Current Affairs - International

Russia launched the nuclear-powered submarine “Khabarovsk” on November 1 at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk. The submarine is designed to carry the Poseidon Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV)—a nuclear-powered torpedo capable of traveling thousands of kilometers and reportedly carrying a warhead with a yield of about 2 megatons. Poseidon’s potential to generate large-scale radioactive tsunamis and its stealthy underwater deployment make it a key component of Russia’s strategic deterrence. The launch significantly extends Russia’s naval strike and deterrence capabilities while intensifying global security and stability concerns in maritime domains.

India is preparing to receive the first Taliban-appointed diplomat since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021. This development marks a cautious reopening of diplomatic engagement between the two sides without formal recognition of the Taliban regime. The move follows Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to New Delhi in October 2025 and aligns with India’s broader strategy of maintaining humanitarian assistance and regional stability. By permitting a limited diplomatic presence, India balances its security concerns, humanitarian commitments, and geopolitical interests while preserving communication channels with Kabul amid evolving regional dynamics.

China has achieved a historic milestone by successfully performing thorium-to-uranium fuel conversion within its Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR), making it the first country in the world to do so. This breakthrough, announced on November 3, 2025, represents a major advancement in fourth-generation nuclear technology, offering safer, cleaner, and more efficient energy generation. The reactor converts thorium-232 into fissile uranium-233, enabling a sustainable thorium fuel cycle. With this success, China has demonstrated the viability of molten salt reactors and taken a leading position in the race for advanced nuclear innovation, complementing India’s ongoing thorium-based research initiatives.

The Maldives has made history by enacting the world’s first generational smoking ban, effective from November 1, 2025. This law prohibits anyone born on or after January 1, 2007, from purchasing or using tobacco in any form. It applies to both citizens and tourists, covering cigarettes, vaping devices, and e-cigarettes. Retailers who violate the age verification mandate face heavy fines. By enforcing this strict regulation, the Maldives aims to create a completely smoke-free generation, prioritizing youth health and setting a global precedent after New Zealand’s repeal and the UK’s pending legislation on similar tobacco restrictions.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a significant policy change by discontinuing cheque and money order payments for immigration-related filings. Applicants must now use electronic debit through Form G-1650 for all transactions. This shift aims to enhance security, minimise the risk of fraud, and ensure faster, more efficient processing. According to USCIS spokesperson Matthew J. Tragesser, the updated system replaces outdated manual methods, aligning with modern digital standards to improve accuracy, reliability, and overall transparency in immigration service operations within the United States.