1) India – Now 3rd Largest in Rare Earth Reserves! 🪨🌐

According to the CareEdge Report, India holds 8% of the world's rare earth reserves, making it the third-largest globally after China and Vietnam.

🔍 Why it matters?

Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential for green energy tech, EVs, wind turbines, defense systems, and electronics.

📌 India’s reserves are mainly found in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Jharkhand. This strategic resource could position India as a critical player in the global clean tech supply chain – a shift from dependency on China.

👥 2) World Population Day 2025 – Observed on July 11 🌏📅

Started by the United Nations in 1989, World Population Day raises awareness about global population issues.

📊 2025 Theme: "Investing in Youth, Empowering Futures”.

India remains the most populous country in the world since 2023, surpassing China with over 1.43 billion people.

➡️ Discussions this year focus on urban planning, resource management, and employment for youth – crucial as India enters its demographic dividend peak.

🏆 3) Punjab Tops Parakh National Achievement Survey (NAS) 📚🌟

Punjab has clinched the top spot in the Parakh NAS 2025, an educational assessment by the Ministry of Education to evaluate learning outcomes among students from Classes 3, 5, 8, and 10.

📌 The survey assesses reading, math, science, and social sciences across government and private schools.

🎯 Punjab's emphasis on teacher training, digital classrooms, and local language learning has significantly boosted outcomes.

🏛️ 4) Amit Shah Chairs 27th Eastern Zonal Council Meet in Ranchi 🤝📍

Union Home Minister Amit Shah led the 27th Eastern Zonal Council Meeting in Ranchi, Jharkhand, attended by CMs and senior officials from Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand.

🎯 Key topics discussed:

• Naxalism control measures
• Rail connectivity and infrastructure upgrades
• Water-sharing issues
• Skill development and industrial corridors
• 🕊️ The Zonal Councils, formed under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, aim to foster cooperation between Centre and states.

🚢 5) Gujarat Becomes First State to Join “Cruise India Mission” ⚓🌅

Gujarat leads by example, becoming the first state to onboard the “Cruise India Mission”, a major initiative to boost coastal and riverine tourism in India.

📍 Major hubs: Surat, Dwarka, Porbandar, and Bhavnagar

🚢 Backed by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Ministry of Ports, this move aligns with the Sagarmala project to unlock the potential of India’s 7,500 km coastline.

🎯 Objective: Create a vibrant blue economy with luxury cruises, employment, and sustainable travel options.

💻 6) Nvidia Becomes First Company to Cross $4 Trillion Valuation! 💰🚀

Nvidia, the AI and semiconductor powerhouse, has officially become the first company (not country 😉) to surpass a $4 trillion market cap, overtaking even Microsoft and Apple.

⚙️ Powered by the global boom in Generative AI, data centers, and GPU demand, Nvidia's dominance in AI chips like H100 and B200 Blackwell has revolutionized tech industries worldwide.

🔍 Founded in 1993, Nvidia’s meteoric rise reflects how AI is shaping the future of global economics.

🏦 7) RBI Mandates e-Kuber for High-Value Payments – ₹75 Crore+ via Digital Route 💸🔒

From July 16, 2025, all payments above ₹75 crore (corporate or government) must be routed through RBI’s e-Kuber system, a secure real-time gross settlement (RTGS) platform.

📌 Objective:

• Enhance transparency
• Ensure audit trails
• Prevent financial fraud
• 🧠 Fun Fact: e-Kuber has been used since 2012 for banking operations and direct benefit transfers. This expansion boosts India’s digital financial architecture.