General Knowledge on September 16, 2025
On September 16, 2025, the world witnessed a convergence of geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, political shifts, and cultural observances. In international conflicts, Russia launched at least 10 missile strikes on Kharkiv, Ukraine, damaging residential buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure, causing widespread fires. Israel conducted a military strike in Gaza City, igniting buildings, while the International Association of Genocide Scholars declared Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide. Tensions escalated in the Caribbean as Venezuelan F-16 jets buzzed the USS Jason Dunham for the second time in 24 hours, prompting President Nicolás Maduro to accuse the U.S. of regime-change efforts. Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced another naval assault, and Caribbean Airlines suspended flights between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela for the month. In Europe, the French government under François Bayrou collapsed after a 364-194 no-confidence vote in the National Assembly, and Poland imposed a three-month flight ban over its eastern airspace due to a Russian drone incursion, raising NATO-Russia tensions.
Politically, the Philippine Senate elected Tito Sotto as president, ousting Chiz Escudero in a 15-senator vote, while Malawi held its presidential elections. In the U.S., Vice President Vance hosted Charlie Kirk’s podcast after his murder, vowing to continue his political legacy. A 16-year-old involved in a Colorado school shooting was charged, linked to an extremist network. In the health sector, RFK Jr.’s vaccine advisory panel deferred the Hepatitis B vaccine for newborns. Economically, Tesla’s stock soared after Elon Musk purchased $1 billion in shares, erasing 2025 losses. Microsoft Azure faced disruptions due to severed undersea cables in the Red Sea, impacting internet services in Asia and the Middle East.
In India, a cloudburst in Dehradun’s Sahastradhara caused the Tamsa River to overflow, washing away shops, with a red alert issued by the weather department. The Income Tax Department extended the ITR filing deadline to midnight. India-U.S. trade talks began in Delhi, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was set to launch the ‘Swasth Naari Shakti Parivar’ campaign and the 8th National Nutrition Month on September 17. Odisha planned to plant 75 lakh saplings on September 17 for Modi’s birthday. In Uttar Pradesh, a youth’s death in Gorakhpur while stopping cattle smuggling sparked tensions, with allegations of police negligence. RLD’s decision to contest the 2025 UP panchayat elections independently stirred unease in the BJP. The CBSE revised rules for 2026 board exams, and the Supreme Court refused to stay the Waqf Amendment Act.
Culturally, Mexico and Papua New Guinea celebrated Independence Day (1810 and 1975), Malaysia marked Hari Malaysia (1963), Nicaragua observed the Battle of San Jacinto, Libya honored Martyrs’ Day, and Saint Kitts and Nevis celebrated National Heroes’ Day. In sports, Carlos Alcaraz won his second US Open men’s singles title (6–2, 3–6, 6–1, 6–4) against Jannik Sinner, and Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu became the country’s first world champion by winning the men’s marathon gold at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
### MCQ-Type Questions
1. **What caused the French government’s collapse on September 16, 2025?**
a) Economic recession
b) No-confidence vote (364-194)
c) Presidential scandal
d) Military coup
*Correct: b) No-confidence vote (364-194)*
2. **Which country held presidential elections on this date?**
a) France
b) Malawi
c) Philippines
d) Venezuela
*Correct: b) Malawi*
3. **Who won the US Open men’s singles title on September 16, 2025?**
a) Jannik Sinner
b) Carlos Alcaraz
c) Novak Djokovic
d) Rafael Nadal
*Correct: b) Carlos Alcaraz (6–2, 3–6, 6–1, 6–4)*
4. **What triggered the U.S.-Venezuela tensions on this date?**
a) U.S. drone strike
b) Venezuelan F-16 jets buzzing USS Jason Dunham
c) U.S. naval blockade
d) Joint exercises
*Correct: b) Venezuelan F-16 jets buzzing USS Jason Dunham*
5. **Who won the men’s marathon gold at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo?**
a) Eliud Kipchoge
b) Alphonce Simbu
c) Bashir Abdi
d) Jacob Kiplimo
*Correct: b) Alphonce Simbu*
6. **What did the International Association of Genocide Scholars declare about Gaza?**
a) Called for ceasefire
b) Declared Israel’s actions as genocide
c) Supported humanitarian aid
d) Endorsed military action
*Correct: b) Declared Israel’s actions as genocide*
7. **Which country’s Senate elected Tito Sotto as president?**
a) Philippines
b) France
c) Poland
d) Mexico
*Correct: a) Philippines*
8. **What caused Microsoft Azure disruptions on September 16, 2025?**
a) Cyberattack
b) Severed undersea cables in the Red Sea
c) Software failure
d) Power outage
*Correct: b) Severed undersea cables in the Red Sea*
9. **Which countries celebrated Independence Day on September 16, 2025?**
a) India and Pakistan
b) Mexico and Papua New Guinea
c) USA and Canada
d) Brazil and Argentina
*Correct: b) Mexico and Papua New Guinea*
10. **What action did Poland take after a Russian drone incursion?**
a) Declared war
b) Three-month flight ban over eastern airspace
c) Signed peace treaty
d) Increased troop deployment
*Correct: b) Three-month flight ban over eastern airspace*
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