Current Affairs - International

Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), under the Ministry of Railways, is engaged in discussions with Russia’s state-owned atomic energy company, Rosatom, to construct Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). These reactors, each with a capacity of 55 MW, are intended to power RVNL’s major infrastructure projects, including the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line. A total of eight SMRs have been proposed, emphasizing a shift toward cleaner and more efficient energy solutions for large-scale transportation projects. This collaboration reflects India’s efforts to incorporate advanced nuclear technology in infrastructure and to diversify its energy sources through international partnerships.

India’s first ‘Silver Notice’ from Interpol was obtained by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the French embassy visa fraud case. The notice is a tool to help trace proceeds of crime that may be hidden across international borders, enhancing the agency's ability to follow money trails in complex cases. This move strengthens India’s international collaboration in criminal investigations and signals the growing use of Interpol’s specialized resources. The CBI’s involvement in this high-profile case underscores its central role in handling transnational crimes and financial fraud with global linkages.

India decided to suspend its rare earth exports specifically to Japan, which had a long-standing bilateral agreement through Toyotsu Rare Earths India, a subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho. The suspension comes as India aims to safeguard its critical resources, especially Neodymium used in EV magnets, and develop its own rare earth processing industry amid rising domestic demand and global uncertainties triggered by China's export restrictions. Despite the friendly diplomatic ties, India’s priority is to reduce its reliance on foreign supply chains and bolster self-sufficiency, making Japan the directly affected country in this policy shift.

The United States has experienced a Salmonella outbreak affecting 79 individuals, prompting the California-based August Egg Company to recall 1.7 million egg cartons. Salmonella, a bacteria responsible for salmonellosis, commonly spreads through contaminated food and water, impacting the intestinal tract and leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The recall is a preventive public health response to mitigate further spread of the infection and safeguard consumers. Such outbreaks emphasize the importance of stringent food safety protocols, timely recalls, and public awareness to manage foodborne illnesses and ensure a safe food supply chain.

The Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino Experiment (KATRIN), a major scientific initiative focused on measuring the mass of neutrinos, was conducted in Germany. Researchers involved in this project analyzed data from five experimental runs between 2019 and 2021, examining over 36 million electron events. Their findings established a new upper limit for the mass of neutrinos, determining that the total mass of the three known types is less than 8.8 × 10⁻⁷ times the mass of an electron. This experiment represents a significant step forward in the field of particle physics and highlights Germany’s leading role in advanced scientific research.