International Current Affairs MCQs

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China has officially revealed new territorial claims in the northern Gulf of Tonkin, a shared area with Vietnam. The crescent-shaped Gulf, located in the South China Sea, borders Vietnam’s northwestern coast, China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and the Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan Island. Known as “Beibu Gulf” in Chinese and “Bac Bo Gulf” in Vietnamese, it connects with the South China Sea and Hainan Strait. Notably, the Gulf of Tonkin gained historical significance due to the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Incident during the Vietnam War.

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In March 2024, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appointed Mohammad Mustafa as the new prime minister of Palestine. Mustafa is a political independent and economist who has been educated in the United States. He is the economic advisor to Abbas. Mustafa will lead a technocratic government in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which could potentially administer Gaza before the state becomes independent.

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The US, UK, and Australia have formed a new pact to construct Australia’s SSN-AUKUS submarines, marking a milestone in defense cooperation. ASC and BAE Systems will build the submarines, equipped for intelligence, surveillance, and undersea warfare. SSN-AUKUS will enhance industrial collaboration, bolster collective capacity, and spur economic growth in defense sectors. AUKUS aims to fortify a robust submarine industrial base across the three nations, ensuring production and maintenance capabilities

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Following Leo Varadkar’s departure, Simon Harris emerges as the sole candidate for Ireland’s next prime minister. At 37, he became youngest Prime Ministry in history. Harris, a Fine Gael stalwart since youth, held various party roles. As former health minister, he led Ireland’s COVID-19 response. Now, as minister of education, he’s primed for leadership.

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Thailand issues warning following an anthrax outbreak in Laos. Anthrax is a severe infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis bacteria, also known as malignant pustule or woolsorter’s disease. It’s naturally found in soil and affects both domestic and wild animals globally. Anthrax is zoonotic, transferring from animals to humans. The FDA has approved BioThrax and Cyfendus vaccines for prevention.

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Documents obtained through an RTI application by Tamil Nadu’s BJP chief K. Annamalai reveal India’s inconsistent approach to the Katchatheevu island dispute with Sri Lanka. Katchatheevu, a small island in the Palk Strait, lacks a permanent settlement and freshwater source. Administered by both India and Sri Lanka historically, a 1974 agreement marked its boundary. Indian fishermen, particularly from Tamil Nadu, face challenges due to conflicting claims over the island.

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Sierra Leone’s President has declared a national emergency on substance abuse due to the surge in the use of the dangerous synthetic drug “kush.” The tropical West African country, bordered by Guinea, Liberia, and the Atlantic Ocean, faces this challenge. Its landscape comprises lightly wooded hills and mangrove swamps along the coast, with major rivers like the Rokel, Taia, Moa, and Sewa flowing through its terrain.

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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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Zimbabwean scientist innovates by converting carbon dioxide into valuable fuels, aiming to reduce emissions. Their research focuses on creating materials to capture and convert CO2 from fossil fuel burning into energy sources like formic acid and methanol. Formic acid, derived from carbon monoxide and alcohol with a catalyst, is utilized across industries including pharmaceuticals, textiles, and food processing. It’s naturally present in ants and is a colorless liquid with a sharp odor.

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Bjarni Benediktsson replaces Katrín Jakobsdóttir as Iceland’s new PM as she resigns for presidential run. Benediktsson, former foreign minister, assumes office after Jakobsdóttir’s six-year tenure. The conservative Independence party, focusing on business and trade, forms an agreement with governing partners: the Progressive party and Left-Greens. They prioritize political stability under Benediktsson’s leadership, aiming for continuity in governance.