International Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The bald eagle, symbolizing U.S. power and strength for over 240 years, is now officially the national bird. President Joe Biden signed legislation amending the U.S. Code to make the designation official. The bald eagle, with its white head, yellow beak, and brown body, has been on the Great Seal of the United States since 1782. The Great Seal includes the eagle, an olive branch, arrows, a shield, the motto E Pluribus Unum, and a constellation of stars. The eagle was already the national emblem, appearing on documents, flags, military insignia, and currency. It is indigenous to North America.

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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.

Notes:
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.

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Pakistan constructs its largest nuclear power plant, Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit 5 (C-5), with a capacity of 1200 MWe. The Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) issued the licence after reviewing safety, radiation protection, and nuclear security standards. C-5 features a Chinese Hualong third-generation Pressurised Water Reactor with advanced safety systems and a lifespan of 60 years. The plant will cost USD 3.7 billion and is Pakistan’s third nuclear plant of this design. Nuclear energy contributes 27% of Pakistan’s electricity, with an installed capacity of 3,530 MW.

Notes:
China launched its first domestically developed deep-sea exploration ship, Tansuo-3 (Exploration-3). The ship officially entered service in Sanya City, Hainan province. Tansuo-3 has a range of 17,261 miles and includes icebreaking capabilities. It will strengthen China’s deep-sea exploration, alongside other icebreakers like Xuelong, Xuelong 2, and Jidi.

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Canada announced that the Post-Graduate Work Permits (PGWPs) of 7.66 lakh international students will expire by the end of next year. The Rural Community Immigration Class (RCIC) scheme offers a pathway for foreign nationals and students. It is launched by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in December 2024. The program aims to address labor shortages and encourage development in smaller rural communities. The scheme targets individuals willing to settle long-term in these areas to promote growth and address local workforce needs.

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Los Angeles declared a state of emergency on January 8, 2025, as wildfires expanded from 10 to over 2,900 acres. Around 100,000 people have been evacuated, with over 1,400 firefighters battling the blazes. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena was evacuated due to the advancing Eaton Fire. The fires, driven by strong winds, are threatening over 13,000 structures, including areas in Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and Malibu.

Notes:
Zoran Milanovic was re-elected as President of Croatia for a five-year term, securing 74% of the run-off vote. The first round of the presidential election on 29 December 2024 saw Milanovic win 49.1% of votes, necessitating a second round on 12 January 2025. Milanovic, backed by the opposition Social Democratic Party, is a critic of the EU and NATO but condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine while criticizing Western military support for Ukraine. The Croatian Democratic Union, the ruling party since 1991, had its candidate, Dragan Primorac, secure 19.2% of votes. The President in Croatia is the Head of State with limited executive powers, while the Prime Minister holds real executive authority. Croatia is located on the Balkan Peninsula along the Adriatic Sea.