Contemporary Events: World: UPSC Previous Year Questions (General Knowledge)

Explanation

Cristina Kirchner made history by becoming the first elected female President of Argentina, succeeding her husband Nestor Kirchner in 2007. She served as the President of Argentina from 2007 to 2015, leading the country through a period of significant economic and social change.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Orange Prize, now known as the Women’s Prize for Fiction, is a prestigious international award that recognizes and celebrates outstanding fiction written by women. Established in 1996, this prize acknowledges and promotes exceptional literary works by female authors worldwide.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Pulitzer Prize has a different focus and eligibility criteria. It is an esteemed award that honors exceptional achievements in journalism, literature, and music composition within the United States. Administered by Columbia University in New York City, the Pulitzer Prize is not affiliated with the Commonwealth Foundation, nor is it open to citizens of Commonwealth countries for literary works in English.

Explanation

The earthquake in 2007 that led to massive radioactive water leakage occurred in Japan. The incident took place at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant (net capacity of 7,965 megawatts), which is the largest nuclear plant in the world.

Explanation

World Summit on Sustainable Development WSSD (Rio+10) was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002, marking 10 years since the 1992 Earth Summit. It focused on balancing economic development with environmental sustainability. Key Outcomes - Affirmed commitment to Agenda 21 and the Millennium Development Goals, leading to the Johannesburg Declaration for global sustainable development.

Explanation

The first desalination plant in India, which produces one lakh litres of freshwater per day based on the Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) principle, was commissioned in Kavaratti, the capital of Lakshadweep. This plant was developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).

Explanation

Hand-in-Hand 2007’ was a joint anti-terrorism military training exercise conducted between the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China. This was part of confidence-building measures between the two countries to improve bilateral military cooperation. The only joint military exercise between India and China.

Explanation

Kim Dae-jung, the Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2000, is from South Korea. He was the eighth president of South Korea, serving from 1998 to 2003, and was recognized for his work towards democracy and human rights in South Korea and East Asia, as well as his efforts towards peace and reconciliation with North Korea.

Explanation

The United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference (1944), commonly known as Bretton Woods conference, was held in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA to regulate the international monetary and financial order after the conclusion of World War II. During this conference, agreements were signed to establish the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).