International Current Affairs MCQs

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Lawrence Wong has been elected as Prime Minister of Singapore. He is from the People’s Action Party (PAP), which has ruled Singapore since independence. Wong is an economist and served as the Finance Minister since 2021 before becoming Prime Minister. In the 2025 general elections, under his leadership, PAP won 87 out of 97 parliamentary seats. This included 82 seats through voting and 5 uncontested. The PAP’s popular vote increased to 65.6 percent, showing strong public support.

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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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India and the European Union (EU) launched two major research projects on Marine Plastic Litter and Waste to Hydrogen. These initiatives are under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), formed in 2022. The TTC was created by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. It aims to strengthen trade and technology partnership between India and the EU. In February 2025, during the TTC’s second meeting, both sides confirmed their focus on green technologies. They agreed to cooperate on recycling electric vehicle batteries, marine plastic waste, and converting waste to hydrogen.

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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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Iran and Azerbaijan launched a joint special forces drill called “Aras-2025” on May 18, 2025. The exercise involves Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Azerbaijani troops. It is being held in the Karabakh region, which Azerbaijan regained from Armenia in September 2023. The drill aims to boost border security and address potential threats.

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Saudi Arabia launched TOURISE, a global platform for the next 50 years of tourism. TOURISE unites public and private leaders in tourism, technology, investment, and sustainability. It aims to unlock high-value investment and reset the tourism industry. The platform includes digital collaboration, working groups, and partnerships for long-term transformation. TOURISE will publish white papers and global indices on tourism, sustainability, and the economy. Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, emphasized adapting to technology and sustainability. The inaugural TOURISE Awards will honor achievements in sustainability and tourism innovation. The first TOURISE Summit will be held in Riyadh in November 2025.

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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.

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The Prime Minister recently discussed with Paraguay’s President expanding the Preferential Trade Agreement with MERCOSUR. MERCOSUR stands for the Southern Common Market in Spanish. It is a South American regional economic group formed in 1991 by the Treaty of Asunción. Its goal is to allow free movement of goods, services, capital, and people among members.
Original members are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Bolivia and Venezuela joined later, but Venezuela has been suspended since 2016. Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Suriname are associate members. MERCOSUR’s headquarters is in Montevideo, Uruguay.

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India has won the presidency of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) for the period 2025-2028 by defeating Austria. India secured 87 out of 141 votes, showing strong global support for its leadership in public administration. India is a member of IIAS through the Department of Administrative Reforms under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. IIAS is a global federation with 31 Member Countries, 20 National Sections, and 15 Academic Research Centres focused on public administration research.