International Current Affairs MCQs

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Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) commissioned two units of the 6×170 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project (PHEP-II) in Bhutan. PHEP-II was executed under an India-Bhutan bilateral agreement and is located in Wangdue district, Bhutan. BHEL has previously executed major projects in Bhutan, contributing to nearly 89% of the country’s installed capacity. BHEL is also working on the 6×200 MW Punatsangchhu-I project in Bhutan.

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Joseph Aoun, Lebanon’s army chief, was elected President on 9 January 2025, filling a two-year vacancy since Michel Aoun’s term ended. His election signals reduced influence of Hezbollah, following its war with Israel, and revived Saudi and international involvement in Lebanon. Aoun pledged to ensure state control over arms, rebuild areas affected by war, and prevent Israeli attacks. Aoun’s presidency aims to revive governance and tackle Lebanon’s economic crisis.

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Zoran Milanovic was re-elected as President of Croatia for a five-year term, securing 74% of the run-off vote. The first round of the presidential election on 29 December 2024 saw Milanovic win 49.1% of votes, necessitating a second round on 12 January 2025. Milanovic, backed by the opposition Social Democratic Party, is a critic of the EU and NATO but condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine while criticizing Western military support for Ukraine. The Croatian Democratic Union, the ruling party since 1991, had its candidate, Dragan Primorac, secure 19.2% of votes. The President in Croatia is the Head of State with limited executive powers, while the Prime Minister holds real executive authority. Croatia is located on the Balkan Peninsula along the Adriatic Sea.

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China has completed the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, the world’s longest expressway tunnel at 22.13 kilometers. It forms part of the Urumqi-Yuli Expressway, connecting northern Xinjiang to Yuli County, reducing travel time through the Tianshan Mountains from three hours to 20 minutes. The project faced challenges such as high-altitude conditions, complex geology, and environmental concerns near glaciers and water sources. This project supports China’s Belt and Road Initiative, fostering regional economic growth and integration.

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The M23 (March 23 Movement) is an armed rebel group operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in North Kivu province. It originated in 2012 from a faction of the Congolese army, citing grievances over a 2009 peace agreement. The group is involved in territorial seizures, driven by local ethnic tensions and international backing, with UN reports linking Rwanda’s support, including military involvement. M23 recently captured key areas like Minova and poses a threat to Goma, the provincial capital. DRC’s capital is Kinshasa, and it is traversed by the Congo River, Africa’s second-longest river.

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Britain will be the first country to introduce laws against Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools used to generate sexual abuse images of children. Possessing, creating, or distributing these AI tools will be punishable by up to 5 years in prison. It will also be illegal to possess AI paedophile manuals, punishable by up to 3 years. The law will criminalize websites promoting child abuse content with up to 10 years in prison. AI is making it easier for predators to manipulate images and groom children. 500,000 children in the UK face abuse each year, with online abuse increasing.

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Greece’s parliament elected Constantine Tassoulas as president, a largely ceremonial role. His nomination sparked protests over the 2023 train crash, as critics say parliament failed to investigate political responsibility. The judicial probe into the disaster is still ongoing. Tassoulas, 66, has been a lawmaker since 2000 and served as culture and deputy defense minister. He won 160 votes in the 300-seat parliament and will succeed Katerina Sakellaropoulou in March. His nomination is seen as strengthening Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ power amid rising opposition pressure. He will be sworn in on March 13.

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The UN launched the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative in 2022 to protect people from hazardous weather, water, and climate events through early warning systems by 2027. The initiative aims to safeguard vulnerable populations as climate-related disasters become more frequent and intense. In 2023, early warning systems received record-high funding, but its distribution remains uneven. 54% of national EWS investments are concentrated in five countries—China, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Indonesia. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) face significant funding gaps. The Global Observatory for Early Warning System Investments was launched in December 2024 by the WMO and UNDRR to track and optimize investments. As of February 12, 2025, the observatory tracks 329 projects across 127 countries, funded by institutions like the World Bank and Green Climate Fund.

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India and the USA launched the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) initiative for Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) during the Indian Prime Minister’s recent visit to the USA. UDA involves using technology and strategies to monitor underwater activities. India is the first country to collaborate with the U.S. on UDA technologies. The initiative strengthens regional security by detecting threats like piracy and terrorism. It also supports economic interests in the blue economy and environmental management, while enhancing India’s regional diplomacy and maritime cooperation.

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Bangladesh marks February 25 as National Military Martyrdom Day, announced by the interim government on February 23, 2025. The day commemorates the February 25-26, 2009 Pilkhana killings, where 74 military personnel, including 57 army officers, died in a failed mutiny by the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR). The mutineers looted weapons and attempted a coup but were crushed. The interim government, led by Prof. Muhammed Yunus, has ordered a fresh probe, led by A.L.M Fazlur Rahman, into the mutiny.