International Current Affairs MCQs

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US President Donald Trump plans to rename the ‘Persian Gulf’ as the ‘Arabian Gulf’ during his visit to Saudi Arabia, aligning with Arab Gulf nations’ preferences. The term ‘Persian Gulf’ has been used since the 16th century, recognized in historical records and international treaties. Arab states, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, prefer the term ‘Arabian Gulf’ and use it in national maps. In 2012, Iran threatened to sue Google for not labeling the water body correctly, asserting its historical naming rights. The Persian Gulf is a vital geopolitical area, connected to the Arabian Sea via the Strait of Hormuz.

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The 83rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC-83) under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recently adopted a landmark decision to address shipping emissions. The IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) focused on the safety and security of international shipping. It works to prevent marine and atmospheric pollution caused by ships and directly supports UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, which aims to conserve oceans and marine resources. The IMO formulates regulations on shipping safety, maritime security, and environmental protection, though it doesn’t enforce them. It has 174 member states and is headquartered in London.

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Recently, Colombia officially joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) during a meeting of Latin American leaders in Beijing. Colombia’s capital is Bogotá. It is called the “Gateway of South America” because it connects South America with Central and North America. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), also called One Belt, One Road (OBOR), plans to build many roads, railways, and ports across several countries. It aims to boost China’s economic leadership by creating infrastructure in nearby regions. The initiative is known as the “21st Century Silk Road.”

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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a U.S. government agency under the Department of Commerce, was established in 1970 to study oceans, atmosphere, and coastal regions. Its headquarters is in Washington, D.C. NOAA recently announced it will stop updating its main database that tracked the financial costs of climate change-related weather disasters such as floods, wildfires, hurricanes, and heatwaves. This database was widely used to understand economic impacts of extreme weather in the United States. NOAA also developed tools like the tsunami wave height model used for mapping major events like the 2011 Pacific tsunami after the Sendai earthquake in Japan.

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US President Donald Trump announced the ‘Golden Dome,’ a space-based missile defense system costing 175 billion dollars to protect the United States from global threats. General Michael Guetlein of the US Space Force will lead this program aimed at blocking missiles from China, Russia, and space. The Golden Dome will create a satellite network to detect, track, and intercept long-range missiles, integrating with existing defense systems. Inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, it plans to deploy hundreds of satellites for missile detection and tracking. The project aims for completion by January 2029, but experts doubt this timeline and cost.

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Researchers from the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science and Technology (IASST), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), discovered that Peptidomimetic Drugs can treat Neurodegenerative Diseases (NDs). Neurodegenerative Diseases (NDs) are complex illnesses causing neuron loss and nervous system degeneration, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Peptidomimetic Drugs are synthetic molecules that mimic natural proteins called neurotrophins, which help neuron growth and survival. These drugs have better stability and bioavailability than natural neurotrophins. They target specific cells and reduce side effects, showing promise for safer and effective Neurodegenerative Diseases (NDs) treatments.

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India has formally taken over as Chair of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) for the 2025–26 term during the 67th Governing Body Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Indian delegation is led by the Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer. India committed to strengthening the APO Vision 2030 and advancing the Green Productivity 2.0 framework. India stressed regional cooperation for digital transformation, sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship. More than 100 Indian professionals take part in APO programs annually through the National Productivity Council (NPC) under DPIIT. India is implementing projects focused on Green Productivity and Industry 4.0 for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The APO, based in Tokyo, was founded in 1961 and currently includes 21 member economies.

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New sites from China, Brazil, Mexico, and Spain have been recognized as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). GIAHS was launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 2002. It addresses threats to traditional farming like climate change and loss of biodiversity. The program supports farmers by promoting traditional knowledge, conservation, and sustainable development. FAO’s network now includes 95 heritage systems in 28 countries worldwide. The new sites include a traditional agroforestry system growing erva-mate in Brazil. Three Chinese sites are recognized for pearl mussels, white tea, and pears. Mexico’s site conserves important food crops and biodiversity. Spain’s Lanzarote island has a unique farming system on volcanic land.

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China recently launched the Tianwen-2 probe to collect samples from the asteroid 2016HO3 and explore the distant main-belt comet 311P. It was launched using the Long March 3-B rocket. The mission will continue till the end of 2027. Earlier in 2021, China’s Tianwen-1 mission landed on Mars with an orbiter, lander, and the Zhurong rover. Tianwen-3 is planned for launch around 2028 to collect and return samples from Mars. Tianwen-4 is expected to explore Jupiter around 2030.

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A cholera outbreak has killed many people in war-affected Sudan, raising urgent health concerns. Cholera is a dangerous diarrheal disease caused by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the bacteria Vibrio cholerae. It spreads rapidly in areas with poor sanitation, unsafe drinking water, and weak healthcare systems. The disease causes sudden, severe watery diarrhea and can lead to death within hours if not treated quickly. According to the 2024 World Health Organisation (WHO) report, cholera deaths are rising due to climate change and poor sanitation. Most cases can be treated with Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), but quick access is critical. Preventing such outbreaks requires clean water, proper hygiene, and better sanitation.