Diplomatic Flashpoint: Ukraine Peace Talks in Washington
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump and key European leaders following a tense summit between Trump and Putin in Alaska. Talks are centered on a war-ending peace deal that might entail Ukraine ceding territories like Donetsk and Luhansk—sparking fears of renewed Russian aggression. Ukraine remains defiant amid mounting pressure for compromise.
MCQs:
1. Where did Zelenskyy meet with President Trump?
A) Alaska
B) Washington D.C.
C) Kyiv
D) Brussels
Answer: B) Washington D.C.
2. Which territories are central to the proposed peace deal?
A) Crimea and Sevastopol
B) Donetsk and Luhansk
C) Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia
D) Odessa and Dnipro
Answer: B) Donetsk and Luhansk
3. What is Ukraine’s general stance toward territorial concessions?
A) Welcomes them
B) Indifferent
C) Defiant and skeptical
D) Unaware of proposals
Answer: C) Defiant and skeptical
Markets Rally as Sensex Soars Amid Economic Optimism
India's stock markets rallied strongly on August 18, with the Sensex jumping 676 points and the Nifty crossing the 24,850 level, spiking toward 25,000. The surge was driven by eased global oil supply fears after Trump–Putin talks, expectations of GST reforms, an S&P upgrade boosting sentiment, a rally in Asian markets, and favorable technical indicators.
MCQs:
1. By how many points did the Sensex rise?
A) 500
B) 676
C) 800
D) 1,000
Answer: B) 676
2. Which reform contributed to the market optimism?
A) Income tax
B) GST
C) Land
D) Labor
Answer: B) GST
3. Which global factor helped bolster investor sentiment?
A) Decline in gold prices
B) Rally in Asian markets
C) US election results
D) Collapse in oil prices
Answer: B) Rally in Asian markets
India-Sri Lanka Naval Exercise SLINEX-25 Concludes
The 12th edition of SLINEX-25, the joint India–Sri Lanka naval exercise, concluded on August 18 in and around Colombo. The drills, held from August 14–18, aimed to deepen maritime cooperation and strengthen regional security between the two Indian Ocean littoral nations.
MCQs:
1. Where was SLINEX-25 held?
A) Mumbai
B) Chennai
C) Colombo
D) Kandy
Answer: C) Colombo
2. What kind of exercise is SLINEX?
A) Air force
B) Army
C) Naval
D) Space
Answer: C) Naval
3. What was the main purpose of SLINEX-25?
A) Trade agreement
B) Cultural exchange
C) Maritime security cooperation
D) Environmental survey
Answer: C) Maritime security cooperation
Passing of Nagaland Governor La Ganesan
Nagaland Governor and BJP veteran La Ganesan died at the age of 80 in Chennai. In the wake of his passing, President Droupadi Murmu has tasked Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla with assuming the additional responsibilities in Nagaland.
MCQs:
1. Who passed away on August 18, 2025?
A) Nagaland’s Chief Minister
B) Nagaland Governor La Ganesan
C) President of India
D) Union Home Minister
Answer: B) Nagaland Governor La Ganesan
2. At what age did he pass away?
A) 75
B) 80
C) 85
D) 90
Answer: B) 80
3. Which governor was given additional charge of Nagaland?
A) Governor of Assam
B) Governor of Manipur
C) Governor of Meghalaya
D) Governor of Mizoram
Answer: B) Governor of Manipur
NASA to Establish a Moon-Based Nuclear Reactor by 2030
NASA has announced plans to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030 under its Artemis program. The initiative aims to provide sustainable, reliable power to support long-term lunar operations, particularly at the moon’s South Pole.
MCQs:
1. What is NASA planning to install on the Moon?
A) A telescope
B) A nuclear reactor
C) A space hotel
D) A water extraction plant
Answer: B) A nuclear reactor
2. By what year is this planned to be operational?
A) 2028
B) 2030
C) 2035
D) 2040
Answer: B) 2030
3. Which area of the Moon is the focus for this project?
A) Equatorial region
B) North Pole
C) South Pole
D) Far side
Answer: C) South Pole
