What term did UN Secretary General António Guterres use to describe the severe state of climate change?
Global warming
Global boiling
Climate crisis
Climate catastrophe
Correct Answer: Global boiling
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World Current Affairs MCQs For CSS, PMS, NTS Test, FPSC
International or World Current Affairs MCQs For CSS, PMS, NTS Test, FPSC, PPSC, KPPSC, SPSC Exams of Pakistan and all other states World Current Affairs MCQs of 2021 & 2022. Here you will find the latest World current affairs Mcqs which are from Current International Issues, Geography, Atmosphere, Science & Literature, International Organizations and events. Latest and updated Mcqs of Current Affairs of the world.
SUMMARY of the Article “‘Global boiling’” by Masood Lohar, Dawn, June 25th, 2024
This year’s Haj witnessed a tragic incident where over 1,300 pilgrims succumbed to extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to 51.8 degrees Celsius. This event underscores the escalating crisis of extreme weather, described by UN Secretary General António Guterres as “global boiling.” The phenomenon represents a significant shift from global warming to more severe and dangerous climatic conditions. Similar heatwaves have recently affected Pakistan and India, with temperatures in Sindh reaching 52.2°C and in Delhi surpassing 44°C, causing widespread fatalities and heatstroke cases. These events align with a global pattern of unprecedented weather extremes. The term ‘global boiling’ highlights the unpredictable nature of current climate changes, which include alternating extremes like droughts, floods, and heatwaves. For instance, regions near Makkah recently experienced both extreme heat and flash floods. Other examples include record-breaking rainfall in Dubai, leading to severe flooding and fatalities, and simultaneous extreme weather events in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China, ranging from severe flooding to prolonged droughts. These climatic anomalies are causing significant disruptions to human health, » Read More…
What percentage of the world’s population lives in autocracies according to the V-Dem Institute’s Democracy Report 2024?
48%
71%
55%
60%
Correct Answer: 71%
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SUMMARY of the Article “Fierce Heat,” Editorial, Dawn, June 24th, 2024
The editorial underscores the severe and escalating impacts of climate change, as evidenced by recent extreme weather events including savage heat, melting glaciers, and extreme rainfall. In June, cities across the northern hemisphere experienced unprecedented high temperatures, indicating that these heatwaves might surpass last summer’s records, which were the hottest in 2,000 years. This record-breaking heat has caused significant loss of life, with thousands potentially dead in Europe and Asia, including 200 homeless people in Delhi and over 1,000 pilgrims during Hajj, many of whom were Pakistanis. These incidents highlight the urgent need for measures to address global warming. Vulnerable groups, such as women, children, the elderly, the poor, and rural populations, face severe health risks including cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, miscarriages, and fatal heat strokes. The editorial calls for federal and provincial authorities in » Read More…
SUMMARY of the Article “Climate-smart finance bill,” by Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, Dawn, June 20th, 2024
The article criticizes Pakistan’s proposed finance bill for the next fiscal year for its lack of commitment to climate resilience, despite the country being highly vulnerable to climate change. The bill does not set a direction for sustainable economic development or climate-resilient investments and overlooks the need for institutional and policy reforms to address economic damages from climate-induced disasters. The government has instead chosen a simplistic approach to generate revenue by cutting subsidies, with little focus on economic development or climate resilience. Key government entities, such as the Planning Commission and the Finance Ministry, have failed to integrate climate considerations into their budgeting and reporting processes, resulting in a lack of climate-smart budgeting. Comparisons are drawn with Bangladesh, which has made significant strides in climate-proofing its budget and establishing climate funds and frameworks to support climate resilience. Pakistan is urged to adopt similar measures, including tracking climate-related expenditures, aligning budgetary processes with national climate policies, and exploring innovative green finance mechanisms like green bonds and debt-for- » Read More…
SUMMARY of the Article “Climate debt trap,” by Jamil Ahmad, Dawn, June 15th, 2024
The article explores the severe challenge of heavy and rising debt faced by developing nations, which significantly hampers their efforts to tackle climate change, reduce poverty, and pursue economic development. Between 2010 and 2022, the external debt of 118 low- and middle-income countries doubled to $3.1 trillion, constituting about 15% of their GDP. In 2022 alone, these countries spent $443 billion servicing public debts, with this figure expected to rise in the coming years. Factors such as inflation, high interest rates, the energy crisis, and economic uncertainty post-COVID-19 have exacerbated this situation. The high debt service payments limit the fiscal space necessary for investments in climate action and sustainable development, pushing many developing nations toward default. This liquidity crisis sidelines climate and environmental priorities, posing global risks including exacerbated poverty, food insecurity, water scarcity, and health issues. To address this, immediate debt relief is suggested, freeing up fiscal space for climate and development investments. Options include lowering borrowing costs, extending long-term loans, and debt swaps for climate actions. The V20 group of climate- » Read More…
SUMMARY of the Article “State of the economy,” Editorial, Dawn, June 13th, 2024
The editorial examines the state of Pakistan’s economy for the outgoing fiscal year as depicted in the new Pakistan Economic Survey. It suggests that while there has been some stabilization in key macroeconomic indicators, this stability is fragile and heavily dependent on IMF support, which necessitates yet another larger bailout. The finance minister acknowledged this vulnerability at the survey’s launch. Although the economy appears to have hit rock bottom in the last financial year, the slight improvements in macro indicators this year are seen as progress. However, this does not offer much hope for the future. The editorial highlights that the economy likely expanded by only 2.4%, slower than the population growth rate, driven primarily by increased output in cotton, wheat, and rice crops rather than industrial recovery. Agriculture saw a growth of 6.3%, the fastest in two decades, but its reliance on major crops highlights structural weaknesses. The industry and services sectors expanded by just 1.2% each, meaning no new jobs were created to accommodate the growing workforce. The government managed to reduce the current account deficit to $200 million in the first ten months against a $6 billion target for the year, avoiding a default on foreign payments and building international reserves to $9 billion, which stabilized the » Read More…
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