1) Maldives imposes a generational tobacco ban
The Maldives has imposed a complete ban on tobacco products for people born after 2007 effective 1 November 2025, becoming the first country to do so for an entire generation. The purchase, sale, and use of cigarettes, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vaping products are prohibited, aiming to create a tobacco-free generation. Recently, the Maldives was also recognized for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B, and Syphilis.
Quick facts: Capital – Malé; President – Mohamed Muizzu; Currency – Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR).
2) Russia launches nuclear-powered submarine “Khabarovsk”
Russia has launched the Khabarovsk nuclear-powered submarine at the Sevmash shipyard (Severodvinsk). It is capable of carrying the Poseidon nuclear underwater drone and has a range of thousands of kilometers, aimed at strengthening maritime security and coastal deterrence.
Related Russia updates: Burevestnik (SSC-X-9 Skyfall) test, Poseidon underwater drone test, Buddha relics displayed in Kalmykia, S-400 deliveries to India by 2026, colon-cancer vaccine research, and the planned Venera-D Venus mission by 2036.
3) Typhoon Calmegi batters the Philippines
Typhoon Calmegi has caused severe damage in central Philippines, with 66 deaths and 26 missing reported. Wind speeds reached about 120 km/h. It is the 20th tropical cyclone of 2025; the Philippines typically faces 20+ typhoons annually.
Quick facts: Capital – Manila; President – Bongbong Marcos; Currency – Philippine Peso; Archipelago in the western Pacific with 7,641 islands.
4) Zohran Mamdani wins New York City mayoral election
Indian-American politician Zohran Mamdani has won the New York City mayoral election with 50.3% of the vote. A Democrat, he becomes the first Muslim and Indian-origin mayor of NYC and the youngest in the last 100 years. His mother is noted filmmaker Mira Nair.
Read More About : Zohran Mamdani Mayor of New York City
5) QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026 – India positions
The QS Asia 2026 rankings (by QS Quacquarelli Symonds) list 395 Chinese, 294 Indian, 146 Japanese, and 103 South Korean universities.
No Indian institution features in the top 50 in Asia.
India ranks (selected):
IIT Delhi – 59;
IISc Bengaluru – 64;
IIT Madras – 70;
IIT Bombay – 71;
IIT Kanpur – 77;
IIT Kharagpur – 77;
IIT Roorkee – 114;
IIT Guwahati – 115.
Other indices recap:
Global Firepower 2025 – US 1st, India 4th;
Global Pension Index 2025 – India 52nd, Netherlands 1st;
Global Hunger Index 2025 – India 102/123;
Henley Passport Index 2025 – Singapore 1st, India 85th;
Global Innovation Index 2025 – India 38th; NIRF 2025 – IIT Madras 1st.
6) Amul (GCMMF) and IFFCO top global cooperative rankings
ICA World Cooperative Monitor 2025 places GCMMF (Amul) at 1st and IFFCO at 2nd globally, based on GDP-per-capita-linked performance. The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) is headquartered in Brussels.
Amul: Founded 1946 (Anand, Gujarat); led India’s White Revolution; founder Verghese Kurien (“Milkman of India”).
IFFCO: Founded 1967; India’s largest fertilizer cooperative; ensures quality fertilizers for farmers.
7) China converts thorium-232 to uranium-233 in TMSR
China has successfully converted thorium-232 to uranium-233 in a 2 MW thorium molten-salt reactor (TMSR) located in the Gobi Desert, operating at atmospheric pressure and without water. It is described as the first reactor to successfully use thorium fuel.
India note: India also pursues a thorium-based nuclear programme, with large thorium reserves in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
8) Former North Korean head of state Kim Yong Nam passes away
Kim Yong Nam, former President (Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly) of North Korea, passed away on 3 November 2025 at age 97. He served from 1998 to 2019, acted as the ceremonial head of state, visited South Korea during the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, and was not related to Kim Jong Un’s family.
9) Gogabeel Lake becomes India’s 94th Ramsar Site
Gogabeel Lake in Katihar, Bihar has been declared India’s 94th Ramsar site. It is an oxbow lake between the Ganges and Mahananda rivers, spread over ~86.63 hectares, important for migratory birds, aquatic flora, and local fauna. Bihar now has six Ramsar sites. India ranks third globally by number of Ramsar sites (after the UK and Mexico).
Ramsar basics: A global treaty (signed in Ramsar, Iran, 1971) for the conservation and wise use of wetlands; India acceded in 1982.
10) Avani Lekhara wins gold at 2025 Para Shooting World Cup
Avani Lekhara won gold in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 at the 2025 Para Shooting World Cup in Al Ain, Dubai. India also delivered a strong show in the Mixed 50m Pistol SH1 event, taking both gold and silver in the individual finals.
Quick Revision Box
Policy: Maldives starts generational tobacco ban (born after 2007).
Defence: Russia launches Khabarovsk sub for Poseidon drone.
Disaster: Typhoon Calmegi hits the Philippines.
Politics: Zohran Mamdani wins NYC mayoral race.
Education: QS Asia 2026 – IIT Delhi 59; no Indian university in top 50.
Economy/Co-ops: Amul (1st) & IFFCO (2nd) in ICA rankings.
Science: China’s thorium→uranium success in TMSR.
Obituary: Kim Yong Nam (97) passes away.
Environment: Gogabeel, Bihar becomes 94th Ramsar site.
Sports: Avani Lekhara bags gold in Al Ain.
