International Current Affairs MCQs

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Romania and Bulgaria have partially joined the Schengen Area, marking a significant step in their integration with the European Union. After years of negotiations, air and sea travelers from both countries now have ID-check-free access. However, land border checks persist, notably due to Austria’s concerns over illegal migration. The Schengen Area, established in 1985, encompasses 23 EU states plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Prior to this expansion, around 3.5 million people crossed internal borders daily.

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Peter Pellegrini, backed by Slovakia’s nationalist-left government, wins the presidential election, defeating liberal Ivan Korčok. With 53.85% of the vote, Pellegrini pledges to maintain Slovakia’s peace stance. He becomes the sixth president since independence in 1993, succeeding Zuzana Čaputová. As president, Pellegrini will appoint the prime minister, swear in the government, and influence judicial appointments. His victory signifies a shift towards state interventionism. The new government halts weapon exports to Ukraine.

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India gains approval from the Ministry of External Affairs to manage its second overseas port, Sittwe in Myanmar, following Chabahar in Iran. Sittwe, situated at the Kaladan River’s mouth in Rakhine State, Myanmar, is developed under the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP), supported by India’s grant aid. This strategic move is poised to amplify trade prospects for India’s Northeast, fostering enhanced commerce between India and Myanmar.

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Ahmad Abdullah al-Ahmad al-Sabah is appointed as Kuwait’s new Prime Minister by the Emir, succeeding Sheikh Mohammed Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah. This follows the election of Kuwait’s fourth parliament since December 2020. With a background in finance and government, Sheikh Ahmad held various key positions including Minister of Finance and Chairman of Burgan Bank. Kuwait’s political system prohibits parties but allows a relatively open environment, with the Emir holding ultimate authority.

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The Higher School of Economics in Russia and the University of Delhi signed a strategic cooperation agreement, establishing a joint research hub. New Delhi hosted the Indo-Russian Education Summit, a landmark event in bilateral relations, with 60 Russian universities participating from various regions. The summit aims to enhance educational ties and foster collaboration between India and Russia, marking a significant milestone in their partnership.

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The University of Washington’s Marine Cloud Brightening (MCB) program is assessing the efficacy of a geoengineering strategy that involves spraying tiny sea salt particles into marine clouds. The method is also known as marine cloud seeding or marine cloud engineering. The goal is to make clouds brighter, reflecting a small amount of incoming sunlight back into space. This would help offset global warming caused by humans.

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Australia’s National Defense Strategy 2024 designates India as a “top-tier security partner” in the Indo-Pacific Region (IPR), emphasizing practical cooperation. Both nations collaborate in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) with Japan and the US to address regional challenges. Bilaterally, they upgraded ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020, focusing on maritime cooperation and defense. Agreements like Mutual Logistics Support and AUSTRAHIND joint military exercises further deepen defense collaboration.

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Kuwait launched its inaugural Hindi radio broadcast on Apr 22, hailed by the Indian Embassy for fostering stronger ties between India and Kuwait. The Indian community, numbering around 1 million, constitutes Kuwait’s largest expatriate group, as reported by ANI. This move underscores the significance of Indian presence in Kuwait and reflects efforts to cater to the needs and interests of the expatriate population.

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Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) in Gandhinagar, India, and Starburst Aerospace of France have inked a significant memorandum of understanding (MoU) to boost innovation in aerospace, defence, and homeland security. This aligns with the India-France Strategic Partnership and includes the creation of a 100 million euros venture capital fund. Indian startups will also receive export promotion support. The collaboration extends to include Security and Scientific Technical Research Association (SASTRA), driving advancements in these sectors.

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China has launched the first of eight Hangor-class submarines for Pakistan under a defense agreement. Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group will construct four, while Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works will build the rest with technology transfer. The submarines boast advanced stealth, equipped with top-tier weapons and sensors to engage threats at stand-off ranges. Pakistan Navy recently inducted two Chinese Type 054 A/P frigates.