Daily Current Affairs and GK | 20 and 21 July 2025

Topic: Environment and Ecology

1. Indian researchers have discovered a new lichen species named Allographa effusosoredica in the Western Ghats.

• The discovery was made at the MACS-Agharkar Research Institute in Pune.
• This institute operates under India’s Department of Science & Technology.
• The study used both traditional taxonomy and modern molecular methods.
• This combined approach ensured accurate identification of the species.
• Allographa effusosoredica is a crustose lichen with unique diffuse soredia.
• It contains norstictic acid, a rare chemical for its genus.
• Researchers found that its algal partner belongs to the Trentepohlia genus.
• DNA analysis placed this species close to Allographa xanthospora.
• Its physical features closely resemble another lichen called Graphis glaucescens.
• This resemblance raises questions about evolutionary relationships within the Graphidaceae family.
• This is the first Allographa species from India to be confirmed using molecular data.
• The research team included Ansil P. A., Rajeshkumar K. C., Sruthi O. P., and Bharati O. Sharma.
• Their study improves understanding of symbiotic life forms and their genetic diversity.
• Funding came from the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.
• The research project focuses on lichen symbiosis in the Western Ghats.
• Allographa effusosoredica is the 53rd species of this genus reported in India.
• It is the 22nd species found specifically in the Western Ghats.
• Lichens are formed by a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, usually green algae or cyanobacteria.
• These organisms play important roles in ecosystems.
• They help build soil, provide food for insects, and serve as indicators of environmental health.

Topic: Important Days

2. International Chess Day 2025: 20 July

• Every year on July 20, International Chess Day is celebrated by people around the world.
• The day highlights chess players like Viswanathan Anand, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhan, and Magnus Carlsen and their positive impact on society.
• UNESCO proposed the idea of celebrating 20 July as International Chess Day.
• The day is being celebrated since 1966 to commemorate the establishment of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
• The date of July 20 was chosen because the International Chess Federation (FIDE) was founded on this date in 1924 in Paris.
• On December 12, 2019, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared International Chess Day as an international event.
• The International Olympic Committee recognized FIDE in 1999.

Topic: State News/Uttarakhand

3. Amit Shah launched projects worth ₹1,271 crore at Uttarakhand Investment Festival 2025.

• On 19 July, during the ‘Uttarakhand Investment Festival 2025’ organized in Dehradun, Union Home Minister and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth Rs 1,271 crore in Uttarakhand.
• The event celebrated the achievement of Rs 1 lakh crore investment in the state in line with the commitments made during the Global Investor Summit 2023.
• Uttarakhand had received MoUs worth Rs 3.56 lakh crore at the Global Investors Summit 2023.
• Over ₹1 lakh crore in investments have materialized, generating 81,000 jobs, with ancillary industries expected to add 2.5 lakh more employment opportunities.
• Mega infrastructure projects such as the ₹2,700 crore Govind Ghat–Hemkund Sahib ropeway and ₹4,000 crore Sonprayag–Kedarnath ropeway were announced to boost tourism.
• From 2014 to 2024, Uttarakhand received ₹1.86 lakh crore in central assistance, a significant rise from the ₹53,000 crore allocated between 2004 and 2014.
• This includes Rs 31,000 crore for roads, Rs 40,000 crore for railways, and Rs 100 crore for airport development.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

4. The Kashi Declaration adopted at the conclusion of the Youth Spiritual Summit in Varanasi.

• The Youth Spiritual Summit, held in Varanasi under the theme Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat, concluded with the formal launch of the Kashi Declaration.
• Over 600 youth leaders, spiritual organizations, and experts participated in the summit, organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• The summit aimed to lay the foundation for a drug-free India by 2047, positioning youth and spiritual institutions as key drivers of the mission.
• The Summit featured four focused plenary sessions exploring key dimensions of substance abuse: its psychological and societal impacts, the mechanics of drug trafficking and supply chains, strategies for grassroots awareness campaigns, and the role of spiritual and cultural institutions in rehabilitation and prevention.
• The Declaration pledged multi-sectoral collaboration, including a Joint National Committee, progress tracking, and linking affected youth to support systems.
• The Kashi Declaration will serve as a guiding charter, and its progress will be reviewed during the Developing India Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, ensuring continuity and accountability.

Topic: Geography

5. Typhoon Wipha triggered the highest storm alert in Hong Kong, and over 200 flights cancelled.

• On 20 July, Hong Kong issued the highest storm warning due to Typhoon Wipha, which has winds of more than 167 kilometres (103 miles) per hour.

• The powerful typhoon passed approximately 50 km south of the Hong Kong Observatory, unleashing hurricane-force winds, particularly in southern districts.
• More than 200 flights were cancelled as Cathay Pacific suspended all arrivals and departures at Hong Kong International Airport in the interest of passenger safety.
• Wipha moved westward and made landfall on the coast of Taishan City, Guangdong, at around 5:50 p.m., and then weakened into a severe tropical storm.
• A tropical cyclone is called a ‘hurricane’ in the American continent. In the Philippines and Japan, it is called a ‘typhoon.’ In Australia, tropical cyclones are called willy-willys.

Topic: Sports

6. Cricket confirmed for LA28 Olympics in T20 format after a gap of 128 years.

• Cricket will make its Olympic comeback after 128 years, as the sport is officially included in the Los Angeles 2028 Games in the T20 format.
• Both men’s and women’s tournaments will feature six teams, with matches to be played at the temporary Fairgrounds Stadium in Pomona, California.
• The tournament will begin on July 12, with the women’s final on July 20 and the men’s final scheduled for July 29.
• A total of 180 players will take part, with each team allowed a 15-player squad, and most matchdays will feature morning and evening double-headers.
• Cricket last appeared in the Olympics during the 1900 Paris Games, with only one match played between Great Britain and France.
• The venue selected for LA28, Fairgrounds Stadium, spans 500 acres and regularly hosts major events like the LA County Fair.
• The sport’s re-entry into the Olympics aligns with rising interest in the US, especially after hosting the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup.
• Cricket’s return was approved alongside baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash, reflecting a diverse Olympic expansion.
• The ICC is working with national boards to design a fair qualification system to ensure that top-performing teams make it to LA28.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

7. The National Conference on Making Cities Cyber Secure was held on 18 July 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

• The event focused on strengthening cities against growing cyber threats.
• It was organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), in partnership with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• The aim was to build a unified strategy for improving urban cyber resilience.
• Over 300 delegates attended the conference.
• These included State IT and Urban Development Secretaries, senior police officials, Municipal Commissioners, Smart City CEOs, and cybersecurity experts.
• MoHUA unveiled major initiatives for urban cybersecurity.
• These included city-specific cybersecurity frameworks and the mandatory appointment of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs).
• The ministry also highlighted the importance of completing cybersecurity audits.
• Officials warned that increased digitisation of urban systems is exposing cities to higher cyber risks.
• Critical infrastructure like traffic management, utilities, and public services are especially vulnerable.
• Speakers stressed the need for coordinated efforts across government bodies.
• The role of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) in urban governance was a key topic.
• SPVs were encouraged to evolve into flexible, innovation-led institutions.
• The Intelligence Bureau raised concerns over new cyber threats in tech-driven governance models.
• Participants agreed that cybersecurity must be integrated into every phase of urban digital transformation.
• There was a strong consensus on strengthening SPVs to align with national urban and cybersecurity goals.

Topic: Sports

8. At the 2025 FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, Srihari Nataraj achieved a new national milestone in the men’s 200m freestyle.

• He clocked 1:48.22 in the event. This time surpassed his previous best of 1:48.66, which he had set just a month earlier.
• B. Benediction Rohit created history in the 50m butterfly.
• He became the first Indian man to swim the event in under 24 seconds.
• Rohit recorded a time of 23.96 seconds in the semifinals.
• He had already set a national best of 24.00 seconds in the heats earlier the same day.
• This broke the previous national record of 24.09 seconds set by Virdhawal Khade seven years ago.
• Rohit finished first in the preliminary round. He later placed sixth in the semifinals.
• FISU World University Games is an international multi-sport event.
• It is organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation (FISU).

Topic: Space and IT

9. A Martian meteorite weighing 54 pounds (24.5 kg) sold for $5.3 million at Sotheby’s.

• It is the largest known piece of Mars ever found on Earth.
• The sale set a new world record for the highest price paid for a meteorite at auction.
• The rock is officially named NWA 16788.
• The meteorite was discovered in November 2023.
• It was found in the Agadez region of Niger, deep in the Sahara Desert.
• Local residents sensed the rock was special even before scientific tests were done.
• Lab results confirmed that the rock was of Martian origin.
• Tests also revealed that it is the largest Martian meteorite known on Earth.
• Scientists believe it was ejected from Mars about 5 million years ago.
• The meteorite traveled around 140 million miles before reaching Earth.
• It survived the journey through Earth's atmosphere, which destroys most space rocks.
• Instead of falling into the ocean, it landed in the desert. This made it easier to recover.
• A meteorite hunter identified and collected the rock shortly after its fall.
• Sotheby's is one of the world's largest brokers of fine and decorative art, jewellery, and collectibles. It is is a British-founded multinational corporation.

Topic: International News

10. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the United Kingdom and the Maldives from July 23 to 26, 2025.

• He has been invited by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
• Modi will be in the UK from July 23 to 24. This will be his fourth official visit to the country.
• He will hold wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Starmer.
• These talks will focus on strengthening bilateral ties.
• They will also cover key regional and global developments.
• Modi is expected to meet King Charles III during the visit.
• The leaders will review the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• Key areas of cooperation include trade, defence, innovation, climate action, health, education, and people-to-people connections.
• From July 25 to 26, Modi will travel to the Maldives.
• He is visiting at the invitation of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. This marks Modi’s third trip to the Maldives.
• It will be the first visit by any foreign Head of Government under Muizzu’s leadership.
• On July 26, Modi will be the Guest of Honour at the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations.
• He will hold bilateral talks with President Muizzu.
• The leaders will discuss areas of mutual interest and strategic cooperation.
• They will also review the India-Maldives Joint Vision for Economic and Maritime Security.
• This vision was launched during Muizzu’s visit to India in October 2024.
• The visit highlights India’s commitment to the Maldives as part of its Neighbourhood First policy.