World Population Day observed on 11 July. World Population Day 2025 highlights this challenge, focusing on the largest-ever generation of young people. The theme, “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world,” calls for ensuring youth have the rights, tools, and opportunities to shape their futures.
It took hundreds of thousands of years for the world population to grow to 1 billion – then in just another 200 years or so, it grew sevenfold. In 2011, the global population reached the 7 billion mark, it stands at almost 7.9 billion in 2021, and it's expected to grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050, and 10.9 billion in 2100.
In May 2024, The UN General Assembly, in a resolution sponsored by Germany and Rwanda, designated 11 July as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica.
The Assembly also asked the Secretary-General to establish an outreach programme on the Srebrenica genocide in preparation for the 30th anniversary.
2025 will mark the thirtieth anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, in which more than 8,000 lives were lost, thousands were displaced and families and communities were devastated.
In recognition of this lasting partnership, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 79/291 on 3 June 2025, declaring 11 July “World Horse Day.” The resolution calls on governments, schools, businesses and individuals to celebrate the role of horses — and to tackle the challenges they face in the modern world.
The numbers speak for themselves: the FAO’s 2023 data counts around 60.8 million horses globally, athough they are unevenly distributed. The United States has 2.41 million horses and ponies on over 63,000 farms (2022 USDA Census), while the European Union supports a herd of about 7 million equines and 800,000 jobs in breeding, sport and tourism.
The Central Government has approved the release of Rs. 1,066.80 crore to flood, landslides, affected States of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Kerala, Uttarakhand. Among the six flood affected states, Assam received Rs. 375.60 crore, Rs. 29.20 crore was given to Manipur, Rs. 30.40 crore to Meghalaya, Rs. 22.80 crore to Mizoram, Rs. 153.20 crore to Kerala, and,
Rs. 455.60 crore to Uttarakhand, as Central share from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). These states have been affected due to extremely heavy rainfall, floods and landslides during the south-west monsoon of this year.
Indian Railways has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) for the installation of Machine Vision Based Inspection System (MVIS) for monitoring the health of rolling stock.
MVIS is a modern, AI/ML-based technology solution deployed on wayside that captures high-resolution images of the under-gear of moving trains and automatically detects any hanging, loose, or missing components. On detecting anomalies, the system generates real-time alerts to facilitate prompt response and preventive action.
Under the terms of the MoU, DFCCIL will be responsible for the procurement, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of four MVIS units. This revolutionary system marks a first for Indian Railways. This initiative also aligns with IR’s broader objective of introducing modern, intelligent systems to the railway ecosystem.
In a significant move to enhance employability and career pathways for tribal students, the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Motors Limited (TML).
This collaborative agreement, signed on 09th July, 2025, aims to jointly facilitate skill-linked education and employment opportunities for tribal students completing their Grade 12th from Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), specifically through their enrollment in the prestigious Tata Motors Kaushalya Program.
This five-year MoU, effective from the date of signing, underscores a shared commitment to improving the quality of life for socially disadvantaged communities. It aligns with national development goals and the Sustainable Development Goals by focusing on employability and education, providing a structured pathway for tribal youth to integrate into the skilled workforce.
The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in partnership with UNICEF India launched TALASH (Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills and Self-Esteem Hub) — a national- program to support the all-round development of students in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs).
TALASH aims to improve both the education and personal growth of tribal students across India.
The name TALASH, reflects a focused search for self-awareness, life skills, and career clarity among tribal youth.
The first initiative of its kind in India is aimed specifically at tribal students.
Telangana has bagged the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) Industry Excellence Award 2025 under the category of State Leadership – Battery Manufacturing.
The recognition underscores the State’s pioneering efforts in fostering a robust eco-system for battery manufacturing and new energy technologies in India, said IT, Electronics and Communications Department.
The award was presented during the 11th India Energy Storage Week (IESW) 2025 in New Delhi.
Telangana over past few years has emerged as a hub for advanced energy manufacturing, driven by proactive industrial policies, strategic infrastructure development and strong support for innovation.
Driving these developments are progressive policies such as Telangana EV and Energy Storage Policy and Telangana Renewable Energy Policy along with the creation of dedicated industrial clusters, making Telangana an attractive investment across the battery and cell manufacturing value chain, EV assembly, and component supply, it said.
Priya Nair has been appointed as MD and CEO of FMCG giant Hindustan Unilever (HUL), the company informed the exchanges on July 10.
Nair will replace Rohit Jawa, who will step down from the top role at the company on July 31. He has quit in order to "pursue the next chapter in his personal and professional journey", the FMCG major said in a statement.
Jawa had taken over as the CEO and MD of HUL in 2023.
Nair has been appointed for a term of 5 years with effect from 1st August, 2025 till 31st July, 2030, the company statement said.
"The appointment of Priya Nair as the MD & CEO will be subject to approval of shareholders and other statutory approvals as may be applicable," the company added in a customary rejoinder.
The ‘Home of Cricket’ bore witness to an iconic moment on Thursday as Sachin Tendulkar, one of the most celebrated figures the game has ever seen, officially rang the five-minute bell to signal the start of Day 1 of the third Test between England and India at Lord’s.
While the ceremony itself has become a tradition since its inception, involving past greats, officials, and legends from across the sporting world, Tendulkar’s turn at the bell marked a special convergence. The Indian great rang the ball for a Test, which is part of the series named after him; the series between India and England was renamed the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy,
ahead of its ongoing edition.
Adding to the occasion, Tendulkar was earlier honoured in a private event inside the Lord’s museum, where he unveiled his own portrait alongside former MCC President, Mark Nicholas. The portrait now takes its place among the greats in the iconic venue, further cementing the Master Blaster's legacy in cricket’s spiritual home.
Tendulkar holds the record for most runs in Tests and ODIs, and has also played the highest number of matches in both formats. Additionally, he has the most international centuries (100), and the most Test centuries (51).
The Reserve Bank issued draft guidelines for novation of OTC derivative contracts to rationalising the related regulatory requirements.
Novation means the replacement of a market maker with another market maker in an OTC derivative contract between two counterparties to an OTC derivative transaction with a new contract between remaining party and a third party(transferee).
The transaction shall be undertaken at prevailing market rates, said the Draft Reserve Bank of India (Novation of OTC Derivative Contracts) Directions, 2025.
"The novation of an OTC derivative contract shall be done with the prior consent of the remaining party," it said.
It further added that the Fixed Income Money Market and Derivatives Association of India (FIMMDA) and the Foreign Exchange Dealers' Association of India (FEDAI), as applicable, in consultation with market participants and based on international best practices, shall devise standard agreements for novation.
"Market participants may, alternatively, use a standard master agreement for novation," the draft said.
At present, the novation of OTC derivative contracts is governed by the RBI circular dated December 9, 2013.
The provisions of the circular have been reviewed in the light of changes in the overall regulatory framework governing OTC derivatives since 2013 and the market feedback received, as well as with a view to rationalising the related regulatory requirements, the RBI said.
The U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) on Friday announced that Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, has joined the Executive Committee of its Board of Directors.
Birla was also recently honoured with the Global Leadership Award at the 2025 USISPF Leadership Summit held in Washington, D.C.
Other USISPF members welcomed Birla’s appointment. Shantanu Narayen, Chair and CEO of Adobe and Vice Chair of the USISPF Executive Committee, said, “His visionary leadership and transformative impact on global business make him an invaluable addition to our efforts in strengthening the U.S.-India partnership.”
USISPF noted that the Aditya Birla Group is India’s third-largest conglomerate, with leadership across sectors including cement, chemicals, metals, textiles, fashion, and financial services. The group’s growth, it added, is supported by a meritocratic culture and a global workforce of 180,000 employees.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is putting $100 million into IIFL Home Finance Limited to help more low-income families in India get access to affordable housing. The funding targets economically weaker sections and low-income groups, while also pushing for greener building practices that align with India’s climate goals.
This marks AIIB’s first partnership with IIFLHF and shows the bank’s growing work with India’s non-banking financial companies.
The funding fits with India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and backs government programs like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban 2.0, which aims to tackle urban housing shortages.
It also supports AIIB’s Sustainable Cities Strategy and its focus on green infrastructure, combining social impact with environmental goals.
AIIB’s money will work on both sides of India’s affordable housing market. On the demand side, it will help IIFLHF give home loans to families so they can buy or build their own homes.
