International Current Affairs MCQs

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France’s National Assembly has passed a bill legalizing Assisted Dying, reflecting growing public support for end-of-life choices across Europe. The bill allows adults suffering from incurable illnesses to take prescribed lethal medication under strict conditions. Assisted Dying includes two forms: Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. Euthanasia involves a third party actively ending a patient’s life to relieve suffering, and is called Voluntary Euthanasia when done with the patient’s consent. Active Euthanasia means a deliberate act like a lethal injection that causes death. Passive Euthanasia means stopping life-saving treatment like turning off a ventilator or not giving certain medicines. In Assisted Suicide, the doctor gives a lethal drug that the patient takes on their own to end life. This bill provides a legal and medical framework to regulate such decisions with dignity and care. France joins a growing number of nations considering humane laws for terminally ill patients.

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China recently launched the Tianwen-2 probe to collect samples from the asteroid 2016HO3 and explore the distant main-belt comet 311P. It was launched using the Long March 3-B rocket. The mission will continue till the end of 2027. Earlier in 2021, China’s Tianwen-1 mission landed on Mars with an orbiter, lander, and the Zhurong rover. Tianwen-3 is planned for launch around 2028 to collect and return samples from Mars. Tianwen-4 is expected to explore Jupiter around 2030.

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A cholera outbreak has killed many people in war-affected Sudan, raising urgent health concerns. Cholera is a dangerous diarrheal disease caused by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the bacteria Vibrio cholerae. It spreads rapidly in areas with poor sanitation, unsafe drinking water, and weak healthcare systems. The disease causes sudden, severe watery diarrhea and can lead to death within hours if not treated quickly. According to the 2024 World Health Organisation (WHO) report, cholera deaths are rising due to climate change and poor sanitation. Most cases can be treated with Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), but quick access is critical. Preventing such outbreaks requires clean water, proper hygiene, and better sanitation.

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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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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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Researchers in Japan have created a new plastic that dissolves in seawater within hours, helping fight ocean pollution. It was developed by the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science and the University of Tokyo. A lab demo in Wako city showed a plastic piece dissolving in salt water after stirring for one hour. The plastic breaks into safe components that are processed by natural bacteria, leaving no microplastics behind. It is as strong as petroleum-based plastic but is non-toxic, non-flammable, and does not emit carbon dioxide (CO₂). In soil, it breaks down in about 200 hours.

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The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited, a state-run energy company in India, has signed an agreement with Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) to create an energy transition roadmap. Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is a global initiative launched by the United Nations (UN) in 2011. It is a partnership involving governments, private companies, and civil society to promote clean and accessible energy. SEforALL is an independent organization hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

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The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has officially declared the year 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. This resolution was proposed by the United States of America and was adopted by all member countries through consensus. The main aim is to recognize and highlight the vital role women farmers play in ensuring food security, improving nutrition, and fighting poverty. It also focuses on promoting gender equality and empowering women in the agriculture sector.

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On the first day of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), France and Brazil launched the Blue Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Challenge. This new global initiative urges countries to put oceans at the center of their climate strategies ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) to be held in Brazil in November 2025. The initiative aims to scale up ocean-focused climate action to limit global warming and build resilience. Countries like Australia, Fiji, Kenya, Mexico, Palau, and Seychelles have already joined the challenge.

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India has recently expressed deep reservations over the European Union (EU)’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). CBAM is a policy tool by the European Union (EU) to put a fair price on carbon emissions linked to imported carbon-intensive goods like steel, aluminium, and cement. It aims to push industries in non-EU countries to adopt cleaner production methods. CBAM is part of the EU’s “Fit for 55” strategy, which targets a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Its transitional phase runs from 2023 to 2025, and full enforcement will begin in 2026.