International Current Affairs MCQs

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Japan has officially scrapped its post-World War II ban on lethal weapons exports, marking a major shift in its pacifist defense policy under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The move allows exports of fighter jets, missiles, destroyers, and other defense equipment to 17 countries with signed defense equipment and technology transfer agreements, subject to approval by the National Security Council. The policy aims to strengthen Japan’s security amid regional threats from China, North Korea, and Russia, while also developing its domestic defense industry.

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India hosted the first Culture Working Group meeting under its BRICS Presidency 2026 in New Delhi. Representatives from BRICS countries participated virtually. India’s delegation included officials from Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. India’s presidency focuses on cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. The theme is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The initiative aims to promote shared heritage and stronger cultural ties among BRICS nations.

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Indian Institute of Technology Madras Global Research Foundation announced the establishment of its first centre in the United States. The new centre has been established at Menlo Park, California, near Silicon Valley. The announcement was made during the SelectUSA Investment Summit held in Maryland. The centre aims to strengthen India’s deep-tech innovation ecosystem and support startup commercialization globally. The project involves a planned investment of 7.5 million US dollars, including a greenfield investment of 4.5 million US dollars by IITM Global.

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United Nations Human Settlements Programme recently launched the Catalogue of Solutions 2026–2029 to promote sustainable urban development and better housing policies worldwide. UN-Habitat was established in 1977 after the Habitat I Conference and is headquartered in Nairobi. Its primary objective is to promote socially and environmentally sustainable cities and ensure adequate shelter for all. The UN-Habitat Assembly includes all 193 United Nations member states and approves the organisation’s strategic plans.

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India has been nominated as the Chair of the Common Criteria Development Board (CCDB) for the period April 2026 to April 2028. The decision was confirmed during the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA) meeting held in Tokyo. The CCDB manages technical standards under the Common Criteria (CC) and Common Methodology for Information Technology Security Evaluation (CEM) for global IT security certification. India has been a member of the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement since 2013 as a Certificate Authorizing Nation. The leadership role strengthens India’s position in shaping international IT security standards and certification frameworks.

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Yoweri Museveni has been elected as the President of Uganda for a seventh term. The oath-taking ceremony was held at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala. Museveni has been in power since 1986, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. He secured more than 71% of the vote, while opposition leader Bobi Wine received nearly 25%. The election was marked by reports of internet shutdowns and intimidation of opposition groups.

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Ministry of Education flagged off Indian school students for an educational and scientific exchange visit to Japan under the Sakura Science Programme 2026. The programme was launched in 2014 by the Japan Science and Technology Agency to promote youth exchange through exposure to Japan’s science and technology ecosystem. India has participated in the programme since 2016. The 2026 Indian delegation includes government school students selected under the National Means cum Merit Scholarship Scheme. The initiative aligns with National Education Policy 2020 by promoting holistic and experiential learning through international exposure.

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Bassirou Diomaye Faye appointed Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo as the new Prime Minister of Senegal in May 2026. The appointment came three days after President Faye dissolved the government and dismissed former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Senegal, officially called the Republic of Senegal, is a country located in West Africa along the Atlantic Ocean coastline. It shares borders with Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, Guinea to the southeast, and Guinea-Bissau to the southwest.

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The first-ever sea shipment of botanical-infused, ready-to-cook millet functional foods from Karnataka was exported to New Zealand. The 1-metric-tonne consignment was flagged off on 3 June 2026. The export was facilitated by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. The products were developed by Infini Agrotek LLP. The initiative promotes India’s shift from exporting raw grains to value-added functional foods.

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The European Union and countries like Germany, Greece, and the Netherlands have joined the Pax Silica initiative. Pax Silica is a US-led global initiative aimed at reducing dependence on China in AI-related supply chains. The initiative focuses on securing access to chips, rare earths, critical minerals, and energy resources. It seeks to build a trusted and resilient global supply network for artificial intelligence technologies. Several other countries, including Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Kazakhstan, Panama, and India, are also part of the initiative.