Current Affairs MCQs May 2020 (National / International MCQs)

Who has signed an order to regulate social media platforms?

(a) Donald Trump
(b) Tsai Ing-wen
(c) Angela Merkel
(d) Kim Jong Un
Answer: (a)

Explanation: President Donald Trump signed an executive order designed – in theory

– to make it easier to sue social media companies such as Twitter, days after the site
placed a fact check label on two of his tweets. While the order calls for changes in
regulations that shield social media companies from legal liability, the Trump
administration cannot do that on its own. Those changes can only be made by
independent agencies and, ultimately, the courts.

Which among the following nations has banned Hezbollah and designated it a
terrorist organisation?
(a) France
(b) Denmark
(c) Switzerland
(d) Germany
Answer: (d)

Explanation: Germany has banned all Iran-backed Hezbollah activity on its soil and
designated it a terrorist organization. Israel and the United States had been pushing
Germany to ban the organisation. Germany had previously distinguished between
Hezbollah’s political arm and its military units, which have fought alongside President
Bashar al-Assad’s army in Syria. Last December (2019) , Germany’s parliament
approved a motion urging Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government to ban all activities
by Hezbollah on German soil, citing its “terrorist activities” especially in Syria.

According to the Global Report on Internal Displacement, GRID 2020, how many
people were displaced in 2019?
(a) 2 Million
(b) 5 Million
(c) 3 Million

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 Current Affairs MCQs May 2020 (National / International MCQs)

(d) 4 Million
Answer: (b)

Explanation: The Global Report on Internal Displacement (GRID 2020) has been
released by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC). The centre is a part
of the Norwegian Refugee Council. Globally, around 4 million people faced new
internal displacements because of conflicts and disasters in about 145 countries in
2019.
Nearly three-quarters of the global displacements, accounting for 24.9 million of the
total, were triggered by disasters in 2019. Out of these, about 95 per cent took place
due to weather hazards like storms and floods.
A majority of conflict displacements took place due to armed conflict; communal
violence accounted for significant portion of the global total of 8.5 million
displacements.
Disaster displacement was recorded in low and high-income countries
Most of the disaster displacements were triggered by tropical storms and monsoon
rains in South Asia and East Asia and Pacific.
Bangladesh, China, India and the Philippines each recorded more than four million
displacements in 2019.
Conflict continued unabated in countries such as Afghanistan, the Democratic
Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Syria. Violence increased sharply in Burkina Faso,
Mali and Niger.
Natural disasters in Nigeria, South Sudan and Yemen forced many people, already
displaced by conflict, to flee for the second time.

International donors has announced how much grant and loan to Pakistan within
next fiscal year?
(a) $3b
(b) $5b
(c) $9b
(d) $11b
Answer: (b)

Explanation: The World Bank is ramping up its support to provide over $2 billion in
new financing and up to $1 billion in repurposing of existing funds to Pakistan over the
next 15-months.Repurposing of one billion dollar also include $130 million in grant
funding. These funds will support Pakistan’s strong and quick recovery from COVID-19

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crisis. An important part of the efforts focus around prioritizing resources to restore
employment and livelihoods for the portion of the population worst affected by the
crisis, like the labourers and daily wage earners, through an ambitious public works
program.
The IMF has already approved and disbursed US$1.386 billion under its Rapid
Financing Instrument. While there are commitments of US$12.545 million from the
European Union and financing support from the Islamic Development Bank of US$500
million in oil financing and US$150 million for mitigating COVID 19 impact.

Who has been appointed as Pakistan’s 2nd female Principal Information

Officer in Press Information Department (PID) Islamabad?
(a) Mrs Rizwan Khan
(b) Shahera Shahid
(c) Beygum Shahnawaz
(d) Mrs Khuda Bukhsh
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Press Secretary to Prime Minister Shahera Shahid has appointed as the
new Principal Information Officer (PIO) at the Press Information Department (PID).
Shahid, a BPS-21 officer of the Information Group, was notified against her now-
former post in August last year. Previously, she has headed the Directorate of
Electronic Media and Publications (DEMP) and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation
(PBC).

Which among the following days is celebrated twice a year?

(a) World Freedom Day
(b) International Human Space Flight Day
(c) International Astronomy Day
(d) Zero Discrimination Day
Answer: (c)
Explanation: International Astronomy Day is celebrated twice a year — one in autumn
and another in spring. The Astronomy Day 2020 is celebrated on May 2. The world will
celebrate the next Astronomy Day on September 26.
On this day, museums, societies, astronomical institutions and planetariums organise
seminars, workshops and other fun-filled activities to spread awareness about the
world of astronomy.
According to starwalk.space, in 1973, Doug Berger, president of the Astronomical

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Association of Northern California, had organised the celebration of first Astronomy

Day. The idea behind observing the day is to create awareness and educate people
about the beautiful universe.

Pakistan lost its top rank in ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings to which nation on
May 1, 2020?
(a) New Zealand
(b) Australia
(c) England
(d) South Africa
Answer: (b)

Explanation: Pakistan have lost their top spot in an annual update of International
Cricket Council (ICC) Twenty20 International (T20I) rankings. Australia have taken
over top spots from Pakistan and India in T20I and Test rankings respectively while
England continue to lead in One-day Internationals (ODI) after the updated carried out
on Friday.In the latest update, that rates all matches played since May 2019 at 100 per
cent and those of the previous two years at 50 per cent, Australia (116) have taken
over from India as the top ranked side in the ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings with New
Zealand (115) remaining in second place. India are now third with 114 points.South
Africa have suffered the biggest rating fall of eight points, which sees them drop below
Sri Lanka into sixth place. They had won three series in the period culled, while they
have lost eight of their nine Tests since February 2019, playing against Sri Lanka,
India and England.India still lead the ICC World Test Championship, a league
comprising six series played by each of the top nine Test sides.

Muhammad Bilal Jamil and Syed Ali Abbas Haider two graduates from which
University launched Pakistan’s first real-time online shopping search engine?
(a) NUST
(b) Ghulam Ishaq Khan University
(c) Information Technology University
(d) FAST-NU
Answer: (b)

Explanation: Graduates of Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute (GIKI) – Muhammad Bilal

Jamil and Syed Ali Abbas Haider – have been the spotlight of digital media for the last

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couple of weeks because of their incredible, yet most desideratum service of easing
online shopping on digital media by developing Pakistan’s biggest real-time online
shopping search engine, shoppingum.com to facilitate shopping on stream, sitting at
home, safely, cautiously, avoiding any public contact at this time of adversity, where
we all are bound within our four margin peripheries.
In this catastrophic COVID-19 circs, these two engineers from GIKI, worked their
fingers to the bone, day and night to bring this service to your tables to make shopping
as easy as falling off a log.

When was the World Press Freedom Day observed?

(a) May 2nd
(b) May 3rd
(c) May 4th
(d) May 1st
Answer: (b)

Explanation: The World Press Freedom Day is observed on 3rd May, every year.
Origin and Purpose: The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly
in December 1993, following the recommendation of the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference. Since then, 3rd
May, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek is celebrated worldwide as World
Press Freedom Day. The day acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect
their commitment to press freedom.
Pakistan has fallen three points on the World Press Freedom Index since 2019. The
Index published by Reporters Without Borders, looks at various factors to assign an
overall score, relating to the freedom of the press, each year. In 2019 Pakistan ranked
143 out of 180 countries, while this year it ranked 145.

Which country will launch its first Arktika-M satellite to monitor the Arctic climate
by the end of 2020?
(a) US

(b) Japan
(c) Russia
(d) China
Answer: (c)

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Explanation: Russia is planning to launch a satellite called Arktika-M at the end of the
year to monitor the Arctic climate and environment. Russia’s Arktika-M remote-
sensing and emergency communications satellites aim to gather meteorological data in
the polar regions, which will allow for improved weather forecasts and enable
scientists to study climate change better. The satellite was initially scheduled to launch
in 2019 but was delayed to 2020. As of now, the number one Arktika-M spacecraft has
been developed and is undergoing radio-electronic testing … the launch is planned for
the end of 2020,” Kolmykov was quoted as saying, adding that the second Arktika-M
satellite is still under development and will be launched in 2023.

An international commission named USCIRF, which was seen in news recently, is

headquartered in which city?
(a) Glasgow
(b) Washington D.C
(c) Sofia
(d) Prague
Answer: (b)

Explanation: USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government

commission, dedicated to defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief
abroad. The USCIRF is also an advisory body to the US Congress. USCIRF reviews the
facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations and makes policy
recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress. It is
Headquartered at Washington DC. Recently, the U.S. Commission on International
Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has downgraded India to the lowest ranking of
“Countries of Particular Concern” (CPC) in its 2020 report on religious freedom.

Who was recently awarded the commemorative World War II medal by Russia?
(a) Xi Jinping
(b) Kim Jong-un
(c) Alexander Van der Bellen
(d) Andrzej Duda
Answer: (b)

Explanation: The Russian embassy in North Korea on May 5 announced that Kim Jong
Un has been awarded commemorative World War II medal by Russian President

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 Current Affairs MCQs May 2020 (National / International MCQs)

Vladimir Putin.
The North Korean leader was awarded the medal for preserving the memories of
Soviet Union soldiers who died in North Korean territory during the war.
The event marked the 75th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany during World
War II which took place from 1939 to 1945.
About World War II:
World War II was the global war that started in 1939 and lasted till 1945. The majority
of the world countries formed two opposing military alliances which were named the
Allies and the Axis.
Known as the deadliest conflict in human history, the second world war marked 70 to
85 million fatalities. The war also included genocide, massacres, premeditated death
from disease and starvation, strategic bombing by making the use of nuclear weapons
in the war.

Which country has claimed to develop the first potential vaccine candidate that
neutralised the virus in human cells?
(a) Germany
(b) South Korea
(c) Italy
(d) Spain
Answer: (c)

Explanation: Italian researchers claim to have developed the world’s first coronavirus
vaccine, which is likely to work on humans. An Italian firm, Takis, is developing the
vaccine. The potential coronavirus vaccine neutralised the virus in human cells for the
first time.
The Italian firm stated that according to the Spallanzani Hospital, they are the first in
the world so far to have demonstrated neutralisation of the coronavirus through a
vaccine. The human trials for the same will begin soon. The researchers first
experimented with the vaccine on mice that had successfully developed antibodies to
block the virus from infecting their cells. The researchers observed that the five
vaccine candidates generated a large number of antibodies, and selected two that
showed the best results. According to the researchers, this makes their vaccine
effective for generating functional antibodies against the “spike” protein, especially in
the lung cells, which are the most vulnerable to coronavirus.
Italy’s total confirmed coronavirus cases have gone up to 232,664 as of May 30, which
includes 155,633 recoveries and 33,340 fatalities.

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Where is the headquarters of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) located?

(a) New York
(b) Antwerp
(c) The Hague
(d) Munich
Answer: (a)

Explanation: UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. It
was established as a trust fund in 1967 and began operations in 1969. In 1987, it was
officially renamed the United Nations Population Fund. However, the original
abbreviation, UNFPA (United Nations Fund for Population Activities), was retained.
The mandate of UNFPA is established by the United Nations Economic and Social
Council (ECOSOC). UNFPA is a subsidiary organ of the UN General Assembly. UNFPA
is entirely supported by voluntary contributions of donor governments,
intergovernmental organizations, the private sector, and foundations and individuals,
NOT by the United Nations regular budget. UNFPA works directly to tackle
Sustainable Development Goal 3 on health, Goal 4 on education and Goal 5 on gender
equality.

US pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences “is negotiating long-term voluntary

licenses with several generic drugmakers in which the following countries?
(a) South Korea-Japan
(b) Malaysia-Singapore
(c) Pakistan-India
(d) Indonesia-Taiwan
Answer: (c)

Explanation: Ferozsons Laboratories announced that its subsidiary BF Biosciences

Ltd (BFBL) has signed a non-exclusive license agreement with Gilead Sciences Inc for
manufacturing and selling remdesivir — an experimental antiviral drug that is being
used to treat coronavirus patients. In a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, the
company said that Gilead had signed non-exclusive voluntary license agreements with
five South Asian manufacturers, including Hetero Drugs, Jubilant Life, Cipla, Mylan
and BFBL, to “manufacture remdesivir for distribution in 127 countries”. A clinical
trial of the drug in the United States showed that patients recovered about 30 per cent
faster than those on a placebo, in the first proof of successful treatment against the

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new disease.

What is the name of Iran’s new currency?

(a) Roman
(b) Sian
(c) Toman
(d) Bron
Answer: (c)

Explanation: The Government of Iran recently takes a decision of changing the name
of its currency to a “Toman”. Under the bill, Iran national currency is going to be
changed from the rial to the Toman, which is adequate to 10,000 rials. The idea of
removing four zeros has been floated since 2008 but gained strength after 2018 when
U.S. President Donald Trump exited Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions
because the rial lost quite 60% of its value. Iran’s weak currency and high inflation
have led to sporadic street protests since late 2017.

Which among the following countries assured to give foreign firms equal access to
government support policies?
(a) Russia
(b) China
(c) US
(d) France
Answer: (b)

Explanation: The Chinese government has assured that the foreign firms will get
equal access to government support policies, including those on land and tax cuts. The
nation’s commerce ministry made the announcement on May 7, 2020. The Ministry’s
comments came in response to concerns raised by the American Chamber of
Commerce in China, which listed out hurdles to a truly level playing field for the US
firms in China. The Ministry further stated that China’s foreign trade still faces huge
downward pressure with unprecedented risks and challenges posed by the coronavirus
outbreak, despite signs of slight recovery in its April trade figures.

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Which nation has re-opened its mosques for public prayers?

(a) Pakistan
(b) India
(c) Malaysia
(d) Bangladesh
Answer: (d)

Explanation: Bangladesh lifted a month-long ban on mass gatherings and prayers in

mosques on May 8, 2020, while urging people to maintain strict “health guidelines” to curb
the spread of the novel coronavirus. Bangladesh adopted strict social distancing measures
in early April following the coronavirus outbreak, including a ban on religious gatherings
and joint prayers in mosques, with Friday prayers limited to a maximum of 12 people.
Similar restrictions were imposed on special taraweeh prayers offered during Ramadan.

As per the recent statement of World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the

ozone hole over which region has depleted significantly?
(A) Pacific region
(B) Arctic region
(C) Antarcti region
(D) Atlantic region
Answer: (b)

Explanation: Depletion of the ozone layer, ¬the shield that protects life on Earth from
harmful levels of ultraviolet radiation, reached an unprecedented level over large parts
of the Arctic this spring. This phenomenon was caused by the continuing presence of
ozone¬-depleting substances in the atmosphere and a very cold winter in the
stratosphere (the layer of the atmosphere between around 10 km and round 50 km
altitude). The last time similarly strong ozone depletion was observed over the Arctic
was during spring 2011, and ozone depletion in 2020 was even stronger, according to
WMO’s Global Atmosphere Watch ozone observing stations, NASA and the Copernicus
Atmospheric Monitoring Service implemented by ECMWF.
The ozone hole closed in April with an increase in stratospheric temperatures which
culminated in an influx of ozone-rich air from the lower atmosphere.
The depletion would have been even worse if it had not been for a successful
international agreement called the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the
Ozone Layer. This led to a phaseout of substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
But they remain in the atmosphere for several decades and their concentrations are
still high enough to cause severe ozone destruction.

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“The Arctic stratosphere continues to be vulnerable to ozone-depleting substances

linked to human activities,” said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas. “The degree
of ozone loss experienced in any particular winter depends on the meteorological
conditions. The 2020 ozone loss shows that we have to remain vigilant and maintain
continuous observations,” said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.

What is the new official name of the NASA’s Mars Helicopter?

(A) Intelligence
(B) Ingenuity
(C) Brilliance
(D) Endeavor
Answer: (b)

Explanation: Destined to become the first aircraft to attempt powered flight on another
planet, NASA’s Mars Helicopter officially has received a new name: Ingenuity. As a
technology demonstration, Ingenuity is a high-risk, high-reward experiment. The helicopter
will ride to Mars attached to the belly of the Perseverance rover, which is preparing for
launch in July or August. For several months following the rover’s landing, Ingenuity will
remain encapsulated in a protective cover to shield it from debris during entry, descent and
landing. When the timing in the rover mission is right, Ingenuity will be deployed to stand
and operate on its own on the surface of the Red Planet. If the 4-pound (2-kilogram), solar-
powered craft — a combination of specially designed components and off-the-shelf parts —
survives the cold Martian nights during its pre-flight checkout, the team will proceed with
testing.
If successful during its 30-Martian-day (31-Earth-day) experimental flight test window, the
small craft will prove that powered flight can be achieved at Mars, enabling future Mars
missions to better utilize second-generation helicopters to add an aerial dimension to their
explorations.

When is World Thalassemia Day observed?

(a) May 8th
(b) May 7th
(c) May 9th
(d) May 6th
Answer: (a)

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 Current Affairs MCQs May 2020 (National / International MCQs)

Explanation: World Thalassemia Day Celebration is done every Month of 8TH May for
making the people become aware of the Thalassemia Disease in the World. There are
many types of diseases that are spread in the World. Many Doctors are not been able
to catch many of the Diseases after proper checking for the Disease to know.
In World Thalassemia Day people comes together to know about all the preventive
measures, cure and also to avoid it’s spread from one person to another. There is
almost 19 percent of the people who are the Thalassemia carrier in the Country of
Saudi Arabia. World Thalassemia Day makes the people come across every idea and
plans to remove and cure the Thalassemia Disease of the World.
Thalassemia disease is a type of Blood Disorder with an autosomal recessive Blood
problem by which people suffer a lot from one generation to the next generation. It is a
type of Disorder by which the Blood of the people gets weak and also destroys the Red
Blood Cells. It makes the negative effects of the Hemoglobin Formation in the body
causing mild anemia. It makes the people get every type of problem like Bone
weakness, illnesses of the Cardiovascular, Iron overload, Liver, Bones, Forehead,
Cheeks and Spleen Enlargement, Jaundice, Puberty deletion, etc.
There is 3.4 percent of the people are suffering from the Disease of Thalassemia and
also almost 7000 to 10000 Children every year in India are suffering from Thalassemia
Disease. There are many types of Thalassemia such as Beta Thalassemia, Delta
Thalassemia and Thalassemia of Alpha. There is also a Mixture of many
Hemoglobinopathies like Hemoglobin S, E, D and C. Thalassemia is found in many 1 to
2 years of Children’s. There are many Mild Thalassemia that cannot be diagnosed
without the help of the Blood test of the CBC. Thalassemia is also treated by the
Transfusion of the Blood, Vitamins Supplement of the B Group, Blood as well as
Therapy of the Blood Chelation. For maintaining the normal Haemoglobin level and
also RBC’s which are Healthy.

When does the UN mark “Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who
Lost Their Lives during the Second World War?
(a) May 6-7
(b) April 29-30
(c) May 8-9
(d) May 1-2
Answer: (c)

Explanation: Every year during May 8-9, the United Nations marks the Time of
Remembrance and reconciliation for those who lost their lives during Second World
War. This is being marked as the historic event paved way for the establishment of the

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United Nations. Also, the day pays tribute to all the victims of Second World War.
History:
• The time of remembrance and reconciliation was designated by the UN General
Assembly (UNGA) by resolution 59/26 of 22 November 2004. On 2 March 2010, UNGA
passed resolution 64/257 and designated 8-9 May as the day to honour the victims of
the Second World War.
• It also encouraged its Member States, NGOs and individuals to honour the victims of
WWII. UNGA plans to make every effort to settle all disputes by peaceful means in
conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and in such a manner that
international peace and security are not endangered.
United Nations (UN):
After WWII, the United Nations was created as a body to promote international co-
operation and to create and maintain international order. UN was established on 24
October 1945. It replaced the ineffective League of Nations that was disbanded in
1946 after WWII following its failure in preventing the conflict.

‘COVID-19 and the world of work’ is the title of the report, recently released by
which international organisation?
(A) United Nations
(B) International Labour Organisation
(C) World Bank
(D) World Economic Forum
Answer: (b)

Explanation: The International Labour Organisation (ILO) in its report titled ‘ILO
Monitor 2nd edition: COVID-19 and the world of work’, describes the coronavirus
pandemic as “the worst global crisis since World War II”.
Key Highlights
• Worldwide, two billion people work in the informal sector (mostly in emerging and
developing economies) and are particularly at risk, the report said, adding that the
COVID-19 crisis is already affecting tens of millions of informal workers.
• “Workers and businesses are facing catastrophe, in both developed and developing
economies. We have to move fast, decisively, and together. The right, urgent,
measures, could make the difference between survival and collapse,” ILO Director-
General Guy Ryder said.
• In India, Nigeria and Brazil, the number of workers in the informal economy affected
by the lockdown and other containment measures is substantial.
• The report said the disruption to the world’s economies caused by the COVID-19

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pandemic is expected to wipe out 6.7% of working hours globally in the second quarter
of this year – the equivalent of 195 million jobs

worldwide.
• Large reductions are foreseen in the Arab States (8.1%, equivalent to 5 million full-
time workers), Europe (7.8%, or 12 million full-time workers) and Asia and the Pacific
(7.2%, 125 million full-time workers).
• The eventual increase in global unemployment during 2020 will depend substantially
on future developments and policy measures.
• There is a high risk that the end-of-year figure will be significantly higher than the
initial ILO projection of 25 million, it said. More than four out of five people (81%) in
the global workforce of 3.3 billion are currently affected by full or partial workplace
closures, the report further added.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has been elected as the head of which of
the following forum?
(a). Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum
(b). Global Future Council of Anti-Corruption
(c). SAARC Anti-Corruption Forum
(d). Anti-Bribery & Corruption Forum
Answer: (c)

Explanation: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has been elected as the head
of Saarc Anti-Corruption Forum. NAB’s performance is lauded by SAARC countries,
national and international organisations like Transparency International (TI), World
Economic Forum (WEF), Pildat and Mishal Pakistan. NAB has established its own
research academy for the capacity building of investigation officers (IOs) on modern
lines. Moreover, it has also established a forensic science laboratory at its Rawalpindi
office for scrutinising of documents, analysing fingerprints and digital data. NAB has
also established an anti-money laundering cell in its headquarters.

Who has been appointed as the deputy chairman of the Naya Pakistan Housing and
Development Authority (NAPHDA)?
(a) Brigadier Manzur Malik

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(b) Major General Amer Aslam Khan

(c) Zaigham Mahmood Rizvi
(d) Lt Gen (Retd) Anwar Ali Haider
Answer: (b)

Explanation: The Federal government has appointed Major General Amer Aslam
Khan as Deputy Chairman Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority. It said
that appointment was on a secondment basis, on standard terms and conditions, under
Section 12 of the NAPHDA Act, 2020, with immediate effect.

Which province reported its first successful recovery from the passive
immunisation therapy of a coronavirus patient?
(a) Sindh
(b) Punjab
(c) Balochistan
(d) KPK
Answer: (a)

Explanation: Sindh on May 11, 2020 reported its first successful recovery from the
passive immunisation therapy of a coronavirus patient. The treatment had been
approved earlier in March. “The first patient to recover from the coronavirus with the
use of passive immunisation therapy has been sent home,” the head of the National
Institute of Blood Disease & Bone Marrow Transplantation (NIBD & BMT) and
hematologist, Dr Tahir Shamsi, said. Dr Shamsi explained that the patient was
administered plasma on April 30 and completely recovered on May 8. The patient’s
second test of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, came out
negative, he added. More than 12 patients are currently being treated by the use of
passive immunisation therapy, said the hematologist.

Which nation has said that it will oppose US’s attempt to extend arms embargo on
Iran?
(a) China
(b) Saudi Arabia
(c) Russia
(d) UK
Answer: (c)

Explanation: Russia’s UN ambassador said that Moscow will oppose any attempts by

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the United States to extend the arms embargo on Iran and reimpose UN sanctions
against the Islamic Republic. Vassily Nebenzia’s comments on May 12 made clear that
the United States will have difficulty extending the embargo past its expiration in
October through the UN Security Council, where Russia has veto power. The United
States is seeking to indefinitely extend the UN embargo on conventional arms sales,
and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the United States will use all means
available to achieve that goal. A draft UN resolution that has circulated among
diplomats would strike the expiration of the arms embargo from the council resolution
that endorsed the 2015 nuclear deal between six major powers and Iran, according to
U.S. officials and UN diplomats.

Which among the following companies have permitted work from home to its
employees for an indefinite period?
(a) WhatsApp
(b) Facebook
(c) Twitter
(d) Google
Answer: (c)

Explanation: Jack Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter in a companywide email, announced that
employees of the company are now allowed to work from home permanently or for as
long as they wish. This move from Twitter comes after tech giants like Google and
Facebook extended their work from home policies into the year 2021. Amazon also
extended its Work from Home policy until at least October of this year amidst the
COVID 19 pandemic.

Which country is the Chair of the 5 membered BRICS bloc, for the year 2020?
(a) China
(b) Russia
(c) Brazil
(d) India
Answer: (b)

Explanation: For the year 2020, Russia is the Chair of the BRICS bloc, which has 5
members namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Recently, Russia
chaired the BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting on coronavirus, conducted through

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video conferencing. The representatives discussed on the significance of joint vaccine

production and strategic partnerships within the BRICS.

Where is the headquarters of IEA located?

(a) Vienna
(b) Paris
(c) Rome
(d) Abu Dhabi
Answer: (b)

Explanation: The International Energy Agency (IEA), which has its headquarters in
Paris, was set up as an autonomous agency in 1974 by member countries of the OECD
in response to the mid-1970s oil crisis.

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