International Current Affairs MCQs

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Azerbaijan has proposed a new climate fund to be financed through voluntary contributions from fossil-fuel producing countries and companies. This initiative was introduced during the climate change conference COP29, aimed at addressing the financial needs of developing nations in combating climate change. While the proposal is well-intentioned, there are concerns about its potential effectiveness, given the challenges in securing adequate funding. The fund’s establishment reflects ongoing struggles in climate finance negotiations, especially regarding the commitment of developed countries to mobilize sufficient resources for climate action.

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The UN General Assembly adopted the “Pact for the Future” to reshape global governance. It reaffirms UN Member States’ commitment to sustainable development, peace, and stronger governance. It emphasizes building peaceful, inclusive societies and addressing conflict root causes. The Pact highlights the role of science, technology, and innovation in advancing UN goals. It prioritizes youth inclusion in decision-making at national and global levels. The Pact calls for stronger partnerships with civil society, the private sector, and local authorities.

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Iran unveiled its latest ballistic missile, named “Jihad,” in a military parade in Tehran. The missile was developed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) Aerospace Force. This marks the introduction of a new liquid-fuel missile platform in Iran’s defense technology. The Jihad missile highlights Iran’s ongoing military advancements despite international sanctions. Iran’s missile development has raised concerns among Western nations about its potential destabilizing effects in the region.

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Nagaland signed Wales as a Country Partner for the 25th Hornbill Festival. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, during his visit to Wales, announced the agreement with the Welsh Government, British Council, and Wales Arts International. The partnership concludes the “Wales in India 2024” celebration and aims to strengthen bilateral ties, enhance people-to-people contact, and create opportunities for youth.

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Claudia Sheinbaum was sworn in as Mexico’s first woman president. She pledged to strengthen women’s rights and maintain Mexico as a secure destination for international investment. Sheinbaum, aged 62, is a scientist and former mayor of Mexico City. The oath-taking ceremony took place in Mexico’s Congress, marking the beginning of her six-year term.

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India and the USA have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand and diversify critical minerals supply chains, aiming to leverage their complementary strengths for resilience in the sector. This agreement focuses on equipment, services, policies, and best practices for the commercial development of critical minerals exploration and processing. The MoU is part of broader efforts to enhance innovation ecosystems and secure supply chains in semiconductors and clean energy, following discussions held during the 6th US-India Commercial Dialogue in October 2024.

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The Oakhurst rock shelter, located near George, South Africa, has yielded ancient genomes dating back to approximately 10,000 years ago. This archaeological site is significant for its record of human occupation spanning 12,000 years and the discovery of multiple ancient genomes, which show remarkable genetic continuity among the region’s inhabitants. The findings highlight the importance of understanding Africa’s rich genetic diversity and its implications for human history.

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Hurricane Milton has intensified into a Category 5 storm, posing an extreme risk to Florida, USA, particularly the Tampa Bay area. With a central pressure of 897 mb, it ranks as the fifth most intense hurricane in Atlantic history. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned of life-threatening winds and destructive storm surges as Milton approaches the Gulf coast. Evacuations are underway, and residents are urged to take precautions due to potential flooding and hazardous conditions.

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Mount Adams, Washington’s largest volcano, has shown increased seismic activity after being dormant for thousands of years. It is a stratovolcano located in Washington State, USA, standing 12,277 feet (3,742 meters) tall and 18 miles (29 kilometers) wide. Mount Adams is larger by volume than Mount Rainier, the state’s highest peak. It is part of a 1,250 sq.km volcanic field with at least 120 mostly basaltic volcanoes. The volcano has over 10 active glaciers supplying water to the surrounding ecosystem. Its last eruption occurred between 3,800 and 7,600 years ago, during the Stone Age.

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China ranked last in internet freedom in the 2024 ‘Freedom on the Net’ report by Freedom House. The report assessed internet freedom from June 2023 to May 2024 based on access obstacles, content limits, and user rights violations. China shared this rank with Myanmar, both scoring 9 out of 100, the lowest among all countries. China intensified efforts to isolate its domestic internet from the global network. The Chinese government blocked international website access and imposed heavy fines on VPN users.