This is the current affairs of 25 & 26 June 2023. Here are 10 questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. Name the private army of Russia, which rebelled against Putin and marched towards Moscow, although it postponed the decision after the agreement?
a. Slavonic core
b. Wagner Group
c. Asgard Group
d. Enot Corporation
Answer: b. Wagner Group (PMC Wagner)
– Russia prepared a private army to fight in Ukraine and some other countries.
– It is called the Wagner Group, officially known as PMS Wagner. It consists of 50,000 fighters.
– It is believed that Putin ordered its formation.
– Its chief is Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has previously been a chef for Putin.
– However, after a controversy, it turned into a liability for Putin.
– The chief of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is planning to launch a rebellion against the Russian army on June 24. He has seized control of “all military facilities” in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don.
– After that, the fighters of this private army moved towards Moscow. Within a short period of time, this private army reached approximately 200 kilometers from Moscow.
– Following this, the Russian government became alarmed and barricaded all the streets in Moscow.
– Shortly after, Putin announced that the rebellion is a “criminal act, a serious offense, treason, blackmail, and terrorism.”
Belarus President Arranged a Compromise
– However, just a few hours after this incident, Russia announced under a compromise with Prigozhin that all criminal cases against the Wagner leader have been dropped.
– Now, the chief of Wagner will seek shelter in Belarus.
About the Wagner Group
The Wagner Group is officially known as PMS Wagner.
– The group was first identified in 2014 when it was providing support to pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
– At that time, it had 5,000 fighters who were retired soldiers from elite Russian regiments and special forces.
– This group is active not only in Russia but also in Africa and the Middle East.
– In 2022, when Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine, the number of its fighters increased to around 50,000.
– 80% of Wagner fighters were recruited from prisons.
– The Wagner Group registered itself as a company in 2022 and opened its new headquarters in St. Petersburg.
– This group was tasked by Russia to seize control of cities in Ukraine.
About Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin of the Wagner Group
– Currently, the group is headed by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is a wealthy businessman.
– He was known as “Putin’s Chef” because he was responsible for catering at the Kremlin.
Conflict with Russian Military Commanders
– This private army started to operate outside the control of the Russian military.
– Subsequently, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that by the end of June, these fighters of the group would need to sign contracts.
– This step was seen as an attempt to bring the group under government control.
– Following this, Wagner’s chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, announced the rebellion.
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2. Egypt conferred highest civilian honor on PM Modi in June 2023, name this award?
a. Order of Nile
b. Order of the Druk Gyalpo
c. Legion of Merit
d. Companion of the Order
Answer: a. Order of the Nile (Kildat el Nil)
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a two-day official visit on June 24 and 25, 2023.
– During this time, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt honored PM Modi with the Order of the Nile, the highest state honor of Egypt.
– This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Egypt since 1997.
What is the Order of the Nile?
– In Egypt, it is called the “Kiladat al-Nil.”
– It was established by Sultan Hussein Kamel in 1915.
– This award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the country.
– Egypt became a republic in 1953, and after that, the Order of the Nile was given the status of the highest national honor.
– The word “Nile” in the Order is associated with the Nile River.
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3. Which historic mosque did PM Modi visit in June 2023 during his visit to Egypt, which was built in the 11th century?
a. Abu Haggag Mosque
b. Al-Ghuri Mosque
c. Al Hakeem Mosque
d. Al-Hussein Mosque
Answer: c. Al Hakeem Mosque
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited this mosque on June 25, 2023.
– This mosque was built in the 11th century.
– This mosque is located in the capital of Egypt, Cairo.
– It was reconstructed with the assistance of the Bohra community of India.
– Prime Minister Modi also visited the Heliopolis Memorial. There, he paid tribute to the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the First World War.
– The memorial was built by the United Nations.
– This memorial is dedicated to 3,799 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War in Egypt.
– PM Modi also visited the pyramids with the Prime Minister of Egypt, Mustafa Madbouly.
– These pyramids are among the seven wonders of the world.
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4. What agreements were signed between the two countries during the visit of Indian PM Modi to Egypt?
a. Strategic partnership
b. Agriculture Related and Archeology and Antiquities
c. Competition Law Related
d. All of the Above
Answer: d. All of the Above
MoUs between the two countries:
1. Strategic Partnership: Political, Defense, and Security Cooperation; Economic Integration; Scientific and Educational Collaboration; and Cultural and People-to-People Contacts.
2. Agriculture-related: Both countries will cooperate in the field of agriculture.
3. Archaeology and Heritage: Both will support each other in the preservation and conservation of monuments.
4. Cooperation on Competition Law.
– In 2021-22, bilateral trade between India and Egypt was $7.26 billion.
– This was 60% higher compared to the previous year.
Now, Modi and President Sisi aim to take it up to $12 billion in the next five years.
– Egypt wants to transform the Suez Canal into an economic zone.
– It is a trade stretch of approximately 460 kilometers.
– It includes six important ports from Africa, the Arab region, and Europe.
– China is spending $1 billion on this project.
– They want to make it part of the Belt and Road Initiative.
– The Egyptian government wants India to enhance its military presence as well.
– There is also discussion of a potential secret military deal between the two countries.
– In January, both armies also conducted joint training in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
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5. When is the International Day of the Seafarer celebrated?
a. 23 June
b. 24 June
c. 25 June
d. 26 June
Answer: c. 25 June
Theme 2023
– International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) at 50 – Our commitment goes on
– This day is celebrated to honor the significant contributions made by mariners in global trade and the economy.
– World Maritime Day was first celebrated in 2011.
– Our commitment continues.
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6. Google has announced to open Global Fintech Center in which state of India?
a. Gandhinagar, Gujarat
b. Lucknow, UP
c. Mumbai, Maharashtra
d. Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Answer: a. Gandhinagar, Gujarat
– During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States (June 2023), Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Alphabet (Google’s parent company), made this announcement.
– Google will open its global fintech center in Gift City, the capital of Gujarat, Gandhinagar.
How much investment will Google make for this global fintech center?
– Ten billion dollars (approximately 82 thousand crore rupees).
– The PMO tweeted that there were discussions between the PM and Pichai on ways to promote artificial intelligence, fintech, and research and development.
What is fintech?
– Fintech describes an integrated new technology that improves and automates all aspects of financial services provided to individuals and companies.
– Initially, the term was used for the technology behind the infrastructure systems of large banks and other organizations.
– Now it encompasses a wide range of financial innovations in various industries, from education to cryptocurrency and investment management.
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7. How much amount Amazon announced to invest more in India during PM Modi’s USA visit?
a. 11 Billion Dollars
b. 15 Billion Dollars
c. 20 Billion Dollars
d. 26 Billion Dollars
Answer: b. 15 Billion Dollars (1.2 lakh crore)
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to the United States, had a meeting with Amazon CEO Andy Jassy.
– Following that, Amazon announced an investment of 15 billion dollars in India.
– After this investment by Amazon, the total investment will reach 26 billion dollars.
What will be the benefit?
– Through this, the company will generate more employment and help in digitizing more small and medium businesses.
– Additionally, it will assist in exporting Indian products worldwide.
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8. Who became the President of BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry Women’s Vertical?
a. Asha Verma
b. Ruby Sinha
c. Rashmi Maurya
d. Usha Saxena
Answer: b. Ruby Sinha
– She is the founder of Sheatwork and Communion Brand Communications.
– BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a core organization that promotes trade and industry among BRICS countries.
– Its objective is specifically to create an effective support system for businesses in all geographical sectors, young entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs, and MSMEs in the BRICS region.
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9. Who was given the Olympic Order Award by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)?
a. Narendra Modi
b. Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus
c. Barack Obama
d. Thomas Bach
Answer: b. Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus
– She is the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).
– She has been honored for her efforts in making the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021) possible amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
– The presentation of the Olympic Order took place at the Olympic House, and it was given by the President of the IOC, Thomas Bach.
International Olympic Committee:
– Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
– President: Thomas Bach
– Founded: 23 June 1894, Paris, France
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10. Which player created the Guinness World Record for playing 200 international football matches?
a. Sunil Chettri
b. Lionel Messi
c. Cristiano Ronaldo
d. Abby Wambach
Answer: c. Cristiano Ronaldo
– They are players from Portugal.
– They played their 200th match for A Seleção das Quinas (Portugal national team) in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier against Faroe Islands.
– Now, they have become the player with the most appearances in international football.
