The Tamil Nadu government has initiated India's first Centre of Excellence for Hornbill Conservation at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) in Coimbatore district. This pioneering effort aims to protect hornbills, vital seed dispersers in tropical forests, threatened by habitat loss and climate change. Funded with Rs. 1 crore under the Endangered Species Conservation Corpus Fund, the Centre will focus on research, habitat restoration, and community involvement to safeguard four hornbill species native to the Western Ghats.
Hornbills are crucial for forest regeneration. They disperse seeds of native trees, maintaining biodiversity and forest health. Known as farmers of the forest, these birds support the growth of species like fig and canarium trees. Their decline affects entire ecosystems and other wildlife dependent on forest habitats.
RRBs Reduced from 43 to 28 to Simplify Management, Ease of Service Delivery
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the amalgamation of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) resulted in formation of a state-level RRB with contiguous area of operation leading to simplifying management and ease of service delivery.
In a written reply to a question on the first day of the Parliament's Monsoon Session, FM Sitharaman said that guided by the principle of 'One State-One RRB', the government continued with the process of further consolidation of RRBs in "Phase IV amalgamation" to achieve the benefits of scale efficiency and cost rationalisation, whereby number of RRBs has been reduced from 43 to 28 (with effect from May 1, 2025) in 26 states and 2 UTs.
LIC Signs MoU with Rural Development Ministry to Promote Bima Sakhi Yojana
The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) entered into a significant partnership with the Ministry of Rural Development to promote the Bima Sakhi Yojana, a women-centric insurance distribution initiative. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed during the 'Anubhuti' Conclave on Financial Inclusion held in Goa, reflects a mutual commitment toward women empowerment, financial inclusion, and enhancing rural livelihoods through structured insurance career opportunities.
NASA-ISRO Joint Satellite NISAR Set for July 30 Launch
The launch of NISAR, an earth observation satellite jointly developed by NASA and ISRO, is set to take place on July 30 from the country's only spaceport in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The satellite will be launched on the GSLV-F16 and be put in a 734 km sun synchronous orbit — an orbit in which the satellite reaches over a place at the same time each day.
The satellite will scan nearly all of Earth's land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days. The mission will measure changes in the planet's terrestrial ecosystems, growth and retreat of its ice sheets, glaciers, and sea ice, and tectonic deformation of its crust. The data will be accessible to all users across a range of disciplines, with potential applicability in disaster response, infrastructure monitoring, and agricultural decision support. Weighing 2,392 kg, it will be the first satellite ever to observe the Earth in two frequencies — NASA's L-band and ISRO's S-band.
In a major development for international cricket, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was awarded the hosting rights for the next three ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Finals—scheduled in 2027, 2029, and 2031. This announcement was made during the ICC Annual Conference 2025, held in Singapore, affirming ECB's consistency in successfully managing previous finals, including those in 2021, 2023, and 2025. This move strengthens England's position as a premier destination for global cricketing events.
The World Test Championship was launched by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to revive and add context to Test cricket. It features a two-year league cycle where the top teams compete for a place in the WTC Final.
In a surprise late-evening development, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar announced resignation from his post, leaving the Opposition in disbelief and fuelled a flurry of speculation in political circles. He had two years to go for the end of his five-year tenure, citing health concerns.
His resignation, addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, was with immediate effect.
He was the 14th Vice President of India.
Deepak Bagla Appointed as Mission Director of Atal Innovation Mission
The Government of India appointed Deepak Bagla as the new Mission Director of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), which plays a critical role in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship across the country. Bagla brings with him a strong background in investment facilitation and policy leadership.
The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is a flagship initiative under the NITI Aayog, launched to foster innovation and support start-ups. It aims to build an ecosystem that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills, particularly among students and budding entrepreneurs.
Deepak Bagla, who previously served as Managing Director & CEO of Invest India, now heads AIM. He has significant experience representing India on international platforms and was also President of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA).
GRSE Launches Last of 8 Anti-Submarine Warfare Ships for Indian Navy
Defence PSU Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd launched the eighth and last ship, in a series of anti-submarine warfare shallow water crafts, built for the Indian Navy.
The ship, named Ajay, was launched by Priya Deshmukh, wife of Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh, chief of materiel of the Indian Navy, who was the chief guest at the function.
The 13th High-Level Meeting between the Indian Coast Guard and the Korea Coast Guard
The 13th High-Level Meeting (HLM) between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Korea Coast Guard (KCG) was held in New Delhi. Both sides engaged in discussions to boost cooperation in Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR), Pollution Response (PR), and Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE), while reaffirming their commitment to share best practices and enhance interoperability under the 2006 MoU.
The meeting was co-chaired by Director General ICG S. Paramesh and Commissioner General KIM Yong Jin, Commissioner General, KCG.
Fashion Designer Saloni Malhotra Crowned Mrs. World International 2025
In a glittering spectacle of beauty, empowerment, and grace, fashion designer Saloni Malhotra was crowned Mrs. World International 2025. Outshining over 25,000 global contestants and making it to the top 150 finalists, she finally emerged as the winner of Mrs. World International 2025 (Enchanting).
The international pageant witnessed participation from accomplished women across India, the UAE, the UK, the USA, and Australia, all competing for the coveted crown.
National Flag Day in India is celebrated annually on July 22 to commemorate the historic day when the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the present-day tricolour flag as the official National Flag of the country. The occasion also serves as a platform to appreciate and raise public awareness about the flag's role in symbolising India's independence, unity, and rich heritage.
The history of Indian National Flag Day traces back to the early 20th century and culminates in its formal adoption by the Constituent Assembly in 1947.
World Brain Day
World Brain Day, observed every year on July 22, is dedicated to raising global awareness about brain health and promoting preventive strategies to protect brain function across all ages. The day emphasises the importance of maintaining cognitive well-being, preventing neurological disorders, and empowering individuals to make lifestyle changes that support a healthy brain.
World Brain Day was initiated by the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) in collaboration with various global neurological associations. The aim was to spotlight neurological conditions and encourage early interventions and research.
The theme for World Brain Day 2025 is 'Brain Health for All Ages'.
DBS Conferred Three Global Awards, Including the Most Prestigious 'World's Best Bank' Accolade, by Euromoney
DBS scored a hat-trick of global wins at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025. This included receiving the 'World's Best Bank' accolade, marking the third time that the bank has clinched Euromoney's top accolade since 2019. The recognition is a testament to DBS' solid financial performance, unwavering commitment to customer excellence, relentless focus on innovation and strong sense of purpose. DBS was also named the inaugural winner in the 'World's Best Bank for Customer Experience' category and 'World's Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility' for the second time. In another maiden win from Euromoney, DBS was recognised as the 'Best Digital Bank for SMEs' in India, underlining the value that its digital-first offering has delivered for customers domestically as well.
Chhattisgarh passed 'Jan Vishwas Bill' in the Assembly marking a significant step towards ease of living and doing business in the State.
With a focus to lessen non-essential legal burdens and encouraging voluntary compliance, Chhattisgarh became only the second State in the country to pass the Bill that replaces criminal penalties with fines for minor violations.
The new Act will aim to decriminalise minor technical violations by citizens and business owners -- many of which stemmed from outdated British-era laws.
Touted as a historic reform, the bill intended towards securing trust-based governance prioritising transparency with accountability between the government and its citizens and trade.
Parliament Passes 'Bills of Lading, 2025' to Modernise Maritime Law in India
The Parliament passed the Bills of Lading, 2025, replacing the 169-year-old colonial-era Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856. The Rajya Sabha cleared the bill on the first day of the Monsoon Session, following its earlier passage in the Lok Sabha in March 2025. The bill now awaits Presidential assent before becoming law.
Tabled by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, the bill marks a significant step in India's efforts to overhaul outdated legal frameworks and align them with contemporary global standards. Once enacted, the legislation will simplify maritime shipping documentation in India, making it more transparent, efficient, and in tune with international trade practices.
OpenAI Wins Gold at the World's Toughest Math Exam
In a jaw-dropping achievement for the world of artificial intelligence, OpenAI's latest experimental model scored at the gold medal level at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) -- one of the toughest math exams on the planet.
This is the same event held on the Sunshine Coast in Australia where India won six medals this year and ranked 7th amongst 110 participating countries.
The IMO is no ordinary competition. Since its launch in 1959 in Romania, it has become the gold standard for testing mathematical genius among high school students globally.
Over two intense days, participants face a gruelling four-and-a-half-hour paper with only three questions each day. These are not your average exam questions -- they demand deep logic, creativity and problem-solving stamina.
Despite that, OpenAI's model solved five out of six questions correctly -- under the same testing conditions as human competitors.
Dr. C. B. Rao Launches a Book That Helps You Think with Clarity
Dr. C. Bhaktavatsala Rao, a well-known business leader and author, launched his 18th book titled 'Think to Win: 101 Ways for Amazing Transformations'. The book focuses on the one tool we all use every day--thinking.
With over 50 years of work experience, Dr. Rao writes from real-life knowledge. He shares how clear thinking can make a big difference in personal and work life. The book has 101 short chapters. Each one talks about one way of thinking, such as creative thinking, collaborative thinking, or analytical thinking. It's easy to read and can help people in all fields.
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