International Current Affairs MCQs

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared 2026 as the “Year of ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation” during the 22nd ASEAN Summit 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The decision highlights growing collaboration in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), maritime security, and the blue economy. The summit’s theme was “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, aligning with India’s focus on digital inclusion, food security, and resilient supply chains. ASEAN remains the main pillar of India’s Act East Policy, advancing shared goals under ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and Viksit Bharat 2047.

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Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of Tanzania, was sworn in for her second term amid tight security in Dodoma, the capital. The election was marred by violent protests and opposition rejection of the results. She was declared winner with 98% votes, as several opposition leaders were jailed or barred from contesting. In her victory speech, she called the election free and democratic, labelling protesters as unpatriotic.

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Oman has been elected to the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme for the 2025–2029 term. The election took place during the 43rd UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The Environment Authority of Oman represented the Sultanate at the session. This achievement aligns with Oman Vision 2040 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The MAB Programme promotes scientific collaboration to conserve biodiversity, manage protected areas, and support climate research. It also empowers youth and researchers through grants and promotes sustainable environmental practices globally.

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The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) launched the UN-endorsed “Integrity Matters Checklist” to help companies align their climate disclosures with UN standards for credible net-zero commitments. It was developed by GRI in partnership with the United Nations, based on the UN High-Level Expert Group (HLEG) recommendations on Net Zero Commitments. The checklist ensures transparent, science-based, and verifiable climate actions aligned with the Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda goals. It integrates with GRI 102: Climate Change 2025 Standard, promoting consistency in sustainability reporting. It urges companies to phase out fossil fuels, adopt just transition pathways, and strengthen climate accountability globally.

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Iceland has officially declared the possible collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) as a national security and existential threat, becoming the first country to do so. AMOC carries warm tropical waters to the Arctic, moderating Europe’s climate and making winters milder. Iceland’s Climate Minister Johann Pall Johannsson presented AMOC as a potential existential threat before the National Security Council, a first for any climate-related phenomenon. AMOC, a key climate tipping element, could collapse irreversibly if pushed beyond a threshold, possibly triggering a modern ice age in Northern Europe.

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The Nagaland government and the British Council signed an agreement making the UK a country partner for the Hornbill Festival 2025. The agreement was signed in New Delhi by CM Neiphiu Rio and Alison Barrett MBE, in the presence of Lindy Cameron CB OBE, the British High Commissioner to India. The partnership strengthens cultural exchange, supports creative talent and boosts global visibility of Nagaland’s cultural heritage. The British Council, with the British Deputy High Commission Kolkata, will curate special programming for the festival.

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Oman Airports has become the world’s first airport operator to deploy Wi-Fi 7 across all its airports. The upgrade was implemented in partnership with Huawei, marking a major leap in airport digital infrastructure. Wi-Fi 7 provides much faster speeds, stronger security, and highly reliable connectivity even during peak traffic. The initiative enhances passenger comfort by enabling smooth streaming, quick downloads, and seamless online services from check-in to boarding. It also boosts operational efficiency with faster, secure systems supporting airport staff and operations. This deployment aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which focuses on smart infrastructure, global-standard services, and advanced technology adoption.

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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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Cyclone Fina recently hit Australia’s Northern Territory as a Category 3 cyclone, bringing wind speeds up to 205 km per hour and severely impacting Darwin. Around 19,000 residents lost electricity, with damaged property and flooded roads, though no injuries were reported. The storm reminded residents of Cyclone Tracy (1974), though Fina was less severe but strong enough to uproot trees and disrupt essential services. Fina adds to the region’s pattern of tropical storms, reinforcing the need for stronger disaster resilience and emergency infrastructure in northern Australia.

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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.