Current Affairs Quiz – July 2025

Notes:
Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the “3 by 35” Initiative to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs). It urges countries to raise taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks to achieve at least a 50% real price increase by 2035. NCDs like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes cause over 75% of global deaths. Higher taxes could prevent 50 million premature deaths over 50 years and generate USD 1 trillion in public revenue in the next decade. Between 2012 and 2022, around 140 countries already raised tobacco taxes, showing large-scale change is achievable.

Notes:
Recently, a World Bank report ranked India fourth in the world for income equality with a Gini Index of 25.5. Only the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Belarus have better equality indicators. India’s Gini Index shows moderately low inequality, between 25 and 30. The Gini Index measures income, wealth, or consumption inequality, with 0 as perfect equality and 100 as maximum inequality. India’s Gini Index is lower than China at 35.7 and the United States at 41.8.

Notes:
Recently, the Andhra Pradesh government launched the Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyarthi Mitra Kits scheme. The scheme is named after India’s second President and renowned teacher to keep education above politics. More than 35 lakh students will get free school kits under this scheme. The total cost is Rs 953.71 crore, with Rs 778.68 crore from the state and Rs 175.03 crore from the Centre.

Notes:
After more than 100 years, swimmers officially returned to the River Seine in France since its closure in 1923. The River Seine is France’s second-longest river after the Loire, stretching 775 kilometers. Its drainage basin, called the Paris Basin, covers about 79,000 square kilometers in northern France. Around 62% of the basin supports agriculture, holding 25% of France’s farm activity and up to 30% of industry.

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The Rajasthan government launched the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Poverty-Free Village Scheme to uplift rural Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. In the first phase, 5,000 villages have been selected with an allocation of ₹300 crore for financial support. The scheme aims to boost economic empowerment and transform the rural social and economic landscape. Families who moved above the poverty line on their own will get a ₹21,000 incentive. Under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Antyodaya Sambal Fortnight, 22,400 verified bank accounts are targeted for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Notes:
On 7th July 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, launched a Specialised Training Program in Cancer Care for BIMSTEC countries at Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Mumbai. The initiative was earlier announced by the Prime Minister during the 6th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit. Participants from BIMSTEC countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Nepal are attending the program. The training aims to address rising cancer cases and disparities in quality cancer care across the region. It seeks to build capacity, enhance skills, and foster collaboration and research among BIMSTEC nations.

Notes:
Recently, Kharai camels were rescued from sea tide in Gujarat, highlighting their unique coastal habitat. Kharai camels are a rare and domesticated breed found mainly in the Kutch region of Gujarat. They are known for their ability to swim in the sea and feed on mangrove forests. The name “Kharai” comes from the word “Khara,” meaning saline, showing their adaptability to both desert and coastal areas. These camels have been traditionally preserved by the Rabari and Fakirani Jat tribes for over 400 years.

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Recently, European Union ministers approved Bulgaria to adopt the Euro from January 1, 2026, making it the 21st member of the eurozone. Bulgaria is located in southeastern Europe, occupying the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. It shares borders with Romania to the north, Turkey and Greece to the south, North Macedonia to the southwest, and Serbia to the west. It is bounded by the Black Sea on the east. The Balkan Mountains cross the central part of the country.

Notes:
Recently, Mount Rainier in Washington, United States, experienced over 300 small earthquakes, marking the most significant seismic activity since 2009, as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Mount Rainier is the highest mountain in Washington state, standing at 4,392 metres. It covers 260 square kilometers and has the largest single-mountain glacier system in the U.S. outside Alaska. It is an active stratovolcano formed by lava flows that began about one million years ago. Its last eruption occurred around 150 years ago.

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Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump cited the fentanyl crisis to justify imposing 35% tariffs on Canada. Fentanyl caused over 112,000 overdose deaths in the United States in 2024 alone. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid used medically as a pain reliever and anaesthetic. It is about 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. Common street names include Apache, China Girl, China Town, Dance Fever, Goodfellas, Jackpot, and King Ivory. Fentanyl overdose can cause cold skin, bluish lips (cyanosis), coma, respiratory failure, and death.