International Current Affairs MCQs

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Finland has launched Europe’s first fully integrated lithium project near Kokkola. The project is known as the Keliber Project, covering mining, processing, and refining of lithium. It aims to produce 15,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium annually, meeting about 10% of Europe’s demand. Lithium is a strategic resource essential for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage. The project is backed by Sibanye-Stillwater and Finnish Minerals Group.

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Canada has become the first non-European country to attend the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Yerevan, Armenia. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney aims to strengthen trade and diplomatic ties amid reduced access to United States markets. The summit reflects Western support for Armenia as it distances itself from Russia. The EPC initiative, supported by Emmanuel Macron, aims to enhance cooperation between European nations and partners.

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The Bhutan government and the World Bank signed financing agreements worth 515 million US dollars for the 1,125 Megawatt (MW) Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project. The Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project is a run-of-river hydroelectric project being constructed on the Kurichhu River in eastern Bhutan. The Kurichhu River is a tributary of the Drangmechhu River, which enters India as the Manas River. The project includes a concrete-gravity dam and an underground powerhouse with six Francis turbines. The project is financed by the World Bank and is being developed by Dorjilung Hydro Power Limited.

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Bassirou Diomaye Faye appointed Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo as the new Prime Minister of Senegal in May 2026. The appointment came three days after President Faye dissolved the government and dismissed former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Senegal, officially called the Republic of Senegal, is a country located in West Africa along the Atlantic Ocean coastline. It shares borders with Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, Guinea to the southeast, and Guinea-Bissau to the southwest.

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India and the United Kingdom have jointly launched the Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory (CMSCO). The initiative was first announced during a bilateral engagement between the Prime Ministers of India and the UK in October 2025. It is a joint initiative of Technology Innovation in Exploration and Mining Foundation, Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad and University of Cambridge. It aims to strengthen monitoring and analysis of global critical mineral supply chains.

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Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) recently secured a ₹127 crore contract for construction works related to the Wangchhu Hydroelectric Project. It is a 570 MW run-of-river hydropower project being developed on the Wangchu River in Chukha District, Bhutan. The Wangchu River, known as the Raidāk River in India, is an important tributary of the Brahmaputra River.

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Recently, India and Japan have adopted the “Rules of Implementation” for the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), strengthening their bilateral carbon market cooperation. The Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) is a carbon credit system initiated by Japan to support emission reduction projects in partner countries through low-carbon technology transfer. It operates under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement (UNFCCC), enabling trade of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs). The mechanism promotes climate finance, public–private investment, and clean technology adoption in developing economies.

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Recently, 15 countries from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and the Pacific adopted the Mombasa Declaration to strengthen global efforts against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. The declaration was adopted during the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC) held in Mombasa, Kenya, from which it derives its name. It calls for greater transparency in fisheries by improving access to information on fishing vessels, ownership, and licensing. Its objective is to protect marine ecosystems, ensure sustainable fisheries, and safeguard the livelihoods of millions dependent on fishing.

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Recently, the 2026 Central Bank Gold Reserves (CBGR) Survey by the World Gold Council indicated that central banks are likely to increase their gold holdings in the future. It is a non-profit association of leading gold producers. It serves as a market development organization for the global gold industry and includes 29 major gold mining companies. The council aims to promote the responsible use of gold, develop industry standards, support research, and increase demand for gold. The headquarters is located in London, United Kingdom.

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched its first-ever Sovereign Retail Treasury Sukuk (T-Sukuk) Programme. For the first time, UAE citizens and residents can invest directly in government-backed Islamic securities with a minimum investment of Dh1,000. The initiative was launched by the UAE Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Central Bank of the UAE. The programme enables retail investors to subscribe through participating UAE banks via a simplified process. The initiative marks a significant expansion of the UAE’s retail investment market.