International Current Affairs MCQs

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US President Donald Trump has banned the creation and issuance of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in the United States. Agencies are prohibited from promoting or issuing CBDCs without legal approval. The executive order defines CBDC as a digital currency directly backed by the central bank. Concerns cited include risks to privacy, sovereignty, and financial stability. The order promotes a private-sector-led digital asset ecosystem, focusing on dollar-backed stablecoins as alternatives. CBDCs differ from cryptocurrencies as their value is fixed by the central bank, with several countries adopting them for centralized digital currency control.

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Alexander Lukashenko won a seventh term as Belarusian president with 86.8% of the vote, per the Central Election Commission. Lukashenko has won every presidential election since 1994, often amid controversy. Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It shares borders with Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. The capital and largest city of Belarus is Minsk.

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has declared 2025 as the Year of Community. The year’s theme is “Hand in Hand” and aims to strengthen social ties and community involvement. The initiative encourages volunteering, community service, and shared responsibilities for sustainable growth. Previous themes include the Year of Giving (2017) and Year of Tolerance (2019), reinforcing the UAE’s focus on societal well-being.

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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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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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Operation Devil Hunt was launched in Bangladesh to curb rising violence targeting properties linked to former PM Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus ordered the crackdown after attacks in Gazipur district spread nationwide. More than 1,300 people have been arrested, with army, police, and special units involved in the operation. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic residence in Dhaka was set on fire, escalating tensions. The BNP, led by Khaleda Zia, has called for nationwide rallies from February 11, demanding stronger measures and a clear electoral plan.

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Russia reported a 30-40% reduction in oil flows through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) after a Ukrainian drone attack on a pumping station. CPC is a $2.6 billion project with a 935-mile pipeline connecting Tengiz oil field (Kazakhstan) to Novorossiysk (Russia). Construction began in 1999, commissioned in 2001, and expanded by $5.1 billion in 2018. It is a key East-West pipeline carrying two-thirds of Kazakhstan’s oil exports.

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India has been elected Vice President of the International Organization of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA) in Singapore. T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, led the Indian delegation. The 1st General Assembly of IALA marks its transition from an NGO to an inter-governmental organization (IGO). IALA, founded in 1957, sets global maritime navigation standards. India will host the IALA Council meeting in December 2025 and the IALA Conference & General Assembly in September 2027 in Mumbai. This highlights India’s leadership in maritime safety and international cooperation.

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Mount Fentale in northern Ethiopia released huge methane plumes starting January 31, 2025. This event, described as a “burp,” involved large amounts of methane escaping from underground gas deposits. The phenomenon was first detected through satellite monitoring and later confirmed by GHGSat. This unprecedented natural event could have significant climate change implications due to the high potency of methane as a greenhouse gas.

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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.