International Current Affairs MCQs

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Ghana’s Electoral Commission declared ex-president John Dramani Mahama the winner of the presidential election with 56.55% votes. Mahama, 66, served as Ghana’s president from 2012 to 2016 and aims to address Ghana’s economic crisis. He plans to renegotiate the $3-billion IMF bailout, ease business regulations, introduce a triple-shift work system, enact tax reforms, and invest $10 billion in infrastructure modernization.

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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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Russia declared a federal-level emergency due to a massive oil spill along the Black Sea coast, caused by storm-damaged tankers near the Kerch Strait. The spill released thousands of tons of mazut (heavy fuel oil), polluting about 55 kilometers (34 miles) of coastline. The spill has raised serious concerns about cleanup efforts and potential long-term environmental damage. The Black Sea, a large inland sea in southeastern Europe, is one of the marginal seas of the Atlantic Ocean, spanning 436,000 square kilometers. It is bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Bulgaria, Georgia, and Romania.

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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.

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John Dramani Mahama was sworn in for a second term as Ghana’s president on January 7 in Accra. Mahama, 66, won the December 7 election by a wide margin, making a political comeback. He replaces Nana Akufo-Addo, who stepped down after two terms. Mahama promised to boost the economy and create jobs to address public discontent. The ceremony was attended by over 20 global leaders, marking a significant event in Ghana’s democratic tradition. Ghana is the world’s second-largest cocoa producer and maintains democratic stability in a region facing challenges.

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The UK announced the world’s first sanctions regime to combat people smuggling and block illicit finance supporting such crimes. The sanctions focus on irregular migration and organized immigration crime. Authorities can now target individuals and entities enabling dangerous journeys, such as smuggling vulnerable people via sea crossings in Europe. The regime is expected to be implemented within the year.

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The Philippines declared a food security emergency to stabilize high rice prices. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel authorized the release of rice buffer stocks held by the National Food Authority (NFA). The decision was based on recommendations from the National Price Coordinating Council. The Rice Tariffication Law allows the Agriculture Secretary to act during extraordinary price hikes. Rice inflation in the Philippines hit 21.4% in December 2023. The country’s GDP grew by 5.6% in 2024, below the 6-6.5% target. The economy faced setbacks due to extreme weather, geopolitical tensions, and low global demand.

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Greece’s parliament elected Constantine Tassoulas as president, a largely ceremonial role. His nomination sparked protests over the 2023 train crash, as critics say parliament failed to investigate political responsibility. The judicial probe into the disaster is still ongoing. Tassoulas, 66, has been a lawmaker since 2000 and served as culture and deputy defense minister. He won 160 votes in the 300-seat parliament and will succeed Katerina Sakellaropoulou in March. His nomination is seen as strengthening Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ power amid rising opposition pressure. He will be sworn in on March 13.

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The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has decided not to invest in a proposed $40 million loan for waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration projects in Gujarat. IFC is the private lending arm of the World Bank, established in 1956 to support economic development. It provides financing and advisory services to private enterprises in developing countries. IFC mobilizes capital from other lenders through loan participations and parallel loans. It is owned and governed by member countries, with the World Bank Group President also serving as its President. Its headquarters is in Washington, D.C.

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India has sent 26 tons of humanitarian aid to Honduras after Tropical Storm SARA. The assistance includes medical supplies like surgical items, glucometers, oximeters, gloves, syringes, and IV fluids. It also contains disaster relief materials such as blankets, sleeping mats, and hygiene kits. The aid aims to help the country recover from the impact of the storm.