Daily Current Affairs and GK | 10 July 2025

Topic: Biotechnology and Diseases

1. A new malaria medicine for newborns and infants has been approved for use.

• This is the world’s first-ever malaria treatment suitable for babies and very young children.
• The drug is called Coartem and was developed by Novartis.
• Swiss authorities have granted official approval for the treatment.
• This is a major step forward in the fight against malaria.
• Children under the age of five are most at risk of dying from the disease.
• The medicine will soon be produced and distributed in Africa.
• Africa experiences the highest number of malaria-related deaths.
• In 2023, malaria killed more than 500,000 people worldwide.
• Until now, babies were treated with doses made for older children.
• This posed serious risks, including the chance of overdose.
• Malaria:
  • It is spread by the bite of an infected female anopheles mosquito.
  • Infected mosquitoes spread the Plasmodium parasite.
  • It is a preventable and treatable infectious disease.
  • In 1897, Sir Ronald Ross found that malaria among humans is spread by female mosquitoes. Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malarial drug.

Topic: Sports

2. Indonesia will host the 2025 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships.

• Indonesia will host the 2025 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta’s Senayan from October 19 to 25.

• This is the first time any Southeast Asian country will be hosting this prestigious gymnastics event.
• Indonesian Gymnastics Federation president Ita Yuliati announced that a record 86 countries and territories have already registered for the 53rd edition of the championships.
• Typically attended by about 70 nations, this edition will see a record-breaking level of international participation.
• More than 600 athletes will take part, competing in various men's and women's artistic gymnastics events.
• The championship has been held annually since 1903 for men and since 1934 for women.

Topic: Personality in News

3. Commemorative coin and stamp unveiled on 125th birth anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee.

• On 9 July, an exhibition and program organized by the Ministry of Culture in New Delhi to mark the biannual commemoration of the 125th birth anniversary of Bharat Kesari Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
• A resolution was announced by the Ministry of Culture to hold events continuously for two years to celebrate Dr. Mookerjee’s legacy.
• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh described Dr. Mookerjee as a social reformer who strongly opposed the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir.
• The struggle initiated by Dr. Mookerjee was fulfilled in 2019 with the abrogation of Article 370 from the Constitution.
• A commemorative postage stamp and coin in honour of Dr. Mookerjee were jointly unveiled by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Dr. Jitendra Singh.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

4. 27th Eastern Zonal Council Meeting chaired by Union Home Minister in Ranchi.

• On 10 July, the 27th Eastern Zonal Council (EZC) meeting was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Ranchi with high-level security arrangements in place.
• A total of 70 delegates from four eastern states—Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal—participated in the discussions.
• Chief Minister Mohancharan Manjhi, Deputy CM Parvati Parida, and Minister Mukesh Mahalingam represented Odisha at the council.
• Bihar was represented by Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary and Minister Vijay Chaudhary, while Minister Chandrika Bhattacharya attended from West Bengal.
• Jharkhand’s delegation was led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, accompanied by senior officials including the Chief Secretary and DGP.
• Key issues discussed included swift investigation of sexual offense cases and the establishment of fast-track special courts for quick resolution.
• It focused on expanding rural banking access and resolving interstate issues, including water sharing and asset division.
• The Jharkhand government demanded restoration of security-related expenditure (SRE) funds in 14 districts that were earlier classified as Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) affected but were later removed from the list, leading to stoppage of SRE assistance.
• A claim of Rs. 1.36 lakh crore in pending coal mine royalty dues from the Centre was also raised by the Jharkhand government.
• Over 20 agenda items concerning education, electricity, health, urban development, and cooperative reforms were tabled for review.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

5. 4 MoUs signed between India and Namibia to deepen economic partnership by exploring new areas of cooperation.

• On 9 July, India and Namibia signed four MoUs covering cooperation in health, medicine, entrepreneurship, and bilateral development during delegation-level talks in Windhoek.
• The meeting was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the State House.
• A major announcement was made regarding the upcoming launch of a digital payments system in Namibia later this year.
• Letters of acceptance were presented for Namibia’s participation in the CDRI and the Global Biofuels Alliance.
• Namibia is the first country in the world where NPCI has entered into a technology agreement with a central bank for the implementation of a UPI-like payment system in the country.
• Prime Minister Modi paid tribute at the National Memorial Heroes’ Acre to Sam Nujoma, the founding father of Namibia.
• Multilateral issues like terrorism and institutional reforms were also addressed by both leaders.
• The strategic partnership between the two nations was reaffirmed through technological, diplomatic, and developmental cooperation.

Topic: International News

6. Bulgaria will join the eurozone as its 21st member in January 2026.

• On July 8, 2025, EU finance ministers officially approved Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro, with the transition to take place on January 1, 2026.

• With this move, Bulgaria will become the 21st member of the eurozone and replace its national currency, the lev.
• Bulgaria’s switch from the lev to the euro comes nearly 19 years after the country of 6.4 million people joined the European Union.
• The euro-to-lev exchange rate has been officially fixed at 1.95583.
• Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov of Bulgaria expressed gratitude for the collective efforts that enabled the milestone decision.
• A smooth and efficient transition to the euro was promised by the Bulgarian government for the benefit of its citizens.
• EU economy chief Valdis Dombrovskis remarked that eurozone membership signified a stronger and more prosperous future for Bulgaria.
• The move was seen as a step forward in Bulgaria’s integration into the European economic framework.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honored with Namibia’s top civilian award.

• The award is called the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis.

• It was given in recognition of his role in strengthening India-Namibia relations.
• This is the 27th international honour received by PM Modi.
• It is also the fourth award during his ongoing five-nation tour.
• The award was presented by Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
• PM Modi is the first Indian leader to receive this Namibian honour.
• The award was established in 1995.
• It is meant to recognize exceptional service and leadership.
• The award is named after the Welwitschia Mirabilis, a rare desert plant found in Namibia.
• The plant symbolizes endurance, resilience, and the spirit of the Namibian people.
• This is the second international award Modi has received in less than 24 hours.
• The honour reflects a major step forward in India-Namibia diplomatic ties.

Topic: International News

8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has returned to New Delhi after completing his five-nation tour.

• He visited Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.
• During the tour, he held high-level meetings with the leaders of these countries.
• These discussions focused on enhancing diplomatic and economic cooperation.
• In Brazil, he attended the BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro.
• The visit aimed to deepen India’s engagement with the Global South.
• It also focused on building stronger ties across the Atlantic region.
• India sought to expand its role in global platforms like BRICS, the African Union, ECOWAS, and CARICOM.
• Three key announcements were made during the last leg of the tour.
• One was the plan to launch a digital payment system in Namibia later this year.
• Another was Namibia joining the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
• Namibia also became a part of the Global Biofuel Alliance, both led by India.

Topic: Defence

9. ‘Nistar’ is the Indian Navy’s first domestically designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel.

• It was delivered by Hindustan Shipyard Limited on 08 July 2025 in Visakhapatnam.
• The vessel has been built in accordance with the classification standards of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
• It is designed for complex underwater diving and rescue operations.
• Only a few navies in the world possess such advanced underwater capabilities.
• The name ‘Nistar’ is derived from Sanskrit. It translates to rescue, salvation, or deliverance.
• The vessel is 118 metres long. It has a displacement of nearly 10,000 tons.
• It features state-of-the-art systems for saturation diving.
• These systems enable diving operations up to 300 metres deep.
• It is also equipped with a Side Diving Platform. This platform supports dives up to 75 metres.
• The vessel serves as the host ship for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV).
• The DSRV is used to rescue submariners during underwater emergencies.
• ‘Nistar’ carries advanced Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). These ROVs assist in diver monitoring and salvage missions.
• They can operate at depths of up to 1000 metres.
• The ship has about 75% indigenous content.
• Its delivery is a major milestone in India’s naval self-reliance efforts.
• It supports the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. It also advances the Make in India initiative.

Topic: Environment and Ecology

10. Western Europe experienced its hottest June on record in 2025.

• The average temperature reached 20.49°C.
• This data was provided by the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.
• Two intense heatwaves hit the region during the month.
• The first occurred from June 17 to 22.
• The second heatwave happened at the end of June.
• June 30 recorded a daily average temperature of 24.9°C.
• This was one of the most extreme days of the month.
• Temperatures were 2.81°C above the 1991–2020 average.
• Prolonged heat domes fueled the extreme heat conditions.
• These domes led to worsening droughts and air pollution.
• They also triggered wildfires across multiple areas.
• Tropical nights became more frequent and intense.
• High overnight temperatures affected sleep and health.
• Public health was significantly impacted by the sustained heat.
• The western Mediterranean experienced record sea surface temperatures.
• These marine heatwaves added to the environmental stress.
• Scientists warned that such events will increase with climate change.
• Globally, June 2025 was the third-warmest June ever recorded.