Current Affairs
The Khorramshahr-4 (Kheibar) ballistic missile, which Iran reportedly used in recent March 2026 operations, is best known for which unique feature in its arsenal?
A.
It is Iran's only solid-fuel intercontinental missile
B.
It carries the heaviest warhead (approx. 1,500 kg) of any Iranian MRBM
C.
It is a short-range missile used exclusively for naval combat
D.
It was developed in collaboration with the European Union
Explanation:
The Khorramshahr-4 (or Kheibar) is a Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) with a range of 2,000 km. Its defining characteristic is its massive payload capacity—carrying a warhead weighing between 1,500 and 1,800 kg. This makes it one of the most destructive conventional weapons in Iran's inventory, designed to cause significant structural damage to hardened targets like airbases.
President Tokayev’s visit to Pakistan in February 2026 was particularly significant because it was the first visit by a Kazakh head of state to the country in how many years?
A.
5 years
B.
10 years
C.
15 years
D.
23 years
Explanation:
The visit was hailed as a "historic milestone" because it ended a 23-year gap in visits by a Kazakh President to Pakistan. The engagement was packed with practical outcomes, including the signing of 37 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and a commitment to finalize a $7 billion rail connectivity project designed to link Central Asia to the Pakistani ports of Gwadar and Karachi via Afghanistan.
During his state visit on 3–4 February 2026, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a landmark "Joint Declaration" with Pakistan. What was the core status established by this document?
A.
Strategic Partnership
B.
Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
C.
Non-Aggression Pact
D.
Joint Military Command
Explanation:
During high-level talks in Islamabad, President Tokayev and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed a Joint Declaration on Establishing a Strategic Partnership. This visionary document elevates bilateral ties from a friendly partnership to a deep, project-oriented alliance focused on security, defense, and high-level political dialogue.
In February 2026, Pakistan’s security forces successfully concluded which major counter-terrorism operation in Balochistan?
A.
Operation Zarb-e-Azb
B.
Operation Radd-ul-Fasad
C.
Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-1
D.
Operation Ghazab-e-Ilahi
Explanation:
Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-1 was a targeted military offensive launched in late 2025 and concluded in February 2026. It focused on specific pockets of Balochistan where intelligence suggested a resurgence of militant activity. The operation was named to signify the "elimination of mischief/strife" within the province's borders.
Who was appointed as Pakistan's Ambassador to Afghanistan in February 2026, replacing Ubaidur Rehman Nizamani?
A.
Tahir Hussain Andrabi
B.
Dr. Syed Asad Ali Gilani
C.
Bilal Ahmad
D.
Mudassir Tipu
Explanation:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the appointment of Dr. Syed Asad Ali Gilani (formerly an Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) as Pakistan's Ambassador to Afghanistan on February 8, 2026. He replaced Ubaidur Rehman Nizamani, who was reassigned to serve as Pakistan's Ambassador to Sweden. This transition occurred during a period of high tension between the two neighbors.
Which country maintained its position as the world's least corrupt nation for the 12th time in the last 13 years, according to the 2025 CPI?
A.
Finland
B.
Singapore
C.
Denmark
D.
New Zealand
Explanation:
The 2025 CPI (covering 182 countries) ranked Denmark first with a score of 89. Denmark’s consistent top ranking is attributed to its high levels of accountability, strong public institutions, and robust anti-corruption frameworks. It was followed closely by Finland (88) and Singapore (84).
The Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers held in Jeddah in early 2026 primarily focused on which urgent regional issue?
A.
The expansion of the BRICS alliance
B.
The normalization of trade relations with the Taliban
C.
The establishment of a new Islamic space agency
D.
Ongoing Israeli aggressions against the Palestinian people
Explanation:
The session was convened at the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah to address the deteriorating situation in Gaza and the West Bank. The ministers discussed the implementation of the 20-point peace plan and the role of the newly established "Board of Peace" in coordinating international aid and reconstruction for the Palestinian territories.
On 17 February 2026, Tarique Rahman was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, ending a 35-year streak of what specific political trend in the country?
A.
Direct military rule
B.
Female-led governments (the "Battle of the Begums")
C.
Rule by a single-party interim council
D.
Governance without a constitution
Explanation:
Tarique Rahman's inauguration on 17 February 2026 was a historic demographic shift. He became the first male Prime Minister of Bangladesh in 35 years. Since 1991, the office had been held exclusively by either his mother, Khaleda Zia, or her rival, Sheikh Hasina—a period often referred to as the "Battle of the Begums."
In February 2026, which country officially added WhatsApp to its list of "prohibited information resources," leading to a nationwide block of the service?
A.
Russia
B.
China
C.
Brazil
D.
Turkey
Explanation:
Following years of tension, Russia officially blocked WhatsApp in early February 2026. While other Meta platforms like Facebook and Instagram were banned much earlier (2022), WhatsApp had remained available as a "non-political" tool until the introduction of "Channels," which Russian authorities claimed were being used to spread anti-government sentiment.
Rob Jetten, who assumed office as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands on 23 February 2026, made history by becoming the youngest-ever Dutch PM at what age?
A.
34 years old
B.
36 years old
C.
41 years old
D.
38 years old
Explanation:
Rob Jetten was formally sworn in by King Willem-Alexander at Huis ten Bosch Palace on 23 February 2026. At 38 years old, he broke the record to become the youngest Prime Minister in the history of the Netherlands.
The New START treaty, which expired on 5 February 2026, was the last remaining major nuclear arms control agreement between which two nations?
A.
USA and Russia
B.
Russia and China
C.
USA and China
D.
USA and North Korea
Explanation:
The New START treaty was signed in 2010 and went into effect in 2011. It served as the cornerstone of nuclear stability between the United States and Russia, the world's two largest nuclear powers. Its expiration on 5 February 2026 marks the first time since 1972 that the two nations are not bound by mutual, verifiable limits on their nuclear arsenals.
In February 2026, Elon Musk became the first person in history to surpass which net worth milestone according to Forbes?
A.
$500 billion
B.
$700 billion
C.
$800 billion
D.
$1 trillion
Explanation:
Global wealth records were rewritten in early 2026 as Elon Musk's net worth climbed to an estimated $839 billion ($852 billion according to some trackers). This made him the richest individual ever recorded on the Forbes Billionaires List, roughly tripling the wealth of the second-ranked person, Larry Page.
Whom did Carlos Alcaraz defeat in the 2026 Australian Open final, ending that player's perfect 10–0 record in Melbourne finals?
A.
Jannik Sinner
B.
Rafael Nadal
C.
Novak Djokovic
D.
Alexander Zverev
Explanation:
The final was a historic "passing of the torch" moment. Prior to 2026, Novak Djokovic had never lost an Australian Open final, holding a perfect 10–0 record. Alcaraz’s victory handed the 38-year-old Serb his first-ever defeat in a Melbourne title match and denied him a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.
After winning the Australian Open in February 2026, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest male player in history to achieve which milestone?
A.
Win 30 consecutive ATP matches
B.
Complete a Career Grand Slam
C.
Reach 50 career titles
D.
Win an Olympic Gold Medal
Explanation:
With his victory at the 2026 Australian Open, Alcaraz (at age 22) completed the Career Grand Slam, meaning he has now won all four major titles (US Open 2022/2025, Wimbledon 2023/2024, French Open 2024/2025, and Australian Open 2026). He is the youngest man to achieve this feat, surpassing the record previously held by Rafael Nadal.
On 2 February 2026, Haji Ali Madad Jattak was sworn in as the Provincial Minister for which key department in Balochistan?
A.
Finance Department
B.
Home and Tribal Affairs Department
C.
Agriculture and Cooperative Department
D.
Health Department
Explanation:
Haji Ali Madad Jattak, a prominent leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), took his oath of office on 2 February 2026 at the Governor House in Quetta. The oath was administered by Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail. As the new Home Minister, Jattak is now responsible for overseeing internal security, law and order, and provincial policing during a period of significant counter-terrorism operations in the province.
With the addition of the Rawalpindi franchise in February 2026, how many total teams now compete in the PSL?
A.
6
B.
7
C.
8
D.
10
Explanation:
The 2026 edition saw the league jump from six to eight teams for the first time in its history. The two new entrants were the Hyderabad Kingsmen (7th team) and the Rawalpindi Pindiz (8th team). This expansion resulted in a revised tournament format with 44 total matches played across six cities, including new venues in Faisalabad and Peshawar.
Which two nations are set to co-host the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup featuring 20 participating teams?
A.
USA and West Indies
B.
Australia and New Zealand
C.
India and Sri Lanka
D.
England and Wales
Explanation:
The 2026 tournament is the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup. It will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February and March 2026. This follows the 20-team expansion that began in the 2024 edition to increase global representation in cricket.
Of the total $17 billion pledged during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in February 2026, which country committed the largest individual share of $10 billion?
A.
United States
B.
Saudi Arabia
C.
United Arab Emirates
D.
Qatar
Explanation:
During the first official meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington, D.C., a total of $17 billion was pledged for Gaza's reconstruction. The United States committed $10 billion, while the remaining $7 billion was collectively pledged by nine other nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and Kazakhstan. This funding is intended for emergency relief and long-term rebuilding of infrastructure destroyed during the conflict.
What is the primary reason cited for the complete withdrawal of the remaining 1,000 U.S. troops from Syria by the Trump administration in 2026?
A.
A total defeat of the Syrian government by rebel forces
B.
The integration of the Kurdish-led SDF into the Syrian army and the state's role in counter-terrorism
C.
A direct military order from the United Nations
D.
The discovery of new oil fields in neighboring Jordan
Explanation:
The withdrawal is part of a "conditions-based" transition. Washington concluded that a large-scale presence was no longer required because the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)—the U.S.'s long-time partners—reached an agreement to integrate into the Syrian national army. Furthermore, the new Syrian government, led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, formally joined the anti-ISIS coalition, leading the U.S. to believe the local government is now capable of managing counter-terrorism efforts.
On February 25, 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that a specific Iranian refusal was a "big, big problem" for diplomacy. What was Iran refusing to discuss?
A.
The release of maritime vessels
B.
Humanitarian aid corridors
C.
Its ballistic missile program
D.
The price of global oil exports
Explanation:
Marco Rubio emphasized that while Iran was willing to discuss its nuclear program, its insistence on excluding ballistic missiles from the negotiations made a diplomatic solution nearly impossible, as these missiles could eventually reach the U.S. mainland.
In February 2026, which neutral nation served as the host for high-level diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran?
A.
Oman
B.
Qatar
C.
Norway
D.
Switzerland
Explanation:
Switzerland has a long-standing history as a neutral intermediary and often represents U.S. interests in Iran through its "protecting power" mandate, making it the primary venue for these sensitive 2026 talks.
Which country finished at the top of the 2026 Winter Olympics medal table, setting a new record for the most gold medals won at a single Winter Games?
A.
Norway
B.
United States
C.
Italy
D.
Germany
Explanation:
Norway dominated the 2026 Milano Cortina Games, finishing first with a total of 41 medals. They set an all-time Winter Olympic record by winning 18 gold medals, surpassing their own previous record of 16 golds from the 2022 Games. The United States followed in second place with 12 golds.
Which term does the Pakistani government use during Operation Ghazab lil-Haq to refer to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)?
A.
The Northern Alliance
B.
The Mujahideen Council
C.
The Khorasan Group
D.
Fitna al-Khawarij
Explanation:
The Pakistani state refers to the TTP as “Fitna al-Khawarij” to undermine its religious claims. During the operation, the government said its strikes targeted the group and its facilitators inside Afghanistan. By mid-March 2026, officials reported heavy losses to the TTP and supporting Afghan Taliban units, including the destruction of hundreds of checkpoints and armored vehicles.
In Bangladesh, Which political party secured a landslide victory in the 13th National Parliament Election held on 12 February 2026?
A.
Awami League
B.
Jatiya Party
C.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)
D.
National Citizen Party (NCP)
Explanation:
The 2026 election was the first national vote since the July 2024 uprising that ended the 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, won a commanding two-thirds majority, securing over 200 seats. Notably, the former ruling party, the Awami League, was banned from participating, making the election a primary contest between the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance.
Which significant political figure was reported killed during the initial wave of strikes on February 28?
A.
The President of Israel
B.
The U.S. Secretary of Defense
C.
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
D.
The Prime Minister of Iraq
Explanation:
The February 28 attack included a “decapitation strike” that killed Ali Khamenei. Reports say the strike was timed to hit him before he could move to a secure location. His death has disrupted Iran’s political system, triggering a scramble for succession and immediate retaliatory strikes across the region.