International Current Affairs MCQs

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Luong Cuong was elected as Vietnam’s new president on October 21, 2024, by the National Assembly, following To Lam’s tenure. Cuong’s appointment comes amid political turbulence and aims to stabilize the leadership structure in Vietnam, particularly before the 2026 Party Congress. Former president To Lam transitioned to the role of general secretary, emphasizing collective leadership while maintaining significant influence over the country’s governance.

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Recently, Brazil decided not to formally join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), seeking alternative collaborations with China while prioritizing its own infrastructure projects. Brazil becomes second BRICS country after India not to join BRI. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by China in 2013, aims to enhance global trade and economic connectivity through infrastructure development and investments in various countries. The BRI encompasses various sectors, including transportation, energy, and trade, and has faced scrutiny and resistance from several nations due to concerns over debt and sovereignty.

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Duma Boko of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) has been declared Botswana’s sixth president by Chief Justice Terence Rannowane. Botswana’s electoral law requires a party to win at least 31 of 61 National Assembly seats to secure victory. UDC has gained 34 seats, while the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) secured only four seats. Outgoing President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat as preliminary results confirmed the BDP lost its parliamentary majority after almost 60 years in power. The BDP has governed Botswana, a diamond-rich nation, since its independence in 1966.

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India and France have been re-elected as President and Co-President of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) until 2026. ISA is an intergovernmental organization uniting solar-rich countries to promote solar energy as a clean and affordable resource. Launched by India and France in 2015 at the UN Paris Climate Conference, the ISA Framework Agreement came into force in 2017. ISA focuses on financing solar projects, technology collaboration, capacity building, and energy transition. The “Towards 1000” strategy aims to mobilize USD 1000 billion in solar investments by 2030. The ISA Secretariat is located in Gurugram, Haryana.

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Pro-Western President Maia Sandu was re-elected in Moldova with 55.26% of the vote, defeating Alexandr Stoianoglo of the pro-Russian Party of Socialists by over 10 percentage points. Sandu gained strong support from Moldovans abroad, helping her secure victory, though she narrowly lost within Moldova itself. The election saw incidents, including bomb threats at four diaspora polling stations where Sandu had significant backing. Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized the election as “undemocratic.”

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Māori Party MPs performed a haka in New Zealand’s parliament to protest the Treaty Principles Bill, opposing changes to the Treaty of Waitangi. The Māori are an Indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. They migrated from East Polynesia to New Zealand between 1320-1350. They developed a unique culture, language, mythology, and arts. The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840 with the British, established coexistence but remains central to political and economic grievances. Māori are the second-largest ethnic group in New Zealand. The haka, a traditional Māori dance, expresses pride, strength, and unity, and is used in various ceremonies and as a challenge.

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Yamandú Orsi, a left-wing politician and former mayor, won Uruguay’s presidential election, marking a return of the centre-left government after five years of conservative leadership. Supported by former president José Mujica, Orsi emphasizes environmental policies, social inclusion, and a balanced approach to economic growth.

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The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was introduced in the UK to allow terminally ill patients to seek assistance to end their lives with dignity. It addresses ethical and humanitarian concerns for patients with no hope of recovery. The Bill passed its first vote with a majority of 330 to 275 and will now go to a public bill committee for amendments before further voting in Parliament. Assisted dying involves terminally ill patients self-administering lethal drugs. Assisted suicide and euthanasia differ; they may involve non-terminally ill patients and require a doctor’s or another person’s help.

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Burkina Faso’s military junta appointed Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo as the new Prime Minister after dissolving the government without explanation. The junta, led by Ibrahim Traore, dismissed former Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela via a presidential decree. The junta seized power in September 2022, ousting Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who had removed President Roch Marc Kaboré earlier. Burkina Faso faces severe security challenges, with extremist attacks displacing over 2 million people and leaving half the territory outside government control.

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Tata Power has started building the ₹6,900 crore Khorlochhu Hydropower Project in Bhutan, aiming for completion by September 2029. Located on the Kholongchhu River in Trashiyangtse, Bhutan, the 600 MW project supports Bhutan’s electricity needs and India’s renewable energy goals. It is the first joint energy project between India and Bhutan, executed by Khorlochhu Hydro Power Limited (KHPL), a partnership of Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) and Tata Power.