International Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, concerns were raised that low tobacco prices in India are making it hard to control tobacco use, unlike in other countries where higher prices have reduced smoking. This weakens the World Health Organization’s (WHO) MPOWER framework, which aims to reduce tobacco-related diseases, including cancer. The MPOWER framework was introduced by WHO in 2008 under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). It includes six key measures: Monitoring tobacco use, Protecting people from smoke, Offering help to quit, Warning about dangers, Enforcing bans on promotion, and Raising taxes. These steps are proven to reduce tobacco demand and help smokers quit.

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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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Luis Montenegro has been reappointed as the Prime Minister of Portugal after the recent general elections. He leads the centre-right Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the Democratic Alliance (AD). He aims to focus on improving Portugal’s economy, public services, and the national health system. His return marks a period of political adjustment under a minority government.

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In May 2025, Japan passed a new law called the Act on the Promotion of Research, Development and Utilisation of Artificial Intelligence-Related Technologies. This law aims to make Artificial Intelligence (AI) the core of Japan’s digital leadership and economic growth. Unlike strict global rules, Japan’s approach encourages coordination and voluntary responsibility instead of heavy regulation. This is different from the European Union’s AI Act passed in 2024. The EU law divides AI into risk levels like “Unacceptable” and “Minimal” and places strict rules on high-risk uses. Japan’s flexible model reflects a major shift in global AI policy thinking.

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On June 2, 2025, Nicaragua became the 101st country to accept the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies under the World Trade Organization (WTO). This marks a major step towards banning subsidies that support illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and overfishing. At the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) held in Geneva in June 2022, ministers adopted the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies by consensus. This agreement sets new binding global rules to stop harmful subsidies that support illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

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The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited, a state-run energy company in India, has signed an agreement with Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) to create an energy transition roadmap. Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is a global initiative launched by the United Nations (UN) in 2011. It is a partnership involving governments, private companies, and civil society to promote clean and accessible energy. SEforALL is an independent organization hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

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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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Interpol coordinated a global cybercrime crackdown called ‘Operation Secure’ from January to April 2025. More than 20,000 malicious Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and domains linked to information-stealing malware were taken down. Law enforcement agencies from 26 countries, including India, joined efforts to locate servers and dismantle cybercriminal infrastructure. Interpol worked with private companies like Group-IB, Kaspersky, and Trend Micro to share cyber intelligence across Asia.

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Exercise “Tiger Claw” was the first independent Special Forces exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and United States Air Force (USAF). It was conducted from 26 May to 10 June 2025 across North India, ending at the Garud Regimental Training Centre (GRTC) in Chandinagar, Uttar Pradesh. The aim was to strengthen the partnership between both Air Forces and improve interoperability in special operations. The exercise included joint training, mutual exchange of best practices, and development of operational coordination.

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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.