International Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, an artificially-triggered avalanche was filmed on Mount Elbrus, Russia’s highest mountain. Mount Elbrus is located in southwest Russia, part of the Caucasus Mountains. The Caucasus Mountains formed from the northward collision of the Arabian Plate with the Eurasian Plate. Mount Elbrus is about 2.5 million years old, an inactive volcano with two dormant summits. It is the highest point in Russia and Europe, at 18,510 feet (5,642 meters), and part of Prielbrusye National Park. It is one of the Seven Summits, the tallest mountains on each continent.

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India skipped the BRICS Plus naval exercise “Will for Peace 2026” hosted by South Africa, despite holding the BRICS chair in 2026. India stated participation is not automatic or obligatory, as such exercises are ad-hoc initiatives, not institutionalised BRICS activities. BRICS Plus naval exercises are maritime drills involving BRICS members and selected non-BRICS partner countries. They are not mandated under BRICS and are outside official BRICS mechanisms. The 2026 exercise is led by China, with active participation from Russia, Iran, UAE, and South Africa.

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The U.S. has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), one year after President Donald Trump announced the exit. The WHO is the United Nations’ specialized health agency coordinating global responses to health threats like mpox, Ebola, and polio. The U.S. owes WHO about $280 million in unpaid dues and voluntary contributions. The U.S. no longer participates in WHO committees, governance, or technical working groups, including global flu monitoring.

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India and the European Union (EU) agreed to strengthen cooperation on peaceful uses of nuclear energy under the India–Euratom agreement. The European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) was established in 1957 under the Treaty of Rome. Its objective is to develop a common market for the peaceful use of atomic energy across Europe. Euratom promotes nuclear energy development at a European level, excluding military nuclear materials.

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Taiwan completed the first underwater sea trial of its first domestically developed submarine, Narwhal. The submarine programme is part of Taiwan’s effort to strengthen deterrence against China and protect vital sea lanes. Taiwan aims to deploy at least two domestic submarines by 2027, with later models potentially missile-equipped. Taiwan’s military modernisation focuses on asymmetric warfare with mobile systems like submarines, drones, and truck-mounted missiles to counter China’s larger forces.

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The Russian Foreign Ministry informed that the New START nuclear arms control treaty between Russia and the United States has expired on February 5. The two countries are no longer bound by its obligations, though Russia remains open to diplomatic efforts to maintain strategic stability and a future agreement. Moscow remains open to political and diplomatic efforts to maintain strategic stability. New START was signed in 2010 and entered into force in 2011. It limited deployed nuclear warheads and delivery systems.

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The World Economic Forum (WEF) launched the Davos Compact on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2025 to tackle the global health crisis of drug-resistant infections. It acts as a voluntary non-state counterpart to the UNGA 2024 Political Declaration on AMR, engaging non-government actors in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. The Compact sets a dual target: to prevent 100 million deaths and mitigate an estimated $1.7 trillion economic loss by 2050 due to unchecked drug resistance. Signatories pledge to adopt the “One Health” approach, linking human, animal, and environmental health in AMR mitigation strategies. The Compact ensures equitable access to essential and newly developed antibiotics for low- and middle-income countries.

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The United States of America (USA) conducted its first air transport of a micro nuclear reactor using a C-17 military aircraft. The Departments of Energy (DOE) and Defense (DOD) transported the Ward microreactor developed by Valar Atomics from California to Hill Air Force Base without nuclear fuel. This shows rapid nuclear deployment capability for military and civilian use. The reactor can generate up to 5 megawatts, enough for about 5,000 homes. It will start at 100 kilowatts and gradually scale to full capacity.

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Sanae Takaichi was reappointed as the Prime Minister of Japan by Parliament on February 18, 2026, following a landslide election victory by her Liberal Democratic Party. She formed her second Cabinet, with plans to increase military spending, strengthen security policies, and address economic issues. She has also expressed support for boosting arms exports and tightening immigration rules. On the economic front, her immediate focus is on tackling rising prices and addressing stagnant wage growth.

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Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed a new geopolitical grouping called the Hexagon Alliance, with India at its centre. The alliance, also called the “Hexagon of Alliances,” would include Israel, India, Mediterranean partners like Greece and Cyprus, and other Arab, African, and Asian states. It is designed to operate across three tracks: economic cooperation, diplomatic alignment, and security collaboration. For India, participation would expand its strategic footprint in the Mediterranean and West Asia, complementing initiatives like the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor.