International Current Affairs MCQs

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Thailand’s parliament elected Anutin Charnvirakul as the new Prime Minister. He is the third Prime Minister in Thailand in the last two years. Anutin replaced Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was ousted by the Constitutional Court for ethical violations over a Cambodia border dispute. Anutin leads the Bhumjaithai Party. The party secured over 247 votes, surpassing the majority threshold in the 492-member House of Representatives. His election reflects political stability efforts after frequent leadership changes in Thailand.

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Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali has been re-elected for a second five-year term with 55 percent of the 65-seat parliament, as announced by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Ali’s government, in power since 2020, used 7.5 billion oil revenue to build roads, schools, hospitals, and made state university education free. Guyana, with the largest oil reserves per capita, currently produces 650,000 barrels daily, expected to reach 1 million by 2030. The nation recorded 43.6 percent GDP growth in 2024, with a state budget expected at 6.7 billion in 2025.

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Nepal’s former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was sworn in as interim Prime Minister after mass protests forced the resignation of former PM KP Sharma Oli. Karki, 73, is Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice (2016-17), known for her zero-tolerance stance on corruption. Her selection amid protests against corruption draws parallels with Muhammad Yunus heading Bangladesh’s interim govt. Her rise symbolizes public demand for integrity, justice, and anti-corruption leadership in Nepal’s democracy.

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The Philippines strongly objected to China’s announcement of creating a nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Scarborough Shoal is a disputed atoll located 220 km west of the Philippines’ Luzon Island and is the largest atoll in the South China Sea. It remains mostly submerged at high tide, with only a few rocks above sea level. China calls it Huangyan Island and claims historical ownership tracing back to the Yuan Dynasty of the 1200s. The Philippines claims it lies within its 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The shoal is commercially significant due to rich fishing grounds, valuable shellfish, and sea cucumbers.

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India hosted the 89th General Meeting (GM) of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) from 15–19 September 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a nonprofit organization established in 1906, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It prepares and publishes international standards for electrical, electronic, and related technologies. Its mission is to promote global cooperation in electrotechnical standardization. This is the fourth time India is hosting the General Meeting (GM) of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), after 1960, 1997, and 2013.

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Brazil has become the first country to invest in the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), a multilateral fund for global tropical forest conservation. The fund aims to attract contributions from both wealthy and developing countries to support climate policy. TFFF is envisioned as a $125 billion fund combining sovereign and private-sector contributions, paying countries based on preserved tropical forests.

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An Indian migrant became the first person deported from the UK under the new One-In, One-Out migration deal with France. The One-In, One-Out Scheme is a migration agreement between the United Kingdom (UK) and France. The deal aims to deter dangerous crossings of the English Channel in small boats by migrants without visas or permits. Many migrants pay gangs in northern France to make these risky journeys, which have led to deaths. Under the agreement, France takes back asylum seekers who crossed illegally without family connections in the UK. For each migrant returned to France, the UK grants asylum to one eligible migrant from France with proven family ties. The scheme targets safe and legal migration while discouraging illegal attempts.

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Britain, Canada, and Australia formally recognized Palestinian statehood on 22 September 2025, ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York. Portugal also confirmed recognition, while France pledged to vote for Palestinian state recognition at the UN this week. The move increases diplomatic pressure on Israel and isolates Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu internationally. Recognition is largely symbolic, supporting Palestinian self-determination but not immediately affecting Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Tens of thousands have died in Gaza, and humanitarian conditions remain dire. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized sustaining hope for a two-state solution despite challenges.

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Recently, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling it a neo-colonial tool. International Criminal Court (ICC) was created by the Rome Statute in 1998, which entered into force on 1 July 2002. It is the only permanent international criminal tribunal in the world. The Court has 125 member countries, but China, India, Israel, Russia, and the United States are not parties. ICC is funded by State Parties’ contributions and voluntary donations from governments, organizations, and entities.

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The Kokrajhar–Gelephu rail line between India and Bhutan has been declared a Special Railway Project (SRP) by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). It is the first-ever railway connectivity for Bhutan, giving the project huge strategic importance. The 69 km line will connect Kokrajhar in Assam (India) with Gelephu in Bhutan. Another link, the 16 km Banarhat–Samtse line, will connect West Bengal with Bhutan. The project supports India’s Act East Policy and strengthens bilateral ties with Bhutan.