International Current Affairs MCQs

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India has recently gifted Prussian Blue Capsules to Indonesia to help counter Cesium-137 radioactive contamination. Prussian Blue Capsules are a specialized medicine used to treat internal contamination caused by radioactive cesium or thallium and non-radioactive thallium poisoning. These capsules work by trapping toxic substances in the intestines, stopping them from being absorbed into the body. The trapped materials are then safely removed through bowel movements, reducing radiation exposure. This aid highlights India’s commitment to regional health and nuclear safety cooperation and showcases its technical capability in radiological emergency response.

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced a 10 million US dollars contribution to strengthen community resilience against natural disasters across Asia and the Pacific. The initiative was launched through the UAE Aid Agency during the 2025 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. It will support Emirates Nature–World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) under the Community Resilience to Natural Disasters Programme, developed with International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The programme focuses on restoring mangroves and coral reefs, promoting eco-livelihoods, and strengthening disaster preparedness in Philippines, Indonesia, Fiji, and Solomon Islands.

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Recently, India and Brazil agreed to significantly expand their existing trade agreement with the MERCOSUR bloc. MERCOSUR stands for the Southern Common Market (Spanish initials). It is a South American regional economic organization and the fourth largest integrated market after the European Union (EU), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). MERCOSUR was created in 1991 by signing the Treaty of Asunción. Its objective is the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people, becoming a customs union in January 1995.

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Recently, India has been elected as Co-Chair of the Regional Committee of the United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management for Asia and the Pacific (UN-GGIM-AP) for a three-year term till 2028. UN-GGIM-AP is one of the five regional committees of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM). It is the main inter-governmental body for decisions on production, availability, and use of geospatial information within national, regional, and global policies.

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Pakistan has recently sought help from China, its “iron friend,” to join the New Development Bank (NDB). The NDB, earlier called the BRICS Development Bank, was set up by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It was created to fund infrastructure and sustainable development projects in developing nations. Its headquarters are in Shanghai, China.

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Saudi Arabia has officially ended the Kafala System, giving millions of migrant workers more rights and freedom. The Kafala System was a sponsor system tying migrant workers to a single employer, requiring employer consent to switch jobs or exit the country. Saudi Arabia will replace it with a contractual model under Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program. The new system allows job mobility, contract-based transfers, and exit/return rights without employer approval. Bahrain abolished Kafala in 2009; UAE partially reformed it in 2015; Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman still have strict Kafala rules.

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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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Recently, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung awarded U.S. President Donald Trump the “Grand Order of Mugunghwa,” South Korea’s highest national honour. The award recognises Trump’s role as a peacemaker on the Korean Peninsula. The ceremony was held in Gyeongju during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. Trump received a replica of the golden “Cheonmachong” crown, symbolising peace and unity from the Silla dynasty. He became the first U.S. president to receive this honour, acknowledging his diplomatic outreach to North Korea.

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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.