International Current Affairs MCQs

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During the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay expressed strong support for India’s bid for a permanent seat in a reformed UN Security Council. He emphasized India’s significant economic growth and leadership within the Global South as deserving of this status. Bhutan, which recently graduated from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) category, highlighted the need for a more representative and effective Security Council to reflect current global realities.

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Taiwan’s navy claims China’s military is using an “anaconda strategy” against the island. The strategy is inspired by Union General Winfield Scott’s Civil War plan to suffocate the enemy like an anaconda. China aims to economically and militarily isolate Taiwan, using military movements, psychological tactics, and cyber warfare. The goal is to pressure Taiwan into surrendering without a direct invasion.

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Recent research published in Science Advances introduced a new method for dating karst landscapes, specifically through analyzing iron-rich nodules. These nodules, found in the Pinnacles Desert of Nambung National Park, Western Australia, provide insights into the climatic conditions that shaped these unique geological formations. The study revealed that the nodules formed during a period of intense weathering approximately 100,000 years ago, which was the wettest time in the region over the last half million years. Understanding this dating method enhances our knowledge of past climate changes and their impact on ecosystems.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Laos PM Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane and congratulated him on hosting the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits. They highlighted the restoration of Vat Phou, a UNESCO site, supported by India, as strengthening bilateral ties. Agreements were signed in defence, broadcasting, customs cooperation, and Quick Impact Projects under Mekong-Ganga Cooperation. The projects include preserving the Lao Ramayana, restoring Wat Pakea temple with Ramayana artwork, and supporting a shadow puppetry theatre in Champasak province.

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Hong Kong’s government banned apps like WhatsApp, WeChat, and Google Drive on official computers to boost cybersecurity. This step addresses low cybersecurity awareness in the territory. Civil servants can still use these apps on personal devices, but not on government systems. The ban highlights Hong Kong’s commitment to protecting sensitive information and data integrity. This move sets an example for other regions to focus on cybersecurity.

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Recently, Brazil decided not to formally join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), seeking alternative collaborations with China while prioritizing its own infrastructure projects. Brazil becomes second BRICS country after India not to join BRI. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by China in 2013, aims to enhance global trade and economic connectivity through infrastructure development and investments in various countries. The BRI encompasses various sectors, including transportation, energy, and trade, and has faced scrutiny and resistance from several nations due to concerns over debt and sovereignty.

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At least 10 people died in eastern Indonesia after Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted, prompting nearby village evacuations. It is located on Flores Island, Indonesia. The volcano is in East Nusa Tenggara province. Mount Lewotobi is part of a twin-volcano system, with Lewotobi Laki-laki (male) erupting, while Lewotobi Perempuan (female) remains inactive. Both are stratovolcanoes, formed by repeated layers of lava, making them common globally. Indonesia frequently experiences volcanic eruptions as it lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area prone to earthquakes, volcanic activity, and tsunamis due to active tectonic plates.

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India’s new consulate in Brisbane, Australia, was inaugurated by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The consulate marks a milestone in India-Australia relations, strengthened by recent trade deals. Queensland, home to about 100,000 of Australia’s nearly one million Indian-origin residents, is key to these ties, with India as its second-largest export market. India also has consulates in Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. The Brisbane consulate will be led by diplomat Neetu Bhagotia, who has prior experience in India’s missions in Bhutan and Russia.

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Over 65 million people in the Horn of Africa are food insecure, according to a UN report. The Horn of Africa includes Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, and Somalia. The region is arid and nearly equidistant from the Equator and Tropic of Cancer. It is a UNESCO Biodiversity Hotspot and holds strategic geopolitical importance, located near the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Indian Ocean.

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Shigeru Ishiba, leader of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), was re-elected as Prime Minister of Japan. He won the most votes in both houses of Japan’s Parliament, the Diet, after a runoff with opposition leader Yoshihiko Noda. The LDP-Komeito ruling coalition lost its majority in the recent general election. Ishiba, 67, received 221 votes in the House of Representatives, short of the 233 majority mark but enough to secure his position.