General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - April 2025

Apr 2025

Mar 28, 2026

Jaishankar to attend G7 Foreign Ministers meeting in France on 26–27 March 2026

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will travel to Abbaye des-Vaux-de-Cernay, France, on 26–27 March 2026 to participate in the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, invited by France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot. Jaishankar is expected to hold bilateral discussions with counterparts on the sidelines. The meeting, hosted in the French countryside, will address global security, climate, and economic issues, among others. The engagement reflects India's active role in multilateral diplomacy and its efforts to strengthen ties with partner nations in a volatile regional and global context.

Jaishankar to attend G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting on 26–27 March 2026.
Venue: Abbaye des-Vaux-de-Cernay, France; invitation from Jean-Noël Barrot.
Bilateral talks expected with multiple counterparts on the sidelines.
Meeting addresses security, climate, and economic issues.
Demonstrates India's growing role in international diplomacy.

Balendra Shah to be sworn in as Nepal PM on 27 March 2026; youngest leader from Madhes region

Balendra Shah, leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, is set to be sworn in as Nepal's Prime Minister on Friday, 27 March 2026, at 12:34 PM local time inside Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu. The 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician will become Nepal's youngest prime minister and the first from the Madhes region to hold the post. Shah's ascent follows a landslide victory for the RSP in the March 5 parliamentary election, signaling a shift in Nepali politics amid ongoing uncertainty. Observers view this as a mandate for anti-establishment reform and stronger governance, with potential implications for regional diplomacy and domestic policy.

Balendra Shah to be sworn in as Nepal PM on 27 March 2026 at 12:34 PM.
Venue: President's Office, Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu.
Shah is 35 and the youngest Nepal PM; first from Madhes region.
RSP won a landslide in the March 5 poll.
Observers cite demand for anti-establishment reform and governance improvements.

Mar 27, 2026

BBC appoints Matt Brittin as new Director-General, effective 18 May 2026

BBC has appointed Matt Brittin as the new Director-General, with the role taking effect from 18 May 2026. The 57-year-old former Google executive spent nearly two decades at Google and served as President for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). His appointment comes as the BBC faces major challenges, including a high-profile defamation lawsuit by Donald Trump and ongoing debates over its funding model. Brittin’s track record in building digital ecosystems and leading large tech-led organizations signals a shift toward digital and global media transformation at the BBC. He succeeds Tim Davie, who stepped down earlier, and will lead the corporation through a period of strategic reform.

Matt Brittin named as BBC Director-General; will take office on 18 May 2026.
57-year-old former Google executive; led Google’s EMEA region.
BBC faces Trump defamation lawsuit and funding-model debates.
Appointment signals shift toward digital and global media strategy.
Succeeds Tim Davie; leadership transition during reform period.

Mar 25, 2026

Iran appoints Zolghadr as head of SNSC amid regional tensions

Iran has appointed Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as the head of its Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), replacing senior leader Ali Larijani who was killed in ongoing regional conflict. Zolghadr is a veteran figure in Iran’s security establishment, having served as Secretary of the Expediency Discernment Council. He has also held roles in the interior ministry and judiciary, with experience in strategic security and crime prevention. The appointment comes as Iran navigates heightened tensions in West Asia and a reconfiguration of its security leadership. Analysts expect Zolghadr to influence policy decisions on security, diplomacy and crisis management going forward.

New SNSC head: Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr
Predecessor: Ali Larijani (killed amid regional conflict)
Background: veteran IRGC figure; former Expediency Discernment Council secretary
Context: ongoing regional tensions in West Asia
Implication: potential shifts in Iran’s security and diplomacy

Mar 24, 2026

Japan uncovers massive deep-sea rare earth deposit

Japan has identified a vast deep-sea deposit of rare earth elements nearly 6,000 metres below the Pacific Ocean near Minamitorishima. Described as a rare earth giant, the discovery includes more than 16 million tonnes of rare earth-rich mud, with critical elements such as yttrium and dysprosium. If confirmed, the resource could reshape global supply security for magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and advanced electronics, potentially meeting global demand for hundreds of years. The finding raises strategic and environmental considerations for offshore mining and influences the geopolitics of critical minerals.

Location: Near Minamitorishima, Pacific Ocean
Resource: Rare earth elements; 16 million tonnes
Key elements: Yttrium, dysprosium
Potential impact: Global supply security for magnets
Implications: geopolitics and environmental considerations

Mar 23, 2026

Pakistan Tops Global Terrorism Index 2026 Amid Rising Violence

Pakistan topped the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026, reflecting rising violence. The Institute for Economics and Peace report cites 1,139 deaths and 1,045 incidents in 2025, the highest since 2013, earning Pakistan a GTI score of 8.57 and returning it to the top rank. Analysts attribute the surge to militant activity by groups such as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Balochistan Liberation Army, alongside regional instability and cross-border tensions. The findings highlight ongoing security challenges in South Asia and stress the need for regional cooperation to counter extremism and promote stability.

GTI 2026 ranks Pakistan as top terrorism-affected country.
2025 data: 1,139 deaths and 1,045 incidents.
GTI score: 8.57, highest since 2013.
Attribution to TTP and BLA activity and regional instability.
Calls for greater regional cooperation to counter extremism.

Lipulekh Pass Trade to Resume Between India and China

Lipulekh Pass trade, linking India with Tibet, is expected to resume in June, reviving a long-standing Himalayan border trade route. The re-opening aims to boost commerce and people-to-people links in Uttarakhand’s Kumaon region, near Nepal and China. Lipulekh trade has historically complemented other passes such as Shipki La and Nathu La, and the renewed engagement reflects broader border-dialogue efforts. Officials emphasise smoother movement for local traders, streamlined customs, and a renewed border-management framework as part of broader diplomacy with neighbouring nations to strengthen regional connectivity and economic ties.

Lipulekh Pass trade to resume in June 2026.
Aims to boost commerce in Uttarakhand’s Kumaon region.
Intended to complement Shipki La and Nathu La passes.
Focus on easier trader movement, customs and border management.
Part of broader India-China diplomatic engagement to enhance connectivity.

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

June GK, May GK, April GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services And Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26