International Current Affairs MCQs

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François Bayrou, a 73-year-old centrist leader, was named French Prime Minister by Emmanuel Macron, succeeding Michel Barnier after a confidence vote ousted him. Bayrou leads the MoDem party, part of Macron’s centrist alliance, and is known as the “third man” in French politics for his centrist approach during the 2007 presidential election. He is the high commissioner of planning, mayor of Pau, and president of the European Democratic Party. Born into a wealthy farming family near the Pyrenees, he taught Latin and Greek before entering politics in the 1980s. He served as education minister and was a member of both the National Assembly and European Parliament.

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Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former Georgian national footballer, was elected unopposed as the President of Georgia on December 14, 2024, amid an opposition boycott. He is pro-Russian and anti-Western, replacing the pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili, who condemned his election. The President’s role in Georgia is mostly ceremonial, with real power held by the Prime Minister. Kavelashvili, founder of the People’s Power Party, was supported by the ruling Georgian Dream Party and won 224 of 225 votes in the electoral college. The opposition boycotted the election, alleging rigging in the October 2024 parliamentary elections. He will take office on December 29, 2024.

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The Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC) reduces shipping time and costs, boosting India-Russia trade in oil, food, and machinery. EMC connects South India with Russia’s Far East, cutting transit time by 16 days and distance by 40%. The traditional Mumbai-St. Petersburg route is 8,675 nautical miles, taking 40+ days, while EMC spans 5,647 nautical miles, taking only 24 days, saving 5,608 km. The route passes through major waterways like the Sea of Japan, South China Sea, Malacca Straits, and Bay of Bengal.

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Nepal and China recently launched the “Phewa Dialogue” series, named after the renowned Phewa Lake in Nepal’s Pokhara Valley. Phewa Lake, one of Nepal’s largest, receives inflows from Harpan Khola and Seti Khola springs. The dialogue focuses on addressing South Asia’s industrial shift and related needs. It is Nepal’s first official think tank forum dedicated to fostering South Asia Regional Economic Integration.

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China unveiled the CR450, the world’s fastest high-speed train, with test speeds of 450 km/h and a commercial speed of 400 km/h. It surpasses the CR400 Fuxing trains (350 km/h) and reflects breakthroughs in speed, energy efficiency, safety, and comfort. Developed through 200,000 km of tests, 3,000 simulations, and 2,000 platform tests. Features include water-cooled traction, high-stability bogies, and a 20% reduction in energy use. Enhances passenger comfort with noise reduction, spacious cabins, and storage for bicycles and wheelchairs. Aligns with China’s plan to expand its rail network to 70,000 km by 2035.

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Russia has introduced a new tourist tax, replacing the previous resort fee, effective today. Travelers will pay an additional 1% of their lodging costs to support regional tourism infrastructure. The tax was added to the Russian Tax Code in July 2024 under a new chapter, “Tourist Tax.” Regional authorities can implement the tax as a local levy, with many regions already adopting it. The tax starts at 1% in 2025 and will increase to 3% by 2027.

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Quad nations (India, US, Australia, Japan) reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. The pledge commemorates 20 years of Quad cooperation, initially formed after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Quad aims to counter challenges like China’s growing influence in the region. The coalition emphasizes the centrality of ASEAN in the Indo-Pacific framework. The grouping focuses on upholding international order based on the rule of law.

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More than 100 people, including child rights activists from Nepal and India, launched the ‘Child Marriage Free Nepal’ campaign in Kathmandu. The campaign, supported by Indian organization Just Right for Children and Nepal’s Backward Society Education, aims to end child marriage by 2030. Nepal has the second-highest prevalence of child marriage in South Asia, with the legal marriage age set at 20. Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli pledged support for the campaign.

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Canada announced that the Post-Graduate Work Permits (PGWPs) of 7.66 lakh international students will expire by the end of next year. The Rural Community Immigration Class (RCIC) scheme offers a pathway for foreign nationals and students. It is launched by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in December 2024. The program aims to address labor shortages and encourage development in smaller rural communities. The scheme targets individuals willing to settle long-term in these areas to promote growth and address local workforce needs.

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Bangladesh is reportedly considering purchasing Abdali Short Range Ballistic Missiles (Hatf 2) from Pakistan amid rising India-Bangladesh tensions. Abdali (Hatf 2) is a short-range, road-mobile ballistic missile developed by Pakistan’s Space Research Commission (SUPARCO). The missile is 6.5 m long, 0.56 m in diameter, weighs 1,750 kg, and has a range of 180-200 km. It carries a 250-450 kg high explosive or submunition warhead with a CEP of 150 m. It targets military bases, airfields, and critical infrastructure.