International Current Affairs MCQs

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India and Nepal recently inaugurated the start of electromechanical works at the Arun-3 Hydroelectric Project to ensure its timely completion. The Arun-3 Hydroelectric Project is located on the Arun River, a tributary of the Kosi River, in Sankhuwasabha District of eastern Nepal. It is a 900 Megawatt (MW) Run-of-River scheme, which means it uses the river’s natural flow without needing a large reservoir.

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The United Nations (UN) Spotlight Initiative reports that climate change is worsening the social and economic pressures leading to increased violence against women and girls. A 1°C rise in global temperature is linked to a 4.7% increase in intimate partner violence. The UN Spotlight Initiative is a global strategic partnership between the European Union (EU) and the UN. It was launched in 2017 with the goal of ensuring all women, especially marginalized and vulnerable groups, live free from violence and harmful practices.

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Uganda recently declared the end of the Ebola Sudan Virus Disease (SVD) outbreak after completing a 42-day mandatory countdown without new confirmed cases. The declaration came less than three months after the virus was detected in Kampala, the capital. The World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines require 42 days without new cases for a country to be declared Ebola-free. Uganda first declared the SVD outbreak on January 30, following the death of a nurse. There are no approved treatments or vaccines for the Sudan strain of Ebola, as vaccines are still in clinical trials.

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The Iranian government declared a day of national mourning on April 28 following a deadly blast at Shahid Rajaee port. The explosion occurred when a fuel tanker detonated at the port near Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan Province. The blast resulted in 28 deaths and over 1,200 injuries. The oil facilities at the port were not affected by the blast.

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Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is working to convince President Donald Trump’s administration to continue vital funding by emphasizing that a donation would benefit the US vaccine industry. Gavi is an independent public-private partnership created in 2000 to improve access to new and underused vaccines for children in the world’s poorest countries. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, Gavi unites public and private sectors to ensure equal access to vaccines for all children. It includes governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, vaccine manufacturers, and private philanthropists. Gavi provides financial support, technical expertise, and market-shaping efforts to help lower vaccine costs.

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The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) has recently launched VoTAN, which stands for Victims of Terrorism Advocacy Network, to support victims and survivors of terrorism worldwide. VoTAN is the result of efforts by the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism, co-chaired by Spain and Iraq, which was formed around six years ago to protect the rights of victims. This global network was a major outcome of the 2022 United Nations Global Congress on Victims of Terrorism. It aims to offer a safe platform for victims to connect, heal, build resilience, and act as educators, peacebuilders, and advocates. The network is financially supported by Spain.

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On May 2, 2025, Australian boatbuilder Incat launched the world’s largest electric-powered ship, named Hull 096. The ship is a 130-metre-long aluminium catamaran designed for South American ferry operator Buquebus. It can carry 2,100 passengers and up to 225 vehicles across the River Plate between Buenos Aires and Uruguay. Hull 096 is powered by over 250 tonnes of batteries with an Energy Storage System (ESS) providing more than 40 megawatt hours of capacity. It was initially planned to run on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) but was later converted to battery power. The launch highlights a major step towards reducing maritime carbon emissions, which account for about three percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. This comes after the International Maritime Organization (IMO) voted for a global carbon pricing system, with cleaner fuels required by 2028.

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US President Donald Trump plans to rename the ‘Persian Gulf’ as the ‘Arabian Gulf’ during his visit to Saudi Arabia, aligning with Arab Gulf nations’ preferences. The term ‘Persian Gulf’ has been used since the 16th century, recognized in historical records and international treaties. Arab states, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, prefer the term ‘Arabian Gulf’ and use it in national maps. In 2012, Iran threatened to sue Google for not labeling the water body correctly, asserting its historical naming rights. The Persian Gulf is a vital geopolitical area, connected to the Arabian Sea via the Strait of Hormuz.

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Sanjay Seth, Minister of State, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, represented India at the 80th Victory Day celebration in Moscow, Russia, on 9 May 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was initially scheduled to attend but could not due to the Pahalgam terror incident and sent Sanjay Seth instead. During his visit, Sanjay Seth met Russian President Vladimir Putin and Deputy Defence Minister Colonel General Alexander Fomin. They discussed military and military-technical cooperation and agreed to strengthen ties through existing institutional frameworks. His visit reaffirmed the strong strategic partnership between India and Russia. Victory Day is celebrated every year on 9 May in Moscow’s Red Square to mark the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

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Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the immediate release of $1 billion to Pakistan under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The IMF is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN), created in 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference to ensure global monetary stability after the Great Depression. It works to promote international monetary cooperation, ensure financial stability, facilitate global trade, support high employment, and reduce poverty. The IMF monitors the economies of its member countries and gives policy advice. It also provides loans to countries during balance-of-payments crises. The IMF is headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States.