International Current Affairs MCQs

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On 18 December 2025, King Tupou VI appointed Lord Fakafanua (age 40) as Tonga’s 20th Prime Minister during a private audience at the Royal Palace, Nuku’alofa. Lord Fakafanua, representing Noble’s Representative, Ha’apai 1, won the secret ballot 16–10 among elected MPs. The secret ballot ensures voting confidentiality, as per the Constitution. The appointment marks a continuation of constitutional procedures and emphasizes balancing loyalty and competence in Cabinet selection.

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Pakistan has commissioned its second MILGEM-class corvette, Pakistan Naval Ship (PNS) Khaibar, enhancing its naval surface combat capabilities and marking a key milestone in bilateral defence cooperation with Turkiye. PNS Khaibar is a multipurpose corvette equipped with advanced command and control systems, modern weapons, and sophisticated sensors, enabling surveillance, reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, surface combat, and maritime security operations. PNS Khaibar is the second ship, following PNS Babur, which was delivered in 2023. MILGEM-class corvettes are designed for multipurpose naval operations, reflecting growing strategic ties between Islamabad and Ankara in defence manufacturing and technology.

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China recently launched large-scale live-fire military drills around Taiwan named “Justice Mission 2025”. The drills involved warships, destroyers, frigates, fighter jets, bombers, drones and rocket forces. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) conducted live-fire training on maritime targets north and southwest of Taiwan. Taiwan detected 89 Chinese aircraft and drones, with 67 entering its response area. China called the drills a warning against Taiwanese independence and foreign interference. The drills are China’s sixth major war games around Taiwan since 2022.

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The European Union has started implementing the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), affecting steel and aluminium exporters. This adds pressure on Indian metal exporters already facing a 50% duty on exports to the United States. Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) was introduced by the European Union. It is an import duty on goods produced outside Europe, based on carbon emissions during production. CBAM targets products made using carbon-intensive processes compared to EU climate standards. CBAM is in a transitional phase from 2023 to 2025 and will be fully implemented in 2026. It currently covers steel, aluminium, cement, electricity, fertilisers and selected other products.

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Bulgaria recently became the 21st member of the Eurozone, moving closer to full European integration. Bulgaria is located in southeastern Europe on the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. It shares borders with Romania, Turkey, Greece, North Macedonia, and Serbia, and has a maritime boundary with the Black Sea. The capital city of Bulgaria is Sofia.

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OPEC+ has agreed in principle to maintain steady oil output despite political tensions among key members and growing geopolitical uncertainty. OPEC+ is an alliance of major oil-exporting countries formed in 2016 as an extension of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). OPEC+ works together to adjust crude oil production and ensure stability in the global oil market. The headquarters of OPEC is located in Vienna, Austria.

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The Adani Group has started the 570 megawatt (MW) Wangchhu Hydro Electricity Project in Bhutan. It is a run-of-river hydropower project on the Wangchu River in Chukha district, Bhutan. The Wangchu River, called Raidāk River in India, is a tributary of the Brahmaputra River. The project is developed by Wangchhu Hydroelectric Power Limited (WHPL). WHPL is a joint venture of Adani Power Limited (APL) and Druk Green Power Corporation Limited (DGPC). DGPC holds 51% stake and APL holds 49%. The ₹6,000 crore project follows the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model.

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India’s External Affairs Minister joined India’s first engagement with the Weimar Triangle alongside France, Poland, and Germany. The Weimar Triangle is a regional political grouping of France, Germany, and Poland. It was formed on 29 August 1991 through a joint declaration at Weimar in Germany. Its aim was to involve France in German–Polish reconciliation using Franco-German experience. It seeks to strengthen political dialogue and cooperation among the three countries.

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The United States carried out large-scale airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria under Operation Hawkeye. The strikes followed an ISIS ambush in Palmyra that killed two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter. Operation Hawkeye is a US-led counter-terrorism mission using air and precision strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Syria. The operation was launched by the United States under President Donald Trump and executed through US Central Command (CENTCOM) in December 2025. Its aims are to avenge the Palmyra attack, degrade ISIS networks, prevent regrouping, protect US and coalition forces, and signal that attacks on US personnel will face direct retaliation.

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Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) appointed Shaya Mohsen Zindani as the new Prime Minister. The appointment follows the resignation of former Prime Minister Salem bin Breik in mid-January 2026. The change is part of ongoing government restructuring led by the council amid political challenges. The leadership transition occurs as the country continues complex negotiations over governance, including talks with southern separatists. The new Prime Minister is tasked with stabilising state institutions and navigating Yemen’s ongoing political dynamics.