Today’s important current affairs, which are essential for students preparing for government jobs-
NATIONAL
1. PM Modi arrives in Indonesia, begins three-nation tour
- PM Modi is on a visit to 3 countries – Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand from 6 to 11 July.
- PM Modi first arrived in Indonesia on the first day of his visit.
- In Indonesia, he first met President Prabowo Subianto and also visited Prambanan Temple.
- During this visit, he will discuss issues such as maritime security, defense cooperation, trade, energy, digital cooperation and connectivity in Indonesia.
- After this, PM Modi will reach Australia on 8 July and will hold summit talks with Australian PM Anthony Albanese.
- This dialogue will cover trade, investment, defense, critical minerals, education, and Indo-Pacific cooperation.
- On July 10, PM Modi will arrive in New Zealand and meet with PM Christopher Luxon.
- This will be the first visit by an Indian PM to New Zealand in nearly 40 years.
- During this visit, discussions are expected on issues such as defense cooperation, maritime security, trade, investment, digital cooperation, and partnership in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Cooperation between the two countries has steadily increased in recent years in defense, trade, connectivity, and maritime security. The purpose of this visit is believed to be giving new momentum to the strategic partnership.
- Modi had also visited Indonesia in 2023 and 2018. After this, Modi reached Indonesia in September 2023 to participate in the 20th ASEAN-India and 18th East Asia Summit held in Jakarta.
SPORTS
2. Brazilian footballer Neymar announces retirement from international football
- On 6 July, Brazilian star footballer Neymar retired from international football.
- Norway defeated Brazil 2-1 in the pre-quarterfinal on Monday.
- After Brazil’s defeat, Neymar announced his retirement.
- Neymar scored the only goal for Brazil in this match played at New Jersey Stadium in America.
- Neymar made his first international debut for Brazil at MetLife Stadium in 2010. Neymar retired at the same stadium.
- Neymar has played 130 international matches in his career and only Cafu (142) has played more matches than him for Brazil.
- In his last match, Neymar scored a goal and equaled Pele’s record.
- Neymar has scored 80 international goals while Pele has 77 goals to his name.
- In 2024, Neymar was honored with the Globe Soccer Award ‘Player Career Award’.
- This is the sixth consecutive FIFA World Cup when Brazil has lost to a European team.
- In 2006 they lost to France, in 2010 to Netherlands, in 2014 to Germany, in 2018 to Belgium, in 2022 to Croatia and in 2026 to Norway and were eliminated.
Neymar was honored with an award for the best goal of the year in 2011.
3. Australia won the Women’s T-20 World Cup for the seventh time
- On July 5, Australia won the Women’s T20 World Cup title for the seventh time.
- The final was played at Lord’s and Australia set a target of 151 runs. The team defeated England by 7 wickets.
- Australian player Beth Mooney scored 64 runs in 49 balls and was the Player of the Match.
- Apart from her brilliant performance in the final match, Beth Mooney also won the Player of the Tournament title by displaying excellent play throughout the tournament.
- The winning team of the Women’s T20 World Cup will be awarded 2.34 million US dollars (approximately 22 crore rupees).
- Runner-up England will receive 1.17 million US dollars (approximately 11 crore rupees).
- In the year 2023, Australia won the World Cup by defeating South Africa by 19 runs.
Miscellaneous
4. 13th century inscription found in Andhra Pradesh
- On 6 July, a rare 13th-century inscription was found in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh.
- This inscription is in ancient Telugu language.
- It contains information about the then kings and local administration.
- Has historical evidence related to temple lands and donations.
- The inscription is an important archaeological evidence of medieval South Indian history.
- It is believed to be from the time of the Kakatiya dynasty or its contemporary rulers.
- This inscription is connected to the social, religious and administrative history of medieval Andhra Pradesh.
- Experts have been called to study the language and script of the inscription.
This inscription is in ancient Telugu language.
5. Two non-Muslims included in Waqf Board for the first time
- On 6 July, Madhya Pradesh became the first state in the country to include two Hindu (non-Muslim) members in the Waqf Board for the first time.
- This change (amendment) in the Waqf Board has been made under the Act, 2025. Under this new rule, a provision has been made to include non-Muslim members in the board.
- Under this amendment, the Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board has appointed Hindu members Manoj Malpani (Indore) and Animesh Bhargava (Guna) for the first time.
- Along with this, Sanwar Patel has been made the Chairman of the board. MP is the first state in the country to do so.
- MP CM Mohan Yadav has approved the 10-member board.
- Its objective is to bring more transparency in the management of Waqf properties.
Waqf Board (Amendment) Act, 2025
- The Waqf Board Act was created in 1995.
- Many changes have been made in the Waqf Board (Amendment) Act, 2025.
- Several important amendments have been made such as a ban on ‘Waqf by User’, meaning the provision to declare a property as Waqf merely on the basis of long-term religious use has been eliminated.
- Previously registered properties have been given protection under certain conditions.
- Under this, Section 40 has been removed, under which they could unilaterally declare a property as Waqf.
- Provisions have been made to protect the rights of women, children, widows and other legal heirs, so that their legal rights are not affected before declaring a property as Waqf.
- Digital records, surveys, and online registration of Waqf properties have been promoted.
- According to the new rules, two non-Muslim members can now be nominated to the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards.
- Additionally, emphasis has been placed on digitization of records, better administration, and accountability to bring transparency in the management of Waqf properties.
- The Waqf Board is a statutory body that manages and protects Waqf properties.
- Waqf is property that a Muslim person donates for religious, educational, or charitable purposes.
6. World’s Oldest Banyan Tree Found in Bihar
- On July 6, the world’s oldest banyan tree was found in Munger, Bihar.
- Based on scientific research, it is being considered the world’s oldest, approximately more than 700 years old.
- This research has come to light after Carbon Dating and nearly three years of scientific research.
- This research was conducted by scientists from Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow, who used Carbon Dating technology.
- Banyan trees do not form annual rings like normal trees, therefore modern Carbon Dating technology was used to determine its age.
- The height of this banyan tree is approximately 60 feet and its spread is about 100 meters.
- The Bihar government may declare this tree as a ‘Heritage Tree’.
Today in History
- In 1948, independent India’s first multipurpose ‘Damodar Valley Project’ came into existence.
- In 1999, during the Kargil War, brave Captain Vikram Batra of the Indian Army was martyred. He was posthumously honored with the Param Vir Chakra.
- In 2007, the New 7 Wonders Foundation included India’s ‘Taj Mahal’ among the new seven wonders of the world.
