International Current Affairs MCQs

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The Harare Declaration, adopted at the Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC 2024) in Zimbabwe, emphasizes enhancing climate resilience within health systems across Africa. It aims to address the severe health impacts of climate change, advocating for immediate collaborative actions from governments, researchers, and civil society. The declaration calls for prioritizing climate change as a public health emergency and strengthening research to combat climate-related health risks, ensuring that African nations proactively shape their health futures amidst climate challenges.

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India and France have been re-elected as President and Co-President of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) until 2026. ISA is an intergovernmental organization uniting solar-rich countries to promote solar energy as a clean and affordable resource. Launched by India and France in 2015 at the UN Paris Climate Conference, the ISA Framework Agreement came into force in 2017. ISA focuses on financing solar projects, technology collaboration, capacity building, and energy transition. The “Towards 1000” strategy aims to mobilize USD 1000 billion in solar investments by 2030. The ISA Secretariat is located in Gurugram, Haryana.

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Navin Ramgoolam was sworn in as Mauritius’ Prime Minister for a fourth term after a decade, following his Alliance du Changement coalition’s election victory. The coalition won 60 out of 62 national assembly seats with 62.6% of the vote in the November 10 election. Ramgoolam took his oath at State House, attended by lawmakers, diplomats, and civil servants. In 2006, he launched reforms to reduce bureaucracy and diversify Mauritius’ economy, which has grown as an African-Asian financial hub.

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External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar inaugurated Symbiosis International University’s first overseas campus at Dubai Knowledge Park. UAE’s Minister of Tolerance, Sheikh Nahyan, attended the event, highlighting the strong Indo-UAE ties. The campus, fully accredited by UAE’s Ministry of Education, offers programs in management, technology, and media, focusing on 21st-century skills. This initiative aligns with India’s National Education Policy 2020, encouraging global expansion of Indian institutions. The campus supports UAE’s goal of a knowledge-based economy and Dubai’s Economic Agenda 33. This development enhances educational cooperation and supports Dubai’s diverse expatriate community, which forms 85% of its population.

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Nepal started exporting electricity to Bangladesh for the first time on November 15, 2024, using India’s electricity grid. The inauguration involved Union Minister Manohar Lal (India), Nepal’s Minister Dipak Khadka, and Bangladesh’s Energy Adviser Fouzal Kabir Khan. This initiative is expected to enhance sub-regional connectivity in the power sector. Nepal, a Himalayan country with significant untapped hydropower potential, has long sought cross-border electricity cooperation. The power export marks a key step in regional energy collaboration.

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Ecuador declared a national emergency for 60 days due to forest fires, water shortages, and severe drought. The country is experiencing its worst drought in 60 years. The drought has caused losses of 40,000 hectares of crops and over 44,000 farm animals. The emergency aims to address the crisis and provide relief to affected areas.

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The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a former Defence Minister, and Hamas officials for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The ICC is the only permanent international criminal tribunal, established by the Rome Statute on 17 July 1998. The Rome Statute defines the ICC’s jurisdiction, structures, and functions, coming into force on 1 July 2002. The ICC investigates and tries individuals accused of grave crimes like genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression.

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Oxford University Press named ‘brain rot’ as the Oxford Word of the Year 2024. It describes cognitive decline caused by consuming trivial social media content. The term gained popularity amid trends like digital detoxes to counter mental fatigue. It reflects concerns about technology’s impact on human thought and habits. Public voting chose ‘brain rot’ over contenders like ‘heat domes’ and ‘neurospicy.’ Over 37,000 people participated in the voting, highlighting its cultural relevance. The term’s casual tone appeals to younger audiences and raises awareness about mental health. Past winners include ‘goblin mode’ (2022) and ‘climate emergency’ (2019).

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India and Bhutan discussed hydropower projects, including the nearing completion of the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II project. Punatsangchhu-II is a 1 GW run-of-the-river hydropower project in Bhutan’s Wangdue Phodrang district. Developed under an Inter-Government Agreement between Bhutan and India, it is funded by India with 30% grant and 70% loan. The project includes a 91m-high concrete gravity dam, a diversion tunnel, and two cofferdams. It will generate 4,357 million units of electricity annually, and ownership will transfer to Bhutan two years after commissioning.

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Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former Georgian national footballer, was elected unopposed as the President of Georgia on December 14, 2024, amid an opposition boycott. He is pro-Russian and anti-Western, replacing the pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili, who condemned his election. The President’s role in Georgia is mostly ceremonial, with real power held by the Prime Minister. Kavelashvili, founder of the People’s Power Party, was supported by the ruling Georgian Dream Party and won 224 of 225 votes in the electoral college. The opposition boycotted the election, alleging rigging in the October 2024 parliamentary elections. He will take office on December 29, 2024.