International Current Affairs MCQs

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Mauritius has become the first African country and the fourth globally to sign a Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with the International Solar Alliance (ISA). The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a global platform that promotes solar energy cooperation among member countries. The CPF offers a structured plan for long- and medium-term collaboration on solar projects aligned with Mauritius’s national goals. This agreement aims to speed up clean energy transition through joint solar initiatives. A Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) will be created to suit Mauritius’s energy needs.

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Daniel Noboa has been re-elected as the President of Ecuador for a second term. Ecuador is a country located in the northwestern part of South America. It shares its northern border with Colombia and its eastern and southern borders with Peru. The country has a western coastline along the Pacific Ocean. Daniel Noboa’s re-election reflects continued public support for his leadership. Ecuador is known for its diverse geography, including the Andes mountains, Amazon rainforest, and the Galápagos Islands. The country plays an important role in regional politics and environmental conservation efforts.

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The Indian government has recently announced that nationals of Pakistan will not be allowed to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). The SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme was launched in 1992 to allow certain dignitaries from South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries to travel visa-free within the region. Under this scheme, special visa stickers are issued by each member state to eligible persons of their own country. These stickers are usually valid for one year and reviewed regularly by immigration authorities of SAARC nations. The scheme simplifies travel by removing visa, police reporting, and extra form requirements.

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The Iranian government declared a day of national mourning on April 28 following a deadly blast at Shahid Rajaee port. The explosion occurred when a fuel tanker detonated at the port near Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan Province. The blast resulted in 28 deaths and over 1,200 injuries. The oil facilities at the port were not affected by the blast.

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Nepal has introduced a new draft law to allow only experienced climbers, who have scaled peaks above 7,000 metres, to attempt Mount Everest. This step comes in response to rising deaths, overcrowding, and environmental damage on the world’s tallest mountain. By restricting access, Nepal hopes to improve climber safety and promote responsible tourism. The law aims to ensure that only skilled mountaineers with proven high-altitude experience undertake such risky expeditions. The move also supports environmental conservation by addressing waste buildup and uncontrolled tourist flow in the fragile Everest ecosystem. This reflects Nepal’s growing commitment to sustainable mountaineering practices.

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Lawrence Wong has been elected as Prime Minister of Singapore. He is from the People’s Action Party (PAP), which has ruled Singapore since independence. Wong is an economist and served as the Finance Minister since 2021 before becoming Prime Minister. In the 2025 general elections, under his leadership, PAP won 87 out of 97 parliamentary seats. This included 82 seats through voting and 5 uncontested. The PAP’s popular vote increased to 65.6 percent, showing strong public support.

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Angola signed the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement and became its 123rd member during President Joao Lourenco’s visit to India. This visit coincided with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and Angola. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a defence Line of Credit of 200 million US dollars to support Angola’s armed forces. India and Angola will work together to develop Angola’s new oil fields and set up onshore and offshore refineries. New cooperation areas include diamond processing, pharmaceuticals, automobile components, and digital infrastructure. Three agreements were signed on ayurveda, agriculture, and culture.

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Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) was elected as the 10th Chancellor of Germany by the Bundestag on 6th May 2025. He succeeded Olaf Scholz after Scholz’s coalition lost the 2025 Bundestag general election. Merz leads a three-party coalition government including the CDU, Christian Social Union (CSU), and Social Democratic Party (SPD). For the first time since World War II, a German Chancellor was elected in the second round of voting in the Bundestag. The Chancellor is nominated by the President and must win an absolute majority in the Bundestag. Merz failed in the first round but secured victory in the second.

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The 83rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC-83) under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recently adopted a landmark decision to address shipping emissions. The IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) focused on the safety and security of international shipping. It works to prevent marine and atmospheric pollution caused by ships and directly supports UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, which aims to conserve oceans and marine resources. The IMO formulates regulations on shipping safety, maritime security, and environmental protection, though it doesn’t enforce them. It has 174 member states and is headquartered in London.

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Recently, India extended financial support to the Maldives by offering a $50 million Government Treasury Bill to help the island nation with fiscal reforms and economic stability. This move highlights India’s commitment under the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy to support its close maritime neighbours. The Maldives holds strategic importance in India’s regional outreach and is a key partner in India’s maritime vision, called Vision ‘MAHASAGAR’ (Maritime Awareness for Holistic Action and Security through Active Geographical Engagement for Regional Stability). The support reflects not just economic assistance but a deeper strategic and diplomatic partnership between India and the Maldives.