Current Affairs - International

Russia's defence ministry recently announced the successful test fire of the Yars intercontinental ballistic nuclear missile. The Yars missile system, also known as RS-24 or SS-29, features multiple independently targetable warheads and a range of up to 10,500 km, enhancing Russia's strategic defence capabilities.

New Zealand, under Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's leadership, is overturning the legislation prohibiting tobacco sales to individuals born after January 1, 2009. This decision represents a notable policy shift in the country's approach to tobacco control measures.

The completion of the Shahpur-Kandi barrage after 45 years has halted the flow of the Ravi River into Pakistan, marking a significant development in regional water dynamics and benefiting land irrigation in Kathua and Samba districts in Jammu and Kashmir.

Ghana's parliament has approved the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, a controversial anti-LGBTQ legislation, sparking debate and condemnation due to its stringent measures against LGBTQ individuals.

South Korea experienced a further decline in its fertility rate, reaching a record low of 0.72 in 2023. This exacerbates concerns about population decline and highlights socio-economic factors influencing birth rates, such as career advancement concerns and financial burdens.