International Current Affairs MCQs

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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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Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India and France will jointly launch the TRISHNA satellite in 2027 to support global water and food security. The TRISHNA (Thermal InfraRed Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural resource Assessment) mission aims to support global water and food security through advanced Earth observation. The announcement highlighted the growing India–France partnership in space technology, climate monitoring, and innovation.

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The European Union and countries like Germany, Greece, and the Netherlands have joined the Pax Silica initiative. Pax Silica is a US-led global initiative aimed at reducing dependence on China in AI-related supply chains. The initiative focuses on securing access to chips, rare earths, critical minerals, and energy resources. It seeks to build a trusted and resilient global supply network for artificial intelligence technologies. Several other countries, including Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Kazakhstan, Panama, and India, are also part of the initiative.

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India launched Operation Amistad in response to devastating earthquakes in Venezuela that caused heavy loss of life and widespread destruction. The mission is a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operation to support Venezuela in rescue and recovery efforts. As part of the operation, the Indian Air Force deployed two C-17 Globemaster aircraft carrying relief materials and rescue personnel. A 41-member Indian rescue and medical team has been sent to assist in search and rescue and emergency healthcare.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Abelardo de la Espriella on his victory in the Colombian presidential election. Colombia is located in northwestern South America and is known as the “Gateway of South America”. It is bordered by Panama, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador, with coastlines on the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The capital of Colombia is Bogotá.

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Recently, Keiko Fujimori won the Peruvian Presidential election. Peru is a country located in western South America, just south of the Equator. It is the third-largest country in South America, after Brazil and Argentina. It is bordered by Ecuador (north), Brazil (east), Bolivia (southeast), Chile (south), and the Pacific Ocean (west). It is home to Machu Picchu, a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most important archaeological sites.

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Mindaugas Sinkevičius was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Lithuania in July 2026. He succeeded Inga Ruginienė after the formation of a centre-left coalition government. The coalition includes the Social Democrats, Democrats “For Lithuania”, and the Farmers and Green Union. Key priorities are National security, poverty reduction, social welfare expansion, normalising ties with China, and continued support for Ukraine.

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Recently, France became the first European Union (EU) country to pass a blanket ban on social media for children below 15 years. The move aims to reduce cyberbullying, mental health risks, and excessive screen time. Australia was the first country to implement a nationwide social media ban for minors below 16 years. Countries including Indonesia, Türkiye, Malaysia, the UAE, and the UK have also adopted similar restrictions. Karnataka became India’s first state to announce a social media ban for children below 16 years.

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Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as the 36th President of Colombia on August 7, 2026. He assumed office for the 2026–2030 term, succeeding Gustavo Petro. De la Espriella won the June 21, 2026 runoff election with 49.66% of the vote. His administration has pledged a hardline approach to drug trafficking and a reduction in the size of the state. Colombia is a vibrant country in northwestern South America. It has coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The capital and largest city is Bogotá.

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Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, a veteran Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader, has been elected as the 23rd President of Bangladesh. He secured 255 votes, defeating former army officer Oli Ahmad, who received 88 votes. A total of 343 Members of Parliament participated in the presidential election. The election was held at the Jatiya Sangsad, Bangladesh’s Parliament. It was the first multi-candidate presidential election in Bangladesh in 35 years.