Current Affairs 16 July 2025

Current Affairs 16 July 2025

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1. Raghavendra S Bhat Named as Interim CEO of Karnataka Bank
  • Experience: Raghavendra S Bhat has over 38 years of experience in banking, having joined Karnataka Bank as a clerk in 1981 and rising through the ranks.
  • Previous Role: Before becoming Interim CEO, Bhat served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Karnataka Bank, a position he held from 2019 and was re-appointed to on July 1, 2025.
  • Appointment: Bhat's appointment as Interim MD and CEO is effective from July 16, 2025, for a period of three months or until a regular MD and CEO is appointed, whichever is earlier.
  • Leadership: Bhat has held top management positions for over a decade, driving strategic decisions and shaping the bank's growth initiatives.
  • Background: The bank has confirmed that Bhat is not debarred from holding office by any regulatory authority and is not related to any existing directors, ensuring a smooth transition.
Foot notes:
About Karnataka Bank-
  • Non-Executive Chairman: P. Pradeep Kumar
  • Headquarters: Karnataka
  • Founded: 1924
2. Taiwan’s CTBC Bank to Open New Unit in GIFT City
  • Largest Private Bank: CTBC Bank, Taiwan's largest private bank, has applied to open an IFSC Banking Unit (IBU) in GIFT City, Gujarat, to boost financial ties between India and Taiwan.
  • New Banking Unit: The bank plans to set up its unit in Brigade Towers, occupying over 3,100 square feet of space, and offer various international financial services.
  • Existing Presence: CTBC Bank already has a presence in India, with its first branch opened in New Delhi in 1996, and now aims to expand its services through GIFT City.
  • Growing Interest: This move is part of a growing interest in GIFT City, with other Taiwanese banks like Taipei Fubon Bank also receiving approval to set up IBUs, and banks from the UAE and France showing similar interest.
  • GIFT City's Growth: GIFT City is rapidly becoming a global banking hub, with 31 IBUs already operational, handling trade finance, foreign currency loans, investments, and other services.
Foot notes:
About CTBC Bank-
  • President: James Chen
  • Headquarters: Taiwan
  • Founded: 1966
3. ACKO Becomes Tesla’s Insurance Partner in India
  • Partnership Details: ACKO General Insurance has been selected as Tesla's preferred insurance partner in India, offering customized insurance products for Tesla owners with a fully integrated digital journey from quote to claim.
  • Digital Insurance Process: The partnership aims to simplify car ownership through intelligent technology, allowing customers to get quotes, purchase policies, and manage claims entirely online without paperwork.
  • EV-Specific Coverage: ACKO's insurance products will be tailored for electric vehicles, covering aspects like battery performance and charging equipment, ensuring a smooth and secure ownership experience for Tesla owners.
  • Premium Add-ons: Tesla owners in India will have access to premium add-ons such as Full Depreciation Shield, Gap Value Protection, and coverage for tyres and consumables, enhancing the overall ownership experience.
Foot notes:
About Tesla-
  • CEO: Elon Musk
  • Founded: 2003
  • Headquarters: United States
About ACKO-
  • MD & CEO: Santosh Iyer
  • Headquarters: Bengaluru
  • Founded: 2019
4. Hockey Jharkhand Clinch 5th Straight Sub-Junior Women’s Title
  • Fifth Consecutive Win: Hockey Jharkhand has clinched its fifth straight Sub-Junior Women's National Championship title, showcasing the team's dominance in the sport.
  • Final Match Details: Jharkhand defeated Odisha 1-0 in the final match, held at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh AstroTurf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand. Jirn Soy Munda scored the decisive goal in the 27th minute.
  • Strong Defense: Both teams displayed strong defensive skills throughout the match, but Jharkhand's solid gameplay secured their victory.
  • Bronze Medal Match: Haryana won the bronze medal after defeating Mizoram 3-3 (5-4 in a shootout) in the third-place match. Haryana's goalkeeper Saina made a crucial save in the shootout to seal the win.
5. Chelsea Clinch Historic First FIFA Club World Cup Title
  • Chelsea's Dominant Performance: Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) 3-0 in the final, showcasing their tactical discipline and clinical finishing. Cole Palmer scored a brace, and João Pedro added a stunning strike to secure the victory.
  • Historic Achievement: This win marks Chelsea's second Club World Cup title, following their 2021 triumph. They became the first English club to win the prestigious title twice.
  • Tournament Highlights: Chelsea's journey to the final included victories over Benfica (4-1), Palmeiras (2-1), and Fluminense (2-0). Cole Palmer was named the Player of the Tournament, while Real Madrid's Gonzalo Garcia won the Golden Boot with four goals.
  • Post-Match Controversy: PSG's manager Luis Enrique was involved in an unsportsmanlike incident after the match, appearing to shove João Pedro. This could lead to scrutiny and a potential ban for Enrique.
6. Senior BJP leader Ashim Kumar Ghosh appointed as Governor of Haryana
  • Appointment: Ashim Kumar Ghosh, a veteran BJP leader and former Bengal BJP president, has been appointed as the Governor of Haryana, effective from the date he assumes charge.
  • Background: Ghosh is an 81-year-old retired professor of political science who joined the BJP in 1991 under the mentorship of senior leader Prabhakar Tiwari. He served as the state president of Bengal BJP from 1999 to 2002.
  • Experience: Ghosh has a long history of involvement with the BJP, including contesting the Kasipur Assembly seat in 1991 and serving as the party's observer for Tripura from 2003 to 2005. He was also a member of the BJP National Executive from 2004 to 2006.
  • Significance: Ghosh's appointment is seen as a recognition of his dedication and contributions to the BJP, particularly during its formative years in West Bengal. It also reflects the party's strategy to reward veteran leaders and appeal to the educated Bengali middle class.
Foot notes:
About Haryana-
  • Chief Minister: Nayab Singh Saini
  • Governor: Ashim Kumar Ghosh
  • Capital: Chandigarh
7.  Hemant Rupani Named New CEO of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages
  • Background: Hemant Rupani is currently the Business Unit President for Southeast Asia at Mondelēz International, overseeing the company's operations in the region.
  • Experience: Rupani has over 20 years of experience in various industries, including food and beverages, telecom, and consulting, having worked with companies like PepsiCo, Vodafone, and Britannia.
  • Leadership Roles: He has held leadership positions, including Managing Director of Mondelez Kinh Do Vietnam, where he successfully drove business growth and enabled consumers to "snack right" with a portfolio of brands.
  • Skills: Rupani has expertise in business turnarounds, operational excellence, brand building, and team management, having delivered market-leading performance in his previous roles.
Foot notes:
About Coca-Cola-
  • Founded: 1892
  • Headquarters: United States
  • Chairman and CEO: James Quincey
8. Deepika won Poligras Magic Skill Award
  • First Indian Winner: Deepika became the first Indian player to win the prestigious Poligras Magic Skill Award, making history in Indian hockey.
  • Award-Winning Goal: She won the award for her stunning solo goal against the Netherlands in the 2024-25 FIH Hockey Pro League season, where she dribbled past defenders and scored a crucial goal.
  • Global Fan Vote: The winner was decided through a global fan vote, and Deepika emerged as the favorite, receiving recognition for her creative and skillful moment in hockey.
  • Match Details: Deepika's goal helped India come back from 0-2 down to draw 2-2 against the world No. 1 team, Netherlands, and eventually win in a shootout.
9. Sudanese-Scottish Author Leila Aboulela Won PEN Pinter Prize 2025
  • Award Recognition: Leila Aboulela was awarded the PEN Pinter Prize 2025 for her powerful writing that explores faith, migration, and the lives of Muslim women, showcasing her truth, courage, and deep understanding of society.
  • Literary Background: Aboulela is a renowned author known for novels like "The Translator" (1999), "Minaret" (2005), and "River Spirit" (2023), with her work translated into 15 languages and studied in many universities.
  • Judges' Praise: The judges praised Aboulela's writing for its "nuanced and rich perspectives on themes that are vital in our contemporary world: faith, migration, and displacement," calling her work "a balm, a shelter, and an inspiration".
  • Writer of Courage: Aboulela will announce a Writer of Courage at the award ceremony on October 10, 2025, at the British Library, recognizing an individual who has faced danger or persecution for defending free expression.
10. Veteran Actor Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away
  • Passed Away: Kota Srinivasa Rao died on July 12, 2025, at his residence in Filmnagar, Hyderabad, after a prolonged illness at the age of 83.
  • Career Span: Rao had a remarkable career spanning over four decades, featuring in over 750 films across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi cinema, earning acclaim for his villainous and character roles.
  • Awards and Honors: He was honored with the Padma Shri in 2015 and won nine prestigious Nandi Awards from the Andhra Pradesh government for his outstanding performances.
  • Notable Works: Some of his notable films include "Siva", "Gaayam", "Money", "Bommarillu", "Athadu", "Rakta Charitra", and "Attarintiki Daredi", showcasing his versatility as an actor.
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