SPORTS

Artistic Gymnastics World Championships 2025

• The 53rd Artistic Gymnastics World Championships will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from October 19 to 25, 2025, at the Senayan venue.

• This will be the first time a Southeast Asian country is set to host this globally renowned gymnastics competition.

• Ita Yuliati, President of the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation, confirmed a record 86 nations and territories have already registered.

• The event will witness unprecedented global participation, surpassing the usual attendance of around 70 countries.

• Over 600 gymnasts are expected to compete in various men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics disciplines.

• The championships represent a major moment for Indonesia’s sporting history and regional representation on the world stage.

• The Artistic Gymnastics World Championships have been held annually since 1903 for men and since 1934 for women.

• Jakarta’s hosting is set to boost gymnastics visibility in Southeast Asia and further promote international sports collaboration.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

27th Eastern Zonal Council Meeting in Ranchi

• The 27th Eastern Zonal Council (EZC) session was held on 10 July in Ranchi, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, with heightened security in place.

• The meeting saw participation from nearly 70 delegates representing Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal, focusing on vital inter-state and regional issues.

• Senior leaders including Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary, and Odisha CM Mohancharan Manjhi were present, accompanied by ministers and senior state officials.

• A major point of discussion was the acceleration of sexual crime investigations and the establishment of dedicated fast-track courts for quicker adjudication.

• The council addressed issues such as enhancing rural banking access, disputes over inter-state water distribution, and asset division among the states.

• The Jharkhand government sought restoration of Security-Related Expenditure (SRE) funding for 14 districts removed from the Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) list and also highlighted a pending coal royalty of ₹1.36 lakh crore from the Centre.

• Topics related to education, healthcare, power infrastructure, urban planning, and cooperative sector reforms were actively reviewed.

• More than 20 key agenda items were placed on the table, aimed at strengthening governance, boosting cooperation, and ensuring sustainable development across eastern India.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Bulgaria to Join Eurozone as 21st Member in January 2026

• EU finance ministers have approved Bulgaria's entry into the eurozone, with the country set to adopt the euro on January 1, 2026.

• This shift will make Bulgaria the 21st member of the eurozone, officially replacing its current currency, the lev.

• The euro-to-lev exchange rate has been fixed at 1.95583, setting the basis for the upcoming currency transition.

• The change comes 19 years after Bulgaria joined the European Union, marking a major step in its economic integration.

• Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov thanked all stakeholders involved and assured a smooth transition for citizens and businesses.

• The Bulgarian government pledged efficiency in implementing the new currency system for public convenience and economic stability.

• EU economic affairs chief Valdis Dombrovskis welcomed the move, calling it a sign of Bulgaria’s growing prosperity and deeper EU alignment.

• Bulgaria’s euro adoption is seen as a milestone in strengthening its position within the European financial system.

PM Modi Concludes Five-Nation Tour with Key Strategic Outcomes

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to New Delhi after completing a significant five-nation tour, covering Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.

• During the visit, he held high-level bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening economic and diplomatic ties with these partner nations.

• In Brazil, Modi participated in the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, focusing on multilateral collaboration and South-South cooperation.

• The tour emphasized India’s outreach to the Global South and efforts to build strategic alliances across the Atlantic region.

• India reaffirmed its commitment to global platforms including BRICS, the African Union, ECOWAS, and CARICOM, seeking broader international engagement.

• In the final leg of the trip, three major announcements were made, including the launch of a digital payment system in Namibia.

• Namibia formally joined the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), enhancing resilience through Indian-led initiatives.

• The country also became a member of the Global Biofuel Alliance, marking expanded collaboration in sustainable energy under India’s leadership.

DEFENCE

Indian Navy Inducts Indigenous Diving Support Vessel ‘Nistar’

• ‘Nistar’, the Indian Navy’s first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), was handed over by Hindustan Shipyard Limited on 8 July 2025 in Visakhapatnam.

• Constructed under Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) standards, the vessel is tailored for advanced underwater rescue and diving operations.

• At 118 metres in length and displacing nearly 10,000 tons, it features state-of-the-art saturation diving systems capable of reaching depths of 300 metres.

• The ship includes a Side Diving Platform for operations up to 75 metres, and serves as the mother ship for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV).

• Equipped with Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), it can support missions and diver surveillance at depths up to 1000 metres.

• The name of the vessel, ‘Nistar’, is derived from Sanskrit, signifying rescue or salvation, which aligns with its primary purpose.

• Comprising approximately 75% domestically sourced components, Nistar stands as a testament to India’s growing self-reliance in naval engineering.

• The successful delivery highlights India’s progress under Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the Make in India initiative, placing the Navy among few with such deep-sea capabilities.

AWARDS

PM Modi Conferred Namibia’s Highest Civilian Honour

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Namibia’s top civilian award, the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, during his visit to the African nation.

• The award was presented by Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, recognizing Modi’s efforts in enhancing bilateral relations.

• This marks the 27th international award received by PM Modi and the fourth honour during his ongoing five-nation diplomatic tour.

• PM Modi has become the first Indian leader to be honoured with this prestigious Namibian decoration.

• The award, established in 1995, is reserved for individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and service.

• Named after the Welwitschia Mirabilis, a unique desert plant native to Namibia, the award symbolizes resilience and national pride.

• Modi’s recognition came within 24 hours of receiving another international honour, highlighting his active global diplomatic engagement.

• The award reflects a significant boost in India-Namibia ties, underlining shared values and growing cooperation.