International Current Affairs MCQs

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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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India and the USA launched the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) initiative for Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) during the Indian Prime Minister’s recent visit to the USA. UDA involves using technology and strategies to monitor underwater activities. India is the first country to collaborate with the U.S. on UDA technologies. The initiative strengthens regional security by detecting threats like piracy and terrorism. It also supports economic interests in the blue economy and environmental management, while enhancing India’s regional diplomacy and maritime cooperation.

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India assumed the Chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal (BOB) Inter-Governmental Organisation from Bangladesh. The transition took place at the 13th Governing Council Meeting in Malé, Maldives. Representatives from Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bangladesh attended the event. The meeting was part of a high-level conference on mainstreaming the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Small-Scale Fisheries. India will lead efforts to develop small-scale fisheries in the region. This move strengthens India’s international leadership and supports the national goal of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.

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Bangladesh marks February 25 as National Military Martyrdom Day, announced by the interim government on February 23, 2025. The day commemorates the February 25-26, 2009 Pilkhana killings, where 74 military personnel, including 57 army officers, died in a failed mutiny by the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR). The mutineers looted weapons and attempted a coup but were crushed. The interim government, led by Prof. Muhammed Yunus, has ordered a fresh probe, led by A.L.M Fazlur Rahman, into the mutiny.

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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.

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Indonesia launched a new sovereign wealth fund, Daya Anagata Nusantara (Danantara), to manage state assets worth over USD 900 billion. Danantara is set to become the largest sovereign wealth fund in Southeast Asia. A sovereign wealth fund (SWF) is a state-owned investment fund used to manage national savings. SWFs are funded by surplus revenues from natural resources, state-owned enterprises, or other public wealth sources. These funds invest in stocks, bonds, infrastructure, and real estate to grow national wealth. This marks a significant step in Indonesia’s economic strategy.

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China launched the ChinaSat-10R (Zhongxing-10R) satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) on February 22, 2025. It replaces the aging ChinaSat-10 to improve satellite communication. The satellite was launched using a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. It supports transportation, emergency response, energy, forestry, and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) confirmed the successful mission.

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Lithuania exited the Convention on Cluster Munitions, citing security concerns over Russia, drawing criticism from human rights groups. The Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) bans the use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster bombs. It was adopted on May 30, 2008, and enforced on August 1, 2010. The treaty has 112 member states and 12 signatories yet to ratify it. Major nations like India, the U.S., Russia, China, Ukraine, and Israel have not signed due to strategic concerns. The CCM aims to prevent civilian harm and supports global peace, human rights, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin launched Perm, a Project 885M Yasen-class nuclear-powered submarine, from Murmansk. Perm is a fourth-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine of the Yasen-M class (Project 885M). Named after the city of Perm in the Urals, it is the sixth vessel in the Yasen/Yasen-M series. It is the first Russian nuclear submarine officially equipped with the 3M22 Zircon hypersonic cruise missile as a standard feature. Perm is expected to enter service with the Russian Navy in 2026.

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The Arctic region is a global flashpoint due to geopolitical tensions, climate change, and resource competition. The Arctic Council, formed in 1996 through the Ottawa Declaration, governs the Arctic. The Council has 8 member states: Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States. These countries control land territories and have rights over resources within their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). Six Indigenous groups are permanent participants representing Arctic inhabitants. Thirteen countries, including India, and various organizations are observers. All decisions require consensus from the eight Arctic States and consultation with permanent participants.