International Current Affairs MCQs

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The Bangladesh Navy signed a significant deal with India’s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) for an 800-tonne ocean-going tug, part of a $500-million line of credit from India for defence equipment. The contract was finalized in Dhaka, witnessed by GRSE and Bangladesh Navy officials. Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi’s visit to Bangladesh coincided with the deal, emphasizing bilateral defence ties and exploring new naval cooperation opportunities between the two countries.

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Sierra Leone’s president signed a law banning marriage for children under 18. In 2020, UNICEF reported about 800,000 girls under 18 in Sierra Leone were married, roughly a third of the country’s girls. Globally, at least 12 million girls marry before 18 each year, particularly in conflict zones. In India, despite the legal marriage age being 18 for girls, around 1.5 million underage marriages occur annually.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially received Russia’s prestigious Order of St Andrew the Apostle, awarded in 2019 for his contributions to India-Russia strategic partnership and fostering friendly ties. Established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great, the honor recognizes exceptional civilian or military merit.

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The India-Taiwan Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for Organic Products came into effect on July 8, 2024, announced at the 9th Working Group on Trade Meeting in New Delhi. This agreement boosts trade in organic products between the two countries. Certified organic products from India can now be exported to Taiwan and vice versa. Implementing agencies are India’s APEDA and Taiwan’s Agriculture and Food Agency. Key exports include aromatic plants, rice, and herbal tea.

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The Israeli military reportedly employed the Hannibal Directive during the October 7 Hamas attack. This controversial doctrine, also known as the Hannibal Procedure or Hannibal Protocol, advocates using maximum force to prevent the capture of soldiers, even at the cost of military and civilian lives. The doctrine, originating from the 1985 Jibril Agreement, aims to avoid politically painful prisoner swaps by eliminating everyone near a captive Israeli soldier, risking the soldier’s life. Named after the Carthaginian general Hannibal, who chose death over capture, the policy’s full text remains unpublished. It has been widely criticized by legal experts for disregarding human life.

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President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has won his fourth term with 99% of the votes, according to the National Electoral Commission, with 79% of votes counted. Kagame, in power since 2000, previously won the 2017 election with a similar margin. Approximately 9.5 million Rwandans voted, with 65% of the population under 35. Opponents Frank Habineza and Philippe Mpayimana received 0.53% and 0.32%, respectively.

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During his visit to Vientiane, Laos, from 25 to 27 July 2024, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar unveiled the first postage stamp of Ram Lalla of Ayodhya. The event took place during ASEAN-related foreign minister meetings. Jaishankar, alongside Laos Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, released two sets of stamps themed “Celebrating the shared cultural heritage of Lao PDR and India.” One stamp depicted Ram Lalla’s idol from Ayodhya, while the other commemorated Lord Buddha from Luang Prabang, Laos’s ancient capital. Although predominantly Buddhist, Laos’s culture is deeply influenced by Hinduism, including the Ramayana, known locally as Ramakien.

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Singapore and the United States have signed a 30-year civil nuclear cooperation agreement, called the 123 Agreement. This deal will allow Singapore to access detailed information and expertise on U.S. nuclear energy technologies, which are typically under export control. The agreement aims to enhance Singapore’s capabilities in nuclear energy and strengthen ties between the two countries in this field.

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China conducted its largest unmanned cargo aircraft flight, designed for civilian use, with a 2-ton payload capacity. The twin-engine aircraft’s inaugural flight lasted about 20 minutes in Sichuan province. China aims to expand its low-altitude economy, targeting a 2-trillion-yuan industry by 2030. The aircraft, developed by Tengden, has a wingspan of 16.1 meters and is slightly larger than the Cessna 172.

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Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 37, became Thailand’s youngest prime minister after Srettha Thavisin was dismissed. She is the third member of the Shinawatra family, after her father and aunt, to hold the position. Paetongtarn won 319 votes in the parliamentary vote, showing strong legislative support. Despite her family’s political influence, she faces challenges like a struggling economy and political competition. Her party, Pheu Thai, is also under pressure with a pending $14.25 billion cash handout program.