Australia, UK Sign 50-Year Geelong Treaty Under AUKUS
Australia and the United Kingdom have signed the historic Geelong Treaty, a 50-year strategic agreement under the AUKUS (Australia-UK-US) alliance. This treaty strengthens cooperation on nuclear-powered submarine development, advanced cyber technologies, quantum computing, and undersea capabilities. Signed in Geelong, Victoria, the deal ensures that Australia will acquire and co-develop next-generation submarines using British and American technology. It also establishes long-term defence, scientific, and industrial partnerships, including training programs and AI-based intelligence sharing. The treaty is seen as a counter to growing Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific. It reinforces AUKUS’s role as a strategic trilateral security pact and boosts defence technology supply chains across the three nations.
MCQs:
1. What is the duration of the Geelong Treaty?
A. 25 years
B. 30 years
C. 50 years
D. 40 years
Answer: C) 50 years
2. Under which alliance was the Geelong Treaty signed?
A. NATO
B. QUAD
C. AUKUS
D. BRICS
Answer: C) AUKUS
3. Which city hosted the signing of the Geelong Treaty?
A. Canberra
B. Sydney
C. Geelong
D. Perth
Answer: C) Geelong
4. The treaty focuses on developing which major defence asset?
A. Fighter jets
B. Battle tanks
C. Nuclear submarines
D. Drones
Answer: C) Nuclear submarines
5. Which countries are involved in AUKUS?
A. USA, UK, India
B. USA, UK, Australia
C. UK, China, Australia
D. USA, UK, Canada
Answer: B) USA, UK, Australia
17 MPs Honoured with Sansad Ratna Awards for Parliamentary Performance
Seventeen Members of Parliament have been awarded the prestigious Sansad Ratna Awards 2025, honouring outstanding performance in Parliament. The award is inspired by the vision of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and recognises MPs based on their debates, questions raised, private member bills, and attendance. Notable awardees include Shashi Tharoor, Supriya Sule, and Nishikant Dubey. These MPs demonstrated excellence across multiple parliamentary metrics. The awards aim to encourage transparency, accountability, and dedication among lawmakers. A special jury committee evaluates data from PRS Legislative Research to finalise recipients. The event promotes positive democratic values and celebrates active parliamentary participation.
MCQs:
1. How many MPs were honoured with the Sansad Ratna Awards 2025?
A. 10
B. 17
C. 25
D. 12
Answer: B) 17
2. Which former President inspired the Sansad Ratna Awards?
A. Pratibha Patil
B. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
C. Ram Nath Kovind
D. Abdul Hamid
Answer: B) Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
3. What does the award primarily recognise?
A. Public rallies
B. Attendance only
C. Parliamentary performance
D. Election wins
Answer: C) Parliamentary performance
4. Which of these MPs received the award in 2025?
A. Rahul Gandhi
B. Amit Shah
C. Supriya Sule
D. Arvind Kejriwal
Answer: C) Supriya Sule
5. What data is used for shortlisting awardees?
A. Social media reach
B. PRS Legislative Research
C. Election Commission
D. Lok Sabha TV
Answer: B) PRS Legislative Research
Iran Launches Nahid-2 Telecom Satellite Aboard Russian Soyuz Rocket
Iran successfully launched its Nahid-2 telecommunications satellite aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket, showcasing its growing space collaboration with Russia. The launch took place at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Nahid-2, meaning "Venus" in Persian, is Iran's second major telecom satellite and is designed to improve communication capabilities, including internet and mobile coverage, especially in rural areas. The satellite has a planned operational lifespan of over 5 years. This launch is significant amid ongoing Western sanctions, highlighting Iran's pivot to new strategic partners for technological advancement. It also demonstrates the geopolitical strengthening of Iran-Russia ties in the aerospace sector.
MCQs:
1. What is the name of Iran’s recently launched telecom satellite?
A. Arya-1
B. Nahid-2
C. Pars-3
D. Zafar
Answer: B) Nahid-2
2. Which country helped launch Nahid-2?
A. China
B. USA
C. Russia
D. Turkey
Answer: C) Russia
3. What is the purpose of Nahid-2?
A. Weather monitoring
B. Missile guidance
C. Telecom services
D. Spy operations
Answer: C) Telecom services
4. Where was the satellite launched from?
A. Tehran Launch Base
B. Baikonur Cosmodrome
C. Moscow Station
D. Sriharikota
Answer: B) Baikonur Cosmodrome
5. What is the expected lifespan of Nahid-2?
A. 2 years
B. 7 years
C. 5+ years
D. Less than a year
Answer: C) 5+ years
FISU World University Games 2025: India Finishes with 12 Medals
India wrapped up its performance at the FISU World University Games 2025 in Rhein-Ruhr, Germany, with a total of 12 medals — 3 gold, 4 silver, and 5 bronze. Indian athletes excelled in track and field, shooting, and wrestling. The event featured over 150 countries and 10,000 university athletes. India's medal haul is its highest ever at the FISU Games, highlighting the country's growing strength in youth sports. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports congratulated the winners and emphasised continued support for grassroots sports. This achievement will likely inspire more college-level athletes to compete internationally.
MCQs:
1. How many total medals did India win at FISU Games 2025?
A. 10
B. 12
C. 15
D. 9
Answer: B) 12
2. Where were the 2025 FISU Games held?
A. Paris
B. Tokyo
C. Rhein-Ruhr
D. New Delhi
Answer: C) Rhein-Ruhr
3. Which sport did India win medals in?
A. Swimming only
B. Chess only
C. Track, shooting, wrestling
D. Skiing
Answer: C) Track, shooting, wrestling
4. What is the full form of FISU?
A. Federation of Indian Sports Unions
B. Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire
C. Foreign Indian Sports Union
D. Future Indian Sports University
Answer: B) Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire
5. How many gold medals did India win?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 3
D. 1
Answer: C) 3
Breakthrough Molecular Imaging Technique Reveals Real-Time Motion
Scientists from a European biotech consortium have developed a new molecular imaging technique that allows real-time visualisation of molecules in motion inside the human body. Using a combination of quantum sensors and AI-based imaging, this technique provides ultra-clear 3D images of molecular interactions, improving diagnosis of diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s. This breakthrough eliminates the need for radioactive tracers in many cases and can track medicine absorption at the cellular level. It is expected to revolutionise drug testing, diagnosis, and personalised medicine. Clinical trials are already underway in Germany and the UK, with early results showing exceptional accuracy.
MCQs:
1. What does the new molecular imaging technique allow?
A. DNA mapping
B. Real-time molecular motion imaging
C. Ultrasound monitoring
D. Eye scanning
Answer: B) Real-time molecular motion imaging
2. Which technology supports the new imaging technique?
A. Solar sensors
B. Magnetic coils
C. Quantum sensors
D. Fibre optics
Answer: C) Quantum sensors
3. This breakthrough helps detect which diseases?
A. Only viral infections
B. Alzheimer’s and cancer
C. Fractures
D. Malaria
Answer: B) Alzheimer’s and cancer
4. Which country is not yet running clinical trials?
A. Germany
B. UK
C. France
D. All are
Answer: C) France
5. What common diagnostic tool does this method reduce reliance on?
A. X-rays
B. Radioactive tracers
C. ECG
D. Biopsy
Answer: B) Radioactive tracers
