International Current Affairs MCQs

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Interpol coordinated a global cybercrime crackdown called ‘Operation Secure’ from January to April 2025. More than 20,000 malicious Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and domains linked to information-stealing malware were taken down. Law enforcement agencies from 26 countries, including India, joined efforts to locate servers and dismantle cybercriminal infrastructure. Interpol worked with private companies like Group-IB, Kaspersky, and Trend Micro to share cyber intelligence across Asia.

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The military conflict between Tel Aviv and Tehran intensified recently as Israel struck Iran’s South Pars gas field, the largest gas field in the world, located in Bushehr province. South Pars is a joint offshore gas field shared by Iran and Qatar. Iran is the world’s third-largest gas producer after the United States and Russia, with an annual output of about 275 billion cubic meters.

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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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Recently, as Israel’s conflict with Iran intensifies and threats grow from various regional actors, global focus has turned to Israel’s nuclear deterrent known as the Samson Option. The Samson Option refers to Israel’s alleged strategy of launching massive nuclear retaliation if the country faces an existential threat. The name comes from the biblical figure Samson, who destroyed himself and his enemies, symbolizing total retaliation. Israel follows a policy called amimut, meaning deliberate ambiguity in Hebrew, where it neither confirms nor denies possessing nuclear weapons.

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Recently, on 3rd July 2025, Russia became the first country to formally recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan since it took power in 2021. Russia removed the Taliban from its list of outlawed organisations. The Russian Foreign Ministry accepted credentials from Afghanistan’s newly appointed Ambassador Gul Hassan Hassan. Russia stated that this recognition will support productive bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry called the move historic and hoped it would encourage other countries to follow.

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently launched the global initiative ‘Global Specs 2030’ to ensure affordable eye care access for all by the year 2030. The initiative focuses on five key action areas: Services, Personnel, Education, Cost, and Surveillance. Services aim to improve access to refractive eye care. Personnel focuses on training and building the capacity of eye care workers. Education promotes public awareness about eye health. Cost targets reducing prices of eyeglasses and services. Surveillance strengthens data collection and eye care research. The Global SPECS Network supports collective advocacy, experience sharing, and professional collaboration.

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Recently, China faced Typhoon Co-May and tsunami threats from an 8.8-magnitude earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. Typhoon Co-May, locally called Zhu Jie Cao, hit Shanghai with strong winds of 83 km/h and heavy rain. Nearly 2.83 lakh people were evacuated from Shanghai and nearby areas. A level-one emergency response was issued for flood and typhoon control.

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Dubai has launched the “One Freezone Passport”, a single license system for operating across all free zones. It was announced by the Dubai Free Zones Council to remove the need for multiple permits. The system reduces costs and simplifies operations for investors and entrepreneurs. The reform supports the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, aiming to double GDP by 2033. It attracts foreign direct investment and strengthens sectors like logistics, technology, and manufacturing.

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Malaysia has launched Ryt Bank, the world’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered bank. It is led by YTL Group in partnership with Sea Limited. Ryt Bank combines AI innovation with Malaysia’s values, languages, and lifestyles to shape the nation’s digital future. The bank offers in-app access in Bahasa Malaysia and English, with Mandarin to be added by September 2025. This multilingual approach ensures inclusivity and cultural connection in banking. Ryt AI works as an intelligent assistant, handling bill payments, spending tracking, and financial guidance

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Adani Power signed a pact with Bhutan’s Druk Green Power to build the 570 MW Wangchu Hydroelectric Project. Project will follow a BOOT (Build, Own, Operate, Transfer) model with power purchase and concession agreements signed. It is a run-of-river project on Wangchu River (Raidāk River in India) in Chukha District, Bhutan. Construction will start in first half of 2026 and complete within five years. It will meet Bhutan’s peak winter electricity demand and export surplus power to India in summer.