International Current Affairs MCQs

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In October 2025, Paul Barthélemy Biya’a bi Mvondo, representing the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), won Cameroon’s 2025 Presidential Election with 53.7% votes, defeating Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who got 35.2% votes. This victory marked his eighth consecutive term as President. At 92 years, he became the world’s longest-serving and oldest President. He joined the Presidency of the Republic in 1962 and served as Secretary-General from 1968–1975. He became Prime Minister (PM) in 1975 and succeeded Ahmadou Ahidjo as President in 1982. In 2008, he removed presidential term limits, allowing indefinite re-elections.

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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.

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India has ended its military presence at the Ayni Airbase in Tajikistan after the bilateral agreement with Tajikistan expired around four years ago. The Ayni Airbase, located 10 km west of Dushanbe, was built in the Soviet era and later renovated by India. India spent around $100 million upgrading the base with runway extensions, shelters, fuel depots, and air traffic control facilities. Su-30MKI jets and around 200 Indian personnel from the Army and Air Force were once deployed there. All Indian personnel and equipment were withdrawn by 2022. The base initially supported the Northern Alliance in its fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

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Sweden has become the world’s first cashless country, replacing physical money with digital payments through phones and cards. Travellers can easily pay anywhere — from shops to northern lights tours — using digital transactions. The transformation began with the launch of Swish, a mobile payment app introduced in 2012. Swish enables real-time money transfers between individuals, businesses, and organizations using just a phone number. Its fast adoption made digital payments common across shops, cafés, museums, and even churches. This shift marks a major milestone in Sweden’s journey toward a fully digital and cash-free economy.

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India recently joined the Brazil-led Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) as an observer ahead of COP30, reaffirming its commitment to climate action and forest conservation. The TFFF is a global initiative that financially rewards countries for preserving tropical forests, crucial for mitigating climate change. It offers $4 per hectare of protected forest annually as a performance-based conservation incentive. It is a budget-neutral financing model, not dependent on new taxes or donor grants. It functions through the Tropical Forest Investment Fund (TFIF), which invests sponsor funds sustainably, avoiding deforestation-linked sect

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In November 2025, Canada lost its measles elimination status due to ongoing outbreaks, as reported by international health experts. The country recorded 5,138 measles cases and two deaths in 2025; both fatalities were premature babies exposed in the womb. Measles elimination status is symbolic, showing a country has stopped continuous local transmission, though imported cases can still occur. Measles is highly contagious, causing high fever and rash, with serious complications like blindness and brain swelling, especially in young children and adults over 30. The disease is preventable through routine vaccination, but falling childhood immunisation rates contributed to the resurgence

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The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) launched the UN-endorsed “Integrity Matters Checklist” to help companies align their climate disclosures with UN standards for credible net-zero commitments. It was developed by GRI in partnership with the United Nations, based on the UN High-Level Expert Group (HLEG) recommendations on Net Zero Commitments. The checklist ensures transparent, science-based, and verifiable climate actions aligned with the Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda goals. It integrates with GRI 102: Climate Change 2025 Standard, promoting consistency in sustainability reporting. It urges companies to phase out fossil fuels, adopt just transition pathways, and strengthen climate accountability globally.

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The Nagaland government and the British Council signed an agreement making the UK a country partner for the Hornbill Festival 2025. The agreement was signed in New Delhi by CM Neiphiu Rio and Alison Barrett MBE, in the presence of Lindy Cameron CB OBE, the British High Commissioner to India. The partnership strengthens cultural exchange, supports creative talent and boosts global visibility of Nagaland’s cultural heritage. The British Council, with the British Deputy High Commission Kolkata, will curate special programming for the festival.

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The Supreme Court recently asked the Centre to decide on ratifying the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime, stressing its global relevance. It was adopted by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in December 2024 to boost global cooperation against cybercrime. It aims to strengthen prevention, support capacity-building for developing countries, and promote international coordination. It will come into force 90 days after 40 countries ratify it, and India has not signed it yet. It is the first universal legally binding treaty against cybercrime, developed by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

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India recently addressed the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) Roundtable at UNFCCC COP30 in Belém, Brazil, highlighting global efforts on industrial decarbonisation. LeadIT was launched in 2019 by India and Sweden with support from the World Economic Forum. It is the first global high-level initiative targeting net-zero emissions from heavy industries by 2050. It brings together countries and companies to promote public-private partnerships, finance, and best-practice sharing for an inclusive, just transition. LeadIT 2.0 (2024-26), launched at COP28, focuses on inclusive transition, low-carbon technology transfer and financial support to emerging economies. Its secretariat is hosted by the Stockholm Environment Institute, with 18 member countries and 27 companies.