International Current Affairs MCQs

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Māori Party MPs performed a haka in New Zealand’s parliament to protest the Treaty Principles Bill, opposing changes to the Treaty of Waitangi. The Māori are an Indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. They migrated from East Polynesia to New Zealand between 1320-1350. They developed a unique culture, language, mythology, and arts. The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840 with the British, established coexistence but remains central to political and economic grievances. Māori are the second-largest ethnic group in New Zealand. The haka, a traditional Māori dance, expresses pride, strength, and unity, and is used in various ceremonies and as a challenge.

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Yamandú Orsi, a left-wing politician and former mayor, won Uruguay’s presidential election, marking a return of the centre-left government after five years of conservative leadership. Supported by former president José Mujica, Orsi emphasizes environmental policies, social inclusion, and a balanced approach to economic growth.

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India and Bhutan discussed hydropower projects, including the nearing completion of the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II project. Punatsangchhu-II is a 1 GW run-of-the-river hydropower project in Bhutan’s Wangdue Phodrang district. Developed under an Inter-Government Agreement between Bhutan and India, it is funded by India with 30% grant and 70% loan. The project includes a 91m-high concrete gravity dam, a diversion tunnel, and two cofferdams. It will generate 4,357 million units of electricity annually, and ownership will transfer to Bhutan two years after commissioning.

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François Bayrou, a 73-year-old centrist leader, was named French Prime Minister by Emmanuel Macron, succeeding Michel Barnier after a confidence vote ousted him. Bayrou leads the MoDem party, part of Macron’s centrist alliance, and is known as the “third man” in French politics for his centrist approach during the 2007 presidential election. He is the high commissioner of planning, mayor of Pau, and president of the European Democratic Party. Born into a wealthy farming family near the Pyrenees, he taught Latin and Greek before entering politics in the 1980s. He served as education minister and was a member of both the National Assembly and European Parliament.

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The Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC) reduces shipping time and costs, boosting India-Russia trade in oil, food, and machinery. EMC connects South India with Russia’s Far East, cutting transit time by 16 days and distance by 40%. The traditional Mumbai-St. Petersburg route is 8,675 nautical miles, taking 40+ days, while EMC spans 5,647 nautical miles, taking only 24 days, saving 5,608 km. The route passes through major waterways like the Sea of Japan, South China Sea, Malacca Straits, and Bay of Bengal.

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Nepal and China recently launched the “Phewa Dialogue” series, named after the renowned Phewa Lake in Nepal’s Pokhara Valley. Phewa Lake, one of Nepal’s largest, receives inflows from Harpan Khola and Seti Khola springs. The dialogue focuses on addressing South Asia’s industrial shift and related needs. It is Nepal’s first official think tank forum dedicated to fostering South Asia Regional Economic Integration.

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres paid tribute to Brigadier General Amitabh Jha of India, serving with the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Golan Heights. UNDOF was established in 1974 to maintain the ceasefire and supervise the demilitarized buffer zone between Israel and Syria. The mission’s mandate is renewed every six months and extended until June 2025. UNDOF is funded annually by the UN General Assembly. India is the third-largest troop and police contributor to UNDOF. Golan Heights is a hilly region, part of Syria, occupied by Israel since 1967. UNDOF headquarters is at Camp Faouar.

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China launched the Sichuan, the first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, designed to enhance long-distance naval combat capabilities. The 40,000-ton ship features an electromagnetic catapult for fighter jet launches and arrestor technology for safe landings. It can deploy ground troops via landing crafts and provide air support. Developed indigenously, it follows the earlier Type 075 ships launched in 2019. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) aims to operate globally, modernizing its fleet for over a decade. China is also researching nuclear-powered aircraft carriers for extended deployments, competing with the U.S.’s 11 nuclear-powered carriers.

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Russia declared a federal-level emergency due to a massive oil spill along the Black Sea coast, caused by storm-damaged tankers near the Kerch Strait. The spill released thousands of tons of mazut (heavy fuel oil), polluting about 55 kilometers (34 miles) of coastline. The spill has raised serious concerns about cleanup efforts and potential long-term environmental damage. The Black Sea, a large inland sea in southeastern Europe, is one of the marginal seas of the Atlantic Ocean, spanning 436,000 square kilometers. It is bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Bulgaria, Georgia, and Romania.

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Pokhara, Nepal, is hosting its first International Balloon Festival from December 24, 2024, to January 2, 2025. The event takes place in the scenic Pame region and features more than 20 international pilots and 30 countries participating. More than 500 commercial flights and 300 non-commercial flights are expected, offering stunning views of the Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Dhaulagiri mountains. Each 40-minute flight covers 3 km from Lauruk to Chankhapur, with around 3,000 passengers. The festival aims to boost tourism recovery and is estimated to cost Rs 68.3 million.