International Current Affairs MCQs

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China has started pre-service trials for its new high-speed train CR450, announced on October 21, 2025. The CR450 is hailed as the world’s fastest bullet train. During trials on the Shanghai–Chongqing–Chengdu high-speed railway line, it reached a top speed of 281 miles per hour (450 km/h). The CR450 marks a major step in China’s next-generation high-speed rail technology. It aims to improve travel efficiency and connectivity across major Chinese cities. Once operational, it will surpass the speed record of China’s current CR400 series trains.

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The 20th East Asia Summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, where the Kuala Lumpur Declaration was adopted. The declaration reaffirmed the commitment to peace, stability, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. It called for strategic trust and responsible, transparent, and predictable behaviour among member nations. The declaration stressed strong partnerships in regional and international affairs. It also highlighted the importance of information exchange on regional development, security policies, disaster management, and regional architecture discussions. The move strengthens the East Asia Summit’s role as a key platform for regional stability and dialogue.

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In October 2025, Paul Barthélemy Biya’a bi Mvondo, representing the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), won Cameroon’s 2025 Presidential Election with 53.7% votes, defeating Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who got 35.2% votes. This victory marked his eighth consecutive term as President. At 92 years, he became the world’s longest-serving and oldest President. He joined the Presidency of the Republic in 1962 and served as Secretary-General from 1968–1975. He became Prime Minister (PM) in 1975 and succeeded Ahmadou Ahidjo as President in 1982. In 2008, he removed presidential term limits, allowing indefinite re-elections.

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The Global Virus Network (GVN) has recently expanded by adding three new Centers of Excellence in the Americas. This move strengthens its global response to emerging viral threats. GVN is a voluntary consortium of virology laboratories and scientists working to prevent and control viral diseases worldwide. It represents over 25 countries with experts covering every class of human virus. No single institution can handle all viral areas, so GVN unites global expertise. It brings top medical virologists together to tackle major scientific problems. Its strength lies in global collaboration, deep research, and commitment to solving viral challenges.

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India has ended its military presence at the Ayni Airbase in Tajikistan after the bilateral agreement with Tajikistan expired around four years ago. The Ayni Airbase, located 10 km west of Dushanbe, was built in the Soviet era and later renovated by India. India spent around $100 million upgrading the base with runway extensions, shelters, fuel depots, and air traffic control facilities. Su-30MKI jets and around 200 Indian personnel from the Army and Air Force were once deployed there. All Indian personnel and equipment were withdrawn by 2022. The base initially supported the Northern Alliance in its fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

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In November 2025, Canada lost its measles elimination status due to ongoing outbreaks, as reported by international health experts. The country recorded 5,138 measles cases and two deaths in 2025; both fatalities were premature babies exposed in the womb. Measles elimination status is symbolic, showing a country has stopped continuous local transmission, though imported cases can still occur. Measles is highly contagious, causing high fever and rash, with serious complications like blindness and brain swelling, especially in young children and adults over 30. The disease is preventable through routine vaccination, but falling childhood immunisation rates contributed to the resurgence

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The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) launched the UN-endorsed “Integrity Matters Checklist” to help companies align their climate disclosures with UN standards for credible net-zero commitments. It was developed by GRI in partnership with the United Nations, based on the UN High-Level Expert Group (HLEG) recommendations on Net Zero Commitments. The checklist ensures transparent, science-based, and verifiable climate actions aligned with the Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda goals. It integrates with GRI 102: Climate Change 2025 Standard, promoting consistency in sustainability reporting. It urges companies to phase out fossil fuels, adopt just transition pathways, and strengthen climate accountability globally.

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Iceland has officially declared the possible collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) as a national security and existential threat, becoming the first country to do so. AMOC carries warm tropical waters to the Arctic, moderating Europe’s climate and making winters milder. Iceland’s Climate Minister Johann Pall Johannsson presented AMOC as a potential existential threat before the National Security Council, a first for any climate-related phenomenon. AMOC, a key climate tipping element, could collapse irreversibly if pushed beyond a threshold, possibly triggering a modern ice age in Northern Europe.

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The Nagaland government and the British Council signed an agreement making the UK a country partner for the Hornbill Festival 2025. The agreement was signed in New Delhi by CM Neiphiu Rio and Alison Barrett MBE, in the presence of Lindy Cameron CB OBE, the British High Commissioner to India. The partnership strengthens cultural exchange, supports creative talent and boosts global visibility of Nagaland’s cultural heritage. The British Council, with the British Deputy High Commission Kolkata, will curate special programming for the festival.

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Seychelles has become the sixth member of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC). The decision was made at the 7th National Security Adviser-level meeting in New Delhi. India’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval hosted the meeting. Seychelles previously participated as an observer state; Malaysia attended as a guest. The move strengthens CSC’s role in ensuring Indian Ocean Region stability. Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) is a regional security grouping. Current members are India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles