NEWS 17-07-2025. News For 18th-Jul (Friday) National 1. ISRO carried out a crucial round of hot tests for the Gaganyaan mission’s Service Module Propulsion System at IPRC, Tamil Nadu. 2. Yakten village in Sikkim became India’s first Digital Nomad Village. It is targeted at promoting rural tech integration and tourism. 3. 12 forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj were included in UNESCO World Heritage List. International 1. India & Namibia relations have bolstered as both countries signed some MoUs in health and biofuel sectors. Also PM Modi was conferred with Namibia’s highest civilian award. 2. Bangladesh has been hit by new 35% US tariff on exports. 3. Trinidad & Tobago became the 1st Caribbean country to adopt India’s UPI for rupee payments. Namibia is also planning to adopt this system. Also the NPCI have expanded UPI in UAE, strengthening India-UAE financial connectivity. 4. DR of Congo have placed defence orders for Indian-made loitering munitions and drone systems. 5. Bulgaria is set to adopt the Euro as their official currency from 1st Jan 2026. 6. India has signed a long-term fertilizer agreements with Saudi Arabia during JP Nadda’s Gulf visit. 7. Airbus Spain has delivered the 15th C-295 transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force. Defence 1. DRDO has successfully test-fired a 1,500 km hypersonic cruise missile under Project Vishnu, achieving Mach 8+ speed. 2. The Second GE-404 engine has been delivered to HAL. 12 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets are expected to be ready by year-end. 3. India & Japan have conducted joint maritime drill ‘JA-MATA’ off the coast of Chennai. 4. India has participated in Australia-led Talisman Sabre 2025 military exercise. 5. Operation SHIVA 2025 was launched by Indian Army to secure the Shri Amarnath Yatra in J&K. 6. DRDO & IAF have successfully tested Astra Missile, a Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missile. 7. Russia has offered its Su-57E and S-70 UAV combo with tech transfer for India’s AMCA program. 8. INS Nistar, India’s 1st indigenous Diving Support Vessel has been inducted at Visakhapatnam. Sports 1. Chess player Harikrishnan A. Ra. from Chennai has become India’s 87th Grandmaster. 2. Jharkhand won the 15th Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship by defeating Odisha 1–0. 3. Indian women's football team has made history by qualifying for the AFC women's Asian cup 2026 for the first time after 23 years. 4. Indian men's football national team has slipped to 133 FIFA ranking, their lowest in 9 years. 5. Chelsea FC of England won the first edition of the new club football world cup held in USA. < < Back