International Current Affairs MCQs

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South Korea protested Japan’s government-backed “Takeshima Day” (February 22), opposing Tokyo’s renewed sovereignty claim over the disputed islets. South Korea rejects calling it a dispute, while Japan continues diplomatic and symbolic assertions. The Takeshima dispute is a long-standing territorial conflict between Japan and South Korea (Republic of Korea). The islets, called Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea, are located in the Sea of Japan, with South Korea currently controlling them and Japan claiming sovereignty.

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Villages of Excellence was announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his state visit to Israel in February 2026. The Villages of Excellence is a collaborative initiative between India and Israel aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and farmer income. It aims to bring Israeli agricultural technology from centralized research centers directly to villages, increasing productivity and income for lakhs of Indian farmers.

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U.S. launched airstrikes on Iran under “Operation Epic Fury”, resulting in the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks, escalating tensions in the Middle East. U.S.–Iran relations have been strained since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with sanctions, ideological rivalry, and diplomatic breakdowns. Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for 20% of global oil, faces disruptions affecting energy security. Global trade may be affected due to shipping disruptions, increased freight/insurance costs, and supply chain instability.

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Scotland became the first country in the United Kingdom to allow water cremation, also called hydrolysis. The new rules were approved by the Scottish Parliament, marking the biggest funeral law reform since 1902. Hydrolysis uses water and potassium hydroxide at about 150 degree Celsius to break down soft tissues, leaving only bones, which are dried and turned into ashes. In 2023 public consultation, 84 percent supported hydrolysis. The method is already legal in 28 United States states and countries like Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

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The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026). A workforce shift is occurring as rural men move to non-farm jobs, leading women to increasingly take on agricultural roles. Women’s participation in agriculture has surged by 135% in a decade, now constituting 42% of the agricultural workforce. Two in three working women are engaged in agriculture, though this remains lower than global averages of 57%-63%. In 2023-24, there were 117.6 million women in agriculture: 21.7 million hired, 95.1 million self-employed, and 0.8 million regular workers.

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The West Asian conflict escalated after Israeli strikes on Iran’s South Pars gas field and retaliatory Iranian missile attacks on Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG facilities. Ras Laffan Industrial City is the world’s largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export hub, located in northeastern Qatar along the Persian Gulf coast, developed by QatarEnergy. It houses liquefaction plants, storage tanks, and export terminals, with an annual production of 77–80 million tonnes of LNG, supplying nearly 20% of global LNG. Ras Laffan is a critical LNG supplier to countries like India, Japan, and Europe, supplying ~40% of India’s LNG imports and serving as a key node in global gas supply chains.

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Japan has launched the world’s first dedicated high-speed freight bullet train, marking a major innovation in logistics and transportation. The initiative has been undertaken by the East Japan Railway Company, which has converted a passenger bullet train into a cargo-only Shinkansen. The project is based on the E3 Series Shinkansen, whose interiors have been redesigned by removing seats and creating open cargo space with reinforced flooring and securing systems.

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Disruption in oil supply highlights India’s need to boost ethanol blending for energy security and lower imports. The crisis can help India reform energy policy like Brazil did after the 1970s oil shocks. Brazil launched Proálcool Programme (1975) after the 1973 oil crisis to promote ethanol fuel. The government provided subsidies, price support, and mandatory 30% ethanol blending. It introduced FFVs (Flex-Fuel Vehicles) that run on petrol, ethanol, or both. A strong system was built linking sugarcane production, ethanol supply chain, and fuel distribution. This reduced oil dependence and strengthened energy sustainability and self-reliance.

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A 500 MW floating solar plant is being planned at Kariba Dam by Green Hybrid Power in partnership with Intensive Energy User Group. The dam is located on the Zambezi River at the Kariba Gorge, forming the boundary between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is a double-curvature concrete arch dam, completed in 1959, and stands about 128 metres high. The dam plays a crucial role in power generation, supplying electricity to both Zambia and Zimbabwe. Its construction led to the creation of Lake Kariba, the world’s largest human-made lake by volume.

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Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Major General Roman Gofman as the next Director of Mossad (Israeli Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations). The appointment was approved by the advisory committee on senior appointments.
Roman Gofman currently serves as the military secretary to the Prime Minister and has been praised for his resourcefulness and strategic thinking. He will assume office on July 2, 2026, for a tenure of five years. The appointment comes amid ongoing regional tensions, highlighting the importance of strengthening Israel’s intelligence and security framework.