International Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
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.

Notes:
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has started its annual military exercise Baltic Operations 2025 (BALTOPS 25) in Latvia. It is a large-scale multinational drill aimed at boosting cooperation and interoperability among member countries. The focus is on improving rapid-response capabilities across all military branches. It shows NATO’s strong commitment to the security of the Baltic Sea region.

Notes:
India performed better than the global average in air operations and safety, according to the audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in November 2022. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a United Nations (UN) specialized agency formed under the Chicago Convention of 1944. It works to promote safe, secure, and efficient international air transport for peaceful purposes. It sets global aviation safety and environmental standards and supports economic development of air transport.

Notes:
Vietnam has officially joined BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) as a partner country. This makes Vietnam the 10th nation in the BRICS partner category. The partner country category was introduced during the 2024 BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia. Other BRICS partner countries include Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.

Notes:
The World Health Assembly (WHA) of the World Health Organization (WHO) recently passed a resolution titled “Skin Diseases as a Global Public Health Priority.” The resolution highlights that skin diseases affect 1.9 billion people worldwide, yet are often underfunded and neglected, especially in low- and middle-income countries. It was strongly supported by the International League of Dermatologic Societies (ILDS), the world’s largest dermatology alliance. The resolution calls for a Global Action Plan focused on prevention, early detection, effective treatment, and long-term care of skin diseases. It urges increased health investment and promotes research, surveillance, and better data collection.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
After 250 years, the long-lost ship of Captain James Cook, HMS Endeavour, has been found off Newport Harbour, Rhode Island. The ship was the first European vessel to reach eastern Australia during Cook’s 1768–1771 expedition. It was later renamed Lord Sandwich and sank in 1778 during the American War of Independence. The Australian National Maritime Museum confirmed the wreck after 25 years of underwater exploration and global research. The shipwreck, labeled RI 2394, was identified by matching its structure with Cook’s 1768 plans.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
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.