broad asset-based definition of foreign investment unlike the Indian model which defines it narrowly It contains a broad, Most Favoured Nation (MFN) provision Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 1 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3 Solution: b.