International Current Affairs MCQs

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Mauritius has become the first African country and the fourth globally to sign a Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with the International Solar Alliance (ISA). The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a global platform that promotes solar energy cooperation among member countries. The CPF offers a structured plan for long- and medium-term collaboration on solar projects aligned with Mauritius’s national goals. This agreement aims to speed up clean energy transition through joint solar initiatives. A Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) will be created to suit Mauritius’s energy needs.

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India and Italy recently agreed to strengthen strategic cooperation in trade, defence, clean energy, and high technology. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) is a transport and trade infrastructure project connecting India, the Middle East, and Europe. It was launched through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by India, the European Union (EU), France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States (US) during the G20 Summit 2023 in New Delhi. IMEEC is part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), introduced at the G7 Summit 2021 in the United Kingdom.

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China is set to unveil the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, the world’s highest bridge. The suspension bridge is under construction in Zhenfeng County, Guizhou Province, located 800 miles west of Shenzhen. Guizhou is known for impressive structures, with nearly half of the top 100 tallest bridges in the world situated there. The bridge will stand 625 meters (2,051 feet) above Beipan River, 200 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower. It will surpass the Millau Viaduct in France, which held the record at 343 meters (1,125 feet). The bridge is 2,890 meters (9,482 feet) long and weighs 22,000 tons.

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The Iranian government declared a day of national mourning on April 28 following a deadly blast at Shahid Rajaee port. The explosion occurred when a fuel tanker detonated at the port near Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan Province. The blast resulted in 28 deaths and over 1,200 injuries. The oil facilities at the port were not affected by the blast.

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Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is working to convince President Donald Trump’s administration to continue vital funding by emphasizing that a donation would benefit the US vaccine industry. Gavi is an independent public-private partnership created in 2000 to improve access to new and underused vaccines for children in the world’s poorest countries. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, Gavi unites public and private sectors to ensure equal access to vaccines for all children. It includes governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, vaccine manufacturers, and private philanthropists. Gavi provides financial support, technical expertise, and market-shaping efforts to help lower vaccine costs.

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Kamla Persad-Bissessar has been elected as the next Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago after her party, United National Congress, won the parliamentary elections. This marks a strong comeback for the 73-year-old leader who earlier served as Prime Minister from 2010 to 2015. She remains the only woman ever to have led the Caribbean nation. Trinidad and Tobago is a twin-island country in the Caribbean with its capital at Port of Spain.

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Global defence spending is rising fast due to uncertainty and rapid technology growth. As per Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), military expenditure reached $2.718 trillion in 2024, a 9.4% rise from 2023. China has the largest active military force with 2,035,000 personnel in 2025, according to Global Firepower. India ranks second with about 1,455,550 active personnel, showing strong defence strength and rising South Asian influence. The United States of America stands third with 1,328,000 troops, slightly reduced due to more focus on tech-based defence. Russia and Ukraine boosted troop numbers since 2022 due to ongoing conflict between them.

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Angola signed the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement and became its 123rd member during President Joao Lourenco’s visit to India. This visit coincided with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and Angola. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a defence Line of Credit of 200 million US dollars to support Angola’s armed forces. India and Angola will work together to develop Angola’s new oil fields and set up onshore and offshore refineries. New cooperation areas include diamond processing, pharmaceuticals, automobile components, and digital infrastructure. Three agreements were signed on ayurveda, agriculture, and culture.

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On May 5, 2025, Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) appointed Salem Saleh Bin Braik as the new Prime Minister. This follows the sudden resignation of Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, who stepped down due to constitutional limits and lack of power to implement key reforms. The leadership change is significant as Yemen continues to struggle with civil war and economic crisis. Salem Bin Braik has served as Finance Minister since 2019 and previously held the post of Vice Finance Minister along with other administrative roles. He was appointed just hours after bin Mubarak resigned.

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Recently, Cambodia and China launched their largest-ever Golden Dragon joint military exercise. Golden Dragon is a yearly bilateral military drill between China and Cambodia started in 2016 to boost strategic and defense cooperation. The 2025 edition focuses on joint counter-terrorism operations and humanitarian relief, showcasing peace and capacity-building goals. It is being held at the Ream Naval Base in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, which was inaugurated in April 2025 with the arrival of Chinese warships. The exercise includes high-tech tools like reconnaissance and attack drones, surgical robots, and robot dogs, showing a move towards tech-driven warfare.