International Current Affairs MCQs

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Researchers in Japan have created a new plastic that dissolves in seawater within hours, helping fight ocean pollution. It was developed by the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science and the University of Tokyo. A lab demo in Wako city showed a plastic piece dissolving in salt water after stirring for one hour. The plastic breaks into safe components that are processed by natural bacteria, leaving no microplastics behind. It is as strong as petroleum-based plastic but is non-toxic, non-flammable, and does not emit carbon dioxide (CO₂). In soil, it breaks down in about 200 hours.

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The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has officially declared the year 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. This resolution was proposed by the United States of America and was adopted by all member countries through consensus. The main aim is to recognize and highlight the vital role women farmers play in ensuring food security, improving nutrition, and fighting poverty. It also focuses on promoting gender equality and empowering women in the agriculture sector.

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President of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Eslami, announced that Russia will build eight nuclear power plants in Iran under an existing agreement. This statement was made during a visit by the Iranian parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee to AEOI headquarters in Tehran. The Bushehr nuclear plant, Iran’s only operational facility, was completed by Russia in May 2011. It plays a key role in Iran’s civilian nuclear energy program.

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The military conflict between Tel Aviv and Tehran intensified recently as Israel struck Iran’s South Pars gas field, the largest gas field in the world, located in Bushehr province. South Pars is a joint offshore gas field shared by Iran and Qatar. Iran is the world’s third-largest gas producer after the United States and Russia, with an annual output of about 275 billion cubic meters.

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On June 18, 2025, the Indian government launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran amid the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. In the first phase, 110 Indian students were safely evacuated from northern Iran. Iran’s Deputy Ambassador to India, Mohammad Javad Hosseini, assured full cooperation in ensuring the safety of Indian citizens. Operation Sindhu highlights India’s active role in protecting its citizens during international crises.

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Recently, India strongly criticized the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for making “unwarranted” and “factually incorrect” remarks influenced by Pakistan, which India said uses terrorism as “statecraft.” The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second largest intergovernmental group after the United Nations (UN). The OIC works to ensure peace, security, and development in political, social, and economic areas for the Muslim world. India is not a member of the OIC. Its headquarters is located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

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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, Trinidad and Tobago became the first Caribbean country to adopt Unified Payments Interface (UPI), India’s flagship digital payment platform. Both countries agreed to explore further cooperation on India Stack solutions like DigiLocker, e-Sign, and Government e-Marketplace (GeM). Trinidad and Tobago requested India’s support to digitise and upgrade its state land registration systems. The leaders highlighted that digital governance and public service delivery can drive inclusive development.

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Recently, the Prime Minister said descendants of Girmitiyas are now known for their success, service, and values instead of struggle. Girmitiyas were Indian indentured labourers who left India in the 19th century to work in British colonies. The term Girmitiya comes from the word “girmit”, an Indian pronunciation of “agreement”. These labourers signed agreements hoping for better wages and jobs. They travelled on old slave ships and lived in poor slave-like barracks. They faced a practice called “blackbirding”, meaning forced or deceptive recruitment for cheap labour abroad.

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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.