International Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, former US President Donald Trump supported Russian President Vladimir Putin’s idea of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). The New START is the last remaining nuclear arms control deal between Russia and the United States of America. It was signed in 2010 by Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev in Prague and came into force on February 5, 2011. The treaty limits the number of deployed nuclear warheads to reduce Cold War–level arsenals. It focuses on strategic long-range weapons that can destroy key power and control centers. It replaced the 1991 START I Treaty and the 2002 Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT). It was extended in 2021 for five years, valid till February 4, 2026.

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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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Recently, Khaled el-Anani, former Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, was nominated as the next Director of UNESCO by its executive board. UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and is a specialized agency of the United Nations. Established in 1945 after World War II, it succeeded the International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation. The headquarters of UNESCO is in Paris, France. It has 194 member countries and 12 associate members.

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On October 8, 2025, Russia’s lower house of parliament approved withdrawing from the Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement (PMDA) with the United States. The Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement (PMDA) is a pact between the United States and Russia signed in 2000. It came into force in 2011 to reduce weapons-grade plutonium from dismantled Cold War nuclear warheads. Both countries had large plutonium stockpiles that were expensive to store and posed a nuclear proliferation risk. The PMDA required each country to dispose of 34 tonnes of plutonium. The plan involved converting it into Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel or using it in fast-neutron reactors for electricity.

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In October 2025, Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina appointed General Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo as the new Prime Minister (PM). He succeeded Christian Ntsay, who had served as PM since 2018. The appointment followed rising protests over power outages and water shortages. This marks a leadership shift, with a military officer replacing a civilian politician. Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo began military education at Antsirabe Military Academy, Madagascar in 1991. He served under High Transitional Authority (HAT) after the 2009 crisis. Madagascar’s capital is Antananarivo and currency is Malagasy Ariary (MGA).

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California has officially recognised Diwali as a state holiday. It is the third state in the USA after Pennsylvania and Connecticut to declare Diwali as a state holiday. The Governor of California signed the bill introduced by Assembly member Ash Kalra. The law grants paid time off to state employees and allows schools to observe the festival. Community leaders called the recognition a milestone honouring Indian Americans’ contributions to the state’s economy, government, and society. The move reflects growing cultural inclusivity and recognition of diverse communities in the United States.

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India and the United Kingdom recently launched the India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre (CIC) at India Mobile Congress 2025. It is a strategic partnership to promote digital inclusion and build secure, innovative, and resilient communications. The initiative works under the UK-India Technology Security Initiative, led by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT). It links university research, lab testing, and market trials for next-generation technologies. Both nations will jointly invest £24 million (₹250 crore) to support research, joint testbeds, and global telecom standards.

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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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Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano in Indonesia recently erupted, spewing volcanic ash up to 10 km high, leading authorities to raise the alert to its highest level. It is an active stratovolcano and part of the twin-peaked Lewotobi volcanic complex, along with Lewotobi Perempuan, meaning “female” in Indonesian, while “Laki-laki” means “male.” The volcano is located on the island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province, about 30 km southeast of Maumere city, Indonesia. It lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone known for frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

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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.