International Current Affairs MCQs

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Saudi Arabia is launching the “Dream of the Desert” train service in late 2025. The 800-mile trip will start in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital city, and travel northwest toward the border with Jordan. The route will pass through long stretches of scenic deserts and UNESCO World Heritage archeological sites.

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The US House of Representatives has bolstered the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) by passing legislation to strengthen ties among the member nations – USA, Australia, India, and Japan. The bill mandates the creation of an Intra-Parliamentary Working Group for regular discussions among lawmakers, fostering political exchanges. It also instructs the Biden Administration to submit a report for enhanced governmental coordination within 180 days, urging talks with partner countries within 60 days to establish a parliamentary group.

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The Philippines has made history as the first Asian country to ratify the Violence and Harassment Convention 2019 (No. 190) by the International Labor Organization. This significant step addresses workplace violence globally, underlining the nation’s commitment to fostering safe and respectful work environments. With this ratification, the Philippines joins 37 other nations in standing against workplace violence and harassment, marking a crucial milestone in the pursuit of safer workplaces worldwide.

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New Zealand is repealing its law that would have banned tobacco sales for future generations. The law was intended to prohibit individuals born after January 1, 2009, from purchasing cigarettes for their entire lives. Researchers and campaigners have warned of the risk that people could die as a result. Janet Hoek, a researcher at Otago University, stated that the repeal contradicts robust research evidence, disregards measures strongly advocated by Maori leaders and will perpetuate health inequities.

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Despite the recent India-Nepal agreement, the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project (PMP) discussions remain deadlocked. Established through the Mahakali Treaty in 1996, the PMP is a cross-border hydropower initiative on the Mahakali River. With the goal of enhancing energy production and irrigation in both nations, it features a 315-meter dam (Sharda in India), aiming to generate 6,480 MW equally shared. Additionally, it targets irrigating 130,000 hectares in Nepal and 240,000 hectares in Indian Territory.

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Hungary’s parliament named Tamás Sulyok as the new president after the previous head resigned amid a scandal over a contentious pardon in a child sexual abuse case. Sulyok, a 67-year-old lawyer and former head of Hungary’s Constitutional Court, assumed the presidency through a secret parliamentary vote, securing 134 votes in favor and five against.

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India signed the protocol for the establishment of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) with the Dominican Republic at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Santo Domingo. Ramu Abbagani, India’s ambassador to the Dominican Republic, and Roberto Álvarez, the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, signed the agreement. India and the Dominican Republic don’t currently have a bilateral institutional mechanism for trade and commerce. India primarily imports gold from the Dominican Republic, and exports pharmaceuticals, marine products, motor vehicles, and two and three wheelers to them.

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In March 2024, Iceland declared a state of emergency after a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The eruption site is located a few kilometers northeast of Grindavik, a coastal town about 50 km southwest of Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital. The eruption has sent orange lava streams into the sky at night. The eruption has also led to the evacuation of nearby areas, including the Blue Lagoon, a well-known tourist attraction.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made history by being the first non-Bhutanese to be honored with Bhutan’s highest civilian award, the ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’. During his two-day state visit to Thimphu, he received the prestigious award from Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. This lifetime achievement award is the apex of Bhutan’s honor system, with only four individuals, including Modi, having received it since its establishment.

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The India-led Group of Friends (GOF), comprising 40 member states, convened its second meeting to bolster accountability for crimes against peacekeepers. India launched a new database to record such crimes, hosted on the Unite Aware platform, aiming to facilitate analysis and drive effective strategies. Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj emphasized the GOF’s progress, especially in strengthening the rule of law within Mission areas, underscoring insights gained into challenges surrounding accountability.