Daily Current Affairs 16th July 2025, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

State News

Historic Machilipatnam Port Set to Revival by 2026

• The Machilipatnam Greenfield Port in Andhra Pradesh is under fast construction, with 48% work completed and plans to start operations by the end of 2026. Built by MEIL, the port will boost exports and jobs in the region.
• The ₹5,155 crore project has faced delays since 2007 but is now back on track under the Machilipatnam Port Development Corporation Ltd.
• Both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are investing in related infrastructure, like dry ports and freight corridors.
• Locals are hopeful about better land prices and employment.
• The port is expected to handle 36 million tonnes of cargo every year and support large ships, becoming a key trade hub on the east coast.

Meghalaya Celebrates Sacred Behdeinkhlam Festival

• The Behdeinkhlam Festival was celebrated with energy and joy in Jowai, Meghalaya, in July 2025.
• The festival is important to the Pnars, a sub-tribe of the Jaintia community, and is a prayer for health and a good harvest.
• Rituals include carrying the Symbud Khnong, dancing, food offerings by women, and playing the unique game Dad-lawakor.
• It also spreads messages on drug-free living, climate awareness, and tradition preservation.
• The festival plays a big role in keeping the Niamtre faith alive and in uniting the community.

Goa Government Starts RoRo Ferry Service on Mandovi River

• Goa launched India’s first RoRo ferry service on the Mandovi River, with two high-tech ferries, Gangotri and Dwarka.
• These vessels, built by Vijai Marine Shipyards, cut travel time between Chorao and Ribandar to just 12–13 minutes and can carry passengers and vehicles.
• Launched by CM Pramod Sawant, the project comes at no cost to the government and promises to improve water transport and support tourism and local travel.
• The ferries have modern features like AC cabins, vehicle lanes, and emergency kits, offering a safe and fast journey for all.

India’s Second Longest Cable-Stayed Bridge Opens in Shivamogga

• Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the 2.44 km long Sigandur bridge in Shivamogga, Karnataka, built over the Sharavathi backwaters at a cost of over ₹470 crore.
• Named after Goddess Chowdeshwari Devi, the bridge connects Sagara and Marakutika, restoring links lost due to the Linganamakki dam.
• Gadkari also highlighted that National Highway length in Karnataka has increased significantly, with major upcoming road projects worth ₹5 lakh crore.

Hemanta Sarma Launch India’s First Aqua Tech Park In Assam

• CM Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated India’s first Aqua Tech Park in Sonapur, near Guwahati, Assam.
• Developed by Kolong Kopili NGO with support from NABARD, ICAR-CIFA, and others, the park features new technologies like biofloc, aquaponics, and ornamental fish breeding.
• The park aims to empower fish farmers, boost production, and create jobs.
• Assam has already doubled its fish output between 2019 and 2024 and is now the fourth-largest fish producer in India.
• The government has also launched 10 fishery clusters worth ₹8 crore to support this growth.

Himachal Launches My Deed NGDRS Pilot Project For Land Registration

• Himachal Pradesh government, led by CM Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, launched the ‘My Deed’ NGDRS (National Generic Document Registration System) pilot project to digitize land registration and promote paperless, presence-less, and cashless governance.
• The system allows citizens to apply for land registration online, requiring only a single visit to the tehsil office.
• Initially rolled out in 10 tehsils across 10 districts, the project is supported by complementary digital revenue reforms, including a new Jamabandi format in Hindi, e-Roznamcha Vakyati (digital diary), and Kaarguzari (online attendance).

International News

South Asia Achieves Highest-Ever Child Immunisation Coverage in 2024

• In 2024, South Asia reached a record high in childhood immunisation, as reported by UNICEF and WHO.
• The region saw 92% DTP3 vaccine coverage, a 27% drop in zero-dose children, and a 39% decline in measles cases.
• India and Nepal showed significant progress, while Bangladesh and Sri Lanka expanded HPV vaccinations.
• This success is driven by government leadership, community health workers, and global partnerships.
• However, with over 2.9 million children still un- or under-vaccinated, continued efforts are needed to ensure universal vaccine access across South Asia.

Banking News

UPI-PayNow Expanded To 13 More Indian Banks Join Cross-Border Remittance Network

• The UPI-PayNow linkage, expanded by NPCI International on July 17, 2025, now includes 19 Indian banks, aiming to boost real-time cross-border remittances between India and Singapore.
• Supported by the RBI and Monetary Authority of Singapore, this initiative enhances financial inclusion, especially for migrant workers and students, and showcases India’s progress in global digital payment innovation.

Awards News

President Murmu Confers Kalinga Ratna Award 2024 to Dharmendra Pradhan

• At a ceremony held on July 16, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu awarded Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan with the prestigious Kalinga Ratna Award-2024 in Cuttack, Odisha.
• The event marked the 600th birth anniversary of Adikabi Sarala Das, organized by Sarala Sahitya Sansad, and celebrated the legacy of Odia literature and the importance of linguistic unity in India’s cultural identity.

Appointments News

Sanjay Kaul Appointed CEO of GIFT City, Gandhinagar

• Sanjay Kaul, a 2001-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, has been named the new MD and CEO of GIFT City, Gandhinagar, on July 15, 2025.
• He is currently serving in the Union Ministry of Culture and has previous work experience in Gujarat.
• Appointed on deputation for three years, he will take over from Tapan Ray, who currently holds the post.
• The appointment was confirmed by a notification from the Gujarat General Administration Department.
• GIFT City is a key financial and smart city project, and Kaul’s leadership is expected to boost its growth.

Sabyasachi Couture Appoints Manish Chopra as CEO

• Sabyasachi Couture, the iconic Indian luxury fashion house, has appointed Manish Chopra—former Shein India and Meta executive—as its new CEO, marking a strategic move amid a revival in India’s luxury market.
• The brand, majority-owned (51%) by Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. (ABFRL) since its ₹398 crore acquisition in 2021, is focusing on global expansion and executive leadership strengthening.
• Chopra’s experience in fashion retail scaling supports Sabyasachi’s international ambitions.

Ranks & Reports News

Delhi Ranked World’s Most Affordable Student City in QS 2026 Rankings

• In the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2026, Delhi was named the world’s most affordable student city, while Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai also improved their ranks.
• The rankings, released by QS Quacquarelli Symonds, reflect India’s progress in affordability, employability, and academic quality.
• These gains align with the goals of the National Education Policy 2020, showing India’s growing position in the global education landscape.
• Mumbai ranked 98th, Delhi 104th, Bengaluru 108th, and Chennai 128th in the 2026 rankings.

Schemes News

Cabinet clears PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana 2024-31

Science & Technology News

China Creates Lightest Mind-Control Device for Bees

• Chinese scientists at the Beijing Institute of Technology announced the creation of the world’s lightest mind-controller, weighing just 74 milligrams.
• This device is used to control bees, turning them into cyborgs that can follow commands during military missions, urban combat, drug searches, and disaster rescue.
• The controller sends signals through three tiny needles inserted into the bee’s brain, successfully guiding their flight paths.
• Professor Zhao Jieliang, who led the team, said insect cyborgs offer better movement, stealth, and endurance than machines.
• While battery life remains a problem, the team plans to make future upgrades.

Israel’s Most Advanced Communications Satellite, Dror-1 Launched

• Israel successfully launched its Dror-1 communications satellite on July 13, 2025, using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral.
• Built by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Dror-1 weighs 4.5 tons and is equipped with large antennas and solar panels.
• It will serve Israel’s communication needs for 15 years.
• The launch highlights Israel’s efforts to strengthen its space program, ensure technological self-reliance, and expand secure communication networks using advanced satellite systems.

Obituaries News

Celebrated Queer Poet Andrea Gibson Passes Away at 49

• On July 14, 2025, celebrated queer poet Andrea Gibson, known for their work on gender identity, love, and cancer survival, passed away at 49.
• They served as Poet Laureate of Colorado and were the subject of the Sundance 2025 award-winning documentary Come See Me in the Good Light.
• Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021, Gibson continued to inspire with poetry and activism, leaving behind a legacy of honesty, strength, and beauty.

Current Affairs Today | 16 July Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam