Current Affairs - July 18, 2025

Important events and news from July 18, 2025:

National News

  • Key events occurred in India, including the return of Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from the ISS and notification of transfers for 18 High Court judges.
  • Economic developments included Bihar's announcement of free electricity up to 125 units per month for domestic consumers and Maharashtra becoming the first state to grant agricultural status to livestock and poultry farming.
  • Significant projects and appointments were made, such as Gujarat launching India's first Tribal Genome Sequencing Project and Ajay Kumar Shrivastava being appointed Director (Engineering & R&D) at HAL.
  • Financial sector news included EximPe receiving RBI's approval as a Payment Aggregator – Cross Border and SEBI introducing the VCF Settlement Scheme 2025.
  • The Parliament's Public Accounts Committee called for a review of UIDAI, and the Supreme Court upheld the right of legal heirs of a Scheduled Tribe woman to an equal share in ancestral property.
  • India is expecting its first domestically produced semiconductor chip this year.
  • AAP distanced itself from the INDIA bloc.
  • India advanced a strategic partnership with France for fighter jet engine development.
  • India and Singapore are set to begin the 32nd SIMBEX Naval Exercise.
  • PM Modi highlighted India's progress in gas connectivity and the upgrade of steel and power plants.
  • The Government is targeting making India a developed nation by 2047.

International News

  • The EU approved new sanctions against Russia.
  • US President Donald Trump reiterated his threat of a 10% tariff on imports from BRICS nations and stated more hostages would be released from Gaza.
  • External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar commented on India-China relations.
  • Pakistan urged objective counterterrorism policies.
  • International reports included an Israeli soldier arrested for selling missile footage to Iran, Israel potentially issuing an apology for a Gaza church attack, and Europe warning Iran over the nuclear impasse.
  • Masood Azhar was reportedly spotted in PoK.
  • The Brazilian president reportedly called Trump's trade tariffs 'blackmail'.
  • US intelligence reportedly confirmed the Iranian President's injury in an Israeli airstrike.

Science & Technology

  • Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla returned from his ISS mission.
  • Google launched a free Gemini AI Pro service for Indian students.
  • IIM Kozhikode launched the 'Gyanodaya' Centre for Innovation.
  • World Snake Day was celebrated in Bengaluru.
  • Scientists in the US built the world's most accurate atomic clock.
  • India's first domestically produced semiconductor chip is expected this year.
  • A new species of gecko was discovered in Assam.
  • NASA's Mars rover Curiosity took a 360-degree panorama of the Martian surface.
  • The world's first hybrid chip was announced.

Sports News

  • The World Championship of Legends 2025 began in England.
  • Spain reached the semifinals of the Women's Euro.
  • West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell announced his retirement.
  • Indian women's hockey player Deepika Sehrawat won an award.
  • Sourav Ganguly was nominated for awards.
  • IndusInd Bank and IIS Vijayanagar launched a scheme.
  • The National Cycling Championships will be held in Chennai.
  • DHL Express and Rugby India launched a program.
  • Quintal became the first Indian rider at the World Superbike Championships.

Business & Economy

  • Indian benchmark indices closed lower due to foreign fund outflows.
  • Several companies released their Q1 results, including Axis Bank, Wipro, Hindustan Zinc, Heritage Foods, IOB, MRPL, and CEAT.
  • The Indian rupee settled lower against the US dollar.
  • Reliance Retail acquired Kelvinator.
  • Delhivery will acquire Ecom Express.
  • Waaree Renewable Technologies shares rallied after strong results.
  • Savy Infra and Logistics plans an IPO.
  • Ashok Leyland's bonus shares began trading.
  • Polycab India shares rose after record results.
  • Reliance Industries' Q1 net profit jumped significantly.
  • BEML bagged a Ministry of Defence order.
  • Bandhan Bank's Q1 net profit dipped.
  • Drugmakers sought time for regulatory transition.
  • India is waiting for China to process export licenses for Rare Earth Minerals.