International Current Affairs MCQs

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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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United States President Donald Trump recently criticized the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for considering a carbon emissions price on global shipping, calling it a “Global Green New Scam Tax.” The IMO is a United Nations (UN) specialized agency responsible for shipping safety, security, and prevention of marine pollution. It has 176 Member States and 3 Associate Members, headquartered in London. IMO sets global standards for shipping safety, security, and environmental performance, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14. Its Assembly and Council govern the organization, while five major committees, including the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), develop policies and regulations.

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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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The World Trade Organization (WTO) recently credited India’s Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme for boosting exports from Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The DFTP scheme started in 2008 and provides preferential access to the Indian market for LDCs. The objective is to promote economic growth, diversify exports, and strengthen trade relations of LDCs. Duty-Free Access allows products from LDCs to enter India without import duties. The scheme helps LDCs expand trade and integrate into the global economy.

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Afghanistan has announced plans to construct a dam on the Kunar River, blocking its flow into Pakistan. The Kunar River is a major tributary of the Kabul River, which later merges with the Indus River in Pakistan. The river originates from the glaciated Hindu Kush Mountains in Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It flows into Afghanistan and joins the Kabul River there. The two main tributaries of the Kunar River are Bashgal (Landiasind) River and Pech River. The proposed dam may affect water flow and relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

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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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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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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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Maldives became the first country in the world to implement a generational ban on tobacco use, effective November 1, 2025. The law bans the sale and use of tobacco for anyone born after January 1, 2007, including visitors. The ban was enacted through the Second Amendment to the Tobacco Control Act, ratified by President Mohamed Muizzu. It covers all tobacco and vaping products, which are banned for import, sale, distribution, and use. The policy aligns with the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).

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India and Denmark launched the Indo-Danish Business Council (IDBC) in November 2025 in Copenhagen to strengthen bilateral ties. The launch was marked by Manish Prabhat, India’s Ambassador to Denmark, celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations. The IDBC aims to foster structured cooperation, driving strategic collaboration and accelerating business growth. It builds on the India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership, focusing on innovation, entrepreneurship, and knowledge sharing. The Council brings together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to advance global green and digital transitions.