International Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, a United States federal court blocked President Donald Trump’s broad tariffs, stating that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not allow him to impose sweeping import taxes. The International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) was legislated on 28 October 1977. It gives the US president the power to regulate financial transactions after declaring a national emergency. The IEEPA allows the president to act against unusual and exceptional threats to national security, foreign policy, and the economy, especially if the threat comes from outside the country. It empowers the president to freeze assets and restrict transactions.

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Hawaii became the first U.S. state to introduce a climate impact fee called the Green Fee. The fee applies to hotel stays, short-term rentals, and, for the first time, cruise ship passengers who were previously exempt. The Green Fee aims to fund climate resiliency, environmental protection, invasive species control, wildlife conservation, and sustainable tourism.

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China has recently launched the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed) as a new global body to resolve disputes. It aims to offer an alternative to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Permanent Court of Arbitration by focusing only on mediation. It is the world’s first intergovernmental legal organisation dedicated solely to international dispute resolution through mediation. It will be headquartered in Hong Kong.

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Lee Jae-myung was sworn in as the 14th President of South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, in Seoul on June 4, 2025. He won the Presidential by-election held on June 3, 2025, after the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, defeated Kim Moon-soo of the ruling People Power Party. He secured 51.7% of the vote, while Kim got 39.3%.

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On the first day of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), France and Brazil launched the Blue Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Challenge. This new global initiative urges countries to put oceans at the center of their climate strategies ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) to be held in Brazil in November 2025. The initiative aims to scale up ocean-focused climate action to limit global warming and build resilience. Countries like Australia, Fiji, Kenya, Mexico, Palau, and Seychelles have already joined the challenge.

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Blaise Metreweli has been appointed as the new chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, known as MI6, becoming the first woman to lead Britain’s foreign intelligence agency since its founding in 1909. She is a veteran intelligence officer with 25 years of experience and currently serves as Director of Technology and Innovation at MI6. Her appointment was confirmed by United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer, calling it crucial for national security amidst rising global threats.

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On June 23, 2025, Iran launched Operation Bashayer Al-Fath, meaning Annunciation of Victory, targeting the United States’ Al-Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar. This was a response to Operation Midnight Hammer, where the United States attacked three Iranian nuclear sites using GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs and Tomahawk missiles. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the missile attack, calling it a response to U.S. aggression and violation of international law. Iran declared it will never compromise on its territorial integrity, sovereignty, and national security.

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Recently, Bangladesh announced August 8 as “New Bangladesh Day” to mark the anniversary of the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. This government took charge three days after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5 last year following a student-led uprising. August 5 will be observed as “July Uprising Day”.

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Recently, on 3rd July 2025, Russia became the first country to formally recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan since it took power in 2021. Russia removed the Taliban from its list of outlawed organisations. The Russian Foreign Ministry accepted credentials from Afghanistan’s newly appointed Ambassador Gul Hassan Hassan. Russia stated that this recognition will support productive bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry called the move historic and hoped it would encourage other countries to follow.

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Scientists, policymakers, and activists from India have raised concerns about proposed amendments to Annex I of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The treaty was adopted on 3 November 2001 by the Thirty-First Session of the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. It recognises farmers’ contributions to global crop diversity. It sets up a worldwide system giving farmers, plant breeders, and scientists access to plant genetic materials. It ensures benefit-sharing from the use of these materials.