July 2024 Edition
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July 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#361
Which country signed a landmark deal with the US in 2024 to purchase 31 MQ-9B Predator drones?
(a) Ukraine
(b) India
(c) Taiwan
(d) South Korea
Explanation: India signed a deal to acquire 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance drones from the US to boost its surveillance and strike capabilities along its borders and in the Indian Ocean.
#362
Which European country became the first G7 nation to officially withdraw from China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2024?
(a) Germany
(b) France
(c) Italy
(d) Canada
Explanation: Italy officially withdrew from the Belt and Road Initiative in early 2024, citing that the economic benefits had not met expectations and seeking to realign with Western allies.
#363
Which resource did China place export controls on in 2023-2024, affecting the global semiconductor supply chain?
(a) Copper and Iron
(b) Gallium and Germanium
(c) Gold and Silver
(d) Lithium and Cobalt
Explanation: China imposed export controls on gallium and germanium, critical metals used in semiconductor manufacturing, in retaliation against US-led tech restrictions.
#364
Which US Act, passed in 2024, included provisions effectively demanding the divestiture of TikTok by its Chinese parent company?
(a) The CHIPS Act
(b) The Inflation Reduction Act
(c) The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act
(d) The Digital Markets Act
Explanation: This legislation required ByteDance to sell TikTok's US operations or face a nationwide ban, escalating US-China tech tensions.
#365
The 2024 G7 Summit, which focused heavily on supporting Ukraine and addressing Chinese overcapacity, was held in:
(a) Japan
(b) Germany
(c) Italy
(d) Canada
Explanation: Italy hosted the G7 summit in Apulia (Puglia) in June 2024.
#366
Which nation is China's largest trading partner in the 'Global South' as of 2024?
(a) Brazil
(b) India
(c) Russia
(d) South Africa
Explanation: Brazil is a massive trading partner for China, particularly in agricultural exports like soy and beef, and iron ore.
#367
In 2024, the US deployed a mid-range missile system (Typhon) to which Asian country for joint exercises, drawing strong condemnation from China?
(a) Vietnam
(b) South Korea
(c) Philippines
(d) Thailand
Explanation: The US deployed the Typhon missile system to the Philippines for military exercises in 2024, marking a significant strengthening of the US posture in the First Island Chain.
#368
The 'Atlantic Declaration' of 2023-2024 is a new economic security framework between:
(a) US and UK
(b) US and France
(c) UK and EU
(d) Canada and UK
Explanation: The Atlantic Declaration established a new economic partnership between the US and UK to cooperate on critical technologies, clean energy, and supply chains.
#369
Which country has acted as a primary supplier of dual-use components and microchips to Russia, helping it bypass Western sanctions in 2024?
(a) Iran
(b) North Korea
(c) China
(d) Turkey
Explanation: Western officials have repeatedly identified Chinese entities as the main source of dual-use goods (like machine tools and microelectronics) sustaining Russia's defense industrial base.
#370
Which country paused the supply of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine in 2024 despite pressure from allies?
(a) France
(b) United Kingdom
(c) Germany
(d) Poland
Explanation: Germany, under Chancellor Scholz, consistently refused to send long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine due to fears of escalation with Russia.
#371
Which nation signed the 'Reciprocal Access Agreement' (RAA) with Japan in 2024 to facilitate troop visits?
(a) India
(b) Philippines
(c) Vietnam
(d) Thailand
Explanation: Japan and the Philippines signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement in 2024, allowing their military forces to train on each other's soil.
#372
Who serves as the President of the European Commission, driving the 'de-risking' strategy towards China in 2024-2025?
(a) Charles Michel
(b) Ursula von der Leyen
(c) Roberta Metsola
(d) Olaf Scholz
Explanation: Ursula von der Leyen was re-elected for a second term in 2024 and has been a key proponent of 'de-risking' (reducing economic dependency) rather than 'de-coupling' from China.
#373
The 'IMEC' corridor, announced at the G20 2023 and progressed in 2024, is designed to link:
(a) India, Middle East, Europe
(b) India, Myanmar, Thailand
(c) Indonesia, Malaysia, China
(d) Iran, Moscow, Central Asia
Explanation: The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a US-backed infrastructure project intended to counter China's BRI and integrate economic markets.
#374
Which country formally hosted the SCO Heads of Government summit in October 2024?
(a) China
(b) Russia
(c) Pakistan
(d) Kazakhstan
Explanation: Pakistan hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad in October 2024.
#375
Which country is the largest supplier of weapons to India, although its share has declined in recent years (2020-2024)?
(a) France
(b) United States
(c) Russia
(d) Israel
Explanation: Russia remains India's largest arms supplier, though India is actively diversifying its imports with purchases from France (Rafale) and the US (drones/engines).
#376
Which country announced in 2024 that it would double its defense spending to 2% of GDP, shifting from a pacifist stance?
(a) Japan
(b) Switzerland
(c) Ireland
(d) Austria
Explanation: Japan has undertaken a historic shift in its defense posture, committing to double military spending to meet the NATO standard of 2% of GDP by 2027.
#377
The 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' signed in 2024 between Russia and North Korea includes a clause on:
(a) Free Trade
(b) Mutual Defense Assistance
(c) Space Exploration
(d) Cultural Exchange
Explanation: The treaty signed by Putin and Kim Jong Un in June 2024 includes a mutual defense clause, requiring each side to provide immediate military assistance if the other is attacked.
#378
In 2024, the US reimposed oil sanctions on which country after it barred opposition candidates from elections?
(a) Iran
(b) Venezuela
(c) Russia
(d) Libya
Explanation: The US reimposed sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector in April 2024 after the Maduro government failed to uphold commitments to fair elections.
#379
Which country is the 'Strategic Partner' in the 'SOSA' (Security of Supply Arrangement) signed with the US in 2024?
(a) India
(b) Brazil
(c) South Africa
(d) Vietnam
Explanation: India and the US signed the Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) in 2024 to ensure reciprocal priority support for defense goods and services.
#380
The European Union opened accession negotiations in 2024 with:
(a) Turkey
(b) Ukraine and Moldova
(c) Georgia
(d) Armenia
Explanation: The EU formally opened accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova in June 2024, a historic step amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine.