International Current Affairs MCQs

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India will be the ‘Guest of Honour’ at the 38th Bogota International Book Fair (FILBo) 2026. This will strengthen people-to-people connections between India and Colombia. Indian Ambassador to Colombia Vanlalhuma highlighted the role of literary exchange in building deeper ties. Since 1988, the Colombian Book Chamber and Corferias have organised FILBo as a major Spanish-speaking cultural event. The announcement was attended by Colombia’s Cultural Minister, FILBo Director, Corferias President, and Book Chamber President. Recently, at the 37th FILBo 2025 (April 25–May 11), India’s National Book Trust showcased a collective exhibit of Indian books for the first time.

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South Korea and the United States will conduct major joint military drills called Ulchi Freedom Shield. It is an annual exercise to strengthen readiness and cooperation to defend the Korean Peninsula and the wider region. The drills originated in the 1960s as the Taeguk Exercise and evolved through Ulchi-Focus Lens before being renamed Ulchi-Freedom Guardian in 2008. This year’s drill will test upgraded responses to increased North Korean nuclear threats. It will also showcase advanced technologies used in modern warfare.

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Dubai has launched the “One Freezone Passport”, a single license system for operating across all free zones. It was announced by the Dubai Free Zones Council to remove the need for multiple permits. The system reduces costs and simplifies operations for investors and entrepreneurs. The reform supports the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, aiming to double GDP by 2033. It attracts foreign direct investment and strengthens sectors like logistics, technology, and manufacturing.

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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.

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The Lithuanian Parliament approved Social Democrat Inga Ruginiene as Lithuania’s new Prime Minister. Ruginiene is the current Minister of Social Security and Labour. Ruginiene was first elected to Parliament in 2024. Before politics, she served as Chair of the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation. This marks a significant political development in Lithuania with a new leadership under a Social Democrat Prime Minister.

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The 1020 Megawatt (MW) Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan has been fully completed with the final Unit 6 (170 MW) synchronized to the power grid. It is a 1 Gigawatt (GW) run-of-the-river hydro project located in Wangdue Phodrang district, Bhutan, on the right bank of the Punatsangchhu River. The project was developed by Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project Authority under an Inter-Government Agreement (IGA) between Bhutan and India. It was funded by the Government of India with 30% grant and 70% loan at 10% annual interest, repayable in 30 semi-annual installments.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store on his re-election and expressed confidence in strengthening India–Norway partnership. Store, leader of the Labour Party, secured about 28 per cent votes in Norway’s legislative elections, ensuring majority with support from four left-wing parties. The Progress Party achieved its best-ever result, finishing second, while the Conservative Party fell to third place. Around 4.3 million voters elected members for 169-seat Storting, with centre-left securing 85+ seats for majority. Store’s second term comes after challenges like inflation, scandals, and internal strife.

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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.