International Current Affairs MCQs

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The Indian government has recently announced that nationals of Pakistan will not be allowed to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). The SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme was launched in 1992 to allow certain dignitaries from South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries to travel visa-free within the region. Under this scheme, special visa stickers are issued by each member state to eligible persons of their own country. These stickers are usually valid for one year and reviewed regularly by immigration authorities of SAARC nations. The scheme simplifies travel by removing visa, police reporting, and extra form requirements.

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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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The United States has recently approved a military hardware and logistics support package for India to assist in the Integrated Platform for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA). IPMDA is a technology and training initiative designed to boost maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific region and increase transparency in its vital waterways. It was announced by the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), which includes India, Australia, Japan, and the United States, during the Tokyo summit in 2022. The initiative uses innovative technology to provide near real-time information on maritime activities to partners in Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean region, and the Pacific.

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Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the immediate release of $1 billion to Pakistan under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The IMF is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN), created in 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference to ensure global monetary stability after the Great Depression. It works to promote international monetary cooperation, ensure financial stability, facilitate global trade, support high employment, and reduce poverty. The IMF monitors the economies of its member countries and gives policy advice. It also provides loans to countries during balance-of-payments crises. The IMF is headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States.

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US President Donald Trump announced the ‘Golden Dome,’ a space-based missile defense system costing 175 billion dollars to protect the United States from global threats. General Michael Guetlein of the US Space Force will lead this program aimed at blocking missiles from China, Russia, and space. The Golden Dome will create a satellite network to detect, track, and intercept long-range missiles, integrating with existing defense systems. Inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, it plans to deploy hundreds of satellites for missile detection and tracking. The project aims for completion by January 2029, but experts doubt this timeline and cost.

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Member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) have adopted the first-ever WHO Pandemic Agreement at the 78th World Health Assembly, Geneva. This agreement is the result of over three years of negotiations following the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to improve global cooperation for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response through fair access to vaccines, medicines, and tests. A Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system (PABS) will be developed to ensure countries sharing virus samples receive timely support. Under PABS, pharma companies will give WHO 20% of real-time production for equitable distribution, especially to developing nations.

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Saudi Arabia launched TOURISE, a global platform for the next 50 years of tourism. TOURISE unites public and private leaders in tourism, technology, investment, and sustainability. It aims to unlock high-value investment and reset the tourism industry. The platform includes digital collaboration, working groups, and partnerships for long-term transformation. TOURISE will publish white papers and global indices on tourism, sustainability, and the economy. Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, emphasized adapting to technology and sustainability. The inaugural TOURISE Awards will honor achievements in sustainability and tourism innovation. The first TOURISE Summit will be held in Riyadh in November 2025.

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A cholera outbreak has killed many people in war-affected Sudan, raising urgent health concerns. Cholera is a dangerous diarrheal disease caused by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the bacteria Vibrio cholerae. It spreads rapidly in areas with poor sanitation, unsafe drinking water, and weak healthcare systems. The disease causes sudden, severe watery diarrhea and can lead to death within hours if not treated quickly. According to the 2024 World Health Organisation (WHO) report, cholera deaths are rising due to climate change and poor sanitation. Most cases can be treated with Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), but quick access is critical. Preventing such outbreaks requires clean water, proper hygiene, and better sanitation.

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China has recently launched the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed) as a new global body to resolve disputes. It aims to offer an alternative to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Permanent Court of Arbitration by focusing only on mediation. It is the world’s first intergovernmental legal organisation dedicated solely to international dispute resolution through mediation. It will be headquartered in Hong Kong.