“DEFENCE”

India-Australia Defence Ties Grow Stronger with Joint Military Exercise

For the first time ever, India has joined Exercise Talisman Sabre, Australia’s largest bilateral military drill, marking an important moment in India-Australia defence cooperation. The exercise officially began on July 13, 2025, and involves 19 nations, including the United States. This participation boosts India’s presence in Indo-Pacific security efforts. India’s debut in the high-level Exercise Talisman Sabre was welcomed as a significant step in deepening its defence ties with Australia. 

“SPORTS”

Chelsea Beat PSG to Win Inaugural Edition of Club World Cup 2025

Chelsea FC won the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 by defeating Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) 3-0 in the final on July 13, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA. Young midfielder Cole Palmer was the star, scoring two goals and assisting the third in a dominant display. This is Chelsea’s second Club World Cup title and a proud moment in their football history.

Jannik Sinner Stuns Alcaraz to Win First Wimbledon Title

Jannik Sinner won his first Wimbledon title by defeating two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in London. This was a big moment in tennis, as it showed how strong the rivalry between the two young stars has become. The win also gave Sinner his fourth Grand Slam title and ended many winning streaks held by Alcaraz. Jannik Sinner, a 23-year-old from Italy, defeated Carlos Alcaraz, 22, from Spain, in four sets: 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. The match took place at Centre Court in the All England Club.

Harikrishnan A Becomes India’s 87th Grandmaster

Harikrishnan A. Ra., a 23-year-old chess player from Chennai, has officially become India’s 87th Grandmaster. He earned his final Grandmaster (GM) norm at the La Plagne International Chess Festival in France on July 11, 2025, completing a long seven-year journey from International Master (IM) to GM.

“APPOINTMENTS”

Sonali Mishra Becomes First Woman to Lead RPF

Sonali Mishra, a senior IPS officer from the 1993 batch, has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of the Railway Protection Force (RPF). She will be the first woman to head the RPF, which is responsible for ensuring the safety of railway passengers and property. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved her appointment, and she will serve in the role until October 31, 2026.

“NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS”

India Launches World’s First Traditional Knowledge Digital Library

India became the first country in the world to launch a Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL). This important step aims to protect and promote India’s rich traditional medicine systems using modern digital tools like Artificial Intelligence (AI). The World Health Organization (WHO) praised India’s efforts, calling it a big moment for global healthcare innovation.

Byrnihat, Delhi Most Polluted Cities in First Half of 2025

A new analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has found that Byrnihat, on the Assam-Meghalaya border, was the most polluted city in India from January to June 2025, with Delhi following closely behind. The study is based on air quality data from the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) across 293 Indian cities. The report highlights serious concerns about air pollution, especially in urban areas.

New Butterfly Species Found in Kerala’s Western Ghats

A team of Indian scientists has discovered a new butterfly species named Zographetus mathewi in the Western Ghats of Kerala. The butterfly, found in low-elevation forests, is unique to this region and adds to India’s rich wildlife diversity. This rare discovery highlights the importance of studying and protecting the Western Ghats, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot.