World Cup, Australia - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

ANSWER: 2+2 dialogue

Explanation:
India and Australia held their first '2+2 dialogue' in New Delhi and highlighted need to maintain Asia-Pacific region as a "free" and "open" zone.

The 2+2 dialogue model between both countries included foreign and defence secretaries.

India and Australia share warm bilateral relations based on shared democratic values and pluralism.

There is a growing convergence of strategic perspectives between the two countries.

2+2 Dialogue: Know More

• It was first meeting of this level since the two sides participated in quadrilateral discussion between India, United States, Australia and Japan in Manila in November 2017 for new strategic partnership targeting the Asia-Pacific region.
• In the 2+2 dialogue, all aspects of bilateral relations with focus on strategic and defence relations between two countries were reviewed.
• Both countries agreed that free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large.
• The dialogue indicated that focus remains on freedom of navigation in South China Sea, where China has been reclaiming land for infrastructure, boosting its maritime influence.

ANSWER: Australia

Explanation:
Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull on 5th July 2016 refused to step down even as opposition labour party leader Bill Shorten called for Turnbull to quit as leader of the Liberal National Party Coalition indicating the premier was out of touch and unable to provide parliamentary stability promised to Australian voters.

• Turnbull said he will not step down from the post and described the Labour leader’s attack as purely political
• Australia has said that there is no such thing as a failed election

ANSWER: Australia

Explanation:
World’s longest chain of continental volcanoes put together in the past 33 million years stretch over 2000 km in eastern Australia. Active volcanic chain is running from central Queensland coast’s Cape Hillsborough to New South Wales and Cosgrove in Victoria. This volcanic chain ws created as Australia moved north-northeast over a mantle plume hotspot now located in Bass Strait.

This kind of volcanic activity occurs away from tectonic plate boundaries where most volcanoes are located. Newly discovered volcanic chain is westerly of 3 volcanic chains running across eastern Australia. The fastest moving continent on Earth is Australia currently.

ANSWER: Malcolm Turnbull

Explanation:
Former Australian PM Tony Abbott lost a leadership ballot through members of his own party in a vote 54 Yes to 44 No to replace him. Party whip Scott Buchholz announced that Liberal Party leader and communications minister Malcolm Turnbull will replace Tony Abbott. Turnbull called for a leadership poll following an opinion survey which called for changes to the conservative coalition government.

ANSWER: India

Explanation:
The team was chosen by a select group of experts who were given the task of picking a balanced side on the basis of performances in the tournament. In addition to McCullum, the side includes four others from New Zealand -- Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Martin Guptill, Daniel Vettori; three Australians -- Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith and Mitchell Starc; two South Africans -- AB de Villiers and Morne Morkel, with Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara as wicketkeeper-batsman. Zimbabwe's Brendan Taylor who finished with 433 runs in six matches, was named as the 12th man. ICC General Manager, Geoff Allardice who chaired the panel, said Indian pacers Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Shami along with off-spinner R Ashwin were in the running.