International Current Affairs MCQs

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Indonesia suspended import of Indian groundnuts from 3 September 2025 due to Aflatoxin concerns. Suspension threatens new crop arrivals in a month, with groundnut sown on 48 lakh hectares this kharif season. Gujarat expects record 66 lakh tonnes, but prices remain below Minimum Support Price (MSP). Indonesia is India’s top buyer, importing one-third of exports — 2.77 lakh tonnes worth $280 million in 2024–25. Aflatoxins are toxic compounds from fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, linked to liver cancer and health risks.

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Brazil has become the first country to invest in the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), a multilateral fund for global tropical forest conservation. The fund aims to attract contributions from both wealthy and developing countries to support climate policy. TFFF is envisioned as a $125 billion fund combining sovereign and private-sector contributions, paying countries based on preserved tropical forests.

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Britain, Canada, and Australia formally recognized Palestinian statehood on 22 September 2025, ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York. Portugal also confirmed recognition, while France pledged to vote for Palestinian state recognition at the UN this week. The move increases diplomatic pressure on Israel and isolates Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu internationally. Recognition is largely symbolic, supporting Palestinian self-determination but not immediately affecting Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Tens of thousands have died in Gaza, and humanitarian conditions remain dire. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized sustaining hope for a two-state solution despite challenges.

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The External Affairs Minister of India hosted a meeting of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) foreign ministers in New York. FIPIC is a multinational grouping launched by India in 2014 for cooperation with 14 Pacific Island nations. Member countries include Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. FIPIC aims to strengthen cooperation in politics, economy, trade, investment, culture, health, education, infrastructure, and disaster management.

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched its first Sovereign Mobility Cloud at the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport in 2025. It is enabled by Core42’s Sovereign Public Cloud and powered by Microsoft Azure. The platform ensures all transport data is hosted within the UAE and governed under national regulations. It supports high-definition mapping, telematics, fleet operations, traffic management, and digital twins. The initiative provides regulatory sandboxes and test hubs for innovation in autonomous mobility.

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The Kokrajhar–Gelephu rail line between India and Bhutan has been declared a Special Railway Project (SRP) by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). It is the first-ever railway connectivity for Bhutan, giving the project huge strategic importance. The 69 km line will connect Kokrajhar in Assam (India) with Gelephu in Bhutan. Another link, the 16 km Banarhat–Samtse line, will connect West Bengal with Bhutan. The project supports India’s Act East Policy and strengthens bilateral ties with Bhutan.

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India has been re-elected to Part II of the Council of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Part II includes States contributing most to international civil air navigation facilities. ICAO is a United Nations (UN) specialized agency established in 1944 under the Chicago Convention. Its purpose is to develop safe, secure, and efficient international air transport for peaceful purposes. India has been a founding member of ICAO since 1944, maintaining 81 years of uninterrupted Council presence. India focuses on aviation safety, security, sustainability, equitable connectivity, technology, innovation, and No Country Left Behind initiative.

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The Chinese ship “Istanbul Bridge” became the first commercial vessel to sail from Ningbo-Zhoushan (China) to Felixstowe (UK) via the Arctic in 18 days. This voyage marks the operational launch of the Polar Silk Route. The Polar Silk Route is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It is envisioned as a “blue economic corridor” through the Arctic Ocean. The route develops navigable Arctic sea passages connecting East Asia, North America, and Western Europe via the Northern Sea Route (NSR) along Russia’s coast. It provides a shorter and more cost-effective shipping corridor between Asia and Europe compared to the Suez Canal route.

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Palau, a Pacific island nation, hosted the world’s first live underwater interview in October 2025. President Surangel Whipps Jr conducted the interview with Estonian Olympic swimmer and activist Merle Liivand. The event aimed to raise awareness about ocean protection. Palau is an archipelago of around 340 islands east of the Philippines, highly vulnerable to rising sea levels. Some atolls may be lost in coming years, as acknowledged by the President. Similar past events include Maldives underwater cabinet meeting (2009) and Seychelles submersible interview (2019).

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Patrick Herminie, opposition leader of Seychelles, won the presidential election, defeating incumbent Wavel Ramkalawan. Herminie secured 52.7% of votes, while Ramkalawan got 47.3% in the run-off election. He represents the United Seychelles party, which ruled for four decades before losing power in 2020. Herminie’s victory gives United Seychelles full control of the government, after winning a parliamentary majority in the first round of elections last month. In 2023, Herminie was arrested on witchcraft charges, which were later dropped. He served as parliament speaker from 2007 to 2016.