Today in History (May 24^th, 1819)

Commonwealth Day is observed on the birthday of Queen Victoria of England, who was born on May 24th, 1819, and is observed by all countries which were once a colony of the British Empire.

Let’s revise

A) Recently, three countries announced to recognise Palestine as full state. These countries are_______

1. Switzerland, Spain, Japan
2. Norway, Spain, Ireland
3. Britain, Spain, Japan
4. Norway, Japan, Spain

Ans. (2)

B) Few weeks ago in a session of United Nations General Assembly how many countries supported full membership of UN to Palestine?

1. 193
2. 143
3. 150
4. 210

Ans. (2)

C) Few weeks ago in a session of United Nations General Assembly what was the stand of India for full membership of UN to Palestine?

1. India abstained
2. Supported for full membership
3. Opposed full membership
4. None is correct

Ans. (2)

D) Spain is the country of which continent/region?

1. North Africa
2. Eastern Europe
3. Western Europe
4. West Asia

Ans. (3)

E) The Oslo Peace Accords are a set of accords agreed by the____

1. Israeli government and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)
2. Ukraine’s government and Russian government
3. Iranian government and government of Iraq
4. Government of Britain and government of France

Ans. (1)

F) Where is the seat of International Criminal Court?

1. The Hague
2. New York
3. Rome
4. Switzerland

Ans. (1)

G) Juvenile Justice Board was introduced in the year of _____

1. 2018
2. 2019
3. 2021
4. 2015

Ans. (4)

H) The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, was enacted in ____

1. 2015
2. 2016
3. 2018
4. 2019

Ans. (1)

I) The BIMSTEC stands for _____

1. Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
2. Bengal Indian Maritime Strategic Technical Economic Consortium
3. Bay of Indian Maritime Security Technical Economic Council
4. Bilateral Intergovernmental Maritime Strategic Technical Economic Collaboration

Ans. (1)

J) How many countries are the members of BIMSTEC?

1. 5
2. 6
3. 7
4. 8

Ans. (3)

K) Which one is not the member of BIMSTEC?

1. Bangladesh
2. Bhutan
3. Cambodia
4. Myanmar

Ans. (3)

L) Which one option has members of BIMSTEC?

1. 1. Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka
   2. Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Indonesia
   3. Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Cambodia,
   4. India, China, Nepal, Bhutan Myanmar, Thailand

Ans. (1)

Summary of Today’s News

Meeting of Heads of Iran-allied militant groups in Tehran

• The leaders of the Iran-led “axis of resistance,” including Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iraqi Shia groups, met in Tehran to discuss the ongoing war in Gaza and the broader resistance against Israel.
• The meeting, attended by high-ranking Iranian officials and representatives from various militant groups, emphasized the continuation of their struggle until achieving complete victory for the Palestinian resistance in Gaza.
• This gathering highlights Iran’s significant role in supporting and coordinating with regional allies in their opposition to Israel.

The recognition of Palestine by more nations is a tough situation for Israel

• The recent decisions by Ireland, Norway, and Spain to recognize the state of Palestine signify a significant shift in international opinion, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cannot afford to ignore.
• This follows a broader international trend, including a UN General Assembly resolution supported by 143 countries and legal actions against Israeli and Hamas leaders by international judicial bodies.
• These actions, though symbolic, underscore the global consensus pushing Israel to reconsider its military strategies and to recognize the two-state solution as the path to peace.
• Ignoring these messages risks further isolating Israel from the international community.

The visit of Chinese premier to Europe to preserve China’s interests in Europe

• Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent trip to Europe, visiting France, Serbia, and Hungary, reflects a strategic effort to balance China’s relationships with Europe amid significant geopolitical challenges.
• The trip aimed to prevent the EU from aligning too closely with the U.S., avoid a trade standoff, and bolster China’s standing in Europe.
• However, the visit underscores the complexities in China’s relations with Europe, especially in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the intensifying China-U.S. trade and technology conflicts.
• While Xi received warm welcomes in Serbia and Hungary, these visits are unlikely to significantly shift the increasingly skeptical European stance towards China.

Military Affairs Department seeks feedback from three services on Agnipath scheme

• As the Agnipath scheme for soldier recruitment in India’s armed forces marks its two-year anniversary, the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) has sought feedback from the services. Regular reviews and monthly reports are compiled to assess the scheme, with feedback being quantified and averaged.
• The scheme, which replaces the previous permanent recruitment system with a four-year term for Agniveers, has become a significant political issue. The government has capped the intake at 1.75 lakh until 2026, with up to 25% of Agniveers being selected for regular service afterward.
• Despite political opposition pledging to abolish the scheme, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has defended it, expressing openness to necessary modifications.
• Regular feedback and reviews are part of ensuring the scheme’s effective implementation.