1. Background and Significance

• Pakistan is set to induct Hangor-class submarines from 2026 onwards, with full delivery by 2028.

• The submarines are being developed under a $5 billion deal with China.

• The induction is expected to enhance Pakistan’s maritime strength and challenge India’s conventional submarine edge in the Indian Ocean.

• At the 10th London East Asia Film Festival (LEAFF) 2025, Korean filmmaker Lee Hwan’s “Project Y” won the Best Film Award, earning acclaim for its bold, female-led storytelling and innovative take on the noir genre. The ceremony, held in London on 2 November 2025, marked a defining moment for Asian cinema, highlighting the rise of women-centric narratives in global film.

• As the world gears up for the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, India’s delegation will emphasize equity, climate finance, and technology access over new emission targets. Marking ten years since the Paris Agreement (2015–2025), the summit seeks to move from pledges to implementation, with Brazil promoting its new “Tropical Forest Forever Fund” to reward countries conserving tropical forests.

• Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya will represent India at the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD-2), taking place in Doha, Qatar, from 4–6 November 2025. The summit, nearly 30 years after the 1995 Copenhagen Summit, aims to reaffirm global commitment to eradicating poverty, promoting decent work, and advancing social inclusion.

• A new species of trapdoor spider, named Aptostichus ramirezae, has been discovered by researchers from the University of California, Davis, in 2025. The species was found inhabiting California’s coastal dunes and was previously mistaken for its close relative, Aptostichus simus. The discovery provides new insights into spider biodiversity and highlights the growing need to protect fragile coastal ecosystems threatened by human activity and climate change.