International Current Affairs MCQs

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In Nigeria, 138 people have died from the Lassa fever outbreak since the start of this year. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 717 cases so far. This has raised the case fatality rate to 19.2 percent, which the NCDC says is very alarming. The disease has affected at least 18 out of 36 states in Nigeria. Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, which belongs to the arenavirus family. People usually get infected by touching food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats. The World Health Organization (WHO) says early diagnosis and quick treatment are very important to survive the disease.

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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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US President Donald Trump announced the ‘Golden Dome,’ a space-based missile defense system costing 175 billion dollars to protect the United States from global threats. General Michael Guetlein of the US Space Force will lead this program aimed at blocking missiles from China, Russia, and space. The Golden Dome will create a satellite network to detect, track, and intercept long-range missiles, integrating with existing defense systems. Inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, it plans to deploy hundreds of satellites for missile detection and tracking. The project aims for completion by January 2029, but experts doubt this timeline and cost.

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Ukraine carried out its most powerful drone strike under Operation Spider Web. The strike was conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). It targeted strategic bomber aircraft at Russian air bases using drones. The attack involved first-person view (FPV) drones, also called Remote Person View (RPV) drones. This marks a major shift in drone warfare, showing Ukraine’s growing use of advanced unmanned aerial technology.

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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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India and the United States are deepening ties through the Technology for Resilient, Open and Unified Security and Trust (TRUST) framework. The TRUST framework replaces the earlier U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET). It promotes secure, open, and reliable digital cooperation, with a focus on trusted technology supply chains. TRUST aims to boost India’s role as a regional digital hub and net security provider in the Indo-Pacific.

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Lee Jae-myung was sworn in as the 14th President of South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, in Seoul on June 4, 2025. He won the Presidential by-election held on June 3, 2025, after the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, defeated Kim Moon-soo of the ruling People Power Party. He secured 51.7% of the vote, while Kim got 39.3%.

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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.

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking five decades since its establishment. ECOWAS was created on May 28, 1975, through the Lagos Treaty signed in Lagos, Nigeria. It was formed to promote regional cooperation, economic integration, and peace across West Africa. The bloc aims for a single economic union with a common currency and shared policies in trade, energy, transport, and more.

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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.