International Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
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.

Notes:
India and Croatia convened their 11th Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi. Discussions encompassed regional and global concerns, emphasizing bilateral relations’ enhancement in trade, defense, science, tourism, and culture. Cultural and people-to-people exchanges were underscored. Indian Secretary Pavan Kapoor and Croatian Director General Dr. Petar Mihatov led the respective delegations. They also deliberated on international cooperation, emphasizing the India-EU Free Trade Agreement’s timely conclusion.

Notes:
The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) proposes reclassifying marijuana from Schedule-I to Schedule-III, less tightly regulated. President Biden’s suggestion aims to align marijuana regulation with its medical potential, contrasting with Schedule-I categorization alongside heroin and LSD. Despite pending scrutiny by White House Officials and public commentary, the move signals a shift toward acknowledging marijuana’s therapeutic benefits backed by scientific evidence.

Notes:
José Raúl Mulino, 64, wins Panama’s presidential election with nearly 35% of votes and a 9% lead over rivals. Outgoing president, Laurentino Cortizo, congratulates him. The election, held on May 5, 2024, saw Mulino stand in for Ricardo Martinelli, who faced legal troubles. Mulino, supported by Martinelli’s party, acknowledges his assistance. Martinelli fled after a money laundering conviction. Elections also chose parliament and local governments for the next five years.

Notes:
India pledges $1 million in humanitarian aid to Kenya to alleviate the aftermath of deadly floods, claiming 267 lives and displacing over 380,000 people. The assistance includes 22 tons of supplies like tents, blankets, and hygiene kits, dispatched via an Indian Air Force plane. Additionally, 18 tons of medical aid, including life-saving drugs and surgical equipment, aim to address urgent healthcare needs of flood-affected Kenyans.

Notes:
William Lai Ching-te was sworn in as president of Taiwan, accompanied by a 21-gun salute. He praised Taiwan’s democracy and called on China to end its intimidation. Lai and Vice President Hsia Bi-khim took their oaths beneath a portrait of Sun Yat-sen, the Republic of China’s founder, in a ceremony at the presidential building in Taipei.

Notes:
Norway, Ireland, and Spain recently granted statehood status to Palestine. In response, Israel recalled its ambassadors from Norway and Ireland. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced that the official declaration will be made on May 28.

Notes:
The strongest earthquake in decades recently hit Italy’s Campi Flegrei supervolcano region. Campi Flegrei, located near Naples, is an active volcanic system with multiple centers in a 12-15 km caldera formed 39,000 years ago. Unlike Mount Vesuvius, it is more active and expansive, with a third under the Tyrrhenian Sea. The last eruption in 1538 created Monte Nuovo. Restless since 1950, it poses significant geological risks.

Notes:
The Philippines court revoked biosafety permits for commercial GM golden rice and Bt eggplant, sparking international debate. Advocates warn of dire consequences for vitamin A deficient children, while critics highlight safety concerns. Golden rice, engineered for higher iron, zinc, and beta-carotene levels, gained approval in 2021, opposed by groups like Greenpeace and local farmers. The decision reflects ongoing tensions between GM crops’ potential benefits and safety considerations.

Notes:
South Korea plans a Mars landing by 2045, investing 100 trillion won ($72.6 billion) in space exploration. President Yoon Suk Yeol announced this at the launch of the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), which aims to boost South Korea into the top five space powers. KASA will support the aerospace industry, with the first lunar lander planned for 2032. South Korea also plans at least three more space launches by 2027.