International Current Affairs MCQs

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North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has started its annual military exercise Baltic Operations 2025 (BALTOPS 25) in Latvia. It is a large-scale multinational drill aimed at boosting cooperation and interoperability among member countries. The focus is on improving rapid-response capabilities across all military branches. It shows NATO’s strong commitment to the security of the Baltic Sea region.

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On June 18, 2025, the Indian government launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran amid the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. In the first phase, 110 Indian students were safely evacuated from northern Iran. Iran’s Deputy Ambassador to India, Mohammad Javad Hosseini, assured full cooperation in ensuring the safety of Indian citizens. Operation Sindhu highlights India’s active role in protecting its citizens during international crises.

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The Bajau tribe, also known as the Sama-Bajau, lives in coastal areas of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines and depends entirely on the sea. They are excellent free divers, diving 20–30 meters deep and holding their breath for 5–13 minutes without equipment. Recent research shows that the Bajau have spleens that are 50% larger than average, helping them dive longer and deeper. This adaptation is linked to a variation in the PDE10A gene.

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Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) is expected to be operational by 2027 as recently announced by the Union Minister. It is a joint initiative by India and Myanmar to boost cargo transport between Eastern Ports of India and India’s North-Eastern Region (NER) via Myanmar. The project provides a multi-modal transportation system using both waterways and roadways. The framework agreement for Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project was signed in 2008.

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The United States has recently decided to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The US cited reasons like alleged anti-Israel bias, UNESCO’s values being “out-of-step” with the “America First” foreign policy, and need for internal reforms. The withdrawal affects UNESCO’s budget, as the US is one of its major funders, putting education, culture, and heritage programs at risk. UNESCO was founded in 1945 to promote peace through global cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication.

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A recent joint report by World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) revealed that contaminated medicines have killed 1,300 people over the past 90 years. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was established in 1997 by merging the United Nations Drug Control Programme and Centre for International Crime Prevention. UNODC is a global leader in fighting illicit drugs, international crime, and terrorism. It educates people on drug abuse dangers and helps strengthen actions against drug trafficking and drug-related crimes. Its headquarters is in Vienna, Austria.

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Prime Minister of India gifted two BHISHM cubes to Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Maldives’ 60th Independence Day. This was a major step in healthcare diplomacy and regional cooperation. BHISHM stands for Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita & Maitri. It is developed under National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the cubes are compact, portable, and self-contained. Each cube includes essential medicines, trauma care, surgical tools, and AI systems. It can handle 200 emergency cases, including trauma and minor surgeries.

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Recently, Chinese Premier Li Qiang launched construction of a huge hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, near India’s Arunachal Pradesh border. The project has raised concerns due to its massive scale, lack of transparency, and no consultation with lower riparian countries like India and Bangladesh. The project is worth 1.2 trillion yuan or 167.8 billion US dollars and includes five cascade hydropower plants in Medog County, just 30 km from the Indian border. It aims to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually, over three times that of China’s Three Gorges Dam.

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Slovenia became the first European Union (EU) country to ban all weapons trade with Israel. The arms embargo was announced by Prime Minister Robert Golob after a cabinet meeting. The decision was taken due to the ongoing war in Gaza. Slovenia acted independently as the EU failed to agree on a joint position due to internal divisions. No military export permits to Israel have been issued by Slovenia since October 2023.

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South Korea and the United States will conduct major joint military drills called Ulchi Freedom Shield. It is an annual exercise to strengthen readiness and cooperation to defend the Korean Peninsula and the wider region. The drills originated in the 1960s as the Taeguk Exercise and evolved through Ulchi-Focus Lens before being renamed Ulchi-Freedom Guardian in 2008. This year’s drill will test upgraded responses to increased North Korean nuclear threats. It will also showcase advanced technologies used in modern warfare.