International Current Affairs MCQs

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The United States announced its exit from the World Health Organization (WHO), with President Donald Trump citing mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and political influence from member states. Trump criticized the WHO for “unfair payments” and claimed it failed to act independently from countries like China. The U.S. contributes around 18% of WHO’s funding, with its 2024-2025 budget at $6.8 billion. Trump accused the WHO of aiding China’s efforts to mislead about COVID-19 origins, a claim the WHO denies. The withdrawal will take 12 months, ending U.S. financial contributions to the agency.

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US President Donald Trump decided to withdraw from the Paris Agreement again, having initially done so in 2017. On his first day in office, he revoked all US climate finance commitments. Trump aimed to reverse climate-friendly energy policies and focus on oil and gas extraction. Joe Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement in 2021. Trump argued that international climate regulations were unfair to the US, as China faced fewer restrictions. The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, seeks to limit global warming to below 2°C, with efforts to keep it under 1.5°C.

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Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have officially left ECOWAS due to diplomatic tensions. ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) was founded in 1975 to promote economic cooperation and development. Citizens of ECOWAS can live, work, and move freely across member states. After the withdrawal, ECOWAS now has 12 members: Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

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Switzerland will end development aid for Bangladesh, Albania, and Zambia due to budget cuts in foreign aid. The Swiss parliament reduced its 2025 foreign aid budget by 110 million Swiss Francs, and another 321 million Swiss Francs for 2026-2028. These cuts will impact both bilateral and multilateral cooperation. However, Switzerland will still fund humanitarian efforts. This decision is part of Switzerland’s financial adjustments and shift in international aid priorities.

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Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo are advancing south toward Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province. They aim to expand control in the country’s east after capturing Goma. The M23 (March 23 Movement) is an armed rebel group operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in North Kivu province. It originated in 2012 from a faction of the Congolese army, citing grievances over a 2009 peace agreement. The recent escalation has caused massive destruction and violence.

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India has sent 26 tons of humanitarian aid to Honduras after Tropical Storm SARA. The assistance includes medical supplies like surgical items, glucometers, oximeters, gloves, syringes, and IV fluids. It also contains disaster relief materials such as blankets, sleeping mats, and hygiene kits. The aid aims to help the country recover from the impact of the storm.

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China launched the ChinaSat-10R (Zhongxing-10R) satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) on February 22, 2025. It replaces the aging ChinaSat-10 to improve satellite communication. The satellite was launched using a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. It supports transportation, emergency response, energy, forestry, and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) confirmed the successful mission.

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Cyclone Garance hit French overseas territory of La Reunion with winds of 155 kph (96 mph), causing roof damage and power outages. The storm moved from the north to the south of the island. The cyclone alert was downgraded from purple to red, and a stay-at-home order remained in effect.

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The Wallace Line is an invisible boundary separating Asian and Australian animal species. It was first identified by English naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace in the 19th century. The line runs through the Malay Archipelago, between Bali and Lombok, and between Borneo and Sulawesi. Asian side species (Borneo, Bali) resemble mainland Asian animals like tigers and monkeys. Australian side species (Sulawesi, Lombok) resemble Australian wildlife like kangaroos and cuscuses. Scientists now view it as a transition zone rather than a strict boundary. Climate change and habitat destruction threaten these ecosystems and species adaptation.

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The United States declared English as the national language through an executive order. The decision aims to streamline communication and enhance national unity. Federal agencies can choose whether to provide multilingual services. The order acknowledges the country’s linguistic diversity, with millions speaking Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic. It emphasizes English as the primary language for official use.