International Current Affairs MCQs

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The United Nations (UN) Spotlight Initiative reports that climate change is worsening the social and economic pressures leading to increased violence against women and girls. A 1°C rise in global temperature is linked to a 4.7% increase in intimate partner violence. The UN Spotlight Initiative is a global strategic partnership between the European Union (EU) and the UN. It was launched in 2017 with the goal of ensuring all women, especially marginalized and vulnerable groups, live free from violence and harmful practices.

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The Iranian government declared a day of national mourning on April 28 following a deadly blast at Shahid Rajaee port. The explosion occurred when a fuel tanker detonated at the port near Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan Province. The blast resulted in 28 deaths and over 1,200 injuries. The oil facilities at the port were not affected by the blast.

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The United States has recently approved a military hardware and logistics support package for India to assist in the Integrated Platform for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA). IPMDA is a technology and training initiative designed to boost maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific region and increase transparency in its vital waterways. It was announced by the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), which includes India, Australia, Japan, and the United States, during the Tokyo summit in 2022. The initiative uses innovative technology to provide near real-time information on maritime activities to partners in Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean region, and the Pacific.

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been re-elected, becoming the first leader in decades to win a second term, marking a major political milestone. With around 70.8% of votes counted, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reports that the Labor Party is set to win 85 seats, well above the 76 needed for a majority. The Opposition Liberal National Coalition is likely to secure 36 seats, while Independents are expected to get 10. After his win, Albanese called being Prime Minister the greatest honour of his life while addressing supporters in Sydney.

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In a recent statement, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed concern over the rising tensions between India and Pakistan and urged both sides to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second largest intergovernmental group after the United Nations, with 57 member countries across four continents. It was founded on 25 September 1969 in Rabat, Morocco, following the arson attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The OIC works to protect Islamic values and the sovereignty and independence of its member states. It also aims to promote peace, security, and cooperation in political, economic, and social matters. The OIC acts as the unified voice of the Muslim world on global issues. Its headquarters is in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and its official languages are Arabic, English, and French.

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Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the immediate release of $1 billion to Pakistan under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The IMF is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN), created in 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference to ensure global monetary stability after the Great Depression. It works to promote international monetary cooperation, ensure financial stability, facilitate global trade, support high employment, and reduce poverty. The IMF monitors the economies of its member countries and gives policy advice. It also provides loans to countries during balance-of-payments crises. The IMF is headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States.

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Israel launched a major military operation called Operation Gideon Chariots in the Gaza Strip. It was initiated by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) after ceasefire talks in Doha failed. The main goal is to secure the release of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas. A secondary aim is to weaken Hamas’s operational strength through intense military pressure. Northern Gaza, including the Jabaliya refugee camp, has seen heavy bombing under this operation. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 150 people were killed within 24 hours. More than 3,000 people have died since the escalation began in March 2025.

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Israel has become the first country to use a laser weapon in live combat by shooting down drones during the “Swords of Iron” war in Gaza. The laser weapon was developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, an Israeli company. It uses a high-energy focused beam of light to heat and destroy enemy drones.

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Ukraine carried out its most powerful drone strike under Operation Spider Web. The strike was conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). It targeted strategic bomber aircraft at Russian air bases using drones. The attack involved first-person view (FPV) drones, also called Remote Person View (RPV) drones. This marks a major shift in drone warfare, showing Ukraine’s growing use of advanced unmanned aerial technology.

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China has recently announced plans to build the world’s first hybrid fusion-fission nuclear plant named Xinghuo, which means “spark” in Mandarin. This plant will combine both fusion and fission reactions to increase energy production and reduce radioactive waste. Fusion involves joining atomic nuclei, while fission splits them; together, they can offer a more efficient and cleaner energy solution. Xinghuo aims to set a new global standard in sustainable and high-output nuclear power technology.