International Current Affairs MCQs

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The Indian government has released the first tranche of USD 2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) as part of its annual contribution of USD 5 million for 2024-25. The UNRWA, operational since 1950, continues its relief efforts amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. This financial support is part of India’s commitment to assist Palestinian refugees through UNRWA.

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External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar inaugurated the India-Mauritius Maitree Udyan in Port Louis on July 16, 2024, marking his first bilateral visit after re-appointment. He planted a tree alongside Mauritius Foreign Minister Maneesh Gobin. During his two-day visit, Dr. Jaishankar met with Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, visited the India-assisted Civil Service College project, and supported Mauritius’s claim on the Chagos Archipelago, enhancing bilateral relations.

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Roberta Metsola was re-elected as President of the European Parliament, winning 562 votes in the first round. A centre-right politician from Malta, Metsola will serve another two and a half years. She ran almost unopposed, with Irene Montero receiving only 61 votes. Metsola has served as an MEP since 2013 and first became president in January 2022. She received over 90% of valid votes, a historic high.

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Bolivia recently became a full-time member of MERCOSUR to enhance trade with member countries. MERCOSUR, the Southern Common Market, is an economic and political bloc in Latin America, originally comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Bolivia and Venezuela later joined, though Venezuela was suspended in 2016. Established in 1991 by the Treaty of Asunción, MERCOSUR promotes economic integration, free trade, and movement of goods, services, and people. The Common Market Council is its highest decision-making body. Spanish and Portuguese are its official languages. India and MERCOSUR signed a Preferential Trade Agreement in 2004.

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Muhammad Yunus, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner, has been appointed chief adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation amid protests. Yunus, born in 1940, is an economist known for pioneering microcredit through Grameen Bank, founded in 1983. The bank has loaned over $34 billion to nearly 10 million people, with a 97% repayment rate, inspiring global microfinance initiatives. Yunus’s appointment aims to address unrest over government job quotas.

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Croatia will reintroduce compulsory military service starting January 1, 2025, due to rising European tensions and increased Balkan military activity. The aim is to strengthen national defence and align with NATO goals. Conscription was suspended in Croatia in 2008. This move reflects a broader European trend, with countries like Latvia also enhancing military capabilities amid regional instability and geopolitical threats.

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India has sent about 1400 kg of anti-cancer drugs to Syria as part of humanitarian aid. This assistance aims to strengthen India-Syria relations and comes when Syria’s First Lady Asma Assad is battling leukaemia. The Indian Embassy in Syria is actively involved in this effort. This gesture showcases India’s commitment to supporting countries in need.

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India and Japan signed their first project offtake agreement for exporting green ammonia from India to Japan. The agreement was signed in the presence of Minister of New & Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi. This marks a key step in India’s goal to become a global leader in green hydrogen and ammonia production. The Heads of Terms (HoT) agreement involves Sembcorp Industries, Sojitz Corporation, Kyushu Electric Power, and NYK Line. It highlights India’s growing role in the global green energy sector and represents the first such collaboration between India and Japan.

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India approved an additional 251 MW of power exports from 12 hydropower projects in Nepal, raising total exports to 941 MW. Nepal will export power to Bihar for the first time under a medium-term agreement. Nepal became a net electricity exporter last fiscal year, earning NPR 16.93 billion. Nepal’s power exports to India grew from 39 MW in 2021 to over 941 MW in less than three years. Agreements with Indian states like Haryana and Bihar support Nepal’s exports. A long-term agreement aims for 10,000 MW exports from Nepal to India in the next decade.

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Australia has introduced a “Right to Disconnect” rule to help employees avoid work-related communications outside of their regular hours. This law allows workers to ignore calls and messages from employers after work without facing punishment. While employers can still contact employees after hours, the law ensures that employees are not obligated to respond unless their refusal is deemed unreasonable. India does not have similar laws, leaving employees there more exposed to pressure to work beyond their regular hours.