International Current Affairs MCQs

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Senegal has recently been declared free of trachoma by the World Health Organization (WHO) on July 15, 2025. It became the 25th country globally and the 9th in Africa to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem. Trachoma is a bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and leads to preventable blindness. It contributes to about 1.4% of global blindness, affecting 1.9 million people. Senegal faced trachoma since early 1900s and joined WHO’s global elimination alliance in 1998.

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India’s role in global food standards was appreciated at the 88th session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC 88). The session was recently held at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Headquarters in Rome from 14th to 18th July 2025. The Committee reviewed India-led work on Millets Group Standards and praised the efforts. The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is the global body for setting international food standards. was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Its main goal is to protect consumer health and ensure fair practices in international food trade.

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The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) recently adopted Resolution 2788 to strengthen peaceful ways of resolving international disputes. The resolution was adopted unanimously by all 15 UNSC members, showing global consensus. It urges all UN member states to use tools listed in Article 33 of the UN Charter, such as negotiation, mediation, arbitration, judicial settlement, and regional arrangements. Resolution 2788 reaffirms the UNSC’s role in recommending proper methods for peaceful dispute resolution. It calls on countries to take strong steps to implement UNSC resolutions supporting peaceful settlements.

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Australia and the United Kingdom recently signed the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration Treaty, known as the Geelong Treaty, in Geelong, Australia. The treaty strengthens their commitment to AUKUS (Australia-UK-US) under Pillar I, focused on nuclear-powered submarines. It ensures 50 years of bilateral defense cooperation between Australia and the UK. The treaty covers the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and disposal of SSN-AUKUS submarines. This development comes as the United States reviews its role in AUKUS to align with its America First agenda.

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Recently, China faced Typhoon Co-May and tsunami threats from an 8.8-magnitude earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. Typhoon Co-May, locally called Zhu Jie Cao, hit Shanghai with strong winds of 83 km/h and heavy rain. Nearly 2.83 lakh people were evacuated from Shanghai and nearby areas. A level-one emergency response was issued for flood and typhoon control.

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China and Russia began joint naval drills called “Joint Sea-2025” on August 3, 2025, in the Sea of Japan. The exercises aim to strengthen their strategic partnership and counter the United States-led global order. The drills are being held near the Russian port of Vladivostok. Operations include submarine rescue, anti-submarine, air defence, anti-missile, and maritime combat exercises. Four Chinese warships, including guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, are participating with Russian ships.

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India recently launched a joint initiative with the UN World Food Programme (UN WFP) to improve rice fortification and supply chain management in Nepal. The UN WFP is the food assistance branch of the United Nations, founded in 1961. It is the world’s largest humanitarian agency focused on eradicating hunger and improving food security. WFP’s work aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 2 – Zero Hunger by 2030. India has been a WFP member since 1963. World Food Programme (WFP) is headquartered in Rome, Italy.

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Moldova became the 107th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a global initiative launched in 2015 by India and France during COP21 in Paris. Moldova handed over the Instrument of Ratification in New Delhi. It aims to unlock solar investments by 2030 and lower technology and finance costs. It promotes solar energy use in agriculture, health, transport, and power sectors.

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Russia has officially declared that it is no longer bound by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. The INF Treaty was signed in 1987 between the United States and the Russia (formerly Soviet Union). Its objective was to destroy two categories of lethal missile systems to slow down the nuclear arms race. The treaty targeted ground-launched missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres. It emerged after a massive missile build-up in Europe by both powers that threatened continental security. It was signed during the leadership of US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. The treaty enabled mutual verification, leading to the dismantling of 2,619 missiles in three years.

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The European Union (EU) has offered concessions to United States manufacturers on climate-related trade rules, including the carbon tax and deforestation regulations. Ahead of the next India-EU trade talks in Brussels, Indian negotiators plan to seek similar relief for Indian exporters. A senior government official highlighted that Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and other climate-related rules remain the most challenging issues in the India-EU trade deal. CBAM is an European Union (EU) tariff on carbon-intensive imports to prevent carbon leakage. It aims to put a fair price on carbon emissions from imported goods and promote cleaner production globally.