International Current Affairs MCQs

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East Timor (Timor Leste) was formally admitted to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on October 26, 2025, marking the bloc’s first expansion since the 1990s. The formal ceremony took place in Kuala Lumpur, with the East Timor flag added alongside 10 other member states. Timor Leste is an island country in the Eastern Lesser Sunda Islands at the southern end of the Malay Archipelago in Southeast Asia.

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Catherine Connolly, an independent left-wing politician, has been elected as Ireland’s 10th President. She won by a landslide victory, defeating her rival Heather Humphreys. Connolly has been a Member of Parliament (MP) since 2016 representing the Galway West constituency. She also served as the Deputy Speaker of the Irish Parliament. The presidency in Ireland is a largely ceremonial role, but her win reflects strong voter support for her independent and progressive stance.

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Recently, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung awarded U.S. President Donald Trump the “Grand Order of Mugunghwa,” South Korea’s highest national honour. The award recognises Trump’s role as a peacemaker on the Korean Peninsula. The ceremony was held in Gyeongju during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. Trump received a replica of the golden “Cheonmachong” crown, symbolising peace and unity from the Silla dynasty. He became the first U.S. president to receive this honour, acknowledging his diplomatic outreach to North Korea.

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Cambridge Dictionary named ‘parasocial’ as the Word of the Year 2025 due to rising one-sided emotional bonds with celebrities, influencers and Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots. More than 6,000 new words were added in 2025, including ‘delulu’, ‘slop’, ‘skibidi’ and ‘tradwife’. The term ‘parasocial’ first appeared in 1956 when sociologists studied TV viewers’ emotional ties with on-screen personalities. In 2025, parasocial bonds grew with YouTubers, influencers and AI bots, reshaping online trust, fandom and digital behaviour.

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India recently addressed the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) Roundtable at UNFCCC COP30 in Belém, Brazil, highlighting global efforts on industrial decarbonisation. LeadIT was launched in 2019 by India and Sweden with support from the World Economic Forum. It is the first global high-level initiative targeting net-zero emissions from heavy industries by 2050. It brings together countries and companies to promote public-private partnerships, finance, and best-practice sharing for an inclusive, just transition. LeadIT 2.0 (2024-26), launched at COP28, focuses on inclusive transition, low-carbon technology transfer and financial support to emerging economies. Its secretariat is hosted by the Stockholm Environment Institute, with 18 member countries and 27 companies.

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The United States has officially designated Saudi Arabia as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) after the meeting between Donald Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) is a special strategic status that gives defence partners military, financial and technological benefits but does not provide NATO-style security guarantees. The MNNA category was created under U.S. law in the 1980s to expand America’s alliance network beyond NATO countries. The main aim of MNNA status is to boost defence cooperation, access to advanced weapons, joint military training and security coordination. The move strengthens U.S. strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, especially given the region’s geopolitical importance.

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Jakarta is now the world’s most populated city with about 42 million people, according to the United Nations World Urbanisation Prospects 2025 report. Dhaka ranks second with 37 million people, while Tokyo has slipped to third with 33 million. The change happened due to a new standard method to define urban areas. Urban population has doubled since 1950 and now nearly half of the world lives in cities. By 2050, most population growth will happen in cities. The number of megacities has risen to 33, with most in Asia.

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India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu, a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission, to support Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah caused floods, landslides, and widespread disruption. Cyclone made landfall on 27 November 2025, causing fatalities and affecting thousands. Indian Air Force (IAF) delivered approx 12 tonnes of aid on 29 November 2025, including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food to Colombo. The operation provides food, essentials, and logistical support to manage immediate crises in Sri Lanka.

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Russia has recently ratified the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS) agreement with India. RELOS is a military logistics-sharing agreement signed in February 2025 between India and Russia. The agreement allows the military forces of both nations to use each other’s bases, ports, and facilities for fuel, supplies, maintenance, and repairs. The operational scope includes joint exercises, training missions, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and other mutually agreed activities. It extends India’s operational reach into the Arctic via Russian Arctic and Far East ports and strengthens bilateral military cooperation.

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Chile has elected Jose Antonio Kast as its new president, representing a major shift toward right-wing leadership—the most pronounced since the country’s return to democracy. Kast, leader of the Republican Party, won the runoff election against leftist rival Jeannette Jara, following a polarising campaign focused on crime, migration, and economic stagnation. Since 2010, Chile has alternated between left and right governments; this election follows that pattern but marks a stronger right-wing tilt.